Floor cleaner

Abstract

A floor cleaner that includes a valve is configured to move to a first position wherein a first flow path is defined from a first debris collector to a second debris collector to allow debris from the first debris collector to travel into the second debris collector. The valve is further configured to move to a second position wherein a second flow path is defined from a suction inlet to the second debris collector to allow debris from a surface into the second debris collector. The valve is further configured to move to a third position where a third flow path is defined from the suction inlet to the first debris collector to allow debris from the surface to the first debris collector.

Description

Attorney Docket No. 025818-0141 -WOO 1FLOOR CLEANER CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.63 / 740,357, filed December 31, 2024, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND

[0002] The present disclosure relates to floor cleaners.SUMMARY

[0003] In one embodiment of the disclosure a floor cleaner is operable to remove debris from a surface. The floor cleaner includes a first vacuum source operable to generate a first suction airflow, a first suction inlet in fluid communication with the first vacuum source, a first debris collector in fluid communication with the first suction inlet and the first vacuum source, the first debris collector configured to retain debris drawn through the first suction inlet by the first suction airflow. The floor cleaner further includes a second vacuum source operable to generate a second suction airflow, a second suction inlet in fluid communication with the second vacuum source, and a second debris collector in fluid communication with the second suction inlet and the second vacuum source. The second debris collector is configured to retain debris drawn through the second suction inlet by the second suction airflow. A valve is configured to move to a first position wherein a first flow path is defined from the first debris collector to the second debris collector to allow debris from the first debris collector to travel into the second debris collector. The valve is further configured to move to a second position wherein a second flow path is defined from the second suction inlet to the second debris collector to allow debris from the surface to travel with the second suction airflow into the second debris collector. The valve is further configured to move to a third position. A third flow path is defined from the second suction inlet to the first debris collector to allow debris from the surface to travel with the first suction airflow, through the second suction inlet, and into the first debris collector.

[0004] Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.Attorney Docket No. 025818-0141 -WOO 1BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a floor cleaner according to one embodiment of the disclosure with a valve in a first position.

[0006] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the floor cleaner of Fig. 1 with the valve in a second position.

[0007] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the floor cleaner of Fig. 1 with the valve in a third position.

[0008] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the valve of the floor cleaner of Fig. 1 in the first position.

[0009] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the valve of the floor cleaner of Fig. 1 in the second position.

[0010] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the valve of the floor cleaner of Fig. 1 in the third position.

[0011] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a floor cleaner according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

[0012] Fig. 8 illustrates the floor cleaner of Fig. 7 with a first surface cleaner disconnected from a second surface cleaner.

[0013] Fig. 9 illustrates a valve of the floor cleaner of Fig. 7.

[0014] Fig. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the floor cleaner of Fig. 7 with the valve in a first position.

[0015] Fig. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the floor cleaner of Fig. 7 with the valve in a second position.

[0016] Fig. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the floor cleaner of Fig. 7 with the valve in a third position.Attorney Docket No. 025818-0141 -WOO 1

[0017] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the first surface cleaner of the floor cleaner of Fig.7.

[0018] Fig. 14 is a flow chart illustrating one possible operation of the floor cleaner of Fig. 7.

[0019] Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Fig. 1 illustrates a floor cleaner 10. The floor cleaner 10 includes a first surface cleaner 12, a second surface cleaner 14, and a valve 16. As will be discussed in more detail below, the valve 16 is movable between different position to allow the first surface cleaner 12 to empty debris into the second surface cleaner 14 and to allow both surface cleaners 12, 14 to draw debris from a surface 18 depending on the position of the valve 16.

[0021] The first surface cleaner 12 includes a first vacuum source 20, a first suction inlet 22, and a first debris collector 24. The first vacuum source 20 includes a motor and a fan and the first vacuum source 20 is operatable to generate a first suction airflow through the first suction inlet 22, the first debris collector 24, and through the first vacuum source 20. The first suction inlet 22 is in fluid communication with the first vacuum source 20 such that debris may enter the first surface cleaner 12 through the first suction inlet 22. The first debris collector 24 is in fluid communication with the first suction inlet 22 and receives the debris and the first suction airflow from the first suction inlet 22. The first debris collector 24 separates the debris from the first suction airflow and retains the debris drawn through the first suction inlet 22 by the first suction airflow. In the illustrated embodiment, the first debris collector 24 includes a first separator 26, which is a cyclonic separator in the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments, other types of separators and combinations of separators may be utilized. For example, in other embodiments, the first separator 26 includes a filter that separates the debris from the first suction airflow in the first debris collector 24. In other embodiments, the first separator utilizesAttorney Docket No. 025818-0141 -WOO 1other types of separators and / or combination of separators. For example, in some embodiments, the first separator may include an over-the-wall type cyclonic separator. Also, the cyclonic separator may include multiple stage cyclonic stages. Also, some embodiments may include a filter or filters for debris separation, which may be used in combination with a cyclonic separator.

[0022] The illustrated first surface cleaner 12 includes a battery 30 that is operable to power the first vacuum source 20 to generate the first suction airflow. In some embodiments, the battery 30 is also operable to power the second surface cleaner 14. For example, when the first surface cleaner 12 is connected to the second surface cleaner 14, the battery 30 is electrically connected to the second surface cleaner 14 to power the second surface cleaner 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery 30 is coupled to the first surface cleaner 12 such that the battery 30 removes with the first surface cleaner 12 from the second surface cleaner 14. Then, the battery 30 can power the first surface cleaner 12 at locations remote and independent from the second surface cleaner 14. In some embodiments, the battery 30 if fixed to the first surface cleaner 12 such that the battery 30 is not intended to be removed from the surface cleaner 12 to charge the battery 30. Thus, the battery 30 is charged while the battery 30 remains attached to the first surface cleaner 12. In other embodiments, the battery 30 is removably coupled to the first surface cleaner 12 and the battery 30 is charged in a charging device separate from the first surface cleaner 12.

[0023] The first surface cleaner 12 further include a handle 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 32 is configured so that the handle 32 is used by a user to also move the second surface cleaner 14 along the surface 18 when the first surface cleaner 12 is coupled to the second surface cleaner 14. In other embodiments, the second surface cleaner 14 may include a separate handle to move the second surface cleaner 14 along the surface 18 when the first surface cleaner 12 is or is not attached to the second surface cleaner 14. The first surface cleaner 12 includes an actuator 33 adjacent the handle 32. In one embodiment, the actuator 33 includes a trigger that is pressed by the user to turn on the first vacuum source 20 to generate the first suction airflow. In other embodiments, the actuator 33 can include other types of electromechanical switches, a touchscreen, buttons, or the like.Attorney Docket No. 025818-0141 -WOO 1

[0024] The second surface cleaner 14 includes a second vacuum source 34, a second suction inlet 36, and a second debris collector 38. The second vacuum source 34 includes a motor and a fan and the second vacuum source 34 is operatable to generate a second suction airflow through the second suction inlet 36, the second debris collector 38, and through the second vacuum source 34. In one embodiment, the actuator 33 of the first surface cleaner 12 is used to control operation of the second vacuum source 34. For example, when the first surface cleaner 12 is connected to the second surface cleaner 14, if the user presses the actuator 33, the actuator 33 turns on the second vacuum source 34 to generate the second suction airflow. When the first surface cleaner 12 is disconnected from the second surface cleaner (as shown in Fig. 1), if the user presses the actuator 33, the actuator 33 will turn on the first vacuum source 20 to generate the second suction airflow. In some embodiments, the floor cleaner 10 includes a sensor or sensors to determine whether the first surface cleaner 12 is connected or disconnected to the second surface cleaner 14. In other embodiments, the floor cleaner 10 may include a switch, including an electromechanical switch to determine whether the first surface cleaner 12 is connected or disconnected to the second surface cleaner 14.

[0025] The second suction inlet 36 of the second surface cleaner 14 is in fluid communication with the second vacuum source 34 such that debris may enter the second surface cleaner 14 through the second suction inlet 36. The second debris collector 38 is in fluid communication with the second suction inlet 36 and receives the debris and the second suction airflow from the second suction inlet 36. The second debris collector 38 separates the debris from the second suction airflow and retains the debris drawn through the second suction inlet 36 by the second suction airflow. In the illustrated embodiment, the second debris collector 38 includes a second separator 39, which includes a first stage cyclonic separator 40 and a second stage cyclonic separator 42 downstream from the first stage cyclonic separator 40. In other embodiments, other types of separators maybe utilized. For example, the second debris collector may utilize other combinations of cyclonic separators or multiple stage cyclonic separators, including over-the-wall type separators, and a filter or filters. In other embodiments, the second debris collector may include only a single stage cyclonic separator. In other embodiments, the second debris collector may include a filter or filter bag with no cyclonic separator. The second debris collector 38 further includes a container 44 and an inlet 46 that extends through a sidewall of the container 44. In some embodiments, the inlet 46 is generally tangential to the sidewall ofAttorney Docket No. 025818-0141 -WOO 1the container 44 and configured to generate a cyclonic flow of the second suction airflow within the container 44 to separate debris from the second suction airflow.

[0026] The second surface cleaner 14 further includes a base 48 and a body 50. The base 48 includes the second suction inlet 36 and the base 48 is movable over the surface 18. The body 50 is pivotably coupled to the base 48 to facilitate moving the base 48 and the second surface cleaner 14 during use and storage. In the illustrated embodiment, the second debris collector 38 is part of the body 50 for pivotal movement relative to the base 48. The second debris collector 38 is removably coupled to the body 50 to facilitate emptying debris from the second debris collector 38. Also in the illustrated embodiment, the second surface cleaner 14 includes a second battery 52 that is operable to power the second vacuum source 34 to generate the second suction airflow. In some embodiments, the second battery 52 is removably coupled to the second surface cleaner 14 such that the user removes the second battery 52 from the second surface cleaner 14 to charge the second battery 52. Also in some embodiments, the first battery 30 has a first capacity (e.g., ampere-hours) and the second battery 52 has a second capacity (e.g., ampere-hours) that is greater than the first capacity of the first battery 30. In some embodiments, the second battery 52 can be used to charge the first battery 30 when the first surface cleaner is coupled to the second surface cleaner 14.

[0027] The floor cleaner 10 further includes a duct 54 and the valve 16 is at least partially located within the duct 54 to direct airflow within the duct 54. In the illustrated embodiment, the duct 54 is part of the second surface cleaner 14 such that the duct 54 and the valve 16 remain with the second surface cleaner 14 when the first surface cleaner 12 is removed from the second surface cleaner 14. In other embodiments, the valve 16 is removable from the second surface cleaner 14. For example, in some embodiments, the valve 16 and the duct 54 may be removable from the second surface cleaner 14 with the first surface cleaner 12. Alternatively stated, as shown in Fig. 3, the body 50, which includes the second vacuum source 34, the second debris collector 38, and the second battery 52, of the second surface cleaner 14 can be removed from the duct 54 such that the duct 54 and the base 48 are used with the first surface cleaner 12 without the body 50 being attached to the floor cleaner 10.Attorney Docket No. 025818-0141 -WOO 1

[0028] The first surface cleaner 10 includes an inlet duct 58. The inlet duct 58 includes the first suction inlet 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the first surface cleaner 12 is connected to or coupled to the second surface cleaner 14 by connecting the inlet duct 58 to the duct 54. The second surface cleaner 12 is disconnected or uncoupled from the second surface cleaner 14 by disconnecting or uncoupling the duct 54 and the inlet duct 58.

[0029] The valve 16 is movable to a first position (Fig. 1), a second position (Fig. 2), and a third position (Fig. 3). In one embodiment, the valve 16 is manually movable to the first, second, and third positions. For example, the valve 16 may include a handle that is grabbed by a user and the handle is moved by the user to manually move the valve 16 to the first, second, and third positions. In other embodiments, the valve 16 includes an electric actuator that uses the first battery 30 or the second battery 52 to move the valve 16 to the first, second, and third positions. The electric actuator may include a motor, including a servo-motor, a solenoid valve, and the like. Also, the floor cleaner 10 may include a display where the user selects the position of the valve 16 and the display communicates with a controller that controls the electric actuator to move the valve 16.

[0030] Referring to Fig. 1, when the valve 16 is in the first position and the first surface cleaner 12 is coupled to the duct 54 of the second surface cleaner 14, a first flow path 60 is defined from the first debris collector 24 to the second debris collector 38 when the first surface cleaner 12 is coupled to and fluidly connected to the duct 54. The first flow path 60 extends through the inlet duct 58 of the first surface cleaner 12, through a portion of the duct 54, through the valve 16, through the inlet 46 of the second debris collector 38, and into the second debris collector 38. When the valve 16 is in the first position, the second vacuum source 34 is operable to generate the second suction airflow, which is directed by the valve 16 along the first flow path 60 to draw debris from the first debris collector 24 and into the second debris collector 38. The second debris collector 38 separates the debris from the first debris collector 24 from the second suction airflow before the second suction airflow is exhausted from the second surface cleaner 14. Therefore, in the first position of the valve 16, debris from the first debris collector 24 can be emptied or transferred into the second debris collector 38. In some embodiments, a collection volume of the second debris collector 38 is greater than a collection volume of the first debris collector 24 and the second debris collector 38 can store more debris than the first debrisAttorney Docket No. 025818-0141 -WOO 1collector 24. Therefore, debris from the smaller first debris collector 24 can be emptied into the larger second debris collector 38. In some embodiments, the first vacuum source 20 is operable to generate an airflow along the first flow path 60 to transfer or blow debris from the first debris collector 24 toward the second debris collector 38. For example, in such an embodiment, the first vacuum source 20 may include a bi-polarity motor that is operable to generate airflow in two opposite directions. In a first direction, the first vacuum source 20 generates the first suction airflow to draw debris into the first debris collector 24. In a second direction opposite the first direction, the first vacuum source 20 generates a discharge airflow that expels and blows debris from the first debris collector 24 along the first flow path 60, and into the second debris collector 38 when the first debris collector is connected to the second debris collector 38. In some embodiments, the first surface cleaner 12 can be used as a blower to blow debris along a surface when the first debris collector 24 is empty. In such an embodiment, the first surface cleaner 12 includes a sensor to determine whether debris is present in the first debris collector 24. If debris is determined to be present in the first debris collector 24, then the first vacuum source 20 will be disabled from generating the discharge airflow unless the first surface cleaner 12 is connected to the duct 54 of the second surface cleaner 14.

[0031] Referring to Fig. 2, in the second position of the valve 16, a second flow path 62 is defined from the second suction inlet 36 to the second debris collector 38 when the first surface cleaner 12 is coupled to and fluidly connected to the duct 54. In the illustrated embodiment, when the valve 16 is in the first position (Fig. 1), fluid communication along the second flow path 62 (Fig. 2) is inhibited. The second flow path 62 extends from the second suction inlet 36, through a portion of the duct 54, through the valve 16, through the inlet 46 of the second debris collector 38, and into the second debris collector 38. In the illustrated embodiment, when the valve 16 is in the second position (Fig. 2), fluid communication along the first flow path 60 (Fig.1) is inhibited. With the valve 16 in the second position, the second vacuum source 34 is operable to generate the second suction airflow along the second flow path 62 to draw debris from the surface 18, through the second suction inlet 36, and into the second debris collector 38.

[0032] Referring to Fig. 3, in the third position of the valve 16, a third flow path 64 is defined from the second suction inlet 36 to the first debris collector 24. In the illustrated embodiment, in the third position of the valve 16, fluid communication along the second flowAttorney Docket No. 025818-0141 -WOO 1path 62 from the second suction inlet 36 to the second debris collector 38 is inhibited and fluid communication along the first flow path 60 between the first debris collector 24 and the second debris collector 38 is inhibited.

[0033] The third flow path 64 extends from the second suction inlet 36, through the duct 54, through the valve 16, through the first suction inlet 22, through inlet duct 58 of the first surface cleaner 12, and into the first debris collector 24. With the valve 16 in the third position, the user can use the floor cleaner 10 to draw debris from the surface 18, through the second suction inlet 36 of the base 48 and into the first debris collector 24 of the first surface cleaner 12. When the valve 16 is in the third position, the floor cleaner 10 can be used with or without the body 50, which includes the second vacuum source 34, the second debris collector 38, and the second battery 52, attached to the duct 54 and the base 48. For example, depending on the cleaning application, the user may want to use the smaller first surface cleaner 12 without the relatively large body 50 of the second surface cleaner 14 as shown in Fig. 3. In some embodiments, the floor cleaner 10 may include a sensor or switch to determine whether the body 50 is attached to the floor cleaner 10. If the body 50 is detached for the cleaning operation using the third position of the valve 16, the floor cleaner 10 may lock out or disable movement of the valve 16 to the first and / or second positions.

[0034] Another possible application of the third position (Figs. 3 and 6) of the valve 16 may be if the second debris collector 38 is full and the user is using the floor cleaner 10 with the body 50 of the second surface cleaner 14. For example, the user may be using the floor cleaner 10 in the configurations shown in Figs. 2 and 5 (i.e., valve 16 in the second position). If the second debris collector 38 is full, the user may desire to direct debris into the first debris collector 24 by moving the valve 16 to the third position and activating the first vacuum source 20. In another example, the first debris collector 24 and the second debris collector 38 may be different types of collectors suited for different purposes. For example, the second debris collector 38 may be suited for picking up and storing liquid such that the second debris collector 38 is wet-type recovery tank. In such an embodiment, the first debris collector 24 may be suited for picking up and storing relatively dry debris. In such a configuration, the user can select from using the first debris collector 24 or the second debris collector 38 to retain debris drawn through the secondAttorney Docket No. 025818-0141 -WOO 1suction inlet 36 based on the type of debris and the collection capabilities of the different first debris collector 24 and the second debris collector 38.

[0035] Figs. 7 - 13 illustrate a floor cleaner 110 according to another embodiment. The floor cleaner 110 includes features similar to the floor cleaner 10 of Fig. 1-6 and like components have been given like reference numbers plus 100. Only some differences between the floor cleaners 10 and 110 will be discussed below and the explanation of features of the floor cleaner 10 discussed above should be understood to apply to the floor cleaner 110, including where like reference numbers plus 100 are utilized. Also, it should be understood that features from the floor cleaner 110 can be utilized in the floor clear 10, and features from the floor cleaner 10 can be utilized in the floor cleaner 110.

[0036] Referring to Fig. 7, the floor cleaner 110 includes the first surface cleaner 112, the second surface cleaner 114, and the valve 116. Referring to Fig. 13, the first surface cleaner 112 includes a first debris collector 124 having a filter 128 rather than a cyclonic separator in the embodiment in Figs. 1 - 6. Referring to Fig. 8, the floor cleaner 110 includes a sensor 166. The sensor 166 determines if the first surface cleaner 110 is connected to the second surface cleaner 114. That is, the sensor 166 determines if the first surface cleaner 110 is in the position illustrated in Fig. 7 or if the first surface cleaner 110 is in the position illustrated in Fig. 8. In the position illustrated in Fig. 7, the first debris collector 124 of the first surface cleaner 112 is in fluid communication with the duct 154, which can be in fluid communication with the second debris collector 138 of the second surface cleaner 114 when the valve 116 is in the first position as discussed above. In the position illustrated in Fig. 8, the first surface cleaner 112 is disconnected from the second surface cleaner 114 such that the first surface cleaner 112 can be used to draw debris through the first section inlet 122 independent from the second surface cleaner 114. When the first surface cleaner 112 is disconnected from the second surface cleaner 114 movement of the valve 116 to the third position, discussed above, may be disabled or locked out. The sensor 166 may include any suitable type of sensor to determine when the first surface cleaner 112 is connected to the second surface cleaner 114. For example, the sensor may include an electromechanical switch, a proximity sensor, a Hall effect sensor, and the like. In some embodiments, the first surface cleaner 112 may include an identifier 168 that may operate in combination with the sensor 166 to identify characteristics (e.g., model, type, etc.) of the firstAttorney Docket No. 025818-0141 -WOO 1surface cleaner 112 when the first surface cleaner 112 is connected to the second surface cleaner 114 as shown in Fig. 7. The identifier 168 may include any suitable type of identifier, including a radio frequency identification (RFID) and the like.

[0037] Referring to Figs. 9 - 12, the valve 116 include an actuator 170 to move the valve 116 between the first (Fig. 10), the second (Fig. 11), and the third (Fig. 12) positions described above. The illustrated actuator 170 is an electromechanical actuator that includes a motor 172 and a pinion gear 174. The valve 116 includes a rack gear 176 that engages with the pinion gear 174 such that rotation of the motor 172 about a motor axis 178 rotates the valve 116 between the first, the second, and the third positions. The valve 116 includes a valve body 180 and a valve member 182 that rotates relative to the valve body 180 about axis 179. In some embodiments, the valve body 180 may include a first position stop, a second position stop, and a third position stop. Thus, when the valve member 182 is rotated by the actuator 170 toward the first position (Fig. 10), the actuator 170 rotates the valve member 182 until the valve member 182 contacts the first position stop, which locates the valve member 182 in the first position. When the valve member 182 is rotated by the actuator 170 toward the second position (Fig. 11), the actuator 170 rotates the valve member 182 until the valve member 182 contacts the second position stop, which locates the valve member 182 in the second position. When the valve member 182 is rotated by the actuator 170 toward the third position (Fig. 12), the actuator 170 rotates the valve member 182 until the valve member 182 contacts the third position stop, which locates the valve member 182 in the third position.

[0038] Fig. 14 includes a flow diagram illustrating one possible operation of the floor cleaners 10 and 110. Although the following description will discuss the flow diagram with regard to the floor cleaner 110 of Figs. 7-13, the operation could also apply to the floor cleaner 10 of Fig. 1 - 6.

[0039] Referring to Fig. 14, at step 187 the floor cleaner 110 uses the sensor 166 to determine whether the first surface cleaner 112 is connected to the second surface cleaner 114 (Fig. 7) or if the first surface cleaner 112 is disconnected from the second surface cleaner 114 (Fig. 8). If the sensor 166 and related controls determine that the first surface cleaner 112 is disconnected from the second surface cleaner 114, then the valve 116 remains in or is movedAttorney Docket No. 025818-0141 -WOO 1(step 188) to the second position (Fig. 11), regardless of the position of the actuator 133. At step 189, if the floor cleaner 110 determines that the actuator 133 is pressed to turn on the first vacuum source 120, then a display of the first surface cleaner 112 displays a first display format 190 that allows the user to select between HIGH, MEDIUM, and LOW operation (e.g., suction airflow) of the first vacuum source 120. If at step 189, the floor cleaner 110 determines that the actuator 133 is not pressed, then the display displays a second display format 192 that allows the user to select from various options, including whether to empty the first debris collector 124. In one embodiment, to empty the first debris collector 124, the first vacuum source 120 generates a discharge airflow (opposite the suction airflow) that expels debris from the first debris collector 124 through the first suction inlet 122. At step 191, with the first surface cleaner 112 disconnected from the second surface cleaner 114, if the floor cleaner 110 determines that the actuator 133, or another actuator, is utilized to turn on the second vacuum source 134, then the display displays the first display format 190 that allows the user to select between HIGH, MEDIUM, and LOW operation (e.g., suction airflow) of the second vacuum source 134. When the valve 116 is in the second position, including when the first surface cleaner 112 is disconnected from the second surface cleaner 114, movement of the valve 116 to the first and third positions can be disabled or locked out.

[0040] If at step 187, the sensor 166 and related controls determine that the first surface cleaner 112 is connected to the second surface cleaner 114, then at step 193, then floor cleaner 110 determines whether the body 150, which includes the second vacuum source 134, the second debris collector 138, and the second battery 152, is attached to the duct 154. If the floor cleaner 110 determines that the body 150 is not attached to the duct 154, then at step 194, the valve 116 moves to the third position. In this configuration, movement of the valve 116 to the first and the second positions can be disabled or locked out. Following step 194, the display displays the first display format 190 that allows the user to select between HIGH, MEDIUM, and LOW operation (e g., suction airflow) of the first vacuum source 120. With the valve 116 in the third position and the first vacuum source 12 on, the first surface cleaner 112 can be used to draw debris from the surface through the second suction inlet 136 of the base 148 along with the duct 154 as discussed above.Attorney Docket No. 025818-0141 -WOO 1

[0041] Referring to Fig. 14, if at step 193 the floor cleaner 110 determines that the body 150 is connected to the duct 154, then the floor cleaner 110 proceeds to step 195 to determine whether the second suction vacuum 134 is turned on (e.g., if the user is pressing the actuator 133). If the user presses the actuator 133 (e.g., squeezes the trigger) at step 195, the display displays a third display format 196. The third display formatl96 allows the user to select YES or NO as to whether to empty the first debris collector 124 into the second debris collector 138. If the user selects NO (at step 196), then the valve 116 remains in the second position (Fig. 11) and the display displays the first display format 190, which allows the user to select from HIGH, MEDIUM, and LOW operation (e.g., suction airflow) of the second vacuum source 134. Then, if the user presses or actuates the actuator 133, the second vacuum source 134 will turn on to generate the second suction airflow which travels from the second suction inlet 136 along the second flow path 162 and into the second debris collector 138 because the valve 116 is in the second position (Fig. 11). When the valve 116 is in the second position with the second suction airflow traveling along the second flow path 162, movement of the valve 116 to the first and the third positions may be locked out or disabled.

[0042] In the third display format 196, if the user selects YES to the empty question, then the floor cleaner 110 begins the cycle to empty the first debris collector 124 into the second debris collector 138. At step 198, the valve 116 moves to the first position (Fig. 10) to direct the first flow path 160 from the first debris collector 124, through the duct 154, through the valve 116, and into the second debris collector 138. After the valve 116 moves to the first position (Fig. 10), the second vacuum source 134 is turned on (step 199) for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 20 seconds) to generate the second suction airflow along the first flow path 160.Meanwhile, the display displays a fourth display format 200 indicating that the emptying cycle is in process. In some embodiments, during the emptying cycle at step 199, the first vacuum source 120 may also be turned on for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 20 seconds) and generates the discharge airflow (i.e., opposite flow direction to first suction airflow) that expels debris from the first debris collector 124 through the first suction inlet 122 along with the second suction airflow from the second vacuum source 134. After the predetermined period of time is completed, the first vacuum source 120 and the second vacuum source 134 are turned off at step 201 and the emptying cycle is completed and the valve 116 moves back to the second position (Fig. 11) at step 202 and the display displays the first display format 190. In some embodiments,Attorney Docket No. 025818-0141 -WOO 1the emptying cycle discussed above can be automatically initiated when the sensor 166 determine that the first surface cleaner 112 is re-connected to the second surface cleaner 114 after being disconnected. Also, during the empty cycle with the valve 116 in the first position, movement of the valve 116 to the second and the third positions may be disabled or locked out.

[0043] Various features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. 025818-0141 -WOO 1CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A floor cleaner operable to remove debris from a surface, the floor cleaner comprising:a first vacuum source operable to generate a first suction airflow;a first suction inlet in fluid communication with the first vacuum source;a first debris collector in fluid communication with the first suction inlet and the first vacuum source, the first debris collector configured to retain debris drawn through the first suction inlet by the first suction airflow;a second vacuum source operable to generate a second suction airflow;a second suction inlet in fluid communication with the second vacuum source;a second debris collector in fluid communication with the second suction inlet and the second vacuum source, the second debris collector configured to retain debris drawn through the second suction inlet by the second suction airflow;a valve configured to move to a first position wherein a first flow path is defined from the first debris collector to the second debris collector to allow debris from the first debris collector to travel into the second debris collector,wherein the valve is further configured to move to a second position wherein a second flow path is defined from the second suction inlet to the second debris collector to allow debris from the surface to travel with the second suction airflow into the second debris collector, and wherein the valve is further configured to move to a third position wherein a third flow path is defined from the second suction inlet to the first debris collector to allow debris from the surface to travel with the first suction airflow, through the second suction inlet, and into the first debris collector.

2. The floor cleaner of claim 1, wherein in the third position of the valve, fluid communication along the second flow path from the second suction inlet to the second debris collector is inhibited and fluid communication along the first flow path between the first debris collector and the second debris collector is inhibited.Attorney Docket No. 025818-0141 -WOO 13. The floor cleaner according to any of the preceding claims, wherein when the valve is in the first position, the second vacuum source is operatable to generate the second suction airflow along the first flow path to draw debris from the first debris collector and into the second debris collector.

4. The floor cleaner according to any of the preceding claims, wherein when the valve is in the first position, the first vacuum source is operable to generate a discharge airflow along the first flow path to transfer debris from the first debris collector and into the second debris collector.

5. The floor cleaner according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in the first position of the valve, fluid communication along the second flow path from the second suction inlet to the second debris collector is inhibited.

6. The floor cleaner according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in the second position of the valve, fluid communication along the first flow path between the first debris collector and the second debris collector is inhibited.

7. The floor cleaner according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a volume of the second debris collector is greater than a volume of the first debris collector.

8. The floor cleaner according to any of the preceding claims, further comprisinga first surface cleaner that includes the first vacuum source, the first suction inlet, and the first debris collector; anda second surface cleaner that includes the second vacuum source, the second suction inlet, and the second debris container, andwherein the first surface cleaner is removably coupled to the second surface cleaner.

9. The floor cleaner according to claim 9, wherein the valve is coupled to the second surface cleaner such that the valve remains with the second surface cleaner when the first surface cleaner is removed from the second surface cleaner.Attorney Docket No. 025818-0141 -WOO 110. The floor cleaner according to either claim 8 or 9, wherein the second surface cleaner includes a base movable over the surface to be cleaned, the base includes the second suction inlet, the second surface cleaner further including a body pivotably coupled to the base, the second debris collector coupled to the body for pivotal movement with the body relative to the base.

11. The floor cleaner of claim 10, wherein the second debris collector is removably coupled to the body to facilitate emptying the second debris collector.

12. The floor cleaner according to any of claims 8 to 11, wherein the second surface cleaner includes a duct that at least partially defines the first flow path and the second flow path, wherein the valve is at least partially located within the duct.

13. The floor cleaner according to claim 12, wherein the duct at least partially defines the third flow path.

14. The floor cleaner according to either claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the first surface cleaner includes an inlet duct that includes the first suction inlet, wherein the inlet duct of the first surface cleaner is coupled to the duct of the second surface cleaner to at least partially define the first flow path from the first debris collector to the second debris collector and to allow debris from the first debris collector to travel into the second debris collector.

15. The floor cleaner according to any of claims 8 to 14, wherein the first surface cleaner includes a handle, wherein the handle of the first surface cleaner is configured to move the second surface cleaner along the surface.

16. The floor cleaner according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a first battery operable to power the first vacuum source to generate the first suction airflow and a second battery operable to power the second vacuum source to generate the second suction airflow.Attorney Docket No. 025818-0141 -WOO 117. The floor cleaner according to claim 16, wherein the first battery has a first capacity and the second battery has a second capacity greater than the first capacity.

28. The floor cleaner according to a combination of clams 8 and 16, wherein the first battery is fixed to the first surface cleaner, and wherein the second battery is removably coupled to the second surface cleaner.

19. The floor cleaner according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first debris collector includes a first separator and wherein the second debris collector includes a cyclonic separator.

20. The floor cleaner according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path pass through an inlet of the second debris collector.

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