Field of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a floor cleaning machine. In particular, it relates
to a machine suitable for wet cleaning, comprising suction means for drawing up cleaning
liquid applied to the floor surface.
Background of the invention
[0002] Cleaning apparatuses are known which are also capable of cleaning closely along a
wall of a space, using a rotating brush and cleaning liquid. Manual cleaning work
is hereby avoided as far as possible. In known cleaning apparatuses, which can usually
operate in only one direction, suction means, usually in the form of so-called squeegees,
for drawing up the cleaning liquid applied to the ground extend on at least one side
of the apparatus further to the outside than a rotating brush.
[0003] Smaller apparatuses are further known, wherein suction means are arranged both in
front of and behind a brush so that such a small apparatus can be used in both forward
and rearward direction. Both respective suction means must extend further outward
than a rotating brush for collecting all cleaning liquid used for cleaning a floor
surface. As a consequence, brushing of a floor surface along a wall is a problem with
these known cleaning apparatuses which can be used in two directions.
[0004] GB-A-486,499 relates to a floor treating machine, comprising a frame, a rotatable
brush, drive means for driving the brush and a suction nozzle for removing used cleaning
liquid from the treated surface, whereby the suction nozzle is movably mounted so
that its position is variable angularly in a horizontal direction in relation to the
brush.
[0005] WO-A-92/13480 discloses a floor treating machine with at least two floor treating
bodies of which at least one is suspended so as to be alterable in position such that
the working width of the machine can be changed.
[0006] US-A-4,817,233 refers to a floor scrubbing machine having a scrub brush, a suction
squeegee behind the scrub brush and another one in front of the brush. US-A-4,173,056
discloses a floor scrubbing machine having 2 brushes and a vacuum squeegee water pick-up
system, the position of which is controlled by a steering arm. The vacuum squeegee
is also connected to the frame by another arm which is not disposed parallel to the
steering arm.
[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a compact apparatus which is easily
manoeuvrable and can operate in two directions.
Definition of the invention
[0008] The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning a ground, comprising:
- a frame;
- a single rotatable brushing means arranged on the frame;
- drive means for driving the brushing means;
- suction means arranged behind the brushing means as seen in forward and/or rearward
travel direction of the apparatus; and
- connecting means for connecting the suction means to the frame, characterised in that
the connecting means comprise two or more substantially parallel rods which are connected
pivotally to the suction means on one side and arranged pivotally on the frame on
the other, and in that the connecting means are provided with spring means for holding
the suction means in desired position relative to the frame.The connection means enabling
the suction means to be displaced transversely relative to at least one direction
of travel. Dependent claims 2 to 6 specify various embodiments of the apparatus of
claim 1.
Detailed description of the invention
[0009] The suction means present in the apparatus of the invention preferably comprise a
first suction member in front of the brushing means and a second suction member behind
the brushing means. These suction members are preferably likewise arranged on a common
housing. In this preferred embodiment the housing can be easily urged, for instance
counter to spring action, out of a slightly sideways position into a position in which
the housing and the suction members arranged thereon hardly protrude relative to the
brushing means. As a result, the floor surface can be brushed clean precisely along
an edge.
[0010] Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be elucidated
on the basis of the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof with reference
to the annexed drawings, in which:
figure 1 shows a partly broken away view in perspective of > a preferred embodiment
of an apparatus according to the present invention; and
figure 2 is a partly broken away view in perspective of the apparatus of figure 1
in two positions, respectively 2A and 2B.
[0011] An manually-operated floor scrubbing apparatus (figure 1) comprises a frame or chassis
(2) to which tanks (3) and (4) respectively are arranged, for instance provided respectively
with drawn up liquid and with cleaning liquid for applying to the ground surface (G).
Push bars (43), (44) extend from chassis (2) to a position close to a transverse hand-grip,
which extends transversely of the bars and in which are arranged switches (5a), (5b),
(9a), (9b), and (9c) for actuating the different functions of apparatus (1), such
as ON/OFF-suction, brushing etc. In a manner not shown, the tank (4) is connected
to a housing (5) in which is situated a brush (6) which can be driven rotatably on
a horizontal axis using a drive motor (7) and transmission means (8). The brushing
operation is preferably performed by brush (6) while fresh cleaning liquid from tank
(3) is supplied thereto. In front of and behind brush (6) so-called squeegees (10)
and (11) extend substantially parallel to brush (6) and are connected to the other
tank for drawing up the applied cleaning liquid. Apparatus (1) can be used in forward
direction, wherein squeegee (11) provides the suction, as well as in rearward direction,
wherein squeegee (10) provides the suction. In a manner not further shown the brush
(6) is fixedly connected to chassis or frame (2). The housing is connected to the
chassis by means of two support arms (12) and (13) which extend substantially parallel
and which are preferably provided on both ends with ball joints. In order to prevent
tilting of housing (5) when the direction of movement is reversed, i.e. from forward
direction to rearward direction or vice versa, a stabilizer rod (14) is arranged on
the upper side of housing (5), which rod is preferably connected with a ball joint
(15) to the chassis or frame.
[0012] Adjacently of the rear wheels, of which rear wheel (20) is shown in figure 1, the
apparatus (1) is provided with a running wheel (21), which provides further support
when the size of brush (6) is minimal, for instance due to wear thereof. The position
of running wheel (21) can be adjusted using an adjusting mechanism (22).
[0013] As shown clearly in figure 2, the apparatus (1), when it approaches a wall W, can
be pressed thereagainst with contact wheels (30) and (31), whereby the housing (5)
is urged sideways out of the rest position, which in the shown embodiment is situated
slightly to the right-hand side of brush (6) and rear wheel (20). The brush (6) can
thus rotate directly along the wall W and there provide the required cleaning action.
[0014] As shown in figures 1, 2A and 2B, the sideways movement is brought about counter
to the action of a coil spring (33), so that on leaving the cleaned area along the
wall W the housing (5) with squeegees (10) and (11) is urged back to the position
on the right-hand side as in figure 2A, wherein in order to properly draw up the liquid
the squeegees (10) and (11) extend slightly further outward on the right-hand side
of brush (6) than in the position shown in figure 2B. The transverse distance of the
housing (5) between the positions shown in figures 2A and 2B preferably amounts to
about 20-50 mm, more preferably about 32 mm, this being sufficient to clean the edges
along a wall adequately.
[0015] It will be apparent that the above mentioned sideways movement of housing (5) with
squeegees (10) and (11) is possible in both the forward and rearward direction of
travel of apparatus (1), whereby the edges along all walls of a space can be cleaned
with the shown preferred embodiment.
[0016] It will likewise be apparent that using the support arms (12, 13) and stabilizer
rod (14) a so-called cardan suspension is obtained of the housing (5) on which the
squeegees are arranged, whereby unevenness in the ground can likewise easily be followed
by the squeegees.
[0017] Within the scope of the following claims many modifications can be envisaged with
respect to the above described preferred embodiment according to the present invention.
This embodiment serves as illustration of the invention for which rights are applied
in the following claims.
1. Apparatus for cleaning a ground, comprising:
- a frame (2);
- a single rotatable brushing means (6) arranged on the frame (2);
- drive means (7,8) for driving the brushing means;
- suction means (10,11) arranged behind the brushing means as seen in forward and/or
rearward travel direction of the apparatus; and
- connecting means for connecting the suction means (10,11) to the frame, characterised
in that the connecting means comprise two or more substantially parallel rods (12,
13) which are connected pivotally to the suction means (10, 11) on one side and arranged
pivotally on the frame (2) on the other, and in that the connecting means are provided
with spring means (33) for holding the suction means (10, 11) in desired position
relative to the frame (2), the connection means enabling the suction means (10, 11)
to be displaced transversely relative to at least one direction of travel.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suction means comprise a first suction
member (10) in front of the brushing means and a second suction member (11) behind
the brushing means.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first suction member (10) is arranged
with the second suction member (11) on a common housing (5).
4. Apparatus as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein in their rest position
the suction means extend slightly outward on one side relative to the frame (2) and
the brushing means (6).
5. Apparatus as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, provided with stabilizing means,
which comprise a stabilizer rod (14), in order to prevent tilting of the suction means.
6. Apparatus as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, provided with a free-running
support wheel (21) and with adjusting means (22) for adjusting the height of the brushing
means relative to the frame.
1. Vorrichtung zum Reinigen eines Bodens, umfassend:
- einen Rahmen (2);
- eine einzige drehbare Bürsteinrichtung (6), die auf dem Rahmen (2) angeordnet ist;
- Antriebseinrichtungen (7, 8) zum Antreiben der Bürsteinrichtung;
- Saugeinrichtungen (10, 11), die bei Betrachtung in Vorwärts- und Rückwärtsbewegungsrichtung
der Bewegungsrichtung der Vorrichtung hinter der Bürsteinrichtung angeordnet sind;
und
- Verbindungseinrichtungen zum Verbinden der Saugeinrichtungen (10, 11) mit dem Rahmen,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Verbindungseinrichtungen zwei oder mehr im Wesentlichen
parallele Stangen (12, 13) umfassen, die auf einer Seite schwenkbar mit den Saugeinrichtungen
(10, 11) verbunden sind und auf der anderen schwenkbar auf dem Rahmen (2) angeordnet
sind, und dass die Verbindungseinrichtungen mit Federeinrichtungen (33) versehen sind,
um die Saugeinrichtungen (10, 11) in Bezug zum Rahmen (2) in einer gewünschten Stellung
zu halten, wobei es die Verbindungseinrichtungen ermöglichen, die Saugeinrichtungen
(10, 11) in Bezug zu mindestens einer Bewegungsrichtung quer zu verschieben.
2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, bei der die Saugeinrichtungen ein erstes Saugelement
(10) vor der Bürsteinrichtung und ein zweites Saugelement (11) hinter der Bürsteinrichtung
umfassen.
3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, bei der das erste Saugelement (10) mit dem zweiten Saugelement
(11) auf einem gemeinsamen Gehäuse (5) angeordnet ist.
4. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, bei der sich die Saugeinrichtungen
in der ihrer Ruhestellung in Bezug zum Rahmen (2) und zur Bürsteinrichtung (6) auf
einer Seite ein wenig nach außen erstrecken.
5. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, versehen mit Stabilisiereinrichtungen,
welche eine Stabilisatorstange (14) umfassen, um ein Verkippen der Saugeinrichtungen
zu verhindern.
6. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, versehen mit einem freilaufenden
Stützrad (21) und mit Verstelleinrichtungen (22) zum Verstellen der Höhe der Bürsteinrichtung
im Bezug zum Rahmen.
1. Appareil pour nettoyer les sols, comprenant :
◆ un bâti (2);
◆ des moyens uniques de brossage rotatifs (6) agencés sur le bâti (2);
◆ des moyens d'entraînement (7, 8) destinés à entraîner les moyens de brossage ;
◆ des moyens d'aspiration (10, 11) agencés derrière les moyens de brossage comme on
peut le voir dans la direction de déplacement avant et/ou arrière de l'appareil ;
et
◆ des moyens de connexion destinés à connecter les moyens d'aspiration (10, 11) au
bâti, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de connexion comprennent au moins deux tiges
sensiblement parallèles (12, 13) qui sont connectées de manière pivotante aux moyens
d'aspiration (10, 11) d'un côté et agencées de manière pivotante sur le bâti (2) de
l'autre, et en ce que les moyens de connexion sont équipés de moyens formant ressort
(33) destinés à maintenir les moyens d'aspiration (10, 11) en position souhaitée par
rapport au bâti (2), les moyens de connexion permettant aux moyens d'aspiration (10,
11) d'être déplacés de manière transversale par rapport à au moins une direction de
déplacement.
2. Appareil selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les moyens d'aspiration comprennent
un premier élément d'aspiration (10) devant les moyens de brossage et un deuxième
élément d'aspiration (11) derrière les moyens de brossage.
3. Appareil selon la revendication 2, dans lequel le premier élément d'aspiration (10)
est agencé avec le deuxième élément d'aspiration (11) sur un carter commun (5).
4. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel, au repos,
les moyens d'aspiration s'étendent légèrement vers l'extérieur sur un côté par rapport
au bâti (2) et aux moyens d'aspiration (6).
5. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, équipé de moyens de
stabilisation qui comprennent une tige de stabilisation (14) afin d'empêcher les moyens
d'aspiration de basculer.
6. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, équipé d'une roue
de support (21) roulant librement et de moyens de réglage (22) destinés à régler la
hauteur des moyens de brossage par rapport au bâti.