[0001] The present invention relates to a device for cleaning surfaces, such as floors and
the like.
[0002] The devices of the above mentioned type known in the art are essentially formed by
one or more rotating brushes, contacting the surface to be cleaned and traslating
on it by virtue of their own motion, and by means for distributing the detergent liquid
in the area covered by the brushes. The brushes and the liquid distributing means
are generally mounted at the end of a elongated holder, such as a handle, used both
for operating the device and as a support for a motor, and a detergent liquid reservoir.
[0003] According to the Italian patent no.1069335 in the name of the same Applicant, the
brushes have a cylindrical shape and are connected for rotation to a shaft perpendicular
to the holder or handle of the device. In a preferred embodiment, which enables cleaning
and washing of very narrow spaces, such as corners and steps, the brushes are covered
by a splash preventing case extending on the upper side of them. However dirt tends
to accumulate within the case which must be frequently disassembled to remove the
dirt.
[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a device for cleaning surfaces
such as floors and the like capable of sucking the washing liquid from the surface,
whereby on one hand the drying of the surface after cleaning is avoided and, on the
other hand, by continuously removing the dirt liquid from the case by means of suction,
the frequency of maintenance operations (dismounting the case, removing the dirt accumulated
therewithin) is considerably reduced.
[0005] The novel feature of the device for cleaning surfaces such as floors and the like
according to the invention consists in that the device comprises means for sucking
the exhaust washing liquor from the washed surface. According to a preferred embodiment,
a suction opening is formed on the spray preventing case associated to each brush,
to said opening conduit means being connected for communicating with said exhaust
liquor sucking means.
[0006] The invention will become more apparent from the following description of a not limiting
and exemplifying embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein
the device according to the invention is shown in perspective view.
[0007] With reference to the above mentioned drawing, the device according to the invention
comprises two cylindrical brushes 1 mounted on a shaft 2 connected for rotation with
a motor 3 through transmission means, not shown, housed in the box 4 centrally mounted
between the two brushes 1. Motor 3 is fixed to the end of a tubular holder 5 provided
at the other end of a handle, not shown, for the device operation. Tubular holder
5 is also fixed to box 4 by means of a pair of brackets 6.
[0008] Two tubular collectors 7 are mounted in front of the two brushes 1 arranged in a
parallel relationship with respect to shaft 2. Collectors 7 are equipped with sprayers
or nozzles or the like for distributing the detergent liquor contained in a reservoir
8 supported by the tubular holder 5 and connected to collectors 7 by means of pipes
9. The detergent liquor supply is controlled by a conventional valve, not shown, mounted
on the bottom outlet of reservoir 8, manually actuated by the operator, for instance
by means of a lever or a push button provided on the handle.
[0009] The two brushes 1 are housed within relevant spray preventing cases 10 secured to
brackets 6 and extending sideways from them and, according to the invention, on each
case 10 there is formed a through opening 10a to which a flexible hose 11 is connected.
Flexible hoses 11 coming from cases 10 are connected at 12 with the tubular holder
5 and flow in its interior which is in communication with a suction device, not shown.
In this way the side of cases 10 facing brushes 1 is under draft when the suction
device is activated, whereby the washing liquor and the dirt raised by brushes 1 from
the surface under cleaning are sucked through flexible hoses 11 and tubular holder
5 up to the reservoir associated to the suction device.
[0010] The suction device is of the conventional type, comprising for instance a sealable
drum housing a vacuum pump.
[0011] In a possible variation of the present embodiment flexible hoses 11 can be made to
discharge in a separate collecting header running parallel to the tubular holder 5,
instead of discharging in the interior of holder 5, said header being fixed to holder
5 and communicating with the suction device.
[0012] The invention is not to be considered as limited to the embodiment above described
and shown in the drawing, but it is intended to emcompass any variation and modification
thereof.
1.A device for cleaning surfaces such as floors and the like, comprising an elongated
holder (5) at the end of which there are pivotally mounted cleaning brushes (1) housed
within relevant spray preventing cases (10), said brushes (1) rotating on an axis
perpendicular to said elongated holder (5) and being connected for rotation with motor
means (3) integral with said holder (5), means (7) for distributing the detergent
liquor being provided in front of said brushes (1), the device being characterized
in that it further comprises means for removing the washing liquor from the surface
to be washed comprising a suction opening (10a) formed on each case (10) connected
to collecting means (5a) integral to said elongated holder (5) and communicating with
a suction device.
2.Device according to the claim 1, wherein said elongated holder (5) is of tubular
shape and said suction openings (10a) communicate with the interior (5a) of it.
3.Device according to claim 2, wherein the suction openings (10a) formed on said cases
(10) communicate with the interior of said holder (5) through flexible hoses (11).
