Floor cleaning apparatus

Abstract

 A floor cleaning apparatus comprising a steam generator 21 for providing a stean cleaning mode, a rotary brush 25 for providing a dry cleaning mode, a switch 17 operable to select the steam and/or dry cleaning mode, an upstanding handle 13, and a switch 15 disposed adjacent the upper end of the handle 13 which can be actuated to operate the cleaner in accordance with the selected mode(s). A user is thus able to operate the cleaner to provide the selected mode(s) of cleaning by actuating the switch 15 which is conveniently located on the handle 13.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a floor cleaning apparatus which is able to carry out cleaning using one or more of a plurality of selectively different cleaning methods.

[0002] Its well known to provide a floor cleaning apparatus which can provide the user with a plurality of different cleaning methods which the user can select according to their needs. US2010/0287716 discloses one such apparatus which comprises a steam cleaning function and a dry sweeping function. The apparatus comprises a main power switch which, when actuated, energises a heating element of a water heater to produce steam. The main power switch is also connected in series with a further switch, which can be actuated to energise a motor which drives a floor sweeping brush. The apparatus also comprises an upstanding elongate handle for guiding the apparatus over the floor surface to be cleaned. A trigger is provided on the upper end of the handle to energise a pump to dispense steam onto the surface to be cleaned.

[0003] In use, in order to carry out dry sweeping, the user has to energise the main switch and the brush motor switch. The user can then selectively actuate the trigger to simultaneously carry out steam cleaning. Alternatively, the user can carry out just steam cleaning by actuating the trigger and turning off the brush motor switch.

[0004] A disadvantage of the above-mentioned arrangement is that the apparatus is complicated and inconvenient to use.

[0005] We have now devised an improved floor cleaning apparatus.

[0006] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a floor cleaning apparatus comprising means for providing a first cleaning mode, means for providing a second cleaning mode, a switch operable to select the first and/or second cleaning mode, an upstanding handle, and a switch disposed adjacent the upper end of the handle which can be actuated to operate the cleaner in accordance with the selected mode(s).

[0007] In use, the user can select the desired mode or modes of cleaning using the mode switch. The user is then able to operate the cleaner to provide the selected mode(s) of cleaning by actuating the switch which is conveniently located on the handle. In this manner, the user does not have to bend down or look at the cleaner in order to activate and deactivate any of the selected modes of operation. In particular, the user does not have to adjust their hand position to de-energise a sweeping brush of the apparatus, with the result that the brush can be stopped easily in the event that it becomes snagged or when passing over delicate floor surfaces.

[0008] Preferably the handle switch is connected in series with the mode switch and a pair of power conductors which feed power to the appliance.

[0009] Preferably said first mode comprises a steam-cleaning mode provided by a steam generator. Since steam generators can take a certain amount of time to heat up, it is necessary to provide power to the steam generator at all times, so that steam cleaning may be provided on demand. Accordingly, a main switch may be provided in series with the handle switch and the conductors, the main switch being arranged to apply power to the handle switch and to heating element of the steam generator.

[0010] Preferably the second cleaning mode comprises a dry cleaning mode, such as a sweeping mode or a vacuum cleaning mode.

[0011] The mode switch preferably comprises first and second configurations for providing the first and second modes respectively. In an alternative embodiment, the mode switch may further comprise a third configuration for providing said first and said second modes simultaneously. In a third embodiment, said mode switch may also actuate said main switch when at least one of the modes is selected.

[0012] Preferably the mode switch is arranged to connect a pump and/or a motor in series with the conductors in order to respectively provide said first and second modes of cleaning.

[0013] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic front view of an embodiment of floor cleaning apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the apparatus of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of the apparatus of Figure 1.

[0014] Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a floor cleaning apparatus in accordance with the present invention which is arranged to selectively provide a steam cleaning function and/or a floor sweeping function. The apparatus comprises an upright body portion 10 which is pivotally connected at its lower end to a floor-engaging head 11 via a pivotable neck 12. An elongate handle 13 extends upwardly and rearwardly from the upper end of the body portion 10 for guiding the apparatus over the floor surface to be cleaned. The upper end of the handle 13 is provided with a hand-grip 14. A trigger 15 is mounted on the handle 13 adjacent the hand grip 14 in a position where it is within easy reach of the user's hand whilst holding the hand grip 14.

[0015] The body portion 10 comprises an external housing 23 having a front face on which a main power switch 16 and a mode switch 17 are provided. The housing 23 encloses a water tank 18, which can be filled via a filler tube 19 having an opening at the rear of the housing 23. A tubular outlet duct 40 extends from the water tank 18 via a pump 20 and a steam generator 21 to a dispensing outlet 24 provided on the underside of the head portion 11.

[0016] The head 11 comprises a set of wheels 28 on its underside. An elongate brushing member 25 is rotatably mounted transverse the direction of movement of the cleaner, the brushing member 25 extending through an aperture in the underside of the cleaner so that it engages the floor surface to be cleaned. A motor 27 drives the brush 25 via a belt 29. Any dirt and dust on the floor surface is swept by the rotating brush 25 into a removable collection chamber 26 mounted inside the head 11 behind the brush 25. One or more cleaning pads (not shown) of felt, micro-fibre or other material may also be mounted on the underside of the head 11. An elongate power cable 22 extends from the body 10 of the cleaner for collecting it to the mains supply.

[0017] Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, the live conductor L of the cable 22 is connected via the main switch 16 and a thermostat 30 to one side of a heating element 31 of the steam generator 21. The other side of the heating element 31 is connected to the neutral conductor N of the cable 22 via a thermal fuse 32. The main switch 16 is also connected to a switch 33 which is operated by the trigger 15 on the handle 13. The other side of the switch 33 is connected to an inlet terminal 34 of the mode switch 17. The mode switch 17 further comprises a pair of outlet terminals 35, 36 and a displaceable contact member 37 for selectively connecting the inlet terminal 34 to the outlet terminal 35 and/or the outlet terminal 36.

[0018] An externally operable actuator is provided for moving the contact member 37.

[0019] The outlet terminal 35 is connected to one side of a motor of the pump 20, the other side of the motor being connected to the neutral conductor N of the supply cable 22. The outlet terminal 36 is connected to one side of the brush motor 27, the other side of the brush motor 27 being connected to the neutral conductor N of the supply cable 22.

[0020] In use, the user firstly has to actuate the main switch 16, which then energises the heating element 31 of the steam generator 21, so that the steam generator 21 is always at the required temperature and ready for use. The user is able to select the desired mode of cleaning by turning the mode switch 17 to the appropriate position to provide the steam cleaning mode and/or the dry sweeping mode. It will be appreciated that the selected mode(s) will not be provided until the user grasps the handle 13 and operates the trigger 15 to actuate the switch 33 which is connected in series with the mode switch 34. In this manner, the user is able to simply activate and de-activate the cleaning mode by operating the trigger.

[0021] In an alternative embodiment, the motor 27 may be the motor of a fan unit of a vacuum cleaner. In a further embodiment, the mode switch 17 may be configured so that only one mode of cleaning or the other can be provided.

[0022] A floor cleaning apparatus in accordance with the present invention is uncomplicated in construction and allows the user to activate and de-activate the cleaning functions without having to move their hand from the hand grip.

Claims

1. A floor cleaning apparatus comprising means for providing a first cleaning mode, means for providing a second cleaning mode, a switch operable to select the first and/or second cleaning mode, an upstanding handle, and a switch disposed adjacent the upper end of the handle which can be actuated to operate the cleaner in accordance with the selected mode(s).

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the handle switch is connected in series with the mode switch and a pair of power conductors which feed power to the appliance.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which said first mode comprises a steam-cleaning mode provided by a steam generator.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which a main switch is provided in series with the handle switch and the conductors, the main switch being arranged to apply power to the handle switch and to heating element of the steam generator.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the second cleaning mode comprises a dry cleaning mode.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the mode switch comprises first and second configurations for providing the first and second modes respectively.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which the mode switch further comprises a third configuration for providing said first and said second modes simultaneously.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said mode switch also actuates said main switch when at least one of the modes is selected.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the mode switch is arranged to connect a pump and/or a motor in series with the conductors in order to respectively provide said first and second modes of cleaning.

Drawing