EP0621004A1 - Machine d'entretien du sol - Google Patents

Machine d'entretien du sol Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0621004A1
EP0621004A1 EP93201122A EP93201122A EP0621004A1 EP 0621004 A1 EP0621004 A1 EP 0621004A1 EP 93201122 A EP93201122 A EP 93201122A EP 93201122 A EP93201122 A EP 93201122A EP 0621004 A1 EP0621004 A1 EP 0621004A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wheels
squeegee
machine
floor cleaning
cleaning machine
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP93201122A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Roland Schoch
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Unilever NV
Original Assignee
Unilever NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Unilever NV filed Critical Unilever NV
Priority to EP93201122A priority Critical patent/EP0621004A1/fr
Publication of EP0621004A1 publication Critical patent/EP0621004A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4036—Parts or details of the surface treating tools
    • A47L11/4044—Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/29—Floor-scrubbing machines characterised by means for taking-up dirty liquid
    • A47L11/30—Floor-scrubbing machines characterised by means for taking-up dirty liquid by suction
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4052—Movement of the tools or the like perpendicular to the cleaning surface
    • A47L11/4058—Movement of the tools or the like perpendicular to the cleaning surface for adjusting the height of the tool
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4072—Arrangement of castors or wheels

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to automatic floor-treating and -cleaning machines. More particularly, the invention relates to such machines which are used for the cleaning of carpets or hard surfaces of floor areas, such as in hotels, factories, office buildings, shopping centres and the like.
  • such automatic floor-treating and -cleaning machines comprise an operator-pushed or motor-driven movable body carrying one or more motor-driven rotatable scrubbers, reservoirs for storing fresh and spent cleaning liquid, a means for dosing fresh cleaning liquid on to the floor and a squeegee/vacuum pick-up system for recovering spent liquid from the floor.
  • the operation of said vacuum pick-up system is usually as follows. During the cleaning operation spent liquid is recovered using a squeegee which is connected to the spent liquid reservoir by way of a suction head. The suction operation is effectuated by an under-pressure in the spent liquid reservoir and the squeegee, the under-pressure being generated by a vacuum motor.
  • US-A-4,334,335 relates to a floor scrubbing machine having a squeegee which can be hydraulically raised and lowered.
  • This machine is provided with a flow sensing device which recognizes the flow direction of the hydraulic fluid needed for driving the wheels of the machine and which automatically lifts the squeegee when the wheels are driven in reverse.
  • Another type of floor scrubbing machine including a mechanism for raising the squeegee assembly when the scrubber is moved rearwardly, is disclosed by US-A-4,619,010.
  • the device described in this document is a walk-behind scrubbing machine including a hand-operated handle for moving the machine. When this handle is pushed, it also operates a switch which activates an electric drive for moving a lever or rack such that the squeegee assembly is lowered. When the handle is pulled, the mechanism including the switch is operated to raise the squeegee assembly.
  • a rug shampooing machine including means for producing dry foam, a rotatable brush for working such foam into a carpet, and a vacuum nozzle/squeegee assembly for picking up the resulting dirty solution.
  • a reverse stroke brush lift-off mechanism comprising a linkage system for producing a lift-off of the brush from the surface to be cleaned when the machine is in its backward movement.
  • the lifting arrangements disclosed by the prior art are concerned with rather complicated, often partly electrically and/or hydraulically operating mechanisms for raising the squeegee or the rotatable brushes.
  • a floor treating machine including a fully mechanically operating mechanism for automatically raising or lowering the squeegee or brushes. It is a further object to provide such a machine, wherein said mechanism has a simple mechanical construction.
  • the present invention provides a floor cleaning machine, comprising a motor-driven or operator-pushed movable body carrying one or more rotatable scrubbers, reservoirs for storing fresh and spent cleaning liquid, a means for dosing fresh cleaning liquid on to the floor and a vacuum pick-up system comprising a suction head including a squeegee, characterised in that the machine is provided with a lifting arrangement attached to the bottom side thereof and comprising a housing and one or more wheels, whereby the housing includes means which can cooperate with said wheels such that the squeegee or scrubbers are automatically raised respectively lowered when the machine is moved in a rearward respectively forward direction.
  • the invention also provides said lifting arrangement which is suitable for use attached to the bottom side of the floor cleaning machine according to the present invention.
  • the first aspect of the present invention is a floor cleaning machine which is operator-pushed or motor-driven and comprises a mechanically operating lifting arrangement for automatically raising or lowering the squeegee or scrubbers.
  • This lifting arrangement has a simple construction and may, generally, be attached to any suitable part of the bottom side of the floor treating machine. It is preferably located near the suction head, more preferably tightly fixed to it, so as to enable the squeegee to be automatically raised and lowered depending on the direction of movement of the floor cleaning machine.
  • the lifting arrangement can be fixed equally at the back and in the front of the suction head, as seen in the direction of the forward movement of the floor cleaning machine.
  • the lifting arrangement comprises a housing and one or more wheels.
  • the housing is preferably tightly fixed to the suction head.
  • the level at which the housing is attached to the suction head is desirably adjustable so as to enable the operator of the floor cleaning machine to apply several types of squeegees with varying heights.
  • the housing generally, includes means which can cooperate with the wheels such that the squeegee is automatically lifted or lowered depending on the direction of movement of the machine.
  • These means preferably include openings for the axis of the wheels to be movably attached therein, whereby the dimensions of said openings are larger than the diameter of the axis.
  • These openings can have varying sizes and shapes. Preferably, they have a rectangular or square shape.
  • the means which cooperate with the wheels desirably comprise one or more projections which can cooperate with the wheels for lifting the squeegee when the machine is moved in a rearward direction. These projections can have varying dimensions and shapes, such as square, rectangular, oval and round shapes.
  • the means which cooperate with the wheels also include one or more turnable rolls which can have any suitable size but are preferably smaller than the wheels and which cooperate with the wheels as long as the floor cleaning machine is moved in reverse.
  • These rolls can be connected to eachother or have separate bearings. Their position with respect to the wheels can be adjustable or fixed.
  • these rolls can be mounted to be freely rotating; however, for practical reasons (i.e. to ensure that the squeegee is lifted quickly when needed) the rolls are preferably mounted such that they are dragging.
  • These rolls as well as the wheels can be made of several types of material, such as metal, rubber or plastic, and their surface can vary from very smooth to very rough.
  • a varying number of wheels can be applied in the lifting arrangement of the invention.
  • the wheels can be connected or have separate bearings.
  • two wheels are used which are effectively connected by one axis.
  • the second aspect of the invention relates to a lifting arrangement which is suitable for use in a floor cleaning machine of the invention.
  • FIGs 1 A and B show two schematic cross-sectional views of the lifting arrangement (1) of the invention.
  • This lifting arrangement features a housing (2) divided into two separate parts and surrounding two wheels (3) which are connected by an axis (4).
  • This housing can be attached to the suction head of a floor cleaning machine by way of the plates (8).
  • Figure 1B schematically shows the preferred means which can cooperate with the wheels (3) such that the squeegee is automatically raised or lowered depending on the direction of movement of the floor cleaning machine.
  • These means include the rectangular openings (5) which are located in the plate-form elements of the housing adjacent to the wheels (3) and of which the dimensions are clearly larger than the diasmeter of the axis (4).
  • the other means which can cooperate with the wheels are shown to be the projections (6) and the rolls (7). These means are described in more detail below.
  • FIGs 2 A,B and C it is shown what happens when moving the floor cleaning machine forward and subsequently changing the direction of movement of the machine.
  • FIGs 2 A,B and C show schematic cross-sectional side views of the lifting arrangement tightly fixed to the suction head (9) of a floor cleaning machine. Also shown is a squeegee (10) consisting of two rubber blades, which are tightly but removably attached to the suction head. The direction of movement is indicated with large arrows.
  • FIG. 2A depicts the situation wherein the floor cleaning machine is moved forward.
  • the wheels (3) are turning freely in the housing (2), while the axis (4) of said wheels is located at the lefthand side of the openings (5).
  • the vertical position of the suction head (9) is not influenced by the lifting arrangement.
  • FIG. 2B shows the situation just after changing the direction of the movement of the floor cleaning machine from forward to backward movement. Because of this changed direction of movement, the axis (4) of the wheels (3) is moved slightly towards the righthand side of the openings (5) and said wheels are pushed towards the projections (6). As a consequence, the housing (2) as well as the suction head (9) including the squeegee are pushed upward, as shown. When backward movement is continued, the housing (2) and the suction head (9) are automatically lifted up further by exertion of the upward directed force resulting from the force with which the wheels (3) are pushed towards the projections (6). Concurrently the axis of said wheels moves towards the lower righthand side of the openings (6).
  • FIG 2C the situation is shown after a short period of backward movement of the floor cleaning machine. It can be seen that in this situation the wheels (3) are fee to rotate and not in contact with the projections (6) anymore, and that the axis (4) of the wheels is now positioned at the righthand side of the openings (5). As the axis (4) cannot move further and the upward directed force has stopped, the final lifted position of the suction head including the squeegee has been reached in this situation. It can be noticed that in this situation the wheels (3) are turning against the rolls (7). As a result, a steady lifted position of the suction head during backward movement of the floor cleaning machine, is ensured.

Landscapes

  • Nozzles For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
EP93201122A 1993-04-19 1993-04-19 Machine d'entretien du sol Withdrawn EP0621004A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP93201122A EP0621004A1 (fr) 1993-04-19 1993-04-19 Machine d'entretien du sol

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP93201122A EP0621004A1 (fr) 1993-04-19 1993-04-19 Machine d'entretien du sol

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0621004A1 true EP0621004A1 (fr) 1994-10-26

Family

ID=8213773

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93201122A Withdrawn EP0621004A1 (fr) 1993-04-19 1993-04-19 Machine d'entretien du sol

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0621004A1 (fr)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2771276A1 (fr) * 1997-11-21 1999-05-28 Mollard Jacques Granger Dispositif terminal de micronisation-aspiration d'eau pour l'hygiene des surfaces
EP1709897A1 (fr) * 2005-04-04 2006-10-11 JohnsonDiversey, Inc. Machine à nettoyer les sols comportant une raclette réglable en hauteur
WO2008028755A1 (fr) * 2006-09-05 2008-03-13 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Suceur pour sols durs
JP2012245171A (ja) * 2011-05-27 2012-12-13 Amano Corp 床面洗浄機等用スキージ
ITPN20130014A1 (it) * 2013-03-21 2014-09-22 Nilfisk Advance As Macchina per la pulizia industriale per pavimenti con trasmissione differenziale auto-portante
US8887340B2 (en) 2003-05-14 2014-11-18 Kärcher North America, Inc. Floor cleaning apparatus
US9015887B1 (en) 2003-05-14 2015-04-28 Kärcher North America, Inc. Floor treatment apparatus
USD907868S1 (en) 2019-01-24 2021-01-12 Karcher North America, Inc. Floor cleaner
CN114041731A (zh) * 2021-11-26 2022-02-15 添可智能科技有限公司 浮动清洁组件、清洁设备及清洁方法
US12070181B2 (en) 2017-05-04 2024-08-27 Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG Floor cleaning appliance and method for cleaning a floor surface
WO2024256706A1 (fr) * 2023-06-15 2024-12-19 I-Mop Gmbh Ensemble raclette à support réglable

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1506016A (en) * 1919-07-19 1924-08-26 Carl S Lundgren Floor-scrubbing machine
US1993296A (en) * 1933-12-01 1935-03-05 Norman W Cummins Sweeper
US2645798A (en) * 1945-07-02 1953-07-21 Speed Queen Corp Carpet sweeper
US2841807A (en) * 1952-06-23 1958-07-08 Bissell Carpet Sweeper Co Carpet sweeper
US3092862A (en) * 1961-11-15 1963-06-11 William A Sherbondy Hand carpet sweeper construction

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1506016A (en) * 1919-07-19 1924-08-26 Carl S Lundgren Floor-scrubbing machine
US1993296A (en) * 1933-12-01 1935-03-05 Norman W Cummins Sweeper
US2645798A (en) * 1945-07-02 1953-07-21 Speed Queen Corp Carpet sweeper
US2841807A (en) * 1952-06-23 1958-07-08 Bissell Carpet Sweeper Co Carpet sweeper
US3092862A (en) * 1961-11-15 1963-06-11 William A Sherbondy Hand carpet sweeper construction

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2771276A1 (fr) * 1997-11-21 1999-05-28 Mollard Jacques Granger Dispositif terminal de micronisation-aspiration d'eau pour l'hygiene des surfaces
US10555657B2 (en) 2003-05-14 2020-02-11 Kärcher North America, Inc. Floor treatment apparatus
US9757005B2 (en) 2003-05-14 2017-09-12 Kärcher North America, Inc. Floor treatment apparatus
US9015887B1 (en) 2003-05-14 2015-04-28 Kärcher North America, Inc. Floor treatment apparatus
US9192276B2 (en) 2003-05-14 2015-11-24 Karcher North America, Inc. Floor cleaning apparatus
US9730566B2 (en) 2003-05-14 2017-08-15 Kärcher North America, Inc. Floor treatment apparatus
US9510721B2 (en) 2003-05-14 2016-12-06 Karcher North America, Inc. Floor cleaning apparatus
US9451861B2 (en) 2003-05-14 2016-09-27 Kärcher North America, Inc. Floor treatment apparatus
US8887340B2 (en) 2003-05-14 2014-11-18 Kärcher North America, Inc. Floor cleaning apparatus
WO2006107781A1 (fr) * 2005-04-04 2006-10-12 Johnsondiversey, Inc. Machine de nettoyage de sol comprenant un patin a eau mobile verticalement
US8365351B2 (en) 2005-04-04 2013-02-05 Diversey, Inc. Floor cleaning machine comprising a vertically movable water slider
EP1709897A1 (fr) * 2005-04-04 2006-10-11 JohnsonDiversey, Inc. Machine à nettoyer les sols comportant une raclette réglable en hauteur
WO2008028755A1 (fr) * 2006-09-05 2008-03-13 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Suceur pour sols durs
JP2012245171A (ja) * 2011-05-27 2012-12-13 Amano Corp 床面洗浄機等用スキージ
WO2014147490A1 (fr) * 2013-03-21 2014-09-25 Nilfisk-Advance A/S Appareil pour nettoyage de sol industriel ayant un entraînement différentiel autoporteur
ITPN20130014A1 (it) * 2013-03-21 2014-09-22 Nilfisk Advance As Macchina per la pulizia industriale per pavimenti con trasmissione differenziale auto-portante
US12070181B2 (en) 2017-05-04 2024-08-27 Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG Floor cleaning appliance and method for cleaning a floor surface
USD907868S1 (en) 2019-01-24 2021-01-12 Karcher North America, Inc. Floor cleaner
CN114041731A (zh) * 2021-11-26 2022-02-15 添可智能科技有限公司 浮动清洁组件、清洁设备及清洁方法
WO2024256706A1 (fr) * 2023-06-15 2024-12-19 I-Mop Gmbh Ensemble raclette à support réglable

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