US3533120A - Base and floor scrubber - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 13, 1970 R. l. DE MERCADO 31,533,120

BASE- AND FLOOR SCRUBBER Filed July 29. 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Robert I. de Mercado ,gom M iM ATTORNEY 0l- 13. 1970 R. DE MERCADO 3,533,120

BASE AND FLOOR SCRUBBER Filed July 29,` 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 1 m INVENTOIL /Eigclz Robert I. de Mercado ATTORNEY Oct. 13, 1970 R. l. DEMERCADO 3,533,120

BASE AND FLOOR SGRUBBER Filed July 29. 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet :5

1N VENTOR.

Robert I. de Mercado N 27km `A TTORNE Y Oct 13 1970 R. l. DE MERCADO 3,533,120

BASE AND FLOOR SCRUBBER Filed July 29, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. Robert I. de Mercado ATrQRNEY Oct. 13,1970 R. l. DE MERCADO BASE AND FLOOR SCRUBBER.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 29, 1968 8N NON QQN EN @u United States Patent U.S. Cl. -50 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A Hoor scrubber having a horizontally disposed scrubber member and at least one vertically disposed scrubber member, the scrubbing surfaces of the respective scrubbing members intersecting. Drive means is provided for moving the vertically and horizontally disposed scrubber members relative to each other. A handle secured to the frame of the scrubbing device is adaped to be rotated horizontally relative to the frame of the fioor scrubber. The vertically disposed scrubber members are pivotally mounted to allow the surface thereof to automatically align itself with the surface against which it is disposed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Floor scrubbing machines heretofore used did not adequately clean areas along baseboards and in corners, leaving unsightly areas which had to be cleaned by hand.

Cleaning areas which are inaccessible to conventional oor scrubbbing devices was a time consuming task and an undue portion of the time required for cleaning and maintaining buildings was devoted to cleaning in corners and along baseboards.

Floors of office buildings and business establishments are normally cleaned at least once a day. It is not uncommon for a business establishment or ofce building to have corridors and hallways extending a total distance of several miles in a single building. Hallways and corridors between display cases are usually relatively narrow and have baseboards extending along the bottom edge of walls or counters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I have developed a floor scrubbing device which is particularly adapted for cleaning floors, ibaseboards and corners.

The scrubbing device which I have developed incorporates a reciprocating horizontally disposed brush for cleaning the floor area and reciprocating vertically disposed brushes for cleaning baseboards wherein the area scrubbed by the horizontal and vertical brushes intersect.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the invention to provide a base and floor scrubber having reciprocaitn'g brushes thereon arranged to clean the area at the intersection of the floor and baseboard.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a base and floor scrubber having reciprocating brushes arranged to clean in corners.

Another object of the invention is to provide a base and floor scrubber with reciprocating brushes which are accessible to the area at the intersection of the oor and baseboards even though the wall is curved.

A further object of the invention is to provide a base and floor scrubbing device having a reciprocating brush adapted to automatically conform to the configuration of the intersecting surfaces betwen the floor and the wall.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a base and oor scrubbing device having a detergent dispenser for providing cleaning fluid in regulated quantities to the area Ibeing scrubbed.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a "ice base and oor scrubbing device having a handle which is adjustable vertically and horizontally relative to the frame carrying the brushes.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed specification hereinafter following and by referring to the drawings annexed hereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment of the present invention are provided so that the invention may be better and more fully understood, in which:

FIG. I is a plan view of the base and floor scrubber with parts broken away to more clearly illustrate details of construction of the handle adjustment;

FIG. II is a side elevational view with the skirt in the lowered position;

FIG. III is a fragmentary side elevational View with the skirt in the raised position;

FIG. IV is a front elevational view;

FIG. V is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken. along lines V-V of FIG. II;

FIG. VI is a cross-sectional view taken along lines VI-Vl of FIG. V;

FIG. VII is a cross-sectional view taken along lines VII--VII of FIG. V;

FIG. VIII is a cross-sectional view taken along lines VIII-VIII of FIG. V.

FIGS. IX, X, XI, and XII illustrate the position and direction of movement of the horizontal brush mounting racket for various positions of the crankshaft;

FIGS. IX-A, XA, XI-A, and XII-A illustrate corresponding locations and directions of movement of the vertical brush mounting bracket for corresponding crankshaft positions illustrated in FIGS. IX through XII of drawing;

FIG. XIII is a fragmentary perspective view of a brush mounting bracket with guide rollers mounted thereon;

FIG. XIV is a fragmentary cross-sectional View taken along lines XIV-XIV of FIG. VI;

FIG. XV is an enlarged perspective view of the horizontal and Vertical brush mounting brackets; and

FIG. XVI is an enlarged perspective view of the crankshaft.

Numeral references are employed to indicate the various parts as shown in the drawings and like numerals indicate like parts throughout the various figures of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. I of the drawing, the numeral 1 generally designates a base and floor scrubbing device incorporating the present invention.

Floor scrubbing device 1 has a frame .or housing 2 having a top 3, downwardly extending side walls 4, a front end wall 6 and a back end wall 8.

Referring to FIGS. V and VIII, an electric motor 10, having wires 11a enclosed in a cord 11 connectable to any suitable source for electrical power, is rigidly connected by screws 12 to motor mounting plate 13 which is adjustably secured to anchor plate 14 secured to the top 3 of frame 2 by screws 15.

Anchor plate 14 consists of segmented annular rings having upwardly extending portions 16 and outwardly extending flanges 18. Each liange 18 has spaced apertures 20 extending therethrough.

`The motor mounting plate 13 has an annular skirt portion 22 extending downwardly from the outer edges thereof. Annular skirt 22 has a ange .24 extending inwardly from the lower edge thereof adapted to pass under flange 18 on anchor plate 14.

An aperture 26 extends through motor mounting plate 13.

A support lug 28 is welded or otherwise rigidly secured to annular skirt 22 on motor mounting plate 13. A bell crank 30 is pivotally connected by a pin 32 to the upper portion of support lug 28. A mounting bracket 34 is rigidly connected to support lug 28 by bolts 36 and has a retractable cable 38 extending therethrough.

The retractable cable 38 extends through opening 40 in the upper end of bell crank 30 and is secured thereto.

Compression spring 42, enclosed in the housing 44, is detachably secured to motor mounting plate 13 by screws 46, and applies a force downwardly on washer 48 welded or otherwise rigidly secured to anchor pin 50, urging anchor pin 50 through aligned apertures 26 and 20 in motor mounting plate 13 and ange 18 of anchor plate 14 respectively.

Motor mounting plate 13 has diametrically opposed upwardly extending lugs 52 thereon. Handle bars 54 are pivotally connected to lugs 52 by pins 55, spacer members 56 and cotter keys 58.

Hand grips 60 are provided on handle bars 54.

Pivot pin 62 extends through an opening in bracket 64 rigidly connected to handle bars 54 adjacent the upper end thereof and through a hole in lever 66 which has a knob 68 at one end thereof. Retractable cable 38 has one end thereof connected to bell crank 30 and is connected at the other end to link 66.

From the foregoing it should be readily apparent that handle bars 54, pivotally connected by pins 55 to lugs 52 on motor mounting plate 13, may be adjusted vertically to a height most suitable for a particular operator.

It should be readily apparent also that handle bars 54 may be adjusted horizontally relative to frame 2 of door scrubbing device 1 by pushing knob 68 on lever 66 forward, thereby retracting cable 38, causing bell crank 30 to pivot about pin 32 to withdraw locking pin 50` from aperture 20 in anchor plate 14. When lock pin 50 is thus retracted a lateral force on handle bars 54 will rotate motor mounting plate `13 relative to anchor plates 14 for positioning handle bars 54 in the position shown in dashed outline in FIG. I of the drawing. Release of the knob 68 causes spring 42 to move pin 50 downward to engage one of the apertures 20 to thereby lock the handle in such adjusted position.

As best seen in FIGS. II, V, and VII of the drawing, wheels 70 are rotatably journaled on pins 72 rigidly connected to brackets 74 welded or otherwise rigidly secured to side walls 4 of frame 2 of floor scrubber 1. Each side wall 2 has spaced cutaway positions 76 through which wheels 70 extend.

Each bolt or pin 72 on which wheels 70 are mounted extends through an elongated slot 78 in bracket 74, providing means for adjusting wheels 70 vertically relative to frame 2.

As best seen in FIGS. IV and V of the drawings, a first abrasive pad or brush 80 extends horizontally across the lower end of frame 2. Second abrasive pads or brushes 82 and 84 extend substantially vertically along each side 4 of frame 2.

Abrasive pads 80, 82 and 84 may be constructed of any material suitable for scrubbing, sanding, buing or polishing floors, sidewalks and the like. However, the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated -in the drawing shows the abrasive pads to be brushes having flexible bristles 86 thereon.

Motor 10 has a shaft 88 extending therefrom through an opening 90 centrally located in motor mounting plate 13. Shaft 88 of motor 10 is connected by a set screw 92 and key 94 to a coupling 96 having spaced keys 98 disposed about the periphery thereof.

As best seen in FIGS. VIII and XVI of the drawings, shaft 88 of motor 10 is connected through coupling 96 to crankshaft generally designated by the numeral 100. Crankshaft has a collar 102 on the upper end thereof and has keyways 104 formed in the outer periphery of a socket 106 centrally located therein. Coupling 96, rigidly connected to shaft 88 of motor 10, extends into socket 106 of crankshaft 100, causing said crankshaft to rotate with shaft 88.

Collar 102 of crankshaft 100 has a reduced position 108 in which bearing 122 is mounted as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

The top 3 of frame 2 of floor scrubbing device 1 has an opening 110 centrally located therein surrounded by a downwardly extending bearing cup 112 having inwardly extending shoulders 114 and 116 and being closed at the lower end by a bottom 118, having an aperture therethrough.

A radial bearing 122 engages the outer surface of reduced area 108 in collar 102 of crankshaft 100 and the inner surface of shoulder 114 in bearing cup 112. A thrust bearing 124 is positioned between the lower shoulder of the reduced section 108 and the bottom 118 of bearing cup 112 for maintaining coupling 96 in engagement with socket 106 in collar 102 on crankshaft 100.

Crankplates 126 and 128 have eccentric openings 130 and 132 extending therethrough and are rigidly connected to crankshaft 100 by keys 134.

Each crankplate 126 and 128 has a radial bearing 136 encircling the outer edge thereof.

Thrust bearing 138 is positioned between Crankplates 126 and 128 for maintaining the said Crankplates in spaced apart relation.

The lower end of crankshaft 100 is rotatably journaled in radial bearing 140 recessed in bearing socket 142 centrally located in crankshaft support 144 extending longitudinally of frame 2 rigidly connected as by bolts 146 to front end wall 6 and back end wall 8.

A thrust bearing 148 is positioned between the lower face of crankplate 128 and bearing 140. A nut 150 engages a threaded portion 152 to the lower end of crankshaft 100 for maintaining proper tension between crankshaft 100 and the respective support bearings.

Horizontal brush 80 has a substantially at rectangular backing which may be constructed of Wood or any other suitable material for supporting bristles 86. Backing 160 of horizontal brush 80 has clevises 162 rigidly connected thereto in spaced apart relation for pivotally connecting horizontal brush 80 by pins 164 to a downwardly extending portion 166 of horizontal brush support 168, best illustrated in FIG. XV.

Vertical brushes 82 and 84 have rigid backings 170 and 172 respectively. Each backing member 170 and 172 has a clevis 174 rigidly connected to a central portion thereof, which is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 176 to vertical brush support 178, best illustrated in FIG,S. VI and XV.

Each brush support 168 and 178 has a substantially at horizontally disposed bearing plate 180 and 180a respectively extending across a central portion thereof. Each bearing plate 180 and 180a has an upwardly extending bearing surface 182 and 182a around straight sided elliptical openings 184 and 184a extending through a central portion of bearing plates 180 and 180g respectively.

Each bearing surface 182 and 182a has semicircular end portions 186 and 186a respectively connected by tangentially disposed side portions 188 and 188a repectively forming closed surfaces for receiving bearings 136 extending around crank plates 126 and 128 respectively.

Referring to FIG. VI of the drawing, the radii of semicircular end sections 186 and 186a and the distance between side portions 188 and 18811 are equal to the diameter of the outer race of bearings 136 and the distances between semicircular end sections 186 and 186:1 respectively are greater than the diameter of the outer race of bearings 136.

As best seen in FIGS. IX through XII and IX-A through XII-A, rotation of crankshaft 100 imparts reciprocating rectilinear motion to bearing support plates 168 and 178 respectively.

FIGS. IX through XII-A are schematic representations of the direction of movement of the crank plates 168 and 178 and consequently horizontal and vertical brushes 80, 82 and 84 respectively for corresponding positions of crankshaft 100 and crank plates 126 and 128 connected thereto. It should be noted that brush supports 168 and 178 reciprocate in opposite directions.

Crank plates 126 and 128 extend outwardly from crankshaft 100 in opposite directions. Therefore, as crankshaft 100 rotates in a clockwise direction, horizontal brush support 168 moves toward back end wall 8 of Hoor scrubbing device 1 while vertical brush support 178 is urged in the opposite direction toward front end wall 6, FIGS. IX and IX-A. Brush supports 168 and 178 continue to move in opposite directions until crank plates 126 and 128 rotate to the position of maximum displacement as shown in FIGS. X and X-A of the drawing.

Continued rotation of crank plates 126 and 128 reverses the direction of travel of each brush support plate as shown in FIGS. XI and XI-A. When crank plates 126 and 128 move to the position illustrated in FIGS. XII and XII-A of the drawing, the direction of travel of the respectively brush supports is reversed, completing a cycle of reciprocating motion of each support plate in opposite directions.

Each brush support plate 168 and 178 has spaced openings 190, having bolts or rivets extending therethrough, for rigidly connecting sets of guide and antifriction rollers 192 to opposite sides thereof. Each set of guide rollers 192 has rollers 194 and 196 disposed in vertical and horizontal planes respectively rotatably journaled in a mounting bracket 198.

Spaced parallel tracks 200, 20051, 202, 202g, 204 and 20451 extend between and are rigidly connected at the opposite ends thereof by screws 206 to front end Wall 6 and back end wall 8. Each said track has a horizontally disposed portion 208 and a vertically disposed portion 210 forming opposed inwardly facing channel shaped guide members for receiving each set of guide rollers 192, best illustrated in FIG. XIV.

Liquid dispenser 212 includes a container 214 rigidly connected to handle bars 54 for receiving liquid detergent, solvent, `wax or any other suitable solution which might be beneficial in increasing the effectiveness of abrasive pads or brushes 80, 82 and 84 of the oor scrubbing device.

Container 214 has a fill cap 216 disposed in an upper portion thereof.

Any suitable means may be provided for delivering liquid from container 214 to vertical brushes 82 and 84. However, suitable structure, illustrated in FIG. V, includes outlets 218 disposed in a .lower portion of container 214 at opposite sides thereof. Valves 220 are disposed adjacent to outlets 218 for regulating the flow of liquid from container 214. Flexible tubes 218 have the opposite ends thereof connected between valve 220 and conduit 224 rigidly connected by brackets 226 to side walls 4- of the oor scrubbing device. Each conduit 224 has spaced nozzles 228 communicating therewith for dispensing liquid adjacent the upper edges of brushes 82 and 84.

Splash guards 230 are pivotally connected by hinges 232 to the upper edges of side walls 4 of the floor scrubbing device and extend outwardly and downwardly therefrom, forming a cover for the upper ends of brushes 82 and 84. Each splash guard '230 has an extension member 234 slideably connected thereto by bolts 236 extending through elongated slots 238 at opposite ends of each extension member 234.

Referring to FIG. V it will be noted that the splash lguard 230 on the side of the floor scrubbing device adjacent to the baseboard being cleaned is pivoted about hinge 232 to a raised position, allowing brush 82 to engage the baseboard. Splash guard 230 on the opposite side of the floor scrubbing device is maintained in the lower position to eliminate the possibility that vertical brush 84 might be inadvertently moved into contact with furniture or clothing of passers-by.

Referring to FIGS. VI and VIII of the drawing, a resilient bumper 240 is rigidly connected to the front wall 6 of the floor scrubbing device to prevent scratching or marring of furniture or walls by the frame 2 of the oor scrubbing device 1.

It should be noted, FIG. VIII, that the bristles of horizontal and vertical brushes extend past the outer edge of resilient bumper 240 when the respective brushes are in the maximum forward position. It should be readily apparent that this construction allows cleaning in corners.

OPERATION When cord 11 is connected to a suitable source of electrical power, such as a wall outlet, and a switch (not shown) is closed, completing an electrical circuit through motor 10, horizontal brush and vertical brushes 8-2 and 84 will begin reciprocating to scrub the floor 244 and baseboard 246.

A suitable liquid, such as liquid detergent may be placed in liquid dispenser 212 and the rate of ow from nozzles 228 onto vertical brushes 82 and 84 may be regulated by adjusting valves 220.

Handle bars 54 may be pivoted horizontally and rotationally by pushing forward on knob 68 on handle bars 54, thereby releasing lock pin 50 from aperture 20, allowing handle bars 50 to be pivoted horizontally relative to the frame 2.

From the foregoing, it should be readily apparent that I have developed a oor scrubbing: device which is simple to construct and operate, having horizontally and vertically disposed pads or brushes thereon accessible to areas around baseboards and in corners whereby areas inaccessible to oor scrubbing devices heretofore developed may be scrubbed simultaneously with central portions of the floor.

While the above description has been directed primarily to a floor scrubbing device having brushes for washing or scrubbing a floor with liquid detergent, it should be readily apparent that the device which I have developed may be utilized as a buffer or wax applicator.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a general frame; a horizontally disposed scrubber member carried beneath the frame; a vertically disposed scrubber member carried on at least one side of the frame; a first support means for the horizontal scrubber member carried by the frame; means carried by the frame to move the first support member and scrubber carried thereby relative to the frame; a second support means for the vertically disposed scrubber member carried by the frame; and means carried by the frame to move the second support means and scrubber carried thereby relative to the other scrubber.

2. The combination called for in Claim 1 with the addition of a handle, and connection means between the handle and the frame for adjusting the handle horizontally with reference to the frame.

3. The combination called for in Claim 1 with the addition of liquid dispensing means carried by the frame adapted to dispense liquid adjacent to the scrubber members.

4. In a device of the class described, a general frome; a horizontally disposed scrubber member carried beneath the frame; a vertically disposed scrubber member carried on at least one side of the frame; a first support means for the horizontal scrubber member carried by the frame; a second support means for the vertically disposed scrubber member carried by the frame; and means carried by the frame to move the first and second support means and the scrubbers carried thereby reciprocatingly in opposite directions relative to the frame.

5. In a device of the class described, a general frame; horizontally disposed scrubber member carried beneath the frame; a vertically disposed scrubber member carried on at least one side of the frame; a rst support means for the horizontal scrubber member carried by the frame; means carried by the frame to move the rst support member and scrubber carried thereby reciprocatingly relative to the frame; a second support means for the vertically disposed scrubber member carried by the frame; means carried by the frame to move the second support means and scrubber carried thereby reciprocatingly relative to the frame; and means to pivotally connect the scrubber members to the respective support means therefor allowing the surfaces of the scrubber members to automatically align themselves with the surfaces against which they are disposed.

6. In a device of the class described, a general frame; a horizontally disposed scrubber member carried beneath the frame; a vertically disposed scrubber member carried on at least one side of the frame; a first support means for the horizontal scrubber member carried by the frame; a second support means for the vertically disposed scrubber member carried by the frame; and means for moving the first and second support means relative to the frame comprising, a motor carried by the frame; a crankshaft rotatably journaled in said frame, said crankshapt being driven by said motor; spaced circular crankarms eccentrically mounted on said crankshaft; and straight sided elliptical openings in the support members in which the crankshafts are disposed to cause lateral movement of the support means upon rotation of the crankshaft.

7. The combination called for in claim 6 wherein the crankarms extend outwardly from opposite sides of the shaft whereby the support means move in opposite directions.

8. In a device of the class described, a general frame; a horizontally disposed scrubber member carried beneath the frame; a vertically disposed scrubber member carried on at least one side of the frame; a first support means for the horizontal scrubber member carried by the frame; means carried by the frame to move the rst support member and scrubber carried thereby reciprocatingly relative to the frame; a second support means for the vertically disposed scrubber member carried by the frame; means carried by the frame to move the second support means and scrubber carried thereby reciprocatingly relative to the frame; and interengaging means between the frame and the respective support means for guiding the scrubber members.

9. The combination called for in claim 8 wherein the interengaging means comprises rollers rotatably connected to the support means, and tracks extending longitudinally of the frame in which the rollers run.

10. In a device of the class described, a general frame; a handle; anchor means secured to the frame; mounting means pivotally attached to the handle and rotatably attached to the anchor means; disengageable locking means between the mounting means and the anchor means; a horizontally disposed scrubber member beneath the frame; a vertically disposed scrubber member carried on at least one side of the frame; a irst support means for the horizontal scrubber member carried by the frame; means caried by the frame to move the first support member and scrubber carried thereby reciprocatingly relative to the frame; a second support means for the vertically disposed scrubber member carried by the frame; and means carried by the frame to move the second support means and scrubber carried thereby reciprocatingly relative to the frame.

11. The combination called for in claim 10 wherein the disengageable locking means comprises spaced holes in the anchor means; a spring urged pin carried yby the mounting means arranged to enter said holes; a crankarm pivotally carried by the mounting means and pivotally attached to the pin; and a flexible shaft connected to the crankarm, and being accessible at the handle for withdrawing the pin to allow rotational movement of the mounting means.

12. In a machine for scrubbing intersecting vertical and horizontal surfaces simultaneously comprising, horizontal and vertical scrubbing members on the machine having scrubbing surfaces thereon extending outwardly thereof, the scrubbing surfaces at the edges of the respective scrubbing members intersecting, whereby the point of intersection of the surfaces are simultaneously cleaned; and means on the machine to reciprocatingly move the horizontal and vertical scrubbing members relative to eachlother.

13. The combination called for in claim 12 wherein the horizontal and vertical scrubbing surfaces are brush bristles.

14. In a machine for scrubbing intersecting vertical and horizontal surfaces simultaneously comprising, horizontal and vertical scrubbing members on the machine having scrubbing surfaces thereon extending outwardly thereof, the scrubbing surfaces at the edges of the respective scrubbing members intersecting, whereby the points of intersection of the surfaces are simultaneously cleaned; and means on the machine to reciprocatingly move the horizontal and vertical scrubbing members in opposite directions.

1S. In a scrubbing machine, a frame, a horizontal scrubbing member below the frame; a vertical scrubbing member on at least one side of the frame; a motor; a crankshaft rotated by the motor; spaced circular crankarms eccentrically mounted on the crankshaft; a first support plate pivotally attched at one end to the vertical scrubbing member and having a straight sided elliptical opening therein in which one of the crankarms is disposed; and a second support plate having downwardly directed ends pivotally attached to the horizontal brush and having a straight sided elliptical opening therein in which the other crankarm is disposed; and means on the frame for supporting the support plates against vertical movement, 'but allowing horizontal movement thereof.

16. The combination called for in claim 14 with the addition of a handle; and connection means between the handle and the frame for adjusting the handle rotationally with reference to the frame.

17. The combination called for in claim 14 with the addition of liquid dispensing means carried by the frame adapted to dispense liquid adjacent to the scrubber members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 199,875 1/1878 Stockley 15-50 3,327,338 6/1967 Young 15-98 FOREIGN PATENTS 748,107 4/ 1956 Great Britain.

EDWARD L. ROBERTS, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 51-175

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