WO1992000695A1

WO1992000695A1 - Floor cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1992000695A1
Application number: PCT/AU1991/000288
Authority: WO
Inventors: William George Aylett
Original assignee: William George Aylett
Priority date: 1990-07-03
Filing date: 1991-07-03
Publication date: 1992-01-23

Abstract

Apparatus for cleaning floors and other surfaces comprising a main body (10), a work head (20) operatively connected to the main body (10) for rotation relative thereto, drive means (25) for causing rotation of the work head, and a control assembly (40) for removing fluids and material entrained therein from the region of the work head. The control assembly includes a suction head (41) having an intake opening (42) through which fluid and material entrained therein can pass, said intake opening being disposed adjacent and partly around an outer periphery of the work head.

Description

"FLOOR CLEANING APPARATUS"

This invention relates to apparatus for cleaning floors and other surfaces . In the context of this specification cleaning includes floor treatment processes such as for example , brushing, scrubbing , buffing, polishing or the like. Conventional apparatus of this type usually comprises a rotatable work head powered by a motor. A problem with such conventional apparatus is that, during operation the machines tend to randomly fling loose material and dust away from the work head and over the surface being cleaned. Various forms of devices have been provided to try and control this loose material and dust but such devices have often proven to be unsatisfactory because of inefficient collection or relatively high cost. A further problem which is particularly associated with apparatus powered by motors of the type which generate hot exhaust gases is that the exhaust gases can damage other articles such as furniture, or curtains if the exhaust gases come into close relation to these articles. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved floor cleaning apparatus which alleviates one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for cleaning floors and other surfaces comprising a main body, a work head operatively connected to the main body for rotation relative thereto, said work head having an outer peripheral edge portion, drive means for causing rotation of the work head, and a control assembly for removing fluids and material entrained therein from the region of the work head, characterized in that said control assembly includes a suction head having an intake opening through which fluid and material entrained therein can pass, said intake opening being disposed adjacent and partly around the outer peripheral edge portion of the work head. Preferably the intake opening faces the outer periphery of the work head and is disposed generally in the same plane thereof. In one preferred form, the intake opening extends around the rear portion of the periphery of the work head. The suction head may comprise an elongated manifold having the intake opening therein, the intake opening extending along the length of the manifold. A delivery duct may be provided from which the fluid is discharged from the manifold. Preferably the manifold comprises three portions including a central portion and two side portions which extend forwardly from respective ends of the central portion so that in the operative position it is disposed around a portion of the work head, preferably a rearwardly disposed portion of the work head. Preferably the delivery duct may be arcuate in cross-sectional shape and project from the manifold. The control assembly further includes a suction generator, a housing having a material receiving chamber therein into which the fluid as well as loose material and dust is received from the suction head. In one arrangement, a transfer duct may be provided for transferring fluid from the suction head to the housing, the transfer duct preferably also being arcuate in cross-sectional shape and of complementary shape to that of the delivery duct. Preferably the suction generator is provided for causing fluid to be drawn from the suction head to the housing. In one preferred form, the suction generator comprises a suction element disposed within the chamber the suction generator being operatively connected to the drive means for rotation thereby. In one preferred form, the suction generator comprises a fan or impeller. Preferably the housing has an outlet port for discharging fluid and entrained material to a collecting device such as for example, a disposable bag. Preferably the drive means is connected to the main body or housing and includes a drive shaft which is operatively connected thereto, the suction generator being connected to the drive shaft. The main body of the apparatus may take any suitable form and in one preferred arrangement, comprises a work head mounting section and a motor mounting section. Preferably the work head mounting section is generally cylindrical in shape and has an open bottom side through which the work head can protrude so as to engage the floor when in use. Another aspect of the present invention relates to the unique manner of mounting the drive means and suction generator housing to the main body of the apparatus. According to this aspect of the present invention, the apparatus comprises a main body which includes a work head mounting section and a motor mounting section, a work head mounted for rotation within the work head mounting section, a suction generator housing connected to said motor mounting section so as to form a material receiving chamber, an inlet to said chamber communicating in the region of the work head mounting section, a suction generator disposed within the receiving chamber and operable to draw material from the region of the work head mounting section into the receiving chamber and drive means operatively supported by the motor mounting section, an output shaft operatively connected to said drive means and extending through said receiving chamber and out through said inlet, said suction generator and said work head being operatively connected to said output shaft so as to be operable as a result of operation of said drive means, said output shaft being dimensioned relative to said inlet such that material can be drawn into the receiving chamber through said inlet. In this aspect of the present invention, the apparatus may be operated with or without the suction head described earlier. Advantageously, the drive means is mounted on top of the housing which in turn is mounted to a platform which defines the motor mounting section of the main body. The output shaft is disposed generally upright in this arrangement with the suction generator operatively connected thereto. The work head may be operatively connected to the output shaft via a pulley and belt transmission or the like. The suction generator is preferably in the form of an impeller and has a central aperture which is generally aligned with the inlet so that material is drawn in through the inlet to the central region of the impeller and thereafter caused to travel radially outwardly. Ground engaging wheels may be provided on the main body together with a handle. As mentioned earlier, the motor mounting section may be disposed above the work head mounting section and includes a generally flat top side support surface or platform. Preferably the motor mounting section is generally rectangular in plan view and is offset to one side of the circular work head mounting section for reasons which will become apparent hereinafter. The offset feature constitutes another aspect of the invention. Basically in accordance with this aspect of the present invention the apparatus for cleaning floors includes a main body having a work head mounting section and a motor mounting section which is offset to one side of the work head mounting section. This arrangement is particularly an advantage where drive means includes motors which discharge hot exhaust gases. With this arrangement, the hot exhaust gas emissions can be spaced from a side of the work head so that that side of the work head can be operated close to articles which could be damaged by the hot exhaust gases. The work head may take any suitable form and in one arrangement comprises a generally circular disk or pad which is mounted for rotation on the main body. The disk or pad may have bristles operatively connected thereto or buffing devices or the like. The drive means may comprise a motor which can be of any suitable form such as for example, electric or internal combustion. It may further include a drive shaft which is operatively connected to the work head by transmission means which may include a series of pulleys and transmission belt. Preferably the housing of the control assembly is mounted to the support surface of the motor mounting section of the main body and the motor is mounted above the housing so that the drive shaft extends through the housing with the impeller being operatively connected to the drive shaft for rotation therewith. Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to tiie accompanying drawings in which:- FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation of apparatus according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a plan view of the suction head manifold according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a elevation of the suction head manifold shown in Fig. 2; FIG. 4 is a sectional side view taken generally through the centre of the manifold; FIG. 5 is a plan view of a transfer duct for use in the control assembly of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a sectional side elevation of the transfer duct shown in Fig. 5. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the housing of the control assembly according to the present invention; FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the housing shown in Fig. 7; FIGS. 9 and 10 are respective views of the main body of the apparatus of the present invention; and FIGS. 11 and 12 are plan and side elevation of an impeller of the present invention; Referring to the drawings, the apparatus generally indicated at 1 comprises a main body 10 having a generally circular work head mounting section 11 and a motor mounting section 12 which is offset to one side of the work head mounting section. Ground engaging wheels 13 are provided towards the rear of the work head mounting section. The main body 10 is in the form of a metal casing having a open bottom side and a handle (not shown) can be connected to the main body. A work head 20 which is in the form of a circular disk or pad 21 is mounted for rotation on the main body 10. The work head 20 is disposed within a hollow portion of mounting section 11. with the working surface being adjacent an open bottom side of the hollow portion so that it can contact the surface being treated. The work head may be in the form of a brush or other type of cleaning or polishing element. The motor mounting section 12 includes a support platform 16 which, as best seen in figures 10 and 12, is offset to one side of work head mounting section 11. with respect to a central axis extending between the forward and rearward ends of the machine. The apparatus further includes drive means 25 comprising a motor 26 having a drive shaft 27 which is supported by the main body 10 and is operatively connected to the work head via pulleys 29 and 30 and transmission belt 28. The motor 26 is carried on platform 16 and, because of its offset position, exhaust pipes from the motor can be arranged in spaced relation from one side of the machine and thereby reduce the chance of damage to articles by hot exhaust gases from the exhaust. The control assembly 40 of the apparatus includes a suction head 41 having an intake opening 42 formed in a manifold 43 having a rearmost central section 44 and side sections 45 and 46 with a delivery duct 47 extending therefrom. As best seen in figures 1 and 2, the manifold is disposed adjacent the peripheral edge of the work head 20 so as to partially surround a rearward section thereof. The manifold is operatively connected to a transfer duct 48 which delivers fluid from the region of the work head to housing 50 having a chamber therein, the housing being mounted to the main body 10 with the motor being mounted to the housing 50. Within the housing chamber there is provided a suction generator in the form of an impeller 51 comprising a plate 54 having blades 53 thereon. An inlet 56 is formed in the motor mounting section of the main body. The impeller 51 is connected to drive shaft 27 for rotation therewith such that rotation of the impeller draws material through the intake opening 42 and into housing 50 via ducts 47 and 48 and inlet 56. The housing 50 includes an outlet 52 for delivery the fluid to the collecting medium which may be in the form of a disposable bag. In another arrangement as best seen in figure 11. , the blades 53 are curved when viewed in plan and extend between plate 54 and an annular plate disposed at the opposite edge to plate 54. A central boss 57 may also be included for receiving the drive shaft. The impeller has a central aperture 58 which is aligned with inlet 56 to permit material to pass from the inlet through aperture 58 and then radially outwardly. As pointed out earlier the apparatus may be used without the suction head 41. In this arrangement, the material in the region of the work head is drawn directly through inlet 56 into the chamber within the housing. The apparatus as shown is particularly suitable for removing dust entrained air from the region of the work head. It could however be used for removing a water detergent mixture. In this arrangement, it is desirable that the suction manifold be provided with a scraper blade along its rear edge. Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit and ambit of the invention.

Claims

1. Apparatus for cleaning floors and other surfaces comprising a main body (10), a work head (20) operatively connected to the main body (10) for rotation relative thereto, drive means (25) for causing rotation of the work head, and a control assembly (40) for removing fluids and material entrained therein from the region of the work head, characterised in that said control assembly includes a suction head (41) having an intake opening (42) through which fluid and material entrained therein can pass, said intake opening being disposed adjacent and partly around an outer periphery of the work head.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said intake opening (42) faces the outer periphery of the work head (20) and is disposed generally in the same plane thereof, and extends around the rear portion of the periphery of the work head.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said suction head

(41) includes an elongated collecting manifold (43) having the intake opening

(42) therein, the intake opening extending along the length of the manifold, and a delivery duct (47) from which the fluid is discharged from the manifold.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said manifold comprises three portions including a central portion (44) and two side portions (45, 46) which extend forwardly from respective ends of the central portion so that in the operative position it is disposed around a rearwardly disposed portion of the work head, said delivery duct projecting from the manifold.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said control assembly further includes a housing (50) into which the fluid is received from the suction head, and a transfer duct (48) for transferring fluid from the suction head to the housing.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim further including suction means (51) for causing fluid to be drawn from the suction head (41) to the housing (50) said suction means comprising a suction element (51) disposed within the housing the suction element being operatively connected to the drive means (25) for rotation thereby, said housing having an outlet port for discharging fluid and entrained material to a collecting device.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said main body (10) comprises a work head mounting section (11) and a motor mounting section (12), the work head mounting section (11) being generally cylindrical in shape and having an open bottom side through which the work head (20) can protrude so as to engage the floor when in use, said motor mounting section (12) being disposed above the work head mounting section (11) and having a generally flat top side support surface, the motor mounting section being generally rectangular in plan view and being offset to one side of the circular work head mounting section.

8. Apparatus for cleaning floors and other surfaces comprising a main body (10) which includes a work head mounting section (11) and a motor mounting section (12) a work head (20) mounted for rotation within the work head mounting section (11), a suction generator housing (50) connected to said motor mounting section (12) so as to form a material receiving chamber, an inlet (56) to said chamber communicating in the region of the work head mounting section, a suction generator (51) disposed within the receiving chamber and operable to draw material from the region of the work head mounting section (12) into the receiving chamber, drive means (25) operatively supported by the motor mounting section, an output shaft operatively connected to said drive means (25) and extending through said receiving chamber and out through said inlet characterised in that said suction generator and said work head being operatively connected to said output shaft so as to - lo¬ be operable as a result of operation of said drive means, said output shaft being dimensioned relative to said inlet such that material can be drawn into the receiving chamber through said inlet.