Patent Grant
8997905
The use of cleaning elements, such as a mop, a broom, or a vacuum, for janitorial services is well known. For a large facility, such as a large shopping center, an airport, a factory, a distribution center, or a school, large cleaning elements are often used to allow for cleaning of relatively large surface areas. The mops or brooms typically must be manually pushed by a janitor or other cleaning personnel. Vacuum assemblies can be motor-driven, but are typically operated by a user pushing or walking behind the vacuum assembly. Moreover, the cleaning element or elements must be transported, usually manually transported, from a storage location to a location that needs to be cleaned.
This disclosure describes a multi-purpose, multi-mode utility vehicle that can be used to rapidly transport one or more cleaning elements, such as mops, dry mops, brooms, and vacuum assemblies, and to deploy and use the one or more cleaning elements. The platform can also be configured to carry or tow a second platform, such as a janitorial cart, which can carry other components that can be useful for cleaning or other janitorial work. For example, the janitorial cart can carry at least one of a mop bucket, a trash receptacle, a paper-products receptacle, and a cleaning-supply receptacle. The utility vehicle can allow a user to dry mop, broom, or vacuum large areas; collect trash, distribute cleaning supplies; or carry a mop and bucket. Numerous other capabilities can also be incorporated into or can be made compatible with the utility vehicle.
In an example, a utility vehicle comprises a platform, a motor coupled to the platform and configured to propel the platform, at least one cleaning element coupled to the platform, wherein the at least one cleaning element is movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position, and one or more controls configured to move the at least one cleaning element between the collapsed position and the expanded position.
In an example, an electric utility vehicle comprises a wheeled platform, a seat coupled to the platform for carrying a user, an electric motor coupled to the platform and configured to propel the platform, a pair of cleaning elements coupled to the platform, wherein the pair of cleaning elements are movable between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein the pair of cleaning elements are movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position with respect to each other, a first control configured to move the pair of cleaning elements between the raised position and the lowered position, and a second control configured to move the pair of cleaning elements between the collapsed position and the expanded position.
In an example, a system comprises a utility vehicle including a platform and a motor to propel the platform, a first assembly of a first set of one or more cleaning elements configured to be coupled at a first location of the wheeled platform, a second assembly of a second set of one or more cleaning elements configured to be coupled at the first location of the wheeled platform, and a first mechanism configured to move one or more cleaning elements coupled to the wheeled platform between a collapsed position and an expanded position.
These and other examples and features of the present systems and methods will be set forth in part in the following Detailed Description. This Summary is intended to provide an overview of the present subject matter, and is not intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive explanation. The Detailed Description below is included to provide further information about the present systems and methods.
In the drawings, like numerals can be used to describe similar elements throughout the several views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes can be used to represent different views of similar elements. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document.
An electric utility vehicle is disclosed, and, more particularly, an electric utility vehicle having one or more deployable cleaning elements, such as one or more mops, one or more brooms, or one or more vacuum assemblies, coupled to the electric utility vehicle. The one or more cleaning elements can be detachably coupled to a wheeled platform of the electric utility vehicle, such as on a front end of the vehicle, so that one or more first cleaning elements can be removed and replaced with one or more second cleaning elements. For example, a set of dry mops can initially be coupled to the electric utility vehicle, which can then be removed and a set of brooms or a vacuum assembly can be coupled to the electric utility vehicle. Similarly, a replacement set of dry mops, brooms, a vacuum assembly, or other cleaning elements can be easily installed onto the electric utility vehicle.
The one or more cleaning elements can be easily deployable by a user of the electric utility vehicle. For example, the one or more cleaning elements can be movable between a raised position, e.g., an undeployed position, and a lowered position, e.g., a deployed position. When in the raised position, the electric utility vehicle can be moved to a location to be cleaned, where the one or more cleaning elements can be deployed into the lowered position to allow for cleaning of the location. One or more controls can be included on the electric utility vehicle that can effectuate deploying the cleaning elements from the raised position to the lowered position, and vice versa.
The one or more cleaning elements can also be adjustable so that an effective width of the one or more cleaning elements can be changed depending on the circumstances of use or the environment that the electric utility vehicle is in. In an example, the one or more cleaning elements can be moved between a collapsed position and an expanded position. When in the collapsed position, the effective width of the one or more cleaning elements can be narrow enough for the one or more cleaning elements to fit through tight spaces, such as through a doorway or a narrow passageway. When in the expanded position, the effective width of the one or more cleaning elements can be selected to maximize the electric utility vehicle's effective cleaning area. The adjustability of the effective width of the one or more cleaning elements can also allow a user to more easily maneuver around obstacles when cleaning. One or more controls can be included on the electric utility vehicle that can effectuate moving the one or more cleaning elements between the collapsed position and the expanded position.
The electric utility vehicle can also be configured to receive or be coupled to one or more additional components, such as a janitorial cart coupled to a back end of the electric utility vehicle. The janitorial cart can be carried by the electric utility vehicle or towed behind the electric utility vehicle. In an example, the janitorial cart can be configured to carry other cleaning implements that can be useful to a user, such as a mop and mop bucket, a trash receptacle, paper products, or cleaning supplies. The cart can be releasably coupled to the electric utility vehicle so that the cart can be used independently of the machine.
The electric utility vehicle can be configured to be ridden by a user, such as with a seat, so that the user and the electric utility vehicle can be rapidly deployed to a cleaning location. Thus, the electric utility vehicle can improve efficiency by enabling a user to safely and quickly travel a significant distance, while also carrying one or more cleaning elements, and if desired other supplies. The speed of using the electric utility vehicle can help the user to more efficiently maintain the appearance of a site and can reduce the risk of a customer or team member slip-and-fall event. In addition, the electric utility vehicle can make scheduled cleaning more productive. Furthermore, a user can carry out several tasks at the same time, allowing the user to complete a series of tasks with increased efficiency.
The electric utility vehicle 10 can include one or more features that allow a user to clean an area. For example, a trash bin 19 can be coupled to the platform 12, such as to a front end 17 of the platform 12, as shown in
In the examples shown in
If the electric utility vehicle 10 includes controls, such as to control the motor 14 or to control the cleaning elements 20, the controls can be accessible by a user when sitting on the seat 22, such as by being reachable and controllable by the user's hands or feet. The electric utility vehicle 10 can include one or more motor controls 24 that can be manipulated by a user, such as a user sitting on the seat 22. The motor controls 24 can be positioned to be substantially directly in front of the user while sitting on the seat 22 so that the user can operate the motor controls 24 with his or her hands. In an example, the motor controls 24 can include one or more handles 26 that can be grasped by a user to steer the electric utility vehicle 10, such as by controlling a steering mechanism that turns one or more wheels of the wheeled cart 12. The motor controls 24 can also include one or more directional controls 28A, 28B, such as a first lever 28A that can cause the motor 14 to move the electric utility vehicle 10 in a forward direction and a second lever 28B that can cause the motor 14 to move the electric utility vehicle 10 in a rearward direction.
As described above, the one or more cleaning elements 20 can be movable to provide for maneuverability of the electric utility vehicle 10, such as when cleaning an area that includes obstacles or a narrow profile.
The collapsed position can allow the electric utility vehicle 10 to be more easily maneuvered such as through a narrow passageway or within a narrow space between obstacles. In an example as shown in
The expanded position of the cleaning elements 20 can provide for a large cleaning width of the cleaning elements 20. As noted above, in an example, a pair cleaning elements 20 can be opened to an angle θ. In an example, angle θ can be between 0 degrees and 180 degrees, inclusive, for example between 45 degrees and 179 degrees, inclusive, such as between 90 degrees and 170 degrees, inclusive. In an example, the angle θ is an obtuse angle of between about 90 degrees and about 180 degrees, inclusive, for example between about 120 degrees and about 179 degrees, inclusive, such as between about 150 degrees and about 170 degrees, for example about 150 degrees, about 155 degrees, about 160 degrees, about 165 degrees, about 166 degrees, about 167 degrees, about 168 degrees, about 169 degrees, about 170 degrees, about 171 degrees, about 172 degrees, about 173 degrees, about 174 degrees, about 175 degrees, about 176 degrees, about 177 degrees, about 178 degrees, about 179 degrees, or about 180 degrees. As shown in
The electric utility vehicle 10 can include one or more controls 30 that are operable to allow movement of the one or more cleaning elements 20 between the collapsed position and the expanded position, and vice versa. In the example, these one or more controls 30 can comprise a pedal 30 that can be actuated by user, such as with the foot of a user sitting on the seat 22. The pedal 30 can move between a first position associated with the collapsed position of the cleaning elements 20 (see, e.g.,
In an example, the mechanism that moves the cleaning elements 20 between the collapsed position and the expanded position can include one or more mechanical linkages between the pedal 30 and the cleaning elements 20. Each cleaning element 20 can be coupled to a leg 32, as described below. Each leg 32 can be pivotally coupled to the cart 12, such as at a pivot point 34, so that each leg 32 can pivot laterally outward and inward. For example, as shown in
In an example, the cleaning elements 20 can be manually movable between the collapsed position and the expanded position. For example, an electric utility vehicle could omit the pedal 30, and a user could manually adjust the cleaning elements 20 to the desired position.
Although
As described above, the one or more cleaning elements 20 can be movable between a deployed or lowered position and an undeployed or raised position.
The movability of the cleaning elements 20 between the raised position and the lowered position can allow the electric utility vehicle 10 more flexibility during use. For example, a user can store the electric utility vehicle 10 with the cleaning elements 20 in the raised position so that the electric utility vehicle 10 takes up a smaller footprint. Similarly, the cleaning elements 20 can be kept in the raised position when the electric utility vehicle 10 is being transported to or from a cleaning site so that the electric utility vehicle 10 can be more maneuverable. The cleaning elements 20 can then be easily and rapidly deployed by moving the cleaning elements 20 from the raised position to the lowered position.
The electric utility vehicle 10 can include one or more controls 40 to move the one or more cleaning elements 20 from the raised position to the lowered position, and vice versa. The one or more controls 40 can comprise a pedal 40 that can be actuated by a user, such as with the foot of a user sitting on the seat 22. The pedal 40 can move between a first position associated with the raised position of the cleaning elements 20 (
In an example, the mechanism that moves the cleaning elements 20 between the raised position and the lower position can include one or more mechanical linkages between the pedal 40 and the cleaning elements 20. Each cleaning element 20 can be coupled to a leg 32, and the legs 32 can be pivotally coupled to the cart 12, such as at a pivot point 42, so that the legs 32 can pivot vertically upward and downward. One or more mechanical linkages 44 can connect the pedal 40 to a connection point, such as the connection point 46 on the mounting plate 38 (best seen in
In an example, the cleaning elements 20 can be manually movable between the raised position and the lowered position. For example, an electric utility vehicle could omit the pedal 40, and a user could manually adjust the cleaning elements 20 to the desired position.
The cleaning elements 20 can be detachably coupled to the wheeled cart 12 so that a user can remove a first set of one or more cleaning elements 20 and replace it with a second set of one or more cleaning elements 20. The second set of cleaning elements 20 can be a replacement set of the same type as the first set of cleaning elements 20, such as to replace damaged or worn out cleaning elements 20. The second set of cleaning elements 20 can also be of a different type of cleaning element than the first set of cleaning elements 20 so that a user can change from one type of cleaning to another. For example, the first set of cleaning elements 20 can be a set of dry mops and the second set of cleaning elements 20 can be one or more wet mops, one or more brooms, one or more brushes, or one or more vacuum assemblies.
An assembly of dry mops that can be used as the cleaning elements 20 is sold as part number 100-379 by Dane Technologies, Inc., Brooklyn Park, Minn., USA. An assembly of brooms that can be used as the cleaning elements 20 is sold as part number 100-399 by Dane Technologies, Inc. However, other dry mops or brooms can be used. Examples of specific cleaning elements 20 that can be used with the utility vehicle 10 of this disclosure include the dry mops sold as part number 7305T38 by McMaster-Carr Supply Co., Elmhust, Ill., USA, and the brooms sold as part number B20436 by Proline.
As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, a vacuum assembly can be coupled to an end of the cart 12, such as the front end 17, in a manner similar to that in which dry mop cleaning elements 20 or broom cleaning elements 20 can be coupled to the cart 12, such as to the front end 17 as shown in
The electric utility vehicle 10 can also include means or structures for mounting or coupling a second platform to the cart 12. In an example, the wheeled cart 12 can include a mounting structure 60 at a location of the cart 12 that is different from the location where the one or more cleaning elements 20 are coupled to the cart 12. For example, the one or more cleaning elements 20 can be coupled to a first location of the cart 12, such as at the front end 17, while the mounting structure 60 can be located at a second location of the cart 12, such as at the rear end 18.
As shown in
In an example shown in
The janitorial cart 70 can be a general purpose cart that can carry one or more objects that can be useful for a user of the utility vehicle 10. For example, as shown in
In another example, an electric utility vehicle 10 can be configured to tow a second platform behind the cart 12.
In the example process shown in
The above Detailed Description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more elements thereof) can be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Also, various features or elements can be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter can lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and any documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in this document controls.
In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.
Method examples described herein can be machine or computer-implemented, at least in part. Some examples can include a computer-readable medium or machine-readable medium encoded with instructions operable to configure an electronic device to perform methods or method steps as described in the above examples. An implementation of such methods or method steps can include code, such as microcode, assembly language code, a higher-level language code, or the like. Such code can include computer readable instructions for performing various methods. The code may form portions of computer program products. Further, in an example, the code can be tangibly stored on one or more volatile, non-transitory, or non-volatile tangible computer-readable media, such as during execution or at other times. Examples of these tangible computer-readable media can include, but are not limited to, hard disks, removable magnetic disks, removable optical disks (e.g., compact disks and digital video disks), magnetic cassettes, memory cards or sticks, random access memories (RAMs), read only memories (ROMs), and the like.
The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
This patent application claims the benefit of priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/502,771, entitled “QUICKLEEN ELECTRIC UTILITY MACHINE,” filed on Jun. 29, 2011, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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