Floor cleaning apparatus having a floating brush

Abstract
An apparatus for cleaning a floor surface having weight support members thereon for carrying the weight of the apparatus into the floor surface includes a brush having a baseplate with an array of bristles. The brush has a plurality of supply passages, each of which communicates with a portion of the bristle array. The brush is loosely attached by a flexible torque transmitting coupling to the shaft for rotation about a centerline of rotation. The brush is attached to a motor shaft in such a way that, in use, the brush is responsive to irregularities in the floor surface as the apparatus is moved thereover by moving in a direction generally parallel to a centerline of rotation and/or in a plane generally perpendicular thereto. A baffle mounted to the top surface of the brush so as to surround the supply passages. In use, a foam cleaning agent is dispensed onto a location on the top surface of the brush inwardly of the supply passages. Rotation of the brush generates a force urging dispensed foam cleaning agent in a radially outwardly direction from the centerline of rotation toward the baffle. The baffled deflects the foam cleaning agent into the supply passages and into the bristles of the brush.
Description




FIELD OF INVENTION




This invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, whether a carpeted or a hard surface, and in particular, to a floor surface cleaning apparatus that includes a brush that is loosely attached by a flexible torque transmitting coupling to a shaft for rotation about a centerline of rotation.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Currently, most carpet cleaning equipment uses a brush that is rigidly mounted to the drive shaft of the apparatus. In most cases the entire weight of the cleaning apparatus is carried by the brush to the floor surface. The operator tilts the apparatus slightly to change its direction and thus controls the path of the apparatus over the floor surface.




In another form a vertical shaft rotary brush cleaning apparatus is configured with support wheels so that the load of the brush on the floor can be controlled independently of the equipment weight.




A liquid cleaning solution may be either pre-sprayed to the floor or supplied to the floor through the brush drive shaft. In some apparatus, such as that manufactured by Thorne Electric Company, San Antonio, Tex., the liquid cleaning solution is fed by gravity to the brush hub. In apparatus using a rotary brush such as that manufactured by The Malish Corporation, Willoughby, Ohio, liquid cleaning solution is fed by gravity to the top surface of the brush. The brush has an array of openings near its outer perimeter. Cleaning liquid fed onto the hub is allowed to drip into the bristles.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention is directed toward the form of brush cleaning apparatus having a frame equipped with weight supporting members for carrying the weight of the apparatus into the floor. The apparatus includes a brush that is loosely attached by a flexible torque transmitting coupling to a motor shaft for rotation about a centerline of rotation. The brush is attached to the shaft such that, in use, the brush is responsive to irregularities in the floor surface as the apparatus is moved thereover. The brush is able to move, or“float” on the carpet surface, in a direction generally parallel to centerline of rotation and/or in a plane generally perpendicular thereto.




The flexible torque transmitting coupling includes a drive collar connected to the motor shaft. A plurality of drive rods depend from the drive collar. The drive rods extend through enlarged mounting openings in the brush body. The lower end of each drive rod has a retainer thereon. When the cleaning apparatus is placed on the floor, the brush rises on the drive rods and is ready for the rotary motion.




The brush has a plurality of supply passages formed therein, with each of the supply passages communicating with a portion of the bristle array. A baffle is mounted to the top surface of the brush to surround the supply passages. In use, foam from a foam generator is dispensed onto the top surface of the brush inwardly of the supply passages. Centrifugal force induced by the rotary motion of the brush urges the foam to move radially outwardly toward the baffle. The baffle deflects the foam cleaning agent into supply passages and into the bristles. The foam is scrubbed by the bristles into the carpet surface.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this application in which:





FIG. 1

is a stylized side elevational view, partially in section, of a floor cleaning apparatus in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 2

is an enlarged view of the sectioned portion of the floor cleaning apparatus shown in

FIG. 1

; and,





FIG. 3

is a plan view of a drive collar used in the flexible torque transmitting arrangement of the present invention; and





FIG. 4

is section view taken along section lines


4





4


in FIG.


2


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




Throughout the following detailed description, similar reference numerals refer to similar elements in all the figures of the drawings.





FIG. 1

is a stylized representation of an apparatus generally indicated by the reference character


10


in accordance with the present invention for cleaning a floor surface F. Although the apparatus


10


is illustrated and hereinafter described in the context of a floor surface F covered by a carpet C, it should be understood that the apparatus


10


may be used on floor surfaces that are bare or covered by other surface coverings.




With reference to FIG.


1


and to the more detailed section view of

FIG. 2

, the floor cleaning apparatus


10


includes a generally dome-like frame


14


having a central opening


14


A therein. The margin of the frame


14


is turned downwardly to define a flange


14


F that peripherally encloses the working volume


16


disposed beneath the frame


14


. The frame


14


is typically fabricated from cast aluminum although other materials such as sheet steel may be used.




A drive motor


18


is mounted to the frame


14


such that the shaft


18


S of the motor


18


projects through the opening


14


A into the working volume


16


. The motor


18


is supported on the frame


14


by a peripheral mounting lip


18


L that rests upon and is secured to that portion of the frame


14


defining the aperture


14


A. The end of the motor shaft


18


S has an array of mounting tangs


18


T thereon.




An operating handle


14


H (

FIG. 1

) is movably attached to the frame


14


. A supply tank


22


for a foam cleaning solution is conveniently supported on the handle


14


H and is connected by a line


22


L to a foam generator


24


. The foam generator


24


is conveniently mounted to the frame


14


. A foam supply pipe


26


from the generator


24


projects into the interior volume


16


through an access port


14


P formed in the frame


14


. The foam supply pipe


26


is conveniently fabricated from copper piping and copper fittings.




A cleaning brush


30


is connected by a flexible torque transmitting coupling


32


to the drive shaft


18


S of the drive motor


18


for rotation within the working volume


16


about a centerline of rotation


30


A. The brush


30


includes a generally annular baseplate


30


P having a bottom surface


30


B and a top surface


30


T. A generally annular array of nylon bristles


30


L extends from the bottom surface


30


B of the baseplate


30


P. A suitable brush that may be modified for use with the apparatus


10


of the present invention is a nylon bristle brush available from The Malish Corporation, Willoughby, Ohio.




The baseplate


30


P of the brush


30


has an array of mounting openings


30


M surrounding the central opening


30


C therein. The baseplate


30


P may be fabricated from molded plastic or wood. The brush


30


depends from the drive shaft


18


S into the working volume


16


beneath the frame


14


such that the bristles


30


L are in contact with the floor surface F. The inner boundary of the array of bristles


30


L defines a generally enclosed lower volume


30


V beneath the baseplate


30


P and above the floor surface F.




The baseplate


30


P has a plurality of supply passages


30


S extending therethrough. Each of the supply passages


30


S communicates with a portion of the bristle array


30


L. The axis


30


X extending through each of the passages


30


S is inclined radially outwardly with respect to the centerline of rotation


30


A.




A frustoconical baffle


30


F is mounted, as by peripheral screws (not shown) to the top surface


30


T of the baseplate


30


P. The baffle


30


F, which may be fabricated of sheet metal or plastic, generally encloses a region


30


R lying above the top surface of the baseplate


30


P. Preferably, the baffle


30


F is positioned on the baseplate


30


P such that the lower edge of the baffle lies radially outwardly of the radially outer edge of each of the supply passages


30


S. In this way the region


30


R communicates with the supply passages


30


S in the baseplate


30


P.




The apparatus


10


is supported on and is transportable over the floor surface F on a plurality of weight support members generally indicated by the reference character


34


. The weight support members


34


serve to carry the weight of the frame


14


, the motor


18


, the supply tank


22


, the foam generator


24


, and any other appurtenances that may be disposed on the frame


14


, and to transmit that burden into the floor surface F. Since the burden of the apparatus


10


is transmitted the into the floor F by the weight support members


34


, the bristles


30


L in contact with the floor surface F are subjected only to the weight of brush


30


.




In the embodiment illustrated the weight support members


34


are implemented using wheels


34


W that are rotatably mounted on axles


34


A carried by the frame


14


. Although the support function is implemented in the illustrated embodiment by the wheels


34


W it should be understood that a cleaning apparatus


10


in accordance with the present invention may utilize any alternate weight support and transport arrangement, such as rollers, tracks, slides or any other convenient mechanism.




The flexible torque transmitting coupling


32


by which the brush


30


is loosely attached to the shaft


18


S for rotation about the centerline of rotation


30


A is best described in connection with

FIGS. 2 through 4

.




The main element of the torque transmitting coupling


32


is a drive collar


32


C generally similar to the drive member sold by The Malish Corporation, Willoughby, Ohio, under part number NP-9200. The drive collar


32


C is a flat, generally annular member formed from molded plastic having a central opening


32


A. As best seen in the plan view of

FIG. 3

the collar


32


C has an array of equiangularly spaced tapered openings


32


H formed therein. Cut-outs


32


K are provided on the inner edge


32


A of the drive collar


32


C. Slots


32


S communicating with the central opening of the collar


32


C serve to define generally circumferentially extending flexible fingers


32


F for a purpose to be described. The lower surface of the collar has abutments


32


B threron.




A plurality of drive rods


34


R extend through the collar


32


C. Each drive rod


34


R has a predetermined overall length dimension associated therewith. Each of the drive rods


34


R has a tapered head


34


H that is received in one of the tapered openings


32


H. When received by the collar


32


C, the heads


34


H of the rods


34


R lie flush with the upper surface of the collar


32


C, and the elongated body portions


34


B depend from the lower surface of the collar


32


C. Each rod is secured by a nut


34


N. Each rod


34


R terminates at its lower end with a retainer


34


T. The retainer


34


T is configured from a washer


35


W held by a pin


34


P.




To attach the brush


30


to the shaft


18


S, the cutouts


32


K on the drive collar


32


C are angularly registered with the tangs


18


T on the shaft


18


S. The collar


32


C may then be slid axially onto the shaft


18


S. When the tangs


18


T are adjacent to the lower surface of the collar


32


C, the collar


32


C is rotated in the direction of arrow


36


shown in the bottom view of FIG.


4


. This relative rotation the collar


32


C with respect to the shaft


18


S brings the tangs


18


T on the shaft into angularly abutting relationship with the abutments


32


B on the undersurface of the collar


32


C. As the tangs


18


T are rotated into position the tangs


18


T engage and flex the fingers


32


F slightly above the surface of the collar


32


C. This flexing of the fingers


32


F generates a spring-like holding force drive which tends to maintain the shaft


18


S and the collar


32


C in engagement.




With the collar


32


C attached to the shaft


18


S each of the drive rods


34


R passes through one of the mounting openings


30


M in the baseplate


30


P. The rods are diametrically sized such that the rods pass through the baseplate with a predetermined clearance distance


38


(

FIG. 2

) being defined between the rods


34


R and the baseplate


30


P.




The predetermined length dimension of the rods


34


R is sized so that when the frame


14


is supported by the wheels


34


W the brush


30


rides upwardly along the rods


34


R. In this position, the retainers


34


T at the lower end of each of the rods


34


R lie below the bottom surface of the baseplate and the bristles


30


L lie in contact with the floor surface.




With the supply tank filled and the brush mounted to the shaft in the manner described, the apparatus


10


is ready for use. In use, foam is generated by the foam generator and dispensed from the feed tube onto a dispensing location on the top surface of the brush inwardly of the supply passages. The foam is retained in the region


30


R formed above the brush


30


. The operator moves the apparatus


10


over the surface F to be cleaned.




Torque of the shaft


18


S is transferred to the brush through the collar


32


C and the drive rods


34


R. As the brush


30


rotates a centrifugal force is generated which urges the foam dispensed onto the upper surface of the brush in a radial outwardly direction from the centerline of rotation toward the supply passages. The foam collects against the inner surface of the baffle and is forced downwardly and outwardly, through the supply passages, into the bristles and into contact with the floor. A constant supply of foam maintains a layer of cleaning solution on the carpet surface as the apparatus is moved along the floor in a straight-line motion. It is believed that foam applied directly to the bristles during scrubbing is the most effective way to achieve both penetration and cleaning.




The diameter of the supply passages must be sufficiently large so that the foam can move through freely. In practice, passages having a diameter on the order of 0.75 inches are sized sufficiently to pass a relatively dry foam into the bristles


30


L.




Owing to the flexible attachment of the brush


30


to the shaft


18


S, as the apparatus


10


is moved over the floor surface F being cleaned, the brush


30


is able to respond to irregularities in the floor surface F by moving in a directions


40


(

FIG. 2

) generally parallel to centerline of rotation and/or in a plane


42


(

FIG. 2

) generally perpendicular thereto. Thus, as the brush moves over the floor it rides on the floor it will conform to any irregularities that might otherwise not be addressed if the brush were rigidly attached to the machine.




To change direction, the apparatus is tilted backwardly by an operator a sufficient distance to clear the front wheels and effect the desired turn. While the brush is tilted, the brush


30


settles onto and is carried by the retainer


34


T at the lower end of the drive rods


34


R. When the turn is completed the full weight of the apparatus


10


is lowered onto the wheels


34


W and the brush rides upwardly on the rods


34


R so that the bristles


30


L again engage the floor F. The cleaning brush


30


is thus in contact with the floor F at all times unless the machine is tilted back as required to change direction of travel.




Since, in accordance with this invention the brush is subjected only to its own weight, it is unnecessary for the operator to set the vertical adjustment or load. As a result, the risk of excessive loading being imposed into the carpeted surface is minimized. In addition, allowing the brush to float on the surface is believed to improve both cleaning uniformity and cleaning efficacy.




Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of the present invention as hereinabove set forth may effect numerous modifications thereto. Any such modifications should be construed as lying within the contemplation of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. In an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, the apparatus including a frame having weight support members thereon, anda drive motor having a shaft extending therefrom, the weight support members carrying the weight of the frame and motor to the floor surface; the improvement comprising: a brush having a baseplate with a bottom and a top surface, an array of bristles extending from the bottom surface of the baseplate, a plurality of supply passages extending through the baseplate, each of the passages communicating with a portion of the bristle array; the brush being loosely attached by a flexible torque transmitting coupling to the shaft for rotation about a centerline of rotation, the brush being attached to the shaft in such a way that, in use, the brush is responsive to irregularities in the floor surface as the apparatus is moved thereover by moving in a direction generally parallel to centerline of rotation and/or in a plane generally perpendicular thereto; a baffle mounted to the top surface of the baseplate so as to surround the supply passages; and a foam generator adapted to dispense a foam cleaning agent onto a location on the top surface of the brush inwardly of the supply passages, whereby, in use, rotation of the brush generating a force urging dispensed foam cleaning agent in a radially outwardly direction from the centerline of rotation toward the baffle, the baffle deflecting the foam cleaning agent into the supply passages and into the bristles of the brush.
  • 2. The apparatus for cleaning a floor surface of claim 1wherein the baseplate has an array of mounting openings therein, and wherein the torque transmitting coupling includes collar secured to the motor shaft, the collar having a plurality of drive rods depending therefrom, each of the mounting openings is sized such that the rods pass through the baseplate with a predetermined clearance distance being defined between the rods and the baseplate.
  • 3. The apparatus for cleaning a floor surface of claim 2 wherein the rods have a lower end and a predetermined length dimension,the predetermined length dimension being sized such that when the frame is supported by the weight support members so that the bristles are in contact with the floor surface the lower end of each of the rods lies below the bottom surface of the baseplate.
  • 4. The apparatus for cleaning a floor surface of claim 3 further comprising a retainer connected to the lower end of each of the rods.
  • 5. The apparatus for cleaning a floor surface of claim 1 wherein each of the supply passages has an axis extending therethrough, the axis of each supply passage being inclined radially outwardly with respect to the centerline of rotation.
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Number Name Date Kind
2317843 Backlund Apr 1943 A
2671920 Finnell Mar 1954 A
2999258 Berberian Sep 1961 A
3381326 Dolan et al. May 1968 A
3623177 Pack Nov 1971 A
4186459 Wulff Feb 1980 A
4339840 Monson Jul 1982 A
4391548 Malish Jul 1983 A
4510643 Kitada Apr 1985 A
5438728 Kubes et al. Aug 1995 A
5477580 Buysse Dec 1995 A
5517715 Monson May 1996 A
5522114 Allison Jun 1996 A
5575710 Kramer Nov 1996 A
5587021 Hoersch et al. Dec 1996 A
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Number Date Country
640875 Jan 1937 DE
2042331 Sep 1980 GB
256323 Feb 1927 IT
Non-Patent Literature Citations (2)
Entry
Thorne Electric Company, Koblenz Operation Instructions-The Cleaning Machine.
The Malish Corporation, Malish Brush Catalog, 1998.