BACKGROUND
Floor cleaning in public, commercial, institutional and industrial buildings have led to the development of various specialized floor cleaning machines, such as hard and soft floor cleaning machines. These cleaning machines generally utilize a cleaning head that includes one or more cleaning tools configured to perform the desired cleaning operation on the floor surface. These cleaning machines include dedicated floor sweeping machines, dedicated floor scrubbing machines and combination floor sweeping and scrubbing machines.
When a surface maintenance machine performs wet scrubbing operation, water, detergent and/or cleaning solution from a solution tank are sprayed or poured on the floor through a solution valve to the brushes. The squeegee assembly often mounts at or near the rear of the surface maintenance vehicle and includes squeegee blades to direct the solution to a removal location where the solution (including suspended dirt, particles and contaminants) is removed from the floor upwards through a recovery hose and into a recovery tank. The use of squeegee assemblies for wiping a surface and collecting dirty solution is conventional in many applications including but not limited to floor surface cleaning machines such as floor scrubbers.
The squeegee blades in these types of machines are often a wear/service item. As the blades wear, the ability of the machine to pick up soiled cleaning solution and/or water is diminished. As part of regular machine maintenance, squeegee blades are replaced multiple times during the life of the machine. Many times this is done by the operator in the field where the availability of tools is limited. In the past, worn squeegee blades need to be removed from the machine and then either rotated, if the blade is double-sided and is not yet worn, or replaced. Thus, existing squeegee blade disassembly and rotation or replacement has been a tedious, time-consuming task. Thus, there is a need for an improved squeegee system which has improved assembly and disassembly features.
SUMMARY
A reversible squeegee system for a surface maintenance machine is disclosed in one embodiment. The reversible squeegee system includes a squeegee frame and a squeegee assembly. The squeegee frame is supported by the surface maintenance machine. The squeegee assembly is releasably connectable to the squeegee frame and has a flexible front and rear squeegee blades and a retainer separating front and rear squeegee blades. The front and rear squeegee blades may each be releasably connected to the retainer. The retainer has first and second opposing surfaces located between the front and rear squeegee blades. The front and rear squeegee blades each have opposing elongated surfaces that function as wipers when applied against a surface. The squeegee assembly is releasably connectable to the squeegee frame in a first configuration with the first surface of the retainer facing the floor, and the squeegee assembly being releasably connectable to the squeegee frame in a second configuration with the second surface of the retainer facing the floor. The squeegee assembly is reversible between the first configuration and the second configuration while the front squeegee blade and the rear squeegee blade remain connected to the retainer.
The details of one or more examples are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of an exemplary floor surface maintenance machine employing an embodiment of the reversible squeegee system of the present invention;
FIG. 1B is a rear elevation view of the floor surface maintenance machine of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the reversible squeegee system of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a reversible squeegee assembly of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an elevational view of an embodiment of a reversible squeegee assembly of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a reversible squeegee assembly of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a lower perspective view of an embodiment of a squeegee frame of the present invention; and
FIG. 7 is a sectional side view of the squeegee system of FIG. 2 taken along the sectional plane 7-7 in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In general, this disclosure is directed to a squeegee system of a surface maintenance machine that supplies and removes cleaning solution for cleaning a floor surface. The floor surface maintenance machine can include additional floor cleaning functionality, such as scrubbing, and it may also include functionality such as sweeping or burnishing. The surface maintenance machine can be a ride-on machine or a walk-behind machines, it can be manually driven and/or driven autonomously (driverless). Any known surface maintenance operation can be performed, and the examples listed here should not be construed as limiting.
FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an exemplary floor surface cleaning machine 100 that supplies and removes cleaning solution for cleaning a floor surface and that includes an embodiment of a reversible squeegee system. Embodiments of the machine 100 include components that are supported on a motorized mobile body. The mobile body 102 comprises a frame supported on wheels 104 for travel over a surface, on which a cleaning operation is to be performed. To the extent the machine may be driven by an operator, the mobile body 102 includes operator controls and a steering wheel. The machine 100 can be a ride-on machine and can include a seat so that a seated operator of machine 100 may steer the machine 100. Machine 100 may also be a walk-behind machine with a gripping handle 106. Machine 100 can be manually driven and/or driven autonomously.
Machine 100 is preferably powered by one or more batteries that may be contained in a compartment beneath the seat. Alternately, the power source may be an internal combustion engine, powered through an electrical source (e.g., via a wall outlet through a cord), or one or more power cells.
Cleaning components extend from an underside of the machine 100. For example, a scrub head can be located at a middle portion of machine 100. The scrub head 108 has a housing that encloses one or more brushes 114. The brushes 114 are driven by one or more electric motors. An electrical actuator or manual lift mechanism attached between the scrub head 108 and the housing raises the scrub head 108 for transport, lowers it for work, and controls its down pressure on the floor. While FIG. 1A shows the scrub head 108 having one disk-shaped scrub brush 110, the scrub head 108 can alternatively use two disk scrub brushes rotating about parallel vertical axes. Alternatively, scrub head 108 may have with any number of disk scrub brushes or pads, or one or more cylindrical brushes rotating about horizontal axes. While a scrub head 108 is depicted in the figures, any appliance or tool for providing surface maintenance, surface conditioning, and/or surface cleaning to a surface may be coupled to an associated machine or vehicle in accordance with the present invention. Machine 100 may also include a side brush assembly for cleaning a larger floor envelope. Such side brush assemblies make it easier to clean near walls or other obstacles without damaging the machine or the wall while at the same time widening the cleaning path of the machine to increase productivity.
During wet scrubbing operations, water or a cleaning fluid contained in a tank is sprayed to or poured on the surface beneath machine 100, in proximity to the scrub head 108. Brushes scrub the surface and the soiled cleaning fluid and/or debris (collectively referred to herein as “waste”) is then collected by a waste recovery system 112 and deposited in a waste recovery tank 116. In some embodiments the machine 100 includes a vacuum system mounted to the machine 100. The waste recovery system 112 includes a vacuum port that is placed in fluid communication with a vacuum fan (not shown). The vacuum fan operates to remove fluid and particle waste to store it in the waste recovery tank 116. When the vacuum fan is operational, it creates suction inside a recovery hose 118, collecting fluid and particle debris from the surface and directing it to the waste recovery tank 116.
In alternate embodiments, the floor surface maintenance machines 100 may be combination sweeper and scrubber machines. In such embodiments, in addition to the elements describe above, the machine 100 may also include sweeping brushes and a hopper extending from the underside of the machine 100, with the sweeping brushes designed to direct dirt and debris into the hopper. In such cases, solid waste (e.g., dirt and debris) can be directed from the floor surface 10 into the waste recovery tank 116. Alternatively, the machine 100 may be designed for use by an operator that walks behind the machine, may be configured to be towed behind a vehicle, may be configured to be driven autonomously, or may be configured to be driven manually and/or autonomously. As used herein, the term “waste” refers to solid and liquid waste, and may include soiled and/or clean fluids, dirt and debris.
The waste recovery system 112 includes a squeegee system 120. With reference to FIG. 2, the squeegee system 120 has a squeegee frame 122 and a squeegee assembly 200 extending below and releasably connectable to the squeegee frame 122 as described in more detail herein. The squeegee frame 122, in turn, is attached directly or indirectly to the body 102 or frame of the surface maintenance machine via conventional means and is raised or lowered via an electrical or mechanical actuator. In FIG. 2, squeegee assembly 200 is shown attached to squeegee frame 122, such as during normal operation of the surface maintenance machine. Recovery hose 118 connects to the frame via an outlet 124, where the connection may be a friction fit or the like. Outlet 124 may be formed from a portion of a cover removably coupled to the squeegee frame 122. Alternatively, the outlet 124 can be integrally formed with the squeegee frame 122. Frame 122 may also include release actuators, such as release levers 126a. Other release actuators may be used in addition or instead, such as release buttons or screw handles that are connected to threaded bolts or threaded nuts, which may form connectors as described herein. Screw handles 128 may be part of a combination of threaded bolts and nuts that connect squeegee frame 122 to the body of surface maintenance machine 100. Screw handles, similar to screw handles 128, may also be used as part of a combination of threaded bolts and nuts that function as connectors and release actuators. The release actuators may be used to help separate or disconnect squeegee assembly 200 from squeegee frame 122.
FIGS. 3 and 4 depict the squeegee assembly 200 removed from squeegee frame 122, such as after a release operation to disconnect the squeegee assembly 200 from the squeegee frame 122. Squeegee assembly 200 includes front and rear flexible squeegee blades 202, 204, respectively, mounted to a squeegee retainer 206 so that squeegee blades 202, 204 are spaced at the center and taper towards each other so that the ends are closely adjacent and/or tight against each other. Squeegee assembly 200 and squeegee frame 122 are easily reconnected as described elsewhere herein.
FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of squeegee assembly 200 from FIGS. 3 and 4 with front squeegee blade 202, rear squeegee blade 204, and squeegee retainer 206. Squeegee blade 202 has a first elongated surface 210 and a second elongated surface 212 located on the opposite side of the blade of the first elongated surface 210. Squeegee blade 204 also has a first elongated surface 214 and a second elongated surface 216 located on the opposite side of the blade of the first elongated surface 214. The elongated surfaces function as wipers when applied against the floor to wipe the floor surface dry. Squeegee blades 202 and 204 are reversible so that the first elongated surfaces 210, 214 can be oriented to be the lower wiping edges in contact with the floor or the second elongated surfaces 212, 216 can be oriented to be the lower wiping edges in contact with the floor. Moreover, first elongated surfaces 210, 214 and second elongated surfaces 212, 216 may contain both front and rear edges. That is, each face, front and rear, of squeegee blades 202, 204 may terminate in an edge. Squeegee blades 202 and 204 may not only be reversible from bottom to top, but also from front face to rear face.
The front squeegee blade 202 has notches or slots in the free edge along its length to allow solution to pass therethrough. Squeegee blades 202 and 204 are made from suitable material such as gum rubber, neoprene, urethane, or the like.
Front squeegee blade 202 abuts with the front surface 220 of retainer 206. Similarly, rear blade 204 abuts with the back surface 222 of retainer 206. The front surface 220 and rear surface 222 of retainer are curved to impart a curvature to squeegee blades 202 and 204 when abutting the front and rear surfaces. The curvature imparted to squeegee blades 202 and 204 provides funneling to direct waste toward the recovery hose 118, so as to facilitate the suction forces to draw waste and debris from the floor surface 10.
The squeegee blades 202, 204 are supported on the squeegee retainer 206 and are releasably connectable thereto by one or more fasteners. In the embodiment shown, retainer 206 includes a plurality of tabs 226 protruding from front surface 220 and a plurality of tabs 226 protruding from back surface 222. Tabs 226 in the illustrated embodiment are generally linear protrusions. In alternative embodiments, tabs 206 may be round or another shape. Tabs 226 on the front surface are adapted to engage a plurality of apertures on front squeegee blade 202 and tabs 226 on the rear surface 222 are adapted to engage a plurality of apertures on rear blade 204. The engagement between respective tabs and apertures holds the squeegee blades to the front and rear surfaces of the retainer 206. The engagement is releasable, such that the tabs 226 may be backed out of the apertures to release the engagements of the squeegee blades 202, 204 from the retainer 206.
Between front 220 and rear 222 curved surfaces, retainer 206 has a first surface 230 and a second surface 232 located opposite to the first surface. First surface 230 is shown as the top surface in FIG. 5, therefore second surface 232 is the opposite bottom surface in FIG. 5. First surface 230 and second surface 232 are shown as flat, but other shapes may be used. Retainer 206 has a retainer vacuum port 234 extending through the first surface 230 and the second surface 232. When squeegee assembly 200 is mounted to squeegee frame 122, retainer vacuum port 234 is placed in fluid communication with suction tube 118 via the vacuum port 234 in the retainer 206.
Suction applied via the vacuum tube 118 and outlet 124 is then provided to retainer vacuum port 234 such that air and solution are pulled in through the slots in the front squeegee blade 202 or pulled from underneath the front squeegee blade 202 flow out into suction tube 118, and with the rear blade 204 acting as a wiper to leave the floor 10 surface dry.
In the embodiment shown, the first surface 230 of the retainer 206 is the top surface and has one or more connectors 240 that interface with and connect to respective connectors on the squeegee frame. In the embodiment shown, the one or more connectors include one or more magnetic connectors.
With reference to FIG. 6, showing an underside of squeegee frame 122 and revealing that the underside of the squeegee frame 122 has an interior 242 with an open bottom and with one or more connectors 244. Connectors 244 extend away from an interior surface 246 within the interior 242. Connectors 244 are configured to interface with and connect to respective connectors 240 on the squeegee retainer 206. The one or more connectors 244 on the underside of squeegee frame 122 are complementary connectors to those on the squeegee retainer 206, including without limitation, one or more magnetic connectors that would provide a magnetic connection to magnetic connectors or surface on the retainer 206. Connectors 240, 244 may be magnetic, one or more latches, friction fit connectors, complementary ball and socket connectors, or other types of complementary connections that provide easy and quick disconnection. For instance, magnetic connectors, friction fit connectors, and complementary ball and socket connectors may be disconnected quickly and easily by simply forcing the forcing (pulling, pushing) the complementary connectors apart. Latching connectors may also be disconnected quickly and easily via actuation of a latch release. Other connectors, such as threaded bolts and nuts, may also be used. While threaded bolts and nuts may provide a strong interconnection, their release may be time-consuming and could possibly require tools.
As noted herein, frame 122 may also include release actuators, such as release levers 126a. Other release actuators may be used in addition or instead, such as release buttons or screw handles that are connected to threaded bolts or threaded nuts, which may form connectors as described herein. The release actuators may be used to help separate or disconnect squeegee assembly 200 from squeegee frame 122. For instance, actuation of release levers 126a (FIG. 2) on the exterior of frame 122 produces a corresponding actuation of interior portions 126b (FIG. 6) of release levers 126a located within the interior 242 of the squeegee frame 122. The corresponding actuation or movement of the interior portions 126b is configured to push such interior portions 126b towards the top surface of retainer 206. With sufficient movement towards and/or force against the top surface of retainer 206, the bonds by connectors 240 and 244 may be overcome, thus separating the squeegee assembly 200 from the squeegee frame 122. As noted herein, lever 126a, 126b may be replaced with a pushbutton having a portion on the outside of squeegee frame 122 that, when pushed into the frame 122, pushes an interior portion of the pushbutton towards and against the top surface of retainer 206. Such movement of the interior of the pushbutton functions similar to the interior portion 126b of level 126a to separate the bonds of connectors 240, 244. In the embodiments where the connectors 240, 244 may be readily connected or released, such as by forcing the forcing (pulling, pushing) the complementary connectors apart, the force of the interior portion 126b of lever 126a pushes against the retainer and may be of sufficient force to overcome the mechanical or magnetic bonds holding connectors 240, 244 together.
With reference to the sectional view of squeegee system 120 shown in FIG. 7, second surface 232 of retainer 206 is visible. As may be seen, the second surface 232 has connectors 240 similar to the connectors 240 on first surface 230 shown in FIG. 5. First surface 230 may be oriented as the top surface to connect to squeegee frame 122 or second surface 232 may be oriented as the top surface to connect to the squeegee frame 122.
As may also be seen in FIGS. 3 and 7, a portion of squeegee blades 202 and 204 extend away from both the first surface 230 and second surface 232 of retainer 206. Such design permits the second elongated surfaces 212 and 216 or the first elongated surfaces 210 and 214 to contact the underlying floor, respectively, when the first surface 230 of the retainer 206 is oriented as the top surface and connected to the squeegee frame 122 via the connectors or if the second surface 232 of retainer 206 is oriented as the top surface and connected to the squeegee frame via the connectors.
In particular, with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, and 7, first elongate surface 210 of the front squeegee blade 202 and first elongate surface 214 of the rear squeegee blade 204 extend away from first surface 230 of retainer 206, and the second elongate surface 212 of the front squeegee blade 202 and the second elongate surface 216 of the rear squeegee blade 204 extend away from the second surface 232 of the retainer 206. Accordingly, when first surface 230 of retainer 206 is oriented as the top surface and connected to the squeegee frame 122 via connectors 240, 244, the second elongate surfaces 212, 216 are oriented as the lower wiping edges for contact with the floor. Conversely, when the second surface 232 of retainer 206 is oriented as the top surface and connected to the squeegee frame 122, the first elongate surfaces 210, 214 are oriented as the lower wiping edges for contact with the floor. This design permits squeegee assembly 200 to provide its funneling, wiping, and vacuuming functions whether the first surface 230 or the second surface 232 of the squeegee assembly 200 are oriented as the top surface and connected to the squeegee frame 122. This design also permits squeegee retainer 206 to be changed from its orientation with first surface 230 as the upper surface to the orientation where second surface 232 is the upper surface without having to remove front squeegee blade 202 or rear squeegee blade 204 from retainer 206. The squeegee blades 202, 204 need not be removed when the retainer 206 is re-oriented, thereby also re-orienting the blades, and permitting reconnection of the squeegee assembly 20 to the squeegee frame 122 for continued use without requiring tools and without requiring the time to disconnect and reconnect the squeegee blades and the retainer.
Ideally, the lower wiping edges of the elongate surfaces of squeegee blades 202, 204 of the squeegee assembly 20 are always in full contact with the floor surface and any moisture on the floor surface is exposed to, picked up and carried by air flow in the squeegee assembly 200. As the blades wear, the ability of the machine to pick up soiled cleaning solution and/or water is diminished. In normal use, squeegee blades are replaced multiple times during the life of the machine. Many times, this is done by the operator in the field where the availability of tools is limited. In the past, squeegee disassembly and replacement of the blades has been a tedious, time-consuming task. As noted here, this design permits squeegee assembly 200 to provide its funneling, wiping, and vacuuming functions whether the first surface 230 or the second surface 232 of the squeegee assembly are oriented as the top surface and connected to the squeegee frame 122. An electric actuator or manual lift mechanism attached to the squeegee frame 122 raises the squeegee system 120 for transport or maintenance, such as reversal of the squeegee assembly 20, lowers it for work, and controls its down pressure on the floor. Accordingly, the squeegee assembly 200 may disconnected, rotated, and reconnected when the squeegee assembly is actuated to a raised position.
FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional taken at line 7-7 in FIG. 2. Line LL in FIGS. 4 and 7 represents a plane extending through the squeegee assembly 200. As an optional feature of squeegee assembly 200, some or all of squeegee assembly 200 may be symmetrical about the plane extending through squeegee assembly 200 at line LL. Portions of the squeegee assembly 200 symmetric about the plane extending through line LL can provide for consistent engagement and interface with components (e.g., complementary connectors, vacuum connection to recovery hose 118) on the underside of squeegee frame 122 to facilitate reversibility of the squeegee assembly 200. For instance, in one option the one or more connectors 240 on the first surface 230 of retainer 206 and the one or more connectors 240 on the second surface 232 of retainer 206 are located symmetrically about line LL. In such option, the complementary connectors 244 on the underside of squeegee frame 122 will connect to either side of the squeegee assembly 200. In one option, the portions of the retainer vacuum port 234 on one side of line LL are symmetrical with the other portions of retainer vacuum port 234 on the other side of line LL. In such option, the vacuum source that interfaces with retainer vacuum port 234 (e.g., via throat 124 extending from recovery hose 118) will interface equally to either side of the squeegee assembly 200. In another option, the entirety of squeegee retainer 206 is symmetrical about the plane extending through line LL. In one or more of these options, the front squeegee blade 202 and the rear squeegee blade 204 are symmetrical about the line LL. In such option, the elongate lateral surface 210, 212, 214, 216 of the respective blade 202, 204 on one side of line LL will engage the underlying floor in the same manner as the lateral surface 210, 212, 214, 216 of the respective blade 202, 204 on the other side of line LL.
Continuing to refer to the cross-section shown at FIG. 7, in various embodiments, to help facilitate the reversible configuration of the squeegee assembly 200, the squeegee assembly 200 can include certain structural features at relative locations at the squeegee assembly 200 to help facilitate connections in each of the squeegee assembly's reversible connection orientations to the frame 122.
In certain embodiments, the squeegee blades 202, 204 of the squeegee assembly 200 can be one example of a squeegee assembly 200 structural feature positioned at relative locations of squeegee assembly 200 to help facilitate squeegee assembly use in each of the squeegee assembly's reversible connection orientations. FIG. 7 includes the line LL extending along and generally bisecting, the retainer 206. As shown for the embodiment at FIG. 7, front squeegee blade 202 can extend generally an equal distance above and below the line LL. That is to say, the distance from line LL to either elongate surface 210 or elongate surface 212 is about equal. Likewise, as also shown at FIG. 7, rear blade 204 can extend vertically generally an equal distance above and below the line LL. That is to say the distance from line LL to either elongate surface 214 or elongate surface 216 is about equal. This generally equal length of the respective blade 202, 24 above and below the retainer bisecting line LL can be useful in providing for the functional squeegee blade-to-floor contact at each of the two, reversible orientations of the squeegee assembly 200 at the frame 122. In other embodiments the distances from line LL to the elongate surfaces is not equal and a height adjustment of the squeegee frame (e.g., adjustments using an electrical actuator or mechanical lift mechanism, or simply the weight of the squeegee system weighing the system down until it meets the underlying floor) can compensate for the differences. Similar to the distance from LL being about the same, the distance from the surface of the retainer 206 to the respective elongate surfaces (e.g., edge) of a particular squeegee may be equal. That, the distance from the first surface 230 to the elongate surface 210 (e.g., the edge) of the front squeegee may be equal to the distance from the second surface 232 to the elongate surface 212 of the front squeegee. Similarly, the distance from the first surface 230 to the elongate surface 214 (e.g., the edge) of the rear squeegee may be equal to the distance from the second surface 232 to the elongate surface 216 of the rear squeegee.
As another example of squeegee assembly 200 structural features at relative locations of the squeegee assembly 200 to help facilitate connections in each of the squeegee assembly's reversible connection orientations, as seen at the example of FIG. 7, the squeegee assembly 200 can include the retainer vacuum port 234 extending axially generally an equal distance above and below the line LL. That is to say, an axial extent of the portion of the retainer vacuum port 234 extending above the line LL in FIG. 7 can be generally equal to an axial extent of the portion of the retainer vacuum port 234 extending below the line LL in FIG. 7. This generally equal extent of the retainer vacuum port 234 above and below retainer bisecting line LL can be useful in providing for the functional vacuum connection through the retainer 206 at each of the two, reversible orientations of the squeegee assembly 200 at the frame 122. Moreover, the combination of the generally equal length of the respective blade 202, 204 above and below the retainer bisecting line LL and the generally equal extent of the retainer vacuum port 234 above and below retainer bisecting line LL can allow for the squeegee assembly 200 to perform its intended fluid trapping and vacuum-induced suction operational functions at each of the reversible orientations of the squeegee assembly 200 at the frame 122.
Also illustrated at the cross-section of the embodiment shown at FIG. 7, the frame 122 can include a throat 248 that extends from the interior surface 246 on the underside of the squeegee frame 122. Throat 248 functions as an extension of the outlet 124 into the interior 242 of the squeegee frame 122 and toward the surface of the retainer when the squeegee assembly 200 is connected to the frame 122. The throat 248 fluidly connects the retainer vacuum port 234, at the retainer 206, to the interior 250 of the outlet 124 at the frame 122. In some embodiments, such as that illustrated here, the throat 248 can extend toward the retainer 206 surfaces between the squeegee blades 202, 204. A distal end 252 of the throat 248 can be configured to seal against the retainer 206 at both of the reversible orientations of the retainer 206 associated with both of the reversible orientations of the squeegee assembly 200. In particular, in some embodiments, the distal end 252 of the throat 248 can be configured for fluid connection to the retainer vacuum port 234 at both, opposite sides of the retainer vacuum port 234 in both reversible frame connection orientations. The distal end portion of the throat 248 can be positioned between the squeegee blades 202, 204 in each of the reversible orientations of the retainer 206 associated with both of the reversible orientations of the squeegee assembly 200. As one such example illustrated here, the distal end 252 portion of the throat 248 can form a flange configured for fluid connection to the retainer vacuum port 234 at both, opposite sides of the retainer vacuum port 234 in both reversible frame connection orientations of the squeegee assembly 200 such that fluid trapped between the squeegee blades 202, 204 passes through retainer vacuum port 234, through throat 248, and into vacuum interior 250 where such fluid is appropriately conveyed away in each of the reversible frame connection orientations of the squeegee assembly 200. A sealing member, such as a resilient gasket or other appropriate sealing structure, can be present at the fluid connection interface between the throat 248 and the retainer vacuum port 234 to help maintain fluid sealed within the retainer vacuum port 234 and throat 248 and vacuum interior 250. Such a sealing member can be present at what can be the stationary throat 248 such that the sealing member is stationary while the retainer 206 and squeegee blades 202, 204 are moved between reversible connection orientations relative to the frame 122. As such, the distal end portion of the throat 248 and this sealing member, when present, can interface with both, opposite sides of the retainer 206 at the outlet of the retainer vacuum port 234 in both of the reversible frame connection orientations of the squeegee assembly 200.
Continuing to refer to the cross-section shown at FIG. 7, in various embodiments, to help facilitate the connection of the squeegee assembly 200 to the squeegee frame 122, the inside interior 242 (FIG. 6) of the squeegee frame 122 may flare outwardly at its open bottom and/or narrow from the location at the open bottom relative to the top of the interior portion 242. In the embodiment shown, the front 254 of the squeegee frame 122 and the rear 256 of the squeegee frame 122 flare outwardly (forward and rearward directions, respectively) in the longitudinal direction at the open bottom of the squeegee frame 122. Consequently, the open interior 242 towards the top of the squeegee frame (e.g., proximate to connectors 244) is longitudinally narrower than at the bottom of the squeegee frame 122. The narrowing of the interior 242 thereby guides positioning of the squeegee assembly relative to the squeegee frame when the squeegee assembly is inserted into the open bottom of the interior and moved towards the top of the squeegee frame. The guidance providing by the narrowing helps align the connectors 240, 244 in order to connect the squeegee assembly 200 to the squeegee frame 122. Such guidance helps a user more easily manually position and connect the squeegee assembly 200 to the squeegee frame 122, such as when reversing the squeegee assembly in a first configuration to a second configuration.
Various examples have been described. These and other examples are within the scope of the following claims.
Patent Application
20250169669
