The present invention relates to a device for cleaning various surfaces and, in particular, relates to a cleaning device having three aligned cylindrical agitators which can be manually driven, moved, or self propelled over variously leveled hard or soft surfaces to collect waste particles, liquids and/or chemical cleaning products.
Cleaning floors and other pedestrian surfaces is well known. In recent years, cleaning pedestrian surfaces has become a complex combination of making certain such surfaces are clean and doing so in the most expeditious manner. The cost of labor has placed a premium on the development of both new cleaning processes and chemicals, as well as on machines that clean in one rather than multiple passes.
Many devices have been developed for removing dirt and debris or liquids from vertical and horizontal surfaces. Typically, cleaning devices employ rotating brushes in combination with suction for the collection of waste, such as with a vacuum cleaner. Other devices utilize brushes having bristled bodies that are swivelably mounted on a member for sweeping. Street sweepers, for example, are commonly provided with an intake broom and suction carriage that collect and transmit the suctioned waste to a hopper. A few devices use belts or drums as a transport tool to remove and collect waste. However, such devices tend to be susceptible to abrasion and wear, work on limited types of surfaces, and have compromised efficiencies. Some of these devices are capable of applying and removing cleaning solutions from a carpet or hard surface to accomplish chemical cleaning.
For commercial and large public floors, some of the most common high efficiency cleaning machines incorporate the use of one or two cylindrical brushes which are mounted to rotate at high revolutions per minute to lift and deposit the debris in removable containers. These newer devices operate on hard surfaces such as concrete, wood, marble, and tile, as well as softer surfaces such as mats and carpeting of various pile depths and stiffness. Some of these prior art cleaning machines, utilizing one or two cylindrical rotating brushes, work with dry cleaning chemicals by agitating the chemicals into and out of the carpet or surface and into a hopper for disposal. Others utilize liquid cleaning tanks to dispense cleaning agents on the surface either by a sprayer or through the rotating brushes themselves.
While many of these known cleaning machines are adequate for small commercial applications, they do not provide the efficiencies and cleaning capabilities to adequately handle large commercial spaces and public facilities. Accordingly, in an example it is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device that is useful on carpeting as well as other types of surfaces and applications to provide increased efficiencies and cleaning capabilities.
It is a further object in an embodiment of the invention to provide a cleaning device that can provide reduced cleaning costs for large commercial floors and public pedestrian ways and buildings.
It is another object in an embodiment of the invention to provide a cleaning device that can remove soil and debris from a surface quickly.
It is another object in an embodiment of the invention to provide a cleaning device that has at least one agitator that may also work to propel the device along the surface to be cleaned.
It is yet a further object in an embodiment of the invention to provide a rotating agitator system that efficiently and effectively collects waste from any type of indoor or outdoor surface, or any vertical, horizontal, or sloped surface, without the need for a vacuum or other mechanical belt means to remove the debris from the surface being cleaned.
It is yet another object in an embodiment of the invention to provide an improved cleaning device that utilizes a rotating arcuate surface area to collect and remove waste from surfaces having irregularities, such as texture.
It is yet another object in an embodiment of the invention to provide a cleaning device having a waste container that is easy to handle and replaceable, unlike prior art devices that use vacuum cleaner bags that can be a challenge to attach and require frequent replacement.
The present invention is directed to a device for removing debris from a surface, comprising a housing and first and second cylindrical agitators rotatably attached thereto. Each of the first and second agitators has an arcuate contact surface area for contact with the surface to be cleaned. The first agitator has a first direction of rotation and the second agitator has a second direction of rotation that opposes the first direction of rotation. In a preferred embodiment, first and second agitators rotate towards each other to direct debris inward to where it can be removed from the surface to be cleaned. Preferably, the first agitator has a counterclockwise rotation and the second agitator has a clockwise rotation. The invention further comprises a third agitator that is interposed between the first and second agitators and rotates in the same direction as the first agitator. Preferably, the third agitator is more proximate to the second agitator. The third agitator has an arcuate surface contact area and a diameter that is preferably smaller than the diameter of either the first or second agitators.
In the present invention, the first agitator transports debris to the second agitator, and the second agitator, in conjunction with the third agitator, transports the debris away from the surface. Preferably, it is transported into a hopper or waste container. The employment of the third agitator provides unique advantages in the efficiency of the device, both in the removal of dirt and debris from the surface to be cleaned, as well as the required number of passes over such debris, to reduce the time required to clean a surface. Additionally, the third agitator may also work to assist in propelling the device along the surface to be cleaned.
Transport wheels may be used to support or transport the device when not in use. Transport wheels may be adjustably retractable to permit raising and lowering the agitators from and to the surface to be cleaned. The agitators substantially support the device when the transport wheels are retracted. When the transport wheels are fully extended for transport or storage, the wheels substantially support the weight of the device. In an embodiment, the transport wheels are adjusted to a mid-point so that the transport wheels and the agitators carry the weight of the device together.
The device can be used to clean a variety of surfaces, both indoor and outdoor, and horizontal, vertical, or sloped. For example, the device may be used to clean floors, floor surfaces of a variety of materials, walls, carpet, brick, stone, grouted tile, wood, tile, vinyl, rubber, concrete, pavement, or asphalt surfaces, or a combination thereof, as well as such surfaces as escalators and conveyor belts.
The present invention represents a substantial advance over prior art cleaning devices by providing a unique means for removing and transporting dirt and debris from the surface to be cleaned, wherein the removal and transport means are substantially more efficient and effective than conventional two-brush cleaning machines of the prior art. Further benefits from the invention entail not only the removal of typical cleaning solutions and dirt, but also large and small waste items such as papers, washers, nails, sand, and cigarette ashes from the surface. The removal is substantially continuous without repetitive motion on both flat and irregular surfaces such as bricks, slate and the like.
Those and other details, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood or apparent from the following description and drawings showing embodiments thereof.
The accompanying drawings illustrate examples of embodiments of the invention. In such drawings:
In a preferred embodiment, the agitators 1, 2, 3 are cylindrical brushes having an arcuate surface area for contact with the surface to be cleaned which comprises cleaning bristles. The brushes can be configured with cleaning bristles of conventional size and shape for the desired application. Selection of bristles can be different for each of the three brushes. Bristles are arranged for appropriate lifting and transportation of debris from the surface to be cleaned 100 to the collection means or waste container 7, described below. In another embodiment, the agitators 1, 2, 3 are cylindrical rollers having a plurality of either spaced apart recesses or projections. In another embodiment, the agitators may be bristled-rollers, such as, for example, conventional bristled-rollers. In yet another embodiment, the agitators 1, 2, 3 may be a combination of cylindrical brushes and rollers. For example, first and second agitators 1, 2 may be rollers and third agitator 3 may be a brush, or first agitator 1 may be a roller and second and third agitators 2, 3 may be brushes, or any other permutation thereof suitable for the type and area of the surface to be cleaned.
In
In an example of an embodiment, a drive means is mounted on housing 20 and a power source 4 is enclosed within housing 20. For example, the power source 4 may be an electric motor, an engine, or a drive shaft, preferably flexible. In another embodiment, the power source 4 is remote, for example, a vehicle. Power source 4, although not shown, is operably connected to drive means 5 through a transmission or reduction gears. Referring particularly to
In an example of operation, and as depicted in
Either the first or second agitator 1, 2 can lead in a direction, making the device bidirectional in operation. Preferably, first agitator 1 is the lead agitator. Additionally, in use, rotation of third agitator 3 may help to propel the device along the surface to be cleaned. In an example of a preferred embodiment, the speed of third agitator 3 ranges from 3% to 20% faster than that of first and second agitators 1, 2, and most preferably is more than 10% faster. For an example of this preferred embodiment, first and second agitators 1, 2 rotate at speeds of about 1.5 meters per second to about 5.5 meters per second, while third agitator 3 rotates at a speed of about 1.7 meters per second to about 7 meters per second. In this example, meters per second is measured from a point on the perimeter of the agitator's surface.
In another example of an embodiment, the speed of third agitator 3 is more than 20% faster than that of first and second agitators 1, 2, and, in yet another example, the speed of third agitator 3 is substantially faster than that of first and second agitators 1, 2.
In alternate embodiments, all agitators rotate at a substantially equal speed. In yet another example of an embodiment, third agitator 3 rotates at a speed that ranges from slightly slower than to substantially slower than that of first and second agitators 1, 2. In still another example of an embodiment of the invention, at least one of agitators 1, 2, 3 is substantially not rotating.
The skilled artisan will appreciate that the speeds of rotation of agitators 1, 2, 3 are determined by at least the intended application, the size of the cleaning machine, and the risk of damage to the surface being cleaned 100. For example, when the device is used to polish a surface, at least of one of agitators 1, 2, 3 may rotate at especially high speeds. Additionally, in production, the device will be fitted with agitators that are of an appropriate diameter for the intended uses of the device. For an example, in production, a machine intended for use to clean a surface such as a street will be fitted with agitators that are adapted to rotate much more slowly than those devices fitted into a machine intended for use to clean a surface such as a wall or an indoor floor covered with carpet.
First, second, and third shrouds 31, 32, 33 are positioned substantially above first, second, and third agitators 1, 2, 3, respectively. In an embodiment, first, second, and third shrouds 31, 32, 33 may be unitary, each shroud having an arcuate recess positioned substantially above one of agitators 1, 2, 3. In another embodiment, shrouds 31, 32, 33 may be separate. In use, first and third arcuate shrouds 31, 33 prevent a buildup of debris on a surface of housing 20 as debris is removed from the surface being cleaned 100. First arcuate shroud 31 may also protect the user of the cleaning device and/or first agitator 1 from injury or damage. Second arcuate shroud 32 directs debris from the surface being cleaned 100 into waste container 7. See
As shown in
At an end of shroud 32 is an opening or entrance mouth 10 that leads to waste container 7, described below. In an embodiment, lid 10a, as depicted in
As shown in
Preferably, second agitator 2 is positioned in substantially close proximity to waste container 7, with a distance between the rotating arcuate surface of second agitator 2 and opening 10 of waste container 7 not exceeding about 2-10% of the diameter of second agitator 2, preferably not exceeding about 5% of the diameter of second agitator 2.
Waste container 7 can be removably hooked on or snapped onto housing 20 or more permanently affixed. Preferably, waste container 7 is located between housing 20 and transport wheels 11, described below. In a preferred embodiment, waste container 7 does not protrude beyond wheels 11. In an alternate embodiment, waste container 7 may protrude beyond wheels 11. An embodiment of the invention in combination with waste container 7 is shown in
Another example of an embodiment of the device is shown in
Optionally, transport wheels 11, 12 can be used to support or transport the machine. In an embodiment, transport wheels 11, 12 are wheel sets, as shown in
The adjustability of wheel sets 11, 12 accommodates the particular dynamics of a surface, enabling the device to accommodate varying surface terrains and to collect enlarged or irregular waste by altering the distance between the agitators 1, 2, 3 and the surface 100. The adjustment of the wheel sets 11, 12 can elevate the device and lift the agitators from the surface or ensure a constant or uniform clearance between the agitators and the cleaned surface 100. The adjustability of wheel sets protects the surfaces to be cleaned and the agitators and drive mechanism by enabling the device to account for variations in the surface.
Because the preferred configuration of the cleaning device of the present invention has a waste container 7 located between housing 20 and transport wheels 11, the first agitator 1 is free and capable of reaching the edges of the surface to be cleaned, that is, up to a wall. Moreover, opening 10 of waste container 7 is positioned to maximize the volume of the dirt and debris that can be contained during operation.
The device of the present invention may be used to clean a variety of surfaces, including indoor, outdoor, textured, non-textured, horizontal, vertical, and sloped. In comparison to the traditional machines in the prior art, the device is particularly advantageous on coarse surfaces. The surface being cleaned 100 may be made of any type of material, such as but not limited to carpet, concrete, pavement, asphalt, grass, wood, rubber, vinyl, stone, grouted tile, brick, or any combination thereof. The device is not limited to cleaning floors. For example, it may be used to clean escalators and conveyor belts. In an embodiment, the cleaning device may optionally be suspended above the surface to be cleaned, such as where the device is used to clean a conveyor belt. In such an embodiment, the device may remain stationary, being suspended over the conveyor belt, while the conveyor belt is activated to move under the agitators such that the rotating arcuate surface of the agitators 1, 2, 3 contacts the surface 100 of the conveyor belt as the conveyor belt moves under the device to clean the surface. In an alternate embodiment, the cleaning device may be operated on a stationary surface such as a conveyor belt.
The versatility of the device of the present invention derives from the combination of three agitators, which, for example, scrub, remove debris from, and buff the surface to be cleaned.
Various perspective views of the device are shown in
In an embodiment, the method of using the cleaning device of the present invention for removing debris from a surface comprises the steps of adjusting at least one of the first and second wheels 11, 12 to a retracted position, and placing and suspending the cleaning device over the surface to be cleaned 100 so that agitators 1, 2, 3 move debris in a direction substantially away from the surface, as shown in
In another embodiment, the method of using the cleaning device of the present invention for removing debris from a surface comprises the steps of adjusting at least one of wheels 11, 12 to a retracted position, starting power source 4, maintaining the device in a substantially stationary position, and engaging the surface to be cleaned in a direction that is substantially away from surface to be cleaned 100. In examples of embodiments of methods of use, retraction of wheels 11, 12, starting power source 4, and maintaining the device in a substantially stationary position may be carried out in any order, or simultaneously. The method of use contemplates use of the device wherein the device is suspended above the surface to be cleaned 100, as where the surface to be cleaned is, for example, a conveyor belt such that the conveyor belt is activated to move under the activated stationary cleaning device so that arcuate surface areas of agitators 1, 2, 3 come into contact with the surface to be cleaned 100 as agitators 1, 2, 3 rotate.
In one example, the agitators 1, 2, 3 are brushes having bristles. Third agitator-brush 3 has shorter bristles than second agitator-brush 2, the working brush. Preferably, the circumference speed of third agitator-brush 3 is faster than that of second agitator-brush 2. The speed of the agitator-brushes will vary depending upon intended use of the device. For a standard indoor application, the optimum speed of first and second agitator-brushes 1, 2 each having a diameter of about 110 mm, is about 350-550 RPM, and most preferably about 450 rpm, with third agitator-brush 3 rotating at a speed that is preferably more than about 10% faster than that of first and second agitator-brushes 1, 2, although it should be noted that the RPM at which an agitator rotates is relative to the diameter of the agitator. In an example of an embodiment, third agitator 3 rotates at a speed inversely proportional to first and second agitators 1, 2 as a proportion of the diameter of agitators 1, 2 to that of agitator 3.
In one preferred example, the bristles of third agitator 3 are selected to have a length that permits contact or near contact with the bristles of the other agitators, such that third agitator 3 preferably contacts or nearly contacts second agitator 2. In this embodiment, waste recovery is optimum when the clearance between second and third agitators 2, 3 is negligible.
In practice, as an example, the device is used over the surface of a carpet or a hard surface to agitate and/or expel a debris-laden cleaning solution or a powder that has either previously or simultaneously been applied to accomplish chemical and/or mechanical cleaning. The cleaning solution can be any dry or wet conventional chemical solution suitable for the purpose of cleaning. The surface can be an indoor floor, such as tile, stone, wood, or ceramic. In another example of an embodiment of the present invention, the device is used on exterior surfaces, such as concrete, asphalt or pavement, or surfaces having varying topography, such as smooth, uneven or corrugated surfaces, for example, an escalator. The agitators and their diameters are adjusted to advantageously suit the desired surface. In another example, the device is used in conjunction with a street cleaner.
A prototype device in which the agitators were brushes was constructed. A trial was conducted using the following brush diameters and rotational speeds:
The trial demonstrated the device's effectiveness for picking-up various solid and liquid wastes. It collected washers, nails, sand, cigarette ashes, dirt, and liquid, and deposited the debris into the container.
While the foregoing has been set forth in considerable detail, it is to be understood that the drawings and detailed embodiments are presented for elucidation and not limitation. Design variations, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangements of parts, may be made but are within the principles of the invention. Those skilled in the art will realize that such changes or modifications of the invention or combinations of elements, variations, equivalents, or improvements therein are still within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/569,966 filed on May 11, 2004.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60569966 | May 2004 | US |