This application does not claim priority to any patent application.
The inventor has not disclosed this invention prior to the filing of this non provisional application.
This invention relates to upright rotary machines that are used to apply stain to wood floors during the finishing/refinishing process. Specifically, the device herein has an improved means for dispensing stain and an improved pad means for distributing the stain onto the wood floor.
A number of upright rotary devices that dispense stain onto a floor are disclosed in the prior art. May et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,288) discloses an upright rotary machine that cleans a floor by rotating a cleaning or buffing pad against the floor at high speed. The device includes a means to control the rate of fluid dispensed while cleaning the floor and a vacuum source to draw cleaning fluid out of an attached reservoir and into the central region of the cleaning pad. This device includes a bottle of cleaning fluid reversibly coupled to a tubing line. An operator places his thumb over a thumb hole and holds it there to impart suction onto the contents of the bottle. This causes fluid to be sucked out of the bottle until the fluid level in the bottle drops enough to create an equalizing vacuum in the bottle. Flow from the bottle stops, but the suction will then lower the liquid level in an air supply vent allowing air to enter. When the fluid level is pulled down low enough an air bubble will enter the bottle, reducing the vacuum above the fluid level and allowing more fluid to be drawn out of the bottle and into the pad housing.
The device of May et al. is specifically designed for floor cleaning wherein a variable rate of application of cleaning solution to the floors is permissible. The device of Sutton herein is specifically designed for application of stain to floors. Any variation in the application rate of stain onto the surface of wood floors will create variation in the floor color. For example, if the rate of stain application increases, more stain will be applied, creating darker colored wood floors. If the rate of stain application decreases, then less stain will be applied and the color and/or tint intensity of the wood floor will decrease. This can create streaks, blotches, smears, and other discernible differences in floor color that detract from the appearance of the floor.
Gary Rudolph (US 2017/0245721 A1) discloses an upright rotary floor machine that delivers fluid to and from a bottom center of a floor-operation pad with a fluid-delivery hub comprising a pad formed to create a flow of fluid along the circumference of the pad and inward toward the center of the pad via three separate channels. The hub further comprises a fluid management metering system comprising a bag of fluid coupled to the upright handle of the device wherein the pressure forcing the fluid through the pad originates solely from the weight of the fluid in the bag of fluid and the flow rate of the fluid from the bag of fluid is controlled via meters controlled by the operator.
The device of Rudolph manipulates the dispensing of liquid via gravity from the weight of fluid in a suspended bag of fluid. When the bag of fluid is full, then gravity is great forcing fluid into the pad at a high rate. Upon use, fluid leaves the bag of fluid reducing the weight of fluid within the bag, reducing the force of gravity upon the bag, resulting in a diminished flow of fluid into the pad as a user dispenses fluid. The difference in flow of fluid into the pad creates a difference in stain color wherein a deeper stain color is obtained initially when the bag is full of fluid and a light stain color when the bag is approaching empty. A method of controlling the flow of stain so that the flow is consistent is needed.
Both May et al. and Rudolph utilize power cords to power the spinning of the dispenser pads. If a user steps on a power cord while staining a floor, then the point of cord contact with the virgin floor causes the grain of the wood at that point to close altering the absorption of stain, which causes streaks in the floor. A user stepping on a cord must re-sand the floor to reopen the grain of the wood. This problem effectively mandates that a person applying stain to a wood floor have a helper to hold the cord through out the staining process. A cordless device would alleviate this problem.
May et al. and Rudolph utilize a single, large, round pad to apply fluid to a floor. The large round pad is unable to effectively reach corners of a square room. When a user is applying stain to a floor a helper is necessary to apply stain in the corners so that the stain can be applied evenly in a single coat. A device is needed that reaches into corners so that a 2nd helper is not needed when applying stain.
May et al. and Rudolph allow bags of fluid/stain to be coupled to the devices. Stain is not readily available for purchase in small bags. Additionally, if a user needs to refill a bag of stain, then the user has to stop the machine and replace the bag. Anytime a user applying stain stops the application (stops and starts), the rate of stain deposition onto the virgin wood floor changes causing a change in the stain intensity and may even streak the floor. A device that will accept an entire gallon of stain is needed.
Today, professionals typically apply floor stain as follows: dip rag or sponge into stain and apply stain to floor, going with the grain rather than against. Work from one side of the room to the other, frequently wringing out rag or sponge so coverage is even and stain doesn't pool on floor. After 5 or 10 minutes, the floor is vigorously wipe to remove excess stain. Then the stain is allowed to dry before application of polyurethane. This hand application method is time consuming, strains the back of the user, and is subject to variations of color absorption because of lack of uniform application. A device that mechanically applies stain is needed to alleviate these issues.
This device comprises an upright rotary machine that a user walks behind. It may be battery powered alleviating the need for a power cord. The battery provides power for the applicator pads and for movement of fluid onto the applicator pads. This device includes two small, round applicator pads proximate to a central, large applicator pad, which reduces stain work in the square corners of a room. Both small, round applicator pads move relative to the central, large applicator pad so that it will cover the corners more effectively. And, the device herein accepts an entire gallon of stain and includes a holder that a user inserts an opened can of stain into prior to using the machine.
The invention is described in detail below with reference to the appended drawings.
A small applicator pad assembly is shown in
A cage for storing a gallon of stain is illustrated in
The wheel assembly is illustrated in
The gallon of stain anchoring assembly and the gallon of stain lid assembly are shown in
An exploded view of the gallon of stain lid assembly is shown in
A illustration of the device with both small applicator pads in the side position is shown in
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, several embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure should be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments so illustrated. Further, to the extent that any numerical values or other specifics of materials, etc., are provided herein, they are to be construed as exemplifications of the inventions herein, and the inventions are not to be considered as limited thereto.
The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one, or an embodiment in the present disclosure, can be, but not necessarily, references to the same embodiment; and, such references mean at least one of the embodiments.
Reference in this specification to “one embodiment’ or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments, but not other embodiments.
The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotation marks. The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the same context, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated that the same term can be said in more than one way.
Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, or is any special significance to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any terms discussed herein, is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions will control.
Stain can 40 is shown mounted within mounting cage 44, that is affixed to large mounting disk 80. Stain can 40 may contain a quart or gallon of liquid stain that is to be applied to flooring. Lid 200 reversibly couples to stain can 40 and provides the means for the transport of stain from the stain can to stain pads. Hose 62 provides stain from stain can 40 to the large stain pad 120 (shown in
Motor 130 is coupled to large mounting disk 80. Large stain hub 122 reversibly couples to large mounting disk 80. Large stain hub 122 provides a platform for large velcro pad 120, which reversibly couples to large stain hub 122. Large velcro pad 120 includes one or more areas of velcro that allow a user to quickly, easily, and reversibly attach large stain pad 400 (not shown). Large stain pad 400 may be composed of a carpet textile, such as polypropylene, nylon, polyester wool, cotton, cotton terry, or acrylic. The carpet textile should provide a smooth and streak-free finish with effortless application. Large stain hub 122 includes hub stain channel 307, which allows stain to move from hose 64 to large velcro pad stain channel 310. Large velcro pad 120 includes large velcro pad stain channel 309 that allows stain to flow through onto large stain pad 400.
Wheel base 100 secures large mounting disk 80. Wheels 32 allow the device to be moved about a floor. Stain can 40 is shown installed within mounting cage 44. Air pump 157 may be utilized to pump air into stain can 40 via air hose 159 while stain is being pumped out of stain can 40 to enable continuous, smooth flow of stain. Female “T” 208 provides stain from stain can 40 to hose 60 and hose 62. Hose 60 provides stain
to small right mounting disk 52, and hose 62 provides stain from stain can 40 to small left mounting disk 50. The device may include small battery 199 to provide power to the small left mounting disk 50 and the small right mounting disk 52. Small batter 199 may be contained within small battery receptacle 197. Small battery receptacle 197 may provide power to small motor 174 in order to power the rotation of the small left mounting disk 50 and the small right mounting disk 52.
An angled side view of the device with the small motors in the rear position is depicted in
Large stain pad 400 can be seen on the bottom surface of large mounting disk 80. Large mounting disk 80 secures mounting cage 44. Motor 130 is contained within mounting cage 44. Motor 130 provides enables the rotation of large stain pad 400. Stain can 40 is secured within mounting cage 44. Lid 200 has been placed onto the top of stain can 40. The following may be found coupled to lid 200: pressure release valve 207, which regulates pressure within stain can 40; female “T” 208 that splits a flow of stain from stain can 40 to hose 60 and hose 62, and powered solenoid valve 220 that regulates and controls the movement of stain out of stain can 40 and into hose 64. Pressure release valve 207 receives and regulates a flow of air traveling from air pump 157 via air hose 159.
The exploded view of
Small staining rotor bumper 172 is mounted onto the perimeter of each small left and right mounting disks 50/52 to protect damage to wall surfaces from contact with the small left and right mounting disks 50/52. Small stain disk hub 184 may include small stain disk hub channel 407 that allows stain that has traveled to the small left and right mounting disks 50/52 to travel through small stain disk hub 184 to small velcro disk 186. Small velcro disk 186 allows small stain pad 188 to be reversibly coupled to small stain disk hub 184. Small velcro disk 186 includes small velcro disk channel 409 that allows stain received from small stain disk hub 184 to be transmitted to small stain pad channel 410. Stain received in small stain pad channel 410 is applied onto flooring to stain the flooring.
The clamping weldment stain can retainer 190 and the lid assembly are shown in
An optional embodiment wherein air pump 157 is positioned within air pump mount 502 is shown in