Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – Brushing
Patent
1994-11-14
1995-12-26
Roberts, Jr., Edward L.
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
Brushing
15320, 15385, 451353, A47L 11293, A47L 11162
Patent
active
054775787
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a machine for scrubbing or finishing a floor surface and has particular reference to such a machine of the kind hereinafter referred to as "the kind described" which comprises carriage means adapted for translational movement over a floor surface, a work head and motor means which is carried by the said carriage means and is arranged in use to drive the said work head.
The said work head may include a brush or pad carrier which is provided with means for securing a brush or pad thereto. The said motor means may include a rotary output shaft which is adapted to carry the said brush or pad carrier and to maintain it in working contact with the said floor surface. The said motor means may be carried on an upper surface of the carriage such that the said rotary output shaft extends downwardly through a hole formed in the carriage to carry the said pad carrier in coaxial relation therewith at the lower end of the shaft.
The carriage may be provided with an upstanding handle at a rear end thereof, whereby, in use, an operator moves the machine over a floor surface whilst the motor means drives the said work head at a high speed to scrub, polish or burnish the floor surface. The carriage may also include a pair of rear transit wheels which are mounted on an axle towards the rear of the carriage. Once the scrubbing or finishing operation is finished, the motor is switched off and the machine can be rocked backwards onto its rear transit wheels to lift the work head away from the floor surface. The machine can then be pushed by the operator on the said transit wheels to another location where it is required or for storage.
It will be appreciated that the motor is generally heavy, and lifting the motor and work head away from the floor and transporting the machine in such a position requires considerable physical effort. Moreover, although the weight of the machine is supported on the work head whilst in use, it is undesirable to store the machine in such a position because the weight of the machine will tend to deform the said brush or pad. In use, the motor drives the work head at a high speed, and such deformation of the brush or pad causes the machine to run out of balance frequently resulting in an unacceptable amount of vibration. In the machines, currently available in the marketplace it is desirable to remove the pad from the pad carrier after using the machine and to re-fit the brush when the machine is next required.
In order to remove the pad, however, the machine must be tilted on its rear wheels or turned onto its side whilst the operator removes the pad. The weight and bulk of the machine render this task somewhat onerous and there is, therefore, a requirement for a floor scrubbing or finishing machine which permits of easy removal and replacement of the pad or brush and which provides improved means for transporting the machine from one position to another with the pad disengaged from the floor surface.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a machine of the kind described characterised by: between a first working position and a second rest position, and positions to the other; the arrangement being such that rocking said carriage on its rocking means, causes or allows the workhead to move under the influence of said bias from the said one position to the said other position.
The said bias means may comprise a spring which is arranged to act between the workhead and the carriage. The said spring may be a compression spring or a tension spring.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the carriage means includes a brush housing. The brush housing may include an annular upper wall and a cylindrical skirt which depends from the periphery of the said annular wall; the brush or pad holder being arranged for rotation substantially coaxially within the housing. The motor means may be carried on the upper surface of the housing such that the said output shaft extends coaxially downwardly through the central hole of the annular wall. The brush
Duncan Christopher R.
Gailes Michael E.
Greigg Edwin E.
Greigg Ronald E.
Numatic International Limited
Roberts, Jr. Edward L.
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