Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Miscellaneous
Patent
1995-04-21
1996-11-12
Scherbel, David
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Miscellaneous
15DIG1, 1372346, B60S 500
Patent
active
055727590
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a storage and maintenance system for a mobile cleaning machine or the like.
Mobile cleaning machines and the like require regular maintenance and service work to be carried out, sometimes after every use. For example, after use, the machine energy source (batteries, fuel tank or the like) as well as containers for consumable materials (fresh water, cleaning agents, etc.) need to be replenished regularly. Furthermore, wearing parts are to be replaced at irregular intervals, and, if necessary, repairs are to be carried out.
The object of the present invention is to produce optimum conditions to carry out the necessary work. This means that the necessary work and activities can be carried out in a simple manner, quickly, reliably and safely. At the same time the machine should be protected from theft and wilful damage.
According to the present invention this object is achieved by a storage and maintenance system for a mobile cleaning machine, which comprises a space at least partially enclosed for the storage of the mobile machine, guiding elements for accurate positioning of the mobile machine in that space, a first supply unit to replenish the machine energy source and a second supply unit to fill the machine's containers with consumable materials.
In this manner the invention provides a compact "service station", into which the machine is placed after its use and where it is prepared for the next use. The system has a safety advantage since no supply lines or the like will be exposed.
The guide elements provided in accordance with the invention ensure that the machine placed into the storage and maintenance system occupies accurately the intended position. Since the machine is located automatically in the intended position, automatic filling is possible, particularly filling of the machine's containers with consumable materials. Thus after use, the machine need only be placed into the storage and maintenance system by the operator, whereupon the activities necessary to prepare it for the next use (replenishing of the machine energy source as well as filling of the machine's containers with consumable materials) can be carried out automatically. Any operating error, which may lead to damage to the machine, is safely precluded.
In a preferred embodiment of the storage and maintenance system according to the invention a work area as well as tool containers are provided. While the machine is placed in the relevant space of the storage and maintenance system and is connected to the supply units, further necessary maintenance work can be carried out on the associated work areas. The tools necessary for this can be easily retrieved from the associated tool container. With the storage and maintenance system designed in this manner the necessary work can be carried out in a particularly economical manner.
The provision of the storage and maintenance system according to the invention with lockable containers for spare, replacement and wearing parts has provided particularly advantageous. If desired, such containers are provided with locks, which are to be opened by inserting a coin, by means of an individual user card, or by means of a code to be entered. Such an embodiment of the storage and maintenance system according to the invention enables an optimum service particularly with regard to the wearing parts. In this embodiment, the user of the machine has constant access to replacements for wearing parts without carrying his own supply. Also in this embodiment, the containers are regularly checked by the relevant service organisation and refilled, if necessary. Thus it is possible to have a decentralised storage of spare parts maintained by the service organisation. The clients can be invoiced for the wearing parts only when they are removed from the lockable containers. This embodiment of the storage and maintenance system according to the invention contributes to a significantly better availability of the machine and thus to cost savings.
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Scherbel David
Soohoo Tony G.
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