Patent ID: 8434504
Filing Date: 2013-05-07
Classification: A47L,E04G

Abstract:
1. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a generally vertically extending exterior surface of a building comprising: a davit adapted to be located on the building above the generally vertically extending exterior surface of the building; a cleaning unit; a cable connected to the davit and cleaning unit for pendently suspending the cleaning unit adjacent the exterior surface of the building; the cleaning unit includes a frame; at least one generally horizontal cleaning element disposed on the frame and configured to rotate about a generally horizontal axis; said cleaning element having a plurality of outwardly extending cleaning vanes operable to contact the generally vertical extending exterior surface of the building during the cleaning operation; a first motor mounted on the frame operable to rotate the cleaning element about the generally horizontal axis; a winch mounted on the frame and operably connected to the cable to control movement of the cleaning unit in vertical directions relative to the exterior surface of the building during a cleaning operation; a second motor drivably connected to the winch operating the winch to control movement of the cleaning unit in vertical directions relative to the exterior surface of the building during a cleaning operation; a liquid applicator mounted on the frame operable to dispense a liquid onto the generally vertically extending exterior surface of the building during the cleaning operation; a rigid pole secured to the frame and extended generally horizontally outward from the frame away from the exterior surface of the building; a weight disposed on the pole to provide a downward pivotal force on the frame that balances the weight of the frame and cleaning unit to assist in maintaining the cleaning element in engagement with the exterior surface of the building during the cleaning operation; a counterforce system mounted on the frame operable in conjunction with the pole and weight on the pole to provide a substantially perpendicular continuous force on the frame and cleaning element towards the generally vertically extending exterior surface to maintain the cleaning vanes of the cleaning element in substantially continuous contact with the generally vertically extending exterior surface of the building during the cleaning operation; the counterforce system including a fan mounted on the frame for rotation about a horizontal axis generally perpendicular to the horizontal axis of rotation of the cleaning element, said axis of rotation of the fan being located in substantially the same horizontal plane as the axis of rotation of the cleaning element whereby the location of the fan on the frame does not alter the location of the cleaning element relative to the exterior surface of the building during the cleaning operation; a shield mounted on the frame between the cleaning element and counterforce system to confine air and liquid to the space accommodating the cleaning element and adjacent exterior surface of the building; a third motor connected to the fan to rotate the fan to move air away from the frame and cleaning element to establish said force on the frame and cleaning element; and a remote control unit operable to regulate the operation of the third motor to control the rotational speed of the fan to regulate the amount of the force on the frame and cleaning element; said remote control unit including a wireless signal receiver mounted on the frame and a wireless control useable by an operator to control the operation of the third motor to adjust the force on the frame and cleaning element to maintain the cleaning element in cleaning engagement with the exterior surface of the building.