Patent ID: 8806697
Filing Date: 2014-08-19
Classification: A46B,B08B,E03B,Y02A

Abstract:
1. A machine for cleaning the interior surface of a generally cylindrical water storage tank, which tank has an upper access opening and a lid for removably covering the access opening, the storage tank further having a water-transmitting first conduit extending substantially horizontally across the cylindrical center of the storage tank and through a sidewall of the storage tank proximate an upper end thereof, a second conduit communicably connected said first conduit and extending substantially vertically downward through an interior of said tank such that said second conduit is non-concentric to said tank centerline and a lower distal end of said second conduit is spaced above a bottommost interior surface of said tank, and a float sensor mechanism mounted to said second conduit and interiorly within and spaced above the bottommost interior surface of the tank for controlling operation of a pump to selectively deliver water to the tank, said machine comprising: a motor for mounting on the removable lid; a drive shaft axially rotatably interconnected to said motor for extending through a vertical channel in said lid and being located axially offset from the water-transmitting first conduit to extend below the conduit without interference; and a substantially U-shaped scrubbing assembly operably attached to said drive shaft, said scrubbing assembly including a vertically oriented turning shaft that is operably interengaged with and axially offset from said drive shaft, said turning shaft being connected to said drive shaft such that said turning shaft is supported substantially parallel to said drive shaft and restricted from pivoting longitudinally relative said drive shaft, said scrubbing assembly further including a horizontal arm joined to said turning shaft proximate the bottommost interior surface of the tank and a lower end of said turning shaft and extending radially outwardly therefrom and a vertical arm joined to a distal portion of said horizontal arm and for extending vertically upward therefrom parallel to said turning shaft and proximate interior cylindrical side surface of the storage tank, the upper end of said vertical arm being located above the float sensor mechanism and above a lower end of the second conduit at least one of said horizontal and vertical arms carrying a flexible scrubbing component for engaging the interior surface of the storage tank; said motor being operated to axially rotate said drive shaft, whereby said turning arm of said scrubbing assembly is rotated through the interior of the water storage tank and said scrubbing component is drawn across and cleans the interior surface of the tank; said turning shaft and said vertical arm having an intermediate gap formed therebetween and above said horizontal arm, which gap is for providing operational clearance for the second conduit section and the float sensor mechanism and allowing said scrubbing assembly to rotate freely through the interior of the tank without engaging or interfering with the second conduit and the float sensor mechanism.