Abstract:
A walk behind battery operated cleaning apparatus for scrubbing, cleaning and vacuuming surfaces such as floors and carpets, which is self propelled, includes a power base, which is driven from the rear in forward or reverse direction by rear wheels, and includes swivel wheels which are adjustable for height, which may have a detachable floating electric motor driven rear floor machine type cleaning assembly carried by and offset from the center of the power base, a detachable floating electric motor driven front floor machine type cleaning assembly carried by and offset from the center of the power base, and which has a reservoir tank for storing cleaning solution to be dispensed ahead of the cleaning assemblies.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a Continuation-in-Part of my prior application Ser. No. 11/029,935, Filed Jun. 6, 2005, Entitled: Walk Behind Cleaning Apparatus. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates to a walk behind cleaning apparatus of the battery operated floor type machine, used for floor and carpet cleaning such as bonnet cleaning, which is self propelled and includes dual detachable floor machine type assemblies.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     Walk behind cleaning apparatus that clean and scrub carpets are known in the art.  
         [0006]     Such apparatus are typically of the single cleaning assembly type. While these apparatus are suitable for their intended purpose, due to the rotational aspects of the single cleaning assembly, the apparatus is constantly pulling to one side, necessitating the operator having to constantly fight the apparatus to force it to travel in a direction opposite to the rotational force. The single assembly type of apparatus is difficult to use next to or against a wall or under a row of benches, because the cleaning assembly is straight ahead of the operator, and the apparatus does not permit the assembly to be close to a wall when traveling in a straight line.  
         [0007]     There is therefore a need for an apparatus that can be easily manipulated by the operator in desired directions, can clean close to a wall, and perform multiple operations.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     This invention relates to a walk behind battery operated cleaning apparatus, which is self propelled, and has detachable dual floor machine type assemblies.  
         [0009]     The principal object of the invention is to provide a battery operated self propelled floor machine type cleaning apparatus.  
         [0010]     A further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus wherein the apparatus has opposed detachable dual bonnet-type cleaning assemblies.  
         [0011]     A further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus that can have one or two floor machine type assemblies.  
         [0012]     A further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus that can have a vacuum attachment assembly.  
         [0013]     A further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus wherein the floor machine type assemblies can float.  
         [0014]     A further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus, which permits cleaning right up to and along a wall, or under a row of benches.  
         [0015]     A further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus that greatly increases production.  
         [0016]     A further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus which is safer to use, and operate than conventional apparatus, as it does not have any attached electrical cords.  
         [0017]     A further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus which is easy to use.  
         [0018]     A further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus which can be used to clean floors or carpet.  
         [0019]     A further object of the invention of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus that provides improved cleaning action.  
         [0020]     A further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus which includes a power base which can have a variety of attached assemblies.  
         [0021]     A further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus that is durable, and has a long service life.  
         [0022]     Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]     The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof in which:  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of the cleaning apparatus of the invention with the floor machine type cleaning assemblies in operating position;  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  with the cleaning assemblies in the storage position, allowing for bonnet change, or movement when not cleaning.  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 4  is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the steering mechanism of the apparatus.  
         [0028]      FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4 , illustrating an alternate steering mechanism, which increases steering leverage, and reduces the turning radius in smaller areas.  
         [0029]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the apparatus of the invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 7A  is a front view in partial phantom showing the independent floating action of a bonnet cleaning assembly of the invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 7B  is a view similar to  FIG. 7A , showing a bonnet cleaning assembly accommodating an irregularity in the surface being cleaned.  
         [0032]      FIG. 7C  is a view similar to  FIG. 7B , showing a bonnet cleaning assembly accommodating another irregularity in the surface being cleaned.  
         [0033]      FIG. 8A  is a top plan view in partial phantom, showing the apparatus traveling along a wall, and around a corner.  
         [0034]      FIG. 8B  is a view similar to  FIG. 8A  showing the apparatus as it turns a corner along a wall.  
         [0035]      FIG. 8C  is a view similar to  FIG. 8A  with the apparatus along a wall after turning a corner.  
         [0036]      FIG. 9  is a left side elevational view of the power base of the invention without any bonnet cleaning assemblies, or other attachments.  
         [0037]      FIG. 10  is a front view showing the apparatus with an optional vacuum attachment; and  
         [0038]      FIG. 11  is a front plan view showing the apparatus with optional high speed cleaning assemblies.  
     
    
       [0039]     It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative, and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.  
         [0040]     Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0041]     When referring to the preferred embodiments, certain terminology will be utilized for the sake of clarity. Use of such terminology is intended to encompass not only the described embodiment, but also technical equivalents, which operate and function in substantially the same way to bring about the same result.  
         [0042]     Referring now more particularly to the drawings and  FIGS. 1-9  thereof, a cleaning apparatus  10  is therein illustrated.  
         [0043]     The cleaning apparatus  10  includes a power base  11 , which has a frame  12 , with a pair of swivel wheels  13  attached thereto at the rear of the apparatus, with a pair of driven rear wheels  14  attached to frame  12  by a transversely extending transaxle (not shown), in brackets (not shown), which is attached to frame  12 , in well known manner.  
         [0044]     The transaxle (not shown) includes a reversible driving motor (not shown), of any desired type, with the preferred transaxle available from MCG, Prior Lake, Minn. 55372.  
         [0045]     A control box  12 A is provided connected to frame  12 , and by a cable (not shown) to a transaxle motor (not shown), and to a source of electrical energy (not shown), such as deep discharge lead acid electric storage batteries of well known type. The control box  12 A controls the speed and the direction of the wheels  14  through the transaxle (not shown), and its motor (not shown). Any suitable control box can be used, with the preferred box available from MCG, Prior Lake, Minn.  
         [0046]     The swivel wheels  13  are each carried by a tubular member  15 , which telescopes into a frame member  16 , which member  15  has a pin  17 , and holes  19  therein, with a hole  20  in member  16 , providing for vertical adjustment of the member  15 .  
         [0047]     The frame  12  has an upper shelf  21 , with a reservoir tank  22  thereon, for storage of cleaning solution (not shown), and which is secured to shelf  21  in well known manner.  
         [0048]     The frame  12  has a pair of lower plates  26  extending therefrom, carrying an axle  27  therein, with front wheels  28  thereon.  
         [0049]     The wheels  13 ,  14  and  28  are shown in contact with a surface  30 , which may be a floor.  
         [0050]     The frame  12  has brackets  29  extending therefrom, which have a shaft  31  engaged therewith, and with a U-shaped deck arm  32  of a rear bonnet cleaning assembly  35 .  
         [0051]     The deck arm  32  has slots  32 A therein, in which the shaft  31  extends, and which permits the assembly  35  to float over the floor, and move up and down at the front, or each side to accommodate irregularities  30 A,  30 B, and  30 C, in the floor surface being cleaned. The assembly  35  is offset to the right from the center as seen in  FIGS. 2 , and  6 , and includes a deck  36 , to which the arms  32  are attached, with an electric motor  37  of well known type carried thereon. The motor  37  has a pad holder assembly  38  connected thereto, which includes a pad  38 ′, which is rotated by the motor  37  to scrub, and clean carpets.  
         [0052]     The frame  12  has an upwardly extending U-shaped arm  39 , which is welded to frame  12 . The deck  36  has an upwardly extending frame  40 , which has a lift lock  41  pivotedly attached thereto, with a notch  42  for engagement with arm  39 , as seen in  FIG. 2  to retain cleaning assembly  35  and its pad holder  38  in position off the floor  30 .  
         [0053]     The lift lock  41  has a rod  45  engaged therewith, extending upwardly, which operates lift lock  41 , for engagement and disengagement with arm  39 , and which rod  45  is retained in bracket  46 , which is attached to frame  40  as shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0054]     As shown in more detail in  FIGS. 7A  to  7 C, the frame  12  has a forwardly mounted pair of brackets  50 , with a shaft  51  extending therebetween, and engaged in slots  52 ′ of a U-shaped arm  52 , of a front bonnet cleaning assembly  53 , which is offset to the left as seen in  FIGS. 3 and 6 . The slots  52 ′ permit the assembly  53  to float or ride up and down, front to back, and side to side, thereby traveling over the irregularities  30 A,  30 B, and  30 C of a surface  30 .  
         [0055]     The assembly  53  has a deck  54 , which has the arm  52  attached thereto, with an electric motor  55  of well-known type carried thereon. The motor  55  has a pad holder assembly  56  connected thereto, which includes a pad  56 ′ which is rotated by motor  55  to scrub and clean carpets.  
         [0056]     The frame  12  has an upwardly extending U-shaped arm  58 . The deck  54  has an upwardly extending frame  59  connected to arm  58 , which has a lift lock  60  pivotedly attached thereto, with a notch  62  for engagement with arm  58 , as seen in  FIG. 2 , to retain cleaning assembly  53 , and its pad holder  56  in position off the floor  30 .  
         [0057]     The lift lock  60  has a rod  63  engaged therewith, extending upwardly, which operates lift lock  60 , for engagement and disengagement with arm  58 , and which rod  63  as shown in  FIG. 3 , is retained in a bracket  64 , which is attached to frame  59 .  
         [0058]     The reservoir tank  22  has a hose  70  attached thereto, and to an electrically driven pump  71 , carried on a panel  72 , which is mounted to shelf  21 . The pump  71  has an output hose  73 , which extends to a nozzle  74  for the rear bonnet assembly  35 , and to a fitting  76 , from which a hose  77  extends to a nozzle  78 , carried by bracket  79  on deck  54  of front bonnet assembly  53 . The nozzles  74  and  78  dispense cleaning solution (not shown) ahead of pads  38 ′ and  56 ′, and pad holders  38  and  56 .  
         [0059]     The frame  12  has a steering column  80  attached thereto, with a cleaning solution on-off switch  81 , a key switch  82  to activate the apparatus  10 , and an on-off switch  83  to activate motors  37  and  55 , to rotate the pad holders  38  and  56 , and pads  38 ′ and  56 ′. The column  80  has a left handle  85 , and a right handle  86  extending therefrom, for steering the apparatus  10  by an operator (not shown). Batteries (not shown) and wiring (not shown) are provided, carried by frame  12 , and which provide the electrical power to operate pump  71 , motors  37  and  55 , and the transaxle motor (not shown) to drive wheels  14  to propel the apparatus  10  in forward and reverse directions.  
         [0060]     A U-shaped forward and reverse thumb lever or throttle  90  is provided, pivotedly mounted to column  80 , which when pressed on the right causes control box  12 A to activate wheels  14  to move forwardly, and if pressed on the left to move rearwardly, with the speed being controlled by the degree of displacement of throttle  90 . If the throttle  90  is released, the transaxle motor (not shown) will slow down and brake the apparatus  10  as required.  
         [0061]     The column  80  has a momentary button  81  thereon for finer control of the water pump  71 , and momentary dispensing of the cleaning solution (not shown).  
         [0062]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an alternative steering arrangement is provided, which is identical to that shown in  FIG. 4 , except that the left handle  85  is provided with an extension  87 , which is detachably engaged with handle  85  in well known manner, and provides for improved control of the apparatus  10 .  
         [0063]     Referring to  FIGS. 8A  to  8 C, the cleaning apparatus  10  is illustrated in operation, with the front bonnet cleaning pad  56 ′ against a wall  100 , which intersects a wall  101  at a corner  102 , with the pad  56 ′ against and traveling along wall  100  to and around corner  102 , and thence along wall  103 . The offset location of the cleaning assembly  53  permits it to clean along the walls  100 , and  102 , and under a row of benches (not shown), or other overhanging structure.  
         [0064]     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the power base  11  is illustrated from the side, without any attachments connected to it.  
         [0065]     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the power base  11  is illustrated with an optional vacuum unit  125  of well known type, which can be attached to the front brackets  50  in well-known manner, to permit cleaning solution, and or debris to be removed from the surface (not shown) to be cleaned.  
         [0066]     Referring to  FIG. 11 , the power base  11  has high speed heads  130  and  131 , thereon, which are similar to the bonnet cleaning assemblies  35  and  53 , but fitted with well-known high speed motors (not shown) and pads (not shown) which are used to burnish or polish a floor (not shown).  
         [0067]     It will thus be seen that apparatus has been provided with which the objects of the invention are achieved.