Wall cleaner hanging structure

A wall cleaner hanging structure for hanging a wall cleaner includes a frame; at least a fastening unit for fastening the wall cleaner hanging structure in place; a liquid storage device for storing and conveying a liquid for washing a wall surface; a cable elevation device for controlling vertical movement of the wall cleaner; a tube and wire elevation device for controlling the length of a wire and a delivery tube; a plurality of guiding wheels for guiding the wire and the delivery tube to the wall cleaner; and a wall cleaner moving device for adjusting the distance between the wall cleaner and the wall surface. The wall cleaner hanging structure is freely moved and stored, works in conjunction with the wall cleaner to wash the wall surface in an automated manner, such that wall cleaning workers are less likely to get injured and fall victim to work accidents.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hanging structures, and more particularly, to a wall cleaner hanging structure for hanging a wall cleaner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art for use in cleaning the external walls of a building entails carrying out a wall cleaning process by hand. The manual wall cleaning process involves mounting a simple hanging structure at the top of the building, attaching a movable wall cleaning platform to the hanging structure, and eventually cleaning the external walls of the building by a wall cleaning worker working on the movable wall cleaning platform.

The conventional wall cleaning platform serves the following purposes: an elevation cable, a detergent, and a brush are positioned on the conventional wall cleaning platform; and a hose extends from the top floor to the wall cleaning platform, such that the wall cleaning worker can clean the external walls of the building with water sprayed out of the hose.

Normally, the conventional hanging structure can be moved along a rail fixed to the top floor of the building and thus cannot be uninstalled. Furthermore, even if the wall cleaning platform is not in use, the conventional hanging structure will still remain on the top floor of the building and thus will be exposed to rainfall and sunshine; as a result, the conventional hanging structure is likely to rot or rust.

Furthermore, the wall cleaning platform is usually separated from the adjacent external wall of the building by a distance, and thus the wall cleaning worker has to clean the adjacent external wall of the building, using a brush with a long handle. Cleaning an external wall of a building with a long-handle brush is not only time-consuming and laborious but also proves ineffective in cleaning a specially-located external wall or an external wall of a special shape.

The aforesaid conventional wall cleaning process is preceded by a wall cleaning platform moving process that requires the wall cleaning worker to manually control the elevation cable for moving the wall cleaning platform vertically. It is not uncommon for the wall cleaning platform moving process to be hazardous. For example, the wall cleaning worker working on the wall cleaning platform is likely to trip or even fall off the wall cleaning platform because the wall cleaning platform moving vertically shakes or because the detergent or water wets the wall cleaning platform. Furthermore, the elevation cable is likely to be splashed with the detergent or water and thus develops a short circuit to thereby end up with a failure.

Accordingly, it is imperative to devise a hanging structure which is movable and storable freely and effective in operating in conjunction with a wall cleaner for cleaning an external wall of a building in an automated manner with a view to preventing wall cleaning workers from getting injured while at work and reducing work accidents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a wall cleaner hanging structure which is movable and storable freely.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a wall cleaner hanging structure for use with a wall cleaner in cleaning an external wall of a building in an automated manner.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to prevent wall cleaning workers from working at a dangerous workplace and thereby reducing work accidents.

In order to achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides a wall cleaner hanging structure for hanging a wall cleaner. The wall cleaner hanging structure comprises a frame, at least a fixing unit, a liquid storage device, a cable elevation device, a tube and wire elevation device, a plurality of guiding wheels, and a wall cleaner moving device.

The frame has a base, two vertical rods, and two extending rods. The vertical rods are disposed on and fixed to the base. The extending rods are disposed at the vertical rods, respectively, and positioned proximate to the free ends (that is, top ends) of the vertical rods13, respectively.

The fixing unit comprises a weighting-down water tank, a wall surface clamp, or a combination thereof. The weighting-down water tank is disposed on the base. The wall surface clamp is disposed between the vertical rods.

The liquid storage device is disposed on the base or a movable base. The liquid storage device comprises: at least a container for holding a liquid for washing a wall surface; and at least a delivery tube connected to the container for conveying the liquid with a pump.

The cable elevation device is disposed on the base. The cable elevation device comprises: two cables connected to the wall cleaner; a cable withdrawing-releasing reel comprising two cable withdrawing-releasing portions for storing the cables, respectively, and being driven by an elevation motor to withdraw and release the cables; and a first transmission element disposed at an end of the cable withdrawing-releasing reel, wherein the first transmission element and the cable withdrawing-releasing reel are coaxial.

The tube and wire elevation device is disposed on the base or the cable elevation device. The tube and wire elevation device comprises: a tube-wire withdrawing-releasing reel having at least two tube-wire withdrawing-releasing portions for storing at least a wire and the delivery tube, respectively; and a second transmission element disposed at an end of the tube-wire withdrawing-releasing reel, wherein the second transmission element and the first transmission element are disposed on a same side of the tube-wire withdrawing-releasing reel, wherein the second transmission element and the tube-wire withdrawing-releasing reel are coaxial, wherein the second transmission element is connected to the first transmission element by a connecting element, such that the elevation motor drives the tube-wire withdrawing-releasing reel to withdraw and release the wire and the delivery tube while driving the cable withdrawing-releasing reel.

The guiding wheels are disposed between the vertical rods. The guiding wheels guide the cables, the wire, and the delivery tube, respectively.

The wall cleaner moving device straddles the extending rods. The wall cleaner moving device comprises: a mobile base; a mobile motor disposed on the mobile base or at the extending rods to drive the mobile base to move relative to the extending rods; and a plurality of moving-guiding rollers disposed on the mobile base and guiding the cables and, the at least a wire, and the delivery tube, respectively.

As regards the wall cleaner hanging structure of the present invention, the wall cleaner hanging structure further comprises a cable adjusting unit positioned freely between the cable elevation device and the wall cleaner moving device and having a plurality of adjusting-guiding rollers for adjusting a length of one of the cables.

As regards the wall cleaner hanging structure of the present invention, the vertical rods have a plurality of vertical fastening portions, respectively, and the wall surface clamp is fixed to the vertical rods, respectively, by one of the vertical fastening portions.

As regards the wall cleaner hanging structure of the present invention, the wall surface clamp has a plurality of horizontal fastening portions, respectively, and the wall surface clamp is fixed to the vertical rods, respectively, by one of the horizontal fastening portions.

As regards the wall cleaner hanging structure of the present invention, the wall cleaner hanging structure further comprises a plurality of height adjusting units disposed beneath the base.

As regards the wall cleaner hanging structure of the present invention, the frame further comprises a plurality of rollers disposed beneath the base.

As regards the wall cleaner hanging structure of the present invention, the frame further comprises a displacement motor disposed at the base to drive the rollers to move.

As regards the wall cleaner hanging structure of the present invention, the wall cleaner hanging structure further comprises a plurality of reinforcing rods for connecting the base to the vertical rods, connecting the base to the extending rods, connecting the vertical rods, connecting the extending rods, and connecting the vertical rods to the extending rods, respectively.

As regards the wall cleaner hanging structure of the present invention, the cable elevation device further comprises a screw and two cable combing portions, the screw being horizontally disposed between the cable withdrawing-releasing reel and the guiding wheels, and the cable combing portions being screwed to the screw, corresponding in position to the cable withdrawing-releasing portions, respectively, and being driven by a screw motor to move in a manner to allow the cables to be neatly stored in the cable withdrawing-releasing portions, respectively.

As regards the wall cleaner hanging structure of the present invention, the wall cleaner hanging structure further comprises an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) electrically connected to the elevation motor and the mobile motor.

As regards the wall cleaner hanging structure of the present invention, the wall surface clamp has a stopping element and a fixing element.

As regards the wall cleaner hanging structure of the present invention, the connecting element is a hinge.

In conclusion, a wall cleaner hanging structure provided by the present invention works in conjunction with an automated wall cleaner to wash a wall surface in an automated manner, such that wall cleaning workers are less likely to get injured and fall victim to work accidents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIG. 1throughFIG. 5, there are shown drawings of a wall cleaner hanging structure1according to the first specific embodiment of the present invention. The wall cleaner hanging structure1is for use in hanging a wall cleaner A (shown inFIG. 4.) The wall cleaner hanging structure1comprises a frame10, at least a fixing unit20, a liquid storage device30, a cable elevation device50, a tube and wire elevation device60, a plurality of guiding wheels80, and a wall cleaner moving device90.

The frame10has a base11, two vertical rods13, and two extending rods14. The vertical rods13are disposed on and fixed to the base11by welding, screwing, or snap engagement. Afterward, the extending rods14are fixed to the vertical rods13, respectively, by welding, screwing, or snap engagement. The extending rods14are positioned proximate to the free ends (that is, top ends) of the vertical rods13, respectively.

The fixing unit20comprises a weighting-down water tank21, a wall surface clamp22, or a combination thereof. The fixing unit20fixes the frame10in place and thus prevents the frame10from tilting or even tumbling under the weight of the wall cleaner A. The wall cleaner hanging structure1of the present invention is characterized in that: at least a weighting-down water tank21is disposed on the base11to weight down the frame10and thereby prevent the wall cleaner hanging structure1from tilting or tumbling; the wall surface clamp22is disposed between the vertical rods13to clamp a wall surface W, fix the frame10in place, and prevent the wall cleaner hanging structure1from tilting or tumbling; furthermore, the joint use of the weighting-down water tank21and the wall surface clamp22enhances the stability of the frame10.

The liquid storage device30is disposed on a movable base40or is directly disposed on the base11. The liquid storage device30comprises at least a container31and at least a delivery tube32. The container31holds a liquid for washing the wall surface W, such as water, a glass detergent, a wall surface detergent, or an esthetic chemical. The delivery tube32connects the container31and the wall cleaner A. The delivery tube32, coupled with a pump33, conveys a liquid for washing the wall surface W. Referring toFIG. 2, the container31holds water and delivers the water to the wall cleaner A by means of the delivery tube32, whereas another container34holds a wall surface detergent and delivers the wall surface detergent to the wall cleaner A by means of another delivery tube35.

The cable elevation device50is disposed on the base11and fixed thereto by welding, screwing, or snap engagement. The cable elevation device50hangs the wall cleaner A by means of two cables51. The cables51can be stored in two cable withdrawing-releasing portions521of a cable withdrawing-releasing reel52, respectively. An elevation motor53drives the cable withdrawing-releasing reel52to withdraw and release the cables51and thereby enables the wall cleaner A to ascend and descend. Furthermore, the cable elevation device50has a first transmission element54disposed at an end of the cable withdrawing-releasing reel52. The first transmission element54and the cable withdrawing-releasing reel52are coaxial. The first transmission element54is a gear.

The tube and wire elevation device60is fixed to the cable elevation device50by welding, screwing, or snap engagement, or is disposed on the base11, wherein the tube and wire elevation device60comprises a tube-wire withdrawing-releasing reel61and a second transmission element62.

The tube-wire withdrawing-releasing reel61has at least two tube-wire withdrawing-releasing portions611. The tube-wire withdrawing-releasing portions611store at least a wire and the delivery tube32, respectively. A wire intended to be handled with the tube and wire elevation device60is a power supply wire L1or a task control wire L2as needed. In an embodiment of the present invention, the wall cleaner A lacks a dedicated power source, and thus the power supply wire L1supplies power to the wall cleaner A. In another embodiment of the present invention, the wall cleaner A lacks a dedicated control system, and thus the task control wire L2sends a user's command to the wall cleaner A for executing an automated process, for example, controlling when to spray water with the wall cleaner A, controlling when to operate a rotary brush B, and controlling when to spray a detergent. Referring toFIG. 1, the present invention provides four said tube-wire withdrawing-releasing portions611for storing the power supply wire L1, the task control wire L2, and the delivery tubes32,35, respectively

The second transmission element62is disposed at one end of the tube-wire withdrawing-releasing reel61. The second transmission element62and the first transmission element54are positioned on the same side of the tube-wire withdrawing-releasing reel61. The second transmission element62and the tube-wire withdrawing-releasing reel61are coaxial. The second transmission element62is a gear. The second transmission element62is connected to the first transmission element54by means of a connecting element70(such as a hinge.) Hence, the elevation motor53drives the tube-wire withdrawing-releasing reel61to withdraw and release the wire and the delivery tube32,35, while the elevation motor53is driving the cable withdrawing-releasing reel52to withdraw and release the cables51.

The guiding wheels80are disposed between the vertical rods13and guide the cables51, the wire (the power supply wire L1, the task control wire L2), and the delivery tube32to the wall cleaner A.

The wall cleaner moving device90straddles the extending rods14to control the distance between the wall cleaner A and the wall surface W. The wall cleaner moving device90comprises a mobile base91, a mobile motor92, and a plurality of moving-guiding rollers93. The mobile motor92and the moving-guiding rollers93are disposed on the mobile base91. The mobile motor92drives the mobile base91to move horizontally along the extending rods14. The moving-guiding rollers93guide the cables51, the wire (the power supply wire L1, the task control wire L2), and the delivery tube32to the wall cleaner A. Furthermore, it is also feasible that the mobile motor92is disposed at the extending rods14to drive, with a chain, the mobile base91to move horizontally (not shown).

The cables51are guided to move from the cable withdrawing-releasing portions52to the wall cleaner A by means of the guiding wheels80and the moving-guiding rollers93, respectively.

The wires (such as a power supply wire L1and a task control wire L2) are guided to move from the tube-wire withdrawing-releasing portions611to the wall cleaner A by means of the guiding wheels80and the moving-guiding rollers93, respectively.

The delivery tubes32,35are guided to move from the container31,34to the wall cleaner A by means of the tube-wire withdrawing-releasing portions611, the guiding wheels80, and the moving-guiding rollers93, respectively.

Referring toFIG. 3throughFIG. 5, to start washing the wall surface W of a building, a user of the wall cleaner hanging structure1of the present invention fixes a stopping element221of the wall surface clamp22to the outer side of the wall surface W, and then fixes a fixing element222of the wall surface clamp22to the inner side of the wall surface W manually, such that the wall cleaner hanging structure1is fixed in place.

Referring toFIG. 4, the wall cleaner A is hung beneath the wall cleaner moving device90with the cables51, and the wires (such as the power supply wire L1and the task control wire L2) and the delivery tubes32,35are connected to the wall cleaner A.

Referring toFIG. 5, the user moves the wall cleaner moving device90to adjust the distance between the wall cleaner A and the wall surface W. The wall cleaner moving device90stops moving horizontally as soon as the brush B of the wall cleaner A comes into contact with the wall surface W. At last, the user configures the way of washing the wall surface W, for example, moving the wall cleaner A vertically, spraying water, spraying a detergent, and operating the rotary brush B.

After finishing the washing process performed on the wall surface W, the user dismounts the wall cleaner hanging structure1from the wall surface W in accordance with the aforesaid design, and then the user may mount the wall cleaner hanging structure1on another wall surface to be washed so as to perform the aforesaid washing process again. To render it easy to move the wall cleaner hanging structure1, the frame10further comprises a plurality of rollers12disposed beneath the base11; hence, not only can the wall cleaner hanging structure1move without a rail disposed on the top floor of the building, but the wall cleaner hanging structure1can be stored after the wall surface W has been washed.

In conclusion, the wall cleaner hanging structure1of the present invention can be freely moved and stored and can work in conjunction with the wall cleaner A to wash the wall surface W. Hence, with the wall cleaner hanging structure1of the present invention, wall cleaning workers will no longer work in a hazardous workplace and thus will be less likely to fall victim to a work accident.

Furthermore, the wall cleaner hanging structure1of the present invention further comprises a plurality of vertical fastening portions131vertically disposed at the vertical rods13, respectively, such that the user can select the vertical fastening portions131according to the wall height and fix the wall surface clamp22to the vertical rods13. Given the aforesaid design, the present invention is applicable to different wall heights.

Furthermore, the wall cleaner hanging structure1of the present invention further comprises a plurality of horizontal fastening portions223horizontally disposed on the wall surface clamp22, such that the user can select the horizontal fastening portions223according to the wall shape and fix the wall surface clamp22to the vertical rods13. Given the aforesaid design, the present invention is applicable to different wall shapes.

Furthermore, the wall cleaner hanging structure1of the present invention further comprises a displacement motor16disposed at the base11to drive the rollers12to move. Given the aforesaid design, the wall cleaner hanging structure1can move freely to thereby save manpower. Furthermore, the displacement motor16can operate in conjunction with a computer to thereby effectuate an automated control process for controlling the extent of the movement of the wall cleaner hanging structure1.

Furthermore, the wall cleaner hanging structure1of the present invention further comprises a plurality of reinforcing rods17for reinforcing the structural strength of the frame10. The reinforcing rods17connect the base11to the vertical rods13, connect the base11to the extending rods14, connect the vertical rods13, connect the extending rods14, and connect the vertical rods13to the extending rods14, respectively.

Furthermore, the wall cleaner hanging structure1of the present invention further comprises an uninterruptable power supply (UPS)120electrically connected to the elevation motor53and the mobile motor92. In case power interruption happens while the wall cleaner A is washing the wall surface W, the wall cleaner A will stay at the wall surface W and will be likely to cause an accident. Hence, the present invention is advantageously characterized in that the uninterruptable power supply (UPS)120supplies electric power to the elevation motor53and the mobile motor92to thereby move the wall cleaner A back to the top floor of a building and thus prevent any accidents.

Referring toFIG. 6, there is shown a schematic view of a wall cleaner hanging structure2according to the second specific embodiment of the present invention. The wall cleaner hanging structure2is substantially identical to the wall cleaner hanging structure1in terms of structure.

In the situation where the ground of the top floor on which the wall cleaner hanging structure2is positioned is uneven or slanted, the wall cleaner A hung by a left cable51′ and a right cable51″ is likely to tilt and cause an accident, because the left cable51′ and the right cable51″ are equal in the length of the released portions thereof. Hence, the present invention is advantageously characterized in that a cable adjusting unit100is positioned freely between the cable elevation device50and the wall cleaner moving device90to adjust the length of the left cable51′ or the length of the right cable51″, such that the wall cleaner A is unlikely to tilt.

Referring toFIG. 6, if the ground on which the wall cleaner hanging structure2is positioned slopes downward from left to right, the wall cleaner A will slope downward from left to right too. Hence, the cable adjusting unit100can be disposed between the vertical rods13and positioned closer to the left vertical rod13than the right vertical rod13, so as to increase the number of the windings of the left cable51′ by means of a plurality of adjusting-guiding rollers101of the cable adjusting unit100. As a result, the length of the left cable51′ is put under control to thereby make sure that the wall cleaner A will never tilt.

In the situation where the ground of the top floor on which the wall cleaner hanging structure2is positioned is slightly uneven or slanted, the wall cleaner hanging structure2of the present invention further comprises a plurality of height adjusting units15disposed beneath the base11and adapted to fine-tune the horizontality of the wall cleaner hanging structure2. For example, referring toFIG. 6, if the ground on which the wall cleaner hanging structure2is positioned slopes downward from left to right, the user can lift the rightward ones of the height adjusting units15to keep the wall cleaner hanging structure2horizontal.

Furthermore, the wall cleaner hanging structure2of the present invention further comprises a screw56and two cable combing portions57. The screw56is horizontally disposed between the cable withdrawing-releasing reel52and the guiding wheels80. The cable combing portions57are screwed to the screw56. The cable combing portions57correspond in position to the cable withdrawing-releasing portions521, respectively. A screw motor58drives the cable combing portions57to move in the axial direction of the screw56, such that the left cable51′ and the right cable51″ are neatly stored in the cable withdrawing-releasing portions521, respectively.

In conclusion, a wall cleaner hanging structure provided by the present invention is freely moved or stored, operates in conjunction with a wall cleaner to wash a wall surface in an automated manner, and prevents wall cleaning workers from working in a hazardous workplace, so that the wall cleaning workers are less likely to fall victim to a work accident.

The present invention is disclosed above by preferred embodiments. However, persons skilled in the art should understand that the preferred embodiments are illustrative of the present invention only, but should not be interpreted as restrictive of the scope of the present invention. Hence, all equivalent modifications and replacements made to the aforesaid embodiments should fall within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the legal protection for the present invention should be defined by the appended claims.