SEMI-AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR WASHING A BUILDING

A building cleaning apparatus includes a platform adapted to be suspended along a side of a building. The platform includes a base and a barrier mounted on the base that encloses an operator work station. The building cleaning apparatus includes a building cleaning structure mounted beneath the base of the platform. The building cleaning structure includes a cleaning component that is driven by a motor. The cleaning component is mounted such that at least a portion of the cleaning component is directly beneath the base of the platform during cleaning of the building.

BACKGROUND

Building structures, particularly tall urban buildings and skyscrapers, are frequently washed manually. This is often done by suspending a window washer operator alongside a building via a suspended platform (i.e., a swing stage or suspended scaffolding). However, manually washing windows can be time consuming and the effectiveness can be entirely dependent upon the skill of the window washer.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates generally to a cleaning or washing apparatus that mounts to the bottom of a suspended platform for providing cleaning or washing of windows and other vertical surfaces of a tall building. The cleaning or washing apparatus is configured to efficiently and reliably clean the side of the building. An operator on the platform can modify operation of the cleaning or washing apparatus as needed, can perform touch-up work, can control upward and downward movement of the platform, and can monitor whether the platform is suitably stabilized relative to the building.

In a first aspect, a building cleaning apparatus is disclosed. The building cleaning apparatus includes a platform adapted to be suspended along a side of a building. The platform includes a base and a barrier mounted on the base that encloses an operator work station. The building cleaning apparatus includes a building cleaning structure mounted beneath the base of the platform. The building cleaning structure includes a cleaning component that is driven by a motor. The cleaning component is mounted such that at least a portion of the cleaning component is directly beneath the base of the platform during cleaning of the building.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the examples disclosed herein are based.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Suspended platforms (i.e., swing stages, suspended scaffoldings, etc.) are used to support window washers as window washers manually wash the windows of tall buildings. The platforms are suspended from the roofs or from tiers of the buildings. Hoist systems are used to raise and lower the platform along the sides of the buildings as the windows are manually washed. The type of hoist systems used to raise and lower the platforms can be dependent upon the height of the buildings being washed. For example, buildings having a height of 490 feet or less typically use a davit system to support suspended platforms as the suspended platforms are raised and lowered along the side of the building. In contrast, buildings having a height greater than 490 feet typically use a building maintenance unit to raise and lower the platforms along the side of a building.

FIG. 1shows an example davit system20for raising and lowering a suspended platform22along the side of a building21. The suspended platform22includes a base24(i.e., a floor) including a support surface on which a window washer or multiple window washers can stand. The suspended platform22also includes a barrier26(i.e., a wall, a fence, a rail) that extends around the perimeter of the base24so as to define a partially enclosed working station in which the window washers can work. The suspended platform22is extended along a length and defines a walkway for allowing the window washers to walk or otherwise move along the length of the platform when conducting window washing. The window washers are harnessed to the suspended platform22.

The davit system20includes two davit arms30mounted on a roof or on a tier23of the building. The davit arms30are essentially cantilevers that overhang the side of the building21. In one example, base ends of the davit arms30can be mounted within anchor sockets defined within the roof23of the building21. In another example, the davit arms30can be mounted on tracks secured to the building21for allowing the davit arms30to be moved while remaining secured to the building21. The davit arms30can be pivoted about vertical axes to maneuver the suspended platform22onto and off of the roof23. Ends of the cantilever portions of the davit arms30include attachment locations for attaching lift cables32for raising and lowering the suspended platform22. The lift cables32are extended and retracted by hoists or winches34that are typically mounted to the suspended platform22near the ends of the suspended platform. Thus, operation of the platform mounted hoists/winches34provides the mechanical torque/power for raising and lowering the suspended platform22relative to the building21.

FIGS. 2 and 3show an example BMU system40for raising and lowering a suspended platform42along the side of a building. The suspended platform42can have the same general configuration as the suspended platform22, except hoists or winches for raising and lowering the suspended platform42are not provided on the suspended platform42. Instead, the BMU system40includes a roof-mounted crane44having an integrated hoist or winch system that provides the motive torque for winding and unwinding lift cables used to raise and lower the suspended platform42. The crane44can include an extended boom48that in many cases can telescopically extend and retract. The crane44can be mounted on the tracks on the roof23to allow movement of the crane44. Additionally, the boom48can be pivoted up and down and can also be pivoted about a vertical axis to facilitate moving the suspended platform42as needed.

The suspended platforms22,42are preferably secured to the building by lift cables and also by structures that prevent the suspended platforms22,42from swinging away from the building. A number of systems (i.e., securing systems) are used to stabilize suspended platforms. Such systems can be used with both davit systems and BMU systems. Example securing systems include mullion guide systems, tie-in systems, and button guide systems.

FIGS. 4 and 4ashow an example mullion guide system60for stabilizing a suspended platform. The mullion guide system60includes vertically extending mullion guides or tracks62that are integrated with the building21. The mullion guide system60also includes rollers64or slide shoes that are coupled to the suspended platform22,42and that are captured within the mullion guides62. As the suspended platform22,42is raised or lowered, the rollers or slide shoes slide or move vertically within the mullion guides62. Interference between the rollers/slide shoes64and the mullion guides62provide continuous stabilization that prevents the suspended platform from moving laterally outward from the side of the building. In some examples, the mullion guide system60includes external rollers/bumpers65that are coupled to the suspended platform22,42and are configured to interface with the side of the building21, outside of the mullion guides62.

FIGS. 5 and 5ashow an example tie-in system70for stabilizing a suspended platform22. The tie-in system70includes tie-in locations72(e.g., tie-in anchor points, sockets, etc.) integrated with the building21. The tie-in system70also includes tie-in structures74slidably secured to the lift cables32of the suspended platform22. The tie-in structures74include cords75having first ends including loops76through which lift cables32extend and second ends including pins77(e.g., anchors, snap-fit structures, etc.) that can be anchored to the tie-in locations72. As the suspended platform22is lowered down a building21, the window washers progressively anchor the tie-in structures74to the tie-in locations72to tie the lift cables32to the building21such that the distance the suspended platform22can swing away from the building21is limited. As the suspended platform22is lifted back up the building21, the tie-in structures74are progressively disconnected from the tie-in locations72. In some examples, the tie-in system70includes external rollers/bumpers79, similar to the rollers/bumpers65described above, that are coupled to the suspended platform22and are configured to interface with the side of the building21.

FIGS. 6 and 6ashow an example button guide system80for stabilizing a suspended platform22. The button guide system80includes vertically extending tracks82that are integrated with the platform22. The button guide system80also includes buttons84that are integrated with the building21. As the suspended platform22is raised or lowered, the tracks82receive the buttons84. Interference between the tracks82and the buttons84provides stabilization that prevents the suspended platform22from moving laterally outward from the side of the building21.

FIG. 7depicts a building cleaning/washing apparatus500in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The cleaning/washing apparatus500can include a suspended platform506. In certain examples, the platform can be a platform compatible with a davit system (e.g., a platform like platform22) or a platform compatible with a BMU system (e.g., a platform like platform42). The cleaning/washing apparatus also includes a cleaning structure508that mounts directly beneath a base507of the suspended platform506. In one example, the cleaning structure508is a powered cleaning structure that automatically cleans the windows of the building21as well as portions of the building between the windows as the cleaning/washing apparatus500is raised and lowered along the building side. The cleaning structure508can include a cleaning element/component505such as a brush that is powered/driven (e.g., rotated or otherwise moved) by a motor. In one example, the cleaning structure508includes a cylindrical cleaning component505(e.g., a cylindrical brush structure) that is rotated by a motor509about a rotation axis536. In one example, the cleaning component505can include flexible radial cleaning elements such as bristles, flaps, or strips. In one example, the rotation axis536extends along a length of the platform506. In one example, the rotation axis536is parallel to the base507of the platform. In one example, the cleaning structure508includes a cylindrical brush having a length that extends along a length of the platform506, the cylindrical brush being rotatable about a central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical brush. In one example, the cleaning component505(e.g., a cleaning brush) is mounted and configured such that at least a portion remains directly beneath the platform base507of the platform during cleaning of the building. In one example, the cleaning component505is mounted and configured such that at least a majority of the cleaning component505(e.g., a cleaning brush) remains directly beneath the platform base507during cleaning of the building21. In one example, the cleaning component505is mounted and configured such that an axis of rotation of the cleaning component505(e.g., a cleaning brush) remains directly beneath the platform base507during cleaning of the building. In one example, the cleaning component505includes a cylindrical brush having a length and a longitudinal axis of rotation that extend along the length of the platform506, and the cylindrical brush is mounted and configured such that at least 25 percent of the brush remains directly beneath the platform base507during cleaning of the building. In one example, the cleaning component505includes a cylindrical brush having a length and a longitudinal axis of rotation that extend along the length of the platform506, and the cylindrical brush is mounted and configured such that at least 50 percent of the brush remains directly beneath the platform base507during cleaning of the building. In one example, the cleaning component505includes a cylindrical brush having a length and a longitudinal axis of rotation that extend along the length of the platform506, and cylindrical brush is mounted and configured such that the axis of rotation of the brush remains directly beneath the platform base507during cleaning of the building. In one example, the cylindrical brush structure has a length longer, shorter, or about the same as the length of the platform. In one example, the cylindrical brush structure has a length that extends for at least a majority of the length of the platform506. In one example, the cleaning structure508includes a frame538secured by one or more fastening elements513(e.g., clamps, brackets, fasteners) to the platform base507. In one example, the cleaning structure508includes a shroud515that surrounds a portion of the cleaning component505. In one example, the cleaning structure508includes a shroud515that surrounds a portion of a cylindrical cleaning brush505. In one example, the cleaning component505is movable relative to the frame538and to the platform506to maintain contact with the building21during cleaning (i.e., washing) of the building21. Such movement (as shown by an arrow541) allows the cleaning component505to be adjusted. In one example, the cleaning component505is spring loaded so as to allow the cleaning component505to slide along the width of the frame538when the cleaning component505encounters an obstruction. In such an example, once the cleaning component505clears the obstruction, it can spring back into place in a direction toward the building21. In other examples, the cleaning component505can be moved using gears, levers, pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators, electrically powered actuators, etc.

In one example, the cleaning structure does not include a fan for forcing the cleaning component505toward the building21during cleaning of the building21.

The cleaning structure508can also include an obstruction bar539positioned at a bottom side of the cleaning structure508. The obstruction bar539is configured to alter the operations of the cleaning structure508when the obstruction bar539contacts an obstruction. In some embodiments, the obstruction bar539can interface with a controller that controls the operation of a hoist system and the operation of the cleaning structure508so that when an obstruction is encountered, the controller automatically shuts down the operation of the hoist system and/or the cleaning structure508. The obstruction bar539interfaces with mechanical or electronic control devices such that actuation of the bar539by an obstruction causes the hoist system and or cleaning structure to shut down. In the case where the cleaning structure is a retrofit device used to retrofit an existing platform by adding the cleaning structure to the bottom of the platform, existing wheels and an existing obstruction bar of the platform can be removed to facilitate mounting the cleaning structure. In such a case, the cleaning structure can include an obstruction bar that performs the same function as the obstruction bar removed from the platform.

In one example, the cleaning structure508is a powered cleaning structure having one or more cleaning elements that are driven relative to the platform506by a power source. In certain examples, the cleaning element or elements can include a brush or brushes. In certain examples, the brush or brushes are driven in a rotary motion relative to the platform. In certain examples, the power source includes one or more motors such as one or more electric motors, or one or more combustion engines. In some examples, the cleaning structure508is a specialty manufactured apparatus. In some examples, the cleaning device can be an add-on device that can be added to an existing platform to temporarily or permanently retrofit the platform so as to include automated cleaning features. Alternatively, the cleaning device can be incorporated into the platform at the time the platform is initially manufactured. In other examples, an existing pre-manufactured platform can be modified to arrive at the washing apparatus500.

The cleaning apparatus500can be used to clean an upright surface102of a building21(e.g., a skyscraper or high-rise building). The upright surface102can be the side of the building21including, for example, windows or the structure of the building between the windows. The cleaning apparatus500can be raised and lowered along the building by a davit system or a BMU system, and can be stabilized relative to the building by stabilization structures of the type described above (e.g., mullion guide systems, tie-in systems, button guide systems). The surface102includes the roof23and is resting on a ground surface. It should be understood that the ground surface can be anything that the structure102is resting on, including, other parts of the building, for example, a tiered building having other intermediate setbacks or roofs.

The washing apparatus500is shown cleaning the upright surface102. The washing apparatus500is configured to move in a vertical direction along the upright surface102during cleaning.

With continued reference toFIGS. 7 and 8, the cleaning structure508is adapted to contact the upright surface102during cleaning. Specifically, the cleaning structure508is configured to automatically clean the upright surface102as the washing apparatus500travels vertically along the upright surface102during operation. The cleaning structure508uses a power source, such as a battery, power cord or other external power source, and a water source (i.e., a hose) along with a spray nozzle511to clean the upright surface102. In some examples, the power cord and hose can be routed from the roof23.