APPARATUS FOR WET CLEANING OF FLOORS

Abstract: An apparatus for wet cleaning of floors and the like by means of a round rotating scrubbing brush (1) operated by a motor (11) and provided with a centrally mounted intake (5) for clean water to which detergent of a suitable kind has been added. Round the scrubbing brush (1) there is mounted an annular, non-rotating nozzle (3) which by means of suction effect diverts dirty cleaning water, the nozzle being provided with radial openings, some of which are located at the inner circumference of the nozzle and oriented inwardly towards the scrubbing brush (1) and some of which are located at the outer circumference of the nozzle and oriented outwardly towards a space arranged outside and round the nozzle (3), in the upper part of the space there being mounted a ring (13) which is rotatable by the motor (11) and provided with a plurality of openings (9) for rinsing water, the openings being oriented towards the floor, as well as with a plurality of lips (7) extending to the floor, the lips being arranged to force, on rotation of the ring, the rinsing water and the dirty cleaning water towards the openings at the outer circumference of the nozzle (3).

Description: APPARATUS FOR WET CLEANING OF FLOORS The present invention relates to a compact, motor- driven apparatus for wet cleaning of floors. At present, there is no suitable machine equipment for wet cleaning of floors available which would be appropriate for commercial use in today's environments, like on furnished premises, where existing cleaning equipment cannot be used because of its size. Further, the known scrubbing machines are characterized in that the scrubbing brushes are located separately from the suction nozzles. Usually, the suction nozzle is of rectangular shape and is located behind the scrubbing brushes, implying that after cleaning by means of these machines the floor is not completely dry. By means of the apparatus according to the invention, the above-mentioned disadvantages are avoided, since the appe- ratus is so compact, that it can be used also in small, for example, furnished rooms and has the advantage of leaving the floor surface completely dry after cleaning. The special features of the apparatus according tc the invention will be seen from the attached claims. With reference to the accompanying drawings, Figure : shows the cleaning appliance viewed from below. Figure 2 is a vertical section cf said appliance and Figure 3 shows the appliance provided with a handle and a hose and adapted to be connected to a water separator. The apparatus according to the invention for wet clean¬ ing of surfaces, such as floors and the like, has a centrally mounted, rotating, round scrubbing brush 1. Rotation is achieved by means of a connection 12 with a motor 11. In the centre of the scrubbing brush 1 there is an opening 5 for clean water containing detergent. By means of a hose or a tube 10, the opening is connected with a liquid supply. Round the circumference of the scrubbing brush 1 there is mounted an annular liquid nozzle 2, which in use of the apparatus is non-rotatable. Outside the outer circumference o the nozzle 2, there is a space, in the upper part of which there is mounted a ring 13 which is provided with a plurality of lipε ~ >, such as a plurality of fibres mounted in the ring 13 and extending to the floor, as well as with a plurality of openings 9 facing the floor for the supply of rinsing water t the floor surface outside the nozzle 3. The ring 13 is ar¬ ranged to rotate in the same direction of rotation as the scrubbing brush 1 or in the opposite direction of rotation to the same. Rotation is achieved by means of the motor 11 and a connection 15. The rinsing water is obtained from a liquid supply by means of a flexible hose or a tube 14. The ring 13 is arranged to slide towards the non-rotatable nozzle 3 via slide bearings 16. The nozzle 3, which is adapted to divert dirty cleaning water by means of suction effect, is provided with a plurality of radial openings 4, 6, some 4 of which are oriented inwardly towards the scrubbing brush 1 and some 6 of which are oriented outwardly towards the space located outsid the nozzle 3, in which space the rotating ring 13 with the lips 7 and openings 9 is mounted. The openings 4, 6 are adapt ed to lead the dirty cleaning water and rinsing water to a hose 18, which by means of suction effect will force the liquid to a water separator or the like, in which the dirty cleaning water can be collected. The cleaning water and rinsing water will be directed tc the openings 4, 6 by lips 2 mounted on the outer part of the scrubbing brush 1 and by the lips 7 mounted in the space outside the nozzle 3. The lips 2, 7«are formed in such a way as to keep the openings 4, 6 free of dirt particles. The apparatus according to the invention is surrounded by a non- rotating protective casing 8 which has no contact with the floor and is fixedly connected to the nozzle 3 by means of a plurality of spacing rods 17. The compact apparatus according tc the invention is operable by means of a handle 19 attached to the protective casing 8. The apparatus- functions in such a way that it supplies clean water containing detergent of a suitable kind to the scrubbing brush 1 inside the liquid nozzle 3 at the same time as supplying clean rinsing water to the outside of the liquid nozzle. The apparatus scrubs and rinses the floor surface and as part of one and the same operation, sucks up the dirty cleaning water via the nozzle 3, leaving the floor surface clean and dry with no dirt marks on it. The apparatus, which is very compact, facilitates access to surfaces under tables, beds, bookcases etc. which are otherwise difficult to reach. The apparatus is easy to carry, for instance, up stairs.

Claims: CLAIMS 1 An apparatus for we cleaning of floors and the like by means of a round rotating scrubbing brush (l. operated by a motor ?ll) and provided with a centrally mounted intake 5 ) for clean water to which detergent of a suitable kind has bee added, characterized in that round the scrubbing brush di there is mounted an annular, non-rotating nozzle (3) which by means of suction effect diverts dirty cleaning water, the nozzle (3) being provided with radial openings (4, 6), some (4) of which are located at the inner circumference of the nozzle and oriented inwardly towards the scrubbing brush (1) and some A-' of which are located at the outer circumference of the nozzle and oriented outwardly towards a space arranged outside and round the nozzle c3. , in the upper part of the space there being mounted a ring (13) . hich is rotatable by the motor (IA and provided with a plurality of openings (9) for rinsing water, the openings being oriented towards the floor, as well as with a plurality of lips (7) extending to the floor, the lips being arranged t ' c force, on rotation of the ring, the rinsing water and the dirty cleaning water towards the openings (6) at the outer circumference of the nozzle (3 > . 2 An apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that the ring (13) is arranged tc rotate in the same direc¬ tion of rotation as the scrubbing brush (1 ) or in the opposi direction of rotation to the same. 3 An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that round the apparatus there is mounted a non-rotating casing ( 8 ) provided with a handle (19 ) , the casing having no contact with the floor and being fixedly mounted to the nozz ( 3 ) . 4 An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dirty cleaning water is to be diverted by means of a hose (18). 5 An apparatus according to any cf the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of lips 2 are mounted at the circumference of the scrubbing brush (l. and arranged to force the dirty cleaning water towards the openings (4) lo¬ cated in the nozzle (3) and facing the scrubbing brush.

Inventors: TANASESCU OVIDIU, TURCEA RAZVAN, TANASESCU, OVIDIU, TURCEA, RAZVAN
Applicants: TANASESCU OVIDIU, TURCEA RAZVAN, TANASESCU, OVIDIU, TURCEA, RAZVAN
Application year: 1989
Main classification: A47L11
IPC codes: A47L11