Apparatus for cleaning a ground

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning a ground, comprising: a frame provided with wheels; supply means arranged on the frame for supplying cleaning liquid to the ground; suction means arranged on the frame for drawing up the cleaning liquid applied to the ground, wherein the suction means comprise one or more squeegees and wherein the squeegees comprise a strip of rubber material which is provided on the top with apertures which can be pressed close-fittingly over pin parts.

Description: Field of the invention The present invention relates to a floor cleaning machine. In particular, it relates to a machine suitable for wet cleaning, comprising suction means for drawing up cleaning liquid applied to the floor surface. Background of the invention Known apparatuses for cleaning a ground, wherein the ground is cleaned using a brush and cleaning liquid, usually comprise a suction device on the rear part thereof, while the brush and the liquid supply means are situated on the front part of the apparatus. Such apparatuses are usually bulky and can only be used in one direction. Furthermore, as a consequence of the configuration of such apparatuses it is often cumbersome to exchange wearing components of rubber material. EP-A-338, 773 discloses a floor cleaning apparatus comprising a frame provided with wheels, supply means arranged on the frame for supplying cleaning liquid to the floor, suction means arranged on the frame for drawing up the cleaning liquid applied to the floor, wherein the suction means comprise one or more squeegees and wherein the squeegees comprise a strip of rubber material. The present invention has for its object to provide a compact cleaning apparatus which can travel in both forward and rearward direction. Definition of the invention The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning a ground surface, comprising: a frame provided with wheels; supply means arranged on the frame for supplying cleaning liquid to the ground; suction means arranged on the frame for drawing up the cleaning liquid applied to the ground, wherein the suction means comprise one or more squeegees and wherein the squeegees comprise a strip of rubber material, according to claim 1. Detailed description of the invention The apparatus according to the present invention may com- prise one so-called squeegee which includes a wearing component of rubber material, and it is an object of the invention that this squeegee is easily exchangeable in the case of frequent use. The present invention provides a system with which such rubber components are easy to replace. According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a floor cleaning apparatus wherein the suction means comprise two squeegees which extend both immediately in front of and immediately behind the brush means, wherein also the rubber wearing component is easily replaceable. Further advantages, features and details of the present invention are elucidated on the basis of the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the annexed drawings, in which: fig. 1 shows a view in perspective of a preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention; fig. 2 is a view in perspective of detail III of fig. 1; and fig. 3 is an exploded view in perspective of detail III of fig. 2. An floor cleaning apparatus (1) according to the present invention comprises a tank (2) for fresh cleaning liquid and a tank (3) for collecting sucked up cleaning liquid, which tanks are arranged in a manner not shown on a frame. On this frame wheels are likewise arranged, of which the right-hand rear wheel (4) is shown in fig. 1. Extending on the rear part of the apparatus are push bars (5, 6) which are arranged pivotally on a pivot shaft and which extend up to a hand-grip (7) for the user. Close to hand-grip (7) are arranged diverse switches (8, 9, 10, 11 and 12) for actuating the various functions of the apparatus such as ON/OFF, suction etc. A hand-grip (13) is arranged on the front for easy lifting of apparatus (1), while a unit (14) is also situated thereunder which, as also shown in fig. 2, comprises a brush (16) rotatable on a horizontal shaft (15) in addition to suction units (17, 18), also referred to as squeegees, which draw up the applied liquid. A squeegee (17) (see also fig. 3) comprises one or more strips (19) of ribbed rubber material which is provided close to the top side with apertures (20) which can be pressed close-fittingly over pin parts (21) which preferably form part of the inner fixing part (22) of one piece of plastic material. The component (22) is further provided with two threaded ends (23) which, using counter-elements (24) on an outer fixing member (25), can be screwed fixedly thereon. The outer fixing member (25) is provided on the outer side with two free-turning wheels (26) respectively (27) to prevent collisions a side wall. As also shown clearly in fig. 2, the pin parts preferably have a slightly broader head (30) than the body (21) thereof. The slightly flexible rubber strips (19) are pressed in a simple operation over the heads (30), whereafter the inner fixing part (22) is screwed fixedly on the outer fixing member (25) using the counter-elements (24) so that the rubber strip (19) is enclosed between the inner and outer element. Also shown in fig. 3 are the suction openings (33) and (34) in respectively the outer and inner fixing element, in addition to further fixing parts (35) and (36) respectively on the outer fixing member (25) for fixing the integral unit of strips of rubber material' (19), inner fixing part 22) and outer fixing part (25) to a housing (37) of suction unit (14), preferably with a single screw element (38) (see also fig. 1). As shown in fig. 2, the strips of rubber material are bent slightly due to the underpressure in the squeegees (17) respectively (18) and for instance forward movements, so that some air is likewise drawn in between the corrugations in order to enable proper drawing up of the applied cleaning liquid together with this air. The rubber material extends upward beyond the pin parts (30) and, also due to the underpressure, provides a sealing at the top. In addition to easy replaceability of the strips of ribbed rubber material, the present invention also provides a compact cleaning unit which can be used in both forward and rearward direction in a comparatively small space in which it is often also important that this apparatus is easily manouevrable so as to enable the outer periphery of obstacles such as cabinets, tables, chairs etc. to be followed precisely. It has been found that the cleaning liquid has a sufficiently long activity when the squeegees are placed immediately in front of and behind the brush with which the cleaning liquid is brushed onto the ground. With this construction the apparatus according to the present invention becomes much more compact and manouevrable than those of the prior art wherein the squeegee is situated behind the rear wheels. It is emphasized that the floor cleaning apparatus shown in the figures illustrates only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that various constructional alternatives will be immediately evident to the person skilled in the art, without departing from the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims: Apparatus for cleaning a ground surface, comprising: a frame provided with wheels (4); supply means (2) arranged on the frame for supplying cleaning liquid to the ground; suction means arranged on the frame for drawing up the cleaning liquid applied to the ground, wherein the suction means comprise one or more squeegees and wherein the squeegees comprise a strip (19) of rubber material, characterised in that (a) said strip (19) is a rectangular blade provided on the side thereof being opposite to the side which is close to the ground surface, with apertures (20) which can be pressed close-fittingly over pin parts (21) arranged on an oblong-shaped inner fixing part (22), such that said inner fixing part is surrounded by the strip; and (b) the inner fixing part (22) is fixable to an outer fixing part (25) such that the strip (19) is received connectingly between the inner and outer fixing parts. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner fixing part (22) is manufactured from one piece of plastic material. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the suction means comprise 2 squeegees (17, 18) extending immediately in front of and immediately behind the supply means. Apparatus according to any of claims 1-3, provided with brush means (16) for brushing the ground surface using the cleaning liquid.

Inventors: WINDMEISSER DIETER, WINDMEISSER, DIETER
Applicants: UNILEVER NV, UNILEVER PLC, UNILEVER N.V.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A47L11
IPC codes: A47L11