Abstract:
A floor cleaning machine has one or more barriers immediately behind one or more scrubbing brushes, wherein the barriers capture and control flow of a cleaning solution (and/or other substances) that exits from beneath the scrubbing brush(es) so that such a solution is retained adjacent the scrub brush(es) and recycled underneath the scrub brush(es) for enhancing the floor cleaning effectiveness of the floor cleaning machine. The captured solution is urged back into contact with the scrubbing brush(es) by the same rotating action that urged the solution to be ejected from the scrubbing brush(es). The machine also includes at least one splash guard and a squeegee mounted at the rear of the machine, with each of these latter components serving distinctly different functions from that of the barriers. The machine may also include an exterior top storage area for retaining various items that are useful in cleaning the floor.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    The present application claims priority from prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/329,260, filed Oct. 12, 2001, which is fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to a floor cleaning machine for scrubbing floors and, in particular, to controlling the containment of a liquid cleaning solution and/or other materials, such as debris, during the scrubbing process in order to continue or enhance use of cleaning solution over a greater floor surface.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Of the various types of floor cleaning machines that have been developed, the expeditious use and reuse of a cleaning solution remains important to efficient cleaning or scrubbing of floors. In particular, many floor cleaning machines have rotary scrubbing brushes that rotate about a substantially vertical axis when scrubbing a floor. Accordingly, such rotary motion tends to eject the cleaning solution away from where the scrubbing brushes contact the floor. Thus, the cleaning solution must be constantly applied to the floor surface at a rate at least sufficient to replenish the cleaning solution at the scrub brush(es) that has been ejected by the centrifugal forces induced by the rotary motion of the brush(es). Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a cleaning machine that retains the cleaning solution a longer time period within proximity of the scrubbing brush(es) so that the cleaning solution does not have to be applied to the floor surface at as high a rate, and/or there is a greater amount of cleaning solution available under or about the scrubbing brush(es), thus providing for better floor cleaning. Additionally, it would be advantageous to be able to recirculate the cleaning solution on the floor surface such that when it is ejected from the scrubbing brush(es), a substantial amount of ejected solution is channeled along a flow path that leads this ejected solution back under the scrubbing brush(es). More particularly, it would be advantageous for the ejected cleaning solution to be channeled or pooled just behind the scrubbing brush cleaning assembly in a manner such that the same rotary action of scrubbing brush(es) causes this channeled or pooled cleaning solution to move toward the front of the scrubbing brush cleaning assembly, and thus once again come in operational contact with the scrubbing brush(es).  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The floor cleaning machine can be any number of differently configured scrubbing apparatuses including a rider machine or a walk behind machine with the scrubbing assembly located beneath or forward of the cleaning machine body, or any other scrubbing machine with a body or handle for engagement by the operator. Regardless of the machine&#39;s configuration, each of them has at least a first barrier for use in containing materials within the area serviced by the scrubbing assembly for a relatively longer period of time by preventing or substantially preventing the escape of liquid from the rear of the scrubbing assembly. In addition to the rear, the scrubbing assembly has a front. The front of the scrubbing assembly leads the scrubbing assembly over the floor during the floor scrubbing operation when the machine is moved in a forward direction, in contrast to movement of the machine in a reverse direction.  
           [0005]    In one embodiment, the scrubbing assembly has at least a first scrubbing brush with a circumference that has a circumferential portion that is less than the circumference. For example, the circumferential portion may be between about 90° and about 270°. The first barrier has portions that are disposed radially outwardly of this circumferential portion.  
           [0006]    One or more embodiments can also include a skirt or splash guard. The skirt is located outwardly of both the scrubbing assembly and the first barrier. The skirt has utility in substantially preventing or at least reducing unwanted splash that may occur during the operation of the floor cleaning machine.  
           [0007]    Each of the embodiments also preferably has a squeegee assembly that is located behind the scrubbing assembly in the context of movement of the floor cleaning machine when it is scrubbing a floor. Whenever the floor cleaning machine includes such a squeegee assembly, the first barrier is located closer to the first scrubbing brush than it is to the squeegee assembly.  
           [0008]    Based on the foregoing summary, a number of salient aspects of the present invention are readily noted. One or more barriers is provided that maintain solution for use by a scrubbing assembly for a longer period of time. Preferably, each barrier does not completely surround the associated brush of the scrubbing assembly, but is open at its front and closed at its rear. In one or more embodiments, the floor cleaning machine can include a skirt, in addition to the one or more barriers, for use in controlling any splash. The floor cleaning machine of the present invention can also include a squeegee assembly that is useful in picking up solution after the scrubbing assembly is finished with it scrubbing function. The squeegee assembly has preferred positioning relative to the one or more scrubbing brushes of the scrubbing assembly.  
           [0009]    Other advantages and benefits of the present invention will become evident from the accompanying drawings and the descriptions of the inventive features set out hereinbelow. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective exterior view of a cleaning machine  20  according to the present invention. Note that FIG. 1 shows a cavity  28  that provides storage for carrying various items used in cleaning a floor surface.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a cleaning machine  20 , wherein the cavity  28  does not have holding mechanisms  36  (FIG. 1) for retaining items in the cavity.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the cleaning machine  20  shown in FIG. 2, wherein a different assortment of items are shown residing in the cavity  28 .  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a scrubbing assembly  30  according to the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a scrubbing assembly  30  according to the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 shows a partial cross section of the scrubbing assembly  30  of FIG. 5, wherein the cross section is taken through the cutting plane identified by “A” in FIG. 5.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7 shows a magnified view of a portion of FIG. 6 thereby providing greater detail of some of the scrubbing assembly  30  components.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the scrubbing assembly  30  according to the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the scrubbing assembly  30  of FIG. 8.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the scrubbing assembly  30  with a hood  120  providing a splash guard between the scrubbing brushes  64  and  68  (e.g., FIG. 9) and the motors  84  and  88 .  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the scrubbing assembly  30  and hood  120  of FIG. 10. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]    With reference to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a floor cleaning machine  20  includes a body or housing  24  that is part of a walk behind floor cleaning machine which is moved under power activated by the operator who controls machine operation. The body  24  includes a main assembly  26  of the floor cleaning machine, wherein the main assembly includes at least the exterior side panels  27   a,  and front panel(s)  27   b  as well as a supporting frame (not shown). and to which a scrubbing assembly  30  is joined at one or more lower portions of the body  24 . The scrubbing assembly  30  has a front  30   f  which extends generally forwardly from the front panel(s)  27   b,  and thus this front  30   f  leads the main assembly  26  during forward motion of the machine  20 . The front  30   f  of the scrubbing assembly  30  has a lower portion  33  that serves as splash guard about the front of the machine  20 , thereby reducing and preferably preventing the cleaning solution (more generally, floor application substance) from an airborne exit from the scrubbing assembly  30  along the extent of the splash guard  33 . Note that the splash guard  33  is substantially adjacent to floor surface  31  about the front of the machine  20 , and further extends at least partially about the sides of the machine  20 . The scrubbing assembly rear  30   r  (FIGS. 4 and 5) is generally underneath the main assembly  26 . The scrubbing assembly  30  includes:  
         [0022]    (a) at least one scrubbing brush (not shown in FIG. 1, but one of which is labeled  64  in FIG. 4) positioned within the scrubbing assembly  30  for rotationally contacting the floor surface  31 ,  
         [0023]    (b) at least one brush motor (not shown in FIG. 1, but one of which is labeled  88  in FIG. 4) for rotating the at least one scrubbing brush, and  
         [0024]    (c) a frame assembly (also not shown in FIG. 1, but an embodiment of which is labeled  69  in FIG. 4) upon which the at least one brush motor is operably attached.  
         [0025]    Note that such a scrubbing brush may usually be comprised of a number plurality of bristles connected to a disk shaped head or base member (not shown in FIG. 1, but one of which is labeled  72  in FIG. 7). The ends of the scrubbing brush bristles scrub the floor surface  31  during the cleaning process.  
         [0026]    Positioned at the rear of the machine  20  is a squeegee assembly  29  for extracting excess and/or spent cleaning solution (more generally, a surface application substance or solution) from the floor surface  31 . Note that the squeegee assembly  29  may extend outwardly beyond the side panels  27   a  so as to capture the surface application substance or solution that escapes from underneath the machine  20 .  
         [0027]    In one embodiment, the machine body  24  includes a cavity or recess  28  of a desired size to accommodate and hold any one or a number of items that may be useful related to cleaning operations. The cavity  28  illustrated in FIG. 1 is generally centered along the top or upper portions of the body  24  between its front and rear ends and its two side walls. These upper portions can be defined as having a total outer surface area. The outer surface area of the cavity or cavities  28  is at least about 10 percent of the total outer surface area of the upper portions. In another embodiment, the outer surface area of the cavity or cavities  28  can be at least about 15 percent and, in yet another embodiment, the outer surface area of the cavity or cavities  28  can be at least about 20 percent. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, although it may not be necessary, a containment structure may be utilized to secure the one or more items in the cavity  28 . The containment structure might include one or more straps or cords  32 , which can have elastic or resilient properties, that extend laterally (and/or could extend longitudinally) relative to the machine body  24 . The straps  32  are held to the body  24  adjacent to the edges of the cavity  28  using holding mechanisms  36 , such as hooks, eyelets or fasteners, such as rivets, screws, bolts or the like, which may be fixed or removable. The number of straps  32  can vary and may depend on the size of the items that are to be held within the cavity  28 . As can be understood, other containment structures can be utilized including a single cover piece or a mesh, which could be made of a flexible material or relatively rigid material. Regardless of the physical characteristics of the containment structure, the portions thereof are positionable to permit access to the cavity  28  in order to place the one or more items within the cavity. After doing so, the containment structure is positioned to hold such items within the cavity  28 , such as during transport or movement of the machine  20 .  
         [0028]    Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, representative examples of items that can be positioned and held in the cavity  28  are illustrated. As seen in FIG. 2, a sign or other indicator  34  useful in notifying or warning others that a particular section of floor is being cleaned can be transported using the cavity  28 . The sign  34  can be subsequently set up by the operator at a desired location. The cavity  28  can also hold a container or bucket  38 . The container  38  can itself contain a number of separate cleaning utensils or articles, such as a liquid cleaning container  42  and a hand brush  44 . In addition to the cavity  28 , located adjacent the back of the body  24  of the machine  20 , wells or recesses can be formed therein for holding items, such as a spray bottle  50  and/or a drinking cup  54 . Referring to FIG. 3, the cavity  28  has a size sufficient to hold spare cleaning components, such as brushes  58 . The dimensions of the cavity  28  are even of a size to hold a relatively large battery charging unit  62 . The battery charging unit  62  can be used to charge the batteries that power the cleaning machine  20 . As can be appreciated, the cavity  28  can be part of cleaning machines other than a walk behind scrubbing machine. The structure and associated feature of the cavity  28  can be implemented or otherwise included with a variety of relatively larger cleaning machines including cleaning machines that have one or more of a sweeper, a burnisher and/or a scrubber, as one skilled in the art will appreciate.  
         [0029]    With reference to FIGS.  4 - 7 , one embodiment of a scrubbing assembly  30  that can be joined to the cleaning machine body  24  is next described. In this embodiment, the scrubbing assembly  30  includes a pair of scrubber subassemblies  61  having a first scrubbing brush  64  and a second scrubbing brush  68 , respectively, and having a combined frame assembly  69 . Each of the two scrubbing brushes  64 ,  68  is essentially disk-shaped with an outer perimeter or circumference. When activated or energized, each of the two brushes  64 , 68  rotates about its own central, vertical axis  70  (one of which is shown in FIG. 6).  
         [0030]    Referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and  7 , FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the scrubber subassemblies  61  and the sectioning plane, identified by “A” in FIG. 5, shows where the cross section illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 is located.  
         [0031]    Accordingly, FIGS. 6 and 7 show a depiction in more detail directed to the cross section of the second scrubbing brush  68 . The second scrubbing brush  68  includes a number of scrubbing bristles  72  (FIG. 7) attached to a head or base member  76 . As seen in FIG. 6, the base member  76  is formed with a recessed area at about its mid-portion to receive a driver element  80  that can be caused to rotate using a second scrubbing brush motor  84 . Note that a first scrubbing brush motor  88  is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 for similarly causing the first scrubbing brush  64  to rotate when the motor  88  is powered on.  
         [0032]    A key component of the present invention is one or more barrier or blocking units, each of which has a shape that generally follows the outer circumference of a corresponding scrubbing brush, and wherein each barrier tends to confine the cleaning solution so that it stays under or near the corresponding scrubbing brush for the barrier. In one preferred embodiment, each such barrier is attached to the frame assembly  69  (FIG. 4) by attachment components such as rivets, bolts, welds, clamps, etc. However, other barrier attachment sites and mechanisms are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, in the embodiment having two scrubbing brushes  64 ,  68  (e.g., FIG. 4), there are two such barriers  90   a,    90   b.  That is, a barrier for each of the two scrubber subassemblies  61 .  
         [0033]    Each such barrier  90   a  and/or  90   b  (and/or additional barriers) may be substantially identical in terms of structure and operation. Accordingly, even though some of the following descriptions may describe only one of a plurality of barriers (e.g., one of the two barriers  90   a,    90   b  of FIG. 4), in terms of structure and operation, it is to be understood that such a description applies to each such barrier if there is more than one barrier. Referring to each of the two barriers  90   a,    90   b  of FIG. 4, each barrier is joined to the scrubbing assembly  30 , and in particular, to a respective one of the scrubber subassemblies  61  (and more particularly to the frame assembly  69 ) using, e.g., fasteners, rivets, slots, openings and the like. In a preferred embodiment, each of the two barriers  90   a,    90   b  is comprised of a bracket  100  and a relatively rigid extender member  104  made of rubber (more generally an elastomeric) or the like. The extender member  104  of each of the barriers  90   a,    90   b  can be defined as including a bottom edge  106  that continuously contacts the floor surface being cleaned during the cleaning process or operation of the machine  20 . Each barrier  90   a,    90   b  is located generally, at least, at the rear of the scrubbing assembly  30  (i.e., generally, the portion of the scrubbing assembly that trails the scrubbing brush(es)  64  and  68 ) during forward motion of the machine  20 ). Moreover, it is preferred that each such barrier follow a contour or profile of the corresponding scrubbing brush about which the barrier at least partially surrounds. In particular, such a barrier may be shaped so that at least the bottom edge  106  of the barrier is coincident with an offset profile of the perimeter of the corresponding scrubbing brush, wherein this offset is from this scrubbing brush&#39;s floor contacting perimeter, and is approximately in the range of about one to about four inches from this perimeter. However, smaller offsets are also within the scope of the invention, such as, offsets within the range of ½ to one inch. Additionally, note that each such barrier follows its corresponding scrubbing brush&#39;s perimeter for at least most (if not the entire) rearward portion of the corresponding scrubbing brush. More specifically, each such barrier follows an offset contour of its corresponding scrubbing brush for at least approximately 120° of angular extent about the rotational center of the corresponding scrubbing brush. Based on this rearward location of the barrier(s), together with its design or construction, the cleaning solution or other liquid used in scrubbing the floor surface is captured or trapped in the retention area  108 , at least for a relatively longer period of time in comparison with scrubbing assemblies that do not have one or more barriers  90   a,    90   b,  in order that the cleaning material can be used for a longer time by the scrubbing brush(es) having the barrier associated therewith. More generally, each such barrier can be described as not exceeding a predetermined offset from a corresponding one of the scrubbing brushes for at least most of the width (e.g., diameter) of this corresponding scrubbing brush when the machine  20  is operatively moving in a forward direction and cleaning the floor surface  31 .  
         [0034]    Additionally, note that one embodiment may include a single unified barrier that follows an offset from each of a plurality of scrubbing brushes. Thus, e.g., in such an embodiment, the barriers  90   a  and  90   b  of FIG. 4 may be combined into a single unified barrier, wherein the adjacent ends of the barriers  90   a  and  90   b  that are generally between the scrubbing brushes  64  and  68  are attached to one another.  
         [0035]    It is an aspect of the machine  20  that the cleaning solution or other floor surface application materials or substances can be characterized as being held, at least for some time interval, in a the retention area  108  (FIGS. 4, 9 and  11 ) at those portions of the scrubbing brushes  64 ,  68  which are then adjacent to the rear  30   r  of the scrubbing assembly  30 . In particular, the retention area  108  may be within two inches of each scrubbing brush, and preferably within 1.5 inches of each scrubbing brush, and more preferably within one inch of each scrubbing brush. Moreover, during rotation of, e.g., the first scrubbing brush  64 , the materials or solutions, including, e.g., the cleaning solution in the retention area  108 , are caused to move in a direction from the rear  30   r  to the front  30   f  of the scrubbing assembly  30 . In the embodiment in which there are two scrubbing brushes  64 ,  68 , rotation of the scrubbing brushes  64 ,  68  causes at least some of such materials, including liquids, to move forwardly past and between the peripheral circumferential portions of the scrubbing brushes  64 ,  68  that are adjacent to each other. In any case, such a liquid surface application substance or solution, that is retained in the retention area  108  for a relatively short period of time adjacent the scrubbing brushes, is caused to move towards the front  30   f  of the scrubbing assembly  30  and escape from the peripheral or circumferential portions of the scrubbing brushes  64 ,  68  that are not bounded by the barriers  90   a,    90   b  since these barriers do not extend about the entire perimeter or all circumferential portions of either the first and second scrubbing brushes  64 ,  68 . Moreover, note that the lower portion  33  substantially prevents the surface application substance or solution from spraying out the front of the machine  20  in the embodiments of the invention wherein the barrier(s) (e.g.,  90   a  and  90   b ) do not completely surround the front of the scrubbing brushes. Moreover, the lower portion  33  is generally further from the scrubbing brush(es) than the barrier(s). In particular, where the lower portion  33  and a barrier overlap radially from the center of a scrubbing brush, the barrier overlap is closer to the scrubbing brush than the splash guard  33 .  
         [0036]    Since each of the two barriers  90   a,    90   b  may be configured to correspond or match the disk circular shape of each of the scrubbing brushes  64 ,  68 , each barrier  90   a,    90   b  may be arcuate-shaped and is located a desired radial distance outwardly from the circumferential or peripheral portions of its respective scrubbing brush  64 ,  68  (e.g., such radial distance being less than two inches, and preferably less than one inch). The arcuate length or perimeter of each arcuate-shaped barrier  90   a,    90   b  is less than that of the perimeter or circumference of its respective scrubbing brush  64 ,  68 . In one embodiment, the perimeter of such a barrier, particularly the extender member  104 , can be characterized in terms of its arcuate extent. Specifically, the actuate extent defines an arc of at least about 90° about the corresponding scrubbing brush, and generally no greater than about 270°. Hence, each barrier extends radially outwardly about the circumference or perimeter of its associated scrubbing brush generally no greater than about 270°.  
         [0037]    With respect to the positioning of the barrier relative to a scrubbing brush, it is preferred that the radial distance between the inner surface of the extender member  104  and the closest bristle  72  portion of the scrubbing brush being be less than 2 inches, more preferably less than about 1.5 inches and most preferably less than about 1 inch. This desired radial distance ensures or facilitates the desired retention of cleaning solution or other liquid surface application substance relative to the scrubbing brush bristles  72 . It is also preferred that each barrier be fixedly held to the scrubbing assembly  30  so that there is no relative movement therebetween, particularly that there be no pivotal movement between each of the barriers and the scrubbing assembly  30 , e.g., about an axis of rotation of a scrubbing brush.  
         [0038]    With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, an embodiment of the barriers  90   a  and  90   b  is illustrated in which each of these barriers  90  has a perimeter or arcuate shape that extends for about 270° and has, or is at least close to, the desired maximum arc for controlling the liquid substance or solution within the scrubbing assembly  30 , while allowing a sufficient open area for materials including the liquid solution to escape from the scrubbing assembly  30  at its front  30   f.    
         [0039]    In yet another embodiment, at least the extender member  104  could extend a complete 360° radially outwardly of and surrounding a scrubbing brush. According to this embodiment, a slot, notch or other open area would be formed in the extender member  104  to allow for the escape of the surface application substance or solution (and, e.g., surface materials suspended and/or dissolved therein) at the front  30   f  of the scrubbing assembly  30 . This open area could be formed by providing the extender member  104  with at least two different heights. The first height of the extender member  104  that includes portions adjacent to the rear  30   r  of the scrubbing assembly  30  could be greater than the height of the extender member  104  at the front  30   f  of the scrubbing assembly 2430. The reduced height defines a space or gap at the bottom of the extender member  104  so that it does not contact the floor surface and thereby allows the surface application substance or solution to escape.  
         [0040]    In still another embodiment, the height of the extender member  104  could be the same throughout but still a space or gap is defined at its front  30   f  to enable liquid and other materials to exit the scrubbing assembly  30 . In one embodiment, the open area defined by the space between the floor surface  31  and the bottom edge  106  of the extender member  104  has an area comparable to the area in the embodiment in which the extender member terminates after a desired number of degrees, such as 270°.  
         [0041]    With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, a further preferred embodiment of the scrubbing assembly  30  is illustrated that has essentially the same features and construction of FIGS.  1 - 7 , for example. Additionally, this embodiment includes a skirt hood or splash guard  120  which serves as an internal splash guard for preventing airborne particles and/or cleaning application substances or solutions from interfering with the operation of the scrubbing brush motor(s), e.g.,  84  and  88 . The skirt hood  120  may include an downwardly directed skirt  124  that is located outwardly of each barrier  90   a  and  90   b.  In one embodiment, the shortest distance between any portion of a barrier  90   a  or  90   b  and the skirt  124  is greater than any radial distance between each such barrier  90  and its associated scrubbing brush. Like splash guards or skirts used in conventional designs, the skirt  120  is useful in preventing or otherwise controlling liquid spattering or splashing of the surface application substance or solution that typically occurs during the a scrubbing process.  
         [0042]    The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Further, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variation and modification commensurate with the above teachings, within the skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain the best mode presently known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention as such, or in other embodiments, and with the various modifications required by their particular application or uses of the invention.