Abstract:
A battery-powered washing unit is described which includes a motor drive unit driven by a DC battery pack with a yoke attached around the motor drive unit. An elongate and extendable handle is connected to the yoke for the user to grasp, and various brushes are connectable to the output shaft of the motor drive unit. Preferably the battery pack is sealed and self-contained and includes an integrated switch member at the top of the battery pack which consists of two powered positions, a low power and high power for various rotary speeds of the brush. Furthermore, the connection between the yoke and the motor drive unit consists of a locking mechanism having at least two locked positions, and a swivel position where the motor drive unit and the brush can swivel relative to the brush handle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to a hand-held washing unit which includes an elongate wand for holding by the user, with a brush on the end of the unit for assisting in the cleaning of objects, particularly useful for cleaning automobiles. 
   2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
   Many types of devices exist for cleaning objects such as automobiles, most of which include an elongate wand which is a conduit for receiving water therethrough. At the upper end of the wand is a hose bib for connection with a hose and at the opposite and lower end, a stationary brush which receives water therethrough. Some devices are designed such that a soap tablet can be positioned within the brush such that upon application of water, soap foam is produced through the brush for cleaning purposes. These designs have two inherent shortcomings. Firstly, due to the stationary brush, the user must exert great energy in the cleaning of an automobile to remove imbedded dirt, tar and the like. Secondly, as the water comes through the brush and forms the soap foam, the brush must be disconnected from the hose in order that the automobile can be rinsed with clean water. 
   Another type of design is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,605 to Armbruster, which anticipates a rotary brush driven by a DC battery. In this design, the brush anticipates that the motor wiring is brought through the elongate handle, and is connected to a battery pack which the user wears. This design is somewhat cumbersome and difficult to use and has an inherent design problem as it relates to the wiring coming through the elongate handle, as the elongate handle must extend and contract for the user as well as for the object to be cleaned. 
   These and other shortcomings of the prior existing designs have been accomplished by the below-described invention. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The objects of the invention have been accomplished by providing a hand held washing unit comprising a motor drive unit comprising a housing having an upper battery receiving cavity and a lower motor receiving cavity, a motor received in the lower cavity, electrical contacts positioned within the upper cavity being electrically connected to the motor, a linkage drivingly connected to the motor, and an output drive member connected to the linkage; an elongate handle connected to the motor drive unit for grasping while in use; a battery pack receivable in the upper cavity, the battery pack having a housing for receipt of at least one battery, the battery being electrically connected to battery contacts external of the housing, the battery being in alignment with the motor contacts; and a switch interconnected between the battery and motor, for switching power between the battery and motor; whereby, upon installation of the battery pack into the upper cavity, the battery contacts electrically engage the motor contacts, electrically interconnecting the battery to the motor. 
   Preferably, the motor drive axis and the output drive member are aligned along a common axis. The upper cavity is in alignment with the common axis, such that the battery is installed along the common axis. The battery pack includes a plurality of serially connected batteries connected at opposite poles to the battery contacts. The battery pack is comprised of a bipartite housing comprising an upper housing and lower housing, the bipartite housing including battery positioning walls therein, and three batteries positioned therein. The switch is preferably intermediate the serial connection, and is installed in the battery pack. The battery pack is comprised of a housing member having an upper and lower surface, the battery contacts being positioned on the lower surface, and being receivable within the upper cavity, the switch being positioned within the switch housing member, the battery pack further comprising an actuator for the switch, the actuator extending through the upper surface of the housing member. The switch includes a full power position and a partial power position, the partial power position having silicon rectifier diodes in series therewith, for controlling the voltage drop. 
   In another aspect of he invention, a hand held washing unit comprises a motor drive unit comprising, a housing having a lower drive train receiving cavity, a drive train positioned within the receiving cavity, the drive train comprising a motor positioned in and held by a gear casing, the gear casing having gear teeth on an inner periphery thereof, and a planetary gear assembly positioned within the gear casing and driven by the motor, the planetary gear assembly having an output drive shaft, a brush for connection with the output drive shaft, an elongate handle connected to the motor drive unit for grasping while in use, and a battery assembly for connection with the motor for driving the motor. 
   Preferably, the planetary assembly is comprised of a double planetary gear set. The motor drive unit is further comprised of a housing having an upper battery receiving cavity and a lower receiving cavity, the motor and planetary gear assembly positioned in the lower cavity, and electrical contacts positioned within the upper cavity being electrically connected to the motor. The battery assembly is comprised of a battery pack receivable in the upper cavity, the battery pack having a housing for receipt of at least one battery, the battery being electrically connected to battery contacts external of the housing, the battery being in alignment with the motor contacts. The battery pack includes a plurality of serially connected batteries connected at opposite poles to the battery contacts. The battery pack is comprised of a bipartite housing comprising an upper housing and lower housing, the bipartite housing including battery positioning walls therein, and three batteries positioned therein. The switch is intermediate the serial connection. The switch is installed in the battery pack. The battery pack is comprised of a housing member having an upper and lower surface, the battery contacts being positioned on the lower surface, and being receivable within the upper cavity, the switch being positioned within the switch housing member, the battery pack further comprising an actuator for the switch, the actuator extending through the upper surface of the housing member. The switch includes a full power position and a partial power position, the partial power position having silicon rectifier diodes in series therewith, for controlling the voltage drop. 
   In yet another aspect of the invention, a hand held washing unit comprising, a motor drive unit comprising a housing having a lower motor receiving cavity, a motor received in the lower cavity, a linkage drivingly connected to the motor, an output drive member connected to the linkage; a battery connected to the motor, a yoke attached to the motor drive unit and an elongate handle connected to the yoke for grasping while in use, the yoke having a locking mechanism cooperable between the yoke and drive unit, the locking mechanism having a plurality of locked positions, locking the motor drive unit in a plurality of positions. 
   Preferably, the yoke has yoke arms flanking the motor drive unit, and the locking mechanism is comprised of a locking ring attached to the motor drive unit, inside one of the yoke arms, and a selector knob cooperable with the locking ring and extending through the yoke arm, the selector knob being rotatable between select positions whereby the knob can be locked to the locking ring and to the yoke arm. The cooperation between the selector knob, the locking ring and the yoke arm provides two locked positions and a floating position. 
   In yet another aspect of the invention, a battery powered apparatus and charging assembly, comprises a drive mechanism having a housing, a motor and a linkage to a drive member, the housing having a battery receiving cavity. A battery pack is receivable in the battery-receiving cavity, and is latchably attached within the cavity. A storage member for positioning on a wall is provided, having a hanging bracket for storing the unit, the storage member further comprising a charging unit which receives the battery pack in a charging configuration. In this manner the battery pack can be removed from the apparatus, the apparatus stored on the storage member, and the battery removed and placed in the charging unit. 
   Preferably, the charging unit is removable from the storage member. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the battery-powered washer with the brush oriented at an angle relative to the handle; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the hand-held scrubber from the opposite side as that shown in  FIG. 1  showing the brush and handle in approximately parallel orientation; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the major components of the subject invention; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the motor drive unit of the subject invention; 
       FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of the locking mechanism between the motor drive unit and handle; 
       FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of the self-contained battery pack; 
       FIG. 7  shows a length-wise cross-sectional view of the entire assembly; 
       FIG. 8  shows an exploded view of the battery portion of  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the motor drive unit housing shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view of the housing shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view through lines  11 — 11  of  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view through lines  12 — 12  of  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a front plan view of the yoke which is used on the handle of the washer shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 13A  is a cross-sectional view through lines  13 A— 13 A of  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 13B  is a cross-sectional view through lines  13 B— 13 B of  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view through lines  14 — 14  of  FIG. 13B ; 
       FIG. 15  is a top plan view of the locking ring shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view through lines  16 — 16  of  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 17  is a side plan view of the locking ring of  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 18  is a top plan view of the locking selector knob shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view through lines  19 — 19  of  FIG. 18 ; 
       FIG. 20  shows a side plan view of the battery housing; 
       FIG. 21  shows a bottom plan view of the battery housing of  FIG. 20 ; 
       FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view through lines  22 — 22  of  FIG. 21 ; 
       FIG. 23  is a side plan view of one of the batteries for the battery pack; 
       FIG. 24  is an end plan view of the battery of  FIG. 23 ; 
       FIG. 25  is a circuit schematic of the motor head; 
       FIG. 26  is a circuit schematic for the battery pack; 
       FIG. 27  is a perspective view showing the washer and battery pack in the storage cradle/recharger; and 
       FIG. 28  shows an isometric view of the battery cradle and recharger of  FIG. 27 . 
       FIGS. 29–31  show diagrammatical views of the detented position and operation of the torsionally spring loaded head. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the battery-powered washer of the present invention is shown generally at  2 , and includes a motor drive unit  4 , a battery pack  6 , an attachment such as a brush  8 , an elongate handle  10  attached to the motor drive unit  4  by way of a yoke  12 , and a lock selector knob  14 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the various components are shown exploded away from the motor drive unit  4 , the brush  8  being shown unsnapped from the motor drive unit  4 , the battery pack  6  being shown removed from the upper portion of the motor drive unit  4 , and the yoke  12  being shown removed from the motor drive unit  4 . 
   With respect to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  9  through  12 , the motor drive unit  4  will be described in greater detail. With respect first to  FIG. 4 , the entire motor drive unit  4  is shown in an exploded manner with the motor drive unit  4  generally including a motor housing  20 , an electric DC motor  22 , a gear casing  24 , a double planetary gear set  26 , a lower cover  28 , and a drive lug  30 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the motor housing  20  generally comprises a cylindrical housing portion  32  having an upper cylindrical portion  34  comprised of an inner surface  36  and an intermediate wall at  38 . The inner surface  36  includes a plurality of lugs at  40  for locking the battery in place as will be described in further detail. As shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 9 , housing  20  includes an electrical contact pad at  42  which has a wire contact portion extending through the surface  38  for contact with the motor wiring as will be described herein. 
   With respect now to  FIGS. 9 through 12 , the housing  20  includes a lower opening at  48  to access an extension wall  50  projecting downwardly from upper wall  38 . Extension wall  50  has an internal peripheral surface  52  having arcuate stop lugs  54  positioned thereon having stop surfaces at  56 . Stop lugs  58  extend downwardly from the wall  38  and are positioned intermediate the stop lugs  54 . Finally, as shown in  FIG. 4 , housing  20  includes end flat sections  60  and  62  where section  60  includes a flat end surface  64  having a mounting post  66  extending therefrom and an arcuate rotational stop  68  having end stops at  70 ,  72  as described herein. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 11 , end wall  62  includes a cylindrical mounting section  80  having a slot at  82 , and diametrically opposed locking ribs  84  (only one of which can be viewed from  FIG. 11 ). 
   With respect now to  FIG. 4 , the drive train of the motor drive unit  4  includes the motor  22 , gear casing  24 , and double planetary assembly  26 . Motor  22  is a DC motor having an outer body portion  90 , leads  92 , and an output shaft  94 . The gear casing  24  includes an inner opening at  100  having a plurality of protrusions  102  for retaining the electric motor  22  as described herein. The lower half of planetary housing  24  includes on the inner diameter thereof, planetary gear teeth  104  for cooperation with the planetary gear train  26 . 
   The planetary gear train  26  is comprised of a triangular drive member  106  having upstanding drive posts  108  and a drive pinion  110  extending from the opposite side. Planetary gears  112  are positioned on each of the posts  108  (only one such planetary gear at  112  shown) and pinion gear or sun gear  114  is driven by the output shaft  94  of the motor, with the pinion  114  being drivingly positioned in the center opening adjacent to the three planetary gears  112  and in driving connection therewith. Planetary gear assembly  26  further includes a drive member  116  having three upstanding posts  118  and an output drive shaft  120 . Three planetary gears  122  are positioned over the posts and then receive between them output pinion  110  from the drive member  106 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , lower cover  28  includes a receiving area at  130  and an opening  132  profiled to receive the drive shaft  120 . Openings  134  align with threaded openings  49  in the housing  20  ( FIG. 10 ) for receipt of a fastener to retain the assembly together. Finally, drive member  30  includes an opening  140  profiled to cooperate with drive member  120 , and further includes drive teeth  142 . It should be appreciated to those skilled in the art that the drive member  30  is held to the drive shaft  120  by way of a spring clip or cotter pin, as is well known in the art. 
   With reference now to  FIGS. 5 and 13  through  19 , yoke  12  and the locking assembly  14  will be described in greater detail. The locking assembly  14  is comprised of a selector knob  150 , a locking ring  152 , and a compression spring  154 . The knob assembly  14  cooperates with the locking lug  84  on housing  20 , as well as with the yoke  12 . With reference to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the yoke is shown as including a socket portion  160  having yoke arms  162  and  164  extending therefrom. Yoke arm  164  includes a receiving end  165 , while yoke arm  162  includes a cupped-shape portion  166  at a lower end thereof. The cupped-shape portion  166  has a recessed portion at  168 , the recessed portion  168  having an inside diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of member  80  on the housing  20 . The cupped-shape portion  166  further includes an opening at  170  with a recessed section at  172  surrounding the perimeter of the opening  170 , thereby forming lock lugs  174 . Finally, an opening at  178  carries a set screw as will be described herein. 
   With respect now to  FIGS. 13B and 14 , the receiving end  165  is shown in greater detail. It should be understood in general that receiving end  165  is profiled to be received over post  66  and rotational stop  68  ( FIG. 4 ) and generally includes an annular channel at  165   a  having stops  165   b  and  165   c . A cut-out section is formed in the molding of the yoke at  165   d  to extend downwardly and through wall section  165   e  forming an arcuate-shaped opening at  165   f  extending through to circular opening  165   g . Thus, an arcuate opening  165   f  exists connecting annular channel  165   a  and annular opening  165   g  the length of the arcuate slot  165   d . This arcuate slot  165   d  also forms an edge at  165   h  and at  165   i  as will be described herein. Finally, an opening  165   j  extending through wall  165   e  is centrally located relative to the receiving end  165 . 
   With respect now to  FIGS. 15 through 17 , the locking ring  152  will be described in detail. The locking ring  152  includes an annular ring section  180  having projecting arms  182  which project outwardly from the annular ring section  180  and include on an outer surface thereof slots  184 , which are profiled to be slidably receivable over the ribs  84  on housing  20 . The annular ring  180  is further defined by cut-outs  186  positioned on one side of the arms  182 , which extend deeply into the annular ring  180  as shown best in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . On the opposite side of the arms  182  are cut-outs  188  which are shallow as compared to cut-outs  186  as best shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . 
   With respect now to  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the selector knob  150  is shown as generally including an annular body portion  190  having a knob handle  192  for grasping and turning the knob as is generally known in the art. As shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the selector  150  includes three locking feet  194  extending radially outwardly therefrom and have a width which is somewhat less than the width of either of the cut-outs  186  or  188 . Furthermore, the outer diameter  196  of the ring  190  is profiled to be receivable within the diameter  181  of the annular ring  180 . The annular ring  190  includes two pair of slots  198 ,  200  diametrically opposed from each other as described further herein. It should be recognized, however, that the width of the slots  198 ,  200  is profiled to be receivable over the lugs  174  shown in  FIG. 13A . 
   With reference now to FIGS.  6  and  20 – 22 , the battery assembly will be described in greater detail. The battery assembly  6  is comprised of an upper housing portion  220  having a recess at  222  with a centrally located aperture at  224 . The housing  220  has an outer annular wall portion  226  forming an internal cavity at  228 . Receiving nests are formed by arcuate walls at  230  for receiving and locating batteries as described further herein. The housing  220  further includes an internal upper surface at  232  having locating slots at  234  and  236 . The battery assembly  6  also includes a plunger assembly including a plunger rod  240  receivable through a compression spring  242  and a membrane seal  244  for positioning above the plunger  240 , and a lock ring  246  for containing the assembly together, as more fully disclosed herein. 
   With respect now to  FIGS. 6 ,  23  and  24 , the individual battery member is shown at  250  including a rechargeable cell body at  252  and includes electrodes at  254  and  256  to provide the opposite polarity connections as is well known in the art. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the batteries are comprised of nickel cadmium rechargeable batteries. With respect still to  FIG. 6 , a lower platen  260  is shown having a plate portion  262  having stand-off legs at  264 . The platen  260  includes arcuately shaped walls arranged in pairs such as pairs  266   a ,  266   b , and  266   c . It should be appreciated that these pairs of walls are arcuately configured to receive and position the battery member  250  in a predetermined position relative to the other batteries and to the battery assembly as further described herein. 
   With reference still to  FIG. 6 , a switch member is shown at  270  including a switch body  272  and a switch contact at  274 . The switch  270  further includes a plurality of electrical terminals  276  for the connection of individual wire conductors thereto for switching of electric power from the battery to the motor. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the switch is operated by the pushing of the contact switch  274  and can operate between three positions, off, low power, and high power. With respect to  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the battery  6  further includes a lower housing portion  280  which is cooperable with the upper housing portion  220  to form a sealed enclosure. Such cooperation could be formed by ultrasonic welding or by adhesive fixing or other known means in the art. The lower housing portion  280  includes an internal cavity at  282  formed by an annular outer wall  284  and a floor at  286 . The floor at  286  includes openings therethrough for contact tabs  288  which cooperate with the contacts  42  on the motor housing and further include wire contact portions at  290  for connection of the power from the batteries and switch as described herein. Finally, the battery portion includes an outer annular seal member  300  which is slidably receivable over the outer wall portion  284  to form a sealed connection with the motor drive unit  4  as further described herein. With the battered powered washer as described above, the assembly of the unit will now be described with respect to the various drawing figures. 
   With respect to  FIG. 4 , the assembly of the motor drive unit  4  will be described in detail. The pinion gear  114  is first assembled to the output shaft  94  of the motor  22 , and the assembled motor  22  is then inserted into the gear casing  24 . As mentioned above, the motor  22  is held within the gear casing  24  by an interference fit between the outer surface  90  of the housing  22  and the projections  102  in the gear casing  24 . The double planetary gear set is then assembled by positioning the planetary gears  122  over the individual posts  118  and then by placing the pinion gear  110  intermediate the three assembled planetary gears  122 . The planetary gears  112  are then assembled to their respective posts  108 , and the assembly of the double planetary gear set  26  is then positioned inside of the gear casing  24  such that the first three planetary gears  112  are meshing with the gears  104 , and then further inserted such that the planetary gears  122  mesh with the gears  104 . Continued insertion of the double planetary gear set  26  will cause the pinion gear  114  to be drivingly positioned between the three planetary gears  112 . When the double planetary gear set  26  is fully assembled as described above, the assembly of the motor  22 , the gear casing  24 , and the double planetary gear set  26  can be positioned within the housing  20 , to a position where the motor  22  abuts the stand-offs  58  and the end of the gear casing  24  abuts the arcuate sections  54  (see  FIG. 7 ). At this position, lower cover  28  can be assembled to the housing  20  by allowing drive shaft  120  to project through opening  132 , and by positioning fasteners through apertures  134  into housing openings  49  ( FIG. 10 ). The drive member  30  can then be assembled to the drive shaft  120  by way of a cotter pin or spring pin. 
   With respect now to  FIGS. 5 and 13  through  19 , the assembly of the locking mechanism  14  will now be described. The compression spring  154  is first inserted in the annular recess  202  and the locking ring  152  is then positioned over the selector knob  150  such that the feet  194  position themselves within the cut-outs  186 . This assembly can then be positioned within the cylindrical member  80  such that the slots  184  are slidably received over ribs  84 . The yoke  12  can then be assembled over the cylindrical portion  80  to a position where raised sections  174  are received in one of the slots  198 ,  200  on the knob  150 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the yoke  12  includes indicia  179  showing a locked and unlocked position, which corresponds to locked and unlocked positions between the yoke and the housing  20 . When the selector knob  150  is aligned such that knob portion  192  is aligned with the locked indicia, the feet  194  of knob  150  are received in cut-outs  186  of the locking ring  152 . In this position, knob  150  is spring loaded to its fullest extent, outwardly of the retaining ring  152  such that one of the slots  198  or  200  engages with the projections  174  of the yoke member. To allow the motor drive unit  4  to swivel, the selector knob  150  is rotated to a position clock-wise where the locking feet  194  now reside within cut-outs  188 . In this position, the selector knob  150  is spring loaded inwardly further towards surface  62  to a position where slots  198 ,  200  do not engage lugs  174 , and thus yoke  12  is free to rotate relative to motor drive unit  4 . 
   With reference to  FIGS. 6 and 26 , the assembly of the battery pack will be described. The switch  270  is mounted to the inner surface  286  of the lower housing portion  280  such that the switch member  274  is positioned at the center of opening  280 . Platform  260  can then be positioned within the opening  282  such that switch member  274  extends upwardly through the center opening of plate  260 . The individual batteries  280  can then be positioned between their respective arcuate walls  266   a ,  266   b , and  266   c  and then wired to the switch. It should be appreciated that the individual batteries are connected to each other in series and then run through the switch for the switched connection. It should also be appreciated from  FIG. 26  that the battery member  6 , will include three contact members, two of which will be for connection to the contacts  42  of the housing  20  and one for charging as to be described herein. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the voltage variation is obtained by using a series of connected silicon rectifier diodes connected to the three-position switch that functions as off/low/high. The advantage of using the silicon rectifier diodes is that an almost constant voltage drop is obtained across the device (typically 0.7 volts), as compared to using a resistor which would have a varying voltage drop depending upon the motor load current. 
   With the batteries wired together and through the switch contact elements  276  and to the battery contacts  288   a  and  288   b , the upper housing portion  220  can be assembled to the lower housing portion  280 . In this respect, plunger  240  is positioned through the compression spring  242  and then into opening  224 . The membrane  244  is then positioned over plunger  240  and locking ring  246  positioned in place. Once again, locking ring  246  could either be adhesively fixed within the recess  222  or could be ultrasonically bonded therein. The upper housing  220  is then fixed to the lower housing  280 , again either adhesively or through ultrasonic welding. It should be appreciated then that the battery assembly  6  is a self-contained and sealed connection, as well as provides an integrated switch connection from the exterior of the battery pack by depressing membrane  244  activating plunger  240  which contacts switch contact  274 . Thus, the battery pack can be alternatively advanced through the modes power off, low power, and high power from the exterior of the battery. 
   As described above, the battery is ready for installation within the motor drive unit  4  and the unit can be used. As shown in  FIG. 6 , it should be appreciated that the battery lower housing  280  includes bayonet-style slots  285  for connection with the lugs  40  in  FIG. 11 . It should be appreciated that when the battery  6  is positioned as described above, contacts  288   a  and  288   b  of the battery contact corresponding contacts  42   a  and  42   b  of the motor drive unit. As shown in  FIG. 26 , a separate and unswitched lead wire extends between a third contact of the battery  288   c  directly to the batteries for charging purposes. 
   In that regard, and with reference to  FIGS. 27 and 28 , a combination storage cradle and charging unit is shown generally at  300  which is comprised of a cradle member  302  and a charging unit  304 . As shown in  FIG. 28 , the cradle  302  includes upper cradle hangers  306  which flank a central slot  308 . Thus, it should be appreciated that the cradle  302  can be positioned adjacent to a wall, for example, a wall within a garage, and can be fixed in place by apertures extending through openings  310  of the cradled  302 . This allows the battery-powered washer  2  to be hung in place as depicted in  FIG. 27 . A removable battery recharger  304  is positionable and receivable within an opening  312  of the cradle  302  and in turn has a power cable  314  for connection to an AC voltage source for recharging. The recharger thus has recharging contact members at  320  which contact the contact elements  288   b  and  288   c  of the battery pack  6 . Thus, as mentioned, the cradle  300  can be positioned against a wall and the battery  6  can be recharged while the unit is hanging. Alternatively, the user can have an extra rechargeable battery  6  and can leave one of the batteries fixed to the motor drive unit  4  and always have a recharged battery  6  in the recharger unit. It is anticipated that the charger  300  is of the type that recharges the battery to its full capacity, and thereafter is automatically shut off to not further draw power. It is anticipated that the charging unit  304  has an LED readout at  322 , which indicates when the unit is charging. However, advantageously, the charging unit  304  is removable from the cradle  302  in the event that the user wishes to use the unit elsewhere and will require the battery charging unit. Although not specifically shown, it is anticipated that the cradle  302  will have a mounting lug extending from side wall  314  which is of a similar profile to that drive lug  30  and extends outwardly such that an alternate brush  8  can be held in place to the cradle. 
   Thus, it is anticipated that the battery-powered washer is usable in many household cleaning tasks, probably most usable for such items as washing an automobile and thus two brush configurations are included, that is, configurations  8   a  and  8   b , where a first brush  8   a  is usable for the body, hood, and roof of an automobile, and where a brush such as  8   b  would be usable for areas such as cleaning the wheels or grill of the automobile. Advantageously, the motor drive unit has three different positions relative to the yoke in which it can operate, that is, the selector knob can be placed in two locked positions in which case the motor drive unit has two locked positions relative to the yoke, and one position where the head is free to pivot. It is anticipated that the two locked positions would be angular orientations of the motor drive unit relative to the yoke such that in one position, the hand-held unit could be held with the head down for access to the wheels of the automobile and in another locked position, the unit could be held somewhat horizontally by the elongate handle  10  for washing the sidewalls of an automobile. 
   With respect now to  FIGS. 29 through 31 , the unlocked position will be described in greater detail, and in particular to the spring-loaded effect of the yoke  12  and head  4 . As shown first in  FIG. 29 , the yoke portion  165  is positioned over the rotational stop  68  such that the rotational stop member  68  is received within the annular opening  165   a  (Figure B). This also places the post  66 , which extends from surface  64  of the head  4 , through aperture  165   j  of the receiving end  165 . A torsional spring  340  having a central wound section  342  is positioned over the post  66  with spring legs  344  and  346  extending therefrom. As shown in  FIG. 29 , in the neutral position, the opening  165   d  is shown such that the arcuate length of the opening  165   d , and therefore the arcuate length of the opening  165   f  is the same as the distance between end surfaces  70  and  72  of the radial stop member  68 . It should be realized that in this view, and in the views of  FIGS. 30 and 31 , the stop surfaces  70  through  73  cannot actually be seen, but rather are shown for diagrammatical purposes as it relates to their function with the torsion spring  340 . 
   Thus, in the equilibrium position of  FIG. 29 , the torsion arm  344  extends from the wound section  342  radially outward through opening  165   f  and into the annular channel  165   a . Thus, in the neutral position, torsion spring arm  344  extends through opening  165 d and is torsionally held against stop member  70 , while torsion arm  346  extends through the opening  165   d  and extends into annular channel  165   a  to abut stop surface  72 . It should be appreciated that in this position, the torsion spring arm  44  also abuts edge  165   j , whereas torsion spring arm  346  abuts edge  165   i  ( FIG. 13B ). 
   When the arm  164  is moved clockwise relative to head  4  as shown in  FIG. 30 , stop surface  70  will rotate away from torsion spring arm  344 , but the spring arm  344  will remain against the stop edge  165   h , preventing the rotation of spring arm  344  relative to the yoke  12 , however, surface  72  carries spring arm  346  in the counter-clockwise position as viewed in  FIG. 30  away from the edge  165   i.    
   Finally, with respect to  FIG. 31 , if yoke arm  164  is moved in the counter-clockwise position relative to the head as shown in  FIG. 31 , the opposite reaction occurs where stop surface  72  is rotated away from the spring arm  346  yet the spring arm  346  is retained by edge  165   i . Rather the stop surface  70  carries spring arm  344  in the clockwise sense as viewed in  FIG. 31 . Thus, in either of the positions of  FIG. 30  or  FIG. 31 , the head is floatable between the position where stop surface  73  abuts stop lug  165   b  ( FIG. 31 ) and between the position where a stop surface  71  abuts stop lug  165   c  ( FIG. 30 ). In either of these positions, the torsion spring is torsionally compressed (comparing torsion spring  340  in either of  FIGS. 30  or  31  with that of  FIG. 29 ), and thus the head is spring-loaded back to the position of  FIG. 29 . 
   Advantageously then the battery-powered washer as described herein has several advantages. Firstly, the battery pack  6  is comprised of a plurality of self-contained and self-sealed batteries where the battery pack is insertable and removable from the washer head for operation or for recharging. It is also the seal itself on the battery pack which seals the internal components of the motor drive unit, and in particular the contact elements  42 . Furthermore, the battery pack is self-contained and includes an integral switch for switching directly from the batteries to the motor drive unit, such that a discreet switch, and the required wiring are not included to complicate the assembly. Furthermore, the device is quite useful as it contains two separate locking positions, as well as a free-floating position whereby the head is held in a detented position, but the head is moved between two extremes, but is spring-loaded back to its equilibrium position. Finally, the combination of storage hanger and recharger allows for the unit to be stored and at the same time to have the battery recharged.