Patent GB-673183-A (GB)
Title: An improved centrifugal machine for cleaning a substantially flat surface
IPC: A47L11/162
Filed: 1950-01-18
Abstract: 673,183. Cleaning and treating floors. ENGEL, W., and TEICHMANN, L. Jan. 18, 1950 [Jan: 20, 1949; Jan. 4, 1950; Jan. 4, 1950; Jan. 4, 1950], No. 1298 ( 50. Classes 60 and 138 (i). In a centrifugal machine for cleaning a substantially flat surface comprising a liquid container and at least one rotary rubbing device towards the centre of which liquid is supplied by gravity for distribution on to the surface by the centrifugal action of the rotating device, a liquid collector having an edge in contact with the surface, and guiding elements inclined to the surface, surrounds the said device which is mounted on a rotary drum and means are provided to conduct to the container the liquid flowing into the collector through the centrifugal action. In one embodiment shown in Fig. 1, an electric motor in a casing 2 drives a friction roller 3 engaging a friction ring 4 on a drum 1 rotatable about a hollow pivot 6 fixedly mounted in an arm 5 on the casing 2. A torroidal shaped liquid container 19 is mounted within the drum 1 and is welded to a sleeve 7 axially slidable in the hollow pivot 6. The top end of the sieeve 7 is provided with an internal thread into which is screwed an obturating member 26 rigid with a knob 27. A rod 28 passing through the member 26 and the sleeve 7 is connected at its upper end to a control lever 29 while its lower end engages a cruciform metal diaphragm 24 resiliently pressed against a valve seat 23 formed around an opening 22 in the bottom of the container 19. Fixed to the rod 28 is a collar 30 formed with a helical incline 31 engaging a corresponding incline provided on the lower extremity of the member 26. By unscrewing the knob 27 the member 26 and rod 28 can be removed so that the container 19 may be filled with liquid. On replacing the member 26 together with the rod 28 the valve 24 may be opened by turning the ]ever 29 to lower the rod 28 through the action of the incline 31, so that liquid is supplied by gravity to the centre of a rubber brush 13. The brush 13, formed in one piece with a collector ring 14 which is also in contact with the surface and is provided with guide elements formed by conduits 15 inclined radially outwards, is carried by a disc 12. Rivetted at 11 to the disc 12 are resilient fixing clips 10 which are detachably engageable in recesses formed in the lower peripheral flange of the drum 1. A filter 16 is fitted within the slightly conical inside wall 17 of the drum. Above the filter the wall is formed with an annular gutter 18, In operation liquid distributed over the surface by centrifugal action due to the rotating brush 13 is forced to the base of the conduits 15 up which it then ascends to the base of the filter. The filter is also traversed by the liquid through the action of the centrifugal force'and the liqui, then accumulates in the gutter 18 where it participates in the rotation of the drum. The liquid is caught by a collector tube 33, directed along the arc of a spiral, fixed to and projecting obliquely from the container 19, whence it is returned to the container. Two other forms of rubbing devices for this embodiment are described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3 (not shown). In another embodiment, Fig. 4, the drum 1 is mounted for rotation about a pivot 6 secured to an arm '100. Screwed in the pivot 6 is a sleeve 101 provided with a thrust flange 102. Rotatahle on the sleeve 101 is a knob 103 provided with a large pitch thread 104 which coacts with a thread formed in a nut 106 carried by a casing 105 partially surrounding the drum 1. A torsion spring 116 is provided between the knob 103 and nut 106 to maintain the casing in its highest position relative to the drum. The casing 105 is formed with a re-entrant horizontal edge 108 which, when the casing is lowered by turning the knob 103 against the action of the spring 116, engages fingers 115 of resilient clips 10 to release them from the recesses formed in the lower peripheral flange 109 of the drum. In this embodiment the rubbing device 110 is associated with an intermediate drum 112 within which is arranged an accordion pleated filter 113 and a collector ring 40. The drum 112 rotates with the device 110 by means of parts of the clips 10 engaging in suitably shaped slots 114 in the drum .112. Alternatively downwardly and inwardly turned portions of the clips adjacent the flange 109 are engaged in recesses formed in the side of the drum 112. In other embodiments the rubbing device is arranged so as to be able to assume a position aslant to the drum 1 and the intermediate drum 112, radial recesses being provided in the disc carrying the rubbing device to allow movement therebetween of the horizontal portions of the clips 10 which are rivetted at their inner ends to the disc. In these embodiments the rubbing device is detachably connected to the disc carrying the clips 10, and may be an annular sheet of linen the underside of which is furnished with glass paper sectors. An annular sheet provided with iron shavings distributed in sectors is also described. In one of these embodiments the collector ring 40 is secured to a heavy ring having upright bolts projecting upwardly therefrom which bolts engage in recesses in the periphery of the disc carried by the clips 10 so that the collector is driven by the drum 1 through the disc. In this case the collector and its retaining ring are prevented from falling from the driving disc, when the machine is lifted from the floor, by means of a re-entrant flange formed on the bottom of the intermediate drum 112.