Patent Publication Number: US-4057353-A

Title: Floor cleaning device

Description:
The present invention relates to a floor cleaning device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     When cleaning the floor of a kitchen of a hotel, restaurant and the like, generally the cooperation of three persons who individually perform sprinkling water, scattering powder cleanser and brushing the floor is required. If the work is performed by a single person, it requires three times the labour and time. 
     An object of the present invention is to reduce this labour, and to provide a cleaning device which performs the three functions of sprinkling water, scattering cleanser and brushing or polishing the floor so as to greatly increase the cleaning efficiency. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective of the cleaning device of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view, partially broken away, of the main part of the handle of the cleaning device; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged transverse section substantially along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view, partially broken away, of a brushing or polishing head of the cleaning device; and 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view, partially broken away, showing a slight modification of the brushing head of FIG. 4. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Throughout the drawings, similar parts and elements are shown by the similar reference numerals. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, the cleaning device of the invention generally comprises a brushing or polishing head 10 and a handle 20 of hollow pipe extending from said head 10. The handle 20 has a length suitable for a height of a person operating the cleaning device of the invention. 
     Said handle 20 comprises a first pipe 21, a second pipe 22 and a third pipe 23 communicating with each other. The first pipe 21 is securely connected to the second pipe 22 by means of a sleeve 24. The third pipe 23 is threaded in a sleeve 25 which is fixed about the upper portion of the second pipe 22, as best seen in FIG. 2. By rotating the third pipe 23, it can be released from the second pipe 22. Preferably, a packing 26 is mounted about the threaded end of the third pipe 23. To the upper end of the pipe 23 is rotatably connected an elbow 27 which is detachably connected to a water supply hose 28 by means of a fitting 29. 
     As appears from FIGS. 2 and 3, the second pipe 22 is divided in its lengthwise direction by means of a partition 30 into two flow passages 31 and 32. At the upper end of the partition 30, a semi-circular valve 33 is pivoted in such a manner that either the passage 31 or 32 is blocked by the valve 33 when seated on an annular valve seat 34 mounted about the upper end of the second pipe 22. The pivot of the valve 33 is connected to a switching pin 35 liquid-tightly extending through the sleeve 25 for the rotation of the valve 33. 
     The lower end of the passage 32 is defined by a net 36 serving to prevent a rod-like soap 37 from falling into the first pipe 21. 
     To the lower end of the first pipe 21 is detachably connected the brushing or polishing head 10 having a cylindrical projection 11 inserted into the lower end of the pipe 21 and a brush 12 planted in the lower face of the head 10, as best seen in FIG. 4. A passage 13 extending through said cylindrical projection 11 and communicating with the pipe 21 is provided in the head 10. Plural holes 14 communicating with said passage 13 is provided in the head 10 so as to open at the lower face of the head 10. Instead of the brush 12, a sponge or foam rubber 15 may be mounted on the lower end of the head 10, as shown in FIG. 5. 
     In operation, initially the third pipe 23 is released from the sleeve 25, and an easily soluble rod-like soap is inserted in the passage 32. The third pipe 23 is thereafter connected to the sleeve 25. 
     The valve 33 is then rotated by the pin 35 so as to block the passage 31 and to open the passage 32 having therein the soap 37. Thereafter the hose 28 is connected to the supply source of water, whereby the water with the soap flows out of the holes 14 of the brushing head 10. 
     By gripping the handle 20, the brushing or polishing head 10 is slid along the surface of a floor, thereby effecting the soap cleaning or polishing thereof. 
     After cleaning, the valve 33 is rotated so as to open the passage 31 and to close the passage 32. Then solely the water flows out of the holes 14 of the brushing head 10, thereby enabling the final water-washing of the floor. 
     According to the present invention as described above, there can be effected simultaneous operation of both brushing or polishing and sprinkling or scattering the soap and water, thereby enabling the reduction of labour as well as time. 
     Furthermore, after the soap cleaning, by changing the valve 33, solely the water is supplied, and the final water washing can be performed without the necessity of sprinkling water. 
     Therefore, the cleaning device of the invention has a wide usage not only for floor of a restaurant, hotel or other buildings but also for washing a deck of a ship, motor car or truck and the like. 
     If required, the handle 20 may be shortened to make smaller the dimensions of the cleaning device so as to be useful as a household cleaning device for washing off a toilet, bath room and the like.