Patent Publication Number: US-2011056046-A1

Title: brush and vacuum assembly and method of use

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/276,221 filed on Sep. 9, 2009, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a brush and vacuum assembly and its method of use. More particularly, the invention relates to a brush and vacuum assembly and method of use with floor cleaning equipment, such as a floor scrubber. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an improvement over known floor cleaning equipment, such as floor scrubbers. Most floor scrubbers have a water supply, a cleaning solution and outlets that apply the water and/or cleaning solution onto a floor. A set of rotary brushes works the cleaning solution into the floor to lift dirt and debris from the floor and scrub the floor clean. A squeegee and water suction device may be located at the rear of the machine to collect excess water and cleaning solution from the floor. 
     Those skilled in the art know that floor maintenance also typically requires vacuuming, usually before the scrubbing step. Vacuuming requires additional equipment, time and labor. Thus, it is known to associate a vacuum apparatus with a floor scrubber to accomplish both steps at once. 
     However, known equipment that combines a floor scrubber with a vacuum apparatus has proven to be difficult to use. More particularly, known devices locate the debris bins, which are bins that collect dirt and debris from the vacuum apparatus, in very difficult to reach places. The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art designs by locating a debris bin in a convenient location that is easily accessible. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed toward a brush and vacuum assembly and a method of its use. The assembly has a debris box selectively located within a debris box housing. At least one arm extends downwardly from a deck supporting at least one brush motor. At least one pin extends through the at least one arm for selective engagement with the debris box housing. The debris box is located in an easy to reach area that facilitates its removal and replacement. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of one embodiment of a brush and vacuum assembly depicting a deck, a debris box housing and a debris box in a lowered position; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the assembly of  FIG. 1  with the deck in a raised position and the debris box housing and debris box in a first, raised position and the debris box housing and the debris box in a second, alternative lowered position in dashed lines; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the deck in a raised position and the debris box and debris box housing in a lowered position; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial, front view of a pin of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the brush and vacuum assembly with a floor scrubber; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view partially depicting the assembly and floor scrubber with the cover of the assembly being removed; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of another embodiment of the assembly depicting the deck, the debris box housing and the debris box in a lowered position; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the assembly of  FIG. 7  with the deck in a raised position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     It is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions, directions or other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of a brush and vacuum assembly  10  and part of a floor scrubber  12  is depicted. The assembly  10  comprises a deck  14 . The deck  14  is connected to the floor scrubber  12 . More particularly, a rear portion  16  of the deck  14  is connected to a front portion  18  of the floor scrubber  12 . The connection may be made via one or more hinges  20 . The hinges  20  are also depicted in  FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  6 . 
     A first part  22  of a hinge  20  is connected to the rear portion  16  of the deck  14 . 
     The second part  24  of the hinge  20  is connected to the front portion  18  of the scrubber  12 . This arrangement permits the deck  14  to pivot upwardly and downwardly with respect to the scrubber  12 . A hinge axis  26  is created between the first part  22  of the hinge  20  and the second part  24  of the hinge  20 . 
     An actuator mount  28  may also be located at the front portion  18  of the scrubber  12 . The actuator mount  28  may have an upper portion  30  and a lower portion  32 . The lower portion  32  is preferably connected to the front portion  18  of the scrubber  12 . The upper portion  30  is adapted to pivotally mount an actuator shaft  34  therewith. More particularly, an actuator shaft  34  may be pivotally mounted to the upper portion  30  of the mount  28 . 
     The actuator shaft  34  selectively extends into a shaft housing  36 . The shaft housing  36  is pivotally mounted to the deck  14 . Preferably, a deck actuator mount  38  is provided that pivotally connects the shaft housing  36  with the deck  14 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The deck actuator mount  38  may be located at a central portion  40  of the deck  14 , but other locations are permissible. 
     While a single actuator shaft  34  is depicted, it is permissible to include additional actuators. The additional actuators may be spaced from one another along the scrubber  12  and the deck  14 . The actuators may be identical to one another or they may be or various sizes and capacities. 
     Regardless of the number or size of the actuator shaft  34 , the actuator shaft  34  provides for a controlled raising and lowering of the deck  14 . More particularly, the deck  14  and its associated components, which are described below, can be heavy. It is preferred that the deck  14  be raised and lowered with at least the assistance of the actuator shaft  34  so that it is slowly moved to permit workers time to remove themselves from the moving deck  14 , to ensure the machine is not damaged by a dropped deck  14  and to ensure that the machine does not damage the floor. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 6 , at least one brush motor  42  is mounted on an upper side  44  of the deck  14 . Preferably, two brush motors  42  are located on a first side  46  and a second side  48  of the upper side  44  of the deck  14 . The brush motors  42  are drivingly connected to two brushes  50  located beneath a lower side  52  of the deck  14 . The brush motors  42  are connected to a source of electrical energy, such as a battery (not shown) located on the scrubber  12 . It may be readily appreciated that greater or fewer brush motors  42  and brushes  50  may be used and that they may be located anywhere on or in the deck  14 . 
     The brushes  50  have long bristles  54  designed to contact the floor. When turned by the brush motors  42 , the bristles  54  move in a circular pattern and collect dirt and debris from the floor. The bristles  54  deposit collected dirt and debris onto a ramp  56 . In the depicted embodiment, the ramp  56  is located between the brushes  50 , but other orientations are permissible. 
     The ramp  26  has a leading edge  50  separated from the floor surface by a small gap  60 . The ramp  56  inclines at a predetermined angle from the leading edge  58  to a trailing edge  62 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     A vacuum motor  64  is mounted on the deck  14 . The vacuum motor  64  may be such as an electric motor, depicted in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  6 , powered by the battery located on the scrubber  12 . The vacuum motor  64  may be connected to a vacuum filter  66  for filtering out dirt and debris from a vacuum stream, which is discussed below. 
     A first tube  68  may connect a suction side of the motor  64  with the filter  66  so as to draw air through the filter. A second tube  70  may be connected from the filter to a cavity  72  defined by the ramp  56 . More particularly, the cavity  72  is defined by the ramp  56  and two side portions  74  extending downwardly from the ramp  56 . A gap  76 , similar to the gap  60  between the leading edge  58  of the ramp  56  and the floor, is provided between the side portions  74  and the floor. 
     The second tube  70  draws air, which includes dirt and debris, from the cavity  72  to the filter  66  where it collects and/or falls into a debris box  78 . The bristles  54  assist in collecting and directing debris to the cavity  72 . 
     The trailing edge  62  of the ramp  56  is located directly adjacent the debris box  78 . More particularly, the debris box  78  is located directly behind the trailing edge  62  of the ramp  56 . 
     The ramp  56  may be directly connected to a housing  80  for the debris box  78 . In the depicted embodiment, two arms  82  on either side  74  of the ramp  56  extend to the housing  80  and are secured thereto with mechanical fasteners and/or welding. 
     The arms  82  position the ramp  56  so that at least a central portion  84  of it is aligned with an opening  86  in the housing  80 . The opening  86  is defined by a first side portion  88  of the housing  80 , a second side portion  90  of the housing  80  and a vertical portion  92  of the housing  80 . The vertical portion  92  of the housing  80  comprises a first side member  94 , a second side member  96  and a top member  98 . 
     The opening  86  in the housing  80  communicates with the debris box  78 . The debris box  78  has a first side wall  100 , a second side wall  102 , a front wall  104 , a rear wall  106  and a bottom wall  108 . At least a portion of the top of the debris box  78  is left open. Thus, debris that is swept up the ramp  56  by the brushes  50  and which falls through the housing opening  86  falls directly into the debris box  78 , where it may be temporarily stored until the debris box  78  is emptied. 
     The debris box  78  is slidable and removable from the debris box housing  80 . Preferably, the debris box  78  is positioned within the housing  80  so that it is substantially oriented transverse to a debris path  110  of the ramp  56 . The debris box  78  direction of motion within the housing  80  is also aligned with the hinge axis  26 . 
     Based on the foregoing, the debris box  78  may be accessed, removed and replaced all from one side  112  of the floor scrubber  12 . Further, the debris box  78  may be accessed with the deck  14  in either the lowered or the raised position. 
     At least one track is located along either the first side member  94  or the second side member  96 . Preferably, a first track  114  is located along the first side member  94  and a second track  116  is located along the second side member  96 . Each track  114 ,  116 , preferably extends from a lower, inner corner  118  of each side member  94 ,  96 , and extends in a curvilinear fashion across the side member  94 ,  96 , to an upper, outer corner  120  of each side member  94 ,  96 . Preferably, each track  114 ,  116 , defines a central continuous groove  122  from the lower inner corner  118  to the upper outer corner  120 . 
     At least one pin arm  124  extends from the deck  14 . The pin arm  124  is connected at a first end  126  to the deck  14 . The pin arm  124  extends downwardly from the deck  14 , when the deck  14  is in the lowered position, toward the debris box  78 . The first end  126  of the pin arm  124  may be fixed to the deck  14  so that it moves with the deck  14 . A second end  128  of the pin arm  124 , opposite the first end  126 , has an aperture  130  extending therethrough. 
     A pin  132 , having a body portion  134  and a head portion  136 , is slidably located within each groove  122 . The body portion  134  has a smaller outer diameter than the head portion  136 . The body portion  134  of the pin  132  extends into the groove  122 , while the head portion  136  functions as a stop from the pin  132  extending beyond a predetermined point into the groove  122 . 
     A lower, inner corner aperture  138  is provided in the first side member  94 . The aperture  138  is aligned with the groove  122  in the first track  114 . An upper, outer corner aperture  140  is provided in the first side member  94 . This aperture  140  is also aligned with the groove  122  in the first track  114 . Similar apertures are provided in the second side member  96 . 
     The body portion  134  of the pin  132  extends through the pin aperture  130  in the arm  124 , through the track groove  122  where it is designed to be selectively located in the lower, inner corner aperture  138  to secure the deck  14  and the debris box housing  80  together. A biasing member, such as a coil spring  142 , may be located about the pin body  134  so that the pin body  134  is biased inwardly into the lower, inner corner aperture  138 . 
     The head portion  136  of the pin  132  can be grasped and the head portion  136  and the body portion  134  of the pin  132  can be withdrawn from the lower, inner corner aperture  138 . The pin body  134  is now able to slide along the groove  122  of the track  114 ,  116 . The curvilinear upward nature of the groove  122  causes the pin  132 , and thus the pin arm  124 , to move in an upward motion. This motion results in the deck  14  being raised. 
     The deck  14  may be locked into a raised position by permitting the pin body  134  to extend through the aperture  130  in the pin arm  124 , through the groove  122  and into the upper, outer corner aperture  140 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the ramp  56  and the debris box  78  and its housing  80  remain on the floor and are not elevated with the deck  14 . 
     The present invention also permits the deck  14 , the ramp  56 , the debris box  78  and the housing  80  to be elevated simultaneously with each other, as depicted in  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, the pin  132  is extended through the pin arm  124 , through the groove  122  and into the lower, inner corner aperture  138 . The pin  132  locks into the lower, inner corner aperture  138  and connects the deck  14  with the ramp  56 , debris box  78  and debris box housing  80  together. 
       FIGS. 7-8  depict yet another embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 7-8  has many of the features discussed above, thus identical reference numbers will be used for the same features where discussion is required; where no additional discussion is required for the description of  FIGS. 7-8 , it can be appreciated that the two designs have the same features. Different features are provided with new reference numbers. 
     At least one pin arm  144  extends downwardly, substantially perpendicularly, from the lower side  52  of the deck  14 . A first end  146  of the pin arm  144  is connected, such as welding and/or mechanical fasteners or the like, to the deck  14 . Preferably, the first end  146  of the pin arm  144  is in a fixed, non-moving relationship with the deck  14 . 
     Preferably, two pin arms (only one shown) extend down from the deck  14 . In a preferred embodiment, the pin arms both extend along the first and second side members  94 ,  96 , respectively. While two pin arms exist, the following describes just one of the pin arms as the two are identical and function in the same way. 
     The pin arm  144  has a second end  148 , opposite the first end  146 . In the preferred embodiment, two apertures are located through the second end  148  of the pin arm  144 . The apertures may be vertically aligned with one another on the arm  144 . 
     A first pin  150  is located through one of the apertures. In the figures, the first pin  150  is located through the upper aperture  152 , but it may be located through either one. The pin  150  extends through the upper aperture  152  where it engages the first side member  94 . 
     The first pin  150  may selectively engage the first side member  94  in a number of ways, but in each it is preferred that the pin  150  selectively secure the pin arm  144  and the side member  94  together. By way of example only, the pin  150  may extend into an aperture, housing or recess within or on the side member  94 . Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 8 , an aperture  154  is used. 
     Regardless of the manner in which the pin  150  engages the side member  94 , it is preferred that when the pin  150  engages the side member  94  that it locks the two together. More particularly, it is preferred that when the two are engaged, it prevents the pin arm  144  from pivoting with respect to the side member  94 , and/or with respect to the ramp  56 , the debris box  78  or the debris box housing  80 . 
     In the depicted embodiment, a lower aperture  156  is located below the upper aperture  152  in the pin arm  144 . A second pin  158  is located through the lower aperture  156 . The second pin  158  connects with the first side member  94  to permit selective pivotal movement of the pin arm  144  with respect to the side member  94  and/or with respect  56  to the ramp, the debris box  78  or the debris housing  80 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts a brush and vacuum assembly  160  in a lowered position, where the debris box  78  is located substantially parallel to the floor. The lowered position is the position used for floor cleaning. 
     The first pin  150  is engaged with the aperture  154  in the side member  94  to maintain the debris box  78  substantially parallel to the floor. It can be appreciated that the debris box  78  can be easily accessed from a side  162  of the assembly  160 , as the debris box  78  is oriented substantially perpendicular to the ramp  56 . In other words, the debris box  78  opens parallel with the hinge axis  26 . 
       FIG. 8  depicts the brush and vacuum assembly  160  in a raised position. The raised position might be used for maintenance or repair of the assembly  160 . For example, the raised position may be helpful in changing or repairing the brushes  50 . 
     The raised position can be achieved by pulling the first pin  150  from the aperture  154  in the side member  94 . Preferably, the first pin  150  has a stop (not shown) that prevents it from being entirely withdrawn from the aperture  154 . Once the first pin  150  is removed from the aperture  154 , the side member  94 , and the components connected to it, such as the debris box housing  80 , the debris box  78  and the ramp  56 , are free to pivot about the second pin  158 . 
     When the actuator is engaged, it draws the deck  14  upwardly and backward, via the hinge  20 , toward the floor scrubber  12 . At a first predetermined point, the pin arm  144  pivots about the second pin  158  on the side member  94 . At a second predetermined point, the pin arm  144  lifts the side member  94  and the components associated with it, off the floor. Those components may include the debris box  78 , the debris box housing  80  and at least a portion of the ramp  56 . This causes the debris box  78  to assume a downward angle. 
     In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiments. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.