GB2610869A - Floor scrubbing or finishing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A walk-behind floor treatment machine comprising carriage means 10 adapted for translational movement in a working direction over a floor surface by one or more wheel means 12 disposed at a rear region of the machine, and one or more work heads 11 for treating the floor surface disposed at a front region of the machine, whereby the weight of the machine is shared between the wheel means and the one or more work heads, wherein a rack 2 is provided extending fore-aft in the machine, the rack comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart generally vertically extending slots 19, each slot having an open upper end region for receiving one or more weights 3 vertically into each slot.

Description

Floor scrubbing or finishing machine The present invention relates to the field of floor treatment machines and in particular scrubbing or finishing machines. Particularly, the invention relates to floor scrubbing or finishing machines which comprise a work head for scrubbing a floor surface which is mounted on a wheeled chassis adapted for translational movement across the floor surface.

Such floor machines may be wet scrubbing machines in which cleaning liquid in a reservoir is dispensed onto the floor being scrubbed.The dirty liquid created by the cleaning / scrubbing process may be lifted from the floor by a suction collector, typically using a squeegee trailed being the work head's direction of travel.The work head may comprise one or more disc-shaped carriers which are each driven around a vertical axis of rotation, or brush bars or rollers which are driven around a transverse axis of rotation.

Conventionally, walk-behind floor scrubbing machines share the machine weight between the work head located towards the front of the scrubbing machine and supporting wheels located towards the rear of the machine. Thus, the machine's weight serves to aid or enhance the scrubbing process by applying pressure onto the work head, The magnitude of pressure applied to the work head depends upon the weight of the machine and the weight distribution between work head(s) and support wheels. The optimum pressure depends on the treatment task, the nature of the floor agitation medium (such as brush, abrading surface or polishing pad) and the aggressiveness of the treatment process being conducted. There is thus a need to vary the applied work head pressure according to conditions and the cleaning context.

Our earlier scrubbing machine disclosed in EP1588658A2 uses a moveable battery carrier to support a pair of heavy 12V batteries so that the batteries can be positioned in a selected one of a range of positions relative to said work head whereby the loading on said work head can be varied, with horizontal travel of the batteries towards the work head being consistent with an increase in floor treatment pressure. A problem with this arrangement is that the bulky batteries occupy a substantial space within the machine. Therefore, movement of the batteries fore and aft in the scrubber machine is limited to the space available. In addition, manipulation of the batteries can be hazardous due to the presence of wet chemicals and possible electrical shorting if not properly handled.

The present invention seeks to provide a floor scrubbing or finishing machine with improved flexibility in work head pressure adjustment capabilities, without compromising user safety.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a vvalk-behinci floor treatment machine comprising carriage means adapted for translational movement in a working direction over a floor surface by one or more wheels means disposed at a rear region of the machine, and one or more work heads for treating the floor surface disposed at a front region of the machine, whereby the weight of the machine is shared between the wheels means and the one or more work heads, wherein a rack is provided extending fore-aft in the machine. The rack typically comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart generally vertically extending slots. Each slot may have an open upper end region for receiving one or more weights vertically into each slot.

The arrangement is such that a single weight received into a forward slot disposed towards the work head increases work head pressure relative to the same weight when received into an alternative rearward slot. Hence fine tuning of the work head loaciing is possible by careful weight accumulation and distribution in the rack.

It will be appreciated that a number of weight position configurations are possible. The rack may be empty of weights or partially full of weights, or completely full of weights. The contribution of each weight can be represented by the moment M from the pivot represented by the rear vvheel means: M = F x d, where F = the weight in Newtons (5kg mass has a weight of approx. 50 Newtons) and d= the distance in metres of the weight from the pivot. In some embodiments the weights may be vertically stacked so that two or more weights occupy a single slot.

Each slot may be generally transversely extending across the rack, rather in the manner of a breakfast toast rack.

The slots are preferably defined by a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart vertical fingers or recesses provided on opposing transverse sides of the rack.

The rack may be disposed within a compartment having side walls and a base wall which define the slots. The compartment may be provided with an openable lid via which the slots are accessible for entry or removal of weights.

The weights are preferably sized and configured to be a sliding vertical fit in the slots.

Each slot may be sized and configured to admit two weights, vertically stacked on top of one another.

The slots preferably each have a uniform size and configuration so that a weight can be received by any chosen slot.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a combination of a machine as hereinbefore described and a plurality of weights sized and configured to occJpy the slots in the rack.

The weights typically have a uniform size and configuration. Each weight has opposite end regions formed with respective vertical recesses, especially for receiving fingers which define the slots.

The weights may each comprise three sub-units sandwiched together, wherein a middle unit is shorter and inset from the two outer units so as to define the vertical recesses.

Each weight may have an upper region provided with a grip handle for retrieving the weight upwards from a slot in which it is accommodated. The middle weight Jnit's upper region may be is formed with a transverse central aperture which serves as the handle, The weights are preferably configured so that each weight occupies a pair of adjacent slots.

The wheels means will typically comprise two transversely spaced apart wheels. The wheels may be freewheeling or driven if propulsion assistance is required. Instead of wheels, skids, caterpillar tracks, castors or rollers could be used.

A vertically extending, reclinable handle may be provided at a rear end region of the machine. The handle may be used to steer the machine and may have operating controls (such as twist grip or lever for commencing and continuing floor treatment).

A squeegee suction collector may be position behind the work head(s), so that dirt lifted and entrained in the cleaning liquid can be collected.

The work head may have a disc-shaped configuration (in vvhich the work head(s) is/are each driven around an associated vertical rotation axis) or may have a transverse roller brush configuration. The work head is typically adapted for scrubbing by the provision of scrubbing brushes. These may be replaced by polishing pads when needed, or more aggressive scouring or abrasion tools such as wire brushes.

In preferred arrangements the machine is configured as a wet scrubber drier with squeegee collector and cleaning liquid dispenser.

Following is a description by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings of one mode for putting the present invention into effect.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a three quarter perspective view of a wet scrubber-drier machine in accordance with an embodiment of the invention Figure 2 is a plan view of a storage compartment in accordance with an embodiment of the invention Figure 3 is a perspective view of a weight for use in a scrubbing machine A scrubbing machine is shown generally as 1 in figure 1. The scrubbing machine 1 comprises a support frame 10, a generally disc shaped scrubbing work head 11, a pair of rear wheels 12 (one only visible). There is a handle portion 13 with operating controls. The machine has a housing 14 which encloses the superstructure of the machine. An upper region 4 of the housing is formed as a machine lid vvhich allows access to the interior. The lid has a latch 5 and is hinged on the far side of the machine. Typical internal features present are: a cleaning liquid reservoir and dispenser, a collection tank for stor.ng dirty fluid (hidden), one or more batteries, an electric motor and transmission 36 (provided on and supported by the work head) and an internal storage compartment 2 for weights best seen in figure 2.The internal storage compartment is accessible by opening the lid 4.

The support frame 10 comprises two horizontally spaced apart chassis members 16, 35 which extend longitudinally between the front and rear of the carriage. The chassis members are integral with a rear support platform 46. An underside of the rear platform is provided with depending wheel brackets (45, the second one is not visible) wnich carry two spaced apart rear trundle wheels 12. A front end region of each chassis member is provided with mounting pivots 33, 34 for a generally dish shaped work head upper housing 43, The mounting pivots provide a rivotal connection for mounting the work head 11 from the chassis members. This allows the work head to pivot 90 degrees up for service or removal of the work head brushes (under the housing). The pivotal connection between the work head 11 and the chassis members 16,35 also allows the work head to adjust to He flat even over uneven working surfaces when the machine is in use. The housing 43 front region is provided with two spaced apart bumper wheels 41, 42 which act when inadvertent contact is made with upstanding obstacles such as door frames, skirting boards or furniture, The rear wheels 12 provide a rear support means for sharing the weight of the machine between the rear wheels 12 and the work head 11 In use a cleaning liquid is dispensed into the work head 11 housing by a supply line (not visible). The floor is wet scrubbed, and any dirt or detritus dissolved or entrained in the liquid, A squeegee collector 37 trails the scrupbing machine to the rear, The squeegee comprises a trailing arm 38 with a conventional squeegee suction connector of a type known in the art, two rear castor wheels 39 (the second wheel is not shown) and two bumper vvheels 40 at opposite ends of the collector (the second wheel is not shown). The excess liquid or detritus is collected byte sgJeegee and returned to the machine via the suction connector. The castor wheel 39 helps to support the weight of the squeegee without causing the squeegee blade to collapse under the weight of the collector. The bumper vvheels 40 are mounted to extremities of the squeegee and protect the squeegee from bumping against objects such as walls.

In use, the user pushes the handle portion 13 to direct the machine along a desired cleaning or finishing route. The electric motor 36 drives the work head 11 via a reduction transmission. The electric motor may be powered by an internal battery or rely upon an external mains power supply.

Figure 2 shows a storage compartment generally as 2. The storage compartment comprises a generally rectangular internal section defined by inwards facing walls 17, 18, 23,24. The inward facing walls comprise two side walls 17, 18 and two end walls 23, 24. The storage compartment has an open upper end to allow access to the inter.or of the storage compartment and a closed base 21. The storage compartment 2 includes a longitudinal axis Al which runs centrally for aft through the storage compartment 2.

Fingers 19 protrude from the side walls 17, 18 towards the longitudinal axis Al. The fingers 19 run vertically down the side walls 17, 18 from the open end of the compartment towards the base 21.The fingers 19 protruding from each opposing side wall 17, 18 are longitudinally spaced apart from the rear of the storage compartment to the front. The fingers on the first side wall 17 are directly opposite the fingers of the second side vvall 18.

The walls 17, 18, 23, 24 of the storage compartment combined vvith the finger 19 arrangement and the base 21 define a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart transverse slots within the storage compartment. These slots accommodate weights, one of which is shown as 20 in figure 2. One weight straddles, at each end, one vertical finger 19, and is bracketed by two outer fingers 19.

The configuration of each weight 3 is shown in figure 3. Figure 3 shows a weight configured to fit into a sub-compartment of the storage compartment 2.The weight comprises a base 25, two side walls 26, 27, two end portions 28,29 and an upper portion 30. The weight 3 is made of three pieces joined together by lateral bolts or rivets. A central piece is shorter that the outer two pieces, thereby defining inset outer ends 31,32. An upper region of the centre piece is formed vvith a transverse aperture 44 which serves as a handle 22 to allow the user to easily insert or remove the weight 3 from the storage compartment. The outer two pieces each have an upper central recess which corresponds to the handle aperture.

The weight's recesses 31,32 are sized and configured to engage vvith the fingers 19 of the storage compartment as a sliding fit such that once a vveight 3 is vertically placed into position the weight is prevented from horizontal or longitudinal movement.

The provision of multiple predetermined sub-compartments within the storage compartment 2 and the design of the sub-compartments which allows multiple weights to be held in one sub-compartment provides the user with the ability to easily and accurately adjust the pressure the work head 11 applies to the working surface.

As shown in figure 1 the storage compartment 2 is located within the scrubbing machine superstructure. The compartment is to the rear and above the work head, and in front of rear wheels 12 (one visible). The rear of the storage compartment 2 is located towards the axles of the rear wheels 12 (hidden). The front of the storage compartment 2 is located towards the work head 11 at the front of the scrubbing machine 1.The weight from the machine is shared between the rear wheels 12 and the work head 11. Without any weights located in the sub-compartments of the storage compartment 2 the work head 11 will provide a predetermined pressure onto the working surface, influenced by the dry weight of the machine, but also the presence of any cleaning liquid or collected dirty water in the reservoir and collection tank.

To vary the pressure the work head 11 applies to the working surface the user may vertically place a weight 3 through the open upper end of the storage compalment 2 and into engagement with the internal slots. Multiple arrangements of weights are possible when using the storage compartment as described herein. The user can add a single weight to any pair of slots. The single weight may be moved between locations to increase or decrease the moment applied to the work head.

The user can add multiple weights into the compartment. For example, the user may add a single weight at the front of the storage compartment and a single vveight at the rear of the storage corn partment. The user then has the option to add further weights to any of the other available slot pairs. Furthermore, the weights may be vertically stacked within the compartment to provide a double deck of weights. Figure 1 shows an arrangement of weights wherein two weights are vertically stacked at the front end of the storage compartment. A further weight is shown towards the rear of the storage compartment. The multiple arrangements of weights possible within the scrubbing machine provide a diverse range of possible work head cleaning pressures.

Claims (15)

1. SClaims 1 A walk-behind floor treatment machine comprising carriage means adapted for translational movement in a working direction over a floor surface by one or more wheel means disposed at a rear region of the machine, and one or more work heads for treating the floor surface disposed at a front region of the machine, whereby the weight of the machine is shared between the wheel means and the one or more work heads, wherein a rack is provided extending fore-aft in the machine, the rack comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart generally vertically extending slots, each slot having an open upper end region for receiving one or more weights vertically into each slot.
2. 2 A machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein each slot is generally transversely extending across the rack.
3. 3 A machine as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the slots are defined by a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart vertical fingers or recesses provided on opposing transverse sides of the rack,
4. 4. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the rack is disposec within a compartment having side walls and a base wall which define the slots.
5. 5. A machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein the compartment is provided with an openable lid via vvhich the slots are accessible for entry or removal of weights.
6. 6. A machine as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the weights are sized and configured to be a sliding vertical fit in the slots.
7. 7. A machine as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein each slot is configured to admit two weights, vertically stacked on top of one another.
8. 8. A machine as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the slots each have uniform sizes and configurations so that a weight can be received by any chosen slot.
9. 9. A combination of a machine in accordance with any of the preceding claims and a plurality of weights sized and configured to occupy the slots in the rack.
10. 10. A combination as claimed claim 9 wherein the weights have a uniform size and configuration.
11. 11. A combination as claimed in claim 901 10 wherein each weight has opposite end regions formed with respective vertical recesses.
12. 12. A combination as claimed in claim 11 wherein the weight comprises three sub-units sandwiched together, wherein a middle unit is shorter and inset from the two outer units so as to define the vertical recesses.
13. 13. A combination as claimed in any of claims 9 to 12 wherein each weight has an upper region provided with a grip handle for retrieving the weight upwards from a slot in which it is accommodated.
14. 14. A combination as claimed in claim 13 and 12, wherein the middle weight unit's upper region is formed with a transverse central aperture which serves as the handle.
15. 15. A combination as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the weights are configured so that each weight occupies a pair of adjacent slots.