US2615191A - Power wringer for mops - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 28, 1952 H. B. BROWN POWER WRINGER FOR MOPS Filed April 12, 194e 3 Sheets-Sheet l llllll [In Oct. 28, 1952 H. B. BRowN POWER WRINGER FOR Mops 3 sheets-sheet 2 Filed April 12, 1948 Y ma.:

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Patented Oct. 28, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE POWER WRINGER FOR MOPS Herman B. Brown, Atlanta, Ga.

Application April 1,2, 1948, Serial N o. 20,423

2 Claims. 1

My invention relates to a cleaning tool for use in areas requiring the use of large mops and large amounts f fluids handled by mops, and more particularly to a mop. cart with power wringer and a power mop wringer.

An object of the invention is to combine in one compact unit, a cart, containers and a power driven mop wringer but the invention is not limited as to size, as the unit may be made in different sizes and the smaller size with a selfcontained power unit driven from storage batteries instead of from house current.

Another object is to provide a wringer having a power roller driven by a power unit or motor with a reduction drive to the roller and an idle roller movable toward and away from the power roller so that when the rollers are spaced, a wet mop head may be lowered into a container of Water or cleaning solution after which the idle roller is moved toward the power roller to compress the mop therebetween, and means to start the power unit to drive the power roller to wring the mop between the rollers and simultaneously lift it, thereby reducing the work of the attendant.

A further object is to close a switch and circuit to the power unit of driving motor thereof to cause rotation of the power roller when the idle roller is moved against a wet mop between it and the power roller to compress and wring the mop and to move or return the idle roller to its normal idle or retired position away from the power roller and stop the power unit or motor and power drivenl roller when the mop has been wrung, thereby economizing in the use of electrical current.

A still further object is to provide a power wringer having a power driven and bodily immovable power roller and a cooperating idle roller movable toward and away from the power driven roller to compress and wring a mop and raise the same while moving between the rollers to wring the mop, foot operated means for moving the idle roller against the driven roller, a normally open switch controlling the driving means for the driven roller closed by the movement of the idle roller toward the driven roller and means to normally return or move the idle roller to inoperative position away from the driven roller to release the mop and open the switch to stop the driving means.

A still further object is to provide a mop cart supporting the power wringer and containers or buckets beneath the space between the rollers and at one side thereof, means between the ends of the rollers to keep the strands of the mop from being squeezed out beyond the ends of the rollers before they pass between the rollers in compressing or wringing and raising the same, and a protective hood over the mechanism with openings through which a mop may be lowered into the water or cleaning and rinsing solutions in the containers or buckets, while the hood provides a platform on which the mops may be supported for hauling them on the cart from place to place thereby leaving the attendant free to push the cart and supported equipment for a mapping and cleaning job.

To the foregoing objects, and others which may hereinafter more fully appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but it is to be understood that changes, variations, and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a mop cart with power wringer constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional View taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detailed sectional elevation of the control switch for the power unit or motor.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view taken vertically on the line 6 6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic View of the wiring circuit.

Referring to the drawings, the cart is shown as comprising a structural frame I0 preferably made of structural angles or otherwise, rectangular in shape and plan and having a solid metal or other base or bottom I I to which as at the corners thereof, are rigidly attached as by welding or otherwise, the lower ends of a plurality, preferably four upright corner members or angle bars I2 all of equal height. The upper ends of opposed uprights or members I2 at the front and back or each end of the cart and frame are rigidly connected and braced by parallel transverse members or angle bars I3, and the opposed pairs of members I2 at each side of the frame are rigidly connected and braced by parallel longitudinal top supporting members or angle bars I4 placed inan inverted` position with respect to the bars I3, That is, the bars I3 have their horizontal flanges extending outwardly and their vertical anges depending at the inside while the bars I4 preferably have their vertical flanges extending upwardly in the inside, and are welded, bolted or otherwise rigidly connected at the top corners of the uprights or corner posts I2, as indicated at I5, leaving the sides and ends of the frame open.

Four ball bearing swivel casters I6 are secured beneath the corners of the base or bottom plate II to facilitate movement of the device from one place to another where cleaning and mopping is to be done. The cart is adapted to be moved or pushed about by means of a pair of opposed rearwardly extending handle bars I1 rigidly welded or attached to the rear crossbar I3 preferably immediately inside of the longitudinal top bars I4. These handle bars I1 are preferably bent and extended at right angles in opposite directions at their ends at two spaced points or offset upwardly and rearwardly and the rear ends take soft cushion or rubber hand grips I8.

The base or bottom II is adapted to removably support a pair of metal or other fluid containers or buckets I9 and 2B, preferably of equal capacity, adjacent each other but not :fastened to the cart and terminating slightly below the top of the frame or top bars I4 as seen in Figure 2. The opposed longitudinal side supporting angles or bars I4 are provided with transversely aligned elongated guides or slots 2I toward but spaced from the front end of the frame and extending slightly rearwardly of the center of the container I9 in its normal position, and rearwardly thereof at the inside, with bearing reinforcements 22 in which the shaft ends 23 of a transverse power roller 24 are journalled. The power roller 24 is preferably a perforated metal roller mounted on a continuous shaft supported in bearings located in the bearing reinforcements 22 which may be welded or otherwise rigidly attached at the inside of the bars I4 as seen in Figure 1. One end of the shaft 23 is connected to a power unit or electrical motor 25 supported at the outside ofV one side of the frame, the perforated roller providing traction for lifting the wet mop.

The power unit or motor 25 is connected to one end of the shaft 23 through the medium of a flexible coupling 26 with an interposed reduction or worm gear unit 21 so as to drive the shaft at a reduced speed. By way of example, the electrical motor is designed to produce sufficient power to turn the power roller 24 at 15 R. P. M. with the load thereon, and may be a horsepower ratio or gear motor with a reduction from anormal speed of 1750 R. P. M. to approximately '15 R. P. M. on the driven shaft which is directly coupled to the shaft of the power roller.

A U-frame 28 is slidably mounted within the bars I4 at the front end of the cart and frame and has its side or leg portions 29 tted against the inner faces of said bars I4 and its connecting portion rigid with the side portions and normally positioned beyond the front end of the frame. Bearing reinforcements 33 are welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the inner faces of the side portions or legs 29- of the U-frame 28 adjacent their inner ends and rotatably received in the bearings thereof, the shaft or spindle ends 3| of an idle roller 32 which is shown having a vsmooth periphery and may be of metal or other suitable material or provided with a cushion or soft rubber surface although this is optional. Ends 3I of roller 32 engage and slide in slots 2| to support and limit the movements of frame 28 and roller 32. The front ends of the bearings or bearing reinforcements 30 bear headed pins or lugs 33 to which the inner or rear ends of closely wound retractile springs 34 are connected and the front or outer ends of said springs are secured to guide bolts 35 anchored to, tapped into or otherwise xed to the side angles or bars I4 adjacent the front of the frame and disposed through elongated slots 35 provided in the sides 29 of the U-frame 28 and corresponding in length with the slots 2 l. Thus, the springs 34 will normally hold the idle roller 32 retired forwardly away from the power roller 24 and in spaced relation to the latter to provide an opening therebetween, limited by the engagement of the inner or rear ends of the slots 36 with the guide bolts 35, which latter and the spindle ends of the shaft 3I properly guide the smooth steel idle roller 32 and the frame 28 in their movements and maintain the same in a true horizontal position in frame bars I4 at slots 2I.

In order to move the idle roller 32 and U- frame 28 inwardly or rearwardly against the action of the tension springs 34 toward or against the power roller 24, a pedal 31 having avtreadle plate and an angle lever arm 33 is pivotally mounted in a normally rearwardly inclined position at its inner or rear end as indicated at 39 between the plates of a bracket 44, bolted welded or otherwise rigidly attached to the base or bottom plate II adjacent to but spaced from the front end of the frame. A flexible cable or chain 4I is connected as at 42 by a suitable coupling to the forward portion of the arm 38 of the pedal 31 and extends upwardly and rearwardly. over a guide pulley 43 rotatable in a bracket 44 rigidly attached to the front of the frame at the top and center thereof transversely, as to the transverse or crossbar I3 at this point. The cable then extends forwardly for connection to the center of the cross member of the U-frame 28 as through the medium of an adjustable connection or bolt 45, so as to permit the adjustment of the length of the flexible connection or cable while acting as a terminal hitch for said cable or chain to the movable frame 23 to move the latter from its normally forwardly projected position rearwardly in order to move the idle roller 32 toward the power roller 24.

A bracket or arm 46 is welded, riveted or otherwise rigidly connected to the side or leg 29 of the frame 28 corresponding to the side at which the power unit or motor 25 and reducing gear 21 are mounted. This bracket depends below the top of the frame and carries an apertured ear or angle member 41 at its lower end to slidably receive a horizontal switch rod 48 on the forward end of which an adjustable stop or limiting nut 49 is threaded or otherwise mounted in front of the member 41. A control switch 50 is encased and mounted on the same side of the frame and comprises a substantially inverted U-shaped bracket 5I welded or bolted to the adjacent longitudinal top side bar I4 within one end of which is pivotally mounted as at 52 on a horizontal pivot, a rearwardly extending horizontal switch arm 53 carrying a mercury tube or other suitable form of switch element 54 with a pair of internal contacts closed by the mercury therein, as is well known. The arm 53 has depending bearing portions 55 rotatably supporting an antifriction member or roller 56. The switch rod 48 is slidable through an opening in the bracket 46 at the ear 41 and through openings 51 in the legs of the bracket and bears a cam or block 58 having a tapered or concaved frusto-conical inner end adapted to engage the roller 56 and raise the switch arm 53 so as to tilt or incline the mercury switch tube 54 forwardly so that the mercury therein will bridge the contacts and close a circuit through said switch. The cam 58 may 'be adjustably mounted on the rod 48 as by a suitable clamping means or a set screw 59. The front side or leg of the bracket 5l serves as a suitable stop to limit the forward movement of the cam 58 and rod 48, the cam being mounted on the rod in front of the yroller 56 in spaced relation to the'rear end of the rod which projects rearwardly of the cam to slidably engage .the rear leg ,of the bracket5l. A collar or stop 66 is adjustably or otherwise fixed to the rod 48 lin spaced relation to the bracket 5| and an expansible spring 6i is mounted on the rod between the stop or collar 68 andthe front leg of the bracket 5l to normally project the rod forwardly with the cam 56 in front of the roller 56 and the stop or nut 49 against the ear 41 of the bracket 4,6 in the normal forwardposition of the latter 'with its frame 28 under the actionof the springs 34. A cable 62 extends-from thepower unitA or motor 25 through a conduit 63 suitably attached to the top bar i4 of the frame I8 and has its front end threaded in a threaded opening in the bracket 5i as indicated at 64 above the closed mercury tube contact 54. One conductor wire 65 of cable 62 extends and connects to one contact 66- in the mercury tube 54 of the switch through a binding post 61 on the insulation back plate 68 of the bracket 5| and a conductor wire 69 leads from the other contact 1l! in the tube 54 to a binding post 1! also on the back plate 88. A conduit 12 in line with conduit 63 is disposed in front of the bracket 5i with its rear end similarly anchored or threaded in the front leg of said bracket, and conductor wire 89 together with the other conductor wire 13 in cable 62 extends therethrough and out at the front of the frame I8 where cable 62 is anchored therebeneath by an insulated clamp 14 to the frame l0 on the adjacent upright corner member or bar I2 at a point near where the cable leads to the control switch 56. The cable 62 is of suitable length to form an extension cord and is of flexible rubber or waterproof to prevent short circuiting from the Water or cleaning solution used for mopping. The conductors 69 and 13 may be connected to a suitable source of electrical current such as a battery on the cart or transportable carriage or frame, or providedwith a plug 15 to insert in a wall socket of the house or building supply circuit. Cable 62 may be wound on brackets or cleats 16 on the uprights l2 at the adjacent side of the` frame .ID and cart when not in use.

The mercury tube contact 54 of switch 58 is fixed to the vertically swinging arm 53 and the roller 56 carried by the arm betweenits ends operates, through a slot 11 of a connecting member 'i8 between the sides or legs of bracket 5l or between spaced inner ends of opposed inward horizontal extensions of the legs and the tube in its normal horizontal position holds the mercury away from the contacts 66 and 1U to normally open the switch and break the circuit to the power unit or motor 25. The arm 53, tube 54 and roller 56 are at their lowest position when the idle roller 32 is retired or moved normally away from the power roller 24 due to the retraction of the reciprocating or sliding movable U- frame 28 by springs 34 limited by the rear ends ofv slots 36 striking guide bolts 35. Bracket 46 moves with the frame 28 which supports or carries idle roller 32 in bearings 30 fixed to the inner sides and end portions of legs or sides 29. Roller 32 moves or travels with frame 28 in the rst part of its movement inwardly or approximately 3" without any movement of the rod 48 when the pedal 31 is depressed to move or pull frame 28 inwardly by cable 4I, due to rod 48 being held outwardly or forwardly byspring 6| between the front of stationary frame 5l and the collar 6D fixed to rod .'48 and against which the front end of spring 6l bears, and the fact that arm or bracket 46 loosely receives the rod 48 at ear 41 and slides rearwardly over the rod 48 Iwhile it is held stationary or forwardly by spring 6l. This permits the idle roller 32 to move up to within 2 ofthe power roller 24 before any upward movement of the switch arm 53 and tube 54 takes place and provides a lost motion connection between the frame 28 at arm 46 and/or with the switch rod 48. However when the bracket 46 or ear 41 engages the collar 68 fixed to rod 43, the latter is moved rearwardly with frame 28 and bracket 46 to compress spring 6I, and also move the .cam 58 therewith against roller 56 t0 raise arm 53 to a forwardly inclined position, thereby tilting the mercury tube 54 to cause the mercury to flow to one end and bridge or connect the contacts 66 and 'lll to close the switch and circuit to the power unit or motor 25 and drive the power roller 24 in a clockwise direction. Due to the formation of the cam 58 which is of uniform size beyond the cam or tapered inner end, the lift of the switch arm 53 and tube 54 is not increased after the roller 56 reaches the high point of the cam and therefore, the idle roller may be moved closely adjacent or into contact with the power roller 24 or mop lowered down into the container I9 therebeneath without placing any strain on the switch parts.

In the use and operation of the wringer, the mop head is lowered between the wringer rollers and then the pedal 31 is pressed down to move frame 28 in by cable 4l, limited by engagement of the inner ends of frame 28 with bearings 22 and of the outer ends or" the slots 36 with the guide bolts 35, and the idle roller 32 is moved in therewith to compress or squeeze the mop between the rollers and simultaneously close the switch 58 and circuit to the power unit or motor 25 to drive the power roller at reduced speed relative to that of the motor, whereby the mop will be raised or lifted while wringing the same, thus reducing the work of the operator or attendant, though pressure is maintained on the pedal during the wringing. When the wringing is oompleted and the mop lifted above the wringer rollers, the pressure on the pedal is released and the frame 28 and idle roller 32 carried thereby are returned outwardly to normal or rest position by the springs 34 and the switch 58 will open by dropping down of the arm 53 and tube 54 to horizontal position by gravity because the cam 58 will be moved out with the rod 48 under the biasing action or tension of the spring 6l, with collar 6U and rod 48 following bracket or arm 46 of frame 28. Spring 6I will cause rod 48 to move out until the outer or forward end of cam or block 58 strikes the stop formed by the iront side or leg of the switch case or frame 5l. The bracket ear 41 will engage adjustable nut or stop 49 and insure complete return of switch actuating rod 48 even though spring 6| which automatically moves rod 48 outwardly should break. The return of the tube 54 to horizontal posi-tion will cause the mercury therein to flow to a level to break the connection between contacts 86l and '10, and the circuit and ow of current to the power unit or motor 25 thereby stopping the motor and driving of the power roller 24.

The adjustable connection or hitch 45 of the cable, flexible connection or chain 4I permits the connection to be adjusted to minutely vary or finely adjust the length of the connection 4l which is such that when the frame 28 is retired or moved outwardly to normal position and the idle roller 32 away from power roller 24 to release the mop or after the latter has ypassed upwardly therebetween, the pedal is raised high enough to permit sufcient downward movement to advance the frame 28 until the idle roller 32 is just touching the power roller 24, the inner ends of the sides or legs 29 of slidable or movable frame 28 in contact with the stationary bearings or bearing reinforcements 22, the ends of shaft 3l of idle roller 32 approximately touching or against the inner or rear ends of the slots 2| and the front ends of the slots 38 in the sides 29 of reciprocable or sliding frame 28, approximately touching or against the guide bolts 35 clamped stationarily to the frame I0 at the front ends of the top side bars I4. The pedal 3l is raised and held in the raised position by the two closely wound coiled tension springs 34 which are of just sufficient strength to retire or retract the idle roller 32 with its frame 28 to the projecting` forward position asseen in Figures 1 and 2, and to lift the pedal 3l. The cable or chain 4l is hitched to the pedal arm 38 at a point to provide sufficient travel of the frame 28 to bring the roller 32 to the limit of its travel just before the pedal arm strikes the bottom H of the frame lvand cart with adjustment of the length of the cable between limits at the threaded bolt hitch 45 to frame 28. This hitch is located exactly in the center of the frame 28 and thereby insures the frame moving forward without a tendency to bind at the sides 29 with bars 14 since equal pressure is applied to the side members of the frame.

A protective hood or cover l is provided over the top of the frame and mechanism including the power unit-or motor 25 and reducing gear 2l with slots 18 to fit over the handle bars Il and protect the parts, especially the wiring, switch and power unit. This hood or cover is provided with two openings 79 and S0' over the containers 19 and 29, respectively, to provide access to the rollers 24 and 32 and the containers so that the mop may be lowered into the water or cleaning solutions therein. The mop to be wrung is lowered through the opening 19 between the wringer rollers into the container I9 so as to be wrung and lifted in the manner described while the other opening 8G is located centrally over the container 28 containing clear water or solution for rinsing. The top of the hood or cover ll is :dat and thereby .provides a platform for supporting mops so that they may be hauled about, leaving the attendant free to push the cart which has entire tools and equipment fora cleaning job.

Two oppositely inclined mop guards or plates 8.1 with turned inner edges are mounted at the top sides of the frame I0 beneath the bars I4 and located under the rollers 24 and 32 at the ends of the latter for the purpose of keeping the strands of a mop from being squeezed out beyond the ends of the rollers before they pass between the rollers as the mop head is lifted in wringing the same.

I claim:

1. A power wringer for mops including a main frame, having upper end members and parallel oppositely slotted upper side members, a power roller journaled in said side members adjacent one end of the slots, an idler roller mounted in said slots for longitudinal and rotary movement therein, motor means for driving said power roller, switch means for actuatingI said motor means dependingly secured to one of said frame members, an inner U-shaped frame member slidably mounted between said upper side frame members secured to said idler roller, foot actuated means for moving said U-shaped slidable frame to juxtapose said idler roller to said power roller, spring means for-returning said U-shaped frame, and means carried by said frame to close said switch when said idler roller is so juxtaposed, said last mentioned means comprising a. depending lug carried by said U-shaped frame on the same side as said switch means and an outwardly spring biased horizontal rod carried by I said lug engageable with said switch means when said idler roller is in its innermost position.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the means for moving said U-shaped frame comprise a pedal, afpulley carried by the adjacent end member and a flexible member connected at one end to said pedal and at the other end to the center of the bight portion of said U-shaped member and passed over said pulley, said bight portion being normally outward of said pulley and slidably moved inwardly by said flexible member upon depression of said pedal.

HERMAN B. BROWN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 19,851 Kinney Feb. 11, 1936 1,271,621 Schmoliner July 9, 1918 1,428,893 Laylor Sept. 12, 1922 1,457,568 Garvey June 5, 1923 A1.476,961 Finnell Dec. 11, 1923 1,803,297 Schneider Apr. 28, 1931 1,898,495 Norviel Feb. 21, 1933 2,044,882 Howard June 23, 1936 2,119,686 Pribyl June 7, 1938 2,229,510 Lawlor Jan. 21, 1941 2,260,421 Tracy Oct. 23, 1941 2,424,390 Ferris July 22, 1947

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