U.S. patent application number 11/370934 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-13 for vacuum attachment for a floor buffer.
Invention is credited to Leo Lionel Hare.
Application Number | 20070209141 11/370934 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38477435 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070209141 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hare; Leo Lionel |
September 13, 2007 |
Vacuum attachment for a floor buffer
Abstract
A vacuum attachment for a floor buffer having a base atop of
which is mounted a motor and below which a buffing pad is
positioned for engagement with a floor and for rotation by the
motor. The vacuum attachment includes a suction ring configured for
positioning around the buffing pad. The suction ring is hollow and
is provided with a number of inlets through which liquid and dry
waste thrown off by the buffing pad can be drawn. A backpack,
adapted for wear by a user, is positioned remote from the suction
ring. A wet/dry vacuum is positioned in the backpack. A hose
connects the suction ring to the vacuum such that, when the vacuum
is energized, liquid and dry waste thrown off by the buffing pad
are drawn through the inlets in the suction ring and through the
hose into the vacuum for collection and subsequent disposal.
Inventors: |
Hare; Leo Lionel; (Abilene,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Stephen R. Greiner, Esquire;GREINER LAW OFFICES, P.C.
Suite 110
6701 Democracy Blvd.
Bethesda
MD
20817
US
|
Family ID: |
38477435 |
Appl. No.: |
11/370934 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/327.5 ;
15/325; 15/383 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 11/20 20130101;
A47L 11/4044 20130101; A47L 5/36 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/327.5 ;
015/325; 015/383 |
International
Class: |
A47L 5/36 20060101
A47L005/36 |
Claims
1. A vacuum attachment for a floor buffer having a base atop of
which is mounted a motor and below which a buffing pad is
positioned for engagement with a floor and rotation by the motor,
said vacuum attachment comprising: a suction ring adapted for
positioning around the buffing pad, said suction ring being hollow
and being provided with a plurality of inlets through which liquid
and dry waste thrown off by the buffing pad can be drawn; a
backpack adapted for wear by a user remote from said suction ring;
a wet/dry vacuum being positioned in said backpack; and, a hose
connecting said suction ring to said wet/dry vacuum such that, when
said wet/dry vacuum is energized, liquid and dry waste thrown off
by the buffing pad are drawn through said inlets in said suction
ring and through said hose into said wet/dry vacuum for collection
and disposal.
2. The vacuum attachment according to claim 1 wherein said suction
ring is provided with a peripheral channel in its bottom and said
inlets connect said peripheral channel to the interior of said
suction ring.
3. The vacuum attachment according to claim 1 wherein the central
axes of said inlets in said suction ring face inwardly toward the
buffing pad.
4. The vacuum attachment according to claim 1 wherein said suction
ring further includes a plurality of bumpers extending therefrom
that loosely engage the base of the floor buffer to space said
suction ring away from the buffing pad.
5. The vacuum attachment according to claim 4 wherein said bumpers
are discs connected by flexible links to the base of the floor
buffer.
6. A suction ring for a floor buffer, comprising: a tubular hoop
adapted to encircle the buffing pad of a floor buffer and to slide
upon a floor, said tubular hoop being hollow and being provided
with a plurality of inlets through which liquid and dry waste
thrown off by the buffing pad can be drawn; a tubular stem
extending upwardly from said tubular hoop; and, a hose clamp being
positioned atop said tubular stem for releasably fastening a hose
to said tubular stem.
7. The suction ring according to claim 6 wherein said hoop is
provided with a peripheral channel in its bottom and said inlets
connect said peripheral channel to the interior of said hoop.
8. The suction ring according to claim 6 wherein the central axes
of said inlets in said hoop face inwardly toward the center of said
hoop.
9. The suction ring according to claim 6 further comprising a
plurality of bumpers extending from said hoop for engaging the base
of a floor buffer so as to space said hoop away from the buffing
pad of the floor buffer.
10. The suction ring according to claim 9 wherein said bumpers are
discs and wherein said suction further comprised a plurality of
flexible links extending through said discs for connecting said
suction ring to the base of a floor buffer.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to machines for
brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning, and, more particularly,
to such machines with air blast or suction capabilities.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Cleaning uncarpeted floors in heavily trafficked buildings
has always been a time-consuming and messy chore. To remove heavy
amounts of dirt and grime, a liquid cleaner is normally mopped onto
a floor, allowed to soak, and, then, the floor is buffed using a
rotary floor buffer. If minimal amounts of dirt are present,
smaller volumes of liquid cleaner are used which can be applied to
a floor by means of a squirt bottle or by a dispenser provided
within the floor buffer itself. In any event, during use, the floor
buffer can throw off significant amounts of liquid cleaner from
floors where such is heavily applied and can discharge much dust
from floors where liquid cleaner is lightly applied. Any excess
liquid cleaner remaining on a floor after buffing must be mopped up
and any dust sent into the air must be wiped from nearby furniture,
equipment, fixtures, and goods before a cleaning task can be
considered complete.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In light of the problems associated with cleaning the floors
of heavily trafficked buildings, it is a principal object of the
invention to provide an attachment to a floor buffer which vacuums
up excess cleaning, polishing, and stripping liquids as well as
dirt and dust as soon as such are thrown off the floor buffer's
rotating pad. Suction is applied about the periphery of the buffing
pad so that particulate matter, whether it is in a solid or liquid
phase, has little opportunity to escape into the environment remote
from the floor buffer. Also, a tight seal against a floor is not
required by the attachment to work effectively. Thus, the need to
mop or dust after a floor is buffed is minimized thereby saving
time for a user.
[0004] It is another object of the invention to provide an
attachment of the type described that can be connected to rotary
floor buffers of numerous makes and models. Connection can be
afforded with few tools and with minimal instruction. Furthermore,
the attachment is intuitive to use.
[0005] It is a further object of the invention to provide an
attachment of the type described that does not impede the movements
of a floor buffer. After joining the attachment to a floor buffer,
the floor buffer can, during use, be moved easily in any direction
whatsoever and into tight areas. The buffer need not be moved in a
straight line, but can be moved tirelessly in graceful arcs.
[0006] Still another object of the invention is to provide a vacuum
attachment for a floor buffer that is energized when the floor
buffer is energized so as to not waste electrical energy.
[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide improved
features and arrangements thereof in a vacuum attachment for a
floor buffer for the purposes described that is lightweight in
construction for easy transport, inexpensive to manufacture, and
fully dependable in use.
[0008] Briefly, the vacuum attachment in accordance with this
invention achieves the intended objects by featuring a suction ring
with a tubular hoop adapted to encircle the buffing pad of a floor
buffer and to slide upon a floor. The tubular hoop is hollow and is
provided with a plurality of inlets through which liquid and dry
waste thrown off by the buffing pad can be drawn. A tubular stem
extends upwardly from the tubular hoop. A hose clamp is positioned
atop the tubular stem for releasably fastening one end of a hose to
the tubular stem. The other end of the hose is attached to a
wet/dry vacuum that can be carried in a backpack by a user.
[0009] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of
the present invention will become readily apparent upon further
review of the following detailed description of the two embodiments
as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The present invention may be more readily described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the suction ring of a vacuum
attachment for a floor buffer in accordance with the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the suction ring
of FIG. 1 connected to a floor buffer with portions of both the
suction ring and floor buffer being broken away.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vacuum attachment
connected to a floor buffer.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the suction ring of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the suction ring taken
along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of an alternative suction ring.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the alternative suction
ring taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.
[0018] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Referring now to the FIGS., a floor buffer is shown at 10.
Floor buffer 10 includes a circular base 12 atop of which is
mounted an electric motor 14. Motor 14 is connected to a circular,
buffing pad 16 secured beneath base 12 such that, when motor 14 is
energized, buffing pad 16 is rotated to clean or polish a floor. A
handle 18 is secured to the back of base 12 and extends upwardly
and rearwardly therefrom. A handgrip 20 is affixed to the top of
handle 18 and supports a controller 22 that can be manipulated by
the hands 24 of a user 26 to energize motor 14 and regulate its
speed and direction of rotation. A cable 28 extends from controller
22 to a wall outlet (not shown) for supplying electrical power to
motor 14. A pair of auxiliary wheels 30 is secured to the back of
base 12 for moving buffer 10 when motor 14 is not energized.
[0020] A vacuum attachment 32 in accordance with the present
invention is used with floor buffer 10 to collect cleaning liquids
and dirt thrown from buffing pad 16. Vacuum attachment 32 includes
a suction ring 34 sized for positioning around buffing pad 16.
Suction ring 34 is hollow and is provided with a plurality of
inlets 36a and 36b through which waste can be drawn into suction
ring 34. Suction ring 34 is also provided with an outlet 38 that is
connected by a hose 40 to the inlet 42 of a wet/dry vacuum 44
carried in a backpack 46 by user 26. Vacuum 44 is connected by a
cable 48 to an electrical outlet 50, positioned atop base 12 of
buffer 10, that is connected in series with motor 14 so that,
whenever motor 14 is energized, vacuum 44 is also energized to draw
waste through ring 34 and hose 40 into itself.
[0021] Outlet 38 is a tee fitting that includes a tubular
crosspiece 52 with opposed ends that are both open. Crosspiece 52
is provided with a bottom surface 54 that is planar for smooth
engagement with a floor and a longitudinal channel 56 in bottom
surface 54 extending from one end of crosspiece 52 to the other end
thereof. An inlet opening 36b passes through bottom surface 54 and
bisects channel 56 to provide access to the interior of crosspiece
52.
[0022] Outlet 50 also includes a tubular stem 58 that is integrally
formed with crosspiece 52 and that extends upwardly therefrom. Stem
58 is in fluid communication with the interior of crosspiece 52.
The top of stem 58 is threaded to receive a hose clamp 60 for
releasably fastening hose 40 to stem 58 in a sealed manner.
[0023] A tubular hoop 62 is carried by outlet 52. Hoop 62 is a
length of tubing, albeit one with a short segment removed, formed
into a circle with a diameter that is a few inches greater than
that of buffing pad 16. The segment or gap in hoop 62 is bridged by
crosspiece 52 of outlet 50 into whose opposite ends the opposite
ends of hoop 62 are inserted and adhesively fastened. If desired,
outlet 50 and hoop 62 can be formed as an integral whole to
minimize assembly steps.
[0024] A channel 64 is provided in the bottom of hoop 62 so as to
face vertically downward towards a floor as at 66 upon which
attachment 32 is positioned. A plurality of inlets 36a penetrates
channel 64 at spaced intervals to provide access to the interior of
hoop 62. The dimensions of channel 64 and the number, spacing and
dimensions of inlets 36a is largely a matter of design choice,
being dependent upon the characteristics of the waste that these
fluid flow pathways are meant to convey. For example, a small
channel 64 and small inlets 36a, capable of generating higher flow
velocities for a given amount of suction from vacuum 44 than a wide
channel 64 and large inlets 36a, are best suited to moving liquids,
dense solids, and particles of relatively large size. Large
channels 64 and inlets 36a, producing lower velocities than small
ones with all other things remaining equal, pull small and light
particles like dust into hoop 62 with greater efficiency.
[0025] A pair of bumpers 68 is affixed to the top of hoop 62
equidistant from outlet 50 so as to maintain hoop 62 at a
predetermined distance from rotating pad 16 and to ensure the
optimum pickup of waste during use of attachment 32. Each bumper 68
is a resilient plastic disc that is held in place by a metallic
band 70 that tightly encircles hoop 62 and passes through bumper
68. As shown, bumpers 68 tilt inwardly toward the center of hoop 62
to engage base 12 of buffer 10 and better separate hoop 62 from
buffing pad 16. It should be noted, however, that bumpers 68 could
be provided in any number and with configurations of infinite
variety.
[0026] Suction ring 34 is tethered to base 12 of floor buffer 10 by
flexible links, namely chains 72. Chains 72 extend through bumpers
68 and through correspondingly positioned eyelets 74 affixed to
base 12 of floor buffer 10 by means of penetrating fasteners.
Chains 72 are long enough to permit suction ring 34 to slide upon a
floor, yet are short enough to permit buffer 10 to be rocked back
upon wheels 30 without suction ring 34 shifting far from its
preferred position closely adjacent the periphery of pad 16.
Interestingly, chains 72 also permit suction ring 34 to be
temporarily elevated from a floor while pad 16 is being rotated to
permit pad 16 to buff hard-to-reach places along walls and in the
corners of floors.
[0027] Hose 40 is flexible and extends from outlet 50 of suction
ring 34 to inlet 42 of vacuum 44. As shown, hose 40 has a diameter
that is substantially equal to that of the tubing used to form hoop
62 of suction ring 34. The length of hose 40 is adequate to permit
buffer 10 to be moved about by user 26 without being so short that
it impedes movement or being so long that it creates a tripping
hazard.
[0028] Wet/dry vacuum 44 is a well-known machine produced by one of
a group of numerous manufacturers throughout the world. As such,
the construction of vacuum 44 will not be belabored here. Suffice
it to say, however, that vacuum 44 contains a motor-driven impeller
capable of drawing air into its inlet 42 and forcing such from its
outlet (not shown) when energized. Matter, like droplets of
cleaning liquids, sand, dust, and dirt, entrained in the air
passing through vacuum 44, is trapped therein. When sufficient
waste matter is captured within vacuum 44, such is emptied and
vacuuming is subsequently resumed.
[0029] Backpack 46 supports wet/dry vacuum 44 upon the back 76 of
user 26. Backpack 46 includes a cradle 78 that snugly receives and
comfortably supports vacuum 44 and a pair of shoulder straps 80
extending forward from cradle 78. With cradle 78 positioned against
the back 76 of user 26, straps 80 are extended over the shoulders
82 of user 26 to permit vacuum 44 to be conveniently toted from
place to place in close proximity to buffer 10. If vacuum 44 is
large and heavy, backpack 46 can be eliminated from attachment 32
with casters (not shown) being affixed to the bottom of vacuum 44
to provide an effective, burden-reducing substitute.
[0030] From the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the use of
attachment 32 is straightforward. First, with suction ring 34
attached to base 12 of buffer 10 by chains 72, backpack 46, with
vacuum 44 positioned therein, is donned by user 26. Then, by
pushing down upon handgrips 20, buffer 10 is rotated onto wheels 30
and is rolled to a floor requiring cleaning. (Suction ring 34 does
not impede the turning of wheels 30.) Next, pad 16 is permitted to
settle onto the floor. Afterward, cable 28 is plugged into a wall
outlet and, by manually manipulating controller 22, buffer motor 14
and vacuum 44 are simultaneously energized. With buffing pad 16 now
spinning, buffer 10 is pushed about the floor to clean and polish
it. When cleaning and polishing operations are complete, buffer 10
is wheeled back to a convenient location for storage and later
use.
[0031] While buffing pad 16 is spinning, pad 16 will lift dust and
dirt from the floor and discharge much of it from its periphery.
Cleaning liquids and polishes can be applied to the floor by mop,
handheld bottle or by buffer 10 itself, assuming that it is
provided with a liquid dispenser, to aid in improving the
appearance of a floor. The dust, dirt and excess cleaning liquids
and polishes are, by means of the air being drawn into wet/dry
vacuum 44 through inlets 36a and 36b in suction ring 34, carried
into suction ring 34 and, then, through hose 40, to vacuum 44. When
vacuum 44 becomes full of waste matter drawn from the floor, it
will become heavy thereby signaling the need for vacuum 44 to be
emptied. To empty vacuum 44, backpack 46 is normally doffed and
vacuum 44 is opened to permit its waste trap to be dumped. After
dumping, buffing operations can resume immediately. Thus, except
while momentarily dumping waste, attachment 32 is always ready for
use.
[0032] While the invention has been described with a high degree of
particularity, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art
that modifications can be made to it. For example, as illustrated
in FIGS. 6 and 7, a suction ring 84 can be substituted for suction
ring 34 to provide attachment 32 with enhanced dust take-up
capabilities. Suction ring 84 includes an outlet 86 and a hoop 88
similar to those of ring 34 with its inlets 36a having central axes
B.sub.1 that are vertical and pass through the center C.sub.1 of
the tubing from which hoop 62 is formed. Inlets 95 of ring 88,
however, have central axes B.sub.2 that are inclined at an angle A
from a vertical line B.sub.3 passing through the center C.sub.2 of
hoop 88 to receive particulates from pad 16 of buffer 10. Also,
ring 84 can be provided with two pairs of bumpers 92 held in place
by bands 94. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present
invention is not limited to the various embodiment described above,
but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *