U.S. patent number 3,833,961 [Application Number 05/292,182] was granted by the patent office on 1974-09-10 for surface maintenance machine.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Tennant Company. Invention is credited to Lloyd D. Fortman, Joseph G. Kasper.
United States Patent |
3,833,961 |
Fortman , et al. |
September 10, 1974 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
SURFACE MAINTENANCE MACHINE
Abstract
A surface maintenance machine having a scrubber head unit, a
power drive unit that includes a dirty solution tank, a cleaning
solution tank, a removable operator's seat whereby the machine may
be used as an operator ride-on unit or a walk-behind unit, and a
parallel linkage system for moving the scrubber unit between the
elevations: (1) A horizontal cleaning position, (2) A horizontal
transport position, and (3) An elevated turning position, and in
the third position permitting the scrubber head unit being rotated
about 90.degree. to a generally vertical position, and lock
mechanism to releasably retain the scrubber head unit in either of
positions (2) and (3), or the vertical condition, and a propelling
steerable front wheel having a brake resiliently retained in a
braking condition and a rear squeegee assembly at the rear of the
power unit. The scrubber head unit in a horizontal condition is of
a substantially greater width than the maximum width of the power
unit and about the same width as the rear squeegee assembly which
is easily removable, while the height of the scrubber unit in a
horizontal position is substantially less than the maximum width of
the power unit. The scrubber head unit includes a pair of easily
removable, power driven rotatable brushes, a squeegee assembly, and
a combination baffle-trough that may be selectively mounted to
collect liquid and debris raised by the brushes, or to permit the
raised liquid to be recirculated to the surface being cleaned.
Inventors: |
Fortman; Lloyd D. (Golden
Valley, MN), Kasper; Joseph G. (Golden Valley, MN) |
Assignee: |
Tennant Company (Minneapolis,
MN)
|
Family
ID: |
23123570 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/292,182 |
Filed: |
September 25, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/50.3;
15/340.3; 15/83; 15/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L
11/30 (20130101); E01H 1/103 (20130101); A47L
11/4072 (20130101); A47L 11/4055 (20130101); A47L
11/4069 (20130101); A47L 11/4041 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47L
11/30 (20060101); A47L 11/29 (20060101); E01H
1/00 (20060101); E01H 1/10 (20060101); A47l
011/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;15/49R,49C,5C,83,78,82,320,340,384 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Hornsby; Harvey C.
Assistant Examiner: Moore; Christopher K.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dugger, Johnson & Westman
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like
and that usually is driven in a longitudinal forward direction,
comprising a power unit having a main frame, and a surface engaging
wheel assembly mounted on the main frame, and a surface maintenance
unit that includes a housing having a downwardly opening rotary
maintenance tool enclosure, a rotatable surface engaging
maintenance tool and first means for rotatably mounting said tool
on the housing to extend within said enclosure, said power unit
including a support member, second means mounted on the support
member to move therewith and mounting the surface maintenance unit
for movement with the support member and pivotal movement relative
the support member, and power operated parallel linkage means
mounted on the main frame for mounting the support member and
selectively moving the support member, and therethrough, the
surface maintenance unit between an elevation in which the tool
engages said surface and an elevation in which said tool is
substantially spaced from said surface.
2. A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like
and that usually is driven in a longitudinal forward direction,
comprising a power unit having a main frame and a power driven
surface engaging wheel assembly mounted on the main frame, and a
surface maintenance unit that includes a housing having a
downwardly opening rotary maintenance tool, and first means for
rotatably mounting said tool on the housing to extend within said
enclosure, said power unit including a support member, a pivot
member having a predominantly horizontally extending pivot axis for
mounting said surface maintenance unit for pivotal movement between
a generally horizontally extending position in which the tool is
engageable with the surface to be cleaned and a vertically
extending position at about 90.degree. relative thereto, said pivot
member being mounted on the support member to move therewith and
power operated lift means for moving the support member and
therethrough the surface maintenance unit between an elevation in
which the tool engages said surface when the surface maintenance
unit is in a horizontal position, and an elevation permitting the
surface maintenance unit to be rotated between said horizontal
position and said vertical position, said units having cooperating
means for releasably locking the surface maintenance unit in its
generally vertical position.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 further characterized in that the
surface maintenance unit in a horizontal position has a
substantially greater transverse width than the maximum transverse
width of power unit, and a height substantially less than its
transverse width.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 further characterized in that said
surface maintenance unit has opposite transverse sides and is
mounted on said pivot member to have one transverse side thereof
substantially more closely adjacent said pivot member than the
other side when said surface maintenance unit is in a horizontal
position.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 further characterized in that the
surface maintenance unit in a vertical position has a center of
gravity offset from the pivot axis and thereby under the action of
gravity tends to rotate about the pivot axis in one angular
direction, that there is provided stop means on the support member
for limiting the rotative movement of the surface maintenance unit
about said axis in said one angular direction from the vertical
position toward the horizontal position to a generally horizontal
position, and that said surface maintenance unit includes a housing
and control means on the housing for selectively abutting against
the support member to retain the surface maintenance unit in a
predominantly horizontal position while permitting limited angular
movement about said axis and resiliently urging said surface
maintenance unit toward a position to abut against said stop
means.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 further characterized in that said lift
means includes upper and lower parallel arms each having one end
pivotally connected to the main frame to pivot about horizontal
axes and opposite ends, and bar means pivotally connected to said
opposite ends for mounting the support member for vertical movement
as the arms are pivoted about said horizontal axes.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 further characterized in that said
surface maintenance unit includes a transverse frame member
mounting said housing, said housing having opposite side walls and
said enclosure that is in part defined by said side walls, first
means for pivotally mounting said frame member on the pivot member
to pivot about the pivot member axis, said first means being joined
to said frame member at a location substantially more closely
adjacent one of said side walls than the other, that the control
means includes a vertical rod pivotally mounted by the frame member
to extend above and beneath the frame member when the maintenance
unit is in a horizontal position, resilient means connected to said
rod for constantly resiliently urging the rod upwardly, an arm
joined to the lower end of said rod to rotate therewith to a
position extendable beneath said support member, and a handle
connected to the upper end of said rod for moving the rod
downwardly, and pivoting the rod to move the last mentioned arm
beneath the support member, and alternately pivoting the rod to
move the last mentioned arm away from the support member to permit
the surface maintenance unit pivoting 90.degree. relative the pivot
member.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 further characterized in that said tool
comprises a scrubbing tool, that said housing has a top hopper
insert opening, that the maintenance unit includes a hopper having
a debris inlet opening and a trough portion beneath said inlet
opening, and means for mounting the hopper in the housing in a
position for material raised by said tool to be able to pass
through said inlet opening, and for free withdrawal through said
top opening, said housing having an opening between the enclosure
and the hopper unit to permit raised material to pass into the
hopper, and that the rod and arm thereon are pivotable to a
position to hold the hopper in the housing even when the housing is
turned about 90.degree. about the first mentioned axis.
9. The apparatus of claim 5 further characterized in the said lift
means includes an arm having one end portion and an opposite end,
second means for mounting the support member on the arm opposite
end to move therewith, third means for mounting said arm one end
portion on the main frame for pivotal movement about a horizontal
axis and selectively pivoting said arm about the last mentioned
axis for moving the opposite end and therethrough the maintenance
unit to various elevations, and that said power unit has operable
lock means for releasably retaining said arm in a first pivotal
position that the maintenance unit is vertically spaced from the
surface to be cleaned.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 further characterized in that the lock
means comprises a latch plate movably mounted on the main frame and
having a first portion for retaining said arm in the arm first
pivotal position, and a second portion for retaining said arm in a
second pivotal position in which the maintenance unit is at a
substantially higher elevation than in the arm first pivotal
position and at an elevation that the maintenance unit may be
freely turned through said 90.degree. angle, said arm first pivotal
position positioning the surface maintenance unit at an elevation
that upon attempting to turn the surface maintanance unit through
said 90.degree. angle, the maintenance unit would abut against said
surface to limit the pivotal movement to an angle substantially
less than 90.degree., and means connected to said latch plate for
selectively moving said latch plate out of the path of movement of
said arm and returning said latch plate into the path of movement
of said arm.
11. A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like
and that usually is driven in a longitudinal forward direction,
comprising a power unit having a main frame and a power driven
surface engaging wheel assembly mounted on the main frame, and a
surface maintenance unit that includes a housing having a
downwardly opening rotary maintenance tool enclosure, a rotatable
surface engaging maintenance tool, and first means for rotatably
mounting said tool on the housing to extend within said enclosure,
said power unit including a power operated lift assembly for
mounting the maintenance unit on the main frame and selectively
moving the maintenance unit between a lowered first position in
which said tool engages said surface and an elevated second
position in which said tool is substantially spaced from said
surface, said lift assembly including a support member, first means
for mounting the maintenance unit on the support member for
movement therewith, a linkage device attached to the support member
for moving the support member therewith and mounted on the main
frame for movement between the maintenance unit first and second
positions, power means for moving said linkage device between the
above positions, and latch means mounted on the frame for movement
between a first position abutting against the linkage device for
retaining the linkage device in the maintenance unit tool elevated
position and a second position out of the path of movement of the
linkage device as the linkage device moves between the maintenance
unit positions, and second means for selectively moving the latch
means between its positions.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that said
parallel linkage means includes a first pair of vertically spaced
parallel arms each having one end pivotally connected to the frame,
and each having an opposite end, a first bar pivotally mounted by
the first arms opposite ends, a second pair of vertically spaced
parallel arms offset from the first pair of parallel arms in a
direction transverse to the normal direction of movement of the
machine and parallel to said first pair of arms, said second pair
of arms each having one end pivotally connected to the frame and
opposite ends, and a second bar pivotally mounted by the second
arms opposite ends, said support member being fixedly attached to
said bars to move therewith.
13. A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like
and that usually is driven in a longitudinal forward direction,
comprising a power unit having a main frame, and a surface engaging
wheel assembly mounted on the main frame, and a surface maintenance
unit that includes a housing having a downwardly opening rotary
maintenance tool enclosure, a rotatable surface engaging
maintenance tool and first means for rotatably mounting said tool
on the housing to extend within said enclosure, said power unit
including a lift assembly for mounting the maintenance unit on the
main frame and selectively moving the maintenance unit between a
lowered first position in which said tool engages said surface and
an elevated second position in which said tool is substantially
spaced from said surface, said lift assembly including a parallel
linkage assembly mounted on the main frame and having a support
member movable between a position in which said tool engages said
surface and a tool elevated position, operator controlled means for
moving said parallel linkage assembly, and second means mounted on
the support member to move therewith for mounting the surface
maintenance unit for movement with the support member and pivotal
movement relative thereto, the second means including a generally
horizontal pivot member having a generally horizontal pivot axis
and third means for mounting said pivot member on the support
member for movement between a datum first position and a second
position, the surface maintenance unit including means for mounting
the housing on said pivot member for pivotal movement about said
horizontal axis, said housing being mounted on said pivot member
for angular movement through an angle of about 90.degree. between a
datum position in which the tool extends downwardly of the housing
and a second position in which the tool extends laterally outwardly
of the housing, and said third means being of a horizontal length
to, in the pivot member second position, position the housing in
the housing second position so that the said tool is engageable
with a vertical surface as the power unit moves forwardly parallel
to said vertical surface and adjacent thereto.
14. A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like
and that usually is driven in a longitudinal forward direction,
comprising a power unit having a main frame, and a surface engaging
wheel assembly mounted on the main frame, and a surface maintenance
unit that includes a housing having a downwardly opening rotary
maintenance tool enclosure, a rotatable surface engaging
maintenance tool and first means for rotatably mounting said tool
on the housing to extend within said enclosure, said power unit
including a lift assembly for mounting the maintenance unit on the
main frame and selectively moving the maintenance unit between a
lowered first position in which said tool engages said surface and
an elevated second position in which said tool is substantially
spaced from said surface, said lift assembly including a parallel
linkage assembly mounted on the main frame and having a support
member movable between a position in which tool engages said
surface and a tool elevated position, operator controlled means for
moving said parallel linkage assembly, second means mounted on the
support member to move therewith for mounting the surface
maintenance unit for movement with the support member and pivotal
movement relative thereto, said second means comprising a pivot
member having a pivot axis extending generally longitudinally in
the direction of normal movement of the machine, said pivot member
being mounted on the support member, and means for mounting the
surface maintenance unit on the pivot member for pivotal movement
about said axis through a substantial angle from a predominantly
horizontal position to a predominantly vertical position and
cooperating means on the power unit and the surface maintenance
unit for releasably retaining the surface maintenance unit in said
vertical position.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 further characterized in that the
surface maintenance unit in a horizontal position has a
substantially greater transverse width than the minimum transverse
width of the main frame and a height substantially less than its
transverse width.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 further characterized in that the
housing has transversely spaced first and second side walls that in
part define said enclosure, that the pivot member is located
substantially transversely more closely adjacent the first side
wall than the second side wall when the surface maintenance unit is
in a horizontal position, and that the surface maintenance unit
includes third means mounted on the housing for cooperating with
the parallel linkage assembly for releasably retaining the housing
in a predominantly horizontal position.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 further characterized in that the
surface maintenance unit in a horizontal position has a center of
gravity that in a transverse direction is located between said
pivot axis and the second side wall and more closely adjacent the
pivot axis than the second wall.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 further characterized in that the
housing includes a frame member, that the third means includes a
control member mounted on the frame member for pivotal movement
about a second pivot axis between a first position engaging the
support member to retain the surface maintenance unit in a
predominantly horizontal position and a second position permitting
the surface maintenance unit being rotated about the first pivot
axis through an angle of about 90.degree., and slidably movement
relative the frame member along said second pivot axis and
resilient means acting against the control member to resiliently
urge the control member to a slidable position that the control
member in its first pivotal position abuts against the support
member.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 further characterized in that said
surface maintenance unit includes a debris hopper, that said
housing has a top hopper insert opening and means for slidably
receiving said hopper when inserted through said top opening and
supporting said hopper in a position to receive material raised by
said tool, said enclosure having an opening for material raised by
said tool moving into said hopper, and that said control member has
an arm for abutting against the hopper to block the hopper from
moving out of the top opening when said element is in its second
pivot position and has been slidably moved by said resilient means,
even when the surface maintenance unit is moved to its vertical
position.
20. The apparatus of claim 18 further characterized in that the
power unit includes lock means mounted on the main frame for
selectively releasably retaining the linkage assembly in a position
in which the surface maintenance unit is in a sufficiently elevated
position to be turned from the predominantly horizontal to the
vertical position.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 further characterized in that the
last mentioned lock means includes a lock plate having a first
portion abuttable against the linkage assembly to retain it in a
position to support the maintenance unit at an elevation in which
it is able to be turned to a vertical position and a second portion
abuttable against the linkage assembly to retain it in a position
in which the maintenance unit is at an elevation such that the tool
is vertically spaced from said surface and lower than that
elevation at which the maintenance unit may be turned to its
vertical position, and means for selectively moving the lock plate
between a position out of the path of movement of the linkage
assembly and a position in which the linkage assembly abuts against
the desired one of said plate portions, that the means for moving
said linkage assembly includes power means for selectively moving
the parallel linkage assembly between said tool positions and that
there is provided power means for driving said tool.
22. A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like
and that usually is driven in a longitudinal forward direction,
comprising a power unit having a main frame and a power driven
surface engaging wheel assembly mounted on the main frame, and a
surface maintenance unit that includes a housing having a
downwardly opening rotary maintenance tool enclosure, a rotatable
surface engaging maintenance tool, and first means for rotatably
mounting said tool on the housing to extend within said enclosure,
said power unit including a power operated lift assembly for
mounting the maintenance unit on the main frame and selectively
moving the maintenance unit between a lowered first position in
which said tool engages said surface and an elevated second
position in which said tool is substantially spaced from said
surface, said lift assembly including a support member, first means
for mounting the maintenance unit on the support member for
movement therewith, a linkage device attached to the support member
for moving the support member therewith and mounted on the main
frame for movement between the maintenance unit first and second
positions, power means for moving said linkage device between the
above positions, and latch means mounted on the frame for movement
between a first position for retaining the linkage device in the
maintenance unit tool elevated position and a second position out
of the path of movement of the linkage device, and second means for
selectively moving the latch means between its positions, said
latch means comprising a latch plate pivotally mounted on the main
frame, said latch plate having a camming edge abuttable against
said linkage device for pivoting the latch plate out of its path of
movement as the linkage device moves from the maintenance unit tool
surface engaging position to the maintenance unit tool elevated
position, and said second means including resilient means for
resiliently urging the latch plate to pivot to the latch means
first position and operable means for pivoting the latch plate to
the latch means second position.
23. A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like
and that usually is driven in a longitudinal forward direction,
comprising a power unit having a main frame and a power driven
surface engaging wheel assembly mounted on the main frame, and a
surface maintenance unit that includes a housing having a
downwardly opening rotary maintenance tool enclosure, a rotatable
surface engaging maintenance tool, and first means for rotatably
mounting said tool on the housing to extend within said enclosure,
said power unit including a power operated lift assembly for
mounting the maintenance unit on the main frame and selectively
moving the maintenance unit between a lowered first position in
which said tool engages said surface and an elevated second
position in which said tool is substantially spaced from said
surface, said lift assembly including a support member, first means
for mounting the maintenance unit on the support member for
movement therewith, a linkage device attached to the support member
for moving the support member therewith and mounted on the main
frame for movement between the maintenance unit first and second
positions, power means for moving said linkage device between the
above positions, and latch means mounted on the frame for movement
between a first position for retaining the linkage device in the
tool elevated position and a second position out of the path of
movement of the linkage device, and second means for selectively
moving the latch means between its positions, said first means
including a pivot member mounted on the support member to move
therewith and having an axis extending predominantly longitudinally
in the direction of normal movement of the machine, and means for
mounting the maintenance unit on the pivot member for pivotal
movement about said axis between a position extending predominantly
horizontally and a position extending predominantly vertically,
said maintenance unit in its horizontal position having a
transverse width substantially greater than the maximum transverse
width of the power unit and a maximum height substantially less
than its transverse width.
24. The apparatus of claim 23 further characterized in that said
linkage device in the tool first elevated position supports said
support member at an elevation that in attempting to turn
maintenance unit from the horizontal position to the vertical
position, the maintenance unit engages said surface to block
further turning movement toward the vertical position, and that
said linkage device is movable by the power means to a third
position in which the support member is at an elevation that the
maintenance device can be freely turned between horizontal and
vertical positions.
25. The apparatus of claim 24 first characterized in that the latch
means has a first portion for supporting the linkage device in said
maintenance unit first position and a second portion for supporting
the linkage device in said third position, said second means
including means for selectively moving the latch means from its
second position to its first position to have the selected one of
the latch means first portion and second portion support said
linkage device.
26. The apparatus of claim 24 further characterized in that there
is provided cooperating means on the lift assembly and the
maintenance unit for selectively retaining the maintenance unit in
each of its horizontal and vertical positions, that said linkage
device includes upper and lower parallel arms pivotally mounted on
the main frame, and that the first means comprises a vertical bar
pivotally connected to said parallel arms and means for attaching
the support member to the vertical bar in a fixed position relative
thereto.
27. The apparatus of claim 24 further characterized in that the
support member comprises a member that is elongated in a direction
transverse to the direction of normal longitudinal movement of the
machine and mounted by the linkage device for movement therewith
and means for mounting the pivot member on the support member for
transverse movement relative thereto between a datum first position
and a second position substantially transversely offset from the
datum first position, the pivot member in its datum position with
the maintenance unit in its horizontal position being located to
substantially transversely center the maintenance unit relative the
power unit so that upon turning the maintenance unit to its
vertical position, the tool is transversely inwardly of the
adjacent side of the power unit, and the pivot member in its second
position being sufficiently transversely offset from the datum
position to position said maintenance unit in its vertical position
so that the tool extends transversely outwardly of the power unit
adjacent side to permit the tool engaging a generally vertical
surface as the power unit moves generally longitudinally
forwardly.
28. A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like
and that usually is driven in a longitudinal forward direction,
comprising a power unit having a main frame and a power driven
surface engaging wheel assembly mounted on the main frame, and a
surface maintenance unit that includes a housing having a
downwardly opening rotary maintenance tool enclosure, a rotatable
surface engaging maintenance tool, first means for rotatably
mounting said tool on the housing to extend within said enclosure,
a second rotatable surface engaging tool, second means for
rotatably mounting said second tool in the enclosure, said housing
including side walls, a front wall and a deflector above the tools
that are joined together to form said enclosure, a hopper having a
debris receiving opening and a top wall, means for mounting the
hopper on the housing to receive material raised by said tools,
said hopper mounting means mounting the hopper for withdrawal from
the housing, and including a transverse panel joined to said
deflector to extend thereabove and joined to said side walls, and
closure means mounted by one of the side walls, deflector and front
wall to in cooperation with the side walls, deflector and panel
form a second enclosed chamber, said housing having an enclosure
opening for material raised by said tool moving out of the
enclosure into the hopper, said first and second means including
drivable means for driving said tools, motor means mounted in said
second chamber and having a drive shaft extending outwardly of said
second chamber and means for drivably connecting said shaft to the
drivable means, said tools being tubular tools having transverse
axes of rotation and tubular cores, said first and second means
each including an idler plug mounted on a side wall to extend
therethrough and for withdrawal from the exterior of the side wall
on which it is mounted, each idler plug having a tool mounting
portion slidably extended into the respective core, an intermediate
portion of a substantially smaller longitudinal cross-sectional
area perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the core than the
cross-sectional area of the core interior that is perpendicular to
the axis of rotation of the core, the intermediate portion being
extended through the side wall on which the idler plug is mounted
and forming a close fit therewith, and a portion of a substantially
larger longitudinal cross-sectional area than the corresponding
cross-sectional area of the intermediate portion that is located
exterior of the enclosure and removably secured to the last
mentioned side wall, each of said tools having a hub mounted within
the core for slidably receiving the respective tool mounting
portion whereby the hub is rotatably mounted on the tool mounting
portion, and said power unit including a power operated lift
assembly for mounting the maintenance unit on the main frame and
selectively moving the maintenance unit between a lowered first
position in which said tools engage said surface and an elevated
second position in which said tools are substantially spaced from
said surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A surface cleaning machine for scrubbing surfaces that includes a
power unit and a scrubber head unit movable to various positions
relative the power unit.
With prior art power driven surface cleaning machines there is a
problem that the width of the scrubbing head unit is limited by the
width of the doorways or other narrow passageways that the machine
has to be moved through in order to travel to the area to be
cleaned. Also prior art machines are not readily adapted for use as
operator ride-on unit or a walk-behind unit without the attachment
of such as a sulky.
Additionally the scrubbing brushes are not readily removable unless
the strength of the construction of the brush housing side walls is
unduly scarificed by the provision of such as a side door. In order
to overcome problems such as the above, as well as others, this
invention has been made.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A surface cleaning machine having a power drive unit and a scrubber
head unit that includes a power driven rotary tool, the power drive
unit including a parallel linkage assembly for moving the scrubber
head unit in a generally horizontal condition between a surface
cleaning position and an elevated turning position, the linkage
assembly including a pivot assembly for mounting the scrubber head
unit for pivotal movement, when in the elevated position, to a
generally vertical position, and lock mechanism for selectively
retaining the scrubber head unit in a generally horizontal position
and a generally vertical position.
One of the objects of this invention is to provide a surface
cleaning machine having a mobile power unit and a surface cleaning
unit that includes a rotary brush with a new and novel mounting
assembly for mounting the surface cleaning unit on the power unit
for movement between various selected positions relative the
surface being cleaned. In furtherance of the above object; it is
another object of this invention to provide a mounting assembly for
mounting the cleaning unit for rotation through an angle of
90.degree. about a horizontal axis from a generally horizontal
condition to a generally vertical condition and selectively
retaining the surface cleaning unit in either of said conditions.
With reference to the above objects, it is a further object of this
invention to provide a mounting assembly having new and novel
mounting members for mounting the surface cleaning unit for
movement between laterally offset positions relative the power
unit.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a surface
cleaning unit having a new and novel mounting of a rotary brush to
permit the easy removal thereof. A further object of this invention
is to provide in a surface scrubbing unit having a rotary brush, a
new and novel combination baffledebris hopper that may be used for
collecting liquid and debris raised by the brush and alternately
aid in returning liquid raised by the brush to the surface.
Another object of this invention is to provide a scrubbing unit
with a squeegee assembly having a new and novel mounting of the
squeegee. An additional object of this invention is to provide a
surface cleaning machine with a squeegee assembly of a new and
novel construction, and new and novel structure for mounting the
squeegee assembly for limited vertical movement.
A further object of this invention is to provide a surface cleaning
machine having a power driven steerable wheel with a new and novel
brake assembly that is constantly urged to a braking condition. An
additional object of this invention is provide a surface cleaning
machine having an electric motor driven pump with a new and novel
mounting of the motor to facilitate performing maintenance
operations on the motor.
An additional object of this invention is to incorporate new and
novel safety features into a surface maintenance machine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a right side view of the surface maintenance machine of
this invention, said view showing the scrubbing unit in its normal,
horizontal surface scrubbing position in solid lines, the clean
liquid tank in its normal position in solid lines and in a hinged
forward position permitting access to the batteries and other
structure therebeneath in dotted lines, and two different positions
of the scrubber head unit in dotted lines, the lowermost dotted
line position being a transport position and the uppermost dotted
line position being an elevated turning position permitting the
scrubber head turning 90.degree. about a horizontal axis to a
vertical position;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, the solid line
and the two dotted line positions of the scrubber head unit of FIG.
1 being illustrated and a third dotted line position of the
scrubber unit also being illustrated, the third dotted line
position being a vertical position turned 90.degree. relative the
other positions, portions of the scrubber unit being broken away to
illustrate other structure thereof;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lift assembly for mounting the
scrubber unit and moving the scrubber unit between its various
positions and the latch mechanism for selectively retaining the
scrubber unit in two of its positions, said view showing the lift
assembly and latch mechanism in a scrubber unit transport position
in solid lines, and in dotted lines, showing the latch mechanism in
the scrubber unit elevated turning position;
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the scrubber unit
with the combination collection trough-baffle shown in a position
for collecting debris raised by the brushes;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, vertical transverse cross-sectional view
generally taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows
5--5 of FIG. 7 to show the mounting of one end portion of a rotary
brush;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view generally taken along
the line and in the direction of the arrows 6--6 of FIG. 8 to more
clearly illustrate the mounting of the scrubber unit squeegee;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view generally taken along
the line and in the direction of the arrows 7--7 of FIG. 5 to show
the mounting a brush;
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view of the rear portion of the scrubber
unit with portions being broken away to more clearly illustrate the
mechanism for releasably retaining the scrubber head unit in
generally horizontal condition and showing the combination
baffle-debris hopper in a position that the raised debris and
liquid is recycled to the surface being scrubbed;
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the mounting of the
electric motor in driving relation to a hydraulic pump, in solid
lines, portions thereof being broken away, and the electric motor
being shown in a hinged dotted line position to facilitate
performing maintenance thereon;
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view illustrating the lock mechanism for
releasably retaining the scrubber unit in a generally vertical
condition;
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the hydraulic
components and controls of the apparatus of this invention;
FIG. 12 is a side view of the front wheel mounting and brake
structure, portions being broken away;
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary vertical, cross-sectional view of the
structure of FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary view more clearly illustrating
the cam and adjacent ends of the brake shoe of FIG. 12;
FIG. 15 is a fragmentary view of a modified embodiment of the
mounting of the scrubber unit to permit laterally displacing the
scrubber unit relative the power unit;
FIG. 16 is a fragmentary, vertical cross-sectional view of the
scrubber head mounting structure of FIG. 15; and
FIG. 17 is a fragmentary top view showing the battery compartment
and adjacent structure, part diagrammatically and the cleaning
solution tank being broken away.
Referring now to the drawings there is illustrated a surface
cleaning machine, generally designated 10 that includes a power and
drive unit, generally designated 11, and a scrubber head unit,
generally designated 12, that is mounted on the unit 11 to extend
forwardly thereof. The power unit 11 includes a main frame 13 that
mounts transversely spaced rear wheels 15 and a front steerable and
drive wheel assembly, generally designated 14, that is connected
through a suitable steering linkage (not shown) to the steering
wheel 16 that extends rearwardly of the main frame such as shown in
FIG. 1. Since the structure of the steerable wheel assembly 14,
including the mounting thereof, may be similar to that described in
U.S. Pat. No. 3,604,051, granted Sept. 14, 1971, which discloses
the mounting of a rear steerable wheel, the manner of mounting the
front wheel assembly for steerable movement will not be
described.
Mounted on the main frame to extend rearwardly thereof, are a pair
of longitudinal, transversely spaced frame members 18 that mount
the depending legs of a generally U-shaped frame member 19. The
frame member 19 has a top, transversely extending, web portion that
is provided with a plurality of transversely spaced bolt openings
(not shown). A longitudinally extending seat support bar 21 has a
front clevised bracket with transversely spaced bolt openings to
permit the seat being secured to the web of frame member 19 in
transversely spaced adusted positions by bolts 22. Further, by
removing all except one bolt 22, the frame member 21 may be pivoted
about a vertical axis of the remaining bolt so that the bar 21
extends generally transversely of the machine with the seat 25 off
to one side of the machine. An upright support 24 is mounted on the
intermediate portion of the bar 21 to in turn mount the operator
seat 25, a stop plate 26 being mounted on the support bar 21
rearwardly of the seat to abut against a vertical wall in the event
the operator while sitting on the seat backs up too far. Since the
steering wheel 16 is at an elevation to be turned by an operator
standing on the surface being cleaned, or sitting on the seat, the
machine 10 may be used as either a walk-behind scrubber, or an
operator ride-on scrubber.
Mounted on the upper rear portion of the power unit frame is a
dirty liquid tank 29 having a plenum chamber portion 30 opening to
the top thereof. Removably mounted on the top wall of the plenum
chamber to have the inlet thereof open to the plenum chamber is a
suction blower 31 for applying a vacuum to the plenum chamber.
Extending into the tank 29 and opening into the interior thereof
adjacent the plenum chamber is a fluid conduit 33, a scrubber unit
squeegee conduit 34, and a collection trough conduit 35. Each part
of the conduit that extends outwardly of the dirty liquid tank is
of a flexible nature, the lower end portion of the conduit 33 being
connected to a suitable take-up tube 36 of the rear squeegee
assembly, generally designated 37. Each conduit includes a tube
extending within the tank, the conduits being sized for the
application of the proper vacuum at the members connected to the
inlet ends of the conduits. The rear squeegee assembly is located
rearwardly of the rear wheels and advantageously is of about the
same width as the surface maintenance unit 12. The squeegee
assembly 37 includes a squeegee frame 41 and a pair of transversely
spaced upright brackets 38 secured thereto, each bracket having a
one end portion of the longitudinally elongated rod 39 loosely
extended therethrough. A readily removable pin (not shown) is
extended through the rear end portion of each rod 39 for removably
retaining the bracket on the rod. Each rod 39 extends forwardly to
have its forward end portion mounted on the main frame adjacent the
front end of the power unit. As may be noted from FIG. 1, the rods
39 are of longer lengths than the longitudinal spacing between the
front and rear wheels. As a result of the relatively long lengths
of the rods 39, the squeegee assembly 37 in being moved from an
elevated position to a surface engaging position moves through a
sufficiently large radius of curvature that it is not necessary to
use a complicated linkage having a plurality of pivots mounting or
forming part of the squeegee assembly. Further, the rear squeegee
assembly has limited rocking action so that it can move to follow
uneven surfaces being cleaned. It is to be noted that the squeegee
assembly may be retained in an elevated condition by suitable
means, for example, a chain (not shown).
Mounted on the power unit frame forwardly of the dirty liquid tank
is a cleaning solution tank 42. The tank 42 is hingedly connected
along its front lower edge at 43 to the main frame to permit it
being pivoted from its datum position rearwardly of the scrubbing
unit to the dotted line position of FIG. 1 in overlaying
relationship to the scrubbing head unit to permit access to
components positioned under the clean liquid tank in its datum
position. Also a shroud 42a is mounted on the power unit frame by
hinges 42b that have a hinge axis adjacent and parallel to the tank
hinge, the shroud being pivotable to a position extending over the
tank.
In order to mount the scrubber head unit 12 for movement between
the generally horizontal positions: (1) scrubbing position, (2)
transport position (dotted line positions 12b of FIGS. 1 and 2),
and (3) an elevated turning position (dotted line positions 12c of
FIGS. 1 and 2), and a generally vertical position (dotted line
position 12d of FIG. 2), there is provided the scrubber head
mounting assembly (lift assembly) generally designated 46, see
FIGS. 1-3. The assembly 46 includes a transverse shaft 47 that is
pivotally mounted in a fixed position by the main frame, the rear
end of upper parallel arms 48 being secured to the shaft to rotate
therewith. The forward ends of arms 48 are each pivotally connected
at 49 to the upper end of a vertical bar 50 while the lower end of
each bar 50 is pivotally connected at 51 to the front end of a
lower arm 52. The rear end of each arm 52 is pivotally connected to
the frame 13 by a pivot member 53 while the upper intermediate
portions of the bars 50 mount a transverse channel (support member)
54 which extends therebetween to move therewith. Through the
aforementioned structure, the bars 50 are retained in a vertical
condition as the parallel links 48, 52 are pivoted about shaft and
pivot members 47, 53 respectively. In order to pivot the parallel
links 48, 52, the one end of a cylinder 58 of a piston/cylinder
combination 58, 59 is pivotally connected at 60 to main frame
portion 11a while the piston rod 59 is pivotally connected at 61 to
radial arms 62 which are in turn welded to the shaft 47.
Welded to the support member 54 to be located substantially more
closely adjacent the right hand bar 50 than the left hand bar 50 as
viewed in FIG. 3, is a shaft mount 64 that mounts the rear end
portion of a shaft 65 that has a central longitudinally extending
pivot axis. A transverse channel (support member or frame member)
66 of the scrubber head unit 12 is pivotally mounted on the front
end portion of shaft 65 to pivot about the central axis of said
shaft. Through the aforementioned structure, the central axis of
shaft 65 is retained in a generally horizontal, longitudinally
extending condition even though the elevation thereof is varied
through the operation of the piston/cylinder combination 58, 59.
Further the support member 54 is mounted to extend forwardly of the
main frame of the power unit while the shaft 65 extends forwardly
of the support member 54. Accordingly the scrubber unit may be
moved between its positions without engaging the main frame.
In order to releasably retain the scrubber head unit in either the
transport position or the elevated turn position, there is provided
the latch mechanism, generally designated 70 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).
The latch mechanism includes a latch plate 71 having a lower end
portion pivotally connected at 72 to main frame portion 11b while
the lower corner portion of the latch plate pivotally mounts the
one end of a link 73. The opposite end of link 73 is pivotally
connected to a radial arm 74 that is fixedly secured to a rod 75 to
rotate therewith. The opposite end of the rod 75 is suitably
connected to a foot operated pedal (not shown) at the lower rear of
the drive unit to move the plate 71 between the positions indicated
hereinafter, and to limit the pivotal movement of the plate in a
direction opposite arrow 77. A coil spring 80 has one end attached
to plate 71 on the side of pivot opposite the connection of link 73
and a lower end connected to frame portion 11b. The plate 71 is
provided with a notch that in a plate datum position, provides a
generally horizontal surface 71b on the opposite side of the pivot
72 from which the linkage 73 is connected to the plate. The edge
71b is located intermediate the inclined top edge 71d of the notch
and the inclined lower edge 71e of plate 71, the plate having a top
edge 71c. When the foot pedal (not shown) is operated to pivot the
plate 71 from its datum dotted line position of FIG. 2 in the
direction of the arrow 77 about pivot member 72, the plate is moved
out of the path of movement of the bars 48, 52 (see solid line
position of FIG. 2) assuming arm 48 was above one of edges 71b,
71c. At this time the piston/cylinder combination may be operated
to pivot bars 48 in the appropriate direction to move the scrubber
head to its lowermost position, whereby the arm 48 would be below
the edge 71e and then the foot pedal released whereupon spring 80
returns the plate 71 to its dotted line position of FIG. 2. Now
upon operating the piston/cylinder combination to pivot the arm 48
in the direction of the arrow 78, the adjacent arm 48 abuts against
the edge 71e of plate 71, which is inclined upwardly to the right
side of the machine, to cam the plate in the direction of the arrow
77 about pivot 72, and upon being raised to an elevation above edge
71b, the coil spring 80 will pivot the plate to a position in which
edge 71b underlies arm 48. If the application of fluid under
pressure to cylinder 58 is discontinued, the arm 48 will lodge on
edge 71b to prevent the arm pivoting in the direction opposite
arrow 78 about shaft 47 and will retain the scrubber head unit in
its transport position. However, if the application of fluid under
pressure to cylinder 48 is continued, the arm 48 in moving above
the elevation of edge 71b will abut against the diagonally upwardly
inclined edge 71d of the plate to cam the plate out of the path of
movement of said arm 48 until the arm is above edge 71c. At this
time spring 80 returns plate 71 to the position that edge 71c
underlies the adjacent arm 48, and if the application of fluid
under pressure to cylinder 58 is discontinued, the arm 48 will abut
against edge 71c to retain the scrubber head unit in its elevated
turning position. With reference to the above, the coil spring 80
constantly resiliently urges the plate to its solid line position
of FIG. 2 and will return it to such a position, providing the
adjacent arm 48 is not in the path of movement of the plate and
sufficient pressure is not being applied to the foot pedal. The
edge 71e is inclined such that the adjacent arm 52 will not abut
against plate 71, even when the parallel linkage is operated to
move the scrubber head unit to maximum elevation by combination 58,
59. A detent (not shown) is provided on the plate 71 to selectively
retain the foot pedal in a position that plate 71 is held out of
the path of movement of the arms of the parallel linkage.
The scrubber head unit 12 includes a housing having side walls 85,
86 that are fixedly secured to the opposite ends of the channel
(support member) 66 (see FIGS. 4, 7 and 8). A front wall panel 87
of about half of the height of the side walls extends between and
is secured to said side walls. The front edge of a deflector 88 is
secured to the upper edge of the panel 87, the deflector having
side edges secured to the adjacent side wall and a rear edge
secured to an intermediate panel 89 that has a main body portion
89a inclined upwardly forwardly. A door 91 is hingedly connected at
92 to the upper edge of the front panel and extends in overlying
relationship to the top flange 89b of panel 89 to in conjunction
with the portions of side walls 85, 86, panel 89 and deflector 88,
form an enclosed chamber 93. Further, the housing includes a top
rear panel 96 that has opposite edges mounted by the side walls and
has a front flange 96a that is substantially spaced from and
parallel to the main body 89a of panel 89. Portions 96a, 89b and
the side walls form an upwardly opening 97 in the housing through
which the combination baffle hopper, generally designated 100 may
be removed. Additionally the housing includes a bottom channel 101
that extends between and has its end edges secured to the side
walls, channel 101 including a generally rectangular bottom wall
101a forming a web portion of the channel, a rear leg 101b and a
front leg 101c that extends in substantially the same plane as
panel portion 89a. The top edge of portion 101c together with the
edge formed at the juncture of deflector 88 and panel portion 89a
in part define an opening 102 through which debris may pass as
described hereinafter.
The baffle hopper combination 100 includes a hopper having a top
wall 103, side walls 104, a bottom wall 105, a rear wall 106 and a
front wall 107 that are joined together to form an enclosed hopper
other than for the front opening that in a debris collecting
condition opens to opening 102, and the top opening through which
the liquid take-up tube 110 is extended. In this connection, it is
to be noted that the bottom wall of the trough formed by walls 105,
107 and portions of walls 104, 106 bears against web portion 101a
of the channel 101 while wall portion 107 is closely adjacent
channel portion 101c.
The upper end portion of the take-up tube 110 is above the top wall
103 when the trough is in the FIG. 4 position and is removably
connected to the vacuum hose 35, the opposite end of the take-up
tube being located closely adjacent the bottom wall 105 and opening
into the interior of the trough. The inlet end of tube 110 opens
into the interior of tubular screen 111 that is of a substantially
larger diameter than the tube 110 and is an axial length to extend
substantially the transverse width of the trough. The screen is
closed at either end and provides a large filter for screening out
material that would otherwise block the inlet end of tube 110.
Housing portions 101c, 87, 88 and the adjacent portions of side
walls 85 and 86 cooperatively form a downwardly opening brush
chamber 115 that is enclosed other than for the bottom opening and
the opening 102, and the cleaning solution inlet opening that will
be referred to hereinafter. Mounted in the brush chamber for
rotation about transverse, parallel horizontal axes are tubular
brushes (rotary surface maintenance tools) 118, 119, the brushes
extending below the lower edges of the scrubber unit housing. The
rear brush 118 has a peripheral rear portion closely adjacent
opening 102 such as shown in FIG. 4; while the deflector 88 has a
depending apex edge 88a that is in an overhanging relationship to
the rear peripheral portion of front brush 119, apex edge 88a
extending parallel to the axis of rotation of the brushes.
Preferably the brushes are counterrotating with the surface
engaging parts of the brushes rotating toward one another.
In order to drive the brushes, the hydraulic motor 121 is mounted
on side wall 86 within chamber 93 and has a motor shaft 122
extending outwardly of the side wall to have a sprocket 124 keyed
thereto. A chain 125 is extended over sprocket 124, partially
around an idler sprocket 126, thence in engagement with the
sprocket 127, thereafter partially around sprocket 128 and thence
back to sprocket 124. Since the underside of the lower run of the
chain abuts against sprocket 127 and the upper side (opposite side)
of the lower run bears against sprocket 128, as the chain is
driven, sprockets 127, 128 are rotated in opposite angular
directions. Sprockets 125, 127 and 128 are mounted for rotation
about parallel axes by side wall 86 exterior of the brush chamber.
Each of sprockets 127, 128 is pinned to a stub shaft 130 that
extends through and is mounted by side wall 86. Pinned to each
shaft 130 is a brush drive plug 131 that has a tapered annular
surface 131a remote from wall 86 to facilitate axially sliding a
brush onto the plug.
Each of the brushes 118, 119 includes a tubular brush core 136
having slots 136a to permit the tubular core being moved axially
onto the respective plugs 131 into driven engagement with the keys
131b of the plugs.
Referring to FIG. 7, mounted in a fixed position in the opposite
end of each tubular core is an idler plug consisting of a hub 137
having a central aperture for slidably receiving one end portion of
the stub shaft 138, the opposite end of each stub shaft being
rotatably mounted by a mounting member 139 in a fixed axial
position relative thereto. Mounting member 139 has an outer plate
portion 139a abuttable against the exterior side wall recessed
portion 85a and is removably secured thereto by bolts 140 extended
through apertures in plate portion 139a and threaded into side wall
portion 85a. Member 139 has an intermediate diametric portion 139b
that forms a close fit with a wall defining the aperture in side
wall portion 85a through which it is extended. The vertical,
longitudinal crosssectional area of portion 139a is substantially
larger than the corresponding area of portion 139b, while the said
area of portion 139b is substantially smaller than the
corresponding area bounded by the inner wall of core 136. The inner
end portion of member 137 and of shaft 138 are each of small
crosssectional areas than the corresponding area of portion 139b.
As a result of the above described mounting of the brushes, when a
brush is to be replaced, the bolts 140 are removed and thence
mounting member 139 is moved axially outwardly to a position remote
from the side wall 85. This results in the shaft 138 being slidably
removed from the hub 137. Now the brush core can be moved axially
toward the side wall 85 a sufficient amount that the opposite axial
end of the brush is adjacent the tapered surface 131a of the plug
131. Thence the brush can be readily removed from the plug 131, and
the new tubular brush mounted in the housing. As may be noted from
FIG. 5, the wall portion 85a having the aperture through which the
plug 139 extends is spaced inwardly of the main side wall portion
85c by boss 85b.
By using the aforementioned structure for mounting the brushes, the
brushes may be readily replaced without the provision of side doors
but rather with apertures in the side wall of a substantially
smaller diameter than the diameter of the brush. Accordingly, the
side walls are of a stronger construction and may be of a unitary
construction as contrasted to, for example, where doors are
provided in one of the walls for removably mounting the
brushes.
In order to retain liquid and debris longitudinally between the
brushes in the space axially between the ends of the rotary brushes
and the adjacent leg of the squeegee assembly 152, there is
provided a brush 169 that is mounted in a fixed position relative
the housing by a bracket 170 secured to the adjacent housing side
wall (see FIG. 5). Each of the brushes 169 is of a substantial
length and is located longitudinally between peripheral portions of
brushes 118, 119 that engage the surface being cleaned.
A horizontal liquid distributor 144 is mounted in the brush chamber
in overhanging relationship to the forward peripheral portion of
brush 118, tube 144 being fluidly connected to one end of a fluid
line 148 by a fitting 145 that is extended through an aperture
provided in deflector 88. The opposite end of line 148 is fluidly
connected to the bottom portion of the clean liquid solution tank
42, an operator control valve (not shown) being provided in line
148 to control the flow of fluid therethrough.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the scrubber unit squeegee assembly,
generally designated 152, in horizontal plan view is generally
U-shaped. Assembly 152 includes a squeegee frame member that in
horizontal plan is generally U-shaped, and has a horizontal leg of
approximately the same length of each side wall and underlying each
side wall, and a web portion joining the rear ends of the
horizontal legs. Further, the squeegee frame 153 as viewed in
vertical cross section has an upwardly extending leg 153a, a web
portion 153b that has a lower edge integrally joined to the lower
edge of portion 153a and a reversely bent part that is integrally
joined to the upper edge of leg 153c to support it in depending
relationship. Leg 153c has a terminal edge portion 153d bent in
slightly toward leg 153a. Thus, legs 153b and 153c in combination
are somewhat U-shaped while leg 153b extends at about 90.degree. to
leg 153a in an upward direction. In order to mount the resilient
squeegee 154 on frame member 153, there are provided a plurality of
elongated clips 155 that are removably secured to the leg 153a by
spaced nuts and bolts 156. Each clip 155 in part is somewhat
L-shaped (legs 155a, 155b), and has intermediate upwardly extending
leg 155b joined to the lower edge of leg 155a, and a terminal leg
155c joined to leg 155b to be inclined relative thereto. When the
clip is secured to frame member 153 such that the adjacent surface
of clip leg 155a abuts or substantially abuts against leg 153a, the
horizontal spacing between the terminal edge of part 153d and the
horizontally adjacent part of leg 155b is less than the horizontal
thickness of the squeegee 154. At this time leg 155b extends
between web 153b and the main body part of leg 153c and leg 155c is
inclined relative to leg 153c to extend upwardly and towards leg
153c with the juncture part of legs 155b, 155c being abuttable
against leg 153b. Accordingly, legs 155c, 153d clamp the squeegee
therebetween, the squeegee being of resilient elastomeric material.
Through the aforementioned structure, the squeegee 154 is mounted
without any holes being made therethrough, may be one continuous
strip and at the same time depends to a substantially lower
elevation than the structure mounting the squeegee. Further the
squeegee may be easily removed and turned so that each of the four
corner edge portions 154a may be used.
In order to mount the squeegee assembly 152 on the housing there is
provided a pair of leaf springs 159 that have their one ends
mounted on the bottom edge of the adjacent side wall and their
opposite ends attached to the frame member 153 (see FIG. 4). The
transverse width of the springs 159 is many times greater than the
thickness thereof while the longitudinal lengths of the springs is
many times greater than the transverse width thereof. Thus, the
squeegee assembly 152 is mounted for limited vertical movement
relative the housing and is resiliently urged to a position the
squeegee 154 abuts against the surface to be cleaned when the
brushes bear against the surface to be cleaned. At such a time, the
frame member 153 is substantially vertically spaced from the lower
edges of the side walls and the springs, due to their width, retain
the frame member 153 in proper transverse relationship to the
scruber unit housing.
At times it is desired to go over the surface to be cleaned without
collecting the liquid from the surface. Accordingly, it is
desirable to be able to lift the squeegee assembly 152 from the
surface. In order to achieve this, there is provided a pair of rods
161, each rod having its lower end attached to the longitudinal leg
of the squeegee assembly 152 a short distance forwardly of the web
of such assembly (see FIGS. 7 and 8). The opposite end of each rod
161 is pivotally connected to the outer end of an arm 162. The
other end of each arm 162 is pivotally mounted on the housing by
pivot member 163 to pivot about a longitudinal axis. A lever 164 is
connected to each arm 162 to pivot it about pivot 163. Each lever
extends through appropriately shaped notched slots in channel 96,
the slots being of appropriate shapes and there being provided
resilient means (not shown) to releasably retain the lever in a
position that the squeegee frame member 153 is held closely
adjacent the bottom edges of the side walls to substantially space
the squeegee from the surface being cleaned. Upon moving the levers
to elevate the squeegee assembly the web portion is elevated so
that the adjacent corner abut against the side wall and thence the
side leg of the squeegee generally pivots to further raise the
front end portion thereof. Upon moving the levers 164 to a squeegee
assembly lowering position, the springs 159 move the squeegee
assembly downwardly to bear against the surface being cleaned,
provided the housing is at an elevation below the transport
position.
In order to withdraw liquid collected by the squeegee assembly 152
on the surface being cleaned, there is provided a liquid take-up
member 167 mounted by the web portion of the squeegee assembly to
move therewith (see FIG. 4). The take-up member 167 is slidably
extended through an aperture in channel bottom wall 101a and has
its upper end fluidly connected to conduit 34. It is to be noted
that the hopper rear wall and bottom wall each has a transversely
intermediate portion that in plan view is somewhat arcuately curved
to provide a recess for the tube 34 to extend downwardly between
the rear wall and the channel portion 101b to permit liquid pick-up
member 167 and tube 34 being moved vertically relative the
hopper.
Referring to FIG. 2, it is to be noted that the maximum transverse
width X of the scrubbing unit in a horizontal condition is
substantially greater than the maximum transverse width W of the
power unit. For example, one model of machine has a transverse
width X of about 37 inches while the transverse width W is about 30
inches. In order to facilitate the surface cleaning machine 10
being moved through a doorway of the width of, for example, 31
inches, the scrubber unit may be rotated about the central
longitudinal axis of shaft 65 from the predominantly horizontal
position 12c to the predominantly vertical position 12d as the
height H of the scrubber unit in the horizontal condition is
substantially less than the dimension W, the shaft 65 is connected
to the upper rear portion of the housing substantially more closely
adjacent the top than the lower part of the housing and the shaft
65 is located substantially closer to the side wall 86 than the
side wall 85. The housing in the horizontal elevated rotatable
position (dotted line position 12c of FIG. 2) may be pivotally
rotated in the direction of arrow 172 as shown in FIG. 2 about the
shaft 65 in its elevated position 65a. Due to the location of the
motor and the construction of the housing, the center of gravity of
the housing in its vertical position 12d of FIG. 2 is located to
the left of shaft 65 in position 65a. Accordingly, when in its
vertical condition, the housing tends to rotate in a direction
opposite arrow 172. In order to prevent such rotation, a lock rod
173 has one end pivotally connected to the support member 66 by a
spherical bearing 175 at a location vertically above the shaft 65
when the support member 66 is in a vertically extending condition
(see FIG. 10). A spring clip (not shown) is provided for
selectively retaining the lock rod in an out of the way position.
The opposite end of the lock rod is extendable into an upwardly
opening recess provided in the lug 174 that is welded to the top
surface of the support member 54, the lug being located to the left
of the shaft 65 as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 10. Accordingly, with the
lock rod extending into the lug recess, the housing is prevented
from rotating in a direction opposite arrow 172. However, when it's
desired to return the scrubber unit to a generally horizontal
condition, first the scrubber unit is rotated a few degrees further
in the direction of the arrow 172 from that illustrated in FIG. 10
to move the end of the lock rod out of the lug recess and thence
the lock rod is pivoted about spherical bearing 175 to have its
opposite end located longitudinally between channels 54, 66. At
this time, the housing will swing back to be generally horizontal
condition.
To be noted is that when the scrubber unit is in a generally
horizontal condition, the center of gravity is located at a lower
elevation than the shaft 65 and slightly more closely adjacent side
wall 86 than the vertical plane of the central axis of shaft
65.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 8, in order to limit the pivotal movement
of the scrubber head unit about shaft 65 in a direction opposite
arrow 172 to a position that support member 66 extends generally
horizontally, a lug 178 is welded to support member 54 to extend in
underlying relationship to support member 66 at a location to the
left of shaft 65 as viewed in FIG. 2. The lug has an adjustment
bolt 179 slidably extended therethrough, a nut being threaded on
the bolt for adjustably limiting the upward movement of the bolt
relative the lug. A coil spring 179a has one end bearing against
the head end of the bolt and an opposite end against the lug for
constantly resiliently urging the bolt upwardly whereby the bolt in
its uppermost position abuts against the underside of support
member 66 to resiliently limit the rotation of support member 66 in
the direction opposite arrows 172 to a horizontal position. Thus
members 178, 179, 179a limit the pivotal movement of the scrubber
head in the direction opposite arrow 172, resiliently oppose
movement in said direction past a horizontal position, and permits
limited movement past a horizontal position to permit the brushes
remaining in engagement with uneven surfaces being cleaned.
To releasably retain the support member 66 in a generally
horizontal condition but to permit its pivoting a limited amount in
the direction of the arrow 172 from a substantially horizontal
condition so that the brushes along the axial length thereof may
pivot about a longitudinal axis to remain in engagement with uneven
surfaces being cleaned, there is provided a lock assembly generally
designated 183. The lock assembly includes a vertical rod 184 that
is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis by the frame member
66, the rod extending upwardly through an appropriate aperture in
the panel 96 and having a lever 185 keyed to the upper end thereof
for rotating the rod about its central axis. An annular member 186
is fixedly secured to rod 184 vertically between the horizontal
surface of the panel 96 and the top surface of support member 66, a
coil spring 187 being provided on the rod to have an upper end abut
against annular member 186 and a lower end abut against support
member 66 for resiliently urging the rod in an upward direction. To
the lower end of the rod 184 there is joined a generally horizontal
arm 188 that is of a length to have the outer end thereof
extendable beneath support member 54. To be noted, is that the rod
184 and the arm 188 when extending beneath the support member 54,
are transversely more remote from the vertical plane of the central
axis of the shaft 65 than the adjustment bolt 179. Accordingly,
when the lock assembly 183 is in a locking position that arm 188
extends beneath the support member 54, the scrubber head unit
support member 66 is free to pivot in the direction of the arrow
172 a limited amount from the horizontal condition abutting against
the top bolt 179 to a position the spring 187 is fully compressed.
It is to be understood that when arm 188 is out of a position
extending beneath support member 54, the spring 187 lifts the rod
184 to a position that arm 188 is above the bottom surface of
support member 54. Thus, when it is desired to return the lock
assembly 183 to the position illustrated in FIG. 8, either a cam
(not shown) is provided to move the rod downwardly as it is turned,
or else it is necessary that the lever 185 be pushed downwardly and
thence turned.
It is to be noted that if the lock lever is rotated 180.degree.
from the position illustrated in FIG. 8 and is moved vertically
upwardly from said position through the action of spring 187, the
arm 188 will be in overlying relationship to the top wall 103 when
the hopper is in the liquid collecting position of FIG. 4.
Accordingly, at that time the lock member 183 will serve to hold
the baffle-trough unit in the liquid collecting position
illustrated in FIG. 4, and the scrubber head unit may be rotated to
its vertical condition without danger of the baffle-hopper falling
out of the housing.
The baffle 109 of the combination baffle holler has a flange 109a
secured to the top wall 103, a main body portion 109b that extends
parallel to the panel 89 and an upper flange 109a that extends
generally horizontally and parallel to channel web 101a when the
hopper is in the position of FIG. 4. Flange 109a in the FIG. 4
position facilitates the withdrawal of the baffle-hopper from the
housing. Further, the main body portion 109b is located
substantially more closely adjacent panel 89 than panel flange
96a.
When it is desired that the liquid raised by the brushes be
recirculated to the floor, the baffle-hopper is withdrawn from the
housing, rotated 180.degree. about a longitudinal axis, and thence
reinserted through an opening 97 to have the juncture of baffle
portions 109a, 109b bear against the channel web 101a. Baffle
portion 109b is retained generally parallel to panel portion 89a,
due to the hopper walls front edges abutting against panel portion
89b and the upper rear edge portions thereof being closely adjacent
panel portion 96a as shown in FIG. 8. At this time, liquid raised
by the brushes and passing through the upper part of the opening
102 will roll down along the top wall 103, which is now inclined
downwardly and forwardly, to fall onto the rear brush 118, while
the liquid moving rearwardly through the lower part of the opening
102 will strike baffle portion 109b, part of which will fall back
onto the brush 118 and part of which will move down into the
channel 101. The channel has one or more openings in web 101a to
permit the liquid to drain back onto the surface being cleaned.
Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the front wheel assembly, generally
designated 14, of the power unit includes the front wheel 195 that
is mounted on a hub 196 to rotate therewith. The hub is keyed to
the motor shaft 197 of the hydraulic motor 198. The motor is
mounted by the front wheel support 199, the support 199 being
mounted on the main frame portion 11a for steerable movement in the
manner similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,604,051 other
than said patent discloses the mounting of a rear steerable
wheel.
Hub portion 196b forms a brake drum having an inner cylindrical
surface portion against which the internally expansible arcuate
brake shoes 200, 201 having thereon brake linings that may bear for
braking engagement with the drum. The lower end portion of the
shoes are pivotally mounted by a pivot member 203 that in turn is
secured to the support, coil springs 204 and 205 being attached to
the shoes for resiliently retaining them in their non-braking
retracted position. A cam 206 is keyed to a rocker arm shaft 207 to
extend downwardly between the upper terminal ends of the shoes 200,
201 and is movable between a datum position that the shoe linings
are in a braking condition with reference to the brake drum and a
release position. The shaft 207 is pivotally mounted by a support
199, the end of the shaft remote from cam 206 having a mid portion
of the rocker arm 208 keyed thereto. A spring plunger member 109 as
one end mounted by the support and an opposite end pivotally
connected at 210 to one end of arm 108 for constantly resiliently
urging the arm to pivot to a position that the cam forces the
brakeshoes and brakeshoe linings into braking engagement with the
brake drum. The spring characteristics of the spring of member 209
are sufficient to move the brake shoes to a braking position
against the action of springs 204 and 205. The opposite end of the
rocker arm is pivotally connected at 212 to the piston rod 211 of
the piston cylinder combination to 211, 212. The aforementioned
combination includes a cylinder 212 that is pivotally connected to
the support 199 by pivot member 214. When fluid under pressure is
applied to the cylinder 212 the piston rod is moved to an extended
condition to move the rocker arm to release the braking condition.
As a result of the provision of the aforementioned structure, the
front wheel is continuously braked unless fluid under pressure is
applied to the cylinder 212.
In place of the brake drum surface, the hub may be provided with a
brake disc; and in place of the disclosed brake shoes, there may be
provided suitable brake shoes for bearing against the brake disc,
the last mentioned shoes being operated between braking and
non-braking positions through a suitable linkage that in turn is
operated by the previously described movement of the rocker
arm.
Referring to FIG. 11, the hydraulic circuitry and drive components,
generally designated 220, will be briefly described since they are
similar to that described in copending application Ser. No. 85,468,
filed Oct. 30, 1970. The hydraulic circuitry and components 220
includes an electric motor 221 drivably connected to fixed
displacement pump 222 and a variable displacement swash plate,
overcenter piston type pump 223. Pump 223 is fluidly connected by
pressure and return lines 224 for driving the motor of 198 in the
desired direction, depending upon the setting of control 225 of the
pump 223. Control 225 is connected by a suitable linkage to lever
250 (see FIG. 1) at the back of the power unit. Further, supply
line 226 fluidly connects the pump 223 to reservoir 228 while there
is provided a return line 227 between the reservoir and said
pump.
An additional pressure line 230 is fluidly connected to the pump
223 and to the pressure port of a two position, solenoid operated
valve 231 that is controlled by a control (not shown) adjacent the
steering wheel. A second port of said valve is fluidly connected by
line 232 to one end of the brake cylinder 212. A third port of the
valve is connected by a line 233 to a line 234 which is connected
to the reservoir. When the valve 231 is in one of its two
positions, the pressure line 230 is fluidly connected to line 232
for applying fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder 212, while
in the second position, the pressure port is blocked and line 232
is fluidly connected through the valve to the reservoir through
lines 233, 234 to permit the exhausting of fluid from the
cylinder.
A line 236 connects the reservoir to the inlet port of the pump 222
which is driven by motor 221 while line 237 connects said pump to
the inlet port of a four-way valve 239. The second port of the
valve is connected by a return line 238 to the reservoir while the
third port is connected by line 240 to one port of the brush motor
121, the second port of the brush motor being connected by line 241
to line 238. The fourth port of the valve 239 is connected by line
242 to one end of the cylinder 58 while the opposite end of the
cylinder has line 234 connected thereto.
By operating the valve through a lever (not shown) on the control
panel to its first position, fluid under pressure is applied to
neither brush motor 121 nor cylinder 158; a second position, fluid
under pressure is applied to line 240 and line 242 is fluidly
connected to line 238; and a third position, line 240 is fluidly
connected to return line 238 and line 237 is fluidly connected to
line 242 for operating the cylinder 58 to elevate the scrubber head
unit. In the valve second position, fluid exhausts from the
cylinder 58 through lines 242, 238, whereby the weight of the
scrubber unit acts to retract the piston rod 59. An adjustable
pilot operated valve 238a and a filter are provided in line
238.
Referring to FIG. 9, it is to be noted that the housing of electric
motor 221 is bolted to a plate 350 which in turn is hingedly
connected at 246 to a housing 247. The hinge axis of hinge 246 is
vertical. Housing 247 also mounts the housing of one of the pumps,
for example pump 223, the other pump 222 being mounted on motor
221. The shaft 221a of motor 221 rotatably extends through plate
350 and has a coupling member 221b keyed thereto that may be
pivoted into an axially alinged, driving relationship with a
coupling member 223a that is keyed to the pump shaft 223b of the
pump 223 to be located within the housing 247. A few bolts 350a,
for example, three are extended through housing 247 and threaded
into plate 350 to hold the motor 221 in the solid line position of
FIG. 9. When the pump and electric motor shafts are axially
aligned, the shafts extend transversely, the housing 247 being
mounted on a frame member 249 to extend thereabove. Frame member
249 and the housing 247 mount the electric motor at the lower rear
portion of the main frame, the power unit not having any structure
other than the bolts extended through plate 350 and threaded into
housing 247 to prevent the motor 221 being moved to the dotted line
position of FIG. 9 whereby the brush end of the motor extends
rearwardly of the main frame. As a result, by removing bolts 350a,
the electric motor may be pivoted about the hinge axis of hinge 246
to have the end remote from coupling 221b extend slightly
rearwardly of the main frame. In this connection, it is to be
mentioned that the brushes of the motor are located on the end
portion remote from hinge 246, and thus the aformentioned mounting
of the electric motor readily permits carrying out certain
maintenance operations on the motor without the requirement of
removing any panels or the removal of the motor from the main
frame.
Referring to FIGS. 16 and 15, there is partially illustrated a
second embodiment of this invention that includes a power unit,
generally designated 275, and a scrubber head unit, generally
designated 276. The unit 275, 276 are the same as units 11 and 12
respectively other than for the differences noted hereinafter. In
place of a single support 54 of the first embodiment, the second
embodiment includes a pair of vertically-spaced, parallel support
bars 278 that have their opposite ends mounted by the vertical bars
50. To the transverse mid portion of each of the bars 278, the one
ends of the arms 279 are pivotally attached by pivot members 280.
The opposite ends of the arms 279 are pivotally connected at 281 to
lugs 282. The lugs are welded to vertical plate 283, plate 283 in
turn having one end of the shaft 65 welded thereto. The shaft in
turn pivotally mounts support member 66 of the scrubber unit 276 in
the same location relative thereto as described with reference to
support member 66 of the first embodiment of the invention
pivotally mounting the scrubber head unit 12. Through the
aforementioned structure of the second embodiment, scrubber head
unit 276 may be pivoted about the axes of pivots 280 from the solid
line position of FIG. 15 to the dotted line position thereof while
the scrubber head unit may be pivoted about pivots 281 to maintain
the scrubber head unit such that the transverse axes of rotation of
the brushes can be maintained parallel to the original position of
said brushes. As a result, the scrubber head unit may be moved to a
position laterally offset from the normal solid line position of
FIG. 15. In the solid line position, the shaft 66 is located
relative the power unit such as described with reference to the
first embodiment. The second embodiment includes a second lug (not
shown) on the upper bar 278 for receiving the lock rod 173 when the
scrubber head unit in the dotted line position of FIG. 15 is
rotated about shaft 65 to a vertical condition. A suitable lock pin
(not shown) may be provided for locking arms 179 in either the
dotted line or a solid line position of FIG. 15. With the arms 179
locked in the dotted line position and the lock rod retaining the
scrubber head in a vertical condition after having been first
horizontally offset to the dotted line position of FIG. 15, the
brushes will extend further transversely outwardly beyond the right
side of the power unit as viewed in FIG. 15. As a result, it is
possible to use the scrubber head unit for cleaning vertical
surfaces such as vertical walls as the power unit moves adjacent
and parallel thereto in a normal longitudinally forward direction;
it being understood, that if liquid is sprayed onto the brushes
that the liquid would be squeegeed off the wall surface and drained
onto the floor to be subsequently picked up when the scrubber head
unit is operated in a horizontal condition.
The lever 250 for operating the control 225 of the variable
displacement pump 223 is mounted on the back of the main frame and
is located at a height that a person's arm holding it will have his
lower arm in a general horizontal condition. Further, the vertical
handle of the lever extends rearwardly of the machine sufficiently
that if the seat, including bar 21, has been removed and the
operator is walking in back of the machine and backs into the wall,
the upper part of the arm will bump into the wall and force the
lever forwardly. When the lever is moved forwardly, the pump 223 is
driven in a direction to move the machine forwardly, this being a
safety feature to help prevent accidental squeezing a person
against the wall.
Not previously mentioned is that the wheel support is pivotally
mounted on the main frame at frame portion 11a at a location to the
rear of support member 54 and transversely intermediate parallel
arms 52. Additionally, the main frame has a battery compartment
floor 254 of generally U-shaped configuration with the parallel
arms 52 being located transversly between the legs of the floor and
the web of the floor being located rearwardly of the arms. The
floor is relatively low, for example not more than about 6 or 7
inches above the surface being cleaned. One of the legs of the
compartment floor is located transversely between the side panel
11r of the power unit and the vertical compartment wall 11s that is
adjacent one of the upper and lower pair of arms 48, 52 while the
other leg is between the power unit side panel 11t and the vertical
wall 11s adjacent the other upper and lower pair of arms 48, 52. As
a result, the batteries 253 for supplying power to the electric
motor are located around three sides of the propelling front wheel
195 so that optimum weight factors are supplied to the wheel for
good traction. Additionally the side panels 11r and 11t are
hingedly mounted on the frame or are easily removable to facilitate
easy removability of the bateries.
Also, the batteries are located around the propelling wheel at the
lowest possible level to provide a very low center of gravity for
the power drive unit. Additionally, the compartment in which the
batteries are located is directly beneath the cleaning solution
tank, and thus, upon pivoting the cleaning solution tank to the
dotted line position of FIG. 1, ready access is had to the
batteries. Further, with the cleaning solution tank located above
the batteries, it provides a greater head pressure to send the
solution to the spreader tube 144 and thereby to eliminate the
necessity of a pump.
The chamber 93 in addition to having the brush motor 121 located
therein, provides space in which any one of a number different
devices may be located. For example, in such space there may be
provided any one of a on-board battery charger, a built in foam
generator, a built in powered wax sprayer, or a rubber mark removal
sprayer.
With the apparatus of this invention and the arms 48 of the
parallel linkage assembly located below the level of lock plate
edge 71b, the scrubber head is mounted for limited free floating
movement in a vertical direction (if both ends of the lift cylinder
are fluidly connected to the reservoir) and can pivot a limited
amount about shaft 65 within the limits allowed by stop bolt 179
and the spring action of spring 179a and the spring action of
spring 187. With the combination baffle-hopper in the liquid
collecting position of FIG. 4, liquid and debris raised by the
brushes in passing through the opening 102 is collected in the
trough and liquid is withdrawn therefrom through the conduit 35 to
be collected in the dirty solution tank. The liquid not collected
by the trough is collected by the scrubber head squeegee and
returned to the collection tank 30 through the conduit 34, the
remaining liquid on the surface being collected by the rear
squeegee assembly 37.
In the event it is desired to use the apparatus of this invention
for sweeping, no vacuum would be applied to the dirty solution tank
30 and material raised by the brushes would be collected in the
trough in the FIG. 4 position.
It it is desirable to go over the surface to scrub and soak it
without collecting liquid the first time, the squeegee assemblies
37 and 152 can be raised and locked in the raised positions such
that liquid remains on the surface as the machine moves thereover.
At this time, the baffle trough combination would be positioned
such as illustrated in FIG. 8 whereby the liquid raised by the
brushes would run back down onto the surface.
When it is desired to move from one location to the other,
piston-cylinder combination 58, 59 may be operated to raise the
parallel linkage assembly to the location that the arm 48 which is
adjacent plate 71 is moved into the plate notch in part defined by
edges 71b, 71d and thence lowered onto an edge 71b. At this time,
even though the squeegee assembly 152 is not locked in the raised
position, both the squeegee assembly 152 and the brushes would be
at an elevation substantially above the surface to be cleaned.
If the apparatus of this invention is to be passed through a narrow
doorway that is of a width smaller than the scrubber head unit in a
horizontal position but greater than the width of the power drive
unit, and if the rear squeegee assembly is of a greater width than
the power unit, the rear squeegee assembly may be removed, the
scrubber head unit raised to its elevated turning position, lock
assembly 183 operated to move arm 188 from beneath channel 54, and
then the scrubber head unit rotated 90.degree., and the lock rod
173 moved to its locking position of FIG. 9 to block rotation of
the scrubber unit in the direction opposite arrow 172.
By modifying the shape of plate 71 including providing another
notch therein, the scrubber head unit may be selectively retained
in a horizontal condition at an intermediate elevation between the
free float position and the transport position. At the intermediate
elevation the brushes would be vertically spaced from the surface
being cleaned, however, the rear squeegee assembly in its datum
position relative the scrubber head housing would engage the
surface to collect and pick up liquid.
* * * * *