U.S. patent number 3,742,546 [Application Number 05/141,832] was granted by the patent office on 1973-07-03 for surface treating apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Aktiebolaget Electrolux. Invention is credited to Erik Arne Blaeldh, Bengt Olof Crener, Stig Carl-Oskar Ernolf.
United States Patent |
3,742,546 |
Crener , et al. |
July 3, 1973 |
SURFACE TREATING APPARATUS
Abstract
In surface treating apparatus having rotatable treating members
movable over a surface, a container for liquid wax which is
positioned in a compartment and has an outlet at its bottom
normally closed by a valve having a vertically movable stem. A
quantity of liquid wax is dispensed from the container each time
the valve is moved upward from its closed position and returned
thereto. The container is prevented from moving upward in its
compartment when the valve is moved from its closed position by an
upward force applied to the valve stem.
Inventors: |
Crener; Bengt Olof (Taby,
SW), Blaeldh; Erik Arne (Skarholmen, SW),
Ernolf; Stig Carl-Oskar (Sollentuna, SW) |
Assignee: |
Aktiebolaget Electrolux
(Stockholm, SW)
|
Family
ID: |
26654558 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/141,832 |
Filed: |
May 10, 1971 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
884166 |
Dec 11, 1969 |
3639939 |
Feb 8, 1972 |
|
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Dec 11, 1968 [SW] |
|
|
16899/68 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/50.1;
15/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L
11/4044 (20130101); A47L 11/4055 (20130101); A47L
11/201 (20130101); A47L 11/4075 (20130101); A47L
11/408 (20130101); A47L 11/4069 (20130101); A47L
11/4038 (20130101); A47L 11/20 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47L
11/00 (20060101); A47L 11/20 (20060101); A47l
011/16 () |
Field of
Search: |
;15/49R,5R,320
;401/136,137,138,140 ;222/453 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Roberts; Edward L.
Assistant Examiner: Moore; C. K.
Parent Case Text
This application is a division of our application Ser. No. 884,166,
filed Dec. 11, 1969, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,639,939, for "Combination
Surface Treating and Suction Cleaning Apparatus."
Claims
We claim:
1. In surface treating apparatus of the class described
comprising
a. rotatable surface treating means movable over a surface to be
treated,
b. means including an electric motor for driving said rotatable
surface treating means,
c. a housing having a compartment,
d. a container for holding a body of liquid wax, said container
being disposed in said compartment and having an outlet at the
bottom thereof,
e. first mechanism including a vertically movable valve stem and a
valve mounted thereon for dispensing a quantity of liquid wax from
the outlet of said container each time the valve stem is moved
upward from a valve closed position and returned thereto,
f. said first mechanism further including means for imparting
upward movement to said valve stem,
g. second mechanism acting on said container to prevent the latter
from moving upward in said compartment when upward movement is
imparted to said valve stem by said movement impartment means,
and
h. a control member movable between first and second positions,
such that when said control member is in its first position, said
second mechanism is inoperable to prevent said container from
moving upward in said compartment, and when said control member is
in its second position, it functions to render said second
mechanism operable to prevent said container from moving upward in
said compartment.
2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said first mechanism
comprises structure defining a chamber and means whereby a measured
quantity of liquid wax is introduced into said chamber each time
said valve stem is returned to a valve closed position and such
measured quantity of liquid wax is discharged from said chamber
through the outlet of said container each time the valve stem is
moved upward from a valve closed position, said structure being so
constructed and arranged that said chamber is in communication with
the atmosphere only through said outlet after liquid wax has been
discharged therefrom whereby a body of air is trapped in said
chamber above liquid introduced therein when said valve stem is
returned to a valve closed position, such body of air functioning
to effect discharge of liquid wax from said chamber through said
outlet when said valve is moved upward from a valve closed
position.
3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said first mechanism
comprises structure defining a chamber having an inlet through
which liquid wax is adapted to flow from said container and means
whereby a measured quantity of liquid wax is introduced into said
chamber from said container each time said valve stem is returned
to a valve closed position and such measured quantity of liquid wax
is discharged from said chamber through the outlet of said
container each time the valve stem is moved upward from a valve
closed position, said last-mentioned means including a disc mounted
on said valve stem which is movable to and from a closed position
at the inlet, said disc moving to a closed position at the inlet
each time the valve stem is moved upward from a valve closed
position and moving downward to a disc open position each time the
valve stem returns to its valve closed position, and said structure
being so constructed and arranged that said chamber is in
communication with the atmosphere only at said outlet after liquid
wax has been discharged therefrom whereby a body of air is trapped
in said chamber above liquid wax introduced therein when said valve
stem moves downward to a disc open position and returns to its
valve closed position, such body of air functioning to effect
discharge of liquid wax from said chamber when said disc moves to
its closed position and said valve moves upward from its valve
closed position.
4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 which includes resilient means
for urging said valve stem downward to a valve closed position and
disc open position.
5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which said container is
open at the bottom and is provided with a cap which is apertured
and defines the outlet, and means whereby said cap is removably
connected to said container at the open bottom thereof, said first
mechanism forming a unitary part of said cap and removable
therewith when said cap is removed from said container.
6. In surface treating apparatus of the class described
comprising
a. rotatable surface treating means movable over a surface to be
treated,
b. means including an electric motor for driving said rotatable
surface treating means,
c. a housing having a compartment,
d. a container for holding a body of liquid wax, said container
being disposed in said compartment and having an outlet at the
bottom thereof,
e. first mechanism including a vertically movable valve stem and a
valve mounted thereon for dispensing a quantity of liquid wax from
the outlet of said container each time the valve stem is moved
upward from a valve closed position and returned thereto,
f. said first mechanism further including means for imparting
upward movement to said valve stem,
g. second mechanism acting on said container to prevent the latter
from moving upward in said compartment when upward movement is
imparted to said valve stem by said movement impartment means,
h. said first mechanism comprising structure defining a chamber
having an inlet through which liquid wax is adapted to flow from
said container and means whereby a measured quantity of liquid wax
is introduced into said chamber from said container each time said
valve stem is returned to a valve closed position and such measured
quantity of liquid wax is discharged from said chamber through the
outlet of said container each time the valve stem is moved upward
from a valve closed position,
i. said last-mentioned means including a disc mounted on said valve
stem which is movable to and from a closed position at the inlet,
said disc moving to a closed position at the inlet each time the
valve stem is moved upward from a valve closed position and moving
downward to a disc open position each time the valve stem returns
to its closed position,
j. said container being open at the bottom and provided with a cap
which is apertured and defines the outlet,
k. means whereby said cap is removably connected to said container
at the open bottom thereof,
l. said first mechanism forming a unitary part of said cap and
removable therewith when said cap is removed from said
container,
m. said first mechanism including an inverted U-shaped part of
annular form having spaced inner and outer walls,
n. said inner wall having a first length and forming a passageway
which terminates at an opening defining the inlet against which
said disc seats in its closed position,
o. said outer wall being longer than said inner wall and extending
below the latter to said cap,
p. said chamber being defined by said outer and inner walls and
said cap.
7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in which the upper ends of
said inner and outer walls are joined to one another, and helical
spring means between said inner and outer walls which extends
lengthwise of the valve stem between the closed end of said walls
and said disc and functions to urge said valve stem downward to a
valve closed position and disc open position.
Description
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of our invention to provide an improved surface
treating apparatus having rotatable brushes movable over a surface
to be treated, and more particularly to provide such apparatus
which is capable of functioning as a floor polisher, scrubber,
cleaner or sander and has protective features which prevent
malfunction thereof.
Another object is to provide a surface treating apparatus of the
character described having a compact arrangement of its components
which function to effect cleaning or waxing and polishing or
shampooing of a surface with the aid of one of several containers
installed thereon and each of which is adapted to hold a different
kind of liquid treating substance.
A further object is to provide surface treating apparatus having a
compartment for holding a container for liquid wax which has an
outlet at its bottom normally closed by a vertically movable valve
and mechanisms which function to prevent the container from moving
upward in its compartment when the valve is moved upward from its
closed position by force applied thereto to dispense a quantity of
liquid wax.
In accordance with our invention we provide a control member
movable between first and second positions, the control member in
its first position closing an opening in the air passageway of a
suction cleaning component of the apparatus so that the apparatus
can be operated as a suction cleaner. With the control member in
its first position mechanism for dispensing liquid wax from a
container onto a surface is rendered inoperable and a vessel for
holding a body of liquid treating agent, such as liquid detergent,
for example, cannot be mounted on the apparatus for dispensing such
liquid onto a surface.
When the control member is in its second position the opening in
the air passageway of the suction cleaning component of the
apparatus is uncovered so that ambient air will be drawn into the
air passageway by a fan whereby the apparatus cannot be operated as
a vacuum cleaner. With the control member in its second position
the mechanism for dispensing liquid wax from its container is
rendered operable and the vessel for the liquid treating agent can
be removably mounted on the apparatus for dispensing such liquid
therefrom.
The mechanism for dispensing liquid wax from its container and the
mechanism for dispensing treating liquid from the vessel include
parts which are common to both mechanisms, such parts operating in
one manner to dispense liquid wax from the container when the
vessel for liquid treating agent is not mounted on the apparatus
and operating in another manner to dispense liquid treating agent
from the vessel when it is mounted on the apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a combined surface treating
and polishing and suction cleaning apparatus embodying our
invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the
bottom part thereof being in horizontal section and the upper part
thereof being in vertical section to illustrate details more
clearly;
FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2
with a vessel for dispensing liquid treating agent mounted
thereon;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the housing mounted on
the handle of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the housing shown in FIG. 4 with
the cover thereof open;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the top of
the handle of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken at line 7--7
of FIG. 5 before a dust bag is positioned in the apparatus shown in
FIGS. 1 and 5;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating the
relationship of the parts when a dust bag is positioned in the
apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 5;
FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1
diagrammatically illustrating the manner in which liquid wax is
dispensed on a surface being treated;
FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the container adapted to hold a
body of liquid wax;
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the manner
in which the container is positioned in a compartment of the
housing shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 12 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the bottom part
of the wax container;
FIG. 13 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 12 illustrating the
parts in different positions;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a bottom pan for the apparatus
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken at line
15--15 of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a vertical view diagrammatically illustrating the
dispenser for liquid treating agent shown in FIG. 3 at the upper
part of the handle;
FIG. 17 is an enlarged elevational view, partly broken away and in
section, of the top part of the handle shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of parts shown in
FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 18 with parts shown in
different positions;
FIG. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view taken at line 20--20 of
FIG. 16;
FIG. 21 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 20 with parts shown in
different positions;
FIG. 22 is a fragmentary sectional view taken at line 22--22 of
FIG. 4;
FIGS. 23 and 24 are sectional views similar to FIG. 22 in which
parts are shown in different positions;
FIG. 25 is an enlarged perspective view of details shown in FIGS.
22, 23 and 24; and
FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of parts shown in FIG.
25.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, we have shown our
invention in connection with combined surface treating and
polishing and suction cleaning apparatus 10 having three rotatable
brushes 11, 12 and 14 which are at the underside of a unit or base
15 and project downward therefrom for contact with a surface over
which the unit or base is adapted to be moved. The brushes 11, 12
and 14 are rotatable on shafts 16 which are provided at the
underside of the unit or base 15 and arranged to be driven by an
electric motor 17, as will be described presently.
The combined surface treating and polishing and suction cleaning
apparatus 10 is adapted to be manipulated by handle structure 18
having a housing 19 and spaced elongated members 20 which extend
vertically upward from opposing sides of the housing 19, the upper
ends of the members 20 being connected by a cross bar 21. To the
cross bar 21 is fixed block 22 having a part 22a which is inclined
to the vertical and to the upper end of which is fixed a handle or
hand grip 23.
In order to be able to vary the effect of the weight of the
electric motor 17 on the brushes 11, 12 and 14, the electric motor
is mounted in the housing 19 on the handle structure 18. As seen in
FIG. 2, the electric motor 17 and a fan 24 form a motor-fan unit 25
which is carried by framework 26 within the housing 19. The motor
17 is provided with a shaft 27 having a driving pulley 28 which is
connected by an endless belt 29 to a pulley 30 fixed to an end of a
drive shaft 31 journaled in bearing 32 and 33, respectively, which
are provided at the underside of the base or unit 15.
The drive shaft 31 is formed with a worm 34 arranged to drive a
worm gear 35 which is fixed to the brush 11 and rotatable on one of
the shafts 16. The brush 11 can be employed to impart rotating
movement to the brushes 12 and 14. This may be accomplished, for
example, by arranging the brushes so that the rim of the brush 11
frictionally engages the rims of the brushes 12 and 14.
The housing 19 is provided with a pair of vertically disposed
hollow legs 36 and 37 which are closed at their lower ends and
terminate at the axis of the drive shaft 31. The endless belt 29,
which forms the mechanism operatively connecting the motor shaft 27
and drive shaft 31, is disposed in the leg 37 of the housing
19.
The hollow leg 36 of the housing 19 forms part of a passageway for
air having an air inlet 38 and an air outlet 39. The air inlet 38
receives air from the underside of the unit or base 15. The hollow
leg 36, which is defined in part by the framework 26 within the
housing 19, extends lengthwise of the housing at one side thereof
from the air inlet 38 to the end of the housing remote from the
base 15. The housing 19 is provided with a removable cover 40 which
is hinged at 41 and provided with a suitable latch or fastener
42.
Within the cover 40 is arranged a conduit 43 which may be formed of
plastic and has one end communicating with the hollow leg 36. The
opposite end of the conduit 43 is connected to a tubular member 43a
which extends into the air inlet 44a of an end cover 44b of a dust
bag 44 supported at an opening in a partition 45 provided at the
upper end of the housing 19. The tubular member 43a is provided
with a suitable gasket 46 which is adapted to bear against the end
cover 44b and form an air-tight seal to make certain that all of
the air flowing through the conduit 43 and tubular member 43a will
be introduced into the dust bag 44. The dust bag 44 is disposed in
a chamber 47 defined in part by the framework 26.
When the combined surface treating and polishing and suction
cleaning apparatus thus far described is operated, the brushes 11,
12 and 14 are rotated by the motor 17, endless belt 29, worm 34 and
worm gear 35 so as to polish or buff the floor or other surface
over which the apparatus 10 is being moved. Simultaneously, motor
17 drives the fan 24 so that the suction or vacuum thus created
produces air flow into the suction inlet 48a at the bottom of a
nozzle 48 which is provided with bristles 48b and disposed at the
underside of the base 15 and connected by a conduit 49 to the air
inlet 38, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 12.
The dust laden air drawn through the suction inlet 48a of the
nozzle 48 flows through conduit 49 to the air inlet 38 and thence
through the hollow leg 36 and the conduit 43 and tubular member 43a
into the interior of the porous dust bag 44. Air from which dust
has been removed flows through the bag 44 into chamber 47. Such air
is discharged by the fan 24 through the motor 17 into a chamber 50
from which the air flows from housing 19 through the air outlet
39.
In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the lower end of the
handle structure 18 is pivoted on the base or unit 15 at the
bearings 32 and 33, so that the handle structure 18 will be
angularly movable on the base 15 while manipulating the apparatus
10 over a surface being treated. By angularly moving the handle
structure 18 from and toward its upright position on the base, the
effect of the weight of the motor 17 on the brushes 11, 12 and 14
can be varied.
In order to prevent the apparatus 10 from being operated when there
is no dust bag 44 in the housing 19, we provide protective
mechanism which acts to prevent the cover 40 from being moved to
its closed position on the housing 19 so that the latch 42 cannot
function to lock the cover. As best seen in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, the
protective mechanism includes a prong 51 on the cover 40 which is
adapted to project through an opening 52 of the partition 45 and
another opening 53 in a platform 54 of the housing 19 beneath the
partition 45. The partition 45 is apertured to receive a slide
block 55 which has an opening 56 and is movable on the platform 54
between the two positions shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.
The slide block 55 is formed with an upstanding lug 55a which is
notched to receive an edge of the end cover 44b of the dust bag 44
when it is positioned over the opening in the partition 45. Under
these conditions the slide block 55 is moved from its position in
FIG. 7 to its position in FIG. 8 against the action of a spring 57,
thereby bringing the opening 56 in the slide block 55 in alignment
with the openings 52 and 53 in the partition 45 and platform 54 and
permitting the prong 51 to pass through the openings 52, 56 and 53,
as seen in FIG. 8.
In FIG. 8 the slide block 55 has been moved toward the right to
such an extent that the outer lip 55b thereof projects exteriorly
of the housing 19 and is adapted to be engaged by a cooperating lip
42a of the latch 42 on the cover 40 to hold the latter in its
closed position. When no dust bag 44 is positioned in the housing
19 the slide block 55 is biased to its position in FIG. 7 by the
spring 57. Under these conditions the opening 56 in the slide block
55 is out of alignment with the openings 52 and 53 and functions as
a stop to prevent prong 51 in the cover 40 from moving from its
position in FIG. 7 to its position in FIG. 8. In FIG. 7 it will be
seen that lip 55b of the slide block 55 does not project exteriorly
of the housing 19 so that latch 42 cannot function to hold the
cover 40 closed, thus preventing the apparatus from being operated
to perform suction cleaning.
The cover 40 can be formed of a suitable plastic with the latch 42
an integral part of the cover. The latch 42 can be connected at 42b
to the cover 40 in a resilient manner, thus permitting the latch 42
to be flexed outward from its latching position in FIG. 8 to permit
the cover 40 to be moved from its closed to its open position.
A pan 58 of the shape shown in FIG. 14 may be positioned at the
underside of the base 15 when the apparatus 10 is not being used to
perform polishing. The pan 58 includes a flat bottom 58a and an
upstanding side wall 58b which is disposed about the base. The flat
bottom 58a is formed with an elongated recessed portion 58c which
extends into the suction inlet 48a of the nozzle 48.
The pan 58 forms a bottom plate for the apparatus 10 and functions
as a closure member at the underside of the base 15 upon which the
brushes 11, 12 and 14 can rest. Under these conditions the two
spaced rear wheels or rollers 59 at the rear of the base 15 and the
caster wheel 60 at the forward part thereof, which are seen in FIG.
9, also will rest on the top surface of the flat bottom 58a of the
pan 58. By forming the pan 58 of a material like plastic, for
example, which has a low coefficient of friction, the pan 58 can be
employed as a suction nozzle for vacuum cleaning rugs and similar
articles. Accordingly, the elongated recessed portion 58c of the
pan 58 is formed with an intermediate hollow tubular section 58d
which extends vertically upward within the suction inlet 48a of the
nozzle 48.
A container 61, which is provided with a suitable filling cap 61a
and adapted to hold a body of liquid treating agent, is removably
held on the handle structure 18 on top of the housing 19. By way of
example, the liquid in the container 61 may be of a type for
shampooing rugs or for washing floors. The flow of liquid
discharged through the bottom opening 62 in the container 61 is
controlled by a needle valve 63, as shown in FIG. 16.
The valve 63 is connected to the lower end of an elongated rod 64,
the upper end of which projects through a top opening 65 in the
container 61. A valve 66 fixed to the rod 64 is adapted to close
the top opening 65. The valves 63 and 66 are urged to their closed
positions by a resilient spring 67 which is disposed about the rod
64 between the valve 66 and hub 68a of a spider 68 which is mounted
in the container 60 and formed with spaced radial arms 68b.
The needle valve 63 is moved from its closed position by imparting
downward movement to the upper end of the rod 64. When the valve 63
is moved from its closed position, the valve 66 also will be moved
downward from its closed position to provide an air vent at the top
opening 65 of the container 60, so that the inside of the container
will be at atmospheric pressure to promote flow of liquid through
the bottom opening 62.
The cover 40 of the housing 19 is provided with a tapered funnel 70
which projects upward from the underside of the cover when the
latter is in its open position, as shown in FIG. 4. When the cover
40 is moved to its closed position seen in FIG. 5, the funnel 70 is
inverted from the position shown in FIG. 5 and its narrow open end
70a enters an opening defined by a collar 71 in the partition 45 of
the housing 19.
When the container 61 is removably mounted on the handle structure
18, the container rests on the cover 40 of the housing 19 and the
bottom tapered part 61b of the container 61 nests in the funnel 70,
as seen in FIG. 16. A flexible tube 72 is connected at its upper
end to the bottom of the collar 71. The tube 72 passes through an
opening in the top of the base 15 and terminates at a region 72a
within the base which is closely adjacent to the surface being
treated at the vicinity of the brushes 11, 12 and 14.
With the container 61 in its mounted position on the handle
structure 18, downward movement is imparted to the upper end of the
vertical rod 64 by a rod 74 which is vertically movable in a hollow
sleeve 75 in the cross bar 21 at the upper end of the handle
structure. The rod 74 is in vertical alignment with the rod 64 and
biased upward by a coil spring 76 disposed about the rod 74 between
a top ledge 21a of the cross bar 21 and an operating button 77 at
the upper end of the rod 74. By depressing the button 77 the rod 74
is moved downward which in turn moves rod 64 downward so that
liquid from the container 61 will be dispensed on the surface being
treated in the manner just explained.
A container 80, which is adapted to hold a body of liquid wax for
waxing and polishing a surface being treated, is removably held in
a compartment 82 adjacent a vertical side wall of the housing 19.
The lower end of the container 80, which may be formed of plastic,
for example, is provided with a cap 83 which is threadedly
connected thereto at 84 and formed with outlet 85.
Valve structure 86 is provided for controlling the discharge of
liquid wax from the container 80. The valve structure 86 includes a
vertically movable valve stem 87 having a valve 88 which moves
toward and from its seat 89 within cap 83 and a disc 90 which moves
toward its seat 91 at the bottom edge of an inner vertical wall 92
of an inverted U-shaped part 93 of annular form having a longer
outer vertical wall 94 with its lower end threadedly connected at
95 to the cap 83. A coil spring 96 between the vertical walls 92
and 94 has one end bearing against the closed upper end of the
walls and its opposite end against the disc 90 to resiliently bias
the valve 88 downward to its closed position against the seat 89,
as shown in FIG. 12.
When the container 80 is prevented from moving upward in its
compartment 82 and upward movement is imparted to the valve stem 87
to open valve 88 and close disc 90 against its seat 91, as will be
explained presently, a measured quantity of liquid wax will pass
from the container through the outlet 85. This measured quantity of
liquid wax is held in chamber 97 between the valve seat 89 and the
disc seat 91. When the valve stem 87 subsequently moves downward by
the biasing action of the spring 96, the valve 88 closes against
its seat 89 and the disc 90 moves from its seat 91 so that the
chamber 97 again will be filled with liquid wax between the valve
seat 89 and disc seat 91 below a body of trapped air in the annular
gap between the vertical walls 92 and 94.
The chamber 97 is in communication with the atmosphere only at the
outlet 85 after liquid wax has been discharged from the chamber.
When the valve stem 87 moves downward and the disc 90 moves from
its seat 91 and valve 88 closes against its seat 89, liquid wax is
introduced into the chamber 97 and a body of air is trapped therein
above such liquid, as just explained. The body of air trapped in
the chamber 97 in this manner functions to effect discharge of the
liquid wax from the outlet 85 when the valve stem 87 again is moved
upward and the disc 90 moves against its seat 91 and valve 88 moves
from its seat 89.
The container 80 can be filled with wax by holding it in its
inverted position and removing the threadedly connected cap 83 and
valve structure 86 associated therewith.
Upward movement is imparted to valve 87 of the container 80 by
mechanism which includes the vertical rod 74 having the operating
button 77 at its upper end, as shown in FIG. 6. The rod 74 is
formed with a shoulder 100 from which depends a rod section 101 of
smaller cross-sectional area than the rod 74. Under certain
conditions that will be explained presently, the rod 74 and rod
section 101 pass through a laterally offset portion 102 of an
opening 103 formed in one arm of a lever 104 pivotally mounted at
105 in the cross arm 21, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 20. Under the
conditions assumed the shoulder 100 of the rod 74 will engage the
part of lever 104 defining the laterally offset portion 102 of the
opening 103. This depresses one arm of the lever 104 when the
operating member 77 is depressed and raises the other arm, as seen
in FIG. 18, to which the upper end of an elongated cable 106 is
fixed.
The cable 106 extends downward through the upper part of the handle
structure 18 and the compartment 82 of the housing 19 in which the
container 80 is adapted to be positioned. The lower end of the
cable 106 is fixed to the outer end of a lever 107 hinged at 108 to
the housing 19. When the cable 106 is raised it functions to move
the lever 107 clockwise in FIG. 11 about its hinge 108 and a part
107a of the lever moves upward against the lower end of the valve
stem 87 to open valve 88, as explained above. When the operating
button 77 is released the spring 74 in the cross bar 21 of the
handle structure 18 functions to raise rod 74 so that the shoulder
91 thereof no longer presses down on one arm of the lever 104. When
this occurs the spring 96 of the valve structure 86 functions to
move the valve stem 87 downward to close the valve 88 and move the
disc 90 from its seat 91.
In view of the foregoing, it will be noted that the operating
button 77 is depressed to effect downward movement of the rod 74
when it is desired to dispense treating liquid from the container
61 and also to discharge liquid wax from the container 80. When the
container 61 is not mounted on the handle structure 18 on top of
the housing 19, the lever 104 is in such a position on the cross
arm 21 that the rod 74 and lower rod section 101 are at the
immediate vicinity of the laterally offset portion 102 of the
opening 103 in the lever 104, as seen in FIG. 20. Hence, when the
operating button 77 is depressed and the container 61 is not
mounted on the handle structure 18, the shoulder 100 on the rod 74
can engage the lever 104 and move it clockwise in FIG. 18 and
effect upward movement of the cable 106, as explained above.
However, when the container 61 is mounted on the handle structure
18, an upward extending finger 109 at the top of the container 61
exerts force on the lever 104, as seen at F in FIG. 21, to shift
the lever laterally from the position shown in FIG. 20 to the
position shown in FIG. 21. This is made possible by providing a
bushing 110 of resilient material, such as rubber, for example, at
the pivotal mounting 105 for the lever 104 which permits the lever
to shift in a direction parallel to the axis about which it pivots
so that it can move from the position shown in FIG. 20 to the
position shown in FIG. 21 when subjected to the force F by the
finger 109 of the container 61. Under these conditions the rod 74,
when the operating button 77 is depressed, can only function to
impart downward movement to rod 64 in the container 61 and is not
operatively associated with the lever 104. When the container 61 is
removed from the handle structure 18 the resilient bushing 110
biases the lever 104 laterally from its position in FIG. 21 to its
position in FIG. 20, so that the rod 74 is again operatively
associated with the lever 104.
When upward movement is imparted to the valve stem 87 of the valve
structure 86 to open the valve 88, the container 80 is prevented
from moving upward in the compartment 82 by an angularly movable
bar 120 when it is in the position shown in FIg. 23. It will be
noted that the bottom of the bar 120 bears against the top 80a of
the container 80 which slopes downward from the horizontal. The bar
120 comprises a bottom lever or half 121 and a top finger or half
122. The bottom half 121 is in the shape of an angle member having
a short arm 121a at an obtuse angle to its longer arm 121b. The
bottom half 121 is U-shaped in transverse section and the spaced
sides thereof are apertured at 123 to receive a downward depending
lug on the top finger 122 which is apertured at 124. A pin 125
extends through the apertures 123 and 124 to pivotally connect the
top and bottom halves 122 and 121 of the bar 120.
The top and bottom halves 122 and 121 are resiliently biased toward
one another by a coil spring 126 of the shape shown in FIG. 25. The
spring 126 includes a first coil section 126a which is mounted on
the pin 125 between the spaced sides of the bottom lever 121
alongside the apertured lug of the top finger 122. A second coil
section 126b of the spring 126 is positioned below the first coil
section 126a and from the latter a spring arm 126c extends upward
and bears against a flat surface 122a of the top finger 122, so
that a part 122b thereof will bear against short arm 121a of the
bottom lever 121, as seen in FIG. 22.
A spring arm 126d, which has a bent end 126e, extends from the
first coil section 126a and is held in an upstanding lug 127 of
partitioning 128 in the housing 19 which includes a vertical wall
128a extending down from the lug 127 and a small platform 128b at
the bottom of the vertical wall 128a. It now will be understood
that the bar 120 is supported on the partitioning 128 by the spring
arm 126d and is angularly movable between the positions shown in
FIGS. 22 and 23 about the pin 125 which also is supported by the
spring arm 126d. Also, the spring arm 126c resiliently biases the
top half or lever 122 toward the bottom half 121 so that the bottom
and top halves 121 and 122 will be in alignment.
The bar 120 just described cooperates with a control member 130
which is provided in the cover 40 of the housing 19. As best seen
in FIG. 4, the cover 40 is formed with an opening 131 adapted to be
opened and closed by the control member 130 which is in the form of
a shutter or screen. The outer free edge of the control shutter 130
is provided with two flanges 132 and 133, one of which projects
upward and the other downward, as seen in FIG. 22.
When it is desired to operate the apparatus 10 to effect suction
cleaning in the manner explained above, the control shutter 130 is
moved to its closed position shown in FIG. 22 with the flange 132
bearing against an edge of the opening 131. The conduit 43 in the
cover 40 and through which dirt laden air flows to the dust bag 44,
is provided with an opening 134. As will be best understood from
FIG. 4, the control shutter 130 in its closed position will overlie
the opening 134 in the conduit 43 and hence the only air that can
flow to dust bag 44 when the motor-fan unit 25 is being operated
will be the dirt laden air flowing through the conduit 43 from the
suction nozzle 48.
When the control shutter 130 is in its closed position, it also
will overlie the large end of the funnel 70 so that the container
61 cannot be mounted on the handle structure 18 on top of the
housing 19. This is so because the control shutter 130 under these
conditions will prevent the bottom tapered part 61b of the
container 61 from nesting in the funnel 70. In addition, the bar
120 remains in an erect or upright position when the control
shutter 130 is closed, as shown in FIG. 22. Under these conditions,
the bar 120 cannot function to prevent upward movement of the wax
container 80 when an attempt is made to move valve stem 87 upward
by pushing down the operating button 77.
With the control shutter 130 closed and the apparatus 10
functioning as a suction cleaner, it will be understood that the
brushes 11, 12 and 14 will be driven to buff and polish a surface
being treated. However, under these conditions no wax can be
dispensed on the surface from the wax container 80 and no treating
liquid can be discharged from the container 61 for the reason that
it cannot be mounted on the handle structure 18.
When the control shutter 130 is moved from its closed position in
FIG. 22 to its open position in FIG. 23, the flange 133 acts on the
top half 122 of the bar 120, and, due to the resilient biasing
action of the spring arm 126c which holds the top half 122 against
the bottom half 121 of the bar, the bar as a unitary structure will
be moved angularly in a clockwise direction about the pin 125 and
move the bottom half 122 of the bar 120 against the sloping top
surface 80a of the container 80 to prevent the latter from moving
upward in the compartment 82 of the housing 19 when upward movement
is imparted to the valve stem 87 of the valve structure 86 at the
bottom of the container.
In the event the cover 40 of the housing 19 should be opened while
the control shutter 130 is open and the bar 120 is acting on the
top surface 80a of the container, the bar will then move to an
erect or upright position, as shown in FIG. 24. If the cover 40 is
now moved back to its closed position while the control shutter 130
remains open, the flange 133 on the shutter 130 will be to the
right of the bar 120. In order to be able to move the bar 120 to
its operative position against the top surface 80a of the container
80, it now is necessary to initially move the control shutter 130
toward its closed position past the top half 122 of the bar 120 so
that the different parts will be in the positions shown in FIG. 22.
Thereafter, the control shutter 130 can be moved to its open
position and the flange 133 will function to move the bar 120 to
its inclined position in FIG. 23 against the top surface 80a of the
container.
The control shutter 130 can move from its position in FIG. 24 to
its position in FIG. 23 because, when the flange 133 strikes the
top half 122 of the bar 120, the top half 122 will pivot
counterclockwise about the pin 125 against the resilient biasing
action of the spring arm 126c, as indicated in dotted lines in FIG.
24. While the top half 122 is being moved about the pin 125 in this
manner the vertical wall 128a functions to hold the bottom half 121
in an erect or upright position. When the flange 133 moves clear of
the top half 122 of the bar 120, both halves of the bar 120 will
assume an upright position with the flange 133 at the left of the
bar 120, as shown in FIG. 22.
When the control shutter 130 is in its open position seen in FIG. 4
the shutter does not overlie the opening 34 in the conduit 43.
Hence, when the brushes 11, 12 and 14 are being driven by the motor
17, the fan 24 will function to draw air into the dust bag 44.
However, all of this air is not flowing from the nozzle 48 and a
large part of it will be ambient air drawn into the conduit 43
through the opening 134. Under these conditions the apparatus 10
cannot function properly as a suction cleaner.
* * * * *