Floor treatment apparatus

• US 10,555,657 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2017
• Issued: 02/11/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karcher North America Incorporated (Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Karcher North America Incorporated (Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG)
• Inventors: Pedlar, Roger, Pearson, Daniel, Shark, Eric L., Venard, Daniel, Doll, Brian J., Simmon, Rusty, Green, Nevin, Tran, Loi K., Gorsky, Robert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Randall E
• Application Number:
  US15/840,459
• Publication Number:
  US 20180110390A1
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/03 characterised by having provisions for supplying cleaning or polishing agents A47L11/065, A47L11/085, A47L11/125, A47L11/145, A47L11/161, A47L11/1625, A47L11/185, A47L11/201 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/145 with supply of cleaning agents
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/16 the tools being disc brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/20 combined with vacuum cleaning devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/24 Floor-sweeping machines, motor-driven
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/292 having rotary tools A47L11/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/302 having rotary tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/305 the tools being disc brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/34 Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4016 specially adapted for collecting fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4038 Disk shaped surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4041 Roll shaped surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4044 Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4061 Steering means; Means for avoiding obstacles; Details related to the place where the driver is accommodated
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4066 Propulsion of the whole machine
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4083 Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4088 Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 2203/0217 Use of a detergent in high pressure cleaners; arrangements for supplying the same
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 2203/027 Pump details
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/026 Cleaning by making use of hand-held spray guns; Fluid preparations therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2018 : for braking on a slope
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/40 : Working vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/142 : acoustic
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/145 : Structure borne vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/00 : Electric devices on electrically-propelled vehicles for safety purposes; Monitoring operating variables, e.g. speed, deceleration or energy consumption methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells B60L58/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 : Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/24 : with additional mechanical or electromagnetic braking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for cleaning or otherwise treating a floored surface that includes a platform adapted to support the weight of an operator. In addition, one embodiment of the present invention is capable of generally performing 360 degree turns to facilitate the treatment of difficult to access portions of the floored surface.

Claims

1. A floor treatment apparatus that is operable to receive inputs from direct contact with an operator and without direct contact with an operator to perform tasks, the floor treatment apparatus comprising:

a chassis comprising a front, a back, a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, an upper surface, a rear surface located behind a center point of the chassis, a left surface, and a right surface;

a platform located partially between a portion of the right surface and the left surface and at least partially behind the rear surface, wherein the platform includes a top surface adapted to receive the feet of an operator and a throttle;

wherein the throttle comprises a pedal that protrudes above the top surface of the platform;

a steering mechanism associated with the chassis and having a portion accessible to an operator;

a floor treating device connected adjacent to the lower surface of the chassis, the floor treating device configured to at least one of scrub floors, clean carpets, vacuum floors, wax floors, burnish floors, remove wax from a floor, and remove varnish from a floor;

a squeegee that is operable to follow a path of travel of the floor treatment apparatus; and

a sensor having a defined relationship with respect to the chassis capable of generating information or receiving information from a remote location; and

the sensor in electrical communication with at least one of the steering mechanism and the throttle for at least one of controlling cleaning operations, redirecting the floor treatment apparatus, and varying a speed of the apparatus based on input from the sensor.

2. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an electric monowheel at least partially positioned below a portion of the top surface of the platform.

3. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1, further including a clean fluid storage compartment in operable communication with a fluid dispenser.

4. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1, further including a spent fluid storage compartment in operable communication with a fluid collection system.

5. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 4, further including a hose in fluid communication with the spent fluid storage compartment, at least a portion of which is positioned outside of the chassis.

6. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1, further including a vacuum motor in vacuum communication with a portion of the squeegee.

7. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the squeegee comprises a first position of use spaced a predetermined distance from a surface and a second position of use wherein the squeegee is capable of contacting the surface.

8. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is operable to detect a surface upon which the chassis provided.

9. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is aimed at the surface and operable to detect obstacles on the surface, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a second sensor aimed in a different direction that is operable to detect wall surfaces.

10. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is capable of transmitting information using at least one of WiFi, Bluetooth, radio waves, light waves and sound waves.

11. A floor treatment apparatus that does not require direct contact with an operator to perform tasks, comprising:

a chassis comprising a front, a back, a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, an upper surface, a rear surface located behind a center point of the chassis, a left surface, and a right surface;

a platform located partially between a portion of the right surface and the left surface and at least partially behind the rear surface, wherein the platform includes a top surface adapted to receive the feet of an operator;

a throttle;

a steering mechanism associated with the chassis;

a floor treating device connected adjacent to the lower surface of the chassis, the floor treating device configured to scrub floors, clean carpets, vacuum floors, wax floors, burnish floors, remove wax from a floor, or remove varnish from a floor;

a squeegee provided proximate to the floor treating device;

at least one sensor having a defined relationship with respect to the chassis and operable to detect a distance between a portion of the chassis and a surface; and

wherein the at least one sensor is capable of generating information or receiving information from a remote location; and

a circuit in communication with the at least one sensor for at least one of redirecting the floor treatment apparatus and altering a speed of the apparatus based on input from the at least one sensor.

12. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 11, wherein the surface comprises a wall surface that is substantially perpendicular to a surface upon which the apparatus is provided.

13. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 11, further comprising at least one drive wheel powered by a battery.

14. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a spent fluid storage compartment in operable communication with a fluid collection system.

15. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 11, further including a vacuum motor in vacuum communication with a portion of the squeegee.

16. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 11, wherein the squeegee comprises a first position of use spaced a predetermined distance from a surface and a second position of use wherein the squeegee is capable of contacting the surface.

17. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 11, wherein software is installed in the cleaning apparatus such that human contact or monitoring is not required for the apparatus to perform tasks.

18. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one sensor is aimed at the surface for detecting obstacles on the surface, and further comprising a second sensor aimed in a different direction and operable to detect wall surfaces.

19. A floor treatment apparatus, comprising:

a chassis comprising a front, a back, a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, an upper surface, a rear surface located behind a center point of the chassis, a left surface, and a right surface;

a platform located partially between a portion of the right surface and the left surface and at least partially behind the rear surface, wherein the platform includes a top surface adapted to receive the feet of an operator, a throttle and an operator presence device;

wherein the throttle comprises a pedal that protrudes above the top surface of the platform;

a steering mechanism associated with the chassis and having a portion accessible to an operator;

a floor treating device connected adjacent to the lower surface of the chassis, the floor treating device configured to scrub floors, clean carpets, vacuum floors, wax floors, burnish floors, remove wax from a floor, or remove varnish from a floor;

a sensor having a defined relationship with respect to the chassis capable of generating information or receiving information from a remote location; and

the sensor in electrical communication with at least one of the steering mechanism and the throttle for at least one of redirecting the floor treatment apparatus or varying a speed of the apparatus based on input from the sensor.

20. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a motorized system in communication with the steering mechanism.

21. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 19, wherein the squeegee comprises a first position of use spaced a predetermined distance from a surface and a second position of use wherein the squeegee is capable of contacting the surface.

22. A floor treatment apparatus, comprising:

a chassis comprising a front, a back, a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, an upper surface, a rear surface located behind a center point of the chassis, a left surface, and a right surface;

a platform located partially between a portion of the right surface and the left surface and at least partially behind the rear surface, wherein the platform includes a top surface adapted to receive the feet of an operator, a throttle and an operator presence device;

wherein the throttle comprises a pedal that protrudes above the top surface of the platform;

a steering mechanism associated with the chassis and having a portion accessible to an operator;

a floor treating device connected adjacent to the lower surface of the chassis, the floor treating device configured to scrub floors, clean carpets, vacuum floors, wax floors, burnish floors, remove wax from a floor, or remove varnish from a floor; and

a squeegee that is operable to follow a path of travel of the floor treatment apparatus.

23. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 22, further including a switch to set a speed range wherein no degree of throttle engagement will cause the floor treatment apparatus to exceed the speed range.

24. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 22, further comprising an electric monowheel at least partially positioned below a portion of the top surface of the platform.

25. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 22, further including a clean fluid storage compartment in operable communication with a fluid dispenser.

26. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 22, further including a spent fluid storage compartment in operable communication with a fluid collection system.

27. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 22, further including a hose in fluid communication with the spent fluid storage compartment, at least a portion of which is positioned outside of the chassis.

28. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 22, wherein the throttle is positioned adjacent the right surface of the chassis.

29. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 22, further including a rotatable member forming a portion of the rear surface and that in a first position of use provides access to an interior portion of the chassis.

30. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 24, further including a second and a third wheel.

31. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 22, wherein a control panel is positioned on the chassis and located below a portion of the steering mechanism.

32. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 22, further including a vacuum motor in vacuum communication with a portion of the squeegee assembly.

33. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 22, wherein the squeegee comprises a first position of use spaced a predetermined distance from a surface and a second position of use wherein the squeegee is capable of contacting the surface.

34. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 22, wherein the squeegee is located between the front of the chassis and the platform.

35. A floor treatment apparatus, comprising:

a chassis having a front, a back, a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, a rear surface located substantially behind a center point of the chassis, a left surface, and a right surface;

a first wheel operably interconnected to the lower surface adjacent to the left surface;

a second wheel operably interconnected to the lower surface adjacent the right surface;

a platform adapted to support an operator'"'"'s weight located at least partially between the right and left surface and at least partially behind the rear surface, the platform comprising a throttle;

a third wheel provided proximal to the platform;

at least one of the first wheel, the second wheel and the third wheel comprising an electric drive wheel in operative communication with one or more batteries;

a steering mechanism, at least partially housed within the chassis, operably interconnected to at least one of the first, second or third wheel;

a floor treating mechanism selectively interconnected to the lower surface; and

a squeegee provided rearward of the floor treating mechanism.

36. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 35, wherein the platform includes an operator presence switch.

37. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 35, wherein the top surface of the platform includes one or more protrusions.

38. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 35, further comprising a hose in fluid communication with a spent fluid storage tank, wherein at least a portion of the hose is positioned outside of the chassis.

39. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 35, further including a rotatable door forming a portion of the rear surface, which in an open position provides access to an interior portion of the chassis.

40. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 35, wherein the squeegee may partially rotate relative to a home position and a first position of use positioned a predetermined distance from a surface and a second position of use substantially on the surface and wherein the squeegee is located between the rear of the chassis and the electric monowheel drive.

41. A floor treatment apparatus, comprising:

a chassis comprising a front, a back, a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, an upper surface, a rear surface adjacent the back, a left surface, and a right surface;

a platform located partially between a portion of the right surface and the left surface and at least partially behind the rear surface, wherein the platform includes a top surface adapted to receive the feet of an operator;

an operator presence device;

an electric drive motor;

one or more batteries electrically connected to the electric drive motor;

a steering mechanism associated with the chassis and having a portion accessible to an operator;

a floor treating device connected adjacent to the lower surface of the chassis, the floor treating device configured to scrub floors, clean carpets, vacuum floors, wax floors, burnish floors, remove wax from a floor, or remove varnish from a floor;

a squeegee operably interconnected to the lower surface of the chassis proximal to the floor treating device;

a clean fluid storage compartment in operable communication with a portion of a fluid dispenser;

a spent fluid storage compartment in operable communication with a portion of a fluid collection system;

a panel forming a portion of the rear surface to provide access to an interior portion of the chassis.

42. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 41, wherein the squeegee is positioned adjacent to the rear surface of the chassis.

43. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 41, wherein the squeegee is adjacent to the floor treating device.

44. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 41, wherein the steering mechanism comprises a joystick.