Floor cleaning apparatus

• US 20040074028A1
• Filed: 10/10/2003
• Published: 04/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nilfisk A/S (Nilfisk Holding A/S)
• Original Assignee: Nilfisk-Advance Incorporated (Nilfisk Holding A/S)
• Inventors: Goff, Sean K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,337,490 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/49.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/302 having rotary tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4016 specially adapted for collecting fluids
• 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 11/4052 Movement of the tools or the like perpendicular to the cleaning surface
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4072 Arrangement of castors or wheels
• 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

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus having a cleaning system including at least one downwardly directed spray nozzle is supported by the chassis proximal the chassis forward end and in fluid communication with at least one cleaning solution tank. The at least one spray nozzle sprays cleaning solution from the tank onto the floor. At least one ground engaging agitation brush is disposed rearwardly of the at least one spray nozzle for agitating the cleaning solution sprayed onto the floor. At least one vacuum shoe is supported by the chassis rearwardly of the at least one agitation brush, and in fluid communication with the at least one recovery tank, wherein cleaning solution drawn into the vacuum shoe is deposited into the at least one recovery tank. In one embodiment the apparatus is drivable. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a second cleaning system including a vacuum squeegee.

Claims

1. A floor cleaning apparatus comprising:

a chassis having a forward end and a rearward end;

a plurality of floor engaging wheels supporting said chassis above a floor, wherein at least one of said floor engaging wheels is rotatably driven to propel said chassis along the floor, and wherein at least one of said ground engaging wheels is steerable by an operator supported by said chassis;

at least one first tank supported by said chassis for holding a cleaning solution;

at least one second tank supported by said chassis for holding recovered cleaning solution;

at least one downwardly directed spray nozzle supported by said chassis proximal said chassis forward end and in fluid communication with said at least one first tank, wherein said at least one spray nozzle sprays cleaning solution from said at least one first tank onto the floor;

at least one ground engaging agitation brush disposed rearwardly of said at least one spray nozzle for agitating the cleaning solution sprayed onto the floor; and

at least one vacuum shoe supported by said chassis rearwardly of said at least one agitation brush, and in fluid communication with said at least one second tank, wherein cleaning solution drawn into said vacuum shoe is deposited into said at least one second tank.

2. The floor cleaning apparatus as in claim 1, in which said vacuum shoe is mounted to one end of a bracket pivotally fixed relative to said chassis, wherein said vacuum shoe is movable between a stored position and an operating position.

3. The floor cleaning apparatus as in claim 1, in which said vacuum shoe is pivotally mounted relative to said chassis, wherein pivotal movement of said vacuum shoe changes the angle of said shoe relative to said floor.

4. The floor cleaning apparatus as in claim 3, wherein said angle of said shoe is fixable relative to said floor.

5. The floor cleaning apparatus as in claim 1, in which a squeegee assembly is fixed relative to said chassis.

6. The floor cleaning apparatus as in claim 5, in which said squeegee assembly has an operating position and a stored position, wherein in said operating position said squeegee assembly engages the floor.

7. The floor cleaning apparatus as in claim 5, in which a vacuum source supported by said chassis is selectably in fluid communication with at least one of said at least one vacuum shoe and said vacuum assembly, wherein said vacuum source creates a suction for drawing cleaning solution sprayed onto the floor into said at least one second tank.

8. The cleaning apparatus as in claim 1, including a side brush supported by said chassis forwardly of said at least one spray nozzle for urging debris into the path of said cleaning apparatus.

9. The cleaning apparatus as in claim 1, in which said at least one agitation brush is cylindrical having an axis of rotation transverse to a longitudinal centerline extending through said forward end and said rearward end of said chassis.

10. A floor cleaning apparatus comprising:

a chassis having a forward end and a rearward end;

a plurality of floor engaging wheels supporting said chassis above a floor, wherein at least one of said floor engaging wheels is rotatably driven to propel said chassis along the floor;

at least one first tank supported by said chassis for holding a cleaning solution;

at least one second tank supported by said chassis for holding recovered cleaning solution;

at least one downwardly directed spray nozzle supported by said chassis proximal said chassis forward end and in fluid communication with said at least one first tank, wherein said at least one spray nozzle sprays cleaning solution from said at least one first tank onto the floor;

at least one ground engaging agitation brush disposed rearwardly of said at least one spray nozzle for agitating the cleaning solution sprayed onto the floor;

at least one vacuum shoe supported by said chassis rearwardly of said at least one agitation brush, and selectively in fluid communication with said at least one second tank, wherein cleaning fluid drawn into said vacuum shoe is deposited into said at least one second tank; and

a squeegee assembly supported by said chassis rearwardly of said at least one agitation brush, and selectively in fluid communication with said at least one second tank, wherein cleaning solution drawn into said squeegee assembly is deposited into said at least one second tank.

11. The cleaning apparatus as in claim 10, in which at least one of said floor engaging wheels is a steerable wheel steerable by a steering wheel supported by said chassis.

12. The floor cleaning apparatus as in claim 10, in which said vacuum shoe is mounted to one end of a bracket pivotally fixed relative to said chassis, wherein said vacuum shoe is movable between a stored position and an operating position.

13. The floor cleaning apparatus as in claim 10, in which said vacuum shoe is pivotally mounted relative to said chassis, wherein pivotal movement of said vacuum shoe changes the angle of said shoe relative to said floor.

14. The floor cleaning apparatus as in claim 13, wherein said angle of said shoe is fixable relative to said floor.

15. The floor cleaning apparatus as in claim 10, in which said squeegee assembly has an operating position and a stored position, wherein in said operating position said squeegee assembly engages the floor.

16. The floor cleaning apparatus as in claim 10, in which a vacuum source supported by said chassis is selectably in fluid communication with at least one of said at least one vacuum shoe and said vacuum assembly, wherein said vacuum source creates a suction for drawing cleaning solution sprayed onto the floor into said at least one second tank.

17. The cleaning apparatus as in claim 10, including a side brush supported by said chassis forwardly of said at least one spray nozzle for urging debris into the path of said cleaning apparatus.

18. The cleaning apparatus as in claim 10, in which said at least one agitation brush is cylindrical having an axis of rotation transverse to a longitudinal centerline extending through said forward end and said rearward end of said chassis.

19. A floor cleaning apparatus comprising:

a chassis having a forward end and a rearward end;

a plurality of floor engaging wheels supporting said chassis above a floor, wherein at least one of said floor engaging wheels is rotatably driven to propel said chassis along the floor;

at least one first tank supported by said chassis for holding a cleaning solution;

at least one second tank supported by said chassis for holding recovered cleaning solution;

at least one downwardly directed spray nozzle supported by said chassis proximal said chassis forward end and in fluid communication with said at least one first tank, wherein said at least one spray nozzle sprays cleaning solution from said at least one first tank onto the floor;

at least one ground engaging agitation brush disposed rearwardly of said at least one spray nozzle for agitating the cleaning solution sprayed onto the floor; and

at least one vacuum shoe supported by said chassis rearwardly of said at least one agitation brush, and in fluid communication with said at least one second tank, wherein cleaning solution drawn into said vacuum shoe is deposited into said at least one second tank, said vacuum shoe being pivotally mounted relative to said chassis, wherein pivotal movement of said vacuum shoe changes the angle of said shoe relative to said floor.

20. The floor cleaning apparatus as in claim 19, in which said vacuum shoe is mounted to one end of a bracket pivotally fixed relative to said chassis, wherein said vacuum shoe is movable between a stored position and an operating position.

21. The floor cleaning apparatus as in claim 19, wherein said angle of said shoe is fixable relative to said floor.

22. The floor cleaning apparatus as in claim 19, in which a squeegee assembly is fixed relative to said chassis.

23. The floor cleaning apparatus as in claim 22, in which said squeegee assembly has an operating position and a stored position, wherein in said operating position said squeegee assembly engages the floor.

24. The floor cleaning apparatus as in claim 22, in which a vacuum source supported by said chassis is selectably in fluid communication with at least one of said at least one vacuum shoe and said vacuum assembly, wherein said vacuum source creates a suction for drawing cleaning solution sprayed onto the floor into said at least one second tank.

25. The cleaning apparatus as in claim 19, including a side brush supported by said chassis forwardly of said at least one spray nozzle for urging debris into the path of said cleaning apparatus.

26. The cleaning apparatus as in claim 19, in which said at least one agitation brush is cylindrical having an axis of rotation transverse to a longitudinal centerline extending through said forward end and said rearward end of said chassis.

27. The cleaning apparatus as in claim 19, in which at least one of said floor engaging wheels is a steerable wheel steerable by a steering wheel supported by said chassis.