Cleaning apparatus with rotatable endless belt

• US 5,203,047 A
• Filed: 07/16/1991
• Issued: 04/20/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Truss Technology L L C
• Original Assignee: Clean-Wise, Inc.
• Inventors: Lynn, William R.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROBERTS JR, EDWARD
• Application Number:
  US07/730,641
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 15/99, 15/97.1, 15/51, 15/52, 15/321, 15/322, 15/98
• US Class Current: 15/99
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/302 having rotary tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4047 Wound-up or endless cleaning belts
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4069 Driving or transmission means for the cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4075 Handles; levers

Abstract

An improved cleaning apparatus system used for cleaning a surface comprising in combination a surface cleaning head having a frame supporting a rotatable belt for absorbing liquid and contaminants from a surface to be cleaned, a mechanism for conveying the rotatable belt and removing liquid and contaminants therefrom which have been absorbed from the surface to be cleaned and a storage device for storing the liquid and contaminants removed from the rotatable endless belt, a handle member connected to the surface cleaning head whereby the handle member can be used to facilitate operation of the surface cleaning head, wherein the rotatable endless belt is rotatable in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal operational direction of the apparatus defined by the handle member and a vacuum source can be provided for assisting with removal of the absorbed liquid and contaminants and conveying them to a storage device.

Claims

1. An improved cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface, comprising in combination:

a surface cleaning had having a frame supporting a plurality of rotatable means for one of applying liquid to a surface to be cleaned and absorbing liquid and contaminants form the surface to be cleaned, said plurality of continuous rotatable absorbent means each having means for removing liquid and contaminants therefrom which has been absorbed form the surface to be cleaned, and means, associated with said removing means, for storing the liquid and contaminants removed form said plurality of continuous rotatable absorbent means;

means for rotating said plurality of continuous rotatable absorbent means;

a handle member defining a longitudinal axis; and

connection means for connecting one end of said handle member to said surface cleaning head whereby said handle member can be used to operate said surface cleaning head in a direction along said longitudinal axis;

wherein said plurality of continuous rotatable absorbent means are rotatable in directions substantially transverse to the longitudinal operational direction defined by said handle member with at least one rotatable absorbent means rotating in a first direction and at least a second rotatable absorbent means rotating in a second opposite direction.

2. The improved cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each said plurality of continuous rotatable absorbent means is an absorbent endless belts.

3. The improved cleaning apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each said removing means is a pressure device for applying pressure to the associated said absorbent endless belt and squeezing liquid therefrom.

4. An improved cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein container means, for containing a dispensable liquid, is attached to said handle member and arranged to supply the dispensable liquid onto at least one of said plurality of continuous rotatable absorbent means.

5. An improved cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of continuous rotatable absorbent means comprises three independent, sequentially arranged, side by side, conveyable endless belts.

6. The improved cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for rotating said plurality of continuous rotatable absorbent means comprises motor means for continuous rotation of said rotating means.