Rectangular support frame for supporting and transporting components of a cleaning device

• US 6,092,768 A
• Filed: 06/29/1998
• Issued: 07/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sioux Corporation
• Original Assignee: Sioux Steam Cleaner Corporation
• Inventors: Larson, Arden L., Spilde, Gary, Finger, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LANDRY, WALTER J
• Application Number:
  US09/106,420
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 248/676, 248/646, 248/637, 248/671, 280/47.35, 280/79.3
• US Class Current: 248/129
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 13/00 Accessories or details of general applicability for machines or apparatus for cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/026 Cleaning by making use of hand-held spray guns; Fluid preparations therefor

Abstract

A new support frame for supporting a cleaning device. The inventive device includes a base having a pair of spaced apart elongate side bars and spaced apart elongate first and second end bars. The end bars of the base are extended between the side bars of the base. The base has ground engaging members downwardly depending therefrom. The frame also includes first and second end members with each end member having a pair of elongate lower arm portions and an elongate upper cross portion. An upper mounting assembly is spaced apart from the base and is interposed between the base and the upper cross portions of the end members. Elongate first and second upper bars are extended between the arm portions of the first end member and are interposed between the upper cross portion of the first end member and the first end portion of the upper mounting assembly. A handle member is extended from the first end member away from the second end member. A pair of spaced apart elongate mounting brackets are coupled to the upper mounting assembly and to the upper cross portion of the second end member. A bumper member is extended from the second end member away from the first end member. An elongate upper support beam is extended between the upper cross portions of the first and second end members.

Claims

1. A support frame for a cleaning device having a heating elements assembly, an electrical panel assembly, a motor and pump assembly, a reservoir assembly for detergent, and a cleaning gun assembly, said support frame comprising:

a base having a pair of spaced apart elongate side bars and spaced apart elongate first and second end bars, each of said side bars of said base having first and second ends, said end bars of said base being extended between said side bars of said base, said first end bar being positioned adjacent said first ends of said side bars of said base, said second end bar being positioned adjacent said second ends of said side bars of said base;

said base having ground engaging members downwardly depending therefrom;

first and second end members, each said end member having a pair of elongate lower arm portions and an elongate upper cross portion;

said first end member being positioned adjacent said first ends of said side bars of said base;

said second end member being positioned adjacent said second ends of said side bars of said base;

an upper mounting assembly for supporting the motor and pump assembly, said upper mounting assembly being adapted to be spaced apart from said base and being interposed between said base and said upper cross portions of said end members;

elongate first and second upper bars for supporting the reservoir assembly, said first and second upper bars extending between said arm portions of said first end member, said first and second bars being spaced apart from each other and being interposed between said upper cross portion of said first end member and said first end portion of said upper mounting assembly;

a handle member having a pair of spaced apart elongate arms and a main portion, said handle member being adapted to be extended from said first end member away from said second end member;

a pair of spaced apart elongated mounting brackets for supporting the electrical panel assembly, each of said mounting brackets having upper and lower ends, each of said mounting brackets being coupled to said upper mounting assembly and to said upper cross portion of said second end member, said upper ends of said of said mounting brackets being upwardly extended from said upper cross portion of said second end member;

a bumper member having a pair of spaced apart elongate arms and a main portion, said bumper member extending from said second end member away from said first end member; and

an elongate upper support beam mounted to and extending between each of said upper cross portions of said first and second end members for supporting said first and second end members when the reservoir assembly is mounted on said first end member and the electrical panel assembly is mounted on said second end member.

2. The support frame of claim 1, wherein said first and second end members each extend substantially the same distance from said base, and said upper support beam extends substantially parallel to said base.

3. The support frame of claim 1, wherein said ground engaging members comprise a plurality of wheels, and wherein each of said side bars of said base has a pair of wheels coupled thereto, one of said wheels of each said side bar being positioned adjacent said first end of said side bar and another of said wheel of each said side bar being positioned adjacent said second end of said side bar.

4. The support frame of claim 1, wherein said base has a pair of elongate lower cross bars for supporting heating elements of the heating elements assembly, said cross bars extending between said side bars of said base, said lower cross bars of said base being spaced apart from one another and being interposed between said first and second end bars of said base.

5. The support frame of claim 1, wherein each of said end members lie in planes substantially perpendicular to the plane said base lies in, wherein said upper mounting assembly lies in a plane substantially parallel to the plane said base lies in, and wherein said handle member lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane said first end member lies in.

6. The support frame of claim 1, wherein one of said arm portions of said first end member is coupled to one of said side bars of said base, wherein another of said arm portions of said first end member is coupled to another of said side bars of said base, wherein one of said arm portions of said second end member is coupled to one of said side bars of said base, and wherein another of said arm portions of said second end member is coupled to another of said side bars of said base.

7. The support frame of claim 1, wherein said upper mounting assembly comprises a pair of spaced apart elongate side portions and spaced apart first and second end portions;

said side portions of said upper mounting assembly being extended between said first and second end members, one of said side portions of said upper mounting assembly being extended between one pair of associated arm portions of said first and second end members, another of said side portions of said upper mounting assembly being extended between another pair of associated arm portions of said first and second end members; and

said first end portion of said upper mounting assembly being extended between said arm portions of said first end member, said second end portion of said upper mounting assembly being extended between said arm portions of said second end member.

8. The support frame of claim 7, further comprising a pair of spaced apart elongate braces being extended between said first end bar of said base and said first end portion of said upper mounting assembly.

9. The support frame of claim 1, wherein said handle member is positioned between said upper bars.

10. The support frame of claim 1, wherein said handle member is mounted to said first end member at a first distance from said base, and said bumper member is mounted to said second end member at a second distance from said base, and wherein said first distance is approximately twice said second distance;

and wherein said handle member extends a distance from said first end member substantially equal to a distance that said bumper member extends from said second end member.

11. The support frame of claim 10, further comprising a pair of handle braces, one of said handle braces being coupled to one of said arm of said handle member and its associated arm portion of said first end member, another of said handle braces being coupled to another of said arms of said handle member and its associated arm portion of said first end member.

12. The support frame of claim 11, wherein said handle braces are generally triangular in shape.

13. The support frame of claim 1, wherein said upper end of each of said mounting brackets has a slot, said upper ends of said of said mounting brackets being upwardly extended from said upper cross portion of said second end member such that said slots of said mounting brackets extend upwards from said upper cross portion of said second end member.

14. The support frame of claim 1, wherein said arms of said bumper member are coupled to said second end portion of said upper mounting assembly such that one of said arms of said bumper member is positioned adjacent one of said arm portions of said second end member and another of said arms of said bumper member is positioned adjacent another of said arm portions of said second end member.

15. The support frame of claim 1, wherein said upper support beam has a pair of apertures adapted for receiving a hook for lifting said support frame, one of said apertures being located adjacent said first end member, another of said apertures being located adjacent said second end member.

16. The support frame of claim 1, further comprising a pair of spaced apart holding members for supporting a length of flexible hose on said support frame, each holding member having a pair of spaced apart fingers and a connecting portion, said connecting portions of said holding member being coupled to said upper support beam such that said upper support beam is positioned between said fingers of each holding portion.

17. The support frame of claim 1, further comprising an elongate sheath member for supporting the portion of a cleaning gun assembly, said sheath member having an open end for receiving said sheath member being coupled to one of said side bars of said base at a location adjacent to said second end member and to said upper mounting assembly at a substantially central location between said first and second end members such that the sheath member is positioned at an acute angle with respect to said base, said open end of said sheath member being positioned adjacent said upper mounting assembly.

19. The support frame of claim 1 wherein said handle member extends in a first direction beyond the plane of said first end member and beyond the first ends of said side bars of said base for protecting a reservoir assembly mounted on said first and second upper bars, and said bumper member extending in a second direction beyond the plane of said second end member and beyond the second ends of said side bars of said base for protecting an electrical panel assembly mounted on said mounting brackets and ends of said heating elements assembly on said base, said first direction being opposite of said second direction.

18. A support frame for a cleaning device having a heating elements assembly, an electrical panel assembly, a motor and pump assembly, a reservoir assembly for detergent, and a cleaning gun assembly, said support frame comprising:

a base being generally rectangular and having a pair of spaced apart elongate side bars and spaced apart elongate first and second end bars, each of said side bars of said base having first and second ends, said end bars of said base extending between said side bars of said base, said first end bar being positioned adjacent said first ends of said side bars of said base, said second end bar being positioned adjacent said second ends of said side bars of said base;

said base having ground engaging members downwardly depending therefrom, wherein said ground engaging members comprise a plurality of wheels, wherein each of said side bars of said base has a pair of wheels coupled thereto, one of said wheels of each said side bar being positioned adjacent said first end of said side bar and another of said wheel of each said side bar being positioned adjacent said second end of said side bar;

said base having a pair of elongate lower cross bars for supporting heating elements of the heating elements assembly, said cross bars extending between said side bars of said base, said lower cross bars of said base being spaced apart from one another and being interposed between said first and second end bars of said base, each of said lower cross bars of said base having a plurality of mounting holes;

first and second end members, each said end member having a pair of elongate lower arm portions and an elongate upper cross portion;

wherein each of said end members lie in planes substantially perpendicular to the plane said base lies in;

wherein said first and second end members each extend substantially the same distance from said base;

said first end member being positioned adjacent said first ends of said side bars of said base, one of said arm portions of said first end member being coupled to one of said side bars of said base, another of said arm portions of said first end member being coupled to another of said side bars of said base;

said second end member being positioned adjacent said second ends of said side bars of said base, one of said arm portions of said second end member being coupled to one of said side bars of said base, another of said arm portions of said second end member being coupled to another of said side bars of said base,

an upper mounting assembly for supporting the motor and pump assembly, said upper mounting assembly being adapted to be spaced apart from said base and being interposed between said base and said upper cross portions of said end members;

wherein said upper mounting assembly lies in a plane substantially parallel to the plane said base lies in;

said upper mounting assembly comprising a pair of spaced apart elongate side portions and spaced apart first and second end portions;

said side portions of said upper mounting assembly extending between said first and second end members, one of said side portions of said upper mounting assembly being adapted to be extended between one pair of associated arm portions of said first and second end members, another of said side portions of said upper mounting assembly being adapted to be extended between another pair of associated arm portions of said first and second end members;

said first end portion of said upper mounting assembly being extending between said arm portions of said first end member, said second end portion of said upper mounting assembly extending between said arm portions of said second end member;

a pair of spaced apart elongate braces extending between said first end bar of said base and said first end portion of said upper mounting assembly, each of said braces having a hole therethrough;

p1 elongate first and second upper bars for supporting the reservoir assembly, said first and second upper bars extending between said arm portions of said first end member, said first and second bars being spaced apart from each other and being interposed between said upper cross portion of said first end member and said first end portion of said upper mounting assembly;

a handle member having a pair of spaced apart elongate arms and a main portion, said handle member extending from said first end member away from said second end member, said handle member extending beyond the plane of said first end member and beyond the first ends of said side bars of said base for protecting the reservoir assembly when mounted on said first and second upper bars, said handle member being positioned between said upper bars, one of said arms of said handle member being coupled to one of said arm portions of said first end member, and another of said arms of said handle member being coupled to another of said arm portions of said first end member;

wherein said handle member lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane said first end member lies in;

a pair of handle braces, each of said handle braces being generally triangular, one of said handle braces being coupled to one of said arm of said handle member and its associated arm portion of said first end member, another of said handle braces being coupled to another of said arms of said handle member and its associated arm portion of said first end member;

a pair of spaced apart elongate mounting brackets for supporting the electrical panel assembly, each of said mounting brackets having upper and lower ends, each of said mounting brackets having a hole, said upper end of each of said mounting brackets having a slot, each of said mounting brackets being coupled to said second end portion of upper mounting assembly and to said upper cross portion of said second end member, said upper ends of said of said mounting brackets being upwardly extended from said upper cross portion of said second end member such that said slots of said mounting brackets extend upwards from said upper cross portion of said second end member;

a bumper member being generally U-shaped and having a pair of spaced apart elongate arms and a main portion, said bumper member extending from said second end member away from said first end member, said bumper member extending beyond the plane of said second end member and beyond the second ends of said side bars of said base for protecting an electrical panel assembly mounted on said mounting brackets and ends of said heating elements assembly on said base, said arms of said bumper member being coupled to said second end portion of said upper mounting assembly such that one of said arms of said bumper member is positioned adjacent one of said arm portions of said second end member and another of said arms of said bumper member is positioned adjacent another of said arm portions of said second end member;

wherein said handle member is mounted to said first end member at a first distance from said base, and said bumper member is mounted to said second end member at a second distance from said base, and wherein said first distance is approximately twice said second distance;

wherein said handle member extends a distance from said first end member substantially equal to a distance that said bumper member extends from said second end member;

an elongate upper support beam mounted to and extending between each of said upper cross portions of said first and second end members, the length of said upper support beam being substantially equal to the lengths of said side portions of said upper mounting assembly;

said upper support beam having a pair of apertures adapted for receiving a hook for lifting said support frame, one of said apertures being located adjacent said first end member, another of said apertures being located adjacent said second end member;

a pair of spaced apart holding members for supporting a length of flexible hose on said support frame, each holding member having a pair of spaced apart fingers and a connecting portion, said connecting portions of said holding member being coupled to said upper support beam such that said upper support beam is positioned between said fingers of each holding portion; and

an elongate sheath member for supporting a portion of the cleaning gun assembly, said sheath member having an open end for receiving sheath member being coupled to one of said side bars of said base at a location adjacent to said second end member and to the adjacent side portion of said upper mounting assembly at a substantially central location between said first and second end members such that the sheath member is positioned at an acute angle with respect to said base, said open end of said sheath member being positioned adjacent said upper mounting assembly.

20. A support frame for a cleaning device having a heating elements assembly, an electrical panel assembly, a motor and pump assembly, a reservoir assembly for detergent, and a cleaning gun assembly, said support frame comprising:

a base having a pair of spaced apart elongate side bars and spaced apart elongate first and second end bars, each of said side bars of said base having first and second ends, said end bars of said base extending between said side bars of said base, said first end bar being positioned adjacent said first ends of said side bars of said base, said second end bar being positioned adjacent said second ends of said side bars of said base;

said base having ground engaging members downwardly depending therefrom;

first and second end members, each of said end members having an elongate upper cross portion, said first and second end members each extending substantially the same distance from said base;

said first end member being positioned adjacent said first ends of said side bars of said base, said first end member being adapted for supporting the reservoir assembly;

said second end member being positioned adjacent said second ends of said side bars of said base, said second end member being adapted for supporting the electrical panel assembly an

an upper mounting assembly for supporting a motor and pump assembly, said upper mounting assembly being adapted to be spaced apart from said base and being interposed between said base and said upper cross portions of said end members;

a handle member having a pair of spaced apart elongate arms and a main portion, said handle member extending from said first end member away from said second end member;

a bumper member having a pair of spaced apart elongate arms and a main portion, said bumper member extending from said second end member away from said first end member;

an elongate sheath member for supporting a portion of a cleaning gun assembly, said sheath member being coupled to one of said side bars of said base at a location adjacent to said second end member and to the adjacent side portion of said upper mounting assembly at a substantially central location between said first and second end members such that the sheath member is positioned at an acute angle with respect to said base; and

an elongate upper support beam mounted to and extending between each of said upper cross portions of said first and second end members for supporting said first and second end members when the reservoir assembly is mounted on said first end member and the electrical panel assembly is mounted on said second end member.