Automatic floor cleaner

• US 6,775,871 B1
• Filed: 11/28/2001
• Issued: 08/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edward Finch
• Original Assignee: Edward Finch
• Inventors: Finch, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): CHIN, RANDALL E
• Application Number:
  US10/002,191
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 15/491, 15/98, 153/19, 700/245, 700/258
• US Class Current: 15/49.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/24 Floor-sweeping machines, motor-driven
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4011 Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4036 Parts or details of the surface treating tools
• 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 11/4072 Arrangement of castors or wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/04 Automatic control of the travelling movement; Automatic obstacle detection

Abstract

An automatic floor cleaner uses a body member that has a change-of-direction driving mechanism such that when the body member encounters an impediment, the direction of travel of the body member is altered. An extension extends outwardly from the body member and has a cleaning implement removably secured thereto, the cleaning implement running along the ground and cleaning same during operation of the body member.

Claims

1. An automatic floor cleaner comprising:

a body member having an extension extending therefrom;

a cleaning implement attached to the extension;

at least one ball wheel attached to the body member;

a motor disposed within the body member;

an electrical source electrically connected to the motor for operating the motor; and

a driven wheel swivelly attached to the body member and operatively attached to the motor such that when the body member is traveling and encounters an obstacle, the driven wheel swivels and changes the traveling direction of the body member.

2. The automatic floor cleaner as in claim 1 further comprising a clip attached to the extension for securing the cleaning implement to the extension.

3. The automatic floor cleaner as in claim 1 further comprising a switch electrically disposed between the electrical source and the motor and operable between an on position establishing electrical communication between the electrical source and the motor and the off position disrupting electrical communication between the electrical source and the motor.

4. The automatic floor cleaner as in claim 3 further comprising a timer electrically disposed between the switch and the electrical source for turning the switch to an off position after the expiration of a predetermined length of time.

5. The automatic floor cleaner as in claim 4 wherein the length of time of the timer is programmable.

6. The automatic floor cleaner as in claim 1 further comprising a sensor attached to the body member and electrically connected to the motor such that when the sensor senses an obstruction, the driven wheel swivels and changes the traveling direction of the body member.

7. The automatic floor cleaner as in claim 1 wherein the cleaning implement has static cling properties.

8. The automatic floor cleaner as in claim 1 wherein the cleaning implement is made from cloth.

9. The automatic floor cleaner as in claim 1 wherein the cleaning implement is made from paper.

10. An automatic floor cleaner comprising:

a body member having an extension extending therefrom;

a cleaning implement attached to the extension;

at least one ball wheel attached to the body member;

a motorized change-of-direction wheel attached to the body member; and

an electrical source electrically connected to the motorized change-of-direction wheel for operating the motorized change-of-direction wheel.

11. The automatic floor cleaner as in claim 10 further comprising a clip attached to the extension for securing the cleaning implement to the extension.

12. The automatic floor cleaner as in claim 10 further comprising a switch electrically disposed between the electrical source and the motorized change-of-direction wheel and operable between an on position establishing electrical communication between the electrical source and the motor and an off position disrupting electrical communication between the electrical source and the motorized change-of-direction wheel.

13. The automatic floor cleaner as in claim 12 further comprising a timer electrically disposed between the switch and the electrical source for turning the switch to the off position after the expiration of a predetermined length of time.

14. The automatic floor cleaner as in claim 13 wherein the length of time of the timer is programmable.

15. The automatic floor cleaner as in claim 10 further comprising a sensor attached to the body member and electrically connected to the motor such that when the sensor senses an obstruction, the driven wheel swivels and changes the traveling direction of the body member.

16. The automatic floor cleaner as in claim 10 wherein the cleaning implement has static cling properties.

17. The automatic floor cleaner as in claim 10 wherein the cleaning implement is made from cloth.

18. The automatic floor cleaner as in claim 10 wherein the cleaning implement is made from paper.