Wheel support arrangement for an autonomous cleaning apparatus
First Claim
1. An assembly by means of which a carrier may move over a surface irrespective of obstructions or obstacles on the surface, the assembly comprising a motive means for engaging and moving over the surface so as to transport the carrier when the motive means is in an operative mode with the carrier, the motive means being adapted for displacement in both upward and downward directions and actuating means associated with the motive means for actuating a control mechanism when the motive means is in the operative mode and the motive means is in a predetermined position along its path of upward and downward movement.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A carrier, such as an autonomous cleaning apparatus, has a self-adjusting wheel assembly that can move vertically, thereby enabling the carrier to readily pass over a surface. The wheel assembly may include microswitch, which activates a control mechanism for the carrier when a wheel assembly is in a predetermined position along its path of vertical movement. Rollers can be located at the bottom of the carrier to function in cooperation with the wheel assemblies so as to facilitate the ability of the carrier to pass over obstacles. This ability may be enhanced by constructing the bottom of the front portion of the carrier so that it is slanted or inclined upwardly in a direction outward from the bottom of the carrier. A driving wheel may be rotatably attached to a wheel support, and which may also support a power source and a transmission.
156 Citations
35 Claims
- 1. An assembly by means of which a carrier may move over a surface irrespective of obstructions or obstacles on the surface, the assembly comprising a motive means for engaging and moving over the surface so as to transport the carrier when the motive means is in an operative mode with the carrier, the motive means being adapted for displacement in both upward and downward directions and actuating means associated with the motive means for actuating a control mechanism when the motive means is in the operative mode and the motive means is in a predetermined position along its path of upward and downward movement.
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8. A motive means for engaging and moving over a surface so as to transport a carrier when the motive means is in an operative mode with the carrier, the motive means being adapted for displacement in both upward and downward directions, the motive means including:
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a support means for providing support along a vertical path, force-creating means supported by the support means for urging the motive means in a direction downward from the carrier when the motive means is in the operative mode and a guide means slidably connected to the support means and adapted to be fixed to the carrier so as to cause the motive means to traverse a vertical path in its upward and downward displacement, the motive means further including a power source mounted on the support means for providing power to the motive means. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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- 12. An autonomous surface-conditioning apparatus having a housing containing surface-conditioning elements and including a control mechanism for controlling the operation of the surface-conditioning apparatus, and a motive means attached to the housing by means of which the apparatus may move over a surface being conditioned irrespective of obstructions or obstacles on the surface, the motive means being adapted for displacement in both upward and downward directions and including actuating means for actuating the control mechanism when the motive means is in a predetermined position along its path of upward and downward displacement.
- 23. An autonomous surface-conditioning apparatus having a housing containing surface-conditioning elements and including an assembly attached to the housing by means of which the apparatus may move over a surface being conditioned irrespective of obstructions or obstacles on the surface, the assembly comprising a motive means for engaging and moving over the surface so as to transport the apparatus, the motive means being adapted for displacement in both upward and downward directions, the motive means including a support means for providing support along a vertical path, a force-creating means supported by the support means for urging the motive means in a direction downward from the apparatus, and a guide means fixed to the apparatus and slidably connected to the support means so as to cause the motive means to traverse a vertical path in its upward and downward displacement.
- 32. An autonomous surface-conditioning apparatus having a housing containing surface-conditioning elements and including an assembly attached to the housing by means of which the apparatus may move over a surface being conditioned irrespective of obstructions or obstacles on the surface, the assembly comprising a motive means for engaging and moving over the surface so as to transport the apparatus, the motive means being adapted for displacement in both upward and downward directions, front and rear rotatable support means rotatably fixed to the bottom of the apparatus and acting to both establish a gap between the bottom of the apparatus and the surface being conditioned and a site about which the apparatus may tilt.
Specification