Floor treatment apparatus

• US 7,533,435 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2005
• Issued: 05/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Karcher North America Incorporated (Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Karcher North America Incorporated (Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG)
• Inventors: Doll, Brian J., Venard, Daniel C., Pedlar, Roger, Tran, Loi X., Gorsky, Robert S., Shark, Eric L., Green, Nevin, Simmon, Rusty, Pearson, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): CHIN, RANDALL E
• Application Number:
  US11/059,663
• Publication Number:
  US 20050132527A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,554 Days
• Field of Search: 153/401, 153/403, 153/20, 153/21, 154/01, 15/491, 15/501, 15/98, 15/78
• US Class Current: 15/49.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/03 characterised by having provisions for supplying cleaning or polishing agents A47L11/065, A47L11/085, A47L11/125, A47L11/145, A47L11/161, A47L11/1625, A47L11/185, A47L11/201 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/145 with supply of cleaning agents
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/16 the tools being disc brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/20 combined with vacuum cleaning devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/24 Floor-sweeping machines, motor-driven
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/292 having rotary tools A47L11/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/302 having rotary tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/305 the tools being disc brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/34 Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4016 specially adapted for collecting fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4038 Disk shaped surface treating tools
• 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 11/4061 Steering means; Means for avoiding obstacles; Details related to the place where the driver is accommodated
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4066 Propulsion of the whole machine
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 2203/0217 Use of a detergent in high pressure cleaners; arrangements for supplying the same
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 2203/027 Pump details
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/026 Cleaning by making use of hand-held spray guns; Fluid preparations therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2018 : for braking on a slope
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/40 : Working vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/142 : acoustic
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/145 : Structure borne vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/00 : Electric devices on electrically-propelled vehicles for safety purposes; Monitoring operating variables, e.g. speed, deceleration or energy consumption methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells B60L58/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 : Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/24 : with additional mechanical or electromagnetic braking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for cleaning or otherwise treating a floored surface that includes a platform adapted to support the weight of an operator. In addition, one embodiment of the present invention is capable of generally performing 360° turns to facilitate the treatment of difficult to access portions of the floored surface.

Claims

1. A floor treatment apparatus comprising:

a chassis having a front and a back and with a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, an upper surface, a rear surface adjacent the back, a left surface and a right surface;

a first wheel operably interconnected to the lower surface adjacent to the left surface and located closer to the rear surface than the front surface;

a second wheel operably interconnected to the lower surface adjacent the right surface and located closer to the rear surface than the front surface;

a platform located substantially between at least a portion of the right surface, at least a portion of the left surface and extending rearwardly from a portion of the rear surface, the platform also substantially located within the chassis and positioned substantially directly above an axis extending between the center of the first wheel and the center of the second wheel and wherein the platform includes a top surface which is adapted to receive the feet of an operator, a throttle and an operator presence device operatively connected to and which selectively interrupts operation of the throttle;

a powered wheel operably connected adjacent the lower surface of the chassis;

a steering mechanism substantially housed within the chassis and having a portion that is accessible by an operator; and

an operable floor treating device connected adjacent to the lower surface of the chassis.

2. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform is adapted to receive and secure a seat.

3. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the floor treating device is at least one of a brush, a burnishing pad, a squeegee, and a vacuum.

4. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chassis has a maximum outside envelope of about 51 inches high, 27 inches wide, and 52 inches long.

5. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform includes a suspension system.

6. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the steering mechanism includes at least one of a substantially circular member, a substantially non-circular member, a joy stick, a yoke, handle bars, and controls on a control panel.

7. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a hose and a wand attached to the chassis that is adapted to selectively direct a stream of pressurized fluid or air.

8. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the floor treating device is a brush that substantially encircles the powered wheel.

9. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chassis comprises a front member that includes an exhaust channel.

10. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the length of the platform as measured between the left surface and the right surface is greater than the width of the platform.

11. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the floor treating device includes a squeegee that is capable of a first position of use, positioned a predetermined distance from a surface being cleaned, and a second position of use, positioned substantially on the surface being cleaned.

12. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 11, wherein the squeegee is transitioned from the first position to the second position with a hand-actuated lever.

13. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 11, wherein the squeegee is transitioned from the first position to the second position automatically.

14. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 11, wherein the squeegee is rotatable.

15. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform includes a platform switch that must be engaged in order for the throttle to be effective.

16. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1, further including a means to set a speed range wherein no degree of throttle engagement will cause the apparatus to exceed the speed range.

17. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a braking mechanism.

18. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 17, wherein the braking mechanism is interconnected to at least one of a console positioned near the steering mechanism, on the steering mechanism, and on said platform.

19. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 17, wherein the braking mechanism is a manually controlled electro-mechanical device.

20. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1 further including a debris collection device connected adjacent to the lower surface of the chassis.

21. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1 further including a clean fluid storage compartment in operable communication with a fluid dispensing member.

22. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1 further including a spare fluid storage compartment in operable communication with a fluid collection system.

23. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 1 further including a fluid storage compartment, a chemical storage compartment and a control mechanism which will selectively mix fluid from the fluid storage compartment with fluid from the chemical storage compartment to form a cleaning fluid.

24. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 23 which the cleaning fluid is in fluid communication with a fluid dispensing member.

25. A floor treatment apparatus comprising:

a chassis having a front and a back, a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, a rear surface adjacent the back, a left surface, and a right surface;

a first wheel operably interconnected to the lower surface adjacent to the left surface and located closer to the rear surface than the front surface;

a second wheel operably interconnected to the lower surface adjacent the right surface and located closer to the rear surface than the front surface;

a platform located substantially between at least a portion of the right surface, at least a portion of the left surface and extending rearwardly from a portion of the rear surface and is adapted to support the weight of an operator;

at least a third wheel operably interconnected to the lower surface, the platform also substantially located within the chassis and positioned substantially directly above an axis extending between the center of the first wheel and the center of the second wheel;

a steering mechanism, at least partially housed within the chassis, operably interconnected to a third wheel which is located approximately between the left surface and the right surface and allows the chassis to rotate 360 degrees without substantially moving in other directions;

a floor treating mechanism interconnected to said lower surface; and

a power plant interconnected to at least one of the wheels.

26. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 25, wherein the platform is adapted to receive a seat for an operator.

27. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 25, wherein the floor treating mechanism is at least one of a brush, a burnisher, a squeegee, and a vacuum.

28. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 25, wherein the chassis has a maximum outside envelope of about 50.75 inches high, 26.5 inches wide, and 51.5 inches long.

29. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 25, wherein the platform includes a suspension system.

30. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 25, wherein the steering mechanism includes one of a substantially circular member, a substantially non-circular member, a joy stick, a yoke, handle bars, and controls on a control panel.

31. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a hose and a wand attached to the chassis that is adapted to selectively direct a stream of pressurized fluid or air.

32. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 25, wherein the floor treating mechanism is a brush that substantially encircles the third wheel.

33. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 25, wherein the chassis comprises a front member that includes an exhaust channel.

34. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 25, wherein the length of the platform as measured between the left surface and the right surface is greater than the width of the platform.

35. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 25, wherein the floor treating mechanism includes a rotatable squeegee that is capable of a first position of use, positioned a predetermined distance from a surface being cleaned, and a second position of use, positioned substantially on the surface being cleaned.

36. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 35, wherein the rotatable squeegee is transitioned from the first position to the second position with a hand-actuated lever.

37. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 35, wherein the rotatable squeegee is transitioned from the first position to the second position automatically.

38. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 25, wherein the platform includes a throttle, an operator presence switch that interrupts the throttle when not depressed, and a platform switch that must be engaged in order for the throttle to be effective.

39. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 38, further including a means to set a speed range wherein no degree of throttle engagement will cause the apparatus to exceed the speed range.

40. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a braking mechanism.

41. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 40, wherein the braking mechanism is interconnected to at least one of a console positioned near the steering mechanism, on the steering mechanism, and on said platform.

42. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 40, wherein the braking mechanism is a manually controlled electro-mechanical device.

43. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 25 further including a debris collection device connected adjacent to the lower surface of the chassis.

44. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 25 further including a clean fluid storage compartment in operable communication with a fluid dispensing member.

45. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 25 further including a spare fluid storage compartment in operable communication with a fluid collection system.

46. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 25 further including a fluid storage compartment, a chemical storage compartment and a control mechanism which will selectively mix fluid from the fluid storage compartment with fluid from the chemical storage compartment to form a cleaning fluid.

47. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 46 which the cleaning fluid is in fluid communication with a fluid dispensing member.

48. A floor treatment apparatus comprising:

an enclosure for enveloping at least a waste receptacle, the enclosure having a front and a back and a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, an upper surface, a rear surface adjacent the back, a left surface, and a right surface;

a first wheel operably interconnected to the lower surface adjacent to the left surface and located closer to the rear surface than the front surface;

a second wheel operably interconnected to the lower surface adjacent the right surface and located closer to the rear surface than the front surface;

a platform located substantially between at least a portion of the right surface, at least a portion of the left surface and extending from a portion of the rear surface, the platform also substantially located within the enclosure and positioned substantially directly above an axis extending between the center of the first wheel and the center of the second wheel;

a drive mechanism operably connected to the apparatus and being capable of at least one of transitioning and rotating the floor treatment apparatus;

a steering assembly connected to at least one of the enclosure or the platform; and

a floor treatment assembly operably connected to the lower surface of the enclosure.

49. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 48 wherein the floor treatment assembly includes a debris collection assembly.

50. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 48, wherein the drive mechanism is an electric motor in communication with at least one wheel.

51. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 48, wherein the steering assembly is at least one of a steering wheel, at least one joy stick, a yoke, handle bars, and a remote controlled system.

52. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 48, wherein the floor treatment assembly includes a device for capturing debris and fluid and directing them to a suction assembly, the device for capturing debris and fluid being rotatably connected to the lower surface of the enclosure wherein fluid and debris is generally contained when the floor treatment apparatus is turned.

53. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 48, wherein the floor treatment assembly is at least one of a brush, a scrubber, a burnishing pad, and a squeegee.

54. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 53, wherein the brush generally spans from the left surface to the right surface of the enclosure and spins in an axis generally parallel to a surface being cleaned.

55. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 53, wherein the scrubber rotates in an axis generally perpendicular to a surface being cleaned.

56. A floor treatment apparatus comprising:

a chassis with a lower surface, a front surface, an upper surface, a rear surface, a left surface and a right surface, wherein a platform is provided that is adapted to support the weight of an operator;

a powered wheel operably connected adjacent the lower surface of the chassis, the powered wheel being capable of at least one of transitioning and rotating the floor treatment apparatus;

a steering mechanism adjacent to the upper surface that is accessible by the operator;

a brush connected adjacent to the lower surface of the chassis and which substantially encircles the powered wheel;

an operable debris collection device connected adjacent to the lower surface of the chassis; and

wherein an operator controls the floor treatment apparatus from the platform.

57. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 56, wherein the platform is adapted to receive and secure a seat.

58. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 56, wherein the chassis has a maximum outside envelope of about 51 inches high, 27 inches wide, and 52 inches long.

59. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 56, wherein the platform includes a suspension system.

60. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 56, wherein the steering mechanism includes at least one of a wheel, a joystick, a yoke, handle bar, and controls on a control panel.

61. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 56, further comprising a hose and a wand attached to the chassis that is adapted to selectively direct a stream of pressurized fluid or air.

62. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 56, wherein the chassis comprises a front member that includes an exhaust channel.

63. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 56, wherein the platform includes a throttle, an operator presence switch that interrupts the throttle when not depressed, and a platform switch that must be engaged in order for the throttle to be effective.

64. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 63, further including a means to set a speed range wherein no degree of throttle engagement will cause the apparatus to exceed the speed range.

65. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 56, further comprising a braking mechanism.

66. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 65, wherein the braking mechanism is interconnected to at least one of a console positioned near the steering mechanism, on the steering mechanism, and on said platform.

67. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 65, wherein the braking mechanism is a manually controlled electro-mechanical device.

68. A floor treatment apparatus comprising:

a chassis having a front and a back and with a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, a rear surface adjacent the back, a left surface, and a right surface;

a first wheel operably interconnected to the lower surface adjacent to the left surface and located closer to the rear surface than the front surface;

a second wheel operably interconnected to the lower surface adjacent the right surface and located closer to the rear surface than the front surface;

a platform located within the chassis, the platform also substantially located within the chassis and positioned substantially directly above an axis extending between the center of the first wheel and the center of the second wheel;

a steering wheel operably interconnected to a third wheel located approximately between the left surface and the right surface that allows the chassis to rotate 360 degrees without substantially moving in other directions;

a power plant interconnected to at least one of the wheels;

a steering mechanism in communication with the steering wheel and at least partially housed within the chassis; and

at least one of a debris collection device and a fluid collection device connected adjacent to the lower surface of the chassis.

69. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 68, wherein the platform is adapted to receive a seat for an operator.

70. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 68, wherein the chassis has a maximum outside envelope of about 50.75 inches high, 26.5 inches wide, and 51.5 inches long.

71. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 68, wherein the platform includes a suspension system.

72. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 68, wherein the platform includes a throttle, an operator presence switch that interrupts the throttle when not depressed, and a platform switch that must be engaged in order for the throttle to be effective.

73. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 72, further including a means to set a speed range wherein no degree of throttle engagement will cause the apparatus to exceed the speed range.

74. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 68, further comprising a braking mechanism.

75. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 74, wherein the braking mechanism is interconnected to at least one of a console positioned near the steering mechanism, on the steering mechanism, and on said platform.

76. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 74, wherein the braking mechanism is a manually controlled electro-mechanical device.

77. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 68 further including a clean fluid storage compartment in operable communication with a fluid dispensing member.

78. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 68 further including a spare fluid storage compartment in operable communication with a fluid collection system.

79. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 68 further including a fluid storage compartment, a chemical storage compartment and a control mechanism which will selectively mix fluid from the fluid storage compartment with fluid from the chemical storage compartment to form a cleaning fluid.

80. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 79 which the cleaning fluid is in fluid communication with a fluid dispensing member.

81. A floor treatment apparatus, comprising:

a chassis having a front and a back and a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, a rear surface adjacent the back, a left side and right side and a platform;

at least a first wheel, a second wheel and a third wheel which at least partially support the weight of the chassis;

at least one of a debris collection device and a fluid collection device connected adjacent the lower surface;

a power source interconnected to at least one of the wheels;

a mechanism operably interconnected to at least one of the wheels to allow an operator to steer the apparatus;

wherein the platform is located substantially below the steering mechanism and substantially directly above an axis extending between the center of the first and second wheels, which are located substantially toward the back of the apparatus and wherein the platform is adapted to receive the feet of an operator, includes a throttle and an operator present device that is operatively connected to and which selectively interrupts operation of the throttle.

82. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 81, wherein the chassis includes a tank for holding a cleaning fluid.

83. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 81, wherein the chassis includes a tank for receiving recovered fluid.

84. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 81, wherein the platform is adapted to receive a seat for an operator.

85. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 81, wherein the chassis has a maximum outside envelope of about 50 inches high, 26 inches wide and 51 inches long.

86. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 81, wherein the platform includes a platform switch which must be engaged in order for the throttle to be effective.

87. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 81, wherein the platform includes a suspension system.

88. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 81, further comprising a braking mechanism.

89. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 81, further comprising a braking mechanism which is interconnected to at least one of a console positioned near the steering mechanism, on the steering mechanism, or on said platform.

90. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 81, further comprising a braking mechanism that is a manually controlled electromechanical device.

91. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 81, wherein the steering mechanism includes one of a substantially circular member, a substantially non-circular member, a joy stick, a yoke, handle bars and controls on a control panel.

92. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 81, further comprising a wand and a hose interconnected to the chassis and which are adapted to selectively direct a stream of pressurized fluid or air to a desired location on a surface to be cleaned.

93. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 81, wherein the chassis comprises a member that includes an exhaust channel.

94. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 81, wherein a seat is interconnected to one of the left side and the right side and is located above the platform.

95. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 94, wherein the seat is adapted to be in at least one of a folded position or an unfolded position.

96. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 81 further including a burnishing device connected adjacent to the lower surface of the chassis.

97. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 81 further including a clean fluid storage compartment in operable communication with a fluid dispensing member.

98. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 81 further including a spare fluid storage compartment in operable communication with a fluid collection system.

99. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 81 further including a fluid storage compartment, a chemical storage compartment and a control mechanism which will selectively mix fluid from the fluid storage compartment with fluid from the chemical storage compartment to form a cleaning fluid.

100. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 99 which the cleaning fluid is in fluid communication with a fluid dispensing member.

101. The floor treatment apparatus of claim 81, wherein the debris collection device is at least one of a brush, a squeegee and a vacuum.

102. A floor cleaning machine, comprising:

a chassis having at least one front wheel and at least two rear wheels and a lower surface;

a drive mechanism to provide locomotion to the machine, the drive mechanism housed within the chassis and interconnected to at least one of the wheels;

a means for supporting the feet of an operator, that means including a throttle and an operator present device in operative communication with and which selectively disables the throttle substantially located within the chassis and positioned substantially directly above an axis extending between the centers of the at least two rear wheels and positioned substantially below a steering mechanism which is substantially housed within the chassis; and

at least one of a debris collection device and a fluid collection device connected adjacent the lower surface.

103. The floor cleaning machine of claim 102, wherein the chassis includes a tank for holding a cleaning fluid.

104. The floor cleaning machine of claim 102, wherein the chassis includes a tank for receiving recovered fluid.

105. The floor cleaning machine of claim 102, wherein the platform is adapted to receive a seat for an operator.

106. The floor cleaning machine of claim 102, further including a floor treatment mechanism which is at least one of a brush and a burnisher.

107. The floor cleaning machine of claim 102, wherein the chassis has a maximum outside envelope of about 50 inches high, 26 inches wide and 51 inches long.

108. The floor cleaning machine of claim 102, wherein the platform includes a platform switch which must be engaged in order for the throttle to be effective.

109. The floor cleaning machine of claim 102, wherein the platform includes a suspension system.

110. The floor cleaning machine of claim 102, further comprising a braking mechanism.

111. The floor cleaning machine of claim 102, further comprising a braking mechanism which is interconnected to at least one of a console positioned near the steering mechanism, on the steering mechanism, or on said platform.

112. The floor cleaning machine of claim 102, further comprising a braking mechanism that is a manually controlled electromechanical device.

113. The floor cleaning machine of claim 102, wherein the steering mechanism includes one of a substantially circular member, a substantially non-circular member, a joy stick, a yoke, handle bars and controls on a control panel.

114. The floor cleaning machine of claim 102, further comprising a hose and a wand interconnected to the chassis and which are adapted to selectively direct a stream of pressurized fluid or air to a desired location on a surface to be cleaned.

115. The floor cleaning machine of claim 102, wherein the chassis comprises a member that includes an exhaust channel.

116. The floor cleaning machine of claim 102, wherein a seat is located above the platform.

117. The floor cleaning machine of claim 116, wherein the seat is adapted to be in at least one of a folded position or an unfolded position.

118. The floor treatment machine of claim 102 further including a debris collection device connected adjacent to the lower surface of the chassis.

119. The floor treatment machine of claim 102 further including a clean fluid storage compartment in operable communication with a fluid dispensing member.

120. The floor treatment machine of claim 102 further including a spare fluid storage compartment in operable communication with a fluid collection system.

121. The floor treatment machine of claim 102 further including a fluid storage compartment, a chemical storage compartment and a control mechanism which will selectively mix fluid from the fluid storage compartment with fluid from the chemical storage compartment to form a cleaning fluid.

122. The floor treatment machine of claim 121 which the cleaning fluid is in fluid communication with a fluid dispensing member.