Motor-driven, portable, adjustable spray system for cleaning hard surfaces

• US 20030168081A1
• Filed: 09/06/2001
• Published: 09/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Timbucktoo Manufacturing, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Timbucktoo Manufacturing, Inc.
• Inventors: French, Larry W., Lee, Kyu H.
• Application Number:
  US09/947,631
• Publication Number:
  US 20030168081A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/21
• 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 11/4044 Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4069 Driving or transmission means for the cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4088 Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 2203/0229 Suction chambers for aspirating the sprayed liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/024 Cleaning by means of spray elements moving over the surface to be cleaned

Abstract

A motor-driven, fixed or adjustable spray system is provided, in which the motor overrides and augments the natural rotational force supplied by the input water pressure through one more inclined spray nozzles, thereby increasing the strike force and efficient water impacting of the floor surface. This enhances water delivered from one or more nozzles to impact into the floor surface such as cement, tile, pebble-reinforced concrete, patio stones, linoleum and the like and thereby dislodge various contaminants compared to conventional floor cleaning systems. The spray system may be adjustable from about horizontal to vertical and is also adapted to utilize cleaning pads such as from fibers, cloths, abrasive pads, etc. Use of the cleaning pads may also be augmented by the water spray. Rotary movement of the spray system and/or the cleaning pads may be effected by electrical power, including battery power, or by an equivalent pneumatic (i.e., air driven) power, hydraulic power, etc. For greater efficiency, material stripped from the hard surface is preferably removed through a vacuum chamber positioned around the periphery of the centrally mounted spray arrangement.

Claims

1. A moveable device for cleaning hard surfaces, comprising:

a base portion providing one or more oppositely inclined, rotatable, cleaning spray nozzles mounted along the base portion, including water supply means to rotate the spray nozzles and apply water spray and cleaning components to a floor surface, and motor drive means for the spray nozzles, the motor drive adapted to provide at least one of the following functions;

overriding and augmenting directional movement of the spray nozzles;

opposing movement of the spray nozzles; and

, either override and augment directional movement of the spray nozzles or oppose movement of the spray nozzles, thereby improving an impact water cleaning function to the floor.

2. The device of claim 1, including a vacuum system peripherally disposed around the base portion, for removal of used water and contaminants from the floor surface.

3. The device of claim 2, comprising an articulated vacuum system.

4. The device of claim 1, in which the spray nozzles are adjustably inclined from about horizontal to vertical.

5. The device of claim 1, in which the spray nozzles are fixed in a position intermediate between horizontal and vertical.

6. The device of claim 1, comprising a directional fan providing an outward air flow to air-drive used water and contaminants away from the cleaning area.

7. The device of claim 2, in which the spray nozzles are adjustably inclined from about horizontal to vertical.

8. The device of claim 2, in which the spray nozzles are fixed from a position intermediate between horizontal and vertical.

9. The device of claim 2, comprising a fan providing a downward and outward air flow to air-drive used water and contaminants away from the cleaning area and towards the vacuum exhaust.

10. A method for cleaning a floor surface, comprising:

providing a moveable base portion mounting one or more oppositely inclined spray nozzles and including water supply means for supplying water and cleaning components to the spray nozzles, and motor drive means for the spray nozzles, the method, comprising;

i. rotating the nozzles with water from the water supply means;

ii. applying water to the floor; and

, iii. rotating the spray nozzles by means of a motor drive, rotation of the spray nozzles by the motor drive which is adapted to provide at least one of the following functions;

overriding and augmenting rotation of the spray nozzles by means of the motor;

opposing movement of the spray nozzles; and

, combining the functions of overriding and augmenting rotation and opposing movement of the spray nozzles, thereby improving an impact water contact function with the floor surface.

11. The method of claim 10, providing a downward and outward air-flow to air-drive used water and contaminants away from the cleaning area.

12. The method of claim 10, providing a vacuum exhaust connected to the periphery of the base portion and removing used water and contaminants from the floor surface through the vacuum exhaust.

13. The method of claim 12, in which the vacuum exhaust is articulated.

14. The method of claim 10, comprising adjustably mounting the spray nozzles from about horizontal to vertical, and in the vertical position, the water functions as a water spray knife.

15. The method of claim 10, comprising fixedly mounting the spray nozzles from a position intermediate between horizontal and vertical.

16. The method of claim 10, comprising providing a fan to air-drive used water and contaminants downward and away from the cleaning area and towards the vacuum exhaust for removal from the floor surface.

17. The method of claim 10, comprising adjusting the nozzles from about horizontal to vertical, and in about the vertical position, the water functions as a water spray knife.

18. The method of claim 10, comprising fixedly mounting the nozzles to a position intermediate between horizontal and vertical.

19. The method of claim 12, comprising providing a fan to air-drive used water and contaminants away from the cleaning area and towards the vacuum exhaust for removal from the floor surface.