CA2009099C - Cleaning apparatus - Google Patents
Cleaning apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA2009099C CA2009099C CA002009099A CA2009099A CA2009099C CA 2009099 C CA2009099 C CA 2009099C CA 002009099 A CA002009099 A CA 002009099A CA 2009099 A CA2009099 A CA 2009099A CA 2009099 C CA2009099 C CA 2009099C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- handle portion
- cleaning apparatus
- upper handle
- lower handle
- lateral members
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L13/00—Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L13/10—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
- A47L13/14—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing combined with squeezing or wringing devices
- A47L13/146—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing combined with squeezing or wringing devices having pivoting squeezing plates
Landscapes
- Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)
- Cephalosporin Compounds (AREA)
- Preparation Of Compounds By Using Micro-Organisms (AREA)
- Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)
- Dry Shavers And Clippers (AREA)
- Manufacturing Of Electric Cables (AREA)
- Compounds Of Unknown Constitution (AREA)
- Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
- Executing Machine-Instructions (AREA)
- Medicines Containing Material From Animals Or Micro-Organisms (AREA)
- Acyclic And Carbocyclic Compounds In Medicinal Compositions (AREA)
- Lubricants (AREA)
- Brushes (AREA)
- Disintegrating Or Milling (AREA)
- Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)
Abstract
A cleaning apparatus includes a lower handle portion, a support plate and a flexible wiper element which is affixed to the underside of the support plate, wherein the support plate and a lower handle portion are connected through a universal joint and wherein the support plate includes a central member and two lateral members rotatably supported thereon, so that the lateral member may be rotated inwardly and against the underside of the central member. The rotation is achieved by a linkage and pulling members which pass through the universal joint and below the hinges to the lateral members where it is affixed. The cleaning apparatus is of reduced weight, allows the production of pulling forces in the pulling members which are larger than the physical strength of the user. Furthermore, the lower handle portion of the cleaning apparatus may be moved in any direction with respect to the support plate
Description
2~0~099 CLEANING APPARATUS
The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus for the wet cleaning and damp cleaning of large surfaces, especially floors. The apparatus may also be used for the thorough cleaning of tiled walls, stairs, accessible large containers, precleaning of large glass surfaces such as display windows, cleaning of large surface superstructures of vehicles such as boxes of moving vans and delivery vans, etc.
Such a cleaning apparatus is known, for example, from German Registered Design 80 06 578. This apparatus is used for the wet cleaning of floor coverings. It includes a wiper element which is affixed to a support plate and constructed in such a way that it may be folded in and upon itself and compressed to remove superfluous water therefrom by inwardly rotating lateral elements of the wiper element against the underside of a central member, after wetting the wiper element in a bucket of water. The pulling force required to achieve the rotation of the lateral elements is transmitted through a linkage means. This linkage means ends above the joint between a handle and the support plate, which requires the use of pull rods to direct the pulling force around the joint. It is a disadvantage of such a cleaning apparatus that the handle cannot be tilted towards the support plate in all directions, which very much reduces the utility of such an apparatus. In addition, the pull rods have to be sturdy in order to guarantee a sufficient resistance to kinking and are therefore heavy, which adversely affects the handling of the cleaning apparatus. The transmitted pulling force generally corresponds to the physical strength of the user.
The present invention provides a cleaning apparatus of reduced weight, wherein a lower portion of the handle may be tilted in any direction towards the support plate. The invention further provides for the production of a pulling force greater than the physical strength of the user for the removal of water from the wiper element by pressing the latter between the central member and the lateral members of the support plate.
This is achieved in a cleaning apparatus comprising a lower handle portion connected to a support plate through a joint and a wiper element fastened to an underside of the support plate. The support plate includes a central member and two lateral members rotatably affixed to opposite sides of the central member through rotatable connections. The lateral members Z~ Q99 are turned around the rotatable connections and against an underside of the central member by swivel means including a pulling means which is positioned inside the lower handle portion, extends through the joint and, at least at its lower end, includes two pulling elements which extend in opposite directions below and beyond the rotational connections towards the lateral members, and are affixed to the lateral members at a point spaced apart from the rotatable connections and are located in an at least downwardly open aperture in the wiper element.
The joint between the support plate and the lower handle portion is preferably a universal joint. Therefore, the lower handle portion may be tilted in any direction towards the support plate, permitting the use of the wiper element in directions having components parallel to its longitudinal and transverse axes. This is important with respect to the variety of applications of the cleaning apparatus embodying the invention.
Since the pulling elements causing rotation of the lateral elements of the cleaning apparatus are guided through the universal joint and extend in opposite directions below and beyond the rotatable connections, the parts of the swivel means are not subjected to interfering forces as in apparatus of the prior art. Thus, substantial pulling forces may be transmitted by the parts of the swivel means and used for the wringing of the wiper element.
The wringing of the wiper element may be especially powerfully and easily performed, by connecting the upper end of the pulling elements through linkage means to an upper handle portion, which is rotatably connected to the lower handle portion through a rotatable joint in such a way that the linkage means is moved upwardly with respect to the lower handle portion when the upper handle portion is rotated downwardly. The upper handle portion may be positioned substantially coaxial with the lower handle portion when not used to perform the wringing function, in which position it will not interfere with the use of the cleaning apparatus. The upper handle portion may also, when not used for wringing, form a generally linear continuation of the lower handle portion and may have substantially the same length as the latter. Such an embodiment may be jack-knifed at the joint between the handle portions by application of the weight of the user onto the upper handle portion. The resulting relatively large movement of the linkage means corresponds to a relatively small movement of the lateral 2Q~099 members of the support plate in relation to the central member during the wringing of the wiper element. Therefore, a substantial wringing force results from the rotation of the upper handle portion. The wringing force is most efficiently generated when the linkage means and the pulling elements are connected with a certain clearance so that the pulling elements are moved only after that clearance has been taken up. In such an embodiment, once counteracting forces due to the rotation of the lateral members are generated in the pulling and linkage means, the rotation of the upper handle portion is already advanced and the upper handle portion is positioned at an obtuse angle to the lower handle portion, which permits very efficient application of the available physical strength of the user.
The pressing forces generated by the manipulation of the upper handle portion may be further increased by providing a sliding lever which is rotatably connected at its ends to the linkage means and the upper handle portion respectively and is moveably supported by a slide bearing. This sliding lever allows the generation of a small pulling force after the start of the downward rotation of the upper handle portion which is sufficient to overcome the initially relatively small counteracting forces generated at the beginning of the compression of the wiper element and a progressively increasing pulling force towards the end of the downward rotation, permitting the removal of the water contained in the wiper element.
The wringing force may be further enhanced in such a construction by providing a bevel which is positioned at the end of the sliding lever adjacent the linkage means and engages the slide bearing when the upper handle portion is rotated. The bevel preferably extends over about one third of the sliding lever. The bevel is preferably inclined from the longitudinal axis of the lower handle portion at an angle of 25 to 45 when the handle portions are colinear, for providing maximized pulling and pressing forces. Therefore, the wiper element may be used for wet cleaning as well as damp cleaning of large surfaces and especially for collecting dust which may be unsightly on such large surfaces even in very small quantities. The cleaning apparatus of the invention is preferably provided with a latch mechanism to permit fastening of the upper handle portion and the lower handle portion in colinear alignment wherein the upper handle portion forms a linear elongation of the lower handle portion and to permit 2~0~99 unlatching of the upper handle portion to allow the upper handle portion to be swung downwardly with resultant wringing of the wiper element. Such an embodiment of the cleaning apparatus has a minimized overall weight, is cost efficiently manufactured and provides a cleaning apparatus of very rugged construction. The latch mechanism may include a spring biased catch adapted to automatically and selectively lock the upper handle portion and the lower handle portion in the aforementioned colinear alignment. Therefore, after the upper handle portion is returned from an angled position, to its linear alignment with the lower handle portion, the cleaning apparatus may be used immediately without manipulation of the latch mechanism. The latch mechanism may be made especially light weight and robust by integrating the catch into a latch member rotatably mounted in the top end of the lower handle portion and by mounting the latch member and the upper handle portion substantially parallel. For ergonomic reasons, it is preferred to provide a release lever for the unlocking of the latch mamber, which is achieved by rotating the release lever away from the upper handle portion. The holding position of the user on such a cleaning apparatus may remain unchanged during the whole of the wringing operation and may partially be the same as the holding position during wiping. Therefore, such an embodiment allows a substantially continuous and non-tiring use of the cleaning apparatus. The upper handle portion is preferably provided with a stop surface at the rotatable joint between the upper handle portion and the lower handle portion to limit the movement of the linkage and pulling elements in order to prevent damage to them or to the rotatable joint and the rotatable connections of the cleaning apparatus during the wringing. In addition, the pulling and/or linkage means may be provided with at least one elastic intermediate member for the same purpose. The pulling elements are preferably fixed to the opposite outer edges of the lateral members. The lateral members each have an underside which lies in the same plane as and provides a lateral continuation of the underside of the central member when the support plate is in a linear condition. The pulling elements extend adjacent these undersides and when pulling force is exerted therethrough, the lateral members are freely rotated towards the central member - which rotation is easily achieved, since a transmission of large pulling forces to the wiper element is not required at this point. The speed of movement of 2C~9~)99 the linkage means gradually decreases during the rotation of the upper handle portion and a corresponding increase in the transmitted pulling force provides for an almost complete removal of the water contained in the wiper element. The pulling elements and the lateral members may be rotatably connected to facilitate rotation of the lateral members and therefore the dewatering of the wiper element. The lateral members may directly or indirectly be connected with the central member through retaining springs to retain the lateral members in the same plane as the central member or to automatically return them to that plane after the wringing of the wiper element. In a preferred embodiment, the pulling elements are elastically deformable and are formed to correspond in shape to the undersides of the central member and the lateral members in their linear configuration.
Furthermore, the pulling elements may be held against the undersides of the lateral members and/or the central member by a swivel spring, such as a leaf spring. The accumulation of dirt particles between the pulling elements and the undersides of the lateral central members is reduced to a minimum in such an embodiment. The pulling elements extend upwardly towards the lower handle portion through the universal joint in order to further improve the lateral flexibility of the wiper apparatus. The pulling elements and the remainder of the linkage means are rotatably connected through downwardly open lugs. Therefore, in case of a lateral rotation of the lower handle portion relative to the support plate, interference with whichever pulling element is located in the direction of the rotation is prevented. Such a construction is important for the achievement of a cleaning apparatus with a long service life, especially if the pulling elements are made of a material of limited elasticity such as plastic. The universal joint may have continuous pivots spaced apart in a vertical direction. The result is a universal joint of small size providing an especially high degree of ruggedness to the cleaning apparatus above the support plate.
The invention will now be further described by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 shows an axial cross-section through a cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention, wherein the linkage means are in the non-actuated conditions;
Zt~0~3Q99 Figure 2 shows the apparatus of Figure 1 with the linkage means in the actuated condition:
Figures 3 and 3a illustrate in detail axial cross-sections through the linkage means of Figures 1 and 2 in front and side elevations;
Figure 4 shows a water container used in combination with the embodiment of Figure 1 for the practice of the invention:
Figure 5 shows a wiper element in accordance with the invention:
Figure 6 shows the insertion of the apparatus of Figure 1 into the container of Figure 4:
Figure 7 illustrates the movement of the upper handle portion of the apparatus of Figure 1 required for the wringing of the wiper element while the apparatus is supported by the water container of Figure 4:
Figure 8 illustrates the folding of the support plate of the apparatus of Figure 1 for wringing of the wiper element: and Figure 9 is a schematic view of the apparatus of Figure 1.
The cleaning apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 generally includes four basic components, namely an upper handle portion 10, a lower handle portion 1, a support plate 2 and a wiper element 3. These components may be generally described as follows:
Support plate 2 has a dual function of providing support for wiper element 3 on one hand and permitting the pressing and unfolding of the wiper element on the other hand. The requirement for the use of expensive dewatering means mounted on water containers of the prior art for the removal of water held by wiper element 3 is therefore substantially obviated. Support plate 2 includes a central member 4 which is connected to lower handle portion 1 through a universal joint 8, and lateral members 5 which are affixed to opposite sides of central member 4 through rotatable connections 6. The planar undersides of central member 4 and lateral members 5 are - in the linear configuration of support plate 2 shown in Figure 1 - located in the same plane and form a substantially continuous planar common lower surface. Pulling elements 9 are positioned adjacent this common surface. The pulling elements are of limited lateral extent normal to the plane of the drawing (Figure 1) and extend through universal joint 8 into lower handle portion 1 where they are connected to a linkage means 7. Pulling elements 9 are each affixed to the outer edge of the ZOO~Q99 respective lateral member 5 and are loosely positioned below the respective rotatable connection 6 and adjacent the underside of lateral member 5 and the central member 4 when linkage 7 is in its non-actuated position. The pulling elements 9 are made of a plastic material of limited elasticity and are manufactured to the shape shown in Figure 1. The pulling elements return to this shape each time linkage 7 is released. Therefore, lateral members 5 are returned to the linear position of Figure 1 when linkage 7 is in its non-actuated position.
Swivel springs 20 loosely overlap pulling elements 9 at the lateral members 5. These swivel springs 20 are preferably leaf springs and urge the lateral members to their linear orientation with the central member 4.
Wiper element 3 may be removably or permanently affixed to and in direct contact with the underside of support plate 2 and is provided in the region of pulling elements 9 with a vertical opening. Therefore, the lateral parts of wiper element 3 which are positioned below lateral members 5 are first moved downwardly inwardly and are subsequently pressed against the central part of wiper element 3 positioned below central member 4. The area of the central part is selected to be substantially equal to the combined area of the lateral parts which results in a substantially even distribution of the pressing force over the whole wiper element 3.
Therefore, water retained throughout wiper element 3 is almost completely removed by the described pressing action.
Wiper element 3 is preferably composed of two independently manufactured and mounted mop units of equal size and shape which are removably affixed to support plate 2 on both sides of pulling elements 9.
The two mop units may be bellows-shaped having corrugations which extend parallel to the plane of the paper in Figure 1 of the drawings, which means normal to the axis of the rotatable connections. Each unit preferably includes a support rail 35 affixed to its top surface which allows the mop unit to be removably fastened to support plate 2 (see Figure 5). It is generally sufficient to provide such support rails (for example, made of plastic) only where the mop unit engages lateral members 5. The support rails 35 are removably fastened in complementary grooves of lateral members 5 by spring biased fastening levers (not illustrated) known in the art. The removal and replacement of wiper element 3 may therefore be easily performed 200~99 by manipulating the fastening levers positioned on both sides of pulling elements 9 without directly touching the possibly soiled wiper element.
Central member 4 supports lower pivot 8.2 of universal joint 8 which is vertically spaced from upper pivot 8.1 (Figure 3). Upper pivot 8.1 is supported by a fork 1.1 which forms part of lower handle portion 1. The three-dimensional size of the fork is relatively small and depends upon the size of the lower handle portion 1. Lower handle portion 1 is made from an aluminum pipe which encloses the linkage and is connected to the upper end of fork 1.1 on one hand and to the lower end of a force transmitting mechanism 1.2 on the other hand.
A force produced in the linkage 7 by swinging upper handle portion 10 downwardly in a vertical plane is transformed in force unit 1.2 from a fast pulling movement of low force into a slow pulling movement of large force after a clearance in the linkage 7 corresponding to the distance A (see Figures 1 and 3) has been taken up. This is achieved by connecting upper handle portion 10 to linkage 7 through a sliding lever 12 which is supported by a slide bearing 13 of force transmitting mechanism 1.2 and is provided with a bevel 14. Furthermore, mechanism 1.2 is provided with a stop 18 to limit the rotation of upper handle portion 10.
The size of sliding lever 12 is matched with the angle of bevel 14 in such a way, that immediately before the end of the rotation of upper handle portion 10 - and thus immediately before the engagement of upper handle portion 10 with stop 18 of force transmitting mechanism 1.2 - the force required for the rotation of upper handle portion 10 decreases without a corresponding decrease in the force transmitted by linkage 7. This effect which is dependent upon constructional parameters and precedes the subsequent engagement of stop 18, helps to substantially prevent an overloading of rotatable joint 11 (Figure 2). Force transmitting mechanism 1.2 may further be provided with a latch mechanism 15 to selectively lock upper handle portion 10 in a position substantially coaxial with lower handle portion 1 (Figure 1). Latch mechanism 15 preferably includes a catch 16.1 which engages upper handle portion 10 in the linear position of the upper and lower handle portions 1 and 10. Catch 16.1 is an integral part of a latch member 16 which is rotatably supported in force unit 1.2. Latch member 16 and upper handle portion 10 are preferably rotatably supported in - zo~ 9 lower handle portion 1 in parallel arrangement and latch member 16 may be unlocked by rotating a release lever 17 away from upper handle portion 10.
A gripping portion 23 is connected to the upper handle portion 10 in such a way that the force center of the hand manipulating the cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention substantially coincides with the common axis of upper handle portion 10 and lower handle portion 1. This allows a generally stress-free hand and body position and therefore guarantees a substantially non-fatiguing use of the wiper apparatus of the invention.
The concave shape of gripping portion 23 provides a handrest for the 10 rotation of upper handle portion 10. A connection 23.1 at the top end of upper handle portion 10 provides for a fastening of gripping portion 23 on upper handle portion in four selected rotational positions and therefore provides for the possibility of adjusting gripping portion 23 according to every possible working position and direction of use of wiper element 3. To perform a change in the position of gripping portion 23 in relation to upper handle portion 10, gripping portion 23 is pushed towards upper handle portion 10 and rotated. The gripping portion is held in the selected rotational positions by spring action. The gripping portion may be rotated counterclockwise or clockwise and may therefore be used equally well by right-handed or left-handed persons.
Figures 3 and 3a show elastic intermediate rings 19 which are preferably integral parts of linkage 7 and which are made of plastic and are of circular shape as shown. The elasticity of these intermediate rings substantially prevents an overloading of linkage 7 and therefore provides for an especially long service life.
Linkage 7 preferably includes, at its lower end, a coupling 26 which encloses connecting rod 7.1 as shown in Figure 3 in the non-actuated condition of upper handle portion 10. Coupling projections 24 of connecting rod 7.1 are positioned at an axial distance A from dogs 25 of coupling 26 in this non-actuated position. This distance is large enough to allow rotation of lower handle portion 1 in relation to support plate 2 by compensating for the corresponding change in length of linkage 7. Therefore, interference with linkage 7 is substantially prevented. In the lowest position of lower handle portion 1, wherein it extends parallel to the planes of the upper and . 2Q~)99 lower pivots of universal joint 8, a carrier peg 7.2 of connecting rod 7.1 is located immediately above the upper pivot 8.1.
In the position shown in Figure 3A (which is a sectional view taken at to that of Figure 3), wherein the upper handle portion 10 extends coaxially with lower handle portion 1, a distance B is provided between carrier peg 7.2 and an eyelet of pulling elements 9 in addition to distance A between dogs 25 and coupling posts 24. These distances have to be travelled by linkage 7 and connecting rod 7.1 respectively before pulling elements 9 may be moved upwardly by linkage 7. The clearance corresponding to these distances is advantageous for starting the pressing of wiper element 3, because transmission of a pulling force by rotating upper handle portion 10 starting at the point where upper handle portion 10 is in coaxial position with lower handle portion 1 is very difficult for ergonomic reasons. After the clearance has been taken up, upper handle portion 10 has already described an obtuse angle with lower handle portion 1, which allows a scissor-like movement of the two handle portions under the action of the weight of the user and, therefore, facilitates the rotation of upper handle portion 10 for the transmission of the pulling force required for pressing wiper element 3 by pulling up or linkage means 7.
The cleaning apparatus of the invention is preferably used in combination with a water container 30 of rectangular cross-section which may be easily stacked by virtue of its frustoconical shape. The size of the rectangular cross-section is matched to the size of support plate 2. Each of the short side walls of the container includes at its upper edge a molded lateral block 31 with a support bar 32 (Figure 4). These blocks compensate for the obliquity of the side walls and provide the exact inside width required for fittingly inserting supporting plate 2 with affixed wiper element 3 into water container 30 (Figure 4a). Lateral blocks 31 which have bevelled edges each include a support bar 32 which supports central member 4 of the support plate 2 when inserted into water container 30 and engages lateral grooves (not illustrated) positioned in the short sidewalls of central member 4 (Figure 4a). The carrying handle 33 is rotatably and centrally affixed to the long sides of water container 30 below a continuous top rim through easily installed self-fastening lateral pegs. In its swung down position, the carrying handle is positioned below the top rim. Wiper 20~099 element 3 preferably includes two corrugated mop units 34 (Figure 5) which may be fastened side-by-side to the underside of support plate 2. Each such mop unit is preferably made of a 180 mm wide and 1,300 mm long strip of absorbent fleece material which is corrugated and fixed to two parallel spaced apart support rails 35. Support rails 35 are made of plastic and are affixed to the fleece material by an adhesive which is resistant to water, heat and chemicals. The underside of the support rails is provided with grooves for the uptake of the adhesive and functions as an adhesion surface (not illustrated). The symmetrically positioned support rails are preferably provided with a reinforcement web which includes four distance webs (not illustrated). Therefore, their insertion in and removal from the grooves of lateral members 5 is facilitated.
During the use of the cleaning apparatus of the invention, filled water container 30 is positioned on the floor. Support plate 2 is inserted into the water container 30 by holding lower handle portion 1 in a position inclined from vertical (Figure 6). The inclination of lower handle portion 1 is required to allow the passage of support plate 2 between support bars 32. Subsequently, the support plate 2 with the affixed mop units is several times abruptly moved to the bottom of water container 30 by holding lower handle portion 1 in a vertical position. The resulting turbulences in the water provide for the removal of dirt particles attached to the mop units 34. The cleaning apparatus is then lifted from container 30 and subsequently positioned on support bars 32. The lateral members 4 of support plate 2 are freely rotatable in that position. Release lever 17 is now operated by rotating it away from upper handle portion 10 as far as possible to free upper handle portion 10, which is held by the operator at gripping portion 23, for a downward rotation (Figure 7). This downward rotation is transformed into a relative movement of sliding lever 12 on slide bearing 13 and a corresponding relative upward movement of linkage means 7 in lower handle portion 1. Consequently, pulling elements 9 are pulled upwardly and inwardly which provides for an inward rotation of opposingly positioned lateral members 5 of support plate 2 (Figure 8). The rotation of lateral members 5 provides for a pressing of the mop units 34 affixed to support plate 2. Subsequently upper handle portion 10 is rotated upwardly and is automatically locked in a coaxial position with lower handle -2~ 99 portion 1 by the latch mechanism and lateral members 5 are automatically returned to their position colinear with central member 4 by swivel springs 20.
The degree of water retention of mop units 34 may be exactly adjusted 5 by the extent of downward rotation of upper handle portion 10. The complete downward rotation of upper handle portion 10 to stop 18 results in a substantially complete wringing out of wiper element 3 which allows an easy removal of water from the surface of a previously wet-cleaned floor with a substantially dewatered wiper element 3. The cleaning apparatus is 10 preferably held with both hands during use whereby a right-handed person holds gripping portion 23 with the right hand and holds onto the top portion of upper handle portion 10 immediately below the gripping portion with the left hand. The apparatus may also be used by left-handed persons by holding the gripping portion 23 with the left hand and the top part of the upper 15 handle portion by the right hand. This position allows a good control of the cleaning apparatus and a comfortable body position during use of the apparatus. Therefore, the effort required for using the apparatus in accordance with the invention is minimized as much as possible.
Support plate 2 with attached wiper element 3 may be held in various 20 positions through universal joint 8, lower handle portion 1 and upper handle portion 10 with gripping portion 23 while always staying flat on the floor which allows for an exact guiding of the support plate 2 around furniture.
The edges of the wiper element slightly extend beyond support plate 2, which permits an easy and thorough cleaning along edges. For cleaning under 25 furniture with small ground clearance, lower handle portion 1 may be downwardly rotated towards the floor around both pivots of universal joint 8. Therefore, the wiper element`may be used in longitudinal and transverse directions for cleaning in such a situation. In accordance with the direction of use of the wiper element, gripping portion 23 may be rotated 30 one or more quarter turns to an appropriate position in relation to the wiper element. Used mop elements may be removed from support plate 2 by manipulating the fastening levers on the lateral members 4 of support plate 2. This removal may be performed without touching the mop elements 34 which may easily be dropped into a container for used mop elements and 35 subsequently disposed.
The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus for the wet cleaning and damp cleaning of large surfaces, especially floors. The apparatus may also be used for the thorough cleaning of tiled walls, stairs, accessible large containers, precleaning of large glass surfaces such as display windows, cleaning of large surface superstructures of vehicles such as boxes of moving vans and delivery vans, etc.
Such a cleaning apparatus is known, for example, from German Registered Design 80 06 578. This apparatus is used for the wet cleaning of floor coverings. It includes a wiper element which is affixed to a support plate and constructed in such a way that it may be folded in and upon itself and compressed to remove superfluous water therefrom by inwardly rotating lateral elements of the wiper element against the underside of a central member, after wetting the wiper element in a bucket of water. The pulling force required to achieve the rotation of the lateral elements is transmitted through a linkage means. This linkage means ends above the joint between a handle and the support plate, which requires the use of pull rods to direct the pulling force around the joint. It is a disadvantage of such a cleaning apparatus that the handle cannot be tilted towards the support plate in all directions, which very much reduces the utility of such an apparatus. In addition, the pull rods have to be sturdy in order to guarantee a sufficient resistance to kinking and are therefore heavy, which adversely affects the handling of the cleaning apparatus. The transmitted pulling force generally corresponds to the physical strength of the user.
The present invention provides a cleaning apparatus of reduced weight, wherein a lower portion of the handle may be tilted in any direction towards the support plate. The invention further provides for the production of a pulling force greater than the physical strength of the user for the removal of water from the wiper element by pressing the latter between the central member and the lateral members of the support plate.
This is achieved in a cleaning apparatus comprising a lower handle portion connected to a support plate through a joint and a wiper element fastened to an underside of the support plate. The support plate includes a central member and two lateral members rotatably affixed to opposite sides of the central member through rotatable connections. The lateral members Z~ Q99 are turned around the rotatable connections and against an underside of the central member by swivel means including a pulling means which is positioned inside the lower handle portion, extends through the joint and, at least at its lower end, includes two pulling elements which extend in opposite directions below and beyond the rotational connections towards the lateral members, and are affixed to the lateral members at a point spaced apart from the rotatable connections and are located in an at least downwardly open aperture in the wiper element.
The joint between the support plate and the lower handle portion is preferably a universal joint. Therefore, the lower handle portion may be tilted in any direction towards the support plate, permitting the use of the wiper element in directions having components parallel to its longitudinal and transverse axes. This is important with respect to the variety of applications of the cleaning apparatus embodying the invention.
Since the pulling elements causing rotation of the lateral elements of the cleaning apparatus are guided through the universal joint and extend in opposite directions below and beyond the rotatable connections, the parts of the swivel means are not subjected to interfering forces as in apparatus of the prior art. Thus, substantial pulling forces may be transmitted by the parts of the swivel means and used for the wringing of the wiper element.
The wringing of the wiper element may be especially powerfully and easily performed, by connecting the upper end of the pulling elements through linkage means to an upper handle portion, which is rotatably connected to the lower handle portion through a rotatable joint in such a way that the linkage means is moved upwardly with respect to the lower handle portion when the upper handle portion is rotated downwardly. The upper handle portion may be positioned substantially coaxial with the lower handle portion when not used to perform the wringing function, in which position it will not interfere with the use of the cleaning apparatus. The upper handle portion may also, when not used for wringing, form a generally linear continuation of the lower handle portion and may have substantially the same length as the latter. Such an embodiment may be jack-knifed at the joint between the handle portions by application of the weight of the user onto the upper handle portion. The resulting relatively large movement of the linkage means corresponds to a relatively small movement of the lateral 2Q~099 members of the support plate in relation to the central member during the wringing of the wiper element. Therefore, a substantial wringing force results from the rotation of the upper handle portion. The wringing force is most efficiently generated when the linkage means and the pulling elements are connected with a certain clearance so that the pulling elements are moved only after that clearance has been taken up. In such an embodiment, once counteracting forces due to the rotation of the lateral members are generated in the pulling and linkage means, the rotation of the upper handle portion is already advanced and the upper handle portion is positioned at an obtuse angle to the lower handle portion, which permits very efficient application of the available physical strength of the user.
The pressing forces generated by the manipulation of the upper handle portion may be further increased by providing a sliding lever which is rotatably connected at its ends to the linkage means and the upper handle portion respectively and is moveably supported by a slide bearing. This sliding lever allows the generation of a small pulling force after the start of the downward rotation of the upper handle portion which is sufficient to overcome the initially relatively small counteracting forces generated at the beginning of the compression of the wiper element and a progressively increasing pulling force towards the end of the downward rotation, permitting the removal of the water contained in the wiper element.
The wringing force may be further enhanced in such a construction by providing a bevel which is positioned at the end of the sliding lever adjacent the linkage means and engages the slide bearing when the upper handle portion is rotated. The bevel preferably extends over about one third of the sliding lever. The bevel is preferably inclined from the longitudinal axis of the lower handle portion at an angle of 25 to 45 when the handle portions are colinear, for providing maximized pulling and pressing forces. Therefore, the wiper element may be used for wet cleaning as well as damp cleaning of large surfaces and especially for collecting dust which may be unsightly on such large surfaces even in very small quantities. The cleaning apparatus of the invention is preferably provided with a latch mechanism to permit fastening of the upper handle portion and the lower handle portion in colinear alignment wherein the upper handle portion forms a linear elongation of the lower handle portion and to permit 2~0~99 unlatching of the upper handle portion to allow the upper handle portion to be swung downwardly with resultant wringing of the wiper element. Such an embodiment of the cleaning apparatus has a minimized overall weight, is cost efficiently manufactured and provides a cleaning apparatus of very rugged construction. The latch mechanism may include a spring biased catch adapted to automatically and selectively lock the upper handle portion and the lower handle portion in the aforementioned colinear alignment. Therefore, after the upper handle portion is returned from an angled position, to its linear alignment with the lower handle portion, the cleaning apparatus may be used immediately without manipulation of the latch mechanism. The latch mechanism may be made especially light weight and robust by integrating the catch into a latch member rotatably mounted in the top end of the lower handle portion and by mounting the latch member and the upper handle portion substantially parallel. For ergonomic reasons, it is preferred to provide a release lever for the unlocking of the latch mamber, which is achieved by rotating the release lever away from the upper handle portion. The holding position of the user on such a cleaning apparatus may remain unchanged during the whole of the wringing operation and may partially be the same as the holding position during wiping. Therefore, such an embodiment allows a substantially continuous and non-tiring use of the cleaning apparatus. The upper handle portion is preferably provided with a stop surface at the rotatable joint between the upper handle portion and the lower handle portion to limit the movement of the linkage and pulling elements in order to prevent damage to them or to the rotatable joint and the rotatable connections of the cleaning apparatus during the wringing. In addition, the pulling and/or linkage means may be provided with at least one elastic intermediate member for the same purpose. The pulling elements are preferably fixed to the opposite outer edges of the lateral members. The lateral members each have an underside which lies in the same plane as and provides a lateral continuation of the underside of the central member when the support plate is in a linear condition. The pulling elements extend adjacent these undersides and when pulling force is exerted therethrough, the lateral members are freely rotated towards the central member - which rotation is easily achieved, since a transmission of large pulling forces to the wiper element is not required at this point. The speed of movement of 2C~9~)99 the linkage means gradually decreases during the rotation of the upper handle portion and a corresponding increase in the transmitted pulling force provides for an almost complete removal of the water contained in the wiper element. The pulling elements and the lateral members may be rotatably connected to facilitate rotation of the lateral members and therefore the dewatering of the wiper element. The lateral members may directly or indirectly be connected with the central member through retaining springs to retain the lateral members in the same plane as the central member or to automatically return them to that plane after the wringing of the wiper element. In a preferred embodiment, the pulling elements are elastically deformable and are formed to correspond in shape to the undersides of the central member and the lateral members in their linear configuration.
Furthermore, the pulling elements may be held against the undersides of the lateral members and/or the central member by a swivel spring, such as a leaf spring. The accumulation of dirt particles between the pulling elements and the undersides of the lateral central members is reduced to a minimum in such an embodiment. The pulling elements extend upwardly towards the lower handle portion through the universal joint in order to further improve the lateral flexibility of the wiper apparatus. The pulling elements and the remainder of the linkage means are rotatably connected through downwardly open lugs. Therefore, in case of a lateral rotation of the lower handle portion relative to the support plate, interference with whichever pulling element is located in the direction of the rotation is prevented. Such a construction is important for the achievement of a cleaning apparatus with a long service life, especially if the pulling elements are made of a material of limited elasticity such as plastic. The universal joint may have continuous pivots spaced apart in a vertical direction. The result is a universal joint of small size providing an especially high degree of ruggedness to the cleaning apparatus above the support plate.
The invention will now be further described by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 shows an axial cross-section through a cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention, wherein the linkage means are in the non-actuated conditions;
Zt~0~3Q99 Figure 2 shows the apparatus of Figure 1 with the linkage means in the actuated condition:
Figures 3 and 3a illustrate in detail axial cross-sections through the linkage means of Figures 1 and 2 in front and side elevations;
Figure 4 shows a water container used in combination with the embodiment of Figure 1 for the practice of the invention:
Figure 5 shows a wiper element in accordance with the invention:
Figure 6 shows the insertion of the apparatus of Figure 1 into the container of Figure 4:
Figure 7 illustrates the movement of the upper handle portion of the apparatus of Figure 1 required for the wringing of the wiper element while the apparatus is supported by the water container of Figure 4:
Figure 8 illustrates the folding of the support plate of the apparatus of Figure 1 for wringing of the wiper element: and Figure 9 is a schematic view of the apparatus of Figure 1.
The cleaning apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 generally includes four basic components, namely an upper handle portion 10, a lower handle portion 1, a support plate 2 and a wiper element 3. These components may be generally described as follows:
Support plate 2 has a dual function of providing support for wiper element 3 on one hand and permitting the pressing and unfolding of the wiper element on the other hand. The requirement for the use of expensive dewatering means mounted on water containers of the prior art for the removal of water held by wiper element 3 is therefore substantially obviated. Support plate 2 includes a central member 4 which is connected to lower handle portion 1 through a universal joint 8, and lateral members 5 which are affixed to opposite sides of central member 4 through rotatable connections 6. The planar undersides of central member 4 and lateral members 5 are - in the linear configuration of support plate 2 shown in Figure 1 - located in the same plane and form a substantially continuous planar common lower surface. Pulling elements 9 are positioned adjacent this common surface. The pulling elements are of limited lateral extent normal to the plane of the drawing (Figure 1) and extend through universal joint 8 into lower handle portion 1 where they are connected to a linkage means 7. Pulling elements 9 are each affixed to the outer edge of the ZOO~Q99 respective lateral member 5 and are loosely positioned below the respective rotatable connection 6 and adjacent the underside of lateral member 5 and the central member 4 when linkage 7 is in its non-actuated position. The pulling elements 9 are made of a plastic material of limited elasticity and are manufactured to the shape shown in Figure 1. The pulling elements return to this shape each time linkage 7 is released. Therefore, lateral members 5 are returned to the linear position of Figure 1 when linkage 7 is in its non-actuated position.
Swivel springs 20 loosely overlap pulling elements 9 at the lateral members 5. These swivel springs 20 are preferably leaf springs and urge the lateral members to their linear orientation with the central member 4.
Wiper element 3 may be removably or permanently affixed to and in direct contact with the underside of support plate 2 and is provided in the region of pulling elements 9 with a vertical opening. Therefore, the lateral parts of wiper element 3 which are positioned below lateral members 5 are first moved downwardly inwardly and are subsequently pressed against the central part of wiper element 3 positioned below central member 4. The area of the central part is selected to be substantially equal to the combined area of the lateral parts which results in a substantially even distribution of the pressing force over the whole wiper element 3.
Therefore, water retained throughout wiper element 3 is almost completely removed by the described pressing action.
Wiper element 3 is preferably composed of two independently manufactured and mounted mop units of equal size and shape which are removably affixed to support plate 2 on both sides of pulling elements 9.
The two mop units may be bellows-shaped having corrugations which extend parallel to the plane of the paper in Figure 1 of the drawings, which means normal to the axis of the rotatable connections. Each unit preferably includes a support rail 35 affixed to its top surface which allows the mop unit to be removably fastened to support plate 2 (see Figure 5). It is generally sufficient to provide such support rails (for example, made of plastic) only where the mop unit engages lateral members 5. The support rails 35 are removably fastened in complementary grooves of lateral members 5 by spring biased fastening levers (not illustrated) known in the art. The removal and replacement of wiper element 3 may therefore be easily performed 200~99 by manipulating the fastening levers positioned on both sides of pulling elements 9 without directly touching the possibly soiled wiper element.
Central member 4 supports lower pivot 8.2 of universal joint 8 which is vertically spaced from upper pivot 8.1 (Figure 3). Upper pivot 8.1 is supported by a fork 1.1 which forms part of lower handle portion 1. The three-dimensional size of the fork is relatively small and depends upon the size of the lower handle portion 1. Lower handle portion 1 is made from an aluminum pipe which encloses the linkage and is connected to the upper end of fork 1.1 on one hand and to the lower end of a force transmitting mechanism 1.2 on the other hand.
A force produced in the linkage 7 by swinging upper handle portion 10 downwardly in a vertical plane is transformed in force unit 1.2 from a fast pulling movement of low force into a slow pulling movement of large force after a clearance in the linkage 7 corresponding to the distance A (see Figures 1 and 3) has been taken up. This is achieved by connecting upper handle portion 10 to linkage 7 through a sliding lever 12 which is supported by a slide bearing 13 of force transmitting mechanism 1.2 and is provided with a bevel 14. Furthermore, mechanism 1.2 is provided with a stop 18 to limit the rotation of upper handle portion 10.
The size of sliding lever 12 is matched with the angle of bevel 14 in such a way, that immediately before the end of the rotation of upper handle portion 10 - and thus immediately before the engagement of upper handle portion 10 with stop 18 of force transmitting mechanism 1.2 - the force required for the rotation of upper handle portion 10 decreases without a corresponding decrease in the force transmitted by linkage 7. This effect which is dependent upon constructional parameters and precedes the subsequent engagement of stop 18, helps to substantially prevent an overloading of rotatable joint 11 (Figure 2). Force transmitting mechanism 1.2 may further be provided with a latch mechanism 15 to selectively lock upper handle portion 10 in a position substantially coaxial with lower handle portion 1 (Figure 1). Latch mechanism 15 preferably includes a catch 16.1 which engages upper handle portion 10 in the linear position of the upper and lower handle portions 1 and 10. Catch 16.1 is an integral part of a latch member 16 which is rotatably supported in force unit 1.2. Latch member 16 and upper handle portion 10 are preferably rotatably supported in - zo~ 9 lower handle portion 1 in parallel arrangement and latch member 16 may be unlocked by rotating a release lever 17 away from upper handle portion 10.
A gripping portion 23 is connected to the upper handle portion 10 in such a way that the force center of the hand manipulating the cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention substantially coincides with the common axis of upper handle portion 10 and lower handle portion 1. This allows a generally stress-free hand and body position and therefore guarantees a substantially non-fatiguing use of the wiper apparatus of the invention.
The concave shape of gripping portion 23 provides a handrest for the 10 rotation of upper handle portion 10. A connection 23.1 at the top end of upper handle portion 10 provides for a fastening of gripping portion 23 on upper handle portion in four selected rotational positions and therefore provides for the possibility of adjusting gripping portion 23 according to every possible working position and direction of use of wiper element 3. To perform a change in the position of gripping portion 23 in relation to upper handle portion 10, gripping portion 23 is pushed towards upper handle portion 10 and rotated. The gripping portion is held in the selected rotational positions by spring action. The gripping portion may be rotated counterclockwise or clockwise and may therefore be used equally well by right-handed or left-handed persons.
Figures 3 and 3a show elastic intermediate rings 19 which are preferably integral parts of linkage 7 and which are made of plastic and are of circular shape as shown. The elasticity of these intermediate rings substantially prevents an overloading of linkage 7 and therefore provides for an especially long service life.
Linkage 7 preferably includes, at its lower end, a coupling 26 which encloses connecting rod 7.1 as shown in Figure 3 in the non-actuated condition of upper handle portion 10. Coupling projections 24 of connecting rod 7.1 are positioned at an axial distance A from dogs 25 of coupling 26 in this non-actuated position. This distance is large enough to allow rotation of lower handle portion 1 in relation to support plate 2 by compensating for the corresponding change in length of linkage 7. Therefore, interference with linkage 7 is substantially prevented. In the lowest position of lower handle portion 1, wherein it extends parallel to the planes of the upper and . 2Q~)99 lower pivots of universal joint 8, a carrier peg 7.2 of connecting rod 7.1 is located immediately above the upper pivot 8.1.
In the position shown in Figure 3A (which is a sectional view taken at to that of Figure 3), wherein the upper handle portion 10 extends coaxially with lower handle portion 1, a distance B is provided between carrier peg 7.2 and an eyelet of pulling elements 9 in addition to distance A between dogs 25 and coupling posts 24. These distances have to be travelled by linkage 7 and connecting rod 7.1 respectively before pulling elements 9 may be moved upwardly by linkage 7. The clearance corresponding to these distances is advantageous for starting the pressing of wiper element 3, because transmission of a pulling force by rotating upper handle portion 10 starting at the point where upper handle portion 10 is in coaxial position with lower handle portion 1 is very difficult for ergonomic reasons. After the clearance has been taken up, upper handle portion 10 has already described an obtuse angle with lower handle portion 1, which allows a scissor-like movement of the two handle portions under the action of the weight of the user and, therefore, facilitates the rotation of upper handle portion 10 for the transmission of the pulling force required for pressing wiper element 3 by pulling up or linkage means 7.
The cleaning apparatus of the invention is preferably used in combination with a water container 30 of rectangular cross-section which may be easily stacked by virtue of its frustoconical shape. The size of the rectangular cross-section is matched to the size of support plate 2. Each of the short side walls of the container includes at its upper edge a molded lateral block 31 with a support bar 32 (Figure 4). These blocks compensate for the obliquity of the side walls and provide the exact inside width required for fittingly inserting supporting plate 2 with affixed wiper element 3 into water container 30 (Figure 4a). Lateral blocks 31 which have bevelled edges each include a support bar 32 which supports central member 4 of the support plate 2 when inserted into water container 30 and engages lateral grooves (not illustrated) positioned in the short sidewalls of central member 4 (Figure 4a). The carrying handle 33 is rotatably and centrally affixed to the long sides of water container 30 below a continuous top rim through easily installed self-fastening lateral pegs. In its swung down position, the carrying handle is positioned below the top rim. Wiper 20~099 element 3 preferably includes two corrugated mop units 34 (Figure 5) which may be fastened side-by-side to the underside of support plate 2. Each such mop unit is preferably made of a 180 mm wide and 1,300 mm long strip of absorbent fleece material which is corrugated and fixed to two parallel spaced apart support rails 35. Support rails 35 are made of plastic and are affixed to the fleece material by an adhesive which is resistant to water, heat and chemicals. The underside of the support rails is provided with grooves for the uptake of the adhesive and functions as an adhesion surface (not illustrated). The symmetrically positioned support rails are preferably provided with a reinforcement web which includes four distance webs (not illustrated). Therefore, their insertion in and removal from the grooves of lateral members 5 is facilitated.
During the use of the cleaning apparatus of the invention, filled water container 30 is positioned on the floor. Support plate 2 is inserted into the water container 30 by holding lower handle portion 1 in a position inclined from vertical (Figure 6). The inclination of lower handle portion 1 is required to allow the passage of support plate 2 between support bars 32. Subsequently, the support plate 2 with the affixed mop units is several times abruptly moved to the bottom of water container 30 by holding lower handle portion 1 in a vertical position. The resulting turbulences in the water provide for the removal of dirt particles attached to the mop units 34. The cleaning apparatus is then lifted from container 30 and subsequently positioned on support bars 32. The lateral members 4 of support plate 2 are freely rotatable in that position. Release lever 17 is now operated by rotating it away from upper handle portion 10 as far as possible to free upper handle portion 10, which is held by the operator at gripping portion 23, for a downward rotation (Figure 7). This downward rotation is transformed into a relative movement of sliding lever 12 on slide bearing 13 and a corresponding relative upward movement of linkage means 7 in lower handle portion 1. Consequently, pulling elements 9 are pulled upwardly and inwardly which provides for an inward rotation of opposingly positioned lateral members 5 of support plate 2 (Figure 8). The rotation of lateral members 5 provides for a pressing of the mop units 34 affixed to support plate 2. Subsequently upper handle portion 10 is rotated upwardly and is automatically locked in a coaxial position with lower handle -2~ 99 portion 1 by the latch mechanism and lateral members 5 are automatically returned to their position colinear with central member 4 by swivel springs 20.
The degree of water retention of mop units 34 may be exactly adjusted 5 by the extent of downward rotation of upper handle portion 10. The complete downward rotation of upper handle portion 10 to stop 18 results in a substantially complete wringing out of wiper element 3 which allows an easy removal of water from the surface of a previously wet-cleaned floor with a substantially dewatered wiper element 3. The cleaning apparatus is 10 preferably held with both hands during use whereby a right-handed person holds gripping portion 23 with the right hand and holds onto the top portion of upper handle portion 10 immediately below the gripping portion with the left hand. The apparatus may also be used by left-handed persons by holding the gripping portion 23 with the left hand and the top part of the upper 15 handle portion by the right hand. This position allows a good control of the cleaning apparatus and a comfortable body position during use of the apparatus. Therefore, the effort required for using the apparatus in accordance with the invention is minimized as much as possible.
Support plate 2 with attached wiper element 3 may be held in various 20 positions through universal joint 8, lower handle portion 1 and upper handle portion 10 with gripping portion 23 while always staying flat on the floor which allows for an exact guiding of the support plate 2 around furniture.
The edges of the wiper element slightly extend beyond support plate 2, which permits an easy and thorough cleaning along edges. For cleaning under 25 furniture with small ground clearance, lower handle portion 1 may be downwardly rotated towards the floor around both pivots of universal joint 8. Therefore, the wiper element`may be used in longitudinal and transverse directions for cleaning in such a situation. In accordance with the direction of use of the wiper element, gripping portion 23 may be rotated 30 one or more quarter turns to an appropriate position in relation to the wiper element. Used mop elements may be removed from support plate 2 by manipulating the fastening levers on the lateral members 4 of support plate 2. This removal may be performed without touching the mop elements 34 which may easily be dropped into a container for used mop elements and 35 subsequently disposed.
Claims (23)
1. A cleaning apparatus comprising:
a lower handle portion connected to a support plate through a universal joint and a wiper element fastened to the underside of said support plate, said support plate including a central member and two lateral members rotatably affixed to opposite sides of said central member through rotatable connections for being swivelled around said rotatable connections and onto the underside of said central member by swivel means, said swivel means including a linkage means which is positioned inside said lower handle portion, extends through said universal joint and, at least at its lower end, includes two pulling elements, said pulling elements extending in opposite directions below and beyond said rotational connections to said lateral members and affixed to said lateral members at a distance from said rotatable connections and positioned in a downwardly open aperture of said wiper element.
a lower handle portion connected to a support plate through a universal joint and a wiper element fastened to the underside of said support plate, said support plate including a central member and two lateral members rotatably affixed to opposite sides of said central member through rotatable connections for being swivelled around said rotatable connections and onto the underside of said central member by swivel means, said swivel means including a linkage means which is positioned inside said lower handle portion, extends through said universal joint and, at least at its lower end, includes two pulling elements, said pulling elements extending in opposite directions below and beyond said rotational connections to said lateral members and affixed to said lateral members at a distance from said rotatable connections and positioned in a downwardly open aperture of said wiper element.
2. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said linkage means is connected at its upper end to a pivotable upper handle portion, said upper handle portion and said lower handle portion being connected by a rotatable joint and said pulling means being selectively moved upwardly in relation to said lower handle portion by rotation of said upper handle portion.
3. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said upper handle portion and said lower handle portion are of substantially identical length.
4. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein a sliding lever is rotatably connected at its ends to said linkage means and said upper handle portion respectively, said sliding lever being supported on a slide bearing of said lower handle portion.
5. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said sliding lever is provided, at its end toward said linkage means, with a bevel, for engaging said slide bearing upon manipulation of said upper handle portion.
6. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said bevel extends over about a third of the total length of said slide lever.
7. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said bevel and said lower handle portion enclose an angle of about 25 to 45° when said upper handle portion is in a non-rotated position.
8. A cleaning apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said rotatable joint is selectively locked in a position where said upper handle portion and said lower handle portion are in co-linear arrangement by a latch means.
9. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said latch means includes a spring biased catch.
10. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said catch is an integral part of a pivotable latch member, said latch member and said upper handle portion being supported in said lower handle portion in parallel arrangement.
11. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said latch member is selectively unlocked by rotating a release lever away from said upper handle portion.
12. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said rotatable joint includes a stop for limiting the relative movement of said linkage means.
13. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said linkage means includes at least one elastic compensation member.
14. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said pulling elements are respectively connected to said lateral members at the oppositely outer edges thereof.
15. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said linkage means and said lateral members are rotatably connected.
16. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said pulling elements are flexible and manufactured to a shape which corresponds to the shape of the undersides of the central member and the respectively adjacent lateral members in a linear arrangement thereof.
17. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said lateral members include a swivel spring for urging the pulling elements against the underside of said lateral elements.
18. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said lateral members include a swivel spring for urging the pulling elements against the sides of said lateral members and said central member.
19. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said swivel spring is a leaf spring.
20. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said pulling elements extend beyond said universal joint towards said lower handle portion.
21. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said pulling elements are connected to the remainder of said linkage means through elongated openings, which accommodate one of the pivots of said universal joint and extend beyond said pivot for preventing an engagement between said pulling element and said pivot prematurely stopping the movement of said linkage means.
22. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein said pulling elements and said linkage means are connected through a coupling means in such a way that said pulling elements are moved by said linkage means after a play in said coupling has been overcome.
23. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein said coupling includes a connecting rod which is rotatably supported along an axis parallel to the upper pivot of said universal joint.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEP3903162.4 | 1989-02-03 | ||
| DE3903162A DE3903162A1 (en) | 1989-02-03 | 1989-02-03 | WIPER |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2009099A1 CA2009099A1 (en) | 1990-08-03 |
| CA2009099C true CA2009099C (en) | 1995-08-15 |
Family
ID=6373332
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002009099A Expired - Fee Related CA2009099C (en) | 1989-02-03 | 1990-02-01 | Cleaning apparatus |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0380765B1 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE75930T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2009099C (en) |
| DE (2) | DE3903162A1 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK171909B1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2031674T3 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI87981C (en) |
| GR (1) | GR3005321T3 (en) |
| NO (1) | NO173427C (en) |
| PT (1) | PT93036B (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2775580B1 (en) * | 1998-03-09 | 2000-06-02 | Franck Gouriet | RACLETTE SPONGE BRUSH |
| US6785927B2 (en) | 2001-12-20 | 2004-09-07 | Freudenberg Household Products | Roller mop |
| CN111200983B (en) * | 2017-10-06 | 2024-02-13 | 奥林巴斯株式会社 | Medical device |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CH298818A (en) * | 1952-03-31 | 1954-05-31 | Ernst Wilhelm | Cleaning tool for waterproof floors. |
| US2864107A (en) * | 1954-08-23 | 1958-12-16 | Sponge Products Corp | Self-wringing mop construction |
| US2892201A (en) * | 1957-03-25 | 1959-06-30 | Albin K Peterson | Laterally foldable sponge type mop device |
| CH413257A (en) * | 1964-01-17 | 1966-05-15 | Buerstenfabrik Ag | Device for cleaning floors, window panes and similar surfaces |
| DE1968734U (en) * | 1967-04-04 | 1967-09-21 | Guenter Leifheit K G | CLEANING DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR FOR FOOTBOARDS. |
| DE8006578U1 (en) * | 1980-03-11 | 1982-01-07 | Schür, Jörg-Peter, Prof. Dipl.-Chem. Dr., 1000 Berlin | FLOOR UNIT FOR HYGIENIC WET WIPE CLEANING AND DISINFECTION |
| GB8310475D0 (en) * | 1983-04-18 | 1983-05-25 | Unilever Plc | Mop and squeeze combination |
| DE3462431D1 (en) * | 1984-03-27 | 1987-04-09 | Leifheit Ag | Mop |
-
1989
- 1989-02-03 DE DE3903162A patent/DE3903162A1/en active Granted
- 1989-10-28 EP EP89120062A patent/EP0380765B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-10-28 AT AT89120062T patent/ATE75930T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1989-10-28 DE DE8989120062T patent/DE58901424D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-10-28 ES ES198989120062T patent/ES2031674T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-11-27 NO NO894726A patent/NO173427C/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1989-12-20 FI FI896127A patent/FI87981C/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1990
- 1990-01-25 DK DK020890A patent/DK171909B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1990-02-01 CA CA002009099A patent/CA2009099C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-02-01 PT PT93036A patent/PT93036B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1992
- 1992-07-31 GR GR910402112T patent/GR3005321T3/el unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| NO173427C (en) | 1993-12-15 |
| DE3903162C2 (en) | 1991-08-01 |
| DK20890D0 (en) | 1990-01-25 |
| ES2031674T3 (en) | 1992-12-16 |
| EP0380765A1 (en) | 1990-08-08 |
| EP0380765B1 (en) | 1992-05-13 |
| DE3903162A1 (en) | 1990-08-09 |
| DE58901424D1 (en) | 1992-06-17 |
| DK171909B1 (en) | 1997-08-11 |
| NO173427B (en) | 1993-09-06 |
| GR3005321T3 (en) | 1993-05-24 |
| PT93036A (en) | 1991-10-15 |
| NO894726L (en) | 1990-08-06 |
| NO894726D0 (en) | 1989-11-27 |
| DK20890A (en) | 1990-08-04 |
| ATE75930T1 (en) | 1992-05-15 |
| PT93036B (en) | 1996-01-31 |
| CA2009099A1 (en) | 1990-08-03 |
| FI87981B (en) | 1992-12-15 |
| FI87981C (en) | 1993-03-25 |
| FI896127A0 (en) | 1989-12-20 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |