GB2145927A

GB2145927A - Automatic window cleaning machine

Info

Publication number: GB2145927A
Application number: GB08323699A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Maclean
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-09-05
Filing date: 1983-09-05
Publication date: 1985-04-11
Also published as: GB8323699D0

Abstract

The machine is carried by tensioned chains 37 which are mounted on four anchor/tensioners 62 on power driven wheels, and is horizontally movable on rails 70. The machine chassis has assemblies which enable it to rise or lower itself using the chains 37 between the guide rails 70. A control box switches power off and on at specific moments to motors enabling tools 1 or 2 to be presented at window surfaces which can clean the windows. The box automatically controls movement of the machine from window to window. Used in conjunction with an electronic fire or smoke alarm the machine can be programmed to travel to the immediate area of the alarm sensor and with the equipment fitted to the machine either automatically or by remote control provide assistance in fighting the fire or smoke or the evacuation of personnel. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Automatic window cleaner Cleaning windows in multi storey buildings is usually carried out bytwo methods described briefly as: 1 )A cradle suspended from the top of the building in which the cleaner stands to carry out his work. After cleaningtheareawithin his reach he muststopto manoeuvre the cradle to a new position. This is inefficient and can be dangerous.

2) Special designed windows which can be turned and cleaned from the inside. The drawbacks of this method arethatthe windows are expensive when being cleanedthere isa loss of heating orair conditioning from the building and it can be disturbing to personnel in the vicinity. Itto can also be dangerous.

According to the present invention there is provided a machine which will clean windows automatically in a designated area.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :- Figure 1 shows in perspective the chassis on which the cleaning tools and the accompanying machinery are built.

Figure 2 shows the front elevation ofthe raising and lowering machinery assembly.

Figure 3 shows the side elevation of the raising and lowering machinery assembly.

Figure 4 shows the end elevation of the horizontal and vertical moving platforms with the tool holder in the brushing position.

Figure 5 shows the plan view of the horizontal and vertical moving platformswiththetool holder in the brushing position.

Figure 6 shows the end elevation of the guide rail and mountinglanchorwith drive (upper).

Figure 7 shows the front elevation of the guide rail and mountinglanchorwith drive (upper).

Figure 8 shows the end elevation of the guide rail and mountingltensioner(lower) drive not shown.

Figure 9 shows the front elevation of the guide rail and mountingitensioner (lower) drive not shown.

Figure 10 shows the front elevation of a building with a line diagram showing a specific layout of the system installed.

Aworking cycle of the machine can be split into the following sections: 1)The machine is at rest and is parked in a position of safety and security using Fig. 10. A parked position would be the extreme top left corner of the building shown.

2) Switching the machine from rest to work, power istransrnittedfrom the control box to the motors 63 and83,mountedat62and82,Thrnugh gear box 64 and 84,to gears 65, which will revolve and because they are meshedwith 68 gearing, which is static, the mountingswill move on their wheels with other attached parts to a specific point and stop. The machine has moved rightto a point above the first vertical rowofwindows.

3}The control boxthentransmitspowerto motors 36 which allows items 31,32,33,34 and 35to operate, lowering the chassis and operating partstothe required position. The machine is now lined up with thefirstwindow.

4) The control boxthen transmits power to motor9 and through 10, 11, gearbox and adjusting rod, platform 13 with attached items moves brush 1 into contact with the bottom of the window. A pressure switch mounted on tool holder 23 limits the powerto motor9 and cuts the power when the desired position is attained.

5) The brush 1 is now in contact with the bottom of the window, motor and gearbox 20 are transmitted powerfrom the control boxandthrough the chains 19 and 17 and sprockets 15,16 and 18 the brush is rotated. A water pump also driven bythe chain 19 pumps water supplied through water line 97 to a spray tube mounted so as to spray the water on to the rotating brush. The brush is now being rotated and sprayed with water.

6) Motor3 is now activated by the control box and through items 4,5,6 and 7 raises platform 8 with attached parts to a specific point, the powerto motors 3 and 20 is cut. The rotating wet brush has travelled from the bottom to the top of the window cleaning the surface.

7) Solenoid actuator 22 is activated, this rotates the toolholder 23 about its axle 25 removing the brush 1 from the surface of the window and bringing wiper blade 2 into contactwiththewindowsurface.

8) The control box then activates motor 3 in reverse and platform 8 is lowered drawing the wiper blade down over the surface of the window removing any water and stops in its original position.

9) Motor 9 is activated in reverse and draws platform 13 with attached partsbackfromthesurfaceofthe window and stopped in its original position.

10) Solenoid actuator 22 is reset to bring the brush back to the working position.

11) Motors 36 are activated by the control box until reaching the next window directly under the previous one, this would be repeated until reaching the bottom window, sections 3 to 11, fourtimes on the sample building, when section 2 would be repeated. Sections 3 to 11 would again be repeated with motors 36 in reverse.

LIST OF PARTS 1. Brush, 2. Wiper Blade, 3. Motor, 4. Gearbox, 5.

Gear, 6. Gear, 7. Adjusting Rod, 8. Platform (Vert.), 9.

Motor, 10. Gearbox, 11. Adjusting Rod, 12. Guide Rollers, 13. Platform (Horiz.), 14. Adjusting Rod Anchor, 15. Sprocket, 16. Sprocket, 17. Drive Chain, 18.

Sprocket, 19. Drive Chain, 20. Motor and Gearbox, 21.

Adjusting Arm Pin, 22. Solenoid Adjuster, 23. Tool Holder, 24. Guide Rollers, 25. Axle, 31. Gear, 32. Gear, 33. IdlerlGuide, 34. Gear, 35. Gearbox, 36. Motor, 37.

Chain, 38. Internal Guide, 39. Cheek Plates, 62.

Mounting/Anchor, 63. Motor, 64. Gearbox, 65. Gear, 66. Power Track, 67. Mounting Wheels, 68. Gearing, 69. Pickup Tensioner, 70. Guide/Carrying Rails, 71.

Pickup, 82. Mounting, 83. Motor, 84. Gearbox, 85.

Adjusting Shims, 86. Spring, 87. Guard and Keep, 91.

Link Beam, 92. Store Drum, 93. Transmit Drum, 94.

Transmit Drum, 95. Hose Line, 96. Power Line, 97.

Water Line, 2. A, B, C, D, E, F. Chassis Sections, 3. A, B, C, D. Chassis Sections, 4. A, B, C, D. Chassis Sections.

Claims

1. Awindow cleaning machine consisting of guide rails, chain mountings and drives for horizontal movement.

2. Awindowcleaning machine as in 1 with a chassis, a raising and lowering assembly and guide chainsforvertical movement.

3. Awindowcleaning machine as in 2the guide chains ofwhich are guided and pass through sections ofthe chassis.

4. Awindowcleaning machine having vertical and horizontally moving platforms.

5. Awindowcleaning machineasin4which carries a tool holder.

6. Awindow cleaning machine as in 4 and 5 the tool holder having various arms each with the ability of holding and using a variety of tools.

7. Awindowcleaning machine which can be used to assist personnel to evacuate a dangerous area of a building in the event of an emergency.

7. Awindowcleaning machine when programmedwill clean windows automatically.

8. Awindowcleaning machine when used in conjunction with an electronic smoke orfire detector will provide a fire fighting capabilityto the immediate area of the alarm automatically or by remote control.

9. Awindow cleaning machine capable of deliver ing water, from ground level or roof storeage, to a specific part of a building automatically or by remote control.

10. Awindowcleaning machine which can be used manually to assist personnel in evacuating a dangerous area of a building.

Superseded claims: 1-7.

New or amended claims:

1. An automatic window cleaning machine, all movements initiated bya pre-programmed sender unit and carried out by either, hydraulic, pneumatic, electric or mechanical power.

2. The operational sequence oftheautomatic window cleaner, whether the sequence starts from the bottom edge of the window (as described) orfrom the left or right edges of the window. The tool holder and associated parts being rotated through 90 degrees.

3. Awindowcleaning machine consisting of guide rails, chain mountings and drives for horizontal movement.

4. Awindowcleaning machine with a chassis, a raising and lowering mechanism and guide chains for vertical movement.

5. Awindow cleaning machine as in 1,2,3 and 4 having a tool holder with various arms, each arm with the ability of holding and using a variety of tools.

6. Awindowcleaning machine as in 1,when used in conjunction with an electronic smoke orfire alarm or detector system, which can provide a fire fighting capabilitytothe immediate area ofthe alarm, automatically or by remote control.