GB2498364A

GB2498364A - A cleaning system for a window

Info

Publication number: GB2498364A
Application number: GB201200418A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Leslie Benson
Original assignee: ROL TRAC AUTOMATIC DOORS Ltd
Current assignee: ROL TRAC AUTOMATIC DOORS Ltd
Priority date: 2012-01-11
Filing date: 2012-01-11
Publication date: 2013-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 2032-01-11
Also published as: GB2498364B; GB201200418D0

Abstract

A cleaning system for a window of a building comprises a wiper blade 7 arranged to wipe a pane 1 of the window. The blade is driven by a peristaltic linear motor having a track 2 installed adjacent the window. The motor may comprise a tube of elastic material pinched by a roller bearing a carriage 5 entrained to travel along the track 2. A row of nozzles 10 for spraying cleaning liquid can be arranged parallel to and adjacent to the motor track 2. A method of cleaning a window using the system is also disclosed.

Description

WINDOW CLEANING SYSTEM

Background to the Invention

[0001] This invention relates to a window cleaning system for a building, a building incorporating such a system and a method of cleaning windows.

[0002] Conventionally, windows in high rise buildings have been cleaned manually by operators carried in a cradle suspended from the roof of the building. This method is slow, labour intensive and potentially unsafe.

[0003] Machines have been proposed to improve on the cradle method, for example machines which climb the outer wall of the building, but these are generalTy complicated and expensive.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] From a first aspect, the present invention provides a cleaning system for a window of a building, comprising a wiper blade arranged to wipe a pane of the window, the blade being driven by a peristaltic linear motor having a track instalTed adjacent the window.

[0005] The invention utilises a peristaltic motor of the type first described by Hopcraft in GB 22445 of 1896 and further described at www.rolairmota.com.

These documents are incorporated herein by way of reference as if set forth fully herein. The motor comprises a tube of flexible, e.g. elastic, materiaT pinched by a movable nip means, preferably a roller such as a wheel or pair of wheels. The nip means bears a carriage entrained to travel along a track. Fluid such as air is forced into the tube at one end to force the roller and carriage along the track in the direction away from that end. Fluid is introduced into the tube at its other end to return the carriage to the first end.

[0006] The wiper blade may be carried on an arm having a spring for urging the wiper blade into contact with the pane.

[0007] The motor track can be located along one edge of a frame of the window, either attached to the existing frame or provided as a component thereof. A cormector may be provided in order to attach a removable, portable appliance for supplying compressed fluid, e.g. air, to the motor tube.

[0008] The window cleaning system may include at least one nozzle for spraying cleaning liquid on to the window pane. In one embodiment, a row of nozzles is arranged parallel to and adjacent to the motor track. The nozzles may be supplied by a common cleaning liquid conduit. A connector may be provided for attaching a portable cleaning liquid supply unit to the conduit. In particular, the system may comprise the liquid suppTy unit, which may include compressed gas introduction means for forcing a spray of liquid through the conduit and nozzles.

The liquid supply unit can be provided as part of the compressed fluid supply appliance. A gutter for collecting used cleaning liquid may be provided at a lower edge of the pane e.g. for returning the used liquid to a return part of the supply unit.

[0009] The supply appliance may be provided with control means for controlling a cleaning cycle of the system, for example comprising a liquid spraying step, a wiping step and a liquid return step.

[0010] From a second aspect, the invention also provides a building including a plurality of widows each provided with a window cleaning system as defined above.

[0011] From a third aspect, the invention provides a method of cleaning a window of a building, comprising providing a peristaltic linear motor having a track installed adjacent the window, and causing the peristaltic linear motor to drive a wiper blade to wipe a pane of the window.

[0012] The method may incTude use of the features defined above with respect to the window cleaning system.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0014] Figure 1 is a schematic, part sectional view of a system according to an embodiment of the invention; and [0015] Figure 2 is a schematic front view of the system shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Particular Embodiments

[0016] The drawings show a double glazed window having an outer pane 1. A linear peristaltic motor is arranged with its track 2 running along the upper horizontal frame member 3 of the window. The motor is concealed behind a cover plate 4 (not shown in Figure 2) and comprises a carriage 5 carrying a vertical wiper blade arm 6. In the "parked" position shown in Figure 2 the wiper blade and al-rn can be housed behind a further, vertical cover plate, not shown in the drawings.

[0017] A wiper blade 7 is attached to the end of the blade arm 6 and is pressed against the pane 1 by means of an extension spring 8 extending between the blade arm 6 and the carriage 5.

[0018] It wilT be appreciated that when the carriage 5 is driven back and forth by means of the peristaltic linear motor, the wiper blade 7 will wipe the pane 1.

[0019] A liquid spray tube 9 is fixed to the upper frame member 3 below the motor track 2 and parallel thereto. A series of nozzles 10 is provided along the spray tube 9. A gutter 11 is fixed along the lower horizontal window frame member 12.

[0020] A portable wash control unit 13 shown in Figure 1 has a reservoir for suppTying washing liquid as well as a compressor or blower for introducing air to the cleaning system. A supply tube 14 is removably attached to a connector 15 of the system. In this manner firstly washing liquid 16 is forced, by means of compressed air, into the spray tube 9 and out of the nozzles 10 on to the pane 1.

Subsequently compressed air is supplied again via the tube 14 to the flexible tube of the peristaltic motor, at the left hand side as viewed in Figure 2. This drives the carriage 5 from left to right causing the wiper blade 7 to wipe the pane 1. Air is then fed to the right-hand end of the motor tube causing the carriage 5 and wiper blade 7 to return to their original position, again wiping the window pane 1 as they go.

[0021] Optionally, following the washing and wiping of the window in this manner, rinse water can be blown from the wash control unit 13 through the spray nozzTes and optionally, further wiping can be carried out using the wiper blade 7. The used washing liquid and/or rinse water can be collected in the gutter 11 and returned to the wash control unit 13.

[0022] The wash control unit 13 can be arranged to operate either in a manual mode or an automatic mode. In the manual mode, after connecting the wash control unit's supply tube 14 to the connector 15, and connecting the unit to an electrical power outlet, an operator initiates a washing step which causes air powered washing liquid to be sprayed from the nozzles 10. Subsequently the operator operates switches actuating the peristaltic motor to drive the wiper blade 7 in a manually controlled manner. The operator may then operate a "park" controT to cause the motor to automatically return the wiper blade arm 6 and blade 7 to the position shown in Figure 2 when wiping is completed. After optional rinsing and further manually controlled wiping steps, the used washing liquid and/or rinse water are returned to the wash control unit 13.

[0023] In the automatic mode, after initiation by the operator, under the control of the wash control, unit 13, the system automaticaTly performs washing, wiping and liquid return steps, with optional rinsing and further wiping steps before the liquid return step.

[0024] The window cleaning system of the invention can be fixed to an existing window or incorporated into a window when the latter is installed. The typical height Ii of a window on which the system is used is 3 m and peristaltic motor can have a track length w up to 30 m long.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMS1. A cleaning system for a window of a building, comprising a wiper blade arranged to wipe a pane of the window, the blade being driven by a peristaltic Tinear motor having a track instaTled adjacent the window.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the motor comprises a tube of elastic material pinched by a roller bearing a carriage entrained to travel along a track.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A cleaning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wiper blade is carried on an arm having a spring for urging the wiper bTade into contact with the pane.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A cleaning system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the motor has a track located along one edge of a frame of the window.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A cleaning system according to claim 4, wherein the track is attached to the frame, which is a pre-exisiting frame.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A cleaning system according to claim 4, wherein the track is provided as a component of the frame.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A cleaning system according to any preceding claim, including a connector for attaching a removabTe, portable appliance for supplying fluid, e.g. air, to the peristaltic motor.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A cleaning system according to any preceding claim, including at Teast one nozzTe for spraying cleaning liquid on to the window pane.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A cleaning system according to claim 8, wherein a row of nozzles is arranged parallel to and adjacent to the motor track.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A cleaning system according to claim 9, wherein the nozzles are suppTied by a common cleaning Tiquid conduit.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A cleaning system according to claim 8, 9 or 10, including a connector for attaching a portable cleaning liquid supply unit to the system for supplying cleaning liquid to the at least one nozzle.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A cleaning system according to claim 11, comprising the liquid supply unit.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A cleaning system according to claim 12, wherein the supply unit may is provided with control means for controlling a cleaning cycle of the system.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A cleaning system according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the liquid suppTy unit includes gas introdudion means for forcing a spray of liquid through the at least one nozzTe.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A cleaning system according to claim 11, 12 or 13, when dependent on claim 7, wherein the liquid supply unit is provided as part of the removable appliance.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A cleaning system according to any preceding claim, wherein a gutter for collecting used cleaning liquid is provided at a lower edge of the pane 17. A cTeaning system according to claim 16, when dependent on claim 12, arranged to return the used cleaning liquid to the supply unit.18. A window cTeaning system, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.19. A building including a plurality of widows each provided with a window cleaning system according to any preceding claim.20. A method of cleaning a window of a building, comprising providing a peristaltic linear motor having a track installed adjacent the window, and causing the peristaltic linear motor to drive a wiper blade to wipe a pane of the window.21. A method according to claim 19, comprising the step of spraying cleaning Tiquid through at Teast one nozzle on to the pane, prior to the wiping step.22. A method according to claim 20, comprising the step of collecting and returning the cleaning liquid after the wiping step.</claim-text>