US1278606A - Floor-scrubbing machine. - Google Patents

Description

. DEAM.

FLOOR SCRUBBING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 25. 191s.

Patented Sept. 10,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Witwe H. Ni. DEAIV.

FLOOR SCRUBBING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 2s, IsIs.

Patented Sept. 10,1918

2 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

@mw/'MM M@ @gm Mwm HELEN M. BEAM, oF RocKroaT, iLLIiNoIs.

FLOOR-SCRUBBING- MACH-INE.

Specification of Letters Patent. 'Patented Sept., 10, 1918.

Application f led November 26, 1915. Serial No. 63,5'35.

This invention comprehends the provision of a floor scrubbing machine of novel construction, and by means of wlnch the per- Y formance of this duty is rendered considerably less laborious.A y y kThe invention aims to prov-ide a machine of this'character embodying among other features, a scrubbing element operable as the machine is moved over the surface to be cleaned, and a water supply tank, with means for controlling the flow of water to the scrubbing element.

In carrying out my invention I provide a machine of the class in question, constructed to receive a cleaning powder or subst-ance, together with means for distributing the substance upon the floor or surface to be cleaned, in advance of the scrubbing element in any desired quantity, as the machine is moved over the floor.

Another object ot importance resides in the provision of means for relieving the scrubbing element of its dirty water` and directing the same into a suitable receptacle Uor compartment in the machine, from which it may be readily discharged when desired.

The invention further contemplates the provision of a resilient means operable to effectively maintain the scrubbing element in engagement with the surface bein cleaned, thereby rendering themachine e ceptionally efficient for the purpose intended.

Other' objects will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood from the .following description, wherein the specific construction, combination and arrangement of parts, of one embodiment of the invention are more fully set forth.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views and wherein f Figure l is a top plan view of the machine showing the water tank partly broken away to show the interior tlereof.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view.

Before entering into a detailidescription of .my invention I desire to have it understood that the device hereinafterdescribed and illustrated, is merely one embodiment of the invention, and that various changes in the construction and arrangement and proportionv may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of the appended claim.

The machine in this particular instance embodies a bottomless casing indicated generally at A and including side walls 5, end wallsG and a top 7, 8 indicating a reinforcing band disposed exteriorly of the casing and secured thereto by means of the rivets or other suitable fastening elements 9.

Journaled between the side walls 5 adjacent the oppositeendsof the casing are shafts 10, upon which are fixed wheels 11 to permit the casing to be readily and easily moved over the surface to be cleaned. Passed tra-nsiersely through the casing at a point-approximately centrally thereof, lis a shaft 12 projecting a slight distance beyond the opposite sides 5, and upon the extremities of this shaft is swingingly secured, in any suitable manner, a yoke 13 of which the handle 14 forms a part. f K

As shownA in this instance thescrubbing element is in the nature of a mop, consisting of an endless belt 15 movable over the shafts 10. The opposite side walls 5 are each provided adjacent their lower edge with spaced alined vertically disposed elongated slots 16 which receive the spaced parallel Atransversely extending rods 17, and upon which rods are mounted a resilient shoe for the purpose of e'ectively maintaining the lower run of the mop i-n engagement with the surface being cleaned. The shoe consists of a plate of resilient metal, the bottom 18 of which normally bears against the lower run` of the belt, while the upturned ends are coiled about the rods 17. I further provide springs 20 having their ends passing through slots in the shoe and coiled loosely upon the rods 17 and having an upwardly bowed portion bearing against the shaft'12 thereby holding the shoe in operative position with relation to the mop. The slots 16 permit the shoe to have a slight vertical movement, when excess pressure is brought to bear upon the machine. l

Mounted upon the top 7 and fitted between the flanges rising therefrom is a water tank 21 having a transverse series of nipples 22 top 7 of the casing, by means of which communication is established between the water tank and the interior of the casing to permit the water to be fed upon the mop or scrub` bing element 15. Journaled between the side walls of the tank 21 is a transverse shaft 23 having a plurality of crank portions 24 with which the valves 25 are associated, the cranks being normally so disposed that the valves extend within the nipples 22 thereby cutting oft communication between the water tank and casing respectively. rlhe shaft 23 projects a slight distance beyond one side of the water tank, and fixed upon-the eX- tremity of the shaft is a lever 26 for the purpose of operating the shaft to open and close the valves as the occasion may require. The tank is provided with an enlarged central filling openingv which is normally closed by means ofl a cap 27. The tank is further provided at its opposite ends with handles 28 for the purpose of removing the tank from the casing when desired.

The forward end of the casing is provided with a compartment 29 for the reception of a cleaning substance such as powder or the like, which is adapted to be distributed over the surface to be cleaned in advance of the scrubbing element 15. Mounted within the compartment 29 immediately adjacent the bottom thereof is a rotor 30, the shaft 31 of which projects beyond the side of the casing and has fitted thereon a pulley 32 whichis connected by means of the belt 33 with a pulley 34 fitted upon the foremost shaft 10, whereby'the rotor 30 is operated simultaneously with the movement of the machine over the surface to be cleaned. rlhe rotor serves to discharge the cleaning substance through suitable openings 35 in the bottom of the compartment, the particular amount discharged being controlled by a slide plate 36 mounted beneath said bottom and provided with a plurality of openings 37 which .are adapted to be brought into and out of registry with the openings 35. rlhe plate 36 is provided-with a handle 38 for the purpose of adjusting the plate as described.

Arranged at a suitable point within the casing is a wringer consisting of a pair' of'superimposed rollers 39 lnormally held closely associated by means' of the spring 40, and between which rollers the upper run Lafrance of the scrubbing element passes. These rollers serve `to wring the dirty water from the mop orcleaning element 15, which dirty water is received within a suitable receptacle 41, positioned immediately beneath the said rollers. Extending from the bottom of the receptacle 4l adjacent the opposite sides of the machine are pipes 42 which lead to a tank 43 at the rear of the machine, and through which pipes the dirty water from the receptacle 41 is directed to and deposited within the tank 43. The bottom of theJ tank 43 is provided with a drain opening 44 which is normally closed by means of a plug 45 mounted on the lower end of a rod 46, and by means of vwhich the plug may be removed from the opening to permit of the discharge of water from the tank when desired.

lt will be manifest from the foregoing descrption that ll have devised a machine of the vcharacter described, which is not onlyl very etcient for the purpose intended, but by means of which a floor or other surface may be expeditiously cleaned or scrubbed .at ease. lt is believed that from the foregoers journaled therein, an endless scrubbing member trained aboutsaid rollers, a transverse shaft extending between said rollers and beyond the sides of the casing, a handlel secured on the outer ends of said shaft, and

means for resiliently urging the lower run .of said` scrubbing element into engagement with the floor, said means comprisingja pair of transverse rods disposed within alined vertical slots in the sides of the casing, a plate bearing upon .the upper side of the lower run of said scrubbing elementA and having its ends inclined upwardly and coiled about-said transverse rods, and

`an upwardly bowed spring member bearing` against the lowerside of said transverse' shaft having its ends coiledabout said rods.

In testimony whereof 1 affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MRS. HELEN M. BEAM.

' Witnesses:

W. Gr. DRAM, T. V. FARRI'NGTON.

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