WO2004037451A1

WO2004037451A1 - Apparatus for cleaning the interstices of hard-covered surfaces

Info

Publication number: WO2004037451A1
Application number: PCT/HU2003/000082
Authority: WO
Inventors: József VÁCITY
Original assignee: Vacity Jozsef
Priority date: 2002-10-22
Filing date: 2003-10-21
Publication date: 2004-05-06
Also published as: DE60334558D1; EP1558407A1; HU0200300V0; EP1558407B1; AU2003276489A1; HU2536U; ATE484344T1

Abstract

The invention involves cleaning device for the cleaning of hard-covered surfaces consisting of an electric motor (1) with a drive shaft (11), a brush (7) secured to the protruding end of the drive shaft (11) in removable fashion, a supporting and protective covering (2) surrounding the electric motor (1), a handle (3) disposed at the upper portion of the same, a network switch (4) equipped with a continuously adjustable RPM control fashioned on the handle, and an electric plug (5) emerging from the supporting and protective covering (2). The brush (7)is disc-shaped with at least three rows of bristles built-in to its perimeter and a water-protective component (12) is inserted between the drive shaft and the supporting and protective covering. A protective covering (8) is disposed about the inner perimeter of the brush (7), and a supporting ring (6) is attached to the lower portion of the supporting and protective covering (2) in removable fashion.

Description

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING THE INTERSTICES OF HARD-COVERED SURFACES

The working model constitutes an apparatus for the cleaning of the interstices between the panels of hard-covered surfaces, useful for floor coverings and tiled surfaces, where the joints require cleaning.

It is known that hard-covered surfaces, and thus the joints or interstices between various building components installed by piecing together, is done by hand, such that the surface to be cleaned is moistened and the interstices cleaned using a brush in possible combination with a chemical agent. The deficiency in this solution is that it requires a great deal of time, and does not allow for cleaning of uniform quality everywhere.

Since at present no apparatus for this purpose is known in Hungary, various individual solutions are used, including brush adapters mounted to power tools, whose use has not been devised especially for this purpose and which are therefore neither generally known nor to be considered of adequate quality for the task.

Representing one technical solution is a „Floor and carpet cleaning machine" listed under patent number HU 172 303, consisting of a pounding apparatus, a system for storing and dispensing washing liquid, and an apparatus for collecting and recycling dry contaminants and used liquid. The machine described by this patent consists of a rotating part, comprising a beater housing, shaped like a pump housing and connected to a channel, flexible beaters, supports for the parts listed above, and a drive shaft; a system of tubing equipped with a shut-off apparatus for dispensing washing liquid; and a pump that circulates both liquid and gaseous substances. The beaters are made of plastic, leather, rubber, or textile sheeting, preferably sections that are 5-15 cm wide. The disadvantage in this solution is that though the floor is cleaned in uniform fashion by means of the beaters, the apparatus is not equipped with a special adapter for cleaning the interstices in particular.

Another technical solution involves a special attachment mounted to any one of various vacuum cleaners, known as an interstitial cleaning tool, which may be pulled over the cleaning nozzle. With this rubber tool, water is sprayed into the interstices, after which the tool enters the crevice and cleans it. The deficiency inherent in this solution is that it must be mounted onto the cleaning nozzle separately at the time of use. In addition, the thickness of the tool itself allows for rough cleaning only, and not for thorough cleaning with results of high quality.

The working model has set for itself the objective of eliminating the deficiencies inherent in all known solutions and creating an apparatus for cleaning the interstices of a hard-covered surface simply, quickly, comfortably, and at a high level of quality.

The working model is based on the recognition that if we create an interstitial cleaning apparatus that consists of an electric motor with a drive shaft, a brush attachable to the end of the drive shaft, a covering to protect and support the electric motor, a handle affixed to the upper part of the same, on this, a network switch equipped with a continuously adjustable RPM control, and an electrical plug emerging from the supporting and protective covering; and furthermore, if the brush mentioned previously is disc-shaped with at least three rows of inner and outer bristles at its perimeter, the brush is mounted in removable fashion to the drive shaft of the electric motor, which in turn protrudes from the supporting and protective covering, such that a water-protective component is inserted between the two, a protective covering is placed about the brush in an approximate semicircle, and the lower part of the protective covering is equipped with a removable supporting ring, then the interstitial cleaning apparatus thus constructed will fulfil the stated objectives. Thus, our working model constitutes an apparatus for cleaning the interstices found on hard-covered surfaces. The apparatus possesses an electric motor having one drive shaft, a brush mounted in removable fashion from the protruding end of the drive shaft, a supporting and protective covering that surrounds the electric motor, a handle located on the upper end of the covering, a network switch equipped with a continuously adjustable RPM control, located on the handle, and an electric plug that emerges from the supporting and protective covering.

The essence of the apparatus represented by our working model is that its brush is disc-shaped with at least three rows of bristles built into its perimeter. The brush is mounted in removable fashion to the end of the drive shaft of the electric motor that protrudes from the supporting and protective covering, such that a water- protective component is inserted between the two, the brush is surrounded by a semi-circular protective covering, and a supporting ring is affixed to the lower part of the supporting and protective covering of the apparatus.

In one useful embodiment of the apparatus represented by our working model, the bristles along the perimeter of the brush are arranged in three rows according to a rectangular pattern, at the comers and the point of intersection of the diagonals of each rectangle. The bristles in the middle row located at the points of intersection of the diagonals of the rectangles are preferably 2-4 mm longer than those in the two outer rows, which are preferably 18 mm long, while the outer bristles located at the corners of the rectangles are preferably separated by 10 mm crosswise and 15 mm lengthwise.

In another useful embodiment of the apparatus represented by our working model, the water-protective component is a simmering and the end of the drive shaft protruding from the supporting and protective covering is fashioned with left-handed threads, with the brush mounted onto it by means of a left-threaded clamping nut.

In a third useful embodiment of the apparatus represented by our working model, designed for use from a close-up position, the handle is mounted to the upper portion of the supporting and protective covering in elongated fashion, such that it is perpendicular to the brush.

In a fourth useful embodiment of the apparatus represented by our working model, designed for use from a standing position, the handle is mounted vertically to the upper portion of the supporting and protective covering in a long-handled construction, such that the handle is bent in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the brush.

In a fifth useful embodiment of the apparatus represented by our working model, designed for more effective cleaning, a water tank is fashioned within the handle, from which a tube leads, whose end is disposed between the brush and the protective covering, and a pump button is disposed on the handle.

In one further useful embodiment of the apparatus represented by our working model, functionally Z-shaped, elongated, elliptical cooling and protective openings that widen as they progress inward and downward are disposed on at least one side near the end of the supporting and protective covering opposite the brush.

In one further embodiment of the apparatus represented by our working model, designed for more effective protection of the brush, an outer protective covering may be attached to the apparatus in removable fashion, preferably snapped in laterally, so that it surrounds the outer perimeter of the brush. We now discuss the solution represented by our working model in greater detail by means of drawings:

Figure 1 represents a theoretical axonometric drawing of the interstitial cleaning apparatus represented by our working model.

Figure 2 represents a side view of the brush of the interstitial cleaning apparatus represented by our working model.

Figure 3 represents a top view of the brush of the interstitial cleaning apparatus represented by our working model.

The apparatus shown in Figure 1 consists of an electric motor 1 with a drive shaft 1 1 , a brush 7 mounted in removable fashion to the protruding end of the drive shaft 1 1 , a supporting and protective covering 2 surrounding the electric motor 1 , a handle 3 disposed at the upper portion of the supporting and protective covering 2, a network switch 4 equipped with a continuously adjustable RPM control disposed at the handle 3, and an electric plug 5 that emerges from the supporting and protective covering 2. The brush 7 is disc-shaped, includes at least three rows of built-in bristles consisting of inner bristles 71 and outer bristles 72, and is mounted to the end of the drive shaft 1 1 of the electric motor 1 that protrudes from the supporting and protective covering 2, such that a water-protective 12 is inserted between the two. Around the inner perimeter of the brush 7 in an approximate semicircle a protective covering 8 is disposed, while a supporting ring 6 is mounted in removable fashion to the lower portion of the supporting and protective covering 2.

In one useful embodiment of the apparatus, the water-protective component 12 is a simmering, the end of the drive shaft 1 1 protruding from the supporting and protective covering 2 is left-threaded, and the brush 7 is mounted to it by means of a left-threaded clamping nut. Figure 1 clearly shows that for close-up use the handle 3 is disposed at the upper portion of the supporting and protective covering 2 and is fashioned so as to be elongated and perpendicular to the brush 7.

When the device is used from a standing position, then the handle 3 is disposed vertically at the upper end of the supporting and protective covering 2 in a long- handled construction, and is bent in a direction opposite that of the rotation of the brush 7.

In a useful embodiment designed for more effective cleaning, a water tank 31 is fashioned within the handle 3, indicated in the drawing using a dashed line, with the end of the tube 31 1 leading from the water tank 31 placed between the brush 7 and the protective covering 8, and a button 32 is included on the handle 3 for dispensing the water. (In Figure 1 , the tube leading from the tube 31 1 and the button 32 are indicated using a dashed line.)

Figure 2 clearly shows how in another useful construction of the apparatus the inner bristles 71 along the perimeter of the brush 7 are arranged in one row, and the outer bristles 72 are arranged in two rows, with bristles placed in a rectangular pattern at the corners and intersection points of the diagonals of each rectangle. In the middle row, the inner bristles 71 disposed at the intersection points of the diagonals of the rectangles are preferably 2-4 mm longer than the outer bristles 72 in the two outer rows, whose length is preferably 18 mm. In the two outer rows, the outer bristles 72 placed at the corners of the rectangles in the arrangement are preferably placed 10 mm apart crosswise and 15 mm apart lengthwise.

Figure 3, which shows the brush 7 in top view, clearly shows the arrangement of bristles of differing lengths. The inner bristles 71 are longer than the outer bristles 72 because the middle portion of the interstices is deeper than the outer portion, and in this way the inner bristles 71 and outer bristles 72 together allow for uniform cleaning of the entire joint area.

The figure also shows the form of the protective covering 8, which protects the user from spattered liquid.

In another useful embodiment of the apparatus, designed for the protection of the electric motor 1 from overheating and the user from becoming spattered with water, on at least one side near the end of the supporting and protective covering 2 opposite the brush 1, functionally elongated, elliptical, Z-shaped cooling and protective openings 21 that widen as they proceed inward and downward are fashioned.

For more effective protection of the brush 7, another useful embodiment of the apparatus includes an outer protective covering 9 that may be mounted in removable fashion, preferably snapped on laterally, to the outer perimeter of the brush 7. In the drawing, the outer protective covering 9 is also indicated by means of a dashed line.

The apparatus represented by our working model operates in the following manner: after first washing the surface to be cleaned with plenty of water, connecting the electric plug 5 to an appropriate 220-V electrical outlet, and turning on the network switch 4, the user holds the apparatus in on position by means of the handle 3, such that the longer, inner bristles 71 located in the centre row of the brush 7 fit into the interstices of the surface to be cleaned flagging, tiled surface, etc., and, using the supporting ring 6, preferably made of plastic, holds and moves the apparatus, such that the inner bristles 71 in the centre row of the brush 7 always remain in the deeper, centre portion of the joint, while the outer bristles 72 in the two outer rows are on the shallower portion, so that, proceeding with constant speed, the user is able to clean both the interstices and the adjacent surface evenly. If more effective cleaning should be necessary, then water is pumped to the brush 7 through a tube 31 1 leading from the water tank 31 by pressing the button 32, thus moistening a possibly drying surface through the inner bristles 71 and outer bristles 72 and rendering the newly moistened surface and interstices more conducive to cleaning.

By constructing the handle 3 appropriately, the device may be used from a position close to the interstices such as when the user bends over or squats or from a standing position.

If, in the course of use, the inner bristles 71 and outer bristles 72, preferably made of hard plastic, should become worn, then the brush 7 must be replaced, an act accomplished by simply removing and subsequently replacing the left-threaded clamping nut.

In a useful embodiment of the device, the brush 7 is disc-shaped, its width preferably 25 mm, the length of the inner bristles 71 in the middle row preferably 21 mm, and the outer bristles 72 in the two outer rows preferably 18 mm. The protective covering 8 disposed in an approximate semi-circle about the inner perimeter of the brush 7 is preferably 20 mm in width.

On at least one side toward the end of the supporting and protective covering 2 opposite the brush 7, functionally elongated, elliptical, Z-shaped cooling and protective openings 21 that widen as they progress inward and downward are fashioned.

In one useful embodiment of the apparatus, the cooling and protective openings 21 are disposed on both sides of the supporting and protective covering 2, most practically four on each side. The length of each Z-shaped cooling and protective opening 21 designed to protect the electric motor 1 from overheating, is preferably 50 mm, while the fact that the cooling and protective openings 21 are fashioned so that they widen as the progress inward and downward serves to protect the user against spattering.

The apparatus represented by our working model thus fulfils the objectives set forth for it above, as its use allows hard-covered surfaces and associated interstices to be cleaned simply, quickly, comfortably, and with a high-quality result.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

electric motor drive shaft water-protective component supporting and protective covering cooling and protective opening handle water tank tube button network switch electric plug supporting ring brush inner bristles outer bristles protective covering outer protective covering

Claims

1.) An interstitial cleaning apparatus for the cleaning of hard-covered surface consisting of an electric motor with a drive shaft, a brush mounted to tl protruding end of the drive shaft in removable fashion, a supporting at protective covering surrounding the electric motor, a handle disposed at tl upper portion of the supporting and protective covering, a network swit< equipped with a continuously adjustable RPM control disposed at the hand and an electric plug leading from the supporting and protective coveriri characterised by the brush (7) is disc-shaped with at least three rows built-in bristles around its perimeter, the brush (7) is secured to the end of tl drive shaft (1 1 ) of the electric motor (1 ) protruding from the supporting ar protective covering (2) in removable fashion such that a water-protectr component (12) is inserted between the two, a protective covering (8) disposed about the inner perimeter of the brush (7) in an approximate ser circle, and a supporting ring (6) is attached to the lower portion of tl supporting and protective covering (2) in removable fashion.

2.) The apparatus according to Claim 1, characterised by bristles are dispose along the perimeter of the brush (7) in three rows in a rectangular pattern the corners and the points of intersection of the diagonals of each rectangl the inner bristles (71 ) in the centre row disposed at the points of intersection the diagonals are 2-4 mm longer than the outer bristles (72) in the two out rows, whose length is 18 mm, and the distance between two of the out bristles (72) from the two outer rows, located at the corners of the rectangl in the rectangular pattern, is 10 mm crosswise and 15 mm lengthwise.

3.) The apparatus according to Claims 1 and 2, characterised by the wat. protective component (12) is a simmering, the end of the drive shaft (1 protruding from the supporting and protective covering (2) is left-threaded, and the brush (7) is secured to it by means of a left-threaded clamping nut.

4.) The apparatus according to any of Claims 1 through 3, characterised by for use close to the interstices to be cleaned, the handle (3) is elongated and is disposed at the upper portion of the supporting and protective covering (2) perpendicular to the brush (7).

5.) The apparatus according to any of Claims 1 through 3, characterised by for use from a standing position, the handle (3) is disposed vertically at the upper portion of the supporting and protective covering (2) in a long-handled construction such that it is bent in a direction opposite that of the rotation of the brush (7).

6.) The apparatus according to any of Claims 1 through 5, characterised by for more effective cleaning, a water tank (31 ) with a tube (31 1 ) leading from it, the end of which is disposed between the brush (7) and the protective covering (8), is fashioned within the handle (3), and the handle (3) also includes a button (32) used to pump, and hence to dispense, said water.

7.) The apparatus according to any of Claims 1 through 6, characterised by functionally elongated, elliptical, Z-shaped cooling and protective openings (21 ) that widen as they progress inward and downward are fashioned on at least one side toward the end of the supporting and protective covering (2) opposite the brush (7).

8.) The apparatus according to any of Claims 1 through 7, characterised by an outer protective covering (9) is disposed about the outer perimeter of the brush (7) so that it may be removed, preferably snapped in laterally, for more effective protection of the brush (7)