WO2005039787A2

WO2005039787A2 - Cleaning apparatus, rotor means, nozzle means and wrench means for a cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2005039787A2
Application number: PCT/IB2004/003411
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giancarlo Lanfredi; Stefano Grossi
Original assignee: Lavorwash S.P.A.
Priority date: 2003-10-23
Filing date: 2004-10-19
Publication date: 2005-05-06
Also published as: ITMO20030290A1; WO2005039787A3

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus comprises conduit means (13, 14, 15, 16) suitable for supplying a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned, pressure adjusting means (17) associated with said conduit means (13, 14, 15, 16) to vary the delivery pressure of said fluid to said surface, said pressure adjusting means (17) comprising discharge means (18) arranged to selectively remove part of said fluid from said conduit means (13, 14, 15, 16).

Description

Cleaning apparatus , rotor means , nozzle means and wrench means for a cleaning apparatus

The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus, in particular a high-pressure cleaning machine with a rotating jet that is suitable for cleaning surfaces by using a pressurised cleaning fluid and rotor means, nozzle means and wrench means for said cleaning apparatus.

Prior-art high-pressure cleaning machines with a rotating jet comprise a bell open at the bottom with a generally circular plan-view shape, inside which a rotor is fitted that is designed to be connected to a source of pressurised cleaning fluid, for example water. The rotor comprises an elongated cylindrical element that is internally hollow that is suitable for being fitted to the bell at a central region of the rotor, so as to extend in a substantially diametric position inside the bell. At the two ends of the rotor, nozzles are respectively connected that are suitable for delivering the cleaning fluid coming from the rotor to the surface to be cleaned. The nozzles are fitted to the rotor in such a way that the jet delivered by them hits the surface to be cleaned not perpendicularly but at a preset tilt so that the reaction force on the nozzles due to the exit of the pressurised fluid from the nozzles enables the rotor to rotate in relation to a vertical axis of the bell. In this way, the cleaning fluid is delivered along a circular route.

The nozzles used in prior-art high-pressure cleaning machines may for example be of the type shown in US 3829019, i.e. they may comprise a cylindrical body within which a longitudinal blind hole is obtained, provided with a delivery port arranged transversely to the blind hole. Each nozzle is furthermore equipped with a hexagonal portion by acting on which it is possible to fix the nozzle to the rotor, by screwing a threaded region of the longitudinal blind hole of each nozzle to a corresponding threaded end of the rotor.

1041Q31 pct en.doc Prior-art high-pressure cleaning machines may also comprise throttling devices that enable the delivery pressure of the cleaning fluid to be varied to match the surface type to be cleaned. One drawback of high-pressure cleaning machines equipped with throttling devices is connected to the fact that when the delivery pressure of the cleaning fluid is reduced, pressure upstream of the throttling device increases. To prevent such pressure increasing excessively, thereby risking damage to the apparatus' mechanical components, it is therefore necessary to provide a compensation valve that enables the pressure increases upstream of the throttling device to be compensated. The compensation valve is usually current in water-supply systems associated with high-pressure cleaning machines used in industrial environments. In domestic environments on the other hand, high-pressure cleaning machines are normally connected to a water delivery system without compensation valve. In this case, when delivery pressure is decreased by intervening on the throttling device, faults may therefore occur in the mechanical components arranged upstream of the latter.

A further drawback of the high-pressure cleaning machines provided with nozzles of the type disclosed in US 3829019 is connected with the difficulty of fitting the nozzles in a constant position in relation to the rotor. In fact, depending on the tightening force that the operator exerts on the hexagonal portion of each nozzle, the tilt changes at which the latter is fitted in relation to the corresponding end of the rotor and therefore the intensity of the force of reaction that moves the rotor. This causes a change in the speed of rotation of the rotor, which may be too high or too low in relation to the surface to be cleaned.

The drawback disclosed above is particularly relevant considering that in order to enable the operator to clean the

1041031 pet en.doc nozzles, nozzle disassembly and assembly operations must be performed relatively frequently.

A yet further drawback of the prior-art high-pressure cleaning machines is that they direct the jet of cleaning liquid onto a relatively reduced surface, i.e. onto a circular crown the radius of which is approximately equal to the distance of the nozzles from the point in which the rotor is connected to the bell. There is consequently no guarantee that all the zones of the surface to be cleaned receive pressurized water, which may adversely affect cleaning operations.

One object of the invention is to improve existing cleaning apparatuses .

A further object of the invention is to provide cleaning apparatuses in which it is possible to carry out adjustment of delivery pressure of the cleaning fluid without having to use pressure-compensating valves.

A yet further object of the invention is to make possible fitting of the nozzle means of a cleaning apparatus to the respective rotor means substantially in the same corresponding position for a great number of times.

Another object is to increase the extension of the surface on which the cleaning fluid is delivered by the nozzle means. In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a cleaning apparatus, comprising conduit means suitable for supplying a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned, pressure adjusting means associated with said conduit means to vary the delivery pressure of said fluid to said surface, characterised in that said pressure adjusting means comprises discharge means arranged to selectively remove part of said fluid from said conduit means.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for cleaning a surface, comprising supplying a cleaning fluid along a path directed to said surface, adjusting the delivery pressure of said fluid to said surface, characterised in that

1041031 pet en.doc said adjusting comprises selectively removing part of said fluid from said path.

Owing to these aspects of the invention, it is possible to reduce the delivery pressure of the cleaning fluid on the surface to be cleaned without providing compensation valves. By removing the excess fluid from the path directed to the surface to be cleaned a reduction in delivery pressure on the surface to be cleaned is obtained without a consequent increase of the pressure upstream of the adjusting means. In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a nozzle means for a cleaning apparatus, comprising a body provided with outlet means for a fluid, characterised in that on said body is obtained an angle-setting surface that is suitable for enabling said outlet means to be positioned at a preset angle in relation to said apparatus.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, rotor means is provided for a cleaning apparatus, comprising an elongated body suitable for receiving at an end thereof nozzle means, characterised in that there is further provided stop means that protrudes from said elongated body near said end to stop the movement of wrench means suitable for fitting said nozzle means to said end.

In a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided wrench means suitable for fitting a component to support means, comprising coupling means suitable for receiving in a shapingly coupled manner a portion of said component, and abutment means suitable for cooperating with said support means in a preset position. Owing to the third, fourth and fifth aspect of the invention, it is possible to fit the nozzle means to the rotor means at a preset tilt, i.e. in such a way that the outlet means is tilted at a desired angle in relation to the surface to be cleaned. Owing to the angle-setting surface of the nozzle means, which engages in a shapingly coupled manner with the

1041031 peten.doe coupling means obtained in the wrench means, it is in fact possible to position the nozzle means in relation to the wrench means always according to the same tilt. Subsequently, the wrench means enables the nozzle means to be fitted to the ends of the elongated body of the rotor means always according to the same angle, because movement of the wrench means stops in a preset position in which the stop means interferes with the abutment means . In this way, rotation speed of the rotor means is equal to a desired value.

In a sixth aspect of the invention, rotor means is provided for a cleaning apparatus, comprising an elongated body equipped with fixing means suitable for connecting said rotor means to said apparatus, characterised in that from said elongated body grip means protrudes that is suitable for being grasped to fix said rotor means to, or remove said rotor means from, said apparatus by means of said fixing means. Owing to this aspect of the invention, the operations of fitting and removal of the rotor means from the cleaning apparatus can be carried out easily and without resorting to mechanical tools.

In a seventh aspect of the invention, rotor means is provided for a cleaning apparatus, comprising an elongated body provided with first delivery means and second delivery means of a cleaning fluid, fixing means to rotatably connect said rotor means to said apparatus, characterised in that between said first delivery means and said fixing means a distance is provided that is different from a further distance provided between said second delivery means and said fixing means. Owing to the seventh aspect of the invention, it is possible to increase the extent of the surface to which the rotor means delivers the cleaning fluid. The first delivery means and the second delivery means, by rotating around the fixing means, in fact deliver the cleaning fluid along circular crowns having

1041031 pet en.doc diameters that are different from one another and are therefore able to cover a wider surface than prior-art rotor means .

The invention may be better understood and implemented with reference to the attached drawings, which show one embodiment by way of non-limitative example, in which:

Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a cleaning apparatus;

Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the apparatus in

Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view from below of the apparatus in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a partially sectioned perspective view of the apparatus in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a bottom portion of a support that is part of the apparatus in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a perspective view like the one in Figure 5, showing a top portion of the support;

Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a shutter that is part of the apparatus in Figure 1; Figure 8 is an enlarged side view of the shutter in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a lever for pressure adjustment suitable for cooperating with the shutter in Figure

7;

Figure 10 is a plan view of a rotor that is part of the apparatus in Figure 1;

Figure 11 is an enlarged longitudinal section of a pivot for fixing the rotor in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a schematic plan view showing the distribution of the fluid supplied by the rotor in Figure 10 to a surface to be cleaned;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a nozzle suitable for being fitted to the rotor in Figure 10;

Figure 14 is a front view of the nozzle in Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a section taken along plane XV-XV of Figure 14;

1041031 pet en.doc Figure 16 is a front view of a wrench suitable for fitting the nozzle in Figure 13 to the rotor in Figure 10; Figure 17 is a perspective view of the wrench in Figure 16; Figure 18 is an exploded perspective view showing a fitting phase of the rotor in Figure 10.

Figures 1 and 2 show an apparatus 1 for cleaning surfaces comprising a bell body 2 having a plan shape that is substantially circular and open at the bottom on the side facing the surface to be cleaned. The bell body 2 is equipped along its bottom peripheral edge with a plurality of brushes 3 that are suitable for coming into contact with the surface to be cleaned to remove the dirt therefrom.

Above the bell body 2 there is arranged a cover element 4 equipped with a pair of handles 5 by grasping which a user can shift the apparatus 1.

From the bell body 2 a tubular joint 6 protrudes that is suitable for being connected to a supply pipe of a cleaning fluid, for example water. As shown in Figure 3, in the space identified inside the bell body 2 a rotor 7 is arranged, comprising an internally hollow elongated body 8 that is provided in a central portion thereof with a bush 9 by means of which the rotor 7 can be fixed to the bell body 2 owing to a pivot 10 that is inserted inside the bush 9. At the two ends of the elongated body 8 respective nozzles 11 are fitted that are arranged to deliver the cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned by means of respective delivery holes 12. The nozzles 11 are fixed to the rotor 7 in such a way that the cleaning fluid is delivered through the delivery holes 12 not perpendicularly to the surface to be cleaned but at a preset tilt in relation to said surface. In this way, the force of reaction that is exerted on the nozzles 11 rotates the rotor 7 in relation to the bell body 2, thus enabling the

1041031 poten.doe cleaning fluid to be distributed on a surface having the form of a circular crown.

As shown in Figure 4, the cleaning fluid reaches a first horizontal conduit 13 obtained inside the rotor 7 after traversing a vertical conduit 14 and a second horizontal conduit 15 arranged at a higher level than the first horizontal conduit 13. The cleaning fluid that enters the second horizontal conduit 15 comes from a side conduit 16 obtained inside the tubular joint 6. The latter is shaped as an "L".

At one end of the second horizontal conduit 15 opposite the end from which the vertical conduit 14 parts, there is provided pressure adjusting means 17 that enables the user to vary according to surface type the pressure with which the cleaning fluid is delivered to the surface to be cleaned. For example, a wooden surface is more delicate than a marble surface and therefore requires lower delivery pressure of the cleaning fluid to prevent risks of damage. The pressure adjusting means 17 comprises a discharge hole arranged at the end of a discharge conduit 18 that extends perpendicularly to the second horizontal conduit 15 and is turned downwards, i.e. towards the surface to be cleaned. The discharge conduit 18 can be selectively connected with the second horizontal conduit 15 owing to a shutter 19, the position of which can be modified by the user by acting on an adjusting lever 20 that emerges from the cover element 4. As shown in Figure 9, the adjusting lever 20 is integral with a tubular body 21 in which an internal annular projection 22 is obtained. On the internal surface of the tubular body 21 a first protrusion 23 is furthermore provided facing a second protrusion 24, and a further first protrusion 25 facing a further second protrusion 26.

The shutter 19, shown in Figures 7 and 8, comprises a greater cylindrical portion 27 from an end of which a first fin 28 and

1041031 cten.doc a second fin 28 protrude that are diametrically opposite a further first fin 30 and a further second fin 31. The greater cylindrical portion 27 of the shutter 19 is inserted inside the tubular body 21, in such a way that the first fin 28 and the second fin 29 are positioned between the first protrusion 23 and the second protrusion 24 whereas the further first fin 30 and the further second fin 31 are positioned between the further first protrusion 25 and the further second protrusion 26. The internal annular projection 22 prevents the shutter 19 from axially penetrating inside the tubular body 21 beyond a preset quantity.

At this point, the shutter is rotated by 90° in relation to the tubular body 21 in such a way as to lock it in relation to the tubular body 21. The movements of the first fin 28 and of the second fin 29 are in fact prevented by the first protrusion 23 and by the further first protrusion 25, whereas the further first fins 30 and the further second fin 31 are locked by the further first protrusion 24 and by the further second protrusion 26. The shutter 19 can thus be fixed to the tubular body 21 in an extremely simple manner without any need for special tools or additional fixing means.

The shutter 19 also comprises, in a position adjacent to the greater cylindrical portion 27, a smaller cylindrical portion 32, provided with two diametrically opposed notches 33. The smaller cylindrical portion 32 is positioned at a tubular end 41 of a support 34, the tubular end 41 ending into the second horizontal conduit 15.

The support 34, shown in detail in Figures 5 and 6, comprises a flat region 35 wherein three holes 36 are obtained that enable its fixing to the bell body 2 by respective fixing screws 37 shown in Figure 3. Near the holes 36 three tabs 38 are also provided that are suitable for engaging in respective seats that are not shown that are obtained in the bell body 2.

1041031 peten.doc The support 34 furthermore comprises a cylindrical seat 40 in which the tubular joint 6 is inserted through which the cleaning fluid can be supplied to the second horizontal conduit 15. Lastly, on the support 34, there are obtained the discharge conduit 18 and the second horizontal conduit 15, which extends between the tubular end 41 and an internally threaded hollow appendage 39 inside which the pivot 10 can be fitted that enables the rotor 7 to be connected to the bell body 2. As shown in Figure 11, the pivot 10 is provided at an end thereof with a head 42, by acting on which a threaded portion

43 of the pivot 10 can be tightened in the hollow appendage 39. Inside the pivot 10 a "T"-shaped hole is obtained the greater branch of which defines the vertical conduit 14, whilst the two side branches define two distribution conduits

44 arranged to enable the cleaning fluid to flow into the two arms of the rotor 7.

The latter is shown in Figure 10, which shows how the first end 45 of the elongated body 8 is arranged at a distance dl from the axis of the bush 9 that is different from the further distance d2 between the second end 46 of the elongated body 8 and the axis of the bush 9. In this way, the delivery holes 12 of the nozzles 11 fitted respectively on the first end 45 and on the second end 46 of the elongated body 8 are positioned at distances from the bush 9 that differ from one another and during operation of the apparatus 1 supply the cleaning fluid along concentric circular crowns of different diameters. In particular, it is possible to size the rotor 7 in such a way that the first circular crown Cl shown in Figure 12, along which the nozzle fitted near the first end 45 delivers the cleaning fluid, is adjacent to the second circular crown C2 along which the further nozzle fitted near the second end 46 delivers the fluid. The first circular crown Cl may for example be inside the second circular crown C2 if the distance

1041031 pot en.doc dl is shorter than the further distance d2, as shown in Figures 10 and 12.

From the elongated body 9 grip means further protrudes comprising a pair of diametrically opposite side appendages 47 having a plan-view shape like an isosceles trapezium. The side appendages 47 can be grasped to facilitate operations of assembly and disassembly of the rotor 7, as will be explained in detail below. Near the first end 45 and the second end 46 of the rotor 7 respective stop teeth 48 are provided that protrude from the elongated body 8 and the function of which will be described later.

Figures 13 to 15 show a nozzle 11 suitable for being fitted to the first end 45 or to the second end 46 of the rotor 7. The nozzle 11 comprises an internally threaded shank 49 provided with a longitudinal conduit 50 communicating with a transverse conduit 51 that terminates in the outlet hole 12. The transverse conduit 51 is obtained in an end region of the nozzle 11, comprising a substantially cylindrical portion on which a flat surface 53 is obtained that is arranged perpendicular to the transverse conduit 51.

The nozzle 11 can be fitted to the first end 45 or to the second end 46 of the rotor 7 by using a wrench 54 of the type shown in Figures 16 and 17. The wrench 54 comprises a tubular portion 55 internally provided with coupling means arranged to receive in a shapingly coupled manner the end region of the nozzle 11 on which the flat surface 53 is obtained. For this purpose, the coupling means comprises a seat 56 equipped with a reference surface 57 suitable for engaging in a shapingly coupled manner with the flat surface 53 of the nozzle 11, the reference surface 57 being surrounded by a cylindrical surface 58. The coupling means ensures that the nozzle 11 engages with the wrench 54 always according to a preset angle.

1041031 pet en.doc The wrench 54 furthermore comprises a hexagonal portion 59 arranged on the side opposite the seat 56 and suitable for engaging in a shapingly coupled manner with the head 42 of the pivot 10 to enable it to be fixed to the hollow appendage 39 of the support 34.

The wrench 54 also comprises two lateral extensions 60 that protrude from the tubular portion 55 and can be grasped by the user to enable him to more easily rotate the wrench 54 during assembly of the nozzles 11 and of the pivot 10. At the end of the tubular portion 55 opposite the hexagonal portion 59, a helical surface 61 is provided that terminates with an abutment 62 suitable for cooperating with the stop teeth 48 obtained in the elongated body 8 of the rotor 7. The abutment 62 comprises a flat abutment surface that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular portion 55.

As shown in Figure 18, if it is desirable to fit the nozzle 11 to the rotor 7, the nozzle 11 is positioned inside the seat 56 in such a way that the flat surface 53 engages in a shapingly coupled manner with the reference surface 57. This ensures that the nozzle 11, and in particular the transverse conduit 51, are always in the same relative position in relation to the wrench 54.

The wrench 54, together with the nozzle 11 that is associated with it, is subsequently brought up to the rotor 7, so as to arrange the threaded shank 49 of the nozzle 11 near one of the ends of the rotor 7, for example the first end 45, as shown in Figure 18. The wrench 54 is then subsequently rotated to tighten the threaded shank 49 in a corresponding threaded hole obtained in the first end 45. During rotation of the wrench 54, the abutment 62 progressively approaches the stop tooth 48 until it comes into contact therewith. When this occurs, each further forward movement of the wrench 54 is prevented and the operator moves the wrench 54 away from the rotor 7, leaving the nozzle 11 firmly screwed onto the first end 45.

1041031 poten.doe As the wrench 54 bearing the nozzle 11 according to a preset angle always stops in the same position in relation to the rotor 7, as this position is determined by the interaction between the stop tooth 48 and the abutment 62, it is possible to ensure that the nozzle 11 is fitted to the respective end of the rotor 7 always according to the same tilt. This ensures constant rotor 7 rotation speed in relation to the bell body 2, even if it is necessary to repeatedly disassemble and reassemble the rotor 7. The same wrench 54 that is used to fit the nozzles 11 to the rotor 7 can also be used to fix the rotor 7 on the support 34, owing to the hexagonal portion 59 that engages in a shapingly coupled manner with the head 42 of the pivot 10 as shown in the bottom part of Figure 18. The assembly operations disclosed above are facilitated by the side appendages 47 of the rotor 7, owing to which an operator can handle the rotor 7 in a reliable manner and with a strong grip. These operations can therefore be conducted in a precise and repetitive manner even by non-specialised personnel using a single wrench 54.

Owing to the particular configuration of the support 34 and of the nozzles 11 it is furthermore possible to create the path of the cleaning fluid with a relatively small number of mechanical parts. During operation of the apparatus 1, the pressure with which the cleaning fluid is delivered to the surface to be cleaned can easily be varied by intervening on the adjusting lever 20. The latter may oscillate by 90°, to which a 90° rotation of the shutter 19 corresponds, which may move between an open configuration in which one of the notches 33 is arranged at the discharge conduit 18, and a closed configuration in which the discharge conduit 18 is closed by the smaller cylindrical portion 32. In the open configuration, part of the cleaning fluid inside the second horizontal conduit 15 can be

1041031 peten.doc discharged onto the surface to be cleaned by means of the discharge conduit 18 that communicates with the second horizontal conduit 15 through the notches 33 made on the shutter 19. In this way, it is possible to reduce pressure in the second horizontal conduit 15 and therefore outlet pressure of the cleaning fluid from the nozzles 11 without causing a pressure increase in the circuit upstream of the tubular joint 6. By intervening on the adjusting lever 20 to vary the angular position of the shutter 19 in a range of positions identified between the open configuration and the closed configuration it is furthermore possible to adjust rather finely the delivery pressure of the cleaning fluid. In fact, depending on how the notches 33 are arranged in relation to the discharge conduit 18, a space is identified through which the cleaning fluid flows to the discharge conduit 18 that progressively increases or decreases. This enables the flow of fluid through the discharge conduit 18 to be varied and therefore the delivery pressure through the nozzles 11 onto the surface to be cleaned to be varied.

When the adjusting lever 20 is rotated to a position corresponding to the closing configuration of the shutter 19, the discharge conduit 19 is shut by the smaller cylindrical portion 32. The cleaning fluid cannot therefore be discharged from the second horizontal conduit 15 through the discharge conduit 18 and is therefore delivered to the surface to be cleaned in conditions of maximum pressure.

1041031 peten.doc

Claims

1. Cleaning apparatus, comprising conduit means (13, 14, 15, 16) suitable for supplying a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned, pressure adjusting means (17) associated with said conduit means (13, 14, 15, 16) to vary the delivery pressure of said fluid to said surface, characterised in that said pressure adjusting means (17) comprises discharge means (18) arranged to selectively remove part of said fluid from said conduit means (13, 14, 15, 16) .

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said discharge means (18) comprises discharge hole means configured in such a way as to convey said part of said fluid to said surface.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said discharge hole means is obtained in a terminal region of discharge conduit means (18) arranged transversely to said conduit means (13, 14, 15, 16) .

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, and further comprising shutter means (19) suitable for selectively connecting said discharge means (18) with said conduit means (13, 14, 15, 16) .

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said shutter means (19) is rotatably movable inside said conduit means (13, 14, 15, 16) between an open configuration and a closed configuration .

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said shutter means (19) is provided with notch means (33) positionable at said discharge conduit means (18) in said open configuration.

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein said shutter means (19) is actuatable by a user by lever means (20) .

1041031 pet en.doc

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, as appended to claim 5 or 6, wherein said lever means (20) is oscillatable by about 90° to move said shutter means (19) between said open configuration and said closed configuration.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said conduit means (13, 14, 15, 16) is partially obtained in a support (34) suitable for being fixed to a bell body (2) of said apparatus (1) .

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said support (34) is provided with a housing (40) suitable for receiving joint means (6) through which said fluid can be supplied to said conduit means (13, 14, 15, 16) .

11. Apparatus according to claim 9, or 10, wherein said discharge means (18) is obtained in said support (34).

12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, and further comprising rotor means (7) comprising an elongated body (8) suitable for rotating around a respective rotation axis to deliver said fluid to said surface.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, as appended to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein said rotor means (7) is rotatably fixed to an appendage (39) of said support (34) by fixing means (9, 10) .

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said fixing means (9, 10) comprises a pivot (10) suitable for engaging in said appendage (39) and provided with an internal conduit (14) suitable for forming part of said conduit means (13, 14, 15, 16) .

15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein from said elongated body (8) grip means (47) protrudes that is suitable for being grasped to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of said rotor means (7).

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said grip means comprises a pair of side appendages (47) that protrude

1041031 peten.doc from diametrically opposite zones of said elongated body (8) .

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein each side appendage (47) of said pair of side appendages (47) has a substantially trapezoidal plan-view shape.

18. Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein at one end (45, 46) of said rotor means (7) delivery means (11) is fixed that is suitable for delivering said fluid to said surface along a zone having the shape of a circular crown.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said delivery means (11) comprises first delivery means and second delivery means fixed to opposite ends (45, 46) of said rotor means (7), between said first delivery means and said rotation axis a distance (dl) being provided that is different from a further distance (d2) provided between said second delivery means and said rotation axis.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said distance (dl) and said further distance (d2) are selected in such a manner that said first delivery means delivers said fluid along a first circular crown (Cl) substantially adjacent to a second circular crown (C2) along which said fluid is delivered by said second delivery means.

21. Apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein said delivery means comprises nozzle means (11) comprising a body provided with outlet means (12, 50, 51) for said fluid, an angle-setting surface (53) being obtained on said body that is suitable for enabling said outlet means (12, 50, 51) to be positioned at a preset angle in relation to said rotor means (7) .

22. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said outlet means (12, 50, 51) comprises first conduit means (50) communicating with second conduit means (51) arranged transversely to said first conduit means (50) .

1041031 poten.doe

23. Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said first conduit means (50) is defined by a blind hole extending longitudinally in said body.

24. Apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said second conduit means (51) ends into said first conduit means (50) near a closed end of said blind hole.

25. Apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein said angle-setting surface comprises a flat surface (53) on which said second conduit means (51) terminates.

26. Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said second conduit means (51) is substantially perpendicular to said flat surface (53) .

27. Apparatus according to claim 25, or 26, wherein said flat surface (35) is obtained on a cylindrical portion of said body and is parallel to an axis of said cylindrical portion.

28. Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 27, wherein said rotor means (7) comprises stop means (48) that protrudes from said elongated body (8) .

29. Apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said stop means comprises a stop tooth (48) that protrudes from said elongated body (8) in a direction that is substantially radial in relation to a transversal section of said elongated body (8) .

30. Apparatus according to claim 28, or 29, as claim 28 is appended to any one of claims 18 to 27, wherein said stop means (48) is arranged near said end (45, 46) .

31. Nozzle means for a cleaning apparatus (1), comprising a body provided with outlet means (12) for a fluid, characterised in that on said body an angle-setting surface (53) is obtained that is suitable for enabling said outlet means (12) to be positioned at a preset angle in relation to said apparatus (1) .

1041031 peten.doc

32. Nozzle means according to claim 31, wherein said outlet means (12, 50, 51) comprises first conduit means (50) communicating with second conduit means (51) arranged transversely to said first conduit means (50) .

33. Nozzle means according to claim 32, wherein said first conduit means (50) is defined by a blind hole extending longitudinally in said body.

34. Nozzle means according to claim 33, wherein said second conduit means (51) ends into said first conduit means (50) near a closed end of said blind hole.

35. Nozzle means according to any one of claims 32 to 34, wherein said angle-setting surface comprises a flat surface (53) on which said second conduit means (51) terminates .

36. Nozzle means according to claim 35, wherein said second conduit means (51) is substantially perpendicular to said flat surface (53) .

37. Nozzle means according to claim 35, or 36, wherein said flat surface (35) is obtained on a cylindrical portion of said body and is parallel to an axis of said cylindrical portion.

38. Rotor means for a cleaning apparatus (1), comprising an elongated body (8) suitable for receiving at an end (45, 46) thereof nozzle means (11) , characterised in that there is further provided stop means (48) that protrudes from said elongated body (8) near said end (45, 46) to stop the movement of wrench means (45) suitable for fitting said nozzle means (11) to said end (45, 46).

39. Rotor means according to claim 38, wherein from said elongated body (8) grip means (47) protrudes that is suitable for being grasped to fix said rotor means (7) to, or remove said rotor means (7) from, said apparatus (1) by fixing means (9) provided on said elongated body (8) .

1041031 poten.doc

40. Rotor means for a cleaning apparatus (1), comprising an elongated body (8) equipped with fixing means (9) suitable for connecting said rotor means (7) to said apparatus (1), characterised in that from said elongated body (8) grip means (47) protrudes that is suitable for being grasped to fix said rotor means (7) to, or remove said rotor means (7) from, said apparatus (1) by means of said fixing means (9).

41. Rotor means according to claim 40, and further comprising stop means (48) that protrudes from said elongated body (8) near an end (45, 46) thereof to stop the movement of wrench means (54) suitable for fitting nozzle means (11) to said end (45, 46) .

42. Rotor means according to any one of claims 39 to 41, wherein said grip means comprises a pair of side appendages (47) that protrude, from diametrically opposite zones of said elongated body (8) .

43. Rotor means according to claim 42, wherein each side appendage (47) of said pair of side appendages (47) has a substantially trapezoidal plan-view shape.

44. Rotor means according to claim 38, or 39, or 41, or according to claim 42 or 43 as claim 42 is appended to claim 39 or 41, wherein said stop means comprises a stop tooth (48) that protrudes from said elongated body (8) in a direction that is substantially radial in relation to a transversal section of said elongated body (8) .

45. Rotor means according to claim 39, or 41, or according to any one of claims 42 to 44 as appended to claim 39, or 41, wherein said stop means (48) is interposed between said grip means (47) and said end (45, 46) .

46. Rotor means according to claim 39, or 41, or 45, or according to any one of claims 42 to 44 as appended to claim 39, or 41, wherein said grip means (47) is substantially on the same plane as said stop means (48),

1041031 peten.doc said plane extending along an axis of said elongated body (8).

47. Rotor means according to claim 38, or 39, or 41, or according to any one of claims 42 to 46 as appended to claim 38 or 39 or 41, wherein said nozzle means is of the type disclosed in any one of claims 31 to 37.

48. Rotor means for a cleaning apparatus (1), comprising an elongated body (8) provided with first delivery means and second delivery means of a cleaning fluid, fixing means (9) to rotatably connect said rotor means (7) to said apparatus (1) , characterised in that between said first delivery means and said fixing means (9) a distance (dl) is provided that is different from a further distance (d2) provided between said second delivery means and said fixing means.

49. Rotor means according to claim 48, wherein said distance (dl) and said further distance (d2) are selected in such a manner that, when said rotor means rotates in relation to a rotation axis passing through said fixing means (9) , said first delivery means delivers said fluid along a first circular crown (Cl) substantially adjacent to a second circular crown (C2) along which said fluid is delivered by said second delivery means.

50. Rotor means according to claim 48, or 49, wherein said first delivery means and said second delivery means are arranged at opposite ends (45, 46) of said elongated body (8) .

51. Rotor means according to any one of claims 48 to 51, wherein said fixing means (9) is arranged in a central region of said elongated body (8) .

52. Rotor means according to any one of claims 48 to 51, wherein said delivery means comprises nozzle means (11) according to any one of claims 31 to 37.

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53. Rotor means according to any one of claims 48 to 52, and further comprising stop means (48) that protrudes from said elongated body (8) .

54. Rotor means according to claim 53, wherein said stop means comprises a stop tooth (48) that protrudes from said elongated body (8) in a direction that is substantially radial in relation to a transversal section of said elongated body (8) .

55. Rotor means according to claim 53, or 54, as claim 53 is appended to claim 50, wherein said stop means (48) is arranged near said ends (45, 46) .

56. Rotor means according to any one of claims 48 to 55, wherein from said elongated body (8) grip means (47) protrudes that is suitable for being grasped to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of said rotor means (7) .

57. Rotor means according to claim 56, wherein said grip means comprises a pair of side appendages (47) that protrude from diametrically opposite zones of said elongated body (8) .

58. Rotor means according to claim 57, wherein each side appendage (47) of said pair of side appendages (47) has a substantially trapezoidal plan-view shape.

59. Wrench means suitable for fitting a component (11) to support means (7), comprising coupling means (56) suitable for receiving in a shapingly coupled manner a portion of said component (11), and abutment means (62) suitable for cooperating with said support means (7) in a preset position.

60. Wrench means according to claim 59, wherein said coupling means comprises a substantially cylindrical seat (56) provided with a reference surface (57) .

61. Wrench means according to claim 60, wherein said reference surface comprises a flat region (57) arranged parallel to an axis of said seat (56) .

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62. Wrench means according to any one of claims 59 to 61, and further comprising a tubular portion (55) at the end of which said abutment means (62) is obtained .

63. Wrench means according to claim 62, as appended to claim 61, wherein said tubular portion (55) is arranged around said seat (56) .

64. Wrench means according to claim 62, or 63, wherein said abutment means comprises an abutment surface (62) substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said tubular portion (55) .

65. Wrench means according to claim 64, wherein near said abutment surface (62), said tubular portion (55) is delimited by a helical surface (61).

66. Wrench means according to any one of claims 59 to 65, and further comprising second coupling means (59) suitable for engaging in a shapingly coupled manner with a further component (10) and arranged opposite said coupling means (56) .

67. Wrench means according to any one of claims 59 to 66, and further comprising lateral extension means (60) that is suitable for being grasped by a user to rotate said wrench means (54 ) .

68. Method for cleaning a surface, comprising supplying a cleaning fluid along a path directed to said surface, adjusting the delivery pressure of said fluid to said surface, characterised in that said adjusting comprises selectively removing part of said fluid from said path.

69. Method according to claim 68, wherein said selectively removing comprises discharging said part of said fluid onto said surface through a discharge route that is distinct from said path.

70. Method according to claim 69, wherein said selectively removing comprises connecting said path with said

1041031 peten.doc discharge route through a passage section of adjustable size.

peten.doc