ORBITAL SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS

Abstract

A floor cleaning and polishing device has a polishing pad for a surface which is rotationally engaged upon a pad driver operatively engaged to a frame. A first set of wheels on the frame allow for tilted movement. A second set of wheels are positionable to a deployed position to elevate the first set of wheels from the surface and position the polishing pad parallel to the surface. The device may have a light projector engageable for light disinfecting. The polishing pads are configured with a plurality of polishing fabric sections separated by recesses therebetween.

Claims

1. A floor cleaning and polishing apparatus comprising: a frame, said frame having an electric motor thereon, said motor operatively connected to a planar pad driver; an electric power supply for said motor; a first pair of wheels engaged to a rearward side of said frame; said planar pad driver having first cooperative fasteners thereon; a pad, said pad having a first side having second cooperative fasteners thereon which are engageable to said first cooperative fasteners; said pad having a second side for contacting a surface; a tank having an interior cavity holding a fluid supply for communication through a conduit to fluid jets; a handle rotationally engaged to said frame at an engagement end of said handle, said handle extending from said engagement end to a distal end; said handle having a stowed position, extending at an angle substantially upright from said surface; said handle having an operating position extending away from said rearward side of said frame and positioned above said first set of wheels; said frame positionable to an elevated position supported upon said first pair of wheels, by tilting frame with said handle while held in said stowed position; and said frame positionable to a cleaning position having a rotating contact of said second side of said pad with said surface, by positioning said handle to said operating position.

2. The floor cleaning and polishing apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising: a switch; said switch actuated to an open position interrupting said electric power supply to said motor by said handle located in said stowed position; and said switch actuated to a closed position communicating said electric power supply to said motor by said handle located to said operating position.

3. The floor cleaning and polishing apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising: a pair of secondary wheels engaged to an axle; said secondary wheels having a retracted position elevated above said surface; said secondary wheels having a deployed position contacting said surface; said secondary wheels in said deployed position elevating said first set of wheels a distance above said surface; and said secondary wheels in said deployed position supporting said rearward side of said frame in a position to place said second side of said pad to substantially parallel to said surface.

4. The floor cleaning and polishing apparatus of claim 2 additionally comprising: a pair of secondary wheels engaged to an axle; said secondary wheels having a retracted position elevated above said surface; said secondary wheels having a deployed position contacting said surface; said secondary wheels in said deployed position elevating said first set of wheels a distance above said surface; and said secondary wheels in said deployed position supporting said rearward side of said frame in a position to place said second side of said pad to substantially parallel to said surface.

5. The floor cleaning and polishing apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising: an opening communicating with said interior cavity; an additive container holding an additive supply therein; a blade positioned within said opening; said additive container sized for insertion into said opening; and said additive container having a lower surface pierceable by said blade to form an opening therein, whereby insertion of said additive container into said opening causes said blade to form said opening through which said additive supply is disbursed into said interior cavity.

6. The floor cleaning and polishing apparatus of claim 2 additionally comprising: an opening communicating with said interior cavity; an additive container holding an additive supply therein; a blade positioned within said opening; said additive container sized for insertion into said opening; and said additive container having a lower surface pierceable by said blade to form an opening therein, whereby insertion of said additive container into said opening causes said blade to form said opening through which said additive supply is disbursed into said interior cavity.

7. The floor cleaning and polishing apparatus of claim 3 additionally comprising: an opening communicating with said interior cavity; an additive container holding an additive supply therein; a blade positioned within said opening; said additive container sized for insertion into said opening; and said additive container having a lower surface pierceable by said blade to form an opening therein, whereby insertion of said additive container into said opening causes said blade to form said opening through which said additive supply is disbursed into said interior cavity.

8. The floor cleaning and polishing apparatus of claim 4 additionally comprising: an opening communicating with said interior cavity; an additive container holding an additive supply therein; a blade positioned within said opening; said additive container sized for insertion into said opening; and said additive container having a lower surface pierceable by said blade to form an opening therein, whereby insertion of said additive container into said opening causes said blade to form said opening through which said additive supply is disbursed into said interior cavity.

9. The floor cleaning and polishing apparatus of claim 5 additionally comprising: a motor controller operatively engaged to said electric motor; a barcode reader in electronic communication with said motor controller; said additive container having a barcode positioned on an exterior surface thereof; said barcode containing motor operation instructions which correlate to the additive supply held in said additive container; and said barcode reader communicating said motor operation instructions to said motor controller upon scanning said barcode.

10. The floor cleaning and polishing apparatus of claim 6 additionally comprising: a motor controller operatively engaged to said electric motor; a barcode reader in electronic communication with said motor controller; said additive container having a barcode positioned on an exterior surface thereof; said barcode containing motor operation instructions which correlate to the additive supply held in said additive container; and said barcode reader communicating said motor operation instructions to said motor controller upon scanning said barcode.

11. The floor cleaning and polishing apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising: said second side of said pad having a plurality of fabric sections located thereon; and said second side of said pad having smooth fabric areas forming recesses in between each of said plurality of fabric sections.

12. The floor cleaning and polishing apparatus of claim 2 additionally comprising: said second side of said pad having a plurality of fabric sections located thereon; and said second side of said pad having smooth fabric areas forming recesses in between each of said plurality of fabric sections.

13. The floor cleaning and polishing apparatus of claim 3 additionally comprising: said second side of said pad having a plurality of fabric sections located thereon; and said second side of said pad having smooth fabric areas forming recesses in between each of said plurality of fabric sections.

14. The floor cleaning and polishing apparatus of claim 4 additionally comprising: said second side of said pad having a plurality of fabric sections located thereon; and said second side of said pad having smooth fabric areas forming recesses in-between each of said plurality of fabric sections.

15. The floor cleaning and polishing apparatus of claim 5 additionally comprising: said second side of said pad having a plurality of fabric sections located thereon; and said second side of said pad having smooth fabric areas forming recesses in-between each of said plurality of fabric sections.

16. The floor cleaning and polishing apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising: a light projector having a body; connectors for engaging said body to said frame; a plurality of light emitters positioned on said frame, said light emitters powered by electric current; and said light emitters projecting light therefrom in wavelengths in a range between 200 nm to 470 nm.

17. The floor cleaning and polishing apparatus of claim 3 additionally comprising: a light projector having a body; connectors for engaging said body to said frame; a plurality of light emitters positioned on said frame, said light emitters powered by electric current; and said light emitters projecting light therefrom in wavelengths in a range between 200 nm to 470 nm.

18. The floor cleaning and polishing apparatus of claim 16 additionally comprising: lenses focusing said light from said emitters into patterns contacting said surface; and said lenses projecting said patterns to overlap upon said surface.

19. The floor cleaning and polishing apparatus of claim 17 additionally comprising: lenses focusing said light from said emitters into patterns contacting said surface; and said lenses projecting said patterns to overlap upon said surface.

20. The floor cleaning and polishing apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising: an ozone supply; and said ozone supply communicated to said fluid jets through said conduit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

[0036] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, examples of embodiments and/or features. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting.

In the drawings:

[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the narrow configured orbital polisher/cleaner showing the handle upright in a stowed position and also showing an enlarged view of the filler opening of a reservoir tank where the filler opening is adapted to engage with cups holding particulate or liquid concentrate for missing with fluid in the container.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows views of the engageable containers which may hold particulate or fluid therein to be mixed with fluid filling the reservoir tank and also showing a barcode which may be scanned to communicate to a computer processor to cause performance changes during subsequent operation of the device.

[0039] FIG. 2A shows a preferred configuration of the container with a thin lower surface which is easily pierced by a blade located within the opening of the filler for the tank.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows the first set of wheels operatively engaged to a rearward side of the device allowing for easy movement to work or storage by tilting the device rearward to an elevated position supported on wheels.

[0041] FIG. 3A depicts the device in an operating position for cleaning and polishing, and shows secondary wheels on a foldable axle moved from the retracted position of FIG. 3 to a deployed position forming a rear support in which they maintain the spinning pad support and engaged pad, substantially parallel to the underlying surface to be cleaned or polished.

[0042] FIG. 4 depicts a preferred polishing/cleaning pad for use herewith having smooth surface areas located in between sections of nap or other cleaning fabric or material.

[0043] FIG. 4A shows a sectional view through FIG. 4 and depicts the recessed smooth material area in between the higher positioned fabric areas.

[0044] FIGS. 5-6 depict pad drivers which are engaged to the motor and an oscillating assembly and have mating connectors thereon adapted to removably engage with mating connectors located on the rear of the cleaning/polishing pad of FIG. 4 and the like.

[0045] FIG. 7 depicts a particularly preferred mode of the pad which has a plurality of having a plurality of nap sections and crisscrossing smooth sections therebetween.

[0046] FIG. 8 shows a light projector component which is engageable to the body of the polisher using connectors and showing the projector body have a plurality of light emitters thereon with lenses to focus emitted light in overlapping illuminated areas.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0047] In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only. They are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.

[0048] Now referring to drawings in FIGS. 1-8, wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1 a particularly preferred mode of the narrowly configured orbital polisher device 10 which oscillates using an onboard electric motor 16 and oscillating assembly connected to a planar pad driver 12 as shown and as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,119,518B2, which is made part of this application by this reference thereto.

[0049] The device 10 is configured wherein the diameter or width of the pad driver 12 and engaged pad 14 and frame 18 are all narrow and between 12-20 inches such that the device 10 will operate in narrow confines. The device 10 has a motor 16 engaged to the frame 18 to provide the spinning and oscillation of the pad driver 12 and pad 14. A handle 20 is rotationally engaged to the frame 18 at an engagement end and extends to a distal end with handle grips 22 thereon.

[0050] The handle 20, as shown in FIG. 1, is substantially upright and in a stowed position and held in that position until a lock 11 is released. By “substantially upright” is meant that the handle 20 has an angle of extension running along a line extending from the engagement end to the distal end, which is between 60 to 120 degrees relative to the planar surface 41 (FIG. 3) on which the device 10 is supported. As shown in FIG. 1, this angle of extension, from the engagement end through the distal end, is substantially 80-110 degrees, which has shown to work well for the user to move the device 10 about on a first set of wheels 40, in an elevated position. By “elevated position” is meant that the frame 18 and attached components are tilted as in FIG. 3, wherein they are supported on the first set of wheels 40. In this elevated position, the user may roll the device 10 with the handle 20 locked, as noted below. The attachment end of the handle 20 is held locked to the frame 18 while in this elevated position by the lock 11 or other means of removably locked engagement thereto.

[0051] The lock 11 holds the handle 20 in the substantially upright position and allows the user to tilt the frame 18 and the device 10 to a tilted position, as shown in FIG. 3, by communicating force to the distal end of the handle 20. While in this tilted elevated position it may be rolled upon a first pair of wheels 40 engaged with the frame 18 on a rear end thereof substantially aligned with the handle 20. The user simply tilts the frame 18 using the handle 20 and rolls the device 10 on the first pair of wheels 40.

[0052] To use the device 10 for cleaning and polishing, the handle 20 is moved to an operating position of FIG. 3A. By the term “operating position” is meant, the handle 20 is rotated rearward from the rear side of the frame 18 to extend over and past the location of the first set of wheels 40. To move the handle 20 to this operating position of the handle 20, the user will release the lock 11 and rotate the handle 20.

[0053] Engaged to the device 10 such as on the handle 20, is a reservoir tank 24 which has a cap 28 removably engageable such as with a threaded connection 23, with an opening 26 used for filling the reservoir tank 24 with fluid. This opening 26 is shown in the enlargement portion of FIG. 1, with the cap 28 removed. Also shown in the blow up section is a removably engageable additive container 30 which is positionable within the opening 26 during fluid filling of the reservoir tank 24. So positioned, any dissolvable particulate or fluid premeasured and located within the container 30 is automatically and evenly mixed and disbursed in the fluid subsequently added to the reservoir tank 24 while the container 30 is positioned therein.

[0054] An additional option for enhanced operation for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces 41 is shown in FIG. 1 where an ozone reservoir 19 is positioned to hold a supply of ozone for inclusion in the spray of fluid emitted by the fluid jets 34 during use. A fluid valve (not shown but well known) can be positioned to allow communication of ozone through conduits 13 to the fluid pump 21 and through conduits 13 which communicate fluid to the fluid jets 34.

[0055] Depicted in FIG. 2 are a closed container 30 having a removable or pierceable cover 31 thereon. This allows such closed containers 30, having the additive pre-measured and located therein, to be easily stored and transported. During use the container 30 is inserted into the opening 26 of the tank 24 and the cover 31 is either removed or if on the lower end the cover 31 may be pierced so that fluid such as water can flow through the container 30. Openings in the bottom and/or sides of the container 30 (not shown) which are covered or otherwise sealed, and which may be user-opened or caused to open by contact with fluid flowing into the container 30, allow the fluid to flow through the container 30 to carry the contents thereof into the reservoir tank 24.

[0056] Also shown in FIG. 2 is a barcode 32 which is employable as an identifier of the contents of the container 30. As noted above, the barcode 30 may be scanned by a smartphone or a scanner engaged to an onboard computer (not shown) or the like, either of which is in communication with a computer processor (not shown but well known), such as those employed in a motor controller 15 or small computing device. The electronic signal generated from the read barcode 30, once received by the computer processor, such as a smartphone or pad computer (not shown but well known), is employed to adjust the subsequent operation of the device 10. This function is achieved by signaling the motor controller 15 to adjust the movement of the pad 14, such as by adjusting the motor 16 speed and/or to adjust the flow of fluid from the reservoir tank 24 through an onboard pump 21 to one or more fluid jets 34.

[0057] Thus, a scan of the barcode 32 communicated to the computer processor allows it to match the barcode 32 read to operating parameters stored in electronic memory for that respective barcode 32 and to signal the motor controller 15 adjust the motor 16 speed and/or pump 21 operation to the barcode-matching operation identified by the scanned barcode 32. The device 10 may itself have an onboard scanner 25 proximate to the opening 26 for convenience to read the barcode and communicate a signal to the motor controller 15 to adjust the functions of the motor 16 and/or pump 21, where the motor controller 15 itself has onboard memory and a microprocessor to receive scanned barcode signals and choose an operating mode from those held in electronic memory.

[0058] FIG. 2A shows a preferred configuration of the container 30 holding an additive 35 for mixing with water or liquid held in the interior cavity 29 of the reservoir tank 24. As shown, a lower surface layer 27 formed of paper, foil, polymeric material or another material which is easily pierced by a blade 33 located within the opening 26 of the filler which communicates with the interior cavity 29 of the tank 24, thereby forming an opening (not shown) in the lower surface layer 27. The additive 35 is thereafter disbursed into the fluid in the interior cavity 29 once the blade 33 forms the opening. This configuration is preferred in that the opening of the sealed container 30 is automatic and the user needs no tools or dexterity to do so. In experimentation, this configuration was shown to also reduce spillage of the additive 35 from the container 30 which occurred when users had to pull off a cover and pour the additive 35 into the tank 24.

[0059] Depicted in FIG. 3 is the preferred first set of wheels 40 operatively engaged to a side of the frame 18 of the device 10 from which the handle 20 extends. The first set of wheels 40 provide for rolling of the device 10 when tilted as shown in FIG. 3. It is this tilting which causes the first set or pair of wheels 40 to contact the surface 41 while concurrently elevating the pad 14 out of contact with the surface 41. The default position of the first set of wheels 40 is elevated above the surface 41 and out of contact with it as shown in FIG. 3A.

[0060] Shown in FIG. 3A is the device 10 in a cleaning position. By “cleaning position” is meant that the handle 20 is moved to the operating position where the handle extends away from the rearward side of said frame 18 and is positioned above said first set of wheels 40 and the secondary wheels 36 are moved to a deployed position from the retracted position shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. In the deployed position of the secondary wheels 36, they contact the surface 31 and lift or elevate the first set of wheels 40 off the surface 41. As shown, the secondary wheels 36 are engaged to a foldable axle 38 which rotates between the retracted or stored configuration of FIG. 3, to the deployed position of FIG. 3A.

[0061] As depicted in FIG. 3A, the foldable axle 38 has been moved to a deployed position which locates the secondary wheels 36 in contact at a contact point, with the support surface 41 such as the surface in contact with the pad 14 during cleaning.

[0062] This positioning of the secondary wheels 36 on the support surface 41 being cleaned by the contact with the pad 14 is particularly preferred because it forms a rear support for the device 10 in that it maintains the pad 14 located on the pad driver 12 substantially parallel and in the same plane P with the underlying surface 41 being cleaned or polished. By “substantially parallel” is meant that the surface of the pad 14 contacting the support surface 41 is within five degrees of being parallel to the surface 41.

[0063] This parallel P pad 14 contact maximizes a full even contact of the contacting surface of the pad 12 with the support surface 41 being cleaned or polished as noted above. When in the deployed position the secondary wheels 36 in contact with the support surface 41 and the contact of the pad 14 in the same plane P, cause the first set of wheels 40 engaged to the frame 18 to be elevated and out of contact with the underlying surface 41. The secondary wheels 36 can be taken out of the deployed position of FIG. 3A by a simple folding of the foldable axle 38 back to the stored position of FIGS. 1 and 3.

[0064] Particularly preferred for safety is the inclusion of a handle-activated switch 17 such as a reed switch, magnetic switch, or mercury switch or a mechanically activated switch. The switch 17 is configured to close the electric circuit between the motor 16 and onboard battery or AC connect electric power, thereby providing rotation force to the pad driver 12. This closed configuration of the switch 17 occurs only when the handle 20 has the lock 11 disengaged and is rotated to the full “operating position” angled and extending rearward over the wheels 40, as shown in FIG. 3A. When the handle 20 is vertical in the stowed position and substantially upright, as in FIG. 1, the switch 17 is open and interrupts electric power to the motor 16 from AC power or an onboard battery and thereby prevents rotation of the pad driver 12 and pad 14.

[0065] This automatic switch 17 is especially preferred as it eliminates the need for the handle grip safety levers conventionally employed, which must be continuously contracted or compressed in order to communicate power to the motor 16 to spin the pad driver 12. This switch 17 may also be configured such that once the handle 20 is in the operating position, the user must press down slightly on the distal end of the handle 20 when it is in the operating position of FIG. 3A. Thus, there would be a secondary operating position for the handle 20 wherein the distal end where the grips 20 are located is depressed slightly once in the operating position.

[0066] Experimentation has found that such grip type levers are hard to continuously hold closed, and because of such, users have been known to tie or tape them closed which is a major safety hazard. The provision of the automatic switch 17 eliminates the need for grip levers and thereby enhances safety and use.

[0067] Shown in FIG. 4 is a particularly preferred configuration of the polishing/cleaning pad 14 has a first side, which is removably engageable to the pad driver 12, using first cooperative fasteners 43 (FIG. 4A) which engaged with the second cooperative fasteners 42 located on the pad driver 12 shown in FIGS. 5-6.

[0068] As depicted, the pad 14 has a second side opposite the first side engaging the pad driver 12 with a plurality of fabric sections 44 such as nap fabric, which are employable for polishing and cleaning the surface 41 during use. These fabric sections are situated in between smooth surface material 46 areas. While four such fabric sections 44 are shown and work well, other pluralities such as six as shown in FIG. 7 or pads having from 2-20 fabric sections 44 could also be used and such is anticipated.

[0069] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A, the pad 14 has a smooth surface material 46 area located between and separating the adjacent fabric sections 44 which are formed of woven or unwoven fabric or material adapted for polishing or cleaning the underlying surface. Such fabric sections 44, while not limiting, can be formed of material such as terrycloth or microfiber cloth, or other fabrics with a nap. By smooth surface is meant that the smooth surface material 46 formed of fabric such as nylon smooth material used for flags, or cotton or polymeric materials in a weave similar to bed sheets, and which is thinner and recessed between the distal ends of the thicker nap or terrycloth style fabric forming the fabric sections 44. Such can be seen in FIG. 4A where the smooth surface 46 forms recessed areas in between the adjacent thicker fabric sections 44 which project for polishing and cleaning, and enhances operation. Currently, pads 14 with four fabric sections 44 or six fabric sections 44 in between smooth surface material 46 recessed portions are especially preferred.

[0070] Shown in FIGS. 5-6, the pad driver 12 which, as noted, is connected with the motor 16 and an oscillating assembly for rotation and oscillating movement of an engaged pad 14 during cleaning and polishing. The pad drivers 12 have mating connectors or cooperative fasteners 42 located thereon which are configured to removably engage with mating cooperative fasteners 43 located on the rear of the cleaning/polishing pad 14, such as that of FIG. 4A and the like.

[0071] FIG. 7 depicts a particularly preferred mode of the pad 14 for the device 10 herein. As shown, the pad 14 a plurality of having a plurality of nap fabric sections 44 with diagonal smooth areas 46 therebetween. In this mode of the pad 14, the smooth areas are covered by a smooth fabric without a nap or projecting fibers which the fabric sections 44 have. Further included are rows of stitching 48 which form a plurality of humps 50 or curved smooth areas therebetween. This configuration positions the surface of the smooth areas 46 substantially aligned with the distal ends of the fibers extending in the fabric sections 44 and has been found to yield rotation of the pad 14 using less electric power to the motor 16 thereby keeping it cooler and enabling longer operation on battery power.

[0072] FIG. 8 shows a light projector 54 having a body 56 configured to attach to the frame 18 of the device 10 herein. Engaged to the body 56 are a plurality of light emitters 58 which are electrically powered either by an onboard battery, or by electric power from a power cord 60 which will plug into a power socket on the device 10. Connectors 62 are configured to hold the body 56 to the frame 18. Such connectors 62 may be screws, bolts, magnets, or other removably engageable connectors.

[0073] As noted, it is preferred that lenses 64 are operatively positioned with each light emitter 58 so as to focus emitted beams of light therefrom to patterns 66 on the surface 41 being cleaned which are filled with emitted light. Preferably the light emitters 58 and the lenses 64 are positioned on the body 56 such that the projected patterns 66 on the surface 41 overlap. It was found, as noted above, that overlapping patterns 66 of projected light insured that all of the surface 41 over which the light from the emitters passes, is exposed to the light waves. As also noted, it is preferred that the light emitters 58 project light upon the surface 41, in wavelengths between 200 nm to 470 nm, with emitted light in wavelengths of 405 nm to 470 nm being particularly preferred.

[0074] While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.