GB2438114A

GB2438114A - A brush assembly for a cleaning device

Info

Publication number: GB2438114A
Application number: GB0714797A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Evan A Gordon; Kevin L Thomas; Adam Charles Sclafani
Original assignee: Hoover Co
Current assignee: Hoover Co
Priority date: 2003-09-17
Filing date: 2004-08-13
Publication date: 2007-11-14
Anticipated expiration: 2024-08-13
Also published as: GB0714797D0; GB2438114B

Abstract

A cleaning device for cleaning a surface comprises a base for movement along a surface, a suction nozzle associated with the base, and a suction source for drawing liquid and dirt from the surface through the suction nozzle. The cleaning device further includes a brush assembly operatively connected to the base, wherein the brush assembly has at least one brush, which includes a first set of bundles of pliable elements 331 extending downwardly and arranged peripherally about a central vertical axis. The pliable elements slope downwardly and outwardly. A second plurality of bundles of pliable elements 350 are also provided and are arranged closer to the central vertical axis than the said first plurality of bundles 331 and wherein the brush includes at least one opening 232 for dispensing liquid to the cleaning surface, the opening 232 being located between the first 331 and second 350 pluralities of bundles of pliable elements.

Description

I

A BRUSH ASSEMBLY FOR A CLEANING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a brush assembly for a cleaning device such as a carpet or hard floor cleaner. More particularly, the present application pertains to such a brush assembly that has pliable elements designed and constructed for agitating an uneven surface.

The present application is divided from parent application GB 2,406,042 (GB 0418136.8) to which reference is directed.

It is known in the prior art to provide a cleaning device having a brush assembly for scrubbing of a cleaning surface being cleaned. One example of a cleaning device with a vertical axis brush assembly is illustrated by commonly owned pending U.S. patent applvation having serial number 09/955,725 and publication number 20030051308 to Morgan et al. Other devices or machines have roller-type brush assemblies such as that disclosed in U.S. patent 6,041472 issued to Kasen et al. or fixed brush assemblies such as that illustrated by commonly owned patent application having publication number U.S. 200410134015 to Gerber et al. Typically, brush assemblies from these and other machines have trouble cleaning grout, recessed, or other uneven areas of the cleaning surface.

Hence, it is an object of the present invention to provide a brush assembly for a cleaning device with improved cleaning of grout, recessed or other uneven areas of the cleaning surface.

The present invention provides a cleaning device for cieaning a surface comprising: a base for movement along a surface; a suction nozzle associated with said base; a suction source for drawing liquid and dirt from said surface through said suction nozzle; a brush assembly operatively connected to sad base; and wherein said brush assembly has at least one brush including a first set of pliable elements extending downwardly from said brush and contacting the surface, said pliable elements sloping downwardly and outwardly, said first set of pliable elements having at least a first group of pliable elements and a second group of pliable elements, each of said pliable elements of said second group of said first set extending downwardly from said brush at a length less than said first group of said first set, said second group of pliable elements of said first set being positioned closer to the vertical axis of the brush than said first group of said pliable elements of said first set.

The present invention also provides a cleaning device for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation comprising: a base for movement along a surface; a recovery system mounted to said base and comprising: a suction nozzle: a suction source for drawing liquid and dirt from said surface through said suction nozzle; a liquid distribution system for dispensing liquid to said surface; a brush assembly operatively connected to said base; and wherein said brush assembly has at least one brush including a first set of pliable elements extending downwardly from said brush and contacting the surface, said pliable elements of said first set sloping downwardly and outwardly, said brush including a second set of pliable elements extending downwardly from said brush and contacting the surface, said second set of pliable elements being located closer to the vertical axis of the brush than said first set of pliable elements, said brush having at least one opening for dispensing the liquid to the cleaning surface, said opening being located between said first and second sets of pliable elements.

The present invention further provides a cleaning device for cleaning a surface comprising: a base for movement along a surface: a suction nozzle associated with said base; a suction source for drawing liquid and dirt from said surface through said suction nozzle: a brush assembly operatively connected to said base; said brush assembly having at least one brush including a first set of pliable elements extending downwardly from said brush and contacting the surface, wherein said first set of pliable elements has at least a first pliable element extending a first length, at least a second pliable element extending a second length greater than the first length of said first pliable element, and at least a third pliable element extending a third length greater than the second length of said second pliable element; and wherein said first pliable element is positioned closer to the vertical axis of the brush than said second pliable element, said second pliable element being positioned closer to the vertical axis of the brush assembly than said third pliable element.

Preferably said first set of said pliable elements are arranged in separate bundles forming a ring around said brush.

Preferably each of said bundles includes said first and second groups of pliable elements, said second group of pliable elements having at least a first pliable element extending a first length, at least a second pliable element extending a second length greater than the first length of said first pliable element, and at least a third pliable element extending a third length greater than the second length of said second pliable element.

Preferably the cleaning device indudes at least some, preferably a substantial number of said pliable elements of said second group having the first pliable element and the third pliable element, each of said pliable elements having a working end, wherein said substantial number of said pliable elements are cut such that a plane extending from the bottom end of the first pliable eiement to the bottom end of the third pliable element is in the range of 40 to 50 degrees with respect to the cleaning surface.

Preferably said pliable elements are angled outwardly in the range of 20 to degrees with respect to an axis perpendicular to the cleaning surface.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the attached drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a floor-cleaning device with a portion cut away to show a brush assembly outside the scope of the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the brush assembly in FIG. 1; Figure 3 is a bottom view of one of the gear brushes of the brush assembly shown in FIG. 2; Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the gear brush of FIG. 3; Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the section of the gear brush circled in FIG. 4; Figure 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a floor-cleaning device with a portion cut away to show the brush assembly; Figure 7 is an exploded view of the brush assembly of the embodiment of FIG.6; Figure 8 is a bottom view of one of the gear brushes of the brush assembly shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6: Figure 9 is a side elevation view of the gear brush of FIG. 8; Figure 10 is an enla,ed view of the section of the gear brush circled in FIG. 9; Figure 11 is a perspective view of a brush assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 1 1A is an enlarged elevation view taken along tine 1 lA-i IA of FIG. 11.

Refening to the drawings, FIG. I depicts a perspective view of an upright hard floor-cleaning unit 40 having a brtsh assembly. The hard floor-cleaning unit comprises an upright handle assembly 42 pivotally connected to the rear portion of a base assembly 44 that moves and cleans along a surface. The base assembly 44 includes a nozzle assembly 62 with a squeegee 66 for recovering particles and/or fluid from the floor arid a brush block assembly 216 (FIG. 2A) for scrubbing the floor. The handle assembly 42 includes a recovery tank 53 for collecting the particles and/or fluid picked up by the nozzle assembly 62 and a solution distribution system having a solution tank 43 containing cleaning solution for distribution on the floor. Both the nozzle assembly 62 and brush block assembly 216 are removable from the base assembly 44. Further details of the cleaning unit 40 are disclosed in US Patent No. 6832,409.

Referring to FIG. 2, the brush block assembly 216 comprises a brush support plate 218 having six spaced apart openings 220A, 220B, 220C, 2200, 220E, and 220F. Fixedly received within the openings 220 are bushings 222A, 222B, 222C, 222D, 222E, and 222F which in turn rotatingly receive axial shafts 224A, 2248, 224C, 2240, 224E, and 224F of gear brushes 226A, 226B, 226C, 226D, 226E, and 226F. The gear brushes 226A-F rotate on a vertical axis. A drive shaft 225 having a square cross section is welded to the axial shaft 224B of the gear brush 226B adjacent the right outer brush 226A. Each of the gear brushes 226 is basically configured as a spur gear having ten teeth 228 that intermesh such that when one gear brush 226 rotates, all other gear brushes 226 rotate accordingly. The center hub of gear brushes 226 forms a hollow downwardly projecting cup 230 having a multiplicity of openings 232 circumscribing the bottom thereof for dispensing the cleaning solution from the solution tank 43 to the cleaning surface.

A gear guard 236 snap fits into a brush support plate 218. Specifically, upwardly extending locking tabs 238 on the gear guard 236 catch onto steps 240 integrally molded to the lower surface of the brush support plate 216. During assembly of the gear guard 236 to the brush support plate 218, the locking tabs 238 deflect laterally extending cantilevered tangs 242 integrally formed in the brush support plate 218 to allow the locking tabs 238 to extend therethrough.

The tangs 242 will then flex back to their initial position, closely adjacent the locking tabs 238, to prevent the locking tabs 238 from disengaging off of the steps 240.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the brush support plate 218 indudes a plurality of troughs 244A, 244B, 244C, 244D for receiving the cleaning solution that flows from a distributor 246 (FIG. 2A) positioned thereon. Cleaning solution received in the troughs 244 flows through openings 248 in them and into the center cups 230 of the brushes 226. Once deposited within the center cup 230, the cleaning solution flows outward toward the surface being cleaned through openings 232 in the bottom of the center cups 230. The cups 230 contain the cleaning solution as the gear brushes 226 rotate and thus prevent solution from being sprayed outward over the top of the gear brush 226. The gear guard 236 is designed to withstand impact and prohibit cleaning solution from resting on its inner lip 231. In particular, the bottom surface 241 of the inner lip 231 inclines downwardly to the edge of the inner lip 231 to direct the flow of cleaning solution off the inner lip 231.

During the manufacturing of the brush assembly 216, the gear brush axial shafts 224 are first inserted into the appropnate bushing, and with gear brushes 226 in their uppermost position and with gear teeth 228 intermeshed between the gear brushes 226. As also seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, each gear tooth 228 has a blind bore, extending to offset 233 into which pliable elements in the form of bristles 136 define bristle bundles 134 which are compressively inserted therein and extend downwardly to the cleaning surface. The bristle bundles 134 are arranged in an outer ring 137 around the gear brushes 226 as seen in FIG. 3.

Each of the bristles 136 slope or flare outwardly with respect to the brush assembly 216 at an angle of twenty degrees with respect to the vertical axis of the gear brushes 226. The bristles 136 could slope outwardly at other angles too such as, for example, those within the range of ten to thirty degrees. Such an outward sloping of bristles 136 allows the bristles 136 to flex at various heights thereby allowing the bristles 136 to get into and scrub the grout or other recessed areas of the cleaning surface.

FIGS. 6 through 10 depict one embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numbers will be used for elements that are similar in structure and function as disclosed above. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the.brush block assembly 316 comprises a brush support plate 218 having six spaced apart openings 220A, 220B, 220C, 220D, 220E, and 220F. Fixedly received within the openings 220 are bushings 222A, 222B, 222C, 222D, 222E, and 222F which in turn rotatingly receive axial shafts 224A, 224B, 224C,224D, 224E, and 224F of gear brushes 326A, 326B, 326C, 3260, 326E, and 326F. The gear brushes 326A-F rotate on a vertical axis. A drive shaft 225 having a square cross section is welded to the axial shaft 224B of the gear brush 326B adjacent the right outer brush 326k Each of the gear brushes 326 is basically configured as a spur gear having ten teeth 228 that intermesh such that when one gear brush 326 rotates, all other gear brushes 326 rotate accordingly. The center hub of gear brushes 326 forms a hollow downwardly projecting cup 230 having a multiplicity of openings 232 circumscribing the bottom thereof for dispensing the cleaning solution from the solution tank 43 to the cleaning surface.

During manufacturing of the brush assembly 216, the gear brush axial shafts 224 are first inserted into the appropriate bushing 222, with gear brushes 326 in their uppermost position and with gear teeth 228 intermeshed between the gear brushes 326. As best seen in FIGS. 8-10, each gear brush 326 includes a gear tooth 228 having a blind bore extending to offset 233 into which pliable elements in the form of bristles 331, 332 define bristle bundles 334 which are compressively inserted therein and extend downwardly to the cleaning surface.

The bristle bundles 334 are arranged in an outer ring 337 around the gear brushes 326. Each of the bristle bundles 334 includes inner and outer bristle groups 335, 338, respectively, that slope or flare outwardly with respect to the brush assembly 316 at an angle of thirty degrees with respect to the vertical axis of the gear brushes 326. The bristles 331 of the outer bristle group 338 are longer than the bristles 332 of the inner bristle group 335. The inner bristle group 335 is also trimmed outwardly at an angle of forty-five degrees with respect to the cleaning surface, such that the length of each successive bristle going from the inner end 340 to the outer end 342 of the inner group 335 is longer than that of the previous bristle. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, bristle 332C is longer than 332B, which is longer than 332A and so forth. Thus, when the bristles in each bristle bundle 334 are flexed outwardly the tips 344 of the bristles 232 in the inner bristle group 335 contact the cleaning surface to provide better scrubbing action.

The gear brushes 326 further include a second set of bristles 346, 348 defining bristle bundles 350 which are received in blind bores and arranged in an inner ring 352 around the gear brushes 326. These bristle bundles 350 are shorter in length than the bristle bundles 334 of the outer ring 337. Each of the bristle bundles 350 includes inner and outer bristle groups 354, 356, respectively, that flare outwardly with respect to the brush assembly 316 at an angle of thirty degrees with respect to the vertical axis of the gear brush. The bristles 346 of the outer bristle group 356 are longer than those of the inner bristle group 354.

The inner bristle group 354 is also trimmed outwardly at an angle of forty-five degrees with respect to the cleaning surface, such that the length of each successive bristle going from the inner end 358 to the outer end 360 of the inner bristle group 354 is longer than that of the previous bristle. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, bristle 348C is longer than 348B, which is longer than 348A and so forth. Thus when the bristles in each bristle bundle 350 are flexed outwardly, the tips 362 of the bristles 348 in the inner bristle group 354 contact the cleaning surface to provide better scrubbing action. Also, the difference in height of bristle bundles 334 and 350 allow the longer bristle bundles 334 to clean grout areas or other recessed areas of the floor. Bristle bundles 235 are also compressively inserted into the front corners of the brush support plate 218 for edge cleaning as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 6 shows an upright hard floor-cleaning unit 41 having the brush assembly 316. The hard floor-cleaning unit is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 except for the brush assembly as previously described. Thus, similar reference numbers will be used. The hard floor-cleaning unit 41 comprises an upright handle assembly 42 pivotally connected to the rear portion of a base assembly 44 that moves and cleans along a surface. The base assembly 44 includes a nozzle assembly 62 with a squeegee 66 for recovering particles and/or fluid from the floor and the brush block assembly 316 for scrubbing the floor. The handle assembly 42 includes a recovery tank 53 for collecting the particles and/or fluid picked up by the nozzle assembly 62 and a solution tank 43 containing cleaning solution for distribution on the floor. Both the nozzle assembly 62 and brush block assembly 316 are removable from the base assembly 44. The bristle arrangement of the brush assemblies 216 and 316 of the above-mentioned embodiments can also be incorporated into the brush assembly.

FIGS. 11 and 11 A show another embodiment of the brush block assembly 416. In particular, the brush assembly 416 comprises a rectilinear brush support member 418 having blind bores into which pliable elements in the form of bristles 476, 478, 480, 482, 494, 496,498, 500 defining bristle bundles 460, 462, 464, 466 are compressively inserted therein. The brush assembly 416 includes an outer front row 419 of bristle bundles 460, an inner front row 421 of bristle bundles 462, an inner rear row 423 of bristle bundles 464, and an outer rear row 425 of bristle bundles 466. The rows are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the brush support member 418 and also oriented transversely to the cleaning path.

The bristle bundles project downwardly from the support member 418 for engagement with the cleaning surface. The bristles in the outer rows 419 and 425 are longer than the bristles in the inner rows 421 and 423.

Each of the bristle bundles 460, 462 include respective inner or rear bristle groups 468, 470 and respective outer or front bristle groups 472, 474 that slope or flare outwardly or forwardly with respect to the brush assembly 416 at an angle of thirty degrees with respect to the vertical axis of the brush assembly 416. The bristles 476, 478 of the respective outer bristle groups 472, 474 are longer than the bristles 480, 482 of the respective inner bristle groups 468, 470.

Each of the inner bristle groups 468, 470 is also trimmed outwardly at an angie of forty-five degrees with respect to the cleaning surface, such that the length of each successive bristle going from the inner end to the outer end of the inner group 468, 470 is longer than that of the previous bristle. For example, as illustrated in FIG. I IA bristles 480C and 482C are longer than 480B and 482B, which are longer than 480A and 482A and so forth. Thus, when the bristles in each of the bristle bundles 460, 462 are flexed outwardly the tips 484 of the bristles 480, 482 in the respective inner bristle groups 468, 470 contact the cleaning surface to provide better scrubbing action.

Each of the bristle bundles 464 and 466 include respective inner or front bristle groups 485, 486 and respective outer or rear bristle groups 490, 492 that slope or flare outwardly or rearwardly with respect to the brush assembly 416 at an angle of thirty degrees with respect to the vertical axis of the brush assembly 416. The bristles 494, 496 of the respective outer bristle groups 490, 492 are longer than the bristles 498, 500 of the respective inner bristle groups 485, 486.

Each of the inner bristle groups 485, 486 is also trimmed outwardly at an angle of forty-five degrees with respect to the cleaning surface, such that the length of each successive bristle going from the inner end to the outer end of the inner group 485, 486 is longer than that of the previous bristle. For example, as illustrated in FIG. I IA bristles 498C and 500C are longer than 498B and 500B, which are longer than 498A and 500A and so forth. Thus, when the bristles in each of the bristle bundles 464, 466 are flexed outwardly the tips 484 of the bristles 498, 500 in the respective inner bristle groups 485,486 contact the cleaning surface to provide better scrubbing action.

The bristle bundles 460, 466 in the outer rows 419 and 425 are longer than the bristle bundles 462, 464 in the inner rows 421 and 423. This difference in height allows the longer bristle bundles 460, 466 to clean grout areas or other recessed areas of the floor.

As best shown in FIG. 11, the support member 418 further includes a line of elongated slots 422 spaced longitudinally and disposed between the front and rear edges of the support member 418. A dispensing bar 424 (FIG. 1 1A) is integrally formed with the bottom of the support member 418, underlying the bottom of slots 422. An additional scrub strip 430 (FIG. I IA) is adhesively mounted on the bottom of the support member 418 rearwardly adjacent the dispensing bar 424.

Together, the dispensing bar 424 and slots 422 define relatively deep compartments or troughs 432 in the support member 418, which break up bubbles of cleaning solution that collect therein. The relatively wide troughs 432 also allow easy rinsing and cleaning of dirt in collected therein. Recessed channels 440 are disposed in the upper surface 438 of the support member 418 to direct the cleaning solution to flow into the troughs 432. Integrally formed on the top surface 446 of the support member 418 are splashguards 436 that surround the channels 440 to prevent the cleaning solution from splashing out of the channels 440. Since the troughs 432 are spaced apart, the collecting of cleaning solution in one area is minimized in case of an error occurring in molding an uneven dispensing bar 424. A pair of outwardly curved ribs 454, 456, which define a handgrip, is attached on the top surface 446 of the support member 418 near the front end. A nub 458 is formed at the forward end of each of the ribs 454, 456 for added grip support.

A pair of locating hooks 442 is attached to the top surface 446 of the support member 418 and extends rearwardly. The hooks 442 are slidably received in a base assembly of floor cleaning unit. Optionally, the bristle bundles as a whole for each row may vary in length or height with respect to the cleaning surface. For example, one bristle bundle may be longer than its adjacent bristle bundles to the right and left of it in the row.

For all of the above embodiments, each bristle is crimped instead of straight so that when the bundles are formed, more scrubbing coverage is provided. Such crimping on the bristles in the bundles also reduces deflection of the bristles as they scrub, thereby minimizing the spraying or splattering of cleaning solution from the bristles.

The present invention has been described by way of example using the illustrated embodiment. Upon reviewing the detailed description and the appended drawings, various modifications and variations of the preferred embodiment will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. All modifications and variations are intended to be included in the scope of the present invention and of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A cleaning device for cleaning a surface in which cleaning

solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation comprising: a base for movement along a surface; a recovery system mounted to said base and comprising: a suction nozzle; a suction source for drawing liquid and dirt from said surface through said suction nozzle; a liquid distribution system for dispensing liquid to said surface; a brush assembly operatively connected to said base; -and wherein said brush assembly has at least one brush including a first set of pliable elements extending downwardly from said brush and contacting the surface, said pliable elements of said first set sloping downwardly and outwardly, said brush including a second set of pliable elements extending downwardly from said brush and contacting the surface, said second set of pliable elements located inwardly from said first set of pliable elements, said brush having at least one opening for dispensing the liquid to the cleaning surface, said opening being located between said first and second sets of pliable elements.

2. The cleaning device of claim I wherein said second plurality of bundles of pliable elements slopes downwardly and outwardly.

3. The cleaning device of claim 2 wherein a said first bundle of pliable elements has at least a first pliable element extending a first length, at least a second pliable element extending a second length greater than the first length of said first pliable element, and at least a third pliable element extending a third length greater than the second length of said second pliable element.

4. The cleaning device of claim 3 wherein said second bundle of pliable elements has at least a first pliable element extending a first length, at least a second pliable element extending a second length greater than the first length of said first pliable element, and at least a third pliable element extending a third length greater than the second length of said second pliable element.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS:-CLAIMS: Amended set of claims 1. A cleaning device for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation comprising: a base for movement along a surface; a recovery system mounted to said base and comprising: a suction nozzle; a suction source for drawing liquid and dirt from said surface through said suction nozzle; a liquid distribution system for dispensing liquid to said surface; a brush assembly operatively connected to said base; and wherein said brush assembly has at least one brush including a first plurality of bundles of pliable elements, said bundles being peripherally distributed about a central vertical axis, said pliable elements extending downwardly from said brush and contacting the surface, said pliable elements of said first plurality of bundles sloping downwardly and outwardly, said brush including a second plurality of bundles of pliable elements extending downwardly from said brush and contacting the surface, said second plurality of bundles of pliable elements being located closer to said central vertical axis than said first plurality of bundles of pliable elements, said brush having at least one opening for dispensing the liquid to the cleaning surface, said opening being located between said first and second pluralities of bundles of pliable elements.

2. The cleaning device of claim I wherein said second plurality of bundles of pliable elements slopes downwardly and outwardly.

3. The cleaning device of claim 2 wherein a said first bundle of pliable elements has at least a first pliable element extending a first length, at least a second pliable element extending a second length greater than the first length of

A I'

said first pliable element, and at least a third pliable element extending a third length greater than the second length of said second pliable element.

4. The cleaning device of claim 3 wherein said second bundle of pliable elements has at least a first pliable element extending a first length, at least a second pliable element extending a second length greater than the first length of said first pliable element, and at least a third pliable element extending a third length greater than the second length of said second pliable element.