AU681090B2

AU681090B2 - Floor treatment machine

Info

Publication number: AU681090B2
Application number: AU49564/93A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Kurt Zachhuber
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-09-09
Filing date: 1993-09-03
Publication date: 1997-08-21
Anticipated expiration: 2013-09-03
Also published as: DE4230196C2; GR3021616T3; WO1994005198A1; AU4956493A; ATE141147T1; DE59303455D1; ES2093451T3; DE4230196C1; EP0659054B1; EP0659054A1; CA2144175A1; DK0659054T3; JPH08500999A

Abstract

A floor treatment machine has a chassis (1), a floor treatment unit and an operation and/or control unit (11) arranged at the back of the machine. The floor treatment unit mounted on the chassis has a container unit with at least one container (14, 15) for receiving liquid and/or solid substances, as well as further units such as accumulators (6), motors (4), pumps (7), fans and collectors. At least one container (15) of the container unit is hung in a variable position and/or is deformable, so that the height of its upper edge above the floor is variable.

Description

OPI DATE 29/03/94 AOIJP DATE 23/06/94 APPLN. ID 49564/93I1111III III'"~ 11111 PCT NUMBER PCT/EP93/02373 1111IIil 11111 IE IlN AU9349564 INTERNATIONALE ZUSAMMENARBEIT AUF DEM GEBIET DES PATENTWESENS (PCT) (51) Internationale Patentklasslfikatlon (11) Internationale Veriiffcntlichungsnunimer: WO 94/05198 A47L 11/4~0, 11/30 Al (43) Internationales Ver~rfentlichungsdotum: 17. Mfirz 1994 (17.03.94) (21) Internationales; Aktenzeichen: PCT/EP93/02373 Verbffentlicht Mit internationalern Recherchenberich.

(22) Internationales Anmeldedatum: Vor Abla:{f derffir .4nderungen der Ansprfiche zugelasse- 3. September 1993 (03.09.93) tien Frist. Verioenilicug wird wiederhol: falls ;dnderungen cintreffen.

Priori tfitsd aten: P 42 30 196.3 9. September 1992 (09.09.92) DE (71)(72) Anmelder und Erfinder: ZACI-HUBER, Kurt [DE/ 6 8 1 0 9 0 DE]; Heubergstr. 4, D-83026 Rosenheim. U (74) Anwijlte: GRAITINGER, Gfinter usw. Wittelsbacherstrasse 5, Postfach 16 49, D-82306 Starnberg I (DE).

(81) Bestimmungsstaaten: AU, CA, JP, US, europlisches Patent (AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, ES, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE).

(54)Title: FLOOR TREATMENT MACHINE (54) Bezeichnung: BODENBEARBEITUNGSMASCHINE (57) Abstract 2Z- A floor treatment machine has a chassis a r.

floor treatment unit and an operation and/or con- A trol unit (11) arranged at the back of the machine.

The floor treatment unit mounted on the chassis has .2 a container unit w~ith at least one container (14, for receiving liquiC and/or solid substances, as well as further units such as accumulators motors f pumps fans and collectors. At least one contain- er (15) of the container unit is hung in a variable position and/or is deformable, so that the height of its upper edge above the floor is variable. 1Z.

(57) Zusammenfassung 4. Eine Bodenbearbeitungsmaschine weist emn Fahrgestell eine Bodenbearbeitungseinheit und 1 4' eine riickwlirtig an der Maschine vorgesehene Bedien. und/oder Kontrolleinheit (11) auf. Dabei umfaI~t die auf demn Fahrgestell aufgebaute Bodenbear- 4 beitungseinheit eine Behilltereinheit mit mindestens t2.

einem Behijlter (14, 15) zur Auf nahme von flfissigen und/oder festen Stoffen sowie weitere Aggregate wie beispielsweise Akkumulatoren Motoren Pumpen Geblfise und Abscheider. Mindestens emn Behillter (15) der Behfilltereinheit ist lageveranderbar aufgehfingt und/oder formveriinderbar ausgebildet, so dag die H-6he seiner Oberkante Ober demn Boden variierbar ist.

FLOOR TREATMENT MACHINE The present invention relates to a floor treatment machine with an chassis, a floor treatment unit, and an operating and/or control unit for the treatment unit provided at the rear of the machine. The floor treatment unit mounted on the chassis has a container unit with at least one container for liquid and/or solid materials as well as further units, such as, for example, batteries, motors, pumps, fans, separators.

F4treatment machines of this kind are known for diverse applications, for example as floor cleaning machines, the container of which serves the purpose of storing fresh and/or used cleaning liquid, as suction machines, particularly for external surfaces, where the container functions as a dirt collecting container, as sanding machines, particularly for parquetry floors, where the container serves the purpose of collecting the dust, or the like.

Although in the following description the invention will be described in relation to floor cleaning machines, it not limited to such use. The invention defined by the claims concerns all generic floor treatment machines, to which it can be applied with the same advantages as to the floor cleaning machines described below.

Depending on the purpose of application, generic floor cleaning machines can be constructed particularly as scrubbing machines, suction-cleaning machines, carpet cleaning machines or the like. They are known, for example, from US patent 3,277,511 or German utility model 91 15 713, disadvantage of the known floor cleaning machines is that they cannot be used for cleaning floors under tables or the like. The tables need to be moved aside before the carpet and/or floor can be cleaned below them. The reason for this is that the overall height of the known floor cleaning machine does not permit its movement under tables. Conversely, the overall height of the known floor cleaning machine is determined by I d 19~~s~ the size of the container unit for the cleaning fluid, and the height cannot be reduced without undesirably reducing the possible duration of use of the floor cleaning machine.

The object of the prese,,t invention is to produce a gencric floor treatment machine enabling treatment of the floor without being hindered by objects such as tables, storage shelves and the like, situated above the floor. In particular, in case of floor cleaning machines, the cleaning of the floor should be possible even beneath tables. At the same time, the floor cleaning machine should not have reduced capacities (cleaning capacity, duration of use) compared to the known floor cleaning machines, but rather may be improved in comparison.

According to the present invention this object is achieved by providing that at least one container of the container unit is suspended displaceably and/or is constructed so that it can change its shape, so that the height of its top edge above the floor can be varied. At the same time, no fixed unit or other component is provided in front of the container unit when viewed in the working direction so that the top edge of such component is at the same level or higher than the maximum height of the top edge of the container which can change its position and/or shape. The overall height of the machine, which is determined essentially by the dimensions. of the container unit, can be made to suit the particular conditions of use. In this case, the container unit is not surrounded a fixed housing, a fixed cover, panels, or the like, at least not in that region in which the height of the top edge of the container unit can be varied. In this embodiment, a covering is either not provided at all, or it can be readily removed or lowered during the operation of the machine with the reduced height. In the height range lying below the minimum overall height, the container may be provided with fixed covering panelling.

Further aspects of the floor treatment machine according to the invention are illustrated and explained in the following description of a floor cleaning machine constructed according to the invention. However, the invention is not limited to floor cleaning machines of this kind.

The ability to vary the height above the floor of the top edge of at least of one of the containers above the floor can be achieved in various ways. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the container unit comprises of a plurality of containers, at least one of which is displaceably mounted. This enables at least one displaceable container to be selectively moved into a higher or lower position. Accordingly, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the container unit comprises two containers, which are pivotably mounted about a horizontal axis. If the floor or the carpeted floor needs to be cleaned beneath a table, both pivotable containers can be pivoted outwards and downwards about their respective pivoting axes. At the same time the container unit usefully comprises, in addition to its two displaceable containers, a further fixed container, which is preferably provided directly below the pivotable containers (when in their upwardly pivoted positions).

In a further preferred embodiment of the floor cleaning machine according to the invention, the container unit comprises two containers each having an associated inclined guide. These inclined guides allow, if required, displacement of the associated containers downwards and outwards, thereby resulting in a reduction of the overall height of the container unit. The container unit can comprise a further, fixed container, which advantageously is arranged directly below the displaceable containers. This arrangement, in contrast to the embodiment with the pivotable containers, has the advantage that the overall height can be adjusted in an infinitely variable manner and can be adjusted to suit theP, lateral constraints.

It is also possible to provide a single container which -an pivot or can be displaced along an inclined guide. However, in this case, particular care needs to be taken to ensure -r I I 14S16~e~ that the load on the individual wheels does change substantially when the container is moved from its normal position into its lowered position.

In an embodiment of the floor cleaning machine described above, it is particularly useful to provide displaceable supplementary cleaning elements if the reduction of the overall height of the container is associated with an increase of the overall width of the floor cleaning machine. These suoplementary cleaning elements can clean the floor below the downwardly and outwardly pivoted and/or displaced ccntainer. Supplementary displaceable cleaning elements of this kind are described, for example, in German patent 41 03 087, In case of floor cleaning machines of this kind with displaceable supplementary cleaning elements, the working width of the floor cleaning machine which changes with the variation of the overall height can be adapted to suit the overall width of its construction in an optimum manner.

In a further preferred embodiment of the floor cleaning machine according to the invention, at least one of the containers has at least two housing parts which can be displaced within each other, and a balloon or bellows the capacity of which can change is provided therein to accommodate the cleaning fluid. In case of a floor cleaning machine of this kind when the vertical extent, i.e. the overall height, of the container varies, its capacity will simultaneously change. When the capacity of the container is reduced associated with the collapsed top part of the container, cleaning of floors can be also carried out under tables and the like. A further advantage of such a floor cleaning machine is that, by specifying a certain maximum capacity of the container, the pressure exerted by the floor cleaning machine on the floor can be preset. This is of significance especially for cleaning of floors where a maximum permissible load must not be exceeded. This is the case, for example, for floors of sports halls.

4 74

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In the floor cleaning machine according to the invention, preferably the height of the top edge of any fixed unit associated with the treatment unit is considerably lower than the maximum height of the container(s). In this manner, further units of the floor cleaning unit, even in case of a lowered container(s), will not hinder movement under relatively low tables and the like. This arrangement is preferred to an embodiment of the machine in which the fixed units are mounted behind the container unit up to the maximum height of the container unit. In this latter embodiment, even when the containers are lowered, the floor cleaning machine could be pushed under tables and the like only until the fixed units strike against the edge of the table or the like.

In a preferred embodiment of the floor cleaning machine according to the invention, the operating and control unit is connected to the chassis in a displaceable manner. For example, the operating and control unit can be hinged on the chassis so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis. In such a floor cleaning machine, the operating and control unit can be displaced, particularly pivoted, downward, so that it will not hinder the cleaning of the floors under tables or the like. A floor cleaning machine with a fixed operating and control unit can be pushed only up to the point when the operating and control unit knodvs against the edge of the table even when the overall height of the container is reduced. However, in case of a downward pivoting operating and control unit, the floor cleaning machine can be pushed fully under the table.

When compared with other technical solutions of displacing the operating and control unit, for example by a linear downward movement, an operating and control unit which can be pivoted downward provides a further advantage. In particular, that the distance between the cleaning brushes and the operating and control until, when in its downward pivoted position, will be increased. This is a particular advantage when working under large tables, i. because the floor cleaning machine can be operated even when it is pushed in deep beneath the table without the necessity of the operator to crawl under the table.

A further important advantage of a floor cleaning machine constructed according to the invention is that its transport from one place of application to another one is considerably simpler than is the case for the known floor cleaning machines. Whereas the latter need a van or a small truck for their transport, a floor cleaning machine according to the invention, with its overall height reduced, can be accommodated in a station wagon. The storage of the floor cleaning machine according to the invention is also considerably simpler than is the case for the known floor cleaning machines due to its smaller space requirement with the fluid container lowered.

The invention is explained in detail below based on the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of the floor treatment machine according to the invention constructed as a scrubber-suction machine, Fig. 2 is a front view of the scrubber-suction machine according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a side view of a further preferred embodiment of the floor treatment machine according to the invention constructed as a scrubber-suction machine, Fig. 4 is a front view on the scrubber-suction machine according to Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a side view of a third embodiment of the floor treatment machine according to the invention constructed as a scrubber-suction machine.

The general construction of the scrubber-suction machine illustrated in Figs. 1 to respectively, is known. The units of the cleaning unit, are mounted on a chassis 1, which is resting on wheels 2 on the ground 3. These units are, in particular, the drive motor 4 for the main scrubber brush 5 arranged at the front, the battery 6, the pump unit 7 for the cleaning fluid as well as the suction and separation unit 8. The latter is connected via the suction hose 6 9 with the suction strip 10, provided at the rear. For the operation of the scrubber-suction machine an operating and control panel 11 is provided at the rear and which comprises two handles 12 and an instrument panel 13.

In the scrubber-suction machine illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the container unit for the cleaning fluid comprises three container sections, namely a fixed container 14 and two displaceable containers 15, 16. Each of the two displaceable containers of the container unit is pivotably hinged to the upper edge 18 of the side wall 19 of the housing via hinges 17 having horizontal pivoting axes. To reduce the overall height of the container unit, each of the displaceable containers 15 and 16 can be pivoted laterally outwards and downwards according to arrows A (Fig. 2) (into the position shown in dotted line), until lateral wall abuts against the lateral wall 19 of the housing. Both displaceable containers 15 and 16 are coupled via hose connections (not illustrated) in every position with the stationary container 14.

The working width of the scrubber-suction machine according to Figs. I and 2 can be made to accord to the total width of the scrubber-suction machine when increased by pivoting down the displaceable containers 15 and 16. This is achieved by supplementary sweeping devices 21 which are pivoted outwards, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2 for the left (viewed in the working direction) supplementary sweeping device.

The operating and control unit 11 is located at the upper end of a section of the housing 22, and is connected to the chassis via a hinge 23 having a horizontal pivot axis running at right angle to the direction of travel. To enable work under tables or the like, the housing section 22 together with operating and control unit 11 can be pivoted rearwards and downwards as shown by arrow B (Fig. so that when the displaceable containers 15 and 16 and the housing section 22 are pivoted downwards, the overall height of the 7 F

L

-i scrubber-suction machine is not greater than the top edge 18 of the fixed housing. Each handle 12 has in its upper region a section having a generally horizontal orientation, which enables an operator to safely and comfortably guide the scrubber-suction machine even when the housing section 22 is folded down. The control 24 of the cleaning unit is provided in the lower region of the housing section 22.

The scrubber-suction machine according to Figs. 3 and 4 differs from that according to Figs. 1 and 2 by providing displaceable containers 15 and 16 which are mounted on linear guides 25 which extend outwardly and downwardly. With this construction, both containers and 16 can be displaced in the direction of arrows C (Fig. i.e. outwards and downwards. This reduces the overall height of the container unit as shown by dotted line in Fig. 4 where the position of both containers 15 and 16 are lowered to the maximum.. To displace the heavy containers 15 and 16 along the linear guides 25 in completely filled conditions, electric spindle drives (not illustrated) are provided.

The scrubber-suction machine illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 has supplementary non-displaceable sweeping devices which are different than those acc'rding to Figs. 1 and 2.

However, displaceable sweeping devices can be provided readily by a constrLction of the lowerable containers 15 and 16 in such a manner that sufficient space remains below them for the supplementary sweeping device even in their lowered condition.

Similarly to the scrubber-suction maclhine according to Figs. 1 and 2, the housing section 22 carrying the operating and control unit 11 is connected to the chassis 1 by means of the hinge 23, so that it can be pivoted downwards to the rear as shown by arrow B (Fig.

In the scrubber-suction machine according to Figs. 3 and 4, the corresponding units are mounted on the chassis as in the case of the scrubber-suction machine according to Figs. 1 IIi i I and 2, namely the drive motor 4 for the main brush 5, the battery 6, the pump unit 7 for the cleaning fluid as well as the suction and separating unit 8.

In the scrubber-suction machine illustrated in Fig. 5 the container for the cleaning fluid comprises a housing 26 and a balloon 31 to accommodate the cleaning fluid, the capacity of balloon being variable. The maximum overall height of the container can be varied by constructing the housing of the container from two components 26a and 26b which can be displaced within each other. The bottom section 26a of the housing comprises a cylindrical wall 27 as well as a bottom 28. The top section 26b of the housing also comprises a cylindrical wall 29 and a cover plate 30. The top section of the housing can be displaced vertically inside the bottom section of the housing. If some of the cleaning fluid has been used up, or the container is initially filled only partially to carry out work under tables or the like, the cleaning fluid requires only a corresponding proportion of the maximum volume of the container. The top section 26b of the housing can be therefore' displaced into the bottom section 26a of the housing in the direction of arrow D to adjust the container's capacity.

Otherwise the construction of the scrubber-suction machine according to Fig. 5 corresponds to that of the scrubber-suction machine according to Figs. 1 and 2, so that for understanding reference can be made to the relevant description above.

II

Claims

1. A floor treatment machine with an chassis, a floor treatment unit and an operating and/or control unit provided at the rear of the machine, wherein the floor treatment unit mounted on the chassis comprises a container unit with at least one container to accommodate liquid and/or solid materials as well as further units, such as, for example, batteries, motors, pumps, fans, separators, wherein at least one container of the container unit is displaceably mounted and/or is constructed so that it can change its shape, so that the height of its top edge above the floor can be varied and thereby vary the height of the floor treatment machine in the region of the container.

2, A floor treatment machine according to claim 1, wherein the container unit comprises a plurality of containers, at least one of which is displaceably mounted. o

3. A floor treatment machine according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the go o°°00 displaceable containers is hinged so as to be pivotable on the chassis, on a fixed container or on another fixed part of the floor treatment machine. 15

4. A floor treatment machine according to claim 2, wherein an inclined guide is extending *0 outwards and downwards associated with at least one of the displaceable containers, along which the respective one of the displaceable containers can be displaced.

A floor treatment machine according to claim 1, wherein the capacity of the container unit can be varied.

6. A floor treatment machine according to claim 5, wherein one container comprises a plurality of housing sections which can telescope into each other and a bellows being provided within.

7. A floor treatment machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the operating and/or control unit is mounted relative to the chassis so as to be displaceable. I-

8. A floor treatment machine according to claim 7, wherein the operating and/or control unit is hinged on the chassis for downward and rearward pivotable movement about a horizontal axis.

9. A floor treatment machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the height of the respective top edge of the fixed unit is substantially lower than the maximum height of the container unit. A floor treatmet, machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings. Dated this 29th day of May 1997 o 0*

10 PATENT ATTORNEY SERVICES 0 ooee Attorneys for KURT ZACHHUBER c I L Abstract A floor treatment machine has a chassis a floor treatment unit and an operating and/or control unit (11) provided at the rear of the machine. The floor treatment unit mounted on th, chassis comprises a container unit with at least one container (14, 15) to accommodate liquid and/or solid materials as well as further units, such as, for example, batteries motors pumps fans and separators. At least one container (15) of the container unit is displaceably mounted and/or is constructed so that it can change its shape, so that the height of its top edge above the floor can be varied. 12 -tiezlw mm