EP1714597B1 - Window cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a window cleaning device and in particular to a window cleaning device for the outside of hard to reach windows on tall buildings or the like. A window cleaning device according to the preamble of claim 1 is made FR 363382 known.

Moreover, it is common in the art to provide on the roof of high buildings winches, by means of which working gondolas for window cleaners on the outside of the building can be moved up and down. The cleaning of the window outer surfaces is thus labor-intensive and also dangerous for the window cleaner, who have to do their cleaning work in the work gondolas.

• einer Traverse, die an zwei gegenüberliegenden Seiten des Fensters durch erste Führungen in im Wesentlichen konstanten Abstand von einer zu putzenden Fensterscheibe geführt und längs den Führungen in entgegengesetzten Richtungen über die Fensterscheibe beweglich ist;
• einem an der Traverse angebrachten und mit der Traverse beweglichen Tragelement für ein Abstreichelement wobei das Tragelement sich parallel zur Längsrichtung der Traverse erstreckt und in Bezug auf diese zwischen zwei Stellungen beweglich ist;
• einem an dem Tragelement befestigten Abstreichelement;
• einer an dem Tragelement befestigten Führungsstange, die sich parallel zu dem Tragelement erstreckt, wobei zwischen dem Tragelement und der Führungsstange Federeinrichtungen vorgesehen sind, die bestrebt sind, um das Tragelement und die Führungsstange nachgiebig auseinanderzudrücken und in einem vorbestimmten Abstand voneinander zu halten;
• je einer zweiten Führung für die Führungsstange auf jeder Fensterseite, wobei jede zweite Führung eine innere Führungsfläche hat, die zur Fensterscheibe hin weist und eine äussere Führungsfläche hat, die von der Fensterscheibe weg weist und sich in einem grösseren Abstand von der Fensterscheibe als die innere Führungsfläche befindet, wobei bei Bewegung der Traverse in einer ersten Richtung die Führungsstange durch die inneren Führungsflächen geführt ist, die Federmittel zusammengedrückt sind und das Abstreichelement durch die Federmittel gegen die Fensterscheibe angepresst ist, und wobei jede zweite Führung in einem Endbereich einen ersten Ausschnitt aufweist durch den am Ende der Bewegung der Traverse in der ersten Richtung die Führungsstange durch die zusammengedrückten Federmittel von der Fensterscheibe weg nach aussen zu drücken ist, damit bei anschliessender Bewegung der Traverse in einer zweiten entgegengesetzten Richtung die Führungsstange auf die äusseren Führungsflächen gelangt und somit das Abstreichelement von der Fensterscheibe weggezogen wird; und
• einem am anderen Endbereich jeder zweiten Führung vorgesehenen Hebelarm, der durch Federkraft gegen die Führung vorgespannt ist und normalerweise einen im anderen Endbereich jeder zweiten Führung vorgesehenen zweiten Ausschnitt verschliesst, wobei die Führungsstange beim Erreichen des Endes der Bewegung der Traverse in der entgegengesetzten Richtung die Hebelarme in Offenstellung drücken um zu den zweiten Ausschnitten zu gelangen, damit die vorgespannten Hebelarme die Führungsstange durch die zweiten Ausschnitte wieder nach innen zur Fensterscheibe drücken können, und die Führungsstange bei erneuten Bewegung in der ersten Richtung wieder auf die inneren Führungsflächen gelangt.

To avoid these disadvantages, an unclaimed solution provides a window cleaning device

• a cross member, which is guided on two opposite sides of the window by first guides at a substantially constant distance from a window pane to be cleaned and movable along the guides in opposite directions over the window pane;
• a traverse mounted on the cross member and movable support member for a Abstreichelement wherein the support member extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the traverse and is movable relative to this between two positions;
• a scraper attached to the support member;
• a guide rod fixed to the support member and extending parallel to the support member, there being provided between the support member and the guide rod spring means which tend to move around the support member and Push guide rod yielding and hold at a predetermined distance from each other;
• each a second guide for the guide rod on each side of the window, each second guide having an inner guide surface facing the window and having an outer guide surface facing away from the window and at a greater distance from the window than the inner guide surface wherein, when the traverse is moved in a first direction, the guide rod is guided by the inner guide surfaces, the spring means are compressed and the wiping member is pressed against the window by the spring means, and each second guide has a first cutout in an end portion through the first at the end of the movement of the traverse in the first direction, the guide rod is pushed by the compressed spring means away from the window pane to the outside, so that in subsequent movement of the traverse in a second opposite direction, the guide rod on the outer Passing guide surfaces and thus the Abstreichelement is pulled away from the window pane; and
• a lever arm provided at the other end portion of each second guide, which is biased by spring force against the guide and normally closes a second cutout provided in the other end portion of each second guide, the guide rod reaching the lever arms in the opposite direction upon reaching the end of movement of the crosshead Press the open position to access the second cutouts so that the biased lever arms can push the guide bar back in through the second cutouts to the windowpane, and the guide bar returns to the inner guide surfaces when re-moved in the first direction.

With this window cleaning device eliminates the dangerous and expensive window cleaning on the Outside of the buildings. The outside of the windows are cleaned by machine and labor costs are saved.

The truss can be horizontally oriented and movable up and down while being guided along the vertical window sides. However, the traverse can also be vertical and be horizontally reciprocable and thereby guided along the upper and lower sides of the window in the horizontal direction.

In a horizontal crosshead version, it is suspended by two cables at a shaft rotatably mounted at the top of the window, which is driven by an electric motor for winding the cables onto the shaft and, accordingly, for upward movement of the crossbar. The downward movement of the Traverse takes place by their gravity. In the other embodiment, the perpendicular traverse is reciprocated in the horizontal direction and is driven by a motor in both directions. The drive is preferably via a belt drive or a chain drive. At each end of the traverse a drive chain or a drive belt may be provided. In both cases, the drive can also be done manually via a hand crank. A rack and pinion drive may also be provided, with a stationary rack and a gear motor mounted to the crosshead with a pinion meshing with the rack. Such a rack drive can be provided on each side of the window.

This cleaning device can be used not only in vertical windows but also in horizontal or oblique windows when the drive via a belt, chain, or rack means.

• einem schwenkbar auf der Traverse befestigten Tragelement für ein Abstreichelement;
• einem an dem Tragelement befestigten Abstreichelement, wobei das Tragelement schwenkbar ist in Bezug auf die Traverse zwischen einer ersten Stellung, in der das Abstreichelement gegen die Fensterscheibe gedrückt ist und an derselben anliegt, und einer zweiten Stellung, in der das Abstreichelement ausser Berührung mit der Fensterscheibe ist, und wobei das Tragelement durch Federkraft in die zweite Stellung vorgespannt ist; und mit
• einem Zurückhaltemechanismus, der mindestens eine an der Traverse angeordnete Sperrklinke aufweist, die durch Federkraft in eine Sperrstellung vorgespannt ist, wobei das Tragelement für die Bewegung der Traverse in einer ersten Richtung durch ein erstes Anschlagmittel aus der zweiten Stellung entgegen der Federkraft in die erste Stellung zu drücken ist, zum Einschnappen in die Sperrklinke, um das Tragelement in der ersten Stellung zu verriegeln, und die Sperrklinke für die Bewegung der Traverse in einer zweiten entgegengesetzten Richtung durch ein zweites Anschlagmittel entgegen der Federvorspannung zur Freigabe des Tragelementes zu betätigen ist damit dieses durch die Federkraft in ihre zweite Stellung zurückbeweglich ist.

The cleaning device described above is suitable mainly for large-scale windows or windows with long lengths. For small windows, the present invention provides a window cleaning apparatus having a crosshead guided on two opposite sides of the window by stationary guides and movable along the guides in opposite directions, the guides maintaining the crossbar at a substantially constant distance from a window pane to be cleaned;

• a pivotally mounted on the cross member supporting element for a doctoring element;
• a scraper member mounted to the support member, the support member being pivotable with respect to the cross member between a first position in which the scraper member is pressed against and against the windowpane and a second position in which the scraper member is out of contact with the windowpane is, and wherein the support member is biased by spring force in the second position; and with
• a retaining mechanism having at least one pawl arranged on the crosspiece, which is biased by spring force into a blocking position, wherein the support member for movement of the traverse in a first direction by a first stop means from the second position against the spring force in the first position is to snap into the pawl to lock the support member in the first position, and to actuate the pawl for movement of the cross member in a second opposite direction by a second stop means against the spring bias to release the support member is thus this through the Spring force is movable back to its second position.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device may be provided at the lower end of a roller shutter. The windowpane is then cleaned each time the roller shutter is lowered. The roller shutter is driven as usual by hand or via a roller shutter motor. To guide the Traverse serve in this case the usual roller shutter guides, which prevent a pushing away of the traverse of the window pane when the support element is pressed into the first position.

When lowering the shutter, the pawl holds the support member for the doctor in the first position (operating or cleaning position) in which the doctor is in contact with the window. When the roller shutter is fully lowered, the pawl is actuated at the lower end point of movement to release the scraper member so that the biasing spring can pivot the support member to the second position (rest position) in which the scraper is out of contact with the windowpane. Upon reaching the upper end of the movement, the support member is depressed against the spring bias again for locking by the pawl in the operating or cleaning position (first position). The pawl may be pivotally mounted on the cross member and extend through a recess of the crossmember or be arranged on the outside of the crossmember and grip in a clamp over and under the traverse.

The cleaning device according to the invention may also be independent of a roller shutter and the traverse can be moved as in the unclaimed solution of the object of the invention via a winch or a belt, chain or rack means manually or by motor between its end positions. When using a belt, chain or rack device, the traverse can also be perpendicular and moved back and forth in the horizontal direction.

According to the invention, the support element for the doctoring element on the crossbar is pivotable between the first and the second position, in which the doctor blade is in contact with or out of contact with the window, while in the unclaimed solution of the object of the invention Support element for the doctoring element on the crossbar is displaceable for pressing the Abstreichelementes to the window pane or to pull away from the window pane

In both solution forms, a spray pipe with spray nozzles for a cleaning liquid can be provided on the window cleaning device.

Still further advantageous features of the window cleaning device are characterized in subclaims.

• Figur 1 eine schematische Ansicht einer nicht beanspruchten Fensterputzvorrichtung.
• Figur 2 eine Seitenansicht der Traverse mit dem Tragelement für das Abstreichelement und der Führungsstange.
• Figur 3 eine Draufsicht der Traverse.
• Figur 3A zeigt die Führung der Führungsstange in einem Schlitz der Traverse.
• Figur 4 eine Draufsicht des Trägers für das Abstreichelement mit der Führungsstange.
• Figur 5 eine Draufsicht des Abstreichelementes.
• Figur 6 eine perspektivische Darstellung im Schnitt der Traverse mit dem Tragelement für das Abstreichelement und zwei Einrichtungen zum Einstellen des Abstreichelementes auf dem Tragelement.
• Figur 7 eine perspektivische Darstellung im Schnitt einer vertikalen Führungsschieneneinrichtung.
• Figur 8 eine Querschnittdarstellung einer vertikalen Führungsschieneneinrichtung und einem Teil der Traverse, die mittels Laufrollen in der Führungsschieneneinrichtung geführt ist, sowie mit einer Laufrolle an einem Ende der Führungsstange (mit festen Linien auf der inneren Führungsfläche und gestrichelten Linien auf der äusseren Führungsfläche dargestellt).
• Figur 9 eine vertikale Führungsschieneneinrichtung mit dem ersten Ausschnitt am untern Ende und dem zweiten Ausschnitt am oberen Ende sowie dem federvorgespannten Hebelarm, der den zweiten Ausschnitt normalerweise auf der Seite der äusseren Führungsschienenfläche verschliesst.
• Figur 10 eine schematische Darstellung einer Riemen-, oder Ketteneinrichtung zur Betätigung der Traverse.
• Figur 11 eine schematische Darstellung einer Fensterputzvorrichtung gemäss der Erfindung.
• Figur 12 einen Teil der Fensterputzvorrichtung gemäss Figur 11 mit einer Sprühvorrichtung für eine Putzflüssigkeit.
• Figur 13 ein abgeändertes Ausführungsbeispiel der Fensterputzvorrichtung gemäss der Erfindung mit einer modifizierten Sperrklinke.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• FIG. 1 a schematic view of an unclaimed window cleaning device.
• FIG. 2 a side view of the crossbar with the support element for the Abstreichelement and the guide rod.
• FIG. 3 a top view of the traverse.
• FIG. 3A shows the leadership of the guide rod in a slot of the traverse.
• FIG. 4 a top view of the carrier for the Abstreichelement with the guide rod.
• FIG. 5 a plan view of the Abstreichelementes.
• FIG. 6 a perspective view in section of the traverse with the support member for the Abstreichelement and two means for adjusting the Abstreichelementes on the support element.
• FIG. 7 a perspective view in section of a vertical guide rail device.
• FIG. 8 a cross-sectional view of a vertical guide rail means and a part of the traverse, which is guided by means of rollers in the guide rail means, and with a roller at one end of the guide rod (shown with solid lines on the inner guide surface and dashed lines on the outer guide surface).
• FIG. 9 a vertical guide rail means with the first cutout at the lower end and the second cutout at the upper end and the spring-biased lever arm, which closes the second cutout normally on the side of the outer guide rail surface.
• FIG. 10 a schematic representation of a belt, or chain device for actuating the traverse.
• FIG. 11 a schematic representation of a window cleaning device according to the invention.
• FIG. 12 a part of the window cleaning device according to FIG. 11 with a sprayer for a cleaning liquid.
• FIG. 13 a modified embodiment of the window cleaning device according to the invention with a modified pawl.

A window cleaning device will now be described first with reference to FIGS Figures 1-10 described in more detail, showing a window cleaning device, which is particularly suitable for larger windows. In the FIG. 1 is schematically shown a window pane F on the outside of which the window cleaning device according to the invention is mounted. Along the vertical sides of the window reveal a guide rail device 10 is fixed, which can be integrally formed or fixed to the window frame or attached separately from the window frame in the window reveal. The guide rail devices 10 are above on a Cross strut 12 and connected at the bottom via a transverse strut 14. Between the vertical guide rail devices 10 is an elongated cross member 16 on the window pane F up and down by means of a cable winch device 18. On the cross member 16 is an elongated support member 20 to which an elongated Abstreichelement 22 is adjustably attached. An elongate guide bar 24 is resiliently connected to the support member 20 and cooperates with the vertical guide rail means 10 for pressing the stripping member 22 against the window glass F (when the crosshead is moved downwardly) and retracting the stripping member 22 from the window surface (as the cross member 16 moves upward ), as described in more detail later. The guide rail assemblies 10 have guides or guide surfaces for the cross member 16 and the guide rod 24, as will be described in more detail later.

The FIG. 2 shows an enlarged assembly view of the cross member 16 with the support member 20, the doctor blade 22 and the guide rod 24, in side view and the FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are detailed views of the cross member 16, the support member 20 with the guide rod 24 and the Abstreichelementes 22, respectively in plan view.

As the Figures 2 and 3 show the traverse 16 essentially consists of a beam, preferably a rectangular hollow beam, which is provided at its two opposite ends, each with an elbow 30. Both elbows 30 are attached to the beam 16, eg festgeschweisst to this when these components are made of metal. On the outside of each angle piece 30, two profile pieces 32 are screwed vertically one above the other. At each profile piece 32 two double rollers 34 are rotatably supported by means of ball bearings, which run in the guide rail means 10, as later is described. The double rollers 34 are rotatable about a horizontal axis which is aligned perpendicular to the horizontal longitudinal axis of the beam 16. Each elbow 30 further has a horizontal slot 36 in its free, long arm, which is oriented perpendicular to the beam 16 (see FIG. 3A ) in which the guide rod 24 is received and guided. A pin 38 at the end of the long arm of the elbow 30 prevents the guide rod 24 from falling out of the slot 36. The guide rod 24 is movable in the slots 36 transversely to the longitudinal direction of the beam 16 in a horizontal plane. Further, each L-shaped suspension member 40 is attached to each elbow 30 for a purpose which will be described later in more detail.

Referring to the FIGS. 4 and 5 Now, the support member 20 is described in more detail with the attached guide rod 24 and the Abstreichelement 22. The support member 20 may consist of the cross member 16 as a hollow profile. The support member 20 has along its length two countersunk through holes 42, in each of which a bolt 44 is received. The guide rod 24 has along its length two receiving holes 46 for the bolts 44. A respective nut 48 is screwed onto the bolts 44 for retaining the guide rod 24 on the bolt 44. Between the support member 20 and the guide rod 24 is a compression spring about each bolt 44 50, which hold the support member 20 and the guide rod 24 normally at a predetermined horizontal distance from each other, wherein the bolt head 44-1 rests on a radial surface of the counterbore 42 and the guide rod 24 abuts the nuts 48. The guide rod 24 is widened locally around the through holes 46 for the bolts 44 as shown at 52 to provide a bearing surface for the coil springs 50.

The guide rod 24 has at each end each a roller 54 which is rotatably mounted on the guide rod 24 via a ball bearing (not shown) for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the guide rod 24. The guide rod 24 is further reinforced against deflection and has this purpose a reinforcing rod 56th , which is connected at several points via struts 58 with the guide rod 24. The reinforcement 56 is particularly advantageous with longer length guide rods 24, i. in window cleaning devices for wide window panes.

This in FIG. 5 Scraper element 22 shown in plan view has a plurality of holes 60 arranged at a distance from one another along its length for fastening the scraper element 22 to the support element 20, which is provided with associated oblong holes 62 for this purpose.

The beam 16, the guide rod 24, the support member 20 and the Abstreichelement 22 are all aligned horizontally and parallel to each other. There may be more than two attachment locations between the support member 20 and the guide rod 24, i. more than two bolts 44 may be provided with springs 50. In particular, for window cleaning devices of great length more than two joints with springs 50 are advantageous. The doctoring member 22 may also be connected to the support member 20 at less than four or more than four locations.

At the opposite ends of the support member 20 is ever an extension piece 64 with an adjusting screw 66 to limit the movement of the support member 20 to the truss beam 16 out.

The beam 16, the support member 20, the guide rod 24 with the reinforcing rod 56 and the Abstreichelement 22 (without the rubber strip 70 thereof - see FIG. 6 ) can all be made of metal, such as steel or aluminum or plastic.

Reference is now made to the FIG. 6 in which the hollow profiles of the traverse 16 and the support element 20, as well as the Abstreichelement 22 is shown in perspective and in cross section. The doctor element 22 consists of an elongate holding piece 68 for a doctor blade or rubber strip 70, which is received in a socket 68 'of the holding piece 68. The retaining piece 68 is secured to the support member 20 at a plurality of spaced apart locations as previously described with reference to FIGS FIGS. 4 and 5 has been described. The slots 62 allow a fine adjustment of the Abstreichelementes 22 with respect to the support member 20 in the horizontal direction transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof. For this purpose, adjustable fastening means 72 are provided on the support element 20. Each adjustable fastener 72 has a finger 74. The retainer 68 of the wiping element 22 is slidably received between the finger 74 and the support member 20, and a screw 76 with a wing nut 78 serves to adjust the wiping element 22. The finger 74 is secured by an attachment piece 80 connected to the support element 20. As the FIG. 6 shows the support member 20 is on the truss beam 16 and is horizontally adjustable transversely to the longitudinal extent of the beam 16 on this.

The up and down movement of the cross member 16 with the support member 20, the guide rod 24 and the Abstreichelement 22 via a winch 18, which now with reference to FIG. 1 will be described in more detail. The winch 18 has an electric motor 82 which can be constructed and operated similar to a roller shutter motor. On the motor shaft sits a belt or sprocket 84 which drives a shaft 88 via a schematically illustrated belt or chain 86, which extends at the upper end of the window F along the upper transverse strut 12 and is rotatably supported therein. The beam 16 is suspended by two cables 90 on the shaft 88. Each cable 90 is attached at one end to the shaft 88 and at the other end to the suspension member 40 of the traverse 16. The ropes 90 may eg hemp ropes, Be plastic ropes or steel cables. Notwithstanding the illustrated embodiment, the electric motor 82 may also be a geared motor which engages directly on the shaft 88 without the belt or chain drive. The beam 16 with the components carried by the beam 16 moves downwardly by gravity with the motor 82 idling with it, for upward movement the shaft 88 is driven by the motor 82.

On the traverse 16 under the same a spray pipe 92 is attached with spray nozzles 94. The spray tube 92 is connected via a flexible hose 96 to a cleaning fluid source 98, e.g. a water pipe connected in a shut-off valve (not shown) is provided, which is automatically opened when commissioning the window cleaning device and during the downward movement of the cleaning device remains in the open position and is then closed. It may also be provided a barrier for shutting off and emptying the spray device at low temperatures.

The guide rail assemblies 10 will now be described in more detail with reference to FIGS FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 described.

Each guide rail device 10 has an outer angle rail 100 (second guide) and an inner C or U rail 110 (first guide), which is disposed in the outer angle rail 100 and secured thereto. Both rails 100, 110 are provided on a vertical side of the window reveal and attached thereto or may also be part of the window frame and molded thereto or attached thereto. As the FIG. 8 The C- or U-profile rail 110 serves as a running rail for the rollers 34 of the cross member 16, the rollers 34 run on inner running surfaces 112 of the rail 110, which are located in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cross member 16 and perpendicular to and to the window F stands. The guide surfaces 112 prevent accordingly a reciprocating movement of the cross member 16 in its longitudinal direction. The guide surfaces could also be inclined to guide the cross member 16 transversely to its longitudinal direction. The profile rail 110 keeps the traverse at a substantially constant distance from the windowpane. Instead of the profile rails 110 and conventional shutter guides (not shown) may be provided in which the ends of the cross member 16 are received and guided. The rollers 34 are then not required or they could run on the bases of the shutter guide channel. Other rollers could be provided which run on the side surfaces of the shutter guide channel to reduce the frictional resistance in the shutter guide channel.

The angle rail 100 has a free leg 102 which is laterally spaced from the C or U rail 110. The free end of the free leg 110 is bent at 104 U-shaped and has on its the C or U-profile piece 110 inside facing an inner guide surface 104 'for the roller 54 of the guide rod 24 and on the outside of the U-shaped bent part 104 an outer guide surface 104 "for the roller 54 of the guide rod 24. The inner guide surface 104 'is located at a smaller distance from the window glass F or the C or U-profile rail 110 than the outer guide surface 104' 'Aussserdem Guide surface 104 'in the direction of the window pane F and the outer guide surface 104' 'in the opposite direction of the window pane F away.

The inner guide surfaces 104 'of the two guide rail devices 10 are in a vertical plane parallel to the window F and the outer guide surfaces 104''of the two guide rail devices 10 are also in a plane parallel to the window F vertical plane, but, as mentioned, at a greater distance from the window pane F.

The distance between the inner guide surface 104 'and the window F is smaller than the maximum dimension between the free end of the rubber strip 70 and the longitudinal axis of the guide rod 24 (support element 20 and guide rod 24 as far as possible pressed apart by the springs 50) plus the radius the roller 54, and the distance between the outer guide surface 104 "and the window F is greater than the maximum dimension between the free end of the rubber strip 70 and the longitudinal axis of the guide rod minus the radius of the pulley 54th

In the illustrated window cleaning device, the rail 110 is arranged in the rail 100 and both profile pieces are attached to a flat side piece (side plate) 114. However, the rail 100 and 110 may also consist of a single component. The parts 100, 110 and 114 are preferably made of metal, such as steel or aluminum or plastic. As in particular in the FIGS. 7 and 8 1, a first cutout or exit slot 120 is located in the U-shaped bent portion 104 near the lower end of each guide rail assembly 10. A second cutout or entry slot 124, see in particular FIG. 10 is provided in the U-shaped bent portion 104 near the upper end of each guide rail device 10. The guide surfaces 104 'and 104''extend down to the exit slot 120 and up to the entry slot 124. Both slots 120 and 124 are inclined or skewed with respect to the vertical direction. The exit slot 120 extends obliquely upward from the inner guide surface 104 'to the outer guide surface 104 "and the entry slot 124 extends obliquely downwardly from the outer guide surface 104" to the inner guide surface 104'. The slots 120 and 124 do not extend completely through the profile rail 100 but only through the U-shaped bent portion 104 and so far in the leg 102, so that the guide rod 24th through the slot 120 of the guide surface 104 'on the guide surface 104''can be converted and through the slot 124 again from the guide surface 104''back to the guide surface 104' can be transferred.

Instead of the local slots 120, 124, the lower cutout could also extend to the lower end of the guide rail means 10 and the upper cutout could extend to the upper end of the guide rail means 10.

As in particular in FIG. 9 5, at the upper end of each guide rail assembly 10, there is a spring-biased lever arm 150 spring-biased against the outer guide surface 104 ", which is secured near the upper end thereof at two locations on the folded portion 104 of the guide rail assembly 10. Both attachment points consist of a bolt 152 which is fixed to the bent portion 104 of the guide rail device 10. A spring 154 is located on each bolt 152 between the outer surface of the lever arm 150 and a washer 156 which abuts a head of the bolt 152. As mentioned, the springs 154 hold the lever arm 150 in contact with the outer guide surface 104 ". In this position, the lever arm 150 closes the entry slot 124. The lever arm 158 is at its lower end of the outer guide surface 104 '' angled away to the outside or bent, as shown at 158. The FIG. 9 shows the transfer of a roller 54 through the entry slot 124 from the outer guide surface 104 'on the inner guide surface 104' and through the exit slot 120 of the inner guide surface 104 'on the outer guide surface 104''Furthermore, the profile pieces 32 are shown with the double rollers 34 running in the professional rail 110. The support member 20 with the guide rod 24 and the Abstreichelement 22 are for clarity in FIG. 9 Not shown.

operation

At rest, the cross member 16 is with the support member 20, the guide rod 24 and the Abstreichelement 22 at the upper end of the window. The window cleaning device is locked at this point and retained against downward movement. When commissioning the window cleaning device, the lock is released so that the cross member 16 can move down with all components mounted thereon by gravity. In this case, the shaft 88 is driven by the cables 90 and the cables 90 are unwound from the shaft 88. The motor 82 brakes or limits the speed of the downward movement. The rollers 54 of the guide rod 24 run at the beginning of the downward movement in the obliquely downwardly inclined entry slots 124 and thereby push the guide rod 24 increasingly inwardly towards the window F until the rollers 54 reach the inner guide surfaces 104 '. The guide rod 24 presses on the springs 54, the carrier 20 with the doctor blade 22 in the direction of the window pane F and the doctor blade 22 is pressed against the window pane 22 while compressing the springs 50. The water spray device is switched on to wet the window pane F during the downward movement of the window cleaning device. The wetted window pane F is wiped off by the doctoring element 22.

The rollers 54 of the guide rod 24 run on the inner guide surfaces 104 'until they reach the lower outlet slots 120. When the exit slots 120 are reached, the compressed springs 50 push the rollers 54 outwardly into the slots 120, as in FIG FIG. 11 dash-dotted lines is shown. At the lower end of the downward movement of the cross member 16, a switch (not shown) is actuated, which turns on the motor 82 for driving the shaft 88 in a direction to rewind the ropes 90 onto the shaft 88. The water spray device is now switched off and at the beginning As they move upward, the rollers 54 in the exit slots 120 move upwardly and outwardly until they reach the outer guide surfaces 104 ". During this movement in the exit slots 120, the guide rod 24 is pulled away from the window via the rollers 54, and when the heads 44-1 of the bolts 44 rest against the shoulder surface of the countersunk holes 42, the carrier 20 is entrained outwardly and the wiping element 22 again removed from the window F. In this position, then run the rollers 54 of the guide rod 24 upwards over the outer guide surface 104 '' to the upper inlet slots 124. Shortly before reaching dee entry slots 124, the rollers 54 touch the angled, lower end of the lever arms 150 and press under the influence the motor-driven upward movement, the lever arms 150 outwardly from the outer guide surface 104 '' away whereby the rollers 54 between the outer guide surfaces 104 '' and the lever arms 105 reach and further compress the springs 154. Upon reaching the entry slots 124 then press the springs 154, the rollers 54 of the guide rod 24 via the lever 105 back inwardly into the entry slots 124 inside. Upon reaching the upper end point of the upward movement, a limit switch (not shown) is actuated, which switches off the drive motor 82 and locks the cleaning device again against downward movement. The cleaning device is now ready for the start of a new working game.

It is thus to be understood that during a cycle, the guide bar 24 moves along a path that is in the form of an elongated, closed loop defined by the two guide surfaces 104 'and 104 "and the two slots 120 and 124.

It should also be mentioned that the guide rod 24 can easily slide along the guide surfaces 104 'and 104 "even without the guide rollers 54. To reduce the Friction resistance and wear but the ball-bearing rollers 54 are preferred.

The guide surfaces 104 'and 104''are substantially parallel to each other along most of their length, but at the upper end of the inner guide surface 104', they may slope downwardly from the entry slot 124 along a predetermined distance from the outer guide surface 104 ''. extend away (diverge) so that the Abstreichelement 22 is pressed gradually or progressively to the window surface. Likewise, the outer guide surface 104 "may also extend upward (diverge) from the lower exit slot 104 along a predetermined distance from the inner guide surface 104 'to progressively retract the doctor blade (see FIG FIG. 9 ). This ensures a smooth, shock-free operation. The distance between the guide surfaces 104 'and 104 "is preferably about 10 mm in the parallel region.

In this window cleaning device, the traverse is arranged horizontally and movable up and down while running in the vertical rail means on both vertical sides of the window. However, as mentioned above, the traverse can also stand vertically and horizontally reciprocate while running in horizontal rails, which are arranged along the upper and the lower side of the window. In this case, the traverse must be driven by a motor in both directions, this can be done as mentioned via chain or belt drives or rack drives.

The FIG. 10 schematically shows such a chain or belt drive. The chain or belt drive has a shaft 160 on one side of the window on which are mounted two chain or belt wheels 162, 164 which are rotatable with the shaft 160. On the other side of the window two further chain or belt wheels 166, 168 are provided, which sit on a shaft 170. The wheels 166, 168 can with the Shaft 170 to be rotatable when it is rotatably mounted, or the shaft 170 may be fixed, in which case the wheels 166, 168 are rotatably mounted on the shaft. A chain or belt 172 is placed around the wheels 162, 166 and secured to the cross member 16, shown schematically. Another chain or belt 174 is placed over the wheels 164, 168 and also secured to the cross member 16. The shaft 160 is driven by an electric motor 176 to move the crosshead 16 in one direction or the other. This drive device can be used in a window cleaning device with horizontal, movable up and down traverse 16, with vertical, reciprocable traverse 16 or even with horizontal or oblique windows. The shaft 160 and the shaft 170 may be rotatably supported in the guide rails. Instead of the shaft 170, the wheels 166 and 168 may also be mounted separately on separate bearing pins.

The window cleaning device according to the Figures 1-10 is particularly suitable for large windows. In the following reference will now be made to the Figures 11 and 12 showing an inventive embodiment that is particularly suitable for cleaning smaller windows. According to this embodiment, the cleaning device 200 is arranged at the lower end of a roller shutter 202. The shutter 202 is operated manually or by an electric motor. When the roller shutter 202 is pulled up, the roller shutter 202 is wound onto a horizontal shaft 204 at the upper end of the window, and is unwound from this shaft 204 when lowered in a conventional manner. The window cleaning device 200 has an elongated, horizontal bar 206, which the traverse 16 of the embodiment of the Figure 1-10 which is suspended via at least two bolts 208 on an elongated end piece 210 which is fixed to the lower end of the shutter 202. The beam 206 and the end piece 210 may be made of wood, metal or plastic. The beam 206 has a horizontal upper surface 206-1, a horizontal lower surface 206-2, two vertical Side surfaces 206-3 and 206-4 and two vertical end surfaces, of which only the end surface 206-5 is visible. Both end surfaces 206-5 have a lug 212 which is guided in vertical guides located on both sides of the window F. It may be the shutter guides (not shown), in which the end piece 210 may be performed.

Each bolt 208 extends through a vertical bore of the end piece 210 and is received in a vertical bore of the beam 206. The head of the bolt 208 is seated on a shoulder surface in the vertical bore of the beam 206 and on the upper side of the end piece 210 a nut is screwed onto the bolt 208. On the upper side of the beam 206 is a support member 214, which the support member 20 of the embodiment of the Figures 1-10 pivotally mounted for a doctor 216 at 218. A coil spring 220 pushes the support member 214 upwards in the in the FIG. 11 shown in phantom, pivoted upward position in which the support element 214 rests against the lower end of the end piece 210.

A pawl 222 pivotally mounted in a vertical through hole of the beam 206 at 223 has a notch 222-2 into which the support member 214 can snap to engage the support member 214 in the inward-facing position shown in FIG FIG. 11 to keep the horizontal position shown by solid lines in which the Abstreichelement 216 is in contact with the window pane and the support member 214 is substantially perpendicular to the window pane. In the upwardly pivoted dot-dashed position, the doctor blade 216 is out of contact with the windowpane. The pawl 222 is pressed by a compression spring 224 in the locked position. At each end of the beam 206, a pawl 222 is provided. The pawls 222 as well as the bolts 208 extend through apertures in the support member 214. The support member 214 is on the upper horizontal surface 206-1 of the beam 206 is pivotally mounted near the vertical side surface 206-3 of the beam 206 remote from the window glass and extends between the upper surface 206-1 of the beam and the lower end of the end piece 210 toward the window glass F and bears against it the scraping element 216, which has a rubber strip 216-2 gripped in a holder 216-1, as in the embodiment according to FIGS Figures 1-10 ,

• Wenn die Rollade 202 hochgezogen wird befindet sich das Tragelement 214 mit dem Abstreichelement 216 in der strichpunktiert dargestellten aufgeschwenkten Lage und das Abstreichelement 216 ist nicht in Berührung mit der Fensterscheibe F. Wenn die Rollade 202 aufgewickelt oder hochgezogen wird, drückt beim Erreichen der oberen Endlage ein in der Nähe des oberen Endpunktes der Balkenbewegung (am oberen Ende des Fensters) vorgesehenes oberes, ortsfestes Anschlagmittel, in der Figur 11 bei 226 schematisch dargestellt, das Tragelement 214 aus der strickpunktiert dargestellten Lage nach unten in die in Figur 11 mit ausgezogenen Linien dargestellte horizontale Lage. Durch die Führung des Balkens 206 in den Rolladenführungen kann dabei der Balken 206 nicht von dem Fenster weggedrückt werden und es wird ein Anpressdruck des Abstreichelementes an die Fensterscheibe erreicht und beibehalten. In der horizontalen Lage schnappt das Tragelement 214 in die Einkerbung 222-2 der Sperrklinke 222 ein und wird somit durch die federvorgespannte Sperrklinke 222 in dieser Stellung verriegelt, wobei der Gummistreifen 216-2 des Abstreichelementes 216 in Berührung mit der Fensterscheibe ist. Die Einkerbung 222-2 der Sperrklinke 222 befindet sich in einem Teil der Sperrklinke 222, der über die obere Fläche 206-1 des Balkens 206 nach oben hinausragt. Beim Herablassen oder Abwickeln der Rollade wird dementsprechend die Fensterscheibe durch das Abstreichelement 216 geputzt. Beim Erreichen der unteren Endlage bewegt sich ein auf der unteren Fläche 206-2 des Balkens 206 vorstehendes Ende der Sperrklinke 122 gegen ein in der Nähe des unteren Endpunktes der Balkenbewegung (am unteren Ende des Fensters) vorgesehenes anderes ortsfestes, Anschlagmittel 228, wodurch die Sperrklinke 222 im Gegenuhrzeigersinn gegen die Federvorspannung 224 verschwenkt wird und dadurch das Tragelement 214 freigibt, welches ihrerseits durch die Feder 220 in die strichpunktiert dargestellte Lage aufgeschwenkt wird, um das Abstreichelement 216 wieder von der Fensterscheibe abzuheben. Für jede Sperrklinke 222 ist ein unterer Anschlag 228 vorgesehen.
• Wie die Figur 12 zeigt, ist an dem Balken 206 ein Sprührohr 230 mit Sprühdüsen 232 vorgesehen. Das Sprührohr 230 ist über einen Schlauch 234 an eine Putzflüssigkeitsquelle 236 angeschlossen, die eine elektrisch betriebene Förderpumpe 238 aufweist zum Versorgen des Sprührohres 230 mit Putzflüssigkeit (z.B. Wasser).
• Das erfindungsgemäße Ausführungsbeispiel nach den Figuren 11 und 12 ist in diesen Figuren nur schematisch dargestellt und es können vom Fachmann viele Änderungen vorgenommen werden. Z.B. können an der oberen Fensterseite zwei in Abstand voneinander angeordnete Anschlagmittel 226 vorgesehen sein. Anstelle der Feder 224 können andere Federmittel benutzt werden zum Vorspannen der Sperrklinke 222, z.B. kann die Vorspannfeder im Inneren des Balkens 206 vorgesehen sein. Die unteren Anschläge 128 können auch an der unteren Seite des Fensters nach oben vorstehen und zur Betätigung der Sperrklinken 222 beim Erreichen der unteren Endlage in Aussparungen des Balkens 206 eindringen. In diesem Falle müssen die Sperrklinken 222 nicht auf der unteren Seite des Balkens nach unten vorstehen.
• Die Putzvorrichtung 200 ist, wie schon Eingangs erwähnt, nicht auf die auf- und abwärts Bewegung mittels einer Rollade 202 eingeschränkt sondern hierzu kann eine Seilzugvorrichtung benutzt werden wie in Figur 1 dargestellt oder die Betätigung kann über eine Ketten- oder Riemeneinrichtung erfolgen, wie in Figur 10 dargestellt. In diesem Falle kann die Putzvorrichtung 200 auch horizontal hin und her bewegt werden bei senkrecht stehendem Balken 206. Ein Zahnstangenantrieb des Balkens 206 ist auch möglich. Der Balken 206 kann auch wieder an seinen beiden Enden in Führungen (nicht dargestellt) gleiten oder mittels Rollen (nicht dargestellt) darin geführt sein. Diese Führungen können ähnlich ausgeführt sein wie die üblichen Rolladenführungen. Ausserdem ist wie bei dem Ausführungsbeispiel nach den Figuren 11 und 12 oberhalb des Balkens 206 ein Anschlag am Balken befestigt der, wie das Endstück 210, die Aufwärtsschwenkbewegung des Tragelementes 214 begrenzt.
• Die Figur 13 zeigt ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel der der Erfindung mit einer modifizierten Sperrklinke 322. Bei diesem Ausführungsbeispiel ist wieder auf der oberen Seite des Balkens oder der Traverse 206 ein Tragelement 214 schwenkbar befestigt. Das Tragelement 214 trägt ein Abstreichelement 216 und ist wie bei dem Ausführungsbeispiel gemäss den Figuren 11 und 12 durch eine Feder 220 in die zweite Stellung vorgespannnt, in der das Abstreichelement 216 nicht in Berührung mit einer zu putzenden Fensterscheibe (nicht dargestellt) ist. Die Schwenklagerung des Tragelementes 214 befindet sich wieder auf der oberen Balkenfläche 206-1 in der Nähe der vertikalen Fläche oder Seite 206-3, welche von der zu putzenden Fensterscheibe wegweist, und auch als äussere Balkenfläche bezeichnet werden kann, im Gegensatz zu der inneren Fläche oder Seite 206-4 des Balkens 206, die zu der zu putzenden Fensterscheibe hinweist ist und als innere Fläche oder Seite des Balkens 206 bezeichnet werden kann.
• Die Sperrklinke 322 erstreckt sich nicht durch eine Ausnehnung des Balkens 206, wie bei dem Ausführungsbeispiel nach den Figuren 11 und 12, sondern ist klammerförmig aussen um den Balken 206 herum angeordnet und besteht aus einem im Wesentlichen L-förmigen Hebel 322-1 an dem eine Sperrnase 322-2 befestigt, z.B. festgeschweisst ist. Der Hebel 322-1 und die Sperrnase 322-2 können auch aus einem einzigen Stück bestehen. Der Hebel 322-1 hat im Wesentlichen eine C-Form mit einem etwa senkrecht stehenden mittleren Teil oder Steg 324, der sich längs der Balkenaussenseite 206-3 erstreckt, einem schräg nach unten geneigten unteren Arm 326, der sich unterhalb des Balkens 206 befindet und einem kürzeren oberen Arm 328, der über das Tragelement 214 greift und an dem die Sperrnase 322-2 befestigt ist. Der Hebel 322-1 ist etwa an der Verbindungsstelle zwischen dem vertikalen Steg 324 und dem unteren Arm 326 bei 330 schwenkbar am Balken 206 gelagert, etwa an der Kante zwischen der Aussenseite 206-3 und der unteren Fläche des Balkens 206-2. Der schräg nach unten geneigte untere Arm 326 ist länger als der obere Arm 328 und eine Vorspannfeder 332 befindet sich zwischen dem freien Ende des unteren Armes 326 und dem Balken 206. Ein Ende der Vorspannfeder 332 umgibt einen nach oben gerichteten Ansatz 334 des Hebelarmes 326 während das andere Ende der Vorspannfeder 322 in einer Ausnehmung 336 des Balkens aufgenommen ist. Die Sperrnase 322-2 hat eine gekrümmte Form und erstreckt sich vom Ende des oberen Hebelarmes 328 durch einen Schlitz 214-1 in dem Tragelement 214 und durch einen Schlitz 206-5 in das innere des Balkens 206. Die Sperrnase 322-2 hat eine äussere Sperrnasenfläche 322-2.1 und an ihrem unteren Ende einen Ausschnitt 322-2.2 zur Bildung eines nach unten weisenden Vorsprungs 322-2.3. Am Ende der Aufwärtsbewegung des Balkens am oberen Ende des Fensters wird das Tragelement 214 mit dem Abstreichelement 216 durch den oberen Anschlag, wie vorher beschrieben, nach unten gedrückt. Dabei kommt das Tragelement 214 in Berührung mit der Sperrnasenfläche 322-2.1 und drückt die Sperrklinke 322 im Gegenuhrzeigersinn entgegen der Vorspannkraft der Feder 332. Wenn sich das Tragelement 214 über das untere Ende der Sperrnasenfläche 322-2.1 hinausbewegt kann die Feder 332 die Sperrklinke 222 wieder im Uhrzeigersinn zurückdrücken und der Vorsprung 322-2.3 kommt in Berührung mit der oberen Fläche des Tragelementes 216 und hält dieses in der ersten Stellung (Betriebsstellung) zurück. Diese Stellung ist in Figur 13 mit ausgezogenen Linien dargestellt. Am Ende der Abwärtsbewegung des Balkens 206 trifft der untere Hebelarm 326 gegen den unteren Anschlag (nicht dargestellt). Dadurch wird die Sperrklinke 322 im Gegenuhrzeigersinn verschwenkt. Die Sperrnase 322-2 gibt das Tragelement 214 wieder frei und die Vorspannfeder 220 des Tragelementes 214 drückt das Tragelement 214 nach oben in die zweite Stellung oder Ruhestellung. Diese Stellung ist in Figur 13 mit unterbrochenenen Linien dargestellt. Die Sperrklinke 322 dient ebenfalls als Anschlag zur Begrenzung der Bewegung des Tragelementes 214 in die Ruhestellung, wie in Figur 13 gezeigt ist. Die obere Fläche einer Fensterbank (Fensterbrett) kann bei diesem Ausführungsbeispiel als unterer Anschlag dienen zum Verschwenken der Sperrkline 322 in die Freigabestellung. Falls keine Fensterbank oder kein Fensterbrett vorhanden ist, kann der untere Anschlag auch aus einem Vorsprung des Fensterrahmens bestehen oder auf irgendeine andere geeignete Art und Weise ausgeführt sein. Die Anschläge 226, 228 sind nicht an der Putzvorrichtung selbst, d.h. dem Balken 206 vorgesehen, sondern befinden sich z.B. an dem Fensterrahmen oder in der Nähe desselben, z.B. an einer Gebäudewand. Bei relativ kleiner Länge des Balkens 206 kann eine einzige Sperrklinke 322 etwa in der Mitte der Balkenlänge ausreichend sein.
• Im Inneren des Balkens 206 kann ein Vorratsbehälter für die Putzflüssigkeit vorgesehen sein. Auch bei allen anderen Ausführungsbeispielen kann ein Vorratsbehälter für die Putzflüssigkeit im Inneren des Balkens 206 oder der Traverse angeordnet sein. Der Vorratsbehälter dient als Ballast für die Traverse 16 oder den Balken 206 und unterstützt die Abwärtsbewegung durch Schwenkkraftwirkung. Ein anderes Ballastgewicht kann auch am oder vorzugsweise im Balken vorgesehen sein.
• Die Fensterputzvorrichtung kann somit an alle Fenstergrössen und Anordnungen angepasst werden. Die Fensterputzvorrichtung ist nicht auf die vorstehend beschriebenen Ausführungsbeispiele beschränkt, sondern viele Abänderungen können bei Bedarf von dem Fachmann vorgenommen werden, ohne dazu den Schutzumfang der nachfolgenden Ansprüche zu verlassen.

The operation of this embodiment of the invention is as follows:

• When the shutter 202 is pulled up, the support member 214 with the doctor member 216 is in the swung-up position shown in phantom, and the doctor member 216 is not in contact with the window glass F. When the shutter 202 is wound or pulled up, press upon reaching the upper end position near the upper end point of the bar movement (at the upper end of the window) provided upper, fixed stop means, in the FIG. 11 Shown schematically at 226, the support member 214 from the knitting point shown position down in the in FIG. 11 horizontal position shown by solid lines. By guiding the beam 206 in the roller shutter guides, the beam 206 can not be pushed away from the window and a contact pressure of the doctor blade with the window pane is achieved and maintained. In the horizontal position, the support member 214 snaps into the notch 222-2 of the pawl 222 and is thus locked in this position by the spring-biased pawl 222 with the rubber strip 216-2 of the doctor member 216 in contact with the windowpane. The notch 222-2 of the pawl 222 is located in a portion of the pawl 222 which projects above the upper surface 206-1 of the beam 206 upwards. When lowering or unwinding the roller shutter is accordingly the Window pane cleaned by the Abstreichelement 216. Upon reaching the lower limit position, an end of the pawl 122 projecting on the lower surface 206-2 of the beam 206 moves against a stationary stationary stop means 228 provided near the lower end point of the beam movement (at the lower end of the window), whereby the pawl 222 is pivoted counterclockwise against the spring bias 224 and thereby the support member 214 releases, which in turn is pivoted by the spring 220 in the position shown in phantom to lift the Abstreichelement 216 again from the window. For each pawl 222, a lower stop 228 is provided.
• As the FIG. 12 2, a spray tube 230 with spray nozzles 232 is provided on the beam 206. The spray tube 230 is connected via a hose 234 to a cleaning fluid source 236, which has an electrically operated feed pump 238 for supplying the spray tube 230 with cleaning liquid (eg water).
• The embodiment of the invention according to the Figures 11 and 12 is shown only schematically in these figures and many changes can be made by those skilled in the art. For example, two spaced apart stop means 226 may be provided on the upper side of the window. Instead of the spring 224, other spring means may be used to bias the pawl 222, eg, the biasing spring may be provided inside the beam 206. The lower stops 128 may also project upwardly on the lower side of the window and penetrate into recesses of the beam 206 upon actuation of the pawls 222 upon reaching the lower limit position. In this case, the pawls 222 need not protrude down on the lower side of the beam.
• The cleaning device 200 is, as already mentioned in the introduction, not on the up and down movement by means of a roller shutter 202 restricted but this can be used a cable pulling device as in FIG. 1 shown or the actuation can take place via a chain or belt device, as in FIG. 10 shown. In this case, the cleaning device 200 can also be moved horizontally back and forth with upright bar 206. A rack and pinion drive of the bar 206 is also possible. The beam 206 may also slide again at its two ends in guides (not shown) or be guided therein by means of rollers (not shown). These guides can be made similar to the usual roller shutter guides. In addition, as in the embodiment of the Figures 11 and 12 above the beam 206, a stop attached to the beam which, like the end piece 210, limits the upward pivotal movement of the support element 214.
• The FIG. 13 shows a second embodiment of the invention with a modified pawl 322. In this embodiment, again on the upper side of the beam or the crossbar 206, a support member 214 is pivotally mounted. The support member 214 carries a Abstreichelement 216 and is as in the embodiment according to the Figures 11 and 12 biased by a spring 220 in the second position in which the Abstreichelement 216 is not in contact with a window to be cleaned (not shown). The pivotal mounting of the support member 214 is again on the upper beam surface 206-1 in the vicinity of the vertical surface or side 206-3, which faces away from the window pane to be cleaned, and may also be referred to as the outer beam surface, as opposed to the inner surface or page 206-4 of the beam 206, which is indicative of the window pane to be cleaned and may be referred to as the inner surface or side of the beam 206.
• The pawl 322 does not extend through an extension of the beam 206, as in the embodiment of the Figures 11 and 12 but is claw-shaped outside disposed about the beam 206 around and consists of a substantially L-shaped lever 322-1 to which a locking lug 322-2 attached, for example, is firmly welded. The lever 322-1 and the locking nose 322-2 may also consist of a single piece. The lever 322-1 has a substantially C-shape with an approximately vertical central portion or web 324 which extends along the beam outer side 206-3, an obliquely downwardly inclined lower arm 326, which is located below the beam 206 and a shorter upper arm 328 which engages over the support element 214 and to which the locking lug 322-2 is attached. The lever 322-1 is pivotally mounted at about the junction between the vertical web 324 and the lower arm 326 at 330 on the beam 206, approximately at the edge between the outside 206-3 and the lower surface of the beam 206-2. The obliquely downward inclined lower arm 326 is longer than the upper arm 328 and a biasing spring 332 is located between the free end of the lower arm 326 and the beam 206. One end of the biasing spring 332 surrounds an upwardly directed lug 334 of the lever arm 326 during the other end of the biasing spring 322 is received in a recess 336 of the beam. The locking lug 322-2 has a curved shape and extends from the end of the upper lever arm 328 through a slot 214-1 in the support member 214 and through a slot 206-5 in the interior of the beam 206. The locking lug 322-2 has an outer Sperrnasenfläche 322-2.1 and at its lower end a cutout 322-2.2 to form a downwardly facing projection 322-2.3. At the end of the upward movement of the beam at the upper end of the window, the support member 214 is pushed with the Abstreichelement 216 by the upper stop, as previously described, down. In this case, the support member 214 comes into contact with the locking nose surface 322-2.1 and pushes the pawl 322 counterclockwise against the biasing force of the spring 332. When the support member 214 moves beyond the lower end of the locking nose surface 322-2.1, the spring 332, the pawl 222 again push back clockwise and the Projection 322-2.3 comes into contact with the upper surface of the support member 216 and holds it back in the first position (operating position). This position is in FIG. 13 shown with solid lines. At the end of the downward movement of the beam 206, the lower lever arm 326 abuts against the lower stop (not shown). As a result, the pawl 322 is pivoted counterclockwise. The locking lug 322-2 releases the support element 214 again and the biasing spring 220 of the support element 214 pushes the support element 214 upwards into the second position or rest position. This position is in FIG. 13 shown with broken lines. The pawl 322 also serves as a stop for limiting the movement of the support member 214 in the rest position, as in FIG. 13 is shown. The upper surface of a sill (sill) in this embodiment may serve as a bottom stop for pivoting the ratchet 322 into the release position. If there is no sill or window sill, the bottom stop may also consist of a projection of the window frame or be made in any other suitable manner. The stops 226, 228 are not provided on the cleaning device itself, ie the bar 206, but are, for example, on the window frame or in the vicinity thereof, for example on a building wall. With a relatively small length of the beam 206, a single pawl 322 may be sufficient at about the middle of the beam length.
• Inside the bar 206 may be provided a reservoir for the cleaning liquid. Also in all other embodiments, a reservoir for the cleaning liquid inside the beam 206 or the traverse can be arranged. The reservoir serves as a ballast for the traverse 16 or the beam 206 and supports the downward movement by pivotal force effect. Another ballast weight may also be provided on or preferably in the beam.
• The window cleaning device can thus be adapted to all window sizes and arrangements. The window cleaning device is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but many modifications may be made by those skilled in the art as needed without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims (15)

1. A window cleaning device (200) having a cross member guided along two opposite sides of the window by means of stationary guides, and being movable in opposite directions in longitudinal direction of the guides, wherein the guides retain the cross member at an essentially constant distance from a window pane to be cleaned;
   a carrier element (214) being pivot-supported on the cross member for a wiper element (216);
   a wiper element (216) being attached on the carrier element (214), wherein the carrier element (214) is pivotable with regard to the cross member between a first position, in which the wiper element (216) is pushed against the window pane (F) and abuts the same, and a second position, in which the wiper element (216) is not in any contact with the window pane, characterized in that the carrier element (214) is pre-stressed in the second position by means of a spring force;
   and the window cleaning device has a retention mechanism having at least one safety catch (222) being disposed on the cross beam that is pre-stressed in a locking position, wherein the carrier element (214) is to be pushed into a first direction by means of a first stop member from the second position against the spring force into the first position for the movement of the cross member, for snapping the safety catch (222) in place in order to lock the carrier element (214) in the first position, and the safety catch is to be actuated into a second opposite direction by means of a second stop member against the spring bias for the movement of the cross beam for releasing the carrier element such that the same may be moved back into the second position thereof by means of the spring force.
2. The window cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein two safety catches are provided on the cross member.
3. The window cleaning device according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the safety catch is received in a recess of the cross beam and is pivot-supported, and projects from the surface of the cross member facing the carrier element on one hand, and is equipped with a cutout, into which the carrier element may be latched, and projects from the surface of the cross beam facing away from the carrier element on the other hand, in order to be actuated by the second stop member.
4. The window cleaning device according to one of the claims 1-3, wherein the carrier element is aligned in the first position essentially perpendicular to a window pane to be cleaned, and in the second position assumes an acute angle with regard to the first position.
5. The window cleaning device according to one of the claims 1-4, wherein the movement of the carrier element from the first position to the second position is limited by the stop.
6. The window cleaning device according to one of the claims 1-5, having a shutter guided in shutter guides, wherein the cross member is attached at the free end of the shutter, and may be moved up and down with the shutter.
7. The window cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein the cross member is guided in the shutter guides.
8. The window cleaning device according to claims 6 or 7, wherein the cross member is suspended from an end piece being attached to a free end of the shutter, and the carrier element is extended between the cross member and the end piece, and the second position of the carrier element is limited by means of the stop at the end piece.
9. The window cleaning device according to one of the claims 1-5, wherein the cross member is suspended from two locations of a hoisting winch, wherein the ropes may be wound on or off on a cam being driven manually or via motor for the up and down movement of the cross member.
10. The window cleaning device according to one of the claims 1-5, wherein the cross member may be actuated manually or via motor by means of a belt drive unit or chain drive unit.
11. The window cleaning device according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the safety catch has a C-shape encompassing the member from one side in the manner of a clamp, is pivot-supported on the member on the outside, and has a center portion located on the lateral surface of the member being opposite of the window pane to be cleaned, and has a first arm on one end, and a second arm on the other end, wherein the first arm extends into the carrier element through a recess and has a locking nose for retaining the carrier element in the first position, and wherein a pre-stressing spring of the safety catch is provided between the second arm of the safety catch and the member.
12. The window cleaning device according to one of the claims 1-11, wherein a spray tube having spray nozzles for wetting the window pane with a cleaning solution is attached to the cross member.
13. The window cleaning device according to claim 12, wherein the spray tube is connected to a cleaning solution source via a tube.
14. The window cleaning device according to claim 13, wherein the cleaning solution source is equipped with a delivery pump for the cleaning solution.
15. The window cleaning device according to one of the claims 1-14, wherein a dead weight is provided on or in the member, such as, for example, a storage container for a cleaning solution.

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