EP2659825A1

EP2659825A1 - Apparatus for cleaning a floor surface

Info

Publication number: EP2659825A1
Application number: EP13166507.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Barnaby George Dowding; Raymond Christopher Green
Original assignee: Dowding & Plummer Ltd
Current assignee: Dowding & Plummer Ltd
Priority date: 2012-05-03
Filing date: 2013-05-03
Publication date: 2013-11-06
Also published as: GB2501747A; GB201207802D0

Abstract

An apparatus for cleaning a floor surface including
a rotatable member for engaging the floor surface,
a motor for effecting rotation of the rotatable member,
a power supply for providing an electrical power supply to the motor, and
a support member for supporting the motor,
wherein the apparatus includes one or more of the following:
(a) the power supply is supported independently of the support member;
(b) the support member is connected to the power supply such that relative movement therebetween is permitted;
(c) the power supply is not supported on or by the support member; and/or
(d) the power supply is supported on at least one ground engaging member which permits the power supply to move, in use, over the floor surface.

Description

This invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface. In particular, though not exclusively, to such apparatus that are battery operated or are powered by means other than an electrical mains supply.
One form of such apparatus cleans or polishes a floor through the action of a rotating cleaning disc which engages the floor surface. Such apparatus, which are commonly referred to as rotary floor cleaners, have a motor that causes the cleaning disc to rotate and a handle for a user to manoeuvre the cleaner over the floor surface. The friction created by engagement of the rotating disc with the floor causes dirt on the floor to be lodged onto the disc and/or polishes the floor.
There are typically two types of rotary floor cleaner, which are known in the art as 'straight line' and 'side to side' cleaners.
A 'straight line' cleaner is operated by moving the cleaner forwards and backwards in generally straight lines, hence the name. The cleaner has a chassis which supports the motor and the cleaning disc, and a set of supporting wheels which are connected to the chassis. The wheels allow for steering and movement of the cleaner over the floor surface. It should be noted that a majority of the weight of the cleaner it supported through the wheels, rather than through the cleaning disc itself. A handle is provided that can be used to apply a clockwise or counter-clockwise force to the cleaner so as to turn the cleaner right or left.
In a 'side to side' cleaner the weight of the cleaner (chassis, motor, handle and cleaning disc) is supported through the rotating disc during use. Unlike the straight line cleaner there are no supporting wheels that engage the floor during use. The friction created by the rotating disc during operation is used to steer the cleaner. For example, when the rotating disc is level with the floor surface, and the disc is rotating in an counter-clockwise direction (when viewed from above), the entire surface of the cleaning disc is in contact with the floor. At each point of the cleaning pad surface the frictional forces are substantially balanced, and thus there is no net force acting between the disc and the floor surface so the cleaner remains in situ. However, when the handle is raised or lowered such the pad is tilted so that only part of the pad makes contact with the floor, or the weight on that part of the pad is increased, the frictional forces are no longer balanced. Instead, the direction of the frictional forces at the part which is in contact with the floor or is under a greater weight, creates a net angular force that moves the cleaner sideways. By way of illustration, when a user moves the handle upwardly, this gives rise to a force towards the user's right hand side, which steers the cleaner in that direction. Lowering the handle gives rise to a force towards the user's left hand side, which steers the cleaner in that direction. This is a more efficient way of cleaning in terms of time taken compared to a straight line cleaner, as a larger surface area can be cleaned during movement from one end of a room to the opposite end of the room.
Typically, a rotary floor cleaner, whether straight line or side to side, uses a power cable connected to an electrical mains supply. The trailing power cable presents a trip hazard to any nearby pedestrians. For this reason, such rotary floor cleaners are normally used, for example, in a retail shop or a factory environment, when the retail shop has closed or the factory floor is empty or has minimal people present. The power cable, by presenting a trip hazard, causes a restriction on when and how often the rotary floor cleaner can be used. Furthermore, a trailing cable can also make cleaning difficult if there are a large number of obstacles present which the cable may wrap around or become entangled with. In addition, the cleaner can only be used where a mains connection to a power supply is close enough to the area to be cleaned.
According to a first aspect of the invention we provide an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface including

a rotatable member for engaging the floor surface,
a motor for effecting rotation of the rotatable member,
a power supply for providing an electrical power supply to the motor, and
a support member for supporting the motor,

(a) the power supply is supported independently of the support member;
(b) the support member is connected to the power supply such that relative movement therebetween is permitted;
(c) the power supply is not supported on or by the support member; and/or
(d) the power supply is supported on at least one ground engaging member which permits the power supply to move, in use, over the floor surface.

Further features of the various aspects of the invention are set out in dependent claims 2 to 12 appended hereto.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Fig. 1a is a side view of a first embodiment of a battery operated rotary floor cleaner of the present invention;
Fig. 1b is a plan view of the cleaner of Figure 1a;
Fig. 2a is a side view of the power supply of the rotary floor cleaner of Figure 1;
Fig. 2b is a plan view of the power supply of the rotary floor cleaner of Figure 1;
Fig. 2c is a front view of the power supply of the rotary floor cleaner of Figure 1;
Fig. 3 is a side view of the rotary floor cleaner of Figure 1a in a storage position;
Fig.4 is a perspective view of component parts of a second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a side view of the second embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 6 is a side view of the second embodiment of the invention in a storage position;
Fig. 7a is a side view of a third embodiment of a battery operated rotary floor cleaner of the present invention;
Fig. 7b is a plan view of the cleaner of Figure 7a;
Fig. 8a is a side view of the power supply of the rotary floor cleaner of Figure 7a;
Fig. 8b is a plan view of the power supply of the rotary floor cleaner of Figure 7a;
Fig. 8c is a front view of the power supply of the rotary floor cleaner of Figure 7a;
Fig. 9 is a side view of the rotary floor cleaner of Figure 7a in a storage position;
Fig. 10a is a side view of a first embodiment of a battery operated rotary floor cleaner of the present invention;
Fig. 10b is a plan view of the cleaner of Figure 10a;
Fig. 11a is a side view of the power supply of the rotary floor cleaner of Figure 10a;
Fig. 11b is a plan view of the power supply of the rotary floor cleaner of Figure 10a;
Fig. 11c is a front view of the power supply of the rotary floor cleaner of Figure 10a; and
Fig. 12 is a side view of the rotary floor cleaner of Figure 10a in a storage position.

Referring firstly to Figures 1a and 1b, these show a rotary floor cleaner 1 for side to side cleaning of a floor surface. The rotary floor cleaner 1 has a support member 2 and a power supply 3. A rotatable member 4 with a cleaning pad attached is supported underneath the support member 2 and a motor 5 for driving the rotatable member 4 is supported above the support member 2. The support member 2 forms a chassis that moves along the floor surface as the rotatable member 4 engages with the floor surface to effect cleaning and/or polishing of the floor surface. A user handle 6 is also connected on a top of surface of the support member 2 to the side of the motor 5 for manoeuvring of the rotary floor cleaner 1 during use. The support member has a first section 7 that is substantially circular in plan view and a second section 8 that is substantially rectangular in plan view and is connected to the first section 7 at a periphery thereof. The second section 8 includes a pair of wheels 9, one positioned on each side of the support member 2. The wheels 9 are supported on an axle 10 which is connected to the section 8 of the support member 2. The axle 10 forms part of a link 11 for connection to the power supply 3 as will be described.
The power supply 3 supplies electricity to the motor 5 via suitable power cables (not shown). The power supply 3 includes a battery pack 12 that is supported on a platform 13. As shown in Figure 2b, the platform 13 has a set of ground engaging members in the form of rotatable wheels 14 which enable movement of the platform 13. The platform 13 includes a connection 15 that forms a part of the link 11 for connecting the power supply 3 to the support member 2.
The link 11 enables connection of the support member 2 to the power supply 3. Unlike standard battery operated side to side cleaners, as the power supply is supported independently (on wheels 14) of the support member 2, i.e. the support member 2 does not support the power supply 3, the weight of the power supply 3 is not transmitted to the rotating member 4 during cleaning. The link 11 allows for relative movement between the power supply 3 and the support member 2 which is advantageous as it allows for the rotary floor cleaner to be operated in the same manner as a standard side to side cleaner. The link 11 also permits for power supply 3 to follow the support member 2 during movement of the support member 2.
Referring to Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, the connection 15 of the link 11 includes a pair of upstanding formations 16. Each upstanding formation 16 has a vertical section 16a that opens into a wider section at its base 16b so as to form a channel 17 that is open at the top and closed at the bottom. The channel 17 thus forms an opening between each upstanding formation 16 and a side of the power supply 3 that is proximate to the support member 2 during use. The channel 17 forms a 'd' shape channel when viewed from the side.
Connection of the support member 2 to the power supply 3 using the link 11 will now be described.
The user tilts the support member 2 forwards by raising the handle 6 such that the axle 10 of the link 11 moves upwards and is higher than the vertical sections 16a of the upstanding formations 16 and aligns the axle 10 with the two channels 17 before lowering the handle 6 so that the axle 10 is received in the channels 17. When the support member 2 is generally horizontal, the axle 10 is situated above the base sections 16b of the channels 17 such that the axle 10 can move both downwardly and upwardly in the channels 17. The link 11 permits relative movement of the proximate and remote portions (from the battery) of the rotating member 4, both upwardly and downwardly. In this way, side to side operation of the rotating member 4 is still possible. Furthermore the link 11, by having the axle 10 move within the channels 17 formed within the upstanding formations 16 of the connection 15, allows for the distance between the support member 2 and the power supply 3 to be altered. The connection 15 permits the axle 10 of the link 11 to move relative to the power supply 3.
It will be appreciated that as the weight of the power supply 3 is supported independently of the support member 2, the user can raise and lower the handle 6 of the support member 2, for tilting the support member 2 forwards and backwards, without the user also having to lift the weight of the power supply 3.
Operation of the rotary floor cleaner 1 for cleaning using the handle 6 for manoeuvring is thus performed in substantially the same way as a prior art side to side cleaner.
It will be appreciated that, unlike existing side to side cleaners, the weight of the battery does not have to be supported by the cleaning disc during cleaning. This means that larger capacity (i.e. heavier) batteries can be used as a result of the present invention. The larger capacity means that such a job can be completed without having to recharge the battery or change the battery during cleaning. However, even if the battery were not sufficiently charged, the user can easily change the battery. After disconnecting the battery power cable(s), the user can release the power supply 3 from the support member 2 by raising the axle 10 out of the channels 17 of the upstanding formations 16. The user can then wheel the power supply 3 to a charging/battery storage station for charging. The user then wheels a charged power supply from a battery storage station (heavy, large capacity, batteries are easily transportable since they are supported on wheels) and connects the charged power supply 3 to the support member 2 using the link 11 formed by the axle 10 and the connection 15. Cleaning can then be resumed.
After the cleaning has been completed, the user can use the link 11 to bring the rotary floor cleaner 1 into a storage configuration/transportation configuration as shown in Figure 3. The handle 6 is connected to the support member 2 with a lockable mechanism (not shown) to allow the handle 6 to move relative to the support member 2 or be locked against relative movement. In order to bring the rotary floor cleaner 1 into the storage configuration, the user must first unlock the lockable mechanism. The user folds the handle 6 downwards, away from the power supply 3, until the handle 6 lies substantially horizontal, against the support member 2. The lockable mechanism is locked in this position and the handle 6 cannot pivot. By now moving the end of the handle 6 upwardly, towards the power supply 3, the support member 2 moves together with the handle 6, pivoting at the axle 10 supported within the base 16b of the upstanding formations 16. Continuing to raise the handle 6, the support member 2 rotates about 90 degrees from its normal use position. At this point the motor 5 will be pointing downwards. In one embodiment the motor may lie on its side so as to rest on top of the battery pack 12 on the power supply 3. The wheels 9 on the support member 3 come into contact with the floor surface such that the wheels 9 are the only components of the support member 2 that are in direct contact with the floor surface. In this state, the rotary floor cleaner 1 takes up less space and so allows for convenient storage. In this position the user can also easily change the rotatable member 4 as the rotatable member 4 is easily accessed. In this configuration, the entire weight of the support member 2 (including the motor 5, handle 6, rotatable member 4 etc.) is supported solely by the wheels 9 whilst the support member 2 is connected to the power supply 3 by the link 11. The user can transport the rotary floor cleaner 1 by simply pushing or pulling of the handle 6 so as to move the rotary floor cleaner 1 through the wheels 9 on the support member 2 and the wheels 14 of platform 13 that support the battery pack 12. The link 11 has therefore permitted movement of the support member 2 to a position in which the weight of the support member 2 (including motor, handle, rotatable member etc.) is solely supported by the wheels 9 on the support member 2.
It will be appreciated that alternative link configurations may be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. All that is necessary is that a link is provided between the support member and the power supply which permits relative movement therebetween. It will also be appreciated that the arrangement of the link 11 could be reversed. For example, connection 15 could be provided on the support member 2 and an axle could be provided on the power supply 3. When the support member 2 is raised or lowered, the axle moves within the channels 17 of the connection 15 on the power supply 3.
Referring to Figure 4, this shows a second embodiment of the invention. Features in common with those of the first embodiment have been given the same reference number but with the addition of 100. The rotary floor cleaner 101 includes link 111 having a connection 115 formed of upstanding formations 116 to provide a form of pivot to enable movement of the support member 102 to a storage/transportation position. Each upstanding formation 116 has a vertical section 116a with a lower horizontal channel portion 116b that extends horizontally towards the support member 102. The end of the lower horizontal channel portion 116b has a short downwardly extending portion 116c. Connection of power supply 103 and support member 102 is achieved by raising and lowering axle 110 that supports the wheels 109 in Figure 4 through the vertical sections 116a of channels 117 in a similar manner as described in connection with the first embodiment.
Referring to Figure 5, when the support member 102 is horizontal the axle 110 is situated in the vertical sections 116a of the channel 117 such that the axle 110 can move upwardly and downwardly. In this respect, operation of the rotary floor cleaner 101 for cleaning is the same as that of the first embodiment.
Similar to the first embodiment, in order to bring the rotary floor cleaner 101 to the storage/transportation configuration, the user must lock the handle 106 against the support member 102. With reference to Figure 6, the user must raise the handle 106 in order to rotate the support member 102 with respect to the power supply 103. During rotation, the axle 110 will move downwards through the vertical sections 116a of the channels 117 in the upstanding formations 116 and then move in a horizontal direction towards the support member 102 until it reaches the end of the horizontal channel portions 116b of the channels 117. At this point, the axle 110 will drop into the downwardly extending portion of the channel 116c. The user can now easily pivot the support member 102 about this point so as to rotate the support member 102 through 90 degrees and the wheels 109 contact the floor surface. In one embodiment, the motor 205 may rest on the power supply in the storage/transportation position. The user can now also transport the rotary floor cleaner 101 around with the support member 102 substantially locked into the upstanding formations 116 of the connection 115. The connection 115 thus provides a convenient pivot point for the support member 102. In order to unlock the axle 110 from the upstanding formations 116 the user must lift the support member 102 upwards using the handle 106 and push the axle 110 towards the power supply 103. Complete detachment of the support member 102 from the power supply 103 can then be achieved by the user pushing the handle 106 downwards so as to raise the axle 110 out of the vertical sections 116a of the channels 117 in the upstanding formations 116.
It will also be appreciated that the arrangement of the link 111 could be reversed. For example, connection 115 could be provided on the support member 102 and an axle could be provided on the power supply 103. When the support member 102 is raised or lowered, the axle moves within the channels 117 of the connection 115 on the power supply 103.
Figures 7a and 7b show a rotary floor cleaner 201 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Features in common with those of the first embodiment have been given the same reference number but with the addition of 200. Support member 202, handle 206, motor 205 and rotating member 204 are arranged the same as the previously described embodiments. However, an additional component is provided as part of the link 211. The link 211 includes a member 218 rotatably supported on an axle 210 on which wheels 209 are supported. Although the member 218 is supported on the same axle 210 that supports wheels 209, it will be appreciated that a separate axle may be used and that any component that provides an articulated connection of the member 218 to the support member 202 may be suitable. The member 218 includes an elongate slot 219 that extends in a direction parallel to the axle 210 to fit over a connection 215 of the power supply 203. In this embodiment, the member 218 is made from a plastics material, for example a nylon, preferably a self lubricating nylon material. The power supply 203 is similar to those described in the earlier embodiments with the exception of the connection 215 provided on a front side of a platform 213 of the power supply 203. Referring to Figures 8a, 8b and 8c showing the power supply 203, when viewed from the front (see Figure 8c) the connection 215 is substantially 'n' shaped with two vertical upstanding members 215a connected at their upper ends by a horizontal member 215b. The connection 215 has two connecting portions 215c that extend horizontally from the platform 213 and connect to lower ends of the vertical upstanding members 215a. These ensure that the n-shaped connection 215 is spaced apart from the power supply 3. The elongate slot 219 of the member 218 is shaped to receive the connection 215.
Connection of the support member 202 to the power supply 203 will now be described.
The user brings the power supply 203 and the support member 202 together such that the member 218 and connection 215 are immediately adjacent to each other. The user then rotates the member 218 back so as to raise elongate slot 219 above the uppermost part of the connection 215. Once the elongate slot 219 has been aligned with the connection 215, the user pushes the member 218 downwardly so that they are connected to each other.
It will be appreciated that steering of the rotary floor cleaner 201 can be achieved in a similar manner to that described in relation to the other embodiments. In the present embodiment, when the support member 202 is tilted forwards, away from the user, the member 218 moves upwards due to the connection of the member 218 at both the axle 210 and the connection 215. Similarly, when the support member 202 is tilted backwards, towards the user, the member 218 moves downwards due to the connection of the member 218 at both the axle 210 and the connection 215. In this way, the member 218 can move relative to the support member 202 and the power supply 203 while it is connected to the connection 215. This permits the support member 202 to move upwardly and downwardly at a remote or proximate portion of the support member 202 to allow side to side cleaning operation. The link 211 is also easily detached and attached by the user raising or lowering the member 218 over the connection 215.
Referring to Figure 9, this shows the rotary floor cleaner 201 in the storage/transportation configuration. In a similar manner to that described in connection with the first and second embodiments, the user uses the handle 206 to tilt the support member 202 into the storage/transportation configuration.
It will also be appreciated that the arrangement of the link 211 could be reversed. For example, connection 215 could be provided on the support member 202 and an axle could be provided on the power supply 203. The member 218 may be rotatably attached to the axle on the power supply 203. When the support member 202 is raised or lowered, the member 218 moves up and down the connection 215 on the support member 202.
Figures 10a and 10b show a rotary floor cleaner 301 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Features in common with those of the first embodiment have been given the same reference number but with the addition of 300. Support member 302, handle 306, motor 305 and rotating member 304 are connected as described in the previously described embodiments. Figures 11a to 11c show the power supply 3 according to the fourth embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is a variation of the third embodiment in that two members 318a and 318b with corresponding upstanding formations 316a and 316b, together form a link 311, rather than the single member 218 and single upstanding formation 216 arrangement of the third embodiment. The members 318a and 318b may be made from the same materials as the member 218. The members 318a and 318b are rotatably supported on respective end portions of axle 310 that extend from either side of support member 302. The members 318a and 318b have elongate slots 319a, 319b that run parallel to axle 310 and that fit over the upstanding formations 316a and 316b. It will be appreciated that the members 318a and 318b can be connected to upstanding formations 316a and 316b in a similar manner as member 218 was connected to connection 215. Upward and downward movement of the members 318a and 318b with respect to the upstanding formations 316a and 316b is achieved through the rotation of members 318a, 318b on the axle 310 thereby enabling the support member 302 to move upwards and downwards during side to side operation of the rotary floor cleaner 301.
Referring to Figure 12, this shows the rotary floor cleaner 301 in the storage/transportation configuration. In a similar manner to that described in connection with the first and second embodiments, the user uses the handle 306 to tilt the support member 302 into the storage/transportation configuration.
It will also be appreciated that the arrangement of the link 311 could be reversed. For example, connection 315 could be provided on the support member 302 and an axle could be provided on the power supply 303. The members 318a, 318b may be rotatably attached to the axle on the power supply 303. When the support member 302 is raised or lowered, the members 318a, 318b move up and down the upstanding formations 316a, 316b of the connection 315 on the support member 302.
Links in forms other than those described above could be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Such links must permit relative movement of the support member with respect to the power supply. In particular, other types of link could be used so long as they permit portions of the cleaning disc/support member that are remote from and proximate to the power supply to move both upwardly and downwardly relative to the floor surface being cleaned.
For example, the link between the support member and power supply may be provided by a chain. The chain may be connected at one end to the support member and an opposite end of which is connected to the power supply. The connections at the support member and/or power supply may be detachable/releaseable connections. The chain thus creates a link which is flexible and so permits the distance between the power supply and support member to be altered, whilst still linking the power supply to the support member. In this way, the rotary floor cleaner can be operated from side to side in the same way as the standard side to side rotary floor cleaner, but with the power supply being pulled therebehind.
In another embodiment, the link may be provided by having a rigid, elongate member, one end of which has an articulation connection to or to a part connected to the power supply and the opposite end of which has an articulation connection to the support member or to a part connected to the support member. The elongate member should preferably be sufficiently rigid to withstand any compression/tension created when the support member and power supply pull or push onto the elongate member during movement. It will be appreciated that there could be a plurality of elongate members connected together end to end to form such a link.
In one embodiment the link may be provided by the power cable(s). In this embodiment, the cable(s), which may be strengthened, ensure that the power supply follows the support member during cleaning and enables relative movement therebetween.
It will be appreciated that the present invention is applicable to many other forms of cleaner, for example, straight line cleaners. For example, support of the battery separately from the support member carrying the motor is advantageous. The user can change a depleted battery for a charged battery by disconnecting the platform of the battery from the support member and connecting a charged battery rather than having to stop work and charge the fixed battery before resuming.
In devising the present invention, the inventors noted that having the weight of the battery connected to and supported by the support member creates an interlinked set of factors which limit the usage of a prior art battery operated cleaners, until the above invention was made. The running time of a cleaner will depend on the amount of charge stored within the battery; a larger battery will accommodate a larger amount of charge and can run for a correspondingly longer period of time. However, a consequence of having a larger battery is that the battery is heavier and so the weight on the rotating disc is also increased. The motor has to work harder to operate the rotating disc under the increased weight of the larger battery. A more powerful, or larger, motor is therefore required for satisfactory operation of the disc. However, a larger motor is heavier and the associated weight increase must be supported by the rotating cleaning disc during use. These factors combine to create a vicious circle in an attempt to increase the running time of the cleaner. This disadvantage applies to both straight line and side to side cleaners. The present invention has no such disadvantage as the power supply is not supported on or by the support member.
When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.
The following clauses set out preferred embodiments of the invention:

1. An apparatus for cleaning a floor surface including
- a rotatable member for engaging the floor surface,
- a motor for effecting rotation of the rotatable member,
- a power supply for providing an electrical power supply to the motor, and
- a support member for supporting the motor,
- wherein the power supply is supported independently of the support member.
2. An apparatus for cleaning a floor surface including
- a rotatable member for engaging the floor surface,
- a motor for effecting rotation of the rotatable member,
- a power supply for providing an electrical power supply to the motor, and
- a support member for supporting the motor,
- wherein the support member is connected to the power supply such that relative movement therebetween is permitted.
3. An apparatus for cleaning a floor surface including
- a rotatable member for engaging the floor surface,
- a motor for effecting rotation of the rotatable member,
- a power supply for providing an electrical power supply to the motor, and
- a support member for supporting the motor,
- wherein the power supply is not supported on or by the support member.
4. An apparatus for cleaning a floor surface including
- a rotatable member for engaging the floor surface,
- a motor for effecting rotation of the rotatable member,
- a power supply for providing an electrical power supply to the motor, and
- a support member for supporting the motor,
- wherein the power supply is supported on at least one ground engaging member which permits the power supply to move, in use, over the floor surface.
5. An apparatus according to clause 4, wherein the power supply is supported directly on the at least one ground engaging member.
6. An apparatus according to clause 5, wherein the at least one ground engaging member includes a wheel.
7. An apparatus according to any preceding clause wherein movement of the support member effects movement of the power supply.
8. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 1 to 3, or clause 7 when dependent on any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the power supply is supported on at least one ground engaging member which permits the power supply to move, in use, over the floor surface.
9. An apparatus according to clause 8, wherein the at least one ground engaging member includes a wheel.
10. An apparatus according to any preceding clause further including at least one link connecting the power supply to the support member.
11. An apparatus according to clause 10 wherein one end of the link is connected to the support member and an opposite end of the link is connected to the power supply.
12. An apparatus according to clause 10 or 11, wherein the link permits relative movement between the support member and the power supply.
13. An apparatus according to clause 10, 11 or 12, wherein the link permits a portion of the rotatable member proximate to the power supply to move relative to the power supply.
14. An apparatus according to clause 13, wherein the link permits the proximate portion of the rotatable member to move downwardly.
15. An apparatus according to clause 13 or 14, wherein the link permits the proximate portion of the rotatable member to move upwardly.
16. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 12 to 15, wherein the link permits a portion of the rotatable member remote from the power supply to move relative to the power supply.
17. An apparatus according to clause 16, wherein the link permits a remote portion of the rotatable member move downwardly.
18. An apparatus according to clause 16 or 17, wherein the link permits the remote portion of the rotatable member remote to the power supply to move upwardly.
19. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 10 to 18, wherein the link permits a distance between the support member and the power supply to be altered.
20. An apparatus according to clause 19, wherein a connection of the link to the power supply and/or a connection of the link to the support member permits the distance between the power supply and the support member to be altered.
21. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 10 to 20, wherein a connection of the link to the power supply permits movement of the link relative to the power supply.
22. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 10 to 21, wherein a connection of the link to the support member permits movement of the link relative to the support member.
23. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 10 to 22, wherein the link is flexible.
24. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 10 to 23, wherein the link is resilient.
25. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 10 to 24, wherein the connection at one or both ends of the link is an articulated connection.
26. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 10 to 25, wherein the link includes a plurality of members connected together.
27. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 10 to 26, wherein the link is releaseably connected at one end to the support member.
28. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 11 to 27, wherein the link is releasably connected at the opposite end to the power supply.
29. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 10 to 28, when dependent on clause 8, wherein the link permits the support member to be moved to a storage/transportation position in which the support member is solely supported by the at least one ground engaging member.
30. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 10 to 28, when dependent on clause 4, wherein the link permits the support member to be moved to a storage/transportation position in which the support member is solely supported by the at least one ground engaging member.
31. An apparatus according to any preceding clause, including a user graspable handle connected to the support member.
32. An apparatus according to clause 31, wherein the handle is connected to the support member such that a user may lower and/or raise portions of the support member relative to the floor surface so as to effect a change in direction of the support member during use.
33. An apparatus according to clause 11, or any one of clauses 12 to 30 when dependent on clause 11, wherein the connection of the link to the support member is provided by an axle on the support member which supports a pair of ground engaging wheels.

Claims

An apparatus for cleaning a floor surface including
a rotatable member for engaging the floor surface,
a motor for effecting rotation of the rotatable member,
a power supply for providing an electrical power supply to the motor, and
a support member for supporting the motor,
wherein the apparatus includes one or more of the following:
(a) the power supply is supported independently of the support member;

(b) the support member is connected to the power supply such that relative movement therebetween is permitted;

(c) the power supply is not supported on or by the support member; and/or

(d) the power supply is supported on at least one ground engaging member which permits the power supply to move, in use, over the floor surface.
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power supply is supported directly on the at least one ground engaging member and preferably the at least one ground engaging member includes a wheel.
An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein movement of the support member effects movement of the power supply.
An apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3 further including at least one link connecting the power supply to the support member.
An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein one end of the link is connected to the support member and an opposite end of the link is connected to the power supply, and preferably the link permits relative movement between the support member and the power supply, and more preferably the link permits a portion of the rotatable member proximate to the power supply and/or a portion of the rotatable member remote from the power supply to move relative to the power supply.
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the link permits the proximate and/or the remote portion of the rotatable member to move downwardly and/or upwardly.
An apparatus according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the link permits a distance between the support member and the power supply to be altered, and preferably a connection of the link to the power supply and/or a connection of the link to the support member permits the distance between the power supply and the support member to be altered, and more preferably a connection of the link to the power supply and/or the support member permits movement of the link relative to the power supplyand the support member respectively.
An apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the link is flexible and/or resilient and/or the connection at one or both ends of the link is an articulated connection.
An apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the link includes a plurality of members connected together, and preferably the link is releaseably connected at one end to the support member and more preferably the link is releasably connected at the opposite end to the power supply.
An apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the link permits the support member to be moved to a storage/transportation position in which the support member is solely supported by the at least one ground engaging member.
An apparatus according to any preceding claim, including a user graspable handle connected to the support member, and preferably the handle is connected to the support member such that a user may lower and/or raise portions of the support member relative to the floor surface so as to effect a change in direction of the support member during use.
An apparatus according to claim 5, or any one of claims 6 to 11 when dependent on claim 5, wherein the connection of the link to the support member is provided by an axle on the support member which supports a pair of ground engaging wheels.