FR2485912A2 - Wall or ceiling cleaning implement - consists of parallel cleaning and wringer rollers with scraper roller, and fluid trough - Google Patents

Abstract

The implement for cleaning surfaces, such as walls and ceilings, consists of a rotary roller (6) made of flexible material and with an axis parallel to the surface being cleaned. Resting against the cleaning roller is a wringer roller (10) whose axis is parallel to it, and which is made of harder material than the cleaning roller. The cleaning roller is supplied with cleaning fluid by a pipe (8) also parallel to it. A trough (20) collects the spare cleaning fluid. Two parallel rollers (5) are mounted near the two edges of a frame (1) which is fixed by a bracket (3) to the end of a long handle. A flexible scraper (18) is positioned behind the cleaning roller.

Description

 The present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning surfaces, such as ceilings and walls.

The apparatus described in the main patent comprises a frame mounted via a stirrup at the end of a handle and serving as a support for two parallel rollers arranged near two edges of the frame, and made in one. hard material but with a good coefficient of adhesion, are rotated and mounted ::
- At least one parallel axis roller which, made of a flexible material, and rotated in the opposite direction, is supplied with cleaning liquid by a ramp which is parallel, a spinning roller of parallel axis being provided which is made of a hard material and is held in elastic pressure against the cleaning roll and,
- A scraper made of flexible material disposed behind the cleaning roller and intended to bear on the surface to be cleaned over the entire width of the apparatus, a cleaning fluid recovery tank being provided at the bottom of the frame which is equipped, in the lower part, with an evacuation.

 The present application aims to improve this device by making its use much more convenient in the case where it is used for cleaning ceilings.

 For this purpose, the stirrup bearing the frame is pivotally mounted on the handle about an axis perpendicular to that of the rollers that it comprises, with elastic return of the central branch of the stirrup perpendicular to the handle as soon as the washing rollers and rinsing are no longer under pressure on the surface to be cleaned.

 This arrangement is interesting in the sense that at the end of work, and before the tray collecting the washing liquid and the rinsing water is completely emptied, it can not happen a tilting thereof that may cause the fall of liquid.

 According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper part of the handle forms an upwardly open yoke in the two wings of which are formed central and longitudinal slots, the central branch of the yoke being engaged in this yoke and having opposed fingers, engaged in the two lights, a spring being mounted inside the handle, which is supported at its lower end against an abutment and at its upper end against the central branch of one stirrup, the yoke comprising, close to its end, an axis connecting its two wings, which cooperates with two symmetrical ramps integral with the central branch of the stirrup and forming an open V upwards.

 When the washing and rinsing rollers are not resting on the surface to be cleaned, the spring housed in the handle n1 is not compressed, tending to move the caliper away from the handle. The axis that comprises the yoke is supported in the bottom of the V form 'by the two guide rails, so that this axis and the fingers protruding from the central branch of the yoke and penetrating the lights of the yoke being aligned, the center branch of the stirrup is perpendicular to the handle.

 During work, the support that the rollers take on the surface to be cleaned causes the compression of the spring, so that the axis associated with the yoke is released from the bottom of the recess V, allowing a certain inclination of the handle relatively at the central branch of the caliper until the axis comes to rest on one or other of the two ramps limiting the V recess.

 This solution, while ensuring automatic return of the stringer perpendicular to the handle in conditions of non-use, allows a lateral offset of the frame relative to the base of the handle of the device, for example to achieve the cleaning of ceilings above the furniture .

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the handle is of adjustable length and comprises a lower portion equipped with a wheel, the lower portion of the handle being resiliently mounted relative to the upper part thereof.

 Advantageously, the wheel is associated with a lever of sufficient length to achieve its orientation, and on which are mounted the control means of the ltentralnent of the rollers and the supply of washing and rinsing liquids.

 Once the length of the handle is set, the device holds in place without any outside help, and moves under the effect of the movement of the support rollers against the ceiling, the operator merely guiding the device by acting on the lever mounted at its lower end.

 In addition, the handle is constituted by three tubular elements, namely a lower element of larger section equipped with a wheel, an intermediate element adapted to slide in the lower element and having, at its upper end, a collar adapted to cooperate with a ratchet latch mounted on the lower member when the intermediate member is engaged in the lower member against the action of a spring placed between these two members, and an upper member of adjustable length engaged in the intermediate member and blocked in translation with respect to it.

 After an approximate adjustment of the length of the handle, the spring, located between the lower and intermediate elements, provides a good support for both the rollers on the ceiling and the wheel on the ground, while compensating for certain inequalities that may present the one or the other of these two surfaces.

 When the device arrives at the end of the ceiling for example, it is sufficient for the operator to stop it and cause the sliding of the two upper elements downwards relative to the lower element, until the ratchet lock mounted on the lower element comes to lock the intermediate element. The device is thus clear of the ceiling, which allows the operator to manipulate it easily for positioning for cleaning another surface.

In any case, the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawing showing, by way of non-limiting example, a form of execution of this apparatus
Figure t is a perspective view, the upper part of the handle being cut
Figures 2 and 3 are two views in longitudinal section of the upper part of the handle, respectively during the rest period of the apparatus and in working conditions
Figure 4 is a view of the handle in its lower or central part, the mounting of the various tubular elements being shown in longitudinal section
Figure 5 is a view of the device in the case where it is intended for other port6-by a shoulder belt.

 In its upper part, the apparatus shown in the drawing conforms to that described in the main patent, that is to say comprises a frame pivotally mounted at the end of the branches ### of a stirrup 3. This stringer 3 is, for its part, mounted at the upper end of a handle 4. On the frame 2 are fixed, near two opposite edges thereof, two rollers 5 are rotated, to ensure the support and maintenance of the device on the surface to be cleaned.

 On the frame are also mounted a washing roller 6 and a rinsing roller 7 made of a semi-flexible material, these two rollers being driven in the opposite direction to that of the rollers 5. The roller 6 is associated with a feed ramp 8 washing products, and roller 7 a ramp 9 for supplying rinsing water. The two rollers 6 and 7 are associated with dewatering rolls, respectively 10 and 12, each held in pressure against the roller with which it is associated by a spring 13.

A scraper, respectively 14 and 15, is associated with each of the spin rolls, respectively 10 and 12.

 The rolls 10 and 12 are covered, on the side of the surface to be cleaned, of covers 16 and 17, respectively.

The apparatus further comprises scrapers 18 and 19 located behind the rollers, respectively 6 and 7. At the bottom of the frame is mounted a container 20 for the recovery of the washing and rinsing liquids, this container comprising the minus an evacuation pipe 22 in the bottom and / or 22 'lateral. The supply of detergent is done by means of a pump 23 from a container 24 by a pipe 25, the supply of water being through a pipe 26 connected to the network.

 According to the invention, the upper part of the handle 4 forms a yoke 27 open upwards, in the two wings of which I am>> formed two central and longitudinal slots 28, the central branch 29 of the stirrup 3 e> being engaged in this yoke and having two opposite fingers 30 engaged in the two lights 28.

 A spring 32 is mounted inside the handle, which is supported at its lower end against an abutment 22 and at its upper end against the central leg 29 of the caliper.

 The yoke comprises, near its other end, an axis 34 connecting its two flanges, which cooperates with two symmetrical ramps 35 integral with the central branch 29 of the yoke and forming an open V upwards. A contactor not shown in the drawing is associated with the ramps 35, which causes the device to stop when the axis 34 is supported at the bottom of the recess V.

 From a practical point of view, when, as shown in Figure 2, no action is exerted on the upper part of the device, the spring 32 is in the relaxed position and the axis 34 is supported at the bottom of This support, combined with the action of the fingers 30 in the slot 28, maintains the branch 29 of the stirrup perpendicular to the handle 4.

 In the working position, on the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the spring 32 is compressed in such a way that the axis 34 is no longer at the bottom of the V-shaped recess, which allows a deportlateral of the frame relative to the handle until the axis 34 comes to bear against one of the ramps 35.

 As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the handle 4 is made from three e> the> tubular elements of different sections. The lower element 36 of larger section is equipped at its lower end with a wheel 37 of known type intended to rest on the ground, which can be pivoted by means of a lever 38 on which the control of the operation of the apparatus and allowing the actuation of a brake 39, which operates as soon as the lever 38 is relSché, under the effect of the mere weight thereof.

 In the tubular element 36, a spring 40 is mounted on which bears the intermediate tubular element 42 which slides inside the tubular element 36 and whose upper end forms a collar 43. This collar 43 is intended to cooperate with a ratchet lock 44 to ensure, when necessary, the maintenance of the intermediate tube 42 in the engaged position in the lower tube 36.

 In the intermediate tube 42 is engaged the upper tubular member 45 which is locked in translation relative to the tube 42. The tube 45 has means for adjusting its length, not shown in the drawing.

 The lower tube 36 can be equipped with a handle 46 facilitating its handling.

 From a practical point of view, under conditions of use, the apparatus is in the position shown in FIG. 18, that is to say that the intermediate tube 42 is partially disengaged from the lower tube 36 under action of the spring 40.

 The device holds between the floor and the ceiling under the effect of the spring 40 and the spring 32, after adjustment of the length of the tube 45.

 At the end of use of the apparatus, it is sufficient for the operator, after having caused the latter to stop, to cause the two upper tubes to slide downwards until the lock 44 comes to be combed. the flange 43. It is thus possible to neutralize the action of the spring 40, which facilitates the handling of 1 set.

 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the handle 36, 42, 45 is mounted with the interposition of a chain 46 or the like at one end of a lever 47, the central portion of which is suspended from a belt 48 of which can equip the operator, the other end of the lever having a handle 49. This arrangement is interesting when mounting on wheels can not be considered, for example in stairs. The operator can control the operation by pressing the handle B to raise the device or by releasing it to lower it.

 As can be seen from the foregoing, the invention brings a great improvement to the existing technique by providing a simple design apparatus requiring no lterrator effort during operation.

 It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the sole embodiment of this apparatus, described above by way of example; it embraces, on the contrary, all variants.

 Thus, in particular, for industrial-use appliances, it is possible to replace the wheel mounted on the inner extremity of the handle with a carriage which can simultaneously carry containers containing the washing and rinsing products without the need for This is a departure from the scope of the invention.

Claims (7)

- Claims  1. - Apparatus for cleaning surfaces, such as ceilings and walls, comprising a frame which, carrying the washing and rinsing members, is mounted at 1 tee of the branches of a stirrup, characterized in that the stirrup (3) carrying the frame is pivotally mounted on the handle about an axis perpendicular to that of the rollers (5, 6, 7, 10, 12) that it comprises, with elastic return of the central branch of the stirrup perpendicular to the handle (4 ) as soon as the washing and rinsing rollers are no longer under pressure on the surface to be cleaned.  2. - Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper part of the handle (4) forms a yoke (27) open upwards in the two wings of which are formed of the central and longitudinal slots (28), the branch center (29) of the stirrup being engaged in this yoke and having fingers (30) opposed, engaged in the two lights, a spring t32) removing mounted inside the handle, which is supported at its lower end against a stop (33) and, at its upper end, against the central branch of the caliper, the yoke having, near its end 7, an axis (34) connecting its two wings, which cooperates with two ramps (35) symmetrical, integral from the central branch of the caliper and forming an open V upward.  3. - Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the handle (4) is of adjustable length and comprises a lower portion equipped with a wheel (37), the lower portion of the handle being mounted ede elastic manner with respect to the upper part thereof.  4. - Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the wheel (37) is associated with a lever (38) of sufficient length to achieve its orientation, and on which are mounted the drive control means of the rollers and the supply of washing and rinsing liquids.  5. - Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the lever (38) is associated with a brake (39) which acts as soon as the lever is in the relaxed position.  6. - Apparatus according to any one of claims i to 5, characterized in that the handle is constituted by three tubular elements, namely a lower element (36) of larger section equipped with a wheel (37), a intermediate element (42) slidable in the lower element and having, at its upper end, a flange (43) adapted to cooperate with a latch (44) mounted on the lower element (36) when the intermediate element (42) is engaged in the lower element against the action of a spring (40) placed between these two elements, and an upper element (45) of adjustable length engaged in the intermediate element and blocked in translation with respect to it.  7. - Apparatus according to any one of claims i and 2, characterized in that the handle is mounted at the end of a lever (47) whose central portion is suspended from a harness, and whose other end has a handle.