GB1576611A

GB1576611A - Apparatus primarily for use in cleaning windows

Info

Publication number: GB1576611A
Application number: GB501676A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1977-05-06
Filing date: 1977-05-06
Publication date: 1980-10-08

Description

(54) APPARATUS PRIMARILY FOR USE IN CLEANING WINDOWS (71) I, JOHN ARTHUR REED, a British subject, of 50 Burgh Road, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to an apparatus primarily for use in cleaning windows.

According to this invention there is provided an apparatus for cleaning windows or similar surfaces comprising an elongated channel member with longitudinal edges provided with flexible strips, the channel member housing a number of discharge nozzles to direct a spray of liquid towards the open face of the channel, a conduit connected through a pump to a liquid supply tank from which liquid is fed to the nozzles, valve means selectively directing the liquid to either the nozzles or to a return conduit leading back to the supply tank, and a suction line communicating with the channel for removal of liquid caught in the channel.

In such an apparatus the flexible strips along the edges of the channel form a squeegee to remove the cleaning liquid, generally water, from the window glass.

The liquid is then drawn-off by the suction created inside the channel. The apparatus includes a water supply unit having a pump for supply of water under pressure to the nozzles in the channel member, constructed as a cleaning head, and preferably a suction producing means also connected with the head by a flexible ducting which may also house the water 'feed conduit. The water is advantageously fed continuously to a manually operated valve associated with the cleaning head which normally allows feed water to return back through a water return conduit to a water tank in the supply unit. Operation of the valve causes water to be fed to the nozzles for cleaning purposes. The suction conduit may be arranged at its water supply unit end to discharge water drawn-off through the channel in the head into a return tank. The return tank can be arranged to replenish the water tank as and when required through a filter unit thus providing continuous recycling of the water.

Filter means may be provided in the outlet of the liquid supply tank.

The nozzles in the head will preferably be adjustable to produce the required spray patterns.

An embodiment of the invention is shown by way of example in the accom- panying drawings also illustrating further preferred features and in which: Figure 1 shows schematically a cleaning head and a water supply unit associated therewith, Figure '2 shows the cleaning head in cross-section with spray nozzle dismantled, Figure 3 shows the water control valve, Figure 4 shows the apparatus schematically with an extension unit for cleaning second floor windows, Figure 5 shows a section of an extension unit, Figure 6 shows a schematic view of a second water supply unit from one side, Figure 7 shows the unit of Figure 6 from the other side, and Figure 8 shows a detail of the end of the flexible hose.

Referring to Figure 1 the apparatus comprises a cleaning head unit 1 and a water supply unit 2 interconnected through a flexible convoluted suction conduit 3 which encloses a water feed conduit 4 and water return conduit 5. The cleaning head 1 has a handle 6 provided with a water control valve 7 which normally connects conduit 4 with conduit 5 whereby water under pressure supplied by a pump 8 from tank 9 is fed back to the tank at 10. This allows the pump to run continuously and the water to circulate. Operation of the valve 7 causes the pressure water to be fed through the pipe 1!1 to one or a series of nozzles 12 located within a channel 13 and arranged to direct a spray in the direction 14 onto a window 15.

The top and bottom edges of the channel 13 are provided with rubber strips 16 and 17 forming blades. The lower blade 1 serves to prevent water running down the window and the upper blade 17 assists in the production of a vacuum within the channel and achieved by suction applied to the conduit 3 from suitable means pro vided in the unit 2. The suction producing means is conveniently powered from a motor also driving the water pump. Water drawn-off from the head 1 is discharged from the suction conduit 3 in a separation chamber 18 and is collected in a return water tank 19. The vacuum is applied to the tank 19 through an orifice l9a.

The return tank 19 is connected to the supply tank 9 through a filtering means such as a cartridge filter and when the level in tank 19 reaches a predetermined level set by a float mechanism 20 water is trans ferred to replenish the tank 9. This tank includes a valve means such as a ball-cock 9a which closes when the tank is full to prevent water being sucked back to tank 19 as the level therein falls.

The cleaning head 1 is shown in section in Figure 2 and each spray nozzle 12 (shown dismantled) is connected to a mani fold 12a fed by the pipe 11 from valve 7.

Water drawn-off by the suction flows in direction A down through the handle to the conduit 3. The nozzles 12 may be ad justable, to achieve the required spray pattern.

Figure 3 shows the valve 7 which has a manual trigger 7a controlling two poppet valves 7b and 7c. Valve 7c normally closes the feed to pipe 11 and valve 7b allows water from feed conduit 4 to pass to return conduit 5. When the trigger is pressed the state of the valve is reversed and water from conduit 4 is fed to the pipe 11.

The handle of the cleaning head may be adapted so that several sections can be coupled together for cleaning windows at higher levels and Figure 4 shows an ar rangement wherein two additional sections of handle 6a and 6b are provided between the cleaning head 1 and the valve 7 to in crease reach to enable second floor windows to be cleaned. Figure 5 shows one such section wherein the tubular extension 50 has an internally threaded socket 51 and an externally threaded spigot 52 whereby a number of such sections may be connec ted together, the socket of one section en gates the spigot of another. Sealing means such as O-rings may be included to provide a seal for the vacuum. The water conduit provided in each section has a tapered socket 53 and tapered plug 54 each retained by spiders 55 concentricallv and connected by a flexible tube 56. This arransement provides coupling of the conduit when the 'sections are joined together. Any slight water leakage at the conduit joint is not imnortant.

The float mechanism 20 (Figure 1) is arranged so that the outlet to the filter is blocked when tank 19 is empty. The float also cuts-off the vacuum when the water level rises due to blockage of the filter preventing water flowing therethrough to tank 9.

The apparatus provides an effective method of cleaning windows or similar surfaces using high pressure water jets without substantial wastage of water and is thus self contained.

Figures 6 and 7 show a generally similar apparatus from the used return water tank side and feed water tank side respectively.

The motor unit A, which can be electrically powered or an internal combustion engine drives a water pump B and a suction producing unit C. The pump B draws water from an inlet D in the base of the feed water tank E and passes it to the outlet F (conduit 4) under pressure. The unused return water (conduit 5) is discharged back through G into tank E. The vacuum hose 3 communicates with a box H opening into the used return water tank I which is subject to a vacuum produced by unit C. The tank I has a valve unit J comprising a vertical channel with a ball float K and arranged to be movable between a high water level position K1 in which the vacuum duct connection to unit C is blocked, this is to prevent water being drawn into said unit should the level rise too high due to a blocked filter, and a low water position K2, in which the duct to a cartridge filter L is closed when the water level falls too low whereby the suction is prevented from acting on the filter.

The feed water tank is equipped with a ball cock M which opens the outlet side of the filter L when the water level is less than a prescribed maximum.

Figure 8 shows in detail the end of the convoluted hose 3 with the water valve 7 and connection for either the head or extension tubes.

WHAT I CLAIM IS:- 1. An apparatus for cleaning windows or similar surfaces comprising an elongated channel member with longitudinal edges provided with flexible strips, the channel member housing a number of discharge nozzles to direct a spray of liquid towards the open face of the channel, a conduct connected through a pump to a liquid supply tank from which liquid is fed to the nozzles; valve means selectively directing the liquid to either the nozzles or to a return conduit leading back to the supply tank, and a suction line communicating with the channel for removal of liquid caught in the channel.

2. An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the conduit and suction line con

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Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

window and the upper blade 17 assists in the production of a vacuum within the channel and achieved by suction applied to the conduit 3 from suitable means pro vided in the unit 2. The suction producing means is conveniently powered from a motor also driving the water pump. Water drawn-off from the head 1 is discharged from the suction conduit 3 in a separation chamber 18 and is collected in a return water tank 19. The vacuum is applied to the tank 19 through an orifice l9a.

The return tank 19 is connected to the supply tank 9 through a filtering means such as a cartridge filter and when the level in tank 19 reaches a predetermined level set by a float mechanism 20 water is trans ferred to replenish the tank 9. This tank includes a valve means such as a ball-cock 9a which closes when the tank is full to prevent water being sucked back to tank

19 as the level therein falls.

The cleaning head 1 is shown in section in Figure 2 and each spray nozzle 12 (shown dismantled) is connected to a mani fold 12a fed by the pipe 11 from valve 7.

Water drawn-off by the suction flows in direction A down through the handle to the conduit 3. The nozzles 12 may be ad justable, to achieve the required spray pattern.

Figure 3 shows the valve 7 which has a manual trigger 7a controlling two poppet valves 7b and 7c. Valve 7c normally closes the feed to pipe 11 and valve 7b allows water from feed conduit 4 to pass to return conduit 5. When the trigger is pressed the state of the valve is reversed and water from conduit 4 is fed to the pipe 11.

The handle of the cleaning head may be adapted so that several sections can be coupled together for cleaning windows at higher levels and Figure 4 shows an ar rangement wherein two additional sections of handle 6a and 6b are provided between the cleaning head 1 and the valve 7 to in crease reach to enable second floor windows to be cleaned. Figure 5 shows one such section wherein the tubular extension 50 has an internally threaded socket 51 and an externally threaded spigot 52 whereby a number of such sections may be connec ted together, the socket of one section en gates the spigot of another. Sealing means such as O-rings may be included to provide a seal for the vacuum. The water conduit provided in each section has a tapered socket 53 and tapered plug 54 each retained by spiders 55 concentricallv and connected by a flexible tube 56. This arransement provides coupling of the conduit when the 'sections are joined together. Any slight water leakage at the conduit joint is not imnortant.

The float mechanism 20 (Figure 1) is arranged so that the outlet to the filter is blocked when tank 19 is empty. The float also cuts-off the vacuum when the water level rises due to blockage of the filter preventing water flowing therethrough to tank 9.

The apparatus provides an effective method of cleaning windows or similar surfaces using high pressure water jets without substantial wastage of water and is thus self contained.

Figures 6 and 7 show a generally similar apparatus from the used return water tank side and feed water tank side respectively.

The motor unit A, which can be electrically powered or an internal combustion engine drives a water pump B and a suction producing unit C. The pump B draws water from an inlet D in the base of the feed water tank E and passes it to the outlet F (conduit 4) under pressure. The unused return water (conduit 5) is discharged back through G into tank E. The vacuum hose 3 communicates with a box H opening into the used return water tank I which is subject to a vacuum produced by unit C. The tank I has a valve unit J comprising a vertical channel with a ball float K and arranged to be movable between a high water level position K1 in which the vacuum duct connection to unit C is blocked, this is to prevent water being drawn into said unit should the level rise too high due to a blocked filter, and a low water position K2, in which the duct to a cartridge filter L is closed when the water level falls too low whereby the suction is prevented from acting on the filter.

The feed water tank is equipped with a ball cock M which opens the outlet side of the filter L when the water level is less than a prescribed maximum.

Figure 8 shows in detail the end of the convoluted hose 3 with the water valve 7 and connection for either the head or extension tubes.

WHAT I CLAIM IS:- 1. An apparatus for cleaning windows or similar surfaces comprising an elongated channel member with longitudinal edges provided with flexible strips, the channel member housing a number of discharge nozzles to direct a spray of liquid towards the open face of the channel, a conduct connected through a pump to a liquid supply tank from which liquid is fed to the nozzles; valve means selectively directing the liquid to either the nozzles or to a return conduit leading back to the supply tank, and a suction line communicating with the channel for removal of liquid caught in the channel.
2. An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the conduit and suction line con

nect with a liquid supply means and a suction producing means respectively through flexible connecting tubing.
3. An apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the conduit is located inside the suction line.
4. An apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein a part, at least, of the suction line is convoluted hose.
5. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the conduit and suction line connect with a rigid tubular extension, at one end of which the channel member is mounted, the extension being in section% a number of which may be connected as required to provide a working length, each section incorporating a conduit and suction line with connecting means for coupling adjacent sections.
6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the suction line has a liquid separating means causing liquid drawn-off through the channel member to be discharged into a return tank, which is subject to vacuum produced by a suction pump, the return tank being connected to the supply tank through a filter means and including a valve means operable in re sponse to predetermined levels in one or other or both tanks, to cause liquid to flow from the return tank to the supply tank to replenish same.
7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein filter means are included in the outlet of the liquid supply tank.
8. A method of cleaning windows or similar surfaces using an apparatus according to any preceding claim.
9. An apparatus for cleaning windows substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings or in Figures 1 to 5 as modified by Figures 6 to 8.