GB2175797A

GB2175797A - Floor treating machines

Info

Publication number: GB2175797A
Application number: GB08511724A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cyril Hargreaves
Original assignee: LINEAR MOTORS Ltd
Current assignee: LINEAR MOTORS Ltd
Priority date: 1985-05-09
Filing date: 1985-05-09
Publication date: 1986-12-10
Also published as: GB8511724D0

Abstract

A floor cleaning machine comprising a housing (12) with a handle (18), and a rotatable brush (2). The brush is driven by a motor comprising a flat stator (16) mounted on the underside of the housing and a flat rotor (14) of non-magnetic material which is mounted on the backplate (6) of the brush so as to face the stator (16). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Floor treating machines This invention relates to floor treating machines and is particularly concerned with machines which are provided with rotary brushes or buffing devices for scrubbing or polishing floors. Several such machines are available and usually have electric motors for rotating the brushes or buffing devices, such motors generally being squirrel-cage induction motors.

It has been found that the use of this type of motor increases the overall height of the machine so that it is not possible to clean or polish a floor area beneath a desk and the furniture has to be moved, or the floor treated by hand. This is, of course, not acceptable to the user.

Accordingly the present invention provides a floor treating machines including a body and a rotary brush or buffing device rotatably mounted on or in the body and driven by a linear motor having an annular stator. Preferably the brush or buffing device forms or incorporates the rotor of the motor while the stator is incorporated in the body of the machine.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a section view of a floor treating machine according to the invention, Figure 2 is an underside view of an electric drive motor used in the machine of Fig. 1.

As seen in Fig. 1 a brush 2 has bristles 4 and a back 6. A short spindle 8 of the brush is rotatable in a bearing 10 fast in a housing 12. The upper surface of the brush back 6 carries an annular plate 14 and forming a rotor the underside of the housing 12 carries a linear motor 16, there being an air gap of approximately 2mm. between the motor 16 and the plate 14. A handle 18 is pivotally connected to a pin 20 fast in lugs 22 on the housing 12.

The linear motor 16, as seen clearly in the drawings, is of annular form and surrounds the spindle 8. The plate 14 is of a non-magnetic metal or alloy.

Although the drawings show a floor treating machine having a single rotary brush, there could be provided two or more brushes, each of which may have its own annular linear drive motor. Alternatively, each brush back may be provided with a ring gear, all the brushes be ing thus geared together.

It has been found that such an arrangement as described has no need for reduction gear units, or drive belts and pulleys with a consequent quieter operation and reduced mainte nance requirement compared with conventional machines driven by squirrel cage motors. The low profile of the machine of the invention enables ready access and use beneath tables, desks and other furniture.

1. A floor treating machine including a body carrying a rotatably mounted rotary brush or buffing device, and a linear motor having an annular stator arranged to drive the said brush or buffing device.

2. A floor treating device according to claim 1 in which the brush or buffing device forms or incorporates the rotor of the motor while the stator is incorporated in the body of the machine.

3. A floor treating machine according to claim 2 in which the said body comprises a housing having an inside wall carrrying the said stator, and a bearing mounted centrally of the said stator; the said brush or buffing device having a backplate which carries an annular plate forming the rotor, and a spindle mounted centrally of said rotor so as to cooperate with said bearing.

4. A floor treating machine according to claim 3 including a plurality of brushes or buffing devices.

5. A floor treating machine according to claim 4 in which each brush or buffing device is driven by a corresponding linear motor.

6. A floor treating machine according to claim 4 in which one of the said brushes or buffing devices is provided with a driving motor whilst the others are driven from it by means of suitable gearing.

7. A floor treating machine substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Floor treating machines This invention relates to floor treating machines and is particularly concerned with machines which are provided with rotary brushes or buffing devices for scrubbing or polishing floors. Several such machines are available and usually have electric motors for rotating the brushes or buffing devices, such motors generally being squirrel-cage induction motors. It has been found that the use of this type of motor increases the overall height of the machine so that it is not possible to clean or polish a floor area beneath a desk and the furniture has to be moved, or the floor treated by hand. This is, of course, not acceptable to the user. Accordingly the present invention provides a floor treating machines including a body and a rotary brush or buffing device rotatably mounted on or in the body and driven by a linear motor having an annular stator. Preferably the brush or buffing device forms or incorporates the rotor of the motor while the stator is incorporated in the body of the machine. One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a section view of a floor treating machine according to the invention, Figure 2 is an underside view of an electric drive motor used in the machine of Fig. 1. As seen in Fig. 1 a brush 2 has bristles 4 and a back 6. A short spindle 8 of the brush is rotatable in a bearing 10 fast in a housing 12. The upper surface of the brush back 6 carries an annular plate 14 and forming a rotor the underside of the housing 12 carries a linear motor 16, there being an air gap of approximately 2mm. between the motor 16 and the plate 14. A handle 18 is pivotally connected to a pin 20 fast in lugs 22 on the housing 12. The linear motor 16, as seen clearly in the drawings, is of annular form and surrounds the spindle 8. The plate 14 is of a non-magnetic metal or alloy. Although the drawings show a floor treating machine having a single rotary brush, there could be provided two or more brushes, each of which may have its own annular linear drive motor. Alternatively, each brush back may be provided with a ring gear, all the brushes be ing thus geared together. It has been found that such an arrangement as described has no need for reduction gear units, or drive belts and pulleys with a consequent quieter operation and reduced mainte nance requirement compared with conventional machines driven by squirrel cage motors. The low profile of the machine of the invention enables ready access and use beneath tables, desks and other furniture. CLAIMS