GB2433423A

GB2433423A - An apparatus for remotely cleaning a structure

Info

Publication number: GB2433423A
Application number: GB0525879A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Glyn Howard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-12-20
Filing date: 2005-12-20
Publication date: 2007-06-27
Also published as: GB0525879D0

Abstract

An apparatus for remotely cleaning a structure, such as a gutter, comprises a hose section 2, a nozzle 4 attachable to a free end of the hose section 2, an extendable and retractable support section 12 attachable to the hose section 2 and movable relative thereto and means for retaining a portion of the hose section 2 in a predetermined position to direct the nozzle 4 relative to the support section 12. The support section 12 is preferably made up of a plurality of sections with one or more of the sections being telescopically extendable and retractable. The means for retaining a portion of the hose section 2 maybe a spacer element 6 attachable to two sections of the hose section 2 so that it retains the hose section 2 in a substantially U-shaped configuration. The support section 12 is preferably connected to the hose section 2 via a connector 10 which may be pivotable relative to the support section 12 to enable relative movement of the hose section 2 and the support section 12. The hose section 2 is preferably in contact with a source of suction therefore allowing debris to be removed from the surface being cleaned.

Description

AN APPARATUS FOR REMOTELY CLEANING A STRUCTURE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for remotely cleaning a structure and has particular application in a variety of industries, for example, in the cleaning of guttering on buildings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In various instances it is necessary or desirable to clean dust or debris from a remote scene, for example parts of buildings such as ledges, sills, struts, supporting beams, or gutters which may be difficult to reach without the use of ladders or scaffolding. A builder or other specialist would typically use a ladder or the like to gain access to elevated structures to view the condition of these structures and then clean the structure. This may be expensive, time consuming, and hazardous and in some circumstances it may even be difficult to locate a ladder.

Furthermore, it may be desirable to clean structures other than buildings, but access to various parts of the structure to be cleaned may be difficult or dangerous.

Thus there is a need for a system and method of cleaning a structure which is easier to use than conventional systems and methods and which may be used in a variety of situations including those where access to the component to be cleaned is difficult or dangerous, and which is quick and easy to assemble.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for remotely cleaning a structure comprising: a hose section; a nozzle attachable to a free end of the hose section; a support section attachable to the hose section and movable relative thereto; the support section being extendable and retractable to enable the length of the support section to be varied; and means for retaining a portion of the hose section in a predetermined position to direct the nozzle relative to the support section.

In a preferred embodiment, the support section comprises a plurality of sections, one or more of said plurality of sections being telescopically extendable and retractable. This is particularly advantageous as it permits the apparatus to be used to clean a variety of structures at differing heights or distances from the user.

Preferably, the means for retaining a portion of the hose section comprises a spacer element attachable to two sections of the hose section.

The means for retaining a portion of the hose section may preferably be arranged to retain the portion of the hose section in a substantially U-shaped configuration.

In a preferred embodiment, the means for retaining a portion of the hose section comprises any of a bar, or a shaft or a rod.

Preferably, the means for retaining a portion of the hose section comprises one or more clamps to clamp the means to the hose section.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a connector for connecting the support section to the hose section. The connector may comprise a clamping member which is pivotable relative to the support section to enable relative movement of the support section and the hose section.

Preferably, one or more of said plurality of sections of the support section comprise a hollow tube.

In a preferred embodiment, the clamping member comprises a clamping ring for encircling a portion of the hose section to retain the clamping member on the hose section.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a suction unit for connection to the hose section to clean the structure in use.

The support section and/or hose section may be easily and quickly attachable to and detachable from the suction section in use which enables a variety of lengths of hose sections and/or support sections to be attached to suit the environment in which the apparatus is to be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

The present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an elevation of the head section of a cleaning apparatus an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the head section of Figure 1 in use in the cleaning of a gutter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

Figures 1 and 2 show a head section of a cleaning apparatus I according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The cleaning apparatus 1 comprises a flexible hose section 2 extending from and attachable to a vacuum cleaner body section (not shown), a nozzle section 4 attached to the free end of the hose section 2, a spacer element 6 having a first end and a second end. A clamp 8 such as a clamping ring is located at each of the first and second ends of the spacer element 6 to clamp the spacer element 6 between two portions of the hose section 2. A swivel clamp 10 is arranged to attach the hose section 6 to a support section 12.

In the assembled configuration, a portion of the hose section 2 adjacent the nozzle section 4 is bent into a U-shape such that the longitudinal axis through the nozzle section 4 lies in a plane substantially parallel to the plane in which the longitudinal axis of the remaining portion of the hose section 2 lies. The portion of the hose section 2 which forms the U-shaped section is retained in this configuration by the spacer element 6 which is clamped at its first end to the hose section 2 adjacent the nozzle section 4 and at its second end to a portion of the hose section substantially opposing the nozzle section. The spacer element 6 may be, for example, a rod or bar formed of metal or another material.

The support section 12 is preferably formed of a plurality of sections which are telescopically extendable and retractable and these sections may be telescopically receivable within one another such that the support section 12 may be extended to a length of, for example 20 metres, and then retracted for transport to the desired location. The sections may be in the form of hollow tubes. Various sets of support sections 12, each being extendable to a different length, may be provided for use in various situations. These may be easily and quickly attachable to and detachable from the vacuum cleaner body (not shown) to enable a variety of lengths of hose section 2 to be attached to suit the environment as well as a variety of lengths of support sections 12 which may be used as desired to suit the location to be cleaned.

The swivel clamp 10 is arranged to be located at the end of the support section 12 and is retained thereon by a bolt 14 passing through the body 15 of the swivel clamp 10 and through an aperture in the support section 12 to act as a first pivot for the swivel clamp 10. The bolt 14 may be tightened as desired to lock the position of the swivel clamp 10 relative to the support section 12. Another portion of the swivel clamp body 15 is arranged to be attached to the hose section 2 and is fastened thereto using a clamping ring 16 which encircles the hose section 12 and is retained by a bolt 18 which extends through an aperture in the clamping ring 16. The clamping ring 16 is attached to the clamp body 15 by means of a shaft 20 which is rotatably mounted on the clamp body 15 to permit rotation of the clamping ring 16 about the axis of the shaft 20.

In use, apparatus may be assembled by attaching the hose section 2 to the support section 12 using the swivel clamp 10, and, if desired, setting and clamping the angle of the support section 12 relative to the swivel clamp body 15 using the pin. The hose section 2 may be attached to a vacuum unit (not shown) and the support section 12 is then telescopically extended by the user to the required length. The head of the apparatus 1, including the nozzle section 4, is then moved to the surface to be cleaned and the vacuum unit activated to clean the surface and remove debris and dust therefrom.

As shown in Figure 2, the apparatus 1 may be used advantageously to clean structures such as guttering 22.

In practice, the open end of the nozzle 4 may contact the surface to be cleaned from above which is advantageous as better suction may be obtained and therefore more efficient cleaning may be achieved. Furthermore, the swivel clamp 10 enables the nozzle 4 to maintain contact with the surface to be cleaned as it permits the relative movement between the support section 12 and the hose section 2. It is also advantageous for the support section to be formed of telescopically extendable and retractable sections rather than the hose section 2 being formed in such a configuration as better suction is thereby achieved and the sections of the supports section 12 do not have to be airtight.

The system and apparatus according to preferred embodiments of the present invention has a variety of uses and in particular is of use in situations where previously it has been difficult or dangerous to clean structures without the need for access equipment such as ladders or scaffolding. Thus, it finds particular application in the building industry enabling builders to clean structures such as roofs or guttering from ground level. Where it could otherwise be dangerous to reach the structure.

Various modifications to the embodiments of the present invention described above may be made. For example, other components and method steps can be added or substituted for those above. Thus, although the invention has been described above using particular embodiments, many variations are possible within the scope of the claims, as will be clear to the skilled reader, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. Apparatus for remotely cleaning a structure comprising: a

hose section; a nozzle attachable to a free end of the hose section; a support section attachable to the hose section and movable relative thereto; the support section being extendable and retractable to enable the length of the support section to be varied; and means for retaining a portion of the hose section in a predetermined position to direct the nozzle relative to the support section.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support section comprises a plurality of sections, one or more of said plurality of sections being telescopically extendable and retractable.

3. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for retaining a portion of the hose section comprises a spacer element attachable to two sections of the hose section.

4. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for retaining a portion of the hose section is arranged to retain the portion of the hose section in a substantially U-shaped configuration.

5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the means for retaining a portion of the hose section comprises any of a bar, or a shaft or a rod.

6. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the means for retaining a portion of the hose section comprises one or more clamps to clamp the means to the hose section.

7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a connector for connecting the support section to the hose section.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the connector comprises a clamping member which is pivotable relative to the support section to enable relative movement of the support section and the hose section.

9. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein one or more of said plurality of sections of the support section comprise a hollow tube.

10. An apparatus according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the clamping member comprises a clamping ring for encircling a portion of the hose section to retain the clamping member on the hose section.

11. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a suction unit for connection to the hose section to clean the structure in use.

12. An apparatus for remotely cleaning a structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one embodiment as that embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.