NO782579L

NO782579L - CARPET CLEANING MACHINE.

Info

Publication number: NO782579L
Application number: NO782579A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Robert Saul Brown; Robert Clovis Fay
Original assignee: Milliken Res Corp
Priority date: 1977-08-02
Filing date: 1978-07-27
Publication date: 1979-02-05
Also published as: EP0000629B1; CA1121116A; JPS5441560A; DE2861310D1; NZ188020A; EP0000629A1; DK340278A; AU3826678A; MX146011A

Description

" Maskin for rensing av tepper"."Carpet cleaning machine".

Vegg-til-veggtepper anses av mange å representere toppen av luksus, de gir en varm atmosfære som husmødre setter stor pris på, og forretningsmenn verdsetter dem fordi de gir kontorene et preg av solid verdighet, men for dem som skal ta seg av rengjøring og ved-likehold, er disse tepper årsak til store bekymringer.Teppene må renses på stedet, rengjøringen må gjennomføres på relativt kort tid, og hvis ikke teppet holdes omhyggelig rent, kan dets levetid for-kortes vesentlig.Tepperenseindustrien er av disse grunner uavbrutt på leting etter metoder og maskineri av forbedret type for rengjøring av tepper. Wall-to-wall carpets are considered by many to represent the pinnacle of luxury, they provide a warm atmosphere that housewives greatly appreciate, and businessmen value them because they give offices an air of solid dignity, but for those who have to take care of cleaning and maintenance, these carpets are a cause of great concern. The carpets must be cleaned on the spot, the cleaning must be carried out in a relatively short time, and if the carpet is not kept meticulously clean, its lifespan can be significantly shortened. For these reasons, the carpet cleaning industry is constantly on the lookout by methods and machinery of an improved type for cleaning carpets.

Det er i senere tid utviklet en fundamental ny fremgangs-måte for rengjøring av tepper, som er basert på anvendelse av et rensemiddelpulver som inneholder en blanding av ytterst porøse, faste partikler og et løsningsmiddel. Dette nye rensemiddel som er kjent fra US-patentskrift nr. 4.013.594, har i særlig grad vist seg egnet for fjerning av smuss fra tepper. Videre kreves det bare et kort intervall mellom påføringen og fjerningen av rensepulveret. ved anvendelse av dette nye rensemiddel er det mulig å rengjøre vegg-til-veggtepper i kontorbygninger og butikker i arbeidstiden uten større forstyrrelse av den normale virksomhet. Dette fremskritt i forbindelse med rensemidler har imidlertid avslørt mangler ved de hittil kjente rensemaskiner. A fundamental new method of cleaning carpets has recently been developed, which is based on the use of a cleaning agent powder containing a mixture of extremely porous, solid particles and a solvent. This new cleaning agent, which is known from US Patent No. 4,013,594, has proven particularly suitable for removing dirt from carpets. Furthermore, only a short interval is required between the application and removal of the cleansing powder. by using this new cleaning agent, it is possible to clean wall-to-wall carpets in office buildings and shops during working hours without major disruption to normal operations. However, this progress in connection with cleaning agents has revealed deficiencies in the previously known cleaning machines.

Når .det i forbindelse med dette nye rensemiddelpulver benyttes utstyr av kjente typer, har det vist seg at noen teppesoner renses meget bedre enn andre soner, slik at teppet får et stripet utseende. Det antas at dette stripede utseende skyldes at pulveret, When equipment of known types is used in connection with this new cleaning agent powder, it has been shown that some areas of the carpet are cleaned much better than other areas, so that the carpet has a striped appearance. It is believed that this streaked appearance is due to the powder,

i motsetning til en væske, må bringes fysisk i inngående berøring med de fibre som skal renses, og det har derfor vært ansett ønskelig, for å kunne dra full nytte av rensemiddelpulveret, å frembringe en anordning som kan overføre en stor del energi til teppet, slik at rensemiddelpulveret bringes i inngående berøring med fibrene, mens unlike a liquid, must be brought into close physical contact with the fibers to be cleaned, and it has therefore been considered desirable, in order to take full advantage of the cleaning agent powder, to produce a device that can transfer a large amount of energy to the carpet, so that the detergent powder is brought into close contact with the fibres, while

energien fordeles jevnt over den sone som rengjøres. Det er videre ønskelig å frembringe en anordning som fordeler på nytt det pulver som har vært anvendt på teppet. the energy is distributed evenly over the zone being cleaned. It is also desirable to produce a device which redistributes the powder that has been used on the carpet.

Det er derfor et formål ved foreliggende oppfinnelse å frembringe en anordning som kan bevirke ensartet overføring av energi til teppet, uten å redistribuere det pulver som har vært brukt på teppet. Det er konstatert at dette kan oppnås ved frem-bringelse av en rensemaskin av den type som er utstyrt med en børste som roterer om et punkt som beveges i en sirkel, hvor børst-en er dreibart opplagret på en ramme, og hvor tyngden av maskinen opptas av børsten og to hjul i den bakre ende av rammen. Den roterende børste er forbundet med midler for nedpressing av rensemiddelpulver i teppet. It is therefore an object of the present invention to produce a device which can effect a uniform transfer of energy to the carpet, without redistributing the powder that has been used on the carpet. It has been established that this can be achieved by producing a cleaning machine of the type equipped with a brush that rotates about a point that moves in a circle, where the brush is rotatably supported on a frame, and where the weight of the machine occupied by the brush and two wheels at the rear end of the frame. The rotating brush is connected to means for pressing detergent powder into the carpet.

Oppfinnelsen er nærmere beskrevet i det etterfølgende i forbindelse med de medfølgende tegninger, hvori: Fig. 1 viser et sideriss av en tepperensemaskin; The invention is described in more detail below in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a side view of a carpet cleaning machine;

Fig. 2 viser et skjematisk snitt langs linjen 2-2 iFig. 2 shows a schematic section along the line 2-2 i

fig. 1; Fig. 3 viser et snitt langs linjen 3-3 i fig. 2; Fig. 4 viser et delvis utsnittet, øvre planriss av tepperensemaskinen>fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a section along the line 3-3 in fig. 2; Fig. 4 shows a partially sectioned, upper plan view of the carpet cleaning machine>

Fig. 5 viser et forstørret, skjematisk sideriss, delvisFig. 5 shows an enlarged, schematic side view, in part

i snitt, hvorav det fremgår hvordan pulveret fordeles, og hvordan det presses ned i teppet ved valgfri anvendelse av en trykkskinne; in section, from which it is clear how the powder is distributed and how it is pressed into the carpet by the optional use of a pressure rail;

Fig. 6 viser skjematisk et øvre planriss av en påmontert børste, fastgjort til hovedrenseelementet, for nedpressing av rensemiddelpulver i teppet; Fig. 7 viser et sideriss langs linjen 7-7 i fig. 6; Fig. 8 viser skjematisk et øvre planriss av en fleksibel strykerdel, fastgjort til hovedelementet, for nedpressing av rensemiddelpulver i teppet; Fig. 9 viser et sideriss langs linjen 9-9 i fig. 8; Fig. IO viser et del-frontriss, med et utsnittet parti, av tepperensemaskinen; Fig. 11 viser skjematisk et undre planriss av den mest foretrukne børste for anvendelse i maskinen ifølge oppfinnelsen; Fig. 12 viser et riss langs linjen 12-12 i fig. 11, som illustrerer plasseringen av børstebustene, samt Fig. 6 schematically shows an upper plan view of an attached brush, attached to the main cleaning element, for pressing down cleaning agent powder in the carpet; Fig. 7 shows a side view along the line 7-7 in fig. 6; Fig. 8 schematically shows an upper plan view of a flexible ironing part, attached to the main element, for pressing detergent powder into the carpet; Fig. 9 shows a side view along the line 9-9 in fig. 8; Fig. 10 shows a partial front view, with a section cut away, of the carpet cleaning machine; Fig. 11 schematically shows a lower plan view of the most preferred brush for use in the machine according to the invention; Fig. 12 shows a view along the line 12-12 in fig. 11, which illustrates the location of the brush bristles, as well as

fig. 13 til 17 viser skjematiske riss av børster av varierende form. fig. 13 to 17 show schematic drawings of brushes of varying shape.

Et ytterhus 20 er svingbart montert på en ramme 22, som vist i fig. 1. Rammen 22 er forbundet med et håndtak 52 som letter flyttingen av maskinen over teppet som skal renses. Et vakuum-kammer 54 som er montert på håndtaket 52, er gjennom en fleksibel slange 56 forbundet med ytterhuset 20. En pulverfordeler av type som er omtalt i US-patentskrift nr. 4.019.662, er montert på rammen 22. Denne pulverfordeler omfatter en pulver forrådsbeholder 36 som er fastgjort til rammen 22, over ytterhuset 20, nær forenden av maskinen, en roterende, retikulert skumsylinder 38 som er dreibart opplagret i pulverforrådsbeholderen 36 og som trykker mot en gjennomhullet utløpsone 40, og en motor 42 for dreining av skumsylinderen 38. Den perforerte utløpssone 40kan lukkes av en klaff 44 som også tjener som en rampe som medvirker til å plassere pulver foran maskinen, når denne føres over teppet. An outer housing 20 is pivotably mounted on a frame 22, as shown in fig. 1. The frame 22 is connected to a handle 52 which facilitates the movement of the machine over the carpet to be cleaned. A vacuum chamber 54, which is mounted on the handle 52, is connected through a flexible hose 56 to the outer housing 20. A powder distributor of the type described in US Patent No. 4,019,662 is mounted on the frame 22. This powder distributor comprises a powder storage container 36 which is attached to the frame 22, above the outer housing 20, near the front end of the machine, a rotating, reticulated foam cylinder 38 which is rotatably supported in the powder storage container 36 and which presses against a perforated outlet zone 40, and a motor 42 for turning the foam cylinder 38 The perforated outlet zone 40 can be closed by a flap 44 which also serves as a ramp which helps to place powder in front of the machine, when it is passed over the carpet.

Under drift blir tyngden av maskinen delvis opptatt av hjul 23 som er dreibart opplagret i den nedre del av rammens 22 bakparti. Begge hjulene 23 roterer om en akse som forløper parallelt med den akse som ytterhuset 20 kan svinge fritt rundt. Dette arrangement vil forhindre at ytterhuset heller, og gir sikkerhet for at når maskinen føres over teppet, vil maskinens høyre side befinne seg i samme høyde som maskinens venstre side, og dette gjør det lettere å håndtere maskinen og gir ensartet rengjøring over hele bredden av den bane som dekkes av maskinen. Da tyngden av maskinen opptas av hjulene 23 og renseelementet 32, og da ytterhuset 20 er anordnet fritt dreibart, vil imidlertid tepper med lo av forskjellig lengde kompenseres automatisk, og ytterhuset 20 vil uhindret følge teppets konturer. Rammen 22 er i tilgrensning til hjulene 23 forbundet med hjulbørster 62, for å forebygge ansamling av pulver på hjulene 23. During operation, the weight of the machine is partly taken up by wheels 23 which are rotatably stored in the lower part of the rear part of the frame 22. Both wheels 23 rotate about an axis which runs parallel to the axis around which the outer housing 20 can swing freely. This arrangement will prevent the outer housing from tipping, and ensures that when the machine is passed over the carpet, the right side of the machine will be at the same height as the left side of the machine, and this makes it easier to handle the machine and provides uniform cleaning across its entire width path covered by the machine. As the weight of the machine is taken up by the wheels 23 and the cleaning element 32, and as the outer housing 20 is arranged to be freely rotatable, however, carpets with pile of different lengths will be compensated automatically, and the outer housing 20 will follow the contours of the carpet without hindrance. The frame 22 is adjacent to the wheels 23 connected with wheel brushes 62, to prevent accumulation of powder on the wheels 23.

Som det fremgår av fig. 2 er en motor 24 med en utgangs-aksel 26 montert i vertikalstilling i ytterhuset 22. Akselen 26 omsluttes av en eksentrisk lagerplate 27 som også ligger an mot den indre bane i et lager 28. Som vist i fig. 3 kan den eksentriske lagerplate 2 7 med fordel være forbundet med kontravekter 25, for å kompensere den ubalanserte tyngde av renseelementet 32. Glipping mellom den eksentriske lagerplate 27 og akselen 26 kan forebygges ved innføring av en kile 29, som vist i fig. 2, Lagerets 28 ytre bane er forbundet med det børstebæreelement 30 som er fastgjort til renseelementet 32. Renseelementet 32 omfatter grupper 31 av buster 34 som ligger an mot teppet som skal rengjøres og som, sammen med As can be seen from fig. 2 is a motor 24 with an output shaft 26 mounted in a vertical position in the outer housing 22. The shaft 26 is enclosed by an eccentric bearing plate 27 which also rests against the inner race in a bearing 28. As shown in fig. 3, the eccentric bearing plate 27 can advantageously be connected with counterweights 25, to compensate for the unbalanced weight of the cleaning element 32. Slippage between the eccentric bearing plate 27 and the shaft 26 can be prevented by introducing a wedge 29, as shown in fig. 2, The outer path of the bearing 28 is connected to the brush carrier element 30 which is attached to the cleaning element 32. The cleaning element 32 comprises groups 31 of bristles 34 which rest against the carpet to be cleaned and which, together with

hjulene 23, opptar tyngden av maskinen.the wheels 23, take up the weight of the machine.

Som det tydeligst fremgår av fig. 1 og 5, er den retikulerte skumsylinder 38 dreibart opplagret i pulverbeholderen 36, og trykker mot den perforerte utløpsone 40 ved det nedre forparti av pulverbeholderen 36. En hjelpemotor 42 dreier skumsylinderen 38 i pulverbeholderen 36. Under påvirkning av hjelpemotoren 42 fordeles pulveret gjennom den perforerte utløpsone 40. I lukket stilling vil beholderklaffen 44 som er svingbart forbundet med pulverbeholderen 36, dekke den perforerte utløpsone 40. Det er anordnet et lokk 46 ved oversiden av forrådsbeholderen, og såvel pulverbeholderklaffen 44 som beholderlokket 46 danner væsketette segl som forsinker uttørkingen av det pulver som er lagret i beholderen 36. I sin åpne stilling, som vistved strekede linjer i fig. 5, tjener beholderklaffen 44 som en rampe, og medvirker til å plassere pulver foran maskinen, mens denne føres over teppet. As is most clearly evident from fig. 1 and 5, the reticulated foam cylinder 38 is rotatably stored in the powder container 36, and presses against the perforated outlet zone 40 at the lower front part of the powder container 36. An auxiliary motor 42 rotates the foam cylinder 38 in the powder container 36. Under the influence of the auxiliary motor 42, the powder is distributed through the perforated outlet zone 40. In the closed position, the container flap 44, which is pivotally connected to the powder container 36, will cover the perforated outlet zone 40. A lid 46 is arranged at the top of the supply container, and both the powder container flap 44 and the container lid 46 form a liquid-tight seal that delays the drying out of the powder which is stored in the container 36. In its open position, as shown by dashed lines in fig. 5, the container flap 44 serves as a ramp, and helps to place powder in front of the machine, while it is guided over the carpet.

på mange tepper er børstene tilbøyelig til å fordele pulveret på nytt over teppet. Denne virkning er særlig tydelig på tepper med lo av liten høyde. Det antas at denne gjenfordeling av rensepulver medfører en ujevn rengjøring av teppet, som resulterer i et stripet utseende. Den fornyede påføring av pulver kan reduseres ved hjelp av trykkdeler som fastgjøres rundt omkretsen av renseelementet 32. Det kan være anordnet trykkdeler i form av på-monterte børster 37a som vist i fig. 6 og 7, eller fleksible armer 3 7b som vist i fig. 8 og 9. on many carpets the brushes tend to redistribute the powder over the carpet. This effect is particularly evident on carpets with low pile. It is believed that this redistribution of cleaning powder causes an uneven cleaning of the carpet, resulting in a striped appearance. The renewed application of powder can be reduced by means of pressure parts which are fixed around the circumference of the cleaning element 32. There can be arranged pressure parts in the form of mounted brushes 37a as shown in fig. 6 and 7, or flexible arms 3 7b as shown in fig. 8 and 9.

I de mer. foretrukne versjoner som er vist i fig. 10 til 16, vil grupper 31 av buster 34 som er plassert i de fremskytende soner av renseelementets 32 ytterperiferi, bevirke at det pulver-formede rensemiddel presses inn i teppeloen, og at den gjenfordeling av rensemiddelpulver som skyldes renseelementet 32 reduseres. In those more. preferred versions shown in fig. 10 to 16, groups 31 of brushes 34 which are placed in the protruding zones of the outer periphery of the cleaning element 32 will cause the powdered cleaning agent to be pressed into the carpet, and that the redistribution of cleaning agent powder due to the cleaning element 32 is reduced.

Av fig. 11 vil det fremgå, at den sone av den foretrukne børstes 32 underside som er forbundet med bustene 32, omfatter flere fremspring 33 som er fordelt langs omkretsen. Ved å følge periferien av den bustforsynte flate, fra hvert fremspring og i den rotasjonsretning som er angitt ved pilen, vil det fremgå at avstanden fra børstens midtpunkt til ytterkanten av den bustforsynte sone avtar jevnt frem til det neste fremspring 33. Som tydeligst vist i fig. 12, er busten anordnet med en helning av ca. 25° i forhold til vertikalplanet, men er, som det fremgår av fig. 2, plassert stort sett rettvinklet mot de radiallinjer som utgår fra børstesentret. ved å plassere bustene 34 slik som beskrevet, på undersiden av børsten 32, er det mulig å redusere børstens tendens til å gjenfordele det pulver som tidligere er utlagt på teppet. From fig. 11, it will appear that the zone of the underside of the preferred brush 32 which is connected to the bristles 32, comprises several protrusions 33 which are distributed along the circumference. By following the periphery of the bristle-provided surface, from each protrusion and in the direction of rotation indicated by the arrow, it will appear that the distance from the center of the brush to the outer edge of the bristle-provided zone decreases evenly until the next protrusion 33. As most clearly shown in fig. . 12, the bristle is arranged with a slope of approx. 25° in relation to the vertical plane, but is, as can be seen from fig. 2, placed largely at right angles to the radial lines emanating from the brush centre. by placing the bristles 34 as described, on the underside of the brush 32, it is possible to reduce the brush's tendency to redistribute the powder that has previously been laid out on the carpet.

Når børsten 32 under drift beveger seg i bane og roterer, vil duskene 31 i den fremskutte sone 33 møte partikler som er lagt ned på teppet. Da bevegelsesretningen for duskene 31 i den av de fremskutte soner 33 som først føres mot rensepulverpartiklene, for-løper tilnærmelsesvis perpendikulært mot kanten av hver bustesone, vil duskenes 31 tendens til å føres opp over partiklene og derved presse disse ned i teppeloen, begunstiges. ved anvendelse av en sirkelformet børste vil derimot bevegelsesretningen for de dusker som først føres mot rensepulverpartiklene, forløpe stort sett parallelt med kanten av bustesonen. Dette antas å øke bustenes tendens til å gjenfordele pulveret. When the brush 32 during operation moves in a path and rotates, the tufts 31 in the advanced zone 33 will encounter particles that have been laid down on the carpet. As the direction of movement of the tufts 31 in the one of the advanced zones 33 which are first brought towards the cleaning powder particles, runs approximately perpendicular to the edge of each bristle zone, the tendency of the tufts 31 to be brought up over the particles and thereby press them down into the carpet will be favoured. when using a circular brush, on the other hand, the direction of movement of the tufts which are first directed towards the cleaning powder particles will run largely parallel to the edge of the bristle zone. This is believed to increase the bristles' tendency to redistribute the powder.

Bustene 34 er montert i hellende, stilling av to årsaker. De vil for det første lette rotasjonen av renseelementet 32, og The bristles 34 are mounted in an inclined position for two reasons. Firstly, they will facilitate the rotation of the cleaning element 32, and

den riktig avpassede helning gjør det tettere for de fremskytende seksjoner 33 å heves opp over pulveret slik at dette arbeides inn i teppet. Hvis motoren 24 driver akselen 26 i urviserretningen, sett ovenfra, bør bustene 34 helle mot venstre, sett fra maskinens forside. En helning i motsatt retning kan imidlertid også gi til-fredsstillende resultater, men det vil være vanskelig å styre maskinen. the correctly adapted slope makes it more dense for the projecting sections 33 to be raised above the powder so that this is worked into the blanket. If the motor 24 drives the shaft 26 clockwise, viewed from above, the bristles 34 should slope to the left, viewed from the front of the machine. However, a slope in the opposite direction can also give satisfactory results, but it will be difficult to control the machine.

Selv om formen ifølge fig. 11 er den mest foretrukne ut-forming av den busteforsynte flate, er andre former, f.eks. som vist i fig. 13 til 17, også velegnet. Fig. 13 viser fasongen av bustesonen på en børste med tannhjulsformet bustesone. Fig. 14 viser formen av bustesonen på en børste med korsformet bustesone. Fig. 15 viser formen av bustesonen på en børste med viftebladformet bustesone. Fig. 16 viser formen av bustesonen på en børste med sagbladformet bustesone. Fig. 17 viser formen av bustesonen på en. børste med avlang bustesone. Fig. 16 adskiller seg i hovedsak fra fig. 11 ved at fig. 11 omfatter fem fremspring, mot seks fremspring i fig. 16.Utformingene ifølge fig. 11 og 16 foretrekkes på' grunn av tilstedeværelsen av et antall frittliggende dusker 35 som er plassert langs en radiallinje ved kantene av fremspringene 33. Hver frittliggende dusk er slik plassert, at det kan konstrueres et tenkt tangentlinjesegment som passerer gjennom midtpunktet av dusken og som oppfyller følgende vilkår: Linjesegmentet er perpendikulært på en tenkt radiallinje gjennom renseelementets midtpunkt og til midtpunktet av dusken, det strekker seg i renseelementets rota sjonsretning, det er beliggende innenfor renseelementets sideflate og det passerer ikke gjennom noe parti av noen annen dusk eller mellom to andre dusker i tilgrensning til hverandre. Da børstene ifølge fig. 11 og 16 omfatter et antall frie buster som er beliggende på en radiallinje, representerer disse børster de mest foretrukne versjoner av oppfinnelsen, men andre utforminger med et antall frie buster som ikke er beliggende på samme radiallinje, Although the shape according to fig. 11 is the most preferred design of the surface provided with bristles, are other forms, e.g. as shown in fig. 13 to 17, also suitable. Fig. 13 shows the shape of the bristle zone on a brush with a gear-shaped bristle zone. Fig. 14 shows the shape of the bristle zone on a brush with a cross-shaped bristle zone. Fig. 15 shows the shape of the bristle zone on a brush with fan blade-shaped bristle zone. Fig. 16 shows the shape of the bristle zone on a brush with a saw blade-shaped bristle zone. Fig. 17 shows the shape of the bristle zone on one. brush with elongated bristle zone. Fig. 16 essentially differs from fig. 11 in that fig. 11 comprises five protrusions, against six protrusions in fig. 16. The designs according to fig. 11 and 16 are preferred due to the presence of a number of detached tufts 35 which are located along a radial line at the edges of the protrusions 33. Each detached tuft is so positioned that an imaginary tangent line segment can be constructed passing through the midpoint of the tuft and fulfilling following conditions: The line segment is perpendicular to an imaginary radial line through the center of the cleaning element and to the center of the tassel, it extends in the direction of rotation of the cleaning element, it is located within the side surface of the cleaning element and it does not pass through any part of any other tassel or between two other tassels in proximity to each other. When the brushes according to fig. 11 and 16 comprise a number of free bristles which are located on a radial line, these brushes represent the most preferred versions of the invention, but other designs with a number of free bristles which are not located on the same radial line,

. kan også godtas.. can also be accepted.

Ved å utforme bustesonen med et antall frittliggende buster, vil det være mulig å minske børstens tilbøyelighet til å gjenfordele pulveret. i den mest foretrukne versjon vil de frie buster stort sett ligge på en radiallinje. Denne kombinasjon av børsteform og busteretning gjør det mulig å redusere børstens tendens til å gjenfordele det pulver som er utlagt på teppet. By designing the bristle zone with a number of detached bristles, it will be possible to reduce the tendency of the brush to redistribute the powder. in the most preferred version, the free busts will mostly lie on a radial line. This combination of brush shape and bristle direction makes it possible to reduce the tendency of the brush to redistribute the powder that is laid out on the carpet.

For ytterligere å redusere gjenfordelingen av pulver kan det være anordnet en trykkskinne 48 som ved hjelp av stenger 50 er svingbart forbundet med rammen 22. Hver stang 50 ender i et tilplattet parti 51, som tydeligst vist i fig. 4, 5 og 10, og hver ende av trykkskinnen 48 er forbundet med et øre 49. Hvert tilplattet parti 51 er svingbart forbundet med det motsvarende øreparti 49 To further reduce the redistribution of powder, a pressure rail 48 can be arranged which is pivotably connected to the frame 22 by means of rods 50. Each rod 50 ends in a flattened part 51, as most clearly shown in fig. 4, 5 and 10, and each end of the pressure rail 48 is connected to an ear 49. Each flattened part 51 is pivotally connected to the corresponding ear part 49

og hver stang 50 er svingbart forbundet med rammen 22, slik at trykkskinnen 48 fritt kan følge teppekonturen. Dersom det er anordnet en slik trykkskinne 48, bør forrådsbeholderklaffen 44 ha en lengde som er tilstrekkelig til å sikre at pulveret blir plassert foran trykkskinnen 48. Når rensemaskinen under drift fremføres over teppet, vil pulveret avlegges foran.trykkskinnen 48 som redu-serer gjenfordelingen av pulver ved å presse pulveret inn i teppeloen.Trykkskinnen 48 har således tendens til å binde pulveret, og kan med fordel benyttes dersom anvendelsen av den uregelmessig formede børste er utilstrekkelig til å redusere stripedannelsen til akseptabelt nivå. and each rod 50 is pivotally connected to the frame 22, so that the pressure rail 48 can freely follow the carpet contour. If such a pressure rail 48 is arranged, the supply container flap 44 should have a length that is sufficient to ensure that the powder is placed in front of the pressure rail 48. When the cleaning machine is moved over the carpet during operation, the powder will be deposited in front of the pressure rail 48, which reduces the redistribution of powder by pressing the powder into the carpet pillow. The pressure rail 48 thus tends to bind the powder, and can be advantageously used if the use of the irregularly shaped brush is insufficient to reduce the streaking to an acceptable level.

Når motoren 24 startes, bringes akselen 26 i rotasjon.When the motor 24 is started, the shaft 26 is brought into rotation.

Da akselen 26 er forbundet med den eksentriske lagerplate 27, vil renseelementets 32 midtpunkt beveges i en sirkel.Renseelementet 32 er fritt,dreibart om sitt sentrum, og vil av den grunn ikke As the shaft 26 is connected to the eccentric bearing plate 27, the center of the cleaning element 32 will move in a circle.

rotere med samme hastighet som akselen 26, men noe langsommere. I den mest foretrukne versjon vil således motoren 24 drive akselen med en hastighet av 3400 omdr./min., mens renseelementet 32 vanlig-vis vil ha en rotasjonshastighet av mellom 50 og 100 omdr./min., rotate at the same speed as the shaft 26, but somewhat slower. In the most preferred version, the motor 24 will thus drive the shaft at a speed of 3400 rpm, while the cleaning element 32 will usually have a rotation speed of between 50 and 100 rpm,

avhengig av den busttype. som benyttes og av den teppetype som ren<g>jøres. depending on the bristle type. which is used and of the type of carpet being cleaned.

Når hjelpemotoren 42 startes, bringes den retikulerte skumsylinder 38 i rotasjon.<p>artikler av rensepulver trenger inn i skumsylinderens 38 porer og bringes i berøring med den perforerte utløpsone 40, og strømmer derfra ut på forrådsbeholderklaffen 44 som tjener som rampe og bevirker at pulverpartiklene avlegges foran ytterhuset 20. When the auxiliary motor 42 is started, the reticulated foam cylinder 38 is brought into rotation.<p>particles of cleaning powder penetrate the pores of the foam cylinder 38 and are brought into contact with the perforated outlet zone 40, and flow from there onto the supply container flap 44 which serves as a ramp and causes the powder particles deposited in front of the outer house 20.

Hvis trykkskinnen 48 er montert, vil rensepulverpartiklene skyves inn i teppeloen, av trykkskinnen 48, méns maskinen fremføres over teppet. If the pressure rail 48 is fitted, the cleaning powder particles will be pushed into the carpet pile by the pressure rail 48, while the machine is advanced over the carpet.

Enten det benyttes en trykkskinne 48 eller ikke, vil duskene 31 i renseelementets 3 2 fremskytende partier 33 føres mot rensepulverpartiklene før de andre dusker på renseelementet 32, og medvirke til å presse pulveret ned i teppet.- De øvrige dusker 31 skrubber pulveret ned i teppet. vakuumsysternet 54 hindrer at over-skytende støv unnviker fra undersiden av ytterhuset 20. Whether a pressure rail 48 is used or not, the tufts 31 in the projecting parts 33 of the cleaning element 3 2 will be guided towards the cleaning powder particles before the other tufts on the cleaning element 32, and help to press the powder down into the carpet. - The other tufts 31 scrub the powder down into the carpet . the vacuum system 54 prevents excess dust escaping from the underside of the outer housing 20.

Claims

1. Machine for cleaning carpets, characterized in that it comprises a frame, an outer housing mounted on the frame, a generally vertical shaft rotatably connected to the outer housing, means for turning the shaft, a rotating cleaning element rotatably mounted on the shaft, and which is rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to but offset from the axis of rotation of the vertical shaft, wherein the cleaning element includes a base element, a number of tassels attached to the base element, each tassel consisting of a number of bristles, and means which are mounted on the cleaning element and which rest against the carpet, to press cleaning agent powder into the carpet cushion and to reduce the redistribution of the cleaning powder.

2. Machine in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the means for pressing down powdered cleaning agent in the carpet pad and for reducing the redistribution of cleaning powder comprise a number of free-standing, inclined tassels which are connected to the base element, where each of the free-standing, slanted tassels includes a number of bristles, and where each detached inclined tuft leans in the direction of rotation of the cleaning element, and where each detached inclined tuft is positioned such that an imaginary tangent line segment starting from the center of the detached inclined tuft is perpendicular to an imaginary radial line between the center of the cleaning element and center in the tuft, and which extends in the direction of rotation of the cleaning element and is situated within the outer surface of the cleaning element, does not pass through any part of any other tuft or between any two other tufts adjacent to each other.

3. Machine in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the tufts form a bristle zone in the shape of a saw blade on the underside of the brush.

4. Machine in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the tufts form a tooth-shaped bristle zone on the underside of the brush.

5. Machine in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the tufts form a fan blade-shaped bristle zone on the underside of the brush.

6. Machine in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the tassels form a cross-shaped bristle zone on the underside of the brush.

7. Machine in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the tufts form a bristle zone of elongated shape on the underside of the brush.

8. Machine in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that each of the detached tassels is arranged largely on the same radial line as at least one other of the detached tassels.

9. Machine in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that it comprises two wheels which are rotatably supported on the frame and which partially support the machine and which are rotatable about the same axis of rotation, and that the outer housing, which is pivotally connected to the frame, is freely rotatable about a axis that runs largely parallel to the carpet and largely parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheels.

10. Machine in accordance with claim 9, characterized by means for dispersing coherent powder, comprising a powder supply container with a perforated outlet surface, a cylinder of pore-forming, elastic, reticulated foam which is rotatably stored in the container and positioned in such a way that during rotation is pressed against the outlet surface of the wall and forces the powder out through the perforations, and means for turning the cylinder.

11. Machine in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that it is equipped with means which cause the powdered cleaning agent to be pressed into the carpet when the machine is advanced over the carpet, and which includes a horizontal pressure rail as well as elements which maintain the pressure rail in contact with the carpet.

12. Machine in accordance with requirement lo, characterized in that the tassel knee forms a bristle zone in the shape of a saw blade on the underside of the brush.

13. Machine in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the tufts form a tooth-shaped bristle zone on the underside of the brush.

14. Machine in accordance with claim lo, characterized in that the tufts form a fan blade-shaped bristle zone on the underside of the brush.

15. Machine in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that the tassels form a cross-shaped bristle zone on the underside of the brush.

16. Machine in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that the tufts form a bristle zone of elongated shape on the underside of the brush.

17. ' Machine in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the tassels lean in the direction which facilitates the rotation of the cleaning element in the direction of the shaft's direction of rotation.

18. Machine in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two wheels which are rotatably supported on the frame and which partially support the machine and which are rotatable about the same axis of rotation, and that the outer housing, which is pivotally connected to the frame, is freely rotatable about an axis which runs largely parallel to the carpet and largely parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheels.

19. Machine in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that it is equipped with means which cause the powdered cleaning agent to be pressed into the carpet when the machine is advanced over the carpet, and which includes a horizontal pressure rail as well as elements which maintain the pressure rail in contact with the carpet.

20. Machine in accordance with claim 1, characterized by means for spreading coherent powder, comprising a powder supply container with a perforated outlet surface, a cylinder of pore-forming, elastic, reticulated foam which is rotatably stored in the container and positioned so that it is pressed during rotation against the outlet surface of the wall and forces the powder out through the perforations, and means for turning the cylinder.

21. Machine in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the frame is connected by means which cause the powdered cleaning agent to be pressed into the carpet when the machine is advanced over the carpet, and which includes a horizontal pressure rail as well as elements which maintain the pressure rail in contact with the carpet.

22. Machine in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the tassels lean in a direction that facilitates the rotation of the cleaning element in the direction of rotation of the shaft.

23. Brush for use in a carpet cleaning machine of the type equipped with a brush, where a point on the brush runs through a circuit while the brush rotates about this point, characterized in that it comprises a base element, a number of tassels which are connected to the base element, where each tuft consists of a number of bristles, and means which are connected to the base element and which are brought into contact with the carpet, to press powdered cleaning agent into the carpet pad and to reduce the redistribution of the cleaning powder.

24. Brush in accordance with claim 23, characterized in that the means for pressing powdered cleaning agent into the carpet and for reducing the redistribution of cleaning powder comprise a number of detached tassels which are connected to the base element, where each detached tassel consists of a number of bristles and is such placed, that an imaginary tangent line segment starting from the center of the detached tuft, perpendicular to an imaginary radial line between the center of the cleaning element and the center of the tuft, and which extends in the direction of rotation of the cleaning element and is located within the outer surface of the cleaning element, does not pass through any part of any other tassel or between two other, arbitrary tassels adjacent to each other.

25. Brush in accordance with claim 24, characterized in that the tufts form a bristle zone in the shape of a saw blade on the underside of the brush.

26. Brush in accordance with claim 23, characterized in that the tassels form a bristle zone in the shape of a gear wheel on the underside of the brush.

27. Brush in accordance with claim 24, characterized in that the tassels form a fan blade-shaped bristle zone on the underside of the brush.

28. B brush in accordance with claim 24, characterized in that the tassels form a cross-shaped bristle zone on the underside of the brush.

29. Brush in accordance with claim 24, characterized in that the tassels form a bristle zone of elongated shape on the underside of the brush.

30. Brush in accordance with claim 24, characterized in that the tufts lean in a direction that facilitates the rotation of the brush in the direction of circulation of the aforementioned point.

31. Brush in accordance with claim 23, characterized in that the tufts lean in a direction that facilitates the rotation of the brush in the direction of circulation of the aforementioned point.

32. Machine for cleaning carpets, characterized in that it comprises a frame, a number of wheels which are rotatably supported on the frame and which partially support the machine and which are rotatable around the same axis of rotation, an outer housing which is pivotally connected to the frame and freely rotatable about an axis extending substantially parallel to the carpet and substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheels, a substantially vertical shaft rotatably connected to the outer housing, means for rotating the shaft, and a rotating cleaning element rotatably mounted on the shaft and rotatable about an axis largely parallel to but displaced in relation to the vertical shaft's axis of rotation, where the cleaning element takes up the remaining part of the machine's weight.

33. Machine in accordance with claim 32, characterized by means for dispersing coherent powder, comprising a powder supply container which is connected to the frame and which includes a perforated discharge surface, a cylinder of porous, elastic, reticulated foam which is rotatably stored in the container and so placed that during rotation it is pressed against the perforated outlet surface and forces the powder through the perforations, and means for rotating the cylinder.

34. Machine in accordance with claim 33, characterized by means which cause the powdered cleaning agent to be pressed into the carpet when the machine is advanced over the carpet, and which includes a horizontal pressure rail which is mounted on the frame, as well as elements which maintain the pressure rail in contact with the carpet.