US20050183222A1

US20050183222A1 - Cordless, battery-operated floor edger, scrubber, and buffer

Info

Publication number: US20050183222A1
Application number: US10/781,639
Authority: US
Inventors: William Grohe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-02-20
Filing date: 2004-02-20
Publication date: 2005-08-25

Abstract

In the floor cleaning industry to have a battery powered machine that can quickly remove dirt and wax build up from edges of floor would revolutionize the way floors are stripped, scrubbed, and buffed. The splash guard would eliminate any floor cleaning agents from contaminating shelved goods. The unique hinge system allows the brush or pad to travel under stationary objects. With no cord to deal with floor jobs would move along faster with higher quality and less risk of injury. The quick release piece would allow user to switch from brush to pad rapidly not losing valuable time on the job. Current methods of cleaning edges, and hard to get to areas are limited to manual operations. This machine offers a power tool with a rechargeable battery adjustable to both right and left handed users.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to cordless, battery operated cleaning mechanisms and more particularly to the stripping, scrubbing, and buffing of edges and hard to reach areas on various types of floors using 18 and 24-volt reversible motor, designed to accommodate both left and right handed users, with adjustable splash guard, and a polarity reverse switch. Changeable heads and hinge motor housing unit, which allows for cleaning of hard to reach areas, such as under stationary tables, benches, and chairs. also, incorporated is a variable speed switch which allows slower speeds which are needed to strip and scrub and higher speeds which are needed for buffing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not applicable

BACKGROUND INVENTION

Currently in the field of stripping and scrubbing of floors, there are no cordless, battery-operated mechanisms. Current methods for removing wax build-up in hard to reach areas and edges around floor displays are manual, with a hand held razor blade scraper, or scrub pad applied to a doodle-bug. While there are a number of battery-operated cleaning tools, none would be sufficient to perform the specific task of this field of endeavor.
In the field of dc powered cleaning tools, there are many that use detachable rotary discs as well as changeable pad, however, none use an adjustable splash guard, or a reversible motor which is needed for various users. U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,605 Armbruster, uses a telescoping pole and a hinge, however, these aren't applicable for use on floors where pressure must be exerted not vertically, but horizontally. Also, the patent mentioned above uses 12 volts. This too is not adequate to accommodate the speeds needed to buff various floors. Prior art does not disclose an 18 and 24 volt dc powered stripper, scrubber, and buffer combination that uses an adjustable splash guard, a fixed length pole, with variable speed and reversible motor, designed exclusively for floor edging applications.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

With only manual, as well as corded machines, available to satisfactorily remove wax and dirt build up from edges of various types of flooring, the embodiment of a cordless edger would decrease not only the time needed to strip and scrub edges of floors, but would greatly reduce the amount of manual labor needed. There is great advantage in not having a cord and in having a suitable splash guard to prevent the damage of goods on shelves close to the floor. Also, the adjustable hinge allows the head of the unit to stay in a fixed position as needed; angled, vertical, or horizontal.
It is the object of this invention to provide a unique cleaning tool which is cordless, versatile, and easy to use and maintain.
It is another object of this invention to provide the floor cleaning industry with a new power tool for stripping, scrubbing, and buffing edges of floors.
It is still another object of this invention to provide an edging tool that accommodates both left and right handed users.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a tool with a rechargeable, long-life, battery.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a floor cleaning power tool that can reach under stationary objects, such as tables, and benches.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a floor cleaning power tool with interchangeable heads, using both pads and brushes.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a floor cleaning power tool with an adjustable mid-pole handle, to accommodate various users.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a floor cleaning power tool with a variable speed and reversible dc motor.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a floor cleaning power tool, equipped with an adjustable/removable splash guard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 side view of the embodiment of a cordless battery operated floor edger, scrubber, and buffer of the present invention.
FIG. 2 side sectional view of how and where the battery retaining bracket is attached to the end of the pole.
FIG. 3 side view of the mid-pole handle bracket attached to the pole.
FIG. 4a overhead view of the splash guard.
FIG. 4b side view of the splash guard.
FIG. 5a front view of the male side of the hinge.
FIG. 5b side view of the male side of the hinge.
FIG. 6 side view of one piece of the female side of the hinge.
FIG. 7a overhead view of the splash guard stabilizing and retaining plate.
FIG. 7b side view of the splash stabilizing and retaining plate.
FIG. 7c side view of the angle bracket that holds the splash guard stabilizing and retaining plate to the motor housing.
FIG. 8 sectional view of the motor housing with motor mounted and FIG. 7c as well as FIG. 5b attached.
FIG. 9 sectional view of the rear pole handle with variable speed switch and polarity reverse switch.
FIG. 10 front view of the mid-pole handle bracket. Same as FIG. 3 but a different view.
FIG. 11 quick connect piece to be attached to brush as well as disc for floor pads.
FIG. 12 mid pole handle.

DETAILD DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1 the device according to the present invention uses a fixed length pole 8. Prepare the pole by notching out holes both top and bottom to support polarity reverse switch 42 and variable speed switch 45, also drill counter sink holes 43 & 44 in proper position on the pole. Drill counter sink holes 9 to support battery retaining and supporting bracket 10. At the bottom of the pole drill counter sink holes 28, both left and right side, to support 2 pieces of the female side of the hinge 26. Connect wires to polarity reverse switch 42. Then run them to the bottom of pole 8, to the top of pole 8, and to the notched out hole for the variable speed switch 45.
Slide polarity reverse switch 42 into place and screw down through counter sink holes 43, then attach wires to the variable speed switch 45, slide into place, and screw down through counter sink holes 44. Starting from top of the pole 8, slide pole grip handle 2 down the pole and into place. Connect wires at the top of the pole 8 to the battery retaining and supporting bracket 10. Slide the battery retaining and supporting bracket 10 into place and attach thru counter sink holes 9.
At the bottom of the pole 8 drill a hole on the top side, pull wires through hole. Slide a rubber donut insulator down the wires and into the hole to avoid wire rubbing on the pole 8. Attach a two sided plug-in type connector to the end of the wire. Leaving enough wire to allow for the pole 8 to move up and down on the hinge FIG. 4. at the bottom of the pole 8 insert one piece of the female side of the hinge 26. Screw into place through counter sink holes 28. Then put second piece of the female side of hinge 26 into pole 8. Screw into place through counter sink holes 28. This forms the complete female side of the hinge 26.
Take bottom piece of the mid pole handle bracket 49 and the middle piece of the mid pole handle bracket 48 and attach it to the middle section of the pole 8. Screw down through counter sink holes 50. Take the mid pole handle 51 and insert it into place on the top of the middle piece of the mid pole handle bracket 48, then put the top piece of the mid pole handle bracket 47 into place and screw down through counter sink holes 46.
To assemble motor housing 5 use stock material. Cut four even sides then groove inside bottom of each side to hold motor stabilizing and retaining plate 39. Cut from stock material a top piece and a bottom piece to fit motor housing unit 5. Drill center hole in bottom piece and cut in two. Take three sides of motor housing unit 5 and spot weld in the connecting corners.
Then spot weld top piece to the three sides of the motor housing unit 5. Take one half of the bottom plate and spot weld it to the bottom of the connected three sides of the motor housing unit 5, leaving one open side of the motor housing unit 5.
Obtain stock material for motor stabilizing and retaining mount plate 39. Drill center hole and motor mount screw holes. Then mount complete motor 37, gear box 38, and adjustable clutch 40 to motor stabilizing and retaining plate 39. Connect needed wires to the motor 37. Drill a hole in the top of the motor housing unit 5, and insert a rubber donut insulator into the hole. Push wires connected to motor 37 through hole in the top of the motor housing unit 5,
Then slide motor stabilizing and retaining plate 39 into the grove of the three sided motor housing unit 5. Drill and tap holes to attach the remaining side of the motor housing unit 5, and the second half of the bottom of the motor ho using unit 5. Take the second side of the two-sided plug-in connector that fits the wires coming out the bottom of the pole 8. Connect plug to the wires from the motor 37.
Connect the male side 23 of the adjustable hinge FIG. 4 to the motor housing unit 5, as seen in FIG. 8. Slide female side 26 of the adjustable hinge FIG. 4 at the bottom of the pole 8 into the male side 23 of the adjustable hinge FIG. 4 and insert bolt into hole 24. Use wing nut on bolt to allow quick adjustment.
Attach angle bracing brackets 34 to all four sides of the motor housing unit 5. From stock material, cut splash guard bracing disc 31, square out the center 29 and drill all holes 30, and 32. Slide splash guard bracing disc 31 over the motor housing unit 5. Attach to the angle bracing brackets 34. Attach splash guard 16 to splash guard bracing disc 31. Take quick connect piece FIG. 11 and attach it to purchased stripping brush with a lock nut. Insert into hollow motor shaft 41.
To strip floor, pick up machine, adjust to fit, and place the brush on the floor. Pull variable speed trigger 6 to achieve desired speed. Exert minimum pressure downward and walk along the edges of the floor to remove old wax build up.
To scrub floor, remove brush from machine useing a disc and a purchased scrub pad with quick connect piece FIG. 11 (attached the same as the brush with lock nut). Insert into hollow motor shaft 41 and follow the same procedure as when stripping.
To buff floor, remove scrub pad from bottom of disc and apply a buff pad. Then follow the same procedure as scrubbing, only use maximum speed provided through the variable speed switch 6.

Claims

1. The application of cordless battery powered motor, gear box, and clutch assembly mounted at the end of a fixed length pole to be used to strip, scrub, and buff edges of various types of floors

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said application is not limited to any range of voltage as supplied by rechargeable battery source.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said application is limited for use on various types of flooring as well as various types of carpets,

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said application would include protective adjustable splash guard

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said application would include quick release piece in various sizes

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said application would incorporate an adjustable mid pole handle

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said application would also incorporate an adjustable hinge able to adjust so as to stay in a fixed position

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said application would use both brush and, a interchangeable pad disc not limited in size

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said application of motor, gear box, and clutch assembly not limited to dependancy