US2014626A - Floor polisher - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 1.7, 1935.

A. E. MOORHEAD' OOOOOOO L1 SHER rigi al F' pril 2 3 Sheets-Sheet l Y U y Ml LIM H Hf 79 if] ed i 1 A NUL 11|m0000 0} 00 l@ G C)v G' III OI@ ,7006/710/1 am Q Q um 0500W|0 000}0 @Har/veg Sept 17, 1935. A. E. MOORHEAD O 2,014,66

FLOOR POLI SHER original Filed April 22, 1929 3 sheets-sheet l2 jme/Nor /eff E. Z700/"head Bj W f-/w Sept. 17, 1935. A. E. MQORHEAD 2,@l42

FLOOR POLISHER" Original Filed April 22', 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 mummy Patented Sept. 17, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLOOR POLISHER Application April 22, 1929, Serial No. 357,180 Renewed February 23, 1935 4 Claims.

This invention relates to floor polishing,l and especially to a household polishing device that is larranged to be operated by a small electric motor.

Motor driven brushes for polishing floors have been suggested in the past. Polishing was done by applying wax to the floors or to a waxing cloth fastened to the brush. Then, when the brush was rotated, the friction created thereby caused a high polish tobe produced.

The same mechanism of course can be used to scrub the floors with a cleaning Yliquid prior to the application of wax. The liquid has been usually either poured on the iioor or on the cloth covering the brush; and after cleaning, the wax is applied. After the wax is well rubbed in, a polish can be given the oors by a thirdoperation, using a dry fabric, such as felt, or the like, on the brushes.

In such old schemes, it is apparent that it is laborious to apply the wax or cleaning material; and accordingly it is one of the objects of my invention to make it possible to apply the material either for cleaning or polishing, in a very simple manner.

I accomplish this object by arranging matters in `such a way that the operator who uses the device need merely wrap a fabric or paper or other absorbent material around the brushes, said fabric or paper being previously impregnated with the cleaning or polishing material, and which can conveniently be supplied to the user in the form of a roll or the like.

It is also another object of my invention to provideV a novel and improved form of oor treating instrument; and especially one in which the tendency of the instrument to drag or pull as it is operated on the floor is obviated.

It is still another object of my invention to provide a floor treating device in which the buffing action is secured by the aid of a pressure created by centrifugal force, acting on the buffing material, to produce a floating contact with the floor.

My invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be mademore easily apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of my invention. For this purpose I have shown a form in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. I shall now proceed to describe this form in detail, which illustrates the general principles of my invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of my invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a polisher attachment embodying my invention; the polishing 5 cloth being indicated only in section;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view thereof;

Fig. 3 isa sectional View taken along plane 3 3 of Fig. 2, and showing in outline, the power unit for operating the polisher. l0

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the polisher;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, taken along plane 5 5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 illustrates a roll of the impregnated material that can be used in connection with my l5 device; and

Fig. '7 is a diagram of another form of material that can be used in lieu of that shown in Fig. 6.

I show a pair of circular elements I I, I2 mount- 20 ed for rotation around a horizontal axis. In the present instance, these elements are shown as soft, flexible brushes. These brushes can be coaxial to extend across the front portion of the mechanism and are arranged to be driven so that 25 their lower portions can rest on the oor I3 for treating the floor. As shown most clearly in Fig. 2, each brush can be provided with a pair of flanges I4, l5 between which a bristle supporting cylinder IIi can be fastened; and the 30 cylinder I6 as well as the flanges are fastened as by keying to a shaft I 1. This shaft has a bearing I8 at one end in a frame I9, and at the other end, a roller bearing 2l) can be provided,

fastened into the frame I9. 35

The frame I9 in which the brushes are rotatably mounted, is made of two halves to permit ready assembly. In this instance, they overlap at the medial line, as indicated at 2l, and are fastened together by the aid of the screws 22. 40

The tops of the frame sections are open for facilitating inspection, repairs and assembling. They can be kept covered over by sheet metal parts 23.

As shown most clearly in Fig, 3, the frame I9 serves to define a space for the provision of 45 transmission elements whereby brushes II, I2 can be. rotated from a shaft 24. Before describing these transmission elements in detail, however, I shall refer more particularly to those parts of the device which are needed for facili- 50 tating the placing of an impregnated material over the brushes for providing the cleaning or polishing function.

Extending across the front of the frame I9, is a bar 25, in which are a pair of horizontal 55 slots 26. Each of these slots extends across the front face of a brush II or I2 so as to permit the introduction therethrough of material intended to be wrapped around the brushes. Such material is indicated at 21, Fig. 4. In order to anchor the material at its end to the brush upon which it is to be placed, I show a pair of hooks 28, for each brush, and each fastened respectively in the supporting cylinder I6 at its ends. These hooks can be formed as pointed wires, the points of which can readily pass through Vthe material 21, as seen in Fig. 4. This material is stretched across the brush by the aid of these hooks; then by imparting rotation to the brushes, the material is wound on the brushes. Thus winding of the material by power is advantageous, as it provides an automatic means for Yplacing the material over the brushes.

The roll 29 from which material 21 is cut, is illustrated in Fig. 6. It can carry markings, such as 30, by the aid of which proper lengths of the material can be cut off to extend around the brushes one or more times. With six inch diameter brushes, for example, a yard of material can readily be wound on the brushes, to produce a double layer thereon. When the material gets soiled, it can not only be reversed, but that end which was engaged by the hooks can be substituted for the free end; and in this way, at least four changes can be had from each length of material 21. The provision of roll 29 of such impregnated material, with the appropriate lengths marked off as at 30, renders the use of my polisher very convenient. It is merely necessary to cut olf the right length of material, pass it through the slot 26, fasten it across the hooks 21, and then start the brushes. As the brushes rotate, the material 21 will be drawn in and will l be wrapped around them. 40

Instead of fabric, rough absorbent paper, such as 68, (Fig. '7) can be used, impregnated with wax or the like. Perforations 69 can be provided to provide recesses for comparatively large masses of wax, forming substantially wax wafers. Either form, however, is prepared for ready use with the material such as wax or oil, and even if it hardens, it can still be as effectively used as if it were fresh. This hardening is not a detriment in this case. If such material were stored in bulk as is now common, difficulty would be experienced to spread it due to its hardening. No such difliculty exists when pre-spread as herein described,

The cover members 23, as shown most clearly in Fig. 3, can each be anchored in a groove 3l formed in the top edge of the bar 25. In this way, a smooth outline for the completed machine is secured.

I have found that if both brushes I I and I2 be rotated in the same direction, there is a tendency for these brushes to produce a traction effect on the floor, so that if the machine be moved in one direction, the brushes have a tendency to-carry the machine away from the operator; and if moved in another direction, the brushes produce a material drag. In order to avoid this tendency, I arrange matters in such a way that the brushes II and I2 are rotated in opposite directions. In order that the material 21 be nevertheless drawn over both brushes when they are rotated, I provide the hooks 28 on brush I2 to extend in a direction reverse to those on brush II. I shall now describe how the brushes II and I2 are driven.

Thepower for the brushes is obtained from a small encased electric motor 32 that is provided with the usual manipulating handle 33, and wheels 34. The motor casing in this instance is shown as provided with a flange 35 serving to house a detachable clutch mechanism for attach- 5 ing the brush structure to the motor. For this purpose, the motor shaft 36 extends into the space defined by the flange 35; it carries a wheel 31 having a number of pockets 38 in each of which is slidable a spring pressed projection 39. These l0 projections 39 are each provided with a recessed end 4i! to accommodate the compression spring 4I for urging them outwardly through apertures in the face of wheel or disc 31. Screw plugs 42 serve to keep these springs in place. l5 The projections 39 are arranged to slip into `corresponding apertures 43 in the other portion of the separable clutch, including the disc This' disc has a flange 45 telescoping over the wheel or disc 31. It is evi-dent that when 20 this telescopinglis effected, and shaft 36 rotated, the projections will soon find their seat in apertures 43 and will thereupon positively drive the disc 44 and the shaft 24 which is attached thereto.

The shaft 24 is journaled in bearing 45 in a disc 25 41 that is fastened, as by screws 48, to the frame I9. This disc 41 has a flange 49 closely telescoping over flange 35, and appropriately detachably fastened thereto. For this purpose, flange 49 may be provided, as shown in Fig. 4, with one B Shaft 24 carries a bevel gear 52 that serves 3K5n to drive a pair of bevels 53 and 54 (Fig. 2) in opposite directions. Attached to these gears are the spur gears 55 and 56. 'I'hese gears rotate freely on a shaft support 51 extending between walls 58, 59 of frame I8. Gears 55 and 56 in 40 turn rotate gears 68, 6I in opposite directions. These gears are supported at one side on stub shaft 62 supported in a stationary standard 63.

These gears 60, 6I are shown as driving the brushes II, I2 through a one-way drive. The 45 brushes II, I2, for this purpose, can be fastened to ratchet wheels 65, 66, respectively, as by being formed integrally with the shaft I1 of the brushes. Each of the gear wheels 68, 6I carries a spring pressed pawl 61, to engage ratchet wheel 65 or 66. A projection or stub shaft 64 extending from each wheel 65 and 66 serves to support the wheel properly by engaging into a recess in the adjacent ratchet wheel. Du'e to the provision of this one-way drive it is possible to wind the material 21 on to the brushes without the necessity of rotating the motor shaft 36.

The motor 32 rotates the brushes II, I2 at such a rate that the fabric 21 mounted thereon is urged by centrifugal force to press against lthe floor, producing a floating contact. The brushes being exible, are slightly flattened at the point of contact. Thus due to this centrifugal force, the weight on the brushes need not be excessive, the pressing being secured by other means.

It is obvious that I have provided a compact, detachable polishing device that can be driven by a portable power unit. The cleaning or polishing acts can be performed by placing over the brushes, cloth or other material that is impregnated with a cleaning fluid or with a polishing medium. This material can be prepared by dipping it in a fluid bath of the cleaning or waxing medium. After impregnation, the material can be folded or rolled and sold in separate packages.

I claim:

1. In a floor treating machine, a rotatable brush structure having radial bristles, means for driving said brush, a exible material Wound several times around the brush, and means whereby only the inner end of said material is fastened to the brush structure.

2. In a oor polishing machine, a pair of rotatable brushes having a common drive, means for rotating said brushes in opposite directions, and means whereby flexible floor treating material can be fastened over the brushes, said material being secured Ito said last named means only at one end whereby rotation of the brushes will serve to Wind said material thereon.

3. A oor treating machine, including a rotatable yielding roll, oor treating material wound more than once over the roll and having only its inner end attached to the roll, and means for so rotating the roll that the free end of the material presses outwardly by the centrifugal force set up by the rotatable element.

4. A oor treating machine, including a r0- tatable yielding roll, floor treating material, Wound more than once over the roll and having only its inner end attached to the roll, and power means for rotating the roll to Wind said material thereover.

ALBERT E. MOORHEAD.

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