US2693609A

US2693609A - Window washing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2693609A
Application number: US123146A
Authority: US
Inventors: Briceno Manuel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1949-10-24
Filing date: 1949-10-24
Publication date: 1954-11-09
Anticipated expiration: 1971-11-09

Description

Nov. 9, 1954 M. BRICENO 2,693,609

WINDOW WASHING APPARATUS Filed on. 24. 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet l 4% "iiill llllllli Manuel Briceno INVENTOR.

NOV. 9, 1954 BRlCENQ 2,693,609

WINDOW WASHING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 24, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.3. Fig. ll. g 3o '5 25 RT za t l l Nov. 9, 1954 M. BRICENO wmoow WASHING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 24, 1949 w R A m I w m m I N I m m 1 a x B M NU. p m n 9% a M w 2 I I! a w 4 2 "W6 m 4 flu 4 w 7 w w 7 w 0 0 7 8 2 IO h A M Nov. 9, 1954 M. BRICENO wmnow WASHING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 24, 1949 Manuel Briceno INVENTOR. m:-

United States Patent Ofiiee 2,693,609 Patented Nov. 9, 1954 WINDOW WASHING APPARATUS Manuel Briceno, New York, N. Y.

Application October 24, 1949, Serial No. 123,146

6 Claims. (Cl. 15103) This invention appertains to a window or wall washing apparatus and has for its primary object to automatically wash and rinse window panes and similar structures.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a window cleaning apparatus that can be locked on a window frame and mechanically positioned in engagement of the exterior or interior of the window and automatically operated to wash and rinse the window.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a circulating system for the window cleaning device, the circulating system functioning to spray wash and rinse water on the pane and to collect the water from the window pane, thus obviating any possibility of the water coming in contact with the frame or surrounding structure.

Yet another important object of this invention is to provide a compact and inexpensive device, that is portable in nature and can be easily attached to and detached from window frames for cleaning the exterior and interior of the window panes.

And yet a further important object of this invention is to provide an adjustable cleaning device, that is mechanically operated and automatically controlled and which can be adjusted for use with various types of windows, regardless of the dimension thereof.

These and ancillary objects and structural features of merit are attained by this invention, a preferred embodiment of which is set forth in the following decription and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view partly in section of a window washing apparatus, constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 55 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a top plan view;

Figure 7 is a front elevational view;

Figure 8 is an enlarged detailed view of the means ptrlovided for journaling the upper reach of the endless 0 am;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic showing of the electrical circuit;

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the lower end of the vertical guide post or member;

Figure 11 is a detailed view of the fixed contact members on the post for the relay and the movable contact member carried by the holder slidably mounted on the post or members; and,

Figure 12 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view taken on line 12--12 of Figure 5.

This invention is especially designed and adapted for use in automatically washing large windows, such as found in coliseums, auditoriums or the like. However, the same is adjustable in nature and can be advantageously employed with any type of window, regardless of the size or structure thereof.

Generally speaking, the window washing device consists of a base, which is mounted on the window sill or frame and which is provided with means for clamping or locking the same thereon in a fixed position. A longitudinally adjustable plate is superimposed on the base and is disposed parallel therewith, means being provided for moving the plate on the base to various positions relative thereto. Another plate is mounted on the first plate, the second plate being adjustable transversely of the base and provided with means for effecting such adjustment. A third plate is superimposed on the second plate and is rotatably mounted thereon, means being provided for rotating the third plate on the second plate. All of the plates form a connecting means, which is adjustable in every direction horizontally on the base and support a vertical post, which is pivoted at its lower end thereon, so that it is vertically swingable on the base. In effect, universal connecting means is provided between the post and the base, whereby the post may be moved. An endless rotary chain is journaled in the post and is driven by prime mover mounted on a platform, which is secured on the support plate or rotatable plate. A squeegee or brush holder is slidably mounted on the post and is carried by the chain, so that rotation of the chain reciprocates the holder vertically on the post. Pumping means is mounted on the platform and driven by the motor, the pumping means supplying wash and rinse water to the squeegee holder and directing the same onto the window pane. A trough is horizontally disposed below the holder and is connected by conduits to the pumping means, so that the trough collects all of the water sprayed onto and rubbed over the window pane and the water is returned to a disposal unit by the pumping means.

The holder is automatically reciprocated on the post, the motor being reversible and switch means being provided and actuated by the extreme upper and lower movements of the holder for operating a relay to reverse the cycle of operation of the motor.

The structure of the apparatus or machine will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings by numerals.

The base structure 10 includes a pair of horizontal,

parallel side bars

12 and 14, which are joined at their outer ends by

end bars

16 and 18. The

side bars

12, 14 terminate at their opposite ends in

downturned legs

20 and 22 and are formed at their lower edges with transversely aligned notches 24 for receiving the bottom stop, not shown, of the window frame 21. Clamping means 26 is adjustably carried by the end bar 18 and is provided to clamp the base structure on the window frame, with the

side bars

12, 14 seated on the sill 23 transversely thereof, the clamping means including a plate 28 from which rearwardly projects guide rods 30. The guide rods 30 are slidably disposed through open ings formed in the end bar 18 and a screw 32 is rotatably journaled in a collar 34 formed on the plate, the screw being disposed through the end bar and being provided at its outer end with an operating wheel 36.

Guide bars

38 and 40 are welded or otherwise secured to the outside of the

side bars

12 and 14 and are formed with longitudinally extending grooves 42 to support a plate 44. The plate 44 is formed at each of its opposite longitudinal marginal edges with a depending flange 46 terminating in lateral tongues 48. The tongues 48 are slidably disposed in the grooves 42 and adapted to guide the plate 44 for movement longitudinally of the frame 10 and transversely of the window frame 21, the plate moving parallel with the

side bars

12, 14 transversely of the window frame 21. Actuating means is provided for moving the plate 44 and preferably includes an elongated externally threaded rod 50, which is rotatably journaled in a bearing, 62, carried by the side bar 14 and is provided with a knurled actuating knob 54. The rod is threaded through a collar 56, on one side flange of the plate, so that rotation of the rod, in the collar 56 moves the unitary collar 56 and plate 44 longitudinally of the base.

A rectangular open frame 58 is positioned transversely on the plate 44 and is formed with

parallel side bars

60 and 62. joined by end bars 63. The plate 44 is provided on its upper face with tracks 64 slidably fitting in grooves 66 formed in the outer side edges of the

bars

60 and 62, as seen in Figure 4 whereby said frame 58 is guided for sliding movement on the plate 44 transversely of the frame 10 and parallel with the window frame 21. A rack bar 68 is formed on the underside of the side bar 62 and is operatively engaged by a pinion 70 fast on a -rotary rod 72 to slide the frame 58. The rod 72 is disposed parallel with and between the

side bars

12, 14 of the base, the rod being journaled and endwise slideable in the end wall bar 16, and terminating in a knurled ac tuating Wheel 74. The rod 72 is journaled intermediate its ends in a hanger bearing 71 on the plate 44, as shown in Figure 4. Pins 73 in said rod on opposite sides of the bearing 71 provide for sliding of said rod with said plate 44.

A plate 76 is mounted in the frame 58, the 1nner edges of the

bars

60 and 62 being grooved as at 78 to slidably receive the laterally extending tongues 86 on the side edges of the plate and whereby said plate 76 1s shdable longitudinally of the frame 58. The plate forms a base for a housing 82 suitably fixed thereon, the housing having cylindrical side Walls 34 formed with an annular flange 86, which is seated on the upper edges of the

bars

60 and 62, as seen in Figure 4. An arm 88 extends outwardly from the side walls 84, the arm being welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto and supporting a rod 90 on which is fixed a pinion 92. The pinion 92 is enmeshed with a rack bar 94 formed on the upper face of the frame 58, at the inner edge of the side bar 60.

Complementary apertured ears 96 project laterally from the side walls 84 of the housing and a rod 981s rotatably journaled therein, the rod being provided with a knurled knob 180. A worm gear 182 is formed on therod, between the ears 96 and projects into the housing through a side opening 104 of the side walls 84. A gear 106 is horizontally disposed in the housing and is rotatably journaled therein by means of a vertically disposed bolt 108, which has its lower end rotatably seated in a bearing 118 formed on the bottom of the housing 82. The bolt 108 extends through an L-shaped plate 112 and a plate 113 superimposed on the end of the L-shaped plate 112 and fixed thereto by the bolt 108 and bolts 109. The gear 106 is rigidly secured to said end of the L- shaped plate by means of vertically disposed stay bolts 114 positioned through the gear and extending into the plate or platform.

Obviously, rotation of the shaft 98 will produce, through the worm 102, rotation of the gear 106. It will be seen that the gear being fixed to the L-shaped plate 112, the

plates

112, 113 will be turned by rotation of the gear.

An upstanding wall 114 is formed on one side edge of the plate 113, as seen in Figure 2, with a housing 116 being secured on the opposing edge, parallel to the side Wall and perpendicular to the plate 112. A rod 118, having actuation knob 120 extends into the housing 116 and is formed at its inner ends with a worm 121. the worm'being intermeshed with a vertically disposed gear 122 fixed on a horizontally disposed shaft 124. The shaft is formed with a reduced end 126 rotatably journaled to one side wall of the housing and an opposing enlarged end 128 rotatably extending through the opposing side wall of the housing and terminating in a noncircular or square end 138. A socket member 132 is pivotally positioned between the housing 116 and the side wall 114, the socket having laterally extending lugs 134 rotatably received in an opening 136 in the side wall 114 and having a recess 138 in its opposing end to receive the end 130 of the shaft 124. The lug 134 rotates in the side wall 114, as the socket 132 is moved about the horizontal axis of the lug 134 by rotation of the gear 122' and subsequent rotation of the shaft 124, produced by manual movement of the rod 118.

A shaft 140 is rotatably journaled in the socket member, the shaft having a reduced end 142 mounted for rotation in a bearing in the inner surface of one of the side walls of the socket member 132 and opposing reduced end 144 extending through a center opening in the lug 134 and connected by means of clutch 146 to a driven shaft 148 rotatablv iournaled in a housing 150 bolted on the side wall 114. By means of a gear reduction drive 152, the shaft 148 is rotated to impart rotation to e shaft 140, the gear being driven by an electric motor 154.

An elongated guide post and supporting member 156 is adapted to be received within the socket member 132 and preferably consists of a rectangular post, having recesses 164 in the lower ends of its side walls 162 which are joined by

end walls

166 and 168. The lower ends of the connecting end walls are seated in the socket member, straddling the shaft by means of the recesses 164 in the side walls. A gear 170 is fixed on a transversely disposed rotating shaft 172 mounted between the side walls 162 of the post, the gear being driven by a gear 174 fixed on the shaft 148. A sprocket wheel 176 is secured on the shaft 172 and drives the lower reach of the rotary chain 178, the chain being rotatably disposed in the post and having its upper reach mounted on an idler sprocket 180. A inverted U-shaped supporting member 182 supports the idler wheel shaft and is suspended from the closure cap 184 on the upper end of the post by means of a screw 186 rotatably disposed in a collar 188 on the web of the member 182 and extending through the cap 184. Thus, the chain can be tightened ov rotating the screw 186 to raise the support 182 in the post.

An elongated longitudinally extending slot 198 is formed in the wall 168 of the post and a transverse stop 192 is formed at'the lower end thereof. A guide block 194 is slidably disposed in the slot and is secured by fasteners 196 to one of the links of the chain. A plate 198 is slidably disposed on the exterior of the Wall 168 and is connected to the guide block, the plate being formed with a projecting arm 260 forming a part of the means 282 for holding a squeegee or brush. The arm 2% terminates at its outer end in laterally projecting flanges 204.

A complementary plate 206 is bolted to the flanges 204 to support a vertical tubular member 2418. A collar 210 is secured on the lower end of the tubular member by a set screw 212 and is formed with a projecting holder 214, having a groove 216 therein to support a squeegee or brush 218. A rod 220 is telescopically arranged at the upper end of the tubular member 208 and is locked therein by a transverse set screw 222, the rod having a collar 224, similar to the collar 218, secured concentric thereon. A holder 226 is formed integral with the collar and supports a squeegee 228. The holder is formed with a transverse passage 230 and a nozzle 232 is formed at its outer face in communication with the passage and having a connection 234 formed at its rear face in connection with the passage.

A flexible tube or conduit 236 is secured to the connector 234 andextends from a pump unit 237, the pump being one of a pair of

twin pumps

238 and 240, which are mounted on the L-shaped platform 112, adjacent to the electric motor 154. A driven shaft 242 is connected to the pumps and is driven by the motor by means of a spur gear 244 secured thereon and connected with a gear 246 on the shaft of the motor.

An inlet tube or conduit 248 extends from a water container 250 to the pump forcing the water from the tank to the spray nozzle 232 and directs the water through the spray nozzle onto the window pane. In order to obviate splattering of Water thereon, a trough 252 is positioned transversely below the. squeegees or brushes and is mounted in the lower end of the Window sash 251 by means of laterally extending studs 254 anchored in the side. An outlet 256 provided at one end of the trough has a tube 258 secured on'the outlet and connected to the pump 240. An outlet tube 260 extends from the pump 240 to a disposal tank 262.

In use, the base structure 10 is positioned on the window sill 23 of a window frame 21 to be washed, the legs 20 being disposed outside the window, with the recess 24 in the side bars positioned on the window stop. The clamping means 26 is then actuated to attach the same to the sill structure at the inside of the window frame 21, so that the base structure 10 is locked on the Window sill. When the base structure 10 is attached as described, the remaining parts of the machine are positioned to operate the

Squeegees

218, 228 outside the window against the glass sash of the window 251 as shown in Figure 1.

By operation of the rod 50, the plate 44 is movable longitudinally of the base structure 1!) to move all parts above said plate longitudinally of said structure 10 whereby the

squeegees

218, 228 may be moved into engagement with the glass of the sash 251 for reciprocation vertically, by means presently described, in engagement with the glass while said Squeegees exert uniform pressure, relatively, against the glass. By operation of the rod 72, the frame 58 with the plate 76 and parts above said plate may be moved transversely of the plate 44 and base structure 10- to correspondingly move all parts across the glass from side to side thereof. The rod 90 may be operated to cause, by means of the pinion 92 meshing with the rack 94, movement of the housing 82 and parts above the same longitudinally and independently of the frame 58 for movement of the

squeegees

218, 228 across the glass independently of movement of said frame 58, whereby to extend the range ofmovement of said squeegees across the glass, as occasion may require. By operating the shaft 98, the gear 106 may be rotated to impart horizontal rotation about a vertical axis to the parts above the housing 82' to impart horizontal, rotational swinging movement to the

squeegees

218, 228 for varying the pressure exerted thereby against the glass throughout the length of the squeegees according to cleaning requirements. Operation of the rod 118- will cause swinging of the socket member 132 and the guide post and supporting member 158 about the axis of the

shafts

124, 140 to swing the socket and post toward and from the glass and correspondingly swing the

squeegees

218, 228 for engaging the squeegees with the glass and disengaging the same from the glass in any position of the plate 44, frame 58 and housing 82 and whereby to facilitate cleaning operation of the squeegees by varying the pressure exerted thereby, also to render the squeegees idle relative to the glass without moving the whole structure above the base structure 10.

Means is provided for automatically reciprocating the holder for the squeegees vertically, to automatically move the

squeegees

218, 228 vertically in contact with the window glass. Thus, the motor 154 being reversible, means is provided and is preferably actuated by the guide block 194 for reversing the cycles of operation of the motor. For illustration of the reversing means, attention is directed to Figures 1, 5, ll, 9, of the drawings, wherein the automatic operation of the holder is illustrated.

An arm 286 projects rearwardly from the block 194 and a bell crank 288 is pivoted on the terminal thereof, the bell crank being selectively engageable with the conductors 264, as seen in Figure 11, to control the reversibility of the motor. Three coplanar laterally spaced

conductor rods

263, 264, 265 are mounted vertically on the side wall 162, the rods being attached at their lower ends to a connector block 262 having sockets 268 therein opposite said rods, a conventional plug in plate 270 with plugs 272 thereon receivable in the sockets 268 connects the

conductor wires

273, 275, 277 to the

conductor rods

263, 264, 265, said wires being covered by a sheath 276 and forming part of circuits shown in Figure 9. A manual switch 280 on the motor 154 is suitably interposed between circuit feeder and return

lines

290, 292, for operation to start and stop motor 154.

The conductor wire 273 leads to one side of a relay 294, the other side of which is connected to the feeder line 290 by a wire 296. The conductor 275 is connected to the return line 292. The conductor wire 277 is connected to one side of a second relay 298, the other side of which is connected by a wire 300 to the feeder line 290.

In the upward limit of movement of the block 194, bellcrank 288 engages an upper insulation stop 302 on the rod 263 and is swung to bridge

rods

264, 265 as shown in full lines in Figures 11 and 9 and thereby closes circuit to relay 294. In the downward limit of movement of block 194, bellcrank 288 engages a second insulation stop 304 on rod 263 and is swung to bridge

rods

263, 264, as shown in dotted lines in Figure ll, and thereby closes circuit to the second relay 298. The bellcrank 288 is held in bridging engagement with the rods by frictional engagement therewith.

When circuit to relay 294 is closed. said relay closes a spring loaded double pole switch 306 to close a shunt circuit for reversing the commutator of the motor 154 for operation of the motor in one direction. This shunt circuit includes

wires

308, 310, 312. 314, 316. When circuit is closed to the second relay 298, said relay 298 closes a second spring loaded double pole switch 31.8 to close a second shunt circuit to the motor armature to reverse the motor 154 for operation thereof in the opposite direction. This second shunt circuit includes

wires

320, 314, 316, 322. The motor field 324 is connected by

wires

326, 328 at opposite sides thereof to the feeder and return

lines

290, 292.

The switch 280 is suitably connected in the circuit by 6 wires, not shown; in asheath 330leading to azjunction box 278 on the plate 112 containing the

relays

294, 298 and to which the sheath 276 extends, and from which a sheath 332 with the feeder and return

lines

290, 292 therein extends for connectionof said

lines

290, 292 to a suitable source of electric energy, not shown.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. A window washing apparatus comprising a base adapted to be mounted on a window frame, a hollow vertical guide member, universal connecting means mounting the lower end of the guide member on the base, actuating means for said connecting means and a vertically reciprocable squeegee holder mounted on the guide member, a drive for said holder including a reversible motor mounted on the connecting means, andswitch means for controlling the motor including conductors extending longitudinally in said member, and a lever in said member actuated by the holder for engaging said conductors' 2. A window glass washing machine comprising an elongated base structure attachable to the sill structure of the window to extend transversely thereof, an upright post above said frame structure, a squeegee, means mounting said squeegee on said post for vertical movement relative thereto in wiping engagement with the glass, supporting means for the post at the lower end thereof pivotally mounting the post for swinging about a horizontal axis toward and from the window glass to correspondingly swing said squeegee and position the same relative to the glass, means pivotally mounting said supporting means for rotation about a vertical axis lying in a common vertical plane with said horizontal axis to correspondingly rotate said post and squeegee and further position the squeegee relative to the glass, means slidably mounting said last named means on said base structure for movement longitudinally and transversely thereof to position the post and squeegee relative to the glass independently of swinging and rotation of said post and squeegee, manipulative means for swinging said supporting means, and manipulative means for rotating the means pivotally mounting said supporting means.

3. A window glass washing machine comprising an elongated base structure attachable to the sill structure of the Window to extend transversely thereof, an upright post above said base structure, a squeegee, means mounting said squeegee to said post for vertical movement relative thereto in wiping engagement with the glass, supporting means for the post at the lower end thereof pivotally mounting the post for swinging about a horizontal axis toward and from the glass to correspondingly swing said squeegee and position the same relative to the glass, means pivotally mounting said supporting means for rotation about a vertical axis lying in a common vertical plane with said horizontal axis to correspondingly rotate said post and squeegee and further position the squeegee relative to the glass, and means slidably mounting said last named means on said base structure for movement longitudinally and transversely of the same to position the post and squeegee relative to the glass independently of swinging and rotation of said post and squeegee.

4. A window glass washing machine according to claim 3 wherein said last named means comprises a plate slidably mounted on said base structure and movable longitudinally thereof, a frame slidably mounted on said plate for movement transversely of said base structure, and a plate carrying the means pivotally mounting said supporting means and mounted in said frame for movement therewith and sliding movement independently thereof transversely of said base structure.

5. A window glass washing machine comprising an elongated base structure attachable to the sill structure of the window to extend transversely thereof, an upright post above said frame structure, a squeegee, means mounting said squeegee on said post for vertical movement relative thereto in wiping engagement with the glass, supporting means for the post at the lower end thereof including a socket in which said post is fixed, means pivotally mounting said socket for swinging about a horizontal axis toward and from the glass to correspondingly swing said post and squeegee and position the squeegee relative to the glass comprising a pair of aligned journalled shafts one being fast to said socket and the other rotatable therein, means pivotally mounting said first named means on said base structure for rotation about a vertical axis to correspondingly rotate said post and squeegee and position the squeegee relative to the glass, manipulating means for oscillating said one shaft to swing the socket and rotating with said first named means, means for rotating the first named means, means to move said squeegee vertically operated by the other shaft, and power means for rotating said other shaft.

6. A window glass cleaning machine comprising an elongated base structure attachable to the sill structure of the window transversely thereof, an upright post above said base structure, a squeegee, means mounting said squeegee to said post for vertical movement relative thereto in wiping engagement With the glass, supporting means for the post at the lower end thereof including a journalled shaft on which said lower end is rockably seated, means pivotally mounting said supporting means for rotation about a vertical axis lying in a common vertical plane with said shaft to correspondingly rotate said post and squeegee and position the squeegee relative to the glass, means to rotate said supporting means, vertically spaced means slidably mounting said supporting means on said base structure for movement longitudinally and transversely thereof in one and the same hori- 8 zontal plane to position said squeegee relative to the glass, means to move said squeegee vertically by rotation of said shaft, and power means for rotating the shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,072,832 Daines Sept. 9, 1913 1,286,076 Olsiewsky Nov. 26, 1918 1,474,840 Martin Nov. 20, 1923 1,689,617 Bornstein Oct. 30, 1928 1,759,015 McIntosh May 20, 1930 2,435,862 Wilson Feb. 10, 1948 2,517,474 Fouse Aug. 1, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 17,466 Denmark June 30, 1913