US2819478A

US2819478A - Convertible carpet scrubbing or floor polishing machine

Info

Publication number: US2819478A
Application number: US402307A
Authority: US
Inventors: Otis B Sutton
Original assignee: Hoover Co
Current assignee: Hoover Co
Priority date: 1954-01-05
Filing date: 1954-01-05
Publication date: 1958-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 1975-01-14
Also published as: FR1117004A; BE534663A; CH329018A; GB773818A

Description

Jan. 14, 1958 o. B. SLJII'TON CONVERTIBLE CARPETSCRUBBING on FLOOR POLISHING MACHINE Filed Jan. '5, 1 954 s Sheets-Sheet 1 v 0. B. SUTTON Jan. 14, 1958 CONVERTIBLE CARPET SCRUBBING OR FLOOR' POLISHING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 5, 1954 Fig. 4

Jan. 14, 1958 o. B. SUTTON 2,819,478

CONVERTIBLE bARPE SCRUBBING 0R FLOOR POLISI-YIING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5; 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet s United States Patent CONVERTIBLE: CARPET SCRUBBING R FLOOR POLISHING Otis' B."Su ttoi1, North'iCanton, Ohio, assignor to The Hoover compan Nortli'CantonfOhiU, a corporation of Ohio Application January-5, 1954, Serial No. 402,301

My invention relates to the art of carpet cleaning and is particularly directed to a simple, economical, replace able, attachable and detachable device for floor polishers which will enable the same to be used to do an effective job of carpet cleaning utilizing cleaning compounds such tached to an existing floor polisher without removing any parts thereof for the purpose of readily, converting.

the polisher into an eflicient carpet scrubbing device.

Carpet scrubbing devices utilizing brushes for the purpose of working. granular cleaning material into the carpetare known; however, such devices are diiiicult to operate due to the gripping action of the brush bristles on thecarpet. Rotary brushes throw the cleaning material' outwardly by centrifugal force and the high speed rotation of stiff bristles on the carpet produces objectionable wear thereof. It is accordingly another object of my invention to provide a device by which cleaning material can be scrubbed into and against the carpet by motor driven means which will be easy to manipulate; which will not subject the carpet to objectionable wear; and which will not objectionably throw out the cleaning material by centrifugal action during the cleaning operation.

It is a further specific object of my invention to provide a disc which is readily attachable to a floor polisher and comprises a central attaching means surrounded by a disc-like section havin'g an upper base against which the bristles of the polishing brush bear to form a resilient support for the polisher While the underface of the disc is provided with suitable downwardly-extending separated ribs or protrusions which rub the cleaning compound into the nap or pile of the carpet so as to insure that all portions thereof are brought into intimate contact with the compound and are acted upon by the cleaning agents therein contained.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a scrubbing disc of the character above mentioned which has the undersurface and peripheral flange thereof so tapered and configured as to cause the device to glide across the surface of even deep pile carpets during use without tending to dig thereinto and without tending to offer such resistance to movement of the device over the carpet as will cause it to tip about the manipulating handle-or be difficult to control and manipulate.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure l is an elevational view, partly broken away and partly in section, illustrating a known type of floor polisher with my invention attached thereto;

Figure 2 is a partial sectional elevational view on an enlarged scale of a part of the device of Figure 1;

FigureB is a bottom plan view'of a first preferred form of a scrubbing member;

2 Figure 4is a bottom plan viewof'a modified formof the invention;

Figure 5 is a bottomplan View of another modified.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 illustrating the action of the rib on a carpet after. it has been used a short time and illustrating the manner in which the cleaning compound is worked into the carpet nap or pile; and

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the disc of Figure 3 showing the effect of the tapered undersurface flange thereofin gliding the disc across the surface of' the carpet and preventing the same from digging thereinto.

Referring now to. the dra'wingin detail and first to Figurel thereof,thereisillustrated a floor polishing machine of aknown type which per se forms no part of my invention. Thefloor polishing machine as such illustrated herein is disclosed and. claimed inthe copending application of Erhard Kohl, Serial Number 91,980, filed May 7, 1949, now Patent No. 2,683,884, dated July 20, 1954, for Floor Polisher. Briefly, this floor polishing machine comprises a main frame 1 upon which is supported a pair of drive shafts 3 connected by suitable gearing, not shown, to an electrical drive motor 2. The shafts 3 project downwardly below the lower end of the frame 1 and extend through the central portion of brush backs 4 which are detachably secured to the shafts in driving relation in any desired manner. of the shafts 3 carry downwardly projecting tongue 6 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. The brush backs 4 carry downwardly extending polishing bristles 5 which may be used for polishing, brushing, scrubbing or any other suitable operation as desired.

The frame structure 1 of the polishing machine is overlaid and covered by a protective plastic shell 8 which formsa decorative cover therefor, and an electrical insu lating shield around the electrically energized parts of the apparatus. The frame 1 at opposite sides thereof carries projecting trunnion bosses 10 which pivotly support the opposite ends of handle bail 11 carrying a manipulating handle 12, only part of which is shown.

The scrubbing disc forming the principal subject matter of my invention is designated generally by the reference character 15 and comprises a central upstanding hub portion 16 provided in the upper part thereof with a transverse slot 17 which receives the flattened tongue 6 on the lower end of the drive shaft 3. The tongue 6 and hub 16 are detachably secured together by a separable snap fastener generally designated by the reference character 18. The upper half of the fastener 18 is secured to the tongue 6 by means of a rivet 14 and the lower half of the fastener 18 is secured to the hub 16 by means of a rivet 19. The foregoing construction provides a means.

by which the disc 15 may readily be attached to and detached from the shaft 3 without in any way interfering with the brush structure on the polisher. Additionally, the fastener and drive structure for the disc is elevated above the lower ends of the brush bristle 5 so as not to interfere with their functioning when the disc 15 is not applied to the machine.

The disc 15 is provided with a flat upper face 2% surrounding the central hub 16 against which the brush bristles hear. The flattened tongue 6 fits loosely into the complementary slot 17 to form a loose but positive dri' ing connection therebetween. The snap fastener 18 holds the disc 15 to the tongue 6 firmly against axial forces but cooperates with the loose drive of the disc 15 to permit some rocking movement between thedisc and shaft-which is desirable as providing resiliency to permit the disc to Patented Jan. 14, 1958,

The lower ends travel over any inequalities in a carpet being worked on. The brushes resiliently engage the disc to resiliently resist rocking movement thereof and also resiliently transmit some of the weight of the polisher structure to the discs.

The lower surface of the disc 15, designated generally by the reference character 21, is tapered to a slight extent upwardly and outwardly from the lower portion of the hub 16 as shown most clearly in Figures 1 and 8 and terminates at its outer periphery in an upwardly and outwardly inclined peripheral surface 23.

Referring now to Figure 3, it will be seen that the bottom surface of the disc comprises a central, substantially-circular rib 24 at the lower portion of the central hub 16 which rib connects to a plurality of radial ribs 26 joining a substantially-circular peripheral rib 27 which in turn joins the surface 23. The ribs 26 and

circular ribs

24 and 27 are separated by shallow depressions 25 formed in the bottom surface 21 of the disc as viewed in Figure 3 or as viewed in Figure 1 the depressions 25 are raised with respect tothe bottom surface 21 of the disc so that the

ribs

24, 26 and 27 form the principal portions of the disc which actually come into contact with and sink into the pile of the carpet undergoing cleaning. That is, the disc is provided with alternate protrusions 26 and depressions 25. As most clearly shown in Figures 6 and 7, the ribs 26 are smoothly rounded in cross section and are curved to merge gradually with the depressions 25 to avoid rough surfaces or abrupt joints which produce carpet wear while insuring desirable scrubbing and agitation of the carpet.

Referring now to Figure 6, it will be observed that granular cleaning material indicated generally by the reference character 30 is lying on the surface of the nap or pile 31 of a carpet 32 which is to be cleaned. The granular cleaning material indicated generally by the reference character 30 is of the type consisting of a carrier such as wood flour which is impregnated with suitable carriers and cleaning compounds which are either organic or inorganic whichever may be desired. A number of these compounds are known and marketed at the present time and a common example thereof is that disclosed and claimed in U. S. Letters Patent to Edwards, Number 2,364,608.

As the radial rib 26 advances into the nap in a rotary direction it causes the nap or pile 31 to bend and scrubs the compound 30 against the individual elements thereof and at the same time forces the compound deeply into the pile or nap as the rib opens the same in the manner illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. This action is very vigorous and scrubs the compound 30 into intimate and forceful engagement with each element of the carpet nap to insure the same will be cleaned with maximum facility. It is to be noted, however, that the disc 15, which is preferably of plastic material as illustrated but which may be made of metal, is smooth surfaced on all portions thereof which are likely to contact the carpet so as to produce a vigorous agitating and scrubbing action thereon without abrading the same and producing undesirable wear.

As the action of the disc 15 is continued on the carpet it eventually works the compound 30 deep into the nap or piie thereof in the manner illustrated in Figure 7 which arrangement insures that the cleaning agents carried in the granular compound will be given the most effective opportunity to dissolve permanent soil and the like and to effect the cleaning action in general. It is noted in each of Figures 6 and 7 that the direction of rotation of the disc is indicated by the arrow showing the portions of the carpet which have been worked upon by the rib 26 and any portions thereof which have not yet been subjected to the agitating and scrubbing action of the rib.

Referring now particularly to Figure 8, the effect of the taper on the bottom of face 21 of disc 15 is made apparent. By this arrangement the outer edge of the disc naturally rides very close to the outer end of the carpet nap or pile 31 which tends to give the disc a skidding ac- 4. tion which makes it ride smoothly across the carpet and, in particular, prevents the same from digging in along the leading edge.

In the operation of this form of device it has been found that the pockets or depressions 25 acting in conjunction with the peripheral rib 27 substantially prevent the granular cleaning compound from being projected from beneath the disc 15 by centrifugal force which action overcomes a major disadvantage of brushes.

After the cleaning operation is completed the granular cleaning material, together with the soil which it has removed from and absorbed from the carpet, may be removed with a suction cleaner or in some similar manner.

It is a particular advantage of my invention that the discs 15 may be readily and simply attached to the polisher and removed therefrom without in any fashion altering or affecting the relation of the mechanical parts thereof and, in particular, without disturbing the brushes. Hence, to restore polisher to its original function it is only necessary to snap the discs 15 away from the ends of the shafts 3 and the polisher is restored. Similarly, to condition the polisher for carpet scrubbing it is only necessary to snap the discs 15 onto the ends of the shafts 3.

Referring now to Figure 4 there is illustrated a modified form of my invention which is particularly desirable for very vigorous cleaning of extremely deep pile carpet. In this form of the invention the device comprises a disc 40 having an upper surface, a central hub structure, driving means and fastening means which are identical in every respect with the disc 15 previously described. Those portions of the disc 40 which are identical with disc 15 are given the same reference character distinguished by the addition of a prime. In this form of the invention the lower surface of disc 40 is designated generally by the reference character 41 and is substantially flat though tapered upwardly and outwardly from the center in the manner of the surface 21 on the disc 15. It does not, however, have circular, central and peripheral ribs corresponding to the

ribs

24 and 27. The disc 40 is provided with a plurality, six in the illustrated form, of downwardly-projecting, rounded-edge ribs 42 which are nonradial; that is, their longitudinal center lines are set at an angle to any radius which they intersect. As illustrated herein, the ribs 42 are so angled with respect to the direction of rotation of the disc, indicated by the arrow, that their outer ends lead their inner ends whereby they exert a pumping action on the granular cleaning material, tending to work the same into the center of the disc as it is rotated in the direction of the arrow. This form of the invention gives a more vigorous cleaning action than that illustrated and described with respect to the disc 15 because of the greater length of the ribs 42 and the greater penetration thereof into the nap. The disc of the type illustrated in Figure 4 is not generally necessary but is desirable for very highly soiled carpet. The angularity of the ribs 42 has been found effective to prevent centrifugal discharge of the granular cleaning material even though there is no peripheral rib such as the rib 27 present in this form of the invention.

Referring now to Figure 5 there is illustrated a third form of disc generally designated by the reference character having an upper surface and mounting arrangement which is identical in every respect with that illustrated and described above in connection with the disc 15.

' 5, the lower surface of the disc 50 indicated generally by the reference character 51 is substantially planar. The

lower end of the central hub structure 16" terminates in the surface 51. The surface 51 is provided with a plurality of downwardly-extending, narrow, rounded-edged,

radial ribs 52 which extend from a point spaced from the central portion of the disc outwardly to a peripheral, sub 3 stantially-circular rib 27" which in turn merges with a peripheral upwardly and outwardly directed guide surface 23. It will be understood that the

ribs

52 and 27 are slightly tapered as is the lower surface 21 of the disc 15, that is, the inner ends of the ribs 52 project downwardly below the surface 54 a slightly greater distance than to their outer ends and the circular rib 27" to facilitate skidding of the disc such as is illustrated in Figure 8 for the disc 15. This form of the invention is somewhat simpler to make than the disc 15 but has slightly inferior support on the carpet due to the absence of the central rib structure 24. The cleaning effectiveness of the construction illustrated in Figure 5 is substantially the same as that of the disc 15 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and is slightly less expensive, but requires slightly greater effort to force the same across the carpet due to having a lesser supporting structure actually engaging the carpet nap or pile.

All forms of the invention herein disclosed have been disclosed for use with a floor polisher which is the preferred arrangement; however, it is to be understood that discs such as those illustrated herein or modifications thereof may be applied permanently or removably to the shaft of a machine constructed especially for the purpose of scrubbing carpets. In case the machine is to be used as described and solely as a carpet scrubbing machine the resilient support provided by the brush bristles may be omitted or provided by springs, pads, or similar devices mounted between an extension on thedrive shaft and the upper surface of the disc.

While I have illustrated and described the invention in considerable detail, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the arrangement, proportion and construction of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A machine for scrubbing granular cleaning material into a carpet comprising a frame structure, a vertical driven shaft on the frame structure, and a carpet engaging disc drivingly connected to the lower end of the shaft so as to form a support for the machine on the carpet, the lower face of said disc sloping upwardly from its central portion toward its outer peripheral edge so as to aid in propelling the machine over the carpet, a plurality of downwardly facing carpet engaging ribs formed on the underside of said disc, said ribs being smoothly rounded in cross-section so as to enter into the carpet pile and work granular cleaning material thereinto as said disc is rotated, the under side of said disc between said ribs being disposed above the carpet for confining a supply of granular cleaning material on the carpet between said ribs.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the ribs are radial and a peripheral downwardly facing rib connecting the outer ends of said first mentioned ribs for preventing the granular material from being thrown outwardly by centrifugal action.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the ribs are nonradial and have their outer ends leading their inner ends with respect to the direction of rotation of the disc whereby the ribs tend to feed granular cleaning material toward the center of the disc.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the peripheral edge of the disc is inclined upwardly and outwardly from the lower face of the disc to promote sliding translatory motion of the disc on a carpet as the disc is rotated w th the shaft.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the lower surfaces of the ribs are inclined upwardly and outwardly from the center of the disc to promote translatory motion of the disc on the carpet as the disc is rotated.

6. A surface treating tool comprising a floor olisher including a frame, a drive motor on the frame, a shaft driven by the motor, a floor polishing brush drivingly connected to the shaft and a manipulating handle attached to the frame, a carpet scrubbing disc, means forming a detachable driving connection from the shaft to the disc, the disc having an upper surface adapted to be engaged by the brush to form a resilient backing for the disc and to elevate the brush above a carpet being cleaned and the disc having carpet engaging scrubbing protrusions on the lower face thereof for scrubbing a cleaning agent into and against the carpet nap or pile, said protrusions supporting the disc on the carpet and said disc having an underside disposed above the carpet for confining a supply of granular cleaning material on the carpet between the protrusions.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the lower surfaces of the protrusions are slightly inclined upwardly and outwardly from the center to the periphery thereof and the peripheral edge of the disc is inclined upwardly and outwardly from the lower face thereof at a greater inclination than the inclination of the lower face of the disc to promote smooth translatory movement of the disc across a carpet as the disc is rotated.

8. A sunface treating device comprising a frame having a downwardly projecting driven shaft therein terminating in a clutch member having one element of a separable snap fastener on the lower end thereof, a carpet cleaning d1sc having an upstanding central hub terminating in a clutch member complementary to the clutch member on the shaft and having another element of a separable snap fastener thereon engaging the snap fastener element on the shaft, and the lower face of the disc having carpet agitating protrusions thereon, for supporting the disc on the carpet, said disc having its underside disposed above the carpet for confining a supply of granular cleaning material on the carpet between the protrusions and resilient means attached to the shaft adapted to engage the upper face of the disc around the hub.

9. A carpet cleaning device adapted to be attached to a rotatable shaft on a floor surface treating machine compris ng a disc member having a driving and attaching device on the upper surface thereof and carpet agitating protrus ons projecting from the lower face thereof, said protrusions supporting the disc on the carpet and being in the form of non-radial ribs having smoothly rounded contours in cross section in which the outer ends of the ribs lead the inner ends thereof with respect to the directron of rotation of the disc for urging a cleaning agent toward the center of the disc and said disc having its underside disposed above the carpet for confining a supply of: a granular cleaning agent on the carpet between said n s.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,498,255 Winchester June 17, 1924 1,778,470 Stratford Oct. 14, 1930 1,988,193 Edstrom Ian. 15, 1935 2,289,117 Harrison July 7, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS 276,664 Switzerland Oct. 16, 1951