US3591889A - Mobile wall-, ceiling-, and floor-washing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Wheel-mounted wall-, ceiling-, and floor-washing apparatus including a frame supporting a plurality of tanks each containing a liquid under pressure, and liquid vacuum cleaning means; a wall-engageable porous cleaning element; conduit means connecting, respectively, each tank and said liquid cleaning means in communication with said wall-engageable means; valve means connected in each conduit means to selectively control fluid flow through the wall-engageable means to a wall to be cleaned and operable to apply suction thereon to remove excess liquids from the wall therethrough.

Description

United States Patent E95? ,1,

, 90W 1 13,591,ss9

[72] Inventor John A. Wisner [56] Referenca Cited 5207 Tilbury y Baltimore, 21212 UNITED STATES PATENTS gm 2 1969 2,200,026 5/1940 .luelson 15/321 2,640,724 6/ 1953 Sanders et a1 15/320 X [451 3 464 08l 9/1969 Wisner 15/321 Continuatioudn-part of application Ser. No. 560,281, June 24, 1966, now Patent No. Primary Examiner-William 1. Price 3,464,081, dated Sept. 2, 1969. Anomey-Kimmel, Crowell & Weaver ABSTRACT: Wheel-mounted wall-, ceiling-, and floor-washing apparatus including a frame supporting a plurality of tanks [54] MOBHJE WALLWCEILINGHAND FLOOR each containing a liquid under pressure, and liquid vacuum WASHING APPARATUS 26 Claims, 38 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl. 15/321, 15/244, 15/322, 137/606, 224/5 Int. Cl A471 7/00 Field of Search 15/320,

cleaning means; a wall-engageable porous cleaning element; conduit means connecting, respectively, each tank and said liquid cleaning means in communication with said wall-engageable means; valve means connected in each conduit means to selectively control fluid flow through the wall-engageable means to a wall to be cleaned and operable to apply suction thereon to remove excess liquids from the wall therethrough.

PATENTEDJULIBIBYI 3.591.889

SHEET U7UF 12 F76 18 L f/A/ ,0. Qu WM Leg/ PATENIEBJULHIQII 3,591,889

sum 09 0F 12 B MMM/M PATENTEDJULIBIQYI 3591.889

' sum '12 or 12 FIG. 35. F/G.3G

INVENTOR. JON/V ,0, w/ s/vEe,

MOBILE WALI, CEllLlNG-, AND FLOOR-WASHING APPARATUS C ROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending Pat. application, Ser. No. 560,281, filed June 24, I966, entitled MOBILE WALL WASHING APPARATUS," this application having issued as U.S. Pat. No. 3,464,081 on Sept. 2, I969.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the general field of washing or cleaning walls, ceilings, floors, and like surfaces, through the operation of machines, apparatus and devices, provided with a plurality of sources of liquids under pressure which are transmitted through a manually manipulated liquid porous applicator to the surface to be cleaned and, subsequently, returned under a negative or vacuum pressure through the same applicator for deposit in a wet vacuum pickup or liquid waste accumulator of conventional design.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art is replete with disclosures pertaining to surface liquid cleaning machines especially those specifically designed for the cleaning of floors and windows, and in which means is provided for applying a liquid under pressure and subsequently applying a vacuum over the surface to remove the excess liquid. For example, the U.S. Pats. to Lyman F. Thompson and Ruben L. Gray, Nos. 2,531,270 and 2,844,840, respectively, generally relate to such apparatus. All of these references sufl'er the same lack of pertinency in that none developed the art to the extent of pressure applying the wetting liquids through a porous scrubber or liquid-applying member or head to the surface to be cleaned, and subsequently withdrawing the excess or unwanted wetting liquids under a negative or vacuum pressure through the same member for ultimate collection in a waste receptacle.

In connection with the apparatus briefly mentioned above, the prior art also discloses in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,195,166 an analogous liquid-applying and wet backing removal member or head over which the presently disclosed related members or heads constitute improvements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to apparatus, machines or devices for cleaning walls, ceilings, floors, and other types of like surfaces, and includes a wheel-supported frame, a first tank mounted on the frame and carrying a detergent solution, a second tank mounted on the frame and supplied with a rinsing solution, an electrically operated wetor liquid-type vacuumcreating means afirxed on the frame, and an electrically energized air compressor means also supported on the frame; first conduit means connecting the compressor means with each of the tanks, the first conduit means having a pressure-responsive high-low pressure-operated off-on valving or block means interposed therein; second conduit means connecting, respectively, with each of the tanks and vacuum means and with one or more wall-washing devices, the latter including a porous member; selectively operated valve means interposed in the second conduits for controlling the high-pressure delivery of the liquids in one direction to and through the porous member while maintaining constantly a negative or vacuum air pressure on the member to cause the airflow through the porous member to pass therethrough in a direction contra or reverse to the direction of the flow of the liquids therethrough under pressure; the air pressure on the liquids in the tanks being so controlled as to pass through the porous member only so much fluid as to form a thin film on the surface to be cleaned whereby the vacuum means will draw any excess liquid back through the porous member without permitting liquid runs or dripping on or from the treated surface; and an electrical circuit including control switch means, the circuit being connected to the motor means of the vacuum and compressor means, and including means for connection to any convenient source of electrical power outlet. This invention is further directed to the provision of especially designed body supported hanger or harness means to releasably'receive and temporarily retain the wall-washing attachment on the body of the user to free his hands for other employment, and further, the invention also includes anticonvoluting or antitwisting means for insertion in the second conduitmeans to facilitate the use of the equipment briefly referred to above, the anticonvoluting or antitwisting means being of particular significance to this inventive concept when the second conduit means is of appreciable length.

In view of the above summation of the general inventive concept, attention is now directed to the following detailed specification to be read in the light of the annexed drawings, and wherein two preferred embodiments of the invention are described and illustrated in detail.

In the drawings:

FIG. I is a fragmentary side elevational view of the mobile wall-washing apparatus according to one embodiment of this invention, FIG. '1 illustrating an individual in the process of cleaning an interior wall and illustrating one use of the bodysupported hanger or harness means;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the wall-washing apparatus shown in FIG. I, certain parts thereof being broken away and in cross section for clarity of the invention and to expose the interior working components;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial bottom plan view of the intermediate framework section illustrating the attachment of portions of the liquid system to the mobile cart;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged transverse cross sectional view, FIG. 6 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 6-6 of FIG. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view, FIG. 7 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 7-7 of FIG. 2, looking in the direction ofthe arrows;

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the fluid and electrical system of the wall-washing device utilized in the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged side elevational view of the body-supported hanger for supporting the wall-washing attachment and a portion of the connection conduit;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the hanger shown in FIG. 9, the L-shaped arms of the hanger being shown in their inoperative positions;

FIG. 11 is an end elevational view of the device of FIG. 9, FIG. 11 showing in dotted lines the L-shaped arms moved to their operative positions;

FIG. 12 is a detail cross-sectional view, FIG. 12 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line l2-l2 of FIG. 9, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the wall-washing attachment shown in FIG. 1 and constructed in accordance with the aforementioned one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the wall-washing attachment shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is generally a longitudinal medial cross-sectional view of the wall-washing attachment of FIGS. 13 and 14;

FIG. 16 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the wallwashing apparatus of FIGS. 13 to 15, inclusive, FIG. 16 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 16-16 of FIG. 13, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of this invention and illustrating the second applicator, member or head in its operative wall-washing or cleaning position against a side of a wall, this Figure further showing a third applicator, member or head and the support means therefor to enable an operator to clean or wash ceilings;

FIG I8 is a side \JILHillOllZll view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 17, FIG. 18 showing the support means and its associated applicators, heads or members mounted on the unit and supported in suitable means when in their inoperative position, this Figure further showing in phantom lines the conduits associated with the applicators mounted on suitable brackets to support the same while in their respective inoperative positions;

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a front elevational view of the apparatus, partly in cross section;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary rear elevational view 'of the apparatus;

FIG. 22 is an enlarged fragmentary detail cross-sectional view, this Figure being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 22-22 of FIG. 19, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged fragmentary detail cross-sectional view of the ceiling-cleaning applicator, head or member, and its support means, FIG. 23 being taken substantially on the plane of line 23-23 of FIG. 25, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 24 is a longitudinal medial cross-sectional view, FIG. 24 being taken substantially on the line 24-24 of FIG. 25, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view ofa porous applicator, head or member constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 27 is a side elevational view of the second applicator, head or member and illustrating, in dotted lines, one of the porous member retainer or lock arms moved towards its inoperative position to enable the removal and replacement of the porous member;

FIG. 28 is an end elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 30 is an enlarged fragmentary detail cross-sectional view, FIG. 30 being taken substantially on the plane of line 3030 of FIG. 29, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 31 is a fragmentary detail cross-sectional view, FIG. 31 being taken substantially on the plane of line 31-31 of FIG. 30, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 32 is a fragmentary perspective view of a receptacle constructed to receive the applicator, head or member of FIGS. 27 to 29, inclusive, when not in use;

FIG. 33 is a schematic diagram illustrating the hydraulic, vacuum and electrical circuits utilized in this second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the frame means, per se, of the second embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 35 is an enlarged transverse detail cross-sectional view, FIG. 35 being taken substantially on the plane ofline 35-35 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 36 is a longitudinal transverse cross-sectional view, FIG. 36 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 36-36 of FIG. 35, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 37 is an enlarged transverse detail cross-sectional view of the vacuum-breaking valve assembly, FIG. 37 being taken substantially on the inclined plane of line 37-37 of FIG. 17 and on the vertical plane of line 37-37 of FIG. 38, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 38 is an enlarged longitudinal medial detail cross-sectional view of the vacuum-breaking valve assembly.

A FIRST PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the several Figures, and with specific reference to FIGS. II to 7, inclusive, which illustrate the general construction of one preferred embodiment of this invention, the mobile wall-washmg apparatus in accordance therewith is generally designated by the reference numeral l0 and has, as major components, a mobile cart shown generally at 12 on which is mounted a first liquid-material-receiving container, receptacle or tank M. A second similar liquid-material-receiving container, receptacle or tank is designated at B6 and is also secured on the cart l2. A reel assembly bears the general reference numeral 20. The cart It) also includes conduit means bearing the general reference numeral 22 for transmitting liquids from the tank M or the tank 16 and also for transmitting a stream of air carrying waste water from a wall-washing attachment here generally designated by reference numeral 24, the waste water being received in a vacuum cleaner device l3 of conventional design. As will be explained in greater detail infra, the conduit means 22 are utilized for applying liquids from the tanks M, 16 to an interior wall 26 and for removing the waste water therefrom. Additionally, the wall-washing apparatus ill) includes a body-supported hanger or harness shown generally at 27 and illustrated as being suspended from the body of an individual or user.

As will be explained more fully hereinafter, the individual selectively manipulates certain valves on the attachment 241 to deliver pressurized liquids from tanks l4, 16 through a pressurized liquid system shown generally at 28 in FIG. ll. Liquid system 28 and the vacuum cleaner 13, the latter being of conventional construction, are energized by an electrical system shown generally at 30 (FIG. 8), energized from a conventional electrical outlet 32 positioned in wall 26 in a conventional manner as shown in FIG. l. As the individual applies the appropriate cleaning and/or disinfecting solutions to wall 26, the suction created by vacuum cleaner I8 is continuously applied to attachment 24 to remove the excess liquid accumulated thereon. Since attachment 24 is preferably provided with an absorptive porous wall-contacting member, it will be evident that the excess liquids from wall 26 may also be removed by the action of vacuum cleaner 18. As will be explained more fully hereinafter, attachment 24 is of a new and improved type providing means for the operator to adjust the intensity of the vacuum applied to the soiled surface as the cleaning solution is being applied to loosen the soil thereon and for increasing the intensity of the vacuum suction as the loosened soil and excess solution are being removed. Thus the wall cleaned by attachment 24 will be left in a damp-dry condition.

The details of the construction of the mobile cart 12 are illustrated in FIGS. II to '7, inclusive, and as illustrated therein, the cart l2 includes a peripheral rigid framework comprised of a lower section shown generally at 34 including a pair of spaced-apart longitudinally extending beams 36 and front and rear beams 38. A stationary axle 40 is transversely secured across longitudinal beams 36 by a pair of brackets 42 with a pair of wheels 44 journaled for rotation on axle 40 thereby providing for the transportation of cart l2 on an underlying surface 46. Another transverse beam 48 is secured transversely across beams 36 and, in conjunction with forward transverse beam 38, carries mounting plate 50 supporting a caster wheel shown generally at 52 providing for the steering of mobile cart 12.

The framework of cart l2 also includes an intermediate section shown generally at 54 vertically spaced from lower section 34 by a plurality of vertical braces 56 and includes a pair of longitudinally extending beams 58 and a plurality of transverse supporting rods fill. As will be pointed out more fully hereinafter, many of the components of liquid system 28 reside in the compartment formed between lower and intermediate framework sections 34, 54.

Cart 12 also includes an upper framework section shown generally at 62 supported from lower and intermediate sections 34, S ll by a plurality of columns at placed at the corners of cart 12. Upper section 62 includes a pair of spaced-apart longitudinal beams 66 and a pair of spaced-apart transverse beams 68. A pair of sidewalls ill, a pair of end walls '72 and top wall 74 are secured about framework sections 34, 54, 62 to provide a protective covering as well as an attractive appearance for cart 12. A closure 76 is secured to top wall 74 by a hinge 78 to provide a convenient means of access to tanks 14, 16. A resilient bumper 80 is affixed on the outside of sidewalls 70 and along the end wall 72 opposite from reel 20. It will be readily apparent that bumper 80 will preclude cart 12 from marring walls or doors of the building in which appa'ratus is utilized and also acts to prevent cart 12 from being marred.

The first components of the pressurized liquid system 28 in accordance with the teachings of this first embodiment of the invention includes the tanks 14, 16 which are here illustrated as comprising a pair of receptacles 82, 84 each having inlet openings 86, 88, respectively, to receive a strainer therethrough shown generally at 90, 92 (see FIG. 6). Each of the strainers 90, 92 is received within the receptacles 82, 84, respectively, and each strainer includes a filtering element 94, 96, respectively, to remove undissolved material from the liquids passed into the tanks 14, 16. In the use of the wallwashing apparatus of the instant invention, it is contemplated that a liquid disinfectant will be placed in first tank 14 and a liquid cleansing solution will be placed in second tank 16, although it should be understood that different types of liquids may be placed in tanks 14, 16 in accordance with the cleaning operation to be performed.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 8, a fluid flow line 98, 100 communicates with tanks 14, 16 through filters or strainers 102, 104 in the bottom of receptacles 82, 84 to deliver liquids from each of the tanks to a conventional centrifugal pump 106, 108. Pumps 106, 108 are driven by a common motor 110 operatively connected to pumps 106, 108 by a conventional driving mechanism 112, 114. Electric motor 110 is secured to a plate 116 which is in turn fastened to supports 60 of intermediate framework section 54 as shown in FIG. 4. I

Immediately downstream ofeach of the pumps 106, 108 is a check valve 118, 120, respectively, preventing backflow of liquid material through flow lines 122, 124 which connect pumps 106, 108 to pressure tanks 126, 128. As shown best in FIGS. 4 and 6, high- pressure tanks 126, 128 are mounted on the stationary axle 40 by a pair of longitudinally extending braces 134 secured to axle 40 by a conventional fastener 136. As shown best in FIGS. 2 and 8, a flow line 138, 140 connects each of tanks 126, 128 with ajunction block 142, 144. A pressure gauge 146, 148 is in communication with each of the fluid in junction blocks 142, 144, respectively, through suitable conduits 150, 152, and as best shown in FIG. 3, are visible through top wall 74 thereby providing the operator with visual means of determining the pressures in each of the high-pressure tanks. Another pair of conduits 154, 156 connects each of junction blocks 142, 144 to a releasable connection 158, 160 (FIGS. 1 to 3, inclusive) exterior of the mobile cart 12 for connection with the conduit means 22 as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

As previously mentioned, electrical system acts to transmit sufficient electrical energy to motor 110 to operate pumps 106, 108 and likewise provides for the operation of vacuum cleaner 18. A first electrical wire 162 leads from operative engatement with motor 110 to each of a pair of pressure- responsive switches 164, 166. As shown in FIG. 5, switches 164, 166 are affixed to a plate 171 which is in turn secured to transverse support 60 by a plurality of pins 173. Pressure- responsive switches 164, 166, respectively, sense the pressure in junction blocks 142, 144 through suitable conduits 168, 170. Switches 164, 166 are preferably of the high-pressure cutoff low-pressure cut-on type that delivers electrical current through wire 162 when the pressure in either of junction blocks 142, 144 lies between the high-pressure and low-pressure limits. A second wire 172 is connected to the opposite sides of switches 164, 166 and a third wire 174 is operatively connected with motor 110 with the terminal ends of wires 172, 174 encased in an insulating casing 176.

A conventional male plug 178 (FIG. 1) is connected to wires 172, 174 and provides a removable connection with electrical outlet 32 to energize system 30. A pair of female electrical outlets 180 are connected across wires 172, 174 and are positioned in an electrical receptacle 182 mounted on top wall 74 of cart 12 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7. A signal light 184 is in electrical connection with wire 174 and extends through an electrical receptacle 186 on top wall 74 as is also shown in FIGS. 3 and 7. A conventional on-off switch 188 is located in wire 172 and also extends through receptacle 186.

It will be readily apparent that the depression of switch 188 will provide electrical energy to female outlets 180 providing for the energization of vacuum cleaner 18 as will be explained more fully hereinafter. Similarly, signal light 184 is illuminated upon the depression of switch 188 and the utilization of energy either through outlets 180 or by motor 110. It will be noted that pressure- responsive switches 164, 166 are in parallel such that the loss of pressure in either high- pressure tank 126, 128 will result in the passage of electrical current to motor 110 thereby actuating pumps 106, 108. The loss of pressure in either of tanks 126, 128 is normally caused by the exhaustion of liquids therefrom through wall-cleaning attachment 24. Accordingly, the actuation of motor 110 by the low-pressure cuton feature of switches 164, 166 will maintain sufficient pressure to operate wall-cleaning attachment 24 in an efficient manner. It should be evident to those skilled in the art that the energization of motor 110 will also drive the pump associated with the reservoir of normal pressure. This has no detrimental effects since the pressure output capacity of the pump will soon be reached with the pump thereafter operating but not delivering additional liquids to this high-pressure tank.

The vacuum system of this first embodiment of the invention includes a liquid or wet vacuum cleaner 18 to provide a source of suction which will be utilized as more fully explained hereinafter to withdraw excess liquids accumulated on attachment 24 and wall 26. Vacuum cleaner 18 includes an enlarged tank 190 received in a circular well in mobile cart 12 and is secured to transverse supports 60 of intermediate framework section 54 by a plurality of straps 192 secured to the bottom of tank 190 by fasteners 194, such as rivets or the like, with straps 192 being welded or the like, to transverse supports 60. A conventional drain valve shown generally at 196 communicates with a pipe 198 extending through end wall 172 into fluid transmitting relation with tank 190 for draining accumulated liquid from tank 190.

A conventional commercial vacuum cleaner unit 200 is removably received in the open top of tank 190 and is provided with a conventional exhaust air outlet 202, an on-off switch 204, and an electrical power cord 206 leading to one of female outlets 180. It should be understood that vacuum cleaner unit 200 is provided with a suitable electrical motor, a conventional fan and means for separating liquids and gases to deliver the exhaust gas out of outlet 202 while depositing the liquids previously entrained therein into tank 190. An air inlet pipe 208 communicates with the fan of vacuum cleaner 18 and is arranged for connection with conduit 22 as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

In this first embodiment of the invention, one means is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 for supporting the conduit means 22. Such means comprise the reel 20 which is supported on the cart 12 by means of an elongate brace 210 angularly connected to end wall 72 by a mounting plate 212 and a plurality of fasteners 214. On the outer end of brace 210 is mounted a crossbar 216 carrying a pair of resilient sleeves 218 acting as a handle for pushing and guiding mobile cart 10. A pair of inverted U-shaped brackets 220, 222 are secured by fasteners 224, 226 to brace 210 with an end plate 228, 230 being secured to the arms of brackets 220, 222 as best shown in FIG. 2 for supporting reel 20.

A central shaft 232 extends through end plated 228, 230 joumaling a conventional hose spool for rotation. The reel comprises a pair of end plates 234 mounted on shaft 232 for rotation therewith. Plates 234 are interconnected by a plurality of circumferentially spaced rods 236 about which conduit means 22 is wound. A takeup handle shown generally at 238 in FIG. 3 is provided to rotate the conduit receiving spool thereby winding conduit means22 on reel 211. Handle 23111 includes a first arm 240 affixed to the end of shaft 231% by a fastener 242 with the other end of arm 2411 slidably receiving a second arm 244 carrying a convenient grasping means 266. An additional offset ear 248 extends outwardly of first arm 240 slidably receiving a second arm 244 with a helical spring 250 biasing second arm 244 into the collapsed position shown. It should be evident that an individual may extend first arm 244 outwardly thereby creating an enlarged lever facilitating the winding ofconduit means 22 on reel 211.

Conduit means 22 actually consists of three tubes for separately transmitting the liquids from tanks 1 1, 16 in the air to vacuum cleaner 18. In addition, conduit means 22 includes three distinct segments, the first leading from cart 112 to reel 22, the second comprising a part of shaft 232 and the third being the windable portion received by reel 211.

Conduit means 22 includes a pair of tubes 252, 2541 respectively received in connections 158, 160 in fluid-transmitting relation therewith. Tubes 252, 254 enter a collar 256 secured on the end of inlet pipe 208 by a releasable connection 258, such as a setscrew or the like. Tubes 252, 2541 pass through the first, second and third segments of conduit means 22 and are in fluid communication with a valve control on wall-washing attachment 24 as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

The first segment of conduit means 22 includes an enlarged flexible hose 2611 secured in the end of collar 256 and secured in an elbow 262 stationarily affixed in end plate 228 by a clamp 264. Elbow 262 rotatably mounts end plate 234 and is rotatably connected to an intermediate tubular shaft section 266. Shaft 266 forms a tee 268 leading to a flexible hose 2711 windably received on reel 20. It should be understood that tubes 252, 254 extend through hose 2611, elbow 262, shaft section 266, tee 268, a hose 270 and a vacuum-breaking valve assembly 271 interposed therein, to the wall cleaning attachment 24. Control of the vacuum supplied by the vacuum means 18 as described in my copending application would be obtained through the actuation of the on-off switch 21141. While this proved to be satisfactory in most instances, a more sophisticated and more conveniently located control means is herein provided for the operator of the apparatus, but it is to be understood that the hose section 2711 may be an uninterrupted length, if desired.

The vacuum-breaking valve assembly 271 is shown in FIGS. 1, 37 and 38. This valve assembly 271 is seen to comprise an elongated substantially rectangular hollow casing 271A having a pair of opposed open ends and a pair of elongated spaced and substantially parallel. sides 271B and 271C, respectively. As has been stated above, the valve assembly 271 is interposed in the hose 270 intermediate the ends thereof, and the remotely disposed ends of the valve assembly 271 are connected by a conventional airtight coupling means 271D to the adjacent ends of the hose 270. An elongated substantially rectangular air inlet opening 271E extends transversely through the Wall 2713 adjacent one of its ends, and a similar centrally located second opening 271F is also formed in this wall to serve a function to be described.

At 271G is indicated a valve plate having a truncated pyramidal configuration, and in one side 27111 thereof is formed a longitudinally extending groove 2711. The valve plate 2716 is disposed in the housing 271A and is of such dimensions as to span completely across the wall 271C and the opening 271E, and to make a snug fit against the sidewalls 271R, 2718 when the plate 271G is in its full line position of FIG. 38.

The truncated end of the valve plate 271G terminates in an enlarged arcuate boss 271.1 which is received in the opening 271F, and the boss 271] is seen to be integrally connected with one end of a valve plate actuator or handle 27111 which confronts the sidewall 2713 at the outer side thereof. The valve plate 2716, the boss 271.1 and the actuator or handle 271K, taken as an integral unit, have a substantially V-shaped configuration.

The valve actuator or handle 271K is housed within a guard or shield 2711.. having a spanning wall 2711/1 and opposed parallel and spaced sidewalls 27111, 2711 the sidewalls being rigidly connected to the opposed housing sidewalls 271R, 2713 as by rivets 271T.

Extending between and fixedly mounted on the sidewalls 271N, 271P is a pivot pin 2710 which extends through the boss 271.1 to pivotally support the valve plate 2716 and its actuator or handle 271K for movement from their full line (valve-closed) position of FIGS. 27 and 38 to their dotted line (valve-open) position of FIG. 37 to serve a function to be described.

As is seen in FIGS. 37 and 318, the tubes or conduits 252, 25 1 extending through the hose 2711 also pass through the valve assembly 271, and portions thereof are engaged within the groove 2711 for flexing movement from their full line position as shown in FIG. 311 to their dotted line position as shown in the same Figure as the valve plate 2716 is moved from its closed position as shown in full lines to its dotted line position.

Means are provided for constantly biasing the valve plate 2716 to its closed position, and as is seen in FIG. 8, these means comprise the pin 271U fixedly secured on the sidewalls 271 N, 2711 and on which is mounted one end 271D of a helicoidal spring 271W, the other end of the spring 271W being anchored by conventional means 271x to the actuator or handle means 271K.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that upon actuation of the actuator or handle means 2711(, the valve plate 2716 will move to open the opening 271E while substantially blocking air passage through the housing 2711A thereby breaking the vacuum through the hose 2711 while admitting air from the ambient atmosphere to the vacuum means 18.

The wall-washing attachment 2 1 constructed in accordance with this embodiment of the invention comprises an improvement over my US. Pat. No. 3,195,166, and includes an elbow 172 through which tubes 252 pass and which is adapted to receive hose 2711 of conduit means 22. Tubes 252, 254 exit through apertures 276 in the side of elbow 272 and extend into a compartment partially formed by spaced parallel walls 276, 278. As shown best in FIG. 13, tubes 252, 2541 diverge upon entry into the valve compartment formed by walls 276, 276 and are in fluid communication with a pair of valves in housing 2311. A wall 232 perpendicularly connects walls 276, 2711 and forms suitable apertures receiving the stems 28 1, 286 ofa pair ofvalves mounted in housing 2811.

A valve operator shown generally at 288 is mounted in each of stems 2241, 286 and is equipped with a lever arm 2911 which is depressed to actuate the valves within housing 2811. An advantageous feature of valve operator 288 is that they may be rotated as shown by the arrows in FIG. 16 to expose levers 2911 on either side of attachment 241 thereby permitting the use of wallcleaning attachment 241 with either the right or the left hand. Stop pins 291 limit rotative movement of valve operator 2118. A single outlet conduit extends from housing 21511 and is in fluid communication with one end of a tube 292 having a substantially J-shaped configuration, the other end of the tube 292 connecting with the long leg 294 which extends into a vacuum compartment, beneath the valve compartment, formed by wall 278, a second wall 296, a pair of spaced sidewalls 2911 and a pair of spaced end walls 31111. A rubber stop or bumper 277 is secured to the end wall 31111 remote from elbow 272.

A plurality of feeder lines 3112 extend downwardly from tube 2941 through wall 296 and carry tubular enlargements 3114 on the end thereof received in apertures 3116 of a wallcontacting sponge or liquid porous member shown generally at 31611. Sponge or liquid porous member 31111 includes a front face 3111, a rear face 312, side faces 3141 and end faces 316. As shown clearly in FIGS. 15 and 16, apertures 3116 extend between front and rear faces 31111, 3112 while a plurality of transverse apertures 118 extend between side faces 31114. As shown best in FIG. 16, a pair of attaching means shown generally at 3211 cooperate to secure sponge or liquid porous member 303 to the remainder of wall-washing attachment 24 as explained hereinafter.

It will be noted that elbow 272 extends into the vacuum compartment formed by walls 278, 296, 300 with wall 296 forming a plurality of dimples 322 having apertures 324 extending therethrough. It will thus be apparent that the suction produced by vacuum cleaner 18 will be directed onto rear face 312 of sponge or liquid porous member 308 to remove loosened soil and excess liquids from wall 26. For example, when wall 26 has been thoroughly washed with detergent solution from tank 14, and it is desired to remove any excess liquids on wall 26, the individual wipes wall 26 forcibly with sponge or liquid porous member 308 thereby accumulating the liquids on the sponge. Since vacuum cleaner 18 is continuously actuated, air will be inducted through the sponge or liquid porous member 308 thereby carrying accumulated liquids and entrained matter therewith from the rear face 210, through the porous member 308 to the front face 310 thereof, and thence into attachment 24. Further operation of vacuum cleaner 18 results in the movement of air and water through elbow 272 and conduit means 22 to vacuum cleaner 18. During the course of the cleaning operation, liquids will accumulate in receptacle 190 and may be drawn off through valve 196 in a conventional manner.

The sponge or porous member 308 has a pair of longitudinal slots 326 therein receiving the lower ends of sidewalls 298 and portions of attaching means 320 with transverse slots 328 receiving the lowermost portions of end walls 300 as shown in FIG. 15. As shown best in FIG. 16, attaching means 320 comprises a pair of substantially identical structures on each side of attachment 24 and includes an elongate arm 330 received in each of longitudinal slots 326, a curved elongate arcuate plate 332 substantially coextensive with each of arms 330, a curved shield 336 having a tube 336 secured to the upper end thereof and a screw 338 passing through tube 336 and the upper ends of arm 330 and plate 332 into registry with threaded apertures in sidewalls 238. It will be apparent that threadably advancing screws 338 will result in plate 332 advancing toward arm 330 thereby sandwiching the portion of sponge or porous member 308 therebetween to secure sponge or porous member 308 to attachment 24. Conversely, the withdrawing of screws 338 from sidewalls 298 releases sponge or porous member 308 from attaching means 320 whereby sponge or porous member 308 may be replaced. Springs 339 surround each of screws 338 between walls 298 and arm 330 to bias arm 330 outwardly for easy removal upon the release of screws 338.

In the replacement of sponge or porous member 308, it has been found that the insertion of tubular enlargements 304 into apertures 306 can be accomplished only with some difficulty. To facilitate the replacement of the sponge or porous member 308, each such member 308 is manufactured with the tubular member 304 inserted through each of the apertures 306, respectively, as shown in FIG. 15, and such tubular members or enlargements are each manufactured or an inexpensive disposable material.

The body-supported hanger or harness means 27, to which reference has been made supra, is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 9 to 12, inclusive. This hanger or harness 27 is provided to receive the conduit means 22 and the holding attachment 24 to prevent the individual from stumbling over the conduit means 22 and to provide a convenient means for holding the attachment 24 when removed from the cart 12 thereby freeing the hands of the individual for different types of work when engaged in cleaning the wall 26. The hanger 27 includes a to extend in laterally spaced relation relative to the adjacent or inner side of the front wall 351 to serve a function to be described.

An angle bracket has one of its ends 356 fixedly connected by conventional means 357 to the tubular member 352 centrally of the upper and lower ends thereof, and its other end 358 extends beyond its associated tubular member at an acute angle relative to the front wall 351. To serve a function to be described infra, the end 358 is formed with a transversely extending opening or slot 359.

The member 353 is provided with a pair of spaced normally vertically elongated slots 360, 361 intermediate its ends and through which is threaded one end of a body encircling belt 362. This end 363 of the belt 362 is reverted against an adjacent portion of the belt 362 and is secured thereon by conventional fasteners 364. The other end of the belt 362 has a conventional belt hook 365 fixedly connected thereon (see FIG. 12) for releasable engagement with the angle member end 358 through its opening or slot 359. The inner upper ends of the tubular members 352, 353 are formed with transversely extending slots 366, 367, respectively, and the remotely disposed ends of an elongated shoulder engaging strap 368 are threaded through the openings 366, 367, reverted upon themselves, and are fixedly secured together as by the conventional means 369 comprising rivets and the like.

Fixedly secured to the back side of the front plate 351 and projecting slightly below is an elongated block formed of soft spongelike material which may be manufactured of any suitable liquid and air porous plastic material, the block here bearing the reference numeral 370. As is seen in the drawings, the block 370 extends between the tubular members 352, 353, and partially upward over the back side of the plate 351.

A conduit retainer clamp is generally designated by the reference numeral 371. The clamp 371 includes a generally U- shaped trough having a bight portion 372 from the opposed ends of which upwardly extend a pair of arms 373, 374, respectively. The arm 374 is fixedly secured to the front or outer side of the front wall 351 by conventional means 375, rivets and the like. As is seen in FIG. 11 of the drawings, the bight portion 372 of the clamp 371 projects below the lower edge of the front plate 351 and the upper end of the arm 374 is reverted to form a normally horizontal substantially hollow sleeve 376. The clamp means 371 further includes a substantially triangular wire retainer 377 which includes a base member 373 pivotally supported within the collar 376 from frame generally designated by reference numeral 350 which the opposed ends of which laterally project a pair of side members 379, 380. The side members 379, 380 converge towards one another and, spaced inwardly from the apex of the retainer 377, the side members 379, 380 are bent arcuately and downwardly to form clip portions 381, 382 which are further extended to form handle means 333. As is seen in the drawings, the clip portions 381, 382 extend over and partially around a substantially hollow cylindrical lip 373A integrally formed with the upper end of the arm 373 and which projects laterally and outwardly therefrom. As is shown in the drawings, the arcuate portions 381, 382 clampingly engage over the lip 373A.

The clamping means 371 operates in the following manner. Assuming the several components thereof are in their positions shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, the operator grasps the handle means 383 and pulls outwardly and upwardly thereon to cause the clip portions 381, 382 to separate from the lip 373A. The vacuum-breaking valve assembly housing 271A is now inserted in the U-shaped trough between the arms 373, 374, thereof with the coupling means 271D being disposed beyond the opposed ends thereof but in close juxtaposition relative thereto, all in the manner as is shown in FIG. 1. The operator then reverses the movement of the handle means 383 to cause the clip portions 381, 382 to again engage over the substantially hollow cylindrical lip 373A and to lock therearound. While the tension of the arms 373, 374 against the sidewalls of the valve housing 271A is sufficient to prevent endwise movement, should there be a tendency for the same to occur, such slippage or movement is prevented by the engagement of the coupler means 2718 against the adjacent ends of the trough. Upward movement of the valve assembly 271 is, of course, prevented by the members 379, 380. To remove the valve assembly 271, the clamping means 371 is again operated in the manner described above, after which the valve assembly 271 may be removed upwardly from the trough.

The hanger or harness means 27 further includes a pair of longitudinally spaced substantially rectangular brackets 384 of identical construction. Each of the brackets 304 is formed with a substantially hollow centrally located slecvc 385, the sleeves 385 normally extending vertically and being parallel to one another. Conventional means 386 fixedly secure each of the brackets 384 to the back side of the front wall 351. The lower ends of each of the brackets 384 are in close juxtaposition, respectively, to one of a pair of slots, each bearing the reference numeral 387, which extend transversely through the front wall 351.

Reference numerals 388 designate one of a pair of substantially U-shaped hangers for receiving the attachment 24 when the individual desires sheathing use his hands for purposes other than operating the cleaning machine. The hangers 308 each include a central bight 309 from one end of which upwardly projects an arm 390 which is pivotally received within one of the sleeves 385. The adjacent end of the bight 309 of each of the hangers 388 extends through one of the slots 387, and the other arm 391 terminates in an offset loop 392 (see FIG. 12). Substantially the entire length of the bight 389, the arm 391 and the loop 392 of each of the hangers 380 is preferably covered with a sheathing of resilient, plastic and waterproof material 393 having a high coefficient of friction. Either one of the loops 392 form a convenient means for the operator to grasp in the operation of the hanger arms 388 in a manner to be described below.

The upper ends of each of the arms 390 terminate in offset crank members, and each of the crank members 3941 are journaled for pivotal movement in the opposed ends of an elongated substantially rectangular tie bar 395. The crank members 394 are offset in the same direction relative to their associated arms 390 and, as is seen in the several Figures of the drawings, one of the crank members 3941 is connected to one end of an elongated helicoidal spring 396, while the other end of the spring 396 is anchored by a conventional fastening means 397 to the back side of the front plate 351. The construction is such, it will be observed, as to cause the bights 309 to pivot in one direction towards the front side of the front wall 351.

Means 400 is employed for shielding the operative elements of the hanger 27 mounted on the back of the front wall to prevent the same from becoming entangled with the clothing of the user. The shielding means 400 is a substantially hollow tray having an elongated substantially rectangular back wall 402 integrally connected at its opposed ends with a pair of laterally extending sidewalls 103, 404, respectively, and as is seen in FIG. of the drawings, the sidewalls 403, 404 terminate in laterally and outwardly extending flanges 405, 106. The member 400 also includes an integrally connected top wall 407. The member 400 as described immediately above is thus seen to have an open side confronting the backwall 4 02 and an open lower end confronting the top wall 4107.

In the assembly of the hanger 27, the lower ends of the flanges 405, 406 are slidably engaged between the flanges 353, 354 and the back side of the front plate 351, the user pushing downwardly on the top wall 407. The width of the top wall 407 is of such sufficient dimension as to provide a lip 100 which overhangs the upper end edge of the front plate 351, the lip 408 being engageable against the upper end edge of the front wall 351 to limit the downward movement of the member 400 relative to the front plate 351. The vertical dimension of the back wall 402 is such that with the lip 408 engaging against the upper end edge of the front wall 351, the lower edge of the backwall 402 extends substantially to the upper end of the sponge member 370.

Aside and apart from preventing entanglement of clothing of the user of the device 27 with the operating components thereof, the member or element 400, being removable,

facilitates access for repair or replacement of any of the com-- ponents mounted on the back side of the front wall 351.

With the hanger 27 constructed in the manner as described above, it-will be readily apparent that each of the arms 391, when swung to their operative full line positions of FIG. 12, define, with the bights 389 and the front wall 351, a substantially open trough to readily receive the wall-washing attachment 24. With the attachment 24 so releasably connected on the hanger means 27, the users hands are free for other employment.

When it becomes again necessary to utilize the attachment 241, the same is readily removable from the trough through the simple expedient of raising the attachment 24 to disengage the arms 391 and front wall 351 therefrom. The operator does not need to move the arms 391 to their respective inoperative positions of F1GS. ll, 9 and 10, since this is automatically accomplished under the influence of the biasing spring 396.

The sponge or porous member 308, the latter being generally and preferably formed of a porous plastic material, suffers deterioration if left exposed to the ambient atmosphere when not in use. This invention contemplates the provision of means for retarding or prolonging the drying out of the porous member 300 to prevent such deterioration. To this end there is provided a storage box carrying the general reference numeral 434, the storage box 43 1 being positioned on the brace 210 to receive the attachment 24 when the wall-washing assembly 10 is not in use. The storage box 434 includes a vertical brace 436 affixing receptacle 4130 in a substantially horizontal plane with the other end of receptacle 438 being secured, as by welding or the like, to brace 210. A top 440 is mounted by a hinge 1 12 on receptacle 432 providing for the opening of storage box 13 1. Top M0 includes a sidewall d443- having a cutout 446 formed therein communicating with the lowermost edge of top 4 14 thereby providing a means for accommodating conduit means 22 when wall-washing attachment 24 is disposed in box 434.

It will be readily apparent that, at the cessation of the wallcleaning operation or at any other desirable time, the attendant may raise the top 440, position attachment 24 in receptacle 434 and close top which results in a convenient storage place for attachment 24. Since attachment 24 is often wet, a convenient receptacle is desirable rather than merely placing it on reel 20 to avoid dripping water or the like on the floor of the building which has just been cleaned. After wallwashing attachment 24 is stored, it will be readily apparent that the individual may wind conduit means 22 onto reel 20 and loop straps 372, 376 of hanger 27 about vacuum cleaner 10 of brace 210.

It should here be remarked that the apparatus thus far described may selectively deliver one of two fluids to the attachment 2411 by selective operation of the levers 290. Quite clearly, the apparatus of this first embodiment of the invention may also supply a mixture of the two liquids or fluids through the careful opening of each of the valves within the housing 280 through the judicious operation of the levers 290. Under normal operation, the supply of the liquids to the attachment 241 is sufficient to effect the cleaning of a wall while the attachment 24 is directly connected with the vacuum cleaner 200, the valve plate 271G being closed across the opening 27113. There are occasions, however, when a vacuum cutoff is desirable. For example, in working soiled wall surfaces, a greater amount of detergent or rinse water may be required to effectively clean a particular area. Under such circumstances, the vacuum supplied to the attachment 24 may be cut off by depressing the actuator or handle means 271K, causing the valve plate 2716 to move from its full line position to its dotted line position shown in FlG. 38. Now the aforementioned area may be flooded with the desired liquid while the attachment is moved across the area, and thereafter, the actuator or handle means 2711i is released to permit the valve plate 271.0 to assume its full line closed position across the opening 271E thereby reestablishing the vacuum to the attachment 24.

Again, it has been found that the relatively high vacuum set SECOND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE v INVENTION With specific reference to FIGS. 17 to 21, inclusive, and H6. 35, reference numeral 506 generally'designates the apparatus of the second embodiment of this invention including a wheel-supported unit 502, conduit means 504, 505, applicator means, heads or members 506, 508, and the support means 510 for the applicator means 508. The unit 502 includes an open frame 5112, the sides of which are substantially mirror images with respect to one another. Consequently, the leftand right-hand side frames of the unit 502 includes, respectively, front normally upright frame members 514, 514', a pair of normally upright rear frame members 516, and the intermediate normally upright frame members 518, I8'. The frame members 514, 516, 518 and 514', 516' and 518' are parallel with respect to one another, and at each side of the unit, the frame members are laterally spaced with respect to one another. Each side frame also includes an inverted substantially L-shaped handle lever 520, 520' having the lower end of their respective shank portion 522, 522' fixedly secured (by conventional means to the upper ends of each of the rear frame members 516, 516', respectively. The foot portions 524, 524' project rearwardly and are connected by a normally horizontal bail 525 to provide the operator with convenient handle means to serve a function to be described below.

The side frames further include a first pair of normally horizontal crossbars 526, 526, each crossbar having one of its respective ends rigidly connected to the shank portions 522, 522', respectively, while the other ends of the first crossbars $26, 526' extend across and are fixedly connected to the upper ends of the front and intermediate frame members 514, 514' and 518, 518. Spaced vertically below the crossbars 526, 526' and extending substantially parallel thereto is a pair of lower second crossbars 528, 528'. As is clearly seen in the several FIGS. of the drawings, one of the ends of the crossbars 528, 528 is fixedly secured to the lower end of the rear frame members 516, SM, and the other ends of the crossbars 528, 528 are fixedly secured, by conventional means to the intermediate frame members 518, 518' adjacent to but spaced inwardly from the lower ends thereof. Further rigidity and stability is offered to the side frames through the interposition of the intermediate crossbars 530, 530' spaced between the first crossbars 526, 526 and the second crossbars 528, 528', the intermediate crossbars having one of their respective ends fixedly secured to the rear frame members 516, SIG, and their other ends fixedly connected to the intermediate frame membars 513, 5E8. As is seen in the drawings, the first crossbars 526, 526', the second lower crossbars 528, 528', and the intermediate crossbars 530, 530' extend in parallel relationship relative to one another. Reference numeral 532 denotes a first rear cross brace having its ends fixedly connected to the adjacent sides of the rear frame members 516, 516 at points spaced inwardly from their lower ends, and their lower ends are connected by a second cross brace 536 (see FIGS. 21 and 34).

Reference numerals 538, S38 designate, respectively, one of a pair of tiebars having their respective ends connected rigidly with the lower ends of the front frame members 514, 514' and the intermediate frame members 518, 518'. Extending transversely between and connected to the lower ends of the intermediate frame members 518, 518' is a rear transverse brace 540, and extending between and connected to the lower ends of the from frame members 514, 514' is a front transverse brace 542. The tie bars 538, 538' and the rear and front transverse braces 540, 542, respectively, cooperate to form a platform bearing the general reference numeral 544, this platform being adapted to bear against a floor or other supporting surface S when the device is in its operative position as is illustrated in F IG. 17. The front transverse brace 542 is preferably covered with bumper means 546 which may be formed of any suitable resilient material. As is seen in FIGS. 17 and 20, the bumper may extend, if desired, partially along the forward ends of the tie bars 538, 538'.

Set into the lower comers formed by the inner section of the rear frame members 516, 516 with the second crossbars 528, 528' are, respectively, a pair of journal boxes 548, 548' which receive therein one of the ends of the normally horizontal axles 550, 550'. The other ends of the axles 550, 550 support, respectively, a pair of surface-engaging wheels 552, 552.

Normally upright mounting panels 544, 544 extend laterally between and are rigidly connected to the rear upright frame members 516, 516 and the intermediate frame members 518, 518' and vertically between the horizontal crossbars 526, 526' and the lower crossbars 530, 530. The function of the panels 554, 554' will be related in more detail below.

The apparatus of this second embodiment 500 further includes a plurality of conduit-holding brackets of which the first is here identified by the general reference numeral 566. The holding bracket 566 has a generally U-shaped configuration and is formed of a single continuous hollow tubular member. The bracket 566 comprises a pair of laterally spaced and substantially parallel and confronting arcuate bights 568, 568 from the opposed ends of which upwardly project the arms 570, 570 and 572, 572', respectively. A connector bar 574 extends between and is connected to the upper ends of the arms 572, 572'.

The arms 572, 572' are connected to the upper ends of the shanks 522, 522', respectively, as by the fastener means 573, and as is seen in FIGS. 17 and 20, the arms 570, 570' serve as support means for a second substantially U-shaped conduit holding bracket 576. The bracket 576 is formed of a pair of substantially hollow U-shaped conduits, each having a bight 578, 578 and upwardly extending normally upright arms 580, 580' and 582, 582', respectively. The bights 578, 578' and the pairs of arms 580, 580' and 582, 582 are disposed in laterally spaced and confronting parallel relationship relative to one another, and the arms 582, 582 are superimposed against the inner sides of the arms 5'70, 570' and are fixedly secured thereto as by rivets 584.

Reference numeral 586 designates a first tubular support rod having an inverted substantially U-shaped configuration. The support rod 586 comprises a bight member 588 from the opposed ends of which laterally and downwardly depend, respectively, side arms 590, 590. As is seen in FIGS. 20 and 32, the bight member 588 is interrupted centrally of its ends to provide a laterally and downwardly extending shoulder 592. The arms 590, 590' are adapted for telescopic engagement within the adjacent one of the arms 570, 570'.

A second support rod is provided and is assigned the general reference numeral 594. The second support rod 594 is of an inverted substantially U-shaped construction including a normally horizontal rearwardly bowed bight 596 (see FIG. 19) interrupted centrally of the ends thereof by a reversely curved and forwardly opening substantially semicylindrical pocket portion 598. Depending from each respective end of the bight 696 arearms 600, 600' which are telescopically received within the arms 580, 580'.

Reference numeral 602 generally denotes a substantially hollow rectangular container to releasably receive therein a wall-washing head or member (to be described below) when not in use. The container 602 is similar to the container or storage box 434 and includes a lower bottom member having an elongated substantially rectangular bottom wall 606 from

Claims (26)

1. An applicator for applying a liquid selected from a plurality of sources of liquids under pressure to a surface to be treated and for removing the applied liquid under a source of a supplied vacuum means, said applicator comprising: a substantially hollow rectangular receptacle formed of an airand liquid-impervious material and including a base wall, an opposed pair of spaced confronting sidewalls, an opposed pair of spaced confronting end walls, said side and end walls projecting laterally from one side of said base wall to form a continuous flange, said receptacle being open at that side thereof opposite said base wall; a substantially hollow rectangular housing formed of air- and liquid-impervious materials, said housing being disposed in said receptacle and including an inner wall, an opposed pair of sidewalls, and an opposed pair of end walls, said last-named pairs of side and end walls projecting laterally from one side of said inner wall and cooperating among themselves to form a continuous flange, said last-named sidewalls being reverted to form a pair of spaced confronting flanges projecting beyond the other side of said inner wall; said last-named side and end walls having a plurality of openings extending transversely therethrough; said inner wall having a plurality of domes formed therein opening in the direction of said one side of said inner wall and each of said domes having an opening extending transversely therethrough at the apex thereof; said inner wall having a continuous concave-convex channel formed therein opening in the direction of its said one side and being in open communication with each adjacent pair of said domes; said housing being disposed in said receptacle; means securing said housing in said receptacle with said inner wall laterally spaced from and in confronting relationship relative to said base wall and cooperating therewith to form a first compartment, said flanges extending in the direction of said open side of said receptacle and being spaced from and substantially parallel to said receptacle side walls to form second chambers therebetween; an insert formed of a resilient flexible air and liquid porous material having a pair of opposed sides, said insert having opposed pairs of edges and ends, respectively, and a groove extending inwardly from one side thereof adjacent, respectively, each of its said ends and edgEs; said insert being disposed in said receptacle with its said one side engaging said inner wall, said flanges releasably engaging in said groove adjacent each of said edges to position, releasably, a marginal edge portion of said insert within, respectively, each of said second chambers, said housing and walls releasably engaging in said grooves adjacent each end of said insert, and said insert being of such size as to substantially fill said receptacle and to partially extend through said open side thereof to provide an opposite side laterally spaced from said open side of said receptacle for engagement on the surface to be treated; means releasably securing said insert on said receptacle, said means comprising a brush for each of said second compartments, each brush having a rigid head and a plurality of bristles having one of their ends fixedly connected in said head, a pivot pin connecting one end of each of said heads on the adjacent one of said receptacle sidewalls for movement into the adjacent one of said second chambers and to thereby engage said marginal edge portions of said insert to releasably clamp the same against said flanges; means embedded in said insert for connection at one of its ends with said selected liquid source, said embedded means having a second end extending through said insert and terminating adjacent to but spaced inwardly from said opposite side thereof to conduct said selected liquid thereto to wet the same for application to said surface to be treated; means for connecting said receptacle with said vacuum source including an elongated substantially rigid hollow pipe having one end thereof connected to a hollow flexible conduit, the other end of said hollow flexible conduit being in open communication with said housing, and the other end of said pipe affording connection to said vacuum source; means pivotally supporting said receptacle on said one end of said pipe; means extending between and connecting said one end of said pipe and said receptacle to constantly bias said pipe and said receptacle for movement towards one another; and conduit means extending through said pipe and said hollow flexible conduit for connection with said liquids under pressure and said embedded elements.

2. An applicator as defined in claim 1 and: normally open valve means mounted on said pipe and operable towards a closed position between said vacuum means and said receptacle; and selectively operable valve means mounted on said pipe and interposed in said last-named conduit means.

3. An applicator as defined in claim 1 and: an elongated substantially hollow rigid pipe having a pair of opposed ends; means on one end of said pipe for connection to said vacuum source and hollow flexible conduit means connecting the other end of said pipe with said receptacle; means pivotally supporting said receptacle on said other end of said pipe; means extending between and connecting said other end of said pipe and said receptacle to constantly bias said pipe and said receptacle for movement towards one another; selectively operable valve control means mounted on said pipe; conduit means connecting said sources of liquid under pressure with one side of said valve means, said conduit means extending loosely into said pipe; header conduit means disposed in said housing and connected to the other side of said valve means through said flexible conduit and said pipe for connection to the other side of said valve means; and a plurality of feeder conduits having one of their respective ends connected on said header conduit means, and their other respective ends connected to said embedded means.

4. An applicator as defined in claim 3 wherein: said valve means comprises a plurality of substantially hollow valve casings each having a pair of opposed open ends, one end of each of said valve casings being adapted for connection with each, respectively, of said liquids under prEssure; a valve seat formed internally of each of said valve casings adjacent said one end thereof; a valve cap closing, respectively, the other open end of each of said valve casings; a valve stem mounted for reciprocation, respectively, in each of said valve caps; a valve head mounted, respectively, on one end of each of said valve stems and within its associated valve casing, said valve heads being adapted for movement in the direction of its associated valve seat to seat thereagainst to close said valve means and for movement away therefrom to open said valve means; each of said valve heads being spaced from the adjacent end of its associated valve cap to form a chamber therebetween; means in each of said chambers constantly biasing its associated valve head for movement towards its said valve seat; a T-coupler having its crosshead in open communication with a pair of adjacent ones of said chambers, and a valve stem communicating with said crosshead and adapted for connection to said discharge conduit; and selectively operable lever means operably connected with the other ends of each of said valve stems to move their associated valve heads to their respective positions against said bias.

5. Apparatus for washing surfaces such as walls, floors, and ceilings, said apparatus comprising: a wheel supported frame: a plurality of pressurized liquid-containing tanks mounted on said frame; liquid vacuum cleaner means mounted on said frame; liquid applicator means comprising: a substantially hollow receptacle formed of air- and liquid-impervious material, said receptacle having an open side; a liquid- and air-porous insert disposed within said receptacle and having a pair of opposed sides with one side projecting beyond said open side of said receptacle; first conduit means communicating with said vacuum means and the interior of said receptacle adjacent the other side of said insert; second conduit means communicating with said pressurized liquid-containing tanks and said insert to conduct said liquids under pressure through said insert for application to the surface to be cleaned; said second conduit means extending loosely through said first conduit means; said vacuum means being operable to receive therein the applied liquids and materials absorbed thereby through said insert via the airstream created by said vacuum means; first valve means inserted in said first conduit means and operable to break the communication between said vacuum means and said interior of said receptacle; and second valve means inserted in each of said second conduits, said second valve means being selectively operable to deliver a selected one of said liquids to said insert.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein: said second valve means is mounted on said receptacle.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein: said receptacle comprises an elongated base wall having a continuous peripheral flange projecting laterally from the side thereof with said open side of said receptacle being oppositely disposed relative to said base wall; a housing disposed in said receptacle between said base wall and the adjacent other side of said insert, said housing having a plurality of openings extending transversely therethrough and confronting said insert; means on said receptacle cooperating with said housing to releasably clamp said insert on said receptacle; said first conduit means opening through said base wall into said housing and communicating with said receptacle through said openings; fourth conduit means in said housing connecting with said second conduit means and said insert to supply a selected one of said liquids thereto; and said second valve means being mounted on said base wall.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 and: swivel coupler means interposed at selected intervals in said first conduit means.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein: sAid second valve means each includes a manually operable lever with the levers of each of said second valve means being of differing lengths, respectively.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 and: air compressor means mounted on said frame; third conduit means connecting said air compressor means with said tanks to effect the pressurization thereof; and means responsive to preselected high-low pressures in said tanks to deactivate and activate said air compressor means.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein: said first conduit means includes a length of hollow rigid pipe interposed between the ends thereof; and means pivotally connecting said receptacle on the adjacent end of said pipe.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11 and: means extending between and connecting said pipe and said receptacle to continuously bias the same for movement towards one another.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12 and: means on said receptacle cooperating with said pivotal connecting means to limit the pivotal movement of said receptacle and said pipe in a direction away from one another.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein: said valve means is mounted on said pipe.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein: said second valve means includes a plurality of valve-actuating levers each having different lengths with respect to one another.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 15 and: valve lever shield means mounted on said pipe and encompassing said first and second valve levers over portions of their respective lengths.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16 and: swivel coupler means connected at selected intervals in said first conduit means.

18. Apparatus for washing surfaces such as walls, ceilings and floors, said apparatus comprising: a wheel-supported frame; a plurality of pressurized liquid-containing tanks mounted on said frame; liquid vacuum cleaner means mounted on said frame; a plurality of liquid applicator means each of which comprises: a substantially hollow receptacle formed of air- and liquid-impervious materials, said receptacle having an open side; a liquid- and air-porous insert disposed within, respectively, each of said receptacles, each of said inserts having a pair of opposed sides with one side thereof projecting beyond said open side of its associated said receptacle; first conduit means having adjacent ends; means connecting said adjacent ends of said first conduit means with said vacuum means; means connecting the other ends of said first conduit means with the interior of, respectively, said receptacles adjacent the other side of each of the inserts associated therewith; second conduit means extending, respectively, loosely through each of said first conduit means and communicating at a pair of adjacent ends with, respectively, each of said pressurized liquid-containing tanks and at their other ends with, respectively, one of said receptacles to conduct said pressurized liquids to and through the insert associated with each of said receptacles for application to the surface to be washed; said vacuum means being operable to receive therein the applied liquids and materials absorbed therein through said insert via the airstream created by said vacuum means; first valve means inserted in each of said second conduits, said valve means being selectively operable to deliver a selected one of said liquids to a selected one of said inserts; and second valve means interposed in said first conduit means and operable to bypass said connection on said vacuum means with said receptacles.

19. Apparatus as defined in claim 18 and: means on each of said receptacles operable to releasably clamp its associated insert therein.

20. Apparatus as defined in claim 19 and: said means connecting said first conduit means comprising a hollow tubular member having one of its ends releasably connected on said vacuum mEans, and its other end terminating in bifurcated arms connected to said adjacent ends of said first conduits.

21. Apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein: said first valve means for said second conduit, extending through one of said first conduits, is mounted on the receptacle connected on said one of said first conduits.

22. Apparatus as defined in claim 20 and: an elongated rigid pipe interposed between the ends of one of said first conduits; said first and second valve means for said second conduits of said one of said first conduits being mounted on said pipe; and means pivotally connecting and supporting said receptacle connected with said one of said first conduits on the adjacent end of said pipe.

23. Apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein: said first valve means for said second conduits extending through one of said first conduits is mounted on the receptacle connected on said one of said first conduits; an elongated rigid pipe interposed between the ends of a second one of said first conduits; said first valve means for said second conduits of said second one of said first conduits being mounted on said pipe; and means pivotally connecting and supporting said receptacle connected with said second one of said first conduits on the adjacent end of said pipe.

24. Apparatus as defined in claim 18 and: bracket means on said frame for supporting said conduit means during the nonuse of said apparatus.

25. Apparatus as defined in claim 24 and: means on said frame supporting each of said receptacles when not in use.

26. Apparatus as defined in claim 25 and: body-supported means for receiving and releasably supporting a portion of said first conduit means and said receptacles when the apparatus is inoperative.

Images