WO2019077372A1

WO2019077372A1 - Cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2019077372A1
Application number: PCT/GB2018/053040
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edward BLACKLEDGE
Original assignee: Arrow County Supplies Limited
Priority date: 2017-10-19
Filing date: 2018-10-19
Publication date: 2019-04-25
Also published as: GB201817113D0; EP3697717A1; GB2569435A

Abstract

An escalator cleaning apparatus (1) having a cleaning head (2) and a brush element (3) extending from the leading or trailing edge of the cleaning head (2). The cleaning head (2) includes a cleaning pad (4) with castellations (43) on one side, which are configured to engage the grooves of an escalator step, and the brush element (3) is configured to engage a gap between escalator or travellator steps. A cleaning cover (6) is releasably securable to the cleaning head (2) and is configured to conform to the castellations (43). The cleaning apparatus (1) includes a clamp (5) connected to the cleaning head (2) and movable between a first, loading position and a second, clamped, position. A gap is formed between the clamp (5) and the cleaning head (2) in the first position and the clamp (5) holds the removable cover (6) against the cleaning head (2)in the second position.

Description

CLEANING APPARATUS

This invention relates generally to cleaning apparatus. More specifically, although not exclusively, this invention relates to cleaning apparatus for cleaning escalators and travel I ators.

It is known to provide machines or devices for cleaning the grooved surfaces of escalators and travellators. Heavy daily traffic of escalators and travellators means that regular cleaning is necessary to maintain good levels of hygiene and to prevent dirt or foreign matter making its way into the driving mechanism, potentially reducing the reliability and operational life. Escalators and travellators are generally in regular use and the requirement to keep them clean coupled with the need to minimise downtime presents a challenge.

Known escalator cleaning machines tend to be large, complex and expensive making them suitable for large shopping centres or airports but not for smaller buildings. Further, known machines may be effective at cleaning the step plate of an escalator or travellator step but are less so when it comes to cleaning the intermeshing portions between steps.

Failure to effectively clean these intermeshing portions can lead to excessive wear of an escalator or travellator steps due to debris trapped therebetween, abrading the step riser due to relative movement between a pair of steps. Further, if the debris is not removed from the intermeshing portions it may make its way into the driving mechanism.

It is therefore a first non-exclusive object of the invention to provide a cleaning apparatus that overcomes, or at least mitigates the problems associated with known cleaning apparatus for escalators and moving walkways.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention provides an escalator cleaning apparatus comprising a cleaning head having a first side, which may be castellated, configured to engage the grooves of an escalator step and a brush element extending from an edge, e.g. a leading or trailing edge, of the cleaning head for engaging a gap between escalator or travellator steps.

The castellated side acts in concert with the brush element to engage both the grooves of the step plate and the gap between intermeshing portions of adjacent steps. More specifically, the position of the brush element along the edge of the cleaning head enables a user to engage the cleaning head along the exposed castellated surface of one of the steps or risers all the way to its interface with an adjacent step, at which point the brush element is urged into the gap to ensure that it is cleaned thoroughly, without the need for suction or a further cleaning tool.

The leading or trailing edge, or a leading side or trailing side of the cleaning head, may be slanted or have an acclivity, a gradient, a ramp or an incline. The leading or trailing edge or side may form an angle, for example an oblique, acute or obtuse angle, between the first side and a second side. The brush element may be mounted to or relative to, a leading side or trailing side of the cleaning head, for example such that the leading side or trailing side provides a bracing surface or abutment surface for the brush element.

Forming the leading side or trailing side as a slanted bracing surface ensures that the brush element is maintained in a configuration in which it is urged into the gap.

The cleaning apparatus may comprise a cleaning cover, which may be removable. The cleaning cover may be arranged to cover or at least partially cover, enclose or hide the first side.

Another aspect of the invention provides an escalator cleaning apparatus comprising a cleaning head having a first side, which may be castellated, configured to engage the grooves of an escalator step and a cleaning cover, which may be removable, wherein the cleaning cover is arranged to cover or at least partially cover, enclose or hide the first side.

The cleaning cover may be flexible, for example such that, in use, it engages, follows the contours of or substantially cooperates with the first side or castellations thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the cleaning cover may be pre-formed such that engages, follows the contours of or substantially cooperates with the first side. The cleaning apparatus may be configured such that the cleaning head forces, in use, the cleaning cover into the grooves of an escalator or travellator step.

The cleaning cover may be configured to provide protection to the first side of the cleaning head, e.g. prolonging its useful life. The cleaning cover may also be disposable, for example such that once it is dirty, soiled or ingrained it can be disposed of and/or replaced. Additionally or alternatively, the cleaning apparatus may comprise two or more, e.g. a plurality of, different cleaning covers. At least two of the cleaning covers may comprise different materials or configurations, such as different piles, e.g. deep or shallow piles.

The cleaning cover may comprise or be constructed of an absorbent material, stretch fit fabric or cloth. The cleaning cover may be impregnated with a cleaning medium or detergent. The cleaning apparatus may comprise a reservoir and/or a dosing means, which may be operatively or fluidly connected to the reservoir, for introducing the or a cleaning medium or detergent to the cleaning cover.

The cleaning apparatus may comprise an attachment or engaging or securing means, for example a clamp, such as a clamping element, member or portion. The clamp may be connected to the cleaning head and/or be movable between a first position, e.g. a spaced or loading position, and a second position, e.g. a clamping or use position. The clamp may be spaced from the cleaning head in the first position, for example such that a gap is formed between the clamp and the cleaning head. The clamp may retain, hold or clamp, for example by clamping force, the or a cleaning cover in the second position, e.g. against the cleaning head.

Alternatively, the cleaning apparatus may comprise another attachment or engaging or securing means. The cleaning apparatus may comprise an aperture with projections, e.g. for engaging the cleaning cover. The cleaning apparatus may comprise a cross-shaped or cruciform aperture in a flexible member into which the cleaning cover may be engagingly received.

In embodiments, the attachment or engaging or securing means may comprise a hook and loop type fastener. A first portion of the hook and loop type fastener may be located on the cleaning head, for example along a first edge of the cleaning head. The cleaning head may comprise a second portion of hook and loop type fastener. The cleaning head may be provided with an extension member. The extension member may be a clip. A first portion of hook and loop type fastener may be provided on the clip. The clip may engage or be engageable with a portion of the head to secure the pad thereto.

A first and/or second co-operating portion of the hook and loop type fastener may be located on the removable cleaning cover. In some embodiments, the or a portion of the attachment or engaging or securing means, for example a hook and loop type fastener portion, may be located on the clip. The pad may comprise a hook and loop type fastener portion. The hook and loop type fastener portions on the pad and/or on the clip may be co-operable with the or a hook and loop type fasttener portion on the removable cleaning cover.

In an embodiment, the cleaning cover may have first and second hook and loop type fastener portions. The first and second portions may be located at edges of the cover. The

The brush element may be movable between a first position, e.g. a spaced or loading position, and a second position, e.g. a clamping or use position. The brush element may be spaced from the cleaning head in the first position, for example such that a gap is formed between the brush element and the cleaning head. The brush element may engage, e.g. retain, hold or clamp, such as by clamping force, the or a cleaning cover in the second position, e.g. against the cleaning head. The brush element may comprise or provide the clamp or may comprise or provide a further or second clamp or clamping element member or portion.

The cleaning apparatus or head may comprise one or more engaging or gripping elements, for example barbs, spikes or teeth. The, or at least one or some of the engaging or gripping elements may be adjacent the clamp and/or the brush element. The cleaning apparatus or head may comprise a plurality of engaging or gripping elements, which may be arranged in one or more rows, e.g. along a top and/or a bottom of the cleaning head. The, or at least some of the engaging or gripping elements may engage or grip or penetrate, in use, the or a cleaning cover, for example when the clamp and/or brush element is in or moved to or toward its second position.

The brush element and/or clamp may be connected, for example pivotally connected, to the cleaning head. The brush element and/or clamp may be biased or arranged, e.g. toward and/or forced or configured to abut or brace against the cleaning head. The bias may be provided by a biasing element, for example a resilient biasing element such as a spring or torsional spring. The biasing element may engage or be connected to the brush element and the cleaning head. The biasing element may engage or be connected to the clamp and the cleaning head. The brush element may project beyond the first side of the cleaning head, e.g. beyond the castellations of the castellated side thereof. The brush element may comprise a base or rail and/or one or more projecting elements, which may be flexible, projecting from the base or rail. The one or more projecting elements may extend beyond the first side of the cleaning head or the castellations thereof. The one or more projecting elements may comprise a single monolithic element or a plurality of elements such as bristles. The base or rail may comprise or provide the clamping portion of the brush element.

The cleaning head may comprise a pad or block, which may comprise or be formed of a resilient and/or deformable and/or foam material. The pad or block may be substantially rectangular or square and/or may comprise a parallelepiped or cuboid, which may have one or more chamfered edges.

The pad or block may be securable, releasably attachable and/or removable from the cleaning head, for example, via the or a clip. In such embodiments, the cleaning apparatus may include a plurality of pads or blocks, two or more of which may have a different profile, for example to engage with different escalator designs. Alternatively, the foam pad or foam block may be integrally formed with the cleaning head. The castellated side may comprise a major surface of the cleaning head or pad or block, for example in which the or a plurality of castellations are formed. The or at least one of the pad(s) or block(s) may have a compound profile, e.g. configured to engage two or more different escalator profiles.

The cleaning head may be connected to the end of a handle, for example a knob or an elongate handle. The handle may be removable. The cleaning head may comprise a socket, which may be threaded, for releasably securing a handle. Alternatively, the cleaning head and handle may comprise any other suitable mount or connection, for example a bayonet connection.

The use of an elongate handle is advantageous in that the user of the cleaning apparatus can manoeuvre the apparatus easily and can operate the apparatus while in a standing position. Further, a handle, and in particular an elongate handle, enables a user to apply force through the cleaning head to the escalator or travellator, for example in cases where there is a large amount of matter or the matter is difficult to dislodge. For the avoidance of doubt, any of the features described herein apply equally to any aspect of the invention.

Another aspect of the invention provides a computer program element comprising and/or describing and/or defining a three-dimensional design for use with a simulation means or a three-dimensional additive or subtractive manufacturing means or device, e.g. a three- dimensional printer or CNC machine, the three-dimensional design comprising an embodiment of one or more features of the apparatus described above, for example the cleaning head or block or pad or any other feature.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. For the avoidance of doubt, the terms "may", "and/or", "e.g.", "for example" and any similar term as used herein should be interpreted as non-limiting such that any feature so-described need not be present. Indeed, any combination of optional features is expressly envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention, whether or not these are expressly claimed. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an escalator cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention with the cleaning cover omitted;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the escalator cleaning apparatus of Figure 1 from the opposite side;

Figure 3 is a further perspective view of the escalator cleaning apparatus Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 with a cleaning cover installed on the cleaning head;

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the escalator cleaning apparatus of Figures 1 to 4;

Figure 6 is an exploded view similar to that of Figure 5 from the opposite side;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the escalator cleaning apparatus of Figures 1 to 4 immediately prior to the installation of the cleaning cover;

Figure 8 is a side view of an escalator cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 is a isometric view of a second embodiment of cleaning head according to the invention; and

Figure 10 is an exploded view of a cleaning head of Figure 9.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown an escalator cleaning apparatus 1 having cleaning head 2 with a cleaning side 20 configured to engage the grooves of an escalator step (not shown) and a brush element 3 extending from the cleaning head 2 for engaging a gap (not shown) between escalator steps (not shown). In this embodiment, the cleaning head 2 includes a profiled cleaning pad 4 and clamp 5 for releasably clamping and retaining a cover 6 over the profiled cleaning pad 4.

As shown more clearly in Figures 5 and 6, the cleaning head 2 has a body 21 and a threaded socket 22 that receives and threadedly engages the threaded end (not shown) of an elongate handle 7. The body 21 extends in a widthwise direction, either side of the socket 22, and is configured to lie perpendicular to the direction of movement of an escalator step (not shown). The cleaning head 2 also includes a planar support surface 23 to which the cleaning pad 4 is attached and a retaining lip 24 along one of its longitudinal edges. The retaining lip 24 is configured to prevent slippage or movement of the cleaning pad 4, in use, when it is mounted to the planar support surface 23. The cleaning head 2 has a leading side 25a and a trailing side 25b. The leading side has a leading edge 251a and the trailing side 25b has a trailing edge 251 b. The leading side 25a has an abutment surface 252 that terminates at the leading edge 251 a and that forms an acute angle with the planar support surface 23. As such, the abutment surface 252 is inclined towards the trailing side 25b of the cleaning head 2 when the apparatus 1 is in use.

The cleaning head 2 includes a leading side shelf 26a located adjacent the leading side 25a, proximate the abutment surface 252. The abutment surface 252 is described between the leading side shelf 26a and the planar support surface 23 and has the leading edge 251a at one end thereof. The cleaning head 2 also has a trailing side shelf 26b located at the trailing side 25b, proximate the retaining lip 24. The retaining lip 24 terminates at the trailing edge 251 b. Each of the pair of shelves 26a, 26b has a row of gripping teeth 27 projecting therefrom and extending along the width of the cleaning head 2.

Either side of the threaded socket 22 is a pivot mount 28 for pivotally mounting the brush element 3 and clamp 5. Each pivot mount 28 has a pair of spaced apart, opposing projections 29. The brush element 3 is pivotally mounted to the pivot mount 28 on the leading side 25a of the cleaning head 2. The brush element 3 has a brush support member 31 that supports a plurality of flexible bristles 32 arranged into bunches 321 that flare towards their free end.

The brush support member 31 is pivotally mounted to the cleaning head 2 at the pivot mount 28 by a pair of spaced mounting elements 331 , each arranged to engage the opposing projections 29 of a respective one of the pivot mounts 28. Each of the mounting elements 331 has an aperture 332 extending therethough configured to receive a pin 333. The pin 333 passes through a torsional spring 334 which is in turn located in a recess 335 in the rear side 34b of the brush support member 31. The recess 335 partially interrupts the aperture 332 such that a portion of the pin 333 is exposed when received in the aperture 332. The torsional spring 334 is held in place by the pin 333 which bridges across the recess 335.

The front side 34a of the brush support member 31 has a slot 35 (shown in Figure 2) arranged to receive an arm of the torsional spring 334. The slot 35 further secures the torsional spring 334 in place and allows the torsional spring 334 to act on the brush element 3, biasing it towards the leading side 25a of the cleaning head 2. The cleaning head 2 has an aperture (not shown) for receiving the other arm of the torsional spring such that it is further secured in place and can act between the cleaning head 2 and brush element 3.

The brush support member 31 has a pair of apertures 36 extending through the thickness thereof from the front side 34a to the rear side 34b. Each aperture 36 is configured to receive a retaining screw 37. A pair of inserts 38, each having a threaded aperture 381 are received within the recess 335 and fixed to the brush element 3 using the retaining screws 37. A respective retaining screw 37 is inserted into a respective aperture 36 from the front side to hold the insert 38 against the rear side 34b of the brush support member 31.

The brush support member 31 has a clamping lip or projection 39 extending from the rear side 34b and extending along the entire width of the brush support member 31. The clamping projection 39 is arranged to contact the leading side 25a of the cleaning head 2. The leading side 25a of the cleaning head 2 provides a bracing surface for the brush support member 31. The clamping projection 39 and the leading side 25a of the cleaning head 2 are configured to produce a clamping force therebetween, as a result of the torsional spring 334 acting between the cleaning head 2 and brush element 3. A portion of the bristles 32 lie against the abutment surface 252. The acute angle of the abutment surface 252 results in the bristles 32 also lying at an acute angle.

The brush element 3 is pivotally movable between a first, cleaning cover loading position, as shown in Figures 7 & 8 and a second, use or cleaning cover clamping position as shown in Figures 1 to 4. The clamping projection 39 is spaced from the cleaning head 2 when the brush element 3 is in the first position. The clamping projection 39 abuts the leading side 25a of the cleaning head 2 in the second position, generating a clamping force therebetween so as to retain a cover 6 against the cleaning head 2.

The clamp 5 is pivotally mounted to the pivot mount 28 at the trailing side 25b of the cleaning head 2. The clamp 5 has a body 51 and a pair of spaced mounting elements 52. The spacing of the mounting elements 52 of the clamp 5 match that of the pivot mount 28 of the cleaning head 2. Each mounting element 52 has a tongue 53 that lies in contact with the inserts 38 such that the inserts 38 hold the clamp 5 in place. The clamp 5 also has a pair of torsional springs 54, a first arm of which is received in a hole 55 of the clamp 5 and a second arm of which is received within an aperture (not shown) in the cleaning head 2. The hole 55 and aperture (not shown) in the cleaning head 2 secure the torsional springs 55 in place and allow them to bias the clamp 5 towards the trailing side 25b of the cleaning head 2.

The trailing side 25b of the cleaning head 2 provides a bracing surface for the clamp 5. The torsional springs 54 act between the clamp 5 and the cleaning head 2. The clamp 5 has a clamping projection 56 extending widthwise along the entire width of the second clamping element 5. The clamping projection 56 extends substantially perpendicularly to the body 51 of the clamp 5 in this embodiment. The clamping projection 56 is arranged to contact the trailing side 25b of the cleaning head 2. The clamping projection 56 and the trailing side 25b of the cleaning head are configured to produce a clamping force therebetween.

The clamp 5 is pivotally movable between a first, cleaning cover loading position, as shown in Figures 7 & 8 and a second, use or cleaning cover clamping position in as shown in Figures 1 to 4. The clamp 5 and clamping projection 56 are spaced from the cleaning head 2 in the first position. The clamping projection 56 abuts the trailing side 25b of the cleaning head 2 in the second position, generating a clamping force therebetween so as to retain a cover 6 against the cleaning head 2.

The cleaning pad 4 has a mounting surface 41 for mounting the cleaning pad 4 to the planar support surface 23 of the cleaning head 2. The cleaning pad 4 is detachable or removable from the cleaning head 2 by a pressure sensitive adhesive (not shown) in this embodiment. The cleaning pad 4 is constructed from a rigid foam material in this embodiment with a first, major or cleaning side 42 having a plurality of castellations 43. The castelllations 43 are configured to engage the grooves of an escalator step (not shown) and are of a sufficient depth to ensure that the bottom of the grooves of an escalator step are contacted by the cleaning side 42. The plurality of castellations 43 allow a plurality of grooves to be engaged at any one time. In other embodiments, the cleaning pad 4 is formed of a resilient foam material, with or without castellations, which allows the cleaning pad 4 to deform when a force is applied, such that it conforms to the grooves of an escalator step (not shown).

The cleaning pad 4 has a leading side 44 and a trailing side 45. The castellations 43 extend the entire length of the cleaning pad 4 from the leading side 44 to the trailing side 45 and take the form of parallel grooves extending perpendicular to a widthwise direction. The leading side 44 forms an acute angle with the cleaning side 42. A portion of the plurality of bristles 32 of the brush element 3 abut the leading side 44 and are inclined relative to the escalator (not shown). The trailing side 45 forms an abutment surface such that when the cleaning pad 4 is mounted to the cleaning head 2 the trailing side 45 abuts the retaining lip 24, preventing slippage between the cleaning pad 4 and cleaning head 2 in use.

The ends 46, 47 of the cleaning pad 4 protrude from the cleaning head 2 widthwise at either side such that the cleaning pad 4 can be forced against a side of the escalator and deformed to ensure the edges of the escalator steps (not shown) are cleaned. The free ends of the bristles 32 also project beyond the castellations 43 of the cleaning pad 4 to enable them to be inserted into the gap between adjacent escalator or travellator steps (not shown).

A cleaning cover 6 is releasably securable to the cleaning head 2 of the escalator cleaning apparatus 1. The cover 6 is constructed from a stretch fit material and is configured to conform to the castellations 43 of the cleaning pad 4 such that engagement of the castellations 43 with the grooves of an escalator step (not shown) forces the cover 6 into the grooves, such that cleaning is effected by the cover 6. The cover 6 covers the entire cleaning side 42 in this embodiment and is of a sufficient size to allow it to be clamped by the clamping projections 39 and 56.

An elongate handle 7 (of which only part is shown) has a threaded end (not shown) that is received within and releasably engaged with the threaded socket 22.

In use, each of the brush element 3 and clamp 5 are pivoted about the pivot mount 28 into the cleaning cover loading position as shown in Figures 7 & 8. The cleaning cover 6 is wrapped around the cleaning pad 4 such that it covers the cleaning side 42 and is passed around the leading side 44 and trailing side 45. A portion of the cleaning cover 6 passes over the gripping teeth 27a, 27b and covers each of the pair of shelves 26. Each of the brush element 3 and clamp 5 are released from the cleaning cover loading position and under the force of their respective torsional springs 334 and 54 are biased towards the cleaning head 2.

A clamping force is exerted on the cleaning cover 6 between the clamping projection 39 of the brush element 3 and the leading side 25a of the cleaning head. The clamping force urges the portion of cleaning cover 6 that covers the leading side shelf 26a against the gripping teeth 27a, securing the cleaning cover 6 in place and preventing slippage of the cleaning cover 6 relative to the clamping projection 39. A further clamping force is exerted on the cleaning cover 6 between the clamping projection 56 of the clamp 5 and the trailing side 25b of the cleaning head 2. The clamping force urges a the portion of the cleaning cover 6 that covers the trailing side shelf 26b against the gripping teeth 27b, securing the cleaning cover 6 in place and preventing slippage of the cleaning cover 6 relative to the clamping projection 56.

The cleaning cover 6 is clamped at two ends and bridges across the cleaning pad 4 between the clamping projection 39 of the brush element 3 and the clamping projection 56 of the clamp 5. The cleaning cover 6 is held taught.

The cleaning cover 6 is flexible such that it conforms to the castellations 43 of the cleaning pad 4. A user positions the escalator cleaning apparatus 1 such that the castellations 53 are aligned with the grooves of an escalator step (not shown). The apparatus 1 is held by the elongate handle 7 and pressure applied such that the cleaning cover 6 contacts the base of each groove of the escalator step (not shown).

In order to clean the interfacing vertical grooves between adjacent steps or risers (not shown), the cleaning head 2 is held with the castellations 53 extending vertically. The apparatus 1 is held stationary while the escalator moves such that the interfacing portion of the escalator step (not shown) passes from the leading side 44 to the trailing side 45 of the cleaning pad 4. The relative movement between the cleaning cover 6 and escalator groove results in foreign matter located in the grooves being collected by the cleaning cover 6.

The bristles 32 of the brush element 3 project beyond the castellations 53 of the cleaning pad 4 such that they also engage the grooves of the escalator or travellator. Further, in use, the bristles 32 abut the abutment surface 252 of the cleaning head 2 and/or the leading side 44 of the cleaning pad 4 and are inclined relative to the escalator or travellator step such that they engage the gap defined between the steps. The inclination of the bristles 32 and the fact that the brush element 3 is mounted to the leading side 25a of the cleaning head 2 means that the bristles 32 engage the grooves of the step riser.

The movement of the escalator or travellator relative to the apparatus 1 may, due to friction between the cleaning cover 6 and the escalator, cause slippage between the cleaning pad 4 and the cleaning head 2. The retaining lip 24 prevents any such movement. Further, the relative movement between the apparatus 1 and the escalator or travellator may urge the bristles 32, due to their flexibility, in the direction of movement of the escalator. Any such movement is prevented by the leading side 44 of the cleaning pad 4 which provides an abutment surface for the bristles 32. This maintains the bristles 32 in a desired orientation such that they engage the gap between steps and the grooves of the step riser.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that several variations to the aforementioned embodiments are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the cleaning head 2 and cleaning pad 4 are described as being two separate and separable elements but this need not be the case. Instead, the cleaning head 2 and cleaning pad 4 may be formed integrally with one another.

The cleaning pad 4 is described as being mounted to the cleaning head 2 by pressure sensitive adhesive applied to either the mounting surface 41 of the cleaning pad 4, the planar support surface 23 of the cleaning head 2 or both. This need not be the case and any suitable means of attachment of the cleaning pad 4 to the cleaning head 2 may be used. For example, the cleaning head 2 or cleaning pad 4 may have one or more clips or inter-engaging locking elements. Alternatively, there may be clips that releasably secure the cleaning pad 4 to the cleaning head 2.

Referring now to Figures 9 and 10, there is a shown a second embodiment of cleaning apparatus 100 according to the invention. The apparatus 100 comprises a cleaning head 2' having a brush element 3', cleaning pad 4' and cleaning cover 6'. The cleaning cover 6' is removably attached to the cleaning pad 4', which, as before, has castellations 43' on its working face.

As is best seen in Figure 10, an elongate edge of the cleaning pad 4' bears a clip 101 which is of triangular cross sectional form. An extending shelf 110 extends from the clip 101. The shelf 110 engages a corresponding slot in the cleaning head 2' to help secure the pad 4' to the head 2'. The clip 101 bears along one of its faces a hook-and-loop type fastener portion 102. A second hook-and-loop type fastener portion (not shown) may be provided on the obverse face of the cleaning pad 4'.

As shown in Figure 10, the cleaning cover 6' is of rectangular form and along its two longer edges it bears hook-and-loop type fastener portions 103, 104. These hook-and-loop type fastener portions are preferably co-operable with those provided on the pad 4', whereby the cover 6' can be releasably secured to the pad 4'.

In an embodiment, the cover 6' is secured to the pad 4' using the cooperating hook-and- loop type fasteners. The cleaning pad 4' may then be connected to the head 2' by engaging shelf 110 into a cooperating slot or other feature of the head 2' and the apparatus 100 then used to clean.

Although the above mentions hook-and-loop type fasteners, and these are preferred due to their ease-of-use, robustness, and repeatability, other temporary securing means may be used, for example pressure sensitive adhesives, magnets, press studs, buttons, zippers and so on.

The cleaning pad 4, 4' is described as having castellations 43, 43'. This need not be the case, as the cleaning pad 4, 4' may be of any suitable construction to allow it to engage the grooves of an escalator or travellator.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.

Claims

1. An escalator cleaning apparatus comprising a cleaning head having a first, castellated side configured to engage the grooves of an escalator step and a brush element extending from a leading or trailing edge of the cleaning head for engaging a gap between escalator steps.

2. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cleaning head is connected to the end of an elongate handle.

3. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 2 comprising a removable cleaning cover arranged to at least partially cover the castellated side such that, in use, the cover is forced into the grooves of an escalator step by castellations of the castellated side.

4. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the brush element is movable between a cleaning cover loading position in which it is spaced from the cleaning head and a use position in which it retains the cleaning cover against the cleaning head.

5. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 4 comprising a second clamping element connected to the head portion, the second clamping element movable between a cleaning cover loading position in which it is spaced from the cleaning head and a use position in which it retains a cleaning cover against the cleaning head.

6. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of the brush element and second clamping element are pivotally connected to the head portion.

7. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein each of the brush element and second clamping element are biased such that they brace against the head portion.

8. A cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7 comprising a torsional spring between each of the brush element and the head portion and the second clamping element and the head portion.

9. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 , 2 or 3 comprising a removable connection means, for example hook and loop type fastener, arranged to removably secure a cleaning cover to the cleaning head.

10. A cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the brush element is mounted to a leading or trailing side of the cleaning head which provides a bracing surface for the brush element.

1 1. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the leading or trailing edge forms an acute angle between the first side and a second side.

12. A cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 1 1 , wherein the brush element projects, in use, beyond castellations of the castellated side of the cleaning head.

13. A cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the cleaning head comprises a foam pad.

14. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the foam pad is removable.

15. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the castellated side comprises a major surface of the pad in which a plurality of castellations are formed.

16. A cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein the foam pad is attachable to the cleaning head via a clip.

17. A cleaning apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 16, wherein the elongate handle is removable.

18. A cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 17 wherein the cleaning head comprises a socket for releasably securing a handle.