Portable sterilizer

Feb. 17, 1942.

Η. E. PLISHKER

PORTABLE STERILIZER Filed June 19, 1940

2,273,449

Sheets-Sheet 1

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Feb. 17, 1942. h. e. plishker 2,273,449

PORTABLE STERILIZER Filed June 19, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2

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Patented Feb. 17, 1942 2,273^449

UNITED STATES' PATENT;. OFFICE '&lt; 2,273,449

PORTABLE STERILIZER ' . Herbert Edward Plishker, Flushing, N. Y., assign- .

or to Westinghouse Electric &amp; Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa.., a corporation

- of Pennsylvania

Application June, 19,. 1940, Serial No. 341,230 .' 3 .Claims.

My invention relates to a portable sterilizer, and. especially to one utilizing a “Sterilamp.”

An object of the invention is to produce a means by which an unskilled worker, such as a cleaning man or woman, in hotels, restaurants and other public places, can utilize sterilizing apparatus employing ultra-violet tubes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable sterilizer in which the height of the sterilizing apparatus can be easily adjusted.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a portable sterilizer constructed according to the invention and adjusted for sterilizing the floor.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the portable sterilizer of Figure 1 adjusted for sterilizing a toilet seat.

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through the sterilizing portion of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side-elevation of a modification of the adjusting mechanism of the portable sterilizer illustrated in the other figures.

Figure 5 is a view mainly in perspective of my invention adapted for sterilizing bath tubs and similar articles.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view through a portion of the cabinet of Figure 5 illustrating a preferred adjusting means.

Ultra-violet discharge lamps, such as described in the copending application of Robert F. James, Serial No. 734,620, filed July 11, 1934, have proven their effectiveness in sterilizing common sources of infection in public places. These installations in these public places have heretofore been of a fixed type assembled and operated by experts in this particular line. It is an object of my invention to construct a portable sterilizer utilizing the ultra-violet discharge devices and one that can be used by the ordinary cleaning man or woman. Common places in which such a device has special utilization are for sterilizing floors, particularly in bathrooms, bath tubs and toilet seats, especially in hotels, theatres and restaurants catering to large numbers of the public.

In Figures 1, 2 and 3, I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of my portable sterilizer. This portable sterilizer preferably comprises a cabinet 10 mounted upon wheels ί I. The cabinet contains the necessary transformers, switches, relays, etc. in the casing 12 in this cabinet. An extension cord 13 is connected to the casing for connection into suitable wall plugs f4. 65 (Cl. 250—88) . /

On one side of the cabinet rattach preferably two metal strips IS that are spaced slightly from the wall of the portable cabinet. These, strips have a series of parallel holes 13 therein. The 5 ultra-violet lamps 17 are inserted .in a. tray 18 and this tray has_: one of its edges 19 with a plurality of hooks 20 extending therefrom to be inserted in the holes 16 in the strip 15 to support the tray in inverted position facing down10 ward. The. tray may be of such composition or have its main panel coated on its underside .2 ί with a material which will reflect the ultra-. violet radiation downward and protect the eyes of anyone operating the machine. The rim 22 15 of the tray likewise prevents the escape of ultraviolet radiation in an upward direction. The . main panel can be of aluminum with an undercoating of aluminum oxide to reflect the ultraviolet radiations. Any number of lamps desired 2Q may be inserted in the tray..

In my embodiment in Figure 1, I have disposed four lamps 17 of the elongated variety fastened to metal end Contacts 17', inserted in sockets 23 in the tray. These lamps are con25 nected by a flexible connection 24 extending through a hole 25 in the cabinet to the casing i2 containing the transformers necessary for this type of installation. The casing 12 may, of course, contain the switch 26 to turn on the 30 lamps when desired.

In Figure 1, the inverted tray has been adjusted in position on the strips IS so that the tray just clears the floor. In Figure 2 the tray has been elevated to higher holes in the strip 15 35 so that the tray is just about the height of a toilet seat. It is apparent that the device is very portable and can very easily travel around a large area which would need sterilization.

Tne hooks 20 could be replaced by a bracket 40 or other supporting means, to extend the tray out further.

In Figure 4, I have modified my invention by disclosing the inverted tray 18 having an extension 30 into the front portion of the casing 45 and supported by a plurality of arms 3i and 32 connected to shafts 33 and 34. These shafts have sprockets 35 and 36, secured thereto, and these sprockets are revolved by a worm wheel 37 engaging a worm gear 37' with an actuating 50 handle 33 attached thereto. The worm wheel 37 is on the same shaft 34, as the sprocket 36, and this wheel has a chain 39 to the sprocket 35. The arms 31 and 32 may elevate the inverted tray 18 to this upper position illustrated in full lines in Figure 4, or it may be lowered to the

2,273,449 dotted line position 18' also illustrated in Figure 4.

In Figures 5 and 6 I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of my invention for use with bath tubs and similar articles. The inverted tray 18 is fastened to two U-shaped arms 40, extending out from the cabinet 10, so that the lamps may be lowered over the lip 41 of the tub. The Ushaped arms may be adjusted by any suitable means.

The preferred adjusting means illustrated in Figure 6, has the free end 42 of the U-shaped arm sliding between rollers 43. On the arm is a rack 44 movable by the pinion 45, which is keyed to the worm wheel 46, revolved by the worm 47. The shaft 48 of the worm is revolved by the wheel 49 on top of the shaft extending through the cabinet 10. While other adjustments may be used, this preferred arrangement does not require locking or counterweights.

I have,, accordingly, illustrated, a portable sterilizer utilizing ultra-violet sterilizing lamps and yet one· which- may be readily transported and. operated by unskilled labor.

While I have disclosed certain preferred embodiments: of my invention, I do not desire to be limited thereto, as various other modifications of the same may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.