Apparatus for processing surfaces

March 10, 1959 a. _L wells 2,876,484

APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING SURFACES

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ATT’YS

March 10, 1959 _A. _L wells 2,876,484

APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING SURFACES

Filed Oct. 19, 1953 , _x „

Sheets-Sheet 2

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ATT'YS

March 10, 1959 a. _L wells 2,876,484

APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING SURFACES '

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ATT'YS

United States Patent Office

2,876,484

Patented Mar. 10, 1959

2,876,484

APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING SURFACES

Arthur L. Wells, Des Plaines, Hl.

Application October 19, 1953, Serial No. 386,894

Claims. (CI. 15—354)

This invention relates to apparatus for the processing of surfaces such as wood, concrete and composition floors, walks and the like. The invention is particularly directed to attachments for adapting processing equipment to act on a surface and is especially advantageous m the employment of devices utilizing reduced pressure or vacuum in their operation. A preferred embodiment is an attachment for adapting a vacuum cleaner to act on a surface.

Certain surfaces are most conveniently cleaned by washing them with water or a cleaning solution. For example, terrazza, linoleum, marble and concrete floors may be cleaned by mopping or scrubbing, either by hand or with power scrubbers. The floors are left wet by these methods, and it is necessary to remove the water, soap and dirt from the floor in a separate operation. It is known to remove these elements by sucking them up through the nozzle of a vacuum unit of the type similar to a conventional vacuum cleaner of the stationary body and movable nozzle type. This method is not satisfactory for large surfaces because the nozzle must necessarily be small and it must be held close to the wet surface at all times. As a result it requires considerable labor and time to remove all of the water from a large floor.

Other methods of processing surfaces, such as dry mopping, brushing, sanding and scraping likewise suffer from inefficiencies in operation and, particularly, in the collection of loose material present on the generally horizontal, including inclined, surfaces.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for processing surfaces which overcomes the deficiencies of the prior devices.

Another object is to provide a portable apparatus which is capable of processing large surfaces rapidly and effectively.

An additional object is to provide an attachment for adapting processing equipment for operation on large surfaces.

A further object is to provide an attachment for processing equipment which renders it portable and simple and easy to operate, being readily moved up and down stairways, over obstructions, on uneven surfaces, and in small as well as large areas.

A still further object is to provide an attachment which will support the weight of a heavy operating mechanism while supporting a unit acting on a surface in an ⁶⁰independent manner and unhampered by the weight of the mechanism.

An additional object is to provide an attachment of the class described which will support a unit acting on a surface so that it may be adjusted in elevation and, partic- ⁶⁵ularly, so that it may be supported partly or entirely to vary the pressure of the unit on the surface, with the shock of contact with any obstructions being taken by members other than the unit.

Another object is to provide an attachment for convert-· ⁷⁰ing a vacuum cleaner to a drying apparatus for large wet surfaces.

Yet another object is to provide a wheeled carriage or dolly for supporting an operating mechanism, such as a vacuum cleaner, while independently supporting a unit acting on a surface, such as a squeegee, which is o adaptable to various types and sizes of devices, for transporting and operating the same.

These and other objects, advantages and functions of the invention will be apparent on consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the ac^lu companying drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a front and side perspective view of apparatus embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the wheeled carriage with vacuum cleaner and hose re¹⁰ moved;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 with parts of the construction broken away and in scetion;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view similar to Figure 2, with -^υ parts removed;

Figure 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view illustrating the attachment of the squeegee and hose shown m preceding views;

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross section taken adjacent the end of one of the squeegee arms and illustrating the construction of the squeegee and attachment of other parts thereto; and

Figures 7 and 8 schematically illustrate two positions of the squeegee shown in preceding views, and attached parts.

In accordance with the invention, apparatus is provided for adapting processing equipment to act on a surface. The apparatus includes portable means, such 35 ^ai-^{a frame}’ ^{for su}PPorting an operating mechanism, which may be, for example, a vacuum cleaner. Connected to the mechanism supporting means is means for supporting a unit acting on the surface, such as a collector of loose material present on the surface, for example, a squeegee, which acts in conjunction with the operating mechanism. The unit supporting means is adapted to lift part of the mechanism supporting means, or tilt the same, and is also adapted to raise or elevate the unit. In a particularly advantageous embodiment 45 invention, means are provided for transferring part or all of the weight of the unit supporting means and the unit mounted thereon to the means for supporting the operating mechanism, for varying the pressure of the unit on the surface. Mechanism for further 50 adjusting the elevation of the unit for operation or for protection of the unit when not in operation is preferably included.

In the drawings, a preferred and very effectively employed embodiment of the invention is illustrated. As ₅₅ shown in Figure 1, a wheeled carriage or dolly 1 is provided, and a converging squeegee 2 is mounted thereon at its front. Supported on the carriage 1 is a standard tank type vacuum cleaner 3 having an inlet 4 under reduced pressure from within during operation, to which is connected a flexible hose 5, in turn connected to the carriage 1 at its front. The vacuum cleaner 3 is ordinarily designed for use alone, being moved about on its wheels or casters 6, while an attachment (not shown) is secured to the hose nozzle 7 at the free end of the hose 5 for use in picking up loose material from various surfaces. However, this method of operation suffers from the aforementioned disadvantages.

The carriage 1 is composed in the main of two frames rotatably connected to each other. A generally horizontal wheeled cleaner supporting frame 8 is constructed to take most or all of the load furnished by the operating mechanism, such as the vacuum cleaner 3 shown, and

2,876,484 the remaining frame and attached unit, as the squeegee 2 shown. As will be seen particularly on inspection of Figure 4, the cleaner supporting frame § includes a rear axle 9 on which is mounted a wheel 10 at each end, A forwardly extending longitudinal caster leg 11 is rigidly secured to the axle 9 at about its center, as by a bolt Ila. The caster leg 11 is bent upwardly, in the shape of an inverted U, for a purpose to be described, and terminates in a caster 12.

Rigidly mounted on the axle 9 and disposed toward its ends are two vertically arranged supporting rods 13 on which are rigidly mounted an arcuate tank support 14, as by bolts 13a. Pivotally secured to the top of the tank support at opposite sides of the cleaner supporting frame 8 are two tank receivers 15 and 16, in the form of vertically slotted tubes having thumb screws 17 and 18 extending through their sides. Rigidly mounted on the caster leg is another, similar supporting rod 19, at the top of which is pivotally mounted a rotatable tank support 20, secured thereto by a bolt 19a. On the tank support 20, another, similar tank receiver 21 provided with a thumb screw 22 is pivotally mounted. In this arrangement, the tank 23 of the tank type vacuum cleaner 3 may be supported, as shown in Figure 1, by inserting the bottom edge 24 of the tank in the slots of the tank receivers 15, 16 and 21 and tightening the thumb screws 17,18 and 22.

By the arrangement of pivotally supported tank receivers 15, 16 and 21 illustrated, vacuum cleaners of various types and sizes may be positioned on the cleaner supporting frame 8. Likewise, other constructions may be employed for the purpose of supporting an operating mechanism, and the construction and arrangement of other parts of the cleaner supporting frame 8 may be varied within the intent and scope of the invention.

Connected to the cleaner supporting frame assembly 8 is a squeegee supporting or mounting frame 25 which is vertically rotatable on the former, at hubs 26 on the squeegee supporting frame through which the axle 9 ported on the two wheels 10. The construction and arrangement of the frames and their parts may be varied to provide the same or similar results.

On the cross bar 31 is mounted the converging squeegee 2 having two rearwardly converging arms 32 which are adjustable to provide an enclosed angle of from about 0° to 180°. The squeegee is composed of a blade 33 of suitable material, such as rubber, as shown, or metal, fiber or plastic, which is adapted to closely wipe or scrape a surface. At its front or inner side, each squeegee arm 32 includes a plate or strip 34 of metal or other suitably strong and rigid material, and at the back of each arm is another plate 35 of like material. The plates 34 and 35 and the blade 33 are fastened together with the blade between the plates, as by bolts 36, as illustrated particularly in Figure 6, and a relatively rigid, durable construction is thus provided.

The rear plates 35 extend from near the leading edges or free ends 37 of the squeegee 2 about to the squeegee 20 mounting cross bar 31, where they are pivotally connected thereto as by bends in the plates 35 surrounding vertical bolts 38 mounted in a base plate 39 and in spaced blade stops 40. The base plate 39 is welded or otherwise secured to the top of the cross bar 31 centrally 25 thereof and extends forwardly therefrom. The blade stops 40 are secured adjacent the bottom of the cross bar 31, each being spaced a short distance to one side of the center of the cross bar and projecting forwardly from the latter. The front sides of the stops are inclined 30 to converge towards the center of the cross bar, so that the planes of the sides form a large obtuse angle. The squeegee blade 33 in the embodiment shown is one continuous piece forming a part of each arm 32, and at the juncture of the squeegee 2 and the cross bar 31, the 35 blade bears against the stops 40 when the squeegee is fully opened, while the space between the stops accommodates the blade when the arms are in closed position.

At the leading edges 37 of the squeegee arms 32, ____o_ . ___rj________a _ bumper guard wheels 41 are mounted on wheel mountof the cleaner supporting frame extends. The squeegee 40 i_{ng aI1}gle irons 42 secured to the back plates 35, as shown supporting frame 25 may thus be actuated independently - - — of the cleaner supporting frame 8, or both may be actuated at the same time. The hubs 26 are welded or otherwise secured to operating arms 27 in the form of continuous tubes each of which extends upwardly and rearwardly from the hub 26 to a point in the vicinity of the top of the vacuum cleaner 3 poistioned on the carriage 1, terminating in a handle 28. The upwardly directed portions 27α of the tubes constitute levers arranged for easy operation in the manner of a two-wheeled hand truck. The upwardly directed portions 27α of the operating arms 27 are joined by a spacer rod 29 intermediate the hubs 26 and the handles 28.

Extending forwardly from the hubs are generally horizontal portions 275 of the operating arms 27 which are joined intermediate their ends by a raising or elevating cross rod 39. The horizontal portions 275 terminate at a squeegee mounting cross bar 31, which is rigidly secured thereto, as by bolts 31α. _________ ,_______w.

In the embodiment illustrated, the elevating cross rod plate 53 suitably secured, as by weldin; 30 and the caster leg 11 are so constructed that the cross - *’—’----- *-----° rod may be raised for a distance before contacting the caster leg. This arrangement permits rotation of the squeegee suporting frame 25 and independent elevation . .. of the forward portion thereof, raising the squeegee 2 _gg squeegee 2 mounted thereon may be entirely or partly or other unit mounted on the squeegee mounting cross ' ’ ’ x...—-n.

bar 31 independently of the cleaner supporting frame 8.

By further rotation of the squeegee supporting frame 25 and elevation of its forward portion, the elevating cross rod 30 contacts the caster leg 11 and elevates it, raising ₇₀the caster 12 off of the floor or other surface. Thus, by moving the handles 28 downwardly and rearwardly, the squeegee 2 may first be raised off of the floor and the cleaner supporting frame 8 may next be lifted in part - , = . ..

from the floor, tilting it backwardly so that it is sup. 75 away at its juncture with the horizontal portion 275 pt in detail in Figure 6. Also secured to the back plates are adjusting bar mounting angle irons 43 to which are pivotally connected squeegee angle adjusting or positioning bars or members 44. The angle adjusting bars 44 are provided with longitudinal slots 45 adjacent their opposite ends, and the slots are adapted to receive bolts 46 extending through hubs 47 provided on the opposite ends of the cross bar 31. Wing nuts 48 are desirably employed on the bolts 46 extending through the angle adjusting bars and the hubs, for rapid adjustment of the positions of the squeegee arms and for securing them in the desired positions.

To the aforementioned base plate 39 mounted on the cross bar 31 is secured, as by bolts 49, a rearwardly ex55 tending elevating plate 50 provided with a screw threaded hole adjacent one end through which is threaded a squeegee elevation or height adjusting screw 51, having a lock nut 52 thereon (see Figure 5). The elevation adjusting screw 51 is arranged to bear or seat on a thrust ' ig, to the caster leg 11 of the cleaner supporting frame 8.

Through the action of the elevating plate 50, the adjusting screw 51 and the thrust plate 53, the front portion of the squeegee supporting frame 25 and the supported by suitably turning the screw. The screw 51 can be raised or loosened so that the front part of the squeegee frame 25 and the squeegee bear with their entire weight on a surface, or the screw can be tightened to decrease the pressure of the squeegee on the floor, to the point where no pressure is exerted. Also, by further tightening the screw 51, the squeegee can be raised to a safe position for transportation or storage. As illustrated in Figure 3 (where the cross bar 31 is broken

3,878,484 an operating arm 27), greater adjustments of the elevation of the cross bar 31 and the squeegee 2 may be made by adjusting the position of the cross bar on the operating arms 27 of the squeegee frame assembly 25, by connecting the arms to the cross bar through other of the several pairs (shown only in this view) of vertically arranged holes 54 which may be provided in the bar. The rear portion of the squeegee supporting frame 25 is in each case supported by the axle 9 of the cleaner supporting frame 8, in the preferred construction.

The hose 5 leading from the vacuum cleaner 3 is connected by means of a yoke 55 to the base plate 39 on the cross bar 31, by the bolts 49 securing the elevating plate 50 thereto. The yoke is connected to the neck 56 Of the nozzle by means of a metal band 57 or the like. The vacuum nozzle 7 is thus positioned adjacent the apex 58 of the V formed by the converging arms 32 of the squeegee 2, for removal of water or other loose material collected in that region.

The various members and the construction and arrangement described and illustrated represent a preferred form of the invention. It will be apparent, however, that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In operation, any suitable vacuum cleaner or other operating mechanism is mounted on the cleaner supporting frame 8, being secured in the tank receivers 15, 16 and 21. A unit designed to act upon a surface is attached to the squeegee mounting cross bar 31; in the embodiment shown, the unit is a converging squeegee 2. The positions of the squeegee arms 32 and the angularity between them are fixed by suitable adjustment of the angle adjusting bars 44, loosening and tightening the wing nuts 48 for that purpose. In this manner, the squeegee can be adjusted to cover a wide or a narrow path, as illus- ³⁵trated in Figures 7 and 8. The nozzle 7 of the hose 5 attached to the vacuum cleaner 3 is secured in position at the apex 58 of the squeegee 2, so that the nozzle is as close to the surface to be processed as desired. The __ _ ____________________ _________{s a} squeegee mounting cross bar 31 is secured to the operating ⁴⁰ vacuum cleaner and mounted on a pair of wheebThaving a arms 27 of the squeegee supporting frame 25 by the bolts -------------^J~°------- , . .

inserted through the pair of holes 54 in the bar most suitable for the particular surface and the type and condition of the squeegee. Finer adjustment of the squeegee elevation is made by means of the squeegee height ad- . ..._______________ justing screw 51, with particular attention being given 45 a squeegee mounted on said squeegee mounting frame, to the evenness of the surface to be processed. With the ~^J · squeegee elevation adjusting means located at the front of the cleaner supporting frame 8 and in close relation to the squeegee 2, as shown, adjustment of the elevation of . .. . ____ ______ ______ ____ the squeegee supporting frame 25 and of the squeegee 50 mounting frame being connected to said cleaner supportwith respect to the cleaner supporting frame can be made ’—^r---------·· rapidly and accurately.

The assembly is then ready for operation, to pick up loose material present on the surface. Where the surface has been washed or otherwise wetted, the carriage 1 is pushed over the surface with the blades 33 of the squeegee 2 in contact therewith. Water on the surface is wiped or scraped by the squeegee and is directed towards the apex 58 of the converging arms 32, where it ------------------- —&lt;- _uu a+t is drawn up through the hose nozzle 7 to the cleaner 3. ^{60 on a} surface in conjunction with a squeegee including, in Although not shown in the drawings, the discharge from ’ the vacuum cleaner, freed of water, may be passed onto the surface behind the squeegee, to aid in drying the surface. The operator thus proceeds rapidly and efficiently in drying the surface.

Due to the arrangement whereby the front portion of the squeegee supporting frame 25 and the squeegee 2 can be supported at least in part by the cleaner supporting frame 8, the force of contact with any bumps or obstructions may be absorbed for the most part by the caster 12 and the wheels ID. Where lighter wiping or scraping action is desired or permissible, the squeegee 2 may be elevated so that it barely touches the surface or is raised slightly above it. On the other hand, heavy 75 said squeegee mounting frame and witl/said cleaner Γΰρ^ wiping action can be obtained by raising the adjusting screw 51 until, if desired, there is no weight on the thrust plate 53 and thus no support of the squeegee supporting frame 25 and squeegee provided thereby. For moving the assembly over or around obstructions, for moving up and down stairways, or for other disposition, the handles 28 are depressed and the assembly moved on tne two wheels 10, with the front portion elevated so that the carriage 1 is tilted to the rear. When the operation is complete, the vacuum cleaner 3 or other operating device may be removed and other mechanism and units of various types readily may be placed on the carriage 1.

There is thus provided by the invention apparatus which is very simply, rapidly and efficiently operated to process a surface in various ways, such as drying, wiping, brushing, scraping and other operations. The carriage will support a relatively heavy operating mechanism while allowing relatively light units acting on the surface to be 20 operated in an independent manner and without being hampered by the weight or inflexible nature of the operating mechanism. The entire apparatus is mobile, versatile and is quickly and accurately adjustable to accommodate the different conditions encountered. The unit acting 25 directly on the surface, which is often more sensitive to shock and more likely to be deformed or broken, may be fixed in position off of the surface for its protection. The carriage and supported apparatus may be conveyed from place to place and up and down stairs easily. Vari30 ous attachments can be mounted on the carriage, to serve numerous purposes. The preferred embodiment shown is especially effectively employed for thoroughly and rapidly drying a large wet surface, considerably decreasing the time and labor required for the operation.