Squeegee assembly for a floor cleaning machine and related floor cleaning machine

Abstract

A squeegee assembly (16) for a floor cleaning machine (1) provided with a frame (2) supporting a floor (P), said squeegee assembly (16) comprising a squeegee (31), which is movable between a lowered position, in which said squeegee (31) is adapted to be disposed in contact with said floor (P), and a raised position, in which said squeegee (31) is adapted to be spaced from said floor (P), and a movement mechanism (32), which is adapted to be interposed between said frame (2) and said squeegee (31), is adapted to support said squeegee (31) in a movable manner between said raised position and said lowered position, and is configured so as to be able to move, on command, said squeegee from said raised position to said lowered position and vice versa from said lowered position to said raised position.

Description

[0001] "SQUEEGEE ASSEMBLY FOR A FLOOR CLEANING MACHINE AND RELATED

[0002] FLOOR CLEANING MACHINE"

[0003] Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0004] This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No . 102024000024459 filed on October 31 , 2024 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

[0005] Technical Field

[0006] The present invention relates to a squeegee assembly for a floor cleaning machine , in particular for a walk-behind floor scrubbing and drying machine for professional use . The present invention will refer explicitly to this use , without however losing in generality .

[0007] State of the Art

[0008] As is well known, walk-behind floor scrubbing and drying machines for professional use generally comprise : a frame with a lower portion resting on the ground and an upper portion, which is hinged to the lower portion and i s provided with a handlebar adapted to be gripped by a user to maneuver the scrubbing and drying machine ; floor scrubbing brushes carried in a rotatable manner by the lower portion of frame and adapted to be placed in contact with the floor to be cleaned; electric motors adapted to drive the brushes in rotation; a first tank adapted to contain a clean detergent solution; noz zles fluidly connected to the first tank and adapted to deliver the clean detergent solution onto the floor ; a second tank adapted to contain the dirty cleaning solution sucked up by the scrubbing and drying machine ; a squeegee , which extends transversely to the direction of travel of the scrubbing and drying machine , behind the floor scrubbing brushes , and is adapted to be placed against the floor to collect the dirty cleaning solution as the scrubbing and drying machine moves forward; and a suction unit , which fluidly connects a suction inlet in the squeegee to the second tank, in order to suck the dirty cleaning solution into the latter .

[0009] In some models , the squeegee is carried in a movable manner by the lower portion of frame and is movable between a lowered position, in which it is placed against the floor to collect the dirty liquid as the machine moves forward, and a raised position, in which it is li fted of f the ground so as not to intercept the liquid on the floor .

[0010] Currently, in order to lock the squeegee in the raised position, the operator must bend down to grasp the squeegee with their hands and pull it up manually, with the obvious problems that this entails .

[0011] During use , the squeegee collects the dirty liquid on the floor, forcing the operator to get their hands wet and / or dirty in order to lock it in the raised position . In addition, the operator is also exposed to the risk of inj uring their fingers on any debris , such as glass or metal shards , collected by the squeegee itsel f . The need to bend down to the floor several times during use to li ft the squeegee can also cause additional fatigue for the operator .

[0012] In light of this , there is a need to provide a squeegee assembly for a floor scrubbing and drying machine that is free from the above-mentioned drawbacks and can be alternatively placed in the raised and lowered positions quickly and easily .

[0013] The purpose of this invention is therefore to provide a squeegee assembly for a floor scrubbing and drying machine capable of meeting the above requirements . Summary of the Invention

[0014] In accordance with the above aims , the present invention provides a squeegee assembly for a floor cleaning machine and a related floor cleaning machine as defined in the related independent claims and preferably, but not necessarily, in any of claims dependent thereon .

[0015] The claims describe preferred embodiments of the present invention and form an integral part of this description .

[0016] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] In the following, some embodiments of the invention will be described for a better understanding of the same by way of example and with reference to the accompanying figures , in which :

[0018] - Figures 1 and 2 are two perspective views , from above and below respectively, of a floor cleaning machine reali zed according to the present invention, with parts in section and parts removed for clarity,

[0019] - Figures 3 and 4 are two side views of the machine illustrated in Figure 1 , in which the squeegee assembly is arranged in a raised position and a lowered position, respectively, with parts removed for clarity;

[0020] - Figures 5 and 6 are two perspective views of a squeegee assembly of the machine illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 , with parts sectioned and removed for clarity,

[0021] Figures 7 and 8 are two perspective views of the squeegee assembly illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 , respectively in a lowered position and in a raised position, with parts sectioned and parts removed for clarity, and

[0022] - Figures 9 and 10 are two exploded views of the squeegee assembly illustrated in Figures 5 to 8 , with parts removed for clarity . Forms of Implementation of the Invention

[0023] With reference to the example il lustrated in Figures 1 to 4 , number 1 indicates a floor cleaning machine as a whole . Machine 1 preferably comprises a walk-behind floor scrubbing and drying machine for professional use . It is understood that machine 1 could also comprise a sel f-propelled ride-on floor scrubbing and drying machine , an automatically operated floor scrubbing and drying machine or other similar floor scrubbing and drying machines .

[0024] Machine 1 comprises a frame 2 resting on the P, preferably with an articulated structure and movable along a predetermined travel direction di . More in detail , frame 2 preferably comprises a lower portion or base 3 resting on the floor P . In addition, frame 2 preferably comprises an upper portion 4 , which extends along a reference axis A, is carried in a rotatable manner by lower portion 3 and is intended to be gripped by a user to maneuver machine 1 . The upper portion 4 of frame 2 is preferably provided with a handlebar or other similar grip 5 adapted to be gripped by a user to maneuver machine 1 .

[0025] It is understood that frame 2 may also not have an articulated structure and may be shaped so as to accommodate a seated or standing operator .

[0026] In addition, it is also understood that machine 1 of the present invention could be configured to be moved automatically or semi-automatically on the floor P .

[0027] With reference to the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 , machine 1 also comprises at least one cleaning tool 6 , which is adapted to be placed in contact with floor P to clean it and is carried in a rotatable manner by the lower portion 3 of frame 2 .

[0028] More speci fically, cleaning tool 6 preferably comprises at least one floor-washing brush 7 , which is rotatably carried by the lower portion 3 of frame 2 and is adapted to be placed in contact with the floor P to be washed .

[0029] Preferably, cleaning tool 6 compri ses a pair of counterrotating floor washing brushes 7 , which are carried in a rotatable manner by lower portion 3 of frame 2 about respective axes o f rotation locally transverse to the floor P . In particular, the axes of rotation of the floor-washing brushes 7 are inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a vertical direction or a direction orthogonal to the floor P, so that the brushes 7 themselves are able to generate , during use, a thrust on the floor P adapted to facilitate the forward movement of machine 1 along the direction di, as is well known and therefore not further described .

[0030] Preferably, te cleaning tools 6 are configured to be coupled to the lower portion 3 of frame 2 in a stable but easily removable manner .

[0031] More speci fically, cleaning tools 6 are preferably coupled to the lower portion 3 of frame 2 by means of a snap- fit coupling .

[0032] In addition, machine 1 may comprise at least one release or ej ection mechanism (not visible in the figures ) , preferably manually operated, for releasing / e ecting cleaning tools 6 .

[0033] As shown in Figure 1 , machine 1 comprises actuators 8 , in particular one or more electric motors , which are operatively coupled to cleaning tools 6 and are adapted to drive them in rotation around their axis of rotation .

[0034] In addition, the scrubbing and drying machine 1 also includes a first tank 10 adapted to contain a clean detergent solution and a plurality of dispensing nozzles 12 connected to tank 10 at fluid level and adapted to dispense the clean detergent solution onto the floor . In detail , noz zles 12 are preferably arranged at or near cleaning tools 6 and are preferably adapted to emit the detergent mixture during the rotation of cleaning tools 6 . By way of example , the detergent mixture comprises water or a solution of water and detergent .

[0035] According to one possible embodiment , machine 1 may also comprise pumping means 14 , advantageously electrically driven, which are fluidically interposed between the tank 10 and the noz zles 12 and are configured to suck the cleaning solution from the tank 10 and to supply a pressuri zed flow of said cleaning solution to the noz zles 12 .

[0036] The scrubbing and drying machine 1 also comprises a squeegee assembly 16 , which is carried by frame 2 , in particular by the lower portion 3 , and is arranged behind cleaning tools 6 along the direction of travel di, and is adapted to collect the used mixture , i . e . the cleaning solution emitted by the noz zles 12 and containing the dirt removed from the floor P by the rotation of cleaning tools 6 .

[0037] Preferably, the scrubbing and drying machine 1 comprises a second tank 18 adapted to contain the used mixture and a suction unit 20 adapted to suck the used mixture from the squeegee unit 16 and send it to tank 10 .

[0038] For example , the suction unit 20 may compri se an electrically driven suction pump connected at fluid level to the second tank 18 .

[0039] With reference to the example illustrated, the first tank 10 and the second tank 18 are preferably positioned on the upper portion 4 of frame 2 .

[0040] More speci fically, the first tank 10 is preferably positioned in a front portion of the upper portion 4 of frame 2 , and the second tank 18 is preferably positioned in a rear portion of frame 2 along the direction of travel di .

[0041] In addition, machine 1 preferably comprises an energy storage system 22 , for example a battery, which is adapted to store the electrical energy necessary to power the actuators 8 , the pumping means 14 and / or the suction unit 20 .

[0042] With reference to Figures 1 to 4 , machine 1 preferably also comprises wheels 24 resting the floor P, advantageously idler wheels .

[0043] Preferably, machine 1 comprises a pair of rear wheels 24 carried in a freely rotatable manner by the lower portion 3 , behind cleaning tools 6 and / or the squeegee unit 16 with respect to the direction of travel di, by opposite bands of the vertical centre plane of machine 1 .

[0044] In addition, machine 1 may comprise a front wheel 24 , which is freely rotatable and is positioned in front of cleaning tools 6 with respect to the direction of travel di, advantageously straddling the vertical centre plane of machine 1 .

[0045] Preferably, front wheel 24 is also carried in a vertically movable manner and is movable between a lowered position, in which it rests on the floor P and is adapted to li ft cleaning tools 6 from the floor P, and a raised position in which it is spaced from the floor P so as to allow cleaning tools 6 themselves to be arranged in contact with the floor P .

[0046] With reference to Figures 1 to 4 , in addition, the lower portion 3 of frame 2 preferably comprises a base 26 with a rigid structure and preferably made of metal .

[0047] In addition, the lower portion 3 preferably also comprises a protective casing 28 , which is fixed to the base 26 , covering the latter .

[0048] In addition, the protective casing 28 covers further components positioned on the base 26 , such as the actuating means 8 , the pumping means 14 , the suction unit 20 , the energy storage system 22 and / or similar .

[0049] With reference to the example illustrated in Figures 1 , 3 and 4 , the upper portion 4 is mechanically connected to the lower portion 3 in such a way that it can rotate with respect to the latter about two axes of rotation Ri and R2 that are orthogonal to each other .

[0050] In use , the axis of rotation Ri is advantageously orthogonal to the direction of travel di and is also parallel to the floor . The axis of rotation R2 , on the other hand, lies on a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation Ri .

[0051] More speci fically, machine 1 preferably comprises a j oint 30 , which i s operatively interposed between the lower portion 3 and the upper portion 4 and is adapted to mechanically connect the latter to each other .

[0052] The j oint 30 , in particular, preferably comprises a universal j oint with two degrees o f freedom or a cardan j oint and is configured to allow the lower portion 3 and upper portion 4 to rotate relative to each other about the axes of rotation Ri and R2 .

[0053] Joint 30 may, for example , be constructed as described in Italian patent application no . 102024000008899 filed by the same applicant , and for reasons of brevity will not be described further .

[0054] Preferably, machine 1 may also include a locking mechanism for j oint 30 , which is adapted to lock, on command, the movement of j oint 30 in predetermined angular positions .

[0055] Similar to j oint 30 , the locking mechanism of the same j oint can also be designed, for example , as the j oint locking mechanism described in Italian patent application no . 102024000008899 in the name of the same Applicant , and for reasons of brevity will not be described further .

[0056] With reference to the example illustrated, in particular, squeegee assembly 16 comprises a squeegee device or, briefly, squeegee 31 , which is adapted to be carried, directly or indirectly, in a mobile manner by frame 2 , in particular by the lower portion 3 . Preferably, squeegee assembly 16 , i . e . squeegee 31 is carried by base 26 .

[0057] In particular, squeegee 31 is movable between a first position or raised position ( shown in Figures 3 , 5 , 6 and 7 ) and a second position or lowered position ( shown in Figures 4 and 8 ) .

[0058] In addition, squeegee assembly 16 comprises a movement or actuation mechanism 32 , preferably manually operated, which is operatively interposed between frame 2 and squeegee 31 , and is adapted to movably carry squeegee 31 itsel f . More speci fically, the actuation mechanism 32 is preferably interposed between the lower portion 3 of frame 2 and squeegee 31 .

[0059] In the raised position, squeegee 31 is adapted to be spaced away from the floor P . In the lowered position, on the other hand, squeegee 31 is adapted to rest / hit the floor P .

[0060] In the raised position, squeegee 31 is designed not to intercept the liquid present on the floor P, so as to allow the cleaning solution j ust sprayed by the noz zles 12 to act on the floor P, for example to perform a pre-washing function on the floor P itsel f .

[0061] In the lowered position, on the other hand, squeegee 31 is adapted to collect the liquid present on the floor P as machine 1 moves forward, for example to perform a washing and subsequent drying function on the floor P or a drying function on the floor P .

[0062] In addition, in the lowered position, squeegee 31 is floated so that it can follow the profile of the floor P as machine 1 moves forward in order to remain in contact with it .

[0063] Preferably, squeegee 31 is movable between the first and second positions along a direction d2 , which is transverse to the floor P . Preferably, the direction d2 is orthogonal to the floor P, i . e . it is vertical .

[0064] With reference to the example illustrated in Figures 5 to 10 , squeegee 31 preferably has an oblong shape and extends transversely to the direction of travel di of machine 1 . More speci fically, squeegee 31 has an approximately concave shape , i . e . approximately arched, with respect to cleaning tools 6 .

[0065] In particular, squeegee 31 preferably comprises a main body 36 and one or more squeegee blades or scrapers 38 operatively connected to the main body 36 and adapted to be placed in contact with the floor P . Preferably, squeegee 31 comprises a pair of squeegee blades 38 . A first blade or front blade 38a faces cleaning tools 6 and the other blade or rear blade 38b is opposite cleaning tools 6 with respect to the first blade 38a along the direction of travel di.

[0066] In use , the blades 38 are adapted to delimit , together with the main body 36 , a chamber for collecting the exhausted mixture .

[0067] More speci fically, the main body 36 preferably has a cross-section to the direction of travel dishaped approximately in the form of a U, and comprises an upper wall arranged approximately facing the floor P and two front walls arranged facing each other . The squeegee blades 38 are preferably carried by a respective front wall .

[0068] In the illustrated embodiment , the squeegee blades 38 protrude below the main body 36 , so that they can be placed against the floor P when squeegee assembly 16 is in the lowered position .

[0069] In use , the upper wall of the main body 36 defines the upper end of the chamber for collecting the exhausted mixture , while the front walls and floor scrapers 38 define the sides of the chamber .

[0070] Preferably, squeegee blades 38 are made of a deformable material , preferably an elastomeric material , such as rubber . This ensures that the squeegee blades 38 adhere to the floor P as machine 1 moves forward .

[0071] Preferably, the main body 36 also comprises a suction inlet 40 , which is connected at fluid level to the suction unit 20 , is in fluid communication with said chamber, and allows the latter to suck up the exhausted mixture present in said chamber and convey it to the second tank 18 .

[0072] In addition, squeegee 31 preferably comprises a plurality of ground support wheels 42 , which are preferably carried in a freely rotatable manner by the main body 36 , behind the blades 38 .

[0073] Moving on to the actuation mechani sm 32 , it is conf igured to move squeegee 31 between the raised position and the lowered position on command .

[0074] More speci fically, the actuation mechanism 32 is configured so as to be able both to raise squeegee 31 from the lowered position to the raised position and to lower squeegee 31 from the raised position to the lowered position .

[0075] According to the example illustrated in Figures 5 to 10 , the actuation mechanism 32 comprises : a lever, pedal or other similar control element 44 , preferably manually operated, which is movably carried by frame 2 , in particular by the lower portion 3 of frame 2 , and is configured to be operated by a user between a first position or raised position ( illustrated in Figures 3 , 5 , 8 and 10 ) and a second position or lowered position ( illustrated in Figures 4 , 9 and 11 ) ; transmission members 46 operatively interposed between the lever 44 and squeegee 31 and configured to move squeegee 31 based on the movement of the lever 44 and vice versa ; and elastic means 48 , which are operatively interposed, directly or indirectly, between frame 2 , in particular between the lower portion 3 , and squeegee 31 and are configured to exert forces between the latter two so as to maintain squeegee 31 in said lowered position .

[0076] The lever 44 is preferably rotatably supported by frame 2 , in particular by the lower portion 3 , about a rotation axis R3 ( figure 6 ) . Preferably, the rotation axis R3 is orthogonal to the direction of travel di and parallel to the ground, i . e . it is hori zontal .

[0077] The lever 44 preferably comprises a protruding radial appendage / portion 44a, which extends eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation R3 and is adapted to be pressed by a user, for example with a foot , to rotate the lever 44 around the axis of rotation R3 .

[0078] When placed in the raised position, lever 44 is preferably adapted to allow squeegee 31 to be placed in the lowered position .

[0079] More speci fically, when in the rai sed position, lever 44 is free to rotate around rotation axis R3, and consequently squeegee 31 is brought into a floating position . Elastic means 48 , on the other hand, are adapted to exert a thrust adapted to keep squeegee 31 in the lowered position . This has the technical ef fect of allowing squeegee 31 to follow the profile of the floor P, so that squeegee blades 38 remain in contact with the floor P itsel f .

[0080] When placed in the lowered position, however, the lever 44 is preferably adapted to bring squeegee 31 into the raised position .

[0081] More speci fically, the actuation mechanism 32 preferably comprises a support bracket 50 , which is rigidly fixed to frame 2 and is adapted to support squeegee 31 in a movable manner, and is preferably pos itioned above squeegee 31 itsel f .

[0082] In addition, the actuation mechanism 32 preferably comprises at least one , and more advantageously a pair of support rods 52 , which are fixed to squeegee 31 , cooperate in a sliding manner with the support bracket 50 and are movable along the direction d2 together with the same squeegee assembly 16 .

[0083] More speci fically, the support rods 52 preferably engage in a sliding manner with through openings formed in the support bracket 50 .

[0084] The transmission members 46 are configured to cooperate with the support rods 52 in such a way as to li ft them and place squeegee 31 in the raised position when the lever 44 is in the lowered position .

[0085] With reference to the example illustrated in Figures 5 to 8 , the support bracket 50 preferably comprises an anchoring plate 51 rigidly fixed to frame 2 . In addition, the support bracket 50 preferably comprises a pair of caps 54 , which are fixed to the anchoring plate 51 and are adapted to be engaged in a freely sliding manner each by a relative support rod 52 .

[0086] The elastic means 48 , on the other hand, preferably comprise coil springs 55 , advantageously compression springs , which are interposed between the support bracket 50 and squeegee 31 .

[0087] More speci fically, the coil springs 55 are preferably housed within a respective cap 54 and are fitted in a freely sliding manner onto a respective support rod 52 .

[0088] The ends of each coil spring 55 are preferably arranged to abut , on one side , squeegee 31 and, on the other side , the cap 54 , so that they can be compressed when the underlying squeegee 31 is placed in the raised position .

[0089] With reference to the example illustrated in Figures 5 to 8 , each support rod 52 is preferably provided with a connecting arm 57 that is movable along the direction d2and configured to cooperate in contact with the transmission members 46 .

[0090] The transmission members 46 are preferably adapted to raise the windscreen squeegee 31 to the raised position when the lever 44 is rotated to the lowered position .

[0091] In addition, the transmission members 46 are preferably adapted to rotate the lever 44 towards the raised position when squeegee 31 is lowered towards the lowered position, for example under the action of the elastic means 48 .

[0092] More speci fical ly, the transmission members 46 preferably comprise a transmission shaft 60 rotatably supported by frame 2 about a rotation axis R4 and configured to cooperate with the squeegee blade 31 , so as to move the squeegee blade 31 during its rotation and vice versa .

[0093] Preferably, the axis of rotation R4 is parallel to the axis of rotation R3 .

[0094] In addition, the transmission members 46 preferably comprise a gear 62 interposed between the lever 44 and the transmission shaft 60 . Preferably, gear 62 comprises a first gear wheel 64a integral with the lever 44 and rotatable about the axis of rotation R3 . Gear 62 preferably also comprises a second gear wheel 64b integral with the transmission shaft 60 , rotatable about the axis of rotation R4, and meshing with the first gear wheel 64a .

[0095] The transmission shaft 60 preferably also comprises radial thrust appendages 60a, which are configured to li ft squeegee assembly 16 to the raised position .

[0096] More speci fically, the radial appendages 60a are preferably configured to cooperate in contact with the support rods 52 , in particular with the connecting arms 57 , in an eccentric position with respect to the axis of rotation R4 , to move squeegee 31 to the raised position and / or vice versa to move the lever 44 to its raised position .

[0097] More speci fically, the connecting arms 57 are preferably provided with idle cylindrical bearings , and the radial appendages 60a are configured to cooperate in contact with these cylindrical bearings , so as to li ft squeegee 31 when the lever 44 is rotated towards the second position .

[0098] With reference to the example illustrated in Figures 7 to 10 , in addition, the actuation mechanism 32 is preferably provided with a locking device 70 , preferably manually operated, which is coupled to the lever 44 and is adapted to selectively lock the lever 44 in the lowered position, so as to maintain the squeegee blade 31 in the raised position .

[0099] More speci fical ly, locking device 70 preferably comprises a button 72 , which is carried by frame 2 , in particular by the lower portion 3 , in a movable manner and is movable between an extended or operating position ( shown in Figure 7 ) and a retracted or rest position ( shown in Figure 8 ) .

[0100] Preferably, the button 72 is carried in a sliding manner between the extended position and the retracted position and is movable in a sliding manner along a direction advantageously parallel to the axis of rotation R3 and / or the axis of rotation R4 .

[0101] In addition, button 72 is preferably carried in an angularly rigid manner by frame 2 , so that it cannot rotate about rotation axis R3 and / or rotation axis R4 .

[0102] In the extended position, button 72 is preferably configured to lock lever 44 in the lowered position and thus lock squeegee 31 in the raised position .

[0103] In the retracted position, on the other hand, button 72 is preferably configured so as not to obstruct the rotation of lever 44 .

[0104] Preferably, button 72 is configured to lock lever 44 by means of a form fit .

[0105] As shown in Figures 9 and 10 , locking device 70 preferably comprises elastic means 74 , for example a coil spring, interposed between frame 2 and the button 72 and configured to exert forces between them to maintain the button 72 in the extended position .

[0106] With reference to Figures 7 to 10 , the lever 44 is preferably provided with a protruding radial appendage / portion 44b extending in a radial direction, in an eccentric position with respect to the axis of rotation R3 . Preferably, the radial portion 44b extends from the opposite side of the radial portion 44a with respect to the axis of rotation R3.

[0107] Furthermore , the radial portion 44b preferably has a thickness less than the thickness of the remaining part of the lever 44 along the axis of rotation R3 .

[0108] In addition, the lever 44 , preferably its radial portion 44b, is preferably also provided with a groove or opening 44c, which preferably extends across the entire thickness of the radial portion 44b .

[0109] The button 72 , on the other hand, is preferably provided with a pin 76 that has a shape complementary to that of the groove 44c of the lever 44 and is adapted to engage the groove 44c when the lever 44 is in the second position, so as to block its rotation about the axis of rotation R3 .

[0110] In particular, the pin 76 and the groove 44c are shaped and / or positioned so as to be al igned with each other when the lever 44 is in the lowered position .

[0111] More speci fically, the pin 76 is preferably shaped so as to engage the groove 44c when the lever 44 is in the lowered position, and so as not to engage the groove 44c when the lever 44 is in the raised position .

[0112] More speci fically, pin 76 is pre ferably shaped to abut against protruding portion 44b , advantageously behind protruding portion 44b itsel f with respect to button 72 , alongside groove 44c, when lever 44 is in the raised position and button 72 is in the retracted position .

[0113] In addition, pin 76 is preferably shaped to engage groove 44c when lever 44 is in the lowered position and button 72 is in the pulled-out position, allowing button 72 to move along rotation axis R3 from the retracted position to the extended position under the action of the elastic means 74 to lock the lever 44 in its lowered position .

[0114] With reference to the example illustrated in Figures 9 and 10 , in particular, the pin 76 is preferably L-shaped and arranged behind the protruding portion 44b when the button 72 is in the retracted position, and engages the groove 44c when the button 72 is in the extended position and the lever 44 is in the second position .

[0115] Machine 1 may further comprise an electronic control unit (not shown) , which is electrically connected to at least the actuator means 8 , the pumping means 14 and / or the suction assembly 20 , and comprises electronic processing means configured to control their operation .

[0116] Machine 1 may also comprise a user interface (not shown) , such as levers and / or buttons and / or a touch-sensitive screen, which is electrically connected to the electronic control unit and is configured to allow the user to issue commands to control the operation of machine 1 .

[0117] The general operation of machine 1 is readily apparent from the above and requires no further explanation .

[0118] The operation of squeegee assembly 16 will be described below .

[0119] Let us assume that we start from a condition in which squeegee 31 is in the lowered position, the lever 44 of the movement mechanism 31 is in the raised position and the button 72 of locking device 70 is in the retracted position .

[0120] To raise squeegee 31 , the operator presses lever 44 , for example with their foot , , to rotate it around rotation axis R3 from the raised position to the lowered position .

[0121] Via gear 62 , lever 44 rotates drive shaft 60 around rotation axis R4 .

[0122] The drive shaft 60 , in turn, via the radial appendages 60a that press on the cylindrical idler bearings carried by the connecting arms 57 , li fts the support rods 52 and places squeegee 31 in the raised position, overcoming the force exerted by the elastic means 48 .

[0123] Once the lever 44 reaches the lowered position, the groove 44b aligns with the pin 76 of the button 72 along the axis of rotation R3 . As a result, the button 72 snaps into the extended position under the thrust of the elastic means 74 and the pin 76 engages the groove 44c, locking the lever 44 in the raised position .

[0124] The rotation of the drive shaft 60 is in turn locked and the radial appendages 60a hold squeegee 31 in the raised position .

[0125] To lower squeegee 31 , the operator presses button 72 , for example with their foot , to move it along the axis of rotation Rsfrom the extended position to the retracted position, against the thrust of the elastic means 74 .

[0126] As a result , the pin 76 disengages from the groove 44c of the lever 44 , releasing the rotation of the lever 44 and therefore of the transmission components 46 .

[0127] Squeegee 31 is then pressed towards the lowered pos ition by the elastic means 48 , which also bring down the support rods 52 and the connecting arms 57 .

[0128] The bearings carried by the connecting arms 57 push the radial appendages 60a downwards , rotating the transmission shaft 60 around the axis of rotation R4 and therefore the lever 44 around its axis of rotation R3 via gear 62 .

[0129] As a result of the rotation of the lever 44 into the raised position, the groove 44c becomes misaligned with the pin 76 . In particular, the pin 76 abuts against the protruding portion 44b of the lever 44 , locking the button 72 in the retracted position .

[0130] From the above , the advantages of squeegee assembly 16 and the related machine 1 are evident .

[0131] The actuation mechanism 32 , in fact , allows squeegee 31 to be moved between the extended position and the retracted position simply by pressing the actuation mechanism 32 with the foot , with the obvious advantages that this entails .

[0132] In fact , to lower squeegee 31 , s imply press button 72 with your foot , while to raise squeegee 31 , simply press lever 44 , again with your foot . This prevents the operator from having to grasp squeegee 31 with their hands several times during use , allowing them to keep their hands dry and clean and avoiding the risk of inj uring their fingers on any debris , such as glass or metal splinters , collected by the squeegee blade itsel f .

[0133] In addition, the actuation mechanism 32 prevents the operator from having to bend down to the ground several times during use to li ft the squeegee blade , making machine 1 easier and more comfortable to use .

[0134] Finally, it is clear that modi fications and variations may be made to machine 1 according to the invention, which nevertheless do not fall outside the scope of protection defined by the claims .

[0135] The scrubbing and drying machine 1 could include a number of brushes 6 other than two . In particular, the scrubbing and drying machine 1 could include a single brush or more than two brushes .

[0136] Alternatively or in addition, machine 1 could comprise a single roller with an axis of rotation approximately hori zontal and transverse to the direction of travel of machine 1 , or two or more rollers adj acent to each other and with an axis of rotation approximately hori zontal and transverse to the direction of travel of machine 1 .

Claims

CLAIMS1.- Squeegee assembly (16) for a floor cleaning machine (1) provided with a frame (2) resting on a floor (P) , said squeegee assembly (16) comprising:• a squeegee (31) , which is movable between a lowered position, in which said squeegee (31) is adapted to be disposed in contact with said floor (P) , and a raised position, in which said squeegee (31) is adapted to be disposed spaced from said floor (P) , and• an actuation mechanism (32) , which is adapted to be interposed between said frame (2) and said squeegee (31) , is adapted to carry said squeegee (31) in a movable manner between said raised position and said lowered position, and is configured so as to be able to move, on command, said squeegee from said raised position to said lowered position and vice versa from said lowered position to said raised position.2.- Squeegee assembly according to claim 1, wherein said squeegee (31) is adapted to be carried in a sliding manner by said frame (2) , so as to be able to slide between said raised position and said lowered position along a direction (d2) transverse to said floor (P) .3.- Squeegee assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said actuation mechanism (32) comprises: a lever or pedal (44) , which is adapted to be movably carried by said frame (2) and is configured to be operated by a user between a first position and a second position; transmission members (46) , which are operatively interposed between said lever (44) and said squeegee (31) and are configured to move said squeegee (31) based on the movement of said lever (44) and / or vice versa; and elastic means (48) , which are adapted to be interposed between said frame (2) and said squeegee (31) andare configured to exert forces between the latter two adapted to maintain said squeegee (31) in said lowered position.4.- Squeegee assembly according to claim 3, wherein said lever (44) is adapted to be rotatably carried by said frame (2) about a first axis of rotation (R3) .5.- Squeegee assembly according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said transmission members (46) are configured to: raise said squeegee (31) to said raised position when said lever (44) is moved to said second position, and vice versa move said lever (44) towards said first position when said squeegee (31) is lowered towards said lowered position.6.- Squeegee assembly according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein said transmission members (46) comprise a transmission shaft (60) adapted to be rotatably carried by said frame (2) , and a gear (62) interposed between said lever (44) and said transmission shaft (60) .7.- Squeegee assembly according to claim 6, wherein said transmission shaft (60) comprises at least one radial thrust appendage (60a) , which extends cantilevered in radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation (R4) of said drive shaft (60) , and is adapted to lift said squeegee (31) towards said raised position.8.- Squeegee assembly according to claim 7, wherein said movement mechanism (32) preferably comprises a support bracket (50) , which is adapted to be rigidly fixed to said frame (2) , and at least one support rod (52) , which is fixed to said squeegee (31) and cooperates in a sliding manner with said support bracket (50) , said radial appendages (60a) being configured to cooperate in contact with said support rod (52) , in an eccentric position with respect to the axis of rotation (R4) of said drive shaft (60) , to move said squeegee (31) into said raisedposition and / or vice versa to move said lever (44) into said first position.9.- Squeegee assembly according to any of claims 3 to 8, wherein said movement mechanism (32) further comprises a locking device (70) , which is operatively coupled to said lever (44) and is adapted to selectively lock said lever (44) in said second position, so as to maintain said squeegee blade (31) in said raised position.10.- Squeegee assembly according to claim 9, wherein said locking device (70) comprises a button (72) , which is adapted to be moved by said frame (2) between an operating position, in which it locks said lever (44) in said second position, and a rest position, in which it does not lock the movement of said lever (44) .11.- Squeegee assembly according to claim 10, wherein the button (72) is configured to lock said lever (44) by means of a form fit.12.- Squeegee assembly according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said lever (44) is provided with a seat or groove (44c) , and said button is provided with a pin that has a shape complementary to said seat or groove (44c) and is adapted to engage said seat or groove (44c) when said lever (44) is in said first position and said button (72) is in said extended position.13.- Squeegee assembly according to claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein said locking device (70) further comprises elastic means (74) , which are adapted to be interposed between said frame (2) and said button (72) and are configured to exert forces adapted to maintain said button (72) in said operating position.14.- Floor cleaning machine (1) , in particular a floor scrubbing and drying machine, comprising:- a frame (2) resting on a floor (P) ,- at least one cleaning tool (6) , which is adapted to clean said floor (P) and is carried by said frame (2) , and- a squeegee assembly (16) made according to any of the preceding claims.

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