A connection for the handle of floor-cleaning machines and a floor-cleaning machine containing said connection

Abstract

A machine for cleaning floors or similar surfaces provided with a head, including at least one element or instrument for treating the surface. The machine comprises an elongated handle that allows guiding the machine during use, and it is connected to the head of the machine by means of a mechanism that allows angular movement in one or more directions, starting from an initial position, so that, during this angular movement, no thrusts or torques are transmitted to the head.

Description

[0001] PATENT APPLICATION FOR THE INDUSTRIAL INVENTION ENTITLED:

[0002] “A CONNECTION FOR THE HANDLE OF FLOOR-CLEANING MACHINES AND A FLOOR-CLEANING MACHINE CONTAINING SAID CONNECTION”

[0003] ********************

[0004] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention belongs to the field of treating walkable surface, such as (but not exclusively) floors in airports, stations and similar large environments, for example, both indoors and outdoors, as well as domestic flooring, where the term treatment is understood to mean operations, such as washing with liquids, removing dirt by suction, disinfection by steam, as well as sanding, polishing and similar operations.

[0006] The present invention therefore relates to a machine for treating walkable surfaces of the aforesaid type, the machine according to the present invention comprising an innovative solution adapted to improve the maneuverability thereof by virtue of an innovatively designed handle or guiding element.

[0007] BACKGROUND ART

[0008] There are substantially two types of traditional machines for treating floorings of the aforesaid type, those of a first type extending horizontally, with a rigid handle that is practically devoid of components, whereas, in those of the second type, a part of the components, the tanks or batteries, may be arranged along the guiding handle, or housed inside the handle itself. In this type of machines, the head is smaller and the handle is longer, allowing the head to be guided with greater precision. Machines of the first type have the disadvantage of being cumbersome and poorly maneuverable in small spaces (below sinks and / or below tables and / or along tight bends, etc.).

[0009] Machines of the second type allow the head to be guided better and more accurately; however, they nonetheless require an efficient connection of the handle to the machine head, allowing the user to generate the thrust required to operate the head with precision, without causing excessive fatigue. Furthermore, the handle must also be easily orientable so as not to prevent the machine head from reaching every space to be treated, even the most difficult ones.

[0010] Some traditional machines, such as those described in patent documents EP3760094C0 and WO2011023169A3, for example, have a handle comprising two articulated joints that allow the handle rotating with respect to at least two axes. These joints simplify the use of the machine, since they facilitate the rotation needed to maneuver the head accurately, allowing the handle to be lowered, in order to access confined and hard-to-reach spaces, such as spaces below the sanitary fixtures or desks.

[0011] However, these solutions entail substantial limitations in that they do not allow the handle to be completely tilted, and therefore, they fail to minimize the height dimension, and continuously transmit a torque to the head of the floor-cleaning machine, if the user rotates the handle, which may be a problem in some cases. For example, the continuous transmission of torque makes it difficult for the user to position and maneuver the floor-cleaning machine in confined spaces, such as under a chair, or under a table, or under sanitary fixtures connected to the wall in a bathroom, where a precise movement is needed without the machine being given a continuous thrust.

[0012] Another example of a floor-cleaning machine of the prior art is described in patent document IT202000029705A1 . In this case, elastic means are used to connect the handle to the head. This solution allows a partial rotation of the handle with respect to multiple axes; however, it nonetheless includes the aforesaid drawbacks and limits of use.

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least limit the disadvantages and drawbacks related to the floor-cleaning machines of the prior art.

[0014] It is another object of the present invention to reduce the fatigue for an operator due to the weight of the guiding handle.

[0015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a floor-cleaning machine, which allows increasing the cleaning performance and flexibility of use with respect to the machines, according to the prior art.

[0016] Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide a floor-cleaning machine, which allows increasing the productivity of use with respect to machines of the known type.

[0017] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The device according to the present description solves the technical problems listed above by introducing a specialized connection having a preferred shape similar to a chain link, allowing partial freedom of movement.

[0018] The connection starts to transmit torque to the head only after a certain angle of inclination. Such connection may consist of a pin, linear or U - shaped, for example, which passes through an opening larger than the diameter of the same shaft. When the shaft reaches a specific angle of inclination, it comes into contact with the wall of the object through which it passes, thus starting to transmit torque only beyond a particular angle of inclination. This mechanism allows the rotation with respect to multiple axes, without thereby being constrained to a fixed rotation axis or to a fixed reference point.

[0019] The structure of the connection mechanism ensures that the handle of the floorcleaning machine can move freely, while being able to transmit the necessary torque to the base unit (head) of the machine. The flexible connection allows a rotation with respect to a varying axis, in a similar manner to the operation of two chain links. Each link has a certain freedom of movement, but when it is rotated beyond a certain limit, it transmits torque to the other link.

[0020] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description provided by way of a non-limiting example and illustrated in the accompanying figures, in which:

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a front view of a preferred embodiment of the floor-cleaning machine according to the present description, with the handle in vertical position; Fig. 2 shows a front view of a preferred embodiment of the floor-cleaning machine according to the present description, with the handle in oblique position;

[0023] Fig. 3 shows a view of a detail of the joint between handle and head of a preferred embodiment of the floor-cleaning machine according to the present description, with the handle in horizontal position;

[0024] Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of a detail of the joint between handle and head of a preferred embodiment of the floor-cleaning machine according to the present description, with the handle in vertical position;

[0025] Fig. 5 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of the floor-cleaning machine according to the present description, with the handle in oblique position;

[0026] Fig. 6 shows a front view of a detail of the joint between handle and head of a preferred embodiment of the floor-cleaning machine according to the present description, with the handle in vertical position;

[0027] Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of a detail of the joint between handle and head of a preferred embodiment of the floor-cleaning machine according to the present description, with the handle locked in vertical position;

[0028] Fig. 8 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of the floor-cleaning machine according to the present description, with the handle in horizontal position;

[0029] Fig. 9 shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of the floor-cleaning machine according to the present description, with the handle in oblique position.

[0030] Fig. 10 shows sectional views of a detail of the joint between handle and head, in unlocked position, belonging to a preferred embodiment of the floor-cleaning machine according to the present description; Fig. 11 shows a sectional view of a detail of the joint between handle and head, in unlocked position, belonging to a preferred embodiment of the floor-cleaning machine according to the present description;

[0031] Fig. 12 shows a sectional view of a detail of the joint between handle and head, in locked position, belonging to a preferred embodiment of the floor-cleaning machine according to the present description;

[0032] Fig. 13 shows a front view of the handle, and of the joint between handle and head, comprising an elastic sheath, belonging to a preferred embodiment of the floor-cleaning machine according to the present description;

[0033] Fig. 14 shows sectional views of the handle, and of the joint between handle and head, comprising an elastic sheath, belonging to a preferred embodiment of the floor-cleaning machine according to the present description;

[0034] Fig. 15 shows a sectional view of a detail of the joint between handle and head of a preferred embodiment of the floor-cleaning machine according to the present description, with the handle in vertical position, and

[0035] Fig. 16 shows a sectional view of a detail of the joint between handle and head of a preferred embodiment of the floor-cleaning machine according to the present description, with the handle in vertical position.

[0036] The following description of exemplary embodiments relates to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the various drawings identify the same elements or similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims.

[0037] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The apparatus 10 for treating floors according to the present description in a first embodiment comprises a head 11 provided with a lower part equipped with means for treating and cleaning a flat surface, such as a floor, and an upper part, which may comprise, for example, one or more tanks for containing clean water and / or detergent liquids to be dispensed onto the floor to be treated, and rinse water collected from the treated floor.

[0038] The apparatus 10 further comprises a handle 12 for guiding said head 11 , connected to the head 11 by means of at least a first connection 13. In a preferred embodiment, said connection 13 is designed so that said handle 12, starting from a perpendicular line to the plane of the floor, is tiltable, with respect to said perpendicular line, in all directions, and it is further operatively connected to the head 11 so as to transmit a certain torque to said head 11 , when desired.

[0039] Said means for treating and cleaning a flat surface, located on the lower part of said head 11 preferably comprise at least one instrument provided with electric power, adapted to exert a rubbing action on the surface. For example, said instrument may be obtained by one or more disks rotating about an axis perpendicular to the surface to be cleaned, or by means of one or more rollers 14 rotating about an axis parallel to the surface to be cleaned, or again, by an oscillating pad. The surface of the disks, rollers, or pad used may be smooth, rough, or can comprise brushes.

[0040] A preferred embodiment of the object of the present description provides that the connection 13 between said handle 12 and said head 11 of the floor-cleaning machine according to the present description is adapted to allow an angular movement of said handle 12 in one or more directions, initially free, and such as to transmit a torque to said head 11 beyond a predetermined angle of said angular movement.

[0041] In further detail, the connection 13 between said handle 12 and said head 11 of the machine is adapted to allow an omnidirectional rotation or a free angular movement of said handle (12) about at least one rotation axis, starting from an initial position, so as not to transmit thrusts or torques to said head (11). In practice, the connection 13 is such to allow a certain “idle” movement of the handle 12 with respect to the head 11 , during which no thrusts or torques are exerted by the handle 12 on said head 11.

[0042] In a further preferred embodiment of the object of the present description, said connection 13 between said handle 12 and said head 11 comprises: first connection means integral with said head 11 and second connection means, integral with said handle 12, and adapted to engage with said first connection means so as to allow said handle 12 an initially free omnidirectional angular movement and such as to transmit one torque to said head beyond a predetermined angle of said omnidirectional angular movement.

[0043] In another preferred embodiment, said connection 13 between said handle 12 and said head 11 comprises: first connection means integral with said head 11 and arranged along an axis z vertical and orthogonal with respect to the plane of the floor; second connection means, integral with said handle 12, and adapted to engage with said first connection means so as to: allow said handle 12 to rotate about at least one of the two axes, x and y - orthogonal to each other, orthogonal to said axis z, and parallel to the plane of the floor, without transmitting thrusts or torques to said head 11 , and allow said handle 12 to rotate by an angle lower than 180° about said axis z, without transmitting thrusts or torques to said head 11 .

[0044] In a preferred embodiment of the object of the present description, said first connection means comprise an element 16 with a transverse hole 18 and said second connection means comprise a pin 17 adapted to engage with said transverse hole 18. Said pin 17 is preferably made in a linear shape or “U” shape. The transverse hole 18 is made with a diameter greater than the diameter of said pin 17, so as to create a certain clearance in the coupling between the element 16 and the pin 17. Said clearance has an impact on the angle of rotation of the handle 12 about the axis z, vertical and orthogonal to the plane of the floor: the greater the clearance, the greater the amplitude of said rotation angle.

[0045] According to the described configuration, the connection 13 between the handle 12 and the head 11 of said floor-cleaning machine 10 allows making a rotation in every direction of said handle 12, so as not to transmit any thrust to the head 11. The permitted rotation of about 180° about the aforesaid axes x and y, parallel to the plane of the floor, allows arranging the handle in a completely horizontal position, as shown in the accompanying Figures 3 and 8, thus avoiding moving the head 11 to reach a configuration of minimum height dimension. The clearance of the coupling between said first and second connection means, in particular, between the transverse hole 18 of said element 16 and the pin 17, allows having the freedom to rotate the handle 12 also about the axis z, vertical and orthogonal to the plane of the floor, by a certain “idle” angle before applying an effective torque to the head 11 of the floor-cleaning machine, when it is necessary to make a turn.

[0046] In other preferred embodiments, said connection 13 between the handle 12 and the head 11 of said floor-cleaning machine 10 may be made in different ways, for example, with a ball joint provided with suitable mechanical abutments and stops acting with respect to the rotation about the axis z and allowing an “idle” rotation within a certain angle.

[0047] With reference to the accompanying Figs. 10, 11 and 12, in a preferred embodiment, said element 16 has a further hole 19 at the top, which is adapted to accommodate a second pin 15, arranged inside said handle 12 and coaxial thereto, and it is operable to slide inside the handle 12 so as to engage or disengage said hole 19. The actuation of the second pin 15 may be implemented by means of an appropriate manual command located on the grip of the handle 12. When needing to park the floor-cleaning machine 10 and lock the handle 12 in the vertical position, orthogonal to the ground, said second pin 15 is actuated so that it slides inside the same handle until it engages with the hole 19 at the top of the element 16.

[0048] With reference to the accompanying Figs. 13 and 14, in a preferred embodiment, the connection 13 between the handle 12 and the head 11 of said floor-cleaning machine 10 comprises elastic containment means 20 adapted to exert a gradual resistance against the tilting movement of the handle 12 with respect to the vertical rest position. The elastic containment means may be configured so as to provide a minimum resistance in the initial degrees of tilting of the handle 12 with respect to the vertical rest position, and to provide a greater resistance as said tilting increases.

[0049] Said elastic containment means may be made, for example, by means of a spring or rubber bellows. Advantageously, said elastic means may be anchored, at one of the ends 21 , to the handle 12, while the other end is left free to slide.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A machine (10) for cleaning walkable surfaces, such as floors or the like, comprising: a head (11) provided with at least one element or instrument adapted to treat a walkable surface; a substantially elongated-shaped handle (12) adapted to be gripped by an operator for guiding said machine over a walkable surface, said handle (12) being associated with the head (11) by means of a connection (13) adapted to allow said handle (12) an angular movement in one or more directions, initially free, and such as to transmit a torque to said head beyond a predetermined angle of said angular movement.

2. A machine (10) according to claim 1 , wherein said connection (13) comprises first connection means integral with said head (11 ); second connection means, integral with said handle (12), and adapted to engage with said first connection means so as to allow said handle (12) an angular movement in one or more directions, initially free, and such as to transmit a torque to said head, beyond a predetermined angle of said angular movement.

3. A machine (10) according to claim 2, wherein said first connection means integral with said head (11) is arranged along an axis z vertical and orthogonal to the plane of the floor; said second connection means, integral with said handle (12), being adapted to engage with said first connection means so as to:allow said handle (12) to rotate about at least one of the two axes, x and y - orthogonal to each other, orthogonal to said axis z, and parallel to the plane of the floor - without transmitting thrusts or torques to said head (11 ), and allow said handle (12) to rotate by an angle of less than 180° about said axis z without transmitting thrusts or torques to said head (11 ).

4. A machine (10) according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said first connection means comprises an element (16) with a transverse hole (18) and said second connection means comprises a pin (17) adapted to engage with said transverse hole (18).

5. A machine (10) according to claim 4, wherein said pin (17) is made in a “U” shape.

6. A machine (10) according to one or more of claims 4 or 5, wherein the transverse hole (18) has a diameter greater than the diameter of said pin (17), so as to create a certain clearance in the coupling between the element (16) and the pin (17).

7. A machine (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, wherein said connection (13) between the handle (12) and the head (11 ) of said machine (10) is made with a ball joint provided with suitable mechanical abutments and validations configured to limit the free movement of said handle (12) within a predetermined angle.

8. A machine (10) according to one or more of claims 4 to 7, wherein said element (16) has a further hole (19) at the top adapted to accommodate a second pin (15), arranged inside said handle (12) and coaxial thereto, andoperable so as to slide inside the handle (12) so as to engage or disengage said hole (19).

9. A machine (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, wherein the connection (13) between the handle (12) and the head (11 ) of said machine (10) comprises elastic containment means (20) adapted to exert a gradual resistance against the tilting movement of the handle (12) with respect to the vertical rest position.

10. A machine (10) according to claim 9, wherein said elastic containment means (20) is configured to oppose a minimum resistance in the first degrees of tilting of the handle (12) with respect to the vertical rest position, and to oppose a greater resistance as said tilting increases.

11. A machine (10) according to one or more of claims 9 to 10, wherein said elastic containment means (20) is made by means of a spring or rubber bellows or a plastic material.

12. A machine (10) according to one or more of claims 9 to 11 , wherein said elastic means (20) is anchored, at one of the ends (21 ), to the handle (12) or to the head (11), while the other end of said elastic means (20) is free to slide.

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