Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Title: Cleaning apparatus
Description of Invention
This invention relates to a cleaning apparatus, particularly, but not
exclusively,
a surface cleaning apparatus, including a body and a cleaning head.
Surface cleaning apparatus such as mops are well known, and widely used to
clean surfaces in households and large areas, such as hospitals or commercial
premises. It is known to provide cleaning apparatus, for example mops, which
have removable mopheads. Such mopheads are usually attached to a body
and/or handle of the cleaning apparatus by a threaded connection. Unthreading
the connection enables detachment of the mophead for cleaning or
replacement.
It is also known to provide 'flat mops' having a cleaning head to which a pad
or
sheet of cleaning material is attachable and detachable. The cleaning head of
such a flat mop may be detachable from the body and/or handle of the flat mop,
typically by virtue of a threaded connection between the cleaning head and the
body and/or handle. The mop material is typically attached to the cleaning
head
by one or more fasteners, for example hook and loop material fasteners, and/or
by receiving formations in the cleaning head which receive and hold a part of
the mop material during use.
Removal of a cleaning head or mop material from a cleaning apparatus for
disposal, replacement or cleaning typically involving the use of an operator's
hands, is unpleasant, unhygienic, and can be awkward.
It is also known to provide cleaning apparatus having a powered vibrating unit
which causes vibratory motion of a cleaning head of the cleaning apparatus. A
problem with such apparatus is that the cleaning head carries cleaning
material
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which can become soiled very quickly. It is a time consuming, awkward, and
unhygienic task to remove the cleaning material from the cleaning heads of
such
apparatus manually. Such cleaning apparatus is typically heavy, and removing
the cleaning material requires lifting or tipping of the apparatus, to access
the
cleaning material, thus rendering such apparatus difficult and unappealing to
use.
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided, a
cleaning
apparatus having a body, and a cleaning head, the body carrying an vibrating
unit to cause vibratory motion of the cleaning head relative to the body, the
cleaning apparatus including an attachment mechanism, the attachment
mechanism being releasable to detach the cleaning head from the body.
Preferably, said vibrating unit is oscillating such that the cleaning head is
provided with vibratory motion.
The attachment mechanism may include at least one magnet.
The cleaning apparatus may include at least one locating formation to locate
the
cleaning head in the correct position relative to the body.
The at least one locating formation may include a protrusion on the body and a
recess on the cleaning head.
The at least one locating formation may coincide with the attachment
mechanism.
The at least one magnet may be provided in or on at least one of the recess
and
the protrusion.
The cleaning head may be at least semi-flexible or foldable.
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The cleaning apparatus may include a hinge to enable the cleaning head to
fold.
The cleaning head may carry cleaning material, which, when the cleaning head
is folded, hangs from the cleaning head substantially in a loop.
The cleaning head may carry cleaning material which is permanently attached
to a face of the cleaning head, over a substantial area of the face.
The cleaning material may be a microfibre material.
The attachment mechanism may include a retaining member for retaining a part
of the body and an attachment member which is carried by the body, at least a
part of the attachment member being retainable by the retaining member, to
releasably attach the cleaning head to the body of the cleaning apparatus.
The attachment member may be a plate which inhibits folding of the cleaning
head whilst the cleaning head is attached to the body.
The retaining mechanism may be a clip which is attached to and pivotable
relative to the cleaning head, between a first, open position in which a part
of
the plate is engageable with a part of the clip, and a second, retaining
position,
in which the part of the plate is retained between the clip and a part of the
cleaning head.
The retaining member may be biased towards the second, retaining, position.
The retaining mechanism may include a plurality of clips.
The cleaning head may include a handle, which is accessible at least when the
cleaning head is detached from the body.
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The handle of the cleaning head may be positioned adjacent the hinge of the
cleaning head.
The handle of the cleaning head may be positioned towards an upper part of
the cleaning head, and is pivotable between a first, in use position, and a
second, stowed position, the stowed position inhibiting interference of the
handle of the cleaning head with the body of the cleaning apparatus.
The cleaning material may be receivable in a cleaning material cleaning
device,
the or each retaining member providing an abutment member which inhibits
insertion of at least part of the cleaning head into the cleaning material
cleaning
device.
The cleaning apparatus may be a surface cleaning apparatus.
The surface may be a floor.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of
operation of a cleaning apparatus having a body, and a cleaning head, the body
carrying an vibrating unit to cause vibratory motion of the cleaning head
relative
to the body, the cleaning head being detachable from the body, the method
including attaching the cleaning head to the body, manoeuvring the cleaning
apparatus to clean at least a portion of a surface, and detaching the cleaning
head from the body.
Preferably, said vibratory unit may cause an oscillatory motion of the
cleaning
head relative to the body.
The method may include cleaning the cleaning head, and cleaning material
attached to the cleaning head and reattaching the cleaning head to the body.
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The attachment mechanism which includes a retaining member for retaining a
part of the body, may include an attachment mechanism to releasably detach
the cleaning head from the body. The method may include attaching the
cleaning head to the body by moving the retaining member to an open position
to receive the part of the body, and moving the retaining member to a
retaining
position to retain the part of the body, manoeuvring the cleaning apparatus to
clean at least a portion of a surface, and moving the retaining member to the
open position, to release the part of the body, so as to detach the cleaning
head
from the body.
The cleaning apparatus may include a plurality of retaining members, and the
method may include retaining respective parts of the body with each of the
retaining members.
The method may include detaching the cleaning head from the body, to clean
cleaning material carried by the cleaning head.
The method may include inserting at least the cleaning material into a
cleaning
material cleaning device, and at least one of rinsing, wringing and scrubbing
the
cleaning material.
The method may include inserting the backing and the cleaning material of the
cleaning head into a cleaning material cleaning device.
The method may include folding the cleaning head, such that the cleaning
material hangs from the cleaning head substantially in a loop.
The method may include manoeuvring the cleaning material cleaning device to
clean the cleaning material in a location near to the surface being cleaned.
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The invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with
reference
to the accompanying drawings, of which:
FIGURE 1A is a perspective view of a part of a cleaning apparatus including a
cleaning head;
FIGURE 1B is a perspective view showing the cleaning head of Figure 1A
detached from a body of the cleaning apparatus;
FIGURE 1C is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus of Figure 1A,
wherein the cleaning head includes additional features;
FIGURE 2A is a perspective view of part of an alternative cleaning apparatus;
FIGURE 2B is a side view of the cleaning apparatus of Figure 2A
FIGURE 2C is a perspective view of a plate for attachment of a cleaning head
of the apparatus of Figures 2A and 2B to the body of the apparatus;
FIGURE 2D is a perspective view of the cleaning head of the cleaning apparatus
of Figures 2A and 2B;
FIGURE 2E is a perspective view of the plate of the cleaning apparatus of
Figures 2A and 2B attached to the cleaning head of Figure 2D; and
FIGURE 2F is a perspective view of a cleaning head suitable for use with the
cleaning apparatus of figures 2A and 2B
FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of a cleaning material cleaning device.
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Referring to Figure 1A, there is shown a part of a cleaning apparatus 10,
which
is particularly suitable for cleaning surfaces, particularly hard surfaces,
such as
floors. The cleaning apparatus 10 includes a body 12, which includes a handle
attachment part 14 to which a handle 13 is attachable, to enable the cleaning
apparatus to be manoeuvred across a surface 16 to be cleaned. The body 12
also includes a powered vibrating unit 18, which is powered by a motor (not
shown) carried by the body 12. The motor is preferably battery-powered, but
may additionally or alternatively be mains-powered.
The cleaning apparatus 10 also includes a cleaning head 20, which, in the
present example, is substantially rectangular, and has a pair of long edges
20a,
20b, and a pair of short edges 20c, 20d. The cleaning head includes a backing
member including an upper face 20e, and a lower face 20f. The cleaning head
is substantially planar, and is preferably manufactured from a plastics
15 material. The cleaning head 20 is substantially rigid.
Cleaning material 22 is attached to the lower face 20f of the backing of the
cleaning head 20. The cleaning material 22 is preferably a microfibre mop
material which is thermally or otherwise bonded to the cleaning head 20. The
20 mop material 22 is integral with the cleaning head 20, in that it is
permanently
attached thereto. The cleaning material 22 is attached to a substantial area
of
the lower face 20f of the cleaning head 20f. The cleaning material may be
attached to the whole of the lower face 20f of the cleaning head 20. It will
be
appreciated that other materials and other methods of attachment of the
cleaning material 22 to the cleaning head 20 are possible.
The cleaning apparatus 10 includes a plate 26, which, in the present example,
is a substantially square member. It will be appreciated that the plate 26 may
be any appropriate shape, including rectangular or substantially circular or
oval.
The plate 26 includes an upper face, which is attached to the body 12 and a
substantially planar lower face 26a which is attachable to the cleaning head
20.
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The plate 26 is permanently or semi-permanently attached to the body 12. In
the present example, the plate 26 is attached to the body 12 by a plurality of
resilient mountings 20g, one of which is provided towards each corner of the
plate 26.
Whilst the plate 26 may be detachable from the body 12, for example for
maintenance purposes, the plate 26 is not intended to be detached from the
body 12 of the cleaning apparatus 10 during normal use, i.e. by an operator of
the cleaning apparatus 10 in the course of cleaning a surface 16. For the
purposes of the present application is considered to be a part of the body 12.
The plate 26 is manufactured from aluminium, but it will be appreciated that
it
may be manufactured from any suitable material.
The plate 26 is part of the vibrating unit 18, carried by the body 12, but is
also
attachable to the cleaning head 20, such that vibratory movement of the
vibrating unit is transferrable to the cleaning head 20.
The cleaning head 20 is attachable and detachable from the body 12 by means
of an attachment mechanism 23. In embodiments of the invention, the
attachment mechanism 23 includes one or more permanent magnets attached
to at least one of the body 12 and the cleaning head 20, and corresponding
magnetic elements and/or permanent magnets provided on the other one of the
cleaning head 20 and the body 12.
The attachment mechanism 23 shown in Figure 1 B includes four magnets 24,
provided towards respective corners of the lower face 26a of the plate 26, and
four magnetic elements 25, provided in a corresponding formation on the upper
face 20e of the cleaning head 20. The magnetic elements 25 need not be
magnets themselves, but should be attracted to the magnets 24.
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It will be understood that the attachment mechanism 23 may include any number
of magnets 24 and/or magnetic elements 25, and that one or more magnets 24
may additionally or alternatively be provided on the cleaning head 20, with
one
or more corresponding magnetic elements 25 being provided on the plate 26.
The magnets 24 and magnetic elements 25 may be provided in any appropriate
formation.
The magnets 24 and the magnetic elements 25 are preferably embedded in the
cleaning head 20 and the plate 26 or vice versa, but this is not essential.
The cleaning apparatus 10 optionally also includes at least one locating
formation 28 to locate the cleaning head 20 in the correct position relative
to the
body 12, and depending upon its form, may also assist in retaining the
cleaning
head 20 in the correct position relative to the body 12 during use of the
cleaning
apparatus 10, for example to resist slipping of the cleaning head 20 out of
the
desired position relative to the body 12.
In the example shown in Figure 1B, the cleaning head 20 includes four locating
members 28, each in the form of a substantially L-shaped lip which extends
from
the upper surface 20e of the cleaning head 20. The position of each locating
member coincides with the position of a corner of the plate 26, such that when
the cleaning head 20 is offered up to the body 12, the plate 26 sits within
the
four locating members 28, and is held in location solely by the magnets 24,
magnetic elements 25 and gravity.
In an alternative example the locating formations coincide with the attachment
mechanism 23. The four magnets 24 on the plate 26 project outwardly of the
lower face 26a of the plate 26. Each of the four magnetic elements 25 on the
cleaning head 20 is recessed to receive a corresponding magnet 24 of the plate
26. These protrusions and recesses form a locating formation which enables
the cleaning head 20 to be positively located relative to the body 12. It will
be
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understood that the protrusions and recesses of the plate 26 and the cleaning
head 20 may be provided separately from the magnets 24 and/or the magnetic
elements 25, if desired, but in each case, location of the head 20 relative to
the
plate 26, is achieved by the interaction of the magnets 24 and magnetic
elements 25.
It will be appreciated that alternative examples and alternative numbers of
locating formations may be provided. The locating members may be dispensed
with entirely, as appropriate, to provide substantially smooth mating surfaces
of
the body 12 and the cleaning head 20, for example where the magnetic
attraction between the magnets 24 and the magnetic elements 25 is strong
enough to provide adequate location of the head 20 relative to the plate 26.
The cleaning head 20 is preferably locatable relative to the body 12 of the
cleaning apparatus 10, at least through 90 such that the cleaning head 20 may
be used such that one of the long edges 20a, 20b leads and the other long edge
20a, 20b trails during substantially forward movement of the cleaning
apparatus
10. Alternatively, one of the short edges 20c, 20d leads and the other short
edge 20c, 20d trails when the cleaning apparatus 10 is moved in a
substantially
forward direction, so as to enable cleaning of narrower or otherwise difficult
to
access parts of the surface 16 to be cleaned. In order to achieve this, in one
example, the plate 26 may be rotatable with the cleaning head 20, relative to
the body 12. In another example, the head 20 may be located in one of four
orientations relative to the body 12, the four positions being substantially
orthogonal to one another. It will also be appreciated that two, rather than
four,
orientations may be possible. ,. In order to facilitate rotation of the
cleaning
head 20 relative to the body 12, the plate 26 is preferably square, rather
than
rectangular. The cleaning head 20 is lockable one or more positions relative
to
the body 12.
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To clean the surface 16, the cleaning head 20, including the integral cleaning
material 22 is attached to the body 12, by placing the cleaning head 20 on the
surface 16 with the upper face 20e facing upwards, and the cleaning material
22 adjacent the surface to be cleaned 16, and then offering the body 12 up to
the cleaning head 20, so that the magnets 24 of the cleaning head 120 are
approximately vertically aligned with the magnetic elements 25 of the cleaning
head 20. The magnetic attraction between the magnets 24 and the magnetic
elements 25 is sufficient to pull the cleaning head 20 into the correct
position
relative to the body 12 provided the cleaning head 20 is placed close to the
correct position by a user. Where one or more locating members 28 are
provided, the or each locating member 28 may assist in correctly positioning
the
cleaning head 20 relative to the body 12 and/or maintaining the correct
position
of the cleaning head 20 relative to the body 12. In any event, there is no
need
for any clips or other fastenings which would be required to be released in
order
to separate the head 20 and the plate 26.
To clean a relatively large surface 16, the cleaning head 20 is positioned
relative
to the body 12 such that the long edges 20a, 20b of the cleaning head 20 are
substantially transverse to a direction of travel of the cleaning apparatus
and the
operator across the surface 16.
The operator then switches the cleaning apparatus 10 on, to begin
vibratory/vibratory movement of the cleaning head 20. The operator then
manoeuvres the cleaning apparatus 10 over the surface 16 to be cleaned, and
the powered vibrating unit 18 causes the cleaning head 20 of the apparatus 10
to vibrate or oscillate. The vibratory or oscillating motion provided by the
motor
within the unit 18 is transferred to the cleaning head 20, via the plate 26.
After a period of use of the cleaning apparatus 10 to clean the surface 16, it
will
become necessary to clean or replace the cleaning material 22. To clean the
cleaning material 22 it is advantageous to detach the cleaning head 20 from
the
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body 12 of the cleaning apparatus 10. The cleaning apparatus 10 is preferably
switched off, i.e. the motor driving the vibrating unit 18 is switched off,
but this
is not essential. A substantially downward force, i.e. in a direction towards
the
surface being cleaned 16, is applied to a part of the upper face 20e of the
cleaning head 20. This force may be applied by the foot of the operator,
and/or
another object, for example a part of a cleaning material cleaning device 64,
as
described in more detail below. The operator then applies a substantially
upward force to the handle 13 of the body 12, to overcome the magnetic
attraction between the parts of the attachment mechanism 23 of the cleaning
head 20 and the body 12. It is not necessary to lift the body 12 very far from
the
surface 16 to detach the cleaning head 20.
It is not necessary for any part of the cleaning apparatus 10, other than the
handle 13, to be touched by the hands of the operator during attachment or
detachment of the cleaning head 20 to/from the body 12. The attachment
mechanism 23 and locating formations (where provided) provide a quick-
release attachment mechanism between the body 12 and the cleaning head 20.
The cleaning material 22 of the cleaning head 20 can then be laundered or
replaced as required. Since the cleaning head 20 is substantially rigid, and
the
cleaning material 22 is integral with, for example bonded to, the cleaning
head
20, the whole cleaning head 20 is laundered, in a substantially flat
configuration.
The cleaning head is preferably laundered using a suitable mobile mop material
cleaning device.
It will be understood that from time to time it may be advantageous to alter
the
orientation of the cleaning head 20 relative to the body 12, for example to
enable
cleaning of hard to reach areas of the surface to be cleaned 16. Since the
plate
26 is substantially square or, more specifically, the formation of the magnets
and corresponding magnetic elements 24, 25 on both the cleaning head 20 and
the body 12 (specifically the plate 26) is substantially square, it is
possible for
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the cleaning head 20 to be orientated in four discrete positions relative to
the
body 12. It will be understood that there are two possible orientations where
the
long edges 20a, 20b of the cleaning head 20 are substantially transverse to
the
general direction of travel during use of the cleaning apparatus 10, and two
orientations where the short edges 20c, 20d are substantially transverse to
the
general direction of travel of the cleaning apparatus 10 and the user during
use
of the cleaning apparatus 10.
The cleaning head 20 has been described above as being substantially rigid.
However, it may be advantageous for the cleaning head 20 to be flexible, or at
least semi-flexible, for example for laundering purposes, such that when the
cleaning head 20 is detached from the body 12, the cleaning head 20 is able to
curve or bend, as may be required by a laundering machine, i.e. a material
cleaning device.
Where the cleaning head 20 is required to be flexible, the material to which
the
cleaning material 22 is attached is thin, for example 2mm-5mm thick, and/or
may include one or more scores or notches 19 which extend partially through
the depth of the cleaning head 20, between the short edges 20c, 20d, as shown
in Figure 1C. Additionally or alternatively, flexibility may be an inherent
property
of the material from which the cleaning head 20 is manufactured.
An alternative cleaning apparatus 110 and components thereof are shown in
Figures 2A to 2E. Features of the cleaning apparatus 110 which are similar to
the features of the cleaning apparatus 10, described above, have the same
reference numerals, prefixed with '1'.
The cleaning apparatus 110 includes a body 112, which includes a handle
attachment part 114 to which a handle 113 is attachable, to enable the
cleaning
apparatus to be manoeuvred across a surface 116 to be cleaned. The body 112
includes a motor (not shown) which provides vibratory motion to the plate 126.
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The motor is preferably battery-powered, but may additionally or alternatively
be
mains-powered.
The cleaning apparatus 110 also includes a cleaning head 120, which is
attachable to the body 112 by means of an attachment mechanism 123. The
attachment mechanism includes a pair of retaining members 155, each of which
is operable to retain and release at least a part of the body 112. In the
example
shown, the retaining members 155 are operable to retain and release respective
parts of an attachment member, in the form of a plate 126 which is carried by
the body 112.
The plate 126 is a substantially rectangular member having a pair of long
edges
126a, 126b, and a pair of short edges 126c, 126d. The plate 126 includes an
upper face 126e, and a substantially planar lower face 126f. The short edge
126c includes a rebate 140, which forms a lip 142 which extends outwardly of
the short edge 126c adjacent the lower face 126f of the plate 126. In the
example shown, the rebate 140 and the lip 142 extend along the entire length
of the short edge 126c, however, it will be understood that the rebate 140 and
the lip 142 may be selected to be an alternative, suitable length. The short
edge
126d also includes a rebate 140 and a lip 142 which extends outwardly of the
short edge 126d. Each lip 142 is preferably a few millimetres wide, for
example
between 5 and 10mm wide. The short edge 126d also includes a pair of
protrusions 144. Each protrusion 144 is located at a respective end of the
short
edge 126d. Each protrusion 144 has a rounded or chamfered end. The
protrusions aid in location of the plate 126 relative to the cleaning head
120,
during attachment of the cleaning head 120 to the body 112, as will be
explained
below.
The plate 126 includes a number of openings, each of which aids in attachment
of the plate 126 to the body 112 and/or to the cleaning head 120
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The plate 126 includes a boss 136, which is located substantially centrally
between the two long sides 126a, 126b and the two short sides 126c, 126d. The
boss 136 receives a bush for an eccentric spindle bearing of a motor carried
by
the body 112, to power the cleaning apparatus 110. The plate 126 includes a
pair of elongate openings 138, each of which extends substantially parallel to
the long sides 126a, 126b of the plate. Each end of each elongate opening 138
is rounded.
The plate 126 is attached to the body 112 by virtue of resilient fixings which
are
receivable through fixing apertures 132. The example shown includes four
fixing
apertures, one near each corner of the plate 126. Each fixing aperture 132 is
surrounded by a bush 134. Each bush 134 assists in transmitting vibratory or
oscillatory movement from the motor of the body 112 through the plate 126 and
then to the cleaning head 120. It will be appreciated that other methods of
attaching the plate 126 to the body 112 may be utilised. The plate 126 is
permanently or semi-permanently attached to the body 112, and, for the
purposes of the present application is a part of the body 112. The plate 126
is
manufactured from aluminium, but it will be appreciated that it may be
manufactured from any suitable material.
The cleaning head 120 is substantially rectangular, and has a pair of long
edges
120a, 120b, and a pair of short edges 120c, 120d. The cleaning head 120
includes an upper face 120e, and a lower face 120f. The cleaning head 120 is
provided in two parts 121a, 121b such that the cleaning head 120 is foldable,
substantially in half, across the width of the cleaning head 120, as shown in
Figure 3. The two parts 121a, 121b, of the cleaning head 120 are connected
together via a connecting part 127. Each part 121a, 121b of the cleaning head
120 is pivotably attached to the connecting part 127, via a pin 129 or other,
similar connection to enable the cleaning head 120 to be folded substantially
in
half. The connecting part 127acts as a hinge between the two parts 121a, 121b
of the cleaning head 120.
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The cleaning head 120 preferably includes a locating member 154. In the
present example, the cleaning head 120 includes a pair of locating members
154, each of which is receivable in one of the elongate openings 138 of the
plate
126. Each locating member 154 is provided in three parts, a first part 154a,
which is carried by the first part 121a of the cleaning head 120, a second
part
154b, which is carried by the second part 121b of the cleaning head 120, and a
third, intermediate part 154c, which is carried by the connecting part 127 of
the
cleaning head 120. When the cleaning head 120 is in an unfolded condition,
such that the lower face 120f of the cleaning head 120 is substantially
planar,
the three parts 154a-c of each of the locating members 154 abut one another,
end to end. The ends of the parts 154a, 154b of each locating member which
do not abut the intermediate part 154c are rounded. The three parts 154a-c of
each locating member 154 may be separate, but directly adjacent one another,
or may be connected together, for example by a pair of isthmuses, one between
the first part 154a and the intermediate part 154c, and a second between the
second part 154b and the intermediate part 154c. The isthmuses inhibit
complete separation of the parts 154a-c of the locating member 154, but are
thin enough to be repeatedly deformed to enable repeated folding and unfolding
of the cleaning head 120.
The cleaning head 120 carries a pair of retaining members 155, in the form of
clips. In the example shown, each part 121a, 121b of the cleaning head 120
carries one of the retaining members 155. It will be appreciated that any
number
of retaining members 155 may be provided, as appropriate, including a single
retaining member 155 and that the plate 126 may be modified to include a
corresponding number of parts which are retainable by the retaining members
155. Each retaining member 155 includes a fulcrum which is connected to the
upper face 120e of the cleaning head 120, at or adjacent a first end 155a of
the
clip 155. Each retaining member 155 also includes a free end 155b which is
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distal from the fulcrum. Each retaining member 155 is shaped so as to be
pivotable relative to the cleaning head 120, about the fulcrum.
Each retaining member 155 includes an upper portion which is engageable by
a moving member, for example a foot of an operator. To this end, the upper
portion of each retaining member 155 includes a substantially planar surface.
The upper surface of each retaining member 155 may include a surface with a
relatively high coefficient of friction, to assist in engagement between the
upper
portion and a surface of a moving member, e.g. a sole of a shoe. Each
retaining
member 155 may include indications of a method of operation of the retaining
member 155, e.g. symbols indicating method of movement, or direction of
movement to enable engagement and/or disengagement of the cleaning head
120 to/from the body 112. Each retaining member 155 is moveable between a
first, retaining position, and a second, open position. Each retaining member
155 is pivotable between the first and second positions, and is biased towards
the first, retaining position by a biasing member. In the example shown, each
retaining member is biased towards the first position by a respective spring
146.
Each retaining member 155 includes a retaining formation 148 for receiving and
retaining a part of the body 112, in particular a part of the plate 126, in
the
present example. Each retaining member 155 of the present embodiment
includes a pair of retaining formations 148, but it will be appreciated that
any
number of retaining formations 148 may be provided, as appropriate. Each
retaining formation includes a recess 150, in which at least a part of one of
the
lips 142 of the plate 126 is receivable. Each retaining formation 148 also
includes a catch 152 which is substantially triangular in cross-section.
The cleaning head 120 also includes one or more cleaning material attachment
portions 156 for attaching a sheet or pad of cleaning material 122 to the
cleaning
head 120. The cleaning material 122 is preferably fabric and advantageously
includes a microfibre material. In the example shown, the cleaning head 120
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includes a pair of cleaning material attachment portions 156, one on each part
121a, 121b of the cleaning head 120. Each cleaning material attachment
portion 156 is positioned on the upper face 120e of the cleaning head 120.
Each
cleaning material attachment portion 156 includes a fastener, for example one
part of a hook and loop fastener (e.g. Velcro (RTM)), which is attachable to a
corresponding part of the fastener which is attached to the cleaning material
122. In the example shown, the cleaning material 122 includes a pair of
fastening portions 160, one at each end of the material 122. Each of the
fastening portions 160 includes a fastener which corresponds with a fastener
which is provided on one of the cleaning material attachment portions 156 of
the
cleaning head 120. The fastening portions 160 of the cleaning material 122 are
positioned on a reverse side of the cleaning material 122, on a side which, in
use, does not contact a surface 116 to be cleaned.
The cleaning head 120 includes a handle 162 which is carried by the connecting
part 127 of the cleaning head 120. The handle 162 is attached to the
connecting
part 127 by a pin or similar fixing, about which the handle 162 is able to
pivot,
relative to the connecting part 127, between a stowed position and a raised,
in
use position. The handle 162 is substantially U-shaped, and extends
substantially between the long edges 120a, 120b of the cleaning head 120,
approximately mid-way between the short edges 120c, 120d.
Figure 2F shows the underside of a cleaning head 120 without the cleaning
material attached thereto. The handle 162 is in its stowed position and
comprises two arms 162a and 162b both of which contain a portion of hook and
loop fastening material (e.g. Velcro (RTM)), which can adhere to the underside
of the cleaning material once this is placed on the underside of the cleaning
head 120. The handle portions 162a and 162b are designed to fit snugly into
two similarly sized apertures 125a and 125b formed in the cleaning head 120.
Advantageously the hook and loop fastening material located on 162a and 162b
can provide an efficient fastening operation when the cleaning fabric is
position
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on this underside with the handle 162 neatly stored within the cleaning head
120
when in use with the cleaning head 120. However when the handle 162 is lifted
the hook and loop fastening material 162a and 162b attached thereto is also
moved so it is not situated on the underside of the cleaning head 120.
To clean a surface 116, the cleaning material 122 is attached to the cleaning
head 120, by aligning and fastening together each of the cleaning material
attachment portions 156 with the corresponding fastening portions 160 of the
cleaning material 122. The cleaning head 120 is placed in an unfolded
condition, such that the lower face 120f of the cleaning head 120 is in a
substantially planar configuration, with the cleaning material 122 covering
the
lower face 120b, and adjacent the surface 116 to be cleaned.
The cleaning head 120 is attached to the body 112 of the cleaning apparatus
110, by attaching the attachment member, i.e. the plate 126, to the cleaning
head 120. The plate 126 is preferably attached to the body 112 when the body
112 is manufactured, and the operator would not ordinarily be required to
attach
the plate 126 to the body 112. The operator applies a force to one of the
retaining members 155, for example the retaining member 155 on the first part
121a of the cleaning head 120, generally in the direction shown by arrows
labelled A in Figure 2B. This moves the retaining member 155 from its first,
retaining position, to its second, open position. The retaining member 155 is
tilted slightly upwardly relative to the cleaning head 120 when in the open
position. The operator then introduces the corresponding part of the plate
126,
i.e. the lip 142 into the recess 150 in the retaining member, and removes the
force being applied to the upper portion of the retaining member 155. The
biasing member, i.e. spring 146, moves the retaining member 155 to its first,
retaining position, and the lip 142 of the plate 126 is held by the retaining
member 155, between the upper face 120e of the cleaning head 120 and the
retaining member 155. The operator then applies a force in the general
direction
indicated by the arrows labelled A to the other retaining member 155, so as to
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move the other retaining member 155 into its open position. The operator then
inserts the lip 142 on the short edge 126d of the plate 126 into the recess
150
of the retaining member 155. The force is then removed from the retaining
member 155, and the biasing member 146 moves the retaining member 155 to
its retaining position, such that the lip 142 is held between the retaining
member
155 and the upper face 120e of the cleaning head 120. The force required to
be applied to each retaining member 155 to move each retaining member 155
to its open position is preferably applied by the operator's foot. The
operator is
able to hold the handle 113 which is attached to the body 112 of the cleaning
apparatus 110, to manoeuvre the body 112 and the plate 126, into engagement
with the cleaning head 120. The locating members 154 guide the cleaning head
120 into correct alignment with the body 112, as each is received in the
corresponding elongate opening 138 in the plate 126. The rounded edges of
the first and second parts 154a, 154b of each locating member 154 assist in
reception of the locating members 154 in the corresponding elongate openings
138.
The cleaning head handle 162 lies substantially against the upper surface 120e
of the cleaning head 120, as shown in Figure 2D, for example, so that it does
not interfere with attachment of the cleaning head 120 to the body 112.
The cleaning apparatus 110 may then be operated to clean the surface to be
cleaned 116. The cleaning apparatus 110 is manoeuvred across the surface
116 by the operator, and the powered vibrating unit 118 causes the cleaning
head 120 of the apparatus 110 to vibrate or vibrate. The vibratory or
oscillatory
motion of the vibrating unit 118 is transferred to the cleaning head 120, via
an
eccentric pin which extends through the boss 136 of the plate 126, and from
the
plate 126 to the cleaning head 120 via the bushes 134.
After a period of use of the cleaning apparatus 110 to clean a surface 116, it
will
become necessary to clean or replace the cleaning material 122. The length of
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this time period will vary, dependent upon the level of soiling of the surface
to
be cleaned 116. It is preferable, for practical, economic and ecological
reasons,
to clean the cleaning material 122, rather than to replace the cleaning
material
122 each time it becomes soiled.
To clean the cleaning material 122 it is advantageous to detach the cleaning
head 120 from the body 112 of the cleaning apparatus 110, thus removing the
need to lift the cleaning apparatus 110 to a significant height, or tilt the
cleaning
apparatus 110 to access and/or remove the cleaning material 122 from the
underside of the cleaning apparatus 110. The cleaning apparatus 110 is
switched off, i.e. the motor driving the vibrating unit is switched off. The
cleaning
head 120 is detachable from the body 112 by reversing the steps taken to
attach
the cleaning head 110 to the plate 126 of the body 112, i.e. the operator
applies
a force to one of the retaining members 155 in a direction substantially
parallel
to the direction indicated by the arrows labelled A in Figure 2B. This force
moves
the retaining member 155 into its open position, such that the body 112 and
the
plate 126 can be tilted slightly relative to the cleaning head 120, to enable
the
lip 142 of the plate 126 to be removed from the retaining member 155. The
operator then removes the force, and the biasing member 146 returns the
retaining member 155 to its first, closed position. It may then be possible
for the
operator to detach the other end of the plate 126 from the retaining member
155
simply by pulling the body 112 slightly upwardly and sideways, such that the
lip
142 slides out of the retaining formation 48 of the retaining member 155.
Alternatively, the operator repeats the process used in relation to the first
retaining member 155, with the other retaining member 155, to remove the other
lip 142 of the plate 126 from the other retaining member 155. The cleaning
head
120 is thus detached from the body 112, and the body 112 may be placed to
one side, whilst the cleaning head 120, or more specifically the cleaning
material
122, is cleaned.
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It is not necessary for any part of the cleaning apparatus 110, other than the
handle 113, to be touched by the hands of the operator during attachment or
detachment of the cleaning head 120 to/from the body 112. The retaining
members 155 and the plate 126 provide a quick-release attachment mechanism
123 between the body 112 and the cleaning head 120. Furthermore, it is not
necessary to tilt the body 112 or lift the body 112 more than a few
millimetres,
which is beneficial compared with the height to which the body of a
conventional
cleaning apparatus needs to be lifted, or the degree to which such an
apparatus
needs to be tilted in order to be able to remove and/or clean the cleaning
material which is located on the bottom of the apparatus.
The handle 162 of the cleaning head 120 is used to carry the cleaning head 120
when the cleaning head 120 is detached from the body 112. The handle 162 is
kept relatively clean and dry during use of the cleaning apparatus 110 to
clean
the surface 116, since the handle 162 is located between the upper surface
120e of the cleaning head, and the body 112, and is unlikely to contact dirt
or
debris removed from the surface 116 by the cleaning apparatus. Moving the
handle 162 into a carrying or position, as shown in Figure 3 and lifting the
cleaning head 120 out of contact with the surface 116 causes the cleaning head
120 to fold, since the two parts 121a, 121b are permitted to pivot about the
pins
129 of the connecting part 127. The parts 154a-c of the locating member 154
are no longer held in abutment with one another, and allow the parts 121a,
121b
of the cleaning head 120 to fold, either by separation of the parts 154a-c, or
by
deformation of the isthmuses joining the parts 154a-c together.
The width of the cleaning head 120 in the folded condition is no greater than
the
width of the connecting part 127 which connects the two parts 121a, 121b of
the
cleaning head 120 together.
Enabling the cleaning head 120 to fold, enables the cleaning material 122,
which
is attached to the cleaning head 120 by its ends, to hang downwardly from the
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cleaning head 120, in a loop, with the side of the cleaning material 122 which
has been in contact with the surface 116, i.e. the side of the cleaning
material
122 which is most likely to be soiled, faces outwardly.
The operator is then able to clean the cleaning material 122, by inserting at
least
the cleaning material 122 into a material cleaning apparatus 164, as shown in
Figure 3. The material cleaning apparatus 164 may include rinsing, scrubbing,
and/or wringing apparatus to clean the material 122. The material cleaning
apparatus 164 may be carried by a receptacle such as a bucket 166, a part only
of which is shown in Figure 3. The material cleaning device 164 may be of
known type, for example as described in the applicant's prior United Kingdom
patent application, GB2480294, which includes a pair of rotating brushes 165
for cleaning the material, and a wringing apparatus 167 for wringing the
material.
The material cleaning apparatus 164 is mobile.
The cleaning material 122 need not be removed from the cleaning head 120 in
order to be cleaned; therefore it is unnecessary for the operator to contact
the
cleaning material 122 directly with his or her hands. The operator may retain
a
grip on the handle 162 of the cleaning head 120 during cleaning, or may
release
the handle 162, as required by the operating requirements of the material
cleaning device 164.
When the cleaning head 120 is in its folded configuration, the retaining
formations 155 advantageously provide abutment members which abut a part
of the cleaning material cleaning device 164, to inhibit insertion of the
parts
121a, 121b of the cleaning head 120 into the material cleaning device 164. It
may be desirable for only the cleaning material 122 to be receivable into the
material cleaning device 164, for example to achieve optimum cleaning and/or
wringing results. The foldable nature of the cleaning head 120 facilitates
this,
as it is possible for the cleaning material to hang down from the cleaning
head
120. This is different from the substantially planar cleaning head 20 of the
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cleaning apparatus 10 as described above, wherein at least a portion, and
preferably the whole of the backing to which the cleaning material 22 is
attached
is receivable in the material cleaning device 64. The width of the folded
cleaning
head parts 121a, 121b when in the folded configuration is likely to be greater
than the width of the loop of cleaning material, and hence if the parts 121a,
121b
of the cleaning head 120 were receivable between scrubbing or wringing
apparatus of the material cleaning device 164, the effect of the scrubbing
and/or
wringing apparatus on the cleaning material 122 is likely to be diminished.
Once the cleaning material 122 has been cleaned, the operator removes the
cleaning head 120 from the material cleaning device 164, and places the
cleaning head 120 back on to a surface, for example the surface to be cleaned
116. The parts 121a, 121b of the cleaning head 120 are caused to pivot about
the pins 129, relative to the connecting part 127, and the lower face 120f of
the
cleaning head 120 returns to its substantially planar condition, with the
cleaning
material 122 in contact with the lower face 120f, in a substantially flat
configuration. The operator then releases the handle 162 such that it lies
adjacent the upper face 120e of the cleaning head 120, and reattaches the
cleaning head 120 to the body 112 of the cleaning apparatus 110, as described
above. Again, the hands of the operator are only required to contact the
handle
113 of the cleaning apparatus 110 to achieve attachment of the cleaning head
120 to the body 112. The cleaning apparatus 110 is then ready for operation to
clean a further portion of the surface 116 to be cleaned, or an alternative
surface. The attachment member, i.e. plate 126, maintains the cleaning head
120 substantially flat, and inhibits unintentional folding of the cleaning
head
parts 121a, 121b during cleaning of the surface 116.
Whilst the plate 126 may be detachable from the body 112, for example for
maintenance purposes, the plate 126 is not intended to be detached from the
body 112 of the cleaning apparatus 110 during normal use, i.e. by an operator
of the cleaning apparatus 110 in the course of cleaning a surface 116.
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Whilst each retaining member 155 has been described as being pivotable about
a fulcrum, it will be appreciated that other methods of moving each retaining
member 155 between a retaining position and an open position may be utilised.
For example, a part of the or each retaining member 155 may be deformable,
and/or may include an elastic portion. Such an embodiment may enable the or
each respective biasing member, e.g. spring 146, to be dispensed with, as the
material from which at least a part of the retaining member 155 is
manufactured
may naturally return the retaining member 155 to its closed state in the
absence
of external force acting on the retaining member 155 to hold the retaining
member 155 in the open position. In such an embodiment, the deformable part
of the retaining member 155 must be able to withstand a high number of
deformations.
Whilst the method of operation has been described as requiring movement of
each of the retaining members 155 into the respective open positions, to
enable
insertion of the respective part of the plate 126 therein, it will be
appreciated that
it may, additionally or alternatively, be possible for a first edge 126c, 126d
of the
plate 126 to be slid into the recess 150 of one of the retaining members 155,
and then the other edge of the plate 126 to be received in the recess of the
other
retaining member 155, by moving the other retaining member 155 to its open
position by the operator applying a force directly to the upper part of the
retaining
member 155, for example using his or her foot, or by applying a force to the
catch 152 with the edge 126c, 126d of the plate 126 by applying a force to the
handle 113 of the cleaning apparatus 110, such that the edge 126c, 126d slides
along the catch, causing pivoting motion and/or deformation of the retaining
member 155, until the edge 126c, 126d of the plate clips under the catch 152,
and is received in the recess 150 of the retaining member 155.
The cleaning head 120 is preferably rotatable relative to the body 112 of the
cleaning apparatus 110, at least through 90 such that the cleaning head 120
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may be used such that one of the long edges 120a, 120b leads and the other
long edge 120a, 120b trails during substantially forward movement of the
cleaning apparatus 110. Alternatively, one of the short edges 120c, 120d leads
and the other short edge 120c, 120d trails when moved in a substantially
forward
direction, so as to enable cleaning of narrower or otherwise difficult to
access
parts of the surface 116 to be cleaned. The cleaning head 120 is lockable one
or more positions relative to the body 112. The plate 126 may be rotatable
with
the cleaning head 120, relative to the body 112, or may remain stationary
relative to the body 112. In order to facilitate rotation of the cleaning head
120
relative to the body 12, the plate 126 is preferably square, rather than
rectangular.
26
