US4674142A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Floor cleaning machine
Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
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Filing: 1985-08-21
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Granted: 1987-06-23
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Expires: 2005-08-21
Abstract
Abstract The invention pertains to a floor cleaning machine comprising an electrical means for controlling the operation of the brush head lever motor to maintain the brush pressure at an operator-set value. An improved brush pressure regulating system which is operator-adjustable, is provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Hermann Meili
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:10
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L11/00; A47L11/40; A47L11/4036; A47L11/4038; A47L11/02; A47L11/10; A47L11/14; A47L11/16; A47L11/161; A47L11/29; A47L11/30; A47L11/302; A47L11/305; A47L11/4002; A47L11/4011
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A floor cleaning machine, comprising: a motor-driven movable body; operator control means, coupled to said movable body, adapted for receiving an operator set value; a scrubber assembly including a brush head housing at least one rotatable brush which is adapted for contacting said floor; brush motor means for driving said brush; lever means coupled to said scrubber assembly and to said movable body, for lifting and lowering said scrubber assembly with respect to said movable body; lever motor means for driving said lever means to cause said scrubber assembly to be lifted and lowered; brush pressure sensor means, coupled to said lever means, for detecting a pressure of said brush contacting said floor; and electronic control means responsive to the detected pressure and the operator set value, for controlling said lever motor means to cause said brush pressure to be maintained substantially at said operator set value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A floor cleaning machine, comprising: a motor-driven movable body; operator control means, coupled to said movable body, adapted for receiving an operator set value; a scrubber assembly including a brush head housing at least one rotatable brush which is adapted for contacting said floor; brush motor means for driving said brush; lever means coupled to said scrubber assembly and to said movable body, for lifting and lowering said scrubber assembly with respect to said movable body; lever motor means for driving said lever means to cause said scrubber assembly to be lifted and lowered; brush pressure sensor means, coupled to said lever means, for detecting a pressure of said brush contacting said floor; and electronic control means responsive to the detected pressure and the operator set value, for controlling said lever motor means to cause said brush pressure to be maintained substantially at said operator set value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A floor cleaning machine according to claim 1 further including extension spring means for counteracting said lever motor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A floor cleaning machine according to claim 2 wherein said lever motor means comprises a stepper motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A floor cleaning machine according to claim 1 wherein said electronic control means includes means for controlling said lever motor means by pulse width modulation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A floor cleaning machine according to claim 1 wherein said lever motor means comprises an electrical motor having a current, and wherein said brush pressure sensor means comprises an ammeter for measuring said current of said lever motor means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A floor cleaning machine according to claim 1 wherein said brush pressure sensor means comprises a deformation-sensitive component.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A floor cleaning machine according to claim 6 wherein said deformation-sensitive component comprises a Hall element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A floor cleaning machine according to claim 6 wherein said deformation-sensitive component comprises a strain gauge.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-06-22 | 1990-12-22 | 1991-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-22 | 1994-12-22 | 1995-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-22 | 1998-12-22 | 1999-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |