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US4782550A
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Automatic surface-treating apparatus
Assignee: Von Schrader Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1988-02-12
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Granted: 1988-11-08
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Expires: 2008-02-12
Abstract
Abstract Improved automatic surface-treating apparatus of the type supported by and traversing a horizontal surface unattended. The apparatus includes mobility members for movement in a principal direction and side-step members having rotational axes a given distance above the surface. Each side-step member has a first sector with a far periphery spaced from its axis by more than the given distance, and a second sector with a near periphery spaced from its axis by less than the given distance. This arrangement allows a single rotation of the side-step members to accurately lift and move the apparatus laterally through a predetermined distance, to a new surface-treatment path.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen Jacobs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:26
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L11/00; A47L11/40; A47L11/4061; A47L2201/00; A47L2201/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
Automatic surface-treating apparatus of the type supported by and traversing a horizontal surface unattended, comprising: a frame; mobility members on the frame rotatable about axes extending in a first horizontal direction; means on the frame fo treating the surface as the apparatus traverses the surface; side-step members on the frame rotatable about horizontal axes transverse to the first direction and a given distance above the surface, each side-step member having: a first sector with a far periphery spaced from its axis by more than the given distance, and a second sector with a near periphery spaced from its axis by less than the given distance; whereby rotation of the side-step members will lift and move the apparatus laterally a predetermined distance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
Automatic surface-treating apparatus of the type supported by and traversing a horizontal surface unattended, comprising: a frame; mobility members on the frame rotatable about axes extending in a first horizontal direction; means on the frame fo treating the surface as the apparatus traverses the surface; side-step members on the frame rotatable about horizontal axes transverse to the first direction and a given distance above the surface, each side-step member having: a first sector with a far periphery spaced from its axis by more than the given distance, and a second sector with a near periphery spaced from its axis by less than the given distance; whereby rotation of the side-step members will lift and move the apparatus laterally a predetermined distance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The automatic surface-treating apparatus of claim 1 wherein the axes of side-step member rotation are perpendicular to the rotation axes of the mobility members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The automatic surface-treating apparatus of claim 1 wherein there are four side-step members in a substantially rectangular arrangement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The automatic surface-treating apparatus of claim 1 wherein the side-step members have congruent profiles and center points, whereby the directional orientation of the apparatus is maintained during lateral movement caused by rotation of such members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The automatic surface-treating apparatus of claim 4 further including a single side-step drive unit and means connecting such drive unit to all side-step members, whereby the directional orientation of the apparatus is maintained during laterl movement caused by rotation of such members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The automatic surface-treating apparatus of claim 4 wherein, in the side-step member profile, the first sector far periphery extends along a substantially circular path and the second sector near periphery departs from such circular path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The automatic surface-treating apparatus of claim 6 wherein, in profile, the near periphery follows a chord to close the substantially circular path such that the near periphery is substantially flat and, when the side-step members are not in use, substantially parallel to the surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The automatic surface-treating apparatus of claim 6 wherein the far periphery extends along an arc of at least 180 degrees.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
The automatic surface-treating apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the surface-treating means includes surface-contact members of a first width such that a path of first width is treated as the apparatus traverses the surface on its mobility members; and the side-step members have far peripheries of length less than said first width, whereby one rotation of the side-step members moves the apparatus laterally to a parallel position not beyond the path already treated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The automatic surface-treating apparatus of claim 1 wherein mobility members are wheels, including at least one drive wheel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
The automatic surface-treating apparatus of claim 1 further including: a reversible first drive means linked to at least one of the mobility members; a second drive means linked to the side-step members; and means to control operation of the drive means thereby to control straight and lateral movements of the apparatus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The automatic surface-treating apparatus of claim 11 wherein the control means comprises programmable control means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The automatic surface-treating apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a control panel including means for digital programming of the apparatus prior to operation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The automatic surface-treating apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first and second drive means include geared motors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The automatic surface-treating apparatus of claim 1 wherein the surface-treating means comprises means for cleaning carpets.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
89 words
The automatic surface-treating apparatus of claim 15 wherein the carpet-cleaning means comprises: means on the frame for applying foam to carpet on the surface; a brush movably mounted with respect to the frame in position to stroke the foam through the carpet to loosen carpet soil; means secured to the frame in position adjacent to the brush to vacuum the foam and loosened carpet soil from the carpet; and at least one cleaning drive means to drive one or more of the foam applying means, brush and vacuum means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
The automatic surface-treating apparatus of claim 16 further including: a reversible first drive means linked to at least one of the mobility members; a second drive means linked to the side-step members; and means to control operation of the plural drive means thereby to control straight and lateral movements of the apparatus and its cleaning operations.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The automatic surface-treating apparatus of claim 17 wherein the control means comprises programmable control means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The automatic surface-treating apparatus of claim 18 further comprising a control panel including means for digital programming of the apparatus prior to operation.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-08 | 1992-05-09 | 1992-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-08 | 1996-05-09 | 1996-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-08 | 2000-05-09 | 2000-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |