Base board cleaning apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for cleaning low lying areas, such as base boards, includes a rollable base, a rotatable brush carried on the base for cleaning the low lying area, a pressurized tank carried by the base for containing a cleaning fluid, and a nozzle in communication with the tank for dispensing the cleaning fluid from the tank. The brush can be releasably connected to a shaft that is rotatably mounted on the base and extends outwardly from the base. The nozzle can be positioned proximate the brush, such that cleaning fluid sprayed from the nozzle contacts the brush. The brush is positioned against the base board and rotated. A trigger release can be in communication with the tank, so that engagement of the trigger release sprays cleaning fluid from the nozzle.

1 . An apparatus for cleaning low lying areas comprising: 
 (a) a base;    (b) means for moving the base on a floor surface;    (c) a brush carried by the base for cleaning a low lying area, the brush being adapted for rotational movement;    (d) a container carried by the base for containing a cleaning fluid; and    (e) means for dispensing the cleaning fluid from the container.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 (a) a first shaft rotatably mounted on the base and extending outwardly from the base, the brush being connected to the first shaft; and    (b) means for rotating the first shaft whereby the brush rotates to clean the low lying area.    
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the container comprises a pressurized tank.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the means for dispensing the cleaning fluid comprises a nozzle in communication with the container and positioned proximate the brush, wherein cleaning fluid sprayed from the nozzle contacts the brush.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the means for dispensing the cleaning fluid further comprises a trigger release in communication with the container, whereby engagement of the trigger release sprays cleaning fluid from the nozzle.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the base is rectangular and includes a front side, a rear side, a left side, and a right side.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the first shaft and the nozzle are positioned proximate and substantially parallel to the front side of the base.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the first shaft is positioned substantially perpendicular to the front side of the base.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the means for rotating the first shaft comprises a motor operably connected to the first shaft.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the means for rotating the first shaft comprises: 
 (a) a second shaft carried by the base;    (b) a first drive belt operably connecting the first shaft and the second shaft for imparting rotational motion therebetween;    (c) a motor; and    (d) a second drive belt operably connecting the motor and the second shaft; whereby the motor drives rotation of the second shaft and the second shaft drives rotation of the first shaft.    
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the means for moving the base on a floor surface comprises: 
 (a) a plurality of wheels mounted on the base;    (b) an axle connected to at least one of the wheels; and    (c) a third drive belt operably connecting the motor and the axle, whereby the motor drives rotation of the axle and rotation of the second shaft.    
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the first shaft is mounted within a first pair of ball bearing pillow blocks connected to an underside of the base, and is operably connected to a first sheave whereby rotational movement is imparted therebetween.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the means for rotating the first shaft comprises: 
 (a) a second shaft mounted within a second pair of ball bearing pillow blocks connected to the underside of the base, and operably connected to a second sheave and a third sheave;    (b) a first drive belt operably connecting the first shaft and the second shaft by connecting the first sheave and the second sheave;    (c) a second drive belt connecting the third sheave to a fourth sheave; and    (d) a motor mounted on an upper side of the base and connected to the fourth sheave, whereby the motor drives rotation of the first shaft.    
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the brush is releasably connected to the first shaft.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the brush includes a rod positioned within a bore defined by the first shaft, and the rod is releasably maintained within the bore by a set screw.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according  claim 2 , wherein the means for moving the base on a floor surface comprises: 
 (a) a plurality of wheels mounted on the base; and    (b) a handlebar mounted on the base, whereby a user can push the base along the floor surface.    
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the means for rotating the first shaft comprises: 
 (a) a motor operably connected to the first shaft; and    (b) a bail lever operably connected to the motor and positioned on the handle bar, whereby a user must maintain the bail lever in an engaged position to keep the motor running.    
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the means for dispensing the cleaning fluid comprises a trigger release in communication with the container, whereby engagement of the trigger release sprays cleaning fluid from the nozzle, and further wherein the trigger release is positioned on the handlebar.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the brush is adapted to clean base boards.  
     
     
         20 . A method for cleaning base boards comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a cleaning apparatus comprising: 
 (i) a base and a plurality of wheels mounted thereon for movement on a floor surface,  
 (ii) a brush rotatably mounted on the base,  
 (iii) a container carried by the base for containing a cleaning fluid, and  
 (iv) a dispenser positioned proximate the brush for dispensing cleaning fluid from the container; and  
   (b) positioning the cleaning apparatus such that the brush contacts a base board to be cleaned;    (c) dispensing cleaning fluid from the container;    (d) rotating the brush; and    (e) moving the base on the floor surface whereby the cleaning apparatus cleans the base board.