Apparatus and method for washing exterior building surfaces

Abstract

A system for washing building windows and other exterior surfaces. The system uses substantially pure water as the washing medium, and uses a novel cable restraint system for restraining an automatic cleaning device against the building surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for washing windows and other exterior surfaces of a building, comprising: a washing unit having wheels on one side for rolling engagement on the exterior surface of a building and containing a drive motor operatively connected to a power supply, water spray means connected to a water supply for spraying water onto the building surface, and brush means operatively connected to said motor to be rotatably driven thereby for scrubbing the building surface;   deionizing means connected between the water supply source and said washing unit for delivering substantially deionized water to the water spray means;   at least one suspension line connected to said washing unit for suspending said washing unit in vertically movable relation to the building surface to be washed;   raising and lowering means operatively connected to said suspension line for raising and lowering said washing unit relative to the building surface to be washed;   a restraining cable extending above and below said washing unit and passing slidably over an outer surface thereof to maintain said washing unit firmly engaged against the building surface to be washed in horizontally biased vertically movable relation, said restraining cable connected at its upper end to the building to be washed;   lower pulley means releasably secured closely adjacent the exterior surface of the building to be washed at a position below said washing unit for receiving the lower end of said restraining cable; and   a free weight attached to the lower end of said retaining cable below said lower pulley means to apply sufficient tension in said restraining cable to exert pressure against said washing unit to bias said washing unit against the building surface to be washed in vertically movable relation.   
     
     
       2. The system of claim 1, wherein said lower pulley means comprises a pulley secured to a suction cup which is adapted to be releasably secured to the exterior surface of the building to be washed.   
     
     
       3. The system of claim 1, including a tensioning pulley mounted on an outer side of said washing unit for receiving a mid portion of said restraining cable;   a compression spring connected between said washing unit and said tensioning pulley urging said tensioning pulley and washing unit apart to compensate for changing forces in said restraining cable and irregularities in the building surface and constantly maintain said washing unit firmly engaged against the building surface to be washed as it moves vertically on the building surfaces between the upper and lower ends of said restraining cable.   
     
     
       4. The system of claim 1, wherein said brush means comprises a brush having bristles oriented in a helical pattern with right and left pitch, such that upon rotating said brush in use in a downward direction against the building surface, the water will be directed toward the center of said washing unit.   
     
     
       5. The system of claim 1, wherein said deionizing means and the water supply source are operably connected to deliver deionized water having a dissolved solids content less than about 200 parts per million to said washing unit at a rate of from about 0.5 to about 3 gallons per 100 square feet of surface area cleaned.   
     
     
       6. The system of claim 1, wherein said deionizing means and the water supply source are operably connected to deliver deionized water having a dissolved solids content less than about 200 parts per million to said washing unit at a rate of from about 1 to about 1.5 gallons per 100 square feet of surface area cleaned.   
     
     
       7. The system of claim 1, wherein said washing unit includes an outer housing having a trough for collecting waste water, and   drain means associated with said washing unit trough for removal of waste water during use.   
     
     
       8. The system of claim 7 wherein said washing unit outer housing has a seal element along one side facing the building surface being washed to form a water seal therewith for directing waste water into said trough during the washing operation.   
     
     
       9. The system of claim 1, wherein said washing unit is articulated into a plurality of hinged sections movable with respect to one another and releasably lockable at various angles for cleaning adjacent angled surfaces of a building.   
     
     
       10. The system of claim 9, wherein said brush means is articulated into a plurality of brush sections movable with said hinged washing unit sections for scrubbing adjacent angled surfaces of a building.   
     
     
       11. The system of claim 1 wherein the water used in the washing operation is purified such that its dissolved solids content is less than about 200 parts per million.   
     
     
       12. The system of claim 1 including brush adjustment means operatively connected to said brush means to move same relative to said washing unit and to the building surface to be washed for selectively adjusting the brush contact pressure against the building surface to be washed. .Iadd.   
     
     
       13.  A system for washing windows and other exterior surfaces of a building, comprising: a washing unit including scrubbing means for scrubbing such a building surface, a spray tube having a plurality of spray nozzles for spraying water on the scrubbed building surface, and a pulley system mounted on an outer side of said washing unit;   at least one suspension line connected to said washing unit for suspending said washing unit in vertical movable relation to the building surface;   at least one restraining cable extending above and below said washing unit and passing slidably over said pulley system to maintain said washing unit firmly engaged against the building surface to be washed;   means for causing the washing unit to traverse the building surface to be washed;   water supply means for delivering water to the washing unit; and   water purifying means associated with the water supply means for substantially purifying water such that the water delivered to the washing unit is substantially deionized or demineralized. .Iaddend..Iadd.14. The system of claim 13, wherein the scrubbing means comprises a brush rotatably mounted in the washing unit, the brush having bristles oriented in a helical pattern with right and left pitch, such that upon rotating the brush in use in a downward direction when going down and in an upward direction when going up against the building surface, the rinse water will be directed toward the center of the washing unit. .Iaddend..Iadd.15. The system of claim 13, wherein the water supply means is operable to deliver water to the washing unit at a rate of from about 0.5 to about 3 gallons per 100 square feet of surface area cleaned. .Iaddend..Iadd.16. The system of claim 13, wherein the washing unit includes a trough for collecting waste water, and the system further comprises means operatively associated with the washing unit for removal of waste water from the trough during   
     
     
        use. .Iaddend..Iadd.17.  The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said pulley system includes a pulley and a spring connected between said pulley and said washing unit thereby causing said pulley to extend or retract in response to pressure exerted on said pulley by said restraining cable. .Iaddend..Iadd.18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said washing unit is articulated into at least two hinged sections movable with respect to one another. .Iaddend..Iadd.19. An apparatus for washing windows on other exterior surfaces of a building, comprising: a washing unit including a pulley system mounted on an outer side of said washing unit, spray means for spraying water on the building exterior surface, and a scrubbing means for scrubbing the building exterior surface, said spray means including a spray tube having a plurality of spray nozzles, said scrubbing means including a brush rotatably mounted in the washing unit, said brush having bristles oriented in a helical pattern with right and left pitch, such that upon rotating the brush in use in a downward direction against the building surface, the rinse water will be directed toward the center of the washing unit;   means for suspending said washing unit in contact with the building surface whereby said stray nozzles are oriented above said brush;   a restraining means including at least one restraining cable extending above and below said washing unit and passing slidably over said pulley system to maintain said washing unit firmly engaged against the building surface to be washed;   means for causing said washing unit to traverse the building surface to be washed; and   water supply means for delivering substantially deionized or demineralized   
     
     
        water to said washing unit. .Iaddend..Iadd.20.  The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said water contains less than about 200 parts per million of dissolved solids. .Iaddend..Iadd.21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said water contains less than 20 parts per million of dissolved solids. .Iaddend..Iadd.22. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said water contains less than 100 parts per million of dissolved solids. .Iaddend..Iadd.23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said spray tube is 3 to 10 inches from the point said brush contacts the building exterior surface. 
     
     
        .Iaddend..Iadd.24.  The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said pulley system includes a pulley and a spring connected between said pulley and said washing unit thereby causing said pulley to extend or retract in response to pressure exerted on said pulley by said restraining cable. .Iaddend..Iadd.25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said washing unit is articulated into at least two hinged sections movable with respect to one 
     
     
        another. .Iaddend..Iadd.26.  A system for washing windows and other exterior surfaces of a building, comprising: a washing unit including a brush for scrubbing such a building surface, a spray tube having a plurality of spray nozzles for spraying water on the scrubbed building surface, and a pulley system mounted on an outer side of said washing unit, said pulley system including a pulley mounted on a compressible member;   at least one suspension line connected to said washing unit for suspending said washing unit in vertical movable relation to the building surface;   at least one restraining cable extending above and below said washing unit and passing slidably over said pulley thereby causing said pulley to move in response to pressure exerted on said pulley by said restraining cable to thereby maintain said washing unit firmly engaged against the building surface to be washed;   a lift mechanism connected to said suspension line; and   water supply means for delivering water to the washing unit. .Iaddend.