The invention relates to a floor treatment device and a method for treating a floor.

Floor treatment devices for polishing, cleaning and/or sanding floors are known from practice. Such devices comprise a motor, a carrier plate and one or more floor treatment members that are operatively connected to the motor. During use, the motor rotates the floor treatment members to treat the floor. A disadvantage of such devices is that it is difficult to treat corners (having perpendicularly placed walls). In addition, such devices are relatively difficult to control due to the forces of the treatment members on the floor.

In order to obviate such disadvantages, eccentric floor treatment devices are used. Such eccentric cleaning devices often are equipped with square or rectangular treatment members to be able to treat floor surfaces in corners. Such eccentric cleaning devices work by virtue of an orbital circular movement of the floor treatment members over the floor. This has the advantage that it requires significantly less force to control.

A disadvantage of the known eccentric cleaning devices using an orbital circular motion is that the orbital circular movement (i.e. a rotation) of the treatment members scratches the floor surface, especially during (light) sanding or polishing of (wooden) floor surfaces.

The invention is aimed at obviating or at least reducing the abovementioned disadvantage. To that end, the invention provides a floor treatment device, the device comprising:

- a motor;

- a drive shaft that is connected to the motor;

- a carrier plate;

- at least two treatment plates that are operatively connected to the carrier plate;

- an eccentric transfer means that are operatively connected to the drive shaft and the at least two treatment plates, wherein the eccentric transfer means are configured to convert a rotating movement of the drive shaft into a translational movement of the at least two treatment plates.

An advantage of the device according to the invention is that the device provides a translational movement of the treatment plates rather than a rotating and/or orbital circular movement. This reduces scratching of the floor surface during treatment. This is especially relevant for wooden floor surfaces having a specific grain direction, since it allows sanding in the grain direction. This significantly reduces scratch formation.

Another advantage is that, due to the translational movement of the treatment plates, an improved cleaning of floor seams or grouts is achieved. It has been found that floor seams, which are present between floor tiles, are cleaned more effectively using a translation movement (directed along the floor seam) than using a rotating and/or a circular orbital movement. Another advantage is that, due to the translational movement, the treatment members can more easily and effectively be used to clean in corners. This is especially true when using rectangular or square treatment members.

Yet another advantage is that, due to the translational movement of the treatment members, the bulk of the weight of the device remains at a central position, which increases stability and handling of the device during use. This is achieved due to the substantially simultaneous movement of all treatment plates in an outward or inward direction. It is noted that, in some embodiments, the advantage is also achieved when a number of the treatment members move simultaneously. This is for example the case with four treatment members, of which two opposite pairs move simultaneously to achieve a stable device.

Furthermore, another advantage of the device according to the invention is that the drive shaft can be directly coupled to the eccentric transfer means, thus the use of a gearbox can be obviated.

Also, an advantage is that the treatment plates, due to their relative movement compared to each other, follow the contour of a floor in an improved manner, which increases treatment effect.

Yet another advantage is that more pressure can be generated to the floor using the device according to the invention.

Yet another advantage of the device according to the invention is that the eccentric transfer is that the rotational force of the drive shaft is translated into a translation movement in the direct vicinity of the treatment plates, which reduces the strain on the drive shaft.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the translational movement is a movement over a length of 0 - 5 cm, preferably 0 - 2,5 cm and more preferably 0 - 0,5 cm. This means that the length of the movement that a treatment plate makes over a floor surface is, at maximum, 5 cm, respectively 2,5 cm, respectively 0,5 cm.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the treatment plates during the translational movement move between an inward position and an outward position, wherein the treatment plates in the inward position are closer to the drive shaft than in the outward position.

By providing a translational movement between an inner and an outer position, an improved cleaning of especially grouts or seams in the floor surface is achieved.

Another advantage is that the translational movement provides increased cleaning, or, in case of sanding, improved sanding of wooden floors, because the translational movement corresponds to the direction of the grain. This is not possible using devices having a circular or orbital movement.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the eccentric transfer means comprise a plate-shaped member having a first side that is connected to the drive shaft and a second side that is opposite the first side and is facing the at least two treatment plates, wherein the second side is provided with an outer and an inner circumferential wall that extend from the second side towards the treatment plates, wherein the circumferential walls define a receptor groove in between, and a number of receptor members having a first end that is connected on a side of the treatment plate that is facing the plate-shaped member and having a second end that is positioned in the receptor groove, and wherein each treatment plate comprises at least one receptor member.

An advantage of providing this eccentric transfer means, formed by the plate-shaped member with receptor groove and the receptors, is that a sturdy, reliable transfer means are achieved in which the use of connecting rods or transfer shafts/rods is obviated. As a result, the amount of vibrations is reduced and the stability of the device is improved.

Another advantage is that the eccentric transfer means according to this embodiment can also be used in larger devices. This is not possible in the known devices using orbital or circular movement due to the large strain that subsequently is posed on the connecting rods. By providing a plate-shaped member having a receptor groove and the receptors that cooperate with the receptor groove, any size of device can be made while maintaining a stable and reliable transfer of the power from to motor to the treatment plates.

Yet another advantage of the abovementioned embodiment of the device according to the invention is that, by virtue of the eccentric transfer, the rotational force of the drive shaft is translated into a translation movement near the receptors rather than near the drive shaft. In other words, the construction according to the invention allows a linear drive, thus resulting is less strain (and thus wear) on the device.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the eccentric transfer means comprise a disc shaped member having a first side that is connected to the drive shaft and having a second side that is opposite the first side and is facing the at least two treatment plates, wherein the second side is provided with a receptor groove that is positioned near a radially outer edge of the disc-shaped member and extends along substantially the entire circumference of the disc-shaped member, and a number of receptor members having a first end that is connected on a side of the treatment plate that is facing the plate-shaped member and having a second end that is positioned in the receptor groove, and wherein each treatment plate comprises at least one receptor member.

An advantage of providing the mentioned eccentric transfer means, formed by the disc shaped member with receptor groove and the receptors, is that a sturdy, reliable transfer means are achieved in which the use of connecting rods or transfer shafts/rods is obviated. As a result, the amount of vibrations is reduced and the stability of the device is improved.

Another advantage is that the eccentric transfer means according to this embodiment can also be used in larger devices. This is not possible in the known devices using orbital or circular movement due to the large strain that subsequently is posed on the connecting rods. By providing a disc-shaped member having a receptor groove and the receptors that cooperate with the receptor groove, any size of device can be made while maintaining a stable and reliable transfer of the power from to motor to the treatment plates.

Moreover, the weight of the disc-shaped member, due to its location near the floor, increases the stability of the device even further, therewith reducing the risk of toppling or (unwanted) tilting of the device.

Yet another advantage of the abovementioned embodiment of the device according to the invention is that, by virtue of the eccentric transfer, the rotational force of the drive shaft is translated into a translation movement near the receptors rather than near the drive shaft. In other words, the construction according to the invention allows a linear drive, thus resulting is less strain (and thus wear) on the device.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the receptor members are preferably manufactured from plastic, metal or a combination thereof, and preferably comprise glide bearings.

An advantage of providing plastic and/or metal, especially metal that is insensitive to corrosion and/or dust, is that reliable and low-wear components are achieved that are substantially unaffected by rust and/or dust from the activities performed with the device according to the invention.

An advantage of providing glide bearings, especially when made from the mentioned materials, is that the space between receptor and the walls of receptor groove can be minimized, therewith reducing vibrations and wear in the device according to the invention.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the device comprises at least one drive protector that is positioned between the treatment members and the receptor members, wherein the at least one drive protector preferably is a plate, rod, shaft or ring that extends between the receptor members and the treatment plates.

An advantage of a drive protector is that the drive mechanism, most notably the receptor groove and the receptor members, are protected from dirt, grit and other pollution. The drive protector may be fixedly connected to the receptor members, yet preferably is fixedly connected to (an upper side of) the treatment members. As such, the treatment members become in essence multi-layer treatment members.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the treatment members may be multi-layer treatment members.

An advantage of multi-layer treatment members is that several functional layers, such as a drive protector, a sound dampening layer or other layers may be combined with the actual treatment layer.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the device comprises a transfer plate that is positioned between the receptor members and the treatment plates, wherein the receptor members are connected to a first side of the plate facing the receptor groove and wherein the transfer plate comprises treatment plate couplings the extend from a second side of the plate that is opposite the first side towards the treatment members, and wherein the couplings are configured to be connected to the treatment members to transfer a translational movement from the receptor members to the treatment plates.

An advantage of providing a transfer plate is that only a single set of receptor members is required that is associated with the device. In other words, the treatment plates do not need to be provided with receptor members, which reduces the cost of the (replaceable) treatment members.

In addition, the transfer plate functions to protect to the receptor groove and the receptor members from dust created by the treatment members. It is noted that the couplings preferably comprise axles or transfer shafts that are (releasably) connectable to the treatment plates.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the plate-shaped member and circumferential walls and/or the disc-shaped member are preferably manufactured from one or more of: metal, preferably stainless steel, plastic and rubber.

An advantage of the mentioned materials is that these materials are substantially or completely insensitive to corrosion and/or dust, which results in reliable and low-wear components. This increases reliability of the device according to the invention and reduces downtime.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the receptor groove is an elliptical-shaped or circular-shaped groove.

By providing the receptor groove with an elliptical shape, when viewed along the groove, the rotational movement of the drive shaft is, in an easy and reliable manner, transformed to a translational movement. This is similar for a circular, eccentric shape.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the eccentric transfer means comprise a transfer device that comprises a disc-shaped member having a first side that is operatively connected to the drive shaft at a connection position and having a second side that is opposite the first side and is facing the at least two treatment plates, wherein the second side has a number of contact members spaced along the circumference of the disc-shaped member, and a number of guide members, wherein each guide member is associated with and connected to a treatment plate, wherein the number of guide members together have a substantially elliptical or circular shape that substantially encloses the transfer device, and wherein the contact members of the transfer device are configured to, during use of the device, cooperate with the guide members to convert the rotational movement of the drive shaft into a translation movement of the treatment plates.

The eccentric transfer means may be provided in a number of different forms. An advantage of a disc-shaped member is that is forms a robust and reliable transfer means. The disc shaped member may be embodied as a circular disc or an elliptically formed disc having a number of contact points. The contact points may be solidly connected, or may be formed by a number of rotatably connected contact points, such as discs, wheels or gear wheels. This may for example be formed using open spaces in the circumference of the disc-shaped member in which the contact points or discs are (non)rotatably attached.

The disc-shaped member may also be a wheel or gear wheel that cooperates with contact points in the form of associated wheels or gear wheels to provide the transfer.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the eccentric transfer means comprise a transfer device that is operatively connected to the drive shaft at a connection position and that comprises a number of arms that each extend from a first distal end via the connection position to an oppositely placed second distal end, and a number of guide members, wherein each guide member is associated with and connected to a treatment plate, and wherein the number of guide members together have a substantially elliptical or circular shape that substantially encloses the transfer device, wherein the distal ends of the transfer device are configured to, during use of the device, cooperate with the guide members to convert the rotational movement of the drive shaft into a translation movement of the treatment plates.

It is preferred that each single treatment plate is provided with a single associated guide member.

In an embodiment according to the invention, a length of the arm between the first distal end and the connection position differs from the length of the arm between the second distal end and the connection position.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the eccentric transfer means further comprise a number of end members, wherein each end member is associated with a distal end of the transfer device, and wherein a first end member that is associated with the first distal end of an arm has a size that differs from the size of a second end member that is associated with the second distal end of the arm.

The end members may have any relevant form, yet are preferably circular or oval-shaped discs that may or may not be rotatable around a disc axis.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the end members are preferably disc-shaped members having a central disc axis that extends substantially parallel to the drive shaft, and wherein a diameter (Rl) of the first end member is smaller than a diameter (R2) of the second end member.

In an embodiment according to the invention the disc-shaped members, during use of the device, are configured to rotate around its central disc axis.

By providing an additional rotation to the disc-shaped members, the translational movement is enhanced with an oscillating movement that enhances the treatment capabilities of the device even further. In an embodiment according to the invention, the device additionally comprises one or more support elements that extend between the carrier plate and the treatment plates, wherein the support elements are positioned on a side of the treatment plate that is facing the carrier plate or are positioned on a side of the carrier plate facing the treatment plates.

An advantage of providing support elements is that tipping or flippering of the treatment plates is substantially prevented. During use, the support elements ensure that the translational movement is achieved in a smooth and continuous manner without the treatment plates being able to rotate or tip with respect to the floor surface. Therewith, a level and smooth translational movement of the treatment plates is achieved. The support elements can be provided in different forms and shapes, such as resilient elements, dampening elements or guide rails. In fact, any support element that is suitable to prevent tipping or flippering that does not impede the translation movement of the treatment plates can be used. This is most effectively achieved by placing the support elements near an outer side of the treatment plates.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the support elements may be spring elements or resilient elements such as telescopic dampening elements, or may be guide rails, wherein the support elements are preferably made of metal, such as stainless steel, and/or plastics and/or rubber.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the device further comprises a plurality of return members that connect the treatment plates to the carrier plate and that are biased to move the treatment plates to the inward position.

To provide enhanced certainty with regard to the translation movement, the device is advantageously provided with return members to exert in inwardly directed force on the treatment members to direct them to the inward position.

In an embodiment according to the invention the return members comprise springs or comprise resilient connectors made of rubber, silicon or a combination thereof.

An advantage of such connectors is that they are reliable, easy to replace and relatively cheap.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the eccentric transfer means are positioned in a space between the carrier plate and the treatment plates.

An advantage of the abovementioned positioning is that the eccentric transfer means are substantially shielded from debris, dust and/or other substances that are produced during treatment of the floor to be treated.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the number of treatment plates is two or four. By providing two or four plates, the translation movement can be adapted to a single direction (forwards - backwards) or two bi-directional cleaning in a single operation (forwards - backwards and left-right).

In an embodiment according to the invention, the treatment plates have a square, a rectangular or a triangular shape.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the device additionally comprises one or more of a gearbox that is positioned between the motor and the drive shaft and/or a dust and/or water removal device that is connected to the carrier plate and that is configured for removing dust and/or water from the treated floor during treatment.

The invention also relates to a method for cleaning a floor, the method comprising the steps of:

- providing a floor treatment device according to any one of the preceding claims; and

- treating the floor using the floor treatment device.

The method according to the invention has similar effects and advantages as the abovementioned floor treatment device as according to the invention.

In an embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method additionally comprises the steps of attaching a floor treatment layer to the treatment plates, wherein the floor treatment layer may be a cleaning layer, a scrubbing layer, a brushing layer, a floor sanding layer or combinations thereof, and removing the floor treatment layer after treating the floor surface.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of an example of a device according to the invention Figure 2 shows a schematic bottom view of an example of a device according to the invention;

Figure 3 shows a schematic bottom view of a second example of a device according to the invention;

Figure 4 shows an example of a resilient means that is useable in the device according to the invention; and

Figure 5 shows a schematic bottom view of a third example of a device according to the invention;

Figure 6 shows an exploded perspective view of a fourth example of a device according to the invention;

Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the example of figure 6; and Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a fifth example of a device according to the invention. In an example of device 2 according to the invention (see figure 1,2), device 2 comprises motor 4, carrier plate 6 and treatment members 8. Drive shaft 10 extends through carrier plate 6 and is connected to eccentric transfer means 12. Eccentric transfer means 12 in a first example (figure 1,2) comprises a single arm 14, that extends from first distal end 16 to second distal end 18. Each distal end 16, 18 is connected to a respective disc-shaped end member 20, 22 having a respective diameter Rl, R2. In this example, each disc-shaped member 20, 22 is configured to rotate around its central disc axis.

Each treatment member 8 is provided with a guide member 9, which in this example has the form of half an ellips. Each treatment member 8 is further provided with a number of return members 28, which are formed as resilient rubber members 28 (see figure 4).

In another example (see figure 3), eccentric transfer means 112 comprises two arms 114, 115 that each extend from a respective first distal end 116 to second distal end 118. Each distal end 116, 118 is connected to a respective disc-shaped end member 120, 122 having a respective diameter R101, R102. In this example, each disc-shaped member 120, 122 is configured to rotate around its central disc axis.

Each treatment member 108 is provided with a guide member 109, which in this example has the form of a quarter length of an ellips. Each treatment member 108 is further provided with a number of return members 128, which are formed as resilient rubber members 128 (see figure 4).

Eccentric transfer means 212 in a third example (figure 5) comprises a disc-shaped member 230 that is connected to central axis 210. Disc-shaped member 230 is in this example provided with four contact members 232, 234, which are positioned in pairs on oppositely sides of the circumference of disc-shaped member 230. Contact member 232 has diameter Rl, contact member 234 has diameter R2, and diameters Rl and R2 differ from each other in size. They may however have the same diameter, thus Rl = R2. In this example, the contact members 232,234 are configured to rotate around their central axis.

Each treatment member 208 is provided with a guide member 209, which in this example has the form of half an ellips. Each treatment member 208 is further provided with a number of return members 228, which are formed as resilient rubber members 228 (see figure 4).

In a further example (see figures 6, 7), device 302 comprises motor 304, which is connected on top of carrier plate 306, with drive shaft 310 extending through carrier plate 306. Device 302 further comprises treatment members 308 and eccentric transfer means 312. In this example, eccentric transfer means 312 comprise plate-shaped member 336 that is connected to drive shaft 310 with first side 338 and receptor members 348. Due to this connection, plate-shaped member 336 is capable of rotating along with drive shaft 310. Second side 340 of plate-shaped member 336 is provided with inner circumferential wall 342 and outer circumferential wall 344. Inner circumferential wall 342 is, when viewed radially outward in a first direction x from the connection with drive shaft 310, positioned radially inward from outer circumferential wall 344, with outer circumferential wall 344 being positioned near or at a radially outer edge 345 of plate shaped member 336. Inner circumferential wall 342 and outer circumferential wall 344 together define receptor groove 346, which in this example extends over the entire circumference of plate shaped member 336.

Treatment members 308 are provided with receptor members 348, which extend from first receptor end 350 that is connected to treatment member 308 towards second end 352 that is positioned in receptor groove 346. In use, this construction forces treatment members to move inwardly and outwardly in first direction x and/or in second direction y in response to the rotation of plate-shaped member 336. In other words, inner circumferential wall 342, outer circumferential wall 344, receptor groove 346 and receptor members 348 together form eccentric transfer means 312. Preferably, the shape of plate-shaped member 336 (and thus receptor groove 346) is elliptical to provide a well-defined translational movement of treatment members 308.

Treatment members 308 are further provided with resilient return members 328, which are in this example primarily meant to connect treatment members 308 to carrier plate 306. Furthermore, device 302 is provided with support elements 362, which in this example are formed of lower part 364 and upper part 366. Upper part 366 is formed by projections 366 that extend from carrier plate 306 downwardly in direction z towards treatment members 308. Lower part 364 in this example is formed by receiving part 364 which is configured to (movably) hold an end portion of projection 366.

In use, device 302 is driven by motor 304, which drives drive shaft 310 to rotate around its axis. Drive shaft 310, by virtue of the connection with plate-shaped member 336, rotates plate shaped member 336. During rotation, receptor members 348, by virtue of being positioned in receptor groove 346, follow the trajectory of receptor groove 346, which in this example is an elliptical trajectory. As result, the rotational movement of plate-shaped member 336 is converted into a translational movement of treatment members 308, which in this case takes place in second direction y.

In a further example, device 402 comprises motor 404, which is connected on top of carrier plate 406, with drive shaft 410 extending through carrier plate 406. Device 402 further comprises treatment members 408 and eccentric transfer means 412. In this example, eccentric transfer means 412 comprises disc-shaped member 454 that is connected to drive shaft 410 with first side 456.

Due to this connection, disc-shaped member 454 is capable of rotating along with drive shaft 410. Second side 458 of disc-shaped member 454 is provided with receptor groove 446, which in this example extends over (and in) the entire circumference of disc-shaped member 454. Receptor groove 446 is preferably positioned near radially outer edge 460 of disc-shaped member 454. Treatment members 408 are provided with receptor members 448, which extend from first receptor end 450 that is connected to treatment member 408 towards second end 452 that is positioned in receptor groove 446. In use, this construction forces treatment members to move inwardly and outwardly in first direction x and/or in second direction y in response to the rotation of disc-shaped member 454. In other words, receptor groove 446 in disc-shaped member 454 and receptor members 448 together form eccentric transfer means 412. Preferably, the shape of receptor groove 436 is elliptical to provide a well-defined translational movement of treatment members 408.

Treatment members 408 are further provided with resilient return members 428, which are in this example primarily meant to connect treatment members 408 to carrier plate 406. Furthermore, device 402 is provided with support elements (not shown), which in this example are formed of a lower part and an upper part in analogy with the support elements shown in figures 6 and 7. Thus, upper part is formed by projections that extend from carrier plate 406 downwardly in direction z towards treatment members 408. Lower part in this example is formed by a receiving part which is configured to (movably) hold an end portion of the projection .

In use, device 402 is driven by motor 404, which drives drive shaft 410 to rotate around its axis. Drive shaft 410, by virtue of the connection with disc-shaped member 454, rotates disc shaped member 454. During rotation, receptor members 448, by virtue of being positioned in receptor groove 446, follow the trajectory of receptor groove 446, which in this example is an elliptical trajectory. As result, the rotational movement of disc-shaped member 454 is converted into a translational movement of treatment members 408, which in this case takes place in second direction y.

It is noted that the support elements as described in the application may also provide a guiding function and thus may also be referred to as guide elements or guiding elements. These terms are considered to be exchangeably within the scope of this application.

The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.