OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention may be included in the technical field of surface cleaning, in particular, in the field of stairway and floor cleaning.

More particularly, the object of the invention refers to mobile and automatized equipment for cleaning surfaces which permits cleaning stairways in a downward direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed towards a solution for cleaning stairways, since the current cleaning methods and mechanisms are subjected to manual operation and are effective but not efficient.

Patent No. US 8,337,625 B2 granted to Gehm discloses a system for cleaning escalators which is formed by a set of parallel bands using a cleaning material to gather dirt from a moving step. These bands are formed by a set of cleaning pads which are attached to a rotating brushes cleaning system.

Patent No. US 6,527,103 B2 granted to Neszmerak, discloses a system for cleaning escalators which allows waste to accumulate in a waste collecting plate.

Patent No. US 5,715,565 granted to Kern, discloses a system for cleaning escalators which is formed by a set of elements such as: a roller brush rotationally driven which is integrated in a casing; a device provided for addition of a cleaning solution; a suctioning device for removing dirt particles; and a brush moving in the escalator moving direction. The roll brush moves rotationally, as the cleaning solution is being added, so as to remove dirt residues in the area, whereas the suction device removes the exceeding dirt particles. The brush moving in the escalator direction finishes the cleaning process. Patent No. US 5,042,641 A granted to Soldat, discloses a machine for cleaning moving escalators, wherein this machine comprises: a set of grooves, cleaning the escalators as people walk on them; and a brush having bristles performing a counter-movement to that of the brush, which makes the surface be cleaned twice at practically all the step height.

Patent No. US 8,689,392 B2 granted to Kawamura, discloses a vacuum cleaner for cleaning dust and dirt in a given surface. This machine prevents dust form being dispersed during the vacuuming process, since the mechanisms disclosed prior to this invention, did not contemplate an improvement of this drawback.

Patent number US 7,979,959 B2 granted to Courtney, shows an accessory for a cleaning device which comprises a head, a suction opening downward oriented. The rotating mechanism provides a rotational movement between the head and the opening which allows cleaning the surface.

Patent number US 7,401 ,378 B2 granted to Hobbs, describes a vacuum machine having a vacuum pump mechanism for courtyards. The vacuum pump mechanism is adapted for any type of cleaning, such as it is the case of debris removal, which is achieved by adapting different attachments, depending on the type of cleaning or the courtyard area intended to be cleaned.

Patent number US 7,284,297 B2 granted to Shanor, discloses a support for the current mechanisms for cleaning floors.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention describes mobile and automatized equipment for surface cleaning, allowing cleaning both floors and stairways in a downward direction. It is adapted for cleaning surfaces of any material or coating, for example: metal, granite, tiles, clays, marble, concrete, etc., both for residential and commercial premises. The cleaning equipment of the invention provides an efficient solution for this type of cleaning process, since it does not depend on an operator and it also covers all the area of the steps of a stairway. It constitutes a first main objective of the present invention, mobile and automatized cleaning equipment which allows cleaning stairways comprising two cleaning bodies articulated to each other.

One of the cleaning bodies, referred to as first cleaning body, includes a steam device for surface steam cleaning and disinfection, as well as a set of multi-directional rotating brushes, with preferably plastic bristles, for removing dirt more easily, said brushes preferably being replaceable, wherein the number and characteristics thereof may depend on the surface to be cleaned. The other cleaning body, referred to as second cleaning body, comprises, similarly to the first cleaning body, a plurality of multidirectional wheels to make the movement thereof easier, as well as a mop for finishing the cleaning process, removing the dirt extracted from the surface by means of steam and/or brushes. The mop may constitute an attachment which is detachable for it to be cleaned after each use and/or replacement, at the end of the service life thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to perform an autonomous work by implementing, in any of the cleaning bodies, a computerized control unit which avoids requiring an operator during the whole cleaning cycle.

It is another object of the present invention that both cleaning bodies are articulated to each other, so as to allow articulated movement of both cleaning bodies with respect to each other and overcoming heights as the first cleaning body goes down each step, while performing the surface cleaning process; thereby, the cleaning bodies are preferably symmetrical and are connected by means of an articulated connection comprising, for example, a set of hinges and a lever system. Another object of the present invention is to allow previous programming for the cleaning equipment use, by means of the control unit.

It is another object of the present invention to send a notification for the user about the state of the cleaning process and completion thereof, by means of a wireless communication device, to a mobile device being carried by the user.

It is another object of the present invention to allow the multidirectional movement of the wheels by means of one or several motors being electrically actuated by means of a rechargeable battery.

Another object of the present invention is to control automatic movement through distance and contact sensors. For floor cleaning in horizontal flat surfaces, both plates are aligned in order to carry out the cleaning processes horizontally, after programming the system in advance, the attachments being replaceable depending on the floor material. This device would make stairways cleaning easier in big skyscrapers and in smaller buildings, being also ideal for it to be used in business premises, shopping centres, parks and pavements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To implement the present description being made and in order to provide a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as part of this description, with an illustrative but not limitative purpose, which represents the following:

Figure 1.- It shows a side plan view of the cleaning equipment according to the present invention in a horizontal arrangement.

Figure 2.- It shows a side view of the cleaning equipment from Figure 1 , being in an articulated arrangement, wherein the first cleaning body is performing the cleaning vertically, and the second cleaning body is acting horizontally. Figure 3.- It shows a side view of the cleaning equipment from figures 1 and 2, being in an articulated arrangement, wherein the first cleaning body is cleaning horizontally and the second cleaning body is standing by until it may continue with the cleaning operation thereof.

Figure 4.- It shows a side view of the cleaning equipment from figures 1-3, being in an articulated arrangement, wherein the first cleaning body is cleaning horizontally and the second cleaning body is cleaning vertically.

Figure 5.- It shows a front view of the first cleaning body.

Figure 6.- It shows a bottom view of the cleaning equipment from figures 1-5. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The following is a detailed description, with the help of figures 1-6 referred above, of an exemplary preferred embodiment of mobile and automatized equipment for surface cleaning according to the present invention.

The cleaning equipment of the invention, as it is shown in figure 1 , comprises two cleaning bodies (11 , 12), which in the preferred example represented in the figures have the shape of flat plates. The cleaning bodies (11 , 12), comprise wheels (4) for displacement thereof. As a preferred example, four wheels (4) have been represented for each of the cleaning bodies (11 , 12). The wheels (4) feature multidirectional rotation so as to provide the cleaning bodies (11 , 12) with higher movement versatility. The cleaning bodies (11 , 12) are adjacently communicated by means of an articulated connection (7), so as to allow cleaning the stairway in a downward direction. Of the two cleaning bodies (11 , 12), i.e. a first cleaning body (1 1), includes a deposit (15) intended to contain water therein, and heating means (16), such as resistances or the like for heating the water in the deposit (15) to steam, such that said steam is expelled through atomizers (5) located at the bottom side of the first cleaning body (11), as it can be seen in figure 5. Additionally, the first cleaning body (11) comprises, also at the bottom side thereof, see figure 6, rotating brushes (6), which preferably feature multidirectional rotation, for cleaning difficult surfaces. The rotating brushes (6) are retractable, such that when they are not in use they can be displaced to be accommodated in a hidden position (3), such that cleaning would only be performed with vaporized water.

On the other hand, the cleaning bodies (11 , 12) comprise side contact and distance sensors (1) on lateral sides, so as to know when they are in the limit of the surface intended to be cleaned, and to control movement of the cleaning bodies (11 , 12). Similarly, the second cleaning body (12) comprises at the bottom side thereof a mop (8) for removing the dirt extracted with the brushes (6) and water steam (5).

Both cleaning bodies (11 , 12) include stoppers (2) so as to avoid interference or incorrect location between the cleaning bodies (11 , 12) with respect to each other. One of the cleaning bodies (11 , 12), with the second cleaning body (12) being represented in the figures, carries a rechargeable battery (9) for power supply of the cleaning equipment.

The cleaning equipment of the invention, for control over the operation thereof, further comprises a computerized control unit (10), located in any of the cleaning bodies (11 , 12).

As it has been indicated above, the two cleaning bodies (11 , 12) are articulated by means of an articulated connection (7), allowing the equipment of the invention to be adapted to perform the stairway cleaning in a downward direction, which is explained below with the help of figures 2, 3 and 4 illustrating a sequence for cleaning a step. In particular, figure 2 shows the cleaning equipment in a position wherein the first cleaning body (11) is cleaning vertically and the second cleaning body (12) is cleaning horizontally. Figure 3 illustrates a position wherein the first cleaning body (11) is cleaning horizontally and the second cleaning body (12) is standing by until it may continue with the cleaning operation in vertical direction. Finally, figure 4 shows how the first cleaning body (1 1) is cleaning horizontally and the second cleaning body (12) is cleaning vertically. The articulated connection (7) allows the two cleaning bodies (11 , 12) being articulated to each other, as each one of them goes down the step. The articulated connection (7) may preferably comprise hinges and levers, as it is shown in the figures.

The control unit (10) comprises a programming module so as to allow programming a cleaning programme in advance, for example, start time, or whether or not to use the brushes (6), etc.

The cleaning equipment additionally comprises, in any of the cleaning bodies (11 , 12), a wireless communication device (13), in order to send to a mobile device being carried by the user, a notification about the state of the cleaning process and completion thereof.

The cleaning equipment also comprises motors (14) for providing multidirectional movement to the wheels (4). A rechargeable battery (9), mentioned above, supplies power both to the motors (14) and to other devices requiring power supply. It is also contemplated that distance and contact sensors may be provided so as to control movement of the cleaning bodies (11 , 12).