Device and method for coupling a cleaning implement to a floor cleaning machine

Abstract

A device for coupling a cleaning implement to a floor cleaning machine. The coupling device includes a channel to slidably receive a portion of the cleaning implement to install and remove the cleaning implement, and one of a projection and a recess to releasably couple with the other of a recess and a projection on the cleaning implement when the portion of the cleaning implement is received within the channel. The portion of the cleaning implement is slidable within the channel free of engagement between the projection and the recess, and the cleaning implement is slidable to and from a position along the channel in which the projection and the recess are substantially aligned with one another. The cleaning implement is further movable while in the position to and from a state in which the projection and the recess are engaged with each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for coupling a cleaning implement to a floor cleaning machine, the device comprising:
 a channel to slidably receive a portion of the cleaning implement to install and remove the cleaning implement; and   one of a projection and a recess to releasably couple with the other of a recess and a projection on the cleaning implement when the portion of the cleaning implement is received within the channel,   wherein the portion of the cleaning implement is slidable within the channel free of engagement between the projection and the recess,   wherein the cleaning implement is slidable to and from a position along the channel in which the projection and the recess are substantially aligned with one another, and   wherein the cleaning implement is further movable while in the position to and from a state in which the projection and the recess are engaged with each other.   
     
     
         2 . The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein the channel is one of a pair of channels positioned to receive opposite edges of the portion of the cleaning implement. 
     
     
         3 . The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein the channel has a retainer that is movable to permit insertion and resist removal of the portion of the cleaning implement relative the channel. 
     
     
         4 . The coupling device of  claim 3 , wherein the retainer includes an elastically deformable lever engageable with the portion of the cleaning implement to inhibit removal of the portion from the channel. 
     
     
         5 . The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein the projection is engaged with the recess in response to engagement between the cleaning implement and a surface to be cleaned. 
     
     
         6 . A method of installing a cleaning implement on a floor cleaning machine including a coupling device having one of a projection and a recess engageable with the other of a projection and a recess on the cleaning implement, the method comprising:
 inserting a portion of the cleaning implement into a body of the coupling device without interference between the projection and the recess; and   aligning the projection and the recess for engagement with each other upon full insertion of the portion into the body.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising sliding a bottom edge of the portion of the cleaning implement along an upper surface of a channel defined by the coupling device during insertion of the portion into the body. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising
 engaging a retainer with an end of the portion of the cleaning implement; and   resisting removal of the portion of the cleaning implement from the coupling device after the portion is fully inserted into the coupling device using the retainer.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising
 engaging the projection with the recess in response to engagement of the cleaning implement with a surface to be cleaned; and   preventing movement of the cleaning implement relative to the coupling device.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising
 applying a force to the retainer; and   permitting removal of the portion of the cleaning implement from the coupling device.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising
 inserting the portion of the cleaning implement into the coupling device by pushing the portion; and   removing the portion from the coupling device by pulling the portion.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the inserting step includes moving the retainer from a first position to a second position, and wherein the resisting removal step includes biasing the retainer to the first position, the method further comprising
 moving the retainer from the first position to the second position; and   removing the portion of the cleaning implement from the coupling device in response to movement of the retainer to the second position.   
     
     
         13 . A floor cleaning machine comprising:
 a frame;   an actuator coupled to the frame;   a coupling device coupled to the actuator and including a channel and one of a projection and a recess; and   a cleaning implement including a first surface adapted to contact a floor surface and the other of a projection and a recess to releasably couple the cleaning implement to the coupling device when the first surface is in contact with the floor surface,   wherein a portion of the cleaning implement is slidably engaged with and movable along the channel free from interference between the projection and the recess to install the cleaning implement on the coupling device, and   wherein the projection and the recess are aligned and engageable with each other in a sliding position of the portion of the cleaning implement in the channel.   
     
     
         14 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 13 , wherein the channel has an upward facing surface, and wherein the portion of the cleaning implement has a cantilevered edge engaged with the upward facing surface. 
     
     
         15 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 14 , wherein the coupling device further includes a plate having first edge defining the channel and a second edge opposite the first edge, and wherein the cantilevered edge is vertically movable within the channel. 
     
     
         16 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 13 , wherein the channel is one of a pair of channels positioned to receive opposite cantilevered edges of the portion of the cleaning implement. 
     
     
         17 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 13 , wherein the channel has a retainer that is movable to permit insertion and resist removal of the portion of the cleaning implement relative to the channel. 
     
     
         18 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 17 , wherein the retainer includes an elastically deformable lever engageable with the portion of the cleaning implement to inhibit removal of the portion from the channel. 
     
     
         19 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 13 , wherein the projection is engaged with the recess in response to engagement between the cleaning implement and the floor surface. 
     
     
         20 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 13 , wherein the coupling device includes an elastic retainer positioned adjacent a first end of the channel, and wherein the portion of the cleaning implement includes a cantilevered edge and is fully engaged within the channel when the cantilevered edge clears the elastic retainer. 
     
     
         21 . A device for coupling a cleaning implement to a floor cleaning machine, the device comprising:
 at least one channel by which the cleaning implement is both engaged to the floor cleaning machine and is slidable with respect to the floor cleaning machine, the cleaning implement also being slidably installed on and removed from the floor cleaning machine by the channel; and   at least one projection and recess on the cleaning implement that is movable into and out of a position with respect to another of the recess and projection on the floor cleaning machine by sliding motion of the cleaning implement via the channel,   wherein the cleaning implement is movable to releasably engage the at least one recess and projection while the cleaning implement is in the position, and   wherein the cleaning implement is slidable without interference between the at least one projection and recess when the cleaning implement is in the position while the at least one recess and projection are disengaged from one another.