Floor scrubbing machine

Abstract

A floor scrubbing machine for household use includes a box-like base structure that can move on a floor to be cleaned and accommodates at least one nozzle for dispensing a washing liquid and at least one rotating brush. The machine further includes at least one squeegee, arranged to the rear of the brush along a forward travel direction of the machine, and at least one intake, which cooperates with the squeegee for drying the floor. A rod-like handle is connected to the box-like base structure and can be tilted with respect to the floor in order to move the box-like base structure on the floor. The handle is connected to the box-like base structure by way of articulation elements adapted to transmit to the box-like base structure a rotation about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the floor following a rotation imparted to the handle about its own axis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A floor scrubbing machine for household use, comprising a box-like base structure that can move on a floor to be cleaned and accommodates at least one nozzle for dispensing a washing liquid and at least one rotating brush, there being at least one squeegee, arranged to the rear of said at least one brush along a forward travel direction of the machine, and at least one intake that cooperates with said squeegee to dry the floor, a rod-like handle being connected to said box-like base structure and being tiltable with respect to the floor in order to move said box-like base structure on the floor, wherein said handle is connected to said box-like base structure by way of articulation means adapted to transmit to said box-like base structure a rotation about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the floor following a rotation imparted to said handle about its own axis. 
     
     
         2 . The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said articulation means comprise a universal joint that defines at least two rotation axes that are substantially perpendicular to each other and are not mutually incident. 
     
     
         3 . The machine according to  claim 2 , wherein said universal joint defines a first rotation axis, which is substantially parallel to the floor and substantially transverse to a direction of motion of the machine, and a second rotation axis, which is substantially perpendicular and spaced with respect to said first rotation axis. 
     
     
         4 . The machine according to  claim 3 , wherein said universal joint has first removable locking means for the removable locking of said handle with respect to said box-like base structure, about said first rotation axis and said second rotation axis, at least in a first position, in which said handle is arranged so that its axis is substantially perpendicular to the floor. 
     
     
         5 . The machine according to  claim 4 , wherein said universal joint comprises second means for the removable locking of said handle with respect to said box-like base structure, at least about said first rotation axis, at least in a second position, in which said handle is arranged so that its axis is substantially parallel to the floor. 
     
     
         6 . The machine according to  claim 5 , wherein said universal joint comprises at least one first body, which is coupled rotatably, about said first rotation axis, to said box-like base structure, and at least one second body, which is coupled rotatably, about said second rotation axis, to said first body and is associated with said handle. 
     
     
         7 . The machine according to  claim 4 , wherein said first locking means comprise a tab that protrudes from said second body substantially parallel to the axis of said handle and can be engaged removably in a locking seat, with said handle arranged so that its axis is substantially perpendicular to the floor. 
     
     
         8 . The machine according to  claim 7 , wherein said locking seat is defined on an abutment body that is mounted on said box-like base structure by way of the interposition of elastic pusher means. 
     
     
         9 . The machine according to  claim 6 , wherein said first body is provided laterally with a pair of rotation pivots that define said first rotation axis and engage rotatably in respective rotation seats defined in said box-like base structure. 
     
     
         10 . The machine according to  claim 9 , wherein said second locking means comprise, at at least one of said rotation pivots, a respective retention tooth adapted to engage removably a corresponding retention seat that is defined in said abutment body, with said handle arranged so that its axis is substantially parallel to the floor.