DK179322B1

DK179322B1 - Cleaning Device

Info

Publication number: DK179322B1
Application number: DKPA201600425A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Thomas Tidemann Larsen; Rune Højbjerg Dalgaard
Original assignee: Oog Company Ivs
Priority date: 2016-07-15
Filing date: 2016-07-15
Publication date: 2018-04-30
Also published as: EP3496979A1; DK201600425A1; WO2018010750A1

Abstract

A cleaning device for cleaning the wheels (or tires) of a wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The cleaning device comprises a pair of rotatably mounted roller members arranged and configured to support or be brought into engagement with at least one wheel of the wheeled vehicle, one or more rotatably mounted cleaning brushes positioned between the roller members, engaging means arranged and configured to rotate the roller members and the at least one cleaning brush in such a manner that the roller members and the adjacent cleaning brush rotate in opposite directions. The cleaning device is configured to rotate the cleaning brush(es) by rotating the roller members supporting the at least one wheel of the wheeled vehicle.

Description

<¹θ> DANMARK (10)

<¹²> PATENTSKRIFT

Patent- og

Varemærkestyrelsen (51) lnt.CI.: B 60 S 1/68(2006.01) A 61 G 5/10(2006.01) B 60 S 3/04(2006.01) (21) Ansøgningsnummer: PA 2016 00425 (22) Indleveringsdato: 2016-07-15 (24) Løbedag: 2016-07-15 (41) Aim. tilgængelig: 2018-01-18 (45) Patentets meddelelse bkg. den: 2018-04-30 (73) Patenthaver: OOG Company IVS, Fælledvej 17, 7600 Struer, Danmark (72) Opfinder: Thomas Tidemann Larsen, Ringparken 63, s.th., 7500 Holstebro, Danmark Rune Højbjerg Dalgaard, Fredericiagade 15, 7500 Holstebro, Danmark (74) Fuldmægtig: TROPA ApS, Ågade 97,1., 8370 Hadsten, Danmark (54) Benævnelse: Cleaning Device (56) Fremdragne publikationer:

US 2005015902 A1 JP 2013177110 A JP 2001122086 A US 5860180 A DE 29712085 U1 (57) Sammendrag:

Fortsættes ...

Fig. 2B

Fig. 2D

Cleaning Device

Field of invention

The present invention generally relates to a tire or wheel cleaning device for a wheeled vehicle. The present invention more particularly relates to a manually operated tire or wheel cleaning device for a wheelchair.

Prior art

Wheelchairs are typically used by handicapped people without the ability to walk unassisted. As wheelchairs are used both inside and outside buildings, maintaining the cleanliness of the wheels or tires of wheelchairs is of great importance when the wheelchair operator enters a building from the outside. If the tires/wheels are dirty, they must be cleaned to prevent soiling of the carpeting and floors within the building. For removing dirt and in particular large-size soiling, brushes or cleaning cloths can be used to clean the wheels/tires manually. However, this kind of cleaning action is time-consuming and difficult or in some cases impossible to carry out for the handicapped person driving the wheelchair.

Several machines for cleaning and washing the wheels of wheelchairs have been proposed. Some of these machines comprise two pairs of rollers and a variety of cleaning brush-like devices. The prior art tire/wheel cleaning machines, however, either require help from an assistant or are complicated and expensive.

From US 2005/0015902 Al, a tire-cleaning device suited for e.g. a wheelchair is known. The device includes a pair of rotatably-mounted rollers positioned to support at least one wheel of the wheelchair. A rotatably-mounted cleaning brush is positioned between the rollers. The rollers are activated in a direction opposite to the brush so that the rollDK 179322 B1 ers and brush rotate in opposite directions, whereby the brush rotates in a direction opposite to the tire of the rotating wheel of the wheelchair.

A cleaning fluid is drawn to the tire of the wheelchair by the rotating brush. However, this may cause dirt and cleaning fluid to spread on the surroundings, which may be unwanted under several circumstances.

From JP 2010 177110 A, a wheel cleaning device suited for a wheelchair is known. The cleaning device is suited for cleaning both the front wheels and the rear wheels. The cleaning device includes a bucket body for storing cleaning liquid, a motor roller installed inside the bocket body, and a brushing roller installed inside the bucket body spaced apart from the motor roller and driven rotationally inversely to the motor roller. The upper ends of the motor roller and a first support roller are located higher than the upper end of a roller shaft of the brushing roller, and the upper end of a second support roller is located higher than the upper end of the first support roller. The rear wheels of the wheelchair are supported by the motor roller and the second support roller, and the front wheels of the wheelchair are supported by the motor roller and the first support roller. However, the device is complicated to operate for the wheelchair user, and thus outside help may be needed.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a simple cleaning device capable of cleaning the tires/wheels of wheelchairs in a fast manner without outside help.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention can be achieved by a cleaning device as defined in claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent sub claims, explained in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The cleaning device according to the invention is a cleaning device for cleaning the wheels of a wheeled vehicle, wherein the cleaning device comprises:

a pair of rotatably mounted roller members arranged and configured to support or be brought into engagement with at least one wheel of the wheeled vehicle;

one or more rotatably mounted cleaning brushes positioned between the roller members; engaging means arranged and configured to rotate the roller members and the at least one cleaning brush in such a manner that the roller members and the adjacent cleaning brush rotate in opposite directions, wherein the cleaning device is configured to rotate the cleaning brush(es) by rotating the roller members supporting the at least one wheel of the wheeled vehicle, and wherein the cleaning device comprises one or more receiving grooves configured to receive a portion of the wheels to be cleaned, wherein the cleaning brushes are arranged in an inner space of the cleaning device, wherein the inner space is closed when the wheel(s) is received by the receiving grooves.

Hereby, it is possible to provide a simple and cheap cleaning device capable of cleaning the tires/wheels of wheelchairs in a fast manner without outside help.

The cleaning device is a cleaning device for cleaning the wheels of a wheeled vehicle such as a wheelchair, a scooter or a bicycle. By the term wheels is meant the wheels and/or tires of the vehicle.

The pair of rotatably mounted roller members may have any suitable size and configuration. It may, however, be beneficial to apply cylindrical roller members. The roller members are arranged and configured to support or be brought into engagement with at least one wheel of the wheeled vehicle. In one embodiment according to the invention, the roller members are configured to support one or more wheels arranged on (and thus resting on) the roller members. In another embodiment according to the invention, the roller members are configured to be arranged in one configuration in which the roller members do not engage the wheel and in another configuration in which the roller members engage the wheels.

The cleaning device comprises one or more rotatably mounted cleaning brushes positioned between the roller members. The cleaning brushes may have any suitable shape and size. It may be an advantage that the cleaning brushes are basically cylindrical or comprise a basically cylindrical portion.

The cleaning device comprises engaging means arranged and configured to rotate the roller members and the at least one cleaning brush in such a manner that the roller members and the adjacent cleaning brush rotate in opposite directions. The engaging means may have any suitable shape and size. In one embodiment according to the invention, the engaging means are formed as engaging gears provided with engaging teeth.

The cleaning device is configured to rotate the cleaning brush(es) by rotating the roller members supporting the at least one wheel of the wheeled vehicle. Hereby, the user of the vehicle can clean the wheels simply by arranging the wheels(s) in the cleaning device and rotating the wheels.

It may be an advantage that the cleaning device is configured to rotate the cleaning brush(es) merely by rotating the roller members supporting the at least one wheel of the wheeled vehicle.

The invention makes it possible to provide a manually operated cleaning device that does not require an external power source such as a battery, or an electrical connection to the mains.

The cleaning device comprises one or more receiving grooves configured to receive a portion of the wheels to be cleaned, wherein the cleaning brushes are arranged in an inner space of the cleaning device, wherein the inner space is closed when the wheel(s) is received by the receiving grooves.

Hereby, it is possible to provide a cleaning device that does not spread dirt from the wheels to the surroundings. The dirt can be kept inside the inner space of the cleaning device.

The inner space may be closed by means of a closing structure comprising horizontally arranged structures such as hair of bristle structures closing the opening of the receiving grooves.

It may be advantageous that the cleaning device comprises a first cleaning apparatus and a second cleaning apparatus moveably attached to each other.

Hereby, the first cleaning apparatus and the second cleaning apparatus may be used to clean a wheeled vehicle comprising two rear wheels. Such vehicle may be a wheelchair.

It may be an advantage that the first cleaning apparatus and the second cleaning apparatus are slidably attached to each other in order to allow the distance between the first cleaning apparatus to be changed.

Hereby, the cleaning device may be adjusted to clean wheelchairs of different sizes (distance between the rear wheels).

It may be an advantage that the first cleaning apparatus comprises a ramp provided with a recess for guiding a wheel into a receiving groove provided in the upper surface of a box portion provided in extension of the ramp.

Hereby, a vehicle can drive directly into the receiving grooves while being assisted by the guiding recess provided in the ramp.

It may be beneficial that the cleaning device comprises an adjustment member having a first threaded part inserted (or configured to be inserted) into a corresponding second threaded part provided with a through-going threaded bore, wherein the second threaded part is attached to the cleaning apparatus.

Hereby, a robust and user-friendly adjustment system can be provided.

It may be an advantage that the first threaded part is a threaded rod and that the second threaded part is a threaded receiving member attached to the cleaning apparatus.

The threaded receiving member may be provided with a centrally arranged through-going threaded bore. The threaded rod may extend through a plate, such as a washer. The threaded rod may be provided with a bolt or another engaging member configured to be rotated by means of a tool.

It may be an advantage that the bolt or the other engaging member is arranged outside the housing of the cleaning apparatus. Accordingly, the bolt or the other engaging member can be rotated by means of a tool such as a socket spanner or an adjustable spanner.

It may be an advantage that the cleaning device comprises one or more ramps provided with a guiding recess configured to guide the wheel(s) into the one or more receiving grooves.

Hereby, the insertion of the wheels into the receiving grooves is eased.

It may be beneficial that the cleaning device comprises one or more receiving structures provided with a recess, wherein the cleaning device comprises one or more male parts slidably mounted in the recesses of the receiving structures.

The male parts engaging the receiving structures make it possible to control the displacement of the first cleaning apparatus relative to the second cleaning apparatus and make sure that the first cleaning apparatus and the second cleaning apparatus remain parallel to each other during the displacement.

It may be advantageous that the cleaning brush(es) comprise one or more cleaning structures.

Hereby, it is possible to facilitate an effective cleaning of the wheels.

It may be an advantage that the cleaning structure is shaped to fit the shape of a wheel/tire of the wheeled vehicle.

It may be an advantage that the cleaning device comprises one or more stop members arranged and configured to prevent the wheeled vehicle from moving when arranged in the cleaning device.

Hereby, it is possible to clean the wheels of a wheelchair arranged on the cleaning device by the wheelchair user sitting in the wheelchair without introducing the risk of driving forward or backwards.

It may be beneficial that the cleaning device comprises a mechanical connection configured to bring the stop member into a) a locked position in which the wheelchair cannot drive forward or backwards and b) a unlocked position in which the wheelchair can drive forward or backwards in order to leave the cleaning device.

It may be an advantage that the cleaning device comprises one or more stop members arranged and configured to prevent the wheeled vehicle from moving when received by the receiving grooves.

It may be beneficial that the stop member comprises an attachment arm attached to the rear end ofthe cleaning device and a contact roller rotatably mounted to a bearing attached to the attachment arm, wherein the stop member enables rotation of the rear wheels while the rear wheels are arranged in the receiving grooves.

It may be an advantage that the cleaning device comprises a drawer slidably arranged in the cleaning device. Hereby, it is possible to collect the dirt from the cleaned wheels and remove the dirt in an easy manner.

It may be advantageous that the cleaning device comprises a drawer slidably arranged in the box member ofthe cleaning device.

It may be an advantage that the cleaning device comprises two brushes arranged between two roller members.

In one embodiment according to the invention, the cleaning device is movably attachable to the wheelchair.

Hereby, the wheels of a wheelchair can be cleaned by means of the cleaning device mounted to the wheelchair.

It may be an advantage that the wheelchair comprises a handle mechanically connected to the cleaning device mounted to the wheelchair. Hereby, the handle can be used to bring the cleaning device into engagement with the wheels of the wheelchair and to bring the cleaning device out of engagement with the wheels of the wheelchair.

The rotatably mounted cleaning brushes may be positioned between the roller members, wherein the roller members and cleaning brushes are connected by a series of gears to enable the cleaning brushes to rotate in a direction opposite to that of the roller members.

Description of the Drawings

The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below. The accompanying drawings are given by way of illustration only, and thus, they are not limitative of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1A shows a schematic, perspective, side view of a cleaning device according to one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. IB shows a schematic, side view of a wheelchair arranged in a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 1C shows a schematic, side view of a wheelchair arranged in a cleaning device according to another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2A shows a schematic, side view of a wheelchair arranged in a cleaning device arranged close to a wall;

Fig. 2B shows a cleaning brush engaging with a roller member of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2C shows a schematic, cross-sectional view of a cleaning brush of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2D shows a wheel arranged in a cleaning apparatus of the cleaning brush shown in Fig. 2C;

Fig. 3A shows a locking member arranged in a non-locking configuration between a roller member and an adjacent brush of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3B shows a locking member arranged in a locking configuration between the roller member and the adjacent brush shown in Fig. 3A;

Fig. 3C shows a schematic, perspective side view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3D shows a close-up view of a closing structure of the cleaning device shown in Fig. 3C;

Fig. 4A shows a schematic, perspective, side view of a wheelchair provided with a cleaning device according to the invention, in a configuration in which the cleaning device has been brought into engagement with the wheels;

Fig. 4B shows a schematic, perspective, side view of the wheelchair shown in Fig. 4A, in a configuration in which the cleaning device has not been brought into engagement with the wheels;

Fig. 5A shows a schematic, top view of a cleaning device according to one embodiment of the invention in a first configuration;

Fig. 5B shows a schematic, top view of the cleaning device shown in Fig. 5A in a second configuration;

Fig. 5C shows another schematic, top view of the cleaning device shown in Fig. 5A in the first configuration;

Fig. 5D shows another schematic, top view of the cleaning device shown in Fig. 5B in the second configuration;

Fig. 6A shows a schematic, perspective, side view of a cleaning device according to one embodiment of the invention with an open drawer and

Fig. 6B shows a schematic, perspective, side view of the cleaning device shown in Fig. 6A with a closed drawer.

Detailed description of the invention

Referring now in detail to the drawings for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention, a cleaning device according to one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1A.

Fig. 1A illustrates a schematic, perspective, side view of a cleaning device 2 according to one embodiment of the invention. The cleaning device 2 comprises a first cleaning apparatus 5 and a second cleaning apparatus 5' attached to each other. The first cleaning apparatus 5 comprises a ramp 6 provided with a recess 8 for guiding a wheel 18 into a receiving groove 10 provided in the upper surface 16 of a box portion 12 provided in extension of the ramp 6.

The second cleaning apparatus 5' is a reversed version of the first cleaning apparatus 5. The second cleaning device 5' comprises a ramp 6' having a guiding recess 8' for guiding a wheel 18' into a receiving groove 10' in the upper surface 16' of a box portion 12' provided in extension of the ramp 6'.

The first cleaning apparatus 5 and the second cleaning apparatus 5' are joined along a joint structure 14 extending along the entire length of the cleaning apparatuses 5, 5'. The length, l_2 of the box portion 12 of the cleaning apparatus 5 is larger than the length Li of the ramp 6 of the cleaning apparatus 5. The width Wi and the height Di of the cleaning device 2 are also indicated.

It may be an advantage that the inclination (indicated by the angle a) of the ramps 6, 6' does not exceed a predefined value such as 15 degrees, 10 digress or 8 degrees in order to enable a wheelchair to climb the ramps 6, 6'.

The receiving grooves 10, 10' of the cleaning device 2 have received two wheels 18, 18'. The two wheels 18, 18' may be the wheels 18, 18' of a wheelchair. In order to allow the wheels of different wheelchair sizes to enter the receiving grooves 10, 10' of the cleaning device 2, it may be an advantage that the first cleaning apparatus 5 and the second cleaning apparatus 5' are slidably attached to each other in order to allow the distance between first cleaning apparatus 5 to be changed.

Fig. IB shows a schematic, side view of a wheelchair 20 arranged in a floor mounted cleaning device 2 according to an embodiment of the invention. The cleaning device 2 is arranged on a floor 30. The rear wheels 18 of the wheelchair 20 have been received by receiving grooves provided in the box portion 12 of the cleaning device 2.

The cleaning device 2 comprises a stop member 22 arranged and configured to prevent the wheelchair 20 from moving further backwards when received by the receiving grooves. The stop member 22 comprises an attachment arm 26 attached to the rear end of the cleaning device 2 and a contact roller 24 rotatably mounted to a bearing 28 attached to the attachment arm 26. The stop member 22 enables rotation of the rear wheels 18 while the rear wheels 18 are arranged in the receiving grooves.

Fig. 1C illustrates a schematic side view of a wheelchair 20 arranged in a cleaning device 2 according to another embodiment of the invention arranged on a floor 30. The cleaning device 2 comprises a first ramp 6 extending as a right-sided structure in extension of the box portion 12 of the cleaning device 2. The cleaning device 2 also comprises a second ramp 7 extending as a left-sided structure in extension of the box portion 12 of the cleaning device 2. The rear wheels 18 of the wheelchair 20 are arranged in receiving grooves provided in the box portion 12.

Fig. 2A illustrates a schematic, side view of a wheelchair 20 arranged in a cleaning device 2 according to the invention arranged in a close distance D2 to a wall 32. The cleaning device 2 is arranged on a floor 30 and comprises a first rotatably mounted brush 36 and a second rotatably mounted brush 36' configured to clean the wheel 18 of the wheelchair 20. The side structure of the cleaning device 2 has been removed in order to see the inside structure of the box portion 12.

The cleaning device 2 comprises a first rotatably mounted roller member 34 engaging the first rotatably mounted brush 36 and a second rotatably mounted roller member 34' engaging the second rotatably mounted brush 36'. Hereby, the rotatably mounted roller members 34, 34' causes the rotatably mounted brushes 36, 36' to rotate when the wheel 18 is rotated in order to rotate the rotatably mounted roller members 34, 34'.

Accordingly, the cleaning device is manually driven and the wheelchair user can clean the wheels 18 simply by arranging the wheels 18 in the receiving groove of the cleaning device 2 and rotating the wheels 18.

Fig. 2B illustrates a cleaning brush 36 engaging with a roller member 34 of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the invention. The roller member 34 is cylindrical and has a slightly larger diameter than the cylindrical portion of the cleaning brush 36. The cleaning brush 36 has a cylindrical shape, however, a cleaning structure 42 formed as an indentation/recess is provided in the cleaning brush 36. The cleaning structure 42 is configured to facilitate the cleaning operation of a wheel arranged in the cleaning structure 42 (see Fig. 2D).

A shaft 38 connects the cleaning brush 36 and a first gear engaging a second gear 40' that is mechanically connected to the roller member 34 through a second shaft 38'. The shafts 38, 38' extend parallel to each other and the cleaning brush 36 will rotate upon rotation of the roller member 34. Accordingly, the cleaning device is manually driven and is operated by rotating the wheel engaging roller member 34, which will cause the cleaning brush 36 to rotate and hereby clean the rotating wheel arranged in the cleaning structure 42 as shown in Fig. 2D.

Fig. 2C illustrates a schematic, cross-sectional view of a cleaning brush 36 of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the invention. The cleaning brush 36 comprises a plurality of radially extending hairs 44. Alternatively, the cleaning brush 36 may comprise a plurality of radially extending bristles. It can be seen that a U-shaped cleaning structure 42 fitting the outer geometry of a wheel is provided in the cleaning brush 36.

As it can be seen in Fig. 2D illustrating a wheel 18 arranged in the cleaning structure of the cleaning brush 36 shown in Fig. 2C, the Ushaped cleaning structure fits the outer geometry of the wheel 18 arranged in the cleaning structure of the cleaning brush 36.

Fig. 3A illustrates a moveably arranged locking member 45 arranged in a non-locking configuration between a roller member 34 and an adjacent cleaning brush 36 of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the invention. The locking member 45 is basically wedge-shaped and comprises a pointed portion fitting the shape of the adjacent portions of the roller member 34 and the cleaning brush 36.

When the roller member 34 is rotated clockwise as illustrated by the rotational direction arrow 46', the cleaning brush 36 rotates in the opposite direction (anticlockwise) as indicated by the rotational direction arrow 46, because the roller member 34 and the cleaning brush 36 engage (e.g. by means of gears as illustrated in Fig. 2B)

Fig. 3B illustrates the locking member 45 shown in Fig. 3A arranged in a locking configuration between the roller member 34 and the adjacent brush 36 shown in Fig. 3A. The shape of the locking member 45 fits the shape of the adjacent portions of the roller member 34 and the cleaning brush 36. Accordingly, the locking member 45 prevents rotation of the roller member 34. This means that the locking member 45 can be used to prevent the wheelchair wheels from driving rotating structures 34, 36 in a non-desired direction. Therefore, the cleaning device 2 can be locked by means of the locking member 45.

In Fig. 3B, the roller member 34 is rotated anticlockwise as illustrated by the rotational direction arrow 46'. The cleaning brush 36, however, rotates in the opposite direction (clockwise) as indicated by the rotational direction arrow 46, because the roller member 34 and the cleaning brush 36 engage each other.

Fig. 3C illustrates a schematic, perspective side view of a cleaning device 2 according to an embodiment of the invention. The cleaning device 2 comprises two ramps each provided with a guiding recess 8, 8' connected to receiving grooves provided in the upper surface of two adjacent box portions. Wheels 18, 18' are arranged in the receiving grooves provided with closing structures 48, 48' surrounding the wheels

18, 18'. A drawer 50 having a knob 52 for opening the drawer 50 is slidably mounted in the box portion of the cleaning device 2. The drawer 50 is configured to collect the dirt from the wheels 18, 18' during the cleaning operation. The closing structures 48, 48' prevent dirt from leaving the receiving grooves. Accordingly, the closing structures 48, 48' keep the outside area surrounding the cleaning device 2 clean.

Fig. 3D illustrates a close-up view of a closing structure 48 of the cleaning device shown in Fig. 3C. The closing structure 48 comprises a first row of hair structure 49 or bristle structure and a second row of hair structure 49' or bristle structure. The rows of hair structure 49, 49' or bristle structure extend horizontally perpendicular to the length of the receiving groove. The row of hair structures 49, 49' or bristle structures constitutes a horizontal closing layer 48.

Fig. 4A illustrates a schematic, perspective, side view of a wheelchair 20 provided with a cleaning device 54 according to the invention, in a configuration in which the cleaning device 54 has been brought into engagement with the wheels 18 of the wheelchair 20. Fig. 4B illustrates a schematic, perspective, side view of the wheelchair 20 shown in Fig. 4A, in a configuration in which the cleaning device 54 has been brought out of engagement with the wheels 18.

The cleaning device 54 comprises a housing in which two cleaning brushes 36, 36' are rotatably mounted to the housing. The cleaning brushes 36, 36' engage corresponding roller members 34, 34', respectively. The cleaning brushes 36, 36' are arranged and configured to clean the wheel 18 upon rotation of the roller members 34, 34' engaging the wheels 18. The cleaning device 54 is attached to the wheelchair 56 by means of a mounting member formed as an L-shaped pipe mechanically connected to a handle 58. In Fig. 4A, it can be seen that when the handle 58 is moved in the forward direction indicated by the arrow, the cleaning device 54 is brought into engagement with the wheel 18 ofthe wheelchair 20. Likewise, in Fig. 4B, it can be seen that when the handle 58 is moved in a backward direction indicated by the arrow, the cleaning device 54 is brought out of engagement with the wheel 18 ofthe wheelchair 20.

Hereby, the wheels 18 of wheelchair 20 can be cleaned by means of the cleaning device 54 and the handle 58.

Fig. 5A illustrates a schematic, top view of a floor mounted cleaning device 4 according to one embodiment of the invention in a first configuration. Fig. 5B illustrates a schematic, top view ofthe cleaning device 4 shown in Fig. 5A in a second configuration.

The cleaning device 4 comprises a first cleaning apparatus 5 and a second cleaning apparatus 5' slidably attached to each other. In the first configuration (illustrated in Fig. 5A) the width W2 ofthe cleaning device 4 is larger than the width Wi of the cleaning device 4 in the configuration shown in Fig. 5B. Each cleaning apparatus 5 ofthe cleaning device 4 comprises a ramp 6, 6' connected to a box portion provided with an upper surface 16, 16'. A wheel 18, 18' is received by a receiving groove 10, 10' in each box portion. The wheels 18, 18' may be guided into the receiving grooves 10, 10' through the guiding recesses 8, 8' provided in the ramps 6, 6'.

Fig. 5C illustrates another schematic top view of the cleaning device 2 shown in Fig. 5A in the first configuration, whereas Fig. 5D illustrates another schematic, top view of the cleaning device 2 shown in Fig. 5B in the second configuration.

It can be seen that the cleaning device 2 comprises an adjustment member 60 having a threaded rod 62 and a threaded receiving member attached to the cleaning apparatus 5'. The treaded receiving member 64 is provided with a through-going threaded bore. The threaded rod 62 extending through a plate 68 (e.g. a washer) is provided with a bolt 66. The bolt 66 is arranged outside the housing of the cleaning apparatus 5. Accordingly, the bolt 66 can be rotated by means of a tool such as a socket spanner or an adjustable spanner.

Rotation of the bolt 66 will displace the bolt 66 along its longitudinal axis and hereby displace the first cleaning apparatus 5 relative to the second cleaning apparatus 5'. When comparing Fig. 5C and Fig. 5D, it can be seen that the width of the cleaning device 2 can be adjusted by rotating the bolt 66 and hereby bringing the threaded receiving member 64 closer to the bolt 66.

A first elongated male part 74 and a second male part 74' are slidably arranged in corresponding receiving structures 70, 70' each provided with a recess 72, 72'extending along the longitudinal axis ofthe receiving structure 70, 70'. The male parts 74, 74' engaging the receiving structures 70, 70' make it possible to control the displacement of the first cleaning apparatus 5 relative to the second cleaning apparatus 5' and make sure that the first cleaning apparatus 5 and the second cleaning apparatus 5' remain parallel to each other during the displacement.

Fig. 6A illustrates a schematic, perspective, side view of a cleaning device 2 according to one embodiment of the invention with an open drawer 80, and Fig. 6B illustrates a schematic, perspective, side view of the cleaning device 2 shown in Fig. 6A in a configuration in which the drawer 80 is closed. The cleaning device 2 comprises a first cleaning apparatus 5 and a second cleaning apparatus 5' each comprising a onepiece body comprising a ramp connected to a box portion 12 provided with an upper surface provided with a receiving groove. A wheel 18, 18' is received by each receiving groove. The wheels 18, 18' are guided into the receiving grooves through the guiding recesses provided in the ramps.

An opening 84 is provided in the box portion 12, and the drawer 80 is 5 slidably mounted in the box portion 12 through the opening 84. A knob is provided in the front portion of the drawer 80. The drawer 80 is provided with a space 76 for receiving and collecting dirt 82 from the wheels 18, 18'. Accordingly, when cleaning brushes (see Fig. 2A) clean the wheels 18, 18', the dirt is collected by the drawer 80.

A cover 86 is attached to close an opening provided in the upper surface of the box portion 12 of the first cleaning apparatus 5. A vacuum cleaner spout may be inserted into the opening under the cover 86 in order to suck up dirt 82 from the drawer 80. More covers covering openings may be provided in the box portion 12 of the first cleaning apparatus 5 and/or the second cleaning apparatus 5'.

The cleaning device 2 may be produced in any suitable material including metal, plastic and wood. It may be an advantage to make a frame structure made in metal (e.g. aluminium). The frame structure may be covered by one or more layers of a suitable material such as plastic (e.g. fibre reinforced plastic).

List of reference numerals

2	Cleaning device
4	Floor
5, 5'	Cleaning apparatus
6, 6', 7	Ramp
8, 8'	Recess
10, 10'	Receiving groove
12	Box portion
14	Joint structure
16	Upper surface
18, 18'	Wheel
20	Wheelchair
22	Stop member
24	Contact roller
26	Attachment arm
28	Bearing
30	Ground/floor
32	Wall
34, 34'	Roller member
36, 36'	Brush
38, 38'	Shaft
40, 40'	Gear
42	Cleaning structure
44	Hair or bristle
45	Locking member
46, 46'	Rotational direction
48, 48'	Closing structure
49, 49'	Hair or bristle structure
50	Drawer
52	Knob
54	Cleaning device

Mounting member

Handle

Adjustment member

Threaded rod

Threaded receiving member

Bolt

Plate

70, 70' Receiving structure

72, 72' Recess

74, 74' Male part

Space

Knob

Drawer

Dirt

Opening

Cover

Di, D₂ Distance

Li, l_2 Length

Wi, W₂ Width a Angle

Claims

Requirements

A cleaning device (2, 4, 54) for cleaning the wheels (18, 18 ') of a vehicle with wheels (20), the cleaning device (2, 4, 54) comprising:

a pair of rotatably mounted roll members (34, 34 ') disposed and configured to support or contact at least one wheel (18, 18') of the vehicle with wheels (20); one or more rotatably mounted cleaning brushes (36, 36'j located between the roller elements (34, 34 ');

connecting means (40, 40 ') arranged and configured to rotate the roller elements (34, 34') and the at least one cleaning brush (36, 36 ') so that the roller elements (34, 34') and the adjacent cleaning brush (36, 36 ') ) rotates in opposite directions where the cleaning device (2, 4, 54) is designed to rotate the cleaning brush (s) (36, 36 ') by rotating the rotary elements (34 34') supporting at least one wheel (18, 18 '). ) on the vehicle with wheels (20), characterized in that the cleaning device (2, 4, 54) comprises one or more receiving grooves (10, 10 ') designed to receive a portion of the wheels (18, 18') to be cleaned, wherein the cleaning brushes (36, 36 ') are arranged in an inner space of the cleaning device (2, 4, 54), the inner space being closed when the wheel (s) (18, 18') are received by the receiving grooves (10, 10 ') .

A cleaning device (2, 4, 54) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning device (2, 4, 54) comprises a first cleaning device (5) and a second cleaning device (5 ') movably attached to each other.

A cleaning device (2, 4, 54) according to claim 2, characterized in that the cleaning device (2, 4, 54) comprises an adjusting element (60) with a first threaded part (62) inserted (or configured file to be inserted) in a corresponding second threaded portion (64) provided with a continuous threaded bore, the second threaded portion (64) being secured to the cleaning device (5 ').

A cleaning device (2, 4, 54) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the cleaning device (2, 4, 54) comprises one or more ramps (6, 6 ', 7) provided with a guiding recess (8, 8). ') designed to guide the wheel (s) (18, 18') into the one or more receiving grooves (10, 10 ').

A cleaning device (2, 4, 54) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the cleaning device (2, 4, 54) comprises one or more receiving structures (70, 70 ') provided with a depression (72, 72'), wherein the cleaning device (2, 4, 54) comprises a plurality of parts (74, 74 ') slidably mounted in the recesses (72, 72') on the receiving structures (70, 70 ').

A cleaning device (2, 4, 54) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning brush (s) (36, 36 ') comprises one or more cleaning structures (42).

A cleaning device (2, 4, 54) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (2, 4,

54) comprises one or more cast members (22) arranged in an increased shape to prevent the vehicle with wheels (20) from moving when it is located in the cleaning device (2, 4, 54).

54) comprises a drawer (80) slidably disposed in the cleaning device (2, 4, 54).

A cleaning device (2, 4, 54) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (2, 4, 54) is movably connected to the wheelchair (20).

1.6

2.6