Patents Assigned to Alfred Karcher GmbH
  • Publication number: 20130334942
    Abstract: A high-pressure cleaning appliance is provided including a housing which has a hood and a rear wall of the housing, the hood being pivotable from an open position in which the housing is open into a closed position in which the housing is closed, and wherein the high-pressure cleaning appliance comprises a locking device having at least one first locking element located on the hood and having at least one second locking element which couples with the first locking element in the closed position of the hood to lock the latter. The high-pressure cleaning appliance includes an aligning device having at least one first aligning element located on the hood and at least one second aligning element integrally formed on the rear wall of the housing and that couples with the at least one first aligning element for aligning the hood in relation to the rear wall of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Harald Schestag, Ralph Seitter
  • Publication number: 20130333127
    Abstract: A wheel washing apparatus is provided, including at least two washing brushes, each of which is capable of being driven in rotation about a brush axis, wherein the brush axes of the at least two washing brushes are different from one another. In order to provide a wheel washing apparatus which allows a better cleaning result to be achieved, it is proposed that the at least two washing brushes be capable of being driven in rotation about a common central axis which is different from the brush axes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Langer, André Speckmaier, Michael Heinze
  • Publication number: 20130319478
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided, including a suction inlet, a dirt collection container, a filter device, a suction conduit, a suction unit, wherein the dirt collection container is in flow communication with the suction unit via the filter device and the suction conduit and wherein the filter device has a negative pressure applied to it by the suction unit, and including an external air valve device, wherein the filter device is capable of having external air applied thereto on the clean side thereof via the external air valve device and wherein for cleaning the filter device the external air valve device is capable of being brought from a closed valve position to an open valve position and back again from the open valve position to a closed valve position, characterized by a battery device for supplying energy to the external air valve device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Maic Hensel, Frank Fuchs, Julien Scholl
  • Publication number: 20130312792
    Abstract: A method is provided for cleaning at least one filter of a vacuum cleaner, wherein the vacuum cleaner comprises a suction inlet and a dirt collection container, which can be subjected to negative pressure by a suction unit via the at least one filter and a suction extraction line, and wherein for cleaning purposes the at least one filter can be acted upon by external air on the clean side via at least one external air valve, which moves from a closed valve position via an open valve position back into the closed valve position for cleaning the at least one filter. So that the at least one filter can be cleaned particularly effectively, the suction power of the suction unit can be increased before transfer of the external air valve to the open valve position and reduced again later. A vacuum cleaner for performing the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Maic Hensel, Julien Scholl, Frank Fuchs, Ulrich Engenhardt, Britt Wirbel, Steffen Kunz
  • Patent number: 8561242
    Abstract: A floor treating apparatus is provided, including a support device, on the lower side of which there is held at least one floor treating tool, which is driven to rotate or oscillate, a handle device to guide the floor treating apparatus in at least one working position, which handle device is held on the support device so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis from the at least one working position into at least one parking position and vice versa, and a storage container for a treatment liquid. The floor treating apparatus includes a storage container receptacle, in which the storage container can be releasably positioned in the at least one working position of the handle device, and a securing device with at least one first securing member and at least one second securing member which can be moved relative thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joerg Brueckner, Ernst Lorenz, Andreas Renz
  • Publication number: 20130247328
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided with a dirt collection container and a suction head which can be placed on the dirt collection container, wherein the suction head has at least one suction unit which is in flow communication with the dirt collection container via a suction duct and a filter device and with at least one exhaust air opening via at least one exhaust air duct. To provide high suction capacity, a compact construction, and relatively little generation of noise during operation, the suction head has two suction units arranged next to one another, positioned in a vertical direction at the same level as the filter device and surrounded by a common exhaust air chamber, wherein the exhaust air chamber is in flow communication with exhaust air openings via a first and a second exhaust air duct and the filter device is arranged between the two exhaust air ducts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Frank, Kai Thorsten Langen, Maic Hensel
  • Publication number: 20130247313
    Abstract: A mobile floor cleaning machine is provided, having a chassis on which running wheels are rotatably mounted, and having at least one cleaning unit which has at least one cleaning tool and is coupled to the chassis via a guide member. To improve the floor cleaning machine in such a way that the risk of damage to the floor cleaning machine or to an obstacle in the event of a frontal collision with the obstacle may be minimized, it is proposed that the guide member is elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction of the floor cleaning machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Schäfer, Frank Nonnenmann
  • Publication number: 20130239360
    Abstract: A vacuum appliance is provided including a dirt collection container for sucked-in vacuumed material, a suction unit for subjecting the dirt collection container to the action of negative pressure via a suction chamber, at least one filter element between the dirt collection container and the suction chamber in the flow direction of the air sucked in by the suction unit, at least one rechargeable battery for providing electrical energy for the suction unit, and at least one battery receptacle for holding the battery on the vacuum appliance. The vacuum appliance includes a filter cover transferrable from a closed position in which the filter element is covered, to a removal position in which the filter element is removable from and insertable into the vacuum appliance on the clean space side, and vice versa, and which filter cover includes the battery receptacle for the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Maic Hensel, Steffen Layer
  • Patent number: 8505161
    Abstract: A road sweeper is provided with a rotatingly drivable sweeping brush, a sweepings container, a suction blower in flow communication with the sweeping brush for taking in dust-containing air, and at least one filter for separating dust from the air drawn in, wherein the filter can be acted upon on the clean side with external air stored in a pressure container and subject to pressure, via at least one external air valve for cleaning. In order for the filter to be cleaned off with as small an amount of external air as possible, the pressure container can have a pressure container wall located opposite the clean side of the at least one filter, the at least one external air valve being arranged on the wall, wherein a section of a suction conduit extends between the pressure container wall and the clean side of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Roland Schick, Andreas Kral, Peter Knebel, Uwe Weller, Nikolaus Kocher, Marcus Haug
  • Patent number: 8464385
    Abstract: A vehicle washing installation is provided having a first and a second support on which at least one treatment tool is mounted in a height-adjustable manner by means of a first and a second carrying means, and having a carrying means drive device from which the carrying means extend to the treatment tool via deflection elements situated on the top of the supports, one carrying means extending above the treatment tool from at least one deflection element situated on the first support to at least one deflection element situated on the second support. To improve the vehicle washing installation in such a way that it may be easily adapted to the height of a washing bay, it is proposed that the deflection elements are mounted on intermediate parts which are fixable to the supports at different vertical positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Claus Heid, Andre Speckmaier, Yann Veitz, Ingo Feistkorn, Bernd Knisel
  • Publication number: 20130139347
    Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus is provided, including a dirt collection device for picking up dirty liquid from a floor surface to be cleaned as well as a dirty liquid tank, into which the dirty liquid can be transferred. In order to provide a floor cleaning apparatus of this type, which can be handled in a more user-friendly manner, it is proposed that the floor cleaning apparatus has a tank rinsing mechanism with at least one rinsing line, which includes at least one inlet opening for rinsing liquid, which can be provided for the tank rinsing mechanism, as well as at least one outlet opening for delivering rinsing liquid into an interior of the dirty liquid tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
  • Publication number: 20130141211
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning appliance, wherein in order to access same, an access authorization stored on an authorization carrier is required, the appliance including two or more authorization carriers with access authorizations stored thereon which are linked to different authorization profiles, and a detection unit for detecting the access authorization of an authorization carrier, wherein a range of functions dependent on the authorization profile linked to the access authorization can be provided to an operator by the cleaning appliance. In order to provide such a cleaning appliance which is more user-friendly in operation, it is proposed that each authorization carrier comprises an identification device for providing an identifier which is associated with the particular authorization profile of the authorization carrier and which is perceivable by the operator using a sensory organ, wherein identifiers associated with different authorization profiles are different from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
  • Publication number: 20130133146
    Abstract: A floor treating apparatus is provided, including a support device, on the lower side of which there is held at least one floor treating tool, which is driven to rotate or oscillate, a handle device to guide the floor treating apparatus in at least one working position, which handle device is held on the support device so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis from the at least one working position into at least one parking position and vice versa, and a storage container for a treatment liquid. The floor treating apparatus includes a storage container receptacle, in which the storage container can be releasably positioned in the at least one working position of the handle device, and a securing device with at least one first securing member and at least one second securing member which can be moved relative thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co. KG
  • Publication number: 20130135079
    Abstract: A cleaning appliance is provided including at least one authorization carrier with an access authorization which is provided thereon and is required for accessing the cleaning appliance, just one receptacle in which the at least one authorization carrier is positionable, and a detection unit, situated at the receptacle, for contact-based detection of the access authorization of an authorization carrier positioned in the receptacle, the detection unit having at least one detection contact element which contacts the access authorization. To provide a cleaning appliance of this type which is usable with greater versatility, it is proposed that the cleaning appliance include two or more authorization carriers with access authorizations provided thereon which are linked to different authorization profiles, wherein a range of functions dependent on the authorization profile linked to an access authorization can be provided to an operator by the cleaning appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co. KG
  • Publication number: 20130125337
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum cleaning appliance having a moveable stand. A suction device mounted on the stand has a device upper part mounted on the stand and a dirt collection container situated beneath the device upper part. The stand has a lifting device and an actuating element pivotable about a horizontal axis for raising and lowering the dirt collection container, which in its raised position abuts against the device upper part in a flow-tight manner, and in its lowered position rests on a floor surface. The actuating element is configured as a push bar having a handle part which, in the raised position of the dirt collection container, may be gripped by the user in a standing posture in order to move the vacuum cleaning appliance, and is upwardly pivotable about the pivot axis by at most 135° in order to lower the dirt collection container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co. KG
  • Publication number: 20130061418
    Abstract: A surface cleaning head for cleaning a surface is provided that includes a housing that has a cleaning chamber surrounded by a peripheral wall and open at the bottom, and in which a cleaning nozzle is mounted on a spray arm and is freely rotatable about a rotational axis, and a jet pump for suctioning off cleaning fluid applied to a surface, the jet pump having a pump inlet channel connected to a combining channel via a mixing chamber, and a motive nozzle upstream from the combining channel. To improve the surface cleaning head, the pump inlet channel is oriented radially with respect to the spray arm and connected to the peripheral wall of the cleaning chamber, the diameter of the combining channel is 14 to 18 mm, and the distance between the motive nozzle and the combining channel is at least 10 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Felix Treitz, Stefan Schilpp
  • Publication number: 20130056609
    Abstract: A device for supporting a side washing brush of a vehicle washing system is provided, which brush is rotatable about a rotational axis, the device including a bearing apparatus for rotatably supporting a drive shaft, and a holding apparatus which is fixedly connected to the bearing apparatus and which is held on a frame by means of elastic cushioning elements arranged above and below the holding apparatus. To improve the device in such a way that the risk of damage to the cushioning elements is reduced, it is proposed that the holding apparatus can be acted on by the cushioning elements only by compressive forces aligned in the direction of the holding apparatus. A vehicle washing system is also proposed which has at least one device of this type, on which a side washing brush is mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Claus Heid, Andre Speckmaier, Yann Veitz, Ingo Feistkorn, Bernd Knisel
  • Publication number: 20130047355
    Abstract: A vehicle washing installation is provided having a first and a second support on which at least one treatment tool is mounted in a height-adjustable manner by means of a first and a second carrying means, and having a carrying means drive device from which the carrying means extend to the treatment tool via deflection elements situated on the top of the supports, one carrying means extending above the treatment tool from at least one deflection element situated on the first support to at least one deflection element situated on the second support. To improve the vehicle washing installation in such a way that it may be easily adapted to the height of a washing bay, it is proposed that the deflection elements are mounted on intermediate parts which are fixable to the supports at different vertical positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Alfred-Karcher GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Alfred karcher GmbH & Co. KG
  • Publication number: 20130031732
    Abstract: A cleaning appliance is provided having a housing which has a placement surface for setting down a container, and having travel wheels for moving the cleaning appliance. To improve the cleaning appliance in such a way that a container may be easily fixed to the placement surface, it is proposed that at least one retaining element which protrudes from the placement surface is situated at a first edge of the placement surface, the retaining element having, on its front face that faces away from the placement surface, a concave receptacle for a carrying handle which is hinged on a side of the container that is set down on the placement surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co. KG
  • Publication number: 20130031731
    Abstract: A cleaning device is provided with a housing which has a placement surface for setting down a container and with travel wheels for moving the cleaning device. In order to develop the cleaning device further in such a manner that a container can be secured on the placement surface in a simple manner, it is suggested that the cleaning device have at least one storage space, in which at least one tensioning element is arranged in a storage position, this tensioning element being withdrawable from the storage space at least partially and being transferable into a working position for the purpose of securing the container on the placement surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co. KG