Claims:CLAIMS
We Claim:
1. A water tank cleaning apparatus (100) comprising:
a frame (102) comprising rest bars (104a-104d) to support components of the water tank cleaning apparatus (100);
a crank lever (106) attached to one of, the rest bars (104a-104d) of the frame (102) such that the crank lever (106) is rotated by a user in a direction selected from a clockwise direction or an anti-clockwise direction;
a central sleeve (108) attached to the crank lever (106), wherein a movement of the central sleeve (108) depends on the direction of the rotation of the crank lever (106); and
a brush assembly (112) attached to the central sleeve (108), such that the brush assembly (112) is moved in an upward direction or a downward direction through linkage bars (110a-110b), based on the movement of the central sleeve (108), wherein the brush assembly (112) comprises:
a fixed brush (122) to clean a base of a water tank (134); and
sliding brushes (124a-124b) housed inside the fixed brush (122), to be extended in an outward direction or retracted back in an inward direction to clean the base and/or side walls of the water tank (134).
2. The water tank cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the linkage bars (110a-110b) are attached to the rest bars (104a-104d) and a nut sleeve (116) through a first set of joints (128a-128b) and a second set of joints (130a-130b).
3. The water tank cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the brush assembly (112) further comprises a brush adjusting nut (118) mounted on a portion of the nut sleeve (116), to be loosened or tightened to adjust a length of the sliding brushes (124a-124b).
4. The water tank cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the brush assembly (112) further comprises links (120a-120b) attached to sides of the brush adjusting nut (118) through a third set of joints (132a-132b).
5. The water tank cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixed brush (122) is attached to a distal end of the central sleeve (108).
6. The water tank cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plunger (114) operating inside a hollow cylindrical portion of the central sleeve (108) to suck waste water and contaminants.
7. The water tank cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the brush adjusting nut (118) is moved in a downward direction to enable an extension of the sliding brushes (124a-124b) in the outward direction through the links (120a-120b).
8. The water tank cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the sliding brushes (124a-124b) are extended to increase the length of the sliding brushes (124a-124b).
9. The water tank cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the brush adjusting nut (118) is moved in an upward direction to enable a retraction of the sliding brushes (124a-124b) in the inward direction through the links (120a-120b).
10. The water tank cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sliding brushes (124a-124b) are retracted back to decrease the length of the sliding brushes (124a-124b).

Date: May 31,2021
Place: Noida
Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant (IN/PA-1529)

, Description:FORM 2

THE PATENT ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&

THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10, and rule 13)

WATER TANK CLEANING APPARATUS

APPLICANT(S)
NAME: CHITKARA INNOVATION INCUBATOR FOUNDATION
NATIONALITY: INDIAN
ADDRESS: SCO: 160-161, SECTOR – 9C, MADHYA MARG, CHANDIGARH – 160009, INDIA

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed

BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a cleaning equipment and particularly to a water tank cleaning apparatus.
Description of Related Art
[002] Everyday a water tank is used for storing water used for various purposes such as, brushing, cleaning, mopping, washing clothes, and in other household chores. With a passage of time, due to impurities in the water, sediments scale and algae get deposited on walls and a base of the water tank. This deposition further contaminates the water and makes it unfit for use. Therefore, it is essential to clean the water tank on regular intervals. Traditionally, a manual scrubbing is used to remove a dirt, the sediments, a fungus, deposited algae, and so forth from the water tank. However, such manual technique is a time consuming and requires more efforts to clean the water tank. In order to reduce the manual labor, various water tank cleaning apparatus have been designed for cleaning the water tank.
[003] Conventionally, the water tank cleaning apparatus has been configured with a fixed size cleaning brush to clean the walls and the base of the water tank. However, such fixed size cleaning brush limits a use of such apparatus to clean the water tank of a fixed diameter. Moreover, the fixed size cleaning brush increases an expenditure of purchasing different water cleaning apparatus for water tanks of different diameters.
[004] There is thus a need for an advanced and more-effective water tank cleaning apparatus that can administer the drawbacks faced by the conventional water tank cleaning apparatus.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a water tank cleaning apparatus comprising: a frame comprising rest bars to support components of the water tank cleaning apparatus. The water tank cleaning apparatus further comprising: a crank lever attached to one of, the rest bars of the frame such that the crank lever is rotated by a user in a direction selected from a clockwise direction or an anti-clockwise direction. The water tank cleaning apparatus further comprising: a central sleeve attached to the crank lever, wherein a movement of the central sleeve depends on the direction of the rotation of the crank lever. The water tank cleaning apparatus further comprising: a brush assembly attached to the central sleeve, such that the brush assembly is moved in an upward direction or a downward direction through linkage bars, wherein the movement of the brush assembly is based on the movement of the central sleeve. Further, the brush assembly comprises: a fixed brush to clean a base of a water tank. The brush assembly further comprises: sliding brushes housed inside the fixed brush, to be extended in an outward direction or retracted back in an inward direction to clean the base and/or side walls of the water tank.
[006] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on its particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a water tank cleaning apparatus that is provided with a fixed brush and sliding brushes to clean water tanks of different diameters, thereby reducing a cost involved in purchasing multiple water tank cleaning apparatus for cleaning water tanks of different diameters.
[007] Next, embodiments of the present invention provide a water tank cleaning apparatus that is foldable and can be stored in a small space. Next, embodiments of the present invention provide a cost-effective water tank cleaning apparatus that is easy to manufacture in bulk using formative manufacturing techniques. Next, embodiments of the present invention provide a water tank cleaning apparatus that eliminates a need of an electrical power to operate the apparatus by introducing a crank lever, thereby reducing a risk of an electric shock to a user.
[008] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[009] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1A illustrates an isometric view of a water tank cleaning apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 1B illustrates a top view of the water tank cleaning apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 1C illustrates a left-side view of the water tank cleaning apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 1D illustrates a front view of the water tank cleaning apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 1E illustrates a back view of the water tank cleaning apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 1F illustrates a bottom view of the water tank cleaning apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 1G illustrates a right-side view of the water tank cleaning apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 1H illustrates a cross-sectional isometric view of a downward position of a brush assembly of the water tank cleaning apparatus in a water tank, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 1I illustrates a cross-sectional isometric view of an upward position of the brush assembly of the water tank cleaning apparatus in the water tank, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method of operating the water tank cleaning apparatus for cleaning a lower area of a water tank, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method of operating the water tank cleaning apparatus for cleaning an upper area of the water tank, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method of adjusting a length of sliding brushes of the water tank cleaning apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0025] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0026] FIG. 1A illustrates an isometric view of a water tank cleaning apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The water tank cleaning apparatus 100 may be used to clean water tanks that may be of different diameters, thereby reduces a cost that may be involved in purchasing multiple water tank cleaning apparatus 100. The water tank cleaning apparatus 100 may be capable to clean the water tank such as, a water tank 134 (as shown in FIG. 1H). The water tank may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a concrete, a glass, a synthetic resin, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover the water tank that may be made up of any type of the material, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be beneficial to store water. In an embodiment of the present invention, the water tank may be of any shape such as, but not limited to, a round shape, a cone shape, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the water tank may be of a cylindrical shape. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the shape of the water tank, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the water tank cleaning apparatus 100 may be designed to be installed on the water tank for cleaning side walls and a base of the water tank in one go. Further, the water tank cleaning apparatus 100 may be removed easily from the water tank after cleaning of the water tank. According to embodiments of the present invention, the water tank cleaning apparatus 100 may comprise a frame 102 provided with rest bars 104a-104d (hereinafter referred to as the rest bars 104) to provide a support to components such as, but not limited to, a crank lever 106, a central sleeve 108, linkage bars 110a-110b (hereinafter referred to as the linkage bars 110), a brush assembly 112 and a plunger 114 of the water tank cleaning apparatus 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, the brush assembly 112 may comprise a nut sleeve 116, a brush adjusting nut 118, links 120a-120b (hereinafter referred to as the links 120), a fixed brush 122, and sliding brushes 124a-124b (hereinafter referred to as the sliding brushes 124).
[0028] FIG. 1B illustrates a top view of the water tank cleaning apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The water tank cleaning apparatus 100 may comprise the frame 102 that may be made up of any material such as, but not limited to, a steel, an aluminum, and alike. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the frame 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. The frame 102 may be of any shape such as, but not limited to, a square shape, a rectangular shape, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the frame 102 may be of a circular shape. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any shape of the frame 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. Further, the water tank cleaning apparatus 100 may comprise the rest bars 104 that may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, the steel, the aluminum, the wood, and alike. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the rest bars 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] FIG. 1C illustrates a left-side view of the water tank cleaning apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The water tank cleaning apparatus 100 may comprise the crank lever 106 that may be a handle attached to the frame 102 having the rest bars 104, in an embodiment of the present invention. The crank lever 106 may be positioned on a top of the water tank 134 (as shown in the FIG. 1H) when the water tank cleaning apparatus 100 is installed on the water tank 134 for cleaning purpose. The crank lever 106 may be designed to be rotated by a user in a direction such as, a clockwise direction, or in an anti-clockwise direction to operate the components of the water tank cleaning apparatus 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, a user may rotate the crank lever 106 in the clockwise direction to move the brush assembly 112 (as shown in the FIG. 1A) in the downward direction for cleaning a lower area of the water tank 134. Further, the user may rotate the crank lever 106 in the anti-clockwise direction to move the brush assembly 112 in the upward direction for cleaning an upper area of the water tank 134. In another embodiment of the present invention, the user may rotate the crank lever 106 in the anti-clockwise direction to move the brush assembly 112 in the downward direction for cleaning the lower area of the water tank 134. Further, the user may rotate the crank lever 106 in the clockwise direction to move the brush assembly 112 in the upward direction for cleaning the upper area of the water tank 134. The crank lever 106 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, steel, an aluminum alloy, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the crank lever 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] FIG. 1D illustrates a front view of the water tank cleaning apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The water tank cleaning apparatus 100 may comprise the central sleeve 108 that may be a screwed sleeve of the water tank cleaning apparatus 100. The central sleeve 108 may be attached to the crank lever 106. In an embodiment of the present invention, a movement of the central sleeve 108 may depend on the direction of the rotation of the crank lever 106. In an embodiment of the present invention, the clockwise rotation of the crank lever 106 may enable the movement of the central sleeve 108 in a downward direction and the anti-clockwise rotation of the crank lever 106 may enable the movement of the central sleeve 108 in the upward direction. In another embodiment of the present invention, the clockwise rotation of the crank lever 106 may enable the movement of the central sleeve 108 in the upward direction and the anti-clockwise rotation of the crank lever 106 may enable the movement of the central sleeve 108 in the downward direction. In an embodiment of the present invention, an outer surface of the central sleeve 108 may be surrounded with a screw thread 126 that may be in a form of a helix. The screw thread 126 may be capable to convert a rotational movement that may be transferred from the crank lever 106 to the central sleeve 108 into a linear movement. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the central sleeve 108 may be of the cylindrical shape. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any shape of the central sleeve 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0031] Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the water tank cleaning apparatus 100 may comprise the linkage bars 110 having a first end and a second end. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first end of each of the linkage bars 110 may be attached to at least one rest bar of the rest bars 104 (as shown in the FIG. 1A) through a first set of joints 128a-128b (hereinafter referred to as the first set of joints 128) and the second end of the each of the linkage bars 110 may be attached to corresponding sides of the nut sleeve 116 of the brush assembly 112 through a second set of joints 130a-130b (hereinafter referred to as the second set of joints 130). The first set of joints 128 and the second set of joints 130 may be, but not limited to, Constant Velocity (CV) joints, cross and roller joints, pin joints, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the first set of joints 128 and the second set of joints 130, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the linkage bars 110 may be capable to transfer the linear movement generated by the screw thread 126 of the central sleeve 108 to the brush assembly 112 to enable a movement of the brush assembly 112 in the upward direction or the downward direction.
[0032] FIG. 1E illustrates a back view of the water tank cleaning apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The water tank cleaning apparatus 100 may comprise the brush assembly 112 that may be attached to the central sleeve 108, in an embodiment of the present inventions. In an embodiment of the present invention, the movement of the brush assembly 112 may depend on the movement of the central sleeve 108.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the movement of the central sleeve 108 in the downward direction may enable the movement of the brush assembly 112 in the downward direction. In another embodiment of the present invention, the movement of the central sleeve 108 in the upward direction may enable the movement of the brush assembly 112 in the upward direction. The brush assembly 112 may comprise the nut sleeve 116, the brush adjusting nut 118, the links 120, the fixed brush 122, and the sliding brushes 124, as discussed above. The brush adjusting nut 118 may be mounted on a portion, such as, at a distal end of the nut sleeve 116, in an embodiment of the present invention. The brush adjusting nut 118 may be loosened or tightened to adjust a length of the sliding brushes 124 for accommodating the water tank 134 (as shown in the FIG. 1H) of the different diameters. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the brush adjusting nut 118 may be loosened to move the brush adjusting nut 118 in the upward direction or the downward direction. In an embodiment of the present invention, the brush adjusting nut 118 may be moved in the downward direction to enable an extension of the links 120 from a closed position to an open position. In another embodiment of the present invention, the brush adjusting nut 118 may be moved in the upward direction to enable a retraction of the links 120 from the open position to the closed position. Further, the brush adjusting nut 118 may be tightened to lock a position of the links 120 that may be in the closed position or the open position, in an embodiment of the present invention. The brush adjusting nut 118 may be of any shape such as, but not limited to, a ring-shape, the cylindrical shape, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any shape of the brush adjusting nut 118, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] The links 120 may be fixedly attached to, such as, at a proximal end of, the brush adjusting nut 118 through a third set of joints 132a-132b (hereinafter referred to as the third set of joints 132), in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the links 120 may be removably attached to the brush adjusting nut 118 through the third set of joints 132. The third set of joints 132 may be, but not limited to, the Constant Velocity (CV) joints, the cross and roller joints, the pin joints, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the third set of joints 132, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, a first end of each of the links 120 may be attached to corresponding sides of the brush adjusting nut 118 and a second end of the each of the links 120 may be attached to the corresponding sliding brushes 124 housed inside the fixed brush 122.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the extension or the retraction of the links 120 may enable an extension or a retraction of the sliding brushes 124 to adjust the length of the sliding brushes 124. In an embodiment of the present invention, the extension of the links 120 from the closed position to the open position may enable the extension of the sliding brushes 124 to the outward direction to increase the length of the sliding brushes 124. Further, the retraction of the links 120 from the open position to the closed position may enable the sliding brushes 124 to retract back into the fixed brush 122 to decrease the length of the sliding brushes 124. The links 120 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a metal, steel, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the links 120, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0036] FIG. 1F illustrates a bottom view of the water tank cleaning apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The water tank cleaning apparatus 100 may comprise the fixed brush 122 that may be provided to clean the base of the water tank 134 (as shown in the FIG. 1H). The fixed brush 122 may be fixedly attached to a distal end of the central sleeve 108 (as shown in the FIG. 1A), in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the fixed brush 122 may be removably attached to the distal end of the central sleeve 108. The distal end of the central sleeve 108 may be inserted into an opening area (not shown) of the fixed brush 122 to attach the central sleeve 108 of the water tank cleaning apparatus 100 to the fixed brush 122, in an embodiment of the present invention. The fixed brush 122 may be provided with a central slot 136 to house the sliding brushes 124 on each sides of the fixed brush 122. The sliding brushes 124 may be adjusted to clean the side walls of the water tank 134 of the different diameters.
[0037] FIG. 1G illustrates a right-side view of the water tank cleaning apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The plunger 114 may be positioned at a top end of a hollow cylindrical portion of the central sleeve 108, in an embodiment of the present invention. The plunger 114 may be operating inside the hollow cylindrical portion of the central sleeve 108 to suck waste water and contaminants during and/or after cleaning of the water tank 134 (as shown in the FIG. 1H), in an embodiment of the present invention. The plunger 114 may be, but not limited to, a taze plunger, an accordion plunger, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the plunger 114, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0038] FIG. 1H illustrates a cross-sectional isometric view of a downward position of the brush assembly 112 of the water tank cleaning apparatus 100 in the water tank 134, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sliding brushes 124 of the brush assembly 112 may be in a retracted position while installing the water tank cleaning apparatus 100 inside the water tank 134. In another embodiment of the present invention, the sliding brushes 124 may be in an extended position while installing the water tank cleaning apparatus 100 in the water tank 134. In an embodiment of the present invention, the position of the sliding brushes 124 may depend on a diameter of an opening of the water tank 134. Upon installation of the water tank cleaning apparatus 100, the crank lever 106 may be rotated by the user in the clockwise direction to move the brush assembly 112 in the downward direction to clean the base of the water tank 134. In another embodiment of the present invention, the crank lever 106 may be rotated by the user in the anti-clockwise direction to move the brush assembly 112 in the downward direction. Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the brush adjusting nut 118 of the brush assembly 112 may be loosened to move the brush adjusting nut 118 in the downward direction, which in turn extends the sliding brushes 124 up to a required length, if the sliding brushes 124 are in the retracted position during installation of the water tank cleaning apparatus 100. The sliding brushes 124 may be extended up to the required length to clean the base and/or lower side walls of the water tank 134. The required length may depend on the diameter of the water tank 134, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 1I illustrates a cross-sectional isometric view of an upward position of the brush assembly 112 of the water tank cleaning apparatus 100 in the water tank 134, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sliding brushes 124 of the brush assembly 112 may be in the extended position to clean the base and/or lower side walls of the water tank 134. Upon cleaning of the lower side walls and the base of the water tank 134, the crank lever 106 may be rotated by the user in one of, the clockwise direction or the anti-clockwise direction to move the brush assembly 112 in the upward direction to clean upper side walls of the water tank 134. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sliding brushes 124 of the brush assembly 112 may be retracted back to the fixed brush 122 for moving the brush assembly 112 from the downward position to the upward position, if required. In another embodiment of the present invention, the sliding brushes 124 of the brush assembly 112 may be in the extended position while moving the brush assembly 112 from the downward position to the upward position.
[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method 200 of operating the water tank cleaning apparatus 100 for cleaning the lower area of the water tank 134, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] At step 202, the water tank cleaning apparatus 100 may be installed in the water tank 134. Further, the user may rotate the crank lever 106. In an exemplary scenario, the user may rotate the crank lever 106 in the clockwise direction. At step 204, the water tank cleaning apparatus 100 may enable the movement of the central sleeve 108 based on the direction of the rotation of the crank lever 106. As in the above exemplary scenario in the step 202, the crank lever 106 is rotated in the clockwise direction, then the central sleeve 108 may be moved in the downward direction.
[0042] At step 206, the water tank cleaning apparatus 100 may enable the movement of the brush assembly 112 in the downward direction based on the movement of the central sleeve 108 in the downward direction, as discussed in the above exemplary scenario, in the step 204 for cleaning the lower area of the water tank 134.
[0043] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method 300 of operating the water tank cleaning apparatus 100 for cleaning the upper area of the water tank 134, according to an embodiment of the present invention. At step 302, the user may rotate the crank lever 106 of the water tank cleaning apparatus 100 . In an exemplary scenario, the user may rotate the crank lever 106 in the anti-clockwise direction.
[0044] At step 304, the water tank cleaning apparatus 100 may enable the movement of the central sleeve 108 based on the direction of the rotation of the crank lever 106. As in the above exemplary scenario, in the step 302, the crank lever 106 is rotated in the anti-clockwise direction, then the central sleeve 108 may be moved in the upward direction. At step 306, the water tank cleaning apparatus 100 may enable the movement of the brush assembly 112 in the upward direction based on the movement of the central sleeve 108 in the upward direction (as discussed in the above exemplary scenario, in the step 304) for cleaning the upper area of the water tank 134.
[0045] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method 400 of adjusting the length of the sliding brushes 124 of the water tank cleaning apparatus 100 for cleaning the side walls of the water tank 134, according to an embodiment of the present invention. At step 402, the brush adjusting nut 118 may be loosened to move the brush adjusting nut 118. In an exemplary scenario, the brush adjusting unit 118 may be moved in the downward direction.
[0046] At step 404, the movement of the brush adjusting nut 118 may enable the retraction or the extension of the links 120. As in the above exemplary scenario, in the step 402, the brush adjusting unit 118 may be moved in the downward direction, which may further enable the extension of the links 120 from the closed position to the open position.
[0047] At step 406, the extension or the retraction of the links 120 may enable the extension or the retraction of the sliding brushes 124. As in the above exemplary scenario, in the step 404, the links 120 may be extended from the closed position to the open position, which in turn enables the extension of the sliding brushes 124 in the outward direction to increase the length of the sliding brushes 124 for cleaning the side walls of the water tank 134.
[0048] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0049] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.