Abstract: A floor cleaning machine having a body in which the body cover assembly is hollow and serves as the recovery solution reservoir; while the lower body assembly, which is also hollow, serves as the cleaning solution tank or reservoir. In addition, the lower body has a recessed area proportioned to receive and secure the batteries required for driving the motors involved in the floor cleaning machine. A trans-axle drive supports the lower body and has a drive wheel at each end powered by a motor differential engaging the axles coupled to the wheels. Together the body and trans-axle drive comprise a modular power unit. Mounting means are provided on the forward portion of the lower body of the power unit for lift arms to be secured to various power floor scrubbers for use on hard floors or a carpet extractor for cleaning carpeted floors. The linkage for the floor scrubber mode and carpet cleaning mode is the same.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wet/dry carpet cleaner having a large tank assembly for fluids. A bladder containing fresh or cleaning water is positioned in the large tank. Nozzles for dispensing the cleaning water to a brush, a vacuum nozzle for vacuuming and returning soiled fluid to the recovery tank portion of the tank assembly is also provided. The present invention includes the method of securing a brush head assembly pivotably to the chassis assembly and includes the driving motor, rotating brush, and spray mechanism. The pivotal securement results in the weight of the brush head assembly applying a constant force on the brush throughout the entire cleaning cycle, independent of the amount of fluid contained in the recovery tank or the bladder. Also, the method is addressed to configuring and proportioning the bladder to insure a relatively constant load on the nozzle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wet/dry carpet cleaner having a large tank assembly for fluids. A bladder containing fresh or cleaning water is positioned in the large tank for dispensing the cleaning water to a brush. A vacuum nozzle for vacuuming and returning soiled fluid to the recovery tank portion of the tank assembly is also provided. The present invention stems from the development of a brush head assembly which is pivotably secured to the chassis assembly and includes the driving motor, rotating brush, and spray mechanism. The pivotal securement results in the weight of the brush head assembly applying a constant force on the brush throughout the entire cleaning cycle, independent of the amount of fluid contained in the recovery tank or the bladder. Secondarily, the present invention is addressed to configurating and proportioning the bladder to insure a relatively constant load on the nozzle.

Abstract: A plastic floor cleaning tool for a vacuum cleaner is characterized by two injection molded plastic pieces that are joined to form an integral structure. By using two plastic pieces to form the floor tool, each may be injection molded to a configuration such that, when they are joined, the floor tool has an aerodynamically shaped interior air flow chamber. The aerodynamically shaped chamber improves the air flow through the floor tool, so that a powerful vortex action is generated at floor level, suction is intensified and debris is aerodynamically airswept through smooth, contoured channels in the floor tool at full force and without encountering acute bends in the air flow path.

Abstract: A floor maintenance machine has a base, an electric motor on the base for moving a floor treating element and a handle connected to the base. Carried by the handle are an electric switch for connecting electric power to the motor, a pair of manually movable hand levers for controlling actuation of the switch, and a safety latch and an interlock mechanism for preventing and enabling movement of the hand levers to actuate the switch. The safety latch normally blocks movement of the hand levers from off to on positions to actuate the switch, but may be manually moved to a release position out of blocking relationship with the hand levers.

Abstract: A pad holder release mechanism for a floor treating machine enables a pad holder to quickly be released from and reattached to a motor shaft, so that a pad carried by the holder may be replaced without need to tip the machine back on its handle. The release mechanism is particularly useful with battery powdered floor treating machines, which because of their weight cannot conveniently be tipped to expose the pad, and if tipped present a risk of battery acid spillage. In use of the mechanism, the pad holder need only be elevated a few inches to lift the pad off of a surface, whereupon the mechanism allows the pad holder and pad to be removed from and replaced on the machine.

Abstract: A noise suppressor for vacuum cleaners is characterized by a muffler formed of a succession of tubes of different cross sectional areas and lengths. The muffler defines a low pass acoustic filter, and is connected in line with an exhaust outlet from the vacuum cleaner. Preferably, the muffler is used in place of a sleeve conventionally found in a filter bag for the vacuum cleaner, and thereby acts as a stand pipe to maintain the inlet to the filter bag above collected debris so that the inlet is not choked off with debris before the bag is filled.