Abstract: A squeegee for use with a mobile surface scrubber to collect used liquid on a surface after being cleaned by the scrubber. The scrubber includes a mobile frame, a cleaning solution dispensing system mounted on the frame for wetting the surface with liquid, and at least one scrub brush attached to the frame for scrubbing the surface when wetted with liquid. In addition, the scrubber includes a vacuum system connected to the frame for removing liquid from the surface. The squeegee includes an elongate squeegee blade of flexible material having a lower edge engageable with the surface to collect the liquid on the surface for removal by the vacuum system. The squeegee also includes a series of openings through the squeegee blade extending up from the lower edge at intervals along the blade.

Abstract: A mobile surface scrubber for scrubbing a surface wetted with cleaning solution. The scrubber comprises a frame, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted on the frame, scrub brush means attached to the frame and positioned to scrub the wetted surface as the scrubber is transported over the surface, and a recovery system for recovering cleaning solution from the surface. The recovery system includes a return tank for retaining recovered cleaning solution, a rear squeegee pivotally connected to the frame, and left and right side squeegees mounted on the frame. The rear squeegee is positionable to contact the surface behind the scrub brush means when the scrubber is transported in the forward direction. The side squeegees are unvaryingly oriented with respect to the frame and positionable to contact the surface on opposite sides of the scrub brush means.

Abstract: A flap of an elastomeric material is disposed over an outlet opening in a dust box within a main hopper of an industrial-type sweeper, the outlet opening providing communication between the dust box and the main hopper for emptying of the contents accumulated within the dust box. The flap is positioned over the outlet opening and is operative to provide selective communication between the dust box and the main hopper. During dirt and debris collection, such is accumulated within the dust box, while during emptying the dirt and debris are allowed to fall into the main hopper for egress through the hopper inlet. In one embodiment, the main hopper door controls the selective communication of a slotted flap through connection of one end of the flap to the hopper door. In another embodiment, air pressure regulates the opening and closing of the flap.

Abstract: A cylindrical brush of the type utilized in an industrial type sweeper is retained on one end by an idler broom arm. The idler broom arm is hingedly connected to a member transverse to the brush such that the broom arm swings outwardly from the brush to effect a brush change as the broom arm is pivotally retained. A latch retains the arm in its closed position. The hinge is located radially behind and axially outwardly relative to the brush. This offset location of the hinge creates an inward biasing of the broom arm during forward travel of the sweeper to retain the brush between the idler broom arm and the driven broom arm on the opposite side of the brush.

Abstract: A sweeper hopper and associated filter assembly as illustrated and described. The filter assembly effectively divides the hopper into a particulate contaminant receiving chamber and a clean air exhaust chamber. The filter assembly includes at least a pair of particulate blocking filter means and means for selectively directing the transient air stream through one or the other or both of the filter means. The filter assembly further includes cleaning means for selectively imparting the filter means, typically during periods of quiescence, to physically loosen and remove particulate contaminants therefrom and direct such contaminants into the contaminant receiving chamber.

Abstract: A walk-behind scrubber is provided with mechanism for lowering a squeegee assembly when the scrubber is moved forwardly and for raising the squeegee assembly when the scrubber is moved rearwardly. The scrubber includes front wheels which are driven by a motor which is connected to the wheels by belts and pulleys when a moveable handle at the rear of the scrubber is pushed to move the scrubber forwardly. The motor is connected to the wheels by friction discs when the handle is pulled to move the scrubber rearwardly. When the handle is pushed, mechanism including a switch is operated to lower the squeegee assembly and when the handle is pulled, the mechanism including the switch is operated to raise the squeegee assembly.

Abstract: A surface cleaning machine is provided which employs a drum broom at a forward portion of the machine for sweeping the floor, a hopper in front of the drum broom to receive debris therefrom, a plurality of disc-type scrubbing brushes at an intermediate portion of the machine for scrubbing the floor, and a squeegee assembly therebehind. A solution or supply tank and a recovery tank are located in side-by-side relationship at a forward portion of the machine, the solution tank supplying clean solution for the disc brushes and the recovery tank receiving dirty solution gathered by the squeegee assembly. The squeegee assembly is connected to the machine by arms which also raise and lower the assembly, the arms being engaged by a mounting plate carrying the disc brushes so that both the squeegee assembly and the disc brushes can be raised and lowered by common mechanism.

Abstract: A machine for cleaning floors is provided and more particularly a riding machine which both sweeps and scrubs the floors. The machine has a rotary drum broom near the front and three staggered disc brushes at an intermediate portion. The drum broom is rotatably carried by two arms which are pivotally mounted on a frame or body of the machine. A hopper for receiving dirt and debris from the drum broom is also moveably mounted on the arms in front of the broom. A linkage and lever mechanism is used to rotate the arms to raise and lower the broom and the hopper simultaneously when the cleaning machine is driven from one location to another. A squeegee assembly is carried by the machine behind the disc brushes for picking up the dirty solution, clean solution being first supplied to the disc brushes and to the floor.

Abstract: A sweeper hopper with a filter assembly is provided. The filter assembly separates the hopper into a dirt and debris-receiving chamber and an exhaust chamber. Air-borne dirt carried through the dirt and debris chamber is trapped by the filter assembly and the air enters the exhaust chamber from which it is exhausted through a blower. A holding frame holds the filter in place against a supporting frame or flanges. The frame has a shaker motor which is periodically operated to clean the filter by vibration. When the filter is to be replaced, the holding frame is readily separable therefrom for rapid replacement, yet the holding frame securely holds the filter in place when the sweeper is in operation.

Abstract: A surface cleaning machine and particularly a riding power sweeper is provided. The sweeper has a main rotary broom and an adjacent hopper with an inlet opening for receiving dirt and debris swept from the surface by the broom. The hopper has an outlet opening spaced from the inlet opening through which dirt and debris are emptied from the hopper, and a dumping door is located adjacent the outlet opening for opening and closing the outlet opening. The dumping mechanism for the hopper includes a single drive unit which is connected to the hopper and to the dumping door. When the hopper is to be dumped, the drive unit is operated to first open the dumping door to a position against a stop. After the door contacts the stop, continued operation of the drive unit moves the hopper to a tilted dumping position in which the dirt and debris are emptied through the open outlet opening.

Abstract: A riding power sweeper with an improved dumping mechanism for emptying a hopper is provided. The hopper is pivotally supported at the front of the machine and a pair of fluid-operated rams raise the hopper and pivot it over the front. The hopper also has a unique air distribution system including a filter through which air is drawn from an opening communicating with a drum brush. Means forming a separate chamber is located in the hopper and holds the filter, and dirt from the filter is caught therein. The chamber-forming means is also pivotally supported so as to swing outwardly to be emptied when the hopper is raised. The drum brush has a unique design for adjusting and positioning the brush with a single linkage mechanism both applying pressure and adjusting the brush for wear.

Abstract: A machine is provided for cleaning surfaces, including hard floors and carpeting. The machine has a frame with a disc brush rotatably carried thereby and driven by a motor which is mounted on a plate that is resiliently carried by the frame. A first vacuum nozzle and a squeegee are located at the back of the machine behind the disc brush for picking up cleaning solution when hard floors are being cleaned. The machine has a second nozzle located at the front thereof, in front of the disc brush, for picking up cleaning solution when carpeting is being cleaned and the machine is moved in a rearward direction. A cleaning solution supply tank is located on the frame and a recovery solution tank is located in the supply tank. A vacuum motor is mounted on a lid above the recovery tank and means are provided for connecting the recovery solution tank with each of the exhaust hoses for the two vacuum nozzles.

Abstract: A riding power sweeper with an improved dumping mechanism for emptying a hopper is provided. The hopper is pivotally supported at the front of the machine and a pair of fluid-operated rams raise the hopper and pivot it over the front. The hopper also has a unique air distribution system including a filter through which air is drawn from an opening communicating with a drum brush. Means forming a separate chamber is located in the hopper and holds the filter, and dirt from the filter is caught therein. The chamber-forming means is also pivotally supported so as to swing outwardly to be emptied when the hopper is raised. The drum brush has a unique design for adjusting and positioning the brush with a single linkage mechanism both applying pressure and adjusting the brush for wear.

Abstract: A high-speed polishing machine is provided which has a polishing pad rotatable at speeds substantially in excess of those heretofore usually employed for polishing machines. The new polishing machine is designed to operate at speeds in excess of 1,000 rpm and preferably about 1,150 rpm. Motors capable of rotating the polishing pads at such speeds operate close to the limits of 110 volt power and if excess pressure is placed on the pad, it will slow down substantially and frequently cause the motor to stall. The new machine has rear wheels which partially support the weight of the machine and has means for raising and lowering the wheels so as to control the pressure on the polishing pad. The machine also has a handle with a latch which enables the handle to raise the front of the machine when it is to be transported and the handle is in an upright, transporting, position.

Abstract: A machine for cleaning a surface is provided. The machine includes a forward drum brush unit designed primarily for sweeping and a rear disc brush unit designed primarily for scrubbing. Squeegees are located behind the disc brushes. Cleaning solution is supplied between the drum brush and the disc brushes and is directed toward the drum brush to achieve a wet sweeping action thereby. The disc brushes are mounted for movement toward and away from the surface to be cleaned and are engagable with the surface under controllable pressure. The drum brush is mounted on a separate frame and is engagable by the disc brush unit so that it can be raised for transportation purposes when the disc brush unit is raised. The squeegees can be raised independently of the brushes.

Abstract: A surface or floor cleaning machine including scrubbing means and a following squeegee assembly is provided. The squeegee assembly includes a squeegee located near the rear of the machine and an arm pivotally connecting the squeegee to a frame of the machine between the squeegee and the scrubbing means at the forward end of the machine. A spring connects the squeegee arm and the machine near the pivot point to urge the arm and the squeegee downwardly. The squeegee has spaced wheels which movably support the squeegee blades on the surface to be cleaned so that the blades are not the sole support of the squeegee on the surface. In this manner, the squeegee blades are maintained firmly against the surface, even in uneven areas, while the wheels minimize the drag of the squeegee on the surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning carpets is provided. The apparatus includes a nozzle for applying liquid such as water to the carpet and also includes air nozzles or openings for drying the carpet. Specifically, a vacuum nozzle is employed to pull in air and water from the carpet, with a hose connecting the vacuum nozzle to a vacuum tank which is associated with a vacuum blower. An exhaust air nozzle or opening is positioned near the vacuum nozzle, with a hose connecting this nozzle to an exhaust outlet associated with the vacuum blower. The vacuum nozzle and the exhaust air nozzle or opening are positioned so that warm exhaust air from the vacuum blower is emitted from the exhaust air nozzle or opening, passes at least partly through the carpet, and is at least partly returned with water through the vacuum nozzle to the tank. In one form, the exhaust air nozzle or opening can be opened and closed remotely through suitable linkages.

Abstract: A mobile surface scrubber for scrubbing a surface wetted with cleaning solution. The scrubber comprises a frame, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted on the frame, scrub brush means attached to the frame and positioned to scrub the wetted surface as the scrubber is transported over the surface, and a recovery system for recovering cleaning solution from the surface. The recovery system includes a return tank for retaining recovered cleaning solution, a rear squeegee pivotally connected to the frame, and left and right side squeegees mounted on the frame. The rear squeegee is positionable to contact the surface behind the scrub brush means when the scrubber is transported in the forward direction. The side squeegees are unvaryingly oriented with respect to the frame and positionable to contact the surface on opposite sides of the scrub brush means.