Abstract: A pivot suspension has two separate wheels and a channel, which has two ends axially extending across a floor cleaning or burnishing machine. One wheel is attached to a first end of the channel and the other wheel is attached to a second end of the channel. The pivot suspension further has a pivot rod that is pivotably attached to and is in line from front to rear with the machine. The pivot rod is fixedly connected to the channel at a location between the two channel ends. As a result, the wheels and channel are pivotably attached to the machine, by way of the pivot rod. In combination with at least one wheel or caster that is attached to a frame of the machine, the two channel wheels form three points of contact with a floor, even if there is dirt, debris, and unevenness on or in the floor.

Abstract: A floor cleaning or burnishing machine has at least one motor controller that is electrically connected to an analog joystick control, right and left potentiometers, an electrical power source, and right and left electrical drive motors. The right motor is mechanically connected to a right rear steering drive wheel and the left motor is mechanically connected to a left rear steering drive wheel. Rotational speed and direction of each rear wheel is independently controlled, by way of the joystick in cooperation with respective potentiometers, in either a forward or reverse direction. At any given time, each potentiometer controls a respective motor controller which individually controls the rotational speed and direction of a respective wheel, thereby each wheel is capable of rotating in an opposite direction at a different speed to the other wheel. To slow the floor cleaning or burnishing machine down, regenerative braking is utilized by operating the motors as generators.

Abstract: A pivot suspension has two separate wheels and a channel, which has two ends axially extending across a floor cleaning or burnishing machine. One wheel is attached to a first end of the channel and the other wheel is attached to a second end of the channel. The pivot suspension further has a pivot rod that is pivotably attached to and is in line from front to rear with the machine. The pivot rod is fixedly connected to the channel at a location between the two channel ends. As a result, the wheels and channel are pivotably attached to the machine, by way of the pivot rod. In combination with at least one wheel or caster that is attached to a frame of the machine, the two channel wheels form three points of contact with a floor, even if there is dirt, debris, and unevenness on or in the floor.

Abstract: A floor cleaning or burnishing machine has at least one motor controller that is electrically connected to an analog joystick control, right and left potentiometers, an electrical power source, and right and left electrical drive motors. The right motor is mechanically connected to a right rear steering drive wheel and the left motor is mechanically connected to a left rear steering drive wheel. Rotational speed and direction of each rear wheel is independently controlled, by way of the joystick in cooperation with respective potentiometers, in either a forward or reverse direction. At any given time, each potentiometer controls a respective motor controller which individually controls the rotational speed and direction of a respective wheel, thereby each wheel is capable of rotating in an opposite direction at a different speed to the other wheel. To slow the floor cleaning or burnishing machine down, regenerative braking is utilized by operating the motors as generators.

Abstract: A floor maintenance apparatus having a floor maintenance machine and an attached sulky which allows an operator to ride in a standing position or walk behind the floor maintenance machine. A wheeled sulky having a first attaching portion, a stopping portion, a wheel receiving portion, and a platform portion having a first portion and a second portion is also provided. Methods of operating the apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A floor maintenance apparatus which allows an operator to ride in a standing position or walk behind the floor maintenance machine is described. The floor maintenance apparatus comprises a floor maintenance machine and a sulky. The sulky includes a first attaching portion. The sulky further includes an adjustable neck attached to the first attaching portion. The adjustable neck includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The sulky also includes a standing platform attached to the adjustable neck. The platform has a first portion and a second portion. At least one wheel is rotatably mounted to the first portion. Methods for storing the sulky are also provided.

Abstract: A floor maintenance apparatus having a floor maintenance machine and an attached sulky which allows an operator to ride in a standing position or walk behind the floor maintenance machine. A wheeled sulky having a first attaching portion, a stopping portion, a wheel receiving portion, and a platform portion having a first portion and a second portion is also provided. Methods of operating the apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A floor machine for cleaning floors with a rotary brush or buffer includes (1) a base assembly having a motor and skirt with no frame and (2) a handle and frame assembly. The frame/handle assembly can readily be attached to the base assembly by a simple engagement of the frame to a support mounted on the housing of the motor. This permits (1) the handle and frame assembly to be packaged in a shipping carton which need only be tall enough to accommodate the wheel diameter of the handle/frame assembly and (2) the base assembly of motor and skirt to be packaged in a second carton having a size which need only accommodate such base/motor and skirt assembly with no significant wasted space.

Abstract: A floor machine for cleaning floors with a rotary brush or buffer includes (1) a base assembly having a motor and skirt with no frame and (2) a handle and frame assembly. The frame/handle assembly can readily be attached to the base assembly by a simple engagement of the frame to a support mounted on the housing of the motor. This permits (1) the handle and frame assembly to be packaged in a shipping carton which need only be tall enough to accommodate the wheel diameter of the handle/frame assembly and (2) the base assembly of motor and skirt to be packaged in a second carton having a size which need only accommodate such base/motor and skirt assembly with no significant wasted space.

Abstract: Mobile floor cleaning apparatus of the type having a nozzle assembly for spraying a cleaning solution on carpet or other floor covering, a motor driven brush for scrubbing the wet floor, and a vacuum system for extracting dirty solution from the floor. The nozzle assembly and brush are mounted on a housing which moves in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the apparatus. The housing extends from one side of the apparatus and deflects in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the floor cleaning apparatus upon contact with an obstacle. The nozzle assembly includes a spray jet bar mounting a plurality of nozzles. The spray jet bar is releasably mounted on the brush housing to facilitate nozzle maintenance. A vacuum extractor shoe is releasably mounted to swing and swivel from a rear end of the floor cleaning apparatus to automatically adjust to floor irregularities and to maintain maximum floor contact when turning.

Abstract: A floor cleaning device, such as a wet/dry vacuum cleaner, is disclosed having a housing structure which reduces the amount of ambient noise generated thereby. The floor cleaning device includes a float stand which is preferably formed from a single piece of material, such as rotationally cast polyethylene. The float stand is adapted to be mounted on a canister or tank. A hollow lid is mounted on the float stand. The lid is also preferably formed from a single piece of material. A plurality of chambers of varying size are defined within the lid. A blower motor assembly is supported within the hollow lid. When the blower motor assembly is activated, air flows into the canister and through the various annular chambers before being discharged to the atmosphere. The varying sizes of the chambers provides a significant reduction in the amount of ambient noise generated by the floor cleaning device during use. The overall structure of the floor cleaning device is compact and easy to assemble.