Abstract: A rotary disc floor apparatus (A) is disclosed for cleaning surfaces of floors or the like. The apparatus (A) includes a rotary block (30) having bristles (40) for scrubbing a floor surface with cleaning solution. The apparatus (A) further includes a wiper and vacuum nozzle assembly (20) having a ring (88) with squeegees (128) and nozzles (154) forming vacuum nozzle openings (163). The squeegees (128) and nozzles (154) include respective wiping portions (148, 166) having portions disposed outwardly of and located at a greater distance from the axis (B) than the nozzle openings (163). The squeegees (128) and nozzles (154) are readily removable and readily attachable to the ring (88) via shafts (140, 142, 158, 160). The apparatus (A) further includes flat springs (186) for biasing the ring (88) downward toward the floor surface and relative to the rotary block (30).

Abstract: A protective circuit controls the operation of a floor cleaning machine provided with a brush motor and a vacuum motor. The protective circuit disables the vacuum motor when an operator starts the brush motor and then restarts the vacuum motor provided it was previously running. The floor cleaning machine is also provided with provisions for adjusting the action of the brush and thus changing the load current of the brush motor. The load current of the brush motor is continuously compared to a first level overload current and an indicator alerts the operator to a first level overload condition allowing a predetermined time for the load current to be reduced by adjusting the brush. If the load current is not reduced, then the brush motor is de-energized. If a second level overload condition of the brush motor occurs at any time, the brush motor is de-energized immediately.

Abstract: A floor polishing machine (10) according to the preferred form of the teachings of the present invention includes a body portion (12) having a platform (20), and a handle (16) pivotally mounted to the platform (20). First and second sets of wheels (68, 70) are provided adjacent the rear of the platform (20) and on opposite sides of the handle pivot (50). For coupling the handle (16) and the platform (20) together, a gas spring (53) is provided having a first end pivotally connected to the platform (20) and having a second end pivotally connected to the handle (16). The gas spring (53) urges the platform to pivot about the first set of wheels (68) downwardly in the rear and upwardly in the front. The motor (24) for rotating the polishing member (14) is pivotally mounted to the platform (20) by ears (23) so that the polishing member (14) can flushly abut the floor surface.

Abstract: A floor scrubber is disclosed including a frame including a drive wheel, rear wheels, brushes, vacuum squeegee system, batteries, solution tanks, and an operator seat. The rear wheels are rotatably mounted on the opposite ends of a steel rod. Arms are attached rigidly to the axle and each include a cylindrical pivot in which an elastomer bushing is press fit. Pivot pins extend through first and second pairs of first and second plates and the elastomer bushing for pivotably mounting the arms to the frame while isolating any transmitted vibrations. Elastomeric isolator mounts are provided each including a frusto-conical shaped body and each having a nut embedded in the lower end for threadable receipt of a bolt passing through an attachment plate attached to the axle. The upper ends of the elastomeric isolator mounts each include a plate secured thereto and secured to the frame.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is disclosed including an interchangeable brush (88) and either a removable vacuum shoe (38) for soft floor surfaces or removable squeegee and carriage assemblies (56, 68) for hard floor surfaces. A spindle (32) is rotatably mounted in the chassis (18) and includes first and second arms (36, 52). The first arm (36) is attached to a sleeve (34) for removably and pivotally receiving a pivot pin (40) of the vacuum shoe (38). The second arm (52) includes an elongated slot (54) which slideably receives a follower pin (82) of a crank arm (80) of the carriage assembly (68). The spindle (32) is rotated by an integral lever (44) pivotally connected to a linkage (46) having its opposite end pivotally connected to a second, pivotable lever (26).

Abstract: A surface cleaning machine (10) is disclosed in the preferred form as a combination sweeping-scrubbing apparatus including a sweeping brush (18) for sweeping debris into a hopper (20) and a one piece squeegee (112) for picking up solution after four staggered, disc brushes (122). The squeegee (112) is U-shaped having a longitudinal extent greater than that of the disc brushes (122) located intermediate the legs (124) of the squeegee (112). The drive wheel (16) is located in front of the disc brushes (122), the squeegee (112) and the solution applying means (128). The squeegee (112) is raised and lowered relative to the frame (12) by an actuator (104) which pivots an L-shaped member (94), the leg (96) of which abuts against and pivots a lever (84) interconnected to the mount (62) for the squeegee (112) by a turnbuckle (88). The hopper (20) is raised and simultaneously tilted by a single cylinder (30 ) which pivots the upper arm (24) of a parallelogram including a lower arm (36).

Abstract: An automatic floor scrubber (10) is disclosed having its frame divided into a truck (12) and an upper assembly (14) isolated from each other by a multiplicity of elastomeric isolator mounts (106) arranged in a nonlinear fashion. The wheels (18, 20), the drive motor (22), the squeegee system (26), and the brush scrub system (28) are mounted to the subframe (16) of the truck (12). The control handle (46), solution tanks (48, 50), and batteries (74) are mounted to the chassis (44) of the upper assembly (14). The mounts (106) include integral first and second portions (108, 110), with the first portion (108) sandwiched between the subframe (16) and the chassis (44) and the second portion (110) insertable into a mount aperture (118) and axially compressed into a mushroom shape by bolts (122) to capture the mount aperture (118). An acoustical tunnel (84) extends longitudinally in the chassis ( 44) intermediate the batteries (74) and defines a closed volume lined with foam sheets (88).

Abstract: A surface cleaning machine (10) is disclosed in the preferred form as a combination sweeping-scrubbing apparatus including a sweeping brush (18) for sweeping debris into a hopper (20) and a one piece squeegee (112) for picking up solution after four staggered, disc brushes (122). The squeegee (112) is U-shaped having a longitudinal extent greater than that of the disc brushes (122) located intermediate the legs (124) of the squeegee (112). The drive wheel (16) is located in front of the disc brushes (122), the squeegee (112) and the solution applying means (128). The squeegee (12) is raised and lowered relative to the frame (12) by an actuator (104) which pivots an L-shaped member (94), the leg (96) of which abuts against and pivots a lever (84) interconnected to the mount (62) for the squeegee (112) by a turnbuckle (88). The hopper (20) is raised and simultaneously tilted by a single cylinder (30 ) which pivots the upper arm (24) of a parallelogram including a lower arm (36).

Abstract: A dust collection/control system is disclosed utilized in a floor polishing machine (10) according to the most preferred form of the present invention. The floor polishing machine (10) includes a rotating working member in the form of a polishing member (16) for maintaining a floor surface as it is moved along the floor. The polishing member (16) is located and rotated within a housing or shield (186) including a circular, planar portion (92) terminating at its periphery in a downwardly extending flange (94) including a flexible skirt (95) which engages the floor. The rotation of the polishing member (16) within the housing (186) passively generates an air current contained within the housing (186).

Abstract: A steering mechanism (14) and a locking mechanism (80) are disclosed in their most preferred form for use in a mobile floor treating machine (10) including first and second handles (68, 70) which are pivotally mounted to the machine chassis (12). The handles (68, 70) pivot L-shaped levers (28, 46) which are pivotably mounted to a bracket (58) which is connected to the gear box for rotating treating members (16, 18). The bearing blocks (22) of the shafts (20) of the treating members (16, 18) are pivotably connected via spherical rod ends (36, 52) to the horizontal legs (26) of the levers (28, 46). Therefore, the shafts (20) and thus treating members (16, 18) can be tilted to create a pressure differential on the contact area of the treating members (16, 18) with the floor surface.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus according to the teachings of the present invention disclosure is shown in its most preferred form of a floor polishing machine having a polishing member rotatably mounted to a platform. The polishing member is raised off the floor surface by lift levers and lever extensions pivotally mounted to the chassis having their first ends pivotally mounted to the platform of the polishing member and their second ends pivotally attached to a vertically reciprocal rod biased by a spring. The polishing member automatically lowers due to the suction created by the polishing member forcing the air from underneath the center of the polishing member during rotation and against the bias of the spring. The rigid polishing member is allowed to follow the floor surface due to the pivotal mounting of the platform to the ends of the lift levers and to a parallelogram assembly.

Abstract: A portable extractor according to the teachings of the present invention is taught including a tool assembly pivotally mounted on a main body assembly. The portable extractor is supported on the floor by a set of wheels on the tool assembly and by a set of wheels on the main body assembly. The tool assembly applies a cleaning solution to the floor, with the cleaning solution being drawn from a supply tank of the main body assembly. The tool assembly also extracts the cleaning solution from the floor, with the extracted cleaning solution being deposited in a storage tank of the main body assembly. In a preferred form for cleaning carpeted floors, the tool assembly further includes a powered rotary brush for agitating the carpet. In operation, the tool assembly pivots with respect to the main body assembly between working and transport modes automatically when the portable extractor is pulled or pushed on the floor.

Abstract: A floor polishing machine according to the preferred form of the teachings of the present invention includes a body portion having a platform, and a handle pivotally mounted to the platform. First and second sets of wheels are provided adjacent the rear of the platform and on opposite sides of the handle pivot. For coupling the handle and the platform together, torsion springs are provided having first ends anchored to the platform and having second ends connected to the handle. The torsion springs urge the platform to pivot about the first set of wheels downwardly in the rear and upwardly in the front.

Abstract: A carpet brush attachment for a floor treating machine including a circular machine supporting plate having a circular hub extending axially therefrom. The circular plate has formed adjacent the outer edge thereof and spaced from the hub an annular flange acting as a stop for a ring brush. The ring brush is formed with spaced holes through which extensions formed on the plate freely extend which rotate the brush and allow the brush to move vertically upon the extensions and thereby rest floatingly on a carpeted surface to be cleaned with the plate on the surface and supporting the machine.

Abstract: A mobile surface cleaning machine with rear mounted steerable wheels steered by a steering wheel, first and second squeegee blades pivotally mounted on each side, respectively, on the rear of the machine. A cam carried by the rear wheels with first and second levers pivotally mounted on the machine, each of the levers having a roller mounted thereon for contact with the cam. A first flexible cable connected to the first lever and the first squeegee and a second cable connected to the second lever and said second squeegee. A sprocket carried by the cam. A chain carried by said sprocket and the steering wheel whereby actuation of the steering wheel to turn the machine in one direction lowers one of said squeegees to a surface on which the machine is operated and maintains the other squeegee raised from the machine with both squeegees maintained in raised positions when the machine is steered in a forward direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting and tilting the collecting chamber of a vacuum cleaner is disclosed including a chassis rollable over a floor surface, having a pair of upstanding arms, a pair of arm members pivotally connected to the upstanding arms of the chassis, and a handle pivotally connected to the arm members. The handle can be locked in either of two positions, with the first push position being such that the gripping portion of the handle is placed above the pivot point of the arm member to the chassis such that the gripping portion is in a position convenient to the operator for rolling the chassis over the floor surface and with the second tilt position being rotated from the first push position about the pivotal connection of the handle with the arm members such that the gripping portion lies below the pivot point to allow pivoting of the arm members on the chassis to tilt the collecting chamber of the vacuum cleaner so that it empties the contents therefrom.

Abstract: A Mobile Floor Sweeper including a rotatable cylindrical brush mounted on a mobile chassis, lever means for raising and lowering said brush relative to the chassis with plate means pivotally mounted on the chassis adjacent the brush together with lever means connecting the plate means with the means for raising and lowering the brush whereby the plate means follows the brush as it is raised and lowered and means for adjustably positioning one end of the brush relative to the chassis.