Abstract: The specification discloses a floor scrubber wherein the squeegee is connected to the machine by a coil spring. The squeegee is free of direct rigid connection to the machine such that it can shift readily from side to side through the action of the spring. The squeegee is biased to a raised position by a second spring and can be forced downwardly into engagement with the floor through a unique pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: A carpet cleaning machine for uniformly spreading a powder onto a surface, working the powder into the surface and subsequently removing the powder and dirt is disclosed. The cleaning machine includes a powder dispenser attachable to a vacuum cleaner. The dispenser includes a hopper, a metering drum rotatably mounted within the hopper about a mandrel and a punch roller rotatably mounted within the metering drum. An air motor is operably connected to the metering drum. The vacuum cleaner includes an agitating brush, a suction nozzle, a suction passage and a source of vacuum connected to the suction passage. A blocking vane mounted within the housing and the suction passage alternately connects the suction nozzle to the source of vacuum or the air motor to the source of vacuum. A throttle valve carried in an air outlet tube of the air motor includes a lever which automatically interconnects with a control permanently mounted on the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: The specification discloses a floor treating machine in which a vertical axis rotating brush is coupled to the motor through a motor gimbal having convex bottom and side walls which are seated in a cavity within a receiving brush gimbal, the bottom and side walls of the cavity having radii greater than the radii of the motor gimbal bottom and side wall so that the brush is free to shift its axis of rotation vis-a-vis the axis of rotation of the motor gimbal to thereby accommodate deviations in the surface being cleaned.

Abstract: A carpet cleaning machine for uniformly spreading a powder onto a surface, working the powder into the surface and subsequently removing the powder and dirt is disclosed. The cleaning machine includes a powder dispenser attachable to a vacuum cleaner. The dispenser includes a hopper, a metering drum rotatably mounted within the hopper about a mandrel and a punch roller rotatably mounted within the metering drum. An air motor is operably connected to the metering drum. The vacuum cleaner includes an agitating brush, a suction nozzle, a suction passage and a source of vacuum connected to the suction passage. A blocking vane mounted within the housing and the suction passage alternately connects the suction nozzle to the source of vacuum or the air motor to the source of vacuum. A throttle valve carried in an air outlet tube of the air motor includes a lever which automatically interconnects with a control permanently mounted on the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A compact floor polisher is disclosed including a base supporting an electric motor having a vertically oriented output shaft and driving a circular brush. The base includes a depending annular skirt and a hollow hub. A brush carrier has an annular flange and a spindle rotatably supported by bearings within the hub. The brush carrier and support base define a lubricant housing. A ring gear is formed on the annular flange of the carrier and engaged by a pinion gear secured to the motor output shaft. A seal is disposed between the vertical flange and the annular skirt. Baffles direct lubricant into the hub to lubricate the bearings supporting the brush carrier spindle.

Abstract: A vertical axis brush for use with a rotary floor maintenance apparatus is disclosed. The brush includes a holder plate having an integral peripherally extending and depending skirt to which are detachably secured a plurality of brush segments. Each brush segment is generally U-shaped in plan and is held to the holder plate by a pair of opposed clamps which define a channel. The clamps are integral with the plate and radially receive the brush members in a detachable snap fit fashion. When mounted, each of the brush members is engaged by the clamps and also engaged by the depending skirt of the holder plate.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning apparatus is disclosed in which a wheeled carriage supports a plurality of different size collection tanks on a pivot support rod extending between upward extending portions of a handle frame mounted on the carriage base. The rear of each of the tanks includes a transverse groove dimensioned to slip onto the pivot support rod. The tanks may be pivoted about the support rod to dump the contents contained therein. A carriage anti-tilt support, pivotally mounted on the carriage, prevents tipping of the carriage during tank dumping.

Abstract: A floor treating machine primarily adapted for scrubbing a hard floor surface is disclosed. The machine includes a main frame, a modular support subassembly and a brush subassembly. The support subassembly includes a frame member secured to the main frame and a brush lift assembly. The brush lift assembly includes a main lift arm pivoted to the support frame, a fluid operated diaphragm motor engaging the main lift arm and a tilt arm pivoted at one end to the frame. The main lift arm and tilt arm are operatively connected to the brush subassembly.

Abstract: A compact floor polisher is disclosed including a base supporting an electric motor having a vertically oriented output shaft and driving a circular brush. The base includes a depending annular skirt and a hollow hub. A brush carrier has an annular flange and a spindle rotatably supported by bearings within the hub. The brush carrier and support base define a lubricant housing. A ring gear is formed on the annular flange of the carrier and engaged by a pinion gear secured to the motor output shaft. A seal is disposed between the vertical flange and the annular skirt. A breather passage is defined by the base and extends into the lubricant housing. Baffles direct lubricant into the hub to lubricate the bearings supporting the brush carrier spindle.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning apparatus is disclosed having a suction head adapted for use on a collection tank. The suction head includes a base, at least one blower-motor unit mounted on the base and having a suction intake and an exhaust outlet. The exhaust outlet of the unit is connected to a baffled sound chamber within which a plurality of sound absorbing elements are positioned. Another blower-motor unit may be mounted on the base with the units interconnected in series. A cover carried by the base encloses the blower-motor unit or units and also defines a baffled cooling air intake passage for each blower-motor unit. The suction inlet is connected to an intake aperture through a transfer chamber.

Abstract: A two-wheel tractor is provided with an improved type of steerable two-wheel trailer having a steering mechanism which enables an operator of the tractor seated in the trailer to bring about turning movement of the tractor-trailer assembly in a natural and efficient manner by applying a lateral steering force to the handlebars of the tractor. This arrangement minimizes the steering force required upon the tractor handlebars and the amount of lateral movement thereof relative to the trailer while also providing enhanced lateral stability to the tractor and trailer assembly.

Abstract: A wet/dry vacuum apparatus is disclosed including a collection tank and a suction head. The suction head includes a base defining a tank inlet aperture, a blower intake aperture, a blower exhaust aperture, an atmospheric, intake-discharge aperture and an integrally molded valve housing. A blower is secured to the base in line with the intake aperture and includes an exhaust outlet connected to the exhaust aperture. The valve housing is opposite the blower and defines a tank opening communicating with the collection tank. A planar valve element is rotatably mounted within the housing and selectively permits communication of the blower intake with the tank for collection of debris and liquid or connection of the blower exhaust outlet with the tank to pressurize the tank and force the contents thereof out through the tank inlet.

Abstract: A lawn mower bag captures clippings and debris from the output of a lawn mower and may be carried at its rear. The bag includes an inlet adapted to be connected to the output of a rotary lawn mower and a large outlet opening for emptying of its contents. The portion of the bag forming the outlet opening is closed by and carried on the lawn mower through a plurality of hook-like fasteners arranged about the periphery of the outlet opening. The bag is easily fastened to and unfastened from the lawn mower and its contents can be emptied easily and controllably.

Abstract: A downwardly open roller supported housing is provided, on its upper surface, with a handle equipped rearwardly and upwardly inclined casing. Transverse partitions, within the housing, form an air flow passageway open to the bottom of the housing and a liquid receiving chamber for used cleaning fluid. A nozzle, mounted in the housing, is connected by tubing with a source of cleaning fluid supply through a heater and detergent applicator for spraying the surface to be cleaned. A pump, supported by a housing partition, drains the used cleaning fluid chamber to a point of discharge by tubing extending through the casing. A blower, supported by a housing partition, induces air flow through the passageway for removing used cleaning fluid from the surface being cleaned.