Abstract: A floor scrubber includes a forward cylindrical brush with adjustable down pressure. The cylindrical brush is sprayed uniformly with a controlled amount of water or solution and moves debris forward with a direct propelling action into a collection hopper. A set of three disc brushes is located behind the cylindrical brush, followed by a suction liquid recovery device for suctioning spent solution. A control system allows independent use of the forward cylindrical brush, or the rear disc brush set, or all brushes. A floor-engaging flap having a central opening extends transverse of the machine behind the cylindrical brush to channel water from the cylindrical brush to the disc brush set and then to the suction recovery device.

Abstract: A motor-driven outdoor vacuum has a ground level intake and a hose intake. When a hand-operable actuator moves a first or main door into a ground pick-up position, the ground level intake, which is carried by the first door is in direct air-flow communication with the impeller and the hose intake, which is carried by the first door is closed by a spring-actuated second door carried by the main door. When the actuator is moved to a hose intake position, the main door is moved to a second position in which the hose is in air-flow communication with the impeller and the ground level intake is closed.

Abstract: A mobile litter pickup vehicle has a pair of forward corner brushes independently mounted on articulated arms so that the brushes may be moved in the event an obstacle is encountered to avoid damage to the brushes or to the object. An air recirculating system is employed for prolonging the life of the final outlet filter, and an impermeable trash bag may be used for disposing of the contents of a primary scrim collection bag.

Abstract: The head assembly of a floor burnisher is suspended by a main lift assembly and a fine adjustment assembly. The main lift moves the head assembly between a raised position in which the pad assembly is raised and tilted for access, and a lowered position in which the pad driver is suspended slightly above the floor, ready for use. The fine adjustment assembly permits the operator to control very accurately and conveniently the final operating pressure of the pad when the burnisher is turned on.

Abstract: A microprocessor-controlled mobile machine for curing a floor coating includes a source of radiant energy in the form of ultraviolet (UV) light which is mounted to the machine. The machine may be operated in a Traverse mode under operator control of speed for moving to an application site. A Standby mode permits the UV applicator to operate at a quiescent state to reduce warm-up time while permitting the machine to be maneuvered by the operator. A Cure mode (of which there may be a plurality) operates the machine at predetermined, processor-controlled speed and the UV applicator at a predetermined power level.

Abstract: A flexible pouch container is formed by heat sealing adjacent sheets of a thermal plastic material to form a main storage reservoir and a dispensing and measuring reservoir, and a filling passage between the two reservoirs. A rigid support tube may be inserted in the filling passage. A dispensing spout is heat welded into a marginal edge of the pouch container in communication with the measuring reservoir so that, by applying hand pressure to the main reservoir, and with the measuring reservoir vented, a controlled, measured amount of liquid is transferred to the measuring reservoir which may then be dispensed through the spout.

Abstract: A mobile litter pickup vehicle has a pair of forward corner brushes independently mounted on articulated arms so that the brushes may be moved in the event an obstacle is encountered to avoid damage to the brushes or to the object. An air recirculating system is employed for prolonging the life of the final outlet filter, and an impermeable trash bag may be used for disposing of the contents of a primary scrim collection bag.

Abstract: A floor care machine such as a burnisher may operate in a manual or automatic mode for controlling the operating pressure of the working unit, such as a brush or pad. The illustrated machine has a motor and pad driver assembly mounted for height adjustment by an actuator. In the automatic mode, a transducer senses motor current (i.e., load) and generates a signal representative of the actual operating pressure exerted by the pad on the floor. A microprocessor-based controller controls the actuator to adjust the height of the pad relative to the floor, and thus adjusts the pad pressure on the floor, according to a setting selected by the operator. The controller is programmed to reduce the effect of "hunting" by entering a Lock Mode after operation has achieved predetermined conditions. System operation remains in the Lock Mode as long as other criteria are met, and operation returns to a Hunt Mode if these other criteria are not met.

Abstract: A delivery system for chemical concentrates, each in a separate container, includes, for each concentrate, a quick-disconnect coupling for a hand-operated valve connected to a pressurized water supply line. The coupling is connected to an air gap inductor including a mixing chamber into which the concentrate is metered. The diluted concentrate is then supplied to a user vessel or directly to a machine reservoir.

Abstract: A cleaning vehicle including an all-wheel steering mechanism. First, second and third wheels are mounted to the vehicle for rotation about respective first, second and third rotational axes and for pivotal movement about respective first, second and third pivot axes. The first and second wheels are located transversely across from one another and are both driven by a drive mechanism. The steering mechanism includes a pivot arm pivotally attached to the vehicle. A first steering linkage operatively connects the pivot arm to the first wheel, a second steering linkage operatively connects the pivot arm to the second wheel, and a third steering linkage operatively connects the pivot arm to the third wheel. Pivotal movement of the pivot arm causes conjoint pivotal movement of the first and second wheels in a first pivotal direction and pivotal movement of the third wheel in a second opposite pivotal direction.

Abstract: A motorized power head for a machine for cleaning upholstery, carpeting or hard floors includes a spray nozzle for distributing a clean spray solution on a selected area enclosed by the power head. A cylindrical rotating brush is driven by a two-speed motor housed in the power head to work the solution into the carpet to clean the selected area. A suction nozzle picks up the spent solution together with loosened dirt and grime. The power head may be used as a close-up applicator with a handle adjacent the power head, or as a stand-up applicator with an extension inserted between the handle and the power head. The brush is easily removed for replacement or for converting the apparatus for different applications.

Abstract: A portable carpet cleaning machine has a tank for storing a cleaning solution and a hand-actuatable spray nozzle for applying the solution under pressure. A vacuum motor drives a fan which produces a vacuum in a recovery tank for storing spent solution. Air flows through the recovery tank and the vacuum fan to exhaust. A fast-acting, heat-sensitive thermostatic switch is connected in electrical circuit and in heat transfer relation with the vacuum motor winding to interrupt the flow of current in the motor winding immediately upon sensing a temperature rise in the winding above a predetermined temperature and in a very short time after overflow water is passed from the recovery tank to the vacuum fan.

Abstract: An integral gimbal housing is trunnion mounted beneath and to the rear of the frame of a floor scrubber. The gimbal housing includes a vertical pivot shaft to which a yoke is mounted. A spring biases the gimbal housing to the use position. The yoke swings laterally and includes a rearwardly extending tubular receptacle which receives a forwardly extending tube of the squeegee so that the squeegee assembly has independent rotation about a horizontal axis and the squeegee adjusts to uneven surfaces. Torsion springs bias a vertical pivot shaft in the gimbal housing to the center position.

Abstract: A vacuum motor and fan are mounted within a housing, the lower end of which receives a high efficiency particle filter. The bottom of the housing includes a series of projections adapted to be received in corresponding apertures on an upper flange of the filter to prevent replacing the filter with an improper one. The projection/apertures also promote proper seating of the seal between the filter canister and the housing. A separate projection on the filter engages and actuates a lock-out switch carried by the housing to permit the machine to operate only when the filter is of proper size and capacity and it is properly seated on the housing.