Abstract: A surface treating apparatus (10) includes a tank (100) containing a cleaning solution (102) supplied to a supply point (SP) via a fluid flow line (106) under control of a flow control module (108). A chemical pump (144) controls flow of a chemical supplied to the fluid flow line (106). A controller (130) controls the flow control module (108) to operate at an operating flow rate based on a level of the cleaning solution (102) sensed by a solution sensor (120). The controller (130) controls the chemical pump (144) to operate at a flow rate based on the operating flow rate so that the chemical is supplied to the supply point (SP) at a selected chemical dilution ratio. An agitating element (105) agitates the surface with scrubbing pressure which is adjusted by the controller (130). A spike button (168) is coupled to controller (130) and operable to momentarily increase the flow rate, chemical dilution ratio, and/or scrubbing pressure to remove unusually dirty spots.

Abstract: A squeegee assembly for wiping a surface comprises a front flexible blade having an outer surface, an inner surface and a floor engaging edge, a rear flexible blade having an outer surface, an inner surface and a wiping edge, a support upon which the front and rear flexible blades are mounted, a vacuumized chamber bounded by the front blade, rear blade, support, and the surface, and a suction tube coupled to the support and positioned between the front and rear flexible blades. The rear flexible blade includes at least one aperture extending between the outer surface and the inner surface and spaced from the wiping edge.

Abstract: A random orbit scrubber comprises a main body having a front end and a rear end, a squeegee assembly coupled to the rear end of the main body, and a cleaning head assembly coupled to the front end of the main body. The cleaning head assembly can include a cleaning element structured for contact with a floor surface. The cleaning head assembly can further include a motor that is operable to impart rotational and orbital movement on the cleaning element.

Abstract: A retainer clip for a squeegee assembly comprises top and bottom clip members each having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface of the top clip member includes a first channel portion adjacent to a first end and a first interlocking feature adjacent to a second end. The interior surface of the bottom clip member includes a second channel portion adjacent to a first end and a second interlocking feature adjacent to a second end. Mating the first interlocking feature with the second interlocking feature positions the first channel portion adjacent to the second channel portion to form a pin receiving channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for controlling an engine (552) in a sweeper-scrubber. An electrical system alternator (554) provides power to at least one cleaning function (576, 578, 580) of a self-propelled hybrid vehicle and to driven wheels. The operational load is monitored, and the running state of an internal combustion engine (552) is controlled based on the monitored operational load. A threshold charge, of an electrical system battery pack (556) is maintained.

Abstract: A scrub deck assembly (59) comprises a scrub deck frame (76) and a pivot arm (70) having a first end (72) and a second end (74). The pivot arm is rotatably coupled to the scrub deck frame at the first end, and a scrub brush (56A) is operably coupled to the pivot arm at the second end. The scrub deck assembly further comprises a retraction mechanism (80) configured to allow movement of the pivot arm, relative to the scrub deck frame, about the first end. A release mechanism (92) is operably coupled to the retraction mechanism, and is configured to disengage the operation of the retraction mechanism.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a floor comprises discharging a diluting fluid from a first reservoir to a mixing apparatus, discharging a cleaner concentrate from a second reservoir to the mixing apparatus, continuously identifying changes in fluid level within the first reservoir with a level sensor, providing a first signal indicative of an identified change in fluid level, passing the cleaner concentrate and diluting fluid through a flow control device, and processing the first signal to generate an output signal and controlling operation of the pump and the flow control device in response to the output signal to provide a flow of fluid to a cleaning device at a substantially constant ratio of the diluting fluid from the first reservoir to the cleaner concentrate from the second reservoir for substantially all fluid levels of the first reservoir.

Abstract: A vacuum extraction apparatus comprises a base having a first end and a second end, a tank assembly having a first end and a second end, a fluid pump operable to draw fluid from a first tank of the tank assembly and distribute the fluid to a fluid port, a heating unit operable to control a temperature of the fluid, and one or more vacuum units operable to decrease a pressure level within a second tank of the tank assembly. The second end of the tank assembly is rotatably coupled to the second end of the base, thereby providing access to an internal chamber of the base.

Abstract: A novel suction head for a carpet cleaning wand wherein either or both of two designs are utilized. Each design utilizes a generally fan shaped internal suction channel that fairs smoothly between an exhaust channel of substantially round cross section and lips of an intake opening having a much wider and substantially rectangular cross section. The internal suction channel utilized by one design is formed with a cross section that is non-uniform when viewed along the direction of air flow through the wand, which is a dramatic contrast to the uniform cross sections of known current designs. Another design utilizes an internal airfoil interrupting the internal suction channel along its centerline for diverting the air flow more towards the outside edges of the internal suction channel.

Abstract: Vibration dampening elements that are made of rubber and/or an elastomer may fail when subjected to vertical and/or horizontal stresses caused by repeated lifting of the cleaning head assembly and/or unintentional bumping of the cleaning head assembly into door frames, walls or other non-movable objects. The present invention includes, among other things, at least one stabilizer element and preferably two stabilizer elements to reduce damage to certain vibration dampening elements caused by vertical and/or horizontal stress. Alternative embodiments of the stabilizer element are also disclosed.

Abstract: A portable machine is used to abrade the surface of a factory finished wooden floor so the abraded surface may be recoated with a fresh coat of wooden floor finish. Abrasion of the surface provides anchor sites to achieve a strong bond between the pre-existing abraded finish and the fresh coat of wooden floor finish.

Abstract: A squeegee assembly (10, 10?) includes a flexible wiper blade (30) sandwiched between a mounting bracket (32, 32?) and a retaining strap (34, 34?). A retainer (94) has a head (98) which is positionable between aligned and misaligned positions with mounting apertures (82, 92) to allow disassembly, assembly and retention of the squeegee assembly (10, 10?). Arcuate portions (36, 36?, 66, 66?) formed in the mounting bracket (32, 32?) and the retaining straps (34, 34?) have different radiuses. Linear portions (68, 68?, 70, 70?) of the retaining straps (34, 34?) have upper and lower edges (72, 74) bent from center portions thereof. The mounting brackets (32, 32?) include L-shaped slots (46) for slideably receiving vertical bolts (56) of the floor maintenance machine (12).

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus having a cleaning system including at least one downwardly directed spray nozzle is supported by the chassis proximal the chassis forward end and in fluid communication with at least one cleaning solution tank. The at least one spray nozzle sprays cleaning solution from the tank onto the floor. At least one ground engaging agitation brush is disposed rearwardly of the at least one spray nozzle for agitating the cleaning solution sprayed onto the floor. At least one vacuum shoe is supported by the chassis rearwardly of the at least one agitation brush, and in fluid communication with the at least one recovery tank. Cleaning solution drawn into the vacuum shoe is deposited into the at least one recovery tank. In one embodiment, the apparatus is drivable. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a second cleaning system including a vacuum squeegee.

Abstract: A control handle assembly (200) includes a rigid handle (202) for grasping by the operator to steer a walk-behind mobile machine (10) and a control portion (220) moveable relative to the handle (202) to control a function of the machine (10). A flexible extension (238) extends between the handle (202) and the control portion (220) and over the separation defined thereby. The flexible extension (238) flexes when pushed or pulled by the operator's hands and particularly when the flexible extension is engaged with both the control portion (220) and the handle (202) and when the operator's hand extends into the separation therebetween.

Abstract: A carpet extractor (10) operable in either a restorative cleaning mode or a maintenance cleaning mode includes a constant rate pump (96) which dispenses clean solution through a manually operated valve (98) to one of two lines (100, 102) having nozzles which restrict dispensing to high and low solution flow rates. In the preferred form, clean solution is dispensed at the high flow rate directly upon the carpeted surface and at the low rate upon the agitating brush (88). When restorative cleaning is desired, the valve (98) is manually moved to dispense at the high flow rate and a switch (110) is also manually moved resulting in the chassis (18) being propelled at a slow working speed. When maintenance cleaning is desired, the valve (98) is manually moved to dispense at the low flow rate and the switch (110) is also manually moved resulting in the chassis (18) being propelled at a fast working speed.

Abstract: A carpet extractor (10) operable in either a restorative cleaning mode or a maintenance cleaning mode includes a constant rate pump (96) which dispenses clean solution through a manually operated valve (98) to one of two lines (100, 102) having nozzles which restrict dispensing to high and low solution flow rates. In the preferred form, clean solution is dispensed at the high flow rate directly upon the carpeted surface and at the low rate upon the agitating brush (88). When restorative cleaning is desired, the valve (98) is manually moved to dispense at the high flow rate and a switch (110) is also manually moved resulting in the chassis (18) being propelled at a slow working speed. When maintenance cleaning is desired, the valve (98) is manually moved to dispense at the low flow rate and the switch (110) is also manually moved resulting in the chassis (18) being propelled at a fast working speed.

Abstract: A floor-cleaning machine (10) has a chassis (12) that is mobile on a surface and carries an agitating mechanism (14) to engage the surface. A fluid delivery system (18) conveys fluid from a reservoir (16) to the surface proximate the agitating mechanism (14). The fluid delivery system (18) includes a flow control valve (20) having a body (24) and a flow control member in the form of a ball (22) constrained within the body (24) and rotatable about an axis. A first passage (30) and a second passage (32) are defined in the ball (22), with the second passage (32) having a cross sectional area smaller than a cross sectional area of the first passage (30). The ball (22) is pivotable between a high flow position and a low flow position. In the high flow position, the ball (22) is positioned to allow fluid flow from a upstream duct (26) to a downstream duct (28) through the first passage (30).

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus having a cleaning system including at least one downwardly directed spray nozzle is supported by the chassis proximal the chassis forward end and in fluid communication with at least one cleaning solution tank. The at least one spray nozzle sprays cleaning solution from the tank onto the floor. At least one ground engaging agitation brush is disposed rearwardly of the at least one spray nozzle for agitating the cleaning solution sprayed onto the floor. At least one vacuum shoe is supported by the chassis rearwardly of the at least one agitation brush, and in fluid communication with the at least one recovery tank. Cleaning solution drawn into the vacuum shoe is deposited into the at least one recovery tank. In one embodiment, the apparatus is drivable. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a second cleaning system including a vacuum squeegee.

Abstract: A squeegee assembly (60) includes first and second protrusions (314) interconnected to a support (172) to which front and rear flexible blades (170a, 170b) are mounted. In preferred aspects, squeegee assembly (60) is of a curved design such that the flexible blades (170a, 170b) are spaced at the center of the support (172) where a suction tube (174) is provided and taper towards each other so that their ends are closely adjacent each other. The first and second protrusions (314) define upper and lower channel portions (324, 326) between the flexible blades (170a, 170b) so that appreciable reduction in the speed of air flow towards the suction tube (174) does not occur, which reduction may result in dropping of carried moisture.

Abstract: An onboard treatment solution injection system (40) includes a container (42) removably received in a holder (51) having a plurality of condition sensors (52) arranged in a vertical linear series. An injection pump (44) draws treatment solution from the container (42) and injects it into cleaning solution flowing in a line (15) from a solution tank (16) under action of a solution pump (18). The relative pumping rates of the pumps (18, 44) are controlled by a controller (58) controlled by the condition sensors (52) detecting a magnet (56) which is adjustably slideably mounted on the container (42) according to the type of treatment solution held therein. A valve (50) allows the injection pump (44) to be alternately in fluid communication with the container (42) or the solution tank (16) for purging.