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.

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 riding burnishing machine (10) includes a battery pack positioned as low as possible in the chassis (12) between the front and rear wheels (14, 15) and removable in a horizontal movement direction while supported by the bottom by a pallet jack. A steering system includes steering shafts (58, 76) which are rotatable together while allowing relative pivotable movement therebetween and which are rotatably connected to the spindle (38) of the steerable rear wheels (15) through a jack shaft (44). The burnishing head is raised and lowered relative to the floor surface by an electric actuator (104) which pivots a linkage (92) through a connection allowing floating travel. The pressure which the treating member (16) engages the floor surface is controlled in response to the current level of the electric motor (86) which rotates the treating member (16).

Abstract: A squeegee assembly is allowed to float on the floor surface by first, second and third linkage arms having first ends pivotably mounted to the chassis and second ends pivotably mounted to a mount for the squeegee assembly and allowing movement in more than one plane. The squeegee assembly is maintained at a generally constant angle independent of the pivotable movement of the linkage arms, with the generally constant angle being variable by adjusting the length of the third linkage arm. First and second extension springs have first ends attached to the chassis and have second ends attached to the mount at differing spacing than the first ends to cause the squeegee assembly to center the squeegee assembly relative to the chassis. In the preferred form, the ends of the extension springs attached to the chassis are vertically below the ends of the extension springs attached to the mount of the squeegee assembly to bias the squeegee assembly towards the floor surface.

Abstract: A riding machine (10) includes a battery pack positioned as low as possible in the chassis (12) between the front and rear wheels (14, 15) and removable in a horizontal movement direction while supported by the bottom by a pallet jack. A steering system includes steering shafts (58, 76) which are rotatable together while allowing relative pivotable movement therebetween and which are rotatably connected to the spindle (38) of the steerable rear wheels (15) through a jack shaft (44). In one preferred form, the burnishing head of the machine (10) is raised and lowered relative to the floor surface by an electric actuator (104) which pivots a linkage (92) through a connection allowing floating travel. The pressure which the treating member (16) engages the floor surface is controlled in response to the current level of the electric motor (86) which rotates the treating member (16).

Abstract: A riding floor scrubber (10) is disclosed having a relatively narrow cleaning width for passing through relatively narrow passages such as conventional doorways. The riding floor scrubber (10) includes a recovery tank (16) that is vertically and laterally arranged and removably attached to the back of a clean solution tank (14). The clean solution tank (14) includes spaced parallel side portions (26, 28) and the recovery tank (16) extends between the rear ends of the side portions (26, 28). The recovery tank (16) is secured by first and second brackets (42) that extend into recesses (44) on the clean solution tank (14), with the bottom of the recovery tank (16) including a lip portion (46) resting on a metal plate (20) of a chassis (18), with a battery pack (52) being supported on the plate (20) between the side portions (26, 28) of the clean solution tank (14).

Abstract: A floor scrubber (10) is disclosed including a drive lug (62) for removably connecting a scrubbing member (64) to a drive (60) and having a trough for receipt and catching of solution for passage to the surface. The mount (58) for the drive (60) is biased by a spring (67) to pivot relative to a linkage plate (46) in turn pivotably mounted to the chassis (12) at an acute angle to the forward movement direction. The vacuum assembly (92) is sandwiched in a socket (100) formed in the bottom wall of a recovery tank (90) by a mount (106) to deaden the sound generated thereby and to allow air communication is inside of the socket (100) but generally preventing entry of solution therein. The squeegee assembly (152) is biased by a gas spring (150) to engage the surface at a constant force independent of the pivotal position of the squeegee mount (148).

Abstract: A riding floor scrubber (10) is disclosed having a relatively narrow cleaning width for passing through relatively narrow passages such as conventional doorways. The riding floor scrubber (10) includes a recovery tank (16) that is vertically and laterally arranged and removably attached to the back of a clean solution tank (14). The clean solution tank (14) includes spaced parallel side portions (26, 28) and the recovery tank (16) extends between the rear ends of the side portions (26, 28). The recovery tank (16) is secured by first and second brackets (42) that extend into recesses (44) on the clean solution tank (14), with the bottom of the recovery tank (16) including a lip portion (46) resting on a metal plate (20) of a chassis (18), with a battery pack (52) being supported on the plate (20) between the side portions (26, 28) of the clean solution tank (14).

Abstract: A riding burnishing machine (10) includes a battery pack positioned as low as possible in the chassis (12) between the front and rear wheels (14, 15) and removable in a horizontal movement direction while supported by the bottom by a pallet jack. A steering system includes steering shafts (58, 76) which are rotatable together while allowing relative pivotable movement therebetween and which are rotatably connected to the spindle (38) of the steerable rear wheels (15) through a jack shaft (44). The burnishing head is raised and lowered relative to the floor surface by an electric actuator (104) which pivots a linkage (92) through a connection allowing floating travel. The pressure which the treating member (16) engages the floor surface is controlled in response to the current level of the electric motor (86) which rotates the treating member (16).

Abstract: A floor scrubber (10) is disclosed including a drive lug (62) for removably connecting a scrubbing member (64) to a drive (60) and having a trough for receipt and catching of solution for passage to the surface. The mount (58) for the drive (60) is biased by a spring (67) to pivot relative to a linkage plate (46) in turn pivotably mounted to the chassis (12) at an acute angle to the forward movement direction. The vacuum assembly (92) is sandwiched in a socket (100) formed in the bottom wall of a recovery tank (90) by a mount (106) to deaden the sound generated thereby and to allow air communication inside of the socket (100) but generally preventing entry of solution therein. The squeegee assembly (152) is biased by a gas spring (150) to engage the surface at a constant force independent of the pivotal position of the squeegee mount (148).

Abstract: An apparatus (200) is provided in a floor scrubber (10) for automatically shutting off the motor (60) which rotates an agitator (64) and the motor (96) of a vacuum assembly under various operating conditions of the floor scrubber (10). The current to the motors (60, 96) is detected by devices (204, 206) and monitored by a control circuit (202) controlling devices (208, 210 which interrupt operation of the motors (60, 96). In the preferred form, operation of the agitator (64) is interrupted when the current to the brush motor (60) is less than or equal to a threshold level indicating that the agitator (64) has been raised from the floor surface as the current to the brush motor (60) would be above the threshold level when the agitator (64) engages the floor surface. Operation of the vacuum assembly is interrupted when the current to the vacuum motor (96) drops to a fixed percentage over a period of time from normal operating levels indicating the path of the air in the vacuum assembly has been blocked.

Abstract: A wet/dry vacuum device includes a canister unit that is pivotally mounted to an upstanding portion of a support carriage for movement between a lowered, in-use position and a raised, emptying position. Also pivotally attached to the upstanding portion of the support carriage is a lifting assist lever upon which the canister unit rests for movement between the lowered and raised positions. Interposed between the carriage and the lifting assist lever is a device, such as linear acting, fluid spring, for assisting in manually tilting the canister unit. The fluid spring is preferably interconnected to each of the carriage and the lifting assist lever through respective loss motion connections which enable a rather large tilting range for the canister unit while minimizing the required length of the fluid spring.

Abstract: A dust collection/control system is disclosed utilized in a floor polishing machine (10) in the most preferred form. A polishing member (16) for maintaining a floor surface as it is moved along the floor 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 handle assembly (10) for a floor maintenance machine (12) includes a hollow handle pole (26), a handle (84) formed of a foamed polymer, and a device (36) for adjustably locking the handle pole (26) relative to the housing (14) of the floor maintenance machine (12). The locking device (36) includes a foot-operated lever (44) of a stamped, generally U-shape. The handle (84) is formed of a top section (90) and a bottom section (92), with hand grips (156) being integrally formed solely with the top section (90). Pivotable triggers (120) are pivotally mounted to cylindrical pivot bosses (118) formed in the handle (84), with unintentional pivoting of the triggers (120) being prevented by a slideably mounted, lock-out device (164). Trapezoid-shaped extensions (106) are formed on the bottom section (92) and include edges (108) for abutting with the floor when the handle assembly (10) is tipped to reduce the risk of the handle (84) cracking at the upper end of the handle pole (26).

Abstract: A floor scrubber (10) is disclosed including a drive lug (62) for removably connecting a scrubbing member (64) to a drive (60) and having a trough for receipt and catching of solution for passage to the surface. The mount (58) for the drive (60) is biased by a spring (67) to pivot relative to a linkage plate (46) in turn pivotably mounted to the chassis (12) at an acute angle to the forward movement direction. The vacuum assembly (92) is sandwiched in a socket (100) formed in the bottom wall of a recovery tank (90) by a mount (106) to deaden the sound generated thereby and to allow air communication inside of the socket (100) but generally preventing entry of solution therein. The squeegee assembly (152) is biased by a gas spring (150) to engage the surface at a constant force independent of the pivotal position of the squeegee mount (148).