Abstract: A floor scrubber machine can comprise a chassis, a scrub deck and a propulsion system. The scrub deck can include a hands-free, double-scrub side skirt mechanism, and a dual mode side blade assembly. The chassis can include a rear squeegee assembly having a self-aligning hanger system with balanced handles. The propulsion system can include a throttle pedal having a button for forward/reverse control, and a control panel having a setting for rescaling the acceleration profile. A disc brush scrub deck can include a brush centering mechanism. A cylindrical brush scrub deck can include an idler end brush cover with self-aligning tabs, and a self-contained drive mechanism.

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 floor scrubber machine can comprise a chassis, a scrub deck and a propulsion system. The scrub deck can include a hands-free, double-scrub side skirt mechanism, and a dual mode side blade assembly. The chassis can include a rear squeegee assembly having a self-aligning hanger system with balanced handles. The propulsion system can include a throttle pedal having a button for forward/reverse control, and a control panel having a setting for rescaling the acceleration profile. A disc brush scrub deck can include a brush centering mechanism. A cylindrical brush scrub deck can include an idler end brush cover with self-aligning tabs, and a self-contained drive mechanism.

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 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: 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 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: Airborne dust is controlled and minimized by spraying a fine spray mist by nozzles (50) in a direction tangential to and spaced from spaced, vertical, parallel axes of counter-rotating first and second front brooms (26) and opposite to the rotation direction and angled to the floor in front of the axes. The fluid is pumped at a rate in the order of 0.033 gallons (125 ml) per minute and at a pressure in the order of 40 psi (2.81 kg/cm) through the nozzles (50) having orifice diameters in the order of 0.015 inch (0.38 cm) and a spray angle in the order of 110° to produce droplets having a volume mean diameter in the order of less than 220 microns. The fine spray mist adheres to the airborne particulates to control settling of the airborne particles onto the floor and without build-up of moisture on the floor being swept.

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).