Abstract: A cleaning machine that can simultaneously perform the cleaning operations of sweeping, scrubbing and burnishing is provided. The cleaning machine is battery-operated and is driven by a riding operator. A pivotal door is located at the rear of the cleaning machine. The burnishing assembly is pivotal with the door. Upon opening the door, access to a battery pack and a cart that supports the battery pack is available. The battery pack can be removed from the cleaning machine at its rear using the cart. A charged battery pack with cart is then positioned in the battery storage assembly of the cleaning machine to replace the removed battery pack and cart. A pair of ramp members facilitate desired placement of the cart and battery pack within the cleaning machine.

Abstract: A portable holder for holding drinking liquid in the shape of a vest, having front and back sections with tubing that can be filled with drinking liquid; a twist lock coupler drains from the back to the front. Each section has molded sinuous tubing that can be filled by a filling tube and vented from the same filling tube at the top of the vest. Each section is also held together on the side by a hook and loop fastener. The vest also allows the wearer to drink through a drinking tube while wearing the vest. There is also a drainage tube provided by the vest with a screw cap that is concealed by a tongue and groove fastener. Each section is also held together on the other side of the vest by a hook and loop fastener.

Abstract: Squeegee adjustment in connection with a floor maintenance mechanism is provided. A single adjustment such as a laterally movable camming bar, permits rapid and reproducible squeegee height adjustment without the need for tools. A spring-urged squeegee pitch coupling is adjustable by a manually operable knob. Indicators or gauges provide an operator with information regarding the current height and/or pitch value of the squeegee.

Abstract: A larger scrubbing machine and a smaller scrubbing machine are provided in combination. The larger scrubbing machine scrubs larger floor areas and the smaller scrubbing machine scrubs smaller floor areas that are typically inaccessible by the larger machine. When the larger machine is being used, the smaller scrubbing machine is attached thereto. When a smaller floor area is to be cleaned, the smaller scrubbing machine is removed from the larger scrubbing machine. The smaller scrubbing machine includes a scrubber assembly and a motor that is powered using an electrical power source located on the larger machine. A spring is operatively connected to this scrubber assembly for ensuring desired contact between the brush bristles and the floor area being cleaned. Two spaced pairs of wheels provide a uniform plane of contact during scrubbing by the scrubber assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning floors. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes four wheels, two of which are steerable wheels, and a steering mechanism that permits the two steerable wheels to turn to a degree that allows very tight turns to be made by the sweeper. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper with a cylindrical side broom. Yet a further embodiment of the sweeper includes flaps or seals that form a skirt about the broom and a mounting mechanism for slidably receiving the flap or seal. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that employs flaps with wear indicators that tell an operator when to adjust or replace the flap. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that utilizes a pre-filter to remove debris that remains in the vacuum airstream after having passed through the hopper and that is of a size that can require frequent cleaning of a subsequent filtering device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an articulated vehicle for scrubbing floors that provides an operator station for riding on the vehicle and is particularly useful in cleaning relatively large floor surfaces that are defined by intersecting aisles of relatively narrow width. In this regard, the dimensional characteristics of the vehicle body facilitate tight turns in such aisles. Further, the location and/or shape of components of the vehicle and/or the positional relationship of one component to another component facilitate turns in narrow aisles. The vehicle also incorporates shock absorbing systems for the scrub head and vacuum squeegee that benefit the noted application.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning floors. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes four wheels, two of which are steerable wheels, and a steering mechanism that permits the two steerable wheels to turn to a degree that allows very tight turns to be made by the sweeper. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper with a cylindrical side broom. Yet a further embodiment of the sweeper includes flaps or seals that form a skirt about the broom and a mounting mechanism for slidably receiving the flap or seal. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that employs flaps with wear indicators that tell an operator when to adjust or replace the flap. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that utilizes a pre-filter to remove debris that remains in the vacuum airstream after having passed through the hopper and that is of a size that can require frequent cleaning of a subsequent filtering device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning floors. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes four wheels, two of which are steerable wheels, and a steering mechanism that permits the two steerable wheels to turn to a degree that allows very tight turns to be made by the sweeper. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper with a cylindrical side broom. Yet a further embodiment of the sweeper includes flaps or seals that form a skirt about the broom and a mounting mechanism for slidably receiving the flap or seal. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that employs flaps with wear indicators that tell an operator when to adjust or replace the flap. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that utilizes a pre-filter to remove debris that remains in the vacuum airstream after having passed through the hopper and that is of a size that can require frequent cleaning of a subsequent filtering device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning floors. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes four wheels, two of which are steerable wheels, and a steering mechanism that permits the two steerable wheels to turn to a degree that allows very tight turns to be made by the sweeper. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper with a cylindrical side broom. Yet a further embodiment of the sweeper includes flaps or seals that form a skirt about the broom and a mounting mechanism for slidably receiving the flap or seal. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that employs flaps with wear indicators that tell an operator when to adjust or replace the flap. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that utilizes a pre-filter to remove debris that remains in the vacuum airstream after having passed through the hopper and that is of a size that can require frequent cleaning of a subsequent filtering device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning floors. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes four wheels, two of which are steerable wheels, and a steering mechanism that permits the two steerable wheels to turn to a degree that allows very tight turns to be made by the sweeper. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper with a cylindrical side broom. Yet a further embodiment of the sweeper includes flaps or seals that form a skirt about the broom and a mounting mechanism for slidably receiving the flap or seal. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that employs flaps with wear indicators that tell an operator when to adjust or replace the flap. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that utilizes a pre-filter to remove debris that remains in the vacuum airstream after having passed through the hopper and that is of a size that can require frequent cleaning of a subsequent filtering device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning floors. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes four wheels, two of which are steerable wheels, and a steering mechanism that permits the two steerable wheels to turn to a degree that allows very tight turns to be made by the sweeper. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper with a cylindrical side broom. Yet a further embodiment of the sweeper includes flaps or seals that form a skirt about the broom and a mounting mechanism for slidably receiving the flap or seal. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that employs flaps with wear indicators that tell an operator when to adjust or replace the flap. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that utilizes a pre-filter to remove debris that remains in the vacuum airstream after having passed through the hopper and that is of a size that can require frequent cleaning of a subsequent filtering device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning floors. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes four wheels, two of which are steerable wheels, and a steering mechanism that permits the two steerable wheels to turn to a degree that allows very tight turns to be made by the sweeper. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper with a cylindrical side broom. Yet a further embodiment of the sweeper includes flaps or seals that form a skirt about the broom and a mounting mechanism for slidably receiving the flap or seal. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that employs flaps with wear indicators that tell an operator when to adjust or replace the flap. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that utilizes a pre-filter to remove debris that remains in the vacuum airstream after having passed through the hopper and that is of a size that can require frequent cleaning of a subsequent filtering device.

Abstract: A vehicle for moving in a longitudinal direction and cleaning a surface has a scrub brush, a cleaning fluid dispenser, a squeegee, drive means, and at least one steering wheel which is mounted to the vehicle such that it may be selectively turned for steering the vehicle. The vehicle is provided with a steering mechanism for turning the steering wheel, whereby turning a steering input member a specific angular magnitude in one direction causes the steering wheel to turn a greater angular magnitude in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A sweeper vehicle having a unique engine/motor mounting arrangement whereby the engine/motor and accessories may be rotated out of the vehicle into a more accessible position for maintenance and the like, as well as a novel apparatus for clamping the engine/motor in its normal operating position and a safety interlock mechanism.

Abstract: A floor scrubbing vehicle having scrub brushes mounted at the rear of the vehicle by a mechanism which allows both the brushes and squeegee to extend and retract transversely with respect to the vehicle. The mechanism is resilient, and allows the scrub brushes and squeegee to automatically retract inward upon contact with an immovable obstacle, and also causes automatic extension of the brushes and squeegee following passage of the obstacle. The scrub brushes and squeegee are mounted in a scrubbing pod frame which can rotate about a vertical axis with respect to the vehicle to prevent damage, or to facilitate access for repair and maintenance.

Abstract: A sweeper vehicle having a unique engine/motor mounting arrangement whereby the engine/motor and accessories may be rotated out of the vehicle into a more accessible position for maintenance and the like, as well as a novel apparatus for clamping the engine/motor in its normal operating position and a safety interlock mechanism.