Abstract: A cleaning head for use with a floor cleaning machine comprises first and second cleaning tools, at least one motor and a cleaning tool support. The at least one motor is configured to respectively drive rotation of the first and second cleaning tools about first and second horizontal axes. The first and second cleaning tools each have an exterior cleaning surface configured to engage the floor during floor cleaning operations. The cleaning tool support is configured to support the first and second cleaning tools for movement of the first and second horizontal axes relative to each other in a plane that is transverse to the first and second horizontal axes. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a floor cleaning machine that includes embodiments of the cleaning head.

Abstract: A hard floor sweeping and scrubbing machine includes a mobile body comprising a frame supported on wheels for travel over a surface, a motorized cleaning head, a waste hopper, a hopper lift and a vacuum squeegee. The motorized cleaning head is attached to the mobile body and is configured to perform sweeping and scrubbing operations on the surface. The waste hopper is positioned on a rear side of the cleaning head and is configured to receive waste discharged from the cleaning head during the surface sweeping operations. The hopper lift is configured to raise the waste hopper from an operating position, in which the waste hopper is positioned adjacent the cleaning head, to a dumping position, in which the waste hopper is positioned to dump waste collected in the waste hopper. In one embodiment, the vacuum squeegee is attached to the hopper lift. Also disclosed is a method of cleaning a surface using embodiments of the machine.

Abstract: A cleaning head for use with a floor cleaning machine comprises first and second cleaning tools, at least one motor and a cleaning tool support. The at least one motor is configured to respectively drive rotation of the first and second cleaning tools about first and second horizontal axes. The first and second cleaning tools each have an exterior cleaning surface configured to engage the floor during floor cleaning operations. The cleaning tool support is configured to support the first and second cleaning tools for movement of the first and second horizontal axes relative to each other in a plane that is transverse to the first and second horizontal axes. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a floor cleaning machine that includes embodiments of the cleaning head.

Abstract: A hard floor sweeping and scrubbing machine includes a mobile body comprising a frame supported on wheels for travel over a surface, a motorized cleaning head, a waste hopper, a hopper lift and a vacuum squeegee. The motorized cleaning head is attached to the mobile body and is configured to perform sweeping and scrubbing operations on the surface. The waste hopper is positioned on a rear side of the cleaning head and is configured to receive waste discharged from the cleaning head during the surface sweeping operations. The hopper lift is configured to raise the waste hopper from an operating position, in which the waste hopper is positioned adjacent the cleaning head, to a dumping position, in which the waste hopper is positioned to dump waste collected in the waste hopper. In one embodiment, the vacuum squeegee is attached to the hopper lift. Also disclosed is a method of cleaning a surface using embodiments of the machine.

Abstract: A sweeping machine includes a sweeping brush, a hopper having an inlet for receiving debris from said sweeping brush, an opening in said hopper and a vacuum system for creating an air flow path from the hopper inlet through the opening. There is a filter positioned in the hopper opening and a peripheral flexible seal between the inlet side of the filter and the hopper opening. A vibratory filter cleaner is positioned adjacent the outlet side of the filter to impart vibration thereto. There is a closure which encloses the filter and the filter cleaner and there is a second peripheral flexible seal between the filter outlet side and the closure. The filter is movable between the spaced peripheral seals at its inlet and outlet sides whereby vibratory cleaning force applied by the filter cleaner causes vibration of the filter to provide cleaning thereof.

Abstract: A floor scrubbing machine has scrub brushes and their drive motors mounted in a scrub head located amidships under the machine frame. Provision is made to move the scrub head laterally on occasion to a position where it extends beyond one side of the machine frame to facilitate scrubbing along walls, thereby eliminating the need for a scrubbing side brush. The scrub brushes bear evenly against the floor regardless of the lateral position of the scrub head even though a variable down force may be applied to the scrub head. The scrub head is resiliently attached to the means for moving it laterally so that if it encounters a solid obstacle while it is extended it will be yieldably pushed back under the machine frame with a minimum likelihood of damage, and then will automatically extend out again after the obstacle is past.