Abstract: A vacuum cleaner operates via power supplied from either an on-board battery or an AC power outlet. When the vacuum cleaner is operating by using the battery a controller monitors the voltage level in the battery and automatically shuts down the vacuum cleaner when the battery voltage has decreased below a preset level. This prevents a full drainage of the battery and increases its longevity. The controller that monitors the battery voltage level can be used with batteries of different voltages. The controller automatically determines which type of battery is being used and shuts down power to the vacuum cleaner motor after the appropriate amount of battery drainage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner operable in an on-floor mode and an above-floor mode. The filtration system of the vacuum cleaner is selectively fluidly connected to a brush housing directed toward the floor for the on-floor mode and, in an alternative orientation, selectively fluidly connected to an auxiliary hose for the above-floor mode. The auxiliary hose is stored in its entirety within the hollow tube of an upright handle, the upright handle being pivotally connected to a base of the vacuum cleaner and the hollow tube being removably connected to the pivotal connection for use as a wand in the above-floor mode. The vacuum cleaner includes vacuum and brush motors that are selectively activated in accordance with the position of the upright handle, the vacuum and brush motors being activated the on-floor mode and the vacuum motor alone being activated in the above-floor mode.

Abstract: A floor treating machine adapted to operate as a floor scrubber and a floor polisher or buffer includes a main housing or support frame structure from which extends a brush housing assembly. The main housing contains a combined solution and recovery tank, a motive device to power the floor treating machine, a propulsion system to propel the floor treating machine along the floor, a pneumatic power system, a squeegee subassembly and electrical and pneumatic control systems therefor. The brush housing assembly is operatively connected to the main housing by a brush lifting mechanism such that two brushes selectively rotating in opposite directions in the brush housing assembly can be lifted away from the floor or moved toward the floor so that the brushes exert the correct amount of pressure against the floor depending on the job being done.

Abstract: A floor treating machine adapted to operate as a floor scrubber and a floor polisher or buffer includes a main housing or support frame structure from which extends a brush housing assembly. The main housing contains a combined solution and recovery tank, a motive device to power the floor treating machine, a propulsion system to propel the floor treating machine along the floor, a pneumatic power system, a squeegee subassembly and electrical and pneumatic control systems therefor. The brush housing assembly is operatively connected to the main housing by a brush lifting mechanism such that two brushes selectively rotating in opposite directions in the brush housing assembly can be lifted away from the floor or moved toward the floor so that the brushes exert the correct amount of pressure against the floor depending on the job being done.

Abstract: A floor scrubbing apparatus including a combined solution and recovery tank is disclosed. The floor scrubber is of the type including a brush head, a squeegee and a vacuum system. A combined solution and recovery tank is operably connected to the vacuum system and the brush head. The tank is a one-piece, rigid integrally molded member having an inner wall and outer, spaced wall. The inner wall defines a recovery tank and the outer wall surrounding the inner wall defines therewith a solution tank. The one-piece member further defines an inlet opening, a solution drain opening, a recovery drain opening and a solution outlet tube.

Abstract: The specification discloses a floor scrubber wherein the squeegee is connected to the machine by a coil spring. The squeegee is free of direct rigid connection to the machine such that it can shift readily from side to side through the action of the spring. The squeegee is biased to a raised position by a second spring and can be forced downwardly into engagement with the floor through a unique pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: The specification discloses a floor treating machine in which a vertical axis rotating brush is coupled to the motor through a motor gimbal having convex bottom and side walls which are seated in a cavity within a receiving brush gimbal, the bottom and side walls of the cavity having radii greater than the radii of the motor gimbal bottom and side wall so that the brush is free to shift its axis of rotation vis-a-vis the axis of rotation of the motor gimbal to thereby accommodate deviations in the surface being cleaned.

Abstract: A vertical axis brush for use with a rotary floor maintenance apparatus is disclosed. The brush includes a holder plate having an integral peripherally extending and depending skirt to which are detachably secured a plurality of brush segments. Each brush segment is generally U-shaped in plan and is held to the holder plate by a pair of opposed clamps which define a channel. The clamps are integral with the plate and radially receive the brush members in a detachable snap fit fashion. When mounted, each of the brush members is engaged by the clamps and also engaged by the depending skirt of the holder plate.

Abstract: A floor treating machine primarily adapted for scrubbing a hard floor surface is disclosed. The machine includes a main frame, a modular support subassembly and a brush subassembly. The support subassembly includes a frame member secured to the main frame and a brush lift assembly. The brush lift assembly includes a main lift arm pivoted to the support frame, a fluid operated diaphragm motor engaging the main lift arm and a tilt arm pivoted at one end to the frame. The main lift arm and tilt arm are operatively connected to the brush subassembly.

Abstract: A drive actuator for a self-propelled sweeper is disclosed including a wheel shaft supported on the frame of the sweeper for at least limited rotation and having a ground engaging wheel rotatably mounted thereon. A powered jackshaft is rotatably mounted on a frame and carries a drive member positioned to operatively engage the ground engaging wheel when the jackshaft is moved towards the wheel. A link connects the wheel shaft to the jackshaft and an actuator including a rod shifted by a pivotable handle rotates the wheel shaft thereby moving the drive member into engagement with the ground engaging wheel through movement of the link.

Abstract: The specification discloses a sweeper in which a combined tubular frame and handle member comprising a generally U-shaped forward frame portion which is continuous with an upwardly and rearwardly extending handle portion serves as the focal point of the sweeper design. The combined tubular frame and handle member is mounted on a brush housing, serves to facilitate support of a dust bin, and serves as the focal point for additional design features such as a body cradling upper handle portion, a hand hold at the front of the dust bin and a pivotal side brush mount.

Abstract: This specification discloses a roller-type dust seal for use in a sweeper of a type including a dust receiver or bin having an open end spaced from a brush and from the surface being swept. A generally U-shaped axle having an elongated base is positioned transversely of the brush and supported adjacent the inlet opening of the dust receiver. The legs of the axle are secured to the bin so that the base portion is generally free floating. A plurality of generally hollow, cylindrically shaped, abutting roller segments are received on the axle. The roller segments have a relatively hard inner peripheral surface and a relatively soft outer peripheral surface.

Abstract: A mobile sweeper includes an air blast pickup head having air intake and exhaust ports communicating with the exhaust of a blower and the input of a debris plenum, respectively, for suctioning debris from a surface being cleaned and depositing the debris in the debris plenum. In order to control the dust caused by the air movement, a source of pressurized water is injected in the form of minute droplets into the air stream in advance of the pickup head air intake and in advance of the debris plenum input.