WIDE-AREA VACUUM/SQUEEGEE HEAD FLOOR CLEANING TOOL

Abstract

A particular wide-area vacuum/squeegee-head floor cleaning tool, in accordance with the principles of the invention, includes: an elongated frame including a top, a front, a back, a first end, a second end, and a soil uptake opening positioned between the first and second ends; at least one squeegee blade at the front and extending between the first and second ends; at least one squeegee blade at the back and extending between the first and second ends; a first wheel at the first end; a second wheel at the second end; and a third wheel at the soil uptake opening. The first, second, and third wheels are constructed and arranged to support the elongated frame above a floor surface when the squeegee blades at the front and back are in contact with the floor surface in a deflected orientation and vacuum suction is applied to the floor cleaning tool by the vacuum source.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent document claims the benefit of the filing date of Provisional Application No. 61/557,912, entitled “Wide-Area Floor Cleaning Tool” and filed on Nov. 10, 2011. The entire disclosure of Provisional Application No. 61/557,912 is incorporated into this patent document by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to floor cleaning tools for use with a vacuum source, and more particularly, to vacuum/squeegee head floor cleaning tools.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Historically, vacuum/squeegee head cleaning tools in the commercial, industrial, and institutional cleaning industry have had relatively narrow widths, with the frames having a width of about 14 inches. While these tools can be particularly useful when cleaning in narrow or tight spaces (e.g., in cleaning under and around office or classroom furniture, in cleaning stairwells, and the like), they are not very efficient when used to clean relatively wide areas (e.g., hallways, lobbies, gyms, and the like).

Kaivac, Inc. of Hamilton, Ohio overcame this problem by introducing the KaiAuto™ wide-area vacuum/squeegee head cleaning tool. The KaiAuto tool has a rigid elongated frame or housing made of aluminum—with one version of the tool having a frame width of about 28 inches, and another version of the tool having a frame width of about 42 inches. Both versions of the KaiAuto product dramatically increase worker productivity, especially when used to clean relatively wide areas; and the KaiAuto product has been a commercial success.

As noted above, the elongated frame of the KaiAuto tool is a rigid frame formed of a lightweight aluminum. Nonetheless, because the frame is wide, the tool understandably is heavier than a conventional vacuum/squeegee head cleaning tool, a tool that has a 14-inch wide frame. And for some end-users (e.g., some custodians and other cleaning professionals), the additional weight can be somewhat fatiguing. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to have a wide-area vacuum/squeegee head cleaning tool that is even lighter in weight but that does not compromise cleaning effectiveness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a wide-area vacuum/squeegee-head floor cleaning tool, in accordance with the principles of the invention, includes: an elongated frame including a top, a front, a back, a first end, a second end, and a soil uptake opening positioned between the first and second ends; at least one squeegee blade at the front and extending between the first and second ends; at least one squeegee blade at the back and extending between the first and second ends; a first wheel at the first end; a second wheel at the second end; and a third wheel at the soil uptake opening. The first, second, and third wheels are constructed and arranged to support the elongated frame above a floor surface when the squeegee blades at the front and back are in contact with the floor surface in a deflected orientation and vacuum suction is applied to the floor cleaning tool by the vacuum source.

In another aspect of the invention, the soil uptake opening is centrally positioned between the elongated-frame first and second ends.

In a further aspect of the invention, the third wheel is centrally positioned between the elongated-frame first and second ends.

In an additional aspect of the invention, the elongated frame, the squeegee blade at the front, and the squeegee blade at the back assist in defining an interior space; and the floor cleaning tool further includes an interior frame at the soil uptake opening. The interior frame includes a first wall member in the interior space and extending between the front and back of the elongated frame. The first wall member assists in facilitating airflow toward and through the soil uptake opening when vacuum suction is applied to the floor cleaning tool by the vacuum source.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the first wall member includes a portion generally perpendicular to the front and back of the elongated frame. The portion assists in facilitating airflow toward and through the soil uptake opening.

In yet a further aspect of the invention, the first wall member portion includes a generally vertical surface. The surface assists in facilitating airflow toward and through the soil uptake opening.

In yet an additional aspect of the invention, the elongated frame has a longitudinal axis and the interior frame further includes a second wall member spaced laterally from the first wall member relative to the longitudinal axis. The second wall member is in the interior space and extends between the front and back of the elongated frame. The second wall member assists in facilitating airflow toward and through the soil uptake opening when vacuum suction is applied to the floor cleaning tool by the vacuum source.

In another aspect of the invention, the second wall member includes a portion generally perpendicular to the front and back of the elongated frame. The portion assists in facilitating airflow toward and through the soil uptake opening.

In a further aspect of the invention, the second wall member portion includes a generally vertical surface. The surface assists in facilitating airflow toward and through the soil uptake opening.

In an additional aspect of the invention, the third wheel is positioned between the interior frame first and second wall members.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the at least one squeegee blade at the front includes at least two squeegee blades positioned end-to-end in a first row; and the at least one squeegee blade at the back includes at least two squeegee blades positioned end-to-end in a second row.

In yet a further aspect of the invention, the elongated frame comprises a plastic having a flexural modulus of elasticity of about 300,000 PSI or higher, at about 73° F.

In yet an additional aspect of the invention, the third wheel may be positioned from about 0.010 inch to about 0.050 inch higher than the first and second end wheels.

In another aspect of the invention, the squeegee blades have a type A durometer of from about 45 to about 55.

In a further aspect of the invention, the elongated frame has a longitudinal axis, and a width in the direction of the longitudinal axis of from about 26 inches to about 30 inches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in, and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the wide-area vacuum/squeegee head floor cleaning tool, in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the floor cleaning tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the floor cleaning tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the floor cleaning tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a back view of the floor cleaning tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a middle section or portion of the floor cleaning tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is another perspective view of a middle section or portion of the floor cleaning tool of FIG. 1, with the squeegee blade assemblies having been removed (for illustration purposes);

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a middle section or portion of the floor cleaning tool of FIG. 1, with the center wheel assembly, the center wheel frame, and the squeegee blade assemblies having been removed (for illustration purposes);

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the center wheel assembly, the center wheel frame, a front squeegee blade assembly, and a back squeegee blade assembly of the floor cleaning tool shown in FIG. 1, in a partially assembled state;

FIG. 10 is a perspective, partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the floor cleaning tool of FIG. 1, taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the floor cleaning tool of FIG. 1, with the tool supported on a floor surface;

FIG. 12 is another side view of the floor cleaning tool of FIG. 1, with the tool supported on a floor surface, and with the tool in an active state in which vacuum suction is being applied and the tool is being moved forward;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the floor cleaning tool of FIG. 1, taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the floor cleaning tool of FIG. 1, taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 3, with the tool in an active state in which vacuum suction is being applied and the tool is being moved forward.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, a wide-area floor cleaning tool 10, in accordance with the principles of the invention, includes: an elongated frame 12 comprising a front in the form of a front wall 14, a back in the form of a back wall 16, a top in the form of a top wall 18 extending between the front wall 14 and the back wall 16, a first end including a first end wall 20, a second end including a second end wall 22, and a soil uptake opening 24 centrally located between the first and second ends; a generally straight first row of two squeegee blades 26a,b at the front wall 14, with the blades positioned end to end; a generally straight second row of two squeegee blades 28a,b at the back wall 16, with the blades positioned end to end; and a first wheel 30 at the elongated frame first end, a second wheel 32 at the elongated frame second end, and a center wheel 34 at the soil uptake opening. The elongated frame, first row, and second row define an interior space. The wide-area floor cleaning tool may be fluidly connected to a vacuum source (not shown).

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the front wall 14 depends from the top wall 18, the back wall depends from the top wall 18, the first end wall 20 depends from the top wall 18, and the second end wall 22 depends from the top wall 18. The top wall, front wall, and back wall are coextensive in length. In addition, the front wall is substantially parallel to the back wall.

The soil uptake opening 24 includes a segment of tubing 36. The tubing segment 36 has a generally elbow-like shape, and includes a circumferential sidewall, a soil inlet 38, and a soil outlet 40. The tubing segment 36 extends up and back, beyond the back wall of the elongated frame 12, ending at the outlet 48. The portion of the tubing segment 36 that extends beyond the back wall may be releasably connected to a vacuum source (not shown). The segment of tubing 36 includes a crown portion 37 and a cylindrical extension portion 39 integrally connected to the crown portion. The crown portion includes an exterior wall, with the crown portion exterior wall forming a part of the top wall 18.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 11-14, each of the first and second wheels 30, 32 is connected to the elongated frame 12 via a wheel mounting bracket (as at 31), with each wheel and corresponding mounting bracket forming a wheel assembly. Such a wheel assembly also may be seen in commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/963,886, entitled “Wide-Area Floor Cleaning Tool” and filed on Oct. 12, 2004. See, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 5 and the corresponding text in the '886 Application (first wheel assembly 50, including wheel 52 and wheel mounting assembly 54). The entire disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/963,886 is incorporated into this patent document by reference.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 6-9, 13, and 14, the center wheel 34 is positioned at the center of the tool 10, just below the soil uptake opening 24. As seen in FIGS. 6-9, the center wheel 34 is positioned in a center wheel mounting bracket 44, thereby forming a center wheel assembly. The center wheel assembly 34, 44 is positioned in and mounted to an interior frame in the form of center wheel frame 46; and the center wheel frame is mounted to the elongated frame 12. The center wheel frame 46 includes a first wall member and a second wall member in the form of a pair of vertically oriented, downwardly extending, laterally spaced apart, first and second wall members 48, 50. Each wall member 48, 50 includes a wall member portion in the form of a center wall portion (as at 52); each wall member 48, 50 further includes a sidewall portion 54, 56 at each end of the center wall portion. The center wheel assembly 33, 44 is located between the wall members 48, 50, and secured to the center wheel frame 46. The center wheel frame further includes a pair of mounting members 58, 60 (FIG. 9)—one member 58 at the front of the frame 46, and the other member 60 at the back of the frame 46. Each mounting member 58, 60 includes a pair of apertures (as at 62). As seen in FIG. 8, the frame 12 includes bosses (as at 64) that correspond with the apertures. In this fashion, the center wheel frame 46 may be mounted to the elongated frame 12 using screws or the like. When the tool 10 is connected to a vacuum source, and the vacuum is activated, the center wall portion (as at 52) of each wall member 48, 50 serves as a baffle—guiding air, dirt, cleaning solution, or the like to the soil uptake opening 24, and minimizing fluid flow loss (FIGS. 7, 8, and 10).

With reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 10, the elongated frame 12 has a front channel 66 for receiving the front squeegee blades 26a,b, and a back channel 68 for receiving the back squeegee blades 28a,b. In further detail, and as seen, for example, in FIGS. 6 and 10, each squeegee blade 26, 28 includes an upper squeegee section that is positioned in a corresponding squeegee holder 70, 72, with the squeegee and holder collectively referred to as a squeegee assembly. The squeegee holders 70a,b (FIG. 6) corresponding with the two first row squeegee blades 26a,b (FIG. 6) are releasably positioned in the front channel 66 (FIGS. 7 and 8); and the squeegee holders 72a,b (FIG. 6) corresponding with the two second row squeegee blades 28a,b (FIG. 6) are releasably positioned in the back channel 68 (FIGS. 7 and 8).

The squeegee assemblies are releasably held in place, in their respective channels, by the wheel mounting brackets (as at 31 (FIGS. 11-14) and 44 (FIG. 6)). For example, and with reference to FIG. 6, for each squeegee assembly, the end of the assembly that is located at the middle of the elongated frame 12 is held in place by a corresponding lip (as at 74) that is formed in the center wheel mounting bracket 44. The surface of the lip 74 contacts a portion of the inside bottom surface of the squeegee blade holder 70a,b, 72a,b, thereby releasably holding that portion of the squeegee blade assembly in position. The outer ends of the blade assemblies are similarly held in place by similar lips formed in the wheel mounting brackets at the first and second end walls of the elongated frame 12 (as at 31, FIGS. 11-14). In this fashion, any of the squeegee blade assemblies may be easily removed and replaced as needed—all without the use of any tools and without the removal of any other component (e.g., a wheel mounting bracket) of the tool 10.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 13, the wide-area floor cleaning tool 10 is shown in a ready-to-use position on a floor surface 76 (FIG. 11). The tool 10 is not (yet) being moved forward or backward; and no vacuum suction is being applied. In this ready-to-use orientation, none of the three wheels 30, 32, 34 (FIG. 2) is in contact with the floor surface. Each wheel is elevated above the floor surface; and the elongated frame 12 is elevated above the floor surface by the support of the squeegee blades 26, 28. The blades are upright and not bent or deflected.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 14, the wide-area floor cleaning tool 10 is shown in an in-use position on a floor surface (FIG. 12). In this particular in-use position, vacuum suction is being applied, and the tool 10 is being moved in a forward direction. In this position, each of the squeegee blades 26, 28 is in a deflected orientation; and each of the three wheels 30, 32, 34 (FIG. 2) is in contact with the floor surface 76. The elongated frame 12 is elevated above the floor surface due to the support provided by the wheels. Having all three wheels in contact with (e.g., touching) the floor can be particularly helpful in achieving optimum levels of vacuum suction across the entire width of the floor cleaning tool 10 (e.g., from first end wall 20 to second end wall 22 of elongated-frame 12).

When suction from a vacuum source is applied at the soil uptake opening of a wide-area floor cleaning tool of the present invention, the suction force tends to be greater at the soil uptake opening than at the elongated-frame ends of the floor cleaning tool. When such a wide-area floor cleaning tool is positioned on a floor surface (e.g., with front and back squeegee blades in contact with the floor), the greater suction force at the soil uptake opening can cause the section of the elongated frame that is at or near the soil uptake opening to experience a downward (i.e., toward the floor) pulling force greater than that being experienced at the frame ends. This differential in pulling force can cause the elongated frame to flex, with the elongated-frame section at the soil uptake opening moving downward. The tendency of a given elongated frame to flex can be due to any of a number of different factors, including, for example, soil-uptake-opening location and material composition of the frame. If the soil uptake opening is positioned centrally relative to the ends of the elongated frame, the frame may be more likely to flex. Also, plastic compositions may result in a flexible frame.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a wheel is provided at the soil uptake opening, thereby reducing, minimizing, or even eliminating such elongated frame flex. And in reducing or minimizing this flex, the wheel at the soil uptake opening facilitates proper orientation of the front and back squeegee blades along the width of the wide-area floor cleaning tool (e.g., from elongated-frame first end to second end), thereby promoting optimum levels of vacuum suction along this width. If desired, the wheel at the soil uptake opening may be thought of as a stop; if the particular elongated frame is a flexible frame, then when suction from a vacuum source is applied at the soil uptake opening so as to exert a downward (i.e., toward the floor) pulling force, the wheel at the soil uptake opening contacts the floor—and stops, limits, or prevents downward movement of the elongated frame.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the wide-area floor cleaning tool may include a wheel at a first end of the elongated frame, a wheel at a second end of the elongated frame, and a wheel at a soil uptake opening of the elongated frame. If desired, the floor cleaning tool may be constructed and arranged such that the wheel at the soil uptake opening is at a height similar to that of the end wheels. In other words, the bottom of each of the three wheels may be coplanar with the bottom of the other two wheels. Alternatively, the floor cleaning tool may be constructed and arranged such that the wheel at the soil uptake opening is positioned slightly higher than the wheel at the first end of the elongated frame and the wheel at the second end of the elongated frame. In other words, the bottom of the wheel at the soil uptake opening may be slightly higher than the bottom of each of the two end wheels.

A slightly higher soil-uptake-opening wheel can be especially useful when employing an elongated frame in which the elongated-frame section at the soil uptake opening moves slightly downward in use (e.g., when external forces that include a downward component or vector (e.g., vacuum suction forces, or forces transmitted from a user via a vacuum wand) are applied to the floor cleaning tool). When vacuum suction is applied, and the floor cleaning tool is being moved forward or backward with the squeegee blades in a deflected orientation, typically the first and second end wheels will contact the floor surface before the soil-uptake-opening wheel does. In this fashion, desirable levels of vacuum suction are achieved promptly along the entire width of the elongated frame (e.g., from elongated-frame first end to second end). If desired, the bottom of each of the two end wheels may be coplanar with the bottom of the other end wheel. Also, if desired, the soil-uptake-opening wheel may be positioned from about 0.010 inch to about 0.050 inch higher than the first and second end wheels.

A wide-area floor cleaning tool, in accordance with the principles of the invention, may be made of any suitable material(s), and may be made using any suitable manufacturing technique(s). Also, the tool may be of any suitable dimensions. For example, the tool may have a width of from about 26 to about 30 inches, a width of about 28 inches, or a width of about 48 inches. The elongated frame may be made of a plastic material. The plastic may have a high flexural modulus of elasticity—for example, a flexural modulus of elasticity of about 300,000 PSI or higher, at about 73° F. The plastic may comprise one or more of a nylon, an acetal, a noryl, and a talc-filled polypropylene. The wheels may be made of stainless steel. The squeegee blades may be made of a thermoplastic elastomer or a polyurethane. The material used for the squeegee blades may have a type A durometer of from about 45 to about 55, or a type A durometer of about 50. Also, if the elongated frame is made of one or more plastic compositions, the elongated frame may be made using thermoplastic injection molding.

In use, a wide-area floor cleaning tool of the invention may be used to clean any of a number of surfaces. For example, the floor cleaning tool may be used to clean large kitchen areas, hallways, lobbies, large restrooms, gyms, fitness facilities, and athletic mats. Also, the floor cleaning tool may be used with any suitable vacuum source. For example, the floor cleaning tool may be used with a Kaivac No-Touch Cleaning® system or a Kaivac OmniFlex™ AutoVac system. These systems are commercially available from Kaivac, Inc. of Hamilton, Ohio.

While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of various embodiments, and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the inventors to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the invention to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention, in its broader aspects, is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventors' general inventive concept.

Claims

1. A wide-area vacuum/squeegee-head floor cleaning tool for use with a vacuum source, the floor cleaning tool comprising:

an elongated frame including a top, a front, a back, a first end, a second end, and a soil uptake opening positioned between the first and second ends;

at least one squeegee blade at the front and extending between the first and second ends;

at least one squeegee blade at the back and extending between the first and second ends;

a first wheel at the first end;

a second wheel at the second end; and

a third wheel at the soil uptake opening,

the first, second, and third wheels constructed and arranged to support the elongated frame above a floor surface when the squeegee blades at the front and back are in contact with the floor surface in a deflected orientation and vacuum suction is applied to the floor cleaning tool by the vacuum source.

2. The floor cleaning tool of claim 1 wherein the soil uptake opening is centrally positioned between the elongated-frame first and second ends.

3. The floor cleaning tool of claim 2 wherein the third wheel is centrally positioned between the elongated-frame first and second ends.

4. The floor cleaning tool of claim 3 wherein the elongated frame, the squeegee blade at the front, and the squeegee blade at the back assist in defining an interior space, the floor cleaning tool further including an interior frame at the soil uptake opening, the interior frame including a first wall member in the interior space and extending between the front and back of the elongated frame.

5. The floor cleaning tool of claim 4 wherein the first wall member includes a portion generally perpendicular to the front and back of the elongated frame.

6. The floor cleaning tool of claim 5 wherein the first wall member portion includes a generally vertical surface.

7. The floor cleaning tool of claim 6 wherein the elongated frame has a longitudinal axis and the interior frame further includes a second wall member spaced laterally from the first wall member relative to the longitudinal axis, the second wall member in the interior space and extending between the front and back of the elongated frame.

8. The floor cleaning tool of claim 7 wherein the second wall member includes a portion generally perpendicular to the front and back of the elongated frame.

9. The floor cleaning tool of claim 8 wherein the second wall member portion includes a generally vertical surface.

10. The floor cleaning tool of claim 9 wherein the third wheel is positioned between the interior frame first and second wall members.

11. The floor cleaning tool of claim 1 wherein the at least one squeegee blade at the front includes at least two squeegee blades positioned end-to-end in a first row, and the at least one squeegee blade at the back includes at least two squeegee blades positioned end-to-end in a second row.

12. A wide-area squeegee-head floor cleaning tool for use with a vacuum source, the floor cleaning tool comprising:

an elongated frame including a top, a front, a back, a first end, a second end, and a soil uptake opening positioned between the first and second ends;

at least one squeegee blade at the front and extending between the first and second ends;

at least one squeegee blade at the back and extending between the first and second ends, with the elongated frame, the squeegee blade at the front, and the squeegee blade at the back assisting in defining an interior space;

a first wheel at the first end;

a second wheel at the second end;

a third wheel at the soil uptake opening; and

an interior frame at the soil uptake opening, the interior frame including a first wall member in the interior space and extending between the front and back of the elongated frame,

the first, second, and third wheels constructed and arranged to support the elongated frame above a floor surface when the squeegee blades at the front and back are in contact with the floor surface in a deflected orientation and vacuum suction is applied to the floor cleaning tool by the vacuum source.

13. The floor cleaning tool of claim 12 wherein the soil uptake opening is centrally positioned between the elongated-frame first and second ends.

14. The floor cleaning tool of claim 12 wherein the third wheel is centrally positioned between the elongated-frame first and second ends.

15. The floor cleaning tool of claim 12 wherein the first wall member includes a portion generally perpendicular to the front and back of the elongated frame.

16. The floor cleaning tool of claim 15 wherein the first wall member portion includes a generally vertical surface.

17. The floor cleaning tool of claim 12 wherein the elongated frame has a longitudinal axis and the interior frame further includes a second wall member spaced laterally from the first wall member relative to the longitudinal axis, the second wall member in the interior space and extending between the front and back of the elongated frame.

18. The floor cleaning tool of claim 17 wherein the second wall member includes a portion generally perpendicular to the front and back of the elongated frame.

19. The floor cleaning tool of claim 18 wherein the second wall member portion includes a generally vertical surface.

20. The floor cleaning tool of claim 17 wherein the third wheel is positioned between the interior frame first and second wall members.

21. The floor cleaning tool of claim 12 wherein the at least one squeegee blade at the front includes at least two squeegee blades positioned end-to-end in a first row, and the at least one squeegee blade at the back includes at least two squeegee blades positioned end-to-end in a second row.

22. A wide-area vacuum/squeegee-head floor cleaning tool for use with a vacuum source, the floor cleaning tool comprising:

an elongated frame including a top, a front, a back, a first end, a second end, and a soil uptake opening positioned between the first and second ends;

at least two squeegee blades positioned end-to-end in a first row at the front;

at least two squeegee blades positioned end-to-end in a second row at the back;

a first wheel at the first end;

a second wheel at the second end; and

a third wheel at the soil uptake opening,

the first, second, and third wheels constructed and arranged to support the elongated frame above a floor surface when the squeegee blades at the front and back are in contact with the floor surface in a deflected orientation and vacuum suction is applied to the floor cleaning tool by the vacuum source.

23. The floor cleaning tool of claim 22 wherein the soil uptake opening is centrally positioned between the elongated-frame first and second ends.

24. The floor cleaning tool of claim 22 wherein the third wheel is centrally positioned between the elongated-frame first and second ends.

25. The floor cleaning tool of claim 22 wherein the elongated frame, the squeegee blades at the front, and the squeegee blades at the back assist in defining an interior space, the floor cleaning tool further including an interior frame at the soil uptake opening, the interior frame including a first wall member in the interior space and extending between the front and back of the elongated frame.

26. The floor cleaning tool of claim 25 wherein the first wall member includes a portion generally perpendicular to the front and back of the elongated frame.

27. The floor cleaning tool of claim 26 wherein the first wall member portion includes a generally vertical surface.

28. The floor cleaning tool of claim 25 wherein the elongated frame has a longitudinal axis and the interior frame further includes a second wall member spaced laterally from the first wall member relative to the longitudinal axis, the second wall member in the interior space and extending between the front and back of the elongated frame.

29. The floor cleaning tool of claim 28 wherein the second wall member includes a portion generally perpendicular to the front and back of the elongated frame.

30. The floor cleaning tool of claim 29 wherein the second wall member portion includes a generally vertical surface.

31. The floor cleaning tool of claim 28 wherein the third wheel is positioned between the interior frame first and second wall members.