Advanced floor machine

Abstract

Disclosed is an invention that offers improvements to machines used for power floor buffing, grinding, and polishing including: a dust containment system which utilizes a single shroud with an attached lower brush to fully enclose the top and sides of a rotating implement whereas said shroud is spring loaded and allowed to move vertically and tilt in order to maintain firm contact with the floor at all times and prevent escaping air and dust; a dust extraction and collection system that expands upon said dust containment system by integrating a scroll shaped channel into the shroud and an outlet chute to extract and collect dust in a filtered dust bag and in which performance is increased by fins on the rotating implement driver and air inlet holes; a quick-release tool-less mechanism for attaching a rotating implement to the driveshaft with a hex shaped male/female interaction and push button release ball pin.

Description

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/546,511 filed Aug. 16, 2017 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to machines used to buff, grind, or polish large floors typically found in commercial spaces such as supermarkets, retail establishments, or other spaces.

Such machines can be used on a variety of floor types, such as vinyl tile, concrete, stone, terrazzo, etc.

The machine functions by rotating an implement at high speeds against the floor. Depending on the floor type, floor finish, and nature of the work to be accomplished, a rotational implement may take the form of a buffing pad, polishing pad, abrasive pad, abrasive brush, grinding disk, or a series or combination thereof.

The construction of such machines is relatively straightforward. A chassis is the primary frame of the machine and the body to which components are mounted. A motor is mounted to the chassis. Depending from the chassis is a rotating implement. The rotating implement is powered to rotate by the motor either by direct drive or through transmission of the rotational power through a belt drive system, chain drive system, or other transmission. Wheels and a handle are typically attached to the chassis allowing an operator to control the machine and move it across the floor. A hood typically covers the rotating implement.

A significant downside of operating such machines is that dust and debris can be distributed into the ambient air. A machine is typically designed for the rotating implement to rotate at speeds between 500-2000 RPM, and the rotational implement typically has a diameter of 1.5 to 3.0 feet. Such rotational speed is enough to discharge air away from the rotating implement, where it will dislodge existing dust and debris and mix it with ambient air. Furthermore, the operation of the machine may produce even more dust when fine particles are removed from the floor structure, the extent of which is based on the abrasiveness of the rotating implement.

Creating and mixing dust with the ambient air can be harmful and dangerous for users in the area when it is inevitably inhaled. It will also eventually settle and collect on anything in the area including food, merchandise, window sills, product shelving, lighting, or any other surface.

While the machine's hood can cover the upper surface of the rotating implement, it typically only covers a portion of the sides of the rotating implement. Furthermore, it will typically not make contact with the floor, leaving a gap between the hood and the floor where much of the air and debris can escape.

To help seal this inherent gap between the hood and the floor, attempts have been made to integrate a separate floating skirt which creates a vertical wall that circumscribes both the hood and the rotating implement. Such a skirt may also have brush attached to its bottom to help it glide across the floor. In order for the skirt to make constant contact with the floor, it is designed to loosely fit around the hood so that it may float up and down as needed due to variations in floor flatness and variations in thickness of the rotating implement which changes as the implement wears during use.

While such floating skirt designs can reduce the amount of air and dust that escapes into the ambient air, a gap must always exist between the rigid hood and the floating skirt. This gap will always be the source of dust escape. Any attempt to fill this gap with foam or filters or to design the gap to be smaller inherently reduces the freedom with which the skirt can float, creating the possibility that the skirt can bind or become stuck in a certain position and no longer maintain contact with the floor.

While dust containment is critically important relative to dust escaping into the ambient air, to maximize the cleanliness of the location of machine use, it is even more ideal to collect such dust so that it may be properly disposed.

Attempts to extract and collect dust have included two primary solutions.

The first solution is to use an independent dust vacuuming machine and attach the vacuum hose to an opening in the hood. This solution, while successful in dust extraction, puts additional burden on the operation of the floor maintenance machine. Running two independent machines either requires two operators to operate the two respective machines simultaneously or a single operator to rotate back and forth from one machine to the other. Additionally, tethering the floor maintenance machine limits its area of use. Also, additional equipment, operators, and steps of operation inherently cause the floor maintenance work to be more obtrusive to the location of use of the machine.

The second solution is to integrate a dust discharging system into the hood or skirt of the floor maintenance machine such that a discharge outlet provides an escape point for dusty air which is lead through tubing to an onboard dust collection bag. Although promising in theory, such solutions as they currently exist, such as the one explained in U.S. Pat. No. 8,764,520 B1 have marginal performance for several reasons:

• • The discharge outlet is not fully open to the floor, but instead a vertical wall or obstruction exists along the floor limiting the flow of air. This is especially detracting from the performance considering the dustiest air exists along the floor where dust is being dislodged.
  • The skirt or hood is not designed with a proper shape to maximize the lifting and channeling of dusty air into the discharge outlet.
  • An inadequate amount of fresh air is allowed to enter the system and flow through the discharge outlet. This is especially true for systems that attempt to pull in air from outside the skirt, since the centrifugal forces of the spinning pad always tend to spread air outward away from the rotating implement rather than pull air toward the rotating implement. Systems that do not properly maximize amount of airflow cannot maximize dust extraction.
  • Tubing between the hood extraction point and the dust collection bag adds additional friction which slows down air flow, especially when bends exist in the tubing.
  • Finally, any extraction system that contains an independent skirt and hood will always have the same dust escape issue explained previously.

A standard feature for these floor maintenance machines is the ability to detach the device that drives the rotating implement, such as a pad driver, from the driveshaft. This feature allows the machines to provide maximum flexibility to the operator. For example, the operator may desire to change between one type of rotating implement and another, or the operator may desire to change to a different sized rotating implement, or the operator may desire to replace a worn rotating implement driver.

Since the need to detach the rotating implement driver from the driveshaft may arise while using the machine on the job site, it is desirable for the detachment and reattachment between the rotating implement driver and the driveshaft to be tool-less, speedy, and require minimal skill and effort.

The most common method of detaching the rotating implement driver from the driveshaft is a threaded connection: the lower end of the driveshaft is a male thread which inserts into a female threaded hole of the rotating implement driver. This threaded connection must be designed to tighten during use, for it would be a liability for the rotating implement driver to loosen during use. Since very large amounts of torque are transmitted to the rotating implement and since the rotating implement is rotating at high speeds, it is possible for the threaded connection to become extremely tight and require both tools and man power to loosen when the rotating implement driver needs to be removed. Various washers and anti seize lubricants have been attempted to minimize this result, but often are insufficient to overcome the high levels of tightening torque applied during machine use.

The features and configurations of the present invention which improve upon the shortcomings of previous inventions are disclosed in the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A machine is provided to be used for floor maintenance, including buffing, grinding, and polishing, wherein said machine includes a chassis, a handle and wheels mounted to said chassis to allow an operator to control the machine and move the machine across the floor, a motor mounted to said chassis, a rotating implement such as a buffing pad, polishing pad, abrasive pad, abrasive brush, grinding disk, or a series or combination thereof which depends from said chassis and makes contact with the floor and is powered by said motor to rotate in contact with the floor.

A dust containment system is provided for such a floor maintenance machine, which is comprised of the following components:

• • a) A round shroud which both encircles and cover the top surface of the rotating implement, and which includes a primary central hole and two or more smaller satellite holes in its ceiling surface. The shroud both conceals the rotating implement and prevents air and dust from being flung outward during use of the machine.
  • b) Guide shafts which are affixed to the bottom of said chassis. Each guide shaft is cylindrical in shape with a larger shoulder on its lower portion. The guide shafts prevent the shroud from rotating, but allow the shroud to freely move vertically so that it can raise and fall and tilt its angle in order to always make contact with the floor. The lower shoulders of the guide shafts lift the shroud and prevent it from making contact with the rotating implement in the event that the entire machine is tilted back.
  • c) A washer and compression spring which accompany each guide shaft. The compression spring transmits a downward force against the top of the shroud, which keeps the shroud firmly in contact with the floor, to prevent air and dust from escaping. The washer prevents the compression spring from becoming wedged inside the satellite hole of the shroud.

A dust extraction and collection system is also provided for such a floor maintenance machine. This system contains the same components as the dust containment system with the following additional features:

• • a) Said shroud includes a scroll shaped rising channel that eventually curves outward and leads to an outlet hole in the shroud's sidewall.
  • b) An outlet chute is affixed to the outside of said shroud at the location of the shroud's outlet hole. The chute shape transitions from a curved rectangular opening to a round shaped outlet.
  • c) A dust collection bag is affixed to the round shaped outlet of said chute.
  • d) Said shroud includes smaller perforation holes in the centermost portion of its ceiling surface.

The relative function of the components are as follows:

• • The rotating implement under the shroud forces the air to travel rotationally inside the shroud.
  • As air rotates, it rises and collects in the scroll shaped rising channel. When the channel curves outward, the air that has entered this channel follows the curved channel to the outlet hole, where it is discharged from the shroud through the outlet chute.
  • Additionally, the centrifugal forces also cause air to flow outward and away from the central axis of rotation, where the air will then be discharged through the outlet chute.
  • Any dust that is created by the floor maintenance activity will be discharged along with the air.
  • The dust collection bag serves as a filter with microscopic holes that are large enough to allow air to escape, but are too small for dust and debris to escape, causing the dust and debris to be collected in the bag.
  • The smaller perforation in the shroud ceiling surface serve as air inlet holes, so that incoming air can replace the displaced air.

Additional features of the dust containment system and the dust extraction and collection system are as follows:

• • A brush may be affixed to the bottom of said shroud. Such affixment may be accomplished by intermediary brush housing. This brush helps to create an even seal between the floor and the shroud and prevent air and dust from escaping under the shroud. It also allows for low friction and easy gliding across the floor, prevents marking or scratching the floor, and sweeps existing floor dust and debris out of the way before it can enter the shroud and makes contact with the rotating implement.
  • The guide shafts are the only means of attachment of the shroud to the chassis such that removing said guide shafts allows for removal of the entire shroud. This system allows for multiple sized to be interchangeable on the same chassis. Airflow, and thus the effectiveness of the dust extraction and collection system, is assisted by fins on the upper surface of the body that drives the rotating implement. The fins assist both rotational and outward air flow.

A quick-release coupling allowing for the tool-less installation and removal of the rotating implement driver to the driveshaft is provided for such floor maintenance machines and is comprised of:

• • a) A cylindrical driveshaft which is rotated by the motor either directly or through the transmitting of rotational power by a belt, chain, gear, or other type of transmission. The driveshaft has a hole in its bottom surface which in turn has an internal groove in the sidewall of the driveshaft. The bottom outer portion of the driveshaft is a six-plane hex shape.
  • b) A female hub that has a mating six-plane hex hole in its top surface. The hub has a lower flange with a central hole.
  • c) A common ball lock pin with a quick release spring-loaded push button that allows the locking ball(s) to retract into the pin body.

The six-plane hex portion of the driveshaft can be inserted into six-plane hex shaped hole of the hub. The ball lock pin can be inserted through both components and lock them together. The two components can be disengaged by simply pressing on the release button on the ball lock pin and removing the pin, which allows the hub to slide off the driveshaft.

Additional features of the quick-release coupling are as follows:

• • The hole in the lower body of the hub is threaded, such that in the event that the hub becomes seized on the driveshaft, a bolt can be inserted into this hole and thus break the hub free from the driveshaft.
  • Both the lower leading edge of the driveshaft and the upper leading edge of the hole in the hub are chamfered such that the six-plane hex shape is transitioned to a round shape. These leading edge chamfers allow two parts to be more easily inserted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a representation of machine used for power floor buffing, grinding, and polishing to which the invention applies;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shroud;

FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned perspective view that shows how the shroud covers and encircles the rotating implement and the components that interact with and allow movement of the shroud;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of FIG. 3 that shows additional detail of the brush and brush housing affixed to the shroud;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of FIG. 3 that shows additional detail of the components of which the guide shaft is comprised;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of FIG. 3 that shows additional detail of the guide shaft, washer, and compression spring;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view that shows the additional shroud features allowing dust collection and the outlet chute;

FIG. 8 is a partially sectioned perspective view of all components of the dust collection system that illustrates the airflow thereof;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the components that comprise the quick release coupling between the rotating implement driver hub and the driveshaft;

FIG. 10 is a partially sectioned perspective view of the components that comprise the quick release coupling between the rotating implement driver hub and the driveshaft;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the floor maintenance machine 1 according to this invention is illustrated. The machine includes a chassis 4 to which a motor 3 is affixed. The motor 3 drives a rotating implement to rotate while in contact with the floor 2. The implement is illustrated in FIG. 3 to be a pad 10 such as a buffing pad, polishing pad, or abrasive pad, but which may also take the form of an abrasive brush, grinding disk, or a series or combination thereof. The rotating implement is not visible in FIG. 1 due to the hood 8 which is affixed to or integrated as a part of the chassis 4. Wheels 7 and an operator handle 6 are also affixed to the chassis 4 which allow an operator to control the machine 1 and move it across the floor 2.

To prevent dust and air from being expelled under the machine during use, the invention uses a shroud 9 to both encircle the circumference edge of the rotating implement and also cover the implement's top surface. Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the shroud 9 is a large disk-shaped component that includes an outer circular wall 13 that transitions to a horizontal ceiling 11 through a curved transitional portion 12 of the body. FIG. 3 offers a sectional view of the shroud 9 which clearly shows these three main portions of the shroud body. Additionally, as shown in both FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the ceiling portion 11 may in fact be comprised of two independent terraced ceiling sections separated by another inclined transitional section 71, though this is not critical to the function of the shroud 9.

Referring to FIG. 2, on the ceiling 11 of the shroud 9, is a large central hole 14. As shown in FIG. 3, this large central hole 14 allows space for the rotating implement and its interaction to the motor 3 through a driveshaft 51. Additional details on this driveshaft 51 and its interaction with the motor 3 and rotating implement will be provided later.

Referring to FIG. 2, on the ceiling of shroud 9, are two or more satellite holes 15. All Figures in this document illustrate the shroud 9 with 4 satellite holes, though any quantity greater than or equal to two is acceptable for the invention to properly function. The shape of these satellite holes 15 may be round holes or may be slotted holes in which case the slot length 17 is parallel to the radial lines 16 of the shroud.

Referring to FIG. 3, the interaction between the shroud 9 and the chassis lower wall 5 is further detailed. The chassis lower wall 5 is affixed to the main chassis 4 (shown in FIG. 1), though the method of affixment is not detailed and not critical to the function of the invention. Depending from this chassis lower wall 5 are two or more guide shafts 22. The quantity of guide shafts 22 should be equal to the quantity of satellite holes 15 in the shroud 9, and in this document all Figures illustrate this quantity to be equal to four, though any quantity greater than or equal to two is acceptable for the invention to properly function.

Referring to FIG. 6, additional details of the guide shaft 22 are provided, and it can be seen that the guide shaft 22 is has a main long cylindrical section 24 and a short and wide shoulder 23 on its bottom and the top section 73 is threaded.

FIG. 6 also illustrates one method of affixment of the guide shaft 22 to the chassis lower wall 5, which is that the threaded top section 73 of the guide shaft 22 is inserted through the chassis lower wall 5 and affixed by a nut 47 which is located on the top of the chassis lower wall 5. The nut 47 may be welded to the top surface of the chassis lower wall 5. Alternately, the chassis lower wall 5 may have a threaded hole, in which case the nut 47 can be removed from the invention. Additional methods of affixment of the guide shafts 22 to the chassis lower wall 5 also exist and are not critical to the function of the invention.

FIG. 3 (and in greater detail in FIG. 6) illustrates that each guide shaft is inserted through one of the satellite holes 15 of the shroud 9. The diameter of the main long cylindrical section 24 is smaller than the diameter of the satellite holes 15. In the event that the satellite holes 15 are slotted holes, then the diameter of the main long cylindrical section 24 is less than the width of the satellite hole 15 slot. Additionally, the fit is a clearance fit.

FIG. 3 (and in greater detail in FIG. 6) also illustrates that the short and wide shoulder 23 of the guide shaft 22 is positioned below the shroud 9. The diameter of the short and wide shoulder 23 is larger than the diameter of the satellite holes 15. In the event that the satellite holes 15 are slotted holes, then the diameter of the short and wide shoulder 24 is greater than the width of the satellite hole 15 slot.

FIG. 3 (and in greater detail in FIG. 6) illustrates that due to relative diameters of the guide shaft 22 and the satellite hole 15, the shroud 9 is free to move vertically along the main long cylindrical section 24 of the guide shaft 22. Due to the clearance fit, the shroud 9 is also able to pivot and tilt. This pivot and tilt function allows the shroud to always stay in contact with the floor 2 (shown in FIG. 1) even when chassis 4 (shown in FIG. 1) is not parallel with the floor 2 (shown in FIG. 1) which can be caused by a range of factors such as floor unevenness, changes in the thickness of the pad 10 (shown in FIG. 3), or uneven wheel 7 (shown in FIG. 1) alignment.

FIG. 3 (and in greater detail in FIG. 6) illustrates that the shroud 9 is constrained on the lower end of its vertical movement by the shoulder 24 of the guide shaft 22, and is constrained on the higher end of its vertical movement by the chassis lower wall 5. This ensures that when the machine 1 (shown in FIG. 1) is tilted rearward and the front end of the chassis 4 (shown in FIG. 1) is raised, the shroud 9 will not drop low enough to make contact with the rotating pad driver 10 or any other rotating implement.

FIG. 3 illustrates that the guide shafts 22 constrain the shroud 9 from being able to rotate relative to its central axis 74 (shown in FIG. 2).

FIG. 3 illustrates that the guide shafts 22 constrain the shroud 9 from being able to move forward, rearward, or to either side relative to the chassis lower wall 5. In other words, the guide shafts 22 ensure that the central axis 74 (shown in FIG. 2) of the shroud 9 is concentric with the central axis of the rotating implement drive shaft 51 and thus also concentric with the rotating implement itself. This concentricity insures that the shroud side wall 13 is prevented from making contact with the outer side walls of the rotating implement.

FIG. 3 illustrates that depending from the chassis lower wall 5 is a column 72. This column 72 prevents dust from escaping and also prevents an operator to put his/her hand into the gap between the top of the shroud 9 and the lower chassis wall 5 and make contact with the rotating implement. The central hole 14 of the shroud 9 has a larger diameter than the diameter of the column 72, such that the shroud 9 cannot make contact with the column 72 due to the interaction between the shroud 9 and the guide shafts 22.

FIG. 3 (and in greater detail in FIG. 4) illustrates that a brush 18 is affixed to the bottom edge of the shroud sidewall 13 through an intermediary brush housing 19. The brush housing 19 contains an upper channel 20 and a lower channel 21. The upper channel 20 encapsulates the lower portion of the shroud side wall 13, while the lower channel 21 encapsulates a crimped element 75 which secures the individual brush bristles of the brush 18. Both the upper channel 20 and the lower channel 21 create a tight fit and thus clamp their relative members.

FIG. 3 (and in greater detail in FIG. 6) illustrates that a compression spring 26 and a washer 25 accompany each guide shaft. The washer 25 is located immediately above the ceiling surface 11 of the shroud 9, and the compression spring 26 is located immediately above the washer 25 and constrained on its upper direction by the chassis lower wall 5. Both the washer 25 and the compression spring 26 encircle the main long cylindrical section 24 of each guide shaft 22. The position of these components allows for the compression spring to transfer a downward force to the shroud 9. This downward force improves the seal between the brush 18 and the floor 2 (shown in FIG. 1). The washer 25 prevents the compression spring 26 from entering and becoming lodged in the gap of the clearance hole between each satellite hole 15 of the shroud 9 and the main long cylindrical section 24 of each guide shaft 22.

FIG. 5 illustrates that the guide shaft itself can be an assembly of components. Referring to both FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 it can be seen that the assembly is comprised of a flat head socket cap screw 43, a relatively long and narrow spacer 44 which comprises the main long cylindrical section 24, a relatively short and wide spacer 45 with a countersunk hole 46 which comprises the short and wide shoulder 23. Under such an arrangement, the flat head socket cap screw 43 is inserted into the nut 47 on the upper side of the chassis lower wall 5, and when the screw and nut are tightened, the two spacers 44 & 45 are compressed and secured.

FIG. 7 illustrates the configuration of the shroud 9 for dust extraction and collection. In the centermost area of the ceiling surface 11 of the shroud 9, in the vicinity of the satellite holes 15, exist smaller perforation holes 27. In the outer area of the ceiling surface 11, exists a rising scroll shaped channel 28 that follows the general curve of the shroud 9. At the end of the channel 28, exists an outward curve 29 that redirects the channel toward the shroud sidewall 13. At the location where the channel 28 meets the sidewall 13, exists an outlet hole 30. It should be noted that the outlet hole 30, extends entirely through the sidewall 13 all the way to the bottom of the shroud 9. There is no vertical wall or portion of a vertical wall within the outlet hole 30.

FIG. 7 illustrates that a outlet chute 31 is affixed to the shroud 9 at the location of the outlet hole 30. Though FIG. 7 is an exploded view that shows the two components separated, the two leader lines 76 indicate where the two components are affixed. FIG. 8 also clearly shows the outlet chute affixed to the outside of the shroud 9. Referring back to FIG. 7, the outlet chute 31 contains a relatively rectangular opening hole 32 which mates with the outlet hole 30 of in the shroud sidewall 13. The lower leading edge 77 of the rectangular opening 32 is designed to make contact with the floor 2 (shown in FIG. 1) such that any expelled air will easily enter the chute. The outlet chute 31 then curves outward and rearward, as its shape gradually becomes more rounded, until the chute forms a round outlet hole 33.

FIG. 8 illustrates that a dust collection bag 34 is affixed to the round outlet hole 33 (shown in FIG. 7) of the outlet chute 31. This collection bag 34 is composed of a filter material that has microscopic holes. Though the micron size of the filter material is not specified by this invention, such holes are large enough for air to pass through the filter material, but small enough that dust, debris, and contaminants are restricted and trapped in the bag.

FIG. 8 illustrates the airflow in the dust extraction and collection system. Arrows that are solid black 69 illustrate airflow that would be visible from the perspective of the viewer, including as if the section portions were actually sectioned away. Arrows that are faded 70 illustrate airflow that would be concealed from the perspective of the viewer. The primary driving force of all airflow is the rotating implement which is rotating in the direction of arrow 37. This rotating implement applies frictional forces that act on the air and force the air to flow both rotationally along with the implement, and also outward toward the outer portion of the shroud 9 due to centrifugal forces. Arrows 35 illustrates airflow as it is pulled into the shroud 9 through small perforation holes 27. The reason for this inflow of air will be explained further. Arrows 36 illustrate the incoming airflow being forced both rotationally and outward. Arrow 38 illustrates the air rising at the beginning of the rising channel 28. Arrow 39 illustrates air continuing to raise and curve within the rising channel 28. This rising air depicted by arrows 38 and 39 occurs because the airflow will tend to maintain surface contact along any gradual direction change, including the gradual rising of air. Arrow 40 illustrates the air making an outward curve due to the outward curve 29 in the channel 28. Arrow 41 illustrates the air following the curve of the chute 31. Arrows 42 illustrates the clean air being expelled finally from the dust collection bag 34.

Referring to FIG. 8, as air is forced to be expelled from the shroud 9, the result is a relative vacuum of pressure inside the shroud 9, especially at the central portion of the shroud 9. This vacuum is the primary reason that air is pulled in through the perforation holes 27, represented by arrows 35. Thus the system produces a constant cycle of airflow into the shroud 9 (depicted by arrows 35) and out of the dust collection bag 34 (depicted by arrows 42). As this air is cycled through the system, any dust created from the rotating implement will be expelled along with the air flow and trapped in the dust collection bag 34.

FIG. 8 illustrates that integrated into the rotating implement may exist fins 48. Such fins 48 are angled relative to the radial lines 49 of the rotating implement. The function of such fins 48 is to augment the frictional forces that act on the air and force it to flow rotationally and outwardly, this augmenting the total airflow through the system and thus the effectiveness of dust extraction and collection.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 8 both illustrate that a rotating implement is powered to rotate by a driveshaft 51 which in turn is powered to rotate by the motor 3 (shown in FIG. 1) either directly or through the transmitting of rotational power by a belt, chain, gear, or other type of transmission. The driveshaft 51 mates with a hub 55 which is affixed to the implement at location 57.

FIGS. 9 and 10 both illustrate the details of the mating interaction between three primary components of a quick-release coupling: a driveshaft 51, a hub 55, and a ball lock pin 61 according to the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates that the driveshaft 51 is a cylindrical shaped shaft. The bottom portion of the drive shaft 51 takes the form of a six-plane hex shape 54.

FIG. 10 illustrates that centered in the bottom surface 64 of the driveshaft 51 exists a round hole 52 which is concentric with the driveshaft 51. Inside the sidewall of said hole 52 is an internal groove 53 in the sidewall of the driveshaft 51.

FIG. 9 illustrates that the hub 55 includes a six-plane hex hole 60 in its top surface. This hole 60 mates with the six-plane hex shape 54 of the driveshaft 51.

FIG. 10 illustrates that the six-plane hex hole 60 (shown more clearly in FIG. 9) in the hub 55 does not fully pierce the hub 55, but a flat section 56 remains in the bottom of the hub 55. In the center of this flat section 56 is a hole 59 that is concentric with the hub body 56. Note: the hub may take various overall outer shapes to accommodate different methods of affixment to the rotating implement shown at location 57 (in FIG. 8), as the outer shape is not critical to the function of the invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 both illustrate a ball lock pin 61. The primary features of this ball lock pin 61 are the main cylindrical body 68, a shoulder 65, a push button 62, and the retracting locking ball(s) 63. The ball lock pin 61 functions such that normally the locking balls (63) are rigid relative to the main cylindrical body 68, but when the push button 62 is pressed, an internal mechanism allows for the ball(s) 63 to fully retract into the main cylindrical body 68. Note: common ball lock pins 61 may have either one or two locking balls 63, and the invention will function with either type.

As should be apparent in FIG. 9, the driveshaft 51 and hub 55 are mated such that the six-plane hex shape 54 of the driveshaft 51 mates with the six-plane hex hole 60 of the hub 55.

FIG. 10 illustrates the three primary components completely matted. The driveshaft 51 is fully inserted into the hub 55 such that the bottom surface of the driveshaft 51 mates with the top surface of the flat section 56 of the bottom of the hub 55 at location 64. The ball lock pin 61 is inserted through both hole 59 of the hub 55 and hole 52 of the driveshaft 51. Additionally, when fully inserted, the locking ball(s) 63 of the ball lock pin 61 enter the internal groove 53 inside hole 52 of the driveshaft 51.

FIG. 10 illustrates that the location of the internal groove 53 is such that the distance between the bottom edge 78 of groove 53 and the bottom edge 58 of the hub 55 (when the driveshaft 51 and hub 55 are fully mated) is equal to the distance between the bottom edge 79 of the locking ball(s) 63 and the shoulder 65 (shown in FIG. 9) of the ball lock pin 61. This ensures that when the ball lock pin 61 is locked inside hole 52 of driveshaft 51, there is no clearance for the flat section 56 of the hub 55 which would allow the hub 55 to remain slightly loose relative to the two other components.

As should be apparent by both FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, when the ball lock pin 61 is released and removed, the hub 55 is free to slide off of the driveshaft 51.

FIG. 9 illustrates that the leading edge 66 of the driveshaft 51 is chamfered. The leading edge 67 of the six-plane hex hole 60 of the hub 55 is also chamfered. These two chamfers 66 & 67 help the two components 51 & 55 to be easily inserted.

Hole 59 as shown in FIG. 10 may be threaded, such that the ball lock pin 61 can still fit through hole 59 with clearance, but such that the shoulder 65 (shown in FIG. 9) on the ball lock pin 61 cannot be inserted into hole 59. In the event that the hub 55 becomes seized on the driveshaft 51, this threaded hole 59 allows for a bolt to be inserted and thus allowing the hub 55 to break free from the driveshaft 51.

FIG. 3 illustrate that the guide shafts 22 are the only means of securing the shroud 9 to the chassis lower wall 5. Therefore, by removing the guide shafts 22, the entire shroud 9 can be removed. Furthermore, due to the quick-release coupling detailed in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, changing rotational implements can be accomplished quickly and without tools. Therefore, a critically useful function of the invention is that a single machine 1 (shown in FIG. 1) can be easily converted to not only run with different implements, but to additionally change the shroud 9 allowing the machine 1 to be converted to run with different sized implements with a different sized shroud 9.

Claims

1. A dust containment system for a machine used for floor buffing, grinding, and polishing wherein said machine includes a chassis, a motor mounted to said chassis, rotating implement such as a pad or disk to buff, grind, or polish the floor which depends from said chassis and makes contact with the floor and is powered by said motor to rotate in contact with the floor; said dust containment system comprises of:

a shroud with an outer circular vertical wall which transitions to a horizontal ceiling surface which both encircles and covers the rotating implement, said shroud includes a primary central hole in its ceiling surface, said shroud includes 2 or more smaller satellite holes in its ceiling surface;

two or more guide shafts are affixed to the bottom of said chassis; each guide shaft is cylindrical in shape with the primary cylinder being of smaller diameter than the satellite holes in the shroud; at the bottom of each guide shaft is a shoulder with a larger diameter than the satellite holes in said shroud;

said shroud is positioned with said guide shafts being inserted through the satellite holes of said shroud, such that the shroud is vertically constrained by the chassis toward its top and the shoulders of the guide pins toward its bottom;

a washer encircles each guide shaft and is positioned on the upper side of said shroud;

a compression spring encircles each guide shaft and is positioned on the upper side of said washer; each compression spring is constrained on its top by the lower surface of said chassis.

2. The guide shaft according to claim 1 is itself an assembly comprised of a flat head socket cap screw, a relatively long and narrow spacer with the outer diameter that is smaller than the shroud satellite hole, a relatively short and wide spacer with a countersunk hole which has a diameter that is larger than the shroud satellite hole; said guide shaft is affixed to said chassis by threading said cap screw into a threaded hole or nut in the bottom of said chassis and compressing the two spacers.

3. The satellite holes in the shroud according to claim 1 are slotted holes such that the slot direction is parallel with the radial lines of said shroud.

4. A brush is affixed to the bottom of the sidewall of the shroud according to claim 1 by an intermediary brush housing comprised of an upper and lower channel.

5. The guide shafts according to claim 1 are the only means of attachment of the shroud to the chassis such that removing said guide shafts allows for removal of the entire shroud.

6. The shroud according to claim 1 shall be available in multiple sizes with each size including a common hole pattern of the central and satellite holes and thus different sizes of shrouds shall be interchangeable on the same chassis.

7. A dust extraction and collection system for a machine used for floor buffing, grinding, and polishing wherein said machine includes a chassis, a motor mounted to said chassis, rotating implement such as a pad or disk to buff, grind, or polish the floor which depends from said chassis and makes contact with the floor and is powered by said motor to rotate in contact with the floor;

said dust extraction and collection system comprises of:

a shroud with an outer circular vertical wall which transitions to a horizontal ceiling surface which both encircles and covers the rotating implement, said shroud includes a primary central hole in its ceiling surface, said shroud includes 2 or more smaller satellite holes in its ceiling surface;

said shroud includes smaller perforation holes in the centermost portion of its ceiling surface;

said shroud includes a scroll shaped rising channel that eventually curves outward and leads to an outlet hole in the sidewall of said shroud; said hole extends entirely through the sidewall to the bottom surface of said shroud;

an outlet chute is affixed to the outside of said shroud; the shape of said chute transitions from a curved rectangular opening which fits over the outlet hole of said shroud to a round shaped outlet;

a dust collection bag is affixed to the round shaped outlet of said chute;

two or more guide shafts are affixed to the bottom of said chassis; each guide shaft is cylindrical in shape with the primary cylinder being of smaller diameter than the satellite holes in the shroud; at the bottom of each guide shaft is a shoulder with a larger diameter than the satellite holes in said shroud;

said shroud is positioned with said guide shafts being inserted through the satellite holes of said shroud, such that the shroud is vertically constrained by the chassis toward its top and the shoulders of the guide pins toward its bottom;

a washer encircles each guide shaft and is positioned on the upper side of said shroud;

a compression spring encircles each guide shaft and is positioned on the upper side of said washer; each compression spring is constrained on its top by the lower surface of said chassis.

8. The guide shaft according to claim 7 is itself an assembly comprised of a flat head socket cap screw, a relatively long and narrow spacer with the outer diameter that is smaller than the shroud satellite hole, a relatively short and wide spacer with a countersunk hole which has a diameter that is larger than the shroud satellite hole; said guide shaft is affixed to said chassis by threading said cap screw into a threaded hole or nut in the bottom of said chassis and compressing the two spacers.

9. The satellite holes in the shroud according to claim 7 are slotted holes such that the slot direction is parallel with the radial lines of said shroud.

10. A brush is affixed to the bottom of the sidewall of the shroud according to claim 7 by an intermediary brush housing comprised of an upper and lower channel.

11. The guide shafts according to claim 7 are the only means of attachment of the shroud to the chassis such that removing said guide shafts allows for removal of the entire shroud.

12. The shroud according to claim 7 shall be available in multiple sizes with each size including a common hole pattern of the central and satellite holes and thus different sizes of shrouds shall be interchangeable on the same chassis.

13. The circular surface that drives the rotating implement according to claim 7 has integrated fins that are located on the upper side of said surface and angled relative to radial lines of said surface.

14. A quick-release, tool-less installation and removal mechanism of the rotating implement holder of a machine used for floor buffing, grinding, and polishing wherein said machine includes a chassis, a motor mounted to said chassis, rotating implement such as a pad or disk to buff, grind, or polish the floor which depends from said chassis and makes contact with the floor and is powered by said motor to rotate in contact with the floor; mechanism comprises of:

a cylindrical driveshaft which rotated by the motor either directly or through the transmitting of rotational power by a belt, chain, gear, or other type of transmission; perpendicular to bottom surface of said driveshaft is a hole that is concentric with the driveshaft; inside said hole is an internal groove in the sidewall of the driveshaft; the bottom outer portion of said driveshaft is a six-plane hex shape;

a female hub that mates with said driveshaft; the lower portion of said hub is a relatively flat body which is bolted to the rotating implement holder; a hole is located in the center of the lower flat body of the hub; the upper portion of said hub is comprised of a rounded column; perpendicular to the top surface of said rounded column is a six-plane hex hole that is concentric with said rounded column;

a common ball lock pin with a quick release spring-loaded push button that allows the locking ball or balls to retract into the pin body; said pin has a shoulder that is a larger diameter than the primary pin diameter.

15. The hole in the lower body of the hub according to claim 14 is threaded, with a larger thread size than the bottom hole in said driveshaft.

16. The lower leading edge of the driveshaft according to claim 14 is chamfered such that the six-plane hex shape transitions to a bottom round shape.

17. The upper leading edge of the six-plane hex hole in the hub according to claim 14 is chamfered such that the six-plane hex hole transitions to an upper round hole.