Abstract: A cleaning device has a substantially conical outer element having an axis, an axially inner region and an axially outer region and being elastic so that at least the axially outer region is bendable to follow a shape of a surface to be cleaned when pressed against the surface.

Abstract: Disc shaped cleaning/polishing pads are disclosed for use on a cleaning/polishing apparatus wherein the surface of the cleaning/polishing pad comprises resilient members arranged in patterns which will facilitate the movement of fluids (deoinized water, chemical slurry, etc.) from the center region of the pad to the periphery of the pad. Arrangement of the resilient members on the pads may be spiral, swirl, concentric or any other suitable pattern which will direct fluids to the periphery of the pad upon rotation of the pad.

Abstract: A device for washing vehicles, in which several supporting disks are arranged adjacent to one another on a rotating shaft, radially protruding flat strips made of a textile material being attached to the supporting disks, the strips being folded in their longitudinal direction in a region of attachment to the disks and the folded portions of the strips being connected to their supporting disks so as to be flat.

Abstract: A pad mountable either on an end or side portion of a drive shaft of a floor working machine with at least one stratum of a porous, non-woven, air-layered fibrous material secured together with an adhesive binder. The stratum having a first opening for receiving a fastener and at least one set of a plurality of circumferentially spaced, arcuate weakened segments, disposed concentrically relative to the first opening providing a plurality of unweakened segments disposed between the weakened segments, whereby the pad selectively may be mounted on an end portion of a drive shaft of a machine of a fastening device being inserted through the first opening. The pad alternatively may be mounted on the side portion of a drive shaft by severing the pad along the weakened and unweakened segments to provide an opening for receiving the drive shaft therethrough and securing the pad thereto.

Abstract: An abrasive flap brush including a central core, a layer of adhesive disposed on the peripheral surface of the core by a coater, and a plurality of abrasive flaps adhered to the core by the adhesive. The adhesive is uniformly distributed around the core by providing either the core or the adhesive coater with spacing projections that maintain a predetermined minimum distance between the coater and the core when the adhesive is applied. A coater including the spacing projections is also disclosed, as is a method for making an abrasive flap brush.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a pad to a rotary pad machine. The apparatus includes a base piece and a retainer piece. The base piece includes a plurality of base teeth and is attached to a pad driver disc of the rotary pad machine. The retainer piece includes quick-release tabs having locking ribs. When the retainer piece is inserted into the base piece, the locking ribs lock into the base teeth to hold the retainer piece to the base piece. Flanges on the base piece and the retainer piece hold the pad therebetween. To tighten the rotary pad holder, the retainer piece is pressed closer to the base piece until the locking ribs lock into the appropriate base teeth. To loosen the rotary pad holder or change pads, the quick-release tabs are pressed in towards each other which unlocks the locking ribs from the base teeth and the retainer piece can be removed from the base piece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bristle roller for automatic motor vehicle washing systems comprising a cylindrical body on the surface of which there are distributed a plurality of bristles. The main feature of the invention is that the bristles are made from strips of a thin layer of polypropylene, polythene, plastic materials and copolymers thereof.

Abstract: Drive disk (1) intended for a machine for the repair and/or maintenance of floors, of the type including a motor capable of rotationally driving at least one rotary tool (2) through the use of a drive shaft (3), said disk being produced from a material which is supple perpendicular to its plane but which is rigid in its plane. According to the invention, the drive disk is noteworthy in that the cavity (10) formed between said rigid circular plate (4) and said diaphragm (5) is leaktight and contains a fluid, especially a liquid, for example water, keeping said diaphragm (5) taut.

Abstract: A floor machine for cleaning a floor and/or wall and/or downward upstanding from the wall, includes at least one disc having a floor cleaning pad covering a lower surface and wall cleaning material projecting from its periphery. The wall cleaning material may be bristles or a wrap-around separate strip of abrasive felted material, or a margin of the floor cleaning pad may be bent upwardly to form a vertical cylindrical surface. Alternatively, floor pads may be stacked to present a vertical cylindrical wall cleaning surface. The disc may be engaged with a drive shaft, or stacked discs may interengage with each other, the topmost being engaged with the drive shaft. The bottom disc may have a bevel rising from the lower surface. Bristles extend from the bevel at right angles. When the floor machine rests on the floor in operation position, the bristles extending from the bevel are bent upwardly to be forced towards the angle between floor and wall.

Abstract: Abrasive and polishing belts and discs suitable for offhand and automated article finishing comprising a lofty, nonwoven abrasive web optionally needled to a woven fabric and a polymeric layer coated on the woven fabric opposite the nonwoven layer or if no woven fabric, coated on the nonwoven layer.

Abstract: A rotary, floor polishing and scrubbing pad for a rotary floor polishing machine is provided and includes an elongated member having a generally hourglass shape. The hourglass shape is defined by oppositely disposed, concave side walls extending between a pair of spaced apart outer walls. The concave side walls define cutting edges for cutting away dirt and wax on a floor and then slinging any loosened debris away from the polishing and scrubbing pad during rotation thereof by the rotary floor polishing machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying paint to walls includes a paint roller, a rotating tube and a rag which is wrapped around and secured to the tube. The tube may be made of a flexible material, and has openings for securing the rag to the tube. A plurality of openings may be arranged around the circumference of the tube at both ends thereof. The apparatus may be used to create marble-like patterns on the wall, similar to that obtained by rag rolling or sponging paint on walls by hand.

Abstract: A backing plate for a rotary buffing pad assembly provides cushioned support for a pair of curved edge buffing pads mounted back-to-back. The backing plate is adapted for easy reversible mounting and the cushioned pad support prevents damaging contact by the edge of the rigid backing plate with the surface being finished.

Abstract: A novel method and a novel article for cleaning a metal, glass, or plastic surface without scratching or scoring the surface. The novel method includes wiping the surface with the novel article, which is made from an open cell, hydrophilic, static-dissipative, polyurethane foam, and which is laundered so that the article in deionized water releases fewer than 36.0.times.10.sup.6 per square meter of apparent surface area of the article for particles of a size greater than about 0.5 .mu.m and fewer than about 2.5 parts per million of chloride, fluoride, sodium, sulfate, sulfite, or silicon ions. The novel article may be a wiper, a sponge, a roller, a swab mounted on a handle, or a plug having a generally cylindrical shape when unstressed and having particular utility where the surface is the interior surface of a metal, glass, or plastic tube. The plug is propelled through the tube, as by means of compressed air. The novel method also may include washing the surface with deionized water.

Abstract: A coupler is disclosed for coupling floor maintenance pads to a driven pad disc. The coupler has one part for mounting on the driven disc and a second part which threads to the first part for holding and centering a maintenance pad to a disc. A lock arrangement is provided for preventing the coupler from becoming unthreaded during operation. The locking arrangement is formed by a detent mechanism. One part of the detent mechanism is formed on the first part and another cooperating part of the detent mechanism is formed on the second part. When the coupler parts are threaded together to secure a pad, the detent mechanism engages and provides a resisting force against unthreading. In another embodiment, wedge-shaped projections are formed on one part of the coupler for engaging a pad and resisting loosening.

Abstract: A cleaning pad for use for cleaning carpet, rugs, furniture and like includes a pair of circular base sheets of a non-woven materials secured together at their peripheries. In each base sheet are at least first and second strips of piles of a fibrous bristle with the fibrous bristles of the first strips being stiffer than the fibrous bristles of the second strip. The fibrous bristles of the first strips have a shorter pile height than the pile height of the fibrous bristles of the second strips. A bed of firmly looped strands woven to a hooked rug solidity to present a cleaning surface fill in the space of each base sheet between the strips. For a carpet cleaning pad, there are preferably two of the first strips and two of the second strips on each base sheet. Each of the first strip forms a V with a separate one of the second strips with the apices of the V's being adjacent the periphery of the base sheet and being diagonally opposite each other.

Abstract: The cleaning and polishing pad of this invention has extremely fine microfibers ranging in thickness up to one denier. In addition, the microfibers have a polygon configuration which provides edges that enhance the cleaning ability of the fibers. The pad can be attached to the rotating disk of a polisher by a bolt extending through an aperture in the pad. Alternatively, the pad can fit over the rotating disk like a shower cap where an elastomeric band is provided around an inner opening of the pad.

Abstract: Disc shaped cleaning pads for use on cleaning apparatus, consisting of a supporting core to which a sponge is affixed. The sponge is a microporous material made from a hydroxylated polymer, the physical properties of which can be modified in the chemical growing process.

Abstract: A cleaning device for floors or walls, in which water or similar cleaning fluid is continuously applied to the work surface as the device moves along that surface. A power-driven rotary brush is located to exert a scrubbing action on the applied water film so as to assimilate dirt particles into the water film. The dirt-laden water is removed from the work surface by two power-driven rotary sponges located directly behind the rotary brush. A sponge compression structure is engaged with an upper surface of each sponge to continuously water absorbed by the sponges.

Abstract: A floor treatment machine includes a frame, handle mounted to the frame, wheels mounted to the frame, and a rotatable floor treatment pad mounted to the frame for treating a floor surface. The floor treatment machine further includes a device for adjusting the angle of the floor treatment pad with respect to the floor surface. The handle may be mounted to the frame with an attachment that includes a first part that is attached to the frame so as to enable the first part to rotate with respect to the frame about a first axis and second part that is pivotably attached to the first part so as to enable the second part to pivot with respect to the first part about a second axis, and an element for mounting the handle to the second part.

Abstract: A floor-care work disk (4) which can be mounted by a clip mounting to the drive plate (1) of a floor-care apparatus (G) and has clip-tongue passage windows (6) and a resting surface (9) which permits wobbling movement between drive plate (1) and floor-care work disk. The resting surface (9) is arranged on the outside of the clip-tongue passage windows (6).

Abstract: A self-centering buffer pad assembly is constructed of conventional washable buffer pads releasably attached by hook-and-loop material to a support disk permanently covered with hook material; the replaceable buffer pads are lined with the less expensive loop material. The support disk has at its center a projecting tapered hub which acts to center the pad on the disk, and a threaded bushing for attachment of the assembly to a power tool.

Abstract: A rotary clutch shaft of a floor machine removeably receives and rotates a brush block having downwardly protruding circumferentially arranged brushes protruding from the periphery of the brush block. Hooks which protrude from the bottom of the block, removeably retains a reversible, tufted, resilient, absorbent bonnet confined within the brushes and a frictional drive on the brush block engages the upper surface of the bonnet and rotates the bonnet as the block is rotated. The bonnet is readily removeable and can be laundered and reinstalled.

Abstract: A floor polisher of the present invention is provided with a main body having a motor incorporated therein, and a driving shaft coupled to the motor and protruding out below the bottom face of the main body. A front end of the driving shaft is polygonal, and a stepped portion is formed in the outer periphery thereof. Moreover, a rotary cleaner unit is detachably mounted to the driving shaft, which is provided with a polygonal axial hole to be engaged with the polygonal end part of the driving shaft. A lever is provided to engage with the stepped portion of the driving shaft to thereby prevent the rotary cleaner unit from shipping off the shaft. The lever is slidable forward and backward, is urged toward the stepped portion, and has an inclined face formed at its front end.

Abstract: A one-piece dual durometer pad holder for use in a floor buffing machine has an outer radial portion and an inner radial portion. The outer radial portion is made from a first hardenable material having a first durometer hardness in its hardened state, and the inner radial portion is made from a second material having a second durometer hardness in its hardened state, with the second durometer hardness being less than the first durometer hardness. The outer and inner radial portions are interconnected in such fashion as to prevent shear failure between the two portions. The method of making the floor pad holder includes spin casting the outer radial portion from the first harden- able material, and then, while the first hardenable material is in its unhardened state, spin casting the second hardenable material in a single spinning operation. The materials are allowed to cure at the same time, forming a smooth and continuous bond between the two durometer portions of the pad holder.

Abstract: A paint finishing pad adapted to be used on a drive assembly including a back up pad and a drive motor for rotating the back up pad. The paint finishing pad includes a layer of open cell polymeric foam having a front surface defined by a plurality of spaced projecting portions of the layer of foam, and loops projecting from a rear surface of the layer of foam for releasably attaching the paint finishing pad to a support surface on the back up pad.

Abstract: A pad support assembly for supporting a buffing pad on a floor buffing machine including a pad support member of disk-like construction having a central overhead portion, an annular peripheral portion for engaging the peripheral portion of a pad positioned therein, and a portion connected therebetween, and a pad retainer plate for attaching to the central overhead portion of the pad support member to press a pad therebetween. The pad support assembly may also include an air impervious layer of material positioned between the pad and the peripheral portion of the pad support member so that air cannot flow down into the pad from above should a portion of the pad separate from the peripheral portion of the pad support member due to an irregularity in the floor being buffed. The pad support member should also be constructed so as to prevent air flow therethrough.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rotary buffer pad assembly comprising a pan-like holder to the outer surfaces of which a resilient pad of foamed polyurethane is directly molded for better dynamic balance.

Abstract: A circular carpet scrubbing bonnet having an upper face and a lower face. Each of said bonnet faces being provided with a plurality of carpet cleaning solution absorbent areas which are spaced apart laterally by a plurality of carpet scrubbing fibers disposed in parallel, spaced apart positions.

Abstract: A buffing pad attachment system including a buffing pad and a drive element for use with a power buffer. The drive element has a threaded insert permitting attachment to a power buffer drive spindle and further includes a resilient body with a radial flange for supporting an associated buffing pad. The drive element also has a center body portion with a flexible wall collar with at least one screw threaded surface. The buffing pad includes a radial flange with one surface covered with buffing material, the other surface engaging the drive element support surface and a center portion having a screw threaded cylindrical collar for engagement with the collar on the drive element. Both the pad and the drive element are made from elastomeric materials and may thus be nondestructively separated from each other by unscrewing or, in the alternate, by intentional or unintentional deformation of the collar walls sufficient to disconnect the engaged collars.

Abstract: A buffing pad assembly for use with a motorized drive tool comprising a cylindrical foam pad and a circular backing plate. The foam pad defines a front side and a back side and has a first circular layer of hook and loop type fastening material secured to the back side of the pad in axial alignment therewith. The layer of fastening material has a diameter less than the diameter of the pad and defines a centrally disposed aperture therein. The circular backing plate has a second circular layer of fastening material secured to the front side thereof in axial alignment therewith and having a centrally disposed aperture therein. The second circular layer of fastening material is adapted to abut and engage the first layer upon the pad being pressed against the plate, removably securing the pad to the plate.

Abstract: A deep pile, fur-like material is used in an automated vehicle washing apparatus to simulate a vehicle hand wash. The vehicle washing apparatus uses a resilient drum constructed of a pair of spaced apart disks and an elastic cord which extends between the disks around the circumference of each disk. A cover is wrapped around the cord, and over a portion of the plates, so that the cover rotates with the plates, which rotate with the shaft. The cover includes a plurality of shingles which extend radially outwardly under centrifugal force. The shingles are preferably made of a deep pile fur-like material. Alternatively, a foam core member wrapped around a rotatable support carries a cover which is made of deep pile, fur-like material.

Abstract: A rotary cleaning and polishing pad is provided and comprises a pair of fibrous layers adhered in face contacting relation, each of the layers comprising multiple segments, each segment having V-shaped side edges, a side edge of one segment in each layer being in face contacting relation with a side edge of an adjoining segment to form a seam in each layer, and the seam of one layer being laterally offset from the seam of the other layer.

Abstract: A paint finishing pad adapted to be used on a drive assembly including a back up pad and a drive motor for rotating the back up pad. The paint finishing pad includes a layer of open cell polymeric foam having a front surface defined by a plurality of spaced projecting portions of the layer of foam, and loops projecting from a rear surface of the layer of foam for releasably attaching the paint finishing pad to a support surface on the back up pad.

Abstract: A buff adapted for self centering engagement with a backup pad comprising a circular body with a first fastener portion on its face surface. The buff includes a stiff flexible backing having a generally planar circular central portion and an annular flange only slightly larger than the diameter of the backup pad projecting from one side surface of its central portion, a second fastener portion fixed on the side surface of its central portion and adapted for engagement with the fastener portion on the backup pad, and a multiplicity of projecting tufts having central portions adhered in the backing by a thermoplastic adhesive that melts and adheres at a temperature under 100.degree. C.

Abstract: A combination of a bonnet and a base member used in connection with a rotary cleaning machine. The combination includes a base member for attachment to a drive shaft of a rotary cleaning machine. A brush member is releasably positioned on the base member. The combination further includes a bonnet constructed of flexible material which includes an opening correspondingly sized and located to receive the brush member therethrough. The bonnet is positioned on the base member such that the brush member extends through the bonnet opening to form a cleaning surface by the combination of the brush member and bonnet. This arrangement allows the brush member and bonnet to be independently replaceable.

Abstract: A paint finishing pad adapted to be used on a drive assembly including a back up pad and a drive motor for rotating the back up pad. The paint finishing pad includes a layer of open cell polymeric foam having a front surface defined by a plurality of spaced projecting portions of the layer of foam, and loops projecting from a rear surface of the layer of foam for releasably attaching the paint finishing pad to a support surface on the back up pad.

Abstract: A carpet cleaning pad which includes a horizontal disc made of a base material, a primary layer of a blended yarn tufted to the base material by tufting, and one or more radial strips of fibrous bristles which are attached to said base material. The blended yarn is made by weaving together three or more different individual yarns including one yarn made of acrylic fibers or wool fibers.

Abstract: A novel surface working pad assembly is described which assembly comprises a fibrous generally disc shaped pad support element having a circular raised portion at its center; the raised portion is sized and configured to fit closely within a circular aperture of a cooperating surface working pad element, but preferably remains recessed and out of contact with the work surface during use thus reducing drag and wear. The surface working pad element of the assembly is removably attached to the pad support element so that by reversing the working pad both surface may be used. The mating of the raised portion of the pad support element into the aperture of the working pad enables the working pad to be quickly; and accurately mounted on a machine and prevents unwanted displacement of the pad due to centrifugal forces, even during use in high speed rotary floor polishers or the like.

Abstract: A buff adapted for self centering engagement with a backup pad comprising a circular body with a first fastener portion on its face surface. The buff includes a stiff flexible backing having a generally planar circular central portion and an annular flange only slightly larger than the diameter of the backup pad projecting from one side surface of its central portion, a second fastener portion fixed on the side surface of its central portion and adapted for engagement with the fastener portion on the backup pad, and a multiplicity of projecting tufts having central portions adhered in the backing by a thermoplastic adhesive that melts and adheres at a temperature under 100.degree. C.

Abstract: Abrasive article comprising an open, lofty nonwoven web comprising helically crimped synthetic organic fibers. The article can optionally contain stuffer box crimped fibers and melt bondable fibers. The presence of helically crimped fibers brings about greater durability and greater capacity for absorbing debris.

Abstract: A pair of diametrically offset flaps of feltlike fabric are mounted at opposite ends of a filament-strand carwasher brush to clear the brush strands away from mirrors and antennae as the vehicle is washed.

Abstract: A buffing wheel in which the strap of ductile metal encircles and abuts the circular body member from whose peripheral edges the teeth which engage the annulus of buffing fabric extend. Each pair of successive teeth defines between them an angle having a sharp apex at their junctions with the body member. In use, the buffing wheel is rotated at a high speed so that high centrifugal tensile force is transmitting through the teeth to their junctions with the body member. This force is concentrated at the apeces formed between successive teeth. The strap absorbs the concentrated stress, in part, preventing cracks in the body member from developing, but predominantly preventing cracks, even cracks which sever the body member, which do develop from spreading and causing catastrophic failure of the ring and an explosion of a buffing assembly including the ganged buffing wheels.

Abstract: An orbital polishing system includes the drive motor assembly for orbitally rotating a buffing pad. The buffing pad includes contour means for defining a groove on a periphery thereof for supporting a buffing cloth thereon and an elastic O-ring is sized for holding the buffing cloth in the groove of the periphery of the buffing pad and operative with the groove for decreasing tension between the buffing pad and the buffing cloth on one side of the buffing pad as the buffing pad is orbitally rotated and pinching the buffing cloth into the groove on an opposite side of the buffing pad as the buffing pad is orbitally rotated in order to cause the buffing cloth to achieve and maintain a taut configuration across the face of the buffing pad.

Abstract: A driver assembly for the burnishing pad of a high speed floor burnishing machine includes a rotatably driven hub having spaced-apart recesses in its outer surface. The hub is fixed to a flexible backing plate having inner and outer depending cylindrical retaining flanges defining a channel in which the burnishing pad is received for attachment to the backing plate by a gripper pad. The inner edge of the burnishing pad is clamped against the gripper pad by an inner clamping cup which is received within the inner retaining flange in an interference fit therewith. The driver assembly is supported on a center caster, the wheel of which is disposed in the clamping cup. The burnishing pad and driver assembly are surrounded by a vacuum shroud which is continuously evacuated by radial air flow generated by the motion of the driver assembly.

Abstract: A novel buffing pad 10 for use with a backing pad 40 adapted to be driven by a power tool 48. The pad 10 comprises a fabric pile 14 for application against a work piece 50, a backing side 15 carrying the fabric pile 14, loop means 21 carried centrally of the pad and against the backing side 15 and, cover means 21 partially affixed to the backing side 15 and enveloping the periphery of the loop means 22. A buffing pad assembly 12 utilizing the novel buffing pad 10 includes a plurality of backing structures 40 of progressively reduced diameters, each structure having hook means 43 from a hook and loop type fastener provided over the face of each structure and means for mounting 45 the structure on a power tool 48. A method for the manufacture of the novel buffing pad is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for making improved tufted buffing pads of varied density across the face surface thereof. The apparatus comprises a tufting machine for placing pile in a spiral or circular pattern on a backing pad to form the buffing pad. The backing pad is held by a rotatable and laterally-movable pad holder which is coupled to a programmable controller. An improved buffing pad of varying density is achieved by coupling a programmable computer to the programmable controller for varying the length of intermittent steps that the pad holder is laterally moved relating to the tufting machine. By proper programming, pile applied to the backing pad is maximized in a selected high-wear area of the buffing pad, and minimized in a selected low-wear area of the buffing pad.

Abstract: A felt member, in particular a felt ring as a technical accessory for polishing and grinding operations, characterized in that the felt member contains at least 35% of a natural fiber material and polishing grains of a grain size of below 1000 .mu.m are enclosed in cavities in the tangled structure of the natural fiber material.

Abstract: A flexible, low mass coated abrasive sheet material magnetically held on a support surface of a magnetized pad providing more than 6 magnetic poles per inch in one direction along the support surface. The coated abrasive sheet material incorporates sufficient ferromagnetic material that only the force of magnetic attraction between the magnetized pad and the ferromagnetic material and any force applied to the sheet material through the magnetized pad normal to the support surface will produce sufficient static friction between the support surface and the coated abrasive sheet material to retain the abrasive coated sheet material on the support surface while it is driven by the magnetized pad to abrade a workpiece.

Abstract: A paint finishing pad adapted to be used on a drive assembly including a back up pad and a drive motor for rotating the back up pad. The paint finishing pad includes a layer of open cell polymeric foam having a front surface defined by a plurality of spaced projecting portions of the layer of foam, and loops projecting from a rear surface of the layer of foam for releasably attaching the paint finishing pad to a support surface on the back up pad.