Abstract: A rotary brush for vehicle washing systems comprising first, second and third sections of radially extending felt strips, the lengths of said strips being such that the overall outer diameter of the brush when rotating is uniform but the second or central section being mounted on a large diameter resilient cushion which reduces or eliminates the damaging effect of abrupt contact between the vehicle and a support shaft for the brush. In one preferred embodiment the cushion comprises a series of inflatable rubber inner tubes captured within a felt covering having a zipper and drawcords for installation and removal purposes. In a second preferred embodiment the cushion is comprised of open cell foam, which is cylindrical in nature and covered in the same manner as above.

Abstract: A buffing pad includes hub including screw threads therein for releasably attaching the hub to a drive shaft from either side of the hub. A fusible center disk is attached to the hub and a pair of buffing pads are provided with each having a plurality of yarn tufts protruding from a first side thereof and a plurality of yarn stitches which are exposed in a second side thereof. Additional fusible material is provided for securing the stitches in the buffing pads, coaxially securing the center disk between the second sides of the buffing disks and securing the second sides of the buffing disk together to form a buffing pad, with the two tufted first sides of the buffing disk facing outwardly from one another. During manufacture of the buffing pad the center disk is heat-formed into a tapered configuration which decreases in thickness from a position adjacent a coaxial hold therein to an outer edge thereof.

Abstract: A hydraulically driven rotary brush for cleaning vehicles and the like. This is a rotary brush system wherein the brush rotates about an axis parallel to the item being washed. It has a wand for the attachment to a source of water at one end, and a brush mounted at the further end. Water flowing through the wand is diverted into a channel or channels for the operation of at least one turbine unit connected to the drum supporting the brush. Water exiting from the turbine unit is directed onto the surface being washed to thoroughly flush the same. The drum is provided with means for inserting detergents and/or waxes within the drum, and apertures are provided within the surface of the drum whereby these materials can be fed to the brush whereupon they mix with the water for application to the surface. Provision is made whereby the drum can be readily removed, for example, for the replacement of the bristles or elements of the brush itself.

Abstract: Portable polishers and buffs are provided for surface preparation or for surface repair of substrates such as sheet aluminum. The polisher and buffs are particularly well suited for restoring the polished finish of aluminum aircraft skin that has been dulled by normal use and to repair blemishes on polished aluminum that occur during handling and fabrication. Elongated polishing rolls or buffs counter-rotate such that one polishing buff rotates in a clockwise direction about its elongated axis and another polishing buff rotates in a counterclockwise direction about its elongated axis. The buffs, which include a plurality of fabric disks that are axially compacted and secured onto a disposable sleeve, provide a buff having substantially enhanced polishing attributes. A universal mount assembly is also provided to facilitate use of the portable polisher in combination with a power-assisted lift assembly.

Abstract: A rotary brush for vehicle washing systems comprising first, second and third sections of radially extending felt strips, the lengths of said strips being such that the overall outer diameter of the brush when rotating is uniform but the second or central section being mounted on a large diameter inflatable cushion which reduces or eliminates the damaging effect of abrupt contact between the vehicle and a support shaft for the brush. In the preferred embodiment the cushion comprises a series of inflatable rubber inner tubes captured within a felt covering having a zipper and drawcords for installation and removal purposes.

Abstract: A polishing pad is provided having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of a conventional electric floor polishing machine. A center aperture is provided in the pad whereby the pad may be secured to the floor polisher in a well-known manner. A plurality of apertures are provided in the pad eccentrically of the central aperture whereby the surface area of the pad is reduced thereby reducing drag on the machine which results in reduction of the current drawn with the consequent reduction in overheating and the blowing of fuses.

Abstract: A portable polisher is provided for surface preparation or for surface repair of substrates such as sheet aluminum. The polisher is particularly well suited for restoring the polished finish of aluminum aircraft skin that has been dulled by normal use and to repair blemishes on polished aluminum that occur during handling and fabrication. This apparatus includes elongated polishing rolls that are driven by a motor in conjunction with a suitable counter-rotating drive arrangement such that one polishing roll rotates in a clockwise direction about its elongated axis and another polishing roll rotates in a counterclockwise direction about its elongated axis. The apparatus may also include features for counter-oscillating the polishing rolls about their respective longitudinal axes.

Abstract: A buffing pad retainer is provided for retaining an annular buffing pad in operable engagement with the bristles of a rotating annular floor machine brush. The retainer is a truncated conical disk having a depending cylindrical coaxial disk portion. In operation, the conical disk fits in the bore of the annular rotating brush, while the depending cylindrical coaxial disk fits in the bore of the annular buffing pad.

Abstract: A carpet cleaning pad to go underneath a rotary floor cleaning machine is of disc or circular outline; it is made up of a base sheet material which supports radial strips of fiber bristles and also an annular strip of fiber bristles around the periphery of the disc, the remainder of the space within the annular strip being filled in with firm loops of strand material to form a bed of hooked rug solidity.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning a bathtub. The tool enables an individual standing adjacent a bathtub to readily reach and clean the inner vertical and horizontal surfaces of the bathtub. The tool comprises a cleaning head and an elongate handle shaped, contoured and dimensioned to allow the application of the cleaning head to bottom and side surfaces of the bathtub. The handle is attached to the cleaning head generally at the center of gravity thereof to facilitate the control and positioning of the cleaning head during utilization of the tool. The cleaning head includes a rotary circular pad for contacting and cleaning the surfaces of the bathtub and a motor for supplying motive power to drive the circular pad. The circular pad is resiliently compressible to facilitate the adaptation of the cleaning head to the various curved surfaces of the bathtub.

Abstract: An improved, low cost floor cleaning device usable for cleaning carpets, upholstered furniture, walls, autos or hard surface flooring is provided which includes cooperating structure for easy pad installation and removal, and for positive pad connection to the device during use. The floor cleaner includes a high torque gear motor operatively coupled to a circular, rotatable disk having a series of peripheral depending teeth. The disk teeth are adapted to fit into and engage structure-defining interstices or zones associated with a floor-engaging pad, so that a positive mechanical interlock is provided. In addition, an upstanding, inwardly biased collar is secured to the pad for engaging or entrapping the disk and thus ensuring a secure connection between the disk and pad.

Abstract: This invention comprises an absorbent pad unit covered by a coarse mesh screen and mounted on the head of a carpet cleaning device having a handle for manipulating it. The pad has an outer sheet of highly absorbent, acid-resistant paper reinforced with fiberglass strands and located next to the screen, an inner sheet of the same construction, and a relatively thick core of soft, highly absorbent material sandwiched between its outer and inner sheets for absorbing carpet cleaning residue which passes through the outer sheet when the screen rubs against the carpet as the cleaning head is moved across the carpet.

Abstract: A floor polisher mounting means for mounting a floor polisher brush or pad to a coupling on the shaft of a floor polisher, comprises a disc of elastomeric material with a thick central zone and a thin peripheral zone, a metal boss on the central zone for mounting to the coupling means, and a metal mounting on the peripheral zone for coupling to the polisher brush.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning phonograph records comprises a grip member th at least one cleaning insert engaged with the grip member and having a record engaging cleaning surface which projects outwardly therefrom which is adapted to rest upon a record to be cleaned. The surface may advantageously be covered by a ribbon or other cleaning cloth which may be wetted with a cleaning liquid. The grip member is provided with a bearing pressure weight member which acts through the grip member on the insert to apply a predetermined cleaning pressure to the record. The grip member advantageously comprises a member having a trough facing outwardly from each side into which an insert is positioned and a weight member is disposed therebetween the trough members. One of the inserts is adapted to rest in a cleaning housing or case so that it contacts a wick which is wetted with cleaning liquid so that its surface or the surface of a cleaning cloth wrapped therearound is wetted at all times.

Abstract: A holder for an abrasive plate wherein a rigid plate is provided with a dress of abrasive grit on its contact face; a head on a shaft is provided with a peripheral flange defining a seat for a pad of magnetic material which is magnetically attracted to the seat defined by the flange and magnetically attracts the abrasive plate.

Abstract: A pad for treating surfaces such as floors or the like which includes a plate member of rigid material which is wrapped with a continuous ribbon of stainless steel which is relatively thin and narrow, the wraps extending in a circular manner successively over and under the plate member, successively and alternately, in random directions to build up a soft, cushiony mass of the stainless steel strip to a thickness such that the wound ribbon completely covers the plate member in a plurality of layers with the plate member disposed centrally within the mass to form a pad suitable for attachment to a floor-treating machine.This invention relates to an apparatus for treating surfaces and more particularly to a pad of stainless steel arranged to be mounted on a machine for treating surfaces such as floors.

Abstract: Removal of soil or stains from carpeting by a dry cleaning process, in which a pad including yarn selected in accordance with the carpet material and an intermediate reduced area of metal foil is rotated in contact with a carpet area moistened with a first cleaning solution including volatile hydrocarbons such as lower petroleum fractions, detergents, a surfactant, and water, over which a second solution of water and hydrogen peroxide is applied. Pad rotation establishes a controlled electrostatic field, and vapor, liquids, soil particles, etc., are drawn into the pad.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for removal of debris and excess material from pottery greenware. The apparatus includes a vertically disposed spindle which is rotatably driven and carries surface abrading means secured to the uppermost end thereof. This abrading means comprises a body of resiliently flexible material such as a sponge which has a substantial number of pores or open spaces and voids distributed throughout its entirety. The abrading means projects radially outward from diamatrically composed sides of the spindle as well as extending a distance above the upper end thereof, thereby forming a surface which, when revolved about the vertical axis, defines a surface that readily conforms to that of the greenware to be scrubbed or cleaned. A water dispensing nozzle is also situated in close proximately to the upper end of the spindle and continuously ejects a stream of water onto or in the direction of the abrading means during operation of the apparatus.