Abstract: A vacuum cleaner attachment generally includes a cleaning element that floats relative to a suction conduit of the vacuum cleaner attachment. The cleaning element is supported on a support structure that is movably coupled to a housing and is biased towards a floor, for example, as a result of the weight of the cleaning element support structure. The cleaning element may be permanently attached to the support structure or may be a removable or disposable pad or sheet attached to the support structure. The floating cleaning element may be supported between the suction conduit and one or more wheels of the vacuum cleaner attachment. The vacuum cleaner attachment may be removably attached to a vacuum cleaner, for example, to be used interchangeably with other surface cleaning heads.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a base, an agitator cleaner, an agitator, and a motor. The agitator extends in a longitudinal direction and is mounted to the base to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the agitator and to move between a first position in which the agitator is spaced from the agitator cleaner and a second position in which the agitator engages the agitator cleaner. The motor is operatively associated with the base and configured to rotate the agitator about the longitudinal axis of the agitator while the agitator is in the second position to remove debris from the agitator by interaction between the agitator and the agitator cleaner.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance includes a housing, a moveable agitator located within the housing, and a detachable unit extending about the agitator. The detachable unit includes a sole plate having a suction opening through which dirt-bearing air enters the cleaner head, a chassis detachably connected to the housing, and a flexible annular seal for allowing relative movement between the housing and the sole plate. One end of the flexible annular seal is connected to the chassis and the other end of the flexible annular seal is connected to the sole plate.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance includes a housing, a sole plate for engaging with the floor surface, the sole plate comprising a suction opening through which dirt-bearing air enters the cleaner head, and a flexible annular seal located between the sole plate and the housing to allow the housing to move relative to the sole plate to reduce the force exerted on the sole plate by the housing, thereby allowing the sole plate to ride over the floor surface during a cleaning operation. The cleaner head includes at least one floor engaging support member connected to the housing for restricting the movement of the housing towards the sole plate to prevent the housing from pushing the sole plate against the floor surface.

Abstract: A floor tool for a cleaning appliance includes a head engaging with a floor surface, a connecting arm pivotally connected to the head about a first axis and a supporting body pivotally connected to the head about a second axis. The head includes a suction opening which lies in a suction plane, and the connecting arm includes an outlet in communication with the suction opening and adapted to connect to the cleaning appliance. The first and second axes lie parallel to one another in a plane which is substantially parallel to the suction plane. By providing a pair of parallel axes which lie in a plane parallel to the suction plane, the floor tool can have a reduced depth while still being able to achieve the desired “rocking” motion to improve cleaning performance. The height of the floor tool can thus be minimized.

Abstract: A suction brush for a vacuum cleaner includes an upper casing, a lower casing coupled to the upper casing and provided with a suction port through which contaminants are drawn in from a surface to be cleaned, a lift plate disposed between the upper casing and the lower casing to move up and down with respect to the lower casing, a lift plate driving part to allow the lift plate to move up and down, and a lift control unit to control the lift plate driving part so that when the surface to be cleaned changes from a hard floor to a carpet, the lift plate is raised, and when the surface to be cleaned changes from the carpet to the hard floor, the lift plate is lowered.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided that including suction device that provides suction force, a suction nozzle that draws air by the suction force provided from the suction device, a dust collecting box that cleans and discharges the air drawn through the suction nozzle, the dust collecting box having an opening in an upper surface thereof, a filter assembly including an upper holding part selectively fastened to an edge of the opening, the upper holding part having an air discharge hole at a central portion thereof, a lower holding part spaced a distance downward from the upper holding part, and a filter between the upper holding part and the lower holding part that filters dust from air, the filter having a discharge passage therein, and a lower cover that selectively opens/closes a lower portion of the dust collecting box. This structure permits easy cleaning and replacement of the dust collector assembly in a vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A carpet cleaner with a base, a handle, and a plurality of wheels includes a suction opening, a fulcrum, a lever, and a cable line. The suction opening is provided at a front portion of the base of the carpet cleaner. The fulcrum is provided at a rear portion of the base of the carpet cleaner. The lever with an active end and a passive end is for levering the suction opening against the fulcrum. The cable line is extended from the active end of the lever toward the handle. The suction opening is pressed down to the carpet floor by the lever actuated by pulling up the cable line, and the suction opening contacts the carpet floor tight for facilitating suction of the carpet cleaner. The suction opening can be pressed down by a pressing bar attached to the base.

Abstract: A carpet cleaner with a base, a handle, and a plurality of wheels includes a suction opening, a fulcrum, a lever, and a cable line. The suction opening is provided at a front portion of the base of the carpet cleaner. The fulcrum is provided at a rear portion of the base of the carpet cleaner. The lever with an active end and a passive end is for levering the suction opening against the fulcrum. The cable line is extended from the active end of the lever toward the handle. The suction opening is pressed down to the carpet floor by the lever actuated by pulling up the cable line, and the suction opening makes tight contact with the carpet floor for facilitating suction of the carpet cleaner. The suction opening can be pressed down by a pressing bar attached to the base.

Abstract: A dust-collectable mobile robotic vacuum cleaner includes a base frame, a driving device mounted to the base frame, a control device mounted to the base frame and electrically connected with the driving device, a collision-detectable unit mounted to the base frame electrically connected with the control device, and a dust-collecting device mounted to the base frame. The dust-collecting device has dust-collecting box, a dust guider, a round brush, and a dust entrance formed at one side of the dust-collecting box. The dust guider is located at a lower edge of the dust entrance, having two opposite sides pivotably mounted to the dust-collecting box and lying against the ground at a predetermined angle respectively, for upward and downward pivoting movement. The round brush is rotatably located at a front end of the dust guider for sweeping dust particles.

Abstract: A suction brush for a vacuum cleaner includes an upper casing, a lower casing coupled to the upper casing and provided with a suction port through which contaminants are drawn in from a surface to be cleaned, a lift plate disposed between the upper casing and the lower casing to move up and down with respect to the lower casing, a lift plate driving part to allow the lift plate to move up and down, and a lift control unit to control the lift plate driving part so that when the surface to be cleaned changes from a hard floor to a carpet, the lift plate is raised, and when the surface to be cleaned changes from the carpet to the hard floor, the lift plate is lowered.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a closed loop air system is disclosed that is intended for the cleaning of soft-coated floors, such as carpets and rugs. The cleaner includes two main units: a floating foot, containing an intake nozzle and an expanded chamber for the returning air stream, and a managing unit, containing a managing handle and supporting wheels. The floating foot has a seal along its perimeter, enclosing the space between the surface being cleaned and the bottom of the foot from the surrounding space and also contains the expanded chamber for the returning air stream. The foot and managing unit are joined by a universal joint that makes the foot floating, allowing it to swing forward, back, left and right. It also guarantees that the foot is always pressed to the surface being cleaned, independent of the position of the managing unit and handle movement. This guaranteed contact prevents the escape of the air stream, as a working medium, from the closed loop system into the surrounding space.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly, a canister assembly pivotally mounted to said nozzle assembly, a suction fan and drive motor and a biaser. The biaser has a first end that engages the nozzle assembly and a second end that engages the canister assembly. The biaser provides a positive downforce urging the forward end of the nozzle assembly toward the surface being cleaned.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided having a cleaning head and a main body pivotally mounted to the cleaning head which includes a counter-balance mechanism having at least one torsion spring with a first end thereof mounted for pivotal movement about a fixed axis in either the cleaning head or the main body and a second end thereof mounted for pivotal movement about a fixed axis in the other of the cleaning head or the main body, with the at least one torsion spring having a main body portion which is free to move as the main body of the vacuum cleaner is pivoted relative to the cleaning head, the counter-balancing force of the at least one torsion spring increasing as the main body of the vacuum cleaner is pivoted from a generally vertical position to a generally horizontal position while the cleaning head remains generally horizontal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a floor cleaning apparatus including a nozzle assembly having a base section and an agitator section pivotally mounted to the base section, a canister assembly pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly, a suction generator carried on one of the nozzle assembly and the canister assembly and a dirt collector carried by one of the nozzle assembly and canister assembly.

Abstract: A brush roller accessory for a vacuum cleaner includes a main support roller and a power-driven brush roller rotatably arranged in a housing, and a spring-biased adjusting roller that adjustably protrudes from the housing to bear some of the total contact force of the accessory against a floor, to reduce or relieve the contact force exerted by the brush roller against the floor. The adjusting roller is rotatably mounted on a pivot lever, having a first end pivotally connected to the housing and a second end connected to a spring that biases the lever to pivot the adjusting roller outwardly from the housing. A rotary knob with several stop surfaces selects an upper limit on the pivot range of the lever and the adjustment height of the adjusting roller. A coupling link pivots the adjusting roller to a maximally protruding position to lift the brush roller into a parking position.

Abstract: This invention provides a self-running cleaning apparatus and self-cleaning method that is capable of efficiently moving over the entire bottom surface of a pool and cleaning the entire bottom surface of the pool in a short period of time. A movement-control unit 50 operates a right motor 51, left motor 53 and displacement motor 55 based on a movement-operation program that is stored in the operation memory 57, and moves the self-running cleaning apparatus according to information received from distance sensors 16 to 21 that are located on the front, right side and left side. The operation memory 57 stores the wall-movement operation, detour-movement operation, 90-degree right turn operation, 180-degree right turn operation, 180-degree left turn operation and position-detection operation as the movement-operation program.

Abstract: A vacuum sweeper is cantilevered to a hinged bracket mounted to the front of a conventional automatic floor scrubber. The sweeper includes a vacuum head, an overlying debris ramp, and two vertically rotating, conical brushes having their base ends in contact with the floor. The base end of the conical brushes sweep a path at the edge of the vacuum sweeper in excess of the width of the scrubber. The entire vacuum sweeper apparatus is mounted for vertical excursion relative to the cantilevered mount to the hinge bracket to enable up and down excursion of the sweeper and vacuum responsive to either scrubber motion or inevitable floor irregularities encountered during floor scrubbing. Where vacuuming is not required in advance of scrubbing, such as during double scrubbing or floor stripping cycles, provision is made to hinge the vacuum sweeper upwardly away from floor engagement. A ramp is used in conjunction with the vacuum for collecting large debris.

Abstract: An operator driven, ridable carpet cleaning machine is provided with a pressurized cleaning solution spray applicator located forward of a counter-rotating pair of cylindrical brushes and a pair of articulating vacuum shoes. The pressurized spray enables the delivery of sufficient cleaning solution, with agitation of the soft, carpeted surface enhanced by the counter-rotating brushes. Articulation of the vacuum shoes enables them to remain in close contact with the carpeting, maximizing the removal of the applied cleaning solution.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly, a canister assembly pivotally mounted to said nozzle assembly, a suction fan and motor and a biaser. The biaser has a first end that engages the nozzle assembly and a second end that engages the canister assembly. The biaser provides a positive downforce urging the forward end of the nozzle assembly toward the surface being cleaned.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly, a canister assembly pivotally mounted to said nozzle assembly, a suction fan and drive motor and a biaser. The biaser has a first end that engages the nozzle assembly and a second end that engages the canister assembly. The biaser provides a positive downforce urging the forward end of the nozzle assembly toward the surface being cleaned.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly, a canister assembly pivotally mounted to said nozzle assembly, a suction fan and motor and a biaser. The biaser has a first end that engages the nozzle assembly and a second end that engages the canister assembly. The biaser provides a positive downforce urging the forward end of the nozzle assembly toward the surface being cleaned.

Abstract: A power nozzle for use with a vacuum cleaner. The power nozzle includes a housing having at least two compartments and a bottom surface, a rotary brush at least partially in a front compartment of the housing, a brush motor at least partially positioned in an back compartment of the housing, a suction opening located in the bottom surface of the housing, a set of front wheels, a set of rear wheels, and a wand connected to the housing. The bottom surface has a front end, a back end, and a non-planar shape. The bottom surface at least partially slopes downwardly at least between the front end of the bottom surface and the set of front wheels.

Abstract: An autonomous floor-cleaning robot comprising a housing infrastructure including a chassis, a power subsystem; for providing the energy to power the autonomous floor-cleaning robot, a motive subsystem operative to propel the autonomous floor-cleaning robot for cleaning operations, a command and control subsystem operative to control the autonomous floor-cleaning robot to effect cleaning operations, and a self-adjusting cleaning head subsystem that includes a deck mounted in pivotal combination with the chassis, a brush assembly mounted in combination with the deck and powered by the motive subsystem to sweep up particulates during cleaning operations, a vacuum assembly disposed in combination with the deck and powered by the motive subsystem to ingest particulates during cleaning operations, and a deck adjusting subassembly mounted in combination with the motive subsystem for the brush assembly, the deck, and the chassis that is automatically operative in response to an increase in brush torque in said brush

Abstract: The present invention relates to a floor cleaning apparatus including a nozzle assembly having a base section and an agitator section pivotally mounted to the base section, a canister assembly pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly, a suction generator carried on one of the nozzle assembly and the canister assembly and a dirt collector carried by one of the nozzle assembly and canister assembly.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly, a canister assembly pivotally mounted to said nozzle assembly, a suction fan and drive motor and a biaser. The biaser has a first end that engages the nozzle assembly and a second end that engages the canister assembly. The biaser provides a positive downforce urging the forward end of the nozzle assembly toward the surface being cleaned.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner of the fixed or floating nozzle type wherein a spring is utilized for urging the suction nozzle into the carpet pile to maintain and improve nozzle suction over a wide range of carpet pile heights and types. Such cleaners often lose nozzle suction as the pile height of the carpet increases and forces the suction nozzle upward away from the carpet. The addition of a spring to force the suction nozzle downward restores and improves nozzle suction and thereby improves overall cleaning efficiency of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: The invention provides a vacuum cleaner (10) comprising a main body (12) and a cleaner head (22) movably mounted theon, the cleaner head (22) having a downwardly directed suction opening (24), characterised in that the cleaner head (22) is mounted on the main body (12) by means of at least one articulating member (120), the or each articulating member (120) having a first end which is pivotably connected to the cleaner head (22) and a second end which is pivotably connected to the main body (12).

Abstract: An apparatus that attaches itself to a surface by negative pressure and that can move over the surface, in particular, for carrying out work, to prevent a risk, depending on the alignment of the surface, of the apparatus dropping downward if there is a decrease in an attachment force in the case of malfunctioning includes a safety configuration that monitors detachment of the apparatus from the surface and, in such a case, attaches a retaining configuration, preferably in the form of a suction cup, to the surface, the retaining configuration retaining the movable apparatus on the surface.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner of the fixed or floating nozzle type wherein a spring is utilized for urging the suction nozzle into the carpet pile to maintain and improve nozzle suction over a wide range of carpet pile heights and types. Such cleaners often lose nozzle suction as the pile height of the carpet increases and forces the suction nozzle upward away from the carpet. The addition of a spring to force the suction nozzle downward restores and improves nozzle suction and thereby improves overall cleaning efficiency of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A suction head for floor vacuum cleaners has a unitary plastic housing (1) containing a suction channel (2), and a bottom plate (7) arranged on the underside of the housing and having a suction mouth (13). The suction mouth adjoins a vertically aligned, box-shaped connection element (14) of the suction channel and feeds into a bottom channel (15) of the bottom plate (7). The bottom plate (7) is pivot-mounted both on the connection element (14) of the suction channel and also at the end side on the inner surfaces of the plastic housing (1). For this purpose, the box-shaped connection element (14) contains transverse bridges (17) that define the suction channel laterally and which have bottom edges designed as bearing surfaces (18) rounded in a curved manner. The bottom plate (7) is supported on the curved, rounded support surfaces (18) of the connection element (14), and rotatably interlocked with the wall surfaces of the connection element (14) extending parallel with the transverse bridges.

Abstract: A brush head of a vacuum cleaner can pivot in a horizontal direction as well as a vertical direction with respect to a suction pipe, so as to easily clean an area narrower than the width of the brush head. The brush head of a vacuum cleaner includes a body which is detachably coupled to a suction pipe and is formed with a suction hole for sucking dust. A hollow cylindrical pivoting part is integrally formed with the body at a rear central portion of the body and is formed with a roller receiving cut along a periphery of the lower surface of the pivoting part. A cylindrical pivot supporting member is inserted into the pivoting part to support a horizontal pivoting movement of the pivoting part. The pivot supporting member is formed with a communicating space at its peripheral wall which communicates with the suction hole and the suction pipe, and is provided with a roller at its rear bottom surface.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner head having a casing having a dirty air inlet, a housing mounted above the dirty air inlet and moveable with respect to the dirty air inlet and a brush roatably mounted within the housing. The brush is moveable with the housing for improving the air flow of the dirty air around the brush into the vacuum cleaner head.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner head having a dirty air inlet has an associated restricting member which is operable to reduce the size of the dirty air inlet thereby increasing the velocity of the air entering the air flow path.

Abstract: In apparatus to facilitate vacuum cleaning carpets with obstacles, the first combination comprising a suction base, at least two of each of the following components: suction heads, suction hoses, suction head position rods, dusting brush holders, dusting brush rocking devices, pairs of spring supports, and springs, the second combination comprising a suction base, at least two of each of the following components: suction heads, suction ducts, suction head position rods, dusting brush holders, dusting brush rocking devices, pairs of spring supports, and springs; the third combination comprising a suction base, at least two of each of the following components: suction heads, suction ducts, dusting brush rocking rods, dusting brush holders, dusting brush rocking devices, pairs of spring supports, and springs; the fourth combination comprising a suction base, at least two of each of the following components: suction heads, suction ducts, suction head position keepers, dusting brush rocking rods, dusting brush hol

Abstract: In a suction hood (2) for a wet floor cleaning machine (1) in which a motor-driven scrubbing roller (3) rotates, accompanied by application of water, on an axle (free-arm axle) which is clamped in on only one side within the suction hood (2) which overlaps this axle (7) at both ends, this suction hood (2) is guided so as to be displaceable axially relative to the scrubbing roller (3).

Abstract: To adjust a brush roller to the current operating conditions, a brush attachment to hold the brush roller and drive mechanism is realized in the form of an upper part and a separate inner part. The inner part is thereby mounted in the upper part so that the inner part can pivot by means of an axle, and the brush roller is pressed against the surface to be cleaned by means of a spring element. The inner part has a suction chamber for the brush roller, and has a rear floor strip, preferably of convex curvature, in the vicinity of the axle to create a seal. The front area is sealed by means of a floor strip on the brush attachment.

Abstract: An improved rotary brush carpet cleaning apparatus provides superior cleaning performance both by more efficiently dispensing shampoo onto a scrubbed portion of a carpet and by more effectively holding an extraction ring against the surface being cleaned and thereby better extracting dirt and used shampoo. The apparatus includes an arrangement of two springs (instead of the one spring used in the prior art) biasing the extraction ring downward from a chassis onto the carpet being scrubbed. The improved apparatus also minimizes operator fatigue by: a) reducing the overall weight of the cleaning machine; b) supporting the weight of a shampoo feed tank with the spinning brush, rather than on the operator's arms: and c) providing an improved mechanical advantage for resisting torques and imbalances arising from the spinning brush in a way that does not also compromise the maneuverability of the machine.

Abstract: Mobile floor cleaning apparatus of the type having a nozzle assembly for spraying a cleaning solution on carpet or other floor covering, a motor driven brush for scrubbing the wet floor, and a vacuum system for extracting dirty solution from the floor. The nozzle assembly and brush are mounted on a housing which moves in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the apparatus. The housing extends from one side of the apparatus and deflects in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the floor cleaning apparatus upon contact with an obstacle. The nozzle assembly includes a spray jet bar mounting a plurality of nozzles. The spray jet bar is releasably mounted on the brush housing to facilitate nozzle maintenance. A vacuum extractor shoe is releasably mounted to swing and swivel from a rear end of the floor cleaning apparatus to automatically adjust to floor irregularities and to maintain maximum floor contact when turning.

Abstract: A cleaning head assembly for a vacuum cleaning apparatus of the wet, dry and wet/dry types includes a rotatably driven brush carried within and laterally spanning the head assembly. A pair of floating vacuum heads are positioned on opposite sides of a housing for the brush, and each defines a portion of a vacuum pathway having an inlet opening adjacent to the surface to be cleaned, which extends from the inlet opening to a dirt collection zone within the vacuum cleaning apparatus. The floating vacuum heads are each attached to the brush housing in a manner permitting relative movement therebetween. In this regard, a track fixed to the brush housing engages a generally vertically extending flange extending from a vacuum head such that the flange moves within the track to control movement of the vacuum head relative to the brush housing. A roller spaces the flange from the track to minimize frictional contact therebetween, and a stop pin limits relative movement between the vacuum head and the track.

Abstract: A floor scrubbing machine for tile and other hard surface floors has a low enough profile height that it can be operated bodily under furniture or equipment such as, for example, seats in fast food stores. This floor scrubber has three principle functioning components, comprising a tank for cleaning solution and means to apply that solution to the floor, a powered scrub brush to agitate the solution on the floor, and a vacuum pickup squeegee system which dries the floor after scrubbing by removing spent solution from the floor to an on board tank. Floor scrubbers are known which comprise the three above elements, but are too tall to operate under the seats of fast food stores, except with a remote wand attachment which is cumbersome and slow. Other floor scrubbers are known which are low enough to operate bodily in such places but lack a vacuum pickup squeegee system for drying the floor, and leave a hard surface floor unacceptably wet, or require following operations to dry it.

Abstract: A remote controlled decontamination apparatus for removing, collecting and remotely disposing of contaminated material, including a complete system that provides a self-propelled vehicle having separate drives for left and right track assemblies as well as tool handling support arms, which are easily and quickly detachable from the vehicle thus permitting the association of a wide variety of tooling such as spray and vacuum nozzles and or mechanical brushes. A hose and cable umbilical for the apparatus is provided with universally movable carriage devices to reduce hose and cable drag, roll over and maneuverable resistance. A remote controlled camera and lighting system is mounted on the vehicle for visualization of operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for brushing the gasket face of a manhole for gaining access to the inside of a vessel. The invention comprises a main frame (100), a secondary frame (200) mounted to rotate relative to the main frame (100) about an axis (101) which is coaxial with the manhole, and a brushing mount (300) supported by the secondary frame (200) and capable of oscillating about a second axis (102) transversal to the axis (101). Motor means (105 and 205) separately rotate the secondary frame (200) and the brush (301), thereby enabling effective tangential brushing to be performed. The device also includes a continuous suction passage (500) passing through the inside of the secondary frame (200) and through the oscillating brushing mount (300), and opening out into the brushing zone. The invention is particularly applicable to brushing the gasket face of a manhole in a steam generator or pressurizer of a nuclear power station.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner nozzle arrangement has a nozzle defining a suction channel arranged across the width of the nozzle with suction edges surrounding the channel. The nozzle is connected to a connecting wand via a conduit segment disposed therebetween and a vacuum cleaner can be attached to the connecting wand. The nozzle is suspended from the nozzle housing by means of a so-called parallel crank drive. The nozzle housing is configured to be driven or pushed upon a surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: An improved bowling lane stripping apparatus is disclosed of the type wherein the squeegee-equipped pickup head whose function it is to wipe the alley free of dirt-laden solvent is pivotally connected to the carriage carrying the power unit such that this head is free to raise up without gouging the lane surface as the carriage support wheels roll down the ramps leading into the gutters alongside the lane thereby causing the unit to tip forwardly. As a further improvement, the pickup head is so weighted and displaced forwardly of its pivotal connection to the carriage a distance chosen to cooperate with the weighted head and define a cantilevered mounting capable of maintaining the squeegee carried thereby in continuous wiping contact with the lane surface that thus becomes effective to remove even puddles and pools of liquid left in depressed areas of the latter.

Abstract: A self-propelled carpet scrubbing machine includes a solution tank for storing cleaning solution and a recovery tank for storing the dirty recovered solution. The machine is front-wheel driven and includes a rear axle which is mounted by means of a resilient member which permits it to rock about a central axis extending in the direction of travel to insure that all four wheels, and principally the drive wheels, are in contact at all times with the surface being cleaned. A vacuum recovery assembly is mounted by cushioned spring assemblies which permit the vacuum recovery assembly to rock upwardly thereby permitting the machine to be operated in reverse, without having to raise the assembly. When the machine is then returned to forward motion, the vacuum recovery assembly rotates back to the normal use position.

Abstract: This is concerned with a disc brush suspension or arrangement for a scrubber or sweeper or the like. The arrangement uses a flexible bellows which may be of rubber or a suitable rubber substitute which functions as the total or primary suspension for the disc brush and its drive motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle that is provided with a latching device between the attachment stub and the nozzle housing. These elements are latched together in a defined swivelling range in such a way that they perform a common synchronized swivelling movement. The elements can be unlatched again by overcoming the action of a spring-loaded latching bolt.

Abstract: A rotary scrubber-polisher base has a pair of vacuum liquid pickup attachment supporting mounts mounted from opposite side portions of the base and including laterally outwardly projecting mounting shanks for support of opposite side portions of the attachment therefrom. During periods of non-use of the attachment the latter is removed, but the mounting shanks therefor project outwardly from opposite sides of the scrubber-polisher base and thus prevent those opposite sides from moving into close proximity relative to stationary objects. The mounts are supported from the base in a manner such that they may be readily angularly displaced approximately 90.degree. relative to the base to thereby swing the mounting shanks fully inwardly of the opposite side peripheral portions of the base from which the mounts are supported.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner head with a hood which closely fits the floor has a rotor with a plurality of nozzles supported on a hub with a slot. Outside air is drawn through the hub and nozzles into the hood to provide air jets from the nozzles which assist in disloging particles for recovery by the vacuum.