Abstract: An improved drivable automatic floor cleaning machine includes a carriage supporting a fresh liquid compartment, a dirty liquid compartment, a cleaning rotor, a travel roller pair, and a rearward suction nozzle. The improvements include an adjustable machine frame with a depending protective curtain surrounding the periphery of the rotor remote from the suction nozzle, the machine frame being adjustable, preferably automatically, to accommodate rotors of different diameters, and to confine the cleaning liquid beneath the machine for improved efficiency and range of operation using either battery or rectifier power.

Abstract: A floor polisher with a dust collecting device has a buffing pad which is rotated at a high speed by a motor, a circular cover member and a skirt for covering an upper surface of the buffing pad, and a dust collecting device for exerting a collecting function thereof on an internal space surrounded by the cover member and the skirt. The floor polisher is characterized in that the cover member and the skirt are partly extended on a tangential line to form a guide chamber for a dust-containing air current, that the guide chamber is provided at an inlet port thereof with a guide wall opposite inner wall surfaces of the cover member and the skirt extended on the tangential line and an inclined plate which is inclined toward a floor, and that the guide chamber is provided at the outer end thereof with an outlet port communicating with the dust collecting device.

Abstract: A device capable of adhering to a wall surface by suction by the pressure of an ambient fluid and treating the wall surface, which comprises a pressure receiver member and a partition defining a pressure reduction zone in cooperation with the pressure receiver member and the wall surface.In one aspect, the partition has a sealing function of preventing inflow of a large amount of an outside fluid into the pressure reduction zone, and a treating function of treating the wall surface by being moved in a required manner.In another aspect, the partition has the above sealing function, and a travelling function of moving the device, by being rotated about an axis of rotation slightly inclined to an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the wall surface.

Abstract: A device capable of adhering to a wall surface by suction by the pressure of an ambient fluid and treating the wall surface, which comprises a pressure receiver member and a partition defining a pressure reduction zone in cooperation with the pressure receiver member and the wall surface. In one aspect, the partition has a sealing function of preventing inflow of a large amount of an outside fluid into the pressure reduction zone, and a treating function of treating the wall surface by being moved in a required manner. In another aspect, the partition has the above sealing function, and a travelling function of moving the device, by being rotated about an axis of rotation slightly inclined to an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the wall surface.

Abstract: A battery powered walk behind floor burnishing unit (10). The unit includes a main frame (12) supported by wheel means (18, 20, 36), the main frame being capable of supporting a plurality of batteries (14). At least one of the wheels (18) may be driven. A burnisher subassembly (22) is mounted on the rear of the frame by a mounting assembly for movement through an from a raised inoperative position through an intermediate ready position to a lowered operative position. The burnisher subassembly includes a drive head (80) and a rotatable drive block (94), the drive block being capable of being rotated by a motor (24) mounted on the drive head. The mounting assembly includes two pairs of parallel links (126, 128) and biasing means (140, 142) which normally biases the subassembly (22) to the raised inoperative position. A vacuum apparatus includes an open cell burnishing pad (114) carried by the burnisher subassembly.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a machine in the nature of a scrubber for removing dirt, grime, etc. from a surface to be cleaned and includes a mobile machine with a scrub brush mounted for rotation about a generally vertical axis with a housing therefor which is pivotally mounted and concentric with the scrub brush drive. The brush, brush drive, brush housing and squeegees which are mounted on the brush housing, also make up a brush head assembly that is raised and lowered as a unit.

Abstract: A portable vacuum surface cleaning apparatus for taking up and recovering fluids such as liquids and debris from floors or carpets that includes an elongated circuitous or convoluted passageway having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end adapted for communication with a vacuum source and communicating with the recovery chamber through a top access opening in a region thereof intermediately between the inlet and outlet, the elongated passageway including a first section extending from the inlet to an elevated region thereof remote from the inlet and above the recovery chamber portion, an intermediate section in communication with the first section in the elevated region thereof and extending therefrom to overlie and communicate with the top opening of the recovery chamber portion, and a third section in communication with the intermediate section in the region thereof above the top opening and extending therefrom toward the outlet.

Abstract: A portable vacuum surface cleaning apparatus for taking up and recovering fluids such as liquids, and debris from floors or carpets that includes an elongated circuitous or convoluted passageway having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end adapted for communication with a vacuum source and communicating with the recovery chamber through a top access opening in a region thereof intermediately between the inlet and outlet, driven rotary brush associated with the apparatus and supported rearwardly thereof and projecting therebelow for contacting the surfaces to be cleaned; and a diluent or cleaning solution source associated with the apparatus including a discharge flow passage directed rearmost thereof to an outlet from an integral well or repository for the reception of a removable container or capsule having an integral displaceable dispensing valve for diluent or cleaning solutions.

Abstract: A power brush e.g. for a vacuum cleaner or street sweeper has its bristle bodies swivelably mounted on a member which is given an orbital movement so that the eccentric axes of the bristle bodies with respect to their swivel axis induces an additional oscillatory motion of each bristle body as it moves in the orbital path generated by the motion of the member on which its carrier is mounted.

Abstract: A pad driver assembly for a high speed floor burnishing machine includes a flexible or semi-rigid backing member with a pad beneath it and gripping projections for holding the pad in place. The backing member is provided with apertures so that when the pad assembly is driven at high rotational velocities beneath a shroud, air is drawn in through the apertures and forced radially outward in the pad, increasing the gripping action between the gripping projections and the pad, and also increasing the downward atmospheric pressure on the peripheral portion of the pad to promote increased polishing effectiveness.

Abstract: A high speed floor burnisher has a pad assembly rotating at high speed in a vacuum shroud which is evacuated by forced air without a separate vacuum motor. The evacuated air and entrained dust and debris are routed to a filter assembly with a replaceable filter and a removeable receptacle provided with a trap for larger particles so that they do not plug the filter, and thereby prolong its useful life.

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 driver assembly for the pad of a high speed floor burnishing machine includes a flexible backing plate having a peripheral retaining skirt which centers the pad on the driver assembly and also prevents the edges of the pad from growing or expanding to a larger circumference during high speed rotary burnishing action. The backing plate adds stiffness to the pad when rotating at high speed, and it promotes uniform contact of the pad with the floor at the outer radial extremities of the pad where the velocity is greatest and the polishing is most effective. In the illustrated embodiment, the pad and driver assembly are surrounded by a shroud which is continuously evacuated by radial air flow generated by the motion of the driver assembly which includes a finned hub. The air flow carries debris generated by the burnisher to a collection bag or filter without leaving the machine.

Abstract: A removable scrubbing head for use in carpet cleaners or the like including a rotatable vacuum plenum (26) having secured thereto a plurality of rotatable vacuum nozzles (28) such that the nozzles (28) rotate about their own axis while simultaneously rotation with the plenum. The interconnection between the plenum and the individual vacuum heads is such that only one needs to be driven to generate both rotations. Cleaning fluid and the vacuum source are provided through a hollow central shaft.

Abstract: A device capable of adhering to a wall surface by suction by the pressure of an ambient fluid and treating the wall surface, which comprises a pressure receiver member and a partition defining a pressure reduction zone in cooperation with the pressure receiver member and the wall surface.In one aspect, the partition has a sealing function of preventing inflow of a large amount of an outside fluid into the pressure reduction zone, and a treating function of treating the wall surface by being moved in a required manner.In another aspect, the partition has the above sealing function, and a travelling function of moving the device, by being rotated about an axis of rotation slightly inclined to an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the wall surface.

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 driver assembly for the pad of a high speed floor burnishing machine includes a flexible backing plate having a peripheral retaining skirt which centers the pad on the driver assembly and also prevents the edges of the pad from growing or expanding to a larger circumference during high speed rotary burnishing action. The backing plate adds stiffness to the pad when rotating at high speed, and it promotes uniform contact of the pad with the floor at the outer radial extremities of the pad where the velocity is greatest and the polishing is most effective. In the illustrated embodiment, the pad and driver assembly are surrounded by a shroud which is continuously evacuated by radial air flow generated by the motion of the driver assembly which includes a finned hub. The air flow carries debris generated by the burnisher to a collection bag or filter without leaving the machine.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electric buffing machine which is equipped with an X-shaped buffing pad that is mounted to a similarly X-shaped pad holder. The arms of the pad holder have a wedge-shaped cross section that acts as an air foil to create air currents that flow up between the arms of the X-pad. The casing surrounding the pad has a specially designed tunnel-like spiral diffuser that guides the air currents entered into a collection box. The casing also has a flexible skirt mounted to the lower side thereof, extending around three-quarters of the casing periphery, which closes the gap between the casing and the floor. The chassis has two pairs of wheels and is designed so that when the buffing machine is turned off, the machine rests entirely on the wheels with the buffing pad raised off the ground. When the machine is turned on, the air currents pull the pad to the floor with a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A machine for floor maintenance comprising an electric motor in which armature coils are included in a stator and permanent magnets are included in a rotor. The armature coils are disposed substantially radial to the axis of the stator with the axial extent of each coil lesser than the radial extent of each coil, and the permanent magnets of the rotor are disposed substantially radially to the axis of rotation of the rotor with the axial extent of each permanent magnet lesser than the radial extent of each permanent magnet. A three phase switching circuit excites the armature coils in impart rotation to the rotor. As a consequence thereof, the motor has a configuration conforming substantially to the pad or brush of the machine. The pad is attached to the rotor by a pad holder which is formed with a convex surface for engaging the pad.

Abstract: A rotary brush vacuum sweeper having a directly coupled disc brush and turbine wheel. The disc brush floats axially within the sweeper housing to control brush force and is in telescopic relation with rearward motor components to promote favorable air flow characteristics. Hollow space between the disc brush and turbine wheel is continuously purged of dirt and debris by ambient air passing through an associated internal circuit.

Abstract: A rotary brush vacuum sweeper having a directly coupled disc brush and turbine wheel. The disc brush floats axially within the sweeper housing to control brush force and is in telescopic relation with rearward motor components to promote favorable air flow characteristics. Hollow space between the disc brush and turbine wheel is continuously purged of dirt and debris by ambient air passing through an associated internal circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for ozone cleaning of surfaces on carpets, furniture, drapery and the like. The system comprises an ozone producing unit and a portable cleaning unit having a cleaning head. The ozone produced in the system is directed past the cleaning head onto the surface to be cleaned while the cleaning head is in operation for maximizing the cleaning effects of the system.

Abstract: In a combination sweeping, polishing and scrubbing floor maintenance machine, the present invention includes a debris hopper removably positioned in a frame secured to a portion of the machine. The debris hopper has a rearward opening facing a pair of substantially side-by-side disc tools, e.g. brushes. The brushes preferably rotate in the same rotational direction with one brush positioned slightly ahead of the other brush. Immediately in front of the forward edge of the leading brush is a conduit means secured to the hopper. Adjacent the conduit means and extending along the hopper opening is a flexible member. Both the flexible member and the conduit means serve as debris receiving means for directing swept debris upwardly into the debris hopper. Blade members may be provided forward of the debris receiving means and beneath the hopper to guide debris into a central area of the machine's path of travel.

Abstract: A rotary flooring cleaner-polisher wherein a shroud overlies a plurality of floor contacting rotating wands. The operator is able to selectively supply fluid, a vacuum or both to the area beneath the shroud permitting both application and extraction within the defined area via a hollow central drive shaft. At least one of the rotating wands which are flexibly mounted to the drive shaft includes an elongated slot along its lower surface in communication with the vacuum source such that the extaction is done through the wand and then through the drive shaft. The solution to be applied to the flooring surface may be sprayed in a general pattern beneath the shroud or in a controlled manner through the interior of one or more of the wands.

Abstract: A self-propelled road sweeper has brush gear comprising a narrow sweep brush and a wide sweep brush, together with an associated refuse collecting nozzle. The narrow sweep brush is mounted on a linkage comprising pivotally connected inner and outer mounting links and controlled by pneumatic actuators whereby the position of the brush and its downward loading is controlled. The brush can be tilted by one of said actuators. One of the mounting links is connected to the sweeper frame through a resilient mounting permitting the brush to yield under impact. The application also discloses details of the mounting and structure of the wide sweep brush, and of the mounting and fabrication of the nozzle and of a mechanism for tilting the nozzle.

Abstract: A flooring surface treating device which can be used to spray a liquid cleaning solution onto a rug and then vacuum remove it, or else spray a wax-removing solution onto a wooden or tile floor surface and then vacuum remove it, etc., includes a lower carriage unit which is mounted to be movable on and over the surface to be treated and an adjustably interconnected upper handle unit for the operator's gripping. The lower carriage unit includes a shroud and a drive motor, the shroud generally enclosing and the drive motor rotating a wand which includes multiple radially-extending vacuum ducts and adjacent discharge pipes (with spray nozzles). The vacuum ducts are continuously connectable to a vacuum source and the discharge pipes are continuously connectable to a source of liquid treating solution.

Abstract: An improvement for floor maintenance equipment employing electrically driven scrubbing or polishing brushes including means for varying the speed of the brush motors. Two brush speeds are provided by switching apparatus which change the interconnection of the brush motors from series to parallel and from parallel to series. This results in a substantial change in motor speed and power.

Abstract: A surface cleaning and rinsing device has a rotor rotatable in a housing with the underside of the rotor being provided with a plurality of suction nozzles and a plurality of orbitally rotating brushes positioned between said suction nozzles. Adjustable spray nozzles are also provided on the underside of the rotor for spraying a cleaning liquid onto the surface to be cleaned in advance of the brushes with respect to the direction of rotation of the rotor, or liquid supply means dispenses the liquid through the brushes themselves, with each of the suction nozzles serving to extract the liquid and loosened dirt immediately after brushing has occurred. The outer peripheries of the brushes are caused to rotate in the opposite direction from the rotor itself, and the brushes are turning at a rotational speed significantly faster than the rotor; therefore, they are able to lift up and flip over the pile of a rug being cleaned for also cleansing the underside of the pile.

Abstract: The invention relates to floor polishing machines comprising a rotary brush drive means for the brush and means, such as a fan, for producing an updraught around the periphery of the brush to assist in removing particulate matter from a floor being polished.

Abstract: An apparatus for disintegrating and removing layers of earth, especially under water, comprising a housing in which at least one volute compartment is formed, which is open on the underside and which accommodates a rotor which comprises disintegrators and which is rotatable about an axis that is at least substantially perpendicular to a plane through the lower edge of the compartment. The rotor is coupled to a drive mechanism, the volute compartment being connected near its throat to a discharge system. The housing may be suspended from a moving device.

Abstract: A rotary scraping or abrading tool in which a rotatable disc has a multiple of guiding bores through which scraping elements are axially arranged. The scraping elements have outer active ends extending beyond the face of the disc facing the workpiece to be treated. Inner ends of the scraping elements bear against a disc of elastic material. The scraping elements are provided with axial play within the bores which are arranged as coacting sets of holes in at least two adjacent parallel discs. The scraping elements are in the form of circular cylindrical tubular studs with a scraping end cross-cut and with an inner end thereof having a head. The cross section of the head exceeds the cross section of the remainder of the stud. The bores, moreover, have an axis at an acute angle relative to the direction of rotation of the discs.

Abstract: A device for scrubbing surfaces having pairs of freely rotatable brushes each mounted on a shaft having an offset tip portion. Each shaft is mounted on a rotating support plate and half of the shafts rotate clockwise and the other half rotate counter-clockwise. In the preferred embodiment, the scrubbers have slanted bristles which bias the rotation of each scrubber in the direction of rotation of the shaft it is mounted upon. The preferred embodiment is particularly well suited for use in cleaning carpets using the powdered cleaning composition described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,013,594.

Abstract: A wet-dry vacuum apparatus is disclosed for continuously picking up liquid and conveying it into a tank and for simultaneously removing the liquid from the tank when necessary. The apparatus includes a tank for holding liquid. The tank includes a vertical drum, a removable cover for closing the upper end of the drum, and a bottom plate for closing the lower end of the drum. A motor driven vacuum pump is mounted on the cover for sucking liquid to be picked up into the tank through an inlet opening into the upper end of the drum. The apparatus further includes a liquid pump, driven by an electric motor, in the tank carried by the cover for discharging liquid from the tank under pressure through an outlet opening in the cover. A first float, positioned in the tank, closes a first switch, which electrically connects the liquid pump to a power source, when a first predetermined liquid level in the tank is reached to thereby actuate the liquid pump to discharge liquid from the tank.

Abstract: A device for cleaning materials attached to a vessel and a building structure below water level is provided which comprises a generally cylindrical outer shell and a central chamber arranged concentrically within the outer shell, the chamber having an impeller for discharging the attached materials together with water through a circular space between the outer wall of the chamber and the inner wall of the shell, and a cleaning device for removing the materials on the surface of the vessel and the structure. In operation of the impeller the device is absorbed and adhered onto a cleaning surface of the vessel and the building structure whereby cleaning operation can be effected without the device being pressed onto the cleaning surface.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a small vacuum cleaner to be used by one hand of an operator and particularly for vacuum cleaning small areas and objects such as clothing or other areas such as furniture where lint or other foreign matter accumulates. The said vacuum cleaner comprises a centrifugal impeller mounted in a housing wherein a flexible portion of the impeller extends through an inlet opening in the centrifugal compressor and the flexible portion extends beyond the housing at the inlet opening such as to be capable of rubbing and flapping foreign matter loose from a surface being cleaned so that when the material is loosened it is entrained in the air stream going into the impeller housing through the inlet opening therein.

Abstract: A cleaning device for scrubbing a floor surface including a rotatable cleaning disc. A circular ring surrounds the disc and terminates downwardly in spaced, flexible skirts which contact the floor surface. A flexible arm mounts the ring to permit vertical adjustment of the ring relative to the cleaning disc to compensate for brush wear and other irregularities. One or more flexible conduits intercommunicate between the interior of the ring and a hollow hub, and suction forces are applied through the conduit to the ring to remove dirty water from the floor and into machine mounted reservoir.

Abstract: A housing of a vacuum cleaner nozzle has an opening in which a brush disk is located so that bristles of the disk extend outwardly of the opening. A journal pin for the brush disk extends with one end portion into a tubular socket formed in the housing, and has another end portion engaged by a single-point bearing in the region of the opening. A brush-disk changing arrangement is provided in the region of the socket to facilitate rapid installation and removal of the brush disk in the housing.

Abstract: A combination pool sweeper and vacuum cleaner is provided with a plurality of ride wheels and a pair of endless rubber tracks for movably supporting a suction chamber defining housing adjacent the pool surface to be cleaned. The suction chamber housing is provided with a bail for the attachment of a control handle for guiding the tool over the surface to be cleaned. A pair of counter-rotating brushes are driven from one of the endless rubber tracks through a gear train. A portion of this gear train, along with the suspension bearings of the rubber track, is mounted in a reciprocable bracket and includes a pair of pinions which alternately, depending on the direction of motion of the tool, engage drive gears attached to the shafts of the rotary brushes, ensuring that rotation of both brushes is always in the direction of the suction chamber of the combination tool irrespective of the direction in which the tool moves.