Abstract: New and novel structure(s) for cleaning surfaces have been disclosed. The device may include: a wiping surface, which may be disposable; a brush roll/larger debris gathering mechanism: a wiping surface, which may be disposable; a brush roll/larger debris gathering mechanism; a local debris storage and/or staging area, and a larger remote debris storage structure. Additionally, there are mechanisms and structures disclosed for powering the brush roll, activating the brush roll from an out of use position to an in use position, and moving the waste from one area to another. The invention at hand uniquely and inventively improves upon the known devices in this field.

Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus comprises a handle having a proximal end and a distal end; a housing at the distal end of the handle; a plurality of wheels at a bottom of the housing that rotate relative to the housing when a force is applied to the handle; a plurality of interchangeable and removable surface-cleaning rollers at the housing that rotate relative to the housing and the wheels, and that rotate at a different rate of rotation than the wheels; and a gear assembly that communicates with the wheels to rotate adjacent surface-cleaning rollers in different directions relative to each other to mimic a scrubbing motion.

Abstract: An extraction head for a cleaning machine is disclosed for traveling along a cleaning path on a variable-height floor. The extraction head comprises a body including a floor-facing surface and an extraction aperture disposed in the floor-facing surface. The extraction head comprises a vacuum outlet in fluid communication with the extraction aperture. The extraction head comprises an adjustable-height brush positioned in front of the extraction head body along the cleaning path. The adjustable-height brush is configured to translocate upwardly and downwardly as the extraction head moves along the cleaning path on the variable-height floor. The adjustable-height brush may comprise a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The proximal and distal ends may be configured to translocate upwardly and downwardly relative to each other as the extraction head moves along the cleaning path on the variable-height floor.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaning appliance includes a main body, a front agitator and a rear agitator, each agitator being rotatable relative to the main body, a mechanism for rotating the front agitator and the rear agitator, and a surface agitating edge located between the front agitator and the rear agitator.

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: A concrete finishing tool includes a body having a chassis, a guard, and frame supports. An extension handle is attached to the body, and a motor is attached to the body and operatively connected to a driving gear and driven gear to rotate blades having a quick change coupling mechanism. An integrated handle is configured on the body and houses a switch for the motor that is powered by a power supply.

Abstract: A floor treatment apparatus includes a frame, a housing which is rotatable with respect to the frame according to a main axis, at least three head pulleys which are rotatable with respect to the housing according to respective head axes which are regularly spaced around, and which are parallel to, the main axis, a motor supported by the frame and a main belt drivable by the motor and being slung around the drive pulley and the driven head pulleys. Furthermore, the main belt is slung around a first auxiliary pulley and a second auxiliary pulley. The second auxiliary pulley is driven by the first auxiliary pulley. An auxiliary belt is slung around a fixed pulley connected to the frame and around the second auxiliary pulley for rotating the housing with respect to the frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic cleaning apparatus (1) for cleaning facades on multi-story buildings. The apparatus comprises a rotating brush (11) arranged rotatable about its longitudinal axis, a drive mechanism (16) for rotating the brush, a container (18) for housing a cleaning fluid, and a fluid feeding device adapted to feed the rotating brush with cleaning fluid from the container by means of capillarity forces. The apparatus is designed to engage to steering guides (4) provided on the façade. The apparatus is designed so that a downward movement of the apparatus is solely powered by gravity forces acting on the apparatus.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a pool cleaner for use in a swimming pool or spa including a front wheel assembly and a scrubber assembly. The scrubber assembly is engagable with inner gear teeth of the front wheel assembly so that rotation of the front wheel assembly causes rotation of the scrubber assembly. The scrubber assembly includes at least one pinion gear and at least one end bracket rotatable about the at least one pinion gear to substantially lift the scrubber assembly over objects in the swimming pool or spa.

Abstract: A floor treatment apparatus includes a frame, a housing which is rotatable with respect to the frame according to a main axis, at least three head pulleys which are rotatable with respect to the housing according to respective head axes which are regularly spaced around, and which are parallel to, the main axis, a motor supported by the frame, a drive pulley which is drivable by the motor, a main belt tensioning pulley and a main belt which is slung around the drive pulley, the head pulleys and the main belt tensioning pulley. Further an auxiliary pulley is coaxially connected to the main belt tensioning pulley. A fixed pulley is connected to the frame. An auxiliary belt is slung around the auxiliary pulley and the fixed pulley for rotating the housing with respect to the frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning device (1) for removing particles from a surface (11). Thereto the device sprays droplets (200) of a fluid (201) into a space (213). The droplets (200) are expelled from a rotatable brush (3) as a mist of droplets. Air carrying dirt particles (202) is exposed to the mist, whereby dirt particles coalesce with droplets in the mist in the space (213). The coalesced particles (22) are conveyed to a cleansing unit (14) to be separated from the air. Finally, clean air exits from the device (1).

Abstract: A multi-purpose showerhead includes a flexible conduit having a head end coupled to an water outlet of a faucet, a first water supply channel and a first water return channel being fitted within the flexible conduit, wherein the first water supply channel is connected to the water outlet of the faucet while the first water return channel is provided with a back flow opening extending outward near the head end; a showerhead main body having a shank member and a head member at the top of the shank member, the inside thereof being brought in a connected state. Meanwhile, a second, third, and fourth water supply channels as well as a second, third, and fourth water return channels are available. Moreover, return flow chambers and a blade wheel are disposed within the head member. In addition, a brush body and water-spraying perforations are fitted on the surface thereof. The adjustment knob permits the control of the switching of the water flow channels.

Abstract: A fluid flow lockout mechanism for a floor maintenance machine is disclosed that improves operator efficiency and conserves water. The fluid flow lockout mechanism includes a fluid flow adjustment control selectively operably connected to a fluid flow control mechanism that controls the flow of fluid from a reservoir to an outlet. The fluid lockout mechanism further includes a fluid flow lockout switch having a first state in which the fluid flow adjustment control is operably connected to the fluid flow control mechanism and a second state in which the fluid flow adjustment control is not operably connected to the fluid flow control mechanism.

Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner (1) of the invention is adapted for wipe off cleaning using a sheet wound about a rotary brush (25) incorporated in a suction device (10). In order to wind a sheet (50) around a periphery of the rotary brush (25), a brush motor (44) rotates the rotary brush (25) in a predetermined direction at a predetermined rotational speed. At the same time, suction force of an electric blower fan (42) is set to the lowest level. This achieves the following advantage in a case where a wet sheet is used as the sheet (50). During sheet winding, water and alcohol released from the wet sheet (50) can be prevented from being scattered on a surface (100) to be cleaned. Further, the released water and alcohol do not adversely affect the electric blower fan (42).

Abstract: The fire hose retrieval winch includes an elongated, rigid hose processing channel having a generally C-shaped cross section and open inlet and outlet ends, with the open side forming a lateral hose insertion and removal slot. An electrically powered drive roller draws the hose through the device, with a clamping roller bearing adjustably against the opposite side of the hose to provide tractive friction for the hose against the drive roller. The inlet end of the device may include opposed brushes for mechanically removing foreign matter from a hose passing therethrough, and opposed water nozzles for washing foreign matter from the hose. The hose retrieval winch is relatively small and portable and is installed removably in the existing trailer hitch of a vehicle to draw a deployed fire hose back to the vehicle for placement on the vehicle, with the device simultaneously cleaning the hose during the operation.

Abstract: A floor cleaner is provided for cleaning a floor, where the floor cleaner has a front and a rear and includes: a sweeper for sweeping the floor; a scrubber, connected to the sweeper and located in the rear of the sweeper, for wetting and cleaning the floor; and a burnisher, connected to the scrubber and located in the rear of the scrubber, for burnishing the floor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surface treating machine which comprises a frame (1) and an undercarriage (2, 3) to enable the machine to move over a surface (S). A head (5) is supported by the frame and includes a drive motor (13) and a tool (6) for directly contacting, scrubbing or treating said surface (S). The tool is rotatably drivable by means of the motor. Cardanic drive and coupling means (16) is connected to the tool (6) in a rotationally fixed manner on one end and connected to the drive motor (13) on the other end. Support and spring means (8, 9, 17) for the tool (6), are forcing the tool (6) against the surface (S) with an controlled uneven pressure distribution around the circumference of the tool (6).

Abstract: A bowling lane conditioning machine has dressing application mechanism that includes an elongated, non-rotating strip brush which transfers dressing from a dispensing means to another surface, such as a bristle-type, lane-engaging applicator roll, a metal transfer roll that in turn transfers the dressing to the applicator roll, or the lane surface itself. In a preferred embodiment, dressing is dispensed to an upper one of two strip brushes that extend along the length of an applicator roll and engage its bristles at circumferentially spaced locations around its periphery. Dressing dispensed to the upper strip brush migrates by gravity to the bristles of the applicator roll and becomes applied to the lane surface as the roll rotates down into engagement with the surface. No dressing is dispensed to the second strip brush, which feathers the dressing on the applicator roll and reduces splattering.

Abstract: A detergent composition and/or solution for floors comprising a hydrophilic shear-thinning polymer at very low level for improved cleaning end result. The solution can be used with conventional implements known in the art, including sponges, cloths and/or sponge, string, and/or strip mops and floor cloths such as those sold at retail and speciality stores. In a most preferred embodiment, the solution is used with a cleaning pad comprising an effective amount of a superabsorbent material, said pad preferably being part of cleaning implement comprising a handle and said cleaning pad preferably being removable. The detergent composition preferably contains a limited amount of a detergent surfactant, preferably linear in structure and relatively hydrophilic, the level of solvent in the formula preferably being kept below about 5.0%, and the pH preferably being maintained above about 9.

Abstract: A wiper blade (1) comprising a base portion (3) to be attached to a wiper arm, a lip portion (4) to sweep away a water droplet or dust etc. adhered to a glass window, a thin neck portion (2) for connecting the lip portion (4) and the base portion (3), and a sweeping surface layer portion formed on a side surface of a cross section of the lip portion (4), the sweeping surface layer (7) comprising a scale-like powder (9) having good sliding property and a binder (10) comprising a water-repellency silicone-base rubber composition for binding the scale-like powder (9) to the lip portion (4). The scale-like powder (9) is laminated in a thickness direction of the lip portion (4) and the laminated scale-like powder is bound to each other with the binder (10).

Abstract: A hard floor surface cleaning apparatus includes an aerator, a rotating scrub medium engaging the hard floor surface, a fluid conveyor, and a fluid recovery device. The aerator is configured to produce a foam-like aerated cleaning liquid from a cleaning liquid. The fluid conveyor is coupled to the aerator and is configured to deliver the aerated cleaning liquid onto the scrub medium. The fluid recovery device is configured to remove soiled solution from the hard floor surface.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a hard floor surface with a surface maintenance vehicle including the steps of generating a foam-like aerated cleaning liquid, selectively conveying the foam-like aerated cleaning liquid to the hard floor surface and a scrubbing medium operatively coupled to the surface maintenance vehicle, scrubbing the hard floor surface with said rotating scrubbing medium and said foam-like aerated cleaning liquid so as to loosen soil from the hard floor surface leaving behind a soiled solution of cleaning liquid and soil, and removing at least a portion of the soiled solution from the hard floor surface through a fluid recovery device. Additional aspects of the present invention include devices for performing the cleaning method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable centrifugal car washer comprising a storeroom, disposed in a case, for storing car washing liquid, a pump for pumping out the car washing liquid in the storeroom; and a centrifugal unit for rotating the car washing liquid at a high speed, resolving into moisture particles and then spraying the moisture particles on a surface of a car. The car washer performs the washing, drying and polishing operation at the same time and thus remarkably reducing an operation time. Further, the portable centrifugal car washer of the present invention has a small size so that an operator facilely uses, and the car washing liquid can be stored in the car washer. Therefore, the car washer can be facilely carried and kept and also used anywhere at any time.

Abstract: A surface working apparatus includes a surface working head arrangement having a frame member and a plurality of surface working members arranged to depend therefrom in the direction of the surface to be worked, each of the plurality of surface working members being mounted resiliently relative to the frame member by one of a plurality of respective resilient mounting arrangements having a resilient member; and a surface working device with a support plate from which a surface working element is to depend from a lower surface thereof, the support plate includes an upper surface which has a central region with a recess provided for the receipt of a drive member for rotating the device, the recess including a formation for receiving a resilient member for engagement by the drive member.

Abstract: In situ lehr-roll cleaning apparatus includes a carriage supported within the space between first and second adjacent rolls, the carriage having a first set of elements contacting the surface of the first roll and a second set of elements contacting the surface of the second roll, whereby the carriage is movable back and forth along a path parallel to the rolls. A mechanism such as a rotating wire wheel disposed on the carriage is used to clean at least one of the first and second rolls as the carriage moves along the path and in between the adjacent rolls. The invention further including means for forcing the carriage away from an adjacent roll toward the one being cleaned so that the elements contacting the surface of the roll being cleaned are forced thereagainst to precisely position the cleaning mechanism relative to the surface. Means are preferably further provided for fine-adjusting the distance of the cleaning mechanism relative to the surface of the roll being cleaned.

Abstract: A head for a floor cleaning machine has a plate rotatable about an upright plate axis and formed offset therefrom with a plurality of downwardly open pockets, respective bearings seated in the pockets, and respective rods rotatable in the bearings about respective tool axes intersecting and forming a very small acute angle with the plate axis. Respective mounting sleeves fixed on the rods are each formed with a plurality of axially downwardly extending and radially deflectable retaining fingers each in turn having an outwardly directed barb and respective tool elements each have an upper side turned toward the plate and an opposite lower side and are each formed with a central throughgoing hole in turn formed with a downwardly directed shoulder and receiving the respective mounting sleeve with the respective barbs engaged over the shoulder and retaining the respective element on the respective mounting sleeve. Respective seal assemblies on the plate and elements annularly surround each rod.

Abstract: A scrubber including a longitudinal support having opposed, upper and lower ends. A handgrip is secured to the upper end of the longitudinal support, and a motor is secured to the lower end of the longitudinal support. The motor has an articulating drive shaft extending therefrom. A cleaning pad is secured to the bottom of the drive shaft. A housing encloses the drive shaft. The housing includes relatively articulating, lower and upper portions spaced from the drive shaft. The lower portion is secured to the top of the cleaning pad so as to rotate therewith. The upper portion is secured to the lower end of the longitudinal support so as to remain stationary as the drive shaft, cleaning pad and lower portion of the housing are rotated by the motor. A liquid reservoir, in selective fluid communication with the cleaning pad, is secured to the longitudinal support.

Abstract: An apparatus of spreading a fluid on the floor includes four rectangular application rotating bodies partially overlapping each other, and four nozzles supplying the fluid provided in rotation areas of the respective application rotating bodies. The rotation position of the application rotating body is detected by a light shielding plate and a photosensor. A control portion controls each component so that the fluid is applied onto the floor from a tank through the nozzle by a pump when the application rotating body is not directly under the nozzle. As a result, the apparatus of spreading a fluid on the floor capable of optimally controlling the quantity of the fluid to be applied according to the application condition can be provided.

Abstract: A composite floor pad assembly includes a pair of interchangeable and reversible floor polishing pads having identical external diameters and central openings therethrough of an identical diameter. An intermediate connecting member having a plurality of hook-like members projecting from opposite surfaces thereof and provided with a central opening is detachably connected to opposing surfaces of the two floor polishing pads. A truncated, conical mandrel is also provided over which the pads and connecting member may be placed to facilitate alignment of the pads. The mandrel may be provided with an attachment member for detachably connecting the mandrel to an upper surface of a floor polishing machine.

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 vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a suction opening disposed between front and rear brushes for sucking dirt from a floor. A rag disposed behind the rear brush is rotatably driven about a transverse axis by the reciprocal action of the housing as the latter is displaced along the floor. A water supply keeps the rag moist. The rag is driven such that the floor-engaging portion is driven in a direction opposite the direction of housing travel. An auxiliary opening in the suction line sucks dirt from the rag at a location above the floor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning rubber deposits from surfaces such as airport runways and roadways is disclosed. The apparatus includes a large vehicle that has the capacity to be loaded so as to effectively add weight to rubber cleaning tires of the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle has a water tank and sprinkler system so that the surface may be wetted down in front of the tires as the vehicle proceeds across the surface. The cleaning tires of the apparatus are aligned so that they are at a yaw angle to the direction of travel, and the cleaning tire assembly is attached to the underside of the trailer of the vehicle and positioned between a forward and rear water tank. In addition this tire assembly is equipped with a means of loading the tires onto the contaminated surface.The method comprises driving such a vehicle at low speeds down the surface as the road is being wet in front of the cleaning tires.

Abstract: A device comprising a main body and vibration generating means mounted on the main body. The vibration generating means imparts a force in a direction away from a wall surface and a force in a predetermined direction along the wall surface to the main body of the device. As a result, the main body is moved along the wall surface by the above force in the predetermined direction along the wall surface.

Abstract: A device comprising a main body and vibration generating means mounted on the main body. The vibration generating means imparts a force in a direction away from a wall surface and a force in a predetermined direction along the wall surface to the main body of the device. As a result, the main body is moved along the wall surface by the above force in the predetermined direction along the wall surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering the residual image from an electrostatic recording surface in an electrostatic copying system which is accomplished by presenting a wiping element in pressure contact with the residual image on the recording surface whereby the residual image is substantially removed therefrom, moving a conductive member in close proximity to the toner particles being removed from the recording surface, applying a DC voltage opposite in polarity to that of the toner particles and of sufficient magnitude to the conductive member whereby the toner particles are attracted onto the surface of the conductive member, and continuously removing the toner particles from the conductive member into a collection zone for reuse in the copying system.

Abstract: A portable wiping machine for removing water from a wet surface which may be manually moved over the surface and it includes a large drum whose cylindrical surface is perforated and covered with water absorbing material, such as a sponge. The sponge is compressed by its rolling contact over the surface and the expansion of the sponge portion as it leaves the surface will absorb the water therefrom. A sponge compressing roller is yieldingly held in contact with the top of the drum and a water receiving tray is fixedly mounted within the drum interior in a position to catch water squeezed from the sponge. A water retaining tank is supported by the machine and receives water from the tray. The tank can be emptied of water as desired.