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 coal-tar emulsion seal coat is applied atop, spread, and pressed into an asphalt pavement by a continuous rolling technique whereby liquid sealant is carried by and released from a delivery tank extending between the sides of a frame onto the asphalt surface. A first and second set of rollers extending between the frame sides spread and smooth an even pattern of sealant, then a third, smaller, lighter roller provides a finishing and touch-up operation.

Abstract: A pad holder adapted for use with a coupling device which is operably connected to a rotatable drive shaft of a floor maintenance machine includes first and second pad holder members rotatably and detachably joined in coaxial relationship by lugs and cam-like ramps. An annular floor cleaning or polishing pad is held between the pad holder members and gripped for rotation by the drive shaft. Pull tabs are provided for moving the lugs away from engagement with the ramps to quickly disassemble the pad holder.

Abstract: A floor polishing machine according to the preferred form of the teachings of the present invention includes a body portion having a platform, and a handle pivotally mounted to the platform. First and second sets of wheels are provided adjacent the rear of the platform and on opposite sides of the handle pivot. For coupling the handle and the platform together, torsion springs are provided having first ends anchored to the platform and having second ends connected to the handle. The torsion springs urge the platform to pivot about the first set of wheels downwardly in the rear and upwardly in the front.

Abstract: A buffer deck assembly for floor scrubbing, cleaning and polishing machines includes a displaceable buffer deck housing mounted to the machine through a substantially U-shaped mounting frame having a pair of sleeves that each slidably receive a cantilever support arm. The opposite end of each cantilever support arm is pivotally mounted to the machine frame through a yoke and pivot pin. Coil springs received around each support arm engage the end of the sleeves of the deck mounting frame and bias the deck to an operative position where proper tension is provided to the drive belt for the buffer brush or pad. When the buffer deck housing is displaced rearwardly from the operative position, tension on the drive belt is released and power to the buffer brush or pad is interrupted. A mechanism is also provided for raising and lowering the buffer deck housing. The raising and lowering mechanism includes two connecting rods fixed to a rotatable shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for diffusing air turbulence created during the normal operation of a rotary pad floor polishing machine. This device includes an air permeable member (12) which surrounds the circumference of the pad shroud (11), thereby physically preventing the escape of particulate matter from beneath the floor polishing machine and disrupting turbulent air flow. A mounting ring (13) is included for pressure fitting the permeable element to the pad shroud.

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: Using the cleaning apparatus there can be cleaned the inner surfaces of a glass lining which laterally covers the support structure of an escalator. A cleaning carriage is guided parallel to the top flange and the bottom flange of the support structure and is reciprocated by a cable drive in the direction of the escalator inclination between the support structure and the glass lining. A cleaning liquid distributor uniformly distributes cleaning liquid at the inner surfaces of the glass lining. A wiper blade is mounted at the cleaning carriage and presses against the inner surface of the glass lining. During the reciprocation of the cleaning carriage the wiper blade wipingly moves along the glass lining. The excess cleaning liquid and the cleaning liquid which accumulates during the wiping of the glass lining is received and drained by a lower one of guide rails at which the cleaning carriage is guided.

Abstract: A walk-behind scrubber is provided with mechanism for lowering a squeegee assembly when the scrubber is moved forwardly and for raising the squeegee assembly when the scrubber is moved rearwardly. The scrubber includes front wheels which are driven by a motor which is connected to the wheels by belts and pulleys when a moveable handle at the rear of the scrubber is pushed to move the scrubber forwardly. The motor is connected to the wheels by friction discs when the handle is pulled to move the scrubber rearwardly. When the handle is pushed, mechanism including a switch is operated to lower the squeegee assembly and when the handle is pulled, the mechanism including the switch is operated to raise the squeegee assembly.

Abstract: A burnishing floor polisher (2) includes a frame (4), an engine (6) mounted on the frame, and a rotary brush or pad (8) mounted through a universal joint (10) to a rotary shaft (12) supported from the frame, enabling flush engagement between the brush and the floor notwithstanding tilting of the frame. Left and right wheels (20, 22) on left and right axles (36, 38) support the frame for forward-rearward movement, and are adjustable forward-rearward relative to the frame for balancing the frame forward-rearward about the wheels as a fulcrum. A pulley and drive belt system (24) couple the engine to the rotary shaft for driving the rotary brush through the universal joint. An electromagnetic clutch (26) is provided for engaging and disengaging the coupling system from the engine. The disclosed subject matter is particularly characterized by its heavy grade durable construction minimizing down-time in industrial burnishing operations.

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: An automatic dust-removing eraser of a rolling-friction type for use on a blackboard includes: a casing body having an open section or cavity in the central portion; a plurality of different guiding slots vertically formed at both ends of the side walls defining the open section; a spare space provided at each end portion with an escape clack valve and a discharge door respectively disposed in the opposing side walls defining the spare spaces; a pair of supporting members each having integrally-linked parallel plates respectively secured in the guiding slots of the casing body; and a plurality of master rollers and slave rollers mounted within the cavity in interrelated coupling; so that, by means of the matched rotation of the master and slave rollers and the unilateral check action effected from the supporting members, the chalk dust gathered by the master rollers over the surface of the blackboard is automatically removed through self-brushing and discharging action of the slave rollers.

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 floor cleaning machine including a support frame with a handle attached to the upper end of the support frame for guiding the machine along the floor and a wheel assembly attached to the lower end. A plurality of disc-shaped floor cleaning pads disposed and held adjacent one another such that a floor pad cylinder having a horizontally-disposed longitudinal axis is formed are attached to the lower end of the frame. A motor supported by the frame rotates the floor pads about the axis on the floor in a vertical cleaning motion. A spraying system sprays cleaning fluid downward towards the floor and forward of the rotating cleaning pads. The dirtied cleaning fluid is then sucked up through a nozzle positioned behind the floor pad cylinder to a vacuum and holding tank assembly mounted on the frame.

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: An apparatus for the removal of water from the ground comprises at least one ground-engaging drum including a hollow cylinder mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, a plurality of apertures distributed around the circumference of the cylinder, and a layer of open cell resilient material covering the outer surface of the cylinder. Valves in the drum are arranged to close the apertures except under the inward pressure of water passing through the resilient layer when the latter is compressed, and a plurality of troughs are provided on the inner surface of the cylinder for carrying water which enters the apertures in the area of ground contact upwardly away from the ground by rotation of the cylinder. A non-rotating water tank (not shown) mounted within the cylinder collects the water discharged from the troughs when each reaches a certain height.

Abstract: An abrasive cleaning apparatus comprising a truck adapted to run on the first surface to be cleaned, a first abrasive cleaner adapted to be pressed against the first surface and mounted on the truck by a first support assembly so as to be limitedly movable in the direction of a first axis substantially perpendicular to the first surface and and limitedly tiltable in every direction with respect to the first axis, and a second abrasive cleaner adapted to be pressed against the second surface to be cleaned and substantially perpendicular to the first surface and mounted on the truck by a second support assembly so as to be limitedly movable in the direction of a second axis substantially parallel to the first surface and to be limitedly tiltable in every direction with respect to the second axis.

Abstract: A floor treating machine adapted to operate as a floor scrubber and a floor polisher or buffer includes a main housing or support frame structure from which extends a brush housing assembly. The main housing contains a combined solution and recovery tank, a motive device to power the floor treating machine, a propulsion system to propel the floor treating machine along the floor, a pneumatic power system, a squeegee subassembly and electrical and pneumatic control systems therefor. The brush housing assembly is operatively connected to the main housing by a brush lifting mechanism such that two brushes selectively rotating in opposite directions in the brush housing assembly can be lifted away from the floor or moved toward the floor so that the brushes exert the correct amount of pressure against the floor depending on the job being done.

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: An apparatus for absorbing liquid such as water from a surface such as the ground comprises a compressible, absorbant body. According to the invention the absorbant body comprises a plurality of circular discs of absorbant material, each pair of adjacent discs being sealed off from each other by means of an interposed foil such as a plastics foil so that upon compression of the body each disc will discharge its liquid such as water at the edge portion of the disc.

Abstract: An improved support (48) for mounting a crescent shaped squeegee assembly (46) on the body (18) of a self propelled walk behind floor scrubbing machine (10) of the type which deposits cleaning fluid on a hard surfaced floor, scrubs the floor, and then squeegees and vacuums the dirty cleaning fluid from the floor. The squeegee supporting means (48) includes first and second intermediate members (84, 98) and first, second, and third pivot means (68, 70, 72). The first pivot means (68) secures the first intermediate member (84) to the body (18) for swinging movement about a generally vertically extending axis (Z). The second pivot means (70) secures a forward portion of a downwardly and rearwardly extending arm (90) to the first intermediate member for swinging movement about a generally transversely extending axis (Y). The second intermediate member is secured to a rear portion of the arm, the securing means including an attitude adjusting member (102).

Abstract: Floor treating apparatus, principally for waxing floors includes a drip pan to catch wax from the applicator pad when the applicator head is in a retracted position. A piston pump has an adjustable variable stroke to provide selection of the quantity of wax to be deposited. Slotted connections between the applicator head and the supporting arms provide independent vertical movement of each end of the applicator pad to enable the pad to conform to uneven floors.

Abstract: An automatic bowling lane dressing applicator and buffer comprising a machine to which are mounted suspended pivotally mounted blade buffers having resilient buffing pads mounted on the periphery of the blades, which buff dressing placed on the lane surface in front of the buffer onto the lane surface, transferring excess dressing into the ball contact area of the lane as the machine is run backward and forward along the lane.

Abstract: A blackboard eraser comprising a base, an uppermost cover mounted on the base, two erasing rollers pivotedly mounted within the base, a controller and two scrapers wherein the controller normally engages with the rollers for erasing use and may be depressed to release the rollers for their free rotation to contact the scrapers formed atop the rollers so as to scrape the dust accumulated on roller into a storing chamber spaced between the base and the uppermost cover for final disposal of dust.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing water from a substantially flat ground surface is comprised of a rolling carriage carrying a horizontally disposed collecting vessel enveloped by a perforated rigid cylindrical drum that supports a resilient absorbent material. The drum is adapted to rotate about the collecting vessel. At the lower extremity of the drum, the absorbent material takes up water. At the upper extremity of the drum, a squeeze roll acting against the drum expresses water from the absorbent material. The expressed water falls into the collecting vessel. A handle is pivotably associated with the carriage. When in its lowermost position, the handle causes disengagement of the squeeze roll from the drum.

Abstract: A machine for cleaning, polishing and otherwise finishing floors includes a friction-type mechanism for holding the handle of the machine in a preselected position, a dead-man switch control lever arranged for pivotal movement toward and away from the switch it controls, and an effective splash guard. Also disclosed is a helical gear transmission for driving the finishing pads, and a handle that has surfaces particularly adapting it for comfortable gripping by the operator's hands and for non-injurious contact by other parts of the operator's body.

Abstract: A surface cleaning machine is provided which employs a drum broom at a forward portion of the machine for sweeping the floor, a hopper in front of the drum broom to receive debris therefrom, a plurality of disc-type scrubbing brushes at an intermediate portion of the machine for scrubbing the floor, and a squeegee assembly therebehind. A solution or supply tank and a recovery tank are located in side-by-side relationship at a forward portion of the machine, the solution tank supplying clean solution for the disc brushes and the recovery tank receiving dirty solution gathered by the squeegee assembly. The squeegee assembly is connected to the machine by arms which also raise and lower the assembly, the arms being engaged by a mounting plate carrying the disc brushes so that both the squeegee assembly and the disc brushes can be raised and lowered by common mechanism.

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 pad drive assembly that detachably grips and rotatably drives a selected maintenance pad by a floor maintenance machine, comprises a rigid, substantially circular back support that has two faces, one of which is substantially planar. A substantially rigid pad drive or grip plate of planar, circular configuration is defined by two faces. One of the last mentioned faces is bonded to the planar face of the back support for rotation therewith. The other face of the pad drive is formed with a plurality of substantially rigid, upstanding pins that extend therefrom and that are adapted detachably to grip the selected maintenance pad and rotatively drive the same.

Abstract: This invention provides a rotary floor cleaner having means for detachably securing the drive mechanism to the base of the unit, said means including wedge blocks against which the drive mechanism may be wedged and a rotatable cam for incrementally forcing the drive mechanism into wedging engagement between the wedge blocks and the cam.

Abstract: The subject to this patent application is apparatus for mechanically varying the speed of a disk, such as a floor treating pad (18), mounted for rotation about the axis of elongation (20) of a shaft (38) powered by a fixed speed motor. The pad (18) is supported by a hub (40) disposed axially intermediate a flange member (74) fixedly attached to the shaft (38) and a sheave (66) disposed for rotation about the shaft (38), but at a speed different than that of the shaft (38). The invention includes means for keying the hub (40) to either the flange member (74) or the sheave (66), depending upon the desired speed of operation of the floor treating machine (10) of which the pad (18) is a part.

Abstract: A floor buffing machine having a pivoted buffer plate holding means to keep the buffer flat on the floor as the buffing pad wears is improved by a drive which includes a pulley on a shaft journaled above and below a yoke to provide a pulley that is above both bearings and is therefore free to have a drive belt installed or removed without disassembling the buffer plate holding means.

Abstract: A device for draining sandy ground areas, such as tennis-courts, includes an air pump, water separating elements and a suction device. A suction pipe connects the pump to the water separating elements and the water separating means to the suction device. In order to prevent sand from being removed from the ground during the draining process, the suction device has a relatively large inlet is covered by an open-pore, elastic foam plastics material.

Abstract: An apparatus for polishing a floor includes a rotated polishing pad suspended from a housing with a mechanism for maintaining full engagement of the surface of the pad with the floor. This mechanism includes a caster disposed within a centrally-located aperture in the pad and a device, such as a spring, connecting the caster to the housing which increasingly urges the caster and housing away from one another as they progressively approach one another.

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: A squeegee assembly is provided for a scrubbing machine. The squeegee assembly is mounted in a manner such that it can separate from the machine to avoid damage in the event the assembly encounters a stationary object. The mounting arrangement includes a mounting plate which can be raised and lowered. The squeegee assembly is frictionally connected to the mounting plate so as to move therewith and be supported thereby but so that the squeegee assembly can separate rearwardly relative to the mounting plate to prevent damage. The squeegee assembly includes a squeegee blade supporting member with quick-release bands. The bands clamp a squeegee blade between the supporting member and the bands with the squeegee blade requiring no special attaching provisions at all, not even mounting holes. The bands have quick-release latches so that the blades can be easily and quickly removed and replaced, when necessary.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing standing water from a large surface area includes a housing capable of being moved across the surface area. An elongated rolling member is mounted on the housing with its elongated axis transverse to the direction of travel of said housing over the surface area. At least a portion of the rolling member is located on the underneath side of the housing. The rolling member has a nonwater absorbing wear resistant surface enabling that portion of it located below the housing to contact the surface area to be depleted of water. The rolling member rolls on the surface area to displace water to a position in front of the rolling member and form a moving wave of water in front of the rolling member. A wave direction changing member is located in association with the rolling member in front of the rolling member. The wave direction changing member imparts a momentum to the wave of water maintaining the wave of water on the underside of the housing.

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 squeegee support assembly for automatic floor cleaning machines of the type having a housing, drive wheels, spaced holders for floor cleaning members mounted for powered rotation about a vertically disposed axis and a substantially crescent-shaped vacuum housing and squeegee blade carrying assembly mounted to the housing for articulated movement about a vertical axis which is located at the midpoint between a diametral line passing through the axis of the holding members.

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 method and machine for cleaning carpet, and the like floor surfaces, are disclosed which include a vibrating type machine having a vibrating drive plate which carries a layer of plastic barbed bristles facing the carpet. A piece of terry cloth is placed between the bristles and the carpet and the barbed bristles hook the loops of the terry cloth for attachment and massage the carpet through the terry cloth to impart a scrubbing motion to the cloth. Use of short looped terry cloth having terry loops of about one-fourth of an inch (1/4") or less effectively results in transmission of machine motion for effective machine movement and cleaning. The method contemplates moistening a piece of terry cloth with a cleaning solution so that soil is removed and absorbed by the terry cloth without any significant wetting of the carpet after which the terry cloth may be removed from the barbed bristles and utilized on a reverse side or replaced.

Abstract: A matted fleece cleaning pad is supported on a number of spread-out tufts of bristles set in cavities of a holding plate, the bristles of each tuft being of different length and made of a synthetic plastic, preferably a polyamide. By this arrangement, the cleaning pad can be held springily, so that it can follow irregularities in the floor. The longer bristles are beaded at their ends by singeing, so that the cleaning pad does not fall off when the holding plate is lifted up from the floor.

Abstract: The specification discloses a floor scrubber wherein the squeegee is connected to the machine by a coil spring. The squeegee is free of direct rigid connection to the machine such that it can shift readily from side to side through the action of the spring. The squeegee is biased to a raised position by a second spring and can be forced downwardly into engagement with the floor through a unique pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: A paint applicator is disclosed for evenly spreading paint over a work surface, particularly an uneven work surface. A multi-cellular pad or sponge held by a pad holder is secured for vibratory movement to a manifold to which paint is delivered under pressure. Paint flows from the manifold and saturates the cellular pad. The arm of an electric vibrator or oscillator contacts the pad and imparts a vibratory or oscillatory motion to the pad. The vibrator or oscillator is supported in the housing secured to the manifold. The outer configuration of the housing may be shaped for gripping with the hand for paint application by an operator. Paint is delivered to the applicator from a pressurized container with the amount controlled by a flow control valve.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic self-propelled machine for stripping oil from bowling lanes which is characterized by a solvent applicator made of absorbant material that applies the oil-dissolving solvent to the lane surface, means for moving the applicator into engagement with the lane surface at predetermined points in the excursion of the stripper, a cam-actuated solvent supply system automatically operative to wet the applicator during a portion of its forward travel toward the pin deck and return trip to the foul line, a rotating residue pick-up roller for continuously picking up the liquid and solid residues from the surface of the lane during both forward and return excursions of the stripper, and a moving curtain wiper mechanism positioned between the applicator and residue pick-up roller in contact with the absorbant surface of the latter and preferably also with the lane surface effective during both the forward and return runs to remove the residues from the pick-up drum as it dries the lan

Abstract: A floor sweeper is disclosed. The floor sweeper has a handle, a main body including a detergent compartment, a roller mechanism including a roller with a washing belt thereon, a scraper and a waste fluid compartment. Detergent is dripped from the detergent compartment onto the washing belt. The washing belt washes a floor and wipes stains therefrom due to frictional contact therewith during the forward motion of the floor sweeper. Waste fluid soaked into the washing belt is squeezed from the belt by the scraper and is collected in the waste fluid compartment during the backward motion of the sweeper.

Abstract: A floor buffing machine having a pair of coaxial floor-engaging wheels for movement of the machine over the floor to be buffed, a motor drive, and a floor buffing pad support structure mounted to one side of the wheels, the machine pivoting around the wheel axis to position the buffing pad in contact with the floor, and wherein the pad supporting means provides automatic self-adjustment of the pad into parallelism with the floor as the thickness of the pad changes with wear, thus maintaining full surface pad contact with the floor and obtaining a prolonged pad life.

Abstract: A bowling alley gutter dusting apparatus is disclosed that automatically and simultaneously dusts four gutters and the ball return chute. The apparatus includes a dusting appendage, a housing unit, a guidance structure, and a propulsion system. A method for dusting bowling alley gutters is also disclosed.