Abstract: Orbital surface cleaning apparatus (400) are presented. An orbital surface cleaning apparatus (400) can include a driver motor (410) coupled to a plate (130) having offset distributed weights (133). As the plate (130) rotates, the offset weights (133) cause oscillations of the apparatus (400) cleaning head. A driver motor (410) capable of 80 RPM can induce over 1700 RPM oscillations.

Abstract: A bowling lane maintenance machine is provided with separate reservoirs for constituent conditioning components to allow separate storage of the conditioning components and mixing of the conditioning components just prior to application to a surface of the bowling lane. One conditioning component may be a polar component such as a polyethylene glycol and another conditioning component may be a non-polar component such as a mineral oil based product. Separate reservoirs for constituent cleaning components are also provided so that the cleaning components may also be stored separately and then mixed together just prior to application to the bowling lane surface. Primary and secondary drive wheels are positioned on opposite sides of the machine forwardly of a conditioner application roller in the intended forward direction of travel of the machine so that they do not leave “tracks” on the conditioner after its application on the bowling lane.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus may include a surface cleaning head including a cleaning pad mount that is configured to receive a cleaning pad and a water distribution system including a first heating unit in fluid communication with a water reservoir and having a water outlet in communication with the cleaning pad mount. The water distribution system may be configured to deliver water to the water outlet as liquid water.

Abstract: A surface treatment appliance includes moveable members that are driven by a slide crank mechanism. The moveable members, which are driven in linearly reciprocating motion, are attached to guide members such that there is relative movement between the guide members and a stationary support member that is part of an appliance head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus, comprising an operating unit for operating the cleaning apparatus, at least one functional unit for carrying out an operating instruction, and a control unit for receiving operating instructions performed on the operating unit and controlling the at least one functional unit based on said operating instructions, wherein an access authorization stored on an authorization carrier is required in order to operate the cleaning apparatus. In order to provide such a cleaning apparatus with a more user-friendly access control, it is proposed that the cleaning apparatus have a detection unit operatively connected to the control unit and configured for contactless detection of the access authorization and transmission thereof to the control unit, and that the access authorization be verifiable for its validity by the control unit. The invention further relates to a method for controlling access to a cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: Embodiments include a cleaning head assembly for a floor surface maintenance machine. The cleaning head assembly can include a hub (or cleaning head housing) and a pad driver, wherein the pad driver attaches to and aligns axially with the hub (or cleaning head housing) in a touch-free manner.

Abstract: A mobile robotistic mopping machine is formed of a body frame, a mop cloth, a power device, and a control device. The power device includes two opposite wheels and two opposite motors connected with the respective wheels for driving the wheels to rotate to further enable the body frame via the wheels to make the mop cloth move forward for cleaning the ground. The control device is electrically connected with the motors for controlling the motors. When the body frame makes the mop cloth move forward for a predetermined distance, the control device can control and make one of the motors reversely rotate and meanwhile make the other keep normal rotation to further enable the body frame to make the mop cloth turn for a predetermined angle and then keep moving forward.

Abstract: A surface treatment robot includes a chassis having forward and rear ends and a drive system carried by the chassis. The drive system includes right and left driven wheels and is configured to maneuver the robot over a cleaning surface. The robot includes a vacuum assembly, a collection volume, a supply volume, an applicator, and a wetting element, each carried by the chassis. The wetting element engages the cleaning surface to distribute a cleaning liquid applied to the surface by the applicator. The wetting element distributes the cleaning liquid along at least a portion of the cleaning surface when the robot is driven in a forward direction. The wetting element is arranged substantially forward of a transverse axis defined by the right and left driven wheels, and the wetting element slidably supports at least about ten percent of the mass of the robot above the cleaning surface.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a bowling lane machine is presented having a drive system with at least two front non-swiveling wheels and at least one rear swiveling wheel. In another embodiment, a bowling lane machine is presented that retains a squeegee assembly in a down position while the bowling lane machine begins its reverse travel along the bowling lane such that a rear blade of the squeegee assembly contacts the rear end of the pin deck. The squeegee assembly is then positioned in an up position for the remainder of the reverse travel of the bowling lane machine along the bowling lane.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the conditioning of bowling lanes, and, more particularly to an apparatus and method for automatically applying a predetermined pattern of dressing fluid along the transverse and longitudinal dimensions of a bowling lane.

Abstract: A robot cleaner capable of moving in diverse directions and enhancing cleaning efficiency by increasing frictional force between a pad and a floor includes two or more driving units. Each of the driving units includes plural motors, a first subframe connected to at least any one of the motors and configured to rotate by receiving rotational force from the motor, a rotating plate assembly mounted to the first subframe and configured to be slanted with respect to a floor by rotation of the first subframe and to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise by receiving rotational force from another motor, and a pad provided at the rotating plate assembly and configured to contact the floor. When the rotating plate assembly is slanted with respect to the floor, nonuniform frictional force is generated between the pad and the floor, through which the robot cleaner travels.

Abstract: A floor cleaning device that is manually trainable for subsequent automatic operation. Prior to automatic operation, a user trains the cleaning device by manually manipulating the device through one or more desired cleaning paths. After training of the device, the device is configured to automatically initiate subsequent cleaning operations in accordance with the trained routine(s). Preferably, the training routine includes user specification of one of a number of cleaning modalities that are supported by the flooring cleaning device. In addition to automatic navigation, the floor cleaning device is configured to initiate a desired cleaning modality as a function of the device's position with respect to one or more of the trained routine(s).

Abstract: A method for treating flooring not designed for sanding and having a multi-layer wax finish reduces the frequency of stripping the wax layers down to the flooring and recoating the flooring in carrying out periodic maintenance on the flooring. A mobile floor treating machine includes at least one rotating brush which is driven at a first circular speed x for cleaning the flooring and is driven at a second circular speed y for removing the two uppermost layers of wax, where y?2x. The top remaining wax layer is then cleaned with the brush operating at the original circular speed x. Two layers of wax are then sequentially applied to the top remaining wax layer in replacing the two removed layers of wax on the floor and restoring the flooring to its original finish. The brush may be operated at 800-1500 RPM for burnishing and polishing.

Abstract: A floor cleaning tool including a housing, a reservoir coupled to the housing and adapted to hold a cleaning solution, and a floor-engaging roller coupled to the housing and rotatable with respect to the housing. The tool also includes a wheel by which the floor cleaning tool moves across a floor surface in a direction of travel at least partially defining a front, rear, and lateral sides of the floor cleaning tool. The tool further includes a squeegee laterally insertable between the roller and the wheel, and a squeegee mount located between the roller and the wheel by which the squeegee is releasably mounted to the floor cleaning tool by first and second laterally opposed protrusions rotatably secured within first and second apertures at opposite ends of the squeegee.

Abstract: A cleaning robot and a control method thereof include a main body traveling on a floor, and a first sub-cleaning tool and a second sub-cleaning tool mounted at left and right sides of the main body so as to be protruded from the inside to the outside of the main body and selectively performing cleaning Insertion of at least one of the first sub-cleaning tool and the second sub-cleaning tool is controlled when the main body is rotated under the condition that an obstacle is detected. Side brushes of the sub-cleaning tools are inserted into the main body according to the rotation direction of the main body when the main body is rotated during traveling, thus preventing collision with the obstacle.

Abstract: The present invention is a floor machine pivot joint. The pivot joint utilizes pivot pegs attached to the base of the floor machine which extend from the base into cavities formed in the sides of the yoke which, in preferred embodiments, have either partially spherical or cylindrical shape. The pivot pegs allow the yoke to pivot in substantially one plane with reduced unwanted movement of the yoke and base relative to each other.

Abstract: A floor treatment apparatus is provided that includes a chassis that supports at least one cleaning element. The chassis is supported by a plurality of wheels, one which is steerable via a steering wheel interconnected to a housing also associated with the chassis. The chassis provided includes a plurality of movable housing members, one of which is associated with the steering wheel. To access the internal components of the floor treatment apparatus, the front housing is rotated or moved away from the other housings wherein the steering wheel does not require disconnection to allow this movement.

Abstract: A movement operation system for autonomous moving cleaning apparatus comprises a charging dock and an autonomous moving cleaning apparatus. The charging dock includes a charging module and an infrared ray emitter. The autonomous moving cleaning apparatus includes a battery, at least one servomotor, an infrared ray receiver and a microcontroller unit. The infrared ray receiver receives an encrypted infrared signal emitted by the infrared ray emitter and sends the encrypted infrared signal to the microcontroller unit for decoding. The microcontroller unit detects whether the present voltage of the battery is higher than a charge voltage of the charging module, and generates a control signal to control the servomotor to move the autonomous moving cleaning apparatus away from the charging dock or to the charging dock for charging the battery.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an autonomous cleaning machine with a brush cleaning unit to clean a brush unit. The autonomous cleaning machine includes a main body, the brush unit rotatably provided on the main body, first brush cleaning members contacting the brush unit to move foreign substances wound on the brush unit in a lengthwise direction of the brush unit, and second brush cleaning members contacting the brush unit to remove the foreign substances wound on the brush unit from the brush unit.

Abstract: A surface treatment robot including a robot body, a differential drive system mounted on the robot body and configured to maneuver the robot over a cleaning surface, a liquid applicator carried by the robot body, and a collection assembly carried by the robot body and configured to remove waste from the cleaning surface. The robot body has a forward portion and a rear portion, with the forward portion preceding the rear portion as the robot moves in a forward direction over the cleaning surface. The liquid applicator is configured to dispense a liquid to the cleaning surface such that at least a portion of the liquid is dispensed rear of the collection assembly as the robot moves in the forward direction.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a rod body, a cleaning portion and a positioning device. Mainly, the cleaning portion is positioned for the cleaning portion being non-rotatable relative to the rod body by the positioning device. Therefore, when a user operates the cleaning apparatus, the cleaning portion would be positioned at a rotation degree between the cleaning portion and the rod body for increasing a stability of said operating.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus, and in particular a steam mop, comprises a steam delivery system for generating and distributing steam onto a surface to be cleaned. The steam mop further comprises a handle assembly mounted to a foot assembly that has a manifold configured to supply steam from a steam generator to the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: The present invention is a sweeper incorporating multiple rotation elements mounted adjacently in an rotationally offset sequence on a common driven axle. Each rotation element comprises a central shaft support from which extends lightweight extension arms that have laterally elongated spatulate paddles at their ends. The extension arms may be curved so that in operation a terminal edge of each paddle lags the rest of the paddle surface in approaching and sweeping across the floor surface and is quite easily deflected upward from a floor surface.

Abstract: A cleaning device with electrostatic sheet auto rolling, comprising: a frame; a power gear set; a roller set, having a first roller, a second roller, a paper feeder roller; and a paper collector roller, arranged axially parallel with each other; and a drive shaft; wherein, the paper feeder roller is coaxially received inside a roller of paper; the first, the second and the paper collector rollers are driven to rotate by the power gear set; the paper collector roller is disposed radial to the paper feeder roller at a side thereof while enabling the first and the second rollers to be arranged therebetween; the drive shaft is enabled to move relative to the frame and perpendicular to the axial direction of the drive shaft; the drive shaft is arranged protruding out of the frame; and the drive shaft, the first and the second rollers are arranged parallel to each other.

Abstract: A vehicle-attached lifting device and tool support is provided. The device comprises a dual-rail frame supported in an upright configuration by the vehicle tow hitch, wherein an internal subassembly support frame is positioned between the rails for the purposes of supporting different lifting and tool support subassemblies. Along the sides of the upright frame is a pair of ground support members that extend downward towards the ground to support the frame during operation, preventing the load from compressing the vehicle suspension or damaging the same. A winch controls the vertical positioning of the support frame within the dual-rail frame, which controls the position of a lifting or tool support subassembly. Many subassemblies are contemplated for use with the present invention for the purposes of assisting a user without requiring manual input therefrom. The device can also adjust with relation to the vehicle using different trailer hitch attachments.

Abstract: A mop head assembly having: a base plate member with a generally flat bottom portion adapted to receive a flexible cleaning member; and an electric motor mounted on the base plate member at a laterally centered position thereon and having a rotatable shaft with an asymmetric weight mounted thereon, the shaft projecting downwardly from the electric motor and oriented substantially perpendicular to the base plate bottom portion, wherein rotation of the asymmetric weight on the shaft causes the base plate to vibrate primarily in a plane parallel to the flat bottom portion. A cover member that covers the electric motor and which is positioned over other components mounted on the base plate is also described.

Abstract: A floor cleaner has a base assembly which comprises a body composed of an upper casing and a lower casing, a sweeping member mounted on the front side of the body, a steam generating member mounted at the rear side of the body, a pad tray with protrusions formed thereon to which a pad is attached, the protrusions made of a material that is softer than the material of the pad tray, and an attachment/detachment member that attaches and detaches the pad tray to and from the bottom face of the lower casing.

Abstract: A residential wood floor cleaning machine provides an easily attachable and removable cleaning cloth to a rotating orbiting head mounted in a lightweight structure for use in cleaning wood floors in residences. The cleaning machine includes LED's for illuminating an area of the wood floor adjacent to the head. A mechanical spray pump with a removable reservoir controllably sprays a controlled amount of cleaning solution on the illuminated area. An electrical control requires that the light is on whenever the power is on. A mechanical sprayer operating means is mounted within a tubular structure which supports the sprayer. The tubular structure is preferably interconnected with a pivoting handle with a truss like structure which reduces the overall weight of the machine. The handle bracket is provided with a stop to prevent pivoting by more than 90 degrees.

Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus is provided. The floor cleaning apparatus includes a roller arrangement for carrying rolls of soiled and unsoiled cleaning media thereon. The floor cleaning apparatus also includes an actuation arrangement operable to simultaneously unwind unsoiled cleaning media and wind soiled cleaning media.

Abstract: A mopping device includes a mopping head having at least one of a mopping cloth, a mopping cover, a mopping bundle, and a mopping pad. The mopping device further includes a handle and a multi-turn actuator.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for cleaning or otherwise treating a floored surface that includes a platform adapted to support the weight of an operator. In addition, one embodiment of the present invention is capable of generally performing 360° turns to facilitate the treatment of difficult to access portions of the floored surface.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus, such as a steam mop or fluid delivery mop, comprises an upright housing and a foot coupled to the upright housing. The cleaning apparatus comprises an illumination element for illuminating a fluid supply tank and the contents therein. A cleaning pad can be mounted to a lower surface of the foot and positioned to contact the surface to be cleaned. A movable agitator provided on the foot is configured for movement between a first use position in contact with the surface to be cleaned and a second non-use position out of contact with the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A system and method for high efficiency floor treating is provided. Embodiments of the floor treating system include a floor treating device with a power source having a rotatable drive shaft with an axis of rotation, a flywheel with an aperture for receiving the drive shaft, a counterbalance connected to the flywheel, and a floor treating attachment located at a distance of at least 0.400 inch from the axis of rotation of the drive shaft. Embodiments of the floor treating method include agitating a cleaning substance using the floor treating device with the floor treating attachment positioned at least 0.400 inch from the axis of rotation of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A surface maintenance vehicle with a compact cleaning head lift mechanism and suspension. The cleaning head lift mechanism and suspension adjust a scrub head to an operational mode and a transport mode, yet remain compact such that they are confined to specific areas of the surface maintenance vehicle.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a base body, a rotatable brush roller disposed on the base body, a dirt container disposed on the base body, a cloth holder attached removably to the base body, and a cleaning cloth attachable to the cloth holder.

Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus is provided. The floor cleaning apparatus includes a roller arrangement for carrying rolls of soiled and unsoiled cleaning media thereon. The floor cleaning apparatus also includes an actuation arrangement operable to simultaneously unwind unsoiled cleaning media and wind soiled cleaning media.

Abstract: An upright bare floor cleaner with a handle assembly pivotally mounted to a base assembly. The base assembly has a sweeper that includes a rotatably driven brush adapted to sweep dust and dirt particles into a removable dirt receptacle. The handle includes a water tank to store a quantity of water and a fluid distribution system that includes a heater and a spray nozzle. Steam is generated by the heater and is distributed to a removable mop cloth that applies the steam to the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an autonomous cleaning machine with a brush cleaning unit to clean a brush unit. The autonomous cleaning machine includes a main body, the brush unit rotatably provided on the main body, first brush cleaning members contacting the brush unit to move foreign substances wound on the brush unit in a lengthwise direction of the brush unit, and second brush cleaning members contacting the brush unit to remove the foreign substances wound on the brush unit from the brush unit.

Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.

Abstract: The present invention is a floor machine pivot joint. The pivot joint utilizes pivot pegs attached to the base of the floor machine which extend from the base into cavities formed in the sides of the yoke which, in preferred embodiments, have either partially spherical or cylindrical shape. The pivot pegs allow the yoke to pivot in substantially one plane with reduced unwanted movement of the yoke and base relative to each other.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus and method for cleaning generally upright surfaces, walls and windows of a building has a frame rotatably supporting one or more brushes adapted to engage the upright surface of a building. A davit supported on top of the building is connected to a cable pendently supporting the frame and brushes. A winch driven with a motor mounted on the frame operably connected to the cable operates to move the frame and brushes relative to the upright surface. A counterforce generator mounted on the frame establishes a force on the frame and brushes that maintains the brushes in effective continuous engagement with the upright surface during cleaning thereof.

Abstract: A utility vehicle can comprise a wheeled platform, a motor coupled to the platform and configured to propel the platform, at least one cleaning element coupled to the platform, wherein the at least one cleaning element is movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position, and one or more controls configured to move the at least one cleaning element between the collapsed position and the expanded position. The at least one cleaning element can also be movable between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the wheeled platform, and the one or more controls can further be configured to move the at least one cleaning element between the raised position and the lowered position.

Abstract: An easy, efficient, and self-feeding steam mop is provided. With its special design, it is economical and practical to be competitive. There are three sections inside this mop—water feeding, heating, and steaming. The check valve installed on the water feeding tube can be used not only to shut off the water flowing into the boiler when not in use so that the wooden floor or the fabric carpet will not be harmed, but also its unique baffle plate can be used to minimize the backpressure from the boiler and keeps the steam serving flow rate sufficient and continuous with no additional supplement, such as a water or an air pump. And the closed type mop head encompasses the steam not to escape. The bulged, flexible ribs keeps the fabric pad touched on the floor thoroughly, so that the temperature is high and stable and the cleaning effect is good.

Abstract: A low profile cleaning device is disclosed. The device has a low profile or height and can clean beneath structures that have a low clearance relative to the floor. The device includes sweeps mounted on a frame. As the device moves in a sweeping direction, the sweeps sweep or clean the floor. Trash or other debris collected by the device can be removed from hard to reach areas.

Abstract: A multi-layer surface treating pad is disclosed. It has an upper layer suitable to serve as one part of a hook/loop type fastener system, a bottom layer which comprises an abrasive or polishing material, and a cleaning or other surface treating formulation positioned between the upper and bottom layer in the form of a bump which is positioned mostly in a central region of the pad. The bump of the formulation causes the upper layer to bulge upwardly so as to provide a visual indication as to where one optimally should attach a motorized device thereto.

Abstract: An abrasive or cleaning pad includes a composite resin as a wear layer. A cleaning pad system for motorized floor cleaning or polishing applications includes a pad having a combination of two grades of melamine resin-based foam. A method of cleaning a floor surface is also provided.

Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.

Abstract: Orbital surface cleaning apparatus (400) are presented. An orbital surface cleaning apparatus (400) can include a driver motor (410) coupled to a plate (130) having offset distributed weights (133). As the plate (130) rotates, the offset weights (133) cause oscillations of the apparatus (400) cleaning head. A driver motor (410) capable of 80 RPM can induce over 1700 RPM oscillations.

Abstract: A floor treating system is provided including a power source having a rotatable drive shaft with an axis of rotation, a floor treating attachment, means for imparting an oscillating motion from the drive shaft to the floor treating attachment, a rug beating attachment, and means for imparting a vibrating motion from the drive shaft to the rug beating attachment. Multiple embodiments provide that the means for imparting an oscillating motion impart at least two speeds of oscillating motion. Embodiments include those with means for connecting floor treating attachments at at least two different distances from the drive shaft axis of rotation.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus, and in particular a steam mop, comprises a steam delivery system for generating and distributing steam onto a surface to be cleaned. The steam mop further comprises a handle assembly mounted to a foot assembly that has a shuttling plate slidably mounted beneath the foot assembly, wherein the shuttle plate is configured to selectively divert steam through one of a pair of steam distributors positioned at a forward and rearward portion of the foot assembly dependent on the cleaning stroke direction of the steam mop. In one embodiment, the surface cleaning apparatus further comprises a vacuum source mounted thereto and at least one suction nozzle connected to the vacuum source and adapted to contact the surface to be cleaned and to draw moisture and debris from the surface.