Abstract: An apparatus for treating an exposed surface. The apparatus has an elongate support with a proximal region and a distal region. The proximal region is engagable by a user to controllably reposition the elongate support and thereby situate the distal region at an exposed surface to be treated. At least one elongate element is provided at the distal region of the elongate support. The at least one elongate element is moveable at the distal region to repeatedly contact an exposed surface at which the elongate element is situated to thereby separate matter from an exposed surface at which the elongate element is situated.

Abstract: A floor-cleaning machine comprising a support frame (2) which is mobile on a floor, on which support frame (2) are installed at least a rotating cleaning organ (50) which can be in contact with the floor, and a motor (51) to draw the cleaning organ (50) in rotation, the rotating cleaning organ (50) comprising a cleaning element (53) made of microfibre, which is destined to come into direct contact with the floor.

Abstract: A floor maintenance apparatus having a floor maintenance machine and an attached sulky which allows an operator to ride in a standing position or walk behind the floor maintenance machine. A wheeled sulky having a first attaching portion, a stopping portion, a wheel receiving portion, and a platform portion having a first portion and a second portion is also provided. Methods of operating the apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A riding floor and edge stripper applicator comprises a frame including attached thereto at least three wheels, a seat and a drive and steering mechanism for driving and steering the wheels. The stripper includes at least one tank mounted on the frame for holding stripping solution in fluid communication with supply conduits for delivering stripping solution to the mops. It further includes a central mop for receiving striping solution from the supply conduits and applying the solution to the floor. The stripper further includes at least one swinging mop for receiving striping solution from the supply conduits and applying the solution to a floor, the swinging mop pivotally attached at one distal end to the central mop and moveable between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: A floor burnisher has a base portion with a rotatable pad. A lower portion of a handle post is pivotally connected to the base portion. A lower portion of a spring rod assembly is pivotally connected to the base portion and an upper portion of the spring rod assembly is connected to an upper portion of the handle post. The pressure at which the pad contacts a floor surface may be selectively adjusted. The handle post may be pivoted about the base portion so that a spring within the assembly is compressed. The force from the compressed spring is communicated to the base portion to pivot the base portion with respect to a floor surface.

Abstract: A dual mode floor scrubber with a square cleaning pad that can rotate in a first mode to achieve a scrubbing operation away from the walls, and reciprocate longitudinally in a second mode adjacent to a wall to remove the sediment next to the wall and corners.

Abstract: A cleaning implement having a dirt bin for collecting debris from a floor, a cleaning sheet and an air filter. The cleaning sheet and air filter comprise a unitary assembly. When the user discards a soiled sheet, the soiled air filter is likewise discarded. This process prevents the air filter from becoming unduly clogged, and diminishing the performance of the cleaning implement.

Abstract: A cleaning head for use with a floor cleaning machine comprises first and second cleaning tools, at least one motor and a cleaning tool support. The at least one motor is configured to respectively drive rotation of the first and second cleaning tools about first and second horizontal axes. The first and second cleaning tools each have an exterior cleaning surface configured to engage the floor during floor cleaning operations. The cleaning tool support is configured to support the first and second cleaning tools for movement of the first and second horizontal axes relative to each other in a plane that is transverse to the first and second horizontal axes. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a floor cleaning machine that includes embodiments of the cleaning head.

Abstract: A steam mop having a main body including a water pump for pumping water from a water tank to a steam generator in response to any movement of the mop is provided. Movement of the mop causes a pump actuator to slide within a frame. The actuator has a camming surface with a pump piston rod biased against the camming surface that causes the pump piston rod to move in and out of a pump cylinder when the actuator moves. This operates a the pump to pump water to the steam generator for feeding steam to a steam pad mounted on a mop steam frame connected to the steam generator outlet.

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 robotic surface treating device that can perform carpet sweeping, hard-surface dry sweeping/wiping, and hard-surface sweeping/mopping is disclosed. The robotic surface treating device includes a sweeper brush, a dust bin for collecting debris from the brush, a reel-to-reel sheet of cleaning material, and a fluid delivery system for delivering fluid from a fluid reservoir onto the sheet of cleaning material and/or onto the surface to be treated. The dust bin, reel-to-reel sheet of cleaning material, and the fluid reservoir are separately installed from the top of the device, and may be separately removed for replacement.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the floor scrubbing or finishing machines. There is provided a machine for scrubbing or finishing a floor surface comprising carriage means adapted for translational movement over a floor surface, a workhead, an electric motor carried by the carriage means and arranged in use to drive the workhead and battery support means adapted in use to support at least one battery as a source of electric power for driving the electric motor, wherein said battery support means are adapted to support said at least one battery so that said at least one battery can be positioned in a selected one of a range of positions relative to said workhead whereby the loading on said workhead can be varied as required.

Abstract: A motorized cleaning/polishing device includes a housing and a carrier with a detachable cleaning/polishing attachment. The housing contains a rechargeable battery, motor and flex mount having flexible pillars to which the carrier is mounted. The carrier is also coupled to the motor drive shaft via an eccentric element and bearing. The carrier may have a foam layer with hook fasteners adhered to its underside for removably attaching any one of various attachments to the carrier. Cleanser is impregnated in the attachment. The device is particularly suited to orbit in the 3000 to 10,000 OPM range.

Abstract: A floor-cleaning machine comprising a support trolley (2), on which support trolley (2) at least a floor-cleaning group (7) is installed, which floor-cleaning group (7) is provided with at least a flexible blade (70) and is mobile on board the support trolley (2) between a work position, in which the flexible blade (70) is in contact with a floor, and a rest position, in which the flexible blade (70) is distanced from the floor, the floor-cleaning machine comprising magnetic means (26) which are destined to block the floor-cleaning group (7) in the rest position.

Abstract: A motorized cleaning implement is provided for cleaning surfaces with a cleaning substrate. The motorized cleaning implement includes a bumper pad that is connected to a motor capable of providing a reciprocating motion to the bumper pad. A cleaning substrate which includes a pocket is attached to the bumper pad.

Abstract: A surface treatment device, including a body, at least one actuable vibration component associated with the body, and a contact component associated with the body, the contact component configured to contact a target surface.

Abstract: In cleaning using a self-propelled cleaning device, firstly the cleaning device moves alongside a wall surface and then a reference direction is set. Next, the cleaning device advances alongside the wall surface at a prescribed distance, makes a right-angle turn, and travels in the reference direction. When the cleaning device reaches the surface of an opposing wall, it moves in a spiraling manner. At that time, the orientation angle of the cleaning device, which is estimated using a gyro sensor, is checked and corrected. If an obstacle is encountered while traveling, the cleaning device travels on a path that avoids the obstacle or travels in a spiral manner in a region in front of the obstacle.

Abstract: A window cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning mechanism that is mounted for movement relative to a window. The cleaning mechanism includes one or more cleaning tools, such as a brush and a wiper blade, and an onboard hydro-mechanical motor that provides the motive force for moving the cleaning mechanism. The cleaning mechanism has first and second drive wheels that engage first and second upright tracks, respectively, mounted on opposite sides of the window. The motor receives pressurized water from a water source (e.g., a water line of the building) and derives output mechanical power for rotating the drive wheels, which move along the tracks.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved mechanical coupling for rapidly adjusting the elevation of a working edge portion of a tool which working edge portion is subject to wear that decreases the effective length of the working edge portion. In one embodiment, the bristles of a drum-type brush comprise the working edge portion. Once the working edge is properly adjusted with respect to a work surface, the amount of downforce imparted by the working edge and the pattern of the working edge on a work surface are maximized. In use an operator compares the length of the working edge to a first indicia set displayed adjacent the working edge and adjusts the elevation of the working edge with reference to a second indicia set which corresponds to the first indicia set. Surface maintenance vehicles which support an adjustable height tool with a working edge that wears down may utilize the present invention.

Abstract: A pull-behind floor finish applicator wherein a peristaltic pump is employed in conjunction with disposable conduit tubing obviate any clean up of the pump. This applicator is adaptable to receiving bag in the box floor finish, thus reducing cleaning time. The applicator employs a minimum number of disposable parts thus making it economical to produce. A mop is employed to apply floor finish to easily accessible areas in one instance, yet allows the mop to be used independently for application of floor finish to not so easily accessible areas.

Abstract: A motorized scrubbing implement for cleaning a surface with contours is disclosed. The scrubbing implement includes a resilient base that includes a plurality of resilient fingers, each of which extend radially away from center of the base. A rigid cap comprises an inside upper end and a wider open lower end. The cap preferably includes a handle receiving means pivotally fixed to the cap for receiving a threaded end of an elongated handle. A flexible pad is included that comprises a cleaning surface on a lower side thereof. The pad has a peripheral lip forming an aperture in the pad for receiving the distal ends of each finger of the base. A rotational scrubbing surface driven by a motor projects through a central aperture in the pad.

Abstract: A floor care machine such as a floor polisher includes a machine frame carrying a motor coupled through a drive arrangement to a rotationally driven head on which a floor care disc such as a polishing pad is mounted. The drive arrangement includes a drive element rotationally driven by the motor, and a driven element that is connected to the driven head and is automatically height adjustable. The drive element includes a bearing hub, an outer ring and four uniformly rotationally offset spokes that carry first rolling guides extending along helical paths about the rotation axis. The driven element includes upper and lower partial elements that receive the spokes therebetween and carry second rolling guides arranged facing the first rolling guides along the helical paths, and roller bodies are interposed therebetween. Relative rotation between the drive element and the driven element causes an axial height adjustment of the driven head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile floor-cleaning machine having a rotationally drivable, disk-like cleaning tool which is detachably held on a tool holder, the tool holder being connected to a drive shaft in a rotationally fixed manner. In order to develop the floor-cleaning machine in such a way that the cleaning tool can be easily replaced, the invention proposes that said cleaning tool is adapted to be detachably latched to the tool holder and to be disconnected from the tool holder in the axial direction by means of an unlatching mechanism which is adapted to be operated by the user.

Abstract: In order to provide a hand-held cleaning/polishing machine, comprising a holding device for holding the cleaning/polishing machine, a drive motor, a tool head for one or more cleaning tools and/or polishing tools, which has a tool drive shaft driven by the drive motor, and a transmission device for transmitting torque from the drive motor to the tool drive shaft, which is universally usable, it is provided that at least one coupling for connecting at least one first fluid line is arranged on the holding device and that at least one second fluid line leads to the tool head from the at least one coupling.

Abstract: The claimed invention provides an apparatus for use with a vacuum cleaner nozzle having an intake opening with a flow area that receives a flow of working air. The apparatus comprises a cleaning pad with a structure that permits the working air to pass through the pad. The cleaning pad is configured to be installed over the intake opening in a position extending across the flow area.

Abstract: A floor scrubbing apparatus that is particularly well suited to scrubbing carpet materials is disclosed. The floor scrubbing apparatus is manually operated and includes a drive roller coupled to a scrub roller. In one embodiment, the drive roller is coupled to the scrub roller using a gear arrangement that causes the scrub roller to rotate faster than the drive roller. If desired, the apparatus can include a cleaning fluid dispensing system. For instance, the apparatus can include one or more nozzles that dispense a cleaning fluid onto a carpet material as the material is being cleaned.

Abstract: A coupler is disclosed for coupling floor maintenance pads to a pad driven disc. The coupler has one part which is mounted to or from an integral part of the driver disc and a second part which snaps onto the first part for holding and centering a maintenance pad to a disc. A spring lock arrangement is provided for preventing the coupler from separating and comprises a spring clip carried by the retainer engageable with lip structure formed on an axially extending wall or flange forming part of the base part. The spring clip is held to the retainer by hub segments and axially spaced tabs which define slots for slidably receiving portions of the spring clip. The spring clips include a pair of elongate legs interconnected by a bridging segment on one end and a pair of finger engageable pressure pads on opposite ends by which the spring clip is squeezed to move corner segments carried by legs inwardly in order to disengage the lip structure thereby releasing the retainer from the base.

Abstract: A scrubbing implement for cleaning a surface with contours is disclosed. The scrubbing implement includes a resilient base that includes a plurality of resilient fingers, each of which extend radially away from center of the base. A rigid cap comprises an inside upper end and a wider open lower end. The cap preferably includes a handle receiving means pivotally fixed to the cap for receiving a threaded end of an elongated handle. A flexible pad is included that comprises a cleaning surface on a lower side thereof. The pad has a peripheral lip forming an aperture in the pad for receiving the distal ends of each finger of the base. In use, the base is fixed to the cap with the attachment means. The flexible pad is fixed around the distal ends of the fingers such that the pad may be applied to the surface to scrub the surface. The fingers and flexible pad conform to the shape of the surface.

Abstract: A scrubbing implement for cleaning a surface with contours is disclosed. The scrubbing implement includes a resilient base that includes a plurality of resilient fingers, each of which extend radially away from center of the base. A rigid cap comprises an inside upper end and a wider open lower end. The cap preferably includes a handle receiving means pivotally fixed to the cap for receiving a threaded end of an elongated handle. A flexible pad is included that comprises a cleaning surface on a lower side thereof. The pad has a peripheral lip forming an aperture in the pad for receiving the distal ends of each finger of the base. In use, the base is fixed to the cap with the attachment means. The flexible pad is fixed around the distal ends of the fingers such that the pad may be applied to the surface to scrub the surface. The fingers and flexible pad conform to the shape of the surface.

Abstract: A self-propelled floor cleaner is provided having a random motion generator which enhances the maneuverability of the floor cleaner. The random motion generator is rotatably attached to the frame of the cleaner and propels the cleaner across the floor in a random motion. This random motion facilitates cleaning of the floor by making the cleaner easier to manipulate. The random motion generator includes a hollow spherical shell. In the preferred embodiment, the hollow spherical shell houses a weighted motor assembly which is rotatably mounted on a center fixed axle which extends diametrically between the first and second hemispherical halves and is attached thereto. The weighted motor assembly is comprised of a motor housing and a power source, such as batteries or cells. A motor is housed within the motor housing and rotates the motor housing about the center fixed axle.

Abstract: A vibratory cleaning/polishing head secured to manually operated handle includes a detachable cleaning/polishing pad secured to the head, and a rechargeable battery and vibratory unit including a motor. In one embodiment, the vibratory unit and battery are substantially contained within the head housing. In another embodiment the vibratory unit and battery are situated atop of the housing. The motor contains a driveshaft to which an eccentric element is secured. The driveshaft extends substantially parallel to the horizontal upper surface of the head, wherein vibration of the head in a vertical plane is induced for enhancing efficacy of cleaning/polishing. In one embodiment, the device has two vibratory units secured to the head, each spaced from the other on laterally opposed sides of attachment yoke. The units operate in the 2,500 to 8,000 RPM range.

Abstract: A self-propelled floor cleaner is provided having a random motion generator which enhances the maneuverability of the floor cleaner. The random motion generator is rotatably attached to the frame of the cleaner and propels the cleaner across the floor in a random motion. This random motion facilitates cleaning of the floor by making the cleaner easier to manipulate. The random motion generator includes a hollow spherical shell. In the preferred embodiment, the hollow spherical shell houses a weighted motor assembly which is rotatably mounted on a center fixed axle which extends diametrically between the first and second hemispherical halves and is attached thereto. The weighted motor assembly is comprised of a motor housing and a power source, such as batteries or cells. A motor is housed within the motor housing and rotates the motor housing about the center fixed axle.

Abstract: A cleaning tool having a clamp-on handle assembly. The clamp-on handle assembly includes a slidable locking element which can be moved from an open position, wherein the handle assembly can be placed over a handle portion of the cleaning tool, to a locked position wherein the locking element clamps the handle assembly securely onto the handle portion of the cleaning tool. Advantageously, no external tools or fastening implements are required to secure the handle assembly to the handle portion of the cleaning tool. The handling assembly allows the user to use the cleaning tool to reach elevated areas or other areas that would be difficult to reach with the user holding directly onto the handle portion of the cleaning tool.

Abstract: A floor cleaning machine is provided with at least two movable squeegees to provide coverage of the liquid applied to the floor in a path with the squeegees extending beyond the outer perimeter sides of the liquid path both during straight ahead movement and during turning maneuvers. The squeegee assemblies are carried by a chassis. A floor scrubbing device is provided to apply liquid to the floor and to mix dirt on the floor with the applied liquid. A liquid pickup device is also provided to remove the applied liquid from the floor at a position adjacent to each of the squeegee assemblies.

Abstract: An electric-motored floor-surface polisher includes a pair of pads juxtaposed in the front and rear or lateral direction of an apparatus frame, each pad being slidably supported to the apparatus frame. A drive pulley coupled to an output shaft of an electric motor to be rotated therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning floor surfaces. The apparatus comprises a floor buffing machine that has both a handle portion and a main body. The main body has a bottom-mounted buffer pad and a top-mounted motor which is connected to a control box located on the handle portion. The motor can be set in one of two different positions that either allow the buffer pad to perform in a rotary mode or an oscillating mode.

Abstract: In a cleaning device 10, a dustpan portion 23 is supported to a frame 15 so as to freely oscillate independently from a scraping up body 16 in a vertical direction, and a dust receiving portion 23C of the dustpan portion 23 is supported so as to be disconnected from the frame 15.

Abstract: A brush that simultaneously cleans and/or polishes floors and baseboards. The brush is adapted to be utilized with conventional buffing machines and will easily fit conventional water control rings. In its cleaning mode, the brush incorporates bristles on its planar undersurface and also entirely around its peripheral wall. When employed to polish, a polishing pad is positioned beneath the undersurface of the brush as is conventional in the art. A unique polishing pad is secured around the peripheral wall of the brush for contacting and polishing the baseboards.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved mechanical coupling for rapidly adjusting the elevation of a working edge portion of a tool which working edge portion is subject to wear that decreases the effective length of the working edge portion. In one embodiment, the bristles of a drum-type brush comprise the working edge portion. Once the working edge is properly adjusted with respect to a work surface, the amount of downforce imparted by the working edge and the pattern of the working edge on a work surface are maximized. In use an operator compares the length of the working edge to a first indicia set displayed adjacent the working edge and adjusts the elevation of the working edge with reference to a second indicia set which corresponds to the first indicia set. Surface maintenance vehicles which support an adjustable height tool with a working edge that wears down may utilize the present invention.

Abstract: A floor machine for cleaning floors with a rotary brush or buffer includes (1) a base assembly having a motor and skirt with no frame and (2) a handle and frame assembly. The frame/handle assembly can readily be attached to the base assembly by a simple engagement of the frame to a support mounted on the housing of the motor. This permits (1) the handle and frame assembly to be packaged in a shipping carton which need only be tall enough to accommodate the wheel diameter of the handle/frame assembly and (2) the base assembly of motor and skirt to be packaged in a second carton having a size which need only accommodate such base/motor and skirt assembly with no significant wasted space.

Abstract: A lane maintenance machine has a cleaning system that includes at least one cleaning liquid dispensing head which reciprocates back and forth transversely of the lane as the machine travels along the length of the lane. In a preferred embodiment the dispensing head emits successive squirts of liquid from a positive displacement pump, such as a peristaltic pump. The positive displacement pump provides accurate, precise metering of the cleaning liquid and affords board-by-board control of the dispensing action. A wiping assembly immediately behind the cleaning liquid dispensing head provides a web of cloth-like material looped under a compressible backup roller to wipe the applied liquid into a thin film and to pick up a measure of the liquid along with oil and dirt.

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 control system for controlling the work output delivered to a floor surface by a work tool associated with a floor maintenance machine, such as a burnisher, is provided. In one embodiment, a voltage regulator regulates the voltage provided to the motor assembly that drives the work tool. A current sensor monitors the motor current drawn by the motor assembly and provides a signal representative thereof to a controller. The controller also receives as an input a work selector signal representative of a desired level of work output. Based on the work selector signal and the sensed motor current, the controller provides a control signal to an actuator. In response to the control signal, the actuator raises or lowers the work tool relative to the floor as need to control the work output delivered to the floor.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle for displacing manure in a stable or field which comprises a steering unit for steering the vehicle and a frame. Two wheels and a manure displacing blade which depend from the frame provide the entire support for the vehicle, the vehicle's center of gravity being in an axis which falls between the wheels and the blade. A freely turnable circular bumper is also carried by the frame and prevents the vehicle from colliding with obstacles in the area wherein it operates. The vehicle also includes orientation and steering components as well as sensors for controlling the course of travel of the vehicle within the area and, such as the circular bumper, to prevent it from colliding with obstacles in the area.

Abstract: A control system for estimating the approximate relative position of an electric linear actuator on a surface maintenance machine. The control system includes device for selectively coupling the electric motor of the linear actuator to the electric power source, device for measuring or estimating the current and voltage of the electric motor, device for estimating the motor speed based on the measured values of current and voltage, and storage device for storing values of estimated motor speed and integrating device for determining approximate linear actuator position, wherein the integrating device integrates the motor speed over time to determine the approximate position of the linear actuator position.

Abstract: A battery-powered, upright vacuum sweeper comprises a base assembly and a handle pivotably attached thereto. The base assembly comprises a vacuum fan assembly fluidly communicating with an inlet for vacuuming dust and the debris particles from a surface into a removable reservoir. A rotating roller brush attached to the base assembly sweeps the particles into the inlet. A dust pad assembly comprises a disposable dust cloth extending over a portion of the base assembly in contact with the surface to be cleaned for removing dust particles which are not removed by vacuuming.

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 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: The invention relates to a surface treating machine, comprising: a frame (1) and a chassis (2, 3) to enable the machine to move over a surface (S) such as a floor. A head (5) is supported by the frame and comprises means (6) for directly contacting, scrubbing or maintaining said surface. The head (5) is freely movable up and down with respect to the chassis (2, 3) and is loaded downwardly by a pressure to adapt to the level of the surface. At least a part of the pressure on the head (5) is derived from the weight of the machine itself. Preferably, the head (5) is connected to a first lever arm (8) of a two armed lever (7) A second arm (9) of the lever (7) is connected to the chassis (2, 3), whereas a pivoting point (10) of the lever (7) is fixed to the frame (1) of the machine. In this way, the pressure on the head is not only provided by the weight of the machine, but the head is also easily adapting to ramps and descents in the surfaces, while the pressure on the head is maintained.

Abstract: An apparatus for use on comprising a vehicle adapted to move across a surface and responsive to an operator. A head assembly connected to a support on the vehicle is adapted to carry a device for engaging the surface. An actuator on the vehicle raises and lowers the head assembly support relative to the surface. A position control responsive to operator input indicates a head position of the device relative to the surface or range of head positions of the device head assembly relative to the surface support. The head position or the range of head positions indicates a distance or range of distances, respectively, between the device and the surface. A controller responsive to the position control selectively actuates the actuator or maintain the device head assembly in the head position or within the range of head positions as indicated by the position control.