Abstract: The floor cleaning machine is designed for both side-to-side and for linear straight path operation. This is accomplished by having at least one recessed rear transport wheel and at least one side-mounted support wheel. The rear transport wheel is recessed and is used for floor machine transport. The side-mounted wheels are adjustable in a rotatable or a vertical plane and are used in a lowered orientation to support the floor cleaning machine for straight path operation. These side-mounted wheels are in a raised position when the floor cleaning machine is to be used in a side-to-side cleaning operation. Thus the position of the side-mounted wheels determine the mode of operation of the floor cleaning machine. Whether used for straight ahead operation or side-to-side operation, the recessed transport wheels will be used to move the floor cleaning machine from location to location.

Abstract: A rotary floor machine having a base, a pole handle, a pole structure, a handlebar, a trigger bar, and a lock-out device. The pole handle is pivotally secured to the base and is movable between a vertical position and a rear angular position. The pole structure is secured to the pole handle. The handlebar is secured to the pole structure so as to be substantially perpendicular to the pole handle. The trigger bar controls the starting and stopping of the rotary floor machine and is mounted to the handlebar so as to be movable between proximate and distal positions relative to the handlebar. The trigger bar starts the rotary floor machine when in the proximate position and stops the rotary floor machine when in the distal position. The lock-out device has an element that is movable between a blocking position and an un-blocking position in response to movement of the pole handle between the vertical position and the rear angular position.

Abstract: A floor cleaner device is described comprising a rolling support on which is mounted a tiltable handle that can be secured in various angular positions during use by means of a set of solenoid actuated locking pins which engage a set of bores defined on the handle frame. During use, the device is balanced between a first set of wheels and a rotatable cleaning element. A second set of wheels is maintained in an elevated position by the handles during use and out of contact with the floor surface which is being cleaned. To conserve space during storage and when not in immediate use, the device may be positioned in an upright position and stable manner by tilting the handle to a vertical position and engaging the actuated pins into the appropriate bores to effect upright positioning. This tilt configuration will lower the second set of wheels into contact with a floor surface, and balance the device between the two sets of wheels, and consequently the device will occupy less space.

Abstract: A bowling lane maintenance machine is operable at different speeds for applying selected lane dressing profiles to the lane and for reducing the time required for performing lane maintenance, including cleaning. In the preferred machine, absorbent wicks are used to transfer lane dressing from a reservoir to an applicator assembly. Lane dressing is recycled through an overflow in the reservoir to maintain a constant level and thereby maintaining a constant transfer rate through the wicks. The preferred machine also includes a cleaning assembly for applying a cleaning liquid to the lane and removing the liquid into a spent liquid storage tank. A vacuum pump induces air flow through the cleaning assembly for removing spent cleaning liquid which subjects the liquid in the tank to foaming. A controller stops the vacuum pump for a selected time in order to allow the foam to settle and then restarts the pump.

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

Abstract: A coating machine comprising a tank for holding a quantity of coating material, a conduit connected to the tank for conveying coating material from the tank and dispensing coating material onto a surface and a coating material spreading arrangement extending from the tank and the conduit for spreading coating material, the arrangement including a first blade, a brush, a middle blade, a pair of end blades forming a box with the first and middle blades and a finish blade of sufficient width to remove the tracks of the end blades.

Abstract: A bowling lane maintenance machine includes a shiftable head operable for discharging successive streams of lane dressing during successive passes along the length of an applicator assembly in order to apply lane dressing to a bowling lane according to a predetermined pattern. The preferred embodiment includes a positive displacement pump that delivers successive equal volumes of lane dressing so that the resulting streams are precisely controlled despite variations in the viscosity of the lane dressing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a window cleaning device for large building that will clean multiple windows of the building in a single pass. The apparatus consist of a tubular housing having a water dispenser, scrubbing and window drying equipment within. The apparatus is lowered by cables from the top of the building and pivots from a guide track which is positioned along the buildings perimeter edges. The washing and drying equipment are retractable for disengagement with the window surface after cleaning allowing for repositioning of the device on the building for cleaning purposes.

Abstract: A janitorial cart is small, and narrow enough for use indoors, and will pass through conventional-width doorways. The cart is electrically powered, and the batteries are mounted very low so the lower center of gravity will stabilize the cart. The steering mechanism utilizes a single, rear wheel that can be turned about 90.degree. in each direction to give the cart a small turning radius. Accessories can be mounted on the front and/or the rear of the cart. The preferred accessory for the front is a dust mop apparatus for dust mopping large floor areas, but it is contemplated that brushes, burnishers and carpet sweepers will also be used. The rear accessory is contemplated to be a container for materials or supplies.

Abstract: A surface conditioning assembly and method is disclosed. The conditioning assembly includes a frame support, a vibration generating apparatus for moving the frame support relative to the surface, at least one guide member for guiding the frame support as the support is moved relative to the surface, and a surface conditioning material mounted to the frame support for conditioning the surface. The method includes the steps of positioning a conditioning assembly on the surface, operating the vibration generating apparatus to apply vibrational forces to the conditioning assembly to urge the guide member against the track structure and move the conditioning assembly relative to the surface, and conditioning the surface with a surface conditioning material carried by the conditioning assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus applies dressing fluid to a bowling lane surface in a discrete pattern laterally across a plurality of zones on the bowling lane. A carriage, for movement along a bowling lane, has an applicator mounted thereon for applying the dressing fluid to the bowling lane surface. Dressing fluid is supplied from a reservoir by a plurality of pulse valves which supply the dressing fluid to a plurality of fluid dispersion chambers, each having an inlet connected to one of the pulse valves and having an outlet positioned to apply dressing fluid to the applicator. The outlet has a width equal to the width of one of the zones. A controller is provided for selectively activating each of the pulse valves to discharge a discrete amount of fluid dressing into each dispersion chamber. Each zone may be the width of one board across the bowling alley so that different discrete amounts of oil can be applied to each board.

Abstract: A floor polishing machine (10) according to the preferred form of the teachings of the present invention includes a body portion (12) having a platform (20), and a handle (16) pivotally mounted to the platform (20). First and second sets of wheels (68, 70) are provided adjacent the rear of the platform (20) and on opposite sides of the handle pivot (50). For coupling the handle (16) and the platform (20) together, a gas spring (53) is provided having a first end pivotally connected to the platform (20) and having a second end pivotally connected to the handle (16). The gas spring (53) urges the platform to pivot about the first set of wheels (68) downwardly in the rear and upwardly in the front. The motor (24) for rotating the polishing member (14) is pivotally mounted to the platform (20) by ears (23) so that the polishing member (14) can flushly abut the floor surface.

Abstract: A cleaning mop has a cylindrical roller formed of adjacent disk-shaped rings of resilient foam material which engages and rotates relative to a floor surface to be cleaned to scrub the surface when the mop is pushed in a forward direction and picks up particles of debris when the mop is moved in either direction. When the mop is pushed in a forward direction; the roller is engaged by a drive mechanism to rotate; a valve opens and cleaning liquid flows onto the roller from an onboard reservoir and a gap is formed between the rings by separator fingers as they approach the floor surface; the roller rings engage and move relative to the floor surface and the gap closes to capture particles of debris between the rings; and the dirty liquid and particles carried around the circumferential path on the roller are removed by a squeegee plate and collected in an onboard collection tank.

Abstract: A device for cleaning floors or other hard surfaces is disclosed. The device includes a roller, a shear member, and a pump. The cylindrical surface of the roller contacts a hard surface as it is being cleaned. The roller has an absorbent outer surface adapted to scrub the hard surface and remove a waste fluid from the hard surface. The shear member may take various forms, such as a fixed blade or a squeeze roller. The shear member selectively contacts the absorbent outer surface of the roller and channels away a fluid previously absorbed in the absorbent outer surface of the roller. The pump conveys away a fluid removed from the roller by the shear member. The device may be used much like a mop for cleaning floors, and is particularly suited for residential use by consumers.

Abstract: A bowling lane maintenance machine is operable at different speeds for applying selected lane dressing profiles to the lane and for reducing the time required for performing lane maintenance, including cleaning. In the preferred machine, absorbent wicks are used to transfer lane dressing from a reservoir to an applicator assembly. Lane dressing is recycled through an overflow in the reservoir to maintain a constant level and thereby maintaining a constant transfer rate through the wicks. The preferred machine also includes a cleaning assembly for applying a cleaning liquid to the lane and removing the liquid into a spent liquid storage tank. A vacuum pump induces air flow through the cleaning assembly for removing spent cleaning liquid which subjects the liquid in the tank to foaming. A controller stops the vacuum pump for a selected time in order to allow the foam to settle and then restarts the pump.

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

Abstract: An apparatus applies dressing fluid to a bowling lane surface in a discrete pattern laterally across a plurality of zones on the bowling lane. A carriage, for movement along a bowling lane, has an applicator mounted thereon for applying the dressing fluid to the bowling lane surface. Dressing fluid is supplied from a reservoir by means off a plurality of pulse valves which supply the dressing fluid to a plurality of fluid dispersion chambers, each having an inlet connected to one of the pulse valves and having an outlet positioned to apply dressing fluid to the applicator. The outlet has a width equal to the width of one of the zones. A controller is provided for selectively activating each of the pulse valves to discharge a discrete amount of fluid dressing into each dispersion chamber. Each zone may be the width of one board across the bowling alley so that different discrete amounts of oil can be applied to each board.

Abstract: A mobile surface scrubber for scrubbing a surface wetted with cleaning solution. The scrubber comprises a frame, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted on the frame, scrub brush means attached to the frame and positioned to scrub the wetted surface as the scrubber is transported over the surface, and a recovery system for recovering cleaning solution from the surface. The recovery system includes a return tank for retaining recovered cleaning solution, a rear squeegee pivotally connected to the frame, and left and right side squeegees mounted on the frame. The rear squeegee is positionable to contact the surface behind the scrub brush means when the scrubber is transported in the forward direction. The side squeegees are unvaryingly oriented with respect to the frame and positionable to contact the surface on opposite sides of the scrub brush means.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a pad to a rotary pad machine. The apparatus includes a base piece and a retainer piece. The base piece includes a plurality of base teeth and is attached to a pad driver disc of the rotary pad machine. The retainer piece includes quick-release tabs having locking ribs. When the retainer piece is inserted into the base piece, the locking ribs lock into the base teeth to hold the retainer piece to the base piece. Flanges on the base piece and the retainer piece hold the pad therebetween. To tighten the rotary pad holder, the retainer piece is pressed closer to the base piece until the locking ribs lock into the appropriate base teeth. To loosen the rotary pad holder or change pads, the quick-release tabs are pressed in towards each other which unlocks the locking ribs from the base teeth and the retainer piece can be removed from the base piece.

Abstract: In a floor-surface polisher in which floor-surface is polished by a pad which is mounted within a pad cover and rotated at a high speed by a motor during the traveling operation of the polisher, a floor-surface polisher equipped with a function for adjusting a pad pressure being characterized in that the pad is resiliently supported by a support force, the support force directing upwardly to separate the pad away from the floor-surface, a plurality of very small spaces being formed within the pad so that a drawing force for lowering the pad toward the floor-surface against the upwardly-directing support force will be generated during a high speed rotation of the pad, electric-current value setter for adjusting, either automatically or manually, an electric-current value of the motor to a pre-set value, the setter being mounted on a control portion of the pad motor.

Abstract: A cleaner comprises a driving unit which moves the cleaner, a cleaner unit which cleans an object to be cleaned, a sensor by which a degree of dirt on the object is detected, and a driving controller which controls the driving unit on the basis of the detected degree of dirt. The cleaner unit further comprises a controller which compares the degrees of dirt detected by the sensor before and after a cleaning operation.

Abstract: A floor burnisher having a frame, a peripheral housing, rear wheels and a front caster, the housing having an internal cylindrical wall defining a vertical chamber having an open bottom; a floating rotational drive motor in the chamber, and a rotational pad-driver underlying and connected to the motor to be rotationally driven thereby for mounting a flexible burnishing pad; suspension links and springs between the frame and drive motor suspending the drive motor, pad-driver and pad thereon in a floating fashion relative to the frame and housing, allowing limited vertical movement relative to the cylindrical wall; a flexible, peripheral, floor-engagement skin suspended from the peripheral housing shroud, and an air flow control sealing member between the motor and annular wall for preventing excessive air flow between the floating motor and wall into the burnisher wall chamber.

Abstract: Drive disk (1) intended for a machine for the repair and/or maintenance of floors, of the type including a motor capable of rotationally driving at least one rotary tool (2) through the use of a drive shaft (3), said disk being produced from a material which is supple perpendicular to its plane but which is rigid in its plane. According to the invention, the drive disk is noteworthy in that the cavity (10) formed between said rigid circular plate (4) and said diaphragm (5) is leaktight and contains a fluid, especially a liquid, for example water, keeping said diaphragm (5) taut.

Abstract: A squeegee assembly for use in a floor cleaning machine includes a housing which includes a forward plate and a rearward plate. The opposed ends of the forward plate and the rearward plate converge toward one another to form an interior wedge. One or more squeegee blades are disposed within the housing of the squeegee assembly adjacent to the forward and rearward plates thereof. A pair of wedge bars are provided within the housing of the squeegee assembly for releasably securing the squeegee blades thereto. The wedge bars are preferably identical, each having an outer shape which corresponds to the shape of the interior wedge defined by the forward and rearward plates. A wedge member is provided for moving the wedge bars between an engaged position, wherein the squeegee blades are frictionally engaged between the wedge bars and the forward and rearward plates, and a disengaged position, wherein the squeegee blades are not frictionally engaged between the wedge bars and the forward and rearward plates.

Abstract: A floor mopping machine for automatic mopping of the floor is disclosed comprising a movable housing and a rotatable mopping member including a plurality of spongy mop pieces capable of soaking liquid and releasing the same when pressed. The spongy mop pieces are provided in a manner such that during a rotation of the mopping member, the mop pieces are pressed on the floor and/or wall-wall and wall-floor corners. The machine further includes a rotating member for rotating the mopping means; a receptacle for storing and dispensing aqueous cleaning medium to the spongy mop pieces; a pressing member for pressing the spongy mop members to release the liquid held by the said members, and a collector for collecting the liquid released by the spongy mop pieces.

Abstract: This invention relates to a ultra-speed conversion apparatus for floor treating machines which comprises a wheeled frame, an impeller member attached to the floor treating drive of the floor treating machines for rotation therewith, a plurality of floor treating element holders journaled through the impeller member and circumferentially spaced near the perimeter thereof. The floor treating element holders rotatably move in a track on the frame as the impeller member rotates. Ultra-speed floor treating elements are fastenable to the floor treating element holders which are capable of rotating in excess of 6600 rpm; whereas, the impeller member rotates at approximately 175 rpm. Because of such ultra speeds, the ultra-speed floor treating elements can burnish, strip, sand paper, wax, clean the floors including carpets and rugs more conveniently, faster, and more effectively than slower speed floor treating elements on floor treating machines not using this invention.

Abstract: A traveling device having a frame means, and a moving means mounted on the frame means and moving on a travel surface, the moving means comprising a plurality of wheels, or a plurality of endless tracks each including a plurality of belt pulleys is disclosed. The frame means includes a main frame, a pair of oscillating frames arranged on both sides of the main frame, and a connecting frame disposed on one end portion side of the main frame. A central portion of the connecting frame is coupled to the main frame via a monoaxially oscillating joint means, both end portions of the connecting frame are coupled to one end portion of each of the oscillating frames via an omniaxially oscillating joint means, and the other end portion of each of the oscillating frames is coupled to both side portions of the other end portion of the main frame via a biaxially oscillating joint means.

Abstract: A maintenance vehicle with a suction roller constructed as a water-removing device is used for preparing, for the purpose of achieving an optimum condition, a natural grass playing field for soccer games or the like. This suction roller is essentially a perforated drum-shaped roller with a foam-rubber coating surrounding it. A weight roller lies approximately on top on the suction roller and is rotatably supported axially parallel to same, and a catching trough is positioned in the suction roller with a pipeline leading into a water tank for the purpose of emptying the trough. This maintenance vehicle also has a lawn verticulator, a surface roller, and a warm-air blower for drying or aerating the playing field. Thus, it is possible to remove accumulating rain water on a playing field within the shortest possible time, so that soccer games can take place independently of the respective weather conditions and the terrain can be maintained in an optimum condition.

Abstract: A container for cleaning liquid solution for a carpet dry cleaning apparatus includes an outer wall having a cylindrical front portion and a flat back portion, an annular bottom wall at the bottom edge of the front portion of the outer wall, a top wall extending across the top edge of the outer wall, an inner wall extending around the inner edge of the bottom wall spaced inwardly from and extending along a portion of the front portion of the outer wall, and an inner bottom wall extending from the top edge of the inner wall to the back portion of the outer wall. The walls form a chamber for the cleaning liquid solution which extends across a portion of the inner bottom wall and annularly between the inner wall and the front portion of the outer wall. The container is adapted to fit over and around a motor mounted on a base of a carpet dry cleaning machine and can be secured to the base by screws extending from the bottom wall into the base.

Abstract: An apparatus applies dressing fluid to a bowling lane surface in a discreet pattern laterally across a plurality of zones on the bowling lane. A carriage, for movement along a bowling lane, has an applicator mounted thereon for applying the dressing fluid to the bowling lane surface. Dressing fluid is supplied from a reservoir by a plurality of pulse valves which supply the dressing fluid to a plurality of fluid dispersion chambers, each having an inlet connected to one of the pulse valves and having an outlet positioned to apply dressing fluid to the applicator. The outlet has a width equal to the width of one of the zones. A controller is provided for selectively activating each of the pulse valves to discharge a discrete amount of fluid dressing into each dispersion chamber. Each zone may be the width of one board across the bowling alley so that different discrete amounts of oil can be applied to each board.

Abstract: A floor cleaning assembly including a gimballing connector is disclosed. The floor cleaning assembly includes a mounting member having an annular ring of bristles attached to the bottom surface thereof. The upper surface includes a centrally disposed hub and plurality of spokes and passageways extending radially therefrom. An annular barrier wall disposed adjacent the passageways extends upwardly from the upper surface of the barrier wall. The floor assembly is coupled to a motor drive by a gimballing connector which allows the axis of rotation of the floor assembly to shift relative to the axis of rotation of the motor drive. The geometry of the gimballing connector results in an evenly distributed wear pattern on the gimballing surface of the connector.

Abstract: A vibration type floor sweeper comprising a mounting frame; a motor mounted on the mounting frame; at least two movable supporting points; and a pad or brush having an overall square-shaped configuration movably mounted on a bottom surface of the mounting frame through the movable supporting points, the pad or brush being horizontally vibrated by eccentric operation of the motor.

Abstract: A rotary brush floor polisher is provided with an upper and a lower disk member movably connected with each other through a shock absorbing member interposed therebetween, on which lower disk member is fixedly mounted a polishing brush or pad which is rotatably driven by an electric motor to glide over a floor to polish and clean the same. The polisher is characterized by the shock absorbing member each of which is interposed: between the upper and the lower disk member; and between the electric motor and a platform on which the motor is mounted. The shock absorbing member has a simple and compact construction which: realizes reduction in size of the polisher; reduces vibrations and noise in operation; and eliminates a fear that the operator's fingers and like objects are sandwiched between the upper and the lower disk member by mistake in operation to ensure a safety operation of the polisher.

Abstract: A groomer attachment for forklift vehicles includes an elongated rigid member having a top and a bottom. A pair of spaced-apart fork receiving pockets are connected to the rigid member. A flexible blade extends from the bottom of the rigid member. Preferably the rigid member has a front and a rear. The attachment then has a pair of spaced-apart flexible blades extending from the bottom of the rigid member, a first blade being adjacent the front thereof and a second blade being adjacent the rear thereof. The rigid member may be channel-shaped.

Abstract: A combined floor cleaning and floor polishing machine comprises a motor housing (1), an inclined operator handle (2), a base (3) with castors (4) and a motor-operated shaft (5) for a rotating disc (7) supporting interchangeably a cleaning pad or polishing pad, so that the machine weight is carried partly on the pad and partly on the castors (4). If the handle (2) is tilted the machine moves laterally to one side or other in dependence upon the direction of tilt. The use of elastomeric torsion blocks (8) to connect the motor housing (1) to the base (3) provides an elastic resistive force in either tilt direction and thus improves controllability of the cleaning/polishing movement in either lateral direction, by a simple, robust and inexpensive construction.

Abstract: A rotary, floor polishing and scrubbing pad for a rotary floor polishing machine is provided and includes an elongated member having a generally hourglass shape. The hourglass shape is defined by oppositely disposed, concave side walls extending between a pair of spaced apart outer walls. The concave side walls define cutting edges for cutting away dirt and wax on a floor and then slinging any loosened debris away from the polishing and scrubbing pad during rotation thereof by the rotary floor polishing machine.

Abstract: In a floor scrubbing machine, side squeegees for control of water on the floor are mounted with linkages that include vertical pivots so the squeegees can swing from side to side. They are interconnected with a tie rod so they swing in unison. A rear squeegee swings to one side or the other when the machine turns due to friction with the floor. A push-pull cable is connected between the rear squeegee mounting linkage and the linkage of a side squeegee to cause the side squeegees to swing or steer during turns. This positions them to effectively control water on the floor during a turn, and reduces squeegee wear. An alternative to steering them with the rear squeegee is to steer them with a hydraulic cylinder plumbed into the machine's power steering system.

Abstract: A bowling lane dressing apparatus is provided which has a carriage for movement along the bowling lane between the foul line and the pit. Drive wheels are rotatably mounted on the carriage for moving the carriage along the bowling lane by means of drive means connected thereto. A lane buffer roller is journaled on the carriage in lane-contacting relation which extends transversely to the direction of travel. A reservoir is mounted in the carriage for storage of lane-dressing fluid. A transfer roller is mounted in rolling engagement with the lane buffer roller and in fluid communication with the reservoir for transferring fluid from the reservoir to the lane buffing roller. Variable speed drive motor is connected to the drive wheels for rotating them at variable speeds to vary the speed of the carriage as it moves along the bowling lane to vary the rate of transfer of fluid to the bowling lane surface by the lane buffer roller.

Abstract: A floor treating machine includes an electric motor, batteries free from leakage and mounted on a motor deck for supplying a current to the electric motor, a rotary shaft extending vertically and driven by the electric motor, and a floor treating device, such as a brush or sponge, detachably attached to a lower end of the rotary shaft to be rotatable therewith. The floor treating device contacts a floor and supports the machine during a floor treating operation. The electric motor is connected to the batteries through an on/off switch. The floor treating machine further includes a rotating rate varying device operable upon start of the electric motor for gradually increasing a rotating rate of the electric motor to reach a predetermined operational rotating rate after lapse of a predetermined time.

Abstract: A high-speed conversion for floor treating machines which comprises a wheeled frame, an impeller member attached to the floor treating drive of a floor treating machine for rotation therewith, a plurality of speed accelerators fixedly attached to the impeller member and having an end portion thereof engaging the frame and having an opposite end portion fixedly attached to a roller for engaging a floor treating element support which is rotatably journaled to the impeller member. A floor treating element such as a brush, pad, or sand paper is fastenable to the floor-facing side of the floor treating element support for rotatable engagement to the floors. In operation, the impeller member rotates at a speed up to 300 rpm and the speed accelerators rotate the floor treating element and support at speeds capable of exceeding 2500 rpm.

Abstract: A coupler is disclosed for coupling floor maintenance pads to a driven pad disc. The coupler has one part for mounting on the driven disc and a second part which threads to the first part for holding and centering a maintenance pad to a disc. A lock arrangement is provided for preventing the coupler from becoming unthreaded during operation. The locking arrangement is formed by a detent mechanism. One part of the detent mechanism is formed on the first part and another cooperating part of the detent mechanism is formed on the second part. When the coupler parts are threaded together to secure a pad, the detent mechanism engages and provides a resisting force against unthreading. In another embodiment, wedge-shaped projections are formed on one part of the coupler for engaging a pad and resisting loosening.

Abstract: A carpet wheel is provided for a rotary cleaning apparatus of the type having an electric motor in a housing, a brush member attached to a drive shaft of the motor, a holding tank for a liquid cleaning fluid and a handle extending at an angle upwardly from the holding tank. The carpet wheel comprises a circular shaped base member. Elements are on the base member in a pattern, for forming a plurality of radially extending grooves. The groove forming elements can be releasably positioned against the underside of the brush member, to be rotated thereabout. A plurality of balls are also provided. A structure is for rotatively carrying the balls in the base member, in spaced apart radially extending locations under every other groove, so that the balls will contact and roll upon a carpet.

Abstract: An apparatus for dry cleaning carpets and the like includes a base having a pad holder at its bottom and a motor on its top. The motor is connected to the pad holder to rotate the pad holder. A handle extends from the base and wheels are mounted on the base. A liquid cleaning solution container is mounted on the motor. A bottom plate having an annular flange extending downwardly from its periphery is mounted on and secured to the top of the motor by bolts extending through the bottom plate and threaded into the motor. A top plate having an annular flange extending upwardly from its periphery is mounted on and secured to the bottom of the container by bolts extending from the container through holes in the top plate and nuts threaded on the bolts. The top plate is seated on the bottom plate, and a rigid but slightly resilient pad is provided between the top and bottom plates.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling a floor-treating unit to a rod-like device for guiding the floor-treating unit includes a first coupling part and a second coupling part. The first coupling part is hingedly connected to the elongated rod at a hinge axis and the second coupling part is rotatably mounted on the floor-treating unit for rotatable movement about a generally horizontal rotational axis. The first coupling part is movably positioned in a slot in the second coupling part for movement between a first positional setting in which the second coupling part is locked against rotational movement, a second positional setting in which the rod is movable about the hinge axis to unlock the second coupling part and permit rotational movement of the second coupling part about the rotational axis, and a third positional setting in which the rod is movable about the hinge axis for being lowered over the floor-treating unit in a stored position.

Abstract: A polisher or scrubber having a rectangular pad that is driven in a random orbital path for polishing or scrubbing floors or surfaces in which it is incorporated into two basic embodiments, one being a heavy duty embodiment provided with an elongated telescopic handle that is permanently attached to the housing or casing of the orbital polisher by an offset yoke arrangement in which the tubular handle receives a power cord for supplying alternating current to the electric motor in the casing of the polisher. The other embodiment is a smaller unit and is provided with a detachable handle connected with the casing by quick connect and disconnect structure and an offset yoke to enable the polisher to be used in hard to reach places and easily converted to a hand held and manipulated polisher by quickly and easily removing the elongated telescopic handle from the casing.

Abstract: An electric floor and baseboard cleaning machine includes a motor assembly attached to a medium frame in which the movement thereof is adjustable for either straight line or circular motion. The medium frame has a fixed and pivotal sections and the pivotal sections can be manually adjusted from a vertical to a horizontal position. For cleaning vertical baseboards the pivotal section is secured in an upright posture and when used to clean floors it is affixed in a downward or horizontal position. Cleaning medium such as a non-woven pads are affixed to the medium frame and two such pads can be used, one for the pivotal frame section and the other for the fixed frame section. The cleaning machine provides an electric pump and liquid reservoir for directing a cleaning or other fluid as desired to a spray nozzle located near the cleaning medium.

Abstract: A deflooding tool for vacuum removal of liquid such as water or the like from carpets, rugs or other floor coverings. Preferably the tool comprises a rigid, hollow generally cubicle vacuum chamber disposed substantially vertically with respect to the flooded carpet. The vacuum chamber includes a lower, open suction inlet for intaking liquids to be removed, and vacuum is supplied to the chamber by an elongated, rigid, tubular handle angularly coupled at one end to the top rear of the vacuum chamber. The remote end of the handle terminates in a connection to a conventional vacuum source. Wheels are rigidly mounted at the bottom rear of the vacuum chamber for facilitating the tool. A generally cylindrical, rigid heavy roller is mounted at the bottom front of the vacuum chamber for compressing the carpet, rug or other floor covering to liberate liquids to be captured through the vacuum inlet. Preferably the ratio of the wheel diameter to the roller diameter is 10:7.

Abstract: An orbiter floor machine for treating floors, the floor machine having a top-hat-like housing with a handle extending upwardly toward a user. The floor machine includes a motor having a rotatable drive shaft extending therefrom, the drive shaft having a shaft axis. An annular flywheel has an axial opening that fixedly receives the drive shaft so that rotation of the drive shaft causes rotation of the flywheel. A bearing assembly has an eccentric aperture through which the drive shaft extends such that the bearing assembly has an axis that is radially spaced from the shaft axis. The bearing assembly is secured to the flywheel such that the rotation of the flywheel causing the bearing assembly to orbitally rotate such that the bearing axis orbits about the drive shaft axis. A counterbalance weight is secured to an outside perimeter of the flywheel in a position opposite to the bearing assembly axis with respect to the shaft axis.

Abstract: A booth for the spray coating of workpieces with a powder coating material has a cleaning device for cleaning the interior of the booth. The walls, ceiling and floor constitute the interior contour of the booth and the cleaning device is dimensioned so that a working gap exists between the cleaning device carrier and the interior contour of the booth. The working gap is bridged elastically by cleaning elements that scrape the booth interior to dislodge powder material that has settled. A vacuum source connected to the cleaning device then sucks the powder material released from the interior surfaces for recycling of the powder and cleaning of the booth.

Abstract: A scrubbing device attachable to rotary power sources comprising a stationary portion, a drive portion, an oscillating portion, and an abrasive portion. Rotary power applied to the drive portion causes the oscillating portion to oscillate linearly allowing the device user to scrub floor surfaces in corners and near adjacent walls.