Abstract: A power tool having a receptacle for securing a tool to a drive shaft thereof is disclosed. The receptacle comprises a receiving opening, preferably being arranged on the tool. The receiving opening engages a securing section preferably being provided in a raised fashion on the drive shaft of the power tool, thereby effecting a positive fit. The securing section comprises a plurality of rounded tips arranged at even radial distances from said longitudinal axis, at angular intervals between each other, each rounded tip having a pair of lateral flanks extending from a common apex toward an intermediate section connecting lateral flanks of a pair of adjacent rounded tips. Preferably the receiving opening comprises a number of rounded tips which is twice the number of rounded tips provided on the raised section.

Abstract: The systems for reducing dust emissions include a dust catch. In some cases, the dust catch includes an inlet and a discharger. The inlet can be arranged so that it surrounds an abrasive surface of an abrasion device, such as a sander. Dust generated by the abrasion surface can be captured in the inlet and discharged by the discharger. In various cases, the inlet is associated with a skirt including a dust screen. The methods can include attaching a dust catch to an abrasion device such that an inlet of the dust catch encompasses at least a portion of an outer perimeter of an abrasion surface associated with an abrasion device. The abrasion device can then be operated and at least a portion of dust generated by operating the abrasion device is captured by the dust catch.

Abstract: The present invention is a steering guide for surface cutting machines. The steering guide is made up of two sighting means that are connected to a surface cutting machine by a guide arm and are configured to align with the cutting edge portion of the saw blade. The first and second sighting means are visible by the sawyer while operating the device. Since the first and second sighting means are configured to align with the saw blade along a straight line, aligning the first and second sighting means with the guide line also aligns the cutting portion of the saw blade with the guideline. This enables the saw blade to be kept in alignment with the guideline while moving along a surface to be cut.

Abstract: A floor care method and machine are disclosed, wherein a replaceable floor care element (e.g., a cleaning pad, a brush, a polishing pad, etc.) is easily attached to and detached from the rest of the machine. For attaching the floor care element, an operator positions the machine (minus any floor care element) over the such an element so that components on the machine and/or the floor care element cause the floor care element to operationally align with the rotatable drive of the machine so that rotation of the drive in the direction used during floor care operations causes the floor care element to securely attach to the drive. Alternatively, to detach the floor care element, the direction of rotation can be reversed. The machine can then be tilted upwardly onto its rear wheels and rolled to a location where the floor care element is not underneath the rest of the machine.

Abstract: In a hand power tool for surface machining, with a vibrating plate, which is suspended on a housing by vibrating elements, and with an electromotively driven eccentric drive, which is contained in the housing and sets the vibrating plate into an orbital oscillating motion, in order to produce a housing that is rather flat and short, which can be manually controlled in the same way as a grasping block, the coupling point is situated between the eccentric drive and the vibrating plate, close to the front edge of the vibrating plate, while the elastic vibrating elements engage the vibrating plate close to the opposite edge of the vibrating plate.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide a burnishing pad, capable of removing dirt by burnishing a place (i.e., a dirty point) onto which dirt attaches to impart sufficient luster, and being biodegraded; a burnishing machine equipped with the burnishing pad; and a burnishing method using the burnishing pad. The burnishing pad of the invention is comprised of a lock-like fiber composite in which adjacent fibers are bonded at intersection thereof, wherein said fiber is at least one selected from the group consisting of a vegetable fiber and an animal fiber. And another burnishing pad is a fiber composite comprised of thick fibers of 150 ?m or more in fiber diameter. These pads can be equipped with a porous supporting layer, respectively. The porous supporting layer has a mean 5% modulus strength of 20 N/5 cm width or more at 70° C. and a unit area weight of 100 g/m2 or less.

Abstract: A conical disk having an obtuse angle that is attached to a rotary tool, like a power drill for example, as an accessory for the treatment and finishing, of surfaces, like sanding, for example. By virtue of its shape, the disk enables an even treatment of surfaces with a minimal effort, with uniform wear of the materials in friction, while preventing undesirable vibrations and forced operation that provoke continuous disengagement from the rotary tool. Other than its different shape, the disk (24) is similar to conventional disks, comprising basically two elements: A surface treating side (26) and attachment means (32).

Abstract: Disclosed is a surface finishing pad for fitting to a base plate of a surface-finishing machine. The Surface finishing pad includes a retaining disc for attachment to the base plate. The retaining disc contains engaging means for engaging a mounting pad onto which one or more surface finishing discs may be attached. The mounting pad includes retaining disc engagement means complementary to the mounting pad engagement means, wherein an interference fit between the retaining disc and mounting pad engagement means provides for the mounting pad to be releasably fitted on to the retaining disc. In use, the mounting pad is retained on the retaining disc as a result of the interference fit between the retaining disc and mounting pad engagement means.

Abstract: A power tool having a receptacle for securing a tool to a drive shaft thereof is diclosed. The receptacle comprises a receiving opening, preferably being arranged on the tool. The receiving opening engages a securing section preferably being provided in a raised fashion on the drive shaft of the power tool, thereby effecting a positive fit therebetween. The receiving opening has a cross section comprising a plurality of bulges displaced outwardly from a center axis of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A floating sanding mechanism is provided including a handle, support arm secured to an extending from the handle and a support arm mounting plate pivotally engaged to the support arm. A counter-weight support plate pivotally engaged to the support arm mounting plate and the plurality of resilient members connect to the support arm mounting plate to the counter-weight support plate, so as to pivotally bias the counter-weight support plate in a predetermined orientation, e.g. generally parallel to the support arm mounting plate. A plurality of counter-weights are secured to the counter-weight support plate, proximate a perimeter thereof. A rotating sanding surface is mechanically coupled to the counter-weight support plate and translatable to infinite orientations therewith. The resilient members and the counter-weights are selected such that the sanding surface generally follows the contours of the surface to be sanded, overcoming the opposition of the resilient members.

Abstract: Disclosed is a floor-treating machine having a frame with actuating means. A housing is attached to the frame such that it can rotate about a substantially vertical axis. At least three heads are mounted in the housing and each can rotate about a substantially vertical axis. The heads are provided on their bottom surface with treating means and/or coupling means for treating means to be coupled to. A shaft of the motor is concentric with respect to the vertical axis of the frame. The shaft is in driving interaction with the housing and the heads by means of respective transmissions. The transmission for driving the housing includes an auxiliary shaft that runs parallel to and at a distance from the axis of the frame. The auxiliary shaft is connected to the motor shaft via a first auxiliary transmission and to the housing via a second auxiliary transmission.

Abstract: A wood floor edger is disclosed herein. An embodiment of the edger comprises a housing and a motor. The housing comprises an opening and a rotatable abrasive disc located in the opening. The rotatable abrasive disc may have a diameter greater than six inches. The motor is operatively connected to the first housing and drivingly connected to the abrasive disc. A motor controller is electrically connected to the motor, wherein the motor is operatable at a speed that is preselected by the motor controller.

Abstract: A rotary power trowel machine for finishing concrete surfaces and more particularly to a quick adjustment mechanism for the pitch of the blades. The quick adjustment mechanism includes a control lever mounted on the operating handle of the trowel in a position to be easily grasped and operated by a trowel operator. The control lever changes the blade pitch through a mechanical advantage linkage which reduces the force applied to the control lever to adjust the blade pitch. The control lever includes a locking mechanism to lock the control handle and linkage in selected positions to lock the blades at a desired pitch angle. The locking mechanism includes a semicircular guide mounted on the trowel operating handle and extending through openings in the control lever. A locking device on the control lever lockingly engages the guide and is selectively locked and released from an upper end of the control lever.

Abstract: Of the type designed to be attached to the propeller-shaped bases or heads of a concrete grinder, to enhance the grinding effect of said propeller-shaped bases after the latter are used without disks, it is shaped like a cross, with four equal arms which are equiangularly distributed, in the shape of an isosceles trapezoid, each of which has a curved-convex end (1), forming part of the imaginary circumferential outline corresponding to the theoretical disk, and curved-concave side edges (2-2′), which are joined to each other without a break in continuity between adjoining arms and which define a deep concave indentation (3), whose path is circumferential and whose radius appreciably coincides with the theoretical radius of the disk, so that a pair of disks may be used in a concrete grinder with two heads, working on the same plane without touching each other, by means of offsetting them angularly from each other by 45°.

Abstract: The invention deals with a machine tool with a tool spindle holding device which is connected over at least one rod with a slide stand. The slide stand can move on a guide. The positioning of the tool spindle holding device is accompanied by the positioning of the slide stand. The tool spindle holding device carries at least two tool spindles.

Abstract: An abrasive article backup plate assembly and grinder system having an abrasive article backup plate assembly is disclosed. The abrasive article backup plate assembly includes an abrasive article having an abrasive surface that includes a viewing window within the abrasive surface. A support member is provided including a first major surface which supports the abrasive article. At least a portion of the support member is made of materials sufficiently clear to collectively see through the support member and the viewing window. A method of abrading a surface using a grinder system including the abrasive article backup plate assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A resilient sanding mechanism is provided for sanding the contours of a working surface, such as an aircraft body. The mechanism comprises an elongate frame having a frame axis, a sander mechanism pivotally engaged to the frame and having a sanding surface disposed distal to the frame. A resilient biasing apparatus is engageable to the sander mechanism and to the frame, for biasing the sander mechanism sanding surface in a predetermined orientation with respect to the frame axis.

Abstract: A resilient sanding mechanism is provided for sanding the contours of a working surface, such as an aircraft body. The mechanism comprises an elongate frame having a frame axis, a sander mechanism pivotally engaged to the frame and having a sanding surface disposed distal to the frame. A resilient biasing apparatus is engageable to the sander mechanism and to the frame, for biasing the sander mechanism sanding surface in a predetermined orientation with respect to the frame axis.

Abstract: A sanding machine comprises a housing with a drive arranged in the housing. A substantially flat sanding sole having a main plane is mounted on the housing for movement in the main plane. The sanding sole is adapted to drive in an oscillating movement. The sanding sole has a first part on which the drive engages and a second part adjacent to the first part, which is releasably connected to the first part. The second part can be removed and replaced with a third part, the third part being releasably connected to the first part. The third part can be an additional sanding surface or a base for another tool. A sanding element for use in a sanding machine in the form of a sanding sole assembled from a first part and a second part.

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: Disclosed is a floor-treating machine having a frame with actuating means. A housing is attached to the frame such that it can rotate about a substantially vertical axis. At least three heads are mounted in the housing and each can rotate about a substantially vertical axis. The heads are provided on their bottom surface with treating means and/or coupling means for treating means to be coupled to. A shaft of the motor is concentric with respect to the vertical axis of the frame. The shaft is in driving interaction with the housing and the heads by means of respective transmissions. The transmission for driving the housing includes an auxiliary shaft that runs parallel to and at a distance from the axis of the frame. The auxiliary shaft is connected to the motor shaft via a first auxiliary transmission and to the housing via a second auxiliary transmission.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for use with a conventional automobile hand polisher for use in polishing of floors. The device includes a detachable handle having a storage bin and an actuation leaver. The handle provides control of a high speed polisher in a stand-up position, the storage bin provides an area for the placement of weight and for storing of all items upon when not in use. By use of the disclosed handle, a high speed lightweight orbital polisher can be employed for providing a high gloss finish to most floor surfaces.

Abstract: A floor care method and machine are disclosed, wherein a replaceable floor care element (e.g., a cleaning pad, a brush, a polishing pad, etc.) is easily attached to and detached from the rest of the machine. For attaching the floor care element, an operator positions the machine (minus any floor care element) over the such an element so that components on the machine and/or the floor care element cause the floor care element to operationally align with the rotatable drive of the machine so that rotation of the drive in the direction used during floor care operations causes the floor care element to securely attach to the drive. Alternatively, to detach the floor care element, the direction of rotation can be reversed. The machine can then be tilted upwardly onto its rear wheels and rolled to a location where the floor care element is not underneath the rest of the machine.

Abstract: A floor care machine that includes a deck having a motor, a rotatable floor care element for engaging a floor surface, and a handle apparatus pivotally mounted to the deck is provided. Additionally, there are first and second sets of wheels toward the rear of the deck and on opposite sides of handle apparatus pivot attachment points. In addition to the attachment points, the handle apparatus and the deck are coupled together by a rigid handle link which is pivotally attached to the deck at one end and pivotally attached to the handle apparatus at the other end. The handle link communicates deck pivot forces between the deck and the handle apparatus, and in particular, communicates such forces resulting from a compressing or decompressing of a compressible component provided along the length of the handle apparatus.

Abstract: A battery powered floor maintenance machine is alignable with a battery docking station that can slidably receive a spent battery assembly from the floor maintenance machine. The floor maintenance machine includes locking and aligning mechanisms to safely attach the machine to the docking station. Once attached, the battery assembly is slid onto the docking station for recharge. The floor machine can be removed from the docking station and attached to a second charging station with a fully charged battery assembly thereon. The battery assembly can be slid from the second charging station to the floor maintenance machine, allowing the machine to be returned to service.

Abstract: Provided is a rotary surface treatment tool for removal of paint and other surface substances from such solid materials as wood. The device has a planar circular base which could be attached to a rotational driver via a center spindle. The front side of the base is has a plurality of planar protrusions such as thin flat wires. The protrusions run along the surface of the front side of the base protruding by a few millimeters and lying at an angle to the plane of the base. During operation, the base revolves around a central rotary axis and the front side of the base is applied to the surface to be treated. The planar protrusions positioned on the front side cut into the surface of the object and tear away surface material.

Abstract: The head assembly of a floor burnisher is suspended by a main lift assembly and a fine adjustment assembly. The main lift moves the head assembly between a raised position in which the pad assembly is raised and tilted for access, and a lowered position in which the pad driver is suspended slightly above the floor, ready for use. The fine adjustment assembly permits the operator to control very accurately and conveniently the final operating pressure of the pad when the burnisher is turned on.

Abstract: Provided is a rotary surface treatment tool for removal of paint and other surface substances from such solid materials as wood. The device has a planar circular base which could be attached to a rotational driver via a center spindle. The front side of the base is has a plurality of planar protrusions such as thin flat wires. The protrusions run along the surface of the front side of the base protruding by a few millimeters and lying at an angle to the plane of the base. During operation, the base revolves around a central rotary axis and the front side of the base is applied to the surface to be treated. The planar protrusions positioned on the front side cut into the surface of the object and tear away surface material.

Abstract: A burnishing machine having a burnishing motor in a motor compartment covered with a hood defining an air plenum having at least one air inlet positioned near the top of the hood spaced from the floor. The plenum includes a discharge outlet immediately adjacent the motor such that clean air is drawn through the air inlet, flows through the plenum to the discharge outlet for providing clean air to cool the burnishing motor.

Abstract: A vacuum shroud for a floor grinding machine has a rigid cover with a cylindrical skirt and a vacuum port. The skirt is concentrically disposed above the grinding wheel. A flexible cylindrical guard has a plurality of vertical ribs protruding inwardly from its upper portion against the lower outer periphery of the skirt and extends downwardly to a plane slightly above the plane of the grinding surface of the grinding wheel. The ribs and skirt define a plurality of vertical air inlet passages which communicate from outside the cover to the vacuum port. The guard bottom rim and the floor define an annular air inlet passage around the periphery of the grinding wheel which communicates from outside the guard to the vacuum port. The air flow caused by the vertical and annular air flow passages prevents dust and debris from escaping the shroud.

Abstract: A riding burnishing machine (10) includes a battery pack positioned as low as possible in the chassis (12) between the front and rear wheels (14, 15) and removable in a horizontal movement direction while supported by the bottom by a pallet jack. A steering system includes steering shafts (58, 76) which are rotatable together while allowing relative pivotable movement therebetween and which are rotatably connected to the spindle (38) of the steerable rear wheels (15) through a jack shaft (44). The burnishing head is raised and lowered relative to the floor surface by an electric actuator (104) which pivots a linkage (92) through a connection allowing floating travel. The pressure which the treating member (16) engages the floor surface is controlled in response to the current level of the electric motor (86) which rotates the treating member (16).

Abstract: A power sanding machine (10) has three circumferentially spaced cogged belts (40) that are under tension via bearings (36) to drive three discs (52). A grounded vacuum (16) with a metal canister (74) is mounted on the operating handle (14). An attachment has sanding rollers (85) that freewheel as the sander is operated.

Abstract: A grinding wheel replacement safety structure for handheld grinding wheel device is located between a transmission grinding wheel fitting end and an actuating push button, and includes a safety button, a stop in, a limit actuating link, a link spring, and a stop in spring. The safety button is located above an umbrella-shaped gear of the fitting end and has a button face projecting from a grinding wheel housing. The stop pin extends vertically across a rear end of the button face proximate to a hub of the gear. The limit actuating link extends transversely across an offset surrounding wall of the safety button proximate to the actuating push button. The link spring is fitted over the limit actuating link and the stop pin spring is fitted over a neck portion of the stop pin to respectively abut against the inner wall of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simple mechanical dual stage pressure control for a cleaning head operatively coupled to a cleaning vehicle for engaging a surface to be cleaned and to methods of engaging and using such a dual stage pressure control to perform surface cleaning, surface maintenance, surface conditioning and the like. While the present invention is described and depicted primarily with reference to a cleaning head having dual rotary scrubbing brushes, the present invention finds diverse application in the art of surface cleaning, maintenance, conditioning and the like. Accordingly, the present invention is readily adaptable to cleaning heads having one or more of the following applications, including without limitation, such cleaning heads designed and adapted to: burnish, polish, scrub, sweep, brush, treat and wipe a surface to be cleaned wherein an increased downforce is beneficially selectively applied to such cleaning head to increase the efficacy of such cleaning head.

Abstract: A border planing machine for wood floors comprising a footing provided with wheels and a handle, a structure which is hinged to the footing so as to rotate about a longitudinal axis and adapted to support abrasive disks on either side with respect to the longitudinal axis and to support elements for moving the disks so that the disks arranged on one side rotate in the opposite direction with respect to the disks arranged on the other side, and levers adapted to determine, following an actuation on the part of the operator, small rotations of the structure with respect to the longitudinal axis, in both directions.

Abstract: The present invention is floor conditioning system. The floor conditioning system improves the ease of use as compared to currently available sanding or polishing devices. Thereby, allowing the unsophisticated do-it-yourselfers to use a floor conditioning system. The floor conditioning system provides a random rotating orbital action which greatly improves the ability to control a floor conditioning system as well as providing a much nicer job of conditioning a floor. The floor conditioning system includes a main housing, wheel assembly, a handle assembly, a motor, a belt cover, a belt, a dust recovery system and orbital head assemblies.

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: To provide a polishing tool with which a coating surface can be polished smoothly with easy operation, the polishing tool includes a base member drivingly rotated by a drive unit and having a mounting surface perpendicular to its rotary axis, an elastic member to be mounted on the base member and a polishing member to be mounted on the elastic member. The elastic member has groove portions opened toward the polishing member side and extending from a center of the elastic member toward a circumferential edge thereof. The opening edges of the groove portions are linear from the center of the elastic member to the circumferential edge thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surface treating machine which comprises a frame (1) and an undercarriage (2, 3) to enable the machine to move over a surface (S). A head (5) is supported by the frame and includes a drive motor (13) and a tool (6) for directly contacting, scrubbing or treating said surface (S). The tool is rotatably drivable by means of the motor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing marine fouling from underwater substrates such as ships' hulls (10). The method is characterized by the steps of first subjecting marine organisms such as barnacles to an electrical field of sufficent intensity to degrade the adhesive properties of the organisms to the substrate, and thereafter physically removing said organisms with the help of rotating brushes (16) or similar abrasive removal means. The apparatus is characterized in that it includes a remotely operated submarine (12) or other suitable transport means, such as a vehicle with a magnetized caterpillar track, having a forwardly mounted electrode (14) for imparting an electric field to the organisms together with abrasive removal means (16) mounted behind the electrode for removal of the organisms. A power source (18) is provided, having one pole (20) connected to substrate (10) and a second pole connected to electrode (14).

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: A suspension device for coupling a surface maintenance appliance to a surface maintenance machine is disclosed. The suspension device includes a carriage member movably supported upon the maintenance machine through a plurality of linkages coupled to the carriage member. Together the plurality of linkages permit the carriage and surface maintenance appliance to follow undulations in the floor surface during operation of the surface maintenance machine. An actuator engages a lost motion device to lift the carriage member away from the ground surface. A variety of different floor surface maintenance appliances may be coupled to surface maintenance vehicles according to aspects of the present invention.

Abstract: An improved suspension system for coupling a surface maintenance tool or appliance to a surface maintenance machine is disclosed. In preferred embodiment, the suspension system includes a 4 bar linkage which permits the surface maintenance tool to be raised and lowered relative to the surface maintenance machine into selective contact with the floor surface, a spring assembly transferring spring force to the surface maintenance tool, and a selectively controllable actuator connected to the spring assembly for controlling a level of the spring force so that a controlled level of surface maintenance tool work is performed upon the floor surface.

Abstract: A dry method of concrete floor or concrete surface restoration uses the process of grinding a concrete surface to be resurfaced while extracting and retaining dust during the grinding process. The grinding process is repeated each time using finer grinding grit until a preselected degree of smoothness of the concrete surface is achieved. A sealer is applied to the concrete surface which has been ground to the predetermined degree of smoothness. In a preferred embodiment, two coats of sealer are applied and the sealer is preferably a water-based, odorless, penetrating alkaline siliconate solution. The method of the present invention limits down time to aisles and main areas during the restoration process, as well as limiting the dust and odor during the process to provide a lustrous smooth surface on the concrete.

Abstract: A method of both hardening/densifying and polishing a concrete surface includes the steps of first applying to the concrete surface a silicate, siliconate, fluorosilicate, siloxane, silazane, silicon ester, and/or silane hardening/densifying compound, allowing the compound to remain in contact with the surface for a period of time sufficient to allow it to soak into the surface of the concrete, optionally allowing the surface to thoroughly dry, and polishing the surface with water or a diluted silicate, siliconate, fluorosilicate, siloxane, silazane, silicon ester, and/or silane polishing compound. The polishing step includes the steps of applying to the concrete surface water or the diluted polishing compound, mechanically polishing the concrete surface, cleaning the concrete surface, and repeating these steps with polishing pads or discs of increasingly finer grit until the surface obtains the desired level of shine.

Abstract: A riding machine (10) includes a battery pack positioned as low as possible in the chassis (12) between the front and rear wheels (14, 15) and removable in a horizontal movement direction while supported by the bottom by a pallet jack. A steering system includes steering shafts (58, 76) which are rotatable together while allowing relative pivotable movement therebetween and which are rotatably connected to the spindle (38) of the steerable rear wheels (15) through a jack shaft (44). In one preferred form, the burnishing head of the machine (10) is raised and lowered relative to the floor surface by an electric actuator (104) which pivots a linkage (92) through a connection allowing floating travel. The pressure which the treating member (16) engages the floor surface is controlled in response to the current level of the electric motor (86) which rotates the treating member (16).

Abstract: A rotary floor finisher for use with a power rider trailer for the sanding and screening of large wood floor areas. The floor finisher and sander to attached in substantially rigid relationship to each other and steered by a wheel provided on the floor finisher.

Abstract: A back-up pad for pad for supporting an abrasive article. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a back-up pad having a dust collection groove, in which the engagement component for securing the abrasive article is attached to the dust collection groove surface. The present invention also provides a method for forming a back-up pad with a dust collection groove.

Abstract: A gearbox arrangement couples an input shaft to an output shaft whereby the output shaft is driven by the input shaft in a constant rotational direction but at two different rotational speeds depending upon the particular direction of rotation of an input shaft for a given rotational speed of the input shaft. The input shaft has an input gear integral therewith and the output shaft has an output gear integral therewith. A first unidirectional clutch couples the input shaft with the output shaft such that rotation of the input shaft in a first input direction at a first input speed rotates the output shaft in a first output direction at a first output speed, but rotation of the input shaft in a second, opposite input direction causes the first unidirectional clutch to slip. An idler gear meshes with and is driven by the input gear. An intermediate shaft has a first intermediate gear integral therewith. The first intermediate gear is meshed with and driven by the idler gear.

Abstract: A method of both hardening and polishing a concrete surface includes the steps of first applying to the concrete surface a hardening/densifying silicate compound, allowing the compound to remain in contact with the surface for a period of time sufficient to allow it to soak into the surface of the concrete, cleaning the surface and allowing it to dry, and polishing the surface with a diluted silicate polishing compound. The polishing step includes the steps of applying to the concrete surface a diluted silicate polishing compound, mechanically polishing the concrete surface with a rotary polishing machine, using pads or disks or drums, cleaning the concrete surface, and repeating said steps with polishing pads or disks of increasingly finer grit until the surface obtains an aesthetically desirable level of shine.