Abstract:
A filter box for a surface maintenance machine incorporating aspects of a fan housing. In one example, a filter box for a sweeping machine is provided with an impeller fan housing beneath a cylindrical filter. Operation of the impeller fan draws air from a debris hopper, through the cylindrical filter, and through an expansion chamber defined by a scroll conduit prior to outlet to atmosphere.
Abstract:
A method is provided, which includes applying (502) electrochemically activated acid (620) and alkaline (622) water to a surface as a pre- spray, allowing the electrochemically activated acid (620) and alkaline water (622) to remain on the surface for a dwell time (503), and after the dwell time (503), performing a cleaning operation (504) on an area of the surface to which the pre- spray was applied.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a threaded insert having an internal threaded surface and an external threaded surface. The threaded surfaces have threads that are threaded in opposite directions. Thus, if the internal threaded surface is a right handed thread, then the external threaded surface will be a left handed thread. Through the use of the opposite direction threads the insert counteracts torque applied to a threaded fastener as it is inserted or removed. This results in a threaded insert that both resists over tightening of the fastener, and assists in the removal of the fastener from the insert.
Abstract:
A floor cleaner (100) configured to perform both hard and soft floor cleaning operations includes a mobile body (106), a motorized cleaning head (108), a cleaning liquid dispenser (110), a vacuum (112), a first vacuum extractor tool (114) and a vacuum squeegee (116) connected to the mobile body. The mobile body is configured to travel over a surface (102). The motorized cleaning head is connected to the mobile body and includes a cleaning tool (128). The cleaning liquid dispenser is configured to apply a cleaning liquid (230) to the surface or the cleaning tool. The first vacuum extractor tool is configured for vacuum communication with the vacuum through a first vacuum path (174).
Abstract:
A cleaner cartridge (150) includes a container (152) having an interior cavity (154), in which cleaning agent can be stored. A first end (158) of conduit (156) is fluidically coupled to the interior cavity. A second end (160) of the conduit is connectable to a chemical dispenser (60).
Abstract:
A method of cleaning a hard floor surface with a surface maintenance vehicle including the steps of generating a foam-like aerated cleaning liquid, selectively conveying the foam-like aerated cleaning liquid to the hard floor surface and a scrubbing medium (22) operatively coupled to the surface maintenance vehicle, scrubbing the hard floor surface with said rotation scrubbing medium (22) and said foam-like aerated cleaning liquid so as to loosen soil from the hard floor surface leaving behind a soiled solution of cleaning liquid and soil, and removing at least a portion of the soiled solution from the hard floor surface through a fluid recovery device (32). Additional aspects of the present invention include devices for performing the cleaning method.
Abstract:
A chemical dispenser (60) for use in a hard floor surface cleaner (10) includes a supply of cleaning agent (70) and a flow control device (72). The flow control device is fluidically coupled to the supply of cleaning agent and includes an output flow (74) of cleaning agent therethrough having a flow rate that is substantially independent of a volume of the supply of cleaning agent.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a threaded coupling structure disposed intermediate a non-threaded first member (12) and a second member (14) having a threaded ring (15) wherein the first member and the threaded coupling structure (10) have cooperating mechanical interlocking structures. (11, 13) The unthreaded portion (17) of said first member and the threaded coupling structure mutually interlock and bind each other when a female-type threaded ring, or a threaded cavity, engages the threads of said threaded coupling. The threaded coupling struchlre according to the present invention may comprise one or more individual parts which interlock with a portion of the first member. Threads are formed only on surface portions of the threaded coupling structure which threads cooperate to securely engage the threaded ring, or threaded cavity, of the second member. Corresponding discrete interlocking structure formed in or on the first member and a portion of one or more of the individual parts of the threaded coupling structure are adapted to provide additional binding force between the first structure and the threaded coupling.
Abstract:
A surface maintenance machine includes a maintenance head assembly comprising one or more surface maintenance tools for performing a surface maintenance operation. The machine also includes wheels and an operator grab handle permitting the operator to apply a force to urge the machine to change orientation. The machine also includes a first and second motor controlled by a motor controller. The motor controller is configured to sense a parameter indicative of motor load on the first and second motor and control the power delivered to the first and second motor to maintain a torque output setting. Maintaining the torque output setting is in light of motor load on the first and second motor and the force applied to the machine by the operator. The control of power delivered to the motors to maintain the torque assists the force applied by the operator to the machine.
Abstract:
A sweeper/scrubber assembly may be used to clean a floor surface without dry sweeping or mopping solid debris from the floor surface before conveying the sweeper/scrubber assembly over the floor surface. In some examples, the sweeper/scrubber assembly includes at least two counter-rotating brushes, a cleaning fluid dispensing system, a vacuum squeegee, and a solid debris collection reservoir. The cleaning fluid dispensing system can dispense cleaning fluid on the floor being cleaning and or one or both brushes. The vacuum squeegee can be positioned against a face of one of the brushes and can apply a vacuum suction force to the face of the brush. The solid debris collection reservoir can be a space not exposed to a vacuum force that collects solid debris thrown by the rotating brushes.