Scrubbing machine

Claim 2

A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like comprising a power unit having a main frame, power driven wheels mounted on the main frame, a trailer unit having a trailer frame and surface engaging wheels mounted on the trailer frame, articulated first means for towingly connecting the trailer unit to the power unit, a maintenance unit including a maintenance unit frame having a downwardly opening enclosure, a power driven first brush and second means for rotatably mounting the brush on the maintenance frame to extend within the enclosure, third means for mounting the maintenance unit on the power unit to at least in part be supportingly carried by the power unit; a cleaning solution tank mounted on the trailer frame, said maintenance unit including a liquid distributor for directing cleaning solution onto the surface ahead of the brush, and means for fluidly connecting said tank to the liquid distributor.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that each of said power unit and trailer unit have only two surface engaging wheels.

Claim 4

A surface maintenance unit comprising a frame forming a housing, a pair of rotatable surface engaging maintenance tools, means to mount said tools within said housing for engagement with the surface to be maintained and for rotation about substantially parallel spaced apart axes which are parallel to said surface, power means to rotate said maintenance tools when the tools are in contact with said surface, a receptacle to receive material raised by said maintenance tools, means to mount the receptacle in the housing in a position adjacent a first of said tools and on an opposite side of said first tool from the side of said first tool that is adjacent said second tool, means to determine the path of movement of material raised by said maintenance tools to deflect debris raised from the surface being maintained toward said receptacle, said means to determine the path of movement of material comprising a generally V-shaped deflector having a depending apex edge portion position above and extending over said maintenance tools and said receptacle, the apex edge portion extending in a direction predominately perpendicular to the axes of rotation of said maintenance tools and transversely intermediate the ends of said tools whereby liquid collecting along said edge and dripping down therefrom under gravity will in part strike the periphery of said tools and will in part fall into the receptacle.

Claim 5

A surface maintenance unit comprising a frame forming a housing, a pair of rotatable surface engaging maintenance tools, means to mount said tools within said housing for engagement with the surface to be maintained and for rotation about substantially parallel spaced apart axes which are parallel to said surface, power means to rotate said maintenance tools when the tools are in contact with said surface, a receptacle to receive material raised by said maintenance tools, means to mount the receptacle in the housing in a position adjacent a first of said tools and on an opposite side of said first tool from the side of said first tool that is adjacent said second tool, means to determine the path of movement of material raised by said maintenance tools to deflect debris raised from the surface being maintained toward said receptacle, said means to determine the path of movement of material comprising a generally V-shaped deflector having a depending apex edge portion position above and extending over said maintenance tools and said receptacle, the apex edge portion extending in a direction predominately perpendicular to the axes of rotation of said maintenance tools and transversely intermediate the ends of said tools whereby liquid collecting along said edge and dripping down therefrom under gravity will in part strike the periphery of said tools and will in part fall into the receptacle.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 3 further characterized in that said edge portion is inclined downwardly in a direction toward the receptacle when the tools engage said surface.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 4 further characterized in that the means to determine the path of movement of material has a depending flange extending transversely across the deflector in overhanging relationship to the receptacle whereby liquid moving along the deflector to the flange will fall into the receptacle.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 3 further characterized in that said housing has a front wall on the side opposite the receptacle from said tool and substAntially spaced from the receptacle, the axes of rotation of the brushes being generally parallel to the front wall, that the receptacle mounting means comprises means to mount the receptacle for movement between a first position for collecting debris raised by said tools and a second position for emptying material therein in forward and downward direction, and means on the housing to releasably retain the receptacle in its first position.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6 further characterized in that the receptacle has a rear wall and a front wall that extends to a substantially higher elevation than the rear wall when the receptacle is in its first position, and that the means to determine the path of movement of material includes a first baffle mounted by the receptacle adjacent the rear wall in at least partially overlying relationship to the first tool to aid in directing material into the receptacle and a second baffle is mounted by the housing in at least partial overhanging relationship to the second tool, and inclined upwardly in a direction toward the receptacle to aid in directing material toward the receptacle, said baffles being located a substantial distance below the adjacent V-shaped deflector parts.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 7 further characterized in that there is provided a second generally V-shaped deflector having a depending apex edge portion in overhanging relationship to said tools and receptacle, said apex portions being substantially spaced from one another and extending in the same direction.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 7 further characterized in that the tools are scrubbing brushes, the brush adjacent the receptacle being of a substantially smaller diameter than the other, that a liquid takeup tube is fixedly mounted on the housing in a position to withdraw liquid from the receptacle when the receptacle is in its first position, and that a vacuum applying line is connected to said tube.

Claim 12

A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like comprising a vehicle having ground engaging wheels, a maintenance unit including a maintenance unit frame having a downwardly opening enclosure, a first power driven rotary maintenance tool and first means for rotatably mounting the tool on the maintenance frame to extend within the enclosure, and second means for mounting the maintenance unit on the vehicle to at least in part be supportingly carried by the vehicle and selectively moving the unit frame between a first position in which the tool engages the surfaces and a second position elevated relative to the first position, said maintenance unit including a receptacle within the enclosure to receive material raised by said tool, said frame having a deflector in overhanging relationship to said tool and receptacle that slopes downwardly toward the receptacle for directing liquid raised by the tool and collecting on the deflector surface to flow along the surface and drip into said receptacle, means for mounting the receptacle on the frame for pivotal movement between a liquid collecting position and a liquid dumping position to empty liquid in a direction away from the vehicle and means on the frame for releasably retaining the receptacle in the liquid collecting position, said receptacle in a liquid dumping position extending to a lower elevation than said frame.

Claim 13

A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like comprising a vehicle having ground engaging wheels, a maintenance unit including a maintenance unit frame having a downwardly opening enclosure, a first power driven rotary maintenance tool and first means for rotatably mounting the tool on the maintenance frame to extend within the enclosure, and second means for mounting the maintenance unit on the vehicle to at least in part be supportingly carried by the vehicle and selectively moving the unit frame between a first position in which the tool engages the surfaces and a second position elevated relative to the first position, said maintenance unit including a receptacle within the enclosure to receive material raised by said tool, said frame having a deflector in overhanging relationship to said tool and receptacle that slopes downwardly toward the receptacle for directing liquid raised by the tool and collecting on the deflector surface to flow along the surface and drip into said receptacle, means for mounting the receptacle on the frame for pivotal movement between a liquid collecting position and a liquid dumping position to empty liquid in a direction away from the vehicle and means on the frame for releasably retaining the receptacle in the liquid collecting position, said receptacle in a liquid dumping position extending to a lower elevation than said frame.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that said vehicle includes a dirty liquid collection tank and that there is provided third means connected to the tank for withdrawing liquid from said receptacle and transferring the liquid to said tank, said third means including a liquid takeup tube fixedly mounted on the maintenance frame, and extending downwardly into the receptacle when the receptacle is in a liquid collecting position.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that the first means mounts said tool for rotational movement about a transverse axis, and that the deflector has a longitudinally extending, depending apex portion, sAid apex portion being located a substantial distance inwardly of either end of the tool.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 12 further characterized in that the first tool comprises a brush, that said unit includes a second brush, third means for mounting the second brush on the unit frame for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the first brush, adjacent the first brush and between the first brush and the receptacle, said second and third means each including means for mounting the respective brush on the unit frame for limited pivotal movement about longitudinally spaced, transverse axes.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 13 further characterized in that said second brush is of a substantially smaller diameter than the first brush, and that a transversely elongated baffle is mounted in the housing in at least partial overhanging relationship to the first brush and is inclined upwardly in a direction toward the receptacle.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 13 further characterized in that the second means includes a pivot member having a normally generally longitudinally extending pivot axis, fourth means attached to the transverse central portion of the unit frame for mounting the unit frame on the pivot member for pivotal movement about the pivot member axis and fifth means for mounting the pivot member on the vehicle.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 15 further characterized in that the fifth means includes a bracket mounting said pivot member for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis, means for mounting the bracket on the vehicle for pivotal movement about a transverse axis and power means for pivoting the bracket about the last axis between unit frame first position and the unit frame second position.

Claim 20

A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like comprising a vehicle having ground engaging wheels, a surface maintenance unit having a frame forming a downwardly opening enclosure, a power driven brush and first means for mounting the brush on the frame to extend within the enclosure, and second means mounted on the vehicle for supportingly mounting the surface maintenance unit and selectively moving said unit between a first position in which the brush engages the surface and a second position elevated relative to the first position, said second means including a support member, means for mounting the support member on the vehicle for movement relative to the vehicle, third means supportingly attaching the maintenance unit to the support member for pivotal movement about axes generally perpendicular to a transverse horizontal axis, and power means on the vehicle for moving the support member and thereby the maintenance unit between its positions.

Claim 21

A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like comprising a vehicle having ground engaging wheels, a surface maintenance unit having a frame forming a downwardly opening enclosure, a power driven brush and first means for mounting the brush on the frame to extend within the enclosure, and second means mounted on the vehicle for supportingly mounting the surface maintenance unit and selectively moving said unit between a first position in which the brush engages the surface and a second position elevated relative to the first position, said second means including a support member, means for mounting the support member on the vehicle for movement relative to the vehicle, third means supportingly attaching the maintenance unit to the support member for pivotal movement about axes generally perpendicular to a transverse horizontal axis, and power means on the vehicle for moving the support member and thereby the maintenance unit between its positions.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 17 further characterized in that the third means includes a mounting member fixedly attached to the support member, a first pivot member having a first pivot axis and mounted on the mounting member, a second pivot member having a second pivot axis and mounted on the first pivot member for pivotal movement about the first pivot member axis and fourth means for mounting the maintenance unit on the second pivot member for pivotal movement about the pivot axis of the second pivot member.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 18 further characterized in that said second pivot member is normally retained in a position to have its axis extend generally longitudinally, that the fourth means is attached to the transverse, rear central portion of the frame and that there is provided means attached to the support member and the unit frame for resiliently retaining the unit frame in a datum pivoted position relative said first and second pivot axes.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 18 further characterized in that said vehicle comprises a power unit having power driven ground engaging wheels, a trailer unit having ground engaging wheels, and articulated means for towingly connecting the trailer unit to the power unit.

Claim 25

A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like comprising a vehicle having ground engaging wheels, a surface maintenance unit having a frame forming a downwardly opening enclosure, a first power driven brush and first means for mounting the brush on the frame to extend within the enclosure and rotate about a transverse axis and second means mounted on the vehicle for supportingly mounting the surface maintenance unit and selectively moving said unit between a first position in which the brush engages the surface and a second position elevated relative to the first position, said second means including a support member, means for mounting the support member on the vehicle for movement relative to the vehicle, third means supportingly attachingly the maintenance unit to the support member for pivotal movement about a generally longitudinally extending axis, and power means on the vehicle for moving the support member and thereby the maintenance unit between its positions.

Claim 26

A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like comprising a vehicle having ground engaging wheels, a surface maintenance unit having a frame forming a downwardly opening enclosure, a first power driven brush and first means for mounting the brush on the frame to extend within the enclosure and rotate about a transverse axis and second means mounted on the vehicle for supportingly mounting the surface maintenance unit and selectively moving said unit between a first position in which the brush engages the surface and a second position elevated relative to the first position, said second means including a support member, means for mounting the support member on the vehicle for movement relative to the vehicle, third means supportingly attachingly the maintenance unit to the support member for pivotal movement about a generally longitudinally extending axis, and power means on the vehicle for moving the support member and thereby the maintenance unit between its positions.

Claim 27

The apparatus of claim 21 further characterized in that said surface maintenance unit includes a second power driven brush, third means for mounting the second brush on the frame to extend within the enclosure closely adjacent the first brush and rotate about a transverse axis, that said power means includes a power source, a first motor for driving the first brush, a second motor for driving the second brush, and means for connecting the power source to said motors for selectively rotating said brushes in opposite directions of rotation so as to have the brushes rotating toward each other while in contact with the surface to be maintained and to have the brushes rotating away from each other while in contact with the surface to be maintained.

Claim 28

The apparatus of claim 21 further characterized in that there is provided a squeegee assembly rearwardly of the brushes, a piston cylinder combination attached to said assembly for moving the assembly between a lowered surface engaging position and an elevated position, adjustment means mounted on the vehicle and connected to said combination for selectively varying vertical elevation of said combination, movable linkage means connected to the assembly in spaced relationship to the connection of said combination and connected to the vehicle for maintaining said assembly in a generally parallel relationship to the surface as the assembly is moved between its positions by said combination, and adjustment means for selectively varying the lowermost position that the linkage means permit the assembly to be lowered to.

Claim 29

The apparatus of claim 21 further characterized in that the third means includes a mounting device attached to the support member, and having a generally longitudinally extending axis and means attached to the rear transverse central portion of unit for mounting the unit frame on the mounting device for pivotal movement about said generally longitudinally extending axis.

Claim 30

A surface maintenance unit comprising a frame forming a housing having a front wall, said housing having a downwardly facing opening, a pair of rotatable surface engaging maintenance tools rotatably mounted within said housing about substantially parallel spaced apart axes which are parallel to the surface to be maintained, power means to rotate said maintenance tools when the tools are in contact with said surface, means to apply a liquid scrubbing solution to said surface, a receptacle to receive material including liquid raised by said maintenance tools, said receptacle having a bottom wall, means for pivotally mounting the receptacle in the housing in a position adjacent a first of said tools and on an opposite side of said first tool from the side of said first tool adjacent said second tool, and means to releasably retain the receptacle in a position to collect liquid, said housing having means to determine the path of material including liquid raised by said maintenance tools from the surface being maintained toward and into said receptacle, said receptacle having a drain aperture a substantiAl distance above the bottom wall to permit liquid in the receptacle to drain back onto said surface forwardly of said tools, and being mounted by the pivot means forwardly of said tools.

Claim 31

A surface maintenance unit comprising a frame forming a housing having a front wall, said housing having a downwardly facing opening, a pair of rotatable surface engaging maintenance tools rotatably mounted within said housing about substantially parallel spaced apart axes which are parallel to the surface to be maintained, power means to rotate said maintenance tools when the tools are in contact with said surface, means to apply a liquid scrubbing solution to said surface, a receptacle to receive material including liquid raised by said maintenance tools, said receptacle having a bottom wall, means for pivotally mounting the receptacle in the housing in a position adjacent a first of said tools and on an opposite side of said first tool from the side of said first tool adjacent said second tool, and means to releasably retain the receptacle in a position to collect liquid, said housing having means to determine the path of material including liquid raised by said maintenance tools from the surface being maintained toward and into said receptacle, said receptacle having a drain aperture a substantiAl distance above the bottom wall to permit liquid in the receptacle to drain back onto said surface forwardly of said tools, and being mounted by the pivot means forwardly of said tools.

Claim 32

The apparatus of claim 25 further characterized in that said pivot means mounts the receptacle for movement between the liquid collecting position and a dumping position, and that there is provided a liquid takeup tube fixedly attached to the housing to extend into the receptacle to a lower elevation than the drain aperture when the rceptacle is in its collecting position and means connected to said tube for drawing liquid therethrough.

Claim 33

A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like comprising a vehicle having ground engaging wheels, a surface maintenance unit having a frame forming a downwardly opening enclosure, a first power driven brush and first means for mounting the brush on the frame to extend within the enclosure and rotate about a transverse axis and second means mounted on the vehicle for supportingly mounting the surface maintenance unit and selectively moving said unit between a first position in which the brush engages the surface and a second position elevated relative to the first position, said second means including a support member, means for mounting the support member on the vehicle for movement relative to the vehicle, third means supportingly attachingly the maintenance unit to the support member, power means on the vehicle for moving the support member and thereby the maintenance unit between its positions, said third means including a mounting device attached to the maintenance unit frame, a pivot device for mounting the mounting device and having a predominately vertical pivot axis, and fourth means for mounting the pivot device on the support member for pivotal movement about said pivot axis and means connected to the support member and the maintenance unit for adjustably retaining the maintenance unit in selected angular positions relative said pivot axis to permit utilizing said unit for windrowing material on said surface.

Claim 34

A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like comprising a vehicle having ground engaging wheels, a surface maintenance unit having a frame forming a downwardly opening enclosure, a first power driven brush and first means for mounting the brush on the frame to extend within the enclosure and rotate about a transverse axis and second means mounted on the vehicle for supportingly mounting the surface maintenance unit and selectively moving said unit between a first position in which the brush engages the surface and a second position elevated relative to the first position, said second means including a support member, means for mounting the support member on the vehicle for movement relative to the vehicle, third means supportingly attachingly the maintenance unit to the support member, power means on the vehicle for moving the support member and thereby the maintenance unit between its positions, said third means including a mounting device attached to the maintenance unit frame, a pivot device for mounting the mounting device and having a predominately vertical pivot axis, and fourth means for mounting the pivot device on the support member for pivotal movement about said pivot axis and means connected to the support member and the maintenance unit for adjustably retaining the maintenance unit in selected angular positions relative said pivot axis to permit utilizing said unit for windrowing material on said surface.

Claim 35

A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like comprising a power unit having a main frame, power driven wheels mounted on the main frame a trailer unit having a trailer frame and surface engaging wheels mounted on the trailer frame, first means for towingly connecting the trailer unit to the power unit, a maintenance unit including a maintenance unit frame having a downwardly opening enclosure, a power driven first brush and second means for rotatably mounting the brush on the maintenance frame to extend within the enclosure, third means for mounting the maintenance unit on the power unit to at least in part be supportingly carried by the power unit, and means for collecting dirty scrubbing liquid from the surface over which said brush is moved, said collecting means being mounted on at least one of said power unit and maintenance unit, the third means including a first member defining a vertical pivot axis, fourth means for mounting the first member on the power unit frame, a second member mounted on the first member for pivotal movement about the first axis and defining a second pivot axis extending substantially perpendicular to the first pivot axis, and fifth means for mounting the maintenance unit frame on the second pivot member for pivotal movement about the second axis.

Claim 36

A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like comprising a power unit having a main frame, power driven wheels mounted on the main frame a trailer unit having a trailer frame and surface engaging wheels mounted on the trailer frame, first means for towingly connecting the trailer unit to the power unit, a maintenance unit including a maintenance unit frame having a downwardly opening enclosure, a power driven first brush and second means for rotatably mounting the brush on the maintenance frame to extend within the enclosure, third means for mounting the maintenance unit on the power unit to at least in part be supportingly carried by the power unit, and means for collecting dirty scrubbing liquid from the surface over which said brush is moved, said collecting means being mounted on at least one of said power unit and maintenance unit, the third means including a first member defining a vertical pivot axis, fourth means for mounting the first member on the power unit frame, a second member mounted on the first member for pivotal movement about the first axis and defining a second pivot axis extending substantially perpendicular to the first pivot axis, and fifth means for mounting the maintenance unit frame on the second pivot member for pivotal movement about the second axis.

Claim 37

The apparatus of claim 28 further characterized in that the fifth means is attached to the upper rear, transverse central portion of the maintenance unit frame, that the second means mounts the brush for rotation about a axis, that is normally transverse to the direction of movement of the machine, and that there is provided sixth means connected to the maintenance unit frame for resiliently retaining the maintenance unit in a condition that the brush axis of rotation is substantially transverse.

Claim 38

The apparatus of claim 29 further characterized in that the fourth means includes a transverse pivot member mounted on the power unit frame and having a transverse pivot axis, bracket means pivotally mounted on the transverse pivot member and mounting the first member, and power operated means connected to the power unit frame and the bracket means for selectively moving the bracket means about the transverse pivot member axis to move the maintenance unit between a brush surface engaging position and an elevated position.

Claim 39

The apparatus of claim 30 further characterized in that the maintenance unit includes a second power driven rotary brush of a substantially smaller diameter than the first brush, seventh means for mounting the second brush for rotation about a transverse axis on the maintenance unit frame adjacent the first brush and extending within the enclosure, a debris hopper and means for mounting the debris hopper on the maintenance unit frame within the enclosure on the opposite side of the second brush from the first brush, to receive material raised by said brushes.

Claim 40

The apparatus of claim 31 further characterized in that the second means comprises a pair of arms having one end portion mounting the first brush for rotation, and eighth means for mounting the arms on the maintenance unit frame for pivotal movement about a transverse axis, and that the seventh means includes means for mounting the second brush on the maintenance unit frame for limited free floating movement about a transverse axis spaced from the axis of rotation of the second brush.

Claim 41

The apparatus of claim 32 further characterized in that there is provided ninth means connected to the eighth means and cooperating with the maintenance unit frame for selectively moving the eighth means to retain the first brush under downward pressure in a first position in which the brush engages the surface, a second position elevated relative to the first position, and a position for limited free floating movement.

Claim 42

The apparatus of claim 31 further characterized in that maintenance unit frame includes side walls and a top wall having a generally V-shaped deflector portion spaced transversely inwardly of the side walls, said deflector having a depending apex and extending fore and aft in overhanging relationship to said brushes and hopper, and sloping downwardly toward the hopper in the maintenance unit brush surface engaging position.

Claim 43

The apparatus of claim 34 further characterized in that said debris hopper mounting means includes means for mounting the debris hopper on the maintenance unit frame for pivotal movement between a debris collecting position and an emptying position, said debris hopper having bottom, front, rear and side walls joined to one another, at least one of said front and rear walls being provided with a drain aperture a substantial distance above the bottom wall when the hopper is in the debris collecting position.

Claim 44

The apparatus of claim 35 further characterized in that a dirty scrubbing liquid tank is mounted on the trailer unit and that the collecting means includes said debris hopper, a liquid takeup tube in a fixed position on the maintenance unit frame to extend into the debris hopper to a substantially lower elevation than the drain aperture when the hopper is in the debris collecting position and means connected to said tank and said tube for withdrawing liquid from the hopper through said tube and conducting the withdrawn liquid to said tank.

Claim 45

A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like comprising a power unit having a main frame, power driven wheels mounted on the main frame, a trailer unit having a trailer frame and surface engaging wheels mounted on the trailer frame, first means for towingly connecting the trailer unit to the power unit, a maintenance unit including a maintenance unit frame having a downwardly opening enclosure, a power driven first brush and second means for rotatably mounting the brush on the maintenance frame to extend within the enclosure, third means for mounting the maintenance unit on the pOwer unit to at least in part be supportingly carried by the power unit, said trailer unit including a dirty scrubbing liquid tank, means for collecting dirty scrubbing liquid from the surface over which said brush is moved, said collecting means being mounted on at least one of said power unit and maintenance unit, and means for transferring liquid from the collecting means to said tank, said first means comprising a tow member attached to the trailer frame, a mounting member attached to main frame to extend rearwardly thereof and joint means for connecting the tow member to the mounting member for relative pivotal movement about a generally vertical first axis and a second axis parallel to a straight ahead direction of movement of the power and trailer units.

Claim 46

A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like comprising a power unit having a main frame, power driven wheels mounted on the main frame, a trailer unit having a trailer frame and surface engaging wheels mounted on the trailer frame, first means for towingly connecting the trailer unit to the power unit, a maintenance unit including a maintenance unit frame having a downwardly opening enclosure, a power driven first brush and second means for rotatably mounting the brush on the maintenance frame to extend within the enclosure, third means for mounting the maintenance unit on the pOwer unit to at least in part be supportingly carried by the power unit, said trailer unit including a dirty scrubbing liquid tank, means for collecting dirty scrubbing liquid from the surface over which said brush is moved, said collecting means being mounted on at least one of said power unit and maintenance unit, and means for transferring liquid from the collecting means to said tank, said first means comprising a tow member attached to the trailer frame, a mounting member attached to main frame to extend rearwardly thereof and joint means for connecting the tow member to the mounting member for relative pivotal movement about a generally vertical first axis and a second axis parallel to a straight ahead direction of movement of the power and trailer units.

Claim 47

The apparatus of claim 37 further characterized in that the joint means includes a shaft mounted by the tow member for pivotal movement about the second axis and having a first end portion extending forwardly of the two member, and a second pivot member fixedly attached to the first end portion, said second pivot member being pivotally mounted by the mounting member for pivotal movement about the first axis.

Claim 48

The apparatus of claim 38 further characterized in that there is provided a steering member on the power unit, an arm fixedly joined to at least one of the pivot members and means actuated by moving the steering member to exert a steering force on said arm.

Claim 49

A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like comprising a power unit having a main frame, power driven wheels mounted on the main frame, a trailer unit having a trailer frame, surface engaging wheels mounted on the trailer frame, and a dirty scrubbing liquid tank, each of said power unit and trailer unit having only two surface engaging wheels, articulated first means for towingly connecting the trailer unit to the power unit, a maintenance unit including a maintenance unit frame having a downwardly opening enclosure, a power driven first brush and second means for rotatably mounting the brush on the maintenance frame to extend within the enclosure, third means for mounting the maintenance unit on the power unit to at least in part be supportingly carried by the power unit, means for collecting dirty scrubbing liquid from the surface over which said brush is moved, said collecting means being mounted on at least one of said power unit and maintenance unit, and means for transferring liquid from the collecting means to said tank.

Claim 50

A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like comprising a power unit having a main frame, power driven wheels mounted on the main frame, a trailer unit having a trailer frame, surface engaging wheels mounted on the trailer frame, and a dirty scrubbing liquid tank, each of said power unit and trailer unit having only two surface engaging wheels, articulated first means for towingly connecting the trailer unit to the power unit, a maintenance unit including a maintenance unit frame having a downwardly opening enclosure, a power driven first brush and second means for rotatably mounting the brush on the maintenance frame to extend within the enclosure, third means for mounting the maintenance unit on the power unit to at least in part be supportingly carried by the power unit, means for collecting dirty scrubbing liquid from the surface over which said brush is moved, said collecting means being mounted on at least one of said power unit and maintenance unit, and means for transferring liquid from the collecting means to said tank.