Self-propelled floor cleaning apparatus with movable brush

Claim 2

A machine for cleaning a surface comprising: a frame supported by wheels and having a forward end and a rearward end, said wheels including a pair of spaced drive wheels interconnected by a rigid axle, said axle mounted for rotation in said frame, said wheels mounted for rotation on said axle, differential drive means associated with said axle and each of said drive wheels, said differential drive means being adapted to drive each said drive wheel in a first direction responsive to rotation of said axle in said first direction and being adapted to allow said axle to rotate in said wheel when said axle is rotated in the opposite direction from said first direction, a self-contained prime mover mounted on said frame, a first rotary brush means having a first sub-frame mounted on the forward end of said frame, said first brush means being adapted to contact said surface, a second rotary brush means having a second sub-frame located adjacent to the forward end of said frame and adjacent to said first brush means, said second brush means being adapted to contact said surface, means mounting said second sub-frame on said first sub-frame for movement between a first position located sidewardly of said first brush means and a second position located substantially forwardly of said first brush means, whereby as said machine travels forwardly said first brush means contacts said surface along a path substantially the same as said second brush means when said second brush means is in said second position, and transmission means operatively coupling said prime mover to drive said first and second rotary brush means and operatively coupling said primE mover to drive said axle.

Claim 3

A machine for cleaning a surface comprising: a frame having a forward end and rearward end, said frame being supported by wheels including drive wheel means for moving said machine along said surface, a self-contained prime mover mounted on said frame, a first sub-frame mounted on the forward end of said frame, and a first rotary brush mounted for rotation on said first sub-frame and adapted to contact said surface, a second sub-frame located adjacent to the forward end of said frame and adjacent to said first sub-frame, a second rotary brush mounted for rotation on said second sub-frame and adapted to contact said surface, and means mounting said second sub-frame for swinging movement from a location sidewardly of said first sub-frame to a location forwardly of said first sub-frame, power transmission means operatively connecting said prime mover to drive said first and second rotary brushes and to drive said drive wheel means, said transmission means including a hydraulic pump having an outlet and an inlet, said hydraulic pump being driven by said prime mover, first and second hydraulic motors operatively connected to drive said first and second brushes, respectively, and a third hydraulic motor operatively connected to drive said drive wheel means, said first, second and third hydraulic motors each having an inlet and an outlet, said inlets being operatively coupled to the outlet of said hydraulic pump to receive hydraulic fluid therefrom, said first hydraulic motor mounted on said first sub-frame and having a drive shaft, said drive shaft being drivably connected to said first rotary brush, said second hydraulic motor mounted on said second sub-frame and having a drive shaft, said drive shaft being drivably connected to said second rotary brush, and a hydraulic piston and cylinder, and means operatively connecting one of the piston and cylinder to said second sub-frame and means affixing the other of said piston and cylinder to said first sub-frame, said hydraulic piston and cylinder being operatively coupled to the outlet of said hydraulic pump to swing said second sub-frame about its mounting to said first sub-frame.

Claim 4

A machine for cleaning a surface comprising: a frame having a forward end and rearward end, said frame being supported by wheels including drive wheel means for moving said machine along said surface, a self-contained prime mover mounted on said frame, a first sub-frame mounted on the forward end of said frame, and a first rotary brush mounted for rotation on said first sub-frame and adapted to contact said surface, a second sub-frame located adjacent to the forward end of said frame and adjacent to said first sub-frame, a second rotary brush mounted for rotation on said second sub-frame and adapted to contact said surface, and means mounting said second sub-frame for swinging movement from a location sidewardly of said first sub-frame to a location forwardly of said first sub-frame, power transmission means operatively connecting said prime mover to drive said first and second rotary brushes and to drive said drive wheel means, said transmission means including a hydraulic pump having an outlet and an inlet, said hydraulic pump being driven by said prime mover, first and second hydraulic motors operatively connected to drive said first and second brushes, respectively, and a third hydraulic motor operatively connected to drive said drive wheel means, said first, second and third hydraulic motors each having an inlet and an outlet, said inlets being operatively coupled to the outlet of said hydraulic pump to receive hydraulic fluid therefrom, said first hydraulic motor mounted on said first sub-frame and having a drive shaft, said drive shaft being drivably connected to said first rotary brush, said second hydraulic motor mounted on said second sub-frame and having a drive shaft, said drive shaft being drivably connected to said second rotary brush, and a hydraulic piston and cylinder, and means operatively connecting one of the piston and cylinder to said second sub-frame and means affixing the other of said piston and cylinder to said first sub-frame, said hydraulic piston and cylinder being operatively coupled to the outlet of said hydraulic pump to swing said second sub-frame about its mounting to said first sub-frame.

Claim 5

The machine of claim 2 wherein said transmission means includes a hydraulic fluid system comprising: a hydraulic fluid sump, first conduit means in fluid communication with said sump and the inlet to said hydraulic pump, second conduit means placing said first and second hydraulic motors in serial fluid communication with the outlet of said hydraulic pump, a first check valve means, and third conduit means in fluid communication between said first check valve means and the outlet of said second hydraulic motor, said first check valve means operative to allow flow away from said first and second hydraulic motors, fourth conduit means in fluid communication between said third conduit means and the inlet to said third hydraulic motor, fifth conduit means in fluid communication between the outlet of said third hydraulic motor and said sump, sixth conduit means is fluid communication between said fourth conduit means and said sump, and a first four-way valve means operatively interposed in said second and sixth conduit means.

Claim 6

The machine of claim 3 wherein said hydraulic fluid system further comprises; second check valve means interposed in said sixth conduit means between said first four-way valve means and said fourth conduit means, said second check valve means operative to allow flow in a direction from said first four-way valve means to said fourth conduit means, seventh conduit means in fluid communication with said sump, and variable flow valve means interposed in said fourth conduit means and operatively coupled to said seventh conduit means to proportion hydraulic fluid flow between said fourth conduit means and said seventh conduit means.

Claim 7

The machine of claim 4 wherein said hydraulic fluid system further comprises: a second four-way valve means operatively interposed in said fourth and fifth conduit means, said second four-way valve means located in said fourth conduit means between said variable flow valve means and said third hydraulic motor.

Claim 8

The machine of claim 5 wherein said hydraulic cylinder has inlets for supplying fluid thereto for reciprocatively actuating said piston, said hydraulic fluid system further comprising: eighth conduit means in operative fluid communication between said second conduit means and a first inlet of said hydraulic cylinder, ninth conduit means in operative fluid communication between a second inlet of said hydraulic cylinder and said sump, and third four-way valve means operatively interposed in said eighth and ninth conduit means.

Claim 9

The machine of claim 5 wherein said hydraulic fluid system further comprises: tenth conduit means in fluid communication between said sump and said fifth conduit means at a location between said third hydraulic motor and said second four-way valve means, and third check valve means operatively interposed in said tenth conduit means and being operative to allow fluid flow in a direction from said sump to said third hydraulic motor.

Claim 10

A machine for contacting a surface with a rotary fluid working tool comprising: a frame supported by wheels and having a forward end and a rearward end, a prime mover mounted on said frame, a first rotary tool means including a first sub-frame mounted on the forward end of said frame, and including a first tool rotatably mounted on said first sub-frame, said first tool means being so constructed to contact said surface with said first tool, a second rotary tool means located adjacent to the forward end of said frame and adjacent to said first tool means, said second tool means including a second sub-frame and including a second rotary tool rotatably mounted on said second sub-frame, said second tool means being so constructed to contact said surface with said second tool, mounting means mounting said second sub-frame on said first sub-frame for movement in a vertical direction relative to said first sub-frame when said first and second tools are in contact with said surface, and power transmission means operatively coupling said prime mover to drive said first and second rotary tool means.

Claim 11

A machine for contacting a surface with a rotary fluid working tool comprising: a frame supported by wheels and having a forward end and a rearward end, a prime mover mounted on said frame, a first rotary tool means including a first sub-frame mounted on the forward end of said frame, and including a first tool rotatably mounted on said first sub-frame, said first tool means being so constructed to contact said surface with said first tool, a second rotary tool means located adjacent to the forward end of said frame and adjacent to said first tool means, said second tool means including a second sub-frame and including a second rotary tool rotatably mounted on said second sub-frame, said second tool means being so constructed to contact said surface with said second tool, mounting means mounting said second sub-frame on said first sub-frame for movement in a vertical direction relative to said first sub-frame when said first and second tools are in contact with said surface, and power transmission means operatively coupling said prime mover to drive said first and second rotary tool means.

Claim 12

A machine for contacting a surface with a rotary fluid working tool comprising: a frame supported by wheels and having a forward end and a rearward end, a prime mover mounted on said frame, a first rotary tool means including a first sub-frame mounted on the forward end of said frame, and including a first tool rotatably mounted on said first sub-frame, said first tool means being so constructed to contact said surface with said first tool, a second rotary tool means located adjacent to the forward end of said frame and adjacent to said first tool means, said second tool means including a second sub-frame and including a second rotary tool rotatably mounted on said second sub-frame, said second tool means being so constructed to contact said surface with said second tool, mounting means mounting said second sub-frame on said first sub-frame for movement between a first position located sidewardly of said first tool means and a second position located substantially forwardly of said first tool means, said second tool means in said second position being located so that, as said machine travels in a forward direction, said first tool contacts said surface along substantially the same path as said second tool contacts said surface, power means connected between said first sub-frame and said second sub-frame for moving said second tool means between said first and second positions, and power transmission means operatively coupling said prime mover to drive said first and second rotary tool means.

Claim 13

A machine for contacting a surface with a rotary fluid working tool comprising: a frame supported by wheels and having a forward end and a rearward end, a prime mover mounted on said frame, a first rotary tool means including a first sub-frame mounted on the forward end of said frame, and including a first tool rotatably mounted on said first sub-frame, said first tool means being so constructed to contact said surface with said first tool, a second rotary tool means located adjacent to the forward end of said frame and adjacent to said first tool means, said second tool means including a second sub-frame and including a second rotary tool rotatably mounted on said second sub-frame, said second tool means being so constructed to contact said surface with said second tool, mounting means mounting said second sub-frame on said first sub-frame for movement between a first position located sidewardly of said first tool means and a second position located substantially forwardly of said first tool means, said second tool means in said second position being located so that, as said machine travels in a forward direction, said first tool contacts said surface along substantially the same path as said second tool contacts said surface, power means connected between said first sub-frame and said second sub-frame for moving said second tool means between said first and second positions, and power transmission means operatively coupling said prime mover to drive said first and second rotary tool means.

Claim 14

The machine of claim 9 wherein said power means comprises: a hydraulic piston and cylinder including mEans operatively connecting one of the piston and cylinder to said second sub-frame and means connecting the other of said piston and cylinder to said first sub-frame, said machine further comprising: hydraulic pump means driven by said prime mover for selectively supplying hydraulic fluid to said piston and cylinder means.

Claim 15

A machine for contacting a surface with a rotary fluid working tool comprising: a frame supported by wheels and having a forward end and a rearward end, a prime mover mounted on said frame, a first rotary tool means including a first sub-frame mounted on the forward end of said frame, and including a first tool rotatably mounted on said first sub-frame, said first tool means being so constructed to contact said surface with said first tool, a second rotary tool means located adjacent to the forward end of said frame and adjacent to said first tool means, said second tool means including a second sub-frame and including a second rotary tool rotatably mounted in said second sub-frame, said second tool means being so constructed to contact said surface with said second tool, mounting means detachably mounting said second sub-frame to said first sub-frame for movement between a first position located sidewardly of said first tool means and a second position located substantially forwardly of said first tool means, and power transmission means operably coupling said prime mover to drive said first and second rotary tool means.

Claim 16

A machine for contacting a surface with a rotary fluid working tool comprising: a frame supported by wheels and having a forward end and a rearward end, a prime mover mounted on said frame, a first rotary tool means including a first sub-frame mounted on the forward end of said frame, and including a first tool rotatably mounted on said first sub-frame, said first tool means being so constructed to contact said surface with said first tool, a second rotary tool means located adjacent to the forward end of said frame and adjacent to said first tool means, said second tool means including a second sub-frame and including a second rotary tool rotatably mounted in said second sub-frame, said second tool means being so constructed to contact said surface with said second tool, mounting means detachably mounting said second sub-frame to said first sub-frame for movement between a first position located sidewardly of said first tool means and a second position located substantially forwardly of said first tool means, and power transmission means operably coupling said prime mover to drive said first and second rotary tool means.

Claim 17

A machine for cleaning a surface comprising: a frame supported by wheels and having a forward end and a rearward end, a self-contained prime mover mounted on said frame, a first rotary brush means having a first sub-frame mounted on the forward end of said frame, said first brush means adapted to contact said surface, a second rotary brush means having a second sub-frame and being adapted to contact said surface, said second brush means being located adjacent to the forward end of said frame and adjacent to said first brush means, means mounting said second sub-frame on said first sub-frame for swinging movement between a first position located sidewardly of said first brush means and a second position located substantially forwardly of said first brush means, first wiper blade means mounted adjacent the rearward end of said frame to direct fluid to a means for removing said fluid from said surface, second wiper blade means mounted on and rearwardly of said second brush means, said second wiper blade means adapted to direct fluid present on said floor rearwardly and sidewardly to be picked up by said first wiper blade means as said machine traverses a forward path, and transmission means operatively coupling said prime mover means to drive said rotary brush means.

Claim 18

A machine for cleaning a surface comprising: a frame supported by wheels and having a forward end and a rearward end, a self-contained prime mover mounted on said frame, a first rotary brush means having a first sub-frame mounted on the forward end of said frame, said first brush means adapted to contact said surface, a second rotary brush means having a second sub-frame and being adapted to contact said surface, said second brush means being located adjacent to the forward end of said frame and adjacent to said first brush means, means mounting said second sub-frame on said first sub-frame for swinging movement between a first position located sidewardly of said first brush means and a second position located substantially forwardly of said first brush means, first wiper blade means mounted adjacent the rearward end of said frame to direct fluid to a means for removing said fluid from said surface, second wiper blade means mounted on and rearwardly of said second brush means, said second wiper blade means adapted to direct fluid present on said floor rearwardly and sidewardly to be picked up by said first wiper blade means as said machine traverses a forward path, and transmission means operatively coupling said prime mover means to drive said rotary brush means.