Burnishing floor polisher

Claim 2

A floor polisher comprising: a frame; engine means mounted on said frame; rotary brush means mounted to a rotary shaft driven by said engine means; axle means mounted to said frame; left and right wheels mounted to said axle means for supporting and rolling said frame forward-rearward on the floor; and means for adjustably moving said axle means forward-rearward relative to said frame for balancing said frame forward-rearward about said left and right wheels as a fulcrum; wherein: said frame has a rear section having operator handle means for pushing said frame; said frame has a central section mounting said engine and said axle means; and said frame has a front section housing said rotary brush means; said central frame section has generally vertical left and right sidewalls; said axle means comprises left and right axles mounted by respective left and right axle plates to respective said left and right sidewalls of said central frame section, said left and right wheels mounted on respective said left and right axles; one of said left axle plate and said left sidewall of said central frame section including longitudinal forward-rearward slots formed therethrough for mounting the other of said left axle plate and left sidewall of said central frame section and for adjusting the relative forward-rearward location thereof; one of said right axle plate and said right sidewall of said central frame section including longitudinal forward-rearward slots formed therethrough for mounting the other of said right axle plate and right sidewall of said central frame section and for adjusting the relative forward-rearward location thereof.

Claim 3

A floor polisher comprising: a frame; engine means mounted on said frame; rotary brush means mounted to a rotary shaft driven by said engine means; axle means mounted to said frame; left and right wheels mounted to said axle means for supporting and rolling said frame forward-rearward on the floor; and means for adjustably moving said axle means forward-rearward relative to said frame for balancing said frame forward-rearward about said left and right wheels as a fulcrum; wherein: said frame has a rear section having operator handle means for pushing said frame; said frame has a central section mounting said engine from said axle means; and said frame has a front section housing said rotary brush means; said engine means has an output driveshaft at said central frame section and including means coupling said output driveshaft to said rotary shaft at said front frame section; and comprising in combination electromagnetic clutch means for engaging and disengaging said coupling means with said output driveshaft of said engine means; wherein said coupling means comprises: central pulley means mounted to said output driveshaft; front pulley means mounted to said rotary shaft; and belt means extending around said central and front pulley means; wherein said electromagnetic clutch means comprises: a stationary electromagnet mounted to said central frame section concentrically about said output driveshaft extending therethrough; a magnetically permeable annular cup-shaped member fixedly mounted to said output driveshaft to rotate therewith and in close proximity to said electromagnet to couple magnetic flux lines therebetween; means mounting said central pulley means concentrically to said output driveshaft through bearing means permitting said central pulley means to remain stationary while said output drive-shaft rotates therein; a magnetically permeable plate nonrotatably mounted to said pulley means axially between said pulley means and said cup-shaped member, said plate being axially movable between a first position axially spaced from said cup-shaped member and a second position engaging said cup-shaped member along a radial plane and rotatably driven thereby which in turn drives said central pulley means, said plate being magnetically attracted into engagement with said cup-shaped member in response to flux from said electromagnet; and means axially biasing said plate to said first position away from said cup-shaped member.

Claim 4

A floor polisher comprising: a frame; engine means mounted on said frame; rotary brush means mounted to a rotary shaft driven by said engine means; axle means mounted to said frame; left and right wheels mounted to said axle means for supporting and rolling said frame forward-rearward on the floor; and means for adjustably moving said axle means forward-rearward relative to said frame for balancing said frame forward-rearward about said left and right wheels as a fulcrum; wherein: said frame has a rear section having operator handle means for pushing said frame; said frame has a central section mounting said engine from said axle means; and said frame has a front section housing said rotary brush means; said engine means has an output driveshaft at said central frame section and including means coupling said output driveshaft to said rotary shaft at said front frame section; and comprising in combination electromagnetic clutch means for engaging and disengaging said coupling means with said output driveshaft of said engine means; wherein said coupling means comprises: central pulley means mounted to said output driveshaft; front pulley means mounted to said rotary shaft; and belt means extending around said central and front pulley means; wherein said electromagnetic clutch means comprises: a stationary electromagnet mounted to said central frame section concentrically about said output driveshaft extending therethrough; a magnetically permeable annular cup-shaped member fixedly mounted to said output driveshaft to rotate therewith and in close proximity to said electromagnet to couple magnetic flux lines therebetween; means mounting said central pulley means concentrically to said output driveshaft through bearing means permitting said central pulley means to remain stationary while said output drive-shaft rotates therein; a magnetically permeable plate nonrotatably mounted to said pulley means axially between said pulley means and said cup-shaped member, said plate being axially movable between a first position axially spaced from said cup-shaped member and a second position engaging said cup-shaped member along a radial plane and rotatably driven thereby which in turn drives said central pulley means, said plate being magnetically attracted into engagement with said cup-shaped member in response to flux from said electromagnet; and means axially biasing said plate to said first position away from said cup-shaped member.

Claim 5

The invention according to claim 2 comprising axial pin means between said central pulley means and said plate for preventing relative rotation therebetween and for guiding said axial movement of said plate.

Claim 6

The invention according to claim 2 comprising flux directing means formed in said cup-shaped member and said plate directing flux outwardly in selected paths to areas of concentrated flux density radially spaced from said output driveshaft to enhance axially attractive magnetic force on said plate, said flux directing means blocking flux along paths other than said selected paths and redirecting said last mentioned flux to said selected paths.

Claim 7

A floor polisher comprising: a frame; wheel means mounted to said frame for supporting and rolling said frame on the floor; engine means mounted on said frame; rotary brush means mounted through a universal joint to a rotary shaft driven by said engine means, enabling flush engagement between said brush means and the floor notwithstanding tilting of said frame; wherein said universal joint comprises: a first annular ring concentrically mounted to said rotary shaft and nonrotatable relative thereto; a second annular ring concentrically mounted to said first annular ring by a pair of distally opposed transverse radial pins to permit tilting of said second annular ring relative to said first annular ring about a first horizontal axis; a third annular ring concentrically mounted to said second annular ring by a second pair of distally opposed transverse radial pins, 90° offset from said first pair of transverse pins, to permit tilting of said third annular ring relative to said second annular ring about a second horizontal axis 90° offset from said first horizontal axis; a horizontal cover plate mounted to said first annular ring and extending radially to overlap and be vertically spaced from said third annular ring in a non-tilted position of the latter and be engaged by said third annular ring in the maximum tilted position of the latter to limit the degree of tilting; and wherein said rotary brush means is mounted to said third annular ring.

Claim 8

A floor polisher comprising: a frame; wheel means mounted to said frame for supporting and rolling said frame on the floor; engine means mounted on said frame; rotary brush means mounted through a universal joint to a rotary shaft driven by said engine means, enabling flush engagement between said brush means and the floor notwithstanding tilting of said frame; wherein said universal joint comprises: a first annular ring concentrically mounted to said rotary shaft and nonrotatable relative thereto; a second annular ring concentrically mounted to said first annular ring by a pair of distally opposed transverse radial pins to permit tilting of said second annular ring relative to said first annular ring about a first horizontal axis; a third annular ring concentrically mounted to said second annular ring by a second pair of distally opposed transverse radial pins, 90° offset from said first pair of transverse pins, to permit tilting of said third annular ring relative to said second annular ring about a second horizontal axis 90° offset from said first horizontal axis; a horizontal cover plate mounted to said first annular ring and extending radially to overlap and be vertically spaced from said third annular ring in a non-tilted position of the latter and be engaged by said third annular ring in the maximum tilted position of the latter to limit the degree of tilting; and wherein said rotary brush means is mounted to said third annular ring.

Claim 9

The invention according to claim 5 wherein: said wheel means includes left and right wheels mounted on respective left and right axles mounted by respective left and right axle plates to said frame, and including means for adjustably moving said left and right axle plates forward-rearward along said frame for balancing said frame; said engine means has an output driveshaft, and including means coupling said output driveshaft to said rotary shaft, said coupling means comprises: first pulley means mounted to said output driveshaft; second pulley means mounted to said rotary shaft; and belt means extending around said first and second pulley means.

Claim 10

The invention according to claim 6 wherein: said frame has a rear section having operator handle means for pushing said frame; said frame has a central section mounting said engine and said left and right axle plates; said frame has a front section housing said rotary brush means; said front frame section has a first lower level horizontal deck mounting said second pulley from which said rotary shaft depends, said deck having depending side skirts partially enclosing said rotary brush, said second pulley being above said deck and said rotary shaft extending downwardly through said deck, said rotary brush means being mounted to said rotary shaft below said deck; said front frame section has a second upper level horizontal deck over said second pulley and having depending side skirts extending down to said lower deck to enclose said pulley; said third annular ring is below said first lower deck, and said rotary brush means is mounted to the underside of said third annular ring.

Claim 11

A floor polisher comprising: a frame; wheel means mounted to said frame for supporting and rolling said frame on the floor; engine means mounted on said frame; rotary brush means supported from said frame; means coupling said engine means to said rotary brush means for driving the latter; and electromagnetic clutch means for engaging and disengaging said coupling means with said engine means.

Claim 12

A floor polisher comprising: a frame; wheel means mounted to said frame for supporting and rolling said frame on the floor; engine means mounted on said frame; rotary brush means supported from said frame; means coupling said engine means to said rotary brush means for driving the latter; and electromagnetic clutch means for engaging and disengaging said coupling means with said engine means.

Claim 13

A floor polisher comprising: a frame; wheel means mounted to said frame for supporting and rolling said frame on the floor; engine means mounted on said frame; rotary brush means supported from said frame; means coupling said engine means to said rotary brush means for driving the latter; and electromagnetic clutch means for engaging and disengaging said coupling means with said engine means; wherein said engine means has an output driveshaft, and wherein said electromagnetic clutch means comprises: a stationary electromagnet mounted to said frame concentrically about said output driveshaft extending therethrough; a magnetically permeable annular cup-shaped member fixedly mounted to said output driveshaft to rotate therewith and in close proximity to said electromagnet to couple magnet flux lines therebetween; means mounting said coupling means concentrically to said output driveshaft through bearing means permitting said coupling means to remain stationary while said output driveshaft rotates therein; a magnetically permeable plate nonrotatably mounted to said coupling means axially between said coupling means and said cup-shaped member, said plate being axially movable between a first position axially spaced from said cup-shaped member and a second position engaging said cup-shaped member along a radial plane and rotatably driven thereby which in turn drives said coupling means, said plate being magnetically attracted into engagement with said cup-shaped member in response to flux from said electromagnet; and means axially biasing said plate to said first position away from said cup-shaped member.

Claim 14

A floor polisher comprising: a frame; wheel means mounted to said frame for supporting and rolling said frame on the floor; engine means mounted on said frame; rotary brush means supported from said frame; means coupling said engine means to said rotary brush means for driving the latter; and electromagnetic clutch means for engaging and disengaging said coupling means with said engine means; wherein said engine means has an output driveshaft, and wherein said electromagnetic clutch means comprises: a stationary electromagnet mounted to said frame concentrically about said output driveshaft extending therethrough; a magnetically permeable annular cup-shaped member fixedly mounted to said output driveshaft to rotate therewith and in close proximity to said electromagnet to couple magnet flux lines therebetween; means mounting said coupling means concentrically to said output driveshaft through bearing means permitting said coupling means to remain stationary while said output driveshaft rotates therein; a magnetically permeable plate nonrotatably mounted to said coupling means axially between said coupling means and said cup-shaped member, said plate being axially movable between a first position axially spaced from said cup-shaped member and a second position engaging said cup-shaped member along a radial plane and rotatably driven thereby which in turn drives said coupling means, said plate being magnetically attracted into engagement with said cup-shaped member in response to flux from said electromagnet; and means axially biasing said plate to said first position away from said cup-shaped member.

Claim 15

The invention according to claim 9 comprising axial pin means between said coupling means and said plate for preventing relative rotation therebetween and for guiding said axial movement of said plate.

Claim 16

The invention according to claim 9 comprising flux directing means formed in said cup-shaped member and said plate directing flux outwardly in selected paths to areas of concentrated flux density radially spaced from said output driveshaft to enhance axially attractive magnetic force on said plate, said flux directing means blocking flux along paths other than said selected paths and redirecting said last mentioned flux to said selected paths.

Claim 17

The invention according to claim 11 wherein said plate and said cup-shaped member each have cut-out apertures therethrough substantially nonaligned with each other such that apertures in said plate axially face solid portions of said cup-shaped member, and apertures in said cup-shaped member axially face solid portions of said plate, solid portions of said plate and said cup-shaped member having limited areas of axial overlap concentrating flux density therebetween.

Claim 18

A floor polisher comprising in combination: a frame; engine means mounted on said frame; rotary brush means mounted through a universal joint to a rotary shaft supported from said frame, enabling flush engagement between said brush means and the floor notwithstanding tilting of said frame; axle means mounted to said frame; left and right wheels mounted to said axle means for supporting and rolling said frame forward-rearward on the floor; means coupling said engine means to said rotary shaft for driving said rotary brush means through said universal joint; electromagnetic clutch means for engaging and disengaging said coupling means with said engine means; wherein: said frame has a rear section having operator handle means for pushing said frame; said frame has a central section mounting said engine and said axle means; said frame has a front section housing said rotary brush means; said axle means comprises left and right axles mounted by respective left and right axle plates to said central frame section, and means for adjustably locating said axle plates forward-rearward along said central frame section; said axles extend respectively leftwardly and rightwardly beyond said central frame section and mount respective said wheels outboard of said central frame section; said front frame section is laterally flared outwardly to extend leftwardly outboard of said left wheel and rightwardly outboard of said right wheel; said front frame section has a first lower level horizontal deck mounting a front pulley from which said rotary shaft depends, said deck having depending side skirts partially enclosing said rotary brush means, said front pulley being above said deck and said rotary shaft extending downwardly through said deck, said universal joint being mounted to said rotary shaft below said deck, and said rotary brush means being mounted to said universal joint; said front frame section has a second upper level horizontal deck over said front pulley and having depending side skirts extending down to said lower deck to enclose said front pulley; said engine means has an output driveshaft extending downwardly in said central frame section below the level of said second upper deck of said front frame section, and has a central pulley mounted thereto substantially horizontally coplanar with said front pulley and connected thereto by one or more drive belts.

Claim 19

A floor polisher comprising in combination: a frame; engine means mounted on said frame; rotary brush means mounted through a universal joint to a rotary shaft supported from said frame, enabling flush engagement between said brush means and the floor notwithstanding tilting of said frame; axle means mounted to said frame; left and right wheels mounted to said axle means for supporting and rolling said frame forward-rearward on the floor; means coupling said engine means to said rotary shaft for driving said rotary brush means through said universal joint; electromagnetic clutch means for engaging and disengaging said coupling means with said engine means; wherein: said frame has a rear section having operator handle means for pushing said frame; said frame has a central section mounting said engine and said axle means; said frame has a front section housing said rotary brush means; said axle means comprises left and right axles mounted by respective left and right axle plates to said central frame section, and means for adjustably locating said axle plates forward-rearward along said central frame section; said axles extend respectively leftwardly and rightwardly beyond said central frame section and mount respective said wheels outboard of said central frame section; said front frame section is laterally flared outwardly to extend leftwardly outboard of said left wheel and rightwardly outboard of said right wheel; said front frame section has a first lower level horizontal deck mounting a front pulley from which said rotary shaft depends, said deck having depending side skirts partially enclosing said rotary brush means, said front pulley being above said deck and said rotary shaft extending downwardly through said deck, said universal joint being mounted to said rotary shaft below said deck, and said rotary brush means being mounted to said universal joint; said front frame section has a second upper level horizontal deck over said front pulley and having depending side skirts extending down to said lower deck to enclose said front pulley; said engine means has an output driveshaft extending downwardly in said central frame section below the level of said second upper deck of said front frame section, and has a central pulley mounted thereto substantially horizontally coplanar with said front pulley and connected thereto by one or more drive belts.

Claim 20

A floor polisher comprising: a frame; wheel means mounted to said frame for supporting and rolling said frame on the floor; engine means mounted on said frame and having an output rotary driveshaft; rotary brush means supported from said frame by a second rotary shaft; means coupling said engine means to said rotary brush means for driving the latter; and electromagnetic clutch means for engaging and disengaging said coupling means with said engine means, comprising a double ball bearing having an inner race engaging one of said rotary shafts and an outer race engaging a double belt pulley and permitting free relative rotary motion between said one shaft and said double belt pulley when said coupling means is disengaged with said engine means.

Claim 21

A floor polisher comprising: a frame; wheel means mounted to said frame for supporting and rolling said frame on the floor; engine means mounted on said frame and having an output rotary driveshaft; rotary brush means supported from said frame by a second rotary shaft; means coupling said engine means to said rotary brush means for driving the latter; and electromagnetic clutch means for engaging and disengaging said coupling means with said engine means, comprising a double ball bearing having an inner race engaging one of said rotary shafts and an outer race engaging a double belt pulley and permitting free relative rotary motion between said one shaft and said double belt pulley when said coupling means is disengaged with said engine means.