Disc brush alignment

Abstract

A disc brush alignment assembly for a floor cleaning machine includes a plurality of driver plates, a plurality of disc brushes each removably mounted on a respective one of the driver plates, an alignment plate, and a plurality of alignment posts extended from the alignment plate, with the alignment plate to be actuated to move the alignment posts linearly between a retracted position and an engaged position, and, in the engaged position, the alignment posts to contact adjacent disc brushes of the plurality of disc brushes.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to floor cleaning machines and, more specifically, relates to a disc brush alignment assembly for a floor cleaning machine.

[0002] Industrial and commercial floors are often cleaned for aesthetic and sanitary purposes. Different types of floor cleaning equipment such as scrubbers, sweepers, and extractors, have been developed to clean and maintain such floors.

[0003] Common floor cleaning equipment may include a walk-behind or drivable, self-propelled, machine that applies a liquid cleaning solution from an on-board tank onto the floor. Rotating brushes of the machine agitate the solution to loosen dirt and grime present on the floor. The dirt and grime become suspended in the solution, which is collected by a vacuum of the machine and deposited into an on-board recovery tank.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIGS. 1 and 2 are top and bottom perspective views, respectively, illustrating an example of a floor cleaning machine.

[0005] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view illustrating an example of a portion of a disc brush alignment assembly for a floor cleaning machine.

[0006] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view illustrating an example of a disc brush alignment assembly for a floor cleaning machine in a retracted position.

[0007] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view illustrating an example of the disc brush alignment assembly of FIG. 4 with disc brushes removed.

[0008] FIGS. 6 and 7 are top and bottom perspective views, respectively, illustrating an example of the disc brush alignment assembly of FIG. 4 in an engaged position.

[0009] FIGS. 8 and 9 are top perspective views illustrating an example of a disc brush alignment assembly in a retracted position and an engaged position, respectively.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific examples in which the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other examples may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

[0011] FIGS. 1 and 2 are top and bottom perspective views, respectively, illustrating an example of a floor cleaning machine 10. In examples, floor cleaning machine 10 can include a chassis 12, an operator control system 14, a sweeping system 16, a scrubbing system 18, a squeegee system 20, and a recovery system 22. Chassis 12 can include a rigid frame or structure upon which components and systems of floor cleaning machine 10, such as operator control system 14, sweeping system 16, scrubbing system 18, squeegee system 20, and recovery system 22, can be mounted or supported.

[0012] In examples, floor cleaning machine 10 can be a drivable, self-propelled, machine, and operator control system 14 can include steering and foot controls 24 and a control panel (not shown), such that an operator of floor cleaning machine 10 can sit in a seat 26 to operate and control floor cleaning machine 10 via steering and foot controls 24 and the control panel. In examples, floor cleaning machine 10 can be electrically powered or gas powered. In addition, floor cleaning machine 10 can include a battery for powering one or more than one electric motor of floor cleaning machine 10, which can power components and systems of floor cleaning machine 10. In examples, one or more than wheel 28 of floor cleaning machine 10 can be powered to propel floor cleaning machine 10. In addition, one or more than wheel 28 of floor cleaning machine 10 can be controlled to steer floor cleaning machine 10.

[0013] In examples, sweeping system 16 can include one or more than rotating broom 30 to sweep the presented floor. In addition, floor cleaning machine 10 can include a tank that supplies a cleaning solution, such as water with or without another cleaner, to scrubbing system18, and scrubbing system 18 can include various rotating brushes, including rotating drum-type scrub brushes 32 and rotating disc-type scrub brushes 34, to agitate the solution and scrub the presented floor. In examples, squeegee system 20 collects the used solution and transfers the used solution to recovery system22.

[0014] In examples, scrubbing system 18 can include multiple disc-type scrub brushes 34. As an example, an arrangement of three disc-type scrub brushes 34 is illustrated. Other arrangements can include one scrub brush, two scrub brushes, or more scrub brushes. As disclosed herein, disc-type scrub brushes 34 are each removably connected to a corresponding driver plate (or disc hub) which, in turn, is connected to a respective drive motor.

[0015] Installing disc brushes, for example, new disc brushes to replace worn disc brushes or different disc brushes for a different floor surface or different cleaning operation, includes placing the disc brushes under the machine so that the disc brushes can be engaged by the corresponding driver plate (or disc hub). For the engagement, however, the operator needs to know the specific positions under the machine where the disc brushes need to be placed. As the disc brushes are placed from under the machine, an often hard to reach and tight space, the operator may need to lay down on the floor to visually and manually position and align the disc brushes for installation.

[0016] To assist an operator in proper placement and positioning of disc brushes, floor cleaning machine 10 includes a disc brush alignment assembly. For example, a disc brush alignment assembly as disclosed herein includes retractable locators (for example, pins or posts) to position and align disc brushes for installation. With a disc brush alignment assembly as disclosed herein, disc brushes may be more easily positioned and aligned for proper installation, thereby improving the process of installing disc brushes by reducing operator effort and the time needed to perform the installing. More specifically, with a disc brush alignment assembly as disclosed herein, the operator does not have to lay down on the floor to visually and manually position and align the disc brushes for installation, such that the process of installing disc brushes may be safer, more comfortable, more convenient, and more efficient.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view illustrating an example of a portion of a disc brush alignment assembly 100 for a floor cleaning machine, such as floor cleaning machine 10 (FIGS. 1, 2). In examples, disc brush alignment assembly 100 includes an alignment plate 110 and a plurality of alignment posts 120 extended from alignment plate 110. As disclosed herein, alignment plate 110 is actuated to move alignment posts 120 linearly between a retracted position and an engaged position such that, in the engaged position, alignment posts 120 contact adjacent disc brushes of a floor cleaning machine, such as disc brushes 34 of floor cleaning machine 10 (FIG. 2), to align (or center) the adjacent disc brushes with respective driver plates. In examples, alignment posts 120 extend substantially perpendicular from alignment plate 110, and include a first set of alignment posts 121 to contact a first disc brush and a second set of alignment posts 122 to contact a second disc brush, as disclosed herein.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view illustrating an example of disc brush alignment assembly 100 for a floor cleaning machine, such as floor cleaning machine 10 (FIGS. 1, 2). As illustrated in the example of FIG. 4, floor cleaning machine 10 includes drive motors 41 and 42 supported by chassis 12 (FIGS. 1, 2), with driver plates 51 and 52 connected to respective drive motors 41 and 42, and includes rotating disc-type scrub brushes 61 and 62 removably mounted on respective driver plates 51 and 52. Disc-type scrub brushes 61 and 62 represent examples of disc brushes 34 (FIG. 2) and are referred to herein as "disc brushes."

[0019] In examples, disc brushes 61 and 62 are adjacent disc brushes such that portions of perimeters 63 and 64 of respective disc brushes 61 and 62 are adjacent. In examples, and relative to an operational orientation of floor cleaning machine 10, disc brushes 61 and 62 represent an outer or outward disc brush and an inner or inward disc brush, respectively. For example, disc brush 61 may be a side or lateral disc brush positioned at or toward a side (for example, left side or right side) of floor cleaning machine 10, and disc brush 62 may be a middle or medial disc brush positioned at or toward a center of floor cleaning machine 10. In other examples, as adjacent disc brushes, disc brushes 61 and 62 both represent side disc bushes. For example, disc brush 61 may be a left side disc brush, and disc brush 62 may be a right side disc brush. In yet other examples, as adjacent disc brushes, disc brushes 61 and 62 both represent middle disc bushes. For example, disc brush 61 may be a left middle disc brush, and disc brush 62 may be a right middle disc brush.

[0020] As illustrated in the example of FIG. 4, disc brush alignment assembly 100 is in a retracted position (for example, upper or raised position) such that alignment posts 120 are positioned or maintained out of contact with (for example, above or clear of) disc brushes 61 and 62, such as during normal operation of the floor cleaning machine.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view illustrating an example of disc brush alignment assembly 100 for a floor cleaning machine, such as floor cleaning machine 10 (FIGS. 1, 2), with disc brushes 61 and 62 (FIG. 4) removed. Disc brushes 61 and 62 may be removed, for example, to replace worn disc brushes or install different disc brushes for a different floor surface or different cleaning operation. Accordingly, with disc brushes 61 and 62 removed, replacement disc brushes 61' and 62' (FIGS. 6, 7), for example, new or different disc brushes, may be installed. As disclosed herein, disc brush alignment assembly 100 can assist an operator in proper placement and positioning of disc brushes 61' and 62' for installation on the floor cleaning machine.

[0022] In examples, an axis A extends along a drive shaft of respective drive motors 41 and 42. In examples, an axis B of respective alignment posts 120 is oriented substantially parallel with axis A such that alignment posts 120 are moved linearly between the retracted position and the engaged position along axis B.

[0023] FIGS. 6 and 7 are top and bottom perspective views, respectively, illustrating an example of disc brush alignment assembly 100 for a floor cleaning machine, such as floor cleaning machine 10 (FIGS. 1, 2), with new or different disc brushes 61' and 62' positioned under the floor cleaning machine and disc brush alignment assembly 100 in an engaged position (for example, lowered position) such that alignment posts 121 and 122 are in contact with respective disc brushes 61' and 62'.

[0024] More specifically, in the engaged position, alignment posts 121 are in contact with disc brush 61' (as slid by an operator along the floor under the floor cleaning machine), and alignment posts 122 are in contact with disc brush 62' (as slid by an operator along the floor under the floor cleaning machine). In examples, disc brushes 61' and 62' are adjacent disc brushes such that, in the engaged position, alignment posts 121 and 122 contact adjacent portions of adjacent perimeters 63' and 64' of respective disc brushes 61' and 62'. In examples, in the engaged position, alignment posts 121 and 122 substantially simultaneously contact adjacent disc brushes 61' and 62'. With alignment posts 121 in contact with disc brush 61' and alignment posts 122 in contact disc brush 62', disc brush 61' is aligned with driver plate 51 and disc brush 62' is aligned with driver plate 52. More specifically, disc brush 61' is positioned or located relative to driver plate 51 to ensure proper engagement with driver plate 51, and disc brush 62' is positioned or located relative to driver plate 52 to ensure proper engagement with driver plate 52. As such, a procedure to engage and couple disc brushes 61' and 62' with respective driver plates 51 and 52 can be initiated, as disclosed herein.

[0025] FIGS. 8 and 9 are top perspective views illustrating an example of disc brush alignment assembly 100 in a raised position and a lowered position, respectively. In examples, chassis 12 of floor cleaning machine 10 (FIGS. 1, 2) includes a deck 36, with drive motors 41 and 42 mounted on deck 36. As such, driver plates 51 and 52 are positioned on one side of deck 36 (for example, below), and alignment posts 120 extend (at least partially) through respective openings 38 in deck 36 to the one side. In examples, deck 36 includes bushings 40 within openings 38 such that alignment posts 120 extend through and slide within respective bushings 40 when moving between the retracted position and the engaged position.

[0026] In examples, alignment plate 110 (with alignment posts 120) is moved linearly along a guide post 130 between the retracted position (FIG. 8) and the engaged position (FIG. 9). In examples, alignment plate 110 is biased to the retracted position (for example, up or elevated position) to locate alignment posts 121 and 122 out of contact with respective disc brushes 61' and 62'. In examples, alignment plate 110 is biased to the retracted position by a spring 132. In the example of FIGS. 8 and 9, spring 132 is a spiral or flat coil torsion spring with a first end secured to guide post 130 and a second end secured to alignment plate 110. In other examples, spring 132 may be of other forms.

[0027] In examples, disc brush alignment assembly 100 includes an actuator assembly 140 to move alignment plate 110 (with alignment posts 120) linearly between the retracted position and the engaged position. In the example of FIGS. 8 and 9, actuator assembly 140 includes an actuation or control cable 142 coupled with alignment plate 110 such that control cable 142 may be pulled to lower alignment plate 110 to the engaged (lowered) position (FIG. 9). In examples, control cable 142 may be held in an actuated position such that alignment plate 110 (with alignment posts 120) may be held in the engaged position (against the bias force of spring 132). As such, control cable 142 may be released to return alignment plate 110 (with alignment posts 120) to the retracted (raised) position (FIG. 8) In examples, alignment plate 110 is returned to the retracted position by the bias force of spring 132.

[0028] As disclosed herein, installing disc brushes, such as disc brushes 61' and 62', on driver plates 51 and 52, includes aligning disc brushes 61' and 62' with respective driver plates 51 and 52 in order to secure disc brushes 61' and 62' with respective driver plates 51 and 52. To align disc brushes 61' and 62', alignment plate 110 is actuated to move alignment posts 121 and 122 to the engaged position. As such, disc brush 61' can be slid under deck 36 until disc brush 61' contacts alignment posts 121, and disc brush 62' can be slid under deck 36 until disc brush 62' contacts alignment posts 122. More specifically, alignment posts 121 contact a perimeter of disc brush 61', and alignment posts 122 contact a perimeter of disc brush 62'. Thus, disc brushes 61' and 62' are aligned (for example, centered) with respective driver plates 51 and 52.

[0029] With disc brushes 61' and 62' positioned and aligned, a procedure for engagement and coupling of disc brushes 61' and 62' with respective driver plates 51 and 52 can be initiated (for example, via the control panel). An example of such a procedure includes: (1) lowering deck 36; (2) operating drive motors 41 and 42 at a low speed to rotate respective driver plates 51 and 52; (3) receiving lugs 65 and 66 of respective disc brushes 61' and 62' within clips or slots 55 and 56 (FIG. 7) of respective driver plates 51 and 52; (4) increasing the speed of drive motors 41 and 42 (and driver plates 51 and 52) to engage lugs 65 and 66 and "lock" disc brushes 61' and 62' to respective driver plates 51 and 52; (5) turning off drive motors 41 and 42; and (6) raising deck 36 to an operating position.

[0030] If, prior to the engagement and coupling procedure, disc brushes 61' and 62' are not aligned, lugs 65 and 66 may not engage. The operator, therefore, would have to dismount the machine, re-position disc brushes 61' and 62', and reinitiate the procedure in an attempt to reengage lugs 65 and 66 and "lock" disc brushes 61' and 62' to respective driver plates 51 and 52.

[0031] Accordingly, with a disc brush alignment assembly as disclosed herein, such as disc brush alignment assembly 100, disc brushes 61' and 62' may be more easily positioned and aligned for proper installation, thereby improving the process of installing disc brushes by reducing operator effort and the time needed to perform the installing. More specifically, with a disc brush alignment assembly as disclosed herein, the operator does not have to lay down on the floor to visually and manually position and align the disc brushes for installation, such that the process of installing disc brushes may be safer, more comfortable, more convenient, and more efficient.

[0032] Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and / or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific examples shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific examples discussed herein.

Claims

1. A disc brush alignment assembly for a floor cleaning machine, comprising:a plurality of driver plates;a plurality of disc brushes each removably mounted on a respective one of the driver plates;an alignment plate; anda plurality of alignment posts extended from the alignment plate,the alignment plate to be actuated to move the alignment posts linearly between a retracted position and an engaged position,in the engaged position, the alignment posts to contact adjacent disc brushes of the plurality of disc brushes.

2. The assembly of claim 1, the alignment posts to align the adjacent disc brushes with adjacent driver plates of the plurality of driver plates.

3. The assembly of claim 1, the alignment posts extended substantially perpendicular from the alignment plate.

4. The assembly of claim 1, the alignment posts comprising a first set of alignment posts to contact one of the adjacent disc brushes, and a second set of alignment posts to contact another of the adjacent disc brushes.

5. The assembly of claim 1, in the engaged position, the alignment posts to substantially simultaneously contact the adjacent disc brushes.

6. The assembly of claim 1, in the engaged position, the alignment posts to contact adjacent portions of adjacent perimeters of the adjacent disc brushes.

7. The assembly of claim 1, the adjacent disc brushes comprising an outer disc brush and an inner disc brush.

8. The assembly of claim 1, the driver plates positioned on one side of a deck of the floor cleaning machine, and the alignment posts extended through the deck to the one side.

9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:an actuator to raise and lower the alignment plate to move the alignment posts linearly between the retracted position and the engaged position.

10. The assembly of claim 1, the alignment plate biased to a raised position to locate the alignment posts in the retracted position.

11. A floor cleaning machine, comprising:a chassis;a plurality of drive motors supported by the chassis;a plurality of driver plates each connected to a respective one of the drive motors;a plurality of disc brushes each removably mounted on a respective one of the driver plates; anda disc brush alignment assembly to align adjacent disc brushes of the plurality of driver plates with adjacent driver plates of the plurality of driver plates,the disc brush alignment assembly including an alignment plate movably supported on the chassis, and a plurality of alignment posts extended from the alignment plate,the alignment posts to be moved linearly by the alignment plate to establish a retracted position out of contact with the adjacent disc brushes and an engaged position in contact with the adjacent disc brushes.

12. The assembly of claim 11, the alignment posts to align the adjacent disc brushes with the adjacent driver plates.

13. The assembly of claim 11, the alignment posts extended substantially perpendicular from the alignment plate.

14. The assembly of claim 11, the alignment posts comprising a first set of alignment posts to contact a first disc brush of the adjacent disc brushes, and a second set of alignment posts to contact a second disc brush of the adjacent disc brushes.

15. The assembly of claim 11, in the engaged position, the alignment posts to substantially simultaneously contact the adjacent disc brushes.

16. The assembly of claim 11, in the engaged position, the alignment posts to contact adjacent portions of adjacent perimeters of the adjacent disc brushes.

17. The assembly of claim 11, the adjacent disc brushes comprising a side disc brush and a middle disc brush.

18. The assembly of claim 11, the chassis including a deck, the drive motors mounted on the deck, the driver plates positioned on one side of the deck, and the alignment posts extended through the deck to the one side.

19. The assembly of claim 11, further comprising:an actuator to raise and lower the alignment plate relative to the chassis to move the alignment posts linearly between the retracted position and the engaged position.

20. The assembly of claim 11, the alignment plate biased to a raised position to locate the alignment posts in the retracted position and actuated to a lowered position to locate the alignment posts in the engaged position.

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