TITLE
[0001] SURFACE TREATING MACHINE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a machine for treating work surfaces such as floors formed of carpet, tile, wood and other materials. The most efficient and effective surface treatments employ a vibration ("scrubbing") motion to loosen materials on the work surface. On floors and other work surfaces, a machine typically uses a cleaning towel ("pad") in combination with a solvent, including water or steam, and/or a cleaning agent. When the cleaning towel scrubs the floor and becomes dirty, the towel is replaced with a clean one.
[0003] In US Patent publication 20070107150 Al having inventor Yale Smith and published May 17, 2007, a Carpet Cleaning Apparatus And Method With Vibration, Heat, And Cleaning Agent is described. In that patent publication, a combination of vibratory motion, controllable heat, and cleaning agents are used. The apparatus includes a base cleaning plate, heating elements with electrical connections, and means for moving the cleaning plate to produce a scrubbing motion.
[0004] Important attributes of surface treating machines are cleaning effectiveness, ease of use, convenience, stability, light weight, low machine wear, long life and ease of maintenance. These attributes are import for machines used by professionals in heavy duty environments or used by other consumers in home or other light duty environments.
[0005] Cleaning effectiveness requires that machines include a small oscillation that creates a local vibration in a cleaning plate to impart a "scrubbing" movement to the surface being treated. For cleaning floors, the local vibration is preferably in a range of several millimeters. Cleaning effectiveness and convenience requires that the shape of the cleaning plate be rectangular so as to be readily used along straight edges and easily moved into rectangular corners. In order to satisfy these attributes, machines with round bottom plates are undesirable.
[0006] Ease of use and convenience require stability, appropriate size and weight and ease of operator control. Designs that position the motor and drive assembly high above the cleaning plate are undesirable since such configurations tend to accentuate vertical instability. Vertical instability results in unwanted oscillation of the cleaning plate up and down in a mode that is in and out of the plane of the work surface. The plane of the work surface is referred to as the floor surface plane or the XY plane. Vertical instability is distinguished from horizontal oscillations providing local vibration to impart a "scrubbing" movement to the cleaning plate. The horizontal oscillations are parallel to the plane of the work surface, that is, parallel to the XY plane. Vertical instability is additionally undesirable because it uses excessive amounts of energy, reduces the energy efficiency of the machine and causes increased wear on the motor, the dive shafts, the drivers and the drive bushings. The increased wear increases maintenance and decreases the life of the machine. User fatigue is dramatic when unwanted vertical oscillations occur.
[0007] High energy efficiency is an important attribute. For machines powered by an AC electrical service through an AC-to-DC converter or powered by a battery, the size and cost of the motor is a function of the energy requirements needed to drive the transmission and the cleaning plate. For DC motors, the energy requirements are important for the motor and for the AC -to DC converter used to convert the AC electrical service to DC. The more energy efficient the machines, the smaller and less expensive are the AC -to DC converters, batteries and motors required to power the machines.
[0008] Another factor in cleaning effectiveness is determined by the material of the machine in contact with the floor material. Brushes are not absorbent and therefore are inefficient in removing solid and liquid matter from a floor. For existing machines that use a towel, the towels are typically synthetic and do not absorb and hold solid and liquid matter from a floor. For towels that are primarily cotton, they have the disadvantage of not scrubbing well and also have high friction with the floor surface resulting in low energy efficiency.
[0009] In light of the above background, it is desirable to have improved surface treatment machines for treating carpets, tiles, wood and other surface materials.
SUMMARY
[0010] The present invention is a machine for treating a surface lying in an XY plane. The machine includes a body and a handle assembly connected to the body to allow a user to control movement of the machine over the surface. The machine includes a drive assembly, having a drive assembly height dimension measured from the XY plane, attached to the body where the drive as- sembly includes a motor having a motor drive shaft and a transmission having an offset driver assembly driven by the motor drive shaft. The machine includes a cleaning plate assembly, located between the drive assembly and the XY plane, having a bearing assembly engaging the offset driver assembly to drive the cleaning plate assembly in an oscillating pattern parallel to the XY plane. The cleaning plate assembly has a minimum treatment dimension measured parallel to the XY plane where the drive assembly height dimension is less than one half of the minimum treatment dimension of the cleaning plate assembly.
[0011] In one embodiment, the offset driver assembly includes a driver having a driver offset measured from a center axis of the motor drive shaft whereby the cleaning plate assembly is constrained to move in a treatment region bounded by approximately +/- the driver off-set.
[0012] In one embodiment, the driver offset is less than 10 mm.
[0013] In one embodiment, the motor drive shaft extends in a direction away from and normal to the XY plane and the transmission connects from the motor drive shaft to the bearing assembly of the cleaning plate assembly.
[0014] In one embodiment, the transmission includes a belt and pulleys.
[0015] In one embodiment, the transmission includes gears.
[0016] In one embodiment, the motor is a DC motor.
[0017] In one embodiment, the machine includes a battery for supplying power to the DC motor.
[0018] In one embodiment, the machine includes an AC-to-DC converter for supplying power to the DC motor.
[0019] In one embodiment, the offset driver assembly includes a first offset driver having a first offset-driver shaft driven by the motor drive shaft and includes a second offset driver having a second offset-driver shaft driven by the motor drive shaft. The bearing assembly includes a first bearing engaging the first offset driver and a second bearing engaging the second offset driver.
[0020] In one embodiment, the motor shaft is driven in a first rotational direction, the offset driver assembly includes a first offset driver having a first offset-driver shaft driven by the motor drive shaft in the first rotational direction and includes a second offset driver having a second offset-driver shaft driven by the motor drive shaft in a second rotational direction. The bearing as- sembly includes a first bushing engaging the first offset driver and a second bushing engaging the second offset driver. In one embodiment, the second rotational direction is the same as the first rotational direction. In another embodiment, the second rotational direction is opposite the first rotational direction.
[0021] In one embodiment, the motor shaft is driven in a first rotational direction and the offset driver assembly includes a first offset driver having a first offset-driver shaft driven by the motor drive shaft in the first rotational direction and includes a second offset driver having a second offset-driver shaft driven by the motor drive shaft in a second rotational direction. The bearing assembly includes a first bushing engaging the first offset driver with a first offset and a second bushing engaging the second offset driver with a second offset wherein said first offset and said second offset are equal. In one embodiment, the first offset and the second offset are approximately 4 millimeters.
[0022] In one embodiment, the handle assembly includes a handle and wheel mounts rigidly attached to the body with wheels attached to the wheel mounts.
[0023] In one embodiment, the handle assembly includes a handle having a releasable locking assembly rigidly attached to wheel mounts and to the body with wheels attached to the wheel mounts.
[0024] In one embodiment, the handle assembly includes an insulated container for dispensing hot fluids.
[0025] In one embodiment, the cleaning plate assembly includes a vibrator plate, a towel support plate connected to the vibrator plate, and a cleaning towel attached to the towel support plate. The towel in one preferred embodiment includes a layer of highly absorbent natural fiber such as cotton over a thin layer of synthetic fabric such as Nylon. The synthetic fiber is permeated such that solid and liquid matter transfers through the synthetic fabric to the natural fiber. In another embodiment a layer of highly absorbent cotton is sandwiched between two thin layers of synthetic fabric. Such towels have the beneficial properties of cotton for absorbing and holding solid and liquid matter. Such towels also have the beneficial properties of synthetics. The beneficial synthetic properties are high durability, aggressive and yet gentle scrubbing and a low friction with the floor surface resulting in high energy efficiency. [0026] In one embodiment, a machine is provided for treating a surface lying in an XY plane. The machine includes a body and a handle assembly connected to the body to allow a user to control movement of the machine over the surface. The machine includes a drive assembly, having a drive assembly height dimension measured from the XY plane, attached to the body where the drive assembly includes a motor having a motor drive shaft and a transmission having an offset driver assembly driven by the motor drive shaft. The machine includes a cleaning plate assembly, located between the drive assembly and the XY plane, having a bearing assembly engaging the offset driver assembly to drive the cleaning plate assembly in an oscillating pattern parallel to the XY plane. The cleaning plate assembly has a minimum treatment dimension measured parallel to the XY plane where the drive assembly height dimension is less than one half of the minimum treatment dimension of the cleaning plate assembly. The machine includes a skirt rigidly attached to the body and superimposed over the cleaning plate assembly. First magnets are rigidly attached to the skirt. Second magnets are rigidly attached to the cleaning plate assembly and juxtaposed the first magnets with a magnet gap with an orientation such that the first magnets repel the second magnets so as to tend to keep the cleaning plate and the skirt apart.
[0027] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 depicts a side view of one embodiment of a surface treating machine.
[0029] FIG. 2 depicts a front view of the surface treating machine of FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of a surface treating machine.
[0031] FIG. 4 depicts a side view of still another embodiment of a surface treating machine.
[0032] FIG. 5 depicts a side view of the surface treating machine of FIG. 1 that additionally includes a user operable handle assembly.
[0033] FIG. 6 depicts the surface treating machine of FIG. 5 with the handle rotated to a different position.
[0034] FIG. 7 depicts a perspective exploded view of user operable portion of the handle as- sembly of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.
[0035] FIG. 8 depicts a perspective non-exploded view of user operable portion of the handle assembly of FIG. 7.
[0036] FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of user operable portion of the handle assembly of FIG. 7 together with the external cover and internal spring and spring stop.
[0037] FIG. 10 depicts a front view of the drive assembly and the cleaning plate assembly of the surface treating machine of FIG. 1.
[0038] FIG. 11 depicts a front exploded view of the drive assembly and the cleaning plate assembly of FIG. 10.
[0039] FIG. 12 depicts a top view of the drive assembly and the cleaning plate assembly of FIG. 11.
[0040] FIG. 13 depicts a top view of the cleaning plate assembly of FIG. 12 showing the treatment region bounding the eccentric motion of the cleaning plate assembly.
[0041] FIG. 14 depicts a front view with further details of one embodiment of the drive assembly and the cleaning plate assembly of FIG. 10.
[0042] FIG. 15 depicts a side view of the drive assembly and the cleaning plate assembly of FIG. 14.
[0043] FIG. 16 depicts a top view of the drive assembly and the cleaning plate assembly taken along section line 15-15' of FIG. 14.
[0044] FIG. 17 depicts a front view with further details of another embodiment of the drive assembly and the cleaning plate assembly of FIG. 10.
[0045] FIG. 18 depicts a side view of the drive assembly and the cleaning plate assembly of FIG. 17.
[0046] FIG. 19 depicts a top view of the drive assembly and the cleaning plate assembly taken along section line 18-18' of FIG. 17.
[0047] FIG. 20 depicts a front view of the motor and motor support of the drive assembly of FIG. 14 with the drive shaft axis of drive motor extending in the Z-axis direction away from the XY-plane normal to the page.
[0048] FIG. 21 depicts a perspective view of the motor and motor support of FIG. 20. [0049] FIG. 22 depicts a top view of the drive assembly of FIG. 20.
[0050] FIG. 22 depicts a top view of the motor and motor support of FIG. 20.
[0051] FIG. 23 depicts an end view of the motor and motor support of FIG. 22.
[0052] FIG. 24 depicts a top view of the pulleys and belt that form a part of one belt-driven embodiment of the transmission of the of drive assembly of FIG. 10.
[0053] FIG. 25 depicts a front view of the pulleys, belt, drive shafts and eccentric drivers that form a part of the transmission of the of drive assembly of FIG. 14.
[0054] FIG. 26 depicts a perspective view of the pulleys, belt, drive shafts and eccentric drivers that form a part of the transmission of the of drive assembly as shown in of FIG. 25.
[0055] FIG. 27 depicts an end view of the pulleys, belt, drive shafts and eccentric drivers that form a part of the transmission of the of drive assembly as shown in of FIG. 25.
[0056] FIG. 28 depicts a top view of the pulleys and belt that form a part of another embodiment of the transmission of the of drive assembly of FIG. 14.
[0057] FIG. 29 depicts a top view of the gears that form a part of one gear-driven embodiment of the transmission of the of drive assembly of FIG. 14.
[0058] FIG. 30 depicts a front view of the gears that form a part of one gear-driven embodiment of the transmission as shown in FIG. 29.
[0059] FIG. 31 depicts a top view of the gears that form a part of another gear-driven embodiment of the transmission of the of drive assembly of FIG. 14.
[0060] FIG. 32 depicts a front view with further details of the drive shafts of the drive assembly and the engagement with the cleaning plate assembly.
[0061] FIG. 33 depicts a top view of the cleaning plate assembly of FIG. 32 taken along section line 33-33' of FIG. 32.
[0062] FIG. 34 depicts a bottom view of the cleaning plate assembly of FIG. 32 taken along section line 34-34' of FIG. 32.
[0063] FIG. 35 depicts a side view of the drive assembly and the cleaning plate assembly similar to that shown in FIG. 15 with the addition of a counterweight.
[0064] FIG. 36 depicts a perspective view of the drive assembly and the cleaning plate assembly of FIG. 35 including the counterweight. [0065] FIG. 37 depicts a front view of the drive assembly and the cleaning plate assembly of FIG. 35 including the counterweight.
[0066] FIG. 38 depicts a side view of further details of the drive assembly and the cleaning plate assembly like that shown in FIG. 35 including the counterweight.
[0067] FIG. 39 depicts a top view of the drive assembly and the cleaning plate assembly taken along section line 39-39' of FIG. 37.
[0068] FIG. 40 depicts a bottom view of the skirt that covers the cleaning plate assembly together with stabilizing magnets.
[0069] FIG. 41 depicts a top view of the cleaning plate assembly together with stabilizing magnets.
[0070] FIG. 42 depicts a bottom view of the vibrating plate within the skirt together with attachment pads.
[0071] FIG. 43 depicts a front view of the towel support plate within the skirt.
[0072] FIG. 44 depicts a front view of the towel support plate and the cleaning towel.
[0073] FIG. 45 depicts a perspective view of a cutaway section of the cleaning towel.
[0074] FIG. 46 depicts a bottom view of the towel support plate and the attachment pads.
[0075] FIG. 47 depicts four different positions of the vibrating plate when the eccentric drives are rotating in opposite directions.
[0076] FIG. 48 depicts a top view of the four different positions of the vibrating plate when the eccentric drives are rotating in opposite directions as shown in FIG. 47.
[0077] FIG. 49 depicts four different positions of the vibrating plate when the eccentric drives are rotating in the same directions.
[0078] FIG. 50 depicts a top view of the four different positions of the vibrating plate when the eccentric drives are rotating in the same direction as shown in FIG. 49.
[0079] FIG. 51 depicts a front view of another embodiment of a surface treating machine.
[0080] FIG. 52 depicts a top view of the drive assembly and the cleaning plate assembly taken along section line 52-52' of FIG. 51.
[0081] FIG. 53 depicts a side view of the drive assembly and the cleaning plate assembly of FIG. 51 and FIG. 52. [0082] FIG. 54 depicts a top view of the eccentric transmissions of FIG. 51, FIG. 52 and FIG. 53.
[0083] FIG. 55 depicts a representation of the eccentric transmissions, the vibrating plate and the counterweight in a first position.
[0084] FIG. 56 depicts a representation of the eccentric transmissions, the vibrating plate and the counterweight in a second position.
[0085] FIG. 57 depicts a representation of the eccentric transmissions, the vibrating plate and the counterweight in a third position.
[0086] FIG. 58 depicts a representation of the eccentric transmissions, the vibrating plate and the counterweight in a fourth position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0087] In FIG. 1, a surface treating machine 1 includes a body 9, a drive assembly 10 and a cleaning plate assembly 12. The cleaning plate assembly 12 is driven by the drive assembly 10 for cleaning or polishing the floor surface lying in a floor plane denominated as the XY plane. The cleaning plate assembly 12 fits under a skirt 8 affixed to the body 9. The cleaning plate assembly 12 includes a vibrating plate 12-1, a towel support plate 12-2 and a towel 12-3.
[0088] In FIG. 1, the machine 1 includes a handle assembly 15 affixed to the body 9 for enabling a user to guide machine 1 over a floor surface lying in the XY plane. The handle assemble includes wheels 14 which rest on the floor surface and assist the movement of the machine 1 over the floor surface. The handle assembly 15 has a length, H_D, extending from the wheels 14 at an acute angle with the XY plane. The handle assembly 15 typically includes a handle 16 having separable handle sections 16-1 and 16-2 that can be separated for ease of shipping or storage. A release latch 19 enables separation of section 16-2 from the body 9. One or more compartments 17 are attached to the handle assembly 15. The compartments include, for example, one or more fluid compartments for storing water, cleaners or other solutions and one or more electrical compartments for housing, for example, an AC-to-DC converter and/or a battery. A fluid dispensing tube 71 connects from the compartments 17 to the body 9. The fluids are dispensed in one embodiment internally to the body 9 and in another embodiment externally in front of the body 9. The handle assembly typically includes an AC power cord 74 and power plug 75 for operation with an AC-to- DC converter and an electrical control line 72 from a switch 73. A wheel bracket 13 is rigidly attached to the body 9. The handle assembly 15 is rotationally attached to wheel bracket 13. The wheels 14 are rotatable attached to the wheel bracket 13. The assembly 15, when latched in the vertical position, enables the handle to be used to rotate the machine onto the wheels 14 and lift the cleaning plate assembly 12 from the floor for easy rolling of the machine 1 when not in operation.
[0089] The drive assembly 10 has a drive assembly height dimension, DA D, measured from the XY plane. The cleaning plate assembly 12 typically has a length and a width lying in the XY plane of the floor surface. The smaller one of the length and the width dimensions (or one dimension if the length and width are equal) of the cleaning plate assembly 12 is the minimum treatment dimension, M_D. In order to provide stability for the machine 1 , the height dimension, DA D, is less than one half of the minimum treatment dimension, M_D. A low drive assembly height dimension, DA D, is important in minimizing or preventing unwanted vertical instability. Vertical instability results in unwanted oscillation of the cleaning plate up and down in a mode that is in and out of the XY plane of the work surface. Such unwanted oscillations are a complex function of the floor surface material and movements of the machine during operation as well as the design of the machine. For normal and intended operation, the machine is operating with oscillations in the XY plane of the floor surface. When the machine is moved from location to location on a floor by a machine operator, some forces out of the XY plane inherently result. With a high drive assembly height dimension of the drive assembly 10, these forces out of the XY plane tend to accumulate in intensity reaching a resonate vibration frequency identified as vertical instability. Such vertical instability can be difficult to control by an operator and is wasteful of energy. The vertical instability is minimized or eliminated by having the drive assembly height dimension, DA D, less than one half of the minimum treatment dimension, M_D.
[0090] In FIG. 2, a front view of the surface treating machine 1 of FIG. 1 is shown. The machine 1 includes the body 9 that supports a drive assembly 10 and a cleaning plate assembly 12. The cleaning plate assembly 12 fits under a skirt 8 affixed to the body 9. In FIG. 2, the machine 1 includes a handle assembly 15 affixed to the body 9 for enabling a user to guide machine 1 over a floor surface lying in the XY plane. The handle assembly 15 includes a handle 15 separable sections 16-1 like those shown in FIG. 1. One or more compartments 17 are attached to the handle assembly 15. The compartments include, for example, one or more fluid compartments for storing water, cleaners or other solutions. In one embodiment a cleaner concentrate compartment 17-4 and a water compartment 17-2 are provided. In one embodiment, one or more of the compartments 17 are vacuum glass containers having high insulation properties for maintaining fluids in a hot state. The compartments 17 additionally include an AC-to-DC converter 17-1 and/or a battery 17-3. In one embodiment, the AC-to-DC converter 17-1 and battery 17-3 are plug compatibly interchangeable. A fluid dispensing tube 71 connects from the compartments 17 to the body 9. The handle assembly 15 typically includes cords 74/72 and an electrical control switch 73 for turning the motor ON and OFF. The handle assembly 15 is rotationally attached to wheel bracket 13. The wheels 14 are rotatable attached to the wheel bracket 13. The assembly 15, when latched in the vertical position, enables the handle to be used to rotate the machine onto the wheels 14 and lift the cleaning plate assembly 12 from the floor for easy rolling of the machine 1 when not in operation.
[0091] In FIG. 3, a perspective view of another embodiment of a surface treating machine 1 is shown. The machine 1 includes the body 9 that supports a drive assembly 10 and a cleaning plate assembly 12. The cleaning plate assembly 12 fits under a skirt 8 affixed to the body 9. In FIG. 3, the machine 1 includes a handle assembly 15 affixed to the body 9. The wheels 14 are attached to the handle assembly 15 by a wheel bracket 13. The handle assembly 15 includes one or more compartments 17. The compartments 17 include compartments 17-4, 17-5 and 17-6 for storing water, cleaners or other solutions and for storing an AC-to-DC converter and/or a battery. A fluid dispensing tube 71 connects from the compartments 17 to the body 9. The handle 15 includes a top section with handle grips spaced apart by a dimension HT D. The spaced apart handle grips assist a user in overcoming circular twisting of the machine caused by any circular component in the cleaning plate assembly 12. The embodiments of FIG. 24 and FIG. 29 hereinafter described with the rotation in the same direction tend to have more circular torque than the embodiments of FIG. 28 and FIG. 31 hereinafter described with the rotation in the opposite direction. Therefore, the handle 15 of FIG. 3 with the spacing HT D is particularly useful in the embodiments of FIG. 24 and FIG. 29 with the rotation in the same direction. The handle 15 of FIG. 1 and of FIG. 2 works well with the embodiments of FIG. 28 and FIG. 31 the rotation in the opposite direction.
[0092] In FIG. 4, a side view of still another embodiment of a surface treating machine 1 is shown. The machine 1 includes the body 9 that supports a drive assembly 10 and a cleaning plate assembly 12. The cleaning plate assembly 12 fits under and is covered by a skirt 8 affixed to the body 9. In FIG. 4, the machine 1 includes a handle assembly 15 affixed to the body 9 for enabling a user to guide machine 1 over a floor surface. The wheels 14 are attached to the handle assembly 15 by a wheel bracket 13. The wheel bracket 13 is rigidly attached to the body 9. The handle assembly 15 typically includes cords 74/72 and an electrical control switch 73. The handle assembly 1 is rotationally attached to wheel bracket 13. The wheels 14 are rotatable attached to the wheel bracket 13. The assembly 15, when latched in the vertical position, enables the handle to be used to rotate the machine onto the wheels 14 and lift the cleaning plate assembly 12 from the floor for easy rolling of the machine 1 when not in operation.
[0093] In FIG. 5, a side view of the surface treating machine 1 of FIG. 1 is shown with the addition of a user operable handle assembly 1 having a releasable engaging clamp 18. In FIG. 5, a body 9 that supports a drive assembly 10 and a cleaning plate assembly 12. The cleaning plate assembly 12 fits under the body 9. The drive assembly 10 has a drive assembly height dimension, DA_D, measured from the XY plane. The cleaning plate assembly 12 typically has a length and a width lying in a plane parallel to the XY plane of the floor surface. The smaller one of the length or the width dimensions (or either if they are equal) of the cleaning plate assembly 12 is the minimum treatment dimension, M_D. In order to provide stability for the machine 1, the height dimension, DA D, is less than one half of the minimum treatment dimension, M_D.
[0094] In FIG. 5, the machine 1 includes a handle assembly 15 affixed to the body 9 for enabling a user to guide the machine 1 over a floor surface lying in the XY plane. The handle assemble includes wheels 14 which rest on the floor surface and assist the movement of the machine 1 over the floor surface. The handle assembly 15 has a length, H_D, extending from the wheels 14 at an acute angle with the XY plane. The handle assembly 15 includes separable sections 16-1 and 16-2 that can be separated for ease of shipping or storage. One or more compartments 17 are attached to the handle assembly 15. The compartments include, for example, one or more fluid compartments for storing water, cleaners or other solutions and one or more electrical compart- ments for housing, for example, an AC-to-DC converter and/or a battery. A fluid dispensing tube 71 connects from the compartments 17 to the body 9. The handle assembly typically includes an AC power cord 74 and power plug 75 for operation with an AC-to-DC converter and an electrical control line 72 from a switch 73.
[0095] In FIG. 5, the handle assembly 15 includes a releasable locking assembly 18 for locking the handle assembly in a fixed position with respect to the wheel bracket 13. The wheel bracket 13 is pivotally attached to the body 9 at pivot axis 13-2. The locking assembly 18 includes a retractor 76 connected to an actuator 78. The retractor 76 is a cable or rod or combination thereof which is moved by actuator 78 to release a friction clamp 87 (see FIG. 7) that permits rotation of the handle assembly 15 about a pivot point 13-1 in wheel bracket 13. The actuator 78 rotates counter clockwise about pivot point 78-1 to release the friction clamp 87 and rotates clockwise about pivot point 78-1 to allow the friction clamp 87 to reengage and lock the handle assembly. In operation, with the locking assembly 18 locked, the handle assembly 15 is rotatable by a user about the pivot axis 13-2 to lift or drop the body 9 and the cleaning plate assembly 12 up and down relative to the XY plane. Such operation allows the cleaning plate assembly 12 to glide smoothly on the floor surface.
[0096] In FIG. 6, the surface treating machine 1 of FIG. 5 has the handle assembly 15 rotated clockwise to a different position. In FIG. 6, the locking assembly 18, with the retractor 76 of FIG. 5 actuated by the actuator 78, allows the handle assemble 18 to be rotated clockwise before being relocked in a rotated fixed position as shown in FIG. 6.
[0097] In FIG. 7, a perspective exploded view of a portion of the user operable locking assembly 18 in the handle assembly 15 of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 is shown. The locking assembly 18 includes a retractor 76, a spring 79, a friction clamp 87 and a friction stop 80. The friction stop 80 fits around and is rigidly attached to shaft 81. Shaft 81 is rigidly attached to the locking assembly 18 and body 9 (see FIG. 5 and FIG. 6). The retractor 76 is a cable or rod or combination thereof which is moved to release the friction clamp 87.
[0098] In FIG. 8, a perspective non-exploded view of a portion of the user operable locking assembly 18 of FIG. 7 is shown. The locking assembly 18 includes a retractor 76, a spring 79, a friction clamp 87 and a friction stop 80. The friction stop 80 fits around and is rigidly attached to shaft 81. Shaft 81 is rigidly attached to the friction clamp 87 and body 9 (see FIG. 5 and FIG. 6). The retractor 76 is a cable or rod or combination thereof which is moved to release the friction clamp 87. In FIG. 7, the friction clamp 87 is firmly against the friction stop 80 so that relative motion of the friction clamp 87, the friction stop 80 and the spring 79 cannot occur. When the retractor 76 is moved in a direction away from friction stop 80 to release the friction clamp 87, then the friction clamp 87 and the spring 79 are free to rotate relative to the friction stop 80.
[0099] In FIG. 9, a perspective view of a portion of the user operable locking assembly 18 in the handle assembly 15 of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 together with the external cover 83. The external cover 83 is shown partially cut away to reveal the position of the friction clamp 87, the internal spring 79 and spring stop 84. The locking assembly 18 includes a retractor 76, a spring 79, a friction clamp 87 and a friction stop 80. The friction stop 80 fits around and is rigidly attached to shaft 81. Shaft 81 is rigidly attached to the clamp 13 and body 9 (see FIG. 5 and FIG. 6). The retractor 76 is a cable or rod or combination thereof which is moved to release the friction clamp 87. In FIG. 7, the friction clamp 87 is firmly against the friction stop 80 so that relative motion of the friction clamp 87, the friction stop 80 and the spring 79 cannot occur. When the retractor 76 is moved in a direction away from friction stop 80 to release the friction clamp 87, then the friction clamp 87 and the spring 79 are free to rotate relative to the friction stop 80. The external cover 83 is rotatablly engaged around shaft 81 and is free to rotate when the friction clamp 87 is withdrawn from the friction stop 80 but otherwise is fixed rigidly to the shaft 81.
[00100] In FIG. 10, a front view of the drive assembly 10 and the cleaning plate assembly 12 of the surface treating machine 1 of FIG. 1 is shown. The cleaning plate assembly 12 fits under and is covered by a skirt 8 affixed to the body 9 (see FIG. 1). The cleaning plate assembly 12 includes the vibrating plate 12-1 and a towel support plate 12-2. The towel support plate 12-2, with a towel attached, to clean or polish the floor surface. The drive assembly 10 has a drive assembly height dimension, DA_D, measured from the XY plane. The cleaning plate assembly 12 typically has a length and a width lying in a plane parallel to the XY plane of the floor surface. The smaller one of the length or the width dimensions (or either if they are equal) of the cleaning plate assembly 12 is the minimum treatment dimension, M_D. In order to provide stability for the machine 1, the height dimension, DA D, is less than one half of the minimum treatment dimension, M_D. [00101] In FIG. 11, a front exploded view of the drive assembly 10 and the cleaning plate assembly 12 of FIG. 10 are shown. The cleaning plate assembly 12 fits under and is covered by a skirt 8 affixed to the body 9 (see FIG. 1). The cleaning plate assembly 12 includes the vibrating plate 12-1 and a towel support plate 12-2. The towel support plate 12-2 has a towel attached to clean or polish the floor surface. In FIG. 11, the motor shaft 21 extends from the drive assembly 10. An eccentric drive 22 has a central axis offset from the central axis of the drive shaft 21 by an offset dimension, OFFSET D. The offset dimension, OFFSET D is typically less than 10 millimeters. The eccentric drive 22 fits centrally within a bushing 23 which fits centrally within the cleaning plate assembly 12. Accordingly, rotation of the motor shaft 21 about the central axis of the drive shaft 21 causes the cleaning plate assembly 12 to have a vibrating motion in the XY plane. The extent of the vibrating motion is such that that the cleaning plate assembly 12 is constrained to move in the in the XY plane by ± OFFSET D. In FIG. 11, the vibrating motion of the cleaning plate assembly 12 tends to cause instability. In order to compensate for the tendency of the instability from the eccentric vibrating motion of the cleaning plate assembly 12, a counterweight 40 is attached to the motor shaft 21. The counterweight 40 has a weight and an offset from the central axis of the drive shaft 21 in the opposite Y-axis direction of the OFFSET D which balances the offset of the eccentric drive 22.
[00102] In FIG. 12, a top view of the drive assembly 10 and the cleaning plate assembly 12 of FIG. 11 is shown taken along the section line 12-12' of FIG. 10. The cleaning plate assembly 12 includes the vibrating plate 12-1 and a towel support plate 12-2. The cleaning plate assembly 12 fits under and is covered by a skirt 8 which is shown by broken line to reveal the cleaning plate assembly 12.
[00103] FIG. 13 depicts a top view of the cleaning plate assembly 12 of FIG. 12 showing the treatment region bounding the eccentric motion of the cleaning plate assembly 12. The cleaning plate assembly 12 moves in the X-axis direction by offsets of OFFSET_+X and OFFSET -X and moves in the Y-axis direction by offsets of OFFSET_+Y and OFFSET -Y. Accordingly, the cleaning plate assembly 12 is constrained to move in the in the XY plane by ± OFFSET_D where OFFSET_+X and OFFSET_+Y are equal to + OFFSET D and where OFFSET -X and OFFSET -Y are equal to OFFSET D. [00104] In FIG. 14, a front view with further details of one embodiment of the drive assembly 10 and the cleaning plate assembly 12 of FIG. 10 are shown. The drive assembly 10 includes a motor 30, a base 31 supporting the motor 30 and a transmission 20. The transmission 20 includes pulley 24 connected to the motor drive shaft 21, first pulley 24-1 connected to a first drive shaft
21- 1, first bearings 26-1 and 27-1 supporting the first shaft 21-1 in the base 31, a first eccentric drive 22-1 connected to the first shaft 21-1, a first bushing 23-1 engaging the first eccentric drive
22- 1 and second pulley 24-2 connected to a second drive shaft 21-2, second bearings 26-2 and 27- 2 supporting the second shaft 21-2 in the base 31, a second eccentric drive 22-2 connected to the second shaft 21-2, a second bushing 23-2 engaging the second eccentric drive 22-2. The pulleys 24, 24-1 and 24-2 are connected by a drive belt 25. The transmission 20 operates to transfer the rotational motion of the drive shaft 21 to the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2 and thereby to the eccentric drivers 22-1 and 22-2. The eccentric drivers 22-1 and 22-2 drive the cleaning plate assembly 12 in a vibrating motion in the XY plane by ± OFFSET D. The offset driver 22-1 has an OFF- SET l offset from the center axis of the drive shaft 21-1 by the offset OFFSET l that is equal to OFFSET D. The offset driver 22-2 has an OFFSET 2 offset from the center axis of the drive shaft 21-2 by the offset OFFSET 2 that is equal to OFFSET D.
[00105] In FIG. 14, the motor drive shaft and portions of the transmission 20, including pulleys 24, 24-1 and 24-2, are located with the motor drive shaft 21 extending in the + Z-axis direction, a direction away from and normal to the XY plane. The transmission 20 connects from the motor drive shaft 21 around the motor 30 to the bushing assembly 23, including bushings 23-1 and
23- 2, of the cleaning plate assembly 12. The positioning of portions of the transmission 20, including pulleys 24, 24-1 and 24-2, above the motor 30 and away from the XY plane of the floor surface is desirable in that it enable ready and easy access for repair or other servicing and keeps those portions of the transmission 20 away from the potentially wet and cleaning solution environment of the floor surface at the XY plane.
[00106] In FIG. 14, the motor 30 is typically a pancake shaped printed motor that is compact in size, high in output torque, high in energy efficiency (75% - 85%), high in reliability and low in noise using rare earth magnets and operable in voltages from 12volts to 48volts. Such motors are sold, for example, by Golden Motors of Shanghai, China. The DC motors have a higher starting torque than AC motors. The low DC voltages provide good user safety and are battery capable. In one embodiment described, the motor 30 has a no-load operation at 3200 RPM which is reduced by the transmission to 2000 RPM. In another embodiment, the motor 30 has a no-load operation at 2880 RPM which is reduced by the transmission to 1800 RPM.
[00107] In FIG. 1 , a side view of the drive assembly 10 and the cleaning plate assembly 12 of FIG. 14 are shown. The drive assembly 10 includes a motor 30, a base 31 supporting the motor 30 and a transmission 20. The transmission 20 includes pulley 24 connected to the motor drive shaft 21, and second pulley 24-2 connected to a second drive shaft 21-2, second bearings 26-2 and 27-2 supporting the second shaft 21-2 in the base 31, a second eccentric drive 22-2 connected to the second shaft 21-2, a second bushing 23-2 engaging the second eccentric drive 22-2. The pulleys 24 and 24-2 are connected by a drive belt 25. The transmission 20 operates to transfer the rotational motion of the drive shaft 21 to the drive shaft 21-2 and thereby to the eccentric driver 22- 2. The eccentric driver 22-2 drives the cleaning plate assembly 12 with a vibrating motion.
[00108] In FIG. 16, a top view of a portion of the drive assembly 10 and the cleaning plate assembly 12 taken along section line 16-16' of FIG. 14 is shown. The drive assembly 10 includes a motor 30, a base 31 supporting the motor 30 and portions of the transmission 20. The portions of the transmission 20 includes the motor drive shaft 21, a first drive shaft 21-1, first bearings 26-1 and 27-1 supporting the first shaft 21-1 in the base 31, and a second drive shaft 21-2, second bearings 26-2 and 27-2 supporting the second shaft 21-2 in the base 31. An idler plate 39 is rigidly attached to the base 31 and supports an idler shaft 29 that in turn supports an idler pulley 28 (see FIG. 24).
[00109] In FIG. 17, a front view with further details of another embodiment of the drive assembly 10 and the cleaning plate assembly 12 of FIG. 10 is shown. The drive assembly 10 includes a motor 30, a base 31 supporting the motor 30 and a transmission 20. The transmission 20 includes pulley 24 connected to the motor drive shaft 21, first pulley 24-1 connected to a first drive shaft 21-1, first bearings 26-1 and 27-1 supporting the first shaft 21-1 in the base 31, a first eccentric drive 22-1 connected to the first shaft 21-1, a first bushing 23-1 engaging the first eccentric drive 22-1 and second pulley 24-2 connected to a second drive shaft 21-2, second bearings 26- 2 and 27-2 supporting the second shaft 21-2 in the base 31, a second eccentric drive 22-2 con- nected to the second shaft 21-2, a second bushing 23-2 engaging the second eccentric drive 22-2. The pulleys 24, 24-1 and 24-2 are connected by a drive belt 25. The transmission 20 operates to transfer the rotational motion of the drive shaft 21 to the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2 and thereby to the eccentric drivers 22-1 and 22-2. The eccentric drivers 22-1 and 22-2 drive the cleaning plate assembly 12 in a vibrating motion in the XY plane by ± OFFSET_D. The offset driver 22-1 has an OFFSET l offset from the center axis of the drive shaft 21-1 by the offset OFFSET l that is equal to OFFSET D. The offset driver 22-2 has an OFFSET 2 offset from the center axis of the drive shaft 21-2 by the offset OFFSET 2 that is equal to OFFSET D.
[00110] In FIG. 17, the motor drive shaft and portions of the transmission 20, including pulleys 24, 24-1 and 24-2, are located with the motor drive shaft 21 extending in the + Z-axis direction, a direction toward and normal to the XY plane. The transmission 20 connects from the motor drive shaft 21 under the motor 30 to the bushing assembly 23, including bushings 23-1 and 23-2, of the cleaning plate assembly 12. The transmission 20, including pulleys 24, 24-1 and 24-2, are positioned between the motor 30 and the XY plane of the floor surface.
[00111] In FIG. 18, a side view of the drive assembly 10 and the cleaning plate assembly 12 of FIG. 17 are shown. The drive assembly 10 includes a motor 30, a base 31 supporting the motor 30 and a transmission 20. The transmission 20 includes pulley 24 connected to the motor drive shaft 21, and second pulley 24-2 connected to a second drive shaft 21-2, second bearings 26-2 and 27-2 supporting the second shaft 21-2 in the base 31, a second eccentric drive 22-2 connected to the second shaft 21-2, a second bushing 23-2 engaging the second eccentric drive 22-2. The pulleys 24 and 24-2 are connected by a drive belt 25. The transmission 20 operates to transfer the rotational motion of the drive shaft 21 to the drive shaft 21-2 and thereby to the eccentric drivers 22- 2. The eccentric drivers 22-1 and 22-2 drive the cleaning plate assembly 12 in a vibrating motion.
[00112] In FIG. 19, a top view of a portion of the drive assembly 10 and the cleaning plate assembly 12 taken along section line 19-19' of FIG. 17 is shown. The drive assembly 10 includes a motor 30, a base 31 supporting the motor 30 and portions of the transmission 20. The portions of the transmission 20 include a first drive shaft 21-1, first bearings 26-1 and 27-1 supporting the first shaft 21-1 in the base 31, and a second drive shaft 21-2, second bearings 26-2 and 27-2 supporting the second shaft 21-2 in the base 31. The cleaning plate assembly 12 includes the vibrating plate 12-1 and a towel support plate 12-2.
[00113] In FIG. 20, a front view of the motor 30 and motor support base 31 of the drive assembly 10 of FIG. 14 is shown with the axis of drive shaft 21 of drive motor 30 extending in the Z-axis direction away from the XY-plane and normal to the drawing page. The base 31 has holes 28-1 and 28-2 for receiving the transmission shafts (21-1 and 21-2, see FIG. 14) and bearings (26- 1 and 27-2, see FIG. 14). The brackets 32 are provided on the sides of the base 31 for attaching the handle assembly 15 (see FIG. 2).
[00114] FIG. 21 depicts a perspective view of the motor 30 and motor support base 31 of FIG. 20. The motor 30 has drive shaft 21. The base 31 has holes 28-1 and 28-2 for receiving the transmission shafts (21-1 and 21-2, see FIG. 14) and bearings (26-1 and 27-2, see FIG. 14). The brackets 32 are provided on the sides of the base 31 for attaching the handle assembly (15, see FIG. 2).
[00115] FIG. 22 depicts a top view of the drive assembly 10 of FIG. 20. The motor 30 has drive shaft 21. The base 31 has holes 28-1 and 28-2 for receiving the transmission shafts (21-1 and 21-2, see FIG. 14) and bearings (26-1 and 27-2, see FIG. 14). The brackets 32 are provided on the sides of the base 31 for attaching the handle assembly (15, see FIG. 2).
[00116] FIG. 23 depicts a perspective view of the drive assembly 10 of FIG. 22. The motor 30 has drive shaft 21. The brackets 32 are provided on the sides of the base 31 for attaching the handle assembly 1 (see FIG. 2).
[00117] FIG. 24 depicts a top view of the pulleys 24, 24-1, 24-2 and 28 and of the belt 25 that form a part of a belt-driven embodiment of the transmission 20 of the of drive assembly 10 of FIG. 10 and of FIG. 14. The transmission 20 includes pulley 24 connected to the motor drive shaft 21, first pulley 24-1 connected to a first drive shaft 21-1, second pulley 24-2 connected to a second drive shaft 21-2, and idler pulley 28 connected to idler shaft 29. The pulleys 24, 24-1, 24-2 and 28 are connected by a drive belt 25. The transmission 20 operates to transfer the rotational motion of the drive shaft 21 to the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2. The motor pulley 24 is driven in the clockwise direction and similarly both the pulleys 24-1 and 24-2 and the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2 rotate in the same clockwise direction.
[00118] In FIG. 25, a front view of the transmission 20 of FIG. 24 is shown. The pulleys 24, 24-1 and 24-2 are driven by the belt 25. The transmission 20 includes pulley 24 connected to the motor drive shaft 21, first pulley 24-1 connected to a first drive shaft 21-1, second pulley 24-2 connected to a second drive shaft 21-2, and an idler pulley 28 (see FIG. 24). The pulleys 24, 24-1, 24-2 and 28 are connected by a drive belt 25. The transmission 20 operates to transfer the rotational motion of the drive shaft 21 to the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2. The motor pulley 24 is driven in the clockwise direction and similarly both the pulleys 24-1 and 24-2 and the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2 rotate in the same clockwise direction. The transmission 20 includes first pulley 24-1 connected to a first drive shaft 21-1, first bearings 26-1 and 27-1, a first eccentric drive 22-1 connected to the first shaft 21-1, a first bushing 23-1 engaging the first eccentric drive 22-1 and second pulley 24-2 connected to a second drive shaft 21-2, second bearings 26-2 and 27-2, a second eccentric drive 22-2 connected to the second shaft 21-2, a second bushing 23-2 engaging the second eccentric drive 22-2. The pulleys 24, 24-1 and 24-2 are connected by a drive belt 25. The transmission 20 operates to transfer the rotational motion of the drive shaft 21 to the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2 and thereby to the eccentric drivers 22-1 and 22-2.
[00119] FIG. 26 depicts a perspective view of the pulleys, belt, drive shafts and eccentric drivers that form a part of the transmission of the of drive assembly as shown in of FIG. 25. The transmission 20 includes pulley 24 connected to the motor drive shaft 21, first pulley 24-1 connected to a first drive shaft 21-1, second pulley 24-2 connected to a second drive shaft 21-2, and an idler pulley 28 connected to the idler shaft 29. The pulleys 24, 24-1, 24-2 and 28 are connected by the drive belt 25. The transmission 20 operates to transfer the rotational motion of the drive shaft 21 to the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2. The motor pulley 24 is driven in the clockwise direction and similarly both the pulleys 24-1 and 24-2 and the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2 rotate in the same clockwise direction. The transmission 20 includes first pulley 24-1 connected to a first drive shaft 21-1, first bearings 26-1 and 27-1, a first eccentric drive 22-1 connected to the first shaft 21-1, a first bushing 23-1 engaging the first eccentric drive 22-1 and second pulley 24-2 connected to a second drive shaft 21-2, second bearings 26-2 and 27-2, a second eccentric drive 22-2 connected to the second shaft 21-2, a second bushing 23-2 engaging the second eccentric drive 22-2. The pulleys 24, 24-1 and 24-2 are connected by a drive belt 25. The transmission 20 operates to transfer the rotational motion of the drive shaft 21 to the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2 and thereby to the ec- centric drivers 22-1 and 22-2.
[00120] FIG. 27 depicts an end view of the drive assembly as shown in of FIG. 25. The transmission 20 includes pulley 24 connected to the motor drive shaft 21 and second pulley 24-2 connected to a second drive shaft 21-2. The pulleys 24 and 24-2 are connected by the drive belt 25. The transmission 20 operates to transfer the rotational motion of the drive shaft 21 to the drive shaft 21-2. The transmission 20 includes second pulley 24-2 connected to a second drive shaft 21- 2, second bearings 26-2 and 27-2, a second eccentric drive 22-2 connected to the second shaft 21- 2, a second bushing 23-2 engaging the second eccentric drive 22-2.
[00121] FIG. 28 depicts a top view of another embodiment of the transmission 20 of the of drive assembly 10 of FIG. 10 and of FIG. 14. FIG. 24 depicts a top view of the pulleys 24, 24-1, 24-2, 33-1, 33-2 and 28 and of the belt 25 that form a part of a belt-driven embodiment of the transmission 20 of the of drive assembly 10 of FIG. 10 and of FIG. 14. The transmission 20 includes pulley 24 connected to the motor drive shaft 21, first pulley 24-1 connected to a first drive shaft 21-1, second pulley 24-2 connected to a second drive shaft 21-2, idler pulley 28 connected to idler shaft 29, and reversing pulleys 33-1 and 33-2. The pulleys 24, 24-1, 24-2, 33-1, 33-2 and 28 are connected by the drive belt 25. The transmission 20 operates to transfer the rotational motion of the drive shaft 21 to the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2. The motor pulley 24 is driven in the clockwise direction and similarly both the pulley 24-1 and the drive shaft 21-1 rotate in the same clockwise direction. Because of the reversing pulleys 33-1 and 33-2, the pulley 24-2 and the drive shaft 21-2 rotate in the counterclockwise direction, opposite the clockwise direction of motor pulley 24 and the pulley 24-1 and the drive shaft 21-1.p
[00122] In FIG. 29, a top view of the gears that form a part of a gear-driven embodiment of the transmission 20 of the of drive assembly 10 of FIG. 10 are shown. The transmission 20 includes motor gear 24' connected to the motor drive shaft 21, a first gear 24' -1 connected to a first drive shaft 21-1, a first connector gear 36-1 connecting motor gear 24' to the first gear 24 '-1, a second gear 24 '-2 connected to a second drive shaft 21-2, a second connector gear 36-2 connecting motor gear 24' to the second gear 24'-2. The gears 24', 24'-l, 24'-2, 36-1 and 36-2 as part of the transmission 20 operate to transfer the rotational motion of the drive shaft 21 to the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2. The motor gear 24 is driven in the clockwise direction and similarly both the gears 24 '-1 and 24 '-2 and the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2 rotate in the same clockwise direction. The connector gear 36-1 and the connector gear 36-2 turn in the counterclockwise direction.
[00123] FIG. 30 depicts a front view of the gears that form a part of one gear-driven embodiment of the transmission 20 as shown in FIG. 29. The transmission 20 includes motor gear 24' connected to the motor drive shaft 21, a first gear 24 '-1 connected to a first drive shaft 21-1, a first connector gear 36-1 connecting motor gear 24' to the first gear 24'- 1, a second gear 24 '-2 connected to a second drive shaft 21-2, a second connector gear 36-2 connecting motor gear 24' to the second gear 24'-2. The gears 24', 24'-l, 24'-2, 36-1 and 36-2 as part of the transmission 20 operate to transfer the rotational motion of the drive shaft 21 to the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2. The motor gear 24 is driven in the clockwise direction and similarly both the gears 24' -1 and 24 '-2 and the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2 rotate in the same clockwise direction. The connector gear 36-1 and the connector gear 36-2 turn in the counterclockwise direction. The first drive shaft 21-1 connects to first bearings 26-1 and 27-1. The second drive shaft 21-2 connects to second bearings 26-2 and 27-2. The drive shaft 21-1 and the drive shaft 21-2 of FIG. 30 connect to the eccentric drives and bushings as shown in FIG. 25.
[00124] FIG. 31 depicts a top view of another gear-driven embodiment of the transmission 20 of the of drive assembly 10 of FIG. 10. In FIG. 31, a the transmission 20 includes motor gear 24' connected to the motor drive shaft 21, a first gear 24 '-1 connected to a first drive shaft 21-1, a first connector gear 36-1 connecting motor gear 24' to the first gear 24'- 1, a second gear 24 '-2 connected to a second drive shaft 21-2, a third connector gear 38-1 and a fourth connector gear 38- 2 connecting motor gear 24' to the second gear 24'-2. The gears 24', 24'-l, 24'-2, 36-1, 38-1 and 38-2 as part of the transmission 20 operate to transfer the rotational motion of the drive shaft 21 to the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2. The motor gear 24' is driven in the clockwise direction and similarly the gear 24'- 1 and the drive shaft 21-1 rotate in the same clockwise direction. The connector gear 36-1 turns in the counterclockwise direction. The motor gear 24' is driven in the clockwise direction and the gear 24 '-2 and the drive shaft 21-2 rotate in the counterclockwise direction. The connector gear 38-1 turns in the clockwise direction and the connector gear 38-2 turns in the counterclockwise direction.
[00125] In FIG. 32, a front view is shown with further details of the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2 of the drive assembly 10 and their engagements with the cleaning plate assembly 12. The first drive shaft 21-1 connects to first bearings 26-1 and 27-1 and the eccentric driver 22-1 within the bushing 23-1. The second drive shaft 21-2 connects to second bearings 26-2 and 27-2 and the eccentric driver 22-2 within the bushing 23-2. The eccentric driver 22-1 within the bushing 23-1 and eccentric driver 22-2 within the bushing 23-2 are under the skirt 8.
[00126] In FIG. 33, a top view is shown of the cleaning plate assembly 12 of FIG. 32 taken along section line 33-33' of FIG. 32. The first drive shaft 21-1 connects to the eccentric driver 22- 1 within the bushing 23-1. The second drive shaft 21-2 connects to the eccentric driver 22-2 within the bushing 23-2.
[00127] In FIG. 34, a bottom view is shown of the cleaning plate assembly 12-1 of FIG. 32 taken along section line 34-34' of FIG. 32. In FIG. 34, the first drive shafts, drivers and bushings are all shown with broken lines as they are on the opposite side of the vibrating plate 12-1.
[00128] In FIG. 35, a side view of the drive assembly 10 and the cleaning plate assembly 12 similar to that shown in FIG. 1 is shown with the addition of a counterweight 40-2. The drive assembly 10 includes a motor 30 and a transmission 20. The transmission 20 includes pulley 24 connected to the motor drive shaft 21, second pulley 24-2 connected to a second drive shaft 21-2, second bearings 26-2 and 27-2 supporting the second shaft 21-2, a second eccentric drive 22-2 connected to the second shaft 21-2, a second bushing 23-2 engaging the second eccentric drive 22-2 and a counterweight 40-2. The pulleys 24 and 24-2 are connected by a drive belt 25. The transmission 20 operates to transfer the rotational motion of the drive shaft 21 to the drive shaft 21-2 and thereby to the eccentric driver 22-2. The eccentric driver 22-2 drives the cleaning plate assembly 12 in a vibrating motion. The counterweight 40-2 counter balances the eccentricity of the eccentric driver 22-2.
[00129] In FIG. 36, a perspective view is shown of the drive assembly 10 and the vibrating plate of FIG. 35 including the counterweight 40-2. The drive assembly 10 includes a motor 30 and a transmission 20. The transmission 20 includes pulley 24 connected to the motor drive shaft 21, a first pulley 24-1 connected to a first drive shaft 21-1, a second pulley 24-2 connected to a second drive shaft 21-2, and a counterweight 40-2. The pulleys 24, 24-1 and 24-2 are connected by a drive belt (not shown, see belt 25, FIG. 35). The transmission 20 operates to transfer the rotational mo- tion of the drive shaft 21 to the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2 to drive the cleaning plate assembly 12 in a vibrating motion. The counterweight 40-2 counter balances the eccentricity of the eccentric driver connected to shaft 21-2.
[00130] In FIG. 37, a front view is shown of the drive assembly 10 and the cleaning plate assembly 12 of FIG. 35 including the counterweight 40-2. The drive assembly 10 includes a motor 30 and a transmission 20. The transmission 20 includes pulley 24 connected to the motor drive shaft 21, a first pulley 24-1 connected to a first drive shaft 21-1, a second pulley 24-2 connected to a second drive shaft 21-2, and a counterweight 40-2. The pulleys 24, 24-1 and 24-2 are connected by a drive belt (not shown, see belt 25, FIG. 35). The transmission 20 operates to transfer the rotational motion of the drive shaft 21 to the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2 to drive the cleaning plate assembly 12 in a vibrating motion. The counterweight 40-2 counter balances the eccentricity of the eccentric driver connected to shaft 21-2.
[00131] In FIG. 38, a side view is shown of the drive assembly 10 and the cleaning plate assembly 12 of FIG. 35 including the counterweight 40-2. The drive assembly 10 includes a motor 30 and a transmission 20. The transmission 20 includes motor pulley 24 connected to the motor drive shaft 21, a second pulley 24-2 connected to a second drive shaft 21-2, and a counterweight 40-2. The pulleys 24 and 24-2 are connected by a drive belt (not shown, see belt 25, FIG. 35). The transmission 20 operates to transfer the rotational motion of the drive shaft 21 to the drive shaft 21-2 to drive the cleaning plate assembly 12 in a vibrating motion. The counterweight 40-2 counter balances the eccentricity of the eccentric driver connected to shaft 21-2.
[00132] In FIG. 39, a top view is shown of the drive assembly 10 and the cleaning plate assembly 12 of FIG. 35 including the counterweight 40-2. The transmission 20 includes pulley 24 connected to the motor drive shaft 21, a first pulley 24-1 connected to a first drive shaft 21-1, a second pulley 24-2 connected to a second drive shaft 21-2, and a counterweight 40-2. The pulleys 24, 24-1 and 24-2 are connected by a drive belt (not shown, see belt 25, FIG. 35). The transmission 20 operates to transfer the rotational motion of the drive shaft 21 to the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2 to drive the cleaning plate assembly 12 in a vibrating motion. The counterweight 40-2 counter balances the eccentricity of the eccentric driver connected to shaft 21-2.
[00133] In FIG. 40, a bottom view is shown of the skirt 8 that covers the cleaning plate as- sembly 12, as shown for example in FIG. 10 through FIG. 12, together with stabilizing magnets
51- 1 and 51-2. The stabilizing magnets 51-1 and 51-2 are rigidly attached to the skirt 8 which is in turn rigidly attached to the base 31 (see FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, for example).
[00134] In FIG. 41, a top view is shown of the vibrating plate 12-1 together with stabilizing magnets 52-1 and 52-2. The stabilizing magnets 52-1 and 52-2 are rigidly attached to the vibrating plate 12-1.
[00135] In FIG. 42, a bottom view of the vibrating plate 12-1 within the skirt 8 is shown together with attachment pads 53-1, 53-2, ..., 53-11. The attachment pads 53-1, 53-2, ..., 53-11 are part of a hook-and-loop fastener combination frequently identified under the trademark Velcro. The attachment pads 53-1, 53-2, ..., 53-11 are the "hooks" in the hook-and-loop fastener combination. The "loop" part of the hook-and-loop fastener combination is provided by the towel support plate 12-2 (see FIG. 10 and FIG. 11). In FIG. 42, the magnets the stabilizing magnets 1-1 and 51- 2 of the skirt 8 are juxtaposed the stabilizing magnets 52-1 and 52-2 of the vibrating plate 12-1. The stabilizing magnets 1-1 and 1-2 attached to the skirt 8 of FIG. 40 are juxtaposed the stabilizing magnets 52-1 and 52-2 of the vibrating plate 12-1 of FIG. 41. In FIG. 42, the juxtaposed magnets are referenced as 52-1/ 1-1 and 52-2/51-2.
[00136] In FIG. 43, a front view of the vibrating plate 12-1 within the skirt 8 with the juxtaposed magnets 52-1/51-1 and 52-2/51-2 shown with broken lines revealing their positions under the skirt 8. In FIG. 43, the juxtaposed magnets 52-2/51-2 are shown in an exploded view as being parallel and separated by a gap 90 with a spacing of M_0. The spacing M_0 is typically 3/32 inch. Each one of the four magnets 52-1/51-1 and 52-2/51-2, in one typical embodiment, is 1.5 inches in diameter and 1/8 inch thick. The magnets 52-1/51-1 and 52-2/51-2 are typically formed of rare earth metal such as Neodymium. Each pair of magnets, pair 52-1/51-1 and pair 52-2/51-2, are oriented so as to repel each other and maintain the gap 90 of dimension M O. The gap 90 prevents the vibrating plate 12-1 from moving toward the skirt 8 in a manner that would tend to close the gap between the pair 52-1/51-1 or to close the gap 90 between the pair 52-2/51-2. The magnets
52- 1/51-1 and 52-2/51-2 function to reduce the wear on the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2, the eccentric drivers 22-1 and 22-2, the bushings 23-1 and 23-2 (see FIG. 14 for example).
[00137] In FIG. 44, a front view is shown of the towel support plate 12-2 and the cleaning towel 12-3. The towel 12-3 is attached to the towel support plate 12-2 by hook-and-loop fasteners where the hooks 53, including hooks 53-A, are attached to the towel support plate 12-2 and the "loops", including loops 53 '-A, are part of the towel 12-3.
[00138] In FIG. 45, a perspective view is shown of a cutaway section A of the cleaning towel 12-3 of FIG. 44. The hook-and-loop fastener 53-A and 53 '-A are typical of the hook-and- loop fasteners of FIG. 44. The loop portion 53 '-A is fulfilled by the cover 62 that surrounds the cotton center 61. In addition to providing the "loop" function of the hook-and-loop fastening, the cover 62 is more abrasive then the cotton core 61. The more abrasive cover 62 functions when cleaning to dislodge more stubborn stains and particles. By way of contrast, the cotton center 61 is more absorbent and tends to absorb stains and particles dislodged by the abrasive cover 62 and by any liquid applied, such as water or cleaning solution.
[00139] In FIG. 46, a bottom view is shown of the towel support plate 12-2 and the attachment pads 53. The attachment pads 53-1, 53-2, 53-11 perform the "hook" function of the hook-and-loop fastening as described in connection with FIG. 45.
[00140] In FIG. 47, a shifted top view of four different positions are shown of the vibrating plate 12-1 according to the FIG. 14 embodiment using the FIG. 28 transmission, the four different positions designated 95-1, 95-2, 95-3 and 95-4. In FIG. 47, the eccentric drives 22-1 and 22-1 are rotating in opposite directions. With the eccentric drive of FIG. 47, the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2 remain aligned. In the embodiments such as FIG. 47 with the counter rotation of the eccentric drives 22-1 and 22-2, the cleaning action is particularly suitable for hard surfaces such as wood floors and rugs with short piles and loops. A 2 millimeter offset has been found suitable for a machine having a minimum treatment dimension, M_D, of 7 inches.
[00141] In FIG. 48 a non-shifted top view of the four different positions of FIG. 47 are shown for the vibrating plate 12-1 according to the FIG. 14 embodiment using the FIG. 28 transmission. The four different positions are designated 95-1, 95-2, 95-3 and 95-4.
[00142] In FIG. 49, a top view of four different positions are shown of the vibrating plate 12-1 according to the FIG. 14 embodiment using the FIG. 24 transmission, the four different positions designated 96-1, 96-2, 96-3 and 96-4. In FIG. 49, the eccentric drives 22-1 and 22-1 are rotating in the same direction. With the eccentric drive of FIG. 49, the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2 remain aligned. In the embodiments such as FIG. 49 with the same direction rotation of the eccentric drives 22-1 and 22-2, the cleaning action is particularly suitable for soft surfaces such as rugs with deep piles and loops. A 4 millimeter offset has been found suitable for a machine having a minimum treatment dimension, M_D, of 7 inches.
[00143] In FIG. 50 a non-shifted top view of the four different positions of FIG. 49 are shown for the vibrating plate 12-1 according to the FIG. 14 embodiment using the FIG. 24 transmission. The four different positions are designated 96-1, 96-2, 96-3 and 96-4.
[00144] In FIG. 51, a front view of another embodiment of a portion of a surface treating machine 1 is shown. The cleaning plate assembly 12 fits under and is covered by a skirt 8 affixed to the body 9 (see FIG. 1). The cleaning plate assembly 12 includes the vibrating plate 12-1 rigidly attached to a towel support plate 12-2. The towel support plate 12-2, with a towel attached, functions to clean or polish the floor surface. The drive assembly 10 includes a first eccentric drive transmission 91-1 for driving the vibrating plate 12-1 with an eccentricity. The drive assembly 10 includes a second eccentric drive transmission 91-2 for driving the counterweight 40 with an eccentricity that counter balances the eccentricity of the first eccentric drive transmission 91-1. The drive assembly 10 has a drive assembly height dimension, DA_D, measured from the XY plane of the floor surface. The cleaning plate assembly 12 typically has a length and a width lying in a plane parallel to the XY plane of the floor surface. The smaller one of the length or the width dimensions (or either if they are equal) of the cleaning plate assembly 12 is the minimum treatment dimension, M_D. In order to provide stability for the machine 1, the height dimension, DA D, is less than one half of the minimum treatment dimension, M_D.
[00145] In FIG. 52, a top view is shown of the drive assembly 10 and the cleaning plate assembly 12 taken along section line 52-52' of FIG. 51. The cleaning plate assembly 12 includes the vibrating plate 12-1 and a towel support plate 12-2. The cleaning plate assembly 12 fits under and is covered by a skirt 8 which is shown by broken line to reveal the cleaning plate assembly 12. The drive assembly 10 includes the first eccentric drive transmission 91-1 juxtaposed over a second eccentric drive transmission 91-2. The first eccentric drive transmission 91-1 has an eccentric drive 22-1 which is rotated by the motor axis 21. Rotation of the eccentric drive 22-1 about the motor axis 21 causes transmission 91-1 to rotate about axis 98 about the pivot axis 98. In a similar manner, the second eccentric drive transmission 91-2 is rotated by the motor axis 21 about the pivot axis 98.
[00146] In FIG. 53, a side view is shown of the drive assembly 10 and the cleaning plate assembly 12 of FIG. 51 and FIG. 52. The cleaning plate assembly 12 includes the vibrating plate 12- 1 rigidly attached to a towel support plate 12-2. The drive assembly 10 includes a first eccentric drive transmission 91-1 for driving the vibrating plate 12-1 through a first shaft 93-1 with a first eccentricity. The drive assembly 10 includes a second eccentric drive transmission 91-2 for driving the counterweight 40 through a second shaft 93-2 with a second eccentricity that counter balances the first eccentricity of the first eccentric drive transmission 91-1.
[00147] In FIG. 54, a top and spread view is shown of the eccentric drives of FIG. 51, FIG. 52 and FIG. 53. In actuality, the eccentric drives are juxtaposed each other and appear as shown in the top view of FIG. 52. In FIG. 54, for ease of explanation, the eccentric drive transmission 91-1 has been shifted left and the he eccentric drive transmission 91-2 has been shifted right from the true position at 91. The first eccentric drive transmission 91-1 has an eccentric drive 22-1 which is rotated by the motor axis 21. Rotation of the eccentric drive 22-1 about the motor axis 21 causes the eccentric drive 22-1 to rotate and translate within the opening 92-1 while causing transmission 91-1 to rotate about the pivot axis 98 which in turn causes rotation of the first shaft 93-1. The rotation of the first shaft 93-1 causes rotation of the vibrating plate 12-1. In a similar manner, rotation of the eccentric drive 22-2 about the motor axis 21 causes the eccentric drive 22-2 to rotate and translate within the opening 92-2 while causing transmission 91-2 to rotate about the pivot axis 98 which in turn causes rotation of the second shaft 93-2. The rotation of the second shaft 93-2 causes rotation of the counterweight 40.
[00148] In FIG. 54, the eccentric drives 22-1 is rotated a maximum amount in the +X axis direction while eccentric drive 22-2 is rotated a maximum amount in the -X axis direction. Accordingly, eccentric drive 22-1 and eccentric drive 22-2 are 180 degrees out of phase so that the rotation of the vibrating plate 12-1 and the counterweight 40 are similarly 180 degrees out of phase. The eccentricity of the vibrating plate 12-1 and the eccentricity of the counterweight 40 tend to cancel and provide a balanced load.
[00149] In FIG. 55, a representation is shown of the eccentric transmissions 91-1 and 91-2, the vibrating plate 12-1 and the counterweight 40 in a first position.
[00150] In FIG. 56 a representation is shown of the eccentric transmissions 91-1 and 91-2, the vibrating plate 12-1 and the counterweight 40 in a second position.
[00151] FIG. 57 a representation is shown of the eccentric transmissions 91-1 and 91-2, the vibrating plate 12-1 and the counterweight 40 in a third position.
[00152] FIG. 58, a representation is shown of the eccentric transmissions 91-1 and 91-2, the vibrating plate 12-1 and the counterweight 40 in a fourth position.
[00153] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.