Apparatus for cleaning floor surfaces

• US 7,140,060 B1
• Filed: 07/12/2005
• Issued: 11/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Freddie Walker
• Original Assignee: Freddie Walker
• Inventors: Walker, Freddie
• Primary Examiner(s): CHIN, RANDALL E
• Application Number:
  US11/178,820
• Time in Patent Office: 504 Days
• Field of Search: 15/491, 15/98, 15/791, 15/792
• US Class Current: 15/98
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/12 with reciprocating or oscillating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/14 with rotating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4069 Driving or transmission means for the cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4075 Handles; levers

Abstract

An apparatus for cleaning floor surfaces. The apparatus comprises a floor buffing machine that has both a handle portion and a main body. The main body has a bottom-mounted buffer pad and a top-mounted motor which is connected to a control box located on the handle portion. The motor can be set in one of two different positions that either allow the buffer pad to perform in a rotary mode or an oscillating mode.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cleaning floor surfaces comprising:

(a) a buffer pad having two surfaces, a top surface and a bottom surface,

(b) a pair of plates comprising a top plate and a bottom plate, each of the plates having two surfaces, a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the bottom plate being attached to the top surface of the buffer pad, the bottom surface of the top plate being removably attached to the top surface of the bottom plate,

(c) a reciprocating disc attached to the top surface of the bottom plate,

(d) a first hole located in the reciprocating disc, the first hole being circular, the first hole having an extra cutout area within it,

(e) a second hole located in the middle of the top plate, the second hole having an extra cutout area within it,

(f) a plastic bearing plate located on the top surface of the top plate,

(g) a mounting plate having two surfaces, a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the mounting plate being attached to the plastic bearing plate,

(h) a motor located on the top surface of the mounting plate, the motor including a downwardly-sloped motor shaft, the motor shaft being circular, the motor shaft also having a nodule, the nodule fitting into the cutout area within the first and second holes when the motor shaft is inserted through the first and second holes,

(i) means for mounting the motor onto the top surface of the mounting plate,

(j) a handle unit, the handle unit including a main handle, the main handle including two ends, a top end and a bottom end, the bottom end of the main handle being attached to the mounting plate,

(k) a lift handle attached to the main handle,

(l) means for raising and lowering the motor in relation to the top surface of the mounting plate,

(m) a pair of grasping handles attached to the top end of the main handle,

(n) a control box attached to the top end of the main handle, the control box being electronically connected to the motor,

(o) an activation lever attached to the pair of grasping handles,

(p) power means for providing power to the control box, the power means being connected to the control box,

(q) a pair of wheels attached to the bottom end of the main handle,

(r) wherein the activation lever serves as a circuit in between the power means and the motor,

(s) further wherein the motor can be placed into one of two positions to operate the apparatus.

2. An apparatus for cleaning floor surfaces according to claim 1 wherein the means for mounting the motor onto the top surface of the mounting plate further comprises:

(a) a pair of brackets pivotally attached to the motor, the pair of brackets also pivotally attached to the top surface of the mounting plate, and

(b) a circular band that encircles the motor.

3. An apparatus for cleaning floor surfaces according to claim 2 wherein the means for raising and lowering the motor in relation to the top surface of the mounting plate further comprises:

(a) a lift bar connected to each of the brackets of the pair of brackets,

(b) a lift cable having two ends, a top end and a bottom end, the bottom end of the lift cable being attached to the lift bar, the top end of the lift cable being attached to the lift handle,

(c) wherein lifting the lift handle causes the motor to rise to a higher position, and

(d) further wherein lowering the lift handle causes the motor to lower to a lower position.

4. An apparatus for cleaning floor surfaces according to claim 3 wherein the power means further comprises:

(a) a power cord, the power cord being connected to the control box,

(b) wherein the power cord receives power through standard household current.

5. An apparatus for cleaning floor surfaces according to claim 4 wherein the apparatus further comprises a pair of cord holders, the pair of cord holders comprising a first cord holder and a second holder, wherein each of the cord holders of the pair of cord holders being attached to the main handle of the handle unit.