Floating deck for use with a floor cleaning apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a floor treatment component that is designed such that as it passes over an uneven surface it applies a substantially constant downward force to the uneven surface. Specifically, systems for connecting the floor treatment component to a floor treatment apparatus are described.

1 . A counter balance mechanism for use with a floor treatment apparatus, comprising: 
 a connection member having a pivot point, a first attachment point and a second attachment point, wherein a first force is applied to the connection member at the first attachment point and a second force is applied to the connection member at the second attachment point, and wherein the first force creates a first moment about the pivot point and the second force creates a second moment about the pivot point that opposes the first moment, and wherein in response to a first action a moment arm of the first moment changes and a moment arm of the second moment changes in a substantially opposite manner to the change of the first moment arm.    
     
     
         2 . The counter balance mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein a floor treatment component is attached to the connection member at the first attachment point, and wherein the first force is applied by the weight of the floor treatment component.  
     
     
         3 . The counter balance mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein the floor treatment component includes at least one of a vacuum deck, squeegee, scrubber and brush.  
     
     
         4 . The counter balance mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the second force is applied by at least one of a spring, bar, cable and chain.  
     
     
         5 . The counter balance mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein the first action is the floor treatment component passing over an uneven surface  
     
     
         6 . The counter balance mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein the first action is the floor treatment apparatus being tilted.  
     
     
         7 . The counter balance mechanism of  claim 5 , wherein in response to the floor treatment component passing over the uneven surface a substantially constant force is applied to the uneven surface by the floor treatment component.  
     
     
         8 . The counter balance mechanism of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 at least one side plate; and    at least one linking member comprising a first and second end, wherein the first end is pivotally connected to the at least one side plate and wherein the second end is pivotally connected to the floor treatment component.    
     
     
         9 . A device for use with a floor treatment apparatus, comprising: 
 a means for providing communication between a floor treatment component and the floor treatment apparatus, wherein the means for communicating comprises a pivot point;    a means for applying a force to the means for communicating;    wherein the means for applying the force applies a first moment about the pivot point and the first moment opposes a second moment about the pivot point created by the weight of the floor treatment component.    
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein in response to a first event, the means for communicating rotates about the pivot point from a first state to a second state, wherein a moment arm of the first moment is larger about the pivot point in the second state than the first state and a moment arm of the second moment is smaller about the pivot point in the second state than the first state.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the means for applying a force is at least one of a spring, bar, cable and chain.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising a means for adjusting the means for applying a force.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the means for communicating comprises at least one linking arm with a first end and second end, wherein the first end is operatively associated with the floor treatment component and the second end is operatively associated with the means for applying a force.  
     
     
         14 . A device for connecting components of a floor treatment apparatus, comprising: 
 a connection member;    a force applying member;    a moving member pivotally associated with the connection member and comprising a first attachment point, wherein the first attachment point is operatively associated with a floor treatment component and a second attachment point, wherein the second attachment point is operatively associated with the force applying member; and    wherein the floor treatment component is operable to apply a substantially constant downward force to an uneven surface.    
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the force applying member is at least one of a spring, bar, cable and chain.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising an adjustment member associated with the force applying member.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising a mounting plate, wherein the mounting plate provides for communication between the connection member and the floor treatment apparatus.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the moving member further comprises a pivot point.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the weight of the floor treatment component creates a first moment about the pivot point and the force applying member creates a second moment about the pivot point that opposes the first moment.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein as the floor treatment component passes over the uneven surface, a moment arm of the first moment changes and a moment arm of the second moment changes in a substantially opposite manner to the change of the moment arm of the first moment.