Riding floor polishing machine

Abstract

A riding floor polishing machine with dust and exhaust filtering apparatus is disclosed. The riding floor polishing machine provides a vehicle-driven surface processing apparatus capable of performing a large scale surface polishing operation in an indoor setting with reduced dust accumulation and reduced exhaust emission to the working environment. The riding floor polishing machine includes generally a grinder assembly, an exhaust control device, and a dust collection device, each carried by a vehicle. The grinder assembly includes a plurality of planetary polishing heads carried by a frame. The frame is movably attached to the vehicle such that the planetary polishing heads can be moved in either lateral or vertical directions proximate the vehicle. The vehicle provides mobility to the riding floor polishing machine and includes a power source to provide power for operating the various functions of the grinder assembly, the exhaust control device, and the dust collection device.

1 - 6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 . A self-contained riding floor polishing machine comprising: 
 a vehicle having: 
 a chassis; and  
 a power source mounted on said chassis;  
   a grinder assembly adapted to be engaged by said power source, said grinder assembly having: 
 a frame carried by said vehicle; and  
 a polishing head mounted on said frame;  
   an imaging device mounted on said vehicle; and    a monitor in electrical communication with said imaging device, said monitor being configured to produce a series of optical images depicting the periphery of said riding floor polishing machine to assist an operator in guiding said riding floor polishing machine.    
   
   
       8 . A self-contained riding floor polishing machine comprising: 
 a vehicle having: 
 a chassis; and  
 a power source mounted on said chassis;  
   a grinder assembly adapted to be engaged by said power source, said grinder assembly having: 
 a frame carried by said vehicle, said frame comprising: 
 a hinged member pivotally secured to said vehicle, said hinged member having an axial dimension;  
 a support structure fixed to said hinged member, said support structure being adapted to receive said planetary polishing heads; and,  
 a mechanical piston having a first end and a second end, said mechanical piston first end being pivotally secured to said vehicle and said mechanical piston second end being pivotally secured to said hinged member, said mechanical piston being configured in a direction biased to said axial dimension of said hinged member, whereby upon the extension and retraction of said mechanical piston, said hinged member rotates proximate said vehicle to facilitate selective repositioning of said planetary polishing heads proximate said vehicle; and a polishing head mounted on said frame.  
 
   
   
   
       9 - 16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . A self-contained riding floor polishing machine comprising: 
 a vehicle having: 
 a chassis; and  
 a power source mounted on said chassis, said power source comprising a combustion engine having at least one exhaust port;  
 a driver's seat mounted on said vehicle;  
 a plurality of coaxial wheels rotatably mounted to said chassis;  
 a plurality of steering wheels rotatably and pivotally mounted to said chassis; and  
 a steering control projecting upwardly from said chassis forwardly of said driver's seat, said steering control engaging said plurality of steering wheels to allow a user to steer said vehicle;  
   a grinder assembly adapted to be engaged by said power source, said grinder assembly having: 
 a frame carried by said vehicle; and  
 a polishing head mounted on said frame;  
   an exhaust control device having a catalytic converter in communication with said exhaust port, said catalytic converter being adapted to allow exhaust to enter said catalytic converter and to subject the exhaust to at least one chemical reaction;    a first imaging device mounted on said vehicle rearward of said driver's seat, said first imaging device being configured to observe rearward of said vehicle;    a second imaging device mounted on said grinder assembly, said second imaging device being configured to observe forward of said grinder assembly; and    a monitor in electrical communication with said first and second imaging devices, said monitor being configured to produce a series of optical images depicting the periphery forward and rearward of said riding floor polishing machine.    
   
   
       18 . A riding floor polishing machine comprising: 
 a vehicle comprising: 
 a chassis;  
 a power source mounted on said chassis, said power source comprising: 
 a combustion engine having at least one exhaust port, said combustion engine being configured to rotate a drive shaft;  
 
 a driver's seat mounted on said vehicle;  
 a plurality of coaxial wheels rotatably mounted to said chassis;  
 a plurality of steering wheels rotatably and pivotally mounted to said chassis; and,  
 a steering control projecting upwardly from said chassis forwardly of said driver's seat, said steering control engaging said plurality of steering wheels to allow a user to steer said vehicle;  
   a first imaging device mounted on said vehicle rearward of said driver's seat, said first imaging device being configured to observe rearward of said vehicle;    a second imaging device mounted on said grinder assembly, said second imaging device being configured to observe forward of said grinder assembly; and,    a monitor in electrical communication with said first and second imaging devices, said monitor being configured to produce a series of optical images depicting the periphery forward and rearward of said riding floor polishing machine to assist an operator in guiding said riding floor polishing machine;    a grinder assembly adapted to be engaged by said power source, said grinder assembly comprising: 
 a frame carried by said vehicle; and,  
 a polishing head mounted on said frame, said polishing head comprising: 
 a central shaft;  
 a motor configured to rotate said central shaft; and  
 
   a polishing plate mounted to said central shaft, whereby said polishing plate is adapted to contact and apply frictional force to a working surface;    a dust collection device in communication with said power source, said dust collection device comprising: 
 a shroud substantially covering said polishing plate, said shroud defining an intake opening;  
 a storage vessel; and,  
 a vacuum cleaner comprising: 
 a conduit having a first end and a second end, said conduit first end being adapted to be received by said intake opening;  
 a regenerative blower disposed proximate said conduit second end;  
 a motor configured to rotate said regenerative blower; and,  
 a filter apparatus;  
 whereby said regenerative blower is configured to draw dust from beneath said shroud and into said filter apparatus, said filter apparatus being configured to direct dust into said storage vessel;  
 
   an exhaust control device comprising:    a catalytic converter in communication with said exhaust port, said catalytic converter being adapted to allow exhaust to enter said catalytic converter and to subject the exhaust to at least one chemical reaction;    an oxygen sensor fixed proximate said exhaust port, said oxygen sensor being configured to sample the composition of the exhaust produced by said combustion engine;    a regulator in communication with said combustion engine for limiting fuel flow to said combustion engine; and,    a programmable controller in electrical communication with said oxygen sensor and said regulator.    
   
   
       19 . The riding floor polishing machine of  claim 18 , said power source further comprising: 
 a combustion engine mounted on said chassis, said combustion engine having at least one exhaust port, said combustion engine being configured to rotate a drive shaft; and,    a hydraulic system comprising: 
 a hydraulic reservoir configured to hold a supply of hydraulic fluid;  
 a hydraulic pump, said hydraulic pump being adapted to move said hydraulic fluid into and out of the hydraulic fluid reservoir to provide power to  
   operate various functions of said riding floor polishing machine; said frame comprising: 
 a hinged member pivotally secured to said vehicle, said hinged member having an axial dimension;  
 a support structure fixed to said hinged member; and,  
 a mechanical piston having a first end and a second end, said mechanical piston first end being pivotally secured to said vehicle and said mechanical piston second end being pivotally secured to said hinged member, said mechanical piston being configured in a direction biased to said axial dimension of said hinged member.  
   
   
   
       20 . A riding floor polishing machine comprising: 
 a vehicle comprising: 
 a chassis;  
 a combustion engine mounted on said chassis, said combustion engine being configured to rotate a drive shaft; and,  
 an exhaust port;  
 a driver's seat mounted on said vehicle;  
 a plurality of coaxial wheels rotatably mounted to said chassis;  
 a plurality of steering wheels rotatably and pivotally mounted to said chassis; and,  
 a steering control projecting upwardly from said chassis forwardly of said driver's seat, said steering control engaging said plurality of steering wheels to allow a user to steer said vehicle;  
   a first imaging device mounted on said vehicle rearward of said driver's seat, said first imaging device being configured to observe rearward of said vehicle;    a second imaging device mounted on said grinder assembly, said second imaging device being configured to observe forward of said grinder assembly; and,    a monitor in electrical communication with said first and second imaging devices, said monitor being configured to produce a series of optical images depicting the periphery forward and rearward of said riding floor polishing machine to assist an operator in guiding said riding floor polishing machine;    an electric generator in mechanical communication with said combustion engine, said electric generator being carried by said vehicle, said electric generator having at least one output to provide a source of electricity;    a grinder assembly in electrical communication with said electric generator, said grinder assembly comprising: 
 a frame carried by said vehicle, said frame comprising: 
 a mast pivotally connected to said vehicle, said mast protruding substantially upwards from said vehicle;  
 a boom configured substantially perpendicular to said mast, said boom being slidably attached to said mast, whereby said vehicle communicates with said boom to raise and lower said boom along said mast; and,  
 a support structure slidably attached to said boom, whereby said vehicle mechanically communicates with said support structure to slide said support structure along said boom;  
 
 a polishing head mounted on said frame, said polishing head comprising: 
 a central shaft;  
 a motor configured to rotate said central shaft; and,  
 
   a polishing plate mounted to said central shaft, whereby said polishing plate is adapted to contact and apply frictional force to a working surface;    a dust collection device in electrical communication with said electric generator, said dust collection device comprising: 
 a shroud substantially covering said polishing plate, said shroud defining an intake opening;  
 a storeage vessel; and,  
 a vacuum cleaner comprising: 
 a conduit having a first end and a second end, said conduit first end being adapted to be received by said intake opening;  
 a regenerative blower disposed proximate said conduit second end;  
 a motor configured to rotate said regenerative blower; and,  
 a filter apparatus;  
 whereby said regenerative blower is configured to draw dust from beneath said shroud and into said filter apparatus, said filter apparatus being configured to direct dust into said storage vessel;  
 
   an exhaust control device comprising:    a catalytic converter in communication with said exhaust port, said catalytic converter being adapted to allow exhaust to enter said catalytic converter and to subject the exhaust to at least one chemical reaction;    an oxygen sensor fixed proximate said exhaust port, said oxygen sensor being configured to sample the composition of the exhaust produced by said combustion engine;    a regulator in communication with said combustion engine for limiting fuel flow to said combustion engine; and,    a programmable controller in electrical communication with said oxygen sensor and said regulator.