Floor cleaning apparatus employing a combined sweeper and vaccum assembly

Abstract

A floor cleaning device employing a brush assembly is provided. The brush assembly includes a front brush and a rear brush that spin about an axis line generally parallel to the surface being cleaned. The spinning rotation of the brush along with the configuration of the housing help provide an airflow path that sucks debris from the surface being cleaned. The debris is directed to a hopper wherein larger items are captured and smaller items are suctioned into a vacuum bag.

1 . A cleaning assembly for use in a floor cleaning apparatus, comprising:
 a housing;   at least one cylindrical brush having a longitudinal axis positioned within the housing, the longitudinal axis being parallel to the surface being cleaned;   a hopper interconnected to the housing;   a screen positioned within the hopper that allows particulates of a predetermined diameter to pass therethrough and that prevents particulates of a diameter larger than the particulates of a predetermined diameter from entering the hopper; and   a vacuum hose interconnected to the screen wherein the particulates of a predetermined diameter are suctioned into the vacuum hose.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the screen has an opening that is in fluid communication with the vacuum hose such that an end of the vacuum hose is positioned below the screen. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one brush comprises a front brush and a rear brush, the front brush and the rear brush rotate in opposite directions. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the housing has a curved front surface, which corresponds with the front brush, and a curved rear surface, which corresponds with the rear brush, the curved rear surface having an opening that leads into the hopper. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , further comprising a seal interconnected to the curved rear wall that engages the floor. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the hopper is removable. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the hopper as a tapered shape. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the screen includes a plurality of fins. 
     
     
         9 . A cleaning assembly, comprising:
 a means for treating a floor;   a hopper associated with said means for treating a floor;   a screen positioned within the hopper that allows particulates of a predetermined diameter to pass therethrough and that prevents particulates of a diameter larger than the particulates of a predetermined diameter from entering the hopper; and   a vacuum hose interconnected to the screen wherein the particulates of a predetermined diameter are suctioned into the vacuum hose.   
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said means for treating a floor is at least one cylindrical brush having a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the surface being cleaned. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said means for treating is positioned in a housing that directs debris-laden air into the hopper. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the screen has an opening that is in fluid communication with the vacuum hose such that an end of the vacuum hose is positioned below the screen. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the hopper is removable. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the hopper has a tapered shape. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the screen includes a plurality of fins. 
     
     
         16 . A floor treatment apparatus comprising: a chassis having a front and a back and with a lower surface, a front surface adjacent the front, an upper surface, a rear surface adjacent the back, a left surface and a right surface; a first wheel operably interconnected to the lower surface adjacent to the left surface and located closer to the rear surface than the front surface; a second wheel operably interconnected to the lower surface adjacent the right surface and located closer to the rear surface than the front surface; a platform located substantially between at least a portion of the right surface, at least a portion of the left surface and extending rearwardly from a portion of the rear surface, the platform also substantially located within the chassis and positioned substantially directly above an axis extending between the center of the first wheel and the center of the second wheel and wherein the platform includes a top surface which is adapted to receive the feet of an operator, a throttle and an operator presence device operatively connected to and which selectively interrupts operation of the throttle; a powered wheel operably connected adjacent the lower surface of the chassis; a steering mechanism substantially housed within the chassis and having a portion that is accessible by an operator; and an operable floor cleaning assembly connected adjacent to the lower surface of the chassis, the improvement comprising:
 a hopper associated with the chassis; 
 a screen positioned within the hopper that allows particulates of a predetermined diameter to pass therethrough and that prevents particulates of a diameter larger than the particulates of a predetermined diameter from entering the hopper; and 
 a vacuum hose interconnected to the screen wherein the particulates of a predetermined diameter are suctioned into the vacuum hose. 
 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the screen has an opening that is in fluid communication with the vacuum hose such that an end of the vacuum hose is positioned below the screen. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the hopper is removable. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the hopper as a tapered shape. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the screen includes a plurality of fins.