Wheel propelled steerable floor cleaning machine

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to floor surface cleaning or treatment machines. In various embodiments, powered floor cleaning devices are provided with improved deck assemblies. The deck assemblies are operable to control at least one of the direction and velocity of a floor cleaning device and provide improved handling and cleaning abilities.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A floor cleaning device comprising:
 a chassis;   a steerable cleaning deck rotatable about a vertical axis;   a steering mechanism in communication with the cleaning deck and having a portion accessible to an operator, wherein the cleaning deck is steerable with the steering mechanism;   the cleaning deck comprising a drive assembly that is operable to convey the device and regulate a speed of the device;   the drive assembly comprising a propel wheel and an electric motor in communication with the propel wheel to control a speed of the propel wheel;   a recess operable to receive a cleaning device located proximate the at least one propel wheel; and   a vacuum assembly operable to collect at least one of debris and fluid, the vacuum assembly in fluid communication with the cleaning deck.   
     
     
         2 . The floor cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning device comprises a rotatable brush. 
     
     
         3 . The floor cleaning device of  claim 1 , further comprising support wheels provided proximal to a rearward portion of the device, the support wheels comprising non-driven wheels for supporting a weight of the device. 
     
     
         4 . The floor cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning device recess comprises a cleaning device drive element in communication with a second electric motor. 
     
     
         5 . The floor cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning deck further comprises at least one solution nozzle for dispensing a cleaning fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The floor cleaning device of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller for regulating a current supplied to the motor and controlling a speed of the propel wheel. 
     
     
         7 . A floor cleaning apparatus comprising:
 a chassis providing an envelope and comprising a forward portion, a rearward portion, and left and right side portions;   a steerable cleaning deck provided proximal to the forward portion of the chassis;   the steerable cleaning deck provided in communication with a steering mechanism having a portion accessible to an operator;   wherein the steerable cleaning deck comprises a drive assembly comprising: an electric motor and a propel wheel;   wherein the propel wheel is operable to convey the apparatus and control a velocity of the apparatus; and   wherein the steerable cleaning deck further comprises a floor cleaning device, and wherein the floor cleaning device is provided rearward of the propel wheel.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the cleaning device comprises a cleaning brush. 
     
     
         9 . The floor cleaning device of  claim 7 , wherein the cleaning device is provided in communication with a second electric motor. 
     
     
         10 . The floor cleaning device of  claim 7 , wherein the cleaning deck further comprises at least one solution nozzle for dispensing a cleaning fluid. 
     
     
         11 . The floor cleaning device of  claim 8 , wherein the cleaning brush is removably attached to the steerable cleaning deck. 
     
     
         12 . The floor cleaning device of  claim 7 , further comprising a vacuum assembly and wherein the vacuum assembly comprises a vacuum shoe proximal to the cleaning device. 
     
     
         13 . The floor cleaning device of  claim 7 , wherein the chassis comprises a width that is no greater than 24 inches. 
     
     
         14 . The floor cleaning device of  claim 7 , wherein the device comprises a walk-behind device that is devoid of an area for accommodating a weight of a user. 
     
     
         15 . A floor surface cleaning device comprising:
 a chassis;   a cleaning deck in communication with and rotatable relative to the chassis, and wherein the cleaning deck is operable to clean a floor surface and provide locomotion to the device;   the cleaning deck comprising a drive assembly and a cleaning device;   wherein the drive assembly comprises a first electric motor in communication with a drive wheel;   the chassis comprising at least two wheels provided rearward of the cleaning deck, the at least two wheels being operable to support a weight of the chassis;   the cleaning deck comprising a second electric motor in communication with the cleaning device;   a steering mechanism in communication with the cleaning deck and having a portion accessible to an operator; and   wherein a speed of the drive wheel controls a speed of the device and the cleaning device is operable to be driven independently of the drive wheel.   
     
     
         16 . The floor surface cleaning device of  claim 15 , wherein the at least two wheels comprise passive, non-driven wheels. 
     
     
         17 . The floor surface cleaning device of  claim 15 , wherein the drive assembly is located within the cleaning deck and is configured to drive the floor cleaning machine. 
     
     
         18 . The floor surface cleaning device of  claim 15 , wherein the cleaning deck further comprises at least one nozzle for dispensing cleaning fluid, and a suction port for picking up fluid from the cleaning surface. 
     
     
         19 . The floor surface cleaning device of  claim 15 , wherein the cleaning device comprises a brush. 
     
     
         20 . The floor surface cleaning device of  claim 19 , wherein the drive wheel is centered between lateral sides of the cleaning deck.