Floor cleaning machine

Abstract

Implementations of a floor cleaning machine are provided. The floor cleaning machine is adapted to mop floors (e.g., tile, linoleum, concrete, and like floors) and comprises: a wheeled carriage assembly having a push handle; and a mop assembly that includes an endless mop belt, moistened with a cleaning solution, that can be driven through a cleaning circuit during which the underlying floor is mopped. The floor cleaning machine is configured so that rotation of at least one wheel of the wheeled carriage assembly drives the endless mop belt through the cleaning circuit. In some implementations, the mop assembly is configured to wring out the endless mop belt as it is driven through its cleaning circuit and the floor cleaning machine further comprises a filtration and recirculation system configured to moisten the endless mop belt and collect cleaning solution wrung from the endless mop belt by the mop assembly.

1 . A manually propelled floor cleaning machine adapted to mop floors, the floor cleaning machine comprising:
 a wheeled carriage assembly having a push handle; and   a mop assembly that includes an endless mop belt, moistened with a cleaning solution, that can be driven through a cleaning circuit during which the underlying floor is mopped;   wherein the floor cleaning machine is configured so that rotation of at least one wheel of the wheeled carriage assembly drives the endless mop belt through the cleaning circuit.   
     
     
         2 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 1 , wherein the endless mop belt is a comprised of an absorbent micro fiber material that has been formed into a continuous loop. 
     
     
         3 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 1 , wherein the push handle of the wheeled carriage assembly is configured to fold over, thereby allowing the floor cleaning machine to rest on a backside thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 1 , wherein the wheeled carriage assembly comprises a rear wheel assembly and a pair of front casters, the rear wheel assembly and the front casters are capable of bearing and carrying the weight of the floor cleaning machine, the front casters are also capable of directionally swiveling. 
     
     
         5 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a drive belt assembly configured to operably connect the at least one wheel of the wheeled carriage assembly to the endless mop belt. 
     
     
         6 . A manually propelled floor cleaning machine adapted to mop floors, the floor cleaning machine comprising:
 a wheeled carriage assembly having a push handle;   a mop assembly that includes an endless mop belt, moistened with a cleaning solution, that can be driven through a cleaning circuit during which the underlying floor is mopped, the mop assembly is configured to wring out the endless mop belt as it is driven through the cleaning circuit; and   a filtration and recirculation system configured to moisten the endless mop belt, collect and recirculate cleaning solution wrung from the endless mop belt by the mop assembly, and filter cleaning solution used to moisten the endless mop belt;   wherein the floor cleaning machine is configured so that rotation of at least one wheel of the wheeled carriage assembly drives the endless mop belt through the cleaning circuit.   
     
     
         7 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 6 , wherein the endless mop belt is a comprised of an absorbent micro fiber material that has been formed into a continuous loop. 
     
     
         8 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 6 , wherein the push handle of the wheeled carriage assembly is configured to fold over, thereby allowing the floor cleaning machine to rest on a backside thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 6 , wherein the mop assembly further comprises a pair of squeegee rollers configured to wring out the endless mop belt; wherein the filtration and recirculation system comprises a recovery pan positioned to catch liquid wrung from the endless mop belt by the squeegee rollers. 
     
     
         10 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 6 , wherein the filtration and recirculation system includes a sprinkler that is suspended over the endless mop belt, the sprinkler is configured to moisten the endless mop belt with cleaning solution. 
     
     
         11 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 6 , wherein the filtration and recirculation system includes: a cleaning solution tank configured to contain cleaning solution; one or more filter elements configured to filter cleaning solution circulating through the filtration and recirculation system; a battery powered pump configured to drive liquid cleaning solution through the filtration and recirculation system; a sprinkler positioned and configured to moisten the endless mop belt with cleaning solution; and a recovery pan positioned to catch liquid wrung from the endless mop belt by the mop assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 6 , wherein the wheeled carriage assembly comprises a rear wheel assembly and a pair of front casters, the rear wheel assembly and the front casters are capable of bearing and carrying the weight of the floor cleaning machine, the front casters are also capable of directionally swiveling. 
     
     
         13 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 6 , further comprising a drive belt assembly configured to operably connect the at least one wheel of the wheeled carriage assembly to the endless mop belt. 
     
     
         14 . A manually propelled floor cleaning machine adapted to mop floors, the floor cleaning machine comprising:
 a wheeled carriage assembly having a push handle;   a mop assembly that includes an endless mop belt, moistened with a cleaning solution, that can be driven through a cleaning circuit during which the underlying floor is mopped, the mop assembly is configured to wring out the endless mop belt as it is driven through the cleaning circuit; and   a filtration and recirculation system configured to moisten the endless mop belt, collect and recirculate cleaning solution wrung from the endless mop belt by the mop assembly, and filter cleaning solution used to moisten the endless mop belt;   wherein the floor cleaning machine is configured so that rotation of at least one wheel of the wheeled carriage assembly drives the endless mop belt through the cleaning circuit;   wherein the wheeled carriage assembly is configured to be height adjustable and thereby facilitate selectively placing the endless mop belt into contact with the underlying floor.   
     
     
         15 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 14 , wherein the endless mop belt is a comprised of an absorbent micro fiber material that has been formed into a continuous loop. 
     
     
         16 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 14 , wherein the push handle of the wheeled carriage assembly is configured to fold over, thereby allowing the floor cleaning machine to rest on a backside thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 14 , wherein the mop assembly further comprises a pair of squeegee rollers configured to wring out the endless mop belt; wherein the filtration and recirculation system comprises a recovery pan positioned to catch liquid wrung from the endless mop belt by the squeegee rollers. 
     
     
         18 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 14 , wherein the filtration and recirculation system includes a sprinkler that is suspended over the endless mop belt, the sprinkler is configured to moisten the endless mop belt with cleaning solution. 
     
     
         19 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 14 , wherein the wheeled carriage assembly comprises a rear wheel assembly and a pair of front casters, the rear wheel assembly and the front casters are capable of bearing and carrying the weight of the floor cleaning machine, the front casters are also capable of directionally swiveling. 
     
     
         20 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 14 , further comprising a drive belt assembly configured to operably connect the at least one wheel of the wheeled carriage assembly to the endless mop belt.