Apparatus and method for removing oil spots from a surface

Abstract

A vibrator apparatus adapted for rubbing absorbent granules against a surface to remove oil spots therefrom. The apparatus comprises a platen having a generally flat lower face for engaging the surface, and a power driven shaft rotatably mounted on the platen and eccentrically weighted for vibrating the platen to rub the granules against the surface. The eccentrically weighted shaft comprises at least two eccentric weights mounted on the shaft and projecting radially therefrom at axially spaced locations. At least one of the eccentric weights is rotatable relative to the shaft to adjust the relative angular orientation of the eccentric weights and releasably lockable to the shaft, whereby adjustment of the relative angular orientations of the eccentric weights alters the vibrating motion of the platen. A method of removing oil spots with the vibrator apparatus is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: .[.1. A vibrator apparatus adapted for rubbing absorbent granules against a surface, such as a concrete floor, to remove oil spots and the like from the surface, the apparatus comprising a platen having a generally flat lower face for engaging the surface, roller means mounted on the platen, and means for vibrating the platen to rub the granules against the surface, the roller means being positioned adjacent an edge of the platen and generally above the lower face so that tilting the apparatus toward said edge causes the roller means to contact the surface and elevate the lower face above the surface for enabling the apparatus to roll, the vibrating means comprising an eccentrically weighted shaft rotatably mounted on the platen and means for rotating the eccentrically weighted shaft to cause the platen to vibrate, the eccentrically weighted shaft comprising at least two eccentric weights mounted on the shaft and projecting radially therefrom at axially spaced locations, at least one of the eccentric weights being rotatable relative to the shaft to adjust the relative angular orientation of the eccentric weights, and means for releasably locking the relatively rotatable eccentric weight relative to the shaft at incremental positions around the shaft, whereby adjustment of the relative angular orientations of the eccentric weights alters the vibrating motion of the platen..]. .[.2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for rotating the shaft comprises an electric motor coupled to the shaft..]. .[.3. The apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a handle connected to the platen and extending upwardly to enable a user to move the apparatus over the surface..]. .[.4. A vibrator apparatus adapted for rubbing absorbent granules against a surface, such as a concrete floor, to remove oil spots and the like from the surface, the apparatus comprising a platen having a generally flat lower face for engaging the surface, and means for vibrating the platen to rub the granules against the surface, said platen comprising superposed upper and lower members releasably secured to one another, said vibrating means comprising an eccentrically weighted shaft rotatably mounted on the platen and means for rotating the eccentrically weighted shaft to cause the platen to vibrate, the eccentrically weighted shaft comprising at least two eccentric weights mounted on the shaft and projecting radially therefrom at axially spaced locations, at least one of the eccentric weights being rotatable relative to the shaft to adjust the relative angular orientation of the eccentric weights, and means for releasably locking the relative rotatable eccentric weight relative to the shaft at incremental positions around the shaft, whereby adjustment of the relative angular orientations of the eccentric weights alters the 
     
        vibrating motion of the platen..]. .[.5.  The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the lower member is formed of wood..]. .[.6. A vibrator apparatus adapted for rubbing absorbent granules against a surface, such as a concrete floor, to remove oil spots and the like from the surface, the apparatus comprising a platen having a generally flat lower face for engaging the surface, and means for vibrating the platen to rub the granules against the surface, said vibrating means comprising an eccentrically weighted shaft rotatably mounted on the platen and means for rotating the eccentrically weighted shaft to cause the platen to vibrate, the eccentrically weighted shaft comprising two eccentric weights mounted adjacent opposite ends of the shaft and projecting radially of the shaft, at least one of the eccentric weights being rotatable relative to the shaft to adjust the relative angular orientation of the eccentric weights with respect to each other, and means for releasably locking the relatively rotatable eccentric weight relative to the shaft at incremental positions around the shaft, whereby adjustment of the relative angular orientations of the eccentric weights alters the vibrating motion of the 
     
     
        platen..]. .Iadd.7.  A method of removing oil spots from a concrete surface with power driven vibrator apparatus having a platen with a releasably secured lower member of wood, comprising the steps of: spreading granular material which is absorbent and abrasive over an oil spot;   placing the platen over the granular material;   vibrating the platen to repetitively compress and release the granules so that the granular material is rubbed against the oil spot by the lower member of the platen to abrade the oil spot and absorb the oil and wear away the lower wood member; and   removing the granular material from the cleaned concrete surface. .Iaddend. .Iadd.8. A method of removing oil spots from a concrete surface with vibrator apparatus having a power driven eccentrically weighted rotatable shaft mounted on a platen with a releasably secured lower member of wood, comprising the steps of:   spreading absorbent and abrasive granules over an oil spot;   placing the platen over the absorbent granules;   rotating the eccentrically weighted shaft to vibrate the platen so that the absorbent and abrasive granules are rubbed against the oil spot by the lower wood member of the platen to absorb the oil and wear away the lower wood member;   removing the granular material from the cleaned surface;   removing the lower member from the platen when the wear becomes excessive; and   securing a replacement lower wood member thereto. .Iaddend. .Iadd.9. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of rotating the eccentrically weighted shaft comprises rotating the shaft and two eccentric weights mounted on the shaft and projecting radially therefrom at axially spaced locations. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of adjusting the relative angular orientation of the eccentric weights to alter the vibrating motion of the platen. .Iaddend.