Floor cleaning and treatment apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a surface cleaning and treatment apparatus that utilizes dual cleaning brushes. Specifically, the cleaning brushes are driven by the same motor, but rotated in opposite directions.

1 . An apparatus adapted to interface with a surface to be cleaned, comprising: 
 a housing;    a first brush rotating about a first axis of rotation on bearings;    a second brush rotating about a second axis of rotation on bearings, wherein at least one of the first and the second brush are connected to the housing by a mounting system that substantially inhibits debris from reaching the bearings;    an interconnecting member; and    a motor coupled to the first and the second brush by the interconnecting member, wherein the motor controls the rotation of the first and second brush about their respective axes.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a tensioning member, wherein the tensioning member is adapted to maintain a substantially constant tension in the interconnecting member.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein in response to the interconnecting member loosening the tensioning member applies more pressure to the interconnecting member, and wherein in response to the interconnecting member tightening the tensioning member applies less pressure to the interconnecting member.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the tensioning member comprises a spring and ratchet assembly.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the interconnecting member is one of a belt, chain, rope, cord or shaft.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the brushes are between about 16 inches and about 30 inches long.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus adapted to interface with a surface to be cleaned, comprising: 
 a first brush having a first end and a second end;    a second brush having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first brush is proximal to the first end of the second brush;    an interconnecting member; and    a motor coupled to the first end of the first and the second brush by the interconnecting member, wherein the motor forces the first brush to rotate in a first direction about a first axis of rotation and the second brush to rotate in a second direction about a second axis of rotation.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising a tensioning member, wherein the tensioning member is adapted to maintain a substantially constant tension in the interconnecting member.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the tensioning member automatically maintains a substantially constant tension in the interconnecting member.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the tensioning member comprises a spring and ratchet assembly.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second brushes rotate about their respective axes on bearings.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a housing, wherein at least one of the first and second brush are interconnected to the housing by a mounting and wherein the mounting system substantially inhibits debris from reaching the bearings.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the mounting comprises a spring clip that allows external access to at least one of the first and second brushes.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second brush are between about 16 inches and about 30 inches in length.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second brushes are cylindrical.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the interconnecting member is one of a chain, rope, belt or cord.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the interconnecting member is a shaft.  
     
     
         18 . A apparatus adapted to interface with a surface to be cleaned, comprising: 
 a first means for treating a surface;    a second means for treating a surface;    an interconnecting means; and    a means for controlling, wherein the means for controlling communicates with the first and second means for treating through the interconnecting means, wherein the means for controlling forces the first means for treating to rotate about a first axis of rotation, and wherein the means for controlling forces the second means for treating to rotate about a second axis of rotation and wherein the first and second means for treating rotate on bearings.    
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising a means for protecting the bearings from debris.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising a means for maintaining a substantially constant tension in the interconnecting means.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second means for treating are brushes that are about 16 inches to about 30 inches in length.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the bearings are at least one of ball bearings, roller bearings, needle bearings, ball thrust bearings, roller thrust bearings, and tapered roller thrust bearings.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the interconnecting means is one of a chain, rope, belt, cord or shaft.  
     
     
         24 . An apparatus adapted to interface with a surface to be cleaned, comprising: 
 a brush housing;    a first brush having a first end and a second end;    a second brush having a first end and a second end;    an interconnecting member;    a motor coupled to the first end of the first and the second brush by the interconnecting member, wherein the motor forces the first brush to rotate in a first direction about a first axis of rotation and the second brush to rotate in a second direction about a second axis of rotation; and    a connector that is adjustable between a closed position and an open position and is operable to retain at least one of the first and second brush within the brush housing such that at least one of the first and second brush are removable from the housing upon positioning the connector to the open position.    
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the connector comprises a spring clip.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the spring clip retains at least one of the first and second brush during use and is operable to release at least one of the first and second brush without requiring any disassembly of the brush housing and spring clip.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a tensioning member, wherein the tensioning member is adapted to maintain a substantially constant tension in the interconnecting member.  
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the tensioning member automatically maintains a substantially constant tension in the interconnecting member.  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the tensioning member comprises a spring and ratchet assembly.