Floor processing machine with tiltable finishing units

Abstract

A finishing machine ( 1 ) for finishing a work surface ( 20 ) which consists of a floor of terrazzo, marble, stone, concrete or the like, comprises at least two finishing units ( 3 a, 4 a; 3 b, 4 b; 3 c, 4 c , 300 ) which are supported by the frame ( 14, 100 ) of the finishing machine and which are arranged for grinding, polishing and/or machining of the work surface ( 20 ), and each machining unit comprises a motor ( 4 a, 4 b, 4 c , 200 ) and a rotatably mounted working disc ( 41 ) driven by the motor. The finishing units ( 3 a, 4 a ; 3 b, 4 b; 3 c, 4 c , 300 ) are individually tiltable relative to the frame ( 14, 100 ) about respective axes that are substantially parallel to the work surface ( 20 ).

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
   
   
       22 . A finishing machine for finishing a work surface, comprising:
 a frame; and   a plurality of finishing units supported by the frame, each of the finishing units configured to be tilted relative to the frame,   the finishing units including at least a first finishing unit tiltable about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the finishing machine, and a second finishing unit tiltable about an axis that is substantially parallel to the central axis of the finishing machine.   
   
   
       23 . The finishing machine of  claim 22 , wherein the finishing units are individually tiltable relative to the frame. 
   
   
       24 . The finishing machine of  claim 22 , further comprising a plurality of working discs rotatably mounted on each of the finishing units. 
   
   
       25 . The finishing machine of  claim 22 , further comprising an actuating mechanism for adjusting a position of at least one of the finishing units relative to the frame. 
   
   
       26 . The finishing machine of  claim 22 , wherein a part of the first finishing unit is positioned further away from the central axis of the finishing machine than a part of the second finishing unit. 
   
   
       27 . The finishing machine of  claim 22 , wherein the finishing units are tiltably connected to the frame by a plurality of holders, at least one of the holders corresponding to each of the finishing units. 
   
   
       28 . The finishing machine of  claim 27 , wherein each of the holders is connected to the frame by at least one hinge. 
   
   
       29 . The finishing machine of  claim 28 , wherein each of the finishing units is provided with an actuating mechanism for adjusting a degree of tilting of the finishing unit relative to the frame. 
   
   
       30 . The finishing machine of  claim 22 , wherein the finishing units are pivotally connected to the frame by a plurality of holders, at least one of the holders corresponding to each of the finishing units. 
   
   
       31 . The finishing machine of  claim 22 , further comprising a plurality of motors, each of the motors operably connected to one of the finishing units. 
   
   
       32 . The finishing machine of  claim 31 , further comprising a plurality of working discs operably associated with each of the finishing units, each of the working discs being driven by one of the motors. 
   
   
       33 . The finishing machine of  claim 32 , wherein each of the working discs is provided with a plurality of finishing elements. 
   
   
       34 . The finishing machine of  claim 32 , wherein the working discs rotate in a plane substantially parallel to the work surface. 
   
   
       35 . The finishing machine of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of finishing units comprises three finishing units, the finishing units including at least a third finishing unit tiltable about an axis parallel to the central axis of the finishing machine. 
   
   
       36 . The finishing machine of  claim 35 , wherein the three finishing units produce respective finishing traces along the work surface, and the finishing traces of at least two of the finishing units substantially overlap each other. 
   
   
       37 . The finishing machine of  claim 36 , wherein the three finishing units include a first finishing unit mounted forward of second and third finishing units, such that the finishing traces of the second and third finishing units substantially overlap the finishing trace of the first finishing unit. 
   
   
       38 . The finishing machine of  claim 37 , wherein the three finishing units are mounted substantially symmetrically about the central axis of the finishing machine. 
   
   
       39 . The finishing machine of  claim 37 , further comprising a supporting frame mounted forward of the frame, wherein the three finishing units are mounted on the supporting frame. 
   
   
       40 . The finishing machine of  claim 22 , wherein the finishing units are configured to carry out at least one of grinding, polishing, and machining of the work surface. 
   
   
       41 . A finishing machine for finishing a work surface, comprising:
 a frame; and   a plurality of finishing units supported by the frame, each of the finishing units configured to be tilted relative to the frame, the finishing units including at least a first finishing unit tiltable about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the finishing machine, a second finishing unit tiltable about second axis that is substantially parallel to the central axis of the finishing machine, and a third finishing unit tiltable about a third axis, wherein the second axis and the third axis are configured to form an acute angle.   
   
   
       42 . The finishing machine of  claim 41 , further comprising a plurality of working discs rotatable mounted on each of the finishing units, wherein at least one of the finishing units is tiltable such that the working discs form an angle of between about 45° to 90° relative to the work surface. 
   
   
       43 . The finishing machine of  claim 41 , further comprising a plurality of holders for rotatably or tiltably mounting the finishing units relative to the frame. 
   
   
       44 . The finishing machine of  claim 41 , wherein each of the finishing units is provided with an actuating mechanism for adjusting a degree of tilting of each finishing unit relative to the frame. 
   
   
       45 . The finishing machine of  claim 41 , wherein the finishing units produce respective finishing traces along the work surface, and the finishing traces of at least two of the finishing units substantially overlap each other. 
   
   
       46 . A method for finishing a work surface, comprising the steps of:
 providing a frame with at least two finishing units, the finishing units configured to be tilted relative to the frame, the finishing units including at least a first finishing unit tiltable about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the finishing machine, and a second finishing unit tiltable about an axis that is substantially parallel to the central axis of the finishing machine;   providing a plurality of working discs rotatably mounted on each of the finishing units; and   positioning the finishing units such that the working discs substantially engage the work surface.   
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising the step of adjusting the finishing units such that the working discs are substantially out of engagement with the work surface. 
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the at least two finishing units produce respective finishing traces on the work surface. 
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the finishing traces of at least two of the finishing units substantially overlap each other. 
   
   
       50 . The finishing machine of  claim 22 , wherein each of the finishing units is arranged to abut against the work surface by a force that substantially corresponds to a weight of the respective finishing unit. 
   
   
       51 . The finishing machine of  claim 22 , wherein each of the finishing units, when engaging the work surface, is displaceable relative to the frame in a direction substantially parallel to the work surface. 
   
   
       52 . The finishing machine of  claim 22 , further comprising an internal combustion engine, a generator, and frequency converters for supplying power to the finishing units and at least one propelling unit. 
   
   
       53 . The finishing machine of  claim 22 , further comprising at least one drive wheel and at least one pivot wheel that form a supporting surface for the finishing machine. 
   
   
       54 . The finishing machine of  claim 22 , further comprising an image-generating device operably connected to the finishing machine for inspecting the work surface in real time.