FLOOR CLEANING APPARATUS HAVING A FLOATING BRUSH

摘要

An apparatus (10) for cleaning a floor surface having weight support members (34) thereon for carrying the weight of the apparatus (10) into the floor surface (F) includes a brush (30) having a baseplate (30P) with an array of bristles (30L). The brush (30) has a plurality of supply passages (30S), each of which communicates with a portion of the bristle array (30L). The brush (30) is loosely attached by a flexible torque transmitting coupling (32) to the shaft for rotation (30A) about a centerline of rotation. The brush (30) is attached to a motor shaft (18S) in such a way that, in use, the brush (30) is responsive to irregularities in the floor surface (F) as the apparatus (10) is moved thereover by moving in a direction generally parallel to a centerline of rotation (30A) and/or in a plane generally perpendicular thereto. A baffle (30F) mounted to the top surface (30T) of the brush (30) so as to surround the supply passages (30S). In use, a foam cleaning agent is dispensed onto a location on the top surface (30T) of the brush (30) inwardly of the supply passages (30S). Rotation of the brush (30) generates a force urging dispensed foam cleaning agent in a radially outwardly direction from the centerline (30A) of rotation toward the baffle (30F). The baffled deflects the foam cleaning agent into the supply passages (30S) and into the bristles (30L) of the brush (30).