Abstract:
A method for treating flooring not designed for sanding and having a multi-layer wax finish reduces the frequency of stripping the wax layers down to the flooring and recoating the flooring in carrying out periodic maintenance on the flooring. A mobile floor treating machine includes at least one rotating brush which is driven at a first circular speed x for cleaning the flooring and is driven at a second circular speed y for removing the two uppermost layers of wax, where y≧2x. The top remaining wax layer is then cleaned with the brush operating at the original circular speed x. Two layers of wax are then sequentially applied to the top remaining wax layer in replacing the two removed layers of wax on the floor and restoring the flooring to its original finish. The brush may be operated at 800-1500 RPM for burnishing and polishing.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to floor care and maintenance; and in particular relates to a method for reducing the stripping frequency of a floor without degrading floor appearance and protection. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Floor scrubbing machines of the type with which the present invention is concerned typically include at least one scrub brush mounted beneath the machine and capable of being moved by an operator (either manually, as by foot pedal, or power-assisted) between a lowered use position and a raised, transport/storage position. The brush is driven by a motor energized typically, by batteries. A source of cleaning fluid supplies the fluid to the floor or directly on the brush for scrubbing and cleaning the floor. The dirty or “spent” solution is recovered by a squeegee following behind the brush and the spent solution is removed by suction. The spent solution is stored in the machine until it is discarded, normally in a janitor&#39;s closet or the like, and the solution tank is refilled with clean solution. 
     Although the instant invention is not so limited, the disclosed embodiment is directed to a machine with only one brush, and for simplicity, the rear squeegee is not shown, nor are the details for delivering the clean solution and storing the spent solution because these subsystems may be conventional and do not form an essential part of the improvement of the present invention. Such conventional machines may include a circular scrub brush which is operated (typically, mechanically, by the operator&#39;s stepping on a foot pedal) between a raised (storage or transport) position, and a lowered use position. When the brush is lowered to the use position, a “run” switch is manually actuated by the operator to energize a drive motor coupled to the brush for scrubbing action. 
     Floor maintenance is achieved by means of the type of machine described above. Proper floor maintenance can be broken down into three broad categories which relate to the frequency, cost and labor intensity of the types of maintenance procedures. The first category involves routine floor maintenance consisting generally of dust mopping, cleaning, scrubbing or damp mopping, and burnishing or spray buffing. The goal of these activities is to improve day to day appearance of the floor, and to reduce recoating frequency and stripping frequency. The second category is restorative maintenance and involves scrubbing and recoating. The purpose of restorative floor maintenance is to reduce floor yellowing, avoid the build-up of seal and finishing layers, reduce stripping frequency, and remove imbedded dirt. Finally, the third category is renovation maintenance and involves stripping all of the layers of deposited material down to the floor surface followed by the application of sealing and finishing layers. The present invention is directed to the restorative phase of floor care in that it employs a modified scrubbing program with limited recoating and which allows for a reduction in floor stripping frequency. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to reduce the frequency of floor stripping in the maintenance of floors by using a modified floor scrubbing process while maintaining attractive floor appearance and a high level of floor condition. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide improved floor care employing a first RPM scrubbing routine, a second higher RPM stripping routine and a third yet higher RPM to burnish/polish using a single floor scrubbing and stripping machine. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to use a single mobile cleaning machine capable of operating at two rotational speeds to simplify and reduce the time required for floor care. 
     The present invention is directed to a method for treating floors not designed or intended for sanding and having a finish of plural layers of wax deposited thereon, where the floor is cleaned by a mobile floor cleaning machine having at least one rotating brush driven at a first circular speed x for cleaning the floor, the method comprising the steps of: removing the uppermost layers of wax from the floor by means of the rotating brush operating at a second circular speed of y, where y≧x; cleaning the top remaining layer of wax by means of the rotating brush operating at the first circular speed of x; and sequentially depositing layers of wax on the top remaining layer of wax in restoring the layers of wax on the floor to the original number of layers and restoring the floor to its original finish. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiment accompanied by the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The appended claims set forth those novel features which characterize the invention. However, the invention itself, as well as further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference characters identify like elements throughout the various figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a floor scrubbing machine for carrying out the present invention, but otherwise simplified, with the brush shown in vertical cross section, and with the brush in the raised or transport position; 
         FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1 , with the brush in the lowered or use position; 
         FIG. 3  is a vertical sectional view showing the motor, drive hub and brush in vertical cross section (along a plane through the axis of rotation of the brush extending in the direction of travel) and with the motor shown diagrammatically; 
         FIG. 4  is an upper perspective cross section view of the drive hub assembly; 
         FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4 , taken from a lower perspective of the drive hub; 
         FIG. 6  is a circuit schematic diagram of the electrical control circuit for the machine of  FIG. 1  in the Transport Mode; 
         FIG. 7  is an elevation view of the rear panel of a mobile floor cleaning machine for use in carrying out the floor treatment procedure of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of a conventional floor cleaning machine in position to remove the upper wax layers of a multi-coated floor in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevation view illustrating a floor after being stripped by the machine shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  wherein the upper several layers of the multi-layer wax coating have been removed and prepared for the resurfacing of two new wax layers. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , reference numeral  10  generally designates a typical floor scrubbing machine for carrying out the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the described machine, but may use virtually any conventional machine modified as described herein. The machine includes an outer housing or casing  11  and is supported by forward wheels  12 , as well as two rear caster wheels  13 . In the following description, the floor scrubbing machine is described as operating with a brush, however, the machine in carrying out the present invention may also use a conventional pad in obtaining the same results. 
     Within the housing  11  are batteries for powering the machine, a reservoir of cleaning fluid for application to the scrub brush or directly to the floor, with a rear suction device for recovering spent solution and a storage tank for tile spent solution, all of which are conventional and not shown in detail. While the floor scrubbing machine in the described embodiment is powered by batteries, it could equally as well be powered by an AC voltage source. However, this latter embodiment is not described for the sake of brevity and simplicity, as the cleaning machine could easily be adapted for AC operation by one skilled in the art. 
     An operator&#39;s handle  16  is rigidly mounted to the frame permitting the operator to maneuver the machine Forward of the handle  16  is an actuator  17 , controlled by the operator, which closes an Operator Run switch  17 A (See the schematic of  FIG. 6 ) when actuated. Actuator  17  may be a manually operated bail adjacent the operator&#39;s hand, and pivotally connected to the machine so that the operator can simply squeeze the pivoting actuator handle  17  toward the fixed handle  16  to actuate the Operator Run switch (to be further described within) and power the scrub brush in the lowered position of  FIG. 2 . 
     Also mounted on the operator&#39;s console, adjacent the handle  16  (so as to be conveniently accessible to the operator) is a Keyswitch  18  (diagrammatically shown and designated  124  in the electrical schematic,  FIG. 6 ), which is a rotary switch temporarily actuated by a key and biased to an “off” position, to be described further within. It will be appreciated, however, that the Keyswitch  18  is readily accessible to the operator when he or she is positioned at the operator&#39;s station behind the machine (to the right in  FIG. 1 ). 
     Turning now to the lower forward portion of the machine, a scrub brush generally designated  20 , is mounted to a drive shaft connected to a motor  22 . At the lower end of the drive shaft (designated  34  in  FIG. 3 ) there is mounted a hub assembly generally designated  24 . The motor  22  is mounted above a deck  26  which houses the brush  20 . The motor and deck are carried by the frame of the machine  10  by means of a lift linkage in the form of a four-bar or parallel linkage generally designated  28 . A lever  29  provided with an actuating foot pedal  30  immediately in front of the operator&#39;s station is pivotally connected at  32  to the frame of the machine  10 . The forward end of the lever  29  forms the lower link of the four bar linkage  28  so that when the operator depresses the foot pedal  30 , the motor  22 , brush  20  and deck  26  are lifted to the raised position shown in  FIG. 1  for storage or transport. 
     When the foot pedal  30  is released as seen in  FIG. 2 , the motor and brush are lowered by the four-bar linkage  28  to the operating position, with the bristles of the brush contacting the floor F ( FIG. 2 ) for scrubbing. The mechanical aspects of the raise and lower mechanism, which permits the brush to be set in the biased position indefinitely, are conventional. 
     A Run Enable switch  33  and Brush Unload Enable switch  35  may be mounted to the frame of the machine. The functions of these switches will be described in connection with the schematic diagram,  FIG. 6 . The Unload Enable switch  35  is actuated by lever  29  and Run Enable switch  33  is actuated by a strike plate designated  31  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The strike plate  31  is mounted to an extension of the lever  29  which extends forwardly of the pivot  32  and which forms the lower link of the parallel linkage  28 . Briefly, the Run Enable switch allows the brush to be driven by the motor when the brush is lowered for use ( FIG. 2 ), and the Brush Unload Enable switch allows the brush to be driven for unload when the brush is in the raised position ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , the motor  22  (and associated gearing, if any) is conventional and need not be described in further detail. The motor  22  drives a shaft  34  which extends in a vertical direction for driving the brush  20 . The hub assembly  24  is connected to the drive shaft  34  and mounts the brush  20  as will be described in further detail. 
     The brush  20  includes a brush plate  36 , the lower portion of which is provided with bristles  37 . The center of the brush plate  36  is increased in thickness, as at  38 , thus providing strength, and defining a receptacle generally designated  39  for receiving and releasably coupling to the hub assembly  24 , as will be described in more detail within. 
     Briefly, the hub assembly  24  includes an upper hub member  42 , and a lower hub member (or “drive lug”)  43 . As will be described, the upper hub member  42  is placed respectively on the top of the central portion  38  of the brush  20 , and the lower hub member  43  of the hub assembly  24  is located beneath the upper hub member and attached to it by means of bolts  45  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ). The hub assembly is fastened together by fasteners  45 , and when fastened together, they grip and hold the brush plate  36  as seen in  FIG. 3 . The brush assembly is secure to the shaft  34  of the motor by fastener  41 . As will be described, the upper hub member  24  applies the downward force on the brush  20 , and the lower hub member or drive lug  43  is received in the lower, central receptacle  39  of the brush plate  36 . The upper and lower hub members  42 ,  43  form the hub assembly  24 ; and they cooperate to provide an annular, circumferential retention groove or channel  48  for securing the brush  20  in the driving position of  FIG. 3 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , there are shown, respectively, an upper perspective view and a lower perspective view of the drive hub assembly  24  in cross section. When the two hub members  42 ,  43  are secured together, by the fastener  45 , they provide the retention grove or channel  48  for removably securing the brush. 
     Turning then to the upper hub member  42 , it includes a central collar  51  which includes an axially extending key way  52  for coupling to the drive shaft  34  of the motor  22 . The drive shaft  34  is provided with a matching keyway providing a driving engagement for the drive hub assembly when the upper and lower members are secured together as described above. 
     The upper hub member  42  also includes an outwardly extending circular flange  54  including a horizontally extending lower, generally flat lower surface  55  which extends horizontally when the hub assembly is connected to the drive shaft  34 . The lower horizontal surface  55  of the upper hub member  42  rests on the upper cylindrical surface of the raised central portion  38  of the brush plate  36 , and provides a means through which the upper hub member  42  exerts a downward force on the brush  20  when it is lowered to the operating position. The force may be provided by the weight of the motor  22  and the associated linkage assembly for positioning the drive motor. Additional force may be added by other means if necessary or desired. 
     Description of the Control Circuitry 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown an electrical schematic of the control circuit for operating the scrubber as has been described above. Reference numeral  120  generally designates a battery which supplies power to the unit. The battery  120  may be comprised of one or more deep cycle batteries. A battery charger  121  (operating normally-closed contacts  125 ) is connected across the terminals of the battery, to be plugged into a wall outlet when it is desired to charge the battery. When the battery charger is in operation, a first Keyswitch  124  is prevented from operating the system because contacts  125  open. A double-pole connector has two contacts  123 ,  123  connected respectively in the battery supply leads for manually disconnecting the battery for safety or testing of the circuit. Contacts  2  of first Keyswitch  124  (which is shown in electrical schematic form for switch  18  in  FIG. 1 , battery charger contact  125 , and circuit breaker  128  are connected between junctions  157  and  148 . 
     A brush relay designated  122  is connected in series with the normally-closed (i.e. when the brush is in the lowered position) Run Enable switch  33  and the normally-open Operator Run switch  17  A (shown in  FIG. 6  in electrical schematic form) and speed control output. These four components are connected in a series circuit. One terminal of the Operator Run switch  17  A is connected to a junction  152 . Two normally-open contacts  131 ,  131  of main relay  130  are connected respectively in the positive and negative battery leads. Keyswitch  124 , which enables the operator to turn the system “on” or “off” and provides security, is connected as shown. First Keyswitch  124  is a spring biased, multiple contact switch. Briefly, switch  162  of first Keyswitch  124  is connected between junction  148  and the battery supply. Switch  161  is connected in series with normally-closed Unload Enable switch  35 ; switch  160  is connected to junction  148 , and switch  155  (which operated with switch  160 ) is connected to junction  152 . Contacts  125  of an internal relay of battery charger  121  are connected in series with a circuit breaker  128  and first Keyswitch  124 . A main relay  130  is connected between junction  148  and battery negative. First Keyswitch  124  has three positions: Off (designated 0); On (designated 2); and Brush Unload (designated I in the drawing). When the contact (which is actuated by turning the key) moves to the numbered position, the similarly numbered contacts are actuated, as will be further described. In the Brush Unload position, first Keyswitch  124  is spring-biased to the off position and returns if released by the operator. 
     The upper set of normally-open contacts  131  of the main relay  130  couple power, when closed, to a junction  156 . A vacuum switch  145  is connected between junction  148  and a vacuum relay  146 , thus energizing a vacuum motor  132  when switch  145  is closed by the operator and junction  148  is energized. 
     In series with the circuit containing the brush motor  135  are normally-open contacts  136  actuated by a brush relay  122  and motor speed control output  165 . A circuit breaker  137  is connected in series with the normally-open contacts  136 . For reasons which will become clear, the terminals of brush motor  135  are shown as terminals  138  and  139  (which is connected to the battery negative supply line  153  when the system is in operation). 
     Normally-open contacts  140  (actuated by the vacuum relay  146 ) are connected in circuit with a circuit breaker  141  and a vacuum motor  132  for actuating the vacuum recovery system. 
     A vacuum switch  145 , normally closed, is connected in series with the vacuum relay  146 , this circuit being connected to the junction  148 , as seen. A battery gauge  149  is also connected to the junction  148 . 
     Turning to the right side of  FIG. 6 , the previously described Operator Run switch  17 A, (bail-operated and having normally-open contacts) is connected in series with the normally-closed contacts of the Run Enable switch  33 . The Run Enable switch  33  is actuated to the closed position by the strike plate  31  being in the lowered position, as seen in  FIG. 2 . When the Run Enable switch  33  is closed (the strike plate  31  being lowered with the brush by action of the operator), the operator may then operate the machine by actuating (via the bail  17 ) the Operator Run switch  17 A. Junction  152  is a common junction for switch  155  of the first Keyswitch  124 , the circuit comprising the Run Enable switch  33  and the Operator Run switch  17 A just described; motor speed control output  165 ; the brush relay  122  and speed control output  163 ; and a series circuit comprising a water solenoid switch  129  and solenoid  126  for opening a valve to the water supply when switch  129  is closed by the operator&#39;s release of foot pedal  30 . 
     The first Keyswitch  124  includes a set of normally-open contacts  155  which are connected to the junction  152 . Normally-closed contacts  161  of the first Keyswitch  124  are connected in circuit with the normally-open Unload Enable switch  35  (shown in  FIG. 6  in the closed position because  FIG. 6  represents the system in the Transport Mode) which is connected to brush motor terminal  138  and speed control output  163 , and normally-closed contacts  159  of the brush relay  122 , which are connected to brush motor terminal  139 . 
     Operation of the Circuitry 
     Normal Running Operation 
     The electrical schematic of  FIG. 6  is shown in the transport mode. Thus, for example, the normally closed Run Enable switch  33  is shown as open in  FIG. 6  and normally open Unload Enable switch  35  is shown as closed. Assuming the battery  120  is connected (switches  123  closed), when a key is inserted in first Keyswitch  124  and turned by the operator to position “2”, switch  162  closes, and the battery  120  is connected through the circuit breaker  128 , normally-closed contacts  125  of battery charger  121  (since battery charger  121  is not in operation) and contacts  162  of the Keyswitch  124  to the junction  148 . This operates the battery gauge  149  for operator observation, and it also actuates the main relay  130 . 
     When the main relay  130  is energized, contacts  131 ,  131  close, supplying power to modes  153  and  156 . If the vacuum switch  145  is closed (manually), the vacuum relay  146  is energized, thereby closing the contacts  140  and energizing the vacuum motor (i.e., pump)  132 . 
     Assuming that the brush is in the lowered or operating position, the Run Enable switch  33  is closed. This then couples power from junction  148  through the Run Enable switch  33  and the Operator Run switch  17 A (when bail or actuator  17  is moved by the operator) to the junction  152 . The speed control box output  163  actuates the brush relay  122  which, in turn, closes contacts  136  which turns on speed control output box  165  to energize the brush motor  135  to drive the brush  20 . At the same time, the water solenoid  125  (optional) may be energized to supply water to the brush  20  because switch  129  is normally closed. 
     Operation continues until the operator releases the bail handle  17  which then opens the Operator Run switch  17 A, thereby opening the contacts of switch  17 A in  FIG. 6  to de-energize the brush relay  122  and thereby, de-energize the brush motor  135 . 
     Transport and Brush Unload 
     For transport, storage or brush unload (to clean, store or charge, for example), the foot pedal  30  is depressed by the operator. This raises the brush  20  to the raised position shown in  FIG. 1 , and the control circuit is as shown in  FIG. 6 . To unload the brush, the operator turns the first Keyswitch  124  to position “1”, which is spring biased to return to the “OFF” or “0” position when the key is released. 
     When the key is in position “1”, contacts  160  and  155  are closed. Contacts  155  cause the brush relay  122  to be energized via junction  152  and the speed control output box  163 . This closes contacts  136  and the speed control output box  165  to energize the brush motor  135  which drives the brush in rotation (in the raised position). When the brush reaches normal speed (or even less), the operator releases the key, and the Keyswitch reverts under spring bias to position “0”. In this position, contacts  155  and  160  open and contacts  161  close. This action shorts out the terminals  138 ,  139  of brush motor  135  via the circuit comprising: terminal  138 , Unload Enable switch  35  (actuated to the closed position by virtue of manually raising the brush); closed contacts  161  (switch position “0”); and brush relay contacts  159  to motor terminal  139 . 
     If it is desired to remove the brush the operator depresses the foot pedal  30 , elevating the brush to the raised position which, in turn, closes the Unload Enable switch  35 . This opens contacts  33  and closes contacts  35  of the Unload Enable switch, thereby permitting a brush removal because the brush is raised. 
     When the circuit is in this condition, if the operator rotates the Keyswitch  124  to the “Brush Unload” position, the contacts  155  and  160  close. This causes the main relay  130 , speed control box output  163 , and brush relay  122  to be momentarily energized, thereby enabling the brush motor  135  to be energized through contacts  136  (contacts  161  being open) and speed control box  165 . When the operator then releases the Keyswitch  124 , it returns to position “0” under spring bias. Contacts  155  and  160  open, de-energizing the brush relay  122  and main relay  130  via junction  148 , thereby opening contacts  136 . At the same time, contacts  161  of the Keyswitch  124  are closed, as is the Unload Enable switch  35  by the operator, thereby placing a load to decelerate motor  135  and bringing the motor to a quick stop due to the load. This permits the brush to override the drive lug and be disengaged, and to fall freely from the brush drive assembly, or to be removed manually. 
     While various functions of the present invention are described as being carried out by control circuitry illustrated in  FIG. 6 , various of these functions could be carried out by proper programming of control circuitry located in controller  204  by one skilled in the art. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , there is shown an elevation view of a rear panel  200  for use in a floor scrubbing machine for carrying out the present invention. Rear panel  200  includes an electrical box  202  containing the electrical circuitry illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Rear panel  200  further includes an aperture  216  through which pedal  30  and its associated support arm extend. Also mounted to rear panel  200  is a controller compartment  204  containing the controller used in operating the floor scrubber machine Finally, rear panel  200  includes a second Keyswitch  206  electrically connected to the electrical circuitry shown in  FIG. 6  as well as to the controller within the controller compartment  204  for operating the floor scrubbing machine in accordance with the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , there is shown a side elevation view of the floor scrubbing machine  10  for use in carrying out the present invention. Floor scrubbing machine  10  includes forward wheels  12  and two rear caster wheels  13  positioned on a floor  208  upon which are deposited seven layers of wax  210 . Typically on the order of seven layers of wax are applied to a floor such as in a commercial environment, although the present invention is not limited to use with floors having this number of layers of wax, as the invention can be used with virtually any number of wax layers. The thickness of the seven layers of wax  210  is illustrated in  FIG. 8  as being much thicker than in an actual floor coating for purposes of illustration. Floor scrubbing machine  10  further includes at least one rotating brush  20  as previously described. Brush  20  is illustrated in  FIG. 8  as being in contact with the uppermost layer of wax prior to carrying out the improved floor treatment procedure of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the floor scrubbing machine  10  is shown traversing the floor  208  in the direction of arrow  214 . In  FIG. 9 , the rotational speed of the rotating brush, or brushes,  20  has been increased from approximately 180 RPM as used in the typical scrubbing operation to on the order of 400 RPM for removing the two uppermost layers of wax as the floor scrubbing machine traverses the floor  208  in the direction of arrow  214 . The rotational speed is changed by moving the second Keyswitch  206  from a first position to a second position, and turning it back to the first position to return to the first lower rotational speed. The higher rotational speed of brush  20  easily removes the two uppermost layers of wax without deeply penetrating the multi-layer wax coating, leaving only five layers of wax remaining on the floor  208 . Following removal of the two uppermost layers of wax, brush  20  may then be used at the lower speed of on the order of 180 RPM with the addition of clean water for cleaning and rinsing the exposed fifth layer of wax prior to sequentially applying two additional coats of wax to the remaining five layers of wax to provide the renovated floor with its original finish. In the alternative, prior to cleaning and rinsing the uppermost remaining layer of wax after the two top layers have been stripped away, the brush may be replaced with a pad for preparing the uppermost remaining wax layer for the application of two additional layers of wax. During the cleaning and rinsing process, it may be necessary to replace the pad if the accumulated removed wax becomes excessive. 
     In present practice, brushes and pads used in floor maintenance are color-coated to indicate their coarseness and stiffness, and, in general, the aggressiveness of the brush or pad in treating the floor surface coating. In general, maroon brushes are satisfactory for removing individual layers from a multi-layer coating of wax. After the two layers of wax are removed, the maroon brush may then preferably be replaced with a white pad which is less aggressive in its action on the floor coating. The white pad would then be used with clean water to rinse and clean the uppermost fifth layer of wax in preparation of the sequential application of two outer layers of wax to the floor&#39;s finish in restoring the floor to its original appearance and level of protection. The inventive procedure for maintaining a floor described above is particularly relevant in the case where the underlying floor is comprised of a material which is not designed, or intended, to be sanded as sanding can damage many types of floor surfaces, depending upon composition. One type of floor with which the present invention is particularly adapted for use with is a vinyl composition tile (VCT) floor. 
     While the present invention has been described in terms of dual speed operation, i.e., brush rotation at on the order of 180 RPM and at on the order of 400 RPM, another embodiment of the invention further contemplates operation at a third higher rotational speed on the order of 800-1500 RPM for use in burnishing and polishing operations. Referring again to the schematic diagram of  FIG. 6 , there is shown the combination of a first speed control box  163 , a switching network  164  and a second speed control box  165 . The first and second speed control boxes  163 ,  165  and switch network  164  control the speed of the mobile cleaning machine&#39;s brush  20 . The first speed control box  163  provides a control signal to switch network  164 , which provides a corresponding output signal which is provided by the first speed control box to a brush relay  122 . The output of brush relay  122  is provided to the second speed control box  165 . In response to the input provided by the brush relay  122  to the second speed control box  165 , the second speed control box provides a corresponding output to the brush motor  135  for controlling the speed of the brush  20  of the mobile floor cleaner  10 . By suitable closure and opening of the three switches within the switching network  164 , the brush motor  135  is controlled so as to operate at 180 RPM, 400 RPM or 800-1500 RPM. The 180 RPM is used for cleaning of a floor, the 400 RPM speed is used for scrubbing the floor and selectively removing the upper layers of wax on the floor as described above. The 800-900 RPM speed range is used for burnishing or polishing operations on the floor. The control circuit shown in  FIG. 6  may be in the form of a conventional electronic circuit as shown in this figure, or it may be incorporated in controller  204  shown in  FIG. 7  on the rear panel  200  of the mobile floor cleaning machine  10 . Thus, the output of the first speed control box  163  actuates relay  122  of the brush, while the output of the second speed control box  165  is a power output, the voltage of which determines at which speed the brush motor  135  operates. Additionally weight may or may not be required for any or all of these operating modes depending on the pads or brushes used. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.