Abstract:
A powered mopping and cleaning machine is described. The machine includes a recovery tank, a filter assembly, a fresh water tank assembly, a vacuum assembly, a battery charger assembly, a control assembly, and a deck assembly. The machine is adapted to clean floors and more especially flat hard floors by means of providing a cleaning fluid to a rotating brush and by vacuuming resultant dirty fluid from the floor. The powered mopping and cleaning machine is adapted to replace the use of a conventional mop and mop bucket. Use of the powered mopping and cleaning machine is designed to result in decreased labor, increased efficiency, and decreased cleaning cost as compared to the use of a standard mop and mop bucket. The powered mopping and cleaning machine, although self-contained, will preferably fit into the same storage space that is otherwise allotted to store a conventional mop and mop bucket.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to floor cleaning devices. More specifically, this invention relates to automatic powered floor mopping and cleaning devices. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    A variety of machines and devices have been developed to clean or mop floors. Typically, such machines are either large and cumbersome or they lack many automated features. Further those machines that are known to be automated require a higher degree of skill to operate (e.g. operated via remote control or complex programming) or lack the mopping efficiency of the present invention. 
         [0005]    Different aspects of floor cleaning machines and components thereof have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,107,387, 3,204,280, 3,600,735, 3,742,546, 3,795,933, 3,866,541, 3,879,789, 3,921,244, 3,931,659, 3,931,662, 3,942,215, 3,952,361, 3,972,088, 4,094,034, 4,096,084, 4,118,819, 4,122,576, 4,150,456, 4,196,492, 4,214,337, 4,217,671, 4,237,517, 4,295,243, 4,319,434, 4,322,920, 4,391,548, 4,393,534, 4,407,040, 4,506,405, 4,523,411, 4,577,364, 4,633,541, 4,654,918, 4,783,872, 4,910,824, 4,956,891 5,054,245, 5,127,124, 5,253,384, 5,287,583, 5,289,605, 5,371,912, 5,402,559, 5,555,587, 5,797,157, 5,836,045, 6,023,813, 6,357,070, 6,418,585, 6,524,173, 6,550,094 6,741,054, and 2004/0049878 each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for the material disclosed therein. Further, U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/865,766 and 11/342,042 are also incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,600,735 describes a drive connection for a floor polisher, which permits ready removal from an attachment of brush units to the vertical shaft driven by the motor. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,742,546 describes a surface treating apparatus having rotatable treating members movable over a surface, a container for liquid wax, which is positioned in a compartment, and has an outlet at its bottom normally closed by a value having a vertically movable stem. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,795,933 discloses a multi-purpose cleaning implement includes a base member supporting a sponge mop type work head and an auxiliary implement such as a brush, squeegee, scraper, spreader or similar implement. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,921,244 discloses a floor buffer for operator directed polishing of a floor. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,931,659 discloses a floor treating machine supported at the floor or surface to be treated by means of a work disk arranged beneath a substantially ring-shaped stop member, the work disk being detachably coupled with a drive motor. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,361 discloses a floor treating machine having laterally spaced drive wheels driven by separate electric traction motors under electronic control so as to be driven by a separate train of pulses, comprising means for recording the trains of pulses to the traction motors and means for replaying the record to reproduce the trains of pulses whereby the machine will repeat the operation. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,972,088 discloses an electric floor scrubber and buffer having its scrubber or buffer pad attached to the underside of an oscillating plate. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,094,034 discloses a floor treating machine of the rotary brush type in which, in operation, the weight of the machine is, to at least a significant extent, supported by the rotary brush or brushes, in which a brush mounting member is flexibly suspended between resilient elements for limited universal movement. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,096,084 discloses a method for cleaning surfaces such as floors and pavements that includes incorporating a polyelectrolyte in the cleaning solution and a surface-scrubbing machine for carrying out the process. 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,118,819 discloses a floor treating machine of the single rotary brush type having a handle and a motor both laterally offset from the axis of rotation of the brush in a direction to impart a tilting couple opposed to that arising from operator forces counteracting the reaction couple on the handle. 
         [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,122,576 discloses a manually operated floor polishing machine comprising a polishing pad or brush rotatable at a speed above 660 rpm, pressing against the floor with a force of less than about 25 lbs., and positioned so that one segment of the pad presses harder against the floor than the other, such as by mounting the pad&#39;s driving plate or disc to that its plane of rotation is at an angle less than about 10 degree to the plane of the floor. 
         [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,456 discloses a floor scrubber with a propane powered internal combustion engine which is mounted on a wheeled dolly and which is attached by its rotary output shaft to a circular cage provided with a plurality of rotary brushes on the underside thereof. 
         [0018]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,214,337 and 4,237,571 disclose compact floor polishers including a base supporting an electric motor having a vertically oriented output shaft and driving a circular brush. 
         [0019]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,217,671 discloses a multipurpose cleaning device which can be used as a bath and tile scrubbing device as well as being adapted for use in conjunction with floors, walls, ceilings and the like. 
         [0020]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,295,243 discloses an apparatus for cleaning, waxing, polishing and otherwise treating the surface of a floor, where the apparatus includes a carriage or frame with a handle for guiding and maneuvering, several containers for dispensing several selected types of fluids or solutions to the floor where a reciprocating scrubber, such as steel wool or a buffing pad operates with a solution to effectively clean, strip, wax or polish the floor surface. In addition, there is a vacuum means, which removes and carries away any excess liquid, solution or dirty cleaning fluids from the floor surface. 
         [0021]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,319,434 describes a surface processing machine that includes at least one motor-driven spider arm assembly, each of the arms of the spider having rotatably mounted as the ends thereof a surface processing tools such as a brush, buffing pad, grinding stone or the like and wherein the surface processing tools are mounted on an axis which is substantially parallel to the axis. 
         [0022]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,322,920 discloses an attachment for use on a rotary floor-conditioning machine comprising a master block, which is integrally molded of a urethane elastomer including a centrally located hub with a circular flange member extending radially from the base thereof. 
         [0023]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,391,548 describes a coupling device adapted for use with floor maintenance machines of the type such as floor brushing, buffing, polishing, scrubbing or the like which enables automatic coupling of the maintenance element without direct manual implementation thereof. 
         [0024]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,393,534 discloses an apparatus for mechanically varying the speed of a disk, such as a floor treating pad, mounted for rotation about the axis of elongation of a shaft powered by a fixed speed motor. 
         [0025]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,040 describes a pad drive assembly that detachably grips and rotatably drives a selected maintenance pad by a floor maintenance pad by a floor maintenance machine. 
         [0026]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,506,405 discloses a floor-treating machine adapted to operate as a floor scrubber and a floor polisher or buffer includes a main housing or support frame structure from which extends a brush housing assembly. 
         [0027]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,411 describes a rotatable element and a surface-treating device. 
         [0028]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,364 discloses a floor-cleaning machine including a support frame with a handle attached to the upper end of the support frame for guiding the machine along the floor and a wheel assembly attached to the lower end. A plurality of disc-shaped floor cleaning pads disposed and held adjacent one another such that a floor pad cylinder having a horizontally disposed and held adjacent one another such that a floor pad cylinder having a horizontally-disposed longitudinal axis is formed are attached to the lower end of the frame. 
         [0029]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,633,541 discloses a floor-treating machine adapted to operate as a floor scrubber and a floor polisher or buffer, which includes a main housing or support frame structure from which extends a brush housing assembly. 
         [0030]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,918 describes a buffer deck assembly for floor scrubbing, cleaning and polishing machine that includes a displaceable buffer deck housing mounted to the machine through a substantially U-shaped mounting frame having a pair of sleeves that each slid ably receive a cantilever support arm. 
         [0031]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,872 discloses a high-speed floor-treating machine is provided comprising a frame, a control and guiding handle extending rearward of the frame and an electric motor for rotating a floor-contacting pad is secured. 
         [0032]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,910,824 discloses a floor polisher, which causes a pad to rotate at a high speed to polish a floor. The floor polisher has a vertically moving mechanism adapted to move the pad in the vertical direction with respect to the floor, a ground pressure adjusting mechanism adapted to maintain a ground pressure of the pad at a set pressure by controlling the vertically moving mechanism and a floor protecting mechanism adapted to actuate the vertically moving mechanism to lift the pad immediately when the travel of the floor polisher is stopped. 
         [0033]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,245 describes a combination of cleaning pads, cleaning pad mounting members and a base member for a rotary cleaning machine. 
         [0034]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,124 describes an apparatus for adjusting the height above the floor of a plate to which is attached a pad in a rotary floor machine to accommodate pads having a range of thicknesses. 
         [0035]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,384 discloses an electric buffing machine and a method for buffing waxed floors. The buffing machine comprises a molded plastic housing, a foldable handle and a DC drive motor directly driving a buffing pad holder. 
         [0036]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,583 discloses a floor treatment machine having a frame, a handle mounted to the frame, wheels mounted to the frame, and a rotatable floor treatment pad mounted to the frame for treating a floor surface. 
         [0037]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,605 discloses a cleaning apparatus in the form of a scrubber that is a motor driven by a direct current (DC) motor driving a rotatable scrubber unit which includes a scrubber disc with the motor and scrubber disc forming a power head supported from a detachable and adjustable length pole which enables surfaces that are normally out of reach to be easily scrubbed. 
         [0038]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,912 discloses an electric floor and baseboard-cleaning machine which includes a motor assembly attached to a medium frame in which the movement thereof is adjustable for either straight line or circular motion. 
         [0039]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,559 discloses a floor scrubber is provided which consists of a rectangular head assembly. 
         [0040]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,587 discloses a floor mopping machine for automatic mopping of floors having a movable housing and a rotatable mopping member including a plurality of spongy mop pieces. 
         [0041]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,157 describes a floor buffer having the power source and drive means mounted at one end of an elongate handle, and a buffer head mounted at the other end, such that the center of gravity of the machine is roughly at the midpoint of the elongate handle. 
         [0042]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,813 describes an automatic floor scrubber and buffer that provides for simultaneous scrubbing and buffing of floors through he use of a plurality of pads operating at different speeds to optimize the scrubbing and buffing operation of the device. 
         [0043]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,070 discloses a riding cleaning machine that can simultaneously perform sweeping, scrubbing, and burnishing. 
         [0044]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,585 discloses a mopping device that may be adapted for manual or electromechanical operation. 
         [0045]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,524,173 discloses an apparatus for cleaning a surface having a handle joined to a cleaning head operable to dispense liquid onto a surface to be cleaned. 
         [0046]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,094 discloses a self-contained electrically powered wringer. 
         [0047]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,741,05 discloses a robotic floor mopping assembly. 
         [0048]    U.S. Pat. No. 2004/0049878 discloses a floor cleaner having a sweeper, a scrubber, and a burnisher. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0049]    It is desirable to provide an automatic mopping machine that mops, cleans, sweeps, vacuums, and dries a floor surface preferably in one pass. It is further desirable to provide such a mopping machine that is of a compact size, of low weight, easy to use, and easy to store. It is also desirable to provide a mopping and cleaning machine that can be readily maneuvered in tight spaces. For instance in one embodiment, the machine may be driven in a “U-turn” in a space as tight as three feet (e.g. a turning radius of eighteen inches). In yet other embodiments, the machine may be driven in a “U-turn” in a space as tight as two feet. 
         [0050]    Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a self-contained automatic mopping and cleaning machine that is compact and is preferably no larger than a standard mop and mop bucket combination, and is preferably lower in height than a standard mop stored in a standard mop bucket. 
         [0051]    Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic mopping machine that reduces the labor otherwise required when conventionally mopping a floor such as moistening a mop, sliding a mop, and wringing a mop, thus resulting in a reduced commercial floor cleaning cost. 
         [0052]    Further it is an object of this invention to provide a mopping and cleaning machine that provides for improved cleaning and that imparts a greater luster to a cleaned floor that can be obtained from a convention mop and bucket or other prior art cleaning machines. The improved cleaning and increased luster is in part obtained by the high speed rotation of the preferably soft bristled brush of the cleaning machine which in at least one embodiment, rotates at a rate of 1400 revolutions per minute, but may rotate substantially faster or slower such as 1200 or 1600 revolutions per minute. 
         [0053]    Further it is an object of this invention to provide a mopping and cleaning machine that provides for improved cleaning by avoiding the reuse of water or water and a cleaning solution. Such improved cleaning is in contrast to the use of a conventional mop and buck or prior art cleaning machine which recycle the cleaning fluid or in other words such prior art machines reuse dirty water in attempting to clean a floor. 
         [0054]    Further it is an object of this invention to provide a mopping and cleaning machine that is very simple to operate due to very simple controls. 
         [0055]    Further it is an object of this invention to provide a mopping and cleaning machine that incorporates a self-adjusting squeegee that provides for on-going proper squeegee deflection. 
         [0056]    Further it is an object of this invention to provide a mopping and cleaning machine that includes a dirty water level viewing window which provides a means to determine when the machine dirty water should be emptied so as to prevent excess water and debris from entering the vacuum motor or other areas of the machine. 
         [0057]    Further it is an object of this invention to provide a mopping and cleaning machine that provides for an adjustable caster assembly so as to provide proper brush loading against a floor resulting in proper cleaning without undue drag being place on the machine motor. 
         [0058]    Further it is an object of this invention to provide a mopping and cleaning machine that provides for selective squeegee lifting resulting in selectively greater brush rotation dwell times prior to selectively vacuuming the resultant dirty water and drying the floor. 
         [0059]    Further it is an object of this invention to provide a mopping and cleaning machine that provides for handle height adjustment resulting in improved operator convenience and improved compactness in storage and shipping of the machine. 
         [0060]    Further it is an object of this invention to provide a mopping and cleaning machine that includes an on-board battery charger and preferably “gel cell” type batteries that may be selectively charged while storing the machine or while operating the machine resulting in even greater portability of the machine. 
         [0061]    Further it is an object of this invention to provide a mopping and cleaning machine that incorporates a self-centering drive-belt, the removal and replacement of which requires no tools resulting in improved maintainability of the machine. 
         [0062]    Further it is an object of this invention to provide a mopping and cleaning machine that incorporates a quick-change easily installable self-adjusting squeegee that is readily replaceable preferably in no more than two minutes, resulting in improved maintainability of the machine. 
         [0063]    Further it is an object of this invention to provide a mopping and cleaning machine that incorporates a quick-change and easily cleanable vacuum hose, resulting in improved maintainability of the machine. 
         [0064]    Additional objects, advantages, and other novel features of this invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned with the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of this invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Still other objects of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description wherein there is shown and described the preferred embodiment of this invention. As it will be realized, this invention is capable of other different embodiments, and its several details, and specific configurations, are capable of modification in various aspects without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0065]    In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: trimetric 
           [0066]      FIG. 1  is a trimetric view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0067]      FIG. 2  is a partially exploded isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0068]      FIG. 3  is a further exploded isometric view of select subassemblies and components of the preferred embodiment of the invention. Recovery tank  20  is shown with the near side quarter of the tank removed. Due to the relatively thin wall sections, for drawing clarity, no cross-hatching is shown. 
           [0069]      FIG. 4  is an additional further exploded isometric view of select subassemblies and components of the preferred embodiment of the invention. Deck  140  is shown with the near side quarter of the deck removed. Due to the relatively thin wall sections, for drawing clarity, no cross-hatching is shown. 
           [0070]      FIG. 5  is an exploded isometric view of brush assembly  240  of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0071]    The invention is a machine for cleaning and mopping floors. The invention in its preferred embodiment is a rollable mopping machine having wheels and being equipped with an electric motor driven rotatable cleaning brush, a vacuumed powered squeegee, on-board batteries to power the machine, a fresh water/cleaning chemical tank, and a recovery tank. In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention in reviewing the drawings accompanying the specification, a feature list is provided below. It is noted that like features are like numbered throughout all of the figures. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 FEATURE TABLE 
               
             
          
           
               
                 # 
                 Feature 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 Mopping machine 
               
               
                 20 
                 Recovery tank 
               
               
                 22 
                 Tank lower mounting surface 
               
               
                 24 
                 Tank upper mounting surface 
               
               
                 26 
                 Tank back mounting surface 
               
               
                 28 
                 Tank filter mounting recess 
               
               
                 30 
                 Tank holding chamber 
               
               
                 32 
                 Tank drain hole 
               
               
                 35 
                 Filter assembly 
               
               
                 36 
                 Filter 
               
               
                 37 
                 Filter cover 
               
               
                 40 
                 Fresh water tank assembly 
               
               
                 42 
                 Fresh water tank 
               
               
                 44 
                 Fresh water tank lid 
               
               
                 46 
                 Fresh water tank mounting plate 
               
               
                 48 
                 Fresh water tube 
               
               
                 50 
                 Fresh water tube first end 
               
               
                 52 
                 Fresh water tube second end 
               
               
                 60 
                 Vacuum assembly 
               
               
                 62 
                 Vacuum hose 
               
               
                 64 
                 Vacuum hose first end 
               
               
                 66 
                 Vacuum hose second end 
               
               
                 70 
                 Vacuum motor assembly 
               
               
                 72 
                 Vacuum motor 
               
               
                 74 
                 Vacuum motor gasket 
               
               
                 76 
                 Vacuum motor boot 
               
               
                 80 
                 Battery charger assembly 
               
               
                 82 
                 Battery charger 
               
               
                 84 
                 Battery charger mounting flange 
               
               
                 86 
                 Battery charger mounting bracket 
               
               
                 88 
                 Bracket charger mounting flange 
               
               
                 90 
                 Bracket tank mounting flange 
               
               
                 100 
                 Control assembly 
               
               
                 102 
                 Control assembly mounting plate 
               
               
                 104 
                 Handle bar mounting bracket 
               
               
                 106 
                 Handle bar 
               
               
                 108 
                 Handle bar hand grip 
               
               
                 110 
                 Control switch 
               
               
                 120 
                 Deck assembly 
               
               
                 140 
                 Deck 
               
               
                 142 
                 Deck mounting platform 
               
               
                 144 
                 Deck battery holding compartment 
               
               
                 146 
                 Deck lower mounting surface 
               
               
                 148 
                 Deck rear axle retention hole 
               
               
                 150 
                 Deck brush assembly mounting recess 
               
               
                 160 
                 Battery 
               
               
                 162 
                 Battery positive connection terminal 
               
               
                 164 
                 Battery negative connection terminal 
               
               
                 180 
                 Rear axle assembly 
               
               
                 182 
                 Rear axle 
               
               
                 184 
                 Rear axle assembly first wheel 
               
               
                 186 
                 Rear axle assembly second wheel 
               
               
                 200 
                 Front caster assembly 
               
               
                 202 
                 Caster assembly mounting arm 
               
               
                 204 
                 Caster 
               
               
                 206 
                 Caster assembly adjustment knob 
               
               
                 220 
                 Squeegee assembly 
               
               
                 222 
                 Squeegee assembly mounting arm 
               
               
                 224 
                 Squeegee assembly mounting bracket 
               
               
                 226 
                 Squeegee assembly adjustment clamp 
               
               
                 228 
                 Squeegee assembly support shaft 
               
               
                 230 
                 Squeegee blade 
               
               
                 232 
                 Squeegee assembly vacuum connection 
               
               
                   
                 fitting 
               
               
                 240 
                 Brush assembly 
               
               
                 242 
                 Brush 
               
               
                 244 
                 Brush bristle 
               
               
                 246 
                 Brush housing 
               
               
                 247 
                 Brush housing opening 
               
               
                 248 
                 Brush assembly first bushing 
               
               
                 250 
                 Brush assembly second bushing 
               
               
                 252 
                 Brush pulley 
               
               
                 254 
                 Brush assembly end plate 
               
               
                 256 
                 End plate brush pulley opening 
               
               
                 258 
                 End plate motor pulley opening 
               
               
                 260 
                 Brush assembly drive belt 
               
               
                 262 
                 Brush axle 
               
               
                 264 
                 Brush assembly motor 
               
               
                 266 
                 Motor pulley 
               
               
                 268 
                 Drive belt shroud 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0072]    Referring now to the drawings, the invention is a powered mopping and cleaning machine  10  for use in mopping and cleaning tile, linoleum, hardwood and like floors, comprising a recovery tank  20 , a filter assembly  35 , a fresh water tank assembly  40 , a vacuum assembly  60 , a battery charger assembly  80 , a control assembly  100 , and a deck assembly  120 . Recovery tank  20  defines a generally cubic shaped elongated preferably rotationally molded plastic tank capable of storing liquids having a lower mounting surface  22 , an upper mounting surface  24 , a back mounting surface  26 , a filter mounting recess  28 , a holding chamber  30 , and a drain hole  32 . Recovery tank  20  may further include a substantially transparent portion that functions as a window allowing the user to determine the machine dirty water level in Recovery tank  20 . 
         [0073]    Filter assembly  35  defines a filter assembly comprising a filter  36  and a filter cover  37 . Filter  36  defines a generally cylindrically shaped foam filter. Filter cover  37  defines a preferably plastic injection molded generally hollow open ended cylindrically shaped cover. Filter cover  37  is adapted to snappingly engage to filter mounting recess  28 . Filter assembly  35  is assembled such that filter  36  is contained within filter cover  37 . 
         [0074]    Fresh water tank assembly  40  defines a tank assembly comprising a fresh water tank  42 , a fresh water tank mounting plate  46 , and a fresh water tube  48 . Fresh water tank  42  defines a generally cubic shaped elongated rotationally molded plastic tank capable of storing liquids having a fresh water tank lid  44  removeably connected to fresh water tank  42 . Fresh water tube  48  defines a substantially elongated hollow tube capable of carrying liquids and controllably providing such liquids to a brush assembly, having a first end  50  and a second end  52 . Fresh water tank assembly  40  is assembled such that fresh water tank mounting plate  46  is mounted to a side of fresh water tank  42  and fresh water tube first end  50  is mounted to fresh water tank  42 . 
         [0075]    Vacuum assembly  60  defines a vacuum assembly comprising a vacuum hose  62  and a vacuum motor assembly  70 . Vacuum hose  62  defines a generally flexible elongated corrugated hose capable of carrying liquids having a first end  64  and a second end  66 . Vacuum motor assembly  70  defines a vacuum motor assembly comprising a vacuum motor  72 , a vacuum motor gasket  74 , and a vacuum motor boot  76 . Vacuum motor assembly  70  is assembled such that vacuum motor boot  76  is coveringly mounted to vacuum motor  72  with vacuum motor gasket  74  sealing sandwiched therebetween. Vacuum assembly  60  is assembled such that Vacuum hose  62  is vacuum suction portingly connected to vacuum motor assembly  70 . 
         [0076]    Battery charger assembly  80  defines a battery charger assembly comprising a battery charger  82  and a battery charger mounting bracket  86 . Battery charger  82  defines a conventional battery charger capable of charging batteries and having a mounting flange  84 . Battery charger mounting bracket  86  defines a generally “L” shaped preferably formed sheet metal mounting bracket capable of supporting a battery charger and having a charger mounting flange  88  and a tank mounting flange  90 . Battery charger assembly  80  is assembled such that mounting flange  84  is fastened to mounting flange  88 . 
         [0077]    Control assembly  100  defines a mopping machine controllable assembly comprising a generally rectangular shaped mounting plate  102 , handle bar mounting brackets  104 , a tubular shaped handle bar  106 , preferably high friction rubber or plastic or the like handle bar hand grips  108 , and control switches  110 . Control assembly  100  is assembled such that at least one handle bar mounting bracket  104  is fastened to mounting plate  102 , handle bar  106  is clamped to at least one handle bar mounting bracket  104 , handle bar grips  108  are press fittingly connected mounted to ends of handle bar  106 , and at least one control switch  110  is operably mounted to mounting plate  102 . Control assembly  100  is adapted such that height of handle bar  106  is adjustable resulting in improved operator convenience and improved compactness in storage and shipping of the machine 
         [0078]    Deck assembly  120  defines a deck assembly comprising a deck  140 , at least one battery  160 , a rear axle assembly  180 , a front caster assembly  200 , a squeegee assembly  220 , and a brush assembly  240 . Deck  140  defines a generally hollow cubic shaped preferably rotationally molded plastic deck capable of storing batteries and providing a structural support having a mounting platform  142 , a battery holding compartment  144 , a lower mounting surface  146 , a rear axle retention hole  148 , and a brush assembly mounting recess  150 . At least one battery  160  defines a conventional electrical power storage battery capable of powering a mopping machine having a positive connection terminal  162  and a negative connection terminal  164 . Battery  160  is preferably a “gel cell” type battery and may be selectively charged while storing machine  10  or while operating machine  10  resulting in even greater portability of machine  10 . Further, when more than one battery  160  is used in machine  10 , batteries  160  are preferably fastened together to provide for increased convenience in service battery  160  or machine  10 . 
         [0079]    Rear axle assembly  180  defines a rear axle assembly capable of bearing and carrying the weight of a mopping machine comprising a substantially elongated cylindrically shaped preferable steel axle  182 , a first wheel  184 , and a second wheel  186 . Rear axle assembly  180  is assembled such that with axle  182  rotatably inserted through axle retention hole  148 , first wheel  184  is connected to a first end of axle  182  and second wheel  186  is connected to a second end of axle  182 . 
         [0080]    Front caster assembly  200  defines a caster assembly capable of directionally swiveling and bearing and carrying the weight of a mopping machine comprising a somewhat flexible preferably steel mounting arm  202 , a rotatable and swivelable caster  204 , and a rotatable caster adjustment knob  206 . Front caster assembly  200  is assembled such that caster  204  is swivelably mounted to mounting arm  202  and adjustment knob  206  is rotatingly adjustingly connected to mounting arm  202  and such that when front caster assembly  200  is mounted to deck  140 , rotation of adjustment knob  206  causes a corresponding height adjustment of front caster assembly  200  relative to deck  140 . 
         [0081]    Squeegee assembly  220  defines a squeegee assembly capable of squeegeeing or scraping and collecting water and like liquids comprising a somewhat flexible preferably steel mounting arm  222 , a preferably steel mounting bracket  224 , an adjustment clamp  226 , a preferably hollow tubular support shaft  228 , a preferably rubber squeegee blade  230 , and a preferably molded plastic vacuum connection fitting  232 . Squeegee assembly  220  is assembled such that mounting arm  222  is slidingly adjustably connected to mounting bracket  224  by adjustment clamp  226 , vacuum connection fitting  232  is vacuum portingly connected to mounting bracket  224 , support shaft  228  is mounted to mounting bracket  224 , and squeegee blade  230  is mounted to support shaft  228 . It is noted that squeegee assembly  220  is a quick-change easily installable self-adjusting squeegee that is readily replaceable within two minutes. Squeegee blade  230 , a wearable item, is readily replaced by loosening a single wing-nut, removing a first instance of squeegee blade  230 , installing a second instance of squeegee blade  230 , and tightening the single wing-nut. 
         [0082]    Brush assembly  240  defines a brush assembly capable of rotating a brush to clean a floor comprising a brush  242 , a brush housing  246 , a first bushing  248 , a second bushing  250 , a brush pulley  252 , a brush end plate  254 , a preferably self-centering rubber or the like drive belt  260 , a substantially elongated cylindrically shaped preferable steel brush axle  262 , a motor  264 , and a belt shroud  268 . Brush  242  defines a conventional rotatable brush having a plurality of bristles  244 . Brush  242  may alternatively define a dense foam rotatable brush or another brush of suitable material. Brush housing  246  defines a generally hollow semi-cylindrically shaped housing having a plurality of openings  247  to accommodate brush  242 . Brush end plate  254  defines a substantially flat plate having a brush pulley opening  256  and a motor pulley opening  258 . Motor  264  defines a conventional electrical drive motor having a pulley  266 . Brush assembly  240  is assembled such that axle  262  is pressed into brush  242 , bushing  248  is pressed onto a first end of brush axle  262 , bushing  250  and brush pulley  252  are pressed onto a second end of brush axle  262 , brush axle  262  is rotatably mounted in housing  246  with first bushing  248 , second bushing  250 , and brush pulley  252  positioned in housing openings  247 , end plate  254  is mounted to housing  246  with pulley  252  protruding through pulley opening  256 , motor  264  is mounted to end plate  254  with pulley  266  protruding through pulley opening  258 , drive belt  260  is placed in rotational drive relationship to brush pulley  252  and motor pulley  266 , and shroud  268  is mounted in drive belt  260  covering relationship to end plate  254  and such that a rotation of motor  264  causes rotation of motor pulley  266  which causes rotation of belt  260  which causes rotation of pulley  252  which causes rotation of brush  242  which causes a floor to be cleaned. It is noted that belt  260  is adapted to be removed and replaced without the use of tools. 
         [0083]    Deck assembly  120  is assembled such that at least one battery  160  is mounted within battery holding compartment  144  of deck  140 , rear axle assembly  180  is rotateably connected to deck  140  with axle  182  being rotateably positioned within rear axle retention hole  148  and wheels  184  and  186  being positioned on sides of deck  140 , front caster assembly  200  is swivelably and adjustably mounted to lower mounting surface  146 , squeegee assembly  220  is connected to lower mounting surface  146 , and brush assembly  240  is mounted to brush assembly mounting recess  150 . 
         [0084]    Powered mopping and cleaning machine  10  is assembled such that recovery tank  20  is mounted to deck assembly  120  by connecting lower mounting surface  22  to mounting platform  142 , filter assembly  35  is connected to filter mounting recess  28 , fresh water tank assembly  40  is mounted to recovery tank  20  by connecting mounting plate  46  to back mounting surface  26  and with fresh water tube second end  52  in fresh water delivery connection to brush assembly  240 , vacuum assembly  60  is assembled to recovery tank  20  with vacuum motor assembly  70  mounted substantially within recovery tank  20  and with vacuum hose end  66  in vacuum connection with squeegee assembly  220 , battery charger assembly  80  is mounted to recovery tank  20  by connecting mounting flange  90  to back mounting surface  26 , and control assembly  100  is mounted to recovery tank  20  by connecting mounting plate  102  to upper mounting surface  24 . Further, powered mopping and cleaning machine  10  is assembled such that battery charger  80  is electrically connected to battery  160 , and such that battery  160  is electrically connected to at least one control switch  110 , vacuum motor  72 , and brush assembly motor  264  such that electrical power from battery  160  is selectively distributed to at least one control switch  110 , vacuum motor  72 , and brush assembly motor  264 , to cause selective rotation of motors  72  and  264  and in turn to power vacuum assembly  60  and brush assembly  240  respectively. Powered mopping and cleaning machine  10  may also include a solenoid (not shown) fluid transmissably connected between fresh water tube second end  52  and brush assembly  240  and electrically connected to battery  160  and at least one control switch  110  such that fresh water or like cleaning fluid is selectively sent to brush assembly  240 . It is noted that at least a portion of vacuum hose  62  is mounted substantially external to recovery tank  20  such that removal of at least one end of vacuum hose  62  is readily removable to facilitate cleaning of vacuum hose  62 . It is further noted that vacuum hose  62  may be cleaned by running water from a conventional garden hose into vacuum hose  62  to flush debris from vacuum hose  62 . 
         [0085]    In practice, with powered mopping and cleaning machine  10  assembled and resting on a floor, electrical power is transmitted from battery  160  to motors  72  and  264  to create vacuum suction to be delivered to squeegee assembly  220  and to cause rotation of brush assembly  240 . It is noted that brush  242  may be rotated at significantly high speeds, for instance brush  242  may rotate at a speed of 1400 revolutions per minute. Further, fresh water or a cleaning fluid or a combination of water and a cleaning fluid is provided to brush assembly  240 . While grasping hand grips  108  of handle bar  106 , powered mopping and cleaning machine  10  is then maneuvered across the floor at a selected rate, and the floor is mopped, cleaned, vacuumed, and squeegeed dry in preferably a single pass. When greater mopping action is required for a section of floor, squeegee assembly  220  is independently raised and brush  242  is allowed to rotate on the floor section for a select dwell period. It is noted that in contrast to a conventional mop and bucket or prior art machines, powered mopping and cleaning machine  10  does not reuse dirty water in cleaning a floor. It is noted that depending on the adjustment of front caster assembly  200 , the rotation of brush  242  may cause or assist in the self-propelling of powered mopping and cleaning machine  10  and facilitates proper squeegee loading and deflection. It shall be noted that mopping or cleaning a floor using powered mopping and cleaning machine  10  in the method described, reduces the amount of labor otherwise required when using a convention mop and mop bucket and such use of powered mopping and cleaning machine  10  allows a user to clean a substantially larger area of floor space in a given period of time that the user could otherwise clean using a standard mop and mop bucket. It shall also be noted that disclosed powered mopping and cleaning machine  10  is adapted to fit into and be stored in the same storage area that is used to store a conventional mop and mop bucket. Thus powered mopping and cleaning machine  10  preferably has a foot print of 18 inches by 22 inches and a height of 42 inches. However, powered mopping and cleaning machine  10  may be altered such as by altering the fresh water tank capacity, the recovery tank capacity, the battery quantity and size, to result in a powered mopping and cleaning machine of a different size. Thus for instance, powered mopping and cleaning machine by have any one of the following footprint and height combinations: a foot print of 26 inches by 30 inches and a height of 54 inches, a foot print of 26 inches by 26 inches and a height of 42 inches, and a foot print of 14 inches by 18 inches and a height of 39 inches. Further, powered mopping and cleaning machine  10  may also define a volumetric space envelops that is a combination of the noted dimensions. 
         [0086]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.