Abstract:
A device for cleaning floors or other hard surfaces is disclosed. The device includes a moving absorbent surface (such as a roller cover), a shear member, and optionally a pump. The absorbent surface contacts a hard surface as it is being cleaned. The absorbent surface is adapted to scrub the hard surface and remove a waste fluid from the hard surface. The shear member may take various forms, such as a fixed blade or a squeeze roller. The shear member selectively contacts the absorbent outer surface of the roller and channels away a fluid previously absorbed in the absorbent outer surface of the roller. The pump conveys away a fluid removed from the roller by the shear member. The device may be used much like a mop for cleaning floors, and is particularly suited for residential use by consumers.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/912,714, filed Aug. 18, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,529, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/486,717, filed Jun. 7, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,503. Each application referred to in this paragraph is incorporated here by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a cleaning implement having a moving absorbent surface for picking up liquid, and more particularly to such an implement which can be manipulated much like a conventional mop to clean hard surfaces, particularly uncarpeted flooring or other surfaces. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the art of bare (i.e. uncarpeted) floor care, a “scrubber” that employs one or more spinning discs, surfaced with bristles and/or scouring materials, is known. It is also known that a vacuuming system may be employed to pick up soiled fluids following scrubbing. These systems create an atmospheric vacuum remote from the site of pickup. It is also known that various methods of wringing a mop or the like have been employed. For example see U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,822,433 and 4,642,832. 
     A spinning cylinder that is sheared by a rigid wiper to remove water has been suggested. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,789,449. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is intended to provide a relatively simple hard surface care system, which preferably is inexpensive and light enough in weight to address the needs of residential and commercial users. 
     The invention is a device for cleaning floors or other hard surfaces. In one aspect of the invention, the device includes a moving absorbent surface, a shear member, and a drive for the moving absorbent surface. 
     As defined herein, a “moving” surface is defined as a surface that normally moves when the present device is in use. An “endless moving surface” is defined as a moving surface having one or more elements that normally periodically traverses an established closed path and thus regularly returns to any point on the path without stopping. A reciprocating surface is a moving surface that moves back and forth along a straight or curved path, usually (but not necessarily) stopping momentarily at each end of its travel. “Absorbent surface” has its usual meaning, and need not be a continuous absorbent surface. In other words, the present moving absorbent surface, even if “endless,” can be one or more isolated elements interrupted by scrubbing bars, non-absorbent regions, or the like within the scope of the present invention. 
     The moving absorbent surface can have several different forms. One such form is a rigid or flexible cylindrical roller having an absorbent outer surface and rotatable about its axis. Another such form is a belt defining an absorbent outer surface and carried on one or more rollers or other structure. Yet another such form is a flexible, rotating disk adapted to be disposed at an angle to a hard surface with a portion of the disk on one side of its center of rotation pressed into contact with the surface and thus bent out of the plane of the disk (much as a flexible sanding disk is used). Another class of moving absorbent surfaces contemplated herein is a reciprocating surface, which may reciprocate in a straight line or along a curved path (or both). 
     Each of these forms of a moving absorbent surface has a first portion adapted to be normally disposed substantially in contact with a hard surface to define an area of contact and a second portion adapted to be normally disposed out of contact with the hard surface. Particular elements of the absorbent surface move through the first portion and the second portion alternately, thus periodically coming into contact and leaving contact with the surface to be cleaned. 
     The shear member may take various forms, such as a blade or a squeeze roller. The shear member is located near the absorbent outer surface of the roller and runs generally parallel to the roller (although it may be slightly skewed to promote drainage, as is further discussed below). The shear member has a fluid transporting surface having first and second portions. The shear member can at least substantially contact the absorbent surface to channel away a previously absorbed fluid to the second portion of the fluid transporting surface. 
     The shear member optionally can have a second position at least substantially clear of the absorbent outer surface. A mechanism can be provided for moving at least one of the shear member and the absorbent surface relative to the other, thus moving the movable shear member between its first and second positions. 
     Several advantages are realized if the operator is able to disengage the shear member from the roller. First, cleaning fluid can be used more efficiently by not engaging the shear member until the fluid is too soiled to further clean the hard surface being cleaned. Second, roller wear and power consumption are reduced while the shear member is disengaged. Reduced power consumption is particularly important if the implement is battery-driven. Third, the operator has more control over the cleaning process if he or she is able to operate the implement with the shear member selectively engaged or disengaged. 
     A mechanism is provided for moving the absorbent surface relative to the hard surface at the area of contact as the device is being used. This arrangement creates a scrubbing action between the absorbent outer surface and the hard surface at the area of contact. 
     Another aspect of the invention is a hard surface cleaning device including a support, an absorbent surface, a shear member, and a peristaltic pump. The support may be a housing, a frame, or other suitable structure for supporting the other elements of the device. The absorbent surface has been described above. The shear member at least substantially contacts the second portion of the absorbent surface for removing fluid absorbed in the absorbent surface. The shear member is not necessarily movable as described above, though it may be movable. The peristaltic pump is provided for transporting away the fluid removed by the shear member. The pump optionally may include a stator and a rotor, one driven in common with the absorbent surface and the other supported by the support, so the pump operates when the absorbent surface is moving. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     Referring now to the figures, 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view, with parts broken away to show underlying structure, of one embodiment of my hard surface care implement. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic top plan view of the implement of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing parts in a section taken along line  3 — 3  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view similar to FIG. 2, with underlying structure shown in phantom. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line  5 — 5  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 6 is a portion of a section taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic side elevational view of a second embodiment of my invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but showing a splash guard hatch-door rotated to its open position to reveal underlying structure. Portions of FIG. 8 are cut away to show underlying details. 
     FIG. 9 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9, but in which the tanks shown in FIG. 9 are removed to reveal underlying structure. 
     FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along section line  11 — 11  of FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line  12 — 12  of FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 13 is a section taken along section line  13 — 13  of FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view taken along section line  14 — 14  of FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 15 is a schematic view of the circuit used in the embodiment of FIGS. 7-16. 
     FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 7, showing the implement with one of its two tanks partially installed and the other tank removed. 
     FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 13 of another embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the implement shown in FIG.  17 . 
     FIG. 19 is a section taken along section line  19 — 19  of FIG. 17, but with the tanks shown in FIG. 17 removed for greater clarity of illustration. 
     FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19 of still another embodiment of the structure for removing fluid from the sponge roller shown in the figures. 
     FIG. 21 is an isolated, schematic view of the rollers  370  and  32 , showing that they are skewed (with the degree of skew exaggerated for clarity of illustration). 
     FIG. 22 is a fragmentary section taken along section line  22 — 22  of FIG.  21 . 
     FIG. 23 is a top plan view of an alternate shear roller according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 24 is an elevation taken along line  24 — 24  of FIG.  23 . 
     FIG. 25 is a section taken from section line  25 — 25  of FIG.  23 . 
     FIG. 26 is a top plan view of an alternate shear roller according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 27 is an elevation taken along line  27 — 27  of FIG.  23 . 
     FIG. 28 is a section taken along line  28 — 28  of FIG.  26 . 
     FIG. 29 is a top plan view of an alternate shear roller according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 30 is an elevation taken from line  30 — 30  of FIG.  29 . 
     FIG. 31 is a section taken along section line  31 — 31  of FIG.  29 . 
     FIG. 32 is a schematic perspective view of a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 7, showing the implement with one of its two tanks installed on the implement. 
     FIG. 33 is a schematic perspective view of a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 7, showing the implement with one of its two tanks partially installed on the implement. 
    
    
     The following reference characters are used in the drawings to refer to the parts of the present invention. Like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts in the respective views. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 30 
                 implement for cleaning hard surfaces 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 roller (of 30) 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 shear member 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 mechanism for shifting 34 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 pump 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 conduit (outlet from 38) (pump outlet) 
               
               
                   
                 42 
                 handle 
               
               
                   
                 44 
                 reservoir 
               
               
                   
                 46 
                 waste fluid chamber 
               
               
                   
                 48 
                 fresh fluid chamber 
               
               
                   
                 52 
                 housing 
               
               
                   
                 54 
                 drive mechanism 
               
               
                   
                 56 
                 staging area 
               
               
                   
                 58 
                 drive control 
               
               
                   
                 60 
                 fresh fluid delivery outlet 
               
               
                   
                 62 
                 axis of rotation (of 32) 
               
               
                   
                 64 
                 resilient outer surface (of 32) 
               
               
                   
                 66 
                 hard surface 
               
               
                   
                 68 
                 portion of 64 contacting 66 
               
               
                   
                 70 
                 portion of 64 preceding 68 
               
               
                   
                 72 
                 portion of 64 following 68 
               
               
                   
                 74 
                 proximal end (of 42) 
               
               
                   
                 76 
                 distal end (of 42) 
               
               
                   
                 78 
                 drive control 
               
               
                   
                 80 
                 fluid transporting surface 
               
               
                   
                 82 
                 first portion (of 80) 
               
               
                   
                 84 
                 second portion (of 80) 
               
               
                   
                 86 
                 waste fluid 
               
               
                   
                 88 
                 conduit 
               
               
                   
                 90 
                 outlet of 56 
               
               
                   
                 92 
                 outlet of 88/inlet of 38 
               
               
                   
                 94 
                 sump (of 96) 
               
               
                   
                 96 
                 tube (of 38) 
               
               
                   
                 98 
                 side wall (of 52) 
               
               
                   
                 100 
                 roller (of 38) 
               
               
                   
                 102 
                 roller (of 38) 
               
               
                   
                 104 
                 stub shaft (for 100) 
               
               
                   
                 106 
                 stub shaft (for 102) 
               
               
                   
                 108 
                 full-length shaft (for 32) 
               
               
                   
                 110 
                 end wall (of 32) 
               
               
                   
                 112 
                 conduit (from 40) 
               
               
                   
                 114 
                 outlet (of 112) 
               
               
                   
                 116 
                 shaft 
               
               
                   
                 118 
                 crank portion (of 116) 
               
               
                   
                 120 
                 end of 116 
               
               
                   
                 122 
                 end of 116 
               
               
                   
                 124 
                 electric conduit 
               
               
                   
                 126 
                 electric conduit 
               
               
                   
                 128 
                 motor 
               
               
                   
                 130 
                 bracket 
               
               
                   
                 132 
                 interior wall (of 32) 
               
               
                   
                 134 
                 output shaft (of 128) 
               
               
                   
                 136 
                 spur gear 
               
               
                   
                 138 
                 ring gear 
               
               
                   
                 140 
                 valve 
               
               
                   
                 142 
                 conduit 
               
               
                   
                 144 
                 inlet 
               
               
                   
                 146 
                 stream (of cleaning fluid) 
               
               
                   
                 152 
                 housing (Fig. 7) 
               
               
                   
                 156 
                 staging area (Fig. 11) 
               
               
                   
                 158 
                 shear member (Fig. 11) 
               
               
                   
                 160 
                 pivot pin (Fig. 11) 
               
               
                   
                 162 
                 link (Fig. 11) 
               
               
                   
                 164 
                 pivot (Fig. 11) 
               
               
                   
                 166 
                 second end (of 162) 
               
               
                   
                 168 
                 pin (of 162) 
               
               
                   
                 170 
                 crank 
               
               
                   
                 172 
                 axis (of 170) 
               
               
                   
                 174 
                 pivot 
               
               
                   
                 176 
                 tab 
               
               
                   
                 177 
                 servo motor 
               
               
                   
                 178 
                 end wall (of 152) 
               
               
                   
                 179 
                 pivoting hatch-door 
               
               
                   
                 180 
                 pivot pin 
               
               
                   
                 181 
                 spring 
               
               
                   
                 182 
                 outer sleeve 
               
               
                   
                 184 
                 key 
               
               
                   
                 185 
                 keyway 
               
               
                   
                 186 
                 recess (in 32) 
               
               
                   
                 187 
                 boss (of 179) 
               
               
                   
                 188 
                 hatch-door bias spring 
               
               
                   
                 190 
                 outlet 
               
               
                   
                 192 
                 poppet 
               
               
                   
                 194 
                 guide tube 
               
               
                   
                 196 
                 rocker arm 
               
               
                   
                 198 
                 pivot (of 196) 
               
               
                   
                 200 
                 other end (of 196) 
               
               
                   
                 202 
                 spring 
               
               
                   
                 204 
                 valve opening means 
               
               
                   
                 206 
                 tank (of 48) 
               
               
                   
                 222 
                 sub-housing 
               
               
                   
                 224 
                 output shaft (of 220) 
               
               
                   
                 226 
                 shear blade linkage drive shaft 
               
               
                   
                 228 
                 spur gear 
               
               
                   
                 230 
                 reduction gear 
               
               
                   
                 232 
                 reduction gear 
               
               
                   
                 234 
                 reduction gear 
               
               
                   
                 236 
                 output gear 
               
               
                   
                 240 
                 positional tracer 
               
               
                   
                 242 
                 conductor 
               
               
                   
                 244 
                 conductor 
               
               
                   
                 246 
                 terminal of 220 (terminal pair) 
               
               
                   
                 248 
                 terminal of 220 (terminal pair) 
               
               
                   
                 250 
                 conductor 
               
               
                   
                 252 
                 conductor 
               
               
                   
                 254 
                 conductor 
               
               
                   
                 256 
                 conductor 
               
               
                   
                 258 
                 conductive path 
               
               
                   
                 260 
                 conductive path 
               
               
                   
                 262 
                 conductive path 
               
               
                   
                 264 
                 conductive path 
               
               
                   
                 266 
                 armature 
               
               
                   
                 268 
                 sliding contact 
               
               
                   
                 270 
                 sliding contact 
               
               
                   
                 272 
                 conductor 
               
               
                   
                 274 
                 conductor 
               
               
                   
                 276 
                 rocker switch 
               
               
                   
                 278 
                 contact (of 276) 
               
               
                   
                 280 
                 contact (of 276) 
               
               
                   
                 282 
                 contact (of 276) 
               
               
                   
                 284 
                 contact (of 276) 
               
               
                   
                 286 
                 switch element 
               
               
                   
                 288 
                 switch element 
               
               
                   
                 290 
                 pivot (of 276) 
               
               
                   
                 292 
                 rocker handle (of 276) 
               
               
                   
                 294 
                 power lead 
               
               
                   
                 296 
                 power lead 
               
               
                   
                 298 
                 power supply 
               
               
                   
                 299 
                 conductor 
               
               
                   
                 300 
                 switch 
               
               
                   
                 301 
                 conductor 
               
               
                   
                 338 
                 third embodiment of implement 
               
               
                   
                 340 
                 tank 
               
               
                   
                 342 
                 distal end (of 338) 
               
               
                   
                 344 
                 proximal end 
               
               
                   
                 346 
                 handle 
               
               
                   
                 348 
                 splash guard 
               
               
                   
                 350 
                 tongue 
               
               
                   
                 352 
                 channel 
               
               
                   
                 354 
                 channel 
               
               
                   
                 356 
                 tongue 
               
               
                   
                 358 
                 waste fluid tank 
               
               
                   
                 360 
                 inlet 
               
               
                   
                 362 
                 roller shaft 
               
               
                   
                 370 
                 roller (shear member) 
               
               
                   
                 372 
                 bearing shaft 
               
               
                   
                 376 
                 axis (sheared) 
               
               
                   
                 378 
                 axis (horizontal) 
               
               
                   
                 380 
                 one end (of 370) 
               
               
                   
                 382 
                 other end (of 370) 
               
               
                   
                 384 
                 waste water 
               
               
                   
                 386 
                 waste water (dribble) 
               
               
                   
                 388 
                 staging area 
               
               
                   
                 390 
                 roller (Figs. 23-25) 
               
               
                   
                 392 
                 channel 
               
               
                   
                 394 
                 channel 
               
               
                   
                 396 
                 end cap 
               
               
                   
                 398 
                 roller (Figs. 26-28) 
               
               
                   
                 400 
                 channel (of 398) 
               
               
                   
                 402 
                 channel (of 398) 
               
               
                   
                 404 
                 channel (of 398) 
               
               
                   
                 406 
                 channel (of 398) 
               
               
                   
                 408 
                 end cap (of 398) 
               
               
                   
                 410 
                 roller (of Figs. 29-31) 
               
               
                   
                 412 
                 channel (of 410) 
               
               
                   
                 414 
                 channel (of 410) 
               
               
                   
                 416 
                 channel (of 410) 
               
               
                   
                 418 
                 channel (of 410) 
               
               
                   
                 420 
                 end cap (of 410) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the invention will be described in connection with several preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention includes all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 
     Referring first to FIGS. 1-6, one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. This embodiment is referred to generally by the reference character  30  in FIGS. 1-6. The implement  30  includes a generally cylindrical roller  32  defining an endless moving absorbent surface, a shear member  34  (best seen in FIG.  3 ), and a pump generally indicated as  38  in FIGS. 5 and 6 for pumping fluid removed from the roller  32  by the shear member  34  in a manner which will be described in more detail below. Further features of the implement of FIGS. 1-6 include a handle  42 , a fluid reservoir  44  which includes two isolated chambers (respectively, a waste fluid chamber  46  and a fresh fluid chamber  48 ), a housing  52 , a drive mechanism generally indicated at  54  in FIG. 3, a staging area  56  (shown in FIG.  3 ), a drive control  58  (such as a multi-position switch, which may be used to start or stop the drive  54  as desired by the operator), and a fresh fluid delivery outlet  60 . 
     The roller  32  has an axis of rotation  62 , as illustrated specifically in FIG.  5 . The roller  32  has an absorbent, resilient outer surface or cover  64  which bears against a hard surface  66  best illustrated in FIG.  1 . The cover  64  can have an axial groove or rib which engages a complementary rib or groove in the roller  32  to secure it in place. The cover  64  can then be slid axially onto or off of the roller  32  to clean, discard, or replace it. 
     FIGS. 1,  2 , and  5  illustrate that the axis  62  is adapted to be normally disposed substantially parallel to the hard surface  66  when the implement  30  is in use. FIG. 1 also illustrates that the portion  68  of the resilient outer surface  64  which defines an area of contact with the hard surface  66  is compressed, while the portions such as  70  of the resilient outer surface  64  which are out of contact with the hard surface  66  at any given time are resiliently expanded to their normal dimensions. 
     The resilient outer surface  64  rotates about the axis  62  as the implement  30  is driven on the hard surface  66 . In the illustrated embodiment, the roller  32  is driven clockwise as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. Therefore, under the normally intended conditions of use, when the implement  30  is driven to the left as illustrated in FIG. 1, the clockwise rotation of the roller  32  causes a portion  70  of the resilient outer surface  64  which has previously been stripped of fluid to first rotate to the position  68 , into contact with the hard surface  66 , and then further rotate to the position  72 , out of contact with the hard surface  66 . This rotation causes the resilient outer surface  64  to be compressed as it contacts the hard surface  66  and to expand, due to its resilience, as it leaves the hard surface  66  and achieves the position  72  and positions further clockwise as illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     The resilience and absorbency of the outer surface  64 , combined with the rotation of the roller  32  and the interference of the outer surface  64  with the hard surface  66 , cause the outer surface  64  to expand where it is leaving the hard surface  66 , thereby drawing in and absorbing any excess fluid which happens to be on the hard surface  66 . In this manner, the absorbent outer surface  64  is able to remove a waste fluid from the hard surface  66  when the implement  30  is being used. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, a drive generally indicated as  54  in FIG. 3 is provided for rotating the roller  32  clockwise about its axis with respect to the housing  52  and the handle  42 . The handle  42  has a proximal end generally indicated at  74  in FIG. 1 and a distal end generally indicated at  76  in FIG.  1 . The roller  32  is operatively connected to the proximal end  74  of the handle  42 , and the distal end  76  of the handle  42  generally defines a grippable portion which can be grasped in the hands of an operator. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, when the handle  42  is being pushed to the left as illustrated in FIG. 1 to translate the implement  30  across the hard surface  66 , the drive for the roller  32  is at the same time actuated to drive the roller  32  clockwise, so that the surface  64  at the point  68  contacting the hard surface  66  is moving with a surface velocity faster than the speed of translation of the handle  42  and thus the roller  32  across the hard surface  66 . This causes relative movement between the point  68  of the outer surface  64  and the hard surface  66 , causing a scrubbing or buffing motion of the outer surface  64  relative to the hard surface  66  being cleaned. This buffing action can advantageously be used to scour or buff the surface  66  to effect cleaning or other useful frictional engagement. 
     In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the drive  54  could be omitted, and the driving force could be provided by an operator pushing the handle  42  alone. The term “drive” as used here includes a mechanism in which the handle  42  is adapted to be driven using the muscle power of the operator, a towing vehicle or device, or other outside means not illustrated in FIGS. 1-6. A mechanism can be arranged for causing the surface velocity at the point  68  to differ from the translational velocity of the roller  32  along the floor  66  by well known means, such as manually driven drive rollers which in turn drive scouring rollers at a different peripheral velocity. 
     In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, it is contemplated that the implement  30  will be adapted to be translated forward at about normal walking velocity along a hard surface by an operator. It is further contemplated that the drive generally indicated at  54  will turn the roller  32  at a surface velocity different from the normal walking velocity at which the implement  30  is being driven. 
     As used here, the term “rotation at a surface velocity greater than normal walking velocity” comprehends the situations in which the roller  32  is rotating clockwise to any degree and is being translated forward or to the left as shown in FIG. 1 at the same time, and further comprehends the situation in which the roller  32  is rotating counterclockwise more quickly than its surface  68  is being translated relative to the surface  66 , thus providing a scuffing action against the hard surface  66 . This term further comprehends a situation in which the roller  32  is being slid sideways to any degree along the hard surface  66 , such as by manipulation of the handle  42 , or any other conditions under which the surface  68  is moving relative to the portion of the hard surface  66  which it contacts, thereby providing a scrubbing action. As used herein, the term “normal walking velocity” will be taken as a velocity of less than about 4 miles per hour, so that a surface velocity which is at least about 4 miles per hour will be regarded as a surface velocity greater than the normal walking velocity is defined herein. 
     One advantage of the present invention is its versatility in the ways in which it can be manipulated to cause the surface  68  to move relative to the hard surface  66  as the implement  30  is being used. This relative motion can occur even if the drive  54  is temporarily stopped, and thus locks the roller  32  against rotation about its axis  62 . Thus, scrubbing action can be effected by moving the roller  32  axially instead of rotationally, by pushing the handle  42  like a conventional lawn mower is pushed, by grasping the handle  42  in one or both hands much as a mop or broom is grasped to manually push or pull the surface  68  along the hard surface  66 , and in other ways which will be evident to a person skilled in the art who is fully cognizant of the features and capabilities of the device  30 . 
     Now the shear member generally indicated at  34  will be described. A shear member like the member  34  is illustrated, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,789,449. That patent is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety to illustrate the operation of a shear member such as  34  with respect to a roller such as  32  having a resilient surface such as  64 . Now referring in particular to FIG. 3, the shear member  34  is disposed near the absorbent outer surface  64 , defining a fluid transporting surface  80  (here, simply the upper surface of the shear member  34 ). The fluid transporting surface  80  has a first portion  82  and a second portion  84 . 
     In the implement  30  as illustrated in FIG. 3, the shear member  34  is in its first position in which it is able to shear fluid from the surface  64  via the first portion  82  and to channel the shear fluid to the second portion  84  and from there into the staging area  56  which is a temporary reservoir. Although the temporary reservoir  56  is shown to be of substantial size in FIG. 3, it will be appreciated that the staging area  56  could be as large as illustrated or could be much smaller in one or more dimensions so as to contain only a small volume of fluid. In any case, it is convenient to have a gravity fed staging area  56  which extends below the level of the first portion  82  of the shear member  34 . 
     Referring now in particular to FIG. 4 in relation to FIG. 3, the waste fluid  86  contained in the staging area  56  is further conveyed out of the staging area  56 , whether continuously or at periodic intervals, so that the capacity of the implement  30  will not be limited by the capacity of the reservoir  56 . While a gravity drained system could be used, it will generally be more appropriate to provide a positive pumping arrangement to keep the level of the fluid  86  in the reservoir or staging area  56  below a predetermined maximum level. The pump can be part of the implement  30  or it can be merely connected to the implement  30  by a hose or other suitable conduit. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, the staging area  56  has an outlet  90  to which a conduit  88  is connected in fluid receiving relationship. The waste fluid  86  flows through the conduit  88  in the direction generally indicated by arrows. The outlet  90  should be at or near the lowest portion of the staging area  56 , so that the amount of fluid  86  can be kept at a very minimal level if desired. The outlet of the conduit  88  is generally indicated at  92 . 
     FIG. 5 illustrates that the outlet  92  of the conduit  88  corresponds to the inlet of the pump  38 , which in the illustrated embodiment is a peristaltic pump. The peristaltic pump  38  can also be seen in part by reference to FIG.  6 . The peristaltic pump  38  has an inlet  92  and an outlet  40 . The inlet  92  is at least normally in communication with the second portion  84  of the shear member  34  via the staging area  56 , the outlet  90 , the conduit  88 , and its outlet  92 , which also is the pump inlet. 
     The peristaltic pump  38  works as follows. Fluid flowing due to gravity into the inlet  92  collects in the sump generally indicated at  94  of an O-shaped flexible walled tube  96  which is fixed to the side wall  98  of the housing  52 . Thus, the tube  96  does not rotate when the implement  30  is operated normally. The pump impeller illustrated in FIG.  5  and FIG. 6 consists of a pair of rollers  100 ,  102  which are rotatably carried on stub shafts  104  and  106 , respectively. The stub shafts  104  and  106  are mounted on an end wall  110  of the roller  32 , so that the rollers  100  and  102  orbit about the axis  62  and are free to rotate relative to their respective stub shafts  104  and  106  as the roller  32  rotates about the axis  62 . Thus, the rollers  100  and  102  are driven in a clockwise orbit about the axis  62 , with reference in particular to FIG.  5 . 
     The roller  100  pinches the flexible wall tube  96 , and either partially or substantially entirely closes the contacted portion of the tubing  96  (depending upon the design and operating conditions of the pump). The roller  100  rolls due to frictional engagement with the wall of the tube  96 , thereby driving any fluid which may be found to the right of the roller  100  clockwise within the tubing  96  toward its outlet  40 . In a similar fashion, the orbiting and rotation of the roller  102  with respect to the tubing  96  pinches the tubing partially or substantially shut, forcing any fluid which may be to the left of the roller  102 , as shown in FIG. 5, clockwise against the influence of gravity. At the same time, the orbiting of the roller  102  in a clockwise direction opens up a space to the right of the roller  102 , allowing fluid entering via gravity through the inlet  92  to collect in the sump  94  when the roller  102  is located clockwise of the sump  94 . Thus, by rotation of the roller  32 , the peristaltic pump generally indicated at  38  forces fluid from its entrance  92  through its outlet  40 . 
     Referring briefly now to FIG. 4, the outlet  40  is connected to the inlet of a conduit  112 . Referring back to FIG. 3, the conduit  112  has an outlet  114  which drains into the waste fluid reservoir  46  best shown in FIG.  2 . Thus, the operation of the peristaltic pump  38  pumps fluid from the staging area  56  to the waste fluid reservoir  46 . 
     Since the pump  38  may periodically require servicing or repair, an access door may be provided in the portion of the housing  52  adjacent to the pump  38 . 
     In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the tanks  46  and  56  can be disposed on opposite sides of the axis  62 , thereby serving as ballast tanks, so that if the amount of effort needed to lift the distal end  76  of the handle  42  becomes larger than desired, the pumping action of the pump  38  can be used to transform weight horizontally in the device from one side of the axis  62  to the other. This can be accomplished, for example, by positioning the outlet  90  illustrated in FIG. 4 vertically above a minimal level, so that the staging area  56  will fill to a predetermined level before overflow exceeding that level is diverted through the outlet  90 . Thus, the maximum weight increasing the load on the handle  42  is defined by the level of the outlet  90 . When this level is exceeded, the peristaltic pump  38  will then pump waste fluid into the reservoir  46 . Assuming the center of gravity of the filling reservoir  46  is forward of the axis  62 , the amount of weight experienced at the distal end  76  of the handle  42  will actually decrease as more fluid is collected and diverted to the reservoir  46 . The reservoirs can be configured, sized, and positioned so that when the reservoir  46  is full the weight in the tank  46  will actually more than counterbalance the weight in the tank or staging area  56 , thus urging the distal end  76  of the handle upward away from the surface  66 . This change in ballast thus can perceptively indicate to the operator that the tank  46  is full and needs to be emptied in order to continue working. 
     In an alternately contemplated embodiment of the invention, with reference once again to FIG. 4, the conduit  112  can be a flexible hose which directs the waste fluid from the staging area  56  to remote apparatus, such as a collection tank, a drain to a sewer, or some other liquid collection point. If this apparatus is operated in that fashion, it will be tethered to the conduit  112 , but on the other hand it will not have any finite capacity limitation other than the limitation of whatever remote apparatus is selected. The device  30  can thus be used, for example, in the same manner as some carpet cleaning apparatus is used—it can be connected by a hose to a remote collection device such as a service truck which has a very large capacity in relation to the capacity of a implement which can conveniently be manipulated by one operator of ordinary strength. 
     The fresh fluid may also be supplied from a remote source. For example, fresh water may be supplied from a faucet and mixed remotely or in the apparatus with a detergent or other suitable cleaning agent. 
     Another aspect of the ballast function of the staging area  56  and the waste fluid reservoir  46  is that the efficacy of the cleaning of the surface  66  depends to some degree on how hard the surface  64  bears against the surface  66  during a cleaning operation. A higher force will in many events result in more cleaning effort being expended. To this end, the staging area  56  and or the reservoir  46  can be pre-filled with a ballast fluid, which may or may not be waste fluid, cleaning fluid, or any other particular composition. For example, the tanks can be filled with plain water either partially or fully before cleaning is commenced. As a result, a device  30  as transported and sold can be lighter than it must be to clean efficiently, and can later be filled with fluid to ballast it for use. 
     With particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the drive mechanism provided in this embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Referring first to FIG. 4, a stationary tubular shaft with a offset portion  116  is non-rotatably mounted to the housing  52  at one or both ends. The respective ends  120  and  122  are thus fixed to the housing  52 , but act as bearing surfaces which pass through the end walls such as  110  of the roller  32 , thereby supporting the housing  52  and the shaft  116  on the roller  32 , while permitting the roller  32  to rotate about its axis  62 . The shaft  116  may conveniently be hollow to receive the electrical conduits  124  and  126  which convey electricity in a circuit to an electric motor  128 . The motor  128  is mounted, conveniently to the crank portion  118 , by suitable means such as a bracket  130 . 
     The interior portion  132  of the roller  32  can be substantially impervious to fluid, as the cylindrical wall  132  and the ends such as  110  of the roller  32  can be made of plastic or other fluid impervious material. A suitable seal bearing can be used to carry the ends such as  110  on the shaft ends such as  120  to prevent fluid from entering axially along the shaft  120  to any substantial degree. The walls  110  can also be axially displaced from the portion of the roller which collects and distributes fluid to avoid the fluid running into the interior of the roller  32 . Thus, the electric motor  128  can largely be isolated from the fluid distributed or collected by the device  30 . Similarly, the electric conduits  124  and  126  can be isolated from fluid to the necessary degree to function properly. 
     The electric motor  128  has an outlet shaft  134  which drives a spur gear  136 , which in turn is meshed with a ring gear  138  (FIG.  3 ), which in turn is fixed to the interior wall  132  of the roller  32  concentric with the axis  62 . Rotation of the output shaft  134  of the motor  128  drives the roller  32  clockwise as illustrated in the Figures. A further gear reduction may also be provided between the motor  128  and the roller  32  so the relative rotational speeds of the motor and roller will each be suitable. 
     Another part of the implement  30  is apparatus for distributing a cleaning fluid to the surface  66 , or alternately for distributing some other sort of floor care fluid, such as wax, paint, or other fluids which are to be distributed on the surface  66 . Such a fluid may be, for example, a soap solution. Referring briefly to FIG. 2, the soap solution is initially contained in the reservoir  48 . The flow of fluid from the reservoir  48  is controlled by a valve  140  which may either be opened or closed, either directly at the valve or remotely. Fluid in the reservoir  48  flows via the valve  140  through the conduit  142 , which is also illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. The outlet  60  of the conduit  142  will emit a stream  146  when the valve  140  is opened, thus distributing the cleaning fluid stream  146  ahead of the roller  32  on the surface  66 . The stream of fluid may also be distributed directly onto the roller. 
     The scuffing or scouring action of the roller surface  64  relative to the hard surface  66  to be cleaned, after the roller  32  is advanced over an area wet by the stream  146 , will cause scouring action at the surface portion  68 , facilitated by the presence of a cleaning fluid adjacent to the portion  68 . Finally, the reservoir  48  and/or the reservoir  46  may be provided with conventional fittings for filling and emptying each of them, and for fixing each of them to or removing them from the implement  30 . 
     FIGS. 7-16 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. Mainly, the features of this embodiment which differ from those of the first embodiment will be described, although it will be understood that the features of either embodiment could be incorporated in the other at the election of a designer. 
     Referring first to FIG. 7, the housing  152  is more compact in the area under the handle  42 . The external portion of the housing  152  is just large enough in FIG. 7 to serve as a splash guard. Nonetheless, the embodiment of FIG. 7 still has a staging area, which is indicated here in FIG.  11  and others as staging area  156 . 
     Referring in particular to FIGS. 11 and 19, the shear member  158  has the same essential features as the previously described shear member  34  in FIG.  3 . However, in FIG. 11 a particular mechanism  36  for shifting the shear member  158  between its first and second positions is illustrated. 
     With reference to FIG. 11, the shear member  158  is pivoted about a pin  160  mounted to a link  162 . The link  162  is linked by a pivot  164  to a link  166 . The link  166  is pivotally linked by a pin  168  to a crank  170  which is rotatable about a axis  172  to fractionally orbit the pin  168  about the axis  172 . The link  162  is also pivoted about a pin  174  which is carried by tabs such as  176  fixed to the housing  152 . 
     The linkage described in the previous paragraph works as follows to operate the shear member  158 . The crank  170  is rotated about the axis  172  by a servo motor  177  which is configured to rotate fractionally clockwise (as shown in FIG. 11) between the second position illustrated in FIG. 11 and a first position. Clockwise rotation of the crank  170  pulls the link  166  up and to the right, which pivots the link  162  clockwise about its pivot  174 , which urges the shear member  158  against the resilient outer surface  64 . Then, counterclockwise rotation of the crank  170  has the opposite effect. Alternatively, the shear member may instead be moved from its first to its second position by a solenoid, a mechanical linkage operated by a lever or link accessible from the handle  42 , or any other desired arrangement. 
     When fluid is to be collected in the staging area  156  (for the same purposes and in essentially the same manner as described in connection with FIGS.  1 - 6 ), the shear member  158  is shifted to the left from its position out of engagement with the roll outer surface  64  (as illustrated in FIG. 11) to a position at least substantially in contact with the surface  64 . To shift the shear member  158  to its first position, the crank  170  is rotated fractionally by the servomotor  178  clockwise. In this embodiment, the staging area  156  is more in the nature of a gutter, and can conveniently be either level or inclined downward toward the outlet  90  illustrated in FIG.  4 . With that arrangement, the staging area  156  can be very minimal in extent, as it only needs to contain the small amount of fluid which has not yet passed through the pump  38 . 
     Instead of essentially translating the shear member  158  to the left or right as shown in FIG. 11, the shear member  158  can instead be sized, positioned, and mounted to pivot about its longitudinal axis (which extends perpendicular to the paper in FIG. 11) between its first and second positions. For example, one or both ends of the shear member  158  can be pivotally mounted on the side walls such as  98  and a linkage similar to the one described above can be used to pivot the shear member  158  between its first and second positions. 
     The staging area  156  can have integral end walls such as  178  which form a part of the housing  152 , or it can be removable as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. A removable staging area is easier to clean, should it become clogged with debris. 
     The small extent of the staging area  156  and the presence of a splash guard  152  and end walls such as  178  completely hide the staging area  156  from the user. The splash guard  152  can include a pivoting hatch-door  179 , illustrated in FIGS. 7,  8 , and  13 , which is pivotable about the pivot pin  180  with the bias of the spring  181  and against the bias of gravity between the position illustrated in FIG. 7, closing the splash guard, to the position shown in FIG. 8, allowing access to the roller  32 . Such access is occasionally necessary, as for replacing or inspecting the roller, its resilient cover, or other interior components. A compression spring, gravity, detents, or other suitable means can be used to keep the hatch-door  179  normally in its closed position as illustrated in FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 12 also illustrates a coupling for removably attaching the resilient cover  64  to the interior structure of the roller assembly  32 . The outer cover  64  is glued or otherwise secured to the outer sleeve  182 , which is made of relatively rigid material. The outer sleeve  182  is slidably received by the inner sleeve  183 , which is permanently rotatably mounted to the side walls such as  98  of the housing  52 . The outer and inner sleeves  183 ,  182  respectively have an integrally formed key  184  and keyway  185  which allow the outer sleeve  182  to slide axially but not shift circumferentially on the inner sleeve  183 . Thus, the resilient outer surface  64  is readily removable for cleaning, replacement, or the like but positively driven by the inner sleeve  183 . 
     FIG. 13 shows additional details of the hatch-door  179 . Referring to FIG. 13, the housing generally indicated at  152  has a recess  186  sized to receive a boss  187  of the pivoting hatch-door  179 . The boss  187  is removed from the recess  186  or inserted into the recess  186  by flexing the hatch-door  179  axially of the roller  32 . The pivot pin  180  carries a cover bias spring  188  which normally biases the cover about the pivot pin  180  to the closed position shown in FIG.  7 . The hatch-door  179  can be rotated against that bias to open it to the position shown, for example, in FIG.  8 . 
     Another detail shown by FIG. 13 relates to the valve  140  schematically illustrated in FIG.  2 . Flow through the outlet  190  of the fresh fluid reservoir  48  is controlled by a valve element or poppet  192  which can selectively be advanced into the outlet  190  to block it or out of the outlet  190  to allow fluid to pass about the poppet  192 . The poppet  192  is mounted within a flow guide tube  194  defining one end of a rocker arm  196  carried on a pivot  198 . The opposite end  200  of the rocker arm  196  is opposed about the pivot  198  and normally biased to the left (in FIG. 13) by a compression spring  202 . This biases the poppet  192  to the right (in FIG.  13 ), closing the outlet  190 . A valve operator  204  is provided to counteract the bias of the spring  202 , rocking the poppet  192  out of the outlet  190  to allow a flow of fluid to commence from the reservoir  48 , through the fluid distribution channel  205  (FIG.  19 ), which dispenses the fluid onto the roller  32 . 
     In this embodiment, the valve operator  204  is part of the servo motor arrangement and linkage previously described with reference to FIG.  11 . Specifically, the valve operator  204  is located on the link  162 , and opens the valve when the crank  170  is turned counterclockwise (as shown in FIG. 11) of its centered position by the servo motor  177 . The valve operator  204  may instead be a solenoid, a lever operated from and located on the handle  42 , or any other desired type of control arrangement. If the fluid dispersion element  205  is gravity fed, the valve should be located lower than the fresh fluid source. 
     One convenient aspect of the valve assembly of FIG. 13 is that, as illustrated, it is a normally closed valve mounted directly on the fluid tank  206  defining the reservoir  48 . The tank  206  can be removed without leaking because the valve poppet  190  is normally biased closed by the spring  202 . 
     FIGS. 14 and 15 are a schematic representation of the drives and control systems shown in the previous figures. 
     Referring first to FIG. 14, the servo motor  177  is supported in a gear case  222  which is placed at a convenient location associated with the main housing  52 . In this embodiment, the servo motor  177  has an output shaft  224  which rotates to drive a drive shaft  226 . The drive shaft  226  rotates fractionally in one direction to shift the shear member  34  to its first position. The drive shaft  226  rotates fractionally in the other direction to open the valve  140 . When the drive shaft  226  is centered in its rest position, the shear member  34  is in its second position and the valve  140  is closed. 
     The coupling between the output shaft  224  and the drive shaft  226  is a gear train consisting of the output gear  228  and meshed reduction gears  230 ,  232 ,  234 , and  236 . The output gear  228  is splined, keyed, or otherwise securely and rotatably attached to the output shaft  224 . Similarly, the output gear  236  is securely attached to the shear blade linkage drive shaft  226 , thus providing a positive drive linkage between the shafts  224  and  226 . 
     Also noted on FIGS. 14 and 15 are a positional tracer  240  and conductors  242  and  244 . Conductors  242  and  244  respectively connect to the terminals  246  and  248  of the servo motor  177 , to the conductors  250  and  252 , and to the conductors  254  and  256  of the positional tracer  240 . 
     Referring now in particular to FIG. 15, the wiring schematic of the implement  30  is provided. The additional parts shown in FIG. 15 include the conductive paths  258 ,  260 ,  262 , and  264 , an armature  266  carrying two sliding contacts  268  and  270 , and conductors  272  and  274 . FIG. 15 also shows a rocker switch  276  having contacts  278 ,  280 ,  282 , and  284 ; electrically isolated, mechanically connected switch elements  286  and  288  which rock about a pivot  290 ; and a switch rocker handle  292 . Power is brought to the rocker switch  276  by the power leads  294  and  296  and a suitable power supply, such as the battery illustrated as  298  or an external power supply. A switch  300  is also provided to operate the main roller motor  128  from the same power supply  298 . 
     FIG. 15 illustrates how the servo motor arrangement works. The main roller motor  128 , its output shaft  134 , and its spur gear output  136  have already been described in connection with previous figures. When the servo motor circuit is in the normal or dormant condition shown in FIG. 15, the switch contacts  280  and  284  are normally open and the switch contacts  278  and  282  are normally closed. When the armature  266  has returned to the centered condition of FIG. 15, the contacts  268  and  270  are out of contact with the conductive paths  258 ,  260 ,  262 , and  264 , creating an open circuit between the power leads  294  and  296  and the servo motor terminals  246  and  248 , though that circuit is closed through the switch  276 . In this dormant condition, the shear member  34  is in its second or disengaged position and the valve  140  remains closed. Thus, water is not being sheared from the roller  32  and new cleaning fluid or some other pertinent fluid is not being dispensed from the fresh fluid chamber  48 . 
     If the rocker handle  292  of FIG. 15 is rocked counterclockwise, the switch element  288  is moved out of contact with the contact  278  and into contact with the contact  280 , thus feeding power to the latter contact from the positive side of the power supply  298 , via the power lead  296 . At the same time, the switch element  286  is moved out of contact with the contact  282  and into contact with the contact  284 . Electricity thus flows from the power lead  296  via the switch element  288  to the contact  280 , the conductor  242 , and the motor terminal  246 , thus powering the servo motor  177 . Electricity continues to flow from the motor terminal  248 , via the conductor  244 , the contact  284 , the switch element  286 , and the power lead  294  to the power supply  298 . This operation of the servo motor  177  turns its shaft  224 , and thus the shaft  226  (shown in FIG. 14 only) and the armature  266 , fractionally clockwise. Although this armature movement brings the contacts  268  and  270  into electrical contact with the conductive paths  258  and  260 , this has no effect because the leads  272  and  274  connect the sliding contacts  268  and  270  with the contacts  278  and  282 , which are open so long as the rocker handle  292 , which is self-centering, is held in its counterclockwise-rotated position. 
     Thus, pushing the rocker arm  292  counter-clockwise (down on the left side) causes the servo motor  177  to turn the output shaft  226  (not shown in FIG. 15) and the armature  266  clockwise. This clockwise shift moves the shear member  34  to its first or engaged position, as FIG. 11 illustrates, while the valve  140  remains closed. Thus, water is being sheared from the roller  32  (assuming the switch  300  is closed so the main roller  32  is turning), but new cleaning fluid or some other pertinent fluid is not being dispensed from the fresh fluid chamber  48 . If the rocker handle  292  is then released, it automatically returns to the centered position shown in FIG. 15, where the contacts  278  and  282  are closed. The armature  266 , however, was previously displaced clockwise, and thus its sliding contacts  268  and  270  are conducting electricity from the power leads  294  and  296 , the switch elements  286  and  288 , the contacts  282  and  278 , and the conductors  272  and  274  to the conductive paths  258  and  260 . This electricity continues, via the conductive paths  258  and  260  and the conductors  250  and  252 , to the terminals  246  and  248 . Contrary to the situation when the armature was deflected to the right in FIG. 15 by rocking the rocker handle  292  to the left, thus feeding the positive side of the power supply  298  to the motor terminal  246 , the positive side of the power supply is fed to the terminal  248  when the rocker handle  292  is centered as shown in FIG. 15 but the armature  266  is to the right of center. 
     Thus, releasing the rocker handle  292  when the armature  266  has shifted to the right reverses the rotation of the servo motor  177  until the armature  266  returns to its center position where its contacts  268  and  270  are again out of contact with the conductive paths  258  and  260 . When that contact ceases, the armature  266  remains centered, as shown in FIG. 15, until disturbed by another operation of the rocker handle  292 . 
     If the rocker handle  292  of FIG. 15 is rocked clockwise, the switch element  288  is moved out of contact with the contact  278  and into contact with the contact  284 , thus feeding power to the latter contact from the positive side of the power supply  298 , via the power lead  296 . At the same time, the switch element  286  is moved out of contact with the contact  282  and into contact with the contact  280 . Electricity thus flows from the power lead  296  via the switch element  288  to the contact  284 , the conductor  244 , and the motor terminal  248 , thus powering the servo motor  177 . Electricity continues to flow from the motor terminal  246 , via the conductor  242 , the contact  280 , the switch element  286 , and the power lead  294  to the power supply  298 . This operation of the servo motor  177  turns its shaft  224 , and thus the shaft  226  (shown in FIG. 14 only) and the armature  266 , fractionally counterclockwise. Although this armature movement brings the contacts  268  and  270  into electrical contact with the conductive paths  262  and  264 , this has no effect because the leads  272  and  274  connect the sliding contacts  268  and  270  with the contacts  278  and  282 , which are open so long as the rocker handle  292 , which is self-centering, is held in its clockwise-rotated position. 
     Thus, pushing the rocker arm  292  clockwise (down on the right side) causes the servo motor  177  to turn the output shaft  226  (not shown in FIG. 15) and the armature  266  counterclockwise. This counterclockwise shift keeps the shear member  34  in its second or disengaged position, as FIG. 11 illustrates (though it will move), while the valve  140  is opened. Thus, no water is being sheared from the roller  32  (even assuming the switch  300  is closed so the main roller  32  is turning), but new cleaning fluid or some other pertinent fluid is being dispensed from the fresh fluid chamber  48 . 
     If the rocker handle  292  is then released, it automatically returns to the centered position shown in FIG. 15, where the contacts  278  and  282  are closed. The armature  266 , however, was previously displaced counterclockwise, and thus its sliding contacts  268  and  270  are conducting electricity from the power leads  294  and  296 , the switch elements  286  and  288 , the contacts  282  and  278 , and the conductors  272  and  274  to the conductive paths  262  and  264 . This electricity continues, via the conductive paths  262  and  264  and the conductors  254  and  256 , to the terminals  246  and  248 . Contrary to the situation when the armature was deflected to the left in FIG. 15 by rocking the rocker handle  292  to the right, thus feeding the positive side of the power supply  298  to the motor terminal  248 , the positive side of the power supply is fed to the terminal  246  when the rocker handle  292  is centered as shown in FIG. 15 but the armature  266  is to the left of center. 
     Thus, releasing the rocker handle  292  when the armature  266  has shifted to the left reverses the rotation of the servo motor  177  until the armature  266  returns to its center position where its contacts  268  and  270  are again out of contact with the conductive paths  262  and  264 . When that contact ceases, the armature  266  remains centered, as shown in FIG. 15, until disturbed by another operation of the rocker handle  292 . 
     The circuit of FIG. 15 is thus a two-way, normally self-centering, servo motor arrangement. The illustrated arrangement shifts the shear member  34  to its first position only when the rocker handle  292  is pushed down on the left side. The arrangement opens the valve  140  only when the rocker handle  292  is pushed down on the right side. Finally, the arrangement closes the valve  140  and maintains the shear member  34  in its disengaged or second position when the rocker handle  292  is in its centered or normal position. 
     FIGS. 16-19 illustrate several details of a third embodiment of the present invention. Apart from the proportions of the respective embodiments, the features of this third embodiment have been described with reference to earlier embodiments, so this description will be confined to new features shown in those Figures. 
     In the embodiment  338  of FIG. 16, one of the two tanks—the tank  340 —is illustrated. In this embodiment, the tank  340  is flatter than the tanks shown previously. The overall length of the embodiment  338  from the distal end  342  to its proximal end  344  normally in contact with the ground is about the same as in previous embodiments. In this embodiment, however, the handle  346  is longer relative to the diameter of the splash guard  348  than in prior illustrated embodiments. Also, the length of the tank  340  parallel to the handle  346  is much greater in relation to the thickness of the tank  340  than in the earlier embodiments. FIG. 16 also illustrates tongue and groove arrangements with a tongue  350  of the tank  340  slidably received in the groove  352  and a roughly vertical channel  354  receiving a tongue  356  of the handle  346 . 
     This tongue and groove arrangement provides support for the tank  340  when it is retained in the handle  346 . A suitable latch may also be provided to maintain the tank  340  removably in position on the handle  346  and in its respective grooves. A similar provision may be made for mounting the waste fluid tank  358  illustrated in FIG.  17 . The tank  340  has the valve arrangement described, for example, as  140  in FIG.  13 . FIG. 17 also illustrates in more detail the waste fluid inlet  160  of the waste fluid tank  358 . The location of this inlet  160  makes it possible to construct this tank  358  without any valves. 
     Another detail shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 which is not shown in previous embodiments is a straight, hollow roller shaft  362  which carries the roller  32 . The conductors  299 - 301  are led through a portion of the roller shaft  362 , which does not rotate with the roller  32 . The conductors  299 - 301  are directed to a suitable source of electric power, such as a power cord or a battery. In this embodiment, the spur gear  136  is eccentrically supported relative to the roller shaft  362 , as is the motor  128  and consequently its output shaft. The ring gear  138  is shown to be concentrically mounted with respect to the roller shaft  362 . 
     FIG. 19 shows substantially the same details as FIG. 11, but additionally shows the motor  128 , the bracket  130 , and the fluid distribution channel  205 . 
     FIG. 20 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention, with an alternative to the shear member  158  shown in FIG.  19 . In FIG. 20, the shear member  158  is embodied as a roller  370  rotatably carried on a bearing shaft  372  and possessing fundamentally the same mechanism previously illustrated in FIG. 19 (with reference to the shear member  158 ) for causing the shear member  370  to go into or out of contact with the resilient outer surface  64  of the roller  32 . In this embodiment, the bearing shaft  372  can be parallel to the roller  32 , but also may be tilted out of a horizontal axis, so one end of the roller  370  is slightly higher than the other end. This is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 21 and 22. 
     Referring first to FIG. 21, the roller  370  and consequently its concentric bearing shaft  372  rotate about the axis  376  which is skewed relative to the normally horizontal axis  378 . Consequently, one end  380  of the roller  370  is higher than the other end  382  of the roller  370  when the axis  378  is disposed horizontally. This effect is exaggerated in FIG. 21 for clarity of illustration. 
     FIG. 22 illustrates that waste water  384  tends to collect in the upright V-shaped gutter or crevice or channel formed between the surface  64  and the roller  370 . The waste water  384  collects because the roller  370  bears against the resilient surface  64 , tending to displace the water  384  out of the surface  64  in which it previously has been absorbed. The waste water  384  runs to the right as shown in FIG. 21 along a path parallel to the axis  376  to the lower end  382  of the roll  370  which in this embodiment is outside or axially beyond the end of the roll  32 . The waste water  386  dribbles from the position  384  shown in FIG. 22 when the water gets just outside the end face of the roller  32 , dribbling into a staging area  388  which functions similarly to the staging areas previously described. This apparatus for removing fluid from the roller  32  would also function if the rollers  32  and  370  were not skewed. Where the shear roller  370  is not skewed, flow of the fluid can be predominantly vertically oriented. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the roller  32 , as shown in FIG. 1, can be rotated counterclockwise, and consequently the movable shear or its pinch roller (in its second position) acts much like the pinch-roller that is described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,010,097. In that design, the liquid flows downward along the length of the roller (despite the rotation of the pinch roller) and drips off the roller into a holding tank. 
     FIGS. 23-31 show three alternative embodiments of the shear roller  370  of FIG.  21  and others which are adapted to capture and internally channel water generally along the axis  376  of the roller analogous to  370 , encouraging flow from left to right as shown in FIG.  21 . 
     FIGS. 23-25 show a shear member or roller  390  which is similar to the roller  370  of FIG. 21, except that it is hollow, with end caps, and has two channels  392  and  394  running generally axially. Alternatively, the roller  390  can be mounted parallel to the roller  64  and the channels  392  and  394  can have a slight helical pitch so fluid will run downhill from left to right. The channels  392  and  394  give the fluid expressed from the roller  32  by the shear roller  390  a space to go where the rollers are not squeezed together. The channels  392  and  394  can be blocked at one end by an end cap  396  and open at the other end so axially running fluid will exit the roll on the right end as shown in FIG.  21 . 
     FIGS. 26-28 show a shear member or roller  398  which is similar to the roller  390  of FIGS. 23-25, except that it has four chevron-shaped channels  400 ,  402 ,  404 ,  406  and an end cap  408 , similarly arranged. Each chevron shaped channel, such as the channel  406 , is higher in the middle than at its ends when it confronts the roller  32 , so fluid runs generally axially along the channel toward its ends. 
     FIGS. 29-31 show a shear member or roller  410  which is similar to the roller  390  of FIG. 23, except that it has four L-section channels  412 ,  414 ,  416 ,  418  and an end cap  420 , similarly arranged. The channels  412 - 418  trap fluid received through the side of the roll  410  when rotating from the position of the channel  414  to the position of the channel  418 , giving the fluid time to move axially toward the end(s) of the roll  410  where the staging area  388  can be located. 
     In the embodiments of FIGS. 16-31, the staging area  388  can be very small, as only enough fluid must be collected to cause the pump  38  to pump it as previously described. These embodiments also allow the roller  370  and the surface  64  to engage with relative rotation, thus minimizing friction when they are in contact. 
     Thus, a relatively simple hard surface care implement or system has been described which can be both inexpensive enough and light enough to meet the needs of residential customers, as well as commercial customers. An implement has been described which can be picked up and manipulated much as a mop or broom is used, while providing many advantageous features found in more expensive, larger, and typically heavier machines. 
     An improved system for scrubbing, mopping, light solids pick-up, stripping, and waxing bare (non-carpeted) floor surfaces is thus provided.