Patent Abstract:
A compact machine for cleaning floors includes a solution tank and dispensing system for dispensing solution onto the surface to be cleaned, a deck assembly for guiding dirty solution to a recovery pickup point, a mechanically operated pump for collecting the dirty solution from the recovery pickup point, and a recovery tank for receiving the collected fluid.

Full Description:
[0001]    This U.S. Non-Provisional patent application is Continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/961,673, filed Aug. 7, 2013, which claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/680,635, filed Aug. 7, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/752,230, filed Jan. 14, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure is directed to floor cleaning tools having a mechanically operated pump. Tools of the present invention are capable of performing floor or surface cleaning functions, including dispensing and recovering liquid from the floor or surface. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Conventional tools for cleaning floors range from a mop and bucket to pressure washers to automatic scrubbers. With the mop and bucket, solution is added to the bucket and then a mop made out of absorbent material is used to suck up the solution and then apply it to the floor. The mop is then used as the abrasive tool to break dirt loose from the floor. The dirt from the floor collects in the mop which is then submersed in the solution in the bucket. Dirt is rinsed from the mop by repeated dunking and wringing (usually with a mop wringer). 
         [0004]    This process is sub-optimal for a number of reasons. First, dirt from the floor is returned to the bucket causing the solution to become dirtier and dirtier such that an area cleaned towards the end of the process is never as clean as the first area cleaned. Some mop buckets exist today that have a solution tank and a rinse tank which helps to keep the solution clean for a longer period of time, but dirt is still carried into the solution tank by the mop. 
         [0005]    Secondly, absorbent mops required to lift solution out of the bucket and onto the floor do not make very good scrubbers. Ideally, an abrasive pad or bristle brush is used to break dirt free, but they do not absorb water and cannot be used to get the water from the bucket to the floor or dirty water from the floor back to the bucket. Sponge and abrasive pad combinations that accomplish both tasks are common for cleaning in a domestic setting, but are rarely used in commercial environments since floor coverage is too great and capacity to hold dirt is insufficient. 
         [0006]    Pressure washers utilizing high-pressure pumps rely on the high-pressure discharge of cleaning solution as a means to break dirt free. Pressure washers are available with vacuum capability to recover the solution and the dirt as it is sprayed. These systems use a significant amount of water and are expensive and more difficult to use and maintain than the floor cleaning tool of the present invention. 
         [0007]    With automatic scrubbers, solution is dispensed to the floor, scrub pads or brushes driven by motors break the dirt free, and a vacuum and squeegee return the dirty solution to a separate tank leaving the solution clean from start to finish. However, like pressure washers, automatic scrubbers are significantly more expensive and more difficult to operate and maintain. Additionally, automatic scrubbers are hard to maneuver in tight places and are incapable of cleaning under low profile objects (shelves, tables, chairs, etc.). Some automatic scrubbers have wand accessories with or without powered brushes for reaching in these tight spots, but these generally suffer from sub-optimal performance as automatic scrubbers are designed to clean large, unobstructed areas. 
         [0008]    Both pressure washers and automatic scrubbers typically include electrically powered pumps or vacuums for dispensing water and/or cleaning solution and for collecting dirty water and/or cleaning solution. Such electrically operated pumps and vacuums increase the cost of these machines. Further, these machines require an electrical power source, which increases the machines&#39; operating cost while limiting the machines&#39; field of use (i.e. near a electrical outlet) or duration of use (i.e. until the battery is fully discharged). 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    The present invention is a vast improvement over the mop and bucket, yet is much less expensive than the pressure washer and automatic scrubber. It is also easier to use and maintain. Embodiments of the present disclosure comprise: (1) a solution tank and a gravity-fed dispensing system to apply a solution to a surface, (2) a deck assembly having an abrasive pad or brush for scrubbing the surface being cleaned and a squeegee for collecting used cleaning solution, and (3) a mechanically operated pump that produces suction in a fluid communication path that terminates near the squeegee to convey the dirty solution into a recovery tank. Because neither the dispensing system nor the pump requires electrical power, devices of the present disclosure are simple, highly portable, cost effective, and easy to use and maintain. Additional features include dispensation of solution, keeping clean and dirty solutions separate, and collecting the dirty solution. Variations on these and other aspects of the present disclosure are described below. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, a portable, human-powered floor cleaning device is provided, the device comprising a chassis comprising: a clean fluid storage tank and a spent fluid collection tank; a plurality of wheels for supporting and moving the device; a deck assembly comprising a fluid pick-up orifice and a squeegee; a mechanically-driven pump housed within the chassis having an inlet and an outlet, the pump operably interconnected to a drive wheel such that a rotational movement of the drive wheel results in actuation of the pump; the fluid pick-up orifice being interconnected to the pump by a conduit for transmitting fluid from the fluid pick-up orifice to the pump; wherein conduit comprises at least one valve for substantially preventing flow of a fluid in a first direction; wherein the device is devoid of power generation unit, such that translation of the device and actuation of the pump are driven by a user imparting force to the device. 
         [0011]    In one embodiments, a motorless floor washing machine is provided, the machine comprising: a chassis comprising a clean fluid storage tank and a spent fluid collection tank; at least two wheels for supporting and moving the machine; a trailing deck assembly comprising a fluid pick-up orifice and a squeegee; a mechanically-driven pump housed within the chassis having an inlet and an outlet, the pump operably interconnected to a drive wheel via a shaft such that a rotational movement of the drive wheel results in substantially vertical displacement of the shaft to provide power to the pump; the fluid pick-up orifice being interconnected to the pump by a conduit for transmitting fluid from the fluid pick-up orifice to the pump; wherein the pump is positioned above the pick-up orifice and the conduit comprises at least one valve substantially preventing flow of a fluid in a direction away from the pump. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, a floor cleaning tool for cleaning a surface is provided, the floor cleaning tool comprising a chassis comprising: a first tank for containing a cleaning solution, the first tank having a discharge port positioned to effect dispensing of the cleaning liquid therefrom; a second tank for receiving the cleaning solution following its being dispensed to the surface; and a mechanically-driven pump for removing the cleaning solution from the surface and discharging the collected cleaning solution into the second tank; a conduit for transmitting the cleaning solution from a collection point to the second tank, the conduit comprising at least one non-return valve for substantially preventing flow of the fluid away from the second tank. A rotatable trailing deck assembly is provided connected to the chassis and comprising a squeegee, the deck assembly being selectively detachable from the chassis. A main wheel assembly is provided comprising at least two wheels for supporting and moving the chassis, at least one of the wheels comprising a drive wheel with a rotational motion mechanism for converting the rotational motion of the drive wheel into reciprocal motion, and the drive wheel provided substantially directly beneath the pump and operably connected to the pump by a substantially vertical drive shaft. 
         [0013]    It is an object of the present disclosure to describe an efficient and yet economical scrubber which can be manually operated. Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings. 
         [0014]    According to varying embodiments of the present disclosure, a floor cleaning tool having a mechanically operated pump is disclosed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principle of the present disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a floor cleaning tool according to the present disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a partial schematic view of an embodiment of a floor cleaning tool according to the present disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a detailed perspective view of an embodiment of a floor cleaning tool according to the present disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of a feature of an embodiment of a floor cleaning tool according to the present disclosure; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is phantom perspective view of an embodiment of a floor cleaning tool according to the present disclosure; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a component of one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0022]    It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted from these drawings. It should be understood, of course, that the present disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments illustrated in the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Varying embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the drawings. It is expressly understood that although  FIGS. 1-6  depict certain embodiments of a floor cleaning tool, the present disclosure is not limited to those specific disclosed embodiments. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , there is provided a floor cleaning tool  10  having a chassis  14  with main wheels  22  mounted on an axle  26  proximal a rearward portion of the tool  10 . The chassis  14  comprises a deck  66  comprising cleaning and fluid collection features as will be shown and described in more detail herein. In some embodiments, the chassis  14  is rotationally molded from one of a variety of plastic materials such as high density polyethylene. The chassis  14  is provided with a cleaning solution tank which extends from the back of the chassis  14  adjacent the main wheels  22  to the front of the chassis  14 , and occupies the majority or all of the lower portion of the chassis  14 . The cleaning solution tank holds cleaning solution  18 , which may be any liquid useful for cleaning, including water, soap, and/or cleaning chemicals. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the position, size, and shape of cleaning solution tank  18  can be modified as desired and/or convenient; neither the parameters nor the location of the cleaning solution tank  18  is critical to the present disclosure. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a fluid application and recovery system according to one embodiment of the present invention, and shown in isolation with respect to certain additional features of the present disclosure. As shown, a recovery pump  40  is provided for translating fluids. The recovery pump  40  comprises a mechanical pump driven by ground-induced rotational movement of a drive wheel  31 . Additional wheels  30 ,  32  are provided for supporting the device and/or providing rotational power to the drive wheel  31  and associated pump  40 . Accordingly, movement of the device along a surface provides the power required to drive a pump  40  and draw fluid from a ground or floor surface. The pressure differential created by the pump  40  draws a fluid from the floor via recovery line  52  which is operatively associated with a pick-up orifice  48  located proximal to the floor. Clean fluid  47  dispensed from the device  10  contacts and cleans the floor as it is converted to dirty fluid  44  and subsequently transported or picked up by the pump  40  and conveyed to a recovery tank  28  or similar receptacle. 
         [0026]    In various embodiments, one or more conduits between a pick-up orifice  48  and a recovery tank  28  are provided with means for maintaining sufficient pressure and preventing back-flow in the conduit(s). For example, in certain embodiments, one or more check valves  42 ,  50  are provided for reducing or eliminating the risk of back-flow or pressure loss in the line  52 . Check valves preferably comprise valve features permitting only unidirectional flow of the fluid  44  (i.e. from the floor/orifice  48  to the recovery tank  44 ). It will be recognized that where pump pressure is lost or where fluid is allowed to drain downwardly in line  52 , such as by the force of gravity, pump  40  may become ineffective at removing fluid  44  as intended. It is also an object of the present invention to prevent fluid disposed between inlet  48  and pump  40  to simply drain out of the device when the tool is brought to rest. Accordingly, the present invention contemplates providing at least one valve feature for reducing or eliminating this risk. As shown, a first valve  50  is provided proximal the inlet orifice  48 . A second valve  42  is provided proximal to and downstream of the pump  40 . In various embodiments, valves  42 ,  50  comprise valves that allow for fluid flow in one direction (i.e. toward the reservoir  28 ), and substantially prevent back flow or fluid flow in a reverse direction. Such valves may comprise check valves, non-return valves, clapper valves, one-way valves or various other valve types that provide the described function(s). 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , cleaning fluid is dispensed via clean fluid conduit  47  preferrably directly in front of a squeegee and within an area defined by the deck assembly  66 . Dispensation of fluid through the clean fluid conduit  47  is controlled or metered by one or more control means  16  provided on or proximal the chassis  14 . As will be recognized by one of skill in the art, devices  10  of the present invention are useful for cleaning up spills and liquids from external or pre-existing sources. Additionally, however, devices  10  of the present invention comprise the ability to dispense cleaning fluid(s) to a surface, perform cleaning functions (e.g. scrubbing, wiping, etc.), and collect and store such fluids after they have performed their intended function. Accordingly, the present invention comprises a multi-purpose floor cleaning device. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the cleaning device  10  comprises various features for assisting in various cleaning tasks. For example, the depicted embodiment of the cleaning device  10  is provided with a storage unit  12 . Storage unit  12  comprises a selectively removable device provided with a handle  13  and one more storage areas  15  for containing various products, including but not limited to, cleaning products, tools, waste products, etc. In certain embodiments, the storage unit  12  is provided as a replacement to and in lieu of a spent fluid collection tank. For example, and as shown in  FIG. 1 , the device  10  may be provided in a state wherein the pump and the deck  66  are inactive, and the device  10  is essentially a caddy or cart. The deck  66  is shown in an elevated position in  FIG. 1 , wherein it has been rotated upward and out of contact with the floor or ground surface upon which the device  10  rests. A user-operated control  16  is provided on an exterior of the chassis  14  such that dispensation of cleaning fluid can be selectively controlled. The control  16  is contemplated as being any one or more of known devices useful for starting, stopping, and/or metering flow of a fluid. The control  16  may, for example, control a ball valve for initiating and terminating fluid to be dispensed. The device  10  further comprises attachment features, such as a shelf portion  17  for receiving and supporting a mop, broom, or similar cleaning device. 
         [0029]    A port  3  is provided on a portion of the chassis  14 . The port  3  may serve as a drain or input for fluid for one or both of the clean fluid storage tank and the spent fluid storage tank. In one embodiment, the port  3  comprises a simple drain for removing unused clean fluid from the clean fluid storage tank, such as may be desirable when the device  10  is to be stored or transported and emptying of the device  10  is preferred. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a user interface portion  2  comprises a simply handle for grasping and maneuvering the device  10 . The interface portion  2  is rotatable and detachable at the locating of fasteners  4 . Fasteners  4  comprise, for example, simple threaded fasteners. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the chassis  14  further comprises a recovery tank  46 . Preferably, recovery tank  28  is removably mounted on chassis  14  and is equipped with a handle to facilitate removal of the recovery tank  28  from the chassis  14 , i.e. when disposing of the contents of recovery tank  28 . The recovery tank  28  rests on top of solution tank  18 . The upper portion of recovery tank  28  has an inlet opening (not shown) through which dirty cleaning solution is pumped into recovery tank  28  during operation of floor cleaning tool  10 . 
         [0032]    To further simplify attachment and detachment of deck assembly  66  to and from trailing arm  142 , large, easily manipulated squeegee mount knobs  92   a ,  92   b  are provided. Squeegee mount knobs  92   a ,  92   b  removably engage deck assembly  66 . In some embodiments, squeegee mount knobs  92   a ,  92   b  comprise threaded fasteners. In other embodiments, squeegee mount knobs  92   a ,  92   b  comprise snap-in fasteners or other known quick connect/disconnect fasteners. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of a deck  66  according to one embodiment. The chassis  14  is shown in phantom, such that the drive wheel  31  and associated features are more visible. As shown, the drive wheel  31  is provided in a recess  145  of the chassis such that the drive wheel is bordered by the chassis on three sides. The drive wheel  31  is thus accessible to user from a rear of the device  10  without needing to disassemble the chassis  14 . Additionally, the drive wheel  31  and associated components are protected by the chassis on three sides, and increased storage volume for clean or spent fluids or various additional are components is provided. In certain embodiments, the axle  26  of the drive wheel  31  is provided internal to the recess or void space  145  in the chassis  14 . As shown in further detail in  FIG. 6 , the axle  26  and wheel yoke  312  are driven by eccentric hubs  306  of the drive wheel  31 , which drive upwardly extending shaft  314  which is interconnected to the pump unit. The positioning of the centrally located drive wheel  31  and surrounding components and position of the chassis  14  provide for a compact unit with a lower center of gravity than known devices, while also providing for additional storage volume(s). The placement of the drive wheel  31  is one aspect of the invention that enables the device  10  to occupy a minimal amount of space while providing its intended cleaning functions and advantages over the prior art. 
         [0034]    As shown, deck  66  is selectively connected to the chassis  14  via trailing arm  142 , which may be bolted or similarly secured to the chassis  14  via fasteners. A cut-out or recess  145  is provided in the chassis, allowing user-access to, for example, the drive wheel  31  as well as the connection points and fasteners  143  for attaching and removing the deck  66 . A tongue or extension  90  extends from the trailing arm  142 . One or more pivot points may be provided in the extension  90  to allow the deck  66  to rotate or swivel. 
         [0035]    As shown, a deck  66  is selectively interconnected to a remainder of a floor cleaning device  10 . The device  10  comprises an aft extension  90  with slotted recesses for receiving and securing fastening members  92   a ,  92   b  to secure the deck  66  to the aft extension  90 . In various embodiments, the deck  66  is pivotally mounted on the extension  90  and/or the extension  90  is pivotally provided on the chassis  14  of the device  10 . Thus, in at least some embodiments, the deck  66  is at least one of removable from a remainder of the device  10  and rotatable to a position wherein the deck  66  is not in contact with a floor or ground surface. 
         [0036]    A dispensing outlet (not shown) is located at a low point of the solution tank  18 —preferably at the lowest point of gravitational potential energy of the solution tank  18 . The dispensing outlet is detachably connected and in fluid communication with solution inlet plumbing  34 . Cleaning solution in the solution distribution trough  18  is released directly onto the floor in some embodiments, or onto a floor pad  62  of deck assembly  66  in other embodiments, including the one shown in  FIG. 4 . Floor pad  62  is preferably an abrasive pad or brush. In certain embodiments, cleaning solution is not pumped out of solution tank  18 , but rather flows out of solution tank  18  due to gravity. In some embodiments, a dispensing valve located in the dispensing outlet or elsewhere in the cleaning solution flow path is used to start and stop the flow of cleaning solution out of solution tank  18 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of a deck  66  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The deck  66 , which may be provided in combination with various embodiments and features provided herein, comprises a debris pad  62 . A squeegee  70  is provided on a lower portion of the deck  66 , the squeegee comprises a trailing portion to clear any debris and/or water not picked up by additional system components. One or more quick release latches are provided for ease of removal and application of squeegee blade  70 . In certain embodiments, one or more articulating debris pads are provided, the articulating debris pads being provided for additional cleaning. In the depicted embodiments, a single debris pad  62  is provided, the debris pad comprising various sections forming a lattice-type structure with one or more void spaces  63  provided therein. A pickup valve assembly  68  comprising a pick-up orifice is provided on a lower portion of the deck  66  and proximal a rear portion thereof. In various embodiments, the assembly  68  is provided sufficiently proximate to a ground surface such that the pump force is capable of removing fluid(s) from the ground surface through, for example, a vacuum force applied by a pump. One or more check valves, as previously described, may be provided in combination with the assembly  68  to prevent back-flow of fluid, particularly when the device  10  is brought to rest and/or the pump is not active. 
         [0038]    Embodiments of the present invention contemplate an assembly  68  comprising an aperture provided with a filter or similar device to enable fluid transport through the aperture to prevent large-scale particles and debris from becoming drawn into the device. In various embodiments, the assembly  68  is provided such that the planar area of the orifice is substantially parallel to a floor or ground surface being cleaned. The planar entrance area of the orifice is provided between approximately 0.01 inches and 4.00 inches above a ground surface. Preferably, the planar entrance area of the orifice is provided between approximately 0.05 and 0.075 inches above a ground surface. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , deck assembly  66  is supported on a pair of wheels  94  which, in some embodiments, may be raised or lowered by a lift mechanism of one of several types well known in the art. The deck assembly  66  supports squeegee blade  70 , which contacts the floor or surface being cleaned. In some embodiments, two or more squeegee blades may be attached to deck assembly  66 . Pickup valve assembly  68  is positioned in the center and towards the rear of deck assembly  66 , and comprises an orifice as a fluid pickup point located adjacent the floor immediately in front of squeegee blade  70 . In embodiments having two or more squeegee blades attached to deck assembly  66 , the recovery pickup point may be located between two squeegee blades for improved suction. 
         [0040]    In certain embodiments, the deck assembly  66  comprises quick-connect features for one or more pads  62 . Pads  62  of the present invention comprise, for example, commercially available 3M® Easy Trap Duster pads, for securing to a lower region of the deck assembly  66 . Quick connect features provided on the lower surface of the deck assembly  66  include, but are not limited to, hook and loop pads, clips, and various fasteners useful for securing a cleaning pad  62  to the assembly  66 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a floor cleaning device  10  of one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the device  10  comprises control means  2 , such as a handle, in operable communications with a chassis  14 . The chassis  14  is provided on wheels  30   a ,  30   b . A recovery deck  66  is provided as a trailing member and in fluid communication with a pump drive assembly internal to the device  10 . A recovery bucket  28  comprises a basin to collect and store dirty liquids recovered from a floor or surface by the pump. The recovery bucket  28  comprises a removable feature such that it may be manually lifted and removed from the chassis  14  for emptying, cleaning, replacement, etc. In certain embodiments, the recovery bucket  28  comprises mop tray or wringer  74 . The mop wringer  74  is provided for use with a mop  76 , which is selectively securable to the chassis  14  in the embodiment of  FIG. 5 . Mops and similar devices are contemplated fur use in cleaning operations, and may be particularly useful for cleaning surface and locations that the device  10  may not be able to access (e.g. corners and areas underneath certain objects). The upper portion of the recovery bucket  28  comprises tray and/or wringer features for receiving a mop head and further allowing contents to drain into the recovery bucket  28 . In the depicted embodiment, the recovery bucket  28  is provided in a central void  70  of the chassis  14 . Various embodiments of the present invention contemplate providing such a chassis  14  with an interior portion  70  that is void or partially void so as to accommodate various devices and features, including recovery bucket  28  and/or storage unit  12  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0042]    As shown, the device  10  is capable of receiving a known or preexisting mop device  72  on a chassis  14 . The device  72  comprises receiving means, such as indentations, troughs, clips, etc. for receiving a mop. Such features are provided in addition to or in lieu of fluid dispensing means shown and described herein. In one embodiment, a mop is provided for additional cleaning functionality and is useful in, for example, situations where the device  10  may have missed portions of a floor to be cleaned and spot cleaning with the mop is desirable. Additionally, a wringer or mop tray  72  is provided for supplying the mop with fluid and/or cleaning the mop after and during use. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , a feature of the present invention comprises a novel attachment member  100 . Attachment member  100  is capable of at least two modes of use. A first mode is provided wherein a cylindrical portion of the attachment member is disposed in a recess and a hook portion extends outwardly therefrom. In this first mode, various features such as a “wet floor” sign  78  may be hung from the attachment member  100 . In a second mode, the attachment member  100  is attached to an additional device, such as mop  76 . The cylindrical portion of the attachment member  100  comprises a removable clip that can be selectively secured to various features, such as the elongate shaft of a mop  76 . Once secured, the hook portion extends outwardly therefrom and may be placed or inserted into the chassis  14 , such that the mop  76  is supported thereon. It will be recognized, therefore, that the attachment member  100  comprises a single device that is capable of two different modes of use for storage and/or transport of articles. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a mechanically driven pump  300  according to one embodiment is provided in fluid communication with the recovery tank (not shown). In the depicted embodiment, the pump  300  is a diaphragm pump, but in other embodiments other types of pumps, such as piston pumps or centrifugal pumps, are provided. A pump housing  302  is provided, the pump within the housing  302  being driven by a drive wheel  31  provided in rolling contact with a floor surface. The drive wheel  31  comprises eccentric wheel hubs  306  with an axle  26  supported on a frame or chassis. The hubs  306  are connected to a wheel yoke  312 , which is connected to a pump yoke  308  via a shaft  314 . The pump is actuated by movement of the wheel  31  and associated eccentric hubs  306 , which induces a reciprocating vertical movement of a cross-bar  316  which provides power to the pump. Vertical movement of the guide bar  316  is assisted by vertical guide slots  310  extending upwardly from the pump housing  302 . One or more coil springs  304  are provided on the pump yoke  308  to bias the pump and associated components. 
         [0045]    Floor cleaning tools of the present invention are primarily intended to deliver and collect a controlled volume of cleaning solution from the floor during normal floor cleaning operations, and persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that pumps and recovery tanks should be sized appropriately. However, other uses of floor cleaning tools will be readily apparent to persons of skill in the art. For example, floor cleaning tools of the present invention may be used to collect puddles and spills. To ensure that floor cleaning tools are useful for such applications, pumps and recovery tanks preferably have excess capacity, so that they can collect a greater volume of liquid, at a higher rate, than is required for normal floor cleaning operations. 
         [0046]    In some embodiments, a cleaning solution tank is positioned above the pump and/or recovery tank, thereby raising the lowest point of the solution tank and enhancing the gravity-powered flow of cleaning solution from the cleaning solution tank. Other arrangements are possible. For example, in some embodiments, cleaning solution tank and recovery tank occupy horizontally adjacent positions; i.e., cleaning solution tank may be located forward of recovery tank on chassis, or cleaning solution tank may be located to one side of recovery tank on chassis. This facilitates access to both tanks, and reduces the overall height of floor cleaning tool. Removal of tanks for replacement, cleaning, emptying, and/or refilling are also simplified in such embodiments. 
         [0047]    In various embodiments of the present invention, the sizes of cleaning solution tank, recovery tank, pump, and squeegee are selected based on the target market for the floor cleaning tool. For example, floor cleaning tools intended to be used commercially preferably comprise larger components than floor cleaning tools intended for household use, as commercial applications are likely to have significantly greater surface area to clean. 
         [0048]    While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure, as set forth in the following claims. Further, the invention(s) described herein are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “adding” and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0