Patent Description:
<CIT> describes a brush case comprising a washing brush, a nozzle which sprays washing water and a suction chamber which sucks wastewater.

Unfortunately, despite the advanced age of powered floor cleaning tool technology, significant advancements in each of these features has been slow or non-existent. Nevertheless, based upon the value such advancements provide for users and servicers of powered floor cleaners, new and improved powered floor cleaners continue to be welcome in the industry. It is the object of the invention to provide a floor cleaning tool with a high maintainability and a prolonged life span.

This task is solved by a floor cleaning tool with the features of claim <NUM>. The sub claims show preferred further embodiments of the invention. The invention describes a floor cleaning tool comprising: a housing; a reservoir coupled to the housing and shaped to contain a cleaning solution; a resiliently deformable nozzle plate coupled to the housing and defining a plurality of apertures; and a conduit extending from the reservoir to the plate and establishing fluid communication between the reservoir and the plate for delivery of cleaning solution from the reservoir, through the conduit, and through the plurality of apertures in the resiliently deformable plate; the resiliently deformable plate removable from the conduit and the housing for cleaning and replacement.

Before any embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> illustrate a floor cleaning tool <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated floor cleaning tool <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, first and second wheels 28a, 28b supporting the housing <NUM> for movement across a surface, a first reservoir <NUM> for containing a cleaning product in any form (e.g., fluid, powder, and the like), and a roller <NUM> for performing a cleaning operation upon the surface. The floor cleaning tool <NUM> described and illustrated herein has two wheels 28a, 28b, although any other number of wheels are possible, such as for a three or four-wheeled floor cleaning tool <NUM>. The wheels 28a, 28b of the illustrated floor cleaning tool <NUM> are powered by a motor (not shown). However, in other embodiments, any or all of the wheels of the floor cleaning tool <NUM> can be non-powered. Also, the wheels 28a, 28b can take any of a number of forms well-known to those skilled in the art, such as wheels 28a, 28b mounted to rotate about and/or with a fixed axle, caster wheels capable of rotating and spinning to different orientations, and the like.

Although the floor cleaning tool <NUM> described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings includes wheels 28a, 28b for movement of the floor cleaning tool <NUM> over a surface, it will be appreciated that other types of devices can be used to move the floor cleaning tool <NUM>, including without limitation powered or un-powered tracks. For the sake of simplicity, the term "wheel" as used herein and in the appended claims refers to all such moving elements.

The floor cleaning tool <NUM> is movable along a direction determined at least in part by the orientation of the wheels 28a, 28b. For example, the illustrated floor cleaning tool <NUM> is movable along a direction of travel parallel to the axis <NUM> shown in <FIG>, which is determined by the rolling direction of the illustrated wheels 28a, 28b. This direction of travel defines opposite lateral sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the floor cleaning tool <NUM>, as well as a front <NUM> and rear <NUM> of the tool <NUM>. The floor cleaning tool <NUM> also includes a top <NUM> and bottom <NUM>.

As mentioned above, the floor cleaning tool <NUM> can have a reservoir <NUM> for containing a cleaning product. The reservoir <NUM> can be located within the housing <NUM> of the floor cleaning tool <NUM>, and can be one of any number of reservoirs <NUM> containing the same or different cleaning products that in some embodiments can be dispensed independently from one another, can be mixed prior to or as the cleaning products are discharged upon a surface to be cleaned, and/or can be discharged at different locations upon the surface to be cleaned.

In some embodiments, the floor cleaning tool <NUM> includes one or more reservoirs <NUM> for containing used cleaning product (see <FIG>). The used cleaning product can be drawn into the floor cleaning tool by vacuum force, and in some cases can pass through one or more filters to filter the cleaning product after use and/or to recycle the used cleaning product for re-use.

As shown in <FIG>, the illustrated floor cleaning tool <NUM> includes a handle <NUM> having a proximal end <NUM> and a distal end <NUM>. The proximal end <NUM> is coupled to a side <NUM> of the housing <NUM> (with reference to the direction of travel of the floor cleaning tool as described above). In other words, the attachment location of the proximal end <NUM> of the handle <NUM> is located completely to one lateral side of a central plane bisecting the floor cleaning tool <NUM> (i.e., into opposite lateral sides as described above). In the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the axis <NUM> described above lies in this central plane.

In some embodiments, the handle <NUM> is coupled for rotation relative to the housing <NUM>. This rotation can be about an axis <NUM> extending laterally with respect to the sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the floor cleaning tool <NUM> (described above). The distal end <NUM> of the handle <NUM> extends away from the housing <NUM> to a location disposed a distance from the body <NUM> of the floor cleaning tool <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the distal end <NUM> of the handle <NUM> is substantially aligned with (i.e., lies within) a plane bisecting the floor cleaning tool <NUM> into opposite lateral sides as described above. To connect a centrally-aligned distal end <NUM> and a laterally-disposed proximal end <NUM> of the handle <NUM>, the handle <NUM> can be shaped to include an offset or "jogged" portion extending laterally at a location between the distal and proximal ends <NUM>, <NUM>.

The floor cleaning tool <NUM> can include a lock <NUM> between the handle <NUM> and the remainder of the floor cleaning tool <NUM> (e.g., between the handle <NUM> and the housing <NUM>) to releasably secure the handle <NUM> in different positions. In those embodiments in which the handle <NUM> is rotatable with respect to the housing <NUM>, the lock <NUM> can releasably secure the handle <NUM> in different rotational positions with respect to the housing <NUM>. By way of example, a first (deployed) position of the handle <NUM> in the illustrated embodiment is shown in <FIG>, whereas a second (stowed) position of the handle <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. Any number of additional rotational positions of the handle <NUM> are possible, such as any number of positions intermediate and beyond those shown in <FIG>.

By virtue of the rotatability of the handle <NUM> and the lock <NUM> (described in greater detail below), a user can select a desired working position (e.g., height and angle) of the handle <NUM>, and can lock the handle <NUM> in that position with the lock <NUM>. One such lock <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>. The illustrated lock <NUM> includes a gear <NUM> having at least one tooth, such as the plurality of teeth <NUM> about the periphery of the gear <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The gear <NUM> shown in <FIG> is secured against rotation. Although the gear <NUM> shown in <FIG> is round, and is shown as a discrete element secured to the body <NUM> of the floor cleaning tool <NUM>, it will be appreciated that the gear <NUM> can be defined by any feature of the floor cleaning tool <NUM>, and can be a separate part attached to the floor cleaning tool or can be integral with or defined by any portion of the floor cleaning tool <NUM>. For example, the gear <NUM> can be defined by a set of teeth or apertures in the body, a frame, or other element of the floor cleaning tool <NUM>.

The lock <NUM> can also include one or more pawls movable to releasably engage the teeth <NUM> of the gear <NUM>. At least one such pawl can be coupled to the handle <NUM> to selectively engage the gear <NUM>, and can have one or more teeth or other protrusions shaped for this purpose. In the illustrated embodiment, two pawls <NUM> and <NUM> are coupled to the handle <NUM> for rotation about a pin <NUM>, although any other manner of rotational movement is possible. The first pawl <NUM> of the illustrated embodiment includes first teeth <NUM> and a second pawl <NUM> includes second teeth <NUM> (see <FIG>). Both sets of teeth <NUM>, <NUM> are sized and shaped to releasably engage the teeth <NUM> of the gear <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the teeth <NUM> of the first pawl <NUM> are circumferentially offset with respect to the teeth <NUM> of the second pawl <NUM>. In this manner, at least one pawl <NUM>, <NUM> can engage the gear <NUM> in a number of rotational positions of the handle <NUM> with respect to the body <NUM>. In some embodiments, only one of the pawls <NUM>, <NUM> is engaged with the gear <NUM> in any particular rotational position of the handle <NUM>.

By providing the circumferentially offset relationship of the teeth <NUM> of one pawl <NUM> with respect to the teeth <NUM> of another pawl <NUM> in the lock <NUM>, more locked rotational positions of the handle <NUM> are possible without requiring the use of smaller teeth <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> - a feature that can provide a stronger and more durable lock <NUM>. The offset relationship between teeth <NUM>, <NUM> of different pawls <NUM>, <NUM> can also reduce the wear on each of the first and second pawls <NUM> and <NUM> because each pawl <NUM> and <NUM> is utilized about half of the time, thus lengthening the operating life of the pawls <NUM> and <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the first teeth <NUM> and the second teeth <NUM> can have substantially an identical configuration, although different configurations of the teeth <NUM>, <NUM> are possible. Also, although each tooth of a set of teeth on a pawl <NUM>, <NUM> can be substantially identical, in some embodiments (e.g., the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>), one or more of the first teeth <NUM> and the second teeth <NUM> can have a different shape than the others on the same pawl <NUM>, <NUM>. By using teeth <NUM>, <NUM> of different shapes on the same pawl <NUM>, <NUM>, it is possible to enhance the ability of the pawls <NUM>, <NUM> and gear <NUM> to resist movement of the handle <NUM> in both directions. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a first end tooth of at least one of the first and second sets of teeth <NUM>, <NUM> is shaped to resist rotation of the handle <NUM> in a clockwise direction, whereas a second end tooth of at least one of the first and second teeth <NUM>, <NUM> is shaped to resist rotation of the handle <NUM> in a counterclockwise direction.

One or more biasing members can be utilized to bias the first and second pawls <NUM>, <NUM> (and therefore, the first and second sets of teeth <NUM> and <NUM>) into engagement with the gear teeth <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, a first spring <NUM> is positioned to bias the first pawl <NUM> against the gear <NUM>, and a second spring <NUM> is positioned to bias the second pawl <NUM> against the gear <NUM>. The illustrated springs <NUM> and <NUM> are coil springs, but other biasing members can be utilized, such as leaf springs, torsion springs, elastomeric bands, blocks, or other elements, magnets and magnet sets, and the like.

Although the floor cleaning tool <NUM> of the illustrated embodiment has two pawls <NUM>, <NUM> for releasable engagement with a gear <NUM> as described above, it will be appreciated that a single pawl <NUM>, <NUM> can instead be used, or that three or more pawls <NUM>, <NUM> can be used, and can be offset as also described above for greater adjustability of the handle <NUM>.

The pawls <NUM>, <NUM> of the lock <NUM> can be released by a user in order to permit the handle <NUM> to rotate to a desired position. To this end, a user-manipulatable actuator can be connected to the pawls <NUM>, <NUM> in order to pull the pawls <NUM>, <NUM> out of engagement with the gear <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, a flexible actuator, such as the illustrated cable <NUM>, is coupled to the first and second pawls <NUM> and <NUM>. The cable <NUM> is also coupled to a user manipulable control (described in greater detail below). Actuation of the cable <NUM> pulls the first and second pawls <NUM>, <NUM> out of engagement of the gear <NUM> and against the biasing force of the first and second springs <NUM> and <NUM>. When the user releases the user manipulable control, the springs <NUM> and <NUM> bias the respective pawl <NUM> and <NUM> back against the gear <NUM>, such that at least one of the first teeth <NUM> and the second teeth <NUM> engage the gear teeth <NUM> to retain the handle <NUM> in a fixed rotational position with respect to the housing <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pawls <NUM>, <NUM> are carried by the handle <NUM>, and rotate to different positions upon rotation of the handle <NUM>, whereas the gear <NUM> is stationary with respect to the rest of the floor cleaning tool <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, these elements of the lock <NUM> can be reversed in position while still performing the same or similar functions described above. In particular, the pawls <NUM>, <NUM> can be carried adjacent the handle <NUM> and can still be connected to a user-manipulatable control on the handle <NUM>, while the gear <NUM> can be carried by and movable with the handle <NUM> for adjustment thereof.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the distal end <NUM> of the handle <NUM> of the floor cleaning tool <NUM> can be provided with one or more locations where a user can grip the handle <NUM>, and one or more user-manipulatable controls by which functions of the floor cleaning tool <NUM> can be performed. The user manipulable control of the floor cleaning tool illustrated in <FIG> is presented by way of example, and includes a hand grip portion <NUM> positioned at the distal end <NUM> of the handle <NUM>. The hand grip portion <NUM> can include a central horn <NUM> having first and second grips <NUM> and <NUM> extending therefrom to provide graspable portions for a user. In some embodiments, the grips <NUM>, <NUM> are generally cylindrical in shape, lie in a common plane, and converge together to define an obtuse angle therebetween (i.e., to create a generally chevron shape). Other grip shapes and orientations are possible. The illustrated hand grip portion <NUM> also includes a C- or U-shaped portion <NUM> extending from an end of the first grip <NUM>, around the horn <NUM>, and to an end of the second grip <NUM>. The C-shaped portion <NUM> can be attached to and at least partially covers an outboard end of each grip <NUM>, <NUM>, and can be attached to the distal end <NUM> of the handle <NUM> in any suitable manner. The grips <NUM>, <NUM>, central horn <NUM>, and C- or U-shaped portion <NUM> cooperate to define a first aperture <NUM> and a second aperture <NUM>.

The hand grip portion <NUM> can include any of a number of user-manipulatable controls connected to components of the floor cleaning tool <NUM> to control (for example) speed and direction of the floor cleaning tool <NUM> across a surface, dispense of a cleaning product by the floor cleaning tool <NUM>, recovery of the cleaning product, movement of the pawls <NUM> and <NUM> to adjust the handle position (described in greater detail above), and the like.

The illustrated hand grip portion <NUM> includes a first actuator <NUM> extending from the horn <NUM> into the first aperture <NUM>, and a second actuator <NUM> extending from the horn <NUM> into the second aperture <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first and second actuators <NUM>, <NUM> are operable to control at least one of dispensing and recovering a cleaning solution and releasable securing the handle <NUM>. The illustrated hand grip portion <NUM> further includes a third actuator <NUM> extending from the first cylindrical portion <NUM> into the first aperture <NUM>, and a fourth actuator <NUM> extending from the second cylindrical portion <NUM> into the second aperture <NUM>. In some embodiments, the third and fourth actuators <NUM> and <NUM> are operable to control at least one of speed and direction of movement of the floor cleaning tool <NUM>. Further actuators can be provided on the horn <NUM>, as desired. Also, any of the actuators described above can perform multiple functions, such as to also provide a connection location for the cable <NUM> extending to the handle lock <NUM> described above (thereby generating retraction of the pawls <NUM> and <NUM> from engagement with the gear <NUM> when actuated).

The actuators <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are positioned within the first and second apertures <NUM> and <NUM> to inhibit accidental actuation, although any other locations of the actuators on the hand grip portion <NUM> are possible. Also, the first and second apertures <NUM> and <NUM> shown in <FIG> are shaped and dimensioned to be graspable by a user, such that a user's fingers can extend through at least a portion of the first and second apertures <NUM> and <NUM>.

The floor cleaning tool <NUM> can support a number of different cleaning implements. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the floor cleaning tool <NUM> supports a roller <NUM> coupled for rotation with respect to the housing <NUM> and positioned to engage a floor surface. The roller <NUM> can take any cleaning implement form desired, and in the illustrated embodiment is a brush roller. The roller <NUM> is positioned on the bottom <NUM> of the housing <NUM> near the front <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, and extends along a roller axis <NUM>, which can be substantially parallel to the handle axis <NUM> described above. The roller <NUM> can be coupled for rotation by a motor <NUM> or other suitable driving arrangement in any manner desired, such as by a belt and pulley or chain and sprocket connection, a direct drive connection, a geared connection, and the like.

The roller <NUM> in the illustrated embodiment is supported for rotation by a bracket <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> can have a spindle <NUM> extending therefrom and sized to support the roller <NUM> for rotation. Alternatively, the bracket <NUM> can have a socket within which a spindle of or connected to the roller <NUM> is rotatably received. The bracket <NUM> can include a first flange <NUM> extending into mating engagement with an aperture (e.g., a recess) in the housing <NUM>. The illustrated first flange <NUM> extends in a substantially axial direction with respect to the axis of rotation <NUM> of the roller <NUM>, and defines an aperture (e.g., slot <NUM> in <FIG>) for receiving a fastener therethrough. In the illustrated embodiment, a single fastener <NUM> is utilized to secure the bracket <NUM> to the housing <NUM>, can be loosened or tightened by hand (i.e., without the use of tools), and can be threaded into and out of a threaded aperture in the housing <NUM> or other structural member of the floor cleaning tool <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> can also include a second flange <NUM> and a third flange <NUM>, either of both of which extend in a substantially axial direction with respect to the axis of rotation <NUM> of the roller <NUM> for mating engagement with respective apertures (e.g., recesses) in the front <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. Any two or more of the flange engagements described above can cooperate to inhibit rotation of the bracket <NUM> with respect to the housing <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that other sizes, shapes, quantities and locations of flanges <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> (any or all of which can be axially extending to matingly engage with the housing <NUM> or other structural member of the floor cleaning tool <NUM>) are possible and are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. The bracket <NUM> can also include one or more wall rollers <NUM> positioned to engage a wall surface and inhibit the floor cleaning tool <NUM> from scratching or otherwise damaging the wall surface.

With continued reference to the floor cleaning tool embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the roller <NUM> can be removed without the use of tools by rotating the single fastener <NUM> by hand, removing the bracket <NUM> from the housing <NUM>, and laterally (axially) withdrawing the roller <NUM> from the housing <NUM>. In some cases, removal of the bracket <NUM> from the housing <NUM> is sufficient to disengage the roller <NUM> from the housing <NUM>, whereas in other embodiments, the roller <NUM> is moved laterally (axially) to cause such disengagement as well as to remove the roller <NUM>. In some embodiments, the roller <NUM> is conveniently removable from the housing <NUM> in a purely lateral (axial) direction. The roller <NUM> can be cleaned and re-inserted, or can be replaced by a new and/or different roller suitable for a different floor cleaning operation. The roller <NUM> can be replaced in the illustrated embodiment without the use of tools inserting the roller <NUM> into the housing <NUM> in a purely lateral (axial) direction. The bracket <NUM> can then be positioned on the housing <NUM> such that the flanges <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> matingly engage the housing <NUM>. The fastener <NUM> can then be re-attached to the housing <NUM> to secure the bracket <NUM> to the housing <NUM>. The fastener <NUM> can be tightened by hand, without the use of tools. In this manner, the bracket <NUM> can be positioned exterior to the housing <NUM> and exterior to the roller <NUM>, and can be quickly and conveniently removed and replaced by hand by a user for access to the roller <NUM> inside.

Some embodiments of the present invention include one or more lengths of conduit <NUM> fluidly coupled to the first reservoir <NUM> to direct fluid from the first reservoir <NUM> to one or more fluid chambers <NUM> (see single fluid chamber <NUM> in <FIG>, for example). The fluid chamber <NUM> can be defined by a recess <NUM> in the housing <NUM> and a cover plate <NUM> coupled to the housing <NUM>, although any other combination of housing and additional components defining the fluid chamber <NUM> is possible, and falls within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The illustrated cover plate <NUM> includes a first inlet <NUM> and a second inlet <NUM><NUM> fluidly coupled to respective conduits <NUM> leading to the first reservoir <NUM>, although any number of inlets and conduits <NUM> supplying liquid from the first reservoir are possible. The illustrated recess <NUM> of the fluid chamber <NUM> defines a plurality of apertures <NUM> that are aligned substantially along a line. In other embodiments, the plurality of apertures <NUM> can be arranged in any other manner desired, such as in a staggered fashion, in two or more rows of apertures <NUM>, and the like. Also, the apertures <NUM> in the illustrated embodiment are substantially round, although any other shape or combination of aperture shapes having larger or smaller sizes can be used as desired, such as elongated apertures separated by the same, larger, or smaller distances, star-shaped apertures in any desired arrangement, and the like.

A nozzle plate <NUM> can be positioned in the recess <NUM>, and can be shaped to have a plurality of protrusions <NUM> that in some embodiments can substantially correspond to the shape and size of the plurality of apertures <NUM> described above. As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the plurality of protrusions <NUM> are each received in a respective aperture <NUM>, and are thereby supported within the apertures <NUM>. The protrusions <NUM> are shown in greater detail in <FIG>. With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the nozzle plate <NUM> includes a plurality of apertures <NUM>, such that each aperture <NUM> is positioned in a respective protrusion <NUM>. The apertures <NUM> can have a relatively large diameter adjacent the fluid chamber <NUM>, and a relatively small diameter below the fluid chamber <NUM>, or in other embodiments can have a substantially constant diameter through the nozzle plate <NUM>. The size of the relatively small diameter portion of the apertures <NUM> in the illustrated embodiment can help to regulate the delivery of fluid onto the floor surface.

The mating relationship between the apertured protrusions <NUM> of the nozzle plate <NUM> and the apertures <NUM> of the fluid chamber <NUM> performs the functions of registering the nozzle plate <NUM> in proper position within the fluid chamber <NUM> and providing support for the nozzle plate <NUM> in that position. However, it will be appreciated that these two functions can be performed in other manners, such as by receiving an apertured channel in the nozzle plate <NUM> within a mating open channel in the fluid chamber <NUM>, by clamping peripheral edges of an apertured nozzle plate <NUM> between portions of the housing <NUM> at least partially defining the fluid chamber <NUM>, and the like, any of which can utilize nozzle plates <NUM> having different shapes (e.g., with or without protrusions <NUM>).

In some embodiments, the nozzle plate <NUM> is removable and replaceable within the fluid chamber <NUM>. The nozzle plate <NUM> can be resiliently deformable, and can comprise an elastomeric or other flexible, resilient material such as rubber, neoprene, urethane, latex, and the like. The resiliently deformable nozzle plate <NUM> can be removed from the fluid chamber <NUM>, cleaned, and replaced in the fluid chamber <NUM>. The resiliently deformable nature of the nozzle plate <NUM> permits a user to deflect the nozzle plate <NUM> to ease cleaning operations, such as for removing scale, lime, and other mineral buildup on the nozzle plate <NUM>. In some embodiments, the cleaning tool <NUM> can include multiple nozzle plates <NUM>, each of which has differently numbered, arranged, sized and/or shaped apertures. This permits a user to determine the desired type and volume of cleaning solution flowing from the fluid chamber <NUM> to a floor surface over a given period of time. Also, a wiping blade <NUM> can be coupled to the front <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to strip fluid as the floor cleaning tool <NUM> is moved in a rearward direction. In some embodiments, the wiping blade <NUM> is movable to different heights (e.g., triggered by an actuator <NUM>, described in greater detail below) to facilitate this function.

Some embodiments of the present invention include one or more squeegees for assisting in floor cleaning operations. An example of such a squeegee is used in the squeegee assembly <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. The squeegee assembly <NUM> can be positioned to engage the bottom <NUM> of the floor cleaning tool <NUM>, and is positioned between the roller <NUM> and the first and second wheels 28a, 28b. The squeegee assembly <NUM> can be positioned to engage a floor surface during operation of the floor cleaning tool <NUM>. The illustrated squeegee assembly <NUM> includes a first squeegee <NUM> and a second squeegee <NUM> spaced from the first squeegee <NUM>, although a single squeegee or three or more squeegees can instead be used in other embodiments (e.g., side-by-side with respect to one another, each following another in movement of the floor cleaning tool across a surface, and the like). The first and second squeegees <NUM>, <NUM> of the illustrated embodiment have a concave shape designed to direct cleaning solution to a center of the squeegee assembly <NUM>. Also, the first blade <NUM> can define a recess <NUM> to permit cleaning solution to enter a vacuum area between the first and second squeegees <NUM>, <NUM>.

The illustrated squeegee assembly <NUM> further includes a plate <NUM> coupled to and retaining an upper portion of the first and second squeegees <NUM>, <NUM>. The illustrated plate <NUM> has an aperture <NUM> therein, which in some embodiments can be generally aligned with the recess <NUM>, but which in any case can be used as a location through which a vacuum is drawn from the area defined between the squeegees <NUM>, <NUM>, the plate <NUM>, and the floor surface. Any number of vacuum apertures <NUM> can be used for this purpose. A length of conduit (not shown) can be coupled to each such aperture <NUM> and to the second reservoir <NUM> to permit recovery of cleaning product from the floor surface.

The illustrated squeegee assembly <NUM> also includes first, second and third vertical guide wheels 152a, 152b, 152c that can orient the squeegee assembly <NUM> at a desired height and angle with respect to the ground surface, although any other number and location of such wheels is possible in other embodiments. The squeegee assembly <NUM> can also include any number of horizontal guide wheels 154a, 154b that can roll when in contact with a surface (such as a wall).

The squeegee assembly <NUM> further includes at least one fastener operable to removably couple the squeegee assembly <NUM> to the floor cleaning tool <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the squeegee assembly <NUM> includes first and second protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> on opposite sides of the squeegee assembly <NUM>. A squeegee assembly mount <NUM> can be provided beneath the floor cleaning tool <NUM>, and can be coupled to the housing <NUM>, a frame of the tool <NUM>, or any other structural member of the tool <NUM> in order to suspend or otherwise support the squeegee assembly <NUM> on the tool <NUM> when connected thereto. The squeegee assembly mount <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> has first and second apertures <NUM>, <NUM> on opposite sides of the squeegee assembly mount <NUM> (i.e., on the first side <NUM> of the tool <NUM>, and on the second side <NUM> of the tool <NUM>, respectively). The first aperture <NUM> is sized and shaped to receive the first protrusion <NUM> when the first protrusion <NUM> is in a first orientation, and is sized and shaped to retain the first protrusion <NUM> when the first protrusion <NUM> is in a second orientation. Similarly, the second aperture <NUM> is sized and shaped to receive the second protrusion <NUM> when the second protrusion <NUM> is in a first orientation, and sized and shaped to retain the second protrusion <NUM> when the second protrusion <NUM> is in a second orientation. In some embodiments, the first orientation is rotated about <NUM> degrees from the second orientation. In the illustrated embodiment, the apertures <NUM>, <NUM> and the protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> are generally diamond-shaped, and the apertures <NUM>, <NUM> are closed (i.e., not open to an edge of the squeegee assembly mount <NUM>). However, other aperture and protrusion numbers, shapes, sizes, and locations can be utilized to selectively couple the squeegee assembly <NUM> to the floor cleaning tool <NUM>.

The squeegee assembly mount <NUM> can include one or more detents or protrusions to retain the protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> in their first and/or second orientations. In the illustrated embodiment, two projections <NUM>, <NUM> are positioned on the squeegee assembly mount <NUM> to retain the first and second protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> in their respective second orientations.

Claim 1:
A floor cleaning tool (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>);
a reservoir (<NUM>) coupled to the housing (<NUM>) and shaped to contain a cleaning solution;
a nozzle plate (<NUM>) that is resiliently deformable and coupled to the housing (<NUM>), the nozzle plate (<NUM>) defining a plurality of apertures (<NUM>) and in fluid communication with the reservoir (<NUM>) to receive the cleaning solution and to dispense the cleaning solution through the apertures (<NUM>), characterised in that the floor cleaning tool further comprises
a cover plate (<NUM>) coupled to the housing (<NUM>) and disposed over the nozzle plate (<NUM>), the cover plate (<NUM>) having an inlet (<NUM>, <NUM>) and defining a fluid chamber (<NUM>) in fluid communication with the reservoir (<NUM>) upstream of the apertures (<NUM>) via the inlet (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the nozzle plate (<NUM>) is removable from the housing (<NUM>) after decoupling the cover plate (<NUM>) from the housing (<NUM>) for cleaning and replacement.