Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF INVENTION
RIDING FLOOR POLISHING MACHINE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
[0003] This invention pertains to surface polishing machines. More
particularly, this invention pertains to a riding surface polishing vehicle
for
conducting various surface polishing operations such as scrubbing, buffing,
grinding, or other polishing of floor surfaces or similar, essentially
continuous
surfaces.
i5 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] It is often necessary to grind, polish, or otherwise refinish large
areas
of flooring surface, such as basketball gyms, warehouses, or other such
structures.
The conventional tool used in performing this type of surface polishing is a
hand
operated polishing machine. This type of machine typically utilizes surface
processing apparatus including at least one planetary frictional surface
rotated by
an electric motor, a combustion engine, or similar power means.
Conventionally,
the machine includes a handle, and a user operates the machine by walking
behind the machine, pushing the handle and manually directing the surface
processing apparatus across the flooring surface.
[0005] A large scale surface polishing operation is often time consuming,
labor intensive, and tiresome. In order to make such a surface processing job
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easier and less time consuming, the use of riding vehicles has been employed.
Thus, a traditional surface processing apparatus is coupled to a vehicle. A
user,
sitting atop the vehicle, controls both the vehicle and the surface processing
apparatus and, overall, gets the job done faster than if the user had to walk
behind
a traditional surface processing machine.
[0006] However, use of a conventional combustion engine vehicle results in
the emission of exhaust fumes. When working indoors, this exhaust typically
accumulates within the room housing the working surface, often resulting in
significantly increased concentrations of toxins immediately surrounding the
working surface. The excessive presence of combustion-engine exhaust leads to
an
uncomfortable and potentially dangerous work environment for the user of the
surface polishing machine. Therefore, such use of a vehicle in assisting with
large
scale surface polishing has been previously limited to outdoor operations or
other
significantly well ventilated environments.
[0007] Furthermore, there has been a perennial problem associated with
most surface polishing operations, and even more so with surface polishing
operations that are conducted using high speed mechanical equipment. The
material that is removed from the finished surface is given off in the form of
dust.
Frequently, this dust is so light that it hangs in the air for a period of
time before
settling. In large scale surface polishing operations, using high speed
mechanical
equipment, a large quantity of dust is generated which creates uncomfortable
working conditions for the user. The dust floats in the air for a considerable
amount of time and is breathed in by the user. Furthermore, the dust settles
on
the user's clothing, as well as all exposed surfaces surrounding the surface
polishing operation.
[0008] Many attempts have been made to reduce the dusting problem
associated with high speed, large scale surface polishing operations. One
method
of reducing the dusting problem is to continuously bathe the working surface
with
a moving film of liquid that carries away the dust. However, this system,
while it
keeps dust to a minimum, often necessitates that the user wear waterproof
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clothing to ensure that the user remains dry. This often creates an
uncomfortable
working environment for the user.
[0009] Other devices have been developed to overcome these and similar
problems associated with surface polishing machines. Typical of the art are
those
devices disclosed in the following U.S. Patents:
Patent No. Inventor(s) Issue Date
3,701,221 Frank P. Vinella October 31, 1972
3,936,212 Orvill H. Holz, Sr. et. al. February 3, 1976
4,058,936 Miksa Marton November 22, 1977
5.253,384 Charles W. Joines et. al. October 19, 1993
Re. 34,822 Bryan Mattson January 10, 1995
6,540,305 Edward W. Phillips April 1, 2003
[0010] Of these patents, U.S. Patent No. 3,701,221, issued to Vinella,
discloses a machine for the dry grinding of terrazzo floors which utilizes a
vaccum
cleaner attachment for the collection of dust raised during the grinding
operation.
The machine includes a chamber which houses multiple grinding stones. This
chamber has a vacuum pick-up head and the chamber is formed in part by a loose
fitting skirt assembly. The skirt assembly is resiliently biased in a
downwardly
direction. A wear shroud forming the lower part of the skirt assembly is
biased
into firm engagement with the floor and adjustable vent plates are provided
for
controlling the flow of air through the chamber. The vacuum unit comprises a
drum mounted on a wheeled cart which is closely coupled to the machine so that
the drum is within the lateral confines of the handle of the machine.
[0011] U.S. Patent No. 3,936,212 ('212), issued to Holz, discloses a vehicle
used for troweling large areas of concrete. The '212 patent includes a frame
supported by a plurality of troweling rotors. Each troweling rotor has three
or four
troweling blades, the pitch of which is controlled by the user. The pitch
control is
extended from all rotors to be separately accessible to the user in the user's
seat.
The user can steer the vehicle by applying a tilting pressure to one or more
rotors
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with selectivity as to the points along the rotor paths at which the increased
downward pressure is applied.
[0012] Marton, in U.S. Patent No. 4,058,936, discloses a vacuum sanding
device that has one or more vacuum openings in the central area of the sanding
disc, or, one or more vacuum openings about the periphery of the sanding disc.
As
the sanding disc is rotated, a vacuum pump applies suction through the vacuum
openings. Sanding dust is therefore collected by the vacuum system as the
rotating sanding disc makes contact with the sanding surface.
[0013] An electric buffing machine and method of buffing waxed floors are
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,253,384, issued to Joines, et. al. The buffing
machine comprises a molded plastic housing, a foldable handle and a DC drive
motor directly driving a buffing pad holder. The pad is movable into and out
of
engagement with the floor by a pad lifter mechanism which raises and lowers
the
pad holder along a splined drive shaft of the drive motor. The pad lifter
mechanism
i5 comprises a reversible motor mounted to the housing and connected to the
pad
holder. Rotation of the threaded shaft in one direction or the other moves the
lifter
arm into which the shaft is threaded together with the pad holder and pad up
or
down relative to the floor. By observing the current draw of the drive motor,
control of pad pressure is achieved. The pad holder design provides a directed
air
flow into the housing to collect dust, dirt and debris generated by the
buffing
operation.
[0014] U.S. Patent No. Re. 34,822, issued to Mattson, discloses a power
riding trailer for an implement. The power riding trailer includes a vehicle
having
two driven wheels disposed at or near the vehicle rear end and positioned to
rotate
parallel to the length of the vehicle. A power system provides power to rotate
the
two driven wheels. At least one non-steered wheel is located at or near the
front
end, the non-steered wheel being rotatable about an axis, which axis is at
least
partially rotatable. A seat is affixed to the trailer to provide access for a
user to sit
on the vehicle and control the vehicle. The power riding trailer is capable of
being
attached to a standard walk-behind implement, such as a drum sander. The user
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steers the vehicle by applying lateral pressure to the handle of the walk-
behind
implement, upon which the power riding trailer follows behind the implement.
[0015] Finally, U.S. Patent No. 6,540,305 ('305), issued to Phillips,
discloses
an electric floor covering removal apparatus. The '305 invention includes an
electric motor fitted in a frame for driving a fan, a pair of hydrostatic
pumps
hydraulically connected to independent, hydraulically-operated wheel motors
and a
hydraulic gear pump. The hydraulic gear pump raises and lowers a landing gear
with respect to the frame, deploys the floor covering engaging-implements of
the
apparatus, and drives the apparatus to remove the floor covering. A pair of
control-arm levers is spring-loaded to neutral and serves to independently
operate
the hydrostatic pumps and the wheel motors in infinitely variable fashion, in
both
the forward and reverse directions. The driver's seat is mounted on an
insulated
cover or shroud that covers the electric motor, hydrostatic pumps and the
hydraulic gear pump, as well as electrical gear and a hydraulic fluid
reservoir
located beneath these operating components. An electric cord handling system,
pneumatic rear tires and accessory equipment complete the electric floor
covering
removal apparatus.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] A riding floor polishing machine with dust and exhaust filtering
apparatus is disclosed. The riding floor polishing machine provides a vehicle-
driven surface processing apparatus capable of performing a large scale
surface
polishing operation in an indoor setting with reduced dust accumulation and
reduced exhaust emission to the working environment. The riding floor
polishing
machine includes generally a grinder assembly, an exhaust control device, and
a
dust collection device, each carried by a vehicle. The vehicle includes a
chassis, a
combustion engine mounted on the chassis, and an exhaust port for releasing
exhaust from the combustion engine. The vehicle provides mobility to the
riding
floor polishing machine and includes an electric generator to provide power
for
operating the various functions of the grinder assembly, the exhaust control
device,
and the dust collection device. The exhaust control device has a catalytic
converter
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which receives exhaust from the exhaust port and subjects the exhaust to at
least
one chemical reaction to reduce the hydrocarbon content of the exhaust from
the
combustion engine. The grinder assembly includes a plurality of planetary
polishing heads carried by a frame. The frame is movably attached to the
vehicle
such that the planetary polishing heads can be moved in either lateral or
vertical
directions proximate the vehicle. The dust collection device includes a dust
shroud
substantially covering the planetary polishing heads and a vacuum cleaner
configured to draw dust and air from beneath the dust shroud. The vacuum
cleaner then directs the dust and air into a filter apparatus, which separates
the
dust from the air and direct the dust to a storage vessel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more
clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention
read
together with the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a riding floor polishing machine
constructed in accordance with several features of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view, showing the vehicle portion
of
the riding floor polishing machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic of the exhaust control device portion of the
riding floor polishing machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view, showing the grinder assembly portion of the
riding floor polishing machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a side view of another embodiment of the riding floor polishing
machine, illustrating the grinder assembly constructed in accordance with
several
features of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a simplified cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of a
planetary polishing head;
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FIG. 7 is a simplified schematic of the dust collection device of the riding
floor polishing machine of FIG. 1, constructed in accordance with several
features
of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a simplified schematic of the hydraulic system of the riding floor
polishing machine of FIG. 1, constructed in accordance with several features
of the
present invention;
FIG. 9 is a simplified schematic of an alternate embodiment of the power
source, constructed in accordance with several features of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] A riding floor polishing machine with dust and exhaust filtering
apparatus is disclosed. The riding floor polishing machine, illustrated at 10
in the
figures, provides a vehicle-driven surface processing apparatus capable of
performing a large scale surface polishing operation in an indoor setting with
reduced dust accumulation and reduced exhaust emission to the working
environment.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a riding floor polishing
machine 10 constructed in accordance with several features of the present
invention. The riding floor polishing machine 10 includes generally a grinder
assembly 12 and a dust collection device 36, both carried by a vehicle 16. The
grinder assembly 12 includes a plurality of planetary polishing heads 18
carried by
a frame 20. The frame 20 is movably attached to the vehicle 16 such that the
planetary polishing heads 18 can be moved in either lateral or vertical
directions
proximate the vehicle 16. As discussed in greater detail below, the vehicle 16
provides mobility to the riding floor polishing machine 10 and provides power
to
operate various functions of the grinder assembly 12 and the dust collection
device
36.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view, showing one
embodiment of the vehicle 16 of the riding floor polishing machine 10. As
shown
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in FIG. 2, the vehicle 16 in the illustrated embodiment includes generally a
chassis
42, a pair of coaxial wheels 44, a pair of steering wheels 46, and a power
source
13. A housing 54 is removably attached to the chassis 42. A driver's seat 48
is
mounted on the housing 54 and a steering control 50 projects upwardly from the
vehicle 16 forwardly of the driver's seat 48. The coaxial wheels 44 are
rotatably
mounted to the chassis 42, while the steering wheels 46 are both pivotally and
rotatably mounted to the chassis 42. The steering wheels 44 serve to steer the
vehicle in response to the steering control 50. To this end there is a
conventional
mechanical link provided between the steering control 50 and the steering
wheels
1 o 44.
[0021] In the present embodiment, the power source 13 includes a
combustion engine 40 and an electric generator 66. The combustion engine 40
and the electric generator 66 are each mounted to the vehicle 16 beneath the
housing 54. The combustion engine 40 includes a drive shaft 38, and an exhaust
system 39 for discharging exhaust from the combustion engine 40. The
combustion engine 40 turns the drive shaft 38, and the drive shaft 38
mechanically engages the electric generator 66 to allow the combustion engine
40
to power the electric generator 66. The electric generator 66 includes an
output
68 to provide electricity for powering various other functions of the riding
floor
polishing machine 10. In addition, the electric generator 66 provides
electricity to
an electric motor 15 to power the electric motor 15. The electric motor 15 is
configured to engage a sprocket 17, which in turn mechanically engages at
least
one of the wheels 44, 46 to propel the vehicle 16.
[00221 Additionally, a fuel tank 41 is disposed on the vehicle 16. The fuel
tank 41 supplies a conventional combustible fuel such as natural gas or
gasoline
to the combustion engine 40. The fuel tank 41 includes a fuel line 37 to
provide
fuel to the combustion engine 40, and a throttle control 11 is provided to
regulate
the intake of fuel to the combustion engine 40, thereby regulating the speed
of the
combustion engine 40. At least one brake 45 is disposed proximate the driver's
seat 48. The brake 45 communicates mechanically with at least one wheel 44, 46
to selectively decelerate the vehicle 16. A safety pedal 43 is provided to
enable
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driving the riding floor polishing machine 10 and to enable the planetary
polishing
heads 18. If the safety pedal 43 is released, the vehicle travel ceases and
the
planetary polishing heads 18 cease to rotate. This override feature
automatically
turns the riding floor polishing machine 10 off in the event the driver falls
off or
otherwise leaves the riding floor polishing machine 10. From the foregoing
description, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that a typical
combustion-engine vehicle has been provided.
[0023] In the present embodiment, the vehicle 16 includes an exhaust
control device 14. FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified schematic of one embodiment
of
the exhaust control device 14. The simplified schematic does not illustrate
various
connections, for example, power and ground connections to the various
components; however, those skilled in the art will recognize the need for such
wiring and understand how to wire such a circuit, based on the components
ultimately selected for use. The exhaust control device 14 includes a
catalytic
converter 98, an oxygen sensor 100, an electronic control module 102, a linear
actuator 104 and a pressure regulator 106. The oxygen sensor 100 is configured
along the exhaust system 39 so as to sample the composition of the exhaust
produced by the combustion engine 40 and to sense deviations from an ideal
intake air-fuel ratio through changes in oxygen content of the exhaust gas.
The
oxygen sensor 100 communicates electronically with the electronic control
module
102. The electronic control module 102 is a programmable microprocessor
configured to process signals from the oxygen sensor 100 and also from the
combustion engine 40. Upon processing of signals from the oxygen sensor 100
and the combustion engine 40, the electronic control module 102 is configured
to
provide a command signal to the linear actuator 104 and the pressure regulator
106. The linear actuator 104 and the pressure regulator 106 communicate with
the combustion engine 40 to adjust the fuel flow from the fuel line 37 to the
combustion engine 40. This adjustment of the fuel flow to the combustion
engine
40 in turn regulates the air-fuel ratio within the combustion engine 40. The
catalytic converter 98 is a typical automotive catalytic converter configured
such as
to receive exhaust from the combustion engine 40 and subject the exhaust to a
series of chemical reactions. These chemical reactions ultimately result in a
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reduction of the hydrocarbon content of the exhaust, upon which the exhaust is
discharged from the exhaust control device 14 through a discharge conduit 99.
From the foregoing description, it will be recognized by those skilled in the
art that
a typical exhaust control system, such as the TermiNOxTM system by Engine
Control Systems, a Lubrizol Company, has been provided.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in one embodiment of the riding floor
polishing machine 10, a first imaging device 92, a second imaging device 96,
and a
monitor 94 are provided. The first imaging device 92 is positioned on the
vehicle
16 rearward of the driver's seat 48. The second imaging device 96 is
positioned on
the vehicle 16 forward of the grinder assembly 12. The first imaging device 92
is
configured such as to observe the portion of the working surface 70 directly
rearward of the riding floor polishing machine 10. The second imaging device
96 is
configured such as to observe the portion of the working surface 70 directly
forward of the riding floor polishing machine 10. The monitor 94 is mounted on
the housing 54 proximate the driver's seat 48 such that the monitor is visible
to a
user seated in the driver's seat 48. Both the first and second imaging devices
92,
96 communicate with the monitor 94 to produce a series of optical images
depicting the periphery of the riding floor polishing machine 10. By observing
the
monitor 94, the user is better able to view the periphery of the riding floor
polishing machine 10 and to direct the riding floor polishing machine 10 in
such a
way as to avoid any obstructions in the working surface 70. Of course, it is
understood by those skilled in the art that more or fewer imaging devices 92,
96
may be used to maximize the visibility of the periphery of the riding floor
polishing
machine 10 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
To this extent, it is appreciated that provision of the imaging devices 92, 96
and
the monitor 94 are not necessary to accomplish the riding floor polishing
machine
10 of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the
grinder assembly 12 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the grinder
assembly 12 includes a plurality of planetary polishing heads 18 carried by a
frame 20. The frame 20 includes a support structure 22 adapted to be attached
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the vehicle 16. In the present embodiment, the frame 20 includes a support
structure 22 slidably attached to a boom 21. The boom 21 is then slidably
attached to a mast 23, and the mast 23 is fixed to the vehicle 16. Referring
to
FIGS. 2 and 4, the power source 13 selectively engages the mast 23 and
communicates mechanically with the mast 23 to allow the support structure 22
and the boom 21 to be variably positioned in a vertical direction.
Additionally, the
power source 13 selectively engages the boom 21 and communicates mechanically
with the boom 21 to allow the support structure 22 to be variably positioned
horizontally. In the illustrated embodiment, a hydraulic cylinder 25 is
provided
along the length of the boom 21. As is further discussed below, the hydraulic
cylinder 25 is selectively engaged by the power source 13 to move the support
structure 22 horizontally along the boom 21. A chain and sprocket assembly 27
is
provided along the length of the mast 23, with the chain 29 fixably attached
to the
boom 21. The power source 13 selectively engages the chain and sprocket
assembly 27 to raise and lower the boom 21 and the support structure 22 along
the mast 23. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize many
additional
devices and configurations which are suitable to allow the support structure
22 to
be selectively positionable horizontally and vertically proximate the vehicle
16
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0026] A further embodiment of the grinder assembly 12 is illustrated in
FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the frame 20 includes a support structure 22 and a
hinged support member 24. The hinged support member 24 is pivotally disposed
between the support structure 22 and the vehicle 16. At least one mechanical
piston 26 is pivotally secured between the vehicle 16 and the hinged support
member 24. The axial dimension of the mechanical piston 26 is configured in a
direction biased to the axial dimension of the hinged support member 24 such
that
extension and retraction of the mechanical piston 26 causes rotation of the
hinged
support member 24 proximate the vehicle 16. This, in turn, causes the support
structure 22 and the adjoining planetary polishing heads 18 to be raised and
lowered.
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[0027] The support structure 22 is adapted to receive a plurality of planetary
polishing heads 18. FIG. 6 is a simplified cross-sectional side view of one
embodiment of a planetary polishing head 18. Although FIG. 6 does not
illustrate
various connections, for example, power and ground connections to the various
components; those skilled in the art will recognize the need for such wiring
and
understand how to wire such a circuit, based on the components ultimately
selected for use. As shown in FIG. 6, each planetary polishing head 18
includes a
motor 32 that rotates a central shaft 30. At least one polishing plate 28 is
mounted on each central shaft 30, and a series of bearings 34 is positioned
between each motor 32 and each polishing plate 28. A service box 62 is mounted
above each motor 32 for receiving power from the power source 13. In the
illustrated embodiment, a cable 64 extends from each service box 62 and
attaches
to the output 68 of the electric generator 66 to provide electricity to the
cooperating motor 32 (see FIG. 2). Of course, those skilled in the art will
recognize
other suitable means for providing power to the motor 32 without departing
from
the spirit and scope of the present invention. Each motor 32 pivots the
cooperating central shaft 30 which causes each polishing plate 28 to rotate
about
its associated central shaft 30. The polishing plates 28 contact and apply
frictional force to a working surface 70 to effect polishing of the working
surface
70.
[0028] In one embodiment, each planetary polishing head 18 includes a
series of grinding plates 28 constructed from diamond-based grinding stone. As
each motor 32 selectively rotates each grinding plate 28 about its cooperating
central shaft 30, the grinding plates 28 make contact with the working surface
70
to grind and abrade a superficial layer of material from the working surface
70. Of
course, those skilled in the art will appreciate that grinding is merely one
application of the present invention. To this extent, it is appreciated that
each
grinding plate 28 may be constructed from numerous other materials to
accomplish a wide variety of polishing functions without departing from the
spirit
and scope of the present invention.
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[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, a grinder control 60
is disposed on the housing 54 of the vehicle 16 proximate the steering wheel
50.
The user selectively manipulates the grinder control 60 to position the
support
structure 22 in both vertical and horizontal directions, and to control the
pitch of
the planetary polishing heads 18 proximate the vehicle 16. The user further
selectively manipulates the grinder control 60 to engage and disengage the
planetary polishing heads 18. Of course, those skilled in the art will
appreciate
many possible configurations for the grinder control 60 which may be used
without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a simplified schematic of one embodiment of the dust
collection device 36 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the dust
collection device 36 includes a dust shroud 56 connected to a vacuum cleaner
52
by an intake conduit 76 having a first end 75 and a second end 77. The dust
shroud 56 is defined by a housing that substantially covers the polishing
plate 28.
is The working surface 70 cooperates with the dust shroud 56 to substantially
enclose the polishing plates 28 and to limit the release of dust into the work
environment. The dust shroud 56 defines an opening 78 which is adapted to
receive the intake conduit first end 75. The vacuum cleaner 52 defines an
intake
opening 74 which is adapted to receive the intake conduit second end 76.
[0031] The vacuum cleaner 52 includes an electrical box 84 mounted behind
a vacuum motor 86 for receiving power from the power source 13. In the
illustrated embodiment, a vacuum cable 88 extends from the electrical box 84
and
attaches to the output 68 of the electric generator 66 to provide electricity
to the
vacuum motor 86. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize other
suitable
means for providing power to the vacuum motor 86 without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention. The vacuum motor 86 turns a
regenerative blower 90 to draw air and dust from beneath the dust shroud 56
through the intake conduit 76 and into a filter apparatus 58. The filter
apparatus
58 is designed such as to separate the dust from the air and direct the dust
to a
storage vessel 72. The filter apparatus 58 includes an air output 82 through
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which clean air from the filter apparatus 58 is discharged and returned to the
work
environment.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the vacuum cleaner
52 is disposed on the frame 20 above the planetary polishing heads 18. In
another
embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 52 is positioned above the vehicle 16. However,
those skilled in the art will recognize many additional configurations for the
vacuum cleaner 52 which can be used without departing from the spirit and
scope
of the present invention.
[0033] In the present embodiment, a hydraulic system 107 is used to
lo mechanically position the planetary polishing heads 18 of the riding floor
polishing
machine 10. As shown in FIG. 8, a hydraulic fluid reservoir 109 is provided
proximate the vehicle 16. The hydraulic fluid reservoir 109 is designed to
hold a
supply of hydraulic fluid (not illustrated), for operating the hydraulic
cylinder 25 to
move the support structure 22 horizontally along the boom 21. A hydraulic pump
110 is disposed proximate the hydraulic fluid reservoir 109. The hydraulic
pump
110 is connected to the hydraulic fluid reservoir 109 and to the hydraulic
cylinder
by means of hydraulic lines 108. The combustion engine 40 selectively engages
the hydraulic pump 110 to cause the hydraulic pump 110 to move hydraulic fluid
into and out of the hydraulic fluid reservoir 109 and pump the hydraulic fluid
to
2o and from the hydraulic cylinder 25 by means of the hydraulic lines 108. In
another embodiment, the hydraulic system 107 is also utilized to provide power
to
the steering functions of the vehicle 16. Of course, it will be understood by
those
skilled in the art that other devices, such as a pneumatic system, may be used
to
provide various power functions to the riding floor polishing machine 10
without
25 departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0034] Another embodiment of the power source 13' is schematically
illustrated in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, the power source 13' includes a
combustion engine 40 configured to mechanically power a hydraulic system 107.
The hydraulic system 107 includes a hydraulic fluid reservoir 109 designed to
hold
3o a supply of hydraulic fluid (not illustrated), and a hydraulic pump 110.
The
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hydraulic fluid is fed to the hydraulic pump 110 through cooperating hydraulic
lines 108. The combustion engine selectively engages the hydraulic pump 110 to
cause the hydraulic pump 110 to move hydraulic fluid into and out of the
hydraulic fluid reservoir 109 and pump the hydraulic fluid to and from the
vacuum motor 86, the motors 32 of the grinder assembly 12, and the hydraulic
cylinder 25. In this configuration, the hydraulic system 107 provides power to
operate the various components of the grinder assembly 12 and the dust
collection
device 36. Additionally, the combustion engine 40 includes a drive shaft 38
which
mechanically engages at least one of the wheels 44, 46 to propel the vehicle
16. In
another embodiment, the power source 13 includes a battery (not illustrated)
to
provide electrical power to operate the various functions of the riding floor
polishing machine 10. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that
other
devices and configurations suitable to provide the power source 13 exist, and
such
other devices and configurations are therefore intended for use without
departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0035] While the present invention has been illustrated by description of
several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described
in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict
or in any
way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional
advantages
and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The
invention in
its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details,
representative
apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described.
Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from
the
spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.
