The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 20, 2001
Filed:
May. 26, 1999
Jeffrey John Beaufoy, Prior Lake, MN (US);
Kevin LeRoy Shinler, North Branch, MN (US);
Tennant Company, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
A surface cleaning machine includes a chassis, wheels for supporting the chassis and a motor for moving the chassis. There are cleaning implements mounted on the chassis and there is a steering mechanism for use by an operator for directing movement of the chassis. The steering mechanism includes an operator movable control assembly and a coupling connected to it for causing turning movement of one or more of the chassis wheels. The chassis includes a first mount for the control assembly and a drive connection between the first mount and the coupling. The chassis includes a second mount for the control assembly and a drive connection between the second mount and the coupling. There is an operator manipulable attaching element for connecting the control assembly to either the first mount whereby the operator may drive the machine from a position seated upon the chassis or to the second mount whereby the operator may drive the machine from a position walking behind the chassis.