A drive wheel assembly for a floor stripping machine permits a drive wheel to be selectively locked to and unlocked from a drive axle and reduces the quantity of debris that is able to accumulate on the tire of a wheel during a floor stripping operation.

Employing a microcomputer and a user interface to control the operation of various motors and a linear actuator of a floor stripper improves efficiency and effectiveness while reducing vibration and sound levels during a floor stripping operation.

An automated building washing device generally includes one or more rotational brushes having a vertical rotational axis coupled to a window washing swing stage. The brushes are horizontally movable from end-to-end along the longitudinal direction of a window washing swing stage while rotating about their vertical axis so that a relatively large portion of building surface can be quickly cleaned.

Dual-use flooring installation device with interchangeable tool-ends includes a pull bar defining a bend at a proximal end and a first connector at a distal end, the bend configured for engaging an end of a flooring material; and a wedge bar defining a wedge at a proximal end and a second connector at a distal end, the wedge configured for insertion between a wall surface or a cabinet surface and a flat material attached thereto. The device further includes a slide hammer unit comprising a hammer weight slidable about a shaft, the slide hammer unit defining an adaptor at a proximal end that is configured for removably attaching to one of the first connector of the pull bar and the second connector of the wedge bar. In a storage mode, the adaptor is disengaged from the pull bar and the wedge bar.

A facade gantry allows for close inspection of a facade using remotely operated cameras, probes, and/or sampling devices. These devices are located in a housing that is positioned in front of a facade by a system of cables, from which it is suspended, that allow for movement in any direction in a plane. Two cables are attached to the housing containing the sensors and tools and are wound onto two separate spools located on the roof at the vertical boundaries of the inspection area. By winding and unwinding these spools, the housing can be raised, lowered, and moved from side to side. The invention further has an optional “shed” located on the ground that protects pedestrians in the case of a suspension system failure. The shed moves to maintain a position directly under the housing. The gantry optionally allows for repair of the facade by using remotely operated repair tools.

A facade gantry allows for close inspection of a facade using remotely operated cameras, probes, and/or sampling devices. These devices are located in a housing that is positioned in front of a facade by a system of cables, from which it is suspended, that allow for movement in any direction in a plane. Two cables are attached to the housing containing the sensors and tools and are wound onto two separate spools located on the roof at the vertical boundaries of the inspection area. By winding and unwinding these spools, the housing can be raised, lowered, and moved from side to side. The invention further has an optional “shed” located on the ground that protects pedestrians in the case of a suspension system failure. The shed moves to maintain a position directly under the housing. The gantry optionally allows for repair of the facade by using remotely operated repair tools.

An industrial chimney for wet stack operation is provided with an internal lining system attached to the inner surface of the chimney. The internal lining system comprises construction elements, that are arranged in a pattern, such that the joints between the construction elements in the pattern at the flue gas side of the internal lining system are inclined at an angle α of at least 5 degrees from horizontal.

A carpet tile lifting apparatus is disclosed comprises a base plate and a base plate cover coupled to each other via a snap-fit locking mechanism. The base plate is provided with a front cutting edge in a form of a pointed spike to slide underneath the carpet tile. The apparatus comprises two wings coupled at either side of the base plate cover. Further, the wings comprise a first blade and a second blade coupled with each other. The apparatus comprises a housing coupled with the at least one wing. The housing encloses a plurality of wheels coupled to the housing via a first shaft. The first shaft is coupled to a first gear. The apparatus comprises at least one spiked roller coupled with the second shaft and interlocked between the first end and the second end of the housing.

A vertical joint system for substrates is formed with joints and which engaged by relative motion in a direction perpendicular to major surfaces and of the substrate. The joints are configured to enable relative rotation of up to 3 degrees while maintaining engagement of the joints. The joints and are further configured to form two locking planes one on each of the inner and outer most sides of the joint. Engagement about the locking planes is provided by transverse outward extending surfaces. At least one surface in each pair of engaging surfaces is smoothly curved. The joints and can be further arranged to provide a third locking plane parallel to and between the locking planes. The joints are disengaged by combination of a downward rotation of one joint relative the other then application of a downward force.

A floor stripping machine blade of a blade assembly has a leading edge, when the blade assembly is attached to a floor stripping machine, at an angle that is other than perpendicular to the direction of travel of the floor stripping machine, said angle of the blade's leading edge being fixed or adjustable.