Removable head mechanism for automatic cleaning device

A removable head mechanism, for use with a base having a base drive shaft extending therefrom, said base drive shaft defining a shoulder spaced inwardly from the end of said shaft, said head mechanism comprising:

• a hollow housing;
• a head drive shaft slidably mounted within said housing;
• a flexible arm mounted for movement with said head drive shaft and defining an inwardly extending foot at the end of said arm;
• and
• locking means for selectively moving said arm between an unlock position radially outwardly of the shoulder defined by said base drive shaft and a lock position in which said foot engages said shoulder when said head mechanism is mounted on said base.

An apparatus for transmitting powered motion to an operating member, said apparatus comprising:

• a base including a base drive shaft extending therefrom;
• means mounted in said base for reciprocating said base drive shaft axially;
• a removable head mechanism including a head drive shaft slidably mounted for axial movement within a hollow housing and operatively associated with said operating member;
• and,
• locking means for connecting said base drive shaft to said head drive shaft actuated solely by axial movement of said base drive shaft into said hollow housing of said head mechanism.

An apparatus for transmitting powered motion to an operating member, said apparatus comprising:

• a base including a base drive shaft extending therefrom, defining a shoulder spaced inwardly from the end of said base drive shaft;
• a removable head mechanism including a head drive shaft slidably mounted within a hollow housing;
• a flexible arm mounted for movement with said head drive shaft and defining an inwardly extending foot at the end of said arm;
• and
• locking means for selectively moving said arm between an unlock position radially outwardly of the shoulder defined by said base drive shaft and a lock position in which said foot engages said shoulder when said head mechanism is mounted on said base.

An apparatus for transmitting powered motion to a work-engaging member, said apparatus comprising:

• a housing defining a recess therein;
• a work-engaging member positioned within said recess;
• a drive shaft;
• means for operably connecting said drive shaft to said work-engaging member;
• a plate for covering said recess, said plate defining a bearing for receiving said work-engaging member;
• and
• a tab extending from said plate across the path of movement of said drive shaft, said drive shaft being received for movement through an opening defined in said tab.

A method of connecting a base, having a base drive shaft extending therefrom, to a removable head mechanism, comprising the steps of:

• axially inserting said base drive shaft into a hollow housing of said head mechanism, said base drive shaft being adapted for axial movement;
• axially extending said base drive shaft to a predetermined extended position;
• and
• responsive solely to axial movement of said base drive shaft, locking said base drive shaft to a head drive shaft slidably mounted for axial movement within said housing of said head mechanism.