This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority from United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/361,588 filed on July 6, 2010, which is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to street surface cleaning vehicles, sidewalk surface cleaning vehicles, and factory floor surface cleaning vehicles, and more particularly to street surface cleaning vehicles, sidewalk surface cleaning vehicles, and factory floor surface cleaning vehicles that can selectively regulate the airflow in the pickup head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] When using a surface cleaning vehicle having a debris pickup head to sweep a street, a sidewalk or a factory floor, it is common to encounter more debris on one side of the pickup head than on the other side of the pickup head. This is especially true when the left or right end of the pickup head is sweeping against a curb, in the case of a street surface cleaning vehicle, when sweeping against a sidewalk, in the case of a sidewalk surface cleaning vehicle, or when sweeping against a wall, in the case of a factory floor surface cleaning vehicle.

[0003] This is especially true when a gutter broom is involved sweeping debris from the curb of the street into the path of the pickup head, since significant amounts of debris are encountered. [0004] A significant consideration is that when sweeping large amounts of debris, the maximum speed at which a surface cleaning vehicle can sweep effectively is significantly reduced somewhat proportionally to the maximum amount of power available for suctioning up dust and debris. While surface cleaning vehicles tend to travel as quickly as they can in any given situation in order to minimize the time taken to get the job done, excessive debris necessarily slows down the operating speed of prior art surface cleaning vehicles. Obviously, in very light debris, a surface cleaning vehicle can travel more quickly and in very heavy debris, a surface cleaning vehicle must slow down significantly.

[0005] Very frequently, significant amounts of debris are encountered more on one side of the pick-up head as compared to the other side of the pickup head. For instance, when a street surface cleaning vehicle is sweeping against the curb of a street, the side of the pickup head that has its gutter broom sweeping against the curb will encounter significantly more debris than the other side of the pickup head; however, the amount of air flow being suctioned through each of the left and right halves of the pick-up head is roughly equivalent one to the other. Accordingly, the airflow on the side of the pickup head that is not encountering significant amounts of debris is often much greater than is necessary, thus leaving an "untapped" source of air suctioning during unbalanced debris suctioning.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaning vehicle having a pickup head that has controlled use of suction of air flow used for debris and dust suctioning.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaning vehicle having a pickup head that has controlled use of suction of air flow used for debris and dust suctioning, wherein the surface cleaning vehicle can maintain a faster travelling speed during the sweeping of heavy debris. [0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaning vehicle having a pickup head that has controlled use of suction of air flow used for debris and dust suctioning, wherein the surface cleaning vehicle can maintain a faster travelling speed during the sweeping of heavy debris.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaning vehicle having a pickup head that has controlled use of suction of air flow used for debris and dust suctioning, wherein the surface cleaning vehicle can maintain a faster travelling speed during the sweeping of heavy debris on one side of the pick-up head.

[00010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaning vehicle having a pickup head that has controlled use of suction of air flow used for debris and dust suctioning, wherein the surface cleaning vehicle can maintain a faster travelling speed during the sweeping of heavy debris on one side of the pick-up head.

[00011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaning vehicle having a pickup head that has controlled use of suction of air flow used for debris and dust suctioning, wherein the airflow in the pick-up head may be controlled to be greater on one side of the pick-up head and lesser on the other side of the pick-up head.

[00012] It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaning vehicle having a pickup head that has controlled use of suction of air flow used for debris and dust suctioning, wherein there is no significantly "untapped" source of airflow suctioning in the pickup head during unbalanced debris suctioning.

[00013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaning vehicle having a pickup head that has controlled use of suction of air flow used for debris and dust suctioning, wherein the surface cleaning vehicle is superior at cleaning debris at curbs at higher travel speeds than prior art surface cleaning vehicles. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[00014] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel air-flow controlling pick-up head for use with a surface cleaning vehicle. The air-flow controlling pick-up head comprises a main shroud extending between a left end and a right end. The main shroud has dust and debris outlet disposed between the left end and the right end, a substantially hollow interior and a bottom opening. A first baffle is disposed within the substantially hollow interior of the main shroud. The first baffle is movable to any selected one of a plurality of flow positions, including a full flow position and a minimized flow position. A first control mechanism is connected to the first baffle for permitting selective control of the flow position of the first baffle.

[00015] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter of which is briefly described herein below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00016] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus according to the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:

[00017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus according to the present invention;

[00018] Figure 2 is a sectional front elevational view of the first preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of Figure 1, taken along section line 2-2 of Figure 1, with both the left baffle and the right baffle in a full flow position;

[00019] Figure 3 is a top plan view partly cut away of the first preferred embodiment airflow controlling pick-up head apparatus of Figure 1, with both the left baffle and the right baffle in a full flow position;

[00020] Figure 4 is a sectional front elevational view of the first preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of Figure 1 , taken along section line 2-2 of Figure 1 , with the left baffle (from an operator's reference) in a reduced flow position and the right baffle (from an operator's reference) in a full flow position;

[00021] Figure 5 is a top plan view partly cut away of the first preferred embodiment airflow controlling pick-up head apparatus of Figure 1, with the left baffle (from an operator's reference) in a reduced flow position and the right baffle (from an operator's reference) in a full flow position;

[00022] Figure 6 is a sectional front elevational view similar to Figure 2, taken along section line 2-2 of Figure 1, and additionally showing arrows representing the amount of suctioning air flow in both the left half and the right half of the pick-up head; [00023] Figure 7 is a sectional front elevational view similar to Figure 4, and additionally showing arrows representing the amount of suctioning air flow in both the left half and the right half of the pick-up head;

[00024] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus according to the present invention;

[00025] Figure 9 is a sectional front elevational view of the second preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus according to the present invention, taken along section line 9-9 of Figure 8, with the lone baffle in a full flow position;

[00026] Figure 10 is a sectional front elevational view partly cut away of the second preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of Figure 9, with the lone baffle in a reduced flow position and additionally showing arrows representing the amount of suctioning air flow in both the left half and the right half of the pick-up head;

[00027] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the third preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus according to the present invention;

[00028] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the fourth preferred embodiment of the airflow controlling pick-up head apparatus according to the present invention;

[00029] Figure 13 is a sectional front elevational view partly cut away of the fourth preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of Figure 12, with the right baffle (from an operator's reference) in a full flow position and the left baffle (from an operator's reference) in a full flow position and additionally showing arrows representing the amount of suctioning air flow in both the left half and the right half of the pick-up head; [00030] Figure 14 is a sectional front elevational view partly cut away of the fourth preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of Figure 12, with the right baffle (from an operator's reference) in a reduced flow position and the left baffle (from an operator's reference) in a full flow position and additionally showing arrows representing the amount of suctioning air flow in both the left half and the right half of the pick-up head;

[00031] Figure 15 is a perspective view of the fifth preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus according to the present invention;

[00032] Figure 16 is a sectional front elevational view partly cut away of the fifth preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of Figure 15, with the right baffle (from an operator's reference) in a full flow position and the left baffle (from an operator's reference) in a full flow position and additionally showing arrows representing the amount of suctioning air flow in both the left half and the right half of the pick-up head; and,

[00033] Figure 17 is a sectional front elevational view partly cut away of the fifth preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of Figure 15, with the right baffle (from an operator's reference) in a reduced flow position and the left baffle (from an operator's reference) in a full flow position and additionally showing arrows representing the amount of suctioning air flow in both the left half and the right half of the pick-up head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00034] Referring to Figures 1 through 17 of the drawings, it will be noted that Figures 1 through 7 illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of the present invention, Figures 8 through 10 illustrate a second preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of the present invention, Figure 11 illustrates a third preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of the present invention, Figures 12 through 14 illustrate a fourth preferred embodiment of the airflow controlling pick-up head apparatus of the present invention, and Figures 15 through 17 illustrate a fifth preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of the present invention.

[00035] Reference will now be made to Figures 1 through 7, which show a first preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 20. The air-flow controlling pick-up head 20 is for use with a surface cleaning vehicle 22.

[00036] The air-flow controlling pick-up head 20 comprises a main shroud 30 extending between a left end 32 and a right end 34. The main shroud 30 has a ceiling 36 and perimeter walls 38 depending from the ceiling 36, a substantially hollow interior 40, a bottom opening 42, and is closed off at the left end 32 and a right end 34. The bottom opening 42 is defined by the bottom edge of the perimeter walls. The main shroud 30 also has a dust and debris outlet 44 disposed between the left end 32 and the right end 34. Preferably, the dust and debris outlet 44 is generally centrally disposed between the left end 32 and the right end 34 of the main shroud 30 in order to minimize the maximum distance from each of the left end 32 of the shroud and the right end 34 of the shroud 30 to the dust and debris outlet 44.

[00037] A first baffle 51 is disposed within the substantially hollow interior 40 of the main shroud 30. The first baffle 51 is disposed between the dust and debris outlet 44 and one of the left end 32 and the right end 34 of the main shroud 30. In the first preferred embodiment as illustrated, the first baffle 51 is disposed between the dust and debris outlet 44 and the left end 32 of the main shroud 30. [00038] The first baffle 51 is mounted on the main shroud 30, specifically on the ceiling 36 of the main shroud 30, by means of a hinge 53 for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis "HI", as indicated by arrow "F". As can readily be seen in Figures 1 through 7, the first baffle 51 extends from the hinge 53 toward the dust and debris outlet 44. Accordingly, any debris being suctioned from the left side of the main shroud 30 will not get caught in the first baffle 51 , but instead can deflect off or flow past the first baffle 51.

[00039] The first baffle 51 is movable to any selected one of a plurality of flow positions, including a full flow position, as is best seen in Figures 1 through 3 and 6, and a minimized flow position, as is best seen in Figures 4, 5 and 7. When the first baffle 51 is in the full flow position, the air flow path from left side of the shroud to the dust and debris outlet 44 is fully open. Accordingly, maximum amount of dust and debris laden air 50 can flow from the left side of the main shroud 30. When the first baffle 51 is in the minimized flow position, the air flow path from left side of the main shroud 30 to the dust and debris outlet 44 is largely blocked. Accordingly, a minimum amount of dust and debris laden air 50 can flow from the left side of the main shroud 30 to the dust and debris outlet 44.

[00040] There is also a first control mechanism 60 connected to the first baffle 51 for permitting selective control of the flow position of the first baffle 51. In the first preferred embodiment as illustrated, the first control mechanism 60 comprises a hydraulic pump 62, a hydraulic valve 64, and a manually operable hydraulic solenoid 66. The hydraulic pump 62 and the hydraulic valve 64 can be mounted within the surface cleaning vehicle 22,or on the main shroud 30 or can be mounted in any suitable location on the surface cleaning vehicle that the airflow controlling pick-up head 20 is mounted to. The manually operable hydraulic solenoid 66 is mounted adjacent the first baffle 51 and is controlled by the operator of the surface cleaning vehicle via a manually operable proportional control in cab of the surface cleaning vehicle.

[00041] There is also a second baffle 52 disposed within the substantially hollow interior 40 of the main shroud 30. The second baffle 52 is disposed between the dust and debris outlet 44 and the other of the left end 32 and the right end 34 of the main shroud 30, as compared to the first baffle 51. In the first preferred embodiment as illustrated, the second baffle 52 is disposed between the dust and debris outlet 44 and the right end 34 of the main shroud 30.

[00042] The second baffle 52 is mounted on the main shroud 30, specifically on the ceiling 36 of the main shroud 30, by means of a hinge 54 for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis "H2", as indicated by arrow "S". As can readily be seen in Figures 1 through 7, the second baffle 52 extends from the hinge 54 toward the dust and debris outlet 44. Accordingly, any debris being suctioned from the right side of the main shroud 30 will not get caught in the second baffle 52, but instead can deflect off or flow past the second baffle 52.

[00043] The second baffle 52 is movable to any selected one of a plurality of flow positions, including a full flow position, as is best seen in Figures 1 through 3 and 6, and a minimized flow position, which is not shown for the second baffle 52, but is the same as for the first baffle 51 as is best seen in Figures 4, 5 and 7. When the second baffle 52 is in the full flow position, the air flow path from right side of the shroud to the dust and debris outlet 44 is fully open. Accordingly, maximum amount air laden with dust and debris can flow from the right side of the main shroud 30. When the second baffle 52 is in the minimized flow position, the air flow path from right side of the shroud to the dust and debris outlet 44 is largely blocked. Accordingly, a minimum amount dust and debris laden air 50 can flow from the right side of the shroud to the dust and debris outlet 44.

[00044] There is also a second control mechanism 68 connected to the second baffle 52 for permitting selective control of the flow position of the second baffle 52. In the first preferred embodiment as illustrated, the second control mechanism 68 comprises a hydraulic pump, specifically the hydraulic pump 62 that is part of the first control mechanism 60, a hydraulic valve 65 and a manually operable hydraulic solenoid 69. The manually operable hydraulic solenoid 69 is mounted adjacent the second baffle 52 and is controlled by the operator via a manually operable proportional control in cab of the surface cleaning vehicle. [00045] In use, as can be seen in Figures 6 and 7, the relative air flows past the first baffle 51 and the second baffle 52 are shown. As shown in Figure 6, the first baffle 51 and the second baffle 52 are in their respective full flow positions, as indicated by the size of the arrow "A", in order to maximize the overall suctioning of dust and debris into the shroud and then into the dust and debris outlet 44. As shown in Figure 7, the first baffle 51 is in the reduced flow position. Accordingly, the flow of dust and debris laden air 50 is significantly reduced, as indicated by the size of the arrow "B". Correspondingly, the flow of debris laden air past the second baffle 52 is significantly increased, as indicated by the size of the arrow "C".

[00046] Reference will now be made to Figures 8 through 10, which show a second preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 220. The second preferred embodiment airflow controlling pick-up head 220 is similar to the first preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus 20 except that the second preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head 220 has a covered gutter broom 229 built into the main shroud 230 of the air-flow controlling pick-up head 220. Further, the second preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head 220 has a first baffle 251, but does not have a second baffle. The first baffle 251 is disposed between the generally centrally disposed dust and debris outlet 244, and therefore is used to control the flow of dust and debris laden air 250 from the left side of the main shroud 230 to the dust and debris outlet 244. The second preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head 220 is used in situations where curbs will be encountered on the right side of the surface cleaning vehicle 222 and the operator is concerned with encountering heavy debris on the right side of the surface cleaning vehicle 222 only. Accordingly, a maximized flow of air will be required on the right side of main shroud 230 only.

[00047] Reference will now be made to Figure 11, which shows a third preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 320. The third preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head 320 is similar to the first preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus 20 except that the third preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pickup head 320 has a left air-blast nozzle 326 and a right air-blast nozzle 325, which are part of the recirculating air system of the third preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head 320. The first baffle 351 and the second baffle 352 are structured in the same manner and operate in the same manner as the first baffle 51 and the second baffle 52 in the first preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus 20.

[00048] Reference will now be made to Figures 12 through 14, which show a fourth preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 420. The fourth preferred embodiment airflow controlling pick-up head 420 is similar to the first preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus 20 except that in the fourth preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head 420 the first baffle 451 is mounted within a first upwardly extending encasing portion 431 on the main shroud 430, specifically on the ceiling 436 of the main shroud 430, for vertical linear movement as indicated by arrow "D".

[00049] There is also a first control mechanism 460 connected to the first baffle 451 for permitting selective control of the flow position of the first baffle 451. In the fourth preferred embodiment as illustrated, the first control mechanism 460 comprises a hydraulic pump 462, a manually operable hydraulic valve 464, and a hydraulic solenoid 466. The hydraulic pump 462 and the hydraulic valve 464 can be mounted within the surface cleaning vehicle, or on the main shroud 430 or can be mounted in any suitable location on the surface cleaning vehicle that the air-flow controlling pick-up head 420 is mounted to. The manually operable hydraulic valve 466 is mounted on top of the first upwardly extending encasing portion 431 and is controlled by the operator of the surface cleaning vehicle 422 via a manually operable proportional control in cab of the surface cleaning vehicle 422. [00050] Similarly, there is a second baffle 452 is mounted within a second upwardly extending encasing portion 432 on the main shroud 430, and a second control mechanism 468 comprising a specifically the hydraulic pump 462 that is part of the first control mechanism 460, a hydraulic valve 465 that is part of the first control mechanism 460, and a manually operable hydraulic solenoid 469 mounted on the second upwardly extending encasing portion 432. The second baffle 452 operates in the same manner as the first baffle 451 and the second control mechanism 468 operates in the same manner as the first control mechanism 460.

[00051] The first baffle 451 is movable to any selected one of a plurality of flow positions, including a full flow position, as is best seen in Figure 13, and a minimized flow position, as is best seen in Figure 14. The second baffle 452 is similar. When the first baffle 451 is in the full flow position, the air flow path from right side of the shroud to the dust and debris outlet 444 is fully open. Accordingly, a split amount of dust and debris laden air 450 can flow from the right side of the main shroud 430, as shown in Figure 13. Similarly, when the second baffle 451 is in the full flow position, the air flow path from left side of the shroud to the dust and debris outlet 444 is fully open. Accordingly, a split amount of dust and debris laden air 450 can flow from the right side of the main shroud 430, as shown in Figure 13.

[00052] When the first baffle 451 is in the minimized flow position, as shown in Figure 14, the air flow path from left side of the main shroud 430 to the dust and debris outlet 444 is largely blocked. Accordingly, a minimum amount of dust and debris laden air 450 can flow from the left side of the main shroud 430 to the dust and debris outlet 444. Correspondingly, the air flow path from right side of the main shroud 430 to the dust and debris outlet 444 is still fully open, and a maximum amount of dust and debris laden air 450 can flow from the left side of the main shroud 430 to the dust and debris outlet 444.

[00053] Reference will now be made to Figures 15 through 17, which show a fifth preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 520. The fifth preferred embodiment air- flow controlling pick-up head 520 is similar to the first preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus 20 except that in the fifth preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head 520, the left end 532 and a right end 534 of the shroud 530 are each open to permit the entry of air, dust and debris therein. Further, the first baffle 551 is mounted adjacent the right end 534 of the shroud 530, and the second baffle 552 is mounted adjacent the left end 532 the shroud 530.

[00054] As can be understood from the above description and from the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides a surface cleaning vehicle having a p+ickup head that has controlled use of suction of air flow used for debris and dust suctioning, wherein the surface cleaning vehicle can maintain a faster travelling speed during the sweeping of heavy debris, wherein the surface cleaning vehicle can maintain a faster travelling speed during the sweeping of heavy debris, wherein the surface cleaning vehicle can maintain a faster travelling speed during the sweeping of heavy debris on one side of the pick-up head, wherein the surface cleaning vehicle can maintain a faster travelling speed during the sweeping of heavy debris on one side of the pick-up head, wherein the airflow in the pick-up head may be controlled to be greater on one side of the pick-up head and lesser on the other side of the pick-up head, and wherein there is no significantly "untapped" source of airflow suctioning in the pick-up head during unbalanced debris suctioning, wherein the surface cleaning vehicle is superior at cleaning debris at curbs at higher travel speeds than prior art surface cleaning vehicles, all of which features are unknown in the prior art.

[00055] Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such variations are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Further, other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the air-flow controlling pick-up head of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.