RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is a non-provisional application claiming priority from United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/303,038 filed on February 10, 2010, which is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] The present invention relates to gutter brooms and gutter broom systems for use with surface cleaning vehicles such as street cleaning vehicles, sidewalk cleaning vehicles, and factory floor cleaning vehicles, and more particularly to such gutter brooms and gutter broom systems that clean a surface better than prior art gutter brooms and gutter broom systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Various types of surface cleaning vehicles, such as street cleaning vehicles, sidewalk cleaning vehicles and factory floor cleaning vehicles, typically use gutter brooms to sweep along curbs, against the sides of building walls, and the like. One significant problem with gutter brooms is that a thin layer of dirt, dust, and fine particulate matter often remains on the surface being cleaned after the gutter broom sweeps the surface. Further, dirt, dust, and fine particulate matter, are typically not removed from cracks and crevices, and the like. One reason that this problem is so significant is that the fine particulate matter, especially the fine particulate matter having a size of less than 10 microns, can readily become airborne subsequent to sweeping if the fine particulate matter is not captured as the gutter broom sweeps. It is well documented that such fine particulate matter is potentially hazardous to human health.

[0003] There are even gutter broom systems with a gutter broom disposed within a shroud that is connected in air suctioning relation to a source of air suctioning; however, such connection to a source of air suctioning merely removes airborne dust, and fine particulate matter. It does not remove dirt, dust, and fine particulate matter from a surface being cleaned.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a gutter broom system for use with a sweeping vehicle.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a gutter broom system for use with a sweeping vehicle, wherein the gutter broom system cleans a surface better than prior art gutter broom systems.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a gutter broom system for use with a sweeping vehicle, wherein the gutter broom system removes fine particulate matter having a size of less than 10 microns from a surface being cleaned.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a gutter broom system for use with a sweeping vehicle, wherein the gutter broom system removes dirt, dust, and fine particulate matter from cracks and crevices.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a gutter broom system for use with a sweeping vehicle, wherein the gutter broom system removes dirt, dust, and fine particulate matter from a surface being cleaned much better than gutter broom systems with a gutter broom disposed within a shroud that is connected in air suctioning relation to a source of air suctioning, for removal of dirt, dust, and fine particulate matter from a surface being cleaned.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a gutter broom system for use with a sweeping vehicle, wherein a blast of air is used to substantially remove a thin layer of dirt that often remains on the surface being swept after the gutter broom sweeps the surface. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[00010] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel gutter broom system for use on a surface cleaning vehicle. The gutter broom assembly comprises mounting means for mounting the gutter broom system on a surface cleaning vehicle. A gutter broom is operatively mounted in suspended relation from the mounting means. The gutter broom comprises a main structural body, a plurality of sweeping bristles depending from the main structural body, at least one opening in the main structural body for permitting a blast of air to pass through the main structural body as the gutter broom rotates. A motor is used to rotate the gutter broom. A gutter broom shroud is mounted in supported relation on the mounting means in surrounding relation to the gutter broom and defines a substantially hollow interior that receives the gutter broom. At least one air blast nozzle has an air outlet and is operatively mounted on one of the gutter broom shroud, the mounting means and the surface cleaning vehicle such that the air outlet is generally downwardly facing, for emitting a blast of air through the at least one opening in the main structural body towards the surface being cleaned, to thereby clean dirt from the surface being cleaned. A source of air flow is connected in air delivery relation to the at least one air blast nozzle.

[00011] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel gutter broom for use on a sweeping vehicle. The gutter broom comprises a main structural body, a plurality of sweeping bristles depending from the main structural body, and at least one opening in the main structural body for permitting a blast of air to pass through the main structural body as the gutter broom rotates.

[00012] 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

[00013] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the gutter broom and gutter broom system 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:

[00014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the gutter broom system according to the present invention, with the gutter broom shroud, the mounting arm assembly, and the air turbine not shown for the sake of clarity;

[00015] Figure 2 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment gutter broom system of Figure 1;

[00016] Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment gutter broom system of

Figure 1;

[00017] Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment gutter broom system of

Figure 1;

[00018] Figure 5 is a sectional side elevational view of the preferred embodiment gutter broom system of Figure 1, taken along section line 5-5 of Figure 2;

[00019] Figure 6 is a sectional side elevational view of the preferred embodiment gutter broom system of Figure 1, taken along section line 6-6 of Figure 2; and,

[00020] Figure 7 is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the gutter broom system according to the present invention, in use on a mobile sweeping vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[00021] Reference will now be made to Figures 1 through 6, which show a preferred embodiment of the gutter broom according to the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 30, and to Figure 7 which shows the gutter broom system according to the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 22.

[00022] The preferred embodiment gutter broom system 22 is for use on a surface cleaning vehicle

20 and, in brief, comprises a mounting means 22, a gutter broom 30 comprising a main structural body 31, a plurality of sweeping bristles 34, and at least one opening 33 in the main structural body 31, a motor 70 for rotating the gutter broom, a gutter broom shroud 60, at least one air blast nozzle 80, and a source of air flow 90 connected in air delivery relation to the at least one air blast nozzle 80.

[00023] More specifically, the preferred embodiment gutter broom system 22 comprises a mounting means for mounting the gutter broom system 22 on a surface cleaning vehicle 20. The mounting means comprises a mounting arm assembly 24 that permits the gutter broom system 22 to track the profile of the surface 23 being cleaned.

[00024] A gutter broom 30 is operatively mounted in suspended relation from the mounting arm assembly 24 for rotation about a gutter broom axis "G" that is close to vertical but is upwardly and forwardly tilted, as is well known in the industry. The gutter broom comprises a main structural body 31, and a plurality of sweeping bristles 34 depending from the main structural body 31. The sweeping bristles 31 are arranged in a plurality of four segments, specifically four segments, each segment being defined by an upper metal plate 39. The upper metal plates 39 are each secured to the main structural body 31 by a plurality of suitable bolts 39a, or by any other suitable means.

[00025] There is at least one opening 33 in the main structural body 31 for permitting a blast of air to pass through the main structural body 31 , as the gutter broom 30 rotates. The blast of air emanates from the air blast nozzle 80. In the preferred embodiment, the at least one opening 33 comprises a plurality of openings 33.

[00026] More specifically, the gutter broom 30 comprises an outer peripheral portion 32 preferably made from a suitable lightweight metal material. The plurality of sweeping bristles 34 depend from the outer peripheral portion 32. [00027] There is a central portion 36 having a central shaft-receiving aperture therein 38. The plurality of openings 33 are defined by the outer peripheral portion 32, the central portion 36, and the six connecting spokes 40 securely connecting together the outer peripheral portion 32 and the central portion 36.

[00028] The radial width of the openings 33 from the central portion 36 to the outer peripheral portion 32 should be only about the size of the blast of air travelling therethrough in order to help maximize the strength of the main structural body 31.

[00029] As illustrated, the connecting spokes 40 are each airfoil-shaped in cross section in order to reduce the resistance to air flow that is inevitably blown across them as the gutter broom 30 rotates.

[00030] A gutter broom shroud 60 is mounted in supported relation on the mounting arm assembly

24 in surrounding relation to the gutter broom 30 and defining a substantially hollow interior that receives the gutter broom 30. The gutter broom shroud 60 defines a broom-presenting side opening 62 disposed in laterally outwardly facing relation away from the surface cleaning vehicle 20, for permitting the bristles 34 of the gutter broom 30 to partially extend laterally therefrom away from the surface cleaning vehicle 20, for sweeping against substantially vertical surfaces, such as a curb. The gutter broom shroud 60 is connected in air delivery relation to a source of air suctioning, such as the main fan or turbine of the surface cleaning vehicle 20.

[00031] A motor for rotating the gutter broom 30 comprises a hydraulic motor 70, or alternatively an electric motor, mounted on top of the shroud 60. The drive shaft 72 of the hydraulic motor passes through an aperture 64 the gutter broom shroud 60 and is received in secure relation in the central shaft-receiving aperture 38 such that the hydraulic motor 70 can rotate the gutter broom 30.

[00032] There is also at least one air blast nozzle 80 for providing a blast of air to the surface being cleaned, generally behind the front portion of the gutter broom 30 that contacts the surface being cleaned. This contact area is typically expressed as being from about 10:30 to about 3:00, in analogy to a conventional analog clock, as is well known in the industry. [00033] In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the at least one air blast nozzle 80 comprises a single air blast nozzle 80 having an air outlet 82. The air blast nozzle 80, and more specifically the air outlet 82, have a width substantially greater than the lateral thickness of the at least one connecting spoke 40. In this manner, the blast of air from the air outlet 82 of the air blast nozzle 80 is only ever very partially blocked from blasting air onto the surface being cleaned.

[00034] The air blast nozzle 80 is operatively mounted on the gutter broom shroud 60, such that the air outlet 82 extends through a sealed opening 66 in the shroud so as to be generally downwardly facing, and in the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, is generally downwardly and forwardly facing.

[00035] Alternatively, the air blast nozzle could be operatively mounted on the mounting arm assembly 24 or the surface cleaning vehicle 20.

[00036] The air blast nozzle 80 is for emitting a blast of air through the plurality of openings 33 in the main structural body 31, as the gutter broom 30 rotates, towards the surface being cleaned, to thereby clean dirt from the surface being cleaned.

[00037] There is also a source of air flow connected in air delivery relation to the at least one air blast nozzle 80 via a hose 92. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the source of air flow comprises an air turbine 90, but could alternatively or additionally comprise a compressed air tank, or any other suitable source.

[00038] As can be understood from the above description and from the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides a gutter broom system for use with a sweeping vehicle, wherein the gutter broom system cleans a surface better than prior art gutter broom systems, wherein the gutter broom system removes fine particulate matter having a size of less than 10 microns from a surface being cleaned, wherein the gutter broom system removes dirt, dust, and fine particulate matter from cracks and crevices, wherein the gutter broom system removes dirt, dust, and fine particulate matter from a surface being cleaned much better than gutter broom systems with a gutter broom disposed within a shroud that is connected in air suctioning relation to a source of air suctioning, for removal of dirt, dust, and fine particulate matter from a surface being cleaned, and wherein a blast of air is used to substantially remove a thin layer of dirt that often remains on the surface being swept after the gutter broom sweeps the surface, all of which features are unknown in the prior art.

[00039] 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 pick-up head for a mobile surface cleaning vehicle of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.