PICK-UP HEAD WITH DEBRIS URGING MEANS FOR A MOBILE SWEEPER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to factory and sidewalk sweepers, and more particularly to pick-up heads for factory and sidewalk sweepers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Sidewalk sweepers and factory floor sweepers of various types are used to sweep debris in many different types of locations. Sidewalk sweepers are typically used to sweep sidewalks, parking lots, and so on, and must sweep along curbs and the sides of buildings in order to sweep dust and debris that is adjacent to the curbs and buildings. Factory floor sweepers are typically used to sweep aisle ways in factories and warehouses, and the like.

[0003] In each case, dusi, dirt and small debris typically pass under the front of the pick-up head and are suctioned into the interior of the pick-up head through its bottom opening. However, the bottom edge of the pick-up head at the front of the housing is only a very small distance above the surface being cleaned, perhaps one-eighth of an inch. Accordingly, only dust and very small debris can pass under it during use. Larger debris is plowed by the front of the pick-up head.

[0004] In most prior art sidewalk sweepers and factory floor sweepers, the large debris must get separately suctioned up typically by a manually manipulated vacuum wand connected to the same source of vacuum on the sidewalk sweeper or factory floor sweeper that suctions air through the pick-up head. This is undesirable for a number of reasons. Primarily, it is difficult for an operator to perform this function . Also, it is somewhat time consuming, which is undesirable. Further, the vacuum wand adds to the cost of the sidewalk sweeper or factory floor sweeper. Finally, it is also possible that debris plows over the housing or "falls off' the end of the housing and is missed, which is highly undesirable.

[0005] In other prior art sidewalk sweepers and factory floor sweeper, there is a front opening through wh ich the debris can pass; however, it is often the case that debris does not reach the front opening, but instead accumulates along the front of the pick-up head, or perhaps plows over the housing of the pick-up head or "falls off' the ends of the housing.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a pick-up head for use with a sidewalk sweeper or a factory floor sweeper.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a pick-up head for use with a sidewalk sweeper or a factory floor sweeper, which pick-up head has a debris receiving opening for accepting debris thereinto.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a pick-up head for use with a sidewalk sweeper or a factory floor sweeper, which pick-up head has a debris receiving opening for accepting large debris thereinto,

[0009] lf is another object of the present invention to provide a pick-up head for use with a sidewalk sweeper or a factory floor sweeper, wherein dust, dirt and debris are directed to a debris receiving opening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[00010] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel debris-plowing pick-up head for a mobile sweeper. The pick-up head comprises a housing defining a substantially hollow interior and having a front, a back, a left end and a right end, a top and a bottom, and a suctioning bottom opening for suctioning dust and small debris into the substantially hollow interior of the housing. A suctioning front opening is disposed in the front of the housing for receiving debris into the substantially hollow interior of the housing, in debris receiving relation with respect to a surface being cleaned. A selectively openable and closable door means operatively mounted on the pick-up head for selectively opening and closing the suctioning front opening. There is a dust and debris outlet in the housing for

permitting dust and debris to be suctioned from the substantially hollow interior of the housing into a hopper. There is also means disposed on the front of the housing for urging large debris toward the suctioning front opening, and a selectively operable actuation means for opening the door means for permitting the passage of debris therethrough.

[00011] 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 latier of which is briefly described herein below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00012] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the pick-up head for a mobile sweeper 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 the presently preferred embodiments 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.

[00013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the pick-up head according to the present invention, in use on 3 mobile sweeper vehicle;

[00014] Figure 2 is a top plan view of the first preferred embodiment pick-up head of Figure 1 , with a portion cut away for the sake of clarity;

[00015] Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the first preferred embodiment pick-up head of Figure 1 ;

[00016] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the pick-up head according to the present invention, in use on a mobile sweeper vehicle;

[00017] Figure 5 is a partially cut-away side elevational view of the third preferred embodiment pick-up head according to the present invention, in use on a mobile sweeper vehicle; and,

[00018] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the third preferred embodiment pick-up head of Figure 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00019] Referring to Figures 1 through 6 of the drawings, it will be noted that Figures 1 through 3 illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the pick-up head of the present invention, Figure 4 illustrates a second preferred embodiment of the pick-up head of the present invention, and Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a third preferred embodiment of the pick-up head of the present invention.

[00020] Reference will now be made to Figures 1 through 3, which show a first preferred embodiment of the debris plowing pick-up head for a mobile sweeper 22 according to the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 20. The pick-up heud 20 for a mobile sweeper 22 comprises a housing 30 defining a substantially hollow interior 31 and having a front 32, a back 33, a left end 34 and a right end 35, a top 36 and a bottom 37. There is a suctioning bottom opening 38 for suctioning dust and small debris, such as dirt and small stones, and the like, into the substantially hollow interior 31 of the housing 30. There is a dust and debris outlet 39 in the housing 30 for permitting dust and debris to be suctioned from the substantially hollow interior 31 of the housing 30 into a hopper 23 that is mounted at the back or the mobile sweeper 22, via a duct 26. The dust and debris outlet 39 is preferably disposed in the back 33 of the housing 30, so as to take advantage of the relative travel of debris with respect to the pick-up head 20 as the mobile sweeper 22 travels forwardly.

[00021] As can readily be seen in the figures, the housing 30 is tapered from a higher central portion 31 to a lower outer left portion 311 and a lower outer right portion 31r. Tapering the housing 30 in ihis manner permits sufficient air flow at the left and right ends 34,35 respectively, of the housing 30 to bo sufficient enough to suction dust and debris from the left and right ends 34,35 of the housing 30.

[00022] The pick-up head 20 further comprises a suctioning front opening 60 disposed in the front of the housing 30 for receiving debris into the substantially hollow interior 31 of the housing 30, and in debris receiving relation with respect to a surface being cleaned. Preferably, the suctioning front opening 60 is disposed generally centrally in the front of the housing 30. It will also be noted that the dust and debris outlet 39 is generally centrally disposed in the back of the housing 30, so as to be generally laterally aligned with the suctioning front opening 60. The suctioning front opening 60 needs to be large enough to accept large debris, such as most sizes of cans and bottles therethrough.

[00023] A selectively opcnable and closable door means 70 is operativery mounted on the pick-up head 20, at the suctioning front opening 60, for selectively opening and closing the suctioning front opening 60. The openable and closeable door means 70 comprises at least one door member mounted in hinged relation on the housing 30. In the first preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the openable and closeable door means 70 comprises a single door 70 mounted by means of a horizontally oriented top hinge 72. Preferably, the at least one door member 70 is mounted so as to open inwardly into the substantially hollow interior 31 of the housing 30. In this manner, the door member 70 opens in the same direction as the relative travel of debris with respect to the pick-up head 20 as the mobile sweeper 22 travels forwardly.

[00024] The pick-up head 20 further comprises means for urging large debris towards the suctioning front opening 60, as indicated by the general reference numeral 40. As can be readily seen in the figures, the means 40 for urging large debris towards the suctioning front opening is disposed in the front of the housing. Preferably, the means 40 for urging debris towards the suctioning front opening comprises a first debris transfer belt member 41 operativery mounted on the housing 30 to the right of the suctioning front opening 60 by means of a first pair of rollers 43. The means 40 tor urging debris towards the suctioning front opening further comprises a first motor means 45 for selectively moving the debris transfer belt 41, and thereby moving debris towards the suctioning front opening 60

[00025] The first debris transfer belt member 41 is preferably made from a flexible rubber material, and may be reinforced by flexible plastic strands, or the like, for the purpose of adding strength to the first debris transfer belt member 41. The first debris transfer belt member 41 comprises exterior ridges 47 for catching on the large debris that it encounters, with the exterior ridges 47 preferably being substantially vertically disposed, so as to be transversely oriented to the direction of travel of the first debris transfer belt member 41 at the front of the housing 30.

[00026] Preferably, the selectively operable motor means 45 comprises a hydraulic motor mounted on the bousing 30. Alternatively, any other suitable type of motor means could be used.

[00027] The means for urging debris towards die suctioning front opening comprises a second debris transfer belt member 42 operatively mounted on the housing 30 to the left of the suctioning front opening 60 by means of a second pair of rollers 44. The means for urging debris towards the suctioning front opening further comprises a second motor means 46 for selectively moving the debris transfer belt 42, and thereby moving debris towards the suctioning front opening 60.

[00028] The second debris transfer belt member 43 is similar to the first debris transfer belt member 41 , and the second motor means 46 is similar to the first motor means 45. There is also a second pair of rollers 44 that is similar to the first pair of rollers 43, and exterior ridges 48 on the second debris transfer beh member 43 that are similar to the exterior ridges 47 on the first debris transfer belt member 41.

[00029] In the first preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the means for urging debris towards the suctioning front opening 60 comprises a "V"-shaped front wall portion 32w of the housing 30. The suctioning front opening 60 further is disposed at the vertex of the "V"-shaped front wall portion 32w, so as to receive large debris that is pushed along the left and right front walls of the housing 30, as the mobile sweeper 22 travels forwardry.

[00030] In use, as the mobi Ie sweeper 22 travels forwardly, dust and debris on the surface being cleaned are encountered by the pick, up head 20. Any debris except very small debris that is encountered by the first and second left and fight debris belt members of housing 30, and is moved to the suctioning front opening 60, by the motion of the first and second debris belt members, as indicated by arrows "A" in the Figures.

[00031] As can readily be seen, with the pick-up head 20 according to the present invention, dust and very small debris that pass under the pick-up head 20 enter the substantially hoUow interior 31 of the pick-up head 20 through the suctioning bottom opening 38. In essence, the pickup head 20 according to the present invention separates the dust and very small debris from the larger debris, and causes them to take their separate routes m order to ultimately be suctioned up 1 his particular structure and function allows the pick-up head 20 to maintain proper and sufficient suctioning across the width of the housing 30

[00032] Reference will now be made to Figure 4, which shows a second preferred embodiment of the pick-up head according to the present invention, as indicated by reference numeral 220 The second preferred embodiment pick-up head 220 is similar to the first preferred embodiment pick-up head 20, except that the means for urging debris towards the suctioning front opening comprises a debris transfer vibrating pusher 240 operatively mounted on the housing 230 The means for urging debris towards the suctioning front opening further comprises means 241 for selectively vibrating the debris transfer vibrating pusher, thereby moving debris towards the suctioning front opening 260 Preferably, each debris transfer vibrating pusher 240 has a plurality of sloped teeth 242 extending forwardly therefrom, and oriented towards the suctioning front opening 260 The plurality of sloped teeth 242 tend to engage debris as the debris transfer vibrating pusher 240 is moving (oscillating) towards the suctioning front opening 260 and tend to pass by debris as it is moving (oscillating) away from the suctioning front opening 260, thus urging debris towards the suctioning front opening 260

[00033] it should also be noted that the pick-up head for a mobile sweeper according to the present invention can be used as part of a vacuum type system on a sidewalk sweeper or a factory floor sweeper, or as part of a re-circulating type system on a sidewalk, sweeper or a factory floor sweeper, as will now be discussed

[00034] Reference will now be made to Figures 5 and 6, which show a third preferred embodiment of the debris-plowing pick-up head according to the present invention, as indicated by reference numeral 320. The third preferred embodiment debris-plowing pick-up head 320 is similar to the first preferred embodiment debris-plowing pick-up head 20, except that it is used in a re-circulating type system on a sidewalk sweeper or a factory floor sweeper. As can be readily seen in Figures 5 and 6, the top covering 380 of the hopper 323 has a built in panel filter 382 at the back, and un filtered direct opening 384 to the ambient surroundings adjacent the panel filter 382. A recirculating air hose 386 has its inlet 387 at the top covering 380 of the hopper 323 and its outlet 388 in the pickup head to form a "closed loop" system with the fan 324. The fan 324 blows unfiltered air into the inlet 387 of the recirculating air hose 386, as indicated by arrow "A" This air is introduced into the pick-up head 320, as indicated by arrow "B", in order to help capture dust and debris within the pick-up head 320 The recirculating air, including the dust and debris, circulate through the duct 326, as indicated by arrow "C", and returned to the hopper 323, as indicated by arrow D", as drawn m by the fan 324.

[00035] A portion of the air from the fan 324 is bled off to the atmosphere, as controlled by flap valve 390, either through the panel filter 382, as is shown m Figure 5, or through the direct opening 384, as is shown itt figure 6 . A large gate valve 392 is mounted in hinged relation at the junction betwt-en the panel filter 382 and a direct opening 384 for movement between a first position, as shown in Figure 5, whereat all of the air flow that is bled off is directed through the panel filter 382 The large gate valve 392 seals against the slanted wall 394 in order to preclude air from escaping through the direct opening 384 This mode is used during dry sweeping in order to preclude dust from escaping to the atmosphere Circulation of only a substantial portion of the airflow significantly reduces the volume of air that must be filtered per unit time, which is a significant problem with vacuum type sweepers

[00036] In the event that sweeping must be performed in wet or damp conditions, there is no actual dust generated that needs to be controlled and captured, however, there is a wet airborne particulate that must be dealt with It is well known that this wet airborne particulate can readily clog a panel filter 382. Accordingly, the large gate valve 392 can be moved to the position as shown in Figure 6, whereat the panel filter 382 is covered, and there is a direct path for the flow of air that is bled off to the direct opening 384 to the ambient surroundings, thus precluding the panel filter 382 from becoming clogged

[00037] As can be understood from the above description and from the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides a pick-up head for use with a sidewalk sweeper or a factory floor sweeper, which pick-up head has a debris receiving opening for accepting large debris thereinto, and wherein dust, dirt and debris are directed to the debris receiving opening, all of which features are unknown in the prior an.

[00038] 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 sweeper of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.