Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02299657 2000-02-22
,,
CROSS
This application is a Continuation-In-Part of applicatic_-!
Serial Number 09/253,746, filed February 22, 1999.
FIELD OF T8E INVENTION
The present invention relates to surface cleaning vehicle
lc? such as street sweeping vehicles and factory floor sweepi~c
vehicles, and more particularly to such surface cleaning vehicles
that employ air to remove small particulate matter from the surface
being cleaned.
BAClCl3ROUND OF THE INVENTION
The removal of dirt and debris from streets, parking lots,
airport runways, factory floors, and other similar paved surfaces,
through the use of various types of street cleaning vehicles or
factory sweeping vehicles, as may be the case, has been known for
many years. For the sake of brevity, clarity and simplicity, such
vehicles will be generally referred to in this document as surface
cleaning vehicles.
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One type of conventional surface cleaning vehicle is known as
a surface sweeping vehicle, commonly referred to as a "sweeper".
In a mechanical surface sweeping vehicle, a pair of counter-
rotating disc type brushes, commonly called gutter brooms, sweep
dirt and debris inwardly to underneath the central area of the
sweeper and an elongate cylindrically-shaped sweeping broom than
rotates about a horizontal axis sweeps the dirt and debris onto a
conveyor. The conveyor deposits the dirt and debris into a hopper
for subsequent controlled dumping from the hopper. Such sweepers
can remove large amounts of dirt and debris from a paved surface
quite quickly and thoroughly, and can generally remove large pieces
of debris quite readily. However, they cannot remove dirt and
debris from significant depressions, cannot thoroughly clean a
paved surface, and cannot effectively remove fine particulate
i~~ matter from a surface.
A specific example of this type surface cleaning vehicle is
the Tennant Model 830 manufactured by Tennant Company, of
Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Model 830 employs a rotating broom
20 that throws dirt and debris into a "squeegee" type elevator for
deposit into a hopper. The elevator overthrows the dirt and debris
into a hopper behind the elevator. The filtration system is
located within the hopper, directly over the entire volume of the
hopper. Air from the hopper is drawn upwardly through the filters,
thus always creating a negative pressure within the hopper,
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elevator, and sweeping broom areas, and is expelled through a small
additional filter to the atmosphere. However, the Tennant Model
830 still cannot remove dirt and debris from significant
depressions, cannot thoroughly clean a paved surface, and cannot
effectively remove fine particulate matter from a surface.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface
cleaning vehicle that employs a mechanical debris loading means and
that sweeps the surface with a sweeping broom first and then cleans
ii; small particulate matter from the surface.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a
surface cleaning vehicle that employs a mechanical debris loading
means and that sweeps the surface with a sweeping broom first and
15 then cleans small particulate matter from the surface, without the
use of water for dust suppression.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a
surface cleaning vehicle that employs a mechanical debris loading
20 means and that can clean depressions and cracks.
SD~ARY OF' THE INVENTION
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In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a novel mechanical surface cleaning vehicle having a
front end, a back end, a debris retaining hopper, and defining a
medial longitudinal axis "L". The surface cleaning vehicle
comprises a cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom of width:
"WH" mounted on the vehicle for rotation about a horizontal axis of
rotation and to propel forwardly from a surface contacting segment
debris disposed on a contacted portion of a surface being cleaned,
the contacted portion being defined at its front by a leading edge,
1G thereby creating a forwardly propelled stream of debris. A
mechanical debris elevating means is mounted on the vehicle to
receive and retain the forwardly propelled stream of debris and
deposit the received and retained debris into the hopper. A
deflector flap means is disposed forwardly of the rotating sweeping
15 broom and adjacent the debris accepting lower end portion of the
mechanical debris elevating means, to receive at least a portion of
the forwardly propelled stream of debris and to deflect it upwardly
and forwardly onto the mechanical debris elevating means. An air
blast generating means is for effecting a blast of air that
20 forcefully impinges the surface behind the leading edge, thereby
propelling forwardly therewith fine debris disposed on the surface,
and that carries forwardly through the rotating sweeping broom and
egresses therefrom, to deflect forwardly and upwardly off the
deflector flap means and forwardly past the deflector flap means to
25 the mechanical debris elevating means.
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In accordance with another aspect of the present inventic.-..,
there is provided a novel mechanical surface cleaning vehic_e
having a front end, a back end, a debris retaining hopper, a~~
defining a medial longitudinal axis "L". The surface sweep=~_
_ vehicle comprises a cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom ~_
width "WB" mounted on the vehicle for rotation about a horizonta_
axis of rotation and to propel forwardly from a surface contacting
segment debris disposed on a contacted portion of a surface be_~~
cleaned, the contacted portion being defined at its front by _
1leading edge, thereby creating a forwardly propelled stream c=
debris. A mechanical debris elevating means is mounted on t~:e
vehicle to receive and retain the forwardly propelled stream ~_
debris and to deposit the received and retained debris into t~~
hopper. An air blast generating means is for effecting a blast o=
air that forcefully impinges the surface behind the leading edge of
the contacted portion thereby propelling forwardly therewith fire
debris disposed on the surface, and that carries through tie
rotating sweeping broom and egresses therefrom to the mechanica_
debris elevating means, exclusive of subsequent re-entry into the
lower portion of the rotating sweeping broom below the horizontal
axis of rotation prior to reaching the mechanical debris elevating
means.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a novel mechanical surface cleaning vehic=
CA 02299657 2000-02-22
having a front end, a back end, a debris retaining hopper, anc
defining a medial longitudinal axis "L". The surface sweeping
vehicle comprises a cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom of
width "WH" mounted on the vehicle for rotation about a horizontal
axis of rotation and to propel forwardly from a surface contacting
segment debris disposed on a contacted portion of a surface being
cleaned, the contacted portion being defined at its front by a
leading edge, thereby creating a forwardly propelled stream of
debris. A mechanical debris elevating means is mounted on the
vehicle to receive and retain the forwardly propelled stream of
debris and to deposit the received and retained debris into the
hopper. An air blast generating means is for effecting a blast of
air that forcefully impinges the surface behind the leading edge of
the contacted portion thereby propelling forwardly therewith fine
debris disposed on the surface, and that carries through the
rotating sweeping broom and egresses therefrom to the mechanical
debris elevating means, exclusive of subsequent impingement of the
surface prior to reaching the mechanical debris elevating means.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a novel mechanical surface cleaning vehicle
having a front end, a back end, a debris retaining hopper, and
defining a medial longitudinal axis "L". The surface sweeping
vehicle comprises a cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom of
width "WH" mounted on the vehicle for rotation about a horizontal
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CA 02299657 2000-02-22
axis of rotation and to propel forwardly from a surface contactir.~
segment debris disposed on a contacted portion of a surface bei~~
cleaned, the contacted portion being defined at its front by
leading edge, thereby creating a forwardly propelled stream c.
debris. A mechanical debris elevating means is mounted on t:.
vehicle to receive and retain the forwardly propelled stream c.
debris and to deposit the received and retained debris into t':~
hopper. An air blast generating means having a horizontal_-:
elongate air blast outlet of width "Wo" is disposed immediate=~:
rearwardly of the contacted portion of the surface for effecting ..--.
blast of air that forcefully impinges the surface behind tt~
leading edge of the contacted portion thereby propelling forward=;-
therewith fine debris disposed on the surface, and that carries
forwardly through the rotating sweeping broom and egresse_=
therefrom, to the mechanical debris elevating means.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the preser_=
invention, there is provided a novel mechanical surface cleanir_c
vehicle having a front end, a back end, a debris retaining hopper,
and defining a medial longitudinal axis "L". The surface sweepir.~
vehicle comprises a cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom c-_'
width "WH" mounted on the vehicle for rotation about a horizont~=
axis of rotation and to propel forwardly from a surface contactinc
segment debris disposed on a contacted portion of a surface beir-~~
cleaned, the contacted portion being defined at its front by _
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CA 02299657 2000-02-22
leading edge, thereby creating a forwardly propelled stream of
debris. A mechanical debris elevating means is mounted on the
vehicle to receive and retain the forwardly propelled stream of
debris and to deposit the received and retained debris into the
hopper. An air blast generating means is for effecting a blast of
air that forcefully impinges the surface behind the leading edge of
the contacted portion thereby propelling forwardly therewith fine
debris disposed on the surface, and that carries forwardly through
the rotating sweeping broom and egresses therefrom, and travels in
a path having a forward component along its entire length, to the
mechanical debris elevating means.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a novel mechanical surface cleaning
vehicle having a front end, a back end, a debris retaining hopper,
and defining a medial longitudinal axis "L". The surface sweeping
vehicle comprises a cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom of
width "WB" mounted on the vehicle for rotation about a horizontal
axis of rotation and to propel forwardly from a surface contacting
segment debris disposed on a contacted portion of a surface being
cleaned, the contacted portion being defined at its front by a
leading edge, thereby creating a forwardly propelled stream of
debris. A mechanical debris elevating means is mounted on the
vehicle with a debris accepting lower end portion disposed to
receive and retain the forwardly propelled stream of debris, and
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CA 02299657 2000-02-22
with an upper end portion disposed in debris depositing relation tc
the hopper. An air blast generating means is for effecting a blas~
of air that forcefully impinges in a substantially forward
direction the surface behind the leading edge of the contacted
portion, thereby propelling forwardly therewith debris disposed o~
the surface, and that carries through the rotating sweeping broo-.
and egresses therefrom, to the mechanical debris elevating means.
Other advantages, features and characteristics of the presen~
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 hereinbelow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Off THE DRA~PINGS
The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of
the mechanical surface cleaning vehicle 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
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CA 02299657 2000-02-22
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:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a first preferred
embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle according to the presen~
invention, with a portion of the side of the surface cleaninc
vehicle removed for the sake of clarity;
Figure lA is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of
the first preferred embodiment surface cleaning vehicle of Figure
1, with the air blast outlet aimed immediately behind the contacted
portion of the surface being cleaned, as contacted by the surface
contacting segment of the rotating sweeping broom;
Figure 1B is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of
the first preferred embodiment surface cleaning vehicle of Figure
1, with the air blast outlet aimed at the contacted portion of the
surface being cleaned, as contacted by the surface contacting
segment of the rotating sweeping broom;
CA 02299657 2000-02-22
Figure 2 is a sectional top plan view of a portion of the
first preferred embodiment surface cleaning vehicle of Figure 1,
taken along section line 2 - 2; and,
Figure 3 is a back end elevational view of a portion of the
first preferred embodiment surface cleaning vehicle of Figure 1,
showing air blast chute, but with the broom cover shroud omitteC
for the sake of clarity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED ~ODI~NT
Reference will now be made to Figures 1 through 3, which show
a first preferred embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle of the
present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 20.
The surface cleaning vehicle 20 has a front end 21 and a back end
22 and a generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis "L"
extending between said front and back ends 21,22. A debris
retaining hopper 25 is mounted on the surface cleaning vehicle 2C
immediately behind the cab 27.
Two conventional counter-rotating brushes 23 (only one shown)
are mounted on the surface cleaning vehicle 20 to brush debris from
a surface 24 being cleaned, such as a road surface, and to brush
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CA 02299657 2000-02-22
debris away from curbs and the like. In any event, the debris is
brushed inwardly toward the generally centrally disposed
longitudinal axis "L".
A cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom 30 of width
"WH" is mounted on the surface cleaning vehicle 20 mounting arms
(not shown) so as to be disposed laterally across the longitudinal
axis "L", of the street cleaning vehicle 20, for selective rota;.=on
about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation "H" by means of
suitable bearings (not shown) in road tracking relation, or in
other words, to have a surface contacting segment 30s, that engages
in sweeping relation a contacted portion 24c of the surface 24
being cleaned, and to propel forwardly debris disposed on the
contacted portion 24c of the surface 24 being cleaned, thereby
creating a forwardly propelled stream of debris. The contacted
portion 24c is defined by a leading edge 24t, a trailing edge 241,
a left side edge 241s, and a right side edge 24rs.
In the first preferred embodiment as illustrated, a mechanical
debris elevating means 38 comprises a mechanical debris elevator,
and has a debris accepting lower end portion 381 and an upper end
portion 38u. The mechanical debris elevator 38 is mounted on the
street cleaning vehicle 20 to be disposed rearwardly of the hopper
25 and forwardly of the sweeping broom 30, and is also disposed
laterally across the longitudinal axis "L" of the street sweeping
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CA 02299657 2000-02-22
vehicle 20, and such that the debris accepting lower end portico
381 is disposed immediately forwardly of the rotating sweepi-~
broom 30. In this manner, the mechanical debris elevator 38
mounted on the surface cleaning vehicle 20 to receive and reta__--
the forwardly propelled stream of debris and to deposit t~~
received and retained debris into the hopper 25. Mo=a
specifically, the mechanical debris elevator 38 is mounted on t::~
surface cleaning vehicle 20 to receive and retain, at its debr_=
accepting lower end portion 381, the forwardly propelled stream c=
debris propelled forwardly by the rotating sweeping broom 30, a_-_
such that the upper end portion 38u is disposed in debr'_=
depositing relation to the hopper 25. Debris that is mechanica_
debris elevator 38 is lifted by elevator paddles 39a up an elevate=
ramp 39b and is subsequently deposited into the hopper 2:,.
Alternatively, types of other mechanical debris elevating or
lifting means could be used.
A deflector flap means comprising a deflector flap 35 .__
secured to the bottom end 37 of the elevator ramp 39b of t3~e
mechanical debris elevator 38 so as to be disposed immediately
forwardly of and substantially parallel to the rotating sweepir_c
broom 30, and immediately rearwardly of the debris accepting lower
end portion 381 of the mechanical debris elevator 38. T3~e
deflector flap 35 receives at least a portion of the forwardlv
propelled stream of debris, and deflects the forwardly propeller
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stream of debris upwardly and forwardly onto the mechanical debris
elevator 38 at its debris accepting lower end portion 381. The
deflector flap 35 also substantially precludes the forwardly
propelled stream of debris from passing forwardly under the
mechanical debris elevator 38. Opposed left and right drag shoes
(not shown) are disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis
"L" and laterally border the sweeping broom 30 at its lateral ends
and also laterally border the ends of the mechanical debris
elevator 38.
The surface cleaning vehicle 20 further comprises a plurality
of panels, flaps, and seals forming a shroud 40 mounted on the
surface cleaning vehicle 20, so as to enclose within its interior
41 the rotating sweeping broom 30, the mechanical debris elevator
38, and seals to the hopper 25. The shroud 40 peripheral bottom
skirted edges 44 that substantially seal to the surface 24 being
cleaned.
An air blast generating means comprises a horizontally
elongate air blast outlet 50 and a main fan 52. The horizontally
elongate air blast outlet 50 is mounted on the surface cleaning
vehicle 20, so as to terminate in the shroud 40, and so as to be
disposed immediately rearwardly of the surface contacting segment
30s of the rotating sweeping broom 30, and therefore be disposed
immediately rearwardly of the contact portion 24c of the surface 2~
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CA 02299657 2000-02-22
being cleaned. As can be best seen in Figure 3, the horizontally
elongate air blast outlet 50 has a width "Wo" that is substantiali~-
coincident with the width "WB" best seen in Figure 1, the air blas~
outlet 50 is connected in fluid communication to an air flow supply-
comprising a main fan 52, so as to receive air therefrom, and tc
effect a blast of air into the interior 41 of the shroud 40, a~
will be discussed in greater detail subsequently. Alternatively,
an air compressor could be used in place of, or in conjunctic~
with, the main fan 52. In the first preferred embodiment, as
illustrated, the main fan 52 is mounted on the surface cleaninc
vehicle 20 towards the back end 22 thereof. The outlet 54 of the
main fan 52 is connected in fluid communication via a flexible pipe
56 with the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50. The inlet
58 of the main fan 52 is connected in fluid communication to the
interior 41 of the shroud 40 through an air supply pipe 60.
Further, the inlet 63 an auxiliary fan 64 is connected in fluid
communication to the air supply pipe 60 via an auxiliary pipe 66
through a filter 62, and the outlet 68 of the auxiliary fan 64 is
exhausted to the ambient surroundings. The purpose of the
auxiliary fan 64 is to reduce the ambient air pressure within the
interior 41 of the shroud 40, thus helping to preclude dust fros:
escaping.
The horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50 is positioned
immediately rearwardly of the rotating sweeping broom 30 and 's
CA 02299657 2000-02-22
oriented to effect a blast of air at the surface 24 behind the
leading edge 241 in a substantially forward direction. As is shoc,~~
in Figure lA, the air blast outlet 50 is positioned and orientec
such that the air blast impinges off a portion of the surface 2:
immediately behind the contacted portion 24c of the surface 2~,
which is contacted by the surface contacting segment 30s of tr=
rotating sweeping broom 30. As is shown in Figure 1B, the ai=
blast outlet 50 is positioned and oriented such that the air bla~=
impinges off the contacted portion 24c of the surface 24, which i_=
contacted by the surface contacting segment 30s of the rotatir.~
sweeping broom 30.
In any event, the blast of air thereby propels forwardl~
therewith fine debris disposed on the surface 24, and continues tc
flow forwardly and to carry forwardly through the rotating sweepinc
broom 30 and egresses therefrom. Further, the blast of air carries
through the rotating sweeping broom 30 exclusive of subsequent re-
entry into the lower portion of the rotating sweeping broom 3C
below the horizontal axis of rotation "H", and exclusive o_-'
subsequent impingement of the surface 24, prior to reaching the
mechanical debris elevator 38. The blast of air thereby propels
debris disposed on the surface 24 being cleaned forwardly into the
forwardly propelled stream of debris, thus augmenting the cleaning
of the surface 24. It can be seen that the cleaning of the surface
takes place in the pick-up head 40.
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After the air blast egresses from the rotating sweeping broom
30, .:. travels in a path having a forward component along =~s
entire length, and it deflects forwardly and upwardly off the
deflector flap 35, and continues forwardly past the deflector flap
35, to the mechanical debris elevator 38.
As can be best seen in Figure 1, the mechanical debris
elevator 38 is mounted on the surface cleaning vehicle 20 ~o
receive the forwardly propelled stream of debris propelled
forwardly by the rotating sweeping broom 30, as discussed
previously, and to receive the debris propelled forwardly by the
horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50, as indicated by arrow
~B" in Figure 1.
In use, the surface cleaning vehicle 20 travels forwardly and
debris passes under the drag flap 35 and under the mechanical
debris elevator 38, and is then swept forwardly by the rotating
sweeping broom 30 onto the mechanical debris elevator 38. Any fine
particle debris, or in other words dust, that is missed by the
rotating sweeping broom 30 is blown forwardly through the broom by
the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50, as is best seen in
Figures 1 through 3. The horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50
receives air from the main fan 52 through the flexible pipe 56, as
indicated by arrow "C" in Figure 1. The main fan 52, in turn,
draws air from the interior 41 of the shroud 40 immediately to the
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CA 02299657 2000-02-22
rear of the hopper 25, as indicated by arrow "D" in Figure 1. The
auxiliary fan 64 exhausts a portion of the air drawn from the
interior 41 of the shroud 40 to the atmosphere, as indicated by
arrow "E" in Figure 1, in order to have a negative pressure within
the shroud 40, thus precluding dust from being blown past the
surface contacting skirt 46 and out of the shroud 40.
Alternatively, it is contemplated that the air flow supply in
the mechanical surface cleaning vehicle according to the present
invention, the air flow supply that is connected in fluid
communication to the air blast outlet could comprise an air
compressor, or could comprise both a fan and an air compressor.
As can be understood from the above description and from the
accompanying drawings, the mechanical surface cleaning vehicle
according to the present invention achieves the combined advantages
of conventional prior art mechanical surface sweeping vehicles and
recirculating air type surface cleaning vehicles, which is
otherwise unknown in the industry. The present surface cleaning
vehicle sweeps the surface with a sweeping broom and loads into a
mechanical debris elevator, and cleans small particulate matter
from the surface, without the use of water for dust suppression.
Accordingly, end results are achieved, in terms of cleaning a
surface such as a street, which end results cannot be achieved by
conventional prior art surface sweeping or cleaning vehicles.
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Specifically, the mechanical surface cleaning vehicle according to
the present invention is the only surface cleaning that can clear.
heavy debris at a satisfactory travel speed and can simultaneously
clean fine debris, such as dust, without the aid of water for dust
suppression. Further, the present mechanical surface cleaning
vehicle uses very significantly less air than do prior art
recirculating air type surface cleaning vehicles, since the debris
is being moved mostly by the rotating sweeping broom, and thus uses
air far more efficiently. Accordingly, the present mechanical
surface cleaning vehicle is less noisy than prior art recirculating
air type surface cleaning vehicles, and experiences less wear than
prior art recirculating air type surface cleaning vehicles.
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 apparatus of the present
invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the
accompanying claims.
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