Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ANA A
TITLE: SURFACE CLEANING VEHICLE WITH HIGH AIR EFFICIENCY
INVENTOR: ROGER VANDERLINDEN
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to surface cleaning vehicles,
and more particularly to vacuum type surface cleaning vehicles and
recirculating air type surface cleaning vehicles.
OF THE INVENTION
1O 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 cleaning vehicles, as may be the case, has been known for
many years. For the sake of brevity, clarity and simplicity, such
1'_-~ vehicles will be generally referred to in this document as surface
cleaning vehicles . It is common to use a vacuum air type system or
a recirculating air type system to remove dirt and debris from
depressions, to thoroughly clean a paved surface, and to capture
and contain fine particulate matter, such as dust. However, known
vacuum air type systems and recirculating air type systems have
serious drawbacks associated with them, as will be discussed
subsequently.
Vacuum air type systems typically employ a pair of opposed
''~ gutter brooms disposed one broom toward each of the left and right
sides of the vehicle in spaced apart relation across the width of
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the vehicle or an angled windrow sweeping broom disposed across the
width of the vehicle to sweep dirt and debris into a narrow
corridor. A vertically disposed vacuum hose is securely connected
at its open top end in fluid communication with a debris receiving
':~ hopper. The air flow in the vacuum hose is generated by a high
capacity fan mounted on the opposite side of the hopper and
exhausted to the ambient surroundings . The vacuum hose is securely
connected at its open bottom end to the top of the pick-up head, so
as to be in fluid communication with the pick-up head through an
i~.; opening in the top of the pick-up head. The downwardly facing open
bottom end of the vacuum chute is disposed a few inches from the
surface being cleaned in parallel relation thereto, and essentially
passes over the dirt and debris swept to the narrow corridor.
1~~ Air in the pick-up head is drawn over the dirt and debris to
the open bottom end of the vacuum chute, whereat it abruptly
changes direction, to suddenly ascend at at high rate of speed into
the open bottom end of the vacuum chute. The high rate of
ascension of this air into the vacuum chute is the sole means to
%:~.~ effect lifting of the otherwise substantially stationary dirt and
debris, which is extremely inefficient. Further, the open end of
the vacuum chute must be disposed at an elevation higher than the
size of most debris, which elevation is too high for the vacuum
hose to be highly effective in picking up dirt and debris, except
at undesirably slow travel speeds. Accordingly, surface cleaning
vehicles employing vacuum air type systems typically are only
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effective in certain situations, such as to pick up light debris or
small amounts of fine debris.
In a recirculating air type system, a full width one-piece
pick-up head, typically about five to seven feet in width and
having a flexible peripheral skirt, is driven over the surface to
be cleaned, with the skirt in continuous contact with the surface.
A powerful stream of substantially clean air -- or in other words
air that is substantially free of debris and dust, as will be
l'~~ discussed in greater detail subsequently -- is generated by a high
capacity fan and is fed back into the one-piece pick-up head
through a large diameter supply hose. The bottom end of the supply
hose is attached to an inlet disposed at one end of the one-piece
pick-up head, and terminates a few inches from the surface being
i~~ cleaned in facing relation thereto. Turning vanes, typically
comprising a set of curved plates, redirect the air blown into the
inlet of the one-piece pick-up head through a forwardly facing full
width air blast slot substantially towards the opposite other side
of the pick-up head so as to blast dirt and debris from the surface
being cleaned and direct it to the opposite other end of the pick-
up head. The dirt and debris reaching the other end of the one-
piece pick-up head impact against the other end of the pick-up head
and are then abruptly drawn upwardly into a large diameter suction
hose, by means of the same high capacity fan. A significant amount
~'= of dirt and debris are deposited into a hopper. Dust laden air is
drawn from the hopper through a centrifugal separator that removes
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virtually all of the remaining dust from the air stream. The
centrifugally cleaned air is fed back into the one-piece pick-up
head, as discussed above.
As is well known in the industry, the air flow used to blast
the dirt and debris from a surface being cleaned and subsequently
lift the dirt and debris into the hopper is generated solely by a
single fan. Further, the generated air flow changes direction
significantly many times. Accordingly, recirculating air type
street sweepers tend to be inefficient in heavy debris, and must be
operated at significantly slower travel speeds than mechanical
street sweepers, which is highly undesirable. Further, they tend
to experience excessive wear due to the number of severe
directional changes of the debris laden air flow. Also, since
1.:~ recirculating air type systems are inefficient and therefore must
use a very high capacity fan, they tend to be unacceptably noisy.
Additionally, such recirculating air type systems have a
cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom disposed within the
:r_:'~' pick-up head. The sweeping broom sweeps dirt and debris forwardly,
so as to forcefully impact against the front wall of the pick-up
head, thus stopping the debris from travelling forwardly, thereby
losing any forward momentum of the debris. Accordingly, a
significant amount of energy is expended by means of the rotating
"~ sweeping the broom moving the dirt and debris at a higher rate of
speed a few inches only, which is a very wasteful.
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Also, due to the suddenness of the directional changes, prior
art recirculating type systems tend experience extreme and
premature wear of the various components that are impacted by the
dust and debris laden stream of air. It is well known that the
ongoing cost of replacing debris-worn parts on recirculating type
systems is prohibitively expensive.
One known prior art sweeper has a small rotating broom
i':; disposed within a pick-up head disposed at the rear of the vehicle.
Three large diameter air input hoses enter the pick-up head through
the top and are in fluid communication with an air blast nozzle in
the interior of the pick-up head. The air blast nozzle provides a
forceful stream of air that blows onto the ground, whereat the
1~-; stream of air impacts the ground and changes direction abruptly to
travel forwardly and pass through the rotating sweeping broom. The
forwardly travelling stream of debris impacts the front wall of the
pick-up head. The air is then abruptly suctioned upwardly by two
large suction hoses in fluid communication with the interior of the
pick-up head through the top of the pick-up head. The significant
and abrupt changes in direction of the air stream result in
extremely inefficient use of air, which is evidenced by the fact
that a very powerful two hundred horsepower engine is required to
power the sweeper, yet this sweeper has difficulty travelling
%~~ quickly when required to remove significant amounts of debris from
a surface.
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It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface
cleaning vehicle that employs a vacuum air type system or a
recirculating air type system, wherein the air flow into and in the
pick-up head is precluded from making sudden and abrupt changes in
direction.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface
cleaning vehicle that employs a vacuum air type system or a
recirculating air type system, wherein the open bottom end of the
vacuum hose is not downwardly facing.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface
cleaning vehicle that employs a vacuum air type system or a
recirculating air type system, wherein the open bottom end of the
1~ vacuum hose receives debris directly thereinto from the sweeping
broom.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface
cleaning vehicle that employs a recirculating air type system,
%!.- wherein the pick-up head is not required to be in substantially
sealed relation with the surface being cleaned.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface
cleaning vehicle that employs a vacuum air type system or a
recirculating air type system that requires significantly less
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airflow than do prior art vacuum air type or recirculating air type
systems.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface
cleaning vehicle that employs a recirculating air type system that
has significantly fewer wear problems than do prior art
recirculating air type systems.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface
lc; cleaning vehicle that employs a vacuum air type system or a
recirculating air type system, wherein the surface cleaning vehicle
can travel forwardly at an acceptable speed during removal of
significant amounts of debris from a surface.
1~
S~J~1ARY OF TBE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there
is disclosed a novel surface cleaning vehicle defining a medial
%'~' longitudinal axis and having a debris retaining hopper. The
surface cleaning vehicle comprises a debris propulsion means of
width "WD" for effecting a forwardly propelled stream of debris
from a contacted portion of a surface being cleaned. A debris
chute has a substantially rearwardly facing inlet of width "Wi" and
height "Hi" that is positioned and oriented to receive the
forwardly propelled stream of debris thereinto and that is
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connected in fluid communication via an interior passage with an
elevated outlet. An airflow effecting means is provided to effect
a flow of air in the interior passage of the debris chute from the
inlet to the outlet, thereby augmenting travel of the forwardly
': propelled stream of debris along the interior passage of the debris
chute toward the outlet and into the hopper.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is disclosed a novel surface cleaning and debris loading
1':- apparatus for use in a surface cleaning vehicle. The surface
cleaning and debris loading apparatus comprises an open-bottom hood
means defining a front end, a back end, and an interior, and an
outlet disposed at the front end of the hood means for permitting
the egress of debris from the hood means. A debris propulsion
~5 means of width "WD" is provided for effecting a forwardly propelled
stream of debris from a contacted portion of a surface being
cleaned disposed directly under the hood means. A debris chute has
a substantially rearwardly facing inlet of width "Wi" and height
"Hi" that is positioned and oriented at the outlet of the hood
' means to receive the forwardly propelled stream of debris thereinto
and that is connected in fluid communication via an interior
passage with an elevated outlet. An airflow effecting means is
provided to effect a flow of air in the interior passage of the
debris chute from the inlet to the outlet, thereby augmenting
travel of the forwardly propelled stream of debris along the
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interior passage of the debris chute toward the outlet and into the
hopper.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention, there is disclosed a novel surface cleaning vehicle
defining a medial longitudinal axis and having a debris retaining
hopper. The surface cleaning vehicle comprises debris propulsion
means of width "WD" for effecting a forwardly propelled stream of
debris from a contacted portion of a surface being cleaned. A
-1"-~ debris chute has a substantially rearwardly facing inlet of width
"Wi" and height "Hi" connected in fluid communication via an
interior passage with an elevated outlet. A deflector flap means
is disposed forwardly of the debris propulsion means and in debris
deflecting relation to the inlet of the debris chute, to deflect
J5 the forwardly propelled stream of debris beyond the deflector flap
means upwardly and forwardly through the inlet and into an upwardly
and forwardly disposed portion of the debris chute. An airflow
effecting means effects a flow of air in the interior passage of
the debris chute from the inlet to the outlet, thereby augmenting
=: travel of the forwardly propelled stream of debris along the
interior passage of the debris chute toward the outlet and into the
hopper.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention, there is disclosed a novel pick-up head for use in a
surface cleaning vehicle. The pick-up head comprises a top panel,
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a left side panel and a right side panel, together defining an
interior. An outlet is disposed at the front end of the pick-up
head for receiving a substantially rearwardly facing inlet of a
debris chute in fluid communication with the interior, and for
:-. permitting the egress of debris from the pick-up head through the
outlet and to the substantially rearwardly facing inlet of the
debris chute.
Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present
1'u 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
1~~ latter of which is briefly described hereinbelow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TSE DRAWINGS
The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of
the 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 presently
'.'~ preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by
way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the
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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 present
invention, with a portion of the side of the surface cleaning
vehicle removed for the sake of clarity;
1 ~:~ Figure lA is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of
the preferred embodiment surface cleaning vehicle of Figure l, with
the air blast outlet aimed immediately behind the contacted portion
of the surface being cleaned;
?'.:~ Figure 1B is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of
the preferred embodiment surface cleaning vehicle of Figure l, with
the air blast outlet aimed at the contacted portion of the surface
being cleaned;
~~_i Figure 2 is a sectional top plan view of a portion of the
preferred embodiment surface cleaning vehicle of Figure l, taken
along section line 2 - 2;
Figure 3 is a back end elevational view of a portion of the
preferred embodiment surface cleaning vehicle of Figure 1, showing
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air blast chute, with the open bottom pick-up head shown in cross-
section;
Figure 4 is a side elevational view of a first alternative
embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle according to the present
invention, with a portion of the side of the surface cleaning
vehicle removed for the sake of clarity;
Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a second alternative
J_!~3 embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle according to the present
invention, with a portion of the side of the surface cleaning
vehicle removed for the sake of clarity;
Figure 6 is a top plan view similar to Figure 2, but of a
l~- portion of a third alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning
vehicle according to the present invention;
Figure 7 is a top plan view similar to Figure 2, but of a
portion of a fourth alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning
0 vehicle according to the present invention;
Figure 8 is a side elevational view of a fifth alternative
embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle according to the present
invention, with a portion of the side of the surface cleaning
:~1 vehicle removed for the sake of clarity; and,
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Figure 9 is a side elevational view of a sixth alternative
embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle according to the present
invention, with a portion of the side of the surface cleaning
vehicle removed for the sake of clarity; and,
Figure 10 is a side elevational view of a seventh alternative
embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle according to the present
invention, specifically a factory type surface cleaning vehicle,
with a portion of the side of the surface cleaning vehicle removed
ia:? for the sake of clarity.
DLTAII~ED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED E1~ODI~NT
1~ Reference will now be made to Figures 1 through 3, which show
a 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 medical longitudinal axis "L" extending between said front
.''C and back ends 21,22. A debris retaining hopper 25 is mounted on
the surface cleaning vehicle 20 immediately behind the cab 27.
Two 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 debris away
from curbs and the like. In any event, the debris is brushed
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inwardly toward the medial longitudinal axis "L" . The two counter-
rotating brushes 23 are means to urge debris on a surface being
cleaned to a narrowed path of aggregate width "Wa".
In the preferred embodiment as illustrated, a debris
propulsion means of width "WD" comprises a cylindrically-shaped
rotating sweeping broom 30 of width "WB" is mounted on the surface
cleaning vehicle 20 rearwardly of the rear wheels 29 via mounting
arms and suitable bearings (not shown) so as to be disposed
i~~ transversely across the medial longitudinal axis "L" for selective
rotation about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation "H".
The cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom 30 is disposed in
road tracking relation, or in other words, to have a surface
contacting segment 30s, that engages in sweeping relation a
i~~ contacted portion 24c of the surface 24 being cleaned. The
rotating sweeping broom 30 thereby effects a forwardly propelled
stream of debris from the contacted portion 24c of the surface 24
being cleaned. The contacted portion 24c is defined by a leading
edge 241, a trailing edge 24t, a left side edge 241s, and a right
:%0 side edge 24rs.
Also in the preferred embodiment as illustrated, the debris
propulsion means comprises a horizontally elongate air blast outlet
50 having a width "Wo" and a height "Ho" mounted on the surface
<:::=, cleaning vehicle 20, so as to be disposed rearwardly of the rear
wheels 29 of the surface cleaning vehicle 20, and disposed
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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 24 being
cleaned. As can be best seen in Figure 3, the width "Wo" is
significantly greater than the height "Ho" of said horizontally
elongate air blast outlet 50. Also, the width "Wo" of the
horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50 is substantially
coincident with the width "WB" of the rotating sweeping broom 30.
As is best seen in Figure l, the air blast outlet 50 is connected
iv- in fluid communication with the air egress 54 of the high capacity
fan 52 via a flexible pipe 56, so as to receive air therefrom, and
is positioned and oriented to effect a blast of air that engages,
and in the preferred embodiment as illustrated, forcefully impinges
the surface 24 being cleaned in a substantially forward direction,
1.~~ thereby propelling forwardly therewith debris disposed on the
surface 24, thus creating a forwardly propelled stream of debris.
A debris chute 38 has a horizontally elongate substantially
rearwardly facing inlet 38i of width "Wi" and height "Hi" connected
''0 in fluid communication via an interior passage 38p with an elevated
outlet 38e. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the
debris chute 38 is forwardly ascending, but may also be oriented to
ascend sidewardly or rearwardly, or may ascend forwardly initially
and then turn rearwardly, as desired.
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The debris chute 38 is mounted on the surface 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", preferably across most of the width of the
': street sweeping vehicle 20, and such that the horizontally elongate
substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i is substantially rearward
facing and is disposed rearwardly of the rear wheels 29,
immediately forwardly of the rotating sweeping broom 30 and
transversely across said medial longitudinal axis "L" . In this
i!:s manner, the debris chute 38 is mounted on the surface cleaning
vehicle 20 to receive directly into its substantially rearwardly
facing inlet 38i the forwardly propelled stream of debris propelled
forwardly by the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50 and the
rotating sweeping broom 30. Further, the debris chute 38 is
15 mounted on the surface cleaning vehicle 20 such that the elevated
outlet 38e is disposed in debris depositing relation to the hopper
25. Debris that is ejected out of the elevated outlet 38e of the
debris chute 38 is deflected oft the baffle 26 in the hopper 25 and
subsequently falls into the hopper 25.
;; r;
An airflow effecting means comprises a high capacity fan 52
and its air ingress 53 that is connected in fluid communication to
the elevated outlet 38e of the debris chute 38 through the interior
of the hopper 25. The high capacity fan 52 draws air in through
the air ingress 53, from the hopper 25, and thereby effects a flow
of air in the interior passage 38p of the debris chute 38 from the
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substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i to the elevated outlet
38e. The flow of air in the interior passageway 38p augments the
travel of the forwardly propelled stream of debris along the
interior passage 38p of the debris chute 38 toward the elevated
outlet 38e, and subsequently into the hopper 25.
A deflector flap means comprising a deflector flap 35 is
secured to the bottom end 37 of the debris chute 38 so as to be
disposed forwardly of and substantially parallel to the debris
l.:? chute 38 and the rotating sweeping broom 30, and also immediately
rearwardly of the horizontally elongate substantially rearwardly
facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38. The deflector flap 35
receives at least a portion of the forwardly propelled stream of
debris, and deflects the received portion of the forwardly
to propelled stream of debris upwardly and forwardly into the
substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38.
The deflector flap 35 also substantially precludes the forwardly
propelled stream of debris from passing forwardly under the debris
chute 38. As can be best seen in Figure 2, opposed left and right
drag shoes 431,43r 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 debris
chute 38.
The surface cleaning vehicle 20 further comprises an open-
bottom hood means in the form of a pick-up head 40 mounted on the
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surface cleaning vehicle 20. The pick-up head 40 includes a top
panel 40t, a left side panel 401, a right side panel 40r, a back
panel 40b that together define a front end 39f, a back end 39b, and
an interior 41 that is generally divided from the ambient
surroundings. The hood means 40 encloses within.its interior 41,
the air blast outlet 50 and the rotating sweeping broom 30.
An outlet 42 is disposed at the front end 41f of the pick-up
head 40 for receiving the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i
of the debris chute 38 in fluid communication with the interior 41
of the pick-up head 40. The outlet 42 also permits the egress of
debris, namely the forwardly propelled stream of debris, from the
pick-up head 40 through the outlet 42, to the substantially
rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38. It can be seen
1-5 that the forwardly propelled stream of debris remains travelling in
a forward direction after egressing the outlet 42 and entering the
inlet 38i of the debris chute 38, although deflected upwardly very
slightly. In this manner, the forward momentum of the forwardly
propelled stream of debris is substantially maintained.
,_.. Accordingly, there are no losses of kinetic energy due to the
sudden complete change in direction of travel of the forwardly
propelled stream of debris as there is in all prior art vacuum or
recirculating air type systems.
As can be best seen in Figure 2, the width "Wi" of the
substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38 is
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significantly less than the width "Wo" of the debris propulsion
means, namely the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50 and the
cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom 30. In the preferred
embodiment as illustrated, the width "Wi" of the inlet 38i of the
debris chute is about one-half the width "Wo" of the horizontally
elongate air blast outlet 50 and the cylindrically-shaped rotating
sweeping broom 30. Further, there is at least one debris stream
deflector 70, and in the preferred embodiment as illustrated, two
debris stream deflectors 70 disposed in opposed relation one to the
1~~~ other at opposite sides of the horizontally elongate air blast
outlet 50. Each debris stream deflector 70 is disposed to face
inwardly and rearwardly so as to deflect a laterally exterior
portion of the forwardly propelled stream of debris toward the
substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38.
l
There is also a means to urge debris on the surface 24 being
cleaned to a narrowed path of aggregate width "Wa', comprising a
surface debris deflector 72 disposed directly forwardly of each one
of the two debris stream deflectors 70. Accordingly, in the
%'~ preferred embodiment as illustrated, there are two surface debris
deflectors 72 disposed in opposed relation one to the other at
opposite sides of the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of
the debris chute 38. Each surface debris deflector 72 is disposed
to face inwardly and forwardly so as to be positioned and oriented
to inwardly deflect debris disposed on a lateral portion of the
surface 24 corresponding to the aforesaid laterally exterior
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portion of forwardly propelled stream of debris thereby leaving the
aforesaid narrowed path of aggregate width "Wa" . Also, as can best
be seen in the drawings, the width "WD' of the debris propulsion
means, namely the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50 and the
'_~ cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom 30, is greater than
the aggregate width "Wa" of the narrowed path. Further, the
aggregate width "Wa" is substantially equal to or less than the
width "Wi' of the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the
debris chute 38.
It is contemplated that the means to urge debris on the
surface 24 being cleaned to a narrowed path, could create two
narrowed paths having an aggregate width "Wa".
A pair of opposed skid shoes 80 are mounted on the surface
cleaning vehicle 20. Each skid shoe includes one debris stream
deflector 70 and one surface debris deflector 72. The debris stream
deflector 70 and the surface debris deflector 72 on each skid shoe
form a solid block, for ease and simplicity of manufacturing.
The horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50 is positioned
immediately rearwardly o blast outlet 50 is positioned and oriented
such that the air blast impinges off a portion of the surface 24
immediately behind the contacted portion 24c of the surface 24,
2 ~ which is contacted by the surface contacting segment 30s of the
rotating sweeping broom 30. As is shown in Figure 1B, the air
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blast outlet 50 is positioned and oriented such that the air blast
impinges off the contacted portion 24c of the surface 24, which is
contacted by the surface contacting segment 30s of the rotating
sweeping broom 30.
r
In any event, the blast of air thereby propels forwardly
therewith fine debris disposed on th.e surface 24, and continues to
flow forwardly and to carry forwardly through the rotating sweeping
broom 30 and egresses therefrom, thereby propelling forwardly
1~.~ therewith debris disposed on said surface being cleaned, thus
creating a forwardly propelled stream of debris. It can be seen
that the cleaning of the surface takes place in the pick-up head
40.
15 In use, the surface cleaning vehicle 20 travels forwardly and
debris passes under the drag flap 35 and under the debris chute 38.
The debris is then swept forwardly by the rotating sweeping broom
30 and then blown forwardly by the air blast outlet 50 into the
inlet 38i of the debris chute 38. Any fine particle debris, or in
~0 other words dust, that is missed by the rotating sweeping broom 30
is blown forwardly by the horizontally elongate air blast outlet
50, as is best seen in Figures 1 through 3. The blast of air
impinges off a portion of the surface 24 being cleaned immediately
behind the sweeping broom 30, and carries through the sweeping
%:'~ broom 30, thereby propelling debris disposed on the surface 24
being cleaned forwardly into the forwardly propelled stream of
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debris, thus augmenting the cleaning of the surface 24. A
laterally exterior portion on each side of the forwardly propelled
stream of debris is deflected by the two debris stream deflectors
70 towards the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the
debris chute 38. Also, the two surface debris deflectors 72
disposed to face inwardly and forwardly so as to be positioned and
oriented to inwardly deflect debris disposed on a lateral portion
of the aforesaid laterally exterior portion of forwardly propelled
stream of debris, such that the deflected debris on the surface 24
1'u will be longitudinally aligned with the substantially rearwardly
facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38.
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 hopper 25 as indicated by arrow "D" in Figure 1, and up the
debris chute 38. In this manner, the main fan 52 draws air and
debris along the interior passage 38p of the debris chute 38, to
augment travel of the forwardly propelled stream of debris within
') the debris chute 38 toward the elevated outlet 38e, and into the
hopper 25.
Reference will now be made to Figure 4, which shows a first
%~ alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle 100
according to the present invention, having an airflow effecting
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means comprising a first fan 102 and a second fan 103. The first
fan 102 has an air ingress 104 connected in fluid communication
with the debris chute 106 so as to receive air having passed
through the hopper 114, after entering the hopper 114 directly from
the elevated outlet 106e and an air egress 108 exhausted to the
ambient atmosphere through exhaust pipe 110, as indicated by arrow
"F". Both the first fan 102 and the exhaust pipe 110 are disposed
within the interior 112 of the hopper 114. The second fan 103 has
an air ingress 105 that receives air directly from the ambient
i0 atmosphere and an air egress 107 connected in fluid communication
with the air blast outlet 109 flexible pipe 111 so as to force air
directly through the flexible pipe 111 and the air blast outlet
109, as indicated by arrows "F", and out the air blast outlet 109,
as indicated by arrow "G" .
:u '~
Reference will now be made to Figure 5, which shows a second
alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle 120
according to the present invention, having an debris chute 122 and
an air blast outlet 124. However, there is no cylindrically-shaped
rotating sweeping broom, as in the preferred embodiment. The air
blast emitted from the air blast outlet 124 is the only means used
to forcefully impinge the surface 126 being cleaned, in a
substantially forward direction, thereby propelling forwardly
therewith debris disposed on the surface 126, thus creating a
forwardly propelled stream of debris, as indicated by arrow "H",
d~r~cted to the inlet 123 of the debris chute 122. Air suction
23
CA 02317100 2000-08-10
from the main fan 123 helps to draw air and debris along the
interior passage 128 of the debris chute 122 and into the hopper
129.
'~~ Reference will now be made to Figure 6, which shows a third
alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle 130
according to the present invention, having a hood means 132. Two
debris stream deflectors 134 and two surface debris deflectors 136
each comprise a pliable flap member and are operatively mounted on
1U the hood means 132.
Reference will now be made to Figure 7, which shows a fourth
alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle 140
according to the present invention. The fourth alternative
15 embodiment surface cleaning vehicle 140 is similar to the preferred
embodiment surface cleaning vehicle 20, except that each surface
debris deflector comprises a broom 142 positioned and oriented to
inwardly deflect debris disposed on a lateral portion of the
surface 144 corresponding to the aforesaid laterally exterior
0 portion of forwardly propelled stream of debris thereby leaving a
reduced width debris trail of width substantially equal to or less
than the width "Wi" of the inlet 146 of the debris chute 148.
Reference will now be made to Figure 8, which shows a fifth
~:5 alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle 150
according to the present invention. The fifth alternative
24
CA 02317100 2000-08-10
embodiment surface cleaning vehicle 150 is similar to the preferred
embodiment surface cleaning vehicle 20, except that the
cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom 152 creates a
forwardly propelled stream of debris from debris on the surface 154
being cleaned by itself. The horizontally elongate air blast
outlet 156 is positioned and oriented to effect a blast of air that
passes through the cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom
below the horizontal axis of rotation "H", thereby augmenting the
forwardly propelled stream of debris, but not forcefully impinge
l~;? the surface 154.
Reference will now be made to Figure 9, which shows a sixth
alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle 160
according to the present invention. The sixth alternative
15 embodiment surface cleaning vehicle 160 comprises an debris chute
162 integrally formed with a hood means 164. The debris chute 162
is removably abutted in sealed relation against the hopper 166 at
ingress 168 by means of rubber sealing strips 170. Similarly, the
flexible pipe 172 that supplies the horizontally elongate air blast
outlet 174 is removably abutted in sealed relation against the
hopper 166 at egress 176 by means of rubber sealing strips 178.
Accordingly, the debris chute 162, the hood means 164, the flexible
pipe 172 and the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 174 are
readily removable and replaceable for purposes of ease of
?5 maintenance.
" , CA 02317100 2000-08-10
Reference will now be made to Figure 10, which shows a seventh
alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle 170
according to the present invention. The seventh alternative
embodiment surface cleaning vehicle 170 is similar to the preferred
embodiment surface cleaning vehicle 20, except that it is
specifically a factory type surface cleaning vehicle that collects
debris in a forwardly disposed debris hopper. The debris
propulsion means comprises a cylindrically shaped rotating sweeping
broom 172 disposed immediately below the hopper 171 for effecting
ia~ a forwardly propelled stream of debris from a contacted portion 173
of a surface 174 being cleaned. A debris chute 175 is mounted
forwardly of the hopper 171, and in the embodiment as illustrated,
defines the front of the hopper 171. The debris chute 175 has a
substantially rearwardly facing inlet 176 positioned and oriented
to receive the forwardly propelled stream of debris thereinto, as
can be clearly seen in Figure 10. The substantially rearwardly
facing inlet 176 is connected in fluid communication via an
interior passage 177 with an elevated outlet 178 that faces into
the hopper 171. An airflow effecting means comprising a fan 179
effects a flow of air in the interior passage 177 of the debris
chute 175 from the inlet 176 to the outlet 178, as indicated by
arrow "I", thereby augmenting the travel of the forwardly propelled
stream of debris along the interior passage 177 of the debris chute
175 toward the outlet 178, and into the hopper 171. A deflector
plate 180 directs the debris downwardly into the hopper 171, as
indicated by arrow "J". Air is suctioned from the hopper 171 by
26
CA 02317100 2000-08-10
the fan 179, as indicated by arrow "K", through a filter 181, as
indicated by arrow "L", and is exhausted into the ambient
surroundings by the fan 179, as indicated by arrow "M", as clean
air having dust substantially separated therefrom.
a
As can be understood from the above description and from the
accompanying drawings, the surface cleaning vehicle of the present
invention utilizes a vacuum or recirculating air type system that
fully cleans debris from a surface, wherein the air flow and the
1:~ initial propulsion of the debris are both in a substantially
forward direction. The pick-up head has an outlet disposed in its
front end and a debris chute having a rearwardly facing inlet in
fluid communication with the outlet of the hood, thus allowing the
forwardly propelled stream of debris to continue travelling
substantially forwardly into the debris chute, and preferably even
through the debris chute, to the debris retaining hopper. Thus,
the debris and the air substantially maintain their forward
momentum after being removed from a surface by the debris
propulsion means. Accordingly, such a system is efficient in its
.~'0 use of air, and therefore is more powerful yet also more quiet than
prior art systems. Further, the premature wear that plagues prior
art systems is not experienced with the present invention. The
present invention also provides means to clean from behind the
rotating sweeping broom small particulate matter and also debris
2. ~~ that has been loosened by the rotating sweeping broom, and also
provides such means without the use of water for dust suppression.
27
CA 02317100 2000-08-10
Surfaces having heavy debris or debris stuck thereon can be fully
cleaned without leaving dust, which is unknown in the prior art.
The present invention also provided a recirculating air type
surface cleaning vehicle that does not need to have reduced air
'_:, pressure in the pick-up head in order to preclude the escape of
dust.
Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to
those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such
1 ~n 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.
1 ~;
28
