Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02474117 2004-07-15
FIE?~D OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to surface cleaning
apparatus and surface cleaning vehicles, and more particularly to
surface cleaning apparatus for use with a utility type tractor and
surface cleaning vehicles including a utility type tractor.
OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The removal of dirt and debris from streets, parking
lots, airport runways, and other similar paved surfaces, through
the use of various types of surface cleaning vehicles has been
known for many years., Conventional surface cleaning vehicles
comprise a surface cleaning system, such as a sweeping broom, a re--
circulating air type head, or a vacuum air type head, either_
permanently mounted on a truck frame or built from the "ground up"
as an integral unit.
[0003 Truck type surface cleaning vehicles are currently the
mare popular type of surface cleaning vehicles largely due to their
overall performance; however, such truck type surface cleaning
vehicles can only perform one overall function.
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[0004] In contrast, with tractor type surface cleaning
vehicles, the actual surface cleaning equipment is temporarily
removably connected to or mounted onto the tractor, as required.
In this manner, the tractor can be used for many different
functions in a municipal environment, or other environment, and are
therefore very versatile. Further, an additional useful feature of
tractor type surface cleaning vehicles is that tractors have a very
tight turning radius, perhaps about nine or ten feet, which is
about half the turning radius of a truck, thus allowing them to
navigate around relatively sharp corners.
[0005] In a utility type tractor that is used for sweeping,
right and left gutter brooms are disposed either adjacent the front
end of the tractor or between the front and rear wheels of the
tractor. The right and left gutter brooms sweep dirt and debris
into a central path for subsequent pickup by the surface cleaning
broom. The surface cleaning broom and the debris hopper of the
utility type tractor are connected in trailing relation to the
utility type tractor in any one of a variety of ways, such as by
the tow bar or the trailer hitch. Irrespective of how they are
connected to the utility type tractor, the surface cleaning means
and especially the debris hopper typically extend several feet
behind the rear of the utility type tractor.
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[0006] In use, when the tractor turns, t:he path of the dirt and
debris left by the .right and left gutter brooms, curves
proportionally to the radius of the turn of the tractor.
Accordingly, since the surface cleaning means which trails the
gutter brooms by several feet, it cannot properly track the path of
the debris swept by the right and left gutter brooms when the
tractor turns more sharply than a threshold radius. In the event
that the tractor turns more sharply than a threshold radius, the
curvature of the path of dirt and debris left by the gutter brooms
is essentially at least partially '°outside" the width of the
surface cleaning means. Accordingly, a corresponding portion of
the path of dirt and debris is not picked up by the surface
cleaning means and remains on the surface as a trail behind the
tractor, which is completely unacceptable.
[000?] Further, due i~o size of the debris hopper behind the
tractor, when the utility type tractor turns, the debris hopper
projects outwardly significantly beyond the path of the tractor.
In an urban environment, especially in a city, the surface cleaning
means and the debris hopper would typically hit objects on a
sidewalk such as light posts, newspaper boxes, pedestrians, cars on
the road, and so an. Obviously, this situation is quite dangerous
and completely unacceptable.
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[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
surface cleaning apparatus for use with a utility type tractor,
which surface cleaning apparatus tracks the path of the dirt and
debris swept by the gutter brooms, even in tight radius turns.
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
surface cleaning apparatus for use with a utility type tractor,
which surface cleaning apparatus is laterally shiftable so as to
not project beyond the path of the utility type tractor during
turns.
[00010) It is an object of the present invention to provide a
surface cleaning vehicle including a utility type tractor, which
surface cleaning vehicle has a surface cleaning apparatus that
tracks the path of the dirt and debris swept by the gutter brooms,
even in tight radius turns.
[00011' It is an object of the present invention to provide a
surface cleaning vehicle including a utility type tractor, which
surface cleaning Vehicle has a surface cleaning apparatus that is
laterally shiftable so as to not proj ect beyond the path of the
utility type tractor during turns.
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SUL~ARY OF THE INVENTION
100012] In accordance with one aspect of_ the present invention
there is disclosed a novel surface cleaning apparatus for operative
mounting on a utility type tractor defining a longitudinal axis
extending between its front and back ends, and having at least one
gutter broom operatively mounted thereon. The surface cleaning
apparatus comprises a debris receiving hopper, a surface cleaning
broom having a horizontal axis of rotation, and elevator means for
receiving debris from the surface cleaning broom and fox
transporting the debris to the debris receiving hopper. There is
a mounting means for mounting the debris receiving hopper, the
surface cleaning broom and the elevator means onto a utility type
tractor rearwardly of the utility type tractor and in laterally
shiftable relation with :respect to the longitudinal axis, and such
that the surface cleaning broom is disposed rearwardly of the at
least one gutter broom. There is also a shift actuation means for
laterally shifting the debris receiving hopper, the surface
cleaning broom and the elevator means, to thereby permit the
surface cleaning broom to remove debris from a surface being
cleaned as swept by the at least one gutter broom.
[00013] In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention there is disclosed a novel surface cleaning vehicle
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CA 02474117 2004-07-15
comprising a utility type tractor defining a longitudinal axis
extending between its front and back ends, and having at least one
gutter broom operatively mounted thereon, a debris receiving
hopper, a surface cleaning broom having a horizontal axis of
rotation, and elevator means for receiving debris from the surface
cleaning broom and for transporting the debris to the debris
receiving hopper. There is a mounting means for mounting the
debris receiving hopper, the surface cleaning broom and the
elevator means onto the utility type tractor rearwardly of the
utility type tractor and in laterally shiftable relation with
respect to the longitudinal axis, and such that the surface
cleaning broom is disposed rearwardly of the at least one gutter
broom. There is also a shift actuation means for laterally
shifting the debris receiving hopper, the surface cleaning broom
and the elevator means, to thereby permit the surface cleaning
broom to remove debris from a surface being cleaned as swept by the
at least one gutter broom.
[00014 In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention there is disclosed a novel surface cleaning apparatus for
operative mounting on a utility type tractor defining a
longitudinal axis extending between its front and back ends. The
surface cleaning apparatus comprises a debris receiving hopper, a
surface cleaning broom having a horizontal axis of rotation, and
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elevator means for receiving debris from the surface cleaning broom
and for transporting the debris to the debris receiving hopper.
There is a mounting means for mounting the debris receiving hopper,
the surface cleaning broom and the elevator means onto a utility
type tractor rearwardly of the utility type tractor and in
laterally shiftable relation with respect to the longitudinal axis,
and such that the surface cleaning broom is disposed rearwardly of
the utility type tractor. There is also a shift actuation means
for laterally shifting the debris receiving hopper, the surface
cleaning broom and the elevator means.
[00015] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention there is disclosed a novel surface cleaning vehicle
comprising a utility type tractor defining a longitudinal axis
extending between its front and back ends, a debris receiving
hopper, a surface cleaning broom having a horizontal axis of
rotation, and elevator means for receiving debris from the surface
cleaning broom and for transporting the debris to the debris
receiving hopper. There is a mounting means for mounting the
debris receiving hopper, the surface cleaning broom and the
elevator means onto the utility type tractor rearwardly of the
utility type tractor and in laterally shiftable relation with
respect to the longitudinal axis, and such that the surface
cleaning broom is disposed rearwardly of the utility type tractor.
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CA 02474117 2004-07-15
There is also a shift actuation means for laterally shifting the
debris receiving hopper, the surface cleaning broom and the
elevator means.
[00016 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 descriptian and the
appended claims with reverence to the accompanying drawings, the
latter of which is briefly described hereinbelow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TEE DRAWINGS
[00017, The novel ~=eatures which are believed to be
characteristic of the surface cleaning apparatus and surface
cleaning vehicle, according to the present invention, as to its
structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with
further objectives ane 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,
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and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the
invention. In the accompanying drawings:
[00018, Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the preferred
embodiment of the surface cleaning apparatus and surface cleaning
vehicle according to the present invention;
[OOOI9J Figure 2 is a top view of the preferred embodiment
surface cleaning apparatus and surface cleaning vehicle of Figure
1;
[00020] Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the preferred
embodiment surface clearing apparatus of F~_gure 1;
[00021] Figure 4 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment
surface cleaning apparatus of Figure 3;
[00022] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the
surface cleaning apparatus of Figure 3, with some components shown
in dashed lining;
[00023] Figure 6 is a perspective view similar to Figure 5, but
with a part removed far the sake of clarity;
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CA 02474117 2004-07-15
[00024] Figure 7 is a sectional end elevational view taken along
section line 7- 7 of Figure 4;
[00025] Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the components of
Figure 5;
[00026] Figure 9 is a top plan view of the components of Figure
5;
[00027] Figure 10 is a top plan view similar to Figure 4, but
showing the surface cleaning apparatus shifted to the right;
[00028] Figure 11 is a top plan view similar. to Figure 4, but
showing the surface cleaning apparatus shifted to the left; and,
[00029] Figure 12 is a side elevational view of an alternative
embodiment of the surface cleaning apparata.zs and surface cleaning
vehicle according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND AI9TERNATIVE E1~ODIMENTS
[00030] Referring to Figures 1 through 12 of the drawings, it
will be noted that Figures 1 through 11 illustrate a first
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preferred embodiment of the surface cleaning apparatus and surface
cleaning vehicle of the present invention, and Figure 12
illustrates a second preferred embodiment of the surface cleaning
apparatus and surface cleaning vehicle of the present invention.
[00031] Reference will now be made to Figure 1 through 11, which
show the preferred embodiment utility type surface cleaning
vehicle, as indicated by the general reference numeral 20, and the
preferred embodiment surface cleaning apparatus according to the
present invention, as indicated by the general reference numeral
22. The surface cleaning vehicle 20 includes a unitary frame -- or
in other words non-articulating -- utility type tractor, as
indicated by the general reference numeral_ 30, having a frame 31
defining a longitudinal axis "A" extending between its front end
31f and its back end 31b.
[00032] An internal combustion engine 35 is mounted within an
engine housing 36 forming part of the frame 31 of the unitary frame
utility type tractor 30. A transmission 40 is connected in driven
relation to the internal combustion engine 35, with the robust
housing 42 of the transmission 40 forming part of the frame 31 of
the utility type tractor 30. A rear differential 44 is connected
in driven relation to the transmission 40 and also farms part of
the frame 31 of the tractor 30. Alternatively, the unitary frame
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utility type tractor 30 could be hydraulically driven. A power
take-off mechanism 45 is operatively mounted on the utility type
tractor 30. More specifically, the power take-off mechanism 45 is
connected in driven relation to the internal combustion engine 35.
A three-point hitch 46 and a towbar 48 are mounted on the frame 3.L
of the tractor 30. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated,
the surface cleaning apparatus 22 is mounted on the utility type
tractor 30 by means of the three-point hitch 46. Alternatively,
the surface cleaning apparatus 22 may be mounted on the utility
type tractor 30 by means of the towbar 48.
[00033] The utility type tractor also has a conventional steering
mechanism including a steering wheel 29 linked to the front wheels
331,33r by a steering linkage (not shown).
[00034] The utility type tractor 30 could also have a
hydraulically actuated mounting mechanism (not specifically shown)
for mounting a plough, or other implement thereon, forwardly of the
utility type tractor 30,.
[00035] At least one gutter broom, as indicated by the general
reference numeral 32, is operatively mounted on the tractor 30. In
the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, a left gutter broom 321
and a right gutter broom 32r are each mounted on the tractor 30 for
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CA 02474117 2004-07-15
s
rotation about generally vertical left "L°' and right °'R"
gutter
broom axes, respectively. Preferably, the left gutter broom 321
and the right gutter broom 32r are disc-type brushes and are
selectively moveable between a lowered surface cleaning position,
as can be seen in Figure 2, and a raised position, which is not
specifically illustrated. In the lowered surface cleaning
position, the left gutter broom 321 and the right gutter broom 32r
are positioned such that the left "L" and right "R°' gutter broom
axes, respectively, are slanted slightly off vertical so that the
front portion of each of the left gutter broom 321 and the right
gutter broom 32r contacts a surface 22 being cleaned. The left
gutter broom 321 and the right gutter broom 32r are preferably
mounted rearwardly of the left 331 and right 33r steerable front
wheels and forwardly of the left 341 and right 34r driven rear
wheels so as to not interfere with any of the wheels
331,33r,341,34r.
[00036] Very briefly, the surface cleaning apparatus 22 comprises
a debris receiving hopper 50, a surface cleaning broom 56, an
elevator means 60, a mounting means ~70 for mounting the debris
receiving hopper 50, the surface cleaning broom 56 and the elevator
means 60 onto the utility type tractor 30, and a shift actuation
means 100. The surface cleaning vehicle 20 comprises the utility
type tractor 30, the debris receiving hopper 50, the surface
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cleaning broom 56, the elevator means 60, the mounting means 70,
and the shift actuation means 100. The surface cleaning vehicle 20
and the surface cleaning apparatus 22 will now be described in
greater detail.
[00037] The surface cleaning apparatus 22 is for operative
mounting on the utility type tractor 30 and comprises the debris
receiving hopper 50 that carries about two to three cubic meters of
debris. The debris receiving hopper 50 is mounted onto a
structural frame 41 that extends rearwardly from the mounting means
70, as will be discussed in greater detail subsequently. Wheel
means are mounted on the structural frame 41 for rolling contact
with the surface being cleaned. Preferably, the wheel means
comprises a plurality of caster assemblies 52, specifically three
caster assemblies 52 in the preferred embodiment, as illustrated,
each caster assembly 52 secured to the frame 41 for free pivotal
movement of the caster wheel 54 about a substantially horizontal
axis "H" and for free pivotal movement of the overall caster
assembly 52 about a substantially vertical axis. In this manner,
selective lateral movement of the debris receiving hopper 50 with
respect to the longitudinal axis "A" of the utiJ_ity type tractor 30
is readily accommodated. Further, the debris receiving hopper 50
is pivotally mounted so as to permit tipping rearwardly for the
purpose of dumping debris therefrom.
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[00038] As discussed above, the surface cleaning apparatus 22 is
mounted on the utility type tractor 30 by means of the three-point
hitch 46, or alternatively may incorporate the towbar 48.
[00039] The cylindrically-shaped rotating surface cleaning broom
56 has a substantially horizontal axis of rotation "R°' oriented
transversely to the longitudinal axis °'A" of the utility type
tractor 30. The cylindrically-shaped rotating surface cleaning
broom 56 rotates in the direction as indicated by arrow "B" in
Figure 1 to propel debris into the mouth 62 of the elevator means
60.
[00040] The elevator means &0 comprises a mechanical debris
elevator 60 disposed immediately forwardly of the surface cleaning
broom 56 and extends upwardly to a height approximately that of the
top of the debris receiving hopper 50. The mechanical debris
elevator 60 is for receiving debris from the surface cleaning broom
56 - specifically off the deflector flap 49 into the mouth 62 of
the mechanical debris elevator 60, as indicated by arrow '°C" in
Figure 1 -- and for transporting the debris upwardly to the debris
receiving hopper 50, as indicated by arrow "D" in Figure 1.
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[00041] The mechanical. debris elevator 60 is disposed rearwardly
of the utility type tractor 30 and forwardl.y of the sweeping broom
56, and is also disposed laterally across the longitudinal axis '°L"
of the surface cleaning vehicle 20, such that the debris accepting
mouth 62 is disposed immediately forwardly of the rotating sweeping
broom 56. In this manner, the mechanical debris elevator 60 is
mounted on the surface cleaning vehicle 20 to receive and retain
the forwardly propelled stream of debris and to deposit the
received and retained debris into the hopper 50. More
specifically, debris that is propelled forwardly by the rotating
sweeping broom 56 is deflected off the deflector flap 49 and into
the debris accepting mouth 62, whereat it is received by elevator
paddles 61 that lift the debris and deposit it into the hopper 50.
Alternatively, types of other mechanical debris elevating or
lifting means could be used.
[00042, The mounting means 70 is for mounting the debris
receiving hopper 50, the: surface cleaning broom 56 and the elevator
means 60 onto the utility type tractor 30. The debris receiving
hopper 50, the surface cleaning broom 56 and the elevator means 60
are mounted rearward_Ly of the utility type tractor 30.
Accordingly, the debris receiving hopper 50, the surface cleaning
broom 56 and the elevator means 60 are disposed rearwardly of the
utility type tractor 30 and therefore disposed rearwardly of the
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left and right gutter brooms 321,32r. In this manner, the surface
cleaning broom 56 is positionable over the path of debris created
by the left and right gutter brooms 321,32r.
[00043] The mounting means 70 also mounts the debris receiving
hopper 50, the surface cleaning broom 56 and the elevator means 60
onto the utility type tractor 30 in laterally shiftable relation
with respect to the longitudinal axis "A". In the preferred
embodiment, as illustrated, the mounting means comprises a slide
mechanism 72 having a stationary portion, as indicated by the
general reference numeral 74, and a laterally movable portion, as
indicated by the general reference numeral 76, operatively
interconnected in laterally sliding engagement with the stationary
portion 74.
[00044] The stationary portion 74 comprises a vertically disposed
horizontally elongate rectangular mounting plate 80 having an upper
angled mounting lug 81 and right and left lower angled mounting
lugs 82r,821. The horizontally elongate rectangular mounting plane
80 is mounted onto the three arms of the three-paint hitch 46 by
means of suitable 'threaded fasteners 83 engaged in co-operating
apertures in the upper and lower angled mounting lugs 81,82r,821.
There are also six spacer arms secured to the horizontally elongate
rectangular mounting plate 80, preferably by means of welding.
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These six spacer arms include a left upper spacer arm 841~ a right
upper spacer arm 84r, a central upper spacer arm 84c, a left lower
spacer arm 861, a right lower spacer arm 86r, and a central lower
spacer arm 86c. The left upper spacer arm 841, the right upper
spacer arm 84r, and the central upper spacer arm 84c, together
support an upper horizontal shift-support rail 87. The upper
horizontal shift-support. rail 87 is secured at its ends to the left
and right upper spacer arms 841,84r by means of suitable threaded
fasteners 88, and is retained at its center by a collar 84a welded
to the central upper spacer arm 84c. Similarly, the left lower
spacer arm 861, the right lower spacer arm 86:r, and the central
lower spacer arm 86c, together support a =Lower horizontal shift-
support rail 89. The lower horizontal shift-support rail 89 is
secured at its ends to the left and right lower spacer arms 861,86r
by means of suitable threaded fasteners 88, and is retained at its
center by a collar 86a welded to the central lower spacer arm 86c.
[0045] The laterally movable portion 76 comprises a left shift
panel 901 and a right shift panel 90r each mounted in sliding
relation on the upper and lower horizontal shift-support rails..
The left shift panel 90:L has an upper mounting collar 911 and a
lower mounting collar 921 connected together by a spanning plate
portion 941. Similarly, the right shift panel 90r has an upper
mounting collar 91r and. a lower mounting collar 92r connected
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CA 02474117 2004-07-15
together by a spanning plate portion 94r. The two upper mounting
collars 911,91r surround the upper horizontal shift-support rail 87
and the two lower mounting collars 921,92r surround the lower
horizontal shift-support rail 89. The left shift panel 901 is
laterally shiftable between the left upper and lower spacer arms
841,861 and the central upper and lower spacer arms 84c,86c.
Similarly, the right shift panel 94r is laterally shiftable between
the right upper and lower spacer arms 84r, 86r and the central upper
and lower spacer arms 84c,86c.
[00046] The laterally movable portion 76 also comprises .a
horizontally elongate rectangular carriage plate 95 secured to the
right and left shift panels 901,90r by means of welding, or
alternatively by means of suitable threaded fasteners.
Accordingly, the right and left shift panels 901, 90r move laterally
in unison. Additionally, the right and left shift panels 901,90:r
could be interconnected by means of a horizontal arm or the like.
[00047] As can be best seen in Figure 3, the structural frame 41
is welded to the horizontally elongate rectangular carriage plate
95 and extends rearwardly therefrom. The mechanical debris
elevator 60 is mounted onto the horizontally elongate rectangular_
carriage plate 95 and the structural frame 41 by means of welding,
or alternatively by means of suitable threaded fasteners. The
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debris receiving hopper 50 is mounted onto the structural frame 41,
by means of welding, or alternatively by means of suitable threaded
fasteners. Further, the surface cleaning broom 56 is removably
mounted to the structural frame 41 by means of conventional broom
mounting arms (not shown). Accordingly, the debris receiving
hopper 50, the surface cleaning broom 56 and the elevator means 60
are mounted onto the laterally movable portion 76.
[00048) In the above described manner, the laterally movable
portion 76 is mounted on the stationary portion 74 for lateral
sliding movement between a central position, as is best seen in
Figure 4, a right-shifted position, as is best seen in Figure 10,
and a left-shifted po:>ition, as is best seen in Figure 11.
Further, the debris receiving hopper 50, the surface cleaning broom
56 and the elevator means 60 are mounted onto a utility type
tractor 30 rearwardly of the utility type tractor 30, in laterally
shiftable relation with respect to the longitudinal axis "A".
[00049] The shift actuation means 100 is for laterally shifting
the debris receiving hopper 50, the surface cleaning broom 56 and
the elevator means 60, with respect to the longitudinal axis
'°A°' as
the utility type tractor 30 moves forwardly, especially when the
utility type tractor 30 moves forwardly along a curved path. In
this manner, the surface cleaning broom 56 can be laterally shifted
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to track the path of debris created by the left gutter broom 321
and the right gutter broom 32r, to thereby permit the surface
cleaning broom 56 to remove debris from a surface being cleaned as
swept by the left gutter broom 321 and the right gutter broom 32r.
Further, such lateral shifting helps preclude the debris receiving
hopper 50, the surface cleaning broom 56 and the elevator means 60
from hitting objects a=Long a sweeping path, especially along a
curved sweeping path.
[00050] The shift actuation means 100 comprises a hydraulically
actuated cylinder 102 operatively interconnected between the
stationary portion 74 and the movable portion 76 of the slide
mechanism 72. More specifically, the main cylinder body 104 of the
hydraulically actuated cylinder 102 is secured to the horizontally
elongate rectangular mounting plate 80 typically by suitable
threaded fasteners (not shown). The piston rod 106 of the
hydraulically actuated cylinder 102 is secured. to the left shift
panel 901 typically by <~ suitable threaded fastener (not shown).
A piston 107 within the main cylinder body 1.04 is selectively
hydraulcally actuated by means of first and second hydraulic lines
108,109 connected in fluid communication to the cylinder body of
the hydraulically actuated cylinder 102. Receipt of hydraulic
fluid from the first hydraulic line 108 causes the piston 107 to
move towards the right-shifted position. Similarly, receipt of
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hydraulic fluid from the second hydraulic line 109 causes the
piston 107 to move towards the left-shifted position.
[00051, In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the surface
cleaning apparatus 22 further comprises steering responsive control
means, as indicated by the general reference numeral 110,
operatively interconnecting the steering mechanism of the utility
type tractor 30 and the shift actuation means 100, to thereby
permit controlled lateral shifting of the surface cleaning broom 56
in response to the utility type tractor 30 being steered. More
specifically, the steering responsive control means 110 comprises
a linear proportional senor 112 mounted onto the steering mechaniskm
at the front of the ut;_lity type tractor 30 so as to sense the
degree of steering of the steering mechanism, as controlled by the
steering wheel 29. The linear proportional senor 112 is
electrically connected to a hydraulic valve 114 having a first
hydraulic output 116 and a second hydraulic, output 118. The first
hydraulic line 108 is connected in fluid communication to the first
hydraulic output 116 and the second hydraulic line 109 is
connected in fluid communication to the second hydraulic output
118.
[00052 When the steering wheel 29 is turned to the right, the
linear proportional senor 112 senses the amount of movement of
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steering mechanism and provides a linearly proportional signal to
the hydraulic valve 114. The hydraulic valve 114 causes hydraulic
fluid to be pumped through the first hydraulic line 108, thus
causing the piston 107 :in the hydraulically actuated cylinder 102
to move towards its right-shifted position. ~>imilarly, when th.e
steering wheel 29 is turned to the left the linear proportional
senor 112 senses the amount of movement of steering mechanism anal
provides a linearly proportional signal to the hydraulic valve 114.
The hydraulic valve 114 causes hydraulic fluid to be pumped through
the second hydraulic line 109, thus causing the piston 107 in the
hydraulically actuated cylinder 102 to move towards its
left-shifted position.
[00053] Reference will now be made to Figure 12, which shows an
alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle 220 and
surface cleaning apparatus 222 of the present invention. This
alternative embodiment surface cleaning vehicle 220 and surface
cleaning apparatus 222 is almost identical to the preferred
embodiment surface cleaning vehicle 20 and surface cleaning
apparatus 22 except that there are no gutter brooms. The maunting
means 270 is still for mounting the debris receiving hopper 250,
the surface cleaning broom 256 and the elevator means 260 onto the
utility type tractor 230 in laterally shiftable relation, as
described above with reference to the preferred embodiment surface
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cleaning vehicle 20 and surface cleaning apparatus 22. The shift
actuation means 200 is still for is for laterally shifting the
debris receiving hopper 250, the surface cleaning broom 256 and the
elevator means 260, with respect to the longitudinal axis '°A" as
the utility type tractor 230 moves forwardly, especially when the
utility type tractor 230 moves forwardly along a curved path. Such
lateral shifting permits proper tracking cf a sweeping path by th.e
surface cleaning broom 256, such as along a curb. Further, such
lateral shifting helps preclude the debris receiving hopper 250,
the surface cleaning broom 256 and the elevator means 260 from
hitting objects along a sweeping path, especially along a curved
sweeping path.
[00054] As can be understood from the above description and from
the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides a surface
cleaning apparatus for use with a utility type tractor, which
surface cleaning apparatus tracks the path of the dirt and debris
swept by the gutter brooms, even in tight radius turns, and which
surface cleaning apparatus is laterally shiftable so as to not
project beyond the path of the utility type tractor during turns,
all of which features are unknown in the prior art.
[00055, Other variations of the above principles will be apparent
to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and
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such variations are considered to be within the scope of the
present invention. Furt:her~ other modifications and alterations
rnay 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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