Abstract: Provided is a street sweeper for collecting debris from a street surface. The street sweeper includes a chassis mounted on wheels, a rotating broom for removing debris from a street surface, and a hopper for collecting the removed debris. A passageway extends between the broom and the hopper to transfer the debris removed from the street surface. To remove debris from areas difficult to access with the rotating broom, the street sweeper also includes a litter hose connected to an air flow generating device that communicates with the hopper. The airflow generating device provides a suction force within the litter hose for removing debris and discharges that debris into the hopper. The airflow generating device and suction force work independently of the internal conditions of the hopper. In an embodiment, the airflow discharged into the hopper can exhaust through the passageway extending between the broom and the hopper.

Abstract: Provided is a street sweeper for collecting debris from a street surface. The street sweeper includes a chassis mounted on wheels, a rotating broom for removing debris from a street surface, and a hopper for collecting the removed debris. A passageway extends between the broom and the hopper to transfer the debris removed from the street surface. To remove debris from areas difficult to access with the rotating broom, the street sweeper also includes a litter hose connected to an air flow generating device that communicates with the hopper. The airflow generating device provides a suction force within the litter hose for removing debris and discharges that debris into the hopper. The airflow generating device and suction force work independently of the internal conditions of the hopper. In an embodiment, the airflow discharged into the hopper can exhaust through the passageway extending between the broom and the hopper.

Abstract: A closed loop rodder pump is disclosed which can include a tube assembly and a reciprocating cylinder assembly disposed therein. The cylinder assembly can include a piston portion and a plunger. The piston portion can sealingly engage the tube assembly. In some embodiments, the cylinder assembly can include a second plunger to provide the pump with a dual-acting feature. The rodder pump can be used in a water jetter cleaning system of a vehicle for cleaning catch basins and/or sewers.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting refuse is disclosed which can include a database including a customer profile having a database record. A collection vehicle can be provided that includes a storage area for receiving refuse and a weighing system for determining the weight of the refuse collected. A database record of the refuse weight can be transmitted to the database. The collection vehicle can include a transmission system for transmitting the data of the database to a remote communication system. The communication system can automatically bill the customer for the collection services provided and transfer funds from the customer's account to the collector's account. The communication system can generate a communication to the customer which includes the data from the customer's customer profile and billing information.

Abstract: A high speed pick-up head for a street sweeper is provided for efficiently removing debris from a roadway surface as the street sweeper moves in a direction of travel. The pick-up head has a width extending in a transverse direction with respect to the direction of travel which defines a path of debris removal along the surface to be cleaned. The pick-up head also includes a structural housing having a top cover portion, a plurality of downwardly extending edge wall portions, a cross-member extending between opposed edge wall portions and disposed at an angle with respect to the transverse direction, and pressure and suction chambers adjacently arranged within the housing and separated by the cross-member. The pressure chamber has a generally circular inlet disposed adjacent to one of the edge wall portions, and a closed bottom portion. The suction chamber has a generally rectangular outlet disposed opposite the inlet of the pressure chamber, and an open bottom disposed adjacent to the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A street sweeper is provided including a vacuum pick-up head having a relatively low noise level and high sweeping efficiency resulting from the careful control of the velocity and direction of the air flow. In order to control the air flow, the internal contour of the pick-up head is optimized to accommodate the streamline flow pattern to minimize turbulence and boundary layer separation. The cross sectional area of the internal contour of the pick-up head is designed to be substantially constant or slightly converging. A support assembly for supporting a nozzle assembly is provided which minimizes damage to the pick-up head and minimizes infiltration into the pick-up head. A suction tube is also provided which minimizes the noise level and increases the efficiency of the pick-up head and the fan.

Abstract: A vehicle having a collecting and hauling system for collecting and hauling refuse in a containment vessel to a predetermined location. In the illustrated embodiment, a street sweeper having a street sweeping system utilizes a vertically extendable mast for elevating its hopper for dumping purposes. Additionally, air springs are provided to the wheel suspension system so that the air springs, when inflated, elevate the chassis and street sweeping system for road travel. When deflated, the chassis is lowered into solid support on the suspension system to provide a more rigid suspension for improved street sweeping and hopper dumping operation. Also, the street sweeper has a conveyor for conveying the dirt from dirt collection means upwardly into the hopper.

Abstract: A street sweeper utilizes a vertically extendable mast for elevating its hopper for dumping purposes. Additionally, air springs are provided to the wheel suspension system so that the air springs, when inflated, elevate the chassis and street sweeping system for road travel. When deflated, the chassis is lowered into solid support on the suspension system to provide a more rigid suspension for improved street sweeping and hopper dumping operation. Also, the street sweeper has a conveyor for conveying the dirt from dirt collection means upwardly into the hopper. A second air spring having resilient chamber walls is provided to support the conveyor means in movable relation so that it may be rotated upwardly in travelling position by inflation of the air spring and lowered into operating position by deflation thereof. The conveyor is preferably suspended from the chassis by pivotally hanging links to permit the conveyor to move between raised and lowered positions.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning surfaces includes a cleaning head defining an open-faced chamber for facing the surface to be cleaned and means for blowing air into the chamber. A rotary brush is positioned in the chamber for engaging and brushing the surface to be cleaned, and, preferably, the flowing air is directed in a stream that directly impinges the surface to be cleaned adjacent the brush. It is also preferred for the brush to be carried on an arm movable between a first position for engaging the surface to be cleaned and a second position where the brush is spaced from the surface to be cleaned. A control system is provided for power means for moving the brush and arm between the first and second positions, to cause the brush and arm to assume the first position when the motor is on to operate the brush, and to cause the brush and arm to assume the second position when the motor is off.

Abstract: A cleaning head for an air flow type cleaner defines an open-faced chamber for facing the surface to be cleaned. An air recirculating conduit draws air from the chamber through a first port in the chamber adjacent one end thereof. A baffle in the cleaning head is positioned substantially between the one end and the first port to reduce the flow of dirt-laden air to the one end. By this invention, one or more apertures provide communication at a central portion of the baffle substantially between the first port and that volume within the chamber which extends between the baffle and the one end, to provide air suction to prevent dirt accumulation in that volume.

Abstract: A vehicle has first and second drivers' seats and a control console, the control console carrying a plurality of individual controls and display means. The drivers' seats are in side-by-side relation. By this invention, a pivot carries the control console to permit the console to pivot between at least a first position facing the first driver's seat and a second position facing the second driver's seat. Thus, two drivers may operate the vehicle from the same control console in alternating manner. Typically a, releasable lock provides retention of the control console in either of the two positions described above, and also in an intermediate rotating position in which the control console faces between the two seats. Also, cable may communicate with the control console, the cable extending through the pivot for communication with the rest of the vehicle.

Abstract: A dust trap for flowing gases comprises an inlet conduit which terminates in a transverse wall for impact-type dust separation (i.e. inertial separation). A side entry port is positioned adjacent the transverse wall. The side entry port communicates with the circulation chamber defining an angled opposed wall in the opposite side of the chamber of the side entry port. The angled, opposed wall is substantially perpendicular to gas flow through the side entry port, to cause flowing gas from the side entry port to split vertically into swirling upward and downward flow patterns for further dust separation. The lower part of the circulation chamber is normally closed off from the exterior. The upper part of the circulation chamber communicates with an outlet conduit.

Abstract: A vehicle having a steering system controlled by either of a pair of steering wheels also includes first and second steering wheel shafts means, each carrying one of the steering wheels. A wheel steering mechanism is mechanically connected to the first and second steering wheel shafts means. In accordance with this invention, a third shaft is attached at one end to the first steering wheel shafts means. The third shaft means is connected at its other end without intermediate, intervening gears to a gear for rotationally interconnecting the third shaft, the second steering wheel shaft, and the wheel steering mechanism. This structure can eliminate an expensive 90 degree gear box when compared with prior art designs, for significant cost savings while providing equivalent or superior function.

Abstract: A sweeper, which has a pair of front wheels which are mounted on a frame on opposite sides of a dirt hopper, a steerable guide wheel unit mounted on the frame in a tricycle arrangement with respect to the front wheels characterized by the guide wheel unit having a suspension having first and second members arranged with one member being telescopically received and the other member with an arrangement for transmitting torque between the members and the unit has an arrangement positioned between the two members for resiliently suspending the two members. The arrangement for resiliently suspending can comprise a single coiled spring telescopically receiving an outside member or a plurality of spring units that are provided either by themselves or with shock absorber units. The arrangement for transmitting torque can include a splined shaft and an internally splined bore or a plurality of torque transmitting lever arms.

Abstract: A street sweeper having a frame with a cab carried thereon. An engine is mounted on the frame for powering the sweeper. A series of operating mechanisms are supported on the frame for assisting in a sweepings pick-up operation. A series of hydraulic motors are provided with each being operatively associated with one of the mechanisms for operating the same. A single variable and reversible flow piston pump is operatively connected to the hydraulic motors and the hydraulic mechanisms for operating them at a constant speed. The engine operates the piston pump with a variable speed input. A control mechanism is mounted in the cab, and electrical circuit means is connected between the control mechanism and the piston pump and cooperable with said control mechanism enabling for selective operation of the mechanisms at selective rotational speeds for assisting in a sweepings pick-up operation.

Abstract: A street sweeper having a frame with a cab positioned at a forward end of the frame. A hopper is provided for receiving sweepings carried on the frame behind the cab. Linkage is further provided for enabling the hopper to be moved over the cab to a forward dumping position. Outriggers are positioned at a forward end of the sweeper. Hydraulic circuit means, valve means, and ram means collectively cooperable together and sequentially operable to initially move the outriggers into ground engagement to provide additional support for the hopper when in the forward dumping position and then operable to actuate the linkage to move the hopper over the cab for dumping.