Device for Collection of Debris

Abstract

A device for collecting debris has a wheeled frame movable over a ground surface. An endless belt runs about a rear by roller and a forward support member on the frame such that an undersurface of a lower run of the belt engages the ground surface as the device traverses the ground surface. The belt is driven such that the lower run moves forwardly with respect to the speed of movement of the device over the ground surface. At the lower run of belt, debris on the ground surface passes through apertures in the belt to be deposited on the upper surface of the lower run, and is then transported on the belt to a collection receptacle carried by the device.

Description

This invention relates to a device for collection of debris.

International patent applications PCT/AU90/00173, PCT/AU95/00629 and PCT/AU98/00001 describe mat-like devices for collecting debris from various surfaces. Generally, the devices are in the form of mats that are moved over the surface from which debris is to be collected, being so designed that such debris is, in this process, caused to pass through apertures in the mat to accumulate on the mat. These devices have proven to be very satisfactory in a variety of applications, for example removal of leaves or the like from tennis courts and removal of small parts shed from aircraft and other debris left on airstrips.

The devices have the advantage that they are very simple. Particularly, they may be low-cost, and easily transportable to remote sites. A possible disadvantage however is that the disposal of the collected debris may not be as simple as might be desired. Particularly, it is usually necessary at the completion of collection to physically up-end the mat to cause the collected debris to be deposited at a convenient location. If the mat is relatively small, and the disposal location is not too far remote, this may not present any particular burden. However, if the disposal location is remote, there is some risk that significant quantities of accumulated debris may be lost from the mat during transport to the disposal location. Also, it has appeared from practical experience in cleaning large areas, such as airport runways, that it may be desirable in the interests of efficiency of collection to form the mat of a larger size, such that manual up-ending to dispose of the collected debris is more difficult.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for collecting debris having a mat having apertures therein such that when moved over a ground surface in contact with the ground surface, debris on the ground surface passes through apertures in the mat to be deposited on the mat, the mat being formed as an endless belt, means being provided for supporting the belt so as to form a lower run of the belt which in use of the device is moved over the ground surface, in contact therewith, to cause said debris to be passed through the apertures to be deposited on said belt at said lower run, means being provided for moving said belt so that the deposited debris is carried by the belt and deposited at a collection location.

The belt may be arranged to run about end elements, so as to define an upper run above the lower run, the collection location being between said upper and lower runs, collected debris in use of the device being carried by the belt to the upper run, to thence fall from the upper run to said collection location. The end elements may be formed by rollers.

In another form of the invention, the collection location is above the upper run, and means is provided for causing the belt in use of the device to be moved, from said lower run to an upper location from which the collected debris falls from the belt to said collection location.

The means for moving the belt may be formed by drive means for driving the belt at a speed dependent on the speed at which the device moves over the ground surface. For example, one said end element may be coupled for rotation at a speed dependent on the speed of rotation of a ground wheel of the device which in use drivingly engages the ground surface. Preferably, the driving is arranged such that in use, the lower run of the belt moves over the ground surface relatively forwardly with respect to the device as it is moved over the ground surface.

The back may run around forward and rear members.

The forward and rear members may be rollers.

Alternatively, the forward member may be fixed.

The device may have adjustment means for lifting the lower run of the belt to a predetermined height above the ground surface, for transport of the device.

The adjustment means may include an element which is movably positionable to bear upwardly against an undersurface of an upper run of said belt extending between the forward and rear members.

The adjustment means may include a first element adapted to movably bear against the upper surface of said lower run of the belt, extending between said forward and rear members.

The adjustment means may include a second element which, when the belt is tensioned, bears against the upper surface of the lower run, at a location spaced in the lengthwise direction from said first element.

The first and second elements may be rollers the first element being positioned at a rear location, and the second element being positioned at a relatively forward location. Means may be provided for inhibiting movement of the belt when the device is transported over a ground surface in a reverse direction.

One belt may have transversely extending barrier means for retaining debris on the belt as it is moved on the belt from said lower run, and before reaching a location for said deposit.

In another form of the invention, the device means may be arranged for driving the lower run of the belt at an operator selectable, or timed speed relative to the frame.

The invention is further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a device constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternative device constructed in accordance with the invention, in a condition of use for collection of debris;

FIG. 5 is a front view like FIG. 4, but showing a condition of the debris collection device for deposit of accumulated debris at a deposit station;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged lengthwise fragmentary cross-section of a collecting belt forming part of the debris collection device of FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged lengthwise fragmentary cross-section of a collecting belt forming part of the debris collection device of FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 8 is front top view of an alternative debris collection device constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 8.

The debris collecting device 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 has a frame 12 with forwardly and rearwardly disposed transverse members 14, 16 and opposed side members 18. Forward and rear rotatable drum-like rollers 22, 24 are carried by axles 26, 28 mounted to the frame 12 by bearings 30. A wide endless belt 32 is carried by the frame 12, being supported by the forward and rear rollers 22, 24 so as to run around these. By this, the belt 32 presents a lower run 34 extending between the rollers 22, 24 and an upper run 36 also extending between the rollers but parallel to and above run 34.

The frame 12 is supported by forward ground wheels 40 and rear ground wheels 48, there being one wheel 40 to either forward side of the frame and one wheel 48 to either side of the frame at the rear of the frame. These support the frame 12 so that it is at relatively short distance above a ground surface 50 over which the device 10 can travel. When the frame 12 is so positioned on the ground surface 50, portions of the lower run 34 contact the ground surface 50, as described later.

Rear roller 24 has at one side thereof a coaxial gear 60 which meshes with a gear 62 coaxially mounted for rotation with one of the wheels 48. By this, as the device 10 is moved over ground surface 50, consequent rotation of that wheel 48 causes the drum-like roller 24 to be driven by interengaging driving of the gear 60 from gear 62. Driving is arranged such that the lower run 34 of the belt 32 is thus driven relatively forwardly and the upper run moved relatively rearwardly with respect to the forward movement of the frame 12 over the ground surfaces 50. The speed at which this driving occurs is dependent of course on the speed of rotation of the wheels 48 and thus the speed of traverse of the device over the ground surface 50, the gearing being arranged such that there is a relatively small speed differential as between the speed of movement of the device and the speed of movement of the lower run 34.

Referring to FIG. 6, belt 32 is formed from a number of transversely extending relatively flexible portions 70, being relatively imperforable. These are separated in the direction of movement of the belt such that the space between adjacent pairs of portions 70 is essentially open. The adjacent pairs of portions 70 are held together by transversely extending spacer members 74 each having forward and rear transverse portions 84, 86 connected respectively to opposed transverse edges of ones of a respective adjacent pair of the belt portions 70. The transverse portions 84, 86 are interconnected by lengthwise extending portions 82 of the respective spacer member 74, there being of relatively small side-to-side width. The spacer members each define between the portions 82, 84 and 86 thereof a series of transversely arranged apertures 76 (FIG. 1) in the belt 32. The portions 84 have formed thereon transversely extending barrier means in the form of transversely extending parts 87 which serve to help retain the collected debris as the belt moves.

FIG. 6 also illustrates in more detail the form of the portion 70. In particular, each is formed as a flexible sheet-like element 88 from which depend bristles 90. The structure is similar to that described in International patent application no. WO96/09440 (PCT/AU95/00629), the contents of which are hereby incorporated to form part of the disclosure of this application.

In use, as the lower run 34 of the belt 32 passes over the ground surface 50, the bristles 90 thereof engage and agitate loose material on the ground surface 50 and cause these to pass through the apertures 76 between adjacent portions 70 of the belt such that these rest on the upper surface of portions 70. The mentioned, upstanding parts 87 inhibit debris so collected from falling off the portions 70. As material is so collected, it is carried on belt 32 forwardly with respect to frame 12, around the forward roller 22, being retained in position by engagement of the portions 70 of the belt 32 with the periphery of the roller 22. Then, after passing rearwardly from the roller 22, the debris falls from the belt 32, at upper run 36, to be accumulated in a collection receptacle 100 positioned on the frame 12 immediately behind roller 22 and below upper run 36.

The device 10 may be transported over a ground surface 50 in any convenient way. For example, FIG. 1 shows a chain 102 attached to the forward end of the frame 12 by which the device 10 may be coupled to a vehicle so that it can be pulled over the ground surface 50.

The described device 10 has been found to be very effective in use, being adapted for ready picking up debris on the ground surface 50 and transporting it to the receptacle 100. Material so collected may then be removed from the device 10 by sidewardly moving the receptacle 100 so that it is taken from the frame 12. Receptacle 100 may be made of plastics or steel, for example. It may be formed so as to enable it to be readily upended for deposit of debris at a suitable collection location.

The receptacle 100 can be designed, as shown, with an upstanding peripheral wall of sufficient height that even driving the device 10 substantial distances will not tend to cause substantial loss of collected debris therefrom.

The debris collection device 98 of FIGS. 4 and 5 is similar to the arrangement of FIGS. 1 to 3 and the following description is confined to differences as between that arrangement and the arrangement of FIGS. 1 to 3. Like reference numbers denote like components in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 4 and 5. In particular, in this case, the frame 12 carries two additional rollers 104, 106. Roller 104 is positioned slightly above and to the rear of roller 22, such that the lower periphery thereof is at approximately the same height as the upper part of the periphery of roller 24. Roller 106 is disposed with its axis above and parallel to that of roller 104 but is positioned above and again somewhat more rearwardly with respect to the location of roller 104. Belt 32 passes around the lower portion of the periphery of roller 22 thence upwardly at and rearwardly, to pass around the upper periphery of roller 106. Thence, the belt 32 passes forwardly and downwardly and thence around a lower portion of the periphery of roller 104 to thence extend in a run 36 back around roller 24 as in the case of the arrangement of FIGS. 1 to 3. In this case, material deposited on the lower run 34 of the belt 32 is transported upwardly from roller 22 around roller 106 to thence fall from the belt 32 at a location above and slightly to the rear of roller 104. The falling material is collected in a receptacle 120 positioned, in this case, above the run 36. During transport of collected material upwardly from roller 22 to roller 106, the collected material will tend to fall, but is captured by transversely extending barrier means in the form of transversely extending bucket sections 122 on the belt 32 (FIG. 7). These are arranged at the rearward edges of belt portions 70, on forward transverse portions 84. They are upwardly open at the section of the belt 32 running between the rollers 22, 104 but downwardly open as they pass from roller 106 to 104. The material collected in them thus tends to fall from sections 122 as roller 106 is passed.

The receptacle 120 may be formed such that liquid delivered thereto is not retained. For example, it may be formed from a liquid permeable material or it may be apertured for this purpose.

As shown, the receptacle 120 may be movably coupled at a rear portion thereof to the frame 12 so that it can be rotated about a transverse axis at the rear of the receptacle for tipping material from the receptacle 120 to deposit it at a location to the rear of the frame 12 (FIG. 5).

In the described arrangements, the lower run of the belt 32 is moved forwardly with respect to frame 12 as the device moves over the ground surface 50, and at a relative speed which is proportional to the speed of movement of the device 10 over the ground surface 50. It is not however essential that this be the case. For example, the gearing of the device 10 from the respective ground wheel 48 may be such that the lower belt run 34 moves rearwardly with respect to the frame 12, as the device 10 is moved over the ground surface 50. In that case, collected debris is moved rearwardly on the lower belt run 34, around roller 24 to be deposited in the receptacle 100 by falling from the upper belt run 36. In this arrangement, the rear roller 24 may be configured to effect retention of the collected debris on the belt. For example, the rear roller 24 may have transverse fins, or other elements for the purpose of trapping the collected debris on belt 32 so that the debris on the belt 32 is transferred around roller 24 for deposit in the receptacle 100.

Further, instead of driving the belt 32 at a speed dependent on the speed of traverse of the device 10 over the ground surface 50, it may be driven at a fixed speed or at an operator selectable speed. Thus one of the rollers 22, 24 may be driven by a separate motor, such as a petrol motor or hydraulic motor instead of being geared to one of the device ground wheels 40, 48, and may be provided with operator operable control means for varying the speed of rotation of the motor, and thus the speed of movement of belt 32 with respect to frame 12.

FIGS. 8 to 9 illustrate a further alternative debris collecting device 200 constructed in accordance with the invention. A rear roller 224 of the device 200 is mounted for rotation on a transverse axle 228 mounted to a frame 212 of the device by bearings 230. Instead of a forward roller, like roller 22, there is provided a fixed support member 222. In the form illustrated, support member 222 is part cylindrical, representing a section of a complete cylinder with an axially extending half thereof absent. Support member 222 is arranged with its axis transverse to frame 212, and with its convex exterior surface facing forward. At its rear convex side, support member 222 defines a side to side extending space 235 therewithin.

A wide endless belt 232 is carried by the frame 212, being supported at the rear of the frame by the roller 224 and at the forward end by the by support member 222, so as to run around these. By this, the belt 232 presents a lower run 234 extending between support member 222 and roller 224 and an upper run 236 also extending between support member 222 and roller 224, but above, and generally parallel to run 234.

The belt 232 may be constructed in the same way as the belt 32 previously described.

The frame 212 is supported by a single forward ground wheel 240 and rear ground wheels 248. These ground wheels mounted to the frame 212 for rotation about transverse axes. The ground wheel 240 is carried by a forward sub-frame coupled to the main part 266 of the frame 212 for pivoting with respect to the main part of the frame about a forward upright axis. Ground wheels 248 are positioned one to each side of the frame 212, being carried by a transverse axle 268 mounted to the main part 266 of frame 212. The ground wheels 248 are fixed to the axle 268, the axle being supported by bearings (not shown) carried by the frame, such that when wheels 248 rotates, axle 268 likewise rotates. The ground wheels 240, 248 support the frame 212 so that it is at relatively short distance above a ground surface over which the device 200 can travel. When the frame 212 is so positioned on a ground surface, portions of the lower run 234 contact the ground surface or are spaced a short distance above the ground surface.

A forwardly extending link 267 is pivotally mounted to sub-frame 264 for pivotal movement relative to the sub-frame about a horizontal axis. A forward end of the link 267 carries a coupling 269 for connection to a vehicle. When so coupled, the device 200 can be towed by the vehicle over a ground surface from which debris is to be collected. Collection occurs in the same manner as previously described with reference to the preceding embodiments.

The rear roller axle 228 of the device 200 is connected at one side of frame 212 via a one way clutch 272 to a bevel gearbox 252. An output drive shaft 254 is connected to gearbox 252. Drive shaft 254 carries at an end remote from gearbox 252 a helical gear 256 which meshes with a spur gear 258 connected to axle 228 to which roller 224 is mounted. By this arrangement, as the device 200 is towed over a ground surface, the roller 224 is driven from axle 268, via clutch 272, gearbox 252, drive shaft 254, gears 256, 258 and axle 228, whereby to cause the belt 232 to be driven. As with belt 32, driving again arranged such that the lower run 234 of the belt 232 is driven relatively forwardly and the upper run moved relatively rearwardly with respect to the forward movement of the frame 212 over the ground surface. As described with reference to the preceding embodiments, debris on the ground surface over which the device 212 passes is collected on belt 232, on the upper surface of the run 234. The debris is carried forwardly on the belt, passing on it around the outer surface of member 222 until the upper rear edge 225 of the member 222 is reached, whereupon it falls to be collected in a collection receptacle 300 positioned therebelow on frame 212.

The device 212 has belt adjustment means 292 for adjusting the belt 232. Belt adjustment means 292 includes a hand ratchet-winch 293 and three transversely extending rollers 294, 295, and 296, each of length about equal to the width of belt 232 and mounted for axial rotation at lower ends of respective pairs of support arms 297, one arm of each pair being positioned at each side of the frame 212. Roller 295 is positioned above lower run 234 of belt 232, and at a relatively rearward position on frame 212, immediately in front of roller 224. The support arms 297 which carry this roller are fixed to frame 212 so that axis of the roller 295 is located at a fixed position with respect to the frame. The roller 296 is positioned above lower run 234 of belt 232, and at a relatively forward position on frame 212, immediately behind member 222. The support arms 297 that carry this roller are pivotally connected at upper ends thereof to the frame 212, so as to be pivotal about a side to side axis. The roller 294 is under upper run 236 of belt 232, above and somewhat forwardly of roller 295. The support arms 297 that carry this roller are pivotally connected at upper, forward, ends thereof to the frame 212, so as to be pivotal about a side to side axis.

The arms 297 carrying roller 294 are connected at locations adjacent the roller 294 to respective flexible lines 299. These lines pass upwardly to side rollers 291 on the frame 212 and thence to winch 293, where they are wound on a spool of the winch.

The device 200 is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 in a condition for use, with the winch operated so as to unwind lines 299 somewhat from the winch spool. In this condition, the roller 294 is positioned below and out of contact with the upper run 236 of the belt 232, and the belt is not tensioned around the roller 224 and the member 222. Also, the lower run 234 of the belt 232 is free to fall to the ground surface, so that the upper surface thereof is clear of roller 294. The roller 296 may then simply pivot under gravity to engage the run 234, or it may pivot to a limit position at which it is somewhat above the run 234, as shown in FIG. 9.

Particularly, driving reversing, the belt is decoupled from being driven, for avoiding or limiting damage in case the belt has been obstructed on contact with the ground surface or a fixed object.

When the device 200 is to be transported, winch 293 is operated to wind more of lines 299 onto the spool thereof, so shortening the runs of these lines to the links 297 which carry roller 294, and causing those arms to pivot about the pivotal connections to the frame 212. By this, the roller 294 is moved upwardly against the underside of the upper run 236 of belt 234, so lifting the lower run 234, so that this engages the roller 295, and also, the roller 296. Then, pursuant to tensioning of belt, the rear end of the lower run 234 is raised to the operative height of the lower run, at which it is spaced above the ground surface by a predetermined amount (for example about 150 mm). The forward end of the run 234 is also then brought into engagement with the upper surface of lower run 234. By adjustment of the lengths of lines 299 wound onto the spool of the winch 293, the forward end of run 234 of belt 232 can be lifted, against gravitational pull on roller 296 to a desired position. Such lifting occurs pursuant to rotation of the supporting links 297 in the clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 9. Then, the lower run 234 may be lifted clear of the ground surface to be a predetermined height above the ground surface.

The provision of the one way clutch 272 is helpful in that it permits the device 200 to be more readily moved in the reverse direction. Also, in case it is necessary to reverse the movement of the device 200 after collection of debris, debris remaining on the belt 232 is inhibited from being carried backwards on or from the lower belt run 234. Such backwards movement might for example cause undesirable spilling of debris from the belt 232.

The described arrangements have been advanced merely by way of explanation any many modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which includes every novel feature and combination of novel features herein disclosed.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims

1. A device for collecting debris having a mat having apertures therein such that when moved over a ground surface in contact with the ground surface, debris on the ground surface passes through apertures in the mat to be deposited on the mat, the mat being formed as an endless belt, means being provided for supporting the belt so as to form a lower run of the belt which in use of the device is moved over the ground surface, in contact therewith, to cause said debris to be passed through the apertures to be deposited on said belt at said lower run, means being provided for moving said belt so that the deposited debris is carried by the belt and deposited at a collection location.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the belt is arranged to run about end elements, so as to define an upper run above the lower run, the collection location being between said upper and lower runs, collected debris in use of the device being carried by the belt to the upper run, to thence fall from the upper run to said collection location.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collection location is above the upper run, and means is provided for causing the belt in use of the device to be moved, from said lower run to an upper location from which the collected debris falls from the belt to said collection location.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, the means for moving the belt being formed by drive means for driving the belt at a speed dependent on the speed at which the device moves over the ground surface.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein one said end element is coupled for rotation at a speed dependent on the speed of rotation of a ground wheel of the device which in use drivingly engages the ground surface.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the driving is arranged such that in use, the lower run of the belt moves over the ground surface relatively rearwardly with respect to the device as it is moved over ground surface.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for moving the belt is formed by a drive means for moving the belt at a speed independent of the speed at which the device is transported over the ground surface.

8. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the driving is arranged such that in use, the lower run of the belt moves over the ground surface relatively forwardly with respect to the device as it is moved over ground surface.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the belt runs around forward and rear members.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the forward and rear members are rollers.

11. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the forward member is fixed.

12. A device as claimed in claim 9 having adjustment means for lifting the lower run of the belt to a predetermined height above the ground surface, for transport of the device.

13. A device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the adjustment means includes an element which is movably positionable to bear upwardly against an undersurface of an upper run of said belt extending between the forward and rear members.

14. A device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the adjustment means includes a first element adapted to movably bear against the upper surface of said lower run of the belt, extending between said forward and rear members.

15. A device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the adjustment means includes a second element which, when the belt is tensioned, bears against the upper surface of the lower run, at a location spaced in the lengthwise direction from said first element.

16. A device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the first and second elements are rollers, the first element being positioned at a rear location, and the second element being positioned at a relatively forward location.

17. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein means is provided for inhibiting movement of the belt when the device is transported over a ground surface in a reverse direction.

18. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the belt has transversely extending barrier means for retaining debris on the belt as it is moved on the belt from said lower run, and before reaching a location for said deposit.

19. (canceled)