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: 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.