Patents Examined by Laura C Guldotti
  • Patent number: 7124463
    Abstract: A street sweeper system is used typically in a motorized vehicle. The sweeper utilizes a cylindrical brush rotating about an axis that is typically perpendicular to the vehicle's direction of motion. A conveyor belt catches debris thrown forwards and upward by the brush and moves the debris to a hopper. A conveyor lip is mounted on a lower edge of the conveyor to improve sweeping performance. The conveyor lip covers a space between the lower edge of the conveyor and the ground. The lip's lower edge is angled towards the brush to deflect debris back towards the brush to recirculate the debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Thomas P. Mathews, Michael H. Lenzmeier, Archie A. Weidner, Gregory J. Engel