Method and apparatus for removing debris from a surface

Abstract

An apparatus for removing debris from a surface employs an air jet to lift the debris from the surface and then vacuums the lifted debris into a container.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing debris from a surface and, more particularly to a method and apparatus employing an air jet to lift the debris from the surface and a vacuum to then pull the lifted debris into a container.

2. Prior Art

Many types of power equipment have been used for removing debris from surfaces such as floors, lawns and pavements. A sweeper uses a rotating brush to push debris from a surface into a bin, a vacuum system uses a vacuum to pull debris from a surface into a bin, a blower uses forced air to blow the debris from the surface, and a washer uses a jet of water to rinse the debris from the surface. Since debris removal systems employing vacuums alone to remove debris from a surface are often not very effective in applications where the debris tends to stick to the surface, some debris gathering systems employ brushes or jets of water to lift debris from a surface and to direct the debris toward the inlet of a bin and employ a vacuum to pull the debris into the bin. Such combination systems are often more effective than systems employing brushes or vacuums alone because in many applications brushes or water jets are better than vacuums at lifting debris from a surface while vacuums are better at gathering loose debris into a bin. However, combination systems using brushes or water jets are often not very effective on uneven surfaces and are limited to applications where the brushes or water jets will not damage the surfaces.

In some vacuum systems a vacuum pump attached to a bin outlet creates a vacuum in the bin pulling debris into the bin via a vacuum inlet. A filter residing between the bin and the vacuum prevents the debris from reaching the vacuum pump's impeller. In other vacuum systems, the vacuum pump is attached to the bin inlet and the debris passes through the vacuum pump's impeller before entering the bin so that the impeller shreds the debris. Many hand held blower/vacuums can be configured to alternatively either blow debris from a surface or to vacuum it from the surface and into a collection bag.

Rotary mowers typically employ forced air created by rotating cutting blades to blow cut grass and other plant material into a collection bin. However some rotary mowing machines include an in-line, boost vacuum to pull the cut grass or other plant material into the collection bin.

Blowers can efficiently remove a light covering of debris from a small area, but they just move it from one location to another without collecting it into a bin, and they are not very efficient at removing large amounts of debris from a large area, and tend to create dust pollution in the air.

What is needed is a method and apparatus for efficiently removing debris from a wide variety of surfaces without damaging the surfaces, that efficiently collects the removed debris into a bin, and that does not create dust pollution.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method or apparatus in accordance with the invention employs an air jet to lift debris from a surface and then vacuums the lifted debris into a container.

In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a bin and a chassis having a first compartment including an inlet port and an outlet port, and a second compartment including and air inlet and an outlet aperture. A first impeller mounted in the first compartment creates a flow of vacuum air through the inlet port to draw the debris into the first compartment, and blows the air and debris out of the outlet port and into the container. A second impeller mounted in the second compartment draws air into the second compartment through the air inlet and directs it out of the outlet aperture to create the air jet.

In another embodiment of the invention the apparatus includes a chassis having a first compartment including an inlet port and an outlet port, and second compartment including and air inlet and an outlet aperture. The outlet port of the first compartment is coupled to the air inlet of the second compartment through a filter. An impeller mounted in either the first or second compartment creates a flow of air from the first compartment into the second compartment, thereby creating a flow of vacuum air for drawing debris into the first compartment via its inlet port and for producing the air jet at the second compartment's outlet aperture.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for efficiently removing debris from a wide range of surfaces without damaging the surfaces.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings depict exemplary embodiments of the invention, and in some instances, various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated, enlarged or simplified to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an apparatus in accordance with the invention for removing debris from a surface, the apparatus being towed by a tractor.

FIG. 1A is a front elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation view of the main body of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation view of portions of the main body and impeller assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a simplified sectional elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing catch bin assembly in more detail.

FIG. 4A is a rear elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 showing the catch bin assembly doors in more detail.

FIG. 5 is a simplified side elevation view of an apparatus in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a simplified side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 including an attached flexible pickup tube.

FIG. 6A is a sectional elevation view of the main body of the apparatus of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a sectional elevation view of an apparatus in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7A is a sectional elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 7 including a remote collection head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method or apparatus for removing debris from a surface. While detailed descriptions of preferred embodiments of the invention are provided herein below, the invention may be embodied many forms. Therefore, specific details of the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view and FIG. 1A is a front elevation view of an apparatus 61 in accordance with the invention for removing debris from a surface 55. Pulled and powered by a conventional farm tractor 54, apparatus 61 creates an air jet for lifting the debris from surface 55 and a vacuum for moving the debris into a catch bin assembly 50. In addition to catch bin assembly 50, apparatus 61 includes a main body 58 and an impeller assembly 60. Main body 58 includes impellers and baffling for directing an air jet across surface 55 to dislodge debris from the surface and for directing the debris into catch bin assembly 50. Impeller linkage assembly 60 couples the tractor's power take off (PTO) shaft 53 to impellers within main body 58 that create the air jet. A conventional 3-point hitch consisting of a pair of lower links 56 and upper link 52 links apparatus 61 to tractor 54 though three couplings 51A, 51B, 51C (FIG. 1A) rigidly mounted on the front of main body 58. A pair of wheels, or alternatively, a roller as illustrated by item 59 (FIG. 1A), 59 mounted on the back of main body 58 support main body 58 and control the clearance between the rear end of main body 58 and surface 55.

To transport apparatus 61 when not cleaning surface 55, the operator may adjust the 3-point hitch to raise lower links 56, thereby raising apparatus 61 out of contact with surface 55. To begin cleaning surface 55, the operator relaxes the 3-point lift controls to lower apparatus 61 until wheels 59 contact surface 55. The three-point hitch includes an adjustable length link 52 allowing the tractor operator to control the clearance between main body 58 and surface 55 at point 57 by adjusting the tilt of body 58 while resting on wheels 59, thereby raising or lowering the front edge of main body with respect to surface 55. By relaxing the 3-point lift controls and allowing links 52 and 56 to “float”, the operator can allow apparatus 61, riding on wheels 59, to rise, fall or tilt in response to ground irregularities rather than to rigidly follow the tractor's attitude.

Alternatively, an additional set of front wheels could be attached to the lower front edge of main body 58 and the main body could be attached to tractor 54 through a conventional trailer hitch rather than through a 3-point hitch. Tractor 54 could then tow apparatus 61 like a trailer while front wheels control the clearance between main body 58 and surface 55 at point 57. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, PTO shaft 53 transfers rotating power from the tractor's engine to impeller assembly 60. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, an engine may be mounted on main body 58 and coupled by linkages may provide rotational power to impeller assembly when PTO power is not available.

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation view of main body 58 including a chassis 3 and a pair of bearings 2 mounted on chassis 3 and holding a shaft 10 linked to a pair of impellers 4 and 8. A gear (or pulley or sprocket) 21 mounted on shaft 10 transfers rotational power to shaft 10 so that impellers 4 and 8 spin within their respective air plenums 19 and 5. The compressor impeller 4 draws air 1 through an inlet aperture 20 in chassis 3 coaxially located about shaft 10 to create a region of compressed, high-pressure air within the plenum 19. An exit port 17 in plenum 19 directs the compressed air across surface 55 at a shallow angle as a broad jet spanning the full width of body 58. The air jet penetrates under debris, lifts it from surface 55 and blows it forward toward a vacuum horn 14 at the front end of main body 58. Vacuum horn 14 forms a plenum for conducting air and debris in an area 16 near surface 55 to an inlet aperture 12 of plenum 5. Vacuum impeller 8 spins to expel air and debris from plenum 5 out of a debris exit port 7 and into the catch bin assembly, thereby creating a partial vacuum in plenum 5 drawing vacuum air flow 6 through vacuum horn 14 and vacuum inlet aperture 12. Vacuum horn 14 entraps the debris the air jet impeller 4 blows into area 16 until vacuum air flow 6 can pull it into plenum 5.

A removable plate 11 covers a hole through vacuum horn 14 coaxially aligned with shaft 10 serving as an inspection port and to provide access for removing any debris that may become jammed in the inlet horn air path.

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation view of the bearings 2, shaft 10 and impellers 4 and 8 of FIG. 2 along with portions of the linkage included within impeller assembly 60 of FIG. 1. The linkage includes an input shaft 32 having splines 35 for mating with PTO shaft 53 (FIG. 1) suitably keyed to prevent slippage when torque is applied by the tractor engine. A pair of bearings 36 resides on slide plates 34 mounted by pairs of bolts 37 on rails 33. Bearings 36 hold and align shaft 32 approximately centered between the three mounting points of the 3-point hitch 51 of FIG. 1A. A chain 30 links sprocket 31 to sprocket 21. To provide proper tension on chain 30, an operator loosens bolts 37, slides plates 34 along rails 33 and then clamps them into position by tightening bolts 37. The gear ratio of sprockets 21 and 31 is sized to allow the impellers 4 and 8 to rotate at a suitable speed when shaft 32 rotates at the standard PTO rotation speed. Although the preferred embodiment of the invention uses a roller chain and sprocket drive mechanism those of skill in the art will understand that other mechanical drive mechanisms, such as for example, meshed gears or pulleys and belts, could be employed.

FIG. 4 is a simplified sectional elevation view of the apparatus 61 of FIG. 1 showing catch bin assembly 50 in more detail. FIG. 4A is a rear elevation view of apparatus 61 showing catch bin assembly 50 doors and hinges in more detail. Catch bin assembly 50 includes a bin 70 residing on a mounting frame 73 and connected to the mounting frame by a hinge 74. Bin 70 includes a pair of doors 75 attached by hinges 76 and latches 77. Frame 73, mounted on main body 58, positions the bottom of bin 70 over debris exit port 7 so that debris enters bin 70 when expelled from the exit port. Portions of bin 70 walls and doors 75 are formed by a tough filter mesh for filtering debris from the air while allowing the air to pass out of bin 70. A deflector plate 41 (FIG. 1A) located at the top of exit port 7 causes air and debris to rotate within bin 70 and deflects highly energetic debris from a straight path that may cause premature wear of bin wall material opposite exit port 7.

Doors 75 open to allow an operator to remove debris from bin 70. A simple latch 77 holds the doors closed during operation. Bin 70 is mounted on frame 73 by a hinge or hinges 74 allowing the operator to tilt the bin back when emptying the bin of debris. A tilt latch 72 mounted at the front of the machine between the frame 73 and bin 70 holds the bin against the frame when the bin is being filled and allows the bin to be unlatched and tilted when emptying the bin. A short chain 78 (FIG. 4B) or length of cable or telescoping brace connected between frame 73 and bin 70 limits the amount by which bin 70 can be tilted. Doors 75 fold completely around to the sides of bin 70 to be completely out of the way while dumping debris out of bin 70. A simple latch 79 retains the doors in a fully opened position against gravity while bin 70 is tilted.

An operator can stop the tractor PTO drive, back apparatus 71 to a dumping location and raise the 3-point connection if necessary to gain additional height over debris already in that location or to clear some obstacle, such as a safety barrier guarding a drop. The operator unlatches and fully opens doors 75, secures them open using latches 79, releases latch 72 and then tilts bin 70 to empty the debris. Hinge 74 resides somewhat forward of doors 75 to help reduce the force needed to tilt bin 70 when full of debris but resides sufficiently to the rear of the center of mass of bin 70 that the bin will remain seated in the non-tilted position even when unlatched until forced to tilt. Additionally, the preferred embodiment places the rear frame and tilt hinge far enough back so that debris falls beyond the rearmost projection of the chassis and wheels when bin 70 is being emptied.

FIG. 5 is a simplified side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the invention that is generally similar to the apparatus of FIG. 4 except that bin 70 of FIG. 4 is replaced with a wheeled bin 89 towed behind main body 58 via a hitch 88 and receiver 87 rather than mounted upon the main body. A flexible hose or rigid conduit 85 and an adaptor 86 provide a path for air and debris from exit port 7 to an inlet port 84 of bin 89. Bin 89 may be open or enclosed by filter mesh. The apparatus of FIG. 5 is particularly suitable for cleaning large expanses, such as for example a golf course, because bin 89 can hold a large amount of debris.

FIG. 6 is a simplified side elevation view of the apparatus 61 of FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIG. 6A is a sectional elevation view of the main body 58 of FIG. 6 wherein cover plate 11 on vacuum horn 14 of the main body 58 (FIG. 2) has been removed and replaced with an adapter 101 for attaching a flexible hose 91 to vacuum horn 14. When it is not practical to pull apparatus 61 over an area to be cleaned of debris, such as for example a flower bed, an operator can install pickup hose 91 on apparatus 61 and use it to sweep an area free of debris. A hose adaptor 101, having a mounting flange 105 is attached to air horn 14 in place of cover plate 11 (FIG. 2) to provide a point of attachment for flexible vacuum hose 91. Adapter 101 extends into vacuum inlet aperture 12 and blocks air flow 13 in vacuum horn 14, thereby allowing impeller 8 to draw air and debris flow 104 in through hose 91 and to force the air and debris out of debris exit port 7. A cover plate 100 can be installed over input aperture 20 when necessary to suppress jet airflow 1 when vacuum hose 91 is in use. Pickup hose 91 could also be installed in a similar fashion at the inlet aperture 12 of the apparatus of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative implementation of a portion of a debris removal apparatus accordance with the invention for removing debris from surface 55. A single impeller 120 mounted in a compartment 121 of a chassis 123 provides all motive force for creating an air jet 119 through an aperture 117 for lifting debris from surface 55 and for creating a vacuum air flow 122 for drawing the debris into another compartment 124 of chassis 123. Impeller 120, driven by a shaft assembly 128 linked to a source of rotational power, draws air from compartment 124 into compartment 121 through a filter element 126 to provide air jet 119. As it draws air from within compartment 124, impeller 120 lowers air pressure within compartment 124, thereby creating vacuum flow 122 through an aperture 130 in compartment 124. Since this embodiment of the invention recycles the air it uses, it reduces dust discharge into the surrounding air. A removable cover 132 provides access to the interior of compartment 124 for removing accumulated debris, for accessing to shaft assembly 128, and for servicing and cleaning filter element 126. An adaptor, similar to adaptor 101 of FIG. 6A, can be installed in place of cover 132 to provide for a vacuum hose connection to compartment 124.

FIG. 7A illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 7 to which has been fitted flexible hoses 131 and 132 coupling a cleaning head 130 to aperture 117 and inlet port 109 of chassis 123. Cleaning head 130 and hose 131 convey an air jet 133 from aperture 117 for lifting debris from surface 55. Cleaning head 130 and flexible hose 132 provide an inlet air flow 134 from surface 55 to inlet port 109 for conveying the lifted debris into compartment 124.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for removing debris from a surface, the apparatus comprising:

a chassis having a first compartment having an inlet port,

first means for directing a jet of air at the debris to lift the debris from the surface, and for moving the debris lifted from the surface into the first compartment via the inlet port.

2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first means directs the air jet in a direction substantially parallel to the surface.

3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first means removes air from the first compartment, thereby creating a flow of air into the first compartment via the inlet port for carrying the debris lifted from the surface into the first compartment via the inlet port.

4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 3 further comprising:

a container, wherein the first means removes the air from the first compartment by blowing the air out of the first compartment and into the container thereby creating a flow of air through the first compartment via the inlet port for carrying the debris lifted from the surface into the first compartment via the inlet port and through the first compartment into the container.

5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 4

wherein the chassis comprises a second compartment having an outlet port: and

wherein the first means comprises: a first impeller mounted in the first compartment for blowing the air out of the first compartment, and a second impeller mounted in the second compartment for creating the air jet by blowing air out of the outlet port.

6. The apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein the first means comprises second means connected to the first and second impellers for rotating the first and second impellers.

7. The apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein the second means comprises means for coupling a power takeoff drive shaft to the first and second impellers such that the first and second impellers rotate when the power takeoff drive shaft rotates.

8. The apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein the second means comprises:

a motor having a rotating shaft, and

means for coupling the rotating shaft to the first and second impellers so that the first and second impellers rotate when the motor rotates its shaft.

9. The apparatus in accordance with claim 3

wherein the chassis further comprises a second compartment having an outlet port, and

wherein the first means moves air from the first compartment into the second compartment, and creates the air jet by moving air out of the second compartment via the outlet port.

10. The apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein the first means filters the air it moves from the first compartment into the second compartment so that debris remains in the first compartment.

11. The apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein the first means comprises:

an impeller rotatably mounted in one of said first and second compartments for moving air from the first compartment into the second compartment, and

a filter for filtering air moved from the first compartment into the second compartment.

12. The apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein the first means further comprises means for coupling the impeller to a power takeoff drive shaft and for rotating the impeller when the power takeoff drive shaft rotates.

13. The apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein the first means further comprises:

a motor having a shaft, and

means for coupling the impeller to the shaft so that the impeller rotates when the motor rotates its shaft.

14. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

a flexible hose, and

means for selectively blocking the flow of air into the first compartment via the inlet port and for coupling the flexible hose to the chassis such that air conveys debris through the flexible hose and into the chassis.

15. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first means comprises:

a cleaning head,

a first flexible hose coupling the cleaning head to the chassis,

a second flexible hose coupling the cleaning head to the inlet port, and

means for creating a first air flow from the chassis, through the first flexible hose and the cleaning head such that the cleaning head produces the air jet, and for creating a second air flow into the cleaning head, through the second flexible hose and the inlet port, for moving the debris lifted from the surface into the first compartment.

16. The apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein the cleaning head directs the air jet substantially parallel to the surface.

17. A method for removing debris from a surface comprising the steps of:

a. directing a jet of air at the debris to lift the debris from the surface, and

b. vacuuming the debris lifted from the surface into a first compartment via an inlet port of the first compartment.

18. The method in accordance with claim 17 wherein step b comprises removing air from the first compartment, thereby creating a flow of air into the input port for conveying the debris lifted from the surface into the first compartment.

19. The method in accordance with claim 18 further comprising the step of:

c. directing the air removed from the first compartment into a container such that the air conveys debris from the first compartment into the container.

20. The method in accordance with claim 18 further comprising the steps of:

c. directing the air removed from the first compartment into a second compartment through a filter, which filters debris from the air so that it remains in the first compartment.

21. The method in accordance with claim 20

wherein the second compartment includes an outlet aperture, and

wherein the air directed into the second compartment pass out of the outlet aperture to form the air jet.

22. The method in accordance with claim 18 further comprising the steps of:

c. coupling a flexible hose to the first compartment so that air can enter the first compartment via the flexible hose, and

d. blocking the inlet port to prevent air from entering the first compartment via the inlet port.