Abstract: A method for making a brush element for a brush roller wherein bristle bunches formed by folding bristles over bent portions of U-shaped staples have their folded portions and associated staples inserted through tight fitting apertures in a base portion of a frame so that legs of the staples are bent by collision with a facing side of an attachment section of the frame. A hardenable adhesive is then poured into the frame between the base portion and the facing side around the staples and folded portions of the bristle bunches. The adhesive is hardened, bonding the staples in the adhesive and affixing the bristles to the base portion. The adhesive may be a polyurethane-base resin having viscosity allowing absorption of the adhesive between the bristles near their folded portions, the tight fit of the bristles in the apertures holding them in place during pouring and hardening of the adhesive.

Abstract: A bristle strip for rotary brushes comprising a supporting channel in which the closed ends of U-shaped bristles are clamped. The channel is provided with laterally-extending guide members mounted directly thereon that project laterally outwardly beyond its side flanges to guide the strip when it is inserted in a guide track on a rotary drum and to retain it therein.

Abstract: A hand held device for sweeping cloth and other surfaces and to convey the sweepings to a self-contained dust pan. An endless flat belt rotating on two pulleys of unequal diameter supports a plurality of transverse brushes which do the sweeping and conveying. Rotation is derived from a motor contained within the larger pulley. The motor is driven by direct current batteries when the operator presses a switch in the handle. The smaller pulley resides near an opening in the housing. The brushes, one after another sweep through the opening picking up any residues on the surface being brushed and conveys them onto a flat surface which is parallel to the conveying leg of the belt. This plate cooperates with the brushes to convey the particles of residue to the center of the dust pan. Gravity traps the particles beneath the conveying plate in the dustpan until dumping is accomplished. The brushes continue on through a comb, on around the main pulley and back to the opening for another stroke.

Abstract: A bristle strip for rotary brushes comprising a supporting channel in which the closed ends of the U-shaped bristles are clamped. The channel is provided with laterally-extending guide members mounted directly thereon that project laterally outwardly beyond its side flanges to guide the strip when it is inserted in a guide track on a rotary drum and to retain it therein. Due to the simple nature of the strip it can be produced at a low cost without special tooling.

Abstract: In a vacuum cleaner beater brush structure, a beater brush roller is provided with a helical brush strip and a beater strip. A sprocket comprises a support flange and a gear pulley, the gear pulley comprising a carrier having brush tufts and beater bars, a step, a toothed array for engaging with the timing belt, the circular rib for preventing inflow of air containing dirt toward rotating portions of the structure, and an axle for supporting rotation of the structure and integrally formed therewith. A support pulley comprises a circular rib for preventing inflow of air containing dirt toward the rotating portion and an axle adapted for supporting rotation of the structure and integrally formed therewith. A pair of bearing mounts are coupled with the pulleys. The bearing mount comprises a rectangular supporter, a bearing housing portion for receiving an oil-filled sleeve bearing adapted to rotatably support the axle, and openings for allowing air containing dirt to flow therethrough.

Abstract: A brush segment for mounting on a slotted support structure is presented. The brush segment generally comprises: a substrate; a carpet of bristles mounted on the substrate in a preferred manner; and, a root system projecting outwardly from a side of the substrate opposite from the carpet of bristles. Brush segments according to the present invention are particularly well-adapted for mounting in association with longitudinal slots of a cylindrical hub arrangement, including conventional cylindrical hub arrangements. In preferred applications the substrate is formed from a pliable material which is then hardened in a preferred configuration.

Abstract: A brush attachment for a power tool, such as an electric drill, capable of rotating a suitable shaft including an attachment body containing a longitudinally extending chamber and an elongate shaft rotatably mounted in this body and projecting from a rear end thereof. A cam and cam follower mechanism in the chamber convert rotary motion of the shaft into a reciprocating linear motion. There is a shaft mechanism mounted in the body for sliding reciprocating movement only relative to the body and connected to the cam follower. This shaft mechanism projects from a front end of the body. A brush is attached to a front end of the shaft mechanism and reciprocates with this mechanism in the longitudinal direction thereof. The brush attachment can be mounted on the power tool so the attachment body remains stationary relative to the tool when the shaft is rotating.

Abstract: Apparatus reconditioning artificial turf surfaces by scarifying or brushing. Scarifying rods (13) and cleaning brushes (14) are mounted to a rotary work head (31) inside a wheeled housing which is pushed over the artificial turf surface as the work head rotates against the direction of movement to lift compacted blades above their sand bed and clean them of slime coatings.

Abstract: A bottle and can picking apparatus includes a portable carrier frame, a rotatable member mounted on the carrier frame, a plurality of flexible loops attached to the rotatable member and extending radially therefrom for picking up the bottles, cans and other litter, a drive motor for driving the rotation of the rotatable member, and a waste receptacle for receiving and holding the litter picked up by the loops. As the carrier frame is moved over the ground and the rotatable member is rotated, the flexible loops come in sweeping contact with the ground, dislodging the litter and lifting it upwardly and rearwardly into the waste receptacle.

Abstract: A bristle strip for rotary brushes comprising a channel in which the closed ends of the U-shaped bristles are clamped. The channel is provided with pairs of opposed slots in its upstanding flanges or sides which receive guide lugs that project laterally outwardly to guide the strip when it is inserted in a guide track on a rotary drum and to retain it therein. Each lug is provided with an indentation for engaging the mat of bristles to hold the lug in a lateral fixed position. Due to the simple nature of the strip it can be produced at a low cost without special tooling.

Abstract: A brush roller (1) includes a cylinder section (2) and brush elements (4) attached to it. In each element (4) the bristles (6) are attached in essentially a radial direction. The cylinder (2) of the brush roller (1) includes longitudinal rails (3), and each element (4) includes an indentation (7), which attaches the element (4) to the rail (3), and one or more elements (4) are sequentially arranged to be pushed onto each rail (3).

Abstract: A grass pick-up broom for riding, walk-behind and tow-behind mowers includes a cylindrical sleeve rotatably mounted on a rear axle of a mower and having spaced elongate brushes fixedly attached to the sleeve and extending radially therefrom. The sleeve is connected by a belt to a rotary cutting blade powered by an engine mounted on the mower. When the cutting blade is engaged, the sleeve automatically rotates about the axle causing the brushes to rotate thereabout, propelling grass clippings and other debris into a grass catcher located behind the broom. The brushes of the broom also comb the surface of the newly cut grass, picking up grass clippings and other heavier debris and transfering the debris to the grass catcher.

Abstract: A powered striker assembly for collecting loose material on the ground has a shaft mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis at a predetermined distance above the ground. The shaft carries an array of striker members. The striker members preferably comprise elastic nonrigid bodies. In the absence of shaft rotation, the elastic nonrigid bodies of the striker members are normally flexed out of a perpendicular relationship with the ground. In response to centrifugal force generated by rotation of the shaft, the flexed striker bodies mutually assume a perpendicular relationship with the ground for contacting and thrusting loose material. In one arrangement, the striker bodies are bent upon themselves in a U-shape and inserted through holes in the shaft, where they remain without use of external fasteners or the like.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a preform (7) for an optical fiber is made from a tube having a substrate layer (16) of fluorine-doped silica and a support layer (18) of non-doped silica. A cladding layer (8) of fluorine-doped silica and a core layer (10) of non-doped silica are formed on the inside surface of the tube by chemical vapor phase deposition. The optical fiber is subsequently obtained by collapsing the tube and drawing it. The invention is applicable to fabricating optical fibers.

Abstract: A brush head for cleaning and massaging the teeth and gums is disclosed having a bundle of fibers welded together to form a bottom plate. The bottom plate has formed structures produced by partially melting one end of the fiber bundle while pressing the bundle into a shaped recess in a heated tool. The shaped structures allow interlocking of the brush head with mating structures in a driving devise.

Abstract: A rotary brush with removable brush elements is provided. The brush elements are disposed on a hub in a radial display. The brush elements include a resiliently flexible element which permits the brush to deflect at a greater angle from a rest position than the angle of deflection of the bristles of the brush from a normal position when the hub is rotated with the bristles in contact with the workpiece.

Abstract: A brush segment for mounting on a slotted support structure is presented. The brush segment generally comprises: a substrate; a carpet of bristles mounted on the substrate in a preferred manner; and, a root system projecting outwardly from a side of the substrate opposite from the carpet of bristles. Brush segments according to the present invention are particularly well-adapted for mounting in association with longitudinal slots of a cylindrical hub arrangement, including conventional cylindrical hub arrangements. According to a first described embodiment, the substrate is flat and relatively flexible, and includes a plurality of root members thereon, for mounting. In a second embodiment described, the substrate is generally curved, elastic and includes a single centrally located root member, for mounting. Also according to the present invention a combination of a hub and at least one brush segment is described. Further, a method of preparing a brush surface is also provided.

Abstract: A beater brush for a vacuum cleaner includes a cylindrical dowel having at least one groove helically disposed in an outer periphery thereof for receiving a bristle strip. The bristle strip has a bristle support section and a beater bar integrally formed with a hinge disposed therebetween. In the bristle strip's molded position, the beater bar is disposed a distance from the bristle support section to allow bristle tufts to be inserted in apertures formed in the bristle support section. After the bristle tufts are secured to the bristle support section, the beater bar is swung into position abutting the bristle tufts so as to impart kinetic energy thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus for working the surfaces (4) of traffic areas (5) comprises a oll (16) rotatably drivable about a substantially horizontally extending axis (17), this roll carrying along its periphery working elements acting on the surface (4) to be treated. The roll (16) is supported with respect to the frame (1) of the apparatus by adjustable servo members (21) and is additionally tiltable about an axis that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation (17) of the roll (16) and is oriented essentially horizontally. Furthermore, a rotary brush (101) is disclosed for the working of traffic areas and for removing layers from the surface, exhibiting a brush core (102) with working elements attached to the latter.

Abstract: A cylindrical motor driven brush for a vacuum cleaner or the like having a hollow outer cylinder and a plastic bristle tube assembly for insertion in the outer cylindrical tube. The insert tube is provided with a helical mounting strip with brush bristles thereon which is inserted through a correspondingly shaped slot in said outer cylindrical tube.

Abstract: Several holding members (1) are arranged over the outer surface of the br core in radial and axial distribution for working elements (2) of roller brushes to treat traffic areas, especially in order to remove, for the surface of the latter, coatings such as dirt, snow, ice, paint, abraded rubber, or the like, and the working elements (2) are retained so that they are pivotably movable with respect to the brush core about axes in parallel to the axis of rotation of the brush, the working elements (2) being attached to the holding members (1) in the zone of a radially outwardly located head (3) of the holding member (1).

Abstract: A combination base board/corner and floor brush holder is provided for simultaneously cleaning or polishing the base boards and floor. The device consists of a circular pad for removable attachment to bottom of the holder for use on a floor and a plurality of brushes for removable attachment around perimeter of the holder for use on a base board of a wall. A flexible cover is removably attached over the holder to keep the brushes in proper position when the holder rotates when used. A longer softer brush may be installed so that bristle will reach to a corner apex between wall at right angles to each other.

Abstract: A vehicle washing apparatus is described with a brush construction having a high density section positioned at an elevation above the bumpers of vehicles. This latter section may be of a greater diameter than the diameter of adjoining sections of the brush. In addition, the washing elements of these adjoining sections may be arranged in vertical rows with relatively long flaps which engage the vehicle for cleaning purposes and shorter flaps which help to space a core of the brush away from the surfaces of the vehicle. Also, the washing elements may be in horizontal rows with each row projecting from an associated annular washing material support flange. The brush construction may also include an upper window cleaning brush having a first portion of a first diameter and a second upper portion of a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The window brush is typically of a density which is less than the density of the other sections of the brush.

Abstract: A descaler for removing scale from steel billet before rolling of the steel billet. The descaler has a plurality of steel wire brush units each being constituted by an elongated supporting member and a multiplicity of steel wires arranged densely along the length of the supporting member and attached to the same. The steel wire brush units are loosely mounted on a rotary drum with their supporting members extending in parallel with the axis of the drum for limited radial movement and circumferential rocking movement with respect to the rotary drum. In operation of the descaler, the steel wire brush units are projected radially outwardly by the action of the centrifugal force to strongly strike and hit the billet surface to promote the removal of the scale. Since the flexing of each wire is resisted by the bundle of densely arranged steel wires, the breakage of the steel wires is suppresed to ensure a longer life of the descaler.

Abstract: The finishing or polishing wheel comprises a flap pack hub spaced from the axis of the wheel and a drive hub mounted on a rotary shaft and carrying the flap pack hub. The flap pack hub includes an axially extending reach disposed between a pair of opposed radially extending reaches to form an annular peripheral recess that opens radially outward. An array of axially extending, circumferentially and equidistantly spaced pins span the recess between the opposed radially extending reaches. A finishing flap pack is mounted on each pin and extends outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A roller brush comprises a central tube and a plurality of uniformly distributed axial light-metal sections removably clamped against each other and against the tube by means of wedges. Axial bristle bars with bristle bundles are arranged between the outer end portions of the sections. The bristle bars have a substantially rectangular cross section and have their side edges displaceably mounted in retaining bars made from plastics, which in turn are accommodated in grooves made in the sides of the light-metal sections.

Abstract: A bristle section for rotary brushes comprising a bristle-carrying channel fitting into and retained in a mounting channel which has retaining ears along its length which slide into retaining channels in a receiving and retaining channel on the brush drum. The mounting channel is formed with flanges having flared outer edges so as not to tend to cut the bristles as they bend into contact therewith during rotation of the brush.

Abstract: A mandrel is provided for insertion in a well pipestring. First and second semi-cylindrical sections, in turn, are arranged to be brought together from opposite sides of the mandrel to surround the mandrel in coaxial relationship. Each of these semi-cylindrical sections has holes supporting wire brushes, the brushes being held secure when the semi-cylindrical sections are fitted about the mandrel. End ring members are received over the opposite ends of the mandrel to engage about the ends of the semi-cylindrical sections and hold them securely together. Appropriate collar members threaded on the ends of the mandrel in turn will hold the ring members axially in place and also serve to connect the mandrel to the pipe string. The mandrel itself has a central bore sufficient to maintain the normal circulation or reverse circulation during a brushing operation and the semi-cylindrical sections holding the brushes can be easily removed and replaced as required.

Abstract: An abrasive head including a plurality of radially extending brushes interspaced with abrasive strips. The brushes are secured by brush holders between a pair of parallel plates with the holders having overlapping mounting flanges secured together to one of the plates. A pair of hubs mounted to the plates receives a rotatable spindle upon which the head is mounted. A pair of wrench-engageable lock plates engages stop surfaces on the hubs limiting relative motion therebetween. A holder within the head adjustably secures a plurality of abrasive strips rolled upon each other having free distal ends located between the brushes.

Abstract: A rotatable cloth scrubbing rush for cleaning the exterior of a vehicle comprises a rotatable shaft or hub, a plurality of cloth wiping members for contacting the surface to be cleaned, and means for limiting the penetration of the portion of the vehicle being cleaned with the brush. One such means for limiting penetration of the portion of the vehicle being cleaned comprises a disk wheel of a predetermined diameter mounted around said shaft or hub and interposed between said cloth wiping members. Another means for limiting penetration comprises sets of bristles connected at one end to said shaft or hub and interleaved between rows of cloth wiping members.

Abstract: A machine for the manufacture of brushes having a bristle collecting station, a melting station, a welding station and at least one bristle bunch holder. The bristle bunch holder consists of a plate having hollow bristle holding sleeves thereon and comprising movement devices, with which the bristle bunch holder is successively aligned with the stations. A discharge station is provided in which ejector means are, during advancement of the bristle bunch holder, pushed through the bristle holding sleeves.

Abstract: A rotary brush assembly, suitable for use in a vacuum cleaner, is disclosed. The assembly includes a generally cylindrical brush roller body carrying an array of helical rows of bristle tufts. In one embodiment, bristle tufts near a midplane normal to the roller body axis and equidistant between its ends are substantially normal to the roller body axis. Other bristle tufts are angled away from the midplane in an amount which is an increasing function of their distance from the midplane. Bristle stiffness is an increasing function of the degree of tuft angulation.In another embodiment, the roller body defines helical grooves in its outer surface, and two brush strip substrate portions bearing the bristle tufts are inserted end to end in each groove. Adjacent brush strip ends define structure for interlocking the brush strips for inhibiting longitudinal separation of the brush strips, which would otherwise tend to result from brush rotation.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner floor tool is provided which comprises a housing formed by upper and lower members which mate with one another along a single plane inclined with respect to the base plane or bottom of the lower member. An air-powered turbine motor is positioned in the housing and includes a turbine chamber for the turbine motor, and a rotary floor agitator is provided which partially extends from the housing. The agitator is coupled to the turbine motor and is driven thereby. A base plate is removably mounted on the housing and forms a portion of a wall thereof, with the agitator extending from the housing through an opening in the base plate. Air passes through the opening in the base plate into the turbine chamber. The base plate includes a ramp which extends from the base plate into the housing, where the ramp and a portion of the turbine chamber form a nozzle for the turbine motor.

Abstract: Brush bridges with bristle bunches are used in a rotating brush roller in sweeping machines. The bridges can be inserted in axial guides on the brush roller. Each brush bridge comprises two U-shaped sections welded together to form a box section. Openings are made in these sections, and the bristle bunches are inserted and retained in said openings.

Abstract: A machine for the manufacture of brushes having at least one brush head mounting structure for brush heads. The mounting structure is pivotal about two axes and furthermore is longitudinally movable. The machine comprises a bristle bunch holder for holding bristle bunches and movement devices for guiding the bristle bunch to a brush head. Between the bunch holder and the brush head there is arranged at least two heating elements with contact heating surfaces thereon. The heating elements are provided on a movable heating-element carrier which can be moved between an engaging position, in which one heating surface is adjacent to the brush head and the other adjacent to the bunch holder, and a rest position, which lies outside of the range of movement of the bristle bunch holder.

Abstract: A brush-beater roller for a vacuum cleaner in which the roller is elongated and is helically twisted about its longitudinal axis, said roller having elongated dovetail slots for accommodating a brush bristle holder, and a beater bar. The dovetail slots are arranged to receive radial projections on the integral belt pulley which correspond in shape to the dovetail slots. The roller further has means thereon for preventing the bristle holders from coming out of the dovetail slot upon rotation of the roller.

Abstract: A brush stick for cotton gins is made of a expanded, rigid thermoplastic having closed cells on the interior and a dense, non-cellular skin. The stick is mounted on a cylinder and is used to doff cotton from a saw cylinder.

Abstract: A bristle for mounting on a rotatable drum or shaft to form a sweeping device for use in maintaining railroad rails, ties, ballast and way. The bristle contains a length of wire rope with a lubricant within the interstices of the wire and strands of the rope. A low density polyethylene jacket is high compression extruded onto the exterior and into the intersticial area of the length of wire rope thereby containing and permanently sealing the lubricant within the wire rope, increasing the longitudinal stiffness of the rope, and effecting a mechanical interlock between the wire rope and the polyethylene jacket which both secures the strands of the rope together and secures the polyethylene jacket to the rope. A polyurethane jacket is extruded onto the exterior of the polyethylene jacket thereby stiffening the wire rope and polyethylene jacket, protecting the same from abrasion and cutting, and preventing splaying, unraveling or flaring of the bristle.

Abstract: A rotary brush construction comprised of a drumlike frame having a plurality of replaceable, semi-cylindrical, bristle-carrying sections removably attached thereto. The brush sections are mounted in opposed pairs on the frame. The means attaching the brush sections to the frame can be easily removed and replaced.

Abstract: A machine for washing the internal surfaces of hollow bowl-shaped bodies has a housing whose cover is movable between open and closed positions and has devices for releasably holding and centering a body thereon. The housing supports a driven shaft which carries and rotates two parallel motion mechanisms for brushes extending in parallelism with the axis of the shaft and moving outwardly into engagement with the adjacent portions of the internal surface of a body in the housing when the shaft is driven by a motor. The parallel motion mechanisms are deformed by centrifugal force to move the brushes outwardly in automatic response to rotation of the shaft. The shaft is assembled of sections which are slidably telescoped into each other, and the outermost section carries a further brush which engages the innermost portion of the internal surface of a body which is held by the cover while the latter dwells in the closed position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and useful tire cleaning apparatus used in and for automatic car washes. The apparatus is comprised of a shaft having coupled thereto a pair of split end adapters and a core element which carries the brush filaments positioned between said adapters. The adapters and core have means for enabling the shaft to pass therethrough; said adapters and core frictionally engaging the shaft.

Abstract: A modular pack unit is adapted to be replaceably mounted to a support structure having one or more quasi-cylindrical, key-hole-type, slot-defining formations disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support structure. The pack unit includes a substantially solid, elongated, head-forming and pack-reinforcing support element made from a resiliently firm yet flexible material including a generally cylindrical, solid, bulb-like portion having an integrally formed, radially outwardly extending solid fin portion. A first sheet or ply of generally flexible material has a first portion draped or looped tightly over the elongated element so as to conform closely to the contours thereof and a second portion extending outwardly from the support element. The looped portion has a first section closely overlying the bulb-like portion and second and third sections integrally contiguous with the respective opposite ends of the first section tightly overlying corresponding opposite sides of the fin portion.

Abstract: A rotary brush construction, particularly for washing vehicles, having a pair of spaced collars mounted upon a shaft and supporting a plurality of elongated bristle holding members arranged in a cylindrical pattern concentric with the shaft. Each collar has an annular flange extending axially thereof, which flange has a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots extending axially inwardly from the free end thereof. The flanges of the collars are directed so that the slots formed in the plurality of collars all open axially in the same direction. Each bristle holding member has fastening elements, such as threaded fasteners, mounted on and positioned so as to be slidably received within a corresponding slot formed on a collar for permitting the bristle holding member to be fixedly secured to the collar.

Abstract: A rotary brush construction comprised of a drumlike frame having a plurality of replaceable, semi-cylindrical, bristle-carrying sections removably attached thereto. The brush sections are mounted in opposed pairs on the frame. The means attaching the brush sections to the frame can be easily removed and replaced.

Abstract: A rotary brush construction, particularly for a top brush for washing vehicles including elongate bristles carried on a perforate hollow cylindrical core of relatively small diameter. A plurality of axially short collar units secure the core on a shaft for rotation therewith and are spaced along the inside of the core. The collars each comprise a hub fixed to the shaft and, in one embodiment, a shell radially spaced from the hub by radial web members, for carrying the core. Tension members extend from the hub through the shell and hold the core to the shell. The collars occupy minimal cross-sectional area within the core. Lubricant liquid streams enter the opposite core ends and pass inward through the collars for substantially uniform distribution of liquid within the core. The liquid passes out through the core perforations to lubricate the bristles. The core preferably comprises plural longitudinal sections having differing bristle densities.