Abstract: A high-speed pick-up head includes an air pressure chamber and an air suction chamber respectively associated with an elongated blast orifice and a suction orifice. The chambers are arranged in side-by-side relationship generally normal to the direction of vehicle/pick-up head travel and have opposite first and second ends. Each chamber defines an elongated volume corresponding in length generally to the orifice associated therewith with each volume decreasing in cross-sectional area toward its closed end. Respective air inlets and air outlets of the pressure and suction chambers are opposite each other and the blast orifice can be changed in size and/or shape, preferably diverging in a direction away from the pressure chamber air inlet to maintain maximum air velocity/flow which blasts or blows sand or similar dense debris from airport runways for subsequent removal/separation at extremely high efficiencies.

Abstract: A device for acting on or treating surfaces by a medium, preferably air, which is supplied to the device via one or several inlets and is sucked away through one or several outlets. The device comprises at least one vortex chamber (10) whose inner envelope surface (11) is so designed that the medium entering through the inlets (20) is circulated in the chamber and acts on the treatment surface (13) through an opening (12) provided in the envelope surface (11) and directed to the treatment surface (13). The axis (17) about which the medium is circulated is parallel to the treatment surface (13).

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a sweeper for roads, parking lots or like surfaces which is particularly adapted to be mounted upon a bed of a pickup truck, the sweeper including a hopper into which air-entrained debris is discharged, the hopper having a fore-aft axis to coincide with the direction of travel of an associated pickup truck, a pickup head, the pickup head being supported in transverse relationship to the fore-aft axis of the hopper, the hopper and pickup head each including an inlet and an outlet and conduits therebetween for conducting air-entrained debris from the pickup head into the hopper and conducting air from the hopper to the pickup head, and a centrifugal separator within the hopper having an axis disposed generally parallel to the hopper fore-aft axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air filtration and filter mounting system. The system includes a clean air plenum having a wall with an inlet opening therein. A pair of substantially parallel tension bars are connected to and extend perpendicular to the plenum wall spaced on opposite sides of the plenum inlet. A gimbal plate is slidingly mounted on the tension bars. A filter element is positioned between the tension bars and between the gimbal plate and the plenum wall about the inlet opening. A clamping bar is fixedly connected to the tension bars outward of the gimbal plate and a screw is threadedly engaged with the clamping bar to urge the gimbal plate into clamping engagement with the filter element.

Abstract: A suction cleaning device adapted to be moved over a surface to remove loose debris therefrom and for use in a system including a suction duct leading to a source of high velocity air vacuum. A frame defines a housing having a substantially closed top. A plurality of elongated rollers are journalled on the frame within the housing and extending generally perpendicular to a forward direction of travel of the device for sealing as the device moves over the surface. Upper seals extend lengthwise between adjacent rollers and spaced from the surface. Surface seals extend between adjacent ends of selected pairs of the elongated rollers, whereby the rollers, the upper seals, the surface seals and the surface itself substantially define the bounds of a tortuous air flow path generally parallel to and over the surface in a circuitous route between the rollers. An air inlet is located forwardly of the housing at one end of the tortuous air flow path.

Abstract: A machine for removing liquid from an area of ground over which the liquid has spread, comprises a convex hood (11) with a flat tray (12) mounted inside it. A motor driven fan (14) blows a downdraft out of the tray's central aperture (16) across the underside of the tray and into an annular gap (13) between the hood and the tray. The travelling air supports the machine above the ground and also lifts any ground-lying liquid into the annular gap and deposits it in a chamber inside the hood.

Abstract: To clean the ballast bed of a railroad track, a wheeled vehicle movable over the ballast bed contains a blower for generating a positive flow of air and a suction flow. A suction port is located on the vehicle spaced a given distance above the ballast bed. A pipe section outlet is located around the suction port. The positive flow of air is directed through the pipe section outlet so that it provides a circular air flow about the downward projection of the suction port. The circular air flow sweeps the surface of the ballast bed and any refuse swept up is drawn into the suction port by the suction flow generated by the blower.

Abstract: An air flow control mechanism is provided in the debris pick-up head (10) of a sweeper to allow selective sweeping of debris. The pick-up head (10) is provided a center skirt (70) which partitions the head interior into two sweeping chambers, a rearward chamber (74) and a forward chamber (75). A filler piece (76) in the rearward chamber (74) lowers the ceiling of the chamber (74) sufficiently to create an air flow velocity differential between the two chambers. Forced air flow directed into the rearward chamber (74) becomes high-velocity, air flow capable of transporting relatively heavy debris to a suction outlet (66) for removal to a collection hopper (13). The forward chamber (75) has low-velocity air flow therethrough for sweeping relatively lighter debris to the suction outlet (66). The air flow control mechanism is adjustable to allow effective sweeping for various combinations of debris densities and sizes.

Abstract: The problem in picking up and collecting very fine dusts such as aluminum dust, cement and the like is to exhaust the transport air into the atmosphere without dusts.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for cleaning generally cylindrical articles of irregular configuration and, particularly, for cleaning straps of the type used to hold magnetic tape and supplied by manufacturers for use with magnetic tapes. The apparatus comprises a porous cleaning element comprised of multiple felt-cleaning faces resiliently mounted for contact with the inside of the cylinder, or ring, of the strap. The porous elements form means to remove dirt from the article being cleaned without any accumulation of excess dirt on the cleaning head.

Abstract: A pneumatic cleaning system for particulate bulk material such as raisins, seeds, nuts, and the like, the system having a reciprocating screen onto which the material is delivered in a layer for travel across the screen; a top hood and a bottom hood mounted in substantially air-tight relation on the screen; an air cleaner; a blower having an intake and an exhaust, and conduits connecting the exhaust, the bottom hood, the intake, and the cleaner in closed circuit, series relation to pass air upwardly through the layer at the screen.

Abstract: A canister-type vacuum cleaner is provided wherein the vacuum cleaner may be operated with the canister in either a horizontal or substantially upright position. When in the upright position, both vacuum and pressure effects are transmitted to a floor-cleaning device, whereby the cleaning efficiency of the floor-cleaning device is improved.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vacuum cleaning appliance which is convertible to act both as an upright type cleaner or a cylinder type cleaner.The main air passageway through the appliance includes a motor driven suction fan unit and a valve device which is operable to connect the passageway either with an air inlet in a carpet engaging section or with an air inlet in a socket for receiving a cleaner head in the form of a hollow pipe which is connected with the socket by a flexible hose. The pipe slides telescopically within the flexible hose so as to engage within the socket and to act as a handle. When located in the socket the pipe operates the valve device to connect the air passageway with the carpet engaging section.

Abstract: The invention relates to vacuum cleaning appliances.The appliance of the invention includes a cyclone unit which is operable to extract dust and other dirt from the air flow therethrough and to deposit the extracted dust and other dirt in a chamber outside the cyclone and separate from the air flow through the casing of the appliance. The extracted dirt is removed from the appliance by separation of the cyclone unit from the casing.The appliance is convertible to act both as an upright type cleaner or a cylinder type cleaner.

Abstract: A pick-up head for surface cleaning apparatus embodies a horizontal baffle extending between depending side walls of an elongated, downwardly opening chamber. Upper and lower horizontally extending air flow passageways are defined by the baffle within the pick-up head, with air in the lower passageway flowing over and contacting a surface to be cleaned. The upper passageway is restricted at its outlet to create a venturi effect as air passes therefrom. The venturi effect aids in drawing air carrying dirt and debris into the pick-up head.

Abstract: Device for preventing the discharge of dust and fiber particles from textile machine work zones having running threads disposed therein, including an air screen system disposed between the work zones and the ambient air in the vicinity of the machine, the air screen system including air discharge nozzles and air suction nozzles.

Abstract: The present invention provides surface maintenance equipment, such as for sweeping lawns, such equipment including a skirt structure for the debris pickup housing.

Abstract: A powered sweeping machine is disclosed, particularly suitable for efficiently removing light and heavy weight litter from surfaces such as parking lots, warehouse floors and the like. The machine includes a main frame carrying a hopper and a powered brush. The brush operates through an opening in the lower side of a brush housing. The hopper is separated into a debris receiving compartment and a filter compartment. An air fan and an associated duct recirculates air from the far end of the debris compartment to a zone adjacent the brush. This nonfiltered air is discharged into the brush housing and again moved through the debris compartment to aid in moving debris to the far end of the debris compartment. A fan is provided for withdrawing a portion of the air from the filter compartment and discharging the air to the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus cleans footwear with a closed system utilizing brushes and with recirculating compressed air. The apparatus has a housing and a cover containing a grill mounted to the housing by springs. Beneath the grill are a pair of cylindrical brushes which are rotated by electric motors in a direction toward the center of the grill. A combined vacuum cleaner and air compressor beneath the grill provides both a source of compressed air to help clean the shoes and suction to collect the dirt and any other debris dislodged by the apparatus. The brushes clean the bottoms of the shoes and direct any dislodged dirt and other debris toward the center area of the grill. A pair of air tubes disposed along the edges of the grill direct the compressed air over the shoes and toward the center of the grill, along with any debris dislodged thereby. Beneath the center of the grill is a removable collection tank having a slot facing the grill and having an open end connected by a filter to the intake of the air compressor.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning generally cylindrical articles of irregular configuration and, particularly, for cleaning straps of the type used to hold magnetic tape and supplied by manufacturers for use with magnetic tape. The apparatus comprises exterior and interior nozzles resiliently mounted along the inside and outside of the cylinder, or ring, and form means to blow and suck dirt from the article being cleaned.

Abstract: This disclosure shows the supplying of fluid at a pressure greater than the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere to a cleaner in which the cleaning is done by intermittently and consecutively jetting fluid, controlled by a double distributing valve against the surface of the material being cleaned, where the total average pressure of the air or gas is maintained at a few inches of water below the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere. The double distributing valve, having circular outlets evenly spaced around a valve rotor, allows the same number of passages leading from the valve rotor cavity to jet nozzles to be in operation at all times and allows an increase in time for the jetting fluid through the jet nozzles to reach the desired speed.

Abstract: A powered sweeping machine is disclosed, particularly suitable for efficiently removing light and heavy weight litter from surfaces such as parking lots, warehouse floors and the like. The machine includes a main frame carrying a hopper and a powered brush. The brush operates through an opening in the lower side of a brush housing. The hopper is separated into a debris receiving compartment and a filter compartment. An air fan and an associated duct recirculates air from the far end of the debris compartment to a zone adjacent the brush. This nonfiltered air is discharged into the brush housing and again moved through the debris compartment to aid in moving debris to the far end of the debris compartment. A fan is provided for withdrawing a portion of the air from the filter compartment and discharging the air to the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: An improved compact-type vacuum cleaner is provided. The vacuum cleaner comprises a hollow body member having a closed end and an open end, driving means disposed in said body member, fan means also disposed in said body member and adapted to be driven by said driving means, and duct means also disposed in said body member and adapted to recirculate within said body member an air flow generated by said fan means, said duct means having one end connected to the suction side of said fan means and the other end connected to the discharge side of said fan means.The vacuum cleaner may further be provided with wiping means attached to the open end of said hollow body member.

Abstract: A mobile cleaning apparatus for removing dirt and debris from the surface of parking lots and the like characterized by the ability to quickly and efficiently remove debris from the surface to be cleaned and dump the collected debris into a remote upstanding trash bin. The mobile cleaning apparatus includes a mobile vehicle chassis and a pickup head for gathering the debris comprising a pair of forwardly swept, diverging arms including an air pressure port adjacent each opposing free end thereof and a suction port at the juncture of the arms so that dirt and debris dislodged by the air pressure ports tends to move toward the rearwardly positioned suction port. The mobile cleaning apparatus further includes a collection hopper which is movably mounted on the vehicle chassis having a positively actuated door in the bottom thereof and means for raising the collection hopper to a predetermined rearwardly raised position so that the door may be opened and collected debris dumped into a trash bin.

Abstract: A guard for use with a machine in which in operation a rotary element of the machine and a surface requiring an operation to be performed thereon are relatively displaced, comprises a first guard part secured to the machine so as to leave a gap between the guard part and the surface and a second guard part mounted on the first guard part by means permitting relative movement between the guard parts and in a manner to close the gap.To assist in the use of foam for dust suppression purposes, the mounting means for the second guard part on the first guard part defines a jacket having a fluid inlet opening and a fluid outlet opening adjacent the surface.

Abstract: This disclosure shows the supplying of fluid at a pressure greater than the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere to a cleaner in which the cleaning is done by intermittently and consecutively jetting fluid, from a double distributing valve against the surface of the material being cleaned, where the total average pressure of the air or gas is maintained at a few inches of water below the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: A street sweeper hood has a transverse main compartment with an intermediate transverse partition that stops short of the swept surface and divides the main compartment into a front transverse air duct compartment and a rear broom compartment. Air and debris enter an inlet port at the curb end of the air duct and are withdrawn at the opposite end by a blower, the stream of air and entrained debris being accelerated along the air duct by an inclined top plate. A flexible scoop at the curb side of the inlet port and a windrower at the opposite side deflect debris into a tunnel that forms the inlet port.

Abstract: The hood for an air recirculation type of street sweeper forms a single, unidirectional air flow duct from the air inlet line to the air return. The top wall of the hood is formed to provide an air stream deflector that slants downwardly in the direction of the air return line and accelerates the air stream to insure that all debris is entrained in the air stream as it leaves the hood.

Abstract: A mobile street sweeper of the air recirculation pickup hood type has a hopper and a dust filter chamber. A main blower exhausts air from the hopper and introduces it into one end of the hood and air is returned to the hopper from the other end of the hood. An auxiliary blower withdraws air from the filter chamber and exhausts it to atmosphere. The hood is provided with an unobstructed front window and angled deflectors which windrow large objects into the window. The upstream end of the window is disposed at a zone wherein the static pressure of the air stream circulating along the hood is at atmospheric pressure and the downstream end of the window is disposed at a zone wherein the static pressure is only slightly less than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A manually portable casing equipped with suitable handle means has an outer end opening and a sandblasting hood mounted in the casing has a corresponding outer end opening which fits into the outer end opening of the casing. A rotary blaster nozzle inside the hood is supplied with a stream of air entraining grit particles. A rim of the hood has a continuous resilient seal to contact a worksurface that is to be processed thereby to cut off the hood both from the atmosphere and the interior of the casing. The hood and its seal are shaped to cooperate with a particular worksurface configuration which may be concave, convex, angular, etc. Different hoods are used interchangeably to fit different worksurface configurations.

Abstract: A street sweeper with an air recirculation type pickup hood includes a vehicle mounted hopper, a blower and a debris pickup hood extending transversely across a swept surface. The blower withdraws air from the hopper and delivers it to one end of the hood and an air stream and entrained debris leave the other end of the hood through an air return line connected to the hopper. Relatively narrow surface engaging sealing flaps extend along the front and rear sides of the hood. At one end of the hood an air lock is provided having a pair of sequentially operating air lock doors for admitting large articles of debris such as cans or bottles that are windrowed to the entrance of the air lock by an angled deflector.

Abstract: A textile cleaning apparatus comprising a track adapted to extend along a row of textile machines, a carrier movable along the track, and means for driving the carrier along the track. The carrier includes blower means for directing a stream of air outwardly, conduit means associated with said blower means for directing at least one stream of air onto the textile machines as the carrier moves along the track, and air intake means associated with the blower means. The air intake means includes a chamber and a conduit communicating with the chamber and extending generally vertically alongside a row of machines. The conduit has an outer wall and a tubular filter within the conduit with means associated with the lower end of the filter for closing the space between the filter and conduit such that air drawn upwardly passes along the inner periphery of the filter. Valve means is associated with the filter to normally close the upper end of the filter.

Abstract: A wall washing device is provided with self contained liquid spray means, wall and window surface scrubbing means such as brushes or sponges and means for providing a curtain of high velocity, in-rushing air around a wall washing sight. This air serves to dry the freshly laundered wall and window surfaces and also to confine the washing liquids and retard their egress from the wall washing sight. The high velocity, in-rushing air curtain is delivered through a perimeter aperture which is spaced-apart from the window/wall surfaces, in accordance with a first embodiment; and is provided by forceably drawing atmospheric air inwardly at the perimeter of the wall washing sight in accordance with a second embodiment. The device is adapted to ascend and descend between a pair of vertical mullions of the building. The device is further adapted to provide its wall and window washing function during either the ascending or descending runs or both. The device moreover is intended for remotely controlled operation.

Abstract: This disclosure shows the supplying of fluid at a pressure greater than the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere to a cleaner in which the cleaning is done by intermittently and consecutively jetting fluid against the surface of the material being cleaned, where the total average pressure of the air or gas is maintained a few inches of water below the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: This apparatus has a unitary, flexible hose assembly with an inner hose for discharging fuel or other liquid under pressure into a tank to agitate its contents and an outer hose for withdrawing the liquid and entrained impurities from the tank. A pump and filters on a wheeled cart are detachably connected to the opposite end of the hose assembly to continuously recirculate and clean the liquid without intermediate storage of the liquid before it is returned to the tank. The discharge end of the inner hose and a nozzle thereon project several inches beyond the inlet end of the outer hose. An adjustable valve introduces air into the recirculated liquid stream between the outer hose and the pump inlet to increase the turbulence effect inside the tank. For the same purpose the outer hose may be formed with one or more openings near its inlet end.

Abstract: A mobile street sweeper employs a pickup hood through which air is circulated to entrain and pick up debris. The air circulation system includes a main blower and a smaller, auxiliary blower. The main blower inlet is connected to the debris hopper of the sweeper and air delivered by the main blower is directed to one end of the pickup hood. The other end of the pickup hood is connected by an air return line to the hopper. A filter for fine material is mounted on the hopper and has an air inlet that is in communication with the exterior surfaces of a plurality of tubular filter elements in the filter unit. The interiors of the filter elements are in communication with the inlet of the smaller auxiliary blower, which blower exhausts air to the atmosphere. The system is arranged so that about 3/4 of the total system air flow is delivered to the hood by the main blower and about 1/4 of the total system air flow is exhausted to the atmosphere by the auxiliary blower, via the hopper and the filters.

Abstract: A mobile sweeper includes an air blast pickup head having air intake and exhaust ports communicating with the exhaust of a blower and the input of a debris plenum, respectively, for suctioning debris from a surface being cleaned and depositing the debris in the debris plenum. In order to control the dust caused by the air movement, a source of pressurized water is injected in the form of minute droplets into the air stream in advance of the pickup head air intake and in advance of the debris plenum input.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning carpets is provided. The apparatus includes a nozzle for applying liquid such as water to the carpet and also includes air nozzles or openings for drying the carpet. Specifically, a vacuum nozzle is employed to pull in air and water from the carpet, with a hose connecting the vacuum nozzle to a vacuum tank which is associated with a vacuum blower. An exhaust air nozzle or opening is positioned near the vacuum nozzle, with a hose connecting this nozzle to an exhaust outlet associated with the vacuum blower. The vacuum nozzle and the exhaust air nozzle or opening are positioned so that warm exhaust air from the vacuum blower is emitted from the exhaust air nozzle or opening, passes at least partly through the carpet, and is at least partly returned with water through the vacuum nozzle to the tank. In one form, the exhaust air nozzle or opening can be opened and closed remotely through suitable linkages.

Abstract: The specification discloses a surface cleaning apparatus having an air blast pickup head in which the suction in the exhaust chamber can be increased by the operator during operation of the apparatus to facilitate the ingestion of larger objects of debris and litter.

Abstract: A self-propelled machine includes a main housing supported on front and rear drive rollers and has an operator control handle extending from the rear. Front and rear elongated working brushes are driven in orbital movement in horizontal planes, with the front brush being positioned ahead of the front roller and the rear brush positioned behind the rear roller. A supply tank for the working solution includes agitating and aerating means for creating a foam dispensed from a pressurized tank through a flow control gate, and applied to the floor surface ahead of the front brush. The drive rollers act as squeegies. A collection system includes vacuum pickup nozzles adjacent each of the drive rollers for picking up material from the floor surface which is collected in a collection tank.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vacuum cleaning appliance which is convertible to act both as an upright type cleaner or a cylinder type cleaner.The main air passageway through the appliance includes a motor driven suction fan unit and a valve device which is operable to connect the passageway either with an air inlet in a carpet engaging section or with an air inlet in a socket for receiving a cleaner head in the form of a hollow pipe which is connected with the socket by a flexible hose. The pipe slides telescopically within the flexible hose so as to engage within the socket and to act as a handle. When located in the socket the pipe operates the valve device to connect the air passageway with the carpet engaging section.