Abstract: A street sweeping machine is incorporated in an industrial vacuum machine. Extending transversely of the vehicle is a center casing in which a brush is rotated by a hydraulic motor. A vacuum intake hose is connected to the casing and leads to the vacuum machine. The casing may be raised and lowered between transport and working positions. On one or both sides of the vehicle are side or "curb sweeping" casings, likewise containing a hydraulically driven brush and connected to a vacuum intake hose. The curb sweeping casing is swivel mounted and spring biased outward to follow the curb on the street being swept. In the main centered casing are a hydraulically raised and lowered flap which improves the vacuum which can be drawn in the casing. Also provided is a stick breaker which breaks up large pieces of debris so that they may be drawn into the vacuum duct.

Abstract: A wand for a carpet soil extractor includes a tubular member telescopically received within a sleeve. The sleeve has a bent handle. The sleeve and tubular member are rotatably adjustable about a common axis such that the handle of the sleeve may be made to lie in a common plane with the sleeve and tube. A nozzle assembly at the end of the tube is pivotally and adjustably mounted so that the angle of the nozzle with respect to the tube may be adjusted and secured.

Abstract: A leaf blower which includes an axial fan secured to the generally horizontal drive shaft of a motor carried upon a wheel-mounted deck. The deck is guided over the ground by a handle which allows the user of the leaf blower to direct the air flow from the axial fan across the surface of the ground. The wheels of the deck are adjustable to allow for the height and angle of incline of the fan relative to the ground to be varied for optimum leaf blowing.

Abstract: A foot operated nozzle height adjusting mechanism for a vacuum cleaner of the type characterized by a housing having a front cleaning nozzle that is pivotable about a pair of front wheels through the change in height of a pair of rear wheels that are secured in a wheel fork pivotally mounted on the housing includes first and second pedals. The first pedal is secured to the wheel fork. The second pedal is provided on a member that is pivotally secured to the housing and includes an adjustment lever extending in a direction substantially normal to the wheel fork. The adjustment lever includes a plurality of spaced teeth. A locking plate is secured to the wheel fork and the spaced teeth of the adjustment lever are adapted to selectively engage the locking plate. A biasing element urges the adjustment lever teeth against the locking plate.

Abstract: A mobile vacuum trash collector comprised of a motorized cart, a frame connected rearwardly fo the cart, a bin mounted on the frame, a lid removably connected to the bin and a flexible hose connected to the lid at one end and having a nozzle at the other end. The hose is held via a rigid supporting arm above an operator's head and is maneuverable by the operator using a telescopic arm which interconnects an intermediate portion of the hose via the arm and the nozzle. A vacuum motor is mounted at the bottom of the bin for drawing airborne trash through the hose and downwardly into the bin. An air permeable bag is suspended in the bin for collecting the trash, the air being drawn downwardly and out of the bin via an exhaust port. Because suction is provided continuously downwardly through the bin, large quantities of debris are sucked into the bag and compressed or compacted.

Abstract: A scrubbing machine/vacuum cleaner which is carried by two spaced-apart front wheels and two spaced-apart rear wheels, having affixed to and extending from the front of the machine a cleaning head and brush assembly which is adapted to ride in proximity to, but in spaced-apart relationship from, the surface to be cleaned when all four wheels are resting on the surface to be cleaned. During actual cleaning operation, the head and brush assembly is adapted to press on the surface to be cleaned when the two rear wheels are raised from the surface to be cleaned. The front wheel assembly comprises a cross-member forming part of the frame carrying the machine, the cross-member having swivelably mounted thereto an axle. The axle carries the front wheels at its ends whereby the cleaning head is kept flat on the floor during the cleaning operation as the machine rolls over irregularities in the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: The vacuum cleaner includes a carriage having front and rear support members rotatably carried by the carriage for movably supporting the carriage on a subjacent surface as well as a floor cleaning nozzle generally horizontally disposed adjacent a front support member of the vacuum cleaner. A first movable element is provided on the carriage for selectively adjusting the height of the nozzle in relation to the subjacent surface. A second movable element is positioned on the carriage and is operatively connected to the first movable element for adjusting a position of the first movable element. A third movable element is operatively connected to the second movable element and is also connected on the carriage for adjusting a position of the second movable element. The third movable element includes a rocker pedal which can be adjusted between a plurality of positions.

Abstract: A vacuum apparatus for debris collection comprises a motor vehicle having a vacuum tank collector and means for generating a vacuum. A horizontally and vertically extendible tube is connected to the vacuum tank collector, and extendible support linkage supports the tube along its length. Means are provided for extending and retracting the support linkage and the tube with respect to the vehicle and the ground while pivoting the tube and support linkage on a support base member pivotally mounted on the vehicle to provide a wide range of motion over the ground surface.

Abstract: A small dust catcher includes a main tube and an inlet section. The inlet section is releasably connected to the main tube. The dust catcher further includes a filter assembly which is removably supported with an upper opening of the inlet section, with an upright positioning piece being located within a central opening of a partition wall. This uncomplicated arrangement makes it particularly easy to remove the filter assembly for cleaning or maintenance, while ensuring that the filter assembly is held securely in place during use. The dust catcher further includes a fan, a motor and a battery case, and a cover which covers the battery case. The fan, motor and battery case form a one piece assembly which can be disconnected from the main tube. This makes it easy to get at the fan, motor and battery case for maintenance. Preferably, the dust catcher simulates the appearance of a pen.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has an adjustable-height suction nozzle. A diaphragm switch is mounted in the housing inside the nozzle and determines a differential air pressure of the operating vacuum cleaner. Voltage source terminals are self-energizing with the rotation of a rotatable brush inside the nozzle and an indicator lamp is illuminated, or extinguished, upon developing a proper suction as establised by the proper adjusted height of the nozzle relative to the floor surface. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Abstract: A mobile cleaner apparatus comprising a container for a cleaning preparation and an associated pressure pump which are integrated into a mobile and steerable chassis. The chassis has a steering handle and a holder for a removable suction unit equipped with an integrated soil container. A coupling means is provided for detachably fastening to the chassis a spray nozzle and suction nozzle unit having its own roller. The spray nozzle and suction nozzle unit is displaceable laterally on either side of the apparatus. The spray nozzle is suitable for applying a cleaning preparation to a surface to be cleaned, for example, a floor, and the suction nozzle is suitable for sucking up the applied cleaning preparation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for brushing the gasket face of a manhole for gaining access to the inside of a vessel. The invention comprises a main frame (100), a secondary frame (200) mounted to rotate relative to the main frame (100) about an axis (101) which is coaxial with the manhole, and a brushing mount (300) supported by the secondary frame (200) and capable of oscillating about a second axis (102) transversal to the axis (101). Motor means (105 and 205) separately rotate the secondary frame (200) and the brush (301), thereby enabling effective tangential brushing to be performed. The device also includes a continuous suction passage (500) passing through the inside of the secondary frame (200) and through the oscillating brushing mount (300), and opening out into the brushing zone. The invention is particularly applicable to brushing the gasket face of a manhole in a steam generator or pressurizer of a nuclear power station.

Abstract: The invention comprehends the use of a brush mounting housing mounted over a nozzle housing so as to dispose brushes forwardly and rearwardly of a nozzle opening. The brush mounting housing is pivotally mounted relative to the nozzle housing so that the forward and rearward brushes may be movable relative to the nozzle. The brush mounting housing is advantageously pivoted to the nozzle at the location of nozzle housing pivot to a wand coupling for the floorcare appliance.

Abstract: A chassis frame is supported on a front steering axle and a rear steering axle. Between the two axles and beneath the chassis frame, a hollow support serving as a main blow duct is pivotingly disposed. Raisably and lowerably connected to the support via levers is a sweeping-brush roller. Connected to the support are blowing nozzles which lead air supplied by a fan mounted on the chassis frame into a blow duct formed by a cover plate disposed in front of the sweeping-brush roller. Disposed within the blow duct are two suction ports which are connected via dirt-suction pipes to a vacuum-sweepings container disposed on the chassis frame. The outlet of the vacuum-sweeings container is connected at a dismantling point to an air-suction duct which is in turn connected to the intake of the fan. This cleaning vehicle can be used for snow clearance by opening a flap and closing another flap in an air-outlet pipe piece and by moving an operating lever from a middle position into either of two end positions.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an upright vacuum cleaner comprising a main body having a suction opening, and a handle body pivotally attached to the main body. A relatively simple cam, which may be made from sheet metal in the form of a box, is disposed in the main body and pivoted with respect thereto. The cam is engaged by a cam actuator of the handle body when the handle body is moved to its upright vertical position to cause the cam to pivot in a manner to raise the suction opening of the main body from the rug or carpet.

Abstract: A kit for cleaning phonograph records including cleaning fluid, a brush and a record vacuum cleaning attachment apparatus. The record vacuum cleaning attachment apparatus is adapted to attach to a wet/dry shop vacuum cleaner which causes a suction to emanate from a longitudinal slot in the lower surface of the record vacuum cleaning attachment apparatus. The suction emanating from the longitudinal slot of the record vacuum cleaning attachment apparatus safely removes the dirt, dust, grease, grime and chemicals which are suspended in the cleaning fluid applied to the playing surface of the phonograph record.

Abstract: A sweeper assembly for use with escalators includes a frame having a pivoted end structure on which a weighted bar is fixed to press a polishing pad adjacent a bristle element against the moving surfaces of the escalator. A vacuum cleaner is then rendered operative to draw the debris thus loosened into a nozzle deployed adjacent the bristle element.

Abstract: A portable extractor according to the teachings of the present invention is taught including a tool assembly pivotally mounted on a main body assembly. The portable extractor is supported on the floor by a set of wheels on the tool assembly and by a set of wheels on the main body assembly. The tool assembly applies a cleaning solution to the floor, with the cleaning solution being drawn from a supply tank of the main body assembly. The tool assembly also extracts the cleaning solution from the floor, with the extracted cleaning solution being deposited in a storage tank of the main body assembly. In a preferred form for cleaning carpeted floors, the tool assembly further includes a powered rotary brush for agitating the carpet. In operation, the tool assembly pivots with respect to the main body assembly between working and transport modes automatically when the portable extractor is pulled or pushed on the floor.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a device which senses brush speed while varying nozzle height settings until an optimum height setting is reached. Nozzle height is varied by a motor that rotates a cam to move a support roller and is set by stopping the motor when a predetermined brush speed condition is reached. A programmed control circuit senses the brush speed while controlling the cam motor.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner nozzle having a housing including a top wall. A device for indicating an adjusted characteristic of the vacuum cleaner nozzle is mounted within the housing substantially below the top wall and, in the illustrated embodiment, on a bottom wall of the housing. Structure is provided for causing a selected one of the indicia of the indicator discernible to a user of the vacuum cleaner standing above the nozzle, notwithstanding the recessing of the indicator substantially deeply within the nozzle. In the illustrated embodiment, the structure for causing the indicium to be discernible includes a focus tube formed integrally with the top wall extending to closely adjacent the indicator and having a distal portion configured complementarily to the indicator. In the illustrated embodiment, the device for causing the indicator to be discernible to the user is defined by a synthetic resin magnifier secured to the focus tube so as to be substantially flush with the top wall of the nozzle.

Abstract: A worktable, in particular a dental laboratory workbench which includes a work block arranged at front side of the table, and a vacuuming device forming a unitary structure with the work block for vacuumable material or waste which is obtained during the processing or finishing of workpieces.

Abstract: A vacuum street sweeper vehicle (2) having a hopper (14) for receiving debris and a vacuum system (16) for suctioning debris and depositing same in the hopper, is provided with an intake broom and suction carriage assembly (18) on the vehicle forward of the front wheels (8) and laterally movable relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle. A rigid suction transfer passage tube (26) extends upwardly from the intake broom and suction assembly through a front operator cab (12) to the hopper.

Abstract: A hand held vacuum cleaner of the type having a detachable dust cup is provided with a tiltable nozzle at the intake or forward end of the dust cup.

Abstract: A combination carpet vacuum, cleaning, and dyeing apparatus comprises a powerbase unit which houses vacuum and water pressure systems, electrical circuitry, and mixing devices to supply a remote operator-controlled powerhead unit with various solutions of water and other chemicals. The powerhead unit carries a 24 volt D.C. motor and worm gear transmission which drives a pair of horizontal counter rotating brushes; a floating vacuum head; electronic circuitry; and selectable sprayer manifolds for carpet cleaning or dyeing operations. Switches in the pivotal handle of the powerhead provide the operator with manifold selection, motor control, and remote vacuum control. A clear plastic pick-up tube on the powerhead handle and a clear dome on the powerbase unit allow the extraction process to be observed. The powerhead unit is releasably connected to the powerbase unit by a vacuum hose, a pressure line, and an electrical cord.

Abstract: A vacuum nozzle draws off foam from the headspace of filled containers as they approach container closers. The nozzle has a substantially rectangular head at its lower end, preferably turned at an angle to the path of the containers. From the head depends a pair of parallel scraper-like blades of rubber-like material. Spaced slits extend upward from the bottom edges of the blades. The upper end of the nozzle leads to a source of vacuum which includes means for salvaging the liquid content of the foam for re-use.

Abstract: A foot-operated height-adjustment mechanism for retrofit and replacement of the nozzle height-adjustment screw in an upright floor vacuum cleaner of the type characterized by having a front floor cleaning nozzle that is pivotally adjustable in height about the front wheels through raising and lowering the upwardly spring biased rear wheel carrier fork in contact with the screw comprising a threaded hollow tube, for receipt in the empty screw hole, a shaft slideably received in the tube, biased down against the carrier fork, an exposed mounting cap encircling the tube and including an aperture formed in one side thereof tapering inward to expose the shaft, a first lever extending out of the aperture, encircling the shaft and adapted to release the shaft when the other end is pressed down but preventing the shaft from upward movement within the tube when raised, the shaft biased in the upward, locked position, and a second lever adjacent the carrier fork and extending behind the rear wheels and terminating in a

Abstract: A device is described for vacuum cleaning phonograph records. The device includes a suction head with an elongated slot that is positioned immediately above the grooves on the record during use. A flexible adapter is provided for securing the suction head to the cleaning tool of a household vacuum cleaner. The suction head includes a valve for turning on and off the applied vacuum.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner nozzle adjuster for adjustably positioning a nozzle opening relative to the surface being cleaned so as to accommodate surfaces of all textures in which an integral manually accessible thumb wheel, lifting cam and locking ratchet unitary member is provided that is rotatable by manual engagement to cause the lifting cam operating against a movable front wheel support for the housing to properly position the nozzle opening and a pawl engages the locking ratchet to hold the wheel and nozzle in adjusted position.

Abstract: The electric vacuum cleaner here disclosed includes a main motor housing supporting a bypass type motor within it. The motor housing is separably connected to and swingable about the materials collecting tank beneath it. A tube projecting above the cover of the tank and extending laterally over the cover defines the air flow communication between the tank and depending side sections of the motor housing which meet and are releasably attached to the ends of the tube. The tube also defines the swing axis of the motor housing. Detents control this swinging. A resilient cuff over the motor in the housing separates the fan motor bypass cooling air inlet and outlet from each other and from the main suction fan outlet and also separates all of these from the main suction fan inlet, while also defining respective flow paths communicating with inlets and outlets from the motor housing.

Abstract: An upright type electric cleaner including a main body case (1) and a suction port body (1), wherein when the main body case is brought to an upright position as the machine is inoperative, a rotary brush extending downwardly from the bottom of the suction port body (1) is released from contact with the surface to be cleaned. The suction port body includes a single switching knob which, when manipulated, enables the speed of operation of the rotary brush and the distance between the rotary brush and the surface to be cleaned to be adjusted simultaneously. A part of exhaust air of the cleaner released through a blower is led through a sound absorbing duct located in a bag compartment into a cord reel chamber to thereby greatly reduce the noise level of exhaust and preventing cord overheating of a power cord of the cleaner.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner nozzle lift device for adjustably raising the front portion of the nozzle. The device includes a U-shaped front wheel assembly including a support having a rear bight pivotally mounted to the nozzle housing, a pair of forwardly extending legs, and wheels rotatably carried on the forward distal end portions of the legs. The front wheel height adjuster includes a lifter slidably embracing a leg of the support forwardly of the bight, the lifter being mounted to a rear portion of the housing adjacent the bight, a cam follower movable with the lifter, and a cam movably carried by the housing for camming engagement with the cam follower. A user-operated foot pedal selectively moves the cam against the cam follower for correspondingly swinging the support about the axis of the bight to selectively raise and lower the front wheels and thereby adjust the angular disposition of the nozzle housing relative to the subjacent surface.

Abstract: An arrangement for front suction on a vacuum cleaner, which includes a lever or a spring on a front side of the vacuum cleaner. The lever or the spring lifts the vacuum cleaner from the floor in response to a counter pressure exerted on the lever or the spring by a limiting wall, when the vacuum cleaner abuts against that limiting wall.

Abstract: A suction cleaner having a chassis including a suction nozzle inlet at the bottom thereof and first and second sets of wheels supporting such chassis for movement on a floor surface is provided with a nozzle height adjusting mechanism comprising first axle means carried by said chassis for rotatably supporting said first set of wheels, second axle means including a central portion having a pintle shaft mounted therewith and with the chassis for enabling rocking movement of said axle means relative said chassis, an actuating portion on one side of said pintle shaft, and a pair of offset arms formed on an opposite side of said pintle shaft extending laterally outwardly thereof for journaling said second set of wheels, said offset arms being longitudinally spaced from said first axle means, an adjustment lever journaled on said chassis having one end portion angulated to engage said actuating portion so that rocking movement of said adjustment lever rocks said second axle means about said pintle shaft and thereb

Abstract: A self-propelled road sweeper has brush gear comprising a narrow sweep brush and a wide sweep brush, together with an associated refuse collecting nozzle. The narrow sweep brush is mounted on a linkage comprising pivotally connected inner and outer mounting links and controlled by pneumatic actuators whereby the position of the brush and its downward loading is controlled. The brush can be tilted by one of said actuators. One of the mounting links is connected to the sweeper frame through a resilient mounting permitting the brush to yield under impact. The application also discloses details of the mounting and structure of the wide sweep brush, and of the mounting and fabrication of the nozzle and of a mechanism for tilting the nozzle.

Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus, particularly adapted to clean carpet, is disclosed. A rotatably mounted brush extends in a transverse direction substantially parallel to the floor. The apparatus has front and back ends with a plurality of foam-producing nozzles mounted to the rear of the brush, the nozzles being positioned to spray foam into the brush, so that rotation of the brush causes the foam to be brushed into the floor. Vacuum means are also included which have a downwardly directed intake extending transversely across the apparatus, the intake being positioned forward of the brush so that rearward movement of the apparatus causes the vacuum means to remove foam and released dirt from the floor.

Abstract: A device is provided to allow the use of a cannister vacuum cleaner in the manner of a highly-maneuverable, height-adjustable upright vacuum cleaner. The device preferably includes a mobile base having a cannister vacuum-receiving recess for releasably supporting a cannister vacuum cleaner. A power head including a beater bar, a motor for operatively driving the beater bar, and a nozzle, is attached to the base in an operational cleaning position. A conduit connects the power head to the cannister cleaner for vacuum removal of dirt or the like from a floor surface. Wheels and height-adjusting structure are provided on the base allowing adjustment of the clearance of the power head with respect to an underlying floor surface to maximize cleaning efficiency.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner head especially useful for removing loose and partially embedded gravel and similar particulates from roofs and other surfaces, having a nozzle supported slightly out of contact with the surface being cleaned, by a peripheral glide shoe, shielded jets for introducing high velocity fluid into the nozzle, adjustable vents for introducing ambient air into the nozzle, and adjustments for the nozzle height and jet direction and height.

Abstract: A suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner runs on rollers (4) at the ends of a suction passage (24) whose front and rear margins are defined by replaceable insert strips (7', 8', 9'; 7, 8, 9). The rollers have a cranked axle bar (5) supported at intervals by open bushings (23) of different orientations, integral with the nozzle body (1). At the ends of the suction passage (24) gaps between the rollers (4) and the front strips (7, 8, 9) create lateral suction. A plastic covering (2) caps the nozzle body (1) and is secured by integrally molded studs (14).

Abstract: A suction cleaner power nozzle has auxiliary, main and bottom plate members releaseably assembled to form a nozzle housing having separated upper and lower compartments. The lower compartment includes a nozzle mouth in which a rotary brush is located. Support wheels and wheel height adjusting mechanism also are located in the lower compartment. Brush drive motor means are located in the upper compartment, and the auxiliary housing member is replaceable without disassembly of the remainder of the nozzle or its components.

Abstract: A surface-cleaning apparatus, especially for street cleaning and the cleaning of industrial surfaces, comprises an array of high-pressure water nozzles surrounding a pick-up nozzle whose open end is formed with a flow accelerating hood, the pressure nozzle surrounding this hood being constituted as drive nozzles whose water sprays are trained beneath the collecting nozzle. The collecting nozzle is connected to a suction source which draws the dirty water upwardly after the water is reflected from the surface to be cleaned. The device is mounted upon a vehicle or is displaceable by a vehicle.

Abstract: A suction cleaner power nozzle adapted to be mounted on the end of a cleaning wand has a rotating cleaning brush driven by an electric motor connected by a belt to the center of the brush to provide uniform forces on the brush end support bearings. A three-section plate forms the nozzle housing closure and base. One section of the plate covers the motor compartment and a second section of the plate covers the brush adjustment means. Each of these plates is held in place by a simple removable screw. A third section of the plate covers the suction duct and brush suction chamber and is removably mounted on the housing by spring biased clips to provide easy access to the suction duct and chamber. A pair of front nozzle wheels are rotatably journaled on the ends of a lever which is pivotally mounted on the housing. A threaded manually operated screw is operatively engaged with the lever to obtain numerous adjustment positions of the brush and suction chamber with respect to a surface being cleaned.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having a suction nozzle at the front of the bottom of the chassis is provided with a nozzle height adjusting mechanism for varying the elevation of the rear wheels relative to the chassis to provide a multiplicity of nozzle height positions. The rear axle is journaled on the chassis and includes a pair of off-set legs on which a respective rear wheel is mounted. A wheel bracket is journaled on one end of one off-set crank leg and supports a guide member and a helical end cam track. A follower member having a conjugate helical surface rides on the cam track and supports a locking member on its upper surface. The locking member is secured to the chassis and includes a plurality of detent teeth between each two of which at least one tooth on the follower member is received to lock the follower in a selected position.

Abstract: An upright-type vacuum sweeper has a motor-driven fan in a housing supported by a pair of front wheels on an axle which is vertically adjustable to vary the nozzle height relatively to a floor surface. A ratchet member having two parallel arcuate sets of teeth constitutes in part a lever for effecting the relative movement. A foot-depressible spring-returnable vertically disposed plunger carries a pawl-type escapement element which reciprocates between the sets of teeth to permit stepwise lowering by gravity of the housing and thus the sweeper nozzle. A foot-depressible ratchet-swinging lever provides one-stroke elevation of the housing. Novelly an adjustable screw is positioned to limit downward movement of the housing to provide a vernier adjustment in the low end of the nozzle-adjustment range to facilitate pushing the sweeper, especially over short-nap floor coverings which have been found to produce bothersome frictional resistance to sweeper movement.

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: To remove particles of debris from a floor surface, a hood is mounted on wheels to move over the floor with the open side of the hood facing downward to form a traveling chamber. An air jet nozzle inside the hood is directed downward and is moved in a circular horizontal orbit by a variable speed motor to agitate the debris particles as the hood travels. A pump is attached to the hood to maintain a vacuum therein and to withdraw from the hood a high velocity air stream entraining the agitated debris particles. The hood is manually steered and is driven by a variable speed motor.

Abstract: A unit that may be mounted on the flat bed of a truck for sucking up roadside trash which is compressed in a collection bin and transported into the collection body of the truck. The unit includes a telescopic collection tube member which is fitted with pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders to extend sidewards to or away from the truck body and to extend downwards as required to approach trash lying on the roadside. A cutting blade may be mounted adjacent the mouth of the unit for cutting roadside weeds which are then sucked up the collection tube.

Abstract: A cleaning device for scrubbing a floor surface including a rotatable cleaning disc. A circular ring surrounds the disc and terminates downwardly in spaced, flexible skirts which contact the floor surface. A flexible arm mounts the ring to permit vertical adjustment of the ring relative to the cleaning disc to compensate for brush wear and other irregularities. One or more flexible conduits intercommunicate between the interior of the ring and a hollow hub, and suction forces are applied through the conduit to the ring to remove dirty water from the floor and into machine mounted reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a surface with a liquid has a support displaceable over the surface and carrying a spray beam itself provided with a plurality of nozzles directed at the surface. A diffuser surrounds a plurality of the nozzles and has a deflector for diverting the streams of liquid emitted by the nozzles so that these streams flow in a direction generally parallel to the surface being treated. Rollers maintain the front face of the deflector a predetermined distance from the surface being treated. The spray beam may be in two sections which are oppositely reciprocated to increase the treatment effect.

Abstract: A sweeping vehicle for sweeping roads and other surfaces comprises a suction mouth located behind a sweeping brush. The inlet portion of the suction mouth is inclined relative to the surface to be swept and faces in a direction towards the brush. Air guide means extending from a trailing edge of the suction mouth approximately parallel to the surface, acts to direct air towards the suction mouth. The arrangement of the suction mouth and air guide means prevents particles of dirt from being discharged from the zone of the suction mouth by a vortex within the suction mouth.

Abstract: The improvement in a rotary vacuum or suction sweeper of the type wherein vacuum of suction is created underneath the carriage body of a wheeled vehicle by the driven rotation of blower impeller means, within a blower housing comprising a part of the carriage body. Thereby as the sweeper is moved over an area to be cleaned by an operator pushing or pulling a handle extending angularly upwardly from the vehicle in the manner in which one pushes a rotary lawn mower, dirt and debris are sucked up below the carriage body and delivered into a catch bag disposed over duct means extending rearwardly from the rotor impeller housing. With the present invention, a plate valve is interposed in such duct means, which valve, when closed, diverts the air flow from its normal path back into the catch bag, to a forwardly facing duct to which is attached a hoselike element having an open discharge end. Articulated control means are provided to extend downwardly and adjacent the machine operating handle.