Abstract: A floor cleaner including a base that includes a suction inlet, a brushroll chamber, and brushroll. The brushroll chamber includes a brushroll, an endcap, a tab extending from the endcap, a driven end and a non-driven end. The endcap includes the tab extending from the endcap. The tab is movable between an unfolded and a folded position. Upward movement of the tab in the unfolded position removes the brushroll from the base.

Abstract: A cleaning roller is mountable to a cleaning robot. The cleaning roller includes a sheath comprising a shell, an outer diameter of the shell tapering from a first end portion of the sheath and a second end portion of the sheath toward a center of the roller. The cleaning roller further includes a core including a central portion interlocked with the sheath to rotationally couple the core to the sheath and inhibit relative translation of the sheath and the core along an axis of rotation. An inner surface of the sheath and an outer surface of the core define an air gap therebetween, the air gap extending from the central portion of the core longitudinally along the axis of rotation toward the first end portion or the second end portion.

Abstract: A floor cleaner including a base that includes a suction inlet, a brushroll chamber, and brushroll. The base further includes a brushroll cover releaseably attached to the base, the brushroll cover removable to access the brushroll chamber. The brushroll chamber includes a brushroll, an endcap, a tab extending from the endcap, a driven end and a non-driven end. The endcap includes the tab extending from the endcap. The tab is movable between an unfolded and a folded position. Upward movement of the tab in the unfolded position removes the brushroll from the brushroll chamber.

Abstract: A rotary-body support structure includes: a rotary body including a rotary shaft and a contact portion spirally wound around the rotary shaft; and bearing parts that rotatably support the rotary body. The amount of engagement of the rotary body with a contact body that is in contact with the contact portion of the rotary body changes when the rotary body moves toward one side in a rotation axis direction.

Abstract: A wet cleaning device, in particular a wet mop, has a cleaning roller mounted rotatably about a roller axis and a roller cover surrounding, at least in part, the cleaning roller in the circumferential direction, which roller cover has at least one movable cover element for elective sealing and/or exposing of an opening region of the roller cover. In order to enable a changeover of the wet cleaning device from a wiping operation to a regeneration operation in a particularly convenient and time-saving manner, according to the invention, the wet cleaning device has a first cover element and a second cover element which, based on a circumferential direction of the cleaning roller, can be moved in opposition to each other in order to seal and/or to expose the opening region from opposite circumferential directions.

Abstract: A wet-cleaning appliance, in particular a wet mop, has a cleaning roller, which is mounted in a rotatable manner about a roller axis, and a roller cover, which encloses the cleaning roller in the circumferential direction, at least in part, and has at least one displaceable covering element for optionally closing and/or releasing an opening region of the roller cover. In order to create a wet-cleaning appliance which, as far as the user is concerned, can be transferred in a particularly convenient and reliable manner from mopping operation to regeneration operation, the displaceable covering element should be coupled to the cleaning roller by a gear mechanism, in particular a toothed gear mechanism, such that the cleaning roller can be displaced by virtue of the covering element being displaced or the covering element can be displaced by virtue of the cleaning roller being displaced.

Abstract: A nozzle includes: a housing having a chamber formed in the housing and a front opening formed on a front side of the housing; a rotation cleaning part accommodated in the chamber and to clean a floor; a partition member provided in the chamber to partition the chamber into two areas and of which at least a portion is in contact with the rotation cleaning part; a driving unit to rotate the rotation cleaning part; and a connection tube connected to the housing and configured to transfer air introduced through the front opening to a dust container of the cleaner, wherein a lower passage formed below the rotation cleaning part and an upper passage formed above the rotation cleaning part are provided in the chamber, and a portion of the partition member is recessed to define the upper passages.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaner having a structure that a supporting member and a cleaning module are coupled to or separated from a cleaner body. The cleaner includes a cleaner body having a module mounting portion; a supporting member inserted and mounted to the module mounting portion, and separated and withdrawn from the module mounting portion, through a bottom part of the cleaner body; and a cleaning module coupled to the supporting member so as to be inserted or withdrawn together with the supporting member when the supporting member is inserted or withdrawn.

Abstract: A cleaning roller mountable to a cleaning robot includes an elongate shaft extending from a first end portion to a second end portion along an axis of rotation. The first and second end portions are mountable to the cleaning robot for rotating about the axis of rotation. The cleaning roller further includes a core affixed around the shaft and having outer end portions positioned along the elongate shaft and proximate the first and second end portions. The core tapers from proximate the first end portion of the shaft toward a center of the shaft. The cleaning roller further includes a sheath affixed to the core and extending beyond the outer end portions of the core. The sheath includes a first half and a second half each tapering toward the center of the shaft.

Abstract: A power head for use with a vacuum system. The power head comprises a main body assembly, a brush assembly, and a latch system. The latch system detachably attaches the brush assembly to the main body assembly such that a main inlet portion of the main chamber is in fluid communication with a brush outlet and the battery is operatively connected to the motor. When the vacuum system is detachably attached to the main housing and the latch system detachably attaches the main housing to the brush housing, the vacuum system draws air through a brush inlet, a brush chamber, the brush outlet, the main inlet, a main chamber, and a main outlet and the battery supplies power to the motor such that the motor rotates the brush assembly relative to the brush housing.

Abstract: A deep cleaner for delivering cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned and removing the cleaning fluid from the surface to be cleaned includes a pivotal brush carriage assembly comprising a pair of support legs, a rotatable brushroll extending between the first and second support legs, a brush motor, and a belt operably coupling the rotatable brushroll to the brush motor, wherein the belt is provided within one of the support legs.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner and suction nozzle thereof. The vacuum cleaner has a housing, dust collecting unit, filter assembly, motor assembly and roller brush. The suction nozzle has a bottom housing, front cover and roller brush. The housing includes a concave cavity; the bottom housing and the front cover latch together to form a chamber; the roller brush assembly and the separation piece fit into this chamber; the separation piece corresponds to a transmission component of the roller brush. When rotating at high speed, the roller brush forms a seamless and closed separation face with the separation piece, preventing foreign matter from entering the transmission component, thus avoiding reduced suction and damage due to a tangled synchronous belt or a shaft jamming a roller brush bearing.

Abstract: A cylindrical brush with an improved core and a mating driving hub have axially inclined splines that engage one another to form an improved cylindrical brush assembly for a floor maintenance machine.

Abstract: A cylindrical brush with an improved core and a mating driving hub have axially inclined splines that engage one another to form an improved cylindrical brush assembly for a floor maintenance machine.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an installation structure for an agitator installed in a dust suction unit of a robot cleaner to scatter foreign substances distributed in a working area comprises: a holder which is connected to a driving motor for providing a torque to the agitator and has a part exposed to the inside of the dust suction unit; and a fixing shaft for forming a rotation shaft of the agitator and having a shape of a polygonal pillar or a shape of a pillar including at least one projection, wherein a shaft insertion part is formed in the holder, has a dented shape corresponding to the shape of the fixing shaft, and can be engaged and rotated with the fixing shaft while the fixing shaft is inserted into and installed at the holder. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the easy separation and installation of the agitator and the enablement of simultaneous rotation of the agitator and a side brush can improve user satisfaction.

Abstract: A shaft driven vacuum cleaner brushroll that can be mounted in the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner and directly connected to a shaft of the cleaner's motor drive shaft system. The brushroll features a two-piece drive assembly that simplifies its manufacture and can be engaged on a wood spindle to effectively transmit torque from the vacuum cleaner drive to the brushroll.

Abstract: A rotating cleaning element configured to be inserted in a cleaning head compartment of a robotic vacuum, the rotating cleaning element including: a drive end including a drive protrusion configured to engage a drive mechanism of the cleaning head compartment; a bearing end and a shroud configured to surround at least a portion of the bearing end to lessen an amount of hair and similar matter that reaches the bearing; and a central member extending between the bearing end and the drive end.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner houses a hollow brush bar mounted for rotation about an axis. This brush bar is driven by a motor housed inside the hollow brush bar, the motor forming part of a drive assembly supported at one end of the cleaner head. The brush bar is arranged for removal from the cleaner head by sliding the brush bar along the axis and out through an opening at the opposite end of the cleaner head and the brush bar is rotatably supported in clearance around the drive assembly by a first bearing, which bearing engages the brush bar in a corresponding axial-sliding fit to allow said sliding removal of the brush bar.

Abstract: A modular auxiliary brush assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a mounting bracket coupled to the vacuum cleaner, a spring-biased brush head, and a shaft which mounts the brush head to the mounting bracket. The spring-biased brush head is vertically adjustable to accommodate cleaning surfaces of varied heights and textures. The spring-biased brush head includes a tread which contacts a surface to be cleaned and rolls the brush head relative to the vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner moves over the surface.

Abstract: In a platform-carried carpet-cleaning machine for facilitating transport of the machine, the platform including a machine-supporting base having upper surface extending between an open entry-end and a closed back-end, the upper surface having an entry portion sloping at no more than about 5° with respect to horizontal such that the machine can be driven on and off the platform with application of about the same amount of user force as during carpet-cleaning operations. Inner surfaces of first and second platform sidewalls both include protrusions frictionally engaging the machine side panels and configured to sandwich the machine therebetween to prevent lateral movement of the machine on the platform. A pair of wheels is mounted with respect to the base for rolling the machine on the platform across a floor, each wheel being secured to its corresponding sidewall by an axle which extends therethrough and is molded in place through the sidewalls to facilitate assembly of the platform.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner and suction nozzle thereof. The vacuum cleaner has a housing, dust collecting unit, filter assembly, motor assembly and roller brush. The suction nozzle has a bottom housing, front cover and roller brush. The housing includes a concave cavity; the bottom housing and the front cover latch together to form a chamber; the roller brush assembly and the separation piece fit into this chamber; the separation piece corresponds to a transmission component of the roller brush. When rotating at high speed, the roller brush forms a seamless and closed separation face with the separation piece, preventing foreign matter from entering the transmission component, thus avoiding reduced suction and damage due to a tangled synchronous belt or a shaft jamming a roller brush bearing.

Abstract: A wet extraction floor cleaning device having a base assembly adapted for movement on a surface being cleaned, an operating handle pivotally attached to the base assembly, a supply tank having a supply tank outlet, and a recovery tank having a recovery tank inlet and a recovery tank outlet. The base assembly has an inlet nozzle that extends from an inlet slit proximal the surface being cleaned to a nozzle outlet. The device further includes a fluid deposition assembly that can be selectively placed in fluid communication with the supply tank outlet, a vacuum source, and first and second external pockets. The supply and recovery tanks are adapted to be selectively placed in the first and second external pockets, thereby placing the supply tank outlet in fluid communication with the fluid deposition system, the recovery tank inlet in fluid communication with the nozzle outlet, and the recovery tank outlet in fluid communication with the vacuum source inlet.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an installation structure for an agitator installed in a dust suction unit of a robot cleaner to scatter foreign substances distributed in a working area comprises: a holder which is connected to a driving motor for providing a torque to the agitator and has a part exposed to the inside of the dust suction unit; and a fixing shaft for forming a rotation shaft of the agitator and having a shape of a polygonal pillar or a shape of a pillar including at least one projection, wherein a shaft insertion part is formed in the holder, has a dented shape corresponding to the shape of the fixing shaft, and can be engaged and rotated with the fixing shaft while the fixing shaft is inserted into and installed at the holder. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the easy separation and installation of the agitator and the enablement of simultaneous rotation of the agitator and a side brush can improve user satisfaction.

Abstract: A spinning bristled roller assembly for the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner or other carpet cleaning apparatus. The roller assembly includes three bearings protected by a comprehensive thread guard system. The three bearing system, in combination with the structure of the tubular roller body and bearing housing provides an assembly having inherently improved balance characteristics that eliminate the prior need for dynamic balancing to ensure vibration-free operation.

Abstract: A vacuum attachment for a vacuum cleaner including a housing having a vacuum channel. A roller is rotatably and displaceably disposed in a region of the vacuum channel and driveable during a vacuuming operation. The roller includes at least one of bristles and baffle walls configured to be in partial contact with a floor covering during the vacuuming operation. At least one roller magnet is disposed on the roller at least one end thereof. At least one housing magnet is non-rotatably disposed on the housing axially adjacent to the at least one roller magnet and configured to interact with the at least one roller magnet so as to alternately at least one of attract and repel the roller so that the roller performs an oscillatory motion as it rotates.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner accessory tool for use with a vacuum cleaner. The accessory tool includes a nozzle body defining a chamber. An agitator having a first end portion and a second end portion is rotatably supported within the chamber of the nozzle body, and the agitator is removably coupled to the nozzle body. A drive member is coupled to the agitator, and a release member is coupled to the nozzle body and slidable with respect to the nozzle body between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the release member engages the second end portion of the agitator to couple the agitator to the nozzle body within the chamber. In the disengaged position, the release member allows the agitator to be removed from the chamber of the nozzle body.

Abstract: A cleaning head for a suction cleaner, the head including a body; a rotatable tool connected to the body by support means; driving means; and transmission means providing a driving connection between the driving means and the tool; wherein the support means contains the transmission means, and provides for movement of the tool upwardly and downwardly relative to the body in use.

Abstract: A brush roll is rotatably supported by bearings in a housing of a cleaning brush tool. One of the bearings is incorporated in a removable bearing arrangement that can be rotationally fastened and removed as needed on a cylindrical end of the housing. Preferably collar elements protruding cylindrically from the removable bearing arrangement form bayonet-type catch hooks that selectively engage with bayonet-type catch elements protruding radially outwardly from the cylindrical end sleeve of the housing. A detent on the housing engages a securing element on the removable bearing arrangement to secure the engaged bayonet-type fastening arrangement against rotational release thereof.

Abstract: An air-powered vacuum cleaning nozzle has an agitator brush rotated by an air turbine powered by a source of suction air. A plurality of air inlet openings are formed adjacent the agitator brush. A generally flat friction drive belt extends from a bearing shaft of the air turbine to the midpoint of the agitator brush for rotating the brush. The bearing shaft is mounted in a pair of spaced rubber bushings to absorb vibration and reduce noise. The nozzle includes a housing formed by one-piece top and bottom housing members removably joined together securing the air turbine therebetween. A cover plate removably secured to the outside surface of the bottom housing member forms a protective passage for the drive belt and a suction passage between an air inlet adjacent the agitator brush and the air turbine chamber.

Abstract: A cleaning tool for a vacuum cleaning device has a housing and a motor arranged in the housing. A tool carrier and a rotatingly driven working tool are provided. The working tool has two ends rotatably supported in the tool carrier. The tool carrier and the working tool form a changing unit. The tool carrier is detachably secured on the housing by catch elements. A gear system is connected between the motor and the working tool, wherein the motor drives via the gear system the working tool. The gear system has a driving wheel driven by the motor and a driven wheel fixedly connected to the working tool. The tool carrier and the housing have wall sections that overlap one another and align the tool carrier relative to the housing and the driven wheel relative to the driving wheel when the changing unit is inserted into the housing.

Abstract: A height adjustment apparatus for a rotatable component of a vacuum cleaner is provided. The apparatus includes a rotatable wheel and a retainer device. The rotatable wheel includes a central axis, a wheel portion, a hub portion including an offset axle aperture that receives a rotatable component, and one or more detent devices. The retainer device is retained in a chassis of the vacuum cleaner and includes a body, a hub portion aperture formed in the body and of a size to rotatably receive the hub portion of the rotatable wheel, and one or more biasing devices that interact with the one or more detent devices in order to provide a plurality of predetermined detent positions. The rotatable component is moved substantially vertically with respect to the central axis when the rotatable wheel is rotated between the plurality of predetermined detent positions.

Abstract: A beater bar assembly for use within a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The beater bar assembly is capable of both axial oscillation (horizontal motion) and axial rotation, thereby providing an efficient cleaning motion.

Abstract: A brush roller assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a rotatable spindle having a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end and a central portion. A first airflow enhancing device (“AED”) is positioned, by being molded onto or operationally attached to, the first end of the rotatable spindle. The first AED includes a central portion, which is positioned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rotatable spindle when the first AED is positioned on the first end of the rotatable spindle. The first AED includes at least one fan blade projection outwardly extending from the periphery of the central portion of the first AED. The fan blade projection facilitates the movement of debris directly or indirectly from the first end of the rotatable spindle toward the central portion of the rotatable spindle. A second AED device may be positioned on the second end of the rotatable spindle, wherein the second AED has similar structure to and attaches in similar fashion as the first AED.

Abstract: An extraction cleaning machine has a solution dispensing system and a recovery system for applying a cleaning solution to a surface and recovering the solution from the surface, and an agitation brush assembly for agitating the surface. The agitation brush assembly can include friction-type or other dampers for reducing brush bounce, and biasing elements for maintaining a constant downward force on the brush. The brush can have multiple helical rows of tufted bristles, preferably at least four rows, or can comprise a continuous helix of bristles in a twisted-wire spindle. The brush can further have a removable fabric cover for mounting over a bristle brush for contacting a surface being cleaned. The brush assembly can function in an upright extraction cleaning machine with or without an above floor cleaning tool, a hand-held extractor, or a hand-held attachment to a canister extractor or an above floor tool in upright extractor.

Abstract: An agitator includes an axle, a pulley having a hub mounted to the axle and a belt receiving face having at least one lengthwise channel and a sleeve of molded material received over the axle and in the at least one lengthwise channel. A method of constructing an agitator from an axle and pulley includes the fitting of the axle into the pulley, the injecting of plastic resin into one end of the agitator forming mold on a first side of the pulley and the directing of plastic through at least one channel in the pulley to a second side of the pulley.

Abstract: An agitator assembly for a vacuum cleaner comprises a dowel assembly with recesses at its opposite ends defined by outwardly inclined walls. Each recess has inwardly facing radial vanes, and a shaft end for holding the inner ring of a bearing assembly. End caps extend over the ends of the dowel, and each has a collar for holding the outer ring of the bearing assembly and an outer longitudinal wall for providing a dust shield. The rotating vanes create an air barrier to preclude dust from moving towards each bearing assembly, and the inclined walls of each recess direct dust tossed outwardly by centrifugal force out of the agitator assembly. The end caps and the walls defining each recess further define a labyrinth seal to keep dust from traveling to each bearing assembly.

Abstract: A suction head of a vacuum cleaner with a power brush to dislodge and remove debris from an object to be cleaned is provided. The suction head includes a head case connected to a cleaner body via a connecting tube and having a suction hold on a lower surface thereof, a power brush positioned in the head externally protruding from the head case through the suction hole allowing contact with an object to be cleaned, a supporting unit fixed in the head case for supporting the power brush to allow rotary and linear movements thereof, a rotary operating unit positioned between the supporting unit and the power brush for rotating the power brush, and a linear operating unit installed between the supporting unit and power brush for moving the power brushing linearly. With such structure, the size of the suction head is reduced and cleaning performance is improved.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brushroll including a spindle rotated by a drive belt having grooves in its inner drive surface extending lengthwise around the belt, and a pulley formed in one-piece with the spindle, the pulley having a flat, smooth belt surface parallel to the spindle axis.

Abstract: A beater bar assembly for use within a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The beater bar assembly is capable of both axial oscillation (horizontal motion) and axial rotation, thereby providing an efficient cleaning motion.

Abstract: An improved suction head of a vacuum cleaner with a power brush is provided. A head case of the suction head is connected to a cleaner body with a connecting tube, and a power brush is positioned in the head case so as to allow the power brush to be in both rotary and linear motion. A two degree-of-freedom motor installed on both a moving frame and a fixed frame of the power brush allows the power brush to move in both a rotary and linear fashion. Thus, it is possible to reduce the size of the suction head while also improving cleaning performance.

Abstract: A brush roller assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a rotatable spindle having a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end and a central portion. A first airflow enhancing device (“AED”) is positioned, by being molded onto or operationally attached to, the first end of the rotatable spindle. The first AED includes a central portion, which is positioned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rotatable spindle when the first AED is positioned on the first end of the rotatable spindle. The first AED includes at least one fan blade projection outwardly extending from the periphery of the central portion of the first AED. The fan blade projection facilitates the movement of debris directly or indirectly from the first end of the rotatable spindle toward the central portion of the rotatable spindle. A second AED device may be positioned on the second end of the rotatable spindle, wherein the second AED has similar structure to and attaches in similar fashion as the first AED.

Abstract: An agitator assembly for a vacuum cleaner comprises a dowel assembly with recesses at its opposite ends defined by outwardly inclined walls. Each recess has inwardly facing radial vanes, and a shaft end for holding the inner ring of a bearing assembly. End caps extend over the ends of the dowel, and each has a collar for holding the outer ring of the bearing assembly and an outer longitudinal wall for providing a dust shield. The rotating vanes create an air barrier to preclude dust from moving towards each bearing assembly, and the inclined walls of each recess direct dust tossed outwardly by centrifugal force out of the agitator assembly. The end caps and the walls defining each recess further define a labyrinth seal to keep dust from traveling to each bearing assembly.

Abstract: A brushroll for a vacuum cleaner includes a roll body with a first end, a second end and a rotational axis. A first bore extends from the first end to the second end along the rotational axis. The roll body further includes a first connecting element located at the roll body second end. The brushroll further has a pulley including a first end, a second end and a rotational axis. A second centrally positioned bore extends from the pulley first end to the pulley second end along the pulley rotational axis. The pulley further includes a second connecting element located at the pulley first end for engaging the first connecting element. A shaft extends through the first and second bores. At least one bearing is mounted on the shaft and rotatably mounts at least one of the roll body and the pulley to the shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surface-cleaning device (61, 63) which has a base part (69) and a cleaning part (67) having a substantially flat contact surface (71) for contact with a surface (41) to be cleaned and which is rotatable relative to the base part about an axis of rotation (77) extending substantially perpendicularly to the contact surface. According to the invention, the cleaning part is pivotable relative to the base part about a pivot axis (105) which extends transversely to the axis of rotation, and the base part is so constructed that a component (93) is present and exerts a pre-tension force, preferably a pre-tension torque (Mp) on the cleaning part about said pivot axis.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning tool for a vacuum cleaning device has a housing having a vacuum connector connected to the vacuum cleaning device. The housing has an underside and an elongate intake opening arranged in the underside. A brush roll is arranged in the housing parallel to the elongate intake opening. A drive is arranged in the housing and drivingly coupled to the brush roll. An exchangeable vacuum shoe is detachably connected to the housing and has two wall portions extending at least approximately parallel to the brush roll. The brush roll is arranged between the two wall portions.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brushroll having skirted, one piece plastic ferrules inserted into the ends of a tufted, wood spindle so that the ferrule skirts embrace the spindle end portions to prevent the ferrules from loosening upon expansion of the spindle due to moisture. The skirts are drilled to permit angled tufting to be inserted very near the spindle ends with the tufting extending axially and radially outwardly beyond the spindle ends to provide improved edge cleaning and create a wider cleaning path compared to conventional brushroll designs.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brushroll including a spindle, bristle tufts carried by the spindle, and sleeves fitted on the ends of the spindle, the bristle tufts including angled end tufts that extend through the sleeve outwardly beyond the ends of the spindle to provide a wide cleaning path and improved edge cleaning capability upon rotation of the brushroll. The sleeve on one end of the brushroll has a pulley.

Abstract: A suction head of a vacuum cleaner with a power brush is provided. In the suction head of the vacuum cleaner with the power brush, the power brush rotatively contacts objects to be cleaned and separates alien substances from the objects to be cleaned, to thus let the vacuum cleaner suck up the alien substances.

Abstract: There is provided a mat having multiple sets of pins, each set of pins being located within surrounding, characterized in that the pins do not extend significantly beyond the highest point of the surrounding. Thus the pins are protected by the surrounding and are less likely to break after extended use. The mat may be provided with areas adapted for the receipt of strips of textile materials, eg carpeting which advantageously has a hard-backing and is able to snap into the areas provided. The inclusion of the textile material combines a scraping function together with the visual appearance of a carpet. The strips of textile material will be separated by sets of pins as described above. A set of such mats is also described.

Abstract: A sweeper includes a support structure having parallel arms which may be moved apart to allow a brush held between the arms to be replaced. Each of the arms has a hub mounted thereon by a universal joint which provides automatic alignment of the two hubs to provide a single axis of rotation for the brush. One of the hubs is connected to a hydraulic drive motor and includes a plurality of slots, one of which receives a drive lug on the interior of the brush which is preferably of the type having a core of a thin metal tube. A raising and lowering mechanism comprises a parallelogram having a hydraulic cylinder in the center for controlling the configuration of the parallelogram. As the brush is raised its support mechanism remains parallel to the vehicle and moves closer to it. A unique stop element is mounted to the hydraulic cylinder to provide a minimum height for the sweeper.