Abstract: An apparatus for collecting litter from roadways and grounds includes a ground engageable rotating drum with easily removable and replaceable fingers which slip in and out of channels mounted on the drum. A spring finger assembly rotates against the drum to aid in litter pickup and to strip material from the drum and deposit same on a conveyor. The conveyor directs the litter into a hopper, which, when full, is lifted by an arrangement of pivots and linkage arms to raise upwardly, then swing rearwardly and tip to dump the litter into a suitable receptacle.

Abstract: A litter collection apparatus includes a novel arrangement for mounting litter retrieving projections on a retrieving belt of the apparatus, an improved receptacle and mechanism for emptying the receptacle, a novel arrangement for adjustably positioning the apparatus with respect to a surface over which it passes and an improved drive arrangement for the respective components of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting flat or semiflat materials while simultaneously retrieving bottles and cans includes a ground engageable rotating drum (50) with a plurality of fingers (80) extending radially from the drum. A spring finger assembly (100) cooperates with the drum (50) to retrieve articles from the ground. The spring finger assembly includes an upper and lower unit (104, 102) each including a plurality of spring fingers (128) mounted on a rotary shaft assembly (116, 118, 122) driven in conjunction with the rotation of the drum. The rotary shaft assembly and the spring fingers attached thereto rotate with respect to fixed stripper plates (140). A camming device (122, 130, 132) acts to rotate and extend the fingers beyond the stripper plates when the fingers move adjacent to the drum fingers and to rotate and withdraw the spring fingers behind the stripper plates upon further rotation such that the material engaged by the spring fingers is stripped therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking up surface litter on the ground includes a movable main frame towed by a lightweight vehicle. A roller carriage pivotally attached to the main frame supports identical front and rear oppositely rotating tandem rollers each having ground engaging rows of resilient fingers. The rollers are driven by a ground engaging drive wheel and sprocket gear arrangement. The resilient fingers spread apart to entrap litter and mesh between the rollers to transfer litter downstream, to a main frame conveyor for containment within a trash drum. A pair of wiper blades completely dislodge litter entrapped between the roller fingers and cooperate with upper portions of each roller to define a transfer path towards the conveyor. In a second embodiment, the trash drum is pivotally secured to the main frame to control the height of the drum discharge opening. In a third embodiment, a rectangular, box-like main frame is supported by a rear panel door of a dump truck.

Abstract: A street sweeper comprising a frame adapted for travel over the ground and having at least two transversely spaced wheels, a spring suspension means mounted between each wheel and the frame, a rubbish receptacle mounted on the frame, an elevating conveyor fixed to the frame and having a lower end situated in the region of the two wheels, therebetween, and an upper end situated above the receptacle, and an elongated pick-up rotary brush extending transversally adjacent to the lower end of the elevating conveyor for sweeping the rubbishes on the ground and projecting them into transporting elements of the elevating conveyor, an actuating means associated to each spring suspension means and connected on the one hand to the frame and on the other to a spring of the corresponding spring suspension means, and which, in a first position, compresses the spring to its maximum static load and, in a second position, leaves the spring free of strain, said elevating conveyor being fixed to the frame in a position such tha

Abstract: In this pick-up sweeper, the dirt distributing device (8) is formed by a rotary disk (21) whose axis is substantially vertical and by means (22) for rotating the disk. To improve the filling of the truck (7) the disk (21) may be driven selectively in one or other direction of rotation. Furthermore, the disk (21) is mounted on a support (22) which is itself pivotably mounted about a horizontal axis (23; 27) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pick-up sweeper, and actuating means (26) are connected to said support for causing this latter and the disk (21) to pivot about said horizontal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting particulate material from a depository surface, such as a roadway, including a front-end collecting vehicle having a front-to-rear extending passageway. Mounted within the passageway is a first or front rotary rake member, a second rotary rake member behind the first rotary rake member, and a rotary brush member behind the second rotary rake member. Preferably mounted behind the vehicle frame is a conveyor mechanism for removing debris from the vehicular frame. Both rotary rake members include a plurality of interdigitating tines which are driven to move in the same forward direction so that the tines moving beneath the rotary axes are moving and collecting the debris rearwardly within the passageway. The rotary brush member is driven in the opposite rotary direction from the rake members to pick up the debris collected by the rake members and to force the debris rearwardly upon the conveyor mechanism.

Abstract: A mechanical sweeper attached to a carrier vehicle comprises a sweeping assembly (2) which is attached laterally to the frame of a carrier vehicle (1) between the front and rear wheels. The sweeping assembly is attached as one unit to a carrier frame (26) which is movably connected to the vehicle in order to shift the sweeping assembly (2) into a position outside the lateral profile outline of the vehicle (1). In the case of a mechanical sweeper having an interchangeable body (6), which, on a body frame (8), includes devices for picking up and storing the dirt and is arranged as a whole above the rear wheels (4) of the carrier vehicle (1), the carrier frame (26) is fastened to the body frame (8) of the interchangeable body (6) so that it can be pulled out laterally.

Abstract: A street sweeper having a frame with a cab carried thereon. An engine is mounted on the frame for powering the sweeper. A series of operating mechanisms are supported on the frame for assisting in a sweepings pick-up operation. A series of hydraulic motors are provided with each being operatively associated with one of the mechanisms for operating the same. A single variable and reversible flow piston pump is operatively connected to the hydraulic motors and the hydraulic mechanisms for operating them at a constant speed. The engine operates the piston pump with a variable speed input. A control mechanism is mounted in the cab, and electrical circuit means is connected between the control mechanism and the piston pump and cooperable with said control mechanism enabling for selective operation of the mechanisms at selective rotational speeds for assisting in a sweepings pick-up operation.

Abstract: A street sweeping vehicle with a single engine both for the purpose of propulsion and generation of hydraulic power. The hydraulic power is used to drive individual hydraulic motors controlling the main broom, gutter broom and debris elevating system. Each separate hydraulic motor is so positioned as to operate effectively while accomodating various drine positions, yet minimizing wear and tear on the mechanism driven.

Abstract: A street sweeping vehicle with a main broom driven by a hydraulic motor whose output shaft is axially aligned with and rigidly coupled to one end of the broom shaft. The motor housing is supported against rotation by an auxiliary housing that is also pivotally secured to the rearward end of an associated broom support arm such that the auxiliary housing is able to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the support arm, and such that the longitudinal axis of the support arm intersects the longitudinal axis of the broom shaft.

Abstract: A street sweeping vehicle has a motor and drive system for propelling it forward. It also has several auxiliary devices including a main broom, a gutter broom, and a debris elevating system, each of which is powered by a separate hydraulic motor. Each hydraulic motor receives its energy from a pump that is in turn driven by a main motor of the vehicle. In each auxiliary device, the separate hydraulic motor which powers that device is so positioned as to operate effectively while permitting necessary position adjustments of the driven mechanism to take place and also minimizing wear and tear on the mechanism.

Abstract: A street sweeper having a frame with a cab positioned at a forward end of the frame. A hopper is provided for receiving sweepings carried on the frame behind the cab. Linkage is further provided for enabling the hopper to be moved over the cab to a forward dumping position. Outriggers are positioned at a forward end of the sweeper. Hydraulic circuit means, valve means, and ram means collectively cooperable together and sequentially operable to initially move the outriggers into ground engagement to provide additional support for the hopper when in the forward dumping position and then operable to actuate the linkage to move the hopper over the cab for dumping.

Abstract: A self-propelled street sweeper including a main frame, sweepings pick-up means underlying the main frame and a dirt box positioned on the frame for receiving the sweepings. A main broom is mounted at a rear end of the main frame adapted to sweep sweepings to the sweepings pick-up means or conveyor so the sweepings can be deposited into the dirt box and having sweeping and road travel positions. Means is provided for driving the main broom when in its sweepings position. Means is further provided for suspending the main broom from the rear end of the main frame including suspension arms located on opposite sides of the main broom. Bearing means are provided between the suspension arms and the opposite sides of the main broom. Floating suspension means is operatively connected between the main broom and the main frame providing a floating suspension for enabling the main broom to freely float on a ground supporting surface as the main broom is dragged behind the main frame in road engagement.

Abstract: A trash picking device including a self-propelled vehicle having a receiving tank therein with an entrance for receiving litter from a conveyor belt litter picked up by spiked rollers mounted on a support tower by the vehicle and communicating with the conveyor belt by means of a flexible chute. Preferably, two side rollers are pivoted to a central roller journalled directly below the conveyor belt. A pair of transporting wheels are pivotally mounted below the central roller. This roller drivingly engages the bottom roller of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A street sweeping machine is disclosed comprising a wheeled frame, a cab is supported by the frame, a dirt receiving hopper is positioned behind the cab, a conveyor is positioned adjacent the hopper and has an upper end overlying the hopper for depositing materials picked up from a roadway into the hopper. The conveyor is pivotally mounted for movement relative to the hopper and the frame. Hopper lift means is provided for rotating the hopper off of the frame from behind the cab over the cab for unloading of the picked-up materials in the hopper at a forward end of the cab. Linkage is connected between the hopper lift means and the conveyor for pivoting the conveyor on its pivot so that its upper end moves clear from its position of overlying the hopper to allow the hopper lift means to rotate the hopper free of interference from the conveyor during the lifting movement of the hopper. Ram means is also provided for operating the hopper lift means to rotate the hopper to be unloaded forward of the cab.

Abstract: A self-propelled street sweeping machine or sweeper which includes a main frame. A dirt hopper and a main broom are mounted on the frame along with a conveyor. The conveyor is positionable relative to the frame for receiving sweepings from the main broom and for discharging the sweepings into the dirt hopper. Means are provided on the sweeper for enabling the main broom and the conveyor to move selectively of a transport position to a sweeping position and vice versa. The frame is supported by front and rear axles carried on wheels and spring means are provided between the rear axle and the main frame to enable an easier ride while the sweeper is operated in the transport position.

Abstract: A machine for the cleaning of streets and in particular, the cleaning of pedestrian zones. The dust from the street is directed against a damp cloth by means of a rotating brush; the cloth is a partially permeable water sack on which the dust collects in scale-like masses. The scales fall from the sack and are thrown by brushes into a receiving means. The machine functions without a dust vacuum and therefore is relatively quiet.