Rotary-brush Disk Patents (Class 15/87)
  • Patent number: 5991951
    Abstract: A running and working robot for performing a prescribed work while it runs includes a body with a running unit, and a working unit for working, and the body is coupled to the working unit by means of a coupling member with a buffer member. As a result, even when an excessive force or shock is given to the coupling portion between the working unit and the body, damage to the coupling portion can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Kubo, Takashi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 5943724
    Abstract: A floor cleaning machine of the type having a fluid driven scrub brush utilizes fluid pressure for applying down force on the scrub brush to a floor surface being cleaned. The fluid pressure applied is controlled by a fluid pressure regulator which has a movable valve element and an electrical coil for controlling the position of the movable valve element. There is a feedback circuit for controlling current through the coil which includes a source of power and a pulse width modulation switching device. The switching device in turn is controlled by a comparison between the current sensed in the coil circuit and an operator set value for the desired current to provide a desired down force on the cleaning brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Robert Erko, Daniel L. Mundt, Terry B. Schwartz, Paul D. Henderson
  • Patent number: 5884353
    Abstract: A surface maintenance machine includes a body, wheels for supporting the body, a sweeping brush and a debris hopper adjacent the sweeping brush and positioned to receive debris swept by the brush. The hopper has a floor, walls, and a top, all formed of a plastic material, preferably one rated as not supporting combustion in a horizontal direction. There is a heat shield attached to the underside of the hopper top, with the heat shield being formed of a non-combustible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: David W. Berg, Michael S. Wilmo
  • Patent number: 5742966
    Abstract: The invention is a new floor-cleaning machine, with brushes and motor mounted on a support which travels sidewards; the motor is positioned on the side opposite to the travelling direction of the support, in such a way as to allow the brush to protrude. The support can also rotate on the vertical axis so as to move the two brushes from the position in which they are aligned to the position in which they are side by side. The brushes can be provided with traditional discs or with a dragging disc equipped with two concentric elements made of rubber with different densities, owing to which the dragging disc edges maintain their correct shape over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventor: Gianni Tono
  • Patent number: 5737793
    Abstract: Rotary brush apparatus usable in the environment of a street sweeper includes a generally circular plate to which are secured brush segments. The brush segments are secured to the plate by pins on plates movable vertically upwardly in response to rotation of a bolt. The use of the pin and bolt elements allow for the quick change of the brush segments. The pins move vertically upwardly and downwardly and are locked in place to keep from rotating by guide elements used for alignment purposes. Apertures in the plate allow for the visual alignment of the brush segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Inventor: Phillip W. Prohoroff
  • Patent number: 5715567
    Abstract: A vehicle for dust and trash collecting comprises: wheels, a framework supported by said wheels, a storage tank (8) for dust and trash, at least one rotating brush (10), means (6) for setting said wheels in motion, and control means (7) comprising a fluid-operated work circuit (26), at least one peripheral motor (33) fed from the work circuit (26) and engaging the rotating brush (10), at least one fluid-operated cylinder (39) fed from the work circuit (26) and adapted to shift the rotating brush (10) towards a surface (11) to be swept, and elastically deformable members (42) active against the action of said work circuit (26) in the fluid-operated cylinder (39) and adapted to lift up the rotating brush (10) in the absence of pressure in the fluid-operated cylinder (39) itself, the work circuit (26) having a single control element (29) for actuation of the peripheral motor (33) and the fluid-operated cylinder (39).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Duvelo International S.P.A.
    Inventor: Fabrizio Tagliaferri
  • Patent number: 5673450
    Abstract: Cleaning or sweeping apparatus for example of the pedestrian type, has a suspension and preferably means for biasing the brush or brushes against the surface to be cleaned or swept, at a desired value and preferably at a controllably variable value. Long springs mounted in spring tubes which are compressed by an electrical actuator are the preferred option. Working pressures are measured and displayed on an operator's console and may be kept fairly constant despite uneven floors by a feedback control circuit. An operator may input a desired pressure and feedback can be used to tailor the working pressure to the chosen pressure input. An electronic control circuit included a microprocessor is described. With a controllable brush pressure the cleaning or sweeping machine is more adaptable, can be used for both heavy duty cleaning or scrubbing tasks and light sweeping tasks without the need to for resetting the machine in the factory and without wearing out the expensive brushes or damaging the floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Inventor: William Anthony Briscoe
  • Patent number: 5667019
    Abstract: The invention relates to a soil treating device comprising at least one working element rotatably driven by a rotation shaft and a frame accommodating the working element and displaceable practically parallel to the ground, characterized in that the rotatable working element consists of a plurality of contact elements intended for ground working and fixed in a holder, wherein at least a part of the contact elements lies at different distances from the rotation shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Redexim Handel- en Exploitatiemaatschappij B.V.
    Inventor: Marinus Reincke
  • Patent number: 5504969
    Abstract: A machine for cleaning and disinfecting transportation vehicles comprises a frame provided with a plurality of wheels, electric motor means for driving the wheels and therefore moving the machine in a predetermined direction, a device for washing and cleaning a central area of the floor and under side seats of a transportation vehicle to be cleaned, and a device for washing and cleaning walls, seats and a ceiling of the transportation vehicle. The device for washing and cleaning the floor includes a unit for washing and cleaning a central area of the floor and a unit for washing and cleaning areas under the seats of the transportation vehicle, the device for washing and cleaning walls, seats, and ceiling being provided with lever elements movable between a plurality of positions suitable for correspondingly cleaning the walls, the seats and the ceiling of the transportation vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Inventors: Vladimir Beryozkin, Alexander Rudshteyn
  • Patent number: 5481776
    Abstract: A brush pressure system for a cleaning or sweeping machine, particularly of the pedestrian type, has elements for biasing the brush or brushes against the surface to be cleaned or swept, at a desired value and preferably at a controllably variable value. Long springs mounted in spring tubes which are compressed by an electrical actuator are the preferred option. With a controllable brush pressure the cleaning or sweeping machine is more adaptable, can be used for both heavy duty cleaning or scrubbing tasks and light sweeping tasks without the need to for resetting the machine in the factory and without wearing out the expensive brushes or damaging the floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Inventor: William A. Briscoe
  • Patent number: 5421053
    Abstract: A coupling for removably affixing a brush to a rotatable drive shaft includes a drive hub affixed to the drive shaft, in which an axial projection having a cam surface is disposed on either the drive hub or the brush. The other of the hub and the brush defines a recess for accepting the projection and has a spring retainer affixed thereto. The projection and recess have an interfitting spline connection for preventing relative rotation between the drive hub and the brush. The cam surface is adapted to elastically spread the retainer to allow-the projection to be inserted within the recess. The retainer thereafter engages the shelf surface to prevent removal of the projection from the recess. The spring retainer is provided with tabs for elastically spreading the retainer to disengage the shelf surface and allow the brush to be easily removed from the drive hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: AAR Corp.
    Inventor: Keith W. Chodak
  • Patent number: 5261139
    Abstract: A raised powered baseboard brush apparatus (10) for use on top of a conventional corner sweeper attachment (100) for a powered floor sweeper (200) for engaging a rotating elevated baseboard brush member (26) into contact with the top portion of a baseboard (50) disposed parallel to the line of travel of the powered floor sweeper (200).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Inventor: Steven D. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5259085
    Abstract: A floor-care work disk (4) which can be mounted by a clip mounting to the drive plate (1) of a floor-care apparatus (G) and has clip-tongue passage windows (6) and a resting surface (9) which permits wobbling movement between drive plate (1) and floor-care work disk. The resting surface (9) is arranged on the outside of the clip-tongue passage windows (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventors: Gentile Marafante, Mario Tecchiati, Wieland Guhne, Hans J. Birr
  • Patent number: 5199128
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning rubber deposits from surfaces such as airport runways and roadways is disclosed. The apparatus includes a large vehicle that has the capacity to be loaded so as to effectively add weight to rubber cleaning tires of the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle has a water tank and sprinkler system so that the surface may be wetted down in front of the tires as the vehicle proceeds across the surface. The cleaning tires of the apparatus are aligned so that they are at a yaw angle to the direction of travel, and the cleaning tire assembly is attached to the underside of the trailer of the vehicle and positioned between a forward and rear water tank. In addition this tire assembly is equipped with a means of loading the tires onto the contaminated surface.The method comprises driving such a vehicle at low speeds down the surface as the road is being wet in front of the cleaning tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Sandy M. Stubbs
  • Patent number: 5197211
    Abstract: The vehicle is intended as a self-propelled utility model for beach cleaning. It has a vehicle frame which comprises at least one front and rear axle. A garbage pickup is disposed therebetween. The vehicle is to be a multi-purpose vehicle. The vehicle frame equipped with wheels consequently has a centric, rectangular opening between the front and the rear axle. The garbage pickup is adjustably mounted in this opening, namely from an operating position in which it contacts the ground to a ready position in which it is lifted from the ground. Seen in the direction of driving, a collecting receptacle for the picked up garbage is located behind the garbage pickup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Karl Kassbohrer Fahrzeugwerke GmbH
    Inventor: Walter Haug
  • Patent number: 5097560
    Abstract: An apparatus wherein a herbicide applicator spray organization is mounted to a self-propelled street cleaning vehicle. The vehicle includes a forward rotary brush and a rear rotary brush, the forward rotary brush and herbicide applicator spray head are mounted to a parallel link support framework. A storage tank delivers the herbicide fluid to the spray head through a pump and valve interconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: Bobby C. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 5016310
    Abstract: A floor scrubbing machine has scrub brushes and their drive motors mounted in a scrub head located amidships under the machine frame. Provision is made to move the scrub head laterally on occasion to a position where it extends beyond one side of the machine frame to facilitate scrubbing along walls, thereby eliminating the need for a scrubbing side brush. The scrub brushes bear evenly against the floor regardless of the lateral position of the scrub head even though a variable down force may be applied to the scrub head. The scrub head is resiliently attached to the means for moving it laterally so that if it encounters a solid obstacle while it is extended it will be yieldably pushed back under the machine frame with a minimum likelihood of damage, and then will automatically extend out again after the obstacle is past.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Geyer, Terence A. Peterson
  • Patent number: 4862548
    Abstract: The invention relates to a scraping device for floor and surface cleaning machines, and comprises: a first upright bell-shaped element (2) fixed against rotation and having an edge (6a) adapted to bear directly on a surface to be cleaned, a second inverted bell-shaped element (9) engaged coaxially and rotatably inside the first element (2) to define a substantially closed chamber (10) therewith, spindles (13) rotatably through-penetrating the second element (9), scraping brushes (14having metal bristles and being engaged rotatively with the second element (9), outside the chamber (10), and rotatively rigid with the spindles, and drive members (15,16,17) for transmitting the rotary motion to the scraping brushes (14) engaging with the spindles (13) inside the chamber (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Dulevo S.p.A.
    Inventor: Zoni Sergio
  • Patent number: 4831684
    Abstract: A self-propelled sweeper vehicle (10) has front steerable wheels (16) mounted on a centrally pivoted axle assembly (28) which also carries the nozzle (30) and brush gear (24) whereby these assemblies are steered in unison with the vehicle. The nozzle front edge (106) is convex and promotes non-turbulent air intake. The nozzle is formed as a hollow rotationally moulded structure of a plastics material having inherent structural strength and stiffness. The brush gear (24) is mounted on linkages comprising inner and outer portions (200, 202) pivotally connected for folding movement to resiliently yield under impact. The brush covers (260) are formed as hollow plastics mouldings and part of the brush support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Morningfield Limited
    Inventor: Ian J. Duncan
  • Patent number: 4771498
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary cleaning brush device for cleaners of paved surfaces, whose brushes (2) are aligned perpendicularly to the straight travel direction of the cleaner and have peripheral regions which are formed of an orderly succession of projections (8) and recesses (9), the projections (8) of each brush (2) fitting into the recesses (9) of another brush (2), and having at least one pair of brushes (2) arranged with their respective axes of rotation (4) convergent together in a direction away from a surface (7) to be swept, the brushes (2) being rotated in a direction which produces, in the areas of least mutual distance between the brushes (2), tangent velocities which are on the average oppositely directed with respect to the straight travel direction of such cleaners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Idroplina S.R.L.
    Inventor: Nello Torta
  • Patent number: 4754521
    Abstract: A machine with a frame supporting two side brushes downwardly, a center roller, and an auxiliary front brush movable on command in a crosswise direction to the frame, and upwardly a driver's cab, a trash container, a water tank and a trash conveyor. The water tank and trash conveyor are of reduced dimensions (i.e., short) with respect to the machine lengthwise direction are flattened and inserted between the cab and container. The conveyor has an open structure which extends vertically in an air-tight transport channel between a top end in communication with the container via an opening in the container and a bottom end placed forwardly close to the center roller. A dust suction unit is also provided in communication with the container interior, to draw in dust raised by said brushes through the opening into the trash container from a transport channel between the bottom and top ends of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: Dulevo S.p.A
    Inventor: Sergio Zoni
  • Patent number: 4729141
    Abstract: This is concerned with a disc brush suspension or arrangement for a scrubber or sweeper or the like. The arrangement uses a flexible bellows which may be of rubber or a suitable rubber substitute which functions as the total or primary suspension for the disc brush and its drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: David W. Berg, Steven V. Feeny
  • Patent number: 4691402
    Abstract: A gutter broom mechanism is adapted to be carried by the frame of a mobile road or like surface sweeping machine, a gutter broom carried by a first end of an arm having a second end mounted to the frame for movement such that the gutter broom can be moved between a first elevated position generally adjacent the frame and a second lower position generally outward of the frame in brushing engagement with a surface to be swept, the arm carrying a ball joint/yoke to which a threaded bolt is connected by a first pivot pin, the bolt passes through a collar having a spherical socket receiving a spherical surface of the yoke, the threaded bolt being connected by a nut to a bracket supporting a rotary gutter broom, and the threaded bolt and nut defining a single locking mechanism for holding the gutter broom in anyone of a plurality of predetermined positions of angular adjustment relative to an associated gutter or similar surface being swept.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Veselka
  • Patent number: 4658458
    Abstract: A rotary brush sweeper includes a rotary brush which is rotatable about a brush axis and which may be of generally cylindrical form. The rotary brush is supported in a brush support assembly that is pivotable about a central axis, with the brush axis being offset from the central axis. As a result, rotation of the pivotable brush support assembly accomplishes the raising or lowering of the rotary brush with respect to a surface being cleaned. In a preferred configuration, the pivotable brush support assembly includes a pair of spaced support members having respective annular convex mounting surfaces. The spaced support members are received within respective annular concave mounting surfaces situated on a housing structure for the sweeper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: Shop-Vac Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Berfield, R. Lent Crevling, Jr., Ronald F. Meland, Richard M. Fegan
  • Patent number: 4557010
    Abstract: A street sweeper has floating support apparatus for supporting both a pick-up broom and a pair of laterally and forwardly disposed gutter brushes beneath a sweeper framework and for providing controlled broom and brush pressures on the surface being swept. A ball bushing and vertical shaft provide gutter brush suspension and spherical bearings and support arms provide pick-up broom suspension. The gutter brushes and pick-up broom are directly driven by hydraulic motors mounted on their respective suspension structures. Debris is directed inwardly on the swept surface by the gutter brushes toward the path of the pick-up broom. Laterally disposed dirt shoes lie adjacent the ends of the pick-up broom to prevent debris from flowing around the ends of the broom, whereby debris is further guided inwardly toward the pick-up broom for propulsion toward an elevator for transfer into a framework mounted debris hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Richard B. Rosseau
  • Patent number: 4555824
    Abstract: A street sweeper has floating support apparatus for supporting both a pick-up broom and a pair of laterally and forwardly disposed gutter brushes beneath a sweeper framework and for providing controlled broom and brush pressures on the surface being swept. A ball bushing and vertical shaft provides gutter brush suspension and spherical bearings and support arms provide pick-up broom suspension. The gutter brushes and pick-up broom are directly driven by hydraulic motors mounted on their respective suspension structures. Debris is directed inwardly on the swept surface by the gutter brushes toward the path of the pick-up broom. Laterally disposed dirt shoes lie adjacent the ends of the pick-up broom to prevent debris from flowing around the ends of the broom, whereby debris is further guided inwardly toward the pick-up broom for propulsion toward an elevator for transfer into a framework mounted debris hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Richard B. Rosseau
  • Patent number: 4490874
    Abstract: Brush control means for controlling the operative position of the rotary brushes of a road or like sweeping machine comprises an electronic control unit operated by a driver's controller for controlling the operation of a valve, which in turn controls the operation of a hydraulic ram connected to the brush mounting for angularly moving the latter laterally about its pivotal mounting on the machine. A sensor such as a linear transducer operated by the ram is responsive to the operative position of the brush mounting as selected by the control unit for operating the valve to hold the ram against operation and hence the brush mounting against outward lateral movement from the selected position. Yieldable continuous low pressure operation of the brush mounting in the outward direction is preferably provided whereby the mounting is able to yield inwardly when the brush encounters an obstacle such as a curb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Assignee: Schmidt Manufacturing & Equipment (UK) Ltd.
    Inventor: Ian J. Duncan
  • Patent number: 4479501
    Abstract: A cassette type hygienic comb and brush comprises a basic body (1) and a cassette bristle holder (2), which is formed with a plurality of thin film layers (26) removably held atop thereon with the bristles (27) extending through the layers and is engaged with the back (10) of the body (1) for cleansing or combing use and may be replaced with a new cassette bristle holder for continuous service after the thin film layers being completely torn off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1984
    Inventor: Horng Y. Chern
  • Patent number: 4457036
    Abstract: In a combination sweeping, polishing and scrubbing floor maintenance machine, the present invention includes a debris hopper removably positioned in a frame secured to a portion of the machine. The debris hopper has a rearward opening facing a pair of substantially side-by-side disc tools, e.g. brushes. The brushes preferably rotate in the same rotational direction with one brush positioned slightly ahead of the other brush. Immediately in front of the forward edge of the leading brush is a conduit means secured to the hopper. Adjacent the conduit means and extending along the hopper opening is a flexible member. Both the flexible member and the conduit means serve as debris receiving means for directing swept debris upwardly into the debris hopper. Blade members may be provided forward of the debris receiving means and beneath the hopper to guide debris into a central area of the machine's path of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Alfred D. Carlson, Donald J. Haub, Mark E. Snetting
  • Patent number: 4414699
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: Ing. Alfred Schmidt GmbH
    Inventor: Max Hirt
  • Patent number: 4368554
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1983
    Assignee: Hestair Eagle Limited
    Inventors: Barrie E. Mealing, Raymond H. Payne, James Boswell
  • Patent number: 4335482
    Abstract: A rotary brush mounting comprises support structure mountable from a sweeping machine and carrying support means for angular movement about pivotal axes at right angles to one another in a universal manner and a driven rotary brush depending from the support means and normally rotatable about a substantially vertical axis but capable of sideways and back and forth inclining movement with the support means so as to follow varying formation or irregularities of a road or similar surface in order to maintain effective sweeping contact therewith. The support structure may consist of a bracket having a pivoted arm extending for swinging movement and carrying the support means which latter may consist of a forked member longitudinally pivoted on the arm and carrying between its limbs for transverse pivotal movement a support member for the brush together with a direct motor drive to the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1982
    Assignee: Melford Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Peter A. Jones
  • Patent number: 4308632
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1982
    Inventors: Donald L. Dickson, Steven L. Dickson
  • Patent number: 4218798
    Abstract: A floor treating machine primarily adapted for scrubbing a hard floor surface is disclosed. The machine includes a main frame, a modular support subassembly and a brush subassembly. The support subassembly includes a frame member secured to the main frame and a brush lift assembly. The brush lift assembly includes a main lift arm pivoted to the support frame, a fluid operated diaphragm motor engaging the main lift arm and a tilt arm pivoted at one end to the frame. The main lift arm and tilt arm are operatively connected to the brush subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1980
    Assignee: Clarke-Gravely Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas S. Block
  • Patent number: 4160302
    Abstract: A vacuum operated refuse collecting vehicle includes an air-tight container mounted on the chassis of the vehicle and having an outlet communicating with means for generating a vacuum within the container. A suction conduit is provided for each side of the vehicle, each suction conduit extending at one end into the interior of the container and being provided at the other end with a nozzle which may be disposed at a short distance from the ground. Brrush means are provided. Means are mouned at said one end of each conduit which are operable from outside the container, for separately closing off said one end of each suction conduit to prevent refuse entering said one end of the conduit when it is closed. Said one ends of said suction conduits communicate with the container in positions one on each side of a central longitudinal plane of the container and adjacent one end of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1979
    Assignee: Johnston Brothers (Engineering) Limited
    Inventors: Peter B. Hirst, Anthony J. Duthie
  • Patent number: 4084285
    Abstract: A street sweeper gutter brush is movable by a ram between an upper inboard retracted position, and a lowered operating position. A suitable linkage connected to the brush permits vertical movement, and a tie rod connecting the sweeper vehicle frame with the brush assembly permits horizontal swinging movement about a fixed vertical axis on the vehicle. By varying the length of the tie rod, and thus the length or radius of the horizontal component of swing, the brush can be moved from a retracted position to a number of different lateral and vertical positions relative to the vehicle and street.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1978
    Assignee: Central Engineering Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Fritz W. Herzog
  • Patent number: 4009500
    Abstract: An operator-driven, self-propelled, floor scrubbing and sweeping apparatus having a wheeled frame and a floor cleaning unit mounted thereon consisting of a support for positioning a set of brushes, as well as a refuse receptacle, beneath the frame, including hydraulic means for raising and lowering the support, together with the brushes and the receptacle, relative to the frame, into and out of floor cleaning positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1977
    Assignee: Star Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter G. Ashton
  • Patent number: 3996636
    Abstract: An operator-driven, hydraulic, front-wheel, traction-drive floor scrubbing and sweeping machine having a steerable undercarriage supporting the front wheels as well as the retractable scrubber-squeegee assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Star Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter G. Ashton
  • Patent number: 3982485
    Abstract: A washing machine for a printing or processing table including an arrangement of two complementary carriages, each one of which rests on a lateral rail provided along opposite sides of the table for the tracking of the carriages. The carriages are solidly fixed to each other by means of a bridge element comprised of two telescopically arranged tubular bodies which are provided with adjustment and fixing means capable of securing the coupling of the tubular bodies to any relative dimension between two points, one of which is of maximum approximation while the other is of maximum separation. Each one of the carriages is provided with a cantilever arm directed inwardly of the table, which arms are longer than half the width of the table and support a plurality of circular brushes, each of the brushes being provided with a gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1976
    Inventor: Salvador Gali Mallofre
  • Patent number: 3937174
    Abstract: A sweeper having at least one laterally arranged side brush rotatably mounted about a rotational axis inclined with respect to the vertical axis of the sweeper and having bristles arranged in a pattern about the rotational axis, and a drive mechanism responsive to the lateral displacement of the sweeper over the surface being swept for rotating the side brush in a predetermined direction of rotation about the rotational axis independently of the direction of lateral displacement of the sweeper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1973
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1976
    Inventor: Hermann Haaga