EP1482824A1 - Litter vaccum - Google Patents
Litter vaccumInfo
- Publication number
- EP1482824A1 EP1482824A1 EP03721339A EP03721339A EP1482824A1 EP 1482824 A1 EP1482824 A1 EP 1482824A1 EP 03721339 A EP03721339 A EP 03721339A EP 03721339 A EP03721339 A EP 03721339A EP 1482824 A1 EP1482824 A1 EP 1482824A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- hopper
- arm
- vacuum shoe
- air
- frame
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01H—STREET CLEANING; CLEANING OF PERMANENT WAYS; CLEANING BEACHES; DISPERSING OR PREVENTING FOG IN GENERAL CLEANING STREET OR RAILWAY FURNITURE OR TUNNEL WALLS
- E01H1/00—Removing undesirable matter from roads or like surfaces, with or without moistening of the surface
- E01H1/08—Pneumatically dislodging or taking-up undesirable matter or small objects; Drying by heat only or by streams of gas; Cleaning by projecting abrasive particles
- E01H1/0827—Dislodging by suction; Mechanical dislodging-cleaning apparatus with independent or dependent exhaust, e.g. dislodging-sweeping machines with independent suction nozzles ; Mechanical loosening devices working under vacuum
- E01H1/0836—Apparatus dislodging all of the dirt by suction ; Suction nozzles
- E01H1/0845—Apparatus dislodging all of the dirt by suction ; Suction nozzles with mechanical loosening or feeding instruments for the dirt to be sucked- up, e.g. brushes, scrapers
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01H—STREET CLEANING; CLEANING OF PERMANENT WAYS; CLEANING BEACHES; DISPERSING OR PREVENTING FOG IN GENERAL CLEANING STREET OR RAILWAY FURNITURE OR TUNNEL WALLS
- E01H1/00—Removing undesirable matter from roads or like surfaces, with or without moistening of the surface
- E01H1/02—Brushing apparatus, e.g. with auxiliary instruments for mechanically loosening dirt
- E01H1/04—Brushing apparatus, e.g. with auxiliary instruments for mechanically loosening dirt taking- up the sweepings, e.g. for collecting, for loading
- E01H1/047—Collecting apparatus characterised by the hopper or by means for unloading the hopper
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01H—STREET CLEANING; CLEANING OF PERMANENT WAYS; CLEANING BEACHES; DISPERSING OR PREVENTING FOG IN GENERAL CLEANING STREET OR RAILWAY FURNITURE OR TUNNEL WALLS
- E01H1/00—Removing undesirable matter from roads or like surfaces, with or without moistening of the surface
- E01H1/02—Brushing apparatus, e.g. with auxiliary instruments for mechanically loosening dirt
- E01H1/05—Brushing apparatus, e.g. with auxiliary instruments for mechanically loosening dirt with driven brushes
- E01H1/053—Brushing apparatus, e.g. with auxiliary instruments for mechanically loosening dirt with driven brushes having vertical axes
Definitions
- the present invention relates to motor-driven or riding vacuum machines of
- the present invention relates to improvements in litter vacuums.
- An actuator such as an
- a four-bar or parallelogram linkage suspends the vacuum shoe to the chassis
- vacuum housing is in the lowered or use position and the housing rests on rollers or
- the vacuum housing may ride over
- vacuum shoe is independent of the sweeper brushes.
- the sweeper brushes are mounted to the same hydraulic lift mechanism which
- the sweeper brushes are mounted on linkages which permit an articulated
- Each brush is mounted similarly to the other so that only one
- a spring bias to rotate outwardly and rearwardly, about a vertical pivot located
- chassis or frame in cooperation with the first articulating link and protecting the
- the shoe and brushes may be raised for transport or storage or lowered
- the shoe is used for suctioning debris, and the shoe may be independently raised for larger
- the vacuum shoe is equipped with a door mounted to close or adjust the inlet
- the door is provided with a flexible
- the operator may control the velocity of the air entering the front of the vacuum shoe and
- Another improvement incorporates a scrim bag to collect and filter the debris
- the scrim bag is disposable and
- a disposing plastic bag is mounted in a flat configuration adjacent a rear hopper
- contents may be disposed of.
- a scrim bag may be used to collect debris
- the scrim bag may be emptied directly into a refuse container.
- the present invention also includes provisions for a recirculation aperture in
- the hopper at a location between the solid walls of the hopper and the scrim bag or
- suction air decreases in the larger volume of the hopper.
- recirculating aperture acts as a differential pressure regulator responsive to the
- FIG. 1 is an upper right frontal perspective view of a litter vacuum machine
- FIG. 2 is a right side view of the machine
- FIG. 3 is a left side view of the machine of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 4 is a front view of the machine of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 5 is a fragmentary right side view of the suspension system for the
- FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 with the vacuum shoe and sweeper brushes
- FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 with the vacuum shoe raised to
- FIG. 7A is a view similar to the FIG. 5 with the brushes latched in the raised
- FIG. 8 is a right upper frontal perspective view of the vacuum shoe partially
- FIG. 9 is a vertical cross section view of the vacuum shoe taken from the right
- FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 13 are diagrammatic top views showing the operation
- FIG. 14 is a left upper frontal perspective view of the vacuum shoe illustrating
- FIG. 15 is a partial view, in perspective, of the articulate arm for the right
- FIG. 16 is an upper right frontal perspective view of the vacuum shoe, hopper,
- blower and portion of the machine exterior housing illustrating the air intake path
- FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16 omitting the blower and hopper and some
- FIG. 18 is an upper left perspective view showing a portion of the machine
- FIG. 19 is a perspective view taken from the rear, left side with a portion of
- FIG. 20 is diagrammatic view illustrating a vertical cross sectional view
- FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 20, with the hopper raised to the dump
- FIGS. 1-4 there is shown a litter vacuum machine
- the machine is generally designated by
- reference numeral 10 in the drawing, and it includes a frame or chassis, a pair of
- the invention is related to the mounting of a vacuum (i.e., suction) hopper or "shoe" 27 beneath
- the hopper 35 is
- the motor of the machine in addition to driving the rear wheel
- the input of the blower is coupled, as will be
- the vacuum housing may ride along the surface to be cleaned or
- the vacuum shoe 27 includes a tubular coupling 28
- the coupling 28 is mounted to the top plate 38 (FIG. 8).
- a smaller coupling 30 is
- FIGS. 5-8 illustrate the improved suspension for the
- the mounting of the brushes 32, 34 is the same, except that the mount for the left brush is the mirror image of the mount for the right brush, as will be
- articulated suspension arm for the brushes is independent of the other.
- vacuum shoe 27 is provided with an adjustable door or flap designated at 39, to
- rollers or wheels 40 for engaging the ground when
- the vacuum housing is lowered to the use position, as seen in FIG. 5 (and FIG. 7A)
- a pair of arms 42 (FIG. 6) are fixed, as by bolting, to the vacuum shoe 27.
- FIG. 7 transport position of FIG. 6 by an actuator such as hydraulic cylinder (FIG. 7).
- actuator such as hydraulic cylinder
- the operator may raise the vacuum show 27 to suction larger objects while
- the actuator is in the use position with the brushes sweeping the ground, as seen in
- FIG. 7 This is accomplished by a pivot handle 110 and cable 111 connected
- the handle 110 is connected between the handle 110 and the front of the vacuum shoe at 112.
- FIG. 5 The front of the vacuum housing 27 is mounted by means of left and right
- slotted links 44 (the left one being shown in FIG. 14 and the right slotted link 44
- FIGS. 5- pivotally mounted to respective ones of the forwardly extending arms support arms 42 of the pivoted show support.
- the upper ends of the slotted links are pivotally connected to left and right side
- lift plates 47 are mounted to and supported by an
- actuator mechanism which includes left and right four-bar linkages 48, as will be
- the lift plates also support left and right articulated arms 46
- the four-bar linkage 48 as seen in FIGS. 5 and 7, includes a lower link 49
- an hydraulic cylinder 58 has its rod end pinned to
- the lower links 49 of the parallel linkages 48 are arms of a crank actuated by
- parallel linkage 48 maintains the articulated arms 46 in a generally horizontal
- FIGS. 5 the lowered or use position
- 6 stored position
- articulated arms are latched in the raised position, as will be described.
- the pins 59 are free to ride in the slots so that the forward portion of
- the vacuum housing 27 may raise as the wheels 40 encounter a bump or other
- FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the right side articulating arm 46
- the articulating arm 46 is pivotally mounted to lift
- a first link 63 is pivotally mounted to the plate 53 for rotation about a
- a forward link or arm 65 (FIG. 15) is mounted for rotation about a vertical pivot 66 (FIG. 15) to the forward portion of the first link
- the right side brush assembly 34 is mounted to the forward link 65.
- the right side link or arm 63 may rotate in a
- a stop member 68 (FIG.
- extension spring 70 (FIG. 5) is connected at it forward end to the outboard side of
- the spring 70 is pre-loaded under tension, so that the rear
- an impact may cause the arm 63 to rotate inwardly.
- articulating linkage is in the normal position, the outline of the machine chassis or
- the articulating linkage as a whole is permitted to rotate clockwise about
- link 63 is located in a fore-to-aft direction and has little or no
- forward link 65 extends laterally of a link 63 and is thus permitted to move against
- the rear link 63 pivots inwardly about the rear pivot 64, and the forward,
- angled link 65 rotates counterclockwise about the forward pivot 66.
- a container is encountered, such as a quart-size beverage container.
- the wire cable 111 (FIG. 7) are used to manually raise the vacuum shoe 27 as seen
- Such a position is useful for suctioning debris from lawns or for
- the vacuum shoe 27 includes an
- the skirt 27B may be made of polyurethane.
- FIGS. 8 and 9 the vacuum shoe 27 is seen in more detail.
- flap or door 39 having its lower edge provided with a flexible strip 77 of a material
- a curved link 79 is fixed to the flap 39 and extends
- a cable 84 is pivotally connected at 85 to the curved link 79.
- remote end of the cable assembly is carried by the frame of the machine adjacent the
- the cable may be extended or retracted by means of a knob
- the top of the vacuum shoe is provided with a first coupling member 28 which
- the vacuum shoe is also provided with a smaller coupling member 30 which
- a forward baffle 95 routes the suction air drawn through the inlet opening of the
- Baffle 96 routes the recirculated air from the coupling member 30
- suction air is routed from the vacuum shoe 27 through a connecting coupling 28 and a
- the outlet end of the flexible conduit 29 is connected to a tubular inlet conduit
- the outlet end of the conduit 29 may be released from the
- the inlet section 98 to the blower 97 for inspection or removing debris.
- the inlet section 98 to the blower 97 for inspection or removing debris.
- 98 is also provided with a side inlet section 102 which is adapted to receive a
- a conventional shutter plate may be used to shut off
- the discharge end of the blower 97 is coupled to a conduit 36 in the form of
- the rear of the hopper 35 is provided with a door 105 which is hinged at 106
- hopper 35 is hingedly mounted by means of hinge members 107 to the rear of the
- the outlet of the blower 97 is provided with a gasket 109 of flexible, sealing material, such as neoprene, so that when the hopper is lowered, the conduit
- the hopper 35 includes a partial side wall on either side, the left side partial
- the aperture 117 is aligned with a similar aperture 118
- FIGS. 17 and 18 which is provided with a sealing gasket 119.
- the aperture 118 is provided with a sealing gasket 119.
- fender is formed in a molded lateral housing section or "fender" generally designated 120.
- the left fender 120 is a sealed shell except for the inlet opening 118 and a discharge
- the fender 120 includes a recess 123 for a battery, and it also includes a
- the fender 120 acts as a conduit for the recirculating air as indicated by
- opening 118 travels downwardly adjacent the recess 124 and thence beneath the
- FIGS. 19-21 as best seen in FIGS. 20-21, the conduit 36
- a first collection bag 131 has its opening mounted to the interior extension of the
- conduit 36 and it is secured by means of a stretched cord 132 or other elastic band
- the bag 131 may be a "scrim” bag, made of pressed polyethylene fibers so
- the outlet filter After a period of use, the outlet filter begins to clog as the fine materials collect
- the filter is changed. Obviously, the filter must ultimately be changed.
- the hopper door 105 When it is desired to empty the scrim bag 131, the hopper door 105 is
- the scrim bag may simply be pulled off the
- extension 132 and the elastic band remains on the bag, acting as a closure member.
- the hopper 35 may be tilted to the raised position seen in FIGS. 18, 21.
- the scrim bag 131 then falls off of its own weight onto the ground or, if a trash bag
- the scrim bag may be replaced by a nylon mesh bag having
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Cleaning In General (AREA)
Abstract
A mobile litter pickup vehicle has a pair of forward corner brushes (32, 34) independently mounted on articulated arms (46) so that the brushes (32, 34) may be moved in the event an obstacle is encountered to avoid damage to the brushes (32, 34) or to the object. An air recirculating system is employed for prolonging the life of the final outlet filter, and an impermeable trash bag (133)may be used for disposing of the contents of a primary scrim collection bag (131) .
Description
LITTER VACUUM
Related Application
This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. 120 of co-pending provisional
application S.N. 60/273,977 filed March 7, 2001 for LITTER VACUUM.
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to motor-driven or riding vacuum machines of
the type used to clean litter, debris and dirt or sand from public parkways, streets,
sidewalks, and large open areas such as parking lots, parks, and the like. Vehicles
of this type are designed to recover a large range of litter, including dust, dirt, sand
and debris, bottles, cans, clippings, hedge trimmings, and the like.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention relates to improvements in litter vacuums. A first
improvement is directed to the suspension of the vacuum housing or "shoe" and the
mounting of the forward or "corner" sweeper brushes. An actuator such as an
hydraulic cylinder operated by the operator rotates a crank which lifts the vacuum
shoe. A four-bar or parallelogram linkage suspends the vacuum shoe to the chassis
or frame of the vehicle so that it may be moved between a lowered use position and
a raised transport position. Moreover, the forward portion of the vacuum housing
is mounted by means of linkages having slots or "lost motion" links so that when the
vacuum housing is in the lowered or use position and the housing rests on rollers or
wheels to provide the proper operating height, the vacuum housing may ride over
obstacles or bumps independently of the corner sweeper brushes. At the same time,
if the operator sees an unusually large object in the way, such as a quart or liter
plastic bottle, he may actuate a cable to raise the vacuum jjhoe to permit it to
accommodate the large object, and suction the object up. Again, this raising of the
vacuum shoe is independent of the sweeper brushes.
The sweeper brushes are mounted to the same hydraulic lift mechanism which
raises and lowers the vacuum shoe. However, the brushes may be latched in the
raised or storage position to permit the vacuum shoe to be used on gross or outdoor
carpeting. The sweeper brushes are mounted on linkages which permit an articulated
motion of the brushes. Each brush is mounted similarly to the other so that only one
need be described. The brushes operate independently of each other. If a corner
brush encounters an object head-on in the sweeping position, it is permitted, against
a spring bias, to rotate outwardly and rearwardly, about a vertical pivot located
inwardly and rearwardly of the vertical center of the brush. This permits the brush
to move rearwardly of the forward-moving machine without damage. It also increases
the moment arm by which a second articulated arm on which the brush is mounted
may move inwardly toward the center of the machine, folding the brush beneath the
chassis or frame in cooperation with the first articulating link and protecting the
brush against further damage.
Thus, the shoe and brushes may be raised for transport or storage or lowered
for use while the brushes may be latched in the storage position as the vacuum shoe
is used for suctioning debris, and the shoe may be independently raised for larger
objects.
The vacuum shoe is equipped with a door mounted to close or adjust the inlet
opening by a cable controlled by the operator. The door is provided with a flexible
lower strip to adjust to the surface being cleaned. By closing the inlet opening, the
operator may control the velocity of the air entering the front of the vacuum shoe and
directing the incoming air to pass close to the surface being cleaned. This section
entrains dust, debris and smaller particles such as sand into the suction air stream
from which the debris is filtered and collected.
Another improvement incorporates a scrim bag to collect and filter the debris
in a hopper which may be pivoted to dump the contents. This improvement renders
unnecessary a supplemental refuse container. The scrim bag is disposable and
coupled to an inlet from the blower to receive the debris. Air passing through the
scrim bag and not passing through the main filter is recirculated to the vacuum shoe.
A disposing plastic bag is mounted in a flat configuration adjacent a rear hopper
door. When it is desired to dispose of the material collected in the scrim bag, the
hopper door is unlatched, the hopper is rotated to the dump position, and the scrim
bag and its contents falls into the plastic trash bag which is then secured so the
contents may be disposed of.
As an alternative, when the debris is primarily larger material such as lawn
clippings or trimmings or cups and plates, a scrim bag may be used to collect debris
and the scrim bag may be emptied directly into a refuse container.
The present invention also includes provisions for a recirculation aperture in
the hopper at a location between the solid walls of the hopper and the scrim bag or
other filter bag in the hopper. Refuse entrained in the suction air is introduced
through the hopper into a pre-filter bag. Air (and some smaller particles) passes
through the filter bag and exits the hopper, through a final filter which extracts
"fines" or dust from the air before exhausting the air into the atmosphere. The
debris, once it enters the filter bag, tends to settle down because the velocity of the
suction air decreases in the larger volume of the hopper. By placing the inlet of a
recirculation conduit between the wall of the hopper yet outside the filter bag, the
recirculating aperture acts as a differential pressure regulator responsive to the
pressure across the final filter. If the final filter becomes clogged, the pressure across
it increases, and a greater amount of air is then recirculated to the vacuum housing.
This extends the useful time of the final filter before replacement or cleaning the final
filter.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to
persons skilled in the art from the following description of the illustrated embodiment
accompanied by the attached drawing whether identical reference numerals will refer
to like parts in the various views.
Brief Description of the Drawing
FIG. 1 is an upper right frontal perspective view of a litter vacuum machine
incorporating the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a right side view of the machine;
FIG. 3 is a left side view of the machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a front view of the machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary right side view of the suspension system for the
vacuum shoe and the sweeper brushes lowered to the use position;
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 with the vacuum shoe and sweeper brushes
raised for storage;
FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 with the vacuum shoe raised to
accommodate larger objects in perspective, of the suspension system for the vacuum
housing;
FIG. 7A is a view similar to the FIG. 5 with the brushes latched in the raised
position;
FIG. 8 is a right upper frontal perspective view of the vacuum shoe partially
cut away to show the adjustable door;
FIG. 9 is a vertical cross section view of the vacuum shoe taken from the right
side;
FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 13 are diagrammatic top views showing the operation
of the articulated linkage for the sweeper brushes;
FIG. 14 is a left upper frontal perspective view of the vacuum shoe illustrating
the left portion of the mounting of the brush and the left portion of the lift
mechanism;
FIG. 15 is a partial view, in perspective, of the articulate arm for the right
corner brush;
FIG. 16 is an upper right frontal perspective view of the vacuum shoe, hopper,
blower and portion of the machine exterior housing illustrating the air intake path;
FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16 omitting the blower and hopper and some
of the intake recirculation conduit to better illustrate the flow of recirculating air
from the hopper back to the vacuum shoe;
FIG. 18 is an upper left perspective view showing a portion of the machine
and illustrating the hopper in the raised position;
FIG. 19 is a perspective view taken from the rear, left side with a portion of
the hopper broken away to illustrate the placement of the refuse bag within the
hopper, with the hopper door raised;
FIG. 20 is diagrammatic view illustrating a vertical cross sectional view
looking toward the left of the machine, and taken through the center of the hopper,
illustrating the location of a scrim bag and a plastic trash bag in the hopper, with the
hopper in the use position;
FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 20, with the hopper raised to the dump
position and the hopper door open, showing the dumping of the scrim bag into the
poly bag for disposal.
Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment
Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown a litter vacuum machine
incorporating the present invention. The machine is generally designated by
reference numeral 10 in the drawing, and it includes a frame or chassis, a pair of
front wheels 12, 13 carried by the frame, a rear steerable wheel 15 which is driven,
conventionally, by an hydraulic motor powered by a diesel engine carried by the
frame and housed within the molded housing or outer casing 17. Mounted above the
forward portion of the outer casing 17 is a driver's seat 19 in front of which is a
steering wheel 20 mounted in a steering pedestal 24 located at the forward end of
the frame of the vehicle.
It will be observed from FIGS. 2 and 3 that the operator's seat 19 is located
between and above the forward wheels 12, 13. The drive, steering linkage and frame
are conventional and need not be described in further detail. Rather, the invention
is related to the mounting of a vacuum (i.e., suction) hopper or "shoe" 27 beneath
the forward portion of the frame, the suspension of left and right sweeper brushes
generally designated 32 and 34, the emptying of the debris hopper 35 and the
recirculation of suction air from the hopper to the vacuum shoe. The hopper 35 is
mounted above the rear portion of the casing 17 behind the driver so as to avoid
obstructing his/her view during normal operation which is in a forward direction, and
leaving unobstructed lateral views, as can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3.
In operation, the motor of the machine, in addition to driving the rear wheel
15, drives a conventional suction fan or blower housed within the molded casing 17
and beneath the driver's seat 19. The input of the blower is coupled, as will be
further described, by means of a large conduit to the vacuum housing 27. In the
operating position, the vacuum housing may ride along the surface to be cleaned or
slightly elevated, at the option of the operator. The suction or vacuum air, as will be
further described, picks up the debris and dust, which passes through the blower and
is further crushed or broken, and then delivered by means of a conduit 36 to the
hopper 35 (FIG. 1).
Turning now to FIGS. 5-8, the vacuum shoe 27 includes a tubular coupling 28
to which is mounted a flexible suction hose 29 connected to the inlet of the blower.
The coupling 28 is mounted to the top plate 38 (FIG. 8). A smaller coupling 30 is
also mounted to the top plate 38 and is coupled to a flexible hose 31 for delivering
recirculated air to the shoe 27. FIGS. 5-8 illustrate the improved suspension for the
vacuum housing 27 and the forward left and right sweeper brushes 32, 34 (see FIGS.
1, 2). The mounting of the brushes 32, 34 is the same, except that the mount for
the left brush is the mirror image of the mount for the right brush, as will be
understood. Thus, the mounting for only one of the brushes need be described in
further detail for an understanding of the improvements. The operation of each
articulated suspension arm for the brushes is independent of the other.
As can be seen from FIG. 8, the forward portion (i.e. , inlet opening) of the
vacuum shoe 27 is provided with an adjustable door or flap designated at 39, to
permit the shoe 27 to receive debris. The forward portion of the housing, at the left
and right sides, is provided with rollers or wheels 40 for engaging the ground when
the vacuum housing is lowered to the use position, as seen in FIG. 5 (and FIG. 7A)
for suctioning up the debris within the vacuum shoe 27.
A pair of arms 42 (FIG. 6) are fixed, as by bolting, to the vacuum shoe 27.
The rear portions of the arms 42 are connected by means of a transverse rod 43
which, in turn, is rotatably carried by the frame of the machine so that the arms 42
may be rotated between the lowered or use position of FIG. 5 and the raised or
transport position of FIG. 6 by an actuator such as hydraulic cylinder (FIG. 7). In
addition, the operator may raise the vacuum show 27 to suction larger objects while
the actuator is in the use position with the brushes sweeping the ground, as seen in
FIG. 7. This is accomplished by a pivot handle 110 and cable 111 connected
between the handle 110 and the front of the vacuum shoe at 112. The handle 110
is accessible from the operator's station and pivotally mounted to the frame at 114
(FIG. 5). The front of the vacuum housing 27 is mounted by means of left and right
slotted links 44 (the left one being shown in FIG. 14 and the right slotted link 44
being shown in FIG. 5) pivotally mounted to respective ones of the forwardly
extending arms support arms 42 of the pivoted show support. Referring to FIGS. 5-
7A, the upper ends of the slotted links are pivotally connected to left and right side
lift plates 47. The lift plates 47, in turn, are mounted to and supported by an
actuator mechanism which includes left and right four-bar linkages 48, as will be
described presently. The lift plates also support left and right articulated arms 46
which, in turn, carry the brushes 32, 34. These structures, including the slotted
links, lift plates, articulated arms and four-bar actuating linkages are similar on left
and right sides.
The four-bar linkage 48, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 7, includes a lower link 49
(which acts as a crank arm) and an upper link 50. A portion of the frame of the
machine, in the form of two downwardly and forwardly extending support struts, is
designated E in FIGS. 5 and 7. The forward portion of the upper link 50 is pivotally
connected at its forward end, to the frame F at 51 (see also FIGS. 16-17), and its
rear end is pivotally connected at 52 to the right lift plate 47. The forward end of
the lower parallel link or crank 49 is fixed to a rock shaft 55 (FIG. 14) which is
journaled in forward extensions of the frame E. Downwardly extending tabs 56 are
welded to the rock shaft 55. The rear ends of the parallel links 49, 50 are pivotally
connected to associated lift plates 47.
Turning now to FIG. 14, an hydraulic cylinder 58 has its rod end pinned to
the tabs 56 welded to the rock shaft 55, and its cylinder end pinned to the frame F.
Thus, the lower links 49 of the parallel linkages 48 are arms of a crank actuated by
the cylinder 58. When the cylinder 58 is retracted the rock shaft 55 rotates
clockwise as viewed from the right (FIG. 5) relative to the frame E of the machine,
thus raising the lift plates 47 which carry the front end of the vacuum shoe via
slotted links 44 and the articulated arms 46, thereby raising both the vacuum shoe
27 and the brushes 32, 34 to the storage or transport position seen in FIG. 6. The
parallel linkage 48 maintains the articulated arms 46 in a generally horizontal
disposition for all elevations of the articulated links 46, as will be seen by comparing
FIGS. 5 (the lowered or use position) and 6 (stored position) except when the
articulated arms are latched in the raised position, as will be described.
As indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the slotted links 44 which suspend the forward
portion of the vacuum housing 27 from the rear of the lift plates 47, receive bolts or
pins, such as the one designated 59 in FIG. 7, secured to the side of the vacuum
housing 27. The pins 59 are free to ride in the slots so that the forward portion of
the vacuum housing 27 may raise as the wheels 40 encounter a bump or other
obstruction without affecting the setting of the rotating sweeper brushes 32, 34.
Turning now to the articulated arms 46, reference is made to FIGS. 5, 6, 7
and 7A. As mentioned, FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the right side articulating arm 46,
and the left articulating arm (shown in FIGS. 10-13, and 14) is substantially the
same as the right arm except in mirror image.
Turning first to FIG. 14, the articulating arm 46 is pivotally mounted to lift
plate 47 by means of a plate 53 having two curved slots 54 and 54A and a pivot
point 546 (FIG. 6). Slots 54 and 54A and pivot 54B receive pin 61 fixed to the lift
plate 47. A first link 63 is pivotally mounted to the plate 53 for rotation about a
vertical pivot axis as at 64. A forward link or arm 65 (FIG. 15) is mounted for
rotation about a vertical pivot 66 (FIG. 15) to the forward portion of the first link
63. The right side brush assembly 34 is mounted to the forward link 65.
Turning now to FIG. 15, the right side link or arm 63 may rotate in a
counterclockwise direction, which viewed from above, from its normal, fore-to-aft
direction (the use position) seen in solid line in FIG. 15. A stop member 68 (FIG.
14) prevents the inner link 63 from rotating outwardly beyond the fore-to-aft
position parallel to the direction of travel of the machine. In other words, the first
or inner links of the articulating linkages are permitted to rotate laterally inwardly
toward the center of the machine, thereby moving the associated brush assemblies
as diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 11 for the left brush, inwardly. A first
extension spring 70 (FIG. 5) is connected at it forward end to the outboard side of
the link 63 by means of a peg 71, and its rear end is connected by means of a peg
72 to the lift plate 47. The spring 70 is pre-loaded under tension, so that the rear
arm 63 is biased outwardly toward the use position shown in FIG. 10, limited by the
stop 68 (FIG. 5). However, as will be explained, a laterally inward force caused by
an impact may cause the arm 63 to rotate inwardly.
Similarly, a second extension spring seen in FIGS. 5 and 15 and designated 74
is connected in tension between a pin 75 at the rear of the link 63 and forward link
65, biasing the forward link 65 to the position shown in solid line in FIG. 15 which
is the forward limit or normal use position. An impact in the direction of the arrow
in FIG. 15 would cause the arm 65 to rotate clockwise as viewed from the top (for
the right linkage seen in FIG. 15), and thereby causing the brush assembly 34 to
move rearwardly to the position shown in dashed line. Again, the link 65 (which is
formed generally forwardly and thence outwardly of the normal position of the first
link 63 as seen in FIG. 15) is limited at the forwardmost position by a stop 77
engaging the link 63 so that it may not rotate further inwardly toward the center of
the machine.
Turning now to FIGS . 10-13, the range of motions for the articulating linkages
supporting the brushes is illustrated for the left brush 32. As seen in FIG. 10, the
articulating linkage is in the normal position, the outline of the machine chassis or
frame being schematically illustrated by the solid chain line. In the normal use
position of FIG. 10, the first or rear articulating link 63 extends parallel to the
direction of travel, and the forward, angled link 65 suspends the left brush (and its
associated housing and drive motor) in the normal, desired use position, leaving the
brush 32 capable of cleaning corners to the left of the machine or beneath overhangs,
or over normal, flat terrain. In the event of a side impact, caused either by
movement of an object from left to right, engaging the brush 32 or its housing, or by
steering the machine too close to a wall or other obstruction on the left side of the
machine, the articulating linkage as a whole is permitted to rotate clockwise about
the rear pivot 64, moving the brush 32 inwardly toward the center of the chassis and
reducing damage to the brush assembly.
In the case of a forward impact (i.e., directly from the front), it will be
observed that the link 63 is located in a fore-to-aft direction and has little or no
freedom of movement in the case of a direct, head-on collision. However, the angled
forward link 65 extends laterally of a link 63 and is thus permitted to move against
the bias of spring 74 (not seen in the diagrammatic showings of FIGS. 10-13) and
to rotate counterclockwise about the forward pivot 66 to a position rearward of the
forward section of the machine frame, as illustrated in the diagrammatic showing of
FIG. 12.
In the case where the machine is turning toward the right, or encounters a
head-on collision at a higher speed and it is therefore more difficult to alleviate by the
operator, it will be observed from FIG. 12 that the moment arm exerted by the
angled link 65 about the rear pivot 64 has increased relative to the moment arm at
the normal position seen in FIG. 10. Thus, there is more leverage (counterbalancing
the force of spring 70) to rotate the rear link 63 clockwise to the protected position
of FIG. 13. In this case which is illustrated by a right turn which is improperly
executed, the rear link 63 pivots inwardly about the rear pivot 64, and the forward,
angled link 65 rotates counterclockwise about the forward pivot 66. The
combinations of the two motions bring the brush 32 to nest within the more
protective confines of the machine frame, thereby reducing damage to the brush
assembly 32 and the articulated linkages.
There are times when it is desirable for the operator to manually raise the
forward portion of the vacuum housing, for example, in the event that a large
container is encountered, such as a quart-size beverage container. To accommodate
this, the previously described pivoted lever 110 adjacent the operator's position, and
the wire cable 111 (FIG. 7) are used to manually raise the vacuum shoe 27 as seen
in FIG. 7. The lever 110 enables the operator, without substantially reducing speed,
to expand the inlet opening of the vacuum housing to receive such larger objects
without interfering substantially with the operation of the machine and the efficient
pick-up of trash and debris.
Turning now to FIG. 7, on each side of the frame F there is a latch member
designated 77 which is pivotally mounted to the frame. A pin 78 is mounted to the
inner link 63 in a position such that the operator may manually raise the side broom
34 and its associated articulated linkage to the position shown in FIG. 7A, and the
latch 77 rotated to engage and secure to the pin 78, thereby elevating the brush 34
to the raised position seen in FIG. 7A while permitting the vacuum shoe 27 to remain
in the use position. Such a position is useful for suctioning debris from lawns or for
suctioning trimmings adjacent hedges or the like. The vacuum shoe 27 includes an
upper metal housing 27A mounted to the lift arms 42, and a lower flexible skirt 27B
depending from the housing 27A; the skirt 27B may be made of polyurethane.
Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the vacuum shoe 27 is seen in more detail. A
flap or door 39 having its lower edge provided with a flexible strip 77 of a material
such as vinyl or rubber is pivotally mounted at 78 to the forward wall of the housing
of the vacuum shoe 27. A curved link 79 is fixed to the flap 39 and extends
upwardly through the top wall 38 of the housing of the vacuum shoe 27, as best seen
in FIG. 8. A cable 84 is pivotally connected at 85 to the curved link 79. The cable
84 is part of a cable assembly, the sheaf of which is mounted to the top wall 38 of
the vacuum shoe 27 by means of a bracket and clamp generally designated 86. The
remote end of the cable assembly is carried by the frame of the machine adjacent the
operator's station, and the cable may be extended or retracted by means of a knob
88, seen in FIGS. 1 and 8, adjacent the operator's position. When the cable 84 is
extended by the operator, the link 75 is forced to the forward position shown in solid
line in FIG. 9, thereby raising the flap 39 to the position shown in solid line and
opening the inlet of the vacuum shoe to its maximum position. By moving the cable
84 rearwardly, the operator is able to lower the flap 39 to any desired position, the
lower limit being shown in FIG. 9 with the flexible strip 77 engaging the surface
being treated. As the inlet opening is adjusted to a smaller size, that is, closed by
lowering the flap 39 to the position shown in dash line in FIG. 9, the velocity of the
air suction entering the vacuum shoe is increased. Moreover, the air is routed
through a location adjacent the surface being treated or cleaned. The higher velocity
and the location of the inlet air stream agitates dust and small debris which is then
entrained in the suction air and routed through the blower and into the collection bag
within the hopper 35, as will be described below.
The top of the vacuum shoe is provided with a first coupling member 28 which
is connected to a flexible hose, the other end of which is connected to the inlet of the
blower. The vacuum shoe is also provided with a smaller coupling member 30 which
receives a flexible conduit for recirculating air, as will be described further below.
A forward baffle 95 routes the suction air drawn through the inlet opening of the
vacuum shoe directly to the coupling member 28 which communicates with the inlet
of the blower. Baffle 96 routes the recirculated air from the coupling member 30
forwardly to the rear portion of the baffle 95 and thence upwardly to be recirculated
through the coupling member 28.
Referring now to FIGS. 16 and 17, the air recirculation system for the litter
pickup machine will be described. As described in connection with FIG. 8, suction
air is routed from the vacuum shoe 27 through a connecting coupling 28 and a
flexible conduit 29 to a blower 97.
The outlet end of the flexible conduit 29 is connected to a tubular inlet conduit
98 by means of a hose clamp 100 having an over-center latch 101. Thus, by a
simple unlatching action, the outlet end of the conduit 29 may be released from the
inlet section 98 to the blower 97 for inspection or removing debris. The inlet section
98 is also provided with a side inlet section 102 which is adapted to receive a
flexible conduit (see 104 in FIGS. 18, 19) which may be used for a manual suction
tool adapted to clean places which cannot be reached by the vehicle, such as under
benches or other seating. A conventional shutter plate may be used to shut off
suction from the manual tool when it is not in use, and the conduit may be wrapped
around the rear of the vehicle, beneath the level of the hopper, for storage when not
in use, all of which features are known in the art, and need not be described for
detail.
The discharge end of the blower 97 is coupled to a conduit 36 in the form of
an elbow, the downstream end of which is bolted to the front wall of the hopper 35
so that the debris is delivered into the interior of the hopper directly.
The rear of the hopper 35 is provided with a door 105 which is hinged at 106
to swing upwardly (see FIG. 19). Moreover, as seen in FIG. 18, the rear of the
hopper 35 is hingedly mounted by means of hinge members 107 to the rear of the
machine for movement between the use position of FIG. 1 and the dumping position
of FIG. 18. The outlet of the blower 97 is provided with a gasket 109 of flexible,
sealing material, such as neoprene, so that when the hopper is lowered, the conduit
36 forms a seal with the outlet of the blower.
The hopper 35 includes a partial side wall on either side, the left side partial
bottom wall being designated at 116 in FIG. 18. An outlet aperture 117 is provided
in the bottom wall 116 which serves as a discharge aperture for air passing through
the filter bag (as will be described) and being recirculated back to the vacuum shoe,
as will now be debunbed. The aperture 117 is aligned with a similar aperture 118
(FIGS. 17 and 18) which is provided with a sealing gasket 119. The aperture 118
is formed in a molded lateral housing section or "fender" generally designated 120.
The left fender 120 is a sealed shell except for the inlet opening 118 and a discharge
opening designated 121 in FIG. 17.
The fender 120 includes a recess 123 for a battery, and it also includes a
recess 124 for accommodating a fuel tank, and a clean out plug 126. Otherwise, as
mentioned, the fender 120 acts as a conduit for the recirculating air as indicated by
the arrows 125. As can be seen, the recirculating air from the hopper enters the
opening 118, travels downwardly adjacent the recess 124 and thence beneath the
battery recess 123 and thence upwardly and forwardly through a discharge conduit
127 and the discharge aperture 121 into the previously described conduit 31, the
outlet end of which is connected to the recirculating air connector 30 on the top wall
38 of the vacuum shoe 27.
Turning now to FIGS. 19-21, as best seen in FIGS. 20-21, the conduit 36
extending from the outlet of the blower to the front wall of the hopper 35 extends
into the interior of the hopper, and the top portion is provided with a deflector 130.
A first collection bag 131 has its opening mounted to the interior extension of the
conduit 36, and it is secured by means of a stretched cord 132 or other elastic band
to the extension of conduit 36.
The bag 131 may be a "scrim" bag, made of pressed polyethylene fibers so
that it permits air to flow through it but traps larger particles and most debris. Air
passing through the scrim bag 131 passes through a filter mounted in the top of the
hopper 35 which filters out fine particles. Air which does not pass through the filter
is routed through the outlet opening 117 (FIG. 18) and into the fender 120 for
recirculation to the vacuum shoe as described above.
After a period of use, the outlet filter begins to clog as the fine materials collect
on it. This increases the flow of recirculation air back to the vacuum shoe, and this
acts as a pressure regulator, maintaining the collection efficiency of the system until
the filter is changed. Obviously, the filter must ultimately be changed.
When it is desired to empty the scrim bag 131, the hopper door 105 is
opened, and, if a trash bag is not used, the scrim bag may simply be pulled off the
extension 132 and the elastic band remains on the bag, acting as a closure member.
Alternately, the hopper 35 may be tilted to the raised position seen in FIGS. 18, 21.
The scrim bag 131 then falls off of its own weight onto the ground or, if a trash bag
is used, into that bag which may then be removed from its holder and the scrim bag
and its contents may be disposed of in the trash bag 133.
When the scrim bag 131 is used for collecting refuse, provision may be made
for including an impermeable, conventional trash, lawn or leaf bag 133. The opening
of the trash bag 133 is secured about the opening covered by the hopper door 105
by means of a wire hoop 136 which is inserted into the opening of bag 133 and is
then releaseably fit into an angled holder members 137 and 137A as shown in FIG.
20.
As an alternative, the scrim bag may be replaced by a nylon mesh bag having
a water-impermeable bottom.
Having thus disclosed in detail the illustrated embodiment, persons skilled in
the art will be able to modify certain of the structure which has been described and
to substitute equivalent elements for those disclosed; it is, therefore, intended that
all such modifications and substitutions be covered as they are embraced within the
spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. In a mobile vehicle adapted for cleaning a surface having a plurality of
support wheels, the combination;
a frame;
first and second ground-engaging brushes driven in rotation about
generally, upright axes and located respectively at a front left corner and a front right
cover of said vehicle;
first and second articulated mechanisms carried by said frame for
mounting arm said first and second brushes respectively for independent movement
in response to contact with an object, each articulated arm comprising:
a first arm mounted for rotation about a first vertical axis
from a position wherein the associated brush is located at a desired position for use
to a second position inboard of said desired use position; and
a second arm pivotally carried by said first arm at a
forward position thereof and mounted for rotation about a vertical axis from said
position of intended use in counter rotation to the rotation of said first arm, thereby
to permit said brush to move laterally of said first arm in a direction counter to the
direction of movement of said first arm when said first arm moves away from said
position of intended use, whereby when both of said first and second arms are
actuated by engagement of the associated brush with an object, said associated brush
moves both inwardly and rearwardly of said frame.
2. The parts of claim 1 further comprising:
a lift linkage mounted to said frame and supporting said first and
second articulated arms; and
a first actuator carried by said frame and adapted to actuate said
lift linkage under control of an operator selectively to raise and lower said first and
second articulated arms.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a vacuum shoe having an
open front and bottom carried by said frame to the rear of said brushes to suction
material from said surface, including material moved inwardly by said brushes; and
at least one link connected at one end to said lift linkage and
connected at another end to said vacuum shoe by means of a slot such that as said
actuator lowers said brushes to a use position, said vacuum shoe is lowered to a
working position relative to said surface, and said vacuum shoe is free to rise over
an object on said surface.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a support arm connected
at one end to said vacuum shoe and pivotally connected at a distal end to said frame
to support and guide said vacuum shoe and to guide said vacuum shoe into parallel
relation with said surface in its use position.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a second actuator
controlled by a user selectively to lift said vacuum shoe to said raised position above
said surface while permitting said brushes to remain in their respective use positions.
6. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a latch for each of said
articulated arms for securing an associated articulated arm in a raised position while
permitting said actuator to lower said vacuum shoe to the rise position.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a blower:
a first conduit coupled between said vacuum shoe and said
blower for evacuating air and debris from said shoe;
a hopper carried by said frame and having an inlet receiving said
debris and air from said blower;
an air permeable bag in said hopper having an opening coupled
to said inlet of said hopper to receive said debris and air from said fan and filtering
out and retaining said debris;
a filter for fine particles mounted to said hopper to permit air to
pass through said hopper while filtering finer particles therefrom; and
a recirculating conduit for routing recirculating air from within
said hopper to said vacuum shoe.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising, for each of said articulated
mechanisms:
a first spring biasing an associated first arm outwardly to a use
position while permitting said first arm to pivot inwardly toward the center of said
vehicle; and
a second spring interconnected between associated ones of said
first and second arms to bias its associated second arm to a use position while
permitting said associated second arm to rotate in a direction counter to the
rotational direction taken by said associated first arm in moving away from the use
position thereof in response to engagement with an object.
9. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising:
a flap pivotally mounted to said vacuum shoe and sized and
arranged to substantially close said inlet opening thereof; and
a third actuator, controlled by a user, for rotating said flap on the
go to adjust the size of said inlet opening for said vacuum shoe, the size of said inlet
opening adjusting the velocity of air into said vacuum shoe through said inlet
opening.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a rubber edging strip
attached to the lower edge of said flap. *
11. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising first and second latches for
selectively coupling said first and second articulating arm mechanisms to said frame
whereby when said first actuator is actuated to lower said lift linkage, said vacuum
shoe will be lowered but said first and second brushes will remain in a raised
position.
12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said air permeable bag comprises:
a spun synthetic fiber; said hopper further comprising:
a rear opening and a door hinged to close said rear opening, said
hopper being pivotally mounted for rotation between a use position and a dumping
position; said apparatus further comprising:
a mount extending adjacent said rear opening for receiving
a wire frame to secure a trash bag about said rear opening;
whereby the contents of said air permeable bag may be
transferred directly to said trash bag opening said door, securing said trash bag to
said mount with said wire frame and unsecuring said air permeable bag and rotating
said hopper to said dump position.
13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said bag comprises a nylon scrim bag
having a water impermeable lower section adapted to rest on the bottom of said
hopper, whereby said hopper door may be opened and said hopper tilted to the dump
position to discard the contents of said bag under gravity.
14. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said vehicle includes an outer casing
and said recirculation conduit includes a section passing through a hollow cavity in
said casing, said cavity acting as a plenum for catching heavier debris in the
recirculated air; and further comprising a plug removably coupled to a lower wall of
said cavity for any debris trapped therein under gravity.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first arm of each of said first and
second articulated arm mechanisms extends fore-to-aft of said vehicle in the use
position;
said apparatus, further comprising:
a first spring biasing its associated first arm to rotate
outwardly of a center of said vehicle; and
a stop for limiting the outboard rotation of said associated
first arm.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said second arm of each of said first
and second articulated arm mechanisms supports its associated brush such that the
axis of rotation of said associated brush lies outboard of an extension of its associated
first arm in the direction of travel, thereby permitting said brush to move laterally
outwardly of said associated first arm and simultaneously rearwardly about the
pivotal convection between said first and second arms when said brush encounters
an obstruction.
17. In a vehicle for picking up litter from a surface, said vehicle including
a plurality of ground wheels, a frame and an operator's station, the improvement
comprising;
a blower for generating suction at an input and having an outlet
for delivering forced air;
a vacuum shoe suspended beneath said frame and including a
housing providing an open front and bottom;
a hopper including:
an inlet receiving air from said blower outlet;
a first discharge outlet provided with a filter; and
a recirculating outlet for routing recirculating air received
through said inlet and not exhausted through said first discharge outlet;
first connecting conduit communicating an outlet of said vacuum shoe
with said inlet of said blower, the outlet of said blower coupled in sealing engagement
with said inlet of said hopper;
a body casing having a closed, hollow passage defining a plenum and
communicating with said recirculating outlet of said hopper to receive recirculated
air from said hopper and pass said air through said plenum to an outlet of said
plenum to trap larger particles entrained in recirculated air in said plenum; and
second connecting conduit communicating said outlet of said plenum to
said vacuum shoe to introduce said recirculated air into said vacuum shoe.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising an over-center hose clamp
having an actuating lever, said hose clamp releaseably attaching said first conduit to
said inlet of said blower.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said hopper is hinged to said frame
for rotation from a use position to a dump position; said inlet of said hopper being
in releaseable sealing engagement with said outlet of said blower, and said
recirculating outlet of said hopper being in releasable sealing engagement with said
recirculation outlet of said hopper when said hopper is in said use position.
20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said vacuum shoe further includes
a flap pivotally mounted above from said inlet opening; and
an actuator under control of a user for adjusting the position of
said flap to adjust the inlet opening of said vacuum shoe thereby to adjust the
velocity of air entering said vacuum shoe and directing said air to enter said vacuum
shoe at a location adjacent the surface being cleaned such that as said flap is moved
to reduce said inlet opening, the velocity of incoming air is increased and said
incoming air sweeps along said surface being cleaned to entrain dirt and smaller
particles therein.
21. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said body casing includes a bottom
wall having a discharge opening; and further including a removable closure for said
discharge opening of said body casing.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US92152 | 2002-03-06 | ||
US10/092,152 US6675424B2 (en) | 2001-03-07 | 2002-03-06 | Litter vacuum |
PCT/US2003/006884 WO2003094686A1 (en) | 2002-03-06 | 2003-03-05 | Litter vaccum |
CA002440569A CA2440569A1 (en) | 2001-03-07 | 2003-09-12 | Litter vacuum |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1482824A1 true EP1482824A1 (en) | 2004-12-08 |
Family
ID=34592988
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP03721339A Withdrawn EP1482824A1 (en) | 2002-03-06 | 2003-03-05 | Litter vaccum |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1482824A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2440569A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2003094686A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102007062275A1 (en) * | 2007-12-14 | 2009-06-18 | Ing. Haaga Werkzeugbau Gmbh & Co. Kg | Hand-operated road sweeper, has dirt container comprising sweeping units by which sweepings are swept into container through dirt opening, and another opening closed by movable transparent flap i.e. chute, in dirt-proof manner |
CN109497892A (en) * | 2018-12-18 | 2019-03-22 | 宁波金汤科技服务有限公司 | A kind of cleaning mechanism of intelligent sweeping robot |
CN110485343A (en) * | 2019-08-09 | 2019-11-22 | 安徽彩丰刷业有限公司 | A kind of scavenging vehicle hairbrush |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4290820A (en) * | 1979-02-07 | 1981-09-22 | Cmi Corporation | Method and apparatus for collecting particulate material on a roadway |
DE3069147D1 (en) * | 1979-06-19 | 1984-10-18 | Schmidt Mfg & Equip | Rotary brush mounting |
US4368554A (en) * | 1980-03-28 | 1983-01-18 | Hestair Eagle Limited | Road sweeping apparatus |
US4580312A (en) * | 1984-02-10 | 1986-04-08 | Raaij Karel W M Van | Broom and suction assembly for a street sweeper |
US5317783A (en) * | 1992-09-25 | 1994-06-07 | Haybuster Manufacturing Inc. | Vacuum trailer |
JP3260271B2 (en) * | 1996-01-17 | 2002-02-25 | 株式会社共立 | Waste collection machine |
US6070290A (en) * | 1997-05-27 | 2000-06-06 | Schwarze Industries, Inc. | High maneuverability riding turf sweeper and surface cleaning apparatus |
US6052865A (en) * | 1997-05-27 | 2000-04-25 | Schwarze Industries, Inc. | Air brush vaccum-fan gutter broom |
-
2003
- 2003-03-05 WO PCT/US2003/006884 patent/WO2003094686A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2003-03-05 EP EP03721339A patent/EP1482824A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2003-09-12 CA CA002440569A patent/CA2440569A1/en not_active Abandoned
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO03094686A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2440569A1 (en) | 2005-03-12 |
WO2003094686A1 (en) | 2003-11-20 |
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