GB2359525A

GB2359525A - An articulated vehicle, typically a sweeping machine, with a canopy for the operator.

Info

Publication number: GB2359525A
Application number: GB0004675A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Alexander Claren Munnoch; Alan Bryson Riach
Original assignee: Applied Sweepers Ltd
Current assignee: Applied Sweepers Ltd
Priority date: 2000-02-28
Filing date: 2000-02-28
Publication date: 2001-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2020-02-28
Also published as: GB2359525B; GB0004675D0

Abstract

An articulated vehicle (1) comprises a rearwardly disposed operator support unit (5) for supporting an operator of the vehicle and a forwardly disposed steering unit (3) which is linked to the operator support unit for articulation movement of the steering unit relative to the operator support unit for steering of the vehicle. The operator support unit has a support surface (21, 23) on which the operator ids supportable in an operational position and the steering unit has a steering control (15) which is operable by the operator, when in the operational position, to steer the vehicle. The operator support unit further has a canopy (33, 35) over the support surface.

Description

2359525 1 ARTICULATED VEHICLE The present invention relates to an

articulated vehicle comprising a rearwardly disposed operator support unit for supporting an operator of the vehicle and a forwardly disposed steering unit which is linked to the operator support unit for articulation movement of the steering unit relative to the operator support unit for steering of the vehicle, the operator support unit having a support surface on which the operator is supportable in an operational position and the steering unit having a steering control which is operable by the operator, when in the operational position, to steer the vehicle. Examples of articulation vehicles of this type are sweeping machines and grass cutters. The present invention is particularly, although not exclusively, concerned with sweeping machines.

The use of self-propelled sweeping machines for sweeping pedestrian areas in 15 towns and cities is now widespread. Such a sweeping machine is disclosed in the Applicant's prior International patent application publication No. W096137379. This suction sweeping machine has a steering unit at the front which includes a drive body linked to a pair of drive wheels and handlebar-like steering controls for steering the sweeping machine. A pair of contra-rotating brushes and a suction inlet are provided towards the front of the steering unit and a receptacle for the dust etc. collected is provided beneath the steering unit.

A seat unit for the operator of the sweeping machine to sit on is disposed to the rear of the steering unit and pivotally connected thereto at a generally vertical axis pivot point. The seat unit is movable between a retracted position which allows the operator to operate the sweeping machine in pedestrian mode and an expanded position in which the operator can operate the machine in ride-on mode. When sitting on the seat unit, the operator is able to steer the suction sweeping machine by pivoting the steering unit about the pivot point relative to the seat unit through the steering controls on the steering unit.

2 A further suction sweeping machine having a stowable rear seat unit which is pivotally linked to the steering unit is made known in the Applicant's prior UK patent No. 2338686.

It would be useful if a sweeping machine of the aforementioned type had an operator support unit for supporting the operator in ride-on mode which provided protection to the operator against adverse weather conditions, for example rain. The problem, however, is to achieve this whilst maintaining the operator's ability to steer the steering unit. A further consideration is that for kerb climbing it is necessary to pivot the steering unit about a generally horizontal axis by depressing the steering controls.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an articulated vehicle comprising a rearwardly disposed operator support unit for supporting an operator of the vehicle and a forwardly disposed steering unit which is linked to the operator support unit for articulation movement of the steering unit relative to the operator support unit for steering of the vehicle, the operator support unit having a support surface on which the operator is supportable in an operational position and the steering unit having a steering control which is operable by the operator, when in the operational position, to steer the vehicle, characterised in that the operator support unit has a canopy over the support surface.

Preferably, the articulated vehicle is a sweeping machine, more preferably a suction sweeping machine.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an operator support unit adapted for articulation linkage with a steering unit having a steering control for formation of an articulated vehicle in which the operator support unit is disposed rearwardly of the steering unit, the operator support unit having a support surface for supporting an operator of the articulated vehicle in an operational position in which the operator is able to operate the steering control to steer the articulated vehicle and a canopy over the support surface. Preferably, the 3 operator support unit is adapted for articulation linkage with a steering unit of a sweeping machine, such as a suction sweeping machine.

Preferably, the operator support unit has a chassis and the canopy is a 5 cantilevered structure mounted to the chassis.

Conveniently, the canopy, or a part thereof, is removable from the operator support unit. This is useful for when the weather is hot or humid.

The canopy may comprise an upwardly extending rear section disposed rearwardly of the support surface and a roof section, optionally removable, which projects forwardly from the rear section over the support surface. The canopy may further comprise a windscreen section which extends downwardly from the roof section in front of the support surface, in which case a windscreen wiper could be provided.

The canopy may have a frame and a transparent canopy material supported by the frame. The transparent canopy material may be in the form of panels supported by the frame. The transparent canopy material may be of glass or a plastics material. Ideally, the canopy material, or a part thereof, is removable from the frame.

For a simple construction, the frame may define at least a part of the chassis of the operator support unit.

Preferably, the operator support unit comprises a door for access to the support surface for the operator. The door may be releasable from the operator support unit. Typically, the door will be supported by the canopy. It is preferable that the door be flexible, for instance made from a flexible material.

Preferably, the support surface comprises a seat which may, or may not, be adjustable for height. Alternately, or in addition, the support surface may comprise a foot platform, optionally adjustable for height.

By way of example, an embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying solitary drawing which is a schematic, perspective view of a suction sweeping machine 1 comprising a steering unit 3 for steering the machine 1 and a seat unit 5 for an operator of the machine 1 to operate the machine 1 in ride-on mode. The steering unit 3 and seat unit 5 are pivotally connected together at a pivot 7 having a generally vertical axis X-X.

The steering unit has a chassis 8 which is covered with a housing 9. Within the housing 9 there is housed a drive means (not shown) for driving the suction sweeping machine 1 though a pair of ground contacting drive wheels 10, 12 and a s uction system (not shown). Mounted at the front end of the steering unit 3 are a pair of contra-rotating brushes 11, 13 and an inlet for the suction system (not shown).

To enable the operator to steer the suction sweeping machine 1, the steering unit 3 is provided with a handlebar-like steering control 15 which is operable at the rear end of the steering unit 3 and which is fixedly connected at its lower end to the chassis 8. The steering control 15 also includes throttle and brake controls 17, 19 for the machine 1. Steering of the machine 1 is effected by sideways movement of the steering control 15 thereby causing the steering unit 3 to pivot about the generally vertical axis X-X relative to the seat unit 5. Additionally, depression of the steering control 15 causes the steering unit 3 to pivot about a generally horizontal axis Y-Y so that the front end is tilted upwardly for kerb climbing.

Turning now to the seat unit 5, the seat unit 5 has a height-adjustable seat 21 and foot platform or plate 23 for the operator. Both the seat 21 and the foot plate 23 are mounted to a generally C-shaped metal frame 25 which defines a cantilevered canopy over the seat 21 to protect the operator from inclement weather conditions when operating the machine 1 in ride-on mode.

The generally C-shaped metal frame 25 comprises (i) a base section 27 which defines, at least in part, a chassis for the seat unit 5, (ii) a vertical section 29 disposed rearwardly of the seat 21 to which a transparent plastic screen 31 is attached, (iii) a roof section 33 which projects over the seat 21 and supports a transparent plastic screen 35, and (iv) a windscreen section 37 depending downwardly from the roof section 33 in which a glass windscreen 39 having a windscreen wiper (not shown) is mounted. The generally C-shaped frame 25 may be formed from a one-piece strut, as shown, or from a series of interconnecting struts. The later option gives rise to the potential to remove the roof and windscreen sections 33, 35, 37, 39 in periods of hot or humid weather, that is, to provide a removable canopy.

Metal panels may be used in place of the plastic screens 31, 35 of the vertical and roof sections 29, 33. The glass windscreen 39 may also be replaced by a transparent plastics windscreen which is coated with glass or, if no windscreen wiper is provided, a transparent plastics windscreen.

Coupled to the base section 27 of the generally C-shaped frame 25 is a pair of ground contacting wheels 41, 43. The wheels 41, 43 are coupled to the base section 27 through a suspension unit, schematically represented at 45, and are not driven by the drive means in the steering unit 3.

A storage bin 53 is hinged to the vertical section 29 of the generally Cshaped frame 25 so as to be able to be hinged from a stored position to an open position shown in the drawing.

Depending from the windscreen section 37 of the generally C-shaped frame is a flexible skirt 47 which rests on the housing 9 of the steering unit 3 to prevent wind and rain etc. entering the seat unit 5 under the windscreen section 37.

On each side of the seat unit 5 a flexible flap or half-door 48 (only one shown) is hinged on hinges 49, 51 on the windscreen section 37 of the generally C- shaped frame 25 so as to be able to be hinged between an open position in which the operator is able to access the seat unit 5 and a closed position in which the operator is shut into the seat unit 5. Preferably, the side doors 48 are removable 6 from the generally C-shaped frame 25. The use of half-doors 48 enables air to ventilate through the cabin of the seat unit 5. However, it will be appreciated that roof-to-floor doors could be used instead. In addition, the seat unit 5 may only be provided with one side door with the other side being closed off with a fixed or removable flexible closure. It will also be understood that the door(s) could take any of a number of other forms. For instance, the door(s) could be formed by a zipped access panel in a flexible sheet mounted to the generally C-shaped frame 25. Alternately, the door(s) could be in the form of a flexible flap which can be rolled up for storage in improved weather conditions.

As can be seen, the steering control 15 on the steering unit 3 projects into the cabin of the seat unit 5 underneath the windscreen section 37 of the generally Cshaped frame 25 so that the operator is able to manually steer the suction sweeping machine when seated on the seat 21 and covered by the canopy.

Moreover, the use of doors, or a door and a side panel, made from a flexible material enables the operator to move the steering control 15 on the steering unit 3 sideways to an appreciable extent. In fact, the seat unit 5 allows the steering unit 3 to be articulated by approximately 105' relative to the seat unit 5, the operator dismounting the seat unit 5 and moving the steering control 15 out of the cabin through the flexible half-door 48 for momentary operation of the sweeping machine 1 in pedestrian mode. Furthermore, the canopy does not impede depression of the steering control 15 by the operator for kerb climbing of the machine 1.

It can therefore be seen that in an embodiment of the present invention there is 25 provided a weatherproof cabin for an operator of a suction sweeping machine which does not impede the operator's operation of the steering and kerb climbing control 15 of the machine 1.

It will be appreciated that the invention has been described with reference to an 30 exemplary embodiment and that the invention may be varied in many ways within the scope of the appended claims. As an example, the invention has application to other articulated vehicles besides sweeping machines, e.g. grass cutters.

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Claims

1. An articulated vehicle (1) comprising a rearwardly disposed operator support unit (5) for supporting an operator of the vehicle and a forwardly disposed steering unit (3) which is linked to the operator support unit for articulation movement of the steering unit relative to the operator support unit for steering of the vehicle, the operator support unit having a support surface (21, 23) on which the operator is supportable in an operational position and the steering unit having a steering control (15) which is operable by the operator, when in the operational position, to steer the vehicle, characterised in that the operator support unit has a canopy (33, 35) over the support surface.

2. An articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the articulated vehicle is a sweeping machine (1).

3. An articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the operator support unit has a chassis (27) and that the canopy is a cantilevered structure (29, 33, 35) mounted to the chassis.

4. An articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the canopy, or a part thereof, is removable from the operator support unit.

5. An articulated vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the canopy comprises an upwardly extending rear section (29, 31) disposed rearwardly of the support surface and a roof section (33, 35) which projects forwardly from the rear section over the support surface.

6. An articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the roof section of the canopy is removable.

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7. An articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the canopy further comprises a windscreen section (37, 39) which extends downwardly from the roof section in front of the support surface.

8. An articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that a windscreen wiper is provided for the windscreen.

9. An articulated vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the canopy has a frame (25) and a transparent canopy material (31, 35, 39) supported by the frame.

10. An articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that the transparent canopy material is in the form of panels (31, 35, 39) supported by the frame.

11. An articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the transparent canopy material is glass or a plastics material.

12. An articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 9, 10 or 11, characterised in that 20 the canopy material, or a part thereof, is removable from the frame.

13. An articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 9, 10, 11 or 12 when appendant on claim 3, characterised in that the frame (25) defines at least a part (27) of the chassis of the operator support unit.

14. An articulated vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the operator support unit comprises a door (48) for access to the support surface for the operator.

15. An articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that the door is releasable from the operator support unit.

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16. An articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 14 or 15, characterised in that the door is supported by the canopy.

17. An articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 14, 15 or 16, characterised in that 5 the door is flexible.

18. An articulated vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the support surface comprises a seat (21).

19. An articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 18, characterised in that the seat is adjustable for height.

20. An articulated vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the support surface comprises a foot platform (23).

21. An articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 20, characterised in that the foot platform is adjustable for height.

22. An operator support unit (5) adapted for articulation linkage with a steering unit (3) having a steering control (15) for formation of an articulated vehicle (1) in which the operator support unit is disposed rearwardly of the steering unit, the operator support unit having a support surface (21, 23) for supporting an operator of the articulated vehicle in an operational position in which the operator is able to operate the steering control to steer the articulated vehicle and a canopy (33, 35) over the support surface.

23. An operator support unit as claimed in claim 22 adapted for articulation linkage with a steering unit of a sweeping machine (1).

24. An articulated vehicle (1) substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawing.

25. An operator support unit (5) substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawing.