GB2369770A

GB2369770A - A brush attachment

Info

Publication number: GB2369770A
Application number: GB0113016A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas Andrew Brown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-05-30
Filing date: 2001-05-30
Publication date: 2002-06-12
Anticipated expiration: 2021-05-30
Also published as: GB2369770B; GB0113016D0

Abstract

A brush attachment 8 for a mechanical sweeping machine comprises a base plate 6 for linking to a mechanical sweeping machine and attached thereto are one or more brush segments 2 which comprise a plurality of brush filaments (4, Fig 1) fused or bonded at one end. A collar 10 may be secured to the base plate 6 by securing ribs 12 which have a slotted section to enable a clamp ring 14 to fit onto the attachment 8. Preferably the brush segments 2 are made of plastic polymeric or metal materials, formed into a fan shape and fused or bonded together chemically or with adhesive at one end. The preformed brush segments 2 may slot into a gap formed between the collar 10 and clamp ring 14 and are secured in place or removed and replaced by adjusting a clamp ring bolt 16. Advantageously the brush attachment 8 is reusable, easily stacked without damage to the brush filaments (4, Fig 1) and brush segments 2 are simply attached or removed.

Description

CLEANING TOOL The present invention relates to a cleaning tool. In particular, the present invention relates to a rotating sweeping brush for use with a mechanical sweeping machine such as those used for the cleaning of large surfaces.

Mechanical sweeping machines are used widely by government authorities, environmental agencies and other organisations that have the responsibility for cleaning large public surfaces or transport highways. The rotating sweeping brush used therewith comprises a ring into which flexible sweeping filaments, commonly referred to as bristles, are permanently arranged. This arrangement has the disadvantage that once the flexible sweeping elements have worn down, the entire ring and the remaining sweeping elements must be disposed of as they cannot easily be re-used or separated.

The arrangement described supra has further disadvantages. Once the sweeping elements have worn down to an unusable length they cannot be removed easily to be recycled. Moreover, as the ring used to support the sweeping elements and form the brush must be disposable it is economically necessary to manufacture the ring from an inexpensive material. This often results in a ring that is not durable or fully waterproof and promotes the premature failure of the brush during arduous use. The disposable brush described supra also has the disadvantage that it is heavy and bulky and therefore difficult and expensive to transport and store. Brushes made in this fashion cannot easily be stacked more than a few units high as the weight of the brushes above causes distortion of the lower flexible sweeping elements in the brushes below.

FR-A-2614188 discloses a brush attachment for use on a mechanical sweeper machine that comprises a base plate having slots to insert brush units. Each unit consists of a body having a row of filament combs. The combs are slotted into the body before the units are positioned in the base plate. A fixing through the base plate and each unit is required to hold each unit in place.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a durable re-usable attachment onto which preformed brush segments may be inserted. The preformed brush units may be manufactured by heat fusing flexible sweeping elements into the shape of a segment of the brush thus forming a brush segment with sufficient strength to be handled easily. It is another object of the invention to provide a simple mechanism of retaining the brush segments in the attachment such that their insertion and removal is facilitated. Thus, sweeping elements that have worn down or broken may be removed and discarded or recycled as appropriate. It is a further object of the invention to provide a brush attachment that can be stacked without distortion or damage to any of the brush filaments or other components.

Accordingly, in one aspect the invention provides a brush attachment for a mechanical sweeping machine comprising :- a base plate for linking to a mechanical sweeping machine, said base plate having a collar, a ring member for attaching to said base plate. said ring member having an adjustable diameter, and at least one brush segment, wherein said at least one brush segment is securable between said collar and said ring member by adjusting the diameter of the ring member with respect to the collar.

Preferably, the brush segment comprises a plurality of fused brush filaments.

Typically, the brush segment is fan shaped.

Preferably, the brush segment is formed from fused filaments of steel wire or polypropylene.

In one embodiment, the collar is a ring attachable to said base plate.

The collar may be integral with the base plate.

Typically, the collar and/or the ring member are attachable to the base plate by securing means.

The securing means may take the form of one or more securing ribs.

The invention provides that only the sweeping elements, that is, brush segments, need to be transported from the manufacturer to the user. The base plate and the ring members may be reused many times and can therefore be manufactured in a manner that will be suitable for more arduous duty and incorporate other features that may allow the attachment to be stacked one on top of another without placing a load on the sweeping filaments of the brush below it.

Accordingly, in another embodiment, the securing ribs are shaped such that a first attachment may be stacked on top of a second attachment without the brush segments of the first attachment contacting the base plate of the second attachment.

Preferably, the diameter of the ring member is adjustable by a clamp ring bolt.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a brush attachment for a mechanical sweeping machine comprising :- a base plate for linking to a mechanical sweeping machine, and one or more brush segments for attachment thereto, wherein said one or more brush segments comprises a plurality of brush filaments fused or bonded at one end.

Preferably, the brush filaments are heat fused at one end.

In another aspect, the invention provides a base plate for use in the attachment as defined supra.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a stack of base plates as defined supra.

In still a further aspect, the invention provides a brush segment for use in the attachment as defined supra.

In another aspect, the invention provides a mechanical sweeping machine having a brush attachment as defined supra.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a kit of parts for a brush attachment for a mechanical sweeping machine comprising :- a base plate for linking to a mechanical sweeping machine, said base plate having a collar, a ring member for attaching to said base plate, said ring member having an adjustable diameter, and at least one brush segment, wherein said at least one brush segment is securable between said collar and said ring member by adjusting the diameter of the ring member with respect to the collar.

The invention will now be described further with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a brush segment in accordance with one aspect of the invention the invention; Figure 2 shows a plan view of a brush attachment having a base plate and ring assembly in accordance with one aspect of the invention; and, Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the attachment shown in Figure 2.

Referring now to the figures, figure 1 illustrates a brush segment 2 formed from shaping a mass of polypropylene filaments 4 into a fan shape suitable for fixing onto the base plate 6 shown in Figures 2 and 3. Other plastic polymeric or metal materials (e. g. steel wire) may also be used as filament material. Once formed into a fan shape, the filaments 4 are fused or bonded together, for example, chemically and/or with adhesive, at one end. The fused or bonded end is fitted to the base plate 6 while the free ends form the brush.

Figure 2 illustrates the attachment 8 with one brush segment 2 in position. The attachment consists of the base plate 6 which is circular and suitably shaped to allow it to be secured to a mechanical sweeping machine motor (not shown). A collar 10 is secured to the base plate 6 by securing ribs 12. A clamp ring 14 fits onto the attachment 8 via a slotted section (not shown) on the securing ribs 12.

The preformed brush segment 2 slots into the gap between the collar 10 and the clamp ring 14. The brush segment 2 is secured in place by tightening a clamp ring bolt 16 which increases the diameter of the clamp ring 14 and forces it against the collar 10.

Once a brush segment has worn out it can be removed and replaced by adjusting the clamp ring bolt 16.

It will be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and the invention extends to modifications, variations and improvements thereto.

The application of which this description and claims form part may be used as a basis for priority in respect of any subsequent application. The claims of such subsequent application may be directed to any feature or combination of features described therein. They may take the form of product, method or use claims and may include, by way of example and without limitation, one or more of the following claims :

Claims

Claims 1. A brush attachment for a mechanical sweeping machine comprising :- a base plate for linking to a mechanical sweeping machine, said base plate having a collar, a ring member for attaching to said base plate, said ring member having an adjustable diameter, and at least one brush segment, wherein said at least one brush segment is secourable between said collar and said ring member by adjusting the diameter of the ring member with respect to the collar.
2. A brush attachment according to claim 1 wherein the brush segment comprises a plurality of fused or bonded brush filaments.
3. A brush attachment according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the brush segment is fan shaped.
4. A brush attachment according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the brush segment is formed from filaments of steel wire or polypropylene.
5. A brush attachment according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the collar is a ring attachable to said base plate.
6. A brush attachment according to any one of the claims 1 to 4 wherein the collar is integral with the base plate.
7. A brush attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the collar and/or the ring member is attachable to the base plate by securing means.
8. A brush attachment according to claim 7 wherein the securing means takes the form of securing ribs.
9. A brush attachment according to claim 8 wherein the securing ribs are shaped such that a first attachment can be stacked on top of a second attachment without the brush segments of the first attachment contacting the base plate of the second attachment.
10. A brush attachment according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the diameter of the ring member is adjustable by a clamp ring bolt.
11. A brush attachment for a mechanical sweeping machine comprising :- a base plate for linking to a mechanical sweeping machine, and one or more brush segments for attachment thereto, wherein said one or more brush segments comprises a plurality of brush filaments fused or bonded at one end.
12. A brush attachment according to claim 11 wherein the brush filaments are heat fused at one end.
13. A brush attachment substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
14. A base plate for use with the attachment according to any one of the preceding claims.
15. A kit of parts for a brush attachment for a mechanical sweeping machine comprising :- a base plate for linking to a mechanical sweeping machine, and one or more brush segments for removable attachment thereto, each of said one or more brush segments consisting of a plurality of brush filaments fused or bonded at a first end, wherein in use, said first end of said one or more brush segments contacts said base plate.

15. A stack of base plates according to claim 14.

16. A securing rib for use with the attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or the base plate of claim 14 or with the stack of base plates according to claim 15.

17. A brush segment for use with the attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or the base plate of claim 14.

18. A kit of parts for a brush attachment for a mechanical sweeping machine comprising :- a base plate for linking to a mechanical sweeping machine, said base plate having a collar, a ring member for attaching to said base plate, said ring member having an adjustable diameter, and at least one brush segment, wherein said at least one brush segment is securable between said collar and said ring member by adjusting the diameter of the ring member with respect to the collar. Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A brush attachment for a mechanical sweeping machine comprising :- a base plate for linking to a mechanical sweeping machine, and one or more brush segments for removable attachment thereto, each of said one or more brush segments consisting of a plurality of brush filaments fused or bonded at a first end, wherein in use, said first end of each of said one or more brush segments contacts said base plate.

2. A brush attachment according to claim 1, wherein said base plate has a collar and in use, the first end of each of said one or more brush segments contacts said collar.

3. A brush attachment according to claim 2, wherein the brush filaments are heat fused at one end.

4. A brush attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one or more brush segments are fan shaped.

5. A brush attachment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more brush segments are formed from filaments of steel wire or polypropylene.

6. A brush attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said base plate has a collar, a ring member for attaching to said base plate, said ring member having an adjustable diameter, and wherein said one or more brush segments are securable between said collar and said ring member by adjusting the diameter of the ring member with respect to the collar.

7. A brush attachment according to claim 6, wherein the collar is a ring attachable to said base plate.

8. A brush attachment according to either one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the collar is integral with the base plate.

9. A brush attachment according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the collar and/or the ring member is attachable to the base plate by securing means.

10. A brush attachment according to claim 9, wherein the securing means takes the form of securing ribs.

11. A brush attachment according to claim 10, wherein the securing ribs are shaped such that a first attachment can be stacked on top of a second attachment without the brush segments of the first attachment contacting the base plate of the second attachment.

12. A brush attachment according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the diameter of the ring member is adjustable by a clamp ring bolt.

13. A brush attachment substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A brush segment for use with the brush attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 13, said brush segment consisting of a plurality of brush filaments fused or bonded at one end, wherein in use, said first end of each of said one or more brush segments contacts the base plate of the brush attachment.