GB983503A - Improvements in and relating to rotary brush sweeping machines - Google Patents

Abstract

983,503. Road sweeping machines. H. YOUNG (MOTORS) Ltd., and V. V. WILLIAMS. March 30, 1961 [March 30, 1960], No. 11248/60. Heading E1G. A road &c. sweeping machine comprises a brush rotatable in such a way that its lower surface moves at a forward speed greater than that of the machine and adjustably mounted so that its axis can be moved nearer to the road to compensate for wear, a collecting box behind the brush, a canopy extending around the front and towards or over the upper part of the brush and means for finding swept material from the upper part of the periphery of the brush into the collecting box, the guiding means and at least the front part of the canopy being adjustable relative to the brush. As shown, Fig. 1, a brush 13 is mounted on a spindle 14 which is carried by a pair of arms 15 and may be lowered when the brush wears down by means of a pair of levers 28, releasably held by catches 29 on the machine frame, with hooks 27 engageable in selected links of chains 26. The path of the spindle is determined by arcuate slots 23 in side plates 11 of the machine. A canopy 30 has its lower edge pivoted about a bar 31 and its upper edge secured to a flexible member 32 itself secured to the frame 3. The upper part of the canopy may be displaced downwardly by means of a link 35 pivoted to the canopy at 34 and adjustably securable to a frame member. A plate 38, 39 at the lower edge of the canopy is mounted on bell crank levers 41, 43 and is adjustable in a fore and aft direction by moving the arm 43 about its pivot 42 over a quadrant 44 and inserting a locking pin in registering holes in the arm 43 and quadrant 44. The plate is also adjustably supported by a chain 37 which allows it to pivot about its mounting 40 on the lower arm 41 to ride over large objects. A receptacle 50 has a front wall 57, 59 adjustable by means of a linkage 62, 65, 66, 68 each lever 68 having a hole registrable with a selected one of holes 69 in quadrant plates 70 secured to the machine frame and at least one lever 68 having an extension 71 connected to the lever 66 by a spring 73. In operation the spring 73 urges the door 57, 59 forward progressively as the lever 68 is moved forward along the plate 70. To discharge refuse a rear door 55 is opened and the receptacle 50 is raised by hydraulic means 75, 76. A spray 83 is supplied from a tank 82. The spindle 14 is driven through a chain 17, spindle 16 gear box 18, shafts 19, 21, from a powertake-off shaft 22 of the towing tractor. Where the tractor hitch comprises hydraulic lift links the wheels 12 may be omitted and the brush and its driving means being supported by the lift links. The receptacle may be carried by the brush mounting means or may have a separate frame supported by road wheels. A jack 79 is provided to support the forward part of the machine when detached from the tractor and brakes 12 for the wheels 12 are controlled from a lever 86 accessible to the tractor driver. Alternatively, the spindle 14 may be driven from the wheels 12 or a rotary axle on which they are mounted on the sweeping machine may carry its own motor. In a modified machine (not shown) the receptacle is displaced bodily about supporting pivots to retain its front wall in close proximity to the brush.