AU690961B2

AU690961B2 - Sweeping apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU690961B2
Application number: AU16582/95A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Allan Henry Kyle
Original assignee: KYLE ENTERPRISES Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Prentice Brian James
Priority date: 1994-04-21
Filing date: 1995-04-21
Publication date: 1998-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 2015-04-21
Also published as: AU1658295A

Description

Our Ref: 549482 P/00/011 Regulation 3:2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIL'CATION STANDARD PATENT

A

U' A Applicant(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Kyle Enterprises Pty Limited 462 Pacific Highway SOUTH KEMPSEY NSW 2440

AUSTRALIA

DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 10, 10 Barrack Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Sweeping apparatus The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 5020 -1- SWEEPING APPARATUS This invention relates generally to sweeping apparatus and more particularly, to industrial sweepers which may be adapted for cleaning roadways, driveways, factory floors and other large areas. The sweeping apparatus of the present invention may be attachable to a prime mover, such as a fork lift vehicle or the like for enabling it to move over the area to be swept or cleaned.

In Australian Patent 517152 (43817/79) there is described a sweeping apparatus 10 having a ground engaging wheels and a sweeping element mounted to a main frame. In addition, the apparatus comprises a spray device for wetting down the surface to be swept.

The pump for the spray device and the means by which the sweeping element is rotated comprises a power transmission chain whereby power is taken from the axis of the ground engaging wheels and transmitted through a series of chain drives and gears so as to drive 15 the pump and the sweeping element. While the above apparatus has been found effective,

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the transmission system is relatively complex.

0' It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved sweeping apparatus.

According to one aspect of present invention there is provided Sweeping apparatus including a main frame having a forward end and an rearward end, at least one set of ground engaging wheels mounted for rotation about a transverse axis which extends generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of the main frame which extends in a direction between the forward and rearward ends thereof, said wheels being disposed generally intermediate of the forward and rearward ends, a sweeper element mounted for rotation about an axis which is generally parallel to the transverse axis, said sweeper element being disposed immediately adjacent and rearwardly of the first mentioned ground engaging wheels, a sprinkler device including a discharge manifold, a reservoir and a pump for feeding liquid from the reservoir to the discharge manifold and transmission means which includes a drive gear operatively mounted to an axle assembly of one of the Sgrounding engaging wheels of said at least one set so that rotation of the wheel causes rotatio), of the drive gear, a first pinion gear and a second pinion gear said gears being in p:\wpdocs\dys\kye2.pro\ -2operative meshing engagement so that rotation of the drive gear causes rotation of the first and second pinion gears, the first pinion gear being operable to cause rotation of the sweeper element and the second pinion gear being operable to drive the pump.

The apparatus may further include a catcher operatively mounted on the main frame and adapted to collect material swept up by the sweeper element.

In one form of the invention the ground engaging wheels may be mounted towards the rearward end of the main frame and mounted on an axial assembly. There may be 10 further provided a second ground engaging wheel or set of ground engaging wheels towards the forward end of the main frame, In the case of the second set of ground engaging wheels they are preferably independently suspended.

In this particular form of the invention, the sweeper device is preferably disposed forward and immediately adjacent the first mentioned ground engaging wheels with in the preferred form, the catcher being disposed forwardly of the sweeper element. Preferably, •the sweeper element is adapted to rotate in the opposite direction to the ground engaging wheels when the apparatus is moving in its normal direction of travel.

According to another preferred form of the invention the first mentioned ground engaging wheels are disposed generally intermediate of the forward and rearward ends of the main frame. A second ground engaging wheel or set of ground engaging wheels may be provided preferably towards the forward end of the main frame.

In this particular form of the invention the sweeper element is preferably disposed immediately adjacent and rearwardly of the first mentioned ground engaging wheels.

Preferably, the catcher is disposed forwardly of the sweeper element with the ground engaging wheels generally therebetween. This particular form of the invention has the advantage that the overall dimensions of the apparatus can be significantly reduced.

The sweeping element may be in the form of a generally cylindrical brush comprising a elongated shaft having bristles extending radially therefrom along the length p:\%Nwpdocs\dys\kylc2.pro\2 Ir -3thereof. Preferably, the catcher is substantially equal in length to ithe sweeping brush and mounted generally parallel thereto.

The discharge manifold of the sprinkler device is preferably disposed towards the forward end of the main frame in front of the sweeper element and in the preferred form in front of the catcher. Preferably, the reservoir is in the form of a tank mounted on the main frame towards the rearward end thereof. Liquid supply lines connect the reservoir with the pump and the pump to the discharge manifold.

In one preferred form of the invention, the drive gear of the transmission means is mounted to the axial assembly adjacent one of the ground engaging wheels so that as the ground engaging wheel travels across the surface to be cleaned, the drive gear will rotate therewith. The first pinion gear may be operatively connected to the pump shaft and the second pinion gear operatively connected to the shaft of the sweeper element.

a" ae 15 Preferably, the drive gear and first and second pinion gears are disposed in a plane generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main frame.

Adjustment means may be provided for enabling adjustment of the position of the sweeper element relative to the main frame. In one embodiment the adjustment means 20 comprises a support element which may be in the form of a plate having two studs thereon, the plate being operatively connected to the sweeper element with the studs being carried within a guide slot on a mounting bracket. The guides slot is preferably curved substantially conforming to the curvature of the drive gear so that by releasing the studs they can move along the guide slot into a new position and the position of the drive gear and pinion gear will be maintain at substantially the same relative disposition to one another.

In one embodiment the first and second pinion gears are in direct meshing engagement with said drive gear. In another embodiment one of the pinion gears is in direct meshing engagement with the drive gear and the other pinioin gear is in direct meshing engagement with the first mentioned pinion gear.

Preferably, the axis of the sprinkler manifold, the refuse catcher and the sweeping p:\wpdoc.%s\dyskylk2.pro\3 -4brush all lie at an a angle of substantially 900 or less than 900 to the longitudinal axis of the main frame.

Preferably, there is provision at the rearward end of the apparatus for the attachment of a prime mover. The primer mover may be in the form of a fork lift truck having a pair of prongs and the provision for a attachment of the prime mover at the rearward end of the sweeper may comprise a pair of sockets for accommodating the fork lift prongs.

Preferred embodiments of the sweeping apparatus according to the present invention will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and in those drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the sweeping apparatus according to 15 first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation of the sweeping apparatus shown in Figure 20 Figure 3 is a partially cut away schematic plan view of the sweeping apparatus aa shown in Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 4 is a detail of part of the sweeping apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 3.

Referring to the drawings a sweeping apparatus comprising a main frame I having primary ground engaging wheels 3 and secondary ground engaging wheels 4.

The primary ground engaging wheels 3 are mounted on an axle assembly 2.

The apparatus further includes a sweeping element in the form of a generally cylindrical brush 5 having a shaft with radially extending bristles thereon. The sweeping brush 5 is mounted on the main frame for rotation and is disposed rearwardly and immediately adjacent the ground engaging wheels 3. A refuse catcher 6 is disposed forwardly of the brush 5 and collects the material swept up by the brush 5. The brush p:\wpdos\dys\kye2.pro\4

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is adapted to rotate in the opposite direction to the ground engaging wheels 3 in the normal direction of travel of the apparatus.

The main frame I includes channels 8 which are adapted to receive the forks of a fork lift truck (not shown). The apparatus can be raised or lowered so that in a raised position the apparatus can be readily transported and/or refuse can be discharged from the catcher 6 and in the lowered position the ground engaging wheels 3 are in engagement with the ground so that as the fork lift moves it causes rotation of the ground engaging wheels.

The catcher 6 is mounted for pivotal movement between a refuse collecting position and a discharge position in which the catcher is pivoted through 90° so that material within the catcher will fall out. An activating lever 20 is connected to the catcher through coupling arm 21 and link 22 so that when actuating lever 20 is pulled rearwardly the catcher 6 will tilt between the collecting position to the discharge position.

The apparatus further includes a sprinkler device having a sprinkler manifold or pipe 12 comprising a series of jets or nozzles and being disposed at the forward end of 20 the main frame, a pump 14, a reservoir 13 in the form of a tank and feed lines (not shown) delivering fluid from the reservoir tank to the sprinkler manifold.

I* The apparatus further includes transmission means 30 which includes a drive gear 31 mounted to the axial assembly 2 for rotation in response to rotation of the drive ground engaging wheels. The apparatus further includes a first pinion gear 32 mounted to the axial of the sweeper brush and a second pinion gear mounted for driving the pump. As best seen in Figure 3 the first pinion gear 32 meshes directly with the drive gear 31 and the second pinion gear 33 meshes directly with the first pinion gear 31.

Adjustment means 34 is provided for adjusting the position of the sweeping brush relatively to the surface to be cleaned. The adjustment means 34 comprises a support element or plate 35 having studs 36 thereon, the support element being operatively mounted to the shaft of the sweeper element 5 and the studs being received in a arcuate p: or curved guide slot 38 on mounting bracket 37. The guide slot is curved so that it conforms substantially to the curvature of the drive wheel thereby enabling the pinion gear and the drive gear to be in the correct position relative to one another when the support element is moved along the guide slot. As best seen in Figure 2 the pump 14 and second pinion gear are mounted on the support element 35 for movement therewith.

The apparatus further includes side brushes 40 disposed on either side of the main frame, the side brushes also being driven by rotation of the ground engaging wheels.

The side brushes 40 are operatively connected to the ground engaging wheels 3 through a transmission including belt 45 and gear box 46 so that rotation of wheels 3 causes rotation of the brushes. The side brushes can be tilted to either side as shown in Figure 4 through adjustment nuts 47 causing tilting about pin 48. Adjustment of the brushes o Seither up or down is effected by appropriate adjustment of element 49.

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15 Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

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Claims

1. Sweeping apparatus including a main frame having a forward end and an rearward end, at least one set of ground engaging wheels mounted for rotation about a transverse axis which extends generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of the main frame which extends in a direction between the forward and rearward ends thereof, said wheels being disposed generally intermediate of the forward and rearward ends, a sweeper element mounted for rotation about an axis which is generally parallel to the transverse axis, said sweeper element being disposed immediately adjacent and rearwardly of the first 10 mentioned ground engaging wheels, a sprinkler device including a discharge manifold, a reservoir and a pump for feeding liquid from the reservoir to the discharge manifold and :transmission means which includes a drive gear operatively mounted to an axle assembly of one of the grounding engaging wheels cf said at least one set so that rotation of the wheel causes rotation of the drive gear, a first pinion gear and a second pinion gear said gears being in operative meshing engagement so that rotation of thc drive gear causes rotation of the first and second pinion gears, the first pinion gear being operable to cause rotation of the sweeper element and the second pinion gear being operable to drive the oo 9 pump.

2. Sweeping apparatus according to claim 1 further including a catcher operatively mounted on the main frame and adapted to collect material swept up by the sweeper element.

3. Sweeping apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 further including a second ground engaging wheel or set of ground engaging wheels towards the forward end of the main frame,.

4. Sweeping apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said catcher is disposed forwardly of the sweeper element, the sweeper element being adapted to rotate in the opposite direction to the ground engaging wheels when the apparatus is moving in its normal direction of travel. pAwvpdocs\dys\kyc2.pro\7 I Sweeping apparatus according to claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein said catcher is disposed forwardly of the sweeper element with said at least one set of ground engaging wheels generally therebetween.

6. Sweeping apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said sweeping element includes a generally cylindrical brush having an elongated shaft with bristles extending radially therefrom along the length thereof.

7. Sweeping apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said discharge 10 manifold of the sprinkler device is disposed towards the forward end of the main frame

9. ;in front of the sweeper element and catcher, and the reservoir is in the form of a tank mounted on the main frame with liquid supply lines connecting the reservoir with the pump and the pump to the discharge manifold. 8. Sweeping apparatus according to any preceding claim further including adjustment means for enabling adjustment of the position of the sweeper element relative to the main frame, said adjustment means including a support element in the form of a plate having studs thereon, the plate being operatively connected to the sweeper element with the studs being carried within a guide slot on a mounting bracket, the guide slot being curved substantially conforming to the curvature of the drive gear so that by releasing the studs they can move along the guide slot into a new position and the position of the drive gear and pinion gear will be maintained at substantially the same relative disposition to one another. 9. Sweeping apparatus according to any preceding claim including a pair of sockets for accommodating fork lift prongs of a fork lift truck. Sweeping apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said first and second pinion gears are in direct meshing engagement with said drive gear. A 11. Sweeping apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein one of said first or second pinion gears meshes directly with said drive gear and the other of said first or do \ds\kle2 ro\ second pinion gears meshes directly with said one of said first or second pinion gears.

12. Sweeping apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with referrece to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 12th day of February, 1998 KYLE ENTERPRISES PTY LIMITED By its Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE e ft So a *ft f go 9 *t S ft* 1s\kyle2u pro\9 3004M/wls Sweeping Apparatus ABSTRACT Sweeping apparatus including a main frame, ground engaging wheels, a rotatable sweeper element, a sprinkler device and a pump for feeding liquid from a reservoir to a discharge manifold of the sprinkler device and transmission means which includes a drive gear mounted for rotation, a first pinion gear and a second pinion gear, the gears being in operative meshing engagement so that rotation of the drive gear causes rotation of the first and second pinion gears, the first pinion gear being operable to cause rotation of the sweeper element and the second pinion gear being operable to drive the pump. *0 oo 0.. 1 A V. 0..