AU2006100690A4 - A sweeping apparatus - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Applicant: MATTHEWS BROS ENGINEERING PTY LTD A.C.N. 004 636 926 Invention Title: A SWEEPING APPARATUS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 2 A SWEEPING APPARATUS Field and Background of the Invention The present invention relates to a device suitable for sweeping surfaces including road foundations during the constructions of roads.

There are a number of devices presently available that are suitable for sweeping road base foundations. The devices include a cylindrical broom member comprising a central core covered by outwardly projecting stiff bristles for engaging the ground. The outer diameter of the broom member normally ranges between 350 to 900mm and its length normally ranges between 1500 to 2100mm.

The cylindrical broom member is rotatably mounted to an assembly that can be coupled to the front end or back end of a tractor and is rotatably driven by a chain or hydraulic mechanism. In use, the position of the broom member can be adjusted between a square position in which the broom member aligns with the tractor and an angled position in which the axis of the broom is angled away or toward the tractor in order to sweep material to one side.

A difficulty the may be encountered with the devices presently available is that in either the square or angled positions, the path swept by the broom member is fixed relative to the wheels of the tractor. This can be problematic when the wheels or the sides of the tractor prevent the sweeping member from sweeping a path alongside a barrier or fence.

An attempt at overcoming this problem has been to increase the overall length the cylindrical broom member.

In addition, depending on the intended use and circumstances in which the device is used, further H,\Pcabral\Keep\apeci\P61765.doc 14/08/06 3 difficulties such as turning the vehicle in a limited space to complete a return run may also be experienced with the devices presently available.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an alternative device suitable for sweeping surfaces such as road base foundations.

Summary of the Invention The present invention relates to a device suitable for sweeping the surface of a road base and is capable of being connected or coupled to a vehicle, or forming part of a vehicle for moving the device over a path to be swept. In particular, the device includes: i) a cylindrical broom member having a longitudinal axis that is supported in an orientation substantially parallel to the ground and is mounted such that it can be rotated about its longitudinal axis; and ii) a sideways adjustment means for moving the cylindrical broom, whereby when the device is coupled to the vehicle and is moving in an essentially straight path, the sideways adjustment means allows the position of the cylindrical broom member to be moved between, a) an in-line central position in which a midpoint along the longitudinal axis of the broom member substantially aligns with a central axis extending through the centre of the vehicle; and b) an offset position in which the midpoint of the broom member is spaced laterally from the central axis of the vehicle.

When the broom member is located in the offset position, it is preferred that the broom protrudes outwardly from the sides of the vehicle.

It is preferred that the device include a reversible drive means for rotating the cylindrical broom H.\Pcabral\Keep\speci\P61765.doc 14/08/06 4 member in opposite directions about its longitudinal axis.

In use, when the vehicle to which the device is associated is driven forward, the device can sweep a path by rotating the broom member in one direction and when the vehicle is driven in reverse, the device can sweep a path by rotating the broom member in the opposite direction. In other words, the reversible drive means allows the device to sweep two parallel paths without turning the vehicle 1800.

This is particularly advantageous in situations where there is limited space in which to turn the vehicle.

It is preferred that the device include a height adjustment means which in use, allows the broom member to move upwardly and downwardly in response to undulations in the ground swept by the broom member. In addition, in use, the height adjustment means may also apply a downward force to the broom member to increase the friction between the broom and the ground and thus the efficiency of the broom member 13.

It is preferred that the height adjustment means can also be operated to lock the broom member in an elevated stowed position and a lowered operative position in which the broom member contacts the ground.

In use, it is preferred that any one or a combination of the sideways adjustment means, the reversible drive means and the height adjustment means can be adjusted while concurrently using the device for sweeping.

It is even more preferred that the sideways adjustment means, the reversible drive means and the height adjustment means can be operated from a driver's seat of the vehicle. Although the vehicle may be any type of the vehicle, it is preferred that the vehicle be a truck having an enclosed cabin and that the control panel H.\Pcabral\Keep\speci\P61765.doc 14/08/06 5 be located in the cabin.

It is preferred that the sideways adjustment means allows the midpoint of the cylindrical broom member to move at least 200mm either side of the in-line central position.

It is even more preferred that the sideways adjustment means allows the midpoint of the cylindrical broom member to move approximately 400mm either side of the in-line central position.

It is preferred that the sideways adjustment means includes a first actuator having a movable portion and a rail, the rail having a carriage that is connected to the moving portion of the first actuator so as to move the carriage along the rail.

It is preferred that the first actuator be a first piston and cylinder assembly that is positioned parallel to the rail.

The moving portion of the piston and cylinder assembly may be the piston but it is preferred the piston be fixed relative to the rail and that the carriage be connected to the cylinder which moves relative to the rail. In use, operation of the piston and cylinder assembly causes that cylinder to move along the piston and thus moves the carriage along the rail.

It is preferred that the carriage be slideably mounted to the rail.

It is preferred that the sideways adjustment means includes a rail or guide member and a carriage assembly that moves along the rail or guide member, and the cylindrical broom member is directly or indirectly H\Pcabral\Keep\speci\P61765.doc 14/08/06 6 connected to the carriage assembly such that movement of carriage can move the cylindrical broom member between the in-line central and offset positions It is preferred that the carriage be pivotally connected to the cylindrical broom member such that the axis of the cylindrical broom member can be pivoted between a square position in which the longitudinal axis of the broom member is located substantially laterally across a path to be swept and an angled position in which the longitudinal axis is located at an angle to the path to be swept such that debris and other material can be swept sideways of the path by the broom member.

It is preferred that the carriage assembly includes a first pivot point such that the cylindrical broom member can be pivoted between a square position in which the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical broom member is located substantially laterally across the central axis of the vehicle and an angled position in which the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical broom member is located at an angle to the central axis of the vehicle.

It is preferred that the carriage assembly includes a second pivot point about which the cylindrical broom member can be pivoted to locate the cylindrical broom between an elevated stowed position and lowered operative position for contacting the ground.

It is preferred that a second actuator in the form of a second piston and cylinder assembly control pivotal movement between the carriage and the cylindrical broom.

It is preferred that the reversible drive means have 2 speeds such that the broom member can be rotated at 2 speeds in each direction of rotation.

H.\Pcabral\Keep\speci\P61765.doc 14/08/06 7 It is preferred that the cylindrical broom member have a cylindrical core in which the drive means is housed.

It is preferred that the height adjustment means includes a pair of arms pivotally connected to a base frame and each arm is connected to an opposite end of the cylindrical broom.

Preferably, the height adjustment means also includes a third actuator connection to the arms for raising and lowering the cylindrical broom. In use, the third actuator can either be inoperative to allow the cylindrical broom to rise and fall in response to undulations or operative to apply downward pressure to the cylindrical broom via the arms.

It is also preferred that the height adjustment means allow the cylindrical broom to be locked in an elevated stowed and a lowered operative position in which the cylindrical broom contacts the ground.

It is preferred that the third actuator be a third piston and cylinder assembly.

It is preferred that each arm be pivotally mounted to the base frame at a point that is interposed between the points at which the third actuator and the cylindrical broom member are connected to the arms.

Brief Description of Drawings A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a side view of a truck having a sweeping device fitted to the back end thereof; Figure 2 is a detailed side view of the back end of H.\Pcabral\Keep\speci\P61765.doc 14/08/06 8 the truck shown in figure 1 with a cylindrical broom member shown in dashed lines located in an elevated stowed position and in solid lines located in a lowered operative position; Figure 3 illustrates a plan view of the cylindrical broom member and a sideways adjustment means with the cylindrical broom member located in an in-line central position; Figure 4 illustrates the same view shown in figure 3 in which the cylindrical broom member is located in an offset position; Figure 5 illustrates the same view shown in Figures 3 and 4 in which the cylindrical broom member is located in an offset position and angled relative to a path to be swept; Figure 6 illustrates a plan view of the sideways adjustment means in an orientation for positioning the cylindrical broom member in an in-line central position; Figure 7 illustrates the view shown in figure 6 in which the sideways adjustment means is in an orientation for positioning the cylindrical broom member at an angle relative to a path to be swept and in an in-line central position; and Figure 8 illustrates the view shown in Figures 6 and 7 in which the sideways adjustment means is in an orientation for positioning the cylindrical broom member at an angle relative to the path to be swept while in an offset position.

Detailed Description Of The Preferred Embodiment A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which sweeping device forms part of or is connected to the rear of a truck. However, it will be appreciated that it is within the scope of the present invention that the sweeping device may form part of, or mounted on, a trailer H.\Pcabral\Keep\speci\P61765.doc 14/08/06 9 assembly or alike apparatus that is connected or coupled to a vehicle and towed behind the vehicle during operation.

With reference to figures 1 and 2, the sweeping device generally identified by reference numeral 10 is connected by an assembly 11 to the back end of a flat top truck 12. The sweeping device 10 includes a cylindrical broom member 13 comprising a central core 14 and outwardly extending stiff bristles that form a cylindrical shape.

The broom member 13 is approximately 2,500mm in length and 900mm in diameter, however, the dimensions of the broom member 13 may be varied.

As can be seen in figure 2, the cylindrical broom member 13 can be located in an elevated stowed position as indicated by the dashed lines or a lowered operative position as indicated by the solid lines whereby the bristles of the broom member 13 contact the ground trailing the truck 12.

The assembly 11 interconnecting the cylindrical broom member 13 at the rear end of the truck includes a height adjustment means for raising and lowering the cylindrical member between the elevated stowed position and the operative lowered position.

More particularly the cylindrical broom member 13 is connected to the assembly via a pair of arms 15. Each arm 15 is rotatably connected to an opposite end of the central core 14 of the cylindrical broom member 13. The arms 15 are also pivotally connected to the assembly 11 at piot point 16. An actuator in the form of a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly 17 is connected to an end of the arms 16 opposite to the ends connected to the cylindrical broom member 13 such that operation of the cylinder assembly 17 raises and lowers the cylindrical H.\PcabraI\Keep\speci\P61765.doc 14/08/06 10 member between stowed and operative positions. In addition, the cylinder assembly 17 can be activated to allow free movement of the piston within the cylinder so that the cylindrical broom member 13 can rise and fall over undulations in the ground over which the cylindrical broom member 13 passes. In addition, the piston and cylinder assembly 17 can be operated to apply downward external pressure to the cylindrical member 13 to increase the friction between the broom member 13 and the ground and, thus, increase the sweeping efficiency of the device.

The assembly 11 also includes a sideways adjustment means for moving the broom member from an inline central position to an offset position as shown in figures 3 to 8. Specifically, the adjustment means comprises a rail or guide member 18 having a slideably mounted carriage 19. The rail or guide member 18 is directly connected to the chassis of the truck via brackets 20. Mounted adjacent to, and in parallel relationship with the rail 18 is a cylinder and piston assembly 21. The cylinder 21a is directly connected to the carriage 19 via bracket 22. Operation of the piston and cylinder assembly 21 shifts the cylinder 21a along the piston 21b and thus moves the carriage 19 along the rail 18 to the desired location.

In use, the piston and cylinder assembly 21 can be centrally located to locate the carriage 19 and cylindrical broom member 13 in an in-line central position in which a mid point of the cylindrical broom 13 substantially aligns with a central axis extending through the centre of the vehicle generally identified by the line Y shown in figures 3 to 8. The cylindrical and piston assembly 21 can also be operated to shift the cylinder 21a to either the right offset position as shown in figure 4 or the left offset position as shown in figure 8. The dashed lines X on either side of the central axis Y of the H.\Pcabral\Keep\epeci\P61765.doc 14/08/06 11 vehicle denote the width of the vehicle as seen in top view. It is envisaged that the degree to which the cylindrical broom member 13 can be offset relative to the central in-line position on either side be at least 200mm and preferably at least 400 mm. Depending on the width of the vehicle, the adjustment of the broom member 13 between a central in-line position and an offset position allows the broom member 13 to sweep a path immediately behind the vehicle when in the central in-line position and a path alongside the vehicle when in an offset position. That is, the cylindrical member sweeping outside the dashed lines X. The advantage provided by this aspect of the preferred embodiment is that when the broom member 13 is located in the offset position it can be used to sweep a path adjacent to a barrier or fence that could not be swept when located in an in-line central position due to the size of the vehicle.

The carriage member 19 is pivotally mounted to a member 23 interconnecting the support arms to which the cylindrical broom member 13 is rotatably mounted. A further piston and cylinder assembly 24 is located between the carriage member 19 and the member interconnecting the arms 15 for controlling the angle of the cylindrical broom member 13 relative to the piston and rail assembly 19.

Figure 5 illustrates the situation when the cylindrical broom member 13 is located in the offset position and the piston and cylinder arrangement 24 has been operated such that the cylindrical broom member 13 forms an angle to the piston and cylinder arrangement 21 and the rail or guide 18. An advantage provided by this aspect is that the cylindrical broom member 13 can be used for sweeping debris and other loose particles laterally of the path being swept.

Figure 7 illustrates a situation in which the H \Pcabral\Keep\speci\P61765.doc 14/08/06 12 Scylindrical broom member 13 is located in an in-line t ocentral position and the piston and cylinder assembly 24 has been operated so as to tilt the cylindrical broom member 13 to form an angle with the piston and cylinder assembly 21 and the rail or guide member 18 for the carriage 19.

O Although not shown in detail in the figures, the preferred embodiment also includes a drive means for I 10 rotatably driving the cylindrical broom member 13 in opposite directions. More particularly, the drive means c has been designed so as to be housed within the central cylindrical core 14 of the cylindrical broom member 13.

With reference to figure 1, when the truck 12 is driving forwardly, the drive means can be operated to rotate the cylindrical broom member 13 in an anticlockwise direction such that the relative speed of the bristles of the broom member 13 over the surface being swept is a combination of the speed of the vehicle and the rate at which cylindrical broom member 13 is rotated.

Upon sweeping a path in a desired direction, the reversible drive means can be activated so as to rotate the cylindrical broom member 13 in the opposite direction such that the truck can be driven in a reverse direction to sweep a return path adjacent to the first path swept.

An advantage provided by this aspect of the invention is that it is not necessary to turn the truck 1800 in order to complete a return sweep path.

Although it is not evident from the drawings, suitable control mechanisms and hydraulic piping can be employed such that the piston and cylinder arrangements 17, 21 and 24 can be continuously and concurrently operated while the cylindrical broom member 13 is being used for sweeping a path. More particularly, it is envisaged that a control panel for operating the sweeping H.\Pcabral\Keep\speci\P61765.doc 14/08/06 13 device be located in the cabin of the truck 12 to allow the truck driver to operate the sweeping device from the truck cabin.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

For example, the piston and cylinder arrangements can be substituted with any suitable actuator for maneuvering the cylindrical broom member 13 in a manner as described above.

In addition although not shown specifically in the drawings, the truck includes a suspension system that is adapted such that when the broom member 13 is located in the offset position, the weight of the broom member is prevented from tilting the chassis of the truck in a direction of the offset. In particular, it is envisaged that the truck suspension system may include air bags to compensate for the additional load applied to one side of the truck when the broom member is located in an offset position such that the chassis of the truck is maintained substantially parallel to the ground.

In the situation where the device forms part of a trailer or is mounted on a trailer or other apparatus that is towed behind a vehicle, the discussion above relating to the cylindrical broom member of the preferred embodiment equally applies. Specifically, movement of the cylindrical broom member between an in-line central position and an offset position according to the preferred embodiment also describes the movement of the cylindrical broom relative to the vehicle towing the sweep device.

H \Pcabral\Keep\speci\P61765.doc 14/08/06

Claims (4)

1. A device suitable for sweeping the surface of a road base and is capable of being connected or coupled to a vehicle for moving the device over a path to be swept, the device includes: i) a cylindrical broom member having a longitudinal axis that is supported in an orientation substantially parallel to the ground and is mounted such that it can be rotated about its longitudinal axis; and ii) a sideways adjustment means for moving the cylindrical broom, whereby when the device is coupled to the vehicle and is moving in an essentially straight path, the sideways adjustment means allows the position of the cylindrical broom member to be moved between, a) an in-line central position in which a midpoint along the longitudinal axis of the broom member substantially aligns with a central axis extending through the centre of the vehicle, and b) an offset position in which the midpoint of the broom member is spaced laterally from the central axis of the vehicle.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sideways adjustment means includes a rail or guide member and a carriage assembly that moves along the rail or guide member, and the cylindrical broom member is directly or indirectly connected to the carriage assembly such that movement of carriage can move the cylindrical broom member between the in-line central position and offset positions.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the carriage assembly includes a first pivot point such that the cylindrical broom member can be pivoted between a square position in which the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical broom member is located substantially laterally across the central axis of the vehicle and an H,\Pcabral\Keep\apeci\PS1765.doc 14/08/06 15 tilted position in which the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical broom member is located at an angle different to that when located laterally across the central axis.

4. The device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the carriage assembly includes a second pivot point about which the cylindrical broom member can be pivoted to locate the cylindrical broom between an elevated stowed position and a lowered operative position in which the cylindrical broom contacts the ground. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, including a drive means for rotating the cylindrical broom member about its longitudinal axis. H\Pcabal\Keep\eeci\P61765.doc 14/08/06