GB2422534A

GB2422534A - Brush attachment for mechanical sweeper

Info

Publication number: GB2422534A
Application number: GB0501773A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas Andrew Brown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-01-28
Filing date: 2005-01-28
Publication date: 2006-08-02
Also published as: GB0501773D0

Abstract

There is provided a brush attachment for a mechanical sweeping machine comprising a base plate, 110 the base plate defining an upper 112 and lower 114 surface; provided to the base plate and extending from said upper to lower surface, plural channels 120a, 120b for threaded receipt of brush filaments; and provided to one or more of said plural channels, a divider support 150a, 150b for both dividing each channel into sub-channels and in use, supporting said threaded brush filaments on receipt thereof by each channel such that filament ends of said brush filaments splay out from the lower surface of the base plate. Each of the plural channels has a tapered profile such that the cross-sectional area of an entrance thereto at the upper surface of the base plate is greater than that of an exit thereto at the lower surface of the base plate. The channels are preferably wedge shaped. Also claimed is a mechanical sweeping machine in combination with a brush attachment, and a kit of parts for a brush attachment.

Description

Brush attachment 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 that used for the cleaning of road 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 typically comprises a plate (e. g. ring-shaped) into which flexible sweeping filaments, commonly referred to as bristles, are permanently threaded. Typically, the plate of the rotating sweeping brush comprises a plurality of thread-receiving channels provided thereto, wherein the upper entry holes to each channel are arranged radially, but the channels splay out at an angle to the plane defined by the plate. This arrangement may be better understood by referring to Figure 1, which shows a prior art sweeping brush and to Figures 2 and 3a, which respectively show a top and cross- sectional view (about D-D) of an unthreaded plate of the prior art sweeping brush of Figure 1.

In more detail, Figures 1, 2 and 3a shows circular plate 10, to which plural thread- receiving channels 20a-c are provided concentrically in regular radial arrangement about the centre 30 of the plate 10. The circular plate 10 is also provided with fixing holes 11 for fixing to a rotary sweeping machine. Each channel 20a-c may be seen to splay outwards from the centre 30 such that each entry hole 22a-c thereto is radially closer to the central axis 30 than is each exit hole 24a-c. The motivation for adopting such a splayed out channel arrangement becomes apparent when reference is made to Figure 1 and to Figure 3b, which shows a cross-sectional view (again about D-D) of the plate of Figures 2 and 3a, now threaded. Bristle filaments 40a-c are received in threaded fashion at each pair of channels 20a-c such that the bristle ends thereof splay out to form a suitable overall sweeping brush form.

The Applicant has now realized that the conventional sweeping brush described above has a number of disadvantages.

A first set of disadvantages arises because the brush filaments are designed for permanently threading to the plate. Once the bristle ends have worn down, the entire plate and the remaining sweeping elements are generally disposed of as they cannot easily be separated or re-used. Moreover, as the plate used to support the brush filaments and form the brush must be disposable it is economically necessary to manufacture it from an inexpensive material. This often results in a plate that is not durable or fully waterproof and can therefore promote the premature failure of the brush during arduous use.

A further set of disadvantages arises because of the splayed out configuration of the channels provided to the plate of the conventional sweeping brush. Such a configuration is very difficult to manufacture from by a moulding process because a suitable straightforward moulding (e. g. injection-moulding) tool cannot be readily applied to the plate to form radially arranged, splayed out channels. The problem arises because such a tool would need to comprise plural pins radially arranged in splayed out fashion to mirror the required channel configuration. Once such pins are inserted en masse into the plate to create the channels the splayed channel geometry form makes it very difficult to again withdraw the pins en masse. Whilst this problem could be addressed by having a tool with individually insertable and retractable pins, such solution would be expensive and require not only a complex tool but also complex systems to control individual pin movements.

I'.,"-. 3 The difficulties in applying a moulding process to the conventional sweeping brush arrangement have meant that the conventional manufacturing process instead involves individually drilling channels in the desired radial, splayed out arrangement into a bare plate. This individual hole-drilling process is time-consuming and labour-intensive.

The splayed out configuration of the channels also makes it difficult and time-consuming to remove used bristles for recycling thereof. In essence, each bristle set must be removed individually from its threaded location by a laborious process that is complex to automate.

To address the above-described problems the Applicant has now devised a rotating sweeping brush attachment that is readily susceptible to manufacture by a moulding process and that enables recycling of used brush filaments, whilst still providing for the desired splayed out presentation of brush filament ends to provide the overall brush.

The rotating sweeping brush attachment herein provided comprises a plate provided with generally tapering channels (e.g. wedge-shaped' in crosssectional profile) having a support shoulder provided thereto, wherein the channels are arranged radially for receipt of suitable brush filaments. Suitably, a securing means is provided that is reversibly applicable to the plate to reversibly secure the brush filaments in the desired brush configuration. Such a plate is readily susceptible to manufacture by a moulding process.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a brush attachment for a mechanical sweeping machine comprising a base plate, said base plate defining an upper and lower surface; provided to the base plate and extending from said upper to lower surface, plural channels for threaded receipt of brush filaments; and provided to one or more of said plural channels, a divider support for both dividing each channel into sub-channels and in use, supporting said threaded brush filaments on receipt thereof by each channel such that filament ends of said brush filaments splay out from the lower surface of the base plate, wherein each of the plural channels has a tapered profile such that the cross-sectional area of an entrance thereto at the upper surface of the base plate is greater than that of an exit thereto at the lower surface of the base plate.

Preferably, securing means is provided to the brush attachment herein, wherein the securing means is reversibly receivable by the upper surface of the base plate such as to secure the threaded brush filaments within said plural channels.

The brush attachment herein is suitable for use with a mechanical sweeping machine, for example of the type used for sweeping large public spaces and / or roads.

The brush attachment comprises a base plate. The base plate is generally of substantially planar form, and typically has a generally circular profile. The base plate is suitably provided with for means for attaching it to drive means of a mechanical sweeping machine.

The base plate defines an upper and lower surface. In use, the upper surface of the plate will face towards the drive means of the mechanical sweeping machine (generally upwards) and the lower surface will face towards the surface to be brushed (generally downwards).

The base plate is provided with plural channels for threaded receipt of brush filaments.

The channels extend from the upper to lower surface of the plate (i.e. generally through the plate in lateral fashion).

Each channel of the base plate is provided with a divider support that acts to both divide each channel into sub-channels and is shaped to support the brush filaments on receipt thereof by each channel. On threaded receipt of the brush filaments, the profile of the respective channels and divider support is such that the filament ends of the brush filaments splay out from the lower surface of the base plate. That is to say the filament ends of the brush filaments project from the channels at the lower plate surface such that they are splayed out to form a brushlike configuration extending below and away from the lower surface of the plate.

In aspects, the divider support is provided either as a separate insert to each channel or more preferably as an integral part of the base plate. In the latter case, the base plate may then be formed (e.g. by a moulding process) to have channels defined therein, wherein each channel also has a divider support, as described, provided thereto as an integral part of the base plate moulding.

Suitably, the divider support is provided as a cross piece, preferably centrally located, to each channel.

Preferably, the divider support acts such as to divide each channel into a pair of like sub-channels. By like sub-channels it is meant that the sub-channels are of roughly equal size and shape, and may either be identical in form or alternatively be mirror images of one another, such that overall they form a like-wise pair.

Suitably, the divider support defines a supporting surface (e.g. in the form of a shoulder) that lies beneath the plane defined by the upper surface of the base plate. Suitably, in use, and when the bristles are received by the supporting surface, the bent over' central portions of at least a proportion of the bristles also lie beneath the plane defined by the upper base surface.

Each of the plural channels provided to the base plate has a tapered profile such that the cross-sectional area of an entrance thereto at the upper surface of the base plate is greater than that of an exit thereto at the lower surface of the base plate.

Preferably, the tapering profile is such that part of each tapering channel is generally perpendicular to the plane defined by the base plate and part of each tapering channel defines an acute angle to the plane defined by the base plate. It will be appreciated that the part of each tapering channel which defines an acute angle is arranged such that the channel profile thereby defined acts such as to guide the filament ends of threaded brush filaments to splay out from the lower surface of the base plate.

A preferred tapering profile is generally wedge-shaped' when viewed in cross-section (wherein a suitable cross-section is one perpendicular to the plane defined by the plate and bisecting a tapering channel). The part of the wedge' that is substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the plate is located more distant from the centre of the base plate than is that part of the wedge' that defines an acute angle to the plane defined by the base plate.

Preferably, a securing means is used to secure said threaded brush filaments within said plural channels. Suitably, the securing means is reversibly receivable by the upper surface of the base plate.

Suitably, the securing means is in the form of a securing plate (e.g. ring-shaped plate) defining an upper and lower securing surface.

Suitably, the securing plate is provided with plural channels for threaded receipt of said brush filaments, wherein the plural channels extend from the upper to lower securing surface.

Suitably, upon threaded receipt of the brush filaments by the base plate and the securing plate the brush filaments are secured thereby such that filament ends thereof splay out from the lower base surface of the base plate. It will therefore be appreciated that the brush filaments are at least partly secured in place by the gripping I wedging action (of the channels) of the base plate and securing plate acting in combination (i.e. jointly).

Suitably, the plural channels of the base plate and any securing plate are radially arranged (e.g. in concentric circle arrangement) but the radius defined by the plural channels of the base plate is greater than that defined by the (relevant, matching set of) plural channels of the securing plate. This arrangement means that when the base plate receives the securing plate the relevant channels (e.g. sets thereof) are in offset registration, which assists wedging of the relevant brush filaments.

Suitably, the securing plate is of generally similar form (e.g. shape, size) to that of the base plate and receivable in mating fashion by the base plate. Suitably, the securing plate is provided with fixing means for reversibly fixing it to the base plate.

In one aspect, the securing plate is a ring-shaped plate member receivable within a ring-shaped recess provided to the upper base surface of the base plate.

Suitably, each of the plural channels provided to the securing plate has a non-tapered profile. That is to say, the cross-sectional area of an entrance thereto at the upper surface of the securing plate is equal to that of an exit thereto at the lower surface of the securing plate.

The invention provides the potential advantage that only the sweeping elements, that is, the brush filaments, need to be transported from the manufacturer to the user. The base plate and any securing means may be reused many times and can therefore be manufactured in a manner that will be suitable for more arduous duty.

There is also provided a moulding (e.g. injection-moulding) process for making the base plate by use of a suitable mould.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a threaded brush attachment for a mechanical sweeping machine comprising a brush attachment as described herein and received by the plural channels, brush filaments arranged such that filament ends of said brush filaments splay out from the lower surface of the base plate.

Suitable brush filaments are formed from a plastic polymer (e.g. polypropylene) or a metal (e.g. steel).

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a mechanical sweeping machine comprising a drive motor; and drivable in sweeping fashion thereby, a brush attachment or threaded brush attachment as described herein.

Suitably, the brush attachment or threaded brush attachment additionally comprises fixing means (e.g. a fixing plate) to fix the brush attachment to the drive motor of the mechanical sweeping machine. Preferably, the fixing plate and brush attachment are secured through a quick-release fixing mechanism.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts for a brush attachment for a mechanical sweeping machine comprising (a) a base plate defining plural channels, as described herein; and (b) brush filaments for threaded receipt by the plural channels.

The invention will now be described further with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a conventional (i.e. prior art) sweeping brush attachment; Figure 2 shows a plan view from above of the conventional (i.e. prior art) sweeping brush attachment of Figure 1 absent its bristles; Figure 3a shows a cross-sectional view of the conventional sweeping brush attachment of Figure 2, the cross-section taken along line D-D of Figure 2; Figure 3b shows a cross-sectional view of the conventional sweeping brush attachment of Figure 2 as threaded with bristles, the cross-section again taken along line D-D of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a perspective view from above of a first sweeping brush attachment herein; Figure 5a shows a cross-sectional view of the sweeping brush attachment of Figure 4; Figure 5b shows the sweeping brush attachment of Figure 5a with threaded bristles received thereby; Figure 6 shows a perspective view from above of a detail of the first sweeping brush attachment of Figure 4 absent any bristles; and Figure 7 shows a perspective view from above of a detail of the first sweeping brush attachment of Figure 4 having bristles attached to one set of thread- receiving channels only.

In more detail, Figures 4, 5b and 7 show aspects of a first embodiment of the sweeping brush attachment herein with bristles attached and Figures 5a and 6 show aspects of the first embodiment minus its bristles. The sweeping brush attachment comprises circular base plate 110 defining upper 112 and lower 114 planar surfaces. Plural thread- receiving channels 120a, 120b are provided to the base plate 110 arranged in regular radial arrangement about the centre 130 of the plate 110. It may be seen that each channel 120a, 120b has a tapered profile such that the cross-sectional area of the entrance 122a, 122b thereto at the upper surface 112 of the base plate 110 is greater than that of the exit 124a, 124b thereto at the lower surface 114 of the base plate 110.

Provided to each channel 120a, 120b there is a divider support 150a, 150b that divides each channel 120a, 120b into pairs of like sub-channels 126a, 128a and 126b, 128b. It may be seen that each divider support 150a, 150b defines a supporting surface 152a, 152b that lies beneath the plane defined by the upper surface 112 of the base plate 110.

As shown in Figures 4 and Sb and 7, bristle filaments 140 are received in threaded fashion at each pair of channels 120a, 120b and supported by the supporting surface 152a, 152b of each divider support 150a, 150b such that the bristle ends thereof 142 splay out from the lower surface 114 of the base plate 110 to form a suitable overall sweeping brush form. It may also be seen, that the bent over' central portions 144 of the bristles 140 also lie beneath the plane defined by the upper surface 112 of the base plate 110.

Optionally (and not shown), the upper surface 112 of the base plate 110 is further provided with securing means in the form of a securing plate for securing the brush filaments in place.

Claims

Claims 1. A brush attachment for a mechanical sweeping machine comprising

a base plate, said base plate defining an upper and lower surface; provided to the base plate and extending from said upper to lower surface, plural channels for threaded receipt of brush filaments; and provided to one or more of said plural channels, a divider support for both dividing each channel into sub-channels and in use, supporting said threaded brush filaments on receipt thereof by each channel such that filament ends of said brush filaments splay out from the lower surface of the base plate, wherein each of the plural channels has a tapered profile such that the cross-sectional area of an entrance thereto at the upper surface of the base plate is greater than that of an exit thereto at the lower surface of the base plate.
2. A brush attachment according to claim 1, further comprising securing means, wherein said securing means is reversibly receivable by the upper surface of the base plate such as in use, to secure the threaded brush filaments within said plural channels.
3. A brush attachment according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein each divider support is an integral part of the base plate.
4. A brush attachment according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein each divider support is provided as a cross piece to each channel.
5. A brush attachment according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein each divider support divides each channel into a pair of like sub-channels.
6. A brush attachment according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the divider support defines a supporting surface that lies beneath the plane defined by the upper surface of the base plate.
7. A brush attachment according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the tapered profile of each channel is such as to be generally perpendicular to the plane defined by the base plate and to define an acute angle to the plane defined by the base plate.
8. A brush attachment according to claim 7, wherein the tapered profile of each channel is wedge-shaped in cross-section.
9. A brush attachment according to any of claims 2 to 8, wherein the securing means is in the form of a securing plate defining an upper and lower securing surface.
10. A brush attachment according to claim 9, wherein said securing plate is in the form of a ring.
11. A brush attachment according to either of claims 9 or 10, wherein securing plate is provided with plural channels for threaded receipt of said brush filaments, wherein the plural channels extend from the upper to lower securing surface.
12. A brush attachment according to claim 11, wherein the plural channels of the base plate and any securing plate are arranged radially and the radius defined by the plural channels of the base plate is greater than that defined by the plural channels of the securing plate.
13. A brush attachment according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the securing plate is receivable within a ring-shaped recess provided to the upper base surface of the base plate.
14. A brush attachment according to any of claims ito 13 in moulded form.
15. A threaded brush attachment for a mechanical sweeping machine comprising (a) a brush attachment according to any of claims I to 14; and (b) received by the plural channels of the base plate, brush filaments.
16. A mechanical sweeping machine comprising a drive motor; and a threaded brush attachment according to claim 15.
17. A threaded brush attachment for a mechanical sweeping machine in kit of parts form comprising (a) a brush attachment according to any of claims I to 14; (b) brush filaments for threaded receipt by the plural channels of the base plate.