GB2444774A

GB2444774A - Rotary Brush

Info

Publication number: GB2444774A
Application number: GB0624831A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Renwick
Original assignee: BRUSH TECHNOLOGY Ltd
Current assignee: BRUSH TECHNOLOGY Ltd
Priority date: 2006-12-13
Filing date: 2006-12-13
Publication date: 2008-06-18
Also published as: GB0624831D0

Abstract

A rotary brush for a cleaning machine comprises a plurality of bristles 12 mounted on an annular carrier 14 formed of a plurality of arcuate interlocking segments 32. An annular lip 15 extends around the opposite face of the carrier 14 to the bristles and defines a socket for receiving a drive member of the cleaning machine. Slots 36 are provided in the carrier 14 to captively receive respective pins disposed on the drive member of the cleaning machine. Each slot may comprise spring clips to engage the corresponding pins. The arrangement may further comprise spigots and corresponding apertures such that a plurality of brushes may be detachably stacked together.

Description

Rotary Brushes This invention relates to rotary brushes for machines.

More particularly but not exclusively this invention relates to rotary brushes for motor driven cleaning machines for cleaning, for example, roads and pavements.

The use of rotating brushes and pads on floor cleaning and sweeping machines is well known. Such machines are designed to clean large floor areas in a short time with a minimal amount of human effort. Street cleaning machines are also known to have fine brushes which are capable of cleaning and sweeping litter away from the edges of buildings and roads. They also, advantageously, increase the sweeping width of the cleaning machine.

Such side brushes are usually made from a polypropylene materia! which has a high impact resistance. The brush body is arranged so that the brush filaments extend downwardly and outwardly towards the floor providing a firm sweeping action. The bristles of such side brushes are commonly arranged in large clumps or tufts which support each other during use. It is desirable that such side brushes are easily assembled and also capable of being stacked and stored without damage to the brush filaments. Damage to the individual brush filaments renders the brush unusable.

The present invention seeks to provide a rotary brush which is easy to assemble and capable of being stored with minimal damage to the brush filaments.

According to the present invention, as seen from a first aspect, there is provided a rotary brush for a machine, the brush comprising a plurality bristles mounted on an annular carrier assembly, wherein said carrier assembly comprises at least two segments having complementary interlocking tooth ends adapted to cooperate with each other so as to form the annular carrier.

Preferably the annular carrier comprises four segments each adapted to cooperate with each other so as to form the annular carrier.

Preferably the annular carrier comprises at least one bristle retaining recess.

Preferably the recess comprises a series of apertures each aperture shaped to receive a plurality of bristles such that the bristles form a radially extending bristle ring.

Also according to the present invention, as seen from a second aspect, there is provided a rotary brush for machines comprising a plurality of bristles mounted on an annular carrier, wherein the carrier comprises a substantially flat base plate, said base plate having a first face and a second face, said bristles being mounted so as to protrude from said first face and said second face having a raised protrusion extending outwardly therefrom.

The raised protrusion is preferably an annular lip or an annular series of protrusions.

Also according to the present invention, as seen from a third aspect, there is provided a rotary brush for machines comprising an annular array of bristles mounted on a carrier arranged for rotation about a rotational axis, at least one spigot extending from the carrier, axially of the rotational axis and within the annulus formed by the brush bristles.

Also according to the present invention, as seen from a fourth aspect, there is provided a rotary brush for machines comprising a plurality of bristles mounted on a carrier, the carrier having at least one slot provided therein so as to allow mounting of said brush to a machine.

Preferably said annular carrier further comprises a centrally located disc.

Preferably said disc comprises a central aperture suitable for receiving a drive shaft of the machine.

Preferably the aperture is a circular hole.

Preferably the disc comprises further apertures suitabte for allowing secure location of the annular carrier to the machine.

Preferably said further apertures are provided with spring clips to provide the secure location to the shaft or drive means of the machine.

Preferably the additional apertures are at least partially keyhole shaped.

Preferably said annular carrier is manufactured from a flexible material Preferably the additional apertures are shaped so as to provide a push fit secure location on said shaft or drive means of the machine.

Preferably the disc portion of the annular carrier ring comprises one or more radially extending spigots.

The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of rotary brush in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of a carrier segment of the rotary brush of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a bottom view of the carrier segment of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an annular carrier of a further embodiment of rotary brush in accordance with the present invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a the drive ptate of a cleaning machine for con necting to the rotary brush of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a sectional view through a plurality of rotary brushes of the conventional kind invention, when stacked one on top of another, Figure 7 is a sectional view through a plurality of rotary brushes of the present invention, when stacked one on top of another; Figure 8 is a plan view of a carrier segment of a further embodiment of rotary brush in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 9 is a bottom view of the carrier segment of Figure 8.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a brush 10 comprising a plurality of radially and axially extending angled brush filaments 12 mounted on the under side of an annular carrier 14. The carrier 14 is in the form of a flat disc having a centrally located aperture 11. A raised annular lip 15 is provided on the upper side of the carrier 14 adjacent the periphery thereof.

The lip 15 defines an annular recess on the upper side of the carrier 14 for receiving the drive plate (not shown) of a rotary cleaning machine. The lip 15 thus helps to centralise the brush 10 and protects the side edge of the machine's drive plate from damage as the brush 10 rubs against walls and curbs.

The annular carrier 14 comprises by four interlocking arcuate quadrants 32 of identical construction. Each quadrant 32 is provided with a male projection 32a and a female receptacle 32b of a so-called jigsaw joint 34 at its respective opposite ends although any suitable joint could be employed.

The quadrants 32 are snap or push fitted together so as to form the annular carrier 14. The carrier 14 is conveniently manufactured from a polypropylene or other suitable material which is preferably resiliently flexible to allow for the push fit joints to be secure.

The segmented nature of the brush 10 allows for easy storage, which is particularly advantageous in the case of large diameter brushes, which are difficult to store in one piece. Furthermore, large brushes can be heavy and difficult to handle. Thus the use of segments reduces the weight and facilitates handling, particular when fitting the brush to a machine.

Preferably the male projections 32a of the joints 34 carry bristles, thereby avoiding any interruptions in the annular brush.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, keyhole-shaped slots 36 are formed in the central portion of each quadrant 32. These keyhole segments 36 are shaped so as to be capable of receiving correspondingly located shoulder pins (not shown) of a drive plate attached to the drive shaft (not shown). When the brush 10 is fitted to the machine, the shoulder pins are located in the keyhole slots 36 and the drive shaft is extends through the central aperture 11. The pins are then displaced radially outwardly into the constricted part of the slots 36, where they are captively retained.

Retaining springs 19 are disposed in the slots 36 for engaging the pins.

Referring to Figure 4 of the drawings, there is shown the carrier 23 of an alternative embodiment of brush. The under side of the carrier 23 comprises a series of circumferentially extending bristle channels 16,18. Each channel 16,18 is formed by pairs of inwardly and outwardly directed walls 24,26 and 28,30. The brush filaments (not shown) are located within the channels 16,18 via apertures drilled or otherwise formed within the outwardly directed walls 26, 30 or within the bases of the channels 16,18 themselves. The brush filaments are normally provided in twisted sections which form "tufts", each tuft is then located within the aforementioned apertures.

Once located in the channelsl6,18, the ends of the tufts located within the apertures are then stapled to the underside of the carrier 23. This fixing of the brush filaments to the carrier 23 is not shown in the Figure 2. The fixing of the brush filaments to the outwardly directed walls 26, 30 enables the brush filaments to extend axially of the carrier in a radially outward direction to form a cone shaped brush.

The carrier 23 comprises a central hub 20 provided with a plurality of circumferentially extending arcuate apertures 22 for receiving the correspondingly located pins 21 of a drive plate 25 attached to the drive shaft of the cleaning machine, as shown in Figure 5. Adjacent each aperture 22 is a spring 38, which is fixed to a spigot 40 slidingly located in a slot adjacent one end of the arcuate aperture 22.

A rotatable kidney-shaped locking key 42 is located adjacent to spigot 40 and adjacent to a cam 44. Rotation of the cam 44 in turn rotates the locking key 42 which then pushes the sliding spigot 42 push the spring 38 along the slot to engage around the locating pins 21 of the drive plate 25, so as to securely fix the brush to the machine drive shaft.

Referring to Figure 6 of the drawings, a disadvantage of conventional brushes having non-segmented carriers is that when the brushes 13 are stacked in a nested manner for storage or transportation, the carrier of one brush bears against the brush filaments on the adjacent brush causing deformation of the latter: this problem is exacerbated with time, especially for brushes towards the bottom of the stack, where the weight of the impending brushes is greater.

Now referring to Figure 7 of the drawings, in order to overcome this problem, in a further embodiment of the invention, the central hub 20 of the carrier 23 is provided with one or more axially extending pins 46 which engage into corresponding apertures 48 on an adjacent brush to separate the brushes stacked on top of one another. This advantageously alleviates the risk of damage to the brush filaments during storage.

The axially extending pins 46 may be detachable so that they can be removed prior to use of the brush. The pins 46 may extend in the same direction as or the opposite direction to the brush filaments.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings, there is shown another example of a locking arrangement for fixing the drive pins of the machine to the brush base plate 20. In this embodiment the locating apertures 50 are located in a circumferentially extending position within each segment and are also provided with the same spring 38. However in this case when the brush is to be fitted to the drive shaft of the machine the locating holes 50 of position over the locating pins of the drive shaft of the machine and then the segmented base plate is rotated so that the pins move within the end of the slot 50, 50a and thus are retained by the spring 38 in a secure location.

Advantageously the segmented arrangement of the base plate allows for better storage of the brushes which can also be easily fixed together and placed on the machine by an unskilled operator. Damage to the brush filaments is also minimised during storage.

Claims

1) A rotary brush for a machine, the brush comprising a plurality bristles mounted on an annular carrier assembly, wherein said carrier assembly comprises at least two segments having complementary interlocking tooth ends adapted to cooperate with each other so as to form the annular carrier.

2) A rotary brush as claimed in claim 1, in which the annular carrier assembly comprises four segments each adapted to cooperate with each other so as to form the assembly.

3) A rotary brush as claimed in claims 1 or 2, in which each segment comprises a projection and a recess at its respective opposite ends for engaging the complementary formation on an adjacent segment of the assembly.

4) A rotary brush as claimed in claim 3, in which bristles are extend from the projection of each segment.

5) A rotary brush as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the bristles extend from respective points on the carrier which are directed radially outwardly, such that the bristles form an annular array.

6) A rotary brush as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the carrier comprises a substantially flat base plate, said base plate having a first face and a second face, said bristles being mounted so as to protrude from said first face and said second face having a raised protrusion extending outwardly therefrom, 7) A rotary brush as claimed in claim 6, in which said raised protrusion is an annular lip.

8) A rotary brush as claimed in claim 6, in which said raised protrusion is an annular series of protrusions.

9) A rotary brush as claimed in claim 6, in which said raised protrusion extends adjacent the periphery of the carrier.

10)A rotary brush as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least one slot is provided in the carrier so as to allow mounting of said brush to a machine.

11)A rotary brush as claimed in claim 10, in which the slot extends from an aperture.

12)A rotary brush as claimed in c'aim 11, in which the slot extends radially outwardly of the carrier from said aperture.

13)A rotary brush as claimed in claim 11, in which the slot extends circumferentially of the carrier from said aperture.

14)A rotary brush as claimed in any of claims 10 to 13, in which means are provided in the slots for engaging the corresponding pins extending from the drive shaft of a cleaning machine.

15)A rotary brush as claimed in claim 14, in which said pin engaging means comprise spring clips.

16) A rotary brush for machines comprising a plurality of bristles mounted on a annular carrier, wherein the carrier comprises a substantially flat base plate, said base plate having a first face and a second face, said bristles being mounted so as to protrude from said first face and said second face having a raised protrusion extending outwardly therefrom.

17)A rotary brush as claimed in claim 16, in which said raised protrusion is an annular lip.

18)A rotary brush as claimed in claim 16, in which said raised protrusion is an annular series of protrusions.

19)A rotary brush as claimed in claim 16, in which said raised protrusion extends adjacent the periphery of the carrier.

20)A rotary brush as claimed in any of claims 16 to 19, in which at least one slot is provided in the carrier so as to allow mounting of said brush to a machine.

21)A rotary brush as claimed in claim 20, in which the slot extends from an aperture.

22)A rotary brush as claimed in claim 21, in which the slot extends radially outwardly of the carrier from said aperture.

23)A rotary brush as claimed in claim 21, in which the slot extends circumferentially of the carrier from said aperture.

24)A rotary brush as claimed in any of claims 20 to 23, in which means are provided in the slots for engaging the corresponding pins extending from the drive shaft of a cleaning machine.

25)A rotary brush as claimed in claim 24, in which said pin engaging means comprise spring clips.

26)A rotary brush as claimed in any of claims 16 to 25, in which at least one spigot extends from the carrier, axially of the rotational axis and within the annulus formed by the brush bristles.

27)A rotary brush for machines comprising an annular array of bristles mounted on a carrier arranged for rotation about a rotational axis, at least one spigot extending from the carrier, axially of the rotational axis and within the annulus formed by the brush bristles.

28) A rotary brush as claimed in claim 27, in which an aperture is provided in the carrier for receiving the spigot of an adjacent rotary brush when a plurality of brushes are stacked.

29)A rotary brush as claimed in claim 27, in which the spigot extends in the same axial direction as the bristles.

30)A rotary brush as claimed in claim 27, in which the spigot extends in the opposite axial direction to the bristles.

31)A rotary brush as claimed in any of claims 27 to 30, in which the spigot is detachable from the carrier.

32)A rotary brush as claimed in any of claims 27 to 30, in which the spigot is provided on a detachable portion of the carrier.

33) A rotary brush as claimed in any of claims 27 to 32, in which at least one slot is provided in the carrier so as to allow mounting of said brush to a machine.

34)A rotary brush as claimed in claim 33, in which the slot extends from an aperture.

35) A rotary brush as claimed in claim 34, in which the slot extends radially outwardly of the carrier from said aperture.

36)A rotary brush as claimed in claim 34, in which the slot extends circumferentially of the carrier from said aperture.

37)A rotary brush as claimed in any of claims 33 to 36, in which means are provided in the slots for engaging the corresponding pins extending from the drive shaft of a cleaning machine.

38)A rotary brush as claimed in claim 37, in which said pin engaging means comprise spring clips.

39)A rotary brush for machines comprising a plurality of bristles mounted on a carrier, the carrier having at least one slot provided therein so as to allow mounting of said brush to a machine.

40) A rotary brush as claimed in claim 39, in which the slot extends from an aperture.

41)A rotary brush as claimed in claim 40, in which the slot extends radially outwardly of the carrier from said aperture.

42)A rotary brush as claimed in claim 40, in which the slot extends circumferentially of the carrier from said aperture.

43)A rotary brush as claimed in any of claims 39 to 42, in which means are provided in the slots for engaging the corresponding pins extending from the drive shaft of a cleaning machine.

44)A rotary brush as claimed in claim 43, in which said pin engaging means comprise spring clips.

45)A rotary brush substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, Figures 4 and 5, Figure 7 or Figures 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.