GB874942A - A new or improved brushing, scraping, scouring or like unit - Google Patents

Abstract

874,942. Cleaning vehicles. HUMPHREYS & GLASGOW Ltd. Jan. 14, 1958 [Jan. 14, 1957], No. 1398/57. Class 138(1). A unit for use in brushing, scraping or scouring over an area in the form of a regular polygon or at least one corner thereof comprises an elongated element comprising, or for holding a brush, scraper or scourer, means for rotating the element about a first axis, the element extending with a radial component from the said axis, means for simultaneously rotating in the reverse direction the element and the first axis about a second axis extending in a direction parallel to the first and spaced therefrom to be concentric with the centre of the polygon, the rates of rotation about the two axes being so correlated that during rotation about the first axis through an angle equal to the angle at the centre of the polygon subtended by a line joining the mid-points of a pair of adjacent sides, rotation in the reverse direction about the second axis through 360 degrees minus the same angle occurs. By this correlation the element, while sweeping through the angular space between the said mid-points, is given, by rotation about the second axis, a bodily movement into and out of the corner between the said mid-points. The unit shown in the figure comprises a casing 21 fixed against rotation and supporting a driving shaft 22. A planet carrier 24 carries spindles 28 and 29, gears 30 and 31 on spindle 28 meshing with a fixed gear 34 and gear 35 respectively, gear 35 being carried by spindle 29 to the other end of which is attached the element 36. The axes of the spindles are set apart a distance a equal to half the difference between the distances of the said mid-points and of the corner of the polygon from the centre thereof. The element 36 has a tail 38 extending rearwardly and of sufficient length to sweep the central portion of the polygon. The unit may be used for sweeping a square area or, if it is given translational movement or if two or more units are mounted side by side, it may be used to sweep a rectangular area. The apparatus may be incorporated in a tippler for mine cars or the like, for sweeping the interior thereof, and is preferably arranged to operate when the cars are inverted, Figs. 9 and 10 (not shown). The unit may have more than one element for rotation about the first axis, there being one less element than the number of sides to be cleaned and the elements being spaced at equal angles about the first axis.