US1289809A

US1289809A - Street-sweeping machine.

Info

Publication number: US1289809A
Application number: US9837916A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bernard Kern
Original assignee: Bernard Kern
Current assignee: Harris Waste Management Group Inc
Priority date: 1916-05-18
Filing date: 1916-05-18
Publication date: 1918-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 1935-12-31

Description

B. KERN.

STBEET SWEEPING MACHINE APPLICATION FILED MAYI8. 191s.

Patented Dec. 31, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l- B. KERN.

STREET SWEEPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAYI8. I916.

Patented Dec. 31, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

O 9 I g y awwmto'c 75W 16m,

snares PATENT @FFTQE.

BERNARD KERN, OF SANDUSKY, OHIO.

STREET-SWEEPING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 31, 11918.

' Application filed May 18, 1916. Serial No. 98,379.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, BERNARD KERN, a citizen 'of the United States, residing at Sandusky, in the county of Erie and State of tion, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

Th1s inventlon relates to lmprovements in street sweeping machines, and more specifically to that type of sweeper adapted-to convey the dust or refuse by a volume of air leading from a point adjacent to the supporting surface to a suitable place of separation and deposit.

Usually, machines of the character stated employ a broom to loosen the dirt and cause the same to be raised from the street surface into the zone ofinfluence of the air intended to catch and carry the same, as stated. In machines of this class, however, it has been a problem for many years to provide instrumentalities capableof operating not only in the roadway or street proper, but also in the gutters of the streets, it being recognized that to treat accumulations in the gutters or near the street curbings a very accurate driving of the machine is required, constantly attended by the danger of impact between the machine and curb, and consequent breakage or impairing of the former. It has also been diflicult to provide a satisfactory means in the nature of a gutter treating extension from which the dust or dirt released from the gutter will be conveyed inwardly to the collecting or separating portions of the machine without creating objectionable conditions, arising from the dirt moving away from the machine or out of the collecting influence thereof.

With the foregoing matters in mind, the present inventioncontemplates the provision of pneumatic releasing and conveying means for gutter refuse, and also such means disposed to' project laterally beyond the wheel tracks or underframingof the vehi- .cle, but capable of yielding rearwardly of the line of travel of the vehicle when contacting with a curb or similar obstruction to prevent dama e.

The inventlon further contemplates the provision of an air conducting means of a form and arrangement capable of cooperating with separate dust releasing devices arranged to remove the' dust from the street,

Oneoperatingbeneath' the vehicle and the other in the gutter, said dust conducting means preferably including a mouth-piece disposed transversely of the vehicle and projecting laterally beyond one side thereof (being the gutter side), the terminal portion of said mouth-piece being flexibly connected to the remaining major portion thereof to permit the terminal portion to yield under contact with the curb orthe The invention further embraces means for releasing the dirt or dust from the street surface comprising a means for creating an air blast and a multitude of jet nozzlesin communication therewith adapted to be discharged at points adjacent to the street surface, and preferably-the outermost nozzles being directed toward the curb, while the greater number thereof are directed toward the vehicle,the former for the purpose of disturbing the dust in the corner constituted by the curb and adjoining street surface, and the latter to disturb the dust on the outwardly extending surface of the gutter and to-draw and force the dust toward the body of the vehicle and toward the air collecting and conveying means in rear and laterally of said jetdevice beneath the vehicle.

' The preferred embodiment of the invention also presents many improved details in construction and arrangement of parts, but these will be clear from the specific description hereinafter contained, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof and wherein said embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an end view of enough of a street sweeper machine utilizing the present improvements to show the location, construction and operation of the latter;

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the-same;

Fig. 3 is a top view;

Fig. 4 is a front view;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the air jettin device, as shown in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 1s a vertical sectional view of the mouth-piece extension as shown in Fig. 4.

Referring more specifically to the drawings. wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views, A represents a revoluble broom adapted to engage the street surface to release the dust and dirt from said surface and throw the same into the range of influence of the mouth-piece B, of an air conductor Q, leading to a fan D, having an outlet E, adapted to lead to any suitable separator or place of deposit, not necessary to be herein described. 'The brush A may berevolved by any suitable means .provided for that purpose and the same is held in adjustable relation to the mouth-piece by a screw rod support 0; having an eye a at its lower end fitting between ears a depending from an inverted 'U-shaped bracket a adapted to embrace the top and side walls of the mouthpiece B and "be riveted thereto, the eye a of the screw-rod support being hinged to the ears by a pivotal pintle a passing therethrough (Fig. 2), this pintle being in the nature of a horizontal extension on a metal upright or post oflset rearwardly, as at w, and thence extended vertically, as at a", to

- constitute a hinge post, as will later appear the upper end of the post being held against displacement by a brace 11', sleeved thereover and secured to the bracket (1 as at a F is a fixed stop or rest on the hinge post a from which the air jet device for jetting or disturbing the dust in the gutter, generally indicated at G, is supported. This jet device comprises a fan g, suitable mounted at any convenient point beneath the vehicle adapted to supply an air'blast to a flexible conduit connection 9, leading to an el-bowed end of an upright metal feed pipe 9 clamped in hinge arms 9 and g, embracing the same, and having their outer ends sleeved for swinging movement upon the hinge post a. The feed pipe 9 has an integral flange or collar 9 from which a hanger g detachably secured to the hinge arm 9 fits to help maintain the jet device from slipping downwardly through the hinge arms. By-having the pair of hinge arms in approximately the same vertical lane, any tendency of the jet device to tilt aterally in any direction is overcome.

The supply pipe 9 is connected at its lower end to an upwardly opening nipple member 9, having a multitude of nipples 9, depending from the lower flat surface thereof, (Fig. 5), such nipples being detacha'bly engaged by the upper ends of a similar number of flexible tubes g of rubber or similar hose material, the lower ends of the tubes carrying metal tips or nozzles G" detachably interfitted therewith and adapted not only to emit a fine strong jet of air against the surface being treated, but protecting the ends of the rubber tubes against wear incident to accidental contact with the street surface or obstructions thereon.

Preferably, the two outermost series of jetnozzles (each series conveniently containing three nozzles) are shaped to cause curb and street surface, whereas all of theother jet nozzles are formed to project their jets downwardly and inwardly in the general direction of the body of the machine, thereby to create a strong draft away from the curb and to exert a tendency to throw the refuse beneath the machine and toward the broom A in advance of which the jet device operates. Owing to the flexible connection g and the hinging of the jet device on the post a, it will be understood that the jet device may swing on the hinge post, as will be hereinafter more definitely set forth.

The mouth-piece B is of an elongated character, terminating at its outer end at a point adjacent to the corresponding end of the broom A, but at its inner end projecting a substantial distance beyond the broom so as to occupy a position in advance of the gutter air jet device above described, the

. mouth-piece nozzle having its receiving inlet inclining somewhat inwardly in the direction of the broom and jet device to be efthroughout, the same as the area of the cylindrical conducting pipe C, and an item of importance to be here emphasized is that the angle .of inclination of the top walls I) of the mouth-piece is preserved throughout the length of said top wall, that is, the top wall must be continuous and straight from the end thereof adjacent the end of the jet device up to the point the top wall merges into the cylindrical or trunk portion C. Experience has demonstrated that having difierent portions ofthe' side top wall at varying angles, as for instance by changing I the angle at the juncture of the top wall of the mouth-piece with the top wall of the jet thereof will cause an imperfect dust conveying action by the air passing upwardly through the mouth-piece.

The extension of the mouth-piece represented in general at H, has a front wall 71. and rear wall h of metal similar to the metal body of the mouth-piece, these walls being pivoted to the adjacent walls of the mouth-piece by vertically disposed hinges 71. h, out of alinement, as shown in Fig. 3, to prevent complete closing of the-walls h and h in flat relation to each other when swung on the hinges, .as hereinafter brought out, and temporarily obstruct the air supply. The top of the extension, as distinguished from the metal top of the body of the mouth-piece is formed of flexible material, such as canvas J, the upper end of the I canvas strip belng secured to the top wall of the body of the mouth-piece by a suitable clamp j, the front edge thereof being fastened to the forward upper edge of the wall 72., as at 7', and the rear edge being mounted for longitudinal sliding movement on the upper edge of the wall it this being accomplished by crimping a metal binding 7' to the edge of the canvas and continuing the binding upwardly and around the top of the wall it, so as to be supported on the latter, the parts being held in position while permitting the slidlng movement referred to, by a pin and slot engagement y' all as will be readily understood from an examination of Fig. 6.

The metal binding jterminates short of the upper edge .of the top wall J to provide a flexible hinge part 7' adapted to buckle as the mouth extension swings on its hinges in a rearward direction and when the rear edge of the canvas top J rides upon the top edge'of the wall k. j

Normally the front and rear walls of the mouth extension H are spaced apart by a link K and the jet device and mouth extension are similarly spaced apart by a link connection L, the latter or both of these link connections possessing means enabling lengthwise adjustment if desired.

The extreme outer end of the canvas top J extends outwardly somewhat beyond the metal side walls to constitute a flexible toe piece M adapted to yieldably receive the thrust incident to contact with a curb and secured by an angle bracket m to this toepiece and cooperating therewith is the adjacent end of a verticallydisposed apron N extending across the lower face of the mouth-piece at the front thereof and downwardly from the mouth-piece to come-into close proximity or contact at its lower end with the street sunfa ce to prevent the brushthrowing the "dust or other accumulations under the mouth-piece. This apron N may be made in suitable length either continuous or, as preferable, inoverlapping sections, (Fig. 4), the same being formed of flexible material such as leather orrubber having a reinforcing .strip n secured" to the upper edge of the same and carrying bolts n having suitable clamping nuts enabling the apron'to be adjusted, and lowered to allow for wear, in the vertical. slotted portions 0 of brackets O secured at theirupper ofiset inner ends 0 to. the front wall of the body of the mouth-piece and front wall-of the mouth-piece extension; Conveniently the reinforcing strip n. is omitted in that portion of the apron represented at n to permit,the-.hinging of the mouth-piece extension, the adjacent edges n of the. sectional apron overlapping at this point to permit of the necessary freedom of movement under the swinging or hinging action.

Of course it is simply necessary, or I might say usually necessary to allow for the swinging movement of the mouth-piece extension and cooperating jet nozzle dev1ce only in a direction rearwardly of the travel of the machine, and some means must be provided for normally maintaining the parts in alinement and for restoring the mouth-piece extension to alined position,

. while preserving its appropriate relation to the jet nozzle device after the same has been deflected by accidental engagement with the curb, and to this end I mount upon the front metal wall of the extension a hook P, having an end shank secured at its outer end, as indicated at p, but free at its inner end to bridge the hinge line of the extension and to contact with the front face of the body of the mouth-piece under the drawing action of a spring Q fastened at one end to the hook P, and at its other end to any convenient part of the body of the mouth-piece, for example around one of the bolts n beneath the clampin nut carried by the latter. When the mout -piece extension is swung rearwardly the hook P carried thereby will move forwardly away from the face of the body of the mouthpiece, correspondingly expanding the spring Q and as soon as the obstruction is passed or avoided the contraction of the spring will .pull the hook back into normal position mouth-piece of a length to be commonto' both said main brush and gutter device and having a similarly yieldable section, and means for. normally holding ,the yieldable parts in their extended positions.

2. In a street'sweeper, the combination with a main brush, of means for releasing accumulations in a gutter projected laterally beyond said main brush, and pneumatic collecting means having a mouth-piece of a length tobe common to both said main brush and gutter device, the mouth-piece having inclined. top portions leading'to a trunk and extending from one end of the brush to said trunk and from the end of the gutter device to said trunk. r

3. In a street sweeping machine, the com bination with a main brush, of an auxiliary device for releasing gutter accumulations,-

and pneumatic collecting means having a mouth-piece of a length to be common to both said brush and gutter device, said mouth-piece leading to' a trunk portion and having a top wall inclining in a straight line from the trunk to the outer end of the gutter device.

4. In a street sweeping machine, the combination of main collecting means including a pneumatic conductor having an elongated mouth-piece disposed transversely of the machine, of a yieldable gutter extension projecting laterally from said mouth-piece, means for normally holding the yieldable gutter extension of the mouth-piece in its extended position, and means for disturbing gutter accumulations operatively related to said mouth-piece extension.

5. In a street sweeping machine, the combination of main collecting means including a pneumatic conductor having an elongated mouth-piece disposed transversely of the machine, of a gutter extension projecting laterally from said mouth-piece, means for disturbing gutter accumulations operatively related to said mouth-piece extension, and means for pivotally mounting the mouthpiece extension and said last mentioned gutter device to permit them to give rearwardly upon meeting an obstruction.

6. In a street sweeping machine, the combination of main collecting means including a pneumatic conductor having an elongated mou-thpiece disposed transversely of the machine, of a gutter extension projecting laterally from said mouth-piece, means for disturbing gutter accumulations operatively related to said mouth-piece extension, means for. pivotally mounting the mouth-piece extension and said last mentioned gutter device to permit them to give rearwardly upon meeting an obstruction, and means for restoring the parts to normal position when the obstruction is passed.

7. In a street sweeping machine, pneumatic collecting means including an elongated mouth-piece arranged transversely of the machine and having a yieldable gutter extension projected laterally beyond the side of the machine, and means for normally holding the yieldable gutter extension in its extended position, substantially as described.

8. In a street sweeping machine, pneumatic collecting means including an elongated mouth-piece arranged transversely of the machine and having a gutter extension projected laterally beyond the side of the machine, and means for pivotally connecting the body of the mouth-piece with its gutter extension to permit the same to yield when meeting with obstructions.

9. In a street sweeping machine, pneumatic collecting means including an elongated mouth-piece arranged transversely of the machine and having a gutter extension projected laterally beyond the side of the machine, means for pivotally connecting the body of the mouth-piece with its gutter extension to permit the same to yield when meeting with obstructions, and means for normally maintaining and restoring the mouthpiece extension into alined position With the body of the mouth-piece.

10. In a street sweeping machine, pneumatic collecting means including an elongated mouth-piece disposed transversely of the machine and having a gutter extension projected laterally beyond the machine, means for pivotally mounting the extension and for normally maintaining the same in alined position with the body of the mouthpiece ovhile permitting the same to yield in meeting'obstruction, said gutter extension comprising front and rear walls pivoted to the corresponding walls of the body of the mouth-piece, and a top portion having a flexible part to permit the swinging movement.

11. In a street sweeping machine, pneumatic collecting means including an elongated mouth-piece disposed transversely of the machine and having a gutter extension projected laterally beyond themachine, means for pivotally mounting the extension and for normally maintaining the same in alined position with the body of the mouthpiece while permitting the'same to yield in meeting obstruction, said gutter extension comprising front and rear walls pivoted to the corresponding walls of the body of the mouth-piece, and a top portion having a flexible part to permit the swinging movement, said top part being fixed at one edge to the adjacent wall of the extension and slidably attached at its opposite edge to the other wall of the extension.

12. In a street sweeping machine, pneumatic collecting means including an elongated mouth-piece disposed transversely of the machine and having a gutter extension projected laterally beyond the machine, means for pivotally mounting the extension and for normally maintaining the same in alined position with the body of the mouthpiece while permitting the same to yield in meeting obstruction, saidgutter extension comprising front and rear walls pivoted to the corresponding walls of the body of the mouth-piece, and a top portion having a flexible part to permit the swinging movement, the flexible top extending downwardly to constitute an independently yieldable toepiece.

13. In a street sweeping machine, pneumatic collecting means including an elongated mouth-piece disposed transversely of the machine and having a gutter extension projected laterally beyond the machine, means for pivotally mounting the extension and for normally maintaining the same in alined position with the body of the mouthpiece while permitting the same to yield in meeting obstruction, said gutter extension comprising front and rear walls pivoted to messes the corresponding walls of the body of the. mouth-piece, a top portion having a flexible part to permit the swinging movement, the flexible top extending downwardly to constitute an lndependently yieldable toe-piece, and a flexible apron depending from the front of the extension and-secured to said toe-piece.

14. In a street sweeping machine, pneumatic collecting means including an elongated mouth-piece disposed transversely of the machine and having a tter extension projected laterally beyon the machine, means for pivotally mounting the extension and for normally maintaining the same in alined position with the body of the mouthpiece while permitting the same to yield in meeting obstruction, said gutter extension comprising front and I631 walls pivoted to the corresponding walls of the body of the mouth-piece, a top portion having a flexible part to permit the swinging movement, the flexible top extending downwardly to constitute an independently yieldable toe-piece, the slidable connection being constituted by a binding aflixed to the edge-of the mouthpiece formed to ride upon the top edge of the adjacent wall of the extension, and a movable connection between said wall and said binding to hold the top against displacement relative to saidwall. 15. In a street sweeping machine, pneumatic collecting means including an elongated mouth-piece having a gutter extension projecting laterally of the machine, means for ivoting the gutter extension to the body of t e mouth-piece, means for maintaining the gutter extension in alinement with the mouth-piece while permitting the same to yield under obstruction, the extension comprising front and rear walls, and a flexible top part; v

16. In a street sweeping machine, pneumatic collecting means including an elongated mouth-piece having a gutter extension projecting laterally of the machine, means for ivoting the gutter extension to the body of t e mouth-piece, means for maintaining the gutter extension alinement with the mouth-piecewhile permitting the same to yield under obstruction, the extension comprising front and rear walls and a flexible top part, and the pivotal connectlons for the front and rear walls being out of alinement, substantially as described.

17. In a street sweeping machine, pneumaticcollecting means including'an elongated mouth-piece having a gutter extension projecting laterally of themachine, means for pivoting the gutter extension to the body of the mouth-piece, means for maintaining the gutter extension in alinement with the mouth-piece while permitting the same to' yield under obstruction, the extension comprising front and rear walls and a flexible gutter device.

top part the pivotal connections for the front and rear walls being out of alinement, and a link connection between the front and rear Walls.

18. A street sweeping machine'com-prising pneumatic collecting means includmg an elongated mouth-piece disposed transversely of the machine having agutter extension projected outwardly from the machine and mounted to swing when meeting obstruction, a device fOr disturbing the gutter accumu-- lations mounted to swing with the -mouthpiece extension, and a link connection be tween the mouth-piece extension and the said 19. A street sweeping machine comprising pneumatic collecting means including an elongated mouth-piece disposed transversely of the machine having a gutter extension projected outwardly from the machine and mounted to swing when meeting obstruction, a device for disturbin .thegutter accumulations mounted to swmg with the mouthpiece extension, and a link connection between the mouth-piece extension and the said gutter device, the mouth-piece extension comprising hinged front and rear walls united by a flexible top, and a link bridging said front and rear walls. v

20. In a street sweeping machine,'t'he combination with a main brush and pneumatic collecting means including an elongated nozzle, an adjustable connecting device for spacing the nozzle from the main brush, and a coupling uniting the adjusting device to 100 the mouth-piece including a hinge post having an extension, and a gutter attachment mounted to swing'on said post.

21. In a street sweeping machine, the combination with a main brush and pneumatic collecting means including an elongated nozzle, an. adjustable connecting device'for spacing the nozzle from the main brush, a coupling uniting the adjusting device to the mouth-piece including a hinge posthaving an extension, and a gutter attachment mounted to swing on said post, said coupling also including a bracket secured to themouthpiece having a brace extending from the upper ontion thereof to stay the upper end of 115 the 'nge post.

22. In a street sweeping machine, pneumatic collecting means including an elongated mouth-piece, means for throwing the street accumulations toward said moutlipiece, and an apron depending from that Wall of the mouth-piece remotely related to said throwing means, said apron being formed of flexible material, and means for piece and an apron depending from that wall of the mouth-piece remotely related to said throwing means, said apron being fluence of the pneumatic conducting means,

and a sectional apron depending from that wall of the mouth-piece remotelyrelated to said instrumentali-ties, the sections of the apron overlapping and permitting a freedom .I of movement therebetween at the line of swinging movement of the gutter extension.

25. In a street sweep-ing'machine, pneumatic collecting means including an elongated nozzle having a gutter extension projected laterally of the machine and mounted to swing with reference to the body of the nozzle upon meeting obstruction, and means for normally maintaining and for restoring the 'body and gutter extension of the-mouthpiece in alinement comprising a projecting part of the extension ada ted to normally contact part'of the body 0 the mouth-piece but to move away therefrom upon swinging of the gutter extension, and a spring secured at one end to said projection and at its other end to a part of the body of the mouthpiece to pull the projection and therethrough the gutter extension tion.

26. Inv a street sweeping machine, pneumatic collecting means including an elongated mouh-piece having a gutter extension projected laterally of the machine and mounted to swing with reference to the body of the mouth-piece upon meeting obstruction, means for restoring the gutter extension to normal position when passing the obstruction including a spring operatively associated with the body of the mouth-piece and its extension and abutting portions between the latter to limit theaction of the spring.

27. In a street sweeping machine, the combination with means for releasing the street accumulations and other means for collecting the same, means for mounting both of said means to swing in a plane approximately parallel to the street surface while maintaining operative association therewith, and means for normally holding the releasing and collecting means in extended pos1- back to normal position for permitting them to yield on meet ing obstructions.

28. In a street sweeping machine, means for releasing the street accumulations, pneumatic collecting means operatively associated therewith in combination with means for mounting said releasing and collecting means to permit the same to swing in a plane approximately parallel to the street surface, and means for normally holding the releasing and collecting means in extended position for permitting them to yield on meeting obstructions.

'29. In a street sweeping machine, releasing means for the street accumulations comprising a plurality of jet nozzles, and pneumatic collecting means opcratively associated therewith, in combination with means for mounting said releasing and collecting means for swingin movement in a plane approximately paral el to the street surface.

30. In a. street sweeping machine, releas-- ing means for the street accumulations comprlsing a, blower, and a multitude of air jet devices disposed to discharge upon the street surface, some of said air jet devices projecting outwardly in one direction while the others project in the opposite direction, substantially as described.

31. In a street sweepmg machine, releasing means for the street accumulations comprlsin a blower, a multitude of air jet devices isposed to discharge upon the street surface, collecting means adjacent to said air jet devices to carry off the released accumulations, and means for projecting the releasing and collecting means laterally beyond the body of the machine to operate in a gutter and permittin lateral yielding thereof on contact with t e curbing.

32. In a street sweeping machine, the combination with pneumatic collecting means, of means for releasing street accumulations operativ'ely associated with said collecting means, means for mounting said releasing and collecting means ,to adapt them for op eration in a gutter, and means for normally tion and restoring the device to normal position upon passing the obstruction.

3 f. In astreet sweeping machine, the combination with pneumatic collecting means, of means for releasinostreet accumulations operatively associated with said collecting means, and means for mounting said release naeaeoe ing and collecting means to adapt them for I operation in a gutter, said releasing means comprising means for discharging a multitude of jets of air onto the street surface with some of the jets directed toward the curb and others directed away from the curb.

36. In a street sweeping machine, a main brush, pneumatic collecting means associated therewith including an elongated mouth-piece disposed transversely of the machine, and a gutter attachment including a pneumatic collecting extension, and means associated therewith for releasing the gutter accumulations including a multi-air jet device adapted to discharge upon the street toward the curb and the other jets toward the body of the machine.

37 In a street sweeping machine, a main brush, pneumatic collecting means associated therewith including an elongated mouthpiece disposed transversely of the machine, a gutter attachment including a pneumatic collecting extension, means associated therewith for releasing the gutter accumulations including a multi-air jet device adapted to discharge upon the street. surface, the outermost jets being directed toward the curb and the other jets toward the body of the machine, and instrumentalities for pivotally mounting the gutter attachment to permit the same to swing upon meeting obstruction and to restore the same when the obstruction is passed.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

, BERNARD KERN. Witnesses:

L. N. WERNER, LEWIS A. Brain.