US2558623A - Side broom assembly and drive - Google Patents

Description

June 26, 1951 w, TT 2,558,623

SIDE BROOM ASSEMBLY AND DRIVE I Filed July 31, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Iii .ZHz EUTUF CAkL W Morr June 26, 1951 c, w, -r 2,558,623-

SIDE BROOM ASSEMBLY AND DRIVE Filed July 31, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 CARL W Mor C. W. MOTT SIDE BROOM ASSEMBLY AND DRIVE June 26, 1951 2,558,623

Filed July 31, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 June26, 1951 c. w. MOTT SIDE BROOM ASSEMBLY AND DRIVE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 51, 1946 l I I l l I l I I I I l l I ZUVEHTQP CARL W Morr m w w Y 2. 0 mo Pi 6H v L|| in 21 F +5? l Patented June 26, 1951 SIDE BROOM ASSEMBLY AND DRIVE Carl W. Mott, La. Grange Park, Ill., assignor to Elgin Sweeper Company, Elgin, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application July 31, 1946, Serial No. 687,460

Claims.

. 1 This invention relates to improvements in power driven street sweeping brooms and more particularly this invention relates to improvements in brooms adapted to operate at the side of a sweeping machine for sweeping out the gutters and in the means of driving such side brooms.

In street sweeping machines it is customary to employ an auxiliary side broom to sweep out the gutters. This is chiefly due to the fact that the gutters are usually inclined at an angle to the adjacent surface of the street. The main broom which sweeps the street surface is not adapted to dig into the gutter and remove dirt and debris. Therefore a side broom the working surface of which may be inclined to correspond to the angle I of the gutter is employed for this purpose.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a power driven broom which may be quickly and accurately adjusted for sweeping various shapes of gutters.

It is another object of this invention to provide improved means for lifting the side broom out of contact with the street when it is not sweeping.

It is a further object of this invention to provide improved means for driving a side broom.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide drive means for a side broom wherein the side broom drive may be disconnected from the main drive when it is desired to move the vehicle without operating the side broom as for instance when going to and from the scene of operations.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a side broom assembly which may be dismounted as a unit from the sweeping machine thereby permitting adjustment and alignment of all moving parts prior to installation.

Another and still further object of this invention is to provide a drive means for a side broom in which the mechanism is simple in construction, protected from dirt and dust and is readily accessible for maintenance work.

A further object of this invention is to provide improved means of adjusting the operating height of side brooms to compensate for wear on the bristles.

Another object of this invention is to provide an enclosing housing about the driving mechanism which will maintain its dirt resisting seal no matter at what angle the broom is adjusted.

According to the general features of the invention a side broom, adapted to be placed in contact with a surface to be swept, is mounted for rotation about a-substanially vertical shaft, which 2 is driven through'bevel gears from the main power transmission mechanism of the sweeping machine. e A feature of this invention is the provision of a V-shaped'member which is attached at its apex to a lift-yoke about the lower portion of the broom assembly and which is adjustably secured near the end of each arm to a rigid frame'mem ber, whereby the side broom drive'shaft may be selectively "adjusted in directions both laterally and rearwardly of the machine.

Another feature of this invention is the pro-' vision of a bellcrank assembly pivoted on a frame member, and connected at one end to a remotely controlled hydraulically actuated cylinder by means of which the broom may be lifted off the ground when not in use.- In accordance with another feature of thein-: vention there is provided a completely enclosed drive mechanism into which is incorporated a slide clutch for disconnecting the side broom' drive mechanism from the main drive of the sweepin machine when it is-desired to operate the machine without operating the broom.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description of the annexed sheets of drawings.

On the drawings:

Figure l is a more or less side elevational view of a street sweepin machine embodying the features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary front view partially in section and partially broken away, of the side broom assembly and the broom drive mechanism and mounting therefor.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view, partially in section of the structural framework at the front end of the vehicle showing the method 'of supportnig the side broom adjusting bars and the hydraulically operated lift cylinder.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary front elevational view, partially in section and partly broken away, taken substantially on line IVIV of Figure 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line V- V of Figure 2 looking in the direction indicated by.

the arrows.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view takenon line VI-VI of Figure 3 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line VIIVII of Figure 3 looking in the .direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken 3 on line VIII--VIII of Figure 3 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line IX-IX of Figure 4.

A side broom assembly and drive embodying the features of the present invention is especially adapted for use on a self-propelling small size or baby?1 street sweeping machine, on the order of that disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 646,525 filed February 9, 19% and which issued April 25, 1950 as U. S. Patent No. 2,505,199.

Such a sweeping machine may comprise a front or engine section [I] and a 'rear'orsweepingisection H with a cooperatively intervening operators cab [2. Supporting the front power section I is a framework or chassis-comprising structural member I3 which may also support the operators cab and afforcia structural connection with the rear sweeping section II of the machine. Mobility of themachine is afforded by apair of rear -dr'ivingwheels supporting the sweeping section II and driven in a suitable manner as by means 'of a chain-and sprocket drive I5 from a power transm'ission system 16' which is prefera'bly located in'theoperators cab-f2. "The front ofthemachine is 'supp'orted by a steerable wheel I lzfiwhich isimo'unted under thechassis l 3. 7 'i'Thesweeping section H is preferably constructed principally'ifrom sheet metal, including side plates l8 secured to atop plate (not'shown) to form a substantiallyinverted -U -shaned housing. '1 This housing may be supported by fastenings at its forward end to -the structural memhers and to the transmission housing. At

itsrearward end thehousingmay be su ported by suitable bearing sleeves secured to the rear axle-1'9. A-s plash guard andclosure platestructurelfl at each "side 0f thesweeping section l l encloses-'fthe drive wheels and the operatingmechanism of the machine.

Mounted for' operation partially 'between' the forwardportions of the rear wheels l'4 on an axis parallel to rear axle l9 and accessible through x-appropriate removable sections "(not shown) of the outer closure plate structure andt-openings-in' the innerside plate IB'is a main swee broom" 22 of "the rotary cylindrical type. The broom 22 may embody any "preferred construction "and comprises radial bristles, mounted about a-suita'ble core supported by an axle shaft 23. "'Shaft23 may be 'mounted in a suitable fashion parallel to the axle l9 upon the rear ends of supporting arms 24 pivotally' connected'at their forward ends adjacent the bottom of cab l2. Main sweeping broom-22 may be driven through a chain and sprocket drive 25 from the power transmission l 6. For a more detailed'descri'ption of the construction and operation of the main broom assembly reference may be had to my=copending applicationSerial No. 667,070, filed May 3, '1946.

-Disposed in front of the main broom 22 and extending transversely across the machine. is Bi'dllt bucket 26 which is, adapted to .receivethe sweepings. from .the main broom22 as .the broom revolves in a counterclockwise direction. This dirt bucket is atleast as wide as the main broom 22. ."Ifhebucket 26 is supportedo-n arms-.21 which are over the space occupied. by the-main broom 22. and are. pivotallymounted unsuitable brackets 2a secured .totherear axle 19.

In the operation of the.mach-ine,=thearms-ll are; swung :up periodically .to dump :the con- 4 l tents of the bucket '26 into a dirt box 28 which is disposed inside the sweeper housing.

For a more detailed description of the construction and operation of the dirt bucket 26, reference may be had to my copending application Serial No. 680,041 filed June 28, 1946.

According to the present invention an auxiliary side broom assembly 30 is mounted at one side "of the operators cab I2. The function of this side broom is to dig dirt out of the gutter and sweep it outwardly under the machine and againstrthe dirt board 3|. The dirt board 3! prevents the dirt from being thrown clear of the "-"machine'o-n the far side and directs it into the path of the .oncoming main broom 22 which sweeps "it up into the dirt bucket.

:.As1sho,wn inFfigure 2 the housing for the mechanismfor driving the side broom 3!] comprises a ma'i'mdrive shaft housing 32, a gear housing 33, an upper side broom drive shaft housing 34 and a lower side broom' drivershaft housing .35, fall suitably connected :by overlappingtflangesvand held together as by capscrews. The main drive shaft housing '32' 'comprises an elongated tube adapted atTitSJinIIer rend '361to telescope over a cylindrical arm 3T'which projects outwardly from the transmission housing I6a. An oil retainer ring 382is= positioned .in a :recess' in end 3 6 around arm." 31 .to preventescape of lubricating oil .at this point; Onthe upper side of the 'housing- 32' aniopening isprovided for a coupling'leverassembly 39 the function of which will bedescribed hereinafter. 'At-its outer end a recess 32a "is formedinathefhousing 321to receive a ball bearing member 40. A-fiange -32b-.on the .housing 3211s adapted .to receive .therearound the inner end or thehousingw33 which is'connected to the housing- 32 byxa plurality of capscrews 44.

:In order-toiprovide easy access :to the mechanism at thisend of the drive shaft, an opening 33a is provided in the upper surface-of'the gear housing 33 over-which a removable'plateii is secured by capscrews 46. 'An aperture 33b in theilowersurface of the housing 33 communicates with an opening 41 in a main broom drive gear housingdii. The hOlISil'ig 48 -i-s-secured to the underside of the housing 33 by capscrews 49. A countershaft 50, journalled in the housing 48, is driven by means of a gear 5| keyed thereon and carries at its outer end -a drive sprocket Elabymeans of-which the main sweeper broom 22 is rotated. To provide a bearing surface for the upper end 24a of the main broom supportarm 24,.a-ishoulder 48azhas been formed -in housing 48:. .The housing. 48 is secured at "its lower end securedto the housing 33 by a pluralityof'capscrews 56.

The upper side of broom drive shaft housing 34 comprises an upper fr-ustc conical section 34b and a lower substantially semi-spherical section 340 connected by a cylindrical section 34d. An openinginthe uppersection'34b is adapted to receive a ball bearing member 51. Extending outwardly from the spherical surface of section- 340 is an arm-34f which is secured to the gear housing 48 by capscrews-My.

provide a universally pivotal cap which permits the swingin of the housing to conform to the angular adjustments of the drive shaft without destroying its dirt-resisting seal. Any convenient number of clamps 58 suitably disposed on the flange 35b may be used. I have found that two clamps positioned substantially opposite each other to be a satisfactory arrangement. The

clamps 58, bearing at their upper ends on thehousing 3411 provide a support means for member 35a and for a tubular guard member 62 which depends from the flange 3511 by means of the capscrews 59. A lower tubular shaft shield 63 is adapted to telescope inside the shield 62. At its lower end the shaft shield 63 abuts an adapter plate 64 and is held thereon by a plurality of spring clips 65 which snap into a groove 63a onthe inside surface of the shield 63. Clips 65 are fastened to an adapter plate 64 by capscrews 66.,

As illustrated in Figure 2 the broom assembly 38 comprises downwardly extending bristles 18 which are secured in holes in a broom head H by taking double length bristles, bending them into U-shaped and forcin each end through ad-. jacent holes in the broom head. The broom head 1| is secured to a broom top plate 12 by'a plurality of bolts 1| a.

For driving purposes the broom top plate 12 is secured to a flange 13a of a broom drive member 13 by means of the capscrews 14. A square central aperture 15 disposed parallel to the cen-' tral axis of the broom 38 is provided in member This aperture 15 is adapted to receive the.

13. square shank of a drive shaft 16. The use of a square drive shaft permits the broom to be driven by the shaft and still allows the broom to slide up and down relative to the shaft.

In order to permit angular adjustment of the broom, the drive shaft 16, which is centrally disposed in relation to the shaft shields 62 and 63, is keyed at 16a to one leg ofa universal coupling 11 for rotation therewith. The shaft 16 is secured to the coupling by a nut 18. The other leg of coupling 11 is keyed at 11a to an upper drive shaft 88 for rotation therewith and is secured thereto by a nut 8|. 1

To maintain its vertical alignment upper drive shaft 88, rotating inside the housing 34, is journalled in a sleeve 82 secured in section 34d. An oil seal 83 is disposed about the shaft 88 just below the sleeve 82. Near its upper end shaft 88 is also journalled in ball bearing member 51 positioned in a recess in the upper surface of the housing 34. Keyed to the upper shaft 88 for rotation therewith is a bevel gear 84 which is held against endwise movement by a locknut 85.

Rotation is imparted to bevel gear 84 due to it gear 88 which is adapted to drive the gear 5| and.

6 1 thereby to drive the sprocket 52 as previously described. Spacer tubes 89 and 8911 are disposed between the gear 88 and the bearings 48 and 48a. Movement of the shaft 81 toward the left is prevented by a locknut 98 threaded on the shaft 81 abutting the bearing 48.

At its inner end shaft 81 has a splined connection on which a coupling 9| is adapted to slide. A second spline shaft 92 protrudes outwardly from transmission housing I6a and is adapted to receive the tongue members 93 of coupling 9| (Figure 5) as the coupling is slid inwardly over the shaft 92. The sliding member 9Ia of coupling 9| is moved back and forth on the splined part of the shaft 81 by means of a manually operated lever 39a of lever assembly 39.

' In the position shown in Figure 2 the coupling; has been slid into engagement with the spline shaft 92 thereby causing the shaft 81 to rotate with shaft 92. If it is desired to disconnect these shafts, the lever 39a is swung about a vertical shaft 391) to which it is pinned. This will cause an end member 390 tobe rotated through an are due to the fact that it is secured to a vertical shaft 391) by a radius arm 39d. Member 390 projects downwardly into an annular groove 9| 1) in the sliding member 9Ia. As the end member 390 is moved to the left in an arcuate path it causes the sliding member 9la to be moved to the left out of engagement with the spline shaft 92. The vertical shaft 39?) is disposed off center laterally in relation to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 81, as shown in Figure 5, in order that the arcuate path of the end member 390 will approximate travel along the axis of the shaft 81 thus eliminating the possibility of being swung out of con-' tact with the groove SI?) of sliding member 9Ia.

Thus it is seen that the broom assembly 38 is mounted to be driven from the main transmission of the sweeping machine by means of a bevel gear drive, having a sliding coupling member for disconnecting the drive and a universal joint for permitting the broom to be positioned at various angles.

When the side broom is not being used it is desirable that it be lifted out of contact with the street. In the present invention thi is accomplished as illustrated in Figure 4, by means of a hydraulically operated cylinder 93 which is pivotally connected at one end to a bracket 94 attached to a frame member I3. At the other end hydraulic fluid is admitted to the cylinder at the inlet 93a. Adjacent the inlet 93a. a piston rod 93b extends outwardly to b pivotally connected through a pin 95 to a bellcrank 96. Said bellcrank 96 is pivoted by the pin 91 in a pair of hinge bars 98 which depend downwardly from a mounting tube 99 which is supported by framemembers through the brackets 99a and 99b. A

lift arm I88 is pivotally connected through a pin- The outer portion of the,

yoke I84 has a stud I83a. pivotally threaded into a threaded bore I831) in the housing I83 as seen in Figure 4.

- As illustrated in Figure 3, the lift yoke I 84 comprises a substantially U-shaped member I84a closed at its open side by a plate I841) which is secured thereto by the capscrews I840. At opposite sides of the lift yoke I84 and on a line substantially at right angles to the axis of the lift arm I88, openings are provided in the lift yoke I04 for two; lift pins I: which: pivotally' connect the lift yoke: to a broonrring 1-00.

As best seen in Figure. 2,, the lift ring I06 comprises an upper member I061: which is. secured to the adapter plate 64 by capscrews 66, thus being connected to the lower telescoping/shaft.shield153. Alower'member I06b of liftin ring I06 is secured to the upper member I06a. by capscrews HIT. Positioned between the upper and lower members of the ring I06" is the outer ring of a ball bearing member I08. The inner ring of the ball bearing member I08 is secured between a shoulder on the broom drive member I3 and a threaded retainer member F09. Thus it is seen that the broom 3.0 is free to rotate with the drive member I3 while the lift yoke I04 remains stationary. However,

When the lift yoke is raised by the hydraulic cylinde'r, the broom assembly 30 will also be raised due to the lifting action transmitted through the bearing member I08 to the threaded retainer member I09.

I-n.Figure 4 is illustrated in dotted lines a hydraulically operated broom lifting mechanism which is adapted to operate on a broom mounted on the outer side of the vehicle. In some cases as for instance on streets having one way traffic it is advantageous to have side brooms on either side of the vehicle in order that either gutter may be cleaned without running against the traffic.

A distinct feature of this invention is the ability of the hydraulic cylinder 93 to hold the broom in any position desired. For example this single acting cylinder will hold the broom entirely clear of the ground or it will hold it in sweeping position. As the bottom of. the broom wears it is necessary that the. broom be lowered and held in the new operating position. This is accomplished by means of the controls in the operators cab, no mechanical adjustments being necessary.

It is also to be noted that side broom assembly 30 is rigidly secured to the sweeper machine proper at only two points, namely, at the lift yoke I04 and at pin 53 at the lower end of gear housing 48. The pin 53 is quickly removed by taking out the cotterpin and the yoke I04. is easily separated from the broom by unscrewing plate I042) from member I04a. Then by removing the chain from sprocket 52 and sliding upper end 24a of broom support arm 24 from its bearing 48a, the whole side broom assembly and drive may be removed as a unit. The end 36 of drive housing 32 will of course slide off the projecting arm 3! of transmission housing Ifia. From the foregoing it is now clear that the whole unit may be assembled and aligned previous to installing it on the machine. Also, in organizations that use several machines, a spare broom and drive assembly can be kept on hand and quickly installed when repair or overhaul of the operating unit is required. Thus it would not be necessary to lay up an entire machine due to wear or breakage of any small part.

For best results in sweeping gutters it is desirable that only the outer front quadrant of the rotating broom contact the street. This permits a, definite digging action that will dislodge caked mud in the gutter and at the same time will not impose an excessive frictional sweeping load on the drive mechanism. To secure this operating position it is necessary that the broom be pivoted about its universal joint in a direction toward the rear of the machine and in toward the machine proper.

This is accomplished (Figure 3) by means. of two rods H0 and III. Rod H0 is screwed into the pivot housing I03: and locked therein by a jam nut H2. At its. other end; the lOId. H0; is pivotally suspended: from the. mounting tube 99 as best. shown inFigures. 6 and'7. Rod IJIO projects. through a. pivot: housing 3 which fits be tween the two legs of? a forkedmember II4-. A pivot pin. H5 is threaded into each leg of the forked. member H4 and has an unthreaded end II5a extending into the pivot. housing II3 being journal'l'ed therein. Thus the rod IIO by means of its position in. the pivot housing H3 is free to pivot. in relation to. the. forked member. I I4.

Referring to Figure 7, the forked. member II.4v is hung from: the mounting tube 99 by means of an upper: rod. IIJM which extends upw'ardlyI through a sleeve- I.I.6 which has. been welded in place in'a; vertical opening which has been cut.

in the tube 9.9. A. washer IF". is seated on the upper end of the sleeve H16 and a slotted head nut H8 is screwed down on a. threaded portion of the upperv rod 4a; The. rod II4a is prevented' from unscrewing by a. cotterkey I 19' inserted through the rodand confined: in the slotted head nut I I8.

A coil spring I20 is disposed: about the rod H0 abutting at one end on. the jam nut H2 and at the other end on the pivot. housing IF3. This.

spring I20 tends at all times'tot urge the broom assembly away from the machine. On the end of the rod I'I0' adjacent the pivot housing I I3 a nut I2I and a jam nut I22 are disposed for adjusting:

the rod in relation to the. housing N13.

The rod I I I is pivotally connected to the pivot housing I03 by means of a. pin I23 (Figure 8) which projects through a pivot member I24? to which the rod III is secured as by welding. At the other end rod III is suspended from the mounting rod 99' in the same manner as was described in connection with the support of the rod I I 0. Also, to urge the broom away from the machine a spring I is providedand a nut I26 and a jam nut I21 is furnished for adjusting the rod II I.

' It is readily seen from Figure 3 that the broom may be adjusted in a direction toward or away from the machine by shortening or' lengthening the efiective length of the rods H0 and III through manipulation of. the nuts at the endv oi the rods.

Also, it will be noted that if one rod is shortened more. than .the other the broom will be moved toward the front; or the rear of the machine as the case may be. For example, if the: rod III is lengthened and the rod tI0is shortened,thebroom assembly will'move'f'orward. To obtain this result pivoting must take place about the pin I23. It is also to be notedv that. in all. adjustments of the broom, the rod portion I000 of the lift arm I00 is free to slide in. or out in the eyebolt I02 and also that the eyebolt I02 is free to pivot in its screw fitting in the pivot housing I03.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

'I claim as my invention:

1. In a sweeping machine including a side broom, means for adjusting the operating position of said side broom comprising a rigid V-shaped member pivotally secured at its outer.

ends to the frame of said sweeping machine and at its apex to said'side broom, and means foradjusting the distance between the outer pivotal connection of each arm of said V-shaped member and the apex thereof.

2. In a sweeping machine including a side broom, means for adjusting the position of the side broom comprising a pivot member secured to said broom, a first arm rigidly secured at one end to said pivot member and pivotally connected at the other end to the frame of said sweeping machine, a second arm pivotally connected at one end to said pivot member and at the other end to the frame member of said sweeping machine, a spring member disposed on each of said arms between said pivot member and said frame, and means operative on each of said arms for adjusting the length of each of said arms between said pivot member and said frame independent of the other arm.

3. A street sweeping machine including a power driven broom pivotally mounted in a universal socket, means for adjusting the universally pivoted position of the broom comprising a V-shaped member pivotally attached at its outer end to the frame of the machine and having its apex pivotally secured to said broom, and spring urged means for adjusting the length of each of said arms between the apex and the outer pivotal connection.

4. In combination in a street sweeping machine, a side broom mounted for universal pivoting movement and means for simultaneously adjusting said side broom both laterally and longitudinally of the machine, said means comprising a pivot member secured to said broom and pivotally connected at the other end to the frame of said sweeping machine, a second arm pivotally connected at one end to said pivot member and at the other end to the frame of said sweeping machine and a spring disposed on each of said arms between said pivot member and the frame.

5. In a street sweeping machine, a drive shaft, a universal joint in said shaft, a side broom assembly mounted on said drive shaft for pivotal movement therewith about said universal joint, and spring urged members connected to said broom assembly and connected to the machine at longitudinally spaced points thereon to provide thrust components acting in opposite longitudinal directions as well as transversely of the machine.

CARL W. MOTT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 111,477 Roulstone Jan. 31, 1871 309,457 Hall Dec. 16, 1884 533,222 Kimball Jan. 29, 1895 550,014 Broomell Nov. 19, 1895 972,058 Chisholm Oct. 4, 1910 993,603 Jones May 30, 1911 1,078,352 Hervey Nov. 11, 1913 1,167,695 Huff 1 Jan. 11, 1916 1,390,464 Senstius Sept. 1.3, 1921 1,407,180 Todd Feb. 21, 1922 1,452,307 Martin Apr. 17, 1923 1,480,021 Smith Jan. 8, 1924 1,507,349 Franz Sept. 2, 1924 1,523,049 Campbell Jan. 13, 1925 1,542,806 Ziska June 16, 1925 2,236,814 Evans Apr. 1, 1941 2,278,306 Cushman et al Mar. 31, 1942 2,300,192 Allen Oct. 27, 1942 2,327,879 Farrar Aug. 24, 1943 2,405,541 Gerner Aug. 6, 1946

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