US3241170A

US3241170A - Street sweeper

Info

Publication number: US3241170A
Application number: US245020A
Authority: US
Inventors: George E Osborn
Original assignee: UNIVERSAL METAL FABRICATORS Inc
Current assignee: UNIVERSAL METAL FABRICATORS Inc
Priority date: 1962-12-17
Filing date: 1962-12-17
Publication date: 1966-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 1983-03-22

Description

G. E. OSBQRN 3,241,170

STREET SWEEPER Filed Dec. 17, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. GEORGE E. OSBORN ATTORNEYS March 22, 1966 G. E. OSBQRN I 3,241,170

STREET SWEEPER Filed Dec. 17, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet a INVENTOR. GEORGE E. 0650R/V flw, 74%

March 22, 1966 G. E. OSBORN 3,241,170

STREET SWEEPER Filed Dec. 17, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. GEORGE E. OSBORN HTTORNE Y6 United States Patent 3,241,170 STREET SWEEPER George E. Osborn, Saginaw, Micln, assignor to Universal Metal Fabricators, Inc., Saginaw, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed Dec. 17, 1962, Ser. No. 245,020 8 Claims. (Cl. --87) This invention relates to mobile street sweepers of the kind adapted to be driven along a street to sweep leaves, refuse and other debris from the gutter and adjacent street surface into a hopper for subsequent discharge at a dump.

Street sweepers of the general class to which the invention relates customarily include a circular, rotatable broom mounted adjacent each side of the vehicle for the purpose of sweeping refuse from the gutters toward the center line of the vehicle frame and into the path of a revolving, cylindrical broom mounted at the rear of the vehicle. The rear broom sweeps refuse lying in its path on the elevator which carries the refuse to a hopper mounted on the vehicle. When the hopper becomes full, the vehicle is driven to a dumping site where the contents of the hopper is discharged.

The gutter broom constructions of conventional street sweeper appears to be of two types. The gutter brooms of one construction project laterally of the vehicle frame a substantial distance so as to enable the broom adjacent the curb to sweep the gutter clean. The lateral projection of the brooms from both sides of the vehicle avoids contact between the curb and the vehicles tires, but it necessitates positioning of the vehicle a substantial distance from the curb, thereby minimizing passing room to one side of the vehicle. This characteristic of certain kinds of mobile street sweepers often results in the creation of hazardous driving conditions during operation of the sweeping apparatus. The hazard is magnified in those instances where the street sweeping vehicle has gutter brooms projecting from both sides of the vehicle. The traffic hazard created by laterally projecting gutter brooms can become acute when the mobile street sweeper is operated on narrow streets and in narrow tunnels because the sweeper crowds or crosses the center line. As a result such sweepers are not used on narrow streets and in narrow tunnels.

A second type of known mobile street sweeper overcomes to some extent the disadvantages referred to above by so mounting the gutter brooms as to prevent their extending much, if any, beyond the sides of the vehicle. In this construction, however, the vehicle is unable to sweep the gutter without risking engagement between the vehicle tires and the curb. Consequently, the sweeping operation is either inefficient or excessive wear of the tires is encountered.

An object of this invention is to provide a mobile street sweeper having gutter brooms each of which may be extended laterally of the vehicle to any one of a number of positions and which may be retracted when desired to sweep while moving around obstacles, for instance, or when moving through narrow tunnels, or when tratfic is heavy.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mobile street sweeper of the kind referred to and in which the positions of the gutter brooms at opposite sides of the vehicle may be controlled independently of one another.

A further object of the invention is to provide gutter brooms for mobile street sweepers and which are capable of vertical adjustment in all positions of lateral adjustment so that the brooms can be employed to sweep the tops of curbs when extended and drawn up to an inoperative, non-pavement engaging position when laterally retracted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mobile ice street sweeper of the character described in which the positions of the gutter brooms can be regulated from the drivers compartment, thereby avoiding the necessity of the drivers having to leave the cab.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out specifically or will become apparent from the following description when it is considered in conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a mobile street sweeper equipped with apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the sweeper with cetrain parts being omitted in the interests of clarity, the broken lines indicating various adjusted positions of the side brooms;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view, partly in section and partly in top plan, of a gutter broom and its supporting structure and illustrating the broom in its retracted position;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3, but illustrating the gutter broom in its projected position; and

FIGURE 5 is a schematic diagram of a hydraulic control system for one of the gutter brooms; and

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged, sectional, side elevational view illustrating the details of the hinge mount for the side brooms.

Apparatus construction in accordance with the invention is adapted for use in conjunction with a conventional sweeper vehicle 1 having a chassis or frame 2 on which is supported a drivers cab 3. Rearwardly of the cab 3 is a body or housing 4 at the rear end of which is an elevator assembly and housing 5. Rotatably journaled by the housing 5 is a rear broom 6 that is substantially cylindrical in configuration and is positioned transversely to the direction of movement of the vehicle. As is conventional, the broom 6 is adapted to be rotated clockwise, as viewed in FIGURE 1, and sweep debris onto an elevator contained within the housing 5 which lifts the debris into a hopper that is supported within the body 4. Patent No. 2,950,827 shows and describes a sweeper vehicle of this character in detail.

All of the apparatus referred to thus far is conventional and forms no part of the invention per se. The invention resides in the construction and arrangement of gutter broom assemblies 7 mounted one at either side of the vehicle frame.

Each of the brush assemblies 7 is identical, so only one need be described in detail. Each brush assembly includes a two-part supporting arm, one part of which is designated by the reference character 8. At one end of the arm 8 is journaled a spindle 9 which extends through and is driven by a conventional hydraulic motor 10. Fixed on the spindle 9 is a rotatable gutter brush 11 of conventional construction and which is adapted to be rotated while it is in engagement with the street surface to sweep leaves and other debris into the path of the rear broom 6. At its other end the arm 8 is hinged as at 12 to one end of the second arm 13, the arrangement being such that the arm 8 is capable of being swung upwardly and downwardly about the axis of the hinge 12. The opposite end of the arm- 13 is fixed to a plate 14 which includes bearing portions 14a pivoted on a pin 15 carried by the projecting portion 16 of a bracket plate 16a that is suitably fixed to the vehicle frame 2. The pivotal connection of the arm 13 to the bracket 16 is such as to permit the brush 11 to be swung laterally toward and away from the vehicle frame along a generally horizontal path.

Operating means is provided for swinging each brush assembly 7 laterally of the vehicle frame and comprises a double acting hydraulic ram 1'7 having a cylinder 18 that is pivoted by a ball and socket pivot 19 to the lower surface of the frame 2. Reciprocable in the cylinder 18 is a piston to which is connected a piston rod 20 that is pivoted as at 21 to the arm 13. The hydraulic ram is capable of swinging the brush assembly 7 from a retracted position, indicated in FIGURE 3, to any one of a numher of laterally projected positions, and return. The extreme laterally projected position of the brush assembly 7 is determined by and braced by the stop plate 16 that is supported by the bracket 22 rearwardly of the broom in the path of movement of the plate 14.

As a safeguard against inadvertent swinging movement of the brush assembly during periods of inactivity or failure of the hydraulic control system yet to be described, a tension spring 23 may be secured at one of its ends to an eye-bolt 24 mounted on a vertical part 13a of the arm 13 and at its other end to an eye-bolt 25 that is mounted on the frame 2. The spring 23 constantly exerts a force on the brush assembly tending to swing it toward and hold it in its retracted position.

The apparatus includes operating means 26 for raising and lowering the brush assembly 7 about the axis of the hinge 12. The operating means 26 comprises an upstanding lever 27 which is fixed at its lower end to the arm 8 adjacent but forwardly of the hinge 12. Fixed to the arm 27 is a ring 28 to which one end of a flexible chain 29 is secured. The other end of the chain is secured to the piston rod 3th of a double-acting, hydraulic ram 31 that is similar to the ram 17. The ram 31 is pivoted as at 32 on an arm 33 which is fixed to a block 34 that may be welded or otherwise suitably secured to the fender 35 or other convenient place on the vehicle body 4.

Upon actuation of the hydraulic ram 31 in such manner as to extend the piston rod 30, gravity will cause the lever 27 and the arm 8 to rock counterclockwise in a vertical plane, as viewed in FIGURE 1, and swing the brush 11 downwardly into engagement with the street surface. The chain connection between the ram 31 and the lever 27 permits rocking of the brush 11 upwardly upon its encountering an obstruction. After the obstruction has been cleared, the weight of the brush assembly will return the latter to its operative position. In order to avoid the imposition of undue load on the ram 31, a tension spring 36 is connected at one end to the arm 27 and at its other end to an adjusting screw 37 that extends through a nut 38 which is pivoted to the arm 33. A hand wheel 39 may be fixed to the screw 37 to facilitate adjusting the spring tension.

FIGURE schematically illustrates a hydraulic system by means of which the various hydraulically operated parts are controlled. FIGURE 5 discloses hydraulic apparatus for operating one gutter broom assembly only, but it will be understood that the hydraulic apparatus may be duplicated for operating the other gutter broom.

The hydraulic control apparatus includes a fluid reservoir 40 from which hydraulic fluid may be withdrawn by a pump 41 that may be driven from the sweeper engine in any suitable manner such as by a drive belt 42, for example. Suitable tubing extends from the pump 41 to a conventional, manually operable, multiple port control valve 43 located in the vehicle drivers compartment and which is operable to direct fluid to the hydraulic motor so as continuously to rotate the brush II. The con trol valve 43 also may be operable to direct fluid to the operating ram 17 so as selectively to extend or retract its piston rod 20. Valve 43 can be operated to start and stop rotation of brush lll independently of operation of ram 17 which can be operated regardless of whether brush 11 is rotating. As is conventional in valves of this type, the valve 43 may be manipulated to effect holding of the piston rod in any one of a number of positions.

Fluid from the pump 41 also is delivered by suitable tubing to a second, conventional, manually operated valve 44 which is operable to direct fluid to the ram 31 so as selectively to extend, retract, or hold the chain 29.

4. The valve 44 also is mounted in the vehicle cab. Suitable conduits extend from the motor 10 and the

valves

43 and 44 to the reservoir 40 so as to permit circulation of the fluid. If desired a separate valve can be employed to operate ram 17 in the manner of valve 44. In such a system all the valves can be simple lever operated on-off valves.

When the sweeper is being driven to or from a sweeping site, the broom assemblies 7 are maintained in an elevated and retracted position (at at a in FIGURE 2) with the brooms l1 stationary. The vehicle thus is capable of driving at regular highway speeds. When the sweeper reaches the sweeping site, either or both of the brush assemblies can be swung into sweeping position. If the sweeper is to sweep debris from a street gutter, for example, the broom assembly adjacent the curb can be lowered and swung laterally toward the curb (as at b in FIGURE 2) a distance sufficient to sweep adjacent the curb, but maintain the vehicle tires a safe distance therefrom. The other brush assembly can be maintained inactive or, alternatively, can be simply lowered (as at c in FIGURE 2) to sweep debris into the path of the rear broom. In either event, the extent to which the brush assemblies are extended laterally can be regulated by the vehicle driver from the cab so as to minimize traific obstruction.

If it is desired to sweep debris from above the curb into a gutter, the brush adjacent the curb can be maintained in its elevated position and extended laterally so as to ride upon the upper surface of the curb and adjacent area. The other brush assembly may be activated or remain inactive, as desired.

The brush assemblies 7 need not be extended laterally of the vehicle in order to operate. On narrow streets and in tunnels the brush assemblies may remain in their retracted positions and be lowered independently of one another into engagement with the street surface, thereby avoiding undue traffic obstruction.

The disclosed embodiment is representative of a presently preferred form of the invention, but is intended to be illustrative rather than definitive thereof. The invention is defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A street sweeper comprising a frame; first brush supporting means at one side of said frame; second brush supporting means at the other side of said frame; means mounting each of said supporting means for independent movements of the latter toward and away from one another; and independent operating means connected to each of said supporting means for moving the latter independently of one another.

2. The construction set forth in claim 1 including second means mounting each of said supporting means for substantially vertical movements.

3. The construction set forth in claim 2 including second independent operating means connected to each of said supporting means for moving the latter vertically independently of one another.

4. A street sweeper comprising a frame; a first supporting arm; a second supporting arm pivotally connected to one end of said first arm and mounting the latter forswinging movements about a substantially horizontal axis; means at the other end of said first arm for mounting a brush thereon; hinge means comprising a laterally ex-- tending plate fixed to said frame and a second plate swingably mounting said second arm on said frame at one side of the latter for swinging movements of both arms along a generally horizontal, arcuate path; extensible and retractable operating means connected to said second arm and operable to swing both arms along said path; and second operating means connected to said first arm and operable to swing the latter about its pivotal connection to said second arm.

5. A street sweeper comprising a frame; brush supporting means at least at one side of said frame; first means,

mounting said supporting means on said frame for movements laterally of said frame from an in position to an out position; second means mounting said supporting means for vertical movements relative to said frame; and first and second independent operating means connected respectively to said first and second mounting means for moving the latter independently of one another, said first operating means comprising means for selec tively moving said first mounting means to various positions between said in and out positions and holding them in said positions.

6. A street sweeper comprising a frame; rotatable brush supporting means at least at one side of said frame; driving means for rotating a brush supported on said supporting means; means mounting said supporting means for independent movements thereof both laterally, from an in to an out position, and vertically of said frame; and first and second operating means connected to said supporting means for respectively moving the latter both vertically and laterally of said frame, one of said operating means also being connected to said driving means for operating the latter, and at least said second operating means comprising means for selectively moving said brush supporting means to various positions between said in and out positions and holding them in said positions.

7. A street sweeper comprising a frame; brush supporting means at least at one side of said frame; first means mounting said supporting means for movements vertically of said frame; second means independent of said first mounting means and mounting said supporting means for movement laterally of said frames to and from in and out positions; first flexible operating means; second operating means; and means respectively connecting said first and second operating means to said supporting means, said first and second operating means being operable selectively to effect independent vertical and lateralmovements of said supporting means, and at least said second operating means comprising means for selectively moving said brush supporting means to various positions between said in and out positions and holding them in said positions.

8. The combination defined in claim 5 in which said second operating means comprises a fluid pressure operated ram.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,687,728 10/1928 Liddell 15-87 2,548,676 4/1951 Milz et al 15-82 2,708,280 5/1955 Antos et a1. 1583 2,833,116 5/1958 Rush 1583 X 2,917,761 12/1959 Burgdorfi 15-84 2,991,492 7/1961 Dear et al 15-87 2,996,742 8/1961 Aimers 15-87 3,006,021 10/1961 Patch 1587 X 3,102,293 9/1963 Keogh et al. 15-87 3,105,991 10/1963 Oberg 1587 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,271,628 8/1961 France.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A STREET SWEEPER COMPRISING A FRAME; FIRST BRUSH SUPPORTING MEANS AT ONE SIDE OF SAID FRAME; SECOND BRUSH SUPPORTING MEANS AT THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID FRAME; MEANS MOUNTING EACH OF SAID SUPPORTING MEANS FOR INDEPENDENT MOVEMENTS OF THE LATTER TOWARD AND AWAY FROM ONE ANOTHER; AND INDEPENDENT OPERATING MEANS CONNECTED TO EACH OF SAID SUPPORTING MEANS FOR MOVING THE LATTER INDEPENDENTLY TO ONE ANOTHER.