US3748679A - Floor sweeper with auxiliary surface litter brush means - Google Patents
Floor sweeper with auxiliary surface litter brush means Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3748679A US3748679A US00265282A US3748679DA US3748679A US 3748679 A US3748679 A US 3748679A US 00265282 A US00265282 A US 00265282A US 3748679D A US3748679D A US 3748679DA US 3748679 A US3748679 A US 3748679A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- brush
- shaft
- floor
- backing
- sweeper
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
- A47L11/4072—Arrangement of castors or wheels
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/32—Carpet-sweepers
- A47L11/33—Carpet-sweepers having means for storing dirt
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
- A47L11/4036—Parts or details of the surface treating tools
- A47L11/4038—Disk shaped surface treating tools
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
- A47L11/4052—Movement of the tools or the like perpendicular to the cleaning surface
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
- A47L11/4063—Driving means; Transmission means therefor
- A47L11/4069—Driving or transmission means for the cleaning tools
Definitions
- One or more auxiliary brushes are floatingly mounted for sweeping litter from either a carpeted or smooth [52] U.S. 15/42, 15/87, 15/388 [51] Int. A471 11/32 floor mm the P" of the mam transverse Sweeper [58] Field of Search 15/41, 42, 79, 8?, brush means- The drive for the auxiliary brushes is 15,388 ternal and does not depend upon rotation of the sweepers main drive mechanism.
- a caster device drives the auxiliary brushes through a non-circular connection References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/ 1893 l l/ l 95 3 having substantial play therein so that the brushes will readily position themselves to conform to the contour 500,976 Tangenberg.......,....................
- the present invention is directed to a sweeping concept wherein one or more auxiliary brushes are floatingly mounted for sweeping litter from either a carpeted or smooth floor into the path of the main transverse sweeper brush means.
- the drive for the auxiliary brushes is internal and does not depend upon rotation of the sweepers main drive mechanism.
- a caster device drives the auxiliary brushes through a nonrcircular connection having substantial play therein'so that the brushes will readily position themselves to conform to the contour of the surface being swept.
- Means are provided to limit deformation of the brush bristlesagainst the floor.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sweeper constructed in accordance with the invention, with the handle removed;
- FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the sweeper with parts broken away and in section;
- FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged front view of the sweeper showing one of the auxiliary brush assemblies with parts in section, and with the sweeper mounted on an even smooth floor;
- FIG. 4 is a generally horizontal section taken on line 44 of FIG. 3;
- FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the brush position with an uneven smooth floor
- FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing the auxiliary brush position on a relatively even shag rug.
- FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 with the auxiliary brush on an uneven shag rug and showing the operation of the brush deformation limiting means.
- the invention is embodied in a carpet sweeper having a housing or frame which includes side and end walls 1 and 2 respectively, and a top 3.
- a suitable bail 4 is attached to the frame and has the usual handle, not shown.
- a plurality of supporting wheels 5 are suitably mounted to the sweeper frame and drive, through any suitable well-known connection, spaced front and rear Ill elongated main sweeper brushes 6 and 7 which rotate about transverse horizontal axes.
- the sweeper may be of the type disclosed in Bienek U.S. Pat. No, 3,457,575 entitled Sweeper for Carpeted and Smooth Floors and assigned to a common assignee.
- the drive for the main sweeper brushes provides a unitary brush rotation direction, regardless of the direction of translation of the sweeper over the floor.
- a pair of light weight auxiliary brush assemblies 8, 9 which are mounted on the forward end portion of the sweeper frame.
- an elongated L-shaped bracket 10 is fixedly secured transversely along front end wall 2, as by rivets 11.
- the horizontal flange of bracket 11 extends forwardly and is formed to provide a pair of transversely spaced downwardly and inwardly inclined support surfaces 12.
- a 10 20 incline would be suitable, with about 15 being preferable.
- assembly 8 comprises an axle 13 which is fixedly mounted to the lower inclined surface 12 of bracket 10, and which extends angularly downwardly therefrom.
- Axle l3 acts as a bearing and receives the shaft 14 of a caster 15 thereover, and which is freely rotatable about the axle.
- Any suitable retaining means may be provided for retaining caster shaft l4 on axle 13.
- a screw 16 is utilized, with its head 17 substantially countersunk into the lower shaft end. If desired, a small retaining screw 18 in head 17 will assure that screw 16 will stay in place during rotation of the caster.
- detent means may be provided between axle I3 and caster shaft 14, instead of the screwconnection, to provide a quick release snap-on construction.
- the lower end of caster 15 is substantially enlarged in radius to form a wheel 19 having a high friction rim formed by an elastomeric polyurethane tire 20 or the like.
- the entire caster arrangement is such that wheel 19 and tire 20 will assume an approximately 10 20 angular relation to the floor 21.
- Tire 20 is positioned relative to'the sweeper frame so that it engages the the final portion of brush assembly 8, namely an inverted-cup shaped backing member 22 having a generally flat top portion 23, a generally cylindrical side wall 24 and a radially outwardly flanged rim or lip 25.
- a plurality of circumferentially spaced brush tufts are mounted on side wall 24 to form a generally annular outwardly extending brush 26.
- Brush 26 is inclined downwardly from its base to the outer tuft ends at an angle of approximately l0 20 to side wall 24, with the tufts terminating in a plane slightly below lip 25. Brush 26 is therefore slightly frustro-conical.
- Backing member 22 and brush 26 form an assembly which floats and is driven by caster 15 as the sweeper is reciprocatingly translated over the floor.
- at least a portion of the outer periphery of caster shaft I4 is non-circular in section, preferably with at least one flat or straight portion. In the embodiment shown, the outer periphery is triangular. A rectangular or D shape would also be suitable.
- Top portion 23 of backing member 22 is provided with a centrally disposed opening 27, the edge of which compliments and interengages with the non-circular shaft 14 so that the backing member slidably fits thereover. The clearance between the shaft and opening should be close enough to create a rotary locking action so that rotary motion of caster will positively drive brush 26.
- the clearance between shaft 14 and opening 17 should be such that drive wheel 19 is free of backing member 22, no matter what the axial or angular position of the latter.
- brush assembly 8 will be driven clockwise to sweep surface litter in a direction toward brush 6 for pickup thereby.
- brush 9 will be driven counterclockwise to sweep surface litter tangentially in front of brush 6. Rearward sweeper movement will reverse the rotation of the auxiliary brushes.
- auxiliary brushes will operate on smooth floors or on nap surfaces of any depth.
- brush backing 22 can freely shift axially a substantial distance, such as about one-fourth inch, on shaft 14 so that the auxiliary brush will merely rest on top of the surface. Compare FIGS. 3 and 6, which show varying relative generally vertical positions.
- wheel 19 On smooth floors, (FIGS. 3 and 5) wheel 19 will directly engage and be driven by movement over the hard surface. On carpeting, wheel 19 will tend to sink into the nap, while backing member 22 will ride on top. See FIG. 6.
- main sweeper brush 6 is mounted so far forwardly that its ends must be cut away, as at 28, to accommodate the auxiliary brushes. In other embodiments, this may not always be necessary.
- brushes 26 will be of fine flexible material. In the event a brush should tilt substantially, as when riding over uneven shag carpeting, the brush bristles may tend to dig deeply into the carpet and possibly fold over. To prevent this, means are provided to limit the deformation of the brush. This means comprises flanged lip which is disposed closely beneath the brush tuft bases, and which will engage and roll on the carpet, as shown in FIG. 7, and prevent overbending of the brush.
- a floor sweeper having a frame, means supporting said frame for reciprocablc translation over the floor, and transversely extending sweeper brush means, the combination comprising:
- said auxiliary brush member includes a brush backing through which said caster shaft passes
- said cooperative means comprises:
- said interengaging means being formed so that said brushbacking can freely tilt relative to said shaft when said annular brush encounters an uneven surface during sweeper movement.
- said brush deformation limiting means comprises: a radially outwardly flanged lip on said brush backing which limitingly engages the floor upon substantial tilting of said backing from a generally horizontal position.
- a floor sweeper having a frame, means supporting said frame for reciprocable translation over the floor, and at least one transversely extending sweeper brush, the combination comprising:
- a floor engaging wheel disposed at the lower end of said shaft, said wheel being inclined at about to the horizontal
Abstract
One or more auxiliary brushes are floatingly mounted for sweeping litter from either a carpeted or smooth floor into the path of the main transverse sweeper brush means. The drive for the auxiliary brushes is internal and does not depend upon rotation of the sweeper''s main drive mechanism. A caster device drives the auxiliary brushes through a non-circular connection having substantial play therein so that the brushes will readily position themselves to conform to the contour of the surface being swept. Means are provided to limit deformation of the brush bristles against the floor.
Description
[ July 31, 1973 1,923,908 11/1970 Germany l5/42 FLOOR SWEEPER WITH AUXILIARY SURFACE LITTER BRUSH MEANS Primary Examiner-Edward L. Roberts [75] Inventor: Henry J. Rosendall, Grand Rapids,
Mich- Attorney-Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall [73] Assignee: Bissel Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich.
T C A R T S B A 1. 7 5 r1 2 7 9 1 2 n8 e m J2 0 N mm... mm FA 1.] 21 22 [.1
One or more auxiliary brushes are floatingly mounted for sweeping litter from either a carpeted or smooth [52] U.S. 15/42, 15/87, 15/388 [51] Int. A471 11/32 floor mm the P" of the mam transverse Sweeper [58] Field of Search 15/41, 42, 79, 8?, brush means- The drive for the auxiliary brushes is 15,388 ternal and does not depend upon rotation of the sweepers main drive mechanism. A caster device drives the auxiliary brushes through a non-circular connection References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/ 1893 l l/ l 95 3 having substantial play therein so that the brushes will readily position themselves to conform to the contour 500,976 Tangenberg.......,.................... 15/42 ofth rf b t M ns are Ovid dtoli 2,657,408 Machovec........................... 15/s7x ace emgswep' ea pr 6 deformation of the brush bristles against the floor.
FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 9/1970 Germany 15/42 14 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PAIENIED JUL 31 m5 SHEET 2 0F 2 FLOOR SWEEPER WITH AUXILIARY SURFACE LITTER BRUSH MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a floor sweeper having auxiliary surface litter brush means.
Prior known floor sweepers, commonly called carpet sweepers, have utilized one or more auxiliary brushes rotatable horizontally for sweeping into normally inaccessible corners. See, for example, the U.S. Pat. to Tangenberg No. 500,976 and Parker et al. No. 2,782,434. U.S. Pat. No. 2,657,408 to Machovec is also of interest. These prior devices have incorporated relatively complex and expensive external drive means for the auxiliary brush assembly and in most instances the brush height must be manually adjusted, if adjustment is possible at all.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a sweeping concept wherein one or more auxiliary brushes are floatingly mounted for sweeping litter from either a carpeted or smooth floor into the path of the main transverse sweeper brush means. The drive for the auxiliary brushes is internal and does not depend upon rotation of the sweepers main drive mechanism. A caster device drives the auxiliary brushes through a nonrcircular connection having substantial play therein'so that the brushes will readily position themselves to conform to the contour of the surface being swept. Means are provided to limit deformation of the brush bristlesagainst the floor. I
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sweeper constructed in accordance with the invention, with the handle removed;
FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the sweeper with parts broken away and in section;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged front view of the sweeper showing one of the auxiliary brush assemblies with parts in section, and with the sweeper mounted on an even smooth floor;
FIG. 4 is a generally horizontal section taken on line 44 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the brush position with an uneven smooth floor;
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing the auxiliary brush position on a relatively even shag rug; and
FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 with the auxiliary brush on an uneven shag rug and showing the operation of the brush deformation limiting means.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in the drawings, the invention is embodied in a carpet sweeper having a housing or frame which includes side and end walls 1 and 2 respectively, and a top 3. A suitable bail 4 is attached to the frame and has the usual handle, not shown.
A plurality of supporting wheels 5 are suitably mounted to the sweeper frame and drive, through any suitable well-known connection, spaced front and rear Ill elongated main sweeper brushes 6 and 7 which rotate about transverse horizontal axes.
If desired, and as shown herein, the sweeper may be of the type disclosed in Bienek U.S. Pat. No, 3,457,575 entitled Sweeper for Carpeted and Smooth Floors and assigned to a common assignee. In that patent, the drive for the main sweeper brushes provides a unitary brush rotation direction, regardless of the direction of translation of the sweeper over the floor.
In accordance with the concept of the invention, there is shown in the present embodiment, a pair of light weight auxiliary brush assemblies 8, 9 which are mounted on the forward end portion of the sweeper frame. For this purpose, an elongated L-shaped bracket 10 is fixedly secured transversely along front end wall 2, as by rivets 11. The horizontal flange of bracket 11 extends forwardly and is formed to provide a pair of transversely spaced downwardly and inwardly inclined support surfaces 12. A 10 20 incline would be suitable, with about 15 being preferable.
Each of the brush assemblies 8, 9 is mounted to one of the support surfaces 12. Since the assemblies are virtually identical, only assembly 8 will be described in detail. Referring to FIG. 3, assembly 8 comprises an axle 13 which is fixedly mounted to the lower inclined surface 12 of bracket 10, and which extends angularly downwardly therefrom. Axle l3 acts as a bearing and receives the shaft 14 of a caster 15 thereover, and which is freely rotatable about the axle. Any suitable retaining means may be provided for retaining caster shaft l4 on axle 13. In FIG. 3, a screw 16 is utilized, with its head 17 substantially countersunk into the lower shaft end. If desired, a small retaining screw 18 in head 17 will assure that screw 16 will stay in place during rotation of the caster. Certain other alternative structures may be utilized. For example, detent means, not shown, may be provided between axle I3 and caster shaft 14, instead of the screwconnection, to provide a quick release snap-on construction.
The lower end of caster 15 is substantially enlarged in radius to form a wheel 19 having a high friction rim formed by an elastomeric polyurethane tire 20 or the like. The entire caster arrangement is such that wheel 19 and tire 20 will assume an approximately 10 20 angular relation to the floor 21. Tire 20 is positioned relative to'the sweeper frame so that it engages the the final portion of brush assembly 8, namely an inverted-cup shaped backing member 22 having a generally flat top portion 23, a generally cylindrical side wall 24 and a radially outwardly flanged rim or lip 25. A plurality of circumferentially spaced brush tufts are mounted on side wall 24 to form a generally annular outwardly extending brush 26. Brush 26 is inclined downwardly from its base to the outer tuft ends at an angle of approximately l0 20 to side wall 24, with the tufts terminating in a plane slightly below lip 25. Brush 26 is therefore slightly frustro-conical.
Backing member 22 and brush 26 form an assembly which floats and is driven by caster 15 as the sweeper is reciprocatingly translated over the floor. For this purpose, at least a portion of the outer periphery of caster shaft I4 is non-circular in section, preferably with at least one flat or straight portion. In the embodiment shown, the outer periphery is triangular. A rectangular or D shape would also be suitable. Top portion 23 of backing member 22 is provided with a centrally disposed opening 27, the edge of which compliments and interengages with the non-circular shaft 14 so that the backing member slidably fits thereover. The clearance between the shaft and opening should be close enough to create a rotary locking action so that rotary motion of caster will positively drive brush 26. However, there should be substantial play between the shaft and opening so that, even though wheel 19 is at 10 to floor 21, the brush can assume a normal position in a generally horizontal plane on a level floor but will freely tilt and float thereover during sweeping in a manner to conform to any uneven floor contour and ride over large pieces of litter or debris. See FIGS. 3, 5, 6 and 7.
The clearance between shaft 14 and opening 17 should be such that drive wheel 19 is free of backing member 22, no matter what the axial or angular position of the latter.
As the sweeper is moved forwardly over the floor, brush assembly 8 will be driven clockwise to sweep surface litter in a direction toward brush 6 for pickup thereby. At the same time, brush 9 will be driven counterclockwise to sweep surface litter tangentially in front of brush 6. Rearward sweeper movement will reverse the rotation of the auxiliary brushes.
The auxiliary brushes will operate on smooth floors or on nap surfaces of any depth. For this purpose, brush backing 22 can freely shift axially a substantial distance, such as about one-fourth inch, on shaft 14 so that the auxiliary brush will merely rest on top of the surface. Compare FIGS. 3 and 6, which show varying relative generally vertical positions.
On smooth floors, (FIGS. 3 and 5) wheel 19 will directly engage and be driven by movement over the hard surface. On carpeting, wheel 19 will tend to sink into the nap, while backing member 22 will ride on top. See FIG. 6.
In the present embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 2, main sweeper brush 6 is mounted so far forwardly that its ends must be cut away, as at 28, to accommodate the auxiliary brushes. In other embodiments, this may not always be necessary.
It is contemplated that brushes 26 will be of fine flexible material. In the event a brush should tilt substantially, as when riding over uneven shag carpeting, the brush bristles may tend to dig deeply into the carpet and possibly fold over. To prevent this, means are provided to limit the deformation of the brush. This means comprises flanged lip which is disposed closely beneath the brush tuft bases, and which will engage and roll on the carpet, as shown in FIG. 7, and prevent overbending of the brush.
While the embodiment shown utilizes two main sweeper brushes 6 and 7, and two auxiliary brush assemblies 8 and 9, embodiments with only one main brush and/or one auxiliary brush engaging the floor can be constructed without departing from the spirit and concepts of the invention.
Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.
I claim:
1. In a floor sweeper having a frame, means supporting said frame for reciprocablc translation over the floor, and transversely extending sweeper brush means, the combination comprising:
a. a caster mounted to said frame, b. said caster including a rotatable shaft and a floor engaging wheel fixedly disposed on the lower end of the shaft, 0. an auxiliary brush member including a generally annular brush, d. and cooperative means for mounting said auxiliary brush member to said shaft so that said annular brush floatingly engages the floor and is rotatably driven in a generally horizontal plane by said shaft upon rotation of said caster wheel to sweep surface litter into the path of said sweeper brush means. 2. The combination of claim 1: a. wherein said auxiliary brush member includes a brush backing through which said caster shaft passes, b. and wherein said cooperative means comprises:
1. interengaging means between said brush backing and said shaft for causing said brush backing to be rotationally driven by rotation of said shaft,
2. said interengaging means being formed so that said brushbacking can freely tilt relative to said shaft when said annular brush encounters an uneven surface during sweeper movement.
3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said interengaging means comprises:
a. a non-circular surface formed on said shaft,
b. and a complimentary opening in said brush backing and disposed at said surface to rotationally lock the said backing and shaft together. i
4. The combination of claim 3 in which said shaft surface and said opening have at least one flat or straight portion.
5. The combination of claim 3 in which said shaft, in section, and said opening are triangular.
6. The combination of claim 3 wherein there is substantial play between the said shaft and the edge of said opening to permit the free tilting of said brush backings on said shaft.
7. The combination of claim 2 wherein said brush backing is freely shiftable along said shaft.
8. The combination of claim 6 wherein said brush backing is freely shiftable along said shaft so that the relative generally vertical positions between said auxiliary brush member and said caster wheel can vary according to the type of floor surface.
9. The combination of claim 1 which includes: means to limit deformation of said annular brush as it rotatably and floatingly moves over the floor during sweeper movement.
10. The combination of claim 2 which includes: means to limit deformation of said annular brush upon tilting of the latter as it rotatably floats over the floor during sweeper movement.
11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said brush deformation limiting means comprises: a radially outwardly flanged lip on said brush backing which limitingly engages the floor upon substantial tilting of said backing from a generally horizontal position.
12. The combination of claim 6 wherein:
a. said caster shaft is tilted from the horizontal,
b. and said caster wheel is tilted at about l0 20 from the normal horizontal floor surface.
13. The sweeper of claim I:
21. wherein said auxiliary brush member is disposed adjacent the said sweeper brush means,
b. and wherein the sweeper brush means is cut away to accommodate said auxiliary brush member.
14. In a floor sweeper having a frame, means supporting said frame for reciprocable translation over the floor, and at least one transversely extending sweeper brush, the combination comprising:
a. a bracket on said frame and with said bracket having a downwardly inclined support surface,
b. inclined bearing means secured to said bracket and extendind downwardly from said support surface,
c. a shaft mounted for free rotation on said bearing means, said shaft being at least partially noncircular in section with at least one flat portion,
d. a floor engaging wheel disposed at the lower end of said shaft, said wheel being inclined at about to the horizontal,
e. means for retaining said wheel and shaft on said bearing,
f. an inverted cup-shaped brush backing having an g. an annular auxiliary brush mounted on said backing for floating engagement with the floor,
h. there being substantial play between said shaft and the edge of said opening to permit free tilting of said brush backing on said shaft to accommodate uneven floor surfaces,
. said brush backing being freely shiftable along said shaft, 7
. and a radially outwardly flanged lip on said brush backing for engaging the floor upon substantial tilting of the backing from a generally horizontal position to thereby limit deformation of said auxiliary brush.
Claims (15)
1. In a floor sweeper having a frame, means supporting said frame for reciprocable translation over the floor, and transversely extending sweeper brush means, the combination comprising: a. a caster mounted to said frame, b. said caster including a rotatable shaft and a floor engaging wheel fixedly disposed on the lower end of the shaft, c. an auxiliary brush member including a generally annular brush, d. and cooperative means for mounting said auxiliary brush member to said shaft so that said annular brush floatingly engages the floor and is rotatably driven in a generally horizontal plane by said shaft upon rotation of said caster wheel to sweep surface litter into the path of said sweeper brush means.
2. The combination of claim 1: a. wherein said auxiliary brush member includes a brush backing through which said caster shaft passes, b. and wherein said cooperative means comprises:
2. said interengaging means being formed so that said brush backing can freely tilt relative to said shaft when said annular brush encounters an uneven surface during sweeper movement.
3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said interengaging means comprises: a. a non-circular surface formed on said shaft, b. and a complimentary opening in said brush backing and disposed at said surface to rotationally lock the said backing and shaft together.
4. The combination of claim 3 in which said shaft surface and said opening have at least one flat or straight portion.
5. The combination of claim 3 in which said shaft, in section, and said opening are triangular.
6. The combination of claim 3 wherein there is substantial play between the said shaft and the edge of said opening to permit the free tilting of said brush backings on said shaft.
7. The combination of claim 2 wherein said brush backing is freely shiftable along said shaft.
8. The combination of claim 6 wherein said brush backing is freely shiftable along said shaft so that the relative generally vertical positions between said auxiliary brush member and said caster wheel can vary according to the type of floor surface.
9. The combination of claim 1 which includes: means to limit deformation of said annular brush as it rotatably and floatingly moves over the floor during sweeper movement.
10. The combination of claim 2 which includes: means to limit deformation of said annular brush upon tilting of the latter as it rotatably floats over the floor during sweeper movement.
11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said brush deformation limiting means comprises: a radially outwardly flanged lip on said brush backing which limitingly engages the floor upon substantial tilting of said backing from a generally horizontal position.
12. The combination of claim 6 wherein: a. said caster shaft is tilted from the horizontal, b. and said caster wheel is tilted at about 10* - 20* from the normal horizontal floor surface.
13. The sweeper of claim 1: a. wherein said auxiliary brush member is disposed adjacent the said sweeper brush means, b. and wherein the sweeper brush means is cut away to accommodate said auxiliary brush member.
14. In a floor sweeper having a frame, means supporting said frame for reciprocable translation over the floor, and at least one transversely extending sweeper brush, the combination comprising: a. a bracket on said frame and with said bracket having a downwardly inclined support surface, b. inclined bearing means secured to said bracket and extendind downwardly from said support surface, c. a shaft mounted for free rotation on said bearing means, said shaft being at least partially non-circular in section with at least one flat portion, d. a floor engaging wheel disposed at the lower end of said shaft, said wheel being inclined at about 10* - 20* to the horizontal, e. means for retaining said wheel and shaft on said bearing, f. an inverted cup-shaped brush backing having an opening which compliments the non-circular section of said shaft and mounted thereover in rotational locking engagement therewith so that rotation of said wheel on the floor will drive said brush backing through said shaft, g. an annular auxiliary brush mounted on said backing for floating engagement with the floor, h. there being substantial play between said shaft and the edge of said opening to permit free tilting of said brush backing on said shaft to accommodate uneven floor surfaces, i. said brush backing being freely shiftable along said shaft, j. and a radially outwardly flanged lip on said brush backing for engaging the floor upon substantial tilting of the backing from a generally horizontal position to thereby limit deformation of said auxiliary brush.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US26528272A | 1972-06-22 | 1972-06-22 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3748679A true US3748679A (en) | 1973-07-31 |
Family
ID=23009818
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US00265282A Expired - Lifetime US3748679A (en) | 1972-06-22 | 1972-06-22 | Floor sweeper with auxiliary surface litter brush means |
Country Status (9)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3748679A (en) |
JP (1) | JPS4957669A (en) |
AR (1) | AR196535A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU470666B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA971709A (en) |
FR (1) | FR2188996B1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB1379199A (en) |
SE (1) | SE389800B (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA733889B (en) |
Cited By (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3874016A (en) * | 1972-08-19 | 1975-04-01 | Liefheit International Gunter | Sweeper |
US3937174A (en) * | 1972-12-21 | 1976-02-10 | Hermann Haaga | Sweeper having at least one side brush |
US3978539A (en) * | 1975-06-30 | 1976-09-07 | Bissell, Inc. | Floor sweeper with auxiliary rotary brushes |
US4815157A (en) * | 1986-10-28 | 1989-03-28 | Kabushiki Kaisha Hoky | Floor cleaner |
US5794297A (en) * | 1994-03-31 | 1998-08-18 | Hoky Contico, L.L.C. | Cleaning members for cleaning areas near walls used in floor cleaner |
US6094776A (en) * | 1998-04-14 | 2000-08-01 | Oreck Holdings, Llc | Brush and spacer assembly for a vacuum cleaner |
US20040148731A1 (en) * | 2003-01-31 | 2004-08-05 | Damman Charles H. | Powered edge cleaner |
US20050005377A1 (en) * | 2003-09-25 | 2005-01-13 | Bryan Kaleta | Floor sweeper |
WO2007005012A1 (en) * | 2005-07-01 | 2007-01-11 | Ontel Products Corporation | Locking dustpan for floor sweeper |
US20070107149A1 (en) * | 2005-11-14 | 2007-05-17 | Bryan Kaleta | Gaskets for floor sweeper |
EP2561785A2 (en) | 2011-08-23 | 2013-02-27 | Bissell Homecare, Inc. | Auxiliary brush for vacuum cleaner |
US10898042B2 (en) | 2017-08-16 | 2021-01-26 | Sharkninja Operating Llc | Robotic vacuum |
US11284702B2 (en) | 2017-05-15 | 2022-03-29 | Sharkninja Operating Llc | Side brush with bristles at different lengths and/or angles for use in a robot cleaner and side brush deflectors |
US11553825B2 (en) * | 2014-03-19 | 2023-01-17 | Sharkninja Operating Llc | Floor treatment apparatus and method |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB8728508D0 (en) * | 1987-12-05 | 1988-01-13 | Brougham Pickard J G | Accessory unit for vacuum cleaner |
GB2573753A (en) * | 2018-05-14 | 2019-11-20 | Black & Decker Inc | Brush assembly for a floor cleaning apparatus |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US500976A (en) * | 1893-07-04 | Carpet-sweeper | ||
US2657408A (en) * | 1949-12-17 | 1953-11-03 | Fred J Machovec | Power propelled sweeper |
DE1814398A1 (en) * | 1968-05-16 | 1970-09-24 | Guenter Leifheit Kg | Sweeping equipment, especially carpet sweepers |
-
1972
- 1972-06-22 US US00265282A patent/US3748679A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1973
- 1973-06-08 ZA ZA733889A patent/ZA733889B/en unknown
- 1973-06-12 AU AU56778/73A patent/AU470666B2/en not_active Expired
- 1973-06-14 GB GB2842973A patent/GB1379199A/en not_active Expired
- 1973-06-15 CA CA174,196A patent/CA971709A/en not_active Expired
- 1973-06-20 JP JP48068854A patent/JPS4957669A/ja active Pending
- 1973-06-21 SE SE7308823A patent/SE389800B/en unknown
- 1973-06-22 AR AR248649A patent/AR196535A1/en active
- 1973-06-22 FR FR7322826A patent/FR2188996B1/fr not_active Expired
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US500976A (en) * | 1893-07-04 | Carpet-sweeper | ||
US2657408A (en) * | 1949-12-17 | 1953-11-03 | Fred J Machovec | Power propelled sweeper |
DE1814398A1 (en) * | 1968-05-16 | 1970-09-24 | Guenter Leifheit Kg | Sweeping equipment, especially carpet sweepers |
DE1923908A1 (en) * | 1968-05-16 | 1970-11-19 | Leifheit Internat Guenter Leif | Sweeping device, especially carpet sweeping device |
Cited By (20)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3874016A (en) * | 1972-08-19 | 1975-04-01 | Liefheit International Gunter | Sweeper |
US3937174A (en) * | 1972-12-21 | 1976-02-10 | Hermann Haaga | Sweeper having at least one side brush |
US3978539A (en) * | 1975-06-30 | 1976-09-07 | Bissell, Inc. | Floor sweeper with auxiliary rotary brushes |
US4815157A (en) * | 1986-10-28 | 1989-03-28 | Kabushiki Kaisha Hoky | Floor cleaner |
US5794297A (en) * | 1994-03-31 | 1998-08-18 | Hoky Contico, L.L.C. | Cleaning members for cleaning areas near walls used in floor cleaner |
US6094776A (en) * | 1998-04-14 | 2000-08-01 | Oreck Holdings, Llc | Brush and spacer assembly for a vacuum cleaner |
US20040148731A1 (en) * | 2003-01-31 | 2004-08-05 | Damman Charles H. | Powered edge cleaner |
GB2400021A (en) * | 2003-01-31 | 2004-10-06 | Hoover Co | Edge cleaner for floor care appliance |
GB2400021B (en) * | 2003-01-31 | 2007-05-16 | Hoover Co | Floor care appliance |
US7146682B2 (en) | 2003-01-31 | 2006-12-12 | The Hoover Company | Powered edge cleaner |
US7152267B2 (en) | 2003-09-25 | 2006-12-26 | Bryan Kaleta | Floor sweeper |
US20050005377A1 (en) * | 2003-09-25 | 2005-01-13 | Bryan Kaleta | Floor sweeper |
WO2007005012A1 (en) * | 2005-07-01 | 2007-01-11 | Ontel Products Corporation | Locking dustpan for floor sweeper |
US20070107149A1 (en) * | 2005-11-14 | 2007-05-17 | Bryan Kaleta | Gaskets for floor sweeper |
US7591039B2 (en) | 2005-11-14 | 2009-09-22 | Bryan Kaleta | Gaskets for floor sweeper |
EP2561785A2 (en) | 2011-08-23 | 2013-02-27 | Bissell Homecare, Inc. | Auxiliary brush for vacuum cleaner |
US8631541B2 (en) | 2011-08-23 | 2014-01-21 | Bissell Homecare, Inc. | Auxiliary brush for vacuum cleaner |
US11553825B2 (en) * | 2014-03-19 | 2023-01-17 | Sharkninja Operating Llc | Floor treatment apparatus and method |
US11284702B2 (en) | 2017-05-15 | 2022-03-29 | Sharkninja Operating Llc | Side brush with bristles at different lengths and/or angles for use in a robot cleaner and side brush deflectors |
US10898042B2 (en) | 2017-08-16 | 2021-01-26 | Sharkninja Operating Llc | Robotic vacuum |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
SE389800B (en) | 1976-11-22 |
AU5677873A (en) | 1974-12-12 |
GB1379199A (en) | 1975-01-02 |
DE2331583B2 (en) | 1976-01-08 |
AR196535A1 (en) | 1974-02-06 |
FR2188996B1 (en) | 1976-09-17 |
AU470666B2 (en) | 1976-03-25 |
CA971709A (en) | 1975-07-29 |
JPS4957669A (en) | 1974-06-04 |
FR2188996A1 (en) | 1974-01-25 |
DE2331583A1 (en) | 1974-01-17 |
ZA733889B (en) | 1974-06-26 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US3748679A (en) | Floor sweeper with auxiliary surface litter brush means | |
US3978539A (en) | Floor sweeper with auxiliary rotary brushes | |
US4805256A (en) | Scrubber squeegee pivoted concentric with brush drive | |
US4748714A (en) | Cleaner with belt shifting | |
US4099284A (en) | Hand sweeper for carpets | |
US3937174A (en) | Sweeper having at least one side brush | |
EP0265205B1 (en) | Floor cleaner | |
US8007596B2 (en) | Cleaning device having drive means with multiple driving modes | |
US4490873A (en) | Floating-brush assembly for use with floor-scrubbing and polishing machines | |
US3639941A (en) | Vacuum cleaner | |
AU1345299A (en) | A brush bar | |
US2969557A (en) | Powered floor scrubber | |
US4107809A (en) | Corner sweeping brush disposed on a floor sweeper | |
US3319278A (en) | Rug cleaning apparatus | |
US6591447B2 (en) | Spring loaded vacuum cleaner nozzle | |
US4782552A (en) | Upright vacuum cleaner | |
US3452380A (en) | Caster assembly for a convertible floor cleaning machine | |
US5255411A (en) | Lift-off mechanism for an upright vacuum cleaner | |
US2783487A (en) | Carpet sweepers | |
US4854005A (en) | Automatic floor scrubbing machine with squeegee assembly and adjustable wheels | |
US2965910A (en) | Push cart with detachable sweeper unit | |
US3019465A (en) | Rug scrubbing tool attachment particularly for floor polishers | |
US3108310A (en) | Vacuum cleaner nozzles | |
US4577366A (en) | Vacuum cleaner nozzle having rotating brush | |
US3587127A (en) | Sweeper with inertia-operated combs |