Sweeper

Sept. 21, 1954 e. d. parker

SWEEPER

Filed Sept. 17, 1948

2,689,367

Sheets-Sheet 1

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BY

INVENTOR.

EDWIN D. PARKER

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HIS ATTORNEY'

Sept. 21, 1954

2,689,367

E. D. PARKER

SWEEPER

Filed Sept. 17, 1948

Sheets-Sheet 2

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INVENTOR.

EDWIN D. PARKER BY

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HIS ATTORNEY '

Sept. 21, 1954 e. d. Parker 2,689,367

SWEEPER

Filed Sept. 17, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 3

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ΎΖ

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INVENTOR.

BY

EDWIN D. PARKER

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ΗΓ3 HTTORNEr

Sept. 21, 1954

2,689,367

Filed Sept. 17, 1948

E. D. PARKER

SWEEPER

Sheets-Sheet 4

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Patented Sept 21, 1954

2,689,367

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,689,367 SWEEPER Edwin D. Parker, Springfield, Ohio, assignor to Parker Sweeper Company, a corporation of

Application September

Claims.

¹

The invention disclosed in this application relates to sweeping devices and is illustrated by a floor sweeper.

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of a floor sweeper which is simple and efficient in its action, sturdy and durable in operation and especially adapted for the cleaning of large surfaces.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a floor sweeper having an improved arrangement by which in normal operation, relatively fine dirt and debris may be easily swept into a dirt collector or debris receptacle but which is so arranged that in case there are large pieces of debris which it is desirable to collect, the sweeper 15 may be easily operated to sweep such larger pieces into the dirt collector.

. A further object of my invention is the provision of a new, simple and satisfactory means for adjusting, for most efficient operation, the position of the brush assembly relative to the surface being cleaned.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a dirt collector which may be easily turned to a vertical position and then easily removed from the sweeper for disposal of the dirt collected therein.

An additional object is to provide for a sweeper of the character described a novel mounting bracket having arcuate surfaces for adjustably .,_npositioning the brush unit with respect to the axle upon which it is mounted.

it is also an object to provide a rotary dust seal for the sweeper which cooperates with the brush unit whereby debris consisting of relatively thick ,pieces of wood, for example, and flat pieces of paper or the like can be picked up by the sweeper.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a sweeper in which means are provided to maintain the sweeper normally in its most effi- ₄₀cient angle towards the surface which is being cleaned.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of embodiment of the invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a sweeper constructed in accordance with my invention and ₅₀shown in its normal operating position;

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of a portion of the sweeper shown in Fig. 1, a portion of the handle being broken away and the dirt collector being tilted to the position ip which it should be 55 turned for removal from the unit;

17,1948, Serial No. 49,788 (CL 15—49)

Fig. 3 is a view in plan pf one of the brush units used in the sweeper shown- in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a view in section pf the brush shown in Fig. 3, the section having been taken substantially 5 on the line 4—4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view in section of the sweeper shown in Fig. 1, the section haying been taken substantially on the line 5—5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in vertical section 10 taken substantially on line 6—6 of Fig. 5, the lower dust seat roller mechanisms for the dirt collector are omitted in this view;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the sweeper, fragmentary portions of the wheel and casing having been broken away in order to show more clearly the dirt collector elevating mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, view in side elevation, portions thereof having been broken away and 20 portions shown in section' to illustrate more clearly the operation of the brush elevating adjustment mechanism;.

Fig. 9 is an end elevational view of another form of mounting bracket for the brush unit, a 25 modified form of a single brush unit being illustrated in full lines in one position on the bracket and in dotted lines to indicate an adjusted position thereon; and

Fig. 10 is a partial, vertical Sectional view illustrating the construction of the rotary dust seal.

Referring especially to Fig. 1, it may be seen that I have shown a sweeper comprising a frame generally designated 9. The frame 9 comprises a pair of main castings 10 and 10α, a pair of U-shaped parallel tubular members II and I la and a rear coyer 12, One of the ends of each of the members II and 11 a is secured to the casting 10 and the other ends thereof are secured to the casting 10α. The rear coyer 12 connects the castings 10 and 10α and serves as a dirt and dust receiving section of the sweeper and as a protection for the brush and other parts of the mechanism. The main portion of the castings 10 and 10α are substantially circular casings which house the gears later to be described. The castings 10 and 10α are supported by the main wheels 13 and 13α which are concentric with but slightly larger in circumference than the circular casing of said castings 10 and 10α. The wheels 13 and 13α have a common axis extending transversely of the frame 9. A ’dirt or debris collector or receptacle 14 is provided.

A supplementary forward support is provided for the sweeper. This, as shown herein, is a caster type wheel 15 secured to the front end pf the tubular members II and Ila. The wheel IS co2,689,367 operates with the supporting wheels 13 and 13α to maintain the sweeper in the best angle relative to the surface being cleaned when the sweeper is being operated. Rearwardly of the wheels 13 and 13α, there is provided a rear support which may comprise a pair of rear wheels 16 and 17 (see Figs. 2 and 5) supported on extensions of the castings 10 and 10α. These wheels 16 and 17 may be used to support the sweeper when it is desired to move it forward while not operating the brush although the sweeper is normally pulled backwards when being moved long distances inasmuch as a ratchet allows backward movement without brush rotation. The wheels 16 and 17 also protect the sweeper at certain times as, for instance, when going down or up steps. The sweeper is adapted to be guided and manipulated by a handle 19.

Referring now especially to Fig. 2, it may be seen that the dirt collector 14 is substantially a five-sided box having its rear side flared and open and having its forward side or end 21 rounded so that as the dirt collector is moved from the normal position (shown in Fig. 1) to the position in which it may be most easily removed (shown in Fig. 2), no portion of the end 21 contacts the surface on which the sweeper is resting. The dirt collector 14 may be provided with a handle 22 of tubular stock by which it may be raised to the position shown In Fig. 2 and by which it may be removed from the frame. The dirt collector 14 is provided with a pair of pivot pins 20 at its opposite ends which fit in open top bearing sockets such as the bracket 23 so that the dirt collector 14 may be easily rotated from its operative position (shown in Fig. 1) to the removal position (shown in Fig. 2). The brackets 23 are slotted so that the pins may move easily from the bearings as the collector 14 is raised. Each bearing bracket 23 comprises (see Fig. 2) an inner or main bracket member 23α, an outer securing member 23b and a screw 23c fastening the parts 23α and 23b to each other. It will be noticed that the bearing brackets 23 are positioned nearer the front end of the frame than the rear but that they are spaced back from the extreme front end. Thus it is comparatively easy to rotate the collector 14 from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2 and when in the position shown in Fig. 2 the collector 14 is in substantially stable equilibrium, especially if partly filled with dirt. However, I do not space the bracket 23 further back from the forward rounded edge (bottom edge as shown in Fig. 2) of the collector 14 than the distance from the surface on which the sweeper is supported to the pivot points. That is to say, the distance from the front of the collector 14 to the pivot point is substantially the same as, but slightly less than, the distance from the pivot point to the supporting surface.

Moreover, I consider it important that the pivots be spaced back as far as is possible in order that the arc of the rear end of the collector 14 should not intersect a large portion of the brush. Thus the rotation of the collector 14 does not interfere with the brush or vice versa. Thus by the proper positioning of the pivots, I prevent the bottom of the collector from rubbing against the surface being cleaned, I prevent substantial interference by the brush with the rotation of the collector and finally I provide substantially stable equilibrium for the collector 14 when in the position shown in Fig. 2 especially when it is partially filled with debris.

The collector 14 is provided with a shield 2'4 which as shown is metallic. This cooperates with a flexible shield 25, secured to the upper part of the rear cover 12, to prevent dust and dirt, which is being swept into the collector 14 by the brush 26 (see rear part of Fig. 2), from being blown or otherwise displaced from the collector 14. The brush 26 is provided to sweep dirt and debris from the surface being cleaned into the collector 14. It is to be especially noted that the brush 26 rotates in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the wheels 13 and 13α.

The structure of the brush 26 is best shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6. The brush 26 comprises (see Figs. 5 and 6) a plurality of brush units such as 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31. These brush units are each substantially identical and the unit 29 is shown on a larger scale in Figs. 3 and 4. It comprises a pair of spaced substantially parallel plates 32 and 33 which are clamped to each other in any convenient manner. As shown, portions of the ends of one of the plates are bent over the other plate as at 34 and 35. The central portions of these plates are arcuate, the center of the arc being the axis of rotation of the brush and the ends of the plates extend radially outward from said axis. The plates 32 and 33 are formed with circular holes 36 and the plate 32 is also formed with non-circular slots having projecting tabs as is shown at 37. Clamped between the plates 32 and 33 are a plurality of strands of bristles 38 which thus form two protruding ends or rows of bristles 38α and 38b, the rows extending substantially radially out from the axis of the brush. A plurality of such brush units are secured to an axle 41 in any convenient manner. The axle 41 is itself rotatively secured on the frame 9 so that it may be adjusted relative to the surface on which the sweeper is resting.

One method of securing the brush units to the axle is illustrated. The axle 41 is provided with a plurality of stepped or two diameter sleeves such as 42, 43 and 44 (see Fig. 6) which may be secured to the axle 41 by screws 39. Other screws 40 extend through some of the holes 36 of the brush units and are threaded into the larger diameter portions of the sleeves and thus secure the brush units thereto. The parallel plates 32 and 33 are as stated above arcuate so as to conform to the shape of the sleeves 42, 43 and 44 but have their ends flared radially outwardly so that the bristles extend out radially from the axis of the axle 41. It should be especially noted that the plates 32 and 33 are crimped laterally as at 32α, 32b, etc. to prevent lateral shifting of the bristles 38.

A second means for securing the brush units to the axle 41 is shown in Fig. 9. One or more of the brackets 80 are spaced on the axle for this purpose. The bracket 80 is formed with a hub portion, not shown, extending on one side which has a set screw 81 for securing it to the axle 41. The bracket is formed with a flanged edge 82 which provides, for example, six arcuate surfaces extending around the periphery. As seen in Fig. 9, the radius used to form the arcs 83, 84 and 85 is such as to extend the mid-point of the arc relatively close to the center opening for the axle 41. In the preferred form this distance is about % of an inch. The length and positioning of the surfaces 83, 84 and 85 is such that the relatively shorter arcuate surfaces 86, 87 and 88 connecting therewith have the mid-point of their arc at a substantial greater distance from the center of

2,689.367 _g the bracket. In the preferred form this distance is about 1 inch.

Each of the surfaces 83, 84, 85, 86, 87 and 88 are in turn provided with a slot 89 and notch portion 90 formed in the flanged edge 82. The notch por- δ tion 90 forms a seat for receiving a shoulder on the brush unit 91. A machine bolt and nut 95 extend through the slot 99 to hold the brush assembly in position on the bracket 80. In operation, three of the brush assemblies 91 are bolted 10 to the bracket, one in contact with each of the surfaces 83, 84 and 85, for example. With this construction, when the bristles of the brushes are worn so short as to no longer be effective for sweeping, the brush assemblies can be removed 15 and replaced in operating position on the surfaces 86, 87 and 88, one of the brush assemblies so positioned being indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 9. This so extends the bristles that the effective service life is substantially increased. 20 ' A modified form of brush unit is also illustrated in Fig. 9. This unit 91 comprises in general a pair of arcuately formed plates 92 and 93 adapted to be clamped together in parallel spaced relation and thereby secure the bristles 38 in position. 25 These plates have their outer ends bent radially Outwardly on the same side as the center used for forming the arc, as seen in Fig. 9. On the under side of the lower plate 92 a shoulder 94 is formed which is adapted to be received within the notch 20 90 of the bracket. Thus, three of the brush units 91 can be mounted on the bracket surfaces 83, 84 and 85. Then, when the bristles 38 are worn down to a point where effective sweeping action can be obtained no longer, the brush units are 35 remounted on the surfaces 86, 87, and 88. The brush units 91 are thus interchangeable on the bracket.

The axle 41 and consequently the gears 45 are supported by a pair of links, one on each side of ⁴⁰the sweeper and both pivotally secured to the castings 10 and 10a at the axis of the wheels ί 3 and 13α. One Of these links 47 is shown in Figs. 5 and 8. The other is similarly positioned and connected on the opposite side of the frame. 45 Means are provided so that the brush may be adjusted closer to or farther away from the surface being cleaned, to secure the most efficient operation with different types of surfaces. As may be seen best in Fig. 8, the link 47 is enlarged 50 at the end opposite to its pivot to form a hub 57 and adjacent to the hub 57 is provided with a pair of Oppositely extending arms 58 and 59. The two arms 58 on the two links 47 on each side of the frame are connected to a bell crank lever 49 by 55 two connecting links such as the link 48. . The bell crank lever 49 is pivoted as at 51 (Fig, 8) and may be rotated by an adjusting screw 52 mounted in a stationary bearing 53. : The screw 52 threadedly engages a pivoted nut 54 pivotally 60 connected to an arm 55 of the bell crank lever 49, the arm 55 being positioned on one side outside of the assembly housing. The arms 59 of the links 41 are each connected by springs such as the Springs 56 with the castings 10 and 10α. The bell C3 crank lever 49 consists of (1) a shaft 61 (having its axis in the pivotal axis 51 shown in Fig. 8 and extending from one side of the sweeper to the other), (2) arms 62 within the sweeper connected to the links 48 and to the shaft 61, and (3) the 70 above mentioned arm 55 which is also connected to the shaft 6i at 51, is positioned outside of the Casting member and carries at its outer end the pivoted nut 54. Thus it is possible to raise or lower the brush relative to the surface being 75 cleaned by the screw 52. The spring 56 takes up the slack or play between the elements 55, 5 ί, 61, 62 and 58. In this manner close tolerance at the connections between said elements is not necessary, yet bouncing of the brush and rattling at the connections of those elements is prevented.

Means are provided for raising the dirt collector 14 during operation from the normal position shown in Fig. 1 to an elevated position in which it may ride over large pieces of debris so that such large pieces of debris may be swept by the brush 26 into the dirt collector 14. The elevated position of the dirt collector is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5. It Will be understood that as the sweeper is moved forward, the wheels 13 and ί 3α through their associated gears (i. e., associated with the axle 41) rotate the axle 41 (and with it the brush 26) in a direction opposite to the direction in which the Wheels 13 and 13α are rotating so that the brush 26 sweeps dirt and debris forward from the surface being cleaned and upward into the dirt collector 14. When the dirt collector 14 is elevated to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, the brush 26 (although it is not raised) may, nevertheless, sweep dirt and debris upward into the collector 14.

The means for raising the collector 14 is shown most clearly in Fig. 7. Bell crank levers, such as 66 pivoted as at 67 on each of the castings 10 and 10α, are each provided with a round inwardly projecting stud 68 (see Fig. 5) on which the handle 19 is arranged to bear. The opposite end of each bell crank lever 66 normally rests on the upper surface of casting 10α and a screw 69, adjustably secured in the adjacent side of the dirt collector 14, rest on said end of the bellcrank lever. Thus by pressing down on the handle 19 the bell crank levers 66 may be operated to raise the dirt collector 14 to the position shown in dotted line in Fig. 5. The set screws 69 provide variable and adjustable means for controlling the position of the surface contact member 199, which extends across the trailing edge of the dirt collector, so as to insure that this member makes proper contact with the floor. Different floors, or kinds of debris to be picked up, may require different relations of the member 190 to the floor and the set screws 69 provide for adjustment thereof. In Fig. 5 the normal position of the dirt collector, the handle and the associated parts are shown in full lines while the raised position of the dirt collector and handle is shown in the dotted line.

In the preferred construction, the surface contacting member 109, Fig. 2, forms a dust seal for the sweeper. This seal is formed from a plurality of substantially cylindrical, hollow rubber rollers 101 mounted on a rod i 02 extending between the side walls or plates of the debris collector 14, Fig. 2. For example, in the form shown in Fig. 10, each of the rollers 101 is approximately two inches in length, having a 1½ inch outside diameter, and a central bore of about % of an inch. These rollers are freely mounted on the shaft or rod 102, which is about A of an inch in diameter, and secured in position in front of the brush as seen in Fig. 5. Rod 102 is mounted between the side walls so that the rollers 101 in position normally just touch the floor surface (03 as seen in Fig. 10. This mounting also provides sufficient clearance for the rollers so that each roller can both rotate about the rod 102 and move freely to a limited extent in a direction at right angles thereto. In the example given the displacement of the rollers with respect to

2,689,867 said gear, spring means normally urging rotation of the links in one direction about the axis of the gear, an adjustment link having one end connected to one of the supporting links, a bell crank 5 lever pivotally mounted to the frame and having one arm connected to the other end of said adjustment link, and an adjustment screw means connected to the other arm of the bell crank.

3. A sweeper comprising in combination, a 10 frame; wheels supporting the frame; a rotatable brush supported by the frame; means for rotating the brush; a debris receptacle having one end pivotally mounted on the frame and the opposite end resting on the frame; a handle for 15 manipulating the sweeper, said handle being pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis on the frame; and means actuatable by the handle for raising said opposite end of the debris receptacle.

4. A sweeper comprising in combination, a 20 frame; wheels supporting the frame; a rotatable brush supported by the frame; means for rotating the brush; a debris receptacle having one end pivotally mounted on the frame; a lever pivoted on the frame, said frame forming a stop for one 25 arm of the lever for limiting pivotal movement of the lever in one direction, the opposite end of the debris receptacle resting on said arm of the lever; and a handle for manipulating the sweeper, said handle being mounted for movement 30 about a horizontal axis and engageable with the lever for raising said opposite end of the debris receptacle.

5. A sweeper comprising in combination, a frame; wheels supporting the frame; a rotatable 35 brush supported by the frame; means for rotating the brush; a housing for the brush, said housing being open at the bottom and open at one side; a debris receptacle having one end pivotally mounted on the frame and the opposite end 40 resting on the frame and supporting the bottom of the receptacle above the surface being swept, said opposite end having an opening confronting the open side of the brush-housing; a handle for manipulating the sweeper, said handle being 45 pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis on the frame; and a lever actuatable by the handle for raising said opposite end of the debris receptacle.

6. A sweeper comprising in combination, a housing adapted to be moved across the surface to 50 be cleaned; means supporting the housing for movement over the surface to be cleaned; said housing having an inlet opening in the bottom; the side walls and rear wall of the housing, defining the sides and rear of the opening, being in 55 sealing relation with the surface to be cleaned; a dust seal defining the front of said opening including a horizontally disposed shaft extending across the front of the opening; a plurality of rollers arranged to engage the surface to be 60 cleaned and longitudinally arranged for rotation on the shaft with the ends thereof in abutting relation; the diameter of the opening in each of the rollers receiving the shaft being larger than the diameter of the shaft; means supporting the 65 shaft with the axis thereof above the axes of the rollers.

7. A sweeper comprising in combination, a housing adapted to be moved across the surface to be cleaned; means supporting the housing for 70 movement over the surface to be cleaned; said housing including a debris receptacle and a debris receiving section the rear of the debris reeeptable being in open communication with the front of the debris receiving section; said debris 75 receiving section having an opening in the bot- the axis Of rotation of the rods 102 is about ½ inch. Thus, in operation, when a relatively thick piece of debris is encountered, for example, a board or block about Yz inch thick, as indicated at 104 (Fig. 10) , one or more of the rollers, depending upon the width of the piece, are raised and allow it to pass through to the brushes which sweep it into the collection box 14. Normally, without this form of seal such a piece would be merely pushed forward until the sweeper handle was operated to raise box 14 as otherwise provided for herein.

With this rotary dust seal, it has been found that flat pieces of paper, for example, or fine particles of gravel and the like can also be picked up by the sweeper. Prior hereto, and when using other forms of dust seals, it was noted that such items of debris were not picked up in a satisfactory and efficient manner. Thus, in operation the rollers are adjusted so that they are in contact with the floor at all times. Then when a flat piece of paper, for example, is encountered the rollers 101 move over the paper and hold it in position until it can be picked up by the rotating brush. Furthermore, when a board or block is encountered by the sweeper, it is to be noted that generally only one of the rollers is raised. The remaining rollers of the dust seal remain in contact with the floor so that the dust seal is not broken, except in the one area where the block, for example, is going through.

Ears 11 on castings 10 and I Ba limit the extent of downward movement of the studs 68 and the handle !9 and the consequent tilting movement of the collector 14 which it may be now understood is accomplished by manipulation of handle ί 9.

A rubber skirt 72 (Fig. 6) extends across the rear of the sweeping unit and a pair of rubber skirts such as the one shown at 73 in Fig. 5 extend along the sides of the unit. These skirts tend to maintain an air tight contact, prevent the extrusion of dust and dirt and contribute materially to the efficiency of the machine.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.