Sweeping system with front removable hopper

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/294,298, filed on May 29, 2001, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirely by reference herein.

[0002] The present invention relates generally to surface maintenance or conditioning machines, and particularly those machines employing one or more surface maintenance or conditioning appliances or tools that perform one or more tasks including, among others, scrubbing, sweeping, and polishing or burnishing. More specifically, the present invention is particularly directed to a sweeper system for such surface conditioning machines.

[0003] Surface maintenance machines that perform a single surface maintenance or surface conditioning task are well known. Surface maintenance machines are generally directed to applications such as floor surfaces, or simply floors. The term floor, as used herein, refers to any support surface, such as, among others, floors, pavements, road surfaces, ship decks, and the like.

[0004] Commonly, floor or surface maintenance machines are constructed having a single surface conditioning appliance or system so as to only sweep, others to scrub, while still others only to polish or burnish. It is possible to construct a single surface maintenance machine to perform one or more of the aforementioned surface maintenance tasks.

[0005] One example of a multi-task floor conditioning machine is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,204,280, entitled, “Floor Cleaning & Waxing Machine,” issued to Campbell, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for any and all purposes. Another is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,492,002, entitled, “Floor Cleaning Machine,” in name of inventors Waldhauser, et al., the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for any and all purposes. Disclosed therein is a forward sweeper assembly followed by a scrubber assembly that is followed by a squeegee assembly.

[0006] Yet, another example of a multi-task floor conditioning machine is disclosed in a PCT application having publication number WO 00/74549, published Dec. 14, 2000, entitled “Floor Cleaning Machine,” in name of inventors Thomas, et al., the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for any and all purposes. The machine disclosed therein performs the task of sweeping, scrubbing, and burnishing, and includes a squeegee assembly in combination with a vacuum system for removing cleaning solution from a floor subsequent to a cleaning and scrubbing operation.

[0007] As illustrated in WO 00/74549, thereshown is a single unitary walk-behind machine that is transportable across a floor. Successively attached to the machine, from front to back, are independent floor maintenance systems. At the forward section of the machine is a sweeping system. At the rearward section of the machine, near the machine steering control, is a burnishing system. In between the sweeping system and the burnishing system is a scrubbing system including forward scrubbing brushes coupled to a cleaning solution dispensing system and rearward following squeegees coupled to a liquid vacuum system for recovering expended cleaning solution.

[0008] Burnishing systems generally include a scheme for controlling the degree of burnishing applied to a floor surface depending upon the type of floor surface intended to be burnished. Burnishing systems well known in the art commonly include a driver assembly which includes a working appliance or tool such as a pad or brush affixed to a driver that is rotatably driven by a driver motor. The driver assembly of the burnishing systems of the prior art have been selectively raised and lowered by an actuator so as to achieve an intended force or pressure against a floor surface intended to be polished or burnished.

[0009] Scrubbing systems are analogous to burnishing systems, and are also well known in the art. Scrubbing systems commonly include a driver assembly including rotatable scrubber in the form of a brush, pad, or the like, and a scheme for controlling the degree of scrubbing applied to a floor surface depending upon the type of floor surface intended to be scrubbed. Too much scrubbing of course may deleteriously affect the floor surface requiring further maintenance. The scrubber driver assemblies for scrubbing systems, like burnishing systems, are well known in the art and commonly include one or more rotatable brushes driven by a driver motor affixed to a scrubber head. Scrubber heads of the prior art have been selectively raised and lowered by an actuator coupled to the driver so as to achieve an intended force or pressure of the brush against a floor surface intended to be scrubbed. Examples of the latter are taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,757,566; 4,769,271; 5,481,776; 5,615,437; 5,943,724; and 6,163,915, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for any and all purposes.

[0010] Sweeper systems are also analogous to burnishing systems. Sweeper systems commonly include a rotatable sweeper system brush driven by a driver motor. Like burnishing and scrubbing systems, the sweeper system brush may be lowered and raised relative to a floor, which may more or less affect the floor surface.

[0011] As illustrated in the multi-task surface conditioning machine disclosed in the aforementioned publication WO 00/74549, a sweeper system is strategically located at the forward section of the machine prior to the scrubbing and burnishing systems located in the mid section, and aft section of the surface conditioning machine, respectively. This is so since it is desirable to remove any surface debris prior to a scrubbing operation. Since the sweeping system is positioned at the front of the machine, this necessitates a debris collection container or the like to be located at a position following the selected sweeper mechanism, i.e., a brush system or the like.

[0012] Locating a sweeper system at the forward section of a surface conditioning machine necessitates the consideration of surface obstacles and surface irregularities. This is so since such surface obstacles and surface irregularities may damage the sweeper system.

[0013] Locating a sweeper system at the forward section of a surface conditioning machine further necessitates consideration of machine maintenance and ease of use for emptying a debris collection container.

[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide a sweeper system located at the forward section of a surface conditioning machine.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sweeper system located at the forward section of a multi-task surface conditioning machine.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sweeper system that is minimally affected by surface obstacles and surface irregularities.

[0017] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sweeper system that provides ease of use and access to a debris collection container.

[0018] In accordance with the present invention, a pair of independent rotatable brushes are located at the forward section of a surface conditioning machine. A front removable hopper is centrally positioned in relation to the pair of independent rotatable brushes. The sweeping system, including the brushes and hopper, is coupled to a 4-point suspension system operative for momentarily raising the combination of sweeper brushes and hopper when the hopper forcibly comes in contact with a surface obstacle or irregularity.

[0028] Illustrated in FIG. 1 is a walk behind surface conditioning machine 10 known in the art and as disclosed in WO 00/74549. A burnishing assembly generally indicated by numeral 16, scrubbing assembly 14, and sweeping assembly 12 are separately controlled and suspended from a frame 18 by way of independent suspension systems, not shown. Sweeping system 12 includes a pair of disk brushes 13 for sweeping debris into a rearward hopper 17. Each brush 13 is secured to a frame portion 54 and is independently powered by a drive motor 15. FIG. 2 more particularly illustrates sweeper system 12 including hopper 17. Hopper 17 is attached to frame 54 by way of pins 50 and retainers 52.

[0029] Illustrated in FIGS. 3-6 are various perspectives, views, and drawings of one embodiment of the sweeper and hopper system in accordance with the present invention. An embodiment of the present invention may be utilized with a walk behind surface conditioning machine, such as disclosed in WO 00/74549, to replace the sweeping system 12 therein disclosed.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 3, an improved sweeper and hopper system is indicated as numeral 100. Generally, sweeper and hopper system 100 includes a pair of rotatable brushes 125 and a hopper 600 for receiving debris from brushes 125. Brushes 125 are driven by suitable drive means, including electric and/or hydraulic motors. In the illustrated embodiment, brushes 125 are driven by electric motors 115. As described in more detail herein, brushes 125 are connected to the machine by a selective coupling device to allow access and removal of hopper 600 at a forward machine portion.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, sweeper and hopper system 100 includes a movable carriage for supporting hopper 600 and brushes 125. Sweeper and hopper system 100 is movably coupled to machine by a suspension system including links 61, 62, and 64 which define a four-point, three bar linkage. The suspension system permits sweeper and hopper system to follow undulations in the floor surface and respond to other surface irregularities by temporarily lifting sweeper and hopper system 100 away from the ground surface. FIG. 4 illustrates sweeper and hopper system 100 in an operational orientation wherein brushes 125 are engaging the ground surface. FIG. 5 illustrates sweeper and hopper system 100 in a transport orientation wherein brushes 125 and hopper 600 are lifted away from the ground surface. Additional aspects of the suspension system illustrated in the drawings are disclosed in Applicant's U.S. patent application filed on May 21, 2002, entitled “Suspension Device for Floor Maintenance Appliance” Ser. No. 10/153,408. The entire disclosure of the application being incorporated by reference herein. Referring particularly to FIG. 3, rotatable brushes 125R and 125L are coupled to carriage 120 through movable arms 110. Arms 110L and 110R are pivotally mounted at one end to carriage 120. The other ends of arms 110L and 110R provide mounting members for attaching rotatable brushes 125L and 125R driven by independent drive motors 115L and 115R respectively. FIG. 3 further illustrates (in phantom lines) the range of motion of movable arms 110 and brushes 125. Arms 110 are selectively movable to gain access to hopper 600, as during a hopper emptying procedure. Brush arms 110 are additionally coupled to carriage 120 by way of springs 40R and 40L. As shown in FIG. 3, brush arms 110 are configured so that arms 110 may be swung out from operational position A to displaced position B thereby permitting convenient insertion and removal of the hopper 600. Springs 40 are aligned relative to arm 110 pivot point 114 so that in position A, springs 40 bias arms 110 inwardly, while in position b, springs 40 bias arms 110 outwardly. Arms 110L and 110R stop at locked positions B1 and B2 upon protrusions 111L and 111R engaging stops 135L and 135R respectively. The stop and protrusion combination prevent arms 110L and 110R from over rotating. Movable arms 110L and 110R selectively couple brushes 125L and 125R to carriage 120. Alternative selective coupling devices would be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant arts.

[0032] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a hopper support member 122 secured to carriage 120 for supporting hopper 600 at one end. The other end of hopper 600 is secured to frame member 120 by way of a spring loaded pin arrangement 700 by way of a mating pin 710 secured to hopper 600 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a hopper 600 with flexible lip 610. The debris in the hopper pan 600 can be discarded through opening 611. It should be noted that the hopper lip 610 may be integrated with the hopper 600, but is preferably a more flexible or resilient material that may be easily and inexpensively replaced. A hopper handle 712 is provided for ease of hopper 600 manipulation as during removal and emptying procedures.

[0033] Hopper 600 is easily accessed by rotating the 125L and 125R brushes away from each other to gain access to the hopper 600 for emptying and re-insertion. Selectively movable brushes 125 permit hopper 600 to be quickly removed, emptied and reinserted into proper orientation without accessory tools.

[0034] FIG. 7 provides a top plan view of the rotatable brushes 125R and 125L coupled to carriage 120 through movable arms 110. Arms 110L and 110R are pivotally mounted at one end to carriage 120. The other ends of arms 110L and 110R provide mounting members for attaching rotatable brushes 125L and 125R. Independent drive motors 115L and 115R are connected near the distal end of the arms 110L and 110R. FIG. 7 shows brush arms 110 that arms 110 swung out from an operational position thereby permitting convenient insertion and removal of the hopper 600.

[0035] FIG. 8 provides a perspective view of the rotatable brushes 125R and 125L coupled to carriage 120 through movable arms 110. Arms 110L and 110R are pivotally mounted at one end to carriage 120. The other ends of arms 110L and 110R provide mounting members for attaching rotatable brushes 125L and 125R. Independent drive motors 115L and 115R are connected near the distal end of the arms 110L and 110R. FIG. 8 shows brush arms 110 that arms 110 swung out from an operational position thereby permitting convenient insertion and removal of the hopper 600.

[0036] FIG. 9 provides an elevational view of the rotatable brushes 125R and 125L coupled to carriage 120 through movable arms 110. FIG. 9 shows brush arms 110 that arms 110 returned into an operational position thereby blocking removal of the hopper 600. FIG. 9 illustrates drive motors 115L and 115R in different positions relative to the machine centerline as compared to the drive motor positions in FIG. 7.

[0037] It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the fall scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.