U.S. patent application number 12/238360 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-02 for surface tracking sweeping broom apparatus for use with a vehicle.
Invention is credited to Roger P. Vanderlinden.
Application Number | 20090083920 12/238360 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40506546 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090083920 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vanderlinden; Roger P. |
April 2, 2009 |
SURFACE TRACKING SWEEPING BROOM APPARATUS FOR USE WITH A
VEHICLE
Abstract
A sweeping broom apparatus comprises a main body having a debris
receiving inlet, and connecting arms for operatively connecting the
main body to a vehicle. A broom shroud has a forwardly facing
debris outlet for permitting the directed egress of debris
therefrom as a forwardly propelled stream of debris. There are arms
for mounting the broom shroud on the main body, for free vertical
movement of the broom shroud with respect to the main body. A main
sweeping broom is operatively mounted free vertical movement within
the broom shroud for propelling debris forwardly from a surface
being cleaned, thereby creating a stream of debris propelled
forwardly through the forwardly facing debris outlet to a the
debris receiving inlet of the vehicle. A dust-containing pliable
cover is connected in substantially sealed relation to the broom
shroud at the forwardly facing debris outlet and connected in
substantially sealed relation to the vehicle at the debris
receiving inlet for containing dust from the stream of debris
propelled forwardly through the forwardly facing debris outlet.
Inventors: |
Vanderlinden; Roger P.;
(Burlington, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Roger P. Vanderlinden
Suite 300, 1100 Burloak Drive
Burlington
L7L 6B2
CA
|
Family ID: |
40506546 |
Appl. No.: |
12/238360 |
Filed: |
September 25, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60975029 |
Sep 25, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/83 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01H 1/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/83 |
International
Class: |
E01H 1/04 20060101
E01H001/04 |
Claims
1. A sweeping broom apparatus comprising: a main body having a
debris receiving inlet; connecting means for operatively connecting
said main body to a vehicle; a broom shroud having a front end, a
back end, an open bottom defined by a bottom edge, and a forwardly
facing debris outlet for permitting the directed egress of debris
therefrom as a forwardly propelled stream of debris; means for
mounting said broom shroud on said main body, for free vertical
movement of said broom shroud with respect to said main body;
airflow obstructing means disposed around the bottom edge of said
broom shroud for substantially obstructing the egress of air from
between the bottom edge of said broom shroud and the surface being
cleaned; a main sweeping broom operatively mounted within said
broom shroud for propelling debris forwardly from a surface being
cleaned, thereby creating a stream of debris propelled forwardly
through said forwardly facing debris outlet to said debris
receiving inlet of said vehicle; and, a dust-containing pliable
cover connected in substantially sealed relation to said broom
shroud at said forwardly facing debris outlet and connected in
substantially sealed relation to said main body at said debris
receiving inlet for containing dust from said stream of debris
propelled forwardly through said forwardly facing debris
outlet.
2. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 1, wherein said
dust-containing pliable cover is connected in removable and
replaceable relation to said broom shroud at said forwardly facing
debris outlet.
3. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 1, wherein said
dust-containing pliable cover is connected in removable and
replaceable relation to said main body at said debris receiving
inlet.
4. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 1, wherein said
dust-containing pliable cover is bellows-shaped.
5. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 4, wherein said
dust-containing pliable cover is made from is chosen from the group
of rubber, canvas, and rubber-covered canvas.
6. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 1, wherein said connecting
means for operatively connecting said main body to a vehicle
comprises a pair of forwardly extending upper arm members and a
pair of forwardly extending lower arm members.
7. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 7, wherein said forwardly
extending upper arm members are connected in pivoting relation at
their respective back ends to said main body.
8. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 8, wherein said forwardly
extending lower arm members are connected in pivoting relation at
their respective back ends to said main body.
9. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for
mounting said broom shroud on said main body comprises left and
right mounting arms.
10. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 10, wherein said left and
right mounting arms are connected in pivoting relation to said
broom shroud and in pivoting relation to said main body.
11. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sweeping
broom apparatus further comprises a debris receiving hopper,
wherein said debris receiving inlet is at said debris receiving
hopper.
12. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 11, wherein said broom
shroud is disposed immediately rearwardly of said hopper.
13. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 12, wherein said
dust-containing pliable cover is connected in substantially sealed
relation to said debris receiving hopper at said debris receiving
inlet.
14. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sweeping
broom apparatus further comprises a debris receiving elevator,
wherein said debris receiving inlet is at said debris receiving
elevator.
15. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 14, wherein said broom
shroud is disposed immediately rearwardly of said elevator.
16. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 15, wherein said
dust-containing pliable cover is connected in substantially sealed
relation to said debris receiving elevator at said debris receiving
inlet.
17. A sweeping broom apparatus comprising: a main body having a
debris receiving inlet; connecting means for operatively connecting
said main body to a vehicle; a broom shroud having a front end, a
back end, an open bottom defined by a bottom edge, and a forwardly
facing debris outlet for permitting the directed egress of debris
therefrom as a forwardly propelled stream of debris; means for
mounting said broom shroud on said main body, for free vertical
movement of said broom shroud with respect to said main body;
airflow obstructing means disposed around the bottom edge of said
broom shroud for substantially obstructing the egress of air from
between the bottom edge of said broom shroud and the surface being
cleaned; a main sweeping broom operatively mounted within said
broom shroud for propelling debris forwardly from a surface being
cleaned, thereby creating a stream of debris propelled forwardly
through said forwardly facing debris outlet to said debris
receiving inlet of said vehicle; and, means for mounting said main
sweeping broom on one of said broom shroud and said vehicle, for
free vertical movement of said main sweeping broom with respect to
said broom shroud and said vehicle.
18. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 17, wherein said
connecting means for operatively connecting said main body to a
vehicle comprises a pair of forwardly extending upper arm members
and a pair of forwardly extending lower arm members.
19. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 18, wherein said
forwardly extending upper arm members are connected in pivoting
relation at their respective back ends to said main body.
20. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 19, wherein said
forwardly extending lower arm members are connected in pivoting
relation at their respective back ends to said main body.
21. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 17, wherein said means
for mounting said broom shroud on said main body comprises left and
right mounting arms.
19. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 18, wherein said left and
right mounting arms are connected in pivoting relation to said
broom shroud and in pivoting relation to said main body.
20. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 17, wherein said means
for mounting said broom shroud on a vehicle comprises left and
right mounting arms.
21. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 20, wherein said left and
right mounting arms are connected in pivoting relation to said
broom shroud and in pivoting relation to said main body.
22. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 17, wherein said sweeping
broom apparatus further comprises a debris receiving hopper,
wherein said debris receiving inlet is at said debris receiving
hopper.
23. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 22, wherein said broom
shroud is disposed immediately rearwardly of said hopper.
24. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 17, wherein said sweeping
broom apparatus further comprises a debris receiving elevator,
wherein said debris receiving inlet is at said debris receiving
elevator.
25. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 24, wherein said broom
shroud is disposed immediately rearwardly of said elevator.
26. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 17, wherein said means
for mounting said main sweeping broom on one of said broom shroud
and said vehicle comprises left and right mounting arms.
27. The sweeping broom apparatus of claim 26, wherein said left and
right mounting arms are connected in pivoting relation to said main
sweeping broom and in pivoting relation to said main body.
Description
[0001] This application is a non-provisional application claiming
priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/975,029 filed on Sep. 25, 2007, which is herein incorporated by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to street sweeping vehicles,
and more particularly to dustless street sweeping vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Conventional street sweepers have a main vehicle body and a
hopper supported by the main vehicle body. In mechanical type
street sweepers, there is a debris elevator at the back end of the
vehicle. A large cylindrically shaped rotating sweeping broom is
disposed immediately behind the elevator. The large cylindrically
shaped sweeping broom contacts the surface being cleaned so as to
propel debris forwardly to the elevator. The debris elevator
receives debris from a main sweeping broom and deposits the debris
into the hopper.
[0004] Similarly, for re-circulating types street sweepers and
vacuum type street sweepers, a large cylindrically shaped sweeping
broom is commonly used in conjunction with air flow to remove
debris from a surface being cleaned.
[0005] Inevitably, the action of the rotating sweeping broom causes
a large volume and flow of air laden with dust and other fine
particulate material. Of particular concern is very fine
particulate material such a "PM10" and "PM2.5", which refer to
respirable particulate material or dusts with an average aerosol
diameter of less than 10 microns or 2.5 microns, respectively. This
fine particulate material is generally considered as a health risk
to humans. It is well known that this fine particulate material can
cause breathing problems, especially to more susceptible
individuals, and the long term affects of breathing this fine
particulate material can seriously affect one's health.
Accordingly, legislation exists in many jurisdictions to preclude
street sweepers and factory sweepers from emanating such fine
particulate material during sweeping operations.
[0006] In prior art sweepers, in order to preclude the escape of
dust and other fine particulate material from the broom area, the
elevator, if present, and the hopper are shrouded. Additionally,
the bottom of the shroud around the broom area and the bottom area
of the elevator, have a series of rubber flaps depending from the
shroud. The purpose of these flaps is to seal off the overall unit
to the surface, in an attempt to preclude any dust and other fine
particulate material from escaping to the ambient surroundings.
[0007] However, there is still a serious problem with prior art
street sweepers and factors sweepers, due to the fundamental nature
of their construction. The shroud around the broom and the
elevator, where applicable, is substantially rigid. The sweeping
broom is independently spring mounted for vertical movement within
the shroud such that the sweeping broom can generally track most of
the undulations in the surface being cleaned; however, the shroud
around the broom does not move with the undulations in the surface
being swept as it is rigid and is rigidly connected to the vehicle.
Accordingly, the various flaps at the bottom edge of the broom
shroud may separate from the surface being swept, thus permitting
dust and other fine particulate material to be forcefully expelled
from the sweeping apparatus in an undesirable manner, which is
unacceptable, but until now unavoidable.
[0008] Further exacerbating the problem of dust and other fine
particulate material being forcefully emanated from the sweeping
apparatus, in some street sweepers, is the inclusion of an air
blast nozzle immediately behind the broom. Such air blast nozzles
are used to further clean the surface being swept either
immediately behind the sweeping broom, or at the area of contact of
the sweeping broom. The air expelled from the air blast nozzle
increases the overall air pressure and air motion in the broom
shroud, thus increasing the amount of dust and other fine
particulate material that might be forcefully expelled from the
sweeping apparatus. For such sweepers, there is an even greater
need for a solution to this serious problem.
[0009] Moreover, this air laden with dust and other fine
particulate material is suctioned into the hopper or debris
elevator by the re-circulating air system of the street sweeper.
However, in the case that the structure of the sweeping broom and
the broom shroud around the sweeping broom are independently
movable, at least in a vertical sense, with respect to the hopper
or debris elevator, there is a physical separation between the
broom shroud and the hopper or debris elevator. Accordingly, the
air laden with dust and other fine particulate material can escape
from between the broom shroud and the hopper or debris elevator,
which is unacceptable, or possibly even in contravention of
legislation in many jurisdictions.
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
dustless sweeping broom apparatus.
[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
dustless sweeping broom apparatus that precludes the egress of dust
and other fine particulate material from the street sweeping
vehicle.
[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
dustless sweeping broom apparatus that precludes the egress of dust
and other fine particulate material from the street sweeping
vehicle, even when the broom and broom shroud are tracking
undulations in the surface being cleaned.
[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
dustless sweeping broom apparatus, that precludes the egress of
dust and other fine particulate material from the street sweeping
vehicle, in the case that there is a physical separation between
the broom shroud and the hopper or debris elevator.
[0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
dustless sweeping broom apparatus, that precludes the egress of
dust and other fine particulate material from the street sweeping
vehicle, in the case that there is a physical separation between
the broom shroud and the hopper or debris elevator, even when the
broom and broom shroud are tracking undulations in the surface
being cleaned.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there
is disclosed a novel main body having a debris receiving inlet, and
connecting means for operatively connecting the main body to a
vehicle. A broom shroud has a front end, a back end, an open bottom
defined by a bottom edge, and a forwardly facing debris outlet for
permitting the directed egress of debris therefrom as a forwardly
propelled stream of debris. There is means for mounting the broom
shroud on the main body, for free vertical movement of the broom
shroud with respect to the main body. An airflow obstructing means
is disposed around the bottom edge of the broom shroud for
substantially obstructing the egress of air from between the bottom
edge of the broom shroud and the surface being cleaned. A main
sweeping broom is operatively mounted within the broom shroud for
propelling debris forwardly from a surface being cleaned, thereby
creating a stream of debris propelled forwardly through the
forwardly facing debris outlet to the hopper. A dust-containing
pliable cover is connected in substantially sealed relation to the
broom shroud at the forwardly facing debris outlet and connected in
substantially sealed relation to the vehicle at the debris
receiving inlet for containing dust from the stream of debris
propelled forwardly through the forwardly facing debris outlet.
[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention
there is disclosed a novel main body having a debris receiving
inlet, and connecting means for operatively connecting the main
body to a vehicle. A broom shroud has a front end, a back end, an
open bottom defined by a bottom edge, and a forwardly facing debris
outlet for permitting the directed egress of debris therefrom as a
forwardly propelled stream of debris. There is means for mounting
the broom shroud on the main body, for free vertical movement of
the broom shroud with respect to the main body. An airflow
obstructing means is disposed around the bottom edge of the broom
shroud for substantially obstructing the egress of air from between
the bottom edge of the broom shroud and the surface being cleaned.
A main sweeping broom is operatively mounted within the broom
shroud for propelling debris forwardly from a surface being
cleaned, thereby creating a stream of debris propelled forwardly
through the forwardly facing debris outlet to the hopper. There is
also means for mounting the main sweeping broom on one of the broom
shroud and the vehicle, for free vertical movement of the main
sweeping broom with respect to the broom shroud and the
vehicle.
[0017] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the
present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of
the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts
and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon
consideration of the following detailed description and the
appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the
latter of which is briefly described herein below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic
of the sweeping broom apparatus according to the present invention,
as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation,
together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be
better understood from the following drawings in which a presently
preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by
way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the
drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only,
and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the
invention. In the accompanying drawings:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away left side elevational view of
the first preferred embodiment of the sweeping broom apparatus
according to the present invention, connected to a vehicle,
specifically a tractor;
[0020] FIG. 2 is an enlarged partially cut-away left side
elevational view of the first preferred embodiment of the sweeping
broom apparatus of FIG. 1, mounted on a tractor; and,
[0021] FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away left side elevational view of
the second preferred embodiment of the sweeping broom apparatus
according to the present invention, connected to a vehicle,
specifically a tractor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings, it will be
noted that FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a first preferred embodiment of
the sweeping broom apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 3
illustrate a second preferred embodiment of the sweeping broom
apparatus of the present invention.
[0023] Reference will now be made to FIGS. 1 and 2, which show a
first preferred embodiment of the sweeping broom apparatus of the
present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 20.
The sweeping broom apparatus 20 is for use with a vehicle, such as
a tractor 22, which is only partially shown, or as part of an
integrated sweeping vehicle. The tractor has a three point hitch 24
for receiving the sweeping broom apparatus 20 in supported relation
thereon.
[0024] The first preferred embodiment sweeping broom apparatus 20
comprises a main body 21 having a debris receiving inlet 52 for
receiving debris thereinto. There is also a connecting means, as
indicated by the general reference numeral 30, for operatively
connecting the main body 21 of the sweeping broom apparatus 20 to
the vehicle 22, such that the sweeping broom apparatus 20 is
received in supported relation on the pair of rearwardly extending
mounting arms 23 of the three point hitch 24. The connecting means
30 comprises a generally vertically oriented base member 31 on the
main body 21 having left and right generally vertically oriented
side members 32,34 and upper and lower cross members 36,38. A pair
of opposed spindles 40,42 are disposed at the bottom of the
generally vertically oriented base member 31. A pair of forwardly
extending lower arm members 45,47 are connected in pivoting
relation at their respective back ends 45b,47b to the opposed
spindles 40,42. The front ends 45f,47f of the forwardly extending
lower arm members 45,47 are connectable to the tractor 22. A pair
of forwardly extending upper arm members 44,46 are connected in
pivoting relation at their respective back ends 44b,46b to a pair
of co-operating flanges 46,48 that extend forwardly from the upper
cross member 36. The front ends 44f,46f of the forwardly extending
upper arm members 44,46 are connectable to the tractor 22.
[0025] The sweeping broom apparatus 20 comprises a debris receiving
hopper 50 disposed at the front of the sweeping broom apparatus 20.
In the first preferred embodiment, the rearwardly facing debris
receiving inlet 52 is in the debris receiving hopper 50.
[0026] A broom shroud 60 is disposed immediately rearwardly of the
debris receiving hopper 50. The broom shroud 60 has a front end 62,
a back end 64, an open bottom 66 defined by a bottom edge 68, and a
forwardly facing debris outlet 69 for permitting the directed
egress of debris therefrom as a forwardly propelled stream of
debris.
[0027] There is means for mounting the broom shroud 60 on the main
body 21, for free vertical movement of the broom shroud 60 with
respect to the main body 21. The means for mounting the broom
shroud 60 comprises left and right mounting arms 54,56. The left
and right mounting arms 54,56 are connected in pivoting relation to
the broom shroud 60 and in pivoting relation to the main body 21.
In this manner, the broom shroud 60 is vertically movable with
respect to the main body 21. Accordingly, since broom shroud 60 is
mounted for free vertical movement with respect to the main body
21, a small gap 26 exists between the debris receiving hopper 50
and the broom shroud 60.
[0028] An airflow obstructing means 70 is disposed around the
bottom edge of the broom shroud 60 for substantially obstructing
the egress of air from between the bottom edge of the broom shroud
60 and a surface being cleaned 29. The airflow obstructing means 70
comprises a series of overlapping rubber flaps 70 depending from
the bottom edge 68 of the broom shroud 60.
[0029] A main sweeping broom 72 is operatively mounted within the
broom shroud 60 for propelling debris forwardly from a surface
being cleaned 29, thereby creating a stream of debris propelled
forwardly through the forwardly facing debris outlet 69 directly to
the rearwardly facing debris receiving inlet 52 of the main body
21. The means for mounting the main sweeping broom 72 on one of the
broom shroud and the vehicle comprises left and right mounting arms
73,75. The left and right mounting arms 73,75 are connected in
pivoting relation to the main sweeping broom 72 and in pivoting
relation to the main body 21.
[0030] A dust-containing pliable cover 80 is preferably
bellows-shaped and is preferably made from is chosen from the group
of rubber, canvas, and rubber-covered canvas. The dust-containing
pliable cover 80 is operatively connected in substantially sealed
relation to the broom shroud 60 at the forwardly facing debris
outlet 69 and is operatively connected in substantially sealed
relation to the main body 21, specifically the debris receiving
hopper 50, at the debris receiving inlet 52 for containing dust
from the stream of debris propelled forwardly through the forwardly
facing debris outlet 69. In the first preferred embodiment, as
illustrated, the dust-containing pliable cover 80 is operatively
connected in removable and replaceable relation to the broom shroud
60 at the forwardly facing debris outlet 69, and is operatively
connected in removable and replaceable relation to the broom shroud
60 at the forwardly facing debris outlet 69.
[0031] More specifically, the dust-containing pliable cover 80
comprises a sheet of flexible soft synthetic rubber material with a
protective cut-proof covering, and is preferably zig-zag shaped in
cross-section to permit maximum flexibility and extension of the
dust-containing pliable cover 80. The front edge 82 of the
dust-containing pliable cover 80 has a front strip of sealing
material 83 secured thereto. The front strip of sealing material 83
is shaped and dimensioned to seal against the back surface 51 of
the debris receiving hopper 50 around the debris receiving inlet
52, thereby precluding dust from escaping between the debris
receiving hopper 50 and the dust-containing pliable cover 80.
[0032] The back edge 84 of the dust-containing pliable cover 80 has
a back strip of sealing material 85 secured thereto. The back strip
of sealing material 85 is shaped and dimensioned to seal against
the front surface 61 of the broom shroud 60 around the forwardly
facing debris outlet 69, thereby precluding dust from escaping
between the debris receiving hopper 50 and the dust-containing
pliable cover 80.
[0033] The front strip of sealing material 83 and the back strip of
sealing material 85 are each preferably made from a pliable
synthetic rubber material, or any other suitable material.
[0034] A plurality of threaded fasteners 88 are used to secure the
dust-containing pliable cover 80 in removable and replaceable
relation along its front edge 82 to the back surface 51 of the
debris receiving hopper 50 and to secure the dust-containing
pliable cover 80 in removable and replaceable relation along its
back edge 84 to the front surface 61 of the broom shroud 60.
[0035] In the above described manner, the dust-containing pliable
cover 80 provides a physical means of sealing the gap 26 between
the debris receiving hopper 50 and the broom shroud 60, thus
precluding dust from the forwardly propelled stream of debris
generated by the main sweeping broom 72 from escaping to the
ambient atmosphere.
[0036] Reference will now be made to FIG. 3, which shows a second
preferred embodiment of the sweeping broom apparatus according to
the present invention, as indicated by reference numeral 220. The
second preferred embodiment sweeping broom apparatus 220 is similar
to the first preferred embodiment sweeping broom apparatus 20,
except that there is a debris receiving elevator 290 that directly
receives the forwardly propelled stream of debris generated by the
main sweeping broom 272, and deposits the received debris into the
hopper 250. The broom shroud 260 is disposed immediately rearwardly
of the elevator 290.
[0037] In this case, the dust-containing pliable cover 280 is
operatively connected in substantially sealed relation to the broom
shroud 260 at its forwardly facing debris outlet 269 and is
operatively connected in substantially sealed relation to the
debris receiving elevator 290 at its debris receiving inlet 292 for
containing dust from the stream of debris propelled forwardly
through the forwardly facing debris outlet 269.
[0038] As can be understood from the above description and from the
accompanying drawings, the present invention provide a dustless
sweeping broom apparatus that precludes the egress of dust and
other fine particulate material from the street sweeping vehicle,
in the case that there is a physical separation between the broom
shroud and the hopper or debris elevator, even when the broom and
broom shroud are tracking undulations in the surface being cleaned,
all of which features are unknown in the prior art.
[0039] Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to
those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such
variations are considered to be within the scope of the present
invention. Further, other modifications and alterations may be used
in the design and manufacture of the sweeping broom apparatus of
the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope
of the accompanying claims.
* * * * *