U.S. patent number 3,702,488 [Application Number 05/072,275] was granted by the patent office on 1972-11-14 for scrubbing machine.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Tennant Company. Invention is credited to Joseph G. Kasper.
United States Patent |
3,702,488 |
Kasper |
November 14, 1972 |
SCRUBBING MACHINE
Abstract
A scrubbing machine having a drive unit on which an operator can
sit, and a separate scrubbing unit mounted for movement
independently of the frame of the drive unit. The scrubber uses
double brushes driven under power which will pick up debris from
and scrub surfaces on which the unit is operating. The drive unit
as shown operates on a dry surface because the scrubbing unit is
trailing.
Inventors: |
Kasper; Joseph G. (Minneapolis,
MN) |
Assignee: |
Tennant Company (Minneapolis,
MN)
|
Family
ID: |
27372053 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/072,275 |
Filed: |
September 15, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/50.3;
15/83 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L
11/00 (20130101); A47L 11/4025 (20130101); A47L
11/4061 (20130101); E01H 1/047 (20130101); A47L
11/4041 (20130101); A47L 11/4069 (20130101); A47L
11/4055 (20130101); A47L 11/302 (20130101); A47L
11/4044 (20130101); E01H 1/103 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47L
11/00 (20060101); A47L 11/30 (20060101); A47L
11/29 (20060101); E01H 1/00 (20060101); E01H
1/10 (20060101); E01H 1/04 (20060101); A47l
011/292 () |
Field of
Search: |
;15/49C,5R,5C,79,83-86,320,384,340 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Roberts; Edward L.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A surface maintenance device comprising a framework forming a
housing, a pair of rotatable surface engaging maintenance tools
rotatably mounted within said housing about substantially parallel
spaced apart axes which are parallel to the surface to be
maintained, power means to rotate said maintenance tools when the
tools are in contact with said surface, means to apply a liquid
scrubbing solution to said surface, a receptacle to receive
material carried by said maintenance tools, and positioned adjacent
a first of said tools and on an opposite side of said first tool
from the side of said first tool adjacent said second tool, means
to determine the path of material carried by said maintenance tools
to deflect debris from the surface being maintained toward said
receptacle and permit a portion of any liquid picked up by said
tools to move in opposite direction from said receptacle, said
means to determine the path of material comprising a V-shaped
deflector forming an edge positioned above and between said
maintenance tools, and the edge of said V extend-ing downwardly and
in direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said
surface maintenance tools and is positioned above the periphery of
the second of said maintenance tools, whereby liquid collecting
along said edge and dripping down therefrom under gravity will
strike the periphery of said second maintenance tool.
2. The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said receptacle
is removably mounted on said frame for manual movement thereof.
3. The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said receptacle
has side walls and a movable bottom panel, means mounting said
movable bottom panel with respect to the side walls thereof, said
means mounting said bottom panel permitting movement of said bottom
panel from a first receptacle bottom closing position to a second
position wherein said bottom panel is moved to provide an opening
through the bottom of said receptacle.
4. The combination as specified in claim 3 wherein said means
mounting said bottom panel comprise pivoting link means, actuating
means for said link means operable to move said bottom panel
substantially 90.degree. between its bottom closing position and
its second position.
5. The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said maintenance
tool comprises scrubbing brushes, squeegee means at the trailing
end of said unit behind said brushes, and means mounting said
squeegee means for selective movement toward and away from the
surface to be maintained.
6. The combination as specified in claim 5 and vacuum means to
remove material from said receptacle.
7. The combination as specified in claim 5 and a squeegee assembly
adjacent each of the side edges of said surface maintenance unit,
said squeegee assembly including a flexible member, and row brush
means attached to said flexible member, said row brush means being
positioned on each side of the surface maintenance unit adjacent
the rotating brushes and aligned with the transverse gap between
the brushes.
8. The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said maintenance
tools are brushes of different diameter.
9. The combination as specified in claim 1 and means to rotate said
maintenance tools at different rotational speeds.
10. A surface maintenance device comprising a framework forming a
housing, a pair of rotatable surface engaging maintenance tools
rotatably mounted within said housing about substantially parallel
spaced apart axes which are parallel to the surface to be
maintained, power means to rotate said maintenance tools in
opposite direction wherein said tools rotate toward each other when
in contact with said surface, a receptacle to receive material
carried by said maintenance tools, means to determine the path of
material carried by said maintenance tools to deflect debris from
the surface being maintained toward said receptacle, and permit a
portion of any liquid picked up by said tools to move in opposite
direction from said receptacle, said framework comprising a top
plate member directly overlying and forming a shield over said
surface maintenance tools, and said means to determine the path of
material comprising deflector means formed as a V-shaped structural
member extending transversely along said top plate member and fixed
thereto to reinforce said top plate member.
11. A surface scrubbing machine having a frame member, a pair of
scrubbing brushes rotatably mounted on said frame member about
substantially parallel axes substantially transverse to the
direction of movement of said scrubbing machine, means to rotate
said brushes for scrubbing said surface, means to apply a liquid
scrubbing material in the path of normal travel of said scrubbing
brushes, a trash receptacle adjacent one of said brushes, baffle
means on said frame member having surfaces positioned above and at
least partially between said brushes to direct debris over a first
one of said brushes toward said receptacle, said surfaces including
surface portions inclined downwardly from a horizontal plane when
the brushes are in working position to form an edge at the junction
of the surface portions, said edge being positioned to at least be
partially above a leading brush in direction of normal travel of
said machine whereby liquid scrubbing material striking said baffle
will tend to flow toward said edge and drip down toward the
surface.
12. The combination as specified in claim 11 wherein said surface
scrubbing machine includes a surface maintenance unit and a
separate power drive and steering unit having drive and steerable
wheel means thereon, and means to attach said surface maintenance
unit to said separate power drive and steering unit, said means to
attach comprising a link member, means pivotally mounting said link
member to said surface maintenance unit, and power lift means for
acting on said link member to raise said surface maintenance
unit.
13. The combination as specified in claim 12 wherein said means
pivotally mounting said link member to said surface maintenance
unit includes means to permit transverse movement of said surface
maintenance unit relative to said power drive and steering
unit.
14. The combination as specified in claim 12 wherein said power
drive and steering unit has a pair of powered wheels, motor means
for driving each of said wheels under fluid pressure, and means to
reverse the direction of said motor means in response to turning to
a preselected position with said steering means.
15. A surface scrubbing machine having a frame member, a pair of
counterrotating scrubbing brushes rotatably mounted on said frame
member about substantially parallel axes substantially transverse
to the direction of movement of said scrubbing unit, means to apply
a liquid scrubbing material in the path of normal travel of said
scrubbing brushes, a trash receptacle adjacent one of said brushes,
a baffle on said frame member positioned above and between said
brushes to direct debris over a first one of said brushes toward
said receptacle, said baffle being positioned so that liquid
hitting said baffle will drip under gravity onto the leading
brush.
16. The combination as specified in claim 15 wherein said brushes
have tubular core member, means powering said brushes comprising
hydraulic motors mounted substantially within said tubular cores
adjacent one end thereof, and idler means rotatably mounting the
other ends of brushes.
17. The combination as specified in claim 16 wherein said idler
means comprises separate plugs mounted inside said tubular core
members at the opposite ends of said brushes, and bracket means
mounting said idler plugs for removal thereof from said core
members in a first direction, said tubular core members being
slidably removable from said drive motors in direction toward the
second ends thereof when said bracket means and idler plugs are
removed.
18. The combination as specified in claim 15 and squeegee means at
the trailing end of said scrubbing machine behind said brushes, and
means mounting said squeegee means for selective movement toward
and away from the surface to be scrubbed.
19. The scrubbing machine of claim 18 and fluid pressure means to
control movement of said squeegee, control means for said fluid
pressure means to limit the amount of downward force on said
squeegee means.
20. The scrubbing machine of claim 18 wherein said squeegee means
comprises a frame, a pair of spaced apart, co-extensive surface
engaging flexible member forming a liquid receiving channel, and
vacuum means to remove liquid from said channel.
21. A surface scrubbing machine having a frame member, means to
move said machine along the surface to be scrubbed, a pair of
counterrotating scrubbing brushes rotatably mounted on said frame
member about substantially parallel axes substantially transverse
to the direction of movement of said scrubbing machine, means to
apply a liquid scrubbing material in the path of normal travel of
said scrubbing brushes, a trash receptacle adjacent a first one of
said brushes, baffle means to direct solid debris and a first
portion of the liquid scrubbing material engaged by said brushes
over said first one of said brushes into said receptacle said
baffle means on said frame being positioned to be more closely
spaced from one of said brushes than the other to permit selective
separation of liquid and other debris and to cause recirculation of
a portion of the liquid scrubbing material picked up by said
brushes back onto the surface being scrubbed in the path of travel
of said brushes.
22. The surface scrubbing machine of claim 21 and a first squeegee
assembly, means mounting said squeegee assembly to the rear of both
of said brushes in respect to the direction of travel, said
squeegee assembly extending transversely for substantially the
axial length of said brushes, and having forwardly extending
portions adjacent the lateral sides thereof, and separate lateral
side squeegee assemblies adjacent each side of said frame member
and to the outside of the ends of said brushes, said side squeegee
assemblies having trailing end portions overlapping the respective
forwardly directing portions of said first squeegee assembly and
positioned on the inside of said forwardly directed portions.
23. The surface scrubbing machine of claim 21 and a squeegee
assembly to the rear of said brushes, means to mount said squeegee
assembly on said frame comprising pivoting parallel arm means, and
means to raise said squeegee assembly off the surface being
scrubbed.
24. The surface scrubbing machine of claim 21 and vacuum means to
remove liquid from said receptacle.
25. The surface scrubbing machine of claim 24 wherein said vacuum
means includes a vacuum source, a first hydraulic motor means
driving said vacuum source, and a second hydraulic motor means for
driving said brushes, a source of fluid under pressure, and control
means controlling operation of said first and second hydraulic
motor means.
26. The surface scrubbing machine of claim 25 wherein said control
means permit operation of said first and second hydraulic motor
means simultaneously in series, and selectively permit operation of
only said first motor means.
27. The scrubbing machine of claim 25 and a separate power unit,
and a scrubbing unit, means to lift said scrubbing unit relative to
said power unit comprising a fluid pressure actuated cylinder,
bypass means to control fluid pressure on said cylinder said source
of fluid under pressure supplying said bypass means, and flow
divider means from said source of fluid under pressure supplying a
priority flow of fluid under pressure to said bypass means.
28. A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like
comprising in combination, a maintenance unit comprising a pair of
brushes rotatably mounted about substantially parallel axes and
having peripheries positioned closely adjacent each other, first
power means to move said unit across a surface to be maintained in
direction generally transverse to the extension of the axes of said
brushes, second separate power means to rotate each of said brushes
in opposite directions of rotation so as to have the brushes
rotating toward each other while in contact with the surface to be
maintained, said brushes being of different diameter, a first brush
having a smaller diameter, a debris receiving receptacle adjacent
the side of said first brush opposite from the other brush, and in
the trajectory path of material engaged by said brushes as
determined by the different diameter brushes.
29. A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like
comprising in combination, a maintenance unit comprising a pair of
brushes rotatably mounted about substantially parallel axes and
having peripheries positioned closely adjacent each other, first
power means to move said unit across a surface to be maintained in
direction generally transverse to the extension of the axes of said
brushes, second separate power means to rotate each of said brushes
in opposite directions of rotation so as to have the brushes
rotating toward each other while in contact with the surface to be
maintained, means to rotate said brushes at different speeds of
rotation from each other to direct material picked up by said
brushes from a surface to be maintained at a desired trajectory,
and a debris receiving receptacle adjacent the side of one of said
brushes opposite from the other brush and in the trajectory path of
material picked up by said brushes.
30. A maintenance machine for surfaces such as a floor or the like
comprising in combination, a maintenance unit comprising a pair of
brushes rotatably mounted about substantially parallel axes and
having peripheries positioned closely adjacent each other, first
power means to move said unit across a surface to be maintained in
direction generally transverse to the extension of the axes of said
brushes, second separate power means to rotate each of said brushes
in desired directions of rotation so as to have the brushes powered
for rotation while in contact with the surface to be maintained,
mechanical means for determining the trajectory of material picked
up by said brushes from a surface to be maintained, a debris
receiving receptacle adjacent the side of one of said brushes
opposite from the other brush and in the trajectory path of
material engaged by said brushes, said mechanical means comprising
a deflector member having a surface with an elongated axis
extending substantially parallel to the axes of said brushes, said
surface having a depending edge extending in direction along said
brushes, said surface extending upwardly from said edge and
inclined toward said receptacle, said edge being positioned closer
to said other brush than the distance between any portion of said
surface and said one brush, whereby said deflector member deflects
larger and lighter particles over said one brush toward the
receptacle.
31. A surface maintenance device comprising a framework forming a
housing, a pair of rotatable surface engaging maintenance tools
rotatably mounted within said housing about substantially parallel
spaced apart axes which are parallel to the surface to be
maintained, power means to rotate said maintenance tools when said
tools are in contact with said surface, a receptacle to receive
material carried by said maintenance tools, means to determine the
path of material carried by said maintenance tools to deflect
debris from the surface being maintained toward said receptacle,
comprising a V-shaped deflector positioned above and between said
maintenance tools, and an edge surface of said V extends downwardly
and in direction parallel to the axes of rotation of said tools,
and is positioned above the periphery of one of said tools and
permits a portion of any liquid picked up by said tools to move in
opposite direction from said receptacle.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention has relation to self-propelled power driven
scrubbing machines.
2. Prior Art
Various types of powered scrubbing machines have been advanced in
the prior art, and some of them have utilized double brush
scrubbing. A typical prior art machine having a double brush hand
operated unit is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,061,859. U.S. Pat. No.
1,694,937 shows another type of hand propelled floor scrubbing
machine utilizing two scrub brushes.
Counterrotating double brushes have been used in street sweeping
machines, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 574,850. In U.S. Pat. No.
2,683,885 a double brush floor cleaning machine having an operator
seat thereon is shown. This machine is used for picking up liquids
or other debris from floors and is not utilized with a scrubbing
brush.
A further floor cleaner is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,938,068 and
this has double brushes, but the brushes are divided with an
axially extending baffle which limits their effectiveness.
Many of these prior art devices are very difficult to manufacture,
and operate. For example, there is difficulty in steering or
maneuvering the devices, and when turning the squeegee or drying
means utilized will tend to leave streaks or puddles. The devices
are not quickly and easily transported and do not adequately pick
up debris. This means that the surface usually has to be swept
before scrubbing in the prior art machines. Further, the scrubbing
job has been incomplete, scrubbing liquid re-use poor, and the
ability to get close to walls has been poor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a self-propelled scrubbing machine
that increases speed of operation, conserves scrubbing liquid and
does not require sweeping of the floor before scrubbing because of
the ability to pick up debris. The drive and steering wheels are on
a power unit of the vehicle, and a double brush wet scrubbing
assembly forms a separate unit. The two units are connected
together with links to permit the unit carrying the scrubbing
brushes to be raised and lowered with respect to the power unit. A
controlled floating action on the scrubbing unit is provided to
control down pressure on the scrubbing brushes.
The entire assembly is constructed so that the components utilized
are arranged for balance, and the double brushes used with the
scrubbing unit are properly positioned and of proper construction
and size, and operated at proper speed to pick up debris as well as
scrub. The unit may be thus used as a dry sweeper. The water or
scrubbing liquid is reused by carrying it over the leading one of
the brushes, and any excess water or scrubbing liquid carried by
the trailing brush is squeegeed up and carried to a tank with a
vacuum. A debris hopper or receptacle is provided to receive debris
and water or scrubbing liquid swept up by the scrubbing brushes.
The debris hopper may be mounted ahead of the double brush unit, or
to the rear of the double brush unit, as desired.
As shown, the two brushes are mounted so that they will scrub close
to the side edges of the machine, and the brushes are made so that
they can be removed for service by removing a bracket at one end of
the brushes, and being pulled in this direction.
The frame member for the trailing unit includes a divider and guide
between the brushes so that scrubbing liquid will be recirculated
and reused, and debris will be guided into the debris
receptacle.
Additional features include optional short turn devices for the
drive unit and a sensing device to automatically remove some of the
downward load on the brushes when the power required to drive the
brushes increases, thereby providing automatic compensation so that
the engine used with the unit is not overloaded.
If desired, the trailing unit can be mounted to move sideways so
that sharper turns may be made when the unit is adjacent the wall,
and positioning of the hydraulic reservoir used for supplying fluid
to the fluid actuated drive components at the forward end of the
drive and power unit to counterbalance the trailing unit.
Two different size brushes may be used in the double brush scrubber
for obtaining the desired control of the scrubbing operation.
A feature of the invention is that the power unit operates on a
surface that has not been wetted by the scrubber. In instances
where the entire surface has been flooded or is wet from external
sources prior to scrubbing, the device may include means to deliver
a drying air blast to the wet surface immediately ahead of the
drive and steering wheels.
The side squeegees used are mounted with leaf springs to permit
them to float and still prevent escape of wash water and debris,
even when turning. The side squeegee leaf springs also
automatically adjust for wear of the cylindrical brushes, so they
don't have to be manually reset or adjusted. The rear squeegee
cooperates with the side squeegees to prevent streaking in turning.
A hydraulic cylinder controls up and down movement of the rear
squeegee so that it can be lifted upwardly when desired to prevent
damage, or forced downwardly with the desired amount of force.
The scrubber has variable speeds, is easy to steer and control, and
is highly versatile.
Objects of the invention are to provide a versatile scrubbing
machine which has long life, good reuse of the scrubbing liquid,
picks up debris as it scrubs, variable speed, has ability to lift
and lower the scrubbing unit, and provides the features described
above and in the following specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a scrubbing machine made
according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the device of FIG. 1
with parts in section and parts broken away;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged top plan view of a scrubbing unit
of the present invention taken as on line 3--3 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 3A is a fragmentary perspective view showing a debris hopper
being removed from the scrubbing unit of the present invention;
FIG. 3B is a fragmentary sectional view taken as on line 3B--3B in
FIG. 3;
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the scrubbing unit with parts
in section, and controls for a rear squeegee used shown partly
schematically;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side view of a side squeegee showing the
leaf spring mounting thereof;
FIG. 5A is a fragmentary sectional view taken as on line 5A--5A in
FIG. 5.
FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the hydraulic circuit for
the device of the present invention;
FIG. 6A is a schematic representation of a modification of the
drive circuit to aid in making sharper turns;
FIG. 7 is a part schematic side view of the trailing unit of the
present invention showing a control for relieving the downward
pressure on the scrubbing brushes in response to the torque
required to drive the brushes;
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side sectional view showing a hopper dump
mechanism made according to the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the device of FIG. 8;
FIGS. 9A and 9B are a side and a top view respectively, of a manual
actuator for the hopper dump mechanism;
FIG. 10 is a schematic top plan view of a modified form of the
invention showing a traversing trailer scrubber unit which permits
sharper turns when the scrubber is adjacent to a wall;
FIG. 10A is a fragmentary rear view taken on line 10A--10A in FIG.
10;
FIG. 11 is a side view of a modified scrubber showing means for
drying a surface that was wet prior to scrubbing;
FIG. 12 is a detailed view of a selector valve used when exhaust
gases are used for the drying air blast;
FIG. 13 is a view taken as on line 13--13 in FIG. 11;
FIG. 14 is a side view of a scrubbing unit modified to mount the
main debris hopper ahead of the brushes and also showing a second
rear mounted hopper; and
FIG. 15 is a side view of a scrubbing unit showing brushes of
different sizes used for scrubbing.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A scrubbing machine illustrated generally at 10 made up of a power
and driving unit 11, and a scrubbing unit 12, which are
independently constructed, and are connected together so that the
power unit 11 will, as shown, pull the scrubbing unit 12 over the
surface to be scrubbed through a plurality of connecting links
illustrated generally at 13. The power unit comprises a main frame
14, powered drive wheels 15 at the rear thereof, and a front
central steering wheel 16. This perhaps can be best seen in FIG.
6A. Each of the drive wheels 15 is driven through a separate
hydraulic motor 17 and 18, respectively, which are powered in a
suitable manner through a variable volume pump, as desired. The
hydraulic motors are thus variable speed controlled, and a foot
pedal 21 is used for controlling the speed of the vehicle by
adjusting the variable volume pump.
The scrubbing drive unit can have brakes operated from a pedal 22
by an operator sitting on the operator seat 23. The hydraulic
motors 17 and 18 can be mounted to the frame of the power unit
independently, and the drive wheels 15 are then drivably mounted on
the respective output shafts of the drive motors. Any other
suitable arrangement can be utilized for driving the vehicle in
well known manner.
The steering wheel 16 is mounted about an upright axis with a
suitable frame 24, and is controlled from the operator steering
wheel 25 through a drag link 26 and steering arm 27 shown in FIG.
6A. An automotive type steering gear is used at the base end of the
steering column.
The drive unit is powered with an air cooled engine illustrated
generally at 30 located at the forward end of the power unit 11 and
mounted onto the frame 14. The air cooled engine as shown is used
for the components, such as a main drive variable volume pump 29
(shown only schematically) and a hydraulic pump 31 for accessories,
driven through a belt arrangement 32 from the engine output shaft.
The pump 31 is used for powering the hydraulically driven
components of the unit. As can be seen, a main hydraulic fluid
reservoir 33 is at the front part of the frame 14.
The frame for the power unit also supports a clean scrubbing liquid
tank 34 on which the operator seat 23 is mounted, and as can be
seen the clean liquid tank is hingedly attached to the frame so
that it can be tilted rearwardly as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2
to permit access to components positioned under the clean liquid
tank. The battery, filter and other components can be housed under
the clean liquid tank. The clean scrubbing liquid tank is used for
supplying water or other scrubbing liquid, such as detergent or
solvent solutions, to the surface 35 over which the vehicle is
moving and which will be scrubbed. This means that there will be
wet scrubbing. As shown, a hose 36 extends from the clean liquid
tank downwardly to a transverse scrub liquid spreader pipe 37 which
extends across the width of the machine and is spaced slightly
above the surface, and permits the scrubbing liquid indicated at 38
to run out onto the floor and wet the surface ahead of the
scrubbing unit 12. The pipe 37 of course may be of suitable type of
applicator pipe, and these per se are well known in the art. The
pipe 37 comprises a liquid distribution header. The tube 36
includes a manually operated on-off valve to control liquid flow.
Clean liquid can be supplied to the liquid spreader pipe or nozzles
under pressure or gravity feed.
The scrubbing unit 12, as shown, has a frame indicated generally at
41 surrounding the scrubbing unit. This frame 41 is in turn
reinforced with a cover frame plate 42 fixed thereto, and a
transverse support and divider baffle member 43 fixed to the plate
to reinforce the plate (FIG. 4). The frame 41, as shown, has a
removable brace member 44 on one side thereof removably joining
front and rear cross members, and this brace member may be removed
(see FIGS. 3 and 4) to permit installation and removal of a pair of
scrubbing brushes 45 and 46. The forward or leading scrubbing brush
45 is driven so that it rotates in direction as indicated by the
arrow 47, and the rear or trailing scrubbing brush 46 is driven as
indicated by the arrow 48. The brushes are selected to have good
debris pick up characteristics. Thus the rows of bristles are
spaced to permit the brushes to "walk over" debris. The brushes are
not full fill brushes. Further, the bristle rows are preferably of
a herring bone pattern.
On the opposite end of the brushes from the removable brace, the
drive motors for the brushes are shown. These motors are fixed
displacement hydraulic motors 51 and 52, respectively. The
hydraulic motors are fastened through brackets 53 to the side of
the frame 41 and the motors extend inwardly so that the output
shafts of each of the motors, for example the drive shaft 52A shown
for motor 52 is coaxial with the rotational axis of its respective
brush. As shown, the brushes are constructed with an open tubular
core member, as shown at 51B and 52B, and the bristles extend
outwardly. The hydraulic motors fit within the respective tubular
members. The shafts for the hydraulic motors have suitable
connections for connecting to mating adapter plugs shown at 56, in
each of the respective brushes. The drive connections from the
hydraulic motors are through the adapter plugs to the interior of
the tubular members 51B and 52B. The brushes are both supported by
their respective motor shafts 52A and 51A, and also are driven by
these shafts.
The opposite end of the brushes are mounted on idler bearing plug
assemblies attached to the brace member 44 which, as shown, fixedly
mounts a pair of shafts 57 and 58, respectively. The shafts may be
welded to the brace member, if desired. These shafts 57 and 58 in
turn have suitably mounted bearings thereon which are merely idler
bearings, and brush end adapter plugs 59 and 60, respectively, are
mounted onto the bearings so that the plugs will rotate freely with
respect to these shafts. The adapter plugs fit inside the tubular
cores for the brushes and in turn have flanges which abut against
the end surfaces of the tubular cores for the respective brushes 45
and 46. The plugs fit snugly within the interior cores. Thus when
the brace member 44 is bolted in place the frame 41 is held
together, and the plugs 59 and 60 fit inside the brushes to hold
them in proper position relative to the frame and to the drive
motors. The brushes will rotate under power when their respective
hydraulic motors 51 and 52 are powered. The brushes 45 and 46 may
be rotated at the same speed, or at different speeds. The higher
speed brush, if different speeds are used, is the one adjacent the
hopper. Different speeds on the brushes may help in debris pick up
(sweeping action) as well as liquid pick up. As an example of
preferred operation, brushes having an outer diameter of 11 1/2
inches are operated at between 450 and 550 r.p.m. with both brushes
at the same speed.
A door 61 is provided to cover the opening through which the
brushes are removed and serviced. A suitable hinge 62 is provided
for this door.
The divider baffle 43 is a transverse member, as shown, and is
positioned above the two brushes 45 and 46.
In this form of the invention, as shown, a debris hopper
illustrated generally at 65 is mounted. As shown, in FIGS. 3A and
3B, the debris hopper 65 is removably supported on provided ledges
41A formed by the frame 41, and has a lip portion 67 which is
closely adjacent the bristles of the rear brush 46. The lip also is
substantially along or slightly below a horizontal plane passing
through the rotational axis of this brush. The frame plate member
42, as shown, ends along a rearward edge that overlies the debris
hopper, so any liquid thrown up by the brushes and carried along
the underside of the panel will drop off into the debris
hopper.
The debris hopper has a pair of handles 68 that can be used for
manually removing the hopper from the frame member for emptying
when the hopper is full of debris.
Then, at the rear of the frame 14, and inside the frame, there is a
rear squeegee assembly illustrated generally at 70 which is
controlled in up and down direction with a hydraulic cylinder 71
(FIG. 4) operated through a valve of suitable design, as explained
in connection with FIG. 6. This squeegee assembly 70 is mounted on
pivoting parallel arms 72,72 on opposite ends thereof so that when
the unit is raised and lowered with the hydraulic cylinder 71, it
will raise parallel. Also as it wears and is lowered, the squeegee
will move straight down against the surface rather than cock at an
angle thereto. The squeegee has a top frame 73 with upright members
73A to which the links 72 are pivotally mounted. The opposite ends
of the links 72 are pivoted to the frame member 41.
The hydraulic cylinder 71 can be used to provide a down force on
the squeegee, and when the down force is overcome (a relief valve
in valve 71A is used for relieving this force) the squeegee will
raise guided by the parallel arms 72 against the down force of the
relief valve.
As shown, the rear squeegee top frame member 73 has resilient,
downwardly extending, spaced apart flaps 74 attached to frame 73.
The flaps can be made of a suitable elastomeric or other flexible
material that will give slightly and provide a good drying seal
against the surface 35 to trap any liquid that gets past the
scrubbing brushes and collect it. The forward flap has a rib 74A
that will engage the rear flap when the flaps are under vacuum to
prevent the vacuum from being closed off from the ends of the
squeegee. The flap has slots so liquid can go between the flaps.
The double brush assembly actually picks up most of the scrubbing
liquid in the hopper, and the rear squeegee in some instances can
be lifted off the surface.
A vacuum fan illustrated schematically at 75 is mounted on the
vehicle frame in a suitable location, and is driven with a
hydraulic motor 75A. The suction line, shown schematically, is
connected to a dirty liquid tank illustrated schematically at 76
also mounted on the frame below the operator's platform. This tank
is closed and sealed with a plenum chamber at the top. The plenum
chamber has a vacuum line 77 leading therefrom on the output side.
Line 77 is above the liquid level. The vacuum hose 77 extends from
the power and drive unit where the dirty liquid tank is mounted,
back to the scrubbing unit, underneath the frame plate member 42.
The end of vacuum hose 77 has a Y connected pipe assembly 78
thereon. The Y pipe coming from the vacuum hose 77 is split and has
two vertical sections 78A and 78B. Section 78A fits down inside the
debris receptacle or hopper 75. The vacuum pipe 78A just clears the
floor of the receptacle by a short distance and is surrounded by a
screen 79 (large size) that keeps out large pieces of debris, as
shown in FIG. 3B.
Pipe 78B extends downwardly through a provided recess in the debris
receptacle or hopper 75, and is removably coupled with a slip
coupling 78D to a fixed pipe 78C which has a tapered end portion.
The lower end of fixed pipe 78C fits between the rear flaps 74 to
create a vacuum or suction on the channel formed between the
squeegee blade members. The squeegee flaps extend around the rear
of the machine and then extend forwardly adjacent the sides of the
machine to guide liquid toward the center of the machine. Thus the
rear squeegee members collect the liquid from surface 35 that is
left over from scrubbing. The liquid moves toward the rear center
of the squeegee, enters the chamber between the front and rear
squeegee members, and then is vacuumed up through the pipe 78C, 78B
and into the Y portion 78, tube 77 and back to the dirty liquid
tank. The liquid is collected in the dirty liquid tank. Likewise,
any liquid that is carried into the receptacle or hopper 65 by the
brush 46 will be vacuumed up or sucked up through pipe 78A. A
screen or grille protecting member is provided adjacent pipe 78A if
desired to prevent debris from being picked up by the vacuum pipe
78A. The rib 74A prevents the front flap 74 from collapsing and
cutting off vacuum from the ends of the squeegee.
In addition to the rear squeegee assembly, there are squeegees
provided along the sides of the scrubbing unit. As shown in FIG 3,
There is a squeegee assembly 80 along the right hand side of the
unit which is fastened to the frame member 41, and a squeegee 82
which is along the left hand side of the unit and this squeegee is
fastened to the cover member 60 so that it moves with the cover
member. Both the squeegees 80 and 81 are provided with end portions
80A and 81A, as shown in FIG. 3, that go on the inside or forward
edge of the forwardly extending end portions of the rear squeegee
70. The scrubbing liquid collected along the side squeegees is thus
guided to the rear squeegee and further guided toward the center
thereof for pick up.
The squeegees are mounted a unique manner, as shown in FIG. 5. The
side squeegees each comprise upper frames 82 and they are mounted
on leaf springs 83 which are attached to the frames 82, and to some
portion of the main frame 41. In the case of squeegee 81, it is
attached to the door 61. The leaf springs permit the flexible skirt
portion 84 of the squeegee which is attached to the frames 82 to
move laterally over the floor and to give slightly sideways, and
also move up and down in a linear direction without causing the
squeegee to twist, rub extensively and wear out.
The leaf springs further provide some "give" when the unit swings
sideways during turning, as a trailing unit will, and provide for
automatic adjustment for wear of the brushes. The leaf or blade
springs give to compensate for this wear without manual
adjustment.
Small brushes 85 are attached to the frames 82 and are positioned
along side the main brushes and are row brushes. The side squeegee
members are formed so that the flexible sections 84 extend
outwardly at an angle with respect to the support 82. The flexible
sections extend outwardly, as shown in FIG. 5A, and the brushes 85,
which are attached to the upper frame 82, extend inwardly toward
the main rotary brushes 45 and 46. The small brushes 85 are
positioned to engage the surface being swept, as well as being very
close to the end bristles of the main rotary brushes 45 and 46.
This action keeps the debris from being spilled out around the ends
of the main brushes and also prevents the debris from being lost
from between the brushes 45 and 46 underneath the squeegees when
the corners are being turned and the rotary brushes slide
sideways.
The outwardly extending flexible sections on the squeegee will
insure that the side portions are kept free of debris and also the
scrubbing liquid is kept inside the unit. The outward extension of
the flexible section makes it easier for the flexible sections 84
to be in contact with the surface 35 where the flexible members on
the side squeegees angle inwardly to be inside the rear squeegee as
shown in 80A and 81A. This outwardly extending slant of the
flexible section also permits them to follow the surface 35 when
corners are being turned without turning under and getting out of
position. When the vehicle is turned the squeegees have to slide
sideways a substantial amount. The straight flexible members tend
to fold in or out and when this happens, the squeegees would fold
out of position and no longer give a good seal. The outward slant
of flexible members prevents this.
The scrubbing unit is attached to the power unit in an independent
manner. While rear mounting is shown, the unit may be front mounted
and pushed rather than pulled. The improvements described in the
scrubbing unit are very beneficial whether the unit is front or
rear mounted, but rear mounting permits the power unit 11 to
operate on a dry surface. The links shown generally at 13 are shown
in greater detail in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. As can be seen, a pair of
spaced apart channel members 87 are fixed to the top plate member
42 of the frame 41 and extend upwardly therefrom to form a control
mast assembly. It should be noted that these channel members are
positioned substantially directly above the cross frame member 43
that extends transversely across the frame.
The channel members 87 in turn have a channel shaped main tow and
lift link 88 pivotally between them with a pin 89. The pin 89
extends along a transverse axis. The link 88 as shown, is not
straight, but has a bend in it for clearance purposes, and the
opposite end of the link 88 is pivotally attached with a pin 90 to
a provided mounting portion of the frame 14 of the power unit. In
addition, the scrubbing unit is connected to the power unit with a
pair of spaced apart outboard drag links 91 and 92, respectively,
which have suitable part spherical seat pivoting rod ends thereon.
First ends of the drag links are attached to suitable ears 93 on
the main frame of the power unit 11, and the opposite ends of links
91 and 92 are attached to suitable ears 94 on the frame plate
member 42 of the scrubbing unit. These drag links keep the
scrubbing unit properly positioned as it is being towed through the
main pull link 88, and also control the angle of the scrubbing unit
with respect to the surface 35 as the scrubbing unit is raised.
The support for the scrubbing unit comes through link 88, and this
link can twist and give to permit one end of the scrubbing unit to
raise relative to the other as it moves over irregularities. The
links 91 and 92 permit this movement.
Raising and lowering of the scrubbing unit is controlled with a
hydraulic cylinder 95, which can be single acting because it only
has to lift the scrubbing unit, and the weight of the scrubbing
unit will cause it to retract, and this hydraulic cylinder 95 is
attached as at 96 to the main frame of the power unit. The cylinder
95 has an extendable and retractable rod 97 pivotally attached as
at 98 to the link 88.
Thus, when the power unit is powered and moving over the surface,
the link 88 will pull the scrubbing unit along, and the links 91
and 92 will also keep the scrubbing unit properly positioned and
exert a pull on it, while permitting the unit to float over
objects, if necessary.
As can be seen in FIG. 2 in dotted lines, the trailing unit can be
raised. The drag links 91 and 92 control the angle of the scrubbing
unit with respect to the surface when the scrubbing unit is lifted.
When the pull link 88 is raised to its dotted line position, it can
be seen that the rear portions of the scrubbing unit raise much
higher than the forward portions to provide for clearance at the
rear if the vehicle is driven up an inclined surface.
A safety lock member 100 is pivotally mounted about the same pin 98
as the rod of the hydraulic cylinder, between the legs of the link
88, and is controlled through a push pull control wire 101 which is
similar to an ordinary choke control. The control wire can be moved
to its solid line position as shown in FIG. 2, and then the
cylinder 95 will be operable and can be retracted when the control
valve for the cylinder is operated. However, when the cylinder 95
is extended, the control 101 can be pushed to its dotted line
position by an operator and this will move the safety lock member
100 into position as shown in dotted lines where the end of the
member 100 will abut against the end surface of the cylinder itself
around the rod, and prevent the rod from retracting. This will hold
the scrubber unit raised even if hydraulic pressure should fail, as
a safety measure. The scrubbing unit is raised and may be locked in
raised position for rapid transport without having the brushes and
squeegees wearing against the surface 35.
The control line leading to the cylinder 95 can have a suitable
valve assembly shown schematically at 102, which can be adjusted so
that only a desired amount of lift pressure will be exerted on the
cylinder 95. This will mean that the operator can vary the load
supported by the cylinder 95 so that the downward bearing pressure
of the scrubbing unit on the brushes 45 and 46 can be changed by
adjusting the valve to change the size of a bypass orifice and thus
change the pressure in the line 104 and cause the cylinder 95 to
bear more of the weight of the scrubbing unit. It should also be
noted that a flow divider 105, which is shown schematically,
divides the flow from the pump 31 so that a low flow, for example 1
gallon a minute, will be flowing through the valve 102. Then, even
if the engine 30 drops in r.p.m. so the output of the pump drops,
this small flow will be maintained, and the cylinder 95 will not
suddenly drop because of a reduction flow through the control valve
102.
A feature of the unit is that the forward housing 108 over the
engine has a center opening 109, that has a sealing member 110 that
mates against the outer periphery of the inlet opening to the
provided engine cooling fan so that there is no possibility for air
to be drawn from around the interior of the housing 108 into the
engine and fresh clean air will always be blow, across the engine.
The engine is a conventional air cooled engine. The warm air can be
disbursed out through suitable ducts.
Additionally, the carburetor for the engine can be mounted so that
it has its intake open directly to the air cooling housing for the
engine fan so that there is a fresh flow of air coming through
opening 109 into the carburetor which slightly super charges the
engine. The engine cover having opening 109 of course can be
removed for servicing.
A sheet metal housing 107 can be used over the scrubbing unit. The
housing 107 may also be plastic if desired, and has a movable cover
member 107A that is hinged to the main part of the housing 107 and
can be raised and lowered to get into the debris hopper, and remove
it for cleaning or to service components in the scrubbing unit.
This cover is shown in its dotted position in FIG. 1. The cover
107A when fastened down with suitable clamp means, holds the debris
hopper in proper position.
FIG. 6 is a hydraulic schematic representation of the drive
components of the present invention. It was previously mentioned
that the unit used two different hydraulic pumps, and these pumps
are shown schematically. The engine 30 drives the hydraulic pump 31
which is the hydraulic pump for auxiliary components, and the
engine also drives a variable displacement piston type pump 29
which is used for driving the wheel motors 17 and 18 in a closed
circuit. The variable displacement pump is a commercially available
pump that has a lever control operated by foot pedal 21 that
regulates the amount of oil that is pumped, and the amount of oil
being pumped through the motors 17 and 18, which, as shown, are in
parallel, determines the speed of movement of the vehicle. A
suitable hydraulic makeup circuit 28 can be installed in this
circuit to take care of any leakage losses and the like. The makeup
circuit is a common circuit furnished with the pump, which is made
and sold by Vickers Mobile Division of Sperry Rand Corporation. The
pump has a "swash plate" control to regulate the amount of fluid
under pressure being pumped out into the motors 17 and 18. The pump
is an overcenter pump that may provide reverse flow to the motors
and thereby reverse rotation of the motors as well as provide a
neutral or stopped position.
The second pump for auxiliary components, shown at 31, has the flow
divider 105 built into the pump and this delivers a set low volume,
for example 1 gallon a minute, at a thousand pounds per square inch
pressure to the hydraulic cylinder 95 for the control of lifting
and lowering the trailing unit. The valve assembly 102 includes a
manually controllable spool shown at 102A that can be shifted from
a central position wherein pump from the flow divider 105 will
merely pass through the valve and out into a return line 103 but do
this through a variable orifice valve 102B that controls the amount
of back pressure in the lines leading from the flow divider 105. A
relief valve 102C is also provide across the line to relieve
overpressures.
When the valve 102A is shifted to position wherein the side
indicated at 102D is aligned with line 104, it can be seen that
fluid under pressure will be applied to the hydraulic cylinder 95,
but only the amount of pressure that the adjustable valve 102B
provides as a back pressure. This then actuates the rod 97 of the
cylinder at a selected manually variable pressure so that the
downward load on the brushes in the scrubbing unit can be regulated
by adjusting the valve 102B. When the spool is moved in the
opposite direction so that the section 102E aligns with the line
104, the full pressure of the relief valve setting of valve 102 can
be applied to the cylinder 95, and positively raise the scrubbing
unit. This means that the scrubbing unit can thus be held in an
upright position, and when the valve spool 102A is again returned
to its centered position as shown in solid lines, the line 104 is
blocked in the central portion of the valve and the flow from the
flow divider 105 is directed through the spool into the series
circuit through line 103.
The cylinder 71 for the rear squeegee assembly 70 is connected
through a valve 71A to the line 103. This valve or cylinder 71 is a
double acting cylinder and the spool valve 71A is a normal four-way
valve which will block both lines leading to the cylinder 71 in its
central position, and will in one position force the rod of
cylinder 71 out and in the other position force the rod of cylinder
71 in. The unit is normally operated with the valve set to force
the rod outwardly. A suitable relief valve is also supplied in
valve 71A and is set to open when the pressure urging the rod of
cylinder 71 out exceeds a preselected amount. The relief valve
setting in valve 71A thus determines the force applied to the rear
squeegee and is usually set very low, for example 50 p.s.i.
The various valves are connected to drain or reservoir through
lines shown schematically to the reservoir 33 which is also shown
schematically.
The balance of the output of the auxiliary pump 31 comprises a
higher volume of flow, for example a flow of seven gallons per
minute at rated speed for the pump 31. This secondary flow is in a
circuit driving the brushes and the vacuum fan. The flow divider
105 has priority, so even when the motor 31 is running at low
speeds the 1 gallon per minute will be delivered to make the
adjustable valve 102B effective to hold the trailing unit at the
desired force level. This 1 gallon per minute is a constant flow
even though the engine 30 may be idling, so that the setting of
adjustable orifice valve 102B can be held constant.
The pump 31 in a normal situation is used for driving the brush
motors and the fan motor in a series hydraulic circuit. A control
valve 113 is used, and in its centered position it will merely
return the flow from the pump 31 on the secondary side indicated at
line 114 to the reservoir 33. However, when it is shifted to
position so that the section 113A is aligned with the center
connecting pipes, it can be seen that the branch line 114A will be
directed toward a blocked port 114B. The output of the pump 31 on
the secondary side is then directed to the motor 51, Then to motor
52, and then to the motor 75A for the vacuum fan in series. The
other side of the motor 75A then returns to the reservoir. This is
the normal operation where all of the motors are operating at once,
including the scrubbing brushes, and the vacuum fan motor.
When the valve 113 is shifted so the portion 113B is aligned with
the center section, it provides a means for stopping the brush
motors 51 and 52 and operating the vacuum fan motor 75A alone. This
may be a situation where scrubbing is not desired, but vacuum is
wanted, for example, for picking up of liquid in a stationary
position or even picking up liquid with the squeegees as the unit
moves over a surface. In this instance, the branch line 114 directs
the fluid under pressure through a check valve 115 into a line 116
that intercepts the series connected line between motor 52 and
motor 75A, and supplies fluid under pressure to this point. Because
this pressure will be equal to that on the line 114 through the
motors 51 and 52, the motors 51 and 52 will not rotate but will
maybe stand still, and the entire output of the pump 31 on the
secondary side will be directed through line 116 to motor 75A and
drive this vacuum fan motor. The valve 113 can again be returned to
neutral when the unit is merely idling and not being used at
all.
A low pressure bypass valve is used in the return line coming from
the valves 102 and 71A to bypass a filter shown in the return line
when the filter back pressure exceeds this setting.
Thus, the wheel drive circuit is separate from the accessory
circuit and the variable volume pump takes care of just the wheel
motors, and the setting of the pump determines the speed at which
the motors operate. The setting of the pump can be actuated through
the pedal 21 to operate a swash plate. The pump 29 also drives the
unit in reverse.
The accessory pump 31 has a priority circuit through flow divider
105 that goes to a cylinder 95 first so that the float on the rear
unit can be adjusted accurately by adjusting the variable valve
102B. The unit is thus all hydraulically driven in its accessory
and ground drive circuits.
In operation, the unit is steered through the use of the front
steering wheel. The unit can be moved to scrub within one and a
half inches of a vertical side wall and will turn corners in a
usual manner.
The scrubbing liquid tank has a valve that can be opened so that
the scrubbing liquid carries out through openings in the spreader
pipe or header 37, and the hydraulic motors for the scrubbing
brushes 45 and 46 are activated to rotate the scrubbing brushes 45
and 46 in the directions as indicated by the arrows for the
respective brushes. The power unit will then be driven forwardly
and debris on the surface 35 will be picked up by the leading
brush, carried up by the second brush between the two brushes
together with the scrubbing liquid that has contacted the surface
and a scrubbing action will take place. Scrub liquid is reused by
diverting some of the liquid over the front brush and back onto the
floor. The frame divider member 43 will divide the flow of liquid
and direct the debris backward into the debris hopper. It should be
noted that the divider frame member 43 is positioned so that it is
closer to the leading brush adjacent the top parts thereof and this
causes debris to be deflected along the trailing surfaces of this
frame member and over the trailing brush back into the rear debris
hopper. Liquid will be carried forwardly over the bristles of front
brush 46 and will be reused or applied to the surface 35 as the
scrubbing action takes place. Liquid collecting on the divider
frame member 43 and along the underside of the plate 42 will drip
off the edge of the frame member back into the forward brush and be
carried over this brush. Some of the liquid will be carried back by
the rear brush 46 into the debris hopper, which is very close to
the brush bristles, and this liquid will be sucked into the dirty
liquid tank through hose connection 78A.
Liquid that remains on the surface 35 will be gathered in by the
squeegees as the scrubbing unit moves forwardly and will be trapped
between the flexible members 74, 74 and sucked by the pipe 78C
through pipe 78B and into the dirty liquid tank as well.
Thus the surface is swept and scrubbed clean and left dry. The
scrubbing unit also may be used as a double brush mobile sweeper,
merely by turning off the flow of liquid in spreader pipe 37. With
the brushes running they will pick up dust and debris and deposit
it in the debris hopper as the unit moves over the surface. The
rear squeegee can be raised and the vacuum can be used for dust
control, if desired.
The speed of the scrubbing brushes, the relative size of the two
scrubbing brushes, the spacing between the brushes, and the travel
speed of the unit are all interrelated in doing a good scrubbing or
sweeping job. Brush peripheral speeds should be above 1,100 feet
per minute.
The use of two brushes traveling at the same speed tends to throw
the liquid and debris almost straight up. The deflectors or guides
used then determine the direction of movement of the liquid and
debris. If one brush rotates faster than the other and both are the
same size, the debris will be deflected at an angle toward the
slower brush. If two different size brushes are used, the larger
brush deflects the debris at an angle over the smaller brush. Thus,
speed and size of the brushes can be selected to obtain the desired
trajectory of liquid and debris while scrubbing. The brushes are
preferably close together, but can be spaced for debris pick up.
The close spacing is helpful for liquid and fine dust pick up.
Driving 11 1/2 inch diameter brushes between 450 and 550 r.p.m.
gives a good balance between ability to pick up dust, dirt, liquid
and debris and prevents atomizing or misting of liquid because of
too high a speed, which mainly consumes horsepower. In other words,
if the brushes are traveling at a very high rate of speed, the
scrub liquid tends to mist, and the consumption of horsepower goes
way up in relation to the ability to scrub and sweep.
A further point in recirculation of scrubbing liquid is that the
guide or divider member 43 is positioned so that the tip of it is
above the forward brush in the first form of the invention so that
the scrubbing liquid is recirculated. The liquid will drip off the
tip of the edge down on the brush and be recirculated. This is a
desirable feature, and of course the positioning of the center
baffle therefore is important so that the tip or edge that extends
parallel to the axis of rotation of the brush is above the brush
bristles and scrub liquid dripping off this tip or edge will be
dropped back onto the recirculating brush, which in this instance
is the forward brush 45. If a forwardly mounted unit is utilized,
recirculation of liquid can be achieved by having suitable means in
the debris hopper for recirculating some of the liquid.
In FIG. 7 a modified automatic arrangement for controlling the down
pressure on the scrubbing brushes is shown. In this device, the
brushes 45 and 46 are mounted in the frame as before, and the
hydraulic motors 51 and 52 are shown mounted to the frame structure
41. In this instance, the hydraulic pump is shown schematically and
supplies pressure to the cylinder 95 acting on the link. In this
instance, the input line to the cylinder is line 150 connected to a
suitable control valve shown schematically at 151, which also
controls the flow to the brush drive motors 51 and 52 through a
line 152. As shown, the motors 51 and 52 are hydraulically coupled
in series. A cylinder tap off line 153 is connected to the line
between the two motors 51 and 52, and operates through a check
valve 154 to connect to the line 150. A small fixed restriction
orifice 154A limits flow into line 150 through the check valve. The
adjustable flow restriction valve 155 (a variable flow valve which
is manually operable) is utilized. In normal operation the valve
151 is moved to position wherein flow goes from the pump to line
152 through motor 51, driving it, and then to motor 52, and then
back to the reservoir. The pressure of the motor 52 acts through
bleed off line 153 causing a flow through check valve 154 and
restriction orifice 154A. Flow back to the reservoir through line
150 is restricted to a set amount because of the adjustment of the
variable restriction valve 155. The back pressure thus acts on
cylinder 95 and acts to exert a lifting force on the trailing
unit.
If the load on the motor 52 increases because of heavier brushing,
the increased pressure in line 153 will act through the check valve
154 to increase the pressure in line 150 on the base end of the
cylinder 95 and thus tend to increase the force bearing on link 88.
This will tend to lift the scrubbing unit 12, and will in turn
reduce the downward load on the brushes and consequently reduce the
power necessary to drive the brush motors. A balanced condition
will be reached to maintain the load on the motors 51 and 52 below
a maximum. There is therefore an automatic reduction of the load on
the brushes when the pressures that operate the motor 52 increases
to a point beyond that which the normal pressure in line 150 would
be. The check valve 154, of course, prevents flow from the line 150
into the motor circuit. In this instance, if the scrubbing unit is
to be lifted for transport, the valve 151 can be moved to position
wherein the pump is coupled to line 150. The pressure will then act
to extend the cylinder rod for cylinder 95 and raise the scrubbing
unit.
Automatic compensation to prevent killing of the engine 30 is
provided because the load on the pump shown schematically will be
regulated in accordance with the load on the scrubbing brushes.
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a modified form of the debris hopper is
shown. In FIG. 8, the trailing unit 12 is modified so that the
frame 41 mounts a transverse rear baffle panel 125 that is fixed to
the frame adjacent the upper rear parts thereof, and extends
downwardly and forwardly and is attached between the side members
of the frame. The baffle forms a rear wall of the debris hopper
indicated generally at 126 positioned behind the rear brush 46. The
debris hopper includes a transversely extending front panel 127
that is attached between the side member of frame 41 and is
positioned just immediately to the rear of the rear brush 46.
Although the vacuum hose is not shown, the vacuum hose will be used
with this hopper as well.
A movable bottom panel 128 is utilized for the hopper, and this is
dust sealed along the front and rear edges with respect to the rear
panel 125 and the front panel 127. The bottom panel 128 is mounted
on a centrally mounted rod 129 which is pivotally mounted to a
suitable ear 130 on the bottom panel, and also is pivotally mounted
to a projecting support 131 fixed to the rear panel 125. The link
or rod 129 holds the bottom panel in the proper position when the
panel is in its solid line position as shown in FIG. 8. The
position of the false bottom panel 128 is controlled through a pair
of spaced apart links 134 that are pivotally mounted to spaced
support ears 135 fixed adjacent the front edge of the bottom panel
128 and is also mounted onto the outwardly extending end spaced
levers 136 of a bell crank assembly. The levers are fixed to a rock
shaft 137 that is pivotally mounted to frame members on the rear
frame portions of the trailing unit 12. The rock shaft also
includes a central control lever 137A fixed to the rock shaft. The
lever 137A is attached as at 138 to the outer end of the rod 139 on
a hydraulic piston-cylinder assembly 140. The base end of the
cylinder of this assembly 140 is mounted as at 141 to the frame for
the trailing unit 12.
The cylinder assembly 140 can be extended and retracted through a
suitable control valve 144 that actuates the cylinder from a source
of pressure. When the cylinder is extended, as shown in solid lines
in FIG. 8, the levers are in their solid line position and the
links 134 force the false bottom 128 downwardly to close the
opening between the front panel 127 and rear panel 125. This means
that any debris coming from the brush 46 will be trapped and held
in the hopper, and also the scrubbing liquid will be collected and
removed with the vacuum line as previously explained.
When the debris hopper fills, however, the false bottom panel 128
provides a means for emptying the debris hopper without manually
lifting it out as previously shown in FIG. 3A. In order to do this,
the valve 144 is actuated to retract the cylinder 140 to its
retracted position shown in dotted lines, which will in turn lift
the levers as shown in dotted lines, and this will cause the bottom
panel to pivot about the connection between the links 129 and
brackets 130 and also then will pull up the forward edge of the
panel 128 so that the panel 128 will tilt upwardly as shown in
dotted lines in FIG. 8. The link 129 will also pivot about its
connection to the supports 131 and will hold the rear edge of the
bottom panel downwardly so that the bottom panel 128 extends almost
substantially perpendicular to the surface being traversed causing
complete dumping of any debris in the hopper, without removing the
hopper itself. The use of the raisable rear squeegee assemblies
thus is very important here because the squeegee can be lifted up
over the debris when the scrubbing unit is driven forwardly. This
device for dumping also can be used where the main debris
receptacle is ahead of the brushes, as shown in FIG. 14.
As an alternative, shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, in place of the
hydraulic cylinder 140, a manual lever 145 can be pivotally mounted
as at 146 to a portion of the frame for the trailing unit 12 and a
link 147 extends backward to the trailing unit and is attached at a
point 138 to the rock shaft lever. Movement of the manual lever by
the operator will cause the same action as the hydraulic cylinder
retracting. This will cause the movable bottom 128 to dump and it
can be done manually. This is just an alternate method of manual
operation as opposed to power actuated operation which occurs with
the cylinder 140.
FIGS. 10 and 10A are schematic showings of a mounting for the
scrubbing unit 12 with respect to the power unit 11 so that the
scrubbing unit can be moved laterally from side to side if desired
to give more side clearance when sharp turns are made in either
direction with the power unit 11. This is shown schematically for
purposes of illustration, and it is to be understood that the
steering and drive mechanism for the power unit 11 will be the same
as previously disclosed. The mounting for the scrubbing unit is
modified so that the link 88 is replaced with a link 160 that is
similar to the link 88 except it has an outwardly extending end tab
161. In place of the pin and upright channels 87, the trailing unit
has a pair of upright posts 162, 162 mounted thereon which are
spaced apart a substantial distance and are wider than the link
160. The upright posts are fixed to the cross frame plate 42 and
are sufficiently sturdy and reinforced so that they will support
the entire weight of the scrubbing unit 12. A cross shaft 163 is
fixedly mounted (it can be removable if desired) between the posts
162, 162 and extends through the downwardly depending legs of the
bracket 160 as the pin 89 extends through the legs of the bracket
88. However, the shaft 163 is slidably mounted in suitable hubs
along the legs of the bracket 160.
The position of the scrubbing unit along the longitudinal axis of
the shaft 163 is controlled with a double acting hydraulic cylinder
164 that is attached as at 165 to the outer end 161 of the link
160, and the cylinder 164 has an extendable and retractable rod 166
that is attached as at 167 to a bracket that extends upwardly from
the base of unit 12 so that the cylinder is in proper alignment.
The cylinder 164 may be controlled through a suitable valve 168
from a pump and reservoir in the usual manner, and it is a double
acting cylinder The links 91 and 92 as previously explained, have
rod ends at their outer ends where they attach to the framework of
the trailing unit 12 and these rod ends have part spherical seats
of conventional design in the present form of the invention shown
in FIGS. 10 and 10A. The entire scrubbing unit 12 can be moved
axially along shaft 163 by either extending or retracting the
cylinder 164. In normal operation the side edge of the trailing
unit indicated at 171 is offset from the main part of the vehicle
so that it will travel next to a wall while the power unit is
spaced from the wall. In turning away from the wall the cylinder
164 is operated so the edge 171 is moved away from the wall so both
side edges 170 and 171 of the scrubbing unit are flush with the
edges of the power and drive unit. A sharp turn can be made because
the scrubbing unit will not immediately engage the wall but will
give some room for starting the turn before it gets close to the
wall. Also, the offset keeps the power unit away from the wall for
easier maneuvering.
By properly controlling the cylinder 164, the scrubbing unit can be
slid axially along the shaft 163 to accomplish the desired
positioning. The offsettable features are desirable whether the
scrubber is front or rear mounted. The unit may be operated with
the scrubbing unit in its dotted line position with edges 170 and
171 aligned with the edges of the power unit.
The cylinder 164 may also be automatically actuated by a solenoid
valve 156 operated by switches 157 actuated by the vehicle steering
arm 27 after the arm has been moved a preselected amount in either
direction.
Switches 158 along the sides of the trailing unit also could be
used to control a solenoid valve 159 so that if the trailing unit
rubbed against a side wall surface, the cylinder 164 would be
actuated to move the trailing unit in proper direction away from
the wall.
Referring now to FIG. 6A, a further modification of the device of
the present invention, which is used for making sharp turns is
disclosed. Here the power unit 11 has wheels, and drive motors 17
and 18, as well as the steering assembly arm 27. The motors 17 and
18 are normally in parallel, and both operate in the same
direction. A reversing valve 175 is connected to permit normal
parallel operation with both motors turning in the same direction
or with one rotating in reverse from the other. The reversing valve
is shown in a reverse position. The valve 175 is controlled by a
solenoid 176 to its reverse position so motors 17 and 18 rotate in
opposite directions. When the scrubbing machine is to be turned in
direction as indicated by the arrow 177, a switch 178 is contacted
by the outer end of the steering arm 27 when the arm reaches its
full turn position which will energize the solenoid 176 to move the
valve 175 to its reverse position as shown, thus making the machine
turn much sharper because of the reverse driving action of the two
wheels. Opposite direction reversal is possible by having another
switch (not shown) that is engaged by the steering arm 27 when the
wheel for steering is turned in the opposite direction. By
reversing the flow to the wheel motors 17 and 18, these sharper
turns can easily be accomplished. Normally, the motors operate from
the straight through position of valve 175.
In FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, there is a device shown which is used to
direct a blast of drying air or gaseous medium onto the surface 35
as shown. In one form, the engine 30 is an internal combustion
engine and the drive shaft is connected through an
engageable-disengageable (clutched) belt drive shown schematically
at 190 to a centrifugal fan 191 which has a pressure outlet 192.
This pressure outlet is connected through a pipe 193 to a cross
pipe 194. The cross pipe 194 has downwardly extending pipe sections
195 and 196 that are positioned in front of each of the drive
wheels 15 of the power unit. The downwardly extending pipes 195 and
196 end in flat broad nozzles 195A and 196A, respectively, that are
positioned closely adjacent surface 35 and immediately ahead of the
respective wheel 15 to direct a jet of air down onto the surface
and blow any liquid on the surface 35 out of the way, as well as
create a surface drying action because of the moving air.
At the forward end of the power unit 12, on the steering member,
the pipe 192 is connected to a flexible hose 197. A downwardly
extending pipe 198 then is attached to the mounting frame for the
wheel 16, which steers and of course moves, so that this downwardly
extending pipe 198 moves with the wheel. Pipe 198 has a nozzle 198A
that is also flattened out slightly and is directed immediately in
front of the steering wheel. The steering wheel 16 is thus also
provided with a dry path immediately ahead of the wheel, even
though it may be turned from its straight ahead position as shown
in dotted lines in FIG. 13.
As an alternative and/or supplement, a selector can be used for
directing heated exhaust gas from the exhaust system of the engine
30 into the pipe 192. This is shown schematically, and it is to be
understood that the blower can be disengaged, or left off entirely,
and only the exhaust system unit utilized for heated dry air if
desired. Likewise, the exhaust system can be left out of the pipe
circuit entirely if desired and only the blower 191 utilized.
The exhaust pipe 202 of the engine 30 is made so that it normally
has an outwardly extending portion 203 that connects to a suitable
muffler if desired, or is merely discharged to atmosphere. Between
the engine and the outwardly extending end of the exhaust pipe a
selector valve assembly illustrated generally at 204 is provided.
The selector valve assembly, as shown perhaps best in FIG. 12, has
a flapper valve 205 operated by a lever 206 which can pivot about
an axis and is movable between two positions. A drying gas pipe 207
is connected to pipe 202 and also to pipe 192. The flapper valve
will move between two positions, one wherein it blocks off exhaust
pipe 203 and leaves pipe 207 open, and a second position wherein it
blocks off pipe 207 and leaves pipe 203 open.
When the use of exhaust gas as a drying medium is desired, for
example if the heated gas from the exhaust is necessary to provide
a dry surface, the belt drive 190 may be disengaged so that the
blower is not operating and the blower blades of course will
substantially block the outlet to the blower 191. This then will
permit the moving of the valve lever 206 to its solid line position
wherein the flapper 205 blocks off the pipe 203 and the exhaust
gases are forced into the pipe 207 and then through the pipe system
192, 193, 194, 195, 197 and 198. This means that hot air will be
blown down onto the surface 35 ahead of the wheels through the
nozzles 195A, 196A and 198A.
If additional air is desired, or a mixing of the air is desired,
the belt drive 190 can be engaged and the blower also utilized.
This will create some back pressure on the valves of the engine,
but the blower pressure 191 will not have to be high because of the
open pipe system leading to the nozzles that direct the blasts of
air down onto the surface.
In the usual instance, either the exhaust air or the blower air
will be utilized, but in some instances they can be intermixed.
This permits the drying of the surface 35 if it has been previously
wetted by being flooded, or if it is wet prior to the scrubbing
operation.
A feature, of course, is that the scrubber unit, including the
spreader pipe for the scrubbing liquid, whether it be detergent
solution or water, is trailing the drive and steering wheels of the
power unit so that they will normally operate on a dry surface
unless the surface 35 has previously been flooded or wetted. With
the attachments of the present invention, namely the nozzles
directing air blasts ahead of the drive and steering wheels, the
unit can still operate on a dry surface even though it has
previously been flooded, and the surface will subsequently be
scrubbed to remove any streaks caused by the drying air and the
power unit wheels.
Referring to FIG. 14, a modification of the present invention is
shown wherein the scrubber unit can be made with a debris hopper
positioned ahead of the forward brush in relation to the direction
of travel. The scrubber unit can be made substantially similar as
in the previous form of the invention, and the frame 215 is the
same as frame 41 in construction extending transversely with
respect to the direction of travel, and the frame mounts brushes
216 and 217 for rotation in direction as indicated by the arrows
218 and 219. In this instance, however, the unit is moving in
direction as indicated by the arrow 220 so that a dirt receptacle
or hopper 221 is mounted ahead of the brush 217, which in this case
would be the leading brush.
The scrubbing unit can either be a trailing unit or a forward
pushed unit (which is the form shown) in this instance, and as
shown, a mast 222 has a link 223 that is a push link attached to a
power drive and steering unit such as unit 12. The push link is
pivotally mounted on the power drive and steering unit and lifted
and lowered with a cylinder such as cylinder 95. Control links 224
to keep the scrubbing unit in proper position are also included.
The hopper 221 is constructed with the dump bottom as described in
connection with FIGS. 8 and 9. The bottom and links are numbered as
explained in connection with FIGS. 8 and 9. Other types of dumping
could be used if desired, or a manually removable receptacle could
also be used.
The brushes 216 and 217 are driven by hydraulic motors, and mounted
with a removable frame member 225 which corresponds to the frame
member 44 in the previous forms of the invention. The brush
mountings would be the same as before. The brushes would be rotated
so that the deflector in this instance 226 would deflect larger
debris forwardly into the hopper 221, and a vacuum tube 227 would
be used for removing any liquid that went into the debris hopper
221.
A secondary debris receptacle 230 is removably mounted just behind
the rear brush 216 as well, if desired, and as an optional feature
this also would have a vacuum tube 231 connected to a source of
vacuum as previously explained to remove any dirty liquid that
would get into the debris receptacle. This receptacle 230 can be
smaller than the main receptacle which in this instance is
positioned ahead of the brushes.
A squeegee assembly 232 corresponding to the rear squeegee assembly
70 is also mounted at the rear of the scrubber unit to wipe up any
of the excess liquid, and to remove it with a suitable vacuum hose
in the usual manner.
Thus, it can be seen that the debris receptacle 221 can be
positioned ahead of or to the rear of the double brush scrubbing
unit, and the baffle 226 can be positioned to give the desired
direction of debris throw. Further, the brushes 216 and 217 can be
run at different speeds, as can the brushes 45 and 46. This will
change the trajectory of the swept material.
A scrubbing liquid spreader pipe 233 is mounted on the frame 215
adjacent the leading portions ahead of the forward brush 217 when
looked at in relation to the direction of travel, and this liquid
spreader pipe will take scrubbing liquid from a scrubbing liquid
solution tank on the power unit used and distribute the liquid onto
the surface 234 that is being scrubbed.
In FIG. 15, a simplified showing of a scrubbing unit illustrated
generally at 240 is shown, to show that scrub brushes of different
sizes can be used. Here, the frame 241 has a removable debris
hopper 242 that is mounted at the trailing end of the scrubbing
unit, and suitable means can be used for removing it. As shown, the
hopper will lift out of the frame. In this particular instance, the
frame 241 mounts a pair of brushes, namely a large diameter brush
243, and a smaller diameter brush 244 about parallel axes for
rotation as indicated by the direction of arrows 245 and 246. The
brushes are driven with hydraulic motors mounted as previously
described, and at the idler end of the brushes they are mounted on
removable frame member 247 which corresponds to the removable
member previously mentioned. In this instance, a divider guide or
baffle 248 is mounted to direct debris into the debris hopper 242,
and a portion of the scrubbing liquid will be carried over the
forward brush and reused. A squeegee assembly is utilized on the
trailing end of the scrubber, and on the sides thereof as shown in
previous forms of the invention. In this particular instance, the
debris will go over the small brush, and the trajectory from the
large brush will help to guide the debris over as will the
deflector or guide member 248. The unit can either be a trailing or
a push unit if desired, using suitable mounting members which are
not shown to the separate power unit 11.
These brushes also usually will be rotating at different speeds.
The optimum relationship between brush sizes has been found to be
5:4 which means that a 10 inch diameter brush 243 would use an 8
inch diameter brush 244, and speed ratios is about 2:3 in r.p.m. is
found to be satisfactory. For example, if the brush 243, the larger
diameter brush, is traveling at 600 r.p.m., the small diameter
brush 244 would be traveling at 900 r.p.m. This would make the
peripheral speed of the small brush greater than the peripheral
speed of the large brush, and this aids in carrying debris over
into the hopper. The large brush tends to throw material upwardly
and over the small brush.
The different diameter brushes can be used in the double brush
scrubbing unit, and different brush speeds can also be used. The
positioning of the hopper, whether it be ahead of or trailing the
brushes in relation to the direction of movement, is not of
critical importance, but in the instance where a small brush and a
large brush are used, the small brush should be adjacent the hopper
lip, as shown at 250. Here again, the hopper 242 can be removable
manually with suitable handles right out of the frame 241 and the
frame, of course, is constructed as previously explained. The
brushes extend transversely across the frame to get the desired
brush width, and the movement of the scrubbing unit can be in
either direction As described, the hopper is trailing. The
scrubbing unit will be supported by the power unit 11 and the power
unit would hold the spreader pipe for applying a scrubbing
liquid.
The separate scrubbing unit and power, drive and steering unit are
easily made into a front mounted scrubber. The pull link 88 would
become a push link and the drag links also could be used in
compression. The scrubbing unit could be raised or lowered with a
hydraulic cylinder as desired.
The present device has the ability to operate on smooth or rough
surfaces, as the double brush will clean rough surfaces well.
The solenoid valves used for operating the cylinder 164 for
automatic positioning of the scrubbing unit operate with suitable
power sources such as the vehicle battery. Also, the valves are
four-way valves and are shown only schematically with pressure
sources shown schematically.
The four-way valves have neutral positions that block off the ports
to cylinder 164 so other valves can actuate the cylinder 164 in
parallel.
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