Rotary Brush Apparatus

Abstract

A brush apparatus which comprises a pair of disc members coupled to a shaft. Individual brush elements which comprise anchor strips having axially spaced bristle securing means thereon are provided. Individual bristle tufts are associated with the anchor strips and retained therein.

Description

This invention relates to rotary brush apparatus, and more particularly, to a rotary brush construction of the "strip" type.

One advantage of the strip type brush construction (wherein individual tufts are secured to elongated tuft-mounting strips) is that the tuft-mounting strips can be secured to spaced disc members of various diameters, and the numbers of strips used may vary from few to many. There is no practical limit as to the diameter of a brush constructed in accordance with the foregoing principle. Therefore, strip construction can be used for a wide variety of brush applications. Strip construction of rotary brushes is not per se novel. Thus, I am aware of brush constructions such as those illustrated in U. S. Pat. Nos. 2,721,348 and 3,529,314. However, the present brush apparatus provides important features and advantages not characteristic of any known strip brush construction.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of this invention to provide a novel rotary brush apparatus.

It is another object to provide rotary brush apparatus wherein a cylindrical brush is constructed from strip-type brush elements.

It is another object of this invention to provide brush apparatus wherein individual bristle tufts of brush elements are removably retained in elongated anchor strips.

It is another object to provide rotary brush apparatus of strip-type construction wherein individual brush elements are securely but readily removably coupled to axially spaced discs.

It is still another object of this invention to provide rotary brush apparatus of the strip-type wherein individual bristle tufts are mounted in rigid, durable, readily demountable strips.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The foregoing and other objects are realized, in one presently preferred form of the apparatus by providing a pair of disc members coupled to a shaft, and individual brush elements coupled to and extending between the disc members. Individual bristle tufts are associated with the anchor strip, and retained in association with the strip by a channel member, into which the anchor strip is nested.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of rotary brush apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a detail view showing a portion of an anchor strip and a portion of a channel member with which it is associated.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view, taken along the line 3--3 in FIG. 1, partly broken away for clarity.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4--4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a detail view showing a portion of a disc member to which the brush elements are affixed.

FIG. 6 is a detail view showing a bristle tuft as used in the present apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a detail view of a modified form of the apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is seen in FIG. 1 rotary brush apparatus designated generally by the reference numeral 10.

The apparatus 10 includes a pair of disc members 12, 14, affixed at axially spaced locations to a central shaft 16. Keys 18 or other similar means are provided to ensure rotation of the disc members 12 and 14 in unison with the shaft 16.

Individual brush elements 20 extend between and are coupled to the disc members 12 and 14. Bristles, designated generally by the reference numeral 22, are associated with the brush elements 20. Individual brush elements 20 are coupled to the disc members 12 and 14 at circumferentially spaced points, so that in the aggregate, the brush elements 20 define an elongated cylindrical brush.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 6, the manner in which the bristles 22 are affixed to the other components of the brush elements 20 will now be described in detail.

In FIG. 6 there is illustrated a typical bristle tuft, designated generally by the reference numeral 24. The bristle tuft 24 includes a bundle of individual bristle elements 26, bound together by a clip 28. The clip 28 is of the sort disclosed in our copending U. S. Pat. application, Ser. No. 847,087, now U. S. Pat. No. 3,599,264 and includes cylindrical portions 30, interconnected by a saddle-like bight portion 32. The individual bristle elements 26 are continuous, and retained by the clip 28 in a generally U-shaped configuration. The bristle elements 26 pass through the respective cylindrical portions 30 and have bight portions thereof received in the bight portion 32 of the clip 28. Because of the generous radius of the bight portion 32 of the clip 28, weakening of the bristle elements at their respective bight portions is avoided. If bristle elements of uniform length are used, and a uniform number of elements 26 provided per tuft, the weight of the bristle tufts 24 will be uniform.

FIG. 2 illustrates a typical anchor strip 34, which forms a part of the brush element 20. The anchor strip 34 is an elongated member of generally rectangular cross-section, preferably molded from plastic polymeric material. In one presently preferred form, the anchor strip 34 is molded from linear polyethylene. A series of open-sided sockets 36 is provided on each side face of the anchor strip 34, each socket 36 being configured to receive a single bristle tuft 24. Thus, each socket 36 includes channel portions 38 and 40, sufficiently wide to receive the cylindrical portions 30 of a clip 28. The channels 38 and 40 terminate at restricted outlet portions 42 and 44 in the upper face 46 of the anchor strip 34. Referring to FIG. 3, the outlet portions 42 and 44 are of smaller transverse dimension than the cylindrical portions of a clip 28, but are sufficiently large to permit passage therethrough of the bristle elements 26 of a tuft 24. Thus, the outlet portions 42 and 44 provide shoulders 48 and 50, capable of resisting thrust from the cylindrical portions 30 in a direction radially outwardly with respect to the shaft 16. Therefore, the cylindrical portions 30 of the clip 28 may be press-fitted into the channel portions 38 and 40, so that the bristle elements 26 of the tuft 24 extend through the outlet portions 42 and 44.

When in an operative condition, the anchor strip 34 is received in nested relation within an elongated channel member 52. The channel member 52 is of generally U-shaped cross-section, and with the exception of an open mouth portion 54, conforms generally in its inner cross-section to the largest outer cross-section of the anchor strip 34. Thus, the channel member 52 includes a bottom wall 56 and a pair of spaced parallel side flanges 58 and 60 positioned to abut side faces of the anchor strip 34 when the anchor strip 34 is received within the channel member 52.

Additional flanges 62 and 64 extend inwardly toward each other from the upper edges of the respective side flanges 58 and 60 to overlie a portion of the upper face 46 of the anchor strip 34 when the anchor strip 34 is received in channel member 52. Ribs 66 and 68 extend along the side flanges 58 and 60 of the channel member 52, and mate with a series of notches 70 in the side faces of the anchor strip 34. The notches 70 lie in a line extending across the sockets 36. Thus, when the anchor strip 34 is received in the channel member 52, the ribs 66 and 68 protrude inwardly from the side faces of the anchor strip 34 into the sockets 36. The sockets 36 on the respective side faces and the anchor strip 34 are offset from eachother in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the strip. Thus, referring to FIG. 1, the bristles 22 associate with the bristle tufts 24 in sockets 36 on opposite sides of the anchor strip 34 form continuous double-rows of bristles extending axially with respect to the brush.

The inwardly directed flanges 62, 64 and ribs 66, 68 serve to maintain the bristle tufts 24 securely in their respective sockets 36.

The novel manner in which the brush elements 20 are coupled to the disc members 12 and 14 will now be described in detail.

Referring to FIG. 4, the disc member 12, typical of the disc members 12 and 14, has socket portions 72 circumferentially spaced about its periphery. In the illustrated form, the disc 12 contains 22 socket portions 72. Thus, the illustrated rotary brush apparatus 10 may contain as many as 22 brush elements 20. In the illustrated form of the apparatus 10, the disc member 12 is made in two half-segments 74 and 76. Other equivalent constructions may of course be used.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in its illustrated form, the disc 12 has an axially directed flange 78 and a radially directed flange 80. The above-mentioned socket portions 72 are defined in part by the axially directed flange 78 and in part by the radially directed flange 80. Referring in particular to FIG. 5, individual socket portions 72 are separated by thickened portions 82 of the axially extending flange 78 and ribs 84 and 86 associated with the radially extending flange 80 and the thickened portions 82 of the axially extending flange 78.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, an axially extending abutment, in the illustrated form of the invention a boss 88, projects from the radially directed flange 80. The boss 88 is spaced from the axially directed flange 78 and the rib 84. Thus, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an end of a brush element 20 may be received in the socket portions 72, the boss 88 projecting into the open end of the elongated channel member 52. As is evident In FIG. 3, when the brush elements 20 and disc members 12 and 14 are assembled, the boss 88 engages the bottom wall 56 of the elongaged channel member 52, and thereby prevents radial displacement of the brush element 20. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the anchor strip 34 is provided at each of its ends with a suitable relieved portion 90 facilitating projection of the boss 88 into the end of the channel member 52.

Wedges 92, seen in FIG. 4 but omitted for clarity in FIG. 1, are affixed to the disc members 12 and 14 on opposite sides of the socket portions 72 by bolts 94 extending through the thickened portions 82 of the axially directed flange 78. The wedges apply laterally directed forces on the brush elements 20, and securely clamp the brush elements 20 to the disc members 12 and 14. The elongated channel member 52 is preferably an aluminum extrusion. Therefore, the wedges 92 apply their clamping pressure to the extrusion, rather than the less durable anchor strip 34 nested therein. Also, the extrusion imparts to the brush elements 20 necessary rigidity.

There is seen in FIG. 7 a modified form of a portion of the apparatus 10, elements corresponding to those previously described being designated by like primed reference numerals. Thus, there is seen in FIG. 7, in cross-section, an elongated channel member 52', generally similar to the above-described channel member 52, but including a pair of ribs 98, 100 extending outwardly from its side flanges 58' and 60'. Wedges 92' are affixed to the disc member 12' on opposite sides of the channel member 52' by bolts 94'. The wedges 92' apply laterally directed forces to the channel member 52' to securely clamp the channel member 52' to the disc member 12'. In addition, the notches 102 and 104 in the wedges 92' engage the ribs 98 and 100 to maintain the channel member 52' and the brush element 20', of which the channel member 52' is a portion, in association with the disc member 12'. The ribs 98, 100, like the boss 88, provide a positive mechanical lock against removal of the brush element 20' from the disc member 12' in the event of loosening of the wedges 92'. It should be understood that ribs 98, 100 may be used in addition to a boss, such as the boss 88' shown in FIG. 7, or alone.

The disc members 12 and 14 may be cast or otherwise formed from any suitable metallic or non-metallic structural material.

The illustrated form of the invention is assembled by securing brush elements 20 to the respective half-segments 74 and 76, and then assembling the thus-made sub-assemblies to the shaft. Thus, the respective sub-assemblies are bolted together by means of bolts 96 interconnecting the half-segments 74 and 76. The keys 18 transmit torque between the disc members 12 and 14 and the shaft 16.

With the above-described construction, it is a simple matter to obtain a nearly perfectly balanced brush assembly. Since the number of bristles 22 in each bristle tuft 24 is the same, and since the lengths of the individual bristles 22 are also uniform, the weight of each bristle tuft 24 is the same. The distribution of tufts along the axial length of the brush is determined by the location of the sockets 36 in the anchor strips 34. This too is subject to manufacturing control. In the event of bristle wear, removal of the brush elements 20 is a simple matter. Thereafter, replacement of the bristle tufts 24 is readily accomplished by simply sliding the anchor strips 34 from the channel members 52, replacing the bristle tufts 24, and then re-assembling the anchor strip 34 and channel member 52.

An added advantage of the above-described brush apparatus 10 is that the use of tuft-holding staples or wire is avoided. Tuft-holding staples or wires has been known to damage the bristles, and render them prone to breakage.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims

We claim:

1. Rotary brush apparatus comprising a shaft, spaced disc members coupled to said shaft, and individual brush elements coupled to and extending between said disc members, said brush elements comprising an anchor strip having axially spaced bristle securing means thereon, bristle tufts in engagement with said bristle securing means, and an elongated channel member receiving said anchor strip therein and retaining said tufts in engagement with said bristle securing means, said channel member having open ends, said disc members including circumferentially spaced socket portions for receiving the ends of said brush elements, axially extending abutments in said socket portions extending into the open ends of said channel member when said brush elements are coupled to said disc members, and selectively releasable means associated with said socket portions for retaining the ends of said brush elements in said socket portions.

2. Rotary brush apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said abutments comprise a boss associated with each of said socket portions, and said selectively releasable means comprises wedge members adjacent said socket portions and adapted to engage said channel members.

3. Rotary brush apparatus comprising a shaft, spaced disc members coupled to said shaft, individual brush elements coupled to and extending between said disc members, said brush elements comprising an anchor strip having axially spaced bristle securing means thereon, bristle tufts in engagement with said bristle securing means, an elongated channel member receiving said anchor strip therein, said channel member retaining said tufts in engagement with said bristle securing means, said bristle securing means comprising open sided sockets in said anchor strip, said sockets being positioned so that said channel member closes said socket to retain said bristle tufts when said anchor strip is received in said channel member, said channel member having open ends, said disc members including circumferentially spaced socket portions for receiving the ends of said brush elements, axially extending abutments in said socket portions extending into the open ends of said channel member when said brush elements are coupled to said disc members, and selectively releasable means associated with said socket portions for retaining the ends of said brush elements in said socket portions.

4. Rotary brush apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein said abutments comprise a boss associated with each of said socket portions, and said selectively releasable means comprises wedge members adjacent said socket portions and adapted to engage in said channel members.

5. Rotary brush apparatus comprising a shaft, spaced disc members coupled to said shaft, individual brush elements coupled to and extending between said disc members, said brush elements comprising an anchor strip having axially spaced bristle securing means thereon, bristle tufts in engagement with said bristle securing means, an elongated channel member receiving said anchor strip therein, said channel member retaining said tufts in engagement with said bristle securing means, said bristle securing means comprising open sided sockets in said anchor strip, said open sided sockets being positioned so that the channel member closes said sockets to retain said bristle tufts when said anchor strip is received in said channel member, said sockets being disposed on opposite side faces of said anchor strip and are generally U-shaped in cross section, said bristle tufts comprising bristle members doubled over to form a bight portion complimental with said sockets, said channel member being generally U-shaped in cross section and including a bottom wall portion and spaced parallel side flanges, said side flanges abutting the side faces of said anchor strip enclosing said sockets when said anchor strip is received in said channel member, said channel member including a pair of inwardly directed flanges extending toward each other from the upper edges of said respective side flanges, said inwardly directed flanges overlying an upper edge of said anchor strip adjacent the side faces of said strip, and said channel members have open ends, said disc members including circumferentially spaced socket portions for receiving the ends of said brush elements, axially extending abutments in said socket portions extending in through the open ends of said channel members when said brush elements are coupled to said disc members, and selectively releaseable means associated with said socket portions for retaining the ends of said brush elements in said portions.

6. Rotary brush apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein said abutments comprise a boss associated with each of said socket portions, and said selectively releasable means comprises wedge members adjacent said socket portions and adapted to engage in said channel members.

7. Rotary brush apparatus comprising a shaft, spaced disc members coupled to said shaft, individual brush elements coupled to and extending between said disc members, said brush elements comprising an anchor strip having axially spaced bristle securing means thereon, bristle tufts in engagement with said bristle securing means, an elongated channel member receiving said anchor strip therein, said channel member retaining said tufts in engagement with said bristle securing means, said disc members further including circumferentially spaced socket portions for receiving said brush elements, and selectively releasable means associated with said socket portions for retaining said brush elements in said socket portions, said elongated channel member including outwardly directed ribs, said selectively releasable means comprising wedge members coupled to said disc members adjacent said socket portions and adapted to engage said channel members, said wedge members having notches thereon for engagement with said ribs.

8. Rotary brush apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein said channel members have open ends, and axially extending abutments in said socket portions extending into the open ends of said channel members when said brush elements are coupled to said disc members.