Patent ID: 6073295
Filing Date: 2000-06-13
Classification: E01H

Abstract:
A sweeping machine including a chassis, wheels for supporting the chassis, a brush mounted on the chassis for rotation in a direction to throw debris over the brush and into a debris hopper mounted on the chassis behind the brush, means mounted on the chassis for raising and lowering the brush relative to a surface to be swept,a recirculation flap positioned between the brush and the debris hopper, below a centerline of the brush, and located closely adjacent a rear portion of the brush to direct debris thrown by the brush and not reaching the debris hopper forwardly toward a brush sweeping zone, a gap between the recirculation flap and the brush rear portion, the recirculating flap having a lower flexible portion positioned adjacent the surface to be swept,means for moving the recirculation flap toward and away from the rear portion of the brush in response to movement of the brush toward and away from the surface being swept as the brush diameter is reduced to wear, whereby the gap between the rear portion of the brush and the recirculation flap remains essentially constant.