Patent ID: 6016584
Filing Date: 2000-01-25
Classification: E01H

Abstract:
Sweeping apparatus for connection to a vehicle to move said sweeping apparatus over a surface in a forward direction of movement parallel to a forward direction of movement of the vehicle over the surface, said sweeping apparatus transferring loose material from the surface primarily laterally outward with respect to the forward direction of movement of said sweeping apparatus and the vehicle, said sweeping apparatus comprising:a frame structure for connection to the vehicle;first and second rotational members rotatably connected to the frame structure to rotate in parallel planes with respect to one another;a plurality of elongated bar members connected to and extending between corresponding locations on the first and second rotational members, the bar members extending generally parallel to one another and to the surface, the bar members also extending at a predetermined acute angle of less than 45 degrees with respect to the rotational plane of each rotational member, and the bar members further extending at a predetermined acute angle of from 12 to 35 degrees with respect to a perpendicular reference relative to the forward direction of motion;each bar member connecting to a rotational member at a rotational joint which permits rotation of the rotational members and simultaneous rotational and longitudinal movement of the parallel bar members, each bar member maintaining the predetermined acute angle of less than 45 degrees with respect to the rotational planes of the rotational members as the rotational members rotate;means for transferring rotational force to at least one of the rotational members to rotate the rotational members and move the parallel bar members; anda brush member connected to and extending along the length of each bar member between the rotational members, the brush member having bristles which move into contact with the surface and push the loose particles as each bar member moves; and wherein the predetermined angular orientation of the rotational members relative to the bar members and the predetermined angular orientation of the bar members relative to the perpendicular reference causing:the bar members to move rotationally in an oval rotational pattern about a rotational axis extending between center rotational points of the rotational members;the oval rotational pattern to contact the bristles with and to withdraw the bristles from the surface in a substantially vertical orientation;the bar members to move longitudinally in a direction parallel to the rotational axis;the longitudinal movement of the bar members to contact the bristles with the loose material to push the loose material in a lateral outward and rearward direction with respect to the forward direction of movement; andthe component of the longitudinal pushing movement from the bristles in a direction parallel to the rotational axis to be greater than the component of pushing movement from rotation of the bristles in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis.