Patent GB-642543-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to sweeping machines
IPC: A47L11/24
Filed: 1947-04-11
Abstract: 642,543. Road-scavenging. AYLIFFE, H. April 11, 1947, No. 9760. [Class 107] [Also in Group XXIII] A sweeping-machine for floors comprises a receptacle 1 which is adapted to be moved over the floor and embodies a forwardly and downwardly open refusecollecting space and a rear storage compartment 12, a movable ramp 34 extending across the receptacle between the collecting-space and the compartment 12, a segmental brush 51, 52 rotatable about an axis forward of the ramp, means for locking the brush in an operative position in which a resilient segment 51 on the brush is in sweeping contact with the floor and forms the rear wall of the collecting-space, and means for unlocking and rotating the conveyer to transfer the collected refuse to the compartment 12. The receptacle 1, Figs. 1 and 3, is carried by wheels 3 and provided at the front with pivoted side wings 8 pressed outwardly by springs 11. The compartment 12 is in the form of a removable bin, and a rubber gasket 15 seals the joint between it and the receptacle. The brush has two segments 51, 52, the stock 21 of which is fixed on a shaft 24 mounted in bearings in the side walls of the receptacle. The forked end 17 of the handle 16 for moving the receptacle is mounted freely on the shaft 24. The brush is rotated by a hand crank 30 through sprockets 25, 26 and chain 29. The ramp 34 is secured on a shaft 35, Figs. 3 and 5, carrying a lever 37 which is urged by a spring 38 into position for engaging an offset tongue 40 on the lever with one of two diametrically-opposite notches 32a, 32b in a disc 31 keyed on the shaft 24; the brush is then locked with one set 51 of bristles pressed against the floor, and one of the forks 17 abuts a stop 41 so that a shoe 42 on the fork is held clear of the lever 37. When sufficient refuse has accumulated against the brush by movement of the machine over the floor, the handle is raised so that the shoe 42 disengages the locking tongue 40 and the ramp 34 is pressed against the floor; rotation of the crank 30 then causes the brush to sweep the refuse into the bin 12. When the machine is to be stowed, the handle 16 is moved so that a pin 59, Fig. 5, thereon strikes the arm 44 of a bellcrank lever and moves it against a spring 48 whereby a finger 47 on the second arm 46 of the lever is pressed against the disc 31. On rotation of the crank 30, the finger 47 enters one of the two large notches 33a, 33b in the disc, and the notched end 45 of the arm 44 latches in the pin 59 and holds the handle in vertical position. The modified form of locking disc shown in Fig. 6 cooperates with a pawl 61 which is biased by a spring 63 into contact both with the notched disc and a cam surface 65 on the fork 17. The handle is again turned clockwise to release the tongue 40 from the disc, and further movement of the handle causes a notch 66 in the surface 65 to register with the nose of the pawl 61 so that when rotation of the brush by the crank 30 causes one of the large notches 33c, 33d also to register with the notch 66, they will both be engaged by the pawl 61. The means for rotating the brush may comprise belt, worm, spur or bevel gearing or a foot pedal. If desired, the brush may be driven by power, and an alternative manual drive may then be provided for the locking mechanism. During rotation of the brush, the bristles are cleaned by passing between the teeth of a comb 53, Fig. 3, mounted on a spindle 55. After the refuse has been transferred to the bin, the comb is swung to free it of any adhering matter and assist in packing the refuse in the bin. The comb may consist of a number of units each in the form of a pair of wires assembled to form an acute angle at the point of the tooth and embracing an apertured block at the other end. In the modification shown in Fig. 8, a pair of similar brush stocks 68, 69 is secured symmetrically on the shaft 24, and the fork 17 is freely rotatable on the shaft and has a central boss 74 integral with a tubular handle 75. A transmission shaft 78 extends through this boss so as to drive the shaft 24 through bevel gears 80, 81. If desired, the brushes may consist of transverse slats of rubber or rubber and bristles. If desired, the locking disc may be provided with only a single notch for each locking position. The Provisional Specification describes also (a) the ramp as having pivots on a lever connected with a spring-mounted brush-locking lever, and (b) the provision of a separate notched disc for locking the brush in stowed position.