Improvements in Carpet Sweepers.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Feb., 1898-Accepted, 26th Mar., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Carpet Sweepers.
We, FRANK PIERCE KEESEE, residing at 56, Wellesley Street, in the City of
Toronto, in the County of York, and Province of Ontario, in the Dominion of Canada,
Commercial Traveller,and ELLEN CHARLOTTE TAYLOR, wife of George Cottrell
Taylor, Manufacturer of Woodenware, residing at 208, Cottingham Street, in the
said City of Toronto, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in carpet
sweepers, and relates more particularly to the arrangement, location and action of
the sweeping brush or brushes, and the location of the dust pan or dust collector
in relation to the brushes; and the invention consists essentially of the device
hereinafter more fully set forth and more particularly pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings :
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the carpet sweeper (looking at it from the top).
Fig. 2 is a similar view (from the bottom):
Fig. 3 is a perspective view with the top and brush removed, showing only the
operating mechanism.
Fig. 4 is a view of part of the brush.
Fig. 5 is a view of one of the bearings and bracket. .
Fig. 6 is a view of one of the wheels from which the brushes are operated (partly
broken away).
Fig. 7 is a plan view of the bottom of an alternative form of sweeper, showing
the brushes in dotted lines.
Fig. 8 is a view showing the means for adjusting the elevation of the driving
wheels.
Like letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the specification and
drawings.
A represents the frame or top of the carpet sweeper. As shown in Fig. 1 of the
drawings the frame is of a substantially circular shape having its central part a
slightly concavo-convex. In Fig. 7 the frame is shown to be substantially
octagonal. We do not confine ourselves to any particular shape or size of frame,
nor do we confine ourselves to making it of any particular material.
B represents an annular band suspended from the under side of the frame A. by
four hangers C, C, C1, C', respectively arranged in two sets, the hangers of each
set being diametrically opposed. The outer face b of the band B is bevelled, and
connected to the lower edge of this bevelled face is an annular apron C", of
rubber or other suitable material. The lower edge of the apron C is on
substantially the same plane as the lower edge of the brush D, whilst the under
side of the band B is slightly above the lower face of the brush, in order that
It will not impede the free action of the sweeper when travelling over the
surface swept by it. The band B forms part of the dust pan or dust collector,
and is of sufficient depth to prevent the escape therefrom of the contents.
Suspended from the under side of the frame A. is a flange or broad band E, the

page_text: lower edge of which is opposed to the top of the band B.
Between the lower edge
of the flange E and the top of the band B is an opening F, of sufficient width to
admit the dust &c. swept into the dust collector by the brush or brushes of the
sweeper.
Grepresents a supplemental frame centrally connected to the frame A by means
of four radial arms H, H, H³, E³, respectively arranged in two sets, the arms of
each set being oppositely opposed and connected to the band B at diametrically
opposite points. The under side of the band B, the bottom of the edges of the
sides of the supplemental frame G, and the under side of the arms H, E³ are all in
the same plane. The top of the supplemental frame G projects slightly above the
top of the frame A; and is connected to the frame by metallic plates. We do
not, however, confine ourselves to any specific construction of supplemental frame,
as we may vary them as the occasion demands.
I, I, represent two hinged pins, one connected to each of the arms H, H.
J represents the bottom of the dust collector, which consists of two semi-circular
sections J, J, each section being provided with female hinges K, mounted on the
hinge pins I, I. L, L, represent two springs, one connected to the inner side of each
of the sections J, J, and to the under side of the frame A, the purpose of the
springs being to hold the sections closed tightly against the arms H, H, H³, H³,
and bottom edges of the sides of the supplemental frame G. M. represents an
opening in the bottom J, registering with the opening in the bottom of the
supplemental frame G. G¹, G represent two vertically adjustable bearings slidably
held in suitable guides G", G secured to the opposite sides of the supplemental
frame G. G³, represent two adjusting screws connected to the top of the
bearings G, G, and projecting through the top g of the supplemental frame G.
By means of the adjusting screws G³, G³ the bearings 61, G can be raised or
lowered. Journaled in the bearings G¹, G¹ is an axle g, and loosely mounted on
the axle g are two driving wheels N, N. Loosely mounted on the axle g¹ are two
disks Z,, each of which has an aunular flange z extending outwardly from the
perimeter of one of its side faces. The inner face of each of the flanges z is
provided with a series of ratchet teeth z¹. The inner side face of each of the
wheels N, N is provided with a spring actuated dog N". Each of the dogs N
meshes with the ratchet teeth 2 of its respective disk. The teeth of the
disks Z, are oppositely set to each other, and the dogs N are correspondingly
set to engage the ratchet teeth. By means of this construction the wheels N, N³
whilst revolving in one direction will allow the disk to remain at rest, and at
the same time cause the rotation of the disk Z by the engagement of the dog N
carried by the wheel N with the teeth of the disk Z; and when revolving in the
opposite direction will allow the disk Z to remain at rest, and cause the rotation of
the disk by the engagement of the dog N carried by the wheel N³ with the
teeth of the disk 7. The perimeter of each of the disks 7, is provided with a
series of sprocket teeth W. Each of the hangers C, C¹ is provided with a
bearing O. In one of the bearings O is mounted one journal P of the flexible
shaft T of the brush D, and in the opposite bearing is mounted another
journal P of the same shaft. The perimeter of each of the journals P, P is
provided with a series of ratchet teeth Q. In the remaining bearings 0 are
mounted the remaining journals P" of the flexible shaft T. Passing around the
disk Z and journal P is a sprocket chain S by means of which motion is imparted
to the shaft T and brush D during the revolution of the disk Z. Passing around the
disk and journal P is a chain S¹ by means of which motion is imparted to the
shaft T and brush D during the revolution of the disk 2. By arranging the disks
to revolve in opposite directions the brush can be caused to revolve centripetally
when the sweeper is moving in either direction. The brush consists of a ribbon
or band d of leather or rubber, to which are secured bristles or fibres d. The
ribbon or band is wound spirally on the flexible shaft T, and the ends of the ribbou
or band are united to the shaft or journals. By spirally winding the ribbon or
band on the flexible shaft T and uniting the ends of the ribbon or band to the

page_text: shaft or to the journals of the shaft a continuous or annular brush is formed, of
sufficient flexibility to yield to the inequalities of the surface over which it is passing,
and of sufficient rigidity to clean it thoroughly. By raising or lowering the bearings
it is possible to draw the wheels into the supplemental frame or press, them out to
respectively bring the brush closer to the surface over which it is sweeping, or
farther away from it. By this means the pressure of the brush on the surface being
swept can be regulated.
By reference to the drawings it will be noticed that the brush D surrounds the
dust collector, and that the haugers and bearings are arranged at equi-distant
points around the frame. The dust collector being centrally situated in the
sweeper it necessarily follows that the brushes must sweep towards the centre or
middle of the sweeper, in order that the sweepings can be collected into the dust
collector. By having the brush project beyond the edges of the frame it is possibly
to sweep out of the corners of a room or hallway, and to sweep against the
baseboard, furniture, or any immoveable objects on the floor. The lever or
handles by which the carpet sweeper is operated is provided with a bail a' which
embraces the axle g¹ on the outer side of the supplemental frame G. To provide
for the free action of the bail a' there is sufficient clearance between the top of the
frame A and supplemental frame to allow of the bail freely moving in any direction,
that is, moving vertically with the vertical movement of the axle, or swinging to
the front or rear with the axle as its pivot. By this construction the pressure of
the handle or lever is wholly upon the axle and driving wheels N, N³, and by
pressing the whole pressure of the handle upon the driving wheels N, N3 the brush
is relieved from all forces other than imparted from the driving wheels.
The
The operation of the invention is as follows: Motion is imparted to the driving
wheels N, N³ and from the driving wheels N, N³ to the brush D and shaft T by
means of the sprocket chains S or S, disks Zor and journals Por. P.
brush D being annular and revolving about its axis its motion must of necessity
be centripetal, that is, revolving towards the centre, and having a centripetal
motion it must brush the sweepings towards the centrally located dust-pan or
collector. These sweepings coming into contact with the rubber apron are directed
upwards and carried over the top of the band B into the dust pan or collector,
where they are temporarily deposited, being afterwards removed by opening the
bottom sections and dumping them out.
We do not confine ourselves to any particular style of brush nor to any particular
mechanism for operating the same, as we may use either the construction shown in
Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, or any other suitable construction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
:-
1. A carpet sweeper consisting of a frame, a centrally located dust collector,
and a centripetally revolving brush or brushes surrounding the dust collector,
substantially as specified.
2. A carpet sweeper consisting of a frame, a centrally located dust collector,
a centripetally revolving brush or brushes surrounding the dust collector, and
means for propelling the sweeper and revolving the brush, substantially as specified.
3. A carpet sweeper consisting of a frame, a centrally located dust collector, a
centripetally revolving brush surrounding the dust collector, a flexible shaft for the
brush bearings in which is mounted the said shaft, propelling wheels for the sweeper,
and means for imparting motion from the propelling wheels to the flexible shaft,
substantially as specified.
4. A carpet sweeper 'consisting of a frame, a dust collector centrally located in
the frame, a centripetally revolving brush surrounding the dust collector, propelling
wheels and adjustable bearings for the propelling wheels, and incans for imparting
motion from the propelling wheels to the brush, substantially as specified.

page_text: .
5. In a carpet sweeper a frame, a dust collector consisting of a band suspended
from the main frame of the carpet sweeper, a flexible apron connected to the edge
of the band depending below the brushes, and a sectional bottom hinged to the band,
substantially as specified.
6. A carpet sweeper consisting of a main frame, a supplemental frame centrally
located in the under side of the main frame having an open bottom, vertically
adjustable bearings carried by the supplemental frame, adjusting screws carried
by the supplemental frame for adjusting the bearings, an axle journaled on the
bearings, propelling wheels rigidly mounted on the axle ratchet, disks loosely
mounted on the axle and set in opposite directions, spring actuated dogs carried
by the propelling wheels, sprocket teeth formed on the ratchet disks, a dust
collector surrounding the supplemental frame, consisting of a band having an
upwardly extending flange, a rubber apron depending from the band, arms
connected to the band and supplemental frame, a bottom hinged to the said arms
having an opening registering with the open bottom of the supplemental frame,
bearings suspended from the main frame, a flexible shaft mounted in the bearings,
a brush woven on a band or ribbon and wound spirally on the flexible shaft,
sprocket teeth carried by the flexible shaft and sprocket chains passing around the
sprocket teeth of the ratchet disks and flexible shaft, substantially as specified.
7. In a carpet sweeper a brush consisting of a flexible core, a ribbon wound on
the flexible core, and bristles secured to the ribbon to form a continuous annular
brush, substantially as specified.
8. In a carpet sweeper a dust collector consisting of a frame, a centrally located
ring suspended from the frame having its outer face bevelled, an apron depending
from the lower edge of the bevelled face, a sectional bottom hinged to the ring,
substantially as specified.
9. In a carpet sweeper a dust collector consisting of a frame, a centrally located
ring suspended from the frame having its outer face bevelled, an apron depending
from the lower edge of the bevelled face, a sectional bottom hinged to the ring,
and springs connected to the bottom sections and to the frame, to normally hold
them closed, substantially as specified.
10. In a carpet sweeper a dust collector consisting of a frame, a centrally located
ring suspended from the frame having its outer edge bevelled, an apron depending
from the lower edge of the bevelled face, a sectional bottom hinged to the ring,
and a band depending from the under side of the frame, having its edge opposed
to the top edge of the ring, substantially as specified.
11. In a carpet sweeper a brush driving incchanism consisting of a frame, a
supplemental frame suspended from the said frame having an open bottom, vertically
adjustable bearings mounted in the supplemental frame, an axle journaled in the
bearings, propelling wheels mounted on the axle, ratchet disks interposed between
the propelling wheels, adapted to work in opposite directions and driven from the
propelling wheels, a flexible shaft journaled in suitable bearings suspended from
the frame, and sprocket chains passing around the disks and flexible shaft,
substantially as specified.
1902
Datel this 2nd don of Foh 1808
WHITE & WOODINGTON,
Rooms 221-225, Birkbeck Bank Chambers,
Southampton Buildings, London, Agents.