Improvements in Carpet Sweeping Machines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Apr., 1893-Accepted, 10th June, 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Carpet Sweeping Machines.
I EDWARD THOMAS HUGHES, of 38, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a
communication to me by Christian Abner, of Cologne, Germany, Manufacturer)
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in carpet sweeping machines and has for
its chief object new or improved means for opening and closing or tipping the pans
of such machines.
In carrying my invention into practice I provide one wire spring, the lower ends
of which are bent and pass through suitable openings, formed in the inner ends of
the pans, while the middle part, which is formed into a disc or knob for the purpose
of tipping and opening the pans, and is straight below this knob, passes through the
openings formed in the top of the machine.
The pans close the lower part of the machine, wherein is received and stored the
dust swept in the same by the rotary brush used in such machines, while they are
opened to allow this dust to be removed.
As the general construction of carpet sweeping machines is now well known, I
have only shown in the accompaying drawings those parts of the machine to which
my improvements are applied. In these drawings like letters of reference indicate
corresponding parts throughout the figures.
Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-section of the box of a carpet sweeping machine with
the pans closed. Fig. 2 being a similar view with the pans open.
Fig. 3 is part of a plan of the said box.
Fig. 4 is an end view showing a modification of a carpet sweeping machine
adapted to be operated by hand like an ordinary small hand carpet brush.
The
W, W is the curved wire spring, the ends o of which are bent up at right angles
and pass through perforations formed in the pans p, pivoted upon screws at i.
middle part of the wire w, is twisted and formed into a knob k for convenience of
manipulation, after which both ends are partly straight at R, while passing through
the top of the box a, at the lower ends of the spring w, before it is fastened to the
traps, the wire is twisted and bent in the manner shown to increase the power of
the spring w.
The wire w, bears near its lower ends against flanges of the tabs, tags or pieces b
rivetted, screwed, or fixed in any other suitable manner to the ends of the box a,
though it is unessential to have such tabs, tags or pieces.
c is a straightening metal plate fixed to the top of the box a and perforated to
allow the wire w to pass.
Now if found desirable I may use two wires instead of only one and form the
same, into a spring like that shown at w, w in which case the above mentioned tabs,
tags or pieces are essential.
To operate the device, the knob or ring k is depressed by the thumb and the
pans p, will owing to the wire w w bearing against the upper parts of the
pans at 0,
force them open in the position clearly shown in Fig. 2, while on releasing the
knob or ring k the pans p will fly back under the resilient action of the spring
wire w, w and close the box as shown in Fig. 1.
In the arrangement shown in Fig. 4 I fix a handle b in the centre or at each end
of the box a of the machine and I dispose with the long handle or stick ordinarily
used to operate such machines in order to enable the latter to be used in the same
manner as a small hand carpet brush.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, declare that what I claim is :
1. In carpet sweeping machines the means of tipping open and closing the pans,
consisting of one or two wire springs connected at their lower ends to the upper
parts of the pans, while the middle part, if one wire only be employed, is formed
into a knob, or where two wires are used their upper ends are secured to a ring or
knob, by depressing which the pans are tipped open substantially as herein described
and shown.
2. In combination with a carpet-sweeper the substitution for the long handles or
sticks hitherto used, of the short handle or handles whereby the said carpet
sweeping may be operated like a hand carpet brush or broom substantially as
hercin described and shown.
Dated this 02-11
f
11000
HUGHES, SON & Co.,
38, Chancery Lane, London.