Improvements in Sweeping Machines.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 10th July, 1894-Accepted, 16th Feb., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Sweeping Machines.
I HANS GROEGER, Merchant, of No. 7 Starhemberggasse Vienna IV, in the
Empire of Austria, 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 :-
On the annexed sheet of drawings
--
Fig. 1 is a side view with sides removed of a sweeping machine constructed
according to this invention, Fig. 2 is a top view with case removed and Fig. 3 is
a back view of the same and Figs. 4 and 5 show details thereof.
In a frame R resting on axles a drum T is rotatably fixed by means of arms A
and bars N. This drum consists of the cross arms fitted on the shaft T' and on
the circumference of which a number of bars L are loosely attached. One of the
bars L is provided with short brushes of steel wire or other material C, whilst
the next bar is provided with brooms B. At both ends of the drum spindle T
are rope or chain wheels S' which transmit motion to the drum from the pulleys S
on the back wheels. In front of the drum T are the two collecting boxes F and
behind these a dust catcher W. This dust catcher W consists of an endless band
of woven material D running on rollers and dipping into the receptacle W filled
In front of and behind the drum Tother rollers H are fitted to the
sides and rotated by means of the double pulley S. From one of these rollers H
movement is imparted to the endless band D. The rollers H are covered with a
Behind the
soft material and only serve to prevent the escape of the dust.
drum T there is on the back and top of the chamber a blower P which directs a
current of air against the drum T.
with water.
This sweeping machine operates in the following manner.
If the vehicle is moved forward in the direction of the arrow i the pulleys S S¹
and with them the drum T are rotated in the direction of the arrow 2 by means
of the rotation of the back wheel and the pulleys S fitted thereto, the rotation
being transmitted by chains or ropes. The drum is so fixed that the steel brushes
touch the roadway and loosen all dirt so that the brooms B which follow in
consequence of the rotation of the drum T can sweep all the dust &c. forward.
The front roller H next to the drum rotates towards the drum and in combination
with the brooms B raises the sweepings on to the inclined plane d up which the
brooms push them, and at the end of this inclined plane throw them into the
collector F. With further rotation of the drum T the brooms B meet a striking
plate O fixed across the whole width between the frames. By striking against
this plate any sweepings which may have adhered to the brooms are removed
therefrom and fall into the collector F. The blower is put into operation
simultaneously with the drum. The current of air directed thereby towards
the drum takes with it all the dust created by the rotation of the drum and drives
it through sieve-like perforated partitions G, G, G³. The air passes freely
through the holes in the partitions whilst all the dust particles carried therewith
and which are greater thau the diameter of the perforated holes, fall along these
partitions into the collector F. The air passing through the sieve G' passes
through the dust catcher W, the endless band D of which is set in motion at the
same time as the rollers H. As this dips into the receptacle filled with water
it always remains moist and as the belt D is of wide mesh it allows the air coming
through G³ to pass through its meshes but retains however by reason of its
humidity all the dust mixed with the air which by dipping again into the

page_text: receptacle W reaches the water therein. The air passing through the band D
passes through the perforated, or trellis work front quite free from dust. The
rollers H form dust stops in front and behind the drum. The remaining open
space between these rollers is closed by an endless band running over the axles
of the rollers and being provided with a soft fibrous material or bristles, so that
on the sweeping taking place by the brooms B on the drum T no dust can pass
outside the partition M. Sweeping therefore by this machine is effected with
freedom from dust, and it does not cause inconvenience in the neighbourhood and
to passers by by the creation of dust. If the collector F is filled with sweepings
it can be drawn out on both sides through. the partition M and emptied into the
sweepings chamber K. These collectors F meet, when being pushed into the
frame-work, with their ends, the wall or partition Q which is covered at the top
in order to prevent the sweepings falling through between this partition Q and
the end of the collector (Fig. 4). The bottom b of each box slides in grooves in
the sides. On drawing out of the framework or casing a full collector this
collector is covered by means of a suitable top and pushed ou to the inlet
opening E so that its bottom 6 rests thereon. The ridge c of the bottom b then
meets the upper edge of the chamber K and the bottom is held back while the
collector F is pushed further over the opening and the sweepings fall into the
chamber K. On drawing out the collector F the workman pushes the bottom b
back again, takes the cover off, this latter also fitting the inlet opening, closes the
latter with the cover and pushes the collecting trough again into the framework
or casing M. There are of course on the chamber K several inlet openings E in
order that the sweepings may be evenly distributed in the chamber K. If it is
desired to make the closing of the inlet opening and the opening of the bottom b
more independent of the workman it is only necessary for the tops of each inlet
opening E to run in grooves on the chamber cover and to connect by means of
a cord the other end of which carries a weight which would then automatically
close the cover.
In order to make the out and in movement of the bottom b
automatic there are one or more catches on the side of the chamber which move
easily towards the sides and which therefore allow the ridge c of the bottom to
pass, the backward movement however being prevented by contact with the ridge
until the whole box is drawn out and lifted over these catches. Nothing in the
principle of the invention is changed if the drum spindle T' is adjustably fixed in
any known manner.
In place of the drum T endless chains can be used provided with similar rows
of brushes and brooms passing then over chain wheels in order to obtain a greater
contact surface. This sweeping machine can also be used in suitable sizes for
sweeping all other open or closed spaces just as the vehicle itself can also be a
hand cart.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
A sweeping machine distinguished by a rotatable drum T or endless chain,
which on rotation and by means of a brush C of stiff material loosens the dust &c.
and sweeps it up by brooms or brushes B projecting beyond C, the escape of the
dust being prevented by means of rollers H fitted in the sides of the chamber and
covered with fibrous material and on the side by endless bands similarly covered
whilst the dust laden air on passing out is freed from accompanying particles of
dust by means of perforated partitions G' G³ and an endless woven band D passing
through water or an unfreezable fluid.
Dated this 9th day of July 1894
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.