Improvements in and relating to Street Sweeping Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Jan., 1896-Accepted, 7th Mar., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Street Sweeping Machines.
A communication from abroad by THE INTERNATIONAL SWEEPING MACHINE
COMPANY, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of West
Virginia, and having its principal office at 212 South Wayne Avenue, in the
City of Dayton, County of Montgomery and State of Ohio, United States of
America.
I, PETER JENSEN, of No. 77 Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agent,
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 has reference to sweeping machines, and relates more particularly
to machines designed for sweeping streets, consisting of a wheeled frame adapted
to be drawn over the streets, provided at its rear with a rotary brush, and in front
of the brush with a receptacle to receive the sweepings.
The present invention consists in constructing the bottom of the dirt receptacle
of sections adapted to be moved apart to dump the contents.
The invention also consists in providing for the shaking or agitation of the
sections of the bottom, in order to loosen any adhering matters.
The invention also consists in providing for a limited vertical yielding movement
of the sections of the bottom, whereby stones or other obstructions may be passed
over by the machine without injuring the latter.
The invention consists also of a secondary receptacle in rear of the brush in such
position as to receive any dirt carried upward by the same and any adhering
matters thrown from the brush by centrifugal force.
The invention also consists in the details of construction and combination of parts
hereinafter described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sweeping machine having my invention
embodied therein.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal central section through the same from front to rear,
the bottom of the receptacle being shown as closed.
Figure 3 is a similar view with the bottom open to dump the contents.
Figure 4 is a transverse vertical sectional elevation on the line 4-4 of
Figure 2.
!
Figure 5 is a side elevation of the rear portion of the machine showing the
devices for dumping the rear secondary dirt receptacle from the top of the
machine.
Referring to the drawings the machine comprises a rectangular casing or
frame 1, constructed preferably of sheet metal and closed on all sides except at its
rear, where the bottom is open to permit the brush, hereinafter referred to, to act
on the surface of the ground. An axle 2 is mounted in bearings on the sides of the
casing near its rear end, and on the ends of the axle are journaled two ground
wheels 3. The front end of the casing is supported by a swiveling truck 4, to
which the draft animals may be attached in any suitable manner.
In rear of the
axle within the casing is located a horizontal rotary brush 5, which is driven in the
direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 2, by suitable gearing from the ground
wheels. In the present instance one of the wheels is provided with a fixed circular

page_text: rack 6 engaging a small piuion 7, on the end of a stud extending laterally from the
side of the casing. Between the pinion and the casing, the stud is provided with a
sprocket wheel 8, which is connected by a chain 9 to a sprocket wheel 10 on the
end of the brush.
By the rotation of the brush as described, the dirt and other matters are swept
into a receptacle 11 constituting the forward portion of the casing, which receptacle
is provided with a suitable bottom to receive and retain the sweepings until a
sufficient quantity has accumulated, when the contents of the receptacle may be
dumped or discharged.
In order that the dumping of the contents may be effected with convenience and
certainty, I form the bottom of the receptacle of two movable sections 12 and 13,
consisting of metal plates of a size and shape to jointly close the bottom of the
receptacle when they are placed in a horizontal position side by side, as shown in
Figure 2. At their inner adjacent edges at both ends, these plates are pivoted to
the lower ends of links 14, the upper ends of the two links at each side of the
machine being formed with slots 15, through which extends a horizontal rod 16
located near the underside of the top of the casing, and firmly fixed at its ends in
two depending plates 17, securely bolted to the sides of the casing.
From the foregoing construction it will be seen that the inner edges of the two
bottom plates are suspended by links from the horizontal rod, the slotted upper
ends of the links permitting a limited vertical movement of the plates. The
purpose of this is to admit of the passage of the machine over stones or other
obstructing matters without causing injuries to the bottom of the receptacle.
Near their outer edges at both ends, the bottom plates are each provided with a
bracket 18 bolted or otherwise firmly secured to the upper side of the plate, and to
each bracket is pivoted the lower end of a vertical link 19, which link extends
upward through the top of the casing where they are pivoted at their upper ends
to the outer ends of four arms 20, 21, 22, and 23. These arms are arranged two at
each side of the machine and at their inner ends the rear arms 22 and 23 are
provided with studs 24, mounted in bearings 25 on the upper ends of the brackets
or standards 26, rising from the top of the casing at opposite sides of the same.
Beyond the bearings the arms are provided with segment racks 27 which engage
similar racks 28 on the ends of the forward arms 20 and 21, which latter
are fixed to the opposite ends of a horizontal rock-shaft 29 mounted in bearings 30
on the two standards before referred to. This shaft is provided with a rearwardly
extending operating lever 31, fixed thereto, by means of which the shaft may be
rocked, which action will rock the two forward arms in vertical planes, and the
racks on their inner ends engaging the racks on the rear arms, the four links
connected to the arms will be moved up and down vertically and in this way will
elevate or depress the outer edges of the bottom plates to open or close the bottom
of the receptacle.
In order that when the outer edges of the plates are raised they will move in a
truly vertical line for the purpose of causing the separation of the inner edges to
allow the contents of the receptacle to pass to the ground, I provide four fixed
vertical guide rods 32, one at each corner of the receptacle adjacent to the brackets
on the bottom plates, and to each of the brackets I pivot on a horizontal transverse
axis a vertical sleeve or collar 33, which sleeves encircle and slide upon the guide
rods. As a result of this arrangement, when the links connected to the outer
edges of the bottom plate are raised, the brackets to which they are pivoted will be
caused to move in a truly vertical direction on the guide rods, and, as the edges of
the two plates are carried upward, the plates will assume inclined positions, as
indicated in Figure 3, their inner edges at the same time separating, with a
swinging movement on the upper ends of the suspending links 14 as an axis. The
inclination of the plate will cause the contents of the receptacle to quickly fall to
the ground, and a quick vibrating movement being given to the operating lever the
plates will be correspondingly vibrated or shaken and any adhering dirt or matters
will be loosened. On the release of the lever the weight of the plates will cause

page_text: them and their connections to resume their former positions closing the bottom of
the receptacle.
d: e!
To prevent the escape of any matters between the receptacle and the brush; I
provide an intermediate apron 34, in the form of a rectangular metal plate the rear
edge of which is arranged beneath the brush, from which point the apron extends
forward and upward at a slight inclination to the rear bottom plate 13, to the edge
of which the apron is pivoted on a horizontal transverse axis 36. By thus
connecting the front edge of the apron with the rear edge of the bottom plate, the
apron will be raised to an inclined position, when the plate is raised to dump the
contents of the receptacle, so that any dirt or other matters on the apron will be
caused to pass to the ground. Owing to this connection of the apron with the plate
the shaking or vibrating of the former will cause a corresponding shaking of the
apron, which will serve to effectually loosen any adhering mud or dirt.
The rear edge of the apron is sustained at its opposite ends on two inwardly
extending flanges 37, projecting from the lower edges of two guards or shields 38,
Incated at the sides of the casing at the outer ends of the brush. These guides are
formed so that they extend in the path of the brush and compress its active face,
and also close the space between the ends of the brush and the casing, thereby
preventing any dirt from escaping around the brush to the outside. These guards
may be fixed to the sides of the casing or sustained in any other suitable manner,
but in the present instance we have shown them as being suspended by links 40,
from the two crank arms connected to a horizontal rock shaft 41.
As the guards and their connections constitute no part of the present invention,
it is sufficient to refer to them incidentally only as to their function in giving
support to the rear edge of the apron.
To provide for the access to the interior of the receptacle from the side, I
construct one side of the same in the form of a door 42, consisting of two hinged
members, one of which is connected to the side of the casing at its front on a vertical
axis. When the receptacle is to be closed the two members of the door are
extended in line at the side of the same, in which position they may be locked by
any suitable means. When the receptacle is to be opened, in order to gain access
to its interior for the purpose of repairs or for other purposes, the doors are swung
outward on their vertical axes and folded one upon the other, as shown in
Figure 1.
In order to catch any dirt or mud carried upward and rearward by the brush, so
that it will not be thrown to the ground in rear of the machine on the cleansed
surface, I locate in rear of the brush within the casing a horizontal receptacle 43,
which I prefer to construct of a form adapted to be operated when desired to
discharge its contents. For this purpose employ a rectangular plate having its
edges fitted closely to the two sides and rear wall of the casing, and on the front
edge of this plate I form an upwardly extending flange 44, which will serve to
retain the dirt received by the receptacle. The plate is pivoted between the sides
of the casing by journals 45 projecting from opposite sides of the same and mounted
in suitable bearings or openings in the casing. One of the journals is extended
beyoud the casing to the outside where it is provided with a crank arm 46 to which
is jointed the lower end of an operating rod 47, extending upwardly and forwardly
along the side of the casing through suitable guides 48, to the upper side of the
same where it is provided with a haudle 49, the construction being such that the
operating rod may be pushed backward and forward within its guides. When the rod
is drawn upward it will, through its connection with the crank arm, turn the
receptacle on its horizontal axis to a vertical position, as indicated by dotted lines,
which action will cause the discharge of the contents to the ground. By quickly
moving the rod back and forth the receptacle may be shaken or vibrated, and in
this manner any adhering matters will be effectually removed. When the rod is
pushed back it will turn the receptacle to its former position, its rear edge resting
on a lug 20 extending from the rear wall of the casing and serving to hold the
receptacle in its proper receiving position.

page_text: In the accompanying drawings I have represented that portion of the casing in
which the receptacle is mounted, the rear wall as being movable for the purpose of
permitting the brush to be lifted rearward from the machine. In such cases the
rear wall of the casing is in the form of a door 50, having side walls 51, which door
is pivoted at its upper end to the rear edge of the top of the casing, as at 52, the
side walls 51 when the door is closed extending a slight distance forward within
the side walls of the casing of the machine and forming in effect a continuation of
the same. As a result of this arrangement, when the brush is to be removed the
door is turned upward to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, which will
open the rear end of the casing and allow access to its interior or the removal of the
brush therefrom. In order to admit of the lifting of the door, and at the same
time preserve the feature of operating the receptacle from the outside to dump its
contents, I apply the lower end of the operating rod to the crank arm in such
manner that it can be conveniently removed when the door is to be lifted. This is
accomplished by providing the rod with an opening to receive the end of the
crank arm, which latter is perforated to receive a removable confining key or
cotter 53.
It is to be understood that this device may be modified within reasonable limits
and embodied in various forms without departing from the limits of my invention,
the essence of which resides in combining with the rotary brush, a receptacle in
rear thereof to receive matters carried upward and rearward by the brush and
prevent their being thrown onto the cleansed surface, said receptacle adapted to be
operated in the manner shown and described to dump its contents.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim, is:-
1. In a street sweeping machine, the combination with the frame of the receptacle
for the sweepings comprising two plates or members, suitable devices for suspending
the inner edges of the plates from above, and means for elevating and depressing
their outer edges, whereby the inner edges of the plates will separate and permit
the discharge of the contents of the receptacle.
2. In a street sweeping machine, the combination with the frame, of the dirt
receptacle provided with a bottom comprising two plates, links jointed in their
upper ends to the frame and at their lower ends to the inner edges of the plates,
links pivoted at their lower ends to the outer edges of the plates, rocking arms
mounted on the frame and connected to the upper edges of the links last named and
means for rocking the arms.
3. In a street sweeping machine, the combination with the frame, of a dirt
receptacle terminating adjacent to the surface of the ground, provided with a
bottom comprising two plates, suspending devices connected at their upper ends to
the frame and at their lower ends to the inner edge of the plates and constructed
to yield vertically to a limited extent, and means for elevating and depressing the
outer edges of the plates.
4. In a street sweeping machine the combination with the frame, of a dirt
receptacle provided with a bottom comprising two plates, links pivoted at their
lower ends to the inner edges of the plates and provided at their upper ends with
slots, a fixed supporting bar attached to the frame extending through the slots in
the links and means for elevating the outer edges of the plates.
5. In a street sweeping machine, the combination of the frame, the dirt receptacle
provided with a bottom comprising two plates, means for supporting the inner
edges of the plates, vertical links pivoted at their lower ends to the outer edges of
the plates, rocking arms mounted on the frame and connected at their outer ends to
the upper ends of the links, intermeshing segment racks on the inner ends of the
arms, a rock-shaft sustained by said frame for moving the arms, and means for
rocking the shaft.
6. In a street sweeping machine, the combination with the frame, of the horizontal

page_text: rotary brush at the rear thereof, the dirt receptacle at the front provided with a
bottom, comprising two plates, means for elevating and depressing the outer edges
of the plates, a support for the inner edge of the plates and a substantially
horizontal apron pivoted at its front edge to the rear edge of the rear bottom plate
and sustained at its rear by the frame.
7. In a street sweeping machine, the combination with the frame, of the dirt
receptacle provided with a bottom comprising two plates or members, supports for
the inner edges of the plates, vertical guides at the outer corners of the plates,
slides mounted to move on the guides, and connected to the plates and means for
elevating and depressing the slides whereby the outer edges of the plates will be
caused to move in a truly vertical direction.
8. In a street sweeping machine, the combination with the frame, of the dirt
receptacle provided with a bottom comprising two plates, supports for the inner
edge of said plates, fixed vertical guide rods at the outer corners of the plates,
brackets fixed to the plates, sleeves encircling the guide rods and pivoted to
the brackets, vertical links pivoted at their lower ends to the brackets and devices
connected to the upper ends of the links for elevating and depressing the same.
9. In a sweeping machine, the combination of the frame or casing, a rotary brush
in the rear portion of the same, a dirt receptacle in rear of the brush mounted in
the casing on a horizontal transverse axis, a crank arm connected to said receptacle,
and an operating rod extenling in guides on the side of the casing with its lower
end pivoted to the crank arm and its upper end terminating adjacent to the top of
the machine.
10. In a sweeping machine, the combination of a frame or casing having its rear
wall in the form of a door hinged at its upper edge to turn upward, a rotary brush
in the rear portion of the casing, a movable receptacle mounted in said hinged
door, connections extending from said receptacle to the outside for dumping the
receptacle, and an operating rod removably attached at its lower end to said
connection and extending to the top of the casing, whereby the operating rod may
be detached to permit the door to be lifted.
Dated this 14th day of January 1896
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.