Patent ID: 12213634

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to the disclosure, a device that picks up steel shot from the floor near wall edges and moves the shot over into a location from where a main magnetic sweeper can easily collect it is disclosed. A vertical axis continuous discharge sweeper solves the problem of many magnetic sweepers having difficulties picking up shot near wall edges and corners.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows. For this vertical axis continuous discharge system, a change in magnetic field is created by sizing and arranging stationary magnets to achieve the steel shot pick-up and relocation function. After simulations and tests, a suitable size and arrangement composition of rare earth magnets can achieve the desired result.

Furthermore, a finned disc/wheel that rotates on a vertical axis to help transfer and direct the steel shot from the floor along a wall side to a location where it can be picked up by a main magnetic sweeper. The drum is driven by the contact with the wall, while the magnets stay stationary inside.

According to the disclosure, a vertical axis continuous discharge sweeper apparatus is meant to attach as a separate accessory to a horizontal axis continuous discharge magnetic sweeper of corresponding size.

An alternate embodiment would be a horizontal axis continuous discharge sweeper with only a wheel on one end. The side without the wheel can get close to the wall, the other side with the wheel will drive the sweeper. Anything picked up by the sweeper will be discharged into a chute, which can allow the picked up material to slide from the wall side towards a main sweeper apparatus.

FIG.1is a line diagram of a perspective view of a magnetic vertical axis rotary clean off attachment apparatus. According toFIG.1, a vertical axis continuous discharge sweeper apparatus100consists of a main body102, a finned driving wheel104, a support wheel106, a rotary cap108and a mounting arm110.

According toFIG.1, the main body102forms the frame of the product. The finned driving wheel104is a hollow wheel which is finned on the bottom and is driven by contact with the wall, assisting the magnetic field to move shot from the wall side into the main sweeper's range.

According toFIG.1, the support wheel106provides balance and stabilizes sweeping height. The rotary cap108is an aluminum cap covering the bearing and axle to prevent the shot from getting inside. Finally, the mounting arms110provide a connection to the frame of a magnetic sweeper.

FIG.2is a line diagram of a front view of a magnetic vertical axis rotary clean off attachment apparatus. According toFIG.2, the dimensions of the apparatus are 8.67″ wide by 3.97″ height with a fin height of 0.25″. Furthermore, other dimensions can be considered for other embodiments of the apparatus.

FIG.3is a line diagram of a right-side view of a magnetic vertical axis rotary clean off attachment apparatus. According toFIG.3, the right-side view has a finned driving wheel diameter of 6.875″ and a total apparatus length of 11.81″ from the front driving wheel to the furthest extent of the mounting arm. Other sizes can also be considered. Furthermore, the mounting arm has an angle of 9 degrees to aid in mounting to our magnetic sweepers; however, the angle is not critical to apparatus function and other angles can be considered.

FIG.4is a line diagram of a bottom view of a magnetic vertical axis rotary clean off attachment apparatus. According toFIG.4, the bottom of the magnetic vertical axis rotary clean-off attachment apparatus100consists of an aluminum central axle112that is configured for locking to prevent slipping and ensure rotation of finned wheel transfer into bearings114. Connected to the aluminum axle are 10 long and 10 short, 0.25″ height, tilted fins116. Other arrangements of fins can be considered in further embodiments of the apparatus.

FIG.5is a line diagram of a sectional view of the magnet arrangement of a magnetic vertical axis rotary clean off attachment apparatus. According toFIG.5, the sectional side view of section B-B and section C-C are shown of a magnetic vertical axis rotary clean off attachment apparatus500. Section B-B shows a plurality of magnet retention covers502and504. Section C-C shows the locations of rare earth magnets of different dimensions. Location 1506has a 1 rare earth magnet with dimensions of 0.375″ length, 0.75″ width and 0.75″ height. Location 2508contains 2 rare earth magnets with dimensions of 0.5″ length, 1″ width and 2″ height. Other magnet sizes, types and dimensions can also be considered for further embodiments of the apparatus.

FIGS.6A and6Bare line diagrams illustrating the operation overview of a magnetic vertical axis rotary clean off attachment apparatus.FIG.6Ais a line diagram600of an operation overview of a magnetic vertical axis rotary clean off attachment apparatus. According toFIG.6A, a main magnetic sweeper602is connected to vertical axis rotary continuous discharge attachment sweeper apparatus604and is shown next to a wall606. Steel shots608are picked up near the wall606. The steel shots608are dropped off at the inner side610which will be picked up by the main magnetic sweeper602. The main magnetic sweeper602can be a continuous discharge or traditional design. Continuous discharge sweepers have a rotary drum to continuously clean off during operation. Traditional sweepers are the flip up type where it only cleans shot off when the user stops and flips the magnet up.

FIG.6Bis a line diagram of a second operation overview of a magnetic vertical axis rotary clean off attachment apparatus. According toFIG.6B, the main magnetic sweeper602and the magnetic vertical axis rotary clean off sweeper attachment604travel in the direction of travel as shown. Stray stationary steel shots612will be picked up by the sweeper attachment604and moved around within the sweeper in the direction of rotation until arriving at the discharge location614. Long and short fins616within the sweeper attachment604help pull or carry the shot towards the discharge location614in the main magnetic sweeper's path.

According toFIG.6B, the sweeper attachment604consists of rare earth magnet blocks618of different sizes. The steel shots612are discharged at a location614where the magnetic field weakens and will then be picked up by the main magnetic sweeper602.

According toFIG.6B, operation of the magnetic sweeper602and sweeper attachment604is as follows. The stationary rare earth magnet blocks618of different sizes create a transition in magnetic field. The steel shots612are picked up at the location with the stronger field and carried across the finned disc which is driven by contact with a wall606and is dropped off at the location614with a weaker field. Finally, the long and short fins616help to carry or pull the steel shots towards the discharge location, but also prevent the steel shot612from being pulled back by the stronger field.

FIG.7is a line diagram of an isometric view of a combined magnetic vertical axis rotary clean off attachment connected to a magnetic sweeper apparatus. According toFIG.7, apparatus700includes the vertical axis rotary clean off sweeper attachment702, connected to the right side of the magnetic sweeper apparatus704.

FIGS.8to10are diagrams that illustrate multiple views of the combined magnetic vertical axis rotary clean off attachment connected to a magnetic sweeper apparatus.FIG.8is a line diagram of a top plan view.FIG.9is a line diagram of a front plan view.FIG.10is a line diagram of a right-side view.

FIG.11is a line diagram of a close-up view of a combined magnetic vertical axis rotary clean off attachment connected to a magnetic sweeper apparatus. According toFIG.11, apparatus1100consists of magnetic vertical axis rotary clean off sweeper attachment1102connected to a magnetic sweeper apparatus1104. According toFIG.11, the total width of a horizontal axis continuous discharge magnetic sweeper apparatus1102is 31.46″ (shown in A). The effective sweeping width is 24″ width (shown in B). Furthermore, the dead spot which is solved by the magnetic vertical axis rotary clean off sweeper attachment1102is 3.71″ wide (shown in C).

FIG.12is a diagram that illustrates the Gauss (G) measurements for the magnetic strength of the rare earth magnets. According to the disclosure, the magnets can be Neodymium 42 rare earth magnets, Ceramic 8 magnets, or some other magnets or combination of magnets.FIG.12is a diagram that illustrates the Gauss (G) measurements for the magnetic strength of the Neodymium 42 rare earth magnets. According toFIG.12, sweeping height A is the distance from the magnet. The following table (also shown inFIG.12) illustrates the relationship between sweeping height and magnet strength (in Gauss):

Distance AGround LevelPeak Gauss (G)466

According to further embodiments of the disclosure, a battery powered vertical axis unit of the same design to spin the rotary head instead of the wall driven wheel design can also be considered.

The vertical axis continuous discharge sweeper's main body and mountings are made of injection molded glass fiber reinforced plastic. This selection of material and manufacturing method are for achieving enough strength/rigidity, while also being able to have freedom in geometry. Other types of plastic could be considered for the body, though one would need to consult with injection molding engineers or expert in materials. The aluminum axle and rotary caps don't interfere with the magnetic field (aluminum is non-magnetic), have enough strength (metal vs. plastic) and reduce the weight of parts (compared with steel). The finned wheel uses TPE material for the tire (rubber like texture) for better gripping and used PP material for the core (plastic like texture) for strength and rigidity. Those materials are molded together for stronger connection. Other wheel materials could be considered based on consultation with experts.

According to the disclosure, a magnetic vertical axis rotary clean-off attachment apparatus, configured for attachment to a magnetic sweeper apparatus for collection of metallic debris is disclosed. The attachment apparatus comprises a main frame, a finned driving wheel, a support wheel, a rotary cap, a mounting feature and a plurality of magnet blocks of different sizes creates a transition in magnetic field. The finned driving wheel is a hollow finned wheel driven by contact with a wall, assisting the magnetic field to move metallic debris from the wall side into the magnetic sweeper apparatus' range to be picked up by the main sweeper apparatus.

According to the disclosure, the magnet blocks of the apparatus further comprises rare earth magnets or Ceramic 8 magnets. The metallic debris is steel shots. The dimensions of the magnet blocks are 2″ length, 1″ width and 0.5″ height or 0.75″ length, 0.75″ width and 0.375″ height. The dimensions are 11.81″ length, 8.67″ width and 3.97″ height.

According to the disclosure, the steel shots are picked up at the location with the stronger magnetic field and carried across the finned disc which is driven by contact with a wall and is dropped off at the location with weaker magnetic field. The long and short fins of the apparatus helps to carry or pull the steel shots towards the discharge location, but also prevent the steel shot from being pulled back by the stronger field.

According to the disclosure, the steel shots are dropped off at the inner side which will be picked up by the main magnetic sweeper apparatus. The main magnetic sweeper apparatus is configured for continuous discharge or a traditional design discharge.

According to the disclosure, a method of removing metallic debris, using a combined vertical axis rotary clean-off attachment apparatus and a main magnetic sweeper apparatus is disclose. The method comprises the steps of attaching the attachment apparatus to the magnetic sweeper apparatus by a connecting part, driving the magnetic sweeper apparatus forward or backwards towards a wall, attracting metallic debris at the bottom of the attachment apparatus by magnetic forces, picking up and transferring metallic debris by the attachment apparatus with a finned driving wheel, placing the metallic debris behind the attachment apparatus at a discharge location, and picking up and discharging the metallic debris into a debris bin of the main magnetic sweeper apparatus.

According to the disclosure, the magnetic forces of the method are created by a plurality of magnets of different sizes that create a transition in magnetic field. The finned driving wheel of the method is a hollow finned wheel driven by contact with a wall, assisting the magnetic field to move metallic debris from the wall side into the magnetic sweeper apparatus' range to be picked up by the main sweeper apparatus.

According to the disclosure, the magnet blocks of the apparatus further comprises rare earth magnets or Ceramic 8 magnets. The metallic debris is steel shots. The dimensions of the magnet blocks are 2″ length, 1″ width and 0.5″ height or 0.75″ length, 0.75″ width and 0.375″ height. The dimensions are 11.81″ length, 8.67″ width and 3.97″ height.

According to the disclosure, the steel shots of the method are picked up at the location with the stronger magnetic field and carried across the finned disc which is driven by contact with a wall and is dropped off at the location with weaker magnetic field. The long and short fins of the method helps to carry or pull the steel shots towards the discharge location, but also prevent the steel shot from being pulled back by the stronger field.

According to the disclosure, the steel shots of the method are dropped off at the inner side which will be picked up by the main magnetic sweeper apparatus. The main magnetic sweeper apparatus of the method is configured for continuous discharge or a traditional design discharge.

While some embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in fully functioning mechanical, electrical and electrical-mechanical systems, other embodiments may be considered.

The methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for achieving the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the method that is being described, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims.

The specific embodiments described above have been shown by way of example and understood is that these embodiments may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. Further understood is that the claims are not intended to be limited to the forms disclosed, but to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. While the foregoing written description of the system enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The system should therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the system. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Information as herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the above-described object of the present disclosure, the presently preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, and is, thus, representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and is to be limited, accordingly, by nothing other than the appended claims, wherein any reference to an element being made in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment and additional embodiments as regarded by those of ordinary skill in the art are hereby expressly incorporated by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims.

Moreover, no requirement exists for a system or method to address each problem sought to be resolved by the present disclosure, for such to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. However, various changes and modifications in form, material, workpiece, and fabrication material detail may be made, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as set forth in the appended claims, as may be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, are also encompassed by the present disclosure.