Patent ID: 6877180

Claim:
A sweeper for a ground surface having a front end, a back end and a forward direction of motion, the sweeper comprising: a debris mover comprising: an outer surface; a ground contact area defined where the outer surface of the debris mover contacts the ground surface; an axis of rotation in a direction opposite the direction of sweeper motion, the debris mover rotating about the axis of rotation so that the outer surface of the debris mover moves at least in part towards the front end of the vehicle at the ground contact area; and a cutoff area on the outer surface of the debris mover, the outer surface of the debris mover moving at least in part upwards at the cutoff area as the debris mover rotates about the axis of rotation; a vacuumized debris collector mounted forward of the debris mover and having a moving portion with an upwardly moving path; a collection space defined between the debris mover and the debris collector; and a substantially non-contacting cutoff flap mounted forward of the debris mover, the cutoff flap having a distal end adjacent the outer surface of the debris mover along the cutoff area, the cutoff flap mounted at an angle relative to the outer surface of the debris mover so that a portion of the debris traveling to the cutoff area is deflected back into the collection space, said cutoff flap being located adjacent said upwardly moving path.