Patent ID: 8359695

Claim:
A mechanical sweeper for cleaning debris from a surface, said mechanical sweeper comprising: a frame mounted on wheels for motion on said surface; a pickup broom assembly mounted to said frame for lifting said debris from said surface; a first belt conveyor mounted to said frame for collecting said debris lifted by said pickup broom assembly and conveying the same away from said surface; a deployable conveyor assembly mounted to said frame and operable for conveying debris conveyed by said first conveyor toward another vehicle, said deployable conveyor assembly comprising: a first conveyor portion comprising a coupling means; a second conveyor portion mounted to said first conveyor portion via said coupling means, said coupling means enabling movement of said second portion relative to said first portion between a folded position and an extended position; at least one belt operatively mounted on said first conveyor portion and said second conveyor portion and operable for motion thereon; an actuator assembly mounted to said deployable belt conveyor for urging said movement of said second conveyor portion between said folded position and said extended position; and a drive assembly mounted to said frame for driving operation of said pickup broom, said first belt conveyor, said deployable conveyor assembly and said actuator assembly, wherein said wheels of the mechanical sweeper are unpowered.