Large-scale cleaning vehicle

Details Large-scale cleaning vehicle Large-scale cleaning vehicle

1999-09-14

2001-05-15

Moore, Chris K. (Department: 1744)

Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning

Machines

With air blast or suction

C015S027000, C015S083000, C015S349000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06230363

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to large-scale cleaning vehicles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a large-scale cleaning vehicle that is pushed forward using a forklift vehicle. The present invention also relates to structural elements and accessories for the same.
Referring to
FIG. 6
, a frame
1
serves as a main body of a conventional cleaning vehicle, on which is mounted an engine
2
and a blower
3
. On either side of the front section of frame
1
are mounted cone-shaped rotating brushes
4
, which are oriented downward and which draw together debris toward the center. Engine
2
drives blower
3
and rotating brushes
4
. A hopper
6
is connected to a duct
5
of blower
3
. Hopper
6
is disposed on frame
1
behind blower
3
, and a debris evacuation opening
7
is disposed behind and below hopper
6
. A filter
8
is also disposed in hopper
6
. A flexible tube
9
is fitted into a side wall of hopper
6
. The lower end of flexible tube
9
forms a suction opening
10
. Flexible tube
9
is hung down from an appropriate position on frame
1
. An engagement member
11
for engaging a lift bracket of a forklift vehicle is disposed toward the back of frame
1
. When the rear portion of frame
1
is lifted up, the rotating brushes are separated from the ground. When motor
2
drives blower
3
and moves brushes
4
, debris is moved through suction opening
10
and filter
8
disposed at an upper portion within hopper
6
collects the suctioned debris.
The rotating brushes
4
of the conventional large-scale cleaning vehicle are fixed to a rotating brush support member so that debris can be collected over a wider span than the width of a standard large-scale cleaning vehicle.
Conventionally, there have been no large-scale cleaning vehicles equipped with sprinkler devices or sound generating devices that give off warning sounds.
In conventional large-scale cleaning vehicles, an engine is used to drive the blower and the rotating brushes. Thus, the weight and the size of the cleaning vehicle is excessive. There are also problems in terms of cost. Furthermore, the vehicle could not make tight maneuvers.
In the conventional technology, when a rotating brush is fixed to the large-scale cleaning vehicle, debris can be collected only over a fixed width. Thus, cleaning operations cannot be performed in paths that are narrower than the width of the vehicle with the rotating brushes attached. Furthermore, since the rotating brush is always kept in contact with the ground or the like, it is possible for the brush to become deformed outward, thus obstructing the debris-collecting operation.
In conventional large-scale cleaning vehicles, it is possible to sweep up small pieces of trash with the brush, but large pieces of trash such as newspapers cannot be swept up with the brush. Thus, large pieces of trash cannot be cleaned.
In the cleaning operation performed by the conventional large-scale cleaning vehicle, the rotation of the rotating brush causes debris to blow up, thus disturbing the debris and also making debris collection less efficient. Often, the debris adhered to the ground cannot be removed by the rotating brush.
Furthermore in the conventional technology, operations are performed alone, and operators are not able to converse. During cleaning, the noise from the rotating brush and the engine make the work monotonous and uninteresting, so that morale can be low.
Also, the operator can experience fatigue because it is always necessary to be careful for pedestrians. Thus, there is a need for the pedestrians themselves to be alerted so that accidents can be avoided.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a large-scale cleaning vehicle in which rotating brushes, sweeping brushes, and fans can be rotated without the use of an engine. The present invention can also make tight maneuvers. In the present invention, the operator of the forklift can evacuate the debris collected in the debris collection box while staying in the driver's seat. Furthermore, when the present invention is used on uneven surfaces, the claw and the bottom surface are kept from being damaged.
It is a further object of the present invention to improve debris-collecting efficiency and lifespan by attaching a rotating brush so that it can move freely both laterally and vertically, and so that it is fixed at a prescribed angle using a knock pin or the like. This makes it possible to perform debris collection over a desired range. When the rotating brush is not being used, the brush can be pulled up so that the efficiency of the brush is not decreased and the life-span is increased.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a large-scale trash removal device that pushes large pieces of trash together. A large-scale trash removal device is attached to the front of the large-scale cleaning vehicle and can be raised when there is no large-scale trash. The height of the large-scale trash removal device can be adjusted according to the height of the ground with which it is in contact.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a vehicle that sprinkles water to prevent the debris from rising up, thus removing debris adhered to the ground and also washing off the grime from the ground.
Lastly, it is a further object of the present invention to inform pedestrians that cleaning is taking place, maintain safety, provide peace of mind for the operator so that he or she can concentrate on the task at hand, and to make the cleaning operation, which tends to be monotonous, more enjoyable. This is achieved by attaching a sound generating device to the large-scale cleaning vehicle.
Briefly, a large-scale cleaning vehicle, for operation with a forklift, includes rotation brushes for sweeping debris toward a center of said cleaning vehicle, a sweeping brush for sweeping the debris into a debris collection box and a fan for pulling said debris into said debris collection box without the need for a motor in the cleaning vehicle. Each of the rotation brushes, the sweeping brush, and the fan are rotatably connected to a rear wheel of the cleaning vehicle such that when the cleaning vehicle is moved, the brushes and fan are rotated. The cleaning vehicle further includes a vertical adjustment for the rotation brushes to lift them when they are not needed, a lateral adjustment for the rotation brushes to adjust a width of sweeping, an audible warning for pedestrians, a water sprinkler system to aid in the cleaning process, and a large-scale trash removal brush mounted in front of the cleaning vehicle to push large-scale trash.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed, a large-scale cleaning vehicle pushed by a forklift vehicle comprising: a frame having roughly a cube shape, rotating brushes are attached downward at ends of a front portion of said frame, a rear wheel and a front wheel supporting said frame, a casing within said frame, said casing being roughly cube shaped and having a top surface and a rear side surface left open, a filter is connected to said top surface of said casing, a debris collection box is movably attached inside said casing, said debris collection box having a top surface and a rear side surface left open, a rotation of said rear wheel is transferred to said pair of rotating brushes disposed on the front of said large-scale cleaning vehicle, said rotation being transferred using a rotational transfer member, debris is swept toward a center and rear portion of a central portion of said large-scale cleaning vehicle, said rotation of said rear wheel is also transferred to a sweeping brush disposed at the rear of said large-scale cleaning vehicle using another rotational transfer member, debris swept by said rotating brush disposed on the front of said large-scale cleaning vehicle is swept up by said sweeping brush, said rotation of said rear wheel is also transferred to a fan using a rotational transfer member, said fan drawing said swept-up deb

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