Garbage container for a sweeper

Abstract

A sweeper includes a sweeper body mounted on at least one pair of wheels. At least one brush is coupled to a forward end of the sweeper body for sweeping garbage from a ground surface and a suction device is coupled to the sweeper body. The suction device communicates with the forward end of the sweeper body. A garbage container assembly is mounted inside the sweeper body, for receiving garbage drawn into the sweeper by the suction device. A basket is movable into and out of the garbage container assembly and a lift mechanism is coupled to an underside of the basket. The lift mechanism is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the extended position, the basket is tiltable to dump garbage contained in the basket.

1 . A sweeper comprising: 
 a sweeper body mounted on at least one pair of wheels;    at least one brush coupled to a forward end of said sweeper body for sweeping garbage from a ground surface;    a suction device coupled to said sweeper body, said suction device communicating with said forward end of said sweeper body;    a garbage container assembly mounted inside said sweeper body, said garbage container assembly for receiving garbage drawn into said sweeper by said suction device;    a basket movable into and out of said garbage container assembly; and    a lift mechanism coupled to an underside of said basket, said lift mechanism being movable between a retracted position and an extended position,    wherein when said lift mechanism is in said extended position, said basket is tiltable to dump garbage contained in said basket.    
     
     
         2 . The sweeper according to  claim 1 , wherein said lift mechanism comprises a scissor-lift mechanism.  
     
     
         3 . The sweeper according to  claim 1 , wherein said lift mechanism includes a hydraulic actuating mechanism for moving said basket between said retracted position and said extended position.  
     
     
         4 . The sweeper according to  claim 1 , further comprising a dumping mechanism is pivotably coupled said basket to said lift mechanism such that said basket is tiltable by rotating about said hinge, to dump garbage contained in said basket.  
     
     
         5 . The sweeper according to  claim 2 , wherein the scissor lift mechanism provides linear displacement of the basket.  
     
     
         6 . The sweeper according to  claim 5 , wherein said linear displacement occurs at a substantially constant speed throughout movement.  
     
     
         7 . The sweeper according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one filter disposed between said basket and each outer wall of said container.  
     
     
         8 . The sweeper according to  claim 7 , wherein said at least one filter is disposed such that an air gap is provided between the at least one filter and said each outer wall of the said container and said air gap is continuous about said container.  
     
     
         9 . In a sweeper comprising a sweeper body mounted on at least one pair of wheels, at least one brush coupled to a forward end of said sweeper body for sweeping garbage from a ground surface, a suction device coupled to said sweeper body, said suction device communicating with said forward end of said sweeper body, a garbage container assembly mounted inside said sweeper body, said garbage container assembly for receiving garbage drawn into said sweeper by said suction device and a basket movable into and out of said garbage container assembly: 
 a lift mechanism coupled to an underside of said basket, said lift mechanism being movable between a retracted position and an extended position for moving said basket from said container, wherein when said lift mechanism is in said extended position, said basket is tiltable to dump garbage contained in said basket.