Sweeper

Abstract

A sweeper includes a support structure having parallel arms which may be moved apart to allow a brush held between the arms to be replaced. Each of the arms has a hub mounted thereon by a universal joint which provides automatic alignment of the two hubs to provide a single axis of rotation for the brush. One of the hubs is connected to a hydraulic drive motor and includes a plurality of slots, one of which receives a drive lug on the interior of the brush which is preferably of the type having a core of a thin metal tube. A raising and lowering mechanism comprises a parallelogram having a hydraulic cylinder in the center for controlling the configuration of the parallelogram. As the brush is raised its support mechanism remains parallel to the vehicle and moves closer to it. A unique stop element is mounted to the hydraulic cylinder to provide a minimum height for the sweeper.

1. Sweeping apparatus comprising support means for supporting a brush for rotation about a generally horizontal axis and means for mounting said support means on a vehicle, wherein said support means comprises first and second arms, means for moving said first  second arm with respect to said second  first arm between a first position wherein said first  second arm is spaced from said second  first arm by a distance such that said brush is received between said arms and a second position wherein said first  second arm is spaced from said second  first arm such that said brush is released from between said arms, drive means mounted on said first arm by universal joint means for engaging one end of said brush and for rotating said brush about an axis extending between said first and second arms, and idler means mounted on said second arm by universal joint means for engaging an opposite end of said brush. 
     
     
       2. Sweeping apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said second arm is mounted for rotation with respect to said first arm and further comprising means for rotating said second arm with respect to said first arm. 
     
     
       3. Sweeping apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said means for rotating said second arm comprises a hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
       4. Sweeping apparatus according to  claim 2  further comprising means for restricting the movement of said means for rotating said second arm. 
     
     
       5. Sweeping apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said drive means comprises hub means for fitting within a hollow core of said brush, said hub means having at least one slot therein for receiving a lug on said brush. 
     
     
       6. Sweeping apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein said drive means and said idler means further comprise flanges for engaging outer edges of said brush. 
     
     
       7. Sweeping apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said means for mounting said support means on a vehicle comprises upper and lower arms each of which is mounted at respective opposed ends to said support means and to said vehicle and elongation means between said upper and lower arms for causing adjacent ends of said upper and lower arms to raise or lower according to the length of said elongation means. 
     
     
       8. Sweeping apparatus according to  claim 7  further comprising stop means attached to said elongation means for limiting the movement of said elongation means, said stop means comprising a first element which slides within a second element, said first element having a plurality of holes therein for receiving a transverse pin for selectively engaging said second element. 
     
     
       9. Sweeping apparatus according to  claim 8  further comprising said transverse pin, wherein said transverse pin comprises a first part which extends through one of said holes and a second part which hooks over said second part to retain and first part in said one of said holes. 
     
     
       10. Sweeping apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said support means comprises means for rotating said brush about a vertical axis.