The Scott-fetzer Company

Christopher M Knowlton

Jack L Burgoon

Barry M Person

Kevin P Sheehan

A riding sweeper is provided with a high dump mechanism for a dirt and debris receiving hopper of the sweeper. The dumping mechanism includes tracks located at forward side portions of the sweeper body. A carrier extends between the tracks and has rollers guided therein so that the carrier can move in an upright manner, preferably with the tracks slanting somewhat forwardly. A hopper is mounted on the back of the carrier and moves up and down therewith. A first fluid-operated ram is located between the sweeper body and the carrier for raising and lowering the carrier and the hopper. A second fluid-operated ram is located between the carrier and the hopper for tilting or rotating the hopper in an arcuate path to a dumping position after the carrier has been raised to an upper position. The hopper dumping mechanism includes a hydraulic system with a valve arrangement for stopping broom and vacuum blower motors when the hopper is raised.

Riding sweeper with high dump mechanism

A sweeper hopper with a filter assembly is provided. The filter assembly separates the hopper into a dirt and debris-receiving chamber and an exhaust chamber. Air-borne dirt carried through the dirt and debris chamber is trapped by the filter assembly and the air enters the exhaust chamber from which it is exhausted through a blower. A holding frame holds the filter in place against a supporting frame or flanges. The frame has a shaker motor which is periodically operated to clean the filter by vibration. When the filter is to be replaced, the holding frame is readily separable therefrom for rapid replacement, yet the holding frame securely holds the filter in place when the sweeper is in operation.

Sweeper hopper with filter assembly

A sweeping machine with a hopper forming a compactor flap or plate is provided. The hopper has an opening which receives dirt and debris swept from a surface being cleaned by a rotatable brush of the sweeping machine. The compactor flap is pivotally mounted in the hopper and has an outer edge positioned close to an edge of the hopper opening when in a first position. The outer edge of the flap is spaced farther from the hopper opening and toward an end wall of the hopper when in a second position. The compactor flap is pivoted from the first position to the second position periodically to move dirt and debris away from the hopper opening and to compact it against the hopper end wall. The hopper also has a movable lip adjacent the lower edge of the opening. A flexible strip extends across the hopper and has an upper edge connected to the edge of the bottom wall of the hopper defining the lower edge of the opening. The flexible strip has an intermediate portion connected to an edge of the movable lip and the strip has a lower edge which contacts the surface to be cleaned. The movable lip can be counterweighted so as to pivot upwardly when the hopper is passing over larger debris and otherwise is closer to the surface to be cleaned to prevent dirt being swept by the rotatable brush from escaping under the hopper.

Surface cleaning machine

A riding power sweeper with an improved dumping mechanism for emptying a hopper is provided. The hopper is pivotally supported at the front of the machine and a pair of fluid-operated rams raise the hopper and pivot it over the front. The hopper also has a unique air distribution system including a filter through which air is drawn from an opening communicating with a drum brush. Means forming a separate chamber is located in the hopper and holds the filter, and dirt from the filter is caught therein. The chamber-forming means is also pivotally supported so as to swing outwardly to be emptied when the hopper is raised. The drum brush has a unique design for adjusting and positioning the brush with a single linkage mechanism both applying pressure and adjusting the brush for wear.

Growing community of inventors

Toledo, OH, United States of America

Christopher M Knowlton