Super Products LLC

Thomas P Flynn

James C Wurster

Lionel G Moore, Jr

The present invention is concerned with apparatus for selectively opening and closing doors to vacuum bodies, for example the bodies of industrial vacuum loaders and cleaners and the vacuum bodies used in pneumatic sewer cleaners. The doors involved in the primary embodiment are those which cover the opening between the body and a filter bag house or a vacuum pump or the opening which may be provided for venting the body to outside air to prevent overfilling of the body. The apparatus of the present invention includes a sensor for providing a signal to a pneumatic cylinder. Pneumatic valves and switches are also provided for governing which openings are to be opened and which are to be closed for the desired operating mode. In the preferred embodiment, the cylinders are coupled to hinged doors for swinging same into and out of sealing contact with the openings. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus of the present invention serves as a back-up for a float system which is used to prevent overfilling when the vacuum body is filled to the desired level, and in the event the float does not operate to prevent overfilling, a sensor generates a signal to cause extension of the piston of a pneumatic cylinder to move a door to seal a vacuum outlet to the body and prevent overfilling of same.

System for opening and closing doors to a vacuum body

A system is disclosed for positively sealing the tailgate of a liquid or solid refuse collection body. The invention has special utility for vacuum containers in which a compressible seal surrounds the perimeter of the tailgate. The tailgate includes hooks having cam surfaces and the container includes rollers adapted for engaging the hooks and drawing the tailgate into positive engagement with the opening of the body. Hydraulic means are preferably provided for activating the rollers. If separate hydraulic means are employed for raising and lowering the tailgate, sequencing controls may be provided to permit locking the tailgate only after the tailgate hooks have been lowered to a position adjacent to the rollers.

Tailgate locking system

A horizontally rotatable and vertically elevatable power boom is disclosed. The boom includes a link providing increased lifting torque about the boom hinge pin and the boom assembly is designed for minimizing the head room requirements for the vacuum machine without sacrificing payload capacity. The link also permits the boom to be locked down hydraulically for traveling.

Power boom and vacuum hose support

A sewer and catch basin cleaner includes a system for injecting water under pressure into a sewer lateral for cleaning same and a vacuum loading system for removing the cleaning water and resultant debris from the sewer catch basin or manhole. The cleaner includes a water storage tank for providing the cleaning water and a body for receiving the liquid and debris removed from the catch basin or manhole. Water filtration and reclamation means are provided intermediate the body and water tank to provide a continuous supply of cleaning water without the need for interrupting operation of the cleaner to load water. This feature reduces the total amount of clean water which is consumed during sewer cleaning. The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes means for periodically cleaning the water filters, means for sensing the water level in the vacuum body, means for venting the vacuum body to the atmosphere when the water level reaches a predetermined height and ejector means for pushing accumulated debris from the body when the sewer cleaning operation is completed. The sewer cleaner of the present invention also includes a novel water and vacuum hose arrangement and boom means for properly locating the two hoses over the manhole or catch basin. For truck mounted equipment, the latter feature reduces obstruction of traffic when sewer cleaning is being carried out on or adjacent to busy streets or highways. Variations of these and other components of the cleaner of the present invention are also described.

Sewer and catch basin cleaner

A hose reel apparatus is disclosed which permits proper winding and unwinding of a hose, for example the water hose of a sewer cleaning machine. The apparatus includes a reel, preferably a power driven reel, for winding and unwinding a hose and a series of rollers coupled together by links. The rollers are positioned on the outside circumference of the hose windings in such a manner that a radial force is exerted on the hose causing hose windings to remain tight against the core of the reel. The preferred embodiment also includes means for holding the rollers against the windings whether the hose is fully wound, fully unwound or partially unwound, i.e. regardless of the circumference of the hose windings. This latter feature is accomplished by providing spring means coupled to the rollers and links to urge the rollers into contact with the hose.

Hose reel apparatus

A horizontally rotatable and vertically elevatable power boom and a hose support system for industrial vacuum loaders and cleaners are disclosed. The boom includes a link providing increased lifting torque about the boom hinge pin and the boom assembly is designed for minimizing the head room requirements for the vacuum machine without sacrificing payload capacity. The link also permits the boom to be locked down hydraulically for traveling. The free end of the boom supports a pulley and cradle system for supporting the vacuum cleaning hose. The cradle prevents kinking and tearing of the hose by supporting the hose at different positions along the hose length at various boom heights. When the boom is raised, the cradle automatically shifts position to support the bent portion of the hose throughout the curvature of the bend.

A vacuum cleaning or loading device of the type including a means for filtering airborne fine particulate material also includes a back-up filter system for protecting the vacuum exhauster or blower. A by-pass system may preferably be used with the back-up filtration system to protect the primary filter media when the cleaner or loader is being used for collection of liquids. The device may be self-propelled or stationary and may be used for various collecting, loading, transportation or cleaning jobs.

Growing community of inventors

Milwaukee, WI, United States of America

Thomas P Flynn