A self-propelled object-gathering apparatus includes a chassis, a drive system coupled to the chassis and configured to traverse the apparatus over a surface, and a control system coupled to the chassis. The control system is programmed to detect a bounded operational area, and to guide the apparatus within the bounded operational area. The apparatus also includes a receptacle coupled to the chassis, and a sweep assembly coupled to the chassis and rotatable with respect to the chassis. The sweep assembly is configured to transfer objects from the surface into the receptacle by mechanical action on the objects in response to rotation of the sweep assembly.

A vehicle assisted working device for cleaning streets and similar surfaces includes at least one brush for detachment of the extraneous material from the surface, element for providing an underpressure for a suction of the detached material into the air flow from the surface, units for separating the detached material from the air flow and for providing an overpressure and return of the separated air to the surface. At least one brush is arranged to rotate counter-wise to the intended direction of movement of the working device, so that the element are ordered in such a way that when the working device is intended to move over a spot to be cleaned, it treats the spot in the following order: suction of the extraneous materials, at least one brush and mechanism for return of the separated air to the surface. Also disclosed are a system and method for cleaning.

A sweeping machine for mounting to a blower is adapted for sweeping debris, e.g., snow, from an area around an obstacle, e.g., fire hydrant. The sweeping machine comprises a rotating brush having an axis of rotation which is horizontal, a frame for the rotating brush, an arm extending from a proximal end to a distal end to which the frame is secured, a blower, and a pivoting mechanism secured to the blower. The pivoting mechanism is adapted to swivel the arm upwardly to lift the rotating brush and to swivel the arm within a horizontal plane to move the rotating brush horizontally relative to the blower. Thereby, the sweeping machine is adapted to sweep debris from the area around the obstacle by the rotating brush toward the blower which is itself adapted to blow the debris away from the obstacle.

A brush (1) intended for industrial use comprises one or more bristle bunches formed by a plurality of elongated bristles, one or more cassette elements having said bristle bunches, and a cassette element holding member (3) at which said cassette elements may be removably secured. At least one of said cassette elements comprises a body, one or more recesses configured to receive said bristle bunches therein, and a securing wire configured to secure said bristle bunches in said recesses. Said at least one cassette element further comprises means configured to counteract movement of the bristles of a bristle bunch with respect to each other and/or with respect to the securing wire.

A vehicular sweeping machine includes a frame and a broom assembly that is mounted to the frame. The broom assembly includes a broom enclosure and a broom that is mounted within the broom enclosure. A plurality of links are pivotally mounted between the frame and the broom assembly. These links are adapted to permit the broom assembly to move upwardly and downwardly with respect to the frame. The vehicular sweeping machine also includes a broom conveyor having a lower end that is disposed within the broom enclosure.

A vehicular sweeping machine includes a frame and a broom assembly that is mounted to the frame. The broom assembly includes a broom enclosure and a broom having a generally cylindrical tube with attached bristles that is mounted in the broom enclosure and adapted to rotate about a generally horizontal axis. The broom assembly also includes a material presentation system that is adapted to move material on the roadway into contact with the broom in the form of a windrow that is located generally in front of the center of the broom assembly. The sweeping machine also includes a broom conveyor having a lower end that is disposed within the broom enclosure.

Roller brushes for a cleaning and/or care devices, for example, for cleaning and/or care of floor coverings in the form of tiles, natural, artificial, blocks of concrete or wood, with a rotationally symmetrical cylinder which comprises a cylinder surface. At least one first plurality of a first bundle of bristles with a first brush and a second plurality of a second bundle of bristles with a second brush may be arranged on the cylinder surface. The first bundle of bristles may be different from the second bundle of bristles.

A vehicular sweeping machine that is adapted to rotate a broom about a substantially horizontal axis to sweep material into a broom conveyor of fixed width is provided with a modular broom assembly that can accommodate a broom of a first length and a broom of a second length that is longer than the first length. The modular broom assembly includes a primary broom enclosure that is adapted to accommodate the broom of the first length, and an extension assembly that includes broom extension components which are adapted to be installed on the primary broom enclosure to increase the width of the primary broom enclosure to accommodate the broom of the second length, and to direct material swept by the broom of the second length into the broom conveyor.

An outdoor surface treating apparatus having a body having a handle and a head arranged to be removably connected with an accessory tool assembly. The head includes a first engagement arrangement for releasably engaging with a second engagement arrangement in the accessory tool assembly. A drive unit, arranged in the head, includes a first coupling member for drivingly coupling with a second coupling member in the accessory tool assembly. The first engagement arrangement is fixed. The second engagement arrangement is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The accessory tool assembly includes a biasing element for biasing the second engagement arrangement into the extended position. As the accessory tool assembly is aligned with the head, in particular when the first engagement arrangement is aligned with the second engagement arrangement, and is moved along a movement axis into engagement with the head, the second engagement arrangement first moves over the first engagement arrangement against the bias then returns to the extended position and locks with the first engagement arrangement while the first coupling member couples with the second coupling member.

A broom assembly for a vehicle includes a frame, a broom core axle rotatably coupled to the frame and defining an axis around which a broom rotates, an actuator coupled to the frame and positioned to raise and lower the axle relative to the frame, and a controller. The controller has an output for adjusting the actuator and an input for receiving information from a sensor. To account for the estimated wear, the controller is configured to use the received information to automatically lower the axle over a period of operation and use the sensor input to controllably adjust the actuator to a position setpoint changing over the period of operation. After operation, the controller is configured to use the sensor input to determine a current position, add an offset to the current position to achieve a new sensor target setpoint, and use the new setpoint to adjust the output.