A CASSETTE BRUSH, A VEHICLE PROVIDED THEREWITH AND A METHOD OF PRODUCING A CASSETTE ELEMENT FOR A CASSETTE BRUSH

Abstract

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.

Claims

1-17. (canceled)

18. A brush (1) intended for industrial use comprising: one or more bristle bunches (9), each formed by a plurality of elongated bristles (10), one or more cassette elements (5), each having at least one said bristle bunch (9), and a cassette element holding member (3) provided with one or more fastening members (4), each fastening member (4) being configured to removably secure at least one said cassette element (5) at the holding member (3), at least one of said cassette elements (5) comprising: a body (6), one or more recesses (7) at a first outer surface (8) of said body (6), each recess (7) being configured to receive a middle portion (11) of a bristle bunch (9) therein, and a securing wire (14) configured to secure said middle portion (11) of said bristle bunch (9) in said recess (7), with the middle portion (11) of the bristle bunch (9) pushed down in the recess (7) such that the middle portion (11) forms a substantially U-shape therein and a first (12) and a second end portion (13) of the bristle bunch (9) extends out of the recess (7) in a direction away from said first outer surface (8) of said body (6), by extending over every bristle (10) contained in a bottom portion (15) of the U-shape of the bristle bunch (9), in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the bristle bunch (9) in said bottom portion (15), to secure the bristle bunch (9) in the recess (7) by urging parts of said U-shape of the bristle bunch (9) against one or more surfaces of wall (17) and/or bottom portions (18) of the recess (7), wherein at least a majority, preferably all, of the bristles (10) of each said bristle bunch (9) are made of a synthetic material, preferably a plastic material, and said at least one cassette element (5) further comprises: means configured to counteract movement of the bristles (10) in said bottom portion (15) of the bristle bunch (9) with respect to each other and/or with respect to said securing wire (14).

19. A brush (1) according to claim 18, wherein said means comprises: a first friction layer portion (20a) arranged over or secured to said part of the outer surface (16) of the U-shape of the bristle bunch (9) upon which part the securing wire (14) applies an urging action, and said friction layer portion (20a) is configured to provide high friction by a first contact surface facing away from said outer surface (16) and high friction by a second contact surface applied to said outer surface (16) when not secured thereto.

20. A brush (1) according to claim 18, wherein said means comprises: a second friction layer portion (20b) arranged between said one or more surfaces of wall (17) and/or bottom portions (18) of the recess (7) and at least a part of the outer surface (16) of the bottom portion (15) of the U-shape of the bristle bunch (9) to enable high friction force between these surfaces (16-18).

21. A brush (1) according to claim 18, wherein said means comprises: a holding element (20) provided around the periphery of the bottom portion (15) of the U-shape of the bristle bunch (9) to enclose and hold the bristles (10) of the bristle bunch (9) together, said element (20) being a tape, preferably an adhesive tape, wound around the bristle bunch (9).

22. A brush (1) according to claim 18, wherein the securing wire (14) is coated with a friction layer configured to provide high friction between the securing wire (14) and parts of the cassette element in contact therewith.

23. A brush (1) according to claim 18, wherein the brush (1) comprises one or more said cassette elements (5) provided with a plurality of bristle bunches (9).

24. A brush (1) according to claim 18, wherein the brush (1) comprises a plurality of cassette elements (5) provided with a plurality of bristle bunches (9), each of the bristle bunches (9) of a cassette element (5) being provided with said means (20) and the bristle bunches (9) of said cassette element (5) being secured in their respective recesses (7) by the same securing wire (14).

25. A brush (1) according to claim 18, wherein the brush (1) comprises a plurality of said cassette elements (5).

26. A brush (1) according to claim 24, wherein at least a majority, preferably all, of the cassette elements (5) of the brush (1) are configured as said at least one cassette element (5).

27. A brush (1) according to claim 18, wherein said cassette element holding member (3) has a body (3a) with a circular cylindrical shape, said body (3a) being provided with said fastening members (4).

28. A brush (1) according to claim 18, wherein the bristles (10) of a bristle bunch (9) have an individual cross-section diameter of between 0.5 and 10 mm, preferably between 1 and 5 mm, and said bristle bunch (9) has a total cross-section diameter of between 5 and 50 mm, preferably between 10 and 25 mm.

29. A brush (1) according to claim 18, wherein the securing wire (14) is made of metal, preferably steel.

30. A brush (1) according to claim 18, wherein the brush (1) is configured to be driven by a motor.

31. A vehicle (2) intended for sweeping a ground, such as a runway on an airfield or a road, wherein the vehicle (2) is provided with a brush (1) according to claim 18.

32. A method of producing a cassette element (5) having one or more bristle bunches (9) to be used with a brush (1) intended for industrial use, comprising the steps of: pressing a middle portion (11) of each said bristle bunch (9) down in an associated recess (7), located at a first outer surface (8) of a body (6) of the cassette element (5), such that the middle portion (11) forms a substantially U-shape therein and a first (12) and a second end portion (13) of a bristle bunch (9) extend out of the recess (7) in a direction away from said first outer surface (8) of said body (6), securing said middle portion (11) of each said bristle bunch (9) in the respective recess (7) by arranging a securing wire (14) over every bristle (10) contained in a bottom portion (15) of the U-shape of said bristle bunch (9), so that the securing wire (14) extends in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the bristle bunch (9) in said bottom portion (15) and secures the bristle bunch (9) in the associated recess (7) by urging parts of said U-shape of the bristle bunch (9) against one or more surfaces of wall (17) and/or bottom portions (18) of the recess (7), wherein at least a majority, preferably all, of the bristles (10) of each said bristle bunch (9) are made of a synthetic material, preferably a plastic material, and arranging means configured to counteract movement of the bristles (10) in said bottom portion (15) of the bristle bunch (9) with respect to each other and/or with respect to said securing wire (14).

33. A method according to claim 32, wherein the step of arranging the means comprises: arranging a holding element (20) around the periphery of the middle portion (11) of said bristle bunch (9) before the middle portion (11) is pushed down in the associated recess (7), so that the holding element (20) encloses and holds the bristles (10) of the bristle bunch (9) together, said element (20) being a tape, preferably an adhesive tape, which is wound around the bristle bunch (9).

34. A brush (1) according to claim 20, wherein said means comprises: a holding element (20) provided around the periphery of the bottom portion (15) of the U-shape of the bristle bunch (9) to enclose and hold the bristles (10) of the bristle bunch (9) together, said element (20) being a tape, preferably an adhesive tape, wound around the bristle bunch (9).

35. A brush (1) according to claim 19, wherein said means comprises: a holding element (20) provided around the periphery of the bottom portion (15) of the U-shape of the bristle bunch (9) to enclose and hold the bristles (10) of the bristle bunch (9) together, said element (20) being a tape, preferably an adhesive tape, wound around the bristle bunch (9).

36. A brush (1) according to claim 35, wherein the securing wire (14) is coated with a friction layer configured to provide high friction between the securing wire (14) and parts of the cassette element in contact therewith.

37. A brush (1) according to claim 34, wherein the securing wire (14) is coated with a friction layer configured to provide high friction between the securing wire (14) and parts of the cassette element in contact therewith.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a specific description of an embodiment of the invention as well as a method according to the invention cited as examples.

[0042] In the drawings:

[0043] FIG. 1 is a simplified side-elevation view showing a first production step of a method of producing a cassette element already known,

[0044] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the production step of FIG. 1,

[0045] FIG. 3 is a simplified side-elevation view showing a second production step of the method of producing a cassette element already known,

[0046] FIG. 4 is a simplified side-elevation view showing a third production step of the method of producing a cassette element already known,

[0047] FIG. 5 is a simplified perspective view of an airport runway sweeper provided with a brush according to the invention,

[0048] FIG. 6 is an enlarged simplified perspective view of the brush of FIG. 5 during replacement of cassette elements,

[0049] FIG. 7 is a simplified side-elevation view showing a first production step of a method of producing a cassette element according to the invention,

[0050] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the production step of FIG. 7,

[0051] FIG. 9 is a simplified side-elevation view showing a second production step of the method of producing a cassette element according to the invention,

[0052] FIG. 10 is a simplified side-elevation view showing a third production step of the method of producing a cassette element according to the invention,

[0053] FIG. 11 is a simplified perspective view of a cassette element body of a brush according to the invention, and

[0054] FIG. 12 is a simplified perspective view of a cassette element according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0055] A brush 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the appended FIGS. 5-12 and will now be described while at the same time making reference to all these Figures. The brush is intended to be arranged at an airfield runway sweeper 2 used for keeping a runway at an airfield free from stones, dust, snow etc. Sweeping of a runway on an airfield calls for high quality requirements of the brush 1 and its components as unwanted objects on the runway might be a danger at a take-off or landing of an airplane thereon.

[0056] The brush 1 comprises a circular cylindrical cassette element holding member 3 configured to be rotated during use of the brush. The holding member has a body 3a provided with fastening members in the form of elongated grooves 4, each configured to removably secure a series of cassette elements 5 at the body 3a of the holding member 3. To secure the cassette elements at said body, these are pushed into a groove 4 through an opening thereof at one end of the body. As the groove is filled with cassette elements a locking disc is arranged at said end of the body 3a to close said opening and the cassette elements 5 are secured through fit locking with the groove 4. To remove one or all of the cassette elements the locking disc is simply dismounted from the holding member 3 and the cassette elements 5 may be pulled out of said opening (see FIG. 6).

[0057] Each cassette element 5 comprises an elongated body 6 provided with a plurality of recesses 7 at a first outer surface 8 thereof. The recesses are provided with bristle bunches 9, formed by a plurality of elongated bristles 10, in such a way that a middle portion 11 of a bristle bunch 9 is pushed down in a recess 7 in such a way that the middle portion forms substantially a U-shape therein and a first 12 and a second end portion 13 of the bristle bunch extend out of the recess in a direction away from said first outer surface 8 of said body 6. The bristles 10 are made of a plastic material, preferably polypropylene.

[0058] A securing wire 14 made of steel secures all said bristle bunches 9 of a cassette element 5 in the respective recesses 7 by extending over every bristle 10 contained in a bottom portion 15 of the U-shape of the bristle bunches, tightly over said bottom portion of the U-shape and in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the bristle bunches 9 in said bottom portion 15 so as to secure the bristle bunches in the recesses by urging parts of an outer surface 16 of said U-shape of the bristle bunches against one or more surfaces of wall 17 and/or bottom portions 18 of the recesses 7. Said outer surface 16 extends around the complete periphery of the bottom portion 15 of a bristle bunch 9. The bottom portion 15 is in this disclosure considered to be the curved part of the U-shape of a bristle bunch.

[0059] Every bristle bunch 9 is provided with a holding element 20 in the form of an adhesive tape wound around the complete periphery of the bottom portion 15 of the U-shape of each bristle bunch so as to enclose and hold the bristles 10 of a bristle bunch together.

[0060] Through this holding element 20 it is ensured that the bristles 10 of a bristle bunch 9 are arranged as a unit in the recess 7 and thereby that individual bristles are prevented from moving out of their position in the bristle bunch. Also, due to that at least outer portions (20a-b) of the adhesive tape has a high coefficient of friction and thereby a high coefficient of friction is provided at least between said surfaces 16-18 each bristle bunch 9 will be retained in a predetermined proper position in the respective recess 7 even when subjected to large forces during use of the brush 1. Preferably, the complete outer surface of a holding element 20 facing away from the bristle bunch 9 around which the holding element is arranged, is a surface configured to provide high friction against surrounding parts in a cassette element 5.

[0061] The bristles 10 of a bristle bunch 9 has an individual cross-section diameter of between 0.5 and 10 mm, preferably between 1 and 5 mm, and a bristle bunch has a total cross-section diameter of between 5 and 50 mm, preferably between 10 and 25 mm, when it is not double folded. A bristle bunch typically consists of between 20 and 40 individual bristles. The numbers presented above may vary and be adapted to suit the use of the brush 1. For instance, a brush intended for sweeping snow may have fewer and thicker bristles than a brush intended for sweeping dust.

[0062] In a method of producing a cassette element 5 according to an embodiment of the invention a holding element 20 is arranged around the complete periphery of the middle portion 11 of each said bristle bunch 9 before these are pushed down in the associated recesses 7 by a member 21 (see FIG. 7-8). An easy way of performing this is to wind an adhesive tape around the middle portion 11 of the bristle bunches.

[0063] The holding element 20 will then enclose and hold the bristles 10 together as a unit at the middle portion 11 of each bristle bunch 9 so that all of the bristles 10 of a bristle bunch 9 will be pushed down to a proper position, below an opening 22 (see FIG. 7) through which the securing wire 14 is inserted into the cassette element body 6, in the associated recess 7 (see FIG. 9). This means that the securing wire will be pressed into the cassette element body 6 over every bristle 10 contained in the bottom portion 15 of the bristle bunches 9 and secure the bristle bunches in a proper position and without the risk of damaging any individual bristles thereof (see FIG. 10). Consequently, the problems with the method already known addressed above are solved in an easy and cost-effective way and a method of producing cassette elements 5 for a brush 1 that is efficient to use and has an extended life-span compared to such brushes already known is provided.

[0064] The invention is of course not in any way restricted to the embodiment thereof described above, but many possibilities to modifications thereof will be apparent to a person with ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0065] The holding element may for instance be some other element than an adhesive tape, for example a textile strip or a thread wound around a bristle bunch. However, a thin thread wound around a bristle bunch in a single loop only is considered to not be such a holding element. If a thin thread is used to form a holding element, this has to be wound in multiple loops around a bristle bunch, to form a unit of threads which unit is considered to be the holding element. The width of a holding element arranged around a bristle bunch is at least 3-5 mm, preferably at least 10 mm, more preferred at least 20 mm.

[0066] The friction layer portions may be portions of the holding element but may also be portions of an additional element, such as a textile strip arranged over and/or under the bottom portion of a bristle bunch in a recess, and said first friction layer portion may even be a portion of a layer provided on the outer surface of the securing wire, such as a thin rubber layer. The friction layer portions may have a thickness of 5 mm, 3 mm, preferably 2 mm, more preferred 1 mm.

[0067] That a friction layer portion “provides high friction” or “enables a high friction force” between two surfaces means that the coefficient of friction between these surfaces is higher with the friction layer portion arranged there between than without this.

[0068] The fastening members being elongated grooves configured to secure the cassette elements through fit locking may be formed in some other way, and may also be configured to secure the cassette elements at the holding member through other means, such as by magnets or screws.

[0069] A cassette element holding member with a body having a circular cylindrical shape is one type of such a holding member. However, the body of the holding member may for instance have the shape of a cone or be substantially flat.

[0070] A brush according to the invention may be provided with only one cassette element but may also be provided with up to 100 cassette elements, or even more. Also, such a cassette element may have only one bristle bunch, 2-10, 11-20, 21-30 bristle bunches or even more.

[0071] The phrase “industrial use” as used in this disclosure refers to such use that is not commonly performed in a regular household. For example, use of a broom is considered to not be included in this definition, even if it is used in an industrial facility.

[0072] The word “wire” as used in this disclosure in the phrase “securing wire” is not to be interpreted as it has to be flexible but may also be an elongated thin rod, such as a thin steel rebar or the like.

[0073] That a recess is provided “at” a first outer surface of a cassette element body also includes that the opening of such a recess may be located above said first outer surface, protruding therefrom (as shown in FIG. 11, as an example).