Curb Sweeper Apparatus for Blade-Carrying Machines

Abstract

A curb sweeping apparatus for releasable engagement with a blade of a blade-carrying machine such as a motor grader, for example, the blade being arcuate in cross-section and having a top edge and a bottom cutting edge, the sweeping apparatus being comprised of a height and depth adjustable mounting assembly, a carrier frame fixedly connected to the mounting assembly, and a motor-driven rotary sweeper comprised of a sweeper brush assembly rotatably mounted to the carrier frame and a sweeper motor mounted to the carrier frame and operably coupled to the sweeper brush assembly.

Claims

1. A sweeping apparatus for releasable engagement with a blade of a blade-carrying machine, the blade being arcuate in cross-section and having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left end portion, a right end portion, and a front face, the sweeping apparatus comprising: a. a height and depth adjustable mounting assembly; b. a carrier frame fixedly connected to said mounting assembly; c. a sweeper brush assembly mounted to said carrier frame; said sweeper brush assembly including: i. one of a sweeper shaft or drum rotatable about a longitudinal axis substantially parallel with the ground; and ii. a cylindrical brush head comprising a brush hub mounted to said sweeper shaft or said drum for rotation therewith, said brush hub having a plurality of bristles, and d. a sweeper motor mounted to said carrier frame and having a crankshaft coupled to said sweeper shaft to cause rotation of said sweeper shaft when said motor is energized; whereby mounting of said sweeping apparatus across the front face of selectively either the left end portion or right end portion of the blade is accomplished by tilting the top edge of the blade forward, driving the blade-carrying machine forward until the top edge of the blade is inserted into said mounting assembly, tilting the top edge of the blade rearward and simultaneously lifting the blade vertically until the bottom of said mounting assembly comes into abutting contact with the bottom edge of the blade.

2. The sweeping apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mounting assembly is comprised of: a. a first vertical support and a second vertical support connected to one another by at least one cross brace, each said first vertical support and said second vertical support having a top portion; b. a first vertical extension member slidably and adjustably mounted to said top portion of said first vertical support, a second vertical extension member slidably and adjustably mounted to said top portion of said second vertical support, said first vertical extension member including a first forward canted arm, said second vertical extension member including a second forward canted arm, said first forward canted arm terminating in a first rearward canted arm extending perpendicular to said first forward canted arm, said second forward canted arm terminating in a second rearward canted arm extending perpendicular to said second forward canted arm; and c. a first L-shaped extension bracket slidably and adjustably mounted to said first rearward canted arm to form a first U-shaped channel into which the top edge of the blade is inserted when mounting said sweeping apparatus to the blade, and a second L-shaped extension bracket slidably and adjustably mounted to said second rearward canted arm to form a second U-shaped channel into which the top edge of the blade is inserted when mounting said sweeping apparatus to the blade; whereby, the depth of each said U-shaped channel is adjustable to accommodate blades of varying thickness by sliding said first and said second extension brackets proximally or distally relative to the rearward canted arms from which they depend.

3. The sweeping apparatus of claim 2, wherein said first extension bracket includes a first elbow and said second extension bracket includes a second elbow, said first elbow and said second elbow being connected by a crossbar with which one or more mounting hooks attached to the top edge of the blade may be engaged.

4. The sweeping apparatus of claim 1, wherein said motor is an electric motor and said crankshaft is substituted with a rotor.

5. The sweeping apparatus of claim 2, wherein said motor is an electric motor and said crankshaft is substituted with a rotor.

6. The sweeping apparatus of claim 3, wherein said motor is an electric motor and said crankshaft is substituted with a rotor.

7. The sweeping apparatus of claim 1, wherein said crankshaft is coupled to said sweeper shaft via a chain drive assembly.

8. The sweeping apparatus of claim 2, wherein said crankshaft is coupled to said sweeper shaft via a chain drive assembly.

9. The sweeping apparatus of claim 3, wherein said crankshaft is coupled to said sweeper shaft via a chain drive assembly.

10. The sweeping apparatus of claim 7, wherein said chain drive assembly includes gear reduction means.

11. The sweeping apparatus of claim 8, wherein said chain drive assembly includes gear reduction means.

12. The sweeping apparatus of claim 9, wherein said chain drive assembly includes gear reduction means.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0022] FIG. 1 is a right front quarter perspective view of typical motor grader having a blade to which a sweeping apparatus of the subject invention is mounted;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a right front quarter perspective view of an embodiment of the subject sweeper apparatus;

[0024] FIG. 3 is a right front quarter perspective view of the sweeper apparatus of FIG. 2 shown in exploded view to more easily distinguish its components;

[0025] FIG. 4 is a right front quarter perspective view of the sweeper apparatus of FIG. 2 with top covers removed to better observe the arrangement of components thereunder;

[0026] FIG. 5 is a right front quarter perspective view of the sweeper apparatus of FIG. 2 with top covers and housing removed to better observe the sweeper brush assembly and motor components mounted to the carrier frame;

[0027] FIG. 6 is a left front quarter perspective view of the sweeper apparatus of FIG. 2 with top covers, housing and motor removed to better observe the sweeper brush assembly and chain drive assembly components;

[0028] FIG. 7 is a right front quarter perspective view of first embodiment of the mounting assembly of the subject sweeper apparatus mounted to a blade;

[0029] FIG. 8 is right side elevation view of the sweeper apparatus of FIG. 7;

[0030] FIG. 9 is a right front quarter perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a mounting assembly of the subject sweeper apparatus mounted to a blade;

[0031] FIG. 10 is left side sectional view of the sweeper apparatus taken along line A-A of FIG. 9; and

[0032] FIG. 11 is a right side elevation view of the sweeper apparatus of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] At the outset, it should be clearly understood that like reference numerals are intended to identify the same structural elements, portions or surfaces consistently throughout the several drawings figures, as such elements, portions or surfaces may be further described or explained by the entire written specification, of which this detailed description is an integral part. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read (e.g., cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportion, degree, etc.) together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this invention. The figures provided herewith are for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled in the art and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. One of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that a component may be designed as multiple components or that multiple components may be designed as a single component.

[0034] Furthermore, reference throughout this specification to one embodiment, an embodiment, one example or an example means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases in one embodiment, in an embodiment, in some embodiments, one example or an example in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0035] Before describing the various embodiments of the subject sweeping apparatus it is helpful to first describe, very basically, some primary components of a typical motor grader including the blade component to which the subject apparatus is intended to be mounted. Accordingly, reference is first made to FIG. 1 in which there is illustrated a typical motor grader 100 (hereinafter also referred to as grader 10) portions of which have been eliminated or simplified when not important to an understanding of the invention having a sweeper apparatus of the subject invention, designated generally by reference numeral 100, mounted thereon as herein described. The motor grader 100 includes a mainframe 12 comprising a front frame portion 14 and a rear frame portion 16. The front and rear frame portions 14,16 may optionally be articulated at an articulated joint (not shown). Mainframe 12 is supported on a plurality of ground engaging members 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the ground engaging members 18 are comprised of a pair of front wheels 20 supported, directly or indirectly, by front frame portion 14, the front wheels being spaced from two pairs of rear wheels 22, which are disposed along opposite sides of the rear frame portion 16 from which they are supported. It will be appreciated, however, that the ground engaging members 18 may include alternate arrangements, such as, for example, a pair of front wheels 20 and a single pair of rear wheels, or the rear wheels 22 may alternately be track assemblies, as are known in the art.

[0036] A blade mounting and control assembly 24 (also referred to herein more simply as blade control assembly 24) is mounted along the front frame section 14 for supporting and controlling a blade 26 (also known as a moldboard) which is utilized for grading. An example blade mounting and control assembly is described in U.S. patent Application Publication No. US2010/0163259A1 of Howson et al. published on Jul. 1, 2010 incorporated herein by reference for the sake of brevity. Regardless of the specific component parts used, or the details of their arrangement, blade control assembly 24 facilitates the adjustment of the angle (relative to a vertical axis of rotation), slope (relative to horizontal), tilt (or pitch) and height of blade 26 (relative to the motor grader 10) with a high level of precision.

[0037] With continued reference to FIG. 1, blade 26 has a curved profile, a top edge 26a, and a bottom cutting edge 26b. The bottom cutting portion of the blade is typically a separate component that can be replaced with wear. The length of the moldboard typically ranges from 6 to 24 feet, 12-16 feet being more common, with a thickness approximating 1 inch not including structural support bracing. Example motor grader blades have an arc radius ranging from approximately 16 to 24 inches. A 6-foot motor grader blade weighs approximately 200 pounds.

[0038] An operator cab 28 may be supported along mainframe 12 rearward of blade mounting and control assembly 24 generally, and blade 26 in particular such that the operator can maintain a clear view of blade 26. This high degree of visibility of blade 26, and the ability to manipulate it in multiple directions, makes it an ideal attachment point for the sweeper apparatus of the subject invention. Cab 28 may include, for example, a seat (not shown), a steering mechanism 30, a speed-throttle or control lever 32, and a joystick 34 which is a component of the blade mounting and control assembly 24 and used to control the movement of blade 26. An operator occupying the cab 28 can control the various functions and motion of the motor grader 10, for example, by using the steering mechanism 30 to set a direction of travel for the motor grader 10 and by using the control lever 32 to set the travel speed of the machine. As can be appreciated, the representations of the various control mechanisms presented herein are generic and are meant to encompass all possible mechanisms or devices used to convey an operator's commands to motor grader 10 and its blade control assembly 24.

[0039] The rear frame portion 16 of mainframe 12 includes a rear frame section 36 that is supported on the plurality of ground engaging members 18 along either side of grader 10. Rear frame section 36 supports engine compartment 38 and the engine and related components (not shown) for driving grader 10 forward and backward.

[0040] Reference now being made to FIGS. 2 and 3, this disclosure relates to a curb-sweeper (aka curb-sweeping) apparatus 100 for releasable engagement with a blade of a blade-carrying machine 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. While the sweeper apparatus 100 is illustrated in connection with a blade-carrying machine in the form of a motor grader, it could also be mounted to blades used on other blade-carrying machines provided the following minimum criteria are met: the blade-carrying machine must be power-driven; the blade-carrying machine must include a blade control assembly; the blade control assembly must be capable of orienting the blade with its cutting edge perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the blade-carrying machine; the blade of the blade-carrying machine must have a curved profile and have a top edge and a bottom edge; the blade of the blade-carrying machine must be capable of supporting the weight of the subject sweeper apparatus when mounted in close proximity to an end of the blade; the blade of the blade-carrying machine must be capable of a forward tilt and lift to accomplish mounting of the subject apparatus; and, ideally, but not essentially, the end of the blade to which the apparatus is mounted should be viewable by the operator of the blade-carrying machine. The term blade-carrying machine therefore refers to any motor-driven blade-carrying machine that has the above characteristics and capabilities. Some earth-moving machines, such as a tractor, wheel loader, excavator, dump truck, backhoe or the like may qualify.

[0041] Embodiments of a sweeper apparatus 100 for removable mounting to the blade of a blade-carrying machine are comprised of the following primary components: a height and depth adjustable mounting assembly 102, a carrier frame 104 fixedly connected to the mounting assembly, and a motor-driven rotary sweeper comprised of a sweeper brush assembly 106 rotatably mounted to the carrier frame and a sweeper motor 108 mounted to the carrier frame and operably coupled to the sweeper brush assembly.

[0042] In certain embodiments, mounting assembly 102 is comprised of a pair of vertical supports 110a, 110b (also referred to as first vertical support 110a and second vertical support 110b) connected to one another by cross braces 112. A pair of vertical extension members 114a, 114b (also referred to as first vertical extension member 114a and second vertical extension member 114b) are slidably and adjustably mounted to the top portions of corresponding vertical supports 110a,b, respectively, to enable vertical adjustment of the height of the mounting assembly 102 to accommodate mounting to blades of varying heights. Each vertical extension member 114a,b includes a forward canted arm 116a,b, respectively, (also referred to as first forward canted arm 116a and second forward canted arm 116b) which are canted approximately 45 degrees to vertical, each of which in turn terminates in a rearward canted arms 118a,b, respectively, (also referred to as first rearward canted arm 118a and second rearward canted arm 118b). First rearward canted arm 118a extends perpendicular to first forward canted arm 116a, and second rearward canted arm 118b extends perpendicular to second forward canted arm 116b. A pair of L-shaped extension brackets 120a, 120b (also referred to as first L-shaped extension bracket 120 and second L-shaped extension bracket 120b) are slidably and adjustably mounted to rearward canted arms 118a,b, respectively, to form a pair of U-shaped channels 122a, 122b (also referred to as first U-shaped channel 122a and second U-shaped channel 122b) into which the top edge 26a of blade 26 is inserted when mounting sweeper apparatus 100 to the blade. As may be appreciated, the depth of each channel 122a,b can be adjusted to accommodate blades of varying thickness (specifically along their top edge 26a) by sliding extension brackets 120a, 120b proximally or distally relative to the rearwardly canted arms 118a,b from which they depend. An over the blade crossbar 124 extends between the elbows 126a, 126b (also referred to as first elbow 126a and second elbow 126b) of each extension bracket 120a,b for added stability and, in some embodiments, to serve as a mount for mounting hooks attached to blade 26 as described infra (see FIGS. 9-11). It is important to note that each channel 122a,b is oriented approximately 45 degrees to normal with its opening below elbows 126a,b, respectively. Accordingly, top edge 126a of blade 126 must be inserted upwards into channels 122a,b. In order for sweeper apparatus 100 to become dislodged from the blade a substantial amount of upward lifting force would be required. Such forces would not be ordinarily encountered during normal use of the apparatus.

[0043] Mounting assembly 102 is fixedly attached to carrier frame 104 preferably but not essentially via welding. As best observed upon reference to FIG. 6, in some embodiments, carrier frame 104 is constructed of a plurality of hollowed framing members, square in cross-section, and made of steel, metal alloys, or preferably aluminum. Carrier frame 104 includes a main carrier box portion 104a for supporting, inter alia, sweeper motor 108 and a supplemental carrier shelf portion 104b for supporting sweeper brush assembly 106. Carrier shelf portion 104b depends from carrier box portion 104a in cantilevered fashion. Together, carrier box portion 104a and carrier shelf portion 104b form a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in plan view. Those skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that a variety of framing configurations suitable for supporting the motor and brush components of the subject sweeper apparatus 100 may be employed.

[0044] Sweeper brush assembly 106 includes a sweeper shaft 130 in the form of a solid bar or hollowed drum (in the latter case, drum 130) rotatable about a longitudinal axis A.sub.L substantially parallel with the ground. A cylindrical brush head 132 (also referred to as a drum brush 132) comprises a brush hub 134 mounted to the sweeper shaft 130 for rotation therewith, the brush hub 134 having a plurality of bristles 136. In certain embodiments, the plurality of bristles 136 are comprised of a near continuous array of bristles 136 (typically in the form of pre-assembled bristle modules) mounted about the circumference of brush hub 134 and along its length and projecting away from its longitudinal axis A.sub.L. Each end of sweeper shaft 130 is rotatably mounted within bearing mounts 131 which in turn are mounted to carrier frame 104. Bristles 136 can be made of natural or synthetic materials displaying one or more of the suitable characteristics such as durability, lightness or resiliency. For example, polymers, straw, fur, or the like may be used. In some embodiments the bristles 136 project from brush hub 134 in a substantially radial manner; in others bristles will project in a non-radial manner at some tangent to brush hub 134; in still further embodiments some bristles 136 may project radially while others project non-radially. In some embodiments, bristles 136 may be clustered in defined circumferential groups along the length of brush hub 134; in other embodiments they may be randomly dispersed along the length or arranged in a helical pattern as is known in the art. It is contemplated that brush head 132 may be removably attached to sweeper shaft 130 to permit replacement of the former when worn beyond practical use.

[0045] As best observed upon reference to FIG. 4, sweeper motor 108 is mounted on the carrier frame 104 generally, and in carrier box portion 104a thereof in particular. In the embodiment illustrated, sweeper motor 108 is of the gasoline powered combustion engine variety, similar in construction to that of a typical lawnmower engine, but with a horizontal crankshaft 140 instead of vertical. It should be appreciated that alternate power means may be employed to drive sweeper shaft 130, and thus drum brush 132, including electric motors (having a rotor vs a crankshaft) or pneumatic or hydraulic motors, for instance. In any case, the crankshaft 140 (or corresponding rotary component) is coupled to the sweeper shaft 130 via any suitable coupling means including sleeve couplers, muff couplers, serrated (splined) couplers, split muff couplers, disc couplers, flange couplers or gear couplers. Some motors may advantageously be capable of changing the direction of the rotation of their shaft in either a clockwise or alternately counter-clockwise direction. Variable speed motors are preferred. In instances where the speed of the rotating shaft is too fast for effective use of the subject sweeping apparatus 100 and the speed cannot be adjusted downward, a motor/brush chain drive assembly 142 with gear reduction (FIGS. 3 and 6) may be operably interposed between sweeper shaft 130 and motor crankshaft 140.

[0046] With reference now being made to FIGS. 7 and 8, mounting of the sweeper apparatus 100 onto either the right (shown) or left (not shown) end of a blade 26 will be described. For practical purposes, sweeper apparatus 100 is intended to be mounted across the front face 26c of blade 26. To accomplish mounting or dismounting, no manual lifting of the sweeper apparatus is required. Instead, the blade-carrying machine 10 and its maneuverable blade 26 do all the work. To accomplish mounting, the operator causes blade 26 to be positioned immediately behind the mounting assembly 102 of the sweeper apparatus 100. Next, the top edge 26a of blade 26 is tilted forward in approximate alignment with channels 122a,b, motor grader 10 is then slowly idled forward until top edge 26a is inserted into the channels. Blade 26 is then tilted back to normal (vertical) position while simultaneously lifting the blade vertically until the bottom of mounting assembly 102 comes into abutting contact with the cutting edge 26b of the blade. As should readily be understood, top edge 26a acts as a pivot point upon which sweeper apparatus 100 is suspended via channels 122a,b and the weight of the cantilevered sweeper apparatus has a horizontal force component in the direction of blade 26 that causes the bottom of the sweeper apparatus to maintain contact with the blade absent any unusual jarring movements. In order to prevent sweeper apparatus 100 from sliding off the end of top edge 26a (which would be highly unlikely during normal operation) a tether 150 may be connected at one end to sweeping apparatus 100 via I-bolt 152 (preferably connected to mounting assembly 102) and the other end connected to a connection point 154 on blade 26 under tension (i.e., without any appreciable slack) (see FIG. 1).

[0047] In other embodiments, a more positive attachment of sweeper apparatus 100 generally, and its mounting assembly 102 in particular, to blade 26 may be achieved by attaching at least one, and preferably two, generally C-shaped hooks 160 to top edge 26a of blade 26 using bolts or welding as illustrated in FIGS. 9-11. Hooks are mounted to top edge 26a a distance from one another slightly less than the distance between vertical supports 110a, 110b of mounting assembly 102. Thusly mounted, the operator causes blade 26 to be positioned immediately behind the mounting assembly 102 of the sweeper apparatus 100 with hooks 160 being positioned between channels 122a,b. Next, the top edge 26a of blade 26 is tilted forward a sufficient degree (more so than for the above-described embodiment) to permit hooks 160 to pass underneath crossbar 124 while simultaneously aligning top edge 26a of blade 26 with channels 122a,b. Motor grader 10 is then slowly idled forward until hooks 160 pass under crossbar 124 and top edge 26a is inserted into channels 122a,b. Blade 26 is then tilted back to normal (vertical) position while simultaneously lifting the blade vertically causing hooks 160 to engage the crossbar 124 with top edge 26a firmly seated within channels 122a,b. Here also, the bottom of mounting assembly 102 will come into abutting contact with the cutting edge 26b of the blade. As may be observed upon reference to FIG. 10 in particular, the hooks 160 prevent vertical displacement of the sweeper apparatus 100. Moreover, because hooks 160 are fastened to the blade they prevent any lateral movement of sweeper apparatus 100 along top edge 26a thus eliminating the need for tether 150. In both of the above-described embodiments, dismounting is accomplished by reversing the mounting steps.

[0048] In operation, once the sweeper apparatus 100 is mounted to one side of the blade 26 and the motor 128 is activated, the bristles 136 of the rotating drum brush 132 will remove any ground material or other debris from the curb gutter as the motor grader travels along its length, with its operator selectively adjusting the degree of contact of the drum brush bristles with the curb surface by precisely adjusting the height of the blade relative to the surface to be cleaned. Note that the direction of rotation of sweeper shaft 130 should be such that debris is propelled forward of the sweeper apparatus 100 in the direction of the motor grader's travel.

[0049] To keep sweeper motor 128 and other components within carrier box portion 104a of carrier frame 104 clean and to protect them from flying debris and dust, carrier box portion 104a is preferably outfitted with an outer cabinet comprised of floor panel (not shown), side panels 170, and a curved lid 172 typically hingedly mounted to the frame and having a handle 174 for opening the lid. A pair of curved end walls 176 mounted at opposite ends of the lid 172 complete the enclosure. One or more side panels 170 may be adapted with vents as shown to permit exhaust to escape from the cabinet and prevent the buildup of heat. Sweeper brush assembly 106 is also preferably covered with a removable safety lid 178 and end wall 176 each of which are mounted to carrier shelf portion 104b above drum brush 132. In some embodiments, safety lid 178 is removably or pivotally mounted to facilitate removal of drum brush 132 for maintenance or replacement.

[0050] In some embodiments, sweeper apparatus 100 may be equipped with a cabinet or frame mounted electric start switch 180 in electrical communication with a battery (not shown) and sweeper motor 108 for starting the latter. The switch also serves as an emergency stop switch.

[0051] In some embodiments, sweeper apparatus 100 may be controlled by a remote brush control unit 182 in operable communication with sweeper motor 108 via hard wiring or via a wireless receiver 184 as is known in the art. The control unit 182 is ideally mounted inside of cab 28.

[0052] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the particular embodiments herein set forth, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the foregoing specifications, but rather only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.