Disc brush suspension for a floor maintenance machine

• US 4,729,141 A
• Filed: 01/07/1987
• Issued: 03/08/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tennant Company
• Original Assignee: Tennant Company
• Inventors: Feeny, Steven V., Berg, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROBERTS JR, EDWARD
• Application Number:
  US07/002,288
• Time in Patent Office: 426 Days
• Field of Search: 15/49 R, 15/49 C, 15/50 R, 15/50 C, 15/87, 15/98, 15/340, 15/385, 15/359, 51/177
• US Class Current: 15/49.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/162 having only a single disc brush
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4038 Disk shaped surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4055 for lifting the tools to a non-working position
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4058 for adjusting the height of the tool
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4069 Driving or transmission means for the cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 1/053 having vertical axes

Abstract

This is concerned with a disc brush suspension or arrangement for a scrubber or sweeper or the like. The arrangement uses a flexible bellows which may be of rubber or a suitable rubber substitute which functions as the total or primary suspension for the disc brush and its drive motor.

Claims

1. In a disc brush structure for a scrubber, sweeper or the like, a housing, a rotatably mounted brush below the housing disposed to rotate about a generally upright axis and power means for rotating it, a flexible bellows between the housing and power means and having the general characteristics of rubber as to flexibility and distortability, the bellows serving as the primary structural connection of the power means and brush to the housing, and means for raising and lowering the brush and power means between working and traveling positions.

2. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that the housing, bellows and power means are all hermetically sealed, and further characterized by and including a vacuum connection thereto with a control so that the brush may be raised and lowered by either connecting or disconnecting a vacuum source through the vacuum connection.

3. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by and including an actuator in the housing connected to raise and lower the brush and power means.

4. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that the motor axis is on line with the bellows axis.

5. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that the motor axis is at an angle to the bellows axis.