Surface maintenance machine with improved dust collection system
First Claim
1. A surface maintenance machine including a frame, wheel for supporting said frame, a debris hopper on said frame, a rotary sweeping brush on said frame mounted to direct dust and debris from sweeping a surface into said hopper, a vacuum fan on said frame, an air flow path on said frame from said hopper to said vacuum fan, a vacuum chamber on said frame in said air flow path, an air flow conduit from said vacuum chamber to said fan, an elongated dust collection container positioned in a generally vertical disposition within said vacuum chamber, said dust collection container having an air flow entrance adjacent an upper end thereof, operation of said brush moving dust and debris into said hopper, with the vacuum fan moving dust along said air flow path to the dust collection container upper air inlet, with debris remaining in said hopper, said vacuum fan drawing air through said container, from said vacuum chamber to said fan, with dust falling downwardly in said container from said airflow entrance.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surface maintenance machine for use in sweeping and collecting dust and debris from inside and outside areas has a frame and wheels for supporting the frame for movement along the surface to be cleaned. There is a debris hopper on the frame and a rotary sweeping brush on the frame mounted to direct dust and debris from sweeping a surface into the hopper. A vacuum fan is located on the frame and there is an air flow path on the frame from the hopper to the vacuum fan. A dust collection container in the form of a flexible bag is positioned within a vacuum chamber in said air flow path and is in a generally upright disposition. The dust collection container has an air flow entrance adjacent the upper end thereof. During operation of the sweeping brush, dust and debris are directed into the hopper, with the vacuum fan moving dust from the hopper along the air flow path to the dust collection upper air inlet with the debris remaining in the hopper.
-
Citations
6 Claims
- 1. A surface maintenance machine including a frame, wheel for supporting said frame, a debris hopper on said frame, a rotary sweeping brush on said frame mounted to direct dust and debris from sweeping a surface into said hopper, a vacuum fan on said frame, an air flow path on said frame from said hopper to said vacuum fan, a vacuum chamber on said frame in said air flow path, an air flow conduit from said vacuum chamber to said fan, an elongated dust collection container positioned in a generally vertical disposition within said vacuum chamber, said dust collection container having an air flow entrance adjacent an upper end thereof, operation of said brush moving dust and debris into said hopper, with the vacuum fan moving dust along said air flow path to the dust collection container upper air inlet, with debris remaining in said hopper, said vacuum fan drawing air through said container, from said vacuum chamber to said fan, with dust falling downwardly in said container from said airflow entrance.
- 4. A surface maintenance machine including a frame, wheels for supporting said frame, a debris hopper on said frame, a rotary sweeping brush on said frame mounted to direct dust and debris from sweeping a surface into said hopper, a vacuum fan on said frame, an air flow path on said frame from said hopper to said vacuum fan, a vacuum chamber on said frame in said air flow path, an air flow conduit from said vacuum chamber to said fan, a dust collection container positioned within said vacuum chamber, said dust collection container having an air flow entrance, operation of said brush moving dust and debris into said hopper, with the vacuum fan moving dust along said air flow path to the dust collection chamber air inlet, with debris remaining in said hopper, a down stream portion of said air flow path being disconnectable from an adjacent portion of said air flow path for use as a vacuum wand.
Specification