Surface maintenance machine with improved dust collection system

• US 5,940,929 A
• Filed: 06/23/1997
• Issued: 08/24/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tennant Company
• Original Assignee: Tennant Company
• Inventors: Berg, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US08/880,225
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 15/331, 15/334, 15/349
• US Class Current: 15/334
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/20 combined with vacuum cleaning devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/24 Floor-sweeping machines, motor-driven
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4013 Contaminants collecting devices, i.e. hoppers, tanks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4044 Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/32 with means for connecting a hose hose couplings for suction cleaners A47L9/24
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 1/0854 Apparatus in which the mechanically dislodged dirt is partially sucked-off, e.g. dislodging- sweeping apparatus with dirt collector in brush housing or dirt container mechanical dislodging machines with independent suction nozzles E01H1/0827; combined with blowing and suction E01H1/0872

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.

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.

2. The surface maintenance machine of claim 1 wherein said dust collection container is a flexible bag having an air inlet at the top of one side thereof.

3. The surface maintenance machine of claim 1 including side skirts along said frame limiting air flow to said hopper.

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.

5. The surface maintenance machine of claim 4 wherein said air flow path includes a collapsible, flexible hose, and a wand being connected to one end of said hose.

6. The surface maintenance machine of claim 5 wherein said wand has a plurality of air flow control openings facing said hopper, with said air flow control openings limiting the volume of dust and air moving to said dust collection container.