Simplified rear squeegee linkage for surface cleaning equipment

• US 7,287,299 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2005
• Issued: 10/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tennant Company
• Original Assignee: Tennant Company
• Inventors: Joynt, Daniel Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): Redding; David
• Application Number:
  US11/073,889
• Publication Number:
  US 20050193519A1
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 153/20, 153/401, 153/402, 153/403, 153/404, 154/01
• US Class Current: 15/320
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/30 by suction

Abstract

A rear squeegee linkage for surface cleaning equipment, which uses a pair of compliant bushings for improved shock absorption. The actuator is mounted with a pair of clevis pins and cotter pins, and may be replaced if needed without screwing or unscrewing any bolts or screws, or resetting any springs.

Claims

1. An apparatus for raising and lowering a trailing surface treatment element for a ground surface treating machine comprising:

a pivot point on said machine including a cylindrical aperture;

an actuator mounted at least on one end on said machine;

an arm extending from said element through said pivot point to said actuator;

a resilient interface member between said machine and said arm at said pivot point so that shocks to said element are absorbed at least in part by said interface member, wherein said resilient interface member includes a pair of separate cylindrical bushings sized be received, at least in part, within said aperture, said bushings including a shoulder portion configured to extend from said bushing but remain outside said aperture, said shoulder portion being of greater diameter than said bushings,

a pin assembly extending through said bushings and engaging at least a portion of both shoulder portions, so that said bushings are maintained within said aperture and wherein the shoulder includes countersunk recess.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bushing is of sufficient rigidity to limit torsional movement of the arm.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bushing includes an aperture and wherein a removable pin extends therethrough and through the pivot point.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the machine includes a frame having first and second members space apart a predetermined distance, each member containing an aperture sized to receive said pin.

5. An apparatus for raising and lowering a trailing surface treatment element for a ground surface treating machine comprising:

a pivot point on said machine;

an actuator mounted at least on one end on said machine;

an arm extending from said element through said pivot point to said actuator;

a resilient interface member between said machine and said arm at said pivot point so that shocks to said element are absorbed at least in part by said interface member;

wherein said interface member is a resilient bushing of sufficient rigidity to limit torsional movement of the arm, wherein the bushing includes an aperture and wherein a removable pin extends therethrough and through the pivot point;

wherein the arm has a cylindrical space and wherein said bushing is sized to be received therein and, wherein said bushing has end faces and wherein at least one of said faces is recessed so that said pin is countersunk into said face.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the bushing includes a first and second shoulder on each of its ends and wherein said shoulder has a predetermined thickness, so that the maximal distance between said shoulders is generally equal to said predetermined distance between said members.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said bushing includes first and second halves each having a shoulder.

8. A interface member for joining an actuator to an arm, said arm used to raise or lower a structure on a ground treatment machine, comprising:

an element having first and second ends;

a first aperture proximate said first end;

an second aperture proximate said second end;

a first connector passing through said first aperture;

a second connector passing through said second aperture, said first and second connectors connecting said actuator to said arm through said element, and

including a pair of opposing spaced apart guide flanges adjacent said aperture, to limit rotation between said second connector and said element.

9. The member of claim 8, wherein the element is rigid and includes a bias member for urging one of said second connector toward one end of said second aperture.

10. The member of claim 8 wherein said second aperture is an elongated slot and wherein said flanges include a pair of upper and lower opposing members extending from said element, together creating a boundary to limit the torsional movement of said second connector.

11. A quick release interface member for joining an actuator to an arm, said arm used to raise or lower a structure on a ground treatment machine, comprising:

an element having first and second ends;

a first aperture proximate said first end;

an elongated second aperture proximate said second end;

a first connector passing through said first aperture;

a second connector passing through said elongated second aperture, said first and second connectors connecting said actuator to said arm through said element, so that said actuator can be released from said machine without adjustment of the position of said arm; and

wherein said elongated second aperture includes a pair of guide flanges on both sides of said aperture, to limit rotation between said second connector and said element.