[0001] The present invention relates to a covering device for cup-shaped brushes and the
like of the type pointed out in the preamble of the first claim. In particular, the
invention relates to a device adapted to be positioned close to the brush belonging
to a known sweeper, i.e. a machine adapted to sweep an extended surface inside a building
(storehouses, corridors, entrance-halls, gymnasia, etc.) or outdoors (streets, squares,
etc.).
[0002] It is known that the sweeping machine is a machine comprising one or more brushes
made up, at the upper part thereof, of a stiff disc to the lower part of which fibres
or bristles or hair are connected that, when the brush is driven in motion, become
extended and open wide taking a frustoconical configuration so that they are referred
to as cup-shaped brushes.
[0003] Typically, these brushes are placed laterally of the sweeper in such a manner as
to enable particular areas to be cleaned, such as the junction areas between the wall
surfaces and the floors, pavement corners or kerbs, road edges or borders, that otherwise
could be hardly cleaned.
[0004] Finally, sweeping machines can carry out wet cleaning, i.e. with supply of a fluid
such as water and solvent or, alternatively, dry cleaning, i.e. without fluid supply.
[0005] Due to the complexity of the sweeping machines for "wet" cleaning, dry cleaning machines
are mostly used that however, due to the absence of fluids, can raise great amounts
of dust that the machine is unable to fully collect and the dust is therefore dispersed
in the surrounding atmosphere making cleaning not of optimal quality.
[0006] In order to obviate this drawback suitable covering devices have been recently conceived
which substantially consist of protection caps or guards defining a housing volume
inside which the cup-shaped brushes are received.
[0007] An example of these covering devices for cup-shaped brushes is described in patent
EP1772561 of the same Applicant.
[0008] In this patent, it is described a covering device for cup-shaped brushes which has
a flexible covering membrane defining a housing volume in which the brush is placed
so as to prevent dust spreading in the external environment; and a supporting system
connecting the aforesaid flexible membrane to the frame of the sweeping machine.
[0009] The known art mentioned above has some drawbacks.
[0010] A first problem is represented by the fact that known protection caps and in particular
those described in patent application
EP1772561 makes it difficult to carry out a visual control of wear and the exact position of
the brushes.
[0011] This control operation is very important due to the high deterioration of the brushes
and therefore for carrying out an accurate checking, the protection caps are to be
removed.
[0012] In patent
EP1772561 these problems are partly solved by use of caps consisting of a transparent covering
membrane.
[0013] Use of this particular transparent membrane however is not an optimal solution because
the dust moved by the cup-shaped brush during washing of the surface, quickly soils
the membrane reducing transparency thereof and sometimes even eliminating it.
[0014] Another important problem is also represented by the complexity of the operations
required for carrying out maintenance works on the brush because in this case removal
of the device becomes necessary.
[0015] A still further problem is represented by the fact that the protection caps or transparent
membranes fully cover the cup-shaped brush being disadvantageously interposed between
the brushes and the vertical surfaces or surfaces in overhanging to be cleaned and
therefore make it impossible to carry out good cleaning of said surfaces in the vicinity
of corners and pavement kerbs.
[0016] In addition, in case of impact between said caps and a pavement kerb, the caps are
deformed and abut against the cup-shaped brushes so that they modify the brush structures
and cause worsening of the quality of cleaning and deterioration both of the brush
and the caps.
[0017] Under this situation, the technical task underlying the present invention is to conceive
a covering device for cup-shaped brushes and the like capable of substantially obviating
the mentioned drawbacks.
[0018] Within the scope of this technical task it is an important aim of the invention to
provide a covering device for cup-shaped brushes that is capable of enabling practical
and quick checking both of the exact position and the state of the cup-shaped brushes.
[0019] Another important aim of the invention is to make available a covering device enabling
maintenance operations of the brush to be easily carried out.
[0020] A further advantage is to provide a device enabling a cleaning operation of high
quality to be obtained.
[0021] The technical task and the aims specified are achieved by a covering device for cup-shaped
brushes and the like as claimed in the appended claim 1. Preferred embodiments are
highlighted in the subclaims.
[0022] The features and advantages of the invention are hereinafter clarified by the detailed
description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a particular machine provided with a covering device according to the invention;
Fig. 2a is an enlarged view of a base portion of the machine showing the covering device
seen in Fig. 1;
Fig. 2b is a bottom view of the portion in Fig. 2a;
Fig. 3 is a section top view of the enlargement seen in Fig. 2a;
Fig. 4a is a side view of the portion seen in Fig. 2a; and
Fig. 4b is the same view as in Fig. 4a showing the portion of Fig. 2a in which the device
is represented in a different configuration from that seen in Fig. 4a.
[0023] With reference to the drawings, the covering device for cup-shaped brushes and the
like according to the invention is generally identified with reference numeral
1.
[0024] It is adapted to be connected to a sweeping machine or sweeper
10, i.e. a machine for carrying out wet washing or preferably dry cleaning of surfaces
such as streets, pavements and industrial flooring, for example.
[0025] The machine 10 briefly comprises one or more cup-shaped brushes
11, disposed laterally of the machine so as to enable cleaning of the edges or borders
of a street or pavement, a suction system not shown in the figure, for sucking air
and dust also at each cup-shaped brush 11 and an actuating assembly
12 adapted to drive the brushes 11 in rotation and move them relative to the surface
to be cleaned.
[0026] Each cup-shaped brush 11 in known manner comprises a stiff disc
11a adapted to enable the brush to be fastened to the actuating assembly 12 and a series
of hair, fibres or bristles
11b placed at the lower part of the stiff disc 11 and adapted to perform the cleaning
operation removing dust from the surface to be cleaned. In particular, these brushes
11 when they are not in operation have the fibres 11 b in a gathered configuration;
on the contrary, when the cup-shaped brushes 11 are in operation they are in rotation
and the fibres 11 b pushed by the centrifugal force, tend to open wide and radially
expand.
[0027] The covering device 1 is placed on the sides of the sweeping machine 10 at least
at a cup-shaped brush 11 and briefly comprises a covering unit or cover
2 defining a conveying space
1a adapted to hold at least part of the cup-shaped brush 11 and two supporting blocks,
a front one
3 and a rear one
4, to enable said cover to define the aforesaid conveying space 1a. In particular, as
shown in Fig. 4a, said conveying space 1 a is defined by the seat normally provided
in the presently used sweeping machines 10 and by cover 2.
[0028] The covering unit or cover 2 mainly comprises a central portion
2a substantially constituting the upper part of the conveying space 1a and to which
a front portion
2b and a rear portion
2c are connected at the lower part thereof, said portions being placed in the advancing
direction
F of the sweeping machine 10, at the front part and rear part of the cup-shaped brush
11, respectively. In particular, the front portion 2b and rear portion 2c can constitute
two distinct bodies adapted to be easily attached to or separated from the central
body 2a by friction fits, screws, Velcro or other similar solutions adapted to enable
a connection of the releasable type. More particularly, the front portion 2b may comprise
a second section
2f fixed to the front supporting block 3 and not secured to the front portion 2b but
separated relative to the latter, as shown in Fig. 2a. Hereinafter when referring
to portion 2b, portion 2f too will be considered as being joined to portion 2b.
[0029] Cover 2, and in particular the front portion 2b and rear portion 2c are such shaped
as to define an inner opening
2d (Fig. 3), i.e. an opening substantially present inside the sweeping machine 10 and
available in the vicinity of the suction system, and an outer opening
2e disposed at the outer side of the machine 10 when installed, and therefore of the
cup-shaped brush 11. In detail, the outer opening 2e constitutes the main air inlet
to the conveying space 1a while the inner opening 2d is such sized that, when the
sweeping machine 10 and more specifically the suction system is in operation, a depressurisation
is created in the conveying space 1a enabling creation of an air and dust flow coming
out of such a space 1 a and entering the suction system. In order to create a correct
air flow, the front portion 2b has such a shape that it is substantially adjacent
to the front part of the cup-shaped brush 11 and advantageously defines a thin slide
channel
1b (Fig. 3) enclosed between the front portion 2b and brush 11 and passed through by
said air flow.
[0030] In particular, the covering unit or cover 2 is a shell partly substantially adhering
to brush 11.
[0031] Consequently, the front portion 2b has a substantially circular shape so that it
follows the outer profile of the cup-shaped brush 11. In particular, this front portion
2b has a radius substantially less than 1.2 times the maximum radius of the cup-shaped
brush 11 when it is in operation i.e. has the fibres 11 b spread apart and consequently
is in its maximum extension. Preferably, said radius of the front portion 2b is substantially
less than 1.1 time the radius of the brush 11 in operation. In this way, concentration
of the suction action and a quick air and dust flow is created in the slide channel
1 b.
[0032] In addition, due to the size of the two openings 2d and 2e, when the cup-shaped brush
11 is in rotation, an air flow is created that moves from the outer opening 2e to
the inner opening 2d in a direction substantially coincident with rotation of brush
11.
[0033] The outer opening 2e is advantageously formed in the lower part of cover 2 and, more
specifically, is placed in the lower part of cover 2 and is defined between the front
portion 2b and rear portion 2c, as shown in Fig. 2a. In particular, the outer opening
2e faces the surface to be cleaned and allows the cup-shaped brush 11 to come out
of the conveying space 1 a at least when said brush 11 is in operation.
[0034] At the front part and rear part of cover 2, device 1 is provided with the front supporting
block 3 and rear supporting block 4 respectively, which are adapted to keep cover
2 in the correct position enabling it to define the housing volume or conveying space
1 a.
[0035] In detail, each of the two blocks 3 and 4 comprises an arm,
3a and
4a, connected in a motion-admitting manner to the sweeping machine 10, and absorption
members adapted to define an extended position in which said arms have the maximum
distance from the machine 10 and at least one retracted position in which the distance
of at least one of said arms 3a and 4a from the sweeping machine 10 is at least smaller
than the maximum distance. The absorption members comprise spring means
3b and
4b adapted to control motion of the arms at least from the retracted position to the
extended position and, in some cases, damping means, i.e. elements adapted to absorb
part of the energy preventing a strong impact from damaging cover 2.
[0036] The spring means 3b and 4b and damping means, if any, when the covering device 1,
and more specifically cover 2, is submitted to an impact, are compressed causing rotation
of arms 3a and 4a that therefore move from the extended position to the retracted
position. In particular, the spring means 3b and 4b, during this compression, absorb
energy that, once the impact has finished, is released making the spring means 3b
and 4b automatically bring back the relative arm 3a and 4a from the retracted position
to the extended position.
[0037] In addition, the spring means 3b and 4b are preferably preloaded and therefore allow
a force to be exerted on arms 3a and 4a even in the extended position, so as to move
the arms themselves away from the sweeping machine therefore enabling cover 2 to be
kept taut.
[0038] The covering unit or cover 2 finally comprises an upper element
5 connected to the upper part of cover 2 and a deactivation apparatus
6 adapted to move cover 2 relative to the sweeping machine 10.
[0039] In particular, the upper element 5 can consist of a band of deformable material such
as elastomer for example, that in case of impact takes an interposed position between
the wall and cover 2 and becomes deformed following deformation of cover 2.
[0040] The deactivation apparatus 6 is adapted to move at least cover 2 in such a manner
as to dispose the covering device 1 in a use configuration shown in Fig. 4a, in which
cover 2 defines the conveying space 1a and therefore encloses the cup-shaped brush
11 at least partly, and an intervention configuration (Fig. 4b) in which the cover
is moved away from the cup-shaped brush 11 and consequently allows free access to
the brush 11.
[0041] This deactivation apparatus 6 is preferably adapted to carry out passage between
the aforesaid configurations through rotation carried out relative to an axis substantially
parallel or perpendicular to the surface to be washed. Alternatively, apparatus 6
allows two distinct rotation actions of cover 2 to be carried out relative to the
sweeping machine 10, one around an axis almost parallel to the surface to be washed
and one substantially perpendicular to this surface.
[0042] Preferably, it allows rotation around an axis substantially parallel to the surface
to be washed and therefore can comprise at least one piston
6a adapted to move cover 2, one or more pins
6b adapted to connect in a motion-admitting manner cover 2 to the sweeping machine 10
and defining a rotation axis, and control means enabling said piston 6a to be operated
and available on the machine 10 in the vicinity of device 1 or inside the control
site of the sweeping machine 10.
[0043] In order to facilitate passage of the cover between the two configurations, the front
portion 2b, as shown in Fig. 2a, consists of a first part rigidly connected to the
covering device 1 and a second part rigidly connected to the sweeping machine 10 so
that only the first part is moved by the deactivation apparatus 6. Operation of a
covering device for cup-shaped brushes and the like described above as regards structure,
is the following.
[0044] At the beginning, device 1 is connected to the sweeping machine 10 and is in the
use configuration (Fig. 4a), while the two blocks 3 and 4 are in said extended position.
[0045] At this point the operator carries out activation of the suction system putting the
conveying space 1 a under vacuum, and movement of the cup-shaped brush 11 that starts
rotating.
[0046] In detail, brush 11 starts rotating causing fibres 11 b to open wide so that, as
a result, they lead brush 11 to increase its extension and therefore to partly come
out of the conveying space 1 a through the outer opening 2e, as shown in Fig. 3. In
conclusion, due to rotation of brush 11 and the vacuum created by the action of the
suction system, an air flow is formed that enters the conveying space 1 a from the
outside through the outer opening 2e, runs through the slide channel 1b, i.e. the
part of space 1 a enclosed between the front portion 2b and brush 11, comes out of
the conveying space 1 a and is then collected by the suction system.
[0047] When the sweeping machine 10 has to clean the border or edge of a street, the operator
moves the machine 10 close to the edge bringing the cup-shaped brush 11, and more
specifically the part of brush 11 coming out of the conveying space 1 a, laterally
into contact with the street edge.
[0048] Should the covering device 1 be submitted to an impact due to the presence of an
obstacle for example, cover 2 becomes deformed and adapts itself to the obstacle thus
enabling optimal cleaning even in the presence of an obstacle.
[0049] In detail, the impact causes passage of at least one of the two blocks 3 and 4 from
the extended position to the retracted position enabling cover 2 to deform. This change
of position makes one of arms 3a and 4a approach the sweeping machine 10 and, as a
result, the respective elastic means 3b and 4b is loaded, which enables blocks 3 and
4 to go back to the extended position when the obstacle has been passed, the cover
therefore taking again its original shape. Finally, if it is necessary to replace
brush 11, the operator through the deactivation apparatus 6 causes displacement of
cover 2 to the intervention configuration (Fig. 4b).
[0050] In detail, cover 2 is substantially moved through 180° so that the cup-shaped brush
11 is completely cleared and intervention on brush 11 is allowed, as well as on the
suction system and the actuating assembly.
[0051] The invention achieves important advantages.
[0052] A first advantage is the possibility of creating an air flow entering the outer opening
2e and passing through the slide channel 1 b.
[0053] In fact, this particular air flow allows an optimal dust sucking action to be achieved
as dust, being entrained in said flow, is mostly directed towards the suction system.
[0054] Another advantage is represented by the high quality of cleaning ensured by device
1. This advantage is substantially due to the particular flow that, together with
the vacuum present in the conveying space, prevents the dust raised by the cup-shaped
brush 11 from going out of the outer opening 2e or of possible free spaces present
between the devices and the surface to be washed.
[0055] A further advantage is represented by the fact that the operator is able to easily
control the state of the cup-shaped brush 11, as this brush by partly coming out of
the outer opening 2e corresponding to the geometric projection of fibres 11 b, can
be controlled without requiring removal of cover 2.
[0056] An important objective reached by the present device 1 also resides in that the cup-shaped
brush 11 coming out of the cover is adapted to come into direct contact with possible
corners and pavement kerbs or other surfaces which are usually contacted by the brush
only laterally.
[0057] In particular, due to the fibres 11 b coming out of the outer opening 2e, the brush
11 can contact corners and pavement kerbs while preventing the cover 2 from being
worn out due to possible impacts between the cover and these side surfaces, which
will involve long duration of the cover itself.
[0058] In addition, this aspect allows the contact between the cup-shaped brush 11 and cover
2 to be limited even in case of impact and therefore the brush duration is longer
and also increased is the cover lifetime.
[0059] Another advantage consists in the presence of two supporting blocks 3 and 4 that,
being placed in the front and rear part of the cover, enable impacts to be absorbed
in an optimal manner, irrespective of the running direction of the sweeping machine
10.
[0060] Therefore, due to the presence of the two blocks 3 and 4, and to the fact that the
fibres 11 b come out of the outer opening 2e, optimal cleaning can be obtained, irrespective
of the conformation of the surface laterally contacted by the brush 11.
[0061] As a further advantage, displacement of the covering unit or cover 2 can be obtained,
and the covering device 1 can be disposed in an intervention configuration, i.e. cover
2 can be moved away from brush 11 so that the operator can intervene on this area
in a particularly easy manner. In detail, this possibility allows both the cup-shaped
brush 11 to be easily replaced and the suction system or actuation assembly 12 to
be acted upon with ease.
1. A covering device (1) for cup-shaped brushes (11) and the like including fibres (11
b), said covering device (1) being adapted to be connected to a sweeping machine (10)
comprising a suction system adapted to suck air and dust at said cup-shaped brush
(11); said covering device (1) comprising: a covering unit (2) internally defining
a conveying space (1a) adapted to hold at least part of said cup-shaped brush (11)
and being characterised in that said covering unit (2) comprises an inner opening (2d) available in the vicinity
of said suction system in such a manner as to enable depressurisation of said conveying
space (1a) when said sweeping machine (10) is in operation, an outer opening (2e)
available at the outer side of said sweeping machine (10), and suitable to constitute
the main inlet of said air in said conveying space (1 a) in a manner adapted to enable
creation of an air flow from said outer opening (2e) to said inner opening (2d), when
said cup-shaped brush (11) is in rotation; and in that said outer opening (2e) is suitable to enable said fibres (11 b) of said cup-shaped
brush (11) to jut out of said conveying space (1 a) at least when said cup-shaped
brush (11) is in operation.
2. A covering device (1) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said covering unit (2) comprises
a front portion (2b) adjacent and close to said cup-shaped brush (11) so as to define
a slide channel (1b) enclosed between said front portion (2b) and cup-shaped brush
(11) and adapted to be passed through by said air flow.
3. A covering device (1) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein said front portion
(2b) is of substantially circular shape and its radius is substantially less than
1.2 times the radius of said cup-shaped brush (11) when said cup-shaped brush (11)
is in operation.
4. A covering device (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, comprising
a movable front supporting block (3) and a movable rear supporting block (4) adapted
to support said covering unit (2) so as to define said conveying space (1 a).
5. A covering device (1) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein each of said supporting
blocks (3, 4) comprises an arm (3a, 4a) connected in a motion-admitting manner to
said sweeping machine (10) and absorption members adapted to define an extended position
in which said arms (3a, 4a) have the maximum distance from said sweeping machine (10)
and at least one retracted position in which the distance of at least one of said
arms (3a, 4a) from said sweeping machine (10) is at least smaller than said maximum
distance.
6. A covering device (1) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein said absorption members
are adapted to automatically bring said arm (3a, 4a) back from said retracted position
to said extended position.
7. A covering device (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, comprising
a deactivation apparatus (6) adapted to alternately dispose said covering device (1)
in a use configuration in which said covering unit (2) defines said conveying space
(1a) and in an intervention configuration in which said cover (2) allows free access
to said cup-shaped brush (11).
8. A sweeping machine (10) comprising at least one covering device (1) as claimed in
one or more of the preceding claims.