Modular hood for mechanized sweeper

Abstract

A hood for a mechanized sweeper has dual portions connected via a mating surface and includes several downward depending flaps for increasing volumetric efficiency of defined vacuum plenum. The three flaps consist of a front flap, a middle flap, and a rear flap, and are of a cartridge type to facilitate replacement. The front and rear flaps are adjustable to allow for lowering of these two flaps in the event of wear due to friction against a paved road surface. A mechanism for raising the leading edge of the hood is also provided.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to mechanized sweepers. Particularly, sweepers used for sweeping paved areas, roads, paved motor vehicle parking lots, parking areas, parking structures and debris covered surfaces. More particularly, the invention relates to the hood of the mechanized sweeper.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Various types of sweepers are used in sweeping paved surfaces. For example, truck mounted sweepers sweep highway and roadway surfaces. In general, pavement sweepers include a standard truck or specially designed chassis upon which the sweeper unit is mounted. Three basic categories of sweeper units are: re-circulating air sweeper, mechanical sweeper, and vacuum air sweepers. Generally, re-circulating air sweeper units include a motor driven fan, sweeping hood, a curved brush, and a debris separation hopper. The curb brush brings the debris into the path of the sweeping hood. The fan re-circulates airflow from the hopper through the sweep...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a hood for a mechanized sweeper. It consists of a left portion, a right portion, a central mating surface, and connectors. The left and right portions have upper surfaces that extend in the same direction. The central mating surface is designed to attach to both the left and right portions. The connectors are used to attach the left and right portions to the central mating surface. This design allows for easy attachment of the hood to the sweeper and ensures a secure attachment."

Problems solved by technology

In re-circulating air sweepers, the sweeping hood is prone to maintenance from wear and damage.

For example, the sweeping hood extends outside the wheel base and may hit objects that the truck otherwise avoids.

Particularly, when the truck is cleaning parking lots and parking structures, it is also more likely the hood may hit curbs and support structures within the parking area.

Exacerbating this problem, because debris may tend to clump in corners, drivers are forced to drive deep into the corners and near the curbs and support structures which further increases the likelihood of damage from hitting objects.

In order to fix the damaged hood, the entire hood must be removed from under the sweeper in a labor and time intensive procedure.

In addition to damage, the hoods are subject to wear.

As the sweeper moves through the parking lot, the flaps wear against the pavement.

As the flaps wear against the ground, the flaps lose material.

Once the material is lost from the flaps, then the hood is no longer able to contact the paved surface at the same hood height.

In a one piece embodiment, the sweeper may need to be elevated prior to removal, and the hood is large and unwieldy to handle.

In addition, if a portion of the hood has been damaged, it is likely that the rubber flaps may not be easily replaced without replacing the entire hood.

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