Gutter brush

Claim 2

An improved gutter brush for street sweepers comprising: a. a carrier plate adapted to be driven in rotation by a source of rotary power in the street sweeper; b. a plurality of segment holder disposed circumferentially underneath the carrier plate and being secured thereto; c. each holder having means to carry a bristle segment and bristles which includes an outer, inwardly turned lip and a latch selectively actuatable between an open and a closed position; d. a segment for carrying bristles of the gutter broom for each of the holders, each segment having means engaged with the lip of the holder and means engaged by the latch of the holder in the closed position to firmly secure the segment in its associated holder; and e. means for rotationally coupling each segment with its holder by interference between the two for the transmission of rotary power from the holder to the segment.

Claim 3

The improved gutter brush claimed in claim 1 wherein the lip engagement means of each segment includes a pocket for receiving the lip.

Claim 4

The improved gutter brush claimed in claim 2 wherein each latch is radially displaceable between a first and a second position, and each segment has a radially inwardly disposed portion in interference with the associated latch in the latter''s first position, the radially inwardly disposed portion being the means engaged by the latch, the latch in its second position freeing the segment for the latter''s renewal.

Claim 5

The improved gutter brush claimed in claim 3 wherein each latch of each holder has means for engagement by a latching bar and the carrier plate has means for giving purchase to the latching bar and access of the latching bar to the engagement means, actuation of the latching bar on the engagement means with purchase on the carrier plate being operable to displace the latch between its first and second positions.

Claim 6

The improved gutter brush claimed in claim 1 wherein: each segment is made of an elastic material; each segment is elastically deformed by its associated holder upon movement of the associated latch to its closed position to firmly secure the segment in place; and means defining space for elastic deformation of each segment is provided.

Claim 7

The improved gutter brush claimed in claim 5 wherein the space defining means includes at least one bearing pad in each holder depending downwardly from a roof portion thereof into bearing engagement with the associated segment, the bearing pad preventing the segment from engaging substantially the entire roof portion.

Claim 8

The improved gutter brush claimed in claim 1 wherein: each holder has a slot receiving the associated latch; each latch is generally flat and plate-like with at least two legs bowed in opposite directions from the plane of the latch and returning to the plane of the latch; and the legs being elastically deflectable by the walls of the slot to permit movement of the latch between its two positions.

Claim 9

The improved gutter brush claimed in claim 7 wherein the bow of the legs is such that in the closed position the legs resist latch opening.

Claim 10

An improved gutter brush for a street sweeper comprising: a. a carrier plate adapted to be rotationally driven by a source of rotary power in the street sweeper; b. segment holder means secured to the carrier plate and depending downwardly therefrom; c. said segment holder means including means to carry a plurality of circumferentially arranged bristle-carrying segments, such means including: i. an inwardly turned lip extending along the outer radial leading edge of the holder means; and ii. a plurality of selectively actuatable latches mounted for movement between a first radially outward position and a second radially inward position; d. a plurality of segments for carrying bristles of the gutter broom arranged in a circumferential array, means for securing each segment to said holder means comprising for each segment a radially outward leading edge having a pocket receiving the lip of said holder means and an inner radially extending portion engaged by one of said latches in the latch''s radially outward position; e. means for rotationally coupling each segment with said holder means by interference between the two for transmission of the rotational power from the holder means to the segment; and f. means defining a space between vertically spaced portions of the holder means and each of the segments to permit elastic deformation of the segments.

Claim 11

An improved gutter brush for a street sweeper comprising: a. a carrier plate adapted to be rotationally driven by a source of rotary power in the street sweeper; b. segment holder means secured to the carrier plate and depending downwardly therefrom; c. said segment holder means including means to carry a plurality of circumferentially arranged bristle-carrying segments, such means including: i. an inwardly turned lip extending along the outer radial leading edge of the holder means; and ii. a plurality of selectively actuatable latches mounted for movement between a first radially outward position and a second radially inward position; d. a plurality of segments for carrying bristles of the gutter broom arranged in a circumferential array, means for securing each segment to said holder means comprising for each segment a radially outward leading edge having a pocket receiving the lip of said holder means and an inner radially extending portion engaged by one of said latches in the latch''s radially outward position; e. means for rotationally coupling each segment with said holder means by interference between the two for transmission of the rotational power from the holder means to the segment; and f. means defining a space between vertically spaced portions of the holder means and each of the segments to permit elastic deformation of the segments.

Claim 12

The improved gutter brush claimed in claim 9 wherein the means for rotationally coupling each segment with said holder means includes the lip of the holder means and the leading edge of the segment being formed in the shape of mating broad-mouthed V''s.

Claim 13

The improved gutter brush claimed in claim 10 including for said holder means and each segment a medial notch in the lip and a pilot lug intermediately disposed in the segment''s leading edge registered in the notch to augment the rotational coupling of the holder means and segment and to act as a guide during segment renewal.

Claim 14

The improved gutter brush claimed in claim 10 wherein the holder means has a laterally extending positively sloped wall for engaging each segment along its inner radially extending portion, each latch being operable to force the inner radially extending portion of its associated segment into a jam fit with the laterally sloping wall.

Claim 15

The improved gutter brush claimed in claim 9 wherein: the holder means is comprised of a plurality of circumferentially arranged holders each of which has a slot receiving a latch; each latch is generally flat and plate-like with at least two legs bowed in opposite directions from the plane of the latch and returning to the plane of the latch; and the legs being elastically deflectable by the walls of the slot to permit movement of the latch between its two positions.

Claim 16

The improved gutter brush claimed in claim 13 wherein the bow of the legs is such that in the closed position the legs resist latch opening.

Claim 17

The improved gutter brush claimed in claim 9 wherein the elastic deformation means includes said holder means having at least one bearing pad for bearing engagement against an upper surface of each segment, the bearing pad providing clearance between the segment and the holder means to allow elastic deformation of the segment to accommodate tolerances and secure the segment tightly in the holder means.

Claim 18

The improved gutter brush claimed in claim 15 wherein said holder means is comprised of a plurality of circumferentially arranged holders and including a hole in the carrier plate for each holder and a hole in the latch of each holder for receiving a bar, with the bar capable of bearing on the hole in the carrier plate and against the wall of the hole in the latch for moving the latch radially inward and outward to open and close the latch, respectively.

Claim 19

The improved gutter brush claimed in claim 16 wherein the interior radial end of each holder is a U-shaped channel with a pair of apertures in the vertical walls thereof, and the latch is received in the apertures.

Claim 20

The improved gutter brush claimed in claim 17 wherein each latch is limited in its movement in its associated holder by at least one strike disposed to engage a vertical wall of the U-shaped channel.

Claim 21

An improved segment for a gutter broom comprising a body having: a. a plurality of pairs of bristle-receiving passages extending through the segment from top to bottom, each pair having a dividing wall for supporting a bight of U-shaped bristles disposed in the passages, the passages lying generally along a circular arc; b. a broad-based V-shaped leading edge with the apex of the V pointing radially outward from the curvature of the passages, the leading edge being for receipt in an inwardly curled lip of a segment holder; c. a bead on the inner radial end of the segment for engagement by a latch of the holder to cooperate with the leading edge in securing the segment in the holder.

Claim 22

An improved segment for a gutter broom comprising a body having: a. a plurality of pairs of bristle-receiving passages extending through the segment from top to bottom, each pair having a dividing wall for supporting a bight of U-shaped bristles disposed in the passages, the passages lying generally along a circular arc; b. a broad-based V-shaped leading edge with the apex of the V pointing radially outward from the curvature of the passages, the leading edge being for receipt in an inwardly curled lip of a segment holder; c. a bead on the inner radial end of the segment for engagement by a latch of the holder to cooperate with the leading edge in securing the segment in the holder.

Claim 23

The improved segment claimed in claim 19 including a bumper extending radially past the leading edge to protect a carrier plate of the gutter broom and the holder.

Claim 24

The improved segment claimed in claim 20 wherein the leading edge has at least one pocket for receiving the lip of the segment holder, the side walls of the segment extending radially past the pockets to protect the lip of the holder.

Claim 25

The improved segment claimed in claim 19 including at least one bearing pad for bearing against the holder to provide for flexure of the segment in the holder.

Claim 26

The improved segment claimed in claim 19 wherein each pair of receiving passages is separated by a flexible wall.

Claim 27

A segment for a gutter broom, said segment comprising a body having a plurality of bristle-receiving passages extending therethrough, said passages lying generally along an arcuate path throughout the length of the body, a plurality of bristles secured within each of said passages, said bristles extending out of said body at an inclined angle with a transverse plane through said body, said body having an outer side spaced laterally of said arcuate path in said plane in one direction and an inner side spaced laterally of said arcuate path in said plane in the opposite direction, said outer side of the body having an outwardly facing groove for receiving a lip of a holder adapted to support said segment, said inner side of the body including a camming surface extending at an inclined angle in a downward and outward direction, said camming surface being adapted to be engaged by a latching member moved toward said outer side of the body to force said segment into tight engagement with said holder.

Claim 28

A segment for a gutter broom, said segment comprising a body having a plurality of bristle-receiving passages extending therethrough, said passages lying generally along an arcuate path throughout the length of the body, a plurality of bristles secured within each of said passages, said bristles extending out of said body at an inclined angle with a transverse plane through said body, said body having an outer side spaced laterally of said arcuate path in said plane in one direction and an inner side spaced laterally of said arcuate path in said plane in the opposite direction, said outer side of the body having an outwardly facing groove for receiving a lip of a holder adapted to support said segment, said inner side of the body including a camming surface extending at an inclined angle in a downward and outward direction, said camming surface being adapted to be engaged by a latching member moved toward said outer side of the body to force said segment into tight engagement with said holder.

Claim 29

A segment according to claim 24 wherein said inner side of said body is defined by a flange extending from the main portion of the body, said camming surface being provided at the lower outer edge of said flange, said flange having a certain degree of flexibility whereby it is capable of being flexed upwardly through a small distance under the force of said latching member.

Claim 30

A segment according to claim 25 wherein the upper outer edge of said flange is defined by an angularly inclined jamming surface which is inclined in the opposite direction from that of said camming surface, said jamming surface being provided for snug engagement against a matching sloping wall of an overlying holder.

Claim 31

An improved gutter brush for a street sweeper comprising a carrier plate adapted to be rotationally driven by a source of rotary power in said street sweeper; holder means secured to the carrier plate so as to depend downwardly therefrom, said holder means extending circumferentially about the periphery of the carrier plate and including an inwardly turned lip extending along the radially outer side thereof, the radially inner side of said holder means including a wall sloped in a downward and radially inward direction; a plurality of brush segments circumferentially arranged about said carrier plate and retained by said holder means, each brush segment including a body member having a plurality of angularly inclined passageways therethrough and a plurality of bristles secured within each of said passageways so as to extend downwardly and radially outwardly from said body member, said body member being provided with a groove at its radially outer side for receiving said lip of said holder means, said body member having a jamming surface at its radially inner side with a slope matching the slope of said wall of said holder means; a plurality of latches mounted adjacent the inner side of said holder means with one latch being mounted adjacent the inner side of each brush segment, each of said latches being mounted so as to be movable into engagement with the radially inner side of the body member of its associated brush segment to force said jamming surface thereof into tight fitting engagement with said wall of said holder means with the groove of said segment being in locking engagement with said lip of the holder means; and means for maintaining said latches in their positions of engagement with said brush segments during use of said gutter brush on said street sweeper.

Claim 32

An improved gutter brush for a street sweeper comprising a carrier plate adapted to be rotationally driven by a source of rotary power in said street sweeper; holder means secured to the carrier plate so as to depend downwardly therefrom, said holder means extending circumferentially about the periphery of the carrier plate and including an inwardly turned lip extending along the radially outer side thereof, the radially inner side of said holder means including a wall sloped in a downward and radially inward direction; a plurality of brush segments circumferentially arranged about said carrier plate and retained by said holder means, each brush segment including a body member having a plurality of angularly inclined passageways therethrough and a plurality of bristles secured within each of said passageways so as to extend downwardly and radially outwardly from said body member, said body member being provided with a groove at its radially outer side for receiving said lip of said holder means, said body member having a jamming surface at its radially inner side with a slope matching the slope of said wall of said holder means; a plurality of latches mounted adjacent the inner side of said holder means with one latch being mounted adjacent the inner side of each brush segment, each of said latches being mounted so as to be movable into engagement with the radially inner side of the body member of its associated brush segment to force said jamming surface thereof into tight fitting engagement with said wall of said holder means with the groove of said segment being in locking engagement with said lip of the holder means; and means for maintaining said latches in their positions of engagement with said brush segments during use of said gutter brush on said street sweeper.

Claim 33

An improved gutter brush according to claim 27 wherein said body member of each segment is provided with a downwardly and radially outwardly sloping camming surface at the radially inner side thereof, said latches being mounted so as to engage said camming surfaces to force said brush segments into tight fitting engagement with said holder means.

Claim 34

An improved gutter brush according to claim 28 wherein one of said holder means or said body members of the brush segments includes means for defining spaces therebetween when said brush segments are in tight fitting engagement with said holder means, each of said spaces permitting elastic deformation of the associated brush segment upwardly under the urging of the associated latch in its position of tight engagement with said brush segment.