Mobile surface treating apparatus

Claim 2

In a mobile apparatus for surface treatment with particulate material, an enclosure having an open bottom side through which the surface to be treated is exposed, means mounting the enclosure for movement over the surface, projecting means within the enclosure for directing particulate material through the open bottom side onto the surface to be treated, sealing means extending between the bottom edges of the enclosure and the surface for restraining passage of particulate material from within the enclosure, means for removal of spent particulate material, dust and dirt from the surface, and separating means for separating reusable particulate material from the remainder of the material removed from the surface, the improvement wherein the means for removal of spent particulate material, dust and dirt from the surface comprises: one or more suction nozzles extending crosswise along the rearward edge of the enclosure with the bottom wall of the nozzle spaced a short distance above the surface; a blower positioned to project an air stream in a forwardly direction through the space between the bottom wall of the nozzle and the surface whereby particulate material, dust and dirt remaining on the surface is swept forwardly by the air stream into a position to be exposed to the suction nozzle for removal; and means for cleaning and recycling a part of the suction air to the blower.

Claim 3

A surface treating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which includes a dust collector and a circulating air fan having an inlet and an outlet with the inlet communicating with the suction nozzle and the dust collector and the outlet communicating with the blower for supply of cleaned recycled air under pressure to the blower.

Claim 4

A surface treating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the suction nozzle comprises a single elongate nozzle which extends continuously across the rearward end of the enclosure.

Claim 5

A surface treating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the blower comprises a nozzle immediately rearwardly of the suction nozzle.

Claim 6

A surface treating apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the blower nozzle has a common wall with the bottom wall of the suction nozzle.

Claim 7

A surface treating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which resilient means comprising a resilient side apron extends from the bottom side edges of the enclosure into resilient engagement with the surface.

Claim 8

A surface treating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the sealing means is provided with a vent communicating the interior of the enclosure with the outside atmosphere for enabling air flow from the outside atmosphere into the enclosure.

Claim 9

In a mobile apparatus for surface treatment with particulate material, an enclosure having an open bottom side through which the surface to be treated is exposed, means mounting the enclosure for movement over the surface, projecting means within the enclosure for directing particulate material through the open bottom side onto the surface to be treated, sealing means extending between the bottom edges of the enclosure and the surface for restraining passage of particulate material from within the enclosure, means for removal of spent particulate material, dust and dirt from the surface, and separating means for separating reusable particulate material from the remainder of the material removed from the surface, the improvement wherein the means for removal of spent particulate material, dust and dirt from the surface comprises one or more suction nozzles extending crosswise along the rearward edge of the enclosure with the bottom wall of the nozzle spaced a short distance above the surface, and a blower positioned to project an air stream in a forwardly direction through the space between the bottom wall of the nozzle and the surface whereby particulate material, dust and dirt remaining on the surface is swept forwardly by the air stream into a position to be exposed to the suction nozzle for removal wherein the means for separating reusable particulate material from the material removed from the surface comprises a curvilinear centrifugal baffle passage through which the stream of air and particulate material passes from the suction nozzle for separation of the larger and heavier material from the remainder which remains suspended in the air stream.

Claim 10

In a mobile apparatus for surface treatment with particulate material, an enclosure having an open bottom side through which the surface to be treated is exposed, means mounting the enclosure for movement over the surface, projecting means within the enclosure for directing particulate material through the open bottom side onto the surface to be treated, sealing means extending between the bottom edges of the enclosure and the surface for restraining passage of particulate material from within the enclosure, means for removal of spent particulate material, dust and dirt from the surface, and separating means for separating reusable particulate material from the remainder of the material removed from the surface, the improvement wherein the means for removal of spent particulate material, dust and dirt from the surface comprises one or more suction nozzles extending crosswise along the rearward edge of the enclosure with the bottom wall of the nozzle spaced a short distance above the surface, and a blower positioned to project an air stream in a forwardly direction through the space between the bottom wall of the nozzle and the surface whereby particulate material, dust and dirt remaining on the surface is swept forwardly by the air stream into a position to be exposed to the suction nozzle for removal wherein the means for separating reusable particulate material from the material removed from the surface comprises a curvilinear centrifugal baffle passage through which the stream of air and particulate material passes from the suction nozzle for separation of the larger and heavier material from the remainder which remains suspended in the air stream.

Claim 11

A surface treating apparatus as claimed in claim 8 which includes a conveyor means for returning the separated particulate material to the feed for the projecting means.

Claim 12

A surface treating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the particulate material is projected into the surface within the enclosure in a downwardly and rearwardly direction.

Claim 13

A surface treating apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which the projecting means comprises a bladed wheel mounted for rotational movement at high speed for projecting particulate material centrifugally onto the surface.