Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A sweeping machine comprising a body, a drum brush rotatably carried by said body in a transverse position, a forward, upwardly-extending, rigid support on the forward end of said body, a hopper located at a front portion of said body, said hopper having a forward upper portion pivotally connected to said support, at least one fluid-operated ram having one end pivotally connected to said hopper to the rear of the pivotal connection and another end connected to said body, said fluid-operated ram being positioned to pivot said hopper forwardly over the front of said body when said ram is extended.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A sweeping machine comprising a body, a drum brush rotatably carried by said body in a transverse position, a forward, upwardly-extending, rigid support on the forward end of said body, a hopper located at a front portion of said body, said hopper having a forward upper portion pivotally connected to said support, at least one fluid-operated ram having one end pivotally connected to said hopper to the rear of the pivotal connection and another end connected to said body, said fluid-operated ram being positioned to pivot said hopper forwardly over the front of said body when said ram is extended.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
A sweeping machine according to claim 1 characterized by said hopper having a lid pivoted to an upper rear portion of said hopper whereby said lid swings under the influence of gravity to an open position when said hopper is raised to a dumping position in which the top edge of said hopper is beyond the vertical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A sweeping machine according to claim 1 characterized by means forming an upwardly and forwardly extending passage communicating with said drum brush to receive debris therefrom, said hopper having a lower rear opening communicating with said passage when in a lower position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
A sweeping machine according to claim 3 characterized by said machine having a transverse wall with a slanted portion at which said passage terminates, said rear opening of said hopper being formed in a slanted bottom wall thereof, and a gasket positioned between said slanted portion of said transverse wall and said slanted bottom wall around the outlet of said passage and around said lower rear opening when said hopper is in the lower position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
140 words
A sweeping machine comprising a body, a drum brush rotatably carried by said body in a transverse position, a hopper located at a forward position above said drum brush and having forwardly-extending arms at an upper front portion thereof, means pivotally connecting said arms to a front portion of said body, said hopper having an open top, a lid pivotally connected to said hopper at a rear edge of said top, fluid-operated rams having ends connected to said arms at portions spaced rearwardly from the pivotal connections thereof and having other ends connected to said body, said fluid-operated rams being positioned to pivot said hopper forwardly over the front of said sweeping machine when said rams are extended, said lid also swinging open when said hopper top is moved beyond a vertical position to a dumping position by said rams.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
140 words
A sweeping machine comprising a body, a drum brush rotatably carried by said body in a transverse position, a hopper located at a forward position above said drum brush and having forwardly-extending arms at an upper front portion thereof, means pivotally connecting said arms to a front portion of said body, said hopper having an open top, a lid pivotally connected to said hopper at a rear edge of said top, fluid-operated rams having ends connected to said arms at portions spaced rearwardly from the pivotal connections thereof and having other ends connected to said body, said fluid-operated rams being positioned to pivot said hopper forwardly over the front of said sweeping machine when said rams are extended, said lid also swinging open when said hopper top is moved beyond a vertical position to a dumping position by said rams.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
174 words
A sweeping machine comprising a body, a drum brush rotatably carried by said body in a transverse position, an upwardly-extending rigid support on a forward end portion of said body, a hopper located at a forward position above said drum brush and having forwardly-extending arms at an upper front portion thereof which are pivotally connected to an upper portion of said support, said hopper having an open top, a lid pivotally connected to said hopper at a rear edge of said top, fluid-operated rams having ends pivotally connected to said arms at portions intermediate the pivotal connections thereof and said hopper and having other ends pivotally connected to said body, said rams being enclosed by said rigid support when in retracted positions, said rams being positioned to pivot said hopper forwardly over said support and over the front end of said body when said rams are extended, said lid also swinging open under the influence of gravity when said hopper top is moved beyond a vertical position to a dumping position by said rams.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
174 words
A sweeping machine comprising a body, a drum brush rotatably carried by said body in a transverse position, an upwardly-extending rigid support on a forward end portion of said body, a hopper located at a forward position above said drum brush and having forwardly-extending arms at an upper front portion thereof which are pivotally connected to an upper portion of said support, said hopper having an open top, a lid pivotally connected to said hopper at a rear edge of said top, fluid-operated rams having ends pivotally connected to said arms at portions intermediate the pivotal connections thereof and said hopper and having other ends pivotally connected to said body, said rams being enclosed by said rigid support when in retracted positions, said rams being positioned to pivot said hopper forwardly over said support and over the front end of said body when said rams are extended, said lid also swinging open under the influence of gravity when said hopper top is moved beyond a vertical position to a dumping position by said rams.