Lawn sweeper

Abstract

A sweeping apparatus comprises a frame arranged for movement across a surface, a hitch on the frame arranged to be connected to a towing vehicle, drive wheels on the frame arranged to engage the surface and free wheels on the frame arranged to engage the surface. A brush arrangement coupled to the frame arranged to sweep up debris from the surface. A catch portion on the frame for receiving the debris. More than one gear assembly each arranged to be driven by atleast one of the drive wheels. A rotary brush member arranged to be rotated at a determined rate of speed by the gear assembly for engaging debris. A driven gear of the gear assembly coupled to and rotated by the drive wheel. A variable brush gear of the gear assembly and a flexible drive member of each gear assembly arranged to be driven by the drive gear and to drive the variable brush gear;

1 . A sweeping apparatus comprising: 
 a frame arranged for movement across a surface;    a hitch on the frame arranged to be connected to a towing vehicle;    drive wheels on the frame arranged to engage the surface;    free wheels on the frame arranged to engage the surface;    a brush arrangement coupled to the frame arranged to sweep up debris from the surface, including; 
 a catch portion on the frame for receiving the debris;  
 a first and second gear assembly each arranged to be driven by atleast one of the drive wheels;  
 a rotary brush member arranged to be rotated at a determined rate of speed by each of the gear assemblies for engaging debris;  
 a driven gear of each gear assembly coupled to and rotated by one of the drive wheels;  
 and, a flexible drive member of each gear assembly arranged to be driven by the drive gear and to drive the variable brush gear;  
 the gear assemblies being arranged such that the brush is driven at a rate defined by the faster of the wheels.  
   
     
     
         2 . The sweeper according to  claim 1  wherein the variable brush gear has a one way bearing which prohibits rearward rotation of the brush.  
     
     
         3 . The sweeper according to  claim 1  wherein the hitch is adjustable which provides the brush with adjustable heights.  
     
     
         4 . The sweeper according to  claim 1  wherein the brush has an axis located in front of an axis of the wheels.  
     
     
         5 . The sweeper according to  claim 4  wherein the brush is enclosed within a pivotal front portion pivotally coupled to the catch portion, the front portion having adjustable heights.  
     
     
         6 . The sweeper according to  claim 1  wherein the front portion has an open bottom, the front portion has a channel extending from the open bottom at the direction of movement of the brush to channel the debris, the channel has a first portion adjacent the brush and a top portion spaced from the brush further than the channel.  
     
     
         7 . The sweeper according to  claim 1  wherein the rear collector is pivotally mounted at a rear end to the frame.  
     
     
         8 . The sweeper according to  claim 1  wherein a front end of the rear collector is raised by an actuator;  
     
     
         9 . The sweeper according to  claim 1  wherein a gate on the rear collector is opened when the collector is raised.  
     
     
         10 . The sweeper according to  claim 1  wherein a cable is connected to a top end of the gate at a first end and connected to the frame at a second end.  
     
     
         11 . The sweeper according to  claim 1  wherein the gate is located at a rear end of the collector.  
     
     
         12 . A sweeping apparatus comprising: 
 a frame;    a hitch on the frame arranged to be connected to a towing vehicle;    wheels on the frame for movement across a ground surface;    a front portion on the frame;    a brush assembly on the front portion arranged to be rotated about a horizontal axis for sweeping up debris, and;    a rear collector portion arranged to receive the debris swept by the brush;    wherein the front portion has an open bottom;    wherein the front portion has a channel extending from the open bottom at the direction of movement of the brush to channel the debris, the channel has a first portion adjacent the brush and a top portion spaced from the brush further than the channel.    
     
     
         13 . A sweeping apparatus comprising: 
 a frame;    a hitch on the frame arranged to be connected to a towing vehicle;    wheels on the frame for movement across a ground surface;    a front portion on the frame;    a brush assembly on the front portion arranged to be rotated about a horizontal axis for sweeping up debris, and;    a rear collector portion arranged to receive the debris swept by the brush;    wherein the rear collector is pivotally mounted at a rear end to the frame;    wherein a front end of the rear collector is raised by an actuator;    wherein a gate on the rear collector is opened when the collector is raised.    
     
     
         14 . The sweeper according to  claim 13  wherein a cable is connected to a top end of the gate at a first end and connected to the frame at a second end.  
     
     
         15 . The sweeper according to  claim 13  wherein the gate is located at a rear end of the collector.