Device for Collection of Debris

Abstract

A device for collecting debris has a wheeled frame movable over a ground surface. An endless belt runs about a rear by roller and a forward support member on the frame such that an undersurface of a lower run of the belt engages the ground surface as the device traverses the ground surface. The belt is driven such that the lower run moves forwardly with respect to the speed of movement of the device over the ground surface. At the lower run of belt, debris on the ground surface passes through apertures in the belt to be deposited on the upper surface of the lower run, and is then transported on the belt to a collection receptacle carried by the device.

1 . A device for collecting debris having a mat having apertures therein such that when moved over a ground surface in contact with the ground surface, debris on the ground surface passes through apertures in the mat to be deposited on the mat, the mat being formed as an endless belt, means being provided for supporting the belt so as to form a lower run of the belt which in use of the device is moved over the ground surface, in contact therewith, to cause said debris to be passed through the apertures to be deposited on said belt at said lower run, means being provided for moving said belt so that the deposited debris is carried by the belt and deposited at a collection location.  
   
   
       2 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the belt is arranged to run about end elements, so as to define an upper run above the lower run, the collection location being between said upper and lower runs, collected debris in use of the device being carried by the belt to the upper run, to thence fall from the upper run to said collection location.  
   
   
       3 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the collection location is above the upper run, and means is provided for causing the belt in use of the device to be moved, from said lower run to an upper location from which the collected debris falls from the belt to said collection location.  
   
   
       4 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , the means for moving the belt being formed by drive means for driving the belt at a speed dependent on the speed at which the device moves over the ground surface.  
   
   
       5 . A device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein one said end element is coupled for rotation at a speed dependent on the speed of rotation of a ground wheel of the device which in use drivingly engages the ground surface.  
   
   
       6 . A device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the driving is arranged such that in use, the lower run of the belt moves over the ground surface relatively rearwardly with respect to the device as it is moved over ground surface.  
   
   
       7 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for moving the belt is formed by a drive means for moving the belt at a speed independent of the speed at which the device is transported over the ground surface.  
   
   
       8 . A device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the driving is arranged such that in use, the lower run of the belt moves over the ground surface relatively forwardly with respect to the device as it is moved over ground surface.  
   
   
       9 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the belt runs around forward and rear members.  
   
   
       10 . A device as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the forward and rear members are rollers.  
   
   
       11 . A device as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the forward member is fixed.  
   
   
       12 . A device as claimed in  claim 9  having adjustment means for lifting the lower run of the belt to a predetermined height above the ground surface, for transport of the device.  
   
   
       13 . A device as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the adjustment means includes an element which is movably positionable to bear upwardly against an undersurface of an upper run of said belt extending between the forward and rear members.  
   
   
       14 . A device as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the adjustment means includes a first element adapted to movably bear against the upper surface of said lower run of the belt, extending between said forward and rear members.  
   
   
       15 . A device as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the adjustment means includes a second element which, when the belt is tensioned, bears against the upper surface of the lower run, at a location spaced in the lengthwise direction from said first element.  
   
   
       16 . A device as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the first and second elements are rollers, the first element being positioned at a rear location, and the second element being positioned at a relatively forward location.  
   
   
       17 . A device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein means is provided for inhibiting movement of the belt when the device is transported over a ground surface in a reverse direction.  
   
   
       18 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the belt has transversely extending barrier means for retaining debris on the belt as it is moved on the belt from said lower run, and before reaching a location for said deposit.  
   
   
       19 . (canceled)