Sweeping apparatus

Abstract

A sweeper apparatus is disclosed, which concerns at least one wheel, at least one brush and a means for attaching a pulling agent. The wheels are pulled in one direction causing the one or more brushes to spin at a desired speed flicking sand particles into small or large holes on the ground. The brushes are in mechanical cooperation with the wheels allowing the wheels and brushes to spin in substantially opposite directions. The wheels are driven through the use of a pulling agent like golf cart, truckster, tractor or other movement device which can cause the sweeping apparatus to be moved over a desired area.

1 . A sweeping apparatus, comprising:
 a frame, the frame including a means for attaching a pulling agent;   a first drive wheel supporting the frame;   a first rotary brush member structure supported by the frame; and   a first traction drive mechanism mechanically connecting the first drive wheel to the first rotary brush member, the first traction drive mechanism configured to transfer power from the first drive wheel to the first rotary brush member, the first traction drive mechanism further configured to rotate the first brush member no more than one complete rotation over a travel distance of about the circumference of the first brush member.   
   
   
       2 . The sweeping apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first traction drive mechanism is further configured to rotate the first brush member no less than one complete rotation over a travel distance equal to six times the circumference of the first brush member. 
   
   
       3 . The sweeping apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a transport lift mechanism attached to the frame; and   at least one transport wheel attached to the transport lift mechanism;   wherein the transport lift mechanism is movable between a first position in which the frame is supported by at least the first drive wheel and a second position in which the frame is supported by the at least one transport wheel.   
   
   
       4 . The sweeping apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a first brush height adjustment mechanism for adjusting a distance between the first rotary brush member with respect to ground over which the sweeping apparatus travels. 
   
   
       5 . The sweeping apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second drive wheel supporting the frame;   a second rotary brush member supported by the frame; and   a second traction drive mechanism mechanically connecting the second drive wheel to the second rotary brush member, the second traction drive mechanism configured to transfer power from the second drive wheel to the second rotary brush member, the second traction drive mechanism further configured to rotate the second brush member three complete rotations over a travel distance at least equal to the circumference of the first brush member.   
   
   
       6 . The sweeping apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the second traction drive mechanism is further configured to rotate the second brush member one complete rotation over a travel distance equal to no more than six times the circumference of the first brush member. 
   
   
       7 . The sweeping apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the first brush member and the second brush member are configured to rotate at different rotational speeds. 
   
   
       8 . The sweeping apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a first brush height adjustment mechanism for adjusting a distance between the first rotary brush member with respect to ground over which the sweeping apparatus travels; and   a second brush height adjustment mechanism for adjusting a distance between the second rotary brush member with respect to the ground over which the sweeping apparatus travels.   
   
   
       9 . The sweeping apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first brush member and the second brush member are configured to rotate at different rotational speeds. 
   
   
       10 . The sweeping apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first traction drive mechanism includes a drive sprocket connected to the first drive wheel; a brush sprocket connected to the first rotary brush member; and a chain connecting the drive sprocket and the brush sprocket; wherein the drive sprocket and the brush sprocket have a ratio of at least 1:2.5. 
   
   
       11 . The sweeping apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a drive chain adjustment mechanism, the drive chain adjustment mechanism operative to adjust chain tension between the drive sprocket and the brush sprocket. 
   
   
       12 . A sweeping apparatus, comprising:
 a frame, the frame including a means for attaching a pulling agent;   a first drive wheel supporting the frame;   a first rotary brush member structure supported by the frame;   a first traction drive mechanism mechanically connecting the first drive wheel to the first rotary brush member, the first traction drive mechanism configured to transfer power from the first drive wheel to the first rotary brush member;   a second drive wheel supporting the frame;   a second rotary brush member supported by the frame; and   a second traction drive mechanism mechanically connecting the second drive wheel to the second rotary brush member, the second traction drive mechanism configured to transfer power from the second drive wheel to the second rotary brush member.   
   
   
       13 . The sweeping apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first traction drive mechanism is further configured to rotate the first brush member between about one-sixth of one rotation to about three complete rotations over a travel distance equal to the circumference of the first brush member; 
   
   
       14 . The sweeping apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first traction drive mechanism is further configured to rotate the first brush member between about one-sixth of one rotation to about three complete rotations over a travel distance equal to the circumference of the first brush member; and
 the second traction drive mechanism is further configured to rotate the second brush member between about one-sixth of one rotation to about three complete rotations over a travel distance equal to the circumference of the second brush member   
   
   
       15 . The sweeping apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first brush member and the second brush member are configured to rotate at different rotational speeds. 
   
   
       16 . The sweeping apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a first brush height adjustment mechanism for adjusting a distance between the first rotary brush member with respect to ground over which the sweeping apparatus travels. 
   
   
       17 . The sweeping apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a second brush height adjustment mechanism for adjusting a distance between the second rotary brush member with respect to ground over which the sweeping apparatus travels. 
   
   
       18 . The sweeping apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a transport lift mechanism attached to the frame; and   at least one transport wheel attached to the transport lift mechanism;   wherein the transport lift mechanism is movable between a first position in which the frame is supported by at least the first and second drive wheels and a second position in which the frame is supported by the at least one transport wheel.