High efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus

Abstract

A high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus comprises a mounting arm, and a gutter broom having a mounting structure and bristles depending from the mounting structure. The gutter broom is mounted via the mounting structure in supported relation on the mounting arm for rotation about a gutter broom axis. A gutter broom motor rotates the gutter broom about the gutter broom axis. A shroud has a roof portion and a wall portion depending from the roof portion. The shroud is mounted in supported relation on the mounting arm such that the roof portion covers at least a rear portion of the mounting structure of the gutter broom and the wall portion covers at least a rear portion of the bristles of the gutter broom. An air-flow precluding member is secured to the gutter broom for rotation therewith, to thereby substantially obstruct air flow through the gutter broom.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus for use on a surface cleaning vehicle, said high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus comprising:
 a mounting arm;   a gutter broom having a mounting structure and bristles depending from said mounting structure, and wherein said gutter broom is mounted via said mounting structure in supported relation on said mounting arm for rotation about a gutter broom axis;   a gutter broom motor operatively connecting in driving relation to said gutter broom for rotating said gutter broom about said gutter broom axis;   a shroud having a roof portion and a wall portion depending from said roof portion, and wherein said shroud is operatively mounted in supported relation on said mounting arm such that said roof portion covers at least a rear portion of said mounting structure of said gutter broom and said wall portion covers at least a rear portion of said bristles of said gutter broom; and,   an air-flow precluding member secured to said gutter broom for rotation therewith, to thereby substantially obstruct air flow through said gutter broom.   
     
     
         2 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bristles of said gutter broom depending from said mounting structure in a generally circumferential pattern to define a central cavity beneath said mounting structure, and wherein said air-flow precluding member substantially obstructs air flow through said cavity of said gutter broom. 
     
     
         3 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is disposed generally within said cavity of said gutter broom. 
     
     
         4 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is substantially annular in shape. 
     
     
         5 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is thin walled. 
     
     
         6 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is substantially frustum shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said frustum shaped air-flow precluding member is substantially hollow. 
     
     
         8 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said frustum shaped air-flow precluding member is open at the bottom. 
     
     
         9 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is made from rubber. 
     
     
         10 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said air-flow precluding member comprises a cover mounted on said gutter broom for rotation therewith in surrounding relation around at least an upper portion of said gutter broom bristles, to thereby substantially obstruct air flow through said cavity of said gutter broom. 
     
     
         11 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said cover is mounted on said gutter broom mounting structure. 
     
     
         12 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said cover is mounted on said gutter broom bristles. 
     
     
         13 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is substantially annular in shape. 
     
     
         14 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is thin walled. 
     
     
         15 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is substantially frustum shaped. 
     
     
         16 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is substantially annular in shape. 
     
     
         17 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is thin walled. 
     
     
         18 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is disposed between an inner ring of bristles and an outer ring of bristles. 
     
     
         19 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is substantially frustum shaped. 
     
     
         20 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an air outlet in said shroud connectable in fluid communication to source of air suctioning. 
     
     
         21 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein said mounting structure of said gutter broom comprises a mounting plate. 
     
     
         22 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein said mounting plate of said gutter broom comprises a broom segment mounting plate and said bristles are part of broom segments secured to said broom segment mounting plate. 
     
     
         23 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein said roof portion of said shroud is disposed over substantially the entire mounting structure of said gutter broom. 
     
     
         24 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein said wall portion of said shroud extends around the periphery of said roof portion of said shroud, with reference to frontwards, from about one hundred twenty degrees to about three hundred sixty degrees in a clockwise direction, thereby defining a bristle presenting opening from about three hundred sixty degrees in a clockwise direction from about one hundred twenty degrees to about three hundred sixty degrees in a clockwise direction. 
     
     
         25 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a shortened wall portion disposed vertically above said bristle presenting opening. 
     
     
         26 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein said bristle presenting opening is defined by an upwardly and rearwardly slanted front edge and an upwardly and forwardly slanted rear edge. 
     
     
         27 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a forward seal mounted on said wall portion of said shroud adjacent the front of said bristle presenting opening and extending towards the bristles of said gutter broom, and a rearward seal mounted on said wall portion of said shroud adjacent the rear of said bristle presenting opening and extending towards the bristles of said gutter broom. 
     
     
         28 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a seal mounted on one of the mounting plate of said gutter broom and the roof portion of said shroud, and extending substantially between the mounting plate of said gutter broom and the roof portion of said shroud. 
     
     
         29 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein said seal is mounted in sealed relation on one of the mounting plate of said gutter broom and the roof portion of said shroud. 
     
     
         30 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein said seal is mounted on one of the mounting plate of said gutter broom and the roof portion of said shroud for rotational sealing contact with the other of the mounting plate of said gutter broom and the roof portion of said shroud. 
     
     
         31 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein said seal is mounted on said roof portion of said shroud. 
     
     
         32 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein said seal defines an air-flow path across a forward portion of said gutter broom apparatus between said mounting plate and said roof portion of said shroud, said air-flow path having an egress in air delivery relation with respect to said air outlet of said gutter broom apparatus, and an air ingress in air-receiving relation with respect to said bristle presenting opening. 
     
     
         33 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein said seal comprises an inner portion that extends along said air-flow path and a peripheral portion disposed adjacent the periphery of said mounting plate clockwise from said air ingress to said air egress. 
     
     
         34 . A high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus for use on a surface cleaning vehicle, said high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom apparatus comprising:
 a gutter broom having a mounting structure and bristles depending from said mounting structure, and wherein said gutter broom is mountable via said mounting structure in supported relation on a mounting arm for rotation about a gutter broom axis;   a gutter broom motor operatively connecting in driving relation to said gutter broom for rotating said gutter broom about said gutter broom axis;   a shroud having a roof portion and a wall portion depending from said roof portion, and wherein said shroud is operatively mountable in supported relation on the mounting arm such that said roof portion covers at least a rear portion of said mounting structure of said gutter broom and said wall portion covers at least a rear portion of said bristles of said gutter broom; and,   an air-flow precluding member secured to said gutter broom for rotation therewith, to thereby substantially obstruct air flow through said gutter broom.   
     
     
         35 . A high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom for use on a surface cleaning vehicle, said gutter broom comprising:
 a mounting structure;   bristles depending from said mounting structure; and,   an air-flow precluding member secured to one of said mounting structure and said bristles for rotation therewith, to thereby substantially obstruct air flow through said gutter broom.   
     
     
         36 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom of  claim 35 , wherein the bristles of said gutter broom depending from said mounting structure in a generally circumferential pattern to define a central cavity beneath said mounting structure, and wherein said air-flow precluding member substantially obstructs air flow through said cavity of said gutter broom. 
     
     
         37 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom of  claim 36 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is disposed generally within said cavity of said gutter broom. 
     
     
         38 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom of  claim 37 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is substantially annular in shape. 
     
     
         39 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom of  claim 38 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is thin walled. 
     
     
         40 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom of  claim 37 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is substantially frustum shaped. 
     
     
         41 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom of  claim 38 , wherein said frustum shaped air-flow precluding member is substantially hollow. 
     
     
         42 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom of  claim 41 , wherein said frustum shaped air-flow precluding member is open at the bottom. 
     
     
         43 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom of  claim 35 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is made from rubber. 
     
     
         44 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom of  claim 35 , wherein said air-flow precluding member comprises a cover mounted on said gutter broom for rotation therewith in surrounding relation around at least an upper portion of said gutter broom bristles, to thereby substantially obstruct air flow through said cavity of said gutter broom. 
     
     
         45 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom of  claim 44 , wherein said cover is mounted on said gutter broom mounting structure. 
     
     
         46 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom of  claim 35 , wherein said cover is mounted on said gutter broom bristles. 
     
     
         47 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom of  claim 45 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is substantially annular in shape. 
     
     
         48 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom of  claim 47 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is thin walled. 
     
     
         49 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom of  claim 47 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is substantially frustum shaped. 
     
     
         50 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom of  claim 35 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is substantially annular in shape. 
     
     
         51 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom of  claim 50 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is thin walled. 
     
     
         52 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom of  claim 51 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is disposed between an inner ring of bristles and an outer ring of bristles. 
     
     
         53 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom of  claim 52 , wherein said air-flow precluding member is substantially frustum shaped. 
     
     
         54 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom of  claim 35 , wherein said mounting structure of said gutter broom comprises a broom segment mounting plate and said bristles are part of broom segments secured to said broom segment mounting plate. 
     
     
         55 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom of  claim 35 , further comprising a seal mounted on the mounting plate of said gutter broom. 
     
     
         56 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom of  claim 55 , wherein said seal is mounted in sealed relation on the mounting plate of said gutter broom. 
     
     
         57 . The high efficiency dust controlling gutter broom of  claim 55 , wherein said seal is mounted on the mounting plate of said gutter broom for rotational sealing contact with the roof portion of a shroud of a gutter broom apparatus. 
     
     
         58 . In a gutter broom for use on a surface cleaning vehicle, said gutter broom having a mounting structure and bristles depending from said mounting structure, the improvement comprising:
 an air-flow precluding member secured to said gutter broom for rotation therewith, to thereby substantially obstruct air flow through said cavity of said gutter broom.   
     
     
         59 . A high efficiency dust controlling pick-up head apparatus for use on a surface cleaning vehicle, said high efficiency dust controlling pick-up head apparatus comprising:
 a housing extending between a first end and a second end, and having a suctioning bottom opening;   a dust and debris outlet in said housing for permitting dust and debris to egress said housing into a hopper;   a debris suctioning inlet in said housing disposed adjacent said first end of said housing for suctioning dust and debris into said housing;   a debris passage within said housing from said debris suctioning inlet to said dust and debris outlet;   a gutter broom mounting arm;   a gutter broom having a mounting structure and bristles depending from said mounting structure, and wherein said gutter broom is mounted via said mounting structure in supported relation on said mounting arm for rotation about a gutter broom axis;   a gutter broom motor operatively connecting in driving relation to said gutter broom for rotating said gutter broom about said gutter broom axis;   a shroud having a roof portion and a wall portion depending from said roof portion, and wherein said shroud is mounted in supported relation on said mounting arm such that said roof portion covers at least a rear portion of said mounting structure of said gutter broom and said wall portion covers at least a rear portion of said bristles of said gutter broom; and,   an air-flow precluding member secured to said gutter broom for rotation therewith, to thereby substantially obstruct air flow through said gutter broom;   wherein said gutter broom is mounted on said housing adjacent said debris suctioning inlet such that air is suctioned through said gutter broom and into said debris suctioning inlet.