Brush Assembly

Abstract

A brush assembly including a substrate and a brush element for removably attachable to a mount of a sweeping apparatus. The substate has a footprint that extend beyond the mount of the sweeping apparatus. The top surface of the substrate abuts the mount of the sweeping apparatus. The bottom surface of the substrate has at least one channel, with at least a portion of the channel in the footprint beyond the mount. A first type of bristle elements extends from the bottom surface of the substrate. The brush element has an upper section and a lower section. A second type of bristle elements extend from the lower section. The upper section is configured to be secured in the channel. The brush element can be easily removable from the substrate without the need to dismount the substrate from the sweeping machine.

What we claim is: 
     
         1 . A brush assembly for use with a sweeping apparatus having a mount for receiving the brush assembly, the mount having a first footprint, the brush assembly comprising:
 at least one substrate having a top surface, a bottom surface, at least one receiving means, and a plurality of first bristle elements extending from the bottom surface of the substrate within the first footprint;   wherein said substrate has a second footprint than extends beyond the first footprint of the mount when mounted to the sweeping apparatus with said top surface adapted to abut the mount and is removably attach to the mount of the sweeping apparatus, and at least a portion of said at least one receiving means is beyond the first footprint of the mount; and   at least one brush element, each brush element having an upper section, a lower section, and a plurality of second bristle elements extending from the lower section of the brush element; wherein said upper section is configured to be removably secured in said at least one receiving means, such that at least a portion of the at least one brush element is beyond the first footprint.   
     
     
         2 . The brush assembly of  claim 1  wherein said receiving means is positioned in said second footprint of said substrate to allow removable attachment of such at least one brush element without the need to remove the substrate from the mount. 
     
     
         3 . The brush assembly of  claim 1  wherein said substrate has a starburst shape, with at least one generally pointed, and rounded, extension and concave edges adjacent said extension, and said extension is located at said second footprint. 
     
     
         4 . The brush assembly of  claim 3  wherein one of said receiving means is positioned at said extension. 
     
     
         5 . The brush assembly of  claim 1  wherein said receiving means comprises a through hole that extend from the top surface to the bottom surface of the substrate, wherein said through hole is correspondingly shaped and sized to receive said upper section of said brush element. 
     
     
         6 . The brush assembly of  claim 5  wherein said receiving means further comprises a channel on the bottom surface of the substrate, wherein said through hole is located at the center of the channel, and said channel is corresponding shaped and sized to receive said lower section of said brush element to prevent movement of the brush element in the substrate when the sweeping apparatus is in operation. 
     
     
         7 . The brush assembly of  claim 6  wherein the mount is circular, said channel has a longitudinal axis that is generally tangential to the radius of the mount. 
     
     
         8 . The brush assembly of  claim 1  wherein said upper section of said brush element is secured to said receiving means with a fastener. 
     
     
         9 . The brush assembly of  claim 1  wherein said upper section of said brush element is secured to said receiving means by friction. 
     
     
         10 . The brush assembly of  claim 1  wherein said upper section of said brush element has a hexagonal prism shape. 
     
     
         11 . The brush assembly of  claim 1  wherein said lower section of said brush element is tubular shaped and said plurality of second bristle element form a tuft. 
     
     
         12 . The brush assembly of  claim 1  wherein said lower section of said brush element is bar shaped and said plurality of second bristle element are in a row, on at least one layer. 
     
     
         13 . The brush assembly of  claim 11  further comprises at least one wing extending from the lower section of said brush element, wherein said wing is shaped and sized to fit in said receiving means to prevent movement of the brush element in the substrate when the sweeping apparatus is in operation. 
     
     
         14 . The brush assembly of  claim 1  wherein at least one receiving means is located within the first footprint. 
     
     
         15 . The brush assembly of  claim 1  wherein the mount is circular, and a plurality of substates form an annular shape. 
     
     
         16 . The brush assembly of  claim 1  wherein said second bristle element comprises metal cable. 
     
     
         17 . The brush assembly of  claim 1  wherein said first bristle element is different than said second bristle element.