ROTATING DRUM PUSH BROOM

Abstract

A rotating drum push broom has a housing, an interior compartment, a pair of wheel hubs, an axle, a drum brush, and a pair of motion transfer assemblies. The interior compartment traverses into a base surface of the housing and the pair of wheel hubs are mounted onto opposite sides of the housing. The axle traverses through the housing and the interior compartment and the wheel hubs are terminally connected to the axle. Drum brush is rotatably mounted around the axle. The motion transfer assemblies is a set of actuators that force the drum brush to rotate in a direction that is opposite to the wheel's direction of rotation.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to generally to cleaning devices, and more particularly, to a push broom with a gear driven brush to push debris along the direction the push broom is being pushed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is frequently labor intensive and time consuming to clean areas of debris that is littered on the ground. Brooms, mops, and vacuums are frequently employed to perform such tasks. However, these tools require a user to perform repetitive plunging or sweeping motions. This can lead to fatigue and forces the user to be precise in their execution of cleaning operations.

The present invention, the rotating drum push broom, addresses these deficiencies by providing a gear-driven drum brush that pushes debris in front of the broom along the direction that the user is moving. This gear-driven drum brush prevents the user from performing repetitive plunging or sweeping motions. Additionally, the rapid rotation of the drum brush facilitates moving a large amount of debris along the direction the user is moving.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The rotating drum push broom described herein overcomes disadvantages of the prior art by providing a broom that moves a large amount of debris without the user needing to make repetitive plunging or sweeping motions. A drum brush can rotate in the opposite direction to the wheel hubs, so that the drum brush sweeps debris forward as the user pushes the broom across the floor.

In various embodiments, a rotating drum push broom can have a housing, an interior compartment, a plurality of wheel hubs, an axle, a drum brush, a handle, and a plurality of motion transfer assemblies. The interior compartment can be normally traversing into the housing. The first wheel hub can be mounted adjacent to the housing, and a second wheel hub can be mounted adjacent to the housing, opposite to the first wheel hub. The axle can traverse through the housing and the interior compartment. The axle can be connected in between the first wheel hub and the second wheel hub. The drum brush can be rotatably mounted around the axle. Each of the plurality of motion transfer assemblies can be operatively coupled in between a corresponding wheel hub and the drum brush, wherein rotation of the corresponding wheel hub in one direction induces rotation of the drum brush in an opposite direction. The handle can be mounted adjacent to the housing.

The rotating drum push broom can include a mounting hole that can longitudinally traverse through the housing, the interior compartment, and the drum brush, and the axle can be engaged through the mounting hole. Each of the wheel hubs can include a wheel body and a hub receptacle. Each of the motion transfer assemblies can include a hub gear a brush gear, and a motion transfer gear. The hub receptacle can normally traverse into the wheel body. The wheel body can be terminally connected to the axle. The hub hear can be integrated within and around the wheel receptacle of the corresponding wheel hub. The brush gear can be terminally connected to the drum brush. The motion transfer gear can be rotatably mounted onto the housing. The motion transfer gear can be positioned in between the wheel body and the housing. The motion transfer gear can be mechanically engaged in between the hub gear and the brush gear. The rotating drum push broom can include a plurality of mounting pegs, and the motion transfer gear from each of the plurality of motion transfer assemblies can be rotatably mounted onto a corresponding peg from the plurality of mounting pegs. The rotating drum push broom can include a mounting hole, a plurality of connector receptacles, and the brush gear can include a sprocket, a gear axle and a connector prong. The mounting hole can longitudinally traverse through the housing, the interior compartment, the brush gear, and the drum brush. The sprocket can be terminally connected to the gear axle. The connector prong can be terminally connected to the gear axle, opposite to the sprocket. Each of the plurality of connector receptacles can terminally traverse into the drum brush. Each connector prong from the plurality of motion transfer assemblies can be engaged into a corresponding receptacle from the plurality of connector receptacles. The rotating drum push broom can include a cover, the cover being mounted adjacent to the housing, and the cover being positioned opposite to the interior compartment, across the housing. An axis of rotation for the plurality of wheel hubs can be colinear with an axis of rotation for the drum brush.

In various embodiments, a rotating drum push broom can include a housing, an axle, at least one wheel hub affixed to the axle, and at least one drum brush having a plurality of brush bristles extending radially outward, the at least one drum brush having a hollow central passageway with the axle extending through the hollow central passageway, the at least one drum brush rotating independently from the axle, and at least one motion transfer assembly operatively connecting the at least one wheel hub with the at least one drum brush so that the at least one drum brush rotates in the opposite direction from the wheel hub when the wheel hub is rotated. The motion transfer assembly can include a hub gear around an inner surface of the wheel hub, a motion transfer gear in engagement with the hub gear, and a brush gear in engagement with the motion transfer gear, the brush gear having a hollow central passageway with the axle extending through the hollow central passageway, the brush gear rotating independently from the axle, the brush gear and the drum brush rotating together around the axle.

In various embodiments, the at least one wheel hub can be located outside of the housing, the at least one wheel hub defining a hub receptacle having an outer sidewall to protect the motion transfer assembly. The at least one axle can have a wheel region on an end of the axle and a threaded terminal portion at the end of the axle, wherein the wheel region passes through the wheel hub, and a nut threaded onto the threaded terminal portion keeps the wheel hub in position on the axle while allowing the wheel hub to rotate about the axle. At least one terminal end of the hollow central passageway of the drum brush can end in a non-circular connector receptacle, and the brush gear can have a corresponding non-circular connector prong, the connector prong engaging within the connector receptacle so that the brush gear and the drum brush rotate together around the axle. The brush gear can have a non-circular connector prong adapted to engage within a connector receptacle at a terminal end of the drum brush, the brush gear having a cylindrical gear axle formed on an outer surface of the brush gear so that the brush gear can rotate within a corresponding circular opening, the brush gear having a hollow central passageway that allows the brush gear to rotate around the axle, independently from the axle. The at least one drum brush can include a first drum brush and a second drum brush, the two drum brushes each rotating independently around the axle, the at least one wheel hub having a first wheel hub at a first end of the axle and a second wheel hub at a second end of the axle, the axle extending between the first wheel hub and the second wheel hub, and wherein the at least one motion transfer assembly further includes a first motion transfer assembly and a second motion transfer assembly, the first motion transfer assembly operatively connecting the first wheel hub with the first drum brush, so that rotary motion of the first wheel hub results in the first drum brush rotating in an opposite direction from the first wheel hub, the second motion transfer assembly operatively connecting the second wheel hub with the second drum brush, so that rotary motion of the second wheel hub results in the second drum brush rotating in an opposite direction from the second wheel hub, and wherein the first drum brush and the second drum brush can rotate around the axle at different speeds when the first wheel hub and second wheel hub are rotating at different speeds. The rotating drum push broom can include a septum that separates the first drum brush from the second drum brush to prevent the first drum brush and the second drum brush from rubbing together when they are rotating at different speeds.

In various embodiments, a drum brush for use in a rotating drum brush push broom can have a plurality of bristles extending radially outward from the drum brush, the drum brush having a hollow central passageway along the central axis of the drum brush, the hollow central passageway adapted to have a free-spinning axle pass through the hollow central passageway, the hollow central passageway ending in at least one non-circular connector receptacle at a terminal end of the hollow central passageway, the connector receptacle adapted to releasably hold a non-circular connector prong of a brush gear so that the brush gear and the drum brush can rotate together around the axle. The at least one non-circular connector receptacle can include a first connector receptacle at a first end of the hollow central passageway and a second connector receptacle at a second end of the hollow central passageway so that the drum brush can have a brush gear at both ends of the hollow central passageway. The drum brush can be divided into a first half drum brush and a second half drum brush, the first half drum brush having a first non-circular connector receptacle and the second half drum brush having a second non-circular receptacle, the first half drum brush and the second half drum brush capable of rotating around an axle independently from the axle and independently from each other.

A method of sweeping a floor can include pushing a rotating drum push broom across the floor surface. The rotating drum push broom can have a housing, an axle, at least one wheel hub affixed to the axle, and at least one drum brush having a plurality of brush bristles extending radially outward, the at least one drum brush having a hollow central passageway with the axle extending through the hollow central passageway, the at least one drum brush rotating independently from the axle, and at least one motion transfer assembly operatively connecting the at least one wheel hub with the at least one drum brush so that the at least one drum brush rotates in the opposite direction from the wheel hub when the wheel hub is rotated. The motion transfer assembly can include a hub gear around an inner surface of the wheel hub, a motion transfer gear in engagement with the hub gear, and a brush gear in engagement with the motion transfer gear, the brush gear having a hollow central passageway with the axle extending through the hollow central passageway, the brush gear rotating independently from the axle, the brush gear and the drum brush rotating together around the axle. The method can include rotating the at least one wheel hub around the axle as the broom is pushed across the floor, the rotation of the wheel hub forcing the drum brush to rotate in the opposite direction from the wheel hub, and pushing debris in front of the rotating drum brush as the broom is pushed across the floor.

In various embodiments, the method can include pushing the rotating drum push broom in a non-straight path, the at least one wheel hub further including a first wheel hub and a second wheel hub, wherein the first wheel hub and the second wheel hub can travel across the ground at different speeds as the rotating drum push broom travels in a non-straight path. The at least one drum brush including a first drum brush and a second drum brush, wherein pushing the rotating drum push broom in a non-straight path further can include rotating the first brush drum and the second brush drum at different speeds as the first wheel hub and the second wheel hub rotate at different speeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention description below refers to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of a rotating drum push broom, according to an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the rotating drum push broom, according to an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the rotating drum push broom, according to an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a left-side view of the rotating drum push broom, according to an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a right-side view of the rotating drum push broom, according to an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the rotating drum push broom, according to an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the rotating drum push broom, according to an illustrative embodiment

FIG. 8 is an exploded right perspective view of the rotating drum push broom, according to an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an exploded left perspective view of the rotating drum push broom, according to an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 10 view showing the motion transfer assembly and a wheel hub, according to an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the brush gear, according to an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of the axle, showing a shoulder region at the end of the axle, according to an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of rotating drum push broom with two independent drums, according to an illustrative embodiment; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a rotating drum brush push broom with two independent drums, according to an illustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 11, the present invention, the rotating drum push broom, is a cleaning apparatus that enables a user to sweep large areas without requiring the repetitive plunging or swinging motions. Specifically, the present invention makes use of a drum brush that is coupled to a set of wheels, such that the drum brush is rotated to push dirt forward while the user rolls the present invention across an area being cleaned. To achieve the above-described functionality, the present invention can include a housing 1, an interior compartment 2, a plurality of wheel hubs 3, an axle 4, a drum brush 5, a handle 6 and a plurality of motion transfer assemblies 7. The housing 1 forms the overall structural foundation of the present invention and acts as the framework onto which the remaining components are mounted. The interior compartment 2 normally traverses into a base surface of the housing 1. Accordingly, the interior compartment 2 forms a receptacle that is used to protect the interior components of the present invention. Each of the plurality of wheel hubs 3 serves a dual function and enables the user to roll the present invention around the area being cleaned while providing the actuating force required to rotate the drum brush 5. As such, a first wheel hub 31 is mounted adjacent to the housing 1 and a second wheel hub 32 is mounted adjacent to the housing 1, opposite to the first wheel hub 31. Both the first wheel hub 31 and the second wheel hub 32 are from the plurality of wheel hubs 3. Accordingly, the first wheel hub 31 and the second wheel hub 32 are positioned on opposite ends of the housing 1 to enable the present invention to be rolled across the area being cleaned. The axle 4 traverses through the housing 1 and the interior compartment 2. Axle 4 can be a single shaft that extends between wheel hub 31 and wheel hub 32. In various embodiments, axle 4 can have a shoulder mount at an end of the axle, so that the wheel can be held in place at the end of the axle by a threaded nut or other capturer, and the wheel can rotate freely about the axle while also being held in place at the terminal region of the axle. Wheel hubs 31, 32 can be rotatably mounted to axle 4 so that the wheel hubs 31, 32 can rotate freely and independently from the axle 4, while remaining mounted on the axle. Wheel hubs 31, 32 can rotate at different speeds from each other, so that the rotating drum push broom can be pushed in a non-straight path and the two wheel hubs do not need to rotate at the same speed. Additionally, the axle 4 is connected in between the first wheel hub 31 and the second wheel hub 32 so that the first wheel hub 31 and the second wheel hub 32 share an axis of rotation 24 and can be synchronously rotated. In various embodiments, the first wheel hub 31 and the second wheel hub 32 are identically constructed and are mounted to the housing 1 by identical motion transfer assemblies 7.

The drum brush 5 is a tubular member with laterally mounted bristles that is rotatably mounted around the axle 4. As a result, the drum brush 5 shares an axis of rotation 24 with the plurality of wheel hubs 3. However, the drum brush 5 is not rotatably coupled to the axle 4 so that the drum brush 5 is able to rotate independently of the axle 4. Drum brush 5 has a hollow central passageway along the axis of rotation, so that the axis of rotation lies within the hollow central passageway. The axle 4 passes through the hollow central passageway, and the brush rotates freely and independently from the axle, around the axis of rotation 24.

The plurality of motion transfer assemblies 7 are gears and actuators that force the drum brush 5 to rotate in response to a wheel hub 3 being rotated. Specifically, each of the plurality of motion transfer assemblies 7 is operatively coupled in between a corresponding wheel hub 3 and the drum brush 5. This coupling enables rotation of the corresponding wheel hub 3 in one direction to induce rotation of the drum brush 5 an opposite direction. consequently, as the user rolls the present invention forward the drum brush 5 rotates in the opposite direction of the wheels so that any debris in the area being cleaned is constantly pushed ahead of the present invention, in the direction the user is traveling. The handle 6 is mounted adjacent to the housing 1 and enables the user to easily maneuver and manipulate the present invention. In some embodiments the handle 6 is an elongated shaft.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 8, the present invention can include a mounting hole 12 that longitudinally traverses through the housing 1, the interior compartment 2, and the drum brush 5. Mounting hole 12 lies along the axis of rotation, and mounting hole 12 can accommodate the single shaft axis 4 between wheel hub 31 and wheel hub 32. The hollow central passageway through the drum 5 can be part of the mounting hole 12, and the single shaft axis 4 can pass through the hollow central axis of the drum 5. Mounting hole 12 can pass through a first wheel hub 31, a first brush gear 713, a first side of housing 1, drum brush 5, a second side of housing 1, a second brush gear 713, and a second wheel hub 32, so that the axle 4 that can extend through the mounting hole can extend through the first wheel hub 31, the first brush gear 713, the first side of housing 1, the drum brush 5, the second side of housing 1, the second brush gear 713, and the second wheel hub 32. Additionally, the axle 4 is engaged through the mounting hole 12 so that an axis of rotation 24 for the plurality of wheel hubs 3 is colinear with an axis of rotation 52 for the drum brush 5. Thus, the axle 4 retains the plurality of wheel hubs 3 and the drum brush 5 in a desired position relative to each other.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10, the motion transfer system enables the rotation of the plurality of wheel hubs 3 to be transferred to the drum brush 5. To achieve this functionality, each of the plurality of wheel hubs 3 can include a wheel body 311 and a hub receptacle 312. Additionally, each of the plurality of the motion transfer assemblies 7 can include a hub gear 711, a brush gear 713, and a motion transfer gear 712. The wheel body 311 contains the functional components of the wheel including the rim and the tire. The hub receptacle 312 normally traverses into the wheel body 311 so that the wheel hub acts as a cover that protects the motion transfer assembly from becoming damaged by bumping into objects in the area being cleaned. That is to say, the wheel body 311 includes an outer sidewall that can partially define the hub receptacle 312, along with hub gear 711. The outer sidewall forms a protective barrier that can be the outside edge of the wheel, and that protective sidewall can prevent objects outside of the wheel from making contact with the motion transfer assemblies within the wheel. In this way, the wheel 3 can be at the outermost side of the rotating drum push broom, with the wheel outside of the housing, and the outer sidewall of the wheel body 311 can protect the motion transfer assembly within the wheel, without the need for the housing to provide protection for the motion transfer assembly.

The wheel body 311 is terminally connected to the axle 4. Each of the wheel hubs can rotate freely about the axle, and the wheel hubs can rotate synchronously or can rotate asynchronously. The first wheel hub 31 and the second wheel hub 32 are positioned external to the interior compartment 2. The hub gear 711 is integrated within and around the hub receptacle 312 of the corresponding wheel hub 3. Rotating the first wheel hub 31 or the second wheel hub 32 rotates the hub gear 711 contained within the hub receptacle 312 of the wheel hub around the axle 4. The brush gear 713 is terminally connected to the drum brush 5 so that rotation of the brush gear 713 rotates the drum brush 5 around the axle 4. In various embodiments, the present invention can include a pair of brush gears 713 where a first brush gear 713 is connected to a first end of the drum brush 5 and a second brush gear 713 is connected to a second end of the drum brush 5. The motion transfer gear 712 is positioned in between the wheel body 311 and the housing 1 and is mechanically engaged in between the hub gear 711 and the brush gear 713. Consequently, the motion transfer gear 712 compels the brush gear 713 to rotate in a direction opposite to the rotation of the hub gear 711. Thus, causing the drum brush 5 to rotate in a direction opposite to the rotation of the first wheel hub 31 and the second wheel hub 32. In some embodiments a motor is integrated into the motion transfer assembly. In these embodiments, the motor is used to rotate the drum brush 5 when an appropriate electrical command is issued by the user. In supplemental embodiments, the motor provides driving force that rotates the plurality of wheel hubs 3, propelling the present invention around the area being cleaned.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 8, the present invention can include a plurality of mounting pegs 13. The motion transfer gear 712 from each of the plurality of motion transfer assemblies 7 is rotatably mounted onto a corresponding peg 13 from the plurality of mounting pegs 13. Accordingly, the mounting peg 13 prevents linear displacement of the motion transfer gear 712 while permitting angular displacement. In various embodiments, the plurality of mounting pegs 13 can include a first mounting peg 13 and a second peg 13. The motion transfer gear 712 coupled to the first wheel hub 31 is rotatably mounted to the first mounting peg 13. Similarly, the motion transfer gear 712 coupled to the second wheel hub 32 is rotatably mounted to the second mounting peg 13.

Referring to FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11, the present invention is designed to enable the drum brush 5 to be removed and replaced whenever the bristles are worn out. To achieve this functionality, the ends of the drum brush 5 can have connector receptacles 51 so that brush gear 713 can be non-rotatably engaged within the connector receptacles 51 in the end of drum brush 5. The brush gear 713 can include a sprocket 7131, a gear axle 7132 and a connector prong 7133. Connector prong 7133 can be a non-circular extension of the brush gear, and connector prong 7133 can engage within a corresponding non-circular connector receptable at the end of the brush drum. The non-circular connector prong of the brush gear engages within the non-circular connector receptacle of the brush drum so that the brush gear and brush drum can be releasably engaged together and rotate together around the axle. The brush gear and the drum brush can be non-rotatably connected together because the connector prong non-rotatably engages the connector receptable 51. If the bristles of the drum brush wear out, the drum brush can be removed from the push broom, and the brush gear can be removed from the old drum brush and placed in the connector receptable of the replacement drum brush. The mounting hole 12 longitudinally traverses through the housing 1, the interior compartment 2, the brush gear 713, and the drum brush 5 so that the axle 4 traverses through a central axis of the brush gear 713. That is to say, the brush gear has a hollow central passageway along the axis of rotation, so that the axis of rotation lies within the hollow central passageway of the brush gear. The axle passes through the hollow central passageway of the brush gear, and the brush gear rotates freely and independently from the axle, around the axis of rotation.

Gear axle 7132 can be a cylindrical portion on an exterior of the brush gear 713, allowing the brush gear to rotate within the housing. Gear axle 7132 rotates within a corresponding circular opening on the housing, so that the brush gear 713 can rotate about the axle 4. The interior of brush gear has a hollow central passageway that accommodates the axle 4 and allows the axle to rotate within the brush gear, and the exterior of brush gear 713 has a cylindrical gear axle 7132 that allows the brush gear to rotate within the housing. As shown in FIG. 10, bold arrows IO show the rotation of the wheel hub and hub gear inducing a rotation of the motion transfer gear that then induces a rotation of the brush gear that is in the opposite direction from the rotation of the wheel hub. Wheel hub 311 rotates in the opposite direction from the brush gear, and both wheel hub and brush gear can rotate freely around, and independent from, the axle that passes through the mounting hole 12.

The sprocket 7131 is terminally connected to the gear axle 7132 and the connector prong 7133 is terminally connected to the gear axle 7132, opposite to the sprocket 7131. Thus configured, the sprocket 7131 is positioned external to the interior compartment 2 and is able to mechanically engage the motion transfer gear 712. Additionally, the connector prong 7133 is able to be detachably coupled to a corresponding end of the drum brush 5. Each of the plurality of connector receptacles 51 terminally traverses into the drum brush 5 so that the first end and the second end of the drum brush 5 can be detachably coupled to brush gears 713. Specifically, each connector prong 7133 from the plurality of motion transfer assemblies 7 can engage into a corresponding connector receptacle 51. Consequently, the user is able to remove the drum brush 5 by disengaging the connector prongs 7131 from the connector receptacles 51.

Referring to FIG. 8, the present invention can include a cover 8 that is mounted adjacent to the housing 1 and is positioned opposite to the interior compartment 2 across the housing 1. Accordingly, the cover 8 protects the housing 1 from damage due to hazards in the area being cleaned.

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of the axle, showing a shoulder region at the end of the axle, according to an illustrative embodiment. Axle 4 can have a wheel region 1202 at a terminal end region 1204 of the axle 4. Wheel region 1202 can have a narrower diameter than a shoulder 1206. A wheel hub can be placed on the wheel region 1202 of the axle, and the shoulder 1206 can keep the wheel hub at the terminal end region 1204 of the axle. In various embodiments, an axle may be free from a shoulder, and the housing may keep the wheel hub in in the wheel region of the axle.

At least a terminal portion 1208 of the wheel region 1202 can be threaded. The wheel region 1202 can pass through the wheel hub, and a nut can be threaded onto the threaded terminal portion 1208 of the shoulder region to capture the wheel hub on the axle, while allowing the wheel hub to rotate freely around the axle.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of rotating drum push broom with two independent drums, according to an illustrative embodiment, and FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a rotating drum brush push broom with two independent drums, according to an illustrative embodiment. A first drum brush 1305 can be operatively connected to the motion transfer assembly and the wheel hub on a first side of the rotating drum push broom, and the second drum brush 1307 can be operatively connected to the motion transfer assembly and the wheel hub on a second side of the rotating drum push broom. The first wheel hub 31 and the second wheel hub 32 can rotate independently from each other, and the first drum brush 1305 and the second drum brush 1307 can rotate independently from each other.

The dual-drum brush push broom 1300 can have a housing 1, an interior compartment 2, a plurality of wheel hubs 3, at least one axle 4, a first drum brush 1305, a second drum brush 1307 a handle 6 and a plurality of motion transfer assemblies 7. The housing 1 forms the overall structural foundation of the present invention and acts as the framework onto which the remaining components are mounted. The interior compartment 2 normally traverses into a base surface of the housing 1. Accordingly, the interior compartment 2 forms a receptacle that is used to protect the interior components of the present invention. Each of the plurality of wheel hubs 3 serves a dual function and enables the user to roll the present invention around the area being cleaned while providing the actuating force required to rotate the drum brushes 1305 and 1307.

As such, a first wheel hub 31 is mounted adjacent to the housing 1 and a second wheel hub 32 is mounted adjacent to the housing 1, opposite to the first wheel hub 31. Both the first wheel hub 31 and the second wheel hub 32 are from the plurality of wheel hubs 3. Accordingly, the first wheel hub 31 and the second wheel hub 32 are positioned on opposite ends of the housing 1 to enable the present invention to be rolled across the area being cleaned. The at least one axle 4 can traverse through the housing 1 and the interior compartment 2. Axle 4 can be a single shaft that extends between wheel hub 31 and wheel hub 32. In various embodiments, axle 4 can be a pair of axles, with each axle supporting a drum brush that rotates around the axle.

In various embodiments, axle 4 can have a shoulder mount at an end of the axle, so that the wheel can be held in place at the end of the axle by a threaded nut or other capturer, and the wheel can rotate freely about the axle while also being held in place at the terminal region of the axle. Wheel hubs 31, 32 can be rotatably mounted to axle 4 so that the wheel hubs 31, 32 can rotate freely and independently from the axle 4, while remaining mounted on the axle. Additionally, the axle 4 can be connected in between the first wheel hub 31 and the second wheel hub 32 so that the first wheel hub 31 and the second wheel hub 32 share an axis of rotation 24 and can be synchronously rotated. In various embodiments, the first wheel hub 31 and the second wheel hub 32 are identically constructed and are mounted to the housing 1 by identical motion transfer assemblies 7.

The drum brushes 1305 and 1307 are tubular members with laterally mounted bristles that are rotatably mounted around the axle 4. As a result, the drum brushes 1305 and 1307 share an axis of rotation 24 with the plurality of wheel hubs 3. However, the drum brushes 1305 and 1307 are not rotatably coupled to the axle 4 so that the drum brushes are able to rotate independently of the axle 4. Drum brushes 1305 and 1307 have a hollow central passageway along the axis of rotation, so that the axis of rotation lies within the hollow central passageways. The axle 4 passes through the hollow central passageways, and the brushes rotate freely and independently from the axle, around the axis of rotation 24. The brushes rotate freely independently from the axle, and the brushes rotate freely and independently from each other. That is to say, the first drum brush 1305 can rotate at a first rotation speed while the second drum brush 1307 can rotate at a second rotation speed, and the first rotation speed and second rotation speed can be different from each other.

The motion transfer assembly of the first wheel hub 31 drives the first drum brush 1305 to rotate in the opposite direction from the first wheel hub 31. Similarly, the motion transfer assembly of the second wheel hub 32 drives the second drum brush 1307 to rotate in the opposite direction from the second wheel hub. The first wheel hub 31 and the second wheel hub 32 are able to rotate independently from each other. That is to say, the first wheel hub can rotate at a first rotation speed while the second wheel hub rotates as a second rotation speed, and the first rotation speed and the second rotation speed can be different from each other. One wheel can even remain stationary while the other wheel rotates around the axis of rotation.

The rotation drum push broom can have a first side and a second side. The first side can have the first wheel hub and the first drum brush, and the second side can have the second wheel hub and the second drum brush. The first side and the second side can move independently of each other, including moving across the floor at different speeds and rotating about the axis at different speeds. The rotation of the first wheel hub determines the rotation of the first drum brush, and the rotation of the second wheel hub determines the rotation of the second wheel hub. The first wheel hub and first drum brush can move independent of the second wheel hub and second drum brush, including moving across the floor at different speeds and rotating about the axis at different speeds.

The rotating drum push broom can have a septum 1310 that can separate the first drum 1305 from the second drum 1307. The septum can prevent the two drums from rubbing against each other when the drums are not rotating at the same speed. The mounting hole can pass through the septum, so that the axle passes through the septum. In various embodiments, the septum can help to support the axle.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A rotating drum push broom comprising: a housing;an axle;at least one wheel hub affixed to the axle;at least one drum brush having a plurality of brush bristles extending radially outward, the at least one drum brush having a hollow central passageway with the axle extending through the hollow central passageway, the at least one drum brush rotating independently from the axle;at least one motion transfer assembly operatively connecting the at least one wheel hub with the at least one drum brush so that the at least one drum brush rotates in the opposite direction from the wheel hub when the wheel hub is rotated, the motion transfer assembly comprising: a hub gear around an inner surface of the wheel hub;a motion transfer gear in engagement with the hub gear; anda brush gear in engagement with the motion transfer gear, the brush gear having a hollow central passageway with the axle extending through the hollow central passageway, the brush gear rotating independently from the axle, the brush gear and the drum brush rotating together around the axle.

2. The rotating drum push broom of claim 1, wherein the at least one wheel hub is located outside of the housing, the at least one wheel hub defining a hub receptacle having an outer sidewall to protect the motion transfer assembly.

3. The rotating drum push broom of claim 1, the at least one axle having a wheel region on an end of the axle and a threaded terminal portion at the end of the axle, wherein the wheel region passes through the wheel hub, and a nut threaded onto the threaded terminal portion keeps the wheel hub in position on the axle while allowing the wheel hub to rotate about the axle.

4. The rotating drum push broom of claim 1, at least one terminal end of the hollow central passageway of the drum brush ending in a non-circular connector receptacle, and the brush gear having a corresponding non-circular connector prong, the connector prong engaging within the connector receptacle so that the brush gear and the drum brush rotate together around the axle.

5. The rotating drum push broom of claim 1, the brush gear having a non-circular connector prong adapted to engage within a connector receptacle at a terminal end of the drum brush, the brush gear having a cylindrical gear axle formed on an outer surface of the brush gear so that the brush gear can rotate within a corresponding circular opening, the brush gear having a hollow central passageway that allows the brush gear to rotate around the axle, independently from the axle.

6. The rotating drum push broom of claim 1, wherein the at least one drum brush comprises a first drum brush and a second drum brush, the two drum brushes each rotating independently around the axle, the at least one wheel hub comprising a first wheel hub at a first end of the axle and a second wheel hub at a second end of the axle, the axle extending between the first wheel hub and the second wheel hub, and wherein the at least one motion transfer assembly further comprises a first motion transfer assembly and a second motion transfer assembly, the first motion transfer assembly operatively connecting the first wheel hub with the first drum brush, so that rotary motion of the first wheel hub results in the first drum brush rotating in an opposite direction from the first wheel hub, the second motion transfer assembly operatively connecting the second wheel hub with the second drum brush, so that rotary motion of the second wheel hub results in the second drum brush rotating in an opposite direction from the second wheel hub, and wherein the first drum brush and the second drum brush can rotate around the axle at different speeds when the first wheel hub and second wheel hub are rotating at different speeds.

7. The rotating drum push broom of claim 6, further comprising a septum that separates the first drum brush from the second drum brush to prevent the first drum brush and the second drum brush from rubbing together when they are rotating at different speeds.

8. A drum brush for use in a rotating drum push broom, the drum brush having a plurality of bristles extending radially outward from the drum brush, the drum brush having a hollow central passageway along the central axis of the drum brush, the hollow central passageway adapted to have a free-spinning axle pass through the hollow central passageway, the hollow central passageway ending in at least one non-circular connector receptacle at a terminal end of the hollow central passageway, the connector receptacle adapted to releasably hold a non-circular connector prong of a brush gear so that the brush gear and the drum brush can rotate together around the axle.

9. The drum brush of claim 8, wherein the at least one non-circular connector receptacle comprises a first connector receptacle at a first end of the hollow central passageway and a second connector receptacle at a second end of the hollow central passageway so that the drum brush can have a brush gear at both ends of the hollow central passageway.

10. The drum brush of claim 8, wherein the drum brush is divided into a first half drum brush and a second half drum brush, the first half drum brush having a first non-circular connector receptacle and the second half drum brush having a second non-circular receptacle, the first half drum brush and the second half drum brush capable of rotating around an axle independently from the axle and independently from each other.

11. A method of sweeping a floor, the method comprising: pushing a rotating drum push broom across the floor surface, the rotating drum push broom having: a housing;an axle;at least one wheel hub affixed to the axle;at least one drum brush having a plurality of brush bristles extending radially outward, the at least one drum brush having a hollow central passageway with the axle extending through the hollow central passageway, the at least one drum brush rotating independently from the axle;at least one motion transfer assembly operatively connecting the at least one wheel hub with the at least one drum brush so that the at least one drum brush rotates in the opposite direction from the wheel hub when the wheel hub is rotated, the motion transfer assembly comprising: a hub gear around an inner surface of the wheel hub;a motion transfer gear in engagement with the hub gear; anda brush gear in engagement with the motion transfer gear, the brush gear having a hollow central passageway with the axle extending through the hollow central passageway, the brush gear rotating independently from the axle, the brush gear and the drum brush rotating together around the axle;rotating the at least one wheel hub around the axle as the broom is pushed across the floor, the rotation of the wheel hub forcing the drum brush to rotate in the opposite direction from the wheel hub; andpushing debris in front of the rotating drum brush as the broom is pushed across the floor.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising pushing the rotating drum push broom in a non-straight path, the at least one wheel hub further comprising a first wheel hub and a second wheel hub, wherein the first wheel hub and the second wheel hub can travel across the ground at different speeds as the rotating drum push broom travels in a non-straight path.

13. The method of claim 12, the at least one drum brush further comprising a first drum brush and a second drum brush, wherein pushing the rotating drum push broom in a non-straight path further comprises rotating the first brush drum and the second brush drum at different speeds as the first wheel hub and the second wheel hub rotate at different speeds.