Information
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Patent Grant
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6360396
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Patent Number
6,360,396
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Date Filed
Tuesday, January 26, 199925 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, March 26, 200222 years ago
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Inventors
-
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Examiners
Agents
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CPC
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US Classifications
Field of Search
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International Classifications
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Abstract
A tractor pavement-scrubbing implement having a rotating transverse cylindrical short-bristle brush attachable to a 3-point tractor hitch such that the brush may be lifted off the pavement surface or may be lowered against the pavement surface by the hydraulically-actuated 3-point hitch. The implement rides on wheels on each side of the transverse implement with the brush mounted forward of the wheels. Thus, when the hitch is lowered or lifted by the tractor 3-point hitch, the implement pivots on its rearward wheels. The implement comprises a first rotatable cylindrical brush mounted transverse in the implement adapted to rotate counterclockwise opposite the direction of travel for increased scrubbing action. Optionally, a second cylindrical brush parallel and axially offset from the first is included, rotating counter to rotation of the first brush clockwise to provide opposite scrubbing action complementary to the first brush. The brush or brushes are driven by a tractor power take-off drive. A magnetic bar may be attached transversely rearward of the housing disposed close to but spaced apart from the pavement to collect iron debris on the pavement.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to tractor implements, and particularly, to an implement for scrubbing pavement attachable rearward of the tractor on a 3-point hinge hitch.
2. Prior Art
Independently-motored street sweepers are well-known. Likewise, various plows and sweepers mountable forward of a drive vehicle are known as are sweeper attachments mounted rearward of a drive vehicle. These sweepers comprise long bristle brushes adjusted to slightly contact a street surface so as to minimize brush wear yet still impel street litter into a collection mechanism. It is unknown to have a rotating brush tractor implement removably towable behind a tractor and that has substantially nonpliable brush bristles sufficient to scrub a street or runway surface to remove materials adhering to pavement, typically of asphalt or concrete, such as tire rubber as opposed to only materials generally loose on the surface.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to have a towable scrubber. It is a further object that the scrubber include substantially nonpliable brush bristles suitable for scrubbing rather than light sweeping. It is further object that the scrubber be towable by a category I or II tractor. It is yet another object that the scrubber be adjustable in height such that it can be lifted off the asphalt or concrete pavement surface or lowered to increase force on the brush bristles for augmented scrubbing action. It is still another object that the scrubber optionally comprise two parallel cylindrical scrub brushes acting in series.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects are achieved in a tractor pavement-scrubbing implement with a rotating transverse cylindrical brush adapted to attach to a 3-point hitch, two opposite transverse points and an elevated central point dividing the transverse points for lifting and lowering the implement. Thus, the brush may be lifted off the pavement surface or may be lowered, even pushed to the pavement surface, by the 3-point hitch. When the upper hitch point is actuated the implement is rotated forward, or clockwise, thereby lowering the brush onto the pavement surface. The brush can further be lifted or lowered to or from the pavement surface by lifting the tractor transverse points, typically hydraulically actuated hitch attachment members. Typically, the implement rides on wheels on each side of the transverse implement with the brush mounted forward of the wheels. Thus, when the hitch is lowered or lifted by the tractor 3-point hitch, the implement pivots on its rearward wheels.
The implement comprises a first rotatable cylindrical brush mounted transverse in the implement adapted to rotate counterclockwise opposite the rotation of the supporting wheels and the direction of travel for increased scrubbing action. The brush bristles are characteristically shorter than a sweeping brush having length between 2 and 3½ inches on a brush 14 to 20 inches in diameter for a brush bristle to brush diameter of approximately 7 to 1. Thus, the bristles are stiffer than sweeper bristles and suitable for scrubbing. The brush bristles may be steel or stiff plastic. Together, this provides a stiff brush suitable for scrubbing as opposed to sweeping, which is commonly achieved with much longer, pliable bristles.
Optionally, a second cylindrical brush parallel and axially offset from the first is included, rotating counter to rotation of the first brush clockwise to provide opposite scrubbing action complementary to the first brush.
There is no motor on the implement, either to propel the implement or to drive the brushes. Rather, the implement is towed by the tractor and the brush is driven by a tractor power take-off drive. To increase the brush rotational speed, again to augment scrubbing action, a gearbox, or power transfer case, is installed between the tractor power take-off drive and the brush. Multiple gears allow selection of a suitable brush rotational speed. Optionally, the gear box may be dual shaft to allow each brush to be driven by an independent drive shaft.
A magnetic bar is attached transversely rearward of the housing disposed close to but spaced apart from the pavement to collect iron debris on the pavement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a rear perspective view of the scrubber implement pulled by a tractor.
FIG. 2
is a front perspective view of the scrubber implement.
FIG. 3
is a rear perspective view showing a magnetic bar behind the implement.
FIG. 4
is a side perspective view showing the 3-point hitch connection of the implement to the trailer.
FIG. 5
side perspective view showing belt-driven pulleys with a tightening wheel.
FIG. 6
is side perspective front view showing two axially-offset cylindrical brushes under the implement housing.
FIG. 7
is a perspective view of the wheel extension member.
FIG. 8
is a perspective cut-away view of the wheel extension member of FIG.
7
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
The tractor implement of the present invention, intended to be attached to a tractor
100
for scrubbing a drive surface, such as a runway of asphalt or concrete, includes an implement housing
10
supported by a pair of wheels
11
extending from sides
12
of the housing
10
. Within the housing is a first rotating cylindrical brush
13
oriented transverse to the direction of motion of the tractor. Said wheels
11
are typically mounted rearward of the housing
10
disposed such that the wheels support the implement rearward section
8
.
The implement is intended to be attached to a tractor with a 3-point hitch comprising a pair of tractor attachment members
101
extending rearward from the tractor and a third tractor attachment
102
member above the pair of tractor attachment members
101
. A corresponding matching pair of housing attachment members
14
extend forward from the housing for removably receiving said pair of tractor attachment members
101
extending rearward from the tractor
100
. Typically, the distal end
15
of the tractor attachment members
101
has a bore not shown in ends
18
of the housing attachment members
14
. A pin
19
passes through housing attachment holes and through the bore to pivotably connect the housing attachment member
14
to the tractor attachment members
101
. A central attachment means
21
is attached above and forward of the housing with a similar second pin
22
for removably and pivotably connecting the central attachment means
21
to the third tractor attachment member
102
. A hydraulic cylinder
23
is disposed between the tractor and each of the pair of tractor attachment members
101
to lift and lower the pair of attachment members
101
. Hence, when the pair of tractor attachment members
101
are hydraulically actuated to lift and lower the housing attachment members
14
, the housing
10
is lifted and lowered at its forward portion
24
, pivoting on the wheels
11
. With the brush
13
inside the housing
10
and the housing
10
between the wheels
11
and the tractor
100
, as the implement forward section
9
is thus raised and lowered, the brush is brought into engagement and disengagement with the pavement surface. The brush may also be further urged down to the pavement by the tractor attachment members
101
to increase a brush scrubbing action.
A pair of retractable support stands
25
are forward on housing sides
53
to support the housing forward portion
7
when it is not connected to a tractor. Support legs
26
telescope from within a stand tubular section
27
to engagement with the pavement to support the housing
10
. When the housing
10
is connected behind a tractor the tractor supports the forward portion, and the support legs
26
are retracted from the pavement and into the stand tubular sections
27
.
The implement is maintained adjustably at a selective position above the runway by means of adjustment of height of the wheels
11
, wich adjustment is effected by extension of the wheels from the housing
10
. Similar to the stand tubular section
27
and support legs
26
, a wheel tubular section
28
is attached to the housing
10
at its rearward portion
29
. A wheel extension member
30
telescopes out of the wheel tubular section
28
to a wheel
11
that rests on the pavement. Typically, a threaded rod
31
extends through a matching threaded hole
32
in the top
33
of the tubular section
28
and into the tubular section. The wheel extension member rests
30
then against the rod
31
. Thus, as the rod
31
is screwed into the tubular section
28
, it pushes the wheel extension member
30
out of the tubular section
28
pushing the wheel
11
further from the housing
10
therein lifting the housing further from the ground. To facilitate wheel extension adjustment, a rearward telescoping support stand
34
, in like manner of the forward support stands, is provided on and rearward of the housing
10
. In practice, when the height of the wheels is adjusted a support leg
35
is extended from a tubular section and then retracted as the housing is again supported by the wheels
11
.
A power transfer case
36
is mounted forward on the housing
10
and receives a drive shaft
37
connecting a tractor power take-off
38
with the drive shaft
37
. An first pulley
39
is connected to a power transfer shaft
40
exiting the case
36
. Gears in the case (not shown) regulate the rotation of the shaft and pulley. A second pulley
41
in alignment with the first pulley
39
is connected to the brush
13
. A belt
42
wraps between the two pulleys to transfer power from the case
36
to the brush
13
. For purposes of this description, the terms belt and pulley are deemed to include chain and sprocket and other similar or equivalent drive means. A belt tightening wheel
43
is mounted on the housing
10
between the pulleys
39
and
41
such that in a first position
44
the tightening wheel
43
is against the belt
42
and tightens the belt such that the brush
13
and second pulley
41
are rotated by rotation of the first pulley
39
. The tightening wheel second position
45
is away from the belt
42
such that the belt is not tightened by the tightening wheel
43
thereby disengaging the drive means from the brush
13
.
In a second embodiment, a second rotating cylindrical brush
46
is mounted parallel and axially offset to the first brush
13
. The second rotating cylindrical brush
46
is also mechanically connected to and driven by the power transfer case
36
such that it rotates counter to the rotation of the first brush
13
to improve scrubbing action. Typically, one drive
47
exits the power transfer case from one side
48
to drive pulleys on a first housing side
49
and a second drive
50
exits the power transfer case
36
from its other side
51
to similarly drive pulleys on a second housing side
52
. As with the single brush embodiment, the pulleys driven from the power transfer case
36
are connected to pulleys connect coaxially with the respective brushes by means of a drive belt tightened by a tightening wheel, or optionally released in practice to disengage one or both brushes.
Claims
- 1. An implement adapted to be pulled by a tractor having a power take-off drive and detachable therefrom and further adapted to scrub a drive surface, comprising,an implement housing with sides, a pair of supporting wheels extending from the housing sides disposed to support the housing, a rotating cylindrical first brush substantially within the housing, attachment means on the housing for attaching the implement behind a tractor, means for adjustably maintaining the implement at a selective position above the drive surface, a power transfer means on the housing mechanically connected to the brush and adapted to receive a drive shaft from the tractor power take-off drive for transferring power from the tractor power take-off drive to the brush, a pair of housing attachment members extending forward from the housing for removably receiving a pair of matching tractor attachment members extending rearward from the tractor, each with means for connecting a housing attachment member with a corresponding tractor attachment member.
- 2. The tractor implement of claim 1 further comprising a central attachment means on the housing for receiving a a third tractor attachment member in attachment between the housing and the tractor.
- 3. The tractor implement means of claim 2 in which the housing attachment members and central attachment means are pivotably connected to the tractor attachment members such that by actuating the tractor attachment members, the housing is lifted and lowered thereby adjusting the brush into engagement and disengagement with the pavement surface.
- 4. The tractor implement means of claim 1 further comprising a pair of retractable support stands on the housing adapted to move between a retracted position and an extended position and further adapted to support the implement in concert with the wheels when the support stand is in said extended position.
- 5. The tractor implement of claim 1 in which the supporting wheels further comprise a means for adjusting the extension of the wheels from the housing.
- 6. The tractor implement means of claim 1 in which said power transfer means includes a first pulley connected to the drive means and a second pulley connected to the brush, a belt between the two pulleys and a belt tightening wheel with at least two positions with a first position against the belt adapted to tighten the belt such that the brush and second pulley are rotated by rotation of the first pulley by the tractor power take-off drive and with a second position away from the belt such that the belt is not tightened thereby disengaging the tractor power take-off drive from the brush.
- 7. The tractor implement of claim 1 in which the brush rotates counter to the rotation of the supporting wheels.
- 8. The tractor implement of claim 1 further comprising a rotating cylindrical second brush parallel to the first brush.
- 9. The tractor of claim 8 in which the second rotating cylindrical brush is connected to the power transfer means such that it rotates counter to the rotation of the first brush.
- 10. The tractor implement of claim 1 wherein the power transfer means further comprises a gear assembly between the power take-off drive and the brush adapted to rotate the brush at selective speeds.
- 11. The tractor implement of claim 1 further comprising a magnetic bar rearward of and transverse the housing.
- 12. A combination of a tractor having a tractor power take-off drive and a tractor implement for scrubbing a drive surface comprising,a implement housing with sides, a pair of supporting wheels extending from the housing sides to support the housing, a rotating cylindrical first brush substantially within the housing, a pair of tractor attachment members extending rearward from the tractor with means in the tractor for lifting and lowering said pair of tractor attachment members, attachment means for attaching the implement behind a tractor, comprising a pair of housing attachment members extending forward from the housing for removably receiving said pair of tractor attachment members extending rearward from the tractor, each with means for connecting a housing attachment member with a corresponding tractor attachment member, a central attachment means attached on the housing for receiving a third tractor attachment member in pivotable attachment between the housing and the tractor, the attachment members and central attachment means pivotably connected to the tractor attachment members such that by actuating the pair of tractor attachment members, the housing is lifted and lowered thereby adjusting the brush into engagement and disengagement with the pavement surface, means for adjustably maintaining the implement at a selective position above the runway, a power transfer means adapted to transfer power from the tractor power take-off drive to the brush, a pair of retractable support stands on the housing adapted to move between a retracted position and an extended position and further adapted to support the implement in concert with the wheels when the support stand is in said extended position.
- 13. The tractor implement of claim 12 which the supporting wheels further comprise a means for adjusting the extension of the wheels from the housing.
- 14. The tractor implement means of claim 12 in which said power transfer means includes a first pulley connected to the drive means and a second pulley connected to the brush, a belt between the two pulleys and a belt tightening wheel with at least two positions with a first position against the belt and adapted to tighten the belt such that the brush and second pulley are rotated by rotation of the first pulley by the tractor power take-off drive and with a second position away from the belt such that the belt is not tightened thereby disengaging the tractor power take-off drive from the brush.
US Referenced Citations (18)
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Date |
Country |
0372258 |
Jun 1990 |
EP |
1283362 |
Jul 1972 |
GB |
0700587 |
Dec 1979 |
SU |