Unlted States Patent [19]

[11] Patent Number:

Young

[45]

[54]

[75]

PICKUP TRUCK MOUNTED SWEEPER

Inventor:
_

Gary B. Young, Waco, Tex.

[51]

Blehert ................................ .. 15/346

EOIH 1/08

lots or like surfaces which is particularly adapted to be

15/346.

mounted upon a bed of a pickup truck, the Sweeper

/356_ 55/459 15:

including a hopper into which air-entrained debris is

15/34O 34g 347 352_

discharged, the hopper having a fore-aft axis to coincide

55/356 59 A

with the direction of travel of an associated pickup

truck, a pickup head, the pickup head being supported
in transverse relationship to the fore-aft axis of the
hopper, the hopper and pickup head each including an

"""""""" "
[56]

8/1984

This disclosure relates to a sweeper for roads, parking

' """""

3/1980 Beard .............................. .. 15/346 X

Sep. 12, 1984

[52] Us. Ci .......................................

' '

4,193,159
4,466,156

Attorney, Agent, or FirmDiller, Ramik & Wight

[57]
ABSTRACT

Int Cl 4

[58] Field of Search

Apr. 28, 1987

Primary ExaminerChr1s K. Moore

[73] Asslgneei Tymco, Inc., Waco, TeX[21] MP1 No-= 649,671

[22] Filed:

Date of Patent:

4,660,248

References Cited

U S PATENT DOCUMENTS
' '

inlet and an outlet and conduits therebetween for con

2,887,7l4 5/1959 Hanson ............................... .. 15/340

ducting air_emrained debris from the pickup head into

3,212,222 5/
:{oung ----- - - ' '
3,832,771 3/1374 williirgiseta'

the hopper and conducting air from the hopper to the

~ ' ' ~ " 15/1

""" 510x

pickup head, and a centrifugal separator within the

3,886,624 6/1975 Landesman gt-51.51:. ........ .. 15/340

hopper having an axis disposed generally Parallel to the

4,062,085 12/1977 Duncan ....................... .. 15/340 x

hOPPer fOTE'aft 3X15

4,099,29O

7/1978

Hiszpanski .... ..

.. l5/346X

4,110,864

9/1978 Gunnarson .......................... .. 15/340

l l l l l l'

111.

il l l

32 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures

,4

i.

U S Patent Apr 28,1987

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U. S. Patent Apr. 28, 1987

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4,660,248

4,660,248

curved con?guration and projecting laterally beyond its

associated lower side wall portion, and the centrifugal
?ltering means is at least in part de?ned by the latter
noted curved upper side wall portion.

PICKUP TRUCK MOUNTED SWEEPER

Tymco, the assignee of the subject matter of this

disclosure is the recognized leader and originator of
REGENERATIVE AIR TM sweepers since the mid

A further object of this invention is to provide a

novel sweeper as latter de?ned wherein the centrifugal

1960s. Reference is made to US. Pat. Nos. 3,545,181;

3,512,206 and 3,790,981 for details of such REGENER

de?ning a centrifugal chamber, an air inlet at an upper~

?ltering means includes a generally cylindrical wall

ATIVE AIR TM sweepers of Tymco which are rela~

tively heavy-duty, high capacity models designed for

most portion of the cylindrical wall de?ned in part by

the curved side wall portion through which the air

relatively large expanses over which the sweeper is

stream enters from the hopper, and a debris outlet in the

cylindrical wall at generally a lower portion thereof

cleaning airport runways, roadways, and other such

moved. While such REGENERATIVE AIR TM

through which debris departs the centrifugal ?ltering

sweepers are highly ef?cient for sweeping large areas,

the capital investement precludes the ef?cient use
thereof for relatively small areas, such as small parking
lots, parking areas at shopping malls, etc. Such lesser

means and enters the hopper.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a
novel sweeper as aforesaid wherein the pickup head
includes a top wall, front and rear walls and opposite

size surface areas dictate a minimum capital investment

even though this re?ects a proportionate reduction in
overall hopper capacity. However, since a lesser sur
face area is being cleaned a reduction in hopper capac

side walls; the pickup head inlet and outlet being lo

ity is not detrimental but is actually economically desir

able both from the initial capital investment (cost of the
sweeper) and the day-to-day cost of operation, mainte
nance and the like.

cated one each at a removed portion of the intersection

of an associated top and side wall, the ?rst and second

conduits having respective rigid ?rst and second con

duits secured to the pickup head at the outlet and inlet

thereof, respectively, and the ?rst and second rigid

conduits each having an axis disposed at an angle of 60
25 to the horizontal.

In keeping with the foregoing, it is a primary object

With the above and other objects in view that will

of the present invention to provide a novel REGEN

ERATIVE AIR TM sweeper of relatively low

hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be

more clearly understood by reference to the following

detailed description, the appended claims and the sev

volume/capacity for sweeping relatively small parking

lots, parking areas, roads or like surfaces and which is 30 eral views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

particularly adapted to be removably supported upon

IN THE DRAWINGS

the bed of a pickup truck, the sweeper including a

the hopper having a fore-aft axis which coincides with

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a REGENERA

TIVE AIR TM sweeper constructed in accordance

the direction of travel of the pickup truck, a pickup

with this invention, and illustrates the sweeper mounted

head, the pickup head being supported in transverse

upon a bed of an associated pick-up truck.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken gen

hopper into which debris is adapted to be discharged,

relationship to the fore-aft axis of the hopper, the

hopper and pickup head each including an inlet and an

erally along line 22 of FIG. 1, and illustrates details of

a hopper and a pickup head of the sweeper and associ
entrained debris from the pickup head to the hopper and 40 ated conduits establishing a continuous recirculating air
stream ?owing into the hopper through a hopper inlet,
from the hopper outlet to the pickup head inlet, respec
through a debris-separating screen, into a centrifugal
tively, means for generating a continuous recirculating
separator or ?lter whose axis is parallel to the fore-aft
stream of air along a closed path of travel including
axis of the hopper, an outlet from a turbine through a
successively the pickup head, the pickup head outlet,

outlet, ?rst and second conduits for conducting air

the ?rst conduit, the hopper inlet, the hopper outlet, the

45

second conduit, and the pickup inlet, and means for

centrifugally ?ltering the air stream during the travel
thereof between the hopper inlet and the hopper outlet
about an axis disposed generally parallel to the hopper
fore-aft axis.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a
novel sweeper as heretofore described including a re
movable screen between the hopper inlet and the cen

trifugal ?ltering means for separating debris from the air

stream prior to the introduction of the air into the cen

trifugal separating means.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a
novel sweeper wherein the means for generating the
stream of air is a turbine, and the turbine has an axis
which is generally coincident to an axis of the centrifu

gal ?ltering means.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a
novel ?lter of the type heretofore set forth wherein the

hopper includes top and bottom walls, spaced side walls

conduit into the pickup head transversely spanning the

pickup truck and another conduit leading back to the

hopper.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the sweeper of FIGS.
' 1 and 2, and illustrates several of the major components

thereof, including a mechanism for raising and lowering

the pickup head and details of the hopper construction.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of
the sweeper with a top wall of the hopper housing and
the turbine housing removed for clarity, and illustrates
the air ?ow by unnumbered headed arrows from the
pickup head outlet into the hopper, through the screen,

into and through the centrifugal separator, through the

turbine housing and back to the pickup head.
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken gener

ally along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 with an auxiliary engine

for the turbine and other components removed for clar
ity, and illustrates the manner in which the pickup head
is mounted for pivoting movement transversly of the
pickup truck between upper inoperative and lower

therebetween, and front and rear walls; the side walls 65

having upper and lower side wall portions, the lower

operative positions.

side wall portions being in generally upstanding rela

line 66 of FIG. 5, and illustrates details of a mecha

tionship, one of the upper side wall portions being of a

nism for lifting and lowering the pickup head.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along

4,660,248

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the pickup head,

the fore-aft center line plane of the hopper 20 and, of

and illustrates a rigid conduit, a side wall seal and/or

course, also of the pickup truck T and its bed B, as is

de?ector and a vertically adjustable skid associated

therewith.
FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the pickup head taken
generally along line 8-8 of FIG. 7, and illustrates rigid
conduits opening into a chamber of the pickup head
through top and side walls thereof.

most evident from FIG. 2 of the drawings. The ?anges

43, 44 are secured to each other by appropriate bolts.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken gen

erally long line 9-9 of FIG. 8, and illustrates a partition

panel within the pickup head chamber.

Outboardmost portions 45, 46 of the respective top wall

panels 41, 42 are each of a generally semi-cylindrical

con?guration and progressively curve outwardly,

downwardly and inwardly terminating at inwardly

opposing edge portions 47, 48, respectively (FIG. 2).

The edge portions 47, 48 overlie and are bolted to the

uppermost walls 39, 38, respectively, of the side walls

23, 22, respectively. Thus, part of the curved portions

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken generally
45, 46 and the lower end portions 47, 48, respectively,
along line Ill-10 of FIG. 9, and illustrates the manner
thereof form continuations of the side walls 23, 22 and,
in which the conduit opens into the pickup head cham
ber through an outlet opening in the top and end walls 5 of course, the upper portions of the wall portions 45, 46
also form portions of the top walls 41, 42. Thus, though
thereof.
there is no speci?c line of demarcation between the side
FIG. 11 which appears on the sheet of drawing con
walls 22, 23 and the top wall 26, at least a portion of
taining FIG. 1 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view
each of the side walls 22, 23 is in part de?ned by lower
taken generally along line 1111 of FIG. 7, and illus
portions of the curved wall portions or panels 46, 45,
trates the bent or twisted con?guration of the side wall
respectively. The same semi-cylindrical portions 45, 46
de?ector.
have a maximum outboard extent generally correspond
A novel REGENERATIVE AIR TM sweeper con
ing to that of the plane of the outer side panel So (FIG.
structed in accordance with this invention is generally
designated by the reference numeral 10 (FIGS. 1

2) thereby optimizing the total space available between

through 4), and is illustrated mounted upon or within a 25 the side panels So for any particular pickup truck T
with which the sweeper 10 is associated. Forwardmost
bed B (FIG. 2) of a pickup truck T having a conven
edges (unnumbered) of the top wall panels 41, 42 are
tional cab C, outer side walls or panels So (FIGS. 1 and
bolted to an uppermost edge (unnumbered) of the up
2), upper longitudinal edges E thereof, inner side walls
standing rearmost front wall 30, as is most evident from
or panels Si, and wheel wells W (FIG. 2). Normally, the
pickup truck T includes a tailgate, but the unillustrated 30 FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings. The ?anges 43, 44 are
not only secured to each other, but are also received in
tailgate has been removed incident to the positioning of
a notch 49 (FIGS. 2 and 3) formed in the flange of the
the sweeper 10 upon the bed B. The pickup truck T can
front wall 30. Two other front walls or panels 51, 52 of
be most any 1967 or later American-made styleside
somewhat greater than a semi-circular con?guration are
pickup, as, for example, the Ford Ranger for light

sweeping, the Ford F-lSO for medium sweeping, and

the Ford F-250 for heavy sweeping.

bolted to the top wall panels 41, 42, respectively, and to

opposite lateral upstanding edges (unnumbered) of the

front wall 30 and are generally coplanar therewith. The

front walls or panels 51, 52 are provided with respective
air outlet and air inlet openings 53, 54.
lowermost top wall 24 (FIG. 3), an intermediate top 40 The rear wall 31 (FIG. 1) is de?ned by a pair of doors
56, 57 (FIG. 1), each mounted for pivotal opening along
wall 25, and an uppermost and rearmost top wall 26; a
a vertical hinge or pivot 58. A seal or gasket 59 of a
forwardmost front wall 27, an intermediate front wall
semi-circular con?guration is carried by the door 56.
28, and a rearmost front wall 30; and a rear wall 31
The hinge 58 is secured along one side of a rigid rectan
(FIG. 1). The bottom wall 21 of the hopper 20 is of a
gular rear frame 60 formed by an upper rail 61, a lower
generally rectangular con?guration and is of a width
rail 62, a side rail 63, and another side rail 64. Handles 65
and length so as to be accommodated within the bed B
carried by each of the doors 56, 57 secure these doors
of the truck T, as is most evident from FIG. 2 of the
closed in the manner clearly shown in FIG. 4. In addi
drawings.
tion to the doors 56, 57, the rear wall 31 of the hopper
The side walls 22, 23 are each identical, and each
20 is also de?ned by two generally semi-circular rear
includes lower wall portions (unnumbered) de?ned by

The sweeper 10 includes a hopper 20 de?ned by a

bottom wall 21 (FIGS. 2 and 3) which rests upon the
bed or ?oor B, side walls 22, 23, a forwardmost and

identical upwardly diverging walls or panels 32, 33

wall panels 71, 72 longitudinally opposite the panels 51,

(FIG. 2), walls or panels 34, 35 which are in greater

divergent relationship to each other than the walls 32,

52 and two generally rectangular rear wall panels 73, 74

which generally extend between the uppermost walls

33 (FIG. 2), generally parallel walls 36, 37 which are

39, 38, respectively, and the bottom wall 21 (FIG. 1).

upright and normal to the bottom wall 21, and opposing

inwardly directed walls 38, 39. Thus, thelower portion

One purpose of the hopper 20 of the sweeper 10 is, of

course, to collect debris D (FIG. 2) conducted therein

of the side wall 22 is de?ned by the walls 32, 34, 36 and

38 (FIG. 2), while the lower portion of the side wall 23
is de?ned by the walls 33, 35, 37, and 39. The walls 32,

2 and 4) which will be described more fully hereinafter.

However, with the pickup head 80 in its lowermost

after having been picked up by a pickup head 80 (FIGS.

34 and 33, 35 merge with and are welded or otherwise 60

operative position (FIGS. 1 and 2) traversing the pickup

secured to the forwardmost front wall 27 (FIG. 3).

However, the walls 36, 38 and 37, 39 terminate at the

truck T means in the form of a six bladed stainless steel

rotating blade or turbine 90 generates a high pressure

recirculating stream of air along a closed path of travel

including successively the turbine or blower 90, an
wise secured thereto and to the intermediate top wall
65 outlet 91 of a housing 92 of the turbine 90, conduit
25.
means 93 in the form of a ?exible conduit, a rigid inlet
The uppermost top wall 26 is formed of two gener
conduit 94 opening into the pickup head 80, across the
ally identical top wall panels 41, 42, each having respec
pickup head 80, a rigid outlet conduit or pipe 95 of the
tive downwardly directed flanges 43, 44 which lie along

intermediate front wall 28 and are welded or are other

4,660,248

pickup head 80, second conduit means in the form of a

?exible conduit 96, another rigid inlet conduit or pipe

97 bolted to the front wall portion 52, the inlet opening
54 of the latter, the interior of the hopper 20 generally
along the top wall 26 thereof (FIG. 2) and back to the
turbine 90 through means 100 for centrifugally separat

noted. Thus, the only debris which will enter the cen
trifugal separator 100 and/or the turbine 90 is debris of
a size which will pass through the relatively small open
ings of the screen 111, and the latter openings are se
lected so as not to adversely affect the turbine 90 or the
air ?ow created thereby. At any such time as the screen

ing, removing or ?ltering dust and relatively ?ne debris

means 110 becomes undesirably clogged with debris, it

from the debris-entrained air stream prior to the intro

duction thereof once again and continuously into the

can simply be slid partially or entirely outwardly of the

hopper 20, as is generally indicated in FIG. 1, and can
be cleaned and slid back to is operative position. The

turbine 90 through the opening 53.

The housing 92 includes a ?ange 69 (FIGS. 2, 3 and
4) which lies ?ush against and is bolted to the front wall

or panel 51 by a plurality of bolts (not shown). The bolts

pass through openings 79 formed in the ?ange 69 and in
the periphery of the panel 51 adjacent the air inlet open
ing 53. There are six equally spaced openings 79 in the
?ange 69 of the housing 92 and twelve equally spaced
openings 79 in the panel 51. Due to the latter relation
ship, the housing 92 can be rotated clockwise, as viewed

in FIG. 2, from the position illustrated to another posi

tion approximately 20 to the right thereof which posi
tions an outlet 91 of the housing 92 at a more down

screen means 110 is essentially self-cleaning at any time

that the turbine 90 is inoperative since any material
lodged upon the underside of the screen 110 or the

chains 117 will tend simply to drop thereform and accu

mulate upon the bottom wall 21. However, under pro
longed usage of the sweeper 10, cleansing of the screen
means or separator means 110 might be necessary and,

thus, the channels 115, 116 facilitate such action by

allowing the partial or total removal of the screen
means or separating means 110 from the hopper 20

(FIG. 1).
In addition to the screen means 110, a plurality of

generally vertically disposed means 109 in the form of

plastic reeds are secured along and generally depending
FIG. 2. Due to the latter adjustment, the same hopper
20 and housing 92 can be used on vehicles having nar 25 from the wall 30 (FIGS. 2 and 5). The reeds 109 are

wardly directed vertical position than that shown in

rower beds widthwise than the bed B illustrated as

disposed closely adjacent the wall portion 32 (FIG. 2)

measured between the outer side panels So. Similarly, a

and extend therefrom toward but terminate short of the

fore-aft longitudinal center line of the hopper 20. The

like ?ange 69 associated with an inlet conduit 97 is also

reeds 109 thereby form an air-permeable screen and

provided with similar openings 79, as is the front panel
52 to angularly adjust the conduit 97 for narrower vehi 30 with the Wall 27 (FIG. 5) and a portion of the wall
portion 32 (FIG. 2) de?ne a compartment or chamber
cle beds.
Co into which a lower portion of the air stream ?ows in
During the movement of the debris-entrained air
generally counterclockwise direction, as indicated by
stream from the inlet 54 to the outlet 53 (FIG. 4), the
the unnumbered headed arrows so positioned in FIG. 4.
heavier or larger pieces of debris D, such as large pieces
This counterclockwise air ?ow or turbulence draws
of paper, cans, etc., tend simply to drop toward and
some of the debris D into the compartment or chamber
accumulate upon the bottom wall 21. However, in
Co through the open side (unnumbered) of the compart
order to prevent such heavier debris from being drawn
ment Co which is to the right of the reeds 109 in FIG.
into the centrifugal separator 100 means 110 (FIGS. 1
2. Once the debris is directed to the compartment Co,
through 4) in the form of a generally rectangular screen
are provided for separating heavier debris during the air 40 the reeds 109 prevent the same from being removed
therefrom under the same counterclockwise air ?ow
?ow along the top wall 26 of the hopper 20 between the
(FIG. 4). Thus, light or ?ne debris passes through the
inlet 54 and the centrifugal separating means 100. The
screen 111 and into the centrifugal ?lter 100, heavier
screen or separating means 110 includes a screen 111
debris generally falls to the bottom wall 21, and inter
(FIGS. 3 and 4) of suitable mesh supported by a rela

tively rigid rectangular frame 112 having longitudinal

mediate or moderate debris enters into the chamber Co

frame members 113, 114. The distance between the

and is entrapped therein by the reeds 109. In this fash

frame members 113, 114 corresponds generally to the

distance between a pair of channel members 115, 116
which generally extend the entire distance between the

ion, effective air ?ow over extended use of the sweeper

10 is assured.
The turbine 90 is preferably driven by a conventional

auxiliary gasoline or diesel engine 120 (FIG. 4) supplied

uppermost front wall 30 and the rear wall 31 (FIGS. 3
with fuel from a tank 121 with both the engine 120 and
and 4). The channel member 115 is welded or otherwise
a tank 121 being supported upon the top wall 25 in' a
secured to a generally semi-cylindrical wall 101 which
conventional manner. The engine 120 includes an out
extends between the semi-circular front wall portion 51
put shaft 122 carrying a pulley 123 about which is en
and the semi-circular rear wall portion 71 of the hopper
20. The channel member 116 is simply bolted or welded 55 trained a belt 124. The belt 124 is in turn entrained about
a pulley 125 which is keyed to a shaft 126 of the turbine
to the top wall panel 42 of the top wall 26, as is most
90. The shaft 126 is suitably journaled for rotation in
evident from FIG. 2 of the drawings. The screen means
conventional bearings 127 and projects through an
or separating means 110 is thus inclined to the horizon
opening (not shown) of the turbine housing 92. The
tal, as is best shown in FIG. 2, and as heavier or larger
debris is drawn by the turbine 90 from the inlet 54 60 shaft 126 carries a turbine blade 128 and the axis of the
shaft 126 is coincident to the outlet opening 53 of the
toward the outlet 53, it will contact the screen means
hopper 20 (FIG. 4). A manual ignition switch and a
110 of speci?cally the screen 111 thereof and/or any of
a number of chains 117 or like elongated elements sus

manual throttle 130 (FIG. 4) is located adjacent the

pended therefrom. The screen 110 and/or the chains

117 thereby prevent the heavier or larger debris from

engine 120 at a point accessible from the drivers side of

the pickup truck T. When it is desired to generate the
air stream latter described, the throttle is opened, the
ignition switch is closed, the engine 120 is thus started,

being drawn into the centrifugal separator 100, the

outlet 53 and into the turbine 90 which might otherwise
damage or adversely affect the air ?ow heretofore

and the throttle can then be adjusted to create whatever

4,660,248

air blast and/or suction is desired for the particular

sweeping purpose intended by appropriately driving

the turbine blade 128.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 2 and 4 in particular
which disclose the construction of the overall centrifu
gal ?ltering or separating means 100 which includes a

generally cylindrical or toroidal housing de?ned by the

generally semi-cylindrical curved wall portion 45 (FIG.
2) and the generally semi-cylindrical wall portion 101
which includes a lowermost edge 135 and an uppermost

edge portion 136 having a free edge 137. The edge 135
is spaced from the wall portion 47 (FIG. 2) and de?nes

ative phantom outline position through a suitable mech

anism 200 (FIGS. 4, 5 and 6) which will be described
more fully hereinafter. In the uppermost inoperative

position (phantom outline, FIG. 5) the top wall 181 of

the pickup head 80 abuts against the underside of a

generally triangular abutment bracket 190 adjustably

supported along a vertical channel iron 191 bolted to
each of the frame members F. Only one of the abutment
brackets 190 and its associated channel iron 191 is
shown in FIG. 5, but there are two such brackets and
channel irons, one associated with each frame member
F. The abutment brackets 190 afford stability to the

therewith an outlet 140 through which dust or light

debris can exit the interior of the centrifugal separator
100 past a rubber baf?e or ?ap 141 which runs the

pickup head in its inoperative uppermost position dur

length of the opening 140 between the wall panels 51,

a rear wall 194, identical side walls 195, 196 and an

71. The ?ap 141 is conventionally secured to the wall

101 and assures that the debris passing the opening or
outlet 140 is directed immediately downwardly toward
the bottom wall 21 so that it is not recaptured by the
upper air stream adjacent the top wall 26 and recircu
lated through the centrifugal separator 100. Thus, the
?ap 141 in the open position (phantom outline in FIG.

intermediate partition wall 197 (FIG. 8) positioned be

The edge portion 136 de?nes with the wall portion 45

a progressively cicumferentially converging or tapering

and 3,545,181. These seals de?ect to permit mate

rial/ debris to enter into the pickup head 80, and speci?
cally between the walls 194, 197, to be blown there
along by the high velocity air stream to and through the
rigid conduit 95 and subsequently into the hopper 20

ing travel of the truck T.

The pickup head 80 further includes a front wall 193,

tween the walls 193, 194. The partition wall 196 and the
rear wall 194 de?ne a converging path of travel for the
air stream from the inlet conduit 94 toward the outlet
conduit 95, as is indicated by the unnumbered headed
arrows in FIG. 8. The walls 193, 194 and 197 have
lowermost edges (unnumbered) which are normally
elevated above the ground surface and projecting
2) assures that debris once separated will not be intro
duced into the air stream, but instead will be directed to 25 below these edges are a plurality of seals (unnumbered)
of the type shown in Young US. Pat. Nos. 3,512,206
the debris D upon the bottom wall 21 of the hopper 20.

inlet opening 144 into which dust or debris-entrained air

is drawn into the centrifugal separator 100 by the tur
bine 90. The inlet 144 not only tapers or converges

circumferentially (FIG. 2), but the size of the opening

144 varies lengthwise of the walls 45, 101 because the
edge 137 extends at an angle from a 12 oclock position
145 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) adjacent the semicircular rear
wall portion 71 to a 3 oclock position 146 adjacent the
semi-circular wall 51. By virtue of this con?guration of
the edge 137, the inlet 144 as de?ned between the wall

over the ?ow path heretofore de?ned.

The side walls 195, 196 differ, however, from those

disclosed in the latter~noted Young patents and refer

ence is particularly made to FIGS. 7, 9 and 10 wherein

like reference numerals have been applied to the side

walls 195, 196 to identify identical structure thereof.
Each of the side walls 195, 196 includes a side plate 201
welded to the top plate 181 and to the ends of the front
portions 136, 45 is greater adjacent the generally semi
cylindrical wall panel 51 than adjacent the semi-circular 40 and rear walls 193, 194, respectively. The side plate 201
has a lower edge 202 and a plurality of openings (un
rear wall portion 71. Stated another way, the overall
numbered) through which project bolts 203 having
size of the inlet 144 is greater adjacent the wall panel 71
heads 204. Each side plate 201 also includes an opening
than adjacent the wall panel 51 and this draws the air
205 which in conjunction with an opening 206 (FIG. 10)
generally uniformly from the inlet opening 54 across
and through the screen means 110 and into the centrifu 45 of the top wall 181 de?ne an inlet/outlet of the pickup
head 80 adjacent the respective conduits 94, 95. Thus,
gal separator means 100, as is indicated by the unnum
each outlet 205, 206 is essentially de?ned by metal re
bered headed arrows associated therewith in FIG. 4.
moved at the corners of each of the side plates 201 and
Thus, the debris-entrained air is uniformly drawn
the associated top wall 181. It is at these outlets 205, 206
through the entirety of the screen 111 which results in a
that the rigid conduits 94, 95 are welded at an angle of
greater ef?ciency thereof in the absence of localized
approximately 60 to the horizontal (FIG. 10) which
debris-blockage. Thus, the inlet 144 functions to create
provides a smooth transition for the air ?ow down
a generally uniform air ?ow into the centrifugal separa
wardly into the pickup head 80 through the conduit 94
tor 100 over its entire axial length thus increasing the
and outwardly of the pickup head 80 through the con
overall ef?ciency of not simply the separating means or
duit 95.
screen means 110, but also the through-put or force of

The ?ve bolts 203 pass through openings (not shown)

the air stream.

Reference is now made particularly to FIGS. 5

in a side plate seal or de?ector 210 formed of a elasto

through 10 of the drawings in which the pickup head 80

meric material which is positioned along the inside

surface of each of the side plates 201. Each de?ector 210

is best illustrated and includes a top wall 181 carrying

identical brackets 184, 185, each having a plurality of 60 includes a front portion 199 (FIG. 11), a rear portion

openings (unnumbered) for receiving pivot pins (also

209 and a tongue portion or tongue 211 therebetween.

unnumbered) for securing suspension links 182, 183,

A forwardmost edge (unnumbered) of the front portion

respectively, thereto. The links 182, 183 are in turn

199 is disposed in a vertical plane, as is an upper portion

pivotally connected by pivot pins (unnumbered) to

(unnumbered) of the front portion 199 above the bolts

brackets 186, 187 which are in turn connected to frame 65 203 (FIG. 7). However, the tongue portion 211 (FIGS.

members F of the pickup truck T. The links 182, 183

permit the pickup head 80 to be moved between the

operative solid outline position (FIG. 5) and the inoper

9 through 11) is bent into an associated conduit 94, 95

and is fastened thereto by three nuts and bolts collec
tively identi?ed by the reference numeral 212. Because

4,660,248

of the latter bend or twist and the nuts and bolts 212

holding the tongue portion 211 against the inclined

surface (unnumbered) of the conduits 94, 95, a lower
edge 213 of each de?ector 210 is progressively twisted
or bent from a vertical plane into the plane of the
tongue portion 211 and the rear portion 209 which

10

arm 248 is pivoted at 249 to the bracket 230 and carries

a guide roller 246. The cable 220 is entrained about the

rollers 241 through 246 in the manner clearly illustrated

in FIG. 6. When the handle 248 is in the solid outline

position or to the right in FIG. 6, the pickup head 80 is

in its lowermost position. However, if the handle 248 is

de?ne an angle of approximately 45 to the horizontal.

pivoted from the solid outline position in FIG. 6 toward

The purpose of the twist in each de?ector or seal 210 is

the phantom outline position in this same ?gure, the

to provide a gradual transition for relatively large de

roller 246 is moved about an arc de?ned by the pivot

bris, such as rocks, bottles, soda cans, beer cans or the

249 and eventually reaches the phantom outline position

like, particularly at the outlet conduit 95. Such heavier

debris will be blown against and/or contact the lower
portion 213 anywhere along and between the front and
rear portions 199, 209, respectively, and will be progres

in FIG. 6 during which movement the cable 220 is

sively and gradually guided upwardly toward and

along the tongue portion 211 and into the conduit 95 for
subsequent discharge. Thus, the twisted or bent de?ec
tors 210 effect a gradual transition of heavier debris

from the generally horizontal surface being swept

through the 45 transition and beyond to the generally
vertical for subsequent introduction into the hopper 20.
In the absence of the twisted or bent construction of the

de?ector 210, such large debris would simply lodge

retracted to lift the pickup head 80 to its inoperative or

uppermost position. Obviously, the handle 248 can be
locked in either of the two positions shown in FIG. 6 in
a conventional manner.

OPERATION
When it is desired to sweep a surface, an operator

merely starts the engine 120 through the controls 130,

20 including the associated starter switch, starter motor

and throttle, at which point the blower turbine 90 cre

ates the air stream heretofore de?ned and indicated by
the unnumbered headed arrows in FIGS. 2 and 4. The
operator then grasps the handle 248 and moves the same

against the associated side plates 201 and/or eventually

escape beyond the rear wall 194 of the pickup head 80. 25 from the phantom outline position (FIG. 6) to the solid
The lower edge 213 of the side seal or de?ector 210
position (shown in the same ?gure) to lower the pickup
4 is also closely adjacent the surface being swept. Thus,
head 80 to a position determined by the engagement of
air being blown along the walls 194, 197 (FIG. 8)
the skids 215 at each of the side walls 195, 196 with the
toward the seal 210 at the conduit 95 is directed from a

generally horizontal plane smoothly through the 45

transition and outwardly of the conduit 95. Thus, while
the twisted portion of the de?ector 210 creates a grad

surface which is to be swept. The screen means 110 is,

of course, totally within the hopper 20 and the doors 56,
57 are closed. The seal 59 on the door 56 closes the

rearmost end of the centrifugal separator 100, as was

heretofore described. The air stream is thus established
195, 196 to assure minimum air loss and to maintain 35 over the flow path heretofore described and, once
again, is indicated by unnumbered headed arrows in
maximum air flow.
FIGS. 2 and 4, after which the operator merely pro
In order to assure that the lower edges 213 and the
ceeds to drive the truck T along the surface which is to
side seals or de?ectors 210 are positioned as desired

ual transition for large debris, the de?ector 210 also

seals the escape of air endwise beyond the side walls

be swept. The debris which enters the pickup head 80 is

relative to the surface being swept, each of the side
blown
by the air stream shown in FIG. 8 into the outlet
40
walls 195, 196 is provided with a skid or skid plate 215
conduit 95, into the ?exible conduit 96 (FIG. 2) and,
having a rolled lower edge (unnumbered) to which is
thence, into the hopper 20. The heavier debris D simply
bolted a skid bar 209 of wear-resistant material. The
drops to the bottom wall 21 of the hopper 20. The de
skid bar 209 engages and rides along the surface being
bris which is separated or entrained by the screen means
swept when the pickup head 80 is in its lowermost posi
tion. Each skid 215 has a plurality of vertical slots 217 45 110 and/or the chains 117 associated therewith also
tends to drop to the bottom wall 21. The dust-entrained
receiving the bolts 203. Nuts 218 are applied to the bolts
or lighter debris-entrained air then enters the centrifu
203 and tightened to maintain the skid 215 in any de
gal ?ltering means or separator 100 through the inlet
sired position of vertical adjustment to thereby locate
144 thereof. The circulation of the dust-entrained air
the edge 213 of the side plate seals or deflectors 210 as
results in the centrifugal separation of the dust and light
desired.
debris which exits through the opening 140 heretofore
The mechanism 200 for moving the pickup head 80
noted with the cleaner air then simply recirculating
between the operative and inoperative positions (FIGS.
back to the pickup head 80 through the housing 92, the
5 and 6) includes a cable 220 having one end 221 con
conduit 91, the ?exible conduit 93 and the rigid inlet
nected to one of a plurality of openings in a bracket 222
welded to the top wall 181 of the pick-up head 80. An 55 conduit 94. It will be particularly noted from FIG. 2
opposite end 223 of the cable 220 is connected to a
turnbuckle 224 which is in turn connected to one of a

plurality of openings in another bracket 225 welded to

the top plate 181 of the pickup head 80.
A pair of brackets 230, 231 (FIGS. 3, 5 and 6) are
supported in a track 232 (FIG. 3) which is in turn bolted
to the top wall 25 of the hopper 20. The brackets 230,
231 can be slid in the track or channel 232 toward or

that the 60 axial inclination of the conduits 94, 95 cre

ate a relatively smooth transition zone for the entry and
exit of the air stream relative to the pickup head 80 via

the conduits 93, 96, respectively. In this fashion, the

relatively simple but economical construction of the
sweeper 10 permits it to be readily accommodated upon
a smaller and less expensive pickup truck T with atten

dant high ef?ciency performance and low initial capital

expenditure and continuing maintenance cost.

away from each other and locked in any position by
Although in a preferred embodiment of the invention
appropriate nuts and bolts (not shown) to accommodate 65
as has been speci?cally illustrated and described herein,
vehicles which have beds B of different widths. The
it is to be understood that minor variations may be made
bracket 231 carries guide rollers 241, 242, while the
in the apparatus without departing from the spirit and
bracket 230 carries guide rollers 243 through 245. An

11

4,660,248

scope of the invention, as de?ned in the appended

claims.
What is claimed is:
1. A sweeper for roads, parking lots or like surfaces
which is particularly adapted to be mounted upon a bed
of a mobile vehicle comprising means for de?ning a

hopper into which debris is adapted to be discharged,

12

said cylindrical wall through which the air stream en

ters from the hopper, an air outlet for conducting the air
stream from said centrifugal chamber to said air stream
generating means, and a debris outlet in said cylindrical

wall through which debris centrifugally removed from

the air stream enters into said hopper.
8. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 6 including means

between said hopper inlet and said centrifugal removing

means for separating debris from the air stream, and
pair of spaced side walls each having upper and lower
side wall portions, a fore-aft axis disposed generally in 10 means for allowing removal of said separating means at
least partially from said hopper.
transverse relationship to said front and rear walls to
said hopper having spaced front and rear walls and a

thereby coincide with the direction of travel of said

associated mobile vehicle, a pick-up head, means for
supporting said pick-up head from said associated mo
bile vehicle in transverse relationship to the fore-aft axis

of said hopper, said hopper and pick-up head each in

9. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 6 including screen

means between said hopper inlet and said centrifugal

removing means and in the path of said air stream for

separating debris therefrom prior to the air entering said

centrifugal removing means.

tween said pick~up head outlet and said hopper inlet for

10. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 6 including

screen means between said hopper inlet and said centrif

conducting air-entrained debris from said pick-up head

ugal removing means and in the path of said air stream

cluding an inlet and an outlet, ?rst conduit means be

into said hopper, second conduit means between said 20 for separating debris therefrom prior to the air entering
said centrifugal removing means, and means for remov
hopper outlet and said pick-up head inlet for conducting
ing said screen means at least partially from said hopper.
air from said hopper to said pick-up head, means for
11. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 1 wherein said air
generating a continuous recirculating stream of air
stream generating means includes a rotating blade, and
along a closed path of travel including successively said
pick-up head, said pick-up head outlet, said ?rst conduit 25 said rotating blade has an axis which is generally coinci
dent to said axis of said centrifugal removing means.
means, said hopper inlet, said hopper, said hopper out
12. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 11 wherein said
let, said second conduit means, and said pick-up head

inlet, means for centrifugally removing debris from the

centrifugal removing means includes a generally cylin

air stream during the travel thereof between said

hopper inlet and said hopper outlet about an axis dis

hopper including a longitudinal center line between said

side walls and generally parallel to said fore-aft axis,

drical wall de?ning a centrifugal chamber, an air inlet in

said cylindrical wall through which the air stream en
ters from the hopper, an air outlet for conducting the air
stream from said centrifugal chamber to said air stream
generating means, and a debris outlet in said cylindrical

said centrifugal removing means being disposed adja

wall through which debris centrifugally removed from

posed generally parallel to said hopper fore-aft axis, said

cent one of said side walls and remote from the 35 the air stream enters into said hopper.
13. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 11 including
other of said side walls, the axis of said centrifugal re

moving means being in transversely spaced relationship

to said hopper longitudinal center line, said hopper inlet
and hopper outlet being on opposite sides of said hopper
longitudinal centerline adjacent respective ones of said
side walls, and said inlet being on the side of said center
line opposite said centrifugal removing means to en

hance separation from the airstream of larger particles

of debris.
2. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 1 including means 45

between said hopper inlet and said centrifugal removing

means for separating debris from the air stream.
3. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 2 wherein said air
stream generating means includes a rotating blade, and
said rotating blade has an axis which is generally coinci
dent to an axis of said centrifugal removing means.
4. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 2 wherein said

means between said hopper inlet and said centrifugal

removing means for separating debris from the air
stream, and means for allowing removal of said separat
ing means at least partially from said hopper.
14. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 11 including
screen means between said hopper inlet and said centrif

ugal removing means and in the path of said air stream

for separating debris therefrom prior to the air entering
said centrifugal removing means.
15. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 11 including
screen means between said hopper inlet and said centrif

ugal removing means and in the path of said air stream

for separating debris therefrom prior to the air entering
said centrifugal removing means, and means for allow
ing removal of said screen means at least partially from

said hopper.

16. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 1 wherein said

hopper inlet and outlet have parallel axes.
drical wall de?ning a centrifugal chamber, an air inlet in
17. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 1 including means
said cylindrical wall through which the air stream en 55
for moving said pick-up head between upper inopera
ters from the hopper, an air outlet for conducting the air
tive and lower operative positions, and means for stabi
stream from said centrifugal chamber to said air stream
lizing said pick-up head in said upper inoperative posi
generating means, and a debris outlet in said cylindrical
tion.
wall through which debris centrifugally removed from
18. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 1 wherein said
60
the air stream enters into said hopper.
hopper includes top and bottom walls; and said rear
5. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 1 wherein said air
wall includes a pair of doors.
stream generating means includes a rotating blade.
19. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 1 wherein said
6. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 1 wherein said air
hopper includes top and bottom walls; said rear wall
stream generating means at least in part de?ned by a
65 includes a pair of doors, and means for pivoting at least
rotating blade.
one of said doors about a generally vertical axis.
7. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 6 wherein said
20. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 1 including an
centrifugal removing means includes a generally cylin
internal combustion engine having an output drive
drical wall de?ning a centrifugal chamber, an air inlet in

centrifugal removing means includes a generally cylin

4,660,248

13

shaft, means for connecting said output drive shaft to

said air stream generating means, means for throttling
said internal combustion engine, and means adjacent
said throttling means for moving said pick-up head

between upper inoperative and lower operative posi

tions.

21. A sweeper for roads, parking lots or like surfaces

which is particularly adapted to be mounted upon a bed
of a mobile vehicle comprising means for de?ning a

hopper into which debris is adapted to be discharged,

said hopper having a fore-aft axis to coincide to the
direction of travel of said associated mobile vehicle, a

pick-up head, means for supporting said pick-up head

from said associated mobile vehicle in transverse rela

tionship to the fore-aft axis of said hopper, said hopper

and pick-up head each including an inlet and an outlet,
?rst conduit means between said pick-up head outlet

and said hopper inlet for conducting air-entrained de

14

the intersection of an associated top and side wall, said

?rst and second conduits having respective rigid ?rst

and second conduits secured to said pick-up head at the
outlet and inlet thereof respectively, and said ?rst and
second rigid conduits each having an axis disposed at an

angle of generally 60 degrees to the horizontal.

27. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 1 wherein said
pick-up head includes a top wall, front and rear walls

and opposite side walls, a side plate disposed in gener

ally face-to-face relationship with each side wall, and
means for vertically selectively adjusting each side plate
relative to its assocaited side wall.
28. A sweeper for roads, parking lots or like surfaces
which is particularly adapted to be mounted upon a bed
of a mobile vehicle comprising means for de?ning a

hopper into which debris is adapted to be discharged,

said hopper having a fore-aft axis to coincide to the
direction of travel of said associated mobile vehicle, a

pick-up head, means for supporting said pick-up head

bris from said pick-up head into said hopper, second
conduit means between said hopper outlet and said 20 from said associated mobile vehicle in transverse rela

pick-up head inlet for conducting air from said hopper

tionship to the fore-aft axis of said hopper, said hopper

to said pick-up head, means for generating a continuous

recirculating stream of air along a closed path of travel

and pick-up head each including an inlet and an outlet,

?rst conduit means between said pick-up head outlet
and said hopper inlet for conducting air-entrained de

including successively said pick-up head, said pick-up

head outlet, said ?rst conduit means, said hopper inlet, 25 bris from said pick-up head into said hopper, second
conduit means between said hopper outlet and said
said hopper, said hopper outlet, said second conduit
pick-up head inlet for conducting air from said hopper
means, and said pick-up head inlet, means for centrifu
to said pick-up head, means for generating a continuous
gally removing debris from the air stream during the
recirculating stream of air along a closed path of travel
travel thereof between said hopper inlet and said
hopper outlet about an axis disposed generally parallel 30 including successively said pick-up head, said pick-up
head outlet, said ?rst conduit means, said hopper inlet,
to said hopper fore-aft axis, said hopper being de?ned at
said hopper, said hopper outlet, said second conduit
least in part by a pair of side walls having upper and
means, and said pick-up head inlet, means for centrifu
lower side wall portions, said lower side wall portions
gally removing debris from the air stream during the
being in generally upstanding relationship, one of said
upper side wall portions being of a curved con?guration 35 travel thereof between said hopper inlet and said
hopper outlet about an axis disposed generally parallel
and projecting laterally beyond its associated lower side
to said hopper fore-aft axis, means between said hopper
wall portion, and said centrifugal removing means
inlet and said centrifugal removing means for separating
being at least in part de?ned by said curved upper side
debris from the air stream, said hopper being de?ned at
wall portion.
least in part by a pair of side- walls having upper and
22. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 1 wherein said
lower side wall portions, said lower side wall portions
centrifugal removing means includes a generally cylin
being in generally upstanding relationship, one of said
drical wall de?ning a centrifugal chamber, an air inlet in
upper side wall portions being of a curved con?guration
said cylindrical wall through which the air stream en
and projecting laterally beyond its associated lower side
ters from the hopper, an air outlet for conducting the air
stream from said centrifugal chamber to said air stream 45 wall portion, and said centrifugal removing means
being at least in part de?ned by said curved upper side
generating means, and a debris outlet in said cylindrical
wall portion.
wall through which debris centrifugally removed from
the air stream enters into said hopper.
23. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 1 including means

29. A sweeper for roads, parking lots or like surfaces

which is particularly adapted to be mounted upon a bed

between said hopper inlet and said centrifugal removing

of a mobile vehicle comprising means for de?ning a

means for separating debris from the air stream, and

means for allowing removal of said separating means at

hopper into which debris is adapted to be discharged,

least partially from said hopper.

24. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 1 including

said hopper having a fore-aft axis to coincide to the

direction of travel of said associated mobile vehicle, a

pick-up head, means for supporting said pick-up head

screen means between said hopper inlet and said centrif 55 from said associated mobile vehicle in transverse rela

ugal removing means and in the path of said air stream

tionship to the fore-aft axis of said hopper, said hopper

for separating debris therefrom prior to the air entering

said centrifugal removing means.

and pick-up head each including an inlet and an outlet,

?rst conduit means between said pick-up head outlet

25. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 1 including

screen means between said hopper inlet and said centrif
ugal removing means and in the path of said air stream

and said hopper inlet for conducting air-entrained de

bris from said pick-up head into said hopper, second

for separating debris therefrom prior to the air entering

pick-up head inlet for conducting air from said hopper

conduit means between said hopper outlet and said

to said pick-up head, means for generating a continuous

said centrifugal removing means, and means for remov
recirculating stream of air along a closed path of travel
ing said screen means at least partially from said hopper.
26. The sweeper as de?ned in claim 1 wherein said 65 including successively said pick-up head, said pick-up
head outlet, said ?rst conduit means, said hopper inlet,
pick-up head includes a top wall, front and rear walls

and opposite side walls; said pick-up head inlet and

said hopper, said hopper outlet, said second conduit

outlet being located one each at a removed portion of

means, and said pick-up head inlet, means for centrifu

15

4,660,248

and said hopper inlet for conducting air-entrained de

bris from said pick-up'head into said hopper, second
conduit means between said hopper outlet and said

pick-up head inlet for conducting air from said hopper

to said pick-up head, means for generating a continuous
recirculating stream of air along a closed path of travel

said lower side wall portions being in generally upstand

ing relationship, one of said upper side wall portions
being of a curved con?guration and projecting laterally
beyond its associated lower side wall portion, and said
centrifugal removing means being at least in part de
?ned by said curved upper side wall portion.

16

and pick-up head each including an inlet and an outlet,

?rst conduit means between said pick-up head outlet

gally removing debris from the air stream during the

travel thereof between said hopper inlet and said
hopper outlet about an axis disposed generally parallel
to said hopper fore-aft axis, said air stream generating
means being at least in part de?ned by a rotary blade,
said hopper being de?ned at least in part by a pair of
side walls having upper and lower side wall portions,

including successively said pick-up head, said pick-up

O

head outlet, said ?rst conduit means, said hopper inlet,

said hopper, said hopper outlet, said second conduit
means, and said pick-up head inlet, means for centrifu

gally removing debris from the air stream during the

travel thereof between said hopper inlet and said

30. A sweeper for roads, parking lots or like surfaces
which is particularly adapted to be mounted upon a bed 5 hopper outlet about an axis disposed generally parallel

to said hopper fore-aft axis, said hopper being de?ned at

least in part by a pair of side walls having upper and
lower side wall portions, said lower side wall portions
said hopper having a fore-aft axis to coincide to the
being in generally upstanding relationship, at least one
direction of travel of said associated mobile vehicle, a
pick-up head, means for supporting said pick-up head 20 of said upper side wall portions being of a curved con
?guration, and said centrifugal removing means being at
from said associated mobile vehicle in transverse rela
least in part de?ned by said curved upper side wall
tionship to the fore-aft axis of said hopper, said hopper
portion.
and pick-up head each including an inlet and an outlet,
32. A sweeper for roads, parking lots or like surfaces
?rst conduit means between said pick-up head outlet
which is particularly adapted to be mounted upon a bed
and said hopper inlet for conducting air-entrained de
of a mobile vehicle comprising means for de?ning a
bris from said pick-up head into said hopper, second
hopper into which debris is adapted to be discharged,
conduit means between said hopper outlet and said
said hopper having a fore-aft axis to coincide to the
pick-up head inlet for conducting air from said hopper
direction of travel of said associated mobile vehicle, a
to said pick-up head, means for generating a continuous
pick-up head, means for supporting said pick-up head
recirculating stream of air along a closed path of travel

of a mobile vehicle comprising means for de?ning a

hopper into which debris is adapted to be discharged,

including successively said pick-up head, said pick-up

from said associated mobile vehicle in transverse rela

head outlet, said ?rst conduit means, said hopper inlet,

to said hopper fore-aft axis, said air stream generating

tionship to the fore-aft axis of said hopper, said hopper

and pick-up head each including an inlet and an outlet,
?rst conduit means between said pick-up head outlet
and said hopper inlet for conducting air-entrained de
bris from said pick-up head into said hopper, second
conduit means between said hopper outlet and said
pick-up head inlet for conducting air from said hopper

means includes a rotary blade, said rotating blade hav

to said pick-up head, means for generating a continuous

ing an axis which is generally coincident to said axis of

recirculating stream of air along a closed path of travel

said hopper, said hopper outlet, said second conduit

means, and said pick-up head inlet, means for centrifu

gally removing debris from the air stream during the

travel thereof between said hopper inlet and said
hopper outlet about an axis disposed generally parallel

said centrifugal removing means, said hopper being

including successively said pick-up head, said pick-up

de?ned at least in part by a pair of side walls having

upper and lower side wall portions, said lower side wall

head outlet, said ?rst conduit means, said hopper inlet,

said hopper, said hopper outlet, said second conduit

means, and said pick-up head inlet, means for centrifu

of said upper side wall portions being of a curved con 45 gally removing debris from the air stream during the
travel thereof between said hopper inlet and said
?guration and projecting laterally beyond its associated

portions being in generally upstanding relationship, one

lower side wall portion, and said centrifugal removing

hopper outlet about an axis disposed generally parallel

means being at least in part de?ned by said curved

to said hopper fore-aft axis, means between said hopper

inlet and said centrifugal removing means for separating
debris from the air stream, said hopper being de?ned at
least in part by a pair of side walls having upper and
lower side wall portions, said lower side wall portions
being in generally upstanding relationship, at least one
of said upper side wall portions being of a curved con
?guration, and said centrifugal removing means being at
least in part de?ned by said curved upper side wall

upper side wall portion.

31. A swe'eper for roads, parking lots or like surfaces
which is particularly adapted to be mounted upon a bed
of a mobile vehicle comprising means for de?ning a

hopper into which debris is adapted to be discharged,

said hopper having a fore-aft axis to coincide to the
direction of travel of said associated mobile vehicle, a

pick-up head, means for supporting said pick-up head

portion.

from said associated mobile vehicle in transverse rela

tionship to the fore-aft axis of said hopper, said hopper

65

Ill