GB2369386A

GB2369386A - Ground sweeping rotary brush and bucket assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2369386A
Application number: GB0127584A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dennis Frederick Lee; John Wingfield Todd; Christopher James Wilson
Original assignee: Gurney Reeve & Co Ltd
Current assignee: Gurney Reeve & Co Ltd
Priority date: 2000-11-24
Filing date: 2001-11-19
Publication date: 2002-05-29
Anticipated expiration: 2021-11-19
Also published as: GB0127584D0; GB2369386B; GB0028656D0

Abstract

The assembly includes a bucket 10 with a wall provided across a lower region of its open face which forms a barrier that prevents debris and liquid material that has been deposited in the bucket from falling therefrom, with the brush 46 being rotated about an axis parallel to and spaced from the wall so that debris and liquid picked up by the brush is flung over the wall. An inclined surface is preferably provided ahead of the wall to deflect material with a low trajectory into a steeper path so that it clears the wall while a cover provided over the brush acts to deflect material downwards and into the bucket. Preferably the brush rotates so that it is moving away from the bucket at the point where it touches the ground so that it carries material away from the bucket and then, in conjunction with the cover, up and over such that the material is then thrown from the brush back in to the bucket, preferably with the aid of a striker bar which engages the bristles of the brush as it rotates. The wall is preferably 10-20 centimetres high, has a lip inclined back towards the brush, is moveable relative to the bucket so as to enable the bucket to be emptied and may be adjustably secured to a sub-frame that is in turn connected to a main frame that is secured to the bucket. The system may include supports such as skids or castor wheels that help support the main frame at a set height off the ground and secondary supports used to hold the brush off the ground when the assembly is disconnected from e.g. a tractor.

Description

Title: Improved bucket attachment Field of invention This invention concerns powered rotary brushes adapted to be mounted in front of a bucket carried by a tractor or similar vehicle, for sweeping and collecting liquids and solids from a surface such as a car park, workshop or factory floor, and especially floors of agricultural buildings, livestock yards, barns and stabling.

Background to the invention It is known to mount a rotary brush in front of the bucket opening and to rotate the brush so that the bristles travel towards the bucket after engaging the surface which is being swept, and away from the bucket opening after the sweeping action has thrown material picked up by the brush into the bucket. In such an arrangement the bucket opening must be unobstructed down to the surface being swept and the lower edge of the bucket clearly should remain in contact with the surface during the sweeping thereof.

Although the bucket is typically mounted on the front forks of a tractor or the forward facing arm of a loader, with the open face of the bucket facing forwards, the arrangement does not lend itself to being driven in a forward sense unless the surface is very smooth and flat (which is rare in practice). This arises from the need for the lower front edge of the bucket to be in contact with the surface if the brushing action is not to push material under, instead of into, the bucket. Consequently more often than not the driver has to operate the combination in reverse so that the bucket is dragged backwards over the surface and the brush effectively follows the bucket, brushing material backwards into the open face of the bucket.

This has entailed dragging the bucket over the very material which is to be brushed into the bucket, with risk of damage to the underside of the bucket by abrasion.

If mounted on the rear forks of a tractor the same procedure has to be adopted, with the bucket opening facing rearwardly, and the tractor having to be driven forwards.

In either event, the driver has to face away from the bucket to see where he is going, so he is less able to be in control of the brushing operation, and the whole of the vehicle is ahead of the bucket and brush, so that it is difficult to brush up to walls and other objects without a lot of manoeuvring.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved rotary brush attachment for a conventionally mounted bucket which does not require the vehicle mounting the bucket to be driven backwards when brushing, nor require the bucket to be in contact with the surface being swept, and which will allow any given bucket to be filled to a greater amount before it has to be emptied, than hitherto.

Summary of the invention According to one aspect of the present invention in a combination of a rotary brush and bucket for brushing debris and liquids from a generally flat surface, a wall is provided across a lower region of the open face of the bucket to form a barrier which prevents debris and liquid material thrown into the bucket from falling or flowing therefrom and the brush is rotated about an axis parallel to and spaced from the wall so that debris and liquid picked up by the brush is flung into the bucket over the wall.

Brushing the material over the wall can be achieved by rotating the brush in a conventional way so that the bristles are rotating towards the bucket as they disengage from the surface being brushed, and spacing the brush sufficiently in advance of the wall that the trajectory of material leaving the brush will pass over the wall into the bucket.

In such an arrangement an inclined surface may be provided ahead of the wall to deflect material where the trajectory is too shallow, into a steeper path to clear the wall.

In addition or alternatively a cover may be provided over the brush extending towards the wall, which likewise presents an angled surface to material thrown off the brush, to deflect it in a generally downward and rearward manner over the wall into the bucket.

More preferably the brush is mounted relatively closer to the wall and is rotated in an opposite sense, so that material picked up by the bristles will be flung forward rather than rearward, and a curved cover is provided over the brush to contain this material and keep it clinging to the brush bristles (or return it to the bristles) so that it is carried round with the brush, the cover terminating in front of and above the wall so that once unconstrained by the cover, the loose material will leave in a direction to enter the bucket over the top edge of the wall.

A striker bar or rod may be provided which is engaged by the bristles as the brush rotates, causing the bristles to bend and then spring back into their usual radial configuration, between leaving the cover and before engaging the surface again, so that the bristles are cleaned and any material still clinging to them after leaving the cover, is separated by the flexing of the bristles, preferably at a point in the rotation of the brush, where the direction of movement of detaching material will tend to carry it into the bucket.

It is an advantage of this aspect of the invention that whilst the brush bristles must of course remain in contact with the surface being brushed, it is no longer necessary for the underside of the bucket to remain in contact with the surface, since there is no tendency for material picked up by the brush to be projected under the bucket (as can happen when the brush is rotating in the opposite sense and debris is projected from between the bristles and the surface).

This means that instead of having to drag the bucket backwards, to prevent the lower edge of the open face of the bucket from gouging into the surface, or riding up and over debris (as can happen), the vehicle carrying the bucket can be driven in a forward sense while brushing. This assists the operator since he/she is now facing in the direction of movement and can keep an eye on the brush, and also enables the brush to be manoeuvred up to a wall, square to it, instead of having to brush up to a wall by moving the vehicle and bucketlbrush assembly parallel, and very close to, the wall.

Typically the wall can be 10-20cm high, or more, so that the depth of material in the bucket can rise to that height before there is any tendency for the material to slide or otherwise migrate in a forward sense out of the bucket, when the vehicle stops, as can readily happen if the material has a high liquid content-e. g. is a slurry.

According to another aspect of the invention the wall comprises a plate which is removable from the bucket, to leave the bucket opening unimpeded, for emptying purposes.

In a preferred arrangement the plate is attached to a sub-frame which is movable relative to the bucket to shift the plate clear of the opening.

Typically the brush is mounted within a main frame which is hinged to the bucket, typically to an upper transversely extending wall thereof close to the upper edge of the bucket opening, and when the bucket is elevated and released so as to swing freely under gravity or be rotated (in known manner) so as to face downwardly, to empty its contents.

The plate may be removed after the bucket has been elevated and before it rotates, or while the bucket is rotated for emptying.

Alternatively and preferably the baffle is carried by a sub-frame which extends from the main brush carrying frame so as to be positioned by the sub-frame into generally sealing engagement with the lower edge (and side walls) of the open face of the bucket, when the brush carrying frame is positioned in front of the bucket opening, with the brush in a position to effect sweeping.

The sub-frame may be pivotally joined to the main frame.

In any event, it is preferably adjustable in position relative to the main frame and/or the main frame is adjustable in relation to the bucket so as to position the plate correctly to close off the lower region of the opening in the bucket and to position the brush correctly both vertically and horizontally relative to the bucket.

The adjustment may be manually or electrically or pneumatically or hydraulically powered.

In known manner the brush axis may be adjustable relative to the main frame, at least to alter the angle which the main frame makes to the bucket when the brush is touching a flat horizontal surface to be swept, and the bucket is at a predetermined height relative to the surface.

In a preferred arrangement the main frame includes ground engaging means, adjustable in relation to the main frame so as to extend by more or less therebelow, and the combination is adapted to operate with the ground engaging means in contact with the surface to be swept, the engagement with the surface by the said means serving to maintain the brush, and likewise the lower edge of the bucket, at a desired height from the surface.

The ground engaging means may comprise one or more skids (which may be sacrificial and readily replaceable when worn) or one or more rollers or wheels, typically castors which not only rotate about an axis generally parallel to the brush axis (and therefore the surface over which they can then freely roll) but also about a perpendicular axis, to accommodate any turning of the vehicle and bucket/brush assembly to the left or right of the straight line course which will normally be followed by the vehicle while brushing.

Preferably two castors are symmetrically located along a lower member of the main frame, towards the front thereof. The main frame provides a convenient mounting for a cover which extends from in front of the brush to a position beyond the top of the brush so as to direct debris and liquid picked up by the bristles, into the bucket.

Side panels may also be mounted on the main frame to form an enclosure for the brush.

According to a further aspect of the invention the brush may be mounted between two side arms, themselves joined by a rigid transverse strut, and the two arms are pivotally joined to the main frame ahead of the brush axis, when in use, so that the brush is floating relative to the main frame.

Preferably adjustable support means is provided which has upper and lower stop positions between which the two brush supporting arms can move, thereby preventing the brush from dropping too far when the main frame is elevated and from being pushed up too far when the assembly is advancing and a protrusion such as a brick or the like becomes trapped below the brush.

Typically the rigid strut extends across the brush between the bristles and the lip formed by the plate.

The rigid strut may be in the form of a flat elongate plate, which may be angled relative to the plate and may be adjustable to be impacted by the bristles as the brush rotates, to assist in cleaning the bristles.

The sub-frame carrying the plate may be hinged to the main frame, typically to the side cheeks thereof, so that when the bucket and brush assembly are elevated, and the bucket is released so as to tip forward, the plate becomes disengaged from the bucket floor and can fall away from the bucket towards the brush, to increase the space through which the contents of the bucket can fall. Although reference to the emptying step has implied free rotation of the bucket relative to the forks or other supporting structure, the emptying rotation of the bucket may be a controlled movement by means of one or more powered rams, typically hydraulically or pneumatically powered rams.

The height of the brush axis relative to the main frame is preferably adjustable to accommodate wear of the bristles, so that the brush can be moved lower relative to the main frame, as the bristles become shorter due to wear.

The cover for the brush may comprise a curved baffle which extends around the leading edge of the brush, and which terminates near the top of the brush, where it merges with and/or is secured to the underside of an extended cover which extends rearwardly toward the bucket opening, to terminate generally above the plate, when the bucket and brush are in brushing mode.

The brush is preferably driven by a motor such as a pneumatic or hydraulic motor mounted at the end of a hollow axle in which the brush is mounted, and so as to reduce the distance by which the motor protrudes beyond the side cheeks of the main frame, the motor is at least partly housed within the hollow interior of the axle.

Where the brush is curved between two pivoting arms forming a brush-supporting frame, the axle preferably extends between the two arms, and where it has to rotate relative to the side cheeks, bearings are provided.

Where the sub-frame carrying the plate can pivot relative to the main frame under gravity, means is preferably provided for rotating the sub-frame in an opposite sense ready to engage the floor of the bucket as the latter rotates (or is rotated) back into a generally horizontal position ready to resume sweeping.

The main frame is preferably detachably securable to the upper region of the bucket so that the assembly of main frame and brush and sub-frame and plate can be supplied as a unit for use with a bucket which is adapted to have secured thereto the upper end of the main frame.

Preferably further ground engaging means is provided to support the main frame and bucket clear of the ground when the bucket is detached from lifting forks or a vehicle mounted support arm assembly, to keep the brush bristles off the ground.

According therefore to another aspect of the invention a powered brush assembly for fitting to a tractor or loader mounted bucket comprises: (1) a main frame adapted to be pivotally joined to the top edge of a bucket, (2) a sub-frame joined to and extending from the main frame and carrying a transversely extending plate or baffle adapted to cooperate with the floor and inner side walls of a bucket to close off and form a lip which extends over the whole length of the lower edge of the bucket, (3) a brush mounted transversely of the main frame, and rotatable about a transverse axis by a drive motor, (4) the direction of rotation of the brush in use being such as to brush debris forwardly and upwardly away from the bucket rather than rearwardly and upwardly into the bucket, and (5) a cover which extends over and around part of the circumference of the brush to collect debris and keep it in close proximity with the brush as it rotates.

First ground engaging means may be provided for determining the position of the brush axis relative to a surface to be swept, in use.

Preferably the assembly includes further ground engaging means for supporting the assembly clear of the ground, with or without the bucket attached, to prevent the bristles from being crushed by the weight of the assembly.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1 is a side view of a combination of bucket and powered brush assembly embodying the invention, Fig 2 is a side view with side panels removed to show the brush, castors and baffle support, Fig 3 is a side view of the bucket and brush assembly when elevated and the bucket tipped for emptying, Fig 4 is a similar view to Fig 3 with the side wall of the bucket and bracket plate removed, Fig 5 is a similar view to Fig 4 with the side plates of the brush assembly also removed, Fig 6 is a perspective front view from one side and above of the complete assembly (less mounting brackets on the bucket), Fig 7 is a similar view to that of Fig 6 with side plates removed from the brush assembly, Fig 8 is a perspective view from the other side with the brush assembly outer side plate removed, Fig 9 is a similar view to that of Fig 8 with the side wall of the bucket also removed, Fig 10 is a rear view of a part of the brush assembly housing without the bucket or brush in place, Fig 11 is a side view to an enlarged scale showing the bracket and pin securing the mainframe of the brush assembly to the top of the bucket, Fig 12 is a perspective view from above of the bucket shown in side view in Fig 11, and Figs 13 to 26 show modifications of the exemplary embodiment of Figs 1 to 12.

Detailed description of illustrated embodiment In the drawings a bucket generally designated 10 has two brackets 12,14 (see Figs 6,11 and 12) welded to the top plate 16 thereof for pivotally attaching to the bucket a brush assembly generally designated 18 comprising inter alia a main frame having side members 20,22 (see Fig 6), the upper ends of which carry pins 24,26 by which these two ends can be pivotally mounted in the U-shaped sockets of 12 and 14. Closures 28,30 prevent the pins 24,26 from leaving the sockets when both closure pins 32,34 have been pushed in a

retained (see Fig 12).

The rear inclined face 7 of the bucket 10 has welded thereto a load-spreading plate 36

carrying known upper and lower pairs of brackets 38, 40 for attachment to a fork lift on a (few) tractor or front loader such as a JCB'530. Normally both upper and lower brackets 38, 40 are raised so that the backing plate 36 and the mounting plate (not shown) carried by the (Td) elevating loading arm of the JCBt530 are parallel and joined. However, for tipping, the

bucket is raised in the generally horizontal mode shown in Fig 1, and positioned over a skip and the mounting plate (not shown) is pivoted so that the backing plate pivots about an axis near the lower end until the bucket adopts the position shown in Fig 3, where the contents can discharge into the skip. The brush assembly 18 serves to gather debris and liquids/slurry on a generally flat surface into the bucket, and to this end the brush is rotated by a motor 42 (se Fig 8) mounted at one end of and partially extending into a hollow axle 44 (see Fig 2) carrying the brush generally designated 46 (see Figs 1 and 2).

The axle is carried at opposite ends by two side arms 48,50 of an internal sub-frame. Each of 48 and 50 is cranked and the axle is supported in bearings at the crown of the crank.

The front ends of the cranked arms are pivotally joined by bearings 52,54 (see Figs 8 and 2) to side plates 56,58 (see Figs 8 and 2) secured to opposite ends of an upper cover 60.

This extends forwardly over a pair of castors 62,64 which rotate, and pivot relative to the transverse frame member 66 (see Fig 2) to which they are attached.

An internal shroud 68 extends around the brush 46 to retain thereon debris and liquid picked up by the bristles, so that the debris and liquid is elevated by the rotating brush and finally flung rearwardly off the top of the brush into the bucket 10.

In accordance with the invention a plate 70 extends across the mouth of the bucket 10 (best seen in Figs 8,9 and 10), and is adapted to seal against the floor of the bucket 72 (see Fig 9) and against the insides of the side walls 74,76 of the bucket (best seen in Fig 6).

The plate 70 forms an upstanding lip along the lower edge of the bucket entrance.

Debris and liquid flung into the bucket by the brush at an elevated position, readily clears the lip. However, as material builds up inside the bucket, the lip prevents the material (especially any liquid) from flowing out of the bucket and this enhances the load carrying capabilities of the bucket.

The plate 70 is carried at its upper ends by two cranked arms 78,80 which are pivotally joined at their upper ends by pin joints/bearings 82,84 to the outer side plates 86,88 of the main housing of the brush assembly 18. The arms 48,50 and 78,80 occupy the space between the inner and outer side plates on each side of this main brush housing.

Two apertured struts 90,92 extend up from the outer side plates 86,88 (see Fig 6) and are pinned to apertures in the struts 20, 22.

The latter are telescopically adjustable.

If desired the same pins as join struts 90,92 to struts 20,22 can serve to secure the telescoping parts of the struts 20,22.

Apertured rods 94,96 extend through brackets 98,100 and are held captive therein by pins (not shown), so as to create a lost motion connection between the main housing and the rods 94,96.

As best seen in Figs 2 and 8 the lower ends of the rods 94,96 are pivotally joined to the cranked arms 48,50 and by removing the pins, the rods can be pushed down or pulled up to alter the height of the brush axle axis relative to the main housing.

The cranked arms 78,80 may be lengthened so that the cranked parts extend further towards (and even into) the bucket opening, and by freely pivoting the arms 78,80 about their pin connections 82,84 so the plate 70 can swing down well clear of debris falling out of the bucket when it is tipped as in Figs 3-5. In this event the supporting arms 78,80 and plate can pivot until the plate is in contact with the bristles if desired.

It may be preferred that this does not happen, to better ensure the engagement of the plate 70 against the floor of the bucket when the latter is tilted back to the horizontal position after emptying, in which event a chain or other means is provided to prevent the arms 78, 80 from pivoting anticlockwise (as seen in Fig 5) beyond the position shown.

A powered ram (not shown) may alternatively be provided to move the arms 78,80 and plate 70 assembly from the position shown in Fig 5 to the 450 position over and in contact with the bristles, and for returning the assembly to the Fig 5 position.

Fig 13 is a view similar to that of Fig 1, showing a few possible modifications.

First, a covered access hole 102 is provided on one side 86 of the main brush housing to facilitate removal, refitting and maintenance of the brush and its mounting means.

Second, detachable stands 104 are provided on both sides of the main brush housing. The legs have an upper portion which maintains the sweeper unit in a position convenient for easy installation on to the bucket and a lower portion which holds the sweeper unit at an angle in which the bristles are lifted clear of the ground to prevent their deformation.

When the sweeper unit is to be used, the legs are detached and stored.

Fig 13 also shows one end of a brace assembly 106 which ties together the two sides of the sweeper unit for strengthening purposes. This brace assembly also provides a lifting point when the sweeper unit is being fitted to a bucket.

Additionally, an angled extension 70A is added to the material-retaining plate 70 which locates in position at the bucket entrance. This both increases the height of the retainer 70 and, due to its inclination, assists in guiding material into the bucket, which otherwise might fall prematurely behind the retainer.

Further, Fig 13 shows a modification of the adjustable assembly 20 to 26 via which the brush assembly attaches to the bucket. Links 108 are pivotally mounted between the brush assembly 18 and lugs 110, which are adjustable along the side members 22,24, for the purpose of fitting the sweeper to differently sized buckets. Additionally, the U-shaped sockets 12 and 14 are now provided at the upper ends of two brackets 112, which help to guide the side members 22,24 into position when the sweeper is being fitted to a bucket.

In addition, with smaller, i. e. lower, buckets, the brackets 112 create a better emptying clearance. The illustrated brackets 112 can be replaced with shorter brackets for use with larger buckets. The form of the closures 114 is also changed from those shown in Fig 1.

Finally, Fig 13 shows the addition to the side plates 86 of the brush assembly 18, of holes 116 enabling the retro fitting of a kerb brush, described hereinafter.

Figs 14 to 14d generally correspond to Fig 2, but additionally show, in Figs 14c and 14d especially, that the internal shroud 68 is preferably split into upper and lower parts 68A, 68B, the lower part 68B being removable to enable its replacement in the event of damage.

Figs 14 to 14d also shown a modification of the cranked retaining arm assembly 78,80.

The improved arrangement of the retaining arm assembly 116 avoids the need for an additional lifting mechanism. The assembly 116 drops towards the brush away from emptying debris during tipping and re-engages automatically when the brush unit is restored to the upright position. The stop 118 prevents the retaining arm assembly from dropping too far, preventing proper engagement with the bucket, but is positioned to allow contact with the bucket floor if and when the ground height or angle varies.

Figs 15 to 17 generally correspond to Figs 3 to 5 and Figs 18 and 19 to Figs 6 and 7, but with the hitherto described modifications incorporated. Analogously, Figs 20 and 21 generally correspond to Figs 8 and 9 and Fig 22 to Fig 10, while Figs 23 and 23a correspond to Fig 11.

Fig 24 shows to an enlarged scale the modified closure mechanism 114.

Finally Figs 25 and 26 show a kerb brush 120 which can be fitted to the side plates of the brush assembly utilising the holes 116. The kerb brush unit 122 is powered by a separate hydraulic motor and is rotated so as to sweep debris from the side into the path of the main brush, during forward movement of the main brush assembly. The separate motor may be independently controlled Figs 13 to 26 also show other minor modifications compared with Figs 1 to 12, but these are not significant and therefore not specifically described.

Claims

Claims 1. The combination of a rotary brush and bucket for brushing debris and liquids from a generally flat surface, wherein a wall is provided across a lower region of the open face of the bucket to form a barrier which prevents debris and liquid material thrown into the bucket from falling or flowing therefrom and the brush is rotated about an axis parallel to and spaced from the wall so that debris and liquid picked up by the brush is flung into the bucket over the wall.
2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein an inclined surface is provided ahead of the wall to deflect material where the trajectory is too shallow, into a steeper path to clear the wall.
3. The combination according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a cover is provided over the brush extending towards the wall, which presents an angled surface to material thrown off the brush, to deflect it in a generally downward and rearward manner over the wall into the bucket.
4. The combination according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the brush is mounted relatively closer to the wall and is rotated in an opposite sense, so that material picked up by the bristles will be flung forward rather than rearward, and a curved cover is provided over the brush to contain this material and keep it clinging to the brush bristles (or return it to the bristles) so that it is carried round with the brush, the cover terminating in front of and above the wall so that once unconstrained by the cover, the loose material will leave in a direction to enter the bucket over the top edge of the wall.
5. The combination according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein a striker bar or rod is provided which is engaged by the bristles as the brush rotates, causing the bristles to bend and then spring back into their usual radial configuration, between leaving the cover and before engaging the surface again, so that the bristles are cleaned and material still clinging to them after leaving the cover, is separated by the flexing of the bristles, and the flexing is arranged to occur at a point in the rotation of the brush, where the direction of movement of detaching material will tend to carry it into the bucket.
6. The combination according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the wall is 10-20cm high, or more, so that the depth of material in the bucket can rise to that height before there is any tendency for the material to slide or otherwise migrate in a forward sense out of the bucket.
7. The combination according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the wall has at the top a lip inclined back towards the bush.
8. The combination according to any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the wall comprises a plate which is removable from the bucket, to leave the bucket opening unimpeded, for emptying purposes.
9. The combination according to claim 8, wherein the plate is attached to a sub-frame which is movable relative to the bucket to shift the plate clear of the opening.
10. The combination according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the brush is mounted within a main frame which is hinged to the bucket, typically to an upper transversely extending wall thereof close to the upper edge of the bucket opening, whereby the bucket can be elevated and released so as to swing freely under gravity or be rotated (in known manner) so as to face downwardly, to empty its contents.
11. The combination according to claim 10, wherein the plate is removable after the bucket has been elevated and before it rotates, or while the bucket is rotated for emptying.
12. The combination according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the plate is carried by a sub-frame which extends from the main brush carrying frame so as to be positioned by the sub-frame into generally sealing engagement with the lower edge (and side walls) of the open face of the bucket, when the brush carrying frame is positioned in front of the bucket opening, with the brush in a position to effect sweeping.
13. The combination according to claim 12, wherein the sub-frame is pivotally joined to the main frame.
14. The combination according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the sub-frame is adjustable in position relative to the main frame and/or the main frame is adjustable in relation to the bucket so as to position the plate correctly to close off the lower region of the opening in the bucket and to position the brush correctly both vertically and horizontally relative to the bucket.
15. The combination according to claim 14, wherein the adjustment is manually or electrically or pneumatically or hydraulically powered.
16. The combination according to any of claims 10 to 15, wherein the brush axis is adjustable relative to the main frame, at least to alter the angle which the main frame makes to the bucket when the brush is touching a flat horizontal surface to be swept, and the bucket is at a predetermined height relative to the surface.
17. The combination according to any of claims 10 to 16, wherein the main frame includes ground engaging means, adjustable in relation to the main frame so as to extend by more or less therebelow, and the combination is adapted to operate with the ground engaging means in contact with the surface to be swept, the engagement with the surface by the said means serving to maintain the brush, and likewise the lower edge of the bucket, at a desired height from the surface.
18. The combination according to claim 17, wherein the ground engaging means comprises one or more skids (which may be sacrificial and readily replaceable when worn) or one or more rollers or wheels, typically castors which not only rotate about an axis generally parallel to the brush axis (and therefore the surface over which they can then freely roll) but also about a perpendicular axis, to accommodate any turning of the vehicle and bucket/brush assembly to the left or right of the straight line course which will normally be followed by the vehicle while brushing.
19. The combination according to claim 18, wherein two castors are symmetrically located along a lower member of the main frame, towards the front thereof.
20. The combination according to any of claims 10 to 19, wherein the main frame provides a convenient mounting for a cover which extends from in front of the brush to a position beyond the top of the brush so as to direct debris and liquid picked up by the bristles, into the bucket.
21. The combination according to any of claims 10 to 20, wherein side panels are mounted on the main frame to form an enclosure for the brush.
22. The combination according to any of claims 1 to 21, wherein the brush is mounted between two side arms, themselves joined by a rigid transverse strut, and the two arms are pivotally joined to the main frame ahead of the brush axis, when in use, so that the brush is floating relative to the main frame.
23. The combination according to claim 22, wherein adjustable support means is provided which has upper and lower stop positions between which the two brush supporting arms can move, thereby preventing the brush from dropping too far when the main frame is elevated and from being pushed up too far when the assembly is advancing and a protrusion such as a brick or the like becomes trapped below the brush.
24. The combination according to claim 22 or claim 23 wherein the rigid strut extends across the brush between the bristles and the lip formed by the plate.
25. The combination according to any of claims 22 to 24, wherein the rigid strut is in the form of a flat elongate plate, which may be angled relative to the plate and may be adjustable to be impacted by the bristles as the brush rotates, to assist in cleaning the bristles.
26. The combination according to claim 12 or any claim appendant thereto, wherein the sub-frame carrying the plate is hinged to the main frame, typically to the side cheeks thereof, so that when the bucket and brush assembly are elevated, and the bucket is released so as to tip forward, the plate becomes disengaged from the bucket floor and can fall away from the bucket towards the brush, to increase the space through which the contents of the bucket can fall.
27. The combination according to any of claims 1 to 26, wherein the emptying rotation of the bucket is a controlled movement by means of one or more powered rams, typically hydraulically or pneumatically powered rams.
28. The combination according to claim 10 or any claim appendant thereto, wherein the height of the brush axis relative to the main frame is adjustable to accommodate wear of the bristles, so that the brush can be moved lower relative to the main frame, as the bristles become shorter due to wear.
29. The combination according to any of claims 1 to 28, wherein a cover for the brush comprises a curved baffle which extends around the leading edge of the brush, and which terminates near the top of the brush, where it merges with and/or is secured to the underside of an extended cover which extends rearwardly toward the bucket opening, to terminate generally above the plate, when the bucket and brush are in brushing mode.
30. The combination according to any of claims 1 to 29, wherein the brush is driven by a motor such as a pneumatic or hydraulic motor mounted at the end of a hollow axle in which the brush is mounted, and so as to reduce the distance by which the motor protrudes beyond the side cheeks of the main frame, the motor is at least partly housed within the hollow interior of the axle.
31. The combination according to claim 30, wherein the brush is mounted between two pivoting arms forming a brush-supporting frame, the axle preferably extends between the two arms, and where it has to rotate relative to the side cheeks, bearings are provided.
32. The combination according to claim 12 or any claim appendant thereto, wherein the sub-frame carrying the plate can pivot relative to the main frame under gravity and means is provided for rotating the sub-frame in an opposite sense ready to engage the floor of the bucket as the latter rotates (or is rotated) back into a generally horizontal position ready to resume sweeping.
33. The combination according to claim 12 or any claim appendant thereto, wherein the main frame is detachably securable to the upper region of the bucket so that the assembly of main frame and brush and sub-frame and plate can be supplied as a unit for use with a bucket which is adapted to have secured thereto the upper end of the main frame.
34. The combination according to claim 10 or any claim appendant thereto, wherein further ground engaging means is provided to support the main frame and bucket clear of the ground when the bucket is detached from lifting forks or a vehicle mounted support arm assembly, to keep the brush bristles off the ground.
35. A ground-sweeping brush assembly for use in combination with a bucket, wherein the brush assembly in use presents a wall across a lower region of the open face of the bucket to form a barrier which prevents debris and liquid material thrown into the bucket from falling or flowing therefrom and the brush is rotated about an axis parallel to and spaced from the wall so that debris and liquid picked up by the brush is flung into the bucket over the wall.
36. A powered brush assembly for fitting to a tractor or loader mounted bucket comprising : (1) a main frame adapted to be pivotally joined to the top edge of a bucket, (2) a sub-frame joined to and extending from the main frame and carrying a transversely extending plate or baffle adapted to cooperate with the floor and inner side walls of a bucket to close off and form a lip which extends over the whole length of the lower edge of the bucket, (3) a brush mounted transversely of the main frame, and rotatable about a transverse axis by a drive motor, (4) the direction of rotation of the brush in use being such as to brush debris forwardly and upwardly away from the bucket rather than rearwardly and upwardly into the bucket, and (5) a cover which extends over and around part of the circumference of the brush to collect debris and keep it in close proximity with the brush as it rotates.
37. An assembly according to claim 36, wherein first ground engaging means is provided for determining the position of the brush axis relative to a surface to be swept, in use.
38. An assembly according to claim 37, including further ground engaging means for supporting the assembly clear of the ground, with or without the bucket attached, to prevent the bristles from being crushed by the weight of the assembly.
39. The combination of a ground-sweeping brush assembly and bucket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
40. A ground sweeping brush assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.