Summary

Alternative Name(s): Vacuum Sweeper

Bissell Manufacturing Co. carpet sweeper, circa 1900. Early wooden type, pushed by hand.

Physical Description

Mechanical friction-driven carpet sweeper head, incorporating three pairs of wheels with solid rubberised tyres and wooden body. The front two pairs of wheels have a typical carpet sweeper action operating a central spiral brush which lifts dust, dirt and lint, depositing it into two hinged collection trays in front of and behind the brush, enabling operation in either direction. The larger rear set of wheels are fixed to an axle with three cranks which when revolved by the motion of the machine across a floor, operate three sets of bellows to create a suction through a downward facing nozzle across the front of the machine. The sucking effect of the nozzle was designed to lift lighter particles into a small linen bag is fitted inside the body of the machine to collect fine dust.

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