AU634544B2 - Mower attachment - Google Patents

Description

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION 6 44 (Original) FOR OFFICE USE Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority: Related Art: Name of Applicant: MILAN DOBRIC Address of Applicant: 92 Chandler Road, Noble Park, 3174, In the State oZ Victoria, Commonwealth of Australia.

Actual Inventor(s): -tl-Ur~-~E 4, r 'i .241 ,3 "e Z i ~Cf' Address for Service: DAVt-tS--eeI- S N---Pa-ee-n-t Attorneys, l--i-t-b-e-el-l--i-ns-S--re-e7--Me-l-bo rn e, 3 00 0 Do o) V 1 9- U cCW-0 t o-vd SvV,,1V7,f P^AVk v \!c Complete specification for the invention entitled: "MOWER ATTACHMENT" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known tous 1- 2- "MOWER ATTACHMENT" 2 3 This invention relates generally to an attachment which 4 is suitable for use with mowers for mowing lawns or the like and more particularly rotary type lawn mowers.

6 It is in some instances desirable that loose debris 7 such as leaves, twigs and the like, which can accumulate on 8 lawns, driveways, pavements and the like be removed.

9 Removal is generally carried out by hand held rakes. The main disadvantage of this procedure is that it is relatively 11 time consuming. Machines have been proposed which can be 12 used for removing such debris however, such machines are 13 generally costly and the expense of the machine cannot be 14 justified.

To alleviate the problems referred to above, apparatus 16 have been proposed which are attachable to lawn mowers which 17 convert the mower into a vacuum cleaner. Such apparatus 18 generally utilize the suction effect created by the mower 19 blades. Known devices of this type are described in United States patent specification numbers 3,871,052 and 4,306,331.

21 U.S. specification 3,871,052 describes a device which bolted 22 to the underside of the lawnmower so as to be suspended 23 therefrom. U.S. specification 4,306,331 describes a device 24 which comprises a baffle plate having an intake opening therein the baffle plate being attached to the underside of 26 the mower. In most of the embodiments described, the intake 27 opening is disposed directly below the mower and is fitted 28 with a flap to assist in drawing air through the intake S29 opening. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 63, a set of wheels are positioned in the region of the flap for 31 maintaining it at a desired distance above the surface being 32 cleaned.

33 A major drawback with the devices described in the 34 aforementioned patent specifications is that because of the manner of mounting of the device to the lawnmower. That is 36 because the devices are suspended from the mower significant 37 problems are associated with the mounting and dismounting of 38 the device to or from the mower. Mounting of the device to 9 0 0426, a rsswpe. 033 mower. cap.

3- 1 the mower can be relatively difficult and time consuming. A 2 further problem of the majority of the devices shown is that 3 they are relatively complicated in structure or the intake 4 opening is disposed below the mower body. This latter feature causes difficulties for the operator in ensuring 6 material passes into the intake opening.

7 It is an object of the present invention to provide an 8 improved apparatus which is suitable for use with a mower 9 which can remove debris from lawns and like surfaces and alleviates one or more of the aforementioned problems.

11 One form of mower with which the apparatus of the 12 invention is suitable for use, is adapted to travel over 13 ground or surface having material to be removed thereon and 14 comprises a housing, a motor driven blade assembly mounted to the housing so as to be disposed adjacent the ground or 16 surface when the mower is in use, the blade assembly being 17 adapted for rotation relative to the main body about an axis 18 which is generally at right angles with respect to the 19 ground or surface.

The housing of the mower may include a blade mounting 21 section having a recessed portion on the underside thereof 22 with a downwardly depending skirt at least partially 23 surrounding the recessed portion. The blade assembly is 24 adapted to be mounted within the recessed portion and operatively connected to a motor for causing rotation 26 thereof. Ground engaging wheels are provided for enabling 27 the mower to travel over the ground. The mower may further 28 include a catcher which is preferably releasably securable 29 to the main body section for receiving cuttings of the material being mowed.

31 According to the present invention there is provided an 32 apparatus suitable for use with a mower the mower comprising 33 a housing, a motor driven blade assembly mounted to the 34 housing so as to be disposed adjacent the ground or surface over which the mower travels when in use, the blade assembly 36 being adapted for rotation relative to the housing about a 37 generally upright axis with respect to the ground or 38 surface, the apparatus comprising a main body which includes 900426,arsswpe.033, mower.cap, -4 1 a cover section which when the attachment is in a mounted 2 position, is arranged so that the cover section and the 3 housing of the mower at least partially encase the blade 4 assembly in a compartment and a head section which is secured to or integral with the cover section and projects 6 forwardly of the mower housing when in the mounted position, 7 the head section having an intake opening which in use is 8 disposed adjacent and facing the ground or surface, with a 9 transfer passage providing communication between said intake opening and said compartment, the apparatus further 11 including ground engaging wheels operatively connected to 12 said main body so that when the apparatus is in the mounted 13 position the mower is carried on said main body and 14 supported by said ground engaging wheels the arrangement being such that rotation of the blade assembly causes loose 16 debris on the ground to be drawn through the intake opening 17 and into the compartment via the transfer passage.

18 The ground engaging wheels may be mounted for rotation 19 about a single axis thereby permitting the apparatus to pivot about that axis. The apparatus may include a single 21 set of ground engaging wheels disposed on opposite sides of 22 the main body of the apparatus for rotation about that axis.

23 Preferably the ground engaging wheels are disposed towards 24 the rear of the main body of the apparatus.

A ground engaging guide may be provided adjacent the 26 head section of the main body for supporting the intake 27 opening at a selected distance from the ground. The guide 28 may comprise a roller mounted on an underside of said main 29 body adjacent said intake opening.

In one form the main body may comprise a side wall 31 which includes a support surface or platform section for 32 receiving a portion of the mower housing when in the mounted 33 position and an upstanding peripheral rim. The rim is 34 adapted to inhibit lateral movement of the mower to the apparatus when in the mounted position.

36 The material collected in the compartment may be caused 37 to be passed into a catcher attached to the mower via 38 discharge outlet, providing communication between the 900426,arsswpe. 033,mower.cap, 5 1 compartment and the catcher.

2 In one form the cover section may comprise a base wall 3 having a recessed section which in part forms the 4 compartment. The recessed section may communicate with opening in the head section via the transfer passage.

6 Fastening means may be provided for releasably securing 7 the main body to the mower. The releasable fastening means 8 may comprise a clamping tongue having a free end portion the 9 other end portion being adapted to pivot, the free end portion being adapted to overlie a section of the mower 11 housing so as to hold it captive between the tongue and main 12 body the fastening means further including tightening means 13 for tightening the tongue into a clamping position.

14 The head section of the main body may comprise an elongateu member which is formed integral with the closure 16 section, said elongated member including an elongated inlet 17 opening on its underside, the longitudinal axis of the 18 elongated member extending generally transversely with 19 respect to the normal direction of travel of the mower.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter 21 be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in 22 which: 23 FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a lawn mower 24 with apparatus according to the present invention in the mounted position; 26 FIG. 2 is a perspective view of apparatus according to 27 the present invention; 28 FIG. 3 is a sectional side elevation of the apparatus 29 shown in Fig. 2; FIG. 4 is an underside perspective view of the 31 apparatus shown in Figs. 2 and 3; and 32 FIG. 5 is a detail of releasable fastening means which 33 forms part of the apparatus.

34 Referring to the drawings, there is shown a mower generally indicated at 50 having a housing 51 with a blade 36 assembly section 53 for receiving a blade assembly (not 37 shown), the blade assembly being mounted for rotation about 38 a generally vertical axis. The blade assembly section 53 900426,arsswpe.033.mower.cap,

K

6 1 includes a recessed portion 53a with a downwardly depending 2 skirt 52 having a free edge 52a. Ground engaging wheels 57 3 are provided which support the mower and enable it to travel 4 over the ground. A motor 59 is provided on the top of the blade assembly housing 53 for rotating the blade assembly 6 and a catcher 60 is provided at the rear of the blade 7 assembly housing for receiving cuttings. A handle 61 is 8 provided for use by the operator.

9 The apparatus generally indicated at 1 comprises a main body having a closure section 3 and a head section 2. The 11 closure section and head section in the form shown comprises 12 a one piece structure although it will be appreciated that 13 they could be separate integers operatively connectible to 14 one another. The closure section 3 includes a base wall 4 and a side wall 5 the side wall including a support surface 16 or platform 8 and an upstanding rim 13. The closure section 17 3 includes a chamber 7 which in part is defined by a 18 downwardly sloping portion of base wall 4 which also forms 19 part of a transfer passage 14. If desired, sealing elements which may be in the form of rubber strips may be provided at 21 least partially around the side wall.

22 The head section 2 is disposed forwardly of the closure 23 section 3 and comprises an elongated member having an 24 elongated intake opening 12 therein. The intake opening 12 is in communication with chamber 7 in the closure section 3 26 via the transfer passage 14.

27 The apparatus further includes ground engaging wheels 9 28 operatively connected to the main body of the apparatus and 29 as shown the wheels are disposed towards the rear of the apparatus. A single set of wheels are provided for rotation 31 about a single axle or aligned axles.

32 The apparatus further includes a guide wheel in the 33 form shown comprises a roller 15 which is disposed on the 34 underside of the apparatus adjacent the opening 14 in the head section 2. The purpose of this guide is not to 36 substantially provide any support but rather to maintain a 37 minimum distance between opening 14 and the ground. It will 38 be appreciated that the guide could also be in the form of a 900426, arsswpe.033,mower.cap, -7- 1 shed or the like.

2 Fastening means 40 is provided at the forward end of 3 the apparatus and includes a clamping tongue 42 having a 4 free end portion 43 the other end 45 engaging a stop device 46 to enable the tongue to be pivoted about that end. A 6 tightening device in the form of screw 44 enables the 7 clamping tongue to grip the mower and hold it captive 8 between the tongue and the main body of the apparatus.

9 Additional fastening means may be provided at the rear of the apparatus. These fastening means can take any suitable 11 form such as clips or the like.

12 In the mounted position the housing 53 of the mower 13 sits on the closure section 3 of the apparatus to form a 14 compartment defined by chamber 7 and the interior of the blade housing with the head section 2 extending forwardly.

16 When in the mounted position, the mower is supported totally 17 by the apparatus on ground engaging wheels 9. This provides 18 the assembly with a high degree of manoeuvrability during 19 operation and with the head section 2 extending forwardly it can readily be seen by the operator.

21 To mount the apparatus, the mower is simply tilted 22 backwards on i z rear wheels and the apparatus rolled into 23 position und,-. e. :h the mower. The mower is then returned 24 to original i'oci ion and as a result of this movement, will be automatica correctly positioned on the apparatus. The 26 fastening meails 40 and if required, rear fastening means are 27 tightening or locked so that the apparatus and mower are 28 held together. It will be appreciated that the fastening 29 means can be relatively light and simple because they are not required to carry any load.

31 In many cases the debris is discharged into the 32 existing mower catcher through the existing outlet. In 33 certain cases an additional attachment may be provided which 34 can take the place of the normal catcher. This attachment is adapted to have mounted thereto a bag which can be 36 suitably supported on the mower. The attachment can be 37 releasably secured at the outlet where the usual catcher is 38 provided thereby enabling a large collecting bag to be 900426. arsswpe.033 mower. cap, 8- 1 substituted for the catcher.

2 Finally, it is to be understood that various 3 alterations, modifications and or additions may be 4 incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit and ambit of the 6 invention.

7 8 9 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 36 37 38 900426,arsswpe.033,mower.cap,

Claims (2)

1. 9- THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: i. Apparatus suitable for use with a mower the mower comprising a housing, a motor driven blade assembly mounted to the housing so a, to be disposed adjacent the ground or surface over which the mower travels when in use, the blade assembly being adapted for rotation relative to the housing about a generally upright axis with respect to the ground or surface, the apparatus comprising a main body which includes a cover section which when the attachment is in a mounted position, is arranged so that the cover section and the housing of the mower at least partially encase the blade assembly in a compartment and a head section which is secured to or integral with the cover section, the head section having an intake opening which in vse is disposed adjacent and facing the ground or surface, with a transfer passage providing communication between said intake opening and said compartment, the apparatus further including ground engaging wheels operatively .:nnected to said main body so that when the apparatus is in the mounted position the mower is carried on said main body and suppcrted by said ground engaging wheels the arrangement being such that rotation of the blade assembly causes loose debris on the ground to be drawn through the intake opening and into the compartment via the transfer passage. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said ground engaging wheels are mounted for rotation about a single axis thereby permitting the apparatus to pivot about said axis. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 further including a ground engaging guide adjacent the head section of the main body for supporting the intake opening at a selected distance from the ground. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1,2 or 3 wherein said main body comprises a side wall which includes a support surface or platform section for receiving a portion of the mower 900 426 .arsspe.029mowercl, housing when in the mounted position and an upstanding peripheral rim. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said guide comprises a roller mounted on an underside of said main body adjacent said intake opening. 6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein material collected in the compartment is caused to be passed into a catcher attached to the mower via a discharge outlet, providing communication between the compartment and the catcher. 7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said cover section comprises a base wall having a peripheral side wail section which, in use, is engageable with a free edge of a skirt of the mower housing, thereby defining the compartment between the base wall and the housing, said base wall having a recessed section which in part forms the compartment, the recessed section being adapted to at least partially receive the blade assembly therein. 8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim further including fastenirj- means for releasably securing the main body to the mower. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said releasable fastening means comprises a clamping tongue having a free end portion the other end portion being adapted to pivot, the free end portion being adapted to overlie a section of the mower housing so as to hold it captive between the tongue and main body the fastening means further including tightening means for tightening the tongue into a clamping position.
2. 900426. arspe.029,mowercl, 11 Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said head section comprises an elongated member which is formed integral with the closure section, said elongated member including an elongated inlet opening on its underside, the longitudinal axis of the elongated member extending generally transversely with respect to the normal direction of travel of the mower. Dated this 14th day of May, ALIkCu. OcbiCK DAVIES COLLISON Patent Attorneys for MILAN DOBRIC 1990. r C 1 c~ 900426,arsspe.029,mowercl.