GB1574189A - Lawn mower (rotary cylinder) deflector mulcher plate - Google Patents

Description

(54) LAWN MOWER (ROTARY CYLINDER) DEFLECTOR MULCHER PLATE (71) I, TOM SUMMERS LONGMAN, British, 19, Littlebrook Gardens, Cheshunt, Waltham Cross, Herts., do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention is relative to mowing machines of the character in which a rotary cutter cylinder of high or low speed works in conjunction with a fixed blade. Mowing machines of this character are normally used for mowing lawns and hereafter will be referred to as lawn mowers.

With a lawn mower it is found necessary to incorporate a grass cuttings collection box to prevent the cutting being ejected in a forward direction along the route of the lawn mower.

An object of the invention is to eliminate the use of the grass cuttings collecting box usually utilised with a lawn mower.

A specific form of an improved lawn mower incorporating the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side section showing the lawn mower deflector mulcher plate and fittings.

Fig. 2 is a part section showing the motor, driving roller, cutter cylinder and front roller, delivery plate and the deflector mulcher plate.

The specific form of lawn mower shown in the drawing Fig. 2 comprises a cutter cylinder 12 and driving roller 14 driven by a motor 13 through a chain or belt.

The cutter cylinder 12 has a number of helical blades 15 rigidly mounted on a cutter shaft 16 and these blades 15 cooperate with a fixed blade 10 to cut the grass.

The invention Fig. 1 consists of a rigid metal or plastic sheet 1 curved to a progressive radius. The size of the deflector mulcher plate 1 is governed by the distance from the delivery plate 17 of the lawn mower to a point behind the front roller 11 and the full width between the mower sideplates.

The deflector mulcher plate leading edge 6 is stiffened by rolling if metal or thickening if plastic.

The deflector mulcher plate hinge 2 for attachment to the highest part of a delivery plate 17 on a lawn mower consists of a lace hinge or pliable strip 2 depending on the material used for the defletcor mulcher plate 1.

The hinge 2 is attached to the lawn mower deflector plate 1 by bolt 3 located at each end of the- hinge 2.

The spring clip 4 registers on the existing lawn mower side-plate tie rod 18 to hold the deflector mulcher plate 1 in its operational lowered position.

Knob 5 is fitted to the external face of the deflector mulcher plate 1 to assist in the raising and lowering of same.

In Fig. 2 the deflector mulcher plate 1 when in the lowered position with the motor 13 in operation allows for the building up of the gyration of air in and around the cutter cylinder 12 which is located between the front roller 11 and the rear roller 14 and in front of the delivery plate 17. The built-up air velocity projects the grass cuttings evenly between the fixed bottom blade 10 and the front roller 11. In consequence the smaller pieces of cut grass are deposited on the ground at the base of the grass roots and the larger pieces deposited evenly over the surface of the grass next to be cut and in a position to be picked up and recut simultaneously by the bottom blade 10 and the cutter cylinder 12 as they progress. The cycle of treatment is repeated as a continuous forward operation of mowing.

The fineness of the grass cuttings created by recirculation within the cutter cylinder 12 assists the mulching process and vegeta tive establishment of the area covered by the lawn mowing operation.

Due to the high velocity of the grass particles which the deflector mulcher plate 1 induces the cutting mechanism is selfcleansing, clogging is prevented and grass can be cut in dry or wet weather.

The use of the deflector mulcher plate 1 prevents the forward and sideways projection of the grass cuttings. Its use eliminates scatter and distribution of grass cuttings by wind. Its use eliminates a visible swath of resultant grass cuttings. Its use enables any leaves and windfall fruits present to be mulched simultaneously with the cutting of the grass and the resultant mulch fertilises the land.

The deflector mulcher plate 1 eliminates the use of the grass collecting box and disposal of grass cuttings.

Lawn mowers incorporating the deflector mulcher plate 1 are suitable for use on lawns, play pitches, ornamental gardens, street verges, public open spaces and parks and recreation grounds where disposal of grass cuttings can be an inconvenience. Use of the deflector mulcher plate 1 protects small children and domestic pets from injury by contact with the revolving cutter cylinder 12 and eliminates the risk of personal injury and broken windows from flying stones.

The electric operational switch control rod 9 used with an internal combustion engine switches off the ignition and with an electric motor cuts off the current thus preventing accidents should the deflector mulcher plate 1 be raised whilst the cutter cylinder 12 is being power driven. The deflector mulcher plate 1 in the maximum raised position 19 allows for the carrying out of any adjustments to the lawn mower mechanism and for the complete maintenance of the lawn mower.

Having now described the nature and performance of the invention I declare that WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A lawn mower in which a rotary cylinder cutter co-operates with a fixed blade and is driven by a petrol or electric motor comprises, as a continuation of the delivery plate which extends partially around the cylinder from the rear, a curved deflector mulcher plate terminating free of the ground between the cylinder cutter and a front roller of the mower providing a covered area extending between the cyliner cutter, the front roller and the mower side-plates whereby cut grass is deposited on the ground in front of the cutter.

2. A lawn mower according to Claim 1 in which the deflector mulcher plate is fixed to the delivery plate by hinges to provide access to the interior mechanism of the cutter cylinder.

3. A lawn mower according to Claims 1 and 2 in which a knob is fitted on the exterior of the deflector mulcher plate together with a spring clip on the reverse which engages with a transverse member of the frame of the lawn mower to secure its lowered position during the operation of the lawn mower.

4. A lawn mower according to Claims 1, 2 and 3 in which a lever bracket is fitted to the exterior of the deflector mulcher plate adjacent to the hinge to which is pivoted a control rod for operating an ignition switch in the case of a petrol motor or an "on/off" switch in the case of an electric mains operated motor.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. tive establishment of the area covered by the lawn mowing operation. Due to the high velocity of the grass particles which the deflector mulcher plate 1 induces the cutting mechanism is selfcleansing, clogging is prevented and grass can be cut in dry or wet weather. The use of the deflector mulcher plate 1 prevents the forward and sideways projection of the grass cuttings. Its use eliminates scatter and distribution of grass cuttings by wind. Its use eliminates a visible swath of resultant grass cuttings. Its use enables any leaves and windfall fruits present to be mulched simultaneously with the cutting of the grass and the resultant mulch fertilises the land. The deflector mulcher plate 1 eliminates the use of the grass collecting box and disposal of grass cuttings. Lawn mowers incorporating the deflector mulcher plate 1 are suitable for use on lawns, play pitches, ornamental gardens, street verges, public open spaces and parks and recreation grounds where disposal of grass cuttings can be an inconvenience. Use of the deflector mulcher plate 1 protects small children and domestic pets from injury by contact with the revolving cutter cylinder 12 and eliminates the risk of personal injury and broken windows from flying stones. The electric operational switch control rod 9 used with an internal combustion engine switches off the ignition and with an electric motor cuts off the current thus preventing accidents should the deflector mulcher plate 1 be raised whilst the cutter cylinder 12 is being power driven. The deflector mulcher plate 1 in the maximum raised position 19 allows for the carrying out of any adjustments to the lawn mower mechanism and for the complete maintenance of the lawn mower. Having now described the nature and performance of the invention I declare that WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A lawn mower in which a rotary cylinder cutter co-operates with a fixed blade and is driven by a petrol or electric motor comprises, as a continuation of the delivery plate which extends partially around the cylinder from the rear, a curved deflector mulcher plate terminating free of the ground between the cylinder cutter and a front roller of the mower providing a covered area extending between the cyliner cutter, the front roller and the mower side-plates whereby cut grass is deposited on the ground in front of the cutter.

2. A lawn mower according to Claim 1 in which the deflector mulcher plate is fixed to the delivery plate by hinges to provide access to the interior mechanism of the cutter cylinder.

3. A lawn mower according to Claims 1 and 2 in which a knob is fitted on the exterior of the deflector mulcher plate together with a spring clip on the reverse which engages with a transverse member of the frame of the lawn mower to secure its lowered position during the operation of the lawn mower.

4. A lawn mower according to Claims 1, 2 and 3 in which a lever bracket is fitted to the exterior of the deflector mulcher plate adjacent to the hinge to which is pivoted a control rod for operating an ignition switch in the case of a petrol motor or an "on/off" switch in the case of an electric mains operated motor.