GB2127665A - Mower - Google Patents

Abstract

An air supported mower is arranged to pick up and store grass cuttings. The mower comprises a vacuum chamber which is also a grass collecting box and can be either integrally built or be a detachable unit. Inlet and outlet ports allow air to be drawn through the mower by the air impeller. In the vacuum chamber the air stream loses velocity and deposits the grass cuttings therein. A flexible hose which is a remote pick up for grass and debris can be fitted to the device and suction variably controlled. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Horticultural device The invention is a device by which hover principal mowing machines can pick up grass cuttings and other debris. The device can be either purpose built or fitted as an attachment.

The principal of the device is to utilise the air which is being drawn into the impeller of the hover machine, for floatation, before it reaches the impeller. By use of a vacuum or low pressure chamber air is drawn through an intake port or ports carrying with it cuttings and debris which are deposited in the chamber for removal when required. The air continues on through a filter or grid to the impeller where it is used for floatation of the machine. The air intake port or ports can be positioned either singly or in a plurality anywhere around the perimeter of the machine. Further to this a flexible tube or tubes can be attached to the device and by the use of variable ports give a remote intake port or ports. The vacuum chamber can either be borne by the machine or can be support assisted by means of wheel(s) roller(s), skis or by means of the control handles of the machine.The device works as follows, the impeller of the hover machine rotates at speed creating a depression in the vacuum or low pressure chamber. Air rushes through the restrictions or intake ports carrying with it cuttings and debris into the low pressure chamber. The cuttings and debris are deposited in the chamber, a removable receptacle can be installed, and the air stream continues on to the impeller and used to give floatation to the machine.

Claims (Filed on 1 6th May, 1983) 1. Lawnmower being of the type which is supported by a cushion of air while in use and has a rotary knife blade and an air impeller shrouded by a hood being open at the underside but in addition having attached or built integrally a vacuum grassbox or chamber with inlet and outlet ports either singly or in a plurality characterized in that a primary and secondary air streams in conjunction with a vacuum will deliver grass cuttings and debris into a desired space for removal by bag, box or hand.

2. Lawn mower according to claim 1 characterized in that when the propulsion unit removes the air impeller of the mower a primary air stream is formed taking air from the vacuum chamber creating a vacuum or depression resulting in a secondary air stream being induced through the port or ports of the vacuum chamber which rushes to fill up the vacuum carrying with it grass cuttings and debris. On entering the vacuum chamber the secondary air stream loses velocity and deposits any grass or debris being unable to support it further.

3. Lawnmower according to claim 1-2 characterized in that the secondary air stream port or ports are positioned at the rear or sides of the vacuum chamber in any desired position further characterized by the means to variably close off the port or ports while another port or ports also positioned in the secondary air stream can be variably opened to allow for a flexible attachment to be remotely operated.

4. Lawnmower according to claims 1-3 characterized by a filter or grid placed in the primary air stream to prevent the ingestion of debris into the propulsion unit.

5. Lawnmower according to claims 1-4 characterized in that the vacuum chamber can be an integral part of the mower or can be wholly separate for use as an attachment and that an internal inner box or bag can be fitted being detachable for removal of deposited grass and debris further characterized in that the vacuum chamber or vacuum grassbox may if desired be supported in part by means of wheel(s), roller(s), skis or by the control handles of the machine.

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

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Horticultural device The invention is a device by which hover principal mowing machines can pick up grass cuttings and other debris. The device can be either purpose built or fitted as an attachment. The principal of the device is to utilise the air which is being drawn into the impeller of the hover machine, for floatation, before it reaches the impeller. By use of a vacuum or low pressure chamber air is drawn through an intake port or ports carrying with it cuttings and debris which are deposited in the chamber for removal when required. The air continues on through a filter or grid to the impeller where it is used for floatation of the machine. The air intake port or ports can be positioned either singly or in a plurality anywhere around the perimeter of the machine. Further to this a flexible tube or tubes can be attached to the device and by the use of variable ports give a remote intake port or ports. The vacuum chamber can either be borne by the machine or can be support assisted by means of wheel(s) roller(s), skis or by means of the control handles of the machine.The device works as follows, the impeller of the hover machine rotates at speed creating a depression in the vacuum or low pressure chamber. Air rushes through the restrictions or intake ports carrying with it cuttings and debris into the low pressure chamber. The cuttings and debris are deposited in the chamber, a removable receptacle can be installed, and the air stream continues on to the impeller and used to give floatation to the machine. Claims (Filed on 1 6th May, 1983)

1. Lawnmower being of the type which is supported by a cushion of air while in use and has a rotary knife blade and an air impeller shrouded by a hood being open at the underside but in addition having attached or built integrally a vacuum grassbox or chamber with inlet and outlet ports either singly or in a plurality characterized in that a primary and secondary air streams in conjunction with a vacuum will deliver grass cuttings and debris into a desired space for removal by bag, box or hand.

2. Lawn mower according to claim 1 characterized in that when the propulsion unit removes the air impeller of the mower a primary air stream is formed taking air from the vacuum chamber creating a vacuum or depression resulting in a secondary air stream being induced through the port or ports of the vacuum chamber which rushes to fill up the vacuum carrying with it grass cuttings and debris. On entering the vacuum chamber the secondary air stream loses velocity and deposits any grass or debris being unable to support it further.

3. Lawnmower according to claim 1-2 characterized in that the secondary air stream port or ports are positioned at the rear or sides of the vacuum chamber in any desired position further characterized by the means to variably close off the port or ports while another port or ports also positioned in the secondary air stream can be variably opened to allow for a flexible attachment to be remotely operated.

4. Lawnmower according to claims 1-3 characterized by a filter or grid placed in the primary air stream to prevent the ingestion of debris into the propulsion unit.

5. Lawnmower according to claims 1-4 characterized in that the vacuum chamber can be an integral part of the mower or can be wholly separate for use as an attachment and that an internal inner box or bag can be fitted being detachable for removal of deposited grass and debris further characterized in that the vacuum chamber or vacuum grassbox may if desired be supported in part by means of wheel(s), roller(s), skis or by the control handles of the machine.