GB2134362A

GB2134362A - Debris clearing attachment for rotary mower

Info

Publication number: GB2134362A
Application number: GB08333986A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Albert Bernard Potter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-12-21
Filing date: 1983-12-21
Publication date: 1984-08-15
Also published as: GB8333986D0; GB2134362B

Abstract

Attachment comprising side members 10 having forwardly extending portions and linked by a baffle 12, fixing means 20 for releasable connection to a rotary mower, the attachment preferably being hinged so as to be collapsible. Debris e.g. leaves are collected between side members 10 and baffle 12 and can be moved to refuse area by pushing mower thereto. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Debris clearing attachment for rotary mower The invention relates to a debris clearing attachment for a rotary mower (i.e. a mower of the kind wherein the blades extend radially of a vertical axis of rotation) and is particularly though not exclusively intended for a rotary mower of the hovering type, wherein at least part of the weight of the mower is supported on a cushion of air generated by the mower.

It is known to clear debris especially garden debris such as leaves by sweeping using a broom or by using expensive purpose built scraper devices with vacuum suction to collect the leaves. The former is inefficient and time consuming whilst the latter is too expensive for domestic applications.

The present invention seeks to mitigate or obviate these disadvantages.

The invention provides a debris clearing attach ment for a rotary mower, said attachment compris ing a pair of members connected together in a spaced apart relation by a baffle, and fixing means for releasably mounting the attachment on a rotary mower, the arrangement being such that, in use, the members extend, at least in part, forwardly of respective sides of the mower.

Preferably, in use, the baffle is disposed trans versely across a front region of the mower providing a wall for moving debris collected between the members when the mower is moved forwardly.

The baffle may be connected to the side walls by means of pivotal connections and may be provided at its centre with a further pivotal connection such that on removal from the mower it may be collapsed for ease of storage, preferably concertina fashion.

The attachment may be made from any suitable material such as plastics or a light metal or metal alloy.

The fixing means preferably comprises a lip on each of the side members which, in use, cooperates with a skirt portion of the rotary mower.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front above and one side of an attachment according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the attach ment of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a plan view of the attachment of Figures 1 and 2, and Figure 4 is a detailed view of a part of the attachment shown in Figures 1 to 3.

The attachment shown in the Figures is made from heavy duty plastics material and comprises a pair of spaced apart side members 10 inclined at a slight angle to the vertical, leaning towards each other at their upper regions, spaced apart by a baffle 12 which is curved in side elevation thus providing a forwardly concave surface for urging leaves for wardly of the mower when it moves in a forward direction as shown by arrow A. The baffle is formed from two side-by-side parts connected to one another by means of a hinge 14 and each connected to a respective side member 10 by a respective hinge 16.

Itisto be noted that the hinges 14and 16 of the baffle are inclined so that although the sides are angled, the attachment when not in use can be folded concertina fashion to permit ease of storage ion a minimum of space, the parts of the baffle folding in the directions indicated by Arrows B.

It is to be noted that the baffle has an upper edge 24 which is disposed forwardly of the lower edge 26.

This is to discourage leaves from rising up the baffle surface and spilling on to the top of the mower. At least a part of the lower edge 26 is received in a groove commonly provided at the lip of the skirt of the mower in a snap fit.

The side members 10 have lipped edges 18 to provide strength and rigidity and at a rear lower edge portion of each there is provided a rib 20, which is shown in detail in Figure 4, and which has a limb 22 which cooperates with a lower side region of the skirt of the mower, the skirt edge being received in a fold 23 of said rib.

In use the attachment is slidingly engaged on the skirt of a hover mower in the direction of Arrow C until the lower edge of the baffle is engaged with the front of the mower skirt.

The mower is then ready for use. Air emerging from beneath the front of the mower skirt lifts the debris which is collected between the side members 10 and in front of the baffle tends to urge the leaves and other light debris formally and these are then moved by the operator to a refuse area by pushing the mower to that area.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, for example, the side members 10 may be of any convenient shape and they may be vertically disposed, though this is not preferred. They may also be curved in front elevation, and/or in plan view. The side members 10 need not be divergent in plan but could be parallel. The baffle 12 need not be curved in side elevation but could be planar or curved in plan. The hinges 14 and 16 may be provided by flexible webs or they may be contrived in any convenient manner or they may be omitted altogether and releasable fastenings may be used to connect the side markers 10 and baffle 12, so that the attachment can be taken to pieces for storage. The attachment may be made from any suitable material but is preferably of light material especially if used, as is primarily intended, with hover mowers.

Any convenient means may be used for fixing the attachment to a mower, for example nuts and bolts, resilient eg spring fastenings, catches and the like.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing Specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Debris clearing attachment for rotary mower The invention relates to a debris clearing attachment for a rotary mower (i.e. a mower of the kind wherein the blades extend radially of a vertical axis of rotation) and is particularly though not exclusively intended for a rotary mower of the hovering type, wherein at least part of the weight of the mower is supported on a cushion of air generated by the mower. It is known to clear debris especially garden debris such as leaves by sweeping using a broom or by using expensive purpose built scraper devices with vacuum suction to collect the leaves. The former is inefficient and time consuming whilst the latter is too expensive for domestic applications. The present invention seeks to mitigate or obviate these disadvantages. The invention provides a debris clearing attach ment for a rotary mower, said attachment compris ing a pair of members connected together in a spaced apart relation by a baffle, and fixing means for releasably mounting the attachment on a rotary mower, the arrangement being such that, in use, the members extend, at least in part, forwardly of respective sides of the mower. Preferably, in use, the baffle is disposed trans versely across a front region of the mower providing a wall for moving debris collected between the members when the mower is moved forwardly. The baffle may be connected to the side walls by means of pivotal connections and may be provided at its centre with a further pivotal connection such that on removal from the mower it may be collapsed for ease of storage, preferably concertina fashion. The attachment may be made from any suitable material such as plastics or a light metal or metal alloy. The fixing means preferably comprises a lip on each of the side members which, in use, cooperates with a skirt portion of the rotary mower. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front above and one side of an attachment according to the invention. Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the attach ment of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a plan view of the attachment of Figures 1 and 2, and Figure 4 is a detailed view of a part of the attachment shown in Figures 1 to 3. The attachment shown in the Figures is made from heavy duty plastics material and comprises a pair of spaced apart side members 10 inclined at a slight angle to the vertical, leaning towards each other at their upper regions, spaced apart by a baffle 12 which is curved in side elevation thus providing a forwardly concave surface for urging leaves for wardly of the mower when it moves in a forward direction as shown by arrow A. The baffle is formed from two side-by-side parts connected to one another by means of a hinge 14 and each connected to a respective side member 10 by a respective hinge 16. Itisto be noted that the hinges 14and 16 of the baffle are inclined so that although the sides are angled, the attachment when not in use can be folded concertina fashion to permit ease of storage ion a minimum of space, the parts of the baffle folding in the directions indicated by Arrows B. It is to be noted that the baffle has an upper edge 24 which is disposed forwardly of the lower edge 26. This is to discourage leaves from rising up the baffle surface and spilling on to the top of the mower. At least a part of the lower edge 26 is received in a groove commonly provided at the lip of the skirt of the mower in a snap fit. The side members 10 have lipped edges 18 to provide strength and rigidity and at a rear lower edge portion of each there is provided a rib 20, which is shown in detail in Figure 4, and which has a limb 22 which cooperates with a lower side region of the skirt of the mower, the skirt edge being received in a fold 23 of said rib. In use the attachment is slidingly engaged on the skirt of a hover mower in the direction of Arrow C until the lower edge of the baffle is engaged with the front of the mower skirt. The mower is then ready for use. Air emerging from beneath the front of the mower skirt lifts the debris which is collected between the side members 10 and in front of the baffle tends to urge the leaves and other light debris formally and these are then moved by the operator to a refuse area by pushing the mower to that area. Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, for example, the side members 10 may be of any convenient shape and they may be vertically disposed, though this is not preferred. They may also be curved in front elevation, and/or in plan view. The side members 10 need not be divergent in plan but could be parallel. The baffle 12 need not be curved in side elevation but could be planar or curved in plan. The hinges 14 and 16 may be provided by flexible webs or they may be contrived in any convenient manner or they may be omitted altogether and releasable fastenings may be used to connect the side markers 10 and baffle 12, so that the attachment can be taken to pieces for storage. The attachment may be made from any suitable material but is preferably of light material especially if used, as is primarily intended, with hover mowers. Any convenient means may be used for fixing the attachment to a mower, for example nuts and bolts, resilient eg spring fastenings, catches and the like. Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing Specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon. CLAIMS

1. A debris clearing attachment for a rotary mower, said attachment comprising a pair of members connected together in a spaced apart relation by a baffle, and fixing means for releasably mounting the attachment on a rotary mower, the arrangement being such that, in use, the members extend, at least in part, forwardly of respective sides of the mower.

2. A debris clearing attachment as claimed in claim 1 in which the members are inclined to the vertical, converging towards their upper regions.

3. A debris clearing attachment as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the members are, in use, divergent at their front regions forwardly of the mower.

4. A debris clearing attachment as claimed in any preceding claims in which the baffle is releasably connected to the said members.

5. A debris clearing attachment as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 in which the baffle is pivotally connected to the said members.

6. A debris clearing attachment as claimed in claim 5 in which the baffle is in two parts pivotally connected to one another such that when not in use the attachment may be collapsed in concertina fashion.

7. A debris clearing attachment as claimed in any preceding claim in which the baffle is curved in side elevation.

8. A debris clearing attachment as claimed in any preceding claim in which the baffle is inclined forwardly of the mower towards its upper region.

9. A debris clearing attachment as claimed in any preceding claim in which the fixing means comprises a formation along a lower edge of a rear part of each of said members cooperable with a skirt edge region of a rotary mower.

10. A debris clearing attachment as claimed in any preceding claim in which the said members are reinforced by in-turned lip portions at their edges.

11. A debris clearing attachment as claimed in any preceding claim in which the attachment is made principally from plastics.

12. A debris clearing attachment as claimed in any preceding claim in which the attachment is made principally from lightweight metal.

13. A debris clearing attachment as claimed in claim 12 in which the lightweight metal is aluminium.

14. A rotary mower having an attachment as claimed in any preceding claim attached thereto.

15. A debris clearing attachment substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.