NZ314123A - Device for collecting and mulching garden debris and adapted to be able to be fitted to a rotary lawn mower having a tray housing and chute - Google Patents

Description

314123 Patents Form No. 5 Our Ref: RL801208 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 Complete After Provisional No. 314123 Filed: 27 January 1997 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION DEVICE FOR COLLECTING AND MULCHING GARDEN DEBRIS I, NEVILLE STRONACH, a citizen of New Zealand of 26 Lake Front Drive, Te Anau, New Zealand 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: 'nten»tual fr°Pety Office of NZ 11 DEC 1997 PT05610 #EC EIVEd 314123 DEVICE FOR COLLECTING AND MULCHING GARDEN DEBRIS The invention relates to a device for collecting and mulching garden debris.

At present commercial machines are available for collecting and mulching garden type debris. These machines are not suitable for domestic situations because their size and cost is prohibitive.

An object of the invention is therefore to provide a device for collecting and mulching garden debris which at least offers a useful alternative choice.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a device for collecting and mulching garden debris, the device includes an intake scoop and tray adapted to fit or be built in association with a rotary lawn mower, the intake scoop and tray forms a mulching chamber below a cowling or shroud of the mower, the arrangement being such that a rotating blade in the cowling or shroud sucks or draws garden debris into the mulching chamber for mulching.

The device can be shaped so that the intake scoop is directed to or from the * ;side or front of the rotary lawn mower. ;The intake scoop and tray can be attached to the underside of the rotary lawn mower. ;- 3 - ;The intake scoop and tray can include a flexible base or other attachment for sucking up leaves or other garden debris into the mulching chamber. ;Further aspects of the invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only. ;Examples of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: ;Figure 1 shows a perspective view from the side of a standard version of device according to the invention exploded from its position on a rotary lawn mower; ;Figure 2 shows a side view of the device shown in Figure 1; ;Figure 3 shows a plan view of the device shown in Figures 1 and 2; ;Figure 4 shows a perspective view from the side of a grass cutting and mulching version of device according to the invention shown with an intake scoop and tray exploded from its normal position on a rotary lawn mower; ;S ;Figure 5 shows a side view of the intake scoop and tray shown in Figure 4; ;314123 ;Figure 6 shows a plan view of the intake scoop and tray shown in Figures 4 and 5; ;Figure 7 shows a perspective view from the side of a modified mower version of device according to the invention with a removable guard shown exploded from its position on a rotary lawn mower; ;Figure 8 shows a partial sectional view of an intake scoop and tray for the modified mower shown in Figure 7; ;Figure 9 shows a plan view of the intake scoop and tray shown in Figures 7 and 8; ;Figure 10 shows a perspective view from the side of a grass cutting and mulching device according to the invention with a modified set of blades, and with the intake scoop and tray being shown in a position exploded from its normal position on a rotary lawn mower; ;Figure 11 shows a side view of the suction fan blades and intake scoop and tray shown in Figure 10; ;Figure 12 shows a plan view of a multi-cutter blade for use in the cutting and mulching device shown in Figures 10 and 11; and ;Figure 13 shows a plan view of the grass cutting and mulching device shown in Figures 10 to 12. ;- 5 - ;314123 ;The examples of the present invention described are all adapted either for use with a rotary lawn mower or for use with a unit having a generally similar appearance and construction as a rotary lawn mower. ;For example, as shown in Figure 1, the rotary lawn mower is generally indicated by arrow 1 and includes a cowling or shroud 2, catcher 3, handle and controls 4 and drive motor 5. The shroud 2 is normally provided with two sets of wheels only a front set 6 of which are shown in the drawings. The motor 5 drives a blade or blades designed to rotate in a horizontal plane, parallel to the plane of a base 7 of the cowling or shroud 2. ;The cowling or shroud 2 in the first example shown in Figures 1 to 3 has an intake scoop and tray 8 which is adapted to be fitted to the base of the cowling or shroud 2. The fitting of the intake scoop and tray 8 to the cowling or shroud 2 forms a mulching space or chamber in which a blade or blades (not shown) driven by the motor 5 rotate. The intake scoop has an angled section 9 through which garden debris pass or are drawn by the rotating blade(s). The debris is mulched in the mulching chamber before passing to the catcher 3. The catcher 3 is removed and the mulched debris are used by a gardener in the normal way. ;In plan, as shown in Figure 3, the tray is of a complementary shape to that of the base of the cowling or shroud 2. ;In use the standard version is used in much the same way as a standard rotary mower and garden debris is drawn through the angled section 8 of the intake scoop into contact with the blade(s) which chop the debris in to a form ;- 6 - ;314123 ;suitable for mulching. The chopped material is collected in the catcher for removal and transfer to wherever the material Is to be used. ;In the second example shown in Figures 4 to 6, similar parts to those shown in Figure 1 are referenced by the same numerals. In this version part 10 of the floor of the intake scoop and tray is cut away as shown. This means that at the same time as the device acts as a mulcher the spinning blade (not shown) driven by the motor 5 in the mulching space moves in an arc causing any grass or other material growing to a height above the blade to be cut. ;This cut material is mixed with the garden debris collected through the intake section 9 for collection in the catcher 3. ;In the third example shown in Figures 7 to 9 again similar parts are referenced by the same numerals. This unit is designed to be fitted as a modification to an existing mower. In this construction there is provided a removable guard 11 which when removed forms a space for the intake chute section 9. When the guard 11 is in place the device acts primarily as a mower. When removed the guard 11 allows an intake scoop and tray 8 to be fitted as shown in Figure 8. The chute for debris collection is directed to blades 12 in the mulching region 13. In this instance the intake scoop and tray 7 is adapted to fit inside the shroud 2. ;* In the fourth example shown in Figures 10 to 13 there is provided a device for collecting and mulching garden debris which device incorporates a modified cutter blade with suction fan blades. Again similar parts to those in the previous examples are referenced by the same numerals. In this example the 314123 intake scoop and tray 8 is designed to have a suction fan 14 and a multi-cutter blade 15 (Figure 12) mounted in association therewith. The suction fan 14 blade is mounted above the intake scoop section 9 and is desjgned to draw debris through the intake scoop past blades 15 and into the catcher 3. The multi-cutter blade 15 is positioned in such a place that any debris or grass over which the device passes is cut before passing under the action of the suction fan 14 into the mulching chamber region 13 for transfer to the catcher 3.

These examples arfe used in the same fashion as the first example.

Thus by this invention there is provided a device for collecting and mulching garden debris.

Where in the aforegoing description particular mechanical integers are referred to, it is contemplated that their mechanical equivalents can be incorporated as if they are set forth individually herein.

Particular examples of the invention have been described and it is envisaged that improvements and modifications can take place without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (7)

- 8 - 314123 WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A device for collecting and mulching garden debris, the device includes an intake scoop and tray adapted to fit or be built in association with a rotary lawn mower, the intake scoop ?.;>d tray forms a mulching chamber below a cowling or shroud of the mower, the arrangement being such that a rotating bisde in the cowling or shroud sucks or draws garden debris into the mulching chamber for mulching.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 which is shaped so that the intake scoop is directed to or from the side or front of the rotary lawn mower.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the intake scoop and tray is attached to the underside of the rotary lawn mower.

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the intake scoop and tray includes a flexible base or other attachment for sucking up leaves or other garden debris into the mulching chamber.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the mulching chamber includes the rotating blades and a suction fan or fan blades to improve throughput of the treated material.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the rotating blade (blades) are formed as radial arms mounted relative to a disk which is mounted coaxial with a drive shaft of a motor adapted to drive the mower. .. 9- 314123

7. A device for collecting and mulching garden debris substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the examples shown in the accompanying drawings. NEVILLE STRONACH Jy His/Attorneys) /IN SON/and CAREY CSPEC46990 END OF CLAIMS Intellectual Properly Office of NZ 11 OEC 1397 RECEIVED