US715721A - Grass-receptacle for lawn-mowers. - Google Patents

Description

, no. 7|'5,72|. u Patented nee. 9,1902.

' LA FAYETTE wlLDl-:nmuTlL GRASS REGPTACLE FDR LAWN MDWEBS` (Application med Jun 24, 1902.)

. (lloldodel.)

o f 79 l f b ryqomyztys :fans co. FNomLlTnn.. WASHINGTON, n, c.

rrsED STATES FATENT OFFICE.

LA FAYETTE WILDERMUTH, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

GRASS-RECEPTACLE FOR LAWN-MOWERS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 715,721, dated December 9, 1902.

- Application led J une 24, 1902.

,To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, LA FAYETTE WILDER- MUTH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Grass-Receptacle for Lawn-Mowers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of grassreceptacles for lawn-mowing machines which are provided with a frame that may be distended, so as to fit machines of different widths.

My invention relates especially to an improved construction of the frame and the construction therewith of a spring by means of which the said frame may be contracted so as to retain it securely in position for operation upon the machineto which it is applied.

Specifically my invention consists in the improved construction and arrangement of the parts of the frame, which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved grass-receptacle for lawn-mowers, the front portion of the receivingbag having been broken away so as to expose the construction of the frame more clearly. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the upper frame of the device. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the lower frame. Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the joint between the upper and the lower frame.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are indicated by like characters of reference.

The frame of my improved grass-receptacle is composed of two separate parts-namely, a top frame 1 and a bottom frame 2. The top frame is composed of the sides 3 3, connected at their upper ends by a cross-piece 4 and having their front ends extended downwardly to form legs 5 5, thelower ends of which are bent or twisted to form eyes 6 6, from which short Shanks 7 7 are extended downwardly, as shown. From the lower ends of these Shanks short arms 8 8 are extended forwardly, and these arms are provided at their front ends with inturned 'hooks or catches 9 9. This frame, as well as the lower frame, to be presently described, is preferably constructed of wire, galvanized wire being preferred, this being a material which lends itself readily to Serial No. 113,038. (No model.)

the construction described and which is durable, inexpensive, and not liable to destruction by rust or fromother causes.

The bottom frame of the deviceis composed of the sides 10 l0, which are spaced apart by the cross-piece 11. The front ends of the sidepieces 10 10 are bent at right angles, so as to form what l shall call the guide-rods 12 12, each of which is of a length about equal to the rear piece 11. These guide-rods lying closely together constitute J[he front end of the bottom frame. Each of the guide-rods 12 is provided at a point closely adjacent to the side bar 10, from which it extends, with a depression 13, the purpose of which will presently be made apparent.

In connecting the frames of my improved device the guide-rods forming the front ends of the bottom Vframe are inserted from the outside through the eyes 6 of the top frame, the said eyes 6 forming bearings that engage with the depressions 13 in the guide-rods, so as to form hinges, whereby the two frames are enabled to have a swinging movement relatively to each other.'v The depressions 13 also form shoulders that engage the eyes 6, so as to form lock-joints that will be found efficient in preventing the accidental displace ment of the parts.

14 designates aspring, which is coiled upon the guide-rods 12, constituting the front end of the bottom frame of the device. The ends of this spring are twisted around, and thus connected with the sides of the frame. This spring, it will thus be seen, performs a double function in that it not only serves to draw the sides of the top frame in the direction of each other, but also to connect or hold together the rods 11, constituting the front end of the bottom frame. The said rods in turn also perform a double function in that they not only connect the sides or constitute the front end of the bottom frame, but also serve to support the spring 14,which is guided upon the said rods. It will specially 'be observed that no matter how far the sides of the frame are distended the spring 14 will always be supported throughout its ICC entire length. This is an important feature l in the construction of the device, inasmuch as Without such permanent support any portion of the spring that might be left unsupported would on coming in contact with any obstruction be liable to be bent or distorted out of' shape and be permanently injured.

I prefer to provide the bottom frame with one or more braces 16, consisting of rods or wires provided at their rear ends with eyes 17, engaging the rear cross-bar of said bottom frame and having at their front ends eyes 18, that encircle the guide-rods 12, both of the latter being encircled by each of said eyes. These braces when used serve to strengthen the device, to form additional supports for the bottom of the bag or textile receptacle usedin connection with the frame, and to form additional supports for the guiderods l2,while in no Wise hindering or obstructing the operation of the spring 14.

Upon the rear cross-bare of the top frame is mounted a hook 19, adapted to be connected with the handle of the lawn-mower to which the device is applied. The entire frame comprised by the top and bottom frames supports in the usual manner a bag or receptacle 20, made of any suitable textile material.

In operation the device is connected with a lawn-mower by distending the sides of the frame and placing the hooks 9 of the top frame in engagement with suitable slots or sockets in the sides of the mower-fram e. These slots or sockets may be specially provided, or I may make use of the slots in the roller-adjusting links or any other part of the mower that lends itself to the purpose. It is evident that the sides of the frames of my device are capable of considerable distention, thus enabling the device to be adjusted for operation upon lawn-mowers greatly varying in width. Owing to this considerable scope of adjustment, my device need not be manufactured in many different sizes. In fact, one single size may be used successfully upon lawnmowers of all the sizes ordinarily used. It is obvious that the bag or receptacle 20 should be made loose enough to lend itself to such adjustment. It is especially when the device is used upon a small or narrow machine that the slack in the bottom of the bag will need the support of the longitudinal braces 16. The latter, however, have additional useful functions, as stated above.

I have in the foregoing described the preferred construction of the parts of my invention; but I desire it to be understood that I reserve the right to any modifications and changes of details which are Within the scope ofthe invention.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- 1. In a device ofthe class described the combination with a top frame composed essentially of side pieces spaced apart by a rear cross-bar,said side pieces being provided with eyes, of a bottom frame composed of side pieces spaced apart by a rear cross-bar and having front pieces engaging the eyes of the top frame and extending the full length between the sides thereof, and means for holding said front pieces in sliding engagement With each other, substantially as set forth.

2. In a device of the class deseribed,the combination With a top frame composed essentially of side pieces spaced apart by a rear cross-bar,said side pieces being provided with eyes, of a bottom frame composed of side pieces spaced apart by a rear cross-bar and having front pieces engaging the eyes of the top frame and extending between the sides thereof, and a spring coiled upon said front pieces and having its ends connected with the side pieces of the frame, substantially as set forth.

3. In a device of the class described the comhina-tionV of a top frame composed essentially of side pieces spaced apart by a rear crossbar, said side pieces being provided vvith eyes, a bottom frame composed of side pieces spaced apart by a rear cross-bar and having front pieces engaging the eyes of the top frame and extending between the sides thereof, and braces having eyes engaging the rear crossbar of the bottom frame and additional eyes engaging the front pieces ot' said frame which are thereby slidingly held together, substantially as set forth.

4:. In a device of the class described the herein-described bottom frame having front pieces or guide-rods lying loosely against each otheil in combination With longitudinal bracerods connected With the rearcross-bar of the frame and having eyes encircling the front pieces or guide-rods of the same, which are thereby slidingly connected, substantially as set forth.

5. In a device of the class described the herein-described bottom frame having front pieces or guide-rods lying loosely against each other, and longit udinal braces connected with the rear cross-bar of the frame, and having eyes encircling the front pieces of the same, which are thereby slidingly connected, in combination with a suitably-constructed top frame having eyes engaging the front pieces of the bottom frame at points adjacent to the sides thereof, and a spring coiled upon said front pieces and connected at its ends With the sides of the frame, substantially as set forth.

6. Ina device of the class described the herein-described bottom frame having front pieces lying loosely against each other and provided with recesses forming shoulders adjacent to the sides thereof in combination with a top frame having eyes engaging the recesses upon the front pieces of the bottom frame,and aspring coiled upon said front pieces and con-- nected with the sides of the frame, substantially as set forth.

7. In a device of the class described the herein-described top frame composed essentially of side pieces connected and spaced apart by arear cross-bar, front pieces extending downwardly from said side pieces, eyes IOO IIO

| i l) Witnesses:

the side pieces and engaging the eyes of the top frame, and a spring coiled upon the overlapping front pieces of the bottom frame and y connected at its ends with the sides of the frame, substantially vas set forth.

In testimony that I claim theforegoing as my own I have hereto afxed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

LA FAYETTE WILDERMUTH.

FRANKLIN RUBRECHT, LUKE G. BYRNE.

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