Apparatus for fine pulverization of dry leaves and garden debris

• US 6,701,698 B1
• Filed: 01/10/2003
• Issued: 03/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eric S. Ndumele, Michael U. Nwosu
• Original Assignee: Eric S. Ndumele, Michael U. Nwosu
• Inventors: Ndumele, Eric S., Nwosu, Michael U.
• Primary Examiner(s): Will, Thomas B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Petravick, Meredith
• Application Number:
  US10/340,456
• Time in Patent Office: 424 Days
• Field of Search: 56/1, 561/57, 56D/IG.5, 56/164.D
• US Class Current: 56/16.40D
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 2101/00 Lawn-mowers
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/005 Mulching means

Abstract

An apparatus for finely pulverizing lawn debris has a central drive shaft driven by a gasoline or electrical power source. Lawn debris is drawn into a sucking chamber by a fan impeller blade mounted on the central drive shaft. The fan impeller blade initiates pulverization of the debris in the suction chamber. A grinding blade is mounted for rotation on the central drive shaft below the fan impeller blade. The grinding blade carries a plurality of blade elements operative to effect additional pulverization of the initially pulverized debris. A distributing plate mounted for rotation on the central shaft has a plurality of inclined apertures therein for dispensing a high velocity stream of the pulverized debris uniformly over said lawn.

Claims

1. An apparatus for finely pulverizing lawn debris, comprising:

a. a frame having attached thereto a suction hood, a suction and grinding chamber and a plurality of transportation wheels;

b. a power source mounted on the suction and grinding chamber and operably connected to a central drive shaft to provide power for pulverization and distribution of said debris;

c. a fan impeller blade mounted on the central drive shaft for drawing the dry leaves through the suction hood and effecting initial pulverization of said debris;

d. a grinding blade mounted for rotation on said central shaft for effecting further pulverization of said initially pulverized debris; and

e. a distributing plate mounted for rotation on said central shaft said distributing plate having a plurality of inclined apertures therein for dispensing a high velocity stream of said pulverized debris uniformly over said lawn, said apertures extending from a top surface to a bottom surface of said plate, and being inclined at an angle ranging from 45 to 60 degrees with respect to said top surface.

2. An apparatus for finely pulverizing of lawn debris as recited by claim 1, wherein the said angle of inclination of said apertures extends generally radially outward and along the direction of plate rotation.

3. An apparatus for finely pulverizing lawn debris as recited by claim 1, wherein the said angle of inclination of said apertures extends generally radially outward.