Debris removal system for a lawn mower

• US 9,320,202 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2014
• Issued: 04/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jason Delane Houseman
• Original Assignee: Jason Delane Houseman
• Inventors: Houseman, Jason Delane
• Primary Examiner(s): WEISS, JOHN
• Application Number:
  US14/349,607
• Publication Number:
  US 20150296718A1
• Time in Patent Office: 755 Days
• Field of Search: 564/001.5, 564/000.4, 564/001.1, 563/63, 563/62, 141/108, 141/109, 151/05, 151/42
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/001 Accessories not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/68 with motor driven cutters or wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/82 Other details
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 43/00 Mowers combined with apparatus performing additional operations while mowing A01D37/00, A01D39/00, A01D41/00, take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 20/43 for sweeping, collecting or disintegrating lawn debris

Abstract

A debris removal system (15) for mounting on a lawn mower (20) for removing debris from a lawn. The lawn mower has a first end (21), a second end (22) opposite the first end (21), and a mower deck (29). The debris removal system has a tool (53) pivotally mounted to the mower deck (29). The tool (53) has a proximal end (54) and a distal end (55). The tool (53) is capable of being moved from a first position with the distal end (54) extending forward from the first end (21) of the mower (20) into contact with the lawn to a second position where the distal end (21) of the tool (53) is positioned above and out of contact with the lawn. A receptacle (47) is disposed on the mower (20) and configured to receive the debris from the tool (53) when the tool (53) is moved from the first position to the second position.

Claims

1. A debris removal system mounted on a lawn mower operated by a user, the lawn mower having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a mower deck, the debris removal system comprising:

a tool disposed on the mower, the tool configured to collect debris and having a proximal end and a distal end, the tool capable of being moved from a first position with the distal end extending forward from the first end of the mower into contact with the lawn to a second position where the distal end of the tool is positioned above and out of contact with the lawn;

a receptacle configured to receive debris from the tool when the tool is moved from the first position to the second position; and

,

a control system for moving the tool between the first and second position, the control system within the reach of the user while mowing the lawn; and

, wherein the control system comprises a control wire capable of causing the tool to move between the first and second position; and

, wherein an actuator for moving the control wire is mounted on one of an arm and a handle attached to the second end of the mower.

2. The debris removal system of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is disposed on the mower.

3. The debris removal system of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is disposed on the tool.

4. The debris removal system of claim 1, wherein the tool is pivotally mounted to the mower.

5. A debris removal system mounted on a lawn mower operated by a user, the lawn mower having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a mower deck, the debris removal system comprising:

a tool disposed on the mower, the tool configured to collect debris and having a proximal end and a distal end, the tool capable of being moved from a first position with the distal end extending forward from the first end of the mower into contact with the lawn to a second position where the distal end of the tool is positioned above and out of contact with the lawn;

a receptacle configured to receive debris from the tool when the tool is moved from the first position to the second position; and

,

a control system for moving the tool between the first and second position, the control system within the reach of the user while mowing the lawn; and

,

further comprising a first plate mounted to the mower deck and a second plate pivotally attached to the first plate.

6. The debris removal system of claim 5, wherein the first and second plate are connected by a hinge, the second plate having a biasing member causing the second plate to rotate.

7. The debris removal system of claim 5, wherein the tool is adjustably mounted on the first plate.

8. The debris removal system of claim 5, wherein the receptacle is removably attached to the mower.

9. The debris removal system of claim 5, wherein the tool has a solid substantially planar portion and a collection portion having a plurality of curved tines extending from the solid portion.

10. The debris removal system of claim 5, wherein the receptacle is formed from a wire grid.

11. The debris removal system of claim 5, wherein the control system comprises a control wire capable of causing the tool to move between the first and second position.

12. A debris removal system mounted on a lawn mower operated by a user, the lawn mower having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a mower deck, the debris removal system comprising:

a tool disposed on the mower, the tool configured to collect debris and having a proximal end and a distal end, the tool capable of being moved from a first position with the distal end extending forward from the first end of the mower into contact with the lawn to a second position where the distal end of the tool is positioned above and out of contact with the lawn;

a receptacle configured to receive debris from the tool when the tool is moved from the first position to the second position; and

,

a control system for moving the tool between the first and second position, the control system within the reach of the user while mowing the lawn; and

,

wherein the control system comprises a control wire capable of causing the tool to move between the first and second position; and

, wherein an actuator for moving the control wire is mounted on one of an arm and a handle attached to the second end of the mower.

13. A debris removal system mounted on a lawn mower operated by a user, the lawn mower having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a mower deck, the debris removal system comprising:

a tool configured to collect debris and pivotally mounted to the first end of the mower, the tool having a proximal end and a distal end, the tool capable of being rotated between a first position with the distal end extending forward from the first end of the mower into contact with the lawn and a second position where the distal end of the tool is positioned above and out of contact with the lawn;

a receptacle configured to receive the debris from the tool when the tool is rotated from the first position to the second position;

wherein a control system causes the tool to move between the first position and the second position, the control system disposed within the reach of the user while mowing the lawn; and

, wherein the control system comprises a control wire capable of causing the tool to move between the first and second position; and

, wherein an actuator for moving the control wire is mounted on one of an arm and a handle attached to the second end of the mower.

14. The debris removal system of claim 13, wherein the tool is biased in the second position by a biasing member.

15. The debris removal system of claim 14, wherein the control system comprises a flexible wire attached to the tool such that movement of the wire in a first direction causes the tool to rotate from the second position to the first position against the force of the biasing member.

16. The debris removal system of claim 13, wherein the receptacle is disposed on the tool.

17. The debris removal system of claim 13, wherein the tool has a solid portion extending to a plurality of curved tines.

18. A debris removal system mounted on a lawn mower, the lawn mower having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a mower deck, the debris removal system comprising:

a tool configured to collect debris and having a proximal end and a distal end;

means for moving the tool between a first position with the distal end extending forward from the first end of the mower into contact with the lawn to a second position where the distal end of the tool is positioned above and out of contact with the lawn;

means for collecting debris disposed on the tool when the tool is moved from the first position to the second position; and

,

means for remotely actuating the means for moving; and

, wherein the means for remotely actuating comprises a control wire capable of causing the tool to move between the first and second position; and

, wherein an actuator for moving the control wire is mounted on one of an arm and a handle attached to the second end of the mower.

19. A lawn mower operated by a user, comprising:

a mower deck having a first end and a second end and a rotating blade mounted thereto;

a plurality of wheels supporting the mower deck;

a motor mounted above the mower deck for providing power to the rotating blade;

a tool configured to collect debris and pivotally mounted to the first end of the mower deck, the tool having a proximal end and a distal end, the tool capable of being rotated between a first position with the distal end extending forward from the first end of the mower deck into contact with the lawn and a second position where the distal end of the tool is positioned above and out of contact with the lawn;

a receptacle configured to receive the debris from the tool when the tool is rotated from the first position to the second position;

wherein a control system causes the tool to move between the first position and the second position, the control system disposed within the reach of the user while mowing the lawn; and

, wherein the control system comprises a control wire capable of causing the tool to move between the first and second position; and

, wherein an actuator for moving the control wire is mounted on one of an arm and a handle attached to the second end of the mower.