Abstract: An air floated cutting apparatus is provided having a housing configured to define a cup-shaped centrifuge chamber along an inner peripheral wall of the housing for centrifuging cuttings. An impeller is located in the housing to force air outwardly along an interior wall of the housing to pressurize the interior of the housing. The air moves outwardly and downwardly along the interior wall in a top portion of the housing and then inwardly and downwardly along the interior wall in a bottom portion of the housing toward a support surface beneath the housing. The lowermost portion of the interior housing wall is angled downwardly less than 30 degrees with respect to a horizontal axis for directing air inwardly and downwardly at a predetermined angle. In one embodiment the interior housing wall defines the centrifuge chamber in the presence of the downward air flow. In another embodiment, means is provided for defining a centrifuge chamber separate from an air pressure chamber in which air flows downwardly.

Abstract: The present invention describes an air-floated wheeled apparatus with plurality of wheels having a deck housing, an outer house shroud for vacuum and pressure device, to define a mulch system having pressure and vacuum chambers in the main deck housing as well as a pressure chamber in the outer shrouds, and a vacuum chamber in the aft portion of the outer shroud or vacuum device that provides an aft clean up of mode area beyond the width of blade. A drive mechanism includes a motor having a rotatable shaft with at least 1 impeller is supported in the pressure chamber and rotates on a shaft for exhausting air from the vacuum chamber to erect grass underlying an opening while simultaneously pressurizing air in the pressure chamber to float the apparatus in combination with wheels that supports maximum weight of apparatus as well as a frontal wheel support or ball lake wheel support for directional support and maneuverability thereto.

Abstract: The present invention describes an air-floated vacuum cleaner comprising a housing having an air inlet opening, an open bottom and an inner wall, an impeller for pressurizing air within the housing to float the housing above a support surface, and a novel vacuum module/agitator located below the impeller. The vacuum module/agitator is rotatable with the impeller for agitating dust and debris on the support surface and for simultaneously suctioning the dust and debris upwards for lateral displacement against the inner wall. The dust and debris is then centrifuged to a duct communicating with the inner wall. The air-floated vacuum cleaner further includes a flotation plate module for entrapping and sealing within the housing pressurized air generated by the impeller.

Abstract: An air floated cutting apparatus is provided having a housing configured to define a cup-shaped centrifuge chamber along an inner peripheral wall of the housing for centrifuging cuttings. An impeller is located in the housing to force air outwardly along an interior wall of the housing to pressurize the interior of the housing. The air moves outwardly and downwardly along the interior wall in a top portion of the housing and then inwardly and downwardly along the interior wall in a bottom portion of the housing toward a support surface beneath the housing. The lowermost portion of the interior housing wall is angled downwardly less than 30 degrees with respect to a horizontal axis for directing air inwardly and downwardly at a predetermined angle. In one embodiment the interior housing wall defines the centrifuge chamber in the presence of the downward air flow. In another embodiment, means is provided for defining a centrifuge chamber separate from an air pressure chamber in which air flows downwardly.

Abstract: The present invention describes an air-floated apparatus for use as a lawn mower or vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a housing having an outer shroud and an inner shroud, the outer shroud surrounding a predetermined portion of the inner shroud to define a pressure chamber between the inner and outer shrouds and a vacuum chamber within the inner shroud. A drive mechanism includes a motor having a rotatable shaft. A single impeller is supported in the pressure chamber and rotates on the shaft for exhausting air from the vacuum chamber to erect grass underlying the opening while simultaneously pressurizing air in the pressure chamber to float the apparatus above the grass. Airborne cut grass clippings are vacuumed into and through the impeller for distribution into the soil for recycle and recut. According to the invention, an adjustment assembly is provided for adjusting a position of the housing relative to a center-line auxiliary wheel assembly.

Abstract: An air pressure activated apparatus includes a substantially endless housing and an underlying plate member. The plate member has a variety of different constructions for providing enhanced air flow and pressure distribution for improved flotation, grass cutting, mulching, or vacuum cleaning while making it more difficult to contact moving parts within the housing.

Abstract: The present invention describes an air-floated apparatus comprising a housing having an outer shroud and an inner shroud, the outer shroud surrounding a predetermined portion of the inner shroud to define a pressure chamber between the inner and outer shrouds and a vacuum chamber within the inner shroud. A drive mechanism includes a motor having a rotatable shaft. A single impeller is supported in the pressure chamber and rotates on the shaft for exhausting air from the vacuum chamber to erect grass underlying the opening while simultaneously pressurizing air in the pressure chamber to float the apparatus above the grass. The apparatus further includes a cutting disk rotatable on the shaft and supported in a bottom opening of the inner shroud to substantially enclose the vacuum chamber. The cutting disk includes multiple retractable blades for cutting the grass. Several types of auxiliary drive mechanisms are also disclosed for use in facilitating advancement of the housing in a self-propelled manner.

Abstract: An air-floated apparatus, such as a lawn mower or vacuum cleaner, includes a housing having an open bottom and an air intake opening. The housing is adapted to cooperate with a support surface beneath the housing to define a substantially enclosed chamber. At least one air impeller is provided for pressurizing air within the chamber sufficient to float the housing above the support surface. An axle and first and second support wheels mounted with the axle are coupled to a back portion of the housing by first and second attachment members. Respective first ends of the first and second attachment members are mounted for co-movement with the housing and respective second ends of the first and second attachment members are mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the axle and wheels.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus, such as a lawn mower is described comprising a substantially endless housing having an open bottom, air intake opening and a discharge port. The housing cooperates with a plate member projecting inwardly from a bottom part of the housing to define a substantially enclosed centrifuge chamber. A rotatable cutting blade is mounted in the chamber and an air impeller is provided for pressurizing air in the chamber. The plate member and impeller enhance the centrifugal movement imparted to the cuttings by the rotating cutting blade. A mulch recycling system is provided for receiving the grass cuttings and for delivering the cuttings to a predetermined location adjacent the housing for mulching. The mulch recycling system is adapted for use in connection with cutting apparatus supported by wheels, or roller members, as well as air-floated cutting apparatus.

Abstract: An air-floated cutting apparatus is described comprising a substantially endless housing having an open bottom, an air intake opening and a discharge port, the housing cooperating with a plate member beneath the housing to define a substantially enclosed chamber. A rotatable cutting blade is mounted in the housing, and an air impeller is provided for pressurizing air in said chamber sufficient to float the housing above the ground. The rotatable cutting blade and the air impeller are designed for co-rotation. According to the invention, a mulch recycling system is attached to the discharge port for receiving grass clippings produced by the rotatable cutting blade and for delivering the grass clippings to a predetermined location adjacent the endless housing for mulching. The system may include an applicator for treating the grass clippings with enzymes and/or bacteria to facilitate composting and fermentation.

Abstract: The present invention describes an air-floated apparatus comprising a wheel-less housing having a skirt extending around a lower edge thereof and having an air-inlet opening in an upper portion thereof, the housing further including a discharge port. The apparatus includes a motor having a rotatable shaft. An impeller is mounted on the shaft for generating pressurized air in the hosuing to float the housing above a support surface. The apparatus also includes a cutting blade mounted on said shaft for generating grass clippings. According to the invention, a substantially u-shaped centrifuge raceway is provided for receiving the grass clippings and transporting the grass clippings to the discharge port. A plurality of struts are provided for supporting the centrifuge raceway in a spaced relationship with respect to an inner wall of the housing to create an air pressure channel for the pressurized air between the inner wall and the centrifuge raceway.

Abstract: An air-floated apparatus, such as a lawn mower or vacuum cleaner, is comprised of an endless housing having a bottom opening defined by a relatively flat plate member projecting inwardly from a bottom part of the housing. At least one air impeller is provided for pressurizing air within the housing sufficient to float the housing above a support surface. The plate member directs air laterally into the housing to inhibit the escape of air from the housing and maintain a relatively constant pressure in the housing. In one embodiment the apparatus is comprised of a lawn mower having a rotatable cutting member mounted within the housing. The rotary action of the cutting member centrifuges grass cuttings within the housing. The plate member acts as a shelf to support the centrifuged grass cuttings and cooperates with an inner wall of the housing to direct the grass cuttings into a discharge duct for collection in a bag or other receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention describes improvements to an air-floated apparatus having a deck with an open bottom, a platform enclosing a portion of the open bottom of the deck to define a pressure chamber, and an impeller for pressurizing air in the pressure chamber to float the housing above a support surface, the platform having an opening and the deck having an outer periphery. According to the invention, a novel structural member is supported between the deck and the platform along a predetermined portion of the deck outer periphery, the structural member including an upper wall and a lower wall defining a chamber. A pressure seal is supported in the platform opening.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus with an overhead grass catcher includes a housing (10) for discharging grass clippings at a high pneumatically volumetric flow through a discharge duct (14). A conduit (22) diverts the flow of grass clippings at an angle of greater than 90.degree. with respect to the cutting surface of the mower. The grass clippings are discharged through a discharge port (24) into a grass catcher (30). The grass catcher (30) is disposed on a support (25) that is disposed over the central axis of the mower. The support (25) is anchored onto the handle (16) of the mower. An opening is disposed on a flange (38) with a flexible gasket (40) operable to fit over the discharge duct (24). The opposite end of the grass catcher (30) is securely fitted within an end cap (28), which end cap (28) is fixedly attached to the opposite end of the support (25) from the handle (16). The handle (16) can therefore be tilted up to disengage the opening in the grass catcher (30) from the discharge port (24).

Abstract: A combined animal feeder and waterer including a hopper (20) that stores a quantity of pelletized material and is partially closed at the bottom by a restricting plate (40). The restricting plate has an orifice (38) extending therethrough and offset from the center of the hopper (20). The orifice (38) extends downwardly and rearwardly into an agitation chamber (32) wherein a rotor (34) is disposed for agitating the pelletized material and disposing it outward through an orifice into a feeding bowl (16). A water reservoir (66) is included in the base and integral therewith and communicates with a drinking well (17) through an orifice (70). The orifice (70) is disposed in the lower portion of the interface between the reservoir (66) and the drinking well (17). A breathing hole (72) allows the water in the reservoir (66) to seek the same level as the water in the drinking well (17) by a gravity feed distribution system. The size of the drinking well (17) is small relative to the size of the reservoir (66).

Abstract: An animal feeder includes a hopper (20) that stores a quantity of pelletized material and is partially closed at the bottom by a restricting plate (40) that has an orifice (38) extending therethrough and offset from the center of the hopper (20). The orifice (38) extends downwardly and rearwardly into an agitation chamber (32). A rotor (34) having paddles (41), (42) and (43) disposed radially outward thereof, is disposed in the bottom of the agitation chamber (32) for rotation about the central axis thereof. An outlet port (46) allows exit of agitated pelletized material from the agitation chamber for dispensing into an eating bowl (16). The paddles (41)-(43) are shaped such that particles of pelletized matter that may be trapped between the lateral edge of the outlet port (46) and the edge of one of the paddles (41)-(43) are forced upwardly and outwardly from the paddle. This results in the pelletized matter either exiting the outlet port (46) or falling back into the agitation chamber (32).

Abstract: A food dispenser includes a housing (12) with a receiving chamber (14) and an auxiliary chamber (16) on the interior thereof. A reciprocating platform (28) is disposed in the receiving chamber (14) for reciprocation therein. A cord (30) is wrapped about the platform (28) and having one end thereof attached to a point (32) on the rim (24) of the housing and the other end thereof wound about a pulley (36) for rotation therewith. The pulley (36) is attached to a shaft (38) in the auxiliary chamber (16) which is rotatable with a knob (40). A lid (18) is mounted on the housing (12) with a hinge (20) to provide an airtight seal thereto. Food disposed in the receiving chamber (14) can be dispensed by raising the platform (28) and then stored by closing the lid on the remaining food products therein.

Abstract: A multistage volumetric feeder has a storage hopper for storing a mass of semi-flowable material, such as strand fiberglass, asbestos, or titanium dioxide. The material is bottom unloaded and passed through several stages of pressure reduction, aeration, and conditioning to loosen the material and place it in a state of substantially constant density. The conditioned material is further prevented from bridging and compacting as it is volumetrically delivered to a metering stage through a segregation stage. Because the semi-flowable material is placed in an uncompacted state of substantially constant density, the feeder is capable of delivering a precise mass of material over a wide range of flow rates.

Abstract: An apparatus for exterminating animals such as rodents is provided. The apparatus includes an enclosure large enough to accommodate the body of the animal. An opening is formed in the enclosure to enable entry of the animal. Quantities of first and second chemical compositions are maintained separately from one another within the enclosure. In response to the entry of animals within the enclosure, the first and second compositions are mixed. Compositions react to one another when mixed to form a foam material having a volume substantially greater than the combined volumes of the first and second compositions. The foam fills the enclosure and surrounds and kills the animal. The foam hardens to encapsulate the animal, whereupon the device may be disposed of.