Patents by Inventor Frank R. Allen

Frank R. Allen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5398490
    Abstract: A cutter head for a lawn mower which has a plurality of fingers arranged in two sets, one above the other, that extend forward in the direction of travel to channel grass between them. Between the fingers is a conveyor belt carrying a set of short blades moving transverse to the direction of motion of the mower for shearing the grass that is channeled by the fingers. The blades are preferably arranged at different levels to mulch the grass. Each blade is preferably split and bent to form multiple cutting edges at different levels. In one embodiment, the lower set of fingers extends farther forward than the upper set to better lift the grass for cutting. In an alternate embodiment, the upper set of fingers extends forward of the lower set and curves downwardly to lift objects out of the path of the mower. The continuous conveyor belt is conveyed around three sheaves that carry the plurality of blades and a sweeper to sweep grass from the cutter head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Inventor: Frank R. Allen
  • Patent number: 5261217
    Abstract: A cutter head, for a non-rotary power lawn mower, having a multiple-blade, multiple levels of blades assembly. The cutter head includes a stationary assembly in the form of a plurality of fingers arranged in several levels that cooperate with a continuous plurality of blades moved by a blade-carrying assembly. The fingers preferably extend parallel to the lawn mower's direction of motion in order to catch the grass and set it up for cutting. The blade-carrying assembly is preferably a chain conveyed around a pair of sprockets that carry the plurality of blades. These blades are arranged in several levels and interleave several levels of fingers. The grass entering the spacing between the fingers is sheared at each level of the stationary assembly by movement of the blades across the fingers. The cut grass is directed to the rear area of the cutter head, where it falls below the cutter head as mulch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Inventor: Frank R. Allen
  • Patent number: 4846588
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a debris collector bag for receiving grass clippings, leaves and debris which has a concave surface in which includes a concave slit opening from which the collected debris is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Frank R. Allen, John Hopkins
  • Patent number: 4736576
    Abstract: A lawn mower is described having a high collection efficiency. This is accomplished by constructing a housing having a toroidally-shaped skirt defining the interior space in which the blade rotates in a horizontal plane. The interior space has a generally circular cross-section, the radius of which gradually increases toward a region of maximum radius between upper and lower portions of the housings. The blade is positioned to rotate in the lower portion of the housing and a discharge port is positioned to encompass the region of maximum radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Textron Inc
    Inventors: Brian T. Mallaney, Frank R. Allen, J. Jiri Olmr
  • Patent number: 4728134
    Abstract: A device for retrieving a golf ball comprising an elongate handle and an inverted cup pivotally mounted on the end of the handle. The cup comprises a U-shaped member having a pair of laterally resilient side members carrying a pair of inwardly directed bails which cross to form an opening. The bails are laterally resilient which allows the opening to be expanded by the upward pressure when the cup is moved downwardly over the golf ball, allowing the ball to be entrapped. The ball is released by squeezing the side members towards each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Inventor: Frank R. Allen
  • Patent number: 4726178
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a cover assembly for the discharge opening of a lawn mower, which cover assembly serves the unique triple function of (i) mulching, (ii) side-discharging with a fail-safe anti-damage feature, and (iii) enabling the attachment needed for rear bagging to be mounted without removing the cover assembly. The cover assembly also includes transition means for dispersing the cuttings over a wide area as the cuttings are discharged from the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1988
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Mallaney, Frank R. Allen, Charles Gaymon