GRASS CATCHER

Abstract

A grass catcher assembly for coupling with a grass cutting device includes a covered frame and a support defining an aperture for receiving debris from the grass cutting device. The covered frame may be pivotally coupled with the support for one or more of collecting the debris when the covered frame is in a closed position and emptying the debris when the covered frame is in an opened position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation in part of and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/503,845, filed Aug. 14, 2006, entitled “DISCHARGE APPARATUS,” now pending, which in turn claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/707,737, filed Aug. 12, 2005. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/503,845 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/707,737 are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of accessories for grass cutting devices, and more particularly to a grass catcher for collecting and/or broadcasting grass clippings and debris while mowing.

BACKGROUND

Some grass cutting devices provide for the attachment of a grass catcher for collecting grass clippings, leaves, twigs, and other debris as the lawn is mowed. During use of such grass cutting devices, foliage such as grass clippings and other debris may exit the device through a discharge chute for collection in a grass clipping bag. When full, the grass catcher is removed from the grass cutting device and emptied. This typically requires the operator of the grass cutting device (e.g., a riding lawnmower) to dismount and manually empty the foliage. In some instances, it may be desirable to have a container that does not require manual removal of grass catcher contents.

SUMMARY

A grass catcher assembly for coupling with a grass cutting device may include a covered frame and a support defining an aperture for receiving debris from the grass cutting device. The covered frame may be pivotally coupled with the support for one or more of collecting the debris when the covered frame is in a closed position and emptying the debris when the covered frame is in an opened position.

A grass catcher assembly for coupling with a grass cutting device may include a covered frame, a first support portion defining an aperture for receiving debris from the grass cutting device, and a second support portion pivotally coupled with the first support portion. The first support portion may be both fixedly connectable and rotationally connectable to the second support portion. The covered frame may be pivotally coupled with the first support portion for one or more of collecting the debris when the covered frame is in a closed position and emptying the debris when the covered frame is in an opened position.

A method may include covering a frame, defining an aperture in a support for receiving debris from a grass cutting device, and pivotally coupling the covered frame with the support for (A) collecting the debris when the covered frame is in a closed position and (B) emptying the debris when the covered frame is in an opened position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The numerous advantages of the disclosure may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating a grass catcher in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the grass catcher illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the grass catcher is shown in a closed position for collecting the discharge from a grass cutting device;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the grass catcher illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the grass catcher is shown in an opened position for broadcasting the discharge from a grass cutting device;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view illustrating another grass catcher in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the grass catcher illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein the grass catcher is shown in a closed position for collecting the discharge from a grass cutting device;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the grass catcher illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein the grass catcher is shown in an opened position for broadcasting the discharge from a grass cutting device;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the grass catcher illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein the grass catcher is shown in a closed position for collecting the discharge from a grass cutting device; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the grass catcher illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein the grass catcher is shown in an opened position for manually emptying the discharge from a grass cutting device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the subject matter disclosed, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1 through 3, a grass catcher assembly 100 is described in accordance with the present disclosure. The grass catcher assembly 100 comprises a container assembly for containing foliage, debris, and/or other materials delivered into the grass catcher assembly 100 from a grass cutting device (e.g., a riding lawnmower 102) via a chute or tube operably coupling the grass catcher assembly 100 and the riding lawnmower 102. The grass catcher assembly 100 includes a frame 104, which may be constructed from metal or another rigid material selected for supporting a lighter-weight material covering the frame 104, such as a covering 106. The covering 106 may be constructed from fabric, or another light-weight material.

The frame 104 is pivotally coupled to a support 106, which may include a plate 108 and a second, generally U-shaped frame 110. The plate 108 and the second frame 110 may be constructed from metal or another rigid material selected for supporting a lighter-weight material, such as a panel 112, supported by the plate 108 and the second frame 110. The panel 112 may be constructed from plastic, or another light-weight material. Together, the covering 106, the plate 108, and the panel 112 define a container for retaining clippings and debris within the grass catcher assembly 100, while allowing air to pass through the grass catcher assembly 100, such as through the covering 106.

The plate 108 may include a coupling 114 for collecting debris from the riding lawnmower 102. The debris may pass through an aperture defined by the plate 108 within the limits of the periphery of the coupling 114, such that debris may pass through the aperture and into the grass catcher assembly 100. For example, the grass catcher assembly 100 may be coupled with the riding lawnmower 102 via a discharge tube 116. The discharge tube 116 may receive exhaust from the riding lawnmower 102 including foliage, debris, and/or other materials (e.g., as part of a delivery system including a hose fed by a trimming implement of the riding lawn mower, such as a cutting blade, or the like).

The frame 104 may be pivotally coupled to the support 106 via one or more pins, which may be connected to one or more motors, such as motor 118. The motor 118 may be operatively coupled to a switch 120 for providing an electrically operated dump function (i.e., an operator may have the ability to dump the contents of the grass catcher assembly 100 while still operating the riding lawnmower 102). For example, the switch 120 may be located within reach of the operator while the operator is in a seated position on the riding lawnmower 102. Operating the switch 120 may pivot the frame 104 about the plurality of pins connecting it to the support 106. In a specific embodiment, the frame 104 may be pivoted up to 45 degrees with respect to the support 106.

In this manner, the grass catcher assembly 100 may comprise a dump-from-the-seat attachment for the riding lawnmower 102. It will be appreciated that the switch 120 may be actuated to pivot the frame 104 while the riding lawnmower 102 is in motion (e.g., for broadcasting clippings across a cut surface) and/or while the riding lawnmower 102 is relatively stationary (e.g., for dumping the contents in a waste area, or the like.

It will be appreciated that the first frame 104 and/or the second frame 110 may comprise rails, pipe sections, or the like which may be welded together. Frame assembly components may be substantially fabricated from a durable material such as aluminum, steel, reinforced plastics, composites, or a combination thereof suitable for coupling with the grass cutting device. For example, one or more cylindrical components may be welded to one or more other cylindrical components comprising the frame assembly. Additionally, the plate 108 may be substantially fabricated from a durable material such as a durable fabric, aluminum, steel, reinforced plastic, composite, or a combination thereof. Further, it will be appreciated that the panel 112 may be substantially comprised of a durable fabric, flexible plastic, or like durable material suitable such as steel or other such metal allow suitable for providing a rigid container for containing collected foliage and other material.

If desired, an operator may remove the grass catcher assembly 100 from the riding lawnmower 102 and manually discharge container assembly contents. Manual discharge of container contents may be accomplished by detaching the grass catcher assembly 100 from the grass cutting device. Additionally, an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure may be utilized with any grass cutting device configured to receive a manual discharge bag collection system by removing the bags and installing the apparatus. In this manner, the grass catcher assembly 100 may be configured to fit any desired grass cutting device.

It is contemplated that grass catcher assembly 100 may be attached to any type of a grass cutting device. For instance, the grass catcher assembly 100 may be mounted to a mower assembly, in particular a riding lawn mower, or the like, for trimming grass and other vegetation from which clippings are generated. Riding lawnmower may be a seated or stand-up type lawnmower and may be suitable for receiving an attaching releasable material collecting device. Additionally, it is contemplated that a riding lawnmower may be adapted to receive an attaching releasable material collecting device such as an embodiment of the grass catcher assembly 100. For example, a grass catcher assembly 100 in accordance with the present disclosure may be coupled to a Hustler Z™ mower, a Hustler Super Z™ mower, a Hustler Mini Z™ mower, a Hustler Super Mini Z™ mower, a Land Pride Razor Pro™ mower, or the like. The clippings generated by the riding lawn mower may be collected and stored by the grass catcher assembly 100, or, alternatively, may be broadcast while operating the mower.

Referring generally to FIGS. 4 through 8, a grass catcher assembly 200 is described in accordance with the present disclosure. The grass catcher assembly 200 comprises a container assembly for containing foliage, debris, and/or other materials delivered into the grass catcher assembly 200 from a grass cutting device (e.g., a riding lawnmower 202) via a chute or tube operably coupling the grass catcher assembly 200 and the riding lawnmower 202. The grass catcher assembly 200 includes a frame 204, which may be constructed from metal or another rigid material selected for supporting a lighter-weight material covering the frame 204, such as a covering 206. The covering 206 may be constructed from fabric, or another light-weight material.

The frame 204 is pivotally coupled to a first support portion 208, which may include a plate 210 and a second, generally rectangular-shaped frame 212. The first support portion 208 is pivotally coupled to a second support portion 214, which may include a third, generally U-shaped frame 216. The second support portion 214 and the third frame 216 may be constructed from metal or another rigid material selected for supporting a lighter-weight material, such as a panel 218, supported by the second support portion 214 and the third frame 216. The panel 218 may be constructed from plastic, or another light-weight material. Together, the covering 206, the plate 210, and the panel 218 define a container for retaining clippings and debris within the grass catcher assembly 200, while allowing air to pass through the grass catcher assembly 200, such as through the covering 206.

The plate 210 may include a coupling 220 for collecting debris from the riding lawnmower 202. The debris may pass through an aperture defined by the plate 210 within the limits of the periphery of the coupling 220, such that debris may pass through the aperture and into the grass catcher assembly 200. For example, the grass catcher assembly 200 may be coupled with the riding lawnmower 202 via a discharge tube 222. The discharge tube 222 may receive exhaust from the riding lawnmower 202 including foliage, debris, and/or other materials (e.g., as part of a delivery system including a hose fed by a trimming implement of the riding lawn mower, such as a cutting blade, or the like).

The frame 204 may be pivotally coupled to the first support portion 208 via one or more pins, which may be connected to one or more motors, such as first and second motors 224 and 226. The motors 224 and 226 may be operatively coupled to a switch 228 for providing an electrically operated dump function (i.e., an operator may have the ability to dump the contents of the grass catcher assembly 200 while still operating the riding lawnmower 202). For example, the switch 228 may be located within reach of the operator while the operator is in a seated position on the riding lawnmower 202. Operating the switch 228 may pivot the frame 204 about the plurality of pins connecting it to the first support portion 208. In a specific embodiment, the frame 204 may be pivoted up to 45 degrees with respect to the first support portion 208.

The first support portion 208 may be pivotally coupled to the second support portion 214 via one or more pins. For example, a first set of pins may be provided for establishing a pivot around which the first support portion 208 may rotate. A second set of pins or the like may be utilized to lock the first support portion 208 in place with respect to the second support portion 214. Thus, while operating the riding lawnmower 202, the second set of pins may be utilized to maintain the first support portion 208 in a substantially vertical orientation (as seen in FIG. 7). However, when an operator of the grass catcher assembly 200 wishes to manually empty the contents of the container, the second set of pins may be removed, allowing the first support portion 208 and the frame 204 to pivot and release the contents of the covering 206 (as seen in FIG. 8). In a specific embodiment, the first support portion 208 may be pivoted up to 45 degrees with respect to the second support portion 214.

In this manner, the grass catcher assembly 200 may comprise a dump-from-the-seat attachment for the riding lawnmower 202. It will be appreciated that the switch 228 may be actuated to pivot the frame 204 while the riding lawnmower 202 is in motion (e.g., for broadcasting clippings across a cut surface) and/or while the riding lawnmower 202 is relatively stationary (e.g., for dumping the contents in a waste area, or the like. Alternatively, the operator may manually empty the contents of the grass catcher assembly 200 by removing one or more pins or the like, and allowing the first support portion 208 to pivot around the second support portion 214 for emptying the contents of the covering 206.

It will be appreciated that the first frame 204, the second frame 212, and/or the third frame 216 may comprise rails, pipe sections, or the like which may be welded together. Frame assembly components may be substantially fabricated from a durable material such as aluminum, steel, reinforced plastics, composites, or a combination thereof suitable for coupling with the grass cutting device. For example, one or more cylindrical components may be welded to one or more other cylindrical components comprising the frame assembly. Additionally, the plate 210 may be substantially fabricated from a durable material such as a durable fabric, aluminum, steel, reinforced plastic, composite, or a combination thereof. Further, it will be appreciated that the panel 218 may be substantially comprised of a durable fabric, flexible plastic, or like durable material suitable such as steel or other such metal allow suitable for providing a rigid container for containing collected foliage and other material.

If desired, an operator may remove the grass catcher assembly 200 from the riding lawnmower 202 and manually discharge container assembly contents. Manual discharge of container contents may be accomplished by detaching the grass catcher assembly 200 from the grass cutting device. Additionally, an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure may be utilized with any grass cutting device configured to receive a manual discharge bag collection system by removing the bags and installing the apparatus. In this manner, the grass catcher assembly 200 may be configured to fit any desired grass cutting device.

It is contemplated that grass catcher assembly 200 may be attached to any type of a grass cutting device. For instance, the grass catcher assembly 200 may be mounted to a mower assembly, in particular a riding lawn mower, or the like, for trimming grass and other vegetation from which clippings are generated. Riding lawnmower may be a seated or stand-up type lawnmower and may be suitable for receiving an attaching releasable material collecting device. Additionally, it is contemplated that a riding lawnmower may be adapted to receive an attaching releasable material collecting device such as an embodiment of the grass catcher assembly 200. For example, a grass catcher assembly 200 in accordance with the present disclosure may be coupled to a Hustler Z™ mower, a Hustler Super Z∩ mower, a Hustler Mini Z™ mower, a Hustler Super Mini Z™ mower, a Land Pride Razor Pro™ mower, or the like. The clippings generated by the riding lawn mower may be collected and stored by the grass catcher assembly 200, or, alternatively, may be broadcast while operating the mower.

It is believed that the present disclosure and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components without departing from the disclosed subject matter or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form described is merely explanatory.

Claims

1. A grass catcher assembly for coupling with a grass cutting device, comprising:

a covered frame; and

a support defining an aperture for receiving debris from the grass cutting device, the covered frame pivotally coupled with the support for one or more of collecting the debris when the covered frame is in a closed position and emptying the debris when the covered frame is in an opened position.

2. A grass catcher assembly for coupling with a grass cutting device, comprising:

a covered frame;

a first support portion defining an aperture for receiving debris from the grass cutting device; and

a second support portion pivotally coupled with the first support portion, the first support portion both fixedly connectable and rotationally connectable to the second support portion, and the covered frame pivotally coupled with the first support portion for one or more of collecting the debris when the covered frame is in a closed position and emptying the debris when the covered frame is in an opened position.

3. The grass catcher assembly of claim 2, wherein the covered frame comprises a frame constructed from a rigid material covered by a flexible covering material.

4. The grass catcher assembly of claim 3, wherein the flexible covering material allows air to pass through.

5. The grass catcher assembly of claim 2, wherein the first support portion comprises a plate.

6. The grass catcher assembly of claims 2, wherein a coupling for connecting to a discharge tube of a lawnmower is disposed about the perimeter of the aperture defined by the first support portion.

7. The grass catcher assembly of claim 2, wherein the covered frame is connected to at least one motor for providing an electrically operated dump function.

8. The grass catcher assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one motor is operably connectable to at least one switch for operating the dump function.

9. The grass catcher assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one motor is operably couplable to the first support portion and the covered frame.

10. The grass catcher assembly of claim 2, wherein the first support portion is operatively couplable to the second support portion via a set of pins, where the set of pins allow the first portion to rotate with respect to the second portion.

11. The grass catcher assembly of claim 2, wherein the first support portion is operatively couplable to the second support portion via a set of pins, where the set of pins prevent the first portion from rotating with respect to the second portion.

12. A method, comprising:

covering a frame;

defining an aperture in a support for receiving debris from a grass cutting device;

pivotally coupling the covered frame with the support for (A) collecting the debris when the covered frame is in a closed position and (B) emptying the debris when the covered frame is in an opened position.

13. A grass cutting device, comprising:

a mower deck for supporting a cutting blade for cutting grass and producing debris;

a first motor connected to the mower deck and coupled with the cutting blade for powering the cutting blade;

a discharge tube connected to the mower deck for receiving the debris produced by the cutting blade;

a first support portion defining an aperture for receiving the debris from the discharge tube;

a coupling for connecting the discharge tube to the first support portion, the coupling disposed about the perimeter of the aperture defined by the first support portion;

a covered frame;

a second support portion pivotally coupled with the first support portion, the first support portion both fixedly connectable and rotationally connectable to the second support portion, and the covered frame pivotally coupled with the first support portion for one or more of collecting the debris when the covered frame is in a closed position and emptying the debris when the covered frame is in an opened position;

a second motor connected to the first support portion and coupled with the covered frame for providing an electrically operated dump function; and

at least one switch connected to the second motor for operating the dump function.