VERTICALLY ORIENTED DEBRIS BLOWER ASSEMBLY MOUNTED TO OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT UNIT

Abstract

A blower assembly for use with an outdoor power equipment unit comprises a turbine blower having a rotatable outlet duct that is carried on a blower frame in a vertically upright orientation with the fan section of the turbine blower being above the outlet duct. The turbine blower is laterally offset from a longitudinal centerline of the unit such that the height of the turbine blower is not positioned directly in front of the operator to leave the operator with a substantially unobstructed line of sight in a directly forward direction. The outlet duct has an open mouth through which the air flow is directed for clearing or blowing debris from a ground surface. An air egress opening is provided in a lower surface of the outlet duct adjacent the open mouth to allow a portion of the air flow exiting the open mouth to be directed more downwardly towards the ground than a remaining portion of the air flow.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to the field of outdoor power equipment units used for ground grooming, working, or maintenance operations, such as mowers for cutting grass or utility vehicles for carrying personnel and equipment, and more particularly to a blower assembly that may be used on or as part of such a unit for clearing or blowing ground lying debris in a desired direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Turbine debris blower assemblies are known for clearing or blowing debris, such as leaves, grass clippings, aeration cores, trash, etc., off of various ground surfaces, such as roadways and other maintained paved areas, the cart paths, fairways and greens of golf courses, and the like. For example, The Toro Company, the assignee of this invention, manufactures and sells a turbine debris blower assembly known as the Pro Force™ Debris Blower (Model 44538). The Pro Force™ debris blower comprises an engine driven turbine blower that is mounted horizontally on a tow frame that can be hitched to the rear of a utility vehicle such as a Workman® utility vehicle, also manufactured and sold by The Toro Company. As the utility vehicle is driven over the ground surface that is to be cleared, the operator can control the operation of the turbine blower using a hand held wireless remote control to direct the outlet duct of the turbine debris blower in the direction in which it is desired to blow the debris being cleared from the ground surface.

While the Pro Force™ debris blower is effective for the task for which it is designed, the fact that it is mounted on a tow frame that is trailed behind the utility vehicle means that the operator of the vehicle, who faces forwardly while operating the vehicle, must turn around and look to the rear if he or she wishes to observe the operation of the blower, e.g. to check and make sure the outlet duct of the blower is pointed in the direction that he or she wishes. This is inconvenient for the operator. The fact that the debris blower is powered by its own separate engine increases the expense of the debris blower due to the cost of the engine, particularly since the debris blower may only be infrequently used or used only at certain times of the year in certain climates. Finally, the horizontal orientation of the blower yields an outlet duct that is less effective in blowing debris than might be desired. For example, if the outlet duct is rotated on the fan section of the blower such that the rear end of the outlet duct is directly in line with the fan section in a fore-and-aft direction, the open mouth of the outlet duct will then either be facing directly upwardly away from the ground, which is useless for blowing debris, or directly downwardly facing the ground, which causes the air flow exiting from the open mouth to blast against the ground and spread out radially in all directions rather than being directed in a single direction. Accordingly, it would be an advance in the art to provide a debris blower that would obviate or alleviate some of these problems of known debris blowers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of this invention relates to a blower assembly which may be used with an outdoor power equipment unit having a self-propelled traction frame carrying a plurality of ground engaging wheels such that the traction frame is capable of rolling movement over the ground during operation of the traction frame. The traction frame has an operator's station for carrying an operator thereon with the operator guiding and controlling the traction frame. The blower assembly comprises a blower frame carried on a front end of the traction frame with the blower frame being located forwardly of the operator's station. A debris blower comprises a fan section having a rotatable vane array that rotates about a rotational axis, the rotation of the vane array pulling air in through an inlet at one end of the fan section, generating an axial air flow within the fan section, and discharging the axial air flow through an outlet at an opposite end of the fan section. The debris blower further comprises an outlet duct cooperating with the fan section, wherein the outlet duct is rotatably coupled to the outlet of the fan section for receiving the axial air flow from the fan section to discharge the axial air flow onto the ground for blowing ground lying debris in a desired direction, the outlet duct comprising a pipe section having an angled bend between an air flow receiving end and an open mouth thereof through which the air flow is discharged. A mount is provided for supporting the debris blower on the blower frame in a substantially vertically extending orientation with the fan section of the debris blower being located above the outlet duct. The blower frame and mount are configured to position the substantially vertically extending debris blower in a laterally offset orientation sufficiently to one side of a longitudinal centerline of the outdoor power equipment unit passing through the operator's station such that the operator has a directly forward line of sight that is substantially unobstructed by the debris blower when the operator is located at the operator's station.

Another aspect of this invention relates to a blower assembly for use with an outdoor power equipment unit having a self-propelled traction frame. The blower assembly comprises a debris blower, which comprises a fan section having a rotatable vane array that rotates about a rotational axis, the rotation of the vane array pulling air in through an inlet at one end of the fan section, generating an axial air flow within the fan section, and discharging the axial air flow through an outlet at an opposite end of the fan section. The debris blower also comprises an outlet duct cooperating with the fan section, wherein the outlet duct is rotatably coupled to the outlet of the fan section for receiving the axial air flow from the fan section to discharge the axial air flow onto the ground for blowing ground lying debris in a desired direction, the outlet duct comprising a pipe section having an angled bend between an air flow receiving end and an open mouth thereof through which the air flow is discharged. The debris blower is carried on the traction frame in a substantially vertical orientation with the fan section of the debris blower being located above the outlet duct. An air egress opening is provided in a lowermost surface of the pipe section adjacent to the open mouth, the air egress opening allowing a portion of the air flow exiting from the open mouth to be directed downwardly through the air egress opening towards the ground while a remaining portion of the air flow exits through the open mouth.

Yet another aspect of this invention relates to a blower assembly for use with an outdoor power equipment unit having a self-propelled traction frame carrying a plurality of ground engaging wheels such that the traction frame is capable of rolling movement over the ground during operation of the traction frame. The blower assembly comprises a blower frame having at least one rotatable ground engaging member carried thereon for providing the blower frame with a rolling engagement with the ground that is separate from a rolling engagement of the traction frame with the ground. The blower frame is carried on the traction frame by an attachment system having a mode that permits the blower frame during operation of the blower assembly to move vertically up and down relative to the traction frame independently of the traction frame. A debris blower is provided which comprises a fan section having a rotatable vane array that rotates about a rotational axis, the rotation of the vane array pulling air in through an inlet at one end of the fan section, generating an axial air flow within the fan section, and discharging the axial air flow through an outlet at an opposite end of the fan section. The debris blower further comprises an outlet duct cooperating with the fan section, wherein the outlet duct is rotatably coupled to the outlet of the fan section for receiving the axial air flow from the fan section to discharge the axial air flow onto the ground for blowing ground lying debris in a desired direction, the outlet duct comprising a pipe section having an angled bend between an air flow receiving end and an open mouth thereof through which the air flow is discharged. A mount supports the debris blower on the blower frame in a substantially vertically extending orientation with the fan section of the debris blower being located above the outlet duct. The at least one ground engaging member on the blower frame is adjustable in height relative to the blower frame to raise and lower the blower frame to different heights above the ground to vary the distance of the outlet duct of the blower relative to the ground.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This invention will be described in detail hereafter in the Detailed Description, when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a blower assembly according to one embodiment of this invention, particularly illustrating the blower assembly in an operational position in front of an outdoor power equipment unit to which the blower assembly will be attached or coupled, and further particularly illustrating a support stand, that is usually used for supporting the blower assembly in a non-operational storage position, in a stowed position on the blower assembly when the blower assembly is in the operational position thereof;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the blower assembly of FIG. 1 without the outdoor power equipment unit being depicted, particularly illustrating the blower assembly in its non-operational storage position with the support stand having been deployed in its support position to allow the blower assembly to be self-supporting and remain upright in its non-operational storage position;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view similar to FIG. 2, but particularly illustrating the support stand having been detached from the blower frame prior to the support stand having been placed into its stowed position on the blower assembly;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the blower assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the blower assembly of FIG. 1, particularly illustrating an air egress opening in a lower, ground facing surface of an outlet duct of a blower that forms part of the blower assembly, the air egress opening permitting a portion of the air flow exiting through the outlet duct to be directed vertically downwardly more directly towards the ground than a remaining portion of the air flow which exits through an open mouth of the outlet duct;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the blower assembly of FIG. 1, particularly illustrating a blower frame, that also forms part of the blower assembly, supporting the blower in a substantially vertical orientation with various portions of the blower frame having been removed to illustrate various arrays of fixed and rotatable vanes within a fan section of the blower as well as a mechanical drive system used to rotate the rotatable vanes of the blower to generate a downwardly directed air flow;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective of the blower assembly of FIG. 1, particularly illustrating the blower frame with other portions of the blower frame removed to illustrate a rotary drive system that can be selectively actuated by the operator to selectively rotate the outlet duct of the blower about a generally vertical rotational axis to adjust or redirect the direction in which the air flow exits from the outlet duct; and

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view similar to FIG. 5, particularly illustrating the outlet duct of the blower in a rotatively different position from the position of the outlet duct shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a blower assembly according to this invention is illustrated generally as 2. Blower assembly 2 is preferably in the form of an attachment that is selectively installed when it is to be used on the front of an outdoor power equipment unit that is designed for ground grooming, working or maintenance operations. While blower assembly 2 will be illustrated herein in conjunction with a mower 4, it is not limited for use with a mower but may be used broadly with outdoor power equipment units, including utility vehicles, such as the Workman® utility vehicle, which carry personnel, tools and equipment used for outdoor ground maintenance operations of many different types.

When not in use, blower assembly 2 is preferably removed from the outdoor power equipment unit and placed into a storage position to await the next use of blower assembly 2. However, if so desired, blower assembly 2 may be carried on a single use outdoor power equipment unit on which blower assembly 2 is intended to be permanently installed rather than being selectively installed and removed. In either case, the primary use of blower assembly 2 is to clear or blow ground lying debris, such as leaves, plant waste such as grass clippings, litter or trash, etc., off the surfaces on which they are originally found. For example, when the outdoor power equipment unit carrying blower assembly 2 is driven along a sidewalk or similar path, blower assembly 2 may be used to clear leaves from the path by blowing the leaves to the sides of the path or forwardly on the path.

Referring further to FIG. 1, when blower assembly 2 is an attachment for a multi-use outdoor power equipment unit, one such unit that may be used to carry blower assembly 2 is a mower 4 having a traction frame 6 that is supported for rolling over the ground by a pair of front wheels 7 and rear wheels 8. Some or all of wheels 7 and 8 are driven through a traction drive system (not shown) by a power source carried on traction frame 6, such as an internal combustion engine (not shown), to cause traction frame 6 to be self-propelled over the ground. Traction frame 6 carries a multi-bladed cutting deck (not shown) having a plurality of rotary cutting blades that rotate in substantially horizontal cutting planes to cut a relatively wide swath of grass during each pass of the mower over the ground. The cutting deck is normally mounted in an underslung manner beneath traction frame 6 in a center mount position between front wheels 7 and rear wheels 8 of mower 4. One type of mower 4 that may be used to carry blower assembly 2 is the Groundsmaster® 360 which is manufactured and sold by The Toro Company, the assignee of this invention.

Blower assembly 2 is preferably releasably attached to the front of mower 4 using a known Quick Attach System™ (QAS) 10 which is also manufactured and sold by The Toro Company. QAS 10 includes an A-shaped male coupler (not shown) provided on the front end of traction frame 6 of mower 4. The A-shaped male coupler may be vertically lifted and lowered relative to traction frame 6, and thus relative to the ground, by a lift and lower hydraulic cylinder or similar actuator (not shown) carried on traction frame 6. The male coupler on mower 4 is shaped to be received and closely nested within a similarly shaped, but slightly larger, A-shaped female coupler 12 provided on blower assembly 2. In fact, the Toro Company manufactures and sells a Quick Attach Front Frame (Model No. 30509) that can be mounted on the front end of traction frame 6 of the Groundsmaster® 360 mower to provide mower 4 with the ability to carry various other tools or implements in a front mounted position. Details of QAS 10 as used herein to couple blower assembly 2 to mower 4 are also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,671 to Stiller et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference. Thus, no further description of QAS 10 is needed herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, blower assembly 2 has two primary components: a blower frame 14 and a blower 16 that is carried on blower frame 14 in a substantially vertical orientation.

Turning first to blower frame 14, blower frame 14 has a generally inverted T-shape comprising a lower horizontal beam 18 having an upwardly extending central column 20 at the center of beam 18. Female coupler 12 of QAS 10 is preferably secured to the backside of central column 20 of blower frame 14 in a height adjustable fashion. As best shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, female coupler 12 is provided in this invention with a pair of laterally directed mounting flanges 22 that each carries a pair of laterally spaced mounting bolts 24. Mounting flanges 22 may be either separate plates or opposite sides of a single plate. Mounting flanges 22 abut against a pair of mounting plates 26 that are fixed to or are part of central column 20. Each mounting plate 26 carries thereon two laterally spaced arrays of vertically spaced holes 28 that are laterally aligned with the lateral locations of bolts 24.

The vertical height or location of female coupler 12 on blower frame 14 may be adjusted by using different holes 28 in the hole arrays to receive bolts 24. For example, FIG. 2 shows bolts 24 received in the lowermost holes 28 in the hole arrays, thus providing the lowest position of female coupler 12 on blower frame 4. Female coupler 12 may be moved to vertically higher positions on blower frame 4 by using higher holes 28 in each hole array. Whether such height adjustment is necessary depends upon the type of outdoor power equipment unit to which blower assembly 2 is attached and the vertical location of the male coupler on such outdoor power equipment unit. Providing such height adjustability for female coupler 12 on blower frame 4 allows a single blower assembly 2 to be used on a plurality of different outdoor power equipment units where the male coupler may be at different heights.

Blower frame 14 carries a ground engaging caster wheel 30 on each end of beam 18 of blower frame 14. Each caster wheel 30 has a vertically extending spindle that is rotatably carried within a vertically extending, cylindrical hub 32 on each end of beam 18. Thus, each caster wheel 30 is free to swivel about the axis of its corresponding hub 32 even as caster wheels 30 rotate about their own horizontal axes. Caster wheels 30 thus provide blower frame 14 with its own rolling engagement with the ground that is separate from the rolling engagement of traction frame 6 with the ground. Normally during operation of blower assembly 2, the lift and lower actuator of QAS 10 will be placed into a float mode such that blower frame 14 is free to move up and down independently relative to mower 4 in response to ground contours experienced locally by blower frame 14 with caster wheels 30 maintaining substantially continuous contact with the ground. Occasionally, the operator of mower 4 might use the lift and lower actuator of QAS 10 in a non-float mode to lift blower frame 14 including caster wheels 30 entirely up off the ground and to hold blower frame 14 in an elevated, suspended position raised above the ground during operation of blower assembly 2.

The height of caster wheels 30 can be adjusted upwardly or downwardly relative to beam 18 of blower frame 14 in a known manner using conventional height adjustment spacers 34. This height adjustment is for the purpose of raising or lowering blower 16 that is carried on blower frame 14 to adjust the height of blower 16 relative to the ground. Referring to FIG. 2 herein, blower 16 has its lowest vertical position relative to the ground since all of the spacers 34 are located between the top of hub 32 and a screw cap 36 on top of the spindle that carries caster wheel 30. If screw cap 36 is taken off of the spindle, caster wheel 30 can be dropped down out of hub 32, and a desired number of spacers 34 can then be placed around the spindle for use between the bottom of hub 32 and caster wheel 30 before the spindle is reinserted within hub 32 and screw cap 36 is reinstalled. Relocating spacers 34 in this manner from the top to the bottom of hub 32 has the effect of moving caster wheels 30 further below beam 18 to thereby raise blower frame 14 and blower 16 carried thereon further upwardly away from the ground. In addition, further height adjustability is provided by multiple, vertically spaced holes 31 in the side walls of the yoke that carries the horizontal axle or pivot shaft 33 on which each caster wheel 30 is rotatably journalled. See FIG. 6.

As noted earlier, the other primary component of blower assembly 2 is blower 16. Blower 16 preferably is a turbine blower comprising from top to bottom an upper fan section 38, an intermediate drive section 40 that houses at least a portion of a mechanical drive system to the fan section, and a lower outlet duct 42. The adjectives “upper”, “intermediate” and “lower” are used because the various portions of blower 16 so described are oriented vertically when blower 16 is mounted on blower frame 14.

A horizontal cantilever mount 44 supports blower 16 on the upper end of central column 20 with the free end of mount 44 attaching to blower 16 at the level of intermediate drive section 40. Significantly, mount 44 of blower frame 14 does not extend straight forwardly from central column 20. Rather, mount 44 is laterally angled to one side of central column 20 such that blower 16 is laterally offset from a fore-and-aft centerline of blower frame 14. The purpose of this lateral offset will be described later herein.

Fan section 38 of blower 16 includes an annular space located between a cylindrical, outer fan casing 46 (see FIG. 2) and a cylindrical, inner fan casing 48 (see FIG. 6 where outer fan casing 46 has been removed) that is concentric within outer fan casing 46. Referring further to FIG. 6, fan casings 46 and 48 are rigidly connected to one another by a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial struts 50 extending between them. Blower 16 is called a turbine blower because it carries two arrays 52_u and 52_b of curved blades or vanes 54 located generally in the annular space between fan casings 46 and 48 in a manner similar to the various fan stages in the turbine of a jet engine. Vanes 54 in the upper first array 52_u are rotatable as a group or unit about a substantially vertical rotational axis y in a manner to be described hereafter. Vanes 54 in the second lower array 52_b are fixed in place between fan casings 46 and 48 to form a fixed stator. As the upper vane array 52_u is rotated, atmospheric air is drawn downwardly through an upper protective screen 56 to create a downwardly directed, axially extending, relatively strong air flow that is projected vertically downwardly through the annular space and through the fixed vane array 52_b to exit the annular space through the bottom thereof.

Drive section 40 is located immediately beneath fan section 38 and has a cylindrical outer casing 58 that has a much shorter vertical height than outer fan casing 46 of fan section 38. Drive section 40 basically has two purposes. The first purpose is to form a continuation of outer fan casing 46 to thereby receive the vertically directed air flow generated within fan section 38 to conduct this air flow further downwardly. In this sense, drive section 40 can be thought of as a continuation of or as a part of fan section 38. The second purpose is to house a portion of a mechanical drive system 60 that is used to rotate the array 52_u of rotatable vanes 54 in fan section 38.

Referring now to FIG. 6, drive system 60 used for powering rotatable vane array 52_u comprises a substantially horizontal drive shaft 62 carried on the back of blower frame 14. Drive shaft 62 has a rear end 64 that may be suitably coupled or connected in any known manner to a power take off shaft (PTO) (not shown) on traction frame 6 of mower 4. The front end of drive shaft 62 forms the input to a right angle transmission or gear box 66. The output of gear box 66 is a vertical drive shaft 68. Drive shaft 68 and gear box 66 are housed within central column 20 of blower frame 14 with the drive shaft 68 extending up through the length of central column to locate the upper end of drive shaft 68 within one end of cantilever mount 44.

The upper end of drive shaft 68 serves as the input to a belt and pulley drive system 70 connected between drive shaft 68 and a shaft 72 that drives rotatable vane array 52_u. Belt and pulley drive system 70 is housed within mount 44 and within drive section 40. Fan casing 58 of drive section 40 has an opening in one side thereof to allow a portion of belt and pulley drive system 70 to be located within drive section 40 beneath fan section 38.

As shown in FIG. 6, belt and pulley drive system 70 includes an input pulley 74 on the upper end of drive shaft 68, an output pulley 76 on the lower end of a rotatable vane driving shaft 72, a flexible drive belt 78 entrained around input and output pulleys 74 and 76, and a spring biased idler pulley 79 for maintaining appropriate tension on drive belt 78. Thus, when blower assembly 2 is mounted on mower 4 via QAS 10 and the horizontal drive shaft 62 is coupled to the PTO on mower 4, rotation of the PTO is transmitted through horizontal drive shaft 62, through right angle gear box 66, through vertical drive shaft 68, and through belt and pulley drive system 70 to shaft 72 that powers rotatable vane array 52_u. As rotatable vane array 52_u is rotated, a strong air flow is developed within fan section 38 that is directed downwardly through drive section 40 to be received within the upper end of lower outlet duct 42.

Outlet duct 42 is preferably, but not necessarily, in the shape of a pipe section 80 having a shape and size that is approximately the same as the shape and size of outer fan casing 46 of fan section 38. In other words, if one were to take cross-sections through pipe section 80 and fan section 38 orthogonally to the centerlines or axes along which pipe section 80 and fan section 30 are elongated, pipe section 80 would have a substantially circular cross-section with a diameter substantially the same as the substantially circular cross-section and diameter of outer fan casing 46 of fan section 38. Pipe section 80 is in the form of an elbow having an angled bend between its upper end 82 which receives the air flow generated by fan section 38 and an approximately horizontally directed open mouth 84 which allows the air flow to exit from outlet duct 42. The amount of the bend can vary but is preferably about 90°.

Upper end 82 of pipe section 80 is rotatably journalled in any suitable fashion on the lower end of drive section 40. This allows outlet duct 42 formed by pipe section 80 to be rotatably adjusted about a substantially vertical axis that is substantially the same as the vertical rotational axis of rotatable vane array 52_u of blower 16. This rotatable adjustment of outlet duct 42 is for the purpose of changing the direction in which open mouth 84 of outlet duct 42 is pointing to thereby selectively change or vary the direction of the air flow exiting from outlet duct 42.

A rotary drive system 86 is provided to allow the operator of mower 4 to remotely adjust the position of outlet duct 42 from an operator's station 88 provided on mower 4. In one embodiment thereof, operator's station 88 includes a seat 89 on which the operator sits while operating mower 4. In any event and referring now to FIG. 7, drive system 86 for outlet duct 42 preferably comprises a hydraulic motor 90 mounted on blower frame 14 generally within central column 20 thereof. Hydraulic motor 90 has ports 92 that connect to hydraulic hoses (not shown) that bring pressurized fluid to and from a source of such fluid on mower 4 for operating motor 90 to cause rotation of an upwardly extending drive shaft 94 of motor 90. A belt and pulley drive system 96 is provided between drive shaft 94 of motor 90 and upper end 82 of outlet duct 42 to rotate outlet duct 42 when drive shaft 94 of motor 90 is selectively operated by the operator using suitable controls at operator's station 88. Motor 90 is reversible to allow the rotation of outlet duct 42 to occur in opposite directions.

It should be apparent from the above that upper end 82 of outlet duct 42 can be swung or rotated about axis y as desired by the operator to direct outlet duct 42 in a particular direction. For example, suppose the operator desires to use blower assembly 2 to blow leaves or other debris on the ground to the right of mower 4 as mower 4 is driven forwardly. If this is the case, the operator can activate motor 90 to swing outlet duct 42 around to the right on blower frame 14 until the mouth of outlet duct 42 is pointing to the right. FIG. 5 shows outlet duct 42 having been swung around to the right as far as possible with open mouth 84 of the duct actually pointing to the right and somewhat rearwardly. By contrast, FIG. 8 shows outlet duct 42 having been swung around to the left approximately 180° with open mouth 84 of the duct now pointing somewhat forwardly and to the left. Outlet duct 42 can be positioned anywhere within an approximately 270° range of motion.

Referring now to FIG. 5, open mouth 84 of outlet duct 42 includes a central, relatively short, air egress opening 98 in a lower surface thereof facing the ground. Opening 98 is preferably in the form of a single, straight sided slot, but other shapes and sizes could be used for opening 98. Opening 98 permits a portion of the air flow passing through open mouth 84 of outlet duct 42 to be directed more downwardly towards the ground than the remaining portion of the air flow that exits substantially horizontally from open mouth 84. Thus, instead of having a generally cylindrical column of air projected from open mouth 84 in a substantially horizontal direction, the air flow passing out of mouth 84 will have a fan shape in vertical cross-section where opening 98 is present. In other words, the air flow passing down through opening 98 will have both horizontal and vertical flow components to reach areas of the ground closer to open mouth 84 than would otherwise be possible. While the presence of opening 98 in the lower surface of outlet duct 42 adjacent open mouth 84 is preferred as it enhances the debris sweeping characteristics of outlet duct 42, opening 98 could be dispensed with by not forming such slot in outlet duct 42 in the first place or by allowing the operator to selectively cover or block opening 98 using a selectively installable and removable cover or shield (not shown) over opening 98.

Finally, a support stand 100 is provided for allowing blower assembly 2 to be self-supporting on the ground or on the floor of a maintenance shed or the like when blower assembly 2 is detached from mower 4 and is not in use. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, stand 100 is basically L-shaped having a substantially horizontal mounting arm 102 with a front end that carries a vertically extending jack 104, similar to a boat trailer jack, with a ground engaging foot 106 at the lower end thereof. Jack 104 carries a tethered pin 108 that can be used to pin or releasably secure the housing of jack 104 to the front end of mounting arm 102. Jack 104 has a rotatable crank or handle 110 that can be used to lift and lower foot 106 as needed for foot 106 to engage the ground and help support blower assembly 2 in a substantially upright position. In addition, lifting and lowering foot 106 can help raise and lower female coupler 12 on blower frame 14 relative to the ground somewhat to help better position coupler 12 for receiving the male coupler of QAS 10 when the operator is trying to attach blower assembly 2 to QAS 10. The rear end of mounting arm 102 is received and pinned within a forwardly facing, horizontal hub 112 on blower frame 14 by a U-shaped pin 114 when stand 100 is affixed to blower frame 14 as shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, after mower 4 has been driven towards blower assembly 2 to cause the various portions of QAS 10 to engage with one another to couple blower assembly 2 to the front end of mower 4, stand 100 can be disengaged from blower frame 14. This is accomplished by unpinning mounting arm 102 of stand 100 from horizontal hub 112 in which it had been received. Stand 100 is not needed and is not used when blower assembly 2 is in its operational position attached to mower 4.

For the sake of convenience, a vertically upright hub 116 is provided on blower frame 14 for storing stand 100 on blower frame 14 so that it is easily accessible to the operator the next time blower assembly 2 is to be put back into its self-supporting storage position. Once stand 100 is disconnected from horizontal hub 112, the rear or free end of mounting arm 102 can simply be dropped down into upright hub 116. When so received, mounting arm 102 is long enough to position jack 104 and specifically foot 106 thereof above cantilever mount 44. See FIG. 1 showing foot 106 of jack 104 resting atop mount 44. Pin 114 can then be used to pin or secure mounting arm 102 of stand 100 within upright hub 116. In this position, stand 100 is conveniently carried on blower frame 14 without risk of being lost and with the advantage that it is at hand when it is needed next. As shown in FIG. 1, in the operational position of blower assembly 2, stand 100 is put into this storage position and is no longer in the deployed position shown in FIG. 2.

When blower assembly 2 is installed on mower 4, blower frame 14 is substantially centered on the longitudinal fore-and-aft centerline of mower 4 which mower centerline passes through the center of operator's seat 89. The lateral centering of blower frame 14 is meant to mean that the lateral wheelbase of blower frame 14 is substantially centered on the longitudinal centerline of mower 4 with each caster wheel 30 on blower frame 14 being spaced on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline of mower 4 by approximately the same distance. However, even when blower frame 14 is substantially centered in this manner, due to the offset mounting of blower 16 on blower frame 14 using angled mount 44, blower 16 is sufficiently laterally offset from the longitudinal centerline of mower 4 such that it is positioned well to one side of the operator's directly forward line of sight towards the front of mower 4 when the operator is sitting on seat 89. This offset mounting is further enhanced by the fact that mechanical drive system 60 for driving blower 16, including belt and pulley drive system 70 powering shaft 72 that drives rotatable vane array 52_u, is positioned beneath fan section 38 and drives rotatable vane array 52_u through a bottom belt and pulley drive system 70 and interior shaft 72. Thus, there are no upwardly protruding, visible drive shafts or the like that run up along the exterior of fan section 38 to attempt to drive rotatable vane array 52_u from the top.

The substantially unobstructed view of the operator to the front means that the operator can better see to the front and control the direction of mower 4, and the direction in which outlet duct 42 is pointing, even though blower 16 is tall enough to have blocked the operator's view to the front had blower 16 been placed directly in front of the operator's seat 89. Thus, the offset mounting of blower 16 eases the task of operating mower 4 and of blowing ground lying debris in a desired direction.

Various modifications of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the scope of this invention is to be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A blower assembly for use with an outdoor power equipment unit having a self-propelled traction frame carrying a plurality of ground engaging wheels such that the traction frame is capable of rolling movement over the ground during operation of the traction frame, the traction frame having an operator's station for carrying an operator thereon with the operator guiding and controlling the traction frame, which comprises:

(a) a blower frame carried on a front end of the traction frame with the blower frame being located forwardly of the operator's station;

(b) a debris blower, which comprises: (i) a fan section having a rotatable vane array that rotates about a rotational axis, the rotation of the vane array pulling air in through an inlet at one end of the fan section, generating an axial air flow within the fan section, and discharging the axial air flow through an outlet at an opposite end of the fan section; and (ii) an outlet duct cooperating with the fan section, wherein the outlet duct is rotatably coupled to the outlet of the fan section for receiving the axial air flow from the fan section to discharge the axial air flow onto the ground for blowing ground lying debris in a desired direction, the outlet duct comprising a pipe section having an angled bend between an air flow receiving end and an open mouth thereof through which the air flow is discharged; and

(c) a mount for supporting the debris blower on the blower frame in a substantially vertically extending orientation with the fan section of the debris blower being located above the outlet duct, the blower frame and mount being configured to position the substantially vertically extending debris blower on a laterally offset orientation sufficiently to one side of a longitudinal centerline of the outdoor power equipment unit passing through the operator's station such that the operator has a directly forward line of sight that is substantially unobstructed by the debris blower when the operator is located at the operator's station.

2. The blower assembly of claim 1, wherein the blower frame has a lateral wheelbase of a predetermined width as determined by at least one ground engaging member on the blower frame carried thereon for providing the blower frame with a rolling engagement with the ground that is separate from a rolling engagement of the traction frame with the ground, wherein the blower frame is substantially centered on the longitudinal centerline of the outdoor power equipment unit by substantially centering the lateral wheelbase of the blower frame on the longitudinal centerline of the outdoor power equipment unit, and wherein the laterally offset orientation of the debris blower is achieved by having the mount angled relative to the blower frame such that the mount extends laterally to the one side of the longitudinal centerline of the outdoor power equipment unit.

3. The blower assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one ground engaging member on the blower frame comprises a pair of laterally spaced ground engaging wheels on the blower frame with the lateral wheelbase comprising a lateral distance between the two wheels.

4. The blower assembly of claim 2, wherein the mount extends between the blower frame and the debris blower at a generally midpoint position of the debris blower connecting to the debris blower substantially in an intermediate location where the fan section and outlet duct are adjacent one another.

5. The blower assembly of claim 4, wherein a portion of a mechanical drive system that powers the rotatable vane array is housed within the mount.

6. The blower assembly of claim 5, wherein the portion of the mechanical drive system that is housed within the mount comprises a belt and pulley drive system having a driven pulley connected to a shaft that rotatably drives the rotatable vane array.

7. The blower assembly of claim 6, wherein the debris blower comprises a turbine debris blower having a fixed vane array in addition to the rotatable vane array with the rotatable vane array being located above the fixed vane array, and wherein the shaft the rotatably drives the rotatable vane array passes upwardly through the fan section with the driven pulley connected to a lower end of the shaft which lower end is located beneath the fixed vane array.

8. The blower assembly of claim 4, wherein the mechanical drive system further includes one or more connecting drive shafts that couple the portion of the mechanical drive system that is housed within the mount to a power take off shaft on the traction frame such that the debris blower is powered by a power source on the traction frame that in turn powers the power take off shaft.

9. The blower assembly of claim 1, wherein the pipe section that forms the outlet duct is in the form of an elongated cylindrical pipe having an elbow shape which is curved about a radius to form the angled bend therein, wherein the air receiving upper end of the pipe section extends vertically to join with the fan section and the open mouth of the outlet duct extends substantially horizontally, and wherein the fan section has an outer fan casing that has an elongated, vertically extending, cylindrical shape.

10. The blower assembly of claim 9, wherein cross-sections taken through the pipe section and through the outer fan casing of the fan section orthogonally to the centerlines or axes along which the pipe section and fan section are elongated would have substantially the same circular cross-sectional shapes and diameters.

11. The blower assembly of claim 1, wherein the portion of the pipe section defining the open mouth is substantially closed around its periphery except for an air egress opening that is additionally provided in a lowermost surface of the portion of the pipe section defining the open mouth adjacent to the open mouth, the air egress opening allowing a portion of the air flow exiting from the open mouth to be directed downwardly through the air egress opening towards the ground while a remaining portion of the air flow exits through the open mouth.

12. The blower assembly of claim 1, wherein the outdoor power equipment unit is a mower for cutting grass.

13. The blower assembly of claim 1, wherein the blower assembly is selectively installable and removable from the outdoor power equipment unit.

14. The blower assembly of claim 13, wherein the blower assembly includes a support stand having a ground engaging foot that is attached to the blower frame, wherein the foot of the support stand engages against the ground to support the blower assembly in an upright, self-supporting orientation in a non-operative storage position of the blower assembly.

15. The blower assembly of claim 14, wherein the ground engaging foot of the support stand is mounted on a front end of a horizontal mounting arm that is releasably connected within a horizontal hub on the blower frame to attach the support stand to the blower frame in the non-operative storage position of the blower assembly.

16. The blower assembly of claim 15, wherein the blower frame includes a vertical hub into which the mounting arm of the support stand may be dropped such that the mounting arm extends vertically when received in the vertical hub to carry the support stand on the blower frame with the ground engaging foot out of contact with the ground in an operative use position of the blower assembly.

17. The blower assembly of claim 16, wherein the ground engaging foot of the support stand rests atop a portion of the blower frame when the support stand has the mounting arm thereof resting within the vertical hub.

18. The blower assembly of claim 17, wherein the ground engaging foot is part of a jack that may be selectively operated to raise and lower the foot relative to the mounting arm to cause the foot to come into engagement with the ground in the non-operative storage position of the blower assembly.

19. A blower assembly for use with an outdoor power equipment unit having a self-propelled traction frame, which comprises:

(a) a debris blower, which comprises: (i) a fan section having a rotatable vane array that rotates about a rotational axis, the rotation of the vane array pulling air in through an inlet at one end of the fan section, generating an axial air flow within the fan section, and discharging the axial air flow through an outlet at an opposite end of the fan section; (ii) an outlet duct cooperating with the fan section, wherein the outlet duct is rotatably coupled to the outlet of the fan section for receiving the axial air flow from the fan section to discharge the axial air flow onto the ground for blowing ground lying debris in a desired direction, the outlet duct comprising a pipe section having an angled bend between an air flow receiving end and an open mouth thereof through which the air flow is discharged; and (iii) wherein the debris blower is carried on the traction frame in a substantially vertical orientation with the fan section of the debris blower being located above the outlet duct; and

(b) wherein an air egress opening is provided in a lowermost surface of the pipe section adjacent to the open mouth, the air egress opening allowing a portion of the air flow exiting from the open mouth to be directed downwardly through the air egress opening towards the ground while a remaining portion of the air flow exits through the open mouth.

20. A blower assembly for use with an outdoor power equipment unit having a self-propelled traction frame carrying a plurality of ground engaging wheels such that the traction frame is capable of rolling movement over the ground during operation of the traction frame, which comprises:

(a) a blower frame having at least one rotatable ground engaging member carried thereon for providing the blower frame with a rolling engagement with the ground that is separate from a rolling engagement of the traction frame with the ground, wherein the blower frame is carried on the traction frame by an attachment system having a mode that permits the blower frame during operation of the blower assembly to move vertically up and down relative to the traction frame independently of the traction frame;

(b) a debris blower, which comprises: (i) a fan section having a rotatable vane array that rotates about a rotational axis, the rotation of the vane array pulling air in through an inlet at one end of the fan section, generating an axial air flow within the fan section, and discharging the axial air flow through an outlet at an opposite end of the fan section; and (ii) an outlet duct cooperating with the fan section, wherein the outlet duct is rotatably coupled to the outlet of the fan section for receiving the axial air flow from the fan section to discharge the axial air flow onto the ground for blowing ground lying debris in a desired direction, the outlet duct comprising a pipe section having an angled bend between an air flow receiving end and an open mouth thereof through which the air flow is discharged;

(c) a mount for supporting the debris blower on the blower frame in a substantially vertically extending orientation with the fan section of the debris blower being located above the outlet duct; and

(d) wherein the at least one ground engaging member on the blower frame is adjustable in height relative to the blower frame to raise and lower the blower frame to different heights above the ground to vary the distance of the outlet duct of the blower relative to the ground.