Patent ID: 11910748
Assignee: THE TORO COMPANY
Field: Other special machines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 9:
10. A grounds maintenance vehicle, comprising:
a frame comprising a front end, a rear end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the front end and the rear end; and
a cutting deck assembly connected to the frame at or near the front end of the frame, the assembly comprising:
a top surface;
a sidewall extending from the top surface and comprising a front portion, a rear portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion, wherein the top surface and the sidewall partially surround a first cutting chamber and a second cutting chamber, wherein each of the first and second cutting chambers is adapted to contain a cutting blade;
a channel disposed adjacent the rear portion of the sidewall and extending along a channel axis, wherein the channel comprises a first end connected to an outlet of the first cutting chamber and a second end; and
a ramp disposed at least partially within the channel and adjacent the second end of the channel, wherein the ramp comprises a directing surface that is adapted to deflect at least a portion of clippings that enter the channel from the outlet of the first cutting chamber, wherein the ramp is further adapted to deflect the at least a portion of clippings away from the top surface toward the ground surface.