Patent ID: 9398740
Filing Date: 2016-07-26
CPC Classification: A01D

Claim Text:
1. A lawnmower defining a mowing direction and a cross direction perpendicular to the mowing direction, the lawnmower comprising: a deck defining a centerline extending along the mowing direction of the lawnmower, wherein the deck comprises an outer periphery defining a first height in a tangential direction; at least one blade positioned within the deck defining a cutting area, the cutting area including an outermost point from the centerline, the outermost point located at a first distance from the centerline in the cross direction; and a leaf corralling apparatus comprising a deflector plate attached to or integral with the deck and defining a tip and a slanted portion, the tip located at a second distance in the cross direction from the centerline, the second distance approximately equal to or greater than the first distance, and the slanted portion extending inwardly towards the centerline and rearwardly towards the rear end of the deck, wherein the slanted portion of the deflector plate defines a second height in the tangential direction and wherein the second height is larger than the first height, the deflector plate configured to prevent an amount of leaves or other debris from being diverted around the deck of the lawnmower during operation of the lawnmower; wherein the deck defines a ground clearance in the tangential direction and the deflector plate also defines a ground clearance in the tangential direction, wherein the ground clearance of the deflector plate is greater than the ground clearance of the deck.