Patent ID: 8056177
Filing Date: 2011-11-15
Classification: A01G

Abstract:
1. A leaf gathering apparatus, comprising: a frame; upper and lower conveyor axes operatively coupled to said frame; a conveyor extending around said upper and lower conveyor axes and being continuously rotatable; a rotatable sweeping mechanism operatively coupled to said frame and having a generally horizontal axis of rotation, said sweeping mechanism being located to move debris from a ground surface onto said conveyor; wherein said rotatable sweeping mechanism is a brush having a plurality of bristles configured to sweep debris from said ground surface onto said conveyor; a bag; a channel extending from said conveyor adjacent said upper conveyor axis to said bag to direct leaves from said conveyor to said bag, said bag being removably coupled to said channel; wherein said conveyor is configured to maintain leaves thereon between said sweeping mechanism and said channel; a shredder located along said channel, said shredder and said channel positioned between said upper conveyor axis and said bag; a motor operatively coupled to said sweeping mechanism to rotate said sweeping mechanism, said motor being operatively coupled to at least one of said upper and lower conveyor axes to rotate said conveyor; a plurality of wheels operatively coupled to said frame to allow said frame to be easily transported, at least one said wheel being operatively coupled to said motor to propel said frame; wherein said plurality of wheels includes: a handle member attached to a rear end of said frame and configured to enable a user to one of propelling said wheels to operate by manual pushing force upon said handle member or guiding said wheels when said wheels are operated by said motor; wherein: a user input apparatus; means for selectively activating and deactivating rotation of said sweeping mechanism while said motor produces an output based on manipulation of said user input apparatus; means for selectively activating and deactivating rotation of said conveyor while said motor produces an output based on manipulation of said user input apparatus; means for selectively activating and deactivating rotation of said wheels while said motor produces an output based on manipulation of said user input apparatus; wherein: a wiper blade adjacent said conveyor adjacent said upper conveyor axis to wipe leaves from said conveyor toward said bag.