Patent ID: 7114317
Filing Date: 2006-10-03
Classification: A01G,A47L,B02C

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for collecting and reducing yard debris comprising: a. a frame adapted for movement in a principal direction upon a surface; b. a first duct mounted on said frame having an entrance and an exit; c. a collector rotor assembly comprising: a collector rotor body disposed at the entrance to said first duct having a substantially horizontal axis of rotation generally normal to said first direction; and a plurality of impeller elements mounted upon said collector rotor body, said impeller elements being adapted to: d. a second duct having an entrance and an exit; e. a blower unit, disposed between said exit to said first duct and said entrance to said second duct, adapted to: f. an air-solids separator disposed at said exit to said second duct for separating said reduced yard debris in said flow of air induced by said blower into a debris-enriched stream and a debris-depleted stream; g. means for discharging said debris-depleted stream to the atmosphere; h. an accumulation operatively connected to said air-solids separator and adapted to receive said debris-enriched stream from said air-solids separator; i. means operatively connected to said blower unit and adapted to provide power to said blower unit; and j. means operatively connected to said collector rotor assembly and adapted to provide power to said collector rotor assembly.