Abstract:
An attachment for a lawn device with a debris discharge opening having a transfer tube that carries the lawn debris generally upward to an air permeable fill chute which directs the debris into the collector bag; the fill chute allowing the air carrying the debris to vent, yet sufficiently enclosed to contain lawn debris; and the fill chute being flexible, allowing the collector bag to overfill, so that the operator of the device does not have to stop as often to either empty the bag or to tamp down debris into the bag.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application 61/616,042, filed Mar. 27, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable. 
     APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to attachments to rotary lawn mowers, riding lawn mowers, handheld leaf vacuums and other lawn care devices, and more particularly to an attachment to a lawn mower that collects and bags lawn debris. 
     2. Related Art 
     The present invention is an attachment for rotary lawn mowers, riding lawn mowers, leaf blowers/vacuums, and other lawn-care devices that have a debris discharge opening. The attachment includes a transfer tube that carries the lawn debris from the device discharge opening generally upward to a fill chute which directs the debris into the collector bag. The fill chute is flexible and air permeable, allowing the air carrying the debris to vent, yet is sufficiently enclosed to contain lawn debris. When used to collect fall leaves, the flexible fill chute can hold overfill leaves thereby allowing the collector bag to overfill. The operator of the lawn mower does not have to stop as often to either empty the bag or to tamp down the leaves into the bag. When the fill chute is sufficiently full, the operator stops mowing, removes the bag with fill chute attached, tamps the debris into the collector bag, and removes the fill chute. The filled bag is disposed of and an empty bag is placed in the attachment. 
     The attachment is optionally adjustable to at least two positions. In the fall, it can be adjusted to the collect leaves (CL) position that includes a larger collection bag and a higher positioning allowing the bag to be overfilled. In the spring and summer, the attachment is adjusted to the collect grass clipping (CG) position. This position includes a smaller, shorter collection bag for the more dense grass clippings. If a larger bag is filled with grass clippings, it becomes too heavy to be lifted and moved, so a smaller bag is used. The CG position also involves a lower positioning of the inlet adapter and transfer tube which improves the line of sight of the user while mowing, as well as easier filling of the bag and less clogging with dense fresh grass clippings. 
     Related art disclose attachments for a rotary lawn mower that include a top-filling collection bag for lawn waste. These devices typically have a tube that attaches upwardly the discharge outlet of a rotary lawn mower to an opening at the top of the collection bag. The debris falls into the bag and collects there. A venting system is used to vent the moving air that carries the debris upward. Some devices that fall into this general category are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,624,989, 3,708,968, 3,961,467, 4,941,231 and 5,983,613. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,484 discloses a collector that has a release air filter at the top of the collector bag. The &#39;484 patent does not disclose a fill chute that is air permeable and can be overfilled to increase the volume of lawn debris that can be collected without stopping the mower. U.S. Pat. No. 4,233,806 uses a permeable bag to vent air in its lawn mower attachment, but the bag is not positioned to catch lawn debris and does not provide extra volume to overfill the collecting bag. Related art devices fail to provide the means to ventilate air and overfill the collector bag with a fill chute and teach away from the present invention by using other ventilation means. None of the cited references disclose a device that does what the present invention does. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an attachment for rotary lawn mowers, riding lawn mowers, handheld leaf vacuums, and other lawn-care devices that have a debris discharge opening. The attachment has a transfer tube that is equipped to sealingly engage with the discharge opening of the device, wherein the transfer tube is directed generally upward to a fill chute which is coupled to an opening in a collector bag. When the lawn mower is operating and discharging lawn debris, the debris is carried by discharge air generally upward to the fill chute and into the collector bag, or if the bag is already full, it overfills the fill chute. Because the fill chute is able to overfill, the operator can stop less frequently to empty or tamp the debris into the bag. When the fill chute is sufficiently full of debris, the operator can stop and tamp the debris, thoroughly filling the collector bag. The filled bag is removed and replaced with an empty bag. 
     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1   a  is an isometric view drawing of the attachment of the present invention mounted on a rotary mower in the leaf collecting position. 
         FIG. 1   b  is a side view drawing of the attachment of the present invention mounted on a rotary mower in the leaf collecting position. 
         FIG. 2   a  is a perspective drawing of the fill chute and collector bag overfilled with leaves as removed from yard equipment. 
         FIG. 2   b  is a perspective drawing of the fill chute and collector bag after initial tamping of fill chute leaves into the collector bag. 
         FIG. 2   c  is a perspective drawing of the fill chute and collector bag after final tamping of fill chute leaves into the collector bag. 
         FIG. 2   d  is a perspective drawing of the fully tamped collector bag after the fill chute has been removed. 
         FIG. 3   a  is a side perspective view drawing of the fill chute. 
         FIG. 3   b  is an isometric view drawing of the fill chute. 
         FIG. 4   a  is an isometric view drawing of the attachment of the present invention mounted on a rotary mower in the CL position with the fill chute and collector bag removed 
         FIG. 4   b  is an isometric view drawing of a rotary mower with the attachment of the present invention removed and with mulching plate covering the front discharge. 
         FIG. 4   c  is an isometric view drawing of a rotary mower with the attachment of the present invention removed, with mulching plate covering the front discharge and with a side discharge adapter attached. 
         FIG. 5   a  is an isometric view drawing of the attachment of the present invention mounted on a rotary mower in the CG position. 
         FIG. 5   b  is a side view drawing of the attachment of the present invention mounted on a rotary mower in the CG position. 
         FIG. 6   a  is an isometric view drawing of the attachment of the present invention mounted on a riding lawn mower with a trailer. 
         FIG. 6   b  is a side view drawing of the attachment of the present invention mounted on a riding lawn mower with a trailer. 
         FIG. 7   a  is an isometric view drawing of a user of a handheld leaf vacuum with the attachment of the present invention held on the user&#39;s back in a backpack. 
         FIG. 7   b  is a side view drawing of a user of a handheld leaf vacuum with the attachment of the present invention held on the user&#39;s back in a backpack. 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view drawing of a user of a handheld leaf vacuum with the attachment of the present invention in a standing bag frame. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
       FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  are perspective views of an embodiment of the lawn mower attachment  10  on a rotary push lawn mower  14 . In a preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b ,  4   a ,  4   b ,  4   c ,  5   a  and  5   b , the lawn mower  14  is modified so that the rear discharge opening is moved 180 degrees to become a front discharge opening  16 . Additionally, a rear attachment mounting surface  18  is added to the lawn mower  14 . The attachment  10  has a large collector bag  30  supported by a frame  12 . Frame  12  is releasably attached to the mounting surface  18  of the lawn mower  14 . The bag  30  can be any suitable bag, including a 30 gallon disposable paper yard waste bag, a plastic disposable bag, or a permanent bag such as a cloth bag. 
     Optionally, the attachment  10  is adjustable to at least two positions: the leaf collecting (LC) position and the grass clipping collecting (GC) position. In  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , the attachment is shown in the LC position. This means that a larger bag is used as the collector bag  30 . The larger bag is used to collect leaves, because leaves are less dense than fresh grass clippings, and a larger volume of them can be collected and easily moved in a bag. 
     The attachment  10  is adjustable by means of the inlet adapter arm  20 , which is slidably attached to the frame  12 . In the LC position, the inlet adapter arm  20  is extended out, thereby providing more room for the large collector bag  30 , and extending generally upward the transfer tube  22 . In the GC position, the inlet adapter arm  20  is retracted to better accommodate the small collector bag  31  and curving the transfer tube  22  to provide a smaller angle of entry into the fill chute  28 . 
     In  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , the attachment is shown in the GC position. This means that a smaller collecting bag  31 , which is from about ½ to ⅔ the size of the large collecting bag  30  is used. It also involves a lower positioning of the fill chute and transfer tube, because of the shortened bag. This improves the line of sight of the user while mowing, as well as easier filling of the bag because the clippings have to travel a shorter vertical distance. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b ,  5   a  and  5   b , the inlet adapter  26  directs the yard debris to the fill chute  28 . The inlet adapter  26  can be a PVC elbow with a diameter of from about 2 to 6 inches and its degree of bend may vary. The inlet adapter engages releasably with the fill chute  28 . The fill chute  28  directs the yard debris to the collector bag  30 . The flexible band  34  of the fill chute  28  inserts connectingly inside of the collector bag  30 , thereby directing the lawn debris into the bag. The collector bag  30 , which is typically made from flexible paper, plastic, or fabric, is supported and held in place by the frame  12 . The frame  12  is made to structurally support the collector bag, and can be constructed out of generally inflexible support material, including metal, plastic, cardboard or wood. The frame  12  surrounds and supports the collector bag  30  and can be totally enclosed or merely a framework with openings small enough to provide structural support to the collector bag  30 . The frame  12  connects attachment  10  to the lawn mower  14  at attachment mounting surface  18  and provides a supportive structure for the transfer tube  22  and the fill chute  28 . 
       FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  are an embodiment of the fill chute  28 . The fill chute top  41  has a releasable engaging means such as a draw cord with releasable cord locks (not shown), an elastic band or a metal or plastic clasp which forms the inlet adapter coupling  44 . In a preferred embodiment, the engaging means is a draw string that is free to move within a sleeve around the perimeter of the fill chute top  41 . The inlet adapter coupling  44  is sized to sealingly engage the inlet adaptor  26 . In a preferred embodiment the fill chute is made from an air permeable fabric  36 , such as woven cloth, and more preferably, is made from a bed sheet. Optionally, the fabric  36  has a transparent portion  38  that acts as window to see inside the fill chute without opening it. In a preferred embodiment, the fill chute bottom  43  consists of a flexible band  34  that is inserted into a sleeve at the perimeter of the bottom of the chute  43 . The flexible band is designed to fit snugly inside the collector bag  30 , forming a circular seal between the chute and the bag with a friction fit inside the bag. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2   a , the collector bag  30  and the fill chute  28  can both be filled. The fill chute  28  can be disengaged from the inlet adapter  26  and the engaged collector bag  30  and fill chute  28  removed from frame  12 . External force is applied to the fill chute  28  to tamp down the yard debris  32  as shown in  FIGS. 2   b  and  2   c . The fill chute  28  is removed from the filled, tamped collector bag  30 , as shown in  FIG. 2   d . A new, empty collector bag  30  is attached to the fill chute  28  and placed in the frame  12 . 
       FIG. 5  is an embodiment of the attachment  10  attached to a push rotary lawn mower  14 , wherein the attached is in the GC position. A full sized bag  30  will not be desired for heavy, dense grass clippings, while the shortened bag  31  creates a better line-of-sight that is important for grass cutting. The exit angle of the inlet adapter  26  into the fill chute  28  can be adjusted to project the grass clippings toward the top and back of the yard bag  31 , alleviating the steep angle of repose grass buildup along the length of the bag. Additionally, the discharge adapter  24  has been designed to work with the trajectory of the yard debris as it exits the front discharge  16 , alleviating clogs. Furthermore, a quick-release coupling (not shown) may be used between the discharge adapter  24  and transfer tube  22  to facilitate expedient clearing of clogs should they occur. 
     Most grass catcher bags utilize a mesh at the rear of the bag to dissipate discharge air. This is poor for several reasons. The initial yard debris immediately covers the mesh, reducing air flow, inhibiting yard debris flow into the bag. As additional yard debris continues to fill the bag, air flow is further reduced, further inhibiting yard debris flow into the bag. Using the attachment of the present invention, yard debris does not immediately build up against the fill chute  28 , permitting more consistent air flow and less inhibited debris flow as the bag is filled. Additionally, the dissipation surface area for the fill chute (generally cylindrical) is larger than the traditional grass catcher mesh (rectangle), further improving fill dynamics. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , the attachment  10  can be removed from the push rotary mower  14  in the event that it is desirable that the lawn debris not be collected and bagged, but rather mulched. As shown in  FIG. 4   b , a mulch plate  17  can be placed over the front debris discharge opening  16 , and the debris mulched. As shown in  FIG. 4   c , the mower  14  can be further adapted to operate with a side discharge opening  19 . 
     In  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , another preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. A riding lawn mower  54  is shown with the attachment  50  of the present invention. The riding lawn mower  54  has a side discharge opening  59  sealingly attached to the transfer tube  52 . The transfer tube  52  is directed generally upward and is sealingly attached to the transfer manifold  62 . The transfer manifold  62  is sealingly attached to at least one inlet adapter  56 . Preferably, the attachment  50  has from two to four inlet adaptors  56 , each sealingly attached to a fill chute  58 , each of which is in turn attached to a collector bag  60 . The collector bags  60  are supported and transported by a tow trailer  64  which is releasably attached to the riding lawn mower  54 . 
     In  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b , another preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The attachment  70  is used with a handheld leaf vacuum  74 . The discharge outlet of the leaf vacuum is engaged sealingly with the transfer tube  72 , which is directed generally upward. The transfer tube  72  is engaged sealingly with the inlet adaptor  76 , which is engaged with the fill chute  78 . The fill chute  78  is connected to the collector bag  80  which is held supportingly and carried with a backpack bag holder  82 . The user is able to walk around vacuuming up leaves or debris and collect it in the collector bag  80 . 
     In  FIG. 8 , another preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b , attachment  70  is used with a handheld leaf vacuum  74 . The discharge outlet of the leaf vacuum is engaged sealingly with the transfer tube  72 , which is directed generally sideways. The transfer tube  72  is engaged sealingly with the inlet adaptor  76 , which is engaged with the fill chute  78 . The fill chute  78  is connected to the collector bag  80  which is held supportingly and carried in a standing bag frame  84 . The user is able to walk around vacuuming up leaves or debris and collect it in the collector bag  80 . Optionally, the standing bag frame  84  has wheels at the termini of its legs, allowing it to be rolled about. Further optionally, the bag frame  84  is placed in a cart that is rolled about. 
     The embodiments were chosen and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to persons who are skilled in the art. As various modifications could be made to the exemplary embodiments, as described above with reference to the corresponding illustrations, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.