Lawn sweeper assembly with tilt-able hopper and latch assembly and method of use thereof

The present disclosure relates to a lawn sweeper designed to collect debris, such as grass clippings and leaves, from a surface such as a lawn, and more particularly to a lawn sweeper with a tilt-able hopper frame and hopper bag that includes a handle such that an operator may tilt the hopper frame and hopper bag, using the handle, to empty the hopper bag contents. The hopper bag and hopper frame are connected to a lawn sweeper unit using a hopper rod which is inserted into two slots at the ends of two hopper support bars and secured within the slots by two corresponding latch plates, one latch plate at each end of the two hopper support bars. The latching mechanism allows the hopper frame and hopper bag to be easily removed from the lawn sweeper unit for storage.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a lawn sweeper designed to collect debris, such as grass clippings and leaves, from a surface such as a lawn, and more particularly to a lawn sweeper with an adjustable brush assembly and characteristics associated with improved storage of such a device.

BACKGROUND

Lawn sweeping is a conventional technique used by many homeowners, gardeners, and groundskeepers to collect unwanted debris from a lawn. Such unwanted debris may include, for example, grass clippings, leaves (mulched or whole), and/or pine needles. A well groomed lawn gives a good first impression, whether the well groomed lawn is associated with a business or a home. Furthermore, a well groomed lawn is part of living the “American dream.” For these reasons, among others, a need exists, for an improved lawn sweeper for collecting debris from a lawn.

Lawn sweepers are used in various ways for maintaining a well-groomed lawn. For example, groundskeepers will often mow a lawn, thereby creating grass clippings and autumn-shed leaves. In some instances, mulching the leaves is preferred, as many people are required to compact and bag their lawn refuse for pickup. Thus, a groundskeeper may even make multiple passes to further mulch the leaves and other lawn debris.

In brief detail, known lawn sweepers generally have a lawn sweeper unit for actually collecting the lawn debris and a hopper for storing the collected lawn debris. Known lawn sweeper units generally have a housing mounted on a set of wheels and a brush assembly including a brush, often a rotating brush, that collects debris and places it into the hopper. The hopper may consist of a bag, or it may be made of any other suitable material capable of collecting and containing debris desired to be collected. Known lawn sweepers may be self-contained units, i.e., they may further include an engine and be driven by a user. Other known lawn sweepers may, for example, be towed by a device such as a tractor or lawn mower.

The known lawn sweepers are not without their problems. For example, one feature of some lawn sweepers is an adjustable wheel assembly that allows the lawn sweeper's housing (and thus the attached brush assembly) to move with respect to the wheels. As such, the brush assembly may be positioned at various positions with respect to the ground depending on the debris being collected and the terrain over which a user is collecting the debris. For example, if a user is collecting debris from a lawn that has longer grass, it may be desirable to position the brush further above the ground when sweeping the lawn than when sweeping a lawn with shorter grass.

One problem with this feature, however, is that by adjusting the wheel assembly with respect to the housing, not only does the brush assembly's position change with respect to the ground, but the position of the housing itself with respect to the ground also changes, which may be less than desirable in some instances. Also, the weight is carried by the adjusting mechanism, rather than directly by the wheels. For example, some known lawn sweepers include a stop plate mounted to the housing at the rear of the lawn sweeper unit (just behind the brush). The stop plate may, among other things, catch lawn debris that the brush misses, thereby preventing the missed debris from remaining on the lawn. As the housing is raised with respect to the ground to allow the brush to be further from the ground, however, the distance between the bottom of the stop plate and the ground also increases since the stop plate is connected to the housing in known solutions. Thus, larger debris may pass beneath the stop plate and remain on a swept lawn, which is undesirable.

Other problems also exist with the currently known methods of adjusting the brush height of a lawn sweeper. For example, changing the height of the housing of a lawn sweeper may create problems with towing a lawn sweeper. For example, lawn sweepers often have a towing means, e.g., a tow bar, fixedly mounted to the housing. By changing the height of the housing, the height of the tow bar may also change, which may position the tow bar at an inadequate height for a given hitch on a towing apparatus, e.g., a tractor, lawn mower, all-terrain vehicle, etc.

Other problems are readily apparent in known lawn sweepers. For example, storage space is often limited, especially in homeowners' garages. Known lawn sweepers often take up highly valued space and can create storage-related problems. One known solution, for example, is a detachable hopper assembly, thereby allowing a user to store two smaller components (i.e., the hopper assembly and the lawn sweeper unit). For example, the hopper assembly may be stored by hanging it on a wall while allowing the lawn sweeper unit to take up less space on a ground position.

Therefore, in view of the above-noted problems with known lawn sweepers, among others, a need exists in the art for an improved lawn sweeper that retains all the functionality of the prior designs yet is without the undesirable characteristics of the known solutions. A need exists, for example, for an improved lawn sweeper that allows for a brush adjustment without the disadvantages of the current solutions. Further, as another example, a need also exists for a lawn sweeper that is more easily stored and takes up less storage space when not in use.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure generally relates to a lawn sweeper designed to collect debris, such as grass clippings and leaves, from a surface such as a lawn, and more particularly to a lawn sweeper with an adjustable brush assembly and characteristics associated with improved storage of such a device.

In one example embodiment, a lawn sweeper assembly includes a lawn sweeper unit and a hopper bag assembly. The lawn sweeper unit includes a housing having a front panel and two side panels, a first and second wheel connected to the side panels, and a brush assembly connected to the housing, either directly or indirectly, such as being connected to a mounting bracket or the axles of the wheels. The brush assembly is adjustable to more than one position with respect to the housing without requiring the wheels to move in order to make the brush assembly adjustment. For example, the brush assembly may rotate about the axle(s) of the wheels. The hopper bag assembly is connected to the lawn sweeper unit and includes a frame and a bag supported by the frame for collecting debris.

In another example, a hopper assembly has a panel movably connected to the frame and/or another panel. The panel is movable to be placed in a first orientation or a second orientation. In the first orientation, the volume for collecting debris within the hopper is smaller than when the panel is in the second orientation.

In another example embodiment, the hopper assembly may further include a filtering panel that allows smaller debris, such as grass, to exit the hopper assembly while retaining larger debris, such as leaves, within the hopper assembly. In one example, the filtering panel is removable, which may allow a user to replace the filtering panel with a different filtering panel, perhaps having a different filtering threshold (which may, for example, include a solid filtering panel that does not allow any debris to pass).

A method for adjusting a brush assembly connected to a lawn sweeper unit is also disclosed that includes disengaging a locking mechanism associated with the brush assembly, moving the brush assembly with respect to the housing without requiring the wheels to move to make the adjustment, and then engaging the locking mechanism.

Another example method for storing a lawn sweeper unit is also disclosed and includes removing an attached hopper assembly from a lawn sweeper unit, folding a hitch tube on the lawn sweeper unit, and storing the lawn sweeper unit in a storage position. The method may also include folding at least one assembly support bar.

In another example embodiment, a lawn sweeper assembly may include a tilt-able hopper frame and hopper bag that includes a handle such that an operator may tilt the hopper frame and hopper bag, using the handle, to empty the hopper bag contents. The hopper bag and hopper frame are connected to a lawn sweeper unit using a hopper rod which is inserted into two slots at the ends of two hopper support bars and secured within the slots by two corresponding latch plates, one latch plate at each end of the two hopper support bars. The latching mechanism allows the hopper frame and hopper bag to be easily removed from the lawn sweeper unit for storage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting and understanding the principles disclosed herein, references are now made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language is used to describe the same. It is nevertheless understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles disclosed as illustrated herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure relates.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a lawn sweeper assembly100. Lawn sweeper assembly100includes lawn sweeper unit102and hopper assembly104, which in one example may be a hopper bag assembly (i.e., the hopper assembly104may include a bag, although in other examples, the hopper assembly104may include any suitable means for retaining collected debris, such as a more rigid plastic hopper or other suitable container).

The lawn sweeper unit102contains a housing106, which includes a front panel108, a first side panel110, and a second side panel112. In the particular example shown inFIG. 1, front panel108forms a convex surface such that the front panel108forms a front and top surface. The housing106may also include separate top panel and front panel, if desired. Furthermore, the housing may be formed from a common mold defining the panels108,110, and112. One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize other alternatives for forming housing106.

The lawn sweeper unit102also includes a first wheel114connected to the first side panel110. A second wheel (not shown) is also connected to the second side panel112of housing106. The wheels114may be connected to the side panels110,112by any suitable means. As best seen inFIGS. 2 and 4, for example, wheel114is connected to side panel110by a single axle116. Axle116is connected to only the first wheel114such that the second wheel is on a second, separate axle and may therefore rotate independently of the first wheel114, although it is understood that the first wheel114and second wheel could share a common axle. It is further understood that the wheels may be connected to the housing106by any suitable means and in any suitable location. For example, instead of having an axle116directly connected to side panel116, a mounting bracket may be used to, for example, extend the wheel a distance from the housing106. As another example, the wheels may be connected to the front panel or any other suitable component of the lawn sweeper assembly100. In this example, however, the wheels114are in a fixed position with respect to the housing106, i.e., since the axle116is fixedly mounted to the side panel110, the wheel114attached to axle116may not move vertically with respect to the housing; it may only move rotationally. As a result, the weight of the housing106is carried directly by the wheels, further from the adjustable brush assembly as is commonly found in the prior art.

Lawn sweeper unit102further includes a brush assembly118connected to housing106. As is further described below, the brush assembly118is adjustable to more than one position with respect to the housing without requiring the first wheel114or the second wheel to move with respect to the housing106for the brush assembly118to adjust to more than one position. As best shown inFIG. 2, brush assembly118includes a brush axle120upon which a brush122(best shown inFIG. 3) may be mounted for sweeping a lawn. Brush assembly118also includes a brush assembly bracket124, connected to the brush axle120, and having a rotational-connecting mechanism126for mounting the brush assembly118to the lawn sweeper unit102. As best shown inFIG. 2, the rotational-connecting mechanism126is an inner-circumferential surface forming an aperture in the brush assembly bracket124, wherein the aperture is adapted to receive a rod116such that the brush assembly bracket124may rotate about the rod. As shown inFIG. 2, the rod116is axle116, as described above. The brush assembly118may also include a brush assembly bar128connected to the brush assembly bracket124, which may, among other things, give added stability to the brush assembly118when mounted to a lawn sweeper unit102.

In an embodiment where the brush assembly118includes a brush assembly bar128, the side panel110may include a slit130through which the brush assembly bar128may pass as the brush assembly118rotates about the rod/axle116. As one skilled in the art will recognize from the figures, particularlyFIGS. 2 and 3, the side panel110may also include a slot132through which the brush axle120may pass as the brush assembly118rotates.

One skilled in the art will appreciate, although not shown, that the second side panel112will include the necessary corresponding components similar to those included in the first side panel110. At a minimum, this includes a rod, similar to rod116, upon which a second, corresponding brush assembly bracket (not shown) may rotate. It is contemplated that the brush assembly bracket may also be within the housing, not external to it.

FIG. 3shows a close-up side view of a lawn sweeper unit102. As shown, brush122may include several brush arms302,304,306,308. Any suitable brush122known in the art may be used, however. Brush arms302-308are connected to brush axle120(either directly or indirectly) and rotate about in the orientation shown inFIG. 3, rotate in a clockwise direction. Double-dotted line310represents the path that the outer ends312,314,316,318of the brush arms302-308follow while rotating.

In this particular example shown inFIG. 3, gear320is connected to axle116, which is in turn connected to wheel114. Thus, as the lawn sweeper unit102moves across the ground, the wheels rotate in a counterclockwise direction, thereby causing gear320to also rotate in a counterclockwise direction. Gear320engages with gear322, which is connected to the brush axle120. As such, the counterclockwise rotation of gear320causes gear322, and thus the brush, to rotate in a clockwise direction. It should be understood, however, that any suitable mechanism now known or later developed may be used for rotating the brush122. For example, gear322may be a geared surface of brush axle120.

A locking mechanism324is also attached to the brush assembly bracket. The locking mechanism324may be, for example, include a knob326with a pin402designed to pass through one of the plurality of holes322-344, which are formed by an inner surface of the first side panel110. The locking mechanism324, when in an engaged position, may lock the brush assembly118into place such that the brush assembly may not rotate about the axle of the first wheel or other mechanism allowing rotation attached to the housing106. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, locking mechanism324may be any suitable locking mechanism, such as a spring-biased locking mechanism, a threaded locking mechanism, or a clip locking mechanism.

FIG. 4shows an angled perspective view from the bottom of the lawn sweeper assembly102. One aspect of the present example embodiment not visible in other views includes pin402of locking mechanism324. Note, however, that the brush122is removed from this view but would be attached to the brush axle120(also not shown in this view) attached to the brush assembly bracket124and passing through slot132.

As initially shown inFIG. 2, the lawn sweeper unit102may also include a hopper support bar202connected to the housing106. The hopper support bar202operates to support a hopper assembly104, which is further discussed below. The hopper support bar202, which may also include a corresponding hopper support bar502, may be connected to the housing at any suitable location, such as the top, inner portion of a side panel110,112, the top, outer portion of side panel110,112, or the bottom, inner surface of the front panel108. As best shown inFIG. 12, the hopper assembly support bars202,502, in one example embodiment, are foldable in a direction as indicated by dotted lines1202,1204. The hopper assembly support bars202,502may be foldable by any suitable mechanism known in the art. For example, at pivot points1206,1208, a bracket may be mounted to side panels110,112that allows the hopper assembly support arms202,502to rotate. Furthermore, the hopper assembly support arms202,502may fold themselves, i.e., they may not only fold about a bracket. In yet another variation, one end of the hopper assembly support arm202,502may be fixedly attached to the housing106, and the hopper assembly support arms202,502may themselves fold. Among other things, foldable hopper assembly support arms202,502allow the lawn sweeper unit102to take up less space when not in use.

The figures further show other features of the lawn sweeper unit102. For example, an example embodiment that is to be towed behind a vehicle may include a tow bar134, which may be directly connected to housing106or may be connected via tow bar mounting brackets136,138, which extend the tow bar134a distance away from the housing106. In the example shown inFIG. 1, tow bar106is about the same width as the housing and does not extend beyond the side panels110,112of the housing106. However, tow bar106may be shorter or longer, if desired.

Hitch tube140may also be connected to the tow bar134, and may be any suitable hitch tube (such as a pin hitch or a ball hitch). As shown inFIGS. 1,10, and11, the hitch tube140may be connected to tow bar134in such a way that it is movable. For example, the hitch tube140may be slidably connected to the tow bar134so that the lawn sweeper unit102may, for example, be towed towards the side of a vehicle.

In one example and as best shown inFIG. 11, the hitch tube140may be slidably connected to tow bar134by a mounting bracket142, which includes a top bracket144, a corresponding bottom bracket146(not shown inFIG. 11but shown inFIG. 1), and a first bolt148and second bolt150for pulling the top bracket144and the bottom bracket146towards each other to clamp the mounting bracket142to the tow bar134such that it is not easily movable when the bolts148,150are tightened. One skilled in the art, however, will recognize any number of ways to slidably connect the hitch tube140to the tow bar134. The hitch tube140may also be directly mounted to the housing106. Because the width of tow bar134is less than the width of housing106in the example embodiment ofFIG. 1, the hitch tube140cannot function as an offset towing arm that extends beyond the outer edges of the housing106. As shown inFIG. 10, among other figures, the hitch tube140may still be placed in a location that is centered in respect to housing106.

In an interest to promote easy storage of the lawn sweeper unit102, the hitch tube140may also be foldable, as illustrated, for example, inFIG. 9. For example, bolt902may be loosened to allow the hitch tube140to rotate to a position towards the housing106, as shown. It is understood, however, that any suitable means may be used to allow hitch tube140to fold.

Turning now toFIGS. 5-8, a hopper assembly104is shown. As discussed above, hopper assembly104may be connected to the lawn sweeper unit102to collect debris that the brush122of the lawn sweeper102sweeps into the hopper assembly104. The hopper assembly104may sit close to, if not against, the lawn sweeper assembly102, as shown inFIG. 5. The hopper assembly104may be attached directly to housing106or may be connected and supported by hopper assembly support arms202,502. In a preferred embodiment, the hopper assembly104is detachable (i.e., removable) from the lawn sweeper unit.

The hopper assembly104includes a frame504forming a volume506for collecting debris having a first bottom side edge508, a second bottom side edge510, a bottom back edge512, a first top side edge514, a second top side edge516, and a top back edge518. The frame may take any suitable form as recognized by one skilled in the art, and may be made of multiple pieces or a continuous piece of material. For example, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, a continuous piece of material forms the top side edge516, top back edge518, and top side edge514while a continuous piece of material forms the bottom side edge508, the bottom back edge512, and the second bottom side edge510. Each portion of the frame, however, could be a separate piece of material connected together. Frame504may include any other suitable components, such as support vertical support members520,522or horizontal support member524.

The hopper assembly104also includes a bottom surface602having a first bottom surface panel604fixedly connected to the frame504. Although the first bottom surface panel604is fixedly connected, it does not mean that the first bottom surface panel604is not removable. Instead, “fixedly” is meant to suggest that when put in place and connected to the frame, the bottom surface panel604is not designed to be movable with respect to the frame in order to add functionality to the hopper assembly104.

The bottom surface602also includes a second bottom surface panel606movably connected to at least one of: the first bottom surface panel604and/or the frame504. As such, the second bottom surface panel606can be placed in at least a first orientation (shown inFIG. 6) or a second orientation (such as that shown inFIG. 7with the second bottom surface panel606being folded about hinge608and abutting first bottom surface panel604). When in the first orientation, the volume for collecting debris506is smaller than when in the second orientation. It is noted however, that a second orientation may include completely removing the second bottom surface panel604.

The bottom surface602may also include a filtering panel610that allows smaller debris, such as grass clippings, to exit the volume506of the hopper assembly104while allowing the hopper assembly104to retain larger debris, such as leaves. The filtering panel610may take any suitable form that discriminates, to some extent, between debris elements of different sizes. Thus, for example, filtering panel610could be a grate, a grid, a series of holes in a panel, a net, or any other suitable structure made of any suitable material. Furthermore, the filtering panel610may be removable so that other filtering panels with different filtering thresholds may be used in its place. For example, one filtering panel may have mesh openings 1⅝″ wide while another filtering panel may have mesh openings measuring 1⅜″.

The filtering panel610may be attached to the hopper assembly104and the second bottom surface panel606may be retained in the first or second orientation by any suitable means, such as a hook and loop material, snaps, buttons, ties, or straps. For example, hook and loop material612and614is used to hold the second bottom surface panel606in the first orientation shown inFIG. 6by connecting to the frame504, while the hook and loop material612,614holds the second bottom surface panel606against the first bottom surface panel604in the second orientation shown inFIG. 7.

As best shown inFIG. 8, a hopper bag assembly800may include a frame802and a bag804supported by the frame802for collecting debris. The hopper bag assembly800is similar to hopper assembly104, except it includes a bag804, and the frame802takes a different form. This illustrates, among other things, that a hopper assembly may take any suitable shape or form. Furthermore, the bag may be made of any suitable material and may even be plastic panels (i.e., a hard cover “bag”) that fit within the frame. Furthermore, the frame802may not even be a separate component from the bag, i.e., the bag804could be a container made of a rigid material and the “frame”802could be the edges of the container for collecting debris.

Furthermore, one or more methods associated with a lawn sweeper assembly100are readily apparent based on this disclosure. For example, a method for adjusting a brush assembly118connected to a lawn sweeper unit102may include disengaging a locking mechanism324that is associated with the brush assembly118; moving the brush assembly with respect to the housing106without moving the wheels with respect to the housing106; and engaging (i.e., reengaging) the locking mechanism324such that the brush assembly118is in a different position with respect to the housing106, thereby causing the brush122to be further from or closer to when the lawn sweeper unit102is in operation. The moving of the brush assembly118may involve rotating a brush assembly bracket124, associated with the brush assembly118, about an axle116of a first wheel114connected to the housing106.

It is understood, however, that the method may include any intervening steps and/or steps prior to or after the steps disclosed herein. It is further understood that in view of the described example embodiments of a lawn sweeper unit102and a hopper assembly104, other methods are apparent to one skilled in the art. For example, a method may include sliding a hitch tube140along a tow bar134from a first position to a second position, folding a hitch tube140, folding a hopper assembly support bar202,502, or removing or connecting a hopper assembly104from/to a lawn sweeper unit102by, for example, using one or more hopper assembly support bars. Furthermore, the method may include storing the lawn sweeper unit in a storage position. A storage position may include any position allows the lawn sweeper assembly100to occupy less space or in a preferable manner than when the lawn sweeper assembly100is set up for operation. Thus, for example, removing the hopper assembly104may allow a user to hang the hopper assembly104out of the way while allowing the lawn sweeper unit to occupy less space on a storage surface, such as the floor of a garage or shed. Another storage position may include having the hitch tube140folded in towards the tow bar134. When in this position, the hitch tube does not protrude as far, thereby allowing more convenient storage, as one skilled in the art will appreciate. Another storage position may include, for example, having the hopper assembly support bars202,502folded (or even removed) to create a more compact unit for storage. One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize other storage positions (e.g., standing a lawn sweeper102on an end or in a non-operating orientation so that the footprint of the lawn sweeper unit102is smaller).

In view of this disclosure, one skilled in the art will recognize several advantages of the disclosed lawn sweeper assembly and methods associated therewith. For example, one skilled in the art will recognize that a brush assembly118that is adjustable with respect to the housing106without requiring wheels114to move allow the brush to operate closer or more distant from the ground to sweep a lawn or other desired surface without changing the distance the housing106is from the ground. Thus, for example, stopper plate152may be longer (since the housing is never lowered towards the ground), thereby allowing stopper plate152to catch more debris that is not swept up by the brush122. As another advantage, one skilled in the art will recognize that features such as a foldable hitch and foldable hopper assembly support bars, among other things, will allow a user to store a lawn sweeper assembly100in a preferred storage position which may, among other things, be more compact and/or occupy a smaller overall footprint when in such a storage position.

FIG. 13illustrates another embodiment of a lawn sweeper assembly1300. The lawn sweeper assembly1300includes a lawn sweeper unit1301and a hopper frame1310. A hopper bag1309may be positioned over the hopper frame1310as illustrated, and forms the volume used for collecting lawn debris collected by the lawn sweeper unit1301. The lawn sweeper unit1301may include hopper support bar202and hopper support bar502similar to the embodiment described with respect toFIG. 5.

The hopper bag1309is removably secured to the hopper frame1310by hopper rod1306, which is removably secured to hopper support bar202via a corresponding latch plate1308, and to hopper support bar502via corresponding latch plate1302. The hopper rod1306may include end caps1307to cover the slightly protruding ends of the hopper rod1306, both for esthetics, and also to prevent the hopper rod1306from horizontally sliding out of position with respect to the hopper support bars202and502. Hopper support bars202and502include slots having a width large enough to accept the diameter of the hopper rod1306.

As shown inFIG. 13, the hopper support bars202and502are each positioned with one end attached to the lawn sweeper unit1301, and project upwardly from the lawn sweeper unit1301forming an angle with the bottom surface of the lawn sweeper unit1301(and also the ground upon which the lawn sweeper1301sits). The opposite ends of the hopper support bars202and502have slots for receiving the hopper rod1306as mentioned, and the hopper support bars202and502therefore support the hopper frame1310and hopper bag1309when secured to the lawn sweeper unit1301to form the complete lawn sweeper assembly1300. The hopper support bars202and502may be connected to the lawn sweeper unit1301in various manners including using nut and bolts assemblies, or by welding. Additionally, the hopper support bars202and502may be connected in a pivotable or foldable manner as was described above with respect toFIG. 12.

The lawn sweeper assembly1300also includes the handle1311, which is secured to the hopper frame1310by upper handle mounting bracket1313. The upper handle mounting bracket1313may be attached to the hopper frame1310in any suitable manner, for example, by one or more nut and bolt assemblies for securing the upper handle mounting bracket1313to the hopper frame1310. Likewise the handle1311may be secured to the upper handle mounting bracket1313in any suitable manner, such that the handle1311may pivot in the handle mounting bracket1313, including one or more nut and bolt assemblies, a cotter pin, etc. In some embodiments, the upper handle mounting bracket1313may be a cast form clamp, suitable for clamping to a tubular shape, where the hopper frame1310is formed via one or more tubular members. The cast form clamp may include an additional clamping portion for pivotably clamping to the handle1311, where the handle1311is also a tubular shape with a diameter close to the diameter of the tubular members forming the hopper frame1310. In some embodiments, the handle1311may be press fit, or threaded, into a pivotable portion of the handle mounting bracket1313. Therefore, in the various embodiments, the handle1311will have some freedom of movement such that the handle1311may be pivotable up and down, in other words, such that the handle1311may be moved upwardly away from the lawn sweeper assembly1300and downwardly toward the lawn sweeper assembly1300such that at least one point on the handle1300may rest against the hopper rod1306. For example, the handle1311may be tubular and have holes drilled through the mounting end to receive a cotter pin. The handle mounting bracket1313may support the handle1311via a cotter pin, about which the handle1311may rotate when pulled upwardly or outwardly toward the lawn sweeper unit1301.

The handle1311may also be removably secured to the hopper rod1306using a lower handle clip1312. The lower handle clip may lightly clamp, via, for example, a flexible metal clip, to the hopper rod1306in any suitable manner, such that the handle may easily be pulled forward by an operator, thus disengaging the handle from the hopper rod1306. In other embodiments, no lower handle clip1312is present, and, instead, the handle1311may rest freely upon the hopper rod1306, or some other member of the hopper frame1310, when the handle1311is not is use by an operator.

Because the handle1311is secured to the top member of the hopper frame1310via, for example, a cotter pin, and because the hopper rod1306may rotate freely, or, in other words pivot, in its position with respect to hopper support bar202and hopper support bar502, a pivot point is formed about the hopper rod1306as will be described further.

Turning toFIGS. 14 and 15, further details are illustrated with respect to operation of the latch plates1302and1308. The latch plate1302is identical to latch plate1308and is, as shown ifFIG. 13, positioned opposite to latch plate1308such that the two latch plates are mirror images of each other with respect the hopper rod1306and the corresponding hopper support bars502and202. Therefore, because the two latch plates are identical and positioned as mirror images, operation may be explained using only one, and therefore latch plate1302is used here for purposes of explanation. As shown inFIG. 14, hopper support bar502may be a channel that has two corresponding latch plate slots, upper latch plate slot1401and lower latch plate slot1402, for accepting latch plate1302there-through. The channel may be any suitable type of channel having two surfaces, for example, a C-channel, such that the upper and lower latch plate slots may be accommodated. A V-shaped, U-shaped, H-shaped channel, box channel or any other channel having a suitable channel cross-section may also be used in various embodiments. Other embodiments may use a hopper support bar having a tubular cross section, a square cross section, etc., such that the latch plate may pass through the cross section as illustrated by the examples provided inFIGS. 14 and 15. The latch plate1302is held in a normally-closed or normally-latched position, by a spring force exerted against the bottom of the hopper support bar502by spring1304. The latch plate1302has a T-shaped top portion such that the ends of the “T” are wider than the upper latch plate slot1401width and thus prevent the latch plate1302from falling through the upper latch plate slot1401. The top T-shape portion of the latch plate1302also provides a sufficient height from the top of the hopper support bar502, such that an operator may grasp the top of the latch plate1302and pull it upwardly and out of the latched position.

The hopper support bar502also has a slot1605, or, in embodiments employing a channel, may have a portion of the channel's back surface removed, such that the hopper rod1306may be inserted into the hopper support bar502and latch plate1302. InFIG. 14, latch plate1302is shown in a latched position, that is, securing the hopper rod1306to the hopper support bar502by spring tension, provided by spring1304.FIG. 15shows the latch plate1302in an unlatched position, as could be achieved when an operator grasps the upper T-shaped portion of the latch plate1302, for example, with the operator's thumb and forefinger, and pulls upwardly to overcome the force due to spring1304. The hopper rod1306may then be pulled back out of the hopper support bar502slot. The operator may then release the latch plate1302, and the latch plate1302will snap back into the latched position due to the spring force exerted by spring1304. The operator may thus remove the hopper bag (and the hopper frame1301) from the lawn sweeper unit1301and therefore from the lawn sweeper assembly1300.

It is to be understood that to pull “upwardly” as used herein is to pull the latch plate with respect to the plane of the latch plate. For example, in accordance with the embodiments, the latch plate, and thus the plane of the latch plate, may be positioned at an angle with respect to the ground surface. In other words, the plane of the latch plate need not be normal to the ground surface. Therefore the operator pulls “upwardly” on the latch plate if the operator pulls the latch plate in a direction within the plane of the latch plate, opposing the spring force of compression spring1304.

FIG. 16shows a side view of the latch plate1302illustrated inFIGS. 14 and 15. InFIG. 16the latch plate1302is shown pulled partially upward, out of the fully latched position. The latch plate1302includes a spring seating cutout having a lower tongue1601and an upper tongue1602, upon which the compression coil spring1304is seated and held in place as shown. Various coil springs may be used in the embodiments, such as, but not limited to, cylindrical compression springs or conical compression springs. Further, some embodiments may employ two or more springs seated in parallel. The lower tongue1601and upper tongue1602may be equal length or may be different lengths, provided that the space between the lower and upper tongue is adequate to install and seat the spring1304by applying a compression force to the spring1304and effectively squeezing it into a seated position. The upper tongue1602and lower tongue1601are both of sufficient length to prevent the spring1304from being inadvertently pushed out of its seated position by an upward pulling force or by a force lateral to the latch plate1302. Such a lateral force may be produced by, for example, wiggling the latch plate1302within the upper latch plate slot1401and lower latch plate slot1402. However, the upper latch plate slot1401and lower latch plate slot1402will in most embodiments have a width only slightly wider than the latch plate1302, such that the latch plate1302is relatively stable against such lateral movements. The upper tongue1602will also be of sufficient length such that it will continue to hold the spring1304securely in place until the hopper rod stop1603clears slot1605so that the hopper rod1306may be removed from, or installed within, slot1605. Therefore, the upper tongue1602should be approximately equal in length, or slightly longer than, the hopper rod stop1603, so that the spring1304will be kept seated on the lower tongue1601when the latch plate1302is pulled upwardly. The gap1604will be at least equal to the width of slot1605such that it may align with slot1605to allow removal or installation of the hopper rod1306.

The diameter of the spring1304is greater than the lower latch slot1402, such that the spring abuts against the bottom surface of hopper support bar502and exerts a force there-upon so as to push the lower end of the latch plate1302away from the hopper support bar502bottom surface. In doing so, the spring1304places the latch plate1302in a normally-latched position such that hopper rod stop1603prevents the hopper rod1306from sliding out of slot1605. The latch plate1302may be pulled upwardly until the bottom of the hopper rod stop1603clears slot1605allowing the hopper rod1306to be removed from slot1605through gap1604.

It is to be understood that the latch plate1302design as shown is one embodiment of the latch plate1302, and that other designs may be used that would remain in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, the lower tongue1601and upper tongue1602may be cylindrical in shape, such as dowel rods. The spring mounting portion of the latch plate1302may be any suitable shape provided the spring1304may be properly installed and seated. Likewise the hopper rod stop1603may have various shapes provided that its length is adequate to prevent hopper rod1306from sliding out of slot1605and provided that gap1604is larger than the diameter of hopper rod1306.

Likewise the T-shaped top portion of latch plate1302may have various shapes provided that it prevents the latch plate1302from sliding downwardly out of, or falling through, the upper latch plate slot1401. For example, the top portion of latch plate1302may also include one or more holes so that the operator may place, for example, an index finger through a hole to pull the latch plate1302upward. Therefore, it is to be understood that various shapes may be utilized for the latch plate1302and such shapes would remain in accordance with the embodiments herein disclosed.

Among other advantages, the latch mechanism illustrated inFIGS. 14,15and16enables an operator to quickly and easily remove the hopper frame1310and hopper bag1309from the lawn sweeper unit1301, thereby disassembling the lawn sweeper assembly1300for storage.

Turning toFIG. 17, further features of the lawn sweeper assembly1300embodiments are illustrated. As previously mentioned, the hopper may be tilted around a pivot point to dump its contents. As shown by the arrow inFIG. 17, applying a pulling force to handle1311, to pull the handle forward in a direction toward the lawn sweeper unit1301, causes the hopper frame1310to tilt such that the bottom of the hopper frame moves away from the lawn sweeper unit1301, thereby allowing the hopper bag1309contents to be emptied. The hopper rod1306therefore may be considered to be an axis of rotation, about which the hopper bag assembly may rotate. The hopper bag assembly includes the hopper frame1310and the hopper bag1309having the hopper rod1306. As previously described, the hopper frame1310and also the hopper bag1309are secured to the hopper support bars202and502by the hopper rod1306which is secured within the slots1605of the hopper support bars202and502by corresponding latch plates1308and1302, respectively.

The weight of hopper bag1309is thus supported by the hopper support bars202and502(i.e. the right and left support bars as viewed from the lawn sweeper unit1301and looking toward the hopper bag1309). Because the weight of the lawn sweeper unit1301is greater than the combined weight of the hopper frame1310and hopper bag1309, the lawn sweeper unit1301counterbalances the hopper frame1310and hopper bag1309weights for stability. The hopper rod1306may rotate within the gap1604of the latch plates1302and1308, and also within the slot1605of the hopper support bars202and502. Therefore the hopper rod1306acts as a pivot point about which the hopper frame1310and hopper bag1309may be tilted to empty the hopper bag1309contents.

Furthermore, while the particular preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the teaching of the disclosure. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as limitation. The actual scope of the disclosure is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the related art.