Grass cutting machines

Abstract: In more detail, the grass cutting machine of the invention comprises a grass cutter (50), a driving source (20) for driving the grass cutter (50), means for supporting the machine above ground datum, a device for collecting grass cut by cutter (50), a source for establishing a flow of air, the device for collecting cut grass comprising a duct (1) for directing cut grass entrained in a stream of air from the said source and from: 1. a collection mouth at an upstream end of the duct (1) and disposed in the region of the ground datum and towards 2. a downstream end of the duct (1) for collection by the collection device (70), at least one air-outlet aperture disposed in the region of the collection mouth, each aperture serving to direct at least a portion of the stream of air downstream from the collection mouth so as to draw into the mouth cut grass and transport the cut grass through the duct (1) to the collection device (70).

Description: This invention relates to grass cutting machines. Throughout this specification and claims, the term "grass cutting machine" is used to include domestic lawn mowers, grass cutting machines for cutting larger areas of grass such as sports fields and parkland as well as grass verge cutting equipment. There are two main types of grass cutting machine currently in production namely (1) a machine including a cutting system rotatable about an axis which is substantially vertical relative to ground datum, and (2) a machine having a cylindrical cutting unit which includes a plurality of blades and which, in operation, is rotatable about an axis which is substantially parallel to ground datum, i.e. horizontal. Type (1) machines may be supported relative to ground datum by a cushion of air (commonly called a hover machine), by wheels (commonly called a wheeled rotary machine) or a combination thereof. A rear roller may also be used in order to produce a striped effect upon cut grass. Type (2) is normally supported on a combination of wheels and rollers. However, in one prior US Patent No. 4,738,086, there is described and claimed a type (2) machine which is supported on a cushion of air. Collection of grass cut by any type of grass cutting machine is a problem confronting all design engineers in this field and, in our Prior European Patent No. 0037871, B1, which discloses the features of the preamble of claim 1, there is described and claimed a lawn mower of the type which in operation is supported by a cushion of air and has a knife rotatable about a vertical axis and a fan wheel rotatable about the same axis, the fan wheel and the knife being shrouded by a hood, the mower having a rim around the hood and the hood having one or more than one opening for air to the air cushion, characterized in that at least a part of the air stream to the fan wheel before reaching the fan wheel is used to pick up and transport grass, leaves and the like from the ground to a collecting chamber in the mower, the collecting chamber having means for separating grass from air. French Patent No. 2541701 discloses a surface cleaner in which a fan blows air under pressure out through an outlet against a surface to be cleaned thereby entraining any debris on the surface to be cleaned and in combination with the forward movement of the cleaner blows the debris up a scraper into a collection chamber. The air exits the collection chamber into the fan. The fan therefore produces high pressure in the outlet and low pressure in the collection chamber. Skirts are arranged around the region of the surface which is being cleaned and a scraper runs along the surface in order to dislodge debris from the surface and to act as a ramp up which entrained debris is directed. According to the present invention, a grass cutting machine comprises a grass cutter, a driving source for driving the grass cutter, means for supporting the machine above ground datum, a device for collecting grass cut by the grass cutter, a source for establishing a flow of air, the device for collecting cut grass comprising a collection duct for directing cut grass entrained in a stream of air from a collection mouth at an upstream end of the collection duct and disposed in the region of the ground datum and towards a downstream end of the collection duct for collection, characterised in that the device for collecting cut grass includes at least one outlet aperture, and a second duct for leading at least a portion of said flow of air from the source to said at least one outlet aperture opening directly into the collection duct in the region of the collection mouth and serving to direct said at least a portion of said flow of air from the second duct in a downstream direction through the collection duct away from ground datum to draw a stream of ambient air into the collection duct through the collection mouth for lifting cut grass into the collection duct directly from ground datum in the region of the collection mouth and conveying the said lifted grass through the collection duct for collection. Each air outlet may or may not, as hereinafter discussed, include a generally convexly shaped air flow control surface. Where each aperture includes an air flow control surface, at least a portion of the air flow follows the contour of the air flow control surface by virtue of the boundary layer effect. By having a very smooth or even a faceted flow control surface, laminar air flow is achieved and the boundary layer of air adjacent to the surface is very thin. In this instance a streamlined flow of air over the air flow control surface results, and at least a major portion of the air flow follows the air flow control surface and enters said duct. Thus, a positive air flow is created by negative pressure along the duct away from the collection mouth, causing air to be drawn into the collection mouth together with any cut grass and loose material in the vicinity of the collection mouth. The lifting of any such cut grass and loose material is enhanced by the fact that any such material will be near to one particular region of the air flow control surface and the air thus increases speed in the gap between this one particular region and the material, causing a drop in air pressure in the gap, which drop in pressure pulls the loose material towards the air flow control surface, i.e. the material is lifted from the ground and into the duct via the collection mouth. The cut grass and loose material is then as indicated above passed along the duct to a collection container at the down stream region of the duct, by the air flow, and as the duct is merely a passage with no fan or other auxiliary component causing at least a partial obstruction or a tortuous flow path, a relatively smooth path is formed which facilitates the collection of a large variety of shapes and sizes of loose material. If required, the duct may be furnished with outwardly flaring front and rear edge regions, each of which edge region is curved and ends in an air flow outlet. Each air flow outlet is connected to a motor driven fan or pump with the outlet designed so as to direct a flow of air at an inclined angle to the longitudinal axis of the duct, substantially along a smoothly curved surface, into the duct, part of the outlet merging with the smoothly curved surface and said smoothly curved surface merely merging with the continuing as the inside wall of the duct. As previously mentioned at least a major part of the air flow will follow the curved surface and enter the duct due to the boundary layer effect, the remainder of the air flow disturbing the loose material beneath the collection mouth and thus facilitating the loose material being drawn into the duct by the air flow. Whilst the front and rear edge regions of the collection mouth may be provided with curved surfaces and associated air flow outlets, solely the front or rear edge region may be so designed or alternatively one or other side edge regions may be additionally or alternatively so designed, as is required. The collection container may be a disposable bag which can be easily detachably attached to the other end region of the duct with a filter outlet allowing the air flow to escape adjacent to the container, or alternatively a loose-woven bag may form the collection container obviating the need for a filter outlet. Reference is drawn to copending UK Patent Application No. 9004076.7 which is imported in its entirety into this specification. Various grass cutting machines in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings; - in which Figures 1, 1A and 1B illustrate in cross section a part of a duct and collection mouth suitable for use with the machines shown and described in conjunction with Figures 2 to 9; Figures 2 and 3 show, in longitudinal cross section, hover-type lawn mowers including the collection device of Figure 1; Figures 4 and 5 show, in longitudinal cross section, two forms of wheeled rotary mower including a collection device as shown in Figure 1, and Figures 6 and 7 show, in longitudinal cross section, a ride on grass cutting machine used for cutting large areas of grass and including a grass collector attachment as shown in Figure 1A. Referring to Figure 1 an elongate duct 1 presents a generally smooth internal surface for the passage of collected material there through from a collection mouth 2 disposed at an upstream end of the duct. The cross sectional shape of the duct 1 may be circular, rectangular, elliptical or polygonal. A plenum chamber 4 is constructed to at least partially surround the duct 1 and serves to direct pressure air in the direction of arrows A to an air outlet aperture 3. From Figure 1 it will be seen that the collection mouth is furnished with two generally aerofoil shaped portions 5 and 6 and that the nose of aerofoil portion 6 constitutes a generally convexly shaped air flow control surface which defines at least a portion of the air outlet aperture 3 together with a further generally convexly curved confronting number 7. The shape of the air outlet aperture 3 of at least those surfaces leading to the aperture are arranged to direct an air flow generally over the nose of the aerofoil section 6 so as to cause the air to flow along and against the respective curved surfaces. Due to the boundary layer effect and the provision of a smoothly curved air flow control surface, laminar and streamed lined air flow results so that a major part of the air from the outlet follows the profile of the curved surfaces into the duct, the remaining air disturbing any loose material such as grass cuttings located beneath the collection mouth 2 and facilitating entrainment of this loose material into the air flow and along the duct 1 in the direction of arrows B for collection by a collecting device. A plurality of air outlet apertures 3 may be disposed around the collection mouth in which case the plenum chamber 4 totally surrounds the elongate duct 1 and the collection mouth as shown in Figure 1A in which like parts bear the same reference numbers as in Figure 1. Entrainment of grass cuttings and other loose material into the elongate duct 1 is improved by the fact that the material will be closer to one part of the aerofoil sections mainly portions 5A and 6A than another. Thus the air flow through the gap remaining between the loose material and surfaces 5A and 6A will be increased causing a drop in air pressure in the gap and resulting in material being drawn nearer to the curved surfaces 5A and 6A, that is, lifted from the ground, so that the air flow into the duct 3 drawn in from atmosphere surrounding the collection mouth carries the material into and along the duct to the collection device. Figure 1B is a modification Figure 1A and shows an air outlet Y, extending around the total internal periphery of the collection mouth 2. If desired the air outlet Y may consist of a plurality of individual air outlet apertures spaced around the collection mouth. The outer 4A and the inner 4B walls of the plenum chamber 4 are so shaped so that air leaving the air outlet Y forms a curtain of air which is directed downstream of the duct 1. The inner 4B and outer 4A wall of the plenum chamber 4 may converge towards the aperture Y to produce a venturi effect. If desired, the angle of exit of the air outlet Y may be varied to direct the curtain of air downstream and outwardly towards the internal wall 4B of the plenum chamber 4 which defines duct 1 or inwardly towards the longitudinal axis of the duct 1. Figure 2 shows, in longitudinal cross section, a hover-type lawn mower having a hood 100 in which a motor 2 which drives first and second fans 30 and 40 and a cutting blade 50 are coaxially mounted on the motor shaft. Air generated by the fan 40 produces a cushion of air for supporting the mower whereas air generated by the fan 30 is led via ducting 60 to a grass collection device described with reference to Figure 1 and disposed abaft the hood 1 as shown. Grass cuttings and other litter, is, as described with reference to Figure 1, transported downstream within the duct 1 into a removable collector 70 which includes ventilation slots 71. In order to produce a striped effect a roller 80 is carried by two booms (of which only one is shown) 81 pivotally mounted about a transverse horizontal axis 82 which passes through the motor shaft. A handle 83 is supported from roller axle 84 for controlling operation of the mower. Figure 3 shows a modification of the mower of Figure 2 in which similar components bear the same reference numbers. In contrast to the mower of Figure 2, air from the fan 30 is used for cooling the motor whereas a proportion of the air from the fan 40 is diverted through ducting 90 towards duct 1 of the collection device described with reference to Figure 1. Pressure air reaching the removable collection 70 is drawn through a grating or sieve 72 by the fan 40. Figures 4 and 5 show two rotary mowers which are supported on four wheels of which one forward wheel W1 and one rearward wheel W2 may be replaced by a split or one piece roller in order to produce a striped effect upon a cut lawn. The cutting blade 50 and fan 40 are coaxially mounted on a common vertical shaft which is indirectly driven by the motor 20. A cooling motor fan 30 mounted above the motor serves to augment incoming external air drawn by the fan 40 via inlet I. In addition to a certain amount of pressure air entering cutting chamber CC, pressure air from the fan 40 is led via ducting 6 to the collection duct 1 in the manner previously described with reference to Figure 2 into collector 70 which includes ventilator slots 71. The embodiment of Figure 5 differs from that of Figure 4 in that the grass collector is a perforated bag 70A or other unit so that pressure air is drawn therefrom via apertures 10B in a portion of the hood 1 above the fan 40. The position of collector mouth 2 of the collection duct - dimensions "X" Figure 5 may be raised according to pick-up conditions and the condition of the grass, for example, short or long grass , and wet or dry grass. The dimension "X" may be raised by constructing the collection duct 1 as a telescopic unit or means such as a parallel or other linkage or a mechanism for raising/lowering the duct per se may be used. If desired the above means for varying the positions of the collection mouth may be used in any of the machines according to the present invention. The mowers of Figures 4 and 5 have, as indicated, a conventional semi-torroidal cutting chamber CC formed within a cast or moulded chassis 10D. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the use of a collection device in accordance with Figure 1 and constructed as an attachment for a ride-on grass cutting machine. In the embodiment of Figure 6 grass and other debris exists from the collector duct 1 into a removable collection container 70. Pressure air generated by a fan 40 driven by the power source of the machine is fed to the collection unit 70 via flexible ducting 6F. A parallel linkage mechanism PM permits variation of the position of the collection mouth 2 relative to ground datum. The embodiment of Figure 7 operates on a principle similar to that previously described with reference to Figure 5 in which the collection bag or unit 70A is perforated and air therefrom is drawn back to the fan 40 via ducting 6G. In the foregoing description with reference to Figures 2 to 7, the plenum chamber 4 is disposed around a portion of the exterior of the collection duct 1. Alternatively, the plenum chamber may totally surround the collection duct as illustrated in Figures 1A and 1B. It will, therefore, be appreciated that the constructions shown in Figures 1,1A and 1B are interchangeable.

Claims: A grass cutting machine comprising 11a grass cutter (50,C), a driving source (20) for driving the grass cutter (50,C), means (10,30,40,80,W1,W2) for supporting the machine above ground datum, a device for collecting grass cut by the grass cutter (50C), a source (30) for establishing a flow of air, the device for collecting cut grass comprising a collection duct (1) for directing cut grass entrained in a stream of air from a collection mouth (2) at an upstream end of the collection duct (1) and disposed in the region of the ground datum and towards a downstream end of the collection duct for collection, characterised in that the device for collecting cut grass includes at least one outlet aperture, and a second duct (4,6,60,90) for leading at least a portion of said flow of air from the source (30) to said at least one outlet aperture (Y) opening directly into the collection duct (1) in the region of the collection mouth (2) and serving to direct said at least a portion of said flow of air from the second duct (4,6,60,90) in a downstream direction through the collection duct (1) away from ground datum, to draw a stream of ambient air into the collection duct (1) through the collection mouth (2) for lifting cut grass into the collection duct (1) directly from ground datum in the region of the collection mouth (2) and conveying the said lifted grass through the collection duct (1) for collection. A grass cutting machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the said at least one air outlet aperture (Y) includes a generally convexly shaped air flow control surface (5A, 6A) arranged so that at least a portion of the said stream of pressure air follows the air flow control surface (5A, 6A) and is directed downstream within the duct (1). A machine according to claim 2, characterised in that the or each air outlet aperture (Y) opens into the collection mouth (2) and the air flow control surface (5A, 6A) directs the stream of air at an angle which is inclined towards the longitudinal axis in the duct (1) and downstream of the duct (1). A machine according to claim 2, characterised in that the further duct (4, 6, 60, 90) is a plenum chamber disposed externally of the first duct (1). A machine according to claim 4, characterised in that in the plenum chamber at least partially surrounds the duct (1) in the region of the collection mouth (2). A machine according to claim 5, characterised by two outlet apertures (Y) and associated air flow control surfaces (5A, 6A). A machine according to claim 6, wherein the two outlet apertures (Y) are disposed oppositely from each other whereby air issuing from the outlet apertures (Y) converge inwardly towards a central zone of the duct (1) thereby inducing the stream of ambient air into the collection mouth (2). A machine according to claim 7, characterised in that air issuing from the outlet apertures (Y) is directed downstream of the collection mouth (2). A machine according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the means for supporting the machine above ground datum is a cushion of air and the grass cutter (50, C) includes a cutting system (5) which is rotatable about an axis which is substantially vertical relative to ground datum, in that a hood (10) shrouds the cutting system (50), in that a first fan serves to establish a cushion of air, for supporting the machine above ground datum and a second fan (30, 40) serves to establish a separate source of pressure air directed to each air outlet aperture (Y). A machine according to claim 9, characterised in that the collection mouth (2) is disposed abaft, when considered in the direction of normal cutting by the machine, the axis of rotation of the grass cutting system (50). A machine according to claim 10, characterised in that the collection mouth (2) is disposed externally of the hood (10). A machine according to claim 10, wherein the collection mouth (2) is disposed within the hood (10). A machine according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterised in that the driving source (20) includes a driving shaft and wherein the first (40) and second fans (30) and the cutting system (50) are mounted coaxially with the driving shaft. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and elongate duct (1) opens into a grass collector (70) which is detachably supported on the machine. A machine according to claim 14, characterised in that a hood (10) shrouds the cutter blade (50), a fan (4) driven by the said driving source (20) to establish a cushion of air to support the machine and means for directing a portion of air generated by the fan (40) via the grass collector including a perforated screen whereby pressure air entering the collection device from the elongate duct (1) is recirculated as incoming air to the fan (40). A machine according to claim 14, wherein the grass collector (70) is perforated. A machine according to claim 16, wherein the perforated grass collector leads air to the source (30) for recirculation. A machine according to claim 17, wherein the perforated grass collector includes a perforated base through which air is drawn by the source (30). A machine according to any one of claims 14, 16, 17 and 18, wherein the grass collector is a perforated bag. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 19, including a fan (30, 40) for cooling the driving source (20). A machine according to any of claims 1 to 14 and 16 to 19, characterised in that the means for supporting the machine above ground datum is a set of wheels, rollers, or casters. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the machine being a ride-on wheeled machine including an accessory detachable from the remainder of the machine, the accessory including the collecting device, the duct (1) and the or each air outlet (Y), means for detachably mounting the collection device on the accessory and means for directing cut grass from the duct (1) into the container (70), means (PM) for adjusting the height of the collection mouth (2) relative to ground datum and means for connecting the/or each air outlet (Y) to a fan for producing the source of air. A machine according to claim 22, modified in that the collection device includes a container (70) from which pressure air is drawn back to the fan (40, 30) producing the source of air led to each air outlet (Y) at the collection mouth (2). A machine according to claim 1, characterised in that each aperture (Y) is shaped to direct at least a portion of the said stream of air transversely to the longitudinal axis of the duct (1). A machine according to claim 1, characterised in that each aperture (Y) is located within the collection mouth (2) and is shaped so that at least a portion of the stream of air leaving each aperture (Y) is directed downstream and in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the duct (1). A machine according to claim 1, characterised in that each aperture (Y) is shaped so that at least a portion of the stream of air leaving each aperture (Y) is directed downstream and in a direction outwardly towards to interior of the duct (1). A machine according to claim 1, characterised in that each aperture (Y) is shaped to produce a curtain of air within the duct (1). A machine according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the apertures (Y) are disposed in an array which generally follows the internal cross-sectional shape of the collection mouth (2). A machine according to claim 1, characterised in that each aperture (Y) is shaped as a venturi.

Inventors: DUNN KEN, DUNN, KEN
Applicants: ELECTROLUX OUTDOOR PROD LTD, ELECTROLUX OUTDOOR PRODUCTS LIMITED
Application year: 1992
Main classification: A01D34
IPC codes: A01D34, A01D43