Patent Abstract:
A bee displacement assembly provided as a mowing machine with a direct drive operated fan housed inside a housing formed with a funnel leading from an interior space of the housing and terminating in a mouth. The funnel tapers both horizontally and vertically to the mouth such that the mouth approximates a narrow, widened slot. Powering the motor turns the drive shaft that in turn operates the fan, creating a concentrated stream of air inside the fan housing that is channelized in the funnel and emitted out the mouth at an area of uncut vegetation immediately prior to cutting by a cutting deck of the mowing machine.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/504,745 filed 2 Oct. 2014, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention pertains to the field of gardening implements. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a detachable or an integrated blowing assembly and other mechanical means for use with motorized mowing machines, for displacing honeybees and other animals from vegetation immediately prior to mowing, so as to save the animals from being killed by the mowing machine. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Honeybees worldwide are threatened by a mysterious problem known as Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD, where the colony loses significant numbers of adult bees and thus cannot sustain itself. This disorder affects the European Honeybee, a valuable pollinator and honey producer here in the US and in Europe. The cause of CCD is unknown at this time, and beekeepers, scientists, and citizens alike are interested in saving as many bees as possible. For instance, the Aug. 19, 2013 issue of Time Magazine features a front page story on the plight of the honeybee, the Sep. 23, 2013 issue of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review featured a story on the European response to CCD, and the Oct. 2, 2013 issue of the Wall Street Journal features a front page article by Joel Millman entitled “A Scientist Teaches Drones and Queens the Birds and Bees” discussing ways in which scientists are trying to reinvigorate honeybee populations by crossbreeding and introducing more diverse genetic material into native honeybee populations. These articles, and many more, discuss an “all the above” approach to the problem of CCD and saving as many bees as possible. 
     Honeybees love clover, a common plant found in fields and lawns. The bees are so determined to collect pollen from clover and other flowers ordinarily found in lawns and fields that they will not move out of the way, even with the maw of a noisy lawn mower bearing down on them. In some cases, the lawn mower operator can shoo the bee away from the front of the mower, but in many cases, the bee will tenaciously grasp the flower to avoid being dislodged by even moderately strong winds or agitation by sticks, and worse, the operator often cannot even see the bee, who might be on the underside of the flower or otherwise hidden. Hundreds of bees are killed during a single mowing of a typical American lawn, and about 75% of the bees killed by mowing are the ones busy pollinating flowers in the mowed vegetation. Furthermore, placing anything in front of an operational lawn mower creates a danger to the operator, as any attachment to the front of the lawn mowing machine may inhibit the operation of the mower itself and distractions in general are dangerous. 
     What is needed is a method and assembly to displace bees from fields and lawns that does not harm the bees, is easy to use, and can be safely retrofitted to a number of different lawn mowing machine styles. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention provides an improved funnel attachment for a bee displacement assembly, the funnel attachment having walls defining a passageway with a neck opening and opposed mouth opening, and a midpoint positioned between the neck and the mouth, wherein the passageway is further defined by a pair of opposed sidewalls, a ceiling and a floor, the ceiling and the floor arranged in a spaced apart relationship defining a first diameter, wherein at the midpoint, the first diameter tapers to the mouth such that the first diameter at the neck is greater than the first diameter at the mouth. 
     Also, in accord with the first aspect of the invention, the funnel attachment is further provided with the sidewalls arranged in a spaced apart relationship defining a second diameter, wherein at the midpoint, the sidewalls flare away from each other and terminate at the mouth, such that the second diameter at the mouth is greater than the second diameter at the neck. 
     A second aspect of the invention provides for a displacement assembly used with a motorized mowing machine, the displacement assembly including a blower assembly having a blower and having the funnel attachment affixed to the blower assembly. The blower assembly is positioned on the front of the motorized mowing machine. 
     Also, in accord with the second aspect of the invention, the blower is powered by its own motor or by a pulley-belt system coupled to a fan and to a motor of the motorized mowing machine. 
     Also, in accord with the second aspect of the invention, the displacement assembly is selectively operated by power means and a control assembly. 
     A third aspect of the invention provides for a displacement assembly kit comprising the blower, the funnel attachment, power means, and adaptors allowing the displacement assembly to be affixed to the motorized mowing machine. 
     Still in accord with the third aspect of the invention, wire harnesses are provided to couple the power means to the blower for simple installation. 
     A fourth aspect of the invention provides for a rake having a plurality of tines, the rake positioned on the mowing machine so as to agitate vegetation directly in front of a cutting deck of the mowing machine. 
     A fifth aspect of the invention provides for a method of displacing animals while mowing vegetation, according to the steps of positioning the displacement assembly so that the vegetation agitation portion of the displacement assembly disturbs an area of vegetation directly in front of the mowing machine cutting deck during operation of the mowing machine. The method provides for use of the rake apparatus as well as the blower assembly, used either separately or together, to agitate vegetation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the subsequent detailed description presented in connection with accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the bee displacement assembly according to the invention adapted for use with a typical so-called push mowing machine, the bee displacement assembly oriented in an operational position. 
         FIG. 2  is a detailed front elevational view of a power assembly of the bee displacement assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the bee displacement assembly adapted for use with a typical so-called residential-style riding mowing machine, with the invention oriented in the operational position. 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of the bee displacement assembly shown in  FIG. 3 , where the displacement assembly is oriented in a non-operation position. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a clamp used to affix the bee displacement assembly according to the invention to the riding mowing machine shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevational view the bee displacement assembly according to the invention, as shown in the operational position on a so-called professional-style riding mowing machine. 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevational, cross sectional view of a funnel attachment portion of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a top, cross sectional view of the funnel attachment in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of a first embodiment of a bee displacement rake assembly according to the invention, as it would appear affixed to the riding mowing machine. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the bee displacement rake assembly, as it would appear affixed to the riding mowing machine. 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the bee displacement assembly according to the invention, in which a motor of the mowing machine turns a fan housed within a secondary deck structure. 
         FIG. 12  is a cross sectional, side elevational view of the second embodiment of the bee displacement assembly from  FIG. 11 , showing how the second embodiment is installed in the mowing machine via an exploded view of the mowing machine&#39;s motor, pulley system and cutting deck. 
         FIG. 13  is a front elevational view of the second embodiment of the bee displacement assembly in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14  is a diagrammatic representation of a method of using the bee displacement assembly. 
     
    
    
     DRAWINGS LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     The following is a list of reference labels used in the drawings to label components of different embodiments of the invention, and the names of the indicated components.
       20  blower assembly     22  funnel attachment     22   a  neck of funnel     22   b  midpoint     22   c  mouth of funnel     22   d  wall     23 A first diameter (height) measured at neck     23 C first diameter (height) measured at mouth     23 B length of wall     23 E second diameter (width) measured at neck     23 H second diameter (width) measured at mouth     23 G length of wall     23 D mouth extension     29  blower box     26  blower     30  power assembly     30   a  power bracket     30   b  battery or power supply     30   c  power supply on/off controls     30   d  battery charger     30   e  first wire harness     30   f  second wire harness     30   g  fastener     40  angled bracket     40   a  lower position of angled bracket     40   b  upper position of angled bracket     42  bumper bracket     42   a  first fastener     42   b  blower clamp     42   c  second fastener     42   d  third fastener     42   e  bumper clamp     42   f  fastener     46   a  rake bracket for push mower     46  rake bracket for riding mower     48  bracket for professional mower     50  rake assembly     50   a  head     50   b  tines     60  method for displacing bees     60   aa  determine if mowing machine has a bee displacement assembly already affixed     60   a  affix bee assembly to mowing machine     60   b  determine if bee displacement assembly is in an operational position     60   c  actuate bee displacement assembly     60   d  position bee displacement assembly into operational position     70  second blower assembly     70   a  shaft     70   b  clutch     70   c  drive pulley     70   d  belt     70   e  pulley     70   f  motor of mowing machine     70   g  pulley-belt system     72  fan housing or secondary deck     72   a  hole     74  fan     90   a  push-style mowing machine     90   b  residential-style riding mowing machine     90   c  deck of mowing machine     90   d  professional-style riding mowing machine     92  bumper or front bar     94  handle portion of mowing machine   

     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A bee displacement assembly according to the invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-13 , and a method of using the bee displacement assembly is shown in  FIG. 14 . 
     Turning now to the Figures, a first embodiment of the bee displacement assembly is provided as a blower assembly  20  coupled to a power assembly  30  adapted for use with grass, brush or other vegetation-cutting machines. For use with a push-style mowing machine  90   a , the blower assembly  20  is affixed to a cutting deck  90   c  of the mowing machine  90   a , and the power assembly  30  is affixed to a handle portion  94  of the mowing machine  90   a , as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . For use with a residential-style riding mowing machine  90   b , the blower assembly  20  is affixed to a bumper or front bar  92 , as shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , and for a professional or zero-turn style mowing machine  90   d  as shown in  FIG. 6 , the blower assembly  20  is typically affixed to a location on the front cutting deck  90   c  with a bracket  48 . 
     It should be noted that while the Figures show specific placement of the blower assembly  20  on the various types of mowing machines, these positions are suggestive of suitable locations only and not meant to limit the location of the blower assembly to just those locations. The inventor has found that an acceptable placement location of the blower assembly  20  is one in which during actuation of the blower, a concentrated stream of air is directed at an area in front of the cutting deck  90   c,  the stream of air angled downwards so as to sufficiently agitate the vegetation to be mowed prior to mowing by the cutting deck  90   c . Hence, it is possible to orient the blower assembly so as to direct a stream of air perpendicular to the forward motion of the operational mowing machine, so long as the stream of air sufficiently agitates vegetation in the area directly in front of the cutting deck  90   c.    
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1, 3-5 , and  FIGS. 7-8 , the blower assembly  20  is further comprised of a funnel attachment  22  coupled to a blower  26 . In a typical embodiment, the funnel attachment  22  is removably coupled to the blower  26 , as shown in the Figures, although in other embodiments, the funnel attachment  22  is permanently affixed to the blower  26 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the blower assembly  20  is further provided with a protective box  28  housing the blower  26 , the box  28  further including a filter or screen (not shown) so as to allow the free flow of air required for blower operation but which filters out particles that may otherwise clog a motor (not shown) of the blower  26 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3-4  for a residential-style riding mowing machine  90   b , the blower  26  is shown without the blower box  28 . In some embodiments, the blower  26  is further provided with a blower mouth (not shown) that couples to a neck  22   a  of the funnel attachment. In other embodiments, where the funnel attachment is not removable, the blower mouth is shaped and elongated so as to serve a same function as the funnel attachment  22 . 
       FIG. 7  is a cross sectional, side elevational view and  FIG. 8  is a cross sectional top elevational view of the funnel attachment  22 . Turning now to  FIGS. 7-8  the funnel attachment  22  is further provided with walls  22   d  defining a passageway separating a neck  22   a  and an opposed mouth  22   c , with a midpoint  22   b  positioned between the neck  22   a  and the mouth  22   c.    
     Looking at  FIG. 7 , the neck  22   a , in a first diameter  23 A, is about three inches tall, and from the midpoint tapers downwards to the mouth  22   c  at a first diameter  23 C, so that the first diameter  23 C at the mouth  22   c  is between half to one inch tall. Further, the mouth  22   c  itself extends outwards about one inch forming a mouth extension  23 D, although the inventor notes that in some embodiments, the extension  23 D can be eliminated, or increased over 1 inch, as desired. 
     Looking now at  FIG. 8 , in a typical embodiment, the neck  22   a  is approximately three inches wide in a second diameter  23 E, and at the midpoint  22   b , the walls  22   d  progressively flare out over a length of about 7 to 10 inches, terminating at a second diameter  23 H at the mouth  22   c . At the mouth  22   c , the second diameter  23 H measures between 7 to 15 inches wide. Regarding the second diameter  23 H, the inventor has noted that a width of 15 inches is an approximate ideal maximum width for the mouth  22   c.  In  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the wall length  23 B  23 G is about 7 inches, although could be effectively shortened or lengthened as desired and not decrease functionality of the funnel attachment. The vertical height tapering shape coupled with the horizontal width flaring shape of the funnel attachment is critical to proper operation of the invention. 
     The inventor has found that this particular embodiment shown in the Figures, used with a 240 CFM blower, results in a concentrated air stream able to effectively disperse bees in an area measuring about 38 to 48 inches wide located directly in front of the mouth  22   c , the range of widths listed being approximately the cutting widths of the mowing machine cutting decks  90   c . For the push-style mowing machine, the funnel attachment width at the mouth is about 9-10 inches for a 42 inch cut or wider. On a residential-style riding mowing machine, the funnel attachment mouth width is typically 14 inches, and up to 20 inches or more in width for a 45 inch cutting width. The inventor has tested many widths for the second diameter  23 H, and notes that it typically better to use 2 blower assemblies on the mowing machine than attempt to make the funnel mouth second diameter  23 H wide enough to adequately cover a mowing machine with a cutting width wider than 45 inches, since the wider and larger the mouth, the decrease in air pressure for the concentrated stream of air emitted from the mouth. 
     The funnel attachment  22  can accommodate larger mowing machines as well by simply by altering the length  23 G  23 B of the walls  22   d , or by using multiple blower assemblies  20 , or various combinations of multiple blower assemblies and/or larger funnel attachments  22 . While the inventor has given some specific dimensions related to the funnel attachment  22 , the inventor notes that a tapering height from neck to mouth (the first diameter) coupled with a flaring width shape (the second diameter) for the funnel attachment  22 , where the relatively larger neck height dimension tapers down to a flattened mouth while the smaller initial neck width flares out into a wider mouth, are a critical feature of the invention, and the actual dimensions suggested are suggested guidelines only. It is the unique tapering-flaring shape of the funnel attachment which concentrates moving air generated by the blower or blower means  70  that is forced through the funnel attachment mouth  22   c  and emitted as the concentrated stream of air that is strong enough to effectively disperse bees and other animals along the front width of the mowing machine&#39;s cutting deck  90   c . The dimensions given are thus an example of one embodiment of the funnel attachment  22 , and are not meant to limit the funnel attachment  22  to these dimensions. 
     So long as the tapering-flaring shape of the funnel attachment  22  is maintained, a variety of dimensions for the funnel attachment are possible, however, the inventor has found that the given dimensions provide the most effective bee dispersion. In yet other embodiments (not shown), multiple inventions may be used simultaneously, so as to cover an entire width of the cutting bed  90   c , without loss of air pressure due to an overly wide funnel attachment mouth. 
     The blower assembly  20  in a typical embodiment is removably affixed to the mowing machine  90   a    90   b    90   d  with a plurality of attachment means, such as an angled bracket  40  as shown in  FIG. 1  for the push-style mowing machine  90   a , a clamp  42  ( FIG. 5 ) for attaching the blower assembly  20  to the bumper bar  92  of the residential-style riding mowing machine ( FIGS. 3-4 ), and the simple bracket  48  on the professional-style riding mowing machine  90   d  ( FIG. 6 ). The attachment means shown in the Figures are representative of some suitable methods of attaching the bee displacement assembly to the mowing machines  90   a    90   b    90   d  however the inventor has noted and tested many other styles of brackets, clamps, and other attachments means that are suitable for use with the bee displacement assembly, and the Figures are illustrative of just a few possible ways of affixing the bee displacement assembly to the various lawn mowing machines. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the angled bracket  40  is affixed to both the blower box  28  and the mowing machine  90 . The angled bracket  40  is generally L-shaped, and adapted to receive the blower box (housing the blower) and funnel attachment  22  so that the blower assembly  20  can be placed at a lower position  40   a  or a higher position  40   b  on the angled bracket  40  as desired. The inventor has found that the best operational angle of the funnel attachment ideally emits a stream of concentrated air generally horizontally across the vegetation in front of the cutting deck, rather than forcing the air downwards on the vegetation, since sometimes air that is angled downwards knocks the bees deeper into the vegetation (where they end up getting run over by the mower and killed) but a more horizontal air stream tends to displace the bees so that they fly away from danger. 
     For the residential-style riding mowing machine  90   b  shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , and in more detail in  FIG. 5 , the clamp  42  is comprised of a blower clamp  42   b  affixed to a bumper clamp  42   e  by way of adjustable fasteners  42   a    42   c    42   d , the bumper clamp  42   e  removably affixed to the bumper  92  of the mowing machine  90   b  by fasteners  42   f . The adjustable fasteners  42   a    42   c    42   d  allow the blower assembly  20  to be pivotably affixed to the clamp  42 , so that the angle at which the stream of air is emitted through the mouth  22   c  may be adjusted, as necessary, shown in  FIGS. 3-4 . When not in use, the blower assembly  20  can be adjusted upwards, as shown in  FIG. 4 , or simply left in operational position, as shown in  FIG. 3 , as desired. 
     The blower  26  is typically a motorized blower powered by a power assembly  30  (see  FIG. 2 ), by way of a wire harness  32   b  coupling the blower  26  to an on/off switch assembly  30   c , and by a second wire harness  32   a  coupling the on/off switch assembly  30   c  to a battery  30   b . The on/off switch assembly  30   c  is further provided with a fuse (not shown) housed inside an electrical box. The battery  30   b  is provided as a 12 volt battery weighing approximately four pounds, and capable of providing about an hour&#39;s worth of blower operation. The wire harnesses  32   a    32   b  are provided so as to facilitate easy connection and disconnection of the power assembly  30 . The inclusion of the battery allows manufacturers of push-style mowing machines to incorporate an electric start for the mowing machine. In other embodiments (not shown), lights may be included in the power assembly  30  that are powered by the battery  30   b . The power assembly  30  is affixed to the push-style lawn mowing machine  90   a  by way of a power bracket  30   a  removably affixing the power assembly  30  to a handle portion  94  of the push-style mowing machine  90   a.    
     In yet another embodiment, the bee displacement assembly is provided as a kit comprising the blower assembly  22 , a power assembly  30 , and an optional battery charger  30   d , along with a suitable bracket or other attachment means, so as to allow retrofitting existing push-style mowing machines  90   a . For retrofitting existing riding mowing machines  90   b    90   d , the kit includes the blower assembly  22 , the appropriate attachment means, and the on/off power assembly  30   c  and appropriate wire harnesses  30   d    30   f  so as to allow the blower assembly to be coupled to the mowing machine&#39;s existing power supply to power and permit the use of the external on/off control  30   c . The funnel attachment  22  may also be sold without the blower  26  in a variety of dimensions. 
     Suitable blowers used by the inventor includes the Dayton® series blowers, and the Jabsco Blower, Flex Mount, 250 CFM, 12 VDC sold by W.W. Grainger Inc., of Lake Forest, Ill. 60045-5201, for a blower that is 7&#39;37×7 inches, fitting an enclosure box measuring about 8×8×8 inches. Other blowers in the range of 240 to 250 CFM are suitable for use with the invention. For hook up to the mowing machine&#39;s internal battery, of powering the blower using a separate battery, an off the shelf blower and mowing machine can be used, retrofitted with the funnel attachment  22  and affixed to the mowing machine using the appropriate blower  26  or blower assembly  20 , as needed, and also with the appropriate power assembly  30 , depending on the style of mowing machine. 
     In yet another embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 11-13 , a second blower assembly  70  is shown coupled to existing apparatuses of the mowing machine  90   b . The second blower assembly  70  is comprised of a fan  74  enclosed in an interior space of a secondary deck or fan housing  72 , the housing  72  having a pair of opposed through-bores  72   a  sized and shaped to receive a drive shaft  70   a  and a clutch  70   b  of the mowing machine  90   b . The fan housing is further configured with an opening adapted to receive the funnel attachment  22 , or in some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the funnel attachment  22  and fan housing  72  are formed as a single housing preserving the unique tapering-flaring shape of the funnel attachment  22 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 12 , the blower assembly  70  is coupled to an engine or motor  70   f  as well as to a pulley system  70   g  of the mowing machine  90   b  via the drive shaft-clutch system. The pulley system  70   g  is typically installed on the cutting deck  90   c  of the mowing machine, and the drive pulley  70   c  and a set of other pulley wheels  70   e  linked together by a drive belt  70   d  are turned by the motor  70   f  turning the drive shaft-clutch system. The pulley system is responsible for powering a plurality of cutting blades housed under the mowing deck  90   c . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 11-13 , the fan  74  is turned directly by the motor  70   f  via the drive shaft  70   a , but the inventor notes that he has tested an embodiment of the blower assembly  70  (not shown) that can be powered by a secondary pulley system, by adding a second pulley and second belt to the existing system, so that the motor turns both pulley systems, and the second system is used to turn the fan  74  and create the concentrated stream of air needed to disperse the bees. 
     An on/off switch (not shown) is included with the controls of the mowing machine, and in some instances, such as when an existing mowing machine is retrofitted with the bee displacement assembly, the on/off switch may be housed in a control box affixed to the outside of the mowing machine housing. The inventor has experimented with a number of different ways to selectively operate the fan  74 , such as with lever-cable-spline arrangements, although he notes that there are many ways in which selective operation of the second blower assembly  70  can be achieved. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the bee displacement assembly is on only when the motor is running. 
     To use the bee displacement assembly using the second blower assembly, an operator starts the motor of the mowing machine  90   b , and turns on the bee displacement assembly. The clutch  70   b  engages the drive shaft  70   a  and the drive pulley  70   c.  The drive pulley engages the belt  70   d , which turns the other pulleys  70   e  linked by the belt  70   d  to the drive pulley. The cutting blades of the mowing machine are activated, and the drive shaft turns the fan  74 , generating moving air that is then in turn channeled and emitted through the funnel attachment  22  as the concentrated stream of air. When the operator stops the motor, the bee displacement assembly is also turned off. 
     The bee displacement invention displaces bees by physically agitating vegetation directly in front of the cutting deck  90   c.  In yet another embodiment of the bee displacement invention, shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , a rake attachment  50  is affixed to the mowing machine by way of a bracket  46   46   a  or other attachment means, the rake having a head  50   a  and attached tines  50   b  projecting from the head  50   a  in a downwards orientation (towards the ground). The tines  50   b  are positioned so as to agitate the vegetation directly in front of the cutting deck when the mowing machine is in operation, encouraging the bees to move away from the immediate vicinity. In a first embodiment, shown in  FIG. 9 , the tines  50   b  are arranged in a regular spaced-apart relationship, and are comprised of metal, plastic or other suitably strong, flexible material. The inventor notes that memory metal is an ideal material for the tines, as it is durable and flexible. In a second embodiment, shown in  FIG. 10 , the tines  50   b  are flexible, and may be comprised of small chains (as shown) that drag against the vegetation which allows for mowing over uneven surfaces as the tines self adjust to the height of the ground, preventing the tines from digging into the ground or otherwise damaging the vegetation. The rake  50  may be used alone or in conjunction with the blower assembly  22   70 . In still another embodiment, the rake  50  is adjustably affixed to the mowing machine  90   a    90   b    90   d  so as to allow the operator to lift the rake as needed or desired independently of operation of the blower assembly and the mowing machine. In this way, the operator can decide whether to use just the blower assembly, the rake, or both together. 
     Looking now at  FIG. 14 , a method  60  of displacing bees and other animals using the bee displacement assembly, the invention, configured either with a blower assembly  20  or a second blower assembly  70  is affixed to the desired mowing machine  90   a    90   b    90   d    60   a  if the mowing machine is not already outfitted with the bee displacement assembly. Then, the operator must determine if the vegetation agitation means  20   22   50  is in an operational position  60   b . Operational position for the bee displacement assembly using the blower assembly  20   70  and funnel attachment  22  requires the funnel attachment  22  to be positioned so that the mouth  22   c  is angled in front of the cutting deck  90   c . For the rake  50 , the rake tines  50   b  must be lowered sufficiently so as to contact vegetation in front of the cutting deck. The mowing machine is started along with the bee displacement assembly  60   c . When the funnel attachment is used in conjunction with the blower  26  or the pulley-driven fan  74  shown in  FIG. 13 , the bee displacement assembly is actuated, forcing the air generated by the blower or the fan into the neck of the funnel attachment and emitted out the mouth  22   c  as the concentrated stream of air. When the funnel attachment is appropriately angled, the stream of air disturbs an area in front of the cutting deck  90   c , and ideally, disturbs an area equal to the width of the cutting deck  90   c . The mowing machine is used in its normal fashion, but the stream of concentrated air emitted from the mouth  22   c  sufficiently disturbs vegetation in the target area, causing animals such as bees to move away from the area immediately in front of the cutting deck  90   c . The operator of the mowing machine can selectively operate the bee displacement assembly by actuating the on/off switch assembly  30   c , as a power-saving feature. In other embodiments, the bee displacement assembly is always operational when the mowing machine is operational. 
     The inventor stresses that bees gathering nectar tenaciously cling to flowers, and ordinary wind pressure, even on very windy days, is inadequate to encourage the bees to leave their respective flowers. Bees are very difficult to see on vegetation being cut, because the mowing machines move quickly, and even the most ardent bee-lover is usually oblivious to the fact that his or her lawn mower is responsible for the deaths of thousands of honeybees over a typical summer all in the name of keeping the lawn neat and tidy. The bee displacement assembly and its embodiments, and the method of moving bees is the creative culmination of the inventor&#39;s desire to save the honeybee. 
     It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the inventor is concerned with saving bees, there are many insect pollinators that will also be effectively displaced by the invention. Young animals, such as fawns and rabbit kits, hiding in tall grass are often killed by high speed riding or zero-turn mowing machines, and may be encouraged to move out of the way of an oncoming mowing machine when blasted with the concentrated stream of air, or alternatively, the stream of air moves the vegetation sufficiently to allow the operator to visualize and then avoid killing the young animal or destroying a hidden nest in the grass.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0