Abstract:
This invention pertains to a lawn sweeper and bagger which increases the efficiency of the device by utilizing a Bernoulli Effect to increase the pickup capabilities of the device and which also permits handling of the bags more readily by positioning them on the front rather than on the rear of the machine.

Description:
GENERAL DESCRIPTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to a lawn sweeper and bagger in which the bags are mounted in front of the suction-blower motor assembly and includes means in the leaf pick-up which creates a Bernoulli Effect by positioning a wedge of diamond shape to increase the speed of the materials moving into the suction-blower motor assembly for more effective debris pickup.  
         HISTORICAL BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    In the past, a number of devices have been developed for removing debris from lawns and the like. Lucas U.S. Pat. NO. 2,436,011 provided a vacuum pickup which mulched or pulverized the leaves.  
           [0003]    Eten U.S. Pat. No. 2,700,863 discloses a device which will pick up the debris and incinerate the debris. Similarly, Boyer U.S. Pat. No. 2,905,963 incinerates but also provides means for collecting the material into a bag.  
           [0004]    A number of early developments involve mulching of the material including Gregory U.S. Pat. No. 2,538,643 and Judkins U.S. Pat. No. 2,984,961 who can mulch or bag as desired.  
           [0005]    Bag pickup devices are shown in Evanson U.S. Pat. No. 2,930,068 and Nelson U.S. Pat. No. 1,844,785. Nelson is a cotton picker device with more than one nozzle.  
           [0006]    Blowers for blowing the leaves in one direction are common and a carrier for such a blower is noted in Zappia U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,619. Hand U.S. Pat. No. 1,483,848 shows the idea of providing a vacuum pickup for cotton which delivers the material into a pair of bags.  
           [0007]    Of general interest, also is Finn U.S. Pat. No. 2,990,019.  
           [0008]    Where bagging is used, the positioning of the bag has typically been at the rear of the device as generally shown in the patents providing bags. Refer to the above.  
         OBJECTS AND SUMMARY  
         [0009]    It is an object of this invention to provide a lawn sweeper and bagger which positions the bag or bags on the front rather than on the rear of the machine for ease of access.  
           [0010]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide a lawn sweeper which will be more efficient in handling the debris coming into the pickup.  
           [0011]    Still a further object of this invention is to provide a lawn sweeper and bagger which can be easily and inexpensively manufactured.  
           [0012]    Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a lawn sweeper and bagger which requires a minimum of effort during operation of the device.  
           [0013]    In summary this invention pertains to a lawn sweeper and bagger which increases the efficiency of the device by utilizing a Bernoulli Effect to increase the pickup capabilities of the device and which also permits handling of the bags more readily by positioning them on the front rather than on the rear of the machine. 
       
    
    
       [0014]    These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings noted as follows:  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a cross sectional side elevational view of the invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a top planned view with portions shown in phantom lines;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the lines of  3 - 3  of FIG. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines of  4 - 4  in FIG. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]    In FIGS. 1 and 2 the lawn sweeper S includes a platform  2  provided with wheels  4  mounted on wheel brackets  6 . The sweeper S includes a push handle  8  only partially shown in the FIGS. 1 and 2. Mounted on the platform  2  is a suction-blower motor assembly M which includes a motor  10 . As best shown in FIG. 4, a circular opening  12  is provided in the platform  2  leading into the suction-blower motor assembly M. The motor  10  drives a fan  14 . The motor  10  has as associated therewith a gasoline tank  16 . The leaf or debris pickup  18  includes a top  20 , a rear  22 , a bottom  24 , and sides  26  and  28  which form a mouth  30 . The front edge  32  of the leaf or debris pickup  18  extends forward of the bottom edge  34  of the leaf or debris pickup  18 . The bottom edge  34  is of concave configuration whereas the front edge  32  is generally straight. The bottom edge  34  is concave to enhance the flow of material into the leaf or debris pickup  18 . In the leaf or debris pickup  18 , is positioned a diamond configured wedge  36 . The diamond wedge  36  extends along the travel axis of the lawn sweeper S in an elongated fashion and provides two passageways  38  and  40  as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The diamond wedge  36  provides a Bernoulli Effect increasing the speed of the debris flowing through the leaf or debris pickup  18  toward the circular opening  12  into the suction-blower motor assembly M.  
         [0020]    As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a first duct  42  extends vertically from the suction-blower motor assembly  14  and connects to at least one second duct  44  which has an outward flange  46  at the end thereof for securing a bag  48  thereto by a drawstring or the like on the bag  48 .  
         [0021]    As shown in FIG. 2, the first or main duct  42  splits into a pair or secondary ducts  44  each of which is designed to have an outward flange  46  to support a bag  48  secured by a drawstring  50 . On the front of the platform  2  is a bag positioner  52  which may include a partition  54  for separating bags  48  as best shown in FIG. 2. The bag positioner  52  should not project upwardly any great distance to permit easy positioning of the bags  48  or ease and removal from the outward flange  46 .  
         [0022]    Between the first duct  42  and the second ducts  44  is a flap valve  56  with a handle  58 . The handle  58  can swing the flap valve  56  from one side to the other shutting off one of the secondary ducts  44  permitting selectivity of the bags to be filled. Maintaining the flap valve  56  in a neutral position between the ducts would allow the debris to fill both bags  48  simultaneously though not as fast. It will be obvious that the bags  48  will be porous to allow the air to escape as the material flows into the bags  48 .  
         [0023]    As will be noted in FIG. 1, the first duct  42  and second ducts  44  are of a loop configuration.  
         [0024]    While this invention has been described as having preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modification, uses and/or adaptations following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.