Improved Attachments for Lawn-mowers.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 4th June, 1889-Accepted, 20th July, 1889
Improved Attachments for Lawn-mowers.
I, FRANK ALVORD DE LAND, of Memphis, in the county of Macomb and State of
Michigan, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to lawn mowers and the invention consists in the peculiar
construction arrangement and combination of parts of an attachments adapted to be
secured to any description of lawn-mower, for the purpose of improving the work of
the lawn mower, and collecting the grass cut by the knives, and all other substances
such as dry leaves, dry or matted grass, fallen fruit, and the like, all as hereinafter
described and shown in the accompanying drawings in which,
Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a lawn-mower of known construction,
provided with my attachments.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the frame of the receptacle detached from the
mower.
Figure 3 is a vertical central cross-section through the lawn-mower and the
receptacle, and
Figure 4 is a detached perspective view of the comb.
The grass and other substances is collected in a receptacle K constructed of a cloth-
covered skeleton wire frame, the sides of which consist of the spring wire loops A
and B, with contracted open ends C and D and connecting cross bars E.
The two loops are connected by two or more transverse bars G, G, and on the
bottom by the diagonal bars H, H suitable eyes F being formed on the ends of these
bars to connect them with the loops. At the rear end of the frame thus formed, is
secured the skeleton door-frame J hinged at its lower end in any suitable manner to
the loops, and preferably to one of the stationary transverse bars G, all in such manner
that the door may open upwardly and rearwardly the hinge being on the lower side.
This frame and door thus constructed is covered upon sides, top and bottom with a
light fabric secured by stitching to the wires and forming the means of keeping such
wires in their position.
The receptacle thus constructed is very light, strong and flexible, so that if attached
to a lawn-mower it will not interfere in the least with its free use; its construction,
together with its great flexibility makes it readily attachable to any style of lawn-
mower, either by booking the sides C and D of the wire frame to the frame of the
lawn-mower or by providing extra fastenings such as the binding posts M, in which
the ends are secured by binding screws M'; the receptacle should be secured as close
to the knives as possible, and preferably detachably.
With the use of the ordinary construction of lawn-mowers it is impossible to obtain
the highest perfection of lawns, as creeping plants or matted grass escape the knives
and the raking which has to be resorted to, to remove dried grass, leaves and other
substances also spoils the appearance of the lawn and often injures the grass. I
lispense with the raking of the lawn altogether, by securing to the lawn-mower a
levice which picks up everything from the ground in advance of the knives, this
device consists of a metallic comb P, constructed integrally in one piece, of a length
corresponding to the width of the lawn-mower, and fitting with its body against the
inder side of the stationary knife and knife-bar R to which it is secured in any
uitable manner, so as not to interfere with the freer operation of the knives.
The teeth of the comb project forwardly and more or less downwardly and are
apering to a point. The top of the teeth lead to the edge of the stationary knife so as
o carry everything picked up to the knives, which then throw all substances into the
eceptacle. In practice, if the teeth are closely enough spaced, they will pick up all
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page_text: dead or matted grass, creepers, dead leaves or fallen fruit, or other substances and the
use of this comb, will thereby give the lawn a finer appearance than could be produced
in any other manner. It is advisable to make the comb detachable, as its constant
use at every cutting, or for every lawn, is not required.
The receptacle may be made sufficiently roomy to allow the collected substances to
fall far enough in rear of the knives to keep the latter clear, yet, as the receptacle
becomes full, or in going down hill, the said substances might fall out of the mouth of
the receptacle and choke the knives. To prevent this, I place the shield or cut-off S
across the lower portion of the mouth of the receptacle, and this cut-off I preferably
construct integrally on one piece with the knife-bar as shown in Figure 4. By
inclining it rearwardly, the cut-off will not obstruct the free discharge of the substances
into the receptacle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what i
claim is :-
First. The receptacle constructed substantially as herein described and adapted to
be used in connection with a lawn-mower for collecting the grass in mowing
lawns.
Second. The comb, substantially as herein described, and secured to the stationary
knife-bar of a lawn-mower, in combination with the receptacle for collecting the grass
and other substances.
Third. In an attachment for lawn-mowers the combination with the lawn-mower of
a receptacle secured in rear of the cutting knives, the comb to the stationary knife and
knife-bar in advance of the knives, and the cut-off extending rearwardly into the
mouth of the receptacle, substantially as described.
Fourth. In an attachment for lawn-mowers the combination with the lawn-mower,
of the receptacle K, the comb P and the cut-off S integrally constructed with the
knife-bar, the parts being constructed and arranged to operate, substantially as
described.
Dated this 4th day of Tune 1880
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.