Patent ID: 7650739

Claim:
A mulch plate apparatus for use with a lawn mower, the lawn mower having a discharge chute for expulsion of mower clippings, the mulch plate apparatus comprising: a deck oriented over the discharge chute of the lawn mower; a mulch plate rotatably connected to the deck so as to be struck by mower clippings expelled through the discharge chute, the mulch plate including one or more air vents; a mulch plate adjustment assembly connected to the mulch plate and affixed to the deck to facilitate raising and lowering of the mulch plate, the mulch plate adjustment assembly comprising: an elongated support stand; a handle retention assembly connected to the support stand, the handle retention assembly comprising a ratchet assembly having a frame with one or more interior handle-retention notches for selectably retaining the handle in one of a variety of different positions; a handle movable within the handle retention assembly; and a mulch plate connection assembly connecting the handle retention assembly to the mulch plate in order to facilitate raising and lowering the mulch plate by operation of the handle, the mulch plate movable from a lowest position to a highest position and increments therebetween; an elongated stanchion extending up from the deck; and a slide assembly rotatably affixed at one end to the stanchion by retaining means and at its opposing end to a cable, wherein the slide assembly allows the mulch plate to be manually lifted beyond the highest position to a non-operational position.