Harvesters – Motorized harvester – Having motor on ground-supported carrier
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-23
2001-07-17
Shackelford, H. (Department: 3671)
Harvesters
Motorized harvester
Having motor on ground-supported carrier
C056S320100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260340
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to lawn mowers, and more particularly, to apparatus for cleaning lawn mowers such as push mowers and riding mowers after they have been used to cut the grass.
Power mowers used to cut grass have a housing or cowling under which the mower blades are housed. As grass is cut, blades of grass get drawn up against the underside of the housing. Because of moistness and the pressure exerted on the blades, the blades compact so that by the time a grass cutting operation is complete there is a layer of compacted material compressed against the underside of the mower. If this material is not cleaned away, it will, over time, effect the mower's efficiency. For a push mower, turning the mower on its side and spraying the underside with a hose to flush the accumulated clippings and other debris away may be a relatively simple task if the mower is a smaller, lightweight mower. However, for larger, heavier mowers and large deck mowers such as riding mowers, many of which include more than one set of blades, this is not so simple.
Various approaches have been previously tried to provide a mower cleaning system by which the user can readily clean a mower after use. One such approach has been to install a coupling or fitting on the mower housing. A hose such as a garden hose attaches to the fitting and water flowing through the fitting is then sprayed into the underside of the mower housing. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,499,492, 5,027,590, and 3,905,181 are exemplary of this approach. A second approach is to provide a manifold or rail which is connectable to the end of a hose or water valve. The mower is rolled over the manifold, the water is turned on, and openings in the manifold or rail allow the water to spray upwardly against the underside of the housing. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,673,856, 5,651,242, and 3,856,028 are exemplary of this approach.
While devices incorporating these approaches may be effective to clean the underside of a mower, both have drawbacks. With the former, the pattern of distribution may not be such as to completely or efficiently flush the accumulated material away. With the latter, the device not only must be separately stored, but because the device is beneath the mower, clippings, dirt, small rocks, etc. may wash into the holes through which the water spouts, plugging or blocking the holes and reducing the efficiency of the device.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Among the several objects of the present invention may be noted the provision of apparatus installed on a lawn mower for cleaning grass clippings, gum, dirt, and other debris from the underside of the mower after the mower has been used. It is further a provision of the apparatus to be installed on a mower as original equipment, or provided in kit form for retrofitting a mower. The apparatus is usable on push mowers having a single set of blades, or on a larger mower such as a riding mower which may have several sets of blades. Another provision of the apparatus is its ready connection to a hose or spigot so water can be circulated through the apparatus to flush away the material accumulated on the underside of the mower housing. The apparatus employs fittings mounted on the housing and having bores through which water flows to the underside of the housing. Importantly, the bores are so shaped as to direct water flow at “hard to reach” areas of the housing thereby to thoroughly clean the underside of the housing. In addition, the mower can be run while the water is running with the rotating blades creating a suction effect that increases the water pressure of the flow against the housing so to increase the cleansing action. A splash plate is provided which will be installed beneath the mower blades. The splash includes fins and the splash plate functions to produce better distribution of water on the underside of the mower housing for better cleaning. The apparatus is relatively low cost, is easy to install, does not clog, and requires little maintenance.
In accordance with the invention, generally stated, apparatus is provided for cleaning a lawn mower after it is used to mow a lawn. The mower has a deck beneath which are mounted grass cutting blades. When cutting grass, grass clippings and other debris accumulate on the underside of the deck. The apparatus comprises a hose routed over, and mounted to, an outer surface of the deck. Ends of the hose are attached to a tee-coupling whose other end is connected to a water hose or spigot through a shut-off valve. When the shut-off valve is opened, water circulates through the hose. A plurality of fittings are installed in the hose at locations along its length. The fittings extend through a sidewall of the hose and through the mower deck. Each fitting has a bore defining a water passage which extends through the fitting. Water circulating through the hose is drawn through the fittings and is sprayed on the underside of the mower deck. The water flushes away the accumulated grass clippings and other debris. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3214893 (1965-11-01), Griffin
patent: 3535862 (1970-10-01), Wittwer
patent: 3648446 (1972-03-01), Haapoja et al.
patent: 3856028 (1974-12-01), Kehler
patent: 3905181 (1975-09-01), Messner
patent: 4762278 (1988-08-01), Taylor
patent: 5027590 (1991-07-01), Stark
patent: 5312047 (1994-05-01), Akers
patent: 5499492 (1996-03-01), Jameson
patent: 5651242 (1997-07-01), Kittridge
patent: 5673856 (1997-10-01), Krohn
patent: 6145288 (2000-11-01), Tamian et al.
Polster Lieder Woodruff & Lucchesi L.C.
Shackelford H.
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