CA1092368A - Multiple spindle rotary mower - Google Patents
Multiple spindle rotary mowerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1092368A CA1092368A CA244,271A CA244271A CA1092368A CA 1092368 A CA1092368 A CA 1092368A CA 244271 A CA244271 A CA 244271A CA 1092368 A CA1092368 A CA 1092368A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cutter blade
- rotary
- blade
- cutter
- lawn mower
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D34/00—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
- A01D34/01—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus
- A01D34/412—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters
- A01D34/63—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis
- A01D34/71—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis with means for discharging mown material
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D2101/00—Lawn-mowers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D34/00—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
- A01D34/01—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus
- A01D34/412—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters
- A01D34/63—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Harvester Elements (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Disclosed herein is a rotary lawn mower comprising a blade housing supported for travel in adjacent relation to the ground, a first rotary cutter blade supported for rotation within the blade housing, a second rotary cutter blade supported for rotation within the housing about an axis located in later-ally rearwardly offset relation from the rotary axis of the first cutter blade and for clipping discharge from the rotary path of the second cutter blade into the rotary path of the first cutter blade, and a grass clipping discharge arranged for delivery thereto of clippings solely from the rotary path of the first cutter blade.
Disclosed herein is a rotary lawn mower comprising a blade housing supported for travel in adjacent relation to the ground, a first rotary cutter blade supported for rotation within the blade housing, a second rotary cutter blade supported for rotation within the housing about an axis located in later-ally rearwardly offset relation from the rotary axis of the first cutter blade and for clipping discharge from the rotary path of the second cutter blade into the rotary path of the first cutter blade, and a grass clipping discharge arranged for delivery thereto of clippings solely from the rotary path of the first cutter blade.
Description
TITLE
MULTIPLE SPINDLE ROTARY MOWER
INVENTOR
EARL H. KIDD
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to rotary lawn mowers and particularly to multi-blade rotary lawn mowers.
More specifically, the invention relates to grass clipping discharge and catching arrangements for such multi-blade rotary mowers.
Prior multi-blade or spindle rotary mowers have experienced only limited or poor success with respect to grass catching.
.'' ~
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a rotary lawn mower comprising a blade housing supported for travel in adjacent relation to the ground, a grass clipping discharge means, a first rotary cutter blade, means for supporting the first cutter blade for rotation within the blade housing and so as to directly discharge clippings from the first cutter blade out the grass clipping discharge means, a second rotary cutter blade, means for supporting the second cutter blade for rotation within the blade housing in laterally rearwardly offset relation from the rotary axis of the first cutter blade and so as to guide clipping discharge from the rotary path of the second cutter blade into the rotary path of the first cutter blade, and means associated with each of the cutter blades and operative in response to cutter blade rotation for conveying grass clippings for discharge from the respective paths of cutter blade rotation, which conveying means associated with D
.. . . ..
, ~ .. . . ,. . ; ~ . - - . ~
.. . . . . . .
1~ 9 ~ 3~;~
the first cutter blade has a greater capacity than the conveying means associated with the second cutter blade.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the blade housing includes a depending wall having a generally ~ -straight portion, the first rotary cutter blade is supported for rotation with the periphery of the rotary path of the first cutter blade extending in tangentially adjacent relation to the straight portion of the depending wall, and the second rotary cutter blade is supported for rotation with the peri-phery of the rotary path of the second cutter blade extending in tangentially adjacent relation to the straight portion of the depending wall, whereby grass clippings are discharged from the rotary path of the second cutter blade into the rotary path of the first cutter blade.
In one embodiment of the invention, the housing includes a top deck and the grass clipping discharge means includes an opening in the top deck and a side discharge opening in the' ~ :
depending wall. ~ s In an embodiment of the invention, means removably connectable to the housing are provided for closing one of the ~ :
openings, whîch means can include a discharge chute communicable ~
, with the opening in the top deck, together with a baf1e b~ocking the side dîscharge opening~
In an embodiment of the invention, the depending wall further includes a first arcuate portion merging with the straight portion and extending în the dlrection counter to the dîrection of rotation of the second cutter blade and adjacent to and for about 270 around the periphery of the rotary path of the second cutter blade, together wîth a:second arcuate portion extending in adjacent relation to the periphery of the path of the first cutter blade and in the direction counter to the direction of rotation of the first cutter blade from the first arcuate wall portion~
`D -2-.. . . , , , - . . . .
~ ~ Z3~;8 One of the principal features of the invention is the provision of a multi-blade rotary mower wherein the cutter blades are arranged in tandem and wherein one of the blades is provided with a greater clipping discharge capacity than the other blade.
Another of the principal features of the invention is the provision of a multi-blade or spindle rotary mower wherein the clippings cut by one blade are directed to the other blade for discharge from the housing.
Other features and advantages of the embodiments of the invention will become known by reference to the following drawings, general description and claims.
THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a top view of a rotary lawn mower incorporating various of the features of the invention.
Fig. 2 is an end view of one of the cutter blades incorporated in the mower shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is an end view of another of the cutter blades incorporated in the mower shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the mower shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a sectional view, with parts omitted, taken along line 5--5 of Fig. 4.
Before describing the embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited .
in its application to the details of construction and the arrange-ments of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawing. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.
Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Shown in the drawings is a rotary lawn mower 11 which incorporates various of the features of the invention : ' . ' , ~ . . . . .
', ,, ,,' ;,, ' ' ; ~, ~
: ~ , . . ..
Z3~6i and which is preferably self-propelled. However, the inven-tion also extends to push-type mowers and to riding mowers.
The mower 11 includes a blade housing 13 which in-cludes a top deck 15 and a depending side wall 16 and which is suitably supported above the ground and for travel along the ground. While various supporting arrangements can be employed, in the illustrated construction, such means com-prises a pair of rear wheels 17 and a pair of forward wheels 19.
Provided in the housing are ~irst and second cutter ;
blades 21 and 23 respectively, together with respective shaft and bearing means 31 and 33 on the housing for rotatably sup- ~ :
porting the first and second cutter blades 21 and 23 within the blade housing 13 with the rotary axis 43 of the second cutter blade 23 being located, with respect to the intended direction of blade housing movement,in laterally and rearwardly ~ ;
offset relation to the rotary axis 41 of the first cutter blade 21. The effective cutting areas of the respective cutter blades 21 and 23 is indicated by the respective reference letters A and B in the drawings.
Means are provided for rotating the cutter blades 21 and 23. While other constructions could be employed, in the , illustrated construction, such means comprises an engine 51 mounted on the blade housing 13 and a drive train 53 extending from the engine 51 to the cutter blades 21 and 23. While various drive trains can be employed, in the illustrated con-struction, the engine 51 includes an output shaft carrying a drive pulley 55 which is connected by a drive belt 57 to a ~ ' pulley 59 connected fixedly to the second cutter blade 23.
Also connected fixedly to the second cut~er blade 23 is another pulley 61 which is connected through a drive belt 63 to apulley 65 fixedly cormected to the first cutter blade 21. A
suitable belt tightener such as a biased idler pulley 67 can - ~
~ ~ Z3 ~ ~
be employed between the first and second cutter blades 21 and 23. In the illustrated construction, the cutter blades 21 and 23 are both rotated at approximately the same speed and ro~ate in the clockwise direction as seen from above.
I~ addition, it is preferred to employ, in connection with the drive to the second cutter blade 23, a com~ination brake and clu~ch mechanism 71 which can include a selectively positionable idler pulley 73 operable selectively to remove slack from the drive belt 57 and a brake shoe 75 engagably with the drive belt 57 to brake movement thereof. `~
A suitable drive mechanism 77 is also preferably employed to drive the rear wheels 17 from the engine 51, which mechanism 77 can include means for selecting drive at one or more speeds.
The cutter blades 21 and 23 are, except as explained hereinafter, of generally conventional structure and comprise -elongated~ bars having, at the outer leading ends thereof respectiue cutting edges 81 and 83 and having, along the outer trailing ends thereof, lift means in the form of respective upstanding vanes 91 and 93 operative to propel a stream of air and thereby to convey grass clippings from the paths of the rotary cutting blades 21 and 23. Preferably, the vanes 91 on ;
the first cutter blade 21 have a vane area greater than the area :~
of the vanes 93 on the second cutter blade. Thus, in the illustrated construction, the vanes 91 on the first c~tter ~ .
blade 21 have a height of about 11/16 of an inch, whereas the vanes 93 on the second cutter blade 23 have a height of about 1/2 inch. Thus, for a given speed of rotation, the first cutter blade 21 has a greater grass clipping conveying capacity than the second cutter blade 23.
Means are provided for guiding grass clipping dis-charge from the path of the second cutter blade 23 into the . . . ~. , ~ ~ ., . :
., - - . . . , ::
~9~3G~
path of the ~irst cutter blade 21. While various arrange-ments can be employed, in the illustrated construction, a vertical wall 101 depends downwardly from the top deck 15 of the blade housing 13 and extends, in part, in closely adjacent relation to the periphery of the rotary paths of the first and second cutter blades 21 and 23. More specifi-cally, the depending wall 101 includes a straight portion 103 extending in generally tangential relation to the rotary paths of the first and second cutter blades 21 and 23, which straight portion 103 is operative to cause grass clippings :.
to flow from the rotary path of the second cutter blade 23 into the rotary path of the first cutter blade 21 for subse-quent discharge from the blade housing 13.
The depending wall 101 further includes an arcuate portion 105 which extends in closely adjacent relation to the path of the second cutter blade 23 from the area of tan-gential relationship between the rotary path of the second cutter blade 23 and the straight portion 103 of the wall 101, in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the second cutter blade 23, i.e., in the counter clockwise direction, for a distance of about 2~0 and which terminates at a point 107 ~ :
located generally in the vicinity of a straight line connecting the axes 41 and 43 of the first and second cutter blades 21 and 23.
The depending wall 101 further includes another arcuate portion 109 which extends, from the point 107, in the counter clockwïse direction around and in closely adjacent .
relation to the periphery of the path of the first cutter blade 21 to adjacent a side discharge grass clipping chute 111.
If a side discharge chute 111 is not employed, the arcuate wall portion 109 can extend continuously to the area of .
. .
..
23~;8 tantential relationship between the straight wall portion 103 and the periphery of the rotary path of the first cutter blade 21.
As shown in Fig. 4, a short vertical wall 108 extends between the end of the arcuate wall portion 109 and a portion llO of the blade housing side wal.l 16.
As already indicated, the mower blade housing 13 includes grass clipping discharge means arranged for delivery from the housing of grass clippings solely from the path of the first cutter blade 21. Whilé-various arrangements can be employed, it is preferred to employ an opportunity for selectively discharging the grass clippings through either a top deck discharge opening 121 or through a side discharge opening 123 (indicated by a dotted line in Fig. 4) located in the depending wall 101 and communicating with the laterally extending side discharge chute 111 already referred to.
While other arrangements are possible, in the illus-trated construction, the side discharge chute 111 inc`ludes forwardly and rearwardly spaced vertical walls 112 and 114, respectively, and extends arcuately from the area of tangential relationship between the straight portion 103 of the depending ;
wall 101 and the periphery of the rotary path of the first cutter blade 21. If desired, the depending wall 101 can also include a short arcuate portion between the straight portion 103 and the side discharge chute 111. As indicate~, the side discharge opening 123 constitutes an interruption in the depending wall 101 between the straight portion 103 and the arcuate portion 109.
The top discharge opening 121 extends in the top deck 15 in generally adjacent relation to the side discharge opening 123 and partially above the ro.tary path of the first ~ 3~i8 cutter blade 21. When the mower :is used for side discharge o~ grass clipplngs, the top deck discharge opening 121 is closed by a removable cover (not shown). When it is desired to catch or collect the grass clippings, the cover is removed and replaced with a top deck discharge chute 125 which can extend rearwardly for application thereto of a grass clipping bag, as shown in the United States Shaw Patent No. 3,118,267, issued January 21, 196~, or for discharge of clippings to a recepticle carried rearwardly of the blade housing as disclosed in Canadian Application Serial No. 227,304, filed May 20, 1975. .
The side discharge opening 123 is closed when using the top discharge opening 121 and accordingly, the top dis-charge chute 125 preferably includes an arcuate baffle (not shown) which is operative to~close the side discharge opening 123 and in effect, becomes part of the depending wall 101. If .
desired, a baffle element (not shown) separate from the top :~
discharge chute 125 can be attached to the housing 13 to close the side discharge opening 123 when using the top dis-charge chute 125.
Because the grass clippings from the second cutter blade 23 are delivered to the rotary path of the first cutter blade 21 for discharge from the blade housing 13, it is preferred that the first cutter blade 21 be capable of conveying a greater quant:ity of grass clippings than the second cutter blade 23. Various means can be employed for incre~sing the grass clipping conveying capacity of the first cutter blade 21 as compared to the second cutter blade 23. For instance, the -:
drive train 53 could be arranged by suitable means to rotate the first cutter blade 21 at a faster speed that the second cutter blade 23. In the illustrated construction, the first .. . . :. ., . . - .- , . .
1~9 ~3~i~
cutter blade 21 is provided with increased grass clipping delivery capacity as compared to the second cutter blade 23 by employing larger vanes 91 with greater vertical height and lift area on the first cutter blade 21 as compared to the vanes 93 on the second cutter blade 23.
In operation, grass clippings cut by the second cutter blade 23 are delivered through the space between the point 107 and the depending wall straight portion 103 into the rotating path of the first cutter blade 21 for discharge with the grass clippings cut by the first cutter blade 21 from the housing through either the side discharge chute 111 or through the top discharge chute 125 and into a collection ;
bag. Thus, there is provided a multi-spindle rotary mower .
capable of effectively collecting grass clippings cut by both the first and second cutter blades.
Various of the features of t~e invention are set forth in the following claims.
:- -9- :
MULTIPLE SPINDLE ROTARY MOWER
INVENTOR
EARL H. KIDD
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to rotary lawn mowers and particularly to multi-blade rotary lawn mowers.
More specifically, the invention relates to grass clipping discharge and catching arrangements for such multi-blade rotary mowers.
Prior multi-blade or spindle rotary mowers have experienced only limited or poor success with respect to grass catching.
.'' ~
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a rotary lawn mower comprising a blade housing supported for travel in adjacent relation to the ground, a grass clipping discharge means, a first rotary cutter blade, means for supporting the first cutter blade for rotation within the blade housing and so as to directly discharge clippings from the first cutter blade out the grass clipping discharge means, a second rotary cutter blade, means for supporting the second cutter blade for rotation within the blade housing in laterally rearwardly offset relation from the rotary axis of the first cutter blade and so as to guide clipping discharge from the rotary path of the second cutter blade into the rotary path of the first cutter blade, and means associated with each of the cutter blades and operative in response to cutter blade rotation for conveying grass clippings for discharge from the respective paths of cutter blade rotation, which conveying means associated with D
.. . . ..
, ~ .. . . ,. . ; ~ . - - . ~
.. . . . . . .
1~ 9 ~ 3~;~
the first cutter blade has a greater capacity than the conveying means associated with the second cutter blade.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the blade housing includes a depending wall having a generally ~ -straight portion, the first rotary cutter blade is supported for rotation with the periphery of the rotary path of the first cutter blade extending in tangentially adjacent relation to the straight portion of the depending wall, and the second rotary cutter blade is supported for rotation with the peri-phery of the rotary path of the second cutter blade extending in tangentially adjacent relation to the straight portion of the depending wall, whereby grass clippings are discharged from the rotary path of the second cutter blade into the rotary path of the first cutter blade.
In one embodiment of the invention, the housing includes a top deck and the grass clipping discharge means includes an opening in the top deck and a side discharge opening in the' ~ :
depending wall. ~ s In an embodiment of the invention, means removably connectable to the housing are provided for closing one of the ~ :
openings, whîch means can include a discharge chute communicable ~
, with the opening in the top deck, together with a baf1e b~ocking the side dîscharge opening~
In an embodiment of the invention, the depending wall further includes a first arcuate portion merging with the straight portion and extending în the dlrection counter to the dîrection of rotation of the second cutter blade and adjacent to and for about 270 around the periphery of the rotary path of the second cutter blade, together wîth a:second arcuate portion extending in adjacent relation to the periphery of the path of the first cutter blade and in the direction counter to the direction of rotation of the first cutter blade from the first arcuate wall portion~
`D -2-.. . . , , , - . . . .
~ ~ Z3~;8 One of the principal features of the invention is the provision of a multi-blade rotary mower wherein the cutter blades are arranged in tandem and wherein one of the blades is provided with a greater clipping discharge capacity than the other blade.
Another of the principal features of the invention is the provision of a multi-blade or spindle rotary mower wherein the clippings cut by one blade are directed to the other blade for discharge from the housing.
Other features and advantages of the embodiments of the invention will become known by reference to the following drawings, general description and claims.
THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a top view of a rotary lawn mower incorporating various of the features of the invention.
Fig. 2 is an end view of one of the cutter blades incorporated in the mower shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is an end view of another of the cutter blades incorporated in the mower shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the mower shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a sectional view, with parts omitted, taken along line 5--5 of Fig. 4.
Before describing the embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited .
in its application to the details of construction and the arrange-ments of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawing. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.
Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Shown in the drawings is a rotary lawn mower 11 which incorporates various of the features of the invention : ' . ' , ~ . . . . .
', ,, ,,' ;,, ' ' ; ~, ~
: ~ , . . ..
Z3~6i and which is preferably self-propelled. However, the inven-tion also extends to push-type mowers and to riding mowers.
The mower 11 includes a blade housing 13 which in-cludes a top deck 15 and a depending side wall 16 and which is suitably supported above the ground and for travel along the ground. While various supporting arrangements can be employed, in the illustrated construction, such means com-prises a pair of rear wheels 17 and a pair of forward wheels 19.
Provided in the housing are ~irst and second cutter ;
blades 21 and 23 respectively, together with respective shaft and bearing means 31 and 33 on the housing for rotatably sup- ~ :
porting the first and second cutter blades 21 and 23 within the blade housing 13 with the rotary axis 43 of the second cutter blade 23 being located, with respect to the intended direction of blade housing movement,in laterally and rearwardly ~ ;
offset relation to the rotary axis 41 of the first cutter blade 21. The effective cutting areas of the respective cutter blades 21 and 23 is indicated by the respective reference letters A and B in the drawings.
Means are provided for rotating the cutter blades 21 and 23. While other constructions could be employed, in the , illustrated construction, such means comprises an engine 51 mounted on the blade housing 13 and a drive train 53 extending from the engine 51 to the cutter blades 21 and 23. While various drive trains can be employed, in the illustrated con-struction, the engine 51 includes an output shaft carrying a drive pulley 55 which is connected by a drive belt 57 to a ~ ' pulley 59 connected fixedly to the second cutter blade 23.
Also connected fixedly to the second cut~er blade 23 is another pulley 61 which is connected through a drive belt 63 to apulley 65 fixedly cormected to the first cutter blade 21. A
suitable belt tightener such as a biased idler pulley 67 can - ~
~ ~ Z3 ~ ~
be employed between the first and second cutter blades 21 and 23. In the illustrated construction, the cutter blades 21 and 23 are both rotated at approximately the same speed and ro~ate in the clockwise direction as seen from above.
I~ addition, it is preferred to employ, in connection with the drive to the second cutter blade 23, a com~ination brake and clu~ch mechanism 71 which can include a selectively positionable idler pulley 73 operable selectively to remove slack from the drive belt 57 and a brake shoe 75 engagably with the drive belt 57 to brake movement thereof. `~
A suitable drive mechanism 77 is also preferably employed to drive the rear wheels 17 from the engine 51, which mechanism 77 can include means for selecting drive at one or more speeds.
The cutter blades 21 and 23 are, except as explained hereinafter, of generally conventional structure and comprise -elongated~ bars having, at the outer leading ends thereof respectiue cutting edges 81 and 83 and having, along the outer trailing ends thereof, lift means in the form of respective upstanding vanes 91 and 93 operative to propel a stream of air and thereby to convey grass clippings from the paths of the rotary cutting blades 21 and 23. Preferably, the vanes 91 on ;
the first cutter blade 21 have a vane area greater than the area :~
of the vanes 93 on the second cutter blade. Thus, in the illustrated construction, the vanes 91 on the first c~tter ~ .
blade 21 have a height of about 11/16 of an inch, whereas the vanes 93 on the second cutter blade 23 have a height of about 1/2 inch. Thus, for a given speed of rotation, the first cutter blade 21 has a greater grass clipping conveying capacity than the second cutter blade 23.
Means are provided for guiding grass clipping dis-charge from the path of the second cutter blade 23 into the . . . ~. , ~ ~ ., . :
., - - . . . , ::
~9~3G~
path of the ~irst cutter blade 21. While various arrange-ments can be employed, in the illustrated construction, a vertical wall 101 depends downwardly from the top deck 15 of the blade housing 13 and extends, in part, in closely adjacent relation to the periphery of the rotary paths of the first and second cutter blades 21 and 23. More specifi-cally, the depending wall 101 includes a straight portion 103 extending in generally tangential relation to the rotary paths of the first and second cutter blades 21 and 23, which straight portion 103 is operative to cause grass clippings :.
to flow from the rotary path of the second cutter blade 23 into the rotary path of the first cutter blade 21 for subse-quent discharge from the blade housing 13.
The depending wall 101 further includes an arcuate portion 105 which extends in closely adjacent relation to the path of the second cutter blade 23 from the area of tan-gential relationship between the rotary path of the second cutter blade 23 and the straight portion 103 of the wall 101, in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the second cutter blade 23, i.e., in the counter clockwise direction, for a distance of about 2~0 and which terminates at a point 107 ~ :
located generally in the vicinity of a straight line connecting the axes 41 and 43 of the first and second cutter blades 21 and 23.
The depending wall 101 further includes another arcuate portion 109 which extends, from the point 107, in the counter clockwïse direction around and in closely adjacent .
relation to the periphery of the path of the first cutter blade 21 to adjacent a side discharge grass clipping chute 111.
If a side discharge chute 111 is not employed, the arcuate wall portion 109 can extend continuously to the area of .
. .
..
23~;8 tantential relationship between the straight wall portion 103 and the periphery of the rotary path of the first cutter blade 21.
As shown in Fig. 4, a short vertical wall 108 extends between the end of the arcuate wall portion 109 and a portion llO of the blade housing side wal.l 16.
As already indicated, the mower blade housing 13 includes grass clipping discharge means arranged for delivery from the housing of grass clippings solely from the path of the first cutter blade 21. Whilé-various arrangements can be employed, it is preferred to employ an opportunity for selectively discharging the grass clippings through either a top deck discharge opening 121 or through a side discharge opening 123 (indicated by a dotted line in Fig. 4) located in the depending wall 101 and communicating with the laterally extending side discharge chute 111 already referred to.
While other arrangements are possible, in the illus-trated construction, the side discharge chute 111 inc`ludes forwardly and rearwardly spaced vertical walls 112 and 114, respectively, and extends arcuately from the area of tangential relationship between the straight portion 103 of the depending ;
wall 101 and the periphery of the rotary path of the first cutter blade 21. If desired, the depending wall 101 can also include a short arcuate portion between the straight portion 103 and the side discharge chute 111. As indicate~, the side discharge opening 123 constitutes an interruption in the depending wall 101 between the straight portion 103 and the arcuate portion 109.
The top discharge opening 121 extends in the top deck 15 in generally adjacent relation to the side discharge opening 123 and partially above the ro.tary path of the first ~ 3~i8 cutter blade 21. When the mower :is used for side discharge o~ grass clipplngs, the top deck discharge opening 121 is closed by a removable cover (not shown). When it is desired to catch or collect the grass clippings, the cover is removed and replaced with a top deck discharge chute 125 which can extend rearwardly for application thereto of a grass clipping bag, as shown in the United States Shaw Patent No. 3,118,267, issued January 21, 196~, or for discharge of clippings to a recepticle carried rearwardly of the blade housing as disclosed in Canadian Application Serial No. 227,304, filed May 20, 1975. .
The side discharge opening 123 is closed when using the top discharge opening 121 and accordingly, the top dis-charge chute 125 preferably includes an arcuate baffle (not shown) which is operative to~close the side discharge opening 123 and in effect, becomes part of the depending wall 101. If .
desired, a baffle element (not shown) separate from the top :~
discharge chute 125 can be attached to the housing 13 to close the side discharge opening 123 when using the top dis-charge chute 125.
Because the grass clippings from the second cutter blade 23 are delivered to the rotary path of the first cutter blade 21 for discharge from the blade housing 13, it is preferred that the first cutter blade 21 be capable of conveying a greater quant:ity of grass clippings than the second cutter blade 23. Various means can be employed for incre~sing the grass clipping conveying capacity of the first cutter blade 21 as compared to the second cutter blade 23. For instance, the -:
drive train 53 could be arranged by suitable means to rotate the first cutter blade 21 at a faster speed that the second cutter blade 23. In the illustrated construction, the first .. . . :. ., . . - .- , . .
1~9 ~3~i~
cutter blade 21 is provided with increased grass clipping delivery capacity as compared to the second cutter blade 23 by employing larger vanes 91 with greater vertical height and lift area on the first cutter blade 21 as compared to the vanes 93 on the second cutter blade 23.
In operation, grass clippings cut by the second cutter blade 23 are delivered through the space between the point 107 and the depending wall straight portion 103 into the rotating path of the first cutter blade 21 for discharge with the grass clippings cut by the first cutter blade 21 from the housing through either the side discharge chute 111 or through the top discharge chute 125 and into a collection ;
bag. Thus, there is provided a multi-spindle rotary mower .
capable of effectively collecting grass clippings cut by both the first and second cutter blades.
Various of the features of t~e invention are set forth in the following claims.
:- -9- :
Claims (40)
1. A rotary lawn mower comprising a blade housing supported for travel in adjacent relation to the ground, a grass clipping discharge means, a first rotary cutter blade, means for supporting said first cutter blade for rotation within said blade housing and so as to directly discharge clippings from said first cutter blade out said grass clipping discharge means, a second rotary cutter blade, means for supporting said second cutter blade for rotation within said blade housing in laterally rearwardly offset relation from the rotary axis of said first cutter blade and so as to guide clipping discharge from the rotary path of said second cutter blade into the rotary path of said first cutter blade, and means associated with each of said cutter blades and operative in response to cutter blade rotation for conveying grass clippings for discharge from the respective paths of cutter blade rotation, said conveying means associated with said first cutter blade having a greater capacity than said conveying means associated with said second cutter blade.
2. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said housing includes a top deck and wherein said grass clipping discharge means includes an opening in said top deck.
3. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said housing includes a side discharge opening.
4. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said housing includes a top deck and wherein said grass clipping discharge means includes a side discharge opening and an opening in said top deck.
5. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 4 and further including means removably connectable to said housing for closing one of said openings.
6. A rotary lawn mower in accordane with Claim 5 wherein said means removably connectable to said housing comprises a discharge chute communicable with said opening in said top deck and means blocking said side discharge opening.
7. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said blade housing includes a depending wall having a generally straight portion extending in tangetially adjacent relation to the periphery of the rotary path of said first cutter blade and to the periphery of the rotary path of said second cutter blade, whereby clippings are discharged from the rotary path of said second cutter blade into the rotary path of said first cutter blade.
8. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 7 wherein said depending wall futher includes an arcuate portion merging with said straight portion and extending in the direction counter to the direction of rotation of said second cutter blade and adjacent to and for about 270°
around the periphery of the rotary path of said second cutter blade.
around the periphery of the rotary path of said second cutter blade.
9. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 7 wherein said depending wall further includes an arcuate portion extending in adjacent relation to the periphery of the path of said first cutter blade and in the direction counter to the direction of first cutter blade rotation from a point about 90° from the area of tangential relationship between the depending wall straight portion and the periphery of the path of said first cutter blade.
10. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 7 wherein said housing includes a side discharge opening and wherein said depending wall includes a first arcuate portion merging with said straight portion and extending in the direction counter to the direction of said cutter blade rotation and in adjacent relation to and for about 270°
around the periphery of the rotary path of said second cutter blade, and a second arcuate portion extending in adjacent relation to the rotary path of said first cutter blade from said first arcuate portion in the direction counter to the direction of first cutter blade rotation to about said side discharge opening.
around the periphery of the rotary path of said second cutter blade, and a second arcuate portion extending in adjacent relation to the rotary path of said first cutter blade from said first arcuate portion in the direction counter to the direction of first cutter blade rotation to about said side discharge opening.
11. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said grass clipping conveying means includes means for rotating said cutter blades and upwardly extending vane means adjacent the outer ends of said cutter blades.
12. A lawn mower in accordance with Claim 11 wherein said cutter blade rotating means is operable to rotate said cutter blades such that the speed of said first cutter blade is greater than the speed of said second cutter blade.
13. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 11 wherein said vane means on said first and second cutter blades define lift areas such that said lift areas on said first cutter blade are greater than said lift areas on said second cutter blade.
14. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 13 wherein said vane means on said first cutter blade have a greater vertical dimension than the vane means on said second cutter blade.
15. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said first and second cutter blades have approximately the same length and are rotated at approximately the same speed.
16. A rotary lawn mower comprising a blade housing, means supporting said blade housing for travel in a forward direction in adjacent relation to the ground, a first rotary cutter blade supported for rotation within said blade housing about a forwardly located axis, a second rotary cutter blade supported for rotation within said blade housing about an axis located in laterally rearwardly offset relation from said rotary axis of said forwardly located first cutter blade, said blade housing further including a grass clipping discharge outlet located, at least in part, forwardly of said rotary axis of said forwardly located first cutter blade, and diametrically opposite with respect to said rotary axis of said forwardly located first cutter blade from said rotary axis of said rearwardly located second cutter blade, and in adjacent relation to the rotary path of said forwardly located first cutter blade for discharging from said blade housing grass clippings delivered solely from said forwardly located first cutter blade, said blade housing further including a depending wall including a generally straight portion extending in adjacent relation to a tangent extending from the peripheries of the rotary paths of said cutter blades, a first arcuate portion merging with said straight portion and extending in the direction counter to the direction of rotation of said rearwardly located second cutter blade, whereby the grass clippings cut by said rearwardly located second cutter blade are delivered to the path of the forwardly located first cutter blade adjacent to said depending wall straight portion, and a second arcuate portion extending in adjacent relation to the rotary path of said forwardly located first cutter blade from said first Clain 16 continued arcuate portion in the direction counter to the direction of rotation of said forwardly located first cutter blade, whereby the grass clippings cut by said forwardly located first cutter blade and the grass clippings delivered to the path of the forwardly located first cutter blade from the rearwardly located second cutter blade are delivered from said blade housing through said discharge outlet, and means associated with each of said cutter blades and operative in response to cutter blade rotation for conveying grass clippings for discharge from the respective paths of cutter blade rotation, said conveying means associated with said first cutter blade having a greater capacity than said conveying means associated with said second cutter blade.
17. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 16 wherein said housing includes a top deck and wherein said grass clipping discharge outlet comprises a discharge opening in said top deck.
18. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 16 wherein said grass clipping outlet comprises a side discharge opening in said depending wall.
19. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 16 wherein said housing includes a top deck and wherein said grass clipping discharge outlet includes a side discharge opening in said depending wall and a discharge opening in said top deck.
20. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 19 and further including means removably connectable to said housing for closing one of said openings.
21. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 20 wherein said means removably connectable to said housing comprises a discharge chute communicable with said opening in said top deck and means blocking said side discharge opening.
22. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 16 wherein said grass clipping conveying means includes means for rotating said cutter blades and upwardly extending vane means adjacent the outer ends of said cutter blades.
23. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 22 wherein said cutter blade rotating means is operable to rotate said cutter blades such that the speed of said first cutter blade is greater than the speed of said second cutter blade.
24. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 22 wherein said vane means on said first and second cutter blades define lift areas such that said lift areas on said first cutter blade are greater than said lift areas on said second cutter blade.
25. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 24 wherein said vane means on said first cutter blade have a greater vertical dimension than the vane means on said second cutter blade.
26. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 16 wherein said first and second cutter blades have approximately the same length and are rotated at approximately the same speed.
27. A rotary lawn mower comprising a blade housing, means supporting said blade housing for travel in a forward direction in adjacent relation to the ground, a first rotary cutter blade supported for rotation within said blade housing about a forwardly located axis, and a second rotary cutter blade supported for rotation within said blade housing about an axis located in laterally rearwardly offset relation from said rotary axis of said forwardly located first cutter blade, said blade housing further including a grass clipping discharge outlet located, at least in part, forwardly of said rotary axis of said forwardly located first cutter blade, and diametrically opposite with respect to said rotary axis of said forwardly located first cutter blade from said rotary axis of said rearwardly located second cutter blade, and in adjacent relation to the rotary path of said forwardly located first cutter blade for discharging from said blade housing grass clippings delivered solely from said forwardly located first cutter blade, said blade housing further including a depending wall including a generally straight portion exending in adjacent relation to a tangent extending from the peripheries of the rotary paths of said cutter blades, said depending wall further including an arcuate portion in adjacent relation to a rearward part of the periphery of the rotary path of at least one of said cutter blades, means for rotating said second cutter blade in the direction which is effective to discharge grass clippings forwardly along said straight portion of said depending wall and into the path of rotation of said first cutter blade, whereby the grass clippings cut by said rearwardly located second cutter blade are delivered
27. A rotary lawn mower comprising a blade housing, means supporting said blade housing for travel in a forward direction in adjacent relation to the ground, a first rotary cutter blade supported for rotation within said blade housing about a forwardly located axis, and a second rotary cutter blade supported for rotation within said blade housing about an axis located in laterally rearwardly offset relation from said rotary axis of said forwardly located first cutter blade, said blade housing further including a grass clipping discharge outlet located, at least in part, forwardly of said rotary axis of said forwardly located first cutter blade, and diametrically opposite with respect to said rotary axis of said forwardly located first cutter blade from said rotary axis of said rearwardly located second cutter blade, and in adjacent relation to the rotary path of said forwardly located first cutter blade for discharging from said blade housing grass clippings delivered solely from said forwardly located first cutter blade, said blade housing further including a depending wall including a generally straight portion exending in adjacent relation to a tangent extending from the peripheries of the rotary paths of said cutter blades, said depending wall further including an arcuate portion in adjacent relation to a rearward part of the periphery of the rotary path of at least one of said cutter blades, means for rotating said second cutter blade in the direction which is effective to discharge grass clippings forwardly along said straight portion of said depending wall and into the path of rotation of said first cutter blade, whereby the grass clippings cut by said rearwardly located second cutter blade are delivered
Claim 27 continued to the path of the forwardly located first cutter blade adjacent to said depending wall straight portion, means for rotating said second cutter blade in the same rotary direction as said first cutter blade, whereby the grass clippings cut by said forwardly located first cutter blade and the grass clippings delivered to the path of the forwardly located first cutter blade from the rearwardly located second cutter blade are delivered from said blade housing through said discharge outlet, and means associated with each of said cutter blades and operative in response to cutter blade rotation for conveying grass clippings for discharge from the respective paths of cutter blade rotation, said conveying means associated with said first cutter blade having a greater capacity than said conveying means associated with said second cutter blade.
28. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 27 wherein said housing includes a top deck and wherein said grass clipping discharge outlet comprises a discharge opening in said top deck.
29. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 27 wherein said grass clipping outlet comprises a side discharge opening in said depending wall.
30. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 27 wherein said housing includes a top deck and wherein said grass clipping discharge outlet includes a side discharge opening in said depending wall and a discharge opening in said top deck.
31. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 30 and further including means removably connectable to said housing for closing one of said openings.
32. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 31 wherein said means removably connectable to said housing comprises a discharge chute communicable with said opening in said top deck and means blocking said side discharge opening.
33. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 27 wherein said grass clipping conveying means includes upwardly extending vane means adjacent the outer ends of said cutter blades.
34. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 33 wherein said cutter blade rotating means are operable to rotate said cutter blades such that the speed of said first cutter blade is greater than the speed of said second cutter blade.
35. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 33 wherein said vane means on said first and second cutter blades define lift areas such that said lift areas on said first cutter blade are greater than said lift areas on said second cutter blade.
36. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 35 wherein said vane means on said first cutter blade have a greater vertical dimension than the vane means on said second cutter blade.
37. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 27 wherein said first and second cutter blades have approxi-mately the same length and are rotated at approximately the same speed.
38. A rotary lawn mower comprising a blade housing supported for travel in adjacent relation to the ground, a first rotary cutter blade, means for supporting said first cutter blade for rotation within said blade housing, a second rotary cutter blade, means for supporting said second cutter blade for rotation within said housing about an axis located in laterally rearwardly offset relation from the rotary axis of said first cutter blade, means for guiding clipping discharge from the rotary path of said second cutter blade into the rotary path of said first cutter blade, and said blade housing further including a grass clipping discharge means arranged for delivery thereto of clippings directly from the rotary path of said first cutter blade and for discharging clippings from said blade housing, and means associated with each of said cutter blades and operative in response to cutter blade rotation for conveying grass clippings for discharge from the respective paths of cutter blade rotation, said conveying means associated with said first cutter blade having a greater capacity than said conveying means associated with said second cutter blade.
39. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with Claim 38 wherein said first and second cutter blades have approxi-mately the same length and are rotated at approximately the same speed.
40. A rotary lawn mower comprising a blade housing including a depending wall, and a grass clipping discharge means, means supporting said blade housing for travel in adjacent relation to the ground, a first rotary cutter blade, means for supporting said first cutter blade for rotation within said blade housing with the periphery of the rotary path of said first cutter blade extending in tangentially adjacent relation to said depending wall and so as to directly discharge clippings from said first cutter blade out said grass clipping discharge means, a second rotary cutter blade, means for supporting said second cutter blade for rotation within said blade housing in laterally rearwardly offset relation from the rotary axis of said first cutter blade and with the periphery of the rotary path of said second cutter blade extending in tangentially adjacent relation to said depending wall so as to discharge clippings from the rotary path of said second cutter blade into the rotary path of said first cutter blade for discharge through the rotary path of said first cutter blade and out said grass clipping discharge means, and means associated with each of said cutter blades and operative in response to cutter blade rotation for conveying grass clippings for discharge from the respective paths of cutter blade rotation, said conveying means associated with said first cutter blade having a greater capacity than said conveying means associated with said second cutter blade.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US55596475A | 1975-03-06 | 1975-03-06 | |
| US555,964 | 1975-03-06 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1092368A true CA1092368A (en) | 1980-12-30 |
Family
ID=24219334
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA244,271A Expired CA1092368A (en) | 1975-03-06 | 1976-01-27 | Multiple spindle rotary mower |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1092368A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2608394C2 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2302673A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1530354A (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4106272A (en) * | 1976-12-06 | 1978-08-15 | Allis-Chalmers Corporation | Grass collecting multiple blade mower without auxiliary blower means |
| FR2421544A1 (en) * | 1978-04-07 | 1979-11-02 | Wolf Outils | Rotary lawn-mower cutting tool - has impeller for cut grass formed as bent up teeth on trailing edge of blade |
| IT8321914V0 (en) * | 1983-05-20 | 1983-05-20 | Castel Mac Spa | MOWER WITH GREAT CUTTING AMPLITUDE. |
| FR2643213A1 (en) * | 1989-02-17 | 1990-08-24 | Eurl Duyck | Mower |
| US5251430A (en) * | 1990-08-10 | 1993-10-12 | Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Cutter and housing assembly for lawn mower |
Family Cites Families (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE7339654U (en) * | 1974-02-07 | Wiedenmann Gmbh | Mowing device | |
| US3118267A (en) * | 1964-01-21 | Lawn mower | ||
| US2898723A (en) * | 1956-06-15 | 1959-08-11 | Goodall Equipment Inc | Multiple bladed mower |
| US3077065A (en) * | 1959-10-26 | 1963-02-12 | Toro Mfg Corp | Suspension mounting for rotary mowers |
| DE1180985B (en) * | 1961-12-04 | 1964-11-05 | Wolf Geraete Gmbh | Lawn mower with wind tunnel |
| US3107472A (en) * | 1962-04-23 | 1963-10-22 | Int Harvester Co | Rotary mower |
| US3263406A (en) * | 1964-09-04 | 1966-08-02 | Yard Man Inc | Front mounting for rotary type mower |
| US3245209A (en) * | 1964-11-20 | 1966-04-12 | Int Harvester Co | Rotary mower with means providing selective suction for its blades |
| US3732671A (en) * | 1971-08-31 | 1973-05-15 | Deere & Co | Electric drive riding mower |
| US3818687A (en) * | 1973-04-09 | 1974-06-25 | Gen Electric | Rotary lawn mower discharge chute safety deflector |
-
1976
- 1976-01-27 CA CA244,271A patent/CA1092368A/en not_active Expired
- 1976-03-01 DE DE19762608394 patent/DE2608394C2/en not_active Expired
- 1976-03-02 FR FR7605803A patent/FR2302673A1/en active Granted
- 1976-03-02 GB GB823676A patent/GB1530354A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2302673B1 (en) | 1983-08-05 |
| GB1530354A (en) | 1978-10-25 |
| DE2608394A1 (en) | 1976-09-16 |
| DE2608394C2 (en) | 1986-08-21 |
| FR2302673A1 (en) | 1976-10-01 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4055036A (en) | Multiple spindle rotary mower | |
| US6192666B1 (en) | Lawn mower | |
| US4951449A (en) | Convertible lawn mower | |
| US5465564A (en) | Convertible mower deck | |
| US5210998A (en) | Lawn mower with detachable inner members in cutter housing | |
| US5231827A (en) | Lawn and garden chipper shredder vacuum apparatus | |
| US4916887A (en) | Rotary mulching mower | |
| US3925968A (en) | Power lawn mower and mulcher-bagger combination | |
| US3162990A (en) | Safety-type, rotary vegetation cutting blade | |
| US4890446A (en) | Mulching attachment for lawn mowers | |
| EP1527668B1 (en) | Mower Deck and Mowing Machine | |
| JP2014060936A (en) | Riding-type lawn mower | |
| SU942571A3 (en) | Lawn mower | |
| CA1092368A (en) | Multiple spindle rotary mower | |
| US5357738A (en) | Apparatus for the treatment of lawns | |
| US5577375A (en) | Lawn de-thatcher | |
| US3795095A (en) | Vented rotary lawn mower | |
| US3863291A (en) | Convertible rotary lawn mower and air blower | |
| US3817547A (en) | Lawn mower handle mounting | |
| US6594981B2 (en) | Mowing and mulching system for lawnmowers | |
| US5537807A (en) | Yard-care machine | |
| EP0821868A3 (en) | Lawnmower | |
| JP2001251924A (en) | Mower deck of blade mower | |
| US3665687A (en) | Blower attachment for reel type lawn mower | |
| JPS585107A (en) | Mower |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |