Deflector assembly for outdoor power equipment

A stand-on blower comprising:

• a chassis;
• a prime mover supported by the chassis and operably coupled to an impeller, wherein the prime mover is configured rotate the impeller;
• a blower housing receiving the impeller, the blower housing defining an air inlet to pull external air into the blower housing to the impeller;
• a discharge housing coupled to the blower housing, the discharge housing including a first discharge chute having a first chute exit and a second discharge chute having a second chute exit with the first chute exit positioned to discharge air flow generated by the impeller to a first side of the chassis and the second chute exit positioned to discharge air flow generated by the impeller to a second side of the chassis;
• and
• a deflector assembly comprising:
• an actuator movable among at least two positions;
• and
• a deflector mechanically coupled to the actuator through a geared connection such that movement of the actuator rotates the deflector within the discharge housing;
• wherein rotation of the actuator in a first direction to a first stop rotates the deflector to a first position directing air flow generated by the impeller through the first discharge chute and blocking air flow generated by the impeller through the second discharge chute;
• wherein rotation of the actuator in a second direction opposite the first direction to a second stop rotates the deflector to a second position directing air flow generated by the impeller through the second discharge chute and blocking air flow generated by the impeller through the first discharge chute,
• wherein the actuator is a pedal;
• wherein the pedal is coupled to a pedal shaft that supports a first gear;
• wherein the deflector is coupled to a deflector shaft that supports a second gear, and
• wherein the first gear and the second gear are meshed so that rotation of the pedal rotates the pedal shaft and first gear in the first direction, which rotates the second gear, deflector shaft, and deflector in the second direction.

A deflector assembly for controlling forced airflow through a discharge housing, the deflector assembly comprising:

• an actuator manually movable in at least a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction;
• an actuator shaft coupled to the actuator on a proximate end, the actuator shaft being movable in response to movement by the actuator;
• a first gear rigidly coupled to a distal end of the actuator shaft opposite the proximate end, the first gear rotating in response to movement by the actuator shaft;
• a second gear meshed with the first gear such that rotation of the first gear in the first direction rotates the second gear in the second direction;
• a deflector shaft rigidly coupled to the second gear so that rotation of the second gear rotates the deflector shaft;
• and
• a deflector coupled to the deflector shaft and configured to rotate with the deflector shaft;
• and
• wherein the deflector is movable over a first sweep range of between 130 degrees and 160 degrees in response to movement of the actuator over a second sweep range of between 50 degrees and 70 degrees.