US 12,757,842 B1Granted

Ride-on blower unit

AssigneeHorschel Brothers Precision LLC

InventorsLouis Horschel, Karl G. Horschel

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Abstract

A self-propelled ride-on blower unit used primarily for clearing debris and/or leaves. The blower unit has a pair of drive wheels that are independently driven. The blower unit has a platform for the user to stand on and a pair of control handles for controlling the speed of each drive wheel. A main engine provides power to a drive shaft that is mechanically coupled to an axial turbine blower. An elbow is attached at the outlet of the turbine blower and is configured to rotate relative to the blower. The control handles are operatively associated with a switch for controlling rotation of the elbow. The arrangement of the controls provides for changing the position of the elbow without the user removing their hands from the control handles. The blower unit is also provided with a butterfly valve to shut off the air flow without shutting off the engine or disengaging the turbine blower from the engine.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A blower unit configured to support a user, the blower unit, comprising:

a frame;
a platform supported by the frame and configured to support the user;
a pair of drive wheels mounted on the frame;
one or more casters mounted on the frame;
a first control handle mounted on the blower unit and configured such that it is within reach of the user during operation of the blower unit, the first control handle operatively associated with one of the drive wheels;
a second control handle mounted on the blower unit and configured such that it is within reach of the user during operation of the blower unit, the second control handle operatively associated with one of the drive wheels;
a switch mounted such that, when the user's hand is in contact with one of the first control handle and the second control handle, the switch can be operated by the user's hand without removing the hand from contact with one of the first and second control handles;
an engine mounted on the frame;
a drive shaft mechanically coupled to the engine;
a turbine having blades and having an inlet and an outlet, the turbine configured for axial flow in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft, the turbine mechanically coupled to the drive shaft such that the drive shaft causes the blades of the turbine to rotate;
an elbow connected to the outlet of the turbine;
and,
wherein the elbow is configured to rotate relative to the outlet of the turbine.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/377,980Filed 9 Oct 2023 · us provisional application
Priority: 7 Oct 2022
Granted: 13 Oct 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

A01G 20/47
For sweeping, collecting or disintegrating lawn debris: vacuum or blower devices
A01B 69/003
Steering of agricultural machines or implements; Guiding agricultural machines or implements on a desired track: steering or guiding of machines…
E01H 1/08
Removing undesirable matter from roads or like surfaces, with or without moistening of the surface: pneumatically dislodging or taking-up…
A01G
Horticulture