# US 2009/0260339 A1 · Grass Collector for a Mower > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0260339 A1 - Document ID: US20090260339A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/493,327 - Filed: 2009-06-29 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2005-09-13 - Assignees: Kubota Corporation - Inventors: Katsuhiko Uemura; Nobuyuki Yamashita; Kazuaki Kurohara; Hiroki Nagai - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260339A1 ## CPC - A01D 43/0636: {Flexible containers} - A01D 43/0635: {with emptying means} - A01D: HARVESTING; MOWING ## Abstract A grass collector adapted to be attached to a rear of a riding-type mower for receiving cut grass from a mower unit through a duct, the grass collector including a front container section having a rearwardly facing opening and adapted to be attached to the riding-type mower, the front container section carrying a first bottom plate having a substantially horizontal position. A rear container section is supported pivotably about a pivot point located in a rear upper region of the front container section and pivotable between a first position wherein the rear container section substantially covers the opening of the front container section and a second position pivoted from the first position to allow cut grass to fall, the rear container section having a second bottom plate having a substantially horizontal position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A grass collector adapted to be attached to a rear of a riding mower for receiving cut grass from a mower unit through a duct, the grass collector comprising: a front container section having a rearwardly facing opening and adapted to be attached to the riding mower, the front container section carrying a first bottom plate having a substantially horizontal position; a rear container section supported pivotally about a pivot point located in a rear upper region of the front container section and pivotal between a first position wherein the rear container section substantially covers the opening of the front container section and a second position pivoted from the first position to allow cut grass to fall, the rear container section having a second bottom plate having a substantially horizontal position, wherein a grass collecting volume of the rear container section is greater than a grass collecting volume of the front container section, and an operating device for pivotally operating the rear container section between the first position and the second position, comprising: an operating lever pivotally supported to an upper portion of the front container section; an operating arm pivotal in unison with the operating lever and connected to the rear container section to be relatively pivotal, the operating arm having an engageable portion; and an engaged portion provided in the rear container section to engage with the engageable portion when the rear container section is pivotally operated by the operating lever. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The grass collector according to claim 1, wherein the operating lever extends substantially vertically in the first position where the engageable portion is engaged with the engaged portion, and extends substantially horizontally in the second position where the engageable portion is engaged with the engaged portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The grass collector according to claim 1, wherein the operating device is provided in one side surface of the front container section and the rear container section. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The grass collector according to claim 1, wherein the rear container section is adapted to release the relative pivotal connection with the operating arm, whereby the rear container section is removable from the front container section. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The grass collector according to claim 1, wherein the operating arm is urged by elastic urging means in a direction to pivotally operate the rear container section to the second position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The grass collector according to claim 1, wherein the first bottom plate of the front container section is supported pivotally about a pivot point between a grass collecting position capable of holding cut grass and a slanted ejecting position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The grass collector according to claim 1, wherein the first bottom plate of the front container section is generally T-shaped with a portion forming a part of a bottom of the duct and a further portion forming a bottom of the front container section. ### Claim 8 A riding mower comprising a grass collector adapted to be attached rearwardly of a driver's seat for receiving cut grass from a mower unit through a duct, the riding mower further comprising: a front container section having a rearwardly facing opening, the front container section carrying a first bottom plate having a substantially horizontal position; a rear container section supported pivotally about a pivot point located in a rear upper region of the front container section and pivotal between a first position wherein the rear container section substantially covers the opening of the front container section and a second position pivoted from the first position to allow cut grass to fall, the rear container section having a second bottom plate having a substantially horizontal position, wherein a grass collecting volume of the rear container section is greater than a grass collecting volume of the front container section, and an operating device pivotally operated between the first position and the second position, comprising: an operating lever pivotally supported to an upper portion of the front container section; an operating arm pivotal in unison with the operating lever and connected to the rear container section to be relatively pivotal, the operating arm having an engageable portion; an engaged portion provided in the rear container section to engage with the engageable portion when the operating lever is pivotally operated; and wherein the operating lever is operable from the driver's seat.