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US 5,177,888 AGranted
Discharge chute assembly for snowthrower
AssigneeThe Toro Company
InventorsRichard A. Thorud, Thomas K. Bricko, John R. Hacker, David E. Larsen, Dean R. Toensing, Donald M. White, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A discharge chute assembly (30) includes a chute (32) and a pivotal deflector (34), the overlapping end portions of which define a partial spherical or ball joint (40) which maintains a tight seal against backflow and leakage over the entire range of rotation and deflection of the assembly. The assembly (30) is preferably secured to a rotatable base (54) by means of lower pivots (70) and a releasable fastener (72) for collapsibility.
Claims15
A discharge chute assembly for a snowthrower, which comprises:
- a generally semi-cylindrical deflector having an arcuate inner end of predetermined radius, and an outer end;
- a generally semi-cylindrical chute having an inner end, and an arcuate outer end of predetermined radius substantially similar to that of the inner end of said deflector but substantially greater than that of an adjacent intermediate portion of said chute;
- means for connecting the respective inner and outer arcuate ends of said deflector and said chute in overlapping relationship for relative pivotal movement about a first transverse axis in order to define an enlarged partial spherical joint;
- first stop means for limiting relative pivotal movement of said deflector and said chute over a predetermined arc of deflection;
- a tubular rotatable base, said base being supported on the snowthrower for rotation about a generally upright axis;
- means for securing the inner end of said chute to said base for rotation therewith;
- second stop means for limiting relative rotation of said base over a predetermined arc of rotation;
- and
- manual detent means for releasably retaining said base in selective position over the arc of rotation.
6 more elements
A discharge chute assembly for a snowthrower, which comprises:
- a generally semi-cylindrical deflector having an arcuate inner end of predetermined radius, and an outer end;
- a generally semi-cylindrical chute having an inner end, and an arcuate outer end of predetermined radius substantially similar to that of the inner end of said deflector but substantially greater than that of an adjacent intermediate portion of said chute;
- means for connecting the respective inner and outer arcuate ends of said deflector and said chute in overlapping relationship for relative pivotal movement about a first transverse axis in order to define an enlarged partial spherical joint;
- first stop means for limiting relative pivotal movement of said deflector and said chute over a predetermined arc:
- a tubular rotatable base, said base being supported on the snowthrower for rotation about a generally upright axis;
- means for pivotally securing the inner end of said chute to said base for relative pivotal movement about a second transverse axis between extended and collapsed positions, and for rotation therewith about the upright axis;
- second stop means for limiting relative rotation of said base over a predetermined arc;
- manually actuated detent means for releasably retaining said base in selective position over the arc of rotation;
- and
- manually actuated means for releasably securing said chute to said base in the extended position.
7 more elements
A discharge chute assembly for a snowthrower, which comprises:
- a generally semi-cylindrical deflector having an arcuate inner end of predetermined radius, and an outer end;
- a generally semi-cylindrical chute having an inner end, and an arcuate outer end of predetermined radius substantially similar to that of the inner end of said deflector but substantially greater than that of an adjacent intermediate portion of said chute;
- means for connecting the respective inner and outer arcuate ends of said deflector and said chute in overlapping relationship for relative pivotal movement about a first transverse axis in order to define an enlarged partial spherical joint;
- first stop means for limiting relative pivotal movement of said deflector and said chute over a predetermined arc of deflection;
- first means for releasably retaining said deflector in selective position over the arc of deflection;
- a tubular rotatable base, said base being supported on the snowthrower for rotation about a generally upright axis;
- means for securing the inner end of said chute to said base for rotation therewith;
- second stop means for limiting relative rotation of said base over a predetermined arc of rotation;
- and
- second means for releasably retaining said base in selective position over the arc of rotation.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.