Rotating mower baffle mechanism

Abstract

A mowing mechanism having a spindle rotatively driven by a power source, a blade having a radially inner portion coupled for rotation with the spindle and a radially outer portion for cutting vegetation, a housing within which the blade rotates, and a disc operatively carried within the housing for rotation with the blade and having a radially outer portion spaced above the blade. The disc includes an inner portion extending radially inwardly from the outer portion to a position proximate the blade, the inner and outer portions of the disc serving to confine air and clippings near the outer portion of the blade. The rotating disc prevents accumulation of the grass clippings beneath the disc and housing, and enhances airflow within the housing due to viscous drag or friction between the disc and the air within the housing. Deflectors carried by the disc are designed to further enhance airflows and generally deflect clippings back toward the blade for mulching.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.