US 6,928,799 B2 · Apparatus for fine pulverization of dry leaves and garden debris

Abstract

An apparatus for finely pulverizing lawn debris has a central drive shaft driven by a gasoline or electrical power source. Lawn debris is drawn into a suction and grinding chamber by the rotation of a distribution plate which has a plurality of curved impeller blades permanently attached to a perforated plate. A grinding blade with a plurality of blade elements is mounted on the central drive shaft above the distribution plate and effects pulverization of the debris. The distributing plate apertures dispense the pulverized debris uniformly over a lawn. Optionally, additional fan impeller blades may be mounted on the central drive shaft to draw and initiate pulverization of the debris. In this case, the rotation of the distributing plate may be stopped by disengaging a clutch mounted on the central shaft to direct pulverized debris to a side collection chamber, which is periodically emptied through a bottom discharge gate.

Claims25

Dependent claims

An apparatus for finely pulverizing lawn debris, comprising:

a. a frame having attached thereto a suction hood, a suction and grinding chamber and a plurality of transportation wheels;
b. a power source mounted on the suction and grinding hood, and operably connected to a central drive shaft to provide power for pulverization and distribution of said debris;
c. a grinding blade set mounted for rotation on said central shaft for effecting further pulverization of said initially pulverized debris;
d. a distributing plate mounted for rotation on said central shaft, said distributing plate having a plurality of curved impeller blades permanently attached to a perforated plate with an array of apertures therein for providing required suction for drawing the dry leaves through the suction hood and dispensing a high velocity stream of said pulverized debris uniformly over said lawn;
and
e. said grinding blade set comprises two to six pairs of blade elements, each pair having one fan blade and one knife edge blade, wherein said blade elements are arranged on said shaft so that said fan blades and said knife edge blades are alternately disposed.

3 more elements

An apparatus for finely pulverizing lawn debris, comprising:

a. a frame having attached thereto a suction hood, a suction and grinding chamber, a side collection chamber and a plurality of transportation wheels;
b. a power source mounted on said suction and grinding chamber, and operably connected to a central drive shaft to provide power for pulverization and distribution of said lawn debris;
c. a fan impeller blade mounted on said central drive shaft for drawing said lawn debris through said suction hood and effecting initial pulverization of said lawn debris;
d. a grinding blade set mounted for rotation on said central shaft for effecting further pulverization of said initially pulverized debris;
e. a clutch mounted on said central shaft forming a central shaft extension;
f. a distributing plate mounted for rotation on said central shaft, said distributing plate having a plurality of curved impeller blades permanently attached to a perforated plate with an array of apertures therein, said apertures ranging in diameter from 1/16″ to ¼″ for providing required suction for drawing the pulverized debris and dispensing a high velocity stream of said uniformly over said lawn;
and
g. a clutch disengagement means for stopping said rotation of said distributing plate to enable collection of finely pulverized garden debris in said side collection chamber.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for fine pulverization of dry leaves and garden debris

Life of this patent

Apparatus for fine pulverization of dry leaves and garden debris

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25