Device for collecting and releasing debris

A mowing device in combination with a collecting device positioned at a rear end thereof, wherein the mowing device comprises:

• a frame;
• a mower deck, supported by the frame, enclosing rotating blades;
• a pair of front wheels, supported by the frame, for steering;
• a pair of rear wheels, supported by the frame, for propulsion;
• a seat, supported by the frame;
• and
• a tube connected from the interior of the mower deck to the collecting device, such that debris collected in the mower deck flows from the interior of the mower deck, through the tube and into the collecting device;
• wherein the collecting device comprises:
• a collection bin having bottom, left, right and rear panels, an open front end and an open top end, and defining a collection space therebetween;
• a top lid covering the top end of the collection bin in a closed position and movable to an open position uncovering the top end;
• a stationary front plate pivotably coupled with the collection bin via a hinge mechanism, such that the collection bin is rotatable relative to the front plate between a first position, wherein the open front end of the collection bin is closed by the front plate, and a second position, wherein the open front end of the collection bin is rotated away from the front plate for releasing debris out of the collection space therethrough;
• an electrically actuated actuator, located on an opposite side of the stationary front plate from the collection bin and operatively connected to the hinge mechanism, such that reciprocating motion of the actuator translates into rotational motion of the collection bin;
• and
• a motor operatively connected to the actuator;
• wherein:
• the hinge mechanism includes an upper bar interconnected between the collection bin and front plate, the upper bar being securely attached at a rear end thereof to the rear panel of the collection bin and pivotably attached at a front end thereof to the front plate, thereby defining a first pivot axis about which the upper bar and the collection bin pivot, said first pivot axis being spaced away from the top end of the collection bin in a direction toward the bottom panel thereof, and the hinge mechanism includes a lower bar located beneath the upper bar and positioned about the left, right and rear panels of the collection bin, the lower bar being securely attached at a rear end thereof to the bottom panel of the collection bin and pivotably attached at a front end thereof to the opposing ends of the front plate, defining a second pivot axis, spaced beneath the first pivot axis, about which the lower bar and the collection bin pivot, and
• actuation of the actuator rotates the upper bar about the first pivot axis, the lower bar about the second pivot axis and the attached collection bin about both the first and second pivot axes in an arcuate motion from the first position to the second position, and returns the upper and lower bars and attached collection bin in a reverse arcuate motion from the second position to the first position.