IE48284B1 - Grass-boxes for lawnmowers - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a grass box for mounting on a rotary lawn mower. The tray has an open front end for receiving cut grass ejected from the mower; it is characterized in that a screen forming an air filter is located near but remote from the rear wall of the bin so that, in use, the cut grass and other debris ejected from the mower in the tank are intercepted by the filter and a substantially pure air space is provided between the filter and said rear wall. Application to the realization of lightweight plastic bins.

Description

One of the problems associated with the fitting of a rear grass-box to a rotary mower is that of providing satisfactory collection of the grass cuttings while maintaining a smooth flow of air within the box. Furthermore only certain plastics materials can he made strong enough to withstand the impact of stones and other debris which may he ejected at high velocity along with the grass cuttings from the rotary mower. Other less expensive plastics materials can only he used if reinforced with metal plates in those areas likely to be struck by flying stones.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a grass-box for attachment to the rear of a rotary lawnmower, the box comprising an open front end for receiving grass cuttings ejected from the mower, and further comprising an air filter panel located adjacent to but spaced from its rear end whereby, in use, grass cuttings and other debris ejected from the mower are intercepted by the filter and a clear air space is provided between the filter and the said rear end.

The use of such a filter permits the use of a less expensive plastics material for the housing without the need for metal reinforcing plates, and without seriously diminishing the grass-collecting capacity of the box. The filter not only filters the air passing through the box but absorbs the impact of high velocity stones which might otherwise puncture the plastics housing.

Ihe filter is preferably formed as an expanded or perforated metal panel. At least one air vent is preferably provided communicating with the clear air space between the filter and the rear end of the box.

Ihe air vent or vents is/are preferably located in a recessed portion of a top wall of the box such that the vent(s) face forwardly away from the user toward the open front end of the box.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, one example of a grass-box embodying the Invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Fig. 1 is a sectional view through the grassbox, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the box shown in Fig 1.

Referring to these figures, the illustrated grass-box has an open front end 10, a bottom wall 11, a rear wall 12, a top wall 13 and two side walls or panels 25The box is secured to the rear end of a rotary mower by means of a pair of mounting hooks 14 which fit into respective pockets of the mower housing.

The mower will normally include a conventional rear flap which seats in the space 15 to complete the grass-hox enclosure.

As can be seen from the drawing, the grass-box is formed in two halves (an upper half and a lower half) which snap fit together. At the rear end of the bottom half the two side walls are each provided with a pair of inwardly protruding parallel guides 16 providing a slide fit for the sides of an expanded or perforated metal panel filter 17. The guides 16 protrude only slightly into the housing so that the panel 17 effectively screens the rear wall 12 while providing a clear air space 18 between the panel and the rear- wall. The top of the panel 17 is turned back toward the front end of the box and is secured beneath a recessed portion 19 of the top wall 15. The recessed portion 19 is spanned by a handle 20.

The rear face 21 of the recess 19 faces forwardly and includes at least one vent. As shown, a pair of vents 26 are provided on each side of the handle 20. Thus air which has passed through the panel filter 17 into the clear space 18 emerges through these vents. This allows air to circulate through the grass-box while optimising its grass collecting capacity. 4828 4 Any stones or other debris which may be projected into the grass-box through the front end 10 will he intercepted hy the filter 17 before reaching the rear wall 12 or the top wall 13. The preferred perforation size is such that dust and grit particles as well as the finer particles of grass fibre can pass through the filter. The filter panel should also be capable of absorbing the shock of flying objects such as stones and other debris.

Claims (9)

1. A grass-box for attachment to a rotarylawnmower, the box comprising an open front end for receiving grass cuttings ejected from the mower, and further comprising an air filter screen located 5 adjacent to but spaced from its rear end whereby, in use, grass cuttings and other debris ejected from the mower into the box are intercepted by the filter and a substantially clear air space is provided between, the filter and the said rear end.

2. A grass-box according to Claim 1 further comprising at least one air vent communicating with the said air space.

3. A grass-box according to Claim 2 in which. the said rear end includes a rear wall and a rear portion 15 of a top wall.

4. A grass-box according to Claim 3 in which the top wall includes a recess providing a front facing exterior surface in which the said vent or vents is/are located whereby, in use, air which has passed through the filter emerges from the box in a direction toward the front end thereof.

5. A grass-box according to any one of the preceding claims and which is formed of a plastics material. 48384

6. A grass-box according to any one of the preceding claims in which the filter screen is an expanded or perforated metal panel.

7. A grass-box according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a pair of . side walls each provided with means for retaining and supporting the side edges of the filter screen.

8. A grass-box according to Claim 4 in which the top end of the filter screen is secured beneath the base of the said recess in the top wall. θ

9. · A grass-box according to Claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.