Grass-clippings pelletizer for lawnmowers

Claim 1

A grass-clippings pelletizer apparatus for attachment to a lawnmower comprising; a hollow tapering body of generally circular cross-section having a large closed end, an enlarged inlet adjacent said closed end, and an open small end smaller than said closed end; mounting means for mounting said body on a lawnmower; a rotatable shaft axially mounted in said body and having a portion extending substantially outside said body beyond said closed end; bearing means for supporting said shaft; means mounted on the extending portion of said shaft for rotatably driving said shaft by the lawnmower; at least one fan blade member mounted on said shaft in said body rotatable therewith for drawing grass clippings cut by the lawnmower into said inlet of said body and impelling the clippings towards said smaller end; a screw auger mounted axially on said shaft in said body adjacent said smaller end rotatable with said shaft for compacting the grass clippings and for moving the same towards said smaller end; an extruder plate having a plurality of apertures mounted on said smaller end whereby grass clippings induced into said body by said fan member will be forced through said extruder plate apertures by said screW auger to form extruded, dense pellets of grass.