Baling attachment for lawn mowers

Claim 2

In a mower having a rotary cutting element rotating in a mower housing and adapted to remove material from the ground, and impel it through a discharge opening in the housing, the improvement comprising: a generally tubular auger housing having an inlet opening communicating with the discharge opening and an open outlet end; a container means operatively associated with the outlet end to receive material moving therefrom; an auger coaxially mounted within the auger housing and adapted to move the material from the inlet opening through the outlet end and to compress the material into said container means; and a plurality of stripper bars mounted in the interior of the auger housing generally parallel the axis of the auger and engageable with the auger periphery to strip the material therefrom.

Claim 3

The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the stripper bars rotatably support the discharge end of the auger.

Claim 4

The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the container means includes a retainer housing and a disposable bag removably mounted within the retainer housing with the bag opening over the auger housing outlet end to receive material therefrom.

Claim 5

In a harvester including a tractor having a mobile main frame, a power source and a rotary mower suspended from the frame and including a housing having a discharge opening and a rotary element adapted to impel material collected from the ground through the discharge opening, the improvement comprising: a generally tubular auger housing having an inlet opening communicating with the mower discharge opening and an open outlet end; a bag holder; means for supporting the bag holder on the vehicle; a bag means removably supported in the holder with its opening over the open outlet end of the auger housing; an auger journaled in the auger housing and extending from the housing opening to the outlet end; and drive means drivingly connecting the power source to the auger, so that the auger conveys material received from the mower discharge opening through the outlet and compresses it into the bag means.

Claim 6

In a harvester including a tractor having a mobile main frame, a power source and a rotary mower suspended from the frame and including a housing having a discharge opening and a rotary element adapted to impel material collected from the ground through the discharge opening, the improvement comprising: a generally tubular auger housing having an inlet opening communicating with the mower discharge opening and an open outlet end; a bag holder; means for supporting the bag holder on the vehicle; a bag means removably supported in the holder with its opening over the open outlet end of the auger housing; an auger journaled in the auger housing and extending from the housing opening to the outlet end; and drive means drivingly connecting the power source to the auger, so that the auger conveys material received from the mower discharge opening through the outlet and compresses it into the bag means.

Claim 7

The invention defined in claim 4 wherein the bag holder comprises an enclosure adapted to enclose the bag means and including a door means operable to permit removal of the bag means.

Claim 8

The invention defined in claim 5 wherein the auger housing extends in a generally fore-and-aft direction alongside the tractor and the means for supporting the bag holder comprises an arm connected to and extending laterally from a rearward portion of the tractor main frame and supporting the bag holder alongside the tractor.

Claim 9

The invention defined in claim 6 wherein the tractor includes front and rear wheels and the mower is suspended from the tractor between the front and rear wheels and discharges the material laterally through the auger housing inlet opening in a side wall of the auger housing.

Claim 10

The invention defined in claim 4 wherein the mower is driven from a power source through a first belt drive and the auger drive means includes a second belt drive drivingly connecting the first belt drive to the auger.

Claim 11

The invention defined in claim 8 wherein the drive means includes a slip clutch adapted to disconnect the drive to the auger when the drive torque exceeds a predetermined value.

Claim 12

In a lawn care device having a housing with a discharge opening and means for removing material from the ground and impelling it through the discharge opening, the improvement comprising: a generally tubular auger housing having an inlet opening communicating with the discharge opening and an open outlet end; a rigid enclosure having a generally circular opening substantially conforming to and receiving the open outlet end of the auger housing; and an auger mounted within the auger housing and adapted to move material from the inlet opening and compress it through the open outlet end into the enclosure.

Claim 13

In a lawn care device having a housing with a discharge opening and means for removing material from the ground and impelling it through the discharge opening, the improvement comprising: a generally tubular auger housing having an inlet opening communicating with the discharge opening and an open outlet end; a rigid enclosure having a generally circular opening substantially conforming to and receiving the open outlet end of the auger housing; and an auger mounted within the auger housing and adapted to move material from the inlet opening and compress it through the open outlet end into the enclosure.

Claim 14

The invention defined in claim 10 and including a disposable bag removably mounted within the enclosure with the bag opening over the open outlet end of the auger housing, the enclosure confining and retaining the bag on the auger housing and including door means operable to permit removal of the bag when filled with compressed material.

Claim 15

The invention defined in claim 10 and including an annular cartridge of flexible, tubular material coaxially mounted on the auger housing adjacent the open outlet end and adapted to dispense an elongated tubular casing within the enclosure and over the outlet end, the casing being closeable and dispensable in increments to form successive liners for the enclosure adapted to receive the compressed material from the outlet end of the auger housing.

Claim 16

The invention defined in claim 10 wherein the lawn care device includes a mobile main frame and including means for supporting the enclosure on the main frame with the auger housing received in said opening and permitting shifting of the enclosure in an axial direction relative to the auger housing to an alternate position wherein it clears the housing.

Claim 17

In a lawn care device having means for removing material from the ground and moving it through a discharge opening, the improvement comprising: a first housing having an inlet opening communicating with the discharge opening and a generally cylindrical axial outlet opening; means for moving material from the inlet opening and through the outlet opening; a retainer housing connected to the first housing adjacent the outlet opening; an annular cartridge of flexible tubular material coaxially mounted on the cylindrical portion of the said first housing and adapted to dispense an elongated tubular casing over and in communication with the outlet opening, the casing being supported on said retainer housing adjacent to the outlet opening and adapted to receive material from the outlet opening; and means for clamping the casing at intervals so that material received within the casing can be retained between adjacent clamps and the filled and clamped sections of the casing can be removed.

Claim 18

In a lawn care device having means for removing material from the ground and moving it through a discharge opening, the improvement comprising: a first housing having an inlet opening communicating with the discharge opening and a generally cylindrical axial outlet opening; means for moving material from the inlet opening and through the outlet opening; a retainer housing connected to the first housing adjacent the outlet opening; an annular cartridge of flexible tubular material coaxially mounted on the cylindrical portion of the said first housing and adapted to dispense an elongated tubular casing over and in communication with the outlet opening, the casing being supported on said retainer housing adjacent to the outlet opening and adapted to receive material from the outlet opening; and means for clamping the casing at intervals so that material received within the casing can be retained between adjacent clamps and the filled and clamped sections of the casing can be removed.

Claim 19

The invention defined in claim 14 wherein the first housing is tubular and the means for moving the material through the outlet opening comprises an auger journaled in said tubular housing and means for rotating the auGer.

Claim 20

The invention defined in claim 15 wherein the retainer housing is formed by an enclosure having a generally circular opening which coaxially receives the first housing, the cartridge of tubular material being disposed within the enclosure so that the casing liner in the enclosure is supported thereby.

Claim 21

The invention defined in claim 16 wherein the enclosure has an end wall opposite the outlet opening and provided with an opening through which the casing is gathered and extends, the clamping means being adapted to clamp the gathered portion of the casing adjacent to said opening.

Claim 22

In a lawn care device having a mobile main frame which carries means for removing material from the ground and moving it through a discharge opening, the improvement comprising: a generally tubular auger housing having an inlet opening communicating with the discharge opening and an open outlet end; an auger mounted in the auger housing and operative to move material from the inlet opening and through the open outlet end; a substantially rigid enclosure having an inlet opening communicating with the open outlet end of the auger housing and a door means; means for supporting the enclosure on the main frame for shifting between a collecting position wherein it is adapted to receive material from the auger and a dump position wherein it is adapted to dump material through the door means.

Claim 23

In a lawn care device having a mobile main frame which carries means for removing material from the ground and moving it through a discharge opening, the improvement comprising: a generally tubular auger housing having an inlet opening communicating with the discharge opening and an open outlet end; an auger mounted in the auger housing and operative to move material from the inlet opening and through the open outlet end; a substantially rigid enclosure having an inlet opening communicating with the open outlet end of the auger housing and a door means; means for supporting the enclosure on the main frame for shifting between a collecting position wherein it is adapted to receive material from the auger and a dump position wherein it is adapted to dump material through the door means.

Claim 24

The invention defined in claim 18 wherein the auger housing extends in a generally fore-and-aft direction alongside the main frame and has a rearward outlet end received in a generally circular inlet opening in the enclosure, the supporting means including a generally fore-and-aft pivot about which the enclosure swings between its collecting and dump positions.

Claim 25

The invention defined in claim 19 wherein the support means also includes means for supporting the enclosure in a forward position wherein the circular inlet opening encompasses the auger housing and a rearward position wherein the enclosure clears the auger housing to permit said lateral swinging to the dump position.

Claim 26

In a lawn care device having a mobile main frame which carries means for removing material from the ground and moving it through a discharge opening, the improvement comprising: a generally tubular auger housing having an inlet opening communicating with the discharge opening and an open outlet end; an auger mounted in the auger housing and operative to move material from the inlet opening and through the open outlet end; a bag holder having a circular opening adapted to receive the auger housing; and means for supporting the bag holder on the main frame and operative to permit shifting of the bag holder between a first position wherein the circular opening encompasses the auger housing immediately adjacent to the open outlet end and a second position wherein the opening encompasses the auger housing at a location spaced from the open outlet end.

Claim 27

In a lawn care device having a mobile main frame which carries means for removing material from the ground and moving it through a discharge opening, the improvement comprising: a generally tubular auger housing having an inlet opening communicating with the discharge opening and an open outlet end; an auger mounted in the auger housing and operative to move material from the inlet opening and through the open outlet end; a bag holder having a circular opening adapted to receive the auger housing; and means for supporting the bag holder on the main frame and operative to permit shifting of the bag holder between a first position wherein the circular opening encompasses the auger housing immediately adjacent to the open outlet end and a second position wherein the opening encompasses the auger housing at a location spaced from the open outlet end.

Claim 28

The invention defined in claim 21 and including an annular cartridge of flexible casing coaxially mounted on the auger housing between the circular opening and the outlet end of the housing when the bag holder is in its second position.

Claim 29

In a vehicle unit having a mobile main frame, a power source, a rotary mower suspended from the main frame and including a generally horizontal housing having a discharge opening, and at least one rotary blade having a vertical shaft journaled in the housing and a belt drive drivingly connecting the shaft to the power source, the improvement comprising: a generally tubular auger housing having an inlet opening communicating with the mower discharge opening and an open outlet end; a container means operatively associated with the outlet end to receive material therefrom; an auger coaxially journaled within the auger housing and having a shaft; a belt drive means including an input pulley on the mower blade shaft, an output pulley operatively connected to the auger shaft, and a belt drivingly connecting the input pulley to the output pulley.

Claim 30

In a vehicle unit having a mobile main frame, a power source, a rotary mower suspended from the main frame and including a generally horizontal housing having a discharge opening, and at least one rotary blade having a vertical shaft journaled in the housing and a belt drive drivingly connecting the shaft to the power source, the improvement comprising: a generally tubular auger housing having an inlet opening communicating with the mower discharge opening and an open outlet end; a container means operatively associated with the outlet end to receive material therefrom; an auger coaxially journaled within the auger housing and having a shaft; a belt drive means including an input pulley on the mower blade shaft, an output pulley operatively connected to the auger shaft, and a belt drivingly connecting the input pulley to the output pulley.

Claim 31

The invention defined in claim 23 wherein the output shaft is connected to the auger shaft by a slip clutch means operative to disconnect the drive means when the torque required by the auger exceeds a predetermined amount.

Claim 32

In a mower having a power source and a rotary cutting element rotating in a mower housing and adapted to remove material from the ground, and impel it through a discharge opening in the housing, the improvement comprising: a generally tubular auger housing having an inlet opening communicating with the discharge opening and an open outlet end; a container means operatively associated with the outlet end to receive material moving therefrom; an auger coaxially mounted within the auger housing and adapted to move the material from the inlet opening through the outlet end and to compress the material into said container means; and a drive means operatively connecting the auger to the power source for rotating the auger and including a slip clutch means operative to slip and disconnect the drive means when the material in the container means reaches a level of compaction at which the torque required by the auger exceeds a predetermined amount, the slip clutch means producing an audible noise when slipping to signal that said level of compaction has been reached.

Claim 33

In a mower having a power source and a rotary cutting element rotating in a mower housing and adapted to remove material from the ground, and impel it through a discharge opening in the housing, the improvement comprising: a generally tubular auger housing having an inlet opening communicating with the discharge opening and an open outlet end; a container means operatively associated with the outlet end to receive material moving therefrom; an auger coaxially mounted within the auger housing and adapted to move the material from the inlet opening through the outlet end and to compress the material into said container means; and a drive means operatively connecting the auger to the power source for rotating the auger and including a slip clutch means operative to slip and disconnect the drive means when the material in the container means reaches a level of compaction at which the torque required by the auger exceeds a predetermined amount, the slip clutch means producing an audible noise when slipping to signal that said level of compaction has been reached.

Claim 34

The invention defined in claim 25 wherein the drive means is a belt drive and includes an output pulley drivingly connected to an input element of the slip clutch, an output element of the slip clutch being drivingly connected to the auger.

Claim 35

In a vehicle having a mobile main frame and a power source, the improvement comprising: a mower unit suspended from the main frame and including a generally horizontal housing, having an open bottom, an upright front wall and a discharge opening, a blade means rotating with the housing, and a transversely elongated plate mounted on the front wall of the housing, substantially spanning the swath cut by the mower unit, and extending forwardly and upwardly from the lower edge of the front wall for preventing a buildup of material in front of the front wall as the vehicle advances; a generally tubular auger housing having an inlet opening, communicating with the discharge opening, and an open outlet end; a container means operatively associated with the outlet end to receive material moving therefrom; and an auger coaxially mounted within the auger housing and adapted to move the material from the inlet opening through the outlet end and to compress the material into said container means.

Claim 36

In a vehicle having a mobile main frame and a power source, the improvement comprising: a mower unit suspended from the main frame and including a generally horizontal housing, having an open bottom, an upright front wall and a discharge opening, a blade means rotating with the housing, and a transversely elongated plate mounted on the front wall of the housing, substantially spanning the swath cut by the mower unit, and extending forwardly and upwardly from the lower edge of the front wall for preventing a buildup of material in front of the front wall as the vehicle advances; a generally tubular auger housing having an inlet opening, communicating with the discharge opening, and an open outlet end; a container means operatively associated with the outlet end to receive material moving therefrom; and an auger coaxially mounted within the auger housing and adapted to move the material from the inlet opening through the outlet end and to compress the material into said container means.