Grass and leaf catching apparatus

Claim 2

Grass catching apparatus for use with a mower towed by an implement having an operator's station, said apparatus comprising: a container for receiving and holding grass clippings and the like, said container having a front end and an open back end for dumping of the container contents; a wheel assembly supporting said container for movement along the ground; means for mounting said container on said wheel assembly in a manner permitting the container to move about a generally horizontal pivot axis between a running position and a dumping position for dumping of the contents of said container through the back end thereof; yieldable means for urging said container toward the dumping position; releasable latch means for holding said container in the running position, said latch means automatically engaging upon movement of said container to the running position and being releasable to permit movement to the dumping position under the influence of said yieldable means; means for connecting said container to the mower to be towed therewith by the implement; a fan housing adapted for connection to the mower to receive grass clippings and the like therefrom; a flexible conduit extending from said fan housing to said container to deliver grass clippings and the like therebetween; fan means for drawing grass clippings and the like into said fan housing and forcing same through said conduit and into said container; a dumping linkage coupled with said latch means and operable from the operator's station to effect release of said latch means, whereby said container moves to the dumping position under the influence of said yieldable means; a door on said container mounted thereon for hinged movement between open and closed positions wherein said back end of the container is opened and closed, respectively; means for moving said door to the open position when said container is moved to the dumping position and to the closed position when said container is moved to the running position; and a container raising linkage operable from the operator's station to effect movement of said container from the dumping position to the running position.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1, wherein said latch means includes: a hopper latch element mounted on said container for movement between a latching position and a release position; a bracket on said wheel assembly engaged by said latch element in the latch position thereof to latch said container in the running position, said latch element being released from said bracket in the release position to release said container for movement to the dumping position under the influence of said yieldable means; means for biasing said latch element toward the latching position; and a lever connected with said latch element to effect movement thereof to the release position when said lever is pulled.

Claim 4

The invention of claim 2, wherein said latch release means includes a flexible line having one end connected with said lever and an opposite end located adjacent the operator's station, whereby said line can be pulled from the operator's station to pull said lever for release of said latch element.

Claim 5

The invention of claim 2, including: a door latch member mounted on said container for movement between latching and release positions, said door latch member engaging said door in the latching position to latch the door in the closed position and releasing from said door in the release position to release the door for movement to the open position; means for biasing said door latch member toward the latching position; and release means for said door latch member for urging same to its release position when the said hopper latch element is moved to its release position.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 4, wherein said release means for said door latch member includes: a second lever connected with said door latch member to effect movement thereof to the release position when said second lever is pulled; and linkage means connecting the first mentioned lever and the second lever in a manner to pull both levers together in unison.

Claim 7

The invention of claim 5, wherein said latch release means comprises a flexible line having one end connected with the first lever and an opposite end located adjacent the operator's station, whereby said line can be pulled from the operator's station to pull the first lever and the second lever through said linkage means.

Claim 8

The invention of claim 4, including means for gradually returning said hopper latch element and said door latch member to the latching positions thereof as said container moves from the dumping position to the running position.

Claim 9

The invention of claim 5, including spring means applying a spring force on said first lever for holding said hopper latch element and said door latch member in the release positions thereof when said container is in the dumping position, said spring means being arranged to gradually reduce said spring force as the container moves from the dumping position toward the running position, whereby said biasing means for the hopper latch element and the door latch member gradually move said element and member from the release positions thereof to the latching positions thereof as said container moves from the dumping position to the running position.

Claim 10

The invention of claim 1, wherein said means for moving said door to the open position includes: an expandable and collapsible linkage connected at one end with said container and at another end with the door, said linkage having an expanded condition wherein the door is in the open position and a collapsed condition wherein the door is in the closed condition; and means for effecting the expanded condition of said linkage in response to movement of said container to the dumping position.

Claim 11

The invention of claim 9, wherein said means for effecting the expanded condition of said linkage includes: a flexible line having one end connected with said linkage; pulley means on said container receiving said line; and a flexible member having one end fixed to the mower and an opposite end fixed to said line at a location offset from said one end thereof, said flexible member and line being tensed as said container moves from the running position to the dumping position with the tension effecting the expanded condition of said linkage.

Claim 12

The invention of claim 10, including a tension spring having one end connected with said flexible member and an opposite end connected with said latch means, said tension spring being stretched in the dumping position of said container to apply a force on said latch means permitting same to gradually move from a release position to a latching position thereof as said container is moved from the dumping position to the running position.

Claim 13

The invention of claim 1, including: a flexible line having one end connected with said container and an opposite end located adjacent the operator's station to permit the line to be pulled therefrom; and pulley means on said container receiving said line and arranged to apply a force on said container for moving same from the dumping position to the running position when said line is pulled.

Claim 14

The invention of claim 1, wherein said connecting means comprises parallel arm means extending between the container and mower in a manner permitting said container to move up and down relative to and independently of the mower when uneven terrain is traversed.

Claim 15

The invention of claim 13, wherein said parallel arm means includes: a pair of upper arms each having one end pivoted to the mower and another end pivoted to said wheel assembly; and a pair of lower arms spaced below and parallel to said upper arms, each of said lower arms having one end pivoted to the mower and another end pivoted to said wheel assembly.

Claim 16

Grass catching apparatus for attachment to a wheel mounted mower towed by an implement, said apparatus comprising: a container for receiving and holding grass clippings and the like; a carriage having ground engaging wheel means supporting said container for movement along the ground; means for mounting said container on said carriage for movement of the container about a generally horizontal pivot axis between a running position and a dumping position for dumping of the container contents; door means on said container for opening same to permit dumping of the container contents in the dumping position; an upper tow arm having opposite ends, one end being pivoted to the mower and the other end being pivoted to said carriage; a lower tow arm having opposite ends, one end being pivoted to the mower and the other end being pivoted to said carriage; said upper and lower tow arms being substantially parallel to one another and connecting said carriage to the mower to be towed therewith by the implement in a manner permitting said container to move up and down relative to and independently of the mower when uneven terrain is traversed without impeding movement of the container on the carriage between the running and dumping positions; means for effecting movement of said container between the running and dumping positions; a fan housing connected to the mower at a location to receive grass clippings and the like therefrom; a conduit extending from said fan housing to said container to transfer grass clippings and the like therebetween; and fan means in said fan housing for drawing grass clippings and the like into said fan housing and transferring the clippings through said conduit into said container.

Claim 17

Grass catching apparatus for attachment to a wheel mounted mower towed by an implement, said apparatus comprising: a container for receiving and holding grass clippings and the like; a carriage having ground engaging wheel means supporting said container for movement along the ground; means for mounting said container on said carriage for movement of the container about a generally horizontal pivot axis between a running position and a dumping position for dumping of the container contents; door means on said container for opening same to permit dumping of the container contents in the dumping position; an upper tow arm having opposite ends, one end being pivoted to the mower and the other end being pivoted to said carriage; a lower tow arm having opposite ends, one end being pivoted to the mower and the other end being pivoted to said carriage; said upper and lower tow arms being substantially parallel to one another and connecting said carriage to the mower to be towed therewith by the implement in a manner permitting said container to move up and down relative to and independently of the mower when uneven terrain is traversed without impeding movement of the container on the carriage between the running and dumping positions; means for effecting movement of said container between the running and dumping positions; a fan housing connected to the mower at a location to receive grass clippings and the like therefrom; a conduit extending from said fan housing to said container to transfer grass clippings and the like therebetween; and fan means in said fan housing for drawing grass clippings and the like into said fan housing and transferring the clippings through said conduit into said container.

Claim 18

The invention of claim 15, wherein: said container includes a pair of opposite side panels; and said carriage includes a pair of opposite sides located adjacent to and outwardly of the respective side panels.

Claim 19

Grass catching apparatus for use with a mower towed by an implement having an operator's station, said apparatus comprising: a container for receiving and holding grass clippings and the like, said container having a front end and an open back end for dumping of the container contents; a wheel assembly supporting said container for movement along the ground; means for mounting said container on said wheel assembly in a manner permitting the container to move about a generally horizontal pivot axis between a running position and a dumping position for dumping of the contents of said container through the back end thereof; yieldable means for urging said container toward the dumping position; releasable container latch means for holding said container in the running position, said container latch means automatically engaging upon movement of said container to the running position and being releasable to permit movement to the dumping position under the influence of said yieldable means; means for connecting said container to the mower to be towed therewith by the implement; a fan housing adapted for connection to the mower to receive grass clippings and the like therefrom; a flexible conduit extending from said fan housing to said container to deliver grass clippings and the like therebetween; fan means for drawing grass clippings and the like into said fan housing and forcing same through said conduit and into said container; latch release means operable from the operator's station to effect release of said latch means, whereby said container moves to the dumping position; a door on said container mounted thereon for hinged movement between open and closed positions wherein said back end of the container is opened and closed, respectively; releasable door latch means for holding said door in the closed position; linkage means connecting said container latch means and said door latch means in a manner to effect release of said container latch means and said door latch means in unison; means for moving said door to the open position when said container is moved to the dumping position and to the closed position when said container is moved to the running position; and spring means for applying a spring force on said container latch means and said door latch means to hold the container latch means and door latch means in the release conditions thereof when said container is in the dumping position, said spring means being arranged to gradually reduce said spring force as the container moves from the dumping position toward the running position, whereby each of said container latch means and said door latch means gradually moves from its release condition to its latching condition as said container moves from the dumping position to the running position.

Claim 20

Grass catching apparatus for use with a mower towed by an implement having an operator's station, said apparatus comprising: a container for receiving and holding grass clippings and the like, said container having a front end and an open back end for dumping of the container contents; a wheel assembly supporting said container for movement along the ground; means for mounting said container on said wheel assembly in a manner permitting the container to move about a generally horizontal pivot axis between a running position and a dumping position for dumping of the contents of said container through the back end thereof; yieldable means for urging said container toward the dumping position; releasable container latch means for holding said container in the running position, said container latch means automatically engaging upon movement of said container to the running position and being releasable to permit movement to the dumping position under the influence of said yieldable means; means for connecting said container to the mower to be towed therewith by the implement; a fan housing adapted for connection to the mower to receive grass clippings and the like therefrom; a flexible conduit extending from said fan housing to said container to deliver grass clippings and the like therebetween; fan means for drawing grass clippings and the like into said fan housing and forcing same through said conduit and into said container; latch release means operable from the operator's station to effect release of said latch means, whereby said container moves to the dumping position; a door on said container mounted thereon for hinged movement between open and closed positions wherein said back end of the container is opened and closed, respectively; releasable door latch means for holding said door in the closed position; linkage means connecting said container latch means and said door latch means in a manner to effect release of said container latch means and said door latch means in unison; means for moving said door to the open position when said container is moved to the dumping position and to the closed position when said container is moved to the running position; and spring means for applying a spring force on said container latch means and said door latch means to hold the container latch means and door latch means in the release conditions thereof when said container is in the dumping position, said spring means being arranged to gradually reduce said spring force as the container moves from the dumping position toward the running position, whereby each of said container latch means and said door latch means gradually moves from its release condition to its latching condition as said container moves from the dumping position to the running position.

Claim 21

Grass catching apparatus for use with a mower towed by an implement having an operator's station, said apparatus comprising: a container for receiving and holding grass clippings and the like, said container having a front end and an open back end for dumping of the container contents; a wheel assembly supporting said container for movement along the ground; means for mounting said container on said wheel assembly in a manner permitting the container to move about a generally horizontal pivot axis between a running position and a dumping position for dumping of the contents of said container through the back end thereof; yieldable means for urging said container toward the dumping position; releasable latch means for holding said container in the running position, said latch means automatically engaging upon movement of said container to the running position and being releasable to permit movement to the dumping position under the influence of said yieldable means; means for connecting said container to the mower to be towed therewith by the implement; a fan housing adapted for connection to the mower to receive grass clippings and the like therefrom; a flexible conduit extending from said fan housing to said container to deliver grass clippings and the like therebetween; fan means for drawing grass clippings and the like into said fan housing and forcing same through said conduit and into said container; latch release means operable from the operator's station to effect release of said latch means, whereby said container moves to the dumping position; a door on said container mounted thereon for hinged movement between open and closed positions wherein said back end of the container is opened and closed, respectively; an expandable and collapsible linkage connected at one end with said container and at another end with the door, said linkage having an expanded condition wherein the door is in the open position and a collapsed condition wherein the door is in the closed condition; a flexible line having one end connected with said linkage; pulley means on said container receiving said line; and a flexible member having one end fixed to the mower and an opposite end fixed to said line at a location offet from said one end thereof, said flexible member and line being tensed as said container moves from the running position to the dumping position with the tension effecting the expanded condition of said linkage.

Claim 22

Grass catching apparatus for use with a mower towed by an implement having an operator's station, said apparatus comprising: a container for receiving and holding grass clippings and the like, said container having a front end and an open back end for dumping of the container contents; a wheel assembly supporting said container for movement along the ground; means for mounting said container on said wheel assembly in a manner permitting the container to move about a generally horizontal pivot axis between a running position and a dumping position for dumping of the contents of said container through the back end thereof; yieldable means for urging said container toward the dumping position; releasable latch means for holding said container in the running position, said latch means automatically engaging upon movement of said container to the running position and being releasable to permit movement to the dumping position under the influence of said yieldable means; means for connecting said container to the mower to be towed therewith by the implement; a fan housing adapted for connection to the mower to receive grass clippings and the like therefrom; a flexible conduit extending from said fan housing to said container to deliver grass clippings and the like therebetween; fan means for drawing grass clippings and the like into said fan housing and forcing same through said conduit and into said container; latch release means operable from the operator's station to effect release of said latch means, whereby said container moves to the dumping position; a door on said container mounted thereon for hinged movement between open and closed positions wherein said back end of the container is opened and closed, respectively; an expandable and collapsible linkage connected at one end with said container and at another end with the door, said linkage having an expanded condition wherein the door is in the open position and a collapsed condition wherein the door is in the closed condition; a flexible line having one end connected with said linkage; pulley means on said container receiving said line; and a flexible member having one end fixed to the mower and an opposite end fixed to said line at a location offet from said one end thereof, said flexible member and line being tensed as said container moves from the running position to the dumping position with the tension effecting the expanded condition of said linkage.