Apparatus for clearing matted grass clippings from lawnmower discharge port

摘要

An apparatus that removes matted clumps of wet grass from a lawnmower discharge port includes a hinge having a first flap secured to a trailing edge of the discharge port. A second flap is secured to a rigid flat plate about mid-length of the plate. The plate has a position of repose normal to a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the lawnmower and a pivoted position parallel to the longitudinal axis. The position of repose allows grass clippings propelled by a rotating blade to travel without obstruction toward the discharge port. A cord is secured to the plate so that a lawnmower operator can cause the plate to pivot from its position of repose to drive matted clippings through the discharge port. A torsion spring resists the pivoting of the plate and returns the plate to its position of repose when the cord is released by the operator.

主权项

1. An apparatus that removes matted clumps of wet grass from a lawnmower discharge port formed in a blade housing of said lawnmower, comprising:
a hinge having a first flap adapted to be fixedly secured to said blade housing, said first flap fixedly secured to said blade housing adjacent a trailing edge of said discharge port; a rigid flat plate having a predetermined length and height; a second flap of said hinge being fixedly secured to said rigid flat plate about mid-length of said rigid flat plate; said rigid flat plate having a position of repose where said rigid flat plate is normal to said blade housing and to a longitudinal axis of symmetry of said lawnmower, an inboard end of said rigid flat plate being positioned inside a hollow interior of said blade housing and an outboard end of said rigid flat plate being positioned externally to said blade housing; said position of repose of said rigid flat plate allowing grass clippings that are propelled by a rotating blade of said lawnmower to travel without obstruction toward said discharge port; an elongate cord secured to an outboard edge of said rigid flat plate, said outboard edge being positioned externally to said blade housing; a torsion spring secured to said rigid flat plate that applies no bias to said rigid flat plate when said rigid flat plate is in said position of repose; said elongate cord adapted to be manually pulled in a leading-to-trailing direction during lawnmower operation by an operator disposed in trailing relation to said discharge port; said pulling of said cord causing pivoting about said hinge of said rigid flat plate relative to said position of repose, said pivoting creating a bias supplied by said torsion spring, and said pivoting causing said inboard end of said rigid flat plate to drive matted grass out of said discharge port; said rigid flat plate having a fully rotated position when said cord is fully retracted and said rigid flat plate is parallel to said longitudinal axis of symmetry; and said bias returning the rigid flat plate to its position of repose when said cord is released by said lawnmower operator.