Front-mounted-central blower discharge unit with multidirectional nozzle

Abstract

A blower is provided for removing debris from the ground where an air stream generator connect to a frame discharges a high velocity air stream downward and away from the blower, toward the working surface, through a nozzle rotatable three hundred sixty degrees continuously. The air stream has a generator axis substantially perpendicular to a frame center line, and is operably connected to a power source mounted to the frame. An actuator mechanically rotates the nozzle. The blower is connectable to a vehicle at the rear of the frame and has wheels at the front of the frame for movement across the ground.

1 . A blower assembly for use with a vehicle on a surface, the blower assembly comprising:
 a frame having a front end and a back end;   a wheel mounted at the front end;   a bracket mounted at the back end for mounting the blower assembly to the front of the vehicle;   an air stream generator having a housing with a downwardly orientated discharge port, the housing enclosing a fan;   a power source operably connected to the fan for providing a high velocity air stream; and   a nozzle connected to the discharge port below the frame, the nozzle rotatable three hundred sixty degrees.   
     
     
         2 . The blower assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the nozzle further comprises:
 a body extending between an inlet end and an outlet end; 
 the inlet end including an upper portion having a mechanical contact interface, the upper portion connected to the discharge port; and 
 the outlet end orientated generally perpendicular to the body inlet end whereby the air stream exiting the outlet end strikes the surface at a shallow angle. 
   
     
     
         3 . The blower assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising an actuator operably connected to the mechanical contact interface for rotating the nozzle. 
     
     
         4 . The blower assembly of  claim 3 , further including a belt operably connecting the mechanical contact interface and the actuator. 
     
     
         5 . The blower assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the mechanical contact interface includes a channel bound by a first ring and a second ring. 
     
     
         6 . The blower assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a nozzle mount connecting the nozzle to the discharge port permitting side-to-side rotation of the nozzle, the nozzle mount comprising:
 a bracket connected to the blower unit; 
 a first ring rotatably connected to a second ring; 
 the first ring connected to the nozzle; and 
 the second ring connected to the bracket. 
   
     
     
         7 . The blower assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the nozzle further comprises a flange connected to the first ring. 
     
     
         8 . The blower assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the nozzle mount includes a reinforcing ring securing the flange to the first ring. 
     
     
         9 . The blower assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the reinforcing ring includes a sleeve extending from an inward portion of the first ring into the nozzle. 
     
     
         10 . The blower assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the bracket includes a notch at an inward portion for passing an outward portion of the first ring. 
     
     
         11 . The blower assembly of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the first ring further comprises a sleeve extending from an inward portion of the first ring into the nozzle; and   the nozzle is connected to the sleeve.   
     
     
         12 . The blower assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator operably connected to the nozzle for rotating the nozzle. 
     
     
         13 . The blower assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is manufactured from a resilient material that is deformable upon impact and returns to its original shape. 
     
     
         14 . A blower assembly for use with a vehicle on a surface, the blower assembly comprising:
 a frame having a front end and a back end;   a wheel mounted at the front end;   a bracket mounted at the back end for mounting the blower assembly to the front of the vehicle;   an air stream generator having a housing with a downwardly orientated discharge port, the housing enclosing a fan;   a power source operably connected to the fan for providing a high velocity air stream;   a nozzle mount comprising:
 a bracket connected to the discharge port; 
 a first ring rotatably connected to a second ring; and 
 the second ring connected to the bracket; 
   a nozzle comprising:
 a tubular body extending between an inlet end and an outlet end; 
 a mechanical contact interface circumscribing the inlet end; 
 the inlet end connected to the first ring permitting three hundred and sixty degree rotation of the nozzle; and 
 the outlet end orientated generally perpendicular to the body inlet end whereby the air stream exiting the outlet end strikes the surface at a shallow angle. 
   
     
     
         15 . The blower assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the nozzle further comprises a flange connected to the first ring. 
     
     
         16 . The blower assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the nozzle mount includes a reinforcing ring securing the flange to the first ring. 
     
     
         17 . The blower assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the reinforcing ring includes a sleeve extending from an inward portion of the first ring into the nozzle. 
     
     
         18 . The blower assembly of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first ring further comprises a sleeve extending from an inward portion of the first ring into the nozzle; and   the nozzle is connected to the sleeve.   
     
     
         19 . The blower assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising an actuator operably connected to the nozzle for rotating the nozzle.