Powered Debris Collector

Abstract

A PTO driven yard clean up tool is for attachment to a tractor is disclosed and claimed. The PTO system drives a rake attachment that runs in a counter-clockwise direction to the direction of travel to throw material into a basket; the material can be dumped out of the basket when it gets full by tilting the basket.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pull-type powered debris collection apparatus comprising:
 a) a horizontal frame having a width and a length further comprising a front portion and a rear portion;   b) a delivery arrangement comprising an intake portion and a discharge portion;   c) a pair of wheels engaged for attachment to the front portion of the horizontal frame and positioned across its width therein, the pair of wheels engages for attachment to the rear portion of the horizontal frame and positioned across its width therein;   d) a basket cooperatively engaged with the rear portion of the horizontal frame;   e) a hitch having a first and a second end; and,   f) a power arrangement.   
     
     
         2 . The pull-type powered debris collection apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the front portion of the horizontal frame engages and supports a rotatable rake attachment mounted across its width therein. 
     
     
         3 . The pull-type powered debris collection apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the delivery arrangement is configured and arranged to provide a quantity of collected debris from the intake portion to the discharge portion. 
     
     
         4 . The pull-type powered debris collection apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the pair of wheels could be a pair of caster wheels positioned anterior the rake attachment. 
     
     
         5 . The pull-type powered debris collection apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the pair of wheels could be a pair of gauge wheels positioned posterior the flexible engagement member. 
     
     
         6 . The pull-type powered debris collection apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the pair of wheels positioned posterior the rake attachment. 
     
     
         7 . The pull-type powered debris collection apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the basket is further defined as having a first side, a second side, and a third side therein. 
     
     
         8 . The pull-type powered debris collection apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the first side and the second side are substantially perpendicular to each other therein. 
     
     
         9 . The pull-type powered debris collection apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the second side and the third side are substantially perpendicular to each other therein. 
     
     
         10 . The pull-type powered debris collection apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the first end of the hitch is connected to the front portion of the horizontal frame therein. 
     
     
         11 . The pull-type powered debris collection apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the second end of the hitch is attachable to a garden tractor therein. 
     
     
         12 . A pull-type powered debris collection apparatus comprising:
 a) a horizontal frame having a width and a length further comprising a front portion and a rear portion;   b) a delivery arrangement comprising an intake portion and a discharge portion;   c) a pair of wheels engaged for attachment to the front portion of the horizontal frame and positioned across its width therein, the pair of wheels engages for attachment to the rear portion of the horizontal frame and positioned across its width therein;   d) a power arrangement for delivering power to rotate the rake attachment during operation to collect debris; and,   e) a basket cooperatively engaged with the rear portion of the horizontal frame, the basket being supported by two vertical supports of the frame, the basket being located between the two vertical supports therein.   
     
     
         13 . The pull-type powered debris collection apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the basket is rotatable between a first position and a second position therein. 
     
     
         14 . The pull-type powered debris collection apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein the first position permits debris to be received by the basket therein. 
     
     
         15 . The pull-type powered debris collection apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein the second position discharges collected debris from the basket therein. 
     
     
         16 . The pull-type powered debris collection apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the basket is rotatable about a pivot axis therein. 
     
     
         17 . The pull-type powered debris collection apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the pivot axis intersects the basket and the two vertical supports therein. 
     
     
         18 . The pull-type powered debris collection apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the pivot axis is above a base of the basket when the basket is in the first position therein. 
     
     
         19 . The pull-type powered debris collection apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the pivot axis is below the base of the basket once the basket is pivoted to the second position therein. 
     
     
         20 . A method of collecting a debris, said method comprising:
 a) powering a debris collection system;   b) placing the basket at the rear portion of the horizontal frame wherein the basket is repositionable so that the basket is able to receive the quantity of collected debris;   c) positioning the basket in a first position wherein the first position permits the debris to be received by the basket and wherein the pivot axis is above the base of the basket in the first position;   d) rotating a rake drum of a rake attachment in a counter-clockwise direction to collect and throw debris materials into the basket;   e) delivering the debris to the basket via the delivery arrangement wherein the intake portion delivers the debris to the basket wherein the intake portion is operatively engaged with a flexible engagement member positioned anterior of the rotatable rake attachment and across the width of the rotatable rake attachment;   f) inclining the basket up and over its axis of rotation in a second position wherein the basket is full of debris materials and wherein the pivot axis is below the base of the basket once the basket is pivoted to the second position; and   g) dumping the collected debris materials out of the basket therein.