Blower with intake closure

Abstract

A blower includes a frame, a surface engaging wheel attached to the frame and a power source attached to the frame. An impeller housing is also attached to the frame, and the impeller housing defines an intake opening. The impeller housing surrounds an impeller that is rotatably connected to the power source. An exhaust chute is attached to the impeller housing. A selectively closeable aperture structure is attached to the intake opening. In further examples, the selectively closeable aperture is a pair of rotatable plates both including radial slots or an iris blade assembly. In other examples, the exhaust chute is rotatable or the impeller housing is rotatable.

1 . A blower, said blower comprising:
 a frame;   a surface engaging wheel attached to said frame;   a power source attached to said frame;   an impeller housing attached to said frame, said impeller housing defining an intake opening;   an impeller rotatably connected to said power source and positioned within said impeller housing;   an exhaust chute attached to said impeller housing; and   a selectively closeable aperture structure attached to said intake opening.   
     
     
         2 . The blower according to  claim 1 , wherein said selectively closeable aperture structure is a multi-piece door in the form of a ladybug closure. 
     
     
         3 . The blower according to  claim 1 , wherein said selectively closeable aperture structure is a rotationally variable disc defining radial slots. 
     
     
         4 . The blower according to  claim 1 , wherein said selectively closeable aperture structure is a rotationally activated iris opening assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The blower according to  claim 4 , wherein said rotationally activated iris opening assembly includes translating iris blades. 
     
     
         6 . The blower according to  claim 4 , wherein said rotationally activated iris opening assembly includes rotating iris blades. 
     
     
         7 . A blower, said blower comprising:
 a frame;   a surface engaging wheel attached to said frame;   a power source attached to said frame;   an impeller housing attached to said frame, said impeller housing defining an intake opening;   an impeller rotatably connected to said power source and positioned within said impeller housing; and   an exhaust chute attached to said impeller housing, said exhaust chute is selectively rotatable.   
     
     
         8 . The blower according to  claim 7 , wherein said exhaust chute rotates at least about 180°. 
     
     
         9 . The blower according to  claim 7 , further including a joystick control, wherein said joystick control is configured to rotate said exhaust chute at least about 180°. 
     
     
         10 . A blower, said blower comprising:
 a frame;   a surface engaging wheel attached to said frame;   a power source attached to said frame;   an impeller housing attached to said frame, said impeller housing defining an intake opening;   an impeller including an axis of rotation, said impeller is rotatably connected to said power source and positioned within said impeller housing; and   an exhaust chute attached to said impeller housing, said exhaust chute is selectively rotatable,   wherein said impeller housing is configured to rotate about said axis of rotation.