Convertible rotary mower-vacuum sweeper

Abstract

There is disclosed a technique for modifying a conventional rotary lawn mower to provide the capability of cleaning a paved area such as a sidewalk or driveway. Basically, the only modification to the lawn mower is the provision of a depending skirt extending downwardly from a peripheral wall of the lawn mower frame. Three embodiments are illustrated. The first embodiment comprises a skirt mounted on the lawn mower frame for adjusting movement between an upper or grass cutting position and a lower or sweeping position in which the lower edge of the skirt is spaced only slightly above the bottoms of the lawn mower wheels. The second embodiment comprises a skirt fixed to the lawn mower frame. Adjustment of the skirt to a lower sweeping position is accomplished by the provision of conventional adjustable wheels which effectively lower the lawn mower frame relative to the ground. The third embodiment comprises a skirt which is attached to the lawn mower only when it is desired to perform a sweeping function.

I claim: 
     
       1. A rotary lawn mower/vacuum sweeper, comprising a frame having an imperforate top panel and a depending peripheral wall providing a grass discharge passage therein and providing a grass cutting chamber having a downwardly facing opening defined by the wall;   at least three wheels on the frame for rollably supporting the frame on an underlying surface, the points of contact of the wheels and the underlying surface generally defining a plane;   a motor mounted on the top panel and including a drive shaft extending into the chamber;   .[.a grass cutting blade, in the chamber,.]. .Iadd.only one grass cutting blade, the grass cutting blade residing in the chamber between the imperforate top panel and the bottom of the peripheral wall, .Iaddend.affixed adjacent the center thereof to the shaft and including a grass cutting edge rotated by the shaft in cutting relation to grass over which the frame moves, the blade being configured as a fan for forcing air through the discharge passage and for drawing air inwardly under the underside of the peripheral wall and residing above the bottom of the peripheral wall and   means for creating an area of substantial air velocity directed inwardly of the peripheral wall throughout substantially the length thereof, effective for lifting debris off the underlying surface in a generally annular band corresponding to the location of the peripheral wall, including   a skirt substantially the length of the peripheral wall, providing .Iadd.an upper edge, .Iaddend.a lower edge and an imperforate portion above the lower edge and   means dependingly mounting the skirt on the frame in generally coaxial relation to the peripheral wall positioning the imperforate portion below the .[.lower edge.]. .Iadd.underside of the peripheral wall .Iaddend.and spacing the lower edge from the plane but less than about 3/8" thereabove for drawing air inwardly into the chamber under the lower skirt edge upon operation of the motor;   .Iadd.the upper skirt edge being positioned above the underside of the peripheral wall throughout the extent of the skirt; .Iaddend.   any obstruction of the chamber opening by the creating means providing an insignificant increase in air velocity under the lower skirt edge.   
     
     
       2. The mower of claim 1 wherein the skirt is bodily flexible. 
     
     
       3. The mower of claim 1 wherein the mounting means comprises means for effecting adjusting movement between the lower edge of the skirt and the points of contact of the wheels to provide a lower skirt position wherein air is drawn under the lower skirt edge and an upper skirt position for conducting normal grass cutting operations. 
     
     
       4. The mower of claim 3 wherein the adjusting means comprises means adjustably mounting the skirt on the frame. 
     
     
       5. The mower of claim 3 wherein the adjusting means comprises means for adjusting the wheels relative to the frame. 
     
     
       6. The mower of claim 1 wherein the mounting means comprises a plurality of separable fasteners each including a first component fixed to the frame and a second mating component fixed to the skirt. .Iadd. 
     
     
       7.  A rotary lawn mower, vacuum sweeper, comprising a frame having an imperforate top panel, an arcuate wall depending from the top panel and a grass discharge chute exiting from a grass cutting chamber having a downwardly facing opening defined by the wall;   at least three wheels on the frame for rollably supporting the frame on an underlying surface, the points of contact of the wheels and the underlying surface generally defining a plane;   a motor mounted on the top panel and including a drive shaft extending into the chamber;   only one grass cutting blade, the grass cutting blade residing in the chamber between the imperforate top panel and the bottom of the arcuate wall, affixed adjacent the center thereof to the shaft and including a grass cutting edge rotated by the shaft in cutting relation to grass over which the frame moves, the blade being configured as a fan for forcing air through the discharge chute and for drawing air inwardly under the underside of the arcuate wall; and   means for creating an area of substantial air velocity directed inwardly of the wall throughout substantially the length thereof, effective for lifting debris off the underlying surface in a band corresponding to the location of the wall, including a skirt substantially the length of the wall, providing an upper edge, a lower edge and an imperforate portion above the lower edge; and   means dependingly mounting the skirt on the frame in generally coaxial relation to the wall positioning the imperforate portion below the bottom of the arcuate wall and spacing the lower skirt edge from the plane but less than about 3/8" thereabove for drawing air inwardly into the chamber under the lower skirt edge upon operation of the motor;   the upper skirt edge being positioned above the bottom of the arcuate wall throughout the extent of the skirt;   any obstruction of the chamber opening by the creating means providing an insignificant increase in air velocity under the lower skirt edge. .Iaddend. .Iadd.     
     
     
       8.  The mower of claim 7 wherein the skirt is bodily flexible. .Iaddend. .Iadd.9. The mower of claim 7 wherein the mounting means comprises means for effecting adjusting movement between the lower edge of the skirt and the points of contact of the wheels to provide a lower skirt position wherein air is drawn under the lower skirt edge and an upper skirt position for conducting normal grass cutting operations. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. The mower of claim 9 wherein the adjusting means comprises means adjustably mounting the skirt on the frame. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11. The mower of claim 9 wherein the adjusting means comprises means adjusting the wheels relative to the frame. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. The mower of claim 7 wherein the mounting means comprises a plurality of separable fasteners each including a first component fixed to the frame and a second mating component fixed to the skirt. .Iaddend.