Frank R Allen

US Patent:

47261781, Feb 23, 1988

Filed:

Oct 24, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/922588

Inventors:

Brian T. Mallaney - Rock Hill SC
Frank R. Allen - Columbia SC
Charles Gaymon - Rock Hill SC

Assignee:

Textron Inc. - Providence RI

International Classification:

A01D 3446

US Classification:

56202

Abstract:

The invention is directed to a cover assembly for the discharge opening of a lawn mower, which cover assembly serves the unique triple function of (i) mulching, (ii) side-discharging with a fail-safe anti-damage feature, and (iii) enabling the attachment needed for rear bagging to be mounted without removing the cover assembly. The cover assembly also includes transition means for dispersing the cuttings over a wide area as the cuttings are discharged from the discharge opening.

US Patent:

47365765, Apr 12, 1988

Filed:

Sep 15, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/907351

Inventors:

Brian T. Mallaney - Rock Hill SC
Frank R. Allen - Columbia SC
J. Jiri Olmr - Columbia SC

Assignee:

Textron Inc - Providence RI

International Classification:

A01D 3467
A01D 3472

US Classification:

56255

Abstract:

A lawn mower is described having a high collection efficiency. This is accomplished by constructing a housing having a toroidally-shaped skirt defining the interior space in which the blade rotates in a horizontal plane. The interior space has a generally circular cross-section, the radius of which gradually increases toward a region of maximum radius between upper and lower portions of the housings. The blade is positioned to rotate in the lower portion of the housing and a discharge port is positioned to encompass the region of maximum radius.

US Patent:

53984900, Mar 21, 1995

Filed:

Jun 7, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/254954

Inventors:

Frank R. Allen - Columbia SC

International Classification:

A01D 3483

US Classification:

56244

Abstract:

A cutter head for a lawn mower which has a plurality of fingers arranged in two sets, one above the other, that extend forward in the direction of travel to channel grass between them. Between the fingers is a conveyor belt carrying a set of short blades moving transverse to the direction of motion of the mower for shearing the grass that is channeled by the fingers. The blades are preferably arranged at different levels to mulch the grass. Each blade is preferably split and bent to form multiple cutting edges at different levels. In one embodiment, the lower set of fingers extends farther forward than the upper set to better lift the grass for cutting. In an alternate embodiment, the upper set of fingers extends forward of the lower set and curves downwardly to lift objects out of the path of the mower. The continuous conveyor belt is conveyed around three sheaves that carry the plurality of blades and a sweeper to sweep grass from the cutter head.

US Patent:

48465887, Jul 11, 1989

Filed:

Jul 18, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/220090

Inventors:

Frank R. Allen - Columbia SC
John Hopkins - Charlotte NC

Assignee:

Textron Inc. - Providence RI

International Classification:

B65D 3300
A01D 3412

US Classification:

383 41

Abstract:

The invention is directed to a debris collector bag for receiving grass clippings, leaves and debris which has a concave surface in which includes a concave slit opening from which the collected debris is removed.

US Patent:

52612171, Nov 16, 1993

Filed:

Dec 8, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/986755

Inventors:

Frank R. Allen - Columbia SC

International Classification:

A01D 3483

US Classification:

56244

Abstract:

A cutter head, for a non-rotary power lawn mower, having a multiple-blade, multiple levels of blades assembly. The cutter head includes a stationary assembly in the form of a plurality of fingers arranged in several levels that cooperate with a continuous plurality of blades moved by a blade-carrying assembly. The fingers preferably extend parallel to the lawn mower's direction of motion in order to catch the grass and set it up for cutting. The blade-carrying assembly is preferably a chain conveyed around a pair of sprockets that carry the plurality of blades. These blades are arranged in several levels and interleave several levels of fingers. The grass entering the spacing between the fingers is sheared at each level of the stationary assembly by movement of the blades across the fingers. The cut grass is directed to the rear area of the cutter head, where it falls below the cutter head as mulch.