US 12,419,228 B2
Deflector assembly for outdoor power equipment
Michael J. Anania, Westernville, NY (US); Ray D. Perry, Hamilton, NY (US); James F. Marshall, Munnsville, NY (US); Jonathan Olson, Kansas City, MO (US); and Sandeep R. Pawar, Rome, NY (US)
Assigned to Briggs & Stratton, LLC, Wauwatosa, WI (US)
Filed by Briggs & Stratton, LLC, Wauwatosa, WI (US)
Filed on Dec. 14, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/550,854.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/125,588, filed on Dec. 15, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0186745 A1, Jun. 16, 2022
Int. Cl. A01G 20/47 (2018.01); B05B 1/00 (2006.01); B05B 1/30 (2006.01); B08B 5/02 (2006.01); B62D 51/00 (2006.01); B62D 51/02 (2006.01); B62D 51/04 (2006.01); E01H 1/08 (2006.01); F04D 29/46 (2006.01)
CPC A01G 20/47 (2018.02) [B05B 1/002 (2018.08); B05B 1/005 (2013.01); B05B 1/3073 (2013.01); B08B 5/02 (2013.01); B62D 51/001 (2013.01); B62D 51/02 (2013.01); B62D 51/04 (2013.01); E01H 1/0809 (2013.01); F04D 29/464 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A ride-on blower comprising:
a chassis;
a blower housing;
a discharge housing coupled to the blower housing, the discharge housing including a first discharge chute having a first chute exit and a second discharge chute having a second chute exit;
an impeller received within the blower housing and configured to rotate within the blower housing to direct air from the blower housing to the discharge housing, wherein the first chute exit is positioned to discharge air flow generated by the impeller to a first side of the chassis and the second chute exit is positioned to discharge air flow generated by the impeller to a second side of the chassis; and
a deflector assembly comprising:
an actuator movable among at least two positions;
a deflector movable within the discharge housing in response to movement by the actuator;
an actuator shaft extending away from the actuator; and
a deflector shaft extending away from the deflector;
wherein the actuator shaft is coupled to the deflector shaft through a geared connection, the geared connection is defined by a first gear coupled to the actuator shaft and a second gear coupled to the deflector shaft, wherein rotation of the first gear by the actuator shaft rotates the second gear and the deflector shaft, wherein the second gear is coupled to a locking plate, wherein the locking plate is configured to secure the deflector in at least two discrete positions within the discharge housing using a positioning pin that is biased toward the chassis;
wherein movement of the actuator to a first position rotates the deflector to direct the air flow generated by the impeller through the first discharge chute; and
wherein movement of the actuator to a second position rotates the deflector to direct the air flow generated by the impeller through the second discharge chute.