Collection Bag for Power Equipment

Abstract

A collection bag for the collection of leaf, grass, wood chips and the like is described that is capable of connection to more than one type of outdoor power equipment, including riding mowers, commercial type lawn mowers, wheeled lawn vacuums, hand-held or shoulder-mounted blower/vacuums, and wood chippers. The collection bag, typically having a large, generally conical shape, collects debris from any of the types of outdoor power equipment. The bag typically has a first large opening and at least one second smaller opening for attaching to different types of equipment. In another aspect, an anti-wear shield is placed between the bag and ground and attached to the equipment, to protect the bag from rubbing on the ground.

1 . An exchangeable debris collection bag having at least two openings that each have attachment means for fastening said exchangeable debris collection bag to at least one type of outdoor power equipment. 
     
     
         2 . The exchangeable debris collection bag of  claim 1 , wherein said openings can be closed when not in use. 
     
     
         3 . The exchangeable debris collection bag of  claim 1 , wherein an opening in the bag which is not attached to said type of outdoor power equipment can be used to empty said bag. 
     
     
         4 . The exchangeable debris collection bag of  claim 1  wherein said exchangeable debris collection bag has ventilation means for allowing air to be exhausted from said exchangeable debris collection bag during operation of said outdoor power equipment. 
     
     
         5 . The exchangeable debris collection bag of  claim 1  further comprising shield means for protection of said exchangeable debris collection bag to reduce the rate of wear of said exchangeable debris collection bag during use. 
     
     
         6 . The exchangeable debris collection bag of  claim 5  wherein said shield means is attached to said outdoor power equipment so that said shield means reduces the extent of contact of said EDCB with the ground. 
     
     
         7 . The exchangeable debris collection bag of  claim 5  wherein said shield means and said EDCB are independently connected to said outdoor power equipment. 
     
     
         8 . The shield of  claim 5  wherein said shield means is attached to said exchangeable debris collection bag, and said exchangeable debris collection bag is attached to said outdoor power equipment. 
     
     
         9 . The exchangeable debris collection bag of  claim 5  wherein said shield is provided by reinforcing material connected to said exchangeable debris collection bag. 
     
     
         10 . The exchangeable debris collection bag of  claim 1  wherein the types of outdoor power equipment are selected from a lawn mower, a leaf blower, a lawn vacuum, and a chipper. 
     
     
         11 . A method of extending the useful life of an exchangeable debris collection bag attached to outdoor power equipment, wherein the rate of wear of an exchangeable debris collection bag is reduced by providing a shield to reduce the friction of the exchangeable debris collection bag when in contact with the ground. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said shield is attached to said outdoor power equipment. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said exchangeable debris collection bag is attached to said shield. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the exchangeable debris collection bag has at least two openings suitable for attachment of the exchangeable debris collection bag to the outdoor power equipment to receive debris from the outdoor power equipment. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said openings of the exchangeable debris collection bag are of different sizes. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the outdoor power equipment is selected from a lawn mower, a leaf blower, a lawn vacuum, and a chipper. 
     
     
         17 . A debris collection system comprising an exchangeable debris collection having at least two types of openings for connection to outdoor power equipment. 
     
     
         18 . The debris collection system of  claim 17  further comprising shield means for reducing the rate of wear of an exchangeable debris collection bag during use. 
     
     
         19 . The debris collection system of  claim 18  wherein said shield means are reversibly connected to one or more of the outdoor power equipment and the exchangeable debris collection bag. 
     
     
         20 . The debris collection system of  claim 18  wherein said shield means are integrally formed with said exchangeable debris collection bag. 
     
     
         21 . The exchangeable debris collection bag of  claim 1  wherein the preceding and receding edges of the bag differ in length by more than 5 inches. 
     
     
         22 . The exchangeable debris collection bag of  claim 1  wherein said opening has at least one grommet. 
     
     
         23 . The exchangeable debris collection bag of  claim 22 , wherein said bag is connected to a piece of said equipment via said grommet. 
     
     
         24 . The exchangeable debris collection bag of  claim 1  wherein said bag is connected to at least one type of said equipment by connecting a drawstring to a hook on said equipment.