Mulching apparatus

Abstract

A system is disclosed for mulching material including a floor stand configured to secure a hand-manipulatable blower/vacuum mulching device in a position to receive material to be mulched, and a hopper having an end for receiving material to be mulched and an opposite end configured to be connected to an intake of the mulching device. A floor stand is disclosed which is operable to secure a hand-manipulatable blower/vacuum mulching device in an upright position. A floor stand may include a securing device pivotably engaged thereto, wherein the securing device is operable to removably engage and permit pivotable selective positioning of a hand-manipulatable blower/vacuum mulching device

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hopper configured to connect to a hand-manipulatable blower/vacuum mulching device, the hopper comprising an end for receiving material to be mulched and an opposite end configured to be connected to an intake of the mulching device wherein the end for receiving material to be mulched comprises an opening that is wider than an opening formed in the opposite end configured to be connected to an intake of the mulching device. 
     
     
         2 . The hopper according to  claim 1  wherein the end for receiving material to be mulched comprises a funnel. 
     
     
         3 . The hopper according to  claim 1  comprising a side which is substantially flat. 
     
     
         4 . The hopper according to  claim 1  comprising a side which is substantially flat and a leading edge which extends beyond a leading edge of an opposite side. 
     
     
         5 . A floor stand configured to secure a hand-manipulatable blower/vacuum mulching device in a position to receive material to be mulched. 
     
     
         6 . The floor stand according to  claim 5  configured to secure a hand-manipulatable blower/vacuum mulching device in a position wherein the intake of the mulching device is oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to and facing away from the ground. 
     
     
         7 . The floor stand according to  claim 5  comprising at least one securing device for releasably securing a hand-manipulatable blower/vacuum mulching device. 
     
     
         8 . The floor stand according to  claim 5  comprising a securing device pivotably engaged thereto, wherein the securing device is operable to removably engage and permit pivotable selective positioning of a hand-manipulatable blower/vacuum mulching device. 
     
     
         9 . The floor stand according to  claim 5  comprising at least one switch electrically connected to an electrical power source or cable operable to turn on and turn off a hand-manipulatable blower/vacuum mulching device. 
     
     
         10 . The floor stand according to  claim 5  comprising an electrical receptacle for receiving a power cable of a hand-manipulatable blower/vacuum mulching device, wherein the receptacle is electrically connected to a power cable for connecting to an electrical supply.