OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Component Histories GREENFIELD - Theo Reinhold Patents 1980s

PATENT 81939 of 1987
These two patents draw attention to the ride-on grass catcher.
These were popular accessories for many imported ride-ons, but much less
so for AUS made ride-ons. The main reason was that the first Australian
made designs were awkward and heavy, expensive and sometimes awkward to
use.

I think these patents reflect changes in catcher designs that were
occurring overseas, particularly in the USA, the leaders in the design of
ride-on garden tractors. Catchers had to be lighter and therefore made out
of materials like plastic and fabrics. They also had to be more easily
attached, removed, and emptied.

The catcher housing (discharge chute) would be supported by the cutter deck,
but the main weight of the catcher would be carried by a suspension system
attached to the mower frame. The catcher, itself, could be side or rear
mounted.



PATENT 10154 of 1988
This later patent shows Theo�s mind was continuing to develop the ride-on
catcher design. This second patent is a more mature rendition of his thinking
in the first patent (above).

This patent reiterates the desired goal of the previous patent but
focuses on an easier emptying system. It also established better terminology
for the respective components. For example, the �delivery chute assembly�
now has a �transfer chute� and a �transition chute� to the �grass container�.
The main claim seems to centre on the quick-release of grass for emptying.

For me, there is a clear similarity between the development of the grass
catcher for pedestrian rotary lawnmowers and their ride-on equivalents.
Catchers had to be made cheaper, lighter and more user-friendly.