Lawnmower mulch plug fixing method
The present disclosure is directed to a mulch plug configured to attach to a lawnmower by one or more attachment points, including a snap-fit attachment point. The snap-fit provides a more secure attachment to the lawnmower than attachment mechanisms on existing mulch plugs, in turn providing more even distribution of mulch and less clogging and locking of mower wheels.
1. A mulch plug for a lawnmower, the mulch plug comprising:
a plug body configured to fit within a collector opening of a lawnmower, the plug body comprising
a first attachment configured to snap-fit to a lower dome of the lawnmower;
a second attachment configured to interference-fit to an upper dome of the lawnmower;
a mating surface dimensioned to press fit over a rear axle of the lawnmower; and
one or more tabs, extending from the body and positioned to engage with an edge of a deflector of the lawnmower.
2. The mulch plug of claim 1 , wherein the plug body has two tabs, wherein the tabs engage with an edge of the deflector when the deflector is in a closed position.
3. The mulch plug of claim 1 , wherein the deflector is a rear deflector and wherein the tabs are located rearward of the mating surface when the mulch plug is installed into a collector opening of the lawnmower.
4. The mulch plug of claim 1 , wherein the deflector is a side deflector.
5. The mulch plug of claim 1 , wherein the plug body comprises a plastic plug body.
6. The mulch plug of claim 5 , wherein the plastic plug body comprises a plastic that is polypropylene, polypropylene high impact copolymers, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polycarbonate (PC), polyoxymethylene (POM), Nylon, or a combination thereof.
7. The mulch plug of claim 6 , wherein the plastic is a polypropylene high impact copolymer.
8. The mulch plug of claim 1 , wherein the second attachment is at the end of a lip protruding from the plug body at an angle of 65°.
9. A mulch plug for a lawnmower, the mulch plug comprising:
a plug body configured to fit within a collector opening of a lawnmower, the plug body comprising
a first attachment configured to snap-fit to a lower dome of the lawnmower, and
a second attachment configured to interference-fit to an upper dome of the lawnmower, and
a mating surface to press fit over a rear axle of the lawnmower.
10. The mulch plug of claim 9 , wherein the plug body comprises a plastic plug body.
11. The mulch plug of claim 10 , wherein the plastic plug body comprises a plastic that is polypropylene, polypropylene high impact copolymers, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polycarbonate (PC), polyoxymethylene (POM), Nylon, or a combination thereof.
12. The mulch plug of claim 11 , wherein the plastic is a polypropylene high impact copolymer.
13. The mulch plug of claim 9 , wherein the second attachment is at the end of a lip protruding from the plug body at an angle of 65°.
14. A mulch plug for a lawnmower, the mulch plug comprising:
a plug body configured to fit within a collector opening of a lawnmower, the plug body comprising
one or more tabs, extending from the body and positioned to engage with an edge of a deflector of the lawnmower and
a mating surface configured to press fit over a rear axle of the lawnmower; and.
15. The mulch plug of claim 14 wherein the plug body has two tabs, wherein the tabs engage with the edge of the deflector when the deflector is in a closed position.
16. The mulch plug of claim 14 , wherein the deflector is a rear deflector and wherein the tabs are located rearward of the mating surface when the mulch plug is installed into the collector opening of a lawnmower.
17. The mulch plug of claim 14 , wherein the deflector is a side deflector.
18. The mulch plug of claim 14 , wherein the plug body comprises a plastic plug body.
19. The mulch plug of claim 18 , wherein the plastic plug body comprises a plastic that is polypropylene, polypropylene high impact copolymers, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polycarbonate (PC), polyoxymethylene (POM), Nylon, or a combination thereof.
20. The mulch plug of claim 19 , wherein the plastic is a polypropylene high impact copolymer.