Henry Peterson’s patent US402189A, granted on April 30, 1889, is for an attachment for lawn-mowers. The invention is a grass-catching device designed to be attached to the rear of a lawn mower, collecting the cut grass as the mower moves. The goal was to eliminate the need for a separate person to rake the lawn after it was cut.
Key Features of the Invention
- Grass-Receiving Tray: The core of the invention is a grass-receiving pan or tray (F). This pan is designed to sit on the ground behind the lawn mower.
- Runners: The pan has rearwardly-projecting runners (G) on its underside. These runners allow the pan to glide smoothly over the ground. The ends of the runners are curved upward to prevent them from digging into the turf.
- Concave Front End: The front of the pan is shaped with a concave curve. This allows it to fit snugly over the mower’s rear ground-roller (B), ensuring that grass thrown over the roller lands directly in the tray.
- Adjustable Hooks and Arms: The tray is attached to the lawn mower using two main parts:
- Hooks (C): These are secured to the sides of the mower. They are “longitudinally adjustable,” meaning their position can be changed with slots and bolts, allowing the attachment to fit mowers of different sizes.
- Arms (H): These are detachable arms attached to the sides of the tray. The front ends of the arms have eyes (I) that engage with the hooks on the mower, securing the tray in place.
- Versatility: The design’s adjustability is a key advantage. The arms on the tray can be turned to accommodate mowers of different widths, and the hooks on the mower can be adjusted to match different roller sizes.
Significance of the Invention and Inventor
Henry Peterson’s invention is an excellent example of a minor but practical improvement that had a significant impact on everyday tasks.
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- Improving Efficiency: Before this invention, cutting a lawn was a two-step process: mowing and then raking. By combining these two actions into one, Peterson’s attachment dramatically improved the efficiency of lawn care. It saved time and labor, a significant benefit for homeowners and groundskeepers.
- A “User-Centric” Design: The patent highlights a focus on user experience. The attachment is designed to be easily and “quickly” attached or detached. Its adjustability shows that Peterson understood that not all lawn mowers were the same size, making his invention more marketable.
- The “Common” Inventor: Henry Peterson, from Berkeley, California, was likely a small-scale, individual inventor. The patent was assigned to two others, suggesting that he partnered with individuals to help commercialize his idea. This was a common model for inventors in the late 19th century, where a clever idea could be developed and marketed by individuals or small businesses rather than large corporations.
