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US 10,864,832 B2Granted
Grounds maintenance vehicle with adjustable suspension system
AssigneeThe Toro Company
InventorsDale A. Stover, Alexander E. Hoy, Derek S. Duchscherer, Patrick J. Shaver
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Suspension systems and grounds maintenance vehicles incorporating the same are disclosed. The suspension system may include biasing elements or springs that may be adjusted to vary the preload and thus change the spring and dampening characteristics of the suspension system. In some embodiments, the system may include an adjustment mechanism that permits simultaneous adjustment of two springs via a single action. In other embodiments, features adapted to assist an operator with mounting/dismounting the vehicle are disclosed.
Claims25
A grounds maintenance vehicle comprising:
- a chassis comprising a front end, a rear end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the front and rear ends;
- a support platform extending along the longitudinal axis, the support platform comprising a seat support portion;
- and
- a suspension system comprising:
- a first suspension apparatus operatively acting between the chassis and the seat support portion of the support platform, wherein the first suspension apparatus comprises first and second torsion springs, and wherein the torsion springs are adapted to elastically deflect when the support platform is displaced relative to the chassis;
- a second suspension apparatus longitudinally spaced-apart from the torsion springs, the second suspension apparatus operatively connected to both the support platform and the chassis;
- and
- an adjuster adapted to simultaneously adjust a preload applied to both of the first and second torsion springs.
5 more elements
A grounds maintenance vehicle comprising:
- a chassis comprising a front end, a rear end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the front and rear ends;
- a support platform extending along the longitudinal axis, the support platform comprising:
- a seat support portion;
- a foot support portion;
- and a connecting structure connecting the seat support portion to the foot support portion;
- and
- a suspension system comprising:
- a first suspension apparatus adapted to bias the support platform away from the chassis, wherein the first suspension apparatus comprises first and second torsion springs spaced-apart from one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, the torsion springs adapted to elastically deflect when the support platform is displaced toward the chassis;
- a second suspension apparatus longitudinally spaced-apart from the first suspension apparatus, wherein the second suspension apparatus is also adapted to bias the support platform away from the chassis;
- and
- an adjuster adapted to simultaneously alter a preload applied to both of the first and second torsion springs.
8 more elements
A riding lawn mower comprising:
- a chassis comprising a front end, a rear end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the front and rear ends;
- a support platform extending along the longitudinal axis, the support platform comprising:
- a seat support portion supporting an operator seat;
- a foot support portion;
- and a connecting structure connecting the seat support portion to the foot support portion;
- a pivot member defining a transverse first pivot axis and a transverse second pivot axis, wherein the pivot member is:
- pivotally coupled to the chassis at the first pivot axis;
- and pivotally coupled to the support platform at the second pivot axis;
- and
- a suspension system comprising:
- first and second torsion springs positioned about the second pivot axis, the torsion springs operatively biasing the support platform upwardly and away from the chassis, wherein the torsion springs elastically deflect when the support platform is displaced toward the chassis, the torsion springs located longitudinally near the seat support portion;
- a coil-over shock absorber positioned longitudinally forward from the first and second torsion springs, wherein the shock absorber is operatively connected to the platform and to the chassis;
- and
- an adjuster adapted to simultaneously alter a preload applied to both of the first and second torsion springs.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.