Grounds maintenance vehicle with adjustable suspension system
AssigneeThe Toro Company
InventorsDale A. Stover, Jason J. Henry
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.
Claims19
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 shock absorber operatively acting between the chassis and the seat support portion of the support platform, wherein the shock absorber extends linearly from a first end to a second end, the first and second ends each being positioned at an elevation below an elevation of the seat support portion of the support platform, and wherein the shock absorber is positioned approximately horizontal when the vehicle is in an operating configuration.
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 shock absorber operatively acting between the chassis and the seat support portion of the support platform, wherein the shock absorber extends linearly from a first end to a second end, the first and second ends each being positioned at an elevation below an elevation of the seat support portion of the support platform, and wherein the shock absorber is positioned approximately horizontal when the vehicle is in an operating configuration, wherein the first end of the shock absorber is pivotally coupled to the chassis;
- and
- a pivot plate attached to the chassis and configured to pivot, relative to the chassis, about a pivot axis, wherein the second end of the shock absorber is pivotally coupled to the pivot plate, and wherein the first end of the shock absorber is forward of the second end of the shock absorber.
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 shock absorber operatively acting between the chassis and the seat support portion of the support platform, wherein the shock absorber extends linearly from a first end to a second end, the first and second ends each being located within a vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis;
- an adjuster configured to adjust a preload applied to the shock absorber;
- and
- a pivot member pivotally coupled to the chassis and to the support platform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.