Mounting of string trimmer on a garden tractor
OwnerKenneth Loweryinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mounting arrangement for mounting a string trimmer to a host vehicle such as a ride-on mower or garden tractor. Functions provided by the mounting arrangement may include adjustment of height and inclination of the cutting head, and relocating the cutting head relative to the body of the host vehicle. The mounting arrangement may include a bumper for protecting the cutting head, cushioning of the mounting arrangement by springs to protect the cutting head from collisions, and transfer of liquid fuel from the fuel tank of the host vehicle to that of the string trimmer.
Claims20
A mounting arrangement for mounting a string trimmer having a gasoline engine, a fuel tank, a cutting head and a rotatable filament projecting from the cutting head to a host vehicle having an engine, a fuel tank, and an operator's seat, while enabling use of the string trimmer from the host vehicle, comprising:
- a base enabling engagement of the host vehicle and coupling of the mounting arrangement to the host vehicle by conventional manually installed fasteners;
- a turntable which is disposed to be generally horizontal when mounted to the base, and which enables rotation about a vertical axis;
- a boom mounted to the turntable so as to project beyond the host vehicle, and comprising engagement elements for removably securing the string trimmer to the boom in an operable position;
- a boom pivot mechanism disposed to increase and decrease inclination of the boom relative to the host vehicle;
- and
- an altitude adjuster disposed to vary inclination of the cutting head relative to the boom under control of a person from the operator's seat.
A host vehicle having a mounting arrangement for mounting to the host vehicle a string trimmer having a gasoline engine, a fuel tank, a cutting head and a rotatable filament projecting from the cutting head, comprising:
- a frame and road wheels coupled to the frame;
- an engine, a fuel tank disposed to store fuel and supply stored fuel to the engine, and a power train disposed to transmit power from the engine to the road wheels;
- an operator's seat and controls for enabling a person to operate the host vehicle from the operator's seat;
- a string trimmer which is operable from the host vehicle;
- and
- a mounting disposed to mount the string trimmer to the host vehicle, comprising:
- a base enabling engagement of the host vehicle and coupling of the mounting arrangement to the host vehicle by conventional manually installed fasteners;
- a turntable which is disposed to be generally horizontal when mounted to the base, and which enables rotation about a vertical axis;
- a boom mounted to the turntable so as to project beyond the host vehicle, and comprising engagement elements for removably securing the string trimmer to the boom in an operable position;
- a boom pivot mechanism disposed to increase and decrease inclination of the boom relative to the host vehicle;
- and
- an altitude adjuster disposed to vary inclination of the cutting head relative to the boom under control of a person from the operator's seat.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.