Lawn mower flap mount
AssigneeBlack & Decker Inc.
InventorsRonald G. Hare, Kristoffer A. Hess, Ronald A. Jackson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for mounting a protective flap assembly to the deck housing of a lawn and garden device is disclosed. The deck housing includes a horizontal support member having an open end and a closed end at opposite lateral edges thereof. The properties flap assembly has an upper socket portion adapted to surroundingly capture the support member upon inward sliding insertion onto the open end thereof. A lower portion of the protective flap assembly extends downwardly toward the ground. The support member is adapted to inhibit removal of the flap assembly following installation on the deck housing.
Claims19
A lawn and garden device, comprising:
- a deck housing supported for longitudinal movement over the ground;
- a handle member having a first end secured to said deck housing and a second end forming grip means adapted to be grasped by an operator;
- said deck housing having support means on at least one of a front and rear outermost portion thereof, said support means having an open end and a closed end provided on opposite lateral sides of said deck housing;
- flap means for inhibiting entry of the operator's foot under said deck housing during operation of said lawn and garden device, said flap means having socket means for surroundingly capturing said support means so as to permit sliding longitudinal installation of said flap means onto said open end of said support means;
- and
- locking means for permitting sliding installation of said flap means onto said open end of said support means in a first direction while inhibiting sliding removal of said flap means in an opposite direction.
A method for attaching a protective flap assembly to a deck housing of a lawn and garden device, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a support member on at least one of a front and rear side of said deck housing, said support member having an open end and a closed end on opposite lateral sides of said deck housing;
- sliding a socket portion of a flap assembly onto said open end to surroundingly capture said support member;
- continuing sliding installation of said socket portion of said flap assembly until a first distal edge thereof engages the closed end of said support member;
- inhibiting removal of a second distal edge of said socket portion of said flap assembly from said open end of said support member following engagement of said first distal edge with said closed end.
A lawn and garden devce, comprising:
- a deck housing supported for longitudinal movement over the ground;
- a handle member having a first end secured to said deck housing and a second end forming grip means adapted to be grasped by an operator;
- said deck housing having a support member provided on a lower edge portion of at least one of a front and rear portion of said deck housing, said support member having an open end and a closed end provided on opposite lateral sides of said deck housing;
- a protective flap assembly for inhibiting entry of the operator's foot under said deck housing during operation of said lawn and garden device, said protective flap assembly having an upper socket portion configured for surroundingly capturing said support member upon sliding longitudinal insertion of said upper socket portion over said open end of said support member;
- a locking barb associated with said open end of said support member for permitting inward sliding insertion of said protective flap assembly onto said open end of said support member hwile inhibiting outward sliding removal of said protective flap assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.