US 5,694,752 A · Utility expansion system for a ground vehicle

Abstract

A utility expansion system (100) to be retrofitted onto a ground vehicle (10) is provided. The utility expansion system (100) expands the range of ground working functions that may be performed with the aid of the given ground vehicle (10) by enabling various ground working equipment (20) to be operably coupled to the ground vehicle (10) for concurrent operation therewith. The utility expansion system (100) includes a deck member (110) mounted to the ground vehicle (10), an apparatus support member (120) coupled to the deck member (110) for pivotally supporting a given ground working apparatus (20) in spaced relation to the ground vehicle (10), apparatus securing mechanism (200) coupled to the ground working apparatus (20) and to the apparatus support member (120) to secure the ground working apparatus (20) to the apparatus support member (120), and apparatus manipulation mechanism (130) coupled to the ground working apparatus (20) by which a user may manipulate that ground working apparatus (20) while he or she is operating the ground vehicle (10). In one embodiment, the deck member (110) is hingedly mounted to the ground vehicle (10) and supported at its outer end by a deck member support mechanism, the two features enabling the deck member (110) to be inclined relative to the ground vehicle (10) responsive to any irregularity in the ground contour, so as to realize optimal ground tracking. A ground working apparatus (20) such as a portable line-fed power weed trimmer or a heavier duty walk-behind power weed trimmer may thus be operably coupled to the ground vehicle (10).

Claims21

Dependent claims

A utility expansion system for operably coupling a ground working apparatus to a user-operated ground vehicle comprising:

(a) a deck member coupled to said ground vehicle, said deck member extending substantially in a lateral plane from said ground vehicle and having a top surface for displaceably supporting said ground working apparatus, said deck member being hingedly coupled to said ground vehicle;
(b) deck member support means coupled to said deck member adjacent a distal end thereof for supporting said distal end a predetermined distance above a ground level;
(c) an apparatus support member coupled to said deck member for pivotally supporting said ground working apparatus in spaced relation to said ground vehicles;
(d) apparatus securing means coupled to said ground working apparatus and said apparatus support member for coupling said ground working apparatus to said apparatus support member;
and,
(e) apparatus manipulation means coupled to said ground working apparatus supported by said apparatus support member, whereby said user may manipulate said ground working apparatus during operation of said ground vehicle.

3 more elements

A utility expansion system for operably coupling a ground working apparatus to a user-operated ground vehicle comprising:

(a) a deck member mounted to said ground vehicle, said deck member extending substantially along a lateral plane from said ground vehicle and having a top surface for displaceably supporting said ground working apparatus, said deck member being hingedly coupled to said ground vehicle;
(b) deck member support means coupled to said deck member adjacent a distal end thereof for supporting said distal end a predetermined distance above a ground level;
(c) support mounting means coupled to said top surface of said deck member, said support mounting means having a flange portion and a tubular portion extending substantially normally therefrom;
(d) an apparatus support member pivotally coupled to said support mounting means for supporting said ground working apparatus in spaced relation to said ground vehicle;
(e) apparatus securing means coupled to said ground working apparatus and said apparatus support member for coupling said ground working apparatus to said apparatus support member;
and,
(f) apparatus manipulation means coupled to said ground working apparatus supported by said apparatus support member, whereby said user may manipulate said ground working apparatus during operation of said ground vehicle.

4 more elements

A utility expansion system for operably coupling a ground working apparatus to a user-operated ground vehicle comprising:

(a) a deck member mounted to said ground vehicle, said deck member extending substantially along a lateral plane from said ground vehicle and having a top surface, said deck member being adapted for displaceably supporting said ground working apparatus, said deck member being hingedly coupled to said ground vehicle;
(b) deck member support means coupled to said deck member adjacent a distal end thereof for supporting said distal end a predetermined distance above a ground level;
(c) support mounting means coupled to said top surface of said deck member, said support mounting means having a flange portion and a tubular portion extending substantially normally therefrom;
(d) an apparatus support member coupled to said deck member for pivotally supporting said ground working apparatus in spaced relation to said ground vehicle;
(e) apparatus securing means coupled to said ground working apparatus and said apparatus support member for coupling said ground working apparatus to said apparatus support member;
and,
(f) apparatus manipulation means coupled to said ground working apparatus supported by said apparatus support member, whereby said user may manipulate said ground working apparatus during operation of said ground vehicle.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Utility expansion system for a ground vehicle

Life of this patent

Utility expansion system for a ground vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21