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US 6,510,678 B2Granted
Load compensation adjustment in lawnmower having independent suspension
AssigneeFerris Industries, Inc.
InventorsDavid Ferris, William Shea, Henry Nordberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lawn mower includes a front wheel suspension system as well as a rear wheel suspension system. A load compensation adjuster is employed as part of the rear wheel suspension system that compensates for riders having significantly differing weights, as well as for weight changes occurring during the mowing operation, such as from grass clippings accumulating in a grass catcher bag.
Claims48
A method of compensating for load change in a lawnmower having independent suspension, the method comprising:
- providing a main frame having first and second wheels coupled to the main frame and to respective independent suspensions, each independent suspension having a spring and a load compensation adjuster, the spring having a range of compression between an uncompressed state and fully compressed state;
- providing a seat coupled to the main frame;
- applying a downward force upon the seat;
- moving the seat downward in response to the downward force;
- moving the main frame downward with respect to the first wheel independently of movement of the second wheel;
- compressing the spring in response to movement of the main frame to a position within the range of compression between the uncompressed state and the fully compressed state;
- exerting a first force from the spring to the main frame in response to compressing the spring;
- compressing the load compensation adjuster in response to movement of the main frame;
- exerting a second force from the load compensation adjuster to the main frame in response to compressing the load compensation adjuster;
- and
- limiting compression of the spring to less than full compression by exerting the second force from the load compensation adjuster to the main frame.
8 more elements
A method of compensating for load change in a lawnmower having independent suspension, the method comprising:
- providing a main frame having first and second wheels coupled to the main frame and to respective independent suspensions, each independent suspension having a first spring and a second spring, the first spring having a range of compression between uncompressed and fully compressed;
- moving the main frame downward with respect to the first wheel independently of movement of the second wheel;
- compressing the first spring to a position within the uncompressed and fully compressed range in response to movement of the main frame;
- exerting a first force from the first spring to the main frame in response to compressing the first spring;
- compressing the second spring in response to movement of the main frame;
- exerting a second force from the second spring to the main frame in response to compressing the second spring;
- and
- preventing the first spring from being fully compressed by the main frame as a result of the second force from the second spring to the main frame.
5 more elements
A method of compensating for load change in a lawnmower having independent suspension, the method comprising:
- providing a main frame having first and second wheels coupled to the main frame by respective independent suspensions, each independent suspension having a spring and a load compensation adjuster;
- moving the mower across a surface;
- moving the first wheel upward and downward relative to the main frame;
- moving the second wheel upward and downward relative to the main frame independently of movement of the first wheel;
- changing compression of the springs of the independent suspensions in response to movement of the first and second wheels;
- compressing the load compensation adjuster of each independent suspension in response to upward movement of the first and second wheels with respect to the main frame;
- and
- generating forces from the load compensation adjusters to prevent the springs from fully compressing and binding upon movement of the first and second wheels.
5 more elements
A method of compensating for load change in a lawnmower having independent suspension, the method comprising:
- providing a main frame having first and second wheels coupled to the main frame by respective independent suspensions, each independent suspension having a first spring and a second spring;
- moving the mower across a surface;
- moving the first wheel upward and downward relative to the main frame;
- moving the second wheel upward and downward relative to the main frame independently of movement of the first wheel;
- changing compression of the first spring of the first independent suspension in response to movement of the first wheel;
- compressing the second spring of the first independent suspension in response to movement of the first wheel in an upward direction with respect to the main frame;
- and
- limiting compression of the first spring with the second spring to less than full compression upon movement of the first and second wheels in order to prevent binding of the first spring.
5 more elements
A method for assembling a mower, the method comprising:
- providing a main frame with a cutter deck and at least one rotatable cutter in the cutter deck;
- placing two wheels on opposite sides of the main frame;
- coupling each wheel to the main frame with a respective independent suspension, each independent suspension having a spring and a load compensation adjuster, wherein each independent suspension and wheel is movable vertically up and down relative to the main frame, respectively against and with force exerted by the spring and by the load compensation adjuster when compressed, independently of movement of the other wheel;
- positioning the spring of each independent suspension to bias a respective wheel of the two wheels in a downward direction, the spring having a range of compression between uncompressed and fully compressed states;
- positioning the load compensation adjuster of each independent suspension in a location inside a respective spring of the independent suspension, the load compensation adjuster having a range of compression;
- preventing full compression of the spring with the load compensation adjuster;
- placing two additional wheels on opposite sides of the main frame;
- coupling each additional wheel to the main frame;
- and
- coupling the cutter deck to the main frame.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.