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US 6,804,941 B2Granted
Articulated mower for mowing around fenceposts and other upright obstructions
OwnerAlan F. Washburninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pull-behind mower for cutting ground vegetation. The mower generally includes a rolling frame and a mowing deck. The deck is independently articulatable relative to the frame on two distinct pivot axes.
Claims17
A pull-behind mower for cutting ground vegetation, said mower comprising:
- a frame presenting a fore end, an aft end, and a pair of laterally spaced sides;
- a hitch assembly coupled to the frame proximate the fore end and adapted to couple the frame to a vehicle;
- a pair of laterally spaced wheels coupled to the frame proximate the aft end and adapted to rollingly support the frame on the around;
- a mowing deck pivotally coupled to the frame proximate the fore end and operable to cut the vegetation when positioned proximate the ground, said deck being pivotable relative to the frame between a refracted position wherein the deck is positioned primarily between the laterally spaced sides and between the fore and aft ends, and an extended position wherein the deck is positioned primarily outside the laterally spaced sides;
- a motor rigidly coupled to the frame and drivingly connected to the mowing deck, so as to independently power the deck;
- and
- a biasing mechanism for biasing the deck towards the extended position,
- said biasing mechanism including a torque element rigidly coupled to and extending from the support arm and a spring coupled between the torque element and the frame,
- said torque element presenting a proximal end coupled to the support arm and a distal end coupled to the spring.
6 more elements
A pull-behind mower for cutting ground vegetation, said mower comprising:
- a frame adapted to be coupled to a vehicle and rollingly supported on the around;
- a motor rigidly coupled to the frame;
- a mowing deck coupled to the frame for pivotal movement relative to the frame on first and second intersecting pivot axes;
- a drive train for drivingly coupling the motor to the deck so that the motor powers the deck,
- said drive train including a U-joint that is centered proximate to the intersection of the pivot axes,
- said deck being pivotable relative to the frame on the first pivot axis between a retracted position and an extended position,
- said deck being pivotable relative to the frame on the second pivot axis between an engaged position and a disengaged position,
- said first and second pivot axes being at least substantially perpendicular to one another;
- and
- a support arm coupled between the frame and the deck and operable to at least partly support the deck relative to the frame,
- said support arm providing for the pivoting of the deck between the extended and retracted positions and the pivoting of the deck between the engaged and disengaged positions,
- said arm including a frame-side section rotatably coupled to the frame and a deck-side section rigidly coupled to the deck,
- said frame-side section and said deck-side section being hingedly intercoupled.
10 more elements
A pull-behind mower for cutting ground vegetation, said mower comprising:
- a frame adapted to be coupled to a vehicle and rollingly supported on the ground;
- a motor rigidly coupled to the frame;
- a mowing deck coupled to the frame for pivotal movement relative to the frame on first and second intersecting pivot axes;
- and
- a drive train for drivingly coupling the motor to the deck so that the motor powers the deck,
- said drive train including a U-joint that is centered proximate to the intersection of the pivot axes,
- said drive train including a drive shaft, an upper drive belt drivingly connecting the motor and the drive shaft, and a lower drive belt drivingly connecting the drive shaft and the mowing deck,
- said drive shaft including the U-joint.
5 more elements
A pull-behind mower for cutting around vegetation, said mower comprising:
- a frame adapted to be coupled to a vehicle and rollingly supported on the ground;
- a mowing deck coupled to the frame and operable to cut the vegetation when the deck is in an engaged position proximate the ground,
- said deck being pivotable relative to the frame on first and second distinct and intersecting pivot axes,
- said deck being selectively pivotable on the second pivot axes between the engaged position and a disengaged position when the deck is pivoted upward away from the ground,
- said deck being lockable in the disengaged position;
- a motor coupled to the frame and providing power to the deck;
- a drive train for drivingly coupling the motor to the deck so that the motor powers the deck,
- said drive train including a drive shaft,
- at least a portion of said drive shaft being independently rotatable relative to the frame and the deck on the first pivot axis,
- said first and second pivot axes intersecting one another,
- said drive shaft including a U-joint,
- said U-joint being at least substantially centered on the intersection of the first and second pivot axes;
- and
- an upper drive belt drivingly connecting the motor and the drive shaft;
- and a lower drive belt drivingly connecting the drive shaft and the deck.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.