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US 7,841,158 B2Granted
Universal yoke assembly for a turf maintenance vehicle
AssigneeTextron Innovations Inc.
InventorKenneth R. Wilson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A universal attachment assembly is operable to couple turf maintenance implements of varying widths to a turf maintenance vehicle. The attachment assembly can include a yoke member that can be attached to a coupling member in various locations. The different locations can accommodate varying widths of the turf maintenance implements that are coupled to the turf maintenance vehicle with the yoke member. The yoke member can also be positioned in different orientations relative to the coupling member in both the first and second positions. The different orientations can correspond to an operating position and a servicing position for the turf maintenance implement.
Claims33
An attachment assembly for a turf maintenance vehicle, the attachment assembly comprising:
- a yoke member having first and second connecting features, the first connecting feature operable to connect the yoke member to a turf maintenance implement;
- and
- a coupling member operable to couple the yoke member to a frame assembly, the coupling member including a first attachment feature that can be coupled to the frame assembly and a second attachment feature engaging with the second connecting feature thereby coupling the yoke member to the coupling member, the second attachment feature allowing the yoke member to be coupled to the coupling member in at least two positions, a first one of the at least two positions corresponding to the yoke member being in a first orientation relative to the coupling member and a second one of the at least two positions corresponding to the yoke member being in a second orientation relative to the coupling member, the second orientation being different than the first orientation,
- wherein the yoke member is disposed on a first side of the coupling member when in the first position and is disposed on a second side of the coupling member when in the second position, and wherein the first and second sides are opposing sides, the second attachment feature includes an opening in the coupling member that extends between the first and second sides, the second connecting feature includes an insertion member that can be received in the opening, the first position corresponds to the insertion member being inserted into the opening through the first side, and the second corresponds to the insertion member being inserted into the opening through the second side.
1 more element
An attachment assembly for a turf maintenance vehicle, the attachment assembly comprising:
- a yoke member having first and second connecting features, the first connecting feature operable to connect the yoke member to a turf maintenance implement;
- and
- a coupling member operable to couple the yoke member to a turf maintenance vehicle frame assembly, the coupling member including a first attachment feature that can be coupled to the turf maintenance vehicle frame assembly and a second attachment feature engaging with the second connecting feature thereby coupling the yoke member to the coupling member;
- wherein the second attachment feature and the second connecting feature allow the yoke member to be coupled to the coupling member at two different locations on the coupling member and in at least two different orientations at each of the two locations, the second connecting feature includes an elongated insertion member and the second attachment feature includes at least one bore in the coupling member and wherein the insertion member is received in the at least one bore to secure the yoke member to the coupling member,
- a retaining member operable to retain the yoke member to the coupling member and wherein the insertion member includes a first opening, the coupling member includes a second opening, and the first and second openings can be aligned when the insertion member is disposed in the at least one bore, and the retaining member engages with the first and second openings to secure the yoke member to the coupling member.
2 more elements
A turf maintenance vehicle comprising:
- a frame assembly;
- a power unit coupled to the frame assembly;
- at least two wheels coupled to the frame assembly;
- and
- an attachment assembly operable to couple turf maintenance implements of varying widths to the frame assembly, the attachment assembly including:
- a yoke member having first and second connecting features, the first connecting feature operable to connect the yoke member to a turf maintenance implement;
- and
- a coupling member operable to couple the yoke member to the frame assembly, the coupling member including a first attachment feature coupling the coupling member to the frame assembly and a second attachment feature engaging with the second connecting feature thereby coupling the yoke member to the coupling;
- a retaining member engaging with the yoke member and with the coupling member, the retaining member securing the yoke member to the coupling member, wherein the retaining member prevents relative rotation between the yoke member and the coupling member,
- wherein the second attachment feature allows the yoke member to be coupled to the coupling member in at least two positions, a first one of the at least two positions corresponding to the yoke member being in a first orientation relative to the coupling member and a second one of the at least two positions corresponding to the yoke member being in a second orientation relative to the coupling member, the second orientation being different than the first orientation.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.