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US 8,528,444 B1Granted
Attachable armrest for a mower steering assembly
OwnerRonald F. Gubininventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adjustable armrest that attaches to zero-radius turning mowers includes a telescoping armrest and a clamping bracket. The armrest provides a horizontal support for an operator's arm and is covered with a layer of foam padding for comfort. The clamping bracket is attachable to a steering handle at a prescribed location. In this manner, after the operator attaches an adjustable armrest on each of the steering handles the forearms and wrists are supported and the armrests pivot with the steering handles in order to preserve the comfortable supportive functioning of the armrests.
Claims14
An attachable armrest and mower steering assembly, said armrest comprising:
- a handle bracket comprising a convex exterior and a concave interior releasably fastened to an exterior of a steering handle of said mower steering assembly adjacent to an end gripped by an operator;
- at least two fasteners releasably fastened to said handle bracket around said steering handle;
- and,
- an armrest assembly affixed generally perpendicularly to said handle bracket to provide a support for a forearm and wrist area of said operator, further comprising:
- a tubular inner armrest affixed to said convex exterior;
- a tubular outer armrest telescopingly coupled over said inner armrest;
- and,
- a position lock mechanism for locking said outer armrest and said inner armrest against telescopic movement;
- wherein said armrest assembly is positioned generally parallel to said end gripped by said operator;
- wherein said armrest assembly protrudes outwardly from said convex exterior;
- and,
- wherein said concave interior receives said steering handle and said fasteners maintain said handle bracket in gripping contact with said steering handle.
9 more elements
An attachable armrest and mower steering assembly, said armrest comprising:
- a handle bracket comprising a convex exterior and a concave interior releasably fastened to an exterior of a steering handle of said mower steering assembly adjacent to an end gripped by an operator;
- a telescoping armrest assembly protruding outwardly from said convex exterior to provide a support for a forearm and wrist area of said operator, further comprising:
- a tubular inner armrest affixed to said convex exterior having an inner aperture disposed through a side adjacent to an end opposite said handle bracket;
- a tubular outer armrest telescopingly coupled over said inner armrest having a plurality of outer apertures disposed through a side;
- and,
- a detent pin;
- and,
- at least two U-bolt fasteners releasably fastened to said handle bracket around said steering handle;
- wherein said handle bracket further comprises a flange disposed along opposing longitudinal edges extending perpendicularly outward from said convex exterior, said flanges each further comprising at least two flange apertures for receiving said at least two U-bolt fasteners;
- wherein said flange apertures disposed through opposing flanges are aligned to receive opposing legs of an individual U-bolt;
- wherein said concave interior receives said steering handle and said fasteners maintain said handle bracket in gripping contact with said steering handle;
- wherein said armrest assembly is positioned generally parallel to said end gripped by said operator;
- and,
- wherein said detent pin is insertable through one of said outer apertures and into said inner aperture which is aligned with said one outer aperture to lock said outer armrest relative to said inner armrest and against.
11 more elements
A method of supporting a forearm and wrist areas of an operator when operating a lawn mower, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a zero-radius turning lawn mower having a pair of opposing steering handles used for steering control;
- providing a pair of attachable armrests for a mower steering assembly each comprising a handle bracket comprising a convex exterior and a concave interior releasably fastened to an exterior of a steering handle of said mower steering assembly, a telescoping armrest assembly comprising a tubular inner armrest affixed to and protruding outwardly from said convex exterior, a tubular outer armrest telescopingly coupled over said inner armrest, and a position lock mechanism for locking said outer armrest and said inner armrest against telescopic movement, and at least two U-bolt fasteners releasably fastened to said handle bracket around said steering handle;
- positioning one handle bracket upon each steering handle such that said concave interior receives said steering handle;
- positioning said armrest assembly generally parallel to said end gripped by said operator;
- fastening said U-bolt fasteners around said steering handle and to said handle bracket to maintain said handle bracket in gripping contact with said steering handle;
- and,
- operating said lawn mower such that said forearm and wrist areas of said operator are supported on said armrest assemblies.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.