Self-propelled rotary lawn mower

US4041679A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Lester H. Seifert · US

Inventors

• Lester H. Seifert · Kiel, US
• Raymond P. Powers · Sheboygan, US
• William Marc Schmidt · St. Clair Shores, US
• Stanley E. Thorwaldsen · Grosse Pointe Farms, US
• Frederick Willem Coenraad SMITH · Mount Clemens, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 25, 1975
• Grant date: Aug 16, 1977
• Expiry date: Mar 25, 1995

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A01D2101/00
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A self-propelled rotary lawn mower. The drive shaft of the engine is operably connected through a clutch mechanism to the cutting blade and to a belt drive connected the front wheels to drive the mower across the terrain. By disengaging the clutch through manual action of a cable, the driving connection to both the blade and the wheels is stopped, so that the blade will not rotate when the mower is stationary. The housing of the mower includes inner and outer housing sections with the space between the housing sections defining a chamber. The exhaust gases from the engine are directed into the chamber and are discharged from the chamber adjacent the grass discharge outlet in the housing. Directing the exhaust gases through the internal housing chamber substantially decreases the noise level of the mower. The four wheels of the mower are adapted to be raised and lowered in unison by single lever control to thereby vary the height of the blade above the ground. A handle assembly is utilized which is adapted to fold for storage so that the entire handle is located within the perimeter of the housing to facilitate handling and shipment of the mower.