Automatic lawn mower
US4133404A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 25, 1976 |
| Grant date | Jan 9, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 25, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01D2101/00
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An automatic lawn mower operable to cut about the periphery of a lawn, moving inwardly, and automatically shutting off at the conclusion of the cutting operation. A cut border is placed about the periphery of the lawn to be mowed and also about any obstacles within the area. The mower utilizes an array of light sensitive resistors and a columnized light source to detect the transition between cut and uncut grass in order to track in an irregularly shaped spiral to the center of the lawn. A portion of the sensor system provides for proper guidance of the mower around the cut perimeter of any obstacles in the cutting area. The mower may utilize an array of light sensitive resistors, a columnized light source and actuated light reflectors to detect the transition between cut and uncut grass in order to track in an irregularly shaped spiral to the center of the lawn.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.