Patent · US Expired

Self propelled lawn mower

US4429515A · kind A · utility

31Cited by
3References
14Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 11, 1981
Grant dateFeb 7, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 11, 2001

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S56/22
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention comprises an improved lawn mowing machine with a forward mounted mower deck including a plurality of rotary cutters. The blades or cutters rotate in opposite direction on opposite sides of the deck to bring the grass clippings to a deck mounted central vacuum. The mower blades are driven by a belt drive to eliminate expensive drive shafts and gearboxes. Applicant's 45.degree. twist belt drive geometry provides increased life to the belt over prior art 90.degree. twist belt drive geometries. The mower deck includes novel side mower wings. A combined clutch and brake mechanism disengages the drive belt to the wing blade spindle and simultaneously brings the blade to a stop within one second when the wing is raised beyond its cutting range. The wing deck is attached to the mower central deck by a depressed hinge substantially close to the elevation of the mower blades. As the mower encounters uneven ground the separation of blade cutting paths is minimized in the movement of the wing blades relative to the central mower deck blades.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.