Riding mower with pivoting front wheel assembly
US6062333A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 23, 1997 |
| Grant date | May 16, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 23, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01D2101/00
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A riding mower or other like four-wheel vehicle has the two front wheels mounted off the cantilever end of a subframe which is pivotably attached to the underside of the main frame of the vehicle by two spaced part pivots lying along the vehicle length axis. A cutter deck is suspended from the main frame beneath the subframe. The subframe construction resists bending forces, due to front-to-back and vertical forces on the dropped-down front wheels, when they encounter obstacles or depressions. The main frame is made of steel tubing, and provides a generally rectangular space just forward of the driver's seat, suitable for placement of the driver's feet. Preferably, the subframe also has a generally rectangular opening, nominally aligned with the main frame opening, to also accommodate the driver's feet. The elevation of the driver's seat can thus be desirably lowered, to maintain a low center of gravity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.