Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2I940~8
1
(a) TITLE OF THE INVENTION
Laterally and Vertically Movable Grass Cutting Mower Attachment
(b) TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES
This invention relates to a grass cutting mower attachment for a vehicle, the
grass
cutting mower attachment being operated to move quickly laterally to the right
or to the
left of the vehicle and/or up or down vertically with respect to the vehicle.
(c) BACKGROUND ART
Up to the present time the most versatile grass cutting machines require the
operator to move the complete vehicle in a series of manoeuvres around
obstacles. This
constant manoeuvring can be nauseating, tiring and time consuming. There are
now a
number of mower devices which have been adapted for mounting on vehicles and
include
some form of retraction and extension apparatus for moving the mowers or saws
towards
and away from the vehicle. Some such retractable mower devices are shown in
Patent
No. 2,601,366, issued to Chapman, U.S. Patent No. 2,840,974 issued to Dunn et
al,
U.S. Patent No. 2,997,835, issued to Stewart, U.S. Patent No. 2,662,561,
issued to
Duncan, U.S. Patent No. 2,699,635, issued to Burton, U.S: , U.S. Patent No.
3,003,299, issued to Smith et al, U.S. Patent No. 3,061,996 issued to Ripps,
U.S. Patent
No. 3,274,762 issued to Jolls, U.S. Patent No. 4,048,789, issued to Cartner,
and U.S.
Patent No. 4,206,580 issued to Truax et al. The mowers of the patents issued
to
Duncan, Burton, Chapman, and Smith are equipped with mechanical retraction
devices,
and the mowers shown in the patents issued to Ripps, Jolls, Cartner, Stewart,
Dunn, and
Truax are equipped with hydraulic retraction mechanisms.
Other such mower devices are provided in the following patents:
In U.S. Patent No. 3,063,226 issued to E.M. Pfauser, a riding type rotary
mower
was disclosed, which had the housing of a rotary cutting unit suspended
beneath the
mower by means including a parallel linkage arrangement. That mower was said
to be
capable of traversing uneven terrain, and for this purpose, runners were
provided at the
edges of the housing to lift the cutter housing when a runner rode over a
mound. The
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2
drive shafts to the rotary mower blades were provided with splines so that, as
the housing
was raised, the drive shafts telescoped. Also, the axes of the links of the
parallel
suspension linkage were set at an angle with the vertical of approximately
70° which
permitted slight rearward movement of the cutter housing as the housing was
raised. The
suspension mechanism of such rotary mower structure was designed to elevate
the cutter
unit, but could not displace it rearwardly U.S. Patent No. 3,750,377 patented
August
7, 1973 by J.R. Clark provided a weed cutting attachment secured to a tractor
angled at
approximately 45 ° with respect to the direction of travel, which rode
beneath the surface
of the soil for cutting the weeds. A plurality of these blades was equi-
angularly disposed
about a rotatably positionable platform. The platform was angled with respect
to
horizontal such that only one blade was in contact with the soil at any one
position of the
platform. A feeler extended forwardly of the platform to detect any trees in
the path of
the cutting blade. Upon detection of a tree, the feeler tripped a release
mechanism,
which permitted the platform to rotate due to the drag of the embedded blade.
Rotation
of the platform caused the then embedded blade to rotate and rise above the
soil.
Simultaneously, another of the cutting blades came into contact with the soil
and
embedded itself to resume the weed cutting function. During the rotation of
the
platform, the position of the tree with respect to the moving platform was
such that the
cutting blades passed on either side of the tree.because the couplings and the
linkage
accommodated only slight rearward movement.
U.S. Patent No. 4,518,043 patented May 21, 1985 by J.F. Anderson et al
provided a retractable in-row tiller device that had a parallelogram carriage
structure for
supporting the outrigger arm and tiller and for retracting and extending the
outrigger arm
and tiller in relation to the tractor on which it was mounted. It also
included an electro-
hydraulic control system with a single wand plant feeler device that provided
automatic
control to guide the tiller around plants. It also included an automatic
positive depth
control feature operated electro-hydraulically by a gauge wheel.
U.S. Patent No. 4,697,405 disclosed a multi-blade cutting head supported by a
tractor-towed trailer which moved along and was guided by a guard rail for
mowing
thereunder. Telescoping and pivoting arms, extending above and beyond the
upper limit
~1~~~~8
3
of the guard rail, supported a mowing head which was rotatable about a
vertical axis
when it encountered a guard rail post.
U.S. Patent No. 4,747,255 patented May 31, 1988 by R. Roder provided an
agricultural mower which included a parallel linkage suspension mechanism for
the cutter
assembly, the suspension mechanism including swing arms which, in the use
position,
were substantially vertically-oriented, enabling the cutter assembly, upon
striking an
object, to respond by moving rearwardly relative to the forwardly travelling
main frame.
Then, as the pendulum action continued, the cutter assembly was elevated above
the
obstruction to a clearing height.
U.S. Patent No. 4,901,508 patented February 20, 1990 by D.L. Wheatly provided
a mower for mowing vegetation under a fence which was supported above the
surface
of the earth by a series of spaced posts. The mower included a horizontal boom
which
was connected at one end with a prime mower and which supported a mowing head
at
its other end. The mowing head was pivotal about vertical and horizontal axes
so that
when the mowing head contacted one of the fence posts, the mowing head pivoted
around
the position of the post while being drawn by the prime mover in a forward
direction.
The mowing head was angularly tilted vertically for mowing a fence row or
other surface
on an incline with respect to the surface of the earth supporting the prime
over.
U.S. Patent No. 5,035,107 patented July 30, 1991 by J.H. Scarborough provided
a rotary lawn mower having a trimming attachment for trimming around fence
posts.
The trimming attachment assembly included an auxiliary trimming blade mounted
in a
housing and attached to a swing arm assembly, mounted on the primary mower
housing.
In the forward position, the trimming attachment extended outwardly from, but
slightly
overlapped, the mowed path of the primary mower. As a fence post adjacent the
primary
mower was encountered by the trimming attachment assembly, the trimming
attachment
assembly was pushed rearwardly by the obstruction and swung into the mowed
path of
the primary mower, during which process the grass near the fence post was cut.
As the
fence post or other object was passed, an actuator assembly forced the
trimming
assembly back into its original forward auxiliary cutting position.
_. ~19~~3~
The invention disclosed and claimed in the applicant's prior patent, U.S.
Patent
No. 5,483,789 patented January 16, 1996, provided the combination of a motor-
driven
vehicle having front wheels and rear wheels and a longitudinally-extending
frame bed
therebetween, and a transversely-mounted powered grass-cutting mower having a
housing
and powered grass cutting blades which was mounted to the frame bed by means
of a
suspending mounting system. Such mounting system included a transversely-
mounted
track which was pivotally-secured by a parallelogram linkage to the
longitudinal chassis
of the motor-driven vehicle. The track included a first powered operator for
moving the
transversely-mounted track, and thus the mower housing, through an infinite
number of
vertical locations between an upper limit and a lower limit. The track also
included a
roller on the mower housing which was rollingly operatively associated with
the
transversely-mounted track on the mower housing, and a second powered operator
for
moving the mower housing by way of a linkage connected to the mower housing
through
an infinite number of lateral locations between a left lateral limit and a
right lateral limit.
(d) DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In spite of these prior patents, there is still a need for various alternative
embodiments of a grass mower suspended attachment which is capable of
attaining at
least one of the following objects: allowing the operator to trim grass
closely around
trees, shrubs, buildings and the like, while still allowing the vehicle to
travel in a
relatively straight track across the turf; allowing the operator to cut a
grass pattern with
sharp 90 degree turns even though the supporting vehicle may only have a
minimum
turning radius; allowing the operator to move between narrow obstacles that
would
otherwise be impossible with other horizontally-fixed grass cutting machines;
providing
a vehicle which is capable of supporting a grass cutting attachment below the
waste area,
and between the front and rear axle of the vehicle, or ahead of the front axle
of the
vehicle, or to the right or left side of the vehicle; providing a cutting
attachment which
is supported and carned by any suitable attaching linkage arrangement that
will allow the
cutting attachment to shift horizontally, to the right and/or left of the
vehicle, while the
cutting attachment is in any vertical height relative to the supporting
vehicle; providing
21~~0~~
cutting machine which is also attached and carried by any
suitable attaching linkage arrangement that will allow the
cutting attachment to be lifted and lowered in a vertical
direction, relative to the vehicle, while the cutting
5 attachment is in any horizontal position relative to the
supporting vehicle; providing a controlling mechanism that
will quickly and effectively cause the grass cutting
attachment to lift or to lower while the cutting attachment is
in any horizontal position, as it relates to the supporting
vehicle, by means of any suitable mechanical linkage
arrangement, or any effective hydraulically-assisted
mechanical linkage arrangement, or any combination of the
above, and/or to shift laterally to the left or to the right
of the supporting vehicle, by means of any suitable mechanical
linkage arrangement, or any effective hydraulically-assisted
mechanical linkage arrangement, or any effective electrically-
assisted mechanical linkage arrangement, or any combination of
the above.
The present invention, in one broad aspect, provides the
combination of a motor-driven vehicle having front wheels and
rear wheels and a longitudinally-extending frame bed
therebetween, as well as a transversely-mounted powered grass
cutting mower, the mower having a housing and powered grass
cutting blades, and a suspended mounting system for mounting
the mower to the frame bed. The suspended mounting system
includes vertical guidance means which are a component of the
suspended mounting system, the vertical guidance means being
secured between the longitudinally-extending frame bed of the
motor-driven vehicle and the mower housing. Rigid linkage
means are secured between the longitudinally-extending frame
bed of the motor driven vehicle and the mower housing. A
first powered operating means is connected to the rigid
linkage means for moving the mower housing in a finite number
of controlled, vertically-upwardly guided positions to a
maximum upper position within the constraints of the vertical
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guidance means, and for moving the mower housing through a
finite number of controlled, vertically-downwardly guided
positions to a minimum lower position within the constraints
of the vertical guidance means, the vertical locations thereby
being between an upper limit and a lower limit. Horizontal
guidance means are secured to the mower housing for guiding
lateral movement of the mower housing relative to the
longitudinally-extending frame, the lateral movement being
between a left lateral limit and a right lateral limit . A
second powered operating means is operatively associated with
the horizontal guidance means, for moving the mower housing,
within the constraints of the horizontal guidance means,
through a finite number of positively-controlled lateral
locations between the left lateral limit and the right lateral
limit.
As used herein the term "powered operating means " refers
to elements which are well known to those skilled in the art,
and which includes, e.g., hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic
cylinders, vacuum cylinders and electric prime movers with a
push-pull rod. Accordingly, any of the °powered operating
means° may be secured to, and cause, the first powered
operating mechanism and/or the second powered operating
mechanism to move the mower housing in the manner described.
The present invention provides a first embodiment of such
combination of such motor-driven vehicle as fully described
above. In this first embodiment, the suspended mounting
system is one in which the vertical guidance means also
includes a pair of longitudinally-spaced-apart, vertically
depending guide arms which depend from an associated
transversely-spaced-apart longitudinally-extending rail which
constitute the longitudinally-extending frame bed of the
motor-driven vehicle, and a supporting bracket which is spaced
longitudinally from the guide arms. The first powered
operating means includes a first push-pull mechanism including
a reciprocally-movable rod, an end of the first push-pull
~'~9~038
mechanism being fixed relative to the reciprocally-movable
rod, the fixed end thereof being pivotally-secured to the
suspending bracket for arcuate, vertical rotation, the rod end
of the first push-pull mechanism being pivotally-secured to a
first operating mechanism which, in turn, is secured to the
mower housing for moving the mower housing, within the
constraints provided by the guide arms, through a finite
number of vertical locations between an upper limit and a
lower limit. The second powered operating means includes a
second push-pull mechanism including a reciprocally-movable
rod, an end of the second push-pull mechanism being fixed
relative to the reciprocally-movable rod, the fixed end of the
second push-pull mechanism being pivotally-secured to the
bracket for vertical movement relative thereto, the rod end of
the second push-pull mechanism being pivotally-secured to a
second operating mechanism which, in turn, is pivotally
secured to the mower housing for moving the mower housing, the
constraints provided by the guide arms, through a finite
number of lateral locations between the left lateral limit and
a right lateral limit.
By one variant of this first embodiment, the rod end of
the first push-pull mechanism is pivotally-connected to an ear
of a central arm which, in turn, is pivotally-secured to the
mower housing.
By another variant of this first embodiment, the pivotal
securement of the central arm to the mower housing comprises
a shackle which is secured in a vertical orientation to the
transversely-extending edge of the mower housing, and an ear
extending from the central arm, with a vertically-extending
bolt passing through aligned apertures in the shackle and the
ear.
By yet another variant of this first embodiment, the
central arm comprises a two-part telescopic outer arm and
inner arm, the inner arm and the outer arm being
interconnected non-rotationally to one another and being
"~ 9~Q ~~
adapted to induce the mower housing to follow a true lateral
movement, compared to an arcuate movement, within the
constraints provided by the guide arms.
By still another variant of this first embodiment, the
combination includes an adjustable link between the shackle
and the ear on the outer arm of the two-part telescopic outer
arm and inner arm. By one variation thereof, the adjustable
link is a turnbuckle . By another variation thereof , a rod end
of the first push-pull mechanism is pivotally-connected to an
ear of the outer arm of the two-part telescopic outer arm and
inner arm, the outer arm being pivotally-secured to the mower
housing
By a still further variant of this first embodiment, the
adjustable link is a third push-pull mechanism including a
reciprocally-movable rod and having an end which is fixed
relative to the reciprocally-movable rod.
By still a further variant of this first embodiment, the
combination includes a depending bracket and a post upstanding
therefrom, a rod end of the second push-pull mechanism being
pivotally-connected to an ear which is an extension of a
cylindrical member, the cylindrical member being
concentrically disposed around the post, and being adapted to
be rotated relative to the post.
By still another variant of this first embodiment, the
rod end of the first push-pull mechanism is pivotally
connected to an ear of the outer arm of the two-part arm, the
outer arm being pivotally-secured to the mower housing, and a
rod end of the first push-pull mechanism is pivotally
connected to an ear of the outer arm of the two-part arm, the
two-part arm being pivotally-secured to the mower housing.
By yet still other variants of this first embodiment, the
cylindrical member includes a second arm extension which is
pivotally-connected to a central arm, the central arm
comprising a two-part telescopic outer arm and inner arm, the
inner arm and the outer arm being interconnected non-
9
rotationally to one another and being adapted to induce the
mower housing to follow a true lateral movement, compared to
an arcuate movement, within the constraints provided by the
guide arms, the central arm also being, in turn, pivotally
connected to the outer arm of the two-part arm; or the
cylindrical member includes a second arm extension which is
pivotally-connected to a central arm, the central arm
comprising a two-part telescopic outer arm and inner arm, the
inner arm and the outer arm being interconnected non-
rotationally to one another and being adapted to induce the
mower housing to follow a true lateral movement, compared to
an arcuate movement within the constraints provided by the
guide arms, and a rod end of the second push-pull mechanism is
pivotally-connected to an ear on the central arm which, in
turn, is pivotally-secured to the mower housing.
The present invention provides a second embodiment of
such combination of such motor-driven vehicle as fully
described above. In this second embodiment, the suspended
mounting system includes a construction in which the vertical
guidance means also includes a transverse bar which is
disposed between the pair of transversely spaced-apart,
longitudinally-extending rails which constitute the
longitudinally-extending frame bed of the motor-driven
vehicle. A plate is provided which is secured to the mower
housing. A pair of brackets is provided, each bracket
depending from an associated rail. A pair of link arms is
provided, each link arm being connected to a lower portion of
an associated the bracket. The first powered operating means
comprises a first push-pull mechanism including a
reciprocally-movable rod and an end which is fixed relative to
the reciprocally-movable rod, the fixed end thereof being
pivotally-secured to the transverse bar, the rod end of the
first push-pull mechanism being pivotally-secured to the top
of the plate. A forward edge of the mower housing plate
constitutes another link arm connection between the upper
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portion of each associated bracket and the rear edge of the
mower housing plate. The first push-pull mechanism is
operative to move the mower housing, within the constraints
provided by the vertical guidance means, through a finite
number of vertical locations between the upper limit and the
lower limit. The second powered operating means comprises a
second push-pull mechanism including a reciprocally-movable
rod, an end of the second push-pull mechanism being fixed
relative to the reciprocally-movable rod, the fixed end of the
second push-pull mechanism being pivotally-secured to one
laterally-extending rail, the rod end of the second push-pull
mechanism being pivotally-connected to the mower housing.
Relatively-slidable means are provided which are disposed
between the mower housing and the plate to assist in relative
transverse movement between the mower housing and the plate.
Actuation of the second push-pull mechanism moves the mower
housing, within the constraints provided by the relatively-
slidable means, through a finite number of lateral locations
between the left lateral limit and the right lateral limit.
By a variant of this second embodiment, the vertical
guidance means also includes a parallelogram linkage
comprising four brackets in the form of two pairs of brackets,
each of the four brackets depending downwardly from an
associated one of the laterally-extending rails, four ears in
the form of two pairs of ears upstand from the plate, and
linkage arms interconnect associated brackets and ears.
By another variant of this second embodiment, the
combination includes a lug upstanding from the plate to which
the rod end of the first push-pull mechanism is pivotally
attached.
By yet another variant of this second embodiment, the
fixed end of the second push-pull mechanism is pivotally-
connected to an ear which extends laterally-and angularly-
downwardly from one of the longitudinally-extending rails, and
the rod end of the second push-pull mechanism is pivotally-
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connected to an ear which is upstanding from a lateral edge of
the mower housing which is remote from the laterally-and
angularly-downwardly depending ear.
By still another variant of this second embodiment, the
lateral edges of the mower housing are provided with securing
means, the securing means attaching a first cable which is
entrained around one pulley which is rotatably mounted on a
rotary shaft of a motor, and a second cable which is entrained
around a second pulley which is mounted on the rotary shaft of
the motor. By a variation of this second embodiment, one of
the securing means attaches one end of a drive chain which
entrains respectively, a first idler sprocket, a drive
sprocket which is splined to the rotary shaft of a motor, and
a second idler sprocket, and then is attached to the other
securing means.
By yet still further variants of this second embodiment,
one of the relatively-slidable means comprises four pulleys,
one of the four pulleys being freely rotatably and dependently
mounted at a respective corner of a block for free-wheeling
travel on a pair of longitudinally-spaced-part, inverted "L-
shaped" or stepped-shaped tracks which are upstanding from
lateral edges of the mower housing; or one of the relatively-
slidable means comprises a pair of U-shaped sliders of low
friction material, each of the sliders being dependently
mounted to a respective lateral edge of the plate, and a pair
of longitudinally-spaced-apart, inverted "L-shaped" or
stepped-shaped slide bars which are in sliding cooperative
relationship to an associated slider; or the relatively-
slidable means comprises a pair of longitudinally-spaced-
apart, C-shaped slide blocks which are upstanding from the
mower housing, and which are in sliding cooperative
relationship to a lateral edge of the plate or to a slider
which is dependently secured from a lateral edge of the plate;
or the relatively-slidable means comprises a pair of wheels,
each wheel being rotatably-mounted to an associated lateral
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edge of the plate, and which are laterally extending towards,
and which are captured within, spaced-apart slide C-rails
which are upstanding from the mower housing and which are in
relatively-movable cooperative enclosing relationship to an
associated the wheel; or the relatively-slidable means
comprises a pair of spaced-apart bogey wheels, each pair of
bogey wheels upstanding from an associated lateral edge of the
plate, and spaced-apart inverted C-rails which are upstanding
from the mower housing and which are in relatively movable,
cooperative, enclosing relationship to an associated pair of
the spaced-apart bogey wheels; or the relatively-slidable
means comprises a pair of globular sliders, each of the
globular sliders being formed of low friction material and
being mounted to an associated lateral edge of the plate, and
which are laterally- extending from spaced-apart slide C-rails
which are upstanding from the mower housing towards, and which
are captured within, and which are in cooperative, enclosing,
relatively-slidable relationship to, an associated one of the
globular sliders; or the relatively-slidable means comprises
a pair of globular sliders, each of the globular sliders being
formed of low friction material and upstanding from an
associated lateral edge of the plate, and a pair of spaced-
apart, inverted C-rails, each of which is upstanding from an
associated lateral edge of the mower housing, the rails being
in cooperative, enclosing, relatively-slidable relationship to
an associated globular slider; or the relatively-slidable
means comprises two pairs of vertically spaced-apart wheels,
each pair of wheels being rotatably secured to a respective
lateral edge of the plate and stepped-shaped slide rails, each
of which is upstanding from a lateral edge of the mower
housing and which are in cooperative relationship to
associated vertically spaced-apart wheels, and also including
a pair of lateral guide wheels, each of the guide wheels being
rotatable about a vertical axis and being in rotational
cooperation with a lateral face of an associated stepped-
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shaped rail; or the relatively-slidable means comprises a pair
of U-shaped sliders of low friction material, each of the
sliders being dependently-mounted to a respective lateral edge
of the plate, and a pair of longitudinally-spaced-apart,
inverted ~~L-shaped~~ or stepped-shaped slide bars which are in
sliding cooperative relationship to an associated slider; or
the relatively-slidable means comprises a pair of
longitudinally-spaced-apart, C-shaped slide blocks which are
upstanding from the mower housing, and which are in sliding
cooperative relationship to a lateral edge of the plate or to
a slider which is dependently secured from a lateral edge of
the plate; or the relatively-slidable means comprises a pair
of wheels, each wheel being rotatably-mounted to an associated
lateral edge of the plate, and which are laterally extending
towards, and which are captured within, spaced-apart slide C-
rails which are upstanding from the mower housing and which
are in relatively-movable, cooperative, enclosing relationship
to an associated wheel; or the relatively-slidable means
comprises a pair of spaced-apart bogey wheels, each pair of
bogey wheels upstanding from an associated lateral edge of the
plate, and spaced-apart inverted C-rails which are upstanding
from the mower housing and which are in relatively movable,
cooperative, enclosing relationship to an associated pair of
the spaced-apart bogey wheels; or the relatively-slidable
means comprises a pair of globular sliders, each of the
globular sliders being formed of low friction material and
being mounted to an associated lateral edge of the plate, and
which are laterally extending from spaced-apart slide C-rails
which are upstanding from the mower housing towards, and which
are captured within, and are in cooperative, enclosing,
relatively-slidable relationship to, an associated one of the
globular sliders; or the relatively-slidable means comprises
a pair of globular sliders, each of the globular sliders being
formed of low friction material and upstanding from an
associated lateral edge of the plate, and a pair of spaced-
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apart, inverted C-rails, each of which is upstanding from an
associated lateral edge of the mower housing, the rails being
in cooperative, enclosing, relatively-slidable relationship to
an associated globular slider; or the relatively-slidable
means comprises two pairs of vertically spaced-apart wheels,
each pair of wheels being rotatably secured to a respective
lateral edge of the plate and stepped-shaped slide rails, each
of which is upstanding from a lateral edge of the mower
housing and which are in cooperative relationship to
associated vertically spaced-apart wheels, and also including
a pair of lateral guide wheels, each of the guide wheels being
rotatable about a vertical axis and being in rotational
cooperation with a lateral face of an associated the stepped-
shaped rail.
The present invention provides a third embodiment of such
combination of such motor-driven vehicle as fully described
above. In this third embodiment, the suspended mounting
includes a construction in which the vertical guidance means
further includes a laterally outwardly and downwardly
depending ear which is secured to one of the transversely-
spaced-apart, longitudinally-extending rails constituting the
longitudinally-extending frame bed of the motor-driven
vehicle, a plate which is secured to the mower housing, and a
pair of brackets, each of the brackets depending from an
associated one of the longitudinally-extending rails. The
first powered operating means depends from the brackets and
comprises a prime mover which is operatively-connected to a
drive gear, the drive gear being in mesh with a vertical gear
rack which, in turn, is operatively-associated with the mower
housing. Actuation of the prime mover is operative to move
the mower housing, within the constraints provided by the
vertical guidance means, through a finite number of vertical
locations between the upper limit and the lower limit; the
second powered operating means comprising a push-pull
mechanism including a reciprocally-movable rod, an end of the
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push-pull mechanism being fixed relative to the reciprocally-
movable rod, the fixed end of the push-pull mechanism being
pivotally-secured to the ear, a rod end of the push-pull
mechanism being pivotally-connected to the mower housing.
Relatively slidable means are provided which are disposed
between the mower housing and the plate to assist in the
relative transverse movement between the mower housing and the
frame. Actuation of the push-pull mechanism moves the mower
housing, within the constraints provided by the relatively-
slidable means, through a finite number of lateral locations
between the left lateral limit and the right lateral limit.
By a variant of this third embodiment, the vertical
guidance means also includes a pair of transversely spaced
apart brackets, each of the brackets depending from an
associated transversely-spaced-apart, longitudinally-extending
rail, each of the brackets including a vertically-extending
slot which is operatively connected to slider means which are
operatively associated with the rail, whereby the first push-
pull mechanism is operative to move the mower housing within
the constraints provided by each associated vertically-
extending slot in each associated bracket through a finite
number of vertical locations between the upper limit and a
lower limit.
By other variants of this third embodiment, the
relatively slidable means comprises a pulley which is mounted
for free wheeling travel upon the vertical flanges of a C
shaped track forming the rail, the pulley including a
projecting rod which is freely-vertically-slidable in the
vertical slots in the brackets; or the relatively slidable
means comprises a rectangular block having a guide wheel at
each of four corners thereof for relative following sliding
movement with respect to upper and lower longitudinally-
extending edges of one arm of an "H-shaped track" forming the
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rail, the block including a projecting rod which is freely
vertically slidable in the vertical slots in the brackets; or
the relatively slidable means comprises a block which is
provided with an engaging surface of low friction material
which is slidable within a C-shaped track forming the rail,
the block including a projecting rod which is freely-
vertically slidable in the vertical slots in the brackets.
The present invention provides a fourth embodiment of the
combination of such motor-driven vehicle as fully described
above. In this fourth embodiment, the suspended mounting
includes a construction in which the vertical guidance means
includes two cross-bars, each of the cross-bars being disposed
between an associated the pair of transversely-spaced-apart,
longitudinally-extending rails which constitute the
longitudinally-extending frame bed of the motor-driven
vehicle, and two slewably-mounted brackets, an associated one
of the slewably-mounted brackets being operatively associated
with an associated cross-bar. The first powered operating
means comprises a pair of transversely-spaced-apart, first
push-pull mechanisms, each of the first push-pull mechanisms
including a reciprocally-movable rod, an end of each of the
first push-pull mechanisms being fixed relative to a
respective reciprocally-movable rod, the fixed end of each of
the first pair of push-pull mechanisms being pivotally-
connected to an associated bracket, a rod end of each of the
first pair of push-pull mechanisms being pivotally-connected
to an associated linkage arm, each linkage arm being
pivotally-connected at one end to an associated one of the
brackets, and at the other end to a lateral edge of the mower
housing. Actuation of the first pair of push-pull mechanisms
causes vertical guided movement of the mower housing within
the constraints provided by the vertical guidance means
through a finite number of vertical locations between the
A
15 B
upper limit and the lower limit . The second powered operating
means comprises a second push-pull mechanism including a
reciprocally-movable rod, an end of the second push-pull
mechanism being fixed relative to the reciprocally-movable
rod, the fixed end of the second push-pull mechanism being
pivotally-secured to an associated one of the cross-bars for
rotational movement relative thereto, a rod end of the second
push-pull mechanism being pivotally-secured to one of the
linkage arms. Actuation of the second push-pull mechanism
moves the mower housing, within the constraints provided by
the two pivotally-secured linkage arms, through a finite
number of lateral locations between the left lateral limit and
the right lateral limit.
By a variant of this fourth embodiment, the rod end of
the first push-pull mechanism is pivotally-connected to an ear
on a central arm which is pivotally-secured to the mower
housing.
By another variant of this fourth embodiment, the pivotal
securement of the central arm to the mower housing comprises
a shackle which is secured in a vertical orientation to a
transversely-extending edge of the mower housing, and an ear
extending from the arm, the shackle and the ear having aligned
apertures therethrough, and a vertically-extending bolt
passing through the aligned apertures through the shackle and
the ear.
By yet another variant of this fourth embodiment, the
cross-bar includes a pair of rods and each bracket includes a
hollow cylindrical upright portion which is concentrically
disposed around an associated the rod.
By still another variant of this fourth embodiment, the
rearward edge of the mower housing is provided with a pair of
laterally-spaced-apart, upstanding posts, each post being
fitted with a bracket, each of the brackets including an
upright hollow cylindrical portion which is concentrically
disposed around an associate post, each of the brackets
~~~a~a
15 C
including an ear to which the associated linkage arm is
pivotally-secured.
The present invention also provides a ground-engaging
shoe assembly for a power mower in which the mower blade is
rotated in respect to an upright shaft. The ground engaging
shoe includes a hub support assembly which is secured to the
mower housing of the power mower and a hollow rotatable shaft
to which the mower blade is secured. A ground engaging shoe
assembly is secured to the lower end of the hollow shaft.
That assembly includes a bearing within which the hollow shaft
rotates, so that such assembly remains stationary. A housing
is adapted selectively to accept different ground-engaging
shoes. An adjusting bolt extends through the hollow shaft and
is secured at its lower end to the ground engaging shoe
assembly. An upper tower housing is adapted to transfer body
weight through the adjusting bolt to the bearing. The
adjusting bolt is vertically-adjustably-secured at its upper
end with respect to the upper tower housing.
By an aspect of such ground engaging shoe assembly, the
hub support assembly is mounted on the interior of the mower
housing.
By a further aspect of such ground engaging shoe
assembly, the hollow shaft is rotated by means of a drive belt
pulley.
By another aspect of such ground-engaging shoe assembly,
the ground-engaging shoe assembly includes a central upper
well to accommodate the lower bearing.
By yet another aspect of such ground-engaging shoe
assembly, the lower surface of the ground-engaging assembly
comprises a low friction surface.
By other aspects of such ground-engaging shoe assembly,
the low friction surface is provided: on a disk-shaped
horizontal, rotatable, ground engaging wheel; by a rectangular
frame having a rotatable disk-shaped wheel with a rolled-up
"- 15 D
outer perimeter; or by a rectangular frame which supports a
leading roller and a tracking roller which, in turn, supports
and guides an endless low friction belt or track; or by a
rectangular frame having a plurality of freely rotatable,
ground-engaging wheels; or by a rectangular frame housing two
outer rollers or drums which are adapted to guide and support
a wide ground engaging belt track.
By still another aspect of such ground-engaging shoe
assembly, the ground-engaging shoe assembly is provided with
a quick connect-disconnect attachment to permit different
ground engaging shoes to be installed quickly.
By yet another aspect of such ground engaging shoe
assembly, such ground engaging shoe assembly is provided in
the form of a multi-bladed power mower comprising a plurality
of ground engaging shoe assemblies, where each ground engaging
shoe assembly comprises the assembly as previously described
hereinabove.
(e) DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a front-mounted
embodiment of the suspended mounting system of the present
invention for the mower housing;
Fig . 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in Fig .
1;
Fig. 3 is an enlarged view showing one mode for providing
a fixed but variable relationship between the mower housing
and the suspended mounting system;
A
16
Fig. 4 is an enlarged view showing an alternative mode for providing a fixed
but
variable relationship between the mower housing and the suspended mounting
system;
Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of a rear-mounted embodiment of the
suspended
mounting system of the present invention for the mower housing;
Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of another front-mounted embodiment of the
suspended mounting system of the present invention for the mower housing;
Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the upper plate of the mower housing, showing its
cooperation with the longitudinal rails;
Fig. 9 is an end elevational view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 6;
Fig. 10 is a side view of two alternative embodiments of the mechanism for
allowing relative movement between the mower housing and the upper plate
connected
thereto, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 6;
Fig. 11 is a side view of two further alternative embodiments of the mechanism
for allowing relative movement between the mower housing and the upper plate
connected thereto, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 6;
Fig. 12 is a side view of two further alternative embodiments of the mechanism
for allowing relative movement between the mower housing and the upper plate
connected thereto, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 6;
Fig. 13 is a side view of two additional alternative embodiments of the
mechanism
for allowing relative movement between the mower housing and the upper plate
connected thereto, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 6;
Fig. 14 is a rear elevational view of yet another embodiment of an operating
mechanism for providing relative movement between the mower housing and the
upper
plate connected thereto, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 6;
Fig. 15 is a rear elevational view of a still further embodiment of an
operating
mechanism for providing relative movement between the mower housing and the
upper
plate connected thereto, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 6;
Fig. 16 is a top plan view of the sprocket, pinions and drive chain of the
embodiment of Fig. 15;
~a.g~~~~
17
Fig. 17 is a top plan view of yet another embodiment of an operating mechanism
for providing relative movement between the mower housing and the upper plate
connected thereto, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 6;
Fig. 18 is embodiments of the mechanism for allowing relative movement between
the mower housing and the upper plate connected thereto, and a reversing motor
in the
operating mechanism shown in Fig. 17, of the embodiment shown in Fig. 6;
Fig. 19 is a cross-section of an embodiment with the motor removed for a
clearer
view, showing the mechanism for allowing relative movement between the mower
housing and the upper plate connected thereto and a reversing motor, in the
operating
mechanism shown in Fig. 17, of the embodiment shown in Fig. 6.
Fig. 20 is a side elevational view of another rear-mounted embodiment of the
suspended mounting system of the present invention for the mower housing
showing
cooperation between a prime mover and a suitable linkage to provide vertical
movement;
Fig. 21 is an enlarged view showing the operating mechanism to provide
vertical
movement, of the embodiment shown in Fig. 20;
Fig. 22 is an elevational end view showing another view of the operating
mechanism shown in Fig. 21 to provide vertical movement for the embodiment
shown
in Fig. 20;
Fig. 23 is a rear elevational view of the suspended mounting system of the
present
invention shown in Fig. 20 for the mower housing, showing the cooperation
between a
prime mover and a suitable linkage to provide lateral movement;
Fig. 24 is an enlarged view of one variant of an essentially-frictionless
guide
system for the relative transverse movement of the mower housing;
Fig. 25 is an enlarged view of another variant of an essentially frictionless
guide
system for the relative transverse movement of the mower housing;
Fig. 26 is an enlarged view of yet another variant of an essentially
frictionless
guide system for the relative transverse movement of the mower housing;
Fig. 27 is a side elevational view of yet another embodiment of the suspended
system of the present invention for the mower housing;
21.~~~'~8
18
Fig. 28 is a top plan view of the embodiment of suspended system shown in Fig.
27;
Fig. 29 is an enlarged front elevational view of the suspended system shown in
Fig. 27;
Fig. 30 is a schematic top plan view of the mower housing of the present
invention showing its orientation with respect to the longitudinal rails;
Fig. 31 is a central longitudinal cross-sectional view of a multi-bladed power
mower assembly including one of several novel ground-engaging shoes shown
unattached
to, but closely positioned below, the main body for better viewing of the
assembly of this
invention;
Fig. 32 is an enlarged central longitudinal cross-sectional view of the upper
portions of the vertical central system for the ground engaging shoe assembly
of this
invention;
Fig. 33 is a central transverse section through a multi-bladed power mower
including a plurality of adjacent power mowers and a plurality of ground
engaging shoes;
Fig. 34 is a perspective view of one lower embodiment of a ground engaging
Shoe;
Fig. 35 is a side elevational view of the lower embodiment of ski pad shown in
Fig. 34;
Fig. 36 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a ground engaging shoe;
Fig. 37 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of ground engaging shoe
shown in Fig. 36;
Fig. 38 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a ground engaging
shoe; and
Fig. 39 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of ground engaging shoe
shown in Fig. 38.
.. ~~~~a~~
19
(f) MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(i) Description of Figures 1 to 4
Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the mower attachment is mounted on a conventional
vehicle having a longitudinal body including longitudinally-extending rails
11, front
steering wheels 8 and axle 7, rear driving wheels 12 and axle 13 and a
sufficient bed
area between the front axle 7 and the rear axle 13 to accommodate the mower
housing
and suspended system 10. A conventional design mowing attachment including a
housing
14 is attached to the above-referred-to bed area in the manner to be described
hereinafter,
the mowing attachment and housing 14 having front lower roller wheels 15
mounted on
lower forward housing area 16 and rear lower wheels 17 mounted on a lower rear
housing area 18 to allow the mower housing 14 to ride over turf in order to
prevent
scalping.
The mower housing 14 is suspended from the longitudinal chassis 11 of the
vehicle by a suspending mounting system 10 to be described hereinafter. Cross-
bars 19
are mounted between the two longitudinally-extending chassis rails 11 adjacent
the front
axle 7. Depending from cross-bars 19 is a main support deck bracket 20 and a
depending bracket 21. Main support deck bracket 20 provides a pedestal to
support a
slewably-movable bracket 22. Bracket 22 has a hollow cylindrical portion 23
which is
concentrically disposed around upstanding post 24. Bracket 22 includes two
ears 25
projecting therefrom as well as an arm 26 projecting therefrom, ear 25 and arm
26 being
spaced 90 ° apart.
The suspending mounting system 10 also includes four depending guide arms 27
secured to the chassis rails 11. Guide arms 27 are both longitudinally and
laterally
spaced apart. The longitudinal spacing is sufficient to accommodate and guide
the
mower housing 14.
The mower housing 14 includes a forward shackle 28 secured to the mid-portion
of the lateral leading edge 29 of the mower housing 14 (see Figures 3 and 4).
The
shackle 28 includes an ear 30 disposed between the upper arm 31 and the lower
32 arm
of the shackle 28. An upright pin 33 passes through aligned apertures in the
arms 31,
~I9~0~8
32 of the shackle 28 and the ear 30 so that the ear 30 is slewably-mounted to
the shackle
28.
The lower portion of arm 26 pivotally supports a two-piece telescopic guide
arm
by pin 34, namely an inner arm 35 and an outer arm 36. Inner arm 35 and outer
arm
5 36 are non-rotationally-associated with one another, but inner arm 35 is
slidable within
outer arm 36. [There are many ways, well known to those skilled in the art to
provide
such non-rotational association. Non-limiting examples thereof include splined
cooperation, keyed cooperation or square cross-section or other geometric
cross-section
cooperation of the arms. All these alternatives are encompassed by this
specification.]
10 Outer arm 36 surrounds the inner arm 35 and is pivotally-secured to ear 30
by pin 37.
The upper portion of arm 26 pivotally supports the cylinder end 38 of a first
cylinder 39 by pin 38a. [While throughout this specification reference is made
to
"cylinders" having "fixed ends" and "rod ends", any other prime mover
mechanism can
be provided to have a push-pull powered operating rod. This may be done, for
example,
15 by a pneumatic cylinder, or by means of a motor, (either electric,
gasoline, diesel or
hydraulic), fitted with suitable mechanism, well-known to those skilled in the
art, to
convert rotary motion to reciprocal motion. Accordingly, when the term
"cylinder" is
used it is to be interpreted as including such functional equivalents thereof.
] The rod end
40 of the first cylinder 39 is pivotally-secured to an upstanding ear 41 on
the inner arm
20 35 by pin 41a. An ear 42 upstanding from the outer arm 36 is pivotally-
secured to
adjustable turnbuckle 43 at pin 42a, which itself is held by pin 51 to the
upper edge of
mower housing 14. Adjustable turnbuckle 43 is used to adjust the level of the
mower
housing 14 relative to the ground. This is shown in Figure 3.
Bracket 21 supports a second cylinder 44 by its fixed end 45 through pin 45a.
The rod end 46 of second cylinder 44 is pivotally-secured to ears 25 by pin
46a.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the turnbuckle 43 has been replaced by a
cylinder 47. The fixed end 47a is rotationally secured by pin 33 to ear 47b
upstanding
from arms 36. The rod end 47c is pivotally-secured by pin 47d to the upper
forward
edge of mower housing 14. Cylinder 47 may be controlled by a level sensing
device (not
219~~~8
21
shown) which may be mounted on the mower housing 14, automatically to correct
the
forward and horizontal rearward level of the mower housing 14.
The embodiment shown in Figure 5 is virtually the same as the embodiment
shown in Figs 1 - 4, and so similar parts are numbered the same and no further
description will be given. The major differences are in the location, i.e.,
adjacent the
rear wheels 12 and rear axle 13 of the suspended mechanism. Additionally, as
shown
in Figure 4, the turnbuckle which provided a fixed (but variable) relationship
between
the outer arm 36 and the mower housing 14 has been replaced by a cylinder 47.
In operation to provide vertical up-and-down motion, cylinder 39 is actuated
to
retract rod end 40 from the position shown in Figure 1. This serves to raise
arm 35, 36,
which causes mower housing 14 to be elevated within the confines of the four
guide arms
27. Actuation of the cylinder 39 to extend rod end 40 causes mower housing 14
to be
lowered. Thus, the mower housing 14 can move vertically up and down, within
the
limits of the four guide arms 27. The mower is held rotationally stable during
this
vertical up-and-down motion by the telescoping tubular arms 35, 36. The prime
mover
power source 47 shown in Figure 4 may be controlled by a levelling sensing
device (not
shown) and is operative to keep the mower housing 14 level while it is being
raised and
lowered.
To move the mower housing 14 laterally from left to right and vice versa,
cylinder 44 is actuated to extend rod end 46. This causes bracket 22 to rotate
in a
counterclockwise direction. This in turn causes arms 35, 36 to rotate in a
counterclockwise direction, thereby moving mower housing 14 to the top as
shown in
Figure 2 (i.e. to the right) within the constraints of the four guide arms 37.
Actuation
of the cylinder to retract rod end 46 causes the mower housing 14 to move to
the left.
(ii) Description of Figures 6 to 19
Referring to Figures 5 - 9, the mower attachment 14 is mounted on a
conventional
vehicle having a longitudinal body including longitudinally-extending rails
11, front
steering wheels 8 and front axle 7, rear driving wheels 12, and rear axle 13,
and a
sufficient bed area between the front axle and rear axle 13 to accommodate the
mower
housing 14 and the suspended mechanism 50. A conventional design mower
attachment
..- X19 4~~~
22
including a housing 14 is attached to the above-identified bed area in the
manner to be
described hereinafter. In this particular case, the mower attachment and
housing 14 has
two pairs of wheels 15 mounted on lower forward housing area 16 and a rear
lower
transverse roller 17 (instead of wheels 17) mounted on lower rear housing area
18, to
allow the mower housing 14 to ride over turf in order to prevent scalping.
The mower housing 14 is suspended from the longitudinal chassis 11 of the
vehicle by a suspended mounting system 50. A cross-plate 51 is mounted between
two
longitudinally-extending chassis rails 11. Depending from cross-plate 51 is
first ear
bracket 52 by means of which the fixed end 53 of a first cylinder 54 is
pivotally
suspended by pin 55.
T'he mower housing 14 includes an upper plate 56 secured thereto in a manner
that permits relative transverse guided substantially-frictionless movement
between the
plate 56 and the mower housing 14, in a manner to be described further with
reference
to Figures 8 - 15.
The rod end 57 of the cylinder 54 is pivotally-connected to a second clevis
bracket 58 which is secured to the upper surface of plate 56 of mower housing
14 by
means of pin 58a (See Figure 8).
The suspended mounting system 50 also includes a pair of transversely-spaced-
apart brackets 59, each depending from an associated chassis rail 11. The
brackets 59
are connected to the plate 56 of the mower housing 14 by a parallelogram
linkage. That
parallelogram linkage includes short link arm 60 which is pivotally-connected
at one end
to one bracket 59 and which is pivotally-connected at its other end to a first
upstanding
ear 61 on the plate 56. The linkage also includes a long link arm 62 pivotally-
connected
at one end to the upper portion of bracket 59 and pivotally-connected to its
other end to
a second ear 63 upstanding from the plate 56. Long link arms 62 are
constructed to be
variable in length by virtue of the interconnecting turnbuckle 64.
This embodiment thus shows a vehicle with a power-driven mower mounted
between the front and rear axles 7, 13. A simple but effective cooperative
linkage
arrangement consisting of parallel arms attached to frame brackets and
upstanding ears
on the plate. a first power means for lifting and a second power means for
lateral
23
movement are provided. If a horizontal levelling device arrangement were used,
this
mower housing would move in a true vertical and horizontal motion.
Actuation of the cylinder 54 to extend the rod 57 causes the mower housing 14
to move directly downwardly. Its movement is controlled to be purely vertical
by the
constraining action of the parallelogram linkage provided by arms 60, 62.
Conversely,
actuation of the cylinder 54 to retract the rod 57 causes the mower housing 14
to move
directly upwardly. Again, pure vertical movement is provided by the
constraining action
of the parallelogram linkage, provided by arms 60, 62.
One of the chassis rails 11 is provided with a laterally outwardly and
diagonally
downwardly directed anchor bracket 65. The fixed end 66 of a second cylinder
67 is
pivotally-connected to anchor bracket 65 at pin 66a. The rod end 68 of
cylinder 67 is
connected to upstanding ear 69 at one end of the leading edge of the mower
housing 14
at pivot pin 68a.
Operation of cylinder 67 causes the mower housing 14 to move laterally with
respect to the plate 56. Several mechanisms to be described hereinafter
provide
essentially friction-free such relative motion.
Two such mechanisms are shown in Figure 10. Here the lateral edges of the
plate
56 adjacent the four corners are provided with pulleys 68, each mounted on pin
axle 69
to be free-wheeling (see also Figure 8). The leading and trailing edges of the
mower
housing 14 are fitted with transversely-extending rails to guide the pulleys
68 which, as
shown in Figure 8, are of two structures. One such rail 70, shown on the left
hand side,
is of stepped configuration and its base 70a is firmly secured to the upper
surface of the
mower housing 14 by conventional means. [These conventional "firmly securing
means"
are notoriously well known in the art and include such means as welding, the
use of
screws, nuts-and-bolts, rivets, etc. Accordingly, throughout this
specification, Applicant
will refer to such firmly securing means as "securing means".] Another such
rail 71 is
mounted on a bushing 72 and is secured to the upper surface of the mower
housing 14.
Identical or mixed such constructions (one of each on different lateral edges)
may be
provided.
24
Two other such mechanisms are shown in Figure 11. Here, the leading and
trailing edges of the plate 56 are each provided with a U-shaped, outwardly
facing
bracket 74, secured by securing means. Bracket 74 embraces a U-shaped,
outwardly-
facing liner 75 of low friction material, one example of which is TEFLONTM
(polytetrafluoroethylene). The leading and trailing edges of the mower housing
14 are
each fitted with transversely-extending rails to be embraced by the liners 75
which, as
shown in Figure 9, are of two structures. One such rail 76, shown on the left
hand side,
is of stepped configuration and its base 76a is secured to the upper surface
of the mower
housing 14 by securing means. Another such rail 77 is mounted on a bushing 78
and is
secured to the upper surface of the mower housing 14. Identical or mixed such
constructions (one of each on different lateral edges) may be provided.
Yet two other such mechanisms are shown in Figure 12. Here, the leading and
trailing edges of the mower housing 14 are each fitted with transversely-
extending rails
which, as shown in Figure 12, are of two structures. One such rail 80, shown
on the left
hand side, is of U-shaped, inwardly facing cross-section, and is secured to
the upper
surface of the mower housing 14 by a plate 81 and securing means 81a. The
other rail
82 is of U-shaped, inwardly facing cross-section and its base 82a is secured
to the upper
surface of the mower housing 14 by securing means. Rails 80, 82 may be made of
conventional low friction material, or may be made of metal and be lined with
a
conventional low friction material. The leading and trailing lateral edges of
the plate 56
may each be slidably fitted within rails 80, 82 (in the manner shown on the
left-hand
side). Alternatively, the leading and trailing edges of plate 56 may be
provided with a
depending slip rail 83 which is secured to the plate 56 by securing means 84.
The lateral
edges of the slip rail 83 may be slidably fitted within rails 80, 82.
Identical or mixed
such constructions (one of each on different lateral edges), may be provided.
Yet two other such mechanisms are shown in Figure 13. The leading and trailing
edges of the mower housing 14 are each fitted with transversely-extending
guide tracks
which, as shown in Figure 13, are of two constructions. One construction shown
on the
left-hand side comprises a "C" rail 85, which is open inwardly, which is fixed
by
securing means, to a block rail 86, which in turn is secured to the upper
surface of the
~~Q 3~
mower housing 14. Another construction shown on the right-
hand side is a "C" rail 88 which is open at the bottom, and is
secured, as by securing means, to an "L" rail 89 itself
5 secured, by securing means, to the upper surface of the mower
housing 14 by securing means. Each of the lateral edges of
the plate 56 is also provided with rollers adapted to roll
within the "C" rails. On the left-hand side, the plate 56 is
provided with a depending facia 90 which secures the axle 91
10 of a roller 92 which rolls within "C" rail 85. On the right-
hand side, the plate is provided with a stepped ledge 93, the
base 93a of which supports a yoke 94 on which two spaced-apart
rollers 95 are mounted on an axle 96. Rollers 95 roll within
"C" rail 88. While rollers 92 and 95 are shown in this
15 embodiment, they may be replaced by gliders 92a on the left
hand side and gliders 95a on the right hand side formed of
conventional low friction material and mounted on their
respective axles 91a and 94a. Identical or mixed
constructions (one of each), may be provided.
20 Another means for moving mower housing 14 transversely is
shown in Figure 14. A suitable prime mover power source 96,
e.g., a reversible motor, (whether it be gasoline, or diesel,
or electrical, or hydraulic), is secured to the plate 56 and
its drive shaft 97 depends downwardly. The drive shaft 97 is
25 provided with two vertically spaced apart pulleys 98, 99. A
cable 100 is fixed at anchor 101 at one lateral edge of the
mower housing 14 and it entrains pulley 99. Another cable 102
is fixed at anchor 103 at the other lateral edge of the mower
housing 14, and it entrains pulley 98.
Rotation of prime mover power source 96 in one direction
pays out cable 100 and draws in cable 102, thereby moving
mower housing 14 to the right. Opposite rotation of prime
mover power source 96 pays out cable 102 and draws in cable
100, thereby moving mower housing 14 to the left.
'-- 2 5 A
Still another means for moving mower housing 14
transversely is shown in Figures 15 and 16. A suitable prime
mover power source 104, e.g., a reversible motor, (whether it
be gasoline, or diesel, or electrical or hydraulic), is
secured to plate 56 with its drive shaft 105 depending
downwardly and to which a drive sprocket 106 is fixed. A pair
of laterally-disposed idler sprockets 107, 108 are freely
rotatably mounted within the mower housing 14 on pins 107a,
108a (See Figure 16) . A chain 109 is trained around drive
sprocket 106 and idler sprockets 107, 108, with one end
thereof being
A
~~.~~~~8
26
secured at anchor 110 at one lateral edge of the mower housing 14, and with
the other
end thereof being secured at anchor 111 at the other lateral edge of the mower
housing
14. Rotation of the power source 104 in one direction pulls the mower housing
14 in
one transverse direction by means of the transverse movement of the chain 109,
while
rotation of the prime mover power source 104 in the other direction pulls the
mower
housing 14 in the other transverse direction by means of opposite transverse
movement
of chain 109.
Yet another means for moving the mower housing 14 transversely is shown in
Figures 17, 18, and 19. As seen in Figure 17, one lateral edge of the mower
housing
14 is provided with a lateral, transversely-extending gear rack 112. The plate
56 is
provided with a prime mover power source 113, e.g., a reversible motor,
(whether it be
gasoline, or diesel, or electrical, or hydraulic), whose drive shaft 114
depends
downwardly. A gear 115 is keyed to drive shaft 114 and it meshes with gear
rack 112.
The lateral edge of the plate 56 which is adjacent to the gear rack 112 is
provided with
a pendant skirt 116 to which two vertically spaced-apart rollers 117, 118, are
freely
rotatably mounted being freely rotatable on their respective axles 119, 120. A
stepped
guide rail 121 is secured, by securing means of its base 121a to the upper
surface of
lower plate 56. Its longitudinally-extending upper and lower bearing surfaces
122
rollingly support rollers 117, 118. On the other lateral edge of the mower
housing 14
is a second stepped rail 123 secured by its base 123a, by securing means, to
the top of
the mower housing 14. The lateral edge of the plate 56 is provided with a
depending
skirt 125, which includes upper 126 and lower 127 rails. Between upper and
lower rails
126, 127 is a horizontally disposed guide roller 128 which is freely rotatably
mounted
on its vertical axle 129 which extends between rails 126, 127. The upper 126
and lower
127 rails include respective rollers 130, 131, which are freely rotatably
mounted on their
respective horizontal axles 132, 133. Rollers 130, 131 are rollingly supported
on upper
and lower bearing surfaces 124 of rail 123. Rotation of the prime mover power
source
113 in one direction moves the gear rack in one direction to result in
transverse
movement of the mower housing 14 in one direction. Opposite rotation of the
prime
27
mover power source 113 causes the mower housing 14 to move transversely in the
opposite direction.
(iii Description of Figures 20 - 26
Refernng to Figures 20 - 23, the mower attachment 14 is mounted on a
conventional vehicle having a longitudinal body including longitudinally-
extending rails
11, front steering wheels 8 and front axle 7, rear driving wheels 12 and axle
13 and a
sufficient bed area between the front axle 7 and the rear axle 13 to
accommodate the
mower housing and the suspended mechanism 150. A conventional design mowing
attachment including a housing 14 is attached to the above-defined bed area in
the
manner to be described hereinafter, the mowing attachment and housing 14
having a
front lower wheel 15 mounted on lower forward housing area 16 and a rear lower
roller
17 mounted on a lower rear housing area 18 to allow the mower housing 14 to
ride over
turf in order to prevent scalping.
The suspended mounting system 150 includes a pair of brackets 159, each being
secured to an associated chassis rail 11 by means of securing means. Each
bracket 159
is defined by a pair of spaced-apart vertical plates 159a (See Figure 19).
Drive gears
153 are keyed on transverse shaft 154 between plates 159a, gears 153 meshing
with a
vertical gear racks 152. Vertical gear racks 152 are provided with an axle
162, spacer
sleeve 151 and washer plates 166b to which pulley 189 is freely-rotatably-
mounted. Axle
162 is vertically slidable in vertical slots 161 in vertical plates 159.
Transverse shaft 154
is supported on its near outer ends by bearing or bushing 174.
As seen in Figure 22, a common prime mover power source 157 is secured to one
side plate 159a at securing means 158. This prime mover power source 157
includes a
drive shaft 171 to which a drive gear 170 is keyed. Drive gears 170 drive
common-
driven gears 172 which are keyed to a cross-shaft 154. As previously
described,
transverse shaft 154 has drive gears 153 splined to each end thereof, for
engagement with
its respective gear racks 152.
An essentially frictionless guide system (to be described later with Figures
24 to
26) is provided for the relative essentially-frictionless transverse movement
of the mower
housing 14 with respect to the chassis rails 11. The transverse movement is
facilitated
219~~~8
28
by slide rail 163 provided along the trailing edge of the mower housing 14. As
shown
in Figure 21, it includes a rear plate 164, upper and lower extensions 165 and
upper and
lower flanges 166 to provide a channel 166a therebetween.
As seen in Figure 23, the suspended system 150 also includes a downwardly,
outwardly, diagonally-directed bracket 170 which is firmly secured to one rail
11. The
cylinder end 171 of a hydraulic cylinder 172 is pivotally-secured to the lower
end of
bracket 170 by pin 171a. The rod end 173 of cylinder 172 is secured by pin
173a to ear
174 which is upstanding from one lateral edge of mower housing 14.
Figures 24 to 26 show alternative means to provide essentially-frictionless
traverse
guiding of the mower housing 14.
As seen in Figure 24, the guiding system consists of a pulley 189 which is
adapted to roll on top of lower channel flange 166, and which is guided by
upper channel
flange 166. Pulley 189 is freely-rotatably-mounted on a bushing-spacer 151,
with pin-
bolt 162 inserted through pulley 189. Bushing-spacer 151, spacer-washer 166b,
and gear
rack 152, all adapted to slide vertically freely in slot 161.
As seen in Figure 25, the rail system includes an "H"-shaped guide rail 186
which
is secured to the mower housing 14. A short rectangular plate 188, to which
pin bolt
162 is fixedly-secured is provided with four Vee-pulleys 189, each being
rotatably
mounted on its respective axle pin 190, i.e., one at each of the corners of
the plate 188.
As described with reference to Figure 24, pin 162 is adapted to slide
vertically, freely
within slot 161.
As seen in Figure 26, the guide rail 163 is secured to the mower housing 14 by
securing means. An outer guide plate 191 is provided to which pin bolt 162 is
fixedly
secured. Guide plate 191 supports frictionless slider 192, formed e. g. , of
TEFLONTM
by means of bar 193. Slider 192 is adapted to slide freely transversely in
channel 166a
in guide rail 163. Pin bolt 162 is adapted to slide freely vertically in slot
161.
Vertical movement of mower housing 14 is provided as follows:
Actuation of the prime mover power source 157 causes the transverse shaft 154
to rotate, which in turn causes gear 153, engaged with the gear rack 152, to
rotate.
Rotation of sprocket 153 in a clockwise direction causes the gear rack 152,
and hence
21~4~~~
29
the mower housing 14 to be raised. Conversely, counterclockwise rotation of
the
sprocket 153 causes the gear rack 152, and hence the mower housing 14 to be
lowered.
To move the mower housing 14 transversely, hydraulic cylinder 172 is actuated
to extend rod end 173. This cause track 163 to move to the left within the
constraints
of the guide systems, i.e., the roller wheels shown in Figure 24, the rolling
plate show
in Figure 25 or the slider plate shown in Figure 26. Actuation of the cylinder
172 to
retract rod end 173 causes the mower housing 14 to move to the right, again
within the
constraints of the guide systems.
~iv) Description of Figures 27 to 29
Referring to Figures 27, 28, and 29 the mower attachment 14 is mounted on a
conventional vehicle having a longitudinal body including longitudinally-
extending rails
11 front steering wheels 8 and front axle 7, rear driving wheels 12 and rear
axle 13 and
a sufficient bed area between the front axle 7 and the rear axle 13, to
accommodate
mower housing and suspended mechanism 200. A conventional design mowing
attachment including a housing 14 is attached to the above-described bed area
in the
manner to be described hereinafter, the mowing attachment and housing 14
having front
lower wheels 15 mounted on lower forward housing area 16 and a rear lower
roller 17
mounted on a lower rear housing area 18 to allow the mower housing 14 to ride
over turf
in order to prevent scalping.
The mower housing 14 is suspended from the longitudinal chassis 11 of the
vehicle by a suspended mounting system 200. Two cross-bars 219 and 219a are
mounted
between two longitudinally-extending chassis rails 11. Depending from main
support
posts 224. Support posts 224 support a pair of slewably-rotatably brackets
222, each of
which has a hollow cylindrical portion 223 which is concentrically disposed
around its
respective upright post 224. Each bracket 222 includes an ear 225 projecting
therefrom.
The mower housing 14 includes two rearward, transversely spaced-apart posts
226
at the rear edge and medial region of the mower housing 14. Each post 226 is
provided
with a bracket 227, concentrically disposed therearound a central, vertical,
hollow
cylindrical post 226. Each bracket 227 includes a projecting ear 229.
30
The lower portion of ear 225 pivotally supports an associated one of a pair of
laterally spaced-apart, longitudinally-extending control arms 230 by pins 231.
The other
end of each of the control arms 230 is pivotally attached to its associated
ear 229 by
means of pins 232. The upper portion of ear 225 pivotally supports the
cylinder ends
233 of each of a first pair of cylinders 233a at pins 236. The rod ends 234 of
each of
the first pair of cylinders 233a are pivotally-secured to upstanding ears 235
on the two
control arms 230 by means of pins 236. A second cylinder 237 is pivotally-
secured by
its fixed end 238 of the cross-bar 219b by means of pin 239 (see Figure 29).
The rod
end 240 is pivotally-secured at pin 241 to an ear 242 on one of the control
arms 230.
Thus, cylinder 237 is diagonally disposed with its fixed end adjacent one
control arm 230
and with its rod end 240 adjacent the other control arm 230.
In operation, to provide vertical up-and-down motion, cylinders 233a are
actuated
to retract rod ends 234. This serves to raise central arms 230, which causes
mower
housing 14 to be elevated. Actuation of the cylinders 233a to extend rod ends
234 causes
mower housing 14 to be lowered. The slight arc motion with horizontal movement
could
be kept at a minimum.
To provide transverse movement, cylinder 237 is actuated to extend rod end
240.
This causes mower housing to steer (slightly) to the right. Reverse actuation
to retract
rod end 240 causes the mower housing 14 to steer to the left. No levelling
device would
be required in this arrangement.
w) Description of Fi ug re 30
Figure 30 is a top view of a vehicle with a mower housing 14, mounted below
the vehicle between the front axle 7 and rear axle 13. This mower is mounted
so that
the mower housing is fixed at a 70° to 90° angle to the frame
rails of the supporting
vehicle. The forward leading edge can be to the left or right of the vehicle.
This unique mower mounting can easily be achieved by using any one of the
linkages and prime movers disclosed hereinbefore with respect to Figures 1, 5,
6, 20,
and 27. By simply repositioning the guide arms 27 (Figures l, 5), the
descending
brackets 59 (Figure 6), the descending brackets 159 (Figure 20), and the
descending shaft
224 (Figure 27), such mounting can be readily achieved by a person skilled in
the art.
31
Some of the features of the mower mounting angle, as it relates to the vehicle
as
shown in Figure 29 are: it allows the operator to use a wider and narrower
cutting
mower and still give the operator greater manoeuvrability when passing between
narrow
objections, parking the machine in a building, manoeuvring around other parked
vehicles,
etc.
wi) Description of Figures 31 to 37
As seen in Figures 30 and 31, a multi-bladed power mower assembly 300 is
provided. The assembly includes a common housing 301 supporting a plurality of
drive
belt pulleys 302. These pulleys 302 are driven in common by a V-belt (not
seen). A
known, heavy duty, supporting hub assembly 307 is provided with two tapered
roller
bearings 405. The drive pulleys 302 each drive a hollow shaft 303 which causes
a
mower blade 304 to rotate. Hollow shaft 303 also supports a two-part, load-
bearing,
self aligned body assembly 305 which can accommodate several alternative
ground
engaging shoe assemblies, to be further described in Figure 32 to 37.
The pulley 302 is keyed to a hollow drive shaft 303 by means of set screws
306.
The hub 310 of the mower blade 304 is keyed to, and rotates with, shaft 303.
The ground engaging shoe assembly 305 includes a bearing housing 311 which
includes a well into which a roller bearing or bushing 408 is secured. The
lower base
of the hollow shaft 303 rotates within bearing or bushing 408 to enable the
bearing
housing 311, to remain stationary while the hollow shaft 303 rotates. The
ground-
engaging shoes 305a, 305b, 305c are commonly affixed to the bearing housing
311 by
a circular collar 312, and four attaching bolts 315.
As seen more clearly in Figure 31, an adjusting bolt 316 is secured to the
ground
engaging shoe housing 311 as follows: The lower portion of adjusting bolt 316
has a
tapered shank 311a followed by a threaded end 311b, which is received by
housing 311,
which has a threaded hole with a tapered entry. A locking nut 410 and set
screw 411
further secures adjusting bolt 316 to housing 311. Adjusting bolt 316 extends
upwardly
within hollow shaft 303. The upper end of hollow shaft 303 is fitted with a
tower
housing 317, provided with threaded upper hole 318. The adjusting bolt 316 is
provided
with threads 319 operating within tower housing 317.
219,038
Tower housing 317 is fixed to hollow shaft 303 by four snap rings 409. The
slotted head 320 of the adjusting bolt 316 with locking nut is operative to
rotate the bolt
316 relative to the hollow shaft 303, in order to move the ground engaging
shoe
assembly 305 vertically. Thus the vertical weight of the mower housing 14, is
transferred through the ground engaging shoe assembly 305 to the upper tower
housing
317 by means of adjusting bolt 316, and subsequently to the load bearing
assembly 404.
Figures 32 and 33 show in detail a ground engaging shoe which is part of the
ground engaging shoe assembly 305a shown in Figure 30. Thus, the ground
engaging
shoe 314 is shown as well as attaching collar 312, which has four holes for
the attaching
bolts.
The assembly of Figure 34 is constructed of light-weight material and is shown
as a dished-type ground engaging shoe, that acts like a rolling, horizontal
wheel, thus
substantially reducing drag to the mower housing as it travels over the turf.
In addition,
this novel ground engaging shoe 305a has an outer perimeter 314 that is turned
slightly
upward, thus causing the engaging shoe to follow the mower 14, in any
direction, and
also causing it to ride over any irregularities on the turf, and leaving very
little ground
depression. The novel ground-engaging shoe assembly, when used, also
eliminates any
crushing of grass which may be caused by any outer housing wheels, rollers, or
skid
pads just prior to being cut by outer blades, when travelling in any
direction.
Figures 36 and 37 show a further embodiment of the ground engaging shoe 305b.
This shows a rectangular plate 320, which is provided with two parallel
depending skirt
321. Each skirt 321 supports a plurality (e.g., four) freely rotatable wheels
322, which
are rotatable on axles 323. A mounting collar 312 is securely fixed to the
upper surface
of rectangular plate 320. The assembly 305b of Figure 36, which is also
constructed of
a light-weight material and has an off set mounting collar 312 location which
causes this
ground engaging shoe assembly 305b to follow the mower housing similar to any
caster
wheel. A spring tab 333 on the trailing edge of plate 320 causes the ground-
engaging
shoe assembly 305b to follow the mower housing in all positions. This novel
design
allows for a number of roller wheels or cylinders, thus reducing drag and
ground
depression to a minimum. A spring-type tab 333 mounted to the trailing section
causes
219~~:~~
33
the shoe assembly to follow the mower housing even when shoe assembly is not
touching
the ground.
(viii Description of Figures 38 and 39
Figures 38 and 39 show a further embodiment 305c of ground engaging shoe
assembly 305. This ground engaging shoe assembly 305c includes a rectangular
support
plate 330. Depending from plate 330 are two parallel skirts 340. Each skirt
340
supports two roller drums 341, which are rotatable on axles 342, and 343
respectively.
Each skirt 340 contains a slotted opening 344 to allow adjustability of axle
343, which
then allows belting 345 to be tightened. A mounting collar 312 securely
fastens to plate
330. Each depending skirt 340 supports, by attaching bolts 347, an adjustable
low
friction slide runner 346 further to support belt 345. A spring tab 333, on
the trailing
section of 330, causes the shoe assembly to follow the mower housing in all
positions.
The assembly of Figure 38 is also constructed of a light-weight material, and
also
has an offset mounting location to allow good cantering effect. The highly
flexible low
friction belt pad material and a low friction drum rollers, allow for a ground-
engaging
shoe assembly that has a large square inch area of ground contact, thus
allowing for an
even larger weight bearing mower housing assembly and less ground depression.
This unique ground engaging shoe assembly when used on the outer cutting
blades
of a mufti-bladed power mower, or on any commonly-produced mower after slight
modifications, will replace the caster wheel, roller wheels, or skid plates
mounted near
the outer perimeter of the outside ends of a mower housing, thus preventing
grass
scalping. The current skid plates, caster wheels, or roller wheels, presently
mounted
around the perimeter of the outer ends of the mower housing, prevent many
mowers
from trimming closely around obstacles. This situation is more critical with
this series
of mowers of embodiments of the present invention, which have a laterally-
movable
mower housing.
With this device mounted on the outer end of the cutting blade one can now
remove any skid plates, caster wheels, roller wheels, etc. from around the
outer
perimeter of the outer ends of a mower housing. This new two-part load-bearing
assembly houses a heavy duty bearing or bushing, which allows the outer body
to slowly
34
rotate in either direction. In detail, the hollow drive shaft houses a long
(threaded at two
ends) adjusting bolt with a locking nut. Turning this adjusting bolt will, in
turn, push
the ground engaging shoe assembly up or down to accommodate different grass
cutting
heights. This assembly will accommodate at least three different types of
ground
engaging shoes, as shown. In addition, this embodiment of the invention makes
cutting
height of the mower housing effectively easy and quick to adjust from the top
side of the
mower.
