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Patent 2867199 Summary

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(12) Patent: (11) CA 2867199
(54) English Title: LAWN CARE MAINTENANCE APPARATUS
(54) French Title: APPAREIL D'ENTRETIEN DE PELOUSE
Status: Granted
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • A01D 43/16 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • FRANCIS, THOMAS J. (United States of America)
(73) Owners :
  • FRANCIS, THOMAS J. (United States of America)
(71) Applicants :
  • FRANCIS, THOMAS J. (United States of America)
(74) Agent: MOFFAT & CO.
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued: 2016-05-17
(22) Filed Date: 2013-02-26
(41) Open to Public Inspection: 2013-05-01
Examination requested: 2014-10-15
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): No

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
13/763,071 United States of America 2013-02-08

Abstracts

English Abstract

A mower drive wheel incorporating an edging plate including a number of different blade edge profiles for assisting in edging various types and thicknesses of grass or turf. The drive wheel can be reconfigured so that a one piece edging plate is replaced by a plurality of individually attachable blades. A modified walk behind powered mower is also disclosed and which integrates an adjustment mechanism for modifying a rotary turning speed of the edging drive wheel. A secondary drive wheel disconnect linkage is included and the main blade housing of the mower can also exhibit a widened profile to facilitate vacuum intake of the edging debris.


French Abstract

Une roue dentraînement de tondeuse, incorporant une plaque de coupe comprenant un certain nombre de différents profils de bord de lame pour aider à couper divers types et épaisseurs de pelouse ou gazon. La roue dentraînement peut être reconfigurée de telle sorte quune plaque de coupe à une seule pièce est remplacée par une pluralité de lames pouvant être fixées individuellement. Une tondeuse poussée modifiée, également décrite, comprend un mécanisme de réglage pour modifier une vitesse de virage rotative de la roue dentraînement de coupe. Une tringlerie de séparation de roue dentraînement secondaire est incluse, et le boîtier de lame principal de la tondeuse peut également présenter un profil élargi pour faciliter ladmission de vide des débris de coupe.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


CLAIMS:
1. A self-propelled lawn mower, comprising:
a powered and wheel supported body incorporating a rotating lawn blade;
a first selected wheel mounted to the mower in communication with a first
rotating power
output thereof;
a peripheral projecting blade pattern supported upon an outer face of said
first wheel;
an adjustment mechanism for modifying a rotary turning speed of said first
wheel and
blade pattern, said adjustment mechanism comprising a mower blade rotating
shaft to which is
mounted a drive pulley, a forward located pulley interconnected to said drive
pulley by a belt and
a universal gearing arrangement integrated into a forward located housing
driven by said forward
pulley and from which said first rotating power output is imparted via a first
drive shaft
extending to a drive gear operating said first wheel, said forward pulley
further comprising an
upper pulley half secured to a shaft support, a lower pulley half displaceably
supported upon said
support shaft and, in combination with said first pulley half, seating said
belt therebetween
between an outer diameter position and an inner diameter position in order to
modify a rotational
output speed of at least said first drive shaft;
a disconnect linkage incorporated into a second rotating power output
associated with a
second selected wheel for uncoupling an idler shaft powering said second wheel
from a second
drive shaft in communication with said second rotating power output so that,
upon positioning
said blade pattern of said first wheel in contact with an edge overgrowth of
turf, rotation of said
first wheel facilitates an edging operation; and
19

a coil spring mounted underneath said lower displaceable pulley half and
anchored at its
bottom by an annularly enlarged pedestal fixed to said shaft support, said
coil spring biasing said
lower pulley half against said upper pulley half to maintain said belt in said
outer diameter
position.
2. The mower as described in claim 1, further comprising a belt compression

member incorporated into said mower and transferring a separation force to
said lower pulley
half overcoming a biasing force of said spring and causing said lower half to
separate from said
upper half and converting said belt to said inner diameter position.
3. The mower as described in any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said
disconnect
linkage further comprises a gear secured to an end of said second drive shaft
which meshes with
a plurality of teeth defined in inner facing fashion proximate an inner end of
a sleeve shaped
spline coupling which is rotatable within an outer housing of said linkage, a
collar defining an
inner supported end of said idler shaft and which causes said idler shaft to
rotate with said
second drive shaft.
4. The mower as described in claim 3, further comprising a tab extending
from said
outer housing of the disconnect linkage and projecting through a slot defining
location of said
mower, said tab laterally shifted inwardly resulting in said teeth sliding out
of engagement with
said gear secured to said second drive shaft, uncoupling said idler shaft and
disengaging said
second wheel.

5.
The mower as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a main
blade housing of said mower exhibiting a widened body for supporting said
rotating blade and
facilitating vacuum intake of the edging debris.
21

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


CA 02867199 2014-10-15
Docket No.: FTA- 1 0803:1 5
LAWN CARE MAINTENANCE APPARATUS
[0001]
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an edging apparatus and assembly
for incorporation
into a powered drive wheel associated with a walk behind mower. More
specifically, the present
invention discloses a number of related variants for carrying out a mower
assisted edging
operation, these including each of a circular shaped and outer blade edged
plate attachable to an
existing mower drive wheel. a plurality of blades individually secured in
outwardly arrayed (and
optionally adjustable) fashion to the drive wheel. a combination drive wheel
and circular blade
produced as a single unit, and a modified walk behind powered mower
incorporating a rotary
speed adjustment mechanism associated with the edging wheel, as well as an
optional secondary
drive wheel disconnect linkage.
DESCRIPTION OF RELEVANT ART
[0003] The prior art is documented with examples of lawn mower attachment
devices. A
first of these includes the ground penetration and steep terrain stabilization
disks of Williams.
USPN 4,589,252, and in which the disks each exhibit outwardly extending and
peripherally
1

CA 02867199 2014-10-15
Docket No.: FTA-10803/15
spaced points and are secured over the hub and tread of one or more of the
lawn mower wheels.
In this fashion, the points penetrate the turf to prevent lateral slippage of
the mower as its
traverses a sloped surface.
[0004]
Livingston, USPN 1,732,308 discloses a lawn mower attachment with a cutter
detachably secured to a traction wheel. The cutter exhibits a disc having a
cutting edge around
its periphery and a central opening. A plurality of
shaped bolts extend from inner surfaces
of the disc and engage over the wheel in order to mount the disc to the wheel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005]
The present invention discloses a number of variants for carrying out a mower
assisted edging operation. In a first variant, a replacement drive wheel with
integrated edging
plate is provided and which substitutes for an existing wheel associated with
the mower. The
edging plate can include a number of different outer circumferential
projecting patterns, such as
without limitation including eight or twelve individual points or projections.
each of which
further exhibiting a variety of different blade edge profiles or
configurations and such as which
can be designed for assisting in edging various types and thicknesses of grass
or turf. In a further
variant, the replacement drive wheel can be reconfigured so that the one piece
integrated blade is
replaced by a plurality of blades. these being individually secured via clip
and engagement
apertures defined in each blade and in an outwardly arrayed (and optionally
radially adjustable)
fashion to the outer surface of the drive wheel, and which is held in place by
a blade retention
covering cap.
2

CA 02867199 2014-10-15
Docket No.: FTA- 10803/15
[0006] A modified walk behind powered mower is also disclosed and which
integrates an
adjustment mechanism for modifying a rotary turning speed of the drive wheel
into which is
incorporated the edging plate. An optional secondary drive wheel disconnect
linkage is also
incorporated into the modified mower, this in order to optimize the
functionality of the mower
during an edging operation. The main blade housing of the mower can also be
enlarged/widened
to facilitate vacuum intake of the edging debris, this reducing on cleanup.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in
combination
with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer
to like parts
throughout the several views, and in which:
[0008] Fig. 1 is an environmental view of a mower incorporating a drive
wheel edging
apparatus according to a first embodiment;
[0009] Fig. 2 is a plan view of an edging plate incorporated into the
apparatus of Fig. 1 and
which illustrates a six point configuration with a continuous perimeter
extending blade edge
profile;
[0010] Fig. 2A is a plan view of an edging plate with an eight point
configuration;
[0011] Fig. 2B is a plan view of an edging plate with a twelve point
configuration;
[0012] Fig. 3 is a side cutaway of the combination wheel and edging
apparatus of Fig. 1 and
illustrating the features of the take-off drive associated with the self-
propelled mower for rotating
the combination wheel and edging plate;
3

CA 02867199 2014-10-15
Docket No.: FTA-10803:15
100131 Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the edging apparatus of Fig. 1 and
which can include
attachment of the edging plate via a plurality of screw fasteners;
[0014] Fig. 5 is an enlarged partial view of a selected point of an edging
plate and which
illustrates one non-limiting serrated profile;
[0015] Fig. 6 is a partial view of a point associated with another edging
plate and exhibiting
a continuous blade edge;
[0016] Fig. 6A is a further partial view of a point such as in Fig. 6 and
which depicts a
carbide tip;
[0017] Fig. 7 is an illustration similar to Fig. 5 and which depicts a
reversible plate with
sharpened and serrated blade edge profiles on both sides thereof;
[0018] Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the replacement drive wheel according
to a further
embodiment and in which the one piece integrated blade is replaced by a
plurality of blades
individually secured via clip and engagement apertures defined in each blade
and in an
outwardly arrayed (and optionally radially adjustable) fashion to the outer
surface of the drive
wheel and which is held in place by a blade retention covering cap;
[0019] Fig. 9 is a plan view of Fig. 8 and depicting a plurality of six
individual blades
(points) arranged in radially outwardly engaged fashion according to one non-
limiting variant;
[0020] Fig. 9A is a plan view depicting a plurality of eight individual
blades (points)
arranged in radially outwardly engaged fashion according to another non-
limiting variant;
[0021] Fig. 10 is a side cross section of an assembly similar to that
depicted in Fig. 8 which
extends through a centerline of a selected (non-adjustable) blade exhibiting a
single slot and in
4

CA 02867199 2014-10-15
Docket No.: FTA-10803/15
which an inwardly biased clip associated with the attachable cap seats within
the slot and fixes
the blade within its aligning recess pocket defined in the outer face of the
wheel;
[0022] Fig. 11 is an illustration of a selected attachable blade exhibiting
a serrated edge
pattern common to previous disclosed variants;
[0023] Fig. 12 is an illustration of a further selected attachable blade
exhibiting a modified
and more finely serrated edge profile:
[0024] Fig. 13 is an illustration of a yet further selected attachable
blade exhibiting a further
alternate serrated edge profile;
[0025] Fig-. 14 is a side cutaway of the combination wheel and edging
apparatus including
attachable blades such as shown in Fig. 8, with each exhibiting a dual slot
arrangement for
facilitating radial adjustability-;
[0026] Fig. 15 is an enlarged and upper cross section of a wheel and edging
apparatus
according to sub-variant of Fig. 14 and in which inner cam edge surfaces are
associated with
each of the pair of clip engagement slots in order to facilitate smooth
engagement and outward
displacing adjustability :
[0027] Fig. 16 is an environmental view of a modified walk behind powered
mower
according to a further embodiment and which integrates an adjustment mechanism
for modifying
a rotary turning speed of a combination drive wheel and edging plate combined
with an optional
secondary drive wheel disconnect linkage, the main blade housing of the mower
also exhibiting
an enlarged/widened design to facilitate vacuum intake of the edging debris;

CA 02867199 2014-10-15
Docket No.: FTA-10803,15
[0028] Fig. 17 is a sectional view of a variable speed pulley component
incorporated into
the mower assembly of Fig. 16;
[0029] Fig. 17A is a side view of the pulley of Fig. 17 in which the power
take off drive belt
encircles an outer diameter location of the pulley communicating with the
forward wheel drive
linkage;
[0030] Fig. 17B is a succeeding side view of the pulley and in which a
pinching/tensioning
member associated with the belt causes upper and lower pulley halves to
separate. resulting in
the belt converging to an inner diameter location of the pulley and delivering
higher rotary
output speed to the combination drive wheel and edging plate:
[0031] Fig. 18 is an enlarged cutaway of a forward located disengagement
mechanism
incorporated into the modified mower of Fig. 16 and which depicts the second
drive wheel in a
first engaged position;
[0032] Fig. 19 is a succeeding illustration of the forward disengagement
mechanism in a
second laterally displaced position in which the second drive wheel support
shaft is uncoupled
from the output linkage; and
[0033] Fig. 20 is a partial end cutaway further depicting the widened
design of the main
blade housing of the mower for facilitating vacuum intake of the edging
debris.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] As will be disclosed over the successive illustrations, the present
invention discloses
a number of related variants for carrying out a mower assisted edging
operation, and by which an
outer blade edged plate can be attached or integrated into a drive wheel of
the mower. By this
6

CA 02867199 2014-10-15
Docket No.: FTA-10803 '15
construction, a self-propelled walk behind mower can be repurposed in a manner
in which the
drive wheel can additionally function in a lawn edging operation and in a
manner in which the
relatively low revolutions per minute (RPM) of the drive wheel can effectively
operate the edger
plate.
10035] Referring now to Fig. 1, an environmental view is shown of a mower 2
incorporating
a drive wheel edging assembly, generally at 10, according to a first
embodiment. The self-
propelled and walk behind mower 2 depicted in Fig. 1 (as opposed to that shown
in alternate
embodiment of Fig. 16) is of a general construction known in the art. The
mower 2 can include
either a single or pair of forward positioned drive wheels, as shown by
selected forward wheel 4
and combination wheel and edging assembly 10, this depending upon the type of
mower and
whether a clutch mechanism is incorporated for selectively disengaging one of
the drive wheels
(reference again being made to the subsequent variant of Figs. 16 et seq. in
which such a clutch
or disengagement mechanism is integrated into the mower construction. For
purposes of the
present invention, it is understood that the assemlby 10 can be likewise
substituted for the other
drive wheel 4, depending upon the desire for either left or right hand
assisted edging.
100361 Reference is also made to output drive gear depicted in phantom in
Fig. 3 and which
is understood to communicate with additional gearing incorporated into the
mower wheel 12 to
facilitate rotation thereof at a speed suitable for performing an edging
operation. While not
requiring any particular driving speed of the wheel, the assembly of the
present invention is
understood to be capable of providing effective and safer edging operation at
lower rotational
7

CA 02867199 2014-10-15
Docket No.: FTA-10803/ 15
speeds (e.g. under 300 rpm) and as opposed to significantly higher speeds
normally associated
with dedicated edging apparatuses.
[0037] As further shown in the side cutaway of Fig. 3, the assembly 10
includes a wheel 12
to which is attached one indicated edging plate 14 of selected configuration.
The wheel 12 and
edging plate 14 are contemplated in one embodiment as a substitute or
replacement for a
similarly constructed wheel provided with the originally manufactured mower 2,
however the
present invention also contemplates that an original drive wheel can be
retrofitted to receive a
suitable edging plate 14, and such as which can be sold as a single item.
[0038] This is also shown in Fig. 4 and which depicts attachment of a
similarly designed
edging plate 16 (as compared to as shown at 14 in Fig. 1) via a plurality of
threaded bolt
fasteners 18 which insert through apertures 20 defined around a perimeter of
the plate 16 and
which are received within aligning and interiorly threaded apertures 22
established in the end
face of the wheel 12. While it is desirable in most applications to permit
dismounting of the
edging plate 14 or 16 (such as to facilitate sharpening of its individual
perimeter extending
blades or points), it is also envisioned that the plate can be permanently
mounted to the wheel 12
such as through the use of rivets or other permanent fasteners (such as
representatively indicated
at 24 in Fig. 2).
[0039] Regardless of the manner of affixing, the selected edging plate 14
or 16 is
understood to exhibit a generally annular body extending between an inner
perimeter edge 26
(again Fig. 4) and a plurality of outward projecting/extending and
peripherally or
circumferentially spaced apart blades (or points), such that the edging plate
may be mounted
8

CA 02867199 2014-10-15
Docket No.: FTA-10803/ 15
over the exposed face of the mower drive wheel 12 as depicted in Figs. 1 and
3. The edging
plate can also be constructed of any material including steel or composites
thereof, and is further
envisioned as capable of being produced as a high impact resistant polymer
which can retain a
durable blade edge in operation.
[0040] Referring again to Fig. 2, a plan view is shown of edging plate 14
incorporated into
the apparatus of Fig. 1 and which illustrates a six point configuration with a
continuous perimeter
extending blade edge profile. Similarly. Fig. 2A is a plan view of an edging
plate 14' with an
eight point configuration and Fig. 2B further showing an edging plate 14" with
a twelve point
configuration.
100411 Each of the edging plate designs 14, 14' and 14- exhibits a selected
blade edge
profile. such as depicted by the serrated pattern best shown in Fig. 2 and
which includes a first
pattern of incising edge locations 28, these being alternated with enlarged
and notched incising
locations 30. As will be further described, the dimensions, angles and the
like associated with
the incising blade edge profile, including the number of individual points or
projections as well
as their respective profiles, is not limited to any particular design and is
further understood to be
modifiable such as in order to adapt a given edging plate to any desired
edging application, this
including use with varying and different types of grass or turf which are
known to exist.
[0042] Figure 3 again illustrates a side cutaway of the combination wheel
and edging
apparatus of Fig. 1 with the features of the take-off drive (see again drive
component at 6)
associated with the self-propelled mow-er for rotating the combination wheel
12 and edging plate
14 such as about a heavy duty carriage bolt 32 which mounts the assembly 10 to
the mower 2.
9

CA 02867199 2014-10-15
Docket No.: FT.A-10803/15
Also depicted at 34 is a decorative covering cap 34 which can be applied over
the exposed head
36 of the carriage bolt 32.
[0043] Figure 5 is an enlarged partial view of a selected point 38 of an
edging plate
according to a further variant and which illustrates a further non-limiting
example of a serrated
profile in which a plurality of notched locations 40 (these being designed to
also assist in debris
removal of the cut turf during its operation), and which alternate with
straight edge locations 42.
Figure 6 is a partial view of a point 44 associated with another edging plate
and exhibiting a
continuous blade edge 46.
[0044] Figure 6A is a further partial view of a point 44 such as in Fig. 6
and which depicts a
carbide (or like coated) tip 47. Figure 7 is an illustration of a blade edge
pattern largely similar
to that shown Fig. 5 and which depicts a point 48 associated with a reversible
edgin plate with
sharpened and serrated blade edge profiles on both sides thereof, as depicted
by a first plurality
of notched location 50 along a first edge and a second plurality of notched
locations 52 along a
succeeding edge and on a reverse face of the edging plate.
[0045] Figure 8 is an exploded view, generally at 54, of a replacement
drive wheel with
edging elements according to a further embodiment and in which the one piece
integrated blade
is replaced by a plurality of blades 56. 58, 60 et seq. A redesigned drive
wheel is depicted at 62
and which includes a template 64 secured to its outer face, the template 64
depicting a plurality
of peripherally arrayed receiving pockets (see for example shown by
interconnected recessed
edges 66, 68 and 70, for receiving appropriately sized edges 72, 74 and 76 of
selected blade 56

CA 02867199 2014-10-15
Docket No. = FTA- 1080315
and in order to mount the blades in individually and outwardly arrayed fashion
upon the outer
template face of the drive wheel.
[0046] The blades 56, 58, 60 as shown in Fig. 8 each include an arrow like
(or any other
suitable) edge profile which facilitates performance of an edging operation in
similar fashion as
described with respect to the edging plates of previous embodiments. The
blades as shown are
further understood to be capable of being reversed in use, and as further
understood from the
description of the various blade edges as described in each of the variants of
Figs. 1-7 and 8-15.
As further depicted with reference to selected blade 58, a pair of engagement
apertures are
shown by inner perimeter defining edges 78 and 80. A covering cap 82 is
provided and is
secured to the wheel 62, such as by threaded bolts 84 inserting through a
central array of
apertures 86 in the cap and engaging aligning interiorly threaded apertures 88
in the wheel 62 in
order to mount the cap 82 in an adhering fashion over the template 64 once the
blades 56. 58. 60.
et seq. are prepositioned within their respective template defined pockets.
[0047] Integrated into the covering cap 82 are a plurality of aligning
biasing clips, see at 90,
92. 94 et seq., these being formed from such as the cap (e.g. a spring steel
metal or durable and
resilient polymer) and which are arranged in a like peripheral spaced apart
fashion corresponding
to the blades once they are seated within their respective template defined
pockets and so that,
upon mounting the cap 82 in the manner described above, inwardly extending and
biased edge
locations corresponding to each clip, are seated within a selected aperture
associated with the
given blade. Depicted in Fig. 10 is a side cross section of an assembly
similar to that depicted in
Fig. 8 which extends through a centerline of a selected (non-adjustable) blade
96 exhibiting a
11

CA 02867199 2014-10-15
Docket No.: FTA-10803/15
single slot 98, within which an inwardly biased clip 90 associated with the
attachable cap 82
seats in order to affix the blade within its aligning recess pocket defined in
the outer template
face of the wheel 62. A center hub cap 100 is partially shown in Fig. 10 and
can include an outer
facing and biasing edge profile 102 for engaging an opposing inner perimeter
edge 104 of the
cap 82 for sealing over the bolt array 84.
100481 It is understood that the biasing clip locations defined in the
covering cap 82 are not
limited by what is disclosed and can include other shaped and configurations
which allow for a
desired degree of biasing bend or deflection in order to retain the blade in
place. As again shown
in Fig. 10. a configured inner edge 106 of the selected clip 90 can be
deflected or bent outwardly
(see arrow 108). this in order to outwardly deflect its inwardly curled
profile in unseating fashion
from the aperture 98, thereby permitting the selected blade 96 to be withdrawn
from the wheel
and supporting template without having to first remove the covering cap 82.
[00491 Figure 9 is a plan view of Fig. 8 and depicting a plurality of six
individual blades
(points) as depicted in Fig. 8 arranged in radially outwardly engaged fashion
according to one
non-limiting variant. In one non-limiting application each of the blades 56,
58. 60 et seq. can
extend in a range of 2.0" to 2.5" from the outer edge of the wheel 62, it
being understood that the
blade design is capable of being modified as to bother dimension and edge
profile in order to
optimally function with any type or consistency of grass or turf to be edged.
10050] Figure 9A is a plan view, generally at 110, depicting a plurality of
eight individual
blades (points), such as shown at 112, 114, 116, et seq., according to a
design such as previously
described and which are arranged in radially outwardly engaged fashion
according to another
12

CA 02867199 2014-10-15
Docket No.: FTA- 10803, 15
non-limiting variant. In this variant, the wheel secured and pocket defining
template, as well as
the covering cap, a modification of which being shown at 118 with modified
inner (free edge)
extending and biased clip edges 120, 122, 124, et seq., for securing the
redesigned larger
plurality of blades about the perimeter of the wheel assembly.
[0051] Each of the blades depicted in Figs. 8-10 exhibits a continuous
outer edge (see at 126
in Fig. 10 for selected plate 96). it being understood that the blade edges
are modifiable in a
similar fashion as described in reference to the integrated edging plates of
Fig. 4-7. Figure 11 is
an illustration of a selected attachable blade 128 exhibiting a serrated edge
pattern with
alternating patterns 130 and 132. this comparable to patterns 28 and 30
associated with edging
plate 14 in Fig. 2. The blade 128, as with blade 96 shown in Fig. 10, includes
a single aperture
receiving pocket 134 such that it can be installed and removed in the non-
adjustable fashion
previously described in Fig. 10.
[0052] Figure 12 is an illustration of a further selected attachable blade
136 exhibiting a
modified and more finely serrated cutting edge profile 136. Figure 13 is an
illustration of a yet
further selected attachable blade 140 exhibiting a further alternate serrated
and notched blade
edge profile with locations 142 and 144 (compared to 40 and 42 as depicted in
Fig. 5), it being
understood that such a pattern can again be modified as shown in the prior
example of Fig. 7 in
order to render the individual blades reversible). As again stated, each of
the blades can exhibit a
range of profiles not limited to that which is depicted, however which is
shown to include a
pointed arrow edge (see at 146 in Fig. 13).
13

CA 02867199 2014-10-15
Docket No.: FTA-10803/ 15
[0053] Figure 14 is a side cutaway of a combination wheel and edging
apparatus including
attachable blades, e.g. again at 56, such as shown in Fig. 8, with each
exhibiting the dual slot
arrangement for facilitating radial adjustability. Figure 15 is an enlarged
and upper cross section
of a wheel and edging apparatus according to sub-variant of Fig. 14, and in
which chamfer edge
surfaces, at 148 and 150, are shown and which are associated with each of the
pair of clip
engagement (outer and inner) slots or apertures.
[0054] The angled profile of the cam surfaces are such that, the selected
blade can be
outwardly adjusted simply by pulling on the blade and without having to
previously outwardly
deflect the clip 90 end defining biasing portion 106 in order to unseat from
inner aperture 148
and to reseat in the outer aperture 150 (see further outward displacing
adjustability as depicted
by solid 56 and phantom 56- in Fig. 15). Readjustment to the inner aperture
148 (or alternately
removal of the blade from the assembly) can also be accomplished by outwardly
deflecting the
clip 90 in the manner previously described in Fig. 10.
[0055] Referring now to Fig. 16, an environmental view is shown of a
modified walk behind
powered mower 152 according to a further embodiment and which integrates an
adjustment
mechanism for modifying a rotary turning speed of a combination drive wheel
and edging plate,
generally referenced at 154, and which includes a powered (self-propelled)
wheel 156 to which
is secured an edging plate 158 in a manner as previously described. Without
limitation, the
edging plate 158 (similar to that shown at 16 in Fig. 4) can be substituted
for any other design
not limited to that previously illustrated and described and can also include
the use of attachable
blades.
14

CA 02867199 2015-05-21
[0056] The redesigned mower 152 can include either a single driving wheel
156 or, as
shown, combines a secondary drive wheel 160. The associated motor of the mower
drives, such
as which concurrently drives the rotating mower blade 162, can also rotate a
shaft 164 to which
is mounted a first (drive) pulley 166. A forward located pulley assembly 168
is caused to rotate
by a belt 170 extending between the drive pulley 166 and the forward pulley
assembly 168. A
universal gearing arrangement (not shown) is integrated into a forward located
housing 172,
from which a first rotating drive is imparted via a first drive shaft 174
extending to a drive gear
176 operating the wheel 156 and edging plate 158.
[0057] A disconnect linkage 178 is provided at an opposite side of the
universal
housing 172 and operates to uncouple the driving output of a second drive
shaft 180 from
likewise rotating an outer/idler shaft 182 with drive gear 184, and so that
the second
forward wheel 160 is uncoupled. It is desirable to be able to uncouple a
second powered
wheel of the mower in order to not interfere with the edging operation being
concurrently
performed by the other forward wheel assembly 154.
[0058] With reference to Fig. 17, a sectional view is shown of a variable
speed function
built into the pulley subassembly 168. In this design, the subassembly
includes an upper
pulley half 186 and a lower pulley half 188 which seat the belt 170
therebetween. The
pulley halves 186 and 188 are biased in an opposing/closed position by a coil
spring 190
mounted underneath the lower pulley half 188 and around a shaft support 191.
The upper
pulley half 186 is fixed to an upper end of the shaft 191, with the lower
pulley half 188
slidable a limited distance along the shaft and influenced upwardly by the
coil spring 190
which is anchored at its bottom by an annularly enlarged and fixed pedestal
192 fixed to the
shaft support 191.

CA 02867199 2015-05-21
[0059]
In the position of Fig. 17A, the pulley halves 186 and 188 abut one another,
due to
the upwardly biasing influence of the spring 190, such that the belt 170 is
seated at an
outermost diameter encircling location. As shown in Fig. 16, a belt
compression member
194 is provided and, upon being displaced in an inward direction as depicted
by arrow 196,
pinches the belt 170, with the result that it transfers a separation force to
the lower
(displaceable) pulley half 188, overcoming the biasing forces of the spring
190 and causing
the lower half 188 to separate from the upper half 186 along the shaft support
191 to
achieve a separation distance (see arrow 198 in Fig. 17B).
[0060]
Simultaneously, the belt 170 descends inwardly to a minimal seating diameter
between the now separated pulley halves 186 and 188, the result being the
delivery of a
higher rotary output speed to the combination drive wheel and edging plate
assembly 154.
Retraction of the compression member 194 relaxes the compression imparted upon
the belt
170, resulting in the spring forces 190 returning the lower pulley half 188
into contact with
the upper pulley 186 (Fig. 17A) and the belt 170 to its original outer
diameter (and slower
turning) position.
[0061]
Figure 18 is an enlarged cutaway of the forward located disengagement
linkage or mechanism 178 incorporated into the modified mower of Fig. 16 and
which
depicts a first engaged position for driving the second wheel 160 shown in
Fig. 16. As
shown in cutaway, the second drive shaft 180 extends within a first side of
the linkage
housing and terminates in a gear 200.
[0062]
In the first engaged position, the gear 200 meshes with a plurality of teeth
202
defined in inner facing fashion proximate an inner end of a sleeve shaped
spline coupling
204 which is rotatable within the outer housing of the mechanism 178. A collar
support 206
16

CA 02867199 2015-05-21
is shown in the cutaway view and which defines an inner supported end of the
idler shaft
182 and which causes the idler shaft 182 to rotate with the second drive shaft
180. A pair of
outer seals 203 and 205 close off opposite lineal ends of the linkage
mechanism 178 and so
that the mechanism is supported in a laterally shifting or traversable fashion
as shown in
Figs. 18-19, with the shafts 180 and 182 being fixed in location.
[0063] Figure 19 is a succeeding illustration of the forward
disengagement
mechanism 178 in a second laterally displaced position, and which is caused by
an upper tab
208 extending from the outer linkage housing projecting through a slot
defining location of
the mower. The tab 208 is shifted from the position shown in Fig. 18 to that
depicted in Fig.
19 such that the mechanism 178 is laterally shifted inwardly resulting in the
teeth 202
sliding out of engagement with the gear 200, thus uncoupling the outer idler
shaft 182 from
the (inner) second drive shaft 180 and disengaging the wheel 160, again by
uncoupling the
rotation of the inner sleeve 204 from the second drive shaft 180 by outwardly
displacing the
inner teeth 202 from contact with the gear 200.
[0064] Finally, Fig. 20 is a partial end cutaway further depicting the
widened design
of the main blade housing, this likewise being depicted by widened body 152 in
Fig. 16 of
the mower. As shown, the widened design of the mower housing and associated
rotating
blade 152 facilitates vacuum intake of the edging debris, thus reducing
cleanup.
17

CA 02867199 2014-10-15
Docket No.: FTA- 10803;15
100651
Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will
become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without
deviating from the
scope of the appended claims.
I claim:
18

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

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Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date 2016-05-17
(22) Filed 2013-02-26
(41) Open to Public Inspection 2013-05-01
Examination Requested 2014-10-15
(45) Issued 2016-05-17

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Maintenance Fee

Last Payment of $100.00 was received on 2021-11-22


 Upcoming maintenance fee amounts

Description Date Amount
Next Payment if small entity fee 2023-02-27 $125.00
Next Payment if standard fee 2023-02-27 $347.00

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Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Request for Examination $400.00 2014-10-15
Application Fee $200.00 2014-10-15
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 2015-02-26 $50.00 2014-12-16
Final Fee $150.00 2016-02-08
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 2016-02-26 $50.00 2016-02-25
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 4 2017-02-27 $50.00 2017-01-30
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 5 2018-02-26 $100.00 2017-10-04
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 6 2019-02-26 $100.00 2019-01-30
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 7 2020-02-26 $100.00 2020-01-28
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 8 2021-02-26 $100.00 2021-01-29
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 9 2022-02-28 $100.00 2021-11-22
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
FRANCIS, THOMAS J.
Past Owners on Record
None
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
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Maintenance Fee Payment 2020-01-28 1 55
Maintenance Fee Payment 2021-01-29 1 33
Maintenance Fee Payment 2021-11-22 1 33
Abstract 2014-10-15 1 17
Description 2014-10-15 18 714
Drawings 2014-10-15 13 402
Claims 2014-10-15 3 82
Representative Drawing 2014-11-10 1 17
Cover Page 2014-11-10 1 44
Description 2015-05-21 18 707
Claims 2015-05-21 3 80
Claims 2015-06-29 3 79
Representative Drawing 2016-04-01 1 17
Cover Page 2016-04-01 1 44
Maintenance Fee Payment 2017-10-04 1 58
Maintenance Fee Payment 2019-01-30 1 60
Prosecution-Amendment 2015-05-21 14 530
Maintenance Fee Payment 2017-01-30 1 58
Assignment 2014-10-15 2 77
Correspondence 2014-10-23 1 145
Prosecution-Amendment 2014-11-21 5 286
Fees 2014-12-16 1 56
Final Fee 2016-02-08 2 43
Examiner Requisition 2015-06-22 4 190
Amendment 2015-06-29 3 79
Maintenance Fee Payment 2016-02-25 1 59