Mobile unit with improved suspension structure

Claim 2

A ground traversing mobile unit for vehicles comprising a platform and means supporting the platform to render it mobile including laterally projecting means hingedly attached to said platform at each side thereof, a mounting bracket unitarily joined to each of said laterally projecting means, axles each having a portion rotatably received in a respective bracket and another portion projecting therefrom, and ground engaging means in a mutually supporting relation to said other portions of said axles, each of said laterally projecting means comprising a pair of hinge links disposing parallel to one another and pivotally connected at their inner ends to said platform, said mounting bracket unitarily connecting said hinge links at their outer ends, other means interconnecting each pair of said hinge links, and cooperating portions on said other means and on one of said hinge links limiting pivotal movement of said hinge links about said platform.

Claim 3

A ground traversing mobile unit for vehicles comprising a platform and means supporting the platform to render it mobile including laterally projecting means hingedly attached to said platform at each side thereof, a mounting bracket unitarily joined to each of said laterally projecting means, axles each having a portion rotatably received in a respective bracket and another portion projecting therefrom, and ground engaging means in a mutually supporting relation to said other portions of said axles, each of said laterally projecting means comprising a pair of hinge links disposing parallel to one another and pivotally connected at their inner ends to said platform, said mounting bracket unitarily connecting said hinge links at their outer ends, other means interconnecting each pair of said hinge links, and cooperating portions on said other means and on one of said hinge links limiting pivotal movement of said hinge links about said platform.

Claim 4

A ground traversing mobile unit for vehicles comprising a platform and means supporting the platform to render it mobile including laterally projecting means hingedly attached to said platform at each side thereof, a mounting bracket unitarily joined to each of said laterally projecting means, axles each having a portion rotatably received in a respective bracket and another portion projecting therefrom, and ground engaging means in a mutually supporting relation to said other portions of said axles, each of said laterally projecting means comprising a pair of hinge links disposing parallel to one another and pivotally connected at their inner ends to said platform, said mounting bracket unitarily connecting said hinge links at their outer ends, other means interconnecting each pair of said hinge links, and cooperating portions on said other means and on one of said hinge links limiting pivotal movement of said hinge links about said platform.

Claim 5

A mobile unit according to claim 1, wherein said other means is a plate pivotally connecting to said hinge links near their outer ends and extending toward the inner ends of said links, said cooperating portions including a pin on one of said links intermediate the ends thereof and a correspondingly located slot in said plate, said slot having an arcuate configuration and said pin being received therein.

Claim 6

A mobile unit according to claim 2 particularly advantageous for use in a riding mower or other work vehicle providing a work deck suspended beneath said platform for relative raising and lowering movements, characterized in that the suspension means for said housing includes arms pivotally connecting at their one ends to inwardly projecting ends of said plates to partake in the pivotal movements of said hinge links.

Claim 7

A ground traversing mobile unit for vehicles comprising a platform having front and rear portions and which in use disposes substantially parallel to ground level, and means supporting the platform to render it mobile including a pair of hinge links disposing in a superposing spaced relation to one another and in laterally projecting relation to said platform, said hinge links being pivotally connected at their inner ends to means in connection with said platform, a wheel mounting bracket to which each pair of said hinge links is pivotally connected at their outer ends, a pivot shaft tube integrated with each of said brackets and oriented to incline to ground surface, an axle on each side of the platform and having a pivot shaft portion relatively rotatably received in a respective pivot shaft tube, each axle further including another portion projecting laterally away from said wheel mounting bracket in an obtuse relation to said pivot shaft portion and substantially parallel to ground surface, and a wheel relatively rotatably mounted on said other portion of each of said axles, each of said wheel mounting brackets having the general form of a right triangle, said pivot shaft tube disposing along the hypotenuse portion of the bracket.

Claim 8

A ground traversing mobile unit for vehicles comprising a platform having front and rear portions and which in use disposes substantially parallel to ground level, and means supporting the platform to render it mobile including a pair of hinge links disposing in a superposing spaced relation to one another and in laterally projecting relation to said platform, said hinge links being pivotally connected at their inner ends to means in connection with said platform, a wheel mounting bracket to which each pair of said hinge links is pivotally connected at their outer ends, a pivot shaft tube integrated with each of said brackets and oriented to incline to ground surface, an axle on each side of the platform and having a pivot shaft portion relatively rotatably received in a respective pivot shaft tube, each axle further including another portion projecting laterally away from said wheel mounting bracket in an obtuse relation to said pivot shaft portion and substantially parallel to ground surface, and a wheel relatively rotatably mounted on said other portion of each of said axles, each of said wheel mounting brackets having the general form of a right triangle, said pivot shaft tube disposing along the hypotenuse portion of the bracket.