US3782085A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lawn mower and auxiliary unit with control means
Assignee: PARKTON CORP
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Filing: 1972-01-17
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Granted: 1974-01-01
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Expires: 1992-01-17
Abstract
Abstract A rotary lawn mower including an engine, an edger-trimmer unit mounted on the mower and driven by the engine, power control means for engaging and disengaging the drive to the unit, and position control means for moving the unit between its edging and trimming positions. Coordinating means interrelates the power control means and the position control means to insure that the drive is always disengaged before the position control means can move the unit. Caster wheels are provided on the mower opposite the unit for ease of maneuvering and height control means engageable with the caster wheels raise and lower the mower to respectively lower and raise the unit.
Inventors
- 👤 J Parker
- 👤 C Rydin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:53
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G3/00; A01G3/06; A01G3/062; A01D; A01D43/00; A01D43/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
296 words
In a rotary lawn mower having a deck, an engine mounted on the deck for driving a primary grass cutting blade, a handle attached to the deck for maneuvering the mower, an auxiliary unit mounted at one end of the deck, the auxiliary unit comprising a rotatably mounted auxiliary grass cutting blade and the auxiliary unit mounted for rotation so that the auxiliary blade can be moved between a horizontal first operative position and a vertical second operative position and the auxiliary unit further comprising a drive belt means connected between the engine and the auxiliary unit for disengageably engaging the engine to operably drive the auxiliary blade, and wheels mounted on the end of the deck adjacent the auxiliary unit for moving the deck over the earth''s surface; wherein the improvement comprises: a control lever mounted on the handle for operator manipulation in a first and a second direction; control linkage means interconnecting said control lever with the auxiliary unit comprising: a shaft means mounted for lateral and rotational movement, said shaft means connected betWeen the auxiliary unit and said control lever so that manipulation of said lever in the first direction causes said shaft means to move in a longitudinal direction and manipulation of said lever in the second direction causes said shaft means to rotate; pulley means operably connected to said shaft means so that longitudinal movement of said shaft means causes said pulley means to disengageably engage said drive belt means to cause said drive belt means to disengageably engage the engine to operably drive the auxiliary blade; said shaft means being adapted to rotate said auxiliary unit so that said auxiliary blade is moved from its first to its second operative positions when said lever is manipulated in its second direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
296 words
In a rotary lawn mower having a deck, an engine mounted on the deck for driving a primary grass cutting blade, a handle attached to the deck for maneuvering the mower, an auxiliary unit mounted at one end of the deck, the auxiliary unit comprising a rotatably mounted auxiliary grass cutting blade and the auxiliary unit mounted for rotation so that the auxiliary blade can be moved between a horizontal first operative position and a vertical second operative position and the auxiliary unit further comprising a drive belt means connected between the engine and the auxiliary unit for disengageably engaging the engine to operably drive the auxiliary blade, and wheels mounted on the end of the deck adjacent the auxiliary unit for moving the deck over the earth''s surface; wherein the improvement comprises: a control lever mounted on the handle for operator manipulation in a first and a second direction; control linkage means interconnecting said control lever with the auxiliary unit comprising: a shaft means mounted for lateral and rotational movement, said shaft means connected betWeen the auxiliary unit and said control lever so that manipulation of said lever in the first direction causes said shaft means to move in a longitudinal direction and manipulation of said lever in the second direction causes said shaft means to rotate; pulley means operably connected to said shaft means so that longitudinal movement of said shaft means causes said pulley means to disengageably engage said drive belt means to cause said drive belt means to disengageably engage the engine to operably drive the auxiliary blade; said shaft means being adapted to rotate said auxiliary unit so that said auxiliary blade is moved from its first to its second operative positions when said lever is manipulated in its second direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the improvement further comprises: a pair of caster wheels mounted on the end of the deck opposite the auxiliary unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein the improvement further comprises: elevating linkage means interposed between the deck and the caster wheels for elevating and lowering said caster wheels to respectively lower and elevate the auxiliary unit in response to operator manipulation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 the invention further comprising compensating means operably associated with the deck and the auxiliary unit for moving the auxiliary unit inward and outward relative to the deck to maintain a constant operative relationship between the auxiliary unit and the drive belt means as the auxiliary unit is moved between the first and the second operative positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention in accordance with claim 4 wherein said compensating means comprises spring means positioned between the deck and the auxiliary unit tending to urge auxiliary unit in an outwardly direction with respect to the deck.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention in accordance with claim 4 wherein said compensating means comprises cam and follower means operably associated with the deck and the auxiliary unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising disconnectable mounting means for mounting the auxiliary unit to the deck for permitting the auxiliary unit to be quickly removed from said deck without the utilization of tools.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
115 words
The invention in accordance with claim 7 wherein the disconnectable mounting means comprising: a hollow tubular protrusion mounted to the auxiliary unit; a cylindrical receptacle formed in one end of the deck for receiving and pivotably supporting said tubular protrusion; spring means positioned within the hollow tubular protrusion for engaging with said cylindrical receptacle and tending to urge said tubular protrusion out of said cylindrical receptacle; said drive belt means engaging the auxiliary unit so that said tubular protrusion is retained in said receptacle and said drive belt means being removable without the use of tools so that said tubular protrusion may be removed from said receptacle to remove the auxiliary unit from the deck.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the improvement further comprises: bias means operably associated with said shaft means and said pulley means for maintaining a constant operative relationship between said pulley means and said drive belt means when said pulley means engages said drive belt means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-31 | 1977-07-02 | 1978-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-31 | 1981-07-02 | 1982-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-31 | 1985-07-02 | 1986-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |