US5069022A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gang mower apparatus
Assignee: BEFCO Inc A NC CORP
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Filing: 1990-09-28
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Granted: 1991-12-03
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Expires: 2010-09-28
Abstract
Abstract The apparatus includes wheeled mower units that are movable between terrain-engaging mowing positions, and upwardly extending travel positions. The mower units are movable longitudinally as a unit when in these mowing positions, but are capable of undergoing adjustive movements relative to each other in response to variations in the contour of the terrain over which they travel. Telescopically adjustable support members permit convenient lateral adjustment of mower units to which they are connected. Piston-and-cylinder assemblies move the mower units to their travel positions. Telescopic drive shafts transmit power to the units.
Inventors
- 👤 Keaton D. Vandermark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:47
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D75/00; A01D75/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
236 words
A gang mower apparatus for cutting grass and the like, comprising: a wheeled chassis adapted to be connected to and towed by a vehicle over underlying terrain; a wheeled central mower unit, mounting means mounting said central mower unit adjacent the rear of said chassis for pivotal movement between a travel position and a mowing position, said mower unit when in said travel position extending upwardly above said chassis and being out of engagement with said terrain; and said mower unit when in said mowing position being supported by the wheels thereof for longitudinal movement with said chassis along said terrain and for pitching movement relative to said chassis; first and second wheeled side mower units; first and second side mower units mounting means mounting respective ones of said side mower units for pivotal movement between a travel position and a mowing position, each of said side mower units when in said travel position thereof extending upwardly from said chassis and being out of engagement with the underlying terrain, each of said side mower units when in said mowing position being supported by the wheels thereof upon the underlying terrain for longitudinal and lateral movement with said chassis and for pitching and rolling movement relative to said chassis; each of said side assembly mounting means being adjustable so as to vary the distance between the therewith associated one of said side mower units and said chassis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
236 words
A gang mower apparatus for cutting grass and the like, comprising: a wheeled chassis adapted to be connected to and towed by a vehicle over underlying terrain; a wheeled central mower unit, mounting means mounting said central mower unit adjacent the rear of said chassis for pivotal movement between a travel position and a mowing position, said mower unit when in said travel position extending upwardly above said chassis and being out of engagement with said terrain; and said mower unit when in said mowing position being supported by the wheels thereof for longitudinal movement with said chassis along said terrain and for pitching movement relative to said chassis; first and second wheeled side mower units; first and second side mower units mounting means mounting respective ones of said side mower units for pivotal movement between a travel position and a mowing position, each of said side mower units when in said travel position thereof extending upwardly from said chassis and being out of engagement with the underlying terrain, each of said side mower units when in said mowing position being supported by the wheels thereof upon the underlying terrain for longitudinal and lateral movement with said chassis and for pitching and rolling movement relative to said chassis; each of said side assembly mounting means being adjustable so as to vary the distance between the therewith associated one of said side mower units and said chassis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein each of said side mower unit mounting means includes an elongate telescopically adjustable support member, and retainer means for releasably securing said support member in any desired one of a plurality of possible adjustive conditions thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as in claim 2, wherein each of said side mower assembly mounting means includes said first support member, and a second elongate telescopically adjustable support member extending in generally parallel relationship to said first-mentioned support member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as in claim 3, wherein each of said support members includes first and second telescopically adjustable sections disposed in longitudinally adjustable telescopic relationship and each having at least one bore extending therethrough, said retainer means including a pin member within aligned ones of said bores of said strut members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus as in claim 4, and further including male and female coupling members interconnecting each of said support members and the therewith associated one of said side mower units, one of said coupling members being carried by said support member, and the other of said coupling members being carried by said mower assembly; said male and female coupling members being movable freely relative to each other in a vertical direction while being constrained against relative movement in a lateral direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said vehicle has a power take-off mechanism, and further including: transmissions upon said chassis and upon each of said mower units; telescopically adjustable and pivotably movable drive shafts, one of said drive shafts being connected to and extending between said power take-off mechanism and said transmission upon chassis, other of said drive shafts extending from said transmission upon said chassis to respective one of said mower units.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A gang mower as in claim 6, wherein said means for moving said mower units between said travel and operating positions thereof includes a plurality of piston and cylinder assemblies each connected adjacent one end thereof to said chassis and adjacent the opposite end thereof to a respective one of said mower units.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-12-02 | 1995-06-03 | 1995-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-02 | 1999-06-03 | 1999-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-02 | 2003-06-03 | 2003-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |