U.S. patent application number 13/150665 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-15 for lawn care apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to CHERVON (HK) LIMITED. Invention is credited to Keith Park.
Application Number | 20110302893 13/150665 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44343309 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110302893 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; Keith |
December 15, 2011 |
LAWN CARE APPARATUS
Abstract
An apparatus, such as a lawnmower, includes a cutting device and
a chassis for carrying the cutting device. The chassis includes a
chassis body, at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel
mounted on the chassis body. A handle is fixedly connected to the
chassis and includes a handle body positioned above and behind the
cutting device. The apparatus provides a stable support deck by
having a body portion of the support deck extend rearwards and
upwards from the front wheel to the handle body.
Inventors: |
Park; Keith; (York,
GB) |
Assignee: |
CHERVON (HK) LIMITED
Wanchai
HK
|
Family ID: |
44343309 |
Appl. No.: |
13/150665 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
56/17.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16C 11/10 20130101;
A01D 34/824 20130101; F16C 2310/00 20130101; A01D 43/063
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
56/17.1 |
International
Class: |
A01D 34/00 20060101
A01D034/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 9, 2010 |
CN |
201010199742.3 |
Sep 4, 2010 |
CN |
201010281181.1 |
Claims
1. A apparatus for caring for a lawn, comprising: a support deck
supporting a grass cutting device a chassis carrying the support
deck; a handle which is pivotally connected to the chassis about an
axis; and a handle adjusting device, which is arranged between the
handle and the chassis; wherein the handle adjusting device
includes a locking member which has a locked position where the
relative position of the handle to the chassis is locked and an
unlocked position where the relative position of the handle to the
chassis is changeable about the axis.
2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the handle is
moveable about the axis between an unfolded position and a folded
position and wherein the handle is lockable in at least one of the
unfolded position, the folded position, and a certain position
between the unfolded position and the folded position by use of the
handle adjusting device.
3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the handle
adjusting device further includes a first body and a second body
which are pivotally connected to each other around the axis.
4. The apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the first body has
a first engaging portion, the second body has a second engaging
portion, and the locking member has a third engaging portion and
wherein the third engaging portion is engaged with the first and
second engaging portions in the locked position along the direction
of the axis, and disengaged with the first and second engaging
portions in the unlocked position along the direction of the
axis.
5. The apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the locking member,
the first body, and the second body are pivotally connected
together along the axis.
6. The apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the handle
adjusting device further includes a locking driving member having
an operating portion and a driving portion.
7. The apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein the locking driving
member is pivotally connected to the locking member, the first
body, and the second body about a second axis perpendicular to the
axis and wherein the driving portion has an eccentric driving
surface.
8. The apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the locking member
comprises a screw for driving the first body into engagement with
the second body
9. The apparatus as recited in claim 4, comprising a restoring
spring arranged between the locking member and one of the first
body and the second body.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of CN 201010199742.3,
filed Jun. 9, 2010, and CN 201010281181.1, filed on Sep. 4, 2010,
the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The subject application generally relates to improvements in
apparatuses for caring for a lawn.
[0003] Apparatuses for caring for a lawn, such as lawnmowers, are
known in the art. Generally, such apparatuses include a cutting
device and a chassis for carrying the cutting device. The chassis
is provided with wheels for helping the operator to move the
apparatus on the lawn and the cutting device is undetachably
mounted on the chassis. The chassis is generally heavy and multiple
different types of lawnmowers may be needed if the operator would
like to use different cutting devices with different performances
for different work conditions.
[0004] Moreover, in the known apparatuses, a height adjusting
device for adjusting the cutting depth is arranged between the
cutting device and the chassis. A handle is provided to allow the
operator to control the height adjusting device manually. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,633 discloses an exemplary height
adjusting device. These known height adjusting devices are,
however, inconvenient for the operator to operate since they need
the operator to perform multiple actions to complete a height
adjustment operation.
SUMMARY
[0005] The following describes an improved apparatus for caring for
a lawn, particularly one that provides relatively enhanced
portability and maneuverability.
[0006] More particularly, the following describes an improved
apparatus for caring for a lawn that includes: a cutting device; a
chassis for carrying the cutting device, including a chassis body,
at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel mounted on the
chassis body; and a handle fixedly connected to the chassis,
including a handle body located at the back upper portion of the
apparatus; wherein the apparatus has a stable support structure
including a body portion of the support deck extending rearwards
and upwards from the front wheel to the handle body. With such an
arrangement, the apparatus provides a stable support structure for
the operator so that the operator can better control movement of
the lawn caring apparatus.
[0007] While this describes one exemplary feature and advantage
that is obtained via the subject apparatus, other features and
advantages will be become clearer from the following drawings and
descriptions of various preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The subject apparatus for caring for a lawn will be
described with reference to the following drawings in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary apparatus for caring for a
lawn constructed according to one embodiment of the present
invention with the cutting device disengaged with the chassis for
clarity;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in
which the cutting device is in an upper position;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in
which the cutting device is in a lower position;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus
of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate a second embodiment of a
connection mode between a support deck of a cutting device and a
chassis of the apparatus;
[0014] FIG. 8 illustrates a first embodiment of a safety flap of a
grass displacing channel of the apparatus in which a grass
collector is in communication with the grass displacing channel and
the safety flap is in the open position;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 8 in
which the safety flap is in the open position and, for clarity, the
chassis of the lawnmower is not shown;
[0016] FIG. 10 is perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 8 in
which the grass collector is not in communication with the grass
displacing channel and the safety flap is in the closed position
and, for clarity, the chassis of the lawnmower is not shown;
[0017] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the grass displacing
channel of the apparatus of FIG. 10 in which the safety flap is in
the closed position;
[0018] FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 illustrate a second embodiment of
the safety flap of the grass displacing channel of the
apparatus;
[0019] FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 illustrate a counterpart structure
between the grass exit of the grass displacing channel and the
grass entrance of the grass collector of the apparatus with FIG. 17
showing a beginning edge of the grass displacing channel and a
first side of the grass entrance of the grass collector;
[0020] FIG. 20 illustrate a foldable handle of the apparatus and an
adjusting device thereof in which the handle of the lawnmower is in
the unfolded position.
[0021] FIG. 21 illustrates the handle of the apparatus in the
folded position;
[0022] FIG. 22 is an exploded view showing a first embodiment of
the handle adjusting device of the apparatus;
[0023] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the handle adjusting device
of FIG. 22 in which the actuating lever is in the locked
position;
[0024] FIG. 24 is a sectional view of the handle adjusting device
of FIG. 23 taken along line C-C thereof;
[0025] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the handle adjusting device
of FIG. 22 in which the actuating lever is in the unlocked
position;
[0026] FIG. 26 is a sectional view of the handle adjusting device
of FIG. 25 taken along line C-C thereof;
[0027] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the handle adjusting device
of FIG. 22 in which the actuating lever is in the unlocked position
and the handle is adjusted to a new position between the unfolded
position and the folded position;
[0028] FIG. 28 illustrates a second embodiment of the handle
adjusting device of the apparatus;
[0029] FIG. 29 is a sectional view of the handle adjusting device
of FIG. 28 taken along line D-D thereof in which the locking member
is in the locked position;
[0030] FIG. 30 is a sectional view of the handle adjusting device
of FIG. 28 taken along line D-D thereof in which the locking member
is in the unlocked position;
[0031] FIG. 31 illustrates an adjustable roller device of the
apparatus;
[0032] FIG. 32 illustrates an adjusting member of the roller device
of the apparatus in a first position;
[0033] FIG. 33 illustrates the adjusting member of the roller
device of the apparatus in a second position;
[0034] FIG. 34 illustrates the adjusting member of the roller
device of the apparatus in the first position with the cutting
device being set at a minimum cutting height;
[0035] FIG. 35 illustrates the adjusting member of the roller
device of the apparatus in the first position with the cutting
device being set at a second cutting height;
[0036] FIG. 36 illustrates the adjusting member of the roller
device of the apparatus in the first position with the cutting
device being set at a maximum cutting height; and
[0037] FIG. 37 illustrates a first embodiment of a stable support
of the lawnmower according to the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 38 illustrates a second embodiment of the stable
support of the lawnmower according to the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 39 illustrates a third embodiment of the stable support
of the lawnmower according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] The subject apparatus for caring for a lawn is now described
using reference to a lawnmower by way on non-limiting example.
[0041] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a lawnmower 1 constructed according to
a first exemplary embodiment. The lawnmower 1 includes a chassis 2
and a cutting device 3.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the chassis 2 includes a chassis
body 20 in the form of a frame structure. The chassis body 20
includes two side frames 200, a front rod 202, and a rear rod 204
which may preferably be straight rods positioned between the two
side frames 200 to connect the two side frames 200 together. Each
side frame has a front portion 206 and a rear portion 208. As shown
in FIG. 2, when the chassis 2 is positioned in a plane, the rear
portion 208 of the side frame 200 is higher than the front portion
206 so that a space for accommodating the cutting device 3 is
formed below the chassis 2. A front wheel 22 may be rotatably
connected to the front portion 206 of the chassis body 20 directly
or indirectly, and a rear wheel 22' may be rotatably connected to a
connecting member 210 positioned on the rear portion 208 of the
chassis body 20 directly or indirectly. Preferably, two front and
two rear wheels are provided, and the connecting members 210 are
V-shaped, two ends of each being fixed to or formed on the rear
portions 208 of the side frames 200. Alternatively, in other
embodiments, the number of the front or rear wheels may be
different, for example, the total number of the front wheels and
the rear wheels is three or more; the front rod and the rear rod as
the connecting rods between the two side frames may be formed with
other appropriate shapes and structures and need not be limited to
being straight and elongated rods, and one or more connecting rods
may be alternatively provided between the two side frames (not
limited to the front or rear portion of the side frame); the
connecting rods between the side frames and the rear wheels may
also be formed in other appropriate shapes and structures and need
not be limited to a V-shape.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 37, the lawnmower 1 further
comprises a handle 5 with a handling body 51 extending along a
width direction of the lawnmower. The handling body 51 of the
handle 5 is fixedly connected to the chassis body 20 via handle
connecting portions 53 in a height direction of the lawnmower. This
kind of fixed connection may be unreleasable connection, or may be
releasable connection as described in the following description. As
one of the advantages of the lawn mower according to the present
invention, the present invention provides a stable integral support
for the lawnmower. FIG. 37 shows a first embodiment of the stable
support of the lawn mower according to the present invention.
Referring to the thick lines containing the solid lines and dot
lines in FIG. 37, wherein those indicated by the dot lines in FIG.
37 means being covered by the other parts of the lawnmower, the
side frames 200, the front rod 202, the rear rod 204, the two
connecting members 210 of the chassis 2 of the lawnmower, the
handle connecting portions 53, and the handling body 51 combine
together to form a stable support structure in which the front and
rear portions have relatively stable position. Each connecting
member 210 has an upper end connecting to one of the side frame 200
and a lower end connecting to one of the rear wheels 22'. A support
rod 212 connects between the two rear wheels 22'. As well known for
those ordinary skilled in the art, the main weight of the lawnmower
may be born by the front wheels, the rear wheels and the structure
connecting the front and rear wheels in the cutting process. When
it needs the operator to lift the rear wheel of the lawnmower
upwards by gripping the handle while the operator stands behind the
handle, the weight of the lawnmower is substantially completely
carried by the support structure, which may be a terrible challenge
for the support structure of the lawnmower. In the prior art, a
support structure of a lawnmower is formed by connecting a handle
with a chassis positioned under the power cutting device of the
lawnmower near rear wheels, thus when lifting the rear wheel,
connecting portions between the chassis and the handle and near the
rear wheels may be deformed largely so that the connecting portions
between the chassis and the handle to tend to rupture and damage;
moreover, it is hard for the operator to press the handle downwards
to turn up a front portion of the lawnmower around the rear wheels
which needs to take much more strength. However, in the support
structure of the lawnmower of according to the present invention,
the main portion, that is the handle connecting portions and the
side frames, of support structure between the handling body 5 of
the handle and the front wheels 22 extends obliquely rearwards and
upwards from the front wheels substantially in a straight line, so
that no matter the operator grips the handling body 51 to lift the
rear wheel upwards or turn up the front wheel, the forces applied
to the portions between the handling body 5 of the handle and the
front wheel 22 are generally equal without sections with large
local stress difference formed, thus it ensures that no weak
sections tends to possibly rupture. Moreover, the connecting
portion 210 with a V shape also provides a more stable support
between the side frames and the rear wheels.
[0044] FIG. 38 shows a second embodiment of the stable support of
the lawn mower according to the present invention, which has a
difference to the first embodiment of the stable support shown in
FIG. 37 that the rear rod 204 between the two side frames is
removed.
[0045] FIG. 39 shows a third embodiment of the stable support of
the lawn mower according to the present invention, which has a
difference to the first embodiment of the stable support shown in
FIG. 37 that the connecting member 210 is differently shaped.
[0046] The cutting device 3 includes a support deck 30 for
supporting the power source, an electric motor 32 mounted on the
support deck 30, and a cutting blade 34 directly mounted on an
output shaft of the motor 32. Preferably, the support deck 30
includes a volute or arched grass displacing channel 36 so as to
allow cut grass to pass and be guided into the grass collector or
displaced out of the lawnmower. The members forming the grass
displacing channel and the other parts of the support deck may be
formed integrally, or assembled by different members. In use, the
motor 32 drives the cutting blade 34 to rotate around a vertically
oriented axis to complete the cutting. The general person skilled
in the art may appreciate that in the other embodiments,
alternatively, the electric motor as the power source may be
replaced by a mini-gas engine, the cutting blade as the cutting
member may be replaced by a flexible cutting line or cutting line
spool, the output shaft of the power source and the cutting member
may be indirectly connected by a deceleration transmission
mechanism, and the support deck of the power source may also be
separated from the members forming the cut grass guiding
channel.
[0047] The support deck 30 of the power source also includes a
connecting means for connecting the support deck 30 and the chassis
body 20. In a first embodiment, the connecting means takes the form
of two sleeves which are formed on the front top portion of the
support deck 30, such as a sleeve 302 having an opening 304
respectively. Each side frame 200 includes a middle portion 207,
the front end 207' of which is releasably connected to the front
portion 206 of the side frame. In the first embodiment, the front
portion 206 has a C-shaped section, and the front end 207' of the
middle portion 207 is inserted into the front portion 206, and is
releasably secured into the front portion 206. Once the front end
207' of the middle portion 207 of the side frame 200 is released
from the front portion 206, and inserted into the opening 304 of
the sleeve 302 of the support deck 30, and then the front end 207'
of the middle portion 207 of the side frame 200 is connected or
secured to the front portion 206 of the side frame, the cutting
device 3 may be mounted to the chassis body 20 of the chassis 2, so
the chassis 2 may move on the lawn while carrying the cutting
device 3. In the other embodiments, the support deck of the cutting
device may be connected to the chassis by other connecting
mechanisms.
[0048] Compared to a chassis in which the cutting device is fixedly
attached, the frame-type chassis of the subject lawnmower has a
simpler structure, saves in materials, decreases weight, and
reduces cost, and one chassis may be used to adapt the lawnmower
with cutting devices with different performances and configurations
thus providing a universal platform adapted to different cutting
devices thereby further reducing the cost associated with a user
needing to have lawnmowers with different performances for adapting
to more work conditions.
[0049] An adjusting device 4 is arranged between the chassis 2 and
the cutting device 3, which is used for adjusting the height of the
cutting device 3 with regard to the chassis 2, thereby adjusting
the grass cutting height. The adjusting device 4 includes an
adjusting seat 40, an adjustment driving device mounted on the
adjusting seat 40, a driving member driven by the adjustment
driving device, and a driven member which is connected to the
driving member and displaces in the height direction with the
movement of the driving member. In a first embodiment, the
adjusting device includes a motor 42, a pinion gear 43 positioned
on the output shaft of the motor 42 and a large gear 44 which is
connected to the driving member and engages with the pinion gear
43. The driving member takes the form of a screw 45, and the driven
member takes the form of a driven block formed with a threaded
opening having internal thread which may be engaged with the thread
of the screw. When the motor 42 is started, and the screw 45
rotates around its central axis A under the transmission of the
gears 43 and 44, the driven block 46 moves along the screw 45 in
the direction of the axis A, thereby driving the driven block 46 to
displace in the height direction H. Obviously, the rotating axis of
the driven block coincides with the axis A of the screw 45. The
person skilled in the art may obviously appreciate that
alternatively, the driving member may be a driving block with
internal threads, and the driven member may be a screw with
external threads which may be engaged with the internal threads of
the driving member.
[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the adjusting seat 40 is
connected to the chassis body 20 by screws or the like. The driven
member 46 is mounted on a connecting member 47 which is fixedly
connected to or directly formed on the support deck 30 of the
cutting device 3. With this arrangement, when the motor 42 is
started, the cutting device 3 moves along with the driven block 46
in the direction of axis A so as to displace in the height
direction H, thereby completing the height adjustment of the
cutting member so as to adjust the grass cutting depth. Any height
adjustment in the moving area of the driven member may be achieved
by controlling the motor.
In the process of the height adjustment, the sleeve 304 of the
cutting device 3, which is connected to the middle portion 207 of
the side frame of the chassis body, slides on the front end 207' of
the middle portion 207 of the side frame in the longitudinal axis
A' of the front end 207' of the middle portion 207 of the side
frame, so it ensures that the integral cutting device 3 may get a
substantially stable support, while the axis A' is parallel to the
axis A. For this purpose, at least a portion of the surface of the
front end 207' of the middle portion 207 of the side frame extends
in the direction parallel to the axis A of the screw, and the
sleeve of the support deck of the cutting device is slidably
connected to the at least a portion of the surface.
[0051] In the other embodiments, the positions of the adjusting
seat and the driven member may be interchanged, that is to say, the
adjusting seat is connected to the support deck of the cutting
device, and the driven member is connected to the chassis body.
[0052] The adjusting seat 40 further includes a guide internal
surface 41, and the driven block 46 includes a guide external
surface 46' which comes into contact with the internal surface 41
to guide the driven block. In the process of the driven block 46
moving along the screw 45, the external surface 46' of the driven
block moves along the internal surface 41 of the adjusting seat in
the direction parallel to the axis A of the screw all the while, so
as to ensure the linear degree of the movement of the driven block,
thus the driven block will not be stopped on the screw 45 because
of the weight of the cutting device. Preferably, the guide internal
surface and the guide external surface are both flat planes, but in
the other embodiments, they may be replaced by non flat planes, as
long as the extending direction of one of the guide internal
surface and the guide external surface is parallel to the axis A of
the screw.
[0053] FIGS. 2 and 3 show that the cutting device is positioned in
a upper position and a lower position with respect to the chassis
respectively.
[0054] Alternatively, the motor 42 may be supplied power via an
alkaline battery, rechargeable battery or AC power source. The
control circuit of the motor 42 and the control circuit of the
power source of the cutting device may be arranged in the same
circuit system, or may be separated from each other.
[0055] Alternatively, in the other embodiments, the adjustment
driving device may only include a motor, wherein the output shaft
of the motor is connected to the driving member directly; or the
adjustment driving device may be driven by a motor with linear
movement or other appropriate type of power sources; the driving
member and the driven member may utilize other transmissions,
including: a rotating transmission (while in the rotating
transmission, the rotating axes of the driving member and the
driven member may be parallel to but not coincide with each other),
or a sliding transmission as long as the movement transmitted from
the adjustment driving device is converted to the displacement of
the driven member in the height direction. The driven member may
also be directly connected to the support deck of the cutting
device or directly formed on the support deck of the cutting
device.
[0056] With the adjusting device driven by the power source, the
operator can complete the height adjustment without multiple
actions, thus the maneuverability of the machine is enhanced.
[0057] Next referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, a the second embodiment
of a connection mode between the cutting device 3 and the chassis 2
is illustrated. In these drawings the same reference numeral
indicate the same or a corresponding member or component as
previously described.
[0058] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, a cover
36 for protecting the power source is mounted on the support deck
30 of the power source above the power source; a grass collector 6
is mounted on the support deck 30 and mainly positioned behind the
support deck 30. A support lever 212 is arranged between the
connecting members 210 on the rear portions 208 of the two side
frames 200 of the chassis body. In this embodiment, the connecting
means for connecting the support deck 30 to the chassis body 20
includes two connecting projections 306 positioned on the front end
of the support deck 30, each of which has an outer side surface
306'. When the support deck 30 and the cover 36 are positioned on
the chassis body 20, the support lever 212 on the chassis body
comes into contact with a bottom 308 of the support deck 30, and
supports the support deck 30 so as to support the cutting device 3.
At the same moment, the two projections 306 of the support deck 30
are positioned in the two side frames 200, and the outer side
surfaces 306' bear against the internal sides of the two side frame
200 of the chassis body 20 respectively so as to limit the
displacement of the support deck 30 and the cover in the width
direction W of the lawnmower, thus it ensures the stability of the
cutting device in the width direction W. As with the first
described embodiment, when the height of the cutting device is
adjusted by the adjusting device, the projections of the connecting
means for connecting the support deck 30 and the chassis body 20
may move along the side frame of the chassis body.
[0059] The person skilled in the art may easily appreciate that the
connecting means on the front end of the support deck, connected to
the side frame of the chassis body may be configured as other forms
or structures. For example, it may also be configured such that
when the support deck is positioned on the chassis body, the
connecting projections of the front end of the support deck are
positioned out of the two side frames, and the internal sides of
the projections come into contact with the external sides of the
side frames; or the connecting projections of the front end of the
support deck may also be designed as hooks so as to hang the
support deck of the cutting device onto the side frames of the
chassis body; and so on.
[0060] Next, a first embodiment of a safety flap of the grass
displacing channel of the lawnmower according is illustrated in
FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11. The grass displacing channel 36 of the
support deck 30 of the cutting device 3 of the lawnmower 1 has a
grass exit 363, and a safety flap 362 with an adjustable position
for switching the grass displacing direction of the grass
displacing channel is arranged at the grass exit 363. The safety
flap 362 is flat, which includes a connecting portion 364 connected
to the pivot connecting seat 366 at the grass exit 363, and may
pivot around an axis 368. The safety flap 362 has a closed position
(as shown in FIG. 10) and an open position (as shown in FIG. 8). A
restoring means, such as spring, a magnetic force component, or the
like is arranged between the safety flap 362 and the support deck
30, and preferably, between the connecting portion 364 of the
safety flap and the connecting seat 366 of the support deck 30. The
restoring means may apply a restoring force to the safety flap 362
to cause the safety flap 362 to tend to move towards the closed
position.
[0061] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the case without outer
force, a safety flap 36 is in the closed position and covers the
grass exit 363 so that the grass displacing channel 36 is closed to
form an unblocked internal grass displacing path. The grass cut by
the cutting member 34 is caused to flow along the rotating
direction of the cutting member in the internal grass displacing
path, and further cut into lesser pieces by the cutting member 34
until the pieces of the grass are so little that they fall to the
ground. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the operator pivots the
safety flap 362 to the open position and the grass exit 363 is
exposed, the grass entrance 64 of the grass collector 6 may be
inserted into the grass exit 363 of the grass displacing channel to
form an external grass displacing path, and when the grass cut by
the cutting member 34 enter into the grass exit 363, the grass is
guided into a main body 62 of the grass collector by the grass
entrance 64 of the grass collector. The flowing path of the cut
grass is indicated by the arrow in FIG. 9. If the grass entrance 64
of the grass collector is pulled out of the grass collector 6, the
safety flap 362 may be restored to the closed position
automatically under the action of the elastic force of the
spring.
[0062] Next, the second embodiment of the safety flap of the grass
displacing channel of the lawnmower according to the present
invention is illustrated with reference to FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 15 and
16. The difference from the first embodiment of the safety flap of
the grass displacing channel is that in the second embodiment, the
safety flap 362 is arc-shaped, and a spanner 365 which is
convenient for the operator to operate is additionally provided,
and the other parts are the same as with the first embodiment. The
spanner 365 and the safety flap 362 are fixedly connected or formed
integrally so as to ensure that the relative positions of both
members are constant. As shown in FIG. 13, the safety flap 362 is
in the closed position, and covers the grass exit 363. FIGS. 14 and
15 show that the operator presses the spanner 365 in the direction
indicated by the arrow so as to bring the safety flap 362 to rotate
around the axis 368, thereby the safety flap 362 is rotated from
the closed position to the open position. As shown in FIG. 16, the
safety flap 362 is in the open position, and the grass exit 363 is
exposed, thus the grass entrance 64 of the grass collector may be
easily inserted into the grass exit 363 of the grass displacing
channel.
[0063] The person skilled in the art may easily appreciate that
based on the concept of the present invention, the safety flap of
the grass displacing channel may be changed or displaced by other
forms or configurations in the other embodiments.
[0064] Compared with the prior art, in which an independent cover
as an attachment is provided for inserting into or pulling out of
the grass exit, a safety flap which may be switched between the
closed position and the open position is arranged at the grass exit
of the grass displacing channel of the cutting device of the
lawnmower in the present invention, thus the switch of the grass
displacing direction will become easy, and the safety flap is not
easy to lose with regard to an independent attachment.
[0065] Next, the counterpart structure between the grass entrance
of the grass collector and the grass exit of the grass displacing
channel of the lawnmower is described with reference to FIGS. 17,
18 and 19.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 18, the grass displacing channel 36 on the
support deck 30 of the cutting device 3 has a beginning edge 367
and a terminating edge 365 which is mainly taller than the edge 367
in the height direction H. The support deck 30 has an inner edge
301 at the grass entrance 363. The beginning edge 367 and the
terminating edge 365 of the grass displacing channel 36 and the
inner edge 301 of the support deck 30 are connected successively,
and form the edge of the grass exit 363 on the support deck 30. As
shown in FIG. 19, in order to mate with the grass exit 363, the
edge of the grass entrance 64 of the grass collector 6 is formed by
a first edge 645, a second edge 647 and a third edge 649 connected
successively, wherein the third edge 649 is positioned on the
forefront of the grass entrance 64, and the first edge 645 and the
second edge 647 extend from the portion connected to the third edge
649 in the direction away from the forefront and interconnect at
the end, thereby a gap is formed at the grass entrance 64. The
first edge 645 of the grass entrance 64 is mated with the beginning
edge 367 of the grass displacing channel 36, that is to say, when a
front end 644 of the grass entrance 64 of the grass collector is
inserted into the grass exit 363 of the grass displacing channel
36, the edges 645, 367 are connected completely or generally (as
shown in FIG. 17). The second edge 647 of the grass entrance 64 is
mated with the inner edge 301 of the support deck 30, that is to
say, when the front end 644 of the grass entrance 64 of the grass
collector is inserted into the grass exit 363 of the grass
displacing channel 36, the edges 647, 301 are connected completely
or generally. The third edge 649 of the grass entrance 64 is mated
with the terminating edge 365 of the grass displacing channel 36,
that is to say, when the front end 644 of the grass entrance 64 of
the grass collector is inserted into the grass exit 363 of the
grass displacing channel 36, the outer surface of the front end 644
of the grass entrance 64 inserted into the grass displacing channel
36 joins with the inner surface of a terminating end 365' of the
grass displacing channel at their opposite portions (as shown in
FIG. 17). With this arrangement, when the grass entrance of the
grass collector is inserted into the grass exit of the grass
displacing channel, the cut grass entering into the grass entrance
of the grass collector is guided into the grass collector. At the
same time, the gap of the grass entrance does not affect the
further movement of the cut grass driven by the cutting member in
the grass displacing channel when the cut grass is moving in the
grass displacing channel and cannot reach the height for entering
into the grass entrance of the collector, until the grass reaches
the height for entering into the grass entrance of the collector.
Then, the cut grass is displaced into the grass collector through
the grass entrance of the grass collector, thus the efficiency and
effect of the grass collecting may be largely enhanced. If the
first edge of the grass entrance of the grass collector cannot be
mated with the beginning edge 367 of the grass displacing channel
36 or the second edge 647 of the grass entrance 64 cannot be mated
with the inner edge 301 of the support deck 30, either the cut
grass moving in the lower portions of the grass displacing channel
are stopped by the grass entrance and fall to the ground or the cut
grass goes out of the grass displacing channel and falls to the
other parts of the lawnmower.
[0067] Next, a handle adjusting device 7 of the foldable handle 5
of the lawnmower is described with reference to FIGS. 20-30.
[0068] The lawnmower 1 also comprises a foldable handle 5 with a
handle body 51 extending substantially along the width direction of
the lawnmower and handle connecting portions 53 pivotally connected
to the chassis 2 around the axis B. Preferably, the handle
connecting portions 53 extend from the two ends of the handle body
51 respectively and are pivotally connected to the rear ends 208 of
the side frame 200 of the chassis 2 around the axis B. In other
embodiments, the handle connecting portions may be configured with
other shapes or structures, and may also be pivotally connected to
other parts of the chassis.
[0069] A handle adjusting device 7 is arranged at the joint between
the handle connecting portion 53 and the chassis 2 in order to
facilitate the adjustment of the position of the handle 5 with
regard to the chassis 2, and to locate it in the unfolded position
(as shown in FIG. 20) or in the folded position (as shown in FIG.
21) or in a position between the unfolded position and the folded
position. Preferably, one handle adjusting device is arranged
between each handle connecting portion 53 and the chassis 2. The
person skilled in the art may easily appreciate that only one
handle adjusting device may be provided between the handle
connecting portions and the chassis. In the other embodiments, the
handle adjusting device of the present invention may also be
arranged between the handle and the other parts of the lawnmower
when the handle of the lawnmower is connected to the other parts of
the lawnmower except for the chassis.
[0070] As shown in FIGS. 22-27, the handle adjusting device 7 of
the lawnmower according to the first embodiment of the present
invention includes a first body 71 connected to the handle
connecting portion 53, a second body 72 connected to one side frame
200 of the chassis 2, a locking member 73 and a locking driving
member 75, wherein the central axes (which are indicated by axes B)
of the first body 71, the second body 72 and the locking member 73
are coincident. Preferably, the first body 71 is an annular member
with an inner stepped cylindrical opening 711 and a central axis B.
The first body 71 has a stepped section in the radial direction (as
shown in FIG. 25) and includes a first engaging portion 712. The
first engaging portion 712 includes multiple reference teeth along
the radial direction around the axis B. The outer end of each
reference tooth is positioned in a first plane 713, and the angle
interval between the two adjacent reference teeth is 5 degrees, and
may be other degrees in the other embodiments. The second body 72
includes a cover 721 and an engaging member 722 fixedly connected
to the cover 721. A second engaging portion 723 having multiple
reference teeth along the radial direction around the axis B is
provided at one end of the engaging member 722. The outer end of
each reference tooth is positioned in a second plane 713'.
Preferably, the angle interval between the two adjacent teeth of
the engaging member 722 is the same with that of the first engaging
portion 712. The engaging member 722 is provided with an inner
opening 722' and a groove 724 in the outer circumference at the
other end thereof, and the cover 721 is provided with a projection
721' at one end.
[0071] As shown in FIGS. 24 and 26, when assembled, the reference
teeth of the first engaging portion 712 and the second engaging
portion 723 are open towards the same direction, and then the
engaging member 722 is inserted into the inner stepped cylindrical
opening 711 of the first body so that the portion of the first body
71 with the smallest radius is blocked in the groove 724 of the
engaging member 722. Next, the projection 721' of the cover 721 of
the second body 72 is inserted into the inner opening 722' of the
engaging member 722, and the projection 721' and the inner opening
722' are adaptable in shape and mated closely, thereby the first
body 71 is clipped between the engaging member 722 and the cover
721 of the second body 72, and the first body 71 may rotate around
the axis B with regard to the second body 72, and now the outer
surface 713 of the first engaging portion 712 and the outer surface
713' of the reference teeth of the second engaging portion 723 are
coplanar. With the pivot connection between the first body 71 and
the second body 72 around the axis B, the handle 5 is pivotally
connected to the chassis 2 around the axis B. An annular groove 725
for accommodating one end of a restoring spring 76 is arranged on
the end of the engaging member 722.
[0072] One end of the locking member 73 is provided with a third
engaging portion 731 toward the first and second engaging portions
and an annular groove 733 for accommodating the other end of the
restoring spring 76. The locking member 73 also has a stepped
opening 732 along the direction of the central axis B. The portion
of the stepped opening 732 with a larger radius is adjacent to the
foregoing end of the locking member 73, and the portion of the
stepped opening 732 with a smaller radius is adjacent to the other
end of the locking member 73. The engaging member 722 and the cover
721 of the second body both have an opening with an axis B as the
central axis. The opening forms the opening 724 of the second body
72 when the engaging member 722 is fastened to the cover 721.
[0073] A connecting shaft 74 has a head portion 741 which is
stopped by the step of the stepped opening 732, a body portion 742
which extends through the stepped opening 732 of the locking member
73 and the opening 724 of the second body 72, and an end portion
743 which is extending out of the opening 724. A locking driving
member 75 includes an operating portion 751 for the operator to
operate, and a driving portion 752 which may bring the locking
member 73 to move between a locked position (as shown in FIG. 24)
and an unlocked position (as shown in FIG. 26) along the direction
of the axis B. The locking driving member 75 has a cylindrical
opening 754 with an axis E perpendicular to the axis B adjacent to
the driving portion 752. A cylindrical pin 755 is mounted into the
cylindrical opening 754 and has the same axis with the cylindrical
opening 754. The middle portion of the pin 755 has a connecting
opening 756 to which the end portion 743 of the connecting shaft 74
is fixedly connected by a tight fit, thus the locking member 73 is
pivotally connected around the axis B with regard to the first body
71 and the second body 72. The locking driving member 75 may rotate
around the axis E. The storing spring 76 surrounds the connecting
shaft 74 between the locking member 73 and the first body 71, and
applies forces with different directions to the locking member 73
and the first body 71, thus they tend to move away from each other.
In the other embodiments, the connecting shaft 74 may be fixedly
connected to or formed integrally with the locking member 73.
[0074] The driving portion 752 of the locking driving member 75 has
an eccentric driving plane 753 around the axis B. As shown in FIG.
24, when the locking driving member 75 is in the locked position,
the portion of the driving plane 753 of the driving portion 752
away from the axis B bears against the surface of another end of
the cover 721 of the second body 72, thereby the head portion 741
of the connecting shaft 74 forces the locking member 73 to be
located in the locked position along the axis B. Thus, the
reference teeth of the third engaging portion 731 of the locking
member 73, the first engaging portion 712 of the first body 71 and
the second engaging portion 723 of the second body 72 are engaged
with each other, thereby the relative positions between the first
body 71 and the second body 72 are locked.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 26, when the locking driving member 75 is
in the unlocked position, the portion of the driving plane 753 of
the driving portion 752 adjacent to the axis B bears against the
surface of another end of the cover 721 of the second body 72, and
the locking member 73 is moved to the unlocked position along the
axis B towards the direction away from the first body 71 and the
second body 72 along the axis B under the action of the restoring
spring 76. At that moment, the reference teeth of the third
engaging portion 731 of the locking member, the first engaging
portion 712 of the first body and the second engaging portion 723
of the second body 72 are disengaged with each other, thereby the
first body 71 and the second body 72 may rotate oppositely around
the axis B so as to adjust the position of the handle connecting
portion 53 with regard to the side frame 200 of the chassis. In the
other embodiments, as a restoring means, the restoring spring may
be replaced by other devices, such as magnetic force
components.
[0076] Next is described the adjusting operation process of the
position of the handle with regard to the chassis. As shown in FIG.
23, the handle is in the unfolded position, and the locking driving
member 75 is in the locked position, and the locking member 73 is
in the locked position (as shown in FIG. 24) along the axis B. As
shown in FIG. 25, the locking driving member 75 is pressed down to
rotate around the axis E to the unlocked position, and the locking
member is in the unlocked position (as shown in FIG. 6) along the
axis B. When the handle connecting portion 53 is rotated with
regard to the side frame 200 of the chassis around the axis B to a
certain position (as shown in FIG. 27) and the locking driving
member 75 is pushed upwards to its locked position, the locking
member 73 is located in the locked position along the axis B, thus
the positions of the first body 71 and the second body 72 are
fixed, thereby the position of the handle with regard to the
chassis is fixed. FIG. 27 shows a certain position between the
unfolded position and the folded position of the handle. It may be
easily understood that the operator may adjust and fix the handle
to the unfolded position or the folded position or any position
between the unfolded position and the folded position with regard
to the chassis through the handle adjusting device 7 described
herein.
[0077] Preferably, the reference teeth of the first, second and
third engaging portions have the same angle internal between each
two reference teeth, that is to say, the number of the reference
teeth is the same. In the other embodiments, the reference teeth of
the first, second and third engaging portions may have different
angle internal between each two reference teeth, that is to say,
the number of the reference teeth is not the same.
[0078] FIGS. 28-30 illustrates a second embodiment of the handle
adjusting device wherein the handle adjusting device 7 includes a
first body 71, a second body 72, a locking member 73 and a locking
driving member 75. The device differs from the previously described
device in that the handle connecting portion 53 is connected to the
second body 72 and the side frame 200 of the chassis is connected
to the first body 71; the locking driving member 71 has a
configuration different from the locking driving member previously
described and serves as a connecting shaft; the opening 724 of the
second body is a threaded opening; and the restoring spring is
omitted. In the second described embodiment of the handle adjusting
device, the locking driving member 75 includes an operating portion
751 for the operator to rotate around the axis B, a connecting neck
portion 757 for supporting the locking member 73, and a driving
portion 752 taking the form of a screw along the axis B. The
external threads of the driving portion 752 are mated with the
internal threads of the opening 724 of the second body 72, thus the
locking member 73, the first body 71 and the second body 72 are
pivotally connected around the axis B.
[0079] By rotating the locking driving member 75, the operator may
move the locking member 73 toward the first body 71 and the second
body 72 along the axis B to its locked position (as shown in FIG.
29) along the axis B, or move the locking member 73 toward the
direction away from the first body 71 and the second body 72 along
the axis B to its unlocked position (as shown in FIG. 30) along the
axis B. In the locked position of the locking member 73, the third
engaging portion 731 of the locking member is engaged with the
first engaging portion 712 of the first body and the second
engaging portion 723 of the second body 72, thus the relative
positions of the first body and the second body are fixed. In the
unlocked position of the locking member 73, the third engaging
portion 731 of the locking member is disengaged with the first
engaging portion 712 of the first body and the second engaging
portion 723 of the second body 72, thus the operator may change the
relative positions of the first body 71 and the second body 72.
[0080] The person skilled in the art may easily appreciate that the
components in the handle adjusting device of the lawnmower may be
configured with other forms or constructions, and not be limited to
the constructions described in the first and second embodiments.
Moreover, the handle adjusting device may be replaced or change by
other forms without departing the scope of the idea of the
invention.
[0081] With the handle adjusting device arranged between the handle
and the chassis of the lawnmower or the other parts, the operator
may easily adjust the height of the handling portion of the handle
to improve the ergonomics thereof, or the operator may easily
switch the handle to the folded position so as to facilitate
carrying or storing the apparatus. Additionally, the folded handle
may also be used to carry other objects.
[0082] Next, an adjustable roller device 8 of the lawnmower 1 is
described with reference to FIGS. 31-36.
[0083] The roller device 8 is mounted on the rear portion of the
lawnmower 1 adjacent to the rear wheel 22'. The roller device 8
includes a roller 81 which is generally an elongated cylindrical
member, mounted on a pivot shaft 811, which rotates around a
central axis F that is extending along the width direction of the
lawnmower. The roller device 8 may also include an elastic
connecting means 82 which is preferably composed of two parallel
spring steel strip, an adjusting member 83, and a restricting
support 84. The elastic connecting means 82 is pivotally connected
to the support deck 30 of the cutting device 3 around an axis
parallel to the axis F at one end 821, and pivotally connected to
the roller 81 around the axis F at the other end 822. The
restricting support 84 is fixedly connected to the support deck 30
of the cutting device 3, and has a first restricting member 841 and
a second restricting member 842, which may preferably be grooves.
The adjusting member 83 is fixedly connected to one end 821 of the
elastic connecting means 82, and has a locking portion 831, thus
the adjusting member 83 may pivot around an axis G with regard to
the restricting support 84, and be restricted to one of the first
position and the second position. By changing the position of the
adjusting member 83 with regard to the restricting support 84
fixedly connected to the support deck 30, the elastic connecting
means 82 may bring the roller to switch between a suspended
position and a non-suspended position. The suspended position and a
non-suspended position here are defined with regard to the cutting
device 3 located in the minimum cutting height.
[0084] As shown in FIG. 33, in the second position of the adjusting
member 83, the locking portion 831 of the adjusting member 83 is
mated with the second restricting member 842 of the restricting
support 84, thus the elastic connecting means 82 may support the
roller 81 so that the roller 81 is in the suspended position and is
spaced from the surface to be mowed.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 34, the locking portion 831 of the
adjusting member 83 is mated with the first restricting member 841
of the restricting deck 84. When the cutting device 3 is in the
minimum cutting height, the distance between one end 821 of the
elastic connecting means 82 and the surface to be mowed is
smallest. Moreover, the roller 81 on the other end 822 is in the
non-suspended position and comes into contact with the surface to
be mowed and the elastic connecting means 82 is deformed in some
degree due to the weight stress of the lawn mower.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 35, in the first position of the adjusting
device 83, when the support deck 30 is adjusted so that the cutting
device 3 is located in a second cutting height taller than the
minimum cutting height, the distance between the end 821 of the
elastic connecting means 82 and the surface for placing the
lawnmower becomes larger and the roller 81 on the other end 822 is
still engaged with the surface to be mowed. But, in this position,
the deformation of the elastic connecting means is reduced or no
deformation is formed.
[0087] As shown in FIG. 36, in the first position of the adjusting
member 83, when the support deck 30 is adjusted so that the cutting
device 3 is located in a third cutting height (the maximum cutting
height) much taller than the second cutting height, the distance
between the end 821 of the elastic connecting means 82 and the
surface for placing the lawnmower is larger, and even the roller 81
on the other end 822 is disengaged with the surface to be
mowed.
[0088] With the adjustable roller device of the lawnmower, the
operator may adjust the position of the roller according to the
work conditions and personal requirements.
[0089] The detailed embodiments described above are intended to
illuminate the concepts and principles of the present invention,
rather than limit the scope of the invention. It can be easily
understood for those skilled in the art that many other
modifications and variations of these preferred embodiments will be
apparent and may be made without departing from the spirit and the
scope of the invention.
* * * * *