A01D101/00

String trimmer having a curved shaft section for variable length and operator height
11844309 · 2023-12-19 · ·

A lawn trimmer including a cutting disc, a drive shaft; and a flexible drive shaft. The drive shaft is within a straight shaft, connected to the motor and extending to the flexible drive shaft, translating the rotation of the motor to the flexible drive shaft. The flexible drive shaft is within a curved shaft, parallel but not-colinear with the straight shaft, extends to a rotor head connected to the curved shaft, translating drive shaft rotation to a cutting disc comprising a plurality of cutting blades on a cutting plane; an intersection between the cutting plane and the curved shaft axis defines a predetermined oblique angle.

Mower deck automatic leveling system

A mower deck automatic leveling system includes actuators that adjust the position of the mower deck at a plurality of different locations between the mower deck and vehicle frame at the selected cutting height, and sensors that calibrate the actuators by measuring the distance to a ground surface at a plurality of different locations on a mower deck at the selected cutting height.

Robotic work tool and a method for use in a robotic work tool comprising a lift/collision detection device

A robotic work tool having a chassis, a cover and a controller for controlling the operation of the robotic work tool. The robotic work tool further has a lift/collision detection device (300) connected to the controller for providing sensor input, and which Hft/coUision detection device (300) includes a first sensor element (340) and a second sensor element (345). The controller (110) is configured to receive sensor input of a distance value indicating a distance between the first sensor element (340) and the second sensor element (345), determine that a lift has been detected, fay comparing the distance value with a lift detection threshold and/or determine that a collision has been detected, by comparing the distance value with a collision detection threshold, wherein the collision detection threshold is different from the lift detection threshold.

Autonomous travel work machine
11844304 · 2023-12-19 · ·

An autonomous travel work machine includes a main body and a wheel, and is configured to execute a predetermined operation on an operation target while causing the main body to autonomously travel with the wheel. The autonomous travel work machine includes: an operation unit having a shape projecting from an upper face of the main body, the operation unit being operated by being pressed from an upper face side; and a protection unit located at a front side in a traveling direction of the main body relative to the operation unit, the protection unit being disposed at a height equal to or higher than an upper end of the operation unit.

Autonomous vehicle navigation
11849668 · 2023-12-26 · ·

Autonomous vehicle navigation is disclosed. An example lawn mower includes a vision sensor configured to capture an image of an area being approached. The lawn mower includes a processor in communication with the vision sensor and configured to divide the image into a grid of separate image sections. Each of the image sections corresponds to a respective portion of the area being approached. For each of the image sections in the grid the processor is further configured to calculate a percentage of the image section categorized as corresponding with unmowable material and assign a result value based on a comparison between the calculated percentage and one or more movement thresholds. The lawn mower includes a drive system in communication with the processor and configured to control movement of the lawn mower based on an arrangement of the result values in the grid of the image sections.

Mower blade bracket apparatus
11849666 · 2023-12-26 ·

A mower blade bracket apparatus for safely changing mower blades includes a bracket body comprising a first half adjustably coupled to a second half to adjust for a distance between a first distal end and a second distal end. The first distal end and the second distal end have a first mounting aperture and a second mounting aperture extending therethrough, respectively. A pair of mounting bolts is coupled to the bracket body. The pair of mounting bolts is engaged with the first mounting aperture and the second mounting aperture to selectively engage a skirt of a lawn mower. A blade sleeve is coupled to the bracket body. The blade sleeve slidingly receives a blade of the lawn mower.

Magnetic panel for utility vehicle

A utility vehicle having a magnetic panel movably and removably coupled thereto. The vehicle includes a frame carrying a prime mover and ground engaging members operatively attached to the frame. The vehicle also include includes a panel extending between a first end region and a second end region. The first end region of the panel is operatively coupled to the frame such that panel is both movably and removably attached to the frame. One or more magnets are positioned between the portion of the frame and an inner surface of the panel proximate the second end region of the panel such that the second end region of the panel is adapted to be removably couplable to the control tower via the one or more magnets.

Brush cutter having locking mechanism for cutter guard
11856887 · 2024-01-02 · ·

A brush cutter device having a latch assembly for securing a movable cutter guard in a closed position when the brush cutter is tilted beyond a predetermined angle. The guard is combined with a side of the housing and movable between a closed position and an open position. A latch is combined with a portion of the housing and is capable of moving between a retracted position wherein the guard is able to move freely between its open position and its closed position and an engaged position wherein the latch prevents the guard from moving to its open position. Upon tilting the brush cutter beyond a certain angle, gravity acts on the latch causing it to move from its retracted position to its engaged position. The guard would move from its closed position to its open position upon tilting the brush cutter beyond a certain angle, however, the latch is moved beyond its pivot point before the guard moves beyond its pivot point to lock the guard in its closed position.

Machine suspension system

A riding lawn mower includes a chassis having longitudinal support beam, a drive wheel, an electric motor coupled to the drive wheel, a suspended subframe having a longitudinal subframe beam pivotally coupled to the longitudinal support beam about a pivot axis, and a suspension device coupled between the longitudinal subframe beam and the longitudinal support beam. The longitudinal subframe beam at least partially supports the electric motor. The drive wheel and the electric motor are configured to translate relative to the chassis via the pivotal coupling between the longitudinal support beam and the longitudinal subframe beam.

Moving robot and method for controlling the same
11861054 · 2024-01-02 · ·

A robot and a method for controlling the robot detects a theft of the robot based on posture information for a main body of the robot and position information of the robot. Operation of the robot is restricted depending on whether a theft of the robot is detected.