Articulating front axle mower

Abstract

In a riding mower having a frame supported on front and rear wheels, a mower deck supported beneath the frame, a chair on said frame and a source of motive power also supported on said frame and including an improved suspension system with an articulating front axle that substantially isolates the front wheels from the frame of the lawnmower to thereby dampen vibrations transmitted to the operator as the vehicle traverses the ground.

Claims

1. A riding mower apparatus for use on a surface by a user, the riding mower apparatus comprising: a frame; an engine mounted to the frame and adapted to provide motive power; spaced apart left and right rear wheels supporting the frame and adapted to be selectively rotated by the motive power of the engine; spaced apart left and right front wheels supporting the frame and pivotally secured to the frame by left and right articulating arms that permit upward and downward movement of the left and right front wheels relative to the frame, the left articulating arm comprising a distal end secured to the left front wheel and a proximal end pivotally secured to the frame by way of a left articulating arm fastener, and the right articulating arm comprising a distal end secured to the right front wheel and a proximal end pivotally secured to the frame by way of a right articulating arm fastener; a left dampening pillow configured to cushion movement of the left articulating arm and the left wheel, the left dampening pillow disposed between the frame and an upper face of a proximate portion of the left articulating arm that is located between a mid-section of the left articulating arm and the proximal end of the left articulating arm, and the left dampening pillow configured to be compressed by pivoting of the left articulating arm; and a right dampening pillow configured to cushion movement of the right arm and the right wheel, the right dampening pillow disposed between the frame and an upper face of a proximate portion of the right articulating arm that is located between a mid-section of the right articulating arm and the proximal end of the right articulating arm, and the right dampening pillow configured to be compressed by pivoting of the right articulating arm.

2. The riding mower apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the left articulating arm is disposed between vertically oriented members of the frame and the left articulating arm fastener extends between the vertically oriented members and the proximal end of the right articulating arm is disposed between the vertically oriented members of the frame and the right articulating arm fastener extends between the vertically oriented members.

3. The riding mower apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the proximal ends of the left and right articulating arms are proximate one another.

4. The riding mower apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the left articulating arm fastener extends through the proximal end of the left articulating arm, and the right articulating arm fastener extends through the proximal end of the right articulating arm.

5. The riding mower apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the frame comprises a mounting plate that comprises the vertically oriented members of the frame, and wherein the left dampening pillow is disposed between the upper face of the left articulating arm and the mounting plate, and the right dampening pillow is disposed between the upper face of the right articulating arm and the mounting plate.

6. The riding mower apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the left dampening pillow and the right dampening pillow are formed of an elastomeric material.

7. A riding mower apparatus for use on a surface by a user, the riding mower apparatus comprising: a frame; an engine mounted to the frame and adapted to provide motive power; spaced apart left and right rear wheels supporting the frame and adapted to be selectively rotated by the motive power of the engine; spaced apart left and right front wheels supporting the frame, the left wheel pivotally secured to the frame by a left articulating arm that permits upward and downward movement of the left wheel relative to the frame and the right wheel pivotally secured to the frame by a right articulating arm that permits upward and downward movement of the right wheel relative to the frame, and wherein the left articulating arm has spaced apart ends with a distal end secured to the left front wheel and a proximal end having a terminus pivotally mounted to the frame by way of a left articulating arm fastener and the right articulating arm has spaced apart ends with a distal end secured to the right front wheel and a proximal end having a terminus pivotally mounted to the frame by way of a right articulating arm fastener, and wherein the left and right articulating arm terminuses are proximate one another; a left dampening pillow disposed between the frame and an upper face of a proximate portion of the left articulating arm that is located between a mid-section of the left articulating arm and the proximal end of the left articulating arm, and the left dampening pillow configured to be compressed by pivoting of the left articulating arm; and a right dampening pillow disposed between the frame and an upper face of a proximate portion of the right articulating arm that is located between a mid-section of the left articulating arm and the proximal end of the right articulating arm, and the right dampening pillow configured to be compressed by pivoting of the right articulating arm.

8. The riding mower apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the left dampening pillow and the right dampening pillow are formed of an elastomeric material.

9. A riding mower system comprising: a frame; a left front wheel assembly; a right front wheel assembly; a left articulating arm, the left front wheel assembly pivotally coupled to the frame by way of the left articulating arm, the left articulating arm comprising a distal end coupled to the left front wheel assembly and a proximal end pivotally coupled to the frame by way of a left articulating arm fastener; a right articulating arm, the right front wheel assembly pivotally coupled to the frame by way of the right articulating arm, the right articulating arm comprising a distal end coupled to the right front wheel assembly and a proximal end pivotally coupled to the frame by way of a right articulating arm fastener; a left resilient member disposed between the frame and a proximate portion of the left articulating arm that is located between a mid-section of the left articulating arm and the proximal end of the left articulating arm, the left resilient member configured to be compressed between the frame and the proximate portion of the left articulating arm to dampen pivoting of the left articulating arm and corresponding movement of the left front wheel assembly; and a right resilient member disposed between the frame and a proximate portion of the right articulating arm that is located between a mid-section of the right articulating arm and the proximal end of the right articulating arm, the right resilient member configured to be compressed between the frame and the proximate portion of the right articulating arm to dampen pivoting of the right articulating arm and corresponding movement of the right front wheel assembly.

10. The riding mower system as recited in claim 9, wherein the left resilient member is formed of an elastomeric material and the right resilient member is formed of an elastomeric material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a riding mower in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a slightly enlarged perspective view of the front of the mower with the front articulating axle shown and with the mower deck removed for clarity;

(4) FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof;

(5) FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view thereof;

(6) FIG. 5 is an elevational view taken from the side with the opposite side being a mirror image thereof;

(7) FIG. 6 is an elevational view taken generally from the rear thereof; and,

(8) FIG. 7 is an elevational view taken generally from the front and similar to FIG. 2 but showing movement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) The present invention addresses the perceived needs in the known art discussed above. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. The improved suspension system for lawnmower includes an articulating front axle with a vibration damping system that makes for a less bumpy ride for the operator on the mower.

(10) In one exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention and shown in FIGS. 1-7, an improved riding mower 11 is illustrated. The mower 11 has a frame 16 supported by a pair of forward wheel assemblies 18 and rear wheel assemblies 20.

(11) The frame 16 supports a mower deck 25, and a chair 27 is provided for a driver, with a pair of steering arms 29 within easy reach. A motor compartment 32 rides on the frame and provides motive power to the mower through right and left integrated hydrostatic transaxles that drive right and left rear wheels 72 in response to operator manipulation of control handles 29.

(12) One important feature of the present invention is the provision of the mower 11 which has enhanced comfort and less fatigue for the driver, all of which increases the ability of the driver to control the mower, even in unusual attitudes resulting from irregularities in the terrain, and over extended periods of operation, and particularly where terrain changes are abrupt. In accomplishing its objectives, both forward and rear systems of vibration control are interposed between each of the supporting wheel assemblies and the frame of the mower.

(13) It is a feature of the present invention that a front suspension system is provided with vibration damping capability. Referring to FIGS. 2-7, each articulating suspension arm 40, 50 supports two spaced apart front castered wheels 18; the articulating suspension arms are mounted generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the mower 11.

(14) The independently, articulating suspension system 30 includes a left and right articulating arm 40, 50 that each has an inner terminus 42, 52 that are proximate each other. The terminuses 42, 52 are captivated by mounting plate 60 with through bolts 62, 64 that are coupled to the front end of frame 16. The bolts 62, 64 permit pivotal movement of articulating arms 40, 50 vertically, both upwardly and downwardly.

(15) The forward end of frame 16 and the leading end of plate 60 effectively sandwich at least a portion of the articulating arms 40, 50 and especially terminuses 42, 52 therebetween to prevent lateral articulating arm movements.

(16) Movement of the front wheels is limited and vibration is dampened by the provision of damping pillows 81 which are secured between the mounting plate 60 (which is attached to the front end of frame 16) and the inner terminus of each front articulating arm 40, 50. The pivotal movement of each articulating arm 40, 50 is shown by arrow 68, which corresponds to an accompanying compression of the affected pillows 81 (FIG. 7).

(17) Each pillow 81 is resilient and may be of any one of several durometers of rubber hardness, or may be of other suitable elastomeric materials, including elastic shells with a liquid or other compressible material there within, appropriate to the weight of the mower and the terrain to be traversed. The pillows define a cushion between the wheel and the frame of the mower, thereby absorbing shock created by the wheel moving over the uneven terrain. Further, each wheel functions independently, i.e., independent of the frame, in order that it may respond independently to variations in the terrain met by each individual wheel, which may be several feet removed from its companion wheel.

(18) The pillows 81 are positioned between the articulating arms 40, 50 and the mounting plate 60 and a bolt 85 passes through the mounting plate 60 and is secured by the pillow's threads that run along its longitudinal axis. The pillow is sized to abut the articulating arms 40, 50 and the mounting plate 60 above and beneath each, where it is held in place by bolt 85 and the pillow is compressed by an articulating arm 40, 50 due to the rapid upward movement of a wheel assembly, thereby dampening that movement and inhibiting, or at least modulating, transmission of that movement to the frame of the mower. The rapid movement resulting from the traversing of rocks and other debris is particularly well dampened.

(19) The apparatus of the invention is capable of receiving additional, optional features which are not a part of the present invention. For example, a purchaser or user may specify an optional railing or grab bars may be included to facilitate handling of the device during deployment. Other optional features, some of which may be illustrated herein, may or may not be included with apparatus incorporating the basic aspects of present invention.

(20) In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology has been used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.