Three headed cutting apparatus for attachment to a lawnmower tractor

Abstract

A three headed cutter is comprised of a cover assembly under which are located the three cutting head assemblies. The cover assembly, along with the cutting head assemblies, are designed so as to rotate around impediments, the cover assembly pivots around a central axis. The three headed cutter has a connecting member which connects it to the tractor by way of an articulated boom arm. The boom arm connects with the connecting member at a pivot point, from which a biasing means is also connected. The biasing means and pivot point allow for the cover assembly to take in the shock of hitting an impediment by having the boom arm move at its pivot point so as to move the cover without damage just before the start of its rotation around the impediment. Each of the three cutting head assemblies consists of a twin blade member and a caster. The caster rotates with the cutting head assemblies. The cover assembly is further supported by a support wheel which takes on the load from the connecting member and the articulated boom arm. The central axis has a motor from which extends downwardly a shaft member, which itself connects to a multiple track pulley which has three belts, one for each cutting head pulley, which themselves connect directly to the cutting head by way of a short shaft member. Tension pulley assemblies, which consist in a pulley and biasing means assembly, keep tension on the belts.

Claims

1. A three headed cutter for attachment to a lawnmower tractor is comprised of a cover assembly under which are located three cutting head assemblies positioned in a triangular fashion; said cover assembly along with said cutting head assemblies are designed so as to rotate around impediments; said cover assembly pivots around a central axis; a ratcheting means consisting of a pawl and toothed gear allows said cover assembly to pivot in only one direction; said three headed cutter has a connecting member which connects it to said tractor by way of an articulated boom arm; said boom arm connects with said connecting member at a pivot point, from which a biasing means is also connected; said biasing means and pivot point allow for said cover assembly to take in the shock of hitting an impediment by having said boom arm move at its pivot point so as to move said cover without damage just before the start of its rotation around said impediment; each of said three cutting head assemblies consists of a twin blade member and a caster; said caster rotates with said cutting head assemblies; said cover assembly is further supported by a support wheel which takes on the load from said connecting member and said articulated boom arm; said central axis has a motor from which extends downwardly a shaft member, which itself connects to a multiple track pulley which has three belts, one for each cutting head pulley, which themselves connect directly to said cutting head by way of a short shaft member; tension pulley assemblies, which consist in a pulley and biasing means assembly, keep tension on said belts.

2. The three headed cutter of claim 1 wherein said cover assembly has rounded edges which define three sections, which are equidistant from each other.

3. The three headed cutter of claim 1 wherein said cover assembly is further comprised of lid members, one for each section, to give access to said cutting head assemblies.

4. The three headed cutter of claim 1 wherein said connecting member is hingedly attached to said tractor.

5. The three headed cutter of claim 1 wherein said ratcheting means has a three toothed gear.

6. The three headed cutter of claim 1 wherein said motor can be electric or hydraulic, or driven by a flexible shaft connecting to a compatible output on the tractor.

7. A combination of a three headed cutter and a lawnmower tractor is comprised of a cover assembly under which are located three cutting head assemblies positioned in a triangular fashion; said cover assembly along with said cutting head assemblies are designed so as to rotate around impediments; said cover assembly pivots around a central axis; a ratcheting means consisting of a pawl and toothed gear allows said cover assembly to pivot in only one direction; said three headed cutter has a connecting member which connects it to said tractor by way of an articulated boom arm; said boom arm connects with said connecting member at a pivot point, from which a biasing means is also connected; said biasing means and pivot point allow for said cover assembly to take in the shock of hitting an impediment by having said boom arm move at its pivot point so as to move said cover without damage just before the start of its rotation around said impediment; each of said three cutting head assemblies consist of a twin blade member and a caster; said caster rotates with said cutting head assemblies; said cover assembly is further supported by a support wheel which takes on the load from said connecting member and said articulated boom arm; said central axis has a motor from which extends downwardly a shaft member, which itself connects to a multiple track pulley which has three belts, one for each cutting head pulley, which themselves connect directly to said cutting head by way of a short shaft member; tension pulley assemblies, which consist in a pulley and biasing means assembly, keep tension on said belts.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said cover assembly has rounded edges which define three sections, which are equidistant from each other.

9. The combination of claim 7 wherein said cover assembly is further comprised of lid members, one for each section, to give access to said cutting head assemblies.

10. The combination of claim 7 wherein said connecting member is hingedly attached to said tractor.

11. The combination of claim 7 wherein said motor can be electric or hydraulic, or driven by a flexible shaft connecting to a compatible output on said tractor.

12. The combination of claim 7 wherein said motor can be electric or hydraulic, or driven by a flexible shaft connecting to a compatible output on the tractor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 Isometric view of the invention.

[0019] FIGS. 2a-b Isometric view of the cover and detail of ratchet assembly.

[0020] FIG. 3 Isometric view of the cover with lids removed.

[0021] FIG. 4 Isometric view of the underside of the cover.

[0022] FIG. 5 Top view of the tractor and the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] A three headed cutter apparatus (10) is attached to a lawn mower tractor (12). It is comprised of a cover assembly (13) under which are located three cutting head assemblies (14) positioned in a triangular fashion. The cover assembly (13) along with the cutting head assemblies (14) are designed so as to rotate around impediments (18) as it pivots around a central axis (16). With the three cutting head assemblies (14) configuration, there is always another cutting head assembly (14) to take over to continue trimming around the impediment (18). All three cutting head assemblies (14) are located to the side of the tractor (12) so that their trimming ends where the main bade (not shown) of the lawnmower tractor (12) begins. A ratcheting means (21) consisting of a pawl (17) and three toothed gear (19) allows the cover assembly (13) to pivot in only one direction.

[0024] The three headed cutter assembly (10) has a connecting member (20) which connects it to the tractor (12) by way of an articulated boom arm (23). The boom arm (23) connects with the connecting member (20) at a pivot point (25), from which a biasing means (27) is also connected. The biasing means (27) and pivot point (25) allow for the cover assembly (13) to take in the shock by having the boom arm (23) move at its pivot point (25) so as to move the cover assembly (13) without damage just before the start of its rotation around the impediment (18).

[0025] Each of the three cutting head assemblies (14) consist of a twin blade member (30) and a caster (32). The casters (32) rotate with the cutting head assemblies (14) and as such they point in all directions at once while not pointing in any direction. What that means is that they can roll at all time in the direction of the tractor and keep the cutting head assemblies (14) and the cover assembly (13) at a proper height relative to the ground surface. The cover assembly (13) is further supported by a support wheel (24) which takes on the load from the connecting member (20) and the articulated boom arm (23).

[0026] In the middle of the cover assembly (13) is the central axis (16) which has a motor (35) from which extends downwardly a shaft member (26), which itself connects to a multiple track pulley (27) which has three belts (29), one for each cutting head pulley (34), which themselves connect directly to the cutting head assemblies (14) by way of a short shaft member (36). Tension pulley assemblies (50), which consist in a pulley and biasing means assembly, keep tension on the belts (29).

[0027] The motor (35) can be electric or hydraulic, or driven by a flexible shaft connecting to a compatible output on the tractor (12).

[0028] The cover assembly (13) has rounded edges which define three sections (15), which are equidistant from each other. For example, the casters (32) in each of the three sections could each represent a point in an equilateral triangle. The generally curvy shape helps with the rotation of the cover assembly (13) when it impacts an impediment.

[0029] The cover assembly (13) is further made out of lid members (38), one for each section (15) to facilitate access as well as replacement of the parts located within the sections (15).

[0030] The connecting member (20) is hingedly attached to the tractor (12) so that it, as well as the cover assembly (13), can be lifted for general maintenance and repairs.

[0031] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0032] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.