Deck for mowers

• US 20050198933A1
• Filed: 03/15/2004
• Published: 09/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alamo Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alamo Group Incorporated
• Inventors: Klein, John A., Steele, Billy S.
• Application Number:
  US10/800,825
• Publication Number:
  US 20050198933A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 56/320.1
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/81 Casings; Housings A01D34/71 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0201 Market modelling; Market analysis; Collecting market data

Abstract

A deck for mowers including an upper and lower decks with structured frame members in between. Both upper and lower decks attach to front and rear cross members at substantially the same point. Upper deck at sides slopes down and is formed with smooth radius; lower deck attaches to bottom side of upper deck just inside of smooth radius. The upper deck is crowned or elevated so that it slopes downward in all directions—front, rear, and sides. The top deck is shaped so that debris and water will divert or fall off the deck.

Claims

1. A deck for mowers comprising:

an upper deck having a raised central portion and sloping downward in all directions;

a right end and a left end of said upper deck positioned downward in a smooth radius whereby a left skirt and a right skirt can be attached to said left end and said right end respectively;

a lower deck positioned under said upper deck and joined to said upper deck at the outer perimeter of said upper deck;

a frame member positioned between said upper deck and said lower deck in a central position whereby multiple sections are created for torsional stiffness; and

front and rear cross members attached to said upper deck and said lower deck at the front and rear of both said upper deck and said lower deck where said upper deck and said lower deck meet.

2. The deck for mowers of claim 1 wherein said rear cross member has centrally located J-shaped pieces.

3. The deck for mowers of claim 1 wherein said front cross member is bounded by said left skirt and said right skirt.

4. The deck for mowers of claim 1 wherein said left skirt and said right skirt further comprise an apex at an upper corner of said skirts.

5. The deck for mowers of claim 4 wherein said left skirt and said right skirt each comprise a skid shoe that borders the outer bottom edge of said skirts and extends from the midsection of said skirts to the front of said skirts at said apex.

6. The deck for mowers of claim 1 further comprising a hitch assembly supported by left and right channel members and said front cross member.

7. The deck for mowers of claim 6 wherein said hitch assembly is positioned perpendicular to said front cross member.

8. A deck for mowers comprising:

an upper deck;

a lower deck positioned below said upper deck;

a front cross member positioned forward and beneath said upper deck and said lower deck defining a front perimeter;

a rear cross member positioned rearward and beneath said upper deck and said lower deck defining a rear perimeter;

a left skirt and a right skirt positioned to opposing sides and beneath said upper deck and said lower deck;

wherein said upper deck comprises;

a horizontal segment positioned centrally on said upper deck with its length parallel to said rear cross member and having a front and rear side;

a first sloping section sloping downward from said rear side of said horizontal segment to said rear cross member;

a second sloping section sloping downward from said front side of said horizontal segment to said front cross member;

a first sloping end sloping downward from a first end of said horizontal segment to a first lip positioned adjacent said left skirt;

a second sloping end sloping downward from a second end of said horizontal segment to a second lip positioned adjacent said right skirt;

at least two sloping diagonal sections sloping diagonally from said horizontal segment to said first lip; and

at least two sloping diagonal sections sloping diagonally from said horizontal segment to said second lip.

9. A deck for mowers comprising:

an upper section;

a central section positioned adjacent said upper section;

a lower section positioned below said upper section;

a front cross member positioned forward and beneath said upper section and said lower section defining a front perimeter;

a rear cross member positioned rearward and beneath said upper section and said lower section defining a rear perimeter;

a first skirt and a second skirt positioned to opposing sides and beneath said upper section and said lower section;

wherein said central section comprises;

a horizontal segment positioned centrally with its length parallel to said rear cross member and having a front and rear side;

a first sloping end sloping downward from a first end of said horizontal segment to a first lip positioned adjacent said first skirt;

a second sloping end sloping downward from a second end of said horizontal segment to a second lip positioned adjacent said second skirt; and

wherein said upper section comprises;

a first sloping section sloping downward from said rear side of said horizontal segment to said rear cross member;

a second sloping section sloping downward from said front side of said horizontal segment to said front cross member;

at least two sloping diagonal sections sloping diagonally from said horizontal segment to said first lip; and

at least two sloping diagonal sections sloping diagonally from said horizontal segment to said second lip.