Lawnmower tilt sensor apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A riding lawnmower comprising:
- a frame;
an engine supported by the frame;
a mower deck supported by the frame;
a rotating cutting blade disposed below the mower deck and selectively rotating under the influence of the engine to cut vegetation under the mower deck;
a drive system connected to the frame for driving the lawnmower;
a tilt sensor for sensing a tilt condition of the lawnmower with respect to horizontal;
a CPU electrically communicating with the tilt sensor to monitor a tilt angle of the lawnmower and creating an output signal in response to the tilt sensor indicating that the lawnmower is tilted beyond a selected angle; and
a signal indicator electrically communicating with the CPU and providing a notice signal to an operator of the lawnmower in response to receiving the output signal from the CPU.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lawnmower comprising a frame, an engine supported by the frame, a mower deck supported by the frame, a rotating cutting blade disposed below the mower deck. A PTO is coupled to the engine and the cutting blade to rotationally drive the cutting blade. A drive system is connected to the frame and coupled to the engine to drive or propel the lawnmower. The lawnmower includes a tilt sensor for sensing a tilt angle representing the orientation of the lawnmower with respect to a horizontal level plane. A signal indicator may provide a notice signal when the tilt angle exceeds a pre-determined check angle. A CPU is electrically coupled between the tilt sensor and signal indicator, and activates the signal indicator in response to the tilt sensor sensing that the lawnmower is tilted beyond the threshold angle to warn the lawnmower operator of a tilt condition.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A riding lawnmower comprising:
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a frame;
an engine supported by the frame;
a mower deck supported by the frame;
a rotating cutting blade disposed below the mower deck and selectively rotating under the influence of the engine to cut vegetation under the mower deck;
a drive system connected to the frame for driving the lawnmower;
a tilt sensor for sensing a tilt condition of the lawnmower with respect to horizontal;
a CPU electrically communicating with the tilt sensor to monitor a tilt angle of the lawnmower and creating an output signal in response to the tilt sensor indicating that the lawnmower is tilted beyond a selected angle; and
a signal indicator electrically communicating with the CPU and providing a notice signal to an operator of the lawnmower in response to receiving the output signal from the CPU. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A riding lawnmower comprising:
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a frame;
an engine supported by the frame;
a mower deck supported by the frame;
a rotating cutting blade disposed below the mower deck and selectively rotating under the influence of the engine to cut vegetation under the mower deck;
means for driving the lawnmower;
means for sensing a tilt angle representing the orientation of the lawnmower with respect to a reference plane;
a CPU coupled to the means for sensing, the means for sensing providing a check signal to the CPU when the tilt angle exceeds a pre-determined check angle, the means for sensing providing a limit signal to the CPU when the tilt angle exceeds the limit angle, the limit angle being greater than the check angle; and
a signal indicator providing a notice signal being at least one of an audible signal and a visual signal in response to the CPU receiving the check signal. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of providing a signal for the operating angle of a lawnmower having a frame, an engine supported by the frame, a mower deck supported by the frame, a rotating cutting blade disposed below the mower deck and a PTO connecting the cutting blade and the engine and rotationally driving the cutting blade, and means for driving the lawnmower, the method comprising the acts of:
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measuring with a tilt sensor a tilt angle representing the orientation of the lawnmower with respect to a reference plane;
sending a check signal from the tilt sensor to a CPU when the tilt angle exceeds a pre-determined check angle;
sending a limit signal from the tilt sensor to a CPU when the tilt angle exceeds a pre-determined limit angle, the limit angle being greater than the check angle; and
activating a notice signal including at least one of an audible signal and a visual signal when the CPU receives the check signal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification