Battery-powered walk-behind greensmower

• US 20060096266A1
• Filed: 12/19/2005
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Textron Inc
• Original Assignee: Textron Inc
• Inventors: Dettmann, Benjamin D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,434,642 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 56/11.9
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/58 electric
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 69/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/20 for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/40 Working vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/425 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/10 by alarm
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

A greensmower having a cutting reel and a traction member and an independent electric circuit and motor for driving each. A handle is attached to the reel for mower guidance by an operator in a walk-behind position. Separate electric controls are connected to each motor for separate speeds for each motor and thereby control the clip rate of the mowing. There are low battery power read-outs and automatic shutoffs. Provision is made for traction powering of the mower even when the reel motor is not operating because of low battery power. A lift-out battery pack is shiftably mounted on the mower for producing the desired force of the mower on the ground.

Claims

1. A battery-powered mower assembly comprising:

a frame having a rotatable grass cutting reel;

an electric motor supported on said frame and being in driving relationship with said grass cutting reel;

a battery tray coupled to said frame, said battery tray including a first connector;

a wiring harness electrically interconnecting said first connector and said electric motor; and

a battery box having a battery enclosed therein, said battery electrically coupled to a second connector mounted on said battery box, said second connector being electrically coupled to said first connector by placement of said battery box upon said battery tray.

2. The battery-powered mower assembly of claim 1 wherein said first connector includes a female receptacle mounted to a substantially horizontal base plate of said battery tray.

3. The battery-powered mower assembly of claim 2 wherein said second connector includes a male plug downwardly extending from said battery box.

4. The battery-powered mower assembly of claim 1 further including a ground engaging traction member, said traction member being selectively driven to provide motive force to said mower assembly, said wiring harness electrically interconnecting said first connector and a second electric motor, said second electric motor being supported on said frame and being in driving relationship with said traction member.

5. The battery-powered mower assembly of claim 4 wherein the rotational speed of said electric motor and said second electric motor are separately controllable.