ACTIVATABLE FORWARD WHEEL STEERING MECHANISM FOR A ZERO TURN LAWNMOWER

• US 20060175098A1
• Filed: 02/06/2006
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bailey Sutherland
• Original Assignee: Bailey Sutherland
• Inventors: SUTHERLAND, BAILEY
• Application Number:
  US11/307,402
• Publication Number:
  US 20060175098A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/6.240
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/64 mounted on a vehicle, e.g. a tractor, or drawn by an animal or a vehicle A01D34/695 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/02 vehicle-mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 11/24 Endless track steering specially adapted for vehicles having both steerable wheels and endless track
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/04 electrical, e.g. using an electric servo-motor connected to, or forming part of, the steering gear

Abstract

A zero turn lawnmower with an optional front wheel steering mechanism is disclosed that enables an operator to independently control both rear and front wheels. The disclosed front wheel steering mechanism includes mechanical, electro-mechanical, and electronic embodiments implemented to control the direction of orientation of one or more front wheels.

Claims

1. A front wheel steering mechanism for a zero turn lawnmower with rear drive and steering, the front wheel steering mechanism including a steering assembly for controlling the direction of at least one forward wheel of the zero turn lawnmower.

2. The front wheel steering mechanism as in claim 1, the steering assembly comprising a mechanical control mechanism connecting to and controlling the direction of orientation of the at least one forward wheel.

3. The front wheel steering mechanism as in claim 1, the steering assembly comprising an electro-mechanical control mechanism connecting to and controlling the direction of orientation of the at least one forward wheel.

4. The front wheel steering mechanism as in claim 1, the steering assembly comprising an automated control mechanism connecting to and controlling the direction of orientation of the at least one forward wheel,

the automated control mechanism including a digital signal processor and at least one sensor, the at least one sensor for monitoring a motion characteristic and transmitting information to the digital signal processor, the digital signal processor for transmitting a control signal to adjust the direction of orientation of the at least one forward wheel.

5. The front wheel steering mechanism as in claim 2, the mechanical control mechanism including a foot pedal depressable by an operator of the zero turn lawnmower to cause a change in orientation of the at least one forward wheel with respect to the chassis of the zero turn lawnmower.

6. The front wheel steering mechanism as in claim 3, the electro-mechanical control mechanism including a hand portion with an actuator portion for sending an electrical signal and a mechanical portion for changing the orientation of the at least one forward wheel as a result of the electrical signal.

7. The front wheel steering mechanism as in claim 3, the electro-mechanical control mechanism including a clutch engageable by an operator, the clutch for engaging the electro-mechanical control mechanism with the at least one forward wheel.

8. The front wheel steering mechanism as in claim 6, the electro-mechanical control mechanism including an electric motor, the direction of rotation of the electric motor being controllable by the electrical signal of the hand portion, the direction of rotation of the electric motor for controlling the direction of orientation of the at least one forward wheel.

9. The front wheel steering mechanism as in claim 6, the mechanical portion including a gear and chain assembly for changing the direction of orientation of the at least one forward wheel,

the electro-mechanical mechanism including an electric motor for driving the gear and chain assembly according to the electrical signal.

10. The front wheel steering mechanism as in claim 9, the gear and chain assembly including a wormgear connecting to the shaft of the electric motor.

11. A zero turn lawnmower including a rear wheel driving mechanism and a front wheel steering mechanism, the front wheel steering mechanism including a steering assembly controlling the direction of orientation of at least one forward wheel of the zero turn lawnmower.

12. The zero turn lawnmower as in claim 11, the steering assembly comprising a mechanical control mechanism connecting to and controlling the direction of orientation of the at least one forward wheel.

13. The zero turn lawnmower as in claim 11, the steering assembly comprising an electro-mechanical control mechanism connecting to and controlling the direction of orientation of the at least one forward wheel.

14. The zero turn lawnmower as in claim 11, the steering assembly comprising an automated control mechanism connecting to and controlling the direction of orientation of the at least one forward wheel,

the automated control mechanism including a digital signal processor and at least one sensor, the at least one sensor monitoring a motion characteristic and transmitting information to the digital signal processor, the digital signal processor using the information to develop and transmit a control signal to adjust the direction of orientation of the at least one forward wheel.

15. The zero turn lawnmower as in claim 12, the mechanical control mechanism including a foot pedal depressable by an operator of the zero turn lawnmower to cause a change in orientation of the at least one forward wheel with respect to the chassis of the zero turn lawnmower.

16. The zero turn lawnmower as in claim 13, the electro-mechanical control mechanism including a hand portion sending an electrical signal and a mechanical portion changing the orientation of the at least one forward wheel in accordance with the electrical signal.

17. The zero turn lawnmower as in claim 13, the electro-mechanical control mechanism including a clutch engageable by an operator, the clutch engaging the electro-mechanical control mechanism with the at least one forward wheel.

18. The zero turn lawnmower as in claim 16, the electro-mechanical control mechanism including an electric motor, the direction of rotation of the electric motor being controllable by the electrical signal of the hand portion, the direction of rotation of the electric motor controlling the direction of orientation of the at least one forward wheel.

19. The zero turn lawnmower as in claim 16, the mechanical portion including a gear and chain assembly changing the direction of orientation of the at least one forward wheel,

the electro-mechanical mechanism including an electric motor driving the gear and chain assembly according to the electrical signal.

20. The zero turn lawnmower as in claim 19, the gear and chain assembly including a wormgear connecting to the shaft of the electric motor.