Object detection system for a lawn mower
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A lawn mower comprising:
- a chassis;
a plurality of wheels mounted for rotation with respect to the chassis and supporting the chassis;
a mower deck supported by the chassis;
a cutting blade beneath the mower deck and rotatable to cut vegetation under the mower deck;
an engine supported by the chassis and selectively engaging the wheels to cause forward movement and reverse movement of the lawn mower, and selectively engaging the cutting blade to cause rotation of the blade;
means for generating an electrical contact signal in response to a rear portion of the lawn mower contacting an object; and
an electrical circuit causing the mower blade to cease rotation in response to receiving the electrical contact signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An object detection system is operable to alert and/or automatically react to a lawn mower, or equivalent mower equipment, contacting an object when the lawn mower is operating in reverse gear. The object detection system comprises a sensor strip, a connection lead wire and an electrical circuit. The sensor strip generates and electrical contact signal traveling through the lead wire in response to the lawn mower contacting an object. The electrical contact signal causes the electrical circuit to enable a warning system and selectively activate a brake system and disable the power take off (PTO) switch to stop rotation of the mower blade.
23 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A lawn mower comprising:
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a chassis;
a plurality of wheels mounted for rotation with respect to the chassis and supporting the chassis;
a mower deck supported by the chassis;
a cutting blade beneath the mower deck and rotatable to cut vegetation under the mower deck;
an engine supported by the chassis and selectively engaging the wheels to cause forward movement and reverse movement of the lawn mower, and selectively engaging the cutting blade to cause rotation of the blade;
means for generating an electrical contact signal in response to a rear portion of the lawn mower contacting an object; and
an electrical circuit causing the mower blade to cease rotation in response to receiving the electrical contact signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A lawn mower comprising:
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a chassis;
a plurality of wheels mounted for rotation with respect to the chassis and supporting the chassis;
a mower deck supported by the chassis;
a cutting blade beneath the mower deck and rotatable to cut vegetation under the mower deck;
an engine supported by the chassis and selectively engaging the wheels to cause forward movement and reverse movement of the lawn mower, and selectively engaging the cutting blade to cause rotation of the blade;
a pressure sensor generating an electrical contact signal in response to a rear portion of the lawn mower contacting an object; and
an electrical circuit causing the mower blade to cease rotation in response to receiving the electrical contact signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for operating a lawn mower comprising of a chassis, a plurality of wheels, a mower deck, a cutting blade, and an engine, the method comprising:
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(a) applying a pressure sensor to a rear portion of the lawn mower;
(b) generating an electrical signal in response to the pressure sensor detecting impact with an object;
(c) transmitting the electrical signal to an electrical circuit; and
(d) stopping rotation of the mower blade in response to the electrical circuit receiving the electrical signal. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification