LAWNMOWER JACK DEVICE ASSISTED BY AN OUTBOARD MOUNTED CYLINDER

• US 20120199801A1
• Filed: 04/06/2010
• Published: 08/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GARDEN EQUIPMENT
• Original Assignee: France Hayon Developpement
• Inventors: Bouvier, Patrice, Busson, Remy
• Granted Patent: US 9,067,772 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 254/93.R
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 3/24 fluid-pressure operated water-pressure machines F03B; hydraulic gearings F16H; cylinders, pistons F16J; fluid-pressure servomotors F15B
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 3/247 pneumatically actuated B66F3/35 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 5/04 with fluid-pressure-operated lifting gear
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 7/22 with tiltable platforms tilting vehicles for unloading B65G67/34
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 7/28 Constructional details, e.g. end stops, pivoting supporting members, sliding runners adjustable to load dimensions

Abstract

A lifting and/or tilting device is provided for a grass cutting machine, such as a ride-on mower. The device includes a fixed chassis element designed to rest on the ground. A movable chassis element is capable of accommodating at least one wheel of the machine and is movable about an axle supported by the fixed chassis element, between a stowed position, in which the movable chassis element extends essentially in the plane formed by the fixed chassis element, and at least one raised position in which the movable chassis element is separated from the fixed chassis element. The device has a cylinder with a body that is attached permanently to the fixed chassis element and a shaft that is movable relative to the body, attached permanently to the movable chassis element, and mounted in such manner that in the raised position it extends essentially outside of the zone delimited by the fixed and movable chassis elements.

Claims

1. A lifting and/or tilting device (10) for a grass cutting machine, particularly a ride-on mower (11), comprising:

a fixed chassis element (12) designed to rest on the ground,

a movable chassis element (14) that is capable of accommodating at least one wheel of the machine and is rotatable about an axle (13) supported by the fixed chassis element (12), between a stowed position in which the movable chassis element (14) extends essentially in the plane formed by the fixed chassis element (12), and at least one raised position in which the movable chassis element (14) is separated from the fixed chassis element (12),

a cylinder (24) having a body (241) that is attached permanently to the fixed chassis element (12) and a shaft (242) that is movable relative to said body, attached permanently to the movable chassis element (14), and mounted in such manner that in the raised position it extends essentially outside of the zone (15) delimited by the fixed (12) and movable (14) chassis elements.

2. The lifting and/or tilting device as recited in claim 1, wherein the movable chassis element (14) is configured such that in the retracted position it fits inside the fixed chassis element (12).

3. The lifting and/or tilting device recited in either of the preceding claims 1 and 2, wherein the axle (13) is mounted essentially above the plane formed by the fixed chassis element (12).

4. The tilting device as recited in claim 3, wherein the movable chassis element (14) is a right-angled, “

L”

-shape, the angle of which is truncated.

5. The lifting and/or tilting device as recited in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cylinder (24) is permanently attached to the fixed (12) and the movable (14) chassis elements at a point close to the axle (13).

6. The lifting and/or tilting device as recited in any of claims 1 to 5, further equipped with at least one retractable strand (27) that is permanently attached to the movable chassis element (14) and braced against the fixed chassis element (12) to lock the movable chassis element (14) in at least one of the raised positions.

7. The lifting and/or tilting device as recited in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the movable chassis element (14) includes a frame (141) configures to accommodate one or more of said wheels, and a limit stop (23) extending essentially perpendicularly to said frame (141).

8. The lifting and/or tilting device as recited in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cylinder (24) is operated via a pedal (25) or a lever.

9. The lifting and/or tilting device as recited in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cylinder (24) is a single-action cylinder.

10. The lifting and/or tilting device as recited in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the cylinder belongs to the group consisting of at least:

hydraulic cylinders;

pneumatic cylinders;

electric cylinders.