Automated lawn cutting and vacuum system

• US 7,185,478 B1
• Filed: 04/28/2005
• Issued: 03/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hulen J. Willis II
• Original Assignee: Hulen J. Willis II
• Inventors: Willis, Hulen J. II
• Primary Examiner(s): FABIAN-KOVACS, ARPAD
• Application Number:
  US11/119,434
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 56/102.A, 56/119, 701/23, 701/22, 701/24, 180/167, 180/168, 700/245
• US Class Current: 56/10.20A
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/008 for automated or remotely controlled operation
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 43/0635 with emptying means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0225 involving docking at a fixed facility, e.g. base station or loading bay parking aids B62D15/027
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0234 using optical markers or beacons optical beacons per se G01S1/70
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0242 using non-visible light signals, e.g. IR or UV signals

Abstract

An automated lawn cutting and vacuum system is disclosed. The system includes an automated lawnmower comprising a mower housing. A control panel provided on the mower housing automatically controls the mowing, driving and steering functions of the automated lawnmower.

Claims

1. An automated lawn cutting and vacuum system comprising:

an automated lawnmower comprising a mower housing;

a plurality of wheels carried by said mower housing;

a drive motor and a steering motor engaging said plurality of wheels;

a plurality of blades rotatably carried by said mower housing;

a blade drive motor operably engaging said plurality of blades;

a control panel operably connected to said drive motor, said steering motor and said blade drive motor for driving and steering said automated lawnmower and rotating said plurality of blades and

a storage bin carried by said mower housing.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a storage bin lid pivotally carried by said mower housing and a lid opener engaging said storage bin lid for selectively opening and closing said storage bin lid.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a blade housing carried by said mower housing and wherein said plurality of blades is rotatably mounted in said blade housing.

4. The system of claim 3 further comprising a vacuum conduit connecting said mower housing to said storage bin and a vacuum unit connected to said vacuum conduit.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a battery compartment carried by said mower housing, a battery provided in said battery compartment and a battery charge port provided in said battery compartment.

6. An automated lawn cutting and vacuum system comprising:

an automated lawnmower comprising a mower housing;

a plurality of wheels carried by said mower housing;

a drive motor and a steering motor engaging said plurality of wheels;

a plurality of blades rotatably carried by said mower housing;

a blade drive motor operably engaging said plurality of blades;

a control panel operably connected to said drive motor, said steering motor and said blade drive motor for driving and steering said automated lawnmower and rotating said plurality of blades;

a storage bin carried by said mower housing;

a vacuum conduit connecting said storage bin to said mower housing; and

a mower home base enclosure for containing said automated mower when said automated mower is not in use.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said mower home base enclosure comprises a plurality of walls and a roof defining an enclosure interior.

8. The system of claim 7 further comprising a solar panel carried by said roof and a power port provided in said enclosure interior and electrically connected to said solar panel.

9. The system of claim 7 further comprising a partition dividing said enclosure interior and a storage compartment and a mower compartment separated by said partition.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising a vacuum unit provided in said storage compartment and a vacuum conduit connected to said vacuum unit and extending through said partition into said mower compartment.

11. The system of claim 10 further comprising a flexible bellows provided in said vacuum conduit and an extension motor operably engaging said flexible bellows for selectively extending and shortening said vacuum conduit.

12. The system of claim 6 further comprising a storage bin lid pivotally carried by said storage bin and a lid opener engaging said storage bin lid for selectively opening and closing said storage bin lid.

13. The system of claim 12 further comprising a blade housing carried by said mower housing and wherein said plurality of blades is rotatably mounted in said blade housing.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising a vacuum conduit connecting said mower housing to said storage bin and a vacuum unit connected to said vacuum conduit.

15. An automated lawn cutting and vacuum system comprising:

an automated lawnmower comprising a mower housing;

a plurality of wheels carried by said mower housing;

a drive motor and a steering motor engaging said plurality of wheels;

a plurality of blades rotatably carried by said mower housing;

a blade drive motor operably engaging said plurality of blades;

a control panel operably connected to said drive motor, said steering motor and said blade drive motor for driving and steering said automated lawnmower and rotating said plurality of blades;

a plurality of perimeter sensors for placement around a perimeter of a lawn and emitting beams;

a sensor detector carried by said mower housing and connected to said control panel for detecting said beams and responsively modifying control of said drive motor and said steering motor;

a storage bin carried by said mower housing and a vacuum conduit connecting said storage bin to said mower housing; and

a mower home base enclosure for containing said automated mower when said automated mower is not in use.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said mower home base enclosure comprises a mower compartment and a storage compartment.

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising a vacuum conduit connecting said storage compartment to said mower compartment and a vacuum unit connected to said vacuum conduit.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein said mower home base enclosure comprises a plurality of walls and a roof defining an enclosure interior.

19. The system of claim 18 further comprising a solar panel carried by said roof and a power port provided in said enclosure interior and electrically connected to said solar panel.