Mowing apparatus

• US 8,459,662 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2011
• Issued: 06/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baird, Jeffery D.
• Original Assignee: Baird, Jeffery D.
• Inventors: Baird, Jeffery D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rocca, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wilhelm, Timothy
• Application Number:
  US13/208,068
• Publication Number:
  US 20120047862A1
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 280/755, 280/758, 280/6.15, 280/6.154, 280/6.155, 280/5.501, 280/5.513, 56/147
• US Class Current: 280/6.154
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/008 for automated or remotely controlled operation
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/86 for use on sloping ground, e.g. on embankments or in ditchesundercarriages or frames specially adapted for harvesters or mowers A01D67/00; control mechanisms for harvesters or mowers when moving on slopes A01D75/28
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 75/28 Control mechanisms for harvesters or mowers when moving on slopes; Devices preventing lateral pull

Abstract

A mowing apparatus having a center of gravity having a frame member, at least one front ground engaging wheel rotatably connected proximate the front end of the frame member and at least two rear ground engaging wheels rotatably connected proximate the back end of the frame member so as to substantially prevent the mowing apparatus from rolling over as it traverses along an inclined surface.

Claims

1. A mowing apparatus having a center of gravity, the mowing apparatus comprising:

a frame member having a front end and a back end;

at least one front ground engaging wheel rotatably connected proximate the front end of the frame member;

at least two rear ground engaging wheels rotatably connected proximate the back end of the frame member, each of the at least two rear ground engaging wheels having a center axis of rotation; and

means for continuously monitoring the center of gravity of the mowing apparatus,

wherein the at least two rear ground engaging wheels being selectively positionable based upon data gathered by the means for continuously monitoring a center of gravity of the mowing apparatus such that the center axes of rotation of the at least two rear ground engaging wheels are positioned above the center of gravity of the mowing apparatus in such a way that the mowing apparatus is substantially prevented from rolling over as it traverses along an inclined surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one front ground engaging wheel comprises a center axis of rotation and the center axis of rotation is positioned at a predetermined distance above the center of gravity of the mowing apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the center axis of rotation of the at least two rear ground engaging wheels is positioned above the center axis of rotation of the at least one front ground engaging wheel.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mowing apparatus is operable via a remote control system.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the remote control system further comprises a receiver in electrical communication with mechanical actuators connected to the at least one ground engaging wheel and each of the at least two ground engaging wheels, the receiver receiving electrical signals from a remote control and outputting electrical signals to the mechanical actuators for controlling at least one of:

a speed of rotation of each of the at least two rear ground engaging wheels; and

an angle of the at least one front ground engaging wheel relative to the frame member for controlling a path of direction of the mowing apparatus.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a slope sensor measuring the slope of the inclined surface, the slope sensor outputting a warning signal to the remote control when the slope of the inclined surface is between 40°

and 50°

, wherein the remote control receives warning signals communicated from the slope sensor outputs one of an audible and visual warning.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein when the slope measures a slope of greater than 50°

, the slope sensor outputs a stop signal to the receiver of the mowing apparatus that causes the engine of the mowing apparatus to stop.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the at least two rear ground engaging wheels may be operated at different rates of rotation to change a path of direction of the mowing apparatus.

9. A mowing apparatus having a center of gravity, the mowing apparatus comprising:

a sensor continuously monitoring the center of gravity of the mowing apparatus;

a frame member having a front end and a back end;

at least one front ground engaging wheel rotatably connected proximate the front end of the frame member;

at least two rear ground engaging wheels rotatably connected proximate the back end of the frame member, each of the at least two rear ground engaging wheels having a center axis of rotation, the at least two rear ground engaging wheels being selectively positionable based upon data gathered from the sensor such that the center axes of rotation of the at least two rear ground engaging wheels are positioned above the center of gravity of the mowing apparatus in such a way that the mowing apparatus is substantially prevented from rolling over as it traverses along an inclined surface; and

wherein the at least one front ground engaging wheel may be selectively angled relative the frame member to control a direction of movement of the mowing apparatus.