Mower suspension system and method

• US 20050144923A1
• Filed: 07/30/2004
• Published: 07/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ferris Corporation
• Original Assignee: Ferris Corporation
• Inventors: Decker, William, Crossway, Brian, Marshall, Frank, Melone, Mark J., Marshall, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,107,746 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 56/14.700
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 2101/00 Lawn-mowers
• 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: A01D 34/661 Mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 33/0005 characterised by mounting method
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 33/0021 in the form of a mounting pin
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 33/0039 Single wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 33/0049 the rolling axle being horizontal
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 33/0057 the rolling axle being offset from swivel axis
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 33/0068 the swivel axis being vertical
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 33/0073 the swivel axis being symmetrical to wheel or wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 11/16 characterised by means specially adapted for attaching the spring to axle or sprung part of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/144 with two lateral arms forming a parallelogram
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/124 Mounting of coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/148 on the unsprung part of the vehicle, e.g. wheel knuckle or rigid axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/4232 Sliding mounts
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/50 Constructional features of wheel supports or knuckles, e.g. steering knuckles, spindle attachments
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/084 Ridable lawn mowers
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 3/01 the wheel being mounted for sliding movement, e.g. in or on a vertical guide camber maintaining means B60G3/26
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 3/18 with two or more pivoted arms, e.g. parallelogram
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49622 Vehicular structural member making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49904 : Assembling a subassembly, then assembling with a second subassembly

Abstract

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a mower including a frame having a front portion and a rear portion, at least one front wheel coupled to the front portion of the frame, and two drive wheels on substantially opposite sides of the rear portion of the frame. Each drive wheel is coupled to the frame by a first link pivotably coupled at one end to the front portion of the frame and at an opposite end to the drive wheel, and a second link pivotably coupled at one end to the rear portion of the frame and at an opposite end to the drive wheel. The mower also includes at least one spring positioned to bias the drive wheels in a downward direction. Each of the drive wheels are movable upward and downward relative to the frame.

Claims

1. A mower, comprising:

a frame having a front portion and a rear portion;

at least one front wheel coupled to the front portion of the frame;

two drive wheels on substantially opposite sides of the rear portion of the frame, each drive wheel coupled to the frame by

a first link pivotably coupled at one end to the front portion of the frame and at an opposite end to the drive wheel; and

a second link pivotably coupled at one end to the rear portion of the frame and at an opposite end to the drive wheel; and

at least one spring positioned to bias the drive wheels in a downward direction, each of the drive wheels movable upward and downward relative to the frame.

2. The mower of claim 1, wherein the two drive wheels are coupled to each other by a beam.

3. The mower of claim 2, further comprising a third link coupling the rear portion of the frame and the beam, wherein the third link is oriented substantially transversely to a longitudinal axis passing from the front portion to the rear portion of the frame.

4. The mower of claim 2, wherein the at least one spring is coupled to the beam and the rear portion of the frame to bias the drive wheels in a downward direction.

5. The mower of claim 1, further comprising a flange coupled to each of the drive wheels, wherein the first link is coupled to an upper portion of the flange, and wherein the second link is coupled to a lower portion of the flange.

6. The mower of claim 1, wherein the first link is at least as long as the second link.

7. The mower of claim 1, wherein the first link is located entirely above a rotational axis of each drive wheel, and wherein the second link is located entirely below a rotational axis of each drive wheel.

8. The mower of claim 1, further comprising a cutter deck coupled to the frame.

9. The mower of claim 8, wherein the cutter deck is coupled to at least one of the first and second links for upward and downward movement with the first and second links.

10. The mower of claim 1, wherein the at least one front wheel is longitudinally spaced from the two drive wheels to define a wheelbase length of the mower, and wherein the first link is pivotably coupled to the front portion of the frame at a location longitudinally spaced from the drive wheels between about 50% and about 90% of the wheelbase length.

11. The mower of claim 1, further comprising at least one longitudinal beam located in the front portion of the frame, the beam being substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis passing from the front portion to the rear portion of the frame, wherein the at least one front wheel includes first and second front wheels positioned on opposite sides of the front portion of the frame and spaced to define a track width of the mower, the first and second wheels being pivotably coupled to the at least one longitudinal beam about a first longitudinal pivot axis and a second longitudinal pivot axis, respectively, for upward and downward movement independent of each other, at least one of the first and second longitudinal pivot axes being laterally spaced from the longitudinal axis between about 0% and about 20% of the track width.

12. A mower, comprising:

a frame including

a front portion;

a rear portion; and

at least one longitudinal beam located in the front portion of the frame, the beam being substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis passing from the front portion to the rear portion of the frame; and

first and second wheels positioned on opposite sides of the front portion of the frame and spaced to define a track width of the mower, the first and second wheels being pivotably coupled to the at least one longitudinal beam about a first longitudinal pivot axis and a second longitudinal pivot axis, respectively, for upward and downward movement independent of each other, at least one of the first and second longitudinal pivot axes being laterally spaced from the longitudinal axis between about 0% and about 20% of the track width.

13. The mower of claim 12, further comprising:

a first suspension arm pivotably coupling the first wheel to the at least one longitudinal beam; and

a second suspension arm pivotably coupling the second wheel to the at least one longitudinal beam.

14. The mower of claim 13, wherein each of the first and second suspension arms include first and second transverse portions disposed respectively at opposite ends of the suspension arm, and a longitudinal portion coupling the first and second transverse portions.

15. The mower of claim 14, wherein the first and second transverse portions of the suspension arms are pivotably coupled to the at least one longitudinal beam.

16. The mower of claim 12, further comprising:

a first spring positioned to bias the first wheel in a downward direction; and

a second spring positioned to bias the second wheel in a downward direction.

17. The mower of claim 12, further comprising a cutter deck coupled to the frame.

18. The mower of claim 17, wherein the cutter deck is coupled to the first and second wheels for upward and downward movement with the first and second wheels.

19. The mower of claim 12, further comprising:

two drive wheels on substantially opposite sides of the rear portion of the frame, each drive wheel coupled to the frame by

a first link pivotably coupled at one end to the front portion of the frame and at an opposite end to the drive wheel; and

a second link pivotably coupled at one end to the rear portion of the frame and at an opposite end to the drive wheel; and

at least one spring positioned to bias the drive wheels in a downward direction, each of the drive wheels movable upward and downward relative to the frame.

20. A mower, comprising:

a frame including

a front portion;

a rear portion; and

at least one longitudinal beam located in the front portion of the frame, the beam being substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis passing from the front portion to the rear portion of the frame;

first and second wheels positioned on opposite sides of the front portion of the frame and spaced to define a track width of the mower, the first and second wheels being pivotably coupled to the at least one longitudinal beam about a first longitudinal pivot axis and a second longitudinal pivot axis, respectively, for upward and downward movement independent of each other, at least one of the first and second longitudinal pivot axes being laterally spaced from the longitudinal axis between about 0% and about 20% of the track width;

first and second drive wheels on substantially opposite sides of the rear portion of the frame, each drive wheel coupled to the frame by

a first link pivotably coupled at one end to the front portion of the frame and at an opposite end to the drive wheel; and

a second link pivotably coupled at one end to the rear portion of the frame and at an opposite end to the drive wheel;

at least one spring positioned to bias the drive wheels in a downward direction, each of the drive wheels movable upward and downward relative to the frame;

a cutter deck coupled to the first and second front wheels and to the first and second drive wheels, the cutter deck movable upward and downward responsive to upward and downward movement of the first and second front wheels relative to the frame and to upward and downward movement of the first and second drive wheels relative to the frame.

21. The mower of claim 20, wherein the two drive wheels are coupled to each other by a beam.

22. The mower of claim 21, further comprising a third link coupling the rear portion of the frame and the beam, wherein the third link is oriented substantially transversely to a longitudinal axis passing from the front portion to the rear portion of the frame.

23. The mower of claim 21, wherein the at least one spring is coupled to the beam and the rear portion of the frame to bias the drive wheels in a downward direction.

24. The mower of claim 20, further comprising a flange coupled to each of the drive wheels, wherein the first link is coupled to an upper portion of the flange, and wherein the second link is coupled to a lower portion of the flange.

25. The mower of claim 20, wherein the first link is at least as long as the second link.

26. The mower of claim 20, wherein the first link is located entirely above a rotational axis of each drive wheel, and wherein the second link is located entirely below a rotational axis of each drive wheel.

27. The mower of claim 20, wherein the cutter deck is coupled to each of the first and second drive wheels by at least one of the first and second links.

28. The mower of claim 20, wherein the first and second wheels are longitudinally spaced from the first and second drive wheels to define a wheelbase length of the mower, and wherein the first link is pivotably coupled to the front portion of the frame at a location longitudinally spaced from the drive wheels between about 50% and about 90% of the wheelbase length.

29. The mower of claim 20, further comprising:

a first suspension arm pivotably coupling the first wheel to the at least one longitudinal beam; and

a second suspension arm pivotably coupling the second wheel to the at least one longitudinal beam.

30. The mower of claim 29, wherein each of the first and second suspension arms include first and second transverse portions disposed respectively at opposite ends of the suspension arm, and a longitudinal portion coupling the first and second transverse portions.

31. The mower of claim 30, wherein the first and second transverse portions of the suspension arms are pivotably coupled to the at least one longitudinal beam.

32. The mower of claim 20, further comprising:

a first spring positioned to bias the first wheel in a downward direction; and

a second spring positioned to bias the second wheel in a downward direction.

33. A method of assembling a mower, the method comprising:

providing a frame having a first end, a second end, and opposite sides, the frame defining a longitudinal axis from the first end to the second end;

positioning at least one wheel toward the first end of the frame;

positioning at least two additional wheels on the opposite sides of the frame, respectively, toward the second end of the frame;

pivotably coupling each of the at least two additional wheels to a portion of the frame disposed closer to the first end of the frame than the second end with a first link; and

pivotably coupling each of the at least two additional wheels to a portion of the frame disposed closer to the second end of the frame than the first end with a second link.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising coupling the at least two additional wheels to each other with a beam.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising coupling a third link at one end to the frame and at an opposite end to the beam, wherein the third link is oriented substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis.

36. The method of claim 33, further comprising biasing the two additional wheels in a downward direction with at least one spring.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein the first link is at least as long as the second link.

38. The method of claim 33, further comprising:

positioning a cutter deck beneath the frame; and

coupling the cutter deck to the two additional wheels, the cutter deck movable upward and downward responsive to upward and downward movement of the two additional wheels relative to the frame.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein coupling the cutter deck to the two additional wheels includes coupling the cutter deck to at least one of the first and second links on each side of the cutter deck.

40. The method of claim 33, wherein the at least one wheel is longitudinally spaced from the two additional wheels to define a wheelbase length, wherein pivotably coupling the first link includes pivotably coupling the first link to a portion of the frame toward the first end and longitudinally spaced from the two additional wheels between about 50% and about 90% of the wheelbase length.

41. The method of claim 33, further comprising providing toward the first end of the frame at least one longitudinal beam substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis, wherein positioning at least one wheel toward the first end of the frame includes

positioning a first wheel and a second wheel on opposite sides of the frame, respectively, toward the first end of the frame to define a track width between the first and second wheels;

and

pivotably coupling the first and second wheels to the at least one longitudinal beam about a first longitudinal pivot axis and a second longitudinal pivot axis, respectively, for upward and downward movement independent of each other, at least one of the first and second longitudinal pivot axes being laterally spaced from the longitudinal axis between about 0% and about 20% of the track width

42. A method of assembling a mower, the method including:

providing a frame having a first end, a second end, and opposite sides, the frame defining a longitudinal axis from the first end to the second end;

providing toward the first end of the frame at least one longitudinal beam substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis;

positioning a first wheel and a second wheel on opposite sides of the frame, respectively, toward the first end of the frame to define a track width between the first and second wheels; and

pivotably coupling the first and second wheels to the at least one longitudinal beam about a first longitudinal pivot axis and a second longitudinal pivot axis, respectively, for upward and downward movement independent of each other, at least one of the first and second longitudinal pivot axes being laterally spaced from the longitudinal axis between about 0% and about 20% of the track width.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein pivotably coupling the first and second wheels includes pivotably coupling first and second suspension arms, respectively, to the at least one longitudinal beam.

44. The method of claim 42, further comprising biasing the first and second wheels in a downward direction by first and second springs, respectively.

45. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

positioning a cutter deck beneath the frame; and

coupling the cutter deck to the first and second wheels, the cutter deck movable upward and downward responsive to upward and downward movement of the first and second wheels relative to the frame.

46. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

positioning a third wheel and a fourth wheel on opposite sides of the frame, respectively, toward the second end of the frame;

pivotably coupling each of the third and fourth wheels to a portion of the frame disposed closer to the first end of the frame than the second end with a first link; and

pivotably coupling each of the third and fourth wheels to a portion of the frame disposed closer to the second end of the frame than the first end with a second link.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the first and second wheels are longitudinally spaced from the third and fourth wheels to define a wheelbase length, wherein pivotably coupling the first link includes pivotably coupling the first link to a portion of the frame toward the first end and longitudinally spaced from the third and fourth wheels between about 50% and about 90% of the wheelbase length.

48. A method of decreasing longitudinal and lateral movement of a cutter deck of a mower, the method comprising:

providing a frame having a first end, a second end, and opposite sides, the frame defining a longitudinal axis from the first end to the second end;

positioning a first wheel and a second wheel on the opposite sides of the frame, respectively, toward the first end of the frame to define a track width of the mower between the first and second wheels;

pivotably coupling the first and second wheels about a first longitudinal pivot axis and a second longitudinal pivot axis, respectively, for upward and downward movement independent of each other, at least one of the first and second longitudinal pivot axes being laterally spaced from the longitudinal axis between about 0% and about 20% of the track width;

positioning a third wheel and a fourth wheel on the opposite sides of the frame, respectively, toward the second end of the frame, the third and fourth wheels being longitudinally spaced from the first and second wheels to define a wheelbase length of the mower;

pivotably coupling the third and fourth wheels about a first lateral pivot axis and a second lateral pivot axis, respectively, located between the first and third wheels, at least one of the first and second lateral pivot axes being longitudinally spaced from the third and fourth wheels between about 50% and about 90% of the wheelbase length;

positioning the cutter deck beneath the frame, the cutter deck having a rotatable cutter, a first end facing the first end of the frame, and a second end facing the second end of the frame;

coupling opposite sides of the first end of the cutter deck with the first and second wheels, respectively, the first end of the cutter deck being responsive to upward and downward movement of the first and second wheels; and

coupling opposite sides of the second end of the cutter deck with the third and fourth wheels, respectively, the second end of the cutter deck being responsive to upward and downward movement of the third and fourth wheels.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising coupling the third and fourth wheels to each other with a beam.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising coupling a third link at one end to the frame and at an opposite end to the beam, wherein the third link is oriented substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis.

51. The method of claim 48, further comprising biasing the third and fourth wheels in a downward direction with at least one spring.

52. The method of claim 48, wherein the first link is at least as long as the second link.

53. The method of claim 48, wherein coupling the cutter deck to the third and fourth wheels includes coupling the cutter deck to at least one of the first and second links on each side of the cutter deck.

54. The method of claim 48, wherein pivotably coupling the first and second wheels includes pivotably coupling first and second suspension arms, respectively, to the at least one longitudinal beam.

55. The method of claim 48, further comprising biasing the first and second wheels in a downward direction by first and second springs, respectively.