Patent Application
20240049630
This disclosure relates generally to mowers (including lawn-mowers and mowers specially adapted for particular purposes) characterized by having rotating cutters rotating about a vertical axis. More particularly, this disclosure relates both to such mowers mounted on a vehicle and to cutting-blade mounting means for cutting apparatuses of such mowers.
A need exists for mower-blade assemblies having a replaceable cutting blade. And U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/847,909 (the “'909 application”)—titled “QUICK CHANGE LAWN MOWER BLADES” and filed on Sep. 8, 2015, and the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference—discloses such a mower-blade assembly and mower blades to be used therewith.
But the mower blades that are disclosed by the '909 application are not optimal. Specifically, the mower blades disclosed by the '909 application have a retaining plate aperture (an “RPA”) that is asymmetric about a central axis. One disadvantage of such an RPA is that the RPA will only fit retaining plates that have a matching, asymmetric shape. Another disadvantage of such an RPA is that it sustains additional wear-and-tear due to its a symmetricity and concentrated-stress points. A third disadvantage of such an RPA is that is must be installed in a particular orientation which is difficult to ascertain except through trial-and-error. So, a need exists for mower blades that will fit a greater variety of retaining plates and that will sustain less wear-and-tear.
The present disclosure describes a mower blade having an RPA that: (1) is symmetric; (2) is adapted fit not only the retaining plate disclosed by the '909 application but also other-shaped retaining plates; (3) sustains less wear-and-tear than does the mower blade disclosed by the '909 application; and (4) can be installed in either of two orientations according to the need of the user.
A mower blade is disclosed, which, in a first embodiment, comprises: an elongate blade having opposed end edges and opposed side edges: wherein the elongate blade is adapted for mounting onto a rotary mower for rotation about a center axis extended transverse to the elongate blade and separating the elongate blade into opposed elongate end portions extended from the center axis; wherein the elongate blade has a blade major axis and a blade minor axis; wherein the elongate blade defines a first pin aperture positioned a distance from the center axis; wherein the elongate blade defines a force finger aperture positioned a distance from the center axis and a distance away from the first pin aperture; and wherein the elongate blade further defines a retaining plate aperture that is centrally located and is symmetric both about the blade major axis and about the blade minor axis and is of a convex shape, wherein the retaining plate aperture is hexagon-shaped.
A mower blade is disclosed, which, in a second embodiment, comprises: opposed end edges and opposed side edges; wherein the blade is adapted for mounting onto a mower for rotation about a center axis extended transverse to the blade; wherein the blade has a blade major axis and a blade minor axis; wherein the blade defines a pin aperture positioned a distance from the center axis and a distance from the blade major axis, wherein the pin aperture is located on a pin line that is not parallel to the blade major axis and the pin line passes through the center axis; wherein the blade defines a force finger aperture positioned a distance from the center axis and a distance away from the pin aperture; wherein the force finger aperture is located on a finger line that is not parallel to the blade major axis and the finger line passes through the center axis and is radially offset from the pin line; and wherein the blade defines a central aperture located on the center axis, wherein the central aperture is centrally located and is symmetric both about the blade axis and about the blade minor axis.
A mower blade is disclosed, which, in a third embodiment, comprises: a blade having a blade major axis, a blade minor axis, and a center axis parallel both to the blade major axis and to the blade minor axis; wherein the blade defines a first aperture that is symmetric both about the blade axis and about the blade minor axis and that is centrally located, wherein the first aperture is a convex hexagon having a first side, a second side, a third side, a fourth side, a fifth side, and a sixth side, wherein: the first side and the fourth side are parallel to each other and are each of a first side-length, the second side and the fifth side are parallel to each other and are each of a second side-length, and the third side and the sixth side are parallel to each other and are each of a second side-length; and wherein the first aperture has a length and a width.
The following drawings are attached to—and form a portion of—this disclosure:
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) in this disclosure have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art of this disclosure. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined otherwise in this disclosure. For brevity or clarity, well known functions or constructions may not be described in detail.
The terms “about” and “approximately” shall generally mean an acceptable degree of error or variation for the quantity measured in light of the nature or precision of the measurements. Typical, exemplary degrees of error or variation are within 20 percent (%), preferably within 10%, more preferably within 5%, of a given value or range of values. Numerical quantities given in this description are approximate unless stated otherwise, meaning that the term “about” or “approximately” can be inferred when not expressly stated.
The terminology used throughout the disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
The terms “first,” “second,” and the like are used to describe various features or elements, but these features or elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one feature or element from another feature or element. Thus, a first feature or element discussed below could be termed a second feature or element, and similarly, a second feature or element discussed below could be termed a first feature or element without departing from the teachings of the disclosure. Likewise, terms like “top” and “bottom”; “front” and “back”; and “left” and “right” are used to distinguish certain features or elements from each other, but it is expressly contemplated that a top could be a bottom, and vice versa.
The term “consisting essentially of” means that, in addition to the recited elements, what is claimed may also contain other elements (steps, structures, ingredients, components, etc.) that do not adversely affect the operability of what is claimed for its intended purpose as stated in this disclosure. This term excludes such other elements that adversely affect the operability of what is claimed for its intended purpose as stated in this disclosure, even if such other elements might enhance the operability of what is claimed for some other purpose.
The terms “connected to,” “in connection with,” “in communication with,” or “connecting” include any suitable connection or communication, including any mechanical connection, welded joint, hinge, or fastener.
The term “Ladd” means the disclosures (as of the date of filing of this disclosure with the United States Patent and Trademark Office) in the following patent applications—including all parents, continuations, continuations-in-part, divisions, publications, and issued patents—:
The “CRAFTSMAN Product” means the 36-inch Deck Multipurpose Mower Blade for Riding Mower/Tractors available from CRAFTSMAN in item number CMXGZAM110190 or as part number 742P05535. See, e.g., Craftsman, <https://www.craftsman.com/product/cmxgzam110190/36-mulching-bagging-and-side-discharging-blade-set>[accessed Aug. 2, 2022].
It is to be understood that any given elements of the disclosed embodiments of the invention may be embodied in a single structure, a single step, a single substance, or the like. Similarly, a given element of the disclosed embodiment may be embodied in multiple structures, steps, substances, or the like.
The following description illustrates and describes the processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, and other teachings of the present disclosure. The disclosure shows and describes only certain embodiments of the processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, and other teachings disclosed; but as mentioned above, it is to be understood that the teachings of the present disclosure are capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and are capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the teachings of this disclosure, commensurate with the skill and knowledge of a person having ordinary skill in the relevant art. The embodiments described are further intended to explain certain best modes known of practicing the processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, and other teachings of the disclosure and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the teachings of the disclosure in such, or other, embodiments and with the various modifications required by the particular applications or uses. Accordingly, the processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, and other teachings of the present disclosure are not intended to limit the exact embodiments and examples disclosed herein. Any section headings herein are provided only for consistency with the suggestions of 37 C.F.R. § 1.77 or otherwise to provide organizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention(s) set forth herein.
Mower blades with a hexagonal aperture have been developed and are described.
The cutting blade 1 defines a retaining plate aperture 2. The cutting blade 1 defines at least one first pin aperture 3.
The cutting blade 1 can be configured with a sharpened cutting edge 4. In one example, the cutting edge 4 can be two inches to six inches in length. The cutting blade 1 can incorporate an offset so that the cutting edge 4 is closer to the grass (ground plane) than a center section 5. The side of the cutting blade 1 opposite the cutting edge 4 may incorporate the ramped surface (not specifically shown in
The cutting blade 1 defines at least one force finger aperture 7. The at least one force finger aperture 7 can be located generally along a centerline of the cutting blade 1. The at least one force finger aperture 7 can be located in a localized indentation (not specifically shown in
The cutting blade 1 is an elongated blade having opposed end edges 9, 10 and opposed side edges 11, 12. The cutting blade 1 is adapted for mounting onto a rotary mower (not shown) for rotation about a central axis 13. The central axis 13 extends transverse to the cutting blade 1 and separates the cutting blade 1 into opposed elongate end portions 14, 15 that are extended from the central axis 13. Additionally, the cutting blade 1 has a blade major axis 16.
The first pin aperture 3 is positioned a distance 17 from the central axis 13. The force finger aperture 7 is positioned: (1) a distance 18 from the central axis 13; and (2) a distance 19 from the first pin aperture 3. In the example of
The retaining plate aperture 2 is centrally located and is asymmetric about the central axis 13. The retaining plate aperture 2 is defined by a first stadium-shaped portion 20. (For convenience—and consistent with Ladd—this disclosure uses the term “stadium-shaped”; however, this shape can also be termed ovoid, obround, or any number of other descriptive terms.) The first stadium-shaped portion 20 has a long dimension (not specifically shown in
The first and second centerlines 23, 27 are offset from one another along a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the first centerline 23 and of the second centerline 27. The first stadium-shaped portion 20 and the second stadium-shaped portion 24 are offset from each other along the blade major axis 16 and a lateral dimension (not specifically shown in
The mower-blade assembly 29 includes a mounting plate 30 attached to a rotatable spindle (not shown in
The mower-blade assembly 29 includes a retaining plate 31 attached to the rotatable spindle (not shown in
As shown in
The cutting blade 64 can be configured with a sharpened cutting edge 65. In one example, the cutting edge 65 can be two inches to six inches in length.
The cutting blade 64 is an elongated blade having opposed end edges 66, 67 and opposed side edges 68, 69. The cutting blade 64 is adapted for mounting onto a rotary mower (not shown) for rotation about a central axis 70. The central axis 70 extends transverse to the cutting blade 64 and separates the cutting blade 64 into opposed elongate end portions 71, 72 that are extended from the central axis 70. Additionally, the cutting blade 64 has a blade major axis 73 and a blade minor axis 74.
The cutting blade 64 defines a retaining plate aperture 75. The retaining plate aperture 75 is centrally located. The retaining plate aperture 75 is asymmetric about the blade major axis 73; the retaining plate aperture 75 is asymmetric about the blade minor axis 74.
The sides 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83 each have a length 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91 respectively. Length 84 of side 76 is equal to length 88 of side 80; in some embodiments length 84 and length 88 are each 11.0 millimeters. Length 85 of side 77 is equal to length 89 of side 81; in some embodiments, length 85 and length 89 are each 20.4 millimeters. In some embodiments, a length 92 of the S-shaped retaining plate aperture 75 is 39.0 millimeters, and a width 62 of the S-shaped retaining plate aperture 75 is 22.7 millimeters.
The retaining plate aperture 2 is slightly larger than a similarly S-shaped retaining plate (not shown on
The cutting blade 36 can be configured with a sharpened cutting edge 38. In one example, the cutting edge 38 can be two inches to six inches in length.
The cutting blade 36 is an elongated blade having opposed end edges 39, 40 and opposed side edges 41, 42. The cutting blade 36 is adapted for mounting onto a rotary mower (not shown) for rotation about a central axis 43. The central axis 43 extends transverse to the cutting blade 36 and separates the cutting blade 36 into opposed elongate end portions 44, 45 that are extended from the central axis 43. Additionally, the cutting blade 36 has a blade major axis 46 and a blade minor axis 47.
The cutting blade 36 defines a retaining plate aperture 48. The retaining plate aperture 48 is centrally located. The retaining plate aperture 48 is symmetric about the blade major axis 46; the retaining plate aperture 48 is symmetric about the blade minor axis 47. The retaining plate aperture 48 is of a convex shape.
The sides 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 each have a length 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60 respectively. Length 55 of side 49 is equal to length 58 of side 52; in some embodiments length 55 and length 58 are each 11.0 millimeters. Length 56 of side 50, length 57 of side 51, length 59 of side 53, and length 60 of side 54 are all equal to each other; in some embodiments, length 56, length 57, length 59, and length 60 are each 20.4 millimeters. In some embodiments, a length 61 of the retaining plate aperture 48 is 39.0 millimeters, and a width 62 of the retaining plate aperture 48 is 22.7 millimeters.
In other embodiments, the lengths 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60 and the length 61 and the width 62 are of other dimensions. For example, in one embodiment: length 55 and length 58 are each 12.0 millimeters; length 56, length 57, length 59, and length 60 are each 22.3 millimeters; the length 61 of the retaining plate aperture 48 is 42.5 millimeters; and the width 62 of the retaining plate aperture 48 is 24.8 millimeters. As a further example, in another embodiment: length 55 and length 58 are each 13.0 millimeters; length 56, length 57, length 59, and length 60 are each 24.2 millimeters; the length 61 of the retaining plate aperture 48 is 46.0 millimeters; and the width 62 of the retaining plate aperture 48 is 26.9 millimeters.
The retaining plate aperture 48 is slightly larger than the retaining plate 63. The retaining plate aperture 48 may be approximately the convex hull of the retaining plate 63. The retaining plate aperture 48 is configured such that the retaining plate 63 can pass through the retaining plate aperture 48. This relationship allows the cutting blade 36 to pass over the retaining plate 63 such that a portion of the rotatable spindle (not shown in
While the foregoing specification has described specific embodiments of this invention and many details have been put forth for the purpose of illustration or example, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.
