The present invention generally relates to support apparatus for use with a riding lawnmower, and more specifically to a support apparatus for assisting a user in mounting, dismounting, and operating a riding lawnmower. Accordingly, the present specification makes specific reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally amenable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
Operating a riding or zero-turn lawnmower can be a difficult and frustrating experience. This difficulty is compounded when the user is physically limited, disabled, or elderly. Simply mounting and dismounting the riding lawnmower can be problematic and lead to unsteady balance. People may accidently slip and fall while attempting to get on or off of the lawnmower leading to serious injury. If the lawnmower is on and the blades are engaged while attempting to mount or dismount, the resulting injuries may be catastrophic.
Mowing the lawn is a recurring frequent task. The elderly and physically disabled often have more free time and enjoy the outdoors. Mowing the lawn can be a rewarding experience allowing the individual to participate in useful tasks while getting some exercise. However, these individuals tend to have less endurance and often have significant mobility issues. Cutting a lawn with a riding lawn mower can be a hard task and even dangerous for the average person. Not being able to perform this task because they cannot easily and safely get on and off the mower can by psychologically detrimental to these individuals. Providing a safe and effective way to overcome this problem can make these individuals feel needed and useful. Additionally, they do not have to rely on family members or pay someone to perform this task.
A riding mower or zero-turn lawn mower is a powerful machine that is generally operated by a seated rider. The step up onto the mower deck can be awkward to traverse as the user typically mounts from the side or front while simultaneously stepping up onto the mower deck and twisting onto the seat. This requires some degree of flexibility, balance, and strength. Riding lawnmowers are not generally designed with extra points of contact intended to assist users in mounting and dismounting the machine. They are also not designed with balance components to assist an operator keep their balance while engaged in mowing operations.
In this manner, the improved support apparatus of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, thereby providing an easy solution to safely mount, dismount, and operate a riding lawnmower. The apparatus prevents stumbles and falls while getting on or off of the mower. The invention is a helpful tool for the elderly or physically limited to maneuver themselves onto a riding mower. This leads to improved personal safety and peace of mind while maintaining the lawn.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a support apparatus. The support apparatus is configured mount to a riding lawnmower to provide stability when mounting, dismounting, or operating the riding lawnmower. The support apparatus comprises a pair of support leg members, a crossbar member, and a pair of mounting plates. Each of the support leg members comprises a vertical portion and an angled portion extending from the vertical portion. The angled portion extends from the vertical portion at a bend. Each vertical portion comprises a mounting plate end and an angle portion end. Each angled portion comprises a vertical portion end and a crossbar member end. Each support leg member may further comprise at least one support leg member gripping element.
The crossbar member comprises a pair of ends. The crossbar member connects the pair of support leg members from one end of each of the support leg members by the pair of ends of the crossbar member. Each of the pair of ends of the crossbar member connects or extends into the crossbar member end of the respective angled portion of the respective support leg member. Both support leg members and the crossbar member may be formed out of a single piece of tubular material. The crossbar member may further comprise a gripping element.
Each mounting plate comprises a support leg member connection. Each mounting plate may further comprise a pair of mounting holes. Each mounting plate is attached to the respective support leg member at an opposing end of the respective support leg member as the crossbar member. The vertical portion of the respective support leg member is attached to and extends substantially perpendicularly from the respective mounting plate. Each of the mounting plates is attachable to a mower platform of the riding lawnmower.
In an additional embodiment, the subject matter disclosed and claimed herein comprises a support apparatus. The support apparatus is configured mount to a riding lawnmower to provide stability when mounting, dismounting, or operating the riding lawn mower. The support apparatus comprises a pair of support leg members, a crossbar member, and a pair of mounting plates. Each of the support leg members comprise a vertical portion and an angled portion connected to the vertical portion.
The angled portion connects to the vertical portion by an articulating joint. The articulating joint allows the angled portion to adjust in angle with respect to the vertical portion. Each vertical portion comprises a mounting plate end and an angle portion end. Each vertical portion may further comprise a telescoping portion for adjusting a length of each support leg member. Each angled portion comprises a vertical portion end and a crossbar member end. Each support leg member may further comprise at least one support leg member gripping element.
The crossbar member comprises a pair of ends. The crossbar member connects the pair of support leg members from one end of each of the support leg members by the pair of ends of the crossbar member. Each of the pair of ends of the crossbar member connects or extends into the crossbar member end of the respective angled portion of the respective support leg member. Both support leg members and the crossbar member may be formed out of a single piece of tubular material. The crossbar member may further comprise a gripping element.
Each mounting plate comprises a support leg member connection. The support leg member connection may comprise a mounting plate articulating joint. The vertical portion of the respective support leg member is movably attached to the respective mounting plate via the mounting plate articulating joint. The mounting plate articulating joint allows the vertical portion of the respective support leg member to adjust in angle with respect to the mounting plate. Each mounting plate may further comprise a pair of mounting holes. Each mounting plate is attached to the respective support leg member at an opposing end of the respective support leg member. Each of the mounting plates is attachable to a mower platform of the riding lawnmower.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They do not intend as an exhaustive description of the invention or do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
The present invention provides users with a support bar for zero-turn lawnmowers to assist in mounting and dismounting. The support structure provides a stable gripping surface to help hoist the user up onto the mower or assist in getting off the mower. The bar features two support legs and a handle section for convenient gripping while getting on or off the mower. The support apparatus may also be used for stability while operating the mower. The support legs may be bolted to the platform section of the mower. The support apparatus provides additional stability and balance for people facing physical and/or strength challenges. The apparatus provides additional points of contact when climbing on and off a mower or moving from a sitting to a standing position.
The support apparatus is mountable on the foot plate of the zero-tum lawn mower and is secured by mechanical fasteners. Users can install the support apparatus on the rising lawnmower and then grab a plurality of points of contact on the apparatus for support. The handle or crossbar in one embodiment may be approximately between 2$ and 36 inches in length. The handle or crossbar is easily graspable to assist the operator in getting on and off of the riding lawnmower offering a smooth transition for the operator.
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The crossbar member 250 comprises a pair of ends 252. The crossbar member 250 connects the pair of support leg members 210 at one end 224 of each of the support leg members 210 by the pair of ends of the crossbar member 252. Each of the pair of ends 252 of the crossbar member 250 connects or extends into the crossbar member end 224 of the angled portion 220 of the respective support leg member 210. The crossbar member 250 may further comprise a crossbar gripping element 254 similar in construction and configuration as the at least one support leg member gripping element 230. The crossbar gripping element 254 may be a padded roll or molded rubber or plastic hand grip disposed around or along the crossbar member 250.
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It is contemplated that the support apparatus 100 and 200 constructed in accordance with the present invention will be tailored and adjusted by those of ordinary skill in the art to accommodate various levels of performance demand imparted during actual use. Accordingly, while this invention has been described by reference to certain specific embodiments and examples, it will be understood that this invention is capable of further modifications. This application is, therefore, intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the invention following the general principles thereof, and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and fall within the limits of the appended claims.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.