The present invention relates generally to a walk-behind power equipment unit or implement (e.g., lawn mower) having a handle system and, more specifically, to a handle system that allows movement of an implement handle assembly between multiple positions.
Rotary lawn mowers are generally known in the art. Typically, such mowers include a wheeled housing forming a cutting chamber which surrounds a rotatable cutting blade. A generally U-shaped handle assembly may extend upwardly and rearwardly from the housing to allow a walking operator to guide and manipulate the mower. The handle assembly may include two transversely spaced handle members, e.g., tubes, joined together at their respective upper ends by a cross tube forming a hand grip portion of the handle assembly. The handle assembly may be rigidly locked to the housing during operation of the mower so that the user may impart directional and control forces to the mower through the handle assembly.
While effectively configured for operation, the handle assembly, when in this conventional operating position, may extend substantially beyond the mower housing. Thus, the mower may take up what is considered to be excessive room when not in use. That is, when the mower is stored with the handle assembly in its conventional operating position, the mower may have a relatively large storage footprint.
To remedy this situation, mowers in which the handle assembly folds relative to the housing have been developed. Such a foldable handle assembly is usually pivotally connected, at its lower end, to the mower housing and is often formed in two sections—a lower section and an upper section—which may also be pivotally connected to one another. Locking mechanisms are provided for securing the handle assembly in its conventional operating position. However, when the locking mechanisms are released, the handle assembly may be pivoted relative to the housing until the lower section of the handle assembly extends generally over the housing. In some mower configurations, the upper section of the handle assembly may also be folded back over the lower section to further reduce storage space requirements.
While effective, many implementations of foldable handle assemblies do have drawbacks such as, for instance, requiring time consuming and/or complex manual interaction on the part of the operator to initiate folding. To illustrate, many folding handle assemblies require that the user unlock both handle members from the housing to allow the handle assembly to be pivoted to its stored position. Since the locking mechanisms are usually at the base of the handle assembly (near where the lower ends of the handle members connect to the housing) simultaneous manipulation of the locking mechanism on each side of the mower housing may involve bending down, or even getting on one's knees. Such interaction may be inconvenient, or for some operators, difficult to accomplish.
Yet another drawback to many existing lawn mowers is that the handle assembly may provide only a single operating position. As a result, a hand grip section of the handle assembly may be generally fixed at a particular height above the ground surface. While the fixed height grip section may be selected to accommodate a large range of potential users, operators that are substantially taller (or shorter) may prefer a hand grip section that is positioned at a higher (or lower) elevation.
The present invention is directed to walk-behind implements and handle systems that addresses the above-identified drawbacks. For example, in one embodiment, a walk-behind power equipment unit is provided, including a housing operable for movement over a surface. A handle assembly having a first and a second handle attachment member is also provided, wherein the first and second handle attachment members are pivotally coupled to the housing. Also included is a handle assembly release apparatus having interconnected and transversely offset first and second locking portions each pivotally coupled to the housing. The first and second locking portions operatively engage the first and second handle attachment members, respectively, to lock the handle assembly in a first operating position.
In another embodiment, a handle system for use with a walk-behind power equipment unit having a housing operable for movement over a surface is provided. The handle system includes: a handle assembly having a first and a second handle attachment member each pivotally coupled to the housing, wherein the handle assembly may pivot, relative to the housing, between a first operating position and a second storage position. A handle assembly release apparatus is also provided and coupled to the housing. The release apparatus includes interconnected and transversely offset first and second locking portions for operatively engaging the first and second handle attachment members, respectively, to secure the handle assembly in the first operating position.
In still another embodiment, a walk-behind lawn mower is provided. The mower includes a housing operable for movement over a ground surface, and a handle assembly having a first handle attachment member and a transversely offset second handle attachment member. Also included are a first hub attached to a first end of the first handle attachment member and a second hub attached to a first end of the second handle attachment member, wherein the first and second hubs are each pivotally coupled to the housing. A handle assembly release apparatus is also included and coupled to the housing. The release apparatus includes interconnected first and second locking portions operable to selectively engage the first and second hubs, respectively, to lock the handle assembly in a first operating position.
In yet another embodiment, a walk-behind lawn mower is provided having: a housing operable for movement over a ground surface; and a handle system attached to the housing. The handle system includes a lower section having first and second handle attachment members each pivotally coupled to the housing, wherein the lower section may pivot between a first operating position and a second storage position. Also included is an upper section having a gripping portion, the upper section coupled to the lower section, wherein the upper section selectively pivots, relative to the lower section, between two or more use positions.
The above summary is not intended to describe each embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. Rather, a more complete understanding of the invention will become apparent and appreciated by reference to the following Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments and claims in view of the accompanying figures of the drawing.
The present invention will be further described with reference to the figures of the drawing, wherein:
In the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying figures of the drawing which form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The present invention, in one embodiment, is directed to handle systems and methods for permitting releasing or unlocking of a handle assembly of a walk-behind power equipment unit or implement, e.g., a rotary lawn mower, from a first operating position, where it may then be positioned in at least a second storage position. As a result, the footprint of the implement may be quickly and easily reduced for storage. The handle assembly may alternatively or additionally include an upper section that is pivotally coupled to the rest of the handle assembly. As a result, operators of different heights may select an operating or use position of a gripping portion of the handle assembly that suits their particular preference.
While described herein in the context of a walk-behind rotary lawn mower, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the apparatus and methods of the present invention could be used with most any walk-behind device or implement including, for example, reel mowers, string mowers, snow throwers, tillers, aerators, and other ground and floor working equipment.
Horizontal, vertical, and other similar terms may be used herein to identify general directions and/or orientations of various parts and assemblies. It is to be understood that these terms are not necessarily absolute, e.g., horizontal (or vertical) may be used to indicate an element that is substantially horizontal (or vertical).
Moreover, relative terms such as left, right, forward, rearward, top, bottom, upper, lower, horizontal, vertical, and the like may be from the perspective of one operating the mower 50. These terms are used herein to simplify the description, however, and not to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
The reference numeral suffixes “a” and “b” may be used throughout this description to denote various left and right side parts/features, respectively. However, unless otherwise noted, the parts/features denoted with “a” and “b” suffixes are substantially identical to, or mirror images of, one another. Unless otherwise noted, the description of an individual part/feature (e.g., the description of a part/feature identified with an “a” suffix) also applies to the opposing part/feature (e.g., the part/feature identified with a “b” suffix). Similarly, unless otherwise noted, the description of a part/feature identified with no suffix may apply to both the part/feature identified with the “a” suffix and the “b” suffix.
Referring to
The handle assembly 102 may form a generally U-shaped structure that includes a lower section 105 defined by a first and a second handle attachment member, e.g., upwardly extending handle attachment members 104a and 104b. In some embodiments, the U-shape is defined by an upper section 106 of the handle assembly 102 that couples to the lower section 105. The upper section 106 may include a transverse gripping portion 108 that is operable to receive hands of an operator during operation of the mower 50. The handle assembly 102 may also include operator controls such as throttle (not shown) and blade and/or drive control bales 110 (shown only in
The handle attachment members 104 may be generally tubular in shape. However, at their respective lower ends, they may each transition to a flat or arc shape for coupling with the mower 50.
The mower 50 may include a housing 52 having two or more ground engaging members such as wheels 54 that allow rolling movement of the housing 52 over a surface, e.g., ground surface 58. A rotatable cutting element or blade (not shown) may rotate within a cutting chamber formed by the housing 52. The cutting element may sever grass or other vegetation at a pre-determined height above the ground during operation. A prime mover, e.g., internal combustion engine 56, may provide rotational power to the cutting element and, optionally, driving power to one or more of the wheels 54. The handle assembly 102 may permit operator control and manipulation of the mower 50 during use.
Generally speaking, systems and methods of the present invention permit selective unlocking or releasing of the handle assembly 102 from the first operating position (position A in
Handle systems in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention may permit adjustment of the upper section 106 (e.g., the gripping portion 108) relative to the lower section 105 (e.g., the handle attachment members 104). The sections 105 and 106 may be connected to one another at a pivot assembly 300 that allows relative pivoting about a transverse horizontal pivot axis 301. As a result, the height of the gripping portion 108 may be adjusted to accommodate the preferences of different operators.
In the illustrated embodiment, the handle attachment member 104a may include a first hub 118a at its first or proximal end. The hub 118a may rigidly attach to the member 104a, e.g., via fasteners 122. The hub 118a may, in turn, be pivotally coupled to the wall 116a as further described below for pivoting about a pivot axis 120.
The hub 118a may include one or more positioning surfaces, e.g., recesses, located along its peripheral edges. The recesses may be operable to engage the first locking portion 208 of the lever member 202. For example, the hub 118a may include a first recess 124a positioned to engage the first locking portion 208 when the handle assembly 102 is in the first operating position A of
The shape of the first recess 124a is preferably configured to engage the first locking portion 208 sufficiently to prevent pivoting of the handle assembly 102 in either direction about the axis 120 (unless the apparatus 200 is actuated). As a result, control forces applied to the handle assembly 102 by the operator may be mostly transmitted to the housing 52 to guide the mower 50.
As with the proximal end of the handle attachment member 104a, the member 104b may also include, or otherwise be attached to, a second hub 118b. In the illustrated embodiment, the member 104b is coupled to the second hub 118b with fasteners 122. The hub 118b may then be pivotally coupled to the wall 116a as further described below for pivoting about the pivot axis 120. Moreover, like the hub 118a, the hub 118b may include one or more positioning surfaces, e.g., recesses, located along its peripheral edges and operable to engage the second locking portion 215 in a manner substantially similar to that described with respect to the first locking portion 208. For example, the hub 118b may include a first recess 124b positioned to engage the second locking portion 215 when the handle assembly 102 is in the first operating position A of
The shape and function of the first recess 124b, the second recess 126b, and the second locking portion 215 are generally similar to that of the corresponding first recess 124a, second recess 126a, and first locking portion 208, respectively, described above.
An exploded view of the handle assembly release apparatus 200 of FIGS. 1, 2A-2B, 3A-3B, and 4A-4B is illustrated in
The interface between each hub 118 and its respective flange 220 is preferably designed to allow generally unimpeded rotation between the hub and flange. In some embodiments, a friction washer 226, e.g., a nylon disc, may sit between each hub 118 and its corresponding vertical wall 116 to reduce friction and wear between the hub 118 and housing 52.
When the mower is fully assembled, the hubs 118 may be considered to be part of their respective handle attachment members 104. In fact, in other embodiments, the hub 118 could be integrally formed with, or permanently attached to (e.g., welded), an end of each handle attachment member 104. Alternatively, the proximal end of each handle attachment member 104 could be configured to eliminate the need for a hub-like component. For example, the proximal end of each handle attachment member 104 could include one or more recesses operable to engage the locking portions as described herein. In these instances, the need for a separate hub component as described above could be eliminated.
The crossbar 216 (which, in the illustrated embodiment, is a single round shaft bent to provide the desired shape, but could, in other embodiments, be assembled from multiple components) may pass through coaxial openings 136 (only opening 136a shown in
The crossbar 216 may also extend through one or more biasing members, e.g., torsion springs 232a and 232b. The torsion springs 232 are configured to bias the crossbar 216, and thus the lever member 202, in the first direction 206 (see
A stiffener 238 may be provided to reduce relative deflection of the protrusion 218 relative to the crossbar 216. The stiffener 238 may be configured as a flat plate that slides over the crossbar 216 and the protrusion 218. The stiffener 238 may be held in place against an inner side of the vertical wall 1116b by the torsion spring 232b.
During operation, the mower 50 may be configured as generally illustrated in
To move the handle assembly 102 out of the first operating position A of
The wall 116a may include a slot 134a that receives therein the tab 214 (see
With the locking portions 208 and 215 displaced from the hubs 118, the handle assembly 102 may pivot about the pivot axis 120. The operator may then apply a manual force to the handle assembly 102 to move it from the first operating position A towards the second storage position B (see
Because the mower 50 does not require the same rigidity of the handle assembly 102 relative to the housing 52 when the handle assembly is in the second storage position B, the second recesses 126 may be shallower as illustrated in
In another embodiment, the second recesses 126 could be removed from both hubs 118. In this instance, the handle assembly could be held in the second storage position B by frictional forces, e.g., the frictional force applied by the locking portions 208 and 215 bearing directly on the hubs 118.
Unlike the first recesses 124, the second recesses 126 may include a ramped edge 128 (see
The handle assembly 102 may also be pivoted forwardly from the second storage position B to a third, long-term storage position B′ as shown in
To return the handle assembly 102 from the third long-term storage position B′ of
A tie rod 306 may extend through the caps 302 and 304. The tie rod 306 may have a head 308 at a first end and a threaded portion 310 at a second end. The threaded portion 310 may engage a fastener, e.g., a threaded knob 312, which may be loosened or tightened by the operator. A spacer, e.g., tube 314, may also be provided between the caps 304 to maintain the desired separation between the handle attachment members 104.
In the illustrated embodiment, the tube 314 may hold one or more brackets 315 operable to support a cable or the like. The bracket 315 may be formed in halves (as shown) that are secured to one another with fasteners, e.g., bolt 313x, washer 313y, and nut 313z.
In some embodiments, the pivot assembly 300 may include optional stop members to limit the range of pivotal motion of the upper section 106 of the handle assembly 102. For example, the caps 302 may each include one or more tabs 320 that fit within arc-shaped slots 322 of the caps 304. The slots 322 are preferably sufficiently large to permit relative rotation of the cap members 304 relative to the cap members 302 over the desired range of motion.
To move the upper section 106 of the handle assembly 102 between the first use position C and the second use position D, the operator may loosen the threaded knob 312 (
While embodiments that permit most any degree of rotation of the upper section are possible, the angle between position C (wherein the upper section 106 is generally contained within a plane of the lower section 105 as shown in
Although illustrated herein as having the first use position C wherein the upper section 106 is generally within the plane defined by the lower section 105, this is not limiting. For example, the slots could be positioned to permit pivoting of the upper section 106 upwardly (counterclockwise in
As shown in
Pivoting of the upper section 106 to the E position as illustrated in
Mowers and handle systems in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may thus provide various advantages. For instance, the handle assembly 102 of the present invention may be locked in the operating position with both handle members 104 being substantially restrained against relative rotation by the first recesses 124. However, the handle assembly 102 may be unlocked with a simple operator action (e.g., applying force to a single lever member) and pivoted to its storage position where it may be detented or held in place by the handle system. The handle assembly 102 may also be easily returned to the first operating position simply by pulling on the handle assembly without further interaction with the release apparatus. Moreover, other embodiments of the present invention may provide an upper section of the handle assembly that is movable between two or more use positions. As a result, operators of different heights may adjust the gripping portion of the upper section to satisfy their particular preference.
Illustrative embodiments of this invention are described and reference has been made to possible variations within the scope of this invention. These and other variations, modifications, and combinations of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, and it should be understood that this invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the claims provided below and equivalents thereof.