Handle height adjuster for hand-push type mower

Abstract

A lawn mower 10 may include a blade housing 12, an engine 14 at least partially supported by the blade housing 12, a handle assembly 18 operably coupled to the blade housing 12, and a handle height adjustment assembly (HHAA) 30 that may include a foot operated actuator 35 operably coupled to at least one handle member 20. A foot operated actuator 35 may be operatively coupled to the at least one handle member 20 and spaced from a pivot point about which the handle assembly 18 pivots relative to the blade housing 12. The HHAA 30 may be configured such that the at least one handle member 20 can be secured at least in a first operational position or a second operational position defining different handle heights for the at least one handle member 20. The HHAA 30 may also be configured such that the at least one handle member 20 is rotatable between a first operational position, a second operational position, and a folded position 60.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments relate generally to outdoor power equipment and, more particularly, to a push lawn mower having an adjustable handle. Background Art

[0002] Garden maintenance tasks are usually performed using various tools and / or machines that are configured to perform corresponding specific tasks. Certain tasks (e.g., mowing) are usually performed by lawn mowers. The lawn mower itself may have a variety of different configurations to meet the needs and budgets of consumers. Hand-push lawn mowers are usually relatively compact, with relatively small engines and relatively cheap prices. Meanwhile, on the other hand, riding lawn mowers (such as lawn tractors) may be very large in size. In addition to mowing components, riding lawn mowers can sometimes be configured with various functional accessories (e.g., trailers, tillers, etc.). Riding lawn mowers can also be sturdy and durable, and have sufficient power, traction, and control capabilities to enable operators to mow on rugged terrain (if necessary).

[0003] When it is necessary to mow a smaller plot or a narrower area, a push mower is often used. Some relatively simple push mowers may move only in response to a thrust provided by an operator. However, other models of mowers may provide power to the wheels to assist the associated operator in providing mobility to the lawn mower. In either case, the operator typically controls and / or pushes the lawn mower via a handle assembly that extends rearwardly and upwardly behind the lawn mower to allow the operator to use the handle assembly while walking behind the lawn mower.

[0004] It has long been recognized that handle height adjustment can greatly improve operator comfort and thus also enhance the operator's experience while mowing. As a result, many solutions providing handle height adjustment have been developed over the years. However, further advances in this area are expected as materials and technology improve. Summary of the invention

[0005] Some exemplary embodiments may provide a lawn mower. The lawn mower may include: a blade housing configured to accommodate at least one blade; an engine supported at least in part by the blade housing to selectively rotate the at least one blade; a handle assembly operably coupled to the blade housing; and a handle height adjustment assembly (HHAA) that may include a foot-operated actuator operably coupled to at least one handle member. The handle assembly may include at least one handle member for directing the operation of the lawn mower by an operator walking substantially behind the lawn mower. The foot-operated actuator may be operably coupled to at least one handle member at a portion of the at least one handle member that is spaced apart from a pivot point about which the handle assembly pivots relative to the blade housing. The HHAA may be configured such that at least one handle member can be fixed in at least a first operating position or a second operating position in response to the HHAA being in a locked state, each operating position defining a different handle height for at least one handle member. The HHAA may also be configured such that at least one handle member can be rotated between a first operating position, a second operating position, and a folded position in response to the HHAA being in an unlocked state.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, a handle height adjustment assembly (HHAA) for adjusting the height of at least one handle member of a push lawn mower may be provided. The HHAA may include a foot-operated actuator operably coupled to the at least one handle member. The foot-operated actuator may be operably coupled to the at least one handle member at a portion of the at least one handle member that is spaced apart from a pivot point about which the handle assembly pivots relative to a blade housing. The HHAA may be configured such that the at least one handle member may be fixed in at least a first operating position or a second operating position in response to the HHAA being in a locked state, each operating position defining a different handle height for the at least one handle member. The HHAA may also be configured such that the at least one handle member may be rotated between a first operating position, a second operating position, and a folded position in response to the HHAA being in an unlocked state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Having generally described the present invention above, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which:

[0008] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a push lawn mower having a handle height adjustment assembly according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0009] Figure 2 shows a rear perspective view of a lawn mower and a handle height adjustment assembly according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0010] Figure 3shows a side view of a lawn mower and a handle height adjustment assembly according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0011] Figure 4 shows a close-up side view of a handle height adjustment assembly in a first operable position according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0012] Figure 5 shows a close-up perspective view of a handle height adjustment assembly according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0013] Figure 6 shows a close-up perspective view of a handle height adjustment assembly according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0014] Figure 7 showing a close-up side view of a channel of a handle height adjustment assembly according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0015] Figure 8 shows an isolated perspective view of a handle assembly and a handle height adjustment assembly according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0016] Fig. 9 shows an isolated top view of a handle assembly and a handle height adjustment assembly according to an exemplary embodiment; and

[0017] Fig.10 A close-up view of a positioning guide according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Some exemplary embodiments will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some but not all exemplary embodiments are shown. In fact, the examples described and depicted herein should not be construed as limitations on the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure. On the contrary, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Throughout the content, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. In addition, as used herein, the term "or" should be interpreted as a logical operator, and its result is true when one or more operands are true. As used herein, "operably connected" should be understood to involve direct connection or indirect connection, in both cases, can achieve the functional interconnection of the various components operably connected to each other.

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a push lawn mower 10 is shown. An operator may be located at an operator position at the rear of the lawn mower 10. Figure 1The lawn mower 10 in the embodiment of the present invention includes a blade housing 12 that can accommodate a rotatable cutting blade (not shown). The cutting blade can be suspended above the ground at the end of a rotatable shaft (e.g., a drive shaft, also not shown), which can rotate in response to the operation of an engine 14 (such as a gasoline-powered engine or an electric motor). The operation of the engine 14 can be initiated by a recoil starter via an operator pulling a recoil starter handle. However, in other embodiments, the engine 14 can be started alternatively via a key, a switch, an electronic ignition device, or other similar device.

[0020] The lawn mower 10 may include a moving assembly on which a majority of the weight of the lawn mower 10 may rest when the lawn mower 10 is stationary. The moving assembly may also be configured to move the lawn mower 10. In some cases, the moving assembly may be driven via power from the engine 14, which may be selectively provided to ground engaging wheels 16 that comprise the moving assembly.

[0021] In some examples, the height of each of the ground engaging wheels 16 may be adjustable. A level cut may be provided and / or the height of the cutting blade may be adjusted by adjusting the height of the front and / or rear wheels. In some embodiments, a local wheel height adjuster may be provided at the front and / or rear wheels. However, in other embodiments, remote wheel height adjustment may also or alternatively be provided.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the blade housing 12 and / or other portions of the lawn mower 10 that form a frame or structural platform on which the various components of the lawn mower 10 are assembled can be stamped, molded, welded, fixed or otherwise assembled together to define a strong and durable structure. The blade housing 12 can be a single structure or a unitary structure, or can have various additional parts or components attached thereto. Therefore, the blade housing 12 can generally be the main body portion of the lawn mower 10, and various other structural and functional components can be mounted to the main body portion.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the lawn mower 10 may also include a handle assembly 18. The handle assembly 18 may include at least one handle member 20, which extends generally backward and upward from the rear portion of the blade housing 12 (or the main body portion). In some cases, the handle assembly 18 may include two handle members 20. In this case, the handle members 20 may be substantially parallel to each other and may be connected to each other at their distal ends via a crossbar. The crossbar may be located at the distal end 22 of the handle member 20. The proximal end 24 of the handle member 20 may be engaged or otherwise operably connected to the lawn mower 10 (e.g., engaged or otherwise operably connected to the blade housing 12). Therefore, the terms "distal end" and "proximal end" should be understood to be used when referring to the blade housing 12 or the engine 14 of the lawn mower 10.

[0024] The height of the handle member 20 may be adjustable, or may be foldable, so as to reduce the amount of space that the lawn mower 10 takes up when stored or transported via operation of a handle height adjustment assembly (HHAA) 30. Figure 1As shown in , the HHAA 30 can be disposed at a rear portion of the blade housing 12 (e.g., near the rear wheels). The foot-operated actuator 35 can be disposed between the rear wheels (or near one or the other of the rear wheels) and can be pivotally and operably coupled to the handle assembly 18. In some cases, the HHAA 30 can also include a position retainer 36, a channel, and a positioning guide 38. In some embodiments, the foot-operated actuator 35 can be operably coupled to the blade housing 12 via the channel, which can also be disposed at the rear portion of the blade housing 12. In this regard, the HHAA 30 can be disposed near an operator, and the operator can easily apply a force to the foot-operated actuator 35 in a forward and / or downward direction indicated by arrow 40. The force can resist the biasing force provided by the position retainer 36, which can be directed rearward and / or upward as shown by arrow 45, and can maintain the foot-operated actuator 35 in a locked state in the channel. In response to an operator applying a force in the direction of arrow 40, the HHAA 30 can enter an unlocked state in which the handle assembly 18 can freely move up and down in the direction indicated by arrow 50, or when the force applied in the direction of arrow 40 exceeds the biasing force applied by the position retainer 36 in the direction of arrow 45, the handle assembly is rotated in the direction of arrow 55 to a folded position 60. In response to the handle assembly 18 being rotated in the direction of arrow 55 to the folded position 60, the foot-operated actuator 35 can leave the channel and can therefore rest on the positioning guide 38. Conversely, in response to the handle assembly 18 being rotated back from the folded position 60 toward the rear of the lawn mower 10, the positioning guide 38 can ensure that the foot-operated actuator 35 can properly re-enter the channel. More details about the HHAA 30 and its components will be described below with reference to the following figures.

[0025] Figure 2 A lawn mower 100 according to an exemplary embodiment is described. Figure 2 The lawn mower 100 depicted in FIG. 1 may be Figure 1 1. As described above, the lawn mower 100 may include a blade housing 110, an engine (not shown), wheels 120, a handle assembly 130, and a handle height adjustment assembly (HHAA) 140. The HHAA 140 may be operable to allow an operator to select one of at least two different operating positions of the handle assembly 130. Each different operating position may correspond to a different handle height of the handle assembly 130. The handle assembly 130 may include at least one handle member 132, and in some cases, such as Figure 2 In the embodiment shown in , the handle assembly may include two handle members 132. Figures 2 to 6, the HHAA 140 and therefore the handle assembly 130 are shown in a first operating position (e.g., with the handle height higher) of at least two different optional operating positions. However, a second operating position with a lower handle height is also possible. In addition, in the folded position 60, the handle assembly 130 can be completely folded forward to minimize the amount of space occupied by the lawn mower 100 when stored or transported. It should be understood that other positions may also be defined in some alternative exemplary embodiments.

[0026] As briefly described above, HHAA 140 may include a foot-operated actuator 141, at least one positioning guide 142, at least one channel 143, and at least one position holder 144. In some embodiments, such as Figures 2 to 10 In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 , the foot-operated actuator 141 can be a rod assembly. In this regard, the foot-operated actuator 141 can be a single rod made of metal or any other suitable material capable of maintaining its shape while receiving and transmitting an applied force. The rod assembly can be bent or otherwise formed into a "U" shape with a substantially horizontal bottom. Figure 5 and Fig. 9As best shown in FIG. 1 , at the center of the horizontal bottom of the “U” shape, the foot-operated actuator 141 may include a protrusion 147 that may allow access to the foot-operated actuator 141 from an operator position at the rear of the lawn mower 100. In this regard, the protrusion 147 may extend beyond the blade housing 110 or the main body at the rear of the lawn mower 100 and toward the operator. Each upper end of the “U” shape of the foot-operated actuator 141 may be pivotally and operably coupled to a corresponding one of the handle members 132 via a positioning guide 142. In this regard, each positioning guide 142 may be operably coupled to the handle member 132 and may also include an aperture that may be pivotally and operably coupled to a lever assembly. Thus, the foot-operated actuator 141 may be pivotable relative to the handle member 132 to which it is operably coupled via the positioning guide 142. In addition, the positioning guide 142 can limit the range of pivoting of the foot-operated actuator 141 relative to the handle member 132 so that the foot-operated actuator 141 can remain substantially aligned with the channel 143 after the foot-operated actuator 141 is removed from the channel 143 to be folded forward. By limiting the range of motion of the foot-operated actuator 141 in this manner, the positioning guide 142 can help the foot-operated actuator 141 re-enter the channel 143 when the handle assembly 130 is rotated out of the folded position 60 (in the folded position, the handle assembly 130 is fully folded forward). In this regard, the foot-operated actuator 141 can be automatically aligned with the channel 143 due to the positioning guide 142, so that the HHAA 140 can be more easily reinstalled and the foot-operated actuator 141 is prevented from moving arbitrarily during rotation of the handle assembly 130. More details about the positioning guide 142 will be discussed below with reference to the following figures.

[0027] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As depicted in , at least one channel 143 can be formed in the blade housing 110 (or a structure operably coupled thereto) proximate a location where the foot-operated actuator 141 extends downwardly from the handle member 132 as constrained by the positioning guide 142 . Figure 2 and Figure 3The embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 may include two channels 143, wherein corresponding channels of the channels 143 are arranged near the rear end corner of the blade housing 110, and in this example, are also arranged near the rear wheel 120. In some cases, the channels 143 may be identical to each other (e.g., mirror images of each other relative to the longitudinal centerline of the lawn mower 100) to enhance the ease of operation of the foot-operated actuator 141. In an exemplary embodiment, the channel 143 may include a first slot 150 and a second slot 152 (and may also include other slots in some cases). The first slot and the second slot (150, 152) may correspond to a first operating position and a second operating position of the handle assembly 130, respectively. In this regard, when in the locked state, the foot-operated actuator 141 may be retained in either the first slot or the second slot (150, 152). For example, in response to the foot-operated actuator 141 being retained in the first slot 150, the handle assembly 130 may be in a first operating position, which may correspond to a higher operating position of the handle assembly 130. Conversely, in response to the foot-operated actuator 141 being held in the second slot 152, the handle assembly 130 can be in a second operating position, which can correspond to a lower operating position of the handle assembly 130. Where other slots are employed, each slot corresponds to a respective different operating position or handle height.

[0028] At each possible handle position, the HHAA 140 can be operated to switch between an unlocked state and a locked state, in which the handle member 132 can rotate relative to the blade housing 110, and in which the handle member 132 remains in the corresponding desired position. In some embodiments, the HHAA 140 can be designed so that when the HHAA 140 is in the locked state, the foot-operated actuator 141 can only be maintained in the first slot 150 or the second slot 152. However, in order to switch between the first slot 150 and the second slot 152, the HHAA 140 must be in the unlocked state. In addition, in order to switch from either the first slot 150 or the second slot 152 to the folded position, the HHAA 140 must be in the unlocked state. In addition, in some cases, the HHAA 140 can be biased toward the locked state (e.g., using a spring force applied by the position retainer 144) so ​​that the handle assembly 130 remains fixed when the lawn mower 100 is in use.

[0029] Figure 3 A partial cross-sectional side view of the lawn mower 100 is shown, Figure 4 Shows Figure 3. A close-up view of the position retainer 144 in the figure. The position retainer 144 can apply a biasing force to the foot-operated actuator 141, which can cause the foot-operated actuator 141 to remain in a locked state in either the first slot or the second slot (150, 152). The position retainer 144 may include at least one biasing member 145 and include a retaining member 146. In an exemplary embodiment, the retaining member 146 can be pushed by the biasing member 145 to act on the foot-operated actuator 141 in a first direction, thereby biasing the foot-operated actuator 141 to a locked state in either the first slot or the second slot (150, 152). As previously described with respect to Figure 1 As mentioned, the biasing force of the position keeper 144 may act rearwardly and upwardly, or in other words, substantially orthogonal to the direction of extension of the channel 143. Therefore, the force applied by the operator to move the foot-operated actuator 141 to the unlocked state may resist the biasing force of the position keeper 144 (i.e., forwardly and downwardly).

[0030] Figure 4 Different views are shown in which the movement of the position retainer 144 can be observed. In this regard, the position retainer 144 is depicted as retaining the HHAA 140 in the locked state in the first slot 150 by applying a biasing force in the direction of arrow 160 by the biasing member 145. Therefore, to move the HHAA 140 into the unlocked state, the operator can apply a force to the foot-operated actuator 141 in the direction of arrow 170. In response to the force in the direction of arrow 170 overcoming the force in the direction of arrow 160, the HHAA 140 can enter the unlocked state. While maintaining the force applied to the foot-operated actuator 141 in the direction of arrow 170, the handle assembly 130 can be lowered so that the foot-operated actuator 141 is aligned with the second slot 152, or the handle assembly 130 can be rotated forward to the storage position so that the foot-operated actuator 141 is upwardly clear of the channel 143. With the handle assembly 130 lowered into the second slot 152, the operator need only stop applying force in the direction of arrow 170, and the position retainer 144 can bias the foot-operated actuator 141 into the second slot 152, returning to the locked state. In some embodiments, the retaining member 146 of the position retainer 144 can also be substantially "U" shaped. In this regard, the retaining member 146 can include a flat surface at the base of the "U" that extends a length substantially equal to the depth of the channel 143. At each end of the flat surface, the flat surface can bend backward away from the channel 143 and substantially perpendicular to the flat surface, forming a straight portion of the "U" shape. These vertical portions of the flat surface can help hold the retaining member 146 in place and can be slidably and operably coupled to the blade housing 110. In addition, in Figure 4In the embodiment of , the retaining member 146 can also be operably coupled to two biasing members 145. The biasing members 145 can be located in corresponding holes formed in the blade housing 110, which can be tilted to determine the direction of the biasing force applied by the position retainer 144. In some cases, the biasing member 145 can be a spring.

[0031] Figure 5 and Figure 6 depicts a close-up perspective view of a rear portion of the lawn mower 100, and Figure 7 A close-up side view of the channel 143 is depicted. These figures help further elaborate on the shape of both the channel 143 and the foot-operated actuator 141. The foot-operated actuator 141 can be shaped such that a vertical portion of the foot-operated actuator 141 intersects a horizontal bottom portion of the foot-operated actuator 141 outside of the channel 143 and the blade housing 110. In this regard, the horizontal bottom portion of the foot-operated actuator 141 can be the portion of the foot-operated actuator 141 that interacts with the channel 143 and, therefore, the first and second slots (150, 152). Figure 5 and Figure 6 The retaining member 146 is also shown and shows how the flat surface bends in a perpendicular manner away from the channel 143 and into the blade housing 110. This, together with the biasing member 145, can keep the retaining member 146 in the correct orientation within the channel 143. In addition, Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 An entry passage of the channel 143 is shown. While the channel 143 itself may be substantially rectangular, the entry passage of the channel 143 may include one or more inclined or skewed surfaces 148 such that the inclined or skewed surfaces 148 lead into the channel 143. Thus, for example, when the handle assembly 130 is folded back toward the rear of the lawn mower 100, the one or more inclined or skewed surfaces 148 tend to guide the foot-operated actuator 141 into the channel 143. This, along with the positioning guide 142, can help ensure that the foot-operated actuator 141 easily re-enters the channel after being removed from the channel 143 (which may result from the handle assembly 130 being folded forward to the folded position 60).

[0032] Figure 8 and Fig. 9The HHAA 140 and the handle assembly 130 are depicted separated from the blade housing 110. In this regard, these figures may provide a more intuitive sense of the size of the HHAA 140 and the handle assembly 130, respectively. The foot-operated actuator 141 may be operably coupled to the handle assembly 130 at a location that is approximately equal to the height of the foot-operated actuator 141 from the pivot point 131 about which the handle assembly 130 pivots relative to the blade housing 110. In other words, with the handle assembly 130 and the foot-operated actuator 141 respectively placed in a vertical orientation to form a right angle with the blade housing 110, the horizontal bottom portion of the foot-operated actuator 141 may be correspondingly arranged at the pivot point 131 about which the handle assembly 130 and the blade housing 110 pivot. However, in some embodiments, the foot-operated actuator 141 may be prevented from forming a right angle with the blade housing 110 by positioning the guide 142. The protrusion 147 of the foot-operated actuator 141 is located at a position where the handle assembly 130 and the foot-operated actuator 141 are located. Fig. 9 As mentioned above, by Figures 3 to 5 By extending the foot-operated actuator 141 beyond the end of the blade housing 110 as depicted in FIG. 1 , the protruding portion of the foot-operated actuator 141 can improve the convenience of access to the HHAA 140 by the operator of the lawn mower 100 .

[0033] Fig.10 A close-up view of the positioning guide 142 is shown. As mentioned above, the positioning guide 142 can operably couple the foot-operated actuator 141 to the handle assembly 130 at a distance from the pivot point 131 that is approximately equal to the height of the foot-operated actuator 141. The positioning guide 142 can be buckled onto the handle member 132 and can include an aperture for pivotally coupling with the foot-operated actuator 141. In this regard, the foot-operated actuator 141 can pivot relative to the handle member 132 within a predetermined range of motion determined by the positioning guide 142. Therefore, in some cases, the positioning guide 142 also includes a flat surface that can be angled relative to the rest of the positioning guide 142. The flat surface can be used to support the foot-operated actuator 141 when the handle assembly 130 is folded forward so that the foot-operated actuator 141 is out of the channel 143 (e.g., when the handle assembly 130 is folded into a storage position). In such a case, the flat surface of the positioning guide 142 can support the foot operated actuator 141 in the proper orientation to re-enter the channel 143 in response to the handle assembly 130 being folded back to either the first operating position or the second operating position.

[0034] Some exemplary embodiments may provide a lawn mower. The lawn mower may include: a blade housing configured to accommodate at least one blade; an engine at least partially supported by the blade housing to selectively rotate the at least one blade; a handle assembly operably coupled to the blade housing; and a handle height adjustment assembly (HHAA) that may include a foot-operated actuator operably coupled to at least one handle member. The handle assembly may include at least one handle member for directing the operation of the lawn mower by an operator who walks substantially behind the lawn mower. The foot-operated actuator may be operably coupled to at least one handle member at a portion of the at least one handle member that is spaced apart from a pivot point about which the handle assembly pivots relative to the blade housing. The HHAA may be configured such that at least one handle member can be fixed in at least a first operating position or a second operating position that each defines a different handle height for at least one handle member in response to the HHAA being in a locked state. The HHAA may also be configured such that at least one handle member can be rotated between a first operating position, a second operating position, and a folded position in response to the HHAA being in an unlocked state.

[0035] The lawn mower in some embodiments may include additional features, modifications, enhancements, etc. to achieve other goals or enhance the performance of the lawn mower. Additional features, modifications, enhancements, etc. may be added in any combination with each other. Below is a list of various additional features, modifications, and enhancements, which may be added individually or in any combination with each other. For example, the HHAA may also include a channel formed in the rear portion of the blade housing or operably connected to the rear portion of the blade housing. In an exemplary embodiment, the channel may have a plurality of slots arranged at corresponding different positions in the channel, and these different positions may correspond to different handle heights. In some cases, the HHAA may also include a position retainer, which is arranged near the channel to keep the foot-operated actuator in one of the plurality of slots. In an exemplary embodiment, the position retainer may include a biasing member and a retaining member. In some cases, the retaining member may be pushed by the biasing member to act on the foot-operated actuator in a first direction orthogonal to the extension direction of the channel. In an exemplary embodiment, the first direction may generally be a rear-upper direction relative to the front of the lawn mower. In some cases, the operator can apply force to the foot-operated actuator generally in the front-down direction to overcome the biasing member, thereby achieving a transition from a locked state to an unlocked state. In an exemplary embodiment, the channel may also include at least one inclined surface, which may form an entrance passage of the channel so that the foot-operated actuator can enter the channel in response to the rotation of at least one handle member from the folded position to any one of the first operating position or the second operating position. In some cases, the foot-operated actuator may be a rod assembly that can be pivotally and operably connected to at least one handle member. In an exemplary embodiment, the HHAA may also include a positioning guide operably connected to at least one handle member and the rod assembly, which may limit the movement of the rod assembly within a position range that allows the rod assembly to be aligned with at least one inclined surface at the entrance passage of the channel. In some cases, the handle member may be spaced apart from a pivot point about which the handle assembly pivots relative to the blade housing by a distance that may be approximately equal to the length of the rod assembly extending away from at least one handle member. In an exemplary embodiment, the rod assembly may be located in the channel when at least one handle member may be in the first operating position and the second operating position. In some cases, the rod assembly can be positioned outside of the channel when the at least one handle member can be in the folded position.

[0036] Benefiting from the teachings given in the foregoing description and the related drawings, a person skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs will think of many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention set forth herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that these modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. In addition, although the foregoing description and the related drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be understood that alternative embodiments may provide different combinations of elements and / or functions without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, combinations different from the combinations of elements and / or functions explicitly described above are also considered, as set forth in some of the appended claims. Where advantages, benefits, or solutions to problems are described herein, it should be understood that these advantages, benefits, and / or solutions may be applicable to some exemplary embodiments, but not necessarily to all exemplary embodiments. Therefore, any advantages, benefits, or solutions described herein should not be considered to be critical, necessary, or essential to all embodiments or the embodiments claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, these terms are used only in a general and illustrative sense and not for the purpose of limitation.

Claims

1. A lawn mower 100, comprising: A blade housing 110 configured to accommodate at least one blade; an engine 14 at least partially supported by the blade housing 110 to selectively rotate the at least one blade; a handle assembly 130 operably coupled to the blade housing 110 , the handle assembly 130 including at least one handle member 132 for directing operation of the lawn mower 100 by an operator walking substantially behind the lawn mower 100 ; a handle height adjustment assembly (HHAA) 140, comprising a foot operated actuator 141 operably coupled to the at least one handle member 132 at a portion of the at least one handle member 132 that is spaced from a pivot point 131 about which the handle assembly 130 pivots relative to the blade housing 110, wherein the HHAA 140 is configured such that the at least one handle member 132 can be fixed in at least a first operating position or a second operating position each defining a different handle height for the at least one handle member 132 in response to the HHAA 140 being in a locked state, The HHAA 140 is further configured such that the at least one handle member 132 is rotatable between the first operating position, the second operating position, and the folded position 60 in response to the HHAA 140 being in the unlocked state.

2. The lawn mower 100 according to claim 1, wherein: The HHAA 140 also includes a channel 143 formed in or operably coupled to a rear portion of the blade housing 110, the channel 143 having a plurality of slots (150, 152) arranged in the channel 143 at respective different locations corresponding to the different handle heights.

3. The lawn mower 100 according to claim 2, wherein: The HHAA 140 further includes a position retainer 144 disposed proximate the channel 143 to retain the foot-operated actuator 141 operably coupled to one of the plurality of slots ( 150 , 152 ).

4. The lawn mower 100 according to claim 3, wherein: The position holder 144 includes a biasing member 145 and a retaining member 146 , and the retaining member 146 is urged by the biasing member 145 to act on the foot-operated actuator 141 in a first direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the channel 143 .

5. The lawn mower 100 according to claim 4, wherein: The first direction is generally an upper and rearward direction relative to the front of the lawn mower 100, and wherein the operator applies force to the foot-operated actuator 141 generally in a lower and forward direction to overcome the biasing member 145, thereby achieving a transition from the locked state to the unlocked state.

6. The lawn mower 100 according to claim 2, wherein: The channel 143 also includes at least one inclined surface 148, which forms an entrance passage of the channel so that the foot-operated actuator 141 can enter the channel 143 in response to the at least one handle member 132 rotating from the folded position 60 to either the first operating position or the second operating position.

7. The lawn mower 100 according to claim 6, wherein: The foot-operated actuator 141 is a lever assembly pivotably and operably coupled to the at least one handle member 132 .

8. The lawn mower 100 according to claim 7, wherein: The HHAA 140 also includes a positioning guide 142 that operably couples the at least one handle member 132 to the rod assembly, wherein the positioning guide 142 limits movement of the rod assembly to a range of positions that align the rod assembly with the at least one inclined surface 148 at the entrance passage of the channel 143.

9. The lawn mower 100 according to claim 7, wherein: The handle member 132 is spaced apart a distance from a pivot point 131 about which the handle assembly 132 pivots relative to the blade housing 110 that is substantially equal to the length of the lever assembly extending away from the at least one handle member 132 .

10. The lawn mower 100 according to claim 7, wherein: The rod assembly is located within the channel 143 when the at least one handle member 132 is in the first operational position and the second operational position, and the rod assembly is located outside the channel 143 when the at least one handle member 132 is in the folded position 60 .

11. A handle height adjustment assembly 140 for adjusting the height of at least one handle member 132 of a push lawn mower 100, the assembly 140 comprising: a foot-operated actuator 141 operably coupled to the at least one handle member 132 at a portion of the at least one handle member 132 that is spaced apart from a pivot point 131 about which the at least one handle member 132 pivots relative to the blade housing 110, The assembly 140 is configured such that the at least one handle member 132 can be fixed in at least a first operating position or a second operating position, each of which defines a different handle height for the at least one handle member 132, in response to the assembly 140 being in a locked state. The assembly 140 is further configured such that the at least one handle member 132 can rotate between the first operating position, the second operating position and the folded position 60 in response to the assembly 140 being in the unlocked state.

12. The assembly 140 according to claim 11 further includes a channel 143 formed in the rear portion of the blade housing 110 or operably connected to the rear portion of the blade housing, the channel having a plurality of grooves (150, 152) arranged in the channel 143 at corresponding different positions corresponding to the different handle heights.

13. The assembly 140 of claim 12, further comprising a position retainer 144 disposed proximate to the channel 143 to retain the foot-operated actuator 141 in one of the plurality of slots (150, 152).

14. The assembly 140 of claim 13, wherein: The position holder 144 includes a biasing member 145 and a retaining member 146 , and the retaining member 146 is urged by the biasing member 145 to act on the foot-operated actuator 141 in a first direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the channel 143 .

15. The assembly 140 of claim 14, wherein: The first direction is generally an upper and rearward direction relative to the front of the lawn mower 100, and wherein the operator applies force to the foot-operated actuator 141 generally in a lower and forward direction to overcome the biasing member 145, thereby achieving a transition from the locked state to the unlocked state.

16. The assembly 140 of claim 12, wherein: The channel 143 also includes at least one inclined surface 148, which forms an entrance passage of the channel so that the foot-operated actuator 141 can enter the channel 143 in response to the at least one handle member 132 rotating from the folded position 60 to either the first operating position or the second operating position.

17. The assembly 140 of claim 16, wherein: The foot-operated actuator 141 is a lever assembly pivotably and operably coupled to the at least one handle member 132 .

18. The assembly 140 of claim 17, further comprising a positioning guide 142 operably coupling the at least one handle member 132 to the rod assembly, wherein: The positioning guide 142 limits the movement of the rod assembly to a range of positions that align the rod assembly with the at least one inclined surface 148 at the entrance passage of the channel 143 .

19. The assembly 140 of claim 17, wherein: The handle member 132 is spaced apart from a pivot point 131 about which the handle assembly 130 pivots relative to the blade housing 110 by a distance that is substantially equal to the length of the lever assembly extending away from the at least one handle member 132 .

20. The assembly 140 of claim 17, wherein: The rod assembly is located within the channel 143 when the at least one handle member 132 is in the first operational position and the second operational position, and the rod assembly is located outside the channel 143 when the at least one handle member 132 is in the folded position 60 .

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