Walking type mower

Abstract

A walking mower includes a platform including a shroud, a front end portion, and a plurality of ribs coupled to the front end portion and defining a contact plane; a first motor; a rechargeable battery; and a blade rotatably driven by the first motor about an axis of rotation, the blade having a tip defining a blade circle about the axis of rotation. The radially inner surface of the shroud is disposed at a first distance from the nearest point of the blade circle, the first distance being between 0.12 inches and 0.38 inches, the radially outer surface of the shroud is disposed at a second distance from the nearest point of the blade circle, the second distance being between 0.5 inches and 0.75 inches, and the contact plane is disposed at a third distance from the nearest point of the blade circle, the second distance being between 0.5 inches and 0.75 inches. The third distance is between 1.75 inches and 2.75 inches.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 231,561, filed on August 10, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to lawnmowers, and more particularly to walk-behind lawnmowers. Background Art

[0004] Walk-behind mowers typically include a frame, a platform, and a plurality of wheels. A rotating blade is located below the platform. The width of grass cut by the mower at one time is determined by the radius of the blade. The wheels, platform, and portion of the frame that extend beyond the radius of the blade can limit how far the mower can cut from an object (e.g., a wall, rock, fence, tree, etc.). Subsequent mowing operations are typically required to mow within the gap space between the outer boundary of the mower and the radius of the blade. Therefore, there is a need for a mower with reduced gap space to improve efficiency by reducing the number of additional cuts and / or subsequent mowing operations. Utility Model Content

[0005] The present disclosure provides, on the one hand, a walk-behind mower, comprising a platform, the platform comprising a shroud having a radial inner surface and a radial outer surface, a front end portion coupled to the shroud, and a plurality of ribs coupled to the front end portion and extending away from the shroud, the plurality of ribs defining a contact plane. The walk-behind mower further comprises a first motor coupled to the platform and a rechargeable battery coupled to the platform, the rechargeable battery being configured to supply power to the first motor. In addition, the walk-behind mower comprises a blade rotatably driven by the first motor around a rotation axis, the blade being at least partially surrounded by the shroud, the blade having a tip radially disposed outwardly from the rotation axis, the tip defining a blade circle around the rotation axis. The radial inner surface of the shroud is disposed at a first distance from the closest point of the blade circle, the first distance being between 0.12 inches and 0.38 inches. The radial outer surface of the shroud is disposed at a second distance from the closest point of the blade circle, the second distance being between 0.5 inches and 0.75 inches. The contact plane is disposed a third distance from the closest point of the blade circle, the third distance being between 1.75 inches and 2.75 inches.

[0006] In some aspects, the rechargeable battery is a first rechargeable battery, and the walk behind mower further includes a second rechargeable battery coupled to the platform, the second rechargeable battery configured to power the first motor.

[0007] In some aspects, the first rechargeable battery and the second rechargeable battery are the same.

[0008] In some aspects, the first rechargeable battery and the second rechargeable battery are coupled in series to power the first motor.

[0009] In some aspects, the walk behind lawn mower further includes a second motor coupled to the deck and powered by the first rechargeable battery and the second rechargeable battery.

[0010] The present disclosure provides, on the other hand, a walk-behind lawn mower comprising a platform including a guard and a front end portion coupled to the guard. The front end portion defines a contact plane. The walk-behind lawn mower further comprises at least one wheel coupled to the platform. The at least one wheel is rotatable about a wheel axle extending in a direction parallel to the contact plane. In addition, the walk-behind lawn mower comprises a blade coupled to the platform and rotatable about an axis of rotation. The blade is at least partially surrounded by the guard. The blade has a tip disposed radially outward from the axis of rotation. The contact plane is between 1.75 inches and 2.75 inches from the tip of the blade, wherein the tip of the blade is closest to the contact plane.

[0011] Other features and aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lawn mower according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Another perspective view of the lawn mower in which the cover of the battery compartment is hidden.

[0014] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of a lawn mower.

[0015] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Bottom view of a lawn mower.

[0016] Before explaining any embodiments of the present disclosure in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or shown in the following drawings. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and can be practiced or carried out in various ways. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Figure 1A lawn mower 10 or walk-behind lawn mower is illustrated according to one embodiment. The lawn mower 10 includes a platform 14, a front frame 18 coupled to a front end portion of the platform 14, a pair of brackets 22 coupled to a rear end portion of the platform 14, a handle 30 coupled to the brackets 22, and a rear guard 24 (also coupled to the rear end portion of the platform 14). Figure 2 The handle 30 includes a grip portion 26 and a panel 28 positioned below the grip portion 26. The panel 28 of the handle 30 includes controls for operating the lawn mower 10. The deck 14 is supported by a pair of front wheels 34 and a pair of rear wheels 38, each of which is movable about an axle (e.g., Figure 4 The wheel axles 40a, 40b in the platform 14 rotate so that the platform 14 can roll along the grass surface during use. The position of the wheels 34, 38 relative to the platform 14 can be adjustable to change the cutting height of the lawn mower 10.

[0018] The lawn mower 10 further includes a grass bag (not shown) that is removably coupled to the rear end portion of the platform 14. The grass bag is configured to collect grass that has been cut during operation of the lawn mower 10. In other embodiments, the lawn mower 10 can be operated without a grass bag coupled to the platform 14. The lawn mower 10 also includes a first pair of LEDs 32 and a second pair of LEDs 36 that are configured to illuminate an area where a user operates the lawn mower 10. The first pair of LEDs 32 is coupled to the rear end portion of the platform 14 and directs light from the sides of the lawn mower 10. The second pair of LEDs 36 is coupled to the front frame 18 and directs light in a direction forward of the lawn mower 10.

[0019] refer to Figures 2 to 3 , the illustrated lawn mower 10 includes a housing 42 supported on top of the platform 14. The housing 42 includes a cover 46 ( Figure 3 The battery compartment 50 includes two battery receptacles 54, each of which is configured to receive a battery 58 (e.g., a rechargeable power tool battery pack having a nominal output voltage of 18 volts) such that the batteries 58 are accommodated within the battery compartment 50 in a side-by-side arrangement ( Figure 2 ). The cover 46 is pivotally coupled to the housing 42 to provide an open and closed configuration of the housing 42. In the open configuration, the battery compartment 50 is accessible and allows a user to remove or insert a battery 58 into the battery compartment 50. In the closed configuration of the housing 42, the battery 58 is securely coupled to the battery receptacle 54 when the cover 46 encloses the battery compartment 50.

[0020] refer to Figure 3, the lawn mower 10 includes a motor housing 60 and a first motor 62 housed within the motor housing 60. The first motor 62 is supportably coupled to the center of the platform 14 and has an output shaft 66 coupled to a blade 70 that defines a tip at each end of the blade 70. The blade 70 includes a pair of indentations 71 ( Figure 4 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the first motor 62 is configured to directly drive the blade 70. In other embodiments, the first motor 62 can drive the blade 70 through a transmission, a belt drive, or any other suitable drive mechanism. The first motor 62 is powered by a battery 58 that is serially coupled to the first motor 62. The first motor 62 is preferably a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor, which provides greater power and efficiency than a brushed electric motor.

[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, the lawn mower 10 also includes a second motor 74 that is supportably coupled to the rear end portion of the platform 14. The second motor 74 is operably coupled to the rear wheel 38 (e.g., via a transmission 79, a belt drive, or any other suitable drive mechanism) to selectively drive the rear wheel 38. In this way, the lawn mower 10 can be configured as a rear-wheel drive lawn mower 10. In other embodiments, the second motor 74 can be located in the front end portion of the platform 14 to selectively drive the front wheel 34, thereby configuring the lawn mower 10 as a front-wheel drive lawn mower 10. In still other embodiments, the second motor 74 can drive all four wheels 34, 38 or the second motor 74 can be omitted to configure the lawn mower 10 as a push lawn mower. Similar to the first motor 62, the second motor 74 is also powered by the battery 58.

[0022] Return to reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the lawn mower 10 includes a blade height adjustment mechanism 68 having a plate (not shown) coupled to one of the brackets 22 and a lever 80 coupled to a rear end portion of the platform 14. A plurality of notches are formed in the plate and are configured to receive the lever 80, thereby positioning the blade 70 at a predetermined height above the grass surface. The lever 80 is configured to be moved by a user to adjust the height of the blade.

[0023] The panel 28 of the handle 30 includes a power button 84 configured to activate and deactivate the lawn mower 10, a crossbar 85, a speed dial 86, a variable speed self-advancing paddle 87, and an LED power button 88 configured to actuate the first pair of LEDs 32 and the second pair of LEDs 36. The crossbar 85 is configured to be grasped by a user to operate the lawn mower 10. The speed dial 86 controls the speed at which the blade 70 rotates. In this way, the blade 70 can be operated at a low speed or a high speed. The variable speed self-advancing paddle 87 is configured to activate the lawn mower 10 so that the wheels 34, 38 are selectively driven by the second motor 74, so that the user does not have to push the lawn mower 10 without assistance.

[0024] When operating the lawn mower 10, the user sets the speed of the blade 70 by adjusting the speed dial 86 to a predetermined speed marked along the speed dial 86. If desired, the user can press the LED power button 88 to enable the first pair of LEDs 32 and the second pair of LEDs 36 to illuminate the area where the lawn mower 10 will operate. To enable the lawn mower 10, the user must pull the crossbar 85 and hold the crossbar against the grip portion 26, and then press the power button 84. The first motor 62 is then activated to drive the blade 70 to rotate, thereby providing a cutting operation. In some embodiments, the lawn mower 10 can be pushed by the user to operate as a manual lawn mower 10. In other embodiments, the variable speed self-propelled paddle 87 can be pressed by the user so that the lawn mower 10 operates as a self-propelled lawn mower, wherein the second motor 74 drives either the front wheel 34 or the rear wheel 38. Once the user has completed the cutting operation, the user can release the self-propelled paddle 87 and the crossbar 85 to deactivate the lawn mower 10.

[0025] refer to Figure 4 , the front frame 18 includes a pair of laterally spaced apart protrusions 75 and a recess 76 extending between the protrusions 75. The protrusions 75 are preferably made of an impact-resistant material (such as an impact-resistant plastic material). Therefore, the front frame 18 can be used as a bumper for the front end of the lawn mower 10. The illustrated platform 14 includes a plurality of ribs 77 coupled to the front frame 18, which can strengthen the construction of the front frame 18 and provide dimensional stability. Several of the plurality of ribs 77 extend along the recess 76, so that the ribs 77 define a contact plane P, at which an object entering the recess 76 can first contact the front frame 18. The contact plane P is oriented parallel to the rotation axis of the blade 70 and the wheel axle. As shown Figure 4 , the contact plane P defines the front end of the lawn mower 10 at a point along the longitudinal center axis A of the lawn mower 10. In some embodiments, the rib 77 may be omitted from the recess 76 so that the rear wall of the recess 76 may define the contact plane P.

[0026] Continue to refer Figure 4, the platform 14 includes a top wall 78 and a curved shroud 82 that extends downward from the top wall 78 and surrounds the blade 70. The shroud 82 defines a spacing between the motor housing 60 and the first motor 62 extending therethrough. The blade 70 defines a radius R (i.e., the distance from the axis of rotation of the blade 70 to the outermost point or tip of the blade 70). When the blade 70 rotates 360 degrees, the outermost point of the blade 70 thus defines a blade circle C having a radius R. A first distance D1 is defined between the blade circle C and the inner surface of the shroud 82. In the illustrated embodiment, the first distance D1 is constant for at least the front 180 degrees of the shroud 82. In some embodiments, the first distance D1 may be constant for less than 180 degrees of the shroud 82. In other embodiments, the first distance D1 is constant over a continuous 230 degrees of the shroud 82. That is, the first distance D1 is the same at each lateral side point 90, 92 of the shroud 82 and at the front point 94 of the shroud 82. Each of the lateral side points 90, 92 is offset 90 degrees from the front point 94. The first distance D1 is preferably between 0.12 inches (3.05 mm) and 0.38 inches (9.65 mm), and in the illustrated embodiment is approximately 0.25 inches (6.35 mm). In some embodiments, the distance D1 can be less than about 1 inch (25.4 mm). In other embodiments, the distance D1 can be less than about 0.5 inches (12.7 mm).

[0027] At the lateral side points 90, 92 of the guard 82, a second distance D2 is defined between the blade circle C and the outer surface of the guard 82. The second distance D2 is preferably between 0.5 inches (12.7 mm) and 0.75 inches (19 mm), and is approximately 0.625 inches (15.88 mm) in the illustrated embodiment. In some embodiments, the distance D2 can be less than about 2 inches (50.8 mm). In other embodiments, the distance D2 can be less than about 1 inch (25.4 mm). The distance D2 defines the lateral clearance of the lawn mower 10. For example, during a cutting operation, the lateral side points 90, 92 can abut against an object, such as a tree, a wall, a fence, etc. The minimum second distance D2, which is equal to the distance D1 plus the thickness of the guard 82, advantageously allows the lawn mower 10 to cut close to an object.

[0028] Continue to refer Figure 4, a third distance D3 is defined between the blade circle C and the contact plane P. The third distance D3 is preferably between 1.75 inches (44.5 mm) and 2.75 inches (69.9 mm). In the illustrated embodiment, the third distance D3 is approximately 2.5 inches (63.5 mm). In other embodiments, the third distance D3 is approximately 2.25 inches (57.2 mm). In some embodiments (such as embodiments in which the rib 77 is omitted), the third distance D3 may be approximately 2.0 inches (50.8 mm). The distance D3 defines the front clearance of the lawn mower 10. For example, during a cutting operation, the rib 77 may abut an object at the contact plane P. The minimum third distance D3 advantageously allows the lawn mower 10 to cut close to an object.

[0029] Thus, the present disclosure provides a lawn mower 10 having reduced clearance space that is advantageously able to cut close to objects and thereby increase efficiency.

[0030] Although the disclosure has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the disclosure described.

Claims

1. A walk-behind lawn mower, characterized in that: The walk-behind lawn mower includes: Platform, which includes: a shroud having a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface, a front end portion coupled to the shroud, and a plurality of ribs coupled to the front end portion and extending away from the shroud, the plurality of ribs defining a contact plane; a first motor coupled to the platform; a rechargeable battery coupled to the platform, the rechargeable battery configured to power the first motor; and a blade rotatably driven by the first motor about a rotational axis, the blade being at least partially surrounded by the shroud, the blade having a tip disposed radially outward from the rotational axis, the tip defining a blade circle about the rotational axis, in, The radially inner surface of the shroud is disposed at a first distance from the closest point of the blade circle, the first distance being between 0.12 inches and 0.38 inches, The radially outer surface of the shroud is disposed a second distance from the closest point of the blade circle, the second distance being between 0.5 inches and 0.75 inches, and The contact plane is disposed a third distance from the closest point of the blade circle, the third distance being between 1.75 inches and 2.75 inches.

2. The walk-behind lawn mower according to claim 1, wherein: The first distance is 0.25 inches.

3. The walk-behind lawn mower according to claim 1, wherein: The second distance is 0.625 inches.

4. The walk-behind lawn mower according to claim 1, wherein: The third distance is between 2 inches and 2.5 inches.

5. The walk-behind lawn mower according to claim 1, wherein: The third distance is 2.25 inches.

6. The walk-behind lawn mower according to claim 1, wherein: The rotation axis is parallel to the contact plane.

7. The walk-behind lawn mower according to claim 1, wherein: The first motor extends into a space defined by the shroud.

8. The walk-behind lawn mower according to claim 1, wherein: At least a portion of the rechargeable battery is located in a plane that intersects the motor and is parallel to the axis of rotation.

9. The walk-behind lawn mower according to claim 1, wherein: The rechargeable battery is a first rechargeable battery, and the walk behind lawn mower further includes a second rechargeable battery coupled to the platform, the second rechargeable battery being configured to power the first motor.

10. The walk-behind lawn mower according to claim 9, wherein: The first rechargeable battery is identical to the second rechargeable battery.

11. The walk-behind lawn mower according to claim 9, wherein: The first rechargeable battery and the second rechargeable battery are connected in series to supply power to the first motor.

12. The walk-behind lawn mower according to claim 9, characterized in that: Further included is a second motor coupled to the platform and powered by the first rechargeable battery and the second rechargeable battery.

13. The walk-behind lawn mower according to claim 1, wherein: The front end portion includes a pair of laterally spaced apart portions extending in a direction away from the shield.

14. The walk-behind lawn mower according to claim 13, wherein: The pair of laterally spaced portions defines a recess extending between the laterally spaced portions, the plurality of ribs extending into the recess.

15. A walk-behind lawn mower, characterized in that: The walk-behind lawn mower includes: Platform, which includes: Shield, and a front end portion coupled to the shield, the front end portion defining a contact plane; at least one wheel coupled to the platform, the at least one wheel being rotatable about a wheel axle extending in a direction parallel to the contact plane; and a blade coupled to the platform and rotatable about an axis of rotation, the blade at least partially surrounded by the shroud, the blade having a tip disposed radially outward from the axis of rotation, The contact plane is between 1.75 inches and 2.75 inches from the tip of the blade, with the tip of the blade being closest to the contact plane.

16. The walk-behind lawn mower according to claim 15, wherein: The contact plane is between 2 inches and 2.5 inches from the tip of the blade, with the tip of the blade closest to the contact plane.

17. The walk-behind lawn mower according to claim 16, wherein: The contact plane is 2.25 inches from the tip of the blade, with the tip of the blade closest to the contact plane.

18. The walk-behind lawn mower according to claim 15, wherein: The rotation axis is parallel to the contact plane.

19. The walk-behind lawn mower according to claim 15, wherein: Further included is a first motor coupled to the platform and configured to drive the blade about the rotational axis.

20. The walk-behind lawn mower according to claim 19, wherein: Further included is a second motor operably coupled to a pair of rear wheels to selectively drive the pair of rear wheels when the blade is rotatably driven by the first motor.

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