Mower side discharge chute assembly

Abstract

A mower side discharge chute assembly 100, which comprises an outer deflector chute 102 and an inner discharge chute 104, each chute having a first end pivotably, which may be independently, mounted t

Description

21 11 24 Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates generally to rotary mower decks carried by tractors or other grass mowing machines. More specifically, the invention relates to a mower side discharge chute assembly. Background of the Invention

[0002] Tractors, utility vehicles or zero turn mowers used for lawn care may carry a mower deck covering two or more rotary cutting blades on the lower ends of vertically oriented spindles. A mower deck may be attached to the vehicle with mechanical linkages that allow the deck to be carried at a range of different cutting heights, and raised or lowered between each height. The blade spindles may be rotated by electric motors, or one or more belts and pulleys above the top surface of the deck, which may be driven by a belt and / or power take off shaft connected to the engine or other power source.

[0003] The mower deck may include a side discharge opening for grass clippings to exit through the skirt on the side of the mower deck. The side discharge opening also may include an opening through the top surface of the mower deck where a grass collection system may be mounted for directing clippings rearwardly and upwardly to a hopper or bag.

[0004] In the past, mower side discharge chute assemblies have been mounted adjacent the side discharge opening to help stop projectiles struck by the rotary cutting blades, or deflect them to the ground. Most side discharge chute assemblies were plastic flaps or metal plates, attached by hinges to the mower deck. Side discharge chute assemblies extend out and over the side discharge opening and direct the flow of objects down at a safe angle.

[0005] Testing procedures for side discharge chutes have included injecting steel balls or nails under the mower deck and determining the height and angle that these objects are discharged. To prevent projectile speeds being too high, ANSI requirements for allowable blade tip speeds is up to 19000 feet per minute (approximately 97 meters per second). 21 11 24

[0006] Many operators mow at or near maximum blade tip speeds to improve grass cutting performance, provide even grass clipping dispersal, and allow clippings to exit the deck with limited re-cutting. At lower speeds, grass clippings may build up or clump under the deck, interfere with mowing incoming grass, and block airflow under the mower deck.

[0007] There is a need for a mower side discharge chute assembly that allows mowing at high blade tip speeds while reducing speed and angle of object struck by mower blades. There is a need for a mower side discharge chute assembly that is safe and effective, low cost, and helps improve grass cutting performance. Summary of the Invention

[0008] A mower side discharge chute assembly includes an outer deflector chute and an inner discharge chute. Each chute has a first end pivotably mounted to a mower deck and extends outwardly over a side discharge opening in a mowing position. A liner is attached to a second end of the inner discharge chute and extends further outwardly than the inner discharge chute, the liner extending over the side discharge opening in a mowing position. The liner has a lower density than the outer deflector chute. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] Fig. 1 is an exploded top perspective view of a mower side discharge chute assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0010] Fig. 2 is a top perspective view of a mower side discharge chute assembly with the outer deflector chute in a raised position according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0011] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a mower side discharge chute assembly with the outer deflector chute and inner discharge chute raised according to a first embodiment of the invention. 21 11 24 Description of the Preferred Embodiment

[0012] In one embodiment, mower side discharge chute assembly 100 may include outer deflector chute 102 and inner discharge chute 104. A first or inward end of outer deflector chute 102, and a first or inward end of inner discharge chute 104, each may be pivotably mounted over side discharge opening 106 of mower deck 108. Side discharge opening 106 may include opening 110 through skirt 112 on the right side of the mower deck and opening 114 through the top horizontal surface of the mower deck. Toe guard 116 may be secured to the underside of skirt 112 between the front and back of opening 110.

[0013] In one embodiment, mower side discharge chute assembly 100 may include inner discharge chute 104 with liner 118 attached to a second or outward end thereof. Liner 118 may have lower density than outer deflector chute 102 which is typically polypropylene. For example, the polypropylene outer deflector chute 102 may have a density in the range of about 850 to 920 kg / m3, and liner 118 may have a density in the range of about 100 to 800 kg / m3.

[0014] In one embodiment, mower side discharge chute assembly 100 may include liner 118 attached to a second or outward end of inner discharge chute 104 with threaded fasteners, rivets or adhesive. Liner 118 may have greater surface area than inner discharge chute 104, but smaller surface area than outer deflector chute 102.

[0015] In one embodiment, mower side discharge chute assembly 100 may include outer deflector chute 102 and inner discharge chute 104, the inward end of each is pivotably mounted with hinge 120 adjacent opening 114 in the top of mower deck 108. Outer deflector chute 102 and inner discharge chute 104 each may be independently pivotable on hinge 120 between a lowered side discharge position, and a raised position for grass collection. In the raised position, a grass collection system (not shown) may be mounted over opening 114 through the top of the mower deck, and may extend upwardly and rearwardly to a hopper or bag. Hinge 120 may include torsion spring 122 which may bias outer deflector chute 102 and inner discharge chute 104 downward toward the lowered side discharge position. In the lowered side discharge position, both outer deflector chute 102 and inner discharge chute 104 may extend outwardly and generally horizontally over side discharge opening 106 including opening 114 through the top of the mower deck and opening 110 through the skirt on the side of the mower deck. Inner discharge chute 104 may have stops that engage the deck to stop pivoting the inner discharge chute at horizontal position.

[0016] Having described the preferred embodiment, it will become apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. 21 11 24

Claims

1. A mower side discharge chute assembly for a mower deck, the mower side discharge chute assembly comprising:an outer deflector chute and an inner discharge chute, each chute having a first end configured to be pivotably mounted to the mower deck and being configured to extend outwardly from the mower side discharge chute assembly; anda liner attached to a second end of the inner discharge chute and extending further outwardly than the inner discharge chute.

2. The mower side discharge chute assembly of claim 1, wherein the liner has a lower density than the outer deflector chute.

3. The mower side discharge chute assembly of any one of claims 1 to 2, further comprising a torsion spring configured to bias the outer deflector chute and the inner discharge chute downward to an outwardly extended mowing position.

4. A mower side discharge chute assembly for a mower deck, the mower side discharge chute assembly comprising:an outer deflector chute and an inner discharge chute, each chute being configured to be pivotably mounted to the mower deck and independently pivotable between a raised position for mounting a grass collection system and an outwardly extended position; anda liner attached to the inner discharge chute, the liner having a surface area that is greater than the inner discharge chute and less than the outer deflector chute.

5. The mower side discharge chute assembly of claim 4, whereinthe liner is lower density material than the outer deflector chute.

6. The mower side discharge chute assembly of any one of claims 4 to 5, wherein the inner discharge chute has stops that are configured to abut the mower deck to hold it at a horizontal mowing position.

7. A mower side discharge chute assembly for a mower deck, the mower side discharge chute assembly comprising:an outer deflector chute configured to be pivotably mounted to the mower deck;an inner discharge chute configured to be pivotably mounted to the mower deck under the outer deflector chute;a liner attached to the inner discharge chute and having a lower density than the outer deflector chute; anda hinge with a torsion spring that independently biases the outer deflector chute and the inner discharge chute from a raised position to an outwardly extending position.

8. The mower side discharge chute assembly of claim 7, wherein the liner has a larger surface area than the inner discharge chute.

9. A mower deck comprising a mower side discharge chute assembly, the mower side discharge chute assembly further comprising:an outer deflector chute and an inner discharge chute, each chute having a first end pivotably mounted to the mower deck and extending outwardly over a side discharge opening when in an outwardly extended mowing position; anda liner attached to a second end of the inner discharge chute and extending further outwardly than the inner discharge chute, the liner outwardly extending over the side discharge opening when in the mowingposition.

10. The mower deck of claim 9, wherein the liner has a lower density than the outer deflector chute.

11. The mower deck of claim 9 or 10, wherein the side discharge opening includes an opening through a top surface and a side skirt of the mower deck.

12. The mower deck of any one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising a torsion spring configured to bias the outer deflector chute and the inner discharge chute downward to the mowing position.

13. A mower deck comprising a mower side discharge chute assembly, the mower side discharge chute assembly further comprising:an outer deflector chute and an inner discharge chute, each chute being pivotably mounted to the mower deck and independently pivotable between a raised position for mounting a grass collection system and an outwardly extended position over a side discharge opening of the mower deck; anda liner attached to the inner discharge chute, the liner having a surface area that is greater than the inner discharge chute and less than the outer deflector chute.

14. The mower deck of claim 13, wherein the side discharge opening is through a side skirt and a top surface of the mower deck.

15. The mower deck of claim 13 or 14, wherein the liner is lower density material than the outer deflector chute.

16. The mower deck of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the inner discharge chute has stops that abut the mower deck to hold it at a horizontal mowing position.

17. A mower deck comprising a mower side discharge chute assembly, the mower side discharge chute assembly further comprising:an outer deflector chute pivotably mounted to the mower deck;an inner discharge chute pivotably mounted to the mower deck under the outer deflector chute;a liner attached to the inner discharge chute and having a lower density than the outer deflector chute; anda hinge with a torsion spring that independently biases the outer deflector chute and the inner discharge chute from a raised position to an outwardly extending position over a side discharge opening through a top of the mower deck and a skirt on a side of the mower deck.

18. The mower deck of claim 17, wherein the liner has a larger surface area than the inner discharge chute.

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