Lawnmower Deck Guard Positioner with Break-Away Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical systems for raising and lowering lawn mower deck guards are often expensive, cumbersome, and pose safety risks, especially when used on smaller devices, and can cause damage or unsafe practices during operation.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical system comprising clips, clamps, and chains with a break-away safety mechanism that allows manual control of the deck guard's position, enabling safe and efficient raising and lowering, including a linkage assembly that disconnects upon snagging or entanglement to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-loaded mechanism is used to automatically lower the deck guard, then the deck guard can be automatically returned to the lowered position, but the system becomes more complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the deck guard control into two independent parts: a simple manual lifting mechanism (chain and clamp) and a passive spring-loaded lowering mechanism. The spring mechanism is segmented as a separate component that automatically returns the deck guard without requiring complex control systems.
2Ease of operation
If lever-controlled mechanical or electro-mechanical powered systems are used to manually raise and lower the deck guard, then the deck guard can be controlled, but the system becomes expensive and cumbersome for smaller devices
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential manual control function from complex lever-controlled or electro-mechanical systems. It uses a simplified chain and clamp mechanism that attaches directly to the deck guard, eliminating the need for integrated levers or powered systems while maintaining manual control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses inexpensive components (chain, clamp, snap hook) that can be easily replaced if needed, rather than investing in expensive durable electro-mechanical systems. The simplicity of these components makes them cost-effective for smaller devices.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the deck guard is raised permanently using a strap or bungee, then the deck guard can be held in the raised position, but the ability to lower it back to the normal position is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms the static permanent raising method into a dynamic reversible system. The chain and clamp mechanism allows the deck guard to be easily raised and lowered repeatedly, while the spring mechanism provides automatic return to the lowered position, creating a flexible dynamic control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded mechanism provides self-service by automatically lowering the deck guard without requiring user intervention. The user simply releases the chain and clamp, and the spring mechanism self-activates to return the deck guard to its normal position.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the deck guard is used in tight spaces, then maneuverability is achieved, but the risk of collision and damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The break-away safety mechanism provides preliminary anti-action by being pre-designed to fail safely under excessive force. Before collision damage can occur, the safety mechanism anticipates the risk and automatically disconnects the chain from the clamp, preventing the harmful effect of damage while allowing normal operation in tight spaces.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for raising and lowering a mower deck guard/chute includes a platform attachment assembly configured for attachment to a movable platform, a housing mount configured to be attached to a riding machine surface, and a linkage assembly having a break-away safety mechanism and configured to connect the platform attachment assembly to the housing mount and to thereby hold the movable platform in a variably raised position. The break-away safety mechanism is configured to break the connection between the platform attachment assembly and the housing mount when a tensile force is applied to the linkage assembly due to snagging or entanglement of the deck guard and/or apparatus.