Lifting Device Safety Arm Actuation and Spring-Loaded Tooth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lifting devices for lawn mowing equipment pose safety risks and usability challenges, as they require manual release of safety arms while under heavy machinery and struggle to position gripping jaws effectively for lifting.
Innovation Solution
A lifting device with a rotatably connected safety arm actuated by a lever or cable mechanism, combined with a tooth biased by springs to automatically engage the mower deck, allowing safer and easier operation by positioning the safety arm and gripping jaw in neutral states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the safety arm is manually released by reaching underneath the lifted mower, then the safety arm can be removed, but the user is placed in a precarious position beneath heavy machinery
Solution Approach 1:
The safety arm release mechanism is designed to be actuated from the handle position, allowing the user to release the safety arm without reaching underneath the lifted mower. The cable connects the handle to the safety arm, enabling remote actuation that eliminates the hazardous positioning requirement
Solution Approach 2:
A cable acts as an intermediary between the handle and the safety arm release pin. When the user moves the handle, the cable transmits the force to disengage the release pin from the safety arm, allowing indirect control of the safety arm from a safe position
2Ease of operation
If the tooth is positioned to engage the mower deck, then lifting can begin, but it is difficult to position the tooth in a neutral position ready to receive the mower
Solution Approach 1:
The tooth is equipped with a spring mechanism that automatically biases it into the neutral receiving position. When the mower is approached, the spring forces the tooth into the correct position without requiring manual adjustment, making the system self-positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded tooth is pre-positioned in the neutral state ready to receive the mower deck edge. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for manual adjustment when the mower needs to be lifted, as the tooth is already in the correct starting position
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The lifting device enhances safety and usability by automating the release of the safety arm and ensuring proper engagement of the gripping jaw, reducing the risk of accidents and making maintenance tasks on lawn mowing equipment more accessible.
Implementation Method 1
the tooth is biased inwards towards the lifting device by one or more springs
Implementation Method 2
the pin is mechanically connected to the handle by a cable, and rotation of one of the handle grips by a user causes the pin to pull inward
Data Source
AI summary
A lifting device having an axle and a pair of wheels attached to the axle, a support element secured to the axle, a vertical element secured to the axle at an angle relative to the support element, and a handle secured to the distal end of the vertical element. In some embodiments, a safety arm is rotatably connected to the support element and the safety arm is moved from a closed position to an extended position, and vice versa, by simply rotating a handle grip which actuates a lever thereby moving a release pin from an engaged position to a dis-engaged position. The release pin secures the safety arm in the closed and extended positions. In further embodiments, a tooth is rotatably connected to the distal end of the support element and the tooth is biased inwards towards the lifting device by at least one spring.