Rotating Cutting Disk Patents (Class 56/295)
  • Patent number: 7703268
    Abstract: A rotary mowing implement including a rotary cutter bar disk, at least one hub, a blade element, a pin, and a pin retaining mechanism. The at least one hub is connected to the rotary cutter bar disk. The blade element has a hole therein. The pin couples the blade element to the hub. The pin is insertable through the hole and is removably coupled to the hub. The pin retaining mechanism couples the pin to the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Bryan Ray Yanke
  • Publication number: 20100071338
    Abstract: A rotary mowing implement including a rotary cutter bar disk, at least one hub, a blade element, a pin, and a pin retaining mechanism. The at least one hub is connected to the rotary cutter bar disk. The blade element has a hole therein. The pin couples the blade element to the hub. The pin is insertable through the hole and is removably coupled to the hub. The pin retaining mechanism couples the pin to the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventor: Bryan Ray Yanke
  • Publication number: 20100043378
    Abstract: A cutting blade assembly (8) for a rotary mower. The assembly (8) comprises a blade carrier (1) and four swing-back cutting blades (10) (only one of which is shown). The blade carrier (1) has a substantially planar discoid body (2), a mount (3) for mounting the body (2) to a drive shaft assembly (not shown) of the mower, four airflow passages (5) extending through the body (2), and a blade connecting mechanism (6) for connecting the blades (10) to the body (2). The body (2) is made of laser- or plasma-cut, high-strength steel (Bisplate 80™) having a thickness in the order of 5 to 6 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: Raymond Eric Abernethy
  • Patent number: 7647758
    Abstract: A scraper device for connection to the knife connector in a rotary cutterhead and for rotation therewith that prevents debris from accumulating in the space between the knife and the cutterhead housing and which also dislodges accumulated debris from areas adjacent to the space between the knife and the cutterhead housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael L. Bandi, Douglas R. Otto
  • Publication number: 20100000193
    Abstract: Blades with multiple inclined cutting wings are applied on any rotating support. The inclination of the cutting wings or arms of the blade are carried out on the X axis with an angle that varies from 5° to 60° with regards to the frontal support. The inclination is produced by following the rotating direction. The blades are equipped with wedge-shaped upper cutting winglets which have a function of grass grinders and/or with wedge-shaped lower cutting winglets which have a function of airing and breaking grass into little pieces. These blades are produced in one single piece, or placed one upon the other or divided/split, in metal, in plastic or compound material, to be used for the cutting of a lawn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Mauro De Benedetto, Dino Gnesotto
  • Publication number: 20090308045
    Abstract: A lawn mower blade assembly for a rotatable driveshaft includes a blade mount to be secured to the rotatable driveshaft and having at least one wedge surface thereon. A cutting blade is removably coupled to the blade mount. At least one sliding retainer removably couples the cutting blade to the blade mount and is slidably movable between a locked position and a released position. The at least one sliding retainer has at least one wedge surface thereon cooperating with the at least one wedge surface of the blade mount to securely couple the cutting blade to the blade mount when in the locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher Bever
  • Publication number: 20090308044
    Abstract: A lawn mower blade assembly for a rotatable driveshaft includes a blade mount to be secured to the rotatable driveshaft and a cutting blade removably coupled to the blade mount and defining therewith a blade base unit having at least one wedge surface thereon. At least one sliding retainer removably couples the cutting blade to the blade mount and is slidably movable between a locked position and a released position. The at least one sliding retainer has at least one wedge surface thereon cooperating with the at least one wedge surface of the blade base unit to securely couple the cutting blade to the blade mount when in the locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher Bever
  • Patent number: 7617664
    Abstract: An improved rotary cutting blade assembly which is characterized by reduced friction and enhanced cutting efficiency is disclosed. The improved rotary cutting blade includes a rotary cutting blade having a blade hub, a plurality of blade arms extending outwardly from the blade hub and a plurality of blade winglets carried by the plurality of blade arms, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Inventor: Kevin E. Fitzpatrick
  • Publication number: 20090277149
    Abstract: A high-lift mower is disclosed. The mower includes a frame, at least two wheels disposed along opposite sides of the frame and having a space between them, and a blade rotation mechanism, mounted to the frame, for providing a rotational force relative to the frame. A blade assembly is coupled to the blade rotation means. The blade assembly comprises a plurality of cutting blades. Each of the plurality of blades includes a front face having a cutting blade and a rear face disposed away from the front face. The rear face has a lift portion. A roller assembly is adjustably coupled to the frame for, upon engagement with a surface located in the space between the pair of wheels, maintaining the blade assembly a predetermined distance above the surface. A blade assembly and a roller assembly for use with the high-lift mower are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: University of Delaware
    Inventor: James R. Adkins
  • Publication number: 20090229235
    Abstract: A cutting blade apparatus includes a blade and a replaceable cutting edge component that is removably engageable with the blade. The cutting blade apparatus may be used in a variety of cutting applications, and in some embodiments may be useful in rotary lawn mower applications. The replaceable cutting edge components may present a profile useful in vegetation mowing and mulching applications. The cutting blade apparatus of the present invention facilitates the maintenance of high-quality cutting edges without the need to disassemble the blade from its mounting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: James Lindmeyer
  • Publication number: 20090205305
    Abstract: Mowing device for plants, comprising at least one rotor with a rotor axis, in particular a vertical rotor axis or first rotation axis, and at least one blade which is driven in rotation by the rotor, in which the blade is attached to a blade holder, which is attached to the rotor so as to be rotatable about a second rotation axis which is situated at a radial distance from the rotor axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: Lely Patent N.V.
    Inventor: Maarten Koorn
  • Publication number: 20090191024
    Abstract: A blade bolt for attaching a blade to a rotating member of a rotary mower has a head at a lower end, a cylindrical shoulder portion extending from the head, a shank extending from the shoulder portion, the shank having a cross-section that is rounded and non-cylindrical, and a threaded portion extending from the shank. The shoulder portion extends laterally beyond at least a portion of the shank such that the shoulder portion bears against the rotating member when the shank is inserted into a mounting aperture defined by the mounting member that has a shape corresponding to the cross-section of the shank. The rounded and non-cylindrical shank prevents rotation of the bolt, and distributes stress forces across a wider area compared to the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: Blake Neudorf
  • Publication number: 20090173053
    Abstract: A mower, edging, and trimmer cutting device or blade designed for improved durability, performance, and safety. The blade is molded of flexible material composed of synthetic engineered urethane polymer, a polyamide or other resilient mesh bonded to or embedded in the blade for a cutting material to provide a cutting edge, and a metal or other high-durometer support member embedded in the blade. The size of the mesh may be coextensive with that of the blade and the fabric is positioned to intersect the cutting edges of the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Mark Stanley
  • Patent number: 7543431
    Abstract: A mower blade locking joint for fastening and securing a rotary cutting blade to a vertically aligned spindle driven by an engine. The spindle extends below a mower deck. The blade has a pair of opposing cutting ends and a mounting hole between the cutting ends. The joint includes a threaded section, a lobed section, and a collar. At least one of the spindle and the mounting hole have seven lobes. The lobes have continuous radii, an inner or minor diameter, and an outer or major diameter. The outwardly directed lobes have the same dimensions as the inwardly directed lobes, and both the spindle and the blade have the same cross sectional or surface area. The inner or minor diameters of the spindle and mounting hole are at least 75% of the major or outer diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Bradley Robert Igl
  • Patent number: 7543432
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for preventing damage to a lawnmower engine and crankshaft when the lawnmower cutting blade encounters an obstructive object. A cutting device for a lawnmower is provided and can include an elongate base member, at least one cutting element pivotably attached to the elongate base member, and a biasing mechanism that engages the cutting element and elongate base member. The at least one cutting element can include a blade portion and a drive engagement portion. The cutting element can pivot when the blade portion strikes an obstructive object such that the blade portion absorbs the impact and retracts to form a blunt shape to prevent damage to the cutting element. The pivoting of the cutting element causes the drive engagement portion to disengage from the crankshaft of the lawnmower to prevent damage thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Christopher M. Osborne
  • Publication number: 20090100819
    Abstract: A cutting blade assembly incorporating two lawnmower cutting blades and a holder configured to hold the lawnmower cutting blades in perpendicular orientation with respect to each other. The holder does not occupy any space on the lawnmower blade mounting shaft and results in less rotational inertia than conventional mounting hub designs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventor: Eric David Myers
  • Patent number: 7506494
    Abstract: A cutting device configured to attach to a spindle of a mower. The cutting device includes at least two pivot-blades and a blade mounting assembly. The blade mounting assembly has an upper retaining plate, a lower retaining plate, and a mounting spacer positioned at least partially between the upper retaining plate and the lower retaining plate, wherein end portions of the pivot-blades are retained between the upper and lower retaining plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Commercial Turf Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jimmy N. Eavenson, Sr., Joel Stevens, Dan Morse
  • Patent number: 7490459
    Abstract: A mowing device including a disc, the disc providing a mount for at least one knife, said knife being pivotably mounted to said disc by a pivot pin, said pivot pin defining a mounting axis, such that the knife can rotate about said pivot pin between a first extended position and any retracted position, said disc being constructed of a basic material thickness and comprising a mounting surface; said mowing device including a knife adapter comprising a cylindrical aperture and a projection; said pivot pin comprising a first cylindrical section of a first diameter to fit into said cylindrical aperture in said knife adapter, and a second cylindrical section, of a second diameter, with a groove defined by a groove width and a pin section thickness at the groove of a dimension less than said second diameter; said mowing device including a retainer constructed of a material thickness equal to or less than the width of said groove, with a key-hole shaped aperture defined by a first circular section with a first insid
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kent Thompson, Rustin V. Bentzinger, Martin Koorn
  • Patent number: 7487719
    Abstract: This application discloses a method for separating banana clusters into individual fruits. In this method, the banana cluster is hung on a carrier (such as a cable) in such a way that the hanging point is the place where the banana fruit stalks converge (at the crown). The cluster and/or the cutter are moved toward each other and the cutter is positioned such that the cutter cuts the fruit stalks at a point lower than the cluster hanging point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Chiquita Brands International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raul Fernandez, Gonzalo Marquez, Kevin Forsyth, Julio Vasquez, Mark Bakhakh, Yury Buch, Sergey Klimin, Vladimir Vasiliev, Oleg Feigenson, Illya Ilyin, Yuriy Yaess
  • Publication number: 20080271427
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a horizontal rotary cutting system and a method for using such system to cut plant material, such as crops and tall grasses. The axis of rotary motion of the cutting blade is essentially horizontal, i.e., or parallel to the ground and is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis stalk of the plant material to be cut. The cutting blade has an elongated cutting surface that rotates perpendicularly toward, and passes through and cuts the plant material stalks. A cutting diameter of about two inches or less is used to achieve lower horsepower requirements, lower friction losses, and lower vibration of the system when compared to prior systems. High speeds of rotation of the cutting blade permit and facilitate the use of high ground speeds of the cutting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: Neal J. Stoffel
  • Publication number: 20080196378
    Abstract: A rotary lawn mower cutting blade with reduced drag and improved cutting ability includes a central mounting section, intermediate sections, and outboard sections along a common longitudinal axis and disposed about a common center of rotation. The outboard sections includes downward and inward projecting sections. The cutting blade also preferably includes cutting edges on the full extent of the leading edge of the outboard section including the downward and inward projecting sections. Additionally, the outer section can be twisted slightly to enhance airflow upward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Wayne Arthur Smith
  • Patent number: 7392643
    Abstract: A lawn mower having upper and lower cutter blades in a cutter housing is provided. The blades are disposed with a phase difference such that upper blade edge parts of the upper cutter blade are advanced forward with respect to lower blade edges of the lower cutter blade in the rotation direction, whereby interference of the upper cutter blade with the air-lifting parts of the lower cutter blade is avoided, and the noise produced by the rotation of the upper and lower cutter blades is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Warashina, Tommy Plouraboue, Guillaume Vizzutti, Patrick Templier
  • Publication number: 20080120847
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a spool for a trimmer head has a structure for guiding the trimmer line around a region for a driveshaft. In an embodiment, a component (e.g., a turn knob or a stop) is attached to the spool so that after determining the orientation in which to install the spool, the user is unlikely to install the spool in another orientation, even though the spool is invertible. In an embodiment, the turn knob also includes a structure that allows the turn knob to be used as a tool (e.g., as a wrench or screw driver) that facilitates disassembling the trimmer head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: George E. Alliss
  • Patent number: 7299612
    Abstract: A rotary motor blade has rotational mounting structure in its body member to mount the blade to a power driven motor and thereby rotate the blade. The body member includes at least one free end extending outwardly of the mounting structure with the free end having a front leading edge and a rear trailing edge interconnected by a tip. At least a portion of the front leading edge is tapered to comprise a cutting edge. At least one and preferably a plurality of air flow deforming elements such as indentations are formed in the front leading edge and extend inwardly from the exposed outer surface of the front leading edge to disturb air flow along the rotating blade and enhance the creation of vortices which allow the flow to go from the front leading edge to the rear trailing edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: John Schuyler
  • Patent number: 7225713
    Abstract: A cutting blade for a motor-driven implement is provided. The cutting blade has a main body having a central fastening opening and blade sections that extend approximately radially from the main body. The blade sections have edges that extend in a radial direction and form cutting edges. Each blade section is provided with at least one bead-like embossment having a longitudinal axis that extends at an angle of between 0 and 45° relative to a longitudinal direction of the blade section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventors: Norbert Apfel, Roland Schierling, Helmut Köstner, Norbert Rehbein
  • Patent number: 7181897
    Abstract: A cutting device including a gearbox of an upper part, a lower part, and a front piece, the front piece having a thickness greater than the thickness of the upper part. At least one guide bearing is connected to the gearbox by assembly elements. At least one cutting member is connected to the gearbox by the guide bearing, the cutting member being driven in rotation during work about an upwardly directed axis. And, at least one assembly element is anchored in the front piece of increased thickness, attachment of the guide bearing being thus improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Kuhn S. A.
    Inventors: Rene Walter, Horst Neuerburg, Michel Wolff, Jacky Kirch
  • Patent number: 7171798
    Abstract: A brush cutter blade for shredding of grasses, weeds, vines and brush and also for saw cutting of saplings and tree branches, comprising a circular saw blade member with auxiliary cutting elements projecting from the underside of the blade. Several preferred embodiments include semielliptic and rectangular structures and serrated and non-serrated cutting edges for the auxiliary cutting elements. All embodiments share outwardly sloped, substantially flat structures, circularly and symmetrically disposed, with centrally inclined base lines. This combination of structural features is enacted upon by centrifugal forces during rotation, to create an effective self-cleaning mechanism, whereby cutting debris is urged upward, outward and away from the auxiliary cutting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Eckhard Bernardy
  • Patent number: 7155889
    Abstract: A modularized lawnmower replacement blade which can be can be attached to a standard lawnmower shaft. The modularized blade includes a central mounting hub with four recessed seats. In the preferred embodiment, a cutting blade is attached to each recessed seat so that the blades are positioned at a right-angled orientation with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Eric David Myers
  • Patent number: 7127877
    Abstract: A mower blade includes a mid-section, two sharpened, end sections, and a blade longitudinal axis. The mid-section includes a circular, central hole having a relatively large diameter and being centered on the blade longitudinal axis and first and second slots centered on the blade longitudinal axis. Each of the first and second slots are positioned on opposite sides of the central hole. The mid-section also includes first and second circular, side holes positioned off the blade longitudinal axis and on opposite sides of the central hole. Each of the first and second side holes have a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the central hole. The diameter of the central hole is larger than the width of each of the first and second slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventor: Alan Curran
  • Patent number: 7124566
    Abstract: A cutting device, particularly a lawn mower, has at least one rotating knife mounted on a rotating, motor-driven knife carrier by a screwless, detachable connection. This connection is detachable by a relative rotation between the knife and the knife carrier. It is essential that the connection between the knife and its knife carrier be made by a centrally arranged bayonet lock and that this bayonet lock be locked in the closed position by an additional locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Outils Wolf
    Inventors: Claude Treger, Daniel Bour
  • Patent number: 7111403
    Abstract: A head for a line trimming apparatus includes a body member and a detachable cover that may include a replaceable insert for connecting the head to a drive shaft of a line trimming apparatus. The body member includes opposed openings and a filament-receiving channel for inserting an elongated flexible cutting filament into the head for retention thereon. A spring-biased clamp is supported on the body member and is engageable with the filament portion residing in the channel to releasably retain the filament connected to the head. An actuator button projects through an opening in the body member and is operable to be pressed to cause the clamp to release forcible engagement with a filament so that the filament may be removed and replaced. In one embodiment the clamp and actuator are an integrally formed part and the filament projects through openings formed in spaced apart arms of the clamp member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Inventor: Mark R. Moore
  • Patent number: 6978590
    Abstract: A lawn mower blade assembly is described that comprising a generally flat, elongated blade having a central mounting opening for mounting of the blade to a rotating motor shaft of a lawn mower. The blade further includes a plurality of bit openings positioned along the blade, and a plurality of elongated, generally cylindrical bits for insertion into the bit openings. Each bit has a head and a plurality of rib protrusions located slightly away from the head at one end of the bit. Each bit is inserted into one of the bit openings from the bottom side of the blade, past the rib protrusions, and snapped into place against the head. As such, each bit is held in place in the bit opening by the rib protrusions and the head. The bit, once installed, each extend generally perpendicularly from the top surface of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: John Graham
  • Patent number: 6959530
    Abstract: An improved mounting arrangement for a knife to a disc for use on a rotary disc cutter that eliminates the need for a threaded connector and the associated nut is disclosed. It also provides a positive retention method on the top side of the disc. In addition, it provides a method of removing the knife from the disc without the use of wrenches, simply requiring a tool for prying, such as a screw driver. A further feature is a low profile retainer that does not need to be protected by a wear protector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kent Thompson, Rustin V. Bentzinger
  • Patent number: 6938402
    Abstract: Mowing blades which include a one-piece member having a drive mechanism coupling section, a deformation section and a cutting section. When the mowing blades receive a particular load from an obstructing object, the deformation section deforms, dissipates energy and reduces damage to drive mechanisms of mowing machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Jack E. Arfstrom, John W. Hopkins, David J. Pahl
  • Patent number: 6935095
    Abstract: Attachable to a rotary lawnmower shaft is a body assembly of a rectangular shape having a removable and reversible blade on each end. The blades are easily and quickly removed, reversed, and replaced without tools. The blades are locked in position by a unique and simple locking device. During operation of the mower, the centrifugal force of the rotating body assembly further locks the blades in place for additional safety. When the body assembly is in rotation, the blades are designed to create air turbulence which causes the cut grass clippings to exit the lawnmower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Inventor: Roy Gene Sluder
  • Patent number: 6925718
    Abstract: A tool head for a motor-driven, manually guided implement for receiving a rotatable cutter tool is provided. The tool head comprises a housing in which is provided a tool shaft that is rotatably mounted via bearings. Secured on the tool shaft so as to turn with it is a tool carrying mechanism for the cutter tool. This tool carrying mechanism includes an engagement plate having an engagement surface, which is oriented perpendicular to the axis of the shaft, and a centering shoulder. The engagement plate and a centering element having the centering shoulder are embodied as separate components. The engagement plate is of light weight construction and is positively connected with the tool shaft. The centering element is made of a material, the hardness of which is adapted to the cutter tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventors: Udo Bartmann, Roland Schierling, Reinhard Friedrich
  • Patent number: 6910324
    Abstract: A rotary cutting deck has dual, side-by-side cutting chambers each of which houses a rotary cutting blade. The blades rotate so that grass clippings exit to the rear of the cutting deck through a central, rearwardly extending exit tunnel. A pivotal mulch door is located within the exit tunnel with the mulch door swinging between two positions. In one position, the exit tunnel is open to permit operation of the cutting deck in a discharge/collection mode of operation. In the other position, the exit tunnel is closed to convert the cutting deck to a mulching mode of operation. A V-shaped baffle with a forwardly facing apex is placed in the bottom and rear of the exit tunnel to enhance performance in the mulching mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventor: Jay J. Kakuk
  • Patent number: 6840030
    Abstract: A thatching attachment for a rotary power lawn mower that uses short lengths of nylon trimmer cord as bristles to thatch lawns by mounting the brushes on a blade. The device uses alternatives to bristles and new arrangements of the blades to better groom lawns overall. The new thatching elements work on all types of grasses and perform better than plain nylon bristles. Moreover, these thatching elements last longer and are, therefore, more economical. Finally, my new designs are better at mulching the cuttings, which reduces the amount of waste picked up by the mower. This saves time and cost of bagging and disposal of the waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventor: John A. Monaco
  • Patent number: 6834486
    Abstract: An improved mounting arrangement for a knife to a disc for use on a rotary disc cutter that eliminates the need for a threaded connector and the associated nut is disclosed. It also provides a positive retention method on the top side of the disc. In addition, it provides a method of removing the knife from the disc without the use of wrenches, simply requiring a tool for prying, such as a screw driver. A further feature is a low profile retainer does not need to be protected by a wear protector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kent Thompson, Rustin V. Bentzinger
  • Publication number: 20040250522
    Abstract: A flexible cutting group consisting of a plate (1), supplied at the centre with a hole (2) for its fastening onto the rotating motorized group of the bush-cutter, and pieces of metal chain (4), intended to operate as cutting means; with said pieces of chain combined in a removable way to the plate (1) in symmetrical positions by appropriate fastening means (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: Loriano Brogi
  • Patent number: 6829878
    Abstract: A rotary disc cutterhead knife mounting system uses a spring plate bolted to the underside of the cutterhead cover. A knife pin is attached also to the underside of the cover, adjacent the outer edge thereof, and extends downwardly therefrom. The knife has a mounting hole therethrough, slightly larger that the diameter of the knife pin. With the knife hole fitted on the knife pin, the spring plate compresses the knife toward the underside of the cover; holding the knife in operating position. A special tool is used to remove the knife by forcing the spring plate downward, freeing the knife.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Charles H. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20040187463
    Abstract: A rotary lawnmower attachment for providing blowing capability to a rotary lawnmower to assist in removing leaves and other debris through force of air generated by the rotary lawnmower blade includes fin members insertable into slots having open ends facing a center of the lawnmower blade. The fin members are positioned at each end of the lawnmower blade, extending upward and downward from the lawnmower blade, to increase air flow generated by rotation of the lawnmower blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: William Eddy
  • Publication number: 20040177484
    Abstract: An improved mounting arrangement for a knife to a disc for use on a rotary disc cutter that eliminates the need for a threaded connector and the associated nut is disclosed. It also provides a positive retention method on the top side of the disc. In addition, it provides a method of removing the knife from the disc without the use of wrenches, simply requiring a tool for prying, such as a screw driver. A further feature is a low profile retainer that does not need to be protected by a wear protector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Kent Thompson, Rustin V. Bentzinger
  • Publication number: 20040168423
    Abstract: An apparatus for finely pulverizing lawn debris has a central drive shaft with a clutch driven by a gasoline or electrical power source. Lawn debris is drawn into a suction chamber by a fan impeller blade mounted on the central drive shaft. The fan impeller blade initiates pulverization of the debris. A grinding blade with a plurality of blade elements is mounted on the central drive shaft below the fan impeller blade and effects additional pulverization of the debris. A clutch is mounted next on the drive shaft followed by a distributing plate with a plurality of inclined apertures for dispensing a high velocity stream of the pulverized debris uniformly over a lawn from the rotating distributing plate. When the clutch is disengaged the distributing plate rotation is stopped and the finely pulverized garden debris is collected in a side collection chamber and is periodically emptied through a bottom discharge gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Michael U. Nwosu, Eric S. Ndumele
  • Patent number: 6769236
    Abstract: A lawn mower blade having a thickness of approximately 0.075 inches comprises a main body, an elevational profile, and end portions equidistant from the center of the blade. The elevational profile consists of a raised portion that reaches a height at the plateau portion at the center of the blade. The elevational profile increases at an angle &agr; as the end portions approach the plateau. Each of the first and second end portions has a cutting edge portion. The height to blade thickness ratio is at least two-to-one. Further, since the mower blade is generally not heat treated, ribbing is added to the mower blade to provide strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventor: Axel Schaedler
  • Publication number: 20040112028
    Abstract: A mulching lawn mower blade assembly having replaceable inserts and mulching teeth. The mulching teeth may be located on the replaceable inserts or the mulching blade. A sickle insert is disclosed for use in tall grass. The mulching lawn mower blade assembly may include means for sand to flow over the mulching teeth in high sand areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: C. Lee Duncan, Allen J. LaRiviere
  • Publication number: 20040098960
    Abstract: A rotary cutting blade includes an airfoil shape having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The trailing edge includes a cutting edge for cutting vegetation. The rotary cutting blade may be comprised of a steel flat portion and an epoxy/plastic curved portion co-molded onto the steel flat portion to give the rotary cutting blade its airfoil shape. The rotary cutting blade may also include a transverse member, such as a post, mounted on at least one end of the rotary cutting blade and perpendicular to the plane about which the rotary cutting blade rotates. A brush may be mounted on the post. The rotary cutting blade may be used in connection with a lawnmower, wherein the cutting edge may be used to cut through grass and the brush may then be used to remove grass and other debris from the inner surface of the lawnmower deck. A method for operating the rotary cutting blade is further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: Ariens Company
    Inventor: Bela I. Csonka
  • Publication number: 20040093842
    Abstract: A lawn mower blade device, wherein efficiency is increased through the incorporation of more than two replaceable cutting blades, thereby enabling cutting surface area to be enlarged without a resulting increase in mower housing dimensions, wherein cutting blade lifespan is increased through the effective distribution of rotational stress across a central hub, and wherein traditional metal blades provide strong, long-lasting service, eliminating the need for frequent part replacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Clifford L. Cooper
  • Patent number: 6722114
    Abstract: A lawn mower blade assembly comprises a bottom hub and a top hub, both provided with central apertures. Provided around the bottom and top hubs are a plurality of equally spaced holes. An intermediate plate is coupled between the hubs. A plurality of generally V-shaped recesses open into the periphery of the hubs. A plurality of blades are provided, each having interior and exterior portions. A hole is provided through the interior portion. The exterior portion is flexible. The interior portion is adapted to fit in the V-shaped recesses of the intermediate plate. A plurality of bolts are adapted to pass through the aligned holes of the hubs and the blades and with hex nuts adapted to receive the pivot bolts. A lock bolt, having a head and threaded end is positioned through the apertures of the cutting assembly to removably couple with the threaded aperture of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventors: James Terry Poole, Robert C. Burrow
  • Patent number: RE40611
    Abstract: A harvester which uses a rotary style cutter bed has a series of rotary cutters extending across the path of travel of the machine and rotatable about individual upright axes. Part of the cutter bed is a flat gear case containing a train of intermeshed spur gears that serve to distribute power between the cutters above the gear train. Each end of the gear case has a hollow, gearless extension welded thereto which supports at least one additional outboard cutter that receives its driving power exteriorally of the gear case. One embodiment uses a mechanical drive to bring power to the upright shaft of the cutter having the first spur gear so that the cutters with gears receive all their power from the driven cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. O'Halloran, Cecil L. Case, Martin E. Pruitt, David P. Fritz