Patents by Inventor E. Mark Lynch
E. Mark Lynch has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240065148Abstract: A front independent suspension assembly for outdoor power equipment includes a first joint, a first wheel coupled to the joint, a first longitudinal arm pivotably coupled to the joint, a first lateral arm pivotably coupled to the joint, and a second lateral arm pivotably coupled to the joint. The second lateral suspension arranged substantially parallel to the first lateral suspension arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: Briggs & Stratton LLCInventors: Christopher Krajewski, Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch
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Patent number: 11910745Abstract: A mower includes a pair of drive wheels, a pairs of non-drive wheels, and a mower deck. The mower deck includes a central deck housing, a first blade housing, a second blade housing, and an actuator coupled to the central deck housing and at least one of the first blade housing and the second blade housing. The first blade housing is pivotally coupled to a first side of the central deck housing so as to be angularly displaceable relative to the central deck housing, the second blade housing is pivotally coupled to a second side of the central deck housing so as to be angularly displaceable relative to the central deck housing. The actuator is configured to selectively raise and lower at least one of the first blade housing and the second blade housing relative to the central deck housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2020Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Robert S. Laurin, Mark J. Melone, E. Mark Lynch
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Patent number: 11805729Abstract: An outdoor power equipment unit includes independent suspension system having a frame, a first wheel assembly, a second wheel assembly, a first laterally-extending suspension arm pair, and a second laterally-extending suspension arm pair. The first wheel assembly includes a first wheel and a first side suspension arm. The first side suspension arm is pivotably coupled at a first end to a first side structural member and is fixedly coupled at a second opposite end to a joint of the first wheel assembly. The second wheel assembly is arranged similarly to the first wheel assembly. Both the first laterally-extending suspension arm pair and the second laterally-extending suspension arm pair are configured to independently pivot about the frame to be vertically displaceable relative to the frame.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Christopher Krajewski, Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch
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Patent number: 11570948Abstract: Outdoor power equipment includes a frame, a power head, a hydrostatic transmission, a pair of rear drive wheels, a drive chain, and a wheel height adjustment mechanism. The hydrostatic transmission includes a drive gear configured to rotate about a first axis. The pair of rear drive wheels are coupled at respective ends of a rear drive axle, wherein the rear drive axle is operably coupled to a driven gear. The pair of rear drive wheels, the rear drive axle, and the driven gear are configured to rotate about a second axis. The drive chain is operably coupled to both the drive gear and the driven gear. The wheel height adjustment mechanism includes a first bell crank pivotally coupled to the frame about the first axis, with a first end of the first bell crank being coupled to the rear drive axle.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2019Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Derrick R. Camenga
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Publication number: 20230018540Abstract: A lawnmower includes a frame, a pair of drive wheels, a front axle assembly, a first caster wheel, a second caster wheel, a first rod, a second rod, and a mower deck. The pair of drive wheels are coupled to a second end portion of the frame. The front axle assembly includes a bar pivotally coupled to a first end portion of the frame about a pivot axis. The first caster wheel is coupled to a first lateral end of the bar. The second caster wheel is coupled to a second lateral end of the bar. The first rod is coupled between the frame and the first lateral end of the bar. The second rod is coupled between the frame and the second lateral end of the bar. When the bar pivots about the pivot axis, the first caster wheel and the second caster wheel move relative to the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Philip H. Wenzel, Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Brian Crossway, Derrick R. Camenga
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Publication number: 20220377976Abstract: Outdoor power equipment includes a frame, a power head, a transmission, a pair of rear drive wheels, and a wheel height adjustment mechanism. The power head is coupled to the frame. The transmission is coupled to the frame and operatively coupled to the power head. The transmission includes a drive rotatable member configured to rotate about a first axis. The pair of rear drive wheels are coupled at respective ends of a rear drive axle so that the rear drive axle, and the pair of rear drive wheels coupled thereto, rotate about a second axis different than the first axis. The wheel height adjustment mechanism includes a first bell crank pivotally coupled to the frame about the first axis. A first end of the first bell crank is coupled to the rear drive axle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2022Publication date: December 1, 2022Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Derrick R. Camenga
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Patent number: 11470773Abstract: A zero turn radius lawnmower, such as a stand-on lawnmower, including a main frame having a first end portion and a second end portion, a pair of drive wheels operably coupled to the second end portion of the main frame and configured to be driven independently in both forward and reverse directions, and a front axle assembly pivotally coupled to the first end portion of the main frame about a single axis. The zero turn radius lawnmower also includes a pair of caster wheels coupled to respective ends of the front axle assembly such that the pair of caster wheels are able to move relative to the main frame, as well as a mower deck coupled to the main frame by at least one first linkage and coupled to the front axle assembly by at least one second linkage.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2018Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Philip H. Wenzel, Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Brian Crossway, Derrick R. Camenga
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Publication number: 20210386019Abstract: A standing ride on mower includes a frame, a right drive wheel, a left drive wheel, a prime mover, a right side integrated transaxle operating under influence of the prime mover to drive rotation of the right drive wheel and having a housing, hydraulic pump, and hydraulic motor, a left side integrated transaxle operating under influence of the prime mover to drive rotation of the left drive wheel, having a housing, hydraulic pump, and hydraulic motor, and an operator platform to support a standing operator of the mower extending beneath the left housing and beneath the right housing such that a distance between an innermost portion of the right side integrated transaxle and an innermost portion of the left side integrated transaxle is less than a width of the operator platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2021Publication date: December 16, 2021Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Derrick R. Camenga
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Patent number: 11102929Abstract: A standing ride on mower includes a frame, a right drive wheel, a left drive wheel, a prime mover, a cutting deck assembly, a right side integrated transaxle operating under influence of the prime mover to drive rotation of the right drive wheel, the right side integrated transaxle including a right side housing, a right hydraulic pump within the housing, and a right hydraulic motor within the housing, a left side integrated transaxle operating under the influence of the prime mover to drive rotation of the left drive wheel, the left side integrated transaxle including a left side housing, a left hydraulic pump within the housing, and a left hydraulic motor within the housing, and an operator platform to support a standing operator of the mower. The operator platform extends beneath the left housing and beneath the right housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2018Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Derrick R. Camenga
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Publication number: 20210204476Abstract: An outdoor power equipment unit includes independent suspension system having a frame, a first wheel assembly, a second wheel assembly, a first laterally-extending suspension arm pair, and a second laterally-extending suspension arm pair. The first wheel assembly includes a first wheel and a first side suspension arm. The first side suspension arm is pivotably coupled at a first end to a first side structural member and is fixedly coupled at a second opposite end to a joint of the first wheel assembly. The second wheel assembly is arranged similarly to the first wheel assembly. Both the first laterally-extending suspension arm pair and the second laterally-extending suspension arm pair are configured to independently pivot about the frame to be vertically displaceable relative to the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Christopher Krajewski, Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch
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Patent number: 10959373Abstract: An outdoor power equipment unit includes a front wheel independent suspension system. The front wheel independent suspension system includes a frame, a first front wheel assembly, a second front wheel assembly, a first laterally-extending suspension arm pair, and a second laterally-extending suspension arm pair. The first laterally-extending suspension arm pair includes a first suspension arm and a second suspension arm, both coupled to the frame and the first front wheel assembly. The second laterally-extending suspension arm pair includes a third suspension arm and a fourth suspension arm, both coupled to the frame and the second front wheel assembly. Both the first suspension arm pair and the second suspension arm pair are configured to independently pivot about the frame such that each of the first front wheel assembly and the second front wheel assembly are vertically displaceable relative to the frame.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2020Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Christopher Krajewski, Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch
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Publication number: 20210059116Abstract: A mower includes a pair of drive wheels, a pairs of non-drive wheels, and a mower deck. The mower deck includes a central deck housing, a first blade housing, a second blade housing, and an actuator coupled to the central deck housing and at least one of the first blade housing and the second blade housing. The first blade housing is pivotally coupled to a first side of the central deck housing so as to be angularly displaceable relative to the central deck housing, the second blade housing is pivotally coupled to a second side of the central deck housing so as to be angularly displaceable relative to the central deck housing. The actuator is configured to selectively raise and lower at least one of the first blade housing and the second blade housing relative to the central deck housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Applicant: Briggs & Stratton CorporationInventors: Robert S. Laurin, Mark J. Melone, E. Mark Lynch
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Publication number: 20200253118Abstract: An outdoor power equipment unit includes a front wheel independent suspension system. The front wheel independent suspension system includes a frame, a first front wheel assembly, a second front wheel assembly, a first laterally-extending suspension arm pair, and a second laterally-extending suspension arm pair. The first laterally-extending suspension arm pair includes a first suspension arm and a second suspension arm, both coupled to the frame and the first front wheel assembly. The second laterally-extending suspension arm pair includes a third suspension arm and a fourth suspension arm, both coupled to the frame and the second front wheel assembly. Both the first suspension arm pair and the second suspension arm pair are configured to independently pivot about the frame such that each of the first front wheel assembly and the second front wheel assembly are vertically displaceable relative to the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: Briggs & Stratton CorporationInventors: Christopher Krajewski, Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch
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Patent number: 10645874Abstract: An outdoor power equipment unit having a frame including at least one laterally-extending structural member and at least a pair of opposite, longitudinally-extending side structural members, a first front wheel assembly, and a second front wheel assembly. The unit also includes a first pair of substantially parallel, laterally-extending suspension arms pivotally coupled to the first front wheel assembly to form a first 4-bar linkage arrangement, and a second pair of substantially parallel, laterally-extending suspension arms pivotally coupled to the second front wheel assembly to form a second 4-bar linkage arrangement. The unit further includes at least one longitudinally-extending first side suspension arm coupled to the first front wheel assembly and to a first one of the longitudinally-extending side structural members, and at least one longitudinally-extending second side suspension arm coupled to the second front wheel assembly and to a second one of the longitudinally-extending side structural members.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Briggs & Stratton CorporationInventors: Christopher Krajewski, Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch
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Publication number: 20200068802Abstract: An outdoor power equipment unit such as, e.g., a walk-behind lawnmower including a frame, a power head, and a hydrostatic transmission, wherein the hydrostatic transmission includes a drive gear configured to rotate about a first axis. The unit also includes a pair of rear drive wheels coupled at respective ends of a rear drive axle, wherein the rear drive axle is operably coupled to a driven gear. The pair of rear drive wheels, the rear drive axle, and the driven gear are configured to rotate about a second axis. A drive chain is operably coupled to both the drive gear and the driven gear. Furthermore, a wheel height adjustment mechanism is provided, wherein the wheel height adjustment mechanism includes a first bell crank pivotally coupled to the frame about the first axis, with a first end of the first bell crank being coupled to the rear drive axle. A control assembly for controlling the speed and direction of the outdoor power equipment unit is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Derrick R. Camenga
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Publication number: 20190037769Abstract: A zero turn radius lawnmower, such as a stand-on lawnmower, including a main frame having a first end portion and a second end portion, a pair of drive wheels operably coupled to the second end portion of the main frame and configured to be driven independently in both forward and reverse directions, and a front axle assembly pivotally coupled to the first end portion of the main frame about a single axis. The zero turn radius lawnmower also includes a pair of caster wheels coupled to respective ends of the front axle assembly such that the pair of caster wheels are able to move relative to the main frame, as well as a mower deck coupled to the main frame by at least one first linkage and coupled to the front axle assembly by at least one second linkage.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2018Publication date: February 7, 2019Inventors: Philip H. Wenzel, Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Brian Crossway, Derrick R. Camenga
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Publication number: 20190014721Abstract: A standing ride on mower includes a frame, a right drive wheel, a left drive wheel, a prime mover, a cutting deck assembly, a right side integrated transaxle operating under influence of the prime mover to drive rotation of the right drive wheel, the right side integrated transaxle including a right side housing, a right hydraulic pump within the housing, and a right hydraulic motor within the housing, a left side integrated transaxle operating under the influence of the prime mover to drive rotation of the left drive wheel, the left side integrated transaxle including a left side housing, a left hydraulic pump within the housing, and a left hydraulic motor within the housing, and an operator platform to support a standing operator of the mower. The operator platform extends beneath the left housing and beneath the right housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2018Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Derrick R. Camenga
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Publication number: 20190016214Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a transaxle drive system for ride-on equipment. The transaxle drive system can include a frame supporting at least one power source and at least two subframes, the at least one power source including at least one drive pulley. The system can also include transaxle assemblies driven by at least a portion of at least one belt from the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can include a first transaxle assembly supported by a subframe, the first transaxle assembly coupled to the at least one drive pulley with at least one belt, and a second transaxle assembly supported by another subframe, the second transaxle assembly coupled by at least one belt to the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can be independently pivoted with respect to each other, the frame, and the power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2018Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: Mark J. Melone, James F. Marshall, Richard Smith, E. Mark Lynch, Travis Rasch, Erik Slegelis, Steven J. Weber, Denis Oswald
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Publication number: 20180325026Abstract: An outdoor power equipment unit having a frame including at least one laterally-extending structural member and at least a pair of opposite, longitudinally-extending side structural members, a first front wheel assembly, and a second front wheel assembly. The unit also includes a first pair of substantially parallel, laterally-extending suspension arms pivotally coupled to the first front wheel assembly to form a first 4-bar linkage arrangement, and a second pair of substantially parallel, laterally-extending suspension arms pivotally coupled to the second front wheel assembly to form a second 4-bar linkage arrangement. The unit further includes at least one longitudinally-extending first side suspension arm coupled to the first front wheel assembly and to a first one of the longitudinally-extending side structural members, and at least one longitudinally-extending second side suspension arm coupled to the second front wheel assembly and to a second one of the longitudinally-extending side structural members.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: Christopher Krajewski, Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch
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Patent number: 10091936Abstract: A standing ride on mower comprises a frame; a right drive wheel supporting the frame; a left drive wheel supporting the frame; a prime mover supported by the frame; a cutting deck assembly supported by the frame, the cutting deck assembly comprising a cutting deck at least one cutting blade mounted under the cutting deck and rotatable under influence of the prime mover; a right side integrated transaxle operating under influence of the prime mover to drive rotation of the right drive wheel, the right side integrated transaxle including a right side housing, a right hydraulic pump within the housing, and a right hydraulic motor within the housing; a left side integrated transaxle operating under the influence of the prime mover to drive rotation of the left drive wheel, the left side integrated transaxle including a left side housing, a left hydraulic pump within the housing, and a left hydraulic motor within the housing; and an operator platform to support a standing operator of the mower.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2015Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: Briggs & Stratton CorporationInventors: Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Derrick R. Camenga