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).

  • Publication number: 20260150781
    Abstract: Outdoor power equipment includes a frame, a pair of drive wheels, a front axle assembly, a first wheel, a second wheel, a first rod, and a second rod. The pair of drive wheels are coupled to a second end portion of the frame. The front axle assembly includes a bar pivotably coupled to a first end portion of the frame about a pivot axis. The first wheel is coupled to a first lateral end of the bar. The second wheel is coupled to a second lateral end of the bar. The first rod is pivotably coupled between the frame and the first lateral end of the bar. The second rod is pivotably coupled between the frame and the second lateral end of the bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2026
    Publication date: June 4, 2026
    Inventors: Philip H. Wenzel, Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Brian Crossway, Derrick R. Camenga
  • Patent number: 12550817
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Philip H. Wenzel, Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Brian Crossway, Derrick R. Camenga
  • Publication number: 20250386764
    Abstract: Outdoor power equipment includes a frame, a power head, a rear wheel, a front wheel coupled to a front wheel bracket, and a wheel height adjustment mechanism. The wheel height adjustment mechanism includes a rear bell crank pivotably coupled between the frame and the rear wheel, a front bell crank pivotably coupled between the frame and the front wheel bracket, a linkage extending between the rear bell crank and the front bell crank, and a front pivoting linkage coupled between the frame and the front wheel bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2025
    Publication date: December 25, 2025
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Derrick R. Camenga
  • Publication number: 20250326262
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2025
    Publication date: October 23, 2025
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher KRAJEWSKI, Robert S. LAURIN, E. Mark LYNCH
  • Patent number: 12414503
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2025
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Derrick R. Camenga
  • Patent number: 12370849
    Abstract: 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. The pivotal coupling between the joint and each of the first longitudinal arm, the first lateral arm, and the second lateral arm enables the first wheel to independently displace about a vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Krajewski, Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch
  • Publication number: 20250160254
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2025
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Derrick R. Camenga
  • Patent number: 12232451
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Derrick R. Camenga
  • Publication number: 20240065148
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Krajewski, Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch
  • Patent number: 11910745
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. Laurin, Mark J. Melone, E. Mark Lynch
  • Patent number: 11805729
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Krajewski, Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch
  • Patent number: 11570948
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Derrick R. Camenga
  • Publication number: 20230018540
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Philip H. Wenzel, Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Brian Crossway, Derrick R. Camenga
  • Publication number: 20220377976
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Derrick R. Camenga
  • Patent number: 11470773
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Philip H. Wenzel, Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Brian Crossway, Derrick R. Camenga
  • Publication number: 20210386019
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Derrick R. Camenga
  • Patent number: 11102929
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Derrick R. Camenga
  • Publication number: 20210204476
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Krajewski, Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch
  • Patent number: 10959373
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Krajewski, Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch
  • Publication number: 20210059116
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Laurin, Mark J. Melone, E. Mark Lynch