Abstract: A lawn mower includes a front wheel suspension system as well as a rear wheel suspension system. The front wheel suspension system includes upper and lower suspension struts that are pivotably connected between a main frame of the lawn mower and a longitudinal suspension strut that is connected to a front wheel. A spring is connected between an extension of the upper suspension strut and a front transverse member of the main frame. The rear wheel suspension system includes upper and lower links that are pivotably connected between vertical struts that are connected between upper and lower frame members of the main frame and a motor mount. A spring is connected between a spring bracket extending from the upper frame member and either the motor mount or a motor mounted in the motor mount. In order to prevent scalping while turning, a floating cutter deck is suspended from the front and rear wheel suspension systems rather than from the main frame or chassis of the mower.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 22, 1999
Date of Patent:
October 8, 2002
Assignee:
Ferris Industries, Inc.
Inventors:
David Ferris, Todd B. Gordon, Henry Nordberg
Abstract: A front wheel suspension system for a vehicle includes a wheel carrier for supporting a wheel, an upper control arm for mounting to an upper end of the wheel carrier, a lower control arm for mounting to a lower end of the wheel carrier, and a strut assembly for mounting on the lower control arm to absorb up-and-down impacts transmitted from the wheel, the strut assembly being inclined in a direction and designed to apply damping force to the lower control arm when the vehicle wheel bumps. A device is provided to generate a reacting force acting against the damping force of the strut assembly, the reacting force being applied to the lower control arm to compensate for the damping force.
Abstract: A semi-recumbent, human powered, four wheel cycle has an independent front suspension and wheels that are turned. A conventional bicycle chain drive drives one or both front wheels. The rear wheels are also driven in additional embodiments.
Abstract: A lawn mower has drive wheels which are independently spring-suspended from the chassis. In one embodiment two rear wheels are independently driven for directional control, two front wheels are mounted at opposing ends of a center pivoting front axle, and the cutter deck is suspended between the front and rear wheels. In another embodiment the front wheels are drive wheels, the rear wheels are steerable, and the cutter deck is cantilevered from the front of the chassis. Wheel assemblies are attached to the chassis by a suspension system comprised of upper and lower link assemblies and a coil spring, preferably one in which the link assemblies are parallel and of equal length.