Auxiliary Manual Control Patents (Class 56/172)
  • Patent number: 8394799
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an HIF-1 inhibitor, a method for the preparation thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same as an active ingredient. The HIF-1 inhibitor shows anticancer activity thanks to the inhibition activity against HIF-1, a transcription factor which plays an important role in the growth and metastasis of cancer, but not to general cytotoxicity. Thus, the HIF-inhibitor and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof can be used as a therapeutic for various cancers such as liver cancer; stomach cancer and breast cancer. Also, the compound having inhibition activity against HIF-1 is useful in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy and arthritis, which are aggravated by HIF-1-mediated VEGF expression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology
    Inventors: Jung Joon Lee, Jeong-Hyung Lee, Kyeong Lee, Young-Soo Hong, B. K. Shanthaveerappa, Yinlan Jin, Jin Hwan Kim, Xuejun Jin
  • Patent number: 6138444
    Abstract: The brush cutter (10) includes a rearwardly positioned tractor (11) and a forwardly positioned cutter assembly (12). The outboard rectilinear cutting blades (49 and 51) rotate in their forward arcs toward each other and toward the longitudinal plane (28), so as to urge the cut vegetation inwardly toward the adjacent blades for mulching. The leading skirt (31) of the cutter deck (30) is positioned forwardly of the blades so as to engage and bend the taller brush and young trees in the direction of movement of the brush cutter before the lower portions of the vegetation are cut, thereby inducing the vegetation to fall in the path of the brush cutter, so that it is overrun by the brush cutter and mulched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Robert M. Torras, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6085503
    Abstract: A trimming device carriage system for allowing a user to conveniently utilize a conventional trimming device without requiring significant effort by the user. The inventive device includes a support structure secured to a second base, a pair of handles secured to a first base, and a pair of brackets attached to each of the first base and the second base for removably engaging a trimmer shaft of a conventional trimmer. The support structure comprises a pair of upper legs secured to the second base and slidably positioned within a corresponding pair of lower legs. A plurality of adjustment apertures within the upper legs catchably receive a detent springably attached to the pair of lower legs. The upper legs are pivotally attached to the second base by a pair of second wing fasteners. The pair of handles are pivotally attached to the first base by a pair of first wing fasteners thereby allowing adjustment of the angle of the handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: James C. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 6076341
    Abstract: A ground-engaging shoe assembly is provided for a power mower in which a mower blade is rotated in an upright shaft. The ground-engaging shoe includes a hub support assembly which is secured to the mower housing of the power mower. A ground-engaging shoe assembly is secured to a bearing housing which is located at the lower end of a hollow rotatable shaft, the ground-engaging shoe assembly including a bearing within which the hollow shaft rotates, whereby the ground-engaging shoe assembly is stationary. The bearing housing is adapted selectively to accept different ground-engaging shoes. An adjusting bolt extends through the hollow shaft and is secured at its lower end to the bearing housing An upper tower housing is adapted to transfer loading weight through the adjusting bolt to the bearings. The adjusting bolt is vertically-adjustably-secured at its upper end with respect to the upper tower housing by means of a locking-type nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventor: Elwyn Gummerson
  • Patent number: 6041584
    Abstract: An adjustable gauge wheel support structure is provided for selectively adjusting the height of cut of a mower deck. The structure includes a gauge wheel carried on a U-shaped arm which is pivotally attached to a deck bracket. A spring loaded J-pin locking mechanism is provided to secure the arm in a plurality of positions relative to the bracket. The wheel is supported on one of the parallel legs of the U-shaped arm and twisting forces encountered by the wheel and its supporting leg are resisted through locking the two legs and bracket together with the J-pin. No tools are required to adjust the wheel height and no parts have to be removed or loosened to make the adjustments, thereby minimizing the likelihood that parts will be lost or misplaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Gary David Hohnl
  • Patent number: 6012274
    Abstract: A mower includes a power head, an adjustable frame assembly for use in selectively supporting a first implement, a frame connecting assembly for use in connecting the adjustable frame assembly to the power head, a power connection assembly for use in connecting power from the power head to the first implement, and an implement connection assembly for use in selectively connecting the first implement to the adjustable frame assembly. The adjustable frame assembly can be adjusted and thereby can also selectively support a second implement. The power connection assembly can also be used to connect power from the power head to the second implement and the implement connection assembly can also be used to selectively connect the second implement to the adjustable frame assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Commerical Turf Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jimmy N. Eavenson, David Lasley
  • Patent number: 5983614
    Abstract: This invention relates in general to lawn mowers, and particularly relates to a front wheel swivel assembly which can be selectively locked into a straight-ahead orientation during operation of the mower and by use of controls within the operator's reach during normal cutting operation of the mower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Snapper, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank H. Hancock, Stephen C. Price, Kevin D. Craddock
  • Patent number: 5970694
    Abstract: A lightweight, retractable tripod support having three wheels for attachment to virtually all hand-held trimmers, metal detectors and the like. The three-wheeled support being readily retractable to a folded position for transportation and storage and extendible to a deployed or working position. The support having a pair of clamping plates flanking the trimmer's shaft, a rear leg, two lateral side legs, a slider actuator mounted to the rear leg for longitudinal sliding movement during transition between the folded and deployed positions of the support and an articulating linkage joining the actuator to the clamping plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Robert J. Knox, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5960615
    Abstract: A swiveling wheel attachment for the front of a lawnmower, wherein the attachment includes a main body member having a rectangular side plate and a rectangular upper plate. The plates are formed at a right angle along a longitudinal side of each plate, so that the main body member is shaped like an upside down "L". The side plate defines a series of holes, or interconnected slots, which are used to connect the main body member to the front end of a lawnmower. The holes or slots are arranged in such a way that the height of the main body member may be adjusted relative to the lawnmower. The main body member is attached using threaded nuts and bolts. On the underside of the upper plate member, a pair of swiveling wheels are attached, so that the wheels may rotate in a 360 degree arc in a horizontal plane to facilitate maneuverability of the lawnmower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventor: Henry B. Meetze
  • Patent number: 5845471
    Abstract: An adjustable gauge wheel assembly is provided for use on rotary mower decks. The wheel and its axle are carried on an arm which is pivotally supported by a deck mounted bracket. The pivotal support is adapted to allow the arm to be shifted towards and away from the bracket. The axle includes a portion which protrudes through the arm for insertion into one of the plurality of vertically spaced openings in the bracket as the arm is shifted. The bracket therefore provides for vertical adjustment of the gauge wheel as well as a direct support against impact loadings encountered by the wheel. An over-center latch mechanism is provided to quickly and easily lock the arm in its adjusted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Brian David Seegert, Gary David Hohnl
  • Patent number: 5836142
    Abstract: A multiple frame wheel attachment connectable to a handheld device, such as a gasoline powered weed trimmer. The wheel attachment has a pair of wheels attached to the ends of an axle and a pair of frame assemblies connecting the axle and wheels to the lawn trimmer. Both of the frame assemblies are mounted to the axle and to the shaft of the device. One of the frame assemblies is attached to the shaft near the operating unit of the device and the other frame assembly is attached to the shaft above the point where the first frame assembly is attached. The first and second frame assemblies support the shaft at two locations. The wheel attachment not only provides support during operation of the handheld device, but also functions as a stand so that when the device is not in use, it will remain in an upright position for storage, refueling service, and maintenance. The wheel attachment allows easy mobility of the operating unit over the work area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: Eugene E. Maxwell
  • Patent number: 5813203
    Abstract: An implement lift mechanism for a grounds care device uses a lost motion interconnection between a rotary lift flange and an integral lift/connector link coaxial therewith to selectively control the height of the implement. The lost motion interconnection allows the implement to float upwards over uneven terrain. Additionally, a spring can be used to assist in aiding the implement and reducing lift force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc.
    Inventor: Tim Peter
  • Patent number: 5797252
    Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the cutting height of a mower deck, which includes a four bar linkage with a pair of beam members, a rod member extending between the two beams. Rotation of the rod by the operator causes the beams to shift relative to each other, which causes the four bar linkage to raise or lower the mower deck. A projecting member is biased toward engagement with a detent formed in the rod member for securing the mower deck at the selected cutting height, and allows the operator to sense when the projecting member rides past the detent as the cutting height is incrementally adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Gerald Eugene Goman
  • Patent number: 5749209
    Abstract: A single lever height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of an associated mower has an adjustment bracket fixedly attached to the mower body, front and back pivot assemblies operatively connected to the axles of the mower, a control rod connecting the front and back pivot assemblies, an adjustment lever, and a lift assisting torsion spring. To adjust the position of the mower blade relative to the lawn, the operator moves the adjustment lever causing the back pivot assembly to raise or lower the back wheels relative to the mower body and causing the front pivot assembly to raise or lower the front wheels relative to the mower body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventor: Scott Thomason
  • Patent number: 5638668
    Abstract: A lawn mower has a cutting chamber formed in a metallic liner having front and rear aprons. A plastic deck, molded in one-piece, is screwed to the liner to enclose and hide the liner. The deck/liner combination is inexpensive but strong and durable, the metallic liner being able to resist being chipped or damaged by rocks or other debris being circulated within the cutting chamber provided by the liner. Front and rear axles may be conveniently retained by being trapped or captured between the deck and the front and rear aprons of the liner when the deck and the liner are secured together. A trailing rear shield may be hung from the rear apron of the liner and retained in place by some of the attachment screws used to affix the deck and liner together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Kallevig, Jay J. Kakuk
  • Patent number: 5613354
    Abstract: A clearing apparatus comprising a clearing device for use in clearing operations, a carriage to which the clearing device is mounted for the carriage to support the clearing device during use, and a handle for use in guiding the apparatus during use. The clearing device comprises an elongated support member, a clearing head mounted at a leading end of the support member, a power unit mounted at a trailing end of the support member, and a drive connection for connecting the power unit to the clearing head. The carriage comprises a frame, a single support wheel having a wheel axis about which the support wheel is rotatably mounted on the frame to support the frame during use, and a pivot mount mounting the clearing device to the frame such that the clearing apparatus can be supported proximate its center of gravity on the support wheel during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Inventor: Thomas E. Foster
  • Patent number: 5606851
    Abstract: The improved battery-powered lawnmower includes a safety key that is automatically removed when the removable battery is removed, while at the same time blocking the battery recharger receptacle. The lawnmower also includes a control circuit that shuts off the lawnmower upon the occurrence of one or more of several predetermined conditions, including low battery voltage, the encountering of heavy grass for a period of 3 seconds or more, and high motor current that may occur when the cutting blade is jammed. The cutting blade is designed to move through any debris accumulated between the blade ends and the housing sidewall without sacrificing the lift for needed cutting and mulching. The invention also includes a unique height adjustment assembly for adjusting the height of the chassis, a handle attachment that allows the handle to be positively tightened to the lawnmower chassis, and a telescoping groove for the battery's quick connect/disconnect terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Bruener, Paul A. Tharman, John A. Fiorenza, II, Joseph L. Pfaff, Richard A. Dykstra, William H. Reitman
  • Patent number: 5551220
    Abstract: A mechanism for cutting of stalks or stems of plants and/or grass-like vegetation, in an environmentally safe manner, has counter-blades arranged on a circular path and rotary blades positioned above the counter-blades. The ratio of the surface area of the counter-blades actually taking part in the cutting and the surface area of the free spaces between them, in relation to each other, is smaller than a value of one. A distance of "h" between the counter-blades and the rotary blades is a value between 0-2 mm, and the peripheral speed of the rotary blades is between 10 and 50 m/sec.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventors: Attila Suller, Arpad Toth
  • Patent number: 5526633
    Abstract: A lawn mower having a deck height adjustment mechanism for simultaneously adjusting a height of a deck of a lawn mower at all four wheels of the lawn mower by the use of a single hand of the operator. The mechanism includes an index plate having a plurality of teeth thereon defining a plurality of deck height positions, and therefore a plurality of height positions of a cutting blade supported by the deck. The index plate is fixedly secured to an offset rear axle. An engaging plate having a pawl is coupled to an actuating member which is slidably, vertically moveable relative to the deck when the operator grips the actuating member and pulls upwardly away from the deck, while resting a palm of the same hand on a palm rest portion of the mechanism. A linkage member couples the index plate to a bracket of an offset front axle positioned at a front end of the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Strong, Richard P. Rosa, Ronald A. Jackson, Stephen B. Hunter, Brian S. Burnett
  • Patent number: 5495895
    Abstract: A tine device for a soil conditioning aeration machine capable of replacing a tine with another in a simple motion. The tine is mounted onto a driving portion through a coupler having an internal member. The internal member has a body portion capable of being inserted into the tine and the coupler retains the inserted tine through movable steel balls. The steel balls are freed by pushing an outer cylinder of the coupler against the force of a coiled spring so that the tine may be removed/mounted in a simple motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sakamoto Seiki
    Inventor: Koichi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 5490371
    Abstract: An edger head for a portable edger. The edger head has a housing, a cutting element, first structure for mounting the cutting element to the housing for movement relative to the housing in a predetermined path, a debris guard, and second structure for mounting the debris guard in an operative position on the housing. The debris guard has first and second flaps, with the first flap being repositionable relative to the second flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Echo Incorporated
    Inventor: Frank R. Potucek, III
  • Patent number: 5477928
    Abstract: The invention provides extension links for lawn maintenance equipment to move the front axle forward and allow oversize wheels to be used, increasing flotation capability for soft soil while maintaining the height adjustability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Inventor: Robert Forgrave
  • Patent number: 5477665
    Abstract: This invention provides a strut apparatus for supporting the head portion of a weed and grass cutting trimmer in a generally horizontal mode. The trimmer includes an elongated tubular member providing a handle. The support apparatus principally comprises a two-part telescoping strut in which a compression spring interposed between the telescoping members substantially supports the mass of the trimmer when the depending end portion of the strut is in contact with the surface of the earth and the trimming head is positioned at a predetermined distance from the surface of the earth. The trimmer is controlled in its weed trimming function by a user grasping the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Inventor: Lynda M. Stout
  • Patent number: 5465563
    Abstract: A lawn mower is provided which has one or more rotatable wheels on one side of the mower shroud enabling the mower to cut grass at the edge of gardens and around obstructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Inventor: William Heinz
  • Patent number: 5463855
    Abstract: An improved snap-on height adjustment spacer clip is provided for height adjustment of wheeled frames including at least one ground-engageable wheel assembly. The snap-on clip includes a pair of mutually opposed, resiliently spreadable arms integrally connected at one end and disconnected at the opposite end. The clip arms are sized for embracing the spindle portion of the wheel assembly when installed, and are sized to permit the arms to yieldably flex toward and away from one another as the spindle passes transversely between the arms during installation and removal of the clip. The clip preferably includes a pair of mutually opposed, resiliently compressible hand knobs for use in clip installation and removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Incorporated
    Inventors: Eric Johnson, Gail A. Lloyd, R. Nathan Massey
  • Patent number: 5459985
    Abstract: A support for a line trimmer features a rotatable sphere held by a set of tines that allows for free rotation of the sphere in any direction. A line orientation indicator is also used to indicate the position of the rotation line of the line trimmer with respect to horizontal. The support is attached to the trimmer with a set of telescoping tubes that allow for easy adjustment of the height of the cut of the trimmer. A trimmer securing device allows for easy and quick attachment of the support and line orientation indicator to the line trimmer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Inventor: Leon J. Gedert
  • Patent number: 5426926
    Abstract: There is disclosed a self-propelled lawnmower wherein the wheels are mounted on a fixed frames surrounded, at least on its two lateral faces, by fixed protective skirts which extend practically to ground level. A cutting assembly is mounted on a secondary chassis which can be displaced with respect to the fixed chassis supporting the wheels. A linkage between the two chassis is provided by tilting levers that pivot on the fixed chassis and allow the secondary chassis to be vertically displaced thereon. Movement is transmitted to the drive wheels by a drive gear that engages a ring gear arranged inside each drive wheel, the drive gears being displaceable along the pitch circles of the ring gears when the secondary chassis is displaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Creations Delery & S.A. Kubota Europe
    Inventors: Marc Delery, Teruhisa Furuta, Alistair Harris, Alain Vaugrente
  • Patent number: 5402629
    Abstract: A mowing machine having a plurality of recessed-blades-carrying mowing plates (2), each having a plurality of projections (3) each provided with a front cutting edge (4) formed at the front end and also having sharp recessed blades (5) provided in fixed positions slightly receding from the front end and between said projections. The blades are fixed to the outer periphery of a rotary weeding body (10) in such positions recessed blades (5) of one plate deviate from those of the others in rotational phase so that recessed blade all together sweep the whole periphery of said rotary weeding body (10) which is provided on the vehicle body rotatably in the forward and reverse directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Inventor: Tsuda Masaru
  • Patent number: 5402627
    Abstract: A support ski for mounting to a line trimmer to support a trimmer in a spaced relationship to a ground surface. The ski is attachable to a line guard typically present on conventional trimmers and extends from a rearward position thereof to a forward position underneath the rotating line. The ski includes a pointed tip for permitting a forward sliding motion of the trimmer over the ground, and further includes upwardly curved side edges for allowing a lateral motion of the associated trimmer. An alternate embodiment of the present invention includes an adjustment means for selectively adjusting a relative height of the trimmer to the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Inventors: Brian K. Trompler, Donna Trompler
  • Patent number: 5402628
    Abstract: A mowing machine has a machine frame, front and rear wheels rotatably mounted on the machine frame, a control handle mounted on the machine frame, and a cutting assembly suspended by the machine frame for angular movement about a swing axis extending along a direction in which the mowing machine can travel straight. The front and rear wheels comprise single wheels, respectively, so that the mowing machine is two-wheeled. The machine frame, the front and rear wheels, and the control handle jointly serve as a non-swingable section, and the cutting assembly serves as a swingable section, the swingable section being suspended in offset relationship to the swing axis, the swingable section including a guide member for keeping the cutting assembly spaced from ground. The mowing machine may further include an angular range limiting mechanism for limiting the range of angular movement of the swingable section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takasi Minamoto, Masato Yamagishi, Yuji Furusawa, Akihiko Anbo
  • Patent number: 5398489
    Abstract: A walking operator type lawn mower including front wheels, rear wheels and a frame assembly having a forward portion supported by the front wheels and a rearward portion supported by the rear wheels is disclosed. The mower includes a steering handle and a mower deck mounted between the front wheels and rear wheels. The motor deck includes a motor section mounted in an upper portion thereof and cutting blades mounted in a lower portion thereof. The frame assembly includes a right side frame and a left side frame having lower ends thereof lying close to the ground surface. The steering handle extends upwardly from the frame assembly. The mower deck is mounted between the right and left side frames. The mower deck is vertically movable through a link mechanism which has one end thereof connected to the frame assembly and the other end connected to the mower deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Oshima
  • Patent number: 5366336
    Abstract: A towed rotary cutter has a main frame defined by the cutter housing supported at its rear by ground wheels that are coupled to the frame through means of a pivotably mounted axle. A hitch is pivotally mounted at the front end of the frame and carries a clevis assembly at the forward end thereof. A pair of parallel, transversely spaced leveling rods extend between the hitch and wheel axle with the rear ends of the rods being defined by eyes that are received on respective pins formed integrally with the opposite ends of a cylindrical equalizer bar that is pivotally mounted to the axle. These pins are radially spaced in opposite directions from the pivot axis of the equalizer bar. The forward ends of the leveling rods are pivotally coupled to the hitch with one of the rods including an adjustment for changing its effective length extending between the axle and hitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Henry Friesen, Karl H. Friesen
  • Patent number: 5363633
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the height of a vehicle, by rotating the angle of a base shaft eccentrically supporting a support shaft. Wheels are fitted to a support shaft eccentrically connected to a base shaft rotatably supported by bearings disposed on push-pull type electric mowing machine. One of the ends of a connecting member is fixed to the core of the base shaft and an adjustment device is fitted to the other end of the connecting member. Alternatively, a base shaft is supported concentrically and rotatably at the core of a composite shaft type mowing machine in such a manner as to protrude from both end portions of a rotary shaft. The base shaft is rotatably supported by an apparatus main body at both end portions of the base shaft and eccentrically with respect to the base shaft, and wheels are fitted to both end portions of the support shaft. An adjustment pulley is fixed to the base shaft either inside or outside the bearings. The position of the height is adjusted by controlling this adjustment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Inventor: Tsuda Masaru
  • Patent number: 5363723
    Abstract: An angle gear drive for a portable lawn care implement including first and second housing portions molded to net shape. First and second housing portions support an input shaft having a bevel gear and an output shaft having a mating bevel gear. The assembled housing portions include annular ribs for locating and restraining the input and output shafts so that the bevel gears are securely enclosed in a sealed gear cavity. The gear cavity is sealed by an anaerobic sealant. Grease is supplied to the sealed gear cavity through an axial lubrication bore formed in the input shaft along the axis of the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Ryobi Outdoor Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5305586
    Abstract: An auger cutter, windrower and conditioner for standing and downed crops such as hay, or forage harvester crops such as corn, sorghum and cereals including a cutter auger with cutting teeth attached to an auger flight and a conveyor auger to move the cut crop to a central area or to either side of the cutter to be discharged as a windrow or as a mass of material, or to be fed to a second crop processing device such as a forage harvester. An improved relationship of the cutting augers and the conveyor augers and height control mechanism to improve the cutting and transport of the crop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Lundahl Research, Inc.
    Inventors: E. Cordell Lundahl, Laurel H. Jensen
  • Patent number: 5301757
    Abstract: An edging machine having a frame with a handle at one end, a prime mover mounted on the frame, an edger blade rotatably connected to the frame, a first wheel mounted on the frame so as to support the frame above a surface, a second wheel interconnected to the frame and arranged in tandem with the first frame, an adjustment lever interconnected to the second wheel for changing a distance of the frame from the surface. A guide member is rotatably connected to the frame so as to have a surface extending below the frame. The guide member is positioned in parallel relationship to the edger blade. The second wheel is rotatably mounted to a wheel bar. The wheel bar is pivotally connected to the frame on a side of the frame opposite the edger blade. The adjustment lever is interconnected to the wheel bar so as to controllably adjust the position of the second wheel relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Inventor: Milton C. Kelley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5287683
    Abstract: A line trimmer is converted to a lawn trimmer/mower so that it can be used to mow areas of grass like a conventional mower; however, the line trimmer retains its functionality as a line trimmer and edger. The conversion device is a wheeled platform that holds the cutting assembly at a specified height above a lawn. The platform has an opening in its forward portion for the intake of grass and weeds and the exhaust of clippings. The opening also serves the functions of allowing the user to see the cutting line to determine when more should be advanced, allowing the line trimmer to be moved next to objects in a lawn for trimming weeds and grass, and allowing the line trimmer to be rotated to a horizontal orientation where edging can be performed. The wheels are preferably multidirectional so that the line trimmer can be swept across the lawn in a semi-circular pattern. Locking mechanisms associated with the wheels allow the sweeping motion to be performed more comfortably and quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Inventor: Walker M. Smith
  • Patent number: 5279102
    Abstract: A clearing apparatus which includes a clearing device for use in clearing operations, and a carriage for supporting the clearing device during use. The clearing device is of conventional type and has an elongated support tube, a clearing head mounted at one end of the support tube, and a motor mounted at the other end of the support tube. The carriage includes a frame, a single support wheel which is rotatably mounted on the frame to support the frame, and a guide handle for use in guiding the apparatus, and the frame has a mounting bracket which mounts the support tube on the frame so that the clearing apparatus will be supported proximate its center of gravity on the support wheel during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Thomas E. Foster
    Inventor: Thomas E. Foster
  • Patent number: 5263303
    Abstract: A powered lawn edging or trimming tool is provided with at least one flexible filament cutting line, rather than the usual rigid metal blade. The use of a filament type cutting element precludes many of the disadvantages of such tools using rigid blades, such as the need to sharpen blades regularly and the relative hazard of such rapidly rotating rigid blades. The flexible elements also reduce the number and size of foreign objects (gravel, etc.) thrown about by the tool in operation. A method of modifying a standard grass trimmer having a horizontally disposed cutting head to form the tool of the present invention, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Inventor: Dudley R. Stroud
  • Patent number: 5259175
    Abstract: In a walk behind lawn mower, a height of cut adjustment system that includes a frame (12), a cutting blade (20) rotatably supported by the frame (12), a ground engaging wheel (14) coupled to and supporting the frame (12), height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height setting of the blade (20) relative to the ground engaging wheel (14), and a grass height gauge (28) operatively connected to the frame (12) wherein the grass height gauge (28) indicates a desirable height setting for the cutting blade (20) so that a predetermined portion of the standing grass blade is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventor: Larry W. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5251429
    Abstract: A lawn mower comprising a frame, an engine mounted on the frame, and a cutting deck removably mounted on the frame. A wheel mounting structure is pivotally connected to the frame and rear wheels are mounted on the wheel mounting structure wherein the pivotal movement of the frame with respect to the wheel mounting structure raises and lowers the frame with respect to the wheels thereby raising and lowering the cutting deck. A lever mechanism is provided for pivoting the frame with respect to the wheel mounting structure to thereby raise and lower the frame with respect to the wheel mounting structure and a rod and plurality of holes are provided for fixing the position of the frame with respect to the wheel mounting structure at any of a plurality of predetermined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Minato, Kazunobu Sato
  • Patent number: 5241810
    Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the height at which vegetation is cut by a reel mower cutting unit, including a plurality of rack members each coupled with a respective corner of the cutting unit frame, the rack members each having a plurality of teeth vertically arranged, a plurality of bracket members coupled with ground engaging roller means, each of the bracket members having a plurality of generally vertically arranged teeth engagable with the teeth of a respective rack member for generally preventing vertical shifting of the bracket member with respect to the rack member and cutting unit, and for setting the vertical position of the cutting unit with respect to the ground engaging roller means, thereby setting the height at which vegetation is cut by the cutting unit, and means for individually fine adjusting the vertical position of each rack member with respect to the cutting unit, for fine adjusting the height at which vegetation is cut and for leveling the cutting unit in both the lateral and fore and aft
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Ronald L. Reichen
  • Patent number: 5230208
    Abstract: Lawn mower height-adjust systems include three embodiments. Two permit the user to adjust the position of the deck relative to each wheel individually. The third permits the user to adjust the positions of all four wheels simultaneously, aided by a counterbalance system. A modification of the third embodiment is available to automatically bypass the height-adjust mechanism in the event an abnormally high load is placed on the deck. One of the two individual systems permits an operator to adjust the position of a respective wheel simply by removing a single nut and washer from an axle bolt. The second individual height-adjust system permits the operator to adjust the height of an individual wheel by using one hand, and without having to disassemble the mechanism. The system which adjusts all four wheels simultaneously links front and rear axle subassemblies with a connecting rod, and indexes all four wheels simultaneously through a release handle which is recessed in a cavity formed in the lawn mower deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Kristoffer A. Hess, Ronald G. Hare, Ronald A. Jackson, Courtney F. Bond
  • Patent number: 5228276
    Abstract: An attachment for a line trimmer comprises a wheel in the form of a drum having an axis of rotation and a peripheral flange between its ends, the flange extending outward from the drum in a plane perpendicular to said axis, means for supporting the drum from the shaft of the line trimmer, and a clamp, attachable to the trimmer, for securing the supporting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Inventor: Roger Miller
  • Patent number: 5203151
    Abstract: A grass cutting unit has a height of cut determined by a ground roll. A reaction member linked to the ground roll has a captive screw-threaded shaft carrying a hand wheel. A block threaded onto the shaft is linked to the frame of the cutting unit so that rotation of the hand wheel adjusts the height of cut. The weight of the frame is arranged to act on the hand wheel, to urge together contoured surfaces of the hand wheel and the reaction member so as, during normal cutting, to prevent spurious rotation of the hand wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Ransomes Sims & Jefferies Limited
    Inventor: John Mills
  • Patent number: 5187926
    Abstract: A grass line mowing apparatus for cutting boundary lines in the grass of a playing field is provided with a carriage apparatus having a housing with a deck spaced above the ground, a vertical rotary shaft mounted for rotation relative to the housing deck and extending below the deck, and power drive source mounted on the housing deck and drivingly coupled to the rotary shaft to cause rotation thereof. The grass line mowing apparatus includes a line cutting blade assembly fastened to a mounting flange on a lower end of the rotary shaft and capable of cutting a swath of grass of narrow width to define the desired boundary line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Inventor: James F. Rhoads
  • Patent number: 5179823
    Abstract: A motor-powered mulching mower and edger apparatus (20) with dual rotary mower blades (33,35), a mower deck (21) and a side-mounted edger attachment (75) adapted by a clutch mechanism (110,111) for simultaneous operation therewith. An adjustable mulching control valve (60) mounted at the inlet of a discharge chute (39) from the deck (21) allows variation of the proportions of mulching to clippings bagging in the range of zero to one hundred percent during mower operation. The dual rotary blades (33,35) are mounted in vertically spaced relation and select leading-angle trailing-angle relationship and are cooperable with an internal deck-mounted air stream deflector (68) for deflecting multiple cuttings of grass clippings in an inwardly directed spiral path such that after the initial cutting, each of the clippings is disposed to at least two more cuttings to produce a finer mulch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Inventor: Sang H. Pace
  • Patent number: 5156217
    Abstract: An edger is provided having a main frame, at least one front wheel fastened in the front portion of the main frame, two rear wheels fastened in the rear portion of the main frame, a rotary blade disposed in the front portion on either side of the main frame and capable of conducting edging, an engine mounted on the main frame and a driving device for operating the rotary blade with the engine, a supporting arm pivotally connected at its upper end to the main frame and rotatably supporting at its lower end the rear wheel positioned opposite to the rotary blade in such a manner that the position of the rear wheel can be vertically adjusted with respect to the main frame, and a positioning mechanism for physically positioning the vertical position of the rear wheel disposed between the main frame and the supporting arm, the positioning mechanism comprising a securing portion formed in either the main frame or the supporting arm, a securing arm having a plurality of securing steps which can be secured to the secu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makizo Hirata, Shigeharu Ohama
  • Patent number: 5136829
    Abstract: An adjustable depth gauge attachment is provided for use with implements, such as rotary mowers and other vegetation cutting apparatus. The depth gauge takes the form of a hemispherically-shaped skid element carried on an adjustable leg. The gauge is optionally carried by a bracket which can be mounted to a mower deck as an aftermarket addition. The hemispherical skid element serves to provide skidding depth gauging, as well as minimize scalping when uneven terrain is encountered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Daniel A. Sebben, Richard D. Teal
  • Patent number: 5133174
    Abstract: A mower is propelled along the ground by a tractor and the mower includes three cutting units mounted on a frame. The three cutting units are transversely mounted on the frame to cut in overlapping parallel patterns with each cutting unit being free floating on the frame such that each unit cuts at an elevation controlled by the ground immediately under the cutting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Inventor: Ralph L. Parsons, Jr.