Patent ID: 6131380
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: A01D,Y10S

Abstract:
In a power-driven lawnmower having a main chassis supporting an operator, a pair of forward drive wheels, and a steering wheel, the combination therewith comprising:a) A floating mower deck housing at least one driven mower blade, connected to said main chassis by a pair of arms terminating in ball joints affixed to said mower deck, and supported on ground engaging wheels such that the mower deck follows the contour of the ground and having a flexible blade drive belt connected to a drive element on said main chassis at a constant distance from said mower deck;b) zero turning radius rear steering means operatively connected to said steering wheel and to means for disengaging one of said pair of forward drive wheels from motive power during a turn;c) means for reversing operatively engaged to reverse the direction of travel of said power-driven lawnmower;d) means for providing motive power to said lawnmower including an engine having an output shaft driven a variable rate of speed with an associated clutch mechanism; means for connecting said output shaft to said flexible drive belt; said means for reversing connecting said output shaft to a directional drive shaft for transferring motive, force to said forward wheels, and means for independently driving each of said forward wheels connected to said directional shaft; and,e) gravity actuated brake means for braking said mower comprising brake drum mounted to said directional drive shaft for concomitant rotation therewith; a brake shoe having a surface adapted for engagement with a peripheral surface of said brake drum to prevent rotation thereof; a linkage connecting said brake shoe to a pedal for said operator comprising a brake lever mounted for pivotal motion about in axis parallel to said directional drive shaft and having a first portion extending upwardly to define said pedal and a second portion extending outwardly and rearwardly toward said brake drum to support a shoe link pivotally supporting said brake shoe such that depressing said pedal causes said brake shoe to lift from said brake drum and that releasing said pedal causes said shoe link and said brake shoe to fall by gravity to a brake engaging position in which said directional drive shaft is held arrested from rotation in either direction.