Abstract:
An improved releasable handle assembly for power driven lawn and garden devices is disclosed. The improved handle assembly includes a &#34;handle to pivot pin&#34; connection for releasably attaching the handle assembly to pivot pins. Coactive with the &#34;handle to pivot pin&#34; connection is an improved &#34;handle to deck&#34; latching system. The deck includes a pair of offset tower assemblies defining inclined forward and rearward handle positions. A latching mechanism is mounted to said handle assembly for telescopic movement thereon through a limited range of motion for releasably engaging said handle tower assemblies. An operator must disengage the latch mechanism from the handle tower to permit selective pivotal movement of the handle assembly to the opposite inclined position.

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to rotary power lawn mowers and, in particular, to an improved pivotable handle mounting and latching arrangement for lawn mowers. 
     As a convenience option, power driven lawn mowers have heretobefore been equipped with pivotally movable handle assemblies. In particular, the handle assembly can be pivotably reversed or &#34;flipped-over&#34; on the deck of the lawn mower through a predetermined range of angular motion so that the lawn mower can be pushed in either a forward or a reverse direction. Conventionally, pivoting handle assemblies have been attached to the deck of the lawn mower by utilizing a plurality of separate structural components, such as mounting brackets, which must be assembled together. Therefore, removal of conventional handle assemblies for storage is a time-consuming and tedious process since disassembly is required. 
     The present invention relates to an improved handle assembly which cooperates with an improved unitary deck housing structure to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, handle towers and pivot pin mounts, integrally associated with the deck housing, have eliminated the need for assembly of separate handle mounting and support brackets which are modernly installed on most lawn mower decks. The pivot pin mounting structure of the present invention provides for the simple permanent installation of a pivot pin to the deck housing. In addition, the improved handle assembly of the present invention includes means for providing a &#34;handle to pivot pin&#34; connection for releasably attaching the handle assembly to the pivot pins. Therefore, the improved handle assembly can be conveniently removed for storage of the lawn mower. 
     Coacting with the &#34;handle to pivot pin&#34; connection is a &#34;handle to deck&#34; latching system. In particular, the improved deck housing includes a pair of laterally offset handle tower assemblies, each having an upstanding forward and rearward lug for defining a forward or a reverse position of the handle assembly relative to the deck housing. A latching mechanism is mounted coaxially relative to a tubular portion of the handle assembly. The latching mechanism is adapted for telescopic movement relative to the handle assembly through a limited range of motion for releasably engaging one of the upstanding lugs. The latch mechanism is normally biased to positively latch for preventing unintended or accidental handle &#34;flip-over&#34; or reversing during use but is controllably releasable by the operator. As such, the operator is able to disengage the latch mechanism from the upstanding lug for permitting selective pivotable movement of the handle assembly when it is desired to push the mower in an opposite direction. Further more, the latch mechanism is located on the side of the lawn mower opposite a grass discharge opening in the deck housing so that the operator is compelled to walk around the mower in a direction opposite to the discharge opening when the handle assembly is reversed. 
     The deck housing construction of the present invention is adapted to be integrally formed an includes means for supporting a drive motor together with the improved handle assembly and ground engaging wheels. As such, the improved deck housing construction is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, light in weight, rugged in construction and reliable in use. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the appended claims and the following drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lawn mower embodying the features of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1 with the handle assembly removed; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of FIG. 2 with the mower shroud removed for illustrating the pivot pin mounting and handle tower structure of the improved deck housing according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A--A of FIG. 3; 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B are fragmented perspective views of the pivot pin mounting structure which illustrate a method for installing a pivot pin into the deck housing; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines B--B of FIG. 3 showing the operative association of the various components; 
     FIGS. 7A and 7B schematically illustrate a method for releasably connecting the handle assembly to the pivot pin; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 6 showing the handle latching mechanism of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9A through 9D schematically illustrate a method for pivotally releasing and latching the handle assembly for movement between a forward and a reverse position; and 
     FIG. 10 is a view, partially broken away, of an operator actuated release mechanism for the handle latching mechanism. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With particular reference to the drawings, a rotary lawn mower 10 embodying the novel features of the present invention is illustrated. More particularly, rotary mower 10 is a wheel supported, electric lawn mower, which is one type of lawn and garden device for which the present invention is particularly useful. However, it is to be understood that the present invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiment shown, and may be employed in other types of lawn and garden devices, including both gas and electric powered as well as wheel and air supported devices. 
     Mower 10 includes a deck housing 12 which is preferably cast or molded of a lightweight, relatively rigid material. Deck housing 12 defines a front portion 16 and a rear portion 18 and supports four (4) wheel extensions or feet 20 thereon. A set of four (4) ground engaging wheels 22 are journaled on support shafts 24 which are either affixed to or otherwise suitably supported by feet 20. An electric motor (not shown) is supported upon and affixed to a generally centralized portion of deck housing 12 and is covered and protected by a removable insulative shroud member 26. The underside portion of deck housing 12 defines a blade cavity within which at least one rotary cutting blade (not shown) is supported an driven by the motor (not shown) through a suitable power transmission device (not shown). The electric motor is powered from a remote electrical source connected thereto by a line cord 30 and a motor cable 32. An improved handle assembly 34 is releasably connected to deck housing 12, in a manner to be described hereinafter in greater detail, and supports line cord 30 and motor cable 32 such that when the electric motor is energized and mower 10 is moved over the ground, the blades rotate to perform the desired lawn cutting operation. However, it is to be understood that the present invention is readily adapted for application to any other power-driven (i.e. cordless or gasoline) lawn and garden device. A discharge opening 36 is integrally formed in deck housing 12 and extends from one side thereof for discharging grass clippings from the blade cavity. 
     With particular reference to FIG. 1, handle assembly 34 is shown to include a first generally U-shaped tubular frame member which defines a lower handle member 38. The tubular frame member has a first leg 40 and second leg 42 which extend toward deck housing 12 and which terminate in terminal ends 44 and 46, respectively. As will be described hereinafter, terminal ends 44 and 46 are adapted to be releasably connected to a longitudinal pivot pin 48 (FIG. 2) secured to deck housing 12. A second generally U-shaped tubular member defining an upper handle member 49 includes first leg 50 and second leg 52 which are secured at their lowermost ends to first and second legs 40 and 42, respectively, of lower handle member 38 such as by clamp assembly 54. In particular, a bolt 56 is provided which extends through alignment bores in the upper and lower handle members such that a locking handle 58 threadably tightens or loosens upper handle member 49 relative to lower handle member 38. In this manner, handle assembly 34 can be easily folded into a more compact orientation. 
     The upper transversely extending portion of upper handle member 49 defines a handle grip 60 which the operator grips for pushing mower 10. Line cord 30 depends from first leg 50 of upper handle member 49 and is connected to a control switch 62 such that both line cord 30 and control switch 62 are electrically interconnected to motor cable 32. Control switch 62 is provided to facilitate easy on/off control of the motor and may be adapted to permit selection of various power settings. 
     According to one feature of the present invention, handle assembly 34 is releasably connected to pivot pin 48 for relatively easy installation and removal of handle assembly 34 for convenient storage. Another feature of the present invention includes means for reversal of handle assembly 34 at the end of each mower run in a controlled, deliberate fashion. Therefore, handle assembly 34 is positively latched to inhibit inadvertent or accidental reversal thereof. In particular, integrally formed on deck housing 12 are two parallel, laterally offset upstanding tower assemblies 70 and 72 each having a pivot pin 48 secured thereto. Tower assemblies 70 and 72 are adapted to permit forward and rearward pivotal motion of handle assembly 34 through a predetermined range of angular motion. In addition, tower assemblies 70 and 72 are adapted to provide simple and economical means for permanently installing pivot pin 48 to deck housing 12. 
     In general, tower assemblies 70 and 72 include a forward upstanding lug 74 and a rearward upstanding lug 76 each having diverging ramped surfaces 78 and 80, respectively (see FIG. 6). Ramped surfaces 78 and 80 have elongated semi-cylindrical recesses or cavities 82 adapted for mating engagement with first and second legs 40 and 42, respectively, of lower handle member 38. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a portion of deck housing 12 with protective shroud 26 removed and, in particular, tower assembly 72 and the means associated therewith for installing pivot pin 48 therein. In particular, a radially inward, longitudinally planar portion of deck housing 12 includes two upstanding snap fingers 86 which are aligned with a central generally horizontal bore 88 extending through a vertical tower wall surface 90 and two parallel upstanding support members 92 and 94. The snap fingers 86, tower wall 90 and support members 92 and 94 are, preferably, integrally formed on deck housing 12 as a unitary structure to eliminate the need of separate handle and pivot mounting brackets which conventionally required assembly onto the deck housing. While only tower assembly 72 is shown, it will be appreciated that the opposite lateral tower assembly 70 includes a substantially identical structure. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, it is readily apparent that pivot pin 48 is installed within bore 88 in deck housing 12 in a relatively simple and economical manner. In particular, pivot pin 48 is initially downwardly directed until it engages an uppermost portion of snap fingers 86. Snap fingers 86 are relatively rigid members and are configured such application of a sufficient downward force causes snap fingers 86 to flex outwardly to permit access to horizontal bore 88. Thereafter, pivot pin 48 is inserted through central bore 88 so as to be supported by support members 92 and 94 within tower assembly 72. Following installation, snap fingers 86 return or &#34;snap-back&#34; to their normal parallel spaced orientation to prevent unintended removal of pivot pin 48 therefrom. 
     With particular reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, means for releasably connecting handle assembly 34 to pivot pin 48 are illustrated in greater detail. In general, an included angle of about 90° is provided between the divergent ramp surfaces 78 and 80 of forward upstanding lug 74 and rearward upstanding lug 76, respectively. In particular, an inclination angle of about 45° relative to a horizontal plane extending through pivot pin 48 for each of ramp surfaces 78 and 80 has been found to provide optimum handle positioning for comfortable mower manipulation and control. However, these angles are merely exemplary and may be varied according to particular application requirements. 
     The &#34;handle to pivot pin&#34; connection of the present invention includes use of a spring-biased pawl member 100 pivotally supported at each terminal end of the tubular legs of lower handle member 38. While the reference only shows terminal end 46 of second leg 42, it is to be understood that a substantially identical &#34;handle to pivot pin&#34; connection is employed for connecting terminal end 44 of first leg 40 to pivot pin 48 of tower assembly 70. Preferably, terminal end 46 is generally flattened to form a generally planar surface upon which pawl 100 is pivotably supported. An elongated slot 102 having an open end and a closed end is provided at the lowermost flattened end of terminal end 46 of second leg 42 and is sized to permit pivot pin 48 to be received therein. Elongated slot 102 is adapted to align handle assembly 34 and pawl 100 relative to pivot pin 48. Generally, the operator drops handle assembly 34 onto pivot pin 48 such that pivot pin 48 enters slot 102. Thereafter, pawl 100 engages pivot pin 48 such that pawl 100 is pivotally biased away from slot 102 until it snaps back underneath pivot pin 48 for lockingly holding handle assembly 34 in place while still permitting pivotal movement of handle assembly 34 relative to deck housing 12 about pivot pin 48. In this manner, handle assembly 34 is &#34;latched&#34; onto pivot pin 48. More particularly, pawl 100 is provided with an exterior ramp surface 104 and a pin-engaging cavity 106. During installation, ramp surface 104 initially engages pivot pin 48 such that pawl 100 is pivoted about pivot pin 105 in a direction against the normal biasing of spring 108. Pawl 100 continues to pivot in opposition to spring 108 until pivot pin 48 clears ramp surface 104. Thereafter, the normal biasing force of spring 108 pivots pawl 100 in an opposite direction so as to surround pivot pin 48 by enclosing it within pin engaging cavity 106. Spring 108 has a first end 110 secured to the flattened portion of terminal end 46 of second leg 42 and a second end 112 secured to pawl 100. Engaging cavity 106 is sized to permit pivotal motion of handle assembly 34 about pivot pin 48. 
     Pawl 100 includes a finger tab 114 for permitting the operator to release handle assembly 34 from pivot pin 48 when it is desired to remove the handle assembly from lawn mower deck 12. In particular, finger tab 114 is downwardly displaced by the operator so as to counteract the normal biasing force of spring 108. Concurrently, handle assembly 34 is lifted upwardly such that pivot pin 48 is displaced form slot 102. Pawl 100 is provided on each terminal end of U-shaped lower handle member 38 for permitting connection to pivot pins 48 associated with each of the tower assemblies 70 and 72 which are located on opposite sides of the motor. 
     Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a method of &#34;latching&#34; pawl 100 and, therefore, handle assembly 34 to pivot pins 48 is illustrated. More specifically, FIG. 7A shows ramped surface 104 of pawl 100 engaging pivot pin 48 upon application of a sufficient downward force such that pivot pin 48 enters slot 102. Pawl 100 is normally biased against the downward force by spring 108. FIG. 7B reflects the normal &#34;latched&#34; condition of pawl 100 for capturing pivot pin 48 in cavity 106 wherein spring 108 is biased for maintaining pivot pin 48 therein. As mentioned, the operator can release handle assembly 34 from pivot pin 48 by using finger tab 114 for pivoting pawl 100 out of engagement with pivot pin 48. Thereafter, the operator si able to lift handle assembly 34 away form pivot pin 48. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1, 6, 8 and 9, it can be seen that in order to selectively control reversing of handle assembly 34 and to positively latch handle assembly 34 for inhibiting inadvertent or accidental &#34;flip-over&#34; during the process of a normal mowing run, a latch mechanism 200 is supported on second leg 42 and is adapted to coact with one of upstanding lugs 74 and 76 of tower assembly 72 to hold handle assembly 34 in either a forward or reversed pivoted position relative to deck housing 12. The construction of latch 200 and upstanding lugs 74 and 76 is such that it ensures retention of handle assembly 34 in one of the forward or reverse positions while requiring positive and deliberate actuation to effect the release thereof. Preferably, a minimum of controlled effort is needed from the operator to effect release of the latching mechanism. 
     The improved &#34;handle to deck&#34; latching system of the present invention is illustrated in greater detail, again with reference to FIGS. 1, 6, 8 and 9. In particular, a single latch member 200 is mounted coaxially over leg 42 of lower handle member 38 and is adapted to be selectively movable in telescopic fashion relative thereto. With particular reference to FIG. 6, tower assembly 72 is shown as illustrating forward upstanding lug 74 and rearward upstanding lug 76 which mutually extend from a central recessed cavity 202 within which pivot pin 48 is housed. Both upstanding lugs 74 and 76 include ramped surfaces 78 and 80, respectively, shown to be diverging approximately 45° from a horizontal plane through an origin point defined by pivot pin 48. Latch member 200 has a central axial bore 204 through which tubular handle leg 42 extends. Latch member 200 includes a lower camming surface 206 which is adapted to initially engage a lug camming surface 208 which is located adjacent the outermost end of ramp surfaces 78 and 80 on the lugs. Contiguous with lug camming surface 208 is outwardly extending tab 210 which terminates in an undercut portion 212. Tab 210 includes an outer planar surface 214 which is generally perpendicular relative to ramp surfaces 78 and 80. 
     Latch member 200 also includes a recessed annular cavity 216 which is sized to surrounding capture planar surface 214 and undercut portion 212 of tab 210. Latch member 200 is normally biased downwardly for &#34;snap-in&#34; latched engagement with tab 210 on one of the upstanding lugs so as to define a positively &#34;latched&#34; position. In the &#34;latched&#34; position, the legs of lower handle member 38 are nested within elongated semi-cylindrical cavity 82 formed on each of upstanding lugs 74 and 76. Semicylindrical cavity 82 provides a relatively rigid elongated surface upon which the handle legs rest. 
     Latch member 200 further includes a recessed area adapted to generally surround a pin 220 which is fixedly connected to tubular leg 42. Pin 220 extends through a bore 221 in tubular leg 42 for trapping latch 200 on tubular leg 42. In particular, the recessed area defines an elongated slot 222 which coacts with pin 220 to define the range of telescopic non-rotational motion of latch member 200 relative to tubular leg 42. In addition, a compression spring 224 is disposed against a spring seat 226 formed as a lower surface of a cylindrical cavity 228 within latch 200 and which communicates with slot 222. Compression spring 224 is disposed in cavity 228 so as to be below and in engagement with pin 220 for normally biasing latch member 200 downwardly toward the &#34;latched&#34; position. Therefore, if the operator attempts to pivot handle assembly 34, undercut portion 212 of tab 210 acts on a complimentary surface of annular cavity 216 to inhibit pivotal movement of latch 200 and, consequently, handle assembly 34. 
     In the operator wishes to &#34;flip-over&#34; handle assembly 34 for pushing mower 10 in an opposite direction, the operator actuates a release mechanism 230 mounted on leg 52 of upper handle member 49 (FIGS. 1 and 10) in order to selectively control the telescopic movement of latch member 200. Release mechanism 230 includes a housing 232 from which extends release lever 234 which is connected to latch member 200 by an elongated control cable 240. The control cable 240 extends along tubular handle assembly 34 with one end of control cable 240 attached to latch 200 such as through an orifice 242 FIG. 8. A major portion of control cable 240 si covered and protected by an outer sheath 244 which slidably receives cable 240 therein and which is fixed to handle assembly 34 as by a plurality of clamps 246. The opposite end of control cable 240 is secured to release lever 234. Compression spring 224 normally biases cable 240 and, in turn, release lever 234 in a first direction about pivot 252 FIG. 10. Thus, when it is desired to &#34;flip&#34; or reverse handle assembly 34, the operator pulls upwardly on release lever 234 against the biasing action of the spring 224 acting thereon. In this manner, control cable 240 is axially upwardly displaced for urging latch 200 to move upwardly against the normal biasing of compression spring 224 so as to define a &#34;released&#34; position (phantom liens in FIG. 8.). In the upward &#34;released&#34; position, latch 200 is disengaged from tab 210 such that a lowermost surface 254 of latch 200 if clear of outer lug surface 214. In this condition, handle assembly 34 is now free to pivot between forward and rearward lugs 74 and 76, respectively, of tower assemblies 70 and 72. 
     Referring now to FIGS 9A through 9D, a method for moving latch member 200 between its &#34;released&#34; and &#34;latched&#34; positions is shown. In particular, FIG. 9A illustrates handle assembly 34 being positively &#34;latched&#34; to rearward lug 76. As such, pivotal movement of handle assembly 34 is restricted. FIG. 9B illustrates the relative position of latch member 200 following upward movement of control cable 240 by the operator pivoting release lever 234 such that lower surface 254 of latch member 200 is disengaged form tab 210 of rearward leg 76. Thereafter, handle assembly 34 is free for pivotal movement. Slight pivoted movement of handle assembly 34 away from rearward lug 76 prevents &#34;snap-in&#34; re-latching of latch 200 onto tab 210 following release of release lever 234 by the operator since undercut section 212 is no longer capable of being surroundingly captured within annular cavity 216 of latch member 200. 
     FIG. 9C illustrates the position of handle assembly 34 following pivotal motion about pivot pin 48 to forward lug 74. In particular, camming surface 206 of latch member 200 engages lug camming surface 208 of forward lug 74. With further references to FIG. 8 such engagement applies a force on latch 200 which overcomes the normal biasing force of compression spring 224. Therefore, latch 200 is moved in a direction away from its normal &#34;latched&#34; position due to initial engagement with lug 76. Continued pivoted movement acts to &#34;snap-in&#34; tab 210 on forward lug 76 within annular cavity 216 (FIG. 9D) for lockingly engaging (&#34;latching&#34;) latch member 200 to forward lug 76. In particular, compression spring 224 normally biases latch member 200 downwardly such that cavity 216 captures tab 210 therein. Again, during release by the operator, latch member 200 is moved telescopically upward relative to handle tube 42 for disengaging surface 254 of latch member 200 from tab 210 on forward lug 74. It should be apparent that latch member 200 is telescopically movable over both handle tube leg 42 and tab 210 formed on upstanding lugs 78 and 80. Preferably, only a single latch member 200 is required to provide sufficient locking of handle assembly 34. It will be further appreciated that tower assemblies 70 and 72 together with snap fingers 86 are integrally cast or molded on deck housing 12 which further contributes to lower manufacturing and maintenance costs. In addition, the appearance and overall aesthetics of mower 10 are improved. 
     In addition, release lever 234 is located on the opposite side of mower 10 from discharge opening 36 and line cord 30. Thus, when handle assembly 34 is &#34;flipped-over&#34; at the end of a mower run, with the motor and blade still in operation, the operator will be compelled to walk around the side of the mower opposite discharge opening 36 and consequently will be in less danger of being struck by flying objects discharged therefrom. 
     The foregoing discussion discloses and describes an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims, that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.