Abstract:
A method of exchanging a first implement for a second implement on a mower is disclosed. First, the first implement is disconnected from the mower and then the mower is adjusted to accommodate the second implement. The second implement is then operatively connected to the mower. The mower comprises frame receiving brackets and side frame members that are moved with respect to one another to adjust the mower to accommodate the second implement. A method of exchanging castor wheels is also included. The castor wheels, initially connected to an axle member, are disconnected from the axle member. Then, the position of the axle member with respect to the frame is adjusted, such as by being rotated approximately 180°. finally, different castor wheels are connected to the axle member.

Description:
This application for U.S. patent is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/014,112, filed Jan. 27, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,279. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     I. Field of the Invention 
     This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses for a lawn mower, and more specifically to the art of methods and apparatuses for a lawn mower having an adjustable frame assembly. 
     II. Description of the Related Art 
     Walk-behind lawn mowers are well known. Such mowers are termed walk-behind because the operator walks behind the mower during its operation. Known walk-behind mowers have proven to be adequate for their intended purpose. However, they are also known to have a general lack of flexibility when exchanging implements. By implements it is meant any device that attaches to the mower and is operated by the mower. The most typical mower implement is a mower deck that contains at least one blade for cutting associated vegetation such as a lawn. Other possible implements would include a snow blower, for example. 
     One known problem deals with the difficulty in disengaging a first implement and then engaging a second implement. Typically, several nut and bolt combinations must be disconnected and then reconnected. Such connections are cumbersome and expend too much time. 
     Another problem is that the frames of known mowers are not readily adjustable. Thus, exchanging a first implement with a second implement of a different size or type is quite difficult if not impossible. 
     Still another problem deals with mowers using castor wheels. It may be desirable, for example when changing to a larger sized implement, to change the size of the wheels used on the mower. When castor wheels are used, it typically requires a change in axles to change the size of the castor wheels. This is also cumbersome and requires more than one axle for the same mower. 
     The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for reducing these problems. The difficulties that are inherent in the art are therefore overcome in a way that is simple and efficient, while providing better and more advantageous results. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a mower includes a power head, an adjustable frame assembly for use in selectively supporting a first implement, frame connecting means for use in connecting the adjustable frame assembly to the power head, power connecting means for use in connecting power from the power head to the first implement, and implement connecting means for use in selectively connecting the first implement to the adjustable frame assembly. The adjustable frame assembly can be adjusted such that the mower can also support a second implement that may be of a different size or type. The power connecting means can also connect power from the power head to the second implement. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, one or more quick release pins are used to connect the first and second implements to the adjustable frame assembly. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, an adjustable axle assembly is provided for use with an associated frame. The adjustable axle assembly includes an axle member operatively connected to the associated frame and a first castor pivot member operatively connected to the axle member. The first castor pivot member has first and second castor openings for selectively receiving first and second associated castor wheels. 
     According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for exchanging a first implement operatively connected to a mower with a second implement. The mower includes a power head and a frame assembly. The method includes the steps of disengaging a first quick release pin operatively connecting the first implement to the frame assembly, disconnecting power connecting means that connects power from the power head to the first implement, removing the first implement, moving the second implement into place with respect to the frame assembly, engaging the first quick release pin thereby operatively connecting the second implement to the frame assembly and connecting the power connecting means from the power head to the second implement. 
     According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method for exchanging a first castor wheel operatively connected to an adjustable axle assembly with a second castor wheel is provided. The adjustable axle assembly is operatively connected to an associated frame and includes a first castor pivot member operatively connected to an axle member. The first castor pivot member has first and second openings for selectively receiving the first and second castor wheels. The method includes the steps of disconnecting the first castor wheel from the first opening of the first castor pivot member, adjusting the position of the axle member with respect to the associated frame, and connecting the second castor wheel to the second opening of the first castor pivot member. 
     One advantage of the present invention is that the adjustable frame assembly permits implements to be easily exchanged on the mower. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the use of one or more quick release pins makes it very easy to disengage a first implement and then engage a second implement. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that implements of various sizes and types can be connected to this same adjustable frame assembly. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention is that castor wheels can be easily exchanged. This is especially beneficial when the castor wheels are of different size. 
     Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts. A preferred embodiment of these parts will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this disclosure and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of the mower of the present invention showing the adjustable frame assembly supporting the first implement and being connected to the power head. 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mower of FIG. 1 showing the quick release pins used to form the implement connecting means that connects the implement to the adjustable frame assembly and showing in cut-away fashion the belt and implement pulley that comprise the power connecting means. 
     FIG. 3 is a left side elevation view of the mower of FIG. 1 showing the first implement being supported by the adjustable frame assembly. 
     FIG. 4 is a right side elevation view of the mower of FIG. 1 showing the second implement being supported by the adjustable frame assembly. 
     FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the mower of FIG. 1 showing the rod used to form the preferred articulating means by which the adjustable axle assembly is pivoted. 
     FIG. 6 is a back elevation view of the mower of FIG. 1 showing a portion of the power head frame. 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the adjustable frame assembly showing the hangers connected to the first side frame member and the first and second rod openings in the axle housing member. 
     FIG. 8 is a plan view taken along the line  8 — 8  of FIG. 7 showing the holes in the second ends of the first and second side frame members. 
     FIG. 9 is a back elevation view of the adjustable axle assembly showing the first and second castor pivot members connected to the first and second ends of the axle member. 
     FIG. 10 is a plan view taken along the line  10 — 10  of FIG. 9 showing the arcuate shape of the axle member. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, which are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIGS. 1-6 show a mower  10  in accordance with this invention. Although this preferred embodiment is directed to a walk-behind mower, the invention is also applicable to other mowers and other applications as well. The mower  10  includes a power head  11  and an adjustable frame assembly  30  that is used in selectively supporting a first implement  60  that can be of any size or type chosen with sound engineering judgement. The first implement  60  may be, for example, a mower deck as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and  5 - 6 , a snow blower (not shown) or any other type of implement. It should be noted that the first implement  60  may be a floating mower deck. Floating mower decks, as is commonly known in the art, are mower decks that may articulate, that is pivot, with respect to the frame assembly. This eases the use of the mower  10  over uneven terrain. The adjustable frame assembly  30  may also be adjusted to, alternatively, support a second implement  61  (shown in FIG. 4) that also can be of any size or type chosen with sound engineering judgement. The power head  11  provides power to the implement (either the first implement  60  or the second implement  61 ) to operate the implement. 
     With reference to FIGS. 1-2 and  6 , the power head  11  includes a power head frame  12  that may have first and second frame receiving brackets  13 ,  14 . The power head frame  12  may be used to support one or more back wheels  15 , a control system  16 , and an engine  18 . The control system  16  and the engine  18  can be of any type chosen with sound engineering judgement. Thus, the power head  11  may also include a fuel tank  19 , a muffler  20 , and a battery  21 . It is to be understood that any and all necessary components for the power head  11  are supported on the power head frame  12 . The control system  16  may be mounted upon a handle  22  which itself is supported by the power head frame  12 . 
     With reference now to FIGS. 1-4, frame connecting means  32  is used in connecting the adjustable frame assembly  30  to the power head  11  and will be discussed further below. Power connecting means  34  is used to connect power from the power head  11  to the first or second implement  60 ,  61 . The power connecting means  34  can be of any type chosen with sound engineering judgement. In the illustrated embodiment, the power connecting means  34  is located under a cover  35  as shown in FIG.  2 . In this case, the power connecting means  34  includes a first belt  85  operatively connecting the engine  18  to an implement pulley  86 . In this way the rotation of the engine  18  is transmitted to a rotation of the implement pulley  86  for operation of the implement. This is well known in the art and thus will not be discussed in detail. Implement connecting means  36  is used in selectively connecting the first or second implement  60 ,  61  to the adjustable frame assembly  30 . This will be discussed further below. 
     With reference now to FIGS. 1-3 and  7 - 8 , the adjustable frame assembly  30  may have one or more front wheels  24  mounted thereon. The adjustable frame assembly  30  also includes first and second side frame members  41 ,  42  each having first and second ends  43 ,  45  and  44 ,  46  respectively. The second ends  44 ,  46  of the first and second side frame members  41 ,  42  may have first and second holes  47 ,  48  respectively for use with the frame connecting means  32 . Preferably one or more hangers  38  are fixedly connected to the adjustable frame assembly  30 . Any number of hangers  38  may be, for example, welded to the bottoms of the first and second side frame members  41 ,  42  as shown in FIG.  7 . The hangers  38  are used with the implement connecting means  36  as will be discussed further below. The adjustable frame assembly  30  also includes an axle housing member  50  having first and second ends  51 ,  52  and an axle slot  58 . The axle slot  58  is used to operatively receive any axle assembly chosen with sound engineering judgement such as an adjustable axle assembly  70  that will be discussed further below. The first end  51  of the axle housing member  50  is fixedly attached to the first end  43  of the first side frame member  41  and the second end  52  of the axle housing member  50  is fixedly attached to the first end  45  of the second side frame member  42 . In this way the first and second side frame members  41 ,  42  and the axle housing member  50  form a rigid frame construction. 
     With reference now to FIGS. 1-4 and  8 , the frame connecting means  32  will now be discussed in more detail. The first and second frame receiving brackets  13 ,  14  of the power head frame  12  are formed to receive the second ends  44 ,  46  of the first and second side frame members  41 ,  42 . The first and second side frame members  41 ,  42  may fit within the first and second frame receiving brackets  13 ,  14  as shown in FIG. 2 or alternatively, the first and second frame receiving brackets  13 ,  14  may fit within the first and second side frame members  41 ,  42 . In either case, the first and second side frame members  41 ,  42  can be easily slidden along the first and second frame receiving brackets  13 ,  14 . It was noted above that the second ends  44 ,  46  of the first and second side frame members  41 ,  42  have first and second holes  47 ,  48  respectively. Thus, it can be easily understood that bolts  33  or other such attaching means can be positioned within the first and second holes  47 ,  48  of the first and second side frame members  41 ,  42  and through corresponding holes  23  in the first and second frame receiving brackets  13 ,  14 . In this way the adjustable frame assembly  30  can be connected to the power head  11 . Since the first and second side frame members  41 ,  42  can be easily slidden along the first and second frame receiving brackets  13 ,  14 , they can be connected at a plurality of locations on the first and second frame receiving brackets  13 ,  14 . In this way the position of the adjustable frame assembly  30  can be adjusted longitudinally (along the axis of line  17  shown in FIG. 2) with respect to the power head frame  12 . This makes the exchange of implements of differing size or type an easy operation as will be discussed further below. 
     With reference now to FIGS. 1-4, the implement connecting means  36  that is used to selectively connect the first or second implement  60 ,  61  to the adjustable frame assembly  30  will now be discussed. It is preferred that the first implement  60  have first and second brackets  62 ,  63  each having a plurality of slots  64 ,  65  respectively. In this preferred embodiment the implement connecting means  36  includes one or more quick release pins  40 . The quick release pins  40  can be of any type chosen with sound engineering judgement. The number of quick release pins  40  required will depend on the design of the mower  10  though four quick release pins  40  are used in the embodiment shown in FIG.  2 . The quick release pin  40  is extended through the first slot  64  of the first bracket  62  of the first implement  60  and then through the hanger  38  mounted to the first side frame member  41  of the adjustable frame assembly  30 . In this way, the first implement  60  is connected to the adjustable frame assembly  30 . It should be noted that the same implement connecting means  36  can also connect the second implement  61  (shown in FIG. 4) in the same manner to the adjustable frame assembly  30 . As is well known in the art, the quick release pins  40  can be easily engaged and disengage from the first bracket  62  and the hanger  38 . 
     With reference now to FIGS. 1-4 and  9 - 10 , the adjustable axle assembly  70  will be discussed in more detail. The adjustable axle assembly  70  includes an axle member  71  having first and second ends  72 ,  73 . Although the axle member  71  can be of any shape chosen with sound engineering judgement, preferably the axle member  71  has an arcuate shape as shown best in FIG.  10 . Fixedly attached to the first and second ends  72 ,  73  of the axle member  71  are first and second castor pivot members  74 ,  75  each having first and second ends  76 ,  78  and  77 ,  79  respectively. The first and second castor pivot members  74 ,  75  can be of any shape chosen with sound engineering judgement but preferably are cylindrically shaped as shown in the FIGS.  1  and  9 - 10 . The first and second castor pivot members  74 ,  75  are for use when the front wheels  24  are castor wheels  25 . In order to hold the castor wheel  25 , the first end  76  of the first castor pivot member  74  has a first castor opening  80  therethrough. Similarly, the second end  77  of the first castor pivot member  74  has a second castor opening  81 , The first end  78  of the second castor pivot member  75  has a third castor opening  82  and the second end  79  of the second castor pivot member  75  has a fourth castor opening  83 . It is preferred that the first and third castor openings  80 ,  82  be of a different size than the second and fourth castor openings  81 ,  83 . In this way different sized castor wheels  25  can be mounted to the axle member  71 . To make this change in castor wheel size, the axle member  71  must be adjusted as will be discussed further below. A spacer  67  may be inserted into any of the castor openings,  80 ,  81 ,  82 ,  83  that are not being used to receive a castor wheel  25 . In this way the castor openings  80 ,  81 ,  82 ,  83  can be protected from any unwanted material. 
     With reference now to FIGS. 1-5 and  9 - 10 , the adjustable axle assembly  70  may also include articulating means  54  for permitting the axle member  71  to articulate, that is pivot, with respect to the axle housing member  50 . Any articulating means  54  chosen with sound engineering judgement may be used in this invention but preferably a bushing  55  is operatively connected to the axle member  71 . Preferably the axle housing member  50  has first and second rod openings  53 ,  57  (shown in FIG. 7) that are aligned with the bushing  55  of the axle member  71 . In this way a rod  56  can be inserted through the first rod opening  53 , the bushing  55  and then the second rod opening. Once the rod  56  is inserted as just described, the axle member  71  can then pivot or articulate around the rod  56 . This permits the front wheels  24  to maintain contact with the ground even when the mower  10  is traveling over uneven terrain. 
     With reference now to FIGS. 1-8, exchanging the first implement  60  on the mower  10  with the second implement  61 , requires the following steps. First, the quick release pin  40  is disengaged thereby disconnecting the first implement  60  from the adjustable frame assembly  30 . As noted above, a plurality of quick release pins  40  may be used but each quick release pin  40  is very easy to disengage. Next, the power connecting means  34  is disconnected from the first implement  60 . For example, the first belt  85  may be disconnected from the implement pulley  86  in a manner commonly known in the art. The first implement  60  is then removed from the adjustable frame assembly  30  and the second implement  61  is moved into place with respect to the adjustable frame assembly  30 . In particular, the second implement  61  may be moved beneath the adjustable frame assembly  30 . Then, the quick release pin  40  is engaged thereby operatively connecting the second implement  61  to the adjustable frame assembly  30 . Finally, the power connecting means  34  is connected from the power head  11  to the second implement  61 . This may include connecting the first belt  85  to a implement pulley (not shown) of the second implement  61 . It should be noted that if the second implement  61  is of a different size than the first implement  60 , then the adjustable frame assembly  30  may be adjusted with respect to the first and second frame receiving brackets  13 ,  14  of the power head frame  12 . This is accomplished by sliding the first and second side frame members  41 ,  42  with respect to the first and second frame receiving brackets  13 ,  14 . It should also be noted, that such adjustment of the adjustable frame assembly  30  also adjusts the longitudinal wheel base of the mower  10 . In other words, the distance from the axis of the front wheels  24  with respect to the axis of the back wheels  15  can be adjusted. This permits the wheel base to be maintained at a minimum distance regardless of the size of the implement being connected to the mower  10 . 
     With reference now to FIGS. 1-6 and  9 - 10 , it may also be desirable to change the size of the back and front wheel  15 ,  24  of the mower  10 . The back wheels  15  can be changed in a manner commonly known in the art. To change the front wheels  24  however, when they are castor wheels  25 , can be done simply as will now be disclosed. FIG. 1 shows the castor wheels  25  mounted to the first and third castor openings in the first ends  76 ,  78  of the first and second castor pivot members  74 ,  75 . The castor wheels  25  can be exchanged as follows. First, the castor wheels  25  are disconnected from the first and third openings  80 ,  82  in a manner commonly known in the art. Then the axle member  71  is adjusted with respect to the axle housing member  50  such as by rotating the axle member  71  180°. In this way, the second and fourth castor openings  81 ,  83  would be directed in downward direction  27  as shown in FIG.  1 . Finally, the new castor wheels  25 , which may be of a different size, can be connected to the second and fourth castor openings  81 ,  83 . Of course, spacers  67  maybe inserted as required. 
     The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the specification. It is intended by the applicant to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.