Floating trimmer attachment for lawnmowers

A trimmer attachment for installation on a lawnmower that includes a floating trimmer head driven by a trimmer drive pulley. The trimmer drive pulley is connected by a belt to a mower trimmer pulley, which is attached to an existing mower blade pulley. The trimmer attachment is easily removed from the lawnmower when not in use or when it is not needed. The lawnmower further includes a foot pedal which allows the user to raise the trimmer attachment when necessary, and a hand lever which can be used to both raise and lower the attachment for purposes of clearing obstacles and operating bump-feed type trimmer head, when installed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to lawnmower accessories and, more particularly, to a lawnmower accessory for trimming grass and vegetation when installed on riding or deck lawnmowers.

Description of the Background

Riding lawnmowers are commonly used in both household and commercial settings. Lawnmower blades are manufactured from solid metal, are not flexible, and spin very fast in order to cut grass and other vegetation. As a result, lawnmower blades are typically covered by metal enclosures that prevent the user from harm from the blade directly, or indirectly from debris that the blade pushes away as it turns. The cover of the blades makes it difficult to reach places close to walls or trees. In order to reach these locations, the user typically needs to use a separate piece of equipment such as a handheld trimmer. The need for a separate piece of equipment requires the user to spend a longer amount of time in order to complete the task of mowing a particular tract of land.

Prior attempts at solving this problem comprise the permanent attachment of trimming accessories to lawnmowers as shown, for example, in US Patent Publication Nos. 2005/0193700A1 and 2004/0237491, and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,065,566; 5,167,108; 6,474,053; 6,487,838; 6,786,030; and 6,892,518. Others have attempted to solve this problem by placing an attachment for a trimmer to riding lawnmowers, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,986,238. The references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. The prior art, however, fails to provide a removable trimming attachment that is easy to use, can be easily attached to, and removed from, the mower, and that does not interfere with the normal operation of the lawnmower.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of the present invention to provide a removable trimmer attachment for a lawnmower. The trimmer attachment has three primary elements: i) a mounting deck element, ii) a trimmer connecting element, and iii) a trimmer element; where the trimmer connecting element is configured to allow a trimmer to move vertically. The trimmer connecting element is pivotally attached, on one end, to the mounting deck element and, on a second end, to the trimmer element.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a lawnmower configured to accept a removable trimmer attachment. The lawnmower has four primary elements: i) a mounting deck element housing, ii) a mounting deck element, iii) a trimmer connecting element, and iv) a trimmer element; where the trimmer connecting element is configured to allow a trimmer to move vertically. The lawnmower may also include a hand lever, a mower trimmer pulley, and a foot lever for raising and lowering the trimmer attachment.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a kit for retrofitting a lawnmower to install a trimmer attachment described above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention summarized above may be better understood by referring to the following description, claims, and accompanying drawings in which corresponding call numbers relate to corresponding parts and elements of embodiments of the invention. This description of an embodiment, set out below to enable one to practice an implementation of the invention, is not intended to limit the preferred embodiment, but to serve as a particular example thereof. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and specific embodiments disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other methods and systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent assemblies do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lawnmower100with a detachable floating trimmer attachment110as shown onFIG. 1. The detachable floating trimmer attachment110is releasably secured to the deck115of the lawnmower100through a mounting deck element120and mounting deck element housing121. The trimmer attachment110is powered by a belt130that connects a trimmer drive pulley125to a mower trimmer pulley135. A person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that other methods of powering the trimmer attachment110can be utilized. The trimmer attachment110is further connected to a lift mechanism140. The lift mechanism140can be actuated by a foot pedal145or a hand lever150.

The trimmer attachment110, as shown inFIG. 2, comprises three main elements: a mounting deck element120, a trimmer connecting element123, and a trimmer element127.

The trimmer element127comprises four main components: a trimmer head205, a trimmer shaft housing220, a trimmer shaft213, and a trimmer drive pulley125. The trimmer head205can be any available commercial head for trimmers or any mechanism known to a person of ordinary skill in the art for use in cutting grass. In one exemplary embodiment, the trimmer head205has flexible cutting cords209that are used to cut grass and other vegetation when activated by the lawnmower100, it is contemplated that other types of cutting elements may be utilized. The trimmer head205is connected to a trimmer shaft213. The trimmer shaft213has a trimmer head end215and a trimmer drive pulley end218. A guide element201is connected to the trimmer head end215of the trimmer shaft213. It is contemplated that the guide element201prevents the trimmer head205from contacting the ground and facilitates vertical travel of the trimmer attachment110. The trimmer head205is removably connected to the trimmer head end215of the trimmer shaft213. In some embodiments, the guide element201also secures the trimmer head205to the trimmer shaft213. The trimmer drive pulley125is connected to the trimmer drive pulley end218of the trimmer shaft213.

The trimmer shaft213is contained within a trimmer shaft housing220that allows the trimmer shaft213to rotate freely when torsional force is applied to the trimmer shaft213by the trimmer drive pulley125or any other driving element. In some embodiments, the trimmer shaft housing220has a lubrication point225. The lubrication point225allows a user to pump grease or other lubricants into the trimmer shaft housing220between inner wall of the trimmer shaft housing220and the outer wall of the trimmer shaft213. It is contemplated that the trimmer shaft213can be made of hollow or solid material that is of sufficient strength to support the torsional force applied by the trimmer drive pulley125. The lubrication of the trimmer shaft housing220reduces friction between the inner wall of the trimmer shaft housing220and the outer wall of the trimmer shaft213. It is contemplated that, in some embodiments, the outer wall of the trimmer shaft213and the inner wall of the trimmer shaft housing220are coated or made from a low friction or frictionless material, which reduces the need of lubrication for the trimmer attachment110and, in such instances, a lubrication point225may not be required.

The trimmer shaft housing220also includes a top pivoting member230and a bottom pivoting member233. In some embodiments, the top pivoting member230and the bottom pivoting member233are part of a shaft housing bracket237that is welded to the trimmer shaft housing220. In other embodiments, the top pivoting member230and bottom pivoting member233are part of the trimmer shaft housing220, which is manufactured as a single unit with the trimmer shaft housing bracket237. An upper arm240is attached to the top pivoting member230of the trimmer shaft housing220. The upper arm240has a first trimmer shaft housing end242and a first mounting deck element end244. The upper arm240also comprises a manual link attachment point255. A lower arm245is connected to the bottom pivoting member233of the trimmer shaft housing220. The lower arm245has a second trimmer shaft housing end248and a second mounting deck element end251.

The upper arm240and lower arm245are pivotally attached to the mounting deck element120, which further comprises an arm connecting element260. The upper arm240is connected to a mounting deck element upper pivoting member264and the lower arm245is connected to a mounting deck element lower pivoting member267. As shown inFIG. 2, the arm connecting element260is preferably an integral single piece with the mounting deck element.

The trimmer attachment110, as described above, allows the trimmer head205to automatically travel vertically as it moves over irregularities on the terrain such as roots, tree branches, and rocks. When the guide element201comes in contact with a terrain irregularity, it causes the trimmer attachment110to float upwards. The vertical travel of the trimmer attachment110is facilitated by the pivoting connection between the trimmer shaft housing220and the mounting deck element120. In some embodiments, as shown onFIG. 2, vertical travel is limited by vertical travel stops270and273. A trimmer head vertical travel stop270extends downwardly away from the shaft housing bracket237. The trimmer head vertical travel stop270prevents the lower arm245from traveling upwardly further than a predetermined distance. The distance between the end of the trimmer head vertical travel stop270and the lower arm245is designed to prevent, for example, the belt130from disengaging from the trimmer drive pulley125. A mounting deck element travel stop273extends downwardly away from the connecting element260and further assists the trimmer head vertical travel stop270in preventing excessive vertical travel.

In order to attach the trimmer attachment110to the lawnmower100, the deck115is modified as shown onFIG. 3. The mounting deck element housing121is configured to accept the mounting deck element120, and is attached to the top of the deck115. In some embodiments, the mounting deck element housing121is welded to the deck115. In other embodiments, the mounting deck element housing121is secured to the deck115by fastening devices such as bolts310. A mower trimmer pulley135is attached to a lawnmower blade pulley315or any other driving element as recognized by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Once the trimmer attachment110is attached to the mounting deck element housing121, the belt130is installed to connect the trimmer drive pulley125to the mower trimmer pulley135, which is powered by the lawnmower blade pulley315or other driving element. It is contemplated that other ways to power the mower trimmer pulley135can be utilized as recognized by those skilled in the art.

The mounting deck further comprises a lift mechanism140that serves at least two purposes: 1) maintains tension on the belt130and 2) allows the user to manually lift the trimmer head205to avoid obstacles. The lift mechanism140can be attached to existing structures on the deck115. In one embodiment as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, a storage attachment320is attached to an existing support322or directly to the deck115. The existing support322includes any part of the lawnmower deck115to which the storage attachment320can be connected. The storage attachment320is configured to secure a trimmer attachment linking rod325when the trimmer attachment110is not attached to the deck115. The trimmer attachment linking rod325has a fastening clevis327that attaches to the storage attachment320when the trimmer attachment110is not attached to the deck115or to the manual link attachment point255on the upper arm240of the trimmer attachment110. In one exemplary embodiment, the fastening clevis327is a u-shaped attachment that is configured to accept a fastening pin330. The fastening pin330is configured to accept a fastener510, such as a hair pin clip, an R-clip, a cotter pin, or other types of fasteners that secure the fastening pin330to the storage attachment320or the manual link attachment point255. On the opposite end of the trimmer attachment linking rod325, as shown onFIG. 5, a linkage fastening clevis333connects the trimmer attachment linking rod325to a swivel linkage336.

The swivel linkage336is connected to a frame element340. The frame element340has a swivel bracket610that secures the swivel linkage336and allows it to pivot around the axis of a swivel bracket pivot post615. The swivel linkage336has four attachment points. The first attachment point is a pedal control attachment point620. The pedal control attachment point620causes the swivel linkage336to rotate counterclockwise when the foot pedal145, as shown inFIGS. 1, 7, and 8, is pressed forward. The second attachment point, i.e., the swivel bracket attachment point625, corresponds to the point at which the swivel linkage336is connected to the swivel bracket pivot post615. The third attachment point is the linking arm attachment point630. The final attachment point is the hand lever attachment point635.

As shown onFIG. 6, the swivel linkage336is connected at the hand lever attachment point630to a hand lever connector link710. The hand lever connector link710attaches, on one end, to the swivel linkage336and, on the opposite end, to the hand lever150. The hand lever150has one linking attachment point715and one frame connecting point720. The hand lever150is connected to the deck115by a pivoting element that allows the hand lever150to pull the connector link710causing the swivel linkage to rotate counterclockwise around the vertical axis of the swivel bracket pivot post615, which, in turn, causes the trimmer attachment linking rod325to be pulled and the trimmer attachment110to be raised vertically to avoid obstacles. The hand lever150can also be used to push the connector link710causing the swivel linkage336to rotate clockwise around the vertical axis of the pivot post615. This in turn causes the trimmer attachment linking rod325to be pushed and create downward pressure on the trimming attachment110, depressing the guide element201into the trimmer head205, thus allowing for advancement of cutting cords209when a bump-feed type of trimmer head205is employed.

The trimmer attachment110can also be raised vertically by actuating the foot pedal145, as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8. The foot pedal145is attached to the lawnmower frame103by a pedal attachment bracket810. The foot pedal145is attached to the pedal attachment bracket810by a pedal pivot member815. The pivot member815allows the foot pedal145to pivot around the pivot member's815horizontal axis. The foot pedal145is further connected to a foot pedal linking rod820. The pedal linking rod820attaches, on pedal end825, to the foot pedal145and, on swivel end830, to the swivel linkage336.

In the first step of the installation of the trimmer attachment110, the mounting deck element120slides into place inside the mounting deck element housing121. At this point, the trimmer attachment linking arm325is securely stowed and locked onto the storage attachment320. The trimmer shaft housing220is then raised vertically and a belt130is installed linking the trimmer drive pulley125and the mower trimmer pulley135. Once the trimmer shaft housing220is lowered, the slack in the belt130is removed, providing sufficient tension to allow the mower trimmer pulley135to drive the trimmer drive pulley125. The trimmer attachment linking rod325is then secured to the manual link attachment point255.

In one further embodiment, an installation kit is disclosed. The installation kit comprises all the components described above to retrofit the trimmer attachment of the present invention on a lawnmower. In an exemplary embodiment the kit comprises a case (not shown), a mounting deck element housing121, and a trimmer attachment110. In a further embodiment, the kit includes the components of the lift mechanism140, such as the foot pedal145, hand lever150, trimmer attachment linking rod325, fastening clevis327, fastening pin330, linkage fastening clevis333, swivel linkage336, and fasteners510. In yet other exemplary embodiments, the kit may include different types of trimmer heads205as recognized by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

The invention has been described with references to a preferred embodiment. While specific values, relationships, materials and steps have been set forth for purposes of describing concepts of the invention, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the basic concepts and operating principles of the invention as broadly described. It should be recognized that, in the light of the above teachings, those skilled in the art can modify those specifics without departing from the invention taught herein. Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with such underlying concept. It is intended to include all such modifications, alternatives and other embodiments insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof. It should be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth herein. Consequently, the present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.