Weed Whacker Attachment for a Riding Lawn Mower

A weed whacker attaches to the front of a riding lawn mower. The week whacker is attached to the riding lawn mower through a pivoting linkage, and is supported on castors which may be adjustable in height. The weed whacker may thereby traverse uneven terrain which differs from the terrain traversed by the riding lawn mower, continuing to provide an even cut over the terrain. The weed whacker draws its power from the riding lawn mower. The weed whacker may be shifted between the right and left sides of the riding lawn mower. The weed whacker may be controlled by the driver of the riding lawn mower, including unwinding additional cutting wire in response to a control signal from a controller used by the driver of the riding lawn mower.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to lawn care. More specifically, a week whacker that attaches to the front of a lawn mower, and which can pivot with respect to the lawn mower to accommodate uneven terrain, is provided.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Lawn mowing and weed whacking are typically performed as separate activities, with handheld weed whackers being used to trim grass in locations that may be difficult to reach with the blade of a lawn mower. There is a need for a weed whacker that can be operated simultaneously with operation of a riding lawn mower, by the operator of the riding lawn mower. There is a further need for this week whacker to automatically traverse uneven terrain, providing an even cut over uneven terrain as the riding lawn mower is used simultaneously.

SUMMARY

The present invention is designed with a purpose to allow people to mow their lawn and perform precision trimming all in one pass completely redefining the way lawns have been mowed for decades. Some examples of the weed whacker remove human error by naturally adjusting to different angled terrain; moving separately from the lawn mower through multiple pivot points providing instantaneous adjustments, while keeping trimmer cut diameter parallel with the land which allows the operator to remotely fine tune (but not limited) taper cut angle, string length, speed (rpm) of cutting string, and rapid width extension to reach tight spaces without changing cutting direction of mower. Multiple locations built into the natural adjusting movement of some examples of the weed whacker provide shock absorbing impact points to protect and extend overall life cycle of the machine. Other examples of the week whacker include operator friendly adjustments to provide a variety of options and simple solutions to quickly change trimmer cut height, such as: quickly switch from right to left trimming/cut orientation, width adjustments to change the center of trimmer cut position relative to a variety of mower deck widths, and adjustable height and frame mounting brackets to fit a variety of different mowers, etc.

Some examples of the weed whacker are located conveniently at the front of the mower, which allows the operator to hold a natural posture, with eyes and head forward-keeping their line of sight in their mid-peripherals. Unlike traditional hand trimmers mounted to mower cutting decks or behind the mower/tractor, the weed whacker's front installation gives the operator the ability to hold a healthy head/neck posture to naturally absorb external forces one might experience while mowing a variety of terrain.

The weed whacker's design provides an “all in one” solution to tackle mowing jobs with less time; this is in part due to the following key components. One example includes a precision trimmer system capable of absorbing impacts while naturally coasting and adjusting cut angle-increases cut quality while also making precision trimming easier for operator. Another example includes a refined trimmer spool drive system that allows the user to extend and rewind string length by wireless/wired controls—this eliminates the need to manually adjust string length. A further example includes a refined caster assembly gives the operator the ability to rapidly adjust wheel height to mower deck height to allow the user to fine tune cut height quickly. Yet another example includes a system to adjust dimensions of the weed whacker by width adjustment and quick release locking pins. This width allows for quick install and use on various equipment. A further example includes a controller which allows for the operator to fine tune cutting mechanics and overall precision of weed whacker.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Assembly Identification

Section A

A1.) Trimmer Assembly-Motor, housings, trim head, string, & more all broken down and fully defined in T-section.

A2.) Coaster Assembly—Mounting structure for Trimmer A1 and components for level 1 and 2 suspension. Naturally floats with the land with two casters A3 & A4, pivoting/fastening onto bolt S19 allowing rotation while Main A S13 determines vertical angle (direction a-arms A8 travel) of upper and lower aarm mounts A9 & A7. The use of the combination A-arms secured to A13 which uses another caster A12 to adjust to land, helps ensure coaster assembly naturally always stays parallel to allow use of only two casters on coaster assembly so operator can focus on manually adjusting side angle taper of A1. Front caster A3 leads the forward angle of string edge (T28) of trimmer assembly A1 while caster A4 holds the height of rear side of string T28 depending how land changes while moving, constantly changing the angle making a precision cut. The front wheel can raise or lower depending on land as the rear wheel can also raise or lower to naturally adjust the cut. The operator uses coaster assembly to change height of cut and change angle by setting front caster A3 lower than rear A4. Coaster assembly helps operator move past objects such as trees, poles, walls, boulders, tombstones and more through the first level suspension with belt S1 helping the assembly roll past objects. Reference FIGS. 21-24, 46-56, 70-73.

A8.) A-Arms-S30/S31 work together mounting to upper a-arm mount A9 and lower a-arm mount A7. Allows coaster assembly A2 to raise or lower on its own freely from A13 and mower A15.

Section S

S1. Level 1 Suspension Belt-Belt rolls freely along a symmetrical set of structural pulleys S6, S3 located among the coaster assembly, while also using a compression system (level 1 suspension) using pulleys S2 & S4, S5 to constantly keep tension on belt. Structural Pulley S5 can be adapted as a tensioner incase belt stretches &/or as an assistance for absorbing frontal impact.

a. Right hand cutting position creating downward force on a-arm S30.

b. Transitioning between sides

The Weed Whacker Trimmer Assembly

Multiple variations demonstrated to allow operator to use hand controls to extend string without bumping trimmer spool off of the ground. Versions 4 & 5 are capable of rewinding string to resupply capacity. Some components such as motor, string spools, bearing carriage T6, cables, servos, hydraulics, engage rods, bearings, etc. are interchangeable throughout the different versions.

Version 1 (FIG. 58) uses a gear reduction system with drive shaft T11, an externally mounted cable mechanism using engage pin/rod T24 to mimic ground impact, and spool casing/assembly defined in (FIG. 61) Version 1 is interchangeable with some store bought bump head spools.

Version 2 (FIGS. 60, 65C/D) uses driveshaft T49 connected directly to motor T1 with a internally mounted mechanism using engage pin/rod T24 to extend string length while protecting components from elements. Uses the same spool casing/assembly defined in (FIG. 61) or compatible with some store bought string bump heads.

Version 3 (FIGS. 62, 63, 64, 65A/B) Uses a two piece motor enclosure to house crucial components, uses a direct to motor drive shaft T10 (similar to T49) using a internally mounted mechanism to raise or lower engage rod T13 to lock or release string length. Uses spool head assembly defined within (FIGS. 62, 63, 68)

Version 4 (FIGS. 66, 67) Capable of rewinding and extending string length. Uses a two piece enclosure, a combination of motor T1, coupler T58, and engage shaft T57 to provide direct to motor rotation. Providing capability to stop rotation of drive shaft T59 while engage shaft T57 releases from spool casing T12/T57 to control rotation of spool T14 for rewinding cutting string T28. String spool mechanism fully defined in (FIG. 68D/G/H)

Version 5 (FIGS. 68, 65C/D) Capable of rewinding and extending cutting string length. Uses a one piece motor enclosure with sealable side ports to seal enclosure. Works same way as Version 4 but demonstrates cable controlled linkage and 3 different solutions (bearing carriage friction brake Tor, disc brake caliper T61aa/ab, V-brakes T61ba/bc) for stopping the rotation of drive shaft T59 to rewind string mechanism.

Section T

T1 Motor-powers the string trimmer to cut. Controlled by throttle T45a/b.

r.) Arm pushes downward on T6 which turns into a friction brake onto shaft T59 stopping any rotation on T12 while shaft T57c moves fully onto spool T14b to begin rewind process.

T10. Direct to Motor Drive Shaft-Secures to bearing T7b, while also connecting to spool assembly T12. Works more or less as an idler bearing that physically mounts T12 to T7, drive slide shaft T57 moves within to engage and disengage T14b & T12d.

db.) Lowest height on casters with both front A2 and A3 set evenly. Lowest cut height with user controlled taper cut.

bb.) Rear caster A4 is higher than front caster A3 creating a natural tilt to the cut as the coaster assembly A2c natural moves with the land. The operator also tilts A1.

T29. String Spool-Normal bump off of ground trimmer spool assembly used commonly today but with hole bored into bottom bump tip T29a/b to connect engage bolt/pin T24 to centering cone T25 controlled by bearing carriage T6/T17 allow operator to raise or lower to mimic ground impact to extend string. Responsible for holding T28. Connects and releases driveline shown in example to cut and add length to string T28. T24 pulled upward by T17 mimics ground bump to release spool found on current hand trimmers. Reference FIG. 59, 60, 61 to see an example.

T53. Operator Handle-Area for user to hold and gain leverage, control machine.

T54. User controlled rapid width extension demonstrated in FIG. 72. To reach difficult places, middle of motor assembly slides outward to cut between tight spots.

Caster Assembly

Section C

C1. Grease Fitting-Lubrication fitting for allowing addition of a lubricant to reduce wear and reduce friction of rotation.

C2. Main Lubricated Shaft-Lubricated shaft which allows caster assembly to rotate 360 degrees. Hollow with holes/slots to allow flow of grease. A disc brake rotor can connect to shaft to stop and control 360 degree rotation.