Wheel mechanism

Abstract: A lawn mower comprising a cutting deck (2) mounted on at least one castor wheel assembly (4) and a wheel alignment mechanism (30, 38) for orientating the direction of travel of the castor wheel assembly (4) characterised in that the wheel alignment mechanism (30, 38) comprises a cam mechanism which orientates the castor wheel assembly (4) to and holds it in a predetermined position when operated. The wheel alignment mechanism (30, 38) comprises a first part mounted on the deck (2) and a second part mounted on the castor wheel assembly (4), a cam (30) mounted on one part which is rotatable relative to an abutment surface (56) mounted on the other part, the direction of travel of the castor wheel assembly (4) being dependent on the relative orientation of the cam (30) and abutment surface (56) wherein the abutment surface (56) is movable relative to the cam (30) is able to freely rotate relative to the abutment surface (56), and a second position where the cam (30) is held in a predetermined angular orientation relative to the abutment surface (56) by the abutment surface (56), the abutment surface (56) engaging and angularly orientating the cam (30) relative to the abutment surface (56) into the predetermined angular position during its movement from the first position to the second position.

Description: The present invention relates to lawn mowers and in particular to lawn mowers mounted on castor wheels. A conventional rotary lawn mower comprises a cutting deck mounted on wheels and/or rollers. A motor, which can be either an electric motor or an internal combustion engine, is mounted on the cutting deck and which rotatingly drives a cutting blade mounted below the cutting deck about a substantially vertical axis of rotation. A handle is attached to the rear of the cutting deck to enable an operator to manoeuvre the mower. Often a grass collection box is also attached to the rear of the cutting deck to collect the grass cuttings generated by the mower when in use. In common designs mower the wheels have a direction of travel which is fixed in a forward and rearward direction. Thus the mower is able to be pushed or pulled in a forward or rearward direction, which is particularly desirable when an operator wishes to operate the mower in straight lines, for instance to generate stripes on a lawn. However, such a design of mower is unable to change direction easily. In order for the direction of travel to be altered, the operator must raise either the front or rear wheels above the ground and rotate the mower to the new direction of travel before then lowering the wheels in order to reengage the ground. This requires a substantial effort on the part of the operator. Furthermore, the direction of travel of the mower whilst cutting the grass still remains in a fixed forward/rearward direction which may not be desirable in certain circumstances. One previously proposed method of overcoming these problems is to mount the mower on castor wheels which are capable of swivelling freely through 360°. This enables the lawn mower to be manoeuvred in any direction, in a forward/rearward direction, sideways, diagonally, rotationally etc. This makes the lawn mower highly manoeuvrable and furthermore, it obviates the need for the operator to raise the wheels off the ground when he wishes to change direction. However, such manoeuvrability may not be desirable in certain circumstances. For instance, if an operator is using the mower on the side of a hill or bank and the operator wishes to traverse along the side of the hill or bank in a straight line with the mower, the operator would have to use considerable effort to maintain the direction of travel of the mower in a straight line and to prevent the mower from sliding sideways down the hill or bank. It is therefore desirable to have a lawn mower which is able to be changed between two modes of operation, a first mode where the mower is able to move in any direction both linearly and rotationally (i.e. the wheels can freely swivel to any direction of travel), and a second mode where the mower is only able to move in a forward or rearward direction only (i.e. the wheels have a fixed direction of travel) US 5653096 discloses such a mower. The cutting deck of the mower is mounted on three castor wheels. In its first mode of operation, the castor wheels are able to swivel freely enabling the mower to be manoeuvred in any direction. In its second mode of operation, the direction of travel of the two rear castor wheels of the mower can be locked in a forward/reverse direction or sideways direction. Whilst the direction of travel of the two rear wheels is fixed, the mower is only able to travel in either a forward/reverse direction or a sideways direction. The locking mechanism disclosed in US 5653096 for each rear castor wheel comprises a locking pin mounted on the cutting deck close to the castor wheel. Corresponding holes, which are capable of receiving the locking pin, are formed in the castor wheel. In the first mode of operation the pin is held away from the holes. The castor wheel is able to freely swivel through 360°. However, when one of the holes in the castor wheel is aligned with the locking pin and the locking pin is moved such that it engages with the hole, the castor wheel is prevented from swivelling, its direction of travel being fixed. The direction of travel of the castor wheel is determined by the position of the hole on the castor wheel. However, the locking mechanism disclosed in US 5653096 suffers from a number of problems. Firstly, the operator has to manually orientate each of the castor wheels individually so that the pin and holes become aligned. Secondly, the operator has to bend down in order to grasp the pin in order to either lock or unlock each of the castor wheels individually. This would cause problems for an operator who suffers from back problems. Furthermore, the operator is required to place his hands close to the cutting blade whilst locking or unlocking the castor wheel, thus putting the operator at unnecessary risk. Fourthly, as the direction of travel of the castor wheel must be fixed with some reasonable accuracy, the diameter of the hole must be similar to that of the pin. However, the castor wheels and hence the holes are located close to the zone swept out by the cutting blade when in use and, as such, would encounter grass cutting and other debris generated by the cutting action of the mower. When the pins are held away from the holes to allow the wheels to freely swivel, it is likely that the holes would fill up with grass cuttings and/or debris, thus preventing the pins from being inserted into the holes. In such circumstances an operator may be tempted to force the pin into the hole, which could be dangerous, particularly in view of the close proximity of the cutting blade to the castor wheel. US 5,355,664 discloses a castor wheel suspension and shaft tension system for turf maintenance equipment and discloses a castor wheel assembly which is connected to torsional resistance mechanism which limits the swivel movement to approximately ten degrees under typical loads. DE 3,136,203 discloses a castor wheel assembly comprising a mechanism which continually urges the castor wheel assembly towards a preset direction of travel. Accordingly, there is provided a lawn mower comprising a cutting deck mounted on a castor wheel assembly and a wheel alignment mechanism for orientating the direction of travel of the castor wheel assembly characterised in that the weel alignment mechanism is capable of being used in either of the two modes of operation, a first mode where the castor wheel assembly is able to swivel freely, and a second mode where the castor wheel assembly is held in a predetermined direction of travel such that the wheel alignment mechanism orientates the castor wheel assembly to, and holds it in, a predetermined position in said second mode when operated. By constructing the wheel alignment mechanism in this manner, the lawn mower can be easily switched between the two modes. The wheel alignment mechanism preferably comprises a cam mechanism which orientates the castor wheel assembly to, and holds it in, a predetermined position. The wheel alignment mechanism can comprise a first part mounted on the deck and a second part mounted on the castor wheel assembly, a cam mounted on one part which is rotatable relative to an abutment surface mounted on the other part, the direction of travel of the castor wheel assembly being dependent on the relative orientation of the cam and abutment surface wherein the abutment surface is movable relative to the cam between a first position, where the cam is able to freely rotate ideally through 360° relative to the cam surface, and a second position where the cam is held in a predetermined angular orientation relative to the abutment surface by the cam surface, the abutment surface engaging and angularly orientating, the cam relative to the abutment surface into the predetermined angular position during its movement from the first position to the second position. The use of the cam mechanism enables the castor wheel assembly to be automatically brought into alignment from any orientation when the mower is changed from operating in the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation. This avoids the need for the operator to manually orientate the castor wheel assembly prior to locking it into alignment. Such a construction is simple but robust. When the cam surface is located in the first position, the cam and hence the castor wheel assembly can freely rotate. This allows the mower to be used in the first mode of operation. When the cam surface is located in the second position, it holds the position relative to the abutment surface, thus preventing it from rotating and hence prevents the castor wheel assembly from swivelling. The abutment surface aligns the cam as it moves from its first position to its second position. This is achieved by the shapes of the cam and the abutment surface which are configured so that they can interact with each other as the abutment surface moves from its first position to its second position regardless of their relative orientation in order to bring the cam into alignment with the abutment surface. By enabling the cam to rotate through 360° the castor wheel is similarly able to rotate freely through 360°. To provide a simple design, the cam can have an axis of rotation which is the same as the axis of swivel of the castor wheel. To simplify it further the cam can be rigidly attached to the castor wheel so that the cam and castor wheel rotate in unison. The abutment surface can be flat. The cam can be symmetrical about its axis of rotation. The shape of the cam can be generally elongate with curved ends. The cam further comprises flat sides. Alternatively, the shape for the cam is that of the outer periphery of the numeral eight. Another possible shape of cam is elliptical. Such shapes interact easily with a wide range of shapes of abutment surface, particularly a flat surface, regardless of their relative orientation. The movement of the abutment surface may be a linear movement. In one particular design of wheel alignment mechanism, there is provided a manoeuvrable stirrup wherein the cam is located within the stirrup, at least part of the inner surface of the stirrup forming the abutment surface. The use of stirrup ensures that the wheel alignment mechanism does not get clogged up with grass cuttings or other debris generated whilst the lawn mower is being operated. The lawn mower may comprise at least two castor wheel assemblies wherein each castor wheel assembly has a wheel alignment mechanism comprising stirrups which are interconnected by a telescopic rod, the telescopic movement of the rod moving the abutment surfaces of the stirrups between their first and second positions. By fixing the direction of travel of two of the castor wheel mechanisms on a lawn mower, the movement of the lawn mower can be restricted to a preset direction. By interconnecting the two stirrups by a telescopic rod, the mechanism by which both stirrups are moved together is simple and easy to operate. Furthermore, it ensures that the stirrups move in unison and that both stirrups move through their full range of motion so that both castor wheels are able to freely rotate or are both fixed in their direction of travel. The movement of the abutment surface can be pivotal. This can easily be achieved by mounting the cam surface on a pivotal arm. The lawn mower could comprise at least two castor wheel assemblies which each have a wheel alignment mechanism, comprising pivotal arms which are interconnected by a bar which moves the pivotal arm in unison. The use of such a bar ensures that the wheel alignment mechanisms operate in unison. The movement of the abutment surface is ideally controlled by a mechanical link. Once such link is a bowden cable. The use of the bowden cable enables the operator to change the mode of operation of the mower whilst holding the handle. This enables the mode to be changed during the operation of the mower and ensures that the hands of the operator are kept away from the rotating blade. As an alternative to a mechanism link, the movement of the abutment surface can be provided by the pivotal movement of a lever. The use of a pivotal lever enables the operator to change the mode of operation of the mower easily and quickly with his foot. Ideally, it comprises a flange located adjacent to the cam, the flange preferably extending past the abutment. The use of a flange prevents interference of the operation of the cam mechanism caused by dirt and debris from being thrown up from under the cutting deck. The flange can be rigidly attached to the cam. The stirrup can slide over a surface of the flange when the abutment surface moves between the first position and second position. The flange can thereby provide support for the stirrup. In one construction, the bowden cable is controlled by a lever box comprising a ratchet mechanism which connects to the bowden cable. Four embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of examples with reference to the following drawings of which:- Figure 1 is a side view of a lawn mower according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the central mount of the rear castor wheel of the lawn mower shown in Figure 7; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the figure of eight cams of the rear wheels located within the stirrups as described in the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4A and 4B show the two positions of the stirrups as described in the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 shows the figure of eight cam and the pivotal arm in its first outer position as described in the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 shows the figure of eight cam and the pivotal arm in its second inner position as described in the second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 7 shows the oval cam as described in the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 shows a vertical cross section of the lever box with a ratchet mechanism for operation of the bowden cable used in conjunction with the first embodiment wheel alignment. Figures 9A to 9C show the central mount of the castor wheel assembly used in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 1, a lawn mower comprises a cutting deck (2) comprising a frame mounted on four castor wheel assemblies (4) located near to the four corners of the deck (2), an electric motor (not shown) mounted on the deck and a hood (6) which encloses the motor. The motor rotatingly drives a cutting blade (not shown) mounted below the deck (2) on the output drive spindle of the motor about a substantially vertical axis in known fashion. A handle (8), formed from a hollow metal tube, is attached to the rear of the deck (2). Located on the handle is a lever (10) which projects from a lever box (12) attached to the handle (8) and which encloses an electric switch (not shown). An electric cable (14) runs between the lever box (12) and the motor. A second cable (16) runs from the lever box (12) to a plug (18) for attachment to a mains electricity power supply. Depression of the lever (10) activates the motor when the plug (18) is attached to a power supply. Each castor wheel assembly (4) comprises two wheels of equal dimensions which are mounted on a central mount (20) adjacent to each other and which have the same axis of rotation. Figures 2 and 3 show the central mount. The central mount (20) comprises a vertical sleeve (22), a vertical triangular flange (24) attached to the side of the base of the sleeve (22) and two rods (26) of circular cross section which project perpendicularly from the sides of the triangular flange (24) in opposite directions. The sleeve (22) forms a bore (28) of circular cross section which is sealed at the base end. The two horizontal rods (26) form axles upon which the two wheels are mounted. Each of the wheels are retained upon the axles (26) by means of a clip (not shown) and are able to freely rotate about the axles (26). The central mount (20) is formed from a plastics material, preferably low friction and in a one piece construction. At least the two central mounts (20) for the two rear castor wheel assemblies each include a figure of eight cam (30) integrally formed with the central mount around the sleeve (22) between the top of the sleeve (22) and the triangular flange (24). The central mount (20) for the two front castor wheel assemblies may similarly comprise figure of eight cams (30). Each castor wheel assembly is mounted on a metal rod (32) which is rigidly attached to and projects vertically downwards from the underside of the cutting deck (2) as best shown in Figure 1. The metal rod (32) has a circular cross section having a diameter which is slightly less than that of the bore (28) of the central mount (20). The metal rod (32) is located within the bore (18) of the central mount, the central mount (20) being able to freely rotate about the metal rod (32). A clip (not shown) holds the central mount (20) onto the metal rod (32), preventing it from sliding off the rod (32) whilst allowing it to freely rotate about the rod (32). The figure of eight cam (30) is so called because the outer periphery of the cam (30) is shaped in a similar manner to the outer periphery of the numeral "8" when viewed from above (as best shown in Figure 3). The thickness of the figure of eight cam (30) is uniform across the width and length of the cam (30). One circular lobe (34) of the figure of eight cam (30) projects horizontally in the same direction as the forward direction of travel of the castor wheel (4), perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve (22). The second circular lobe (36) projects horizontally in the opposite direction to the first lobe, in the reverse direction of travel of the castor wheel. The dimensions of the two lobes (34, 36) are the same. The two lobes are mounted symmetrically about the sleeve (22) and hence about the axis of swivel. Each of the two figure of eight cams (30) on the two rear castor wheel assemblies are located within a stirrup (38) (as best shown in Figure 3). Each stirrup (38) comprises a flat rectangular plastic end piece (40) having a vertical rectangular hole (42), forming a rectangular frame which surrounds the figure of eight cam (30). The thickness of the stirrup (38) is uniform and is approximately equal to that of the cam (30). The two stirrups (38) are rigidly attached to the ends of a telescopic rod. The telescopic rod comprises two sections (42, 46), a first section (44) which is capable of sliding into and out of a second section (46). The telescopic rod is positioned so that its longitudinal axis is horizontal and extends widthways between the two rear castor wheels (4) under the deck (2) of the mower. Integrally formed on each of the two sections is a hoop (98) through which a rod (not shown) projects in a direction indicated by dashed lines (96). The rod (96) is rigidly mounted on the inner wall of the deck (2). The hoops (98) support the telescopic rod and prevent it from rotating about into longitudinal axis whilst allowing the two halves telescopically move relative to each other. A spring (not shown) is located within the telescopic rod which biases the first section (44) out of the second section (46). A bowden cable (48) which comprises a cable (50) surrounded along its length by a sleeve (52) runs between the handle (8) of the mower and the telescopic rod. The sleeve (52) of the bowden cable (48) is attached to the second section (46) of the telescopic rod. The cable (50) within the sleeve (52) of the bowden cable (48) extends beyond the sleeve (52) inside the second section (46) of the telescopic rod and attaches to the first section (44) of telescopic rod. Movement of the cable (50) into the sleeve (52) of the bowden cable moves the first section (44) into the second section of the telescopic rod by a corresponding amount against the biasing force of the spring. Figures 4A and 4B show the bowden cable (48) attached to the two sections (46,48) of the telescopic rod in a slightly different manner to that shown in Figure 3. In Figures 4A and 4B, the cable (50) of the bowden cable (48) extends from the sleeve (52) externally of the second section (46) and attaches to the first section (46). However, the telescopic rod in Figures 4A and 4B operates in the same manner as that in Figure 3. The other end of the bowden cable (48) attaches to a pivotal lever (54) mounted within a lever box (100) which is mounted on the handle (8) of the lawn mower. Pivotal movement of the lever (54) results in the relative movement between the sleeve (52) of the bowden cable (48) and the cable (50) within it. Figure 8 shows the lever box (100) which comprises two plastic clamshells (101) connected together. The rear handle (8), which comprises a hollow metal tube, passes through the lever box (100). A plurality of ribs (102) are integrally formed on the inside of both clamshells and which are shaped to receive and hold the metal tube of the handle (8) when the clamshells are connected together. The two clamshells are attached to each other using three screws, which screw into three bases (103). When the lever box (100) is mounted onto the tube, the tube is sandwiched between the two clamshells. The ribs (102) locate the tube within the clamshells and grip the tube. A bend (104) within the tube is located within the lever box which co-operates with the ribs (102) so as to prevent the lever box (100) sliding along the tube. The lever (54) pivots about an axis (106). The sleeve (52) of the bowden cable (48) terminates in a circular flange (108) which has a diameter greater than the sleeve (52). The flange slots into a recess (110) formed in the clamshells and holds the flange (108) and sleeve (52) stationary relative to the lever box (100). The cable (50) within the bowden cable (48) is attached to the lever (54) at a point away from its axis (106) of pivot so that pivotal movement of the lever (54) results in a sliding movement of the cable (50) within the sleeve (52). The spring is mounted within the telescopic rod which biases the cable (50) relative to the sleeve (52) so that, at the lever box (100) end of the bowden cable (48), the cable (50) is biased towards being withdrawn into the sleeve (52). The cable (50) of the bowden cable (48) terminates in a spherical metal ball (116). The pivotal lever (54) comprises a cylindrical recess (118) of similar dimensions to the spherical ball (116) and which has a slot which projects from the recess (118) to the front of the lever (54). The spherical ball (116) is located within the recess (118), the cable (50) passing from the recess (118), through the slot towards the sleeve (52). Pivotal movement of the lever (54) moves the ball (116) and hence cable (50) resulting in relative movement between the cable (50) and the sleeve (52) of the bowden cable (48). Formed on the lever (54) is a projection (120) on which is formed a series of teeth (122). A resilient catch (124) is mounted at one end (126) in the housing and projects through a hole (123) formed in the wall of the housing. The catch (126) is flexible in the direction indicated by Arrow A. A ridge (128) is formed on the side of the catch (124). The catch (124) is biased towards the teeth (122) so that it engages with the teeth (122). When the lever (54) is pulled, the ridge (128) rides over the teeth (122). The teeth (122) are shaped so that the ridge (128) is prevented from riding over the teeth (122) in the reverse direction. Thus when the lever (54) is squeezed and then released, the catch (124) prevents the lever (54) from returning to its original position by the biasing force of the spring in the telescopic rod. In order to release the lever (54), the operator would push the external part (130) of the catch (124) forward (Arrow A), bending the catch (124) and disengaging the ridge (128) from the teeth (122). When the ridge (128) is disengaged, the lever (54) is able to pivot to its original position due to the biasing force of the spring. The catch (124) and teeth (122) act as a ratchet mechanism. In operation, the operator squeezes the lever (54) to pull the cable (50) to operate the telescopic rod. The operator then releases the lever (54). However, the lever (54)is retained in the squeezed position by catch (124). In order to release the lever (54), the operator slides the external part of the catch (124) forward, releasing lever (54) allowing it to pivot to original position allowing the bowden cable (50) to move back to its original position within the sleeve (52). Each of the stirrups are moveable between two positions, an inner position shown in Figure 4A and an outer position shown in Figure 4B, by axial sliding movement of the two sections of the telescopic rod. In the outer position (Figure 4B), the vertical axis of the stirrup (38) which passes through the centre of the rectangular aperture (42) is aligned with the axis of swivel of the castor wheel assembly (i.e. the longitudinal axis of the bore (28)). In this position the figure of eight cam is located centrally within the rectangular aperture. The length and width of the rectangular aperture are both greater than the length of the figure of eight cam. Thus, when the stirrup is in the outer position, the figure of eight cam can freely rotate within the rectangular aperture, allowing the castor wheel to freely rotate about the metal rod. In the inner position (Figure 4A) the stirrup (38) has moved inwardly to such an extent that part (56) of the inner wall of the rectangular aperture (42) abuts against the sides of the two lobes (34, 36) of the figure of eight cam (30). Whilst the stirrup (38) is in this position the figure of eight cam (30) is held stationary and prevented from rotating, thus preventing the castor wheel assembly (4) from rotating about the metal rod (32). Therefore, when the stirrup (38) is located in the second position, the direction of travel of the castor wheel assemblies (4) remains fixed in a forward/rearward direction. In use, the stirrups (38) are biased towards the outer position by the spring located within the telescopic rod. The rear wheels are, therefore, able to freely rotate about their axis of swivel. An operator can manoeuvre the lawn mower in any direction. However, when the operator wishes to fix the direction of travel of the mower in a forward/rearward direction, he pulls on the lever (54) which, in turn, pulls the cable (50) into the sleeve (52) of the bowden cable (48). The relative movement of the cable (50) and sleeve (52) of the bowden cable (48) pulls the first section (44) of the telescopic rod into the second section (46) of the telescopic rod against the biasing force of the spring moving the two stirrups from their outer positions towards their inner positions. Whilst the stirrup is in the outer position, the figure of eight cam (30) may be located at any angular orientation within the rectangular aperture of the stirrup. As the stirrup (38) moves from the first to second position, part (56) of the inner surface of the stirrup (38) will engage with the side of one or other of the lobes (34, 36) depending on the angular orientation of the figure of eight cam (30). As the stirrup (38) continues to move inwardly the outer edge of the lobe (34, 36) in contact with the inner surface (56) of the stirrup will slide along the inner surface (56), causing the figure of eight cam (30), together with the castor wheel (4), to rotate. The stirrup (38) continues to move inwardly until the figure of eight cam (30) has rotated sufficiently so that the side of the second lobe (34, 36) also comes into contact with the inner surface (56) of the stirrup (38). The figure of eight cam (30) is thus prevented from rotating any further, the stirrup (38) also being prevented from sliding inwardly any further. When both lobes (34, 36) are in contact with the inner surface (56) the stirrup is located in the inner position. Whilst in this position the figure of eight cam (30) is aligned with part (56) of the inner surface of the stirrup. Thus, the direction of travel of the rear castor wheel assemblies (4) remains fixed. By operating in this manner, the inner surface (56) of the stirrup (38) acts as an abutment surface, engaging with the figure of eight cam (30) and rotating it to a predetermined direction as the stirrup (38) moves from the first to the second position, and holding it stationary in the predetermined position whilst the stirrup (38) remains in the second inner position. The stirrups (38) are maintained in the inner positions by the operator holding the lever (54) which in turn holds on the bowden cable (48). In order to move the stirrups (38) from their second inner positions to their first outer positions, the operator releases the lever (54), removing any tension from the bowden cable (48). The first section (44) of the telescopic rod is pushed outwardly from the second section (46) due to the biasing force of the spring. The telescopic rod extends until the stirrups (38) move to their outer positions. During the movement of the stirrups from their inner second positions to their outer first positions, the inner surface (56) disengages from the cam (30) allowing it to rotate and moves to a position such that the cam (30) is able to freely rotate. Figures 5 and 6 show the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the rear castor wheels of the lawn mower are constructed in the same manner as in the first embodiment and are mounted on vertical metal rods (32) in the same manner as in the first embodiment. However, an alternative mechanism to the stirrups (38) and the bowden cable (48) is utilised. Adjacent to each rear castor wheel (4) is located an arm (58). The arm (58) is pivotally attached to the underside of the cutting deck (the axis of pivot is indicated by reference number 60). The arm (58) comprises an engagement surface (62) along one side is mounted so that the engagement surface can be pivoted towards or away from the outer edge of the figure of eight cam (30). The arm (58) can be pivoted between two positions, an outer position (see Figure 5) away from the figure of eight cam (30) and an inner position (see Figure 6) against the side of the figure of eight cam (30). In the first position, the arm (58) is located a sufficient distance away from the figure of eight cam (30) so that the cam (30) and thus the castor wheel (4) can freely rotate about the rod (32). In the second inner position, the arm has moved pivotally inwardly to such an extent that the engagement surface (62) of the arm (58) abuts against the sides of the two lobes (34, 36) of the figure of eight cam (30). Whilst the arm (58) is held in this position, the figure of eight cam (30) is held stationary and prevented from rotating, thus preventing the castor wheel assembly (4) from rotating about the metal rod (32). Therefore, whilst the arm (58) is located in the second position, the direction of travel of the castor wheel assembly (4) remains fixed in a forward/rearward position. The two arms (56) on the two rear castor wheel assemblies (4) are interconnected by a bar (64) which, at one end, pivotally connects to one arm (58), and at the other end, pivotally connects to the other arm (58). The bar (64) ensures that the two arms (58) move in unison. A lever (66) is attached to one of the arms (58) to enable a user to pivot the arms (58) between the two positions. The lever (62) is of known design and therefore is only shown schematically in Figures 5 and 6. When an operator wishes to freely manoeuvre the mower, he moves the arms (58) to their first position (Figure 5). When the operator wishes to lock the direction of travel of the two rear wheels he moves the arms (58) to their second position. As the arms (58) move from the first to second positions, the engagement surface (62) will engage with the side of one or other of the lobes (34, 36), depending on the angular orientation of the figure of eight cam (30). As the arm (58) continues to move inwardly, the outer edge of the lobe (34, 36) in contact with the engagement surface (62) will slide along the engagement surface (62) causing the figure of eight cam (30), together with the castor wheel (4), to rotate. The arm (58) continues to move inwardly until the figure of eight cam (30) has rotated sufficiently so that the side of the second lobe (34, 36) also comes into contact with the engagement surface (62). The figure of eight cam (30) is thus prevented from rotating any further, the arm (58) also being prevented from pivoting inwardly any further. When both lobes (34, 36) are in contact with the engagement surface (62) the arm (58) is located in the second inner position. Whilst in this position the figure of eight cam (30) is aligned with the engagement surface (62). Thus, the direction of travel of the rear castor wheels (4) remains fixed. By operating in this manner, the engagement surface (58) acts as an abutment surface, engaging with the figure of eight cam (30) and rotating it to a predetermined direction as the arm (58) moves from the first to the second position, and holding it stationary in the predetermined position whilst the arm (58) remains in the second inner position. The lever (66) can be latched in either of the two positions by a catch mechanism (not shown) or a self locking device (not shown). In a third embodiment, the figure of eight cam (30), disclosed in the first and second embodiments, is replaced with an elliptical cam (68) (as best seen in Figure 7). The fourth embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the central mount (20) of each castor wheel assembly disclosed in the first embodiment is replaced with a central mount (20') as disclosed in Figures 9A to 9C. The construction of the central mount (20') is the same as that described in the first embodiment except that the figure of eight cam has been replaced by an elliptical shaped cam (30') and a flange (200) which has been added below the cam (30'). The flange is integrally formed with the central mount (20'). The plane of the flange (200) is parallel to that of the cam, the flange (200) being adjacent to and abutting against the cam. When the cam is located within the stirrup (38) the flange (200) is located below the stirrup. The top surface of the flange (200) provides a guide surface for stirrup over which the stirrup slides. The dimensions of the flange (200) are such that it is unable to pass through the hole (42) formed by the stirrup (38) and covers the base of the hole (42) whilst the stirrup (38) is in either its inner or outer position and any position in between. The flange (200) prevents dirt thrown up from below the lawn mower from interfering with the wheel alignment mechanism. The flange can also provide support for stirrup which can rest on the flange (200). It will be appreciated by the reader that the use of a flange (200) can be any shape of cam including but not limited to, a figure of `8' cam. A lip (202) is formed around the central sleeve to form a groove (204) between the lip (202) and the cam (30').

Claims: A lawn mower comprising a cutting deck (2) mounted on at least one castor wheel assembly (4) and a wheel alignment mechanism (30, 38) for orientating the direction of travel of the castor wheel assembly (4); characterised in that the wheel alignment mechanism is capable of being used in either of two modes of operation, a first mode where the castor wheel assembly is able to swivel freely, and a second mode where the castor wheel assembly is held in a predetermined direction of travel such that the wheel alignment mechanism (30, 38) when operated orientates the castor wheel assembly (4) to and holds it in the predetermined position in said second mode. A lawn mower as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the wheel alignment mechanism (30, 38) comprises a cam mechanism which orientates the castor wheel assembly (4) to and holds it in a predetermined position. A lawn mower as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the wheel alignment mechanism (30, 38) comprises a first part mounted on the deck (2) and a second part mounted on the castor wheel assembly (4), a cam (30) mounted on one part which is rotatable relative to an abutment surface (56) mounted on the other part, the direction of travel of the castor wheel assembly (4) being dependent on the relative orientation of the cam (30) and abutment surface (56) wherein the abutment surface (56) is movable relative to the cam (30) between a first position, where the cam (30) is able to freely rotate relative to the abutment surface (56), and a second position where the cam (30) is held in a predetermined angular orientation relative to the abutment surface (56) by the abutment surface (56), the abutment surface (56) engaging and angularly orientating the cam (30) relative to the abutment surface (56) into the predetermined angular position during its movement from the first position to the second position. A lawn mower as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the cam (30) can freely rotate relative to the abutment surface through 360° when the abutment surface (56) is located in the first position. A lawn mower as claimed in either of Claims 3 or 4 wherein the cam (30) has an axis of rotation which is the same as the axis of swivel of the castor wheel assembly (4). A lawn mower as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the cam (30) is rigidly attached to the castor wheel assembly (4) so that the cam (30) and castor wheel assembly (4) rotate in unison. A lawn mower as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 6 wherein the shape of the cam (30) is symmetrical about its axis of rotation. A lawn mower as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 7 wherein the shape of the cam is generally elongate with curved ends. A lawn mower as claimed in claim 8 wherein the cam has flat sides. A lawn mower as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the cam (30) is shaped like the outer periphery of the numeral "8". A lawn mower as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the cam (68) is elliptical in shape. A lawn mower as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 11 wherein the movement of the abutment surface (56) is a linear movement. A lawn mower as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 12 wherein the cam (30) is located within a movable stirrup (38), at least part of the inner surface (56) of the stirrup (38) forming the abutment surface. A lawn mower as claimed in Claim 13 wherein the lawn mower comprises at least two castor wheel assemblies (4), each castor wheel assembly (4) having a wheel alignment mechanism, the stirrups (38) of which are interconnected by a telescopic rod (44, 46), the telescopic movement of the rod (44, 46) moving the abutment surfaces (56) of the stirrups (38) between their first and second positions. A lawn mower as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 11 wherein the movement of the abutment surface (62) is pivotal. A lawn mower as claimed in Claim 15 wherein the abutment surface (62) is formed on a pivotal arm (58). A lawn mower as claimed in Claim 16 wherein the lawn mower comprises at least two castor wheel assemblies (4), each castor wheel assembly (4) having a wheel alignment mechanism (30, 52), the pivotal arms (58) of which are interconnected by a bar (64) which moves the pivotal arms (58) in unison. A lawn mower as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 17 wherein the movement of the abutment surface (56) is controlled by a mechanical link (48). A lawn mower as claimed in Claim 16 where the movement of the abutment surface (56) is activated by the use of a bowden cable (48). A lawn mower as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 17 wherein the movement of the abutment surface (62) is generated by the pivotal movement of a lever (66). A lawn mower as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 20 wherein the wheel alignment mechanism comprises a flange (200) located adjacent to the cam. A lawn mower as claimed in claim 21 wherein the flange extends past the abutment surface. A lawn mower as claimed in either of claims 21 or 22 wherein the flange (200) is rigidly attached to the cam. A lawn mower as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 23 wherein the stirrup slides over a surface of the flange when the abutment surface moves between the first position and second position. A lawn mower as claimed in claim 19 wherein the movement of the bowden cable is controlled by a lever box comprising a ratchet mechanism which connects to the bowden cable.

Inventors: THOMAS ROGER, THOMAS, ROGER
Applicants: BLACK & DECKER INC, BLACK & DECKER INC.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A01D75
IPC codes: B60B33, A01D75, A01D34