Abstract:
A adjustable assist device for and method for using the assist device for exiting a zero turn lawn mower or adjusting a cutting deck height of a zero turn lawn mower having an operator deck and an operator seat proximate the operator deck wherein the adjustable assist device is attached and extends upwardly from the deck and is positioned forward of the operator seat and comprises a hand hold section for gripping to aid an operator in reaching a standing position on the operator deck. The adjustable assist device can change its height based on changing the pivot between the device and the deck.

Description:
METHOD OF USE FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a adjustable assist device for use with a riding lawn mower. The device assists a user with getting on and off of the riding lawn mower and can be used for user stability while sitting on or operating the mower if needed. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A zero turn lawn mower is a standard riding lawn mower with a turning radius that is effectively zero. These types of lawn mowers are larger than a standard mower and have a seat generally positioned above a cutting deck such that an operator must step on top of a floor positioned above the cutting deck to sit in the operator&#39;s chair to drive and operate the mower. 
         [0003]    The generally flat surface of the floor above the cutting deck allows the operator to enter and exit the lawn mower and provides access to the seat. When sitting in the seat, which is generally low to the ground, it may difficult to maneuver from seated to standing position or standing to seated position. 
         [0004]    In the prior art, the only devices than an operator may have used for increased stability in exiting and entering the floor include the actual steering and/or drive controlling components, which are generally of an insufficient height to adequately aid the operator and may be inadvertently activated causing the mower to lurch or unexpectedly move if used as an assist device by the operator for exiting or entering the mower. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention relates to a adjustable assist device for a zero turn lawn mower. The lawn mower adjustable assist device is made for attachment to the lawn mower and comprises an upwardly extending handle secured to a top, surface of a riding lawn mower. The base of the handle is typically adapted for connection with the flat surface of the lawn mower, such that the handle remains in a generally upright position allowing an operator to grip the handle to assist the operator in positioning the operator on the mower or in exiting the mower. The assist device is adjustable allowing the user to adjust the height and position of the handle to suit their needs. 
         [0006]    The present invention also relates to a method of exiting a zero turn lawn mower using an adjustable assist device. The method of exiting a zero turn lawn mower having an operator deck and an operator seat proximate the operator deck comprises providing an adjustable assist device that extends upwardly from the deck and is positioned forward of the operator seat. The device has a hand hold section for gripping and the method further comprises gripping the hand hold section from a sitting position to aid in reaching a standing position on the operator deck and further comprises exiting the operator deck with the aid of the adjustable assist device. 
         [0007]    The present invention also relates to a method of adjusting the height of a cutting deck of a zero turn lawn mower using an adjustable assist device. The method of adjusting the cutting deck of a zero turn lawn mower having an operator deck and an operator seat proximate the operator deck comprises providing an adjustable assist device that extends upwardly from the deck and is positioned proximate a foot pedal for adjusting the culling deck and forward of the operator seat. The device has a hand hold section for gripping and the method further comprises gripping the hand hold section from a sitting or standing position while also depressing a deck adjustment foot pedal. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an adjustable assist device. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the adjustable assist device. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the adjustable assist device. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an adjustable assist device installed for use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    There are a number of significant design features and improvements incorporated within the invention. 
         [0013]    The adjustable assist device  10  generally comprises a handle  12  and a connection plate  14 , for connection to a top portion  36  of a riding lawnmower or zero turn lawnmower  16 , proximate a seat for a user or an operator. As used throughout this description, the terms “user” and “operator” are interchangeable. 
         [0014]    The handle  12  comprises a tube or bar, comprised of, for example, 14-gauge steel, aluminum, or any suitable material that maintains stability and structural integrity. The handle  12  is approximately 1.25 inches in diameter to provide for comfortable use with adult hands. The adjustable assist device of this invention is generally to be used as an after-market device such that the device is sold as an attachment to be secured to anyone of various zero-turn lawnmower makes or models. Moreover, the adjustable assist device can provide additional benefits to operators with health or physical issues that may otherwise prevent the operator from operating a riding lawn mower. The adjustable assist device assists operators who may become fatigued easily and also helps to reduce user bending when climbing onto or off of a mower equipped with the adjustable assist device. The device also provides stability for an operator when sitting or standing up from a seated position on the mower, or when adjusting cutting deck height while eliminating the need to use other components of the mower for stability that may not be able to withstand the operator&#39;s force or weight. 
         [0015]    The handle  12  is adapted such that the handle  12  comprises a portion  16 , of substantially straight and level length. The handle base  20  extends downwardly from the handle  12 . It is in an inverted U shape with two parallel side prongs where each side prong of the base  20  has a pivot hole  25  and a positioning hole  15 . The pivot hole  25  and the position hole  15  are centered horizontally. 
         [0016]    Varying heights may be used depending on the size and height of the user. The distal section  22  of the handle  12  is adapted with a slight bend  24  or reasonable curvature along the length such that a distal end section  26  of the handle  12  is substantially perpendicular to the base  20  of the handle  12 . In one example, the distal section  22  is approximately eight (8) inches long wherein the distal end section  26  is approximately 2.8-3 inches long. 
         [0017]    The base  20  can be attached to the handle  12  by either a bolt or by being directly welded to it. 
         [0018]    The distal end section  26  is the portion which a user will grip or grab with their hand and in one embodiment is positioned generally horizontally. This end section  26  may also be foam covered, or a cushion-type material may be provided to surround the end section  26  for gripping to provide comfort when in use and to reduce slippage of the operator&#39;s hand. 
         [0019]    The connection plate  14  comprises a steel or aluminum plate. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the connection plate  14  measures approximately 3.25 inches on each side. The plate is adapted with four of the apertures are positioned equally around the plate and adapted for insertion of a suitable fastener. 
         [0020]    The connection plate  14  has a handle bracket in the center of the connection plate  14 . The handle bracket extends up from bottom of the connection plate  14  and is part of the connection plate  14 . The connection plate  14  is in the shape of an inverted “U”. The top of the handle bracket is flat with the top curving towards the front. The handle bracket has a pivot opening which is a hole that lines up with the base&#39;s  20  pivot hole  25 . The handle  12  is attached to the handle bracket by a locking pin or bolt that runs through the corresponding pivot holes. The handle  12  can move back and forth while being connected to the connection plate  14  through the handle bracket. Any other connection and pivoting means can be used to attach the handle  12  to the connection plate  14 . In the preferred embodiment, the base  20  goes over the handle bracket with the space between the two prongs of the base  20  being slightly longer then the width of the handle bracket. 
         [0021]    The handle  12  has two positioning hole  15  across from each other that, when the handle  12  is attached to the handle bracket, lines up with plurality of positioning slots  21  in the handle bracket. These positioning slots  21  are evenly spaced on the handle bracket. When the handle  12  is in the proper position and angle for the user places a locking pin through one of the positioning holes  15  through the positioning slot  21  at the desired location to the other prong&#39;s positioning hole  15  setting and securing the handle  12  in place. Other securing means can be used such as a bolt and nut system or pressure caps to secure and set the handle  12  in place. 
         [0022]    The plate  14  is secured to a front, top surface  36  of a floor of the lawn mower  16 . The position for securing the handle  12  is selected such that the handle is within reach of a user as the user sits down or stands up with respect to the seat. Preferably, the handle is also positioned on the top of the floor of the lawn mower off to one side. The handle  12  is thus generally at the height of an adult&#39;s outstretched arm while the adult is seated. As the area for securing the handle is generally within an arm&#39;s reach of the adult while seated on the mower, the handle is generally secured proximate the front wheels of the mower. 
         [0023]    The distal end section  26  of the handle, bent as described previously, turns inward toward the center of the lawnmower and substantially parallel to a front edge of the seat, such that it is easy for a seated user to comfortably grip the end portion  28  of the handle. The handle thus allows the user to be assisted when getting out of the seated position as well as assisting a user in getting onto the floor of the mower itself. The handle also provides stability to a user when the user is adjusting the cutting deck  18  of the mower  16 , which is under the floor and seat. 
         [0024]    The device  12  can be secured at any position along the lateral surface  36 . For example, the off-set position of the device may be adjusted based on the side from which an operator steps onto the floor of the mower, or depending on the hand dominance of the user. The device  12  can also be secured to the surface  26  proximate a foot pedal for adjusting the height of the lawnmower cutting deck  18 . The height of the deck is generally adjusted manually by the operator. The operator would depress a foot pedal, the pressure and distance of the depress determining the extent of the raising of the cutting deck or whether the deck will be lowered. The cutting deck includes a housing and blade that are made of metal and therefore the cutting deck is heavy and requires some force to raise and lower the cutting deck. The handle  12  positioned near this foot pedal allows the operator to grip the handle for stability and leverage while depressing the foot pedal and adjusting the height of the cutting deck  18 . 
         [0025]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , arrows  40  and  50  are used to demonstrate the method of using the handle. Arrow  40  generally represents the direction of the operator grip when using the handle in moving from a seated position to a standing position, standing position to seated position, or when adjusting the height of the cutting deck  18 . Arrow  50  generally represents the direction in which the operator may apply force to the foot pedal for adjusting the cutting deck height when also gripping the handle. 
         [0026]    Positioning of the device on the mower as described previously throughout this disclosure further allows the user to take advantage of additional leverage, especially when exiting the mower or rising from a seated position. The device can also be used for stability when sitting in the seat. 
         [0027]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.