Patent GB-345652-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in machines for mowing lawns, fields and the like
IPC: A01D34/63
Filed: 1929-10-24
Abstract: 345,652. Mowing-machines; lawnmowers. SOLNESS, T. T., 551, Lane Cove Road, Artarmon, near Sydney, Australia. Oct. 24, 1929, No. 32283. Convention date, Oct. 25, 1928. [Classes 6 (ii) and 6 (iii).] A machine for mowing lawns, fields, &c., comprises hook-ended cutters co-operating with a fixed cutting-plate and pivotally mounted on a rotary holder so as to be swung outwardly by centrifugal force, the hooked end having a forwardly directed blunt outer edge. The cutter holder 15, Fig. 1, has a chamfered and recessed flange 16 to which the cutters 18 are detachably pivoted by screws 20. The holder 15 is mounted on ball and roller bearings on a fixed shaft 24, being adjustable vertically by turning a sleeve 27 on the screwed end of the shaft 24. The holder is driven by belt gearing 30, 55, 160 from an electric motor 60. It is provided with arcuate webs 31 for directing the cut grass rearwardly. Each cutter 18, Fig. 3, has a hook end 32 with inner cutting edges 33 and an outer smooth and blunt edge 34. The curved edge 35 may be sharpened and may be approximately concentric with the edge of the flange 16. The hooked end is slightly heavier than the other so as to be projected by centrifugal force to a distance limited by the engagement of the other end with the holder or with lugs 36. The cutters 18 recede temporarily beneath the flange 16 if an obstruction is struck. The blunt edge 34 causes a shaking of the grass, which dislodges seeds &c. The fixed cutter plate 37 has an upwardly curved eccentric cutting edge 38 at the front. The rear part of the plate is rectangular and is provided with side wings 40, a slot to receive a sharpening stone, and a projecting lug for clearing or cleaning the cutters. The height of cut is regulated by adjusting a bottom plate 47 by means of screws 46 passing through radial arms carrying the fixed cutter 37 and extending from a boss 45 fixed on the shaft 24. A hood-shaped bracket 50 carries the shaft 24, provision being made for adjusting the position of the latter for taking up slack in the belt 55. The bracket 50 is rockably mounted in arms projecting from a belt-housing framing 58, which supports the motor 60, and to which the axles of the wheels 64 are adjustably attached. The machine is provided with handle arms 65, a deflector plate 66, and a detachable grass collector 67. In modifications the flange 16 and fixed cutter plate 37 may be of various shapes, and the cutters 18 may be inclined at an angle, and may be pivoted above the flange 16. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 (3) (a) describes modifications such as those shown in the cancelled Figs. 9, 12, 14. In the machine shown in Fig. 9 (Cancelled) the cutter holder 15 is carried by arched arms 69 fast on a spindle 71 driven by bevel gearing from the travelling wheels 75. The fixed cutter plate 37 has a serrated front edge and is carried by an open arm frame provided with handles at side points 79. In another construction the cutter plate 37 has serrations on its inner rear edge as well as on its outer front edge, the cutters 18 having extra cutting edges to overlap the inner rear edge of the plate 37 which may also be provided with comb teeth. Rollers may be provided at the sides of the machines to prevent them from scraping against walls &c. A machine for cutting grass for hay comprises several cutting units fastened together in alignment, or having their fixed cutter plates 37, Fig. 12 (Cancelled), integral. The plates or rings 37 are of arcuate section and have arcuate bases. The cutter holders 15 are flat and are driven by worm gearing from a shaft 189 driven by spur and chain gearing from the axle. Fig. 14 (Cancelled) shows part of a machine propelled by an electric motor which also drives the cutter holder. The motor 101 is mounted in a roller 99 and drives it at reduced speed through spur gearing 107, 108, 111, 112. The motor drives the cutter holder 15 through a belt, pulleys 113, 114, and bevel gearing 117, 118. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.