Patent Publication Number: US-2021170433-A1

Title: Foot controlled stand up zero turn radius utility vehicle

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/988,948, entitled “Foot Controlled Stand Up Zero Turn Radius Utility Vehicle”, and filed on May 24, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/255,958, entitled “Foot Controlled Stand Up Zero Turn Radius Utility Vehicle”, and filed on Sep. 2, 2016, which is now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,046,798, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Embodiments relate generally to utility vehicles, and, more particularly to a foot controlled stand up zero turn radius utility vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Some conventional utility vehicles may not be suitable for certain applications such as operating handheld equipment (e.g., line trimmer, edger, hedge trimmer, etc.) due to a need for some conventional vehicles to be operated by hand controls and/or due to the front of some conventional vehicles (e.g., a mower) having a platform or deck (e.g., for a mower blade or other equipment) extending out from the conventional vehicle such that operating handheld equipment to contact the ground (e.g., a line trimmer or edger) may be difficult or cumbersome. 
     One or more embodiments were conceived in light of the above-mentioned limitations or problems, among other things. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some implementations can include a zero turn radius (each drive wheel is independently controlled) utility vehicle that is operated in a standing position (“stand up”) by an operator using foot controls provided on the utility vehicle. Accordingly, the operator&#39;s hands are free to operate handheld equipment (e.g., a line trimmer, edger, blower, etc.) while the operator controls the utility vehicle via the foot controls. Further, the utility vehicle may have a single third wheel (and no mower deck or other deck or protrusion) extending from the front of the vehicle frame so as to minimize any protrusions to the front, which can permit the operator to work on the ground in front of the utility vehicle using handheld equipment (e.g., line trimmer, edger, hedge trimmer, blower, etc.) without interference from a mower deck or the like, while remaining on the utility vehicle and being able to simultaneously control the utility vehicle (via foot controls) and perform work with handheld equipment. 
     Some implementations can include a utility vehicle comprising a frame having a single front caster wheel, a front operator support, a standing operation section, a rear operator support, a right rear drive wheel and a left rear drive wheel. The utility vehicle can also comprise an engine coupled to the frame and to a drive system configured to independently control respective speed and rotation direction of a left rear drive wheel and a right rear drive wheel. The utility vehicle can further comprise a foot control section disposed in the standing operation section having a left foot control, a stationary center portion and a right foot control, wherein the left and right foot controls are connected to the drive system, and wherein the left foot control controls the speed and direction of the left drive wheel and the right foot control controls the speed and direction of the right drive wheel. The stationary center portion can be elevated so as to extend above the left foot control and the right foot control. 
     The utility vehicle can also include a removable elevated standing platform having a standing section, railing, a first leg and a second leg. The first leg can be longer than the second leg. The utility vehicle can also include a sprayer system including a sprayer tank, a sprayer handle, a sprayer pump coupled to the tank and the sprayer handle. The utility vehicle can further comprise a sprayer handle holder disposed adjacent to the sprayer tank. 
     The utility vehicle can also include an accessory tray disposed on the rear operator support and extending toward the engine. 
     In some implementations, the engine can include a combustion engine and the utility vehicle can include a fuel tank coupled to the engine. In other implementations, the engine can include an electric motor and the utility vehicle can include a battery to power the electric motor. 
     The utility vehicle can also include an engine starter switch, a throttle control, and/or a brake control. The utility vehicle can further include a ballast weight disposed on an exterior of the front operator support. 
     The utility vehicle can also include an anti-tip device disposed on an exterior lower rear portion of the frame. The utility vehicle can include a trailer hitch disposed on an exterior lower rear portion of the frame. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a side view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle in accordance with some implementations. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a top view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle in accordance with some implementations. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram showing a front view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle in accordance with some implementations. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a back view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle in accordance with some implementations. 
         FIGS. 5-7  are diagrams showing a front view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle with a raised standing platform being installed in accordance with some implementations. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing a side view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle with a raised standing platform installed in accordance with some implementations. 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  are diagrams showing details of example foot controls in accordance with some implementations. 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram showing a top view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle in accordance with some implementations. 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram showing a side view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle&#39;s brake locking system in the unlocked position in accordance with some implementations. 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram showing a side view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle&#39;s brake locking system in the locked position in accordance with some implementations. 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram showing a side view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle with a broadcast spreader being installed in accordance with some implementations. 
         FIG. 15  is a diagram showing a side view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle with a broadcast spreader installed in accordance with some implementations. 
         FIG. 16  is a diagram showing a side view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle with a dump box installed in accordance with some implementations. 
         FIG. 17  is a diagram showing a side view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle with a utility box installed in accordance with some implementations. 
         FIG. 18  is a diagram showing a top view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle with a leaf blower installed in accordance with some implementations. 
         FIG. 19  is a diagram showing a side view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle with a track drive in accordance with some implementations. 
         FIG. 20  is a diagram showing a side view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle with a leaf plow attachment installed in accordance with some implementations. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be appreciated that the diagrams described herein are for illustration purposes and may not be to scale. Also, it will be appreciated that any dimensions described herein are example dimensions for illustration purposes and other dimensions may be used. Also, standard features of an engine and hydraulic drive system are not described herein for purposes of clarity of presenting the disclosed subject matter. A standard gasoline lawnmower engine can be used or a standard electric motor may be used. The hydraulic drive and an example foot control mechanism is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,845,829, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a side view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle in accordance with some implementations. In particular, a stand up zero turn utility vehicle with foot controls  100  can include an engine  102  (e.g., combustion engine or electric motor), a fuel tank (or battery)  104 , a left side rear drive wheel  106 , a right rear drive wheel (not shown in this view), a single front wheel  108 , and a frame including: a front wheel caster  110 , a front wheel support bracket  112 , a rear driver support cushion  114 , a front driver support cushion  116 , a stationary section  118 , a left foot control  120 , a right foot control (not shown in this view), a front operator support  122 , and a rear operator support  124 . Some implementations can include dual front wheels that can have a smaller diameter than a single front wheel. A dual front wheel implementation can include two front wheel assemblies attached to the frame that are similar to the single front wheel assembly including  110  and  112 , see, e.g.,  FIG. 11 . The dual front wheels can be spaced apart and attached to the frame near respective sides. 
     In operation, an operator  126  stands in an essentially upright position within the standing operation section  128  (e.g., between the front operator support  122  and the rear operator support  124 ), sets the brake control ( 214 , shown in  FIG. 2 ), sets the throttle ( 210 , shown in  FIG. 2 ) and starts the engine using an ignition (or power) switch ( 212 , shown in  FIG. 2 ). Once the engine is running or (or powered on in the case of an electric motor), the operator can release the brake control ( 214 ) and cause the utility vehicle to move using the left and right foot controls as described in greater detail below. The operator  126  can support himself/herself using the front operator support  122  and front operator support cushion  116  and the rear operator support  124  and rear operator support cushion  114 . 
     The ground clearance of the utility vehicle can be fixed or adjustable. In some implementation, the clearance between the bottom of the utility vehicle and the ground may be about 5.25 inches to permit the utility vehicle to move freely over lawns, such as those with St. Augustine grass, for example, while maintaining a relatively low center of gravity for stability. 
     An example utility vehicle may have overall dimensions of about 38.5 inches wide and about 54.5 inches long from the front of the front wheel to the rear of the vehicle, with a wheelbase of 35 inches. The front wheel can include a  13   x   5 . 00  tire and the rear drive wheels can include a wheel having a  20   x   7  or  18   x   8 . 50  tire, for example. The front wheel support bracket may extend about 12 inches from the front operator support  122 , which may be about 27⅝ inches high measured from the ground. The top of the rear operator support cushion may be about 38 and ¾ inches from the ground. The operator standing section  128  may be about 18 and ¾ inches from front operator support to rear operator support. The engine section may be about 23 inches from front to rear. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a top view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle in accordance with some implementations. In  FIG. 2 , the left foot control  202 , sprayer tank  204 , and the left rear drive wheel  206  are visible. Also shown in  FIG. 2  is an accessory tray  208  that is recessed into the rear operator support  124 . 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram showing a front view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle in accordance with some implementations. In  FIG. 3 , a ballast weight  302  is shown attached to an exterior of the front operator support  122 . The ballast weight  302  can be sized based on the specific implementations details of a utility vehicle and/or operator weight, height or other characteristics. Also, in  FIG. 3 , recesses  304  and  306  are shown. These recesses are provided for mounting a removable elevated standing platform as show in  FIGS. 5-7 . 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a back view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle in accordance with some implementations. In  FIG. 4 , a pivot member  402  is shown that permits the rear operator support cushion  114  to pivot in relation to the rear operator support  124 .  FIG. 4  also shows the rear operator support frame  404 , a sprayer handle  406 , a sprayer pump  408 , and a spray handle holder  410  disposed adjacent to the sprayer tank  204 .  FIG. 4  also shows a hitch  412  and an anti-tip device  414  both attached to a lower rear portion of the utility vehicle frame. 
       FIGS. 5-7  are diagrams showing a front view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle with an elevated standing platform being installed in accordance with some implementations. An elevated standing platform  502  includes a base for an operator to stand on (as shown in  FIG. 8 ), a railing frame, and a first leg  504 , a second leg  506 , and an elevated standing platform support member  508 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the second leg  506  is longer than the first leg  504  to permit easier insertion of the legs into the corresponding recesses ( 304 ,  306 ) in the front operator support  122 . As the elevated platform standing platform  502  is lower into position ( FIG. 6 ), the second leg  506  engages with the recess  306  before the first leg  504  engages with its corresponding recess  304 . This permits an operator to effectively attach the elevated standing platform  502  one leg at a time. The support member  508  is configured to extend downwardly and engage the front wheel support member  112  to provide additional support to the elevated platform. 
       FIG. 7  shows the elevated standing platform  502  fully installed with both legs ( 504 ,  506 ) fully inserted into corresponding recesses ( 304 ,  306 ). 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram showing a side view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle  100  with an elevated standing platform  502  installed in accordance with some implementations and having an operator  126  standing on the platform.  FIG. 8  also shows support member  508  engaged with the front wheel support member  112 . 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  are diagrams showing details of example foot controls in accordance with some implementations. Example dimensions for the foot control section shown in  FIG. 9  include an “A” dimension of about 26.25 inches, a “B” dimension of about 12.5 inches, a “C” dimension of about 7 and ⅞ inches, a “D” dimension of about 10.5 inches, and an “E” dimension of about 7 and ⅞ inches. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the left foot control  120  rotates about a pivot hinge  1002  and can cause the left rear drive wheel to move in a forward direction when the foot control is pivoted in a first direction (e.g., toward the front of the utility vehicle) and in a reverse direction when the foot control is rotated in a second direction (e.g., toward the rear of the utility vehicle). The stationary section  118  has a height (dimension “F” in  FIG. 10 ) of about 3.5 inches. 
       FIG. 11  shows an example implementation of a foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle  1100  having two front wheels and front wheel assemblies, which include a first front wheel assembly including a first front wheel  108 , a first front wheel caster  110 , a first front wheel support bracket  112 , and a second front wheel assembly including a second front wheel  108 ′, a second front wheel caster  110 ′, a second front wheel support bracket  112 ′. 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  show an example brake locking (or foot control locking) system for a foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle in accordance with some implementations. The brake locking system  1200  includes a brake handle  1202 , a brake handle linkage  1204 , a brake pivot axle  1206 , a connection tab  1207 , an adjustment spring  1208 , a handle lock gear  1210 , a handle lock gear tooth  1212 , a foot control lock gear  1216 , a foot control lock gear tooth  1214 , a foot control linkage  1218 , and a foot control  1220 . 
     The brake locking system  1200  is engaged in the locked position when the handle lock gear tooth  1212  on the handle lock gear  1210  mates with the foot control lock gear tooth  1214  on the foot control lock gear  1216  as shown in  FIG. 13  to prevent movement of the foot control and keep the foot control in a neutral position. When the foot control  1220  is in a neutral position and when the brake handle  1202  is in the locked position a switch or other control (not shown) is actuated. This completes an electrical circuit that will allow the foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle to start. 
     Some implementations can include a single pin or protrusion (e.g., on  1212  or  1214 ) that engages with a single corresponding slot (e.g., on  1212  or  1214 ). 
     The adjustment spring  1208  allow for the brake handle  1202  to be engaged in the locked position even if the lock gear tooth  1212  and the foot control lock gear tooth  1214  are not aligned initially. With the brake handle  1202  in the locked position, pressure is applied to the handle lock gear  1210 , which will engage as soon as the foot control  1220  is slightly moved and causes the tooth to align and locks the foot control  1220 . 
     It will be appreciated that  FIGS. 12 and 13  show the brake locking components for one foot control. Some implementations can include a second set of brake locking components (e.g.,  1207 - 1220 ) for the other foot control, where a first set of components can be provided for the first foot control (e.g., left side) and the second set of components can be provided for the other foot control (e.g., right side). The connection tab(s)  1207  are connected to the brake pivot axle  1206  to transfer the motion from the brake handle  1202  to the other locking mechanism components. 
       FIG. 14  and shows an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle with a broadcast spreader being installed in accordance with some implementations. The broadcast spreader  1400  includes an attachment tube  1402 , an alignment brace  1406 , a hopper  1410 , an agitator  1412 , a motor  1414 , and a power connector  1416  (e.g., to supply power to the motor  1414 ). 
     The attachment tube  1402  on the broadcast spreader  1400  slips inside the frame  1404  of the foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle. The alignment brace  1406  on the broadcast spreader  1400  rests on the front axle support  1408  of the foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle. The power supplied to the broadcast spreader  1400  via the power connector  1416  can be controlled by a switch or other control (not shown) on the foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle. 
       FIG. 15  shows an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle with the broadcast spreader  1400  installed in accordance with some implementations. 
       FIG. 16  shows an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle with a dump box installed in accordance with some implementations. The dump box  1600  includes an attachment tube  1602 , an alignment brace  1606 , a dump box container  1608 , a pivot anchor  1610 , and a dump lever  1612 . 
     The attachment tube  1602  on the dump box  1600  slips inside the frame  1604  of the foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle. The alignment brace  1606  on the dump box  1600  rests on the front axle support  1608  of the foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle. The dump lever  1612  can be actuated to release the dump box container  1608  so that the dump box container  1608  pivots about the pivot anchor  1610  and dumps contents out. 
       FIG. 17  shows an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle with a utility box installed in accordance with some implementations. The utility box  1700  includes an attachment tube  1702 , an alignment brace  1706 , and a utility box container  1710  (e.g., for holding tools, supplies, etc.). 
     The attachment tube  1702  on the utility box  1700  slips inside the frame  1704  of the foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle. The alignment brace  1706  on the utility box  1700  rests on the front axle support  1708  of the foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle. 
       FIG. 18  shows an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle with a leaf blower installed in accordance with some implementations. The leaf blower can include a left side output  1802 , a right-side output  1804 , and a control panel  1806 . 
     The control panel  1806  can be configured to turn on/off one or both of the leaf blower outputs  1802 / 1804 . The leaf blower can be operated, for example, when an operator of the foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle is controlling the vehicle with his or her feet, using his or her hands to perform an edging operation with a handheld edger, and the leaf blower can be used to blow off the surface as the foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle advances past an edged section of lawn or bed. 
       FIG. 19  is a diagram showing a side view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle with a track drive in accordance with some implementations. In  FIG. 19 , the foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle  1900  includes a track drive  1902 . 
       FIG. 20  is a diagram showing a side view of an example foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle with a leaf plow attachment installed in accordance with some implementations. The leaf plow attachment  2000  includes an attachment tube  2002 , a leveling wheel  2004 , a leveling brace  2006 , and a leaf plow  2008 . 
     It is, therefore, apparent that there is provided, in accordance with the various embodiments disclosed herein, a foot controlled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle. 
     While the invention has been described in conjunction with a number of embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations would be or are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. Accordingly, Applicant intends to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents and variations that are within the spirit and scope of the invention.