Patent Publication Number: US-2019183039-A1

Title: Zero-turn vehicle having a rotatable engine guard

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a zero-turn (“ZT”) vehicle, particularly a ZT lawnmower, having a rotatable or pivoting engine guard or shroud system. 
     A ZT vehicle typically includes a frame and three or four wheels, such as one or two swiveling wheels mounted toward a front of the frame and two relatively large driving wheels at a rear of the frame. The driving wheels rotate independently of each other based on input from an operator. The operator can control the rotational speeds of the driving wheels via control levers, each associated with a respective driving wheel. 
     In conventional landscape machinery, such as ZT vehicles and particularly ZT lawnmowers, the engine is typically covered and protected by a shroud or guard for the safety of the operator. In particular, the engine guard prevents users or environmental components from coming into contact with the engine, as these could cause damage to the engine. The guard or shroud also prevents a user from easily accessing the engine, thereby reducing the risk of the user being harmed by the engine or of the engine causing damage to environment. 
     In some conventional lawnmowers, the engine guard is attached by fasteners to the lawnmower frame, such that tools are required to remove the engine guard. Such conventional engine guards are problematic because tools are not always available in the field. The engine guard may also be damaged or displaced when removed from the lawnmower. In other conventional lawnmowers, only a portion of the engine guard needs to be removed or moved in order to allow a user to access a portion of the engine, with or without the use of tools. However, such conventional engine guards can be problematic because they do not allow access to the entire engine, for example, for servicing of the engine. 
     Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a ZT vehicle, and particularly a ZT lawnmower, which does not require tools for movement or removal of the engine guard, thereby providing a user easy access to the entire engine while also keeping the engine secured against damage from outside influences. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a zero-turn (“ZT”) vehicle comprising a frame, an engine supported on the frame and configured to output rotational power, two or more driving wheels rotatably mounted to an underside of the frame, and a guard having a first end and a second end. The first end of the guard is fixedly secured to the frame by a hinge mechanism, and the second end of the guard is configured to engage the frame by a latching mechanism. In a first position, the second end of the guard is engaged with the frame by the latching mechanism, such that the engine is covered by the guard. In a second position, the second end of the guard is disengaged from the frame by the latching mechanism, such that the guard is rotatable about the hinge mechanism so as to expose the engine from the guard. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment which is presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear and right side perspective view of a rotatable engine guard according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the rotatable engine guard of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a left side elevational view of the rotatable engine guard of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a right side elevational view of the rotatable engine guard of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the rotatable engine guard of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front and right side perspective view of a ZT lawnmower including the rotatable engine guard of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a front and left side perspective view of the ZT lawnmower including the rotatable engine guard of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged front and right side perspective view of a ZT lawnmower including the rotatable engine guard of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to an embodiment of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for the purpose of describing the particular embodiment only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. 
     As used in the description of the invention, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The words “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The words “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence of addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof 
     It should also be understood that the terms “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” “substantially” and like terms, used herein when referring to a dimension or characteristic of a component of the invention, indicate that the described dimension/characteristic is not a strict boundary or parameter and does not exclude minor variations therefrom that are functionally similar. At a minimum, such references that include a numerical parameter would include variations that, using mathematical and industrial principles accepted in the art (e.g., rounding, measurement or other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.), would not vary the least significant digit. 
     The words “right,” left,” “lower,” “upper,” “front” and “rear” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the guard, and designated parts thereof. The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. 
     Although the words first, second, etc., are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these words. These words are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first shaft could be termed a second shaft without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-8 , a rotatable engine guard according to an embodiment of the present invention, herein referred to as the “guard” and generally designated  10 , is shown. The guard  10  is attached to a ZT vehicle  100 , and more particularly a ZT lawnmower  100 . The ZT lawnmower  100  comprises a frame  102 , an engine  104  supported on the frame  102  and configured to output rotational power, and two or more driving wheels  106  rotatably mounted to an underside of the frame  102 . 
     The guard  10  comprises a body  11 , preferably formed of a first segment  12 , a second segment  14 , and a third segment  16 . In one embodiment, the first, second and third segments  12 ,  14 ,  16  are preferably fixedly attached together, such that the second segment  14  is securedly attached to the first segment  12 , and the third segment  16  is securedly attached to the second segment  14  opposite the first segment  12 . In another embodiment, the first, second and third segments  12 ,  14 ,  16  are preferably integrally formed with each other. 
     The first segment  12  has first and second ends  12   a,    12   b,  the second segment  14  has first and second ends  14   a,    14   b,  and the third segment  16  has first and second ends  16   a,    16   b.  The first end  14   a  of the second segment  14  is attached to or integrally formed with the second end  12   b  of the first segment  12 , and the first end  16   a  of the third segment  16  is attached to or integrally formed with the second end  14   b  of the second segment  14 . The second end  16   b  of the third segment  16  is a free distal end. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the guard  10  has a first end  18  extending in a first plane A and a second end  20  extending in a second plane B. The first and second planes A, B are spaced apart from each other and extend parallel to each other. The first segment  12  is disposed at the first end  18  and thus extends in the first plane A, while the third segment  16  is disposed at the second end  20  and thus extends in the second plane B. The second segment  14  extends in a third plane C which is generally orthogonal to the first and second planes A, B. More particularly, the second segment  14  extends between and perpendicular to the first and third segments  12 ,  16 . As such, the body  11  formed by the plurality of segments  12 ,  14 ,  16  is generally U-shaped (see  FIG. 5 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , each of the segments  12 ,  14 ,  16  is preferably formed as a planar web  22  including a plurality of apertures or openings  24  formed therein. The apertures  24  are formed through the thickness of the segments  12 ,  14 ,  16 . The apertures  24  may be formed in a random arrangement or in a predetermined arrangement designed to afford an optimum view of an engine  104  of a ZT vehicle  100  which is protected by the guard  10  (see  FIGS. 6-7 ). By providing the plurality of apertures  24  connected by the planar web  22 , the guard  10  has sufficient rigidity as needed to securely cover the engine  104  of the ZT vehicle  100 , while also having a low weight and reduced material costs. The plurality of segments  12 ,  14 ,  16  are preferably made of a metallic material, but may be made of a polymeric, ceramic, wooden, or any other suitable material well known in the art. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 and 4-5 , the guard  10  also includes a hinge  26  fixedly attached to at least one of the first segment  12  and the third segment  16 , and more particularly to one of the first end  12   a  of the first segment  12  and the second end  16   b  of the third segment  16 . That is, the hinge  26  may be provided at either the first end  18  or the second end  20  of the guard  10 , or alternatively, both ends  18 ,  20  of the guard  10  may include a hinge  26  fixedly attached thereto. 
     The hinge  26  includes a hinge pin  28  which is configured to engage a corresponding feature (not shown) on a frame  102  of a ZT vehicle  100 , and more particularly a ZT lawnmower  100  (see  FIGS. 6-7 ). The hinge pin  28  defines an axis X about which the guard  10  is capable of being pivoted or rotated relative to the ZT lawnmower  100 . In a preferred embodiment, the hinge  26  and hinge pin  28  are oriented vertically relative to the ground surface (not shown), such that the guard  10  rotates in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis X (see  FIG. 4 ). In another preferred embodiment (not shown), the hinge  26  is oriented horizontally relative to ground surface, such that the guard  10  rotates in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis (not shown). The hinge  26  is preferably made of a metallic material, but may be made from any other suitable material well known in the art. 
     The guard  10  further includes a latching mechanism  30  fixedly secured to the other of the first segment  12  and the third segment  16 , and more particularly to the other of the first end  12   a  of the first segment  12  and the second end  16   b  of the third segment  16 . More particularly, the latching mechanism  30  may be provided at either the first end  18  or the second end  20  of the guard  10 , or alternatively, both ends  18 ,  20  of the guard  10  may include a latching mechanism  30  fixedly attached thereto. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the latching mechanism  30  extends orthogonally away from the third segment  16  in a direction generally opposite the first segment  12 . The latching mechanism  30  is configured to engage a corresponding feature (not shown) on the frame  102  of the ZT lawnmower  100  (see  FIGS. 6-7 ). The latching mechanism  30  and the corresponding feature of the frame  102  of the ZT lawnmower  100  may be selectively engaged or disengaged by a user of the ZT lawnmower  100  to allow the guard  10  to be fully secured to the ZT lawnmower  100  or rotatable relative thereto. Specifically, in a first position, where the latching mechanism  30  is engaged or otherwise mated with the corresponding feature of the frame  102  of the ZT lawnmower  100 , rotational movement of the guard  10  about the hinge pin  28  of the hinge  26  is prevented, such that the engine  104  of the ZT lawnmower  100  is covered by the guard  10  and inaccessible by the user. In a second position, where the latching mechanism  30  and the corresponding feature of the frame  102  are disengaged from each other, the guard  10  can be rotated relative to the ZT lawnmower  100  about the vertical axis X and hinge pin  28  of the hinge  26 . In a preferred embodiment, the latching mechanism  30  and the corresponding feature on the frame  102  of the ZT lawnmower  100  form a bolt, gate-type latch which self-latches when the two elements interact. However, it will be understood that any other suitable type of latch which selectively engages two surfaces could be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. The latching mechanism  30  is preferably formed of a metallic material, but may be formed of any other suitable material well known in the art. 
     The guard  10  further includes at least one baffle  32 , and more particularly a plurality of baffles  32 , extending upwardly from a top end  11   a  of the body  11 . More particularly, the baffles  32  extend at least partially along a top edge  12   c,    14   c,    16   c  of each of the plurality of segments  12 ,  14 ,  16 . In a preferred embodiment, the baffles  32  extend at an angle from the top edges  12   c,    14   c,    16   c  of the segments  12 ,  14 ,  16  toward a center cavity  34  of the body  11  (see  FIG. 5 ). The baffles  32  are preferably integrally formed with a corresponding one of the segments  12 ,  14 ,  16 . The baffles  32  are also preferably formed of the same material as the corresponding one of the segments  12 ,  14 ,  16 . 
     In operation, the guard  10  is attached to the ZT lawnmower  100  by the hinge  26 , and the hinge pin  28  is inserted into the corresponding feature on the frame  102  of the ZT lawnmower  100  and is secured to the hinge  26 . Once attached, the guard  10  can freely rotate about the hinge pin  28  relative to the frame  102  of the ZT lawnmower  100 . Where the hinge  26  is provided at both ends  18 ,  20  of the guard  10 , the guard  10  may be selectively rotated about either hinge  26 . 
     In order to cover the engine  104  of the ZT lawnmower  100  by the guard  10 , the guard  10  is rotated in a direction toward the ZT lawnmower  100 , until the latching mechanism  30  of the guard  10  engages the corresponding feature on the frame  102  of the ZT lawnmower  100  to secure and prevent rotation of the guard  10 . When in the latched state, the guard  10  serves to shield the engine  104  from contact with the environment or the user, thereby preventing engine damage. Simultaneously, the latched guard  10  prevents the user from contacting the engine and sustaining injury. When access to the engine  104  is needed, the user can disengage the latching mechanism  30  and rotate the guard  10  in a direction away from the frame  102  of the ZT lawnmower  100 , so as to expose the engine  104  from the guard  10 . 
     Alternatively, the user may remove the hinge pin  28  (or both hinge pins  28  were a hinge  26  is provided at both ends  18 ,  20 ), and entirely remove the guard  10  from the ZT lawnmower  100  for enabling accessing to the engine  104 . When access to the engine  104  is no longer needed, the respective hinge pin(s)  28  is/are reinserted and the guard  10  is returned to the attached state. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.