Patent Description:
Articulated apparatus are common in industries such as agriculture, where such apparatus are often towed behind vehicles for use in fields and the like. For example, articulated apparatus often include mowers for cutting grass. Here, the use of articulated apparatus can be advantageous as, in use, the apparatus can extend over a large section of ground whilst retaining its ability to be stored in a compact manner. Generally, the articulated apparatus comprise a central body and one or more wings connected to the body. Generally, but not exclusively, the wings include the means by which the articulated apparatus performs its major function. For example, in the case of a mower, the wings may include cutting blades for cutting grass and other vegetation. These cutting blades or other active members are generally driven by a vehicle towing the articulated apparatus via a gearbox mounted on or within the articulated apparatus.

In order to avoid and or traverse obstacles on the ground, it is useful to be able to lift the portion of the articulated apparatus comprising the active members. However, if that portion is lifted too high while the active members are still working, this act can damage the gearbox or other aspects of the linkage between the gearbox and the active members. Also, lifting the active members too high while still working can be dangerous for other people near the articulated apparatus.

Objects and aspects of the present claimed invention seek to alleviate at least these problems with the prior art.

<CIT>, according to its abstract, discloses a rotary mower comprising a translatable main frame connectable to a towing vehicle having a power take-off unit connectable to a transmission carried by the main frame. At least one translatable wing frame is hingedly connected to an adjacent side of the main frame and is adapted to pivot selectively to a lower operative position and to an upper inoperative position. Depending cutter carrying shafts are supported for rotation on the main frame and the wing frame and are connected in driving relation with the transmission. An extensible drive shaft is operatively connected at one end to the depending shaft on the wing frame and a clutch operatively connects the other end of the extensible drive shaft to the transmission. An extensible clutch rod operatively connects the wing frame to a clutch actuator to move the clutch to an engaged position while the wing frame is in a lower operative position and to move the clutch to a disengaged position upon movement of the wing frame to an upper inoperative position. The wing frame is movable selectively to the lower operative position and to the upper inoperative position by a power unit.

<CIT> discloses a self propelled lawn mower.

<CIT> discloses a foldable tri-section vine fluffer.

<CIT> discloses a mower with lateral extension wings.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an articulated apparatus As claimed in Claim <NUM>.

In this way, the gearbox is decoupled from the active member such that it cannot jam, break or become otherwise damaged due to the elevation of the wing portion in the second position. Further, the active member is not driven when the wing portion is in the second position, increasing safety of the articulated apparatus.

It should be understood that the wing portion may be mounted directly or indirectly on the body portion, with the connection to the body portion not particularly limited. It should be understood that the wing portion may be mounted in any way such that the wing portion is substantially fixed to the body portion.

Preferably, the coupling system is a mechanical coupling system. The use of a mechanical system may be advantageous as it is more reliable than an electronic system. Additionally, the use of a mechanical coupling system may be more reliable than system that rely on pneumatic or hydraulic linkages. Additionally, a mechanical system may be advantageous in that it can be more easily maintained and services by a user.

The wing portion is locatable in an intermediate position wherein the wing portion is positioned between the first position and the second position, and the coupling system is configured to couple the gearbox with the active member when the wing portion is in the intermediate position. In this way, the wing portion can be raised to overcome obstacles without the active member being decoupled from the gearbox. Such a feature is of particular benefit when the articulated apparatus is traversing uneven ground or is working in an area with paths or other low level obstacles.

The coupling system comprises a blocking member and a first pin, the blocking member positionable in a first blocking position wherein the blocking member abuts the first pin and blocks motion of the wing portion from the intermediate position to the second position. Preferably, the blocking member comprises a first pin notch configured to removably retain the first pin. Preferably, the first pin notch is located proximate the end of the blocking member distal the body portion.

When the wing portion is in the intermediate position, the blocking member is configured to move substantially away from the wing portion to remove the blocking member from the first blocking position. In this way, the wing portion cannot be moved into the second position without intentional movement of the blocking member out of the blocking position. As such, the wing portion cannot be raised to the second position accidently, preventing damage of the gearbox and risk to persons and items close to the articulated apparatus.

Preferably, the coupling system comprises a coupling member coupled to the gearbox such that motion of the wing portion from the intermediate position to the second position decouples the gearbox from the active member and motion of the wing portion from the second position to the intermediate position couples the gearbox with the active member. Preferably, the coupling member is coupled to the gearbox via a pivoting member and the articulated apparatus is configured such that motion of the wing portion between the intermediate position and the second position pivotably rotates the pivoting member. In some embodiments, the pivoting member is substantially V-shaped. In some embodiments, the pivoting member is configured to pivot about the central axis of the pivoting member.

Preferably, the coupling system comprises a second pin configured to abut the coupling member when the wing portion is in the second position. Preferably, the coupling member comprises a guide surface and the articulated apparatus is configured such that the second pin is guided over the guide surface as the wing portion is moved between the intermediate position and the second position. Preferably, the guide surface abuts the first pin when the wing portion is positioned in the intermediate position. Preferably, the guide surface comprises a curved profile. Preferably, the guide surface extends substantially the length of the coupling member. Preferably, the guide surface is substantially smooth. Preferably, the guide surface is located on the surface of the coupling member located proximate the body portion. In this way, the coupling member rests on the first pin or second pin when no external forces are acting on the coupling member.

Preferably, the blocking member comprises a complementary surface and the articulated apparatus is configured such that the complementary surface and the guide surface are aligned or coplanar when the wing portion is in a third position, the third position located between the second position and the intermediate position. In this way, the first pin member abuts both the coupling member and the blocking member when the wing portion is in the third position such that greater control of the motion of the coupling member and blocking member is provided.

Preferably, the blocking member comprises a second blocking position wherein the articulated apparatus is configured such that the second pin abuts the blocking member and blocks motion of the wing portion from the second position to the intermediate position. Preferably, the blocking member comprises a second pin notch configured to removably retain the second pin. Preferably, the second pin notch is located proximate the end of the blocking member distal the first pin notch.

Preferably, the coupling member is fixed along a first axis and the blocking member is pivotably fixed along the first axis. Preferably, an elongate member extends along the first axis and the pivoting member is fixed to the elongate member. In this way, as the wing portion is raised to the second position, the movement of the coupling member causes rotation of the elongate member. Rotation of the elongate member causes the pivoting member to pivot, thereby coupling and decoupling the gearbox with the active member.

Preferably, the first pin and the second pin are at a fixed distance relative to one another. Preferably, the first pin and the second pin are located on a pin member. Preferably, the pin member is attached at a first end to the wing portion and a second end is pivotably fixed to the body portion, such that motion of the wing portion pivotably rotates the pin member. In some embodiments, the pin member comprises a substantially triangular portion.

In some embodiments, the articulated apparatus comprises at least two wing portions. More preferably, the articulated apparatus comprises a pair of wing portions mounted on opposing sides of the body portion. Preferably the wing portions are substantially identical. More preferably the wing portions are operated independently of each other.

Preferably, the gearbox is mounted on or within the body portion. Such a configuration may allow for a simplified mechanical arrangement, especially where the articulated apparatus comprises multiple wing portions.

Preferably, the active member comprises a cutting blade. Preferably, the active member comprises a mower blade.

Preferably, the articulated apparatus is a mower.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

With reference to <FIG>, there is illustrated an articulated apparatus <NUM> comprising a body portion <NUM> and a wing portion <NUM>, the wing portion <NUM> comprising an active member (not pictured) located in direction A on the wing portion <NUM>. It is envisaged the active member may be any suitable tooling or apparatus driven by a drive source, such as a cutting blade. The wing portion <NUM> is mounted on the body portion <NUM>.

The wing portion <NUM> is moveable between a first position (not shown) and a second position (shown in <FIG>). The articulated apparatus <NUM> includes a gearbox <NUM> configured to transmit drive from a drive source to the active member. The articulated apparatus <NUM> further includes a mechanical coupling system <NUM>, the coupling system <NUM> configured to couple the gearbox <NUM> with said active member when the wing portion <NUM> is in the first position, and to decouple the gearbox <NUM> from the active member when the wing portion <NUM> is in the second position.

The coupling system <NUM> comprises a blocking member <NUM>, a coupling member <NUM>, a pivoting member <NUM> and a pin member <NUM>. The pin member <NUM> comprises a substantially triangular portion upon which is located a first pin 145a and a second pin 145b. The first pin 145a is located between the body portion <NUM> and the second pin 145b when the wing portion <NUM> is in the first position. The first pin 145a and the second pin 145b are at a fixed distance relative to one another on the pin member <NUM>. The pin member <NUM> is attached at a first end 135a to the wing portion and a second end 135b of the pin member <NUM> is pivotably fixed to the body portion <NUM>, such that motion of the wing portion <NUM> pivotably rotates the pin member <NUM>.

The wing portion <NUM> can be located in an intermediate position, as illustrated in <FIG>, wherein the wing portion <NUM> is positioned between the first position and the second position. In the intermediate position, the coupling system <NUM> is configured to couple the gearbox <NUM> with the active member. To move the wing portion <NUM> from the first position to the second position, the wing portion is rotated in direction B, as illustrated in <FIG>. To move the wing portion <NUM> from the second position to the first position, the wing portion is rotated in direction C, as illustrated in <FIG>.

The blocking member <NUM> can be positioned a first blocking position, as illustrated in <FIG>, wherein the blocking member <NUM> abuts the first pin 145a and blocks motion of the wing portion <NUM> from the intermediate position to the second position. The blocking member <NUM> comprises a first pin notch 125a configured to removably retain the first pin 145a. The first pin notch 125a is located proximate the end of the blocking member <NUM> distal the body portion <NUM>.

When the wing portion <NUM> is in the intermediate position, the blocking member <NUM> is moved substantially away from the wing portion <NUM>, in direction B, to remove the blocking member <NUM> from the first blocking position, as shown in <FIG>. In this way, the wing portion cannot be moved into the second position without intentional movement of the blocking member out of the blocking position.

The coupling member <NUM> is coupled to the gearbox <NUM> such that motion of the wing portion <NUM> from the intermediate position to the second position decouples the gearbox <NUM> from the active member and motion of the wing portion <NUM> from the second position to the intermediate position couples the gearbox <NUM> with the active member. The coupling member <NUM> is connected or coupled to the gearbox <NUM> via the pivoting member <NUM>. Motion of the wing portion <NUM> between the intermediate position and the second position pivotably rotates the pivoting member <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the pivoting member <NUM> is connected to a portion of the gearbox <NUM> such that rotation of the pivoting member <NUM> decouples the gearbox <NUM> from the active member.

The second pin 145b is configured to abut the coupling member <NUM> when the wing portion <NUM> is in the second position, as illustrated in <FIG>. The coupling member <NUM> comprises a guide surface <NUM> and the second pin 145b is guided over the guide surface <NUM> as the wing portion <NUM> is moved between the intermediate position and the second position, in direction B. The guide surface <NUM> abuts the first pin 145a when the wing portion <NUM> is positioned in the intermediate position, as shown in <FIG>. The guide surface <NUM> comprises a curved profile, and so as the first pin 145a is guided over the guide surface <NUM>, the distance between the coupling member <NUM> and the wing portion <NUM> varies. As such, the motion of the coupling member <NUM> and pivoting member <NUM> relative to the position of the wing portion <NUM> can be controlled through modification of the profile of the guide surface <NUM>. In this way, the profile of the guide surface <NUM> can be selected to suit the desired use. The guide surface <NUM> extends substantially the length of the coupling member <NUM> and is substantially smooth. The guide surface <NUM> is located on the surface of the coupling member <NUM> located proximate the body portion <NUM>.

The blocking member <NUM> comprises a complementary surface <NUM> and the complementary surface <NUM> and the guide surface <NUM> are aligned or coplanar when the wing portion is in a third position, as illustrated in <FIG>. The third position is located between the second position and the intermediate position. The first pin member 135a abuts both the coupling member <NUM> and the blocking member <NUM> when the wing portion <NUM> is in the third position.

The blocking member <NUM> can be located in a second blocking position, as illustrated in <FIG>, wherein the second pin 145b abuts the blocking member <NUM> and blocks motion of the wing portion <NUM> in direction C, from the second position to the intermediate position. The blocking member <NUM> comprises a second pin notch 125b configured to removably retain the second pin 145b. The second pin notch 125b is located proximate the end of the blocking member <NUM> distal the first pin notch 125a.

The coupling member <NUM> is fixed along a first axis <NUM>, the first axis perpendicular to the plane of <FIG>, such that the first axis <NUM> extends perpendicularly into the page. The blocking member <NUM> is pivotably fixed to an elongate member extending along the first axis <NUM> and both the blocking member <NUM> and the pivoting member <NUM> are fixed to the elongate member. In this way, rotation of the elongate member is directly translated into rotation of the coupling member <NUM> and the pivoting member <NUM>. As such, when the wing portion <NUM> is raised in direction B to the second position, the movement of the coupling member <NUM> causes rotation of the elongate member and rotation of the elongate member causes the pivoting member <NUM> to pivot, thereby coupling and decoupling the gearbox <NUM> with the active member.

Further embodiments within the scope of the present invention may be envisaged that have not been described above, for example, it is envisaged that alternative shaped blocking members, coupling members and pivoting members can be provided to better suit the desired application, provided they fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claim 1:
An articulated apparatus (<NUM>), said articulated apparatus (<NUM>) comprising;
a body portion (<NUM>), and
a wing portion (<NUM>), said wing portion (<NUM>) comprising an active member,
said wing portion (<NUM>) mounted on said body portion (<NUM>), said wing portion (<NUM>) moveable between a first position and a second position,
said articulated apparatus (<NUM>) further comprising a gearbox (<NUM>) configured to transmit drive from a drive source to said active member,
wherein said articulated apparatus (<NUM>) comprises a coupling system (<NUM>), said coupling system (<NUM>) configured to couple said gearbox (<NUM>) with said active member when said wing portion (<NUM>) is in said first position, and to decouple said gearbox (<NUM>) from said active member when said wing portion (<NUM>) is in said second position,
wherein said wing portion (<NUM>) is locatable in an intermediate position wherein said wing portion (<NUM>) is positioned between said first position and said second position, and said coupling system (<NUM>) is configured to couple said gearbox (<NUM>) with said active member when said wing portion (<NUM>) is in said intermediate position,
wherein said coupling system (<NUM>) comprises a blocking member (<NUM>) and a first pin (145a), said blocking member (<NUM>) positionable in a first blocking position wherein said blocking member (<NUM>) abuts said first pin (145a) and blocks motion of said wing portion (<NUM>) from said intermediate position to said second position,
characterised in that
when said wing portion (<NUM>) is in said intermediate position, said blocking member (<NUM>) is configured to move substantially away from said wing portion (<NUM>) to remove said blocking member (<NUM>) from said first blocking position.