초록 ▼

The mower front independent suspension assembly in some embodiments of the present invention includes a first suspension arm connected to the front of the lawn mower frame and a second suspension arm connected to the side of the lawn mower frame. In some embodiments, the first suspension arm is conn

The mower front independent suspension assembly in some embodiments of the present invention includes a first suspension arm connected to the front of the lawn mower frame and a second suspension arm connected to the side of the lawn mower frame. In some embodiments, the first suspension arm is connected to the front of the frame at or near the longitudinal center of the frame, while the second suspension arm is connected to the side of the frame a distance from the front of the frame. Also, in some embodiments the cutter deck of the lawn mower is connected to the front independent suspension assemblies for movement therewith.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A mower, comprising:a frame including a front, opposite sides, at least one front beam located at the front of the frame with respect to a forward direction of movement of the mower, and at least one side beam located along each of the opposite sides of the frame; first and second front wheels; e

1. A mower, comprising:a frame including a front, opposite sides, at least one front beam located at the front of the frame with respect to a forward direction of movement of the mower, and at least one side beam located along each of the opposite sides of the frame; first and second front wheels; each of the first and second front wheels coupled to the at least one front beam at the front of the frame and coupled to a respective one of the side beams at a side location of the frame disposed a distance from the front of the frame, the first and second front wheels independently movable upward and downward with respect to one another and coupled to the frame for upward and downward movement with respect to the frame; a cutter deck; and at least one cutter in the cutter deck, the cutter and cutter deck coupled to the first and second front wheels for upward and downward movement responsive to upward and downward movement of the first and second front wheels. 2. The mower as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pair of first suspension arms, each first suspension arm coupled to a respective one of the front wheels and coupled to the front of the frame.3. The mower as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a pair of second suspension arms, each second suspension arm coupled to a respective one of the front wheels and coupled to a respective one of the side locations on the frame.4. The mower as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pair of suspension arms, each suspension arm coupled to a respective one of the front wheels and coupled to a respective one of the side locations on the frame.5. The mower as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cutter deck is coupled to at least one of the suspension arms for upward and downward movement therewith responsive to upward and downward movement of at least one of the first and second wheels.6. The mower as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pair of first suspension arms are connected to the front of the frame a distance apart from one another.7. The mower as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first and second suspension arms define an acute angle therebetween.8. The mower as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a joint coupled to each front wheel; whereineach first suspension arm is coupled to a respective one of the joints; and each front wheel is coupled to the front of the frame via one of the joints and one of the first suspension arms. 9. The mower as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a joint coupled to each front wheel; whereineach suspension arm is coupled to a respective one of the joints; and each front wheel is coupled to a respective one of the side locations on the frame via one of the joints and one of the suspension arms. 10. The mower as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a joint coupled to each front wheel; whereineach first suspension arm is coupled to a respective one of the joints; each second suspension arm is coupled to a respective one of the joints; and each front wheel is coupled to the front of the frame via one of the joints, one of the first suspension arms, and one of the second suspension arms. 11. The mower as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first and second suspension arms are pivotably coupled to the frame.12. The mower as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first spring positioned to bias the first wheel in a downward direction and a second spring positioned to bias the second wheel in a downward direction.13. The mower as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first and second springs are adjustable.14. The mower as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first shock absorber positioned to absorb shock transmitted from the first wheel and a second shock absorber positioned to absorb shock transmitted from the second wheel.15. The mower as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the pair of first suspension arms are oriented and connected at an acute angle with respect to the front beam.16. The mower as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second suspension arms are oriented and connected at an angle with respect to the side beams.17. The mower as claimed in claim 4, wherein the suspension arms are oriented and connected at an angle with respect to the side beams.18. A front independent suspension assembly for connection to a mower having a cutter deck with at least one cutter and a frame with a front corner defined by a front and a side of the frame, the independent suspension assembly comprising:a wheel; a first suspension arm coupled to the wheel and coupled to the front of the frame; and a second suspension arm coupled to the wheel and coupled to the side of the frame; wherein the wheel and the first and second suspension arms are movable upward and downward relative to the frame responsive to changes in elevation of ground traversed by the wheel; and at least one of the first and second suspension arms are coupled to the cutter deck for upward and downward movement of the cutter deck responsive to upward and downward movement of the wheel relative to the frame. 19. The front independent suspension assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first and second suspension arms are positioned to extend along at least a part of the front and side of the frame, respectively, and define an acute angle between the first and second suspension arms.20. The front independent suspension assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the wheel is coupled to the first and second suspension arms via a joint to which both the first and second suspension arms are coupled.21. The front independent suspension assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the wheel is pivotably coupled to the joint.22. The front independent suspension assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein at least one of the first and second suspension arms is adapted for connection to the frame at an acute angle with respect to the frame.23. The front independent suspension assembly as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a front mounting plate, the first suspension arm adapted for connected to the frame via the front mounting plate.24. The front independent suspension assembly as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a side mounting plate, the second suspension arm adapted for connected to the frame via the side mounting plate.25. The front independent suspension assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein at least one of the first and second suspension arms is adapted for pivotal connection to the frame, whereby the wheel is movable upward and downward by pivotal movement of the first and second suspension arms with respect to the frame.26. The front independent suspension assembly as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a spring positioned to bias the wheel in a downward direction.27. The front independent suspension assembly as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a shock absorber positioned to absorb shock transmitted by the wheel.28. The front independent suspension assembly as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a beam pivotably mounted to the frame, at least one of the first and second suspension arms coupled to the frame via the beam.29. The front independent suspension assembly as claimed in claim 27, further comprising a beam pivotably mounted to the frame, the shock absorber coupled between the beam and at least one of the first and second suspension arms.30. The front independent suspension assembly as claimed in claim 28, wherein the beam includes:a first end to which at least one of the first and second suspension arms is coupled; a second end; and a middle portion between the first and second ends, the middle portion being pivotably coupled to the frame. 31. A method of assembling a front wheel to a frame of a mower, the method comprising:pivotably coupling a first suspension arm to one side of a front corner of the mower frame; pivotably coupling a second suspension arm to another side of the front corner of the mower frame, the first and second suspension arms defining an acute angle facing the corner of the frame; and coupling the first and second suspension arms to a wheel, whereby the first and second suspension arms are pivotable upward and downward with respect to the frame responsive to upward and downward movement of the wheel; coupling a cutter deck to at least one of the first and second suspension arms, upward and downward movement of the first and second suspension arms with respect to the frame generating upward and downward movement of the cutter deck with respect to the frame. 32. The method as claimed in claim 31, further comprising pivotably coupling the wheel to a joint.33. The method as claimed in claim 31, wherein pivotably coupling the first suspension arm to one side of the front corner includes pivotably coupling the first suspension arm at an acute angle with respect to the frame.34. The method as claimed in claim 31, wherein pivotably coupling the second suspension arm to another side of the front corner includes pivotably coupling the second suspension arm at an acute angle with respect to the frame.35. The method as claimed in claim 31, wherein pivotably coupling the first suspension arm to one side of the front corner includes:pivotably coupling the first suspension arm to a mounting plate; and coupling the mounting plate to the frame. 36. The method as claimed in claim 31, wherein pivotably coupling the second suspension arm to another side of the front corner includes:pivotably coupling the second suspension arm to a mounting plate; and coupling the mounting plate to the frame. 37. The method as claimed in claim 31, further comprising coupling a spring to the first and second suspension arms to bias the first and second suspension arms and the wheel in a downward direction.38. The method as claimed in claim 31, further comprising coupling a shock absorber to the first and second suspension arms.39. A method of moving a front wheel with respect to a frame of a mower, the method comprising:providing first and second suspension arms coupled to the front wheel; pivoting the first suspension arm about a connection point on a front of the frame; pivoting a second suspension arm about a connection point on a side of the frame; and moving the front wheel vertically with respect to the frame; moving a cutter deck of the mower vertically with respect to the frame responsive to moving the front wheel vertically with respect to the frame. 40. The method as claimed in claim 39, further comprising pivoting the front wheel with respect to the first and second suspension arms and with respect to the frame.41. The method as claimed in claim 39, wherein pivoting the first suspension arm about a connection point includes pivoting the first suspension arm about an axis that is non-orthogonal with respect to the frame at the connection point of the first suspension arm.42. The method as claimed in claim 39, wherein pivoting the second suspension arm about a connection point includes pivoting the second suspension arm about an axis that is non-orthogonal with respect to the frame at the connection point of the second suspension arm.43. The method as claimed in claim 39, further comprising biasing the wheel and the first and second suspension arms in a downward direction.44. A mower, comprising:a frame including a front; and opposite sides; a cutter deck; at least one cutter in the cutter deck; first and second front wheels, each of the first and second front wheels coupled to the frame by a suspension arm; and a beam pivotably coupled to the frame and coupled to the suspension arms, the beam being pivotable responsive to upward and downward movement of the first and second front wheels. 45. The mower as claimed in claim 44, wherein the beam is coupled to the frame at the front of the frame.46. The mower as claimed in claim 44, wherein each of the first and second front wheels is coupled to the front of the frame and is coupled to a respective one of the side beams of the frame at a side location of the frame disposed a distance from the front of the frame, the first and second front wheels movable upward and downward with respect to one another and coupled to the frame for upward and downward movement with respect to the frame.47. The mower as claimed in claim 44, wherein:the suspension arm is a first suspension arm, each of the first and second front wheels also coupled to the frame by a second suspension arm, the first suspension arm of each front wheel being coupled to the front of the frame, and the second suspension arm of each front wheel being coupled to a side of the frame; and the front wheels and the first and second suspension arms of each front wheel are movable upward and downward relative to the frame responsive to changes in elevation of ground traversed by the front wheels. 48. The mower as claimed in claim 47, further comprising a shock absorber positioned to absorb shock received from the first front wheel, the shock absorber coupled between the beam and at least one of the first and second suspension arms of the first front wheel.49. The mower as claimed in claim 48, wherein the shock absorber is coupled between the beam and the second suspension arm.50. The mower as claimed in claim 44, wherein the beam includes:a first end; a second end; and a middle portion between the first and second ends and pivotably coupled to the front of the frame. 51. The mower as claimed in claim 50, wherein the first end is coupled to the first suspension arm and the second end is coupled to the second suspension arm.52. A mower, comprising:a frame including a front, opposite sides, at least one front beam located at the front of the frame with respect to a forward direction of movement of the mower, and at least one side beam; first and second front wheels, each of the first and second front wheels coupled to the frame for upward and downward movement independent of the other front wheel; a cutter deck coupled to the first and second front wheels, the cutter deck movable upward and downward responsive to upward and downward movement of the first and second front wheels with respect to the frame; and at least one cutter in the cutter deck. 53. The mower as claimed in claim 52, wherein the cutter deck is responsive to movement of the first front wheel substantially independent of movement of the second front wheel.54. The mower as claimed in claim 53, wherein upward and downward movement of the first and second front wheels causes upward and downward movement of the cutter deck.55. The mower as claimed in claim 53, wherein:the first and second front wheels are each coupled to the frame via respective first and second arms; and the cutter deck is coupled to at least one of the first and second arms of each of the first and second front wheels. 56. A method of coupling movement of a first front wheel and a second front wheel of a mower, the method comprising:pivotably coupling a beam to a frame of the mower, the beam pivotable about a longitudinal axis of the mower and extending between sides of the frame of the mower; pivotably coupling a first arm to a first side of the frame; pivotably coupling a second arm to a second side of the frame; coupling the first arm to a first end of the beam; coupling the second arm to a second end of the beam; coupling the first front wheel to the first arm to control movement of the first front wheel, movement of the first front wheel generating pivoting movement of the beam with respect to the frame; and coupling the second front wheel to the second arm to control movement of the second front wheel, movement of the second front wheel generating pivoting movement of the beam with respect to the frame. 57. A method of coupling movement of a cutter deck of a mower and a first and second front wheel of the mower, the method comprising:pivotably coupling a first arm to a first side of a frame of the mower; pivotably coupling a second arm to a second side of the frame; coupling a first portion of the cutter deck to the first arm for movement with the first arm; coupling a second portion of the cutter deck to the second arm for movement with the second arm; coupling the first front wheel to the first arm, the cutter deck movable upward and downward responsive to pivoting movement of the first arm; and coupling the second front wheel to the second arm, the cutter deck movable upward and downward responsive to pivoting movement of the second arm.