초록 ▼

A pivotable operator support platform is provided for a standing lawn mower. The pivotable operator support platform is part of a platform assembly. A deck lift foot lever is actuable by the foot of an operator on the support platform to raise the cutting deck of the lawn mower. The deck lift foot l

A pivotable operator support platform is provided for a standing lawn mower. The pivotable operator support platform is part of a platform assembly. A deck lift foot lever is actuable by the foot of an operator on the support platform to raise the cutting deck of the lawn mower. The deck lift foot lever is pivotable with the operator support platform, and about the same pivot axis, between an operating position and a stored position. A latching assembly automatically deflects as the operator support platform is moved into the stored position, and is biased to engage a latch pin to retain the operator support platform in the stored position.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A standing lawn mower comprising: a plurality of wheels;a frame supported by the wheels;an operator support platform supporting a standing operator of the lawn mower;a mower drive assembly supported by the frame and driving rotation of at least one of the wheels to propel the lawn mower;a cutting

1. A standing lawn mower comprising: a plurality of wheels;a frame supported by the wheels;an operator support platform supporting a standing operator of the lawn mower;a mower drive assembly supported by the frame and driving rotation of at least one of the wheels to propel the lawn mower;a cutting deck assembly including a cutting deck and at least one rotatable cutting blade beneath the cutting deck, the rotatable cutting blade rotating under the influence of the mower drive assembly;a cutting deck lift assembly actuable to raise and lower the cutting deck assembly, the cutting deck lift assembly including a deck lift foot lever; andwherein the deck lift foot lever is positioned near the operator platform and configured for actuation by a foot of the standing operator. 2. The lawn mower of claim 1, wherein the operator platform includes a central flat surface and angled side sections. 3. The lawn mower of claim 2, wherein the angled side sections extend up at an angle of between about 0° and 80° with respect to the central flat surface. 4. The lawn mower of claim 1, further comprising an operator platform assembly that includes the operator platform, a right pivot assembly, and a left pivot assembly; wherein the operator platform pivots about the right and left pivot assemblies between an operating position and a stored position. 5. The lawn mower of claim 4, wherein the right and left pivot assemblies each includes a pivot sleeve and a pivot pin; wherein the pivot sleeves are cylindrical with a through bore; wherein the operator platform assembly further includes pair of ears extending up from each of the right and left sides of the operator platform; wherein each ear includes a centering hole; wherein the pivot sleeves are positioned between the pairs of ears with the through bores aligned with the centering holes; and wherein the pivot pin extends through the centering holes and the through bore. 6. The lawn mower of claim 5, further comprising bushings received in each end of the through bores, and securing the pivot sleeves to the ears; wherein the pivot pins extend through the bushings. 7. The lawn mower of claim 4, wherein the pivot assemblies further comprise a right side yoke and a left side yoke, both of which are rigidly mounted to the frame; and wherein the pivot pins extend through mounting holes in the yokes to pivotably secure the foot platform to the frame. 8. The lawn mower of claim 7, wherein the deck lift foot lever and operator platform are pivotable about a common pivot axis. 9. The lawn mower of claim 8, wherein the cutting deck lifting assembly includes an arm pivotably interconnected at one end to the deck lift foot lever with a pivot member, and pivotably interconnected at an opposite end to a foot pivot bracket; wherein at least one of the yokes includes a plate having an arcuate slot; and wherein a pivot member is movable within an arcuate slot as the deck lift foot lever and operator platform are pivoted about the common pivot axis. 10. The lawn mower of claim 4, wherein the foot platform assembly further includes a pivot limiting assembly that includes a stop plate and a rear cross bar; wherein the stop plate extends up from the foot platform; wherein the rear cross bar is rigidly interconnected with the frame; and wherein the stop plate abuts the rear cross bar when the operator platform is in the operating position, to resist rotation of the operator platform down from the operating position. 11. The lawn mower of claim 10, wherein the stop plate includes dampening members that abut the rear cross member; wherein the dampening members are made of a resilient material to absorb dynamic stresses and vibrations during operation of the lawn mower to improve the comfort of the operator. 12. The lawn mower of claim 10, wherein the mower drive assembly includes right and left integrated transaxles for driving rotation of respective right and left drive wheels; and wherein the stop plate passes between the right and left integrated transaxles as the foot platform is pivoted between the operating position and the stored position. 13. The lawn mower of claim 4, wherein the foot platform assembly further includes a latching assembly to retain the foot platform in the stored position. 14. The lawn mower of claim 13, wherein the latch assembly includes a latch pin on the foot platform, a latch arm interconnected to the frame, and a biasing member; and wherein the latch pin is engaged by the latch arm to retain the foot platform in the stored position. 15. The lawn mower of claim 14, wherein the latch arm includes a cam surface and a latch slot; wherein the latch pin engages the cam surface and deflects the latch arm as the foot platform is pivoted into the stored position; wherein the biasing member moves the latch pin into the latch slot upon the latch pin becoming aligned with the latch slot; and wherein positioning of the latch pin in the latch slot prevents the foot platform from pivoting out of the stored position. 16. An operator support platform assembly for a standing lawn mower, the operator support platform assembly supporting a standing operator of the lawn mower when the operator platform is in an operating position, the operator support platform assembly comprising: a right pivot assembly;a left pivot assembly;an operator platform pivoting on the right and left pivot assemblies between the operating position and a stored position; anda deck lift foot lever mounted adjacent the operator platform and pivotable about a pivot axis between an operating position and a stored position, the deck lift foot lever being actuated by a foot of the operator standing on the operator platform to raise the height of a cutting deck of the lawn mower. 17. The operator support platform assembly of claim 16, wherein the right and left pivot assemblies each include a pivot pin; and wherein the deck lift foot lever pivots about one of the pins. 18. The operator support platform assembly of claim 16, further comprising a pivot limiting assembly that includes a stop plate and a rear cross bar; wherein the stop plate extends up from the foot platform; wherein the rear cross bar is rigidly interconnected with a frame of the lawn mower; and wherein the stop plate abuts the rear cross bar when the operator platform is in the operating position, to resist rotation of the operator platform down from the operating position. 19. The operator support platform assembly of claim 18, wherein the stop plate includes at least one dampening member that abuts the rear cross member; wherein the dampening member is made of a resilient material to absorb dynamic stresses and vibrations during operation of the lawn mower to improve the comfort of the operator. 20. The operator support platform assembly of claim 18, wherein the lawn mower includes right and left integrated transaxles for driving rotation of respective right and left drive wheels; and wherein the stop plate passes between the right and left integrated transaxles as the foot platform is pivoted between the operating position and the stored position. 21. The operator support platform assembly of claim 16, further comprising a latch assembly including a biasing member, a latch arm including a latch slot, and a latch pin; wherein movement of the operator platform into the stored position brings the latch pin into abutment with the latch arm; wherein the latch pin deflects the latch arm against a biasing force in the biasing member; wherein the biasing member moves the latch pin into the latch slot upon the latch pin becoming aligned with the latch slot; and wherein positioning of the latch pin in the latch slot prevents the foot platform from pivoting out of the stored position. 22. An operator support platform assembly for a standing lawn mower, the operator support platform assembly supporting a standing operator of the lawn mower when the operator platform is in an operating position, the operator support platform assembly comprising: a right pivot assembly;a left pivot assembly;an operator platform pivoting on the right and left pivot assemblies between the operating position and a stored position; anda deck lift foot lever mounted adjacent the operator platform and pivotable about a pivot axis between an operating position and a stored position, the deck lift foot lever being actuated by a foot of the operator standing on the operator platform to raise the height of a cutting deck of the lawn mower;wherein the operator platform pivots about the pivot axis.