AU2014100105A4 - A Mower - Google Patents

Abstract

A mower having: * a main structure; * a cutting blade; * ground engaging means; * a first connection; * a vehicle mounting structure; and * a second connection; the mower formed such that when in use it can be secured to and moved along the ground by a motor vehicle so that the ground engaging means run along the ground and the blade can mow vegetation at about ground level, with the first and second connections engaged and moveable with respect to one another so that the main structure, ground engaging means and blade on the one hand can pivot with respect to the vehicle mounting structure on the other hand, to provide a measure of protection against the blade hitting the ground in the event the mower is moved by the vehicle on uneven terrain. Figure 1 ........... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... .......... ........... ... .......... ... ........... .......... ........... ................. .................... .................... .......... ........... .......... ........... .............. ............... .............. ............... .............. ............... ......................... K\N ................................. ... ......... ..... .............. .......................... ................................. Ell M ........................................... ......................................... ....... ........... . ..... . .l.. I I .... .. .......... .. . ............ xx -x xx . ............................................ .... .... ........ ............ ............................................. ..... ............................................. ..................... ............... ........................................ ............ ................................... ...................................... .... .... ......... ...... ................. ........ ............ ... ...... ..... ...... ....... ............ Figure 2 Figure 3 ........... \,x ...................................... ...................................... ............. ........ ...................................... ......... ....................................... ....... ...................................... I ......... ....................................... ....... ...................................... ....... ....................................... .. ....... ...................................... .................................. RA .............................. ................. ........... M ON,\ ME I ............. Ox ............. ............ ........... ............ ............ ........... \ . ........... .............. ............... ............. ............... 00 ........... ........... .......... ............. ..... ............... LE ...... xg.:. ............. ........... .................... xox: .................... ..................... .......... ......... .......... ......... .......... .............

Description

1 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION TITLE A Mower. 5 FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to mower, for example a mower for cutting grass. However it should be understood that in some embodiments of the invention the mower may be used with other forms of vegetation. 10 BACKGROUND It is known to use a motor vehicle, for example a tractor, to move a mower across a field as it cuts grass. The mower may be secured to the front or rear of the tractor and can be lowered to approximately ground level to do the cutting. When working on 15 uneven terrain the mower and vehicle may be at slightly different levels at any one point in time. In cases where there is a rigid connection between the mower and the vehicle, this can result in the blades of the mower digging into the ground. As a consequence the blades can become blunt or damaged. It is an object of a preferred form of the invention to go at least some way towards addressing this problem. 20 However this objective should not be seen as a limitation on the scope of the invention. In its broadest form the object of the invention is simply to provide the public with a useful choice. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 25 According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a mower having: * a main structure; * a cutting blade; * ground engaging means (eg skids); * a first connection (eg slots); 30 0 a vehicle mounting structure (eg a generally tunnel shaped frame); and " a second connection (eg stubs); the mower formed such that when in use it can be secured to and moved along the ground by a motor vehicle so that the ground engaging means (eg skids) run along the ground and the blade can mow vegetation (eg grass) at about ground level, with the 2 first and second connections engaged and moveable with respect to one another so that the main structure, ground engaging means and blade on the one hand can pivot with respect to the vehicle mounting structure on the other hand, to provide a measure of protection against the blade hitting the ground in the event the mower is moved by 5 the vehicle on uneven terrain. Preferably the ground engaging means comprises skids. Preferably the first connection comprises slots. 10 Preferably the second connection comprises stubs. Preferably the mounting structure is adapted to connect to and be moved by a three point linkage system of a tractor. 15 Preferably the mounting structure comprises a mounting frame. Preferably the pins extend outwards from each side of the mounting frame. 20 Preferably the pins are adapted to engage the slots to provide the pivot. Preferably the mover has a second cutting blade arranged to run alongside the first mentioned cutting blade BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE IMAGES 25 Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying images, of which: Figure 1 is an isometric view illustrating a mower when attached to a tractor; Figure 2 is an isometric view of a floating connection arrangement forming part of 30 the mower; Figure 3 is an alternative isometric view of the connection arrangement; Figure 4 is an isometric view showing the mower when in use with the tractor; 3 Figure 5 illustrates the mower when in use on an uneven surface; and Figure 6 is an isometric view showing part of the mower. 5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to figure 1, the mower has a main structure 1 supporting a cutting blade 2 and pair of spaced ground engaging skids 3 (only one skid is visible). A connective slot 4 extends upwards from the distil end of each skid 3. The mower also has a 10 vehicle mounting structure in the form of a generally tunnel shaped coupling frame 5 which engages the three point linkage system 6 of a tractor 7. Stubs in the form of pins 8 extend outwards from either side of the mounting frame 5 (one pin per side). Figure 1 shows the mounting frame 5 detached from the rest of the mower, but when in 15 use each of the pins 8 sits in a respective one of the connective slots 4. This provides for floating type connections between the mounting frame 5 and the rest of the mower. It means that when the mounting frame 5 is held rigid on the three point linkage system the rest of the mower is able to move to accommodate changes in ground level or differences in pitch generally between the blade 2 and the tractor 7, ie when the tractor 20 pushes the mower forward on the skids 3 to cut grass. The floating connections provide a measure of protection against the blades 3 and other parts of the mower digging into the ground and becoming blunted (ie in the case of the blades) or just damaged generally. For example they enable the main structure 1, skids 2 and blade 3 to tilt from side to side, or forward to back, if need be. 25 Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the floating connections brought about by the slots 4 and pins 8. In figure 3 the pin 8 is at a lower part of the slot 4. This disposition may apply when the mower is running on its skids 2 along relatively level ground. In figure 3 the pin 8 is at an upper part of the slot 4. This disposition may apply when, for example, the 30 tractor is titling up a little with respect to the ground and the mower (except for the mounting frame) is not. In preferred embodiments of the invention the mower has two of the blades 3 next to one another to enable a wider lane of grass to be mowed at each pass of the mower.

4 Preferably the mower is constructed so that cut grass falls in a lane between the tractor wheels coming behind, so that the cut grass is not crushed. Preferably the pins 8 extending from the mounting frame 5 engage the slots 4 at a low 5 part of the mower, so that the pushing force from the vehicle is correspondingly low down. This helps to keep the mower stable as it slides across the ground on its skids 3. Figure 4 shows the tractor moving the mower across and cutting a relatively level field 10 of grass. Figure 5 shows the tractor moving the mower when the ground or grass presents a less than even surface to work on. As shown, the mower has tilted upwards a little, by way of the floating connections, so as to accommodate the area being worked. 15 Figure 6 shows the main structure 1 when its top cover has been removed. As can be seen, a shaft 9 driven by the tractor is coupled with the mower to provide power to rotate its blades 3. A chain 10 is also shown extending from the mounting frame 5 to the main structure 1. This serves to stop the main structure 1, skids 2 and blades 3, etc, from undesirably tipping forward when the mower is raised clear of the ground by 20 the tractor's three point linkage system when, for example, the mower is being transported from one site to another in a non-operational manner. The chain 10 helps to protect the blades from undesirable contact with the ground during lifting. While some preferred embodiments of the invention have been described by way of 25 example it should be appreciated that modifications and improvements can occur without departing from the scope of the following claims. 30

Claims (6)

1. A mower having: * a main structure; 5 0 a cutting blade; * ground engaging means; * a first connection; * a vehicle mounting structure; and * a second connection; 10 the mower formed such that when in use it can be secured to and moved along the ground by a motor vehicle so that the ground engaging means run along the ground and the blade can mow vegetation at about ground level, with the first and second connections engaged and moveable with respect to one another so that the main structure, ground engaging means and blade on the one hand can pivot with 15 respect to the vehicle mounting structure on the other hand, to provide a measure of protection against the blade hitting the ground in the event the mower is moved by the vehicle on uneven terrain.

2. A mower according to claim 1, wherein: 20 a) the ground engaging means comprises skids; and/or b) the first connection comprises slots; and/or c) the second connection comprises stubs; and/or d) the mounting structure is adapted to connect to and be moved by a three point linkage system of a tractor. 25

3. A mower according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting structure comprises a mounting frame.

4. A mower according to claim 3, wherein pins extend outwards from each side of the 30 mounting frame, respectively, and the pins are adapted to engage the slots to provide the pivot referred to in claim 1.

5. A mower according to any one of the preceding claims, having a second cutting blade arranged to run alongside the first mentioned cutting blade.

6 AJ PIETRAS & CO Attorney for the Applicant