EP2727877B1 - Hydraulic lawnmower lifting device with adjustable width - Google Patents

Description

1. Field of the invention

The field of the invention is that of garden tools.

More specifically, the invention relates to a mower lifting device, or self-propelled tractor, hydraulic force.

2. State of the art

With the acceleration of urbanization and the accelerated development of the construction of new rural areas, the area of green spaces and gardens and consequently the workload of the maintenance staff continues to grow.

Lawn care is a particularly important point in the maintenance of green spaces.

Lawn mowers are currently the main lawn care tool. They can significantly reduce the workload of staff. In addition, once mowed the lawn is more homogeneous, more beautiful and more orderly.

Due to the intensive use of lawn mowers, regular maintenance is required and repairs are frequent.

For example, when the cutting blades in the lower part of the lawnmower cut the grass close to the ground, they are often stained with mud and grass and must be cleaned.

Currently, it is necessary to put the lawn mower on its side to maintain or repair it. It is overthrown by human force and means of the board are used to keep it in position.

Thus, not only must a significant physical force be used, but the manipulation may require several people. Moreover, it is not possible to place the mower in an ideal position. To summarize the above, maintenance can be dangerous for the safety of people, because the mower can tip over when cleaning, or damaged blades can cause injury.

Given these circumstances, it is really necessary to use a complementary tool to lift and position the mower.

It is known to use lawn-lifters.

These can be operated manually, for example using a crank jack or be equipped with a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder to facilitate the lifting of lawnmowers.

We know lawnmowers to tilt a mower on the side. There are also known lawn mowers for lifting an axle from a mower, and in most cases the axle carrying the front wheels of a mower.

A disadvantage of known lawn mowers for lifting an axle from a mower is that the lawn mower is unbalanced if the mower is not placed on the lawn mower symmetrically. Excessive movement of the mower's wheels on either side of the lawn mower may cause the lawn mower and mower to tilt or fall, which is particularly dangerous for a person working under the lawn mower. the lawnmower.

Another disadvantage of known lawn mowers is that they are intended to accommodate mowers having a given spacing between wheels and they are generally not suitable for use with lawnmowers having a different wheel spacing.

The document US-A1-2005 / 0253122 describes a lawn mower according to the preamble of claim 1, for adjusting the spacing between the ramps each for accommodating a front wheel of the mower.

1. Objectives of the invention

The invention therefore particularly aims to overcome the disadvantages of the state of the art mentioned above.

More specifically, the invention aims to provide a lawn mower technique that can be used to lift any type of mower.

An object of the invention is also to provide a lawn mower technique that is simple to implement and can be used by a single person.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a technique which is of a reduced cost.

An object of the invention is also to provide a lawn mower that is easy to store, easy to transport.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a technique which is reliable.

1. Presentation of the invention

These and other objectives which will appear later are achieved by means of a lifting device of a mower comprising a lifting arm movable about a substantially horizontal axis with respect to a fixed frame member between a storage position in which said lift arm extends substantially in the plane formed by said fixed frame member, and at least one raised position in which said lift arm is spaced apart from said frame member, said lift arm being actuated by a hydraulic cylinder secured to said fixed frame and carrying a removable tray adapted to receive wheels of the same axle of said mower, comprising a first wheel support extending from one side of said lifting arm and a second support of a wheel extending on the other side of said lifting arm, said wheel supports being slidably mounted relative to each other so as to be able to adjust the spacing between said pports.

According to the invention, said device has means for locking said first support with said second support and said lifting arm.

Thus, in a novel and clever way, the invention proposes to provide a possibility of adjusting the spacing between the wheel supports, by means of sliding wheel supports, to adapt the lawn mower device to each mower .

Furthermore, the plate consisting of an assembly of two wheel supports is removable which facilitates the adjustment of the spacing between the wheel supports and the storage device lawn mower.

In addition, locking the wheel supports together and locking them with the lifting arm is done together, which is particularly simple.

Advantageously, said first support has an arm slidably interlocking in an arm of said second support.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said locking means comprise a locking pin forming a key capable of being inserted in through passages of substantially identical contours formed in said first wheel support and in said second wheel support. and, at least partially, in a housing formed in said arm.

The first support is thus locked with the second support and the lift arm in a simple and effective manner.

In particular, the corresponding shape of the key locking shaft and through passages allows effective locking of the two wheel supports together.

Preferably, said locking pin is oriented vertically when the first support is locked with the second support and the lifting arm.

In another embodiment of the invention, the locking pin can be oriented horizontally when the first support is locked with the second support and the lift arm.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the contour of said through passages comprises a circular arc closed by a protrusion protruding out of the radius of said arc.

Advantageously, said protrusion is of substantially complementary shape of said key.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, said housing is formed in a vertical plane of symmetry of said arm.

Preferably, said first wheel support and said second wheel supports have a plurality of through-passages substantially aligned in the sliding direction of said supports, and substantially identical contours, and each of said substantially aligned through-passages of said first wheel support or said second wheel support. wheel support is disposed in a different orientation than the other passages of said first wheel support or said second wheel support.

Thus, by providing through passages of different orientation, it avoids the risk of assembling the wheel supports together in an unsuitable manner.

Advantageously, the distance between the end of said first wheel support farthest from said lifting arm and each of said through passages of said first wheel support is equal to the distance between the end of said second wheel support farthest from said arm of lifting and a passage opening from said second wheel support having an orientation identical to that of said passage opening from said first support when said wheel supports are slidably mounted relative to each other.

Thus, to be able to lock the wheel supports on the lift arm, it is necessary that the parts of the plate that protrude from each side of the lift arm are of the same length.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, said arm of said first wheel support and said arm of said second wheel support are formed of a section of square section.

In variants of the invention, it may be envisaged that the arms of the wheel supports are tubes.

5. List of figures

• la figure 1 illustre dans une vue en perspective un exemple de mode de réalisation d'un dispositif de levage de tondeuse selon l'invention lors que le bras de levage est relevé et les supports de roues et le bras de levage sont verrouillées ensemble ;
• la figure 2 est une vue de côté du dispositif de levage de tondeuse présenté en référence à la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de détail de l'axe de verrouillage formant clavette ;
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessus du dispositif de levage de tondeuse présenté en référence à la figure 1 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue de détail de la zone de verrouillage des supports de roues, lorsque l'axe de verrouillage a été retiré.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description of an embodiment of the invention, given by way of a simple illustrative and nonlimiting example, and the appended drawings among which:

• the figure 1 illustrates in perspective view an exemplary embodiment of a mower lifting device according to the invention when the lifting arm is raised and the wheel supports and the lifting arm are locked together;
• the figure 2 is a side view of the mower lifting device presented with reference to the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 is a detail view of the locking pin forming a key;
• the figure 4 is a top view of the mower lifting device presented with reference to the figure 1 ;
• the figure 5 is a detail view of the locking area of the wheel supports, when the locking pin has been removed.

6. Description Detailed description of the invention

We illustrated on the figure 1 , a first embodiment of a device according to the invention of lifting lawn mower, and in particular a riding mower.

This lifting device 101 comprises a hoist 102 and a removable tray 103 comprising on its left a first wheel support 1 and on its right a second wheel support 4, mounted sliding relative to each other.

The lifting apparatus 102, known per se, comprises a fixed frame member 7, or base, equipped with front wheels 5 and rear wheels 10 on which is pivotally mounted a lifting arm 9. On the figure 1 the lifting arm 9 is in a raised position.

The lifting arm 9 is articulated around a horizontal axis 91 and actuated by a hydraulic jack 8 secured to the fixed frame member 7, at the level of the spacer 6. The jack 8 is connected to a pump 11 controlled by a lever 13.

The upper end of the lifting arm 9 is integral with a support plate 14 on which the removable plate 103 rests. When the lifting arm 9 is tilted, the plate 103 is held horizontal, as can be seen on FIG. figure 2 , in side view.

The left wheel support 1 and the right wheel support 4 consist of a frame 106 for laying the wheels and welded fixed arms 104 and 105 formed of profiled tubes of square section.

Each frame 106 has a wheel alignment axis 107 shifted towards the rear of the frame.

We can see on the figure 4 in a view from above, that the distance A, on the left, or B, on the right, between the axis of symmetry of the frames 106 and the plane of symmetry of the lifting apparatus 102 is identical, or in other words that the frames 106 are symmetrically positioned on each side of the hoist 102.

Three through passages 2 for adjusting the length of the plate 103, and identical contours, are formed on each of the wheel supports 1 and 4.

One of these passages leading to the figure 3B .

We can see on the figure 3B that the contour the contour of the opening passage 2 comprises an arc of circle 33 closed by a protrusion 34 projecting out of the radius of the arc 33.

With reference to the figure 5 it can be seen that the three through-passages 51, 52 and 53 of the wheel support 4 are aligned and each oriented differently, their outgrowth being rotated 120 ° between two adjacent passages. We can also see on the figure 5 that the three through passages 54, 55 and 56 of the wheel support 1 are aligned and each oriented differently, their outgrowth being rotated 120 ° between two adjacent passages, their outgrowth being rotated 120 ° between two adjacent passages.

On the figure 5 it is also noted that the outlines of the through passages 53 and 54 are superimposed, which allows to introduce a guide axis.

As we distinguish it on the figure 1 , the carrier arm 104 of the left wheel support 1 and the arm 105 of the right wheel support 4 of the present lifting device are locked together by means of a locking pin 3, or key-type locking pin, introduced vertically in the through passages 53 and 54 and are locked with the lifting arm 9 by means of the same locking pin 3.

The lock axis is shown alone on the figure 3A .

As can be seen on the figure 3A a radially protruding key 31 is formed on the surface of the upper part of the locking pin 3.

The cross section of the upper part of the locking pin 3 which includes the key 3 is complementary to the contour of the through passages 2. This makes it possible to lock the first wheel support 1 and the second wheel support 4 together using of the key 31.

The lower part 32 of the locking pin 3 is intended to be driven into a housing formed in the support plate 104 in the plane of symmetry of the lifting device 102, so as to lock the supports 1 and 4 with the arm lifting 9.

The following describes how the lifting device 101 is used.

Before use, it is sufficient to turn the handle 13 counterclockwise in order to open the discharge valve of the pump 11 and to lower the lifting arm 9 to near the ground in a storage position in which the arm the lift extends substantially in the plane formed by the fixed frame member.

The length is then adjusted between the frames of the left support 1 and the right support 4 depending on the distance between the two wheels of the mower. For this purpose, the arms 104 and 103 of the supports 1 and 4 are slid into each other until a suitable spacing between the two frames 106 is obtained and two passing passages of the wheel support 1 and the support are superimposed together. of wheels 4.

Because the tray 103 is removable, the tray 103 can be detached from the hoist 102 and brought closer to the wheels of the mower in order to make the choice of the length adjustment more easily.

It should be noted that thanks to the 3 through passages provided in each of the supports 1 and 4, it is thus possible to adjust the spacing between the frames 106 in three different lengths. Moreover, given the different orientation of the different through passages, it is not allowed to mount and lock together the supports 1 and 4 without the frames 106 are equidistant from the locking axis.

The locking pin 3 is then inserted into one of the through-passages 2, after having if necessary rested the plate on the support plate 104, in order to secure in place the left support 1 to the right support 4 and to the lifting arm 9 .

Then the lawn mower is slowly moved in order to rest its two wheels on the frame 106 of the left support 1 and on the frame 106 of the right support 4. At this moment, it suffices to turn the handle 13 clockwise to close the valve discharging the pump 11 and pushing the handle 13 from top to bottom so that the mower rises at the same time as the left support 1 and the right support 4 up to obtain the angle of inclination of the lift arm 9. Maintenance and cleaning work may begin.

Once the maintenance is completed, simply turn the handle 13 counterclockwise to open the discharge valve of the pump 11. Under the effect of their own weight, the lifting arm 9, the left support 1 and the right support 4 descend to their lowest position, then the mower is pulled out of the frames 106 to separate it from the hoist 101.

Claims (10)

1. A lifting device (101) for a lawnmower comprising a lifting arm (9) that is movable around a substantially horizontal axis (91) in relation to a fixed chassis member (7) between a storage position in which said lifting arm (9) substantially extends in the plane formed by said fixed chassis member (7), and at least one elevated position in which said lifting arm (9) is moved apart from said chassis member (7), said lifting arm (9) being actuated by a hydraulic cylinder (8) integral with said fixed chassis (7) and bearing a removable plate (103) able to receive the wheels of a same axle of said lawnmower, comprising a first wheel support (1) extending from one side of said lifting arm (9) and a second wheel support (4) extending from the other side of said lifting arm (9), said wheel supports (1; 4) being slidingly mounted in relation to one another so as to be able to adjust the separation between said supports (1; 4), wherein said device (101) presents means for locking said first support (1) with said second support (2) and said lifting arm (9) .
2. The lifting device according to claim 1, wherein said first support (1) presents an arm (104) slidingly fitted into an arm (105) of said second support (4).
3. The lifting device according to claim 2, wherein said arm (104) of said first wheel support (1) and said arm (105) of said second wheel support (4) are formed by a profile with a square cross-section.
4. The lifting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said locking means comprise a locking pin (3) forming a key able to be inserted into the through passages (2, 53; 54; 55) with substantially identical contours formed in said first wheel support (1) and in said second wheel support (4) and, at least partially, in a housing formed in said arm (9).
5. The lifting device according to claim 4, wherein said locking pin (3) is oriented vertically.
6. The lifting device according to any one of claims 4 and 5, wherein the contour of said through passages (2, 53; 54; 55) comprises a circular arc (33) closed by a protrusion (34) projecting out of the radius of said circular arc.
7. The lifting device according to claim 6, wherein said protrusion (34) has a shape substantially matching that of said key (31).
8. The lifting device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein said housing is formed in a vertical plane of symmetry of said arm (9).
9. The lifting device according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein said first wheel support (1) and said second wheel supports (4) present a plurality of through passages (2, 53; 54; 55) substantially aligned along the direction of sliding of said supports, and with substantially identical contours, and in that each of said substantially aligned through passages (2, 53; 54; 55) of said first wheel support (1) or said second wheel support (4) is arranged in a different orientation from that of the other passages of said first wheel support (1) or said second wheel support (4).
10. The lifting device according to claim 9, wherein that distance between the end of said first wheel support (1) furthest from said lifting arm (9) and each of said through passages (53; 54; 55) of said first wheel support (1) is equal to the distance between the end of said second wheel support (4) furthest from said lifting arm (9) and a through passage of said second wheel support (4) presenting an identical orientation to that of said through passage of said first support (1) when said wheel supports (1; 4) are mounted slidingly in relation to each other.

Images