GB2441203A

GB2441203A - Lawn mower with storage cover

Info

Publication number: GB2441203A
Application number: GB0715911A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Waldron
Original assignee: GMCA Pty Ltd
Current assignee: GMCA Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-08-16
Filing date: 2007-08-16
Publication date: 2008-02-27
Also published as: GB0715911D0; GB0616267D0

Abstract

A lawn mower 2 comprises a body 4 having a base 8 that comprises a cutting unit and a cover 46 for association with the cutting unit and/or the base when the mower is being stored. One or more apertures 60 or slots 62 are defined in the cover and/or between the cover and the base or cutting unit to allow air to circulate. This allows grass cuttings to dry out on the mower during storage without turning to foul-smelling compost. The apertures and slots may be in the form of louvers or angled slots. The cover may be detachably connected to the base or may be movably mounted on the mower. A method of storing a lawn mower is further disclosed, wherein the cover is moved to at least partially cover the cutting unit and/or the base. A cover suitable for use with the lawn mower is also disclosed.

Description

I

A Lawn Mower This invention relates to a lawn mower.

A conventional lawn mower typically includes a body portion having cutting means associated with a base thereof. Mote particularly, the base includes an opening to ground datum which defines a cutting chamber in which one or more blades are provided to cut the grass. Handle means can be connected to the body portion to allow a user to move the lawn mower in use.

The lawn mower can be manually powered or can be electrically powered using a motor to drive rotation of the cutting blades in use. In addition, the lawn mower can be a rotary type mower including a plurality of wheels or rollers to support the mower in use or the lawn mower can be a hover type mower using a cushion of air to support the mower above a ground surface in use. it will be appreciated that the present invention can be used :. with either rotary or hover type mowers and can be manually or :..::: power driven.

Lawn mowers have conventionally been stored in garden sheds, outhouses, garages and/or the like. They typically take up a large * amount of space and are unsightly. Furthermore, once lawn mowers have been used, they typically pick up grass cuttings, mud and/other debris on the exterior surfaces thereof which subsequently falls off with time, thereby leaving a mess in the location in which the lawn mower is stored. In addition, lawn mowers are not generally easily transportable due to their size and shape.

in order to overcome the above problem, the applicants have filed a copending patent application EP1695608 relating to a lawn mower which has a handle portion movable between a first in use position and a second collapsed position. In addition, a plate member associated with the handle portion is movable adjacent the base of the lawn mower in the second collapsed position to form a lid or cover to close the opening of the cutting chamber.

A further known lawn mower includes a lid which is pivotably attached to the housing of the mower and which can be moved between an in use position, wherein the lid is associated with the handles of the lawn mower, and a storage position, wherein the lid sealingly engages with the base of the house. When sealingly engaged with the base of the house, the entire base is covered, thereby preventing the flow or air through said base. If any grass cuttings or debris remains on the base of the mower or on the cutting means when the mower is stored, these grass cuttings will compost and rapidly begin to smell. As such, the user is required to thoroughly clean the base of the lawn mower which is time Consuming in order to avoid this problem. S. * .

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a lawn S... . mower which can be stored easily when not in use and which removes or reduces the abovementioned problem.

* It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of storing a lawn mower which removes or reduces the abovementioned problem.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a lawn mower, said lawn mower including a body portion having cutting means associated with a base thereof, cover means capable of being associated with said cutting means and/or said base when said mower is not in use to form a storage condition, and wherein one or more apertures and/or or slots are defined in said cover means and/or between said cover means and said base or cutting means to allow air to flow therethrough when said mower is in said storage condition.

By allowing the natural flow of ambient air through the cover means and/or between the cover means and the base of the mower, this allows any grass cuttings, vegetation or debris remaining on the cutting means, base of the mower, wheels of the mower and/or the like to dry out without turning to compost, thereby reducing or preventing any smell associated with said mower when in the stored condition.

Preferably the one or more apertures and/or slots defined in said cover means are of such shape, dimensions and/or position so as to substantially prevent or limit a user from accessing or accidentally coming into contact with the cutting means when the mower is in the storage condition.

In one embodiment the one or more apertures or slots are in the form of Iouvres or angled slots defined in the cover means. S...

In one embodiment an aperture is provided substantially centrally of the cover means.

Preferably said aperture is substantially aligned with a blade : carrier of the cutting means when the cover means is in a storage position.

Preferably the cutting means includes a blade carrier with one or more cutting blades associated with said blade carrier, preferably on a peripheral edge of said blade carrier. The blade carrier is typically associated with a central drive shaft for allowing rotation of the blade carrier and thus the blades associated with said carrier in use.

Thus, by having the aperture of the cover means substantially aligned and adjacent the blade carrier, this allows air flow but reduces the likelihood of a user contacting one or more cutting blades. The cutting blades typically extend beyond the peripheral edge of the aperture when the cover means is in a storage position.

Preferably the drive shaft rotates about a substantially vertical axis and the blade and blade carrier rotate in a substantially horizontal plane.

In one embodiment a lip, skirt or flange means is associated with said one or more apertures and/or slots (i.e. associated with the edge of the wall(s) of the cover means defining the aperture or slot). Preferably said lip, skirt or flange means protrudes inwardly of the cover towards the base of the mower when the cover means is in a closed or storage position. This :. lip, skirt or flange means further prevents a user from placing their hand between the cover and the base of the mower whilst still allowing the flow of air past the same. Thus, the lip, skirt or flange typically does not engage or sealingly engage with the base of the mower when in said storage condition (i.e. an air flow gap or space can exist between the lip, skirt or flange of ::::; said movcr base).

A lip, skirt or flange means can be associated with a peripheral edge of the cover means to reduce or limit access of a user between a gap formed between the cover means and mower base. Preferably air flow is still possible via said flange means or via one or more other apertures defined in the cover means.

The lip, skirt or flange means can also be used to prevent grass cuttings, vegetation or debris from falling out from between the cover and base means when said mower is in a stored condition.

A cleaning instrument can be associated with the mower, base or cover means to allow a user to at least partially clean the cutting means and/or base prior to storing said mower in a storage condition. The cleaning instrument can include a spatula, brush, scraper and/or the like.

Tn one embodiment the cover means is detachably attached to the base of the mower to allow said mower to be used.

In one embodiment the cover means is movably mounted to the mower housing, body portion or handle means to allow movement between a stored and in-usc condition. For example, the cover means can be rotatably or pivotably mounted on said mower, such as for example to the mower housing.

Preferably the mower is at least partially collapsed or folded when in said stored position.

S... Handle means associated with the body portion for allowing a *:*::* user to move or steer the lawn mower in a required direction in use can be movable between a first in use position and a second collapsed position. In the second collapsed condition, the lawn *:::* mower is more easily transportable, is compact and therefore *:*. takes up less space and can be more easily stored.

lEn one embodiment the handle means are telescopically mounted to said mower. In an in-use condition the handle means are extended arid in a storage condition the handle means are telescopically retracted.

Preferably the handle means are pivotably mounted to the body portion of the mower.

Preferably the handle means are movable about at least two separate pivot points and/or are capable of undergoing at least two separate movement stages in order to move the handle means between said first and second positions. The two pivot points can be provided on a single handle or on separate handles.

Preferably the handle means are movably mounted on the body portion of the lawn mower. This mounting typically allows, at least in part, the handle means to be moved from the first in use position to the second collapsed position.

The handle means can include at least first and second parts, the first part movable with respect to the second part to allow, at least in part, the handle means to be moved between said first and second positions. The cover means is preferably associated with the first and/or second parts. S. * *

Preferably the handle means are rotatably or pivotally mounted on the body portion of the lawn mower. Preferably the at least *:*: first and second parts are rotatably or pivotally movable with respect to each other.

*.:. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, the handle *:*. means can include at least two pivot points; a first pivot point al)OUt which the handle means are movable with respect to the body portion, and a second pivot point about which a first part of the handle is movable with respect to a second part of the han die.

In one embodiment at least a first part of the handle is telescopically mounted with respect to a second part of the Ii an die.

Preferably the handle means are capable of movement approximately between 0-90 degrees with respect to the body portion of the mower.

Preferably the first part of the handle means is capable of movement approximately between 0-180 degrees with respect to the second part of the handle means.

Preferably the handle means are at least partially folded when moved to the second collapsed position.

The movement means allowing movement of the handle parts or handle means with respect to the body portion can include any or any combination of a conventional type of folding mechanism, such as for example one or more hinges, rollers, ball bearings, ratchet mechanisms, screws, rotatable members and/or the like. * *

The body portion typically has an upper surface and a base. In the first position, the handle means typically protrudes *1* outwardly from an upper surface of said body portion or base.

in one embodiment at least a part of the handle means can be folded or moved to a position adjacent or parallel to the base of the body portion in the second position. In one embodiment at least a part of the handle means can be folded underneath the lawn mower, thereby significantly decreasing the space taken up by the mower in the second collapsed position.

With the handle means in the second collapsed position, at least part of the handle means are substantially parallel with the base of the body portion.

In one embodiment the cover means are associated with the handle means. Preferably the cover means can be moved with the handle means between the first in use condition and the second collapsed condition. Thus, both the handle means and the covet-means can be folded underneath the base of the mower. The handle means can be provided between the base of the mower and the cover means or the handle means can be provided externally of the cover means.

The cover means are preferably moved adjacent to and substantially parallel with an underside surface of the base of the lawn mower in the second collapsed position to form a cover for the base of the mower. This has the advantage that it protects a user or other objects from contacting the cutting means, which are typically accessible via the base of the mower, when the mower is not in use. In addition, the cover collects any debris, mud, grass cuttings and/or the like which may fall from or be attached to the base of the mower.

:. One or more locking mechanisms can be associated with the body portion, folding means, movement means, handle means *I.

and/or the cover means to allow the handle means and/or cover means to be locked in said first and/or second positions. The locking mechanism can include any or any combination of one or more catches, screws, nuts and bolts, hooks, ties, inter- ::; engaging members, friction fit and/or the like.

Preferably the cover means is in the form of a plate like member with a flange or skirt member around a peripheral edge thereof.

The cover means typically substantially covers the cutting blade part of the base of the mower.

The cover means can be associated with the handle means in such a way that when the handle means are in the second collapsed or storage position, the flange or skirt member of the cover means engages with or is provided adjacent the side walls of the body portion.

In one embodiment the cover means are associated with the handle means in such a way that the flange or skirt member of the cover means faces away from the body portion of the mower, typically towards the user with the handle means in the first position. The free edge of the flange or skirt member typically protrudes towards said upper surface of the body portion when the cover means is located in the second position adjacent the underside surface of the base of the body portion.

The at least first and second parts of the handle means typically correspond to at least upper and lower parts, and the cover means is typically associated with the upper part of the handle means (i.e., the part furthest from the body portion of the mower). As such, when the mower is in the second position, the upper part of the handle means, and thus the cover means, is :..::: provided adjacent the underside surface of the base of the S...

m 0 we r. * ** * S * * S.

Preferably the handle means includes at least one elongate frame * * member and the cover means is associated with the same.

Further preferably the handle means includes at least two * S. elongate frame members, such as for example substantially parallel frame members, and the cover means are provided between said frame members.

in one embodiment the cover means protrudes from one or more edges of said frame members.

In whichever embodiment, the dimensions of the cover means are typically such so as to cover at least the cutting means provided on the base of the mower and preferably substantially all the base of the mower in said second position, with the exception of the one or more slots or apertures.

The handle means and/or mower typically include one or more gripping portions and said gripping portions are typically used to carry the mower when in the second storage position. The gripping portions are typically the same gripping portions used by the user to grip the handle means in the first in use position.

Preferably the gripping portions protrude from a front edge of the mower when in the second collapsed position, thereby allowing the same to be used as a handle by a user. In one embodiment gripping portions or other handle means can protrude from a side or rear of the mower to allow carrying of the mower in the second position.

In one embodiment a mesh, netting and/or gauze can be :. provided over or associated with the one or more apertures or :..::: slots to prevent or reduce the likelihood of a user placing their S...

hand between the cover means and the base of the mower when in the storage position.

* *. The cover means can be integrally formed with the handle means, attached or detachably attached to the handle means as * S required.

The cover means can be provided with one or more recesses and/or compartments to allow the storage of one or more items, such as tools, electrical cable and/or the like therein. The recesses and/or compartments can be provided on an inner surface or an external surface as required.

The lawn mower can include any rotary type mower, hover mower, vegetation cutter and/or the like and can be electrically powered, fuel powered or manually powered. If the lawn mower is a powered mower, the body portion can include one or more fuel reservoirs, motor, drive mechanisms and/or the like.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of storing a lawn mower, said lawn mower including a body portion having cutting means associated with a base thereof, and wherein said method includes moving cover means to at least partially cover the cutting means and/or said base when said mower is not in use to form a storage condition, and wherein one or more apertures and/or or slots are defined in said cover means and/or between said cover means and said base or cutting means to allow air to flow therethrough when said mower is in said storage condition.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided cover means for use with a lawn mower. * * * ***

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described **** *:*::* with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: Figures Ia and lb are a perspective view and side view of a lawn *:*::* mower according to the present invention in one embodiment in *:*. an in use condition respectively; Figures 2a and 2b are a perspective view and side view of the lawn mower in figure 1 when in a second collapsed condition respectively; and Figure 3 is a plan view of the base of the mower when in a stored condition.

Referring to the figures, there is illustrated a hover lawn mower 2 having a body portion 4 and handle means 6. Body portion 4 includes a base 8, side walls 10 and a top surface 12. A motor housing 14 is also provided as part of body portion 4 and housing 14 is located on top surface 12. The shape and configuration of the body portion and motor housing can be in any suitable shape, colour, size and/or design as required.

Grass cutting blades (not shown) are typically provided adjacent the base 8 of the body portion 4, such that as body portion 4 is moved across a grass surface in use, the cutting blades cut the grass. More particularly, the cutting blades include a substantially central blade carrier with one or more blades associated with a peripheral edge thereof. Since the mower shown in the illustrations is a hover mower, air flow means are also provided in body portion and/or motor housing 14. The air flow means allows the hover means to be lifted a pre-determined distance off the ground in use and to allow movement of the mower across the ground surface. Although a grass cutting receptacle is not shown in the illustrations, it will be appreciated . that a receptacle can be provided with the mower if required. S...

* The covei: means of the present invention which is described in more detail below can be associated with or form part of said grass cutting receptacle when in an in-use position. * .* * S S

The handle means 6 include two elongate arm members 16, 18 * which are joined at first ends 20, 22 to upper surface 12 of body portion 4 and at second ends 24, 26 to each other via connection member 28.

More specifically, each arm member 16, 18 includes lower and upper arm portions 30, 32 and 34, 36 respectively. Ends 20, 22 of lower arm portions 30, 34 are rotatably mounted to body portion 4. This rotatable mounting typically includes an aperture defined in arm portions 30, 34 which rotates about a spindle or shaft provided on body portion 4. A locking nut 38 can be provided to prevent the arm portions from falling off the shaft in use. The mounting can allow any suitable amount of movement and, in one example, arm portions 30, 34 can rotate between 0-90 degrees with respect to the body portion.

However, the arm portions 30, 34 must at least be movable from an acute angle with respect to base 8 to a position substantially parallel and adjacent to base 8.

The upper ends of lower arm portions 30, 34 opposite to lower ends 20, 22 are hingedly joined to lower ends 40, 42 of upper arm portions 32, 36. Locking screws 44 are provided to lock the hinges in a first in use position, wherein the lower and upper arm portions 30, 32 and 34, 36 are axially aligned, fixed in relation to each other and substantially continuous in length, as shown in figure Ia. Rotation of the locking screws in a suitable direction unlocks the same and aiiows upper arm portions 32, 36 to be moved relative to lower arm portions 30, 34 to allow folding of the arm members, as shown in figure lb. S... * S I...

A cover member 46 is provided between upper arm portions 32, 36. More specifically, cover member 46 has a portion extending between the arm portions and portions extending either side of *:*::* the arm portions. The cover member can be an integrally formed : one piece member or can include a number of parts.

* . Furthermore, the cover member can be integrally formed with upper at-rn portions 32, 36, or can be detachably or fixedly attached thereto by suitable attachment means. Cover member 46 has a flange 48 around a peripheral edge thereof which protrudes away from the front of lawn mower 2.

Connection member and ends 24, 26 of upper arm portions 32, 36 typically define gripping portions to allow a user to grip the handles in use. User actuation means in the form of actuation lever 50 are provided adjacent the gripping portions to allow a user to manipulate the same in use to move the lawn mower between on and off conditions.

in accordance with the present invention, the handle means 6 arc movable between a first in use position, as shown in figures la and ib, to a second collapsed position, as shown in figures 2a and 2b. In order to fold the handle means, one pivotal stage includes lower arm portions 30, 32 being rotated/pivoted relative to body portion 4, such that the upper ends of the lower arm portions opposite to ends 20, 22 are facing towards the rear 52 of the mower and the lower arm portions are substantially parallel to top surface 12.

The second pivotal stage includes locking screws 44 being moved to an unlocked position, thereby allowing upper arm portions 32, 36 to be pivoted relative to lower arm portions 30, 34, through approximately 180 degrees to a folded position. This pivotal movement is typically in a direction towards the front 54 . of mower 2, as shown by arrow 56. The locking screws 44 can * then be moved to a locked position to maintain the handle means in a folded position until use of the mower is required.

*:*::* In the folded position, upper arm portions 32, 36 are typically provided parallel to and a spaced distance apart from arm * *: portions 30, 34. More particularly, arm portions 32, 36 are folded underneath or adjacent the underside of base 8 of mower 2. The cover member 46 is positioned in such a location with respect to upper arm portions 32, 36 that in a folded condition, cover member 46 engages or is provided adjacent base 8. Flange 48 of cover member 46 typically engages against or is provided adjacent side walls 10. Thus, cover member 46 prevents access to the cutting blades in the folded condition, it collects any dirt or debris falling from the base of the lawnmower following use and also provides a compact, aesthetically pleasing unit which can be easily stored and transported.

More particularly, a substantially central aperture 60 is defined in cover member 46 and one or more peripheral slots 62 are also provided. The aperture 60 and slots 62 allow the flow of air through the mower base when in a stored condition so as to l)tcvcnt composting of any grass cuttings, debris and/or vegetation associated with the base or blades when moved to a stored condition. The flow of air allows the cuttings, debris and/or vegetation to dry out so as not to smell and ferment which can happen if maintained in a substantially sealed

environment as is the case with prior art devices.

The aperture 60 is positioned in said cover member 46 such that when the cover member is engaged over the base of the mower, the aperture is substantially aligned with the base of blade carrier 64 rather than the blades attached to the blade carrier. As such, only the base of the blade carrier 64 is contactable by a * user with the mower in a stored condition and access to the blades is obstructed or prevented. An inwardly protruding lip 66 can be provided on the wall of the cover defining the aperture *:*::* 60 and said lip prevents a user from inserting their hand *. : between the blade carrier and the cover to access the blade in * use but still allows the flow of air therepast.

In one embodiment, it will be appreciated that the cover means can include a frame, which may or may not comprise a whole or part of the handle means and the cover means include a central cover portion for covering the blade part of the cutting means with a gap or aperture provided between the central cover portion and frame. The gap or aperture can be aligned with the peripheral edge of the base or cutting chamber where the blades are not accessible from.

The gripping portions protrude from the front 54 of the mower when in the folded condition, thereby allowing a user to easily carry and transport the folded mower assembly.

Any or any combination of the abovementioned features can be provided with the cover means of the present invention. * * * *** *. * * * ** * * * * S* * S. * * S * *5 *. S

S S S.

Claims

Claims: 1. A lawn mower, said lawn mower including a body portion

having cutting means associated with a base thereof, cover means capable of being associated with said cutting means and/or said base when said mower is not in use to form a stol-age condition, and wherein one or more apertures and/or or slots are defined in said cover means and/or between said cover means and said base or cutting means to allow air to flow therethrough when said mower is in said storage condition.

2. A lawn mower according to claim I wherein the one or more apertures and/or slots are of such shape, position and/or dimensions so as to substantially prevent or limit a user from accessing or accidentally coming into contact with the cutting means when the mower is in the storage condition. *... * * -.

* * 3. A lawn mower according to claim I wherein the one or more apertures and/or slots are in the form of louvers or angled slots. * ** * * *

*: 4. A lawn mower according to claim 1 wherein an aperture is defined substantially centrally of said cover means.

5. A lawn mower according to claim I wherein the cutting means includes a blade carrier with one or more cutting blades associated with said blade carrier and an aperture is substantially aligned with said blade carrier.

6. A lawn mower according to claim 5 wherein the cutting blades are provided beyond the peripheral edge of the aperture when the cover means is in the storage position, such that the cutting blades cannot be easily accessed via said aperture.

7. A lawn mower according to claim I wherein a lip, skirt or flange means is associated with said one or more apertures and/or slots.

8. .A lawn mower according to claim 7 wherein the lip, skirt or flange means protrudes inwardly of the cover means towards the base of the mower when in the storage p os i ti on.

9. A lawn mower according to claim I wherein a cleaning instrument is associated with the mower to allow a user to at least partially clean the cutting means and/or base prior to storing said mower in the storage position.

1 0. A lawn mower according to claim 9 wherein the cleaning instrument is a spatula brush and/or scraper.

* . .* 11. A lawn mower according to claim I wherein the cover means is detachably attached to the base of the * .* mower. * * * * *. I* I * I I

* 1
2. A lawn mower according to claim I wherein the cover means is movably mounted to the body portion, mower housing and/or handle means to allow movement of the cover means between an in-use position and a storage position.

13. A lawn mower according to claim I wherein a mesh, netting and/or gauze is associated with the one or more apertures and/or slots.

14. A lawn mower according to claim I wherein the mower is at least partially collapsed or folded when in said storage position.

15. A lawn mower according to claim I wherein handle means associated with the body portion for allowing the user to move or steer the lawn mower in use are movable from a first in use position to a second collapsed position.

16. A lawn mower according to claim 15 wherein the cover means is associated with the handle means and in the second collapsed position, the handle means are moved to a position adjacent or under the base so that the cover means can be moved to substantially cover the base.

17. A lawn mower according to claim I wherein handle means associated with said lawn mower are telescopically mounted so that they can move between an extended in use condition and a retracted storage position. * IS

1 8. A lawn mower according to claim I wherein the handle means are movable about at least two separate pivot points to provide two separate movement stages in * *.

moving the handle means from the first to the second Si ti On s.

19. A lawn mower according to claim 15 wherein the handle means includes at least first and second parts, the first part movable with respect to the second part to move the handle means between the first in use position and the second storage position, and the cover means associated with said first or second parts.

20. A lawn mower according to claim I wherein the cover means are adjacent to and substantially parallel with an underside surface of the base of the mower in the second storage position.

21. A lawn mower according to claim 1 wherein locking means are associated with the handle means, mower body and/or cover means to allow the handle means and/or cover means to be locked in the first in use position and/or second storage position.

22. A lawn mower according to claim I wherein a flange or skirt member is provided on a peripheral edge of the cover means.

23. A lawn mower according to claim 22 wherein the flange or skirt member engages with or is adjacent the side walls of the body portion of the mower in the storage S..

position.

24. A lawn mower according to claim I wherein the cover means includes a substantially central aperture and *:*. one or more peripheral slots.

25. A lawn mower according to claim I wherein the cover means substantially covers the base of the mower.

26. A lawn mower according to claim 1 wherein gripping means are associated with the mower or handle means of the mower to allow carrying of the mower in the storage O Si tio n.

27. A lawn mower according to claim 26 wherein the gripping means protrude from a front edge of the mower in the second storage position.

28. A lawn mower according to claim I wherein the cover means are integrally formed or attached with handle means of the lawn mower.

29. A lawn mower according to claim 1 wherein the cover means are detachably attached to the handle means of the lawn mower.

30. A method of storing a lawn mower, said lawn mower including a body portion having cutting means associated with a base thereof, and wherein said method includes moving cover means to at least partially cover the cutting means and/or said base when said mower is not in use to *m* form a storage condition, and wherein one or more apertures and/or or slots are defined in said cover means and/or between said cover means and said base or cutting means to allow air to flow therethrough when said mower ::; is in said storage condition. . 31. Cover means for use with a lawn mower according to claim 1