JPH05276832A - Cutting unit for lawn mower - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a cutting unit of a mower capable of switching a function as needed. CONSTITUTION: This cutting unit 10 is provided with a frame 12, a reel 104, a bed knife 102, a roller 54 at a rear part, a rotary brush 80 and a driving device for driving the rotary brush. The reel 104 is rotatably attached to a side part plate 14 of the frame. The bed knife is fixed to the side part plate. The roller at the rear part is provided at the rear part of the bed knife to support the cutting unit on a lawn. The rotary brush is rotatably supported by the side part plate to clean a route adjacent to the rear part of the roller at the rear part. The rotary brush is adjustably supported so as to be engaged and disengaged to/from the roller at the rear part or the lawn. Thus, the rotary brush is positioned so as to simultaneously brush the roller at the rear part and the surface of the lawn or so as to brush only one of the roller at the rear part and the lawn.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reel type lawnmower used for cutting a green or fairway on a golf course, or for cutting a sports field, and more particularly, to a lawn mower. , Using a rotating brush in a lawnmower as described above.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Grass clumps are a problem that arises with the cutting units of reel type lawnmowers for mowing any grassy area that needs to be cut to a uniform length. Typical examples of such locations are golf course greens or fairways. Especially when the cutting unit as described above is equipped with a grass catcher mounted on the rear side, grass lumps are a problem because sticky grass chips adhere to the structure of the catcher. ,next,
This is because it tends to fall to the rear roller or between the rear roller and the support of the bed knife where the chips accumulate, resulting in the formation of a mass of chips that impair the appearance of the lawn.

Another problem encountered in growing and caring for lawns on golf courses, especially those used for greens, is that the grass forms streak-prone lines.
As the lawn mower traverses the grass, the grass tends to orient in the same direction, thus causing an undesired noticeable condition on the putting.

It is known to install a bristling brush in front of the cutting unit of a reel type lawnmower for cleaning grass in order to raise the streaks, keep the eyes closed and pick up the intertwined grass. In addition, the rear rollers do not collect grass, which ensures a constant cutting height and prevents unsightly grass lumps from accumulating on the lawn surface. It is also known to mount a rotating brush adjacent the roller behind the cutting unit of the machine. An example of a rotating brush as described above is 18 June 1974.
US Patent No. 3,816,985 granted to Sorenson et al on the date and Bartlet on May 10, 1977.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,0 granted to lett et al)
No. 21,996.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a reel-type lawnmower cutting unit having a novel rotary brush attachment.

One feature of the invention is to provide a cutting unit having at least a rear gauge roller and also equipped with a rotating brush, said rotating brush comprising:
In addition to cleaning the chips from the rear gauge roller, it is provided to perform one or more tasks or tasks, either separately or concurrently with the cleaning of the chips.

A more particular feature of the present invention is to provide a rotating brush provided behind the cutting unit of a reel type mower, said rotating brush cleaning the rollers when the grass catcher is not used. It performs one or more of the following functions: lawn regulation, shaving mass dispersal, and, when a grass catcher is used, the additional function of discharging the chips to the grass catcher.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide an adjustable rotating brush associated with a grass catcher,
In this case, the lip below the entrance of the grass catcher is in the form of a cutting bar that is located close to the brush so as to strip the grass chips from the brush, which causes the chips to rotate. Partially carried by and deposited in the grass catcher rather than returned to the lawn and deposited.

Another feature of the invention is to provide a drive for a rotating brush, which drive drives the brush in the same direction as the direction of the rear roller or vice versa. It is also possible to adjust the brush to move towards and away from the lawn and / or the rear roller, so that the brush can be used to clean chips from the rear roller while simultaneously brushing the lawn. Thus reducing entanglement and eye formation, while at the same time providing grass chip dispersal.

The above and other features will be more apparent from a reading of the following description in conjunction with the drawings.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Before the description begins, although only one part or element is shown in the drawings, in the various parts of the description below, each part or element is described as being provided in pairs. Please note that. It should be understood that parts or elements not shown are similar or identical to corresponding parts or elements shown.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a reel-type cutting unit 10 comprising a frame 12 formed by opposed side plates 14, said side plates being rearward. They are interconnected by an upper tubular cross member 16 and a forward upper cross member 18. Formed at the front and rear of each side plate 14 are outwardly curved front and rear flanges 20, 22, which form vertical mounting surfaces, respectively. There is. Each front flange 20 has a front roller support bracket 24 secured to the flange 20 by vertically spaced bolts 26, said bolts being flanges 22.
Through the opening of the bracket 24 and is screwed into a screw hole provided in the bracket 24. Each support bracket 24 forms a front projection 28 having a vertical hole, the vertical hole being drilled through the projection to provide a portion of the front roller mounting bracket 32. The screw type adjustment post 30 to be formed is accommodated with a margin. Upper and lower adjustment nuts 34, 36 are fitted to each post 30 at positions above and below the upper and lower horizontal surfaces of the associated protrusion 28, respectively. A front roller 38 extends between the mounting brackets 32 and is rotatably supported by the mounting brackets.

Each rear flange 22 is provided with vertically spaced openings and also has a rear roller support bracket 40 secured to the rear flange by a pair of bolts 42. .. The bolt extends rearward through the opening in the flange 22 to allow the bracket 40
Is screwed into a screw hole provided in the. Each bracket 40 includes a rear protrusion 44 with a vertical hole formed therein.
And the vertical holes loosely accommodate the threaded vertical posts 46 of the rear roller mounting bracket 48. A brush adjustment post support bracket 50 fits over each post 46 below the protrusion 44 and extends rearwardly from the post. Upper and lower nuts 51, 52 are respectively fitted to the posts 46 at positions above and below the associated bracket protrusion 44 and support bracket 50, respectively, to provide upper and lower horizontal protrusions and brackets, respectively. Is tightened to the right side, and as a result, each bracket 50
Is mounted in a cantilever manner. Rear roller 54
Extend between the vertical legs 56 of the bracket 48, the rear roller having oppositely projecting spindles 58 as shown in FIG. 56 has a square cross-section portion 60 trapped in a complementary shaped hole provided at 56. At the inner end of each spindle 58 there is a bearing 62 which is tightly housed in the shell of the roller.
A snap ring 66 holds it in place against the inside surface of the spindle shoulder 64. A flange nut 68 fits over the threaded portion of the spindle 58 and holds the leg 56 firmly against the outer surface of the shoulder 64. Each spindle 58
Eccentric element having a threaded extension projecting outwardly beyond the nut 68, the extension having an annular surface 72 arranged in an eccentric relationship to the axis of the spindle. 70 is fitted. The face 72 of each eccentric element 70 is fitted with the front corner of a triangular brush support arm 74, which is fitted with the threaded extension of the spindle 58 and with the eccentric element. A nut 78 clamped towards 70 sandwiches between the flange nut 68 and the shoulder 76 of the eccentric element 70.

A rotating brush 80 is provided behind the rear roller 54, and the rotating brush projects from both ends thereof and forms a cylindrical container which forms the rear and lower corners of the brush support arm 74, respectively. It has spindles 82 respectively rotatably housed in 84. A driven pulley 86 is fixed to the outer end of the right spindle 82.

Connected pivotally to the rear and upper corners of each brush support arm 74, for example by a pin 88, is a threaded brush adjustment post 90, which is a respective post. Adjustment support bracket 50
Through the opening provided in the. The post 90 is
The washers 92, 94 having spherical surfaces are carried with a margin, and the washers are housed on the surfaces of the corresponding shapes provided on the top and bottom of the bracket 50. Adjusting nuts 96, 98 are provided on each post 90 above and below washers 92, 94, respectively, and are therefore used to move the associated brush support arm 74 to the grass surface and aft. It can be moved up and down relatively to the roller 54.

Referring again to FIG. 1, there is shown a support 100 for a U-shaped bed knife, the supports having fixed ends on opposite side plates 14 of the frame 12 of the cutting unit. Have The bed knife 102 is laterally extended by a plurality of plow bolts (not shown) to provide a flat and level support 100.
Is firmly fixed to the surface of.

The reel 104 is located approximately centrally between the rollers 38 and 54 and includes a shaft 106 having opposite ends bearing in opposite bearing housings 108 of diamond shape, said bearing housings comprising: , A rear bolt 110 defining the horizontal pivot axis of the housing
And a front bolt 112 provided in an arcuate slot formed with a radius around the bolt 110 and attached to the side plate 14, the front bolt of the reel adjusting mechanism 118. It is pivotally coupled to a threaded adjustment post 116 which forms part. The right end of the reel shaft 106 extends outwardly beyond the right bearing housing 108, and the reel has a brush drive pulley 120 attached to the reel. The pulley 120 is aligned with the brush pulley 86 in the front-rear direction, and the brush drive belt 1
22 to drive the brush pulley. The reel 104 is equipped with a plurality of blades (not shown) that cleans along a circular path that passes very close to the cutting edge of the bed knife 102, which causes the grass to move to the bed. Carried towards the knife and cut by the cutting blade. A reversible hydraulic motor (not shown) is mounted on the left side plate 14 which operates via a gear train housed in a gear housing 114 to keep the reel 104 clocked. Drive in the direction to cut the grass, or drive the reel in the counterclockwise direction to perform back lapping.

The frame 12 includes an upper shield 126 extending between and secured to the side plates 14. A support bracket 128 for supporting the U-shaped grass catcher or basket is constructed from tubular material, the support bracket being secured to a cutting unit support bracket 130 mounted at a central location on the shield 126. It has opposite legs extending rearward from the bend. Bracket 12
Each leg of 8 has a rear end formed by an outwardly facing cylindrical portion 132. The grass catcher or basket 134 is provided with a pair of hanging straps 136 which project forward from laterally spaced locations above the front portion and which are cylindrically shaped on the support bracket 128. Semi-cylindrical end 1 which is respectively engaged with the parts 132 and open rearward
It ends at 38. The grass catcher 134 has an open front portion bounded by side walls having outwardly facing vertical flanges 140 engaged with adjacent flanges of the rearwardly curved rear flange 24 of the side plate 14. And the engagement ensures that the grass catcher is properly positioned to receive the grass. The open front bottom of the catcher 134 is formed by an angled cutting bar 142 which, for any adjusted position of the brush 80, is the path through which the bristles of the brush clean it. To be very close to
Adjustably mounted. In detail, cutting bar 1
Each end of 42 has a threaded adjustment rod 1
No. 44 is welded, and the adjusting rod is attached to the catcher 13
4 through the respective arcuate adjustment slots 146 provided in the side wall portions on both sides of the No. 4 and project outward. A nut 148 is tightened on each rod 144 to hold the rod in place. As best seen in FIG. 8, one of the bottom ends of the legs of the cutting bar 142 is wrapped around a guide pin 150, which guide pin comprises a catcher 13
4 have opposite ends projecting through respective upstanding guide slots 152 provided in opposite side walls. Thus, when the brush 80 is rotating in a counterclockwise direction, that is, in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the reel roller 54, the bar 142 acts to remove the grass debris carried by the brush 80. It will be understood that this allows the chips to accumulate in the catcher. The rotation direction of the brush 80 depends on the pulley 86 and the pulley 120.
Note that in the position between, the belt 122 occurs when twisted as shown in FIG. If it is desired to drive the brush 80 clockwise, ie in the same rotational direction as the reel 104 and the rear roller 54, the belt 122 will not be twisted, which allows the rear roller 5 to rotate.
Performs one or more functions such as the function of cleaning chips from 4, and the function of brushing the lawn so that the fallen grass stands upright by passing the front and rear rollers 38, 54. In addition to this, or alone, disperse the lumps of grass chips on the lawn.
If it is desired to brush the lawn, the nuts 96, 98 of the adjustment post 90 are adjusted and the brush 80 is provided in its lower position shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. If it is desired to use the brush 80 only for brushing the lawn, the eccentric element 70 is adjusted and the brush 80 is provided in a position spaced rearwardly from the roller 54 as shown in FIG. Of course,
Whenever you do not want to collect chips, catcher 1
34 can be removed.

Although it is most useful to use the brush 80 in combination with a rear-mounted grass catcher, many of the functions performed by the brush do not require a catcher, so that the grass catcher with chips mounted in front of it will not. The brush is sufficiently useful for use with a cutting unit configured to eject into it.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a right side elevational view of a reel-type cutting unit employing a rotating brush according to the principles of the present invention, in a position for cleaning grass shavings from a lawn and rear rollers and removing the shavings. Shows the brush being rotated for delivery to the catcher.

2 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1 showing the installation of an adjustable brush.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the installation of the brush adjusted to place the brush in the raised position, in which the brush drops chips from the rollers. It only acts to send the chips to the grass catcher.

4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the brush in a lowered position away from the rollers, in which the brush, when driven in the clockwise direction, Adjusts to disperse the lumps of chips only, and when driven in the counterclockwise direction, to carry the chips toward the grass catcher, the direction of rotation of which is required. It is selected according to the effect.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.
4 shows details of mounting the rear roller and brush support arm.

6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.
Figure 6 shows means for supporting the brush spindle.

FIG. 7 is a right rear perspective view of an eccentric mechanism for adjusting the brush toward and away from the rear roller.

FIG. 8 is a right rear perspective view showing the right end of the adjustable cutting bar.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Cutting Unit 12 Frame 14 Side Plates 30, 36, 5
1, 52 Nut 50 Support bracket 54 Rear roller 70 Eccentric element 74 Brush support arm 80 Rotating brush 82 Spindle 102 Bed knife 104 Reel 128 Support bracket 142 Bar

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Steven Dale Mayberry, Iowa, USA 52501, Ottumwa, Eleanor Drive 5 (72) Inventor Richard Lee Forest, Illinois, Illinois State 61241, Corona, Sullivan Drive 361

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. In a cutting unit of a mower, a frame having opposed upright side plates, a reel extending between the side plates and rotatably attached to the side plates, and the side plates. A bed knife extending between and fixed to the side plate, the bed knife having a cutting edge provided at a position extremely close to a path drawn by the cutting blade of the reel, and provided behind the bed knife, A rear roller rotatably mounted to the side plate for supporting the cutting unit on the lawn to be mowed, and extending between the side plate and rotatably supported by the side plate; A rotating brush provided at a position for cleaning a path near the rear portion of the roller, and rotating the rotating brush. A drive connected to the rotating brush, and further to engage the rear roller and away from the rear roller and to engage the lawn. And a mounting means for adjustably supporting the brush so as to disengage from engagement with the lawn, thereby providing a location for simultaneous brushing of the rear roller and lawn surface, or A cutting unit for a lawn mower, wherein the brush can be located at a position where a brush is applied to only one of the rear roller and the lawn. 2. The cutting unit of the lawnmower according to claim 1, wherein the rear roller has both ends formed by a pair of spindles having threaded ends projecting outwardly; the brush. The mounting means for supporting
A pair of brush support arms is provided, and each brush support arm rotatably attaches both ends of the brush to a rear end of the brush support arm, and has a circular hole provided at a front end of the brush support arm. A circular eccentric element is received in each circular hole, the eccentric element having a shoulder for engaging an outer surface of an associated brush support arm; The element has a smaller hole provided in an eccentric relationship with respect to the central axis of the eccentric element, and accommodates an associated one of the threaded outer ends of the spindle in the small hole. A nut is fitted on each of the spindles, and the nut holds the brush in a position in which the brush is engaged with the periphery of the rear roller, or the brush is attached to the rear roller. In any selected adjustment position of the position held in spaced relationship to the circumference, the cutting unit of the lawn mower, characterized in that for holding the eccentric element the associated. 3. The cutting unit of the lawn mower according to claim 2, wherein the mounting means for supporting the brush further includes a pair of support brackets extending above the pair of brush support arms; and the pair of brush supports. A pair of threaded brush support posts each having a lower end pivotally connected to an arm, each of the pair of brush support brackets having a corresponding one of the pair of support posts. And upright holes for receiving the brushes are provided and mounting means for supporting the brushes further hold each of the brush support posts in a desired vertical position relative to an associated one of the support brackets. And thus comprises fixing means for holding the brush in a desired adjusted position relative to the lawn. Cutting unit for lawn mower. 4. The cutting unit of the lawn mower according to claim 1, further comprising a grass catcher attached to a rear portion of the cutting unit, wherein the grass catcher is provided adjacent to a rear portion of the brush. Has an opening of
The drive selectively rotates the brush in a direction opposite to the direction in which the rear roller rotates when the cutting unit is moving forward, which causes the brush to remove chips. A cutting unit for a lawn mower, characterized in that it has means for actuating it into the catcher. 5. The lawn mower cutting unit according to claim 4, wherein the front opening of the grass catcher has a lower portion formed by a horizontal and laterally extending cutting member, and the brush comprises: A cutting unit for a lawn mower, wherein the cutting member is provided at a position for peeling chips from the brush when the brush passes through the cutting member and rotates. 6. The lawn mower cutting unit of claim 5, wherein the cutting member is attached to the remainder of the grass catcher such that the brushes move toward and away from the lawn or rear rollers. The lawn mower cutting unit further comprising adjustable means for maintaining the cutting portion in a peeling relationship with respect to the brush when adjusted in direction. 7. The cutting unit for lawnmower according to claim 6, wherein the drive device includes a reversible means for selectively changing a rotating direction of the brush, whereby the brush comes into contact with the lawn. The drive is used to rotate the brush in the same direction as the rear roller to erect grass and disperse chips, or the brush is moved to the rear roller. A cutting unit for a lawn mower, which is capable of dispersing chips by rotating in a rotation direction opposite to a rotation direction. 8. In a grass cutting unit, a frame having opposed upright side plates, a reel extending between the side plates and rotatably mounted to the side plates, and a side plate of the side plates. A bed knife extending between and fixed to the side plate, the bed knife having a cutting edge provided at a position extremely close to a path drawn by the cutting blade of the reel, and the side provided behind the bed knife, Such as cleaning a path that extends between a rear roller rotatably mounted to a section plate and the side plate and is rotatably supported by the side plate and is proximate to a rear portion of the roller. Position the rotating brush and the cutting unit in the opposite direction to the rear roller while the cutting unit moves forward. A drive selectively connected to the rotating brush for rotation in a direction, and further for receiving grass discharged from the reel after being cut at the cutting edge of the bed knife. A grass catcher attached to the rear of the cutting unit, the grass catcher having a front opening provided close to the path to be cleaned by the peripheral portion of the brush, whereby the grass carried by the brush. Is discharged to the grass catcher. 9. The grass cutting unit according to claim 8, wherein the front opening of the grass catcher has a lower portion formed by a horizontal, laterally extending cutting member, the brush comprising: A grass cutting unit, wherein the cutting member is provided at a position where the chips are peeled off from the brush when the cutting member is rotated by passing through the cutting member. 10. The grass cutting unit according to claim 9,
Further comprising adjustable means for mounting the rotating brush to adjust between an upper position raised above the grass and a lower position for engaging the grass and cleaning at least an upper portion of the grass. The drive unit comprises reversible means for selectively rotating the brush in the same direction as the rear roller when the brush is in its lower position. 11. The grass cutting unit according to claim 9, wherein
Means for attaching the rotating brush to engage and adjust away from engagement with the lawn, and the cutting to move toward and away from the brush Further comprising adjustable means for attaching a member to the remainder of the grass catcher,
Accordingly, the cutting member can be provided at appropriate positions for peeling chips from the brush with respect to various positions of the brush. 12. The grass cutting unit according to claim 9,
The rotating brush is mounted so as to be adjustable in the front-back and vertical directions so that the rotating brush is traversed further towards and away from the rear roller and by the cutting unit. Further comprising adjustable means allowing adjustment towards and away from the lawn, whereby the brush is used to clean grass debris of the rear roller, and / or Alternatively, the top of the lawn can be cleaned to lift the fallen grass and / or to disperse the chips, and the drive device can be in the same direction as the rear roller or in the rear roller. A grass cutting unit comprising means for selectively driving the brush in a direction opposite to the direction. 13. In a grass cutting unit, a frame having opposed upstanding side plates, a reel extending between the side plates and rotatably attached to the side plates, and a side plate of the side plates. A bed knife extending between and fixed to the side plate, the bed knife having a cutting edge provided at a position extremely close to a path drawn by the cutting blade of the reel, and the side provided behind the bed knife, Such as cleaning a path that extends between a rear roller rotatably mounted to a section plate and the side plate and is rotatably supported by the side plate and is proximate to a rear portion of the roller. A rotary brush provided in a position and a drive device connected to the rotary brush to rotate the rotary brush; The drive device rotates the brush in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the rear roller while the cutting unit moves forward, and a grass catcher is attached to the rear of the brush, and the grass catcher is attached. Is
A grass cutting unit having an opening arranged to receive chips carried by the brush.