WO2006023909A2

WO2006023909A2 - Yard support implement apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2006023909A2
Application number: PCT/US2005/029940
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chuck Dolbeare
Original assignee: Chuck Dolbeare
Priority date: 2004-08-18
Filing date: 2005-08-18
Publication date: 2006-03-02
Also published as: WO2006023909A3

Abstract

The present invention provides for a yard implement support apparatus having a vehicle mount assembly mounted to a vehicle, an extension arm connected to the vehicle mount assembly, and a tool control assembly slidably engaged with the extension arm. The vehicle mount assembly has a base mounted to the vehicle, a substantially vertical pivot post connected to the base, and a sleeve rationally engaged with the pivot post. The extension arm can have an acute bend rotationally connected to the sleeve of the vehicle mount assembly. The tool control assembly can have a roller guide assembly being in slidable communication with the extension arm. Further, it can have an adjustable tool mount for receiving a yard implement and an angular displacement assembly to adjust the angular displacement of the yard implement mounted in the adjustable tool mount.

Description

YARD IMPLEMENT SUPPORT APPARATUS

REFERENCE TO PENDING APPLICATIONS

This application is not based upon any pending domestic or international patent applications.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

This application is not referenced in any microfiche appendix.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention: The present invention is generally directed toward an apparatus used with yard implements.

More specifically, the present invention is directed toward an apparatus to secure a yard implement on a vehicle while continuing to have functionality of the yard implement.

2. Background:

During the process of keeping a lawn or yard trimmed, cut and otherwise taken care of, a variety of pieces of equipment can be used. These pieces of equipment can include a riding lawnmower, a weed trimmer, an edger, etc. Typically, when a person is using the riding lawnmower or other riding vehicle, that person loses the ability to use the handheld pieces of equipment. This can cause additional time and energy to be used for the maintenance of the lawn or yard. Further, if a yard or lawn is of such a large size, the act of carrying a handheld piece of equipment can be burdensome. Thus, there is a need for a device which can take advantage of a riding lawnmower or other vehicle while providing the functionality of a handheld piece of equipment. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention satisfies the needs stated above. The present invention is generally directed toward an apparatus used with yard implements. More specifically, the present invention is directed toward an apparatus to secure a yard implement on a vehicle while continuing to have functionality of the yard implement.

One aspect of the present invention discloses a yard implement support apparatus having a vehicle mount assembly mounted to a vehicle, a directional control assembly rotationally connected to the vehicle mount assembly and a tool control assembly slidably engaged with the directional control assembly. The tool control assembly has an adjustable tool mount for receiving a yard implement, such as a trimmer, edger, etc. Once the yard implement is secured to the adjustable tool mount attached to a vehicle, such as a tractor or riding lawnmower, it can be transported via the vehicle around the yard while still maintaining its usability. The tool mount is adjustable in order to accommodate the various sizes of yard implements.

One aspect of the vehicle mount assembly includes a base mounted to the vehicle, a pivot post connected to the base; and a sleeve rotationally engaged with the pivot post and connected to the directional control assembly. These parts can include various features such as having the pivot post being substantially vertical and the base being adjustably connected to the vehicle. Another aspect of the vehicle mount assembly can further include a stabilization support connected to the pivot post and the vehicle. One aspect of the directional control assembly includes an extension arm rotationally connected to the vehicle mount assembly. The extension arm can have an acute bend therein. This bend can be used when the vehicle mount assembly is mounted to the rear portion of the vehicle and the yard implement would need to be used from the side of the vehicle. The extension arm can be of various shapes and sizes, including being tubular having a square cross-section.

One aspect of the tool control assembly includes a roller guide assembly having an open first end and an open second end and a plurality of roller bearings therein. The directional control assembly extends through the housing and is in slidable communication with the plurality of roller bearings.

One aspect of the tool control assembly includes a housing assembly slidably engaged with the extension arm of the directional control assembly. The tool mount assembly is removably connected to the housing assembly. One aspect of the housing assembly includes a housing being configured in a substantially rectangular configuration. The housing has a body, a first end and a second end. The body has top side, bottom side, an outside wall and an inside wall. The top side has a slot therein. The housing also has an open first end and an open second end and a plurality of roller bearings therein.

Further, the housing assembly includes a brake assembly extending through its outside wall in order to come into contact with the extension arm. Still further, the housing assembly includes an angular displacement assembly in communication with the housing and tool mount assembly.

One aspect of the angular displacement assembly includes a pivot shaft having a first end and second end. The pivot shaft is substantially within the body of the housing where its first end is in rotational communication with the housing's outside wall. The second end of the pivot shaft extends through the housing's inside wall, where the tool mount assembly is in removable connected. A handle is extends through the slot located in the top side of the housing and connects with the pivot shaft. Further, a shaft brake is connected to the pivot shaft to lock it in a desired position. One aspect of the tool mount assembly includes a universal clamp which can be removably connected to the second end of the pivot shaft, along with a clamp top which can be removably connected to the universal clamp.

Further features of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the accompanying drawings and upon reading the following description of the preferred embodiments.

e BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the tool control assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the tool control assembly of the present invention shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the embodiment of the tool control assembly of the present invention shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an exploded top view of the embodiment of the tool control assembly of the present invention shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments contained herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

As illustrated in Figures 1-5, an embodiment 10 of the present invention is disclosed. Embodiment 10 shows a yard implement support apparatus 12 comprising a vehicle mount assembly 20 mounted to a vehicle (not shown) . A directional control assembly 30 is rotationally connected to the vehicle mount assembly 20. The directional control assembly 30 has an extension arm 32. A tool control assembly 40 is slidably engaged with the extension arm 32 of the directional control assembly30. The tool control assembly 40 has an adjustable tool mount assembly 42 for receiving a yard implement (not shown). In embodiment 10, the vehicle mount assembly 20 comprises a base 22 mounted to a vehicle, a pivot post 24 connected to the base 22 and a sleeve 26 rotationally engaged with the pivot post 24.

Sleeve 26 is also connected to the directional control assembly 30. In this embodiment, pivot post

24 is substantially vertical, and base 22 is adjustably connected to the vehicle. While this embodiment shows the vehicle mount assembly to have a substantially vertical pivot post 24 and an adjustably connected base 22, these features are merely illustrative and are not meant to be limiting. An additional embodiment of the vehicle mount assembly 20 includes a stabilization support (not shown) connected to the pivot post 24 via pilot post clamp 25 and the vehicle. This stabilization support can take the form of a strap, belt or other support structure.

In embodiment 10, extension arm 32 has an acute bend therein, which is between approximately forty degrees and eighty-five degrees therein. Further, extension arm 32 is tubular and has an approximate square cross-section. While this embodiment shows the extension arm 32 to have an acute bend therein being between approximately forty degrees and eighty-five degrees therein and being tubular and having an approximate square cross-section, these features are merely illustrative and are not meant to be limiting.

As illustrated in Figures 2-7, tool control assembly 40 comprises a housing assembly 50 slidably engaged with the extension arm 32 of the directional control assembly 30. Tool mount assembly 42 is removably connected to the housing assembly 50.

Housing assembly 50 comprises a housing 52 being configured in a substantially rectangular configuration. Housing 52 has a body 58, a first end 54 and a second end 56. The body 58 has a top side 60, bottom side 62, an outside wall 64 and an inside wall 66. Top side 60 has a slot 68 therein.

Housing 52 further has an open first end 70 and an open second end 72. A plurality of roller bearings 74 are located within the body 58.

This embodiment 10 also includes a first end cap and a second end cap fitting over open first end 70 and open second end 72. Each first end cap 90 and second end cap 92 has a first opening 94 and a second opening 96 therein. Each of these openings 94, 94 are dimensioned to receive extension arm 32 of the directional control assembly 30, such that extension arm 32 fits within first opening 94, rolls along the plurality of rollers 74 and out the second opening 96.

A brake assembly 80 extends through the outside wall 66 of the housing 52 in order to come into contact with the extension arm 32 of the directional control assembly 30. Brake assembly 80 comprises a brake knob 82, a brake stud 84, and an adjustable cap 86. When brake knob 82 is tightened down by a screwing motion, adjustable cap 86 applies pressure on extension arm 32. This casues housing 52 to lock against extension arm 32 preventing any additional movement.

Tool control assembly 40 has includes an angular displacement assembly 100. Angular displacement assembly 100 has a pivot shaft 102 having a first end 104 and second end 106. Pivot shaft 102 is substantially within body 58 of housing 52. First end 104 is in rotational communication with outside wall 64. Second end 106 extending through inside wall 66 of housing 52. Tool mount assembly 42 is in removable communication with second end 106 of pivot shaft 102. Ahandle 108 is in communication with pivot shaft 102 and extends through slot 68 of top side 60 of housing 52. A shaft brake 110 is placed around pivot shaft 102 and secured by shaft brake knob 112. Tool mount assembly 42 includes a universal clamp 44 in removable communication with second end 106 of pivot shaft 102 and a clamp top 46 in removable communication with universal clamp 44. A yard implement, such as a trimmer, edger, etc, is secured between universal clamp 44 and clamp top 46. Due to the removability of the two pieces of the the tool mount assembly 42, yard implements of various sizes can be accommodated. While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification, but is to be limited only by the scope of the attached claims or including the full range of equivalency to which each element thereof is entitled.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A yard implement support apparatus comprising: a vehicle mount assembly mounted to a vehicle; a directional control assembly rotationally connected to said vehicle mount assembly, said directional control assembly having an extension arm; and a tool control assembly slidably engaged with said extension arm of said directional control assembly, said tool control assembly having an adjustable tool mount assembly for receiving a yard implement.

2. The yard implement support apparatus of claim 1 wherein said vehicle mount assembly comprises: a base mounted to said vehicle; a pivot post connected to said base; and a sleeve rotationally engaged with said pivot post and connected to said directional control assembly.

3. The yard implement support apparatus of claim 2 wherein said pivot post is substantially vertical.

4. The yard implement support apparatus of claim 2 wherein base is adjustably connected to said vehicle.

5. The yard implement support apparatus of claim 2 wherein said vehicle mount assembly further comprises a stabilization support connected to said pivot post and said vehicle.

6. The yard implement support apparatus of claim 1 wherein said extension arm has an acute bend therein.

7. The yard implement support apparatus of claim 6 wherein said acute bend is between approximately forty degrees and eighty-five degrees therein.

8. The yard implement support apparatus of claim 1 wherein said extension arm is tubular having a square cross-section.

9. The yard implement support apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tool control assembly further comprises a housing assembly slidably engaged with said extension arm of said directional control assembly; said tool mount assembly being removably connected to said housing assembly.

10. The yard implement support apparatus of claim 9 wherein said housing assembly comprises: a housing being configured in a substantially rectangular configuration having a body, a first end and a second end, said body having a top side, bottom side, an outside wall and an inside wall, said top side having a slot therein, an open first end and an open second end and a plurality of roller bearings therein; a brake assembly extending through said outside wall of said housing in order to come into contact with said extension arm of said directional control assembly; and an angular displacement assembly in communication with said housing and said tool mount assembly.

11. The yard implement support apparatus of claim 10 further comprising: a first end cap in communication with said first end of said housing, said first end cap having an first opening therein, said first opening being dimensioned to receive said extension arm of said directional control assembly; and a second end cap in communication with said second end of said housing, said second end cap having an second opening therein, said second opening being dimensioned to receive said extension arm of said directional control assembly.

12. The yard implement support apparatus of claim 10 wherein said angular displacement assembly comprises: a pivot shaft having a first end and second end, said pivot shaft being substantially within said body of said housing where said first end being in rotational communication with said outside wall of said housing and said second end extending through said inside wall of said housing, wherein said tool mount assembly is in removable communication with said second end of said pivot shaft; a handle in communication with said pivot shaft and extending through said slot of said top side of said housing; and a shaft brake in communication with said pivot shaft.

13. The yard implement support apparatus of claim 10 wherein said tool mount assembly comprises: a universal clamp in removable communication with said second end of said pivot shaft; and and a clamp top in removable communication said universal clamp.

14. The yard implement support apparatus of claim 13 wherein said angular displacement assembly comprises: a pivot shaft having a first end and second end, said pivot shaft being substantially within said body of said housing where said first end being in rotational communication with said outside wall of said housing and said second end extending through said inside wall of said housing, wherein said tool mount assembly is in removable communication with said second end of said pivot shaft; and a handle in communication with said pivot shaft and extending through said slot of said top side of said housing; and a shaft brake in communication with said pivot shaft.

15. The yard implement support apparatus of claim 14 further comprising: a first end cap in communication with said first end of said housing, said first end cap having an first opening therein, said first opening being dimensioned to receive said extension arm of said directional control assembly; and a second end cap in communication with said second end of said housing, said second end cap having an second opening therein, said second opening being dimensioned to receive said extension arm of said directional control assembly.

16. The yard implement support apparatus of claim 1 wherein said a yard implement is a trimmer.

17. The yard implement support apparatus of claim 1 wherein said a yard implement is an edger.