公开(公告)号：US20240415060A1

公开(公告)日：2024-12-19

申请号：US18747697

申请日：2024-06-19

Applicant: MTD PRODUCTS INC

Inventor： Jay Maggard ,  Jeffrey Kucera

IPC: A01D67/00 ,  A01D34/66 ,  A01D34/86

Abstract: Provided is an articulated mower apparatus, comprising a first deck and a second deck. The first deck has a right, left, front, back, top and bottom, a first blade and a first caster. The first blade is rotatable with the first deck and operable to contribute to mowing. The first caster is adapted to support the first deck above a surface. The second deck is engaged with the first deck at a side by a linkage defining an articulation axis. The linkage is adapted to permit the second deck to rotate about the first articulation axis with respect to the first deck. The second deck has: a rotatable blade and is adapted to contribute to mowing; a second caster adapted to support the second deck above the surface; and a drive roller. Also provided are related mower systems.

公开(公告)号：US20240410123A1

公开(公告)日：2024-12-12

申请号：US18745622

申请日：2024-06-17

Applicant: MTD PRODUCTS INC

Inventor： Axel Schaedler ,  Peter Buchanan

IPC: E01H5/04 ,  E01H5/09 ,  F04D7/04 ,  F04D31/00

Abstract: A snow thrower impeller assembly (24) includes a mounting slot (84) for a wiper (70). The wiper includes a wiper portion (86) that slides into the mounting slot to mount the wiper to the impeller (54). The wiper contacts an interior wall (56) of an associated impeller housing during rotational operation of the impeller in order to limit a gap (74) between an impeller blade (66) and the interior wall. The wiper can move radially inward and outward to remain in contact with the interior wall without input from the operator. Another embodiment of the impeller assembly includes impeller blades with a first portion (116) and a second portion (118). The second portion extends at a non-zero angle from the first blade portion of the impeller blade. Improving the efficiency of a snow thrower is described in one or more methods.

公开(公告)号：US20240353565A1

公开(公告)日：2024-10-24

申请号：US18761954

申请日：2024-07-02

Applicant: MTD PRODUCTS INC

Inventor： Charles Hart ,  Jeff Kucera

IPC: G01S17/931 ,  G01S7/481 ,  G05D1/249 ,  G05D1/81

CPC classification number: G01S17/931 ,  G01S7/4813 ,  G05D1/249 ,  G05D1/81

Abstract: A machine vision device is provided usable in conjunction with power equipment machines. By way of example, an array of sensors can be deployed to detect proximity of objects to the power equipment machine, and issue an alert in response to detecting an object within a threshold distance. The alert can be utilized by the power equipment machine to take corrective action to mitigate or avoid running over or striking the object. Sensors having respective fields of view can be arranged along an arc to facilitate machine vision of a spatial volume in a proximity of the machine, and ranging determinations can be coupled with low cost processing devices to facilitate a machine vision solution far more cost effective than other technologies in the art.

公开(公告)号：US20240341233A1

公开(公告)日：2024-10-17

申请号：US18638129

申请日：2024-04-17

Applicant: MTD PRODUCTS INC

Inventor： Jay Maggard ,  Axel Schaedler

IPC: A01D43/077 ,  A01D43/063 ,  A01D69/02 ,  A01D101/00

CPC classification number: A01D43/077 ,  A01D43/063 ,  A01D69/02 ,  A01D2101/00

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus can be (removably) secured to a turf maintenance machine and efficiently transport turf clippings out from a mowing implement of the turf maintenance apparatus. An opening in the conveyor apparatus defines an input that is positioned adjacent to a discharge port of a mow deck when secured to the turf maintenance machine. The input therefore receives turf clippings ejected by the turf maintenance machine. A driven element within the conveyor apparatus propels the turf clippings along an interior length to an output. The conveyor apparatus can be operable with a bagging mode of the turf maintenance machine, and can be removed and replaced with a discharge chute to implement a side discharge mode for the turf maintenance machine.

公开(公告)号：US20240316747A1

公开(公告)日：2024-09-26

申请号：US18737154

申请日：2024-06-07

Applicant: MTD PRODUCTS INC.

Inventor： Stefan SAUER ,  Kai Uwe FINK ,  Patrick Christian SCHMIDT ,  Markus ANDORF ,  Ingo KUBIK

IPC: B25G3/18 ,  A01G3/053

CPC classification number: B25G3/18 ,  A01G3/053

Abstract: A handling device (20), in particular for a processing device, such as a gardening and/or household implement, comprising a gripping portion (30) and an electrical power supply (45) in the form of at least one rechargeable battery, wherein the handling device (20) also has contact means (80), which serve alternately, on the one hand, for the electrical and non-electrical connection of a tool (50) to the handling device (20) and, on the other hand, for charging the electrical power supply, in particular by means of a charger (100), and also to a processing device (10), in particular a gardening and/or household device, equipped with such a handling device (20).

公开(公告)号：US12082523B2

公开(公告)日：2024-09-10

申请号：US18207835

申请日：2023-06-09

Applicant: MTD PRODUCTS INC

Inventor： Mark Driscoll

IPC: A01D34/00 ,  A01D101/00 ,  B24B23/00 ,  B24B23/02 ,  B25F5/02 ,  B62B5/06

CPC classification number: A01D34/001 ,  A01D2101/00 ,  B24B23/005 ,  B24B23/02 ,  B25F5/026 ,  B62B5/06

Abstract: A handle adjustment assembly is attached to a walk-behind lawn mower, wherein the handle adjustment assembly is rotatably adjustable relative to a deck of the mower to allow the handle to be adjusted to multiple different heights relative to the ground at distinct operative positions. The handle adjustment assembly is also rotatable to allow the handle to be adjusted to a stored position adjacent to the deck, wherein the mower can be stored in a substantially vertical orientation.

公开(公告)号：US20240107949A1

公开(公告)日：2024-04-04

申请号：US18375047

申请日：2023-09-29

Applicant: MTD PRODUCTS, INC.

Inventor： Timothy Clapp ,  Nathaniel Byrne

IPC: A01D69/08 ,  A01D34/66 ,  A01D34/78

CPC classification number: A01D69/08 ,  A01D34/66 ,  A01D34/78 ,  A01D2101/00

Abstract: A torque limiter assembly and/or damage mitigation assembly that can limit torque and other forces from being applied to a motor or motor assembly of a lawn maintenance device such as a mower. For example, sudden blade-stop events or other events that might damage the motor can instead be absorbed or dispersed by the torque limiter assembly via use of a friction material. The torque limiter assembly can have a shaft and bearings that are independent of the motor shaft and motor bearings. The friction material can serve as a mechanical linkage between the two independent shafts operating to limit torque exchanges between the two shafts that exceed a defined magnitude. In the event that wear or damage is sustained, such will tend to be limited to the torque limiter assembly, which can be repaired or replaced in a more cost effective or simplified manner than the motor assembly.

公开(公告)号：US20240107942A1

公开(公告)日：2024-04-04

申请号：US18376558

申请日：2023-10-04

Applicant: MTD PRODUCTS INC

Inventor： Nathaniel Byrne ,  Daniel S. Zehentbauer ,  Christian P. Emhoff ,  Justin J. Chae ,  Anthony A. Harrison

IPC: A01D34/78 ,  A01D34/73 ,  A01D43/063

CPC classification number: A01D34/78 ,  A01D34/733 ,  A01D43/063 ,  A01D2101/00

Abstract: A high efficiency turf maintenance apparatus having low power consumption and good cutting performance is presented herein. A multi-blade blade assembly is disclosed to reduce power consumed in driving the blade assembly and enhance longevity of a dischargeable power supply. In some aspects described herein, a first blade of the multi-blade assembly can have a first length that is greater than a second length of a second blade. Further, the first blade or the second blade can be substantially bilaterally symmetric about a rotation axis of the multi-blade assembly. In alternative or additional aspects, the second blade can provide lift within a deck of the high efficiency turf maintenance apparatus to propel turf clippings from within the mow deck through a discharge opening therein.

公开(公告)号：US20240090371A1

公开(公告)日：2024-03-21

申请号：US18370236

申请日：2023-09-19

Applicant: MTD PRODUCTS INC

Inventor： Theodore Nichols ,  Christian Emhoff ,  Heath Rohrbaugh

IPC: A01D34/66 ,  A01D34/73 ,  A01D34/78 ,  A01D34/81

CPC classification number: A01D34/66 ,  A01D34/733 ,  A01D34/78 ,  A01D34/81

Abstract: A high efficiency mow deck and cutting system for a lawn maintenance apparatus is discussed. One example embodiment comprises a lawn maintenance apparatus, comprising: a frame; a plurality of drive wheels rotatable about a drive wheel rotation axis; at least one of an operator seat or a standing platform secured to the frame; operator controls for operator-initiated functions of the lawn maintenance apparatus; and a mow deck secured to the frame, wherein the mow deck comprises a plurality of mow spindles, wherein each mow spindle of the plurality of mow spindles is configured to drive one or more mow blades, and wherein the mow deck comprises at least one baffle that reduces space around the one or more mow blades of at least one of the plurality of mow spindles.

公开(公告)号：US20240065146A1

公开(公告)日：2024-02-29

申请号：US18238257

申请日：2023-08-25

Applicant: MTD PRODUCTS INC

Inventor： Timothy Clapp ,  Nathaniel Byrne ,  David Palcisko

IPC: A01D34/73 ,  A01D34/64

CPC classification number: A01D34/733 ,  A01D34/64

Abstract: A blade adapter apparatus configured to couple multiple cutting blades to a shaft of an outdoor power equipment. The blade adapter apparatus can simplify attachment of multiple blades, which can be performed prior to interfacing with the outdoor power equipment. The blade adapter apparatus can prevent the multiple blades from being attached according to an improper orientation and prevent the multiple blades from being attached according to an improper order. The blade adapter apparatus can furthermore robustly distribute load from a high energy impact event, and/or maintain a fixed angle between blade tips of a multi-blade assembly.