Briggs & Stratton, LLC

Ferris Industries, Inc.

Ferris, a Division of Simplicity Manufacturing, Inc.

Mark J Melone

James F Marshall

Steven J Weber

Erik R Slegelis

Travis Rasch

Richard Smith

Mark Lynch

Denis A Oswald

William Decker

Brian Crossway

Frank Marshall

Robert S Lauren

Robert S Laurin

E Mark Lynch

Denis Oswald

Ride-on equipment includes a pair of front wheels, a pair of rear wheels, a main frame, a subframe pivotally coupled to the main frame about a pivot axis, a power source, and a transaxle assembly. The power source is coupled to and supported by the main frame and includes a drive pulley. The transaxle assembly is configured to pivot with respect to the power source, is operably coupled to the pair of rear drive wheels, and includes at least one driven pulley. The drive pulley and the at least one driven pulley are operably coupled by a belt such that the at least one driven pulley of the transaxle assembly is configured to be driven by the drive pulley of the source via the belt.

Zero-turn radius lawnmower with suspension system

A mower includes a pair of drive wheels, a pairs of non-drive wheels, and a mower deck. The mower deck includes a central deck housing, a first blade housing, a second blade housing, and an actuator coupled to the central deck housing and at least one of the first blade housing and the second blade housing. The first blade housing is pivotally coupled to a first side of the central deck housing so as to be angularly displaceable relative to the central deck housing, the second blade housing is pivotally coupled to a second side of the central deck housing so as to be angularly displaceable relative to the central deck housing. The actuator is configured to selectively raise and lower at least one of the first blade housing and the second blade housing relative to the central deck housing.

Mower deck with actuated blade housings

Front and rear independent suspension mechanisms accommodating an increased range of motion to better absorb shock originating at the wheels of a riding mower to insulate the operator and reduce stress on the mower chassis and other mechanical components. The front suspension can include a front axle with pivot pockets allowing 360 degree rotation of pivots engaged within the pockets, thereby providing a greater range of absorption of shock entering the front axle at varying angles. The rear suspension can include a vertically pivoting transmission platform, providing for controlled vertical motion in the transmission while the transmission is powered by an engine by way of a belt assembly.

Suspension system and method

Some embodiments of the invention provide a transaxle drive system for ride-on equipment. The transaxle drive system can include a frame supporting at least one power source and at least two subframes, the at least one power source including at least one drive pulley. The system can also include transaxle assemblies driven by at least a portion of at least one belt from the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can include a first transaxle assembly supported by a subframe, the first transaxle assembly coupled to the at least one drive pulley with at least one belt, and a second transaxle assembly supported by another subframe, the second transaxle assembly coupled by at least one belt to the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can be independently pivoted with respect to each other, the frame, and the power source.

Some embodiments include a transaxle drive system for ride-on equipment with a plurality of transaxle assemblies supported by a suspended subframe, and a frame supported on a pair of front wheels at one end that is coupled to and pivotably suspends the subframe. Some embodiments include a power source with a drive pulley supported by the frame at an opposite end. Some embodiments include a belt coupling the drive pulley to a driven pulley of the transaxle assemblies. In some embodiments, the plurality of transaxle assemblies can be driven from the drive pulley by at least a portion of the belt. Further, in some embodiments, the plurality of transaxle assemblies include a first and second transaxle assembly each coupled to a separate rear wheel. The first and second transaxle assemblies are suspended from the subframe, and can be pivoted together about the frame, and the at least one drive pulley.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a suspension system coupled to a main frame of ride-on equipment including at least one subframe coupled to the main frame with a pivot including pivot axis. Some embodiments include at least one transaxle assembly supported on the at least one subframe coupled to a drive wheel, and a power source supported on the main frame coupled to the at least one transaxle assembly. Some embodiments include driven pulleys, idler pulleys and backside idler pulleys supported by the at least one subframe coupled to a power source not supported by the at least one subframe. Some embodiments include two independently suspended subframes, each independently pivotable on the pivot axis with respect to each other and the main frame.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a suspension system coupled to a main frame of ride-on equipment including a subframe coupled to the main frame with a pivot including a pivot axis. Some embodiments include a transaxle assembly supported on the subframe coupled to a drive wheel, and a power source supported on the main frame coupled to the transaxle assembly. A rider can control the transaxle assembly with a compensated control linkage assembly that can compensate for movement of the subframe. Some embodiments include driven pulleys, idler pulleys and backside idler pulleys supported by the subframe coupled to the power source not supported by the subframe. In some embodiments, the pivot axis resides between the power source and the transaxle assembly. In some embodiments, the drive wheel can be driven by an electric motor supported by the subframe and the power source can be a battery.

Some embodiments of the invention provide an independent suspension system coupled to a main-frame of ride-on equipment including a subframe coupled to the main frame with a pivot including a pivot axis. Some embodiments include a transaxle assembly supported on the subframe coupled to a drive wheel, and a power source supported on the main frame coupled to the transaxle assembly. A rider can control the transaxle assembly with a compensated control linkage assembly that can compensate for movement of the subframe. Some embodiments include driven pulleys, idler pulleys and backside idler pulleys supported by the subframe coupled to the power source not supported by the subframe. In some embodiments, the pivot axis resides between the power source and the transaxle assembly. In some embodiments, the drive wheel can be driven by an electric motor supported by the subframe and the power source can be a battery.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a mower including a frame having a front portion and a rear portion, at least one front wheel coupled to the front portion of the frame, and two drive wheels on substantially opposite sides of the rear portion of the frame. Each drive wheel is coupled to the frame by a first link pivotably coupled at one end to the front portion of the frame and at an opposite end to the drive wheel, and a second link pivotably coupled at one end to the rear portion of the frame and at an opposite end to the drive wheel. The mower also includes at least one spring positioned to bias the drive wheels in a downward direction. Each of the drive wheels are movable upward and downward relative to the frame.

Mower suspension system and method

In some embodiments, a mower can be adapted to traverse a terrain. The mower can include a frame, which can include a front and at least one front beam located at the front of the frame, and first and second front wheels. In some embodiments, each of the first and second wheels can be coupled to the at least one front beam and at least one biasing member can be associated with each of the first and second front wheels. In some embodiments, the at least one biasing member can be positioned to bias the wheels in a downward direction and can include being constructed a of a non-metal material. In some embodiments, the wheels can independently move with respect to one another in response to changing elevation of the terrain. The mower also can include a cutter deck and at least one cutter.

Growing community of inventors

Rome, NY, United States of America

Mark J Melone