The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 23, 1982
Filed:
Dec. 18, 1980
John H Marto, Oshkosh, WI (US);
J. I. Case Company, Racine, WI (US);
Abstract
A parallel linkage suspension for a tractor mounted lawn mower which maintains blade level and drive belt tension at all operating positions of the mower, including an upper mower transport position. The parallel tow bar linkage includes a pair of spaced parallel lower links pivotally connected at opposed ends to the mower assembly and the tractor adjacent the forward end of the tractor and a pair of parallel spaced upper links pivotally connected at opposed ends to the midportion of the mower and the tractor on pivots spaced above and rearwardly of the pivotal connections of the lower links. An idler sheave assembly is pivotally supported on a U-shaped bracket on the upper links, spaced rearwardly of the pivotal connection of the upper links to the tractor, such that the idler sheave assembly moves vertically with the mower on a smaller arc to maintain tension in the belt. The rearward end of the mower is supported by a pair of wheels which are rotatably supported on wheel support arms secured to a rock shaft. A lift arm is connected to the rock shaft and a lift linkage interconnects the lift arm and the upper and lower links, such that rotation of the wheel support arms about the rock shaft lifts the rearward end of the mower and the linkage simultaneously raises the forward end of the mower to raise the mower in parallel relation while maintaining tension in the drive belt.