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:
Jul. 27, 1999
Filed:
Feb. 25, 1998
Matthew D Moore, Dubuque, IA (US);
Ambar K Mitra, Ames, IA (US);
J Adin Mann, III, Ames, IA (US);
Jerald Vogel, Ames, IA (US);
Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc., Ames, IA (US);
Abstract
A method of measuring dynamic air pressure on a ground surface beneath a lawn mower system which is comprised of a rotatable horizontal blade with a deck unit having a closed top with side walls and an open bottom involves placing the mower on an elevated horizontal platform located in spaced relation to the deck. The blade is then rotated at a speed at which the blade normally would cut grass. Measurements are then made of the air pressure at a plurality of locations adjacent the platform to determine if the air pressure at such locations is such that a blade of grass at each location would be lifted or depressed with respect to the platform. The apparatus for performing the aforesaid method has a horizontal platform with a plurality of apertures therein. The platform is adapted to support a lawn mower deck with a rotatable horizontal blade mounted therein. A plurality of air pressure sensors are mounted in spaced locations on the platform and are located in the lower end of hollow extending tubular pressure taps. The sensors are operatively connected to a monitor to permit the dynamic air pressure to be read adjacent each aperture when a lawn mower with a deck and a rotating blade within the deck is placed on the platform over the apertures.