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:
Dec. 28, 1999
Filed:
Oct. 31, 1997
Randall J Bischel, Bloomington, MN (US);
Daniel E Peterson, Northfield, MN (US);
Gaylord M Pahl, Excelsior, MN (US);
The Toro Company, Bloomington, MN (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to an improved mechanism (100) for attaching a ground-engaging surface maintenance implement, preferably a front-mounted rotary sweeper (300), to a traction vehicle (200). The mechanism includes a four-bar linkage (102) to 'yaw' the implement from an initial position, where the sweeper brush axis is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the traction vehicle (200), to a first or second position, characterized by the brush axis assuming an angled (i.e., non-perpendicular) orientation, the first and second positions being equal but opposite to one another. The mechanism further includes a central pivot (104) which permits the implement to 'roll' or rotate preferably about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the brush axis such that the sweeper (300) can maintain ground contact across its lateral width when traversing laterally uneven terrain. The preferred mechanism also includes a force-producing device (148), selectively activated by the operator, to translate the implement from its initial position to the first or second position or anywhere in-between. Finally, the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes ground-contacting caster-wheels (318) to support or partially support the weight of the sweeper and therefore relieve the weight borne by the sweeper brushes (304).