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:
Jun. 19, 2007
Filed:
Nov. 23, 2004
David Lawrence Phillips, Willow Springs, NC (US);
David Lawrence Phillips, Willow Springs, NC (US);
Deere & Company, Moline, IL (US);
Abstract
A steerable primary axle for a fairway mower or other machine includes a pair of motors mounted in fixed positions on opposing ends of an axle. The mechanical drive system includes a pair of input shafts having input bevel gears, a pair of output shafts with output bevel gears and wheel mounts, and a pair of intermediate shafts between the input shafts and output shafts. Each intermediate shaft has an upper bevel gear meshed with the input bevel gear and a lower bevel gear meshed with the output bevel gear. The output shafts may be enclosed within pivotable housings. A pair of drag links are attached to the pivotable housings and to a steering linkage. The wheels on the wheel mounts may be steered without moving the motors, reducing or minimizing strain on hydraulic hoses or electric cables on the steered wheels.