Harvesters – Motorized harvester – Having driven means for handling or treating crop
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-08
2001-08-07
Pezzuto, Robert E. (Department: 3671)
Harvesters
Motorized harvester
Having driven means for handling or treating crop
C280S785000, C280S769000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06269620
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses for attaching implements to a vehicle, and more specifically to methods and apparatuses for attaching implements to a lawn and garden tractor without the need for tools.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is well known to provide implements that can be attached to lawn and garden tractors. A vast range of implements including grass bags, plows, snow blowers, bumpers, etc. are commonly used. The implements may be attached at various places such as the front, the back, and the midsection of the lawn and garden tractor.
A problem well known in the art deals with the difficulty involved in attaching and detaching such implements. Typically, tools, such as wrenches, screw drivers, socket sets, hammers and the like, are required to secure the particular implement to the tractor. While such methods are effective, they require considerable time and energy.
The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for quickly and easily attaching and detaching implements without need of tools. The difficulties inherit in the art are therefore overcome in a way that is simple and efficient while providing better and more advantageous results.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of this invention, a lawn and garden tractor and implement are provided. An implement attachment apparatus is used to attach the implement to the lawn and garden tractor. The lawn and garden tractor includes a frame having first and second surfaces that are laterally spaced with first and second openings respectively, a plurality of wheels operatively connected to the frame, an engine operatively mounted to the frame for use in providing locomotion to at least one of the plurality of wheels, and a pair of extension members extending from the first and second surfaces of the frame. The implement includes a main body portion and first and second laterally spaced attachment brackets operatively connected to the main body and having first and second holes and first and second slots respectively. The first and second slots are adapted to receive the first and second extension members respectively. The implement attachment apparatus includes first and second pins and securing means for securing the first and second pins in place. The first and second holes in the implement and the first and second openings in the frame receive the first and second pins respectively.
According to another aspect of this invention, a method of attaching the implement to the lawn and garden tractor is provided. First the implement is positioned such that the first slot receives the first extension member and the second slot receives the second extension member. Then the implement is pivoted about the first and second extension members until the first hole in the implement is oriented concentrically with the first opening in the frame and the second hole in the implement is oriented concentrically with the second opening in the frame. Next, the first pin is inserted within the first hole in the implement and the first opening in the frame. Similarly, the second pin is inserted within the second hole in the implement and the second opening in the frame. Finally, the first and second pins are secured into place using cotter pins that fit within pin holes in the first and second pins.
According to still another aspect of this invention, another embodiment for attaching an implement to a lawn and garden tractor is provided. The lawn and garden tractor includes a frame having first, second and third surfaces. The third surface has an opening and the first and second surfaces are laterally spaced. The lawn and garden tractor also includes a plurality of wheels operatively connected to the frame, an engine operatively mounted to the frame for use in providing locomotion to at least one of the plurality of wheels, and first and second extension members extending from the first and second surfaces of the frame. The implement includes a main body portion and first, second and third attachment brackets operatively connected to the main body. The first and second attachment brackets are laterally spaced and have first and second slots respectively. The slots are adapted to receive the first and second extension members respectively. The third attachment bracket has a hole. The implement attachment apparatus includes a first pin and securing means for securing the first pin in place. The hole in the third attachment bracket and the opening in the third surface receive the first pin.
According to yet another aspect of this invention, a method of attaching the implement just described is provided. First, the implement is positioned such that the first slot receives the first extension member and the second slot receives the second extension member. Then, the implement is pivoted about the first and second extension members until the hole in the third attachment bracket is oriented concentrically with the opening in the third surface. Next, the first pin is inserted within the hole and the opening. Finally, the first pin is secured into place.
One advantage of the present invention is that it is easy to manufacture and can be made economically.
Another advantage of the present invention is that implements can be attached and detached without the use of tools.
Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
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Borling Al
Kasanic Joe
Bennett Timothy D.
Emerson Roger D.
Emerson & Skeriotis
Kovács Ár{acute over (p)}ad F
MTD Products Inc
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