Land vehicles – Wheeled – Riding attachment
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-14
2001-05-22
Vanaman, Frank (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Riding attachment
C280S492000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234495
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a sulky device adapted to be attached to a self-propelled power mower or the like. More particularly, this invention relates to a two-wheeled sulky device including three separate pivots and two coupling arms of predetermined sizes for enabling improved performance and storage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Sulky devices attachable to self-propelled power mowers are old and well-known throughout the art. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,828,282; 5,004,251; and 5,413,364.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,251, commonly owned along with the instant application, discloses a one-wheel sulky adapted to be attached to and pulled behind a power mower. Due to the single wheel, only two pivots are needed. The mechanism for attaching the sulky of the '251 patent to the power mower includes a pair of pivot members with an elongated arm therebetween, the arm being connected to the power mower via the first pivot at one end with the second pivot at the other end enabling the platform ease of operation and storage. While the sulky device of the '251 patent has experienced commercial acceptance in the marketplace, many operators prefer two-wheeled sulky devices as opposed to the single-wheeled type illustrated in the '251 patent.
Two-wheeled stand-on sulky devices are also old and well-known throughout the art. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,485,314; 4,828,282; and 5,413,364.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,485,314 discloses a two-wheeled trailer adapted to be towed behind a power driven tractor. Unfortunately, the trailer of the '314 patent including its attachment mechanism to the tractor, is undesirable in view of its lack of maneuverability during operation and storage.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,282 discloses a sulky device adapted to be towed behind a self-propelled power mower including a pair of wheels between which a platform is disposed. A rigid towbar assembly is provided as a coupling mechanism between the mower and platform. Again, the sulky of the '282 patent is undesirable in view of its lack of maneuverability and lack of an adequate storage position.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,364 discloses a two-wheeled sulky device including three separate pivot members in the coupling mechanism. Unfortunately, the design of the coupling mechanism of the '364 patent, including its three pivot members and attachment thereto, is undesirable in that: (i) it limits maneuverability of the sulky during operation due to the co-planar orientation of all three pivots; (ii) the platform and wheels are unable to swing even part of the way under the front arm rendering the device susceptible to damage and undesirable in reverse modes; (iii) the mower of the '364 patent cannot safely and reasonably be driven if the is sulky is stored because the co-planar design of the horizontal arms causes the platform, when stored, to interfere with the mower's handle bars; and (iv) the rear horizontal arm is relatively long compared to the other or front horizontal arm with its hitch thereby causing the sulky of the '364 patent to cut corners on turns during operation and also causing the operator to move further than necessary off-center relative to the mower handle bars during such turns.
Another prior art two-wheeled sulky device in commerce at least as early as 1992, is known as the “E-Z Rider” or “Lewstep”. Unfortunately, this “E-Z Rider” two-wheeled triple pivot sulky is similar in most respects to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,364 and therefore is susceptible to the same problems as discussed above.
It is apparent from the above that there exists a need in the art for an improved two-wheeled sulky device, having three pivot members, with hitch, and arms of lengths so that the improved sulky (i) has improved maneuverability; (ii) maintains the standing operator more closely centered between the mower handle bars during turns; (iii) has a platform and wheels sized to swing at least part of the way under the front horizontal arm regardless of other parts added that would prevent this; and (iv) has an improved storage position and method/structure for implementing same.
It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill the above-described needs in the art, as well as other needs apparent to the skilled artisan from the following detailed description of this invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally speaking, this invention fulfills the above-described needs in the art by providing a stand-on triple-pivot sulky adapted to be attached to a self-propelled vehicle, such as a power mower, for transporting a standing operator, the sulky comprising:
a first elongated arm arranged substantially parallel to the ground during sulky operation, the first arm having a first end and a second end, the first end to be attached to the self-propelled vehicle at a first pivot member arranged transverse to the length of the arm and substantially horizontal relative to the ground, and the second end forming part of a second pivot member;
the second pivot member being oriented substantially vertical (e.g. ± about 15° relative to the vertical) relative to the ground during operation of the sulky; and
a third pivot member connected to a platform for supporting the feet of the standing operator, the third pivot member being located substantially below the first arm and substantially parallel (e.g. ± about 20°) to the ground and to the first elongated arm during sulky operation whereby the stand-on triple-pivot sulky has improved maneuverability during operation. The second and third pivots may be reversed in position according to certain embodiments.
This invention further fulfills the above-described needs in the art by providing a sulky for attachment to a self-propelled power mower, the sulky comprising:
a stand-on platform for supporting the feet of a standing operator;
first and second wheels attached to the platform;
a first elongated arm oriented substantially parallel (e.g. ± about 20°) to the ground during operation of the sulky, the first arm including a first end to be attached to the mower at a first pivot, and a second end attached to a second pivot;
a second arm having a portion thereof oriented substantially parallel (e.g. ± about 20°) to the ground and below the first arm during sulky operation, the second arm forming part of a third pivot and including a first end attached to the second pivot and a second end connected to the platform via the third pivot; and
wherein the first arm is substantially longer than the portion of the second arm oriented substantially parallel to the ground so that the operator remains substantially centered between handle bars of the mower during turns.
According to certain embodiments, the second arm is substantially L-shaped.
This invention still further fulfills the above-described needs in the art by providing a sulky for attachment to a power mower, the sulky for supporting a standing operator and comprising:
a platform for supporting the operator, the platform having a first upper surface for receiving feet of the operator and a second underneath surface which faces the ground during operation of the sulky and is opposite the first surface;
first and second wheels attached to the platform;
a first arm having a first end to be attached to the mower at a first pivot and a second end connected to a second pivot; and
means for allowing the platform to be moved from an operational position where the wheels contact the ground to a storage position where the wheels and platform are above the ground, the means also for enabling the platform to be arranged in the storage position so that the second underneath surface of the platform faces the mower.
According to certain preferred embodiments of this invention, an object is to provide an improved method of moving the sulky from its operational position where the wheels contact the ground to its storage position where the wheels are removed from the ground and the platform is partially supported or suspended by the handle bars, or frame of the mower.
This invention will now be descr
Nixon & Vanderhye P.C.
Vanaman Frank
Wright Manufacturing Inc.
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