United States Patent [i9]
`Langdon
`
`圓 _ _ _ _ _ 1 圓 _ 1 1
`USOO5209051A
`[li] Patent Number:
`5,209,051
`[45] Date of Patent: May 11， 1993
`
`[76]
`
`[54] LAWN
`MOWERS INCLUDING PUSH
`LES
`HAND
`Inventor： Christopher D. Langdon, P.O. Box
`904, Tryon, N.C. 28782
`[21] Appl. No.： 872,065
`[22] Filed:
`Apr. 22,1992
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`[63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 666,573, Mar. 8, 1991,
`P at No. 5,136,830.
`Int. Q.5 ................................................ A01D 34/68
`[51]
`[52] U.S. a ........................................ 56/16.7; 56/320.1;
`56/DIG. 18; 16/111 A
`[58] Field of Search.................... 56/16.7, 320.1，320.2,
`56/DIG. 9, DIG. 18, DIG. 20, DIG. 24；
`294/15, 26; 16/110 R, 111 A, 111 R; 280/655.1
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,204,272 9/1965
`Greene et al.................. 16/111 A X
`3,423，103 1/1969
`Maltarp ....................... 16/111 A X
`3,462,924 8/1969
`Price et al........................... 56/320.1
`3,534,432 10/1970
`Davies, III et al................ 16/111 A
`3,855,763 12/1974
`Seifert et al.................. 280/655.1 X
`
`[56]
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2063635 6/1981 United Kingdom ........ 56/DIG. 18
`Primary Examiner—Terry ]Lee Melius
`Attorney, Agent， or Firm一 John K. Donaghy
`'[57]
`ABSTRACT
`A rotary lawn mower adapted to be moved over a
`surface to mow vegetation; said lawn mower includes a
`mower deck, a motor, rotary cutting means and a push
`handle assembly; said mower deck including a top por­
`tion adapted to support said motor and downwardly
`extending edge portions; said motor being affixed to the
`central portion of said mower deck and coupled to
`drive said rotary cutter means positioned underneath
`said mower deck substantially parallel to said surface,
`saia push handle assembly having telescoping or pivotal
`members and being pivotally attached to the deck such
`that the push handles may be folded over said motor
`and attached to said mower deck forward of the motor
`thus permitting a user of said mower to selectively
`grasp said push handle assembly to lift and move said
`rotary mower from one location to another.
`
`7 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`TTI
`Exhibit 1012 - Page 1
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 11， 1993
`May 11, 1993
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`5,209,051
`
`5,209,051
`
`
`
`TTI
`TTI
`Page 2
`Exhibit 1012 - Page 2
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`May ll, 1993
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`Sheet 2 of 5
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`5,209,051
`
`FIG. 4
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`TTI
`Exhibit 1012 - Page 3
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`May 11， 1993
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
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`5,209,051
`
`FIG. 5
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`TTI
`Exhibit 1012 - Page 4
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 11， 1993
`May 11, 1993
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`Sheet 4 of 5
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`5,209,051
`5,209,051
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` V
`
`F I G . 6
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`TTI
`TTI
`Exhibit 1012 - Page 5
`Exhibit 1012 - Page 5
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 11， 1993
`May 11, 1993
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`Sheet 5 of 5
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`5,209,051
`5,209,051
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`
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`F I G . 8
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`FIG.8
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`TTI
`TTI
`Exhibit 1012 - Page 6
`Exhibit 1012 - Page 6
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`5,209,051
`2
`FIG. 8 is an alternate latching mechanism.
`FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of one embodiment of the
`invention. Generally, the rotary lawn mower includes a
`mower deck 10 having a substantially flat upper portion
`and downwardly extending edge portions. A motor 12
`is affixed to the top surface of the mower deck 10 with
`the drive shaft extending vertically and downwardly
`through the upper flat portion of the mower deck 10. A
`rotary blade is affixed to the lower end of the drive shaft
`in a conventional manner. Four wheels with three of the
`wheels typically illustrated at reference numerals 14,16
`and 18 are affixed to opposite edges of the mower deck.
`The fourth wheel is not visible in this view. In opera­
`tion, the operator pushes on a handle 20 to propel the
`mower along the ground to mow vegetation. Further,
`detailed illustrations of the wheels is not required be­
`cause these features are typical of the prior art.
`In accordance with the invention, a lift handle assem­
`bly including a rail-like handle member 22, is affixed by
`any suitable means to and positioned above the upper
`surface of the mower deck 10. In the illustrated embodi­
`ment, the rail-like handle member 22 has its ends at­
`tached together, extends around the central portion of
`the mower and has a generally rectangular inner perim­
`eter. Proper balance of the mower requires that the
`center of mass of the mower be positioned within the
`inner perimeter of the rail-like member 22. When so
`designed, the user can grasp the lift handle means 22
`along opposed edges of the mower and lift the mower
`to position it in any convenient location, such as the
`trunk of an automobile or in a suitable storage location.
`More specifically, the lift handle assembly 22 includes
`an elongated rail-like member 22 having a circular
`cross-section. A plurality of downwardly extending
`vertical support portions 26,28,33,35,34,36 and 38 are
`attached to the rail-like member 22. Each of these verti­
`cal support portions includes a shoulder 27. Suitable
`openings are provided in the top portion of the mower
`deck 10 such that the vertical support portions extend
`therethrough with the shoulders mating with the upper
`surface of the mower deck 10. Suitable means, such as a
`conventional nut, mates with the vertical support por­
`tions to hold the lift handle assembly 22 in the desired
`position with respect to the mower deck 10.
`When it is desired to physically move the entire lawn
`mower from one location to another, the lift handles
`assembly 22 may be grasped at one or more locations
`and the mower lifted to move the mower as required.
`For example, if during the move it is desired to indepen­
`dently control the positions of opposed sides of the
`mower, the lift handle assembly 22 is grasped at two
`locations along opposed sides of the mower such that
`the mower is substantially balanced. Proper balance is
`assured to the relationship between the rail-like member
`22 of the lift handle assembly and the center of mass of
`the mower described above. Two or more individuals
`may similarly use the lift handles to move the mower.
`Also the lift handle assembly may be gripped at a single
`location and used to move the mower when it is not
`necessary or desirable to independently control the
`position of opposed edges of the mower deck 10. That
`is, when the lift handle assembly is grasped at a single
`location the mower will tend to rotate around the point
`at which the lift handle assembly is grasped. Under
`these circumstances, the degree of rotation will be de­
`termined by the weight distribution of the mower.
`FIG. 2 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the lift
`handle assembly. In this embodiment, the lift handle
`
`40
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`LAWN MOWERS INCLUDING PUSH HANDLES
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No.
`07/666,573 (filed Mar. 8, 1991), now U.S. Pat. No.
`5,136,830.
`This invention relates to lawn mowers and, more
`particularly, to rotary lawn mowers including push
`handles assembly which function as lift handles for the
`lawn mower.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The invention relates to lawn mowers and, more
`particularly, to rotary lawn mowers including a lift
`handle assembly affixed to the mower deck.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
`Rotary type lawn mowers are widely used and well
`known in the prior art. In general, the prior art rotary
`lawn mowers iiave included a mower deck having a top
`surface for supporting the motor. Also the mower deck
`generally included downwardly extending edges. A
`cutting blade coupled to the motor shaft rotates be­
`tween the mower deck and the ground. Wheels were
`attached to the deck using a variety of techniques. A
`push handle was generally provided to permit the user
`to propel the mower along the ground to mow vegeta­
`tion. Some push handles are foldable so as to provide
`for easy storage. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,423，103; 3,462,924;
`and 3,534,432 show some of these structures. None of
`these prior art mowers included lift handle means per­
`mitting one or more persons to lift the mower to conve­
`niently place the mower in storage or in a vehicle for
`transportation, for example.
`The invention provides a rotary lawn mower includ­
`ing a mower deck， a motor, cutting means and a lift
`handle assembly. More specifically, the mower deck
`includes downwardly extending edge portions and a top
`portion adapted to support the motor. The motor is
`affixed to the central portion of the mower deck and
`coupled to drive the rotary cutter positioned under­
`neath the mower deck and substantially parallel to the
`ground. A lift assembly means is provided which ex­
`tends above the top surface of the mower deck a conve­
`nient distance, permitting one or more persons to con­
`veniently lift the mower to place it in storage or in any
`other location desired. Alternately, the lift handles may
`be molded as a part of the mower deck. Further, alter­
`natively, the lift handles may be push handles, foldable
`over the deck and secured to the deck by any means.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a pictorial drawing illustrating a first em­
`bodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 2 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the lift
`handle assembly.
`FIG. 3 illustrates a second alternate lift handle assem­
`bly.
`FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the inven­
`tion in which the handles are molded as a part of the
`mower deck.
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment
`of the invention wherein the push handles fold over the
`mower and are latched to the forward deck.
`FIG. 6 is perspective front view of the latching mech­
`anism.
`FIG. 7 is a perspective side view of the latching
`mechanism without the handles.
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`TTI
`Exhibit 1012 - Page 7
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`3
`assembly includes a plurality of generally “U” shaped
`lift handles each inciuding a substantially straight top
`portion 30 and two downwardly extending side por­
`tions 31. Each of the downwardly extending side por­
`tions 31 includes a shoulder collectively illustrated at
`reference numeral 32. Suitable openings are provided in
`the mower deck 10 for the side portions of the lift han­
`dle means to extend therethrough such that the shoul­
`der 32 mates with the top surface of the mower deck 10.
`Suitable means, such as a conventional nut 37, are uti­
`lized to secure the lift handle 30 in the desired location.
`In utilizing this embodiment of the invention, a lift
`handle of the type illustrated at reference numeral 30 is
`selectively placed at strategic locations along the upper
`surface of the mower deck 10 to form the lift handle
`assembly. That is, the lift handle may be placed along
`two sides of the mower deck or at any other desired
`location or locations. The exact location of each of the
`lift handles comprising the lift handle assembly is se­
`lected to maintain the proper balance of the mower as it
`is lifted using the lift handles.
`By so placing the lift handles 30 to form a lift handle
`assembly, it is obvious that a plurality of these lift han­
`dles will collectively function in a substantially identical
`manner to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 and
`described above.
`FIG. 3 illustrates still another alternate embodiment
`of the invention. In this embodiment, the lift handle
`assembly comprises a plurality of lift handles typically
`illustrated at reference 40. Each of the lift handles in­
`cludes a substantially flat top portion surrounded by a
`grip
`lTie material for the grip is selected to increase
`the comfort in using the lift handles. Functionally, the
`grip 42 may increase the size of the lift handle to in­
`crease the comfort of the user. Additionally, the mate­
`rial of the grip may be selected to be soft to further
`increase the comfort of the user. Other comfort features
`may also be included.
`Additionally, the lift handle 40 also includes two 4〇
`downwardly extending side portions 44 and 46 which
`are attached using any convenient means to a generally
`shaped horizontal channel member 48. Horizontal
`channel member 48 generally extends substantially par­
`allel to the upper portion 42 and is adapted to mate with 45
`the downwardly extending edge portions of the mower
`deck 10 permitting these lift handles to be utilized to
`conveniently lift the mower. That is, when not in use
`the lift handles comprising this embodiment of the in­
`vention can be removed from the mower deck.
`In this embodiment of the invention, a plurality of lift
`handles 42 is positioned at strategic locations around the
`mower deck 30. It is obvious that a lift handle assembly
`so fonned functions in & substantially identical manner
`to the lift handle assembly illustrated in FIG.
`FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the
`invention in which lift handles coi
`omprising the lift han-
`die assembly arc molded into the
`:mower deck 50. Gen-
`erally, it is contemplated that the mower deck 50 will be
`molded of a light material such as aluminum. Suitable 60
`lift handles, typically Olustrated at reference numerals
`52 and 54 are positioned along the edges of the mower
`deck 50. In FiG. 4 a single lift handle has been illus­
`trated along each edge of the mower deck 50. It is obvi­
`ous that additional lift may be provided along each of 65
`the sides. A plurality of lift handles comprise a lift han­
`dle assembly which functions as the lift handle assembly
`illustrated in FIG. 1.
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`FIG. 5 shows a lawn mower deck 10 having a for­
`ward deck portion 60. The push handles 20 comprise a
`lower tubular portion 62 pivotally attached by pivot
`means 64 to brackets 66 mounted on the deck 10. The
`pivot means may be a ball 67 rotatable in a socket, not
`shown, in the bracket 66. Suitable locking means 69
`such as a spring biased pin to lock the handles in opera­
`tive push position. Alternatively, the bracket 66 may
`have a vertical side 68 having latch means 70 permitting
`the lower tubular portion 62 to be secured in place
`cither in the push position or in a forward collapsed
`position as shown at 80. The upper hand gripping por­
`tion 21 of the handles 20 comprise tubular members 82,
`one shown, which arc telescoped upwardly and in­
`wardly into tubular member 62. By this construction,
`the upper push handle portion 82 is pushed into lower
`member 62 thereby shortening the overall length of the
`push handles attached to the deck 10. When collapsed
`as shown at 80, the push handle is approximately the
`length of the deck.
`Alternatively, the push handles 20 may be pivoted at
`the center half sections and folded over the deck. U.S.
`Pat. No. 3,534,432 shows this arrangement.
`The push handles 20 have at least one indentation or
`handle 83 in each of the portions € 之 to serve as hand
`grips whereby one or two people may grip the handles
`83 and lift the lawn mower easily.
`The hand grip portion 21, FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, is pro­
`vided with an aperture 90 to receive a latch member.
`The forward deck portion 60 has a latching mechanism
`100 for securing the grip handle 21 to the deck whereby
`the handle 20 may be used to lift or carry the lawn
`mower.
`The latching mechanism 100, FIGS. 6 and 7, com­
`prises a base 102 which is fastened to the deck by any
`suitable means such as by bolts or the like or by weld­
`ing. The base 102 has upstanding ears 104 and 106 with
`apertures therein to slidably receive a rod 108 having a
`bulbous head 110. The rex! 108 has an end comprising a
`finger 112 for insertion into aperture 90 and a finger 114
`for engaging over the hand grip portion 21. A spring
`116 maintains the rod 108 biased in the forward direc­
`tion.
`It will be apparent that the rod 108 may be pulled
`back whereby the fingers 112 and 114 disengage from
`their respective positions whereby the push handles
`may be lifted and returned to their operative position.
`FIG. 8 shows an alternative latching mechanism 120
`which comprises a hook portion 121 straddling the hand
`grip portion 21. The other end of the hook portion has
`a spring 124 which is attached to the deck 60 by any
`suitable means. It will be appreciated that the spring 124
`is a heavy duty spring so that, when the handles are
`used to lift the lawn mower, the weight of the mower
`does not stretch the spring.
`Other latch mechanisms 130 such as a bolt extending
`through the deck ana hand grip portion 21 is contem_
`plated as are releasable gates.
`What I claim is：
`1.
`A rotary lawn mower adapted to be moved over a
`surface to mow vegatation； said lawn mower includes a
`mower deck, a motor, rotary cutting means and a push
`handle assembly having a hand grip; said mower deck
`including a top portion adapted to support said motor
`and downwardly extending edge portions； said motor
`being affixed to the central portion of said mower deck
`and coupled to drive rotary cutter means positioned
`underneath said mower deck and substantially parallel
`
`TTI
`Exhibit 1012 - Page 8
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`5,209,051
`5
`6
`to said surface, said push handle assembly being pivot­
`assembly to lift and move the lawn mower from place to
`ally secured to said mower deck at one side behind said
`place.
`motor means and adapted to be pivoted forwardly to lie
`4. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with claim 1
`on said mower deck and means, remote from said one
`wherein： said securing means comprises a latch having
`side to secure the push handle to the mower deck thus 5
`a first finger engaging an aperture in the hand grip and
`a second finger for engaging over the hand grip thereby
`permitting a user of said mower to selectively grasp said
`push handle assembly to move said rotary mower from
`securing the push handle assembly to the mower deck.
`one location to another.
`5. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with claim 1
`wherein: said securing means comprises a hook for
`2. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with claim 1
`10 engaging the hand grip at one end and secured to the
`wherein： said push handle assembly comprises an upper
`portion and a lower portion adjustable with respect to
`deck at the other end.
`6. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with claim 5,
`each other and folded forwardly to lie on said mower
`deck and fastened thereto by means thereby permitting
`and： spring means on the hook at said other end and
`secured to the deck at the other end whereby said hook
`a user of said lawn mower to grasp said push handle
`assembly to lift and move said mower from place to
`15 is biased into contact with said hand grip.
`place.
`7. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with claim 1,
`3. A rotary lawn mower in accordance with claim 2
`and： at least one hand grip on the push handle assembly
`on opposite sides of said motor whereby said lawn
`wherein： said upper portion includes a hand grip fas­
`tened to the mower deck forward of the mower where
`mower may be lifted and moved from one location to
`20 another.
`the handle assembly lies on the mower deck whereby a
`user of said lawn mower may grasp the push handle
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`60
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`TTI
`Exhibit 1012 - Page 9
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