Low profile mower
The present invention is directed to a battery powered mower with a low profile design that minimizes the height of the mower to make the mower easier to operate and store. The low profile design places the cutting blade motor in the center of the deck volute so that it doesn't extend above the volute. Additionally, the batteries do not include a cover and so holes are located within the housing to drain away any water that collects. The invention also covers a simplified manufacturing process for the terminal blocks for the battery and a rear door. Lastly, the invention includes a cable guide to prevent the electrical cable from pinching when the handle is folded for storage.
1 . An electric lawnmower, comprising:
a deck forming a circular volute, wherein the circular volute has a center cavity and an upper surface around a top of the center cavity;
a motor located in the center cavity of the circular volute of the deck, the motor to drive a cutting blade, wherein the motor is wholly contained within the center cavity of the circular volute of the deck in that a top of the motor is entirely below the upper surface around the top of the center cavity of the circular volute; and
a housing placed over
the deck, the housing having an upper surface
wherein the upper surface
a battery-connector pad to receive a battery pack, and
an access pad located adjacent to the battery-connector pad, wherein, when the battery-connector pad receives the battery pack, the battery pack is disposed above the motor, and a bottom portion of the battery-connector pad extends at least partially into the center cavity of the circular volute, and
wherein, at a location where the access pad meet the battery-connector pad, the access pad is formed lower than the battery-connector pad to create a space under the battery pack to provide access to a bottom of the battery pack.
2 . The electric lawnmower of claim 1 , wherein the motor has an output shaft directly connected to the cutting blade.
3 . The electric lawnmower of claim 1 , wherein the access pad has substantially a same surface size as the battery-connector pad.
4 . The electric lawnmower of claim 1 , wherein each of the battery-connector pad and the access pad is angled upward from a front to a rear of the electric lawnmower, and a lowest point of the access pad is below a highest point of the battery-connector pad.
5 . The electric lawnmower of claim 1 , wherein the battery pack is to be slid into engagement with the battery-connector pad.
6 . The electric lawnmower of claim 1 , wherein when the battery pack is inserted into the battery-connector pad, less than ½ of the battery pack extends above the housing.
7 . The electric lawnmower of claim 1 , wherein when the battery pack is inserted into the battery-connector pad, no portion of the battery pack extends above the housing.
8 . The electric lawnmower of claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the housing includes drainage holes adjacent the battery-connector pad and the access pad.
9 . The electric lawnmower of claim 8 , wherein the battery-connector pad and the access pad are being angled to direct any fluids to the drainage holes.
10 . An electric lawnmower comprising:
a deck forming a volute, wherein the volute has a cavity at a center of the volute and an upper surface around a top of the cavity;
a motor for powering a cutting blade, the motor located in the cavity of the volute, wherein the motor is wholly contained within the cavity of the volute in that a top of the motor is entirely below the upper surface around the top of the cavity of the volute;
a housing placed over the deck, the housing having an upper surface,
wherein the upper surface of the housing includes:
battery-connector pads having grooves to receive battery packs, and
access pads located adjacent to the battery-connector pads, wherein, when the battery-connector pads receive the battery packs, the battery packs are disposed above the motor, and bottom portions of the battery-connector pads extend at least partially into the cavity of the volute, and
wherein, at locations where the access pads meet the battery-connector pads, the access pads are formed lower than the battery-connector pads to create an access space under the battery packs; and
a handle extending rearwardly from the deck.
11 . The electric lawnmower of claim 10 , wherein the motor is centered above the cutting blade and has an output shaft directly connected to the cutting blade.
12 . The electric lawnmower of claim 10 , further comprising:
a rear door attached to the housing, wherein the housing, with the attached rear door, is attached to the deck.
13 . The electric lawnmower of claim 10 , wherein the battery-connector pads extend rearwardly from a front to a back of the electric lawnmower and the battery packs are to be slid into engagement with the grooves of the battery-connector pads.
14 . The electric lawnmower of claim 10 , wherein the access pads have substantially a same surface size as the battery-connector pads.
15 . The electric lawnmower of claim 14 , wherein the upper surface of the housing further includes drainage holes adjacent the battery-connector pads and the access pads, and the battery-connector pads and the access pads are angled to direct any fluids to the drainage holes.
16 . The electric lawnmower of claim 10 , wherein when the battery packs are inserted into the battery-connector pads, less than ½ of the battery packs extends above the housing.
17 . The electric lawnmower of claim 10 , wherein when the battery packs are inserted into the battery-connector pads, no portion of the battery packs extends above the housing.