Earthworking machine
View Patent ↗An assembly for an earthworking machine includes a head portion, a frame secured to the head portion, a handle assembly, an enclosure which houses at least a portion of a plurality of components for driving the earthworking machine, a first plate secured to a first side of the enclosure and a second plate secured to a second side of the enclosure, and a first set of isolating members. The first and second plates extend from the enclosure along at least a portion of the length of the frame. One of the first set of isolating members is positioned between the frame and the first plate, and another one of the first set of isolating members is positioned between the frame and the second plate.
1. An assembly for an earthworking machine comprising:
a head portion,
an elongated frame secured to the head portion,
a handle assembly configured to be grasped by an operator, the handle assembly being located proximate the head portion and being secured to the head portion,
an enclosure which houses at least a portion of a plurality of components for driving the earthworking machine,
a first plate secured to a first side of the enclosure and a second plate secured to a second side of the enclosure, the first and second plates extending from the enclosure along at least a portion of the length of the frame,
a first set of isolating members positioned proximate a base of the frame,
wherein one of the first set of isolating members is positioned between an exterior surface of the frame and an interior surface of the first plate, and another one of the first set of isolating members is positioned between an exterior surface of the frame and an interior surface of the second plate.
2. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a second set of isolating members spaced apart from the first set of isolating members, wherein one of the second set of isolating members is positioned between an exterior surface of the frame and an interior surface of the first plate, and another one of the second set of isolating members is positioned between an exterior surface of the frame and an interior surface of the second plate.
3. The assembly of claim 2 , wherein the second set of isolating members is positioned obliquely upwardly of the first set of isolating members.
4. The assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first set of isolating members has a first isolating member and a second isolating member and the second set of isolating members has a third isolating member and a fourth isolating member.
5. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the isolating members has a generally cylindrical shape.
6. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the isolating members are formed of an elastomeric material.
7. The assembly of claim 6 , wherein the isolating members are formed of a natural rubber having a hardness of 50 to 60 durometer.
8. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a wheel assembly, a spring-loaded supporting rod having a first end secured to the frame and a distal second end, and a bracket secured to the wheel assembly and the enclosure and having an aperture formed therein, wherein the second end of the spring-loaded supporting rod is inserted into and passes through the aperture formed in the bracket, such that the spring-loaded supporting rod is movable relative to the bracket, wheel assembly and enclosure and isolates the frame from the enclosure.
9. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a supporting rod having a first end secured to the frame, a distal second end, a first stopper member and a second stopper member spaced apart from the first stopper member.
10. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a first travel stop assembly including a stopper rod which extends between the first plate and the frame and a second travel stop assembly including a stopper rod which extends between the second plate and the frame, the stopper rods of the first and second travel stop assemblies limiting movement of the frame relative to the first and second plates.
11. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a control apparatus configured to control movement of a cutting blade, the control apparatus being operatively isolating from the frame and the handle assembly.
12. An assembly for an earthworking machine comprising:
a head portion,
an elongated frame secured to the head portion,
a handle assembly configured to be grasped by an operator, the handle assembly being located proximate the head portion and being secured to the head portion,
an enclosure which houses at least a portion of a plurality of components for driving the earthworking machine,
a control assembly having a lever and a spring-loaded shaft, the spring-loaded shaft having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the spring-loaded shaft being secured to the head portion, and
a bracket secured to the enclosure, the bracket having a first end with an aperture formed therein and an opposing second end secured to the enclosure,
wherein the second end of the spring-loaded shaft of the control assembly is inserted into and passes through the aperture formed in the bracket, such that the spring-loaded shaft is movable relative to the bracket and the enclosure and isolates the control assembly from the enclosure.
13. A method of forming an isolation assembly in an earthworking machine, the method comprising:
providing a machine comprising an elongated frame, an enclosure which houses at least a portion of a plurality of components for driving the machine, a first plate secured to a first side of the enclosure and a second plate secured to a second side of the enclosure, the first and second plates extending from the enclosure along at least a portion of the length of the frame;
extending a first cylindrical member away from the first plate and toward the frame and extending a second cylindrical member away from the frame and toward the first plate, such that distal ends of the first and second cylindrical members are located in an area between an exterior surface of the frame and an interior surface of the first plate and a gap remains between the distal ends of the first and second cylindrical members; and
overmolding an elastomeric material onto a portion of the first and second cylindrical members located in the area between an exterior surface of the frame and an interior surface of the first plate.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first cylindrical member is extended away from the first plate and toward the frame at a position offset from the second cylindrical member.
15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
extending a third cylindrical member away from the second plate and toward the frame and extending a fourth cylindrical member away from the frame and toward the second plate, such that distal ends of the third and fourth cylindrical members are located in an area between an exterior surface of the frame and an interior surface of the second plate and a gap remains between the distal ends of the third and fourth cylindrical members; and
overmolding an elastomeric material onto a portion of the third and fourth cylindrical members located in the area between an exterior surface of the frame and an interior surface of the second plate.