IP Library Granted Patent US 12,029,157
Granted Patent B2
US 12,029,157 · App. 16/645,395 · Granted Jul 9, 2024

Multi-configurable mower deck

Inventor: Daniel Smeets (Beesel, NL)
Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
A01D34/667A01D34/66A01D34/71A01D34/81A01D34/005A01D2101/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,029,157
App. No.
16/645,395
Granted
Jul 9, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A multi-configurable mower deck for use with a lawnmower, the mower deck including a top surface, a front leading edge, at least one side wall extending from the top surface, and at least one partial rear wall extending from the top surface. The mower deck includes both a side-discharge opening formed on one side of the mower deck and a rear-discharge opening formed through the at least one partial rear wall. Additionally, the mower deck may include a selectively removable secondary front baffle configured to block the flow of clippings through the side-discharge opening and direct the flow of clippings toward the rear-discharge opening. The mower deck may also include at least one selectively removable rear baffle, wherein the at least one selectively removable rear baffle is configured to at least partially block the rear-discharge opening.

Claims (49)

1. A multi-configurable mower deck comprising:

a top surface;

a front leading edge;

at least one side wall extending from the top surface;

at least one partial rear wall extending from the top surface;

a side-discharge opening formed on one side of the mower deck between the front leading edge and the at least one partial rear wall;

a rear-discharge opening formed through the at least one partial rear wall;

a front baffle extending from the top surface and configured to direct clippings to the side-discharge opening;

a selectively removable secondary front baffle, wherein the front baffle is arranged between the front leading edge and the secondary front baffle;

a plurality of cutting chambers, wherein each cutting chamber is configured to partially house a respective cutting blade, and wherein the secondary front baffle defines at least a portion of two cutting chambers;

a selectively removable side-discharge opening blocking plate, wherein the side-discharge opening blocking plate is configured to prevent clippings from exiting the mower deck from the side-discharge opening, and further wherein the secondary front baffle is configured to direct clippings from the plurality of cutting chambers to the rear-discharge opening; and

a selectively removable rear baffle configured to be coupled to the top surface, wherein, when coupled to the top surface, the rear baffle extends a distance from the top surface that is less than a distance that the front baffle extends from the top surface, and wherein the rear baffle is configured to partially block the rear-discharge opening.

2. The multi-configurable mower deck of claim 1 , wherein the front baffle is permanently affixed to the top surface.

3. The multi-configurable mower deck of claim 1 , wherein an entirety of the front baffle is spaced apart from the front leading edge.

4. The multi-configurable mower deck of claim 1 , wherein the rear baffle comprises a plurality of arcuate portions and the secondary front baffle comprises a plurality of arcuate portions, the respective arcuate portions of the rear baffle and the secondary front baffle being complimentarily positioned to form a plurality of partially cylindrical cutting chambers to allow for mulching of clippings within each respective cutting chamber.

5. The multi-configurable mower deck of claim 1 , wherein the rear baffle extends from the top surface a distance of between 2 inches and 3 inches, and the front baffle extends from the top surface a distance of between 4 inches and 5 inches.

6. The multi-configurable mower deck of claim 1 , further comprising a rear deflector extending at least partially across the rear-discharge opening.

7. The multi-configurable mower deck of claim 1 , further comprising a removable side-discharge deflector extending at least partially across the side-discharge opening.

8. A multi-configurable mower deck comprising:

a top surface;

a front leading edge;

at least one side wall extending from the top surface;

at least one partial rear wall extending from the top surface;

a side-discharge opening formed on one side of the mower deck between the front leading edge and the at least one partial rear wall;

a front baffle extending from the top surface substantially laterally from the at least one side wall to the side-discharge opening to direct clippings to the side-discharge opening;

a rear-discharge opening formed through the at least one partial rear wall;

a selectively removable secondary front baffle coupled to the front baffle and configured to block the flow of clippings through the side-discharge opening and direct the flow of clippings toward the rear-discharge opening wherein the front baffle is arranged between the front leading edge and the secondary front baffle;

a selectively removable rear baffle configured to be coupled to the top surface, wherein, when coupled to the top surface, the rear baffle extends a distance from the top surface that is less than a distance that the front baffle extends from the top surface, and wherein the rear baffle is configured to partially block the rear-discharge opening;

a plurality of cutting chambers, wherein each cutting chamber is configured to partially house a respective cutting blade wherein the secondary front baffle defines at least a portion of two cutting chambers; and

a selectively removable side-discharge opening blocking plate, wherein the side-discharge opening blocking plate is configured to prevent clippings from exiting the mower deck from the side-discharge opening, and further wherein the secondary front baffle is configured to direct clippings from the plurality of cutting chambers to the rear-discharge opening.

9. The multi-configurable mower deck of claim 8 , further comprising a selectively removable side-discharge blocking plate, wherein the selectively removable side-discharge blocking plate is sized to substantially block the flow of clippings through the side-discharge opening.

10. The multi-configurable mower deck of claim 8 , wherein the front baffle is permanently affixed to the top surface.

11. The multi-configurable mower deck of claim 10 , wherein the at least one selectively removable rear baffle extends from the top surface a distance of between 4 inches and 5 inches.

12. The multi-configurable mower deck of claim 8 , wherein the at least one selectively removable rear baffle extends from the top surface a distance of between 2 inches and 3 inches.

13. The multi-configurable mower deck of claim 1 , wherein the secondary front baffle is coupled to the front baffle.

14. The multi-configurable mower deck of claim 13 , wherein the secondary front baffle includes a plurality of arcuate portions.

15. The multi-configurable mower deck of claim 1 , further comprising a rear edge deflector plate extending laterally across each of the plurality of cutting chambers.

16. The multi-configurable mower deck of claim 15 , wherein the rear edge deflector plate is angled downwardly in the direction of the rear-discharge opening.

17. A multi-configurable mower deck comprising:

a top surface;

a front leading edge;

at least one side wall extending from the top surface;

at least one partial rear wall extending from the top surface;

a side-discharge opening formed on one side of the mower deck between the front leading edge and the at least one partial rear wall;

a rear-discharge opening formed through the at least one partial rear wall;

a front baffle extending from the top surface;

a selectively removable secondary front baffle, wherein the front baffle is arranged between the front leading edge and the secondary front baffle;

a plurality of cutting chambers, wherein each cutting chamber is configured to partially house a respective cutting blade, and wherein the secondary front baffle defines at least a portion of two cutting chambers; and

a selectively removable rear baffle configured to be coupled to the top surface, wherein, when coupled to the top surface, the rear baffle extends a distance from the top surface that is less than a distance that the front baffle extends from the top surface, and wherein the rear baffle is configured to partially block the rear-discharge opening.

Assignments (8)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 30, 2021
From: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION
To: BRIGGS & STRATTON, LLC
Reel/Frame 057042/0247 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 22, 2020
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 053885/0211 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 22, 2020
From: BRIGGS & STRATTON, LLC
To: KPS CAPITAL FINANCE MANAGEMENT, LLC
Reel/Frame 053850/0192 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2020
From: BRIGGS & STRATTON, LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 053838/0046 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2020
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 054617/0331 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 3, 2020
From: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 053383/0070 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 22, 2020
From: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 053287/0487 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 22, 2020
From: SMEETS, DANIEL
To: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 053283/0803 →