IP Library Granted Patent US 12,284,939
Granted Patent B1
US 12,284,939 · App. 17/529,992 · Granted Apr 29, 2025

Stand-on mower folding platform system

Inventors: Zachary Crowl (Batesville, AR); Kenny Cox (Batesville, AR)
Assignee: BAD BOY MOWERS, LLC
A01D34/64A01D34/82B62D51/02A01D2101/00B60Y2200/223
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,284,939
App. No.
17/529,992
Granted
Apr 29, 2025
Kind
B1
Abstract

A mower system that includes a stand-on rider platform system that includes a folding rider platform pivotally coupled to the mower frame and a folding rider platform suspension system that includes a resilient member adapted to be compressed between the folding rider platform and a member of the mower system.

Claims (47)

1. A stand-on riding mower system, comprising:

a mower motor;

a mower frame;

a mower deck housing mowing blades; and

a stand-on rider platform system configured to support an operator in a standing position, the stand-on rider platform system comprising:

a folding rider platform pivotally coupled to the mower frame, wherein the folding rider platform is configured to pivot about a platform pivot axis between a folded-up position and a folded-down position, the folding rider platform configured to support the operator in the standing position while the folding rider platform is in the folded-down position, the folding rider platform comprising:

a base plate comprising a first planar member configured to support feet of the operator in the standing position; and

a nose comprising a second planar member extending from a forward portion of the first planar member of the base plate at an acute angle relative to the first planar member;

a folding rider platform support member;

a rider presence sensor secured to the folding rider platform support member and configured to engage the second planar member of the nose of the folding rider platform; and

a folding rider platform suspension system comprising a resilient member configured to be compressed between a forward facing surface of the nose of the folding rider platform and a rearward facing surface of the folding rider platform support member to dampen movement of the folding rider platform in the folded-down position, wherein the resilient member is configured to bias the folding rider platform such that the rider presence sensor is activated when the folding rider platform is unoccupied and is deactivated when the folding rider platform is occupied.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the folded-up position comprises the first planar member of the base plate disposed in a vertical orientation, and wherein the folded-down position comprises the first planar member of the base plate disposed in a horizontal orientation.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the platform pivot axis is offset above the first planar member of the base plate.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second planar member and the first planar member define a cavity configured to accept a forward portion of feet of the operator while standing on the platform.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the resilient member is secured to the folding rider platform support member.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein a position of the resilient member on the folding rider platform support member is adjustable to modify dampening of movement of the folding rider platform.

7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a second resilient member configured to be compressed between the forward facing surface of the nose of the folding rider platform and the rearward facing surface of the folding rider platform support member to dampen movement of the folding rider platform in the folded-down position.

8. A mower system, comprising:

a mower motor;

a mower frame;

a mower deck housing mowing blades; and

a stand-on rider platform system comprising:

a folding rider platform pivotally coupled to the mower frame, wherein the folding rider platform is configured to pivot between a folded-up position and a folded-down position, the folding rider platform configured to support an operator standing thereon while the folding rider platform is in the folded-down position, the folding rider platform comprising:

a base plate comprising a first planar member configured to support the operator standing thereon; and

a nose comprising a second planar member extending from a forward portion of the first planar member of the base plate at an acute angle relative to the first planar member;

a folding rider platform support member;

a rider presence sensor secured to the folding rider platform support member and configured to engage the second planar member of the nose of the folding rider platform; and

a folding rider platform suspension system comprising a resilient member configured to be compressed between a forward facing surface of the nose of the folding rider platform and a rearward facing surface of the folding rider platform support member, wherein the resilient member is configured to bias the folding rider platform such that the rider presence sensor is in a first state when the folding rider platform is unoccupied and is in a second state when the folding rider platform is occupied.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the folded-down position comprises the first planar member of the base plate disposed in a horizontal orientation.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the folding rider platform is configured to pivot about a platform pivot axis, and wherein the platform pivot axis is offset from the first planar member of the base plate.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the second planar member and the first planar member define a cavity configured to accept a forward portion of feet of the operator while standing on the platform.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the resilient member is secured to the folding rider platform support member.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein a position of the resilient member on the folding rider platform support member is adjustable.

14. The system of claim 8 , further comprising a second resilient member configured to be compressed between the forward facing surface of the nose of the folding rider platform and the rearward facing surface of the folding rider platform support member.

15. A mower system, comprising:

a mower motor;

a mower frame;

a mower deck housing mowing blades; and

a stand-on rider platform system comprising:

a folding rider platform pivotally coupled to the mower frame, wherein the folding rider platform is configured to pivot between a folded-up position and a folded-down position, the folding rider platform configured to support an operator standing thereon while the folding rider platform is in the folded-down position, the folding rider platform comprising:

a first planar member configured to support the operator standing thereon; and

a second planar member extending from a forward portion of the first planar member at an acute angle relative to the first planar member;

a rider presence sensor configured to engage the second planar member of the folding rider platform; and

a folding rider platform suspension system comprising a resilient member configured to be compressed between a forward facing surface of the folding rider platform and a rearward facing surface of a member of the mower frame while the folding rider platform is in the folded-down position, wherein the resilient member is configured to bias the folding rider platform such that the rider presence sensor is in a first state when the folding rider platform is unoccupied and is in a second state when the folding rider platform is occupied.

16. The system of claim 1 , wherein activation of the rider presence sensor is configured to inhibit operation of a cutting system of the mower system, and wherein deactivation of the rider presence sensor is configured to enable operation of the cutting system of the mower system.

17. The system of claim 8 , wherein the first state comprises a state configured to inhibit operation of a cutting system of the mower system, and the second state comprises a state configured to enable operation of the cutting system of the mower system.

18. The system of claim 15 , wherein the first state comprises a state configured to inhibit operation of a cutting system of the mower system, and the second state comprises a state configured to enable operation of the cutting system of the mower system.

Assignments (2)
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 13, 2023
From: BAD BOY MOWERS, LLC
To: BNP PARIBAS, AS THE COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 065552/0552 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 23, 2021
From: CROWL, ZACHARY; COX, KENNY
To: BAD BOY MOWERS, LLC
Reel/Frame 058192/0084 →
Continuity (1)
Continuation 16544380 · Aug 19, 2019
References Cited (89)
US 2442831A · Suttles · 1948 [cited by applicant]
US 2689136A · Hendrickson · 1954 [cited by applicant]
US 2915776A · Hanson et al. · 1959 [cited by applicant]
US 3025079A · Gouirand · 1962 [cited by applicant]
US 3669467A · Dunlap et al. · 1972 [cited by applicant]
US 3737174A · Hickman · 1973 [cited by applicant]
US 4310171A · Merkle · 1982 [cited by applicant]
US 4310717A · Eastman et al. · 1982 [cited by applicant]
US 4485521A · Welsch et al. · 1984 [cited by applicant]
US 4559669A · Bonzer et al. · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4903545A · Louis et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 5156576A · Johnson · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5400469A · Simonsen · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5542494A · Louis et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5899470A · Heitzmann · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5979920A · Krakowiak et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 6026920A · Obeda et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6170242B1 · Gordon · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6185920B1 · Oxley · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6460318B1 · Ferris et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6644425B1 · Hauser · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6732828B1 · Abend et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6845837B2 · Ohashi et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 6857254B2 · Melone et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 7127889B1 · Bennett et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7363759B2 · Ohashi et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7455114B2 · MacDougall · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7458588B2 · Kallevig · 2008 [cited by examiner]
US 7588104B2 · Ohashi et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7708292B2 · Foster · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 8141886B1 · Sugden et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8262104B2 · Kallevig et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8561382B2 · Gamble et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8607901B1 · Depauw · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8733478B2 · Chapman · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 9161490B2 · Melone et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9723781B1 · Covington · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9730386B1 · Covington et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9821689B2 · Busboom et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9914356B2 · Simon · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US D830419S · Covington et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US D830420S · Covington et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10188033B1 · Covington et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10349577B1 · Covington et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10356978B1 · Covington et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10858051B2 · Redinger · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 11343964B1 · Covington et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20030106297A1 · Melone et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20070029118A1 · Acharya et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070284839A1 · Sasaoka · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20080264026A1 · Ishii et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20090033054A1 · Foster · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090302562A1 · Kallevig et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20110193309A1 · Nance · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110197419A1 · Melone et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20130074466A1 · Zwieg et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20140173946A1 · Gerrits et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20160152262A1 · Laurin et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20180229570A1 · Fay, II et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180249630A1 · Mullet et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20190141889A1 · Fisher et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20200062321A1 · Redinger et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20200344946A1 · Bryant et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20200352098A1 · Fujii et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
“Hydro-Gear EZT (ZT-2200) Transmission” available at <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdR7KGvRU10>, Feb. 5, 2013. [cited by applicant]
“Hydro-Gear ZT-3400 Product Presentation (english)” available at <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stZh8uQRh1A>, Feb. 6, 2012. [cited by applicant]
Bad Boy Mowers “AOS Diesel Model Mower Owner's & Parts Manual” 2010 Edition; pp. 1-40. [cited by applicant]
Bad Boy Mowers “AOS Model Mower Owner's & Parts Manual” 2010 Edition; pp. 1-40. [cited by applicant]
Bad Boy Mowers “Bad Boy AOS Part Manual: 35hp Vanguard; 27hp Kawasaki” 2007; pp. 1-31. [cited by applicant]
Bad Boy Mowers “Bad Boy Diesel Part Manual: 35hp Caterpillar Diesel; 28hp Caterpillar Diesel” 2007; pp. 1-30. [cited by applicant]
Bad Boy Mowers “Bad Boy Parts Manual for Pup and Lightning Models: 23hp Vanguard; 26hp Kawasaki; 30hp Kohler; 32hp Vanguard” 2007; pp. 1-30. [cited by applicant]
Bad Boy Mowers “Compact Diesel Model Mower Owner's & Parts Manual” 2010 Edition; pp. 1-36. [cited by applicant]
Bad Boy Mowers “Diesel AOS & Compact Zero-Turn Mower Owner's, Service & Parts Manual” 2011; pp. 1-56. [cited by applicant]
Bad Boy Mowers “Diesel Compact Diesel Models Zero-Turn Mower Owner's, Service & Parts Manual” 2012; pp. 1-52; see pp. 33 and 35. [cited by applicant]
Bad Boy Mowers “Lightning & Pup Zero-Turn Mower Owner's, Service & Parts Manual” 2011; pp. 1-56. [cited by applicant]
Bad Boy Mowers “Outlaw Stand-On Model Zero-Turn Mower Owner's, Service & Parts Manual”; 2017; pp. 1-58. [cited by applicant]
Bad Boy Mowers “Outlaw XP Models Zero-Turn Mower Owner's, Service & Parts Manual” 2012; pp. 1-44; see pp. 29-30. [cited by applicant]
Bad Boy Mowers “Parts Manual for Bad Boy AOS Models: 35hp Vanguard; 27hp Kawasaki” 2008; pp. 1-29. [cited by applicant]
Bad Boy Mowers “Parts Manual for Bad Boy AOS Models: 35hp Vanguard; 27hp Kawasaki” 2009; pp. 1-28. [cited by applicant]
Bad Boy Mowers “Parts Manual for Bad Boy Diesel Models: 35hp Caterpillar; 28hp Caterpillar” 2008; pp. 1-28. [cited by applicant]
Bad Boy Mowers “Parts Manual for Bad Boy Diesel Models: 35hp Caterpillar; 28hp Caterpillar” 2009; pp. 1-27. [cited by applicant]
Bad Boy Mowers “Parts Manual for Bad Boy Pup and Lightning Models: 23hp Vanguard; 30hp Kohler; 26hp Kawasaki; 32hp Vanguard; 31hp Kawasaki” 2008; pp. 1-36. [cited by applicant]
Bad Boy Mowers “Parts Manual for Bad Boy Pup and Lightning Models: 23hp Vanguard; 30hp Kohler; 26hp Kawasaki; 32hp Vanguard; 31hp Kawasaki” 2009; pp. 1-33. [cited by applicant]
Bad Boy Mowers “Pup or Lightning Model Mower Owner's & Parts Manual” 2010 Edition; pp. 1-48. [cited by applicant]
Bad Boy Mowers “Revolt Stand on Zero-Turn Mower Owner's, Service & Parts Manual”; 2019; pp. 1-52. [cited by applicant]
Exmark Manufacturing Company, Inc.; “Staris E-Series” brochure; 2019; pp. 1-2. [cited by applicant]
Exmark Master Parts Viewer; “Model: STE600GKA44300 Year: 2019 Serial Range: 404314159-406294344” available as of Jun. 6, 2019 at: https://lookup3.toro.com/partdex/exmark/index.cfm?xCaller=exmark%26adv=y; p. 1. [cited by applicant]
Hydro-Gear; “ZT-2800/ZT-3100/ZT-3400 Integrated Zero-Turn Transaxle Service and Repair Manual” BLN-52441, Jan. 2013; pp. 1-52. [cited by applicant]
Parker; “Integrated Hydrostatic Transmissions HTE, HTJ and HTG Series” Oct. 2015; pp. 1-6. [cited by applicant]