US 11,638,396 C1 (252nd)
Hydraulically controlled flip up mower deck
Michael S Hoffman, Greenwich, OH (US); Jeff C Liggett, North Lawrence, OH (US); and Roscoe J Lehman, Dalton, OH (US)
Filed by Venture Products, Inc., Orrville, OH (US)
Assigned to Venture Products, Inc.
Supplemental Examination Request No. 96/050,048, Jul. 9, 2024.
Reexamination Certificate for Patent 11,638,396, issued May 2, 2023, Appl. No. 16/739,223, Jan. 10, 2020.
Application 96/050,048 is a continuation of application No. 15/802,977, filed on Nov. 3, 2017, granted, now 10,561,064.
Application 96/050,048 is a continuation of application No. 15/803,161, filed on Nov. 3, 2017, granted, now 10,561,065.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Ex Parte Reexamination Certificate from Reexamination Ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257 issued on Apr. 11, 2025.
Int. Cl. A01D 34/64 (2006.01); A01D 34/66 (2006.01)
CPC A01D 34/64 (2013.01) [A01D 34/662 (2013.01); A01D 2034/645 (2013.01)]
OG exemplary drawing
AS A RESULT OF REEXAMINATION, IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT:
The patentability of claims 1-16 and 18 is confirmed.
Claim 17 is determined to be patentable as amended.
17. A mower for attachment with a tractor device, the mower comprising:
a main frame carrying at least one rotatable mower cutting blade, wherein the main frame is moveable between a generally horizontal first position and a generally vertical second position;
a first hitch arm pivotably connected to the main frame and the first hitch arm adapted to connect with the tractor device;
a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly that moves the main frame [ , wherein the main frame moves ] from the generally horizontal first position [ to a raised and tilted intermediate position that positions the mower entirely above ground, and then the hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly moves the main frame from the raised and tilted intermediate position ] to the generally vertical second position;
a belt;
a tensioner assembly coupled to the main frame, wherein the tensioner assembly applies tension to the belt in operable communication with the at least one rotatable mower cutting blade, wherein a portion of the tensioner assembly is moveable between a tensioned first position and a relaxed second position;
a longitudinal pivot axis associated with the tensioner assembly, wherein a portion of the tensioner assembly pivots about the longitudinal pivot axis;
wherein the tensioner assembly includes:
a tension wheel positioned between two flanges coupled to the main frame, wherein the tension wheel receives a belt therearound;
a support flange that couples the tension wheel to the main frame;
a pivot connection of the support flange to the main frame defining the longitudinal pivot axis, wherein the tension wheel is rotatable about the longitudinal pivot axis;
an extension coil spring coupled to the support flange; and
a chain connected to the extension coil spring defining a linkage, wherein the linkage is transversely aligned relative to the longitudinal axis.