US 11,805,729 B2
Outdoor power equipment suspension system
Christopher Krajewski, West Allis, WI (US); Robert S. Laurin, Durhamville, NY (US); and E. Mark Lynch, Munnsville, NY (US)
Assigned to Briggs & Stratton, LLC, Wauwatosa, WI (US)
Filed by Briggs & Stratton, LLC, Wauwatosa, WI (US)
Filed on Mar. 23, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/210,003.
Application 17/210,003 is a continuation of application No. 16/859,713, filed on Apr. 27, 2020, granted, now 10,959,373.
Application 16/859,713 is a continuation of application No. 16/040,918, filed on Jul. 20, 2018, granted, now 10,645,874.
Application 16/040,918 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/861,939, filed on Jan. 4, 2018, granted, now 10,624,261.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/442,171, filed on Jan. 4, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2021/0204476 A1, Jul. 8, 2021
Int. Cl. A01D 34/82 (2006.01); B60G 3/20 (2006.01); B60G 15/06 (2006.01); B60G 3/26 (2006.01); A01D 67/00 (2006.01); A01D 34/66 (2006.01); A01D 101/00 (2006.01)
CPC A01D 34/82 (2013.01) [A01D 34/662 (2013.01); A01D 67/00 (2013.01); B60G 3/20 (2013.01); B60G 3/202 (2013.01); B60G 3/26 (2013.01); B60G 15/062 (2013.01); A01D 34/66 (2013.01); A01D 2101/00 (2013.01); B60G 2200/1442 (2013.01); B60G 2200/182 (2013.01); B60G 2200/445 (2013.01); B60G 2202/312 (2013.01); B60G 2204/129 (2013.01); B60G 2204/1242 (2013.01); B60G 2206/10 (2013.01); B60G 2300/084 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An outdoor power equipment unit comprising:
an independent suspension system comprising:
a frame including an end structural member, a first side structural member, and a second side structural member with each of the first side structural member and the second side structural member being located on opposite respective sides of the end structural member;
a first wheel assembly including a first wheel and a first side suspension arm, wherein the first side suspension arm is pivotably coupled at a first end to the first side structural member and is fixedly coupled at a second opposite end to a joint of the first wheel assembly;
a second wheel assembly including a second wheel and a second side suspension arm, wherein the second side suspension arm is pivotably coupled at a first end to the second side structural member and is fixedly coupled at a second opposite end to a joint of the second wheel assembly;
a first laterally-extending suspension arm pair comprising:
a first suspension arm pivotally coupled at a first end to the frame and pivotally coupled at a second end to the joint of the first wheel assembly; and
a second suspension arm arranged substantially parallel to the first suspension arm and pivotally coupled at a first end to the frame and pivotally coupled at a second end to the joint of the first wheel assembly; and
a second laterally-extending suspension arm pair comprising:
a third suspension arm pivotally coupled at a first end to the frame and pivotally coupled at a second end to the joint of the second wheel assembly; and
a fourth suspension arm arranged substantially parallel to the third suspension arm and pivotally coupled at a first end to the frame and pivotally coupled at a second end to the joint of the second wheel assembly;
wherein both the first laterally-extending suspension arm pair and the second laterally-extending suspension arm pair are configured to independently pivot about the frame such that each of the first wheel assembly and the second wheel assembly are vertically displaceable relative to the frame.