Snow thrower chute rotation mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9290897-B2
Application number	US-201414171244-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 3, 2014
Priority date	Feb 3, 2014
Publication date	Mar 22, 2016
Grant date	Mar 22, 2016

Abstract

A chute rotation mechanism for a snow thrower having a frame and a chute rotatably mounted to the frame includes a ring gear configured to be mounted to the chute, a drive gear engaging the ring gear, and a handle assembly configured to pivot relative to the frame. The chute rotation mechanism also includes a first cable extending between the drive gear and the handle assembly. The handle assembly is pivotable in a first direction to tension the first cable and rotate the drive gear, thereby rotating the ring gear in a corresponding first direction. The chute rotation mechanism further includes a second cable extending between the drive gear and the handle assembly. The handle assembly is pivotable in a second direction to tension the second cable and rotate the drive gear, thereby rotating the ring gear in a corresponding second direction.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A chute rotation mechanism for a snow thrower, the snow thrower including a frame and a chute rotatably mounted to the frame, the chute rotation mechanism comprising:
a ring gear configured to be mounted to the chute;
a drive gear engaging the ring gear;
a handle assembly configured to pivot relative to the frame;
a first cable extending between the drive gear and the handle assembly, wherein the handle assembly is pivotable in a first direction to tension the first cable and rotate the drive gear, thereby rotating the ring gear in a corresponding first direction; and
a second cable extending between the drive gear and the handle assembly, wherein the handle assembly is pivotable in a second direction to tension the second cable and rotate the drive gear, thereby rotating the ring gear in a corresponding second direction,
wherein the ring gear rotates about a chute rotation axis, and wherein the drive gear rotates about a drive axis that is generally perpendicular to the chute rotation axis.

2. The chute rotation mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the drive gear is a bevel gear.

3. The chute rotation mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the ring gear has a first diameter and the drive gear has a second diameter, and wherein a ratio of the second diameter to the first diameter is less than 1.0.

4. The chute rotation mechanism of claim 3 , wherein movement of the handle assembly through an arc of about 180 degrees rotates the ring gear about 220 degrees.

5. The chute rotation mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the ring gear includes a first series of teeth and the drive gear includes a second series of teeth, and wherein the second series of teeth includes a relatively large tooth that is receivable in a relatively large recess between adjacent teeth of the first series of teeth.

6. The chute rotation mechanism of claim 1 , further comprising a detent mechanism configured to releasably hold the chute in a plurality of discrete rotational positions.

7. The chute rotation mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the detent mechanism includes
a pawl configured to be pivotally coupled to the frame, the pawl being engageable with the ring gear to hold the ring gear against rotation and being pivotable away from the ring gear to allow rotation of the ring gear, and
a biasing member coupled to the pawl to bias the pawl into engagement with the chute.

8. The chute rotation mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the handle assembly includes a housing, a pulley positioned within the housing, and a handle coupled to the pulley and extending from the housing, and wherein the pulley and the handle are configured to be pivoted relative to the housing.

9. The chute rotation mechanism of claim 8 , wherein the handle is coupled to the pulley by a threaded fastener, and wherein the threaded fastener is adjustable to change a force required to pivot the handle and the pulley relative to the housing.

10. A snow thrower comprising:
a frame including an auger housing;
a plurality of wheels coupled to the frame;
a prime mover supported by the frame;
an auger positioned within the auger housing and coupled to the prime mover to be driven by the prime mover;
a chute rotatably mounted to the frame to direct material away from the frame; and
a chute rotation mechanism supported by the frame and operable to rotate the chute relative to the frame, the chute rotation mechanism including
a ring gear fixed to the chute,
a drive gear engaging the ring gear,
a handle assembly pivotable relative to the frame,
a first cable extending between the drive gear and the handle assembly, wherein the handle assembly is pivotable in a first direction to tension the first cable and rotate the drive gear, thereby rotating the ring gear and the chute in a corresponding first direction, and
a second cable extending between the drive gear and the handle assembly, wherein the handle assembly is pivotable in a second direction to tension the second cable and rotate the drive gear, thereby rotating the ring gear and the chute in a corresponding second direction,

wherein the chute and the ring gear rotate about a chute rotation axis, and wherein the drive gear rotates about a drive axis that is generally perpendicular to the chute rotation axis.

11. The snow thrower of claim 10 , wherein the ring gear has a first diameter and the drive gear has a second diameter, and wherein a ratio of the second diameter to the first diameter is less than 1.0.

12. The snow thrower of claim 11 , wherein movement of the handle assembly through an arc of about 180 degrees rotates the ring gear and the chute about 220 degrees.

13. The snow thrower of claim 10 , wherein the ring gear includes a first series of teeth and the drive gear includes a second series of teeth, and wherein the second series of teeth includes a relatively large tooth that is receivable in a relatively large recess between adjacent teeth of the first series of teeth.

14. The snow thrower of claim 10 , wherein the chute rotation mechanism further includes a detent mechanism that releasably holds the chute in a plurality of discrete rotational positions, the detent mechanism including
a pawl pivotally coupled to the frame, the pawl being engageable with the ring gear to hold the ring gear and the chute against rotation and being pivotable away from the ring gear to allow rotation of the ring gear and the chute,
a bracket coupled to a portion of the frame, and
a biasing member extending between the pawl and the bracket, the biasing member biasing the pawl into engagement with the chute.

15. The snow thrower of claim 14 , wherein the frame defines a plurality of slots, and wherein the bracket is alternately receivable in each of the plurality of slots to adjust a biasing force of the biasing member on the pawl.

16. The snow thrower of claim 10 , wherein the frame further includes an operator control assembly extending from the frame opposite the auger housing, wherein the handle assembly includes a housing mounted to the operator control assembly, a pulley positioned within the housing, and a handle coupled to the pulley and extending from the housing, and wherein the pulley and the handle are pivotable relative to the housing.

17. The snow thrower of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of wheels is coupled to the frame to rotate about a first axis, and wherein the pulley and the handle are pivotable about a second axis that is generally parallel to the first axis.

18. The snow thrower of claim 17 , wherein at least a portion of the handle extends outwardly from a side of the housing generally along the second axis.

19. The snow thrower of claim 16 , wherein the handle is coupled to the pulley by a threaded fastener, and wherein the threaded fastener is adjustable to change a force required to pivot the handle and the pulley relative to the housing.

20. A chute rotation mechanism for a snow thrower, the snow thrower including a frame and a chute rotatably mounted to the frame, the chute rotation mechanism comprising:
a ring gear configured to be mounted to the chute;
a drive gear engaging the ring gear;
a handle assembly configured to pivot relative to the frame;
a first cable extending between the drive gear and the handle assembly, wherein the handle assembly is pivotable in a first direction to tension the first cable and rotate the drive gear, thereby rotating the ring gear in a corresponding first direction;
a second cable extending between the drive gear and the handle assembly, wherein the handle a

Assignees

• Ariens Co

Inventors

• Schisel Travis
• Koehler Scot
• Key Craig A
• Lyman Scott M

Classifications

• E01H5/098

  about horizontal or substantially horizontal axises perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the direction of clearing · CPC title

• E01H5/045 Primary

  Means per se for conveying or discharging the dislodged material, e.g. rotary impellers, discharge chutes (dislodging apparatus provided therewith E01H5/07, E01H5/08, E01H5/104, E01H5/12) · CPC title