Hinge system for articulating mower decks

Abstract

A hinge assembly hingedly connects a first mower frame member defining a first frame hole to a second mower frame member defining a second frame hole, wherein at least one of the first and second frame members is a frame member of a mower deck of the mower. The hinge assembly comprises a first bushing having a first bushing hole and a first bushing axis, being sized for press fit receipt in the first frame hole, and being sized to rotatably coaxially receive a pin therein; a second bushing having a second bushing hole and a second bushing axis, being sized for axially non-rotating receipt in the second frame hole, and being sized to rotatably coaxially receive a pin therein; a pin having inboard and outboard ends and a pin axis, the pin sized to extend coaxially through the first and second bushing holes; a connector connected to the outboard end of the pin and for connecting the pin to the second frame member and holding the pin against horizontal movement relative to the second frame member and for providing a stop for limiting movement of the second bushing toward the outboard end of the pin; and, a retention member connected proximal to the inboard end of the pin and limiting movement of the bushings inwardly of the retention member.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . In a mower having articulating mower decks, a hinge assembly for hingedly connecting a first mower frame member defining a first frame hole with a first axis to a second mower frame member defining a second frame hole with a second axis, wherein at least one of the first and second frame members is a frame member of a mower deck of the mower, the hinge assembly comprising: 
 a first bushing having a first bushing hole and a first bushing axis, being sized for press fit receipt in the first frame hole, and being sized to rotatably coaxially receive a pin therein;    a second bushing having a second bushing hole and a second bushing axis, being sized for axially non-rotating receipt in the second frame hole, and being sized to rotatably coaxially receive a pin therein;    a pin having inboard and outboard ends and a pin axis, said pin sized to extend coaxially through the first and second bushing holes;    a connector connected to the outboard end of said pin and for connecting said pin to the second frame member and holding said pin against horizontal movement relative to the second frame member and for providing a stop for limiting movement of said second bushing toward the outboard end of said pin; and,    a retention member connected proximal to the inboard end of said pin and limiting movement of said bushings inwardly of said retention member.