Riding mower with a suspension component coupled to a plurality of user support components and methods of making and using thereof

Abstract

In some embodiments, systems and methods provided herein relate to a riding mower including a plurality of user support components coupled to a main frame and a suspension component coupled to the plurality of user support components such that movement of the plurality of user support component parallels each other. The mower may include a seat that can be moved such that operational components (e.g., a mower engine, battery, pump, or steering control) are more accessible.

1 . A mower comprising:
 a main frame;   a movable frame comprising a pivot point;   a plurality of wheels coupled to the main frame, the plurality of wheels comprising at least one front wheel and at least one back wheel;   at least one cutter coupled to the main frame;   a foot support component coupled to the movable frame and configured to at least partly support one or both feet of a user;   a seat coupled to the movable frame; and   a suspension component coupled to the movable frame, the foot support component and to the seat and configured such that the foot support component and the seat are movable with respect to the main frame;   wherein activation of the suspension component causes part of the movable frame to move around the pivot point thereby resulting in substantially parallel movement of the foot support component and the seat, and   wherein the foot support is closer to the at least one front wheel than is the seat.   
     
     
         2 . The mower of  claim 1 , further comprising a mower controller, wherein activation of the suspension component causes the part of the movable frame to move around the pivot point thereby resulting in substantially parallel movement of the mower controller, foot support component and the seat. 
     
     
         3 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the suspension component, the foot support component and the seat are configured such that the movement of the foot support component is associated with a vertical displacement substantially equal to a corresponding vertical displacement of the seat. 
     
     
         4 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the suspension component, the foot support component and the seat are configured such that the movement of the foot support component is associated with an angular displacement substantially equal to a corresponding vertical displacement of the seat. 
     
     
         5 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the seat is rigidly connected to the foot support component. 
     
     
         6 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the suspension component is configured to move the foot support component and the seat in a vertical direction, and wherein the seat is configured to be displaced in a non-vertical direction, the non-vertical direction being orthogonal to the vertical direction and the non-vertical displacement being at least about 6 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The mower of  claim 6 , further comprising a pivoting component configured to move the seat in the non-vertical direction. 
     
     
         8 . The mower of  claim 7 , wherein the pivoting component also moves the seat in the vertical direction. 
     
     
         9 . The mower of  claim 6 , wherein displacement of the seat in the non-vertical direction changes the accessibility of an engine of the mower. 
     
     
         10 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the suspension component comprises one or more of a shock absorber, a magnet, an air shock, a hydraulic dampener, a spring, and an air bag. 
     
     
         11 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the foot support component and seat are configured to move vertically up and down relative to the main frame at least partly based on force exerted by the suspension component. 
     
     
         12 . A method of compensating for load change in a mower, the method comprising:
 providing a main frame;   providing a movable frame comprising a pivot point;   providing a plurality of wheels coupled to the main frame, the plurality of wheels comprising at least one front wheel and at least one back wheel;   providing a cutter coupled to the main frame;   providing a suspension component coupled to the main frame;   providing a foot support component coupled to the movable frame and configured to at least partly support one or both feet of a user; and   providing a seat coupled to the movable frame, wherein the foot support is closer to the at least one front wheel than is the seat; and   causing a force exerted against at least part of the suspension component to result in part of the movable frame to move around the pivot point, wherein the force exerted against the at least part of the suspension component is in response to movement of the main frame, and wherein the movement of the part of the movable frame around the pivot point results in substantially parallel movement of the foot support component and the seat.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising: providing a mower controller that is not coupled to the suspension component. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the substantially parallel movement indicates that a vertical displacement of the foot support component is substantially the same as a vertical displacement of the seat. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising allowing the seat to be displaced in a non-vertical direction by a displacement of at least about 6 inches. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising allowing the seat to be pivoted in order to displace the seat in the non-vertical direction. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein displacement of the seat in the non-vertical direction changes the accessibility of an engine of the mower. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the at least part of the suspension component comprises one or more of a shock absorber, a magnet, an air shock, a hydraulic dampener, a spring, and an air bag. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising causing the foot support and the seat to move vertically up and down relative to the main frame at least partly based on the force exerted against the suspension component. 
     
     
         20 . A mower comprising:
 a plurality of wheels, the plurality of wheels comprising at least one front wheel and at least one back wheel;   means for cutting vegetation;   means for supporting a user in a seated position;   means for at least partly support one or both feet of the user, wherein the means for at least partly support one or both feet of the user is closer to the at least one front wheel than is the means for supporting the user in the seated position; and   means for supporting the feet support means and the user support means, the means for supporting the feet support means and the user support means being movable and comprising a pivot point; and   means for dampening movement of the feet support means and the user support means,   wherein activation of the movement-dampening means causes part of the supporting means to move around the pivot point thereby resulting in substantially parallel movement of the feet support means and the user support means.