Mower deck insert

Abstract

A mower comprises a deck comprising an underside cavity with a first interior profile; and a deck insert mounted within the underside cavity. The deck insert has a deck insert interior with a second interior profile different than the first interior profile.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mower comprising:
 a deck comprising an underside cavity with a first interior profile; and   a deck insert mounted within the underside cavity, the deck insert having a deck insert interior with a second interior profile different than the first interior profile.   
     
     
         2 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the deck insert has an outer profile, wherein portions of the outer profile are horizontally spaced from interior side surfaces of the deck. 
     
     
         3 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the deck insert has an outer profile, wherein portions of the outer profile are vertically spaced from upper interior surfaces of the deck. 
     
     
         4 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the first interior profile comprises upper interior deck surfaces having a first shape and wherein the second interior profile has upper interior deck insert surfaces having a second shape different than the first shape. 
     
     
         5 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the deck is metallic and wherein the deck insert is formed from a material selected from a group of materials consisting of one or more polymers, fiberglass, metals, organic materials and composites in the form of a coating, layer, laminate or foam. 
     
     
         6 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the deck defines a first discharge opening for the underside cavity and where the deck insert defines a second discharge opening for the deck insert interior, the second discharge opening being geometrically different than the first discharge opening. 
     
     
         7 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the first interior profile comprises a first linear side and a second pointed side opposite the first linear side and wherein the second interior profile comprises a plurality of circular blade chambers and a curved discharge passage along the plurality of blade chambers and along the second pointed side with the deck insert forming both opposite sides of the curved discharge passage. 
     
     
         8 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the second interior profile of the deck insert comprises:
 a discharge passage having a ceiling and terminating at a discharge opening;   a first chamber tangent to the discharge passage to receive a first blade that rotates about a first axis, the first chamber having a first upper surface and feeding into the discharge passage and   a second chamber tangent to the discharge passage and adjacent to the discharge opening to receive a second blade that rotates about a second axis, the second chamber having a second upper surface scrolling about the second axis and feeding into the discharge passage at a height below an adjacent portion of the ceiling of the discharge passage.   
     
     
         9 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the second interior profile comprises a ceiling, the ceiling comprising a drag reducing surface treatment. 
     
     
         10 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the deck insert comprises a plurality of modules mounted adjacent to one another and to the deck. 
     
     
         11 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the second interior profile comprises deflectors to direct grass towards ground. 
     
     
         12 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the deck insert extends outwardly beyond an outer surface of the deck to form a bumper. 
     
     
         13 . The mower of  claim 12 , wherein the deck comprises a lower outwardly extending rim and wherein the insert extends beneath and around the lower outwardly extending rim. 
     
     
         14 . The mower of  claim 13 , wherein the deck comprises a downwardly extending wall having an opening and wherein the insert horizontally extends through the opening outwardly beyond the outer surface of the deck to form the bumper. 
     
     
         15 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the deck insert snaps under and about a lower edge of the deck. 
     
     
         16 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the deck comprises a deck ceiling over the underside cavity and wherein the deck insert extends from the underside cavity through the deck ceiling. 
     
     
         17 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the deck comprises a side discharge opening and a rear bagging opening and wherein the deck insert extends across and closes at least one of the side discharge opening and the rear bagging opening. 
     
     
         18 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the deck insert comprises a polymeric body encasing at least one metallic insert. 
     
     
         19 . The mower of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a spindle extending through the deck and through the deck insert to support a blade; and
 a retainer about the spindle, wherein the deck insert is captured between the retainer and the deck, about the spindle. 
 
 
     
     
         20 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the deck comprises a non-metallic body encapsulating a metal insert.