BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a roller made for smoothing and/or compacting a surface and more particularly, a roller having a mechanical drive.

Rollers are well-known in the art. In one example, rollers are used for putting greens and turf maintenance. Typically, these rollers have an engine connected to a hydrostatic transmission to propel the unit. The hydrostatic transmission is connected via a chain to a sprocket system that is connected to a rubber drive roller that propels the roller back and forth over a green.

Hydraulics are desirable because they allow for a quick change of direction. While use of hydraulics are beneficial, there exists a potential risk of hydraulic fluids leaking and damaging or killing the grass. Also, because a hydraulic drive unit does not have changing gear ratios, the unit is generally kept at wide open throttle during operation. This leads to an undesirable noise level. Thus, there is a need in the art for a device that addresses these deficiencies.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a roller having a mechanical drive. Another objective is to provide a roller having a lower noise operating level.

These and other objectives will be apparent to those skilled in the art based upon the following written description, claims and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A mechanical drive roller having a drive assembly that includes an engine operatively connected to a gearbox or transaxle via a drive belt or chain. A primary drive clutch is mounted to the engine or to the transaxle and is positioned to selectively engage the drive belt based upon engine RPM. The transaxle is operatively connected to a drive roller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mechanical drive roller;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a mechanical drive roller;

Fig 3 is a perspective view of a mechanical drive roller;

Fig 4 is a perspective view of a mechanical drive roller; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a mechanical drive roller; and

Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a drive assembly for a mechanical drive roller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the figures, a roller 10 has a frame 12 with an operating seat 14 connected to the frame 12 by a plurality of leg supports 16. The frame 12 is of any size and shape and includes a top surface 18, a first or front end 20, a second or rear end 22 and a pair of opposing sides 24.

Extending through the top surface 18 of the frame 12 and connected to a drive assembly 26 is a steering arm or wheel 28. A pair of direction pedals 30 also extend through the top surface 18 of the frame 12 and are connected to the drive assembly 26.

The drive assembly 26 includes an engine 32 mounted to the top surface 18 of the frame 12. Connected to the engine 32 is a primary or drive clutch 34. The drive clutch 34 is connected to a secondary or driven clutch 36 by a drive belt or chain 38. The driven clutch 36 is mounted to a gearbox or transaxle 40. Preferably, the driven clutch 36 is torque sensing and shifts according to the torque taken to move the roller 10.

The gearbox 40 transfers power to an output shaft 42 through a final drive mechanism such as a chain or belt 44. Belt 44 is mounted to pulleys 46 and output shaft 42 is connected to a drive roller 48. The gearbox/transaxle 40 is also operatively connected to steering rollers 49.

In an alternative embodiment, the drive clutch 34 is connected to the engine 32 and to a pulley or sprocket 50 via a belt or chain 38. Pulley/sprocket 50 is mounted to an input shaft 54. The input shaft 54 is connected to the gearbox/transaxle 40. The gearbox/transaxle 40 is operatively connected to the drive roller 48 as previously described.

In yet another embodiment, pulley/sprocket 50 is connected to the engine 32 and to the drive clutch 34 via belt or chain 38. The drive clutch 34 is mounted to the gearbox/transaxle 40 which is operatively connected to the drive roller as previously described.

In operation for all embodiments, the primary drive clutch 34 is positioned to selectively engage drive belt 38 when the engine 32 reaches a predetermined revolution per minute (RPM). In one example, a sensor or encoder 56 is associated with the engine 32 and is connected to a computer 58 having software logic 60. When a directional pedal 30 is activated manually, the pedal 30 is connected to a throttle of the engine 32 causing rotation of the engine's drive shaft (not shown). The sensor 56 determines the RPM of the engine 32 and transmits the RPM information to the computer 58. The software logic 60 compares the transmitted RPM information with a predetermined RPM level. If the transmitted RPM information meets or exceeds the predetermined RPM level, the computer 58 sends a signal to the primary drive clutch 34 causing clutch 34 to engage belt 38.

Accordingly, a mechanical drive for a roller has been disclosed that, at the very least, meets all the stated objectives.