Brush cutting head with internally housed drive and bearing assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to brush cutters and to brush cutting heads therefor, and more specifically, to brush cutting heads having internally housed drive and bearing assemblies. The brush cutting head includes a hollow support body having a first end, an opposed second end, an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface of the support body defines a hollow which extends between the first and second ends of the support body. Also provided is a drive and bearing assembly housed at least partially within the hollow of the support body. The drive and bearing assembly includes a drive block mounted to extend within the hollow of the support body at the first end thereof. The drive block includes a motor provided with a torque transmitting driveshaft. A first coupling assembly is connected to the driveshaft of the motor and the support body. The first coupling assembly is operable to transmit the torque produced by the motor to the support body to thereby urge rotation of the brush cutting head. The drive and bearing assembly further includes a second coupling assembly mounted to extend within the hollow of the support body at the second end thereof. The second coupling assembly has a first end and a second end. The second end of the coupling assembly is fixedly attached to the support body. The second coupling assembly includes a bearing support member, a bearing assembly housed within the bearing support member and a coupling member. The bearing assembly is mounted in surrounding relation with a portion of the coupling member to thereby allow free rotation of the coupling member relative to the bearing support member.

1 . A brush cutting head comprising:
 a hollow support body having a first end, an opposed second end, an outer surface and an inner surface;   the inner surface of the support body defining a hollow which extends between the first and second ends of the support body; and   a drive and bearing assembly housed at least partially within the hollow of the support body;   the drive and bearing assembly including: a drive block mounted to extend within the hollow of the support body at the first end thereof;   the drive block including a motor provided with a torque transmitting driveshaft; a first coupling assembly connected to the driveshaft of the motor and the support body;   the first coupling assembly being operable to transmit the torque produced by the motor to the support body to thereby urge rotation of the brush cutting head; a second coupling assembly mounted to extend within the hollow of the support body at the second end thereof;   the second coupling assembly having a first end and a second end, the second end of the coupling assembly being fixedly attached to the support body;   the second coupling assembly including a bearing support member, a bearing assembly housed within the bearing support member and a coupling member;   the bearing assembly being mounted in surrounding relation with a portion of the coupling member to thereby allow free rotation of the coupling member relative to the bearing support member.   
     
     
         2 . The brush cutting head of  claim 1  wherein the motor is hydraulically-actuated. 
     
     
         3 . The brush cutting head of  claim 1  wherein the first coupling assembly includes a coupling member, the coupling member of the first coupling assembly includes a hub portion; the hub portion has a first end and a second end, the second end of the hub portion has a bore defined therein, the bore receiving the driveshaft in mating engagement therewith. 
     
     
         4 . The brush cutting head of  claim 3  wherein: the drive block further includes a motor support member for retaining the motor within the hollow of the support body; the motor support member includes a body provided with a first end, a second end, a generally cylindrical sidewall extending between the first and second ends of the body; the sidewall defining a hollow sized to receive therein a portion of the motor; and the hub portion of the coupling member is mounted to extend into the hollow defined by the sidewall of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The brush cutting head of  claim 4  wherein the first coupling assembly includes a bearing assembly, the bearing assembly of the first coupling assembly being mounted in surrounding relation with the hub portion; the bearing assembly of the first coupling assembly being housed within the body of the motor support member. 
     
     
         6 . The brush cutting head of  claim 5  wherein the first coupling assembly includes an annular plate mounted to the second end of the body; the annular plate having a central opening defined therein, the central aperture receiving therethrough a portion of the hub portion; the annular plate cooperating with the sidewall of the body to at least partially enclose the bearing assembly of the first coupling assembly within the body. 
     
     
         7 . The brush cutting head of  claim 6  wherein the first coupling assembly includes first means for retaining the bearing assembly of the first coupling assembly onto the hub portion. 
     
     
         8 . The brush cutting head of  claim 3  wherein the coupling member of the first coupling assembly includes a disc-shaped portion having a first face and an opposed second face, the hub portion extending outwardly from the second face of the disc-shaped portion. 
     
     
         9 . The brush cutting head of  claim 8  wherein the first coupling member includes a mounting plate fixed to the support body; the mounting plate being releasably fastened to the disc-shaped portion of the first coupling member. 
     
     
         10 . The brush cutting head of  claim 1  wherein: at a location adjacent the first end of the support body, the support body has a first shoulder projecting from the inner surface thereof into the hollow; a portion of the first coupling assembly being fixed to the first shoulder; and at a location adjacent the second end of the support body, the support body has a second shoulder projecting from the inner surface thereof into the hollow; the second end of the second coupling assembly being fixedly attached to the second shoulder.