OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories AUSTRALIAN Reel Hand-Mowers POPE WIMBLEDON: 1949-1980

THE PATENTS

The Wimbledons were less innovative than refined. They showed Australia what was expected of
a modern sidewheel design - reel ball bearings fitted as standard; lighter; rubber tyres; tubular handle.

I would like to present two patents that show the Wimbledon, though conservative in design,
did have two features worthy of patents. Both were aimed at simplicity of use:

- Patent 140703: "An improved device for adjustment of the rollers for lawnmowers"
- Patent 140704: "Improvements in the attachment of deflector plates to lawnmowers"

Here is a photo of the side frame. Note the patent numbers on the roller bracket:-


These patents, applied for in 1948, present the Wimbledon as a refined machine, important to
Australian vintage mower history. Patent 140703 - the height adjuster - provided, "a quick and positive means
of adjusting the rollers on the lawnmower," and without, "screw drivers, spanners and the like to make such adjustment."

Patent 140704 - the deflector plate attachment - provided for, "a positively mounted deflector plate
which is easy to remove but in which the tendency to become displaced when the mower is operating is removed."
A second advantage was that the attachment, "does not require spanners or the like to remove it when required
and which is simple in operation. CLICK on the links below to view these patents.