OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Component Histories GREENFIELD - Theo Reinhold Patents 1960s & 1970s

Hello ODK History LOvers

Greenfield Products� founder Theo Reinhold was a prolific inventor and patentee
for over fifty years. His contribution to the Australian garden tractor industry
is significant and probably unsurpassed for any one single person.

For the record, this topic makes available his significant patents from the 1960s
and 1970s.



TO BE CONTINUED ...

PATENT 5224 of 1966
Improvements In and Relating To Drive Mechanisms

This appears to be the first patent covering the renowned �Greenfield Drive� �
a clever mechanical system � using belt drive to friction plates that gave
variable-speed, instant forward and reverse.

PATENT 17260 of 1967
Improvements In and Relating To Height-Adjusting Mechanisms

This seemingly simple patent from 1967 addressed the issue of height adjusters
on ride-on cutter decks. The design catered for more rapid and less cumbersome
adjustments that used on many other machines.

PATENT 28841 of 1967
Improvements In and Relating To Endless Belt Drives

This patent addresses the issue of tensioning endless belt drives so as to
limit belt wear and slippage.

PATENT 33582 of 1968
Improvements In and Relating To Grass Catchers for Lawn Mowers

This patent is interesting in that it harks back to Theo�s patent from 1959 �
for a rotary mower catcher that could be emptied quickly. That first catcher
became Rover Mower�s �Tip to Empty� catcher, used on their walk behind lawnmowers.

This patent added another feature � the catcher could be emptied without
changing the orientation of the mower itself. A patent clearly for ride-on
applications, but not necessarily limited to ride-ons.

PATENT 42919 of 1968
Improvements In and Relating To Lawn Mowers

This is an interesting patent covering a cutter head disengagement mechanism.
Many ride-ons used direct cutter drive, or otherwise permanent engagement of the
cutter head. A second object was the �quick release� cutter deck � so that
attachments could be quickly fitted.

PATENT 37799 of 1972
Improvements In and Relating To Endless Belt Drives

This is a clear improvement on 28841 of 1967 (above).
The interesting bit is the spring tensioning mechanism combined with a toothed rack.

PATENT 35974 of 1968
Manually Propelled Vehicle

I conclude this topic with a patent from 1968. It clearly demonstrates Theo�s
diverse ideas and his business acumen. I note that Greenfield Products, today,
also markets other products�

THEO REINHOLD - Article

TIP-TO-EMPTY CATCHER


Would you like to comment on these Greenfield patents?
I am not a Greenfield expert, so expert commentary is welcomed.
A RESPONSE has been created in the Old Soap Box HERE.