Metalcraft of Mayville, Inc. v. Toro Co.

Scag, which manufactures commercial riding lawnmowers, developed a suspended operator platform for a ride-on lawnmower or other riding light utility vehicle connected to a rigid chassis by a suspension system. The operator platform supports the entire body of the operator. The suspension system suspends the operator platform from the chassis in a manner that isolates an operator from vibrations, or shock loads, generated by the mower during use or when driven over uneven terrain. The operator platform can suspend or isolate some controls from the rigid chassis. Scag commercialized the system, which is disclosed in the 475 patent, in its Cheetah line of lawnmowers. In 2015, Toro introduced riding lawnmowers with suspended operator platforms to compete with Scag’s Cheetah line. The steering controls in Toro’s riding lawnmowers are connected to the chassis, not the operator platform. Scag filed an infringement action and obtained a preliminary injunction. The Federal Circuit affirmed, finding that Scag established a likelihood of success that the accused products infringe claim 21 of the 475 patent and that there is not a substantial question of validity as to claim 21. View "Metalcraft of Mayville, Inc. v. Toro Co." on Justia Law