Operator control system for self-propelled vehicles
First Claim
1. An operator control system for a self-propelled vehicle, the control system comprising:
- a handle assembly comprising a first hand grip having a first grip axis and a second hand grip having a second grip axis, wherein the first grip axis and the second grip axis extend upwardly and toward one another when the vehicle is in an operating configuration;
a first control lever associated with the first hand grip, the first control lever pivotable about a first pivot axis, wherein the first pivot axis is substantially parallel to the first grip axis of the first hand grip; and
a latching device associated with the first control lever, the latching device adapted to latch the first control lever in two or more positions.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An operator control system for a self-propelled vehicle such as a lawn mower is provided wherein the control system includes two opposing and preferably upwardly extending and converging hand grips each having a corresponding drive control lever associated therewith. Each drive control lever may have at least a portion that is parallel to a grip axis of its respective hand grip. Further, each drive control lever may have a pivot axis that is substantially parallel to the corresponding grip axis such that the drive control lever remains substantially parallel to its respective hand grip throughout its travel. A latching device may be provided to permit latching of each drive control lever in two or more positions, e.g., a neutral position and a park position. Secondary levers such as operator presence control (OPC) levers may also be included.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An operator control system for a self-propelled vehicle, the control system comprising:
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a handle assembly comprising a first hand grip having a first grip axis and a second hand grip having a second grip axis, wherein the first grip axis and the second grip axis extend upwardly and toward one another when the vehicle is in an operating configuration;
a first control lever associated with the first hand grip, the first control lever pivotable about a first pivot axis, wherein the first pivot axis is substantially parallel to the first grip axis of the first hand grip; and
a latching device associated with the first control lever, the latching device adapted to latch the first control lever in two or more positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An operator control system for a self-propelled vehicle, the control system comprising:
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a handle assembly comprising a first hand grip having a first grip axis and a second hand grip having a second grip axis, wherein the first grip axis and the second grip axis extend upwardly, forwardly, and toward one another when the vehicle is in an operating configuration;
a first control lever associated with the first hand grip, the first control lever pivotable about a first pivot axis, wherein the first pivot axis is substantially parallel to the first grip axis of the first hand grip; and
a latching device associated with the first control lever, the latching device operable to latch the first control lever in two or more positions. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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15. A method for controlling a self-propelled vehicle, the method comprising:
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providing an operator control system comprising;
a handle assembly comprising a first hand grip having a first grip axis and a second hand grip having a second grip axis, wherein the first grip axis and the second grip axis extend upwardly and toward one another when the vehicle is in an operating configuration;
a first control lever associated with the first hand grip, the first control lever pivotable about a first pivot axis, wherein the first pivot axis is substantially parallel to the first grip axis of the first hand grip; and
a first latching device associated with the first control lever, the first latching device operable to latch the first control lever in at least a first position and a second position;
grasping the first control lever with an operator'"'"'s first hand;
manipulating the first control lever to the first position with the operator'"'"'s first hand; and
manipulating the first latching device to latch the first control lever in the first position.
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21. An operator control system for a self-propelled power mower, the control system comprising:
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a handle assembly comprising a first hand grip having a first grip axis and a second hand grip having a second grip axis, wherein the first grip axis and the second grip axis are substantially coplanar and extend upwardly, forwardly, and toward one another when the mower is in an operating configuration;
a first control lever associated with the first hand grip, the first control lever pivotable about a first pivot axis, wherein the first pivot axis is substantially parallel to the first grip axis of the first hand grip; and
a first latching device comprising a generally hook-shaped member pivotally coupled to the first hand grip and operable to pivot about an axis generally coaxial with the first grip axis, the first latching device adapted to latch the first control lever in at least a first position and a second position. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A self-propelled, walk-behind or ride-behind lawn mower, comprising:
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a frame;
a cutting deck attached to the frame;
one or more drive wheels operable to support the frame in rolling engagement with a ground surface;
a prime mover adapted to provide power to the one or more drive wheels and the cutting deck; and
an operator control system operatively coupled to the frame, the control system comprising;
a handle assembly comprising a first hand grip and a second hand grip, wherein the first hand grip and the second hand grip extend generally upwardly and inwardly towards one another, and further wherein the first hand grip and the second hand grip are forwardly inclined relative to a vertical plane passing through a lowermost portion of one or both of the first hand grip and the second hand grip;
a first control lever associated with the first hand grip, the first control lever pivotable about a first pivot axis;
a second control lever associated with the second hand grip, the second control lever pivotable about a second pivot axis, wherein the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis extend generally upwardly and inwardly towards one another, and further wherein the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis are forwardly inclined relative to the vertical plane passing through the lowermost portion of one or both of the first hand grip and the second hand grip; and
a latching device associated with at least the first control lever, the latching device adapted to latch the at least first control lever in two or more positions.
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Specification