Recessed control panel

• US 20070289802A1
• Filed: 06/19/2006
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Ressler, Kyle Thomas, Loehr, Robert J., Lange, Lawrence W.
• Application Number:
  US11/455,420
• Publication Number:
  US 20070289802A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/335
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/82 Other details

Abstract

A recessed control panel for a grass mowing machine includes a panel mounted in a recess in a top surface of a side cover on the grass mowing machine. Several controls are attached to panel. The panel has a lower forward end and a higher rearward end, is hinged at the lower forward end, and is releasably secured at the higher rearward end. A throttle lever extends less than one inch above the top surface of the side cover while the throttle is in a full position.

Claims

1. A recessed control panel for a grass mowing machine, comprising:

a panel mounted in a recess in a top surface of a side cover on the grass mowing machine;

a plurality of controls attached to panel;

wherein the panel has a lower forward end and a higher rearward end, is hinged at the lower forward end, and is releasably secured at the higher rearward end.

2. The recessed control panel of claim 1 further comprising a throttle lever extending less than one inch above the top surface of the side cover while the throttle is in a full position.

3. The recessed control panel of claim 1 wherein the lower forward end includes a tab that is insertable into a slot in the recess.

4. The recessed control panel of claim 1 further comprising a throttle linkage attached to the control panel.

5. The recessed control panel of claim 1 wherein at least some of the controls attached to the panel are below the top surface of the side cover in all operating states.

6. A recessed control panel for a grass mowing machine, comprising:

a sloped panel mounted in a recess in a side cover and having a top surface;

a plurality of controls attached to the control panel;

wherein the panel is attached to the recess by a single fastener that is removable to swing the panel up to provide service access under the panel.

7. The recessed control panel of claim 6 wherein the panel is hinged to the side cover.

8. The recessed control panel of claim 6 further comprising a pivoting throttle control that extends through the panel.

9. The recessed control panel of claim 8 wherein the pivoting throttle control extends less than one inch above the top surface of the side cover in a full position.

10. The recessed control panel of claim 9 wherein the pivoting throttle control extends further above the top surface of the side cover in a low position than in the full position.

11. The recessed control panel of claim 6 wherein at least some of the controls remain completely below the top surface of the side cover in all operating states.

12. A recessed control panel for a grass mowing machine, comprising:

a panel mounted in a recess in a top surface of a side cover of a mower, the panel having a plurality of controls attached thereto and extending therethrough including a throttle control that pivots between a low position and a full position, the throttle control extending less than one inch above the top surface in the full position.

13. The recessed control panel of claim 12 wherein the panel has a lower forward end and a higher rearward end.

14. The recessed control panel of claim 12 wherein the panel is hinged to the side cover.

15. The recessed control panel of claim 12 wherein the panel is releasably secured to the side cover with a single fastener.

16. The recessed control panel of claim 12 wherein at least one of the controls remains below the top surface of the side cover in all operating states.

17. The recessed control panel of claim 12 further comprising a tab on the panel insertable into a slot in the recess.