WALK POWER MOWER WITH TRANSMISSION PROVIDING BOTH FORWARD AND REVERSE PROPULSION
First Claim
1. A walk power equipment unit comprising:
- a housing supported upon the ground by at least a front wheel and a rear wheel, the housing adapted to traverse the ground in both a forward direction and an opposite, reverse direction;
a handle comprising a handle member extending upwardly and rearwardly from the housing, wherein the handle member includes;
an upper end; and
a lower end, the lower end attached to the housing;
a prime mover carried by the housing; and
a variable speed traction drive system carried by the housing, the traction drive system comprising;
a bidirectional transmission operatively connected to a drive wheel selected from the group comprising the front wheel and the rear wheel, the transmission operable to selectively rotate the drive wheel to propel the housing over the ground; and
a control system comprising a handle grip translatable along the handle member, wherein the handle grip activates the transmission to power the drive wheel for movement of the housing in the forward direction when the handle grip is translated downwardly along the handle member from a neutral position, and wherein the handle grip activates the transmission to power the drive wheel for movement of the housing in the reverse direction when the handle grip is translated upwardly along the handle member from the neutral position.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A walk power mower having a cutting deck supported upon the ground by a front and rear wheel(s). The mower includes a traction drive system incorporating a bidirectional transmission adapted to propel the mower alternatively in both forward and reverse directions. In some embodiments, the mower may include a single bidirectional transmission (e.g., powering only rear wheel(s) or only front wheel(s) of the mower), while in other embodiments, two bidirectional transmissions may be provided to power both the front and the rear wheel(s). In other embodiments, the mower may include a bidirectional transmission powering the rear wheel(s), while the front wheel(s) may be attached to the deck via a caster assembly.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A walk power equipment unit comprising:
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a housing supported upon the ground by at least a front wheel and a rear wheel, the housing adapted to traverse the ground in both a forward direction and an opposite, reverse direction; a handle comprising a handle member extending upwardly and rearwardly from the housing, wherein the handle member includes;
an upper end; and
a lower end, the lower end attached to the housing;a prime mover carried by the housing; and a variable speed traction drive system carried by the housing, the traction drive system comprising; a bidirectional transmission operatively connected to a drive wheel selected from the group comprising the front wheel and the rear wheel, the transmission operable to selectively rotate the drive wheel to propel the housing over the ground; and a control system comprising a handle grip translatable along the handle member, wherein the handle grip activates the transmission to power the drive wheel for movement of the housing in the forward direction when the handle grip is translated downwardly along the handle member from a neutral position, and wherein the handle grip activates the transmission to power the drive wheel for movement of the housing in the reverse direction when the handle grip is translated upwardly along the handle member from the neutral position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A walk power mower comprising:
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a deck supported upon the ground by front wheels and rear wheels, the deck adapted to traverse the ground in both a forward direction and an opposite, reverse direction, wherein the front wheels and/or the rear wheels operate as powered drive wheels of the mower; a handle comprising a handle member extending upwardly and rearwardly from the deck, wherein the handle member includes;
an upper end; and
a lower end, the lower end attached to the deck;a prime mover carried by the deck, the prime mover operatively connected to a cutting member associated with the deck; and a variable speed, bidirectional transmission carried by the deck, wherein the transmission selectively rotates at least one of the drive wheels to effect propulsion of the deck over the ground; and a control system comprising a handle grip positioned at or near the upper end of, and translatable along, the handle member, wherein translation of the handle grip activates the transmission to power at least one of the drive wheels for movement of the deck;
in the forward direction when the handle grip is translated downwardly along the handle member from a neutral position; and
in the reverse direction when the handle grip is translated upwardly along the handle member from the neutral position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A walk power mower comprising:
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a deck supported upon the ground by front wheels and rear wheels, the deck adapted to traverse the ground in both a forward direction and an opposite, reverse direction, wherein one or more of the front wheels and the rear wheels operate as a powered drive wheel of the mower; a handle comprising a handle member extending upwardly and rearwardly from the deck, wherein the handle member includes;
an upper end comprising a grip area; and
a lower end attached to the deck;a prime mover carried by the deck, the prime mover operatively connected to a cutting member associated with the deck; a variable speed, bidirectional traction drive system carried by the deck, wherein the traction drive system selectively rotates the drive wheel to effect propulsion of the deck over the ground; and a control system carried on the handle and operatively connected to the traction drive system, wherein the control system comprises a first control member and a second control member that are each independently movable between a neutral position corresponding to a neutral mode of the traction drive system, and an engaged position corresponding to a powered mode of the traction drive system, wherein; the first control member, when moved from the neutral position to the engaged position, is adapted to manipulate the traction drive system from;
the neutral mode;
to a forward powered mode wherein the traction drive system rotates the drive wheel in a first direction corresponding to the forward direction of the deck; andthe second control member, when moved from the neutral position to the engaged position, is adapted to manipulate the traction drive system from;
the neutral mode;
to a reverse powered mode wherein the traction drive system rotates the drive wheel in a second direction corresponding to the reverse direction of the deck. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification