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Electro-mechanical interlock and module system for lawn mower or other electrical device

  • US 5,085,043 A
  • Filed: 06/01/1990
  • Issued: 02/04/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1990
  • Status: Expired
First Claim
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1. An electrically powered lawn mower comprising a mower deck, an electric motor mounted to the mower deck for rotatably driving a cutting blade located beneath the mower deck, a handle connected to the mower deck, a shroud covering the motor, a power circuit including a rechargeable battery for providing electrical power to the motor and an electrical connector adapted for connection to an external source of electrical current for charging said battery, a manually operable electric switch mounted to the handle and connected in said power circuit and having ON and OFF positions for controlling the application of electrical power to the motor, and an interlock system for controlling the enabling of said power circuit, includingan interlock switch connected in said power circuit and having an actuator for controlling the state of said interlock switch;

  • said interlock switch having a first normal state for disabling said power circuit and a second state for enabling said power circuit, such that when said interlock switch is in said first state the electric motor cannot be energized by said power circuit regardless of the position of said handle mounted switch, and when said interlock switch is in said second state the electric motor is energizable by said power circuit in accordance with the position of said handle mounted switch;

    means for mounting said interlock switch within said shroud adjacent a specially configured first opening in said shroud such that the actuator of said interlock switch is accessible through said first opening; and

    a key member configured for insertion into said first opening in said shroud and including actuating means for engaging said actuator of said interlock switch and causing said interlock switch to switch from said first state to said second state to thereby enable said power circuit when said key member is fully inserted into said first opening in said shroud and further including means for blocking access to said electrical connector when said key member is fully inserted into said first opening in said shroud to thereby prevent said battery from being charged when said interlock switch is in said second state.

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