Programmed virtual multi-pole or multi-throw switch for outdoor power equipment and method

• US 6,765,310 B1
• Filed: 05/07/2001
• Issued: 07/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Multicraft International
• Original Assignee: Multicraft International
• Inventors: Lowery, Michael V.
• Primary Examiner(s): TOATLEY, GREGORY J
• Application Number:
  US09/849,308
• Time in Patent Office: 1,170 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 307/112, 340/461
• US Class Current: 307/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/1461 Multifunction switches for dimming headlights and controlling additional devices, e.g. for controlling direction indicating lights

Abstract

The electrical system of an engine-powered outdoor machine is made more flexible in design with a virtual multi-pole switch comprising a microprocessor coupled to power-controlled devices of the electrical system, a single-pole switch coupled to an input of the microprocessor, and a program of the microprocessor simulating one or more interconnected multi-pole switches embodied in hardware and the wiring harness.

Claims

1. In an engine-powered outdoor machine having an electrical system with power-controlled devices, the improvement wherein the electrical system comprises at least one virtual multi-pole or multi-throw switch, further comprising:

a microprocessor coupled to the power-controlled devices of the electrical system;

a single-pole, single-throw switch coupled to an input of the microprocessor; and

a program of the microprocessor simulating interconnected multi-pole or multi-throw switches.

2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the improvement comprises the program being operable in real time.

3. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the improvement comprises a plurality of single-pole, single-throw switches.

4. The machine according to claim 3, wherein the single-pole, single-throw switches comprise seat, brake and power take off switches.

5. A method of improving an electrical system for an engine-powered outdoor machine having one or more multi-pole switches coupled to power-controlled devices of the electrical system, the method comprising the steps of:

replacing the one or more multi-pole switches with a microprocessor coupled to the power-controlled devices of the electrical system and at least one single-pole switch coupled to an input of the microprocessor; and

programming the microprocessor to operate the single-pole switch and simulate the one or more multi-pole switches.