Retractable line guidance for self-propelled machines
First Claim
1. A self-propelled machine, comprising:
- a speed control mechanism configured to control a speed of movement of the self-propelled machine;
a direction control mechanism configured to control a direction of movement of the self-propelled machine;
a retractable and extendable line mounted on the self-propelled machine such that the line is under tension in a retraction direction when the line is extended from the self-propelled machine;
a line extension monitoring device configured to monitor a length of extension of the line;
a speed controller connected to the line extension monitoring device and to the speed control mechanism and configured to control the speed control mechanism to control the speed of movement of the self-propelled machine in response to the length of extension of the line to maintain the length of extension of the line at a selected length;
a line angle monitoring device configured to monitor an angle of the line with respect to the self-propelled machine; and
a direction controller connected to the line angle monitoring device and to the direction control mechanism and configured to control the direction control mechanism to control the direction of movement of the self-propelled machine in response to the angle of the line to maintain the angle of the line at a selected angle wherein the direction controller is configured to control the direction control mechanism to turn the self-propelled machine to the right in response to a displacement in the angle of the line to the left and to control the direction control mechanism to turn the self-propelled machine to the left in response to a displacement in the angle of the line to the right.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Retractable line guidance for a self-propelled machine, such as a self-propelled lawn mower, is provided by an operator moving a string or line to control the speed and direction of movement of the machine. A retractable and extendable line is mounted on the machine and is under tension in a retraction direction when the line is extended. A length of extension of the line is monitored, and a speed of movement of the machine is controlled in response to the length of extension of the line to maintain the length of extension of the line at a selected length. An angle of the line with respect to the machine is monitored, and a direction of movement of the machine is controlled in response to the angle of the line to maintain the angle of the line at a selected angle.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A self-propelled machine, comprising:
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a speed control mechanism configured to control a speed of movement of the self-propelled machine; a direction control mechanism configured to control a direction of movement of the self-propelled machine; a retractable and extendable line mounted on the self-propelled machine such that the line is under tension in a retraction direction when the line is extended from the self-propelled machine; a line extension monitoring device configured to monitor a length of extension of the line; a speed controller connected to the line extension monitoring device and to the speed control mechanism and configured to control the speed control mechanism to control the speed of movement of the self-propelled machine in response to the length of extension of the line to maintain the length of extension of the line at a selected length; a line angle monitoring device configured to monitor an angle of the line with respect to the self-propelled machine; and a direction controller connected to the line angle monitoring device and to the direction control mechanism and configured to control the direction control mechanism to control the direction of movement of the self-propelled machine in response to the angle of the line to maintain the angle of the line at a selected angle wherein the direction controller is configured to control the direction control mechanism to turn the self-propelled machine to the right in response to a displacement in the angle of the line to the left and to control the direction control mechanism to turn the self-propelled machine to the left in response to a displacement in the angle of the line to the right. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for guiding a self-propelled machine, comprising:
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providing a retractable and extendable line mounted on the self-propelled machine such that the line is under tension in a retraction direction when the line is extended; monitoring a length of extension of the line; controlling a speed of movement of the self-propelled machine in response to the length of extension of the line to maintain the length of extension of the line at a selected length; monitoring an angle of the line with respect to the self-propelled machine; and controlling a direction of movement of the self-propelled machine in response to the angle of the line to maintain the angle of the line at a selected angle wherein controlling the direction of movement of the self-propelled machine includes turning the self-propelled machine to the right in response to a displacement in the angle of the line to the left and turning the self-propelled machine to the left in response to a displacement in the angle of the line to the right. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for guiding a self-propelled machine, comprising:
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a retractable and extendable line; a tensioning mechanism configured to maintain the line under tension in a retraction direction when the line is extended; a line extension monitoring device configured to monitor a length of extension of the line; a line angle monitoring device configured to monitor an angle of the line; and a controller connected to the line extension monitoring device and to the line angle monitoring device and configured to generate speed control signals to control a speed of movement of the self-propelled machine in response to the length of extension of the line to maintain the length of extension of the line at a selected length and configured to generate direction control signals to control a direction of movement of the self-propelled machine in response to the angle of the line to maintain the angle of the line at a selected angle wherein the controller is configured to generate direction control signals to turn the self-propelled machine to the right in response to a displacement in the angle of the line to the left and to generate direction control signals to turn the self-propelled machine to the left in response to a displacement in the angle of the line to the right. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification