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An operator control system for a self-propelled vehicle such as a lawn mower is provided wherein the control system includes two opposing and preferably upwardly extending and converging hand grips each having a corresponding drive control lever associated therewith. Each drive control lever may hav

An operator control system for a self-propelled vehicle such as a lawn mower is provided wherein the control system includes two opposing and preferably upwardly extending and converging hand grips each having a corresponding drive control lever associated therewith. Each drive control lever may have at least a portion that is parallel to a grip axis of its respective hand grip. Further, each drive control lever may have a pivot axis that is substantially parallel to the corresponding grip axis such that the drive control lever remains substantially parallel to its respective hand grip throughout its travel. In some embodiments, a neutral lock is provided to permit locking of each drive control lever in at least one position, e.g., a neutral position. Secondary levers such as operator presence control (OPC) levers may also be included. In one embodiment, an OPC lever is associated with each hand grip.

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1. An operator control system for a self-propelled vehicle, the control system comprising:a handle assembly comprising a first hand grip and a second hand grip, wherein the first hand grip and the second hand grip extend generally upwardly and towards one another when the vehicle is in an operating

1. An operator control system for a self-propelled vehicle, the control system comprising:a handle assembly comprising a first hand grip and a second hand grip, wherein the first hand grip and the second hand grip extend generally upwardly and towards one another when the vehicle is in an operating configuration; a first control lever associated with the first hand grip, the first control lever pivotable about a first pivot axis, wherein the first pivot axis is substantially parallel to a first grip axis of the first hand grip; and a second control lever associated with the second hand grip, the second control lever pivotable about a second pivot axis, wherein the second pivot axis is substantially parallel to a second grip axis of the second hand grip. 2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the first control lever defines a first lever axis substantially parallel to the first grip axis and the second control lever defines a second lever axis substantially parallel to the second grip axis.3. The control system of claim 2, wherein the first lever axis is substantially parallel to the first pivot axis and the second lever axis is substantially parallel to the second pivot axis.4. The control system of claim 1, wherein the first hand grip and the second hand grip each form an end of the handle assembly.5. The control system of claim 1, wherein the first hand grip and the second hand grip are, when the vehicle is in the operating configuration, forwardly inclined relative to a vertical plane passing through a lowermost portion of the handle assembly.6. The control system of claim 1, wherein the handle assembly further comprises a transverse tube portion coupling the first hand grip to the second hand grip.7. The control system of claim 1, further comprising a secondary lever associated with at least the first hand grip, the secondary lever pivotable about an axis generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.8. The control system of claim 7, wherein the secondary lever is pivotable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein, in the engaged position, a gripping portion of the secondary lever is proximate the first hand grip.9. The control system of claim 7, wherein the secondary lever is operable to manipulate an interlock switch.10. An operator control system for a self-propelled vehicle, the control system comprising:handle assembly means comprising first hand grip means and second hand grip means, wherein the first hand grip means and the second hand grip means extend upwardly and towards one another; first control lever means proximate the first hand grip means, the first control lever means pivotable about a first pivot axis; and second control lever means proximate the second hand grip means, the second control lever means pivotable about a second pivot axis; wherein the first pivot axis is substantially parallel to a first grip axis of the first hand grip means and the second pivot axis is substantilly parallel to a second grip axis of the second hand grip means. 11. An operator control system for a self-propelled vehicle, the control system comprising:a handle assembly comprising a first hand grip defining a first grip axis and a second hand grip defining a second grip axis, wherein the first grip axis and the second grip axis extend in a generally upward, forward, and inward direction when the vehicle is in an operating configuration; a first control lever associated with the first hand grip, the first control lever pivotable about a first pivot axis, wherein the first pivot axis is substantially parallel to the first grip axis; and a second control lever associated with the second hand grip, the second control lever pivotable about a second pivot axis, wherein the second pivot axis is substantially parallel to the second grip axis. 12. The control system of claim 11, wherein the first grip axis and the second grip axis intersect.13. The control system of claim 11, wherein the first control lever defines a first lever axis substantially parallel to the first grip axis.14. The control system of claim 11, wherein the second control lever defines a second lever axis substantially parallel to the second grip axis.15. The control system of claim 11, further comprising a secondary lever having a gripping portion, the secondary lever associated with one or both of the first hand grip and the second hand grip, the secondary lever pivotable about an axis generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.16. The control system of claim 15, wherein the secondary lever is pivotable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein, in the engaged position, the gripping portion of the secondary lever is substantially adjacent to at least a portion of the first hand grip or the second hand grip.17. The control system of claim 16, wherein the gripping portion of the secondary lever defines a secondary lever axis which is substantially parallel to the first grip axis or the second grip axis when the secondary lever is in the engaged position.18. The control system of claim 11, further comprising a first latching device adapted to latch the first control lever in at least a first position.19. The control system of claim 18, wherein the first latching device is coupled to the first hand grip.20. The control system of claim 19, wherein the first latching device is adapted to pivot about a latch pivot axis which is generally parallel with the first grip axis.21. The control system of claim 19, wherein the first latching device is coupled to an end of the first hand grip.22. The control system of claim 18, further comprising a second latching device adapted to latch the second control lever in at least a first position.23. An operator control system for a self-propelled, walk-behind or ride-behind vehicle, the control system comprising:a handle assembly comprising a first hand grip having a first grip axis and a second hand grip having a second grip axis, wherein the first grip axis and the second grip axis generally intersect at an elevation above the first hand grip and the second hand grip when the vehicle is in an operating configuration; a first control lever associated with the first hand grip, the first control lever pivotable about a first pivot axis; and a second control lever associated with the second hand grip, the second control lever pivotable about a second pivot axis; wherein the first pivot axis is substantially parallel to the first grip axis and the second pivot axis is substantially parallel to the second grip axis. 24. The control system of claim 23, wherein the first hand grip and the second hand grip are, when the vehicle is in the operating configuration, forwardly inclined at an angle relative to a vertical plane passing through a lowermost portion of one or both of the first hand grip and the second hand grip.25. The control system of claim 24, wherein the angle is between 30 degrees and 60 degree.