초록 ▼

Dual neutral start switch configurations for preventing vehicle users from starting or activating a vehicle engine under certain circumstances and designed to be part of the control arm or return-to-neutral configuration are disclosed. These configurations may be used with pumps, transmissions or tr

Dual neutral start switch configurations for preventing vehicle users from starting or activating a vehicle engine under certain circumstances and designed to be part of the control arm or return-to-neutral configuration are disclosed. These configurations may be used with pumps, transmissions or transaxles in a variety of different vehicle applications. Also disclosed is a combination neutral start switch and reverse mower blade cutoff switch.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A hydraulic drive device capable of driving in a forward and a reverse direction, comprising: a casing; a hydraulic pump located within the casing; a control arm coupled to the hydraulic pump to control the hydraulic pump fluid flow, the control arm having a first position co

What is claimed is: 1. A hydraulic drive device capable of driving in a forward and a reverse direction, comprising: a casing; a hydraulic pump located within the casing; a control arm coupled to the hydraulic pump to control the hydraulic pump fluid flow, the control arm having a first position corresponding to the hydraulic drive device driving in a forward direction and a second position; a first switch mounted at a first location on the hydraulic drive device, the first switch cooperating with the control arm and having an open state and a closed state, wherein the first switch being in the open state is indicative of the control arm assuming the first position; and a second switch mounted at a second location on the hydraulic drive device separate from the first location, the second switch cooperating with the control arm and having an open state and a closed state, wherein the state of the second switch is indicative of the control arm assuming the second position. 2. The hydraulic drive device of claim 1, wherein the second position of the control arm corresponds to the hydraulic drive device driving in the reverse direction. 3. The hydraulic drive device of claim 2, wherein the second switch being in the open state is indicative of the control arm being in the second position. 4. The hydraulic drive device of claim 1, wherein the first switch is mechanically actuated. 5. The hydraulic drive device of claim 1, wherein the second switch is mechanically actuated. 6. The hydraulic drive device of claim 1, wherein the positions of the first switch and the second switch with respect to the control arm are independently adjustable. 7. A hydraulic drive device capable of driving in a forward and a reverse direction, comprising: a casing; a hydraulic pump located within the casing; a control arm coupled to the hydraulic pump to control the hydraulic pump fluid flow; a first switch cooperating with the control arm, wherein the state of the first switch is indicative of the control arm assuming a first position; a second switch cooperating with the control arm, wherein the state of the second switch is indicative of the control arm assuming a second position; and a return-to-neutral mechanism coupled to the control arm, the return-to-neutral mechanism also including a stationary arm. 8. The hydraulic drive device of claim 7, wherein the first switch is attached to the stationary arm. 9. The hydraulic drive device of claim 8, wherein the second switch is attached to the stationary arm. 10. The hydraulic drive device of claim 7, wherein the position of the stationary arm establishes the neutral position of the hydraulic drive device. 11. A hydraulic drive device capable of driving in a forward and a reverse direction, comprising: a casing; a hydraulic pump located within the casing; a control arm coupled to the hydraulic pump to control the hydraulic pump fluid flow; a first switch cooperating with the control arm and having an open state and a closed state, wherein the state of the first switch is indicative of the control arm assuming a first position; and a second switch cooperating with the control arm and having an open state and a closed state, wherein the state of the second switch is indicative of the control arm assuming a second position, wherein the positions of the first switch and the second switch with respect to the control arm are jointly adjustable. 12. A hydraulic drive device capable of driving in a forward and a reverse direction comprising: a casing; a hydraulic pump located within the casing; a control arm coupled to the hydraulic pump to control the hydraulic pump fluid flow, the control arm having a first position corresponding to the hydraulic drive device driving in a forward direction and a second position; a first switch mounted at a first location on the hydraulic drive device, the first switch cooperating with the control arm and having an open state and a closed state, wherein the first switch being in the open state is indicative of the control arm assuming the first position; a second switch mounted at a second location on the hydraulic drive device separate from the first location, the second switch cooperating with the control arm and having an open state and a closed state, wherein the state of the second switch is indicative of the control arm assuming the second position; a prime mover drivingly connected to the hydraulic pump; and an ignition electrically coupled to the prime mover and the first switch and the second switch. 13. The hydraulic drive device of claim 12, wherein the control arm being in a neutral position places the first switch and the second switch in the closed state and enables the ignition. 14. The hydraulic drive device of claim 12, wherein the control arm being in the first position places the first switch in the open state and disables the ignition. 15. The hydraulic drive device of claim 12, wherein the control arm being in the second position places the second switch in the open state and disables the ignition. 16. The hydraulic drive device of claim 12, wherein the hydraulic drive device further includes a mower blade. 17. The hydraulic drive device of claim 16, wherein the mower blade is electrically coupled to the second switch. 18. The hydraulic drive device of claim 17, wherein the control arm being in the second position places the second switch in the open state and disables the mower blade. 19. A hydraulic drive device capable of driving in a forward and a reverse direction comprising: a variable displacement hydraulic pump; a control arm coupled to the hydraulic pump for controlling pump displacement; a first switch cooperating with the control arm, the first switch providing a first signal when the control arm assumes a first position; a second switch cooperating with the control arm, the second switch providing a second signal when the control arm assumes a second position, wherein the first switch and second switch are mounted in separate locations on the hydraulic drive device; a prime mover drivingly coupled to the hydraulic pump; and an ignition electrically coupled to the prime mover, the first switch and the second switch. 20. The hydraulic drive device of claim 19, wherein the first position corresponds to the hydraulic drive device driving in a forward direction. 21. The hydraulic drive device of claim 19, wherein the second position corresponds to the hydraulic drive device driving in a reverse direction. 22. The hydraulic drive device of claim 21, wherein a mower blade is coupled to the hydraulic drive device. 23. The hydraulic drive device of claim 22, wherein the control arm being in the second position causes the second switch to provide the second signal to the mower blade, thereby causing the mower blade to be disabled. 24. The hydraulic drive device of claim 19, wherein the control arm being in the neutral position places the first switch and second switch in a closed state and enables the ignition switch to actuate the prime mover. 25. The hydraulic drive device of claim 19, wherein the positions of the first switch and the second switch with respect to the control arm are independently adjustable. 26. A hydraulic drive device attached to a vehicle having a prime mover, which is drivingly coupled to the hydraulic drive device, the hydraulic drive device comprising: a housing; a hydraulic pump positioned within the housing; a control arm coupled to the hydraulic pump for controlling the hydraulic pump output; an ignition switch electrically coupled to the prime mover; and a pair of neutral switches cooperating with the control arm and electrically connected to the ignition switch, each of the neutral switches having an open position where the ignition switch is disabled and a closed position where the ignition switch is enabled, wherein both of the neutral switches will assume the closed position when the control arm is in a predefined position. 27. The hydraulic drive device of claim 26, wherein the predefined position is a neutral position. 28. A hydrostatic transaxle drivingly coupled to a prime mover, where the prime mover is electronically coupled to an ignition switch, the hydrostatic transaxle including a casing, a hydraulic pump mounted within the casing and in fluid communication with a hydraulic motor, a moveable swash plate cooperable with the hydraulic pump for controlling the speed and direction of rotation of the hydraulic motor, and a control arm coupled to the moveable swash plate for adjusting the orientation of the swash plate, wherein the improvement comprises: a return-to-neutral mechanism drivingly coupled to the control arm for returning the control arm to a neutral position, the return-to-neural mechanism further comprising a stationary arm, an inner scissor return arm, an outer second scissor return arm, and a biasing device for rotating the control arm to a neutral position; and a pair of neutral switches cooperating with the control arm and electrically connected to the ignition switch, each of the neutral switches having an open position where the ignition switch is disabled and a closed position where the neutral switch is enabled, wherein both of the neutral switches assume the closed position when the control arm is in a predefined position. 29. The hydraulic drive device of claim 28, wherein the predefined position is a neutral position. 30. A hydraulic drive device capable of driving in a forward and a reverse direction comprising: a variable displacement hydraulic pump; a control arm coupled to the hydraulic pump for controlling pump displacement; a first switch cooperating with the control arm, the first switch providing a first signal when the control arm assumes a first position; and a second switch cooperating with the control arm, the second switch providing a second signal when the control arm assumes a second position, wherein the first switch and second switch are mounted in separate locations on the hydraulic drive device and the positions of the first switch and the second switch with respect to the control arm are jointly adjustable.