초록 ▼

The present invention relates to powered vehicles (e.g., lawn mowers) and, more particularly, to a velocity control system for use with such a vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes a power source such as an internal combustion engine and one or more drive control levers incrementally mova

The present invention relates to powered vehicles (e.g., lawn mowers) and, more particularly, to a velocity control system for use with such a vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes a power source such as an internal combustion engine and one or more drive control levers incrementally movable between a neutral position and a maximum velocity position. The system may also include a velocity adjustment member and associated mechanism that permits changing of a ratio between control lever movement and velocity of associated drive members or wheels. Thus, the system may limit a maximum ground velocity of the vehicle while the drive control lever(s) are positioned in the maximum velocity position and while an output level of the power source is maintained at a constant level.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A walk-behind or ride-behind self-propelled vehicle comprising:a chassis;first and a second drive wheels coupled to opposing sides of the chassis for propelling the vehicle over a ground surface;first and second hydraulic pumps coupled to the chassis and operable to power the

What is claimed is: 1. A walk-behind or ride-behind self-propelled vehicle comprising:a chassis;first and a second drive wheels coupled to opposing sides of the chassis for propelling the vehicle over a ground surface;first and second hydraulic pumps coupled to the chassis and operable to power the first and second drive wheels, respectively;an engine attached to the chassis and operatively coupled to the hydraulic pumps, the engine configurable to deliver a constant level of output;first and second control levers pivotally attached to the chassis and operable to independently vary, while the engine maintains the constant level of output, a velocity of the first and second drive wheels, respectively, each control lever movable incrementally between a first position corresponding to zero velocity of its respective drive wheel, and a second position corresponding to a maximum forward velocity of its respective drive wheel;a bellcrank pivotally coupled to the chassis, the bellcrank pivotable in response to movement of one of the control levers;an arm attached to one of the hydraulic pumps, wherein the arm and the bellcrank are connected via a pin passing through elongate slots formed in both the bellcrank and the arm; anda drive velocity adjustment lever pivotally attached to the chassis and operatively coupled to both the first and second control levers, the velocity adjustment lever movable, while the engine maintains the constant level of output, between: a first setting wherein the maximum forward velocity of each drive wheel, when its respective control lever is in the second position, is limited to a first predetermined value; and a second setting wherein the maximum forward velocity of each drive wheel, when its respective control lever is in the second position, is limited to a second predetermined value greater than the first predetermined value.