Tractor having dual hydrostatic drive with single hand control and attachment adapter for powered attachments
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B60K-031/00
B62D-011/00
B60K-017/28
B62D-051/06
B62D-011/04
B62D-011/12
F16H-061/437
출원번호
US-0616908
(2015-02-09)
등록번호
US-9731759
(2017-08-15)
발명자
/ 주소
Gallazzini, Silvio
출원인 / 주소
Gallazzini, Silvio
대리인 / 주소
Ostrolenk Faber LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
38
초록▼
A tractor has a base for supporting a motive power source, left and right driven wheels, and left and right transmissions for the respective left and right wheels. A handle structure is coupled to the base for grasping by an operator from behind the tractor. A drive system drives each of the left an
A tractor has a base for supporting a motive power source, left and right driven wheels, and left and right transmissions for the respective left and right wheels. A handle structure is coupled to the base for grasping by an operator from behind the tractor. A drive system drives each of the left and right transmissions with motive power from the motive power source. A single lever hand control is provided for operation by a single hand of the operator for controlling both left and right transmissions seamlessly each between reverse speed through neutral and forward speed.
대표청구항▼
1. A tractor comprising: a base for supporting a motive power source, left and right driven wheels, and left and right transmissions for the respective left and right wheels;a fixed, non-rotatable handle structure coupled to the base for grasping by an operator from behind the tractor;a drive system
1. A tractor comprising: a base for supporting a motive power source, left and right driven wheels, and left and right transmissions for the respective left and right wheels;a fixed, non-rotatable handle structure coupled to the base for grasping by an operator from behind the tractor;a drive system for driving each of the left and right transmissions with motive power from the motive power source;further comprising a single lever hand control for operation by a single hand of the operator for controlling both left and right transmissions seamlessly each between reverse speed through neutral and forward speed to control the speed and direction, forward and reverse, and steering of the tractor,further wherein the handle structure comprises left and right handles, the left handle comprising a left transmission control and the right handle comprising a right transmission control; andwhereby an operator can independently control the left and right transmissions using the left and right transmission controls using both left and right hands or alternatively can control the left and right transmissions using the single lever hand control. 2. A tractor comprising: a base for supporting a motive power source, left and right driven wheels, and left and right transmissions for the respective left and right wheels;a handle structure coupled to the base for grasping by an operator from behind the tractor;a drive system for driving each of the left and right transmissions with motive power from the motive power source;further comprising a single lever hand control for operation by a single hand of the operator for controlling both left and right transmissions seamlessly each between reverse speed through neutral and forward speed to control the speed and direction, forward and reverse, and steering of the tractor; andwherein the single lever hand control comprises:a control lever for movement along two perpendicular axes and in any angular direction between the axes;the two perpendicular axes comprising a first axis in forward and aft directions and a second axis in left and right directions;a control bracket coupled to the lever;the control bracket having left and right flanges;control linkages coupled to the left and right flanges;the control linkages coupled to respective speed regulator controls of the left and right transmissions thereby to allow control of both left and right transmissions using the control lever from reverse speed through neutral and into forward speed. 3. The tractor of claim 2, further comprising a structure attached to said control bracket that allows the control lever to rock about a pivot point along the first and second axes, further comprising an anti-rotation mechanism that prevents rotation in a horizontal plane about said pivot point. 4. The tractor of claim 3, wherein said structure comprises a spherical flanged bearing affixed to said control bracket and wherein the flanged bearing is disposed on a shaft fixedly coupled to said handle structure, thereby allowing the control bracket to pivot fore and aft and left and right. 5. The tractor of claim 4, wherein the anti-rotation mechanism comprises a pin fixed to said control bracket that moves in a vertical slot of a bracket fixed to said handle structure. 6. A tractor comprising: a base for supporting a motive power source, left and right driven wheels, and left and right transmissions for the respective left and right wheels;a handle structure coupled to the base for grasping by an operator from behind the tractor;a drive system for driving each of the left and right transmissions with motive power from the motive power source;further comprising a single lever hand control for operation by a single hand of the operator for controlling both left and right transmissions seamlessly each between reverse speed through neutral and forward speed to control the speed and direction, forward and reverse, and steering of the tractor;further wherein:the handle structure comprises left and right handles, the left handle comprising a left transmission control and the right handle comprising a right transmission control; andwhereby an operator can independently control the left and right transmissions using the left and right transmission controls using both left and right hands or alternatively can control the left and right transmissions using the single lever hand control;wherein the left and right transmissions are hydrostatic transmissions, further comprising a speed regulator control lever on each transmission that allows seamless control of the transmission from reverse speed through neutral into forward speed, further comprising a transmission control bracket movably coupled to the speed regulator control lever;the speed regulator control lever having a coupling point coupled to a first control linkage coupled to a respective left or right transmission control and the transmission control bracket for each transmission having a respective second control linkage coupled to the single lever hand control, the transmission control bracket for each transmission allowing the single lever hand control to control the respective transmission seamlessly from reverse speed through neutral into forward speed, the speed regulator control lever and the transmission control bracket on each transmission engaging to allow either of the first control linkage and the second control linkage to control the respective transmission independently of each other seamlessly from reverse speed through neutral and into forward speed to control the speed and direction, forward and reverse, and steering of the tractor. 7. A tractor comprising: a base for supporting a motive power source, left and right driven wheels, and left and right transmissions for the respective left and right wheels;a handle structure coupled to the base for grasping by an operator from behind the tractor;a drive system for driving each of the left and right transmissions with motive power from the motive power source;further comprising a single lever hand control for operation by a single hand of the operator for controlling both left and right transmissions seamlessly each between reverse speed through neutral and forward speed to control the speed and direction, forward and reverse, and steering of the tractor;further wherein:the handle structure comprises left and right handles, the left handle comprising a left transmission control and the right handle comprising a right transmission control; andwhereby an operator can independently control the left and right transmissions using the left and right transmission controls using both left and right hands or alternatively can control the left and right transmissions using the single lever hand control;wherein the left and right transmissions are hydrostatic transmissions, further comprising a speed regulator control lever on each transmission that allows seamless control of the transmission from reverse speed through neutral into forward speed, further comprising a transmission control bracket movably coupled to the speed regulator control lever;the speed regulator control lever having a coupling point coupled to a first control linkage coupled to a respective left or right transmission control and the transmission control bracket for each transmission having a respective second control linkage coupled to the single lever hand control, the transmission control bracket for each transmission allowing the single lever hand control to control the respective transmission seamlessly from reverse speed through neutral into forward speed; andwherein the transmission control bracket comprises a V-shaped bracket having a V-shaped track, a roller that rides along the track, the roller being rotatably coupled to the speed regulator control lever, the transmission control bracket being biased by an urging force against the roller, the first control linkage from the respective left or right transmission control controlling the transmission speed regulator control lever, so that the roller moves along the track of the V-shaped bracket when the respective left or right transmission control is used to control the transmission. 8. The tractor of claim 7, wherein the second control linkage is coupled to the V-shaped bracket to move the V shaped bracket and the roller biased against the V-shaped bracket as a unit to operate the transmission speed regulator control lever. 9. The tractor of claim 2, further comprising a cruise control device for holding a prescribed course set by the single lever hand control. 10. The tractor of claim 9, wherein the single lever hand control can be used to set the prescribed course for the tractor and wherein the left and right transmission controls can be used to override the prescribed course set by the single lever hand control. 11. The tractor of claim 9, wherein the cruise control device comprises a friction device. 12. A tractor comprising: a base for supporting a motive power source, left and right driven wheels, and left and right transmissions for the respective left and right wheels;a handle structure coupled to the base for grasping by an operator from behind the tractor;a drive system for driving each of the left and right transmissions with motive power from the motive power source;further comprising a single lever hand control for operation by a single hand of the operator for controlling both left and right transmissions seamlessly each between reverse speed through neutral and forward speed to control the speed and direction, forward and reverse, and steering of the tractor;further wherein:the handle structure comprises left and right handles, the left handle comprising a left transmission control and the right handle comprising a right transmission control;whereby an operator can independently control the left and right transmissions using the left and right transmission controls using both left and right hands or alternatively can control the left and right transmissions using the single lever hand control;further comprising a cruise control device for holding a prescribed course set by the single lever hand control; andwherein the cruise control device comprises a friction device; andwherein the friction device comprises first and second planar surfaces adapted for sliding frictional movement subject to a bias force that allows the planar surfaces to move with respect to each other when subjected to a force greater than the bias force but that maintains their relative position when the force is removed to maintain the single lever hand control in a fixed position to maintain the prescribed course. 13. The tractor of claim 12, further comprising a control to select and deselect the cruise control device. 14. The tractor of claim 12, wherein the planar surfaces comprise a movable plate and a fixed plate in sliding relation, the movable plate being biased against the fixed plate by at least one spring. 15. The tractor of claim 14, further comprising a washer element for providing a smooth sliding action of said movable and fixed plates. 16. The tractor of claim 15, wherein the washer element comprises nylon and is provided between the plates or between the at least one spring and one of the plates. 17. The tractor of claim 9, wherein the tractor returns to the prescribed course when the left and right transmission controls are returned to neutral positions. 18. The tractor of claim 1, further wherein there is a longitudinally disposed space between the left and right transmissions, further comprising a power take off shaft disposed in the space extending anteriorly and driven by the motive power source for powering a powered attachment arranged to be attached at the anterior of the tractor. 19. The tractor of claim 18, further comprising a power take off adapter disposed at an anterior location on said tractor having a power coupling driven by said power take off shaft, said adapter allowing a single operator to connect and disconnect a powered attachment by manipulating handles of the handle structure of the tractor from an operator's position. 20. The tractor of claim 19, wherein: said power coupling is attached to the power take off shaft;said power take off adapter comprises a front mounted adapter plate;said power coupling extending out of an opening in said front mounted adapter plate;said power coupling being adapted to engage a mating coupling on a receiver plate of a powered attachment;further comprising an alignment structure on the adapter plate for causing said power coupling to align with the mating coupling of the powered attachment;said alignment structure being arranged to allow the weight of the tractor to be used to cause the power coupling and mating coupling to align and engage;further comprising a locking structure for locking said engaged power coupling and mating coupling together. 21. The tractor of claim 20, wherein said alignment structure comprises a set of rails facing anteriorly inclined toward each other on said adapter plate that engage with rails on the receiver plate for forcing said power coupling and mating coupling into alignment through manipulation of said tractor. 22. The tractor of claim 21, wherein the inclined rails have top edges inclined rearwardly forming a hook for engaging a horizontal top pin of the receiver plate and having bottom edges that are rounded to allow a horizontal bottom pin of the receiver plate to slide beneath the bottom edges; further wherein the power coupling is slidable on a spline on the power take off shaft and spring loaded so as to be biased to engage the mating coupling. 23. The tractor of claim 22, wherein the locking structure comprises a hook that is movable forward and aft and vertically by the operator, thereby to allow the hook to be moved over the bottom horizontal pin of the receiver plate by the vertical motion of the hook and the receiver plate to be drawn against the adapter plate by the aft motion of the hook. 24. The tractor of claim 23, further comprising an operator control on the handle structure for controlling the forward and aft motion and vertical motion of the hook. 25. The tractor of claim 18, further comprising a power take off clutch coupled to an output shaft of said motive power source, said clutch being selectively engageable by a user to power said power take off shaft. 26. The tractor of claim 25, further comprising a belt drive coupling said clutch to a driven pulley provided on said power take off shaft. 27. The tractor of claim 26, further wherein said base comprises a power deck for the motive power source and an adapter housing for mounting said transmissions, said adapter housing being releasably coupled to said power deck to provide access to said belt drive. 28. The tractor of claim 27, further comprising a hinge coupling said adapter housing and power deck allowing the adapter housing to be pivoted away from the power deck to expose the belt drive. 29. The tractor of claim 26, further comprising a second belt drive for coupling the motive power source through said clutch to drive pulleys for hydraulic pumps of each of said transmissions. 30. A tractor comprising: a base for supporting a motive power source, left and right driven wheels, and left and right transmissions for the respective left and right wheels;a handle structure coupled to the base for grasping by an operator from behind the tractor;a drive system for driving each of the left and right transmissions with motive power from the motive power source;further comprising a single lever hand control for operation by a single hand of the operator for controlling both left and right transmissions seamlessly each between reverse speed through neutral and forward speed to control the speed and direction, forward and reverse, and steering of the tractor;further wherein:the handle structure comprises left and right handles, the left handle comprising a left transmission control and the right handle comprising a right transmission control; andwhereby an operator can independently control the left and right transmissions using the left and right transmission controls using both left and right hands or alternatively can control the left and right transmissions using the single lever hand control;wherein the left and right transmissions are hydrostatic transmissions, further comprising a speed regulator control lever on each transmission that allows seamless control of the transmission from reverse speed through neutral into forward speed, further comprising a transmission control bracket movably coupled to the speed regulator control lever;the speed regulator control lever having a coupling point coupled to a first control linkage coupled to a respective left or right transmission control and the transmission control bracket for each transmission having a respective second control linkage coupled to the single lever hand control, the transmission control bracket for each transmission allowing the single lever hand control to control the respective transmission seamlessly from reverse speed through neutral into forward speed; andwherein the first control linkage for each transmission comprises a first control rod from the respective left or right transmission control, a first pivot shaft on which a first lever coupled to the first control rod is pivotally disposed, a first intermediate rod controlled by the movement of the first lever, the first intermediate rod controlling a second lever on a second pivot shaft, the second lever controlling a first further control rod pivotally coupled to said speed regulator control lever. 31. The tractor of claim 30, wherein the second control linkage for each transmission comprises a second control rod from the single lever hand control, a third lever pivotally mounted on the first pivot shaft, a second intermediate rod controlled by the movement of said third lever, the second intermediate rod controlling a fourth lever on the second pivot shaft, the fourth lever controlling a second further control rod fixedly attached to said transmission control bracket for moving said transmission control bracket to move said transmission speed regulator control lever. 32. The tractor of claim 8, wherein said V-shaped bracket is biased against said roller by a spring. 33. The tractor of claim 2, wherein the control bracket comprises an inverted U-shaped bracket, further comprising a spring urging said U-shaped bracket to a neutral position. 34. The tractor of claim 25, further comprising a spring loaded switch on said control lever connected into an electrical circuit requiring operator presence in order to engage the power take off clutch. 35. The tractor of claim 34, wherein said switch is connected into a circuit that prevents the motive power source from being started if the power take off clutch is engaged. 36. The tractor of claim 2, where the left and right transmission controls comprise a squeeze lever mounted on each handle of the handle structure for controlling transmission speed in a first direction and a thumb lever cooperating with the squeeze lever for controlling transmission speed in a second opposite direction. 37. The tractor of claim 26, further comprising a shaft coupled to said driven pulley extending posteriorly for driving a rear power take off for powering a rear mounted powered attachment. 38. The tractor of claim 1, wherein the tractor is a walk-behind tractor.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (38)
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