Walk-behind implement and handle assembly release apparatus for use with same
AssigneeThe Toro Company
InventorKhari Clarke
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A walk-behind implement, e.g., lawn mower, having a handle assembly, and a handle assembly release apparatus for use with such an implement. The release apparatus, in one embodiment, may permit unlocking of the handle assembly from a first operating position relative to a housing of the implement. Once unlocked, the handle assembly may be moved, e.g., pivoted, to a second storage position. In one embodiment, the release apparatus may include a lever member that may be actuated by the application of a force applied by an operator's foot.
Claims22
A walk-behind outdoor power equipment unit, comprising:
- a housing operable for movement over a ground surface;
- a handle assembly comprising a first handle member and a second handle member each pivotally coupled to the housing, wherein the handle assembly may be selectively locked, relative to the housing, in a first operating position;
- and
- a handle assembly release apparatus associated with the handle assembly, wherein the handle assembly release apparatus comprises a release member operable to impart a releasing force simultaneously to each of the first and second handle members to unlock the handle assembly from the first operating position, the releasing force at least partially reacted by the housing.
A walk-behind lawn mower, comprising:
- a housing operable for movement over a ground surface;
- a handle assembly comprising at least one handle member, the handle assembly pivotally coupled to the housing and operable to be selectively locked, relative to the housing, in a first operating position;
- and
- a handle assembly release apparatus associated with the handle assembly, wherein the handle assembly release apparatus comprises a lever pivotable about an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the mower and operable to impart a releasing force to the at least one handle member to unlock the same from the first operating position.
A walk-behind lawn mower comprising:
- a housing operable for movement over a ground surface, the housing comprising a first and a second handle retention portion;
- a handle assembly comprising a first and a second handle member pivotally coupled to the first and second handle retention portions, respectively, the handle assembly operable to be selectively locked, relative to the housing, in a first operating position;
- and
- a handle assembly release apparatus associated with the housing and operable to unlock the handle assembly from the first operating position, wherein the handle assembly release apparatus comprises a lever member operable to simultaneously apply a separating force between the first handle member and the first handle retention portion, and between the second handle member and the second handle retention portion.
A walk-behind lawn mower comprising:
- a housing operable for movement over a ground surface;
- a handle assembly comprising a handle member, the handle member pivotally coupled to a handle retention portion of the housing and operable to be locked in at least a first operating position relative to the housing;
- and
- a handle assembly release apparatus associated with the housing, wherein the handle assembly release apparatus comprises a release member pivotable about an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the mower, the release member operable to selectively slide between the handle member and the handle retention portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.