Double-safety arrangement for a self-propelled hand-guided machine

A double-safety arrangement for a self-propelled, hand-guided machine such as a duplex-vibratory roller equipped with a control column for facilitating control of the machine by an operator, the machine being further equipped with switching linkage means actuable for engaging the machine for forward and rearward travel and having a neutral position to which said linkage means returns when no longer actuated for said travel and whereat the machine is disengaged and comes to a halt, the double-safety arrangement comprising:

• an operating lever having a center neutral position and at least first and second travel positions for forward and rearward travel, respectively;
• and,
• a latching assembly movable into a latched condition for transmitting the movements of said lever to said linkage means thereby actuating the latter and into an unlatched condition whereat said linkage means is no longer actuable by said lever;
• said latching assembly including:
• connecting means movable between a first position for mechanically connecting said operating lever to said linkage means for transmitting said lever movements thereto and a second position whereat said lever movements are no longer transmittable to said linkage means;
• deadman's handle means movable to an actuating position for holding said connecting means in said first position so long as said handle means is held in the actuated position thereof by the operator;
• and,
• override shutoff means for acting on said connecting means while the same is in said first position thereof to cause the latter to move into said second position thereby interrupting the connection between said lever and said linkage means and causing the latter to return to its neutral position whereat the machine is disengaged and comes to a halt.