# US 5,343,678 A · Lawn mower control device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,343,678 A - Document ID: US5343678A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/017,210 - Filed: 1993-02-04 - Granted: 1994-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 1993-02-04 - Assignees: Ransomes, Inc. - Inventors: Thomas G. Stuart - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5343678A ## CPC - A01D 34/6812: {Braking or clutching mechanisms} - A01D 2034/6843: {Control levers on the handle of the mower} - A01D 2101/00: Lawn-mowers - A01D: HARVESTING; MOWING ## Abstract A control apparatus for a lawn mower which includes two coupling members pivotable about a single axis. The coupling members are connected to a drive mechanism and a braking mechanism for the lawn mower. The members are coupled so that a forward pushing force applied by the operator actuates forward driving movement of the lawn mower and a pulling force actuates the braking mechanism when the drive mechanism is placed in a forward gear. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A lawn mower having an engine mounted on a main housing, cutting means contained in a cutter housing attached to the main housing and driven by the engine, and wheels attached to the main housing and driven by driving means, the improvement comprising: at least two coupling members pivotable about only a single axis; each of said coupling members being coupled to and capable of independently actuating the driving means; means for returning the driving means to a neutral configuration when external forces are absent; and the driving means being actuated to drive at least one side of the mower in substantially the same direction as a force applied to pivot one of said coupling members. ### Claim 2 A control apparatus for a lawn mower, comprising: at least two coupling members pivotable about only a single axis; each of such said coupling members being coupled to and capable of actuating a drive means for said lawn mower and capable of operating independently from one another; means for returning said drive means to a neutral configuration when external forces are absent; and said drive means being actuated to drive at least one side of said mower in substantially the same direction as a force applied to pivot one of said coupling members. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2 wherein said coupling members are oriented substantially vertically when said drive means is in the neutral configuration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2 wherein said coupling members are limited in their pivotal movement in at least one direction by a lawn mower handle. ### Claim 5 A control apparatus for a lawn mower, comprising: at least two substantially elongate members pivotable between their ends about only a single axis; each of said substantially elongate members being substantially coupled to and capable of actuating a drive means for a lawn mower and capable of being independently operable from one another; means for returning said drive means to a neutral configuration when external forces are absent; and said drive means being actuated to drive at least one side of said mower in substantially the same direction as a force applied to pivot one of said substantially elongate members. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5 wherein said substantially elongate members are oriented substantially vertically when said drive means is in the neutral configuration. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5 wherein said substantially elongate members limited in their pivotal movement in at least one direction by a lawn mower handle. ### Claim 8 A control apparatus for a lawn mower, comprising: at least two substantially elongate members pivotable between their ends about a horizontal axis; each of said substantially elongate members being substantially coupled to and capable of actuating a drive means for a lawn mower and capable of being independently operable from one another; means for returning said drive means to a neutral configuration when external forces are absent; and said drive means being actuated to drive at least one side of said mower in substantially the same direction as a force applied to pivot one of said substantially elongate members. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8 wherein said substantially elongate members are oriented substantially vertically when said drive means is in the neutral configuration. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8 wherein said substantially elongate members are pivotable only about a horizontal axis. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8 wherein said substantially elongate members are limited in their pivotal movement in at least one direction by a lawn mover handle. ### Claim 12 A control apparatus for a lawn mower, comprising: at least two pivotable substantially polygonal-shaped members coupled substantially near their centers to a lawn mower handle; each of said substantially polygonal-shaped members being coupled to and capable of actuating a drive means for driving a lawn mower capable of being independently operable from one another; and said drive means being actuated to drive at least one side of a mower in substantially the same direction as a force applied to pivot one of said substantially polygonal-shaped members. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12 wherein said substantially C-shaped members are capable of engaging a means for braking said lawn mower. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12 further including means for returning said drive means to a neutral configuration when external forces are absent. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12 wherein said substantially polygonal-shaped members are oriented substantially vertically when said drive means is in a neutral configuration. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12 wherein said substantially polygonal-shaped members are limited in their pivotal movement in at least one direction by said lawn mower handle. ### Claim 17 A control apparatus for a lawn mower, comprising: at least two pivotable substantially C-shaped members coupled substantially near their centers to a lawn mower handle; each of said substantially C-shaped members being substantially coupled to and capable of actuating a drive means for driving said lawn mower and capable of being independently operable from each other; and said drive means being actuated to drive at least one side of said mower in substantially the same direction as a force applied to pivot one of said substantially C-shaped members. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17 wherein said substantially C-shaped members are capable of engaging means for braking said lawn mower. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17 further including means for returning said drive means to a neutral configuration when external forces are absent. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17 wherein said substantially C-shaped members are oriented substantially vertically when said drive means is in a neutral configuration. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17 wherein said substantially C-shaped members are limited in their pivotal movement in at least one direction by said lawn mower handle.