Control apparatus for a vehicle

An engine enabling apparatus comprising:

• an operating lever connected to a first force transmitting member;
• a rachet mechanism receiving the first force transmitting member and including:
• a rachet housing having an opening for receiving the first force transmitting member;
• a rachet plate, connected to said first force transmitting member, slidable within said rachet housing and having a first contact connected to said rachet plate;
• a second contact disposed within said rachet housing;
• a solenoid having a plunger urged into engagement with said rachet plate by a plunger spring;
• wherein actuation of said solenoid disengages the plunger from said rachet plate and permits actuation of said operating lever;
• and
• wherein actuation of said operating lever causes said first force transmitting member to slide said rachet plate within said rachet housing so as to bring said first contact into contact with said second contact to thereby enable operation of the engine.

A steering handle locking apparatus for a vehicle having a steering handle, a rotatable handle shaft, and a frame comprising:

• an operating lever connected to a force transmitting member;
• a steering handle lock housing fixed to the frame having a guide hole for receiving the force transmitting member;
• a sliding member, attached to the force transmitting member, slidable within said steering handle lock housing between a first position and a second position and having a projection projecting through an open portion of said steering handle lock housing;
• a claw member, fixed to the handle shaft, substantially capturing the projection in the first position to lock the steering handle and not capturing the projection in the second position to unlock the steering handle;
• and
• wherein operation of said operating lever causes the force transmitting member to slide the projection between the first and second positions to lock and unlock the steering handle, respectively.