Vacuum actuated control mechanism
AssigneeMTD Products Inc
InventorsAxel Schaedler, John Robertson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A riding lawn mower is provided that has an engine, a device that requires control and a vacuum actuated control mechanism for controlling the device. The vacuum actuated control mechanism includes a vacuum actuator having first and second chambers separated by a movable membrane, first connecting means for operatively connecting the vacuum actuator to the device, vacuum means for providing a vacuum to the vacuum actuator, activating means for selectively activating the vacuum actuator and securing means for securing the vacuum actuator in place. The securing means also secures the device in place.
Claims14
A vacuum actuated control mechanism for controlling an associated device, the vacuum actuated control mechanism comprising:
- a first vacuum actuator having first and second chambers separated by a movable membrane;
- first connecting means for operatively connecting said first vacuum actuator to the associated device:
- vacuum means for providing a vacuum to said first vacuum actuator;
- activating means for selectively activating said first vacuum actuator, wherein said activating means includes:
- first and second switching means for selectively permitting airflow between said first and second chambers and said vacuum means,
- a rocking switch for selectively activating said first and second switching means;
- and,
- vacuum lines for communicating said vacuum means to said first and second switching means and for communicating said first and second switching means to said first and second chambers;
- and
- securing means for securing said first vacuum actuator in place.
A method for controlling an associated device, the method comprising the steps of:
- switching a first switch;
- activating a third valve thereby permitting airflow between said first chamber and said first valve;
- activating a fourth valve thereby permitting airflow between said second chamber and a second valve;
- activating said first valve thereby permitting ambient air to enter said first chamber;
- removing a vacuum from a first chamber of a vacuum actuator;
- establishing a vacuum within a second chamber of said vacuum actuator;
- and,
- moving the associated device.
A method for controlling an associated device, the method comprising the steps of:
- switching a first switch;
- activating a third valve thereby permitting airflow between said first vacuum actuator and said first valve;
- activating a fourth valve thereby permitting airflow between said second vacuum actuator and a second valve;
- activating said first valve thereby permitting ambient air to enter said first vacuum actuator;
- removing vacuum from a first vacuum actuator;
- establishing a vacuum within a second vacuum actuator;
- and,
- moving the associated device.
A method for controlling an associated device, the method comprising the steps of:
- switching a first switch;
- activating third and fourth valves thereby permitting airflow between first and second chambers of a vacuum actuator and first and second valves respectively;
- activating said first valve thereby permitting ambient air to enter said first chamber;
- removing a vacuum from said first chamber;
- establishing a vacuum within said second chamber;
- moving a membrane within said vacuum actuator in a first direction;
- moving a first connecting means operatively connected to said membrane and to the associated device in said first direction;
- moving the associated device;
- releasing said first switch;
- activating said third and fourth valves thereby preventing airflow between said first and second chambers and said first and second valves respectively;
- securing said vacuum actuator in place;
- and,
- securing the associated device in place.
A vacuum actuated control mechanism for controlling the speed of a device having an engine, a drive axle for providing locomotion for the device and a drive system for selectively transferring power from said engine to said drive axle, the vacuum actuated control mechanism comprising:
- a first vacuum actuator;
- first connecting means for operatively connecting said first vacuum actuator to the drive system;
- vacuum means for providing a vacuum to said first vacuum actuator;
- activating means for selectively activating said first vacuum actuator;
- and, securing means for selectively securing said first vacuum actuator in place, said securing means also for selectively securing a constant speed for the drive axle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.