Vehicle steering and speed control
AssigneeScag Power Equipment, Inc.
InventorsDavid J. Sugden, James W. Hall
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A control system for a lawnmower includes a handlebar connected to the lawmnower for controlling direction and speed of travel of the lawmower based on a position of the handlebar relative to the lawnmower. The control system is connected to a drive system of the lawnmower such that changing the elevation of the handlebar adjusts operation of a number of wheel drive units and turning of the handlebar relative to the lawnmower adjusts operation of one wheel drive unit relative to another wheel drive unit.
Claims25
A steering assembly for a utility vehicle having a first drive configured to move a first drive wheel and a second drive configured to move a second drive wheel located opposite the first drive wheel, comprising:
- (A) a steering handle which is movable laterally relative to a frame of the vehicle to steer the vehicle in a turn direction and which is movable in a vertical direction to vary the speed of the vehicle;
- and
- (B) a speed limiter variably positioned relative to the steering handle and selectively engageable by the steering handle, wherein movement of the speed limiter varies a maximum vertical movement of the steering handle relating to the frame and limits a maximum speed of the vehicle.
A vehicle, comprising:
- (A) a frame;
- (B) a first drive configured to operate a first drive wheel;
- (C) a second drive configured to operate a second drive wheel and located opposite the first drive wheel;
- and
- (D) a steering control assembly having a steering handle operatively connected to the first and second drives by a steering rod and a plurality of drive rods that extend at least a majority of distance between the steering handle and the first and second drives, wherein lateral movement of the steering handle relative to the frame rotates the drive rods about the steering rod and steers the vehicle in a turn direction, and wherein movement in the steering handle in a vertical direction translates the steering rod and each of the drive rods in a fore or aft direction relative to the frame and controls forward and rearward movement of the vehicle.
A method of controlling movement of a utility vehicle, comprising the steps of:
- (A) moving a steering handle in a vertical direction to drive a vehicle in one of a forward and rearward direction of travel;
- (B) moving the steering handle in a lateral direction from a central position relative to a frame of the vehicle to cause the vehicle to turn;
- and
- (C) moving a reference bar to adjust a maximum range of motion of the steering handle and limit a maximum speed of travel of the vehicle.
A lawnmower, comprising:
- (A) a frame having a cutter deck mounted thereon;
- (B) a first drive configured to operate a first drive wheel;
- (C) a second drive configured to operate a second drive wheel located opposite the first drive wheel;
- (D) a steering control assembly having a steering handle operatively connected to the first and second drives, wherein rotation of the steering handle about a generally vertical axis steers the vehicle in a turn direction, and wherein pivotal movement of the steering handle about a generally horizontal axis from a neutral position thereof increases forward movement of the vehicle;
- and
- (E) a speed limiter control including a reference bar that is connected to the frame and that interacts with the steering handle upon pivotal motion of the steering handle into the reference bar to define a maximum range of pivotal motion of the steering handle, the reference bar being movable relative to the frame and to the steering handle to increase or decrease the maximum range of pivotal motion of the steering handle and, thereby, increase or decrease a maximum operational speed of the mower.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.