Cruise control system

Motor vehicles – With means responsive to speed of vehicle for maintaining...

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C180S315000, C180S336000, C180S900000, C074S512000, C074S526000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06202779

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses for driving vehicles, and more specifically to methods and apparatuses for a cruise control system for a lawn care device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the art of lawn care devices, such as a mower, it is well known that when a relatively large amount of ground is being mowed or the lawn care device is being driven for a relatively long time, the operator may become fatigued. When a riding lawn care device is used, this fatigue is due primarily to the continual pressure the operator must exert on the various controls, such as an acceleration pedal. Thus, there is a need for a method to reduce this fatigue in operators of lawn care devices.
The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for a cruise control system for a mower that is easy and intuitive to operate. The difficulties inherent in the art are therefore overcome in a way that is simple and efficient while providing better and more advantageous results.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of this invention, a mower is provided. The mower includes a frame, a plurality of wheels including at least a first drive wheel operatively supported by the frame, an engine operatively mounted to the frame, a mower deck operatively connected to the frame, and a drive system for use in transferring power from the engine to the at least first drive wheel. The drive system includes an accelerator pedal fixedly connected to an accelerator rod. The mower also includes a cruise control system that mechanically locks the accelerator pedal and accelerator rod in place. This permits the operator to release all pressure from the accelerator pedal (resting the foot of the operator) while maintaining the accelerator pedal in any predetermined position. In this way the mower maintains substantially the same speed without constant input from the operator.
According to another aspect of this invention, the cruise control system also includes a rack member fixedly attached to the accelerator rod and having rack teeth, a cruise cam pivotably attached to the frame and having cruise teeth, a cruise lever that is selectively adjustable by an associated operator, and an extension arm pivotably connected to the cruise lever and a having an end pivotably connected to the cruise cam. To engage this cruise control system the following steps are required. First, the operator depresses the accelerator pedal corresponding to the desired speed. Next, the cruise lever is pushed. This causes the extension arm to move resulting in the pivoting motion of the cruise cam. As the cruise cam moves, the cruise teeth are engaged with the rack teeth.
One advantage of the present invention is that an operator's fatigue may be reduced.
Another advantage of this invention is that a constant speed can be maintained by an operator while driving a lawn care device.
Still another advantage of this invention is that it is easy to operate.
Another advantage of this invention is that it is easy to manufacture and can be made economically.
Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.


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International Search Report Mailed Jul. 10, 1999.

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