Motors: expansible chamber type – With motive fluid valve – Relatively movable serial valves
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-26
2001-05-15
Look, Edward K. (Department: 3745)
Motors: expansible chamber type
With motive fluid valve
Relatively movable serial valves
C091S465000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230608
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses for vacuum actuators, and more specifically to methods and apparatuses for using vacuum actuators to control systems in a lawn mower such as to control the height of a mower deck and to control the speed of the lawn mower.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is well known to provide riding lawn mowers with control devices for various mechanisms on the mower. For example U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,467 to Trefz et al. discloses an apparatus for suspending, raising and lowering a cutting deck that is held beneath a riding lawn mower. Trefz et al. discloses a foot pedal for use in adjusting the height of the cutting deck. A suspending assembly is also provided for the additional adjustment of the height of the cutting deck. Thus cumbersome hand and foot manipulation is required to adjust the height of the cutting mechanism of this disclosure. It is also known in the art to provide complex and expensive hydraulic systems for adjusting mower decks. What is needed is an easy yet inexpensive and relatively simple apparatus and method for adjusting the height of a mower deck having infinite adjustability within a given range.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,578 to Irby et al. discloses a drive system for lawn mowers. The drive system includes a speed control mechanism and is intended for a walk-behind mower. Manual adjustment of a lever is required to adjust this drive system. It is also known in the art to provide for complex and relatively expensive systems for controlling the speed of a riding lawn mower. What is needed is an easy relatively inexpensive method and apparatus for controlling the speed of a riding lawn mower having infinite adjustability within a given range.
The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for using a vacuum actuator to control a device associated with the lawn mower. A vacuum actuated control mechanism can be used for controlling the height of a mower deck. A vacuum actuated control mechanism can also be used to control the speed of a riding lawn mower.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a vacuum actuated control mechanism is provided for controlling an associated device. The vacuum actuated control mechanism includes a first vacuum actuator, first connecting means for operatively connecting the first vacuum actuator to the associated device, vacuum means for providing a vacuum to the first vacuum actuator, activating means for selectively activating the first vacuum actuator, and securing means for securing the first vacuum actuator in place.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the activating means includes first and second switching means for selectively permitting air flow between the first vacuum actuator and the vacuum means. The activating means also includes a rocking switch for selectively activating the first and second switching means and vacuum lines for communicating the vacuum means to the first and second switching means and for communicating the first and second switching means to the first vacuum actuator.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the securing means includes third and fourth switching means for selectively permitting air flow between the first vacuum actuator and the first and second switching means. The rocking switch selectively activates the third and fourth switching means.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention a method for controlling an associated device is provided. The method includes the steps of removing vacuum from a first chamber in a vacuum actuator, establishing a vacuum within a second chamber of the vacuum actuator, and moving the associated device.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention another method for controlling an associated device is provided. The method includes the steps of removing vacuum from a first vacuum actuator, establishing a vacuum within a second vacuum actuator, and moving the associated device.
One object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum actuated control mechanism that can easily and quickly be mounted to a riding lawn mower.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum actuated control mechanism that can secure the vacuum actuators thereby securing the device being controlled in place.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a control mechanism that is inexpensive and yet greatly reduces the need for human manipulation of controls.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a vacuum actuated control mechanism for controlling the height of the mower deck mounted to a riding lawn mower.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a vacuum actuated control mechanism for controlling the speed of a riding lawn mower.
Still other benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
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Robertson John
Schaedler Axel
Bennett Timothy D.
Emerson Roger D.
Emerson & Skeriotis
Lazo Thomas E.
Look Edward K.
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