WO2006012494A1

WO2006012494A1 - Control assembly for a lawnmower

Info

Publication number: WO2006012494A1
Application number: PCT/US2005/026009
Authority: WO
Inventors: Greg D. Allen; Alan Robert Curran
Original assignee: Briggs and Stratton Power Products Group LLC
Current assignee: Briggs and Stratton Power Products Group LLC
Priority date: 2004-07-23
Filing date: 2005-07-22
Publication date: 2006-02-02
Anticipated expiration: 2007-01-23

Abstract

A control assembly (10) for mounting to a lawnmower (12) includes a handle (14) constructed to be mountable to the lawnmower (12), and a one-piece integrally formed lever (16) pivotally mounted to the handle (14) to enable pivotal movement of the lever (16) relative to the handle (14) (1) in a first direction (18) towards an engine activating position, and (2) in a second direction (20) towards an engine deactivating position. The lever (16) is operatively connected to a stopping mechanism of the lawnmower (12) such that the lever (16) activates an engine of the lawnmower (12) in the engine activating position, and the lever (16) deactivates the engine of the lawnmower (12) in the engine deactivating position. The lever (16) includes a stop member (56) formed in one-piece therewith that is engagable with an exterior surface (68) of the handle (14) to prevent further movement of the lever (16) in the second direction (20).

Description

CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR A LAWNMOWER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a control assembly. In particular, the present invention relates to a control assembly for a lawnmower.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Walk-behind lawnmowers typically include a handle with an engine cut¬ off switch and a separate mechanism to act as a stop for the cut-off switch when the cut-off switch is released. Such assemblies are manufactured from several parts and have an involved assembly process.

[0003] The present invention provides improvements over known control assemblies to simplify the manufacturing and assembly process and to reduce the number of parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] One aspect of the invention relates to a control assembly for mounting to a lawnmower. The control assembly includes a handle constructed to be mountable to the lawnmower, and a one-piece integrally formed lever pivotally mounted to the handle to enable pivotal movement of the lever relative to the handle (1) in a first direction towards an engine activating position, and (2) in a second direction towards an engine deactivating position. The lever is operatively connected to a stopping mechanism of the lawnmower such that the lever activates an engine of the lawnmower in the engine activating position, and the lever deactivates the engine of the lawnmower in the engine deactivating position. The lever includes a stop member formed in one-piece therewith that is engagable with an exterior surface of the handle to prevent further movement of the lever in the second direction.

[0005] Another aspect of the invention relates to a one-piece integrally formed lever for mounting to a handle of a lawnmower. The one-piece lever includes opposing side members, a cross-member that interconnects the side members, a first handle engaging member extending outwardly from one of the side members, a second handle engaging member extending outwardly from the other of the side members, and a stop member extending outwardly from the other of the side members. The first and second handle engaging members are pivotally mountable to the handle to enable pivotal movement of the lever relative to the handle (1) in a first direction towards an engine activating position, and (2) in a second direction towards an engine deactivating position. The lever is operatively connected to a stopping mechanism of the lawnmower such that the lever activates the engine of the lawnmower in the engine activating position, and the lever deactivates the engine of the lawnmower in the engine deactivating position. The stop member is constructed and arranged to be engagable with an exterior surface of the handle to prevent further movement of the lever in the second direction.

[0006] Still another aspect of the invention relates to a lawnmower including a frame, an engine supported by the frame, a cutting blade adapted to be driven by the engine, a stopping mechanism coupled to the engine to selectively activate and deactivate the engine, and a control assembly. The control assembly includes a handle mountable to the frame, and a one-piece integrally formed lever pivotally mounted to the handle to enable pivotal movement of the lever relative to the handle (1) in a first direction towards an engine activating position, and (2) in a second direction towards an engine deactivating position. The lever is operatively connected to the stopping mechanism such that the lever activates the engine in the engine activating position, and the lever deactivates the engine in the engine deactivating position. The lever includes a stop member formed in one piece therewith and is engagable with an exterior surface of the handle to prevent further movement of the lever in the second direction.

[0007] Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a control assembly for mounting to a lawnmower. The control assembly includes a handle constructed to be mounted to the lawnmower, and a lever attached to the handle for movement (1) in a first direction towards an engine activating position and (2) in a second direction towards an engine deactivating position. The lever has means for stopping further movement of the lever in the second direction beyond the engine deactivating position.

[0008] These and other aspects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this disclosure and which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The accompanying drawings facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments of this invention. In such drawings: [0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lawnmower having a control assembly constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the control assembly shown in FIG. 1 removed from the lawnmower;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the control assembly shown in FIG. 1 , the lever of the control assembly in an engine deactivating position;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the control assembly shown in FIG. 1, the lever of the control assembly in an engine activating position;

[0014] FIG. 5 is an enlarged top perspective view of a stop portion of the lever of the control assembly shown in FIG. 1, the lever of the control assembly in an engine deactivating position;

[0015] FIG. 6 is an enlarged top perspective view of a stop portion of the lever of the control assembly shown in FIG. 1, the lever of the control assembly in an engine activating position;

[0016] FIG. 7 is an enlarged side perspective view of a stop portion of the lever of the control assembly shown in FIG. 1, the lever of the control assembly in an engine deactivating position;

[0017] FIG. 8 is an enlarged side perspective view of a stop portion of the lever of the control assembly shown in FIG. 1 , the lever of the control assembly in an engine activating position; and

[0018] FIG. 9 is an isolated perspective view of the lever of the control assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Fig. 1 illustrates a control assembly 10 for a lawnmower 12. The control assembly 10 is mounted to the lawnmower 12 to control steering of the lawnmower 12 as well as activation and deactivation of the lawnmower engine and the cutting blades thereof. The control assembly 10 illustrated is particularly adapted for use on a walk-behind lawnmower 12. However, it should be understood that the lawnmower 12 is exemplary and the control assembly 10 described below may be incorporated into any other mechanisms including other types of lawnmowers, and into any other suitable apparatus that requires lever activation.

[0020] The control assembly 10 includes a handle 14 and a one-piece lever 16 pivotally mounted to the handle 14 . The lever 16 is pivotable relative to the handle 14 for movement in a first direction 18 (see Fig. 1) towards an engine activating position (Fig. 4), and in a second direction 20 (see Fig. 1) towards an engine deactivating position (Fig. 3). The lever 16 is operatively connected to a stopping mechanism of the lawnmower engine, e.g., via cable 22, such that the lever 16 permits the starting of the lawnmower engine in the engine activating position, and the lever 16 deactivates or stops the lawnmower engine in the engine deactivating position. As will be discussed below, the lever 16 includes a stop member 56 formed in one-piece therewith that prevents further movement of the lever 16 in the second direction 20, and thereby acts as a stop to positively identify the engine deactivating position of the lever 16 and to keep the lever 16 in a position that is easily accessible to the user for grasping when it is desired to start the lawnmower. The lever 16 is integrally formed as a one-piece element that includes stop member 56. Thus, lever 16 is easy to make and needs simply to be installed on the handle 14.

[0021] As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the handle 14 includes an elongated body member 26 that is deformed in a conventional manner into a general U-shape to provide a one-piece handle 14 with opposing mounting portions 28, 30 and a centrally disposed handle portion 32 extending between the mounting portions 28, 30. The handle is preferably hollow and formed from a hollow tube. The handle 14 may be formed from any suitable material, e.g., metal, and may have any suitable cross-sectional configuration, e.g., solid, hollow, circular, non-circular, etc., and may be formed of multiple parts.

[0022] As best shown in Fig. 2, the ends 34, 36 of the mounting portions 28, 30 are bent to form a general U-shape cross-sectional configuration. One or more holes, e.g., hole 38, are provided in each end 34, 36 of the mounting portions 28, 30 for mounting the handle 14 to lawnmower 12. For example, fasteners, such as bolts, may extend through respective holes 38 in the mounting portions 28, 30 and through corresponding openings provided in handle support members 40, 42 of the lawnmower 12 to fixedly attach the handle 14 to the lawnmower 12 in an operative position as shown in Fig. 1. However, the mounting portions 28, 30 of the handle 14 may be secured to the lawnmower 12 in any other suitable manner, e.g., by welding. Moreover, the mounting portions 28, 30 of the handle 14 may have any suitable structure to facilitate connection to the lawnmower 12.

[0023] A plurality of holes 44, e.g., four holes, are provided though an intermediate section of each of the mounting portions 28, 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the outwardly facing surface surrounding each hole 44 is recessed, whereas the inwardly facing surface surrounding each hole 44 is not recessed. However, the holes 44 may have any suitable structure. The holes 44 may be used for mounting a cross-member between the mounting portions 28, 30 via fasteners, for example. Moreover, it should be understood that the holes 44 may be simply omitted.

[0024] The handle 14 also includes an opening 46 in each of the inwardly facing surfaces of the mounting portions 28, 30. The openings 46 in the mounting portions 28, 30 are aligned with one another and suitably sized to receive ends of the lever 16 for pivotably supporting the same on the handle 14.

[0025] As best shown in Figs. 2 and 9, the lever 16 is preferably formed of a solid, elongated rod, e.g., circular cross-section, that is bent to provide a one-piece lever 16 with opposing side members 48, 50, a cross-member 52 that interconnects the side members 48, 50, a first handle engaging member 54 extending outwardly from the side member 48, and a stop member 56 and second handle engaging member 58 extending outwardly from the side member 50. Thus, the members 28, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 are integrally formed of a single rod into a one-piece lever 16. The lever 16 may be bent into the desired shape in any suitable manner. Moreover, the lever 16 may be formed from any suitable material, e.g., metal, and may have any suitable cross-sectional configuration and size, e.g., 0.250 diameter wire form.

[0026] As shown in Figs. 1 -4, the first and second handle engaging members 54, 58 are pivotally received within respective openings 46 in the mounting portions 28, 30 of the handle 14. The side member 48 includes a hole 60 that is configured to receive the cable 22 associated with the stopping mechanism of the lawnmower engine. However, the cable 22 may be coupled to the lever 16 in any other suitable manner. Moreover, the lever 16 may be operatively coupled to the stopping mechanism of the lawnmower engine in any other suitable manner.

[0027] As is known in the art, the stopping mechanism of the lawnmower engine biases the cable 22, e.g., by a spring, and hence the lever 16 in the second direction 20 towards the engine deactivating position. The stop member 56 of the lever 16 is configured and positioned to engage an exterior surface 68 of the mounting portion 30 of the handle 14 and prevent further movement of the lever 16 in the second direction 20. Thus, the stop member 56 limits the free play of the lever 16, and also positively identifies the engine deactivating position of the lever 16. The stop member 56 also ensures that the lever 16 is maintained at a predetermined position that is sufficiently close to the central portion 32 of the handle 14 so that the user can easily grasp the lever 16 when it is desired to start the lawnmower.

[0028] As best shown in Fig. 9, the stop member 56 is generally U-shaped and includes a first leg 62 integrally formed with the side member 50, a second leg 64 integrally formed with the second handle engaging member 58, and a stop portion 66 interconnecting the first and second legs 62, 64. In the illustrated embodiment, the stop portion 66 is generally parallel with the cross-member 52. However, the stop portion 66 may be angled with respect to the cross-member 52. When the lever 16 is mounted to the handle 14, the stop member 56 overlaps the mounting portion 30 such that the mounting portion 30 is in the path of movement of the stop member 56, as shown in Figs. 4-6.

[0029] Operation of the lever 16 will now be described in greater detail. The lever 16 is biased in the second direction 20 into its engine deactivating position (Fig. 1 and 3) by the stopping mechanism of the lawnmower engine. As shown in Figs. 3, 5, and 7, the stop portion 66 of the lever 16 engages the exterior surface 68 of the mounting portion 30 of the handle 14 to stop further movement of the lever 16 in the second direction 20. As illustrated, the stop portion 66 extends across the entire width of the mounting portion 30. However, it should be understood that the stop portion 66 may extend across a portion of the width of the mounting portion 30.

[0030] To start the lawnmower engine, the lever 16 is pivoted in the first direction 18 into its engine activating position (Fig. 4). The engine is then started. As shown in Figs. 4, 6, and 8, the stop portion 66 pivots out of engagement with the exterior surface 68 of the handle 14 until the cross-member 52 of the lever 16 engages an exterior surface 70 of the handle portion 32 of the handle 14 to stop further movement of the lever 16 in the first direction 18. Moreover, the exterior surface 70 of the handle portion 32 is slightly concave so as to receive the cross-member 52 therein. Thus, the cross-member 52 and the handle portion 32 together form a generally cylindrical outer periphery which provides a more comfortable grip for the user. Because the lever 16 is biased by the stopping mechanism of the lawnmower engine, the lever 16 must be maintained in the engine activating position to use the lawnmower 12 for mowing purposes as is known in the art.

[0031] When the lever 16 is released, the lever 16 will be biased back in the second direction 20 towards the engine deactivating position. The lever 16 will continue to pivot in the second direction 20 until the stop portion 66 engages the exterior surface 68 of the handle 14. The engagement between the stop portion 66 and the exterior surface 68 of the handle 14 prevents further movement of the lever 16 in the second direction 20. Moreover, the lever 16 moves into the engine deactivating position to cease operation of the lawnmower engine and cutting blades thereof. The stop portion 66 then maintains the lever 16 in the engine deactivating position until it is again desired to start the lawnmower. [0032] It should be understood that the lever 16 may be incorporated into any suitable handle, and the handle configuration illustrated herein is only exemplary. That is, the lever may be suitably sized and configured such that it may be installed on a variety of differently configured handles provided on lawnmowers.

[0033] The foregoing embodiments have been provided to illustrate the structural and functional principles of the present invention, and are not intended to be limiting. To the contrary, the present invention is intended to encompass all modifications, alterations and substitutions within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A control assembly for mounting to a lawnmower, said control assembly comprising: a handle constructed to be mountable to the lawnmower; and a one-piece integrally formed lever pivotally mounted to said handle to enable pivotal movement of said lever relative to said handle (1) in a first direction towards an engine activating position, and (2) in a second direction towards an engine deactivating position, said lever being operatively connected to a stopping mechanism of the lawnmower such that said lever activates an engine of the lawnmower in said engine activating position, and said lever deactivates the engine of the lawnmower in said engine deactivating position, said lever including a stop member formed in one-piece therewith that is engagable with an exterior surface of said handle to prevent further movement of said lever in said second direction.

2. The control assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said handle is hollow and includes an inner surface.

3. The control assembly according to claim 1, wherein said handle includes opposing mounting portions and a centrally disposed handle portion extending between said mounting portions, said mounting portions being mountable to the lawnmower.

4. The control assembly according to claim 3, wherein said exterior surface of said handle is provided on one of said mounting portions.

5. The control assembly according to claim 3, wherein said stop member of said lever extends across an entire width of one of said mounting portions of said handle.

6. The control assembly according to claim 1, wherein said one-piece lever includes opposing side members, a cross-member that interconnects said side members, a first handle engaging member extending outwardly from one of said side members, and said stop member and a second handle engaging member extending outwardly from the other of said side members, said first and second handle engaging members of said lever being pivotally mounted to said handle to enable pivotal movement of said lever relative to said handle.

7. The control assembly according to claim 6, wherein said stop member of said lever is generally U-shaped and includes a first leg integrally formed with one of said side members, a second leg integrally formed with one of said first and second handle engaging members, and a stop portion interconnecting said first and second legs.

8. The control assembly according to claim 7, wherein said stop portion of said stop member is generally parallel with said cross-member of said lever.

9. The control assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a biasing element that biases said lever in said second direction.

10. The control assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a cable connected between said lever and the stopping mechanism.

1 1. The control assembly according to claim 10, wherein said lever includes a hole configured to receive said cable.

12. A one-piece integrally formed lever for mounting to a handle of a lawnmower, said one-piece lever comprising: opposing side members; a cross-member that interconnects said side members; a first handle engaging member extending outwardly from one of said side members; a second handle engaging member extending outwardly from said other of said side members; and a stop member extending outwardly from said other of said side members, said first and second handle engaging members being pivotally mountable to the handle to enable pivotal movement of said lever relative to the handle (1) in a first direction towards an engine activating position, and (2) in a second direction towards an engine deactivating position, said lever being operatively connected to a stopping mechanism of the lawnmower such that said lever activates the engine of the lawnmower in said engine activating position, and said lever deactivates the engine of the lawnmower in said engine deactivating position, wherein said stop member is constructed and arranged to be engagable with an exterior surface of the handle to prevent further movement of said lever in said second direction.

13. The lever according to claim 12, wherein said stop member is constructed to extend across an entire width of a mounting portion of the handle.

14. The lever according to claim 12, wherein said stop member is generally U- shaped and includes a first leg integrally formed with one of said side members, a second leg integrally formed with one of said first and second handle engaging members, and a stop portion interconnecting said first and second legs.

15. The lever according to claim 14, wherein said stop portion of said stop member is generally parallel with said cross-member.

16. The lever according to claim 12, wherein said lever is a single piece of integral material.

17. The lever according to claim 16, wherein said single piece of integral material is metal.

18. A lawnmower comprising: a frame; an engine supported by said frame; a cutting blade adapted to be driven by said engine; a stopping mechanism coupled to said engine to selectively activate and deactivate said engine; and a control assembly comprising: a handle mountable to said frame; and a one-piece integrally formed lever pivotally mounted to said handle to enable pivotal movement of said lever relative to said handle (1) in a first direction towards an engine activating position, and (2) in a second direction towards an engine deactivating position, said lever being operatively connected to said stopping mechanism such that said lever activates said engine in said engine activating position, and said lever deactivates said engine in said engine deactivating position, said lever including a stop member formed in one piece therewith and being engagable with an exterior surface of said handle to prevent further movement of said lever in said second direction.

19. The lawnmower according to claim 18, wherein said handle is hollow and includes an inner surface.

20. The lawnmower according to claim 18, wherein said handle includes opposing mounting portions and a centrally disposed handle portion extending between said mounting portions, said mounting portions being mountable to said frame.

21. The lawnmower according to claim 20, wherein said exterior surface of said handle is provided on one of said mounting portions.

22. The lawnmower according to claim 20, wherein said stop member of said lever extends across an entire width of one of said mounting portions of said handle.

23. The lawnmower according to claim 18, wherein said one-piece lever includes opposing side members, a cross-member that interconnects said side members, a first handle engaging member extending outwardly from one of said side members, and said stop member and a second handle engaging member extending outwardly from said other of said side members, said first and second handle engaging members of said lever being pivotally mounted to said handle to enable pivotal movement of said lever relative to said handle.

24. The lawnmower according to claim 23, wherein said stop member of said lever is generally U-shaped and includes a first leg integrally formed with one of said side members, a second leg integrally formed with one of said first and second handle engaging members, and a stop portion interconnecting said first and second legs.

25. The lawnmower according to claim 24, wherein said stop portion of said stop member is generally parallel with said cross-member of said lever.

π

26. The lawnmower according to claim 18, wherein said stopping mechanism includes a biasing element to bias said lever in said second direction.

27. The lawnmower according to claim 18, wherein said biasing element is a cable.

28. The lawnmower according to claim 27, wherein said lever includes a hole configured to receive said cable.

29. A control assembly for mounting to a lawnmower, said control assembly comprising: a handle constructed to be mounted to the lawnmower; and a lever attached to said handle for movement (1) in a first direction towards an engine activating position and (2) in a second direction towards an engine deactivating position, said lever having means for stopping further movement of said lever in said second direction beyond said engine deactivating position.