Lawn and garden tractor hydrostatic foot control system
US5509496A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 1994 |
| Grant date | Apr 23, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20055
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A mechanism for controlling the direction and speed of an off-road vehicle having a frame, an operator seat, a steering wheel, an engine and a variable speed transmission coupled for driving at least one of a plurality of ground wheels. The mechanism comprises a floor plate carried by the vehicle for receiving the heel portion of an operator's foot, a pedal operatively connected to the variable speed transmission and pivotally mounted above the floor plate for movement between a forward zone for controlling the forward speed of the vehicle, a neutral zone wherein the vehicle is in neutral, and a reverse zone for controlling the reverse speed of the vehicle. The pedal has first and second portions generally inclined with respect to one another and each are adapted for engagement by a forward portion of the individual's foot so that engagement of the first portion with a predetermined amount of force moves the pedal into the forward zone of movement, and engagement with the second portion with a predetermined amount of force moves the pedal into the reverse zone of movement. The pedal is arranged relative to the floor plate in a manner which enables the individual to selectively acce…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.