Abstract:
Coordinated control of engine speed, transmission drive ratio and drive direction is provided for with a single foot pedal and a compact economical linkage arrangement for coupling the pedal to a vehicle engine and hydrostatic transmission. Forward rocking of the pedal from a neutral position progressively increases transmission drive ratio in the forward direction while backward rocking of the pedal from the neutral position progressively increases the drive ratio in the reverse direction. The pedal linkage further produces a unidirectional progressive motion of the engine speed control upon being rocked in either the forward or backward direction and this engine speed control motion may be continued by additional pedal movement after the transmission control member has reached the maximum possible movement in either direction.
Abstract:
The forward and reverse directions of a motorized walk-behind vehicle are controlled by a walking operator through a control linkage which includes a lever pivoted on the control handle which the operator grips during operation of the vehicle. The control lever has two grip portions which are disposed in angular relation to one another and which move the control linkage for achieving forward and reverse directions of the vehicle when the grip portions are selectively pivoted toward the control handle. The control linkage is connected to a pivotable belt tightener supporting a pair of belt idlers which are selectively brought into tensioning engagement with forward and reverse belts upon pivoting the belt tightener in opposite directions. This forward-reverse control is particularly useful with a V-belt drive from an engine having two output shafts from the same side of the engine.
Abstract:
A variable resistor unit is provided which comprises a resistance element arranged in an annular configuration and a contact arm turnable on a shaft in sliding contact with the resistance element. The variable resistor unit with its shaft is supported by a support plate which is movable linearly as directed by guide means including a guide rod. A pulley is fixedly mounted on the shaft of the variable resistor unit, and a string wrapped around the pulley extends crosswise therefrom to have its ends tightly retained at both extremities of the stroke of the support plate. Hence, as the support plate is moved linearly by means of a knob affixed thereto, the pulley is turned by the string to cause the corresponding change in the angular position of the contact arm relative to the annular resistance element of the variable resistor unit.
Abstract:
A motion transmitting remote control assembly comprising a flexible conduit having an anchor fixedly attached to at least one of its ends, the conduit is attached at its anchor members to frame members, motion transmitting members operatively connected to the frame. A core is axially movable in the conduit and is operatively connected to the motion transmitting members. The anchor engages the frame to prevent rotational movement thereof. A tension adjusting device contacts the frame and engages the anchor to axially move the anchor to change the distance between the motion transmitting members to thereby adjust the tension in the core.