Mtd Products Inc

Waspw, LLC

Adam Woodrum

Zachary A Lyzen

Jimmy N Eavenson, Sr

Jonathan Prybor

Adam Hiller

Jay E Maggard

Tim Dilgard

Josh Sooy

Jeff Kucera

Michael Utz

William Pabst

Carl Tyler

Alex Borshov

Adam Krystowski

Carl Musat

Brian Carver

Daniel Morse

Michael Gretchko

Sr Jimmy N Eavenson

A drive-by-wire steering system for a power equipment device is provided. One example embodiment comprises a steering interface system, a power steering system, and a communication link connecting the steering interface system and power steering system. The power steering system can adjust steering angle of wheels of the power equipment device based on inputs received from the steering interface system. The steering interface system can receive user inputs and provide powered feedback and/or a simulated caster effect via a steering interface. Additional embodiments include power equipment devices and steering interface systems.

Jogwheel device and powered feedback and caster effect for drive-by-wire jogwheel design

A door protection device for a vertically moveable door is attached to a bottom panel of a garage door coupled to and moveable in a track. The door protection device comprises: a first and second portion. The first portion is configured to be attached to a door panel and extend below the door panel, and is configured to be attached flush with the door panel, optionally with a reinforcing plate therebetween. The second portion extends from the first portion and is lower than a bottom surface of the bottom panel. The second portion is bent or curved in relation to the first portion at a first angle.

Door protection device

An automated steering device is provided usable in conjunction with power equipment machines. By way of example, the automated steering device can provide user-assisted steering for a power equipment machine to maintain tight parallel paths. The user-assisted steering can be defined relative to an initial vector traversed through user directed operation of the power equipment machine, independent of or at least in part independent of a predefined area of operation for the power equipment machine. Position location data refined by local terrestrial positioning system correction devices, or onboard rotational correction devices can be provided to obtain high positioning accuracy, and minimal path deviation. As a result, highly accurate pathing can be provided by way of the disclosed automated steering devices.

Real time kinematics power equipment device with auto-steering

A passive self-adjusting seat assembly for a lawn maintenance vehicle having a frame. The passive self-adjusting seat assembly includes a base, a guide assembly attached to the base, and a platform assembly that is selectively movable or slidable relative to the guide assembly in order to maintain an operator in an upright or substantially vertical orientation as the lawn maintenance vehicle traverses uneven or sloped ground. The seat assembly further including a locking assembly for selectively locking the sliding or movement of the platform assembly relative to the guide assembly.

Passive self-adjusting seat assembly for a lawn maintenance vehicle

A lawn maintenance vehicle includes an adjustable seat assembly, wherein the seat assembly is rotatable relative to a frame of the vehicle when the vehicle is operated on a sloped surface. The seat assembly is rotatable in order to maintain the operator in a substantially vertical seated alignment while operating the vehicle on a sloped surface. The seat assembly is also rotatable when the vehicle is in a zero-turn or tight-turn maneuver, wherein the seat is rotated toward the center of turning radius to offset the centrifugal forces experienced by the operator during such a maneuver.

Adjustable seat assembly for a lawn maintenance vehicle

Methods and apparatus for a lawn maintenance vehicle park brake and traction drive interlock are provided. A park brake mechanism is selectively operable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A traction drive is also mounted to the lawn maintenance vehicle, the traction drive having a disable mode which prohibits transmission of a driving force from the traction drive to a drive wheel. A first operable connection between the park brake mechanism and a wheel brake activates the wheel brake. A second operable connection between the park brake mechanism and the traction drive activates the disable mode of the traction drive. A method of controlling a lawn maintenance vehicle with a park brake and traction drive interlock include the steps of providing a lawn maintenance vehicle, providing an operable park brake mechanism, providing a first operable connection, and providing a second operable connection.

Park brake and traction drive bypass interlock

A utility vehicle includes a frame, a power source, and a plurality of steerable structures. Ground engaging members are connected to the steerable structures. An operator seating area includes a steering control and a speed control. Controllers receive input from the steering control and the speed control. Motors drive the ground engaging members at different speeds and in different directions. A controller integrates a steering input with a speed input to effect rotation of the steerable structures and effect rotation of the ground engaging members. The steering control, speed control, controllers, steerable structures, and motors are configured to work together to control the rotational speed of all of the ground engaging members based upon a steering angle input and the lateral side the ground engaging member is connected to. Other examples include braking mechanisms, adjustable track width, and a sealed tubular frame.

Utility vehicle

A walk-behind mower includes a frame and a power source attached to the frame. A selectively steerable drive wheel and a set of follower wheels are rotatably attached to the frame. The walk-behind mower includes a steering wheel assembly attached to the frame, the assembly including a steering column and a steering wheel attached to the steering column. The walk-behind mower also includes a universal joint connecting the steering wheel assembly to the frame. The walk-behind mower further includes a mower deck attached to the frame and a mower blade assembly attached to the deck. In other examples, the walk-behind mower includes a front section and a rear section that rotate relative to each other about a vertical axis.

Walk-behind mower with steering wheel control

A lawn maintenance vehicle caster wheel assembly includes a suspension and a fork. The fork is rotatably connected to a structural member of the lawn maintenance vehicle. The caster wheel assembly also includes an arm connected to the fork, and the arm is rotatable about an arm axis. The caster wheel assembly further includes a caster wheel mounted to the arm and is rotatable about a wheel axis. A damping member is attached to the fork and the arm such that the caster wheel and the arm can rotate about the arm axis.

Mower with front caster wheel suspension

The parking brake system for a lap bar controlled lawn maintenance vehicle includes at least an actuation assembly and a stop assembly. The actuation assembly includes a push arm and a rotatable pedal arm, and the push arm is attached to a lap bar and is rotatable between and engaged position and a disengaged position. Rotation of the push arm from the disengaged position to the engaged position causes rotation of the pedal arm, and such rotation of the pedal arm causes the stop assembly to prevent the axle for the rear wheel that is controlled by the corresponding lap bar from rotating.

Parking brake system for a lap bar controlled zero turn radius mower

A drive assembly for a working vehicle has an improved cruise control and parking brake engagement lever. The drive assembly includes a speed and direction control linkage operatively connecting the speed input mechanism with the transmission drive unit and a braking linkage operatively connected to the brake input mechanism for selectively slowing or stopping the movement of the drive wheel. A cruise control/parking brake engagement linkage interacts with the speed and direction control linkage and the braking linkage when the speed and direction control linkage and the braking linkage are in select conditions. The cruise control/parking brake engagement linkage has a single cruise control/parking brake operating lever that, upon actuation, locks the braking linkage in the brake engaged position to engage the parking brake feature and locks the speed and direction control linkage in a position corresponding to a desired speed to engage the cruise control feature.

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Wakeman, OH, United States of America

Adam Woodrum