Arctic Cat Inc.

The Toro Company

Other

Herman P Christopherson

Frank Hazard

Fred H Bernier

Thomas F Langworthy

William D Wood

Dennis J Pavlik

Robert H Witt

Herbert F Horner, Jr

Michael M Zenner

Richard A Nelson

Daniel P Nowack

A watercraft of the jet propulsion type comprising a steering mechanism, a throttle control mechanism, a thrust mechanism, a throttle regulator and a controlled thrust steering system. The steering mechanism has a straight-ahead position. The steering mechanism is able to rotate in a clockwise direction from the straight-ahead position to a clockwise position and in a counter-clockwise direction from the straight-ahead position to a counter-clockwise position. The throttle control mechanism is biased toward an idle position. The thrust mechanism provides jet propulsion thrust for the watercraft. The throttle regulator regulates thrust provided by the thrust mechanism. The controlled thrust steering system causes the throttle regulator to increase thrust upon the steering mechanism rotating from the straight-ahead position to the clockwise position or the counter-clockwise position. The controlled thrust steering system also causes the throttle regulator to decrease thrust upon the steering mechanism rotating from the clockwise position or the counter-clockwise position to the straight-ahead position.

Controlled thrust steering system for watercraft

A watercraft of the jet propulsion type comprising a steering mechanism, a throttle control mechanism, a thrust mechanism, a throttle regulator and a controlled thrust steering system. The steering mechanism has a straight-ahead position. The steering mechanism is able to rotate in a clockwise direction from the straight-ahead position and in a counter-clockwise direction from the straight-ahead position. The throttle control mechanism is biased toward an idle position. The thrust mechanism provides jet propulsion thrust for the watercraft. The throttle regulator regulates thrust provided by the thrust mechanism. The controlled thrust steering system causes the throttle regulator to increase thrust upon the steering mechanism rotating from the straight-ahead position.

A rotary turf mower (32) suitable for mowing irregular turf areas including a cutting system (60) which includes a plurality of cutting units (102) which are movable over the ground and each carrying at least one cutting blade (114), and a coupler (140) including a span member (144) and a pair of hinges means (150) for interconnecting adjacent cutting units (102), wherein each hinges (150) permits relative pivotal movement about a hinge axis (160), and wherein the hinge axes (160) associated with adjacent cutting units (102) are non-parallel, whereby each cutting unit may display a range of independent motion relative to an adjacent cutting unit. One embodiment of the present invention provides that the hinge axes associated with each span member are substantially directed to a virtual pivot point (184), whereby the motion of adjacent cutting units (102) relative to the virtual pivot point (184) is generally rotational. Tip-to-tip distance variation between adjacent cutting blades (114) is substantially minimized in the preferred mower by positioning the virtual pivot point (184) between adjacent cutting units (102) and substantially at the intersection of adjacent cutting planes (122). A preferred mower also includes multiple degrees of freedom between adjacent cutting units (102), wherein 'pitching' and 'rolling' type motions are permitted between adjacent cutting units (102).

Method and apparatus for mowing irregular turf areas

An improved window blind wherein the pull cord has an inner element and an outer element, the inner element performing the lifting and lowering function of the pull cord, and the longitudinally compressible outer element encompassing the inner element and being either affixed to the slats or restricted from being pulled through the cord holes to prevent outward pulling of the pull cord from the window blind to create a hazardous loop.

Window blind with safety pull cord

A self-propelled lawn mower (2) has an engine (4), transmission (8), two drive wheels (10) and a rearwardly and upwardly extending handle (18). A pivotable and rotatable control bar (20) is mounted on handle (18). The pivotable and rotatable bar (20) provides individual or simultaneous engagement of drive wheels for ground traction, gradual or zero radius turns, and braking. Thus a single control bar (20) provides a multitude of functions.

Lawn mower traction control system

A rotary lawn mower (2) having an internal combustion engine (8) that includes a recoil starter (17) has a zone start system (20 or 40) for supporting the pull grip (19) of the starter (17) on the handle assembly (12) of the mower (2). Zone start system (20 or 40) each includes a bracket (22 or 52) for releasably securing the pull grip (19) to one handle tube (15) of the handle assembly (12). Pull grip (19) can be easily detached from the brackets (22 or 52) and moved to a non-interfering position such that a rear bagging attachment (10) can be easily removed from the lawn mower (2) for the dumping of grass clippings.

Lawn mower zone start system

A grass catcher assembly (2) for use on a lawn mower comprises a flexible bag (4). The bag (4) includes an open front side (14) and an open top side (16). A cover (40) is pivotally secured to bag (4) adjacent the rear wall (12). Cover (40) includes a chute (50) that has a frictional engagement with a bag frame (38) for securing cover (40) in place. When cover (40) is pivoted upwardly, grass can be dumped from bag (4) through both the open front and top sides (14) and (16) when bag (4) is tipped forwardly.

Grass catcher assembly

A rear shield for rotary lawn mowers comprising a body made of strips of rigid and flexible plastic secured together longitudinally in edge to edge relation. Means are provided for suspending the body at the rear of the mower with a rigid portion gravitationally contacting the surface being mowed.

Mower rear shield structure

An improved arrangement, for a lawn mower having a closable discharge passage, which comprises a bag, means mounting the bag on the housing and handle of the mower with a portion of the mouth of the bag in apposition with the discharge passage, interlock means for preventing the opening of the discharge passage unless the bag is mounted on the housing, and means for opening the full mouth of the bag, to empty mown grass therefrom, and for automatically acting, when the bag is remounted on the mower, to close that portion of the mouth which extends beyond the discharge passage.

Growing community of inventors

Prior Lake, MN, United States of America

Herman P Christopherson