Deere + Company

Jimmy N Eavenson, Sr

Robert N Behrens

Barry Michael Hough

Henry Friesen

Nicholas Hamm

Stanley J De Braal

David G Krueger

A charging system includes a high capacity charging circuit having the original internal engine alternator connected substantially in parallel with an auxiliary alternator by a simple wiring harness arrangement that easily plugs into the existing connectors for the internal engine alternator circuit so that the outputs of the alternators are cumulative. The auxiliary alternator is relatively compact, and the original engine alternator circuit remains substantially unaltered. The regulators for the two alternators include sensory inputs which are connected to each other. The alternators provide redundancy and a fail-safe backup mode so that if one of the systems fails, that system can be quickly disconnected from the remaining system without disabling the entire vehicle.

Alternator system for a vehicle

In a utility vehicle operable in either a runabout or continuous mode, a foot operated accelerator pedal switch activates a main relay to start the engine and to maintain the engine running as long as the pedal is depressed with a key switch in the run position. When the pedal is released with the vehicle operating in the runabout mode, the main relay is deactivated and the engine is killed. Depressing the pedal activates the main relay to start the engine and maintain the engine running. The key switch is connected to latching relay structure and has a neutral run latch position. The latching relay structure is operably connected to the key switch and to a parking brake switch. The neutral run switch position and the latching structure permit continuous running of the engine as long as the parking brake is engaged. To switch from the runabout mode to the continuous run mode, the operator moves the key switch to the special latch position and engages the parking brake to provide an alternate activation path to the main relay. Releasing the parking brake or turning the key switch to the off position will shut off the engine.

Switchable ignition and starter control system

A prop and latch rod mechanism is provided for use with a passenger seat carried forwardly of the cargo deck on a utility vehicle. The mechanism is particularly useful for securing a pivotable seat in a forwardly tilted transport position so that the cargo deck storage space can be enlarged. The preferred embodiment utilizes the mechanism with a vehicle adapted for emergency medical usage and permits the utility deck to be extended to accommodate a stretcher. The mechanism is comprised of a wire rod pivotally coupled at one end with the seat, having a track or channel that permits quick and easy movement of the seat between its operative and forwardly pivoted transport position and includes a latch structure that is releasably engageable with a latch rod carried on the vehicle.

Prop and latch rod for a vehicle seat

A mechanism for mounting an axle to a vehicle, and including a power output shaft drivingly coupled with a generally cylindrical coupler which is drivingly coupled with a first sleeve. A first axle is coupled for rotation with the first sleeve, and a first ground engaging wheel is coupled for rotation with the first axle and is thereby operatively driven by the output shaft. A first axle housing rotatably supporting the first axle is generally rigidly and releasably fixed to the frame of the vehicle. A first sprocket is fixed for rotation with the first sleeve, and a chain operatively extends between the first sprocket and a second sprocket which is fixed for rotation with a second sleeve. The second sleeve is operatively coupled with a second axle rotatably supported by a second axle housing, and therefore a second ground engaging wheel is driven with the first ground engaging wheel. An adjustable tensioning mechanism includes a bolt and nut for shifting the second axle housing with respect to the first axle housing to thereby adjust the tension in the chain.

Axle mounting mechanism

A vehicle brake mechanism having a foot pedal and hand lever brake controls engagable by the operator and coupled with a generally transversely extending shaft pivotable in response to the operator engaging the brake controls, left and right linkages coupled between respective vehicle brakes and the transverse shaft, and shiftable generally with the transverse shaft for applying respective vehicle brakes. Left and right equalizer mechanisms are coupled between the transverse shaft and respective linkages for generally equalizing and balancing the forces applied to each vehicle brake. The linkages include a rod. Each equalizer mechanism includes a pair of outer levers extending from the transverse shaft for pivotal motion therewith, a spacer slidably carried on the rod and abutable with the lever as the lever pivots with the transverse shaft, a compression spring compressed between the spacer means and a first washer means coupled with the rod, a second washer coupled with the rod and abutable with the spacer when the outer lever has not pivoted from a brake disengaged position. The transverse shaft is pivotally coupled with the vehicle at two laterally spaced locations.

Growing community of inventors

Juneau, WI, United States of America

Jimmy N Eavenson, Sr