Lawn mower including a safety clutch and brake

Abstract

The invention includes a combined clutch and brake mechanism for use in lawn mowers and other machines having a cutting means driven by a rotatably driven drive shaft. The combined clutch and brake mechanism includes a clutch member driven by the drive shaft. A brake member is spaced from the clutch member and is fixedly connected to the housing. A drive member is disposed between the clutch member and the brake member and is movable between a drive position wherein the drive member frictionally engages the clutch member and is rotatably driven by the clutch member and a brake position wherein the drive member frictionally engages the brake member and is restrained against movement. A linkage is provided for selectively moving the drive member between the drive position and the brake position. A Belleville spring is also provided for forcing the drive member toward the drive position when the drive member is moved from the brake position toward the clutch member and past a position intermediate the drive position and the brake position, and for forcing the drive member toward the brake member when the drive member is moved from the drive position toward the brake position and past the intermediate position.