The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 11, 1994
Filed:
May. 04, 1993
Harlin J Trefz, Jackson, TN (US);
Joe Deschamps, Jackson, TN (US);
Murray Outdoor Products Inc., Jackson, TN (US);
Abstract
A belt clutch control apparatus is disclosed having a control handle and linkage means for selectively controlling the transmission and power from a driving pulley to a driven pulley through a driving belt. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is specially adapted to control the operation of the cutting blades on a riding mower. The linkage includes an undercenter connecting link for transmitting rotational movement of the control shaft to a bellcrank, which engages a tension spring to operatively move an idler pulley between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the driving belt. The undercenter link moves exclusively between first and second undercenter positions, and is never forced into an overcenter position. An assist spring is provided for securing the undercenter link in both its on and off undercenter positions, thereby relieving the idler pulley spring for this purpose. The linkage significantly reduces both the travel and effort required to move the control handle between its on and off positions.