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:
May. 07, 1996
Filed:
Oct. 06, 1993
Eric D Jacobson, Downers Grove, IL (US);
Ralph D Price, Plainfield, IL (US);
Case Corporation, Racine, WI (US);
Abstract
A directional control system for an off-highway implement including a self-propelled engine with a transmission assembly connected thereto for operation in a multitude of speed ranges. The directional control system includes an electrical power source, and a directional selector that is movable to any of three different positions corresponding to forward, neutral, and reverse modes of operation for the implement. The directional control system includes a controller having forward and reverse actuators for conditioning the transmission assembly for operation in forward and reverse modes. The controller is also capable of conditioning the transmission assembly for operation in a neutral mode. An electrical system is connected between the power source and the controller for deriving the control signals used to condition the implement. The electrical system includes a sensor assembly for monitoring the position of the directional selector and for applying control signals to the controller as a function of the position of the directional selector. The electrical system further includes logic circuitry for permitting the actuators to condition the transmission assembly as long as the direction selector is positioned in a neutral position prior to its movement to either the forward or reverse positions. The electrical system further includes a starting circuit and logic circuitry for preventing starting of the engine until the directional selector is in a neutral position. The directional control system of the present invention is further configured to require purposeful movement of the directional selector before the implement will change between various modes of operation.