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:
Apr. 30, 2002
Filed:
Sep. 27, 2000
Kevin J. Johnson, Salem, IN (US);
Richard T. Ruebusch, New Albany, IN (US);
Tecumseh Products Company, Tecumseh, MI (US);
Abstract
A hydrostatic transaxle assembly is drivingly connected to a power source and the power source is activated through an electric starter circuit. The hydrostatic transaxle includes an axial type hydrostatic transmission module having a pump which includes a plurality of axially arranged cylinders each including a piston therein. A tiltable swash plate includes a lateral surface rotatable within the hydrostatic transmission casing. The swash plate is in engagement with the plurality of pistons wherein tilting of the swash plate effectuates fluid displacement of the pump. A neutral switch is fixed relative to the transmission casing and includes a registering portion engaged with the swash plate to detect a neutral position and correspondingly allow starting of an electric starter through the starter circuit. A neutral adjustment assembly includes a control rod rotatably supported by the casing and a two piece shift lever is attached thereto. The two piece lever includes a first member attached to the control rod and a second member normally releasably fixed to the first member but selectively rotatable relative to the first member when loosened from the first member. A resilient biasing member has a first leg held substantially fixed to the casing and a second leg held substantially fixed to the second member of the shift lever to bias the first member of the shift lever into a neutral position and at least one fastener releasably fixes the first and second members together.