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. 06, 2003
Filed:
Jun. 27, 2001
Garry W. Busboom, Beatrice, NE (US);
Gary L. Nicholson, Beatrice, NE (US);
Exmark Manufacturing Company, Inc., Beatrice, NE (US);
Abstract
An operator control system for a self-propelled vehicle such as a lawn mower, wherein the control system includes two opposing and preferably upwardly extending and converging hand grips each having a corresponding drive control lever associated therewith. Each drive control lever may have at least a portion that is parallel to a grip axis of its respective hand grip. Further, each drive control lever may have a pivot axis that is substantially parallel to the corresponding grip axis such that the drive control lever remains substantially parallel to its respective hand grip throughout its travel. A neutral lock is provided to permit locking of each drive control lever in at least one position, e.g., a neutral position. Secondary levers such as operator presence control (OPC) levers may also be included. An OPC lever is associated with each hand grip.