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:
Dec. 20, 2011
Filed:
Feb. 16, 2010
Ross Carlyle Teague, Cary, NC (US);
Noel Wayne Anderson, Fargo, ND (US);
Ross Carlyle Teague, Cary, NC (US);
Noel Wayne Anderson, Fargo, ND (US);
Deere & Company, Moline, IL (US);
Abstract
Retractable line guidance for a self-propelled machine, such as a self-propelled lawn mower, is provided by an operator moving a string or line to control the speed and direction of movement of the machine. A retractable and extendable line is mounted on the machine and is under tension in a retraction direction when the line is extended. A length of extension of the line is monitored, and a speed of movement of the machine is controlled in response to the length of extension of the line to maintain the length of extension of the line at a selected length. An angle of the line with respect to the machine is monitored, and a direction of movement of the machine is controlled in response to the angle of the line to maintain the angle of the line at a selected angle.