US3678770A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Single lever control
Assignee: Toro Co
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Filing: 1970-09-22
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Granted: 1972-07-25
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Expires: 1990-09-22
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed herein is a single lever control for varying the speed and direction of rotation of drive wheels in a vehicle such as a snow thrower and for also clutching and declutching the drive train to the drive wheels. The control lever is supported on the vehicle handling bar assembly for movement about first and second axes and is guided for movement by a guide track having forwardly and rearwardly extending slots with appropriate indicia for the various forward speeds and reverse. Movement of the control lever about the first axis in a slot transverse to the direction of movement of the vehicle, actuates a speed control rod linkage to axially shift a rubber friction wheel on a spline shaft to change the position of engagement of the friction wheel with respect to the drive disc to vary the speed of the vehicle drive wheels. Forward movement of the control lever about the second axis, and from the transverse slot into one of the various fore and aft slots, moves a clutch linkage to swing the friction wheel into engagement with the friction disc. Toggle links in the clutch linkage provide a ''''feel'''' to the operator, a mechanical advantage to assist clutching and declutching and maintain the friction wheel in engagement in the forward positions.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward W Enters
- 👤 Warren H Price
- 👤 John W Davies
- 👤 Lynn E Hochwitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:02
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H61/00; F16H61/66; F16H61/664; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20012; Y10T74/20018; Y10T74/2014
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
In a drive train for supplying power to an axle and including a drive disc engageable with a friction wheel, control means for shifting said friction wheel axially along a first friction wheel axis and for swinging said friction wheel in an arc about a second axis, the improvement in which said control means comprises a single remote control lever, means for supporting said control lever for movement about first and second transverse control lever axes, and means for connecting said single control lever to said friction wheel to shift said friction wheel axially along said first friction wheel axis to vary the rate of rotation of said axle upon movement of said control lever about said first control lever axis and means connecting said control lever to the friction wheel for swinging said friction wheel in an arc about said second axis to engage and disengage said friction wheel with said drive disc upon movement of said control lever about said second control lever axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
In a drive train for supplying power to an axle and including a drive disc engageable with a friction wheel, control means for shifting said friction wheel axially along a first friction wheel axis and for swinging said friction wheel in an arc about a second axis, the improvement in which said control means comprises a single remote control lever, means for supporting said control lever for movement about first and second transverse control lever axes, and means for connecting said single control lever to said friction wheel to shift said friction wheel axially along said first friction wheel axis to vary the rate of rotation of said axle upon movement of said control lever about said first control lever axis and means connecting said control lever to the friction wheel for swinging said friction wheel in an arc about said second axis to engage and disengage said friction wheel with said drive disc upon movement of said control lever about said second control lever axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
A drive train in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for supporting said friction wheel for axial movement about a first friction wheel axis and swinging movement in an arc about a second axis comprises a first shaft, an aperture in said friction wheel receiving said first shaft, a second shaft, a pair of spaced arms swingably supported on said second shaft and rotatably supporting said first shaft, a hub on said friction wheel, and a bracket connected to said hub and swingably supported on said second shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A drive train in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for supporting said control lever for movement about said first and second transverse axes comprises a shift block to which said control lever is connected.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
160 words
A drive train in accordance with claim 3, wherein said single control lever comprises a leg pivotally connected to said shift block, said means for connecting said control lever to said friction wheel to shift said friction wheel axially of said first friction wheel axis comprising a speed control rod linkage including a crank arm fixedly connected to said leg on said control lever, a bell crank remote from said control lever, a link connecting one end of said bell crank to said crank arm, a shift bracket for the friction wheel, means connecting the other end of said bell crank to said bracket so that movement of said control lever about said first control lever axis pivots said bell crank to shift said bracket and said friction wheel axially of said first friction wheel axis to change the point of contact of said friction wheel with said drive disc to change the rate of rotation of said friction wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
A drive train in accordance with claim 3 wherein said means connected to said control lever for swinging said friction wheel in an arc about said second friction wheel axis comprises a toggle linkage connecting said control lever mounting block to said friction wheel bracket, said toggle linkage being on center to afford a neutral position with said friction wheel disengaged and movable on both sides of center to afford engagement of said friction wheel with said drive disc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
125 words
A clutch linkage in accordance with claim 5 wherein said toggle linkage includes a linking plate pivotally connected to said frame, a first link having one end pivotally connected to said mounting block and another end pivotally connected to said linking plate, a second link having one end pivotally connected to said friction wheel arm and the other end pivotally connected to said linking plate so that movement of said control lever about said second axis in a forward direction causes said first link and said second link to move from an on-center neutral position to one side of center and movement of said control lever rearwardly about said second axis causes movement of said first and second links to the other side of center.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
A drive train in accordance with claim 1 including a panel having a guide track for guiding movement of said control lever, said guide track including a transversely extending slot and a plurality of forwardly extending slots and a rearwardly extending slot, said transversely extending slot guiding control lever movement about said first control lever axis and said forwardly and rearwardly extending slots guiding control lever movement about said second control lever axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
197 words
A tractor comprising a frame, a wheel axle rotatably supported on said frame, a drive disc, a friction wheel engageable with said drive disc, means for supporting said friction wheel for rotation about a first axis and axial movement relative to said first axis and radial movement with respect to said drive disc to change the speed ratio between said drive disc and said friction wheel, said means further affording swinging movement of said first axis in an arc about a second axis for engagement and disengagement of said friction wheel with said drive disc, means for drivingly connecting said friction wheel to said wheel axle, a control lever, means for supporting said control lever on said frame for movement about first and second transverse axes and means for connecting said control lever to said means for supporting said friction wheel to shift said friction wheel axially of said first axis in response to movement of said control lever in one direction and to swing said friction wheel about said second axis to engage and disenGage said friction wheel with said drive disc upon movement of said control lever in a direction transverse to said firSt direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
197 words
A tractor comprising a frame, a wheel axle rotatably supported on said frame, a drive disc, a friction wheel engageable with said drive disc, means for supporting said friction wheel for rotation about a first axis and axial movement relative to said first axis and radial movement with respect to said drive disc to change the speed ratio between said drive disc and said friction wheel, said means further affording swinging movement of said first axis in an arc about a second axis for engagement and disengagement of said friction wheel with said drive disc, means for drivingly connecting said friction wheel to said wheel axle, a control lever, means for supporting said control lever on said frame for movement about first and second transverse axes and means for connecting said control lever to said means for supporting said friction wheel to shift said friction wheel axially of said first axis in response to movement of said control lever in one direction and to swing said friction wheel about said second axis to engage and disenGage said friction wheel with said drive disc upon movement of said control lever in a direction transverse to said firSt direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
115 words
A tractor in accordance with claim 8, wherein said means for drivingly connecting said friction wheel to said wheel axle comprises a first shaft forming said first axis, said first shaft being splined to said friction wheel, a second shaft, having a first gear, a gear on said first shaft in mesh with said gear on said second shaft, a second gear on said second shaft in mesh with a gear on said axle, with said gear on said first shaft orbiting about said first gear on said second shaft as said first axis is moved in an arc about said second axis when said friction wheel is engaged and disengaged with said drive disc.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
151 words
A single lever control for the driving wheels of a vehicle and comprising: a drive train for said wheels having parts which require relative movement in one direction for clutching purposes and relative movement in another direction for speed control purposes, a set of linkages for producing said relative movement in said one direction, another set of linkages for producing said relative movement in said other direction, a control block having parts swingable about one axis and to which said set of linkages are connected and parts swingable about another axis and to which said other set of linkages are connected, and a single control lever connected to said control block to swing said parts about said one axis when the lever is moved in one direction and connected to said control block to swing said parts about the other axis when the control lever is moved in a different direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
151 words
A single lever control for the driving wheels of a vehicle and comprising: a drive train for said wheels having parts which require relative movement in one direction for clutching purposes and relative movement in another direction for speed control purposes, a set of linkages for producing said relative movement in said one direction, another set of linkages for producing said relative movement in said other direction, a control block having parts swingable about one axis and to which said set of linkages are connected and parts swingable about another axis and to which said other set of linkages are connected, and a single control lever connected to said control block to swing said parts about said one axis when the lever is moved in one direction and connected to said control block to swing said parts about the other axis when the control lever is moved in a different direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
114 words
A single lever control in accordance with claim 10 wherein said drive train includes a drive disc and a friction wheel engageable with said drive disc and movable axially along a first friction wheel axis and in an arc about a second friction wheel axis and wherein one of said sets of linkages is connected to said friction wheel to shift said friction wheel axially upon movement of said control lever about said first control lever axis and the other of said sets of linkages is connected to said friction wheel to swing said friction wheel about said second friction wheel axis upon movement of said control lever about said second control lever axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
A single lever control in accordance with claim 10 wherein one of said sets of linkages includes a toggle connecting said control block to said drive train, said toggle being movable between an on-center position affording a neutral condition with said drive train disengaged and over center positions on both sides of said center position with said drive train engaged.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The single lever control of claim 12 in which said toggle is provided with a spring to bias the toggle toward said over-center position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The single lever control of claim 13 in which said drive train has forward and reverse positions, said drive train having rotating elements which assist said spring in forward position and which oppose said spring in reverse position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
118 words
Apparatus for controlling the driving wheels of a vehicle comprising: a drive train for said wheels having parts which require relative movement in one direction for clutching purposes and relative movement in another direction for speed control purposes, a single control lever, means for supporting said control lever for movement about first and second transverse axes, means for connecting said control lever to said drive train parts to afford movement of said parts for clutching purposes upon movement of said control lever about one of said first and second control lever axes and to afford movement of said parts for speed control purposes upon movement of said control lever about the other of said first and second axes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
118 words
Apparatus for controlling the driving wheels of a vehicle comprising: a drive train for said wheels having parts which require relative movement in one direction for clutching purposes and relative movement in another direction for speed control purposes, a single control lever, means for supporting said control lever for movement about first and second transverse axes, means for connecting said control lever to said drive train parts to afford movement of said parts for clutching purposes upon movement of said control lever about one of said first and second control lever axes and to afford movement of said parts for speed control purposes upon movement of said control lever about the other of said first and second axes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein said means for supporting said control lever for movement about first and second transverse axes comprises a mounting blocK having spaced legs pivotally connected to a frame to provide one of said first and second axes and wherein said control lever is pivotally connected to said mounting block to provide the other of said first and second axes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
153 words
In a drive train for supplying power to an axle and including a drive disc engageable with a friction wheel, control means for shifting said friction wheel axially and for moving said friction wheel into engagement and disengagement with said drive disc, the improvement in which said control means comprises a single remote control lever, means for supporting said control lever for movement about first and second transverse control lever axes, and means for connecting said single control lever to said friction wheel to shift said friction wheel axially along said friction wheel axis to vary the rate of rotation of said axle upon movement of said control lever about said first control lever axis and means connecting said control lever to the friction wheel for moving said friction wheel to engage and disengage said friction wheel with said drive disc upon movement of said control lever about said second control lever axis.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
153 words
In a drive train for supplying power to an axle and including a drive disc engageable with a friction wheel, control means for shifting said friction wheel axially and for moving said friction wheel into engagement and disengagement with said drive disc, the improvement in which said control means comprises a single remote control lever, means for supporting said control lever for movement about first and second transverse control lever axes, and means for connecting said single control lever to said friction wheel to shift said friction wheel axially along said friction wheel axis to vary the rate of rotation of said axle upon movement of said control lever about said first control lever axis and means connecting said control lever to the friction wheel for moving said friction wheel to engage and disengage said friction wheel with said drive disc upon movement of said control lever about said second control lever axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-25 | 1976-01-24 | 1976-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-25 | 1980-01-24 | 1980-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-25 | 1984-01-24 | 1984-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |