Patent US3925970A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3925970A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lawnmower
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-06-24
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Granted: 1975-12-16
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Expires: 1994-06-24
Abstract
Abstract Improvement in the drive apparatus of a powered vehicle having a frame, a power device on the frame and a steering wheel assembly on the frame. The improvement in the drive assembly has a pair of drive wheels individually supported on the frame on pivotal mounts; a steering assembly connecting the steering wheel assembly individually to each of the drive wheel mounts to in use pivot the drive wheel mounts to disengage the drive wheel mount that is on the side toward which the vehicle is turned; a drive shaft operably connected to the power device and rotatably mounted on the frame with its end portions contacting the drive wheels when they are in a driving position. In a preferred specific embodiment the drive apparatus is provided with a forward drive assembly for forward vehicle motion having a pulley mounted on the drive shaft and a drive belt connecting it to the power device, and a reverse drive assembly for reverse vehicle motion having a drum or the like on the drive shaft, an idler pulley movably mounted on the frame and a drive belt connecting the idler pulley and the power device with the idler pulley being movable for moving the reverse drive belt into contact with the drum or the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Easborn Rusco
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:10
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D34/00; A01D34/01; A01D34/412; A01D34/63; A01D34/67; A01D34/68; A01D34/69; A01D2101/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
354 words
In a power-driven vehicle, having a frame, a power means mounted on the frame, and a steering wheel means pivotally mounted on the frame, the improvement comprising: a. a drive wheel means having a pair of drive wheels individually mounted on drive wheel mounts pivotally mounted on the frame, said drive wheel mounts individually pivotable in a downward direction from a driving position to a disengaged position; said drive wheel mounts secured to an axle and said axle has said drive wheels freely rotatably mounted thereon; b. a steering means connected individually to each of said drive wheel mounts with a pair of cables, said cable on the side toward which the vehicle is to be turned disengaging said drive wheel mount on that side; c. a powered drive shaft means having a drive shaft rotatably mounted on the frame and having end portions extending therefrom, said end portions having friction means mounted thereon to frictionally engage said drive wheels when said drive wheels are in a driving position; d. a forward drive means having a variable speed pulley mounted on said drive shaft, a first idler pulley mounted on the frame, a first drive belt connecting said variable speed pulley, first idler pulley, and the power means, and a first lever means connected to said first idler pulley to engage said first idler pulley when in use; e. a reverse drive means having a drum portion being part of said variable speed pulley, a second idler pulley mounted on the frame and adjacent to said drum portion, and a second drive belt connecting said second idler pulley and the power means, and a second lever means connected to said second idler pulley to engage said second drive belt with said drum portion when in use; and f. said drive shaft operatively connected to the power means, the vehicle being constructed and adapted to in operation when said steering means is turned, said drive wheel on the inside of the turn is disengaged from said drive shaft, and both of said drive wheels engaged with said drive shaft when the vehicle is not turning.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
354 words
In a power-driven vehicle, having a frame, a power means mounted on the frame, and a steering wheel means pivotally mounted on the frame, the improvement comprising: a. a drive wheel means having a pair of drive wheels individually mounted on drive wheel mounts pivotally mounted on the frame, said drive wheel mounts individually pivotable in a downward direction from a driving position to a disengaged position; said drive wheel mounts secured to an axle and said axle has said drive wheels freely rotatably mounted thereon; b. a steering means connected individually to each of said drive wheel mounts with a pair of cables, said cable on the side toward which the vehicle is to be turned disengaging said drive wheel mount on that side; c. a powered drive shaft means having a drive shaft rotatably mounted on the frame and having end portions extending therefrom, said end portions having friction means mounted thereon to frictionally engage said drive wheels when said drive wheels are in a driving position; d. a forward drive means having a variable speed pulley mounted on said drive shaft, a first idler pulley mounted on the frame, a first drive belt connecting said variable speed pulley, first idler pulley, and the power means, and a first lever means connected to said first idler pulley to engage said first idler pulley when in use; e. a reverse drive means having a drum portion being part of said variable speed pulley, a second idler pulley mounted on the frame and adjacent to said drum portion, and a second drive belt connecting said second idler pulley and the power means, and a second lever means connected to said second idler pulley to engage said second drive belt with said drum portion when in use; and f. said drive shaft operatively connected to the power means, the vehicle being constructed and adapted to in operation when said steering means is turned, said drive wheel on the inside of the turn is disengaged from said drive shaft, and both of said drive wheels engaged with said drive shaft when the vehicle is not turning.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The vehicle and drive means of claim 1, wherein: a. said steering wheel means has a single steering wheel mounted on the front end portion of said frame means, and b. said frame means has a seat thereon for a rider.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The vehicle and drive means of claim 1, wherein said friction means has a pair of spirally disposed members rigidly secured to the outer end portions of each end of said drive shaft, said spirally disposed members in use contacting the peripheral portion of said drive wheels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The vehicle and drive means of claim 1, wherein: a. said vehicle is a lawnmower having a blade means mounted on said frame, below a center portion of said vehicle, and b. said blade means has a blade drive means connected to said power means for in use operating said blade means, and c. said frame means has a seat thereon for a rider.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The vehicle and drive means of claim 4, wherein: a. said blade means is a rotary blade means having a horizontally-disposed rotatable blade enclosed in a housing, and b. said steering wheel means has a single wheel mounted on the front end portion of said frame means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US1754172A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-15 | 1979-06-16 | 1979-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-15 | 1983-06-16 | 1983-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-15 | 1987-06-16 | 1987-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |