Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
An engine interlock control system for a material handling implement having an internal combustion engine which drives a transmission, wherein said material handling implement comprises a backhoe, said control system comprising: electrically-operated fuel solenoid means operatively associated with said internal combustion engine whereby operation of said solenoid means controls the delivery of fuel to said engine; engine sensor means operatively associated with said implement engine for providing an electrical signal reflecting operation of said engine; transmission sensor means operatively associated with said implement transmission for providing an electrical signal reflecting a non-neutral condition of said transmission; control means operatively connected with said fuel solenoid means, said engine sensor means, and said transmission sensor means, said control means operating said solenoid means to prevent delivery of fuel to said engine when said engine sensor means provides a signal that said engine is not operating, and said transmission sensor means provides a signal that said transmission is not in the neutral condition; and backhoe sensing means for sensing that said implement is in a condition for operation of said backhoe, said backhoe sensing means being operatively connected with said control means, said control means operating said fuel solenoid means to prevent delivery of fuel to said engine when (1) said backhoe sensor means provides an electrical signal indicating said implement is in a condition for operation of said backhoe, and (2) said transmission sensor means provides an electrical signal indicating that said transmission is in a non-neutral condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
246 words
An engine interlock control system for a material handling implement having an internal combustion engine which drives a transmission, wherein said material handling implement comprises a backhoe, said control system comprising: electrically-operated fuel solenoid means operatively associated with said internal combustion engine whereby operation of said solenoid means controls the delivery of fuel to said engine; engine sensor means operatively associated with said implement engine for providing an electrical signal reflecting operation of said engine; transmission sensor means operatively associated with said implement transmission for providing an electrical signal reflecting a non-neutral condition of said transmission; control means operatively connected with said fuel solenoid means, said engine sensor means, and said transmission sensor means, said control means operating said solenoid means to prevent delivery of fuel to said engine when said engine sensor means provides a signal that said engine is not operating, and said transmission sensor means provides a signal that said transmission is not in the neutral condition; and backhoe sensing means for sensing that said implement is in a condition for operation of said backhoe, said backhoe sensing means being operatively connected with said control means, said control means operating said fuel solenoid means to prevent delivery of fuel to said engine when (1) said backhoe sensor means provides an electrical signal indicating said implement is in a condition for operation of said backhoe, and (2) said transmission sensor means provides an electrical signal indicating that said transmission is in a non-neutral condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
An interlock control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said implement comprising said backhoe includes a movable operator seat movable between a first position for driving said implement, and a second position for operating said backhoe, said backhoe sensing means comprising means for sensing disposition of said movable seat in said second, backhoe operating position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An interlock control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said engine sensor means comprises an oil pressure sensor for monitoring the oil pressure of said engine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
234 words
An engine interlock control system for a material handling implement having an internal combustion engine which drives a transmission, wherein said material handling implement comprises a backhoe, said control system comprising: engine operating means operatively associated with said internal combustion engine for controlling operation of said engine; engine sensor means operatively associated with said implement engine for providing an electrical signal reflecting operation of said engine; transmission sensor means operatively associated with said implement transmission for providing an electrical signal reflecting a non-neutral condition of said transmission; control means operatively connected with said engine operating means, said engine sensor means, and said transmission sensor means, said control means operating said engine operating means to prevent operation of said engine when said engine sensor means provides a signal that said engine is not operating, and said transmission sensor means provides a signal that said transmission is not in the neutral condition; and backhoe sensing means for sensing that said implement is in a condition for operation of said backhoe, said backhoe sensing means being operatively connected with said control means, said control means operating said engine operating means to prevent operation of said engine when (1) said backhoe sensor means provides an electrical signal indicating said implement is in a condition for operation of said backhoe, and (2) said transmission sensor means provides an electrical signal indication that said transmission is in a non-neutral condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
234 words
An engine interlock control system for a material handling implement having an internal combustion engine which drives a transmission, wherein said material handling implement comprises a backhoe, said control system comprising: engine operating means operatively associated with said internal combustion engine for controlling operation of said engine; engine sensor means operatively associated with said implement engine for providing an electrical signal reflecting operation of said engine; transmission sensor means operatively associated with said implement transmission for providing an electrical signal reflecting a non-neutral condition of said transmission; control means operatively connected with said engine operating means, said engine sensor means, and said transmission sensor means, said control means operating said engine operating means to prevent operation of said engine when said engine sensor means provides a signal that said engine is not operating, and said transmission sensor means provides a signal that said transmission is not in the neutral condition; and backhoe sensing means for sensing that said implement is in a condition for operation of said backhoe, said backhoe sensing means being operatively connected with said control means, said control means operating said engine operating means to prevent operation of said engine when (1) said backhoe sensor means provides an electrical signal indicating said implement is in a condition for operation of said backhoe, and (2) said transmission sensor means provides an electrical signal indication that said transmission is in a non-neutral condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
An interlock control system in accordance with claim 4, wherein said implement comprising said backhoe includes a movable operator seat movable between a first position for driving said implement, and a second position for operating said backhoe, said backhoe sensing means comprising means for sensing disposition of said movable seat in said second, backhoe operating position.