US 11,938,997 B1
Vehicle having electric drive and operator platform
Brian D. Laymon, Mattoon, IL (US); and K. Mike McCoy, Avon, IN (US)
Assigned to Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership, Sullivan, IL (US)
Filed by Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership, Sullivan, IL (US)
Filed on May 10, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/302,682.
Application 16/213,744 is a division of application No. 15/357,752, filed on Nov. 21, 2016, granted, now 10,150,503, issued on Dec. 11, 2018.
Application 15/357,752 is a division of application No. 14/693,255, filed on Apr. 22, 2015, granted, now 9,499,199, issued on Nov. 22, 2016.
Application 17/302,682 is a continuation of application No. 16/806,289, filed on Mar. 2, 2020, granted, now 11,001,299.
Application 16/806,289 is a continuation of application No. 16/213,744, filed on Dec. 7, 2018, granted, now 10,577,019, issued on Mar. 3, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/983,357, filed on Apr. 23, 2014.
Int. Cl. B62D 11/04 (2006.01); B60K 6/40 (2007.10); B62D 11/00 (2006.01); B62D 49/06 (2006.01); A01D 34/64 (2006.01); A01D 101/00 (2006.01); B60K 6/46 (2007.10)
CPC B62D 11/04 (2013.01) [B60K 6/40 (2013.01); B62D 49/0692 (2013.01); A01D 34/64 (2013.01); A01D 2101/00 (2013.01); B60K 6/46 (2013.01); B60Y 2200/223 (2013.01); B62D 11/003 (2013.01); Y02T 10/62 (2013.01); Y10S 903/951 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle, comprising:
a first driven wheel and a second driven wheel, both disposed adjacent to a frame;
an operator platform disposed on the frame adjacent to a rear of the frame, configured to permit an operator to stand on the vehicle during operation of the vehicle;
an upright riser disposed on the frame and having a surface providing a support portion for the operator;
an electric power source disposed on the vehicle;
a drive control mechanism for controlling speed and direction of the vehicle, the drive control mechanism comprising a plurality of drive levers disposed on the upright riser, at least one return to neutral mechanism disposed on the upright riser and at least one linkage connecting the at least one return to neutral mechanism to at least one lever of the plurality of drive levers, wherein the at least one return to neutral mechanism, and the at least one linkage cooperate to provide a return-to-neutral force to the at least one lever when the at least one lever is in a non-neutral drive position;
at least one traction controller disposed on the vehicle and in communication with the drive control mechanism;
a pair of electric drives disposed on the vehicle and connected to and controlled by the at least one traction controller, wherein both of the pair of electric drives are connected to and drive one of the first driven wheel and the second driven wheel.