US 12,280,820 B1
Control assembly for zero turn device
Nathan W. Bonny, Shelbyville, IL (US)
Assigned to Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership, Sullivan, IL (US)
Filed by Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership, Sullivan, IL (US)
Filed on Oct. 3, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/480,298.
Application 18/480,298 is a continuation of application No. 17/804,205, filed on May 26, 2022, granted, now 11,794,808.
Application 17/804,205 is a continuation of application No. 17/228,177, filed on Apr. 12, 2021, granted, now 11,343,970, issued on May 31, 2022.
Application 17/228,177 is a continuation of application No. 16/571,528, filed on Sep. 16, 2019, granted, now 10,974,763, issued on Apr. 13, 2021.
Application 16/571,528 is a continuation of application No. 15/377,706, filed on Dec. 13, 2016, granted, now 10,414,436, issued on Sep. 17, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/272,474, filed on Dec. 29, 2015.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B62D 11/00 (2006.01); A01D 34/64 (2006.01); A01D 69/02 (2006.01); A01D 101/00 (2006.01); B60K 1/04 (2019.01); B60K 7/00 (2006.01); B60K 17/04 (2006.01); B60K 17/12 (2006.01); B60K 17/30 (2006.01); B62D 11/04 (2006.01); F16H 21/44 (2006.01); F16H 59/02 (2006.01); F16H 61/427 (2010.01); F16H 61/439 (2010.01); G05G 5/03 (2008.04)
CPC B62D 11/006 (2013.01) [A01D 69/02 (2013.01); B60K 7/0007 (2013.01); B60K 17/12 (2013.01); B60K 17/30 (2013.01); B62D 11/04 (2013.01); F16H 61/427 (2013.01); F16H 61/439 (2013.01); G05G 5/03 (2013.01); A01D 34/64 (2013.01); A01D 2101/00 (2013.01); B60K 1/04 (2013.01); B60K 2001/0416 (2013.01); B60K 2007/0092 (2013.01); B60K 17/043 (2013.01); B60Y 2200/223 (2013.01); F16H 21/44 (2013.01); F16H 2059/0295 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A lawn mower, comprising:
a pair of electric motors configured to drive respective driven wheels;
at least one controller configured to control operation of the pair of electric motors for driving the driven wheels; and
a pair of control assemblies disposed on the lawn mower, wherein each respective control assembly comprises:
a shaft configured to rotate about a first axis;
a pivot bar coupled to and configured to rotate with and pivot relative to the shaft, wherein the pivot bar is configured to rotate with the shaft between a forward position, a neutral position, and a rear position about the first axis and pivot relative to the shaft between an operative position and a stopped position about a second axis;
a magnet coupled to an end of the shaft;
a position sensor positioned to interact with a magnetic field of the magnet to detect rotation of the pivot bar about the first axis; and
a return-to-neutral assembly configured to bias the pivot bar toward the neutral position about the first axis.