US 12,108,701 B2
Walk power mower with transmission providing both forward and reverse propulsion
Chadwick A. Shaffer, Oakdale, MN (US); Todd A. Porter, Rosemount, MN (US); and Steven J. Svoboda, Bloomington, MN (US)
Assigned to THE TORO COMPANY, Bloomington, MN (US)
Filed by THE TORO COMPANY, Bloomington, MN (US)
Filed on Apr. 12, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/133,621.
Application 18/133,621 is a continuation of application No. 17/037,999, filed on Sep. 30, 2020, granted, now 11,653,594.
Application 17/037,999 is a continuation of application No. 16/117,849, filed on Aug. 30, 2018, granted, now 10,834,871, issued on Nov. 17, 2020.
Application 16/117,849 is a continuation of application No. 15/624,116, filed on Jun. 15, 2017, granted, now 10,111,381, issued on Oct. 30, 2018.
Application 15/624,116 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/472,415, filed on Mar. 29, 2017, granted, now 10,123,478, issued on Nov. 13, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0240182 A1, Aug. 3, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A01D 34/69 (2006.01); A01D 34/68 (2006.01); A01D 34/82 (2006.01); B62B 5/00 (2006.01); B62D 51/04 (2006.01); A01D 34/76 (2006.01); A01D 101/00 (2006.01)
CPC A01D 34/69 (2013.01) [A01D 34/6806 (2013.01); A01D 34/824 (2013.01); B62B 5/0026 (2013.01); B62B 5/0073 (2013.01); B62D 51/04 (2013.01); A01D 2034/6825 (2013.01); A01D 2034/6837 (2013.01); A01D 2034/6843 (2013.01); A01D 34/76 (2013.01); A01D 2101/00 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A power equipment unit comprising:
a housing configured to traverse a surface in both a forward direction and an opposite, reverse direction;
a prime mover carried by the housing, the prime mover operatively connected to a tool associated with the housing;
a bidirectional variable speed traction drive system carried by the housing; and
a control system comprising:
a handle grip operatively connected to the traction drive system and movable relative to a handle member attached to the housing, wherein the handle grip is configured to activate the traction drive system to move the housing: in the forward direction when the handle grip is moved in a first direction; and in the reverse direction when the handle grip is moved in a second direction opposite the first direction; and
a sensor associated with one or both of the handle grip and the handle member, the sensor configured to produce an electrical signal upon movement of the handle grip relative to the handle member, and wherein the electrical signal is configured to generate a corresponding command signal to the traction drive system.