US 11,849,670 B2
Walk power mower with slidable handle grip movable along a curved path for controlling a variable speed traction drive
Chadwick A Shaffer, Oakdale, MN (US); Todd A. Porter, Rosemount, MN (US); Jeff Weber, Minneapolis, MN (US); Shawn S. Monitor, Robbinsdale, MN (US); and Jason Van Putten Holt, Minneapolis, MN (US)
Assigned to THE TORO COMPANY, Bloomington, MN (US)
Filed by THE TORO COMPANY, Bloomington, MN (US)
Filed on Sep. 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/943,752.
Application 17/943,752 is a continuation of application No. 16/788,863, filed on Feb. 12, 2020, granted, now 11,464,165.
Prior Publication US 2023/0000013 A1, Jan. 5, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A01D 34/82 (2006.01); A01D 34/68 (2006.01); A01D 34/69 (2006.01); A01D 34/78 (2006.01); A01D 101/00 (2006.01)
CPC A01D 34/824 (2013.01) [A01D 34/6806 (2013.01); A01D 34/69 (2013.01); A01D 34/78 (2013.01); A01D 2034/6843 (2013.01); A01D 2101/00 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A walk power mower, which comprises:
a deck having at least one rotary blade for cutting grass, the deck having a self-propel system to provide the deck with powered movement over the ground at a variable ground speed; and
a handle extending upwardly and rearwardly from the deck to allow an operator to walk behind the deck and hold the handle and thereby guide the deck during its movement over the ground, the handle comprising:
a handle tube comprising: a curved portion having a length L1, the curved portion defining a curved path; a first portion having a length L2, the first portion extending downwardly from a forward end of the curved portion; and a second portion having a length L3, the second portion extending rearwardly from a rear end of the curved portion; and
a handle grip adapted to slide up and down on the handle tube to selectively control the ground speed of the deck, wherein the handle grip of the handle follows the curved path as it slides up and down on the handle.