Abstract: A steering lever mechanism for a mower vehicle includes a lever assembly and a base which is fixed to the mower vehicle for mounting the lever assembly to the mower. The lever assembly includes a pivot assembly and a lever portion. The lever portion is pivotably mounted to the pivot assembly for rotation about a longitudinal axis between an inboard position and an outboard position. The pivot assembly is also pivotably mounted to the base for rotation of the pivot bracket portion and the lever portion about a transverse axis between a rear position, an intermediate neutral position and a forward position. A rotation measuring device is associated with the base and the pivot assembly for measuring the forward and rear rotation of the lever assembly. A sensor for activating parking breaks is also associated with the base for sensing the lever assembly when it is in the outboard position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a plurality of wheels and a cargo bed assembly. A cargo bed translation mechanism is operable between the vehicle frame and the cargo bed to translate the cargo bed between a range of positions including a first transport position, a plurality of raised position a variety of loading positions. A cargo bed dumping mechanism is operable for tipping the cargo bed to dump the contents of the cargo bed at least from the transport position and the raised positions.

Abstract: A drive wheel steering system for a lawnmower has a handle bar assembly that is pivotal about a vertical axis to provide directional control of the mower and rotatable about a horizontal axis to provide speed control of the mower. A control bar is operable to set a desired forward speed of the mower via engagement of a cam and the linkage assembly providing directional and speed control for the mower.

Abstract: A lawn mower drive arrangement delivers power to a mower deck of a lawn mower vehicle. The drive arrangement includes a prime mover and a drive sheave, at least one mower deck sheave for powering at least one cutting blade and an endless engaging the drive sheave and at least one mower deck sheave. The drive sheave is oriented such that its axis of rotation is generally transverse. Guide pulleys engage the tension side and the slack side of the endless belt between the drive sheave and at least one mower deck sheave. The guide pulleys are positioned such that the endless belt twists by an acute angle substantially less than 60 degrees between the drive sheave and the guide pulleys.

Abstract: A tilting deck lawn mower including a tractor frame, with drive wheel hydrostatic steering supporting a carrier frame and cutting deck pivotally mounted to the tractor frame on a horizontal axis parallel to the path of movement of the mower. Supported by the carrier frame is a single cutting deck with multiple blades; a pair of castered wheels mounted on the carrier frame, one on each side for ground support; a horizontal leg supporting one of the wheels is pivotally journaled to the carrier frame; a parallelogram linkage connecting the rotation of the supporting leg to the tractor, whereby the supporting leg does not rotate relative to the ground when the carrier frame rotates and an adjustable supporting arms on the carrier frame supporting the cutting deck which arms lift the cutting deck up towards the carrier frame as the carrier frame and cutting deck begin the rotate.

Abstract: A twin-lever drive wheel steering mower for a sitting operator with each lever independently controlling a brake and the speed of each drive wheel through a separate hydraulic pump and motor transmission. A brake assembly positioned on each drive wheel; a pair of pivotally mounted steering levers, each controlling one of the pumps mounted on the mower for longitudinal movement, each steering lever is connected independently to the swash plate of its controlled pump providing variable speeds forward, reverse, and a neutral zero flow position; linkage members connecting the steering levers for each wheel to a brake assembly on each wheel; a pair of T-shaped slots having a lateral leg in a cover plate surrounding each of the steering levers allowing the levers to move laterally outward in the lateral leg to engage the brakes only in the neutral position.

Abstract: A twin-lever drive wheel steering mower for a sitting operator with each lever independently controlling a brake and the speed of each drive wheel through a separate hydraulic pump and motor transmission. A brake assembly positioned on each drive wheel; a pair of pivotally mounted steering levers, each controlling one of said pumps mounted on the mower for longitudinal movement, each steering lever is connected independently to the swash plate of its controlled pump providing variable speeds forward, reverse, and a neutral zero flow position; linkage members connecting the steering levers for each wheel to a brake assembly on each wheel; a pair of T-shaped slots having a lateral leg in a cover plate surrounding each of the steering levers allowing the levers to move laterally outward in the lateral leg to engage the brakes only in the neutral position.

Abstract: A twin-lever drive wheel steering mower for a sitting operator with each lever independently controlling a brake and the speed of each drive wheel through a separate hydraulic pump and motor transmission. A brake positioned on each drive wheel; a pair of pivotally mounted steering levers, each controlling one of said pumps mounted on the mower for longitudinal movement, each steering lever is connected independently to the swash plate of its controlled pump providing variable speeds forward, reverse, and a neutral zero flow position; linkage members connecting the steering levers for each wheel to said brake on each wheel; a pair of T-shaped slots having a lateral leg in a cover plate surrounding each of the steering levers allowing the levers to move laterally outward in the lateral leg to engage the brakes only in the neutral position.

Abstract: An articulating window assembly for a motor vehicle and a method of manufacturing thereof is disclosed, the window assembly comprising a windowpane, a hinge attachment means such as one or more mounting studs for securing the windowpane to a support structure. Preferably the hinge is composed of a unitary elastomeric material such as reaction injection molded polyurethane, having a first surface lying against the inner surface in a closed position. A first portion of such first surface is bonded to the windowpane. A second portion not bonded to the windowpane is spaced therefrom in an open position. Preferably the elastomeric hinge partially encapsulates mounting studs or the like. As the articulating window assembly pivots from a closed position to an open position there is local disengagement of the hinge member from the windowpane at the second surface portion, thereby reducing the stresses on the mounting studs with respect to the hinge.

Abstract: A multi-blade mower deck having a center right and left blade chambers, which are partially connected to each other, each blade chamber including a rotary mounted cutting blade with lifting sails thereon for rotating and lifting the air into each blade chamber, a front skirt defining portions of said blade chamber; a continuous rear skirt wrapping around rear portions of each of said blade chambers; and a fan chamber positioned above the cutting deck and concentrically aligned over the center blade chamber and having an opening into the center fan chamber including concentrically mounted impeller blades for driving air and clipping from the fan chamber through a exhaust passage positioned over the cutting deck.

Abstract: A window assembly has a latch assembly of enhanced strength. The latch assembly is mounted to the frame of the window assembly. A latch member is biased by a torsion spring towards a non-latching position, a latch-lock member is biased by a second torsion spring towards a non-locking position. The latch member engages a striker pin mounted to a base wall to secure the window in its normal, closed position. The latch-lock, latch member and striker pin are held together by the torsion springs and a series of detents on the latch-lock member and the latch member. A release bar is hingedly mounted to the latch assembly and moveable from a normal, closed, non-releasing position to an open, releasing position. Operation of the release bar forces a connecting means to actuate a trip lever, which in turn forces a latch-lock to rotate, sequentially disengaging the latch-lock detents from the latch member detents, thereby disengaging the latch member detent from the striker pin, allowing the window to open.

Abstract: A modular insert trim unit is provided for a motor vehicle door. The modular insert trim unit includes a one-piece molded plastic door cavity insert having a passenger-side aesthetic trim surface. The door cavity insert preferably is a hollow body structure formed by reaction injection molding and having unitary mounting bosses for structurally mounting functional door hardware and for mounting the modular insert trim unit to structural componentry of the door assembly. The modular insert trim unit preferably is preassembled as a self-supporting unit which can be inserted conveniently into a door cavity defined at least in part by an outer panel of the door assembly. Window regulator hardware, door lock and handle hardware, are thus installed into a motor vehicle door as an integrated unit with the door cavity insert, which further provides the aesthetic passenger-side trim surface generally required for motor vehicle doors.

Abstract: An encapsulated plastic glazing window module for a motor vehicle has a glazing assembly formed from a transparent plastic glazing substrate and a frit film positioned on at least a portion of the glazing substrate, an encapsulation frame encapsulating the glazing assembly and attachment means such as mounting studs and/or adhesives for securing the glazing assembly to the motor vehicle. In certain preferred embodiments the transparent plastic substrate is a polycarbonate, and the frit film is a semi-rigid sheet having a transparent polycarbonate carrier web with a non-transparent ink or dye. In certain embodiments the frit film is positioned on an interior side of the plastic substrate and the non-transparent portion covers the attachment means from exterior view. An abrasion resistant coating or hardcoat such as an organically modified ceramic is preferably to each surface of the glazing assembly, preferably by dip coating. The encapsulation material is preferably a PVC or similar thermoplastic.

Abstract: The invention is a self-propelled drivewheel steering power mower which can be operated in a standing or sitting position, including a pair of variable flow hydrostatic pumps with tiltable swash plates, each of which drives one of a pair of drivewheels. A vertically mounted steering shaft is rotatably supported on the mower for rotation about an axis concentric with said shaft; and a T-shaped steering handle bar is rotatably journaled to the end of said steering shaft for twisting about an axis concentric with said handle bar.

Abstract: An easy entry seat track assembly with single point memory comprises a lower track assembly and an upper track assembly, slidably engaging the lower track assembly. A latch releasably secures the upper track assembly to the lower track assembly. Operation of a towel bar or the like is provided for comfort adjustment of the upper track assembly relative to the lower track assembly. Also, single point memory is provided for moving the latch from a latching position to an unlatching position, holding in the unlatching position temporarily and returning the latch to the latching position when the upper seat track is moved to a predetermined position. The single point memory comprises a cam plate mounted on the upper track assembly. A memory mechanism attached to the latch is contacted by the cam plate as it rotates from an open position to a memory position, moving the latch to the unlatching position.

Abstract: A latch mechanism, particularly for securing a pivoting member of a motor vehicle seat with respect to a fixed member is disclosed, comprising, a latch plate having a tooth, a notch flanked by a front ramp and a rear ramp, and a rear stop, and a cam which is releasably engageable with the latch plate, the cam having a nose, a front face, a contact face and a heel. The cam is pivotable from a non-latching position to a normal latching position. In the latching position the contact face of the cam is urged against the rear ramp of the latch plate and the heel avoids contacting the rear stop. In response to a sudden change in velocity in a first direction the heel of the cam contacts the rear stop to resist movement of the cam the non-latching position. Preferably the contact face forms and angle with the back ramp of about 10 to 20 degrees, and the front face and the front ramp have generally equivalent curved surfaces.

Abstract: A seat track assembly comprises a lower track assembly comprising first and second lower tracks laterally spaced from and aligned generally parallel with one another. Each lower track has a bottom wall and left and right side walls which cooperate with the bottom wall to define a central channel running the length of the lower track. The left and right side walls each have flanges bent over and away from the central channel. An upper track assembly operatively engages the lower track assembly. The upper track assembly comprises first and second upper tracks carried by corresponding first and second lower tracks, allowing the upper track assembly to slide in forward and rearward directions. An elongate upper J-hook is rigidly attached to each upper track, preferably at a top wall of each upper track. An elongate lower J-hook is rigidly attached to each lower track, preferably at a bottom wall of each track.

Abstract: A plastic glazing window module has a glazing assembly formed from a transparent plastic glazing substrate and a frit film positioned on at least a portion of the glazing substrate. In certain preferred embodiments the transparent plastic substrate is a polycarbonate, and the frit film is a semi-rigid sheet having a transparent carrier web with a non-transparent ink or dye. In certain embodiments the frit film is positioned on an interior side of the plastic substrate and the non-transparent portion covers the attachment means from exterior view. An abrasion resistant coating or hardcoat, such as an organically modified ceramic, is preferably applied to each surface of the glazing assembly, preferably by dip coating. In certain preferred embodiments structural ribs may be positioned circumferentially around the substrate. The glazing substrate also may form a lip to cover a ledge formed by the motor vehicle body at the periphery of the window opening.

Abstract: A bidirectional inertial latch locks the position of a seat back of a seat on a motor vehicle during rapid changes in velocity. The inertial latch has a bracket mounted on the seat base or bottom. An arm is pivotably mounted on the bracket and securely attached to the seat back, and has a unitary arcuately toothed section for latching engagement. A pawl is pivotally mounted on the bracket and has a center of gravity offset from its pivot axis. The pawl has an arcuate toothed region for engaging the toothed region of the arm, and is pivoted by the inertial force experienced during either sudden deceleration or sudden acceleration to lockingly engage the arm to prevent the movement thereof Preferably the toothed sections of the pawl have at least three teeth.

Abstract: A cable-drum window regulator for controlling the motion of a windowpane, such as a window in a door, has an improved glider assembly. The glider assembly is attached to the windowpane, and comprises a glider slidably secured by snap fit to an elongate guide rail, and a glider plate which snap fits to the glider. The glider assembly travels along the guide rail from a full-up to a full-down position. The glider preferably has a cushioning unitary downstop to absorb the loading of the glider assembly at the full-down position. The glider has at least a pair of rail tabs which snap fit to longitudinally extending receiving flanges of the rail; preferably at least one of the rail tabs has a beveled surface for ease in assembly. The glider has at least one flexible finger with a digit which snaps into a corresponding receiving opening in the glider plate. In those embodiments with more than one flexible finger, one finger is preferably longer than the other.