Abstract: Apparatus for suspending, raising and lowering the cutting deck beneath the frame of a riding lawn mower, comprising a pair of lifting arms having first ends rotatably secured to the frame and second ends secured to the cutting deck, rotation of the lifting arms effecting vertical movement of said cutting deck. A pedal operated lifting mechanism is provided, selectively operable by the user of the mower to rotate the lifting arms, thereby raising and/or lower the cutting deck. A suspending member is disposed through an opening in the frame above a portion of one lifting arm, said suspending member having a lower end secured to the lifting arm and an upper end disposed above the opening in the frame. A support member secured to the upper end of the suspending member engages the frame to limit downward movement of the suspending member and lifting arm, and is selectively adjustable by the user to adjust the cutting height of the deck.

Abstract: A four wheel steering system for a vehicle which significantly reduces or eliminates scrubbing of the outside tires. A preferred embodiment is specially adapted for use on riding lawn mowers, and includes a longitudinally moveable cam plate having a pair of cam slots formed therein, each slot engaging an individual steering arm for separately steering each rear wheel. The cam plate is coupled to a sector gear which reciprocates in response to left and right hand movement of a steering wheel, with the sector gear interconnecting the front and rear wheel steering mechanisms. The slots in the cam plate are specially configured to vary the turning angles of the rear wheels so that the wheels turn through varying angles, thereby reducing scrubbing to an acceptable level. In a preferred embodiment, all four wheels may be calibrated to turn about a single point, thereby completely eliminating scrubbing.

Abstract: A cutting deck mounting system for use on a riding lawn mower is disclosed, having a front linkage attached to a front portion of the cutting deck and to the frame of the mower, a plurality of mounting brackets disposed on the rear axle housing, a rear linkage having a first portion secured to the cutting deck and a second portion slidably disposed in the mounting brackets, and height adjustment members for selectively raising and lowering the cutting deck. The front and rear linkages are operative to maintain the cutting deck in a substantially constant horizontal orientation relative to the ground regardless of the cutting height. The rear linkages also operates to maintain the cutting deck laterally parallel to the axles during operation of the mower. The disclosed mounting system allows torsional flexing of the frame along its longitudinal axis without significantly affecting the orientation of the cutting deck relative to the ground.

Abstract: A riding mower is provided having a generally conventional engine, seat, frame, cutting deck and hydrostatic transmission. The cutting deck may be vertically adjusted for a plurality of cutting height settings, and may be locked in its uppermost setting and returned to the pre-selected cutting height, by selective operation of a foot-operated pedal. Linkage connects the pedal to the deck and to a variable-height adjustment link. A transmission speed control includes a handle protruding upwardly adjacent the seat, connected to a transverse control rod with a distal end operatively secured to the conventional speed adjustment mechanism of the transmission. Positioned adjacent the distal end of the control rod is a friction-generating device which engages the rod and prevents unintentional movement thereof. A grass collection bag is included with a blower mounted on the cutting deck for providind an enhanced airflow from the cutting deck through the duct leading to the bag.

Abstract: A cart for infants includes a front wheel bogie steerable by means of a handle for the cart. The cart is provided with rear wheels and runners. The wheels are removable without the use of tools and without removal of the handle, whereby the cart may be used as a sled.

Abstract: A four-wheel steering apparatus for a vehicle includes assemblies for steering the front and rear wheels of the vehicle, and an interconnecting member for connecting the front and rear steering assemblies together to move in relation to one another such that there is a dwell period between movement of the front and rear steering assemblies. The interconnecting member is operated by a driver of the vehicle and the dwell period extends between the time when the movement of the front-wheel steering assembly begins and the time when the movement of the rear-wheel steering assembly begins.

Abstract: On the go gear shifter for a small motorized apparatus such as a snow blower uses a gear shift handle movable along a slot and engageable in detent openings located on laterally opposed sides of the slot. An over-center cam mechanism is provided to bias the handle into the detent openings. The arrangement is advantageous in permitting the detent openings associated with different gear ratios to be closely spaced together.