Abstract: A transmission includes a housing and a gear assembly supported by the housing. The gear assembly includes a shaft carried by the housing, a bull gear attached to the shaft, and a helical gear shaft carried by the housing. The helical gear shaft incorporates a helical gear operatively connected to the bull gear. The transmission can be either a single-speed transmission or a variable-speed transmission. The single speed transmission employs a pulley attached to the helical gear shaft, and a belt wrapped around the pulley. The variable-speed transmission employs a driven pulley supported by the helical gear shaft, an idler pulley pivotably attached to the housing, and a belt wrapped around the driven pulley and the idler pulley.

Abstract: An improved shape for the central drive hole of a rotary mowing blade, such shape including two pairs of teeth extending off of a central hole substantially displaced 30° from the central axis of the mowing blade.

Abstract: An improved shape for the central drive hole of a rotary mowing blade, such shape including two pairs of teeth extending off of a central hole substantially displaced 30° from the central axis of the mowing blade.

Abstract: A shape for the central drive hole of a rotary mowing blade, such shape including two pairs of teeth extending off of a central hole substantially displaced 30° from the central axis of the mowing blade.

Abstract: A clutch/brake assembly for a vehicle, such as a lawn tractor, includes left and right drums rotatable with left and right drive axles of the vehicle. The assembly is responsive to vehicle steering input to resist rotation of one drum and, thereby, to slow the drive wheel associated with the one drum. Further steering input provides braking capabilities. The assembly has no differential action. The housing for the assembly is a split housing having a plurality of bearing supports aligned along transverse axes. On each one of the split housing pieces, all the bearing support surfaces are finished simultaneously with one punching operation.

Abstract: A vehicle drive assembly includes a directional control transmission assembly and a variable speed drive assembly. A transmission drive belt extends between the variable speed drive assembly and the directional control transmission assembly to transmit force from the variable speed drive assembly to the transmission assembly when the transmission assembly is in a forward drive condition and when the transmission assembly is in a reverse drive condition. A main drive belt extends between the variable speed drive assembly and a source of power to transmit force to the variable speed drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a linkage assembly operable to move the variable speed drive assembly toward the directional control transmission assembly to change the variable speed drive assembly from a first condition in which the directional control transmission assembly is driven at a relatively low speed and a second condition in which the directional control transmission assembly is driven at a high speed.

Abstract: A variable speed pulley assembly (10) for use with a drive belt (30) having a V-shaped cross-sectional configuration for transmitting driving force to the pulley assembly and a driven belt (32) having a V-shaped cross-sectional configuration for transmitting force driving force from the pulley assembly. The pulley assembly (10) includes a plurality of pulley halves (90-98) which are welded to a constant diameter portion (62) of a shaft (50). The shaft (50) rotates about its axis (44) to enable the pulley halves (90-98) to rotate. A sleeve (120) on the constant diameter portion (62) of the shaft (50) is movable axially in opposite directions along the shaft. The center pulley (94) is fixed for rotation with the sleeve (120). The first ratio of the length of the sleeve (120) to its diameter is at least 1 to 1. The ratio of the outer diameter of the drive belt (30) on its pulley, to the first ratio, is preferably less than 4 to 1.

Abstract: An electric switch operating mechanism is disclosed utilizing a rotating bail and a secondary inward moving interlock, wherein a single multiple function spring rotatively biases the moving bail into an inactive position, biasing the interlock into a non-engaged outward position and in addition operates the switch.

Abstract: A grass bag sleeve is disclosed having a sewing section for interconnection to a fabric grass bag and an attachment section for snap-on interconnection to the frame of a grass bag opening.

Abstract: An improved shape for the central drive hole of a rotary mowing blade, such shape including two pairs of teeth extending off of a central hole substantially displaced 30.degree. from the central axis of the mowing blade.

Abstract: A method includes the steps of compacting powder metal to form a powder metal blank, and forming gear teeth on the powder metal blank by rolling the powder metal blank between rolling dies rotating about parallel axes. The step of forming gear teeth on the powder metal blank by rolling includes the steps of rotating the rolling dies about parallel axes and maintaining the distance between the parallel axes constant during forming of the gear teeth on the powder metal blank. Powder metal gears having 45.degree. helical gear teeth are cold rolled. Herringbone gears and pinion gears are made with the 45.degree. helical powder metal gears.

Abstract: An improved shape blade bell support for a rotary mowing blade, such blade bell support included on the underside of the mower blade between the blade bolt and blade, such blade bell support including two flexing outer support sections that hold the blade against an adaptor outwardly of the bolt.

Abstract: A trail shield for a lawn mower is disclosed having a snap on head section with the body extending symmetrically off the center line thereof.

Abstract: A safety edge assembly, for a movable closure such as a garage door, automatically reverses the direction of travel of the door when the door encounters an obstruction. The safety edge assembly includes an electrically conductive mounting rail fixed to the door, and a deformable tubular member supported on the mounting rail. A conductive member on the tubular member is movable, upon deformation of the tubular member, from a first position normally spaced from the conductive mounting rail into a second position in engagement with the conductive mounting rail to complete an electrical circuit for controlling the direction of movement of the door. An end plug for closing the open end of the tubular member has a nonconductive portion for insertion between the end of the conductive member, which may fray or otherwise move out of position while being cut to length in the field, and the end of the conductive mounting rail to provide electrical insulation therebetween.

Abstract: A package for an article such as a garden tractor includes a bottom platform having first and second opposite major side surfaces, the first major side surface for receiving thereon the article. A top platform is substantially identical to the bottom platform and has first and second opposite major side surfaces. A plurality of load-bearing support members support the top platform on the bottom platform at a location spaced upward from the bottom platform when the package is in an assembled condition to at least partially define an article-receiving chamber therebetween. The first major side surface of the top platform faces in the same direction as the first major side surface of the bottom platform when the package is in the assembled condition, so that the top platform can serve as the bottom platform for another article package above. A plurality of connector members releasably interconnect the support members with the top and bottom platforms when the package is in the assembled condition.

Abstract: A convertible mulching mowing deck is disclosed having an angled top profile with maximum height at a discharge hole plugged with a spring loaded plug, with the sidewall of the deck recessed outwards at the back edge of the discharge hole.

Abstract: A mulching blade for a lawn mower including in combination a diagonal flange on the blade tip upwardly extending at a 20.degree., a neighboring cutout in the back of the blade, and a spaced downwardly extending flange section. These elements cooperate to recirculate the grass clippings in a circular manner through the region of the cutting edge so as to provide for a low inertia improved efficiency multi-purpose blade.