Patents by Inventor Steven D. Smyly

Steven D. Smyly has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Lawn mower having disabling feature
    Patent number: 6708472
    Abstract: A disabling feature used with a lawn mower, for disabling the drive wheels of a lawn mower when an obstacle is encountered. Braking, engine kill, blade stopping, and declutching is contemplated upon the tripping of a pivotable contact device which in one embodiment is configured to be tripped when contacting an object while in reverse. A directional extension flap is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Snapper, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank H. Hancock, Stephen C. Price, James R. Powers, Steven D. Smyly, Lucius L. Cole
  • Method and apparatus for braking vehicle
    Patent number: 6629586
    Abstract: A brake assembly is provided for use with a utility vehicle. The brake assembly includes a mechanism including a pair of compression springs configured to provide the ability of one brake to be further applied after one brake has been completely applied. A parking brake is also provided which includes a ratcheting feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Snapper, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Smyly, Ned R. Welch
  • Method and apparatus for restricting grass cutting of a lawn mower in reverse
    Patent number: 6591594
    Abstract: A lock out feature for preventing a lawn mower from going into reverse unless the lawn mower blade is first disengaged, while allowing the lawn mower cutting blade to be reengaged upon being placed in reverse, the latch nevertheless allowing the lawn mower to be moved out of reverse without disengaging the lawn mower blade. An override feature is also allowed by use of a separate override control to allow the user to override the reverse lock out latch in order to go from forward or neutral into reverse without disengaging the cutting blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Snapper, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank H. Hancock, Steven D. Smyly, Lucius Levon Cole, Fielder Fields Glass, James R. Powers, Stephen C. Price
  • Lawn mower having disabling feature
    Publication number: 20030097829
    Abstract: A disabling feature used with a lawn mower, for disabling the drive wheels of a lawn mower when an obstacle is encountered. Braking, engine kill, blade stopping, and declutching is contemplated upon the tripping of a pivotable contact device which in one embodiment is configured to be tripped when contacting an object while in reverse. A directional extension flap is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Frank H. Hancock, Stephen C. Price, James R. Powers, Steven D. Smyly, Lucius L. Cole
  • Lawn mower having disabling feature
    Patent number: 6513310
    Abstract: A disabling feature used with a lawn mower, for disabling the drive wheels of a lawn mower when an obstacle is encountered. Braking, engine kill, blade stopping, and declutching is contemplated upon the tripping of a pivotable contact device which in one embodiment is configured to be tripped when contacting an object while in reverse. A directional extension flap is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Snapper, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank H. Hancock, Stephen C. Price, James R. Powers, Steven D. Smyly, Lucius L. Cole
  • Method and apparatus for restricting grass cutting of a lawn mower in reverse
    Publication number: 20020162311
    Abstract: A lock out feature for preventing a lawn mower from going into reverse unless the lawn mower blade is first disengaged, while allowing the lawn mower cutting blade to be reengaged upon being placed in reverse, said latch nevertheless allowing the lawn mower to be moved out of reverse without disengaging said lawn mower blade. An override feature is also allowed by use of a separate override control to allow the user to override the reverse lock out latch in order to go from forward or neutral into reverse without disengaging the cutting blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Frank H. Hancock, Steven D. Smyly, Lucius Levon Cole, Fielder Fields Glass, James R. Powers, Stephen C. Price
  • Method and apparatus for restricting grass cutting of a lawn mower in reverse
    Patent number: 6405513
    Abstract: A lockout feature for preventing a lawn mower from going into reverse unless the lawn mower blade is first disengaged, while allowing the lawn mower cutting blade to be reengaged upon being placed in reverse, the latch nevertheless allowing the lawn mower to be moved out of reverse without disengaging said lawn mower blade. An override feature is also allowed by use of a separate override control to allow the user to override the reverse lock out latch in order to go from forward or neutral into reverse without disengaging the cutting blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Snapper, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank H. Hancock, Steven D. Smyly, Lucius Levon Cole, Fielder Fields Glass, James R. Powers, Stephen C. Price
  • Method and apparatus for braking vehicle
    Publication number: 20010029801
    Abstract: A brake assembly is provided for use with a utility vehicle. The brake assembly includes a mechanism including a pair of compression springs configured to provide the ability of one brake to be further applied after one brake has been completely applied. A parking brake is also provided which includes a ratcheting feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Applicant: Snapper, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Smyly, Ned R. Welch