Abstract: A cable connector (82) including a thermal fuse (25) for use with a low voltage electrical system (1). The preferred connector (82) includes a pair of electrically and thermally conductive jumper elements (19,23) with a plurality of sharpened edges (30,33,64,67) for piercing the insulating jacket (32,35,73,74) surrounding the inner conductors (14,15,22,24) with which the jumpers (19,23) make electrical contact. The jumpers (19,23) include a plurality of conductor engaging slots (31,34,65,66,68,69) which mechanically grip the conductors. In operation, the quality of the electrical contact between the jumpers and the conductors is proportional to the amount of heat radiated at the junction between the terminals (26,27,62,63) and the conductors (14,15,22,24), the heat causing the thermal fuse (25) to break the electrical circuit when the sensed heat exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A lawn mower self-propel and zone brake control system includes a deck, a ground engaging wheel rotatably coupled to and supporting the deck, a handlebar assembly coupled to the deck, and a transmission coupled to the ground engaging wheel. A pivoting control bail is pivotally mounted on the handlebar assembly and pivots between first and second positions. A power transmitting device connects an engine and the transmission. A zone brake is operatively coupled to the engine and the pivoting control bail and operates in either a first or a second mode wherein the zone brake inhibits rotational movement of and power generation by the engine in the first mode and allows rotational movement of and power generation by the engine in the second mode. The zone brake operates in the first mode when the pivoting control bail is in the first position and operates in the second mode when the pivoting control bail is in the second position.

Abstract: A high pressure liquid containment joint in an apparatus for injecting high pressure liquid into turf. A preferred high pressure liquid containment joint includes an O-ring (72). The high pressure liquid containment joint also includes a cylindrical plug (70). The plug (70) includes a first end and a second end, external threads (71) located between the first and second ends, a shoulder (73) for accepting the O-ring (72) wherein the shoulder (73) is located between the external threads (71) and the second end. The plug (70) also includes a hexhead (75) connected with the first end for accepting rotational force. The high pressure liquid containment joint also includes a high pressure liquid containment vessel for containing high pressure liquid wherein the vessel includes a threaded bore (74) wherein the bore (74) includes internal threads (172) for engaging the external threads (71) and two, smooth machined frusto-conical surfaces (174, 175) for contacting the O-ring.

Abstract: A walk behind lawn mower operating system. The system comprises a handlebar onto which control bails with ends are pivotally attached, with the control bails being operatively connected to propulsion and blade brake systems, respectively. The control bails are arranged on the handlebar such that they pivot away from the handlebar in opposite directions. The control bails' cross-sectional dimensions are essentially identical. Each of the control bail's movement is limited by a bail pivot stop. Each bail pivot stop is removably attached to a control bail end so that it pivots with the control bail and restricts the pivoting movement by impinging upon the handlebar with an integrally formed stop. In the preferred embodiment, where the control bails pivot away from the handlebar in opposite directions, the control bail stops are located at either side of the handlebar.

Abstract: In a walk behind lawn mower, a height of cut adjustment system that includes a frame (12), a cutting blade (20) rotatably supported by the frame (12), a ground engaging wheel (14) coupled to and supporting the frame (12), height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height setting of the blade (20) relative to the ground engaging wheel (14), and a grass height gauge (28) operatively connected to the frame (12) wherein the grass height gauge (28) indicates a desirable height setting for the cutting blade (20) so that a predetermined portion of the standing grass blade is removed.

Abstract: In a walk-behind power lawn mower with a propelling mechanism and a blade brake clutch, an improved control system. A preferred embodiment includes a substantially U-shaped control arm (34), pivot shaft (36, 38) operatively connecting control arm (34) to handlebar (28) wherein the pivot shafts (36, 38) establish a pivot axis.