Abstract: A retainer for an electrical appliance cord comprises a buckle through which a bight of the cord may be passed, and a hook located above the buckle. The hook includes a cross bar aligned with the major axis of the buckle opening and a shank which locates the cross bar forwardly of the buckle opening, and around which the bight loops. The cross bar is desirably shaped to urge the cord when under tension towards the shank.

Abstract: In a lawnmower including a housing and wheels for supporting the housing from a ground surface, a wheel height adjusting mechanism including a crank arm associated with each wheel, the crank arms being coupled together for the conjoint movement thereof, the coupling including a shaft mounted from the housing for rotation about its axis, the improvement comprising a gear secured to the shaft for rotation therewith, a plunger supported from the housing so as to be movable between a first position interfering with the gear means and a second non-interfering position, and a spring biasing the plunger to the first position. The plunger may be trigger operated, and the trigger associated with a deck mounted handle. A safety flap may be mounted from the shaft to maintain a relatively constant height from the ground as the wheel height is adjusted.

Abstract: A dead-man lever control system for apparatus such as a snow blower or lawnmower includes a latch and key arrangement connected to the levers which permits the levers to be operated independently or conjointly, and which also permits one lever to be locked out by the other. Provision may be made for the locked-out lever to over-ride the lock-out by applying a greater than normal force to the lever.