Abstract: A compact, safety, control assembly for lawnmowers having electrically started engines is provided which includes a "dead man" function and which requires two distinct steps for starting the lawnmower engine. The control assembly preferably includes a shiftable bail, a movable lever, a cable connected to the lawnmower ignition assembly and shiftable between positions corresponding to the off, on and start position of the ignition assembly, a rotatable operating mechanism connected to the cable and operable by the bail, a fitting attached to the cable and engageable by the lever, and a spring biasing the cable to the off position. A second embodiment of the invention is provided that does not include a lever or cable fitting and which is applicable to so-called zone restart lawnmower controls. In operation, the operating mechanism is rotated by the operation of the bail thereby shifting the cable into the on position.

Abstract: A control apparatus for the blade clutch assembly of a walk-behind powered lawnmower is provided that incorporates a "dead man" feature along with a two-step procedure for engagement of the clutch. The control apparatus includes a shiftable bail, a cable having an engageable end portion, a two-armed coupling mechanism responsive to shifting of the handle, and a pivotally mounted cam for engaging and disengaging the coupling mechanism from the cable end portion. The coupling mechanism is positioned in cable end portion engaging alignment by shifting of the handle to a first position, and is maintained in engagement with the cable end portion by one surface of the cam as the handle and cable are shifted to second positions. The cable is biased by a coil spring to its first position, and upon release of the handle the cable will shift from the second to the first position.

Abstract: A compact, safety control assembly for lawnmowers having a cable actuated clutch between the motor and blade is provided which includes a "dead man" function along with an operating mechanism requiring two distinct steps for engaging the clutch and initiating rotation of the lawnmower blade. The control apparatus preferably includes a clutch cable biased to a clutch-disengaged position, a first handle engageable with the clutch cable for shifting the cable to a clutch-engaged position, a second movable handle for releasably retaining the clutch cable in the clutch-engaged position, a spring for yieldably biasing the second handle to a position wherein the clutch cable is released from the second handle means, and a shiftable detent that prevents shifting movement of the first handle means when the second handle means is in its normal, biased position. Two control assemblies of the type disclosed may be used in tandem on lawnmowers having a clutch-engaged blade and a clutch-engaged ground drive.

Abstract: A compact, safety, control assembly for lawnmowers having electrically started engines is provided which includes a "dead man" function and which requires two distinct steps for starting the lawnmower engine. The control assembly preferably includes a shiftable handle, a moveable lever, a cable connected to the lawnmower ignition assembly and shiftable between positions corresponding to the off, on and start position of the ignition assembly, a spring biasing the cable to the off position, a rotatable operating mechanism connected to the cable and engageable by the handle and lever, and a guide and slot assembly that enables shifting of the cable to the start position from the off position only after completion of a two-handed, two-step operation. In operation, the operating mechanism is rotated by the operation of the handle, thereby shifting the cable into the on position.

Abstract: A compact, unitary attachment for the control handle of a power lawnmower is provided that couples a hand-graspable bail to the clutch control cable of the lawnmower. The attachment body is preferably molded from a synthetic resin material and includes a bail-receiving channel coupling the attachment to the bail for pivotal motion therewith, a slot for engageably receiving the end fitting of the cable, and a control handle-engaging arm extending from the attachment. The attachment body readily accommodates a spring for biasing the bail to a released position.

Abstract: A compact safety control apparatus and method for powered lawnmowers having a cable-actuated clutch between the motor and blade thereof is provided which includes a "dead man" function along with an operating mechanism requiring two distinct steps for engaging the clutch and initiating rotation of the lawnmower blade. The control apparatus preferably comprises a shiftable lever and a separate, shiftable "dead man" bail, along with an operating mechanism including a coupler positioned on the lever and movable into engagement with an end fitting on the actuating cable by means of a plate shiftable with the bail; when the coupler is initially positioned by movement of the bail, the lever is shifted to move the cable and thereby engage the clutch, whereupon the cable is releasably locked in position by interengagement of respective shoulders on the cable fitting and plate. Subsequent release of the bail releases the locking shoulders, thereby disengaging the clutch.

Abstract: A compact safety control apparatus and method for powered lawnmowers having a cable actuated clutch between the motor and blade thereof is provided which includes a "dead man" function along with an operating mechanism requiring two distinct steps for engaging the clutch and initiating rotation of the lawnmower blade. The control apparatus preferably includes a shiftable handle, a coupler responsive to shifting of the handle, a depressible push button for moving the coupler into engagement with an end fitting on the actuating cable, and a pivotally mounted ramp for selectively disengaging the coupler and the end fitting. In operation, the coupler is moved by operation of the handle into a position adjacent the end fitting of the actuating cable, the push button is depressed to engage the coupler with the end fitting, and the handle is shifted to move the coupler, cable end fitting and cable, thereby engaging the clutch.

Abstract: A compact safety control apparatus and method for powered lawnmowers having a cable-actuated clutch between the motor and blade thereof is provided which includes a "dead man" function along with an operating mechanism requiring two distinct steps for engaging the clutch and initiating rotation of the lawnmower blade. The control apparatus preferably comprises a shiftable lever and a separate, shiftable "dead man" bail, along with an operating mechanism including a coupler positioned on the lever and movable into engagement with an end fitting on the actuating cable by means of a plate shiftable with the bail; when the coupler is initially positioned by movement of the bail, the lever is shifted to move the cable and thereby engage the clutch, whereupon the cable is releasably locked in position by interengagement of respective shoulders on the cable fitting and plate. Subsequent release of the bail releases the locking shoulders, thereby disengaging the clutch.

Abstract: Apparatus of increased simplicity, reliability and economy is provided for automatically maintaining the tautness of a mechanical coupling such as commonly employed, for example, between a vehicular brake and its actuating mechanism, which would otherwise be subject to loosening during normal use as a result of wear or the like. The apparatus, although also utilizable with mechanical couplings employing rigid connecting links, is especially suited for use with couplings employing flexible cables or the like, wherein it need only be interposed in series with the cabling between the actuating mechanism and the device actuatable thereby, thereby adapting the apparatus for use in a variety of applications in which control cable couplings are employed.

Abstract: A manually operated, cable control lever assembly especially adapted for use with a handlebar grip is provided with an elongate lever having one end thereof pivotally mounted to a support bracket which also restrains the movement of the control cable in a direction generally aligned with the lever. The lever is provided with: an essentially straight, internal cavity extending longitudinally therethrough and providing a first access opening in the free end of the lever; an attenuated, internal passageway in communication with the cavity and diverging away from the latter toward the free extremity of the lever and terminating in a second, recessed access opening; and, an access slot extending between the access openings and into the passageway.

Abstract: A string changer cable for compound bows has a pair of tubular members of split-sleeve construction for engaging the tension cables of the compound bow as well as the bowstring holders. Each tubular member has an elongate slot providing tension cable access to an inner tapered passage which captively holds the tension cable during the string changing operation.

Abstract: A choke control assembly for use in connection with dual carburetors or the like has a linearly reciprocal slide member carried by a body adapted to be secured to a mounting panel. A swingable lever is secured at one end of the slide member with a pair of control cables secured at an opposite end thereof. The lever is selectively swingable from a normal, non-choke position to either of two alternate over-center positions to shift the slide member against the bias of a spring which maintains corresponding cam surfaces of the lever in abutment with the body. The slide member includes a crossarm adapted to receive a pair of laterally disposed cables in order that two carburetors may be simultaneously controlled by the action of the single lever.

Abstract: A testing device is capable of automatically performing a uniform and accurate test to determine the cure of a film of paint or the like on a test panel. The tester includes a powered rub weight wrapped, at its point of contact with the panel, with a solvent saturated material that rubs on the panel as the weight is caused to move back-and-forth along the painted surface. A drive mechanism shifts the rub weight, which is of a predetermined weight, at a constant length and speed of stroke and a counter records the number of strokes required for the solvent to penetrate the film.

Abstract: A self-adjusting assembly is adapted especially for facilitating the leveling of an appliance, such as a washing machine or the like, on an uneven floor in order that the appliance is firmly positioned thereon. A pair of mounting brackets are each provided with a vertically shiftable, floor-engaging leg member with the leg members being interconnected by a cable such that the leg members are free to shift vertically relative to their corresponding brackets and in a reciprocal relationship when not supporting a normal proportional share of the weight of the appliance. Structure is provided on each bracket to frictionally engage the cable and lock the same to prevent shifting movement of the leg members relative to their brackets when the leg members and a pair of cooperating adjustable legs on opposite corners of the appliance are all in normal contact with the floor in support of the appliance.