Abstract: A three-stage snow thrower having a housing, a power supply operatively connected to said housing, a longitudinal drive shaft extending from the power supply into the housing, and a lateral drive shaft extending rotatably attached to opposing side walls of the housing and being meshingly engaged with the longitudinal drive shaft within a gear assembly. The power supply drives the longitudinal drive shaft, thereby causing the longitudinal drive shaft to rotate, and at least a portion of such rotation is transferred to the lateral drive via a gear assembly. The first stage assembly includes a plurality of augers attached to the lateral drive shaft, wherein the first stage assembly pushes loosened snow axially toward the gear assembly. The second stage assembly includes at least one auger attached to the longitudinal drive shaft, wherein the second stage assembly pushes the snow from the first stage assembly axially rearward in a transverse manner relative to the first stage assembly.

Abstract: A domestic robotic system includes a robot and data storage operable to store data defining a boundary of a working area, the robot includes a payload actuable to perform work on a portion of the working area adjacent the robot, at least one processor, a first positioning system, one or more sensors operable to sense directly the boundary of the working area and a current distance of the robot thereto, a second positioning system, which uses data from the sensors. The processor is programmed to operate in (i) an area coverage mode, wherein the processor, using the first positioning system and the stored data defining the boundary of the working area, navigates the robot around the working area, with the payload active, and (ii) a boundary proximity mode, wherein the processor, using the second positioning system, navigates the robot around the working area, in proximity to the boundary.

Abstract: A grass treatment system includes a first ground engaging rolling element, a second ground engaging rolling element, a comb having a leading edge including a plurality of comb teeth spaced apart at intervals, the comb is mounted between the first and second rolling elements and transversely to a direction of travel, a substantially cylindrical brush positioned above the comb and configured to engage at least a portion of a top surface of the comb, wherein the brush rotates relative to the comb to propel debris lifted from an area of turf grass by the comb.

Abstract: A machine vision device is provided usable in conjunction with power equipment machines. By way of example, an array of sensors can be deployed to detect proximity of objects to the power equipment machine, and issue an alert in response to detecting an object within a threshold distance. The alert can be utilized by the power equipment machine to take corrective action to mitigate or avoid running over or striking the object. Sensors having respective fields of view can be arranged along an arc to facilitate machine vision of a spatial volume in a proximity of the machine, and ranging determinations can be coupled with low cost processing devices to facilitate a machine vision solution far more cost effective than other technologies in the art.

Abstract: A blower including a base having a housing, a handle extending from the housing, a power source positioned within the housing, the blower including: a drive shaft extending forwardly from the power source, wherein the drive shaft is rotatable by the power source; a fan member operatively connected to the drive shaft; a flywheel extending rearwardly from the power source, the flywheel being positioned adjacent to a rear of the housing; and at least one rear vent formed into the rear of the housing adjacent to the flywheel, wherein rotation of the flywheel draws ambient air into the housing through the at least one rear vent, and rotation of the flywheel generates a cooling air flow that directs the ambient air across the power source to cool the power source during operation thereof.

Abstract: A sand bunker rake/infield groomer vehicle having a frame; a plurality of wheels to traverse a driven surface, wherein the wheels are rotatably mounted to the frame; a power source mounted to the frame; and a rear attachment structure attached to the frame, wherein the rear attachment structure provides a joint enabling rotation; a bracket including a shaft wherein the bracket is configured to cooperate with an associated rake/grooming attachment; and a pivoting bracket mounted to the frame.

Abstract: A lawnmower which includes a housing, and a passive cleaning assembly for removing detritus from the housing, the passive cleaning assembly being moveably mounted on the housing. The passive cleaning assembly can include a ground-contacting portion, which contacts the ground during use, thereby causing the cleaning portion to move with respect to the housing during movement of the lawnmower. Movement of the lawn mower with respect to the ground causes the cleaning portion of the passive cleaning assembly to move with respect to the housing and to thereby remove detritus from the housing.

Abstract: A handheld lawn maintenance tool having a power head to which an adapter is attachable to allow both battery-powered and gasoline-powered working attachments to be attached thereto. The power head includes a power source, integrated first and second handles, a power generator, and a first attachment mechanism to which the adapter and/or working attachments are attachable.

Abstract: A cable entry sealing system providing an electronics enclosure having a first enclosure half and a second enclosure half, the first enclosure half having at least one sidewall having an aperture therein; a radial sealing member, the radial sealing member being positioned between the first enclosure half and the second enclosure half; and a cable entry positioned within the aperture, wherein the cable entry comprises: a cable grommet; and a cable grommet support groove.

Abstract: A drive sprocket for driving a track of a tracked vehicle is provided. The drive sprocket includes an interior ring, an exterior ring, and an intermediate ring situated between the interior ring and the exterior ring. The interior ring, exterior ring, and intermediate ring are oriented in a substantially spaced-apart manner, each of the rings have an outer peripheral surface. A plurality of rods is attached to the rings adjacent to the outer peripheral surface thereof. The interior, exterior, and intermediate rings have a substantially “U” or “J” shape.

Abstract: An illumination mechanism includes a plurality of LEDs for illuminating a surface and is configured to determine whether one of the plurality of LEDs has faulted. A pair of LED sets is provided with the sets electrically connected in parallel via terminal connections of each set of LEDs. Regardless of at least one of environmental temperature or minor differences in minimum forward voltages of individual LEDs, the mechanism is configured to discern whether at least a single LED of one set of LEDs of the pair has faulted. In instances where the sets of LEDs are separated from a controller or voltage measurement circuitry, the cost, circuit board real estate consumption, and manufacturing complexity associated with additional wiring and connections are minimized.

Abstract: A snow thrower impeller assembly (24) includes a mounting slot (84) for a wiper (70). The wiper includes a wiper portion (86) that slides into the mounting slot to mount the wiper to the impeller (54). The wiper contacts an interior wall (56) of an associated impeller housing during rotational operation of the impeller in order to limit a gap (74) between an impeller blade (66) and the interior wall. The wiper can move radially inward and outward to remain in contact with the interior wall without input from the operator. Another embodiment of the impeller assembly includes impeller blades with a first portion (116) and a second portion (118). The second portion extends at a non-zero angle from the first blade portion of the impeller blade.

Abstract: Systems for controlling the speed and direction of vehicles, including vehicles that have low to zero turning radius capability.

Abstract: A drive sprocket for driving a track of a tracked vehicle is provided. The drive sprocket includes an interior ring, an exterior ring, and an intermediate ring situated between the interior ring and the exterior ring. The interior ring, exterior ring, and intermediate ring are oriented in a substantially spaced-apart manner, each of the rings have an outer peripheral surface. A plurality of rods is attached to the rings adjacent to the outer peripheral surface thereof. The interior, exterior, and intermediate rings have a substantially “U” or “J” shape.

Abstract: A foldable crate includes a base having a front end and a rear end and a pair of end gates, wherein an end gate is rotatably attached to each end of the base. Each end gate includes a cap attached adjacent to one end of each post of the end gate and a knob is attached adjacent to the opposing end of each post. A skid shoe is attached to the bottom of each corner of the base, wherein each skid shoe includes a socket for receiving the knob or cap of the corresponding end gate of an adjacent foldable crate when a plurality of foldable crates are stacked.

Abstract: A trimmer head for use with a handheld lawn maintenance tool is shaped in a hub-and-spoke manner, wherein the trimmer head includes a housing formed of a hub, a circular rim, and a plurality of spokes extending therebetween. A spool is positioned within the hub, and a pair of pieces of trimmer line are inserted into opposing sides of the circular rim through the spokes for winding onto the spool. The trimmer line extends outwardly from the housing at a location spaced away from the hub.

Abstract: A blower impeller having a plate with a first side surface, a second side surface, and an outer circumferential edge extending between the first and second side surfaces; a front blade series extending from the first side surface, the front blade series comprising a plurality of front fins, wherein each front fin includes a first radius of curvature and a second radius of curvature; and a rear blade series extending from the second side, the rear blade series comprising a plurality of rear fins.

Abstract: A low impact turf wheel having a wheel rim including an inner and outer surface, a plurality of pegs extending radially outward from the outer surface of the wheel rim, wherein the plurality of pegs maintain the wheel rim above an area of turf, and a hub. A turf wheel having a wheel rim having an inner and outer surface, a plurality of pegs extending radially outward from the outer surface of the wheel rim, wherein the peg comprises a stem, a collar and a lug, and wherein the lug includes a limited surface area to provide a ground contacting tread, and a hub.