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.

Abstract: A shield configuration for a snowthrowing discharge chute, which may be pivoted out of the way for clean-out purposes while reducing the opportunity for the user to extend a body part or other object into the chute while the engine is running. The apparatus makes a clean-out rod readily available to the user just after the shield has been opened.

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.

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.

Abstract: This invention relates in general to lawn mowers, and particularly relates to a front wheel swivel assembly which can be selectively locked into a straight-ahead orientation during operation of the mower and by use of controls within the operator's reach during normal cutting operation of the mower.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lawn mower blade spindle assembly which can be easily serviced in the field, which includes a blade height adjustment feature which allows a blade to be replaced or be adjusted without removing the blade spindle bearings. An improved stress loading arrangement is further provided which reduces spindle stress and lessens the opportunity for spindle assembly failure upon catastrophic blade impact with an immovable object such as with a rock.

Abstract: One or more replaceable cutting blade tips and a central mounting bar comprise a blade assembly. Each of the replaceable cutting blade tips can be selectively attached to the central mounting bar without the use of tools. During typical operation, the replaceable cutting blade tips snugly fit relative to the central mounting bar and little, if any, relative pivoting therebetween is evident. However, some relative pivoting can occur when exceptional loads are encountered by the replaceable cutting blade tips such as when an obstacle such as a rock is encountered. In such an instance, a tearable "zipper" is provided which allows the blade tip to "tear" its way through the zipper while pivoting, thus advantageously providing a means for dissipating energy. Also provided is a "family of bars" concept which reduces inventory, reduces tooling expenses, and facilitates efficient and correspondingly low cost blade tips due to the volumes possible.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lawn mower blade spindle assembly which can be easily serviced in the field, which includes a blade height adjustment feature which allows a blade to be replaced or be adjusted without removing the blade spindle bearings. An improved stress loading arrangement is further provided which reduces spindle stress and lessens the opportunity for spindle assembly failure upon catastrophic blade impact with an immovable object such as with a rock.

Abstract: A self-propelled lawn mower and control system for same which prevents the lawn mower from operating at high engine speed while in reverse, while still allowing a wide range of throttle speeds while in forward drive mode. Normally-open switches are closed to ground the primary ignition circuit when the lawn mower is in reverse and above a throttle speed threshold.

Abstract: A lawn mower including a cutting blade brake and clutch which discourages blade engagement after a predetermined level of blade brake wear, damage, or improper adjustment is encountered. Also provided is an improved idler pulley system providing an improved "serpentine" belt path therebetween.

Abstract: A golf swing training device comprising an elongate golf club shaft provided with a golf club hand grip at the upper end thereof and a weighted mechanical head assembly fixedly connected to the lower end thereof. The shaft is connected to the mechanical head assembly by an improved connector assembly. The mechanical head assembly comprises a spring biased weighted cartridge member positioned within a barrel housing and provided with snap ring-engaging fingers extending outwardly through slots provided in the barrel housing. The barrel housing is provided with an adjustable head closure member at the lower end thereof which is adapted to selectively increase or decrease tension of the cartridge-engaging main spring contained in the barrel housing. A cartridge-engaging main spring is positioned within the barrel housing by use of upper and lower locator bearings.