Abstract: A slow in turn system for a vehicle comprises an accelerator linkage that is linked to the input lever of a variable speed transmission. The accelerator linkage includes first and second link arms that couple a foot pedal to a rotatable cam plate. The link arm that connects to the cam plate is coupled thereto by a slider so that the connection point of that link arm may be moved towards and away from the pivot axis of the cam plate. The slider is moved away from the pivot axis of the cam plate during turns of the vehicle to reversely rotate the cam plate, and hence retard the input lever of the speed changing system, to thereby automatically slow the vehicle. This movement of the slider is accomplished by a connecting linkage extending to the steering system of the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle includes a cruise control system that can be set to obtain a particular forward speed but which allows the operator to temporarily speed up without subsequently having to reset the cruise control system.

Abstract: A grass catcher for receiving air and grass clippings from a mower cutter deck includes an inlet for admitting air and clippings into the grass catcher, an outlet port for exhausting air out of the grass catcher, and at least two cylindrical, perforate air filters interposed between the inlet and the outlet port. The filters separate grass clippings from the air and permit air to pass through the filters and on to the outlet port. The grass catcher also includes a wave form energy transmitter and a wave form energy receiver positioned in the grass catcher. The transmission of wave form energy between the transmitter and the receiver is interrupted when the level of accumulated grass clippings in the catcher exceeds a predetermined level. The interruption of the transmission triggers an alarm to alert an operator of the mower of the high clipping level within the catcher.

Abstract: A combination tow and pressure relief valve for use in a hydraulic fluid circuit used in a hydraulically driven wide area lawn mower. The valve includes a cylindrical valve body having a hexagonal head. A slideable valve tip with a shank and a valve head has its shank slidably mounted within the valve body. The valve tip is biased by a spring to move in a direction away from the hex head. In operation, the valve is inserted into a suitable chamber placed in series with a bypass passage. The valve tends to block the bypass passage under steady state conditions. When a surge in hydraulic pressure occurs, as would occur in response to operator input or at startup, the hydraulic fluid overcomes the bias of the spring and urges the valve tip away from the otherwise blocked orifice which links the bypass passage to the chamber. Opening the orifice tends to diminish the magnitude of the pressure peak and helps eliminate jerky starts of the mower.

Abstract: A handle for an outdoor power equipment unit, such as a lawn mower, includes a control system for allowing the user to manually vary the ground speed of the mower provided by a self propel system. The control system includes a handle grip on the handle that slides up and down relative to a lower portion of the handle. As the handle grip slides down, the ground speed increases. As the handle grip slides up, the ground speed decreases. A grab member can be used to allow the operator to have leverage in pushing the handle grip down.

Abstract: An automatic moisture sensing and watering system detects a moisture level within the soil. The automatic moisture sensing and watering system may be implemented in combination with a conventional automatic watering system to accurately control a moisture content of a plot of soil. Since a plant draws water directly from the soil, the automatic moisture sensing and watering system is adapted for controlling the moisture content of the soil itself, by measuring the moisture content within the soil. The watering period of an automatic watering system may be changed, based upon a detected moisture content within a plot of soil. Alternatively, an amount of water to be applied at a next watering period may be changed, based upon a detected moisture content within the plot of soil.

Abstract: An improved air inlet cover and impeller for a convertible electric blower/vacuum. The blower/vac includes an electric motor which drives an impeller. A plurality of blades located on the impeller define a frusto-conical surface of revolution. The air inlet cover includes an integral, frusto-conical pressure ring which is located offset but generally congruent to the surface of revolution defined by the impeller blades. The cover additionally includes an air grate that allows the passage of air but prevents the passage of other objects. The grate also includes a choke member for adjusting the effective area of the air inlet into the blower/vac to control the exit air volume and velocity of the blower. The cover also includes a bell-mouthed opening integral with the choke member to increase the efficiency of the blower/vac when in the blower mode.

Abstract: Mower drive system interlocks and methods of interlocking mower drive systems with non-contact sensors are disclosed. The mowers may include two driven ground engaging means for supporting the mower above the ground; two drive systems for driving the driven ground engaging means, one of the drive systems driving each of the driven ground engaging means independently of the other drive system and its driven ground engaging means, wherein each of the drive systems has a neutral condition in which its driven ground engaging means is not being driven by the drive system; a drive system interlock operatively connected to an engine of the mower; and two non-contact sensors operatively connected to the drive system interlock, the sensors providing a signal to the drive system interlock when both of the drive systems are in the neutral condition.

Abstract: A grass trimmer with a trimmer shield that can be manually assembled to the housing without the use of tools is disclosed. The trimmer shield can also preferably be disassembled from the housing by a consumer to allow for replacement of the trimmer shield. One preferred trimmer shield includes at least one retaining member that prevents translational movement of the trimmer shield and at least one retaining member that prevents deflection of the trimmer shield in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A sprinkler having an output orifice through which water operatively flows, includes a flush cap adapted for movement relative to the output orifice from a free position wherein the cap is disengaged from the sprinkler, to a locked position wherein the cap is generally fixed to the sprinkler and substantially covers the output orifice. The flush cap in the free position is angularly displaced in a single plane from the flush cap in the locked position. A deflector, disposed at an obtuse angle to the axis of the cap, biases the cap to the locked position during a flushing operation. Pulling grip portions of a handle also biases the cap to the locked position. An associated method includes the step of tilting the flush cap in a single plane in order to engage the sprinkler in the lock position.

Abstract: An arc marking system is provided for a sprinkler that waters an arc, either a full circle arc or a part circle arc. The system includes a plurality of arc indicators provided on the top of the nozzle assembly. Each arc indicator is adjacent an arc indicia such that each arc indicator represents a different arc that this sprinkler is capable of watering. After ascertaining the arc that a particular sprinkler can water, the arc information can be marked on the nozzle assembly by cutting off the arc indicator that is adjacent the numeral that represents the number of degrees covered by the arc. Thus, the arc information is added to the top of the sprinkler where it can be easily seen.

Abstract: A turf injector includes a plurality of slitting knives followed by a plurality of nozzles for injecting chemicals into the ground. Each slitting knife is reversible to bring one of two longitudinally extending cutting edges into use, thereby extending the life of the knife. In addition, each slitting knife has dual sets of mounting holes received on a set of fixed mounting pins to further adjust the vertical position of each knife on the frame. This allows for wear of the cutting edge of the blade and further extends the life of the blade. The hole and pin mounting system desirably mounts each knife with its cutting edge held at a 15.degree. angle of inclination relative to the horizontal to minimize disruption of the turf and the length of the knife.

Abstract: A triplex trim mower (100) including a vehicle (102) having two front drive wheels (104) and one rear steerable wheel (106). Mounted generally forward of the front wheels (104) are two reel-type cutting units (108a) laterally offset about the longitudinal axis (110) of the vehicle (102). Mounted between the front and rear wheels and substantially centered between the forward cutting units (108a) is a rear reel-type cutting unit (108b). A lateral support frame (137) is incorporated into the main frame of traction vehicle (102). The cutting units (108) are supported by a lateral carrier frame (144) which is slidably engaged to lateral support frame (137) such that carrier frame (144) can move laterally relative to support frame (137). A hydraulic cylinder (158) permits carrier frame (144) to be laterally displaced under operator command. Second and third hydraulic cylinders (131) permit cutting units (108) to be moved between a transport position and an operating position.

Abstract: An improved sprinkler nozzle comprises a nozzle body having a nozzle received in a recessed seat provided in a peripheral wall of the nozzle body. The nozzle is formed with a plurality of nozzle ports formed by the radially outer ends of a plurality of vertically flexible nozzle tubes. The flow volume of the water stream being thrown by the sprinkler nozzle is adjusted by selectively operating a flow volume adjustment member carried on the nozzle body to selectively open or close various of the nozzle tubes in various possible combinations. The flow volume of the nozzle will comprise the combined or aggregate flow volumes of the water sub-streams being thrown by those nozzle tubes that are left open. The trajectory of the water stream being thrown by the sprinkler nozzle is adjusted by selectively operating a trajectory adjustment member carried on the nozzle body to bend the flexible nozzle tubes about their vertically fixed, radial inner ends to raise and lower the radial outer ends of the nozzle tubes.

Abstract: A fixed spray sprinkler nozzle has adjustable arc coverage. The nozzle has a nozzle body with sideward facing water discharge slots including a bottom slot and a top slot. Flow blocking skirts control the open length of each of the slots. The bottom slot is fixed on the nozzle body, but the top slot is rotatable on the nozzle body, in concert with the opening or unblocking of the bottom slot's length, from a position overlying the bottom slot to a position directed in an opposite direction from the bottom slot. When the bottom slot is fully open, the top slot may then be progressively opened over its entire length. Thus, the arc coverage can be infinitely adjusted over the combined circumferential length of both the bottom and top slots together. The slots have a grooved bottom wall to provide smooth water flow and good pattern definition at each side of the selected arc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved mechanism (100) for attaching a ground-engaging surface maintenance implement, preferably a front-mounted rotary sweeper (300), to a traction vehicle (200). The mechanism includes a four-bar linkage (102) to "yaw" the implement from an initial position, where the sweeper brush axis is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the traction vehicle (200), to a first or second position, characterized by the brush axis assuming an angled (i.e., non-perpendicular) orientation, the first and second positions being equal but opposite to one another. The mechanism further includes a central pivot (104) which permits the implement to "roll" or rotate preferably about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the brush axis such that the sweeper (300) can maintain ground contact across its lateral width when traversing laterally uneven terrain.

Abstract: An improved air concentrator nozzle for creating an increased air exit velocity from an extension tube of a portable blower or blower/vacuum. The extension tube tapers from a larger, upstream end to a smaller, downstream end. The nozzle is inserted into the upstream end of the extension tube and drops until it protrudes outwardly from the downstream end of the extension tube. An interference fit between an exterior surface of the nozzle and an interior surface of the downstream end of the extension tube restrains the nozzle relative to the tube.

Abstract: A light fixture includes a lamp contact supported by the fixture and a lamp electrically connected to the lamp contact. The light fixture also includes an electrical supply cable for delivering electrical power to the lamp contacts and lamp. The light fixture also includes a breakaway cable connector connected to the light fixture by a tab and a cable connector receiver formed in the fixture for receiving and mechanically restraining the cable connector. The lamp contacts are electrically connected to the cable when the cable is positioned on the light fixture and the cable connector is broken off of the light fixture and snapped into the cable connector receiver.

Abstract: An improved convertible electric blower/vac. The blower/vac includes an improved air inlet cover with an adjustable choke member. The air inlet cover also includes a pressure ring for increasing the efficiency of the blower/vac impeller when the unit is operated in the blower mode. The blower/vac also includes a blower tube and a vacuum bag collar, each with resilient tabs that engage receptacles on the blower/vac to retain the blower tube and vacuum bag collar on the unit. The housing outlet of the blower/vac includes guides that interact with longitudinal ribs on the blower tube and the vacuum bag collar to reduce unwanted rotational deflection of the blower tube and vacuum bag collar when either is engaged on the housing outlet. The blower/vac includes an improved vacuum tube for use of the blower/vac in the vacuum mode.