Abstract: A compact, versatile lawnmower control is provided which is especially useful for holding and releasing ground drive and blade clutch cables and which allow connection and removal of the cable end without dismantling the control, allows the optional inclusion of a releasable handle lock, and allow the use of a deadman handle to release two cables at differing release distances. The preferred control includes an operating handle having a tubular body rotatably mounted within a housing; a coupling element rotatably mounted coaxially with the handle body for coupling with a deadman handle; and a holding and releasing means intercoupling the element and the body for holding the handle in a second position when the element is in the operating position and for releasing the handle for shifting to a first position when the element shifts to a relaxed position.

Abstract: A plurality of inwardly facing ratchet teeth is integral with the walls of a cylindrical retainer cavity within the hollow cylindrical retainer. A washer is mounted around the generally conduit head and is sandwiched between an external head flange and an internal retainer flange. A snap ring is positioned in the head recess in order to provide friction for the washer in conjunction with maintaining the retainer around the open end. The ratcheting tool driver includes a generally solid cylindrical switch rod has a first rod end and a second rod end with a rod recess surrounded by a hollow neck. A pawl is provided with a pawl recess.

Abstract: A compact, versatile lawnmower control is provided which is especially useful for holding and releasing ground drive and blade clutch cables and which allow connection and removal of the cable end without dismantling the control, allows the optional inclusion of a releasable handle lock, and allow the use of a deadman handle to release two cables at differing release distances. The preferred control includes an operating handle having a tubular body rotatably mounted within a housing; a coupling element rotatably mounted coaxially with the handle body for coupling with a deadman handle; and a holding and releasing means intercoupling the element and the body for holding the handle in a second position when the element is in the operating position and for releasing the handle for shifting to a first position when the element shifts to a relaxed position.

Abstract: A cable control device for use in connection with a lawnmower throttle control cable or the like is provided which is selectively alterable for positive or negative control action, which maintains the cable in a selected position, and which is adapted for coupling a clutch control bail thereto. The device preferably includes a housing adapted for mounting to a lawnmower handlebar; a body including an operating lever; means rotatably coupling the body with the housing in alternate configurations; and first and second means for pivotally coupling an end of the control cable at respective first and second locations on the body. The device can be used alternatively in a positive action mode whereby forward movement of the operating lever moves the cable forward and in a negative action mode whereby forward movement of the operating lever moves the cable rearward. Additionally, a biased pawl coupled with the housing engages detents formed in the body to hold the cable in a selected position.

Abstract: A method of assembling a ratcheting tool driver is disclosed. The tool driver has a plurality of inwardly facing ratchet teeth integral with the inner walls of a hollow cylindrical retainer. A switch rod carries a spring-biased pawl in engagement with the ratchet teeth.

Abstract: A plurality of inwardly facing ratchet teeth is integral with the walls of a cylindrical retainer cavity within the hollow cylindrical retainer. A washer is mounted around the generally conduit head and is sandwiched between an external head flange and an internal retainer flange. A snap ring is positioned in the head recess in order to provide friction for the washer in conjunction with maintaining the retainer around the open end. The ratcheting tool driver includes a generally solid cylindrical switch rod has a first rod end and a second rod with a rod recess and a pawl with a pawl recess. A pawl spring bias is seated in the pawl recess and in the rod recess such that when a switch button rotates the switch rod in a predetermined direction the pawl spring bias forces the pawl to shift within the head slot and engage one of the plurality of inwardly facing the ratchet teeth of the first cylindrical retainer cavity.

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, 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 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 twistable type throttle-grip assembly especially adapted for use with motorcycle-like vehicles manipulates a single control cable and is normally operational in a first rotational range for controlling the supply of fuel to the vehicle's internal combustion engine thereby controlling the vehicle's speed and is provided with an integral latch mechanism which may be operated by the thumb of the operator while holding the hand grip to release the hand grip for rotation into a second rotational range associated with the operation of a cable controlled, combustion cylinder compression release device on the engine to turn off the latter and permit manual pedaling of the vehicle.