Patents by Inventor Glenn L. Larsen

Glenn L. Larsen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6092617
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Donald M. White, III, Glenn L. Larsen, David A. Murray, Gerald J. Zien
  • Patent number: 5934400
    Abstract: A cruise control system for a vehicle comprises an accelerator linkage that is linked to the input lever of a variable speed transmission. The accelerator linkage is biased to neutral, but can be moved against the bias by an operator who pushes down on an accelerator. A cruise control link which is separate from the accelerator linkage has one end coupled to the accelerator linkage by a pin and slot connection. The cruise control link can be locked in a fixed position by an electromagnet that can be selectively energized by the operator. A spring normally keeps the pin on the cruise control link in engagement with a forward end of the slot carried on the accelerator linkage to prevent the accelerator linkage from returning to neutral when the cruise control link is locked in place by the electromagnet. However, the operator can temporarily increase the vehicle speed since additional forward movement of the accelerator linkage is permitted by the length of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Glenn L. Larsen, David A. Murray, Donald M. White, III
  • Patent number: 4452185
    Abstract: An engine housing assembly (1) has a cover (2) and a body (4). Longitudinal baffles (10, 12 and 17) on cover (2) cooperate with baffles (13, 14, 60 and 61) on body (4) to seal against engine (8), to provide a first chamber (16) adjacent the intake side of the engine, and a second chamber (50) adjacent the exhaust side of the engine. An inlet opening (22) and exhaust opening (24) in body (4) facilitate movement of the air through the housing by fan (45) to restrict recirculation of engine heat in the housing, thus minimizing vapor lock. An opening (33) between baffles (17 and 16) allows a flow of heated air from the exhaust side of the engine over carburetor (44) to minimize carburetor icing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Glenn L. Larsen, Jerold F. Patrin
  • Patent number: 4135724
    Abstract: A bracket for centrally and accessibly mounting various engine controls constituting components of a snowblower, power lawn mower, or similar vehicle, and for diverting any gasoline spilled during the filling of the gasoline tank of the vehicle from electrical connections of those controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1979
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventor: Glenn L. Larsen