Abstract: An operator presence control assembly for a walk-behind greens mower includes a handle supported on a frame of the walk-behind greens mower, a ribbon switch on the outer perimeter of the handle, and a circuit including the ribbon switch. The circuit is completed by applying a threshold pressure to the ribbon switch, and a device selectively energizeable via the circuit in accordance with the threshold pressure applied to the ribbon switch. As the user of the greens mower grips the handle, the ribbon switch completes a circuit to energize a switch to engage an electromagnetic clutch.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting a reel-to-bedknife clearance of a lawn mower is provided. In one preferred form, a sound sensor assembly detects sound as an operator adjusts the reel-to-bedknife clearance of the mower and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to a detected sound. The detected sound is received by an evaluation module in communication with the sound sensor assembly. The evaluation module receives the electrical signal and determines whether the electrical signal indicates that a bedknife is in contact with a rotating cutting reel. Further, the evaluation module notifies an operator in response thereof.

Abstract: An operator presence control assembly for a walk-behind greens mower includes a handle supported on a frame of the walk-behind greens mower, a ribbon switch on the outer perimeter of the handle, and a circuit including the ribbon switch. The circuit is completed by applying a threshold pressure to the ribbon switch, and a device selectively energizeable via the circuit in accordance with the threshold pressure applied to the ribbon switch. As the user of the greens mower grips the handle, the ribbon switch completes a circuit to energize a switch to engage an electromagnetic clutch.

Abstract: A reel type mower having a mobile structure and a ground engaging traction member rotatably coupled to the mobile structure. The ground engaging traction member imparts traction movement to the mobile structure for movement on the ground at a ground speed. A power device is supported on the mobile structure and outputs a driving force to the ground engaging traction member. A bed knife is supported by the mobile structure having a cutting edge that cooperates with a grass cutting reel rotatably supported on the mobile structure. A collection apparatus is engagable with the mobile structure or removable from the mobile structure for collecting the grass clippings. A guard device is pivotally coupled to the mobile structure and is positionable in a closed position concealing the grass cutting reel and an opened position revealing the grass cutting reel.

Abstract: A phosphorescent assembly for humidifiers and vaporizers that enables the vaporizers and humidifiers to be easily seen in dark or dimly lit areas. The presently preferred embodiment of the invention provides for the water reservoir in both the humidifiers and the vaporizers to be blow-molded from a phosphorescent, plastic material that will be luminescent for several hours after being exposed to radiation within the light frequency spectrum.

Abstract: A phosphorescent assembly for humidifiers and vaporizers that enables the vaporizers and humidifiers to be easily seen in dark or dimly lit areas. The presently preferred embodiment of the invention provides for the water reservoir in both the humidifiers and the vaporizers to be blow-molded from a phosphorescent, plastic material that will be luminescent for several hours after being exposed to radiation within the light frequency spectrum.

Abstract: A humidifier comprising a bucket housing, a fan for producing a flow of air between an inlet port and an outlet port defined by the humidifier, a motor having a shaft disposed within the humidifier, and an impeller assembly coupled to the shaft of the motor, the impeller assembly comprising a hollow stem extending into the bucket housing and having longitudinal ribs disposed within the stem, and a disk disposed on an upper end of the stem, the disk defining an inner annular shoulder, an outer annular shoulder, a circumferential edge and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures disposed between the inner and outer annular shoulders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compact speed increasing device which may be mounted upon the way tubes of a powered multi-purpose woodworking tool. The speed increasing device includes a horizontal input shaft for connection to the output spindle of the woodworking tool and a vertically oriented output shaft which includes a spindle for mounting a rotating shaper tool bit. The input shaft carries a rotating face plate having an elastomeric sheet attached to one side thereof which is provided for engagement with a drive ring mounted for rotation with the output shaft. The elastomeric sheet on the face plate is positioned in contact with the outer periphery of the drive ring such that rotation of the input shaft results in rotation of the output shaft and the shaper tool bit attached thereto.

Abstract: A speed reducing device is provided for use with a multi-purpose woodworking tool such that faceplate turning operations may be performed on large diameter workpieces. The device includes a housing which partially supports input and output shafts passing through opposite sides of the housing. An end of the input shaft located within the housing is formed with a hole for receiving an end of the output shaft within the housing such that the input and output shafts coact with one another to support each other and prevent one another from pivoting about the points at which they are supported by the housing. The input and output shafts rotate relative to one another and are both connected to a sheave by a pair of belts such that the input shaft may be driven by the output spindle of a woodworking tool at a first speed and the output shaft will be driven by the belts and sheave at a slower speed which is acceptable for turning large diameter workpieces.

Abstract: A guard as disclosed for use with a woodworking tool such as a jointer having a worktable, a cutter head and a guide fence for guiding a workpiece through the jointer. The guard is pivotally mounted to the table and is biased toward the guide fence such that it covers the cutter head when a workpiece is not present. The guard includes a body portion and flexible fingers formed integrally with and extending from the body portion toward the guide fence. The flexible fingers act as a featherboard during a jointing operation and the pivotal movement of the guard may be limited such that the fingers engage a workpiece as it is fed through the jointer to thereby apply a biasing force against the workpiece toward the guide fence. The fingers further act to resist movement of the workpiece in a direction opposite to the feed direction during a kickback situation and thereby provide greater control over the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention provides a woodworking worktable assembly which may be used in combination with a multi-purpose woodworking tool. The worktable assembly includes a worktable having a work supporting surface and an elongated slot formed therein. A guide insert is positioned within the slot and includes a horizontal base portion and opposing side arms for guiding a guide bar portion of a miter guide. Lip portions extend inwardly toward the center of the insert from the upper ends of the arm portions and serve to prevent the miter guide from being lifted vertically away from the slot. In addition, the base of the insert is spaced from the lower portion of the slot by foot portions extending along the length of either side of the base amd fasteners are provided at the center of the insert for drawing the base toward the lower slot surface.

Abstract: A control circuit for a honing machine such that the honing head can be driven and the machine manually operated by an operator or, alternatively, the unit can be placed in the auto stroke mode such that a pair of limit switches control the up and down honing operation of the system. The limit switches actuate a number of solenoid valves which cause the honing head to be moved up and down in a cylinder automatically. By setting the position of a pair of trip discs, the travel limits can be set for the system.

Abstract: A boring stand for supporting engine blocks or cylinders which are to be bored that has a moveable platform which is slidably mounted on a vertical upright of a stand and has polyethylene wear plates engageable with a vertical upright. The moveable platform has a cable with one end which connects to an upper portion of the stand and a lower portion which passes around a reel within the platform structure which can be driven by a worm wheel and worm and which has a crank handle attached to the worm. The worm and worm wheel assures that the platform will stay in a preset position after adjustment and allows the platform to be positioned to any desired height.

Abstract: An anti-kickback system for use with a table saw or the like consists of a splitter adapted to be mounted on the table saw and including an elongated slot therethrough inclined relative to the table top, a pair of cams, each having peripheral, work-engaging surface including a spiral segment, and a pin attached to the cams and extending through the slot to form a pivot axis for the cams at approximately the centers of the spiral segments. The slot is sized to slidably receive the pin and includes an upper, elongated edge having a plurality of arcuate shaped detents sized to receive the pin. Movement of a workpiece in a kickback condition beneath the cams causes the cams to be pivoted and displaced upwardly to lock the pin against one of the detents so that the workpiece is clamped between the table top and a portion of the spiral segment of the cams.

Abstract: A cutter head system for a woodworking tool in which one or a plurality of discrete cutter segments may be mounted on a shaft of a selected length to form a cutter head for either a jointer, a planer or a molding cutter. Each segment has a plurality of slot portions spaced about its outer periphery and is adapted to be mounted on a shaft so that the slot portions of ganged segments form continuous slots which are substantially coextensive with the segments. A plurality of blade members are positioned within and are coextensive with the slots, wedge plates are positioned within the slots for releasably securing the blade members against the cutter segments, and mounting screws urge the wedge plates against the blade members. Sets of blade members and wedge plates of varying length are used which correspond in length to the length of the slots formed by the segments.