Abstract: A wire feeder has a motor, mounting plate, intermediate mounting plate, and base assembly. The mounting plate has a plurality of mounting hole patterns and a shaft hole. The motor a mounting hole pattern that aligns with at least one of the plurality. One of a plurality of motor types can be mounted to the mounting plate. The mounting plate is mounted to the intermediate mounting plate, which is mounted to the base assembly. The base assembly includes a drive gear, which is connected to rotate with an insulating cap that receives a gear hub. The gear hub is connected to rotate with the motor shaft via matching keys. The insulating hub, intermediate mounting plate and mounting plate are electrically insulating, so that the base assembly is electrically isolated from the motor.

Abstract: A wire feeder has a motor, mounting plate, intermediate mounting plate, and base assembly. The mounting plate has a plurality of mounting hole patterns and a shaft hole. The motor a mounting hole pattern that aligns with at least one of the plurality. One of a plurality of motor types can be mounted to the mounting plate. The mounting plate is mounted to the intermediate mounting plate, which is mounted to the base assembly. The base assembly includes a drive gear, which is connected to rotate with an insulating cap that receives a gear hub. The gear hub is connected to rotate with the motor shaft via matching keys. The insulating hub, intermediate mounting plate and mounting plate are electrically insulating, so that the base assembly is electrically isolated from the motor.

Abstract: A user interface for welding equipment is disclosed. The user interface comprises an architecture which organizes different types of welding controls into pre-defined categories or zones. The zones are arranged in a layout on the interface to provide access to easily see and adjust important weld parameters, particularly weld heat. Main displays and basic heat controls are provided in an upper portion of the display, while less frequently used controls are provided lower in the display, and to the side of the display. Electronic and graphic displays are arranged in levels, providing a limited number of layers, and can be associated with multi-dimensional navigational devices and home buttons to allow for easy navigation through the display.

Abstract: An injection molded work surface for use in conjunction with a portable clothes washer includes a decorative laminate top surface and an underlying injection molded substrate. The substrate is provided with a connecting structure facilitating convenient attachment to the upper surface of the clothes washer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insert injection molded work surface for use in conjunction with a portable clothes washer. The work surface includes a decorative laminate top surface and an underlying injection molded substrate. The substrate is provided with a connecting structure facilitating convenient attachment to the upper surface of the clothes washer.

Abstract: A molded electrical interconnect having an electrical conductor embedded therein, a conductive terminal disposed in the cavity, a first end portion of the terminal disposed toward an open end of the cavity and a second end portion thereof coupled to a portion of the electrical conductor protruding into the cavity, the terminal is pivotally supported by a fulcrum near the second end portion thereof so that the first end portion of the terminal is movable in the cavity for alignment with a mating terminal.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for indicating a degree of manufacture of an insert molded component useable in an end use assembly by forming a removable appendage protruding from the insert molded component, or article, manufactured to an intermediate degree, the insert molded component having a lead frame at least partially embedded in a molded housing member, and the removable appendage coupled to at least one or both of the lead frame and the molded housing member, the lead frame having at least two electrical conductors coupled separably by a tie member, the removable appendage removable upon or after electrical isolation of the electrical conductors in a subsequent processing step, whereby the presence of the removable appendage is indicative that the electrical conductors are not electrically isolated, or that the insert molded component has not been tested or inspected subsequent to electrical isolation of the electrical conductors, and whereby the removable appendage is configured to prevent use of the

Abstract: A plastic composite drive wheel is provided for use with larger vehicles such as lawn and garden tractors and rear engine riders. The plastic wheel includes spoke segments formed in the inner and outer faces of the wheel, the segments radially alternating between the inner and outer faces. Molded into the plastic wheel is a powdered metal insert, the insert including spokes or fingers which extend into each plastic wheel spoke segment. The insert is adapted to be fixably received with the drive axle of a transmission for transmitting the torque to the plastic wheel.

Abstract: A plastic monocoque body useful with small vehicles, such as lawn and garden tractors. A lower fiberglass reinforced plastic frame member is bonded to two upper body members to form a monocoque body. The assembly incorporates attaching, pivot and support structures for the engine, transaxle and drive wheels, steerable front wheels, steering mechanism, clutch and brake pedals and control linkages, shift and throttle controls and linkages, adjustable mower deck, adjustable seat and battery. Through utilizing the net shape manufacturing process, no metal skeleton is required, thereby reducing the expense and complexity of manufacture, assembly and paint operations.

Abstract: A mechanism usable with a vehicle having a compartment for carrying a battery. The mechanism includes a cover shiftable in a first direction for generally enclosing the compartment. The cover includes latching member for securing the cover in a compartment enclosing position, and also includes an abutment structure for abutting the battery as the cover shifts in the first direction to enclose the compartment. The cover can be deflected further in the first direction to become latched in the compartment enclosing position with the battery in abutment with the abutment member. The latched and deflected cover acts to resiliently bias and press the battery into secure fixed position within the compartment.

Abstract: A horizontally extending plate-like member having a power source, transaxle and belt arrangement coupled thereto. The member mounts the power source, transaxle, and belt arrangement to a vehicle frame, and establishes a lever arm between first and second coupling means for transferring relatively small concentrated loads to the vehicle frame. The power source, transaxle, belt arrangement and member can be removed from the vehicle frame for service as a single unit or module.

Abstract: A mechanism for coupling a vehicle control such as a foot pedal to a vehicle component such as a brake. The mechanism includes a rod member coupled to shift the component between operating modes, and having a rounded end portion. The control includes a recessed portion in abutment with the rounded end portion of the rod. A spring biases the rod into and against the recessed portion such that the rod is supported or carried by the recessed portion. Guides are formed in the vehicle frame for aligning the rod with the recessed portion during the process of manufacture.

Abstract: A pivotal throttle control lever having a plurality of primary flaps with teeth formed therein in an arc about the pivot axis of the lever. A plurality of ribs, each corresponding to a respective primary flap are provided for engaging the teeth as the lever is pivoted by the operator. The ribs deflect the primary flaps only as the teeth engage the ribs during pivotal shifting of the lever. The ribs are offset within respective spaces between the teeth such that the primary flaps alternate deflecting as the ribs encounter the teeth. A choke flap is formed integrally with the lever and deflects as a choke tooth abuts a first portion of the control quadrant. The choke tooth is positionable within an opening for securing the lever in the choke mode. The resistance to shifting created by the choke tooth in abutment with the first portion is great than the resistance created by the teeth encountering the ribs, such that the operator senses the position of the lever during shifting.

Abstract: A mechanism for selectively adjusting the cutting height of a mower deck carried by a vehicle having a frame. A laterally extending lift handle formed of a plastic material is engagable by the hand of the operator, and is pivotally coupled with the vehicle for pivoting motion about a generally horizontal axis as the operator lifts the first end portion. A pair of laterally spaced and generally spherical sockets are formed integral with the lift handle between the lift handle's first and second end portions. Each socket pivotally supports a ball member. Link members are provided having first portions coupled with respective ball members, and second portions pivotally coupled with the mower deck for vertically shifting the deck relative to the vehicle as the lift handle pivots. A four bar linkage is coupled between the vehicle and the deck for maintaining the deck in a generally level position throughout the deck's vertical range of motion.