Abstract: A drive shaft rotated by a drive gear is coupled to an epicyclic gear arrangement which is rotatable as a unit about the drive shaft's longitudinal axis, as well as about its own axis. A driven gear is rotatably mounted on the on the drive shaft between the drive gear and the gear arrangement. Facing surfaces of the drive and driven gears are provided with annular concavities. A pivotally adjustable friction disk extends between, and in contact with, the concave surfaces. The opposite side of the driven gear is operatively connected to the gear arrangement. When the drive shaft is rotated, the gear arrangement is rotated about its own axis in response to drive shaft rotation and is rotated about the drive shaft's axis in accordance with the position of the friction disk. The speed and direction of the wheel-driving output are thus controlled.

Abstract: A rotary mower blade is formed with a notch at each end of the blade. Upwardly inclined vanes are provided on trailing edges of end portions of the blade adjacent the respective notches. Intermediate a central portion of the blade and the end portions, surfaces are formed extending downwardly from the leading to the trailing edges of the blade.

Abstract: A drive shaft rotated by a drive gear is coupled to an epicyclic gear arrangement which is rotatable as a unit about the drive shaft's longitudinal axis, as well as about its own axis. A driven gear is rotatably mounted drive shaft between the drive gear and the gear arrangement. Facing surfaces of the drive and driven gears are provided with annular concavities. A pivotally adjustable friction disk extends between, and in contact with, the concave surfaces. The opposite side of the driven gear is operatively connected to the gear arrangement. When the drive shaft is rotated, the gear arrangement is rotated about its own axis in response to drive shaft rotation and is rotated about the drive shaft's axis in accordance with the position of the friction disk. The speed and direction of the wheel-driving output are thus controlled.

Abstract: A choke and throttle control arrangement for a small engine includes a base plate to which a pair of levers are pivotally joined. One includes a governor spring arm connected to the engine's speed governor, and the other is provided with an arm which serves as a choke actuator. A spring interconnects the two levers to permit them to rotate in unison at low engine speed in response to operator actuation of a throttle control handle. An adjustable stop member is positioned to interrupt the rotation of the governor spring arm when a selected less-than-maximum engine speed is reached. Further throttle control handle advancement permits the choke actuating arm to move to the closed choke position. As the throttle control handle is moved towards a low speed setting, the lever containing the choke actuating arm returns to the position at which the selected less-than-maximum speed was reached.

Abstract: A drive shaft rotated by a drive gear is coupled to an epicyclic gear arrangement which is rotatable as a unit about the drive shaft's longitudinal axis, as well as about its own axis. A driven gear is rotatably mounted on the on the drive shaft between the drive gear and the gear arrangement. Facing surfaces of the drive and driven gears are provided with annular concavities. A pivotally adjustable friction disk extends between, and in contact with, the concave surfaces. The opposite side of the driven gear is operatively connected to the gear arrangement. When the drive shaft is rotated, the gear arrangement is rotated about its own axis in response to drive shaft rotation and is rotated about the drive shaft's axis in accordance with the position of the friction disk. The speed and direction of the wheel-driving output are thus controlled.

Abstract: A rotary mower blade is formed with a notch at each end of the blade. Upwardly inclined vanes are provided on trailing edges of end portions of the blade adjacent the respective notches. Intermediate a central portion of the blade and the end portions, surfaces are formed extending downwardly from the leading to the trailing edges of the blade.

Abstract: A choke and throttle control arrangement for a small engine includes a base plate to which a pair of levers are pivotally joined. One includes a governor spring arm connected to the engine's speed governor, and the other is provided with an arm which serves as a choke actuator. A spring interconnects the two levers to permit them to rotate in unison at low engine speed in response to operator actuation of a throttle control handle. An adjustable stop member is positioned to interrupt the rotation of the governor spring arm when a selected less-than-maximum engine speed is reached. Further throttle control handle advancement permits the choke actuating arm to move to the closed choke position. As the throttle control handle is moved towards a low speed setting, the lever containing the choke actuating arm returns to the position at which the selected less-than-maximum speed was reached.

Abstract: A mechanism for controlling the direction and speed of an off-road vehicle having a frame, an operator seat, a steering wheel, an engine and a variable speed transmission coupled for driving at least one of a plurality of ground wheels. The mechanism comprises a floor plate carried by the vehicle for receiving the heel portion of an operator's foot, a pedal operatively connected to the variable speed transmission and pivotally mounted above the floor plate for movement between a forward zone for controlling the forward speed of the vehicle, a neutral zone wherein the vehicle is in neutral, and a reverse zone for controlling the reverse speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A dual wheel mount assembly is disclosed which is particularly suited for heavy implements such as agricultural combines or earth moving equipment. Inner and outer wheels of the assembly are interchangeable and formed with circumferentially spaced mounting holes which are alternately of a smaller diameter and a larger diameter. Retaining nuts are threaded only on the mounting bolts in the smaller diameter holes in the inner wheel to operationally secure the same. The outer wheel is mounted so that the larger diameter holes therein fit over the retaining nuts for the inner wheel. Outer retaining nuts are operationally threaded on all of the bolts, including those securing the inner wheel. Removal of the outer wheel thus may be accomplished without affecting the securement of the inner wheel.

Abstract: A right side discharge mower mounted on a tractor having a rear, clockwise-turning power take off shaft is provided with a belt drive including a drive pulley on the power take off shaft, a pair of upper idlers above the drive pulley, a pair of lower idlers below the drive pulley and an endless belt entrained about the lower side of the drive pulley and having its advance and return runs extending upwardly around the upper idlers, downwardly rearward of the drive pulley to the lower idlers, and forwardly to loop around the clockwise-turning mower input pulley.

Abstract: A safety start system for lawn and garden equipment in which a single safety switch completes the starting circuit of the power source by responding to the disengaged condition of both the main clutch and the implement clutch of the machine. The starting circuit is completed in direct response to the operator's moving the implement clutch handle to its disengaged position thereby permitting a resilient actuating member to close a safety switch and complete the circuit. The circuit is interrupted upon his engagement of the main clutch through a release of the clutch pedal which changes the deflection point of the resilient actuating member from the safety switch to linkage which is connected to the clutch pedal mechanism.