Abstract: A shutter assembly for a lawnmower includes a steel cutter housing, a shutter, and a lever. The cutter housing can include a cutter housing slot passing through the cutter housing. The shutter can be rotatably attached to the cutter housing so as to be movable between: a first shutter position in which a blocking panel of the shutter is positioned such that the blocking panel opens the discharge opening; and a second shutter position in which the blocking panel is positioned such that the blocking panel closes the discharge opening, and the second shutter position corresponds to a mulching position. The lever can be attached to the shutter and can extend through the cutter housing slot. The cutter housing slot can be configured to limit movement of the lever such that a range of motion of the blocking panel extends from the first shutter position to the second shutter position.

Abstract: A convertible lawnmower with a mulching mode and a discharge mode includes a housing and a mulching system. The housing includes a discharge opening. The mulching system includes a mounting ring and a shutter ring. The mounting ring is coupled substantially concentrically to the housing and includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and a sidewall that extends substantially axially therebetween. The sidewall is formed with a retaining groove and at least one installation groove. The retaining groove extends at least partially circumferentially within an inner surface of the sidewall and each installation groove extends axially from the lower surface to the retaining groove. The shutter ring is only coupled to mounting ring via the retaining groove such that the shutter ring is selectively shiftable between a mulching mode and a discharge mode.

Abstract: A shutter assembly for a lawnmower includes a steel cutter housing, a shutter, and a lever. The cutter housing can include a cutter housing slot passing through the cutter housing. The shutter can be rotatably attached to the cutter housing so as to be movable between: a first shutter position in which a blocking panel of the shutter is positioned such that the blocking panel opens the discharge opening; and a second shutter position in which the blocking panel is positioned such that the blocking panel closes the discharge opening, and the second shutter position corresponds to a mulching position. The lever can be attached to the shutter and can extend through the cutter housing slot. The cutter housing slot can be configured to limit movement of the lever such that a range of motion of the blocking panel extends from the first shutter position to the second shutter position.

Abstract: A convertible lawnmower is provided. The lawnmower includes a housing and a mulching system. The housing includes a discharge opening. The mulching system includes a mounting ring and a shutter ring. The mounting ring is coupled substantially concentrically to the housing and includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and a sidewall that extends substantially axially therebetween. The sidewall is formed with a platform track and at least one installation tab. The platform track extends at least partially circumferentially along an inner surface of the sidewall and each installation tab extends axially from the lower surface. The shutter ring is coupled to the mounting ring via the platform track such that the shutter ring is selectively shiftable between a mulching mode and a discharge mode.

Abstract: Drive shaft bearing structure assemblies and methods for a snowblower can include a transmission and at least one drive shaft coupled to the transmission. The assembly can further include a transmission casing containing the transmission. The transmission casing can include at least one bearing structure. The bearing structure can be configured to receive a portion of the drive shaft during axial rotation of the shaft. In some aspects, there can be two drive shafts. In this aspect, the bearing structure can be configured to receive a first portion of each of the two drive shafts during axial rotation of the drive shafts. In another aspect, the bearing structure is bolted onto the transmission casing as a journal bearing.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a transmission that includes an input shaft connected to a crankshaft, an output shaft contained within a transmission housing, an input gear contained within the transmission housing and connected to the input shaft, and an output gear contained within the transmission housing and connected to the output shaft and engaging the input gear. A directional gear assembly is contained within the transmission housing at a location between the output shaft and the drive shaft. The directional gear assembly includes a first configuration in which the output shaft drives the drive shaft in a first rotational direction, a second configuration in which the output shaft drives the drive shaft in a second rotational direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction, and a third configuration in which the drive shaft is disconnected from the output shaft.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a transmission that includes an input shaft connected to a crankshaft, an output shaft contained within a transmission housing, an input gear contained within the transmission housing and connected to the input shaft, and an output gear contained within the transmission housing and connected to the output shaft and engaging the input gear. A directional gear assembly is contained within the transmission housing at a location between the output shaft and the drive shaft. The directional gear assembly includes a first configuration in which the output shaft drives the drive shaft in a first rotational direction, a second configuration in which the output shaft drives the drive shaft in a second rotational direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction, and a third configuration in which the drive shaft is disconnected from the output shaft.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to clutch arm and release devices and methods such as for a variable speed transmission. A clutch linkage can include a control shaft pivotable about an axis, a substantially U-shaped arm connected at two points to the shaft, and a plurality of projections positioned on the arm. The arm can be moved between positions in response to rotational movement of the control shaft, and the projections can thereby engage and exert a force on a movable sleeve to move the sleeve, such as for causing a clutch bearing to move between an engaged and a disengaged position.

Abstract: Drive shaft bearing structure assemblies and methods for a snowblower can include a transmission and at least one drive shaft coupled to the transmission. The assembly can further include a transmission casing containing the transmission. The transmission casing can include at least one bearing structure. The bearing structure can be configured to receive a portion of the drive shaft during axial rotation of the shaft. In some aspects, there can be two drive shafts. In this aspect, the bearing structure can be configured to receive a first portion of each of the two drive shafts during axial rotation of the drive shafts. In another aspect, the bearing structure is bolted onto the transmission casing as a journal bearing.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to clutch arm and release devices and methods such as for a variable speed transmission. A clutch linkage can include a control shaft pivotable about an axis, a substantially U-shaped arm connected at two points to the shaft, and a plurality of projections positioned on the arm. The arm can be moved between positions in response to rotational movement of the control shaft, and the projections can thereby engage and exert a force on a movable sleeve to move the sleeve, such as for causing a clutch bearing to move between an engaged and a disengaged position.

Abstract: Flywheel starter pulley attachment apparatuses and methods are disclosed for a flywheel rotatable about an axis and a starter pulley rotatable about the same axis as the flywheel. One or more retainers can be provided to couple rotation of the starter pulley to the flywheel and/or a cooling fan element attached thereto. Each of the retainers can be configured for at least a portion of the retainer to pass through an opening in the starter pulley. Each retainer can include a body portion and a fin portion, the fin portion extending outwardly from the body portion. The fin portion can further include a protruding lip disposed between first and second edges of the fin portion, for example, forming an angle of from about 100° to about 180°. The protruding lip can be configured to engage the starter pulley when the retainer is positioned through the opening of the starter pulley to secure the starter pulley in place where rotational movement of the flywheel assembly can occur in either direction.

Abstract: Flywheel starter pulley attachment apparatuses and methods are disclosed for a flywheel rotatable about an axis and a starter pulley rotatable about the same axis as the flywheel. One or more retainers can be provided to couple rotation of the starter pulley to the flywheel and/or a cooling fan element attached thereto. Each of the retainers can be configured for at least a portion of the retainer to pass through an opening in the starter pulley. Each retainer can include a body portion and a fin portion, the fin portion extending outwardly from the body portion. The fin portion can further include a protruding lip disposed between first and second edges of the fin portion, for example, forming an angle of from about 100° to about 180°. The protruding lip can be configured to engage the starter pulley when the retainer is positioned through the opening of the starter pulley to secure the starter pulley in place where rotational movement of the flywheel assembly can occur in either direction.

Abstract: A sill knob and cable assembly, for interconnecting a lock button and a vehicle latch, includes a tubular sheath and a cable slidably disposed in the sheath. The cable has a sill knob attached to an upper end thereof. The sheath has a hollow housing attached to an upper end thereof for slidably receiving the sill knob. The housing includes a guide sleeve and a shield, integrally attached to the top of the guide sleeve, for limiting unauthorized access to the sill knob and the base of the lock button, when the vehicle is locked. The housing may also include a ledge extending between the shield and the top of the guide sleeve. The shield may be a cylindrical collar for protectively surrounding the sill knob when said sill knob is in a lowered position. A sleeved housing for use with a sill knob and cable assembly is also described.

Abstract: A sill knob and cable assembly, for interconnecting a lock button and a vehicle latch, includes a tubular sheath and a cable slidably disposed in the sheath. The cable has a sill knob attached to an upper end thereof. The sheath has a hollow housing attached to an upper end thereof for slidably receiving the sill knob. The housing includes a guide sleeve and a shield, integrally attached to the top of the guide sleeve, for limiting unauthorized access to the sill knob and the base of the lock button, when the vehicle is locked. The housing may also include a ledge extending between the shield and the top of the guide sleeve. The shield may be a cylindrical collar for protectively surrounding the sill knob when said sill knob is in a lowered position. A sleeved housing for use with a sill knob and cable assembly is also described.