Abstract: A lift mechanism for adjusting the height of a mower deck includes a pivotable lift handle, a toothed member carried by the vehicle, and a rod-like member pivotally carried by the lift handle. A first portion of the rod engages the toothed member for maintaining the lift handle and mower deck at selected positions. A second portion of the rod radially offset from the first portion defines the axis about which the rod pivots during operation. First and second arcuate slots receive the first and second portions of the rod. The arc of the first slot has its center at a first position within the second slot, and the arc of the second slot has its center at a first position within the first slot. A blocking member carried by the lift handle is abuttable with the rod for preventing the first portion from pivoting to the first position whereat the second portion can pivot out of the second slot.

Abstract: Structure is provided for joining and bonding together two halves of a plastic upper body member which in turn are joined and bonded to a fiber reinforced lower member to comprise a monocoque vehicle assembly. The joint designs facilitate side-to-side and fore-and-aft alignment for quick and easy assembly of the upper body member to the lower member. Spacer surfaces are provided for controlling adhesive reservoirs between adjoining surfaces to facilitate positive bonding.

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 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.

Abstract: A mechanism for coupling vehicle components to a vehicle frame made of a plastic material. A bolt is received by generally aligned openings defined by the frame and the component, and a first nut threaded onto the bolt securely presses the frame and component together. A spacer or second nut carried by the bolt between the first nut and the component is positioned within the opening in the frame. The spacer is slightly smaller in depth than the frame member, and allows the frame to become slightly compress. The spacer limits the travel of the nut on the threads, thereby preventing the frame from being compressed beyond the elastic range of deflection. A module plate having the vehicle engine thereattached is carried between the second nut and the vehicle component. The second nut keeps the module plate and the component securely coupled together when the first nut is removed from the bolt, such that the module plate, the engine and the vehicle component can be removed from the frame as a single unit.

Abstract: A seat mechanism including a deflectable latch flap mechanism formed integrally with a first seat pan member. The latch flap engages an indexing means for selectively securing the seat in a desired longitudinal position. A guide mechanism is provided for longitudinally guiding foot portions coupled with the seat mechanism during seat position adjustment. Mating portions are provided that generally prevent the guide mechanism from shifting laterally with respect to the seat mechanism under the weight of the operator.

Abstract: A seat mechanism including a switch flap mechanism formed integrally with a first seat pan member made of a plastic material. When an operator sits on the first seat pan member, the switch flap deflects downwardly under the weight of the operator. The switch flap deflects downwardly to engage a plunger switch mounted with a second seat pan member. When the plunger switch is depressed the vehicle components are shifted to an operative mode. An operator presence function is thereby served.

Abstract: A mower deck within which a blade coupled with a vertical shaft rotates for cutting vegetation. The deck includes a generally horizontal central portion, and side walls downwardly extending from the central portion. The central portion and side walls form a compartment within which the blade rotates to cut vegetation. A vertically extending and generally cylindrical portion is formed integral with the central portion for operatively supporting the vertical shaft for rotation during mowing operation. Two bearings are positioned within the cylindrical portion for rotatably supporting the vertical shaft. A radially inwardly extending portion is formed within the cylindrical portion and is positioned between the bearings for vertically locating the bearings within the cylinder. The inwardly extending portion is formed integral with the cylindrical portion. The radially inwardly extending portion includes a plurality of vertically extending support ribs for vertically locating the bearings within the cylinder.

Abstract: A mechanism for selectively adjusting the cutting height of a mower deck. A pivotal lift handle has a laterally extending first end portion for engagement with both of the operator's hands, and the lift handle is coupled with the deck for shifting the deck vertically as the lift handle pivots. A support member having a plurality of laterally spaced and vertically offset steps engagable with the lift handle is slidably carried by the vehicle frame and is selectively shiftable laterally by the operator to support the lift handle at a plurality of heights corresponding to respective lateral positions of the support member. A pivot rod member is pivotally coupled with the vehicle and is coupled with the support member for guiding the support member through a laterally extending arc. The pivot member is engagable by the thumbs of the operator to cause lateral shifting of the support member as the operator grasps and lifts the lift handle.

Abstract: An adjustable depth gauge attachment is provided for use with implements, such as rotary mowers and other vegetation cutting apparatus. The depth gauge takes the form of a hemispherically-shaped skid element carried on an adjustable leg. The gauge is optionally carried by a bracket which can be mounted to a mower deck as an aftermarket addition. The hemispherical skid element serves to provide skidding depth gauging, as well as minimize scalping when uneven terrain is encountered.

Abstract: A seat assembly is provided for a lawn and garden tractor wherein a fuel tank is an integral component of the seat. A plastic fuel tank is sandwiched between an inner and an outer seat shell to provide a fuel tank which is easily accessible for maintenance and/or replacement. A fuel inlet is provided at the top portion of the seat back facilitating easy and convenient refueling of the tank. The elevated position of the fuel tank provides a head of fuel for vehicles not equipped with fuel pumps, reducing the likelihood of starvation as the vehicle is operated on hillsides and inclines.

Abstract: A wheel hub and detachable wheel weight structure is provided for traction vehicles, such as lawn and garden tractors. The plastic hub includes a plurality of wedge shaped compartments formed in each side with adjacent compartments opening transversely to opposite sides of the hub. Separate weights are provided for the inside and outside of the hub, the weights having complementarily shaped wedge members receivable in the compartments opening to that side of the hub. Threaded fasteners secure the weights together for rotation with the hub.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering mechanism for use with a vehicle having a frame, an operator station and steerable ground engaging wheels. The mechanism provides a steering wheel, a steering column, a pinion gear coupled with the steering column, and a rack gear plate member having an opening for receiving the pinion gear. The opening has a laterally extending toothed portion engagable with the pinion gear, and has laterally outward end portions engagable with the pinion gear for limiting the lateral shifting of the rack gear plate member. A support plate is coupled with the frame and is abuttable with the rack gear plate member for securing the rack gear plate member between the support plate and frame for maintaining the rack gear teeth in operative engagement with the pinion gear.

Abstract: A tractor has a typical three-point hitch with lower lift arms and an upper stabilizing arm comprising, in part, of a transverse horizontal rod extending between the lift arms. A pair of connecting structures are mounted on the implement and spaced on the order of the lift arms but being transversely offset therefrom. Each of the connecting structures includes a vertical plate having a U-shaped edge opening vertically for receiving the transverse bar. A link is mounted on the fore-and-aft plate and extends from one position in which it traverses the opening of the U so as to retain the bar in the nip area of the U-shaped edge and a position in which it extends vertically and opens up the U-shaped edge so that the bar may have ingress and egress from the nip area. A latching rod extends from the plate and there is provided an opening in the link that receives the latching rod.