Abstract: A safety switch for a cordless electric device such as a lawnmower or other gardening tool. The device includes a cutting or working implement such as a rotating blade, an electric motor, a battery power supply and an electric switch for connecting the battery to the motor. To prevent accidental operation of the device, a switch control lever is provided which requires two separate and independent motions to be made before the switch can be activated. A switch enclosure is provided which receives the switch operating lever in a close fitting manner. Structure is provided for permitting movement of the operating lever to a position external of the housing; from this position, it can be grasped and moved to the switch-actuation position by a separate motion. The structure permitting movement of the lever may comprise, for example, an access opening in the housing which is separate from the opening in which the lever rests or it may comprise an independent lever-operating member.

Abstract: A safety deflector assembly for the discharge chute of a power lawn mower is provided. The deflector assembly comprises a deflector or guard plate pivotally mounted on the mower deck adjacent to the discharge chute and normally biased toward a guard position, and a latching mechanism automatically operable upon movement of the deflector to its guard position located in the path of movement of material discharged from the discharge chute for latching the deflector in its guard position. The latching mechanism is manually operable to unlatch the deflector to permit manual movement of the deflector away from its guard position out of the path of movement of the discharged material to permit attachment of a grass catcher to the discharge chute.