MTD Products Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150342116 | TRIMMER HEAD - A spool for a trimmer head has a structure for guiding a pair of separate trimmer line pieces through a core of the spool. The spool includes separate trimmer line channels formed through the core, each channel receiving one of the trimmer line pieces. A spool cover is positionable adjacent to the spool to enclose the channels. The spool cover includes a pair of cantilever springs extending therefrom for releasably securing the trimmer line pieces within the channels. | 12-03-2015 |
20150071540 | VISUAL SEGMENTATION OF LAWN GRASS - Disclosed is a method for identifying lawn grass which includes capturing an image of the terrain in front of a mower, segmenting the image into neighborhoods, calculating at least two image statistics for each of the neighborhoods, generating a binary representation of each image statistic. The binary representation of each image statistic is generated by comparing the calculated image statistic values to predetermined image statistic values for grass. The method further includes weighting each of the binary representations of each image statistic, and summing corresponding neighborhoods for all image statistics. A binary threshold is applied to each of the summed neighborhoods to generate a binary map representing grass containing areas and non-grass containing areas. | 03-12-2015 |
20140371991 | Vehicle Control Systems and Methods and Related Vehicles - Systems for controlling the speed and direction of vehicles, including vehicles that have low to zero turning radius capability. | 12-18-2014 |
20140262630 | PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM FOR A LAP BAR CONTROLLED ZERO TURN RADIUS MOWER - The parking brake system for a lap bar controlled lawn maintenance vehicle includes at least an actuation assembly and a stop assembly. The actuation assembly includes a push arm and a rotatable pedal arm, and the push arm is attached to a lap bar and is rotatable between and engaged position and a disengaged position. Rotation of the push arm from the disengaged position to the engaged position causes rotation of the pedal arm, and such rotation of the pedal arm causes the stop assembly to prevent the axle for the rear wheel that is controlled by the corresponding lap bar from rotating. | 09-18-2014 |
20140259804 | BATTERY-ELECTRIC AND INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE ASSIST HYBRID PROPULSION AND IMPLEMENT DRIVE WORK SYSTEMS - Provided is a lawn maintenance vehicle including a frame having a first axle and a second axle mounted to the frame. A first drive wheel and a second drive wheel are mounted to the first and second axle. An energy storage device and an electric motor having a motor shaft are mounted to the frame. The electric motor is in electrical communication with the energy storage device and the energy storage device provides electrical power to the electric motor. The lawn maintenance vehicle further includes a traction drive. The traction drive is operably connected to the motor shaft, and the traction drive is operably connected to the first and second axles. The lawn maintenance vehicle includes an implement mounted to the frame. The lawn maintenance vehicle can also include an internal combustion engine operably connected to the electric motor. | 09-18-2014 |
20140252996 | HYBRID ELECTRIC DEVICE - A device includes a housing configured with a working element and a motor configured for urging motion of the working element. The device further includes a power control module. The power control module is configurable for being in electrical connection with at least one of the motor, a first power source configuration and a second power source configuration. The first power source configuration is configurable for being electrically connected to a battery assembly having a DC power output. The second power source configuration is configurable for being electrically connected to a power inverter, the power inverter configured for receiving an AC power and further configured for outputting a DC power to the second power source configuration. The power control module includes an automatic power selection configuration for automatically selecting the second power source configuration when the second power source configuration receives DC power from the power inverter. | 09-11-2014 |
20140208709 | SPEED CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR A SELF-PROPELLED WALK-BEHIND LAWN MOWER - A speed control mechanism for controlling selective engagement of the self-propelled transmission assembly for a walk-behind lawn mower is provided. The speed control mechanism is also configured to control the relative output speed of the transmission assembly. The speed control mechanism includes a speed engagement assembly and a speed adjustment assembly, wherein the speed engagement assembly includes a pair of rotatable levers for causing the transmission assembly to actuate between a disengaged position and an engaged position and the speed adjustment assembly includes a rotatable knob for causing the relative output speed of the transmission assembly to the wheels of the lawn mower to increase or decrease. | 07-31-2014 |
20140192442 | Alternator Overvoltage Protection Circuit - Disclosed is an alternator overvoltage protection circuit having a TRIAC and a MOSFET. The TRIAC is electrically connected to the MOSFET and the TRIAC is electrically connected to a magneto. The TRIAC is configured to ground the magneto when triggered by the MOSFET. The MOSFET is electrically connected to an alternator and configured to conduct when the alternator operates in an overvoltage condition. Also disclosed is a method of alternator overvoltage protection for a piece of outdoor power equipment, the method including providing a TRIAC and an alternator rotated by an engine having a magneto, wherein the alternator outputs a voltage when rotated by the engine. The method further includes configuring the TRIAC to ground the magneto when the alternator operates in an overvoltage condition, thereby disabling the magneto, which stops the rotation of the engine and stops the alternator from outputting voltage. | 07-10-2014 |
20140173913 | GARDEN SHEARS - A gardening shears comprises a first blade ( | 06-26-2014 |
20140091004 | PACKAGING ASSEMBLY FOR A REPLACEMENT MOWER BLADE - A package assembly for packaging a replacement mower blade is provided. The package assembly includes a blade hang tab removably attached to an end of a mower blade. A shrink film tube is positioned about the mower blade and blade hang tab, wherein the shrink film is heated to shrink the shrink film and secure the blade hang tab to the mower blade. In another embodiment, the package assembly includes multiple blades encased within shrink film with a blade hang tab attached to one of the blades within the shrink film. | 04-03-2014 |
20140083581 | NON-PNEUMATIC TIRE - A non-pneumatic tire with at least one annular band having an inner ring and a deformable outer ring, a plurality of generally flexible web-spokes connecting the inner ring to the outer ring and a ground contacting tread cap affixed to the annular band. | 03-27-2014 |
20130327008 | REPLACEABLE MOWER BLADE AND ASSEMBLY - A replaceable mower blade for attachment to a mounting member operatively connected to a mower is provided. The blade includes a central portion having opposing side edges, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The blade also includes a tip portion extending from the central portion. The central portion includes at least one attachment mechanism for operatively connecting the blade to the mounting member. | 12-12-2013 |
20130327007 | REPLACEABLE MOWER BLADE ASSEMBLY - A replaceable mower blade assembly for attaching to a rotatable spindle, motor, or engine crankshaft is provided. The blade assembly includes a mounting member having a plurality of ends extending from a central bore that is configured to receive the spindle, motor, or engine crankshaft. Each end includes an indexing aperture and a plurality of caps. A locking mechanism is operatively connected to the mounting member, and each arm of the locking mechanism includes a pin. A cutting blade is removably attachable to each end of the mounting member and the cutting blade includes an indexing aperture and a plurality of keyhole apertures. Each pin of the locking mechanism is insertable and engageable with an indexing aperture of both the mounting member and the cutting blade for positively securing each cutting blade. | 12-12-2013 |
20130291412 | TWO-STAGE SNOW THROWER - A two-stage snow thrower for removing and throwing accumulated snow. The two-stage snow thrower includes a housing, a power supply, a longitudinal drive shaft extending from the power supply, and a lateral drive shaft extending transversely relative to the longitudinal drive shaft. A first stage assembly includes at least one auger is positioned immediately adjacent to each opposing sides of the gear assembly which receives both the longitudinal and lateral drive shaft. The first stage assembly pushes loosened snow axially toward the gear assembly. A second stage assembly includes an impeller that centrifugally throws the snow from the housing through a chute extending from the housing. A paddle is attached to each of the augers of the first stage assembly, and the paddles push the snow rearwardly toward the impeller. | 11-07-2013 |
20130291411 | THREE-STAGE SNOW THROWER - A three-stage snow thrower having a housing, a power supply, a longitudinal drive shaft extending from the power supply into the housing, and a lateral drive shaft extending between opposing side walls of the housing and being meshingly engaged with the longitudinal drive shaft within a gear assembly. The first stage assembly includes a plurality of augers attached to the lateral drive shaft for pushing loosened snow axially toward the gear assembly. The second stage assembly includes at least one auger attached to the longitudinal drive shaft for pushing snow from the first stage assembly axially rearward. The third stage assembly includes an impeller that rotates to throw the snow through a chute attached to the housing to expel the snow from the housing. | 11-07-2013 |
20130285357 | PASSIVE ROLL-OVER PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR A LAWN VEHICLE - A lawn vehicle having a passive roll-over protection system attached thereto is provided. The roll-over protection system includes an elongated roll-bar that extends rearwardly at an angle from the frame of the lawn vehicle. The roll-bar is a generally U-shaped tubular member in which opposing distal ends of the roll-bar are operatively connected to the frame of the lawn vehicle. The system also includes a support member that provides lateral support to the roll-bar. The support member is operatively connected to the roll-bar and extends laterally from the roll-bar to the frame of the lawn vehicle for distributing the weight and forces experienced by the roll-bar. | 10-31-2013 |
20130282212 | VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS AND THE RELATED VEHICLES - Vehicle control systems that can be used, for example, to configure a vehicle (e.g., a lawn tractor or riding lawn mower) to make low- to substantially zero-radius turns. Some of the present vehicle control systems utilize at least one steered wheel position sensor to generate a signal that indicates the actual position of the steerable structure (e.g., wheel) to which the sensor is coupled, rather than a projected or anticipated position of that steerable structure. Vehicles that include such control systems. | 10-24-2013 |
20130104833 | STARTING SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE | 05-02-2013 |
20130081500 | SPEED CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR A SELF-PROPELLED WALK-BEHIND LAWN MOWER - A speed control mechanism for controlling selective engagement of the self-propelled transmission assembly for a walk-behind lawn mower is provided. The speed control mechanism is also configured to control the relative output speed of the transmission assembly. The speed control mechanism includes a speed engagement assembly and a speed adjustment assembly, wherein the speed engagement assembly includes a pair of rotatable levers for causing the transmission assembly to actuate between a disengaged position and an engaged position and the speed adjustment assembly includes a rotatable knob for causing the relative output speed of the transmission assembly to the wheels of the lawn mower to increase or decrease. | 04-04-2013 |
20120298429 | Driving and Steering of Motor Vehicles - An arrangement and a method are disclosed for driving and steering an engine driven vehicle of the type m which left and right hand wheels | 11-29-2012 |
20120212638 | VISUAL SEGMENTATION OF LAWN GRASS - This invention provides a method for identifying lawn grass comprising capturing an image of the terrain in front of a mower, segmenting the image into neighborhoods, calculating at least two image statistics for each of the neighborhoods, generating a binary representation of each image statistic. The binary representation of each image statistic is generated by comparing the calculated image statistic values to predetermined image statistic values for grass. The method further comprises weighting each of the binary representations of each image statistic, and summing corresponding neighborhoods for all image statistics. A binary threshold is applied to each of the summed neighborhoods to generate a binary map representing grass containing areas and non-grass containing areas. | 08-23-2012 |
20120210585 | SPLIT POWER TOOL - An extendable hedge trimmer includes a housing having a handle end and a tool end. The handle end includes a battery and an electrical connector. The tool end includes a hedge trimming implement, a motor, and an electrical connector. The electrical connector of the tool end is electrically connected with the motor. Wiring is included within the handle end for electrically connecting the battery and the electrical connector of the handle end. The trimmer also includes a pole which is releasably connectable between the tool end and the handle end. The pole is configured for electrically connecting the handle end with the tool end. The trimmer also includes a latch mechanism for releasably attaching the pole between tool end and handle end. The trimmer also includes an input for receiving AC line power via a power cord, the trimmer configured for being power by AC line power and/or battery power. | 08-23-2012 |
20110289718 | HARNESS FOR BACKPACK BLOWER - A power tool includes a power tool housing at least partially encompassing an internal combustion engine and a harness on which the power tool housing is mounted. The harness has a pair of shoulder straps, a waist strap, and a panel connecting the shoulder straps and waist strap. The power tool housing is mounted on a frame having at least one arcuate tool-supporting member with an upper end proximate the shoulder straps and a lower end proximate the waist strap. The tool-supporting member is shaped along its vertical length such that a middle portion of the member arcs away from the panel such that there is an air-circulation space between the power tool housing and the panel. In one embodiment, the power tool is a blower and the housing has an air intake port facing the air-circulation space. | 12-01-2011 |
20110219749 | EXHAUST SYSTEM HAVING MULTIPLE INLETS AND MULTIPLE OUTLETS - An exhaust system for exhausting multiple cylinders of a small engine, wherein the exhaust system includes a plurality of exhaust units is described herein. Each exhaust unit of the exhaust system is operatively and fluidly connected to a separate cylinder of the small engine such that the exhaust gases from each cylinder remain separated as they pass through different exhaust units of the exhaust system. The exhaust system includes a canister having opposing end walls to define a volume therein. The exhaust system further includes at least two exhaust units, and each exhaust unit includes an inlet that is operatively and fluidly connected to a cylinder of the small engine, a primary chamber within the canister into which exhaust gases are introduced by the inlet, a primary stage transfer tube located at least partially within the primary chamber for fluidly connecting the primary chamber with an outlet through which exhaust gases are exhausted from the exhaust system. Each of the exhaust units is separated by an inner chamber wall that is shared by adjacent exhaust units yet prevents fluid communication between the adjacent exhaust units. | 09-15-2011 |
20110193307 | VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods for controlling the speed and direction of vehicles such as tractors. | 08-11-2011 |
20110113592 | BLOWER/VACUUM TUBE ATTACHMENT - A blower/vacuum device has removable blower tube configured to connect with a connector stub of the device. The connector stub has a guide path formed in its interior wall and the blower tube has a latch runner disposed on its outer surface. A flipper is positioned in the guide path near the end of the circumferential segment of the guide path and coacts with the latch runner. The flipper is biased such that its tongue extends into the guide path. When the blower tube is rotated a sufficient distance such that the latch runner is rotated past the tongue, the flipper is repositioned by spring force and the tongue locks the blower tube in place. The flipper is repositioned to move the tongue out of contact with the latch runner to permit the blower tube to be rotated in the disconnect direction and removed from the connecting stub. | 05-19-2011 |
20100293797 | Chainsaw tensioning device - A chainsaw has a cam lever and cam assembly that can be used to adjust the tension of a guide bar in the chainsaw. Once the tension of the guide bar has been lessened, the guide bar can be moved back and forth by using a chain-tightening knob and tightening mechanism. The movement of the guide bar causes the chain to tighten or loosen on the guide bar. | 11-25-2010 |
20100252594 | HARNESS FOR BACKPACK BLOWER - A power tool ( | 10-07-2010 |
20100126023 | Combination String Trimmer and Blower Tool - A multi-purpose tool ( | 05-27-2010 |
20100037472 | Chainsaw guide bar and method of making - A chainsaw has a saw chain connected so as to be driven by the motor and a guide bar for guiding and supporting the saw chain as it revolves around the periphery of the guide bar. The guide bar has a channel formed by alternatively offset tabs, wherein each tab is offset from its immediate two adjacent tabs such that there is an open segment in the channel opposite each tab. There is a first set of tabs on a first side of the guide bar and a second set of tabs on the opposite side of the guide bar, wherein the alternatively offset tabs keep the cutting chain centered in the channel formed between the first set of tabs and the second set of tabs. | 02-18-2010 |
20090270210 | In-Line Belt Driven Tille Drive Clutch - A clutching mechanism ( | 10-29-2009 |
20090113864 | Adjustable striping roller for lawn mower - A lawn mower has a striping roller assembly rotatably attaching a striping roller to a mower deck of the lawnmower. The striping roller assembly includes a mounting bracket connected to the mower deck, the bracket having a top arm that extends from the mower deck in a generally horizontal direction. A roller arm is pivotally mounted on the bracket at a pivot connection. A height adjusting rod attaches to the pivoting roller arm to permit the operator to select different height settings for the striping roller assembly, wherein the height adjusting rod passes through an opening in the top arm of the bracket and is slidable relative to the bracket. A U-shaped connection member having upper and lower legs is positioned such that the upper leg is above and the lower leg is below the top arm of the bracket. A spring biases the U-shaped connection member so that the upper leg is forced toward or against the upper surface of the top arm of the bracket. The assembly further includes a collar on the upper leg, wherein an upper end of the height adjusting rod has a plurality of height-adjustment holes passing through the rod and the collar also has a hole, wherein one of the holes in the rod is aligned with the hole in the collar and a pin is inserted through the holes to fix the collar to the height adjusting rod. | 05-07-2009 |
20090100686 | Fixed-line rotary head for string trimmer machine - A trimmer head configured to receive fixed-length segments of trimmer line has a main housing with a cylindrically shaped side wall forming an open end with diametrically opposed trimmer line holes formed therein. The main housing is rotatable about its central axis by means of a drive shaft. The trimmer head receives an insert body in its open end that is rotated by the main housing. The insert body has an arcuate channel extending from the first line hole adjacent one side of the insert body to the second line hole adjacent the diametrically opposed side of the insert body when the insert body is in a load/unload position with respect to the main housing. In this position, there is a substantially direct guide path between the first and second line holes that allows for easy movement of the line segment along the path. The insert body is rotatable and movable axially with respect to the main housing to an operational position. When in this position, the line segment is forced to take an indirect path between the first and second trimmer line holes, thereby securing the line segment in place during use of the trimmer head. | 04-23-2009 |
20090064958 | Automatic Decompression Mechanism for an Engine - An automatic decompression mechanism for selectively actuating a cylinder valve of an engine so as to reduce the starting force required to start the engine. The mechanism includes a cam gear, a centrifugal member, and a cover member comprising an integrally formed biasing means for biasing and retaining the centrifugal member in the cam gear. The biasing means urges the centrifugal member into a decompression position when the cam gear is rotating at a lower speed, wherein a projecting portion of the centrifugal member actuates the valve mechanism to reduce the starting force required to start the engine. During normal engine operation, the centrifugal member pivots into a non-decompression position wherein the projecting portion of the centrifugal member recedes below the cam profile surface so as to prevent the projecting portion from actuating the valve mechanism. | 03-12-2009 |
20080307762 | Bagging Lawn Mower with Selective Mulch or Discharge Options - A multi-use lawn mower capable of operating as a mulching, side-discharge, or a bagging mower. The lawn mower ( | 12-18-2008 |
20080302075 | Two-pulley belt tensioning mechanism - A pulley/belt drive system attached to a mower deck has a belt tensioning mechanism for maintaining tension in an endless belt. The belt tensioning mechanism includes an idler arm pivotally mounted with respect to the mower deck such that the idler arm pivots about an idler arm pivot. A back-side idler pulley engaging a back-side portion of the belt and an inside idler pulley engaging an inside portion of the primary belt are rotatably mounted onto the idler arm. A belt tensioning device is attached to the idler arm to pivot the idler arm, wherein the back-side idler pulley and the inside idler pulley remain in a fixed orientation with respect to each other when the idler arm is pivoted. | 12-11-2008 |
20080257631 | Override Control Circuits for a Lawn and Garden Tractor - Control circuits for a riding lawn mower providing an override condition for selectively allowing the cutting blades of the lawn mower to operate when the vehicle is traveling in reverse. The circuits incorporate a multi-position ignition switch, an override switch, a vehicle reverse switch, a PTO switch and a park brake switch. In one aspect of the invention, the control circuits disable the engine when the vehicle is placed in reverse with the PTO engaged and without the override condition having been established. In another aspect of the invention, an electric PTO clutch is disabled when the vehicle is placed in reverse with the PTO engaged and without the override condition having been established. The override condition is terminated when the ignition switch is moved away from the override position, or when the operator activates the park brake switch. | 10-23-2008 |
20080234096 | Hybrid Utility Vehicle - A serial hybrid drive system for off-road utility vehicles and/or riding tractors including one or more electric motors ( | 09-25-2008 |
20080229725 | Foot actuated height adjustment mechanism for a lawnmower cutting deck - A foot-actuated mower deck lift mechanism for a riding lawnmower comprising first and second foot pedals for adjusting the cutting height of the mower deck. The foot pedals are suitable for engagement by an operator's foot to raise, latch and lower the cutting deck. The first pedal is connected to a lift linkage to adjust the height of the cutting deck upon actuation of the first pedal by the operator's foot. The second pedal is configured to automatically latch the mower deck into a raised transport position when the first pedal is depressed a preset amount, and to unlatch the mower deck upon actuation by the operator's foot. An adjustable pin-actuated height index mechanism is implemented to provide a plurality of predetermined cutting heights for the mower deck. | 09-25-2008 |