Rear-engine mower, operator handle, cross member, mounting structure and control interface

Abstract

A rear-mounted lawn mowing device includes a mowing platform fixed to or formed therein with a support structure, front and rear wheels fixed to the support structure, blades rotatably fixed within the mowing platform, a power source fixed to the support structure that provides mechanical force to a plurality of blades when activated; an operator handle fixed to the support structure and having an extended position and a folded position, including an upper portion, a lower portion, a transverse member extending between a left and a right segment of the upper or lower portion, and a mounting structure for fixing the operator handle to the support structure, the upper portion being movable along the lower portion between a fully extended position and a compressed position, the transverse member including a locking mechanism that locks the upper portion so that it cannot move along the lower portion in at least one of the fully extended or compressed positions, and the transverse member including a release member that unlocks the locking mechanism and allows the upper portion to move along the lower portion between the fully extended and compressed positions.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This U.S. patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 367,557, filed September 13, 2023, entitled “Compact Folding Handle and Electronic Control System for an Efficient Lawn Maintenance Tool,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 406,451, filed September 14, 2022, entitled “Compact Folding Handle and Electronic Control System for an Efficient Lawn Maintenance Tool,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference and used for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] The disclosed subject matter relates to a rearward turf maintenance device with a foldable handle; in the example, the foldable handle can be locked in an extended position or a folded position. Background Technology

[0004] Manufacturers of electrical equipment for outdoor maintenance applications offer a wide variety of machines for general maintenance and lawn mowing. These machines can come in various forms, depending on the application, ranging from general urban or suburban turf maintenance and rural farm and field maintenance to professional applications. Even within professional applications, there can be significant differences. For example, a lawnmower designed for sporting events requiring moderately precise turf (such as football fields or baseball outfields) may not be suitable for events requiring very high-precision surfaces, such as golf course greens or tennis courts.

[0005] Modern maintenance machines also offer a variety of power source options. The various advantages associated with electric motors, gasoline engines, natural gas engines, diesel engines, etc., also influence the mechanical design and engineering of these different maintenance devices. Meeting the various challenges associated with different maintenance and lawn mowing applications, as well as the benefits and limitations of different power sources, has led to a wide variety of maintenance machines catering to consumer preferences. Utility Model Content

[0006] To provide a basic understanding of some aspects of this disclosure, a simplified overview is given below. This overview is not a comprehensive overview of this disclosure. It is not intended to identify key / important elements or to depict the scope of this disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of this disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that follows.

[0007] Various embodiments of this disclosure provide a rear-mounted turf maintenance device with a compact folding handle. In one embodiment, the folding handle can be partially retracted to facilitate extending and shortening its length. In another embodiment, the folding handle can be locked in an extended position for use and locked in a folded position for storage. In a further embodiment, the handle can be retracted and folded onto the body of the rear-mounted turf maintenance device. In a further embodiment, an operator presence device can prevent the motor of the turf maintenance device from starting or running upon activation (or deactivation, depending on convention). As an example, in one embodiment, the operator presence device can be activated in response to the handle being unlocked from the locked extended position, thereby preventing the activation of the motor, engine, or other power source when the handle is not in the position for operation.

[0008] In one embodiment, a rear-mounted lawnmower device is disclosed, which may include a mowing platform formed within or fixed to a support structure, at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel fixed to the support structure, a plurality of blades rotatably fixed within the mowing platform, and a power source fixed to the support structure, which provides mechanical force to the plurality of blades when activated. In addition to the above, the rear-mounted lawnmower may include a power source fixed to the support structure, which provides mechanical force to the plurality of blades when activated. Furthermore, the operator handle may include an upper portion, a lower portion, a transverse member extending between a left segment and a right segment of the upper or lower portion, and a mounting structure for securing the operator handle to the support structure. In various embodiments, the upper portion is movable along the lower portion between a fully extended position and a compressed position. In another embodiment, the transverse member includes a locking mechanism that locks the upper portion in at least one of the fully extended or compressed positions to prevent movement of the upper portion along the lower portion. In yet another embodiment, the transverse member includes a release member that unlocks the locking mechanism and allows the upper portion to move along the lower portion between the fully extended and compressed positions.

[0009] Further embodiments disclose an operator's handle for a turf maintenance device, comprising an upper handle portion and a lower handle portion. The upper handle portion includes an operator's handle, and the lower handle portion includes a hollow tube. The upper handle portion is movable within the hollow tube between a compressed position and an extended position. Furthermore, the operator's handle can include a mounting structure including one or more fastener supports for securely attaching the mounting structure to the device. The lower handle portion is rotatably fixed to the mounting structure near its base and is rotatable relative to the device between an upright position and a folded position. The mounting structure also includes a first locking mechanism to lock the lower handle portion in at least one of the upright or folded positions, thereby preventing rotation of the lower handle portion when locked by the locking mechanism. In another embodiment, the operator's handle may include a transverse member positioned at the intersection of the upper and lower handle portions, through which the upper handle portion engages the hollow tube of the lower handle portion. The transverse member also includes a release member configured to unlock the lower handle portion from the folded position.

[0010] In another embodiment, embodiments of this disclosure provide a lateral member for an operator's handle of a turf maintenance device. The lateral member can include a lateral member body having an outer and an inner portion, wherein the inner portion engages at one end of the lateral member body with a first elongated structure of the operator's handle, and at a second end of the lateral member body with a second elongated structure of the operator's handle. Furthermore, the lateral member can include a first locking structure disposed within the inner portion of the lateral member body, which engages an opening in a lower portion of the first elongated structure and also engages a second opening in an upper portion of the first elongated structure in response to alignment with the second opening, to lock the upper portion of the first elongated structure in a fixed position relative to the lower portion of the first elongated structure. Additionally, the lateral member can include a mechanically biased release actuator disposed within the inner portion and coupled to the first locking structure, operable to drive the first locking structure toward one end of the lateral member body in response to mechanical bias, and to engage both the second opening and the second opening in response to alignment with the second opening. Furthermore, the transverse member may include a release member exposed outside the transverse member body and coupled to a mechanically biased release actuator, such that when activated to a first activated position, the release member resists a mechanical biasing force to move the mechanically biased release actuator, removes the first locking structure from the second opening, and releases the upper portion of the first elongated structure to move relative to the lower portion of the first elongated structure.

[0011] In another embodiment, a method for securing an operator's handle to the base of a rear-running turf maintenance device is disclosed. The base may include a support structure for securing the base to the rear-running turf maintenance device and may include a base support member secured to the support structure. In various embodiments, the base support member further includes a pivoting fastener for rotatably securing the operator's handle to the support structure between an extended position and a folded position, and includes a first base stop at the extended position of the operator's handle and a second base stop at the folded position of the operator's handle, the first base stop preventing the operator's handle from rotating through the extended position and the second base stop preventing the operator's handle from rotating through the folded position. Additionally, the present invention may include a first locking structure located at the base of the operator handle in the extended position and configured to lock the operator handle in the extended position and prevent the operator handle from rotating out of the extended position. Furthermore, the present invention may include a second locking structure located at the base of the operator handle in the folded position and configured to lock the operator handle in the folded position and prevent the operator handle from rotating out of the folded position.

[0012] To achieve the foregoing and related objectives, certain illustrative aspects of this disclosure have been described herein in conjunction with the following description and accompanying drawings. However, these aspects indicate only a few of the various ways in which the principles of this disclosure may be employed, and this disclosure is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and features of this disclosure will become apparent when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, based on the following detailed description. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 An exemplary illustration is provided of a high-efficiency (HE) turf maintenance device with the handle in an extended position in the disclosed embodiments.

[0014] Figure 2 Further embodiments of the present disclosure are described for use in Figure 1 Example elements of the handle structure of the HE turf maintenance equipment.

[0015] Figure 2A An exemplary handle structure of a turf maintenance device in a retracted position, according to yet another embodiment, is shown.

[0016] Figure 2B A diagram depicts an exemplary lateral member and a release actuator for a locking handle of a turf maintenance device, according to an additional disclosed aspect.

[0017] Figure 2C A rear view of an exemplary lateral member for locking the handle and a release actuator, as shown in other aspects of this disclosure, is illustrated.

[0018] Figure 2D The diagram illustrates the multi-stage movement of the release actuator disclosed in another aspect of this disclosure.

[0019] Figure 3 An example support structure and lateral member for the handle structure are depicted, which facilitate one or more locking positions and releases of the handle structure.

[0020] Figure 3A One or more aspects according to the disclosed embodiments are described. Figure 3 A close-up view of one end of an exemplary support structure.

[0021] Figure 4 It shows the use of one or more aspects Figure 3 Exemplary operation of the release mechanism of the exemplary support structure.

[0022] Figure 5 A close-up view depicting an exemplary release actuation on an element of an exemplary support structure in another aspect is shown.

[0023] Figure 5A An image of the interior of the transverse member for the handle structure in another embodiment is provided, showing the interaction of the components housed in the transverse member.

[0024] Figure 6 An example handle frame mount for securing a handle structure to a HE turf maintenance device is shown, according to additional aspects disclosed herein.

[0025] Figure 7 , 7A 7B and 7C depict example operations of the handle frame mount for unlocking from the extended position and moving and locking to the folded position.

[0026] Figure 8 and Figure 9 A close-up view of one end of an exemplary support structure, which facilitates the release of the locking member from the folded position, is depicted in a further disclosed aspect.

[0027] Figure 9A An example of a retractable handle for a HE turf maintenance device having multiple locked extension positions, as shown in another aspect of this disclosure, is illustrated.

[0028] Figure 10 As shown in another aspect of this disclosure, the locking element is from... Figure 8 and Figure 9 The effect of releasing the folded position on the sample of the handle frame mount.

[0029] Figure 11Elements of a handle frame mount, which are described in other aspects of this disclosure, are provided to facilitate the return of the handle structure to the extended and locked position.

[0030] Figure 12 Images of an electronic control module for controlling the operation of HE turf maintenance equipment are provided in other embodiments of this disclosure.

[0031] Figure 13 Images of alternative electronic control modules for controlling the operation of HE turf maintenance equipment are provided in other embodiments.

[0032] Figure 13A Images of an electronic control module in operation according to further embodiments of the present disclosure are shown.

[0033] Figure 14 A front view of the operator gripper and electronic control module of a turf maintenance device according to another disclosed embodiment is shown.

[0034] It should be noted that the accompanying drawings are schematic and not drawn to scale. For clarity and convenience in the drawings, the relative dimensions and proportions of the parts have been enlarged or reduced. The same reference numerals are generally used to refer to corresponding or similar features in different embodiments, unless it is clear from the context that the same reference numerals refer to different features. Therefore, the drawings and descriptions are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive in nature.

[0035] While embodiments of the present disclosure relating to a compact and folding handle for power facility machinery are described herein, it should be understood that the disclosed machines, electronic devices, and methods are not limited thereto and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The scope of devices and apparatus is defined by the appended claims, and all devices that literally or equivalently fall within the meaning of the claims are intended to be included therein. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The following terms are used throughout this specification, and their definitions are provided herein to aid in understanding various aspects of this disclosure.

[0037] In this application, the terms “outdoor power installation,” “outdoor power machinery,” “power installation,” “maintenance machinery,” and “power machinery” are used interchangeably and are intended to refer to any of the following: robots, partially robotic riding, rear-mounted, trailer-equipped, autonomous, semi-autonomous (e.g., user-assisted automation), remote-controlled, or multifunctional devices, or multifunctional variations of any of the following: electric handcarts and unicycles, lawnmowers, lawn and garden tractors, lawn trimmers, lawn edgers, lawn and leaf blowers or leaf sweepers, hedge trimmers, pruning shears, high-branch shears, chainsaws, rakes, long-handled saws, tillers, growers, air pumps, wood splitters, posthole diggers, ditchers, stump grinders, snow polishers (or any other snow and ice removal equipment), lawn, wood and leaf shredders and chippers, lawn and / or leaf vacuum cleaners, pressure washers, lawn installations, garden installations, driveway sprayers and spreaders, and sports field marking installations.

[0038] Figure 1 A lawn maintenance device 100 according to one or more disclosed embodiments is shown, such as the rear-mounted lawnmower in the illustrated embodiment. The lawn maintenance device 100 may include one or more rear wheels 102, one or more front wheels 104, and a power source 106 fixed to a mowing platform 108. In some embodiments, the lawn maintenance device 100 may be a high-efficiency (HE) lawn maintenance device utilizing an electric motor as the power source 106. In some embodiments, the electric motor may receive power from a rechargeable power source (e.g., a battery) mounted on the mowing platform 108, from a cable connected to a power source external to the lawn maintenance device 100, or from a combination of the foregoing. In other embodiments, the lawn maintenance device 100 may be powered by any suitable internal combustion engine as an alternative to an electric motor. In a particular embodiment, the lawn maintenance device 100 may have a handle that can be folded onto the mowing platform 108 of the lawn maintenance device 100 (e.g., a retractable handle 110).

[0039] In some embodiments, the mowing platform 108 of the turf maintenance device 100 may be integrally formed with a structural support (also referred to as a frame), or separately formed with and attached to the structural support (also referred to as a frame). As shown, the mowing platform 108 is fixed to the front wheel 104, the rear wheel 102, and the retractable handle 110, and may have a power source (e.g., an electric motor, internal combustion engine, etc.) fixed to the mowing platform 108 and one or more batteries. In an alternative embodiment, the mowing platform 108 may be embodied as a separate mowing platform fixed to a structural support (e.g., a lawnmower frame), which in turn is fixed to the front wheel 104, the rear wheel 102, and the retractable handle 110. Although not shown, the mowing platform 108 may be connected to a bagging device that covers the turf discharge port and collects the turf trimmings into a container portion of the bagging device. In one embodiment, such a bagging device may be as described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 163,386, filed by the assignee of this patent application, and is incorporated herein by reference.

[0040] Figure 1 The retractable handle 110 in its extended position is shown (see also below). Figure 2 When the handle is retracted (for example, the upper portion 112 of the retractable handle 110 moves downward relative to the lower portion 114 of the retractable handle 110, see below), Figure 2A The retractable handle 110 can be folded on top of the lawnmower platform 108. In one or more embodiments, the retractable handle 110 may have a length and width dimension equal to or less than the circumference of the front wheel 104 and the rear wheel 102 when retracted and folded, but the subject matter disclosure is not limited to this embodiment(s).

[0041] In one or more other embodiments, the retractable handle 110 can be Figure 1 The extended position shown is locked in place, thereby creating a locked extended position. In at least one embodiment, the locked extended position can lock the upper portion 112 into a fixed relationship with the lower portion 114, and can lock the base of the retractable handle 110 in the locked extended position, thereby preventing the base and the retractable handle 110 from rotating out of the locked extended position (see, for example, below). Figure 2 and Figure 2A as well as Figure 6-7CRelease member 118 is operable to unlock the upper portion 112 from its fixed relationship with the lower portion 114, thereby allowing an operator to move the upper portion 112 relative to the lower portion 114. In response to actuation of release member 118, an operator can move the upper portion 112 downward relative to the lower portion 114, thereby shortening the overall length of the retractable handle 110. In another embodiment, compressing the retractable handle 110 to a fully compressed position (e.g., by fully pushing the upper portion 112 into the lower portion 114) can unlock the base of the retractable handle 110 from a locked extended position and allow the retractable handle to rotate between the extended and folded positions (e.g., see...). Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 7A , Figure 7B , Figure 7C (see below). In a further embodiment, when the handle is in Figure 7C When in its folded position as shown, the handle can also be locked in place. A handle locking mechanism and one or more locking bases facilitate locking and releasing of the retractable handle 110 between a locked extended position and a locked folded position, as described throughout this specification.

[0042] In other embodiments, one or more operator presence devices may be provided that prevent operation of the mechanical power source when one of the operator presence devices is deactivated. In at least one embodiment, the operator presence device may operate together with an operator presence cable (OPC) clip 122 adjacent to the operator gripper 120. The operator presence device may be disabled when the OPC clip 122 is held against a default position (e.g., a position maintained by mechanical bias) so as not to block operation of the power supply 106. When in the default position, the operator presence device can prevent operation of the power supply 106. In alternative or additional embodiments, a second operator presence device may be located at least partially inside the retractable handle 110, such as within the transverse member 116 (e.g., see below). Figure 3 When the retractable handle 110 is in the locked extended position discussed above, the second operator presence device can be disabled so as not to prevent operation of the power supply 106. In the case where multiple operator presence devices are provided for the rear-mounted lawnmower 100, each device must be disabled to allow the power supply 106 to operate.

[0043] Figure 2An example of a retractable handle 110 for a rear-mounted lawnmower in a locked extended position 200, according to one or more other aspects of this disclosure, is shown. The retractable handle 110 includes an upper portion 112 and a hollow lower portion 214, and a transverse member 116 intersecting the upper portion 112 and the hollow lower portion 214. In at least some of the disclosed aspects, the hollow lower portion 214 may have a fixed length, and the upper portion 112 may be movable relative to the hollow lower portion 214, extending downward toward a handle frame mount 220 via the transverse member 116, or may be movable outward relative to the hollow lower portion 214 away from the handle frame mount 220, as indicated by the double-ended arrows adjacent to the upper portion 112. Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the upper portion 112 may extend (e.g., slide, etc.) inside the hollow lower portion 214, as shown by the upper portion within the lower portion 212. In such an embodiment, the upper portion 112 may move in and out of the hollow lower portion 214 between a fully compressed position and a fully extended position. In the fully compressed position, the upper portion 112 is fully inserted into the hollow lower portion 214, and in the fully extended position, the upper portion 112 is removed from the hollow lower portion 214 to the maximum extent permitted by the retractable handle 110.

[0044] The transverse member 116 may include one or more locking mechanisms configured to lock the upper portion 112 relative to the lower portion 114 in one or more fixed positions (e.g., see below). Figure 3 , 8 (and 9). In some embodiments, the locking mechanism of the retractable handle 110 can lock the upper portion 112 relative to the lower portion 114 in an extended position. In another embodiment, the locking mechanism of the retractable handle 110 can lock the upper portion 112 relative to the lower portion 114 in a compressed position. In another embodiment, respectively, a first locking mechanism can lock the upper portion 112 in an extended position, and a second locking mechanism can lock the upper portion 112 relative to the lower portion 114 in a compressed position. In at least one embodiment, the first locking mechanism can lock the upper portion 112 relative to the hollow lower portion 214 in a fully extended position, and the second locking mechanism can lock the upper portion 112 relative to the hollow lower portion 214 in a fully compressed position. A release member 118 may be provided to unlock the first and second locking mechanisms and allow the upper portion 112 to move relative to the hollow lower portion 214.

[0045] The retractable handle 110 may include a handle frame mount 220 configured to secure the retractable handle 110 to a disclosed maintenance device, such as the exemplary rear-mounted lawnmower 100. A pivoting device 226 may be provided to secure the retractable handle 110 to the handle frame mount 220 at its base 222. In one or more embodiments, the retractable handle 110 may rotate about the pivoting device 226 between an extension stop 224 and a folding stop 228. The extension stop 224 may prevent the base 222 of the retractable handle 110 from rotating through the extension stop 224, and the folding stop 228 may prevent the base 222 of the retractable handle 110 from rotating through the folding stop 228. In a further disclosed embodiment, the handle frame mount 220 may have one or more locking mechanisms to lock the base 222 to an extended rotational position adjacent to the extended stop 224, or to lock the base 222 to a folded rotational position adjacent to the folding stop 228. Therefore, the retractable handle 110 may have a locking mechanism that is one or more of the following: locking the upper portion 112 relative to the lower portion 114 in an extended position, locking the upper portion 112 relative to the lower portion 114 in a compressed position, locking the base 222 in an extended rotational position, or locking the base 222 in a folded rotational position, or a combination thereof.

[0046] Figure 2A A retractable handle 110 in a locked retracted position 200A is shown according to other aspects disclosed herein. In the locked retracted position 200A, the upper handle 212A is shown fully compressed within the hollow lower portion 214A. In the locked retracted position 200A, the handle 220A of the upper handle 212A is located on top of the transverse member 216A. In various embodiments, a release member 218A can unlock the upper handle 212A from the locked retracted position 200A, thereby allowing the upper handle 212A to extend away from the transverse member 216A and beyond the hollow lower portion 214A, reaching the aforementioned... Figure 2 The extended position 200 of the lock is shown.

[0047] In one or more embodiments, when the upper handle 212A is fully inserted into the hollow lower portion 214A, the base 222 of the hollow lower portion 214A can be unlocked from the extended rotatable position. See, for example, below. Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 7A Once unlocked from the extended rotation position, the retractable handle 110, which is in the locked retracted position 200A, is free to rotate out of the extended rotation position, for example, to the folded rotation position (see below for example). Figure 7B and 7C ) or between.

[0048] Figure 2B An example front view 200B of a lateral member 220B for a retractable locking handle and an example release actuator according to further embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. A main release actuator 210B is shown as a fixed main actuator stop 222B extending beyond the lateral member 220B. The main actuator stop 222B defines a first end (inward) of the main actuator travel range 212B. A second end (outward) of the main actuator travel range 212B can be shown, wherein the main release actuator 210B is positioned as follows: Figure 2B The position shown (or another suitable position downwards and away from the main actuator stop 222B). The actuator can be released, for example, by a spring or other mechanical biasing element (see below). Figure 3 Disc 1 spring 323 and disc 2 spring 322 are mechanically biased to a second end (outward) of the main actuator travel range 212B, away from the main actuator stop 222B. When fully depressed to the main actuator stop 222B, a first locking / unlocking effect can be produced within the lateral member 220B (e.g., the lower lever locking end 332A can be withdrawn from an opening in the upper portion 312A of the retractable handle, see below). Figure 3A ).

[0049] Figure 2C A diagram showing an example rear view 200C of the transverse member 220B and an example release actuator illustrates other aspects of the disclosed embodiment. Rear view 200C shows a main release actuator 210B extending beyond the main actuator stop 222B at the rear side of the transverse member 220B. The main actuator travel range 212B defines a distance within the transverse member 220B, and the release actuator can be actuated by pressing the main release actuator 210B. In response to the main release actuator 210B moving to the main actuator stop 222B, the auxiliary release actuator 230C of the release actuator... Figure 2C The indicated position moves upwards to the main travel range stop 214C. The auxiliary release actuator 230C can be used to further push the release actuator beyond the main travel range stop 214C within the lateral member 220B, until it reaches the auxiliary actuator stop 224C. The distance between the main travel range stop 214C and the auxiliary actuator stop 224C defines the auxiliary actuator travel range 232C. In response to the auxiliary release actuator 230C reaching the auxiliary actuator stop 224C, a second locking / unlocking effect can be generated within the lateral member 220B (e.g., see below). Figure 9 This shows that the upper rod 334 has been completely removed from the second opening in the upper portion 816.

[0050] Figure 2DA rear view 200D of the release actuator is depicted, along with multi-stage movement of the release actuator within the lateral member of the disclosed retractable handle. The stages of this multi-stage movement can be associated with locking or unlocking actions of the disclosed retractable handle.

[0051] As shown, the main release actuator 210B can be mechanically biased to a first position 214D associated with the outer surface of the main release actuator 210B, as illustrated. In response to an upward force applied to the main release actuator 210B, the release actuator can be pushed into the lateral member 220B (against mechanical bias) a distance defined by the main actuator travel range 212B. This will assist the release actuator 230C in moving to the main travel range stop 214C and move the upper surface of the release actuator, defined by the actuator top 232D, to a first inner stop 216D within the lateral member 220B. In response to the release actuator moving a distance defined by the main actuator travel range 212B, a first locking / unlocking effect on the associated retractable handle can be achieved (e.g., releasing the upper portion 112 to slide within the hollow lower portion 214).

[0052] In response to a force applied to the auxiliary release actuator 230C, the release actuator can be pushed into the transverse member 220B a second distance defined by the auxiliary actuator travel range 232C. This moves the auxiliary release actuator 230C to the vicinity of the auxiliary actuator stop 224C and moves the actuator top 232D to the second inner stop 218D within the transverse member 220B. In response to the release actuator moving the distance defined by the auxiliary actuator travel range 232C, a second locking / unlocking effect can be achieved on the associated retractable handle (e.g., locking the upper portion 112 in a compressed position within the hollow lower portion 214).

[0053] Figure 3 An exemplary lateral member 300 for an operator's handle of the disclosed rear-mounted lawnmower device is shown according to one or more other embodiments of the present disclosure. The lateral member 300 includes a lateral member body 302, which may be conformally disposed with a first elongated member of the operator's handle at one end (e.g., the right side) of the lateral member body 302, and may be conformally disposed with a second elongated member of the operator's handle at a second end (e.g., the left side) of the lateral member 300. In one or more aspects of the disclosed embodiments, the elongated member of the operator's handle may include an upper portion 312 and a lower tube 314. In various embodiments, the upper portion 312 may be displaced into or out of the lower tube 314 to facilitate switching of the operator's handle between an extended position and a compressed position, as described throughout the specification.

[0054] The transverse member body 302 is capable of facilitating movement of the upper portion 312 relative to the lower tube 314 based on its internal shape and engagement with the operator's handle. As an example, the transverse member body 302 can be fixed in a fixed position relative to the lower tube 314. The upper portion 312 can then extend into and out of the lower tube 314 between a fully compressed position (e.g., extended into the lower tube 314 to its maximum extent) and a fully extended position (e.g., moved out of the lower tube 314 to its maximum extent). However, this subject matter disclosure is not limited to this, and various mechanisms for compressing (or retracting) and extending the operator's handle are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the transverse member body 302 can be fixed in a fixed position relative to the upper portion 312 and can move together with the upper portion 312 as the upper portion 312 extends into and out of the lower tube 314 between the fully compressed and fully extended positions. As another example, the upper portion 312 may be hollow and can slide between a fully compressed position and a fully extended position on the lower tube 314 (which in this example may be hollow or not). This can be achieved by a transverse member body 302 fixed to the upper portion 312 as previously described. In other examples, the upper portion 312 may move beside or near the lower tube 314 (rather than sliding within or around it, for example). In other examples, the operator handle may fold at one or more joints to retract or compress to a fully compressed position and unfold to extend to a fully extended position.

[0055] As shown in the figure, the transverse member 300 may include one or more lower rods, shown as a lower rod 332 at a first end of the transverse member 300 and a lower rod 333 at a second end of the transverse member 300. In at least one disclosed aspect, the transverse member 300 may have a single lower rod at either the first or second end, instead of two lower rods as shown. In the following description, depending on the design choice, one or more lower rods are collectively referred to as lower rods 332, 333, and include aspects of the transverse member 300 having a single lower rod and multiple lower rods (similar syntax used herein also means naming a set of one or more members, in this example, as lower rods, unless explicitly stated otherwise).

[0056] The lower rod 332 may have a first end extending into a hole in the lower tube 314, where the lower rod 332 meets the lower tube 314, such as Figure 3 As shown. Additionally, when the upper portion 312 is positioned relative to the lower tube 314, the lower rod 332 can extend its first end into the hole in the upper portion 312, aligning the hole in the upper portion 312 with the hole in the lower tube 314. (See also below) Figure 3AThe image shows a partial translucent view of the lower tube 314 and the upper portion 312. The lower rod 332 can be mechanically biased such that its first end extends into a hole in the lower tube 314 and into a hole in the upper portion 312 (when properly aligned with the hole in the lower tube 314). Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the mechanical bias can be provided by a disc 2 spring 322 connected to a rotating disk 2 320 that interacts with the second end of the lower rod 332. The disc 2 spring 322 can provide a counterclockwise force on the rotating disk 2 320, which in turn transfers the force toward the lower rod 332 in the direction toward the lower tube 314. In other aspects of the disclosed embodiments, different mechanical biases can be used directly or indirectly on the lower rod 332 and any suitable device to mechanically bias the lower rod 332 toward the holes in the lower tube 314 (and the holes in the upper portion 312). Examples of suitable mechanical biasing elements may include one or more of the following: helical springs, torsion springs, leaf springs, rotary springs, cantilever springs, tension springs, flat springs, serpentine springs, clamp springs, compression springs, hollow tube springs, arc springs, worm springs, balance springs, V-shaped springs or door lock springs, Bassler washers, gas springs, main springs, counter-rotating springs, Marcel wave springs, or any other suitable mechanical biasing element known in the art or reasonably conveyed to a person skilled in the art by the context provided herein, and is considered to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0057] The transverse member 300 includes a release element 118 physically connected to the rotating disk 2 320. When actuated, for example by pressing, switching, shifting, rotating, etc., the release element 118 causes the rotating disk 2 320 to rotate clockwise against the mechanical bias of the disk 2 spring 322 and pulls the lower rod 332 away from the lower tube 314. In some aspects, the release element 118 can be actuated by a first amount that causes the rotating disk 2 320 to rotate at an angle suitable for removing the lower rod 332 from the hole in the upper portion 312, but does not cause the connector 336 disposed on the lower rod 332 to engage the flange on the upper rod 334 and move (or significantly move) the upper rod 334 engaged with the connector 336 (see also below). Figure 8 and Figure 9 ).

[0058] In response to the release element 118 being deactivated or returning to its original non-pressed / switched / shifted / rotated position, the rotating disk 2 320 can conditionally return to its original orientation in a counterclockwise direction via the disk 2 spring 322. In some aspects, the rotating disk 2 320 can be attached to the lower rod 332, and the rotating disk 2 320 will also be prevented from obtaining its original orientation if the lower rod 332 cannot be moved into the hole in the upper portion 312 to restore its original position. In such aspects, if the upper portion 312 is not in a position that aligns the hole in the upper portion 312 with the hole in the lower tube 314, the lower rod 332 and the rotating disk 2 320 will not return to their original positions and orientations, respectively. Therefore, in this respect, when the hole in the upper portion 312 is not aligned with the hole in the lower tube 314, the release member 118 will not be released and will return to its original non-press / switch / shift / rotate position. In one embodiment, when the operator's handle is in the fully extended position, the hole in the upper portion 312 is aligned with the hole in the lower tube 314. Then, in the fully extended position, the lower lever 332 can be driven to its original position by the spring 322 of the disc 2 and the rotating disc 2 320, thereby allowing the release member 118 to return to the non-actuated position.

[0059] In some disclosed aspects, the transverse member 300 may include a lower lever 333 coupled to a rotating disk 1321, which is also coupled to a release member 118. When actuated, the release member 118 rotates the rotating disk 1 321 against a mechanical bias provided by the disk 1 spring 323, and removes the lower lever 333 from a hole in the associated upper portion of the operator's handle adjacent to the lower lever 333. When the release member 118 is actuated to remove the lower levers 332 and 333 from the corresponding holes in the upper portion of the operator's handle, the upper portion is released to move relative to the lower tube 314 (e.g., to a compressed or fully compressed position). In response to the upper portion of the operator's handle returning to the fully extended position, in some aspects of the disclosed embodiments, the holes in the upper portion are realigned with the lower rods 333 and 332, thereby allowing the disc 2 spring 322 and disc 1 spring 323 to push the lower rods 332 and 333 into the holes in the upper portion, thereby preventing the upper portion 312 from moving relative to the lower tube 314 and engaging the locked extended position of the operator's handle.

[0060] In one or more disclosed embodiments, the transverse member 300 may include a switch 340. The switch 340 may be configured to generate a stop signal that disables the prime mover or other motors, engines, etc. (e.g., as described above). Figure 1The rear-mounted lawnmower 100 shown has a source 106. In response to the actuation of the release member 118 and the rotation of the rotary disc 2 320, the top 324 of the rotary disc 2 320 presses down the switch actuator 342 of the switch 340. The switch 340 generates and can continue to generate a stop signal in response to the pressing of the switch actuator 342. When the upper portion 312 returns to the fully extended position, the rotary disc 2 320 can return to its original orientation, disengaging the top 324 from the switch actuator 342, causing the switch 340 to stop generating the stop signal. Therefore, when the operator's handle is in the fully extended position, the switch 340 does not deactivate the prime mover of the associated rear-mounted lawnmower device.

[0061] Figure 3A An exemplary lateral member 300A is depicted for an operator handle in the disclosed fully extended and locked position. The lateral member 300A shows a lower lever 332 in a default or original position consistent with the force provided by the mechanical bias of the disc 2 spring 322. The original position of the lower lever 332 includes a lower lever locking end 332A extending through an opening 314A in the lower tube 314 and through an opening 312A in the upper portion 312. By extending through both openings 312A, 314A, the lower lever 332 in its initial position can mitigate or prevent movement of the upper portion 312 relative to the lower tube 314, thereby effectively locking the operator handle in the fully extended and locked position. In one or more of the disclosed aspects, the opposite side of the lateral member 300A can include another lower lever, for example… Figure 3 The lower lever 333 can also have a locking end that extends into the second opening in the upper portion and the second opening in the lower tube to further reduce or prevent movement of the upper portion of the operator's handle relative to the lower tube. When the opening 312A in the upper portion 312 is misaligned with the opening 314A in the lower tube 314, the outer surface of the upper portion 312 restricts the lower lever 332 from returning to its original position, regardless of the return bias provided by the disc 2 spring 322 and the rotating disc 2 320.

[0062] In another aspect of the disclosed embodiments, the transverse member 300A may include an upper rod 334. As shown, the upper rod 334 may be positioned in a second opening in the lower tube 314B. With the upper portion 312 aligned with the lower tube 314 such that the second opening in the upper portion 312 aligns with the second opening in the lower tube 314B, the upper rod 334 may move into both second openings (e.g., via an upper rod biasing member 834, see below). Figure 8 This locks the operator handle in another position corresponding to the alignment of the second opening. In one or more embodiments, this other position of the operator handle can be a fully compressed position, wherein the upper lever 334 facilitates the locked compressed position (see below for example). Figure 8and 9 Note that if the second opening in the upper portion 312 is not aligned with the second opening in the lower tube 314B, the outer surface of the upper portion 312 restricts the upper rod 334 from engaging with the upper portion 312 or prevents the upper portion 312 from moving relative to the lower tube 314.

[0063] Figure 4 An example actuation 400 of the transverse member 300 according to one or more aspects of the disclosed embodiments is shown. The release member 118 is shown mechanically initially in an unpressurized position 418, and the position in which the release member 118 can be seated relative to the transverse member body 302 before actuation is shown. Furthermore, the release member 118 is shown mechanically coupled to the rotary disk 2 320 via a release linkage 428, and similarly to the rotary disk 1321 via a similar release linkage.

[0064] An inward force 410 (e.g., supplied by the operator) on the abutment release member 118, greater than the mechanical force supplied by the spring 323 of disc 1 or the spring 322 of disc 2 (or both when supplied together in the transverse member 300), can cause the release member 118 to move inward within the transverse member body 302, as indicated by the arrow marking the movement of the release member 415. This inward movement of the release member 118 causes the rotating disc 2 320 to rotate clockwise to a first (clockwise) rotation position, and the rotating disc 1 321 to rotate counterclockwise to a first (counterclockwise) rotation position, as indicated by the solid arrow. Furthermore, the rotation of the rotating disc 2320 pulls the lower lever 332 inward (in the direction of the arrow above the lower lever 332) and is used to remove the locking end 332A of the lower lever from the opening in the upper portion 312A (see above). Figure 3A Similarly, rotation of disc 1 321 pulls lower lever 333 inward (in the direction of the arrow above lower lever 333) and removes the lower lever locking end of lower lever 333 from the second opening adjacent to lower lever 333 in upper portion 312A.

[0065] After the lower levers 332 and 333 move inward, the upper portion of the operator's handle then moves freely relative to the lower tube, as described herein. If the upper portion subsequently moves such that the opening in the upper lever is misaligned with the opening in the lower tube, and the locking ends of the lower levers 332 and 333 are positioned through this opening, the outer surface of the upper lever will prevent the disc 2 spring 322 and disc 1 spring 323 from returning the lower levers 332 and 333 to their inward position. In other words, the misalignment of the hole in the upper portion relative to the lower tube locks the lower levers 332 and 333 in the inward position and similarly holds the rotating discs 2 320 and 1 321 in their first rotational positions. This, in turn, locks the release element 118 in the first inward release position.

[0066] In response to the subsequent realignment of the opening in the upper portion with the opening in the lower tube (through which the locking ends of the lower rods 332 and 333 are positioned), the mechanical bias provided by the disc 1 spring 323 and the disc 2 spring 322 can reverse the rotation of the rotating discs 1321 and 2 320, respectively, thereby pushing the lower rods 332 and 333 outward through the newly realigned openings in both the lower tube and the upper portion. This allows the upper portion to be relocked relative to the lower tube and the release member 118 to the unpressed position 418.

[0067] Figure 5 A close-up view of the operation of the release actuator 500 and the release element 118, as described above, is presented. Figure 4 The inward force 410 of the abutment release member 118 causes the clockwise rotation of the rotating disk 2 320 to cause the ridge 524 on the rotating disk 2 320 to press down the switch actuator 342 and activate the disable switch 540. The disable switch 540 generates a stop signal in response to the actuation of the switch actuator 342. When the stop signal is applied to the prime mover on the maintenance equipment, the stop signal can disable the activation or operation of the prime mover when generated by the disable switch 540. In response to the realignment of the openings in the upper portion and the lower tube (which facilitates the reverse rotation of the rotating disk 2 320 and the return of the release member 118 to the unpressed position 418), the ridge 524 disengages from the switch actuator 342, and the disable switch 540 stops generating the stop signal. Therefore, the activation / operation of the prime mover of the associated maintenance equipment is no longer prevented by the disable switch 540 (although in some embodiments, the second OPC circuit can still disable the prime mover, such as those connected to the above). Figure 1 The second OPC circuit of OPC 122.

[0068] Figure 5A An image of the interior of the disclosed transverse member for a handle of a maintenance device in one or more embodiments is shown. The interior image includes an example disc and rod connector 500A in response to movement of release member 118. For example, upward movement of release member 118 within the housing of the transverse member (see, for example, above). Figure 3 The transverse member body 302 causes the rotating disk 2 320 to rotate counterclockwise and the lower rod 332 to move laterally inward toward the center of the transverse member. This inward movement of the lower rod 332 causes the connector 336 to move inward along the upper rod 334 to engage its flange (see, for example, upper rod flange 636). Conversely, the downward movement of the release member 118 within the housing causes the rotating disk 2 320 to rotate clockwise and the lower rod 332 (and connector 336) to move laterally outward.

[0069] Figure 6An example base and mount 600 for an operator's handle for a maintenance device according to another aspect of the disclosed embodiments is depicted. The base and mount 600 includes a handle frame mount 220 and a base support 610. The handle frame mount 220 includes a frame / support mount 620 that facilitates fastening or securing the base and mount 600 to the frame, structural support, or other suitable structure of a rear-mounted maintenance device (e.g., see above). Figure 1 The base support 610 can be secured to the hollow lower portion 214 of the operator's handle via a pivot fastener 226. The pivot fastener 226 allows the base 222 of the hollow lower portion 214 to rotate between a base stop for the extended position 224 and a base stop for the folded position 228. In at least some embodiments, the pivot fastener 226 can also secure the base support 610 to the handle frame mount 220. In other embodiments, the base support 610 can be secured to the handle frame mount 220 via another mechanism, or it can be integrally formed with the handle frame mount 220.

[0070] In various aspects of the disclosed embodiments, latch 622 may be positioned within the base 222 of the hollow lower portion 214. Latch 622 may be configured to slide within the hollow lower portion 214 and secured by latch bias 624 to prevent it from falling out of the hollow lower portion 214. Latch bias 624 may be fastened at one end to pivot fastener 226 (or near pivot fastener 226 to base support 610 or handle frame mount 220) and at a second end to latch 622, providing a mechanical bias on latch 622 for inward access into the hollow lower portion 214. In various embodiments, latch 622 may be operable to secure the base 222 of the operator handle to the base support 610 and prevent the base 222 from rotating away from the base stop 224 for an extended position, providing a locked extended position for the operator handle. In another embodiment, latch 622 may be operable to secure the base 222 of the operator handle to the base support 610 near the base stop for the folded position 228, preventing the base 222 from rotating away from the base stop for the folded position 228, thereby providing a locked folded position for the operator handle. In some aspects of the disclosed embodiments, latch 622 may be operable to secure the base 222 near both the base stop for the folded position 228 and the base stop for the extended position 224, providing a locked extended position and a locked folded position.

[0071] In addition to the above, a base pin 630 is provided in the locked folded position to provide additional structural support for the operator's handle. For example, when in the locked folded position, the lower opening in the hollow lower portion 214 and the lower slot opening in the upper portion of the operator's handle can rest on the base pin 630. When the operator's handle is in the locked folded position, the base pin 630 prevents the upper portion from moving relative to the hollow lower portion 214, thereby providing a firm structural support for the locked folded position. As a result, the maintenance equipment can be suspended from a wall or other surface via the operator's handle in the locked folded position because the base pin 630 (together with the upper rod 334 in the transverse member 300, see above) Figure 3A And the following text Figure 8 It can provide sufficient structural support to secure the operator's handle while maintaining the weight of the equipment suspended on the operator's handle.

[0072] Figure 7 A latch release member in an extended position 700 of the disclosed handle frame mount 220 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted. Figure 7 A latch 622 is shown, which includes a latch seat 728 within a hollow lower portion 214 of an operator's handle. When the hollow lower portion 214 is pressed downward, the upper portion 212 of the operator's handle within the hollow lower portion 214 can engage the latch seat 728. In response to the upper portion 212 being pressed downward within the hollow lower portion 214, a force 730 on the latch seat 728 resists a latch bias 624 to push the latch 622 out of the base 222 of the hollow lower portion 214. In the upper portion 212 as... Figure 7A In the fully compressed state shown, latch 622 is depicted as disengaging from the support fastener 726 of the base support 610 at 700A, which locks latch 622 in the locked extended position. Once released from the support fastener 726, the base 622 and the operator's handle are freely rotated out of the locked extended position, as... Figure 7A As shown.

[0073] Figure 7A This is a perspective view of latch 622, showing latch foot 722A released from base support 610, wherein latch 622 is released from the locked extended position. The hollow lower portion 214 and the upper portion 212 within the hollow lower portion 214 are freely rotatable about pivot fastener 226. When approaching the base stop for the folded position 628, latch foot 722A can engage locking cam 730A, specifically as... Figure 7BAs shown. The locking cam 730A has a cam surface 730B, which, when the hollow lower portion 214 rotates along the cam surface 730B to the fully folded position adjacent to the base stop of the folded position 628, pushes the latch foot 722A out of the hollow lower portion 214 against the latch bias member 624. The outward movement of the latch 622 away from the pivot fastener 226 separates the latch seat 728 from the bottom of the upper portion base 712B, as shown. In the case that the latch foot 722 cannot engage the locking cam 730A, the foot stop 732B can prevent the hollow lower portion 214 from rotating to the fully folded position, so as to avoid the latch 622 not being locked by the locking cam 730A when in the fully folded position, as shown below. Figure 7C As stated above.

[0074] When the lower hollow portion 214 reaches the fully folded position, the latch foot 722 crosses the cam surface 730B, and the latch offset 624 pulls the latch 622 and latch seat 728 into contact with the base 712B of the upper portion, as... Figure 7C As shown. Furthermore, when the latch seat 728 is pulled to contact the upper portion base 712B, the latch foot 722 becomes fixed behind the rear surface of the locking cam 730A. With the latch foot 722 fixed behind the rear surface of the locking cam 730A, the lower hollow portion 214 is locked in the folded position because the locking cam 730 prevents the latch 622 and the lower hollow portion 214 from rotating out of the folded position.

[0075] In addition to the above, when the hollow lower portion 214 is in the locked folded position, the opening 712C in the hollow lower portion 214 can rest on the base pin 630 of the base support 610. Furthermore, when the upper portion 212 is in a compressed position relative to the hollow lower portion 214 (e.g., a locked compressed position or a fully compressed position, or substantially the same), the groove 714C in the upper portion 212 can be aligned with the opening 712C in the hollow lower portion 214. Therefore, when the groove 714C is aligned with the opening 712C, the base pin 630 can engage both the opening 712C and the groove 714C. In one or more embodiments, the opening 712C may be conformally or substantially conformally aligned with the base pin 630 and may be located above the base pin 630. A slot 714C in the upper portion 212 defines a length that can be positioned above and around the base seat pin 630, thereby allowing the upper portion 212 to slide a distance relative to the hollow lower portion 214. When the upper portion 212 is in a (fully) compressed position relative to the hollow lower portion 214 (e.g., see above...), Figure 2A and 7A The base pin 630 is located at the upper end of the slot 714C (the leftmost part of the slot 714C, such as...). Figure 7C(As shown). With the latch foot 722 secured behind the locking cam 730A and the hollow lower portion 214 locked in the folded position, the opening 712C and the slot 714C engage with the base seat pin 630. This allows the operator's handle, including the upper portion 212 and the hollow lower portion 214, to be suspended on the operator's hand grip 120, and the weight of any attached maintenance equipment (e.g., a rear-mounted lawnmower 100) to be at least partially supported by the base seat pin 630.

[0076] When the upper portion 212 is locked in the (locked) fully compressed position, the slot 714C engages the base seat pin 630 at its leftmost extent (as shown in the image). Figure 7C (As shown and described above). In response to the upper portion 212 becoming unlocked relative to the hollow lower portion 214, the upper portion 212 can move as permitted by the length of the slot 714C and the width of the base seat pin 630. Furthermore, the latch bias 624 is capable of applying a force on the latch 622 that pushes the upper portion base 712B away from the pivot fastener 226, as permitted by the slot 714C and the base seat pin 630. In various embodiments, the length of the slot 714C can be selected to allow sufficient movement of the latch 622 to disengage the latch foot 722 from the locking cam 730A when the upper portion 212 is unlocked from the compressed position (e.g., see below). Figure 10 As a result, the hollow lower portion 214 can be unlocked from the locked folded position in response to the upper portion 212 unlocking from the locked compressed position. The operator handle then moves freely between the folded and extended positions; furthermore, rotating the operator handle away from the folded position disengages the opening 712C in the hollow lower portion 214 and the slot 714C in the upper portion 212 from the base seat pin 630. The upper portion 212 of the operator handle then moves freely relative to the hollow lower portion 214.

[0077] Figure 8 An example interior of a transverse member 800 for an operator's handle of a maintenance device in a locked, compressed position, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is depicted. In various embodiments, the transverse member 800 may be substantially similar to... Figure 3 The transverse member 300. However, the subject matter disclosure is not limited thereto, as in some or more embodiments, the transverse member 800 may be different from the transverse member 300.

[0078] The transverse member 800 may include a lower lever 332, which is removed from the upper portion 312 of the operator's handle by a release linkage 428 that physically connects the lower lever 332 to a rotatable disk, as described herein. The transverse member 334 also includes an upper lever 334 having an end that inserts through an opening in the lower tube 314 and a second opening 816 in the upper portion 312 aligned with the opening in the lower tube 314. The upper lever 334 is coupled to an upper lever biasing member 834 that provides mechanical bias on an upper lever flange 636 in the direction of the second opening 816 in the upper portion 312, as indicated by the solid arrow. In response to further actuation of the release member 818 from a first actuated position into the transverse member body of the transverse member 800 (e.g., Figure 8 (as shown, upward) to the second actuation position (e.g., see...) Figure 9 The lower rod 332 is further pulled into the transverse member 800, and the flange 338 of the lower rod 332 is as follows: Figure 8 The connector 336, which is fixed to the lower rod 332, is pushed to the left. The connector 336 slides on the upper rod 334 and engages the upper rod flange 636, thereby pushing the upper rod 334 inward (to the left) against the mechanical bias of the upper rod biasing member 834. As a result, the end of the upper rod 334 is removed from the second opening 816 in the upper portion 312, thereby allowing the upper portion 312 to move relative to the lower tube 314.

[0079] Figure 9 The diagram shows the upper lever 334 being pushed inward in the direction of the arrow in a fully removable position 934 from the second opening 816 in the upper portion 312, in response to the release member 818 being actuated to the fully depressed position 918. As previously described, with the upper lever 334 removed from the second opening 816, the upper portion 312 can move relative to the lower tube 314. The base 622 of the lower tube 314 is in a position as... Figure 7C In the locked folded position shown, the movement of the upper portion 312 in response to the release member 818 being actuated to the fully depressed position 918 is limited by the length of the slot 714C and the dimensions of the base seat pin 630. However, as mentioned above, these dimensions are sufficient to disengage the latch foot 722 from the locking cam 730A (see below). Figure 10 This allows the lower tube 314 to rotate out of the folded position, thereby removing the engagement between the upper portion 312 and the lower tube 314 with the base seat pin 630. Therefore, in response to the release member 818 being actuated to the fully depressed position 918 and the operator's handle rotating away from the folded position, the upper portion 312 can move freely relative to the lower tube 314 between a fully extended position and a fully compressed position, as described throughout this specification.

[0080] Figure 9AAn exemplary retractable handle 910A for a turf maintenance device according to one or more aspects of this disclosure is depicted. The retractable handle 910A is positioned at a corresponding end of a transverse member 116, wherein an upper portion 112 is movable into and out of a lower portion 114. Furthermore, the retractable handle 910A defines a plurality of locked extension positions. Figure 9A As shown, the retractable handle 910A is positioned in a first locked extended position, wherein the upper and lower rods of the transverse member 116 are positioned within a second opening in the upper portion 816 and an opening in the upper portion 312A, respectively. The first locked extended position provides a first length for the retractable handle 910A. A set of additional holes spaced apart by a distance 920A is provided in the upper portion 912A, which is equal to the distance between the upper and lower rods of the transverse member 116. When the upper portion 112 moves relative to the lower portion 114 such that the additional holes 912A align with the upper and lower rods of the transverse member 116, the retractable handle 910A is in a second locked extended position having a second length. Other sets of additional holes (not shown) in the upper portion 112 may define other locked extended positions having other corresponding lengths (e.g., a third locked extended position defining a third length of the retractable handle 910A, a fourth locked extended position defining a fourth length of the retractable handle 910A, etc.).

[0081] like Figure 10 As shown, when the upper rod 334 is removed from the second opening 816 in the upper portion 312, the upper portion base 712B can be pushed by the latch seat 728 and the latch bias member 624, such that the rightmost edge of the slot 714C in the upper portion 312 abuts the base seat pin 630, as... Figure 10 As shown. Simultaneously, the latch foot 722 moves inward into the locking cam 730A, and the locking cam 730A no longer prevents the lower tube 314 from rotating about the pivot fastener 226. As... Figure 11 As shown, when the lower tube 314 rotates between the base stop for the folded position 228 and the base stop for the extended position 224, the latch foot 722 can follow the cam surface 1130 of the base support 610. The cam surface 1130 can be shaped such that when the lower tube 314 rotates closer to the base stop for the extended position 224, the latch foot 722 is pulled out of the lower tube 314 against the latch bias 624. This causes the opening in the latch 622 to separate from the support fastener 726 in the base support 610. Figure 11 As shown, when the lower tube reaches or substantially reaches the base stop of the extension position 224, when the latch foot 722 is completely away from the cam surface 1130, the latch biasing member 624, as indicated by the solid arrow, pulls the latch 622 inward into the lower tube 314, causing the opening in the latch 622 to engage the support fastener 726, as described above. Figure 7As shown. This effectively locks the latch 622 and the lower tube 314 in the locked extended position, as described throughout this specification.

[0082] Generally, the embodiments shown are not provided as strict limitations on how those skilled in the art can practice the disclosed aspects, but are intended to be provided as examples that can be modified, interchanged, added to, or subtracted as will suit those skilled in the art to achieve the purposes and objectives described herein. As an example, based on the inventiveness of those skilled in the art, the arrangement of components depicted in one embodiment may be interchanged with components depicted in another embodiment, optionally excluding some components or including other components shown in a third embodiment. For example, Figure 1 The retractable handle 110 can be used with Figure 3 The upper part 312 and the lower tube 314 and optionally Figure 8 The transverse members 800 are appropriately arranged together. As another example, Figure 6 The frame / support mounting component 620 can be used with Figure 2 The handle frame mount 220 is integrated to secure the retractable handle 110 to... Figure 1 The lawnmower platform 108. As another example, components of the disclosed device can be implemented as connected to other components rather than included within a parent device. For example, switch 340 can be implemented at least partially within the upper portion 312 of the retractable handle 110 or the lower tube 314 of the retractable handle 110, for example, where the lower lever 332 (or upper lever 334) engages the position of switch actuator 342 within the lower tube 314 or the upper portion 312. Alternatively, in another embodiment, switch 340 can be implemented at least partially within the operator grip 120 or OPC buckle 122, or a second switch 340 can be implemented within the operator grip 120, OPC buckle 122, or at the frame mount 220 or power supply 106, etc., and switch 340 can be implemented within the transverse member 300 as shown (or in the upper portion 312 or lower tube 314 as described above). Alternatively, the opposite orientation can be achieved within the scope of this disclosure: in some embodiments, a component (e.g., lower lever 332) depicted as separate from another component (e.g., upper lever 334) can be integrated into a single component (e.g., lower lever 332 and upper lever 334 are a single unit extending different lengths into alignment openings in the upper portion 312 and lower tube 314 to achieve a locked compressed position of the operator handle 110, a locking extension of the operator handle 110, or both, or other suitable integration of the disclosed elements). Additionally, it should be noted that one or more of the disclosed processes can be combined into a single process providing integrated functionality. Furthermore, components of the disclosed machine / device / sensor / control unit can also interact with one or more other components not specifically described herein but known to those skilled in the art.

[0083] Figure 12 Images are shown of an electronic control module 1200 for a retrofit maintenance device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The electronic control module 1200 can be configured to operate and program the electronic and electromechanical functions of the retrofit maintenance device. The electronic control module 1200 may include a control interface 1230 and an operator presence cable 1210. Additionally, in at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic control module 1200 may include one or more drive wheel actuators 1240.

[0084] The rear-mounted maintenance device includes an operator handle having an upper handle 1212, a lower handle 1214, and a transverse member 1216 located between the upper handle 1212 and the lower handle 1214. A control interface 1230 of the electronic control module 1200 can be fixed to an operator gripper 1220 at the end of the upper handle 1212. The operator presence cable 1210 can have a default position mechanically biased away from the operator gripper 1220, and a non-default position where the transverse member of the operator presence cable 1210 resists the mechanical bias and is adjacent to the operator gripper 1220.

[0085] In some embodiments, the operation of the control interface 1230 may depend entirely or partially on the actuation of the operator presence cable 1210. As an example, the operator presence cable 1210 may operate as a switch for supplying or disconnecting power to the control interface 1230. In this example, when a non-default position is detected (e.g., movement by an operator), power from a battery or other power source may be supplied to the control interface 1230, thereby allowing the control interface 1230 to be turned on. When the operator presence cable 1210 is moved to a non-default position, in this exemplary embodiment, power to the control interface 1230 may be cut off, stopping the operation of the electrical and electromechanical functions of the control interface 1230. In an alternative example, the operator presence cable 1210 may operate as a switch that enables and disables electromechanical power from the control interface 1230 to be allocated to one or more mechanical functions of the retrofit maintenance equipment, such as a cutting motor, wheel drive motor, etc., or a combination thereof. In the latter example, control interface 1230 can be energized and de-energized independently of operator presence cable 1210, but at least a subset of the electromechanical functions of control interface 1230 are energized in response to detecting operator presence cable 1210 in a non-default position and de-energized in response to detecting operator presence cable 1210 in a default position. Other exemplary embodiments of control interface 1230 that affect some or all of the functions of control interface 1230 known in the art or reasonably conveyed by the context provided herein to those skilled in the art are within the scope of this disclosure.

[0086] Figure 13 An alternative electronic control module 1300 according to an additional embodiment of this disclosure is shown. The electronic control module 1300 includes a control interface 1330 fixed to an operator gripper 1220 of the maintenance equipment. In various embodiments, an operator presence cable 1210 can be configured to operate in conjunction with the electronic control module 1300 to conditionally activate (and deactivate) one or more electrical or electromechanical functions of the maintenance equipment. A power actuator 1326 of the control interface 1330 provides power to the control interface 1330 (optionally, when an operator presence cable 1210 is detected to be in a non-default position). Various operator output indicators and operator inputs become operable in response to the power of the control interface 1330, which is energized in response to the activation of the power actuator 1326 (e.g., see below). Figure 13A ).

[0087] In at least some embodiments, once energized, a left drive actuator 1324 and a right drive actuator 1326 are provided, enabling an operator to power the drive wheels of the maintenance device when pressing down either the left drive actuator 1324 or the right drive actuator 1326 (or both). A drive speed selector 1338 can control the drive speed of the drive wheels when activated by the drive actuators. Note that the left drive actuator 1324 and the right drive actuator 1326 are embodied as thumb controllers because when the operator's hand grips the left and right portions of the operator gripper 1220, as shown at the left operator gripper 1222 and the right operator gripper 1224 (where the control interface 1230 and the corresponding drive wheel actuator 1240 are located), they are positioned near the operator's left and right thumbs, respectively. Other positions or orientations of the left drive actuator 1324 and the right drive actuator 1326 relative to the operator's hand, thumb, fingers, etc., are within the scope of this disclosure. In other embodiments without a powered drive wheel, the left drive actuator 1324, right drive actuator 1326, and drive speed selector 1338 may be absent.

[0088] The control interface 1330 includes a battery charging indicator 1332 and a cutting load indicator 1336. The battery charging indicator 1332 shows the current charge on the maintenance equipment's battery power supply, and the cutting load indicator 1336 shows the current physical resistance measured at the cutting system of the maintenance equipment. The cutting load indicator 1336 allows the operator to adjust the cutting height of the maintenance equipment to reduce or increase the load to a desired level. Because the cutting load has a significant impact on power consumption and battery life, the cutting load indicator 1336 provides the operator with real-time feedback suitable for enhancing battery life.

[0089] In addition to the above, the control interface 1330 may include a blade wear indicator 1334, which is activated in response to a measurement of blade wear reaching a threshold level. The measurement of blade wear may include the number of operating hours, the number of hours within a range of cutting load levels, or a suitable combination thereof. Once the threshold level is reached, the blade wear indicator 1334 may be illuminated or otherwise activated to perform maintenance on the cutting system (e.g., sharpening one or more blades, replacing one or more blades, etc.).

[0090] A handle lockout fault indicator 1335 may be provided to be activated when the retractable handle is not in the locked extended position (e.g., see above). Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 9A Additionally, the handle lock fault indicator 1335 can be coupled to a disable switch that disables the electromechanical functions of the maintenance equipment, such as power supply to the cutting system motor or drive wheels, in response to activation of the handle lock fault indicator 1335. A general fault indicator 1333 can be provided to activate in response to electrical, environmental, or mechanical errors associated with the maintenance equipment. Examples of such errors may include: low battery power; improper battery positioning; faulty power or communication cable connections; excessive load on the cutting system; malfunction of the cutting system motor; temperature errors (e.g., overheating); or suitable combinations thereof.

[0091] Figure 13A An example of the electronic control module 1300A in operation is shown. The electronic control module 1300A shows a battery charging indicator 1332A when fully charged. A smaller number of illuminated charge levels indicate a battery charge less than a full charge. A cutting load indicator 1336A under maximum cutting load is also shown, where a smaller illuminated load level indicates a load less than the maximum cutting load measured at the cutting system. A handle lockout fault indicator 1335A is shown as an example of being inactive, as are the general fault indicator 1333A and the blade wear indicator 1334A.

[0092] Figure 14An example front view 1400 of electronic control inputs and outputs for a maintenance device according to a further disclosed embodiment is depicted. Front view 1400 depicts the front of the operator gripper 1220 and the rear of the control interface 1230. A rear view of the operator-present cable 1210 is also shown in its default position, where the cable horizontal portion 1212 is physically separated from the operator gripper 1220. In a non-default position (not shown), the cable horizontal portion 1212 can be rotated to physically align with the operator gripper 1220 to achieve the functions described herein. In addition to the above, the lawnmower activation device 1410 can be configured as an optional condition for energizing the maintenance device and the control interface 1230. The absence of the lawnmower activation device 1410 can prevent the control interface 1230 (and maintenance equipment) from being powered on, while the proper positioning of the lawnmower activation device 1410 in its socket can satisfy a condition for powering on the control interface 1230 (in conjunction with the detection of the operator presence, the cable 1210 being in a non-default position, the absence of a fault associated with the general fault indicator 1333, and the absence of a fault associated with the handle lock fault indicator 1335, etc.).

[0093] Command and data cable 1420 can provide power to control interface 1230 and optionally to a socket of lawnmower activation device 1410, and can transmit signals between control interface 1230 and other parts of maintenance equipment. In at least some embodiments, power to control interface 1230 can be transmitted via cable 1420, while command and data control signals can be transmitted wirelessly between control interface 1230 and one or more electronic sensors or electric motors of maintenance equipment. Suitable electronic sensors coupled to command and data cable 1420 (or via wireless communication) may include, for example, switch 340, disable switch 540, or a switch (not shown) associated with detecting latch foot 722 secured by locking cam 730A, or another switch (not shown) associated with detecting latch foot 722 secured behind cam surface 1130. Suitable electric motors may include prime movers (e.g., those described above). Figure 1 The rear-mounted lawnmower 100 has a power source 106) or a wheel motor for driving the front or rear wheels (e.g., front wheel 104, rear wheel 102) of a maintenance device. In at least some embodiments, a command and data cable 1420 (or wireless communication) can transmit a termination signal generated by a switch 340 or a disable switch 540 to a control interface 1230, which in turn triggers the termination of an electric motor (e.g., prime mover, drive wheel, etc.) via the command and data cable 1420 (or a second wireless communication).

[0094] In the disclosed embodiments, a lateral member for an operator's handle of a turf maintenance device is provided (e.g., see lateral member 116, lateral member 216A, lateral member 220B, and other members disclosed herein). The lateral member can include a lateral member body having an outer and an inner portion, wherein the inner portion engages with a first elongated structure of the operator's handle at one end of the lateral member body and with a second elongated structure of the operator's handle at a second end of the lateral member body. In some aspects, the lateral member can include a first locking structure disposed within the inner portion of the lateral member body, which engages an opening in a lower portion of a first elongated structure and can also engage a second opening in an upper portion of the first elongated structure in response to alignment with the second opening, to lock the upper portion of the first elongated structure in a fixed position relative to the lower portion of the first elongated structure. In another aspect, the transverse member may include a mechanically biased release actuator disposed internally and coupled to a first locking structure, operable to drive the first locking structure toward one end of the transverse member body in response to mechanical bias, and to engage both the second opening and the second opening in response to alignment with the second opening. In another aspect, the transverse member may include a release member exposed externally to the transverse member body and coupled to the mechanically biased release actuator, such that when activated to a first activated position, the release member moves the mechanically biased release actuator against a mechanical biasing force, removes the first locking structure from the second opening, and releases the upper portion of the first elongated structure to move relative to the lower portion of the first elongated structure.

[0095] In one or more additional aspects, the transverse member may further include a second locking structure disposed within the body of the transverse member, the second locking structure being capable of engaging a third opening in the lower portion of the second elongated structure, and also capable of engaging a fourth opening in the upper portion of the second elongated structure in response to alignment of a fourth opening with the third opening, to lock the upper portion of the second elongated structure in a fixed position relative to the lower portion of the second elongated structure.

[0096] On the other hand, the transverse member may further include a second mechanically biased release actuator disposed internally and coupled to the second locking structure, operable to drive the second locking structure toward a second end of the transverse member body in response to the second mechanical bias, and capable of engaging the second locking structure with both the third and fourth openings in response to alignment of the fourth and third openings. In another aspect, the second mechanically biased release actuator may be coupled to a release member such that, when activated to a first activated position, the release member can move the second mechanically biased release actuator against the second mechanical bias force, remove the second locking structure from the fourth opening, and release the upper portion of the second elongated structure to move relative to the lower portion of the second elongated structure.

[0097] In one or more other aspects, the transverse member may also include a second locking structure disposed within the interior of the transverse member body, the second locking structure having a second mechanical bias operable to drive the second locking structure toward said one end of the transverse member body, wherein the second locking structure engages a third opening in the lower portion of the first elongated structure.

[0098] In one aspect, a second mechanical bias may, in response to alignment of a fourth opening with a third opening, drive a second locking structure to engage a fourth opening in the upper portion of the first elongated structure, thereby locking the upper portion of the first elongated structure in a second fixed position relative to the lower portion of the first elongated structure. In another aspect, when the second opening is not aligned with an opening, the fourth opening may be aligned with the third opening, and the second fixed position of the upper portion relative to the lower portion may differ from the fixed position of the upper portion relative to the lower portion. Alternatively or additionally, the transverse member may further include a connector fixedly connected at one end to the first locking structure and slidably connected at a second end adjacent to a flange in the second locking structure. In this respect, in response to the release member being activated to the second activated position, the release member can further resist mechanical bias and move the mechanically biased release actuator, the first locking structure can be further removed from one end away from the transverse member body, causing the connector to slidably engage the flange on the second locking structure and drive the second locking structure against the second mechanical bias, and the second locking structure can be removed from the fourth opening, and the upper portion of the first elongated structure can be further released from the second fixed position.

[0099] On the other hand, the transverse member may also include a disable switch within the body of the transverse member, the disable switch having a switch actuator adjacent to the top portion of a mechanically biased release actuator. In response to the release element being activated to a first activated position, the top portion of the mechanically biased release actuator can engage the switch actuator and activate the disable switch, wherein the output of the disable switch can be configured to disable the power source of the turf maintenance equipment.

[0100] Another embodiment of this disclosure provides an operator's handle for turf maintenance equipment (e.g., the retractable handle 110, retractable handle 220A, etc. disclosed herein). The operator's handle may include an upper handle portion, a lower handle portion, and a mounting structure. The upper handle portion includes an operator grip, and the lower handle portion includes a hollow tube movable within the hollow tube between a compressed position and an extended position. The mounting structure includes one or more fastener supports for securely attaching the mounting structure to the device. In one aspect of such an embodiment, the lower handle portion is rotatably fixed to the mounting structure near its base and is rotatable relative to the device between an upright position and a folded position. The mounting structure may also include a first locking mechanism to lock the lower handle portion in at least one of the upright or folded positions, thereby preventing the lower handle portion from rotating when locked by the locking mechanism. In addition, the operator handle may include a transverse member positioned at the intersection of the upper handle portion and the lower handle portion, and the upper handle portion engages the hollow tube of the lower handle portion through the transverse member. The transverse member may also include a release member configured to unlock the lower handle portion from the folded position.

[0101] On the other hand, the mounting structure may also include a second locking mechanism configured to lock the lower handle portion in a second position, either in an upright or folded position. The operator handle may also include a latch located within the base of the lower handle portion, the latch having a mechanical bias to pull the latch into the lower handle portion and a latch foot structure that prevents movement of the latch into the lower handle portion in response to the mechanical bias of pulling the latch foot structure into the bottom edge of the lower handle portion. On the other hand, the second locking mechanism may include a locking tab located near the base of the lower handle portion when rotated to the upright position, and wherein the latch also includes a support fastener that, when in the upright position, engages the locking tab and prevents the lower handle portion from rotating away from the upright position in response to the mechanical bias of pulling the latch into the lower handle portion.

[0102] In one or more other aspects, the upper handle portion can be moved to a compressed position and can resist mechanical bias to push the latch, and can release the support fastener from the locking tab, thereby allowing the lower handle portion to rotate away from the upright position. In yet another aspect, the second locking mechanism may include a locking cam structure located near the base of the lower handle portion when rotated to the folded position. When the lower handle portion is rotated to the folded position, the locking cam structure can engage the latch foot structure, and can resist mechanical bias to pull the latch outward from the lower handle portion in response to the lower handle portion continuing to rotate to the folded position after the locking cam structure engages the latch foot structure, and can capture the latch foot structure to prevent the lower handle portion from rotating away from the folded position in response to the lower handle portion reaching the folded position.

[0103] In another aspect of this embodiment of the operator handle, activation of the release member can further unlock the upper handle portion from the compressed position, allowing a mechanical bias to pull the latch away from the locking cam structure, and unlock the lower handle portion from the folded position. In another aspect, the lateral member may include a second locking mechanism configured to lock the upper handle in at least one of a compressed or extended position. Furthermore, the release member may also be configured to unlock the upper handle from the compressed position. Alternatively or additionally, the release member may also be configured to unlock the upper handle from the extended position. In some aspects, the lateral member of the operator handle may include a second locking mechanism configured to lock the upper handle in at least one of a compressed position, an extended position, a second extended position, or a third extended position. Further embodiments disclose methods for securing the operator handle to a rear-mounted turf maintenance device (e.g., see...). Figure 6-7C , Figure 10 and Figure 11 The base (also referred to as a mounting bracket) of the operator's handle (etc.). In various aspects of this embodiment, the base may include a support structure for securing the base to the rear-mounted turf maintenance equipment and a base support member secured to the support structure. The base support member may also include a pivot fastener for rotatably securing the operator's handle to the support structure between an extended position and a folded position, a first base stop at the extended position of the operator's handle to prevent rotation of the operator's handle through the extended position, a second base stop at the folded position of the operator's handle to prevent rotation of the operator's handle through the folded position, and a first locking structure located at the base of the operator's handle in the extended position and configured to lock the operator's handle in the extended position and prevent rotation of the operator's handle out of the extended position. Furthermore, the base or mounting bracket may include a second locking structure located at the base of the operator's handle in the folded position and configured to lock the operator's handle in the folded position and prevent rotation of the operator's handle out of the folded position.

[0104] In one aspect, the first locking structure may include a locking tab formed in the base support and configured to engage a latch in the base of the operator's handle when the operator's handle is positioned in the extended position. Furthermore, the second locking structure may include a cam device formed in the base support, which may be configured to engage a latch in the base of the operator's handle, pull the latch outward from the base of the operator's handle when the operator's handle is moved to the folded position, and capture the latch when the operator's handle reaches the folded position.

[0105] On the other hand, the base may also include a foot stop that prevents the latch and operator handle from moving to a folded position in response to the latch failing to engage the cam mechanism. The base may also include a base seat pin formed on the first base stop that engages an opening in the lower portion of the operator handle in the folded position. In one or more aspects, in the folded position, the base seat pin may also engage a slot opening in the upper portion of the operator handle, and the slot opening may allow the upper portion of the operator handle to move a length that allows the latch to disengage from the cam mechanism and release the operator handle from the folded position.

[0106] On the other hand, the base may also include a cam surface formed in the base support, which pulls the latch out of the base of the operator handle when the operator handle moves from the folded position to the extended position. In some aspects, the cam surface may end when the operator handle reaches the extended position, thereby allowing the latch to disengage from the cam surface and engage the first locking structure. On the other hand, the support structure may be integrally formed as part of the body of the turf maintenance equipment, or may be fixedly fastened to the body of the turf maintenance equipment.

[0107] As used herein, relative and degree terms (including the terms “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” “roughly,” “close to,” etc.) are intended to combine the range and variation of limiting terms that a person skilled in the art would reasonably encounter when manufacturing, compiling, or optimizing the embodiments disclosed herein to suit design preferences, without further explicit indication. When used to modify numerical descriptions of disclosed elements, relative terms may imply a suitable range with respect to a given number. Where applicable, any implied range is intended to be consistent with and achieve the same or similar function as described by the disclosed structure for a given number. Where no such range is explicitly disclosed, a range may be implied within typical manufacturing tolerances associated with suitable manufacturing equipment (e.g., injection molding equipment, extrusion equipment, metal stamping equipment, etc.) for realizing the element from the disclosed illustrations or descriptions, as understood by a person skilled in the art. In some embodiments, depending on the context and the capabilities of a person skilled in the art, relative terms may refer to variations in the disclosed value or characteristic; for example, a range of zero to five percent variance or zero to ten percent variance, or any suitable value or range between, and a precisely mathematically defined value or characteristic may define the range of the disclosed degree item. As an example, the disclosed mechanical dimensions may have variations in suitable manufacturing tolerances, as those skilled in the art will understand, or variations of a few percentage points with respect to the disclosed mechanical dimensions, which will achieve the stated purpose or function of the disclosed mechanical dimensions. Relative terms used for qualitative (rather than quantitative) descriptions may be understood to imply substitutions or variations explicitly stated, variations understood in the art as arising from manufacturing tolerances or variations in the manufacturing process, variations understood in the art as achieving the function or purpose described for a particular part or process, or suitable combinations of the foregoing.

[0108] Regarding the various functions performed by the aforementioned components, machines, devices, processes, etc., unless otherwise stated, the terms used to describe these components (including references to "device") are intended to correspond to any component (e.g., a functional equivalent) that performs the specified function of the described component, even if it is not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure, and performs the functions of the exemplary aspects of the embodiments shown herein.

[0109] Furthermore, while a particular feature may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Moreover, the terms “comprising” and “including” and their variations, as used in the specific embodiments or claims, are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “containing.”

[0110] As used herein, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless otherwise stated or clear from the context, “X adopts A or B” is intended to mean any natural inclusive arrangement. That is, “X adopts A or B” is satisfied if X adopts A; X adopts B; or X adopts both A and B. Furthermore, the articles “a” and “an” used in this application and the appended claims should generally be interpreted as meaning “one or more” unless otherwise stated or clearly pointed to in the context.

[0111] In other embodiments, combinations or sub-combinations of the disclosed embodiments can be advantageously performed. Furthermore, the embodiments described in a particular drawing or group of drawings should not be limited to these illustrations. Rather, any suitable combination or subset of elements from one or more drawings can be applied to other embodiments in other drawings, where it is suitable for those skilled in the art to achieve the purposes disclosed herein, known in the art, or reasonably conveyed to those skilled in the art by the context provided in this specification. In use, block diagrams or flowcharts of the disclosed embodiments are grouped for ease of understanding. However, it should be understood that combinations of blocks, additions of new blocks, rearrangements of blocks, etc., are contemplated in alternative embodiments of this disclosure.

[0112] Based on the foregoing, it should be understood that the embodiments and implementation methods described herein are for illustrative purposes only, and various modifications or changes thereto will be suggested to those skilled in the art and are included within the spirit and scope of this application and the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A rear-mowing device, characterized in that include: A lawn mowing platform, which is formed within or fixed to a supporting structure; At least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel are fixed to the support structure; Multiple blades, which are rotatably fixed within the mowing platform; A power source, which is fixed to the support structure, provides mechanical force to the plurality of blades when activated; and An operator handle, which is fixed to the support structure and has an extended position and a folded position, wherein the operator handle further includes: upper part, The lower part, A transverse member extending between the left and right segments of the upper or lower portion, and The mounting structure secures the operator's handle to the support structure, wherein: The upper portion is movable along the lower portion between a fully extended position and a compressed position. The lateral member includes a locking mechanism that locks the upper portion to prevent it from moving along the lower portion in at least one of the fully extended or compressed positions. The lateral member includes a release element that unlocks the locking mechanism and allows the upper portion to move along the lower portion between a fully extended position and a compressed position.

2. The rear-mounted lawn mowing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: In both the fully extended position and the compressed position, the locking mechanism locks the upper portion so that it cannot move along the lower portion; The release mechanism includes a single operator actuator that unlocks the locking mechanism from the fully extended position or from the compressed position; and The operator handle in the extended position is configured to move between a fully extended position and a compressed position when unlocked from the locking mechanism.

3. The rear-mounted lawn mowing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mounting structure includes a pivoting device that secures the lower portion to the mounting structure and facilitates movement of the lower portion between the extended position and the folded position; and The mounting structure is operable to lock the lower portion into a locked extended position and prevents the lower portion from rotating from the locked extended position when locked.

4. The rear-engine lawnmower according to claim 3, characterized in that Also includes: A locking tab and a latch are provided. The locking tab is located within the mounting structure and, when rotated to the extended position, is near the base of the lower portion. The latch is located within the base of the lower portion and is secured to the locking tab to lock the lower portion into the locked extended position, wherein: In response to the upper portion of the operator's handle being placed in the compressed position relative to the lower portion, the base of the upper portion releases the latch from the locking tab and unlocks the lower portion from the locked extended position; The mounting structure is operable to: Locking the lower portion into the folded position creates a locked folded position; and When the lower part is locked in the locked folded position, it prevents the lower part from moving out of the folded position; and the mounting structure also includes: A locking cam, which, when rotated toward the folded position, is located near the base of the lower portion; and A latch, located within the base of the lower portion, having a latch foot engaged with the locking cam and securing the lower portion to the locked folded position when the lower portion is fully moved to the folded position.

5. The rear-mounted lawn mowing device according to claim 4, characterized in that, In response to actuation of the release member at the transverse member, the latch foot of the latch releases the locking cam, releasing the lower portion from the locked folded position.

6. The rear-mounted lawn mowing device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The mounting structure also includes a cam surface that engages the latch foot and causes the latch to extend outward from the base of the lower portion against mechanical bias when the lower portion moves from the folded position to the extended position. The cam surface ends before the lower portion reaches the extended position; When the lower portion reaches the extended position, the latch foot leaves the end of the cam surface; and In response to the end of the latch foot passing over the cam surface, a mechanical bias pulls the latch into the base of the lower portion to engage the locking tab formed in the mounting structure and lock the lower portion into the extended position.

7. The rear-mounted lawn mowing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower portion of the operator handle is at least partially hollow, and the upper portion of the operator handle can move along the lower portion by sliding inside the lower portion.

8. The rear-mounted lawn mowing device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The lower portion includes a first hollow lower portion and a second hollow lower portion, the first hollow lower portion and the second hollow lower portion being fixed to the mounting structure at their respective first ends and connected to the transverse member at their respective second ends; The transverse member extends between the first hollow lower portion and the second hollow lower portion of the lower portion; The locking mechanism includes a rod within the transverse member that engages with a hole in the first hollow lower portion of the lower portion, and when the upper portion is in the fully extended position, the rod also engages with a second opening in the upper portion to lock the upper portion in the fully extended position. The locking mechanism further includes a second rod within the transverse member, the second rod engaging with a third opening in the first hollow lower portion of the lower portion, and when the upper portion is in the compressed position, the second rod also engaging with a fourth opening in the upper portion to lock the upper portion in the compressed position; The lateral member includes a mechanically biased rotating disk coupled to the release member and the rod, wherein, in response to the release member being actuated to a first actuated position, the rotating disk pulls the rod out of the second opening in the upper portion, thereby unlocking the upper portion from the fully extended position; and Also includes: A connector is fixed between the rod and the second rod, and wherein, in response to the release member being actuated to a second actuated position, the rotary disk further pulls the rod out from the second opening and causes the connector to pull the second rod out from the fourth opening in the upper portion, thereby unlocking the upper portion from the compressed position.

9. The rear-mounted lawn mowing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a switch located within the transverse member, the switch disabling the power supply in response to activation of the switch, wherein the switch is activated in response to the release member moving to a first actuated position.

10. The rear-mounted lawn mowing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the upper portion moves along the lower portion to the compressed position, the operator handle is configured to rotate between the extended position and the folded position.

11. The rear-mounted lawn mowing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fully extended position defines multiple lengths of the upper portion of the operator's handle relative to its lower portion, and wherein a locking mechanism of the transverse member locks the upper portion to prevent the upper portion from moving along the lower portion in one of the multiple lengths defined by the fully extended position.

12. An operator handle configured as an operator handle in a rear-mounted lawn mowing device according to any one of claims 1-11.

13. A transverse member configured as a transverse member in a rear-mounted lawn mower according to any one of claims 1-11.

14. A mounting structure configured as the mounting structure for a rear-mounted lawn mower according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, Also includes: A support structure that secures the base to the rear-mounted turf maintenance equipment; A base support member, fixed to the support structure, the base support member further comprising: A pivoting fastener for rotatably securing the operator handle to the support structure between an extended position and a folded position; A first base stop is located at the extended position of the operator's handle, preventing the operator's handle from rotating through the extended position. A second base stop is located at the folded position of the operator's handle, preventing the operator's handle from rotating through the folded position. A first locking structure is located at the base of the operator's handle in the extended position and is configured to lock the operator's handle in the extended position and prevent the operator's handle from rotating out of the extended position; and A second locking structure is located at the base of the operator handle in the folded position and is configured to lock the operator handle in the folded position and prevent the operator handle from rotating out of the folded position.

15. A control interface for a retrograde maintenance device, characterized in that, include: A housing that provides at least one mounting surface for attachment to an operator's handle of the rear-mounted maintenance equipment; An electronic control module, housed within a housing, is operable to manage the electronic and electromechanical functions of the rear-mounted maintenance equipment; An operator presence device is operatively coupled to the electronic control module and has a default position and a non-default position, wherein the electronic control module is configured to disable at least one electromechanical function of the back-running maintenance equipment in response to detecting that the operator presence device is in the default position. and Command and data paths are used to transmit electrical signals between the electronic control module and the motor and power supply of the rear-mounted maintenance equipment, wherein: The housing is secured to the operator's handle near the handle portion of the operator's handle, and The housing is fixed to the operator handle relative to the operator gripper on the handle portion to provide two or more of the following within the reach of the operator gripper on the handle portion: an operator presence device in a non-default position, a power actuator of the electronic control module, or a drive wheel drive actuator.

16. The control interface according to claim 15, characterized in that, The operator gripper includes a left operator gripper and a right operator gripper, and the housing is located approximately between the left operator gripper and the right operator gripper.

17. The control interface according to claim 16, characterized in that, At least one of the power actuator or the drive wheel drive actuator is located at the thumb position adjacent to the operator's left hand position or the operator's right hand position.

18. The control interface according to claim 15, characterized in that, The reach range of the operator's hand position includes two or more of the following: the operator presence device in the non-default position, the power actuator, the drive wheel drive actuator, the drive speed selector, and the blade wear indicator reset switch.

19. The control interface according to claim 15, characterized in that, The default position of the operator presence device includes the portion of the operator presence device that is physically displaced from the operator handle, and the non-default position includes the portion of the operator presence device that is physically adjacent to the handle portion of the operator handle.

20. The control interface according to claim 15, characterized in that, It also includes at least one of the following: a battery charging indicator, a cutting load level indicator, a blade wear indicator, a hand lock malfunction indicator, or a general malfunction indicator.

Images