BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to cable control devices and more particularly, to a cable control assembly which is designed for mounting in a control panel of a tractor or other powered machine and for operating a pair of control cables connected to a remotely controlled engine or other mechanism.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of shiftable controls for operating control cables of equipment is well known in the art in connection with lawnmowers, snow blowers, tillers, tractors and other utility equipment. Such equipment typically includes an engine throttle, choke as well as a variety of other controllable devices such as blades, transmissions, ground drive units, power take-offs and the like. It is also known to mount cable controls in openings in control panels.
More recently, the ability to provide a control cable assembly as a snap-in unit has developed as a desired option. One such unit is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,487, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. That control, and others like it, operate using a housing which substantially encloses a detent mechanism to which a shiftable lever is attached. The cable control assembly of the U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,487 patent is advantageous, in that it can be mounted for positive or negative action, requires fewer parts, can be held at several positions because of the use of a detent spring, and is easily attached to the control panel of the equipment.
However, the panel-mount cable control assembly of the U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,487 patent has several limitations necessitated by the advantages it presents. It and other panel mount control assemblies are often limited to the control of only a single cable. Moreover, the provision of different functions for several lever controls is not contemplated. Finally, the ability to provide smooth functioning over a continuous operating range is limited by the use of the detent spring.
Thus, a need has developed for a different panel mount cable control assembly which affords the operator different operating characteristics, while still providing an economy of parts and simplicity in the assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects are largely met by the panel mount cable control assembly hereof. The assembly of the present invention differs markedly in internal structure from the prior art and provides smooth functioning over a wide range of motion, while being able to retain the control lever and the control cable to which it is connected in position during operation. The control cable assemblies hereof, moreover, provide enclosed housings which snap-fit into an opening in a control panel to control noise and protect the operation of the cable control assembly from an accumulation of dust or other foreign matter. The control lever of the assembly is part of a self-contained unit which greatly simplifies installation. Preferably, a control lever within the housing is provided with a spring operatively connecting the lever to the housing which provides self-return movement while enjoying the protection and ease of assembly and installation when installed in a control panel. As an alternative preferred embodiment, the control lever may be shifted at any location within a range of motion and held by a friction assembly, while retaining the benefits of an enclosed housing and snap-in installation.
Moreover, in its most preferred embodiments, the present panel mount cable control provides a compact assembly with two different control levers having completely different functioning characteristics, where one lever is useful for gradual adjustments and maintaining the control in position once the operator's hand is removed, while another lever is provided with a return spring whereby the lever returns to a position during normal operation once the operator's hand discontinues applying a force to overcome the return spring. A principle benefit of the present invention lies in the structural arrangement which provides for ease of assembly as well as protection of the moving components within a housing for the cable control assembly.
Broadly speaking, the panel mount cable control assembly hereof includes a case which is provided in mating, connectable first and second casing portions, at least a first and preferably a second shifter pivotally mounted in the case and having respective levers extending from the case, a control cable operatively connected for shifting responsively with movement of the shifter, or each of the first and second shifters when two shifters are used, and a mounting assembly which includes mounts for pivotal movement of each of the first and second shifters independently. Preferably, the cable control assembly includes a return spring connected to one of the shifters for biasing that shifter to a primary position, the spring being preferably operatively connected to the shifter and the housing whereby the spring is internal to the housing. This arrangement is especially convenient and useful when that shifter is used to control a mechanism which has only a temporary use during a limited time of operation, such as a choke used in starting an internal combustion engine. The other shifter is preferably a position-retaining shifter, such as one held in place by a friction assembly, which may be used to control a mechanism such as a throttle, which is shifted to a position and held there during operation of the equipment or moved to various positions for changing the operating conditions such as engine speed during use.
The preferred mounting assembly is particularly useful in the control cable assembly hereof where each of the levers are mounted side by side but have very different modes of operation. Most preferably, the shifters pivot about a common pivot axis extending along a threaded fastener connecting two halves of the case, but each of the first and second shifters may be carried by and retained with a respective half of the case when the halves are separated. The first shifter, which preferably is held by the mounting assembly so that it is retained in position when released, may be held by a spring washer and at least one friction washer, and most preferably includes two separate retainers which resist rotation relative to the casing so as to limit pivotal travel of the shifter. The second shifter is preferably mounted for pivotal movement about a stem which presents a pivot axis coincident with the threaded fastener, and is provided with a post to which a screw or other threaded fastener may be inserted for providing an attachment point for the return spring. The second shifter preferably includes stops which limit the travel of the shifter, and thus the control cable to which it is attached, to a desired range of motion. The return spring is positioned within and protected by the casing and the shifters to inhibit the entry of debris into the interior of the casing and which might interfere with the operation of the return spring.
By providing the two shifters within a common casing, not only may space and expense be economized, but also the operation of both levers by one hand of the operator may be effected. The structure of the mounting assembly is particularly advantageous in permitting each shifter to operate independently and one with friction retention and the other with free return and a spring to bias the lever to a primary position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tractor with an internal combustion engine with the panel mount cable control assembly hereof received in the control panel of the tractor;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the panel mount cable control assembly showing the case, shifters and control cables;
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the panel mount cable control assembly hereof;
FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the panel mount cable control assembly hereof taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2, showing the shifters and mounting assembly, but with the return spring removed for clarity;
FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2, showing the second shifter and return spring within the housing, with the second shifter in its primary position;
FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 and similar to FIG. 5, but with the second shifter in an advanced position;
FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 2, showing the first shifter in an initial position with the retainer, spring washer and part of the carrier plate visible through the sector opening of the first shifter; and
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 showing the left case half and shifter with the mounting assembly portion therefor, including the spring washer and friction washers, and retainer.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawing, a panel mount cable control assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown in an assembled condition in FIG. 2 and installed in a control panel 12 of a vehicle 14 such as a garden tractor. While the invention hereof is particularly useful in controlling an internal combustion engine 16 of the tractor as illustrated in FIG. 1, it may be appreciated that its utility is not limited to installation in tractors, but may extend to other vehicles including, for example, lawn mowers, snow throwers, snowmobiles or other controllable vehicles. In the preferred application of the panel mount cable control assembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, first and second Bowden cables 18 and 20, each having a sheath 22 and a control cable 24 operatively connect the panel mount cable control assembly 10 to controllable mechanisms such as a choke and a throttle of the engine 16. The first Bowden cable 18 in the present application operatively connects the panel mount cable control assembly 10 to the throttle 26 of the engine 16, while the second Bowden cable 20 operatively connects the panel mount cable control assembly 10 to the choke 28 of the engine 16. It may be appreciated that while this is the preferred application of the present invention, other controllable mechanisms such as a power take-off, ground drive mechanism, blade brake or the like could be controlled by the panel mount cable control assembly 10 hereof.
In greater detail, the panel mount cable control assembly illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 6 broadly includes a housing 30, a first shifter 32 and a second shifter 34 corresponding and respectively connected to the first Bowden cable 18 and the second Bowden cable 20, and a mounting assembly 36. The housing 30 is preferably configured for snap-in installation into the control panel 12 and together with the shifters 32 and 34 defines and substantially encloses an internal chamber 38 so as to protect the mounting assembly from intrusion by insects, dirt and other items which may interfere with or degrade the operation of the control assembly 10, and further inhibits the passage of sound through the opening in the control panel 12 provided for its receipt, such blockage being beneficial to the hearing of the user.
As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 30 is molded of synthetic resin and includes a first housing half 40 and a second housing half 42 which are complementally configured to fit together in opposing relationship. A threaded fastener 154 holds the two housing halves together. It is to be understood that “housing half” is not meant to mean that either housing half is ½ of the material, surface area or equal in configuration, but merely that the two housing halves generally make up the housing 30. The housing 30 is preferably molded of resilient synthetic resin and incorporates the snap-fit structure as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,487. This preferably includes a plurality of integrally formed snaps 43 in each housing half which are permitted to move inwardly into the housing and outwardly. A slit surrounds each snap 43, which has an arm connected to the remainder of the housing and a projection. First housing half 40 includes a first wall 44 having an outer surface 46, and an inner surface 48. Furthermore, the wall 44 includes an outwardly projecting circumscribing rim 50 extending generally laterally when mounted and which rests upon the control panel 12, the portion of the wall 44 generally above the rim 50 including a generally arcuate or half-dome shape 52 with an inner edge 54 having an inwardly projecting arcuate-shaped lip 56. The snaps 43 are formed in the first wall 44 and serve to hold the control panel 12 between the rim and the snaps 43. The first wall 44 also includes a projection 58 and a notch 60 and a clip 62 having a slot for receiving and holding the sheath 22 of the first Bowden cable 18. The projection 58 is sized and adapted to fit into a corresponding notch 62 in the second housing half 42 and the notch 60 receives a corresponding projection 64 extending inwardly from the second housing half 42. The first wall 44 includes a central hole 62 which defines a pivot axis A which most preferably is both a first pivot axis for the first shifter 32 and a second pivot axis for the second shifter 34, with the inner surface 48 presenting a generally disc-shaped boss 64, an arcuate ridge 66, structure defining a recess 68 positioned above the hole 62 and radially outward of the ridge 66, and first and second lugs 70 and 72 extending into said chamber in spaced, preferably below the hole 62 and diametrically opposed relationship to said recess, said lugs 70 and 72 presenting a gap 74 therebetween.
The second housing half 42 includes a second wall 76 with an outwardly projecting circumscribing rim 78 positioned substantially co-planar with the rim 50 of the first housing half 40 when the housing halves are mated. The portion of the second housing half 42 extending above the rim 78 includes a generally arcuate or half-dome shape 80 with an inner edge 82 which is opposed to the inner edge 54 of the first wall 44 and includes an inwardly projecting arcuate-shaped lip 84. The second wall 76 includes the resilient snaps 43 therein, and also has an inner surface 86 and an outer surface 88, and includes a clip 90 adjacent the notch 62 having a slot for holding the second Bowden cable 20. The second wall 76 includes a central spindle 92, best seen in FIG. 4, which is configured for pivotally receiving the second shifter 34 thereon and which includes a bore 94 positioned in alignment with the hole 62. The wall 76 also presents a stub 96 which threadably receives a set screw 98 therein. An inwardly projecting limiting shoulder 100 extends inwardly toward the first housing half 40.
The first shifter 32 is integrally molded of synthetic resin and includes a handle 102 and an arcuate hub 104 which is preferably generally circular. The handle 102 projects radially from the hub. The hub 104 includes a hub wall 106 having a central opening 108 which includes an arcuate edge 110 and a flat edge 112. Two opposed, diametrically spaced recesses 114 and 116, best seen in phantom lines in FIG. 7 are provided in the hub wall 106. The hub wall 106 also includes a hole 118 which receives the proximate end 120 of the control cable 24 of the first Bowden cable 18. As may be seen in FIG. 3, the hub 104 includes a circumferentially extending arcuate guide wall 122 radially outward of the hub wall 106. The guide wall 122 includes an arcuate rail 124 which rides on the lip 56 as seen in FIG. 4, and a inwardly oriented circular shoulder 126 which cooperates with the second shifter 34 so that the first and second shifters are able to pivot about the axis A without relative radial movement but permitting relative circumferential movement. The guide wall 122 includes a relieved sector 127 which provides clearance for operation of a return spring 128 mounted to the stub 96 and a forward edge 130 thereof may limit rearward or clockwise (as viewed in FIG. 2) pivoting of the first shifter 32 as a result of engagement of the forward edge 130 with the stub 96.
The second shifter 34 is shown in FIG. 3 and is also integrally molded of synthetic resin and includes a radially projecting handle 132 and an arcuate hub 134 which includes a central bearing 136 for pivotal movement about the spindle 92. As better seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the arcuate hub 134 includes a hub wall 138 extending radially outwardly from the central bearing 136 to a guide wall 140. The guide wall 140 is substantially circular, having an arcuate rail 142 which rides on the lip 84 as seen in FIG. 4, and an inwardly oriented circular flange which cooperates with the circular shoulder 126 of the first shifter 32 as described above. While the guide wall 140 is substantially circular, a limit sector 144 on both the guide wall 140 and the hub wall 138 is presented. The limit sector 144 presents a cut-out area on both the guide wall 140 and the hub wall 138 to thereby accommodate the stub 96 and the limiting shoulder 100. Further, the engagement of the limit sector 144 of the hub wall 138 with the stub 96 and the limiting shoulder 100 serves to limit the pivotal travel of the second shifter as shown by FIGS. 5 and 6. The hub wall 138 further includes a peg 146 which receives a screw 148 or other threaded fastener therein, and a hole 150 for permitting coupling of the second shifter 34 to the proximate end 152 of the control cable 24 of the second Bowden cable 20.
The mounting assembly 36 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 7 and 8 is secured in position by the combination of the shifters, the housing, and a threaded fastener 154 which is inserted through the hole 62 and threaded into the bore 94 of the spindle 92. The mounting assembly 36 preferably includes a bearing 156, first and second friction washers 158 and 160, spring washer 162, first and second shifter keys 164 and 166, and shifter mount plate 168. In greater detail, the bushing 154 is tubular having a central passageway 170 to receive the threaded fastener 154 therethrough. The bearing 156 receives the friction washers, spring washer, shifter keys and shifter mount plate thereon and its flange 172 serves as a backing against which a force may be applied by the spring washer 162. The first friction washer 158 and the second friction washer 160 receive the shifter mount plate 168 therebetween and apply a frictional force to hold the first shifter 32 in position when manually moved thereto. The shifter mount plate 168 is at least partially received within the central opening 108 of the first shifter and includes a bottom edge 174 which engages the flat edge 112 so that the shifter mount plate 168 pivots with the first shifter 32. The shifter mount plate further includes two spaced apart ears 176 and 178 which are sized and positioned for fitting within recesses 114 and 116. The shifter mount plate 168 also includes a relieved portion 180 which permits a flange 182 of the first shifter key 164 to fit into the recess 68 so that the recess 68 retains and inhibits rotational movement of the first shifter key, the part of the shifter mount plate 168 on either side of the relieved portion 180 also acting as a limit to stop excessive pivotal movement of the first shifter 32 when the flange 182 engages the shifter mount plate 168 at the ends of its forward and rearward pivotal movement. The second shifter key 166 includes an arm 184 which fits into the gap 74 between the lugs 70 and 72 to thereby retain and inhibit rotational movement of the second shifter key 166. Thus, the shifter keys 164 and 166 are designed to remain stationary relative to the housing 30 during pivotal movement of the first shifter 32, while the shifter mount plate 168 moves with the first shifter 32 during its pivotal travel. The action of the spring washer against the first shifter key 164 acts with the friction washers to hold the first shifter 32 in its desired position during operation of the vehicle. The spindle 92 is a part of the mounting assembly 36, although formed with the second housing half 42, and with the spring 128 serves to mount the central bearing 136 of the second shifter 34 in its desired position for pivotal movement.
The panel mount cable control assembly 10 is assembled according to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 67 and 8 whereby the second shifter 34 is mounted on the second housing half 42 as shown and biased by the return spring 128 to a rearward or clockwise position as seen in FIG. 3, with the control cable 24 thus initially in a retracted condition. The bearing 136 is configured relatively loosely about the spindle 92 so that the second shifter 34 would freely pivot but for the operative action of the spring 128. In contrast, the assembly of the first shifter 32 operates by friction for holding the first shifter in a desired position and overcoming friction for movement of the shifter and the control cable 24 of the first Bowden cable 18. Thus, the two shifters have independent mounting mechanisms and operate in entirely different manners. After assembly of the panel mount cable control assembly 10, it is inserted into an opening in the control panel of the vehicle and the control cables 24 of each of the first and second Bowden cables 18 and 20 are operatively connected to controllable devices, most preferably a throttle and a choke of an internal combustion engine as illustrated in FIG. 1, but alternatively may be used to control other controllable mechanisms such as gear change mechanisms.
In operation, the panel mount cable control assembly 10 in the disclosed application of FIG. 1 operates wherein the operation moves the handle of the first shifter 32 forwardly as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 to provide a full throttle, the friction washers holding the shifter 32 in the forward, full-throttle position. Then, the operator may move the handle of the second shifter 34 forwardly also as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Here, however, the second shifter 34 must be held manually in the forward position to actuate the choke, or else the return spring will return the shifter and the control cable to which it is attached to the rear position wherein the choke is not actuated. When the engine engages, the operator may release the handle of the second shifter 34 whereupon the spring operates to return the second shifter and the control cable 24 to which it is attached to the initial position. Because the second shifter is then in a “free-return” mode and biased to the initial position, the action of the spring 128 acting through the second shifter 34 and the control cable 24 of the second Bowden cable 20, the choke or other actuated mechanism returns to its unactuated condition. However, because the second shifter 34 is mounted and operates separately and in a separate mode than the first shifter 32, the first shifter 32 is retained in the position to which it is moved by the operator by the friction action of the spring washer 162 and the friction washers 158 and 160 against the plate 168 which is operatively connected to the first shifter 32. Thus, the first shifter 32 and the control cable 24 of the first Bowden cable 18 remain in the selected position between a rearward position shown in FIG. 2 and a forward position shown in FIG. 7 until manually shifted by the operator.
As a result, the operation of the vehicle 14 is greatly facilitated. In the instance where the panel mount control cable 10 is used in a lawn tractor, the operator can move the first shifter 32 to the forward position illustrated in FIG. 7 where it is retained to open the throttle by the action of the first Bowden cable 18, and hold the second shifter 34 forward to engage the choke, leaving the other hand free to perform other tasks. Then, when the engine starts, the operator may release the second shifter 34 which automatically disengages the choke through the free-return action to its initial position for smooth and full-power operation of the engine. The first shifter 32 is held in its selected position anywhere through a full range of settings between the forward and normally full-throttle position and the rearward or low-throttle position, the frictional engagement of the mounting assembly serve to hold the throttle in its selected position which can be selected throughout the range of motion of the first shifter. The housing, shifters and mounting assembly provide redundant supports and limits for the movement of the shifters to provide greater durability and prolong the useful life of the shifter. The smooth action provided between the housing 32 and each of the shifters 32 and 34 which are held in place both centrally and along their outer arcuate hubs facilitates longevity and maintains smooth operation. Moreover, the construction of the housing and the placement of two shifters in a single control not only reduces material expenses and labor, but requires only a single panel opening to receive two operating shifters, thereby limiting the amount of debris and noise which can pass through the panel and enter the control or reach the operator.
Although preferred forms of the invention have been described above, it is to be recognized that such disclosure is by way of illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. In this regard, it is to be understood that the panel mount cable control assembly hereof may be provided with only one shifter, either the first shifter 32 having the self-return spring which is mounted internally to the housing 30, or the second shifter 34 which retains its position within its range of motion by friction or other means. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
The inventor hereby states his intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of his invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set out in the following claims.
Patent Application
20070199762
