Patent ID: 7509205
Filing Date: 2009-03-24
Classification: B60K,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A speed control system for a vehicle, the vehicle having an engine including a carburetor with a throttle plate, the plate being moveable between a closed position and a maximum open position, the speed control system comprising: a ground speed limiter mechanism operatively coupled with the throttle plate and configured to displace the plate toward the closed position as ground speed of the vehicle approaches a predetermined maximum value; an engine speed limiter mechanism operatively coupled with the throttle plate and configured to displace the plate toward the closed position as a speed of the engine approaches a predetermined maximum value; and a control linkage connected with the throttle plate and moveable between first and second configurations so as to move the throttle plate between the closed and maximum open positions, the control linkage being operably coupled with the ground speed limiter mechanism such that the ground speed limiter mechanism moves the linkage between the linkage first and second configurations to move the throttle plate, and being operably coupled with the engine speed limiter mechanism such that the engine speed limiter mechanism moves the linkage between the linkage first and second configurations to move the throttle plate; wherein the control linkage includes: a pivotable crank operatively connected with the throttle plate such that pivotal displacement of the crank displaces the throttle plate between the closed and maximum open positions; a push bar connected with the crank, displaceable between first and second positions, and separately engageable with an output portion of the ground speed limiter mechanism and with an output portion of the engine speed limiter mechanism, the rush bar being displaceable toward the second position by movement of at least one engaged output portion in a first direction generally toward the crank such that the bar pivots the crank in a first angular direction so as to move the throttle plate toward the maximum open position; and a spring shaft having a first end connected with the crank and a second end connected with the output portion of the engine speed limiter mechanism, the spring shaft being configured to pivot the crank in a second, opposing angular direction so as to move the throttle plate toward the closed position when the one engaged output portion displaces in a second, opposing direction generally away from the crank.