Patent ID: 6189648
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: A01D,B62D

Abstract:
A riding mower, comprising:a fame;an engine operatively mounted to said frame, said engine having an intake manifold;a first wheel rotatably and turnably connected to said frame;a steering implement for use in turning said first wheel;a steering mechanism operatively connected to said first wheel and said steering implement;a power assist steering system including,(1) a double acting vacuum actuator having(a) an actuator body;(b) a membrane forming first and second chamberswithin said actuator body, said membrane being selectively movable within said actuator body;(c) an actuator rod fixedly connected to said membrane and extending external to said actuator body, said membrane and said actuator rod moving in a first direction as a vacuum is established inside said first chamber, said membrane and said actuator rod moving in a second direction as a vacuum is established inside said second chamber;(2) vacuum means for selectively providing a vacuum to said first and second chambers of said double acting vacuum actuator, said intake manifold providing said vacuum means;(3) activating means for selectively activating said double acting vacuum actuator, said activating means having(a) first and second switching means, said first switching means selectively initiating said membrane of said double acting vacuum actuator to move in said first direction, said second switching means selectively initiating said membrane of said double acting vacuum actuator to move in said second direction;(b) a vacuum source line, said vacuum source line for use in communicating a vacuum from said intake manifold to said first and second switching means;(c) first and second vacuum lines, said first vacuum line for use in communicating a vacuum from said first switching means to said first chamber of said double acting vacuum actuator, said second vacuum line for use in communicating a vacuum from said second switching means to said second chamber of said double acting vacuum actuator;(d) a trigger segment having an extension with first and second ends, said trigger segment being selectively rotatable by said steering implement, said first end of said extension for selectively switching said first switching means, said second end of said extension for selectively switching said second switching means; and,(4) power assist means for assisting said steering mechanism, said power assist means having(a) connecting means for use in selectively turning said first wheel in first and second directions, said connecting means being operatively connected to said actuator rod;(b) a valve plate having a first side for use in supporting said first and second switching means, said valve plate being operatively connected to the steering mechanism, said valve plate having first and second stop bars for operative connection with said first and second ends of said extension of said trigger segment, said connecting means being pivotably connected to said first side of said valve plate.