Patent ID: 6343668
Filing Date: 2002-02-05
Classification: A01D,F16C,G05G,Y10T

Abstract:
A foldable control arm for use with a riding mower, said riding mower comprising a frame, a mower deck suspended from said frame, an engine for supplying power to said riding mower, and a drive unit for propelling said riding mower, said drive unit being connected to said engine, wherein said foldable control arm is connected to said drive unit and is movable so as to control the motion of said riding mower, said foldable control arm comprising:a) a main lever tube having a lower end and a grip portion; b) an upper weldment affixed to the lower end of said main lever tube, said upper weldment comprising an engaging element; and c) a lower weldment affixed to said drive unit and comprising a sleeve adapted to receive the lower end of said main lever tube, the lower end of said main lever tube extending through said sleeve, said lower weldment further comprising a receiving element affixed to an end of said sleeve and adapted to connect to said engaging element, wherein said engaging element is connected to said receiving element to prevent said main lever tube from rotating within said sleeve relative to said lower weldment, and wherein said engaging element is disconnected from said receiving element to permit said main lever tube to rotate within said sleeve relative to said lower weldment.