Patent ID: 7040448
Filing Date: 2006-05-09
Classification: A01B,A01D,B62D

Abstract:
1. A control mechanism to produce a selectively changeable effect on a continuously variable input shaft, the input shaft forming part of another mechanism which is supported by a support structure, the control mechanism being operable by hand, the control mechanism comprising: a first link having a first end and a remote second end, said first link affixed at said first end thereof to said input shaft such that said first link may be rotated in a first plane about a first pivot point, causing a corresponding rotation of said input shaft; a slide bar having a first end and a second remote end, said slide bar affixed at said first end thereof to said support structure for pivotable movement generally in said first plane about a second pivot point; an adjustment member attached to said slide bar for selectable and slidable movement therealong between said first and second ends of said slide bar; a second rigid link having a first end and a remote second end, said second link pivotably affixed, about a third pivot point, at the first end thereof to said second end of said first link; said second rigid link pivotably affixed about a fourth pivot point at the second end thereof to said adjustment member; a manually-engagable handle affixed to said adjustment member, whereby movement of said handle also moves said adjustment member generally in said first plane; the relationship among the first, second, third and fourth pivot points such that movement of said handle in said first plane causes said adjustment member and second link to move in said first plane and rotate said first link and input shaft a first distance, and substantially the same movement of said handle after relocation of said adjustment member to a different position along said slide bar results in rotation of said first link and input shaft a second distance, different from said first distance.