Abstract:
A control lever assembly and methods of forming and using a control lever assembly of a compaction roller are disclosed. The control lever assembly includes a lever that is defined by a body having a first end connectable to a control arm of a compaction roller. The body forms a first grip site and a second grip site that are each offset from the first end of the body. The first grip site and the second grip site are laterally offset from a longitudinal center-line axis of the control arm and spaced from one another so that each of the first grip site and the second grip site are beyond the reach of a hand engaged with the other of the first grip site and the second grip site.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/886,780 filed on Oct. 4, 2013 titled “Control Lever Assembly For Walk-Behind Compaction Roller” and the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Walk-behind compaction rollers are used to compact soil and asphalt in order to provide a firm foundation for structural building, to reduce future settlement of soil, or to compact asphalt for pathway, road, and parking lot construction. Such machines are commonly controlled by a single operator who follows behind the machine to direct the machine&#39;s travel direction and actuate its vibration control(s). Commonly, a control arm extends rearwardly from the machine and provides the mechanical advantage to allow the operator to physically manipulate the direction of travel of the machine. Such machines may have one drum (single-rum) or two (dual-drum) drums acting as compaction surface(s). 
         [0003]    One method to control the speed and direction (forward and/or rearward) of such machines is with a control lever that is supported at a rearward end portion of the control arm and whose position relative to the control arm actuates forward and reverse self-propelled travel of the machine. As alluded to above, such machines can be steered with a lateral force applied to the control arm to effectuate turning of the machine. 
         [0004]    Commonly, when the control lever is released, a spring force returns the control lever into the neutral position, and the machine ceases all travel. Such machines are also commonly provided with a button or plunger that is disposed on a rearward distal end of the control arm and which interacts with the control associated with manipulation of the control lever. Depression of the button from behind the machine can suspend travel of the rolling machine altogether or at least prevent rearward propulsion of the machine while permitting forward propulsion. Such a configuration prevents an operator from being pinned between the machine and an obstacle behind the machine. 
         [0005]    These machines are relatively heavy, making turning of the machine difficult. As mentioned above, the length of the control arm is set to obtain leverage sufficient to allow a single operator to turn the machine by imparting lateral directional forces of a manageable magnitude to the control arm. 
         [0006]    In addition to the physical interaction of the operator with the control arm and the control lever, desired operation of the compaction roller requires the operator be able to readily visually inspect the operating environment to assess the speed and direction of travel relative to, for instance, areas already compacted, obstructions such as trench walls, other personnel, equipment, grade stakes or markings, already set formwork, etc. Because the rearward orientation of the control arm and control lever places the operator in a position that is substantially directly behind the compaction roller, the compaction roller can substantially hinder the operator&#39;s ability to visually inspect the operating environment. 
         [0007]    Many prior manually operated compaction milers are provided with a single control handle on the control arm that is oriented along the centerline or in-plane with the machine&#39;s centerline. One such configuration is shown in  FIG. 24 , in which a visible area is denoted by lines  30  relative to the underlying compaction roller  32 . Such a configuration requires the operator to frequently reposition his body relative to the control arm  34  and the control lever  36  in order to achieve a desired orientation required to visually inspect the longitudinal edges  38  that extend along generally opposite lateral sides of the underlying compaction roller  32 . In confined work environments, cornering and edge following can result in the operator attaining positions relative to the control arm  34  and control lever  36  that detracts from the operator&#39;s overall ability to manipulate the compaction roller  32  to effectuate the desired turning and travel direction control of the compaction roller. 
         [0008]    The position and orientation of the control lever relative to the control arm of many manually steered compaction rollers are ill-suited to allow the operator to attain various operating positions relative to the control arm and the control lever to provide the desired physical interaction with both the control arm and the control lever. They also provide for only limited positional association of the operator relative to the control arm to improve the visibility associated with operation of the compaction roller while maintaining a desired interaction of the operator with the control arm and the control lever. That is, the operators of such devices must commonly shuffle their left and right hands into and out of interaction with the control lever and/or the control arm or control handles to achieve the desired visibility and operator physical positioning with respect to the compaction roller controls to achieve the desired changes to the operating status and direction of travel of the compaction roller. 
         [0009]    There is therefore a need for an improved arrangement for controlling operation of manually steered compaction roller machines from various positions relative to the control lever and control arm. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention provides compaction roller control assemblies and methods of forming and using a control lever assembly of a compaction roller that solves one or more of the drawbacks mentioned above. A first aspect of the invention discloses a control lever assembly that includes a lever that is defined by a body and which is operable from alternate lateral positions associated with the direction of travel of the compaction roller. 
         [0011]    Another aspect of the invention discloses a control lever assembly of a compaction roller wherein the control lever assembly includes a body having a first end connectable to a control arm of a compaction roller. The control lever assembly includes a first grip site and a second grip site that are formed by the body and offset from the first end of the body. The first grip site and the second grip site are laterally offset from a longitudinal center-line axis of the control arm and spaced from one another so that one of the first grip site and the second grip site is beyond reach of a hand engaged with the other of the first grip site and the second grip site. 
         [0012]    A further aspect of the invention that is usable with one or more of the above aspects discloses a control assembly of a walk-behind compaction roller. The control assembly includes a first control handle and a second control handle that are each rigidly connected to a control arm that is configured to extend in a rearward direction from a compaction roller. A control lever is connected to the control arm and movable relative thereto to manipulate a travel speed of the compaction roller. A first grip site and a second grip site are defined by the control lever and oriented such that the first grip site and the second grip site are laterally offset from one another and shaped to slidably cooperate with a respective one of the first control handle and the second control handle so that an operator can simultaneously grip at least one of 1) the first grip site and the first control handle or 2) the second grip site and the second control handle. 
         [0013]    Another aspect of the invention that is combinable with one or more of the above aspects discloses a method of forming a control arrangement for a walk behind compaction roller. A control lever is provided which defines a first grip site and a second grip site that are laterally offset from another. The control lever is connectable to a control arm that is constructed to extend rearward from a compaction roller. A first control handle and a second control handle are connected to the control arm so that the first control handle is proximate the first grip site and the second control handle is proximate the second grip site and the first and second control handles are oriented on opposite lateral sides of the control arm. 
         [0014]    A further aspect this is useable with one or more of the above aspects discloses a method of controlling a walk behind compaction roller that has at least one rotating drum, a frame supported on the drum, and a control arm extending rearwardly from the frame. The method of controlling the walk behind compaction roller includes moving a control lever that defines a first grip site and a second grip site that are laterally offset from opposite sides of a longitudinal centerline of the control arm to control forward and rearward travel of the compaction roller. The method further includes concurrently grasping at least one of 1) the first grip site and a first control handle and 2) the second grip site and a second control handle to maintain a desired orientation of the control lever relative to the control arm. A lateral force can be imparted to the control arm to turn the compaction roller via grasping of at least one of the first control handle and the second control handle. 
         [0015]    Various other features, aspects, embodiments and alternatives of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications could be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout, and in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a walk-behind vibratory compaction roller machine having an operator control assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the operator control assembly removed from the compaction roller shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a partially exploded isometric view of the operator control assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an exploded isometric view of a throttle control assembly and an exciter control assembly removed from the operator control assembly shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a partial isometric view of a pivotable connection between the operator control assembly and the compaction roller as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a front isometric view of the operator control assembly shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the operator control assembly shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation detail view of the operator control assembly taken along line  8 - 8  shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a rear elevation view of the operator control assembly shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is an exploded isometric view of a control lever assembly removed from the operator control assembly shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a front elevation view of a control lever of the control lever assembly shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is an assembled isometric view of the control lever assembly shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a side elevation view of the control lever assembly shown in  FIG. 12  associated with a plunger assembly of the operator control assembly shown in  FIG. 2  wherein the plunger assembly is in a non-actuated position; 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the control lever and plunger assembly shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  is a front elevation view of the control lever and plunger assembly shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  is a view similar to  FIG. 13  with the plunger assembly in an actuated position relative to the control lever assembly; 
           [0033]      FIG. 17  is a view similar to  FIG. 14  of the control lever and plunger assemblies in the relative orientations shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 18  is a view similar to  FIG. 15  of the control lever and plunger assemblies in the relative orientations shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 19  is a top plan view of the control lever and plunger assemblies in the relative orientations shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 20  is a cross section view of a pivot assembly of the control lever assembly shown in  FIG. 19  taken along line  20 - 20  shown in  FIGS. 15 and 18 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 21  is a view similar to  FIG. 6  of an operator control assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 22  is a view similar to  FIG. 21  of an operator control assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 23  is a view similar to  FIG. 21  of an operator control assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0040]      FIG. 24  is a graphic representation showing a compaction roller and the alternate lateral side sight lines available to an operator associated with the operator control assembly of such devices. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0041]    The present invention discloses a number of control lever assemblies according to different embodiments of the invention that each overcome one or more of the drawbacks discussed above.  FIGS. 1-20  are various views of a control arrangement of a manually steered compaction roller according to one embodiment of the invention.  FIGS. 21-23  show alternate embodiments of the invention that achieve the same benefits as disclosed with respect to the following description of  FIGS. 1-20 . The various embodiments are encompassed by the scope of the appended claims. 
         [0042]      FIG. 1  shows a compaction roller  40  having a control arm  42  that may be pivotably and/or removably connected to a frame  44  of the compaction roller  40 . Compaction roller  40  includes an engine  46  and a hydraulic system  48  associated therewith. Engine  46  can be provided in various configurations such as electric start, pull start, and crank start configurations. When provided in a crank start configuration, compaction roller  40  is provided with a crank handle  47  ( FIG. 2 .  FIG. 5 ) configured to be removably associated with a crankshaft associated with engine  46  for initiating the first combustion compression cycle and thereby manual starting of engine  46 . Crank handle  47  removably cooperates with control arm  42  such that the orientation shown in  FIG. 2  is associated with a storage position of crank handle  47  relative to compaction rollers  40  equipped with a crank start feature. Understandably, crank handle  47  need not be provided with compaction rollers having electric start and/or recoil start engine configurations. 
         [0043]    A first drum  50  and a second drum  52  of compaction roller  40  are supported by frame  44  and constructed to compact the ground surface  54  associated with movement of compaction roller  40 . One or both of drums  50 ,  52  can be directly or indirectly excitable so as to enhance the compaction performance associated with operation of compaction roller  40 . For example, an eccentric weight may be located on a lower portion of frame  44  between the two drums  50  to vibrate both drums  50  and  52 . In this case, the upper portion of the frame may be vibrationally isolated from the lower portion by shock mounts or the like. At least one drum, and possibly both, is bi-directionally drivable to propel the compaction roller back and forth or in a forward and a rearward direction relative to the supporting ground surface. 
         [0044]    A pivot assembly  56  pivotably connects control arm  42  to frame  44  such that control arm  42  can be pivoted about a horizontal axis between an in-use orientation, as shown in  FIG. 1 , in which the control arm  42  extends generally rearward from frame  44  and a storage or transport orientation, indicated by arrow  58 , for reducing the footprint associated with compaction roller  40  when not in use. It is further appreciated that control arm  42  can be secured in one or both of the in-use and storage or transport orientations. In a preferred embodiment, control arm  42  can be secured in the storage orientation but freely movable from the in-use orientation toward the storage orientation. It is appreciated that such configurations can include one or more catch arrangements that can be manipulated by the user to change the orientation of control arm  42  relative to frame  44  of compaction roller  40 . 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a control or an operator area  60  of compaction roller  40  is defined in the vicinity of a rearward portion  62  of control arm  42  and offsets an operator in a rearward longitudinal length or distance, indicated by dimension  63 , relative to roller  40 . Although an exemplary dimension or distance  63  is shown in the drawings, it is appreciated that the length of control arm  42  can be selected to improve the mechanical advantage associated with manual turning during operation of compaction roller  40 . It is appreciated that a greater distance between compaction roller  40  and operator area  60  will increase the mechanical advantage associated with control arm  42 , whereas shorter distances will require the operator to impart greater forces to control arm  42  to yield comparable turning performance than associated with longer control arms. It is further appreciated that control arm  42  can be pivotably connected to compaction roller  40  to be settable at various elevations to accommodate operators of different heights and/or provide different positions of the operator area  60  to suit different operator preferences—such as the control area being positioned at a hip height or rib height as different operators may prefer or different operational situations may require. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-9 , operator area  60  includes a control lever assembly or control lever  64 ; one or more control handles  66 ,  68 ; and can include one or more of an exciter control or exciter control assembly  70 ; a throttle control or throttle control assembly  71 , and a plunger or button  72 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  6  and  7 , alternate ends of control handles  66 ,  68  are rigidly connected to control arm  42  whereas control lever  64  is pivotably or otherwise movably connected thereto such that control lever  64  is movable relative to both control arm  42  and control handles  66 ,  68 . As disclosed further below, control handles  66 ,  68  provide for a rigid interaction of the user with control arm  42  during operation of compaction roller  40 . 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , control lever  64  cooperates with a push-pull cable  74  associated with generating forward and rearward linear operation of compaction roller  40  as a function of the orientation of control lever  64  relative to control arm  42 . Preferably, control lever  64  is biased to a neutral position associated with suspending propulsion of compaction roller  40  in either the forward or the rearward directions. It is appreciated that push-pull cable  74 , or any other suitable linkage, can be provided in any of a number of suitable configurations for communicating instructions associated with the orientation of control lever  64  to the underlying compaction roller  40 . It is further appreciated that push-pull cable  74  and/or the control lever  64  can be configured to manipulate any of a number of operational systems, such as a hydraulic system or an electrical system associated with generating the desired forward, rearward, and neutral or non-moving operation of compaction roller  40 . It is further appreciated that control lever  64  and/or the push-pull cable  74  can be configured to interact with various systems, such as relays, valves, etc., associated with generating the desired manipulation of the underlying operation of compaction roller  40 . 
         [0048]    In a preferred embodiment, one or more of exciter control  70  and engine controls, such as a throttle control  71 , and/or button  72  are positioned on control arm  42  proximate operator area  60  such that a user or operator engaged with control lever  64  can interact with and control operation of the engine and/or the exciter associated with operation of compaction roller  40 . It is appreciated that the exciter control  70  and throttle control  71  can be configured to maintain a desired operation of the respective exciter and/or throttle associated with the underlying engine  46  without sustained operator interaction with the respective exciter control  70  and/or throttle control  71 . It is further appreciated that, like control lever  64 , exciter control  70  and/or throttle control  71  be provided with a push-pull cable, elongated connector, gears, transmission, fluid system, relays, valves, etc. and/or an electrical system to effectuate communication of the exciter operation instructions and/or discrete throttle control instructions from operator area  60  to the respective underlying exciter and throttle systems of roller  40 . In a preferred embodiment, exciter control  70  is positioned nearer push button  72  than throttle control  71  as many users prefer to more commonly adjust operation of the exciter assembly than manipulate the throttle position during operation of compaction roller  40 . Preferably, each of exciter control  70  and throttle control  71  are configured to be manipulated by a single hand of a user such that the desired orientation of control lever  64  can be maintained even during adjustment of exciter control  70  or throttle control  71 . 
         [0049]    From the orientation shown in  FIG. 2 , it should be understood that rearward or clockwise movement of control lever  64  from a neutral position, toward a distal end  82  of control arm  42 , as indicated by arrow  78 , effectuates rearward travel of compaction roller  40 . Conversely, forward or counterclockwise movement of control lever  64 , as indicated by arrow  80 , effectuates forward operation of compaction roller  40 . In the illustrated embodiment, control lever  64  rotates about a pivot axis  86 , thereby manipulating the orientation of cable  74  to achieve the desired change in the operating condition of compaction roller  40 . The control lever  64  is directly or indirectly biased to its neutral position such as, for example, by a spring acting on a pump control lever (not shown) to which the cable  74  is connected so that forward/rearward operation of compaction roller  40  is suspended whenever the operator releases control lever  64 . The push-pull cable  74  preferably is coupled to the hydraulic pump or other propulsion system of the compaction roller  40  such that the compaction roller  40  is propelled at a speed that is generally proportional to the extent of movement of the control lever  64  relative to its the neutral position. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , exciter control  70  includes a stem  90  having a ball  92  attached to an end thereof. A flange  94  is secured to control arm  42  and is constructed to support exciter stem  90  relative thereto. A pivot assembly  96  pivotably connects exciter stem  90  relative to flange  94 . A push/pull cable  98  is connected to exciter stem  90  offset from the axis associated with pivot assembly  96  such that cable  98  communicates exciter operation instructions from operator area  60  to the exciter associated with compaction roller  40 . Throttle control  71  includes a throttle control stem  100  having a ball  102  connected at an end thereof. A pivot assembly  104  pivotably connects throttle control stem  100  to flange  94 . A push/pull cable  106  is connected to throttle control stem  100  at a location offset from the axis of rotation associated with pivot assembly  104  such that movement of throttle control stem  100  relative to control arm  42  manipulates the throttle condition and thereby the engine speed associated with operation of compaction roller  40 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , exciter control stem  90  and throttle control stem  100  are constructed to pass through one or more openings  108 ,  110  defined by control arm  42 . A faceplate  112  cooperates with control arm  42 , exciter control stem  90 , and throttle control stem  100  so as to generally overlie openings  108 ,  110  defined by control arm  42 . Faceplate  112  includes a first elongated opening  114  that slidably cooperates with exciter control stem  90  and a second elongated opening  116  that slidably cooperates with throttle control stem  100 . Opening  116  of faceplate  112  can include one or more catches  118 ,  120  associated with maintaining a desired orientation of throttle control stem  100  relative to faceplate  112 . It should be appreciated that when throttle control stem  100  is associated with a respective catch  118 ,  120 , such cooperation maintains throttle control stem  100  in the desired orientation with respect to a desired configuration of the engine throttle assembly and thereby maintains a desired engine speed associated with operation of compaction roller  40 . It is further appreciated that opening  114  associated with exciter control  70  could include similar such catches. Balls  92 ,  102  associated with the respective exciter control stem  90  and throttle control stem  100  removably cooperate with the respective control stem such that faceplate  112  can be secured to control arm  42  in close slidable cooperation with exciter control stem  90  and throttle control stem  100 . 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , control arm  42  includes an opening  124  that slidably cooperates with a crank handle stem  125  associated with crank handle  47 . Crank handle  47  includes a handle  128  that snap fittingly cooperates with a catch  130  such that crank handle  47  can be securely supported by control arm  42  when not in use. As shown in  FIG. 5 , a shock arrangement  132  that includes one or more bushings  134 ,  136  that are disposed between frame  44  and control arm  42 . Understandably, bushings  134 ,  136  can be secured to one of frame  44  of compaction roller  40  or control arm  42  and configured to engage the other of frame  44  or control arm  42  when control arm  42  is oriented in the in-use position. Bushings  134 ,  136  help to mitigate communication of vibration associated with operation of compaction roller  40  and/or the exciter associated therewith along control arm  42  toward the user associated with operator area  60 . 
         [0053]    Referring to FIGS.  3  and  6 - 9 , control lever  64  includes a first grab or grip site  140  and a second grab or second grip site  142  that are offset in opposite lateral directions, indicated by arrow  143 , relative to a longitudinal axis or center-line, indicated by arrow  145 , of control arm  42 . Control handle  66  and control handle  68  have generally arcuate shapes that allow grip sites  140 ,  142  to be maintained in close proximity to the respective grip handle  66 ,  68  throughout the range of pivotable translation of control lever  64  about pivot axis  86 . Preferably, grip handles  66 ,  68  are curved relative to both the vertical and horizontal planes that correlate to rotation of control lever  64 . The larger curvature of handles  66 ,  68 , i.e., the curvature oriented in a generally vertical plane, is between about five inches and nine inches in radius or more preferably about seven inches in radius. The more horizontal curvature of handles  66 ,  68  are between one and four inches in radius and preferably in about a two inch radius. Preferably, the rearward and forward curvatures are selected to provide comfortable ergonomic interaction, such as 30-40 degrees of wrist rotation, associated with orientation of the hand(s) of the operator for various operating positions relative to the control arm  42 . It is appreciated that other ranges of radii can be provided as a function of the lateral thickness of control arm  42 , the range of motion of control lever  64 , and/or to provide desired ergonomic interaction with handles  66 ,  68  for various lateral and rearward positions of the operator relative to the distal end  82  of control arm  42 . 
         [0054]    Each such configuration allows an operator to grasp a respective portion of the respective control handles  66 ,  68  and/or a respective grip site  140 ,  142  throughout the movable range of control lever  64  and relative to the opposite lateral sides of control arm  42 . As explained further below, such a construction allows the operator to position himself at locations further outboard of the longitudinal axis  145  of control arm  42  than would otherwise be possible while maintaining secure interaction with control lever  64  and at least one of control handles  66 ,  68 . Control lever  64  and control handles  66 ,  68  thus allow an operator to securely grasp at least one of control handles  66 ,  68  of compaction roller  40 , even during manipulation of control lever  64  and/or interaction with exciter control  70  and/or throttle control  71  to maintain a desired operation and direction of travel of roller  40  even when located at various positions relative to control arm  42 . 
         [0055]    Control handles  66 ,  68  are also rigidly constructed to tolerate the lateral loading of control arm  42  during turning operations and are maintained in close proximity to grip sites  140 ,  142  to allow a user to bias control arm  42  in lateral directions without imparting the lateral loading forces to control lever  64 . 
         [0056]    Referring to FIGS.  3  and  6 - 12 , control lever  64  includes a body  144  having a first end  146  that defines an opening  148  associated with supporting control lever  64  about pivot axis  86  relative to control arm  42 . First end  146  includes a boss  150  that is shaped to cooperate with a pin  152  oriented to engage a tang  154  that is positionally associated with body  144 . Tang  154  is operationally connected to cable  74  to effectuate generally longitudinal displacement, indicated by arrow  113 , of the cable to effect speed and directional control associated with the forward and rearward travel of compaction roller  40 . A collar  156  and a spring  160  slidably cooperate with a shaft  162  that receives a fastener  164  having a nut  165  and that rotationally or pivotably secures control lever  64  to the control arm  42 . 
         [0057]    Body  144  of control lever  64  could be formed as one piece or as an assembly of two or more interconnected components. The illustrated body is formed of one piece and may be formed, for example, through metal casting or injection molding, although other methods of manufacture are envisioned. Body  144  includes a first stem  166  associated with first grip site  140  and a second stem  168  associated with second grip site  142 . An optional third grip site or knob  170  extends in a generally upward direction between first grip site  140  and second grip site  142  of control lever  64 . Stem  166  associated with grip site  140  is shaped to define a hand or finger window  174 , and stem  168  has a generally mirror image to define a similarly shaped hand or finger window  176  associated with grip site  142 . Grip site  140  and finger window  174  are shaped to allow the hand of an operator to cooperate therewith in either of an underhand or an overhand grip orientation. Second grip site  142  and finger window  176  are similarly constructed. The generally close proximity of grip site  140 ,  142  relative to a respective one of control handles  66 ,  68  allows the operator to use either hand to grab or grasp a respective grip site  140 ,  142  and the corresponding control handle  66 ,  68  with a substantially closed-handed orientation in either an overhand or underhand orientation. 
         [0058]    It is appreciated that the orientation of the user&#39;s hand relative to the respective grip site will vary during operation of roller  40  as the operator moves from left-hand to right-hand lateral side positions relative to control arm  42  and/or to a more rearward orientation relative to button  72  during operation of compaction roller  40 . The generally mirror construction of grip sites  140 ,  142 , the close proximity of grip sites  140 ,  142  to a respective control handle  66 ,  68 , and the availability of multiple control handle and control lever interaction locations allow the operator to quickly switch from one-handed to two-handed operation without unduly interfering with the other hand of the operator and/or interrupting operation of roller  40 . 
         [0059]    Referring back to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , the construction and position of control handles  66 ,  68  and grip sites  140 ,  142  allow an operator positioned generally behind button  72  to engage one or more of the first grip site  140  and control handle  66 , the second grip site  142  and control handle  68 , and/or control lever knob  126  to maintain a desired orientation of control lever  64  relative to control arm  42  in order to effectuate the desired forward and/or rearward operation of compaction roller  40  from a generally ergonomically comfortable position. An operator positioned rearward of button  72  could most comfortably interact in a generally overhand interaction, like gripping the handlebars of a bicycle, with either of first grip site  140  and control handle  66 , second grip site  142  and control handle  68  and/or control knob  126  in which the thumbs of the user generally face toward centerline  95  of control arm  42  when engaged with the respective grip site  140 ,  142 . 
         [0060]    For more aggressive turning operations that cannot be easily effectuated while standing directly behind the control arm  42 , the operator can stand beside control arm  42  while maintaining engagement with one or more of grip site  140 ,  142  and/or knob  126 . Achieving such an orientation improves the operator&#39;s ability to view a respective lateral edge  38  ( FIG. 24 ) of compaction roller  40 . It also allows the operator to orient himself in a manner that improves his leverage when turning the compaction roller  40 . That is, operating the compaction roller from beside the control arm  42  rather than from directly behind it allows the operator to better use his mass rather than simply the strength of his arms and torso to effectuate the steering operation. 
         [0061]    Referring to FIGS.  3  and  13 - 20 , button  72  includes a stem or shaft  184  that is constructed to selectively interfere with rearward operation of compaction roller  40 . Referring to  FIGS. 13-15 , a spring  186  biases shaft  184  and an actuator  188  associated with button  72  in a generally rearward direction relative to control lever  64 . When it is not actuated, button  72  does not interfere with manipulation of control lever  64  in either its forward or rearward directions. Referring to FIGS.  3  and  16 - 18 , manipulation or actuation of actuator  188  in a generally forward direction relative to control lever  64 , such as by contact with the operator, shifts shaft  184  in a forward longitudinal direction such that shaft  184  interferes with the operational interaction between control lever  64  and the cable  74 . Interference of shaft  184  with control lever  64  creates a gap  192  ( FIG. 18 ) between control lever  64  and tang  154 . Gap  192  decouples rearward movement of control lever  64  from manipulation of tang  154  but maintains an operative engagement between pin  152  and tang  154  such that forward motion of control lever  64  about pivot axis  86  achieves forward operation of compaction roller  40 . Said another way, actuation of button  72  suspends further rearward propulsion of compaction roller  40  but maintains the ability of control lever  64  to achieve forward propulsion of compaction roller  40 . A further description of the construction and operation of button  72  and the interference of the same with respect to manipulation of control lever  64  can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,383, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein. 
         [0062]      FIGS. 21-23  show various control lever assemblies for manually steerable compaction rollers according to alternate embodiments the present invention. Referring generally thereto, each control lever assembly  198  includes a control arm  200  that is constructed to be pivotably or fixedly connected to a manually steered compaction roller. Each assembly includes a control lever  202  that is movably connected to a respective control arm  200  and which defines first and second grip sites  204 ,  206 . Each grip site  204 ,  206  also preferably defines a respective grip or finger window  208 ,  210 . Each control lever  202  movably cooperates with the control arm  200  such that at least a portion of each respective grip site  204 ,  206  is maintained in close proximity to a respective control handle  212 ,  214  that is rigidly connected to a respective control arm  200  such that lateral turning forces imparted to the respective control arm  200  by an operator are passed to the control arm  200  through the control handle  212 ,  214  rather than the respective control lever  202 . 
         [0063]    From the embodiment shown in  FIG. 21 , it should be appreciated that control lever  202  can be constructed to generally slidably cooperate with the distal end portion of control arm  200  whereas the configuration shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23  show alternate embodiments of control lever  202  that are pivotably connected to the respective control arm  200  in a manner similar to control lever  64  as described above. Referring back to  FIG. 21 , it should further be appreciated that one or more of the control assemblies shown in Figs. can include additional control handles  216  that are not otherwise positionally associated with a respective portion of the corresponding control lever  202 . 
         [0064]    It is further appreciated that one or more of the control lever assemblies shown in  FIGS. 21-23  can also include one or more control levers  202  that are supported by the respective control arm  200  at a location proximate the respective control lever assembly. Control levers  202  can be configured to manipulate and/or maintain operation of a throttle and/or an exciter assembly associated with a respective compaction roller to which the respective control lever assembly is engaged. Such a consideration allows an operator engaged with the respective control lever assembly to control one or both of the engine speed and/or exciter operation from a location wherein the operator can maintain a desired engagement with the respective control lever assembly associated with forward and rearward travel of the compaction roller. 
         [0065]    Regardless of the method of mobility, whether slidable, rotational, or pivotable, each control lever and control handle arrangement disclosed herein includes a plurality of grip sites that allow an operator to concurrently interact with and maintain the orientation of the respective control lever relative to the underlying control arm. The handles are rigidly connected to the corresponding control arm to accommodate the lateral forces communicated to the respective control arm, whether by pushing or pulling operations, to effectuate the desired manual steering operation. Each control lever and handle arrangement permits these controls in a manner that generally isolates the corresponding control lever from supporting such lateral forces. The close proximity of each control lever relative to the corresponding control arm allows the operator to maintain a desired position relative to the control arm as the operator shifts from various orientations relative to the alternate lateral sides of the control arm and positions generally more rearward thereof to achieve the desired operation and desired direction of travel of the compaction roller. 
         [0066]    Although the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out the present invention is disclosed above, practice of the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be manifest that various additions, modifications and rearrangements of the aspects and features of the present invention may be made in addition to those described above without deviating from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept. The scope of some of these changes is discussed above. The scope of other changes to the described embodiments that fall within the present invention but that are not specifically discussed above will become apparent from the drawings and the appended claims.