Patent Publication Number: US-2022232762-A1

Title: Lawn Care Vehicle with Heads Up Mower Controls

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Example embodiments generally relate to lawn care vehicles and, more particularly, to a riding lawn care vehicle with controls that are provided on the steering levers of the vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Lawn care tasks are commonly performed using various tools and/or machines that are configured for the performance of corresponding specific tasks. Certain tasks, like grass cutting, are typically performed by lawn mowers. Lawn mowers themselves may have many different configurations to support the needs and budgets of consumers. Walk-behind lawn mowers are typically compact, have comparatively small engines, and are relatively inexpensive. Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, riding lawn mowers, such as lawn tractors, can be quite large. Riding lawn mowers can sometimes also be configured with various functional accessories (e.g., trailers, tillers, and/or the like) in addition to grass cutting components. Riding lawn mowers provide the convenience of a riding vehicle as well as a typically larger cutting deck as compared to a walk-behind model. 
     Some riding lawn mowers have been provided with very short (e.g., near zero) turning radiuses. Such mowers have employed separate steering levers that each allow individual control of a corresponding drive wheel on the same side of the mower. The drive wheels are generally rear wheels, and wheels at the front of the mower tend to be caster wheels that can freely rotate about an axis perpendicular to the ground in order to support movement in any direction, and the tight turning radiuses that can be achieved with such mowers. The operator either pulls or pushes the steering levers from a neutral (middle) position with hands that are generally out in front of the operator on the steering levers during operation. 
     This operational paradigm (i.e., having the operator&#39;s hands out in front of him/her on the steering levers) generally creates an intuitive and comfortable control environment where the operator&#39;s hands and the steering levers are both within the normal field of view of the operator (i.e., in front of the vehicle) while the vehicle is being navigated and controlled. However, there are a few situations where the operator is normally required to take his/her eyes away from the normal field of view due to the fact that many controls are located at other parts of the vehicle (e.g., at a console beside the seat). Particularly for controls that are hand operated, this means the operator may not only be looking away from the front of the vehicle (and looking instead for the specific control of interest), but may also mean that the operator has to take one hand off of a steering lever to operate the specific control of interest. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES 
     Some example embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to mount vehicle controls to a portion of the steering levers that does not interfere with the grips of the steering levers. 
     In one example embodiment, a riding lawn care vehicle is provided. The riding lawn care vehicle may include a frame to which at least a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel of the riding lawn care vehicle are attachable, an engine operably coupled to the frame and the first and second drive wheels to provide power to the first and second drive wheels, a steering assembly that includes a first steering lever and a second steering lever, and a work assembly. The first and second steering levers may be operably coupled to the first and second drive wheels respectively to facilitate turning of the riding lawn care vehicle based on drive speed control of the first and second drive wheels responsive to positioning of the first and second steering levers. The work assembly may be operably coupled to the engine to perform a work function responsive to power received from the engine. Each of the first and second steering levers may include a grip portion. At least one of the first steering lever or the second steering lever may include a control module disposed proximate to and separate from the grip portion. The control module may include a control operator configured to control operation of the engine or the work assembly. 
     In another example embodiment, a control module configured to be disposed at least one of a first steering lever or a second steering lever of a riding lawn care vehicle may be provided. The riding lawn care vehicle may include first and second drive wheels operably coupled to respective ones of the first and second steering levers to facilitate turning of the riding lawn care vehicle responsive to drive speed control of the first and second drive wheels based on positioning of the first and second steering levers, respectively. Each of the first and second steering levers may include a grip portion. The control module may include a housing and a lever interface operably coupled to the housing. The lever interface may be configured to be secured to the first steering lever or the second steering lever separate from and proximate to the grip portion. The control module may include a control operator configured to control operation of an engine or work assembly of the riding lawn care vehicle. The lever interface and the grip portion may be made of different materials. 
     Some example embodiments may improve an operator&#39;s ability to control or operate a lawn care vehicle. The user experience associated with operating the riding lawn care vehicle may therefore be improved. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       Having thus described some embodiments of the present invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a perspective view of a conventional riding lawn care vehicle; 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a top view of the riding lawn care vehicle of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the steering assembly of the riding lawn care vehicle of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a block diagram of a wired connection for a control module for providing controls on the steering lever of the riding lawn care vehicle according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a block diagram of a wireless connection for a control module for providing controls on the steering lever of the riding lawn care vehicle according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the steering levers of the riding lawn care vehicle in isolation in accordance with an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a control module of the left steering lever of  FIG. 4  in accordance with an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of a control module of the right steering lever of  FIG. 4  in accordance with an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a top view of a steering lever with a trigger as one of the control operators in accordance with an example embodiment; and 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an exploded view of a steering lever that also includes a key in accordance with an example embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all example embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described and pictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “or” is to be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true whenever one or more of its operands are true. As used herein, the phrase “operable coupling” and variants thereof should be understood to relate to direct or indirect connection that, in either case, enables functional interconnection of components that are operably coupled to each other. 
     As noted above, some example embodiments may improve the ability of an operator to control operation of a riding lawn care vehicles by eliminating the need to look away or take hands off of the steering levers during operation. This may make it both easier and safer to operate and control the riding lawn care vehicle. However, the concepts described herein for improving control of the riding lawn care vehicle may also have other benefits as well. In this regard, for example, the specific structures described herein are separate from the grip portion of the steering levers. Thus, rather than interfering with or requiring replacement of the grip portion of a steering lever, example embodiments have the potential for being added onto standard steering levers as an upgrade. This structural paradigm means that units can be designed at multiple price points or with different options without necessarily creating a need for different steering lever parts for each different unit. Instead, the same steering lever can either be included with the modular add-on of an example embodiment to the end thereof, or not. This saves cost and complexity over units that would require fully different steering levers for different models due to integration of controls into the grips themselves. 
       FIG. 1 , which includes  FIGS. 1A and 1B , illustrates a riding lawn care vehicle  10  that does not include controls of an example embodiment. In this regard,  FIG. 1A  illustrates a perspective view of the riding lawn care vehicle  10 , and  FIG. 1B  illustrates a top view of the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . In some embodiments, the riding lawn care vehicle  10  may include a seat  20  that may be disposed at a center, rear, or front portion of the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . The riding lawn care vehicle  10  may also include a steering assembly  30  (e.g., a set of steering levers or the like) functionally connected to wheels  31  and/or  32  of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  to allow the operator to steer the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a steering assembly with steering levers positioned to be pulled back for rearward propulsion of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  of  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the operator may sit on the seat  20 , which may be disposed to the rear of the steering assembly  30  to provide input for steering of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  via the steering assembly  30 . However, some models may be stand-up models that eliminate the seat  20 . If the seat  20  is eliminated, the operator may stand at an operator station proximate to the steering assembly  30 . In some cases, the steering assembly  30  may include separately operable steering levers  34  shown specifically in  FIG. 1B  and  FIG. 2 . 
     The riding lawn care vehicle  10  may also include a cutting deck  40  having at least one cutting blade (e.g., three cutting blades) mounted therein. The cutting deck  40  may be positioned substantially rearward of a pair of front wheels  31  and substantially forward of a pair of rear wheels  32  in a position to enable the operator to cut grass using the cutting blade(s) when the cutting blade(s) are rotated below the cutting deck  40  when the cutting deck  40  is in a cutting position. However, in some alternative examples, the cutting deck  40  may be positioned in front of the front wheels  31 . The cutting deck  40 , and particularly the blade(s) therein represent an example of a work assembly that may be powered by the riding lawn care vehicle  10  to perform a given task. The riding lawn care vehicle  10  may additionally or alternatively be equipped or configured with other work assemblies some of which may be accessories (e.g., a bagger or bagging attachment, a bucket for a front loader, a snow blower attachment, etc.). 
     In some cases, a footrest  42  may also be positioned above the cutting deck  40  forward of the seat  20  to enable the operator to rest his or her feet thereon while seated in the seat  20 . In embodiments that do not include the seat  20 , the footrest  42  may form the operator station from which a standing operator controls the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . When operating to cut grass, the grass clippings may be captured by a collection system, mulched, or expelled from the cutting deck  40  via either a side discharge or a rear discharge. 
     In the pictured example embodiment, an engine  50  of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  is disposed to the rear of a seated operator. However, in other example embodiments, the engine  50  could be in different positions such as in front of or below the operator. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the engine  50  may be operably coupled to one or more of the wheels  31  and/or  32  to provide drive power for the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . The engine  50  may provide power for the work assembly or assemblies of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  as well. The engine  50 , the steering assembly  30 , the cutting deck  40 , the seat  20 , and other components of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  may be operably connected (directly or indirectly) to a frame  60  of the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . The frame  60  may be a rigid structure configured to provide support, connectivity, and/or interoperability functions for various ones of the components of the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1B , the riding lawn care vehicle  10  may include a console  65  that may be located alongside the seat  20  (on one side or the other thereof). The console  65  may include one or more controls for various functional components of the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . For example, some of the controls that may be included at the console  65  may include controls for adjusting blade speed (including turning blade rotation on/off), adjusting cutting deck  40  height, applying brakes, operating lights, turning the engine  50  on/off, etc. The console  65  may also include one or more notification means or devices such as fuel status indicators, battery status indicators, and/or the like. 
     In some example embodiments, the steering assembly  30  may be embodied as an assembly of metallic and/or other rigid components that may be welded, bolted, and/or otherwise attached to each other and operably coupled to the wheels of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  to which steering inputs are provided (e.g., rear wheels  32 ). For example, the steering assembly  30  may include or otherwise be coupled with hydraulic or electric motors that independently power one or more drive wheels (e.g., rear wheels  32 ) on each respective side of the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . The steering levers  34  may be operable to move forward (i.e., in a direction opposite arrow  68  in  FIG. 2 ) and rearward (i.e., in the direction shown by arrow  68  in  FIG. 2 ) while in the inboard position (shown in both  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). 
     When a steering lever  34  is pushed forward (e.g., away from the operator an opposite the direction of arrow  68 ), the corresponding hydraulic motor may drive the corresponding wheel forward. When a steering lever  34  is pulled rearward (e.g., toward the operator as shown by the direction of arrows  68  in  FIG. 2 ), the corresponding hydraulic motor may drive the corresponding wheel backward. Thus, when both steering levers  34  are pushed forward the same amount, the riding lawn care vehicle  10  travels forward in substantially a straight line because approximately the same amount of forward drive input is provided to each drive wheel. When both steering levers  34  are pulled back the same amount, the riding lawn care vehicle  10  travels backward (e.g., rearward) in substantially a straight line because approximately the same amount of rearward drive input is provided to each drive wheel. When one steering lever  34  is pushed forward and the other steering lever  34  is pulled back, the riding lawn care vehicle  10  begins to turn in a circle and/or spin. Steering right and left may be accomplished by providing uneven amounts of input to the steering levers  34 . Other steering control systems may be employed in some alternative embodiments. 
     Although the steering levers  34  are generally moved forward (i.e., opposite the direction of the arrows  68  shown in  FIG. 2 ) or backward (i.e., in the direction of the arrows  68  shown in  FIG. 2 ) in any desirable combination while they are in the operating positions shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , it should be appreciated that the steering levers  34  may also be moved to an outboard position (e.g., in a non-operational state) by moving the steering levers  34  outwardly in the direction shown by arrows  70  in  FIG. 1B . In this regard, although the steering levers  34  are shown in the inboard (or operational) position in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the steering levers  34  may be moved in the direction of arrows  70  (i.e., outboard) relative to their inboard position and into a non-operational position. In some cases, each of the steering levers  34  may be operably coupled to respective lever mounts  80  that may pivot to enable the steering levers  34  to move outwardly (e.g., to the outboard position) or inwardly (e.g., to an inboard and/or operating position). In some embodiments, when at least one (and sometimes both) of the steering levers  34  is pivoted outwardly, brakes may be applied and the operator may easily mount or dismount the riding lawn care vehicle  10  and sit in or leave the seat  20 . 
     As noted above, it may be undesirable to have the operator either looking at the console  65  or removing a hand from one of the steering levers  34  in order to operate a control located at the console  65 . In order to obviate the need for the operator to look at the console  65  or remove a hand from the steering levers  34 , some example embodiments may place controls (and perhaps also notification devices) that would otherwise be at the console  65  on the steering levers  34 . Moreover, as noted above, doing so in a manner that does not require completely different steering lever models or designs to be provided for different controls or for options that include or do not include such controls would also be of great benefit. Some example structures and designs that may be employed to accomplish these goals will now be described in reference to  FIGS. 3-8 . 
       FIG. 3 , which is defined by  FIGS. 3A and 3B , illustrates block diagrams of two examples of how some components can be added to the riding lawn care vehicle  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  to provide heads up controls (i.e., the ability to control the riding lawn care vehicle  10  without looking down or away from the front or the steering levers  34 ) in accordance with an example embodiment. The components added may be operably coupled to one or more of the steering levers  34 . In particular, a control module  100  may be operably coupled to one of the steering levers  34  (or separate instances of the control module  100  may be operably coupled to each of the steering levers  34 ). 
     The control module  100  may include a housing  110  that may either include or itself be operably coupled to a lever interface  120 . In other words, the housing  110  and the lever interface  120  may be integrally formed with each other (e.g., as part of one seamless structure, or as two integrated halves (e.g., front/back) that are joined together to form the control module  100 ). Alternatively, the housing  110  and the lever interface  120  may be separate parts that are joined together (e.g., via snap, press, interference or friction fitting, or via adhesives or fasteners). In some cases, the housing  110  and the lever interface  120  may be made of the same material (e.g., metal, plastic, resin, or other rigid materials), and each may be formed to be substantially hollow or at least have a hollow portion therein. 
     The lever interface  120  may slide or otherwise fit over the end (i.e., the distal end) of the steering lever  34 . In some cases, the steering lever  34  may be a metallic tube (or tube made of other rigid material) that includes at least one portion that extends substantially vertically (when mounted at the neutral position), and another portion that extends substantially horizontally. The portion of the steering lever  34  that extends substantially horizontally may be considered or actually include a separate structure as a grip portion  130  or grip. In some examples, the grip portion  130  may be made of a different material (e.g., softer) that is more comfortable for an operator to grip, and may slide (like a sleeve) over all or part of the portion of the steering lever  34  that extends substantially horizontally. In some cases, the grip portion  130  may include texturing or other features that enhance or improve the ability of the operator to grip the steering lever  34 . The lever interface  120  may also be operably coupled to the end of the steering lever  34  (i.e., adjacent to, but as a separate part from the grip portion  130 ) via snap, press, interference or friction fitting, or via adhesives or fasteners. Thus, in some cases, the lever interface  120  may abut the grip portion  130 , but could otherwise be spaced apart from the grip portion  130  by a small amount. Moreover, the lever interface  120  could abut either end of the grip portion  130  (i.e., the distal end of the grip portion  130  and the steering lever  34 , or a proximal end of the grip portion  130 , which may be located at or near a bend in the steering lever  34 ). 
     The hollow portion of the housing  110  may house a board  140  (e.g., a circuit board) to which one or more controls (or control operators) may be operably coupled. Thus, for example, the board  140  may be operably coupled to one or more instances of one, any or all of a switch  150 , a button  152  and/or a lever  154 , each of which may be considered to be an example of a control operator (a physical device that is actuated by the operator to cause a corresponding control impact on the work assembly, functional component, accessory or the like that the control operator is operably coupled to and configured to control). The switch  150 , the button  152 , and the lever  154  shown may have binary positions (e.g., on/off). However, in other cases, particularly the switch  150  or the lever  154  may be used to define variable or discrete positions in between on/off or opposing extremes of the range of control positions available. In either case, the controls (e.g., the switch  150 , the button  152  or the lever  154 ) may provide the physical device that enables the operator to make a selection (based on positioning or operating the corresponding one of the controls), and the board  140  may provide the circuitry for interfacing with corresponding components of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  (either directly or via other control devices) to carry out the functionalities or changes associated with the selections made. The board  140  may also, in some cases, be operably coupled to one or more instances of an indicator  160 . The indicator  160  may be a gauge, light, or other visual display device that provides a visual indication of the status of a corresponding component of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  (or the vehicle itself). 
     In an example embodiment, the board  140  may itself include control electronics that direct operation or control of various systems or components of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  in order to make the changes that correspond to the selections made by the operator during operation of the controls. Thus, for example, the board  140  may include a controller  170  that is configured to interface with circuitry or components that control the respective functions/components of the work assembly (or accessories or other functional components). However, in other cases, the controller  170  may be located remotely with respect to the board  140 , and may be in communication therewith. This may allow the controller  170  to be located at any desirable location on the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . For example, the controller  170  may be operably coupled to a bus or each component individually via wired or wireless connection to control the corresponding component based on the positioning of the controls associated therewith. 
     In examples where the controller  170  is located remotely with respect to the board  140 , the board  140  and the controller  170  may be operably coupled to each other by any suitable method.  FIG. 3A  illustrates an example in which there is a wired connection between the controller  170  and the board  140 . In this regard, cable  180  provides the wired connection therebetween. The cable  180  may also be coupled to, or alternatively be part of, a bus via which numerous components communicate with the controller  170 . Moreover, it should be appreciated that other alternative embodiments may use the cable  180  for mechanical connectivity and functionality instead of electrical. For example, the board  140  could be eliminated entirely, and mechanical movement of any of the switch  150 , the button  152  or the lever  154  could be mechanically communicated to the controller  170  via the cable  180 . 
     As an alternative to a wired connection, wireless connection between the controller  170  and the board  140  is also possible. For example, the board  140  may be operably coupled to a wireless transmitter  190 , which may be collocated with the board  140  as shown in  FIG. 3B . The wireless transmitter  190  may in turn be operably coupled to a wireless receiver  195  that may be remotely located with respect to the housing  110  and, in some cases, may be collocated with the controller  170 . The selections made by the operator at the control module  100  may be communicated by the board  140  to the controller  170  via the wireless transmitter  190  and receiver  195 , respectively. Of note, if two-way communication is desired or provided between the board  140  and the controller  170 , the wireless transmitter  190  and receiver  195  may each be transceivers. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the steering levers  34  in isolation, from the perspective of the operator. In this regard, the steering levers  34  are shown with grip portions  130  provided thereon, and respective instances of the control module  100  at distal ends at each respective one of the steering levers  34 . The control module  100  on each steering lever  34  is separate and distinct from the grip portions  130  so that the control module  100  can be modified, replaced, upgraded, removed or not included at all without otherwise impacting a remainder of the steering levers  34  and the grip portions  130 . Although only one of the steering levers  34  may include an instance of the control module  100 , the example of  FIG. 4  shows each of the steering levers  34  having a respective instance of the control module  100 , and each instance is slightly different. Thus, for example, the controls on each of the control modules  100  (if more than one is included) may be different, and multiple different controls (or indicators) may be provided on each one of the control modules  100 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates one of the control modules  100  of the example of  FIG. 4  in greater detail, and  FIG. 6  illustrates the other one of the control modules  100  of the example of  FIG. 4  in greater detail. Referring first to  FIG. 5 , the housing  100  has an instance of the switch  150  of  FIG. 3  extending from a front face  200  of the housing  110 . Moreover, all of the controls in this example are only provided on the front face  200  of the housing  110 . However, it should be appreciated that other controls could be provided on other faces (e.g., the rear face, side faces, or the distal end face) of the housing  110  in alternative embodiments. In this case, the front face  220  also includes an instance of the button  152  and the indicator  160  of  FIG. 3 . However, each of these corresponding elements could be an instance of the button  152 , or each could be an instance of the indicator  160 . Moreover, additional instances of the switch  150  (for other functions) could also be included. 
     The button  152  of this example may be a simple push button with two positions (e.g., depressed and undepressed). When depressed, the button  152  may interact with the board  140  to generate an “on” output, and when undepressed the button  152  may interact with the board  140  to generate an “off” output. The indicator  160  may correspond to any functional component of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  and may provide status information about that functional component. In this case, the indicator  160  may simply be a light indicating power on or an on status when lit, or power off or an off status when unlit. The switch  150  may be a simple single pole switch, or may be a sliding switch that moves up or down (in the directions shown by arrow  210 ) relative to the front face  200  to change states. Alternatively, the switch  150  may be a rocker switch configured to rock or rotate (as shown by arrow  220  about an axis (shown by dashed line  225 ) to an on/actuated position or off/non-actuated position. 
     In some cases, the lever  154 , the button  152  and/or the switch  150  may each work together relative to controlling operation of the same work assembly, component or function. For example, the button  152  may be operated to engage or disengage (enable or disable) the switch  150 . As a specific example, a two-step PTO engagement/disengagement process may be controlled by first selecting the button  152  to enable the switch  150 . Once the button  152  is selected or depressed, then the switch  150  may be enabled to be operated for engagement or disengagement of the PTO. 
     Although the switch  150  may be embodied as a slider switch or a rocker switch, as discussed above, other types of switches are also possible. For example, in  FIG. 6 , the switch  150  is an example of a pass through switch including a first portion  262  that may extend away from the front face  200  and be configured to be depressed toward the front face  200  thereby causing a second portion  264  to extend out a back side  266  of the housing  110  (facing opposite the front face  200 ). A position of the pass through switch may be determinable based on which side (i.e., the first portion  262  or the second portion  264 ) has more exposed material sticking out of the housing  110 . For example, if the exposed amount of the first portion  262  is larger than the second portion  264 , the pass through switch may be unselected or in an off position. But if the exposed amount of the second portion  264  is larger than the first portion  262 , then the pass through switch may be selected, depressed, or otherwise in an on position. The pass through switch of this example may, due to the fact that the user can feel and/or see which portion is larger or has more exposed material, provide an intuitive way to determine switch position. 
     Another example of a type of switching device that may embody the switch  150  may be a trigger  300  or other pivotable member.  FIG. 7  illustrates a top view of an instance of the control module  100 , which is equipped with the trigger  300 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the trigger  300  may be operably coupled to the housing  110  at a pivot point  310  or a hinge, and a position of the trigger  300  may be determinable between two extreme ends of a range of positions, or the trigger  300  may have binary states (actuated and non-actuated). In either case, the trigger  300  may provide an opportunity to fingers other than the thumb to be used to actuate the control operator without the operator of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  having to remove his/her hands from the corresponding one of the steering levers  34 . Thus, the trigger  300  may provide a good combination of the retention of control of the steering lever  34  in combination with a heads up control operator. In a typical structure, the trigger  300  may be located on a side of the steering lever  34  that faces away from the operator. This arrangement may enable the operator to have an unobstructed view of the front face  200  (and any indicators  160  or other control operators thereon), while maintaining the ability to also operate the trigger  300 . 
     The switch  150 , the button  152 , the lever  154  and the indicator  160  may each be associated with different functions and/or components or assemblies. However, in some cases, the indicator  160  may be associated with providing a status for a function, component or assembly that is operable via a corresponding one of the switch  150 , the button  152 , or the lever  154 . The functions, components or assemblies may include, for example, power take off (PTO) operation, adjustment of blade speed, adjustment of engine revolutions per minute (RPM) or engine speed, adjustment of cutting deck height, application of a parking brake, control of vehicle lights (e.g., head lights), engine operation (on/off), and/or the like. In some cases, an instance of the switch  150  may be used to control a discharge chute (e.g., open/closed, or directional aspects thereof) or a baffle assembly (e.g., adjusting a position or arrangement of baffle components). Other functions, components and assemblies may also be controlled by the controllers. Various accessories may also be controlled using instances of the switch  150 , the button  152 , or the lever  154 . Examples of such accessories may include control of a bucket attachment. Thus, for example, the controls may be used for bucket articulation and/or raising or lowering the bucket of a front loader. 
     The indicator  160  may be associated with providing status information about any of the functions, components or assemblies discussed above. However, in other cases, the indicator  160  may provide other notifications such as when there is an object immediately behind the riding lawn care vehicle  10 , fuel or battery status, maintenance related information, etc. In an example embodiment, the indicator  160  may alternatively (or also) be used to indicate information about the slope on which the riding lawn care vehicle  10  is currently operating. The indicator  160  may also, in some cases, be augmented with sound so that both audio and visual warnings or indications can be provided. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an exploded view of the control module  100  of an example embodiment. In this example, the board  140  may be directly coupled to a back portion of the switch  150 . However, the board  140  could be placed at other locations in the control module  100  as well. The example of  FIG. 8  also includes a modification not shown in the preceding figures. In this regard, the example of  FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment in which a key  400  is included with the control module  100 . The key  400  may fit in a receptacle  410  formed in a portion of the housing  110 . In an example embodiment, the key  400  may, when fully inserted into the receptacle  410  enable one of the switch  150  or the button  152  to be used to turn on the engine  50  or to turn on or enable another functional component of the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . Thus, for example, the key  400  may have a physical or electrical interface with the receptacle  410  or another component associated therewith (e.g., the board  140 ) in order to enable the switch  150  or button  152  to be operated for starting the engine  50 . However, in other cases, the key  400  may directly interface with the engine  50  for starting. 
     In an example embodiment, the operator can place his/her hands comfortably on the grip portion  130  of the steering levers  34  to operate the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . Meanwhile, any of the instances of the switch  150 , the button  152 , or the lever  154  can be operated without looking away from the immediate surroundings and corresponding normal operating field of view of the operator (i.e., in front) of the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . Moreover, in some cases, the operator may simply use his/her thumb to operate an instance of the switch  150 , the button  152 , or the lever  154  without even removing his/her hand from the corresponding one of the steering levers  34 . Thus, both positive control of the steering levers  34  and full attention to the immediate surroundings can be maintained. However, even when the operator uses the index finger or another finger to operate an instance of the switch  150 , the button  152 , or the lever  154 , the result is still more comfortable, easier and safer than looking away to find controls at a console. 
     Accordingly, some example embodiments may provide a riding lawn care vehicle. The riding lawn care vehicle may include a frame to which at least a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel of the riding lawn care vehicle are attachable, an engine operably coupled to the frame and the first and second drive wheels to provide power to the first and second drive wheels, a steering assembly that includes a first steering lever and a second steering lever, and a work assembly. The first and second steering levers may be operably coupled to the first and second drive wheels respectively to facilitate turning of the riding lawn care vehicle based on drive speed control of the first and second drive wheels responsive to positioning of the first and second steering levers. The work assembly may be operably coupled to the engine to perform a work function responsive to power received from the engine. Each of the first and second steering levers may include a grip portion. At least one of the first steering lever or the second steering lever may include a control module disposed proximate to and separate from the grip portion. The control module may include a control operator configured to control operation of the engine or the work assembly. 
     The riding lawn care vehicle (or the control module) of some embodiments may include additional, optional features, and/or the features described above may be modified or augmented. Some examples of modifications, optional features and augmentations are described below. It should be appreciated that the modifications, optional features and augmentations listed below may each be added alone, or they may be added cumulatively in any desirable combination. For example, in some embodiments, the control module may include a housing and a lever interface. The lever interface may be configured to be secured to the distal end of the first steering lever or the second steering lever proximate to the grip portion. The lever interface and the grip portion may be made of different materials. In an example embodiment, the lever interface and the distal end of the first steering lever or the second steering lever may be joined together via a snap, press, interference or friction fitting, or via adhesives or fasteners. In some cases, both the first steering lever and the second steering lever may include respective instances of the control module. In an example embodiment, the control operator may include at least one of a switch, a button or a lever. In some cases, the switch may be a rocker switch, a sliding switch or a pass through switch. In an example embodiment, the control operator may be configured to define binary states relative to control of the work assembly. In some cases, the control operator may be configured to define variable or discrete positions in between opposing extremes of a range of control positions for controlling the work assembly. In an example embodiment, the control operator may be operably coupled to a board located in the housing, and the board may be operably coupled to an electronic controller configured to interface with circuitry or components that control a respective function or component of the work assembly. In some cases, the controller may be located remotely with respect to the board and the housing, and the controller may be operably coupled to the board via a wired or wireless connection. In an example embodiment, the control operator controls operation of a power-take-off function, a parking brake, deck height control, blade speed, lights, discharge chute orientation, baffle operation, or engine status. In some cases, the riding lawn care vehicle may be a zero turn mower. 
     Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. In cases where advantages, benefits, or solutions to problems are described herein, it should be appreciated that such advantages, benefits, and/or solutions may be applicable to some example embodiments, but not necessarily all example embodiments. Thus, any advantages, benefits, or solutions described herein should not be thought of as being critical, required, or essential to all embodiments or to that which is claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.