Patent Description:
Grounds care/yard maintenance and other outdoor tasks associated with grooming and maintaining property are commonly performed using various tools and/or machines that are configured for the performance of corresponding specific tasks. Certain tasks, like snow removal, are typically performed by snow removal equipment such as snow blowers or snow throwers. Meanwhile, mowing and other yard maintenance tasks may be performed by walk behind or riding lawn mowers.

The form factors for each of these various types of outdoor power equipment can vary widely. For example, starters, engines, control features, and accessories can all be different on different respective models. As an example, some of the machines that fall into these categories are started using a recoil starter, whereas others may have an electric starter, e.g., having a keyed ignition switch. For those that have an electric starter or keyed ignition switch, one common feature relates to the fact that the keyed ignition switch is provided separately from speed control. Thus, the keyed ignition switch will typically have three positions including an off position, a run position, and a start position that often spring returns to the run position. While the engine is running (and the keyed ignition switch is in the run position), speed control will typically be handled via a separate switch assembly or speed controller. This results in extra parts being needed, and additional points of potential failure.

<CIT> describes a conventional ignition switch device including a stop and start position, wherein the ignition switch is provided for an industrial machine and disposed in a driver's seat.

<CIT> describes an ignition switch for an automobile with an automatic transmission. The ignition switch enables selection of forward (D) neutral (N) and backward (R) settings from the automatic transmission.

<CIT> discloses an engine control system for an outdoor lawn equipment, the control system includes diverse control elements for starting the engine and for operating the equipment.

<CIT> discloses D4 discloses an engine control system for outdoor equipment with a control system that renders a key-operated ignition switch unnecessary, wherein a starting know is provided for starting the engine. Operational modes, such as drive direction can be set by actuating respective buttons or touch-sensitive areas of a user interface.

<CIT> discloses a user interface control element for controlling operation of a ride-on lawn mower. Diverse control elements are provided for ignition and speed setting together with an information display for displaying operational settings.

Post-published <CIT> describes a riding lawn equipment with a speed control module having a panel with user actuated buttons for selecting, by the user, one of a plurality of operating modes. Each mode has a different nonoverlapping range of engine speeds, and allows continuously increasing or decreasing the engine speed within each mode.

The invention is set forth in the independent claim <NUM>. Embodiments result from the dependent claims and the description below.

According to the invention, a combination ignition and speed control assembly for outdoor power equipment having an engine, as defined in claim <NUM>, is provided. The assembly may include a key, a key switch portion configured to receive the key in a key slot, and switch circuitry. The key switch portion may be rotatable to different selectable positions only when the key is inserted into the key slot. The switch circuitry may be configured to control both starting the engine and selection of the different selectable positions corresponding to respective different operating speeds for the engine.

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. 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, operable coupling 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.

For a snow blower, or numerous other types of outdoor power equipment, it is common for the starter control and the speed control to be handled with separate components
and/or circuitry. This, of course, causes additional cost and complexity. Example embodiments provide a key operated starter control assembly that also incorporates speed control into one universal key-operated system (e.g., ignition and speed control switch). <FIG> illustrates an example of a walk behind, powered device in the form of a snow removal device <NUM>. Although the snow removal device <NUM> of <FIG> is shown as a walk-behind snow removal device (i.e., a snow blower or snow thrower), it should be appreciated that example embodiments could be employed in connection with other walk behind power equipment as well, such as tillers, mowers, edgers, and/or the like. Moreover, example embodiments may also be employed in connection with riding yard maintenance equipment as well (e.g., lawn tractors, zero turn mowers, and other riding lawn mowers or types of riding outdoor power equipment).

In some embodiments, the snow removal device <NUM> may include a chassis <NUM> or frame to which various components of the snow removal device <NUM> may be attached. For example, the chassis <NUM> may support an engine <NUM>, such as a gasoline powered engine, and a working assembly <NUM>. Operation of the engine <NUM> may be initiated by a recoil starter via pulling of a recoil starter handle by the operator. However, in other embodiments, the engine <NUM> may alternatively be started via a key, switch or other similar device.

The snow removal device <NUM> may include wheels <NUM> or continuous tracks forming a mobility assembly on which a substantial portion of the weight of the snow removal device <NUM> may rest, when the snow removal device <NUM> is stationary. The mobility assembly (e.g., the wheels <NUM> or continuous tracks) may also provide for mobility of the snow removal device <NUM>. In some cases, the mobility assembly may be driven via power from the engine <NUM>. However, in other cases, the mobility assembly may simply provide for mobility of the snow removal device <NUM> responsive to pushing by the operator. In other words, for example, the mobility assembly may be an active or passive provider of mobility for the snow removal device <NUM>. As such, the mobility assembly may selectively provide forward or reverse power to each of the wheels <NUM>.

In this example, the working assembly <NUM> is a dual stage snow thrower. As such, the working assembly <NUM> includes a rotatable auger (or auger blade) that is configured to work (e.g., spin, rotate, turn, and/or the like) in order to direct snow toward an impeller (or impeller blade) that also works (e.g., spins, rotates, turns, and/or the like) to direct snow toward a discharge path to be ejected from the snow removal device <NUM>. However, it should be appreciated that the working assembly <NUM> of some embodiments could include a power brush or other implement used to move snow toward a second stage device (e.g., the impeller) for ejection from the working assembly <NUM>. The working assembly <NUM> could also include a single stage auger or impeller or structures for performing another work function (e.g., a blade for mowing or edging, or a tine assembly for tilling). In an example embodiment, the working assembly <NUM> may be powered via operable coupling to the engine <NUM>. The operable coupling of the working assembly <NUM> to the engine <NUM> may be selectively engaged and/or disengaged (e.g., via a clutch, one or more selectively engageable chains/belts/pulleys, a friction wheel or other similar devices). Components of the working assembly <NUM> (e.g., the auger and the impeller) may be housed in a bucket assembly <NUM>.

As can be appreciated from <FIG>, the bucket assembly <NUM> prevents escape of snow and directs the snow into the ejection path. Thus, the bucket assembly <NUM> also protects the operator from blowback and allows for a somewhat orderly disposal of the snow that is ejected by the snow removal device <NUM>. The ejection path of the snow removal device <NUM> may be formed at least in part by the bucket assembly <NUM> and a discharge chute <NUM>. As such, for example, the ejection path may begin proximate to an input of the impeller, at which point snow is imparted with momentum at an output of the impeller to be pushed toward, and ultimately through, the discharge chute <NUM>.

In an example embodiment, the snow removal device <NUM> may further include a control panel <NUM>, which may include ignition controls, operating levers (e.g., operating triggers <NUM>) and/or other controls or informational gauges. The control panel <NUM> may be provided to be accessible from the rear of the snow removal device <NUM> by an operator standing or walking behind the snow removal device <NUM> (e.g., at an operating station) and capable of pushing, steering or otherwise controlling movement of the snow removal device <NUM> using a handlebar assembly <NUM> or some other steering assembly. In some examples, various ones of the operating triggers <NUM> may be employed to control various components of the mobility assembly and/or the working assembly <NUM>. As such, for example, different ones of the operating triggers <NUM> may be operably coupled to various components to enable remote operator control of the respective components. In an example embodiment, operation of the operating triggers <NUM> may selectively engage or disengage drive power to the wheel on the same side as the corresponding operating trigger <NUM>. Moreover, in some cases, operation of the operating triggers <NUM> may initiate braking.

The operation of the auger and/or impeller, application of drive power to the wheels <NUM> and the implementation of a mechanical power reversing assembly as described below are just a few examples of some of components that can be controlled by an operator at the control panel <NUM>. In some cases, the control panel <NUM> may include an auger control lever <NUM> to engage auger motion to cause snow throwing. In an example embodiment, the control panel <NUM> may also include controls for starting the engine <NUM> and/or controlling the speed of the engine <NUM>. However, such controls need not necessarily be located at the control panel <NUM>. In this regard, in some cases, controls for ignition and speed may be located locally at the engine <NUM> or at another location on the snow removal device <NUM>.

In an example embodiment, a universal or combination ignition and speed control assembly <NUM> may be employed by the snow removal device <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, the combination ignition and speed control assembly <NUM> may be located proximate to the engine <NUM>. However, as noted above, the combination ignition and speed control assembly <NUM> could alternatively be located at any other suitable location. The combination ignition and speed control assembly <NUM> may be configured to provide control for both ignition functions and speed control functions from a single key-operated component.

<FIG> illustrates an example implementation of the combination ignition and speed control assembly <NUM> in accordance with one embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, the combination ignition and speed control assembly <NUM> may include a position indicator <NUM> on which various icons or indicators of selectable positions may be displayed or presented. The icons or indicators may be fixed placards made of any suitable material or, in some cases, may be lighted or colored display elements. In still other cases, an electronic display may be used to render icons at the position indicator <NUM>. In some embodiments, the position indicator <NUM> may be front panel of the combination ignition and speed control assembly <NUM> behind which a switch body comprising the physical switch connections that are implemented by the combination ignition and speed control assembly <NUM> may be provided.

A key switch portion <NUM> may be provided to enable selection of individual ones of the selectable positions shown on the position indicator <NUM>. In this regard, a key <NUM> may be inserted into a key slot <NUM> of the key switch portion <NUM> in order to enable the key switch portion <NUM> to be rotated. As such, the key switch portion <NUM> may not be rotatable when the key <NUM> is not inserted into the key slot <NUM>. A pointer <NUM> on the key <NUM> may identify the current position among the selectable positions.

Although <FIG> is merely one example, the selectable positions may include a stop position <NUM>, a slow speed position <NUM>, and a high (or medium) speed position <NUM>. Although not required, other speed settings, or a variable selection between limits, may also be possible. For example, a boost position <NUM> or maximum speed selection may also be included in some cases. Regardless of the number of selectable speed positions, a start position <NUM> may also be provided on the position indicator <NUM>. By inserting the key <NUM> into the key slot <NUM>, the key switch portion <NUM> may be rotatable between any of the selectable positions shown (or other positions in other examples).

In some example embodiments, the key switch portion <NUM> may be constructed so that the key <NUM> can only be inserted into and removed from the key slot <NUM> when the key switch portion <NUM> is rotated such that the pointer <NUM> aligns with the stop position <NUM>. As such, if the key switch portion <NUM> is rotated to any other position, the key <NUM> cannot be removed from the key slot <NUM>. Thus, the stop position <NUM> is the normal position for the key switch portion <NUM> when the key <NUM> is not inserted into the key slot <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

Upon inserting the key <NUM> into the key slot <NUM>, the key switch portion <NUM> may be activated to make switch connections described in greater detail below. Likewise, after key <NUM> insertion into the key slot <NUM>, the user may be enabled to rotate the key <NUM> as shown by arrow <NUM> in order to select any of the corresponding selectable positions shown in <FIG>. As the key switch portion <NUM> correspondingly rotates with the key <NUM>, respective physical switch connections corresponding to each of the selectable positions will be made as discussed in greater detail below. However, it should also be appreciated that instead of corresponding to discrete positions, the slow speed position <NUM>, the high speed position <NUM> and the boost position <NUM> could each be indicators of relative speed along a variable speed selector. In such a case, speed may be variable from a lowest setting (proximate to the slow speed position <NUM>) to a highest speed setting (proximate to the boost position <NUM>).

<FIG> illustrates an example schematic diagram of switch circuitry <NUM> (e.g., the switch connections made for corresponding ones of the selectable positions of the key switch portion <NUM>) in accordance with an example embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, the key <NUM> may be used to physically rotate the key switch portion <NUM> as described above. Rotation of the key switch portion <NUM> may correspondingly select respective different terminal locations inside the switch circuitry <NUM>. The terminal locations may correspond to the selectable positions shown in <FIG>. Thus, for example, when the key switch portion <NUM> is physically rotated, a terminal selector <NUM> may be moved to a corresponding one of the terminal locations shown in <FIG> by moving in the directions shown by double arrow <NUM>.

Movement of the terminal selector <NUM> (e.g., by rotating the key switch portion <NUM>) to an off terminal <NUM> may correspond to the stop position <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Meanwhile, as shown in table <NUM>, the rotation of the key switch portion <NUM> to the off terminal <NUM> may engage circuitry that connects ground (G) to the magneto (M) in order to shut the engine <NUM> down. Ground (G) may also be connected to the lights (L) to turn the lights off. As such, movement of the key switch portion <NUM> to the off terminal <NUM> may shut down the snow removal device <NUM> (or other outdoor power equipment).

Movement of the terminal selector <NUM> to a max speed terminal <NUM> may correspond to the boost position <NUM> of <FIG>. As shown in table <NUM>, rotation of the key switch portion <NUM> to the max speed terminal <NUM> may engage circuitry that connects the battery (B) to the lights (L) to turn on the lights of the snow removal device <NUM> (or keep them on). Other speed control circuitry may also be engaged. For example, a common speed circuit (C) and a high speed circuit (H) may each be engaged in order to achieve the maximum or boost speed (for drive power and/or for speed of turning the auger or other working assembly) for the snow removal device <NUM>. Although specific speed settings may vary in different applications, the max speed terminal <NUM> of some embodiments may provide about <NUM> RPM.

Movement of the terminal selector <NUM> to a high or normal speed terminal (e.g., high speed terminal <NUM>) may correspond to the high (or medium) speed position <NUM> of <FIG>. As shown in table <NUM>, rotation of the key switch portion <NUM> to the high speed terminal <NUM> may engage circuitry that connects the battery (B) to the lights (L) to turn on the lights of the snow removal device <NUM> (or keep them on). Other speed control circuitry may also be engaged. For example, the common speed circuit (C) may be engaged in order to achieve the high or medium speed (for drive power and/or for speed of turning the auger or other working assembly) for the snow removal device <NUM>. Although specific speed settings may vary in different applications, the high speed terminal <NUM> of some embodiments may provide about <NUM> RPM.

Movement of the terminal selector <NUM> to a low speed terminal <NUM> may correspond to the low position <NUM> of <FIG>. As shown in table <NUM>, rotation of the key switch portion <NUM> to the low speed terminal <NUM> may engage circuitry that connects the battery (B) to the lights (L) to turn on the lights of the snow removal device <NUM> (or keep them on). Other speed control circuitry may also be engaged. For example, the common speed circuit (C) and a low speed circuit (T) may be engaged in order to achieve the low speed (for drive power and/or for speed of turning the auger or other working assembly) for the snow removal device <NUM>. Although specific speed settings may vary in different applications, the low speed terminal <NUM> of some embodiments may provide about <NUM> RPM.

Movement of the terminal selector <NUM> to a start terminal <NUM> may correspond to the start position <NUM> of <FIG>. As shown in table <NUM>, rotation of the key switch portion <NUM> to the start terminal <NUM> may engage circuitry that connects the battery (B) to the lights (L) to turn on the lights of the snow removal device <NUM> (or keep them on). The starter circuit (S) may also be engaged in order to start the engine <NUM> of the snow removal device <NUM>. In some example embodiments, none of the selectable positions associated with speed selections may be activated (or effectively activated) until the engine <NUM> is running. Thus, for example, going from the off terminal <NUM> to the max speed terminal <NUM> may turn on the lights by connecting the battery (B) to the lights (L). However, although the circuitry for connecting the common speed circuit (C) and the high speed circuit (H) may each be engaged, there may be no effect since the engine <NUM> is not running. Only when the engine <NUM> is running (i.e., subsequent to selecting the start terminal <NUM>) may any impact be noticed for engagement of the terminals (C), (H) and (T). In a circuit employing variable speeds instead of discrete speeds, the switching circuitry may employ a variable potentiometer or other variable selector to determine speed.

In some example embodiments, any of the terminals may be selected as a final or rest position for the key <NUM> and the key switch portion <NUM> except for the start terminal <NUM>. Thus, for example, a biasing element (BE) <NUM> may be provided to urge the terminal selector <NUM> out of the start terminal <NUM> position. The operator may therefore be required to hold the key <NUM> and the key switch portion <NUM> against the biasing force exerted by the BE <NUM> until the engine <NUM> is started. The BE <NUM> may be configured to, once the operator stops applying force to overcome the BE <NUM>, move the terminal selector <NUM> to the adjacent position. In the example of <FIG>, the BE <NUM> may move the terminal selector <NUM> to the low speed terminal <NUM>. Notably, this is not the same ordering that is shown in the example of <FIG>. The example of <FIG> places the boost position <NUM> (and therefore the max speed terminal <NUM>) adjacent to the start position <NUM> (and therefore the start terminal <NUM>). However, the ordering of the selectable positions (shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) may be made in any desired way based on an effort to put the default speed to which the engine <NUM> is returned by the BE <NUM> adjacent to the start position <NUM> and start terminal <NUM>. Thus, <FIG> and <FIG> should be understood to show two different paradigms for arranging the positions and terminals.

The arrangement paradigm should be understood to determine the default speed to which the engine <NUM> is set after starting of the engine. Thus, for example, the combination ignition and speed control assembly itself can be set up to start the engine <NUM> immediately at a low RPM to prevent high RPM on a cold start. However, other priorities or strategies could also be implemented in this way. Example embodiments may therefore provide a rotatable switch assembly (e.g., a tumbler) that is key-actuated but controls both ignition and speed selection for the engine <NUM>. This removes the need for two separate controller and thereby reduces cost and complexity of the powered device.

Thus, a powered device in accordance with an example embodiment may be provided. The powered device may include an engine, a mobility assembly operably coupled to the engine to provide mobility of the powered device responsive at least in part to operation of the engine, a working assembly operably coupled to the engine to perform a working function responsive at least in part to operation of the engine, and a key-operated combination ignition and speed control assembly including switch circuitry configured to control both starting the engine and selection of different selectable positions corresponding to respective different operating speeds for the engine.

The powered device (or combination ignition and speed control assembly) of some embodiments may include additional features that may be optionally added either alone or in combination with each other. For example, in some embodiments, the combination ignition and speed control assembly may include a key switch portion that is rotatable to the different selectable positions. The key switch portion may be rotatable only when the key is inserted into a key slot of the key switch portion. In an example embodiment, the key is only insertable into the key slot and removable from the key slot in a stop position in which the engine is off. In an example embodiment, the engine may be started responsive to rotating the key switch portion to a start position, and the key switch portion may include a biasing element configured to urge the key switch portion out of the start position to a default speed. In some cases, the default speed may be a lowest speed setting of the engine or a highest speed setting of the engine. In an example embodiment, the different selectable positions may include a high speed position having a corresponding high speed terminal engaging circuitry for generating a high engine RPM setting and a low speed position having a corresponding low speed terminal engaging circuitry for generating a low engine RPM setting. In some cases, the different selectable positions may include a boost speed position having a corresponding maximum speed terminal engaging circuitry for generating additional RPM beyond the high engine RPM setting. In an example embodiment, the key-operated combination ignition and speed control assembly may include a position indicator including respective icons or indicators corresponding to each of the different selectable positions. In some cases, the respective icons or indicators may be fixed placards, or lighted or colored display elements. In an example embodiment, the different selectable positions may include a plurality of variable selections (e.g., infinitely adjustable, non-finite locations) between a highest and lowest speed setting. The powered device may be embodied as a snow removal device.

Claim 1:
A combination ignition and speed control assembly (<NUM>) for outdoor power equipment having an engine (<NUM>), the combination ignition and speed control assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a key (<NUM>);
a key switch portion (<NUM>) configured to receive the key (<NUM>) in a key slot (<NUM>), the key switch portion (<NUM>) being rotatable to a start position (<NUM>), to a stop position (<NUM>), and to different selectable positions (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) only when the key is inserted into the key slot; and
a switch circuitry (<NUM>) configured to control the engine start (<NUM>), the engine stop (<NUM>) and the selection of the different selectable positions (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) corresponding to respective different operating speeds for the engine (<NUM>).