Patent ID: 7458588

Claim:
A self-propelled vehicle comprising: a frame; a rider support assembly including at least one support element and a platform extending generally outward from the at least one support element, wherein the at least one support element is pivotally mounted, via a pivot mechanism, relative to a rear portion of the vehicle frame, the at least one support element is pivotally movable between a first position in which the platform extends in a generally horizontally orientation from the rear portion of the frame and is spaced above a ground surface to support a rider standing in an elevated position during ride-on operation of the vehicle and a second position in which the at least one support element is in a generally upright position adjacent the rear portion of the frame to enable walk-behind operation of the vehicle, wherein the at least one support element is interposed between the pivot mechanism and the platform to cause the platform to be spaced apart from the pivot mechanism; a stop mechanism located at the rear portion of the vehicle and configured to releasably engage the at least one support element to prevent pivotal movement of the platform downward beyond the generally horizontal orientation of the first position of the platform, wherein the stop mechanism is independent and separate from the platform, and wherein the stop mechanism is separate and independent of the pivot mechanism; and a latch mechanism disposed on the at least one support element of the rider support assembly, the latch mechanism configured to be automatically releasably engaged at the rear portion of the vehicle frame via an at least one-handed, first manipulation of the platform to releasably secure the platform in the second position and the latch mechanism configured to be automatically disengaged via an at least one-handed, second manipulation of the platform to release the platform from the second position for movement into the first position.