Patent ID: 8573368

Claim:
A parking brake actuator system for an outdoor power equipment unit having an implement for performing a turf or ground grooming or working operation, the outdoor power equipment unit having at least one parking brake which prevents motion of the outdoor power equipment unit when the parking brake is in a brake engaged position and which permits motion of the outdoor power equipment unit when the parking brake is in a brake disengaged position, which comprises: (a) a reversible electric motor having a rotatable output shaft; (b) a second rotatable output shaft that is separate from the motor output shaft and is driven from the motor output shaft through a speed reduction assembly such that the second output shaft rotates more slowly than the motor output shaft; (c) a connecting link operatively connected to the second output shaft for rotation therewith; (d) a brake actuating rod that has a pivot connection to the connecting link with the pivot connection being off-center relative to the rotational axis of the second output shaft; (e) the brake actuating rod also having a connecting portion that is operatively coupled to the parking brake, wherein the connecting portion of the brake actuating rod is elongated along an axis of elongation and moves in opposite substantially straight line directions along the axis of elongation when the second output shaft is rotated in opposite rotary directions to thereby allow the connecting portion of the brake actuating rod to place the parking brake in the brake engaged and disengaged positions; and (f) wherein the parking brake comprises a pivotal brake lever that pivots at one end and has a free end, wherein the free end has a bore which slidably receives the connecting portion of the brake actuating rod with the free end of the lever being located between first and second springs that are concentrically located around the connecting portion of the brake actuating rod, wherein the first spring bears against a first abutment carried on the connecting portion of the brake actuating rod spaced from a first side of the free end of the lever and against the first side of the free end of the lever, and wherein the second spring bears against a second abutment carried on the connecting portion of the brake actuating rod spaced from a second opposite side of the free end of the lever and against the second side of the free end of the lever.