US3649997A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Folding handle latch
Assignee: TORO Manufacturing CORP
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Filing: 1969-08-22
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Granted: 1972-03-21
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Expires: 1989-08-22
Abstract
Abstract A folding steering handle for a rotary mower, the handle being attached to the rear of the mower and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom. The handle consists of a lower section and an upper section pivotally attached thereto, said upper section being capable of being swung forwardly from an upright operating position to a lowered generally horizontal position over the mower housing. Releasable latch mechanism is provided for holding the upper handle section in an upright operative position. This latch mechanism comprises a latch pin which seats in aligned openings in the frame structure of the upper and lower handle sections, said latch pin being held in position and manipulated by a handle attached thereto which is formed of spring wire which biases the pin toward latching position.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A Thorud
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:49
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D34/00; A01D34/01; A01D34/412; A01D34/63; A01D34/82; A01D34/824; B; B62; B62D; B62D51/00; B62D51/001; A01D2101/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A collapsible handle comprising in combination: a. a lower handle section adapted to be connected to a ground transversing machine, said lower handle section including at least one structural portion having a pin receiving first opening therethrough; b. an upper handle section pivotally connected to said lower handle section for movement between an upright operating position to a lowered generally horizontal position, said upper handle section including at least one structural portion having a pin receiving second opening therethrough in alignment with said first opening when said upper handle section is in said upright position. c. an elongated latch pin extending longitudinally through said second opening and adapted to extend through both said first and second openings, when said upper handle section is in the upward operating position, to restrain movement between said upper and lower handle sections, said pin having a crosssectional area slightly less than the area of said second opening; and d. an elongated cantilever type spring rod having one end secured to said upper handle section and the other end connected adjacent to one end of said latch pin to biasly retain said pin within both said first and second openings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
A collapsible handle comprising in combination: a. a lower handle section adapted to be connected to a ground transversing machine, said lower handle section including at least one structural portion having a pin receiving first opening therethrough; b. an upper handle section pivotally connected to said lower handle section for movement between an upright operating position to a lowered generally horizontal position, said upper handle section including at least one structural portion having a pin receiving second opening therethrough in alignment with said first opening when said upper handle section is in said upright position. c. an elongated latch pin extending longitudinally through said second opening and adapted to extend through both said first and second openings, when said upper handle section is in the upward operating position, to restrain movement between said upper and lower handle sections, said pin having a crosssectional area slightly less than the area of said second opening; and d. an elongated cantilever type spring rod having one end secured to said upper handle section and the other end connected adjacent to one end of said latch pin to biasly retain said pin within both said first and second openings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A collapsible handle according to claim 1 wherein said spring rod is bent to form a loop capable of receiving a finger of an operator, said loop in substantial alignment with the longitudinal direction of movement of said elongated latch pin within said first and second openings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
101 words
A collapsible handle according to claim 2 wherein: a. said latch pin includes at least one detent laterally extending from said pin, said detent located adjacent the end of said pin opposite the end connected to said spring rod; and wherein b. the area of said first opening is greater than the combined cross-sectional area of said pin and detent to allow said detent to pass therethrough without substantial interference, and the area of said second opening is less than the combined cross-sectional area of said pin and detent to prevent said pin from being removed from said upper handle section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
117 words
A collapsible handle according to claim 1 wherein: a. said lower handle section comprises two spaced apart lower legs adapted to be connected to the ground transversing machine at the lower ends thereof and a first transverse member adjacent the upper end of said lower handle section, said first transverse member including said first opening therethrough, and wherein b. said upper handle section comprises two spaced apart upper legs each pivotally connected adjacent the lower end thereof to separate said lower legs, said upper upper handle section including a second transverse member adjacent the lower end of said upper handle section and adjacent to saId first transverse member, said second transverse member including said second opening therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
A collapsible handle according to claim 4 wherein said spring rod comprises said one end secured to said second transverse member and a loop adjacent said other end capable of receiving a finger of an operator, said loop in substantial alignment with the longitudinal direction of movement of said elongated latch pin whereby the operator may readily move said latch pin within said pin receiving first and second openings.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-21 | 1975-09-20 | 1976-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-21 | 1979-09-20 | 1980-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-21 | 1983-09-20 | 1984-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |