U.S. patent number 3,651,709 [Application Number 05/043,355] was granted by the patent office on 1972-03-28 for dual station binnacle control.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Outboard Marine Corporation. Invention is credited to Robert A. Booty, Gaylord M. Borst.
United States Patent |
3,651,709 |
Booty , et al. |
March 28, 1972 |
DUAL STATION BINNACLE CONTROL
Abstract
The invention provides a dual station marine propulsion control
system including means selectively operable to afford control of an
engine throttle and/or clutch at one station while preventing the
exercise of control from the other station and vice versa. Each
throttle control station comprises a control lever movably mounted
relative to a minimum throttle setting, a cam member movably
mounted relative to a first position, and means movably mounted on
the housing and coacting with said cam member and with cooperating
means on the lever for preventing movement of the lever from the
minimum throttle setting when the cam member is displaced from the
first position and for preventing displacement of the cam member
from the first position when the control lever is displaced from
the minimum throttle position. Also disclosed herein is a frame
operably connected to an engine throttle for actuation of the
engine throttle in response to frame movement. The frame includes
guide paths for first and second throttle slides which are
respectively connectable to throttle control links or cables
connected respectively to remote control stations so as to effect
throttle slide movement in response to throttle control link
movement. Also included are means on the frame and on the throttle
slides for alternatively and selectively connecting one of the
throttle slides to the frame for common movement of the frame with
the one throttle slide and for permitting relative movement between
the other of the throttle slides and the frame.
Inventors: |
Booty; Robert A. (Galesburg,
IL), Borst; Gaylord M. (Galesburg, IL) |
Assignee: |
Outboard Marine Corporation
(Waukegan, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
21926743 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/043,355 |
Filed: |
June 4, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
74/483R;
74/501.6; 74/500.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05G
11/00 (20130101); B63H 21/213 (20130101); Y10T
74/2042 (20150115); Y10T 74/20238 (20150115); Y10T
74/20402 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
B63H
21/00 (20060101); B63H 21/22 (20060101); G05G
11/00 (20060101); G05g 011/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;74/483R,479,877,876,875
;192/.096,.098 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Kaufman; Milton
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A control system for a marine propulsion device including an
engine, said control system comprising a first station operable for
controlling the engine and including a member selectively movable
between a first position permitting engine controlling operation of
said first station and a second position preventing engine
controlling operation of said first station, a second station
operable for controlling the engine and including a member
selectively movable between a first position permitting engine
controlling operation of said second station and a second position
preventing engine controlling operation of said second station, and
means connecting said first and second station members so that when
one of said members is in said first position the other of said
members is in said second position and vice versa.
2. A control system comprising a first control station including a
first housing, a first control lever carried by said first housing
for movement relative to a first setting, a first station selector
lever movably carried by said first housing relative to a first
position, and means carried by said first housing for preventing
movement of said first control lever from said first setting when
said first selector lever is displaced from said first position and
for preventing displacement of said first selector lever from said
first position when said first control lever is displaced from said
first setting, a second control station including a second housing,
a second control lever carried by said second housing for movement
relative to a first setting, a second station selector lever
movably carried by said second housing relative to a first
position, and means carried by said second housing for preventing
movement of said second control lever from said first setting when
said second selector lever is displaced from said first position
and for preventing displacement of said second selector lever from
said first position when said second control lever is displaced
from said first setting, and means connecting said first and second
selector levers so that when one of said selector levers is in said
first position the other of said levers is displaced from said
first position and vice versa.
3. A throttle control device comprising a housing, a throttle
control lever movably carried by said housing relative to a minimum
throttle setting, a cam member movably carried by said housing
relative to a first position, and means movably carried by said
housing and coacting with said cam and with cooperating means on
said lever for preventing movement of said lever from said minimum
throttle setting when said cam member is displaced from said first
position and for preventing displacement of said cam member from
said first position when said control lever is displaced from said
minimum throttle position.
4. Apparatus for selectively controlling the throttle of an engine
from either one of two throttle control links, said apparatus
comprising a frame operably connectable to an engine throttle for
actuation of the engine throttle in response to movement of said
frame, said frame including first and second guideways, a first
throttle slide movable in said first guideway and being connectable
to one of the throttle control links for movement in said first
guideway in response to movement of the one throttle control link,
a second throttle slide movable in said second guideway and being
connectable to the other throttle control link for movement of the
second throttle slide in said second guideway in response to
movement of the second throttle control link, and means on said
frame and on said first and second throttle slides for
alternatively and selectively connecting one of the said throttle
slides to said frame for common movement of said frame with said
one throttle slide and for permitting relative movement between the
other of said throttle slides and said frame.
5. Apparatus for selectively controlling the throttle of an engine,
said apparatus comprising a first control station including a first
housing, a first throttle control lever carried by said first
housing for movement relative to a minimum throttle setting, a
first station selector lever movably carried by said first housing
relative to a first position, and means carried by said first
housing for preventing movement of said first throttle control
lever from said minimum throttle setting when said first selector
lever is displaced from said first position and for preventing
displacement of said first selector lever from said first position
when said first control lever is displaced from said minimum
throttle position, a second control station including a second
housing, a second throttle control lever carried by said second
housing for movement relative to a minimum throttle setting, a
second station selector lever movably carried by said second
housing relative to a first position, and means carried by said
second housing for preventing movement of said second control lever
from said minimum throttle setting when said second selector lever
is displaced from said first position and for preventing
displacement of said second selector lever from said first position
when said second control lever is displaced from said minimum
throttle position, means connecting said first and second selector
levers so that when one of said selector levers is in said first
position the other of said levers is displaced from said first
position and vice versa, a first throttle control link connected to
said first throttle control lever, a second throttle control link
connected to said second throttle control lever, a frame operably
connected to the engine throttle for actuation of the engine
throttle in response to movement of said frame, said frame
including first and second guideways, a first throttle slide
movable in said first guideway and being connected to said first
throttle control link for movement in said first guideway in
response to movement of said first throttle control link, a second
throttle slide movable in said second guideway and being connected
to said second throttle control link for movement of said second
throttle slide in said second guideway in response to movement of
said second throttle control link, and means on said frame and on
said first and second throttle slides for alternately and
selectively connecting one of the said throttle slides to said
frame for common movement of said frame with said one throttle
slide and for permitting relative movement between the other of
said throttle slides and said frame.
6. A throttle control device comprising a frame, a throttle control
lever movably mounted on said frame relative to a minimum throttle
setting, a member movably mounted on said frame relative to a first
position, and means including means on said lever and on said
member for preventing movement of said lever from said minimum
throttle setting when said member is displaced from said first
position and for preventing displacement of said member from said
first position when said control lever is displaced from said
minimum throttle position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to controls for internal combustion
engines and more particularly to a dual, so-called "binnacle",
control system for marine propulsion systems.
It is common practice in marine cruisers to provide, both in the
cabin and on a flying bridge or elsewhere, so-called "binnacle"
type single lever controls for regulating both the throttle and/or
the clutch of the propulsion system. It is desirable that when one
control station is in use that the other control station be
inactivated and vice versa. Various previously known single lever
controls includes the controls disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,250,350; 3,141,575; 3,131,795; 3,139,767, 3,244,262, and
3,146,632.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a dual station marine propulsion control
system including means selectively operable to afford control of an
engine throttle and/or clutch at one station while preventing the
exercise of the control from the other station and vice versa.
At each station, the throttle control device comprises a housing, a
throttle control lever movably mounted on the housing relative to a
minimum throttle setting, and a cam member movably mounted on the
housing relative to a first position, together with means movably
mounted on the housing and coacting with the cam member and with
cooperating means on the lever for preventing movement of the lever
from the minimum throttle setting when the cam member is displaced
from the first position and for preventing displacement of the cam
member from the first position when the throttle lever is displaced
from the minimum throttle position.
The means for inactivating one of the stations while affording
operation of the other station includes the previously mentioned
cam member and the previously mentioned means cooperating with the
cam member and the lever for preventing movement of the lever and
displacement of the cam member, together with means interconnecting
the cooperating means so that the cooperating means at one station
is displaced from the first position as the cooperating means at
the other station is located in the first position, thereby
preventing simultaneous use of both stations.
The invention also provides apparatus for displacing the engine
throttle at the other end of a pair of control links or cables
respectively connected to the dual control stations. More
particularly, the apparatus for displacing the engine throttle
includes a frame operably connected to the engine throttle for
actuation of the engine throttle in response to movement of the
frame. Included on the frame are first and second guide paths for
first and second throttle slides respectively connected to the
throttle control cables or links and movable along the first and
second guide paths in response to the throttle control link
movement, together with means on the frame and on the first and
second throttle slides for alternatively and selectively connecting
one of the throttle slides to the frame for common movement of the
frame with the one throttle slide and for permitting relative
movement between the other of the throttle slides and the frame,
whereby movement of the throttle control lever at one station
effects movement of the connected throttle cable and the connected
throttle slide, together with common movement of the frame to
actuate the engine throttle.
One of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of
an engine control system including two control stations and means
for selectively setting the control stations so as to permit
control of the engine from one station while automatically
inactivating the other station.
Another of the principal objects of the invention is the provision
of a relatively simple and effective arrangement for mutually and
selectively inactivating one station while permitting the use of
another station to control the throttle and/or clutch of a marine
propulsion device.
Still another of the principal objects of the invention is the
provision of an engine control station including a single throttle
control lever and a mechanism including a selector lever
positionable between a first position permitting operating movement
of the main control lever and a second position preventing
operation of the main control lever.
Still another of the principal objects of the invention is the
provision of an engine control station such as described in the
preceding paragraph including means preventing re-positioning of
the selector lever in the event the main control lever is not in
its minimum throttle setting position.
Another principal object of the invention is the provision of a
mechanism for activating an engine throttle in response to movement
of either one of two input cables or links.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become known by
reference to the following description and accompanying
drawings.
DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dual station engine control
system embodying various of the features of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged elevational view, with parts
broken away, of one of the stations shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a partially schematic view similar to FIG. 2 and
partially in section, and with a part of the main portion 67 of the
lever 27 omitted, but taken from the other side as compared to FIG.
2.
FIG. 4 is a partial view similar to FIG. 2 showing the inside of
one of the housing members of one of the stations shown in FIG.
1.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the selector lever embodied in the
control stations shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another member of the control
stations shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line
7--7 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the interaction
of the member shown in FIG. 6 with the throttle control lever and
with the throttle control lever shown in minimum throttle
setting.
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 with the parts in different
position and with the throttle control lever in an advanced
throttle setting.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partially in section, of a
portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with the components shown
in a minimum throttle setting.
FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 with the components shown in
an advanced throttle position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings is a dual station control system 11
for selectively and alternatively controlling from either station,
a throttle, or clutch, or both the throttle and clutch, of an
engine 13 which is shown fragmentarily (See FIGS. 1, 10, and 11)
and which has a pivotally or otherwise movably mounted speed
controlling member 17 and an associated clutch (not shown).
As shown in FIG. 1, the system 11 includes first and second
so-called "binnacle" control stations 21 and 23 which are
substantially identically constructed and which each include a main
control or throttle lever 27 and a station selector lever 29. The
main controls or throttle levers 27 of the first and second
stations 21 and 23 are respectively connected by separate throttle
cables or links 31 and 33 to a coupler assembly 37 which is
connected to the engine speed controlling member 17 (in some
instances, a conventional carburetor throttle valve control lever).
Also included in the system 11 shown in FIG. 1, is a cable or link
39 connecting the station selector levers 29 of the first and
second control station 21 and 23.
As each of the control stations 21 and 23 is generally of identical
construction, only the control station 21 will be described. As
shown in the drawings, the control station 21 includes a frame or
housing 41 which can be constructed in any convenient manner. In
the specifically disclosed construction, the housing 41 comprises
left and right housing members or sections 43 and 47, respectively,
and a top or cover housing member 49. The left housing member 43
includes (See FIG. 7) a central inturned boss 51 having a central
aperture 53 and the right housing member 47 (See FIG. 4) includes a
central aperture 57 in alignment with the aperture 53 in the left
housing member 43, which apertures 53 and 57 form bearings for the
main control lever 27.
The top or cover housing member 49 closes the open top of the
assembly of the right and left housing members 43 and 47 and
includes (See FIG. 1) a first elongated slot 59 through which the
main control lever 27 extends and a second elongated slot 61
through which a portion of the selector control lever 29
extends.
The main control lever 27 includes (See FIG. 7) a main body portion
67 having outwardly extending stub shafts or cones 69 and 70
received respectively in the apertures 53 and 57 of the left and
right housing members 43 and 47, whereby the main control lever 27
is pivotally movable in either rotative direction from a generally
upright central position in which the engine throttle is at an idle
or minimum throttle setting and the clutch is in neutral.
Connected to the main control lever 27 to afford throttle actuation
in response to main control lever movement is one end of the
throttle control link or cable 31. While other links can be used,
the disclosed construction contemplates the use of conventional
push-pull cables having outer sheaths and inner cores or wires.
The throttle cable 31 is actuated to effect throttle control in
response to movement of the main lever 27 by means including an arm
68 (See FIGS. 2 and 3) which is pivotally mounted at one end at 73
to the left housing member 43 and which, at its other end, is
connected by suitable means, not a part of the present invention,
including a part 72 and a guide 74 (See FIG. 1) to the throttle
cable 31. The arm 68 is rocked about its pivotal mounting 73 to
axially displace the cable 31 in response to pivotal movement of
the control lever 27 by a link 76 (See FIGS. 3 and 7) which, at one
end, is connected to an intermediate portion of the arm 68 and, at
its other end, extends in a slot 75 (See FIG. 7) in the main
control lever 27 and is pivotally connected to the main body
portion 67 of the control lever 27 by a pin 761. Accordingly,
movement of the main control lever 27 in either direction from the
upright position at which the throttle is at minimum will serve to
advance the throttle.
Extending from the body portion 67 of the control lever is (See
FIGS. 2 and 7) a stem or shaft 78 which extends through the slot 59
of the housing cover member 49 and which, at the top, has a handle
or knob 80. The stem or shaft 78 extends in a radial bore 781 in
the body portion 67 and is movable radially thereof, as will be
further disclosed to afford throttle advance in neutral. In order
to accommodate throttle advance in reverse, as will be later
disclosed, the stem 78 is hollow as shown at 82 and includes a
radially extending opening 84 which communicates with the hollow
interior of the stem 78 and which further communicates with a
radially elongated axial slot 86 open at the right end of the body
portion 67.
In accordance with the invention, the system 11 includes means for
permitting operation of only one of the control stations 21 and 23
at any one time. This means includes, in each control station, the
before-mentioned station selector lever or cam lever 29 which (See
FIGS. 5 and 7) is pivotally mounted on the outer surface of the
before-mentioned boss 51, and the cable or link 39 which connects
the station selector levers 29.
The selector lever 29, as shown best in FIG. 5, includes a tab or
ear 71 which projects through the slot 61 in the cover housing
member 49 into position for access by the operator to permit
shifting of the selector lever 29 between a first position as shown
at station 21 in FIG. 1, and a second position as shown at station
23.
The means for permitting operation of only one control station at a
time further includes, in each station, a lock yoke 77 (See FIG. 6,
as well as FIGS. 7, 8, and 9) which has a stem or lower portion 79
fixed to the left housing member 43 by a screw 791 (See FIG. 3) and
an upper portion 81 which is apertured at 83 to permit passage over
the inturned boss 51 of the left housing member 43.
Means are provided on the yoke member 77, on the selector lever 29,
and on the main lever 27 for preventing pivotal movement of the
main lever 27 from the generally upright minimum throttle setting
position as shown at station 23 when the associated selector lever
29 is in the second position, and for preventing movement of the
selector lever 29 from its first position as shown at station 21
when the main control lever 27 is displaced from its minimum
throttle setting position. While various modifications can be
employed, in the disclosed construction, the selector lever 29
includes (See FIG. 5) an arcuate cam 89 having, at its upper end, a
ramp 91 which, incident to movement of the selector lever 29 from
its first position to its second position, engages the adjacent
side of the lock yoke 77 to displace the upper lock yoke portion 81
toward the adjacent or left end of the body portion 67 of the main
control lever 29.
The means for permitting selective operation of only one control
station at a time further includes cooperating means on the yoke 77
and on the body portion 67 of the main control lever 27. In this
regard, the body portion 67 of the main control lever 27 is
provided (See FIG. 7) with a lock slot 93 which is open toward the
lock yoke 77. In turn, the lock yoke 77 includes, at its upper end,
an ear or tab 97 which is bent toward the main control lever 27 and
which, when the selector lever 29 is in the first position, is
spaced from the body portion 67 of the main control lever 27.
However, when the selector lever 29 is displaced from its first
position to its second position, the engagement of the cam 89 with
the yoke 77 causes flexure and displacement of the upper yoke
portion 81 in the axial direction toward the main control lever 29
to locate the locking tab 97 in the locking slot 93 and to prevent
movement of the main control lever 27 from the minimum throttle
setting.
The body portion 67 of the main control lever 27 and the locking
yoke 77 are also arranged so as to prevent movement of the station
selector lever 29 from the first position to the second position in
the event that the main control lever 29 is not in its minimum
throttle setting. In this regard, it will be apparent that when the
lock tab 97 is out of alignment with the lock slot 93, engagement
of the tab 97 with the adjacent end of the body portion 67 of the
main control lever 27 will prevent axial displacement of the upper
yoke portion 81 toward the main control lever 27, thus preventing
movement of the station selector 29 from the first position to the
second position due to the resulting interference between the yoke
77 and the cam 89.
In the event that the main control lever 27 is in an extreme
forward or reverse throttle position, the locking tab 97 would be
past a position in interfering relation with the body portion 67
(as indicated in FIG. 9) and would therefore otherwise permit
movement of the yoke 77 toward the body portion 67 of the main
control lever 27. Accordingly, the yoke 77 is provided with two
additional tabs or ears 99 which are arranged so as to
interferingly engage the adjacent end or left side of the body
portion 67 of the main control lever 27 when the locking tab 97 is
out of position to do so. More particularly, the three tabs 97 and
99 of the lock yoke 77 cooperate with the shape and formation of
the adjacent end or left side of the body portion 67 of the main
control lever 27 to prevent movement of the upper locking yoke
portion 81 toward the main control lever 27 except when the locking
slot 93 will permit entry therein of the locking tab 97. Thus, the
main control lever 27 can be moved from its minimum throttle
setting only when the selector lever 29 is in its first position
(shown at station 21 in FIG. 1) and the selector lever 29 can be
moved from its first position to its second position (shown at
station 23 in FIG. 1) only when the main control lever 27 is in its
minimum throttle setting position.
The before-mentioned cable or link 39 is connected to the selector
levers 29 by anchoring to the posts 101 (See FIG. 5) and is of such
dimension so as to insure that when either one of the station
selector levers 29 is in the first position (shown at station 21 in
FIG. 1), the other selector lever 29 is in the second position
(shown at station 23 in FIG. 1) and vice versa. Accordingly,
movement of either of the selector levers 29 will result in a
common amount of movement of the other selector lever 29 in the
opposite direction between the first and second positions.
In accordance with the invention, the before-mentioned coupler
assembly 37 is provided to actuate the engine speed controlling
member 17 from either of the control stations 21 and 23. In the
construction as disclosed, the throttle controlling member 17
serves to advance the speed of the engine in response to
counterclockwise rotation from the position shown in FIG. 10 and in
response to movement of one of the slides 121 and 123 (still to be
described) from the left to the right.
As shown best in FIGS. 10 and 11, the coupler 37 includes a frame
111 which is pivotally connected to the speed controlling member 17
to afford movement thereof in response to movement of the frame 111
and which comprises a base or support 113 and (See FIG. 1) a cover
117 which are suitably assembled together. The frame 111 further
includes two spaced and generally parallel guideways 119 and 121
which respectively slideably receive two throttle slides 123 and
127 to which the other ends of the cores of the push-pull cables 31
and 33 are connected. As shown best in FIG. 1, the sheaths of the
push-pull cables 31 and 33 are anchored or connected to clips or
clamps 129 mounted on the engine 13.
Means are provided on the frame 111 and on the throttle slides 123
and 127 for alternately and selectively connecting either one of
the throttle slides 123 and 127 to the frame 111 for common
movement of the frame 111 with the connected one of the throttle
slides 123 and 127 in response to movement of the core of the
associated push-pull cable and for permitting relative movement
between the other of the throttle slides 123 and 129 and the frame
111. In the disclosed construction, such means includes a fork or
cam 133 which is pivotally mounted at 137 on the frame and extends
between the slides 123 and 129. Adjacent the right end thereof, as
shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, i.e., adjacent to the pivotal mounting,
the forks each includes a head 139 having oppositely extending
flanges or shoulders 141 which are slightly spaced from the
adjacent ends of the throttle slides 123 and 127 when the slides
are in idle position and which extend into the path of the throttle
advancing slide movement, i.e., movement to the right in FIGS. 10
and 11. In addition, each fork 133 includes, at the left end
thereof, outwardly extending feet 141 having shoulders 143 which
are adapted to be selectively received into opposed notches 147
formed in the respective slides 123 and 127. Accordingly, in
operation of the coupling assembly 27 whenever one of the cores of
the throttle cables 31 and 33 is advanced to the right, so as to
advance the throttle from an idle setting, the associated one of
the slides 123 and 127 will contact the associated shoulder 141 to
pivot the fork and to thereby engage the foot 141 in the associated
notch 147. Movement to the right of one of the slides 123 and 127
when in engagement with the head 139 of one of the forks 133 will
also cause movement of the housing 111 as a whole to the right and
will shift the throttle actuating member 17 in the counterclockwise
direction to advance the throttle. Simultaneously, the housing 111
will have relative movement to the right with respect to the other
of the slides 123 and 127. Upon reduction in the throttle setting
toward idle, one of the slides 123 and 127, previously moved to the
right, will now be moved to the left, causing the right edge or end
of the associated notch 147 to engage the associated shoulder 143
and thus exert a force to the left on the frame 111 causing
movement of the frame 111 to the left and clockwise movement of the
throttle actuating member 17.
Push-pull throttle movement of the other cable core affords similar
action with respect to the other slide. It is to be particularly
noted, that the dimension of the foot 141 from top to bottom as
shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is such that when one foot is engaged with
the notch of one slide, the other foot rides along the side surface
of the other slide so as to prevent disengagement of the foot from
the notch in the one slide in all throttle conditions, except when
both throttle slides are in neutral settings. The selector levers
29 serve to prevent the notches 147 of the throttle slides 123 and
127 from being in opposed relation to each other except when the
throttle slides 123 and 127 are in their idle conditions.
Each of the control stations 21 and 23 also includes means for
integrating throttle control with clutch control to facilitate
forward and rearward engine operation, as well as engine speed. In
this regard, the disclosed construction is adapted for cooperation
with an electrically actuated clutch (not shown) and includes (See
FIG. 4) a three-way switch 151 mounted on the right housing member
47 and having an actuator 153 movable between a central or neutral
position and forward and reverse positions respectively located on
opposite sides of the central position, which forward and rearward
positions are respectively effective to cause forward and rearward
clutch drive conditions.
The switch 151 is actuated by the lower surface of a cam 157 (See
FIG. 2) which is carried on the body portion 67 of the main lever
and which, in the central part thereof, is notched as shown at 159
to accommodate the actuator 153 when the main lever 27 is in its
neutral position.
The cam 157 is mounted on the body portion 67 of the main control
lever 27, at least in part, by a sleeve 163 which extends fixedly
from the lower end of the stem 78 through an elongated slot or
opening 167 in the body portion 67 and through a mating aperture
169 in the cam 157. Rotary movement of the cam 157 with the control
lever 27 is provided by interfitting engagement of a radially
extending slot 173 on the cam with the hub or cone 70 which extends
from the body portion 67 of the main control lever 27 and which is
rotatably received in the aperture 57 in the right housing member
47.
The interfitting engagement between the slot 173 and the hub 70
permits radial movement of the cam 157 with the stem 78 to afford
throttle advance in neutral, as will be explained. More
particularly, in this regard, the stem 78 of the main control lever
27 can be radially withdrawn from the body portion 67 so as to
remove the cam 157 from operative association with the switch
actuator 153 and then rotated in the counterclockwise direction as
seen in FIG. 2 to advance the throttle without actuating the switch
151. Accordingly, each control station also provides means for
affording throttle advance in neutral.
Means are also provided for limiting and guiding radial movement of
the stem 78 of the main lever 27 relative to the body portion 67 of
the main lever 27 and to provide a detent action. In this regard, a
detent button 161 extends resiliently from the sleeve 163, and the
right housing member 47 is provided with an arcuate guide means or
track which receives the detent button 161 and which, as will be
explained, serves to inform the operator when the main control
lever 27 is in the neutral or minimum throttle setting position.
The guide means includes a radially outer arcuate segment or track
179 in which the button 161 is received during normal reverse and
forward throttle lever operations. The guide means also includes a
radially inward segment or track 181 which is connected to a
central part of the outer segment 179 by a radially extending slot
183. Accordingly, the stem 78 can be radially withdrawn only when
the detent button 161 is lined up with the slot 183, i.e., in
neutral. When the stem 78 is radially withdrawn, the button 161
travels in the slot 183 to the inner guide segment 181 and the
radially inwardly located wall thereof prevents further radially
outward movement of the stem 78 of the main control lever 27. The
inner segment 181 retains the stem 78 in withdrawn condition during
the limited amount of rotary movement which is available to advance
the throttle without effecting a change of the throttle setting
from neutral.
In order to provide detent action, the button 161 is biased
outwardly in a direction parallel to the axis of main lever
rotation and the guide means is provided with a recess 187 at the
junction of the slot 183 and the outer track segment 179, which
recess 187 permits additional axially outward movement of the
button 161 so as to require additional effort by the operator to
move the main control lever 27 from the neutral position, either
when advancing the throttle during neutral, or when advancing the
throttle during forward or rearward operation.
Means are provided for limiting travel of the main lever 27
relative to the housing 41 to prevent travel of the lever 27 beyond
the operating range of the throttle actuating member 17. In this
regard, the right housing member 47 includes (See FIG. 4) a pair of
shoulders 189 and the body portion 67 of the main control lever 27
includes (See FIG. 2) a tab 191 which engages the shoulders 189 to
limit pivotal movement of the main control lever 27.
Means are also provided to prevent unwanted rotary movement of the
main control lever 27 such as to prevent unnoticed throttle advance
in rearward drive condition. In this regard, the stem 78 of the
main control lever 27 houses a rod 193 which can be suitably
actuated, as shown in FIG. 7, from the handle or knob 80, for
movement axially of the stem 78. At its lower end, the rod 193
includes a fixedly extending part or stud 197 which projects
through the opening 84 and slot 86 and outwardly to the right as
shown in FIG. 7. Cooperating with the axially extending stud 197 is
a cam surface 199 (See FIG. 4) on the inside of the right housing
member 47, which cam surface 199 prevents movement of the main
control lever 27 in the rearward direction in the absence of inward
movement of the rod 193 and inward movement of the accompanying
stud 197 for rotary travel inwardly of the cam surface 199.
While the disclosed construction includes electrical switch means
for controlling a clutch, various other arrangements can be
employed for clutch actuation. In particular, each of the control
stations could be connected to a mechanical system terminating in a
coupling assembly embodying various of the features of the coupling
assembly already disclosed herein.
Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the
following claims.
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