1. An implement, comprising:
a handle extending from the implement;
a control member pivotally coupled to the handle about a control axis; and
a mechanical interlock including:
an interlock bracket pivotally coupled to the control member about an interlock axis;
a guide path formed in the interlock bracket and having a locking segment and an actuating segment that define an intersection at an acute angle; and
a guide member coupled to the handle and configured to engage the guide path;
wherein the mechanical interlock is positionable at a locked position at which the guide member is proximate the locking segment, an engaged position at which the guide member is proximate the intersection, and an actuated position at which the guide member is proximate the actuating segment; and
wherein the control member is prevented from pivoting about the control axis when the mechanical interlock is in the locked position.
2. The implement of claim 1, further comprising a biasing member urging the mechanical interlock toward the locked position when the mechanical interlock is in the engaged position.
3. The implement of claim 1, wherein the control axis and the interlock axis are coaxial.
4. The implement of claim 1, further comprising a tab extending from the interlock bracket.
5. The implement of claim 1, wherein the control member is a control paddle operationally coupled to a working device.
6. The implement of claim 1, further comprising a pair of collar bushings spaced apart and positioned between the handle and the control member.
7. The implement of claim 1, wherein the guide member is a pin extending from the handle.
8. The implement of claim 1, further comprising a mounting rod coupled to the control member defining the control axis.
9. The implement of claim 1, wherein the guide member extends through the guide path.
10. The implement of claim 1, further comprising:
a deck supporting the handle;
a blade rotatably housed adjacent the deck;
an internal combustion engine supported by the deck and having a power take off; and
a clutch coupled to the power take off and the blade;
wherein when the mechanical interlock is in the engaged position, rotation of the control member engages the clutch to couple the power take off and the blade, and moves the mechanical interlock to the actuated position.
11. A mechanical interlock coupleable to a control member that is pivotally coupled to a handle about a control axis, comprising:
an interlock bracket defining a guide path having a locking segment and an actuating segment that form an intersection at an acute angle; and
a guide member configured to engage the guide path;
wherein one of the interlock bracket and the guide member is pivotally coupled to the control member about an interlock axis and the other of the interlock bracket and the guide member is coupled to the handle;
wherein the guide path and the guide member are selectively positionable between a locked position at which the guide member is proximate the locking segment, an engaged position at which the guide member is proximate the intersection, and an actuated position at which the guide member is proximate the actuating segment; and
wherein the control member is prevented from pivoting about the control axis when the guide path and the guide member are positioned at the locked position.
12. The mechanical interlock of claim 11, wherein the control member is pivotable about the control axis when the guide path and the guide member are positioned at the engaged position.
13. The mechanical interlock of claim 11, further comprising a biasing member urging the guide path and guide member toward the locked position when the guide path and guide member are positioned at the engaged position.
14. The mechanical interlock of claim 11, wherein the control axis and the interlock axis are coaxial.
15. The mechanical interlock of claim 11, wherein the control member is a control paddle operationally coupled to a working device.
16. The mechanical interlock of claim 11, further comprising:
a deck supporting the handle;
a blade rotatably housed adjacent the deck;
an internal combustion engine supported by the deck and having a power take off; and
a clutch coupled to the power take off and the blade;
wherein when the guide path and guide member are in the engaged position, rotation of the control member engages the clutch to couple the power take off and the blade, and moves the guide path and guide member to the actuated position.
17. A method of activating a control member that is pivotally coupled to a control handle about a control axis and incorporates a mechanical interlock, comprising the steps of:
providing an interlock bracket defining a guide path having a locking segment and an actuating segment that form an intersection at an acute angle;
providing a guide member configured to selectively engage the guide path;
pivoting one of the interlock bracket and the guide member about an interlock axis from a locked position at which the guide member is proximate the locking segment to an engaged position at which the guide member is proximate the intersection; and
pivoting the control member about the control axis to move the interlock bracket and the guide member from the engaged position to an actuated position at which the guide member is proximate the actuating segment.
18. The method of actuating the control member of claim 17, wherein the step of pivoting the control member about the control axis to move the interlock bracket and the guide member form the engaged position to the actuated position is prevented by the mechanical interlock until the one of the interlock bracket and the guide member that is pivotally coupled to the control member is pivoted about the interlock axis from the locked position to the engaged position.
19. The method of actuating the control member of claim 17, wherein the interlock bracket is pivotally coupled to the control member and the guide member is coupled to the control member.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A communications device for remotely controlling an electrical device, the communications device comprising:
a transmitter for transmitting electrical signals;
a casing having a first surface in a first plane; and
a user control mechanism with an outer surface and electrically coupled to the transmitter, the outer surface of the user control mechanism projecting out of the first plane, wherein:
the casing and the transmitter are configured to be coupled to an upper arm of a user; and
the user control mechanism and the casing are flexible.
2. The communications device of claim 1, wherein:
the user control mechanism is a tactile mechanism.
3. The communications device of claim 1, wherein:
the casing includes the outer surface of the user control mechanism; and
the transmitter is devoid of being covered by the casing.
4. The communications device of claim 1, wherein:
the casing is configured to be coupled to a carabineer.
5. The communications device of claim 1, wherein:
the casing has an aperture; and
the transmitter is electrically coupled to the user control mechanism through the aperture.
6. The communications device of claim 1, further comprising:
an armband removably coupled to the casing and the transmitter,
wherein:
the armband is configured to couple the casing and the transmitter to the upper arm of the user.
7. The communications device of claim 1, wherein:
the user control mechanism comprises:
a center button;
two first buttons; and
two second buttons;
a first axis extends through the center button and the two first buttons;
a second axis extends through the center button and the two second buttons; and
the first axis is perpendicular to the second axis.
8. The communications device of claim 7, wherein:
each button of the center button, the two first buttons, and the two second buttons includes a label such that when the casing is coupled to the upper arm of the user, the label is oriented to be readable right-side-up by the user.
9. The communications device of claim 8, wherein:
the casing includes the outer surface of the user control mechanism; and
the transmitter is devoid of being covered by the casing.
10. The communications device of claim 9, further comprising:
a first coupling mechanism configured to be coupled to a carabineer; and
a second coupling mechanism configured to be coupled to an armiband.
11. The communications device of claim 7, further comprising:
the first axis and second axis has a plus-sign shape when viewed by the user while the casing and the transmitter are coupled to the upper arm of the user.
12. An electrical device for transmitting data to an electrical receiver, the electrical device comprising:
a cover having a first surface;
a transmitting module configured to broadcast the data;
at least four buttons extending beyond the first surface of the cover, electrically coupled to the transmitting module, and enclosed in the cover;
a first attachment mechanism configured to be coupled to a carabineer; and
a second attachment mechanism configured to be coupled to an armband, wherein:
the at least four buttons are configured to instruct the transmitting module to broadcast the data;
the at least four buttons collectively form an X-shape; and
the at least four buttons, the first attachment mechanism, the second attachment mechanism, and the cover are flexible.
13. The electrical device of claim 12, wherein:
the at least four buttons are controls for a media player coupled to the electrical receiver.
14. The electrical device of claim 12, further comprising:
an armband coupled to the second attachment mechanism, wherein:
each button of the at least four buttons has markings indicating a function of the button; and
the markings on the at least four buttons are oriented towards the user such that they are readable right-side-up by the user when the second attachment mechanism is coupled to the armband and the armband is coupled to an upper arm of a user.
15. The electrical device of claim 12, further comprising:
a structure for holding the transmitter module and a portable power source coupled to the transmitter module,
wherein:
the structure is devoid of being enclosed by the cover.
16. The electrical device of claim 12, wherein:
the at least four buttons comprise:
a first button located at a first arm of the X-shape for controlling volume;
a second button at a second arm of the X-shape for controlling volume;
a third button at a third arm of the X-shape for controlling a playing location;
a fourth button at a fourth arm of the X-shape for controlling a playing location; and
a fifth button at a center of the X-shape;
the first and second arms are collinear with each other; and
the third and forth arms are collinear with each other.
17. A method of manufacturing a communications device configured to remotely control an electrical device, the method comprising:
providing a transmitter;
providing a casing having a surface in a first plane;
providing a flexible user control mechanism with an outer surface, the outer surface of the user control mechanism projects out of the first plane;
electrically coupling the user control mechanism to the transmitter; and
enclosing the user control mechanism in the casing.
18. The method of manufacturing of claim 17, further comprising:
providing a structure;
enclosing the transmitter in the structure; and
keeping the structure outside of the casing.
19. The method of manufacturing of claim 17, further comprising:
providing the casing to further comprise:
a first coupling mechanism configured to couple to a carabineer; and
a second coupling mechanism configured to couple to an armband.
20. The method of manufacturing of claim 17, wherein:
providing the flexible user control mechanism to further comprise:
a first button located at a first arm of an X-shape;
a second button at a second arm of the X-shape;
a third button at a third arm of the X-shape;
a fourth button at a fourth arm of the X-shape; and
a fifth button at a center of the X-shape.