Chute rotation system and method of operating same

Abstract

A chute rotation system. The chute rotation system includes a chute, a handle assembly, and a drive assembly. The handle assembly includes a handle rotatable about a first axis and a second axis, and a bracket configured to inhibit movement of the handle about the first axis. The drive assembly is coupled to the handle assembly and includes a chute drive, a transverse gear, and a friction brake. The brake is configured to prevent movement of the chute, as a result of friction, when the friction brake is engaged with the chute drive.

1 . A chute rotation system, comprising:
 a chute;   a handle assembly including
 a handle rotatable about a first axis and a second axis, and 
 a bracket configured to inhibit movement of the handle about the first axis; and 
   a drive assembly coupled to the handle assembly, the drive assembly including
 a chute drive, and 
 a friction brake configured to prevent movement of the chute when the friction brake is engaged with the chute drive. 
   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first axis is substantially perpendicular to the second axis. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the handle is prevented from rotating about the first axis until the friction brake is disengaged. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the chute drive includes beveled teeth. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the drive assembly includes a transverse gear. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein an axis of rotation is rotated between the transverse gear and the chute drive. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the rotation of the axis of rotation is about 90 degrees. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 5  wherein a body of the chute drive is engaged by the friction brake. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the handle includes a key and the bracket includes a plurality of slots, the plurality of slots configured to receive the key. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the key is biased toward the plurality of slots. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the plurality of slots are formed in a semi-circle. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the handle assembly and the drive assembly are coupled by a cable. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the cable disengages the friction brake in response to rotation of the handle about the second axis. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the handle assembly and the drive assembly are coupled by a shaft. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  14  wherein the shaft rotates the transverse gear in response to rotation of the handle about the first axis. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the shaft is coupled to the handle via a shaft linkage, the shaft slidable in the shaft linkage in response to the handle rotating about the second axis. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the shaft is hexagonally shaped. 
   
   
       18 . A method of rotating a chute, the method comprising:
 disengaging a friction brake;   rotating a handle about a first axis;   rotating the chute as a result of the rotation of the handle about the first axis;   engaging the friction brake to inhibit rotation of the chute.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  and further comprising, rotating the handle about a second axis to disengage the friction brake. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18  and further comprising, rotating, by the handle, a shaft. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  and further comprising, rotating, by the shaft, a transverse gear. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  and further comprising, rotating, by the transverse gear, a chute drive. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 18  and further comprising, rotating an axis of rotation. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the axis of rotation is rotated about 90 degrees. 
   
   
       25 . A snowthrower, comprising:
 a chute; and   a chute rotation system including
 a friction brake configured to maintain a position of the chute when the friction brake is engaged, and 
 a handle configured to disengage the friction brake and rotate the chute when the friction brake is disengaged. 
   
   
   
       26 . The snowthrower of  claim 25 , wherein the chute travels a rotational distance greater than the rotational distance traveled by the handle. 
   
   
       27 . The snowthrower of  claim 25 , and further comprising a drive assembly configured to modify an axis of rotation of the handle to an axis of rotation of the chute. 
   
   
       28 . A drive assembly, comprising:
 a chute drive,   a transverse gear drivably coupled to the chute drive; and   a friction brake configured to prevent movement of the chute, as a result of friction, when the friction brake is engaged with the chute drive.   
   
   
       29 . The drive assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the transverse gear and the chute drive are configured to modify an axis of rotation about ninety degrees. 
   
   
       30 . The drive assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the transverse gear and the chute drive increase a rotational distance traveled by a chute relative to a rotational distance traveled by a handle. 
   
   
       31 . The drive assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the chute drive is coupled to a chute and the friction brake prevents movement of the chute when the friction brake is engaged with the chute drive.