Ride-on vehicle with operator access assist bar

Abstract

An assist handle for assisting an operator with climbing on to, or off of, a ground maintenance vehicle such as a mower, and a ground maintenance vehicle incorporating the same. The assist handle includes, in one embodiment, a grip portion movable between a deployed position, wherein the grip portion is positioned at a deployed elevation configured to assist the operator with ingress to, or egress from, a platform such as a seat; and a stowed position, wherein the grip portion is positioned at a stowed elevation lower than the deployed elevation.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A zero-turning-radius ground maintenance vehicle adapted to accommodate a ride-on operator, the vehicle comprising:
 a frame;   at least one movable control member coupled to the frame and operable to control one or both of a direction and a speed of the vehicle;   an operator platform attached to the frame; and   an assist handle operatively attached to the frame, the assist handle comprising a grip portion adapted to assist the operator with ingress to, or egress from, the platform.   
     
     
         22 . The vehicle of  claim 21 , wherein the control member comprises an operator-controllable lever attached to the frame and adapted to pivot, relative to the frame, about one or more axes. 
     
     
         23 . The vehicle of  claim 22 , wherein the one or more axes comprises a transverse axis. 
     
     
         24 . The vehicle of  claim 21 , wherein the operator platform comprises a seat. 
     
     
         25 . The vehicle of  claim 21 , wherein the assist handle comprises a tubular member. 
     
     
         26 . The vehicle of  claim 21 , further comprising a step secured to the frame. 
     
     
         27 . The vehicle of  claim 21 , wherein the assist handle is positioned both lateral to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and forward of the operator platform. 
     
     
         28 . The vehicle of  claim 21 , wherein the grip portion is movable between a deployed position and a stowed position. 
     
     
         29 . A zero-turning-radius riding lawn mower, comprising:
 a frame;   an operator seat attached to the frame and adapted to accommodate a mower operator in a sitting position;   two control levers positioned near the seat and accessible by the operator from the seat, each of the levers adapted to pivot, relative to the frame about a first axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the mower, to control direction and speed of the mower, wherein one or both of the levers is further configured to pivot, relative to the frame about a second axis, between an operative position and a seat access position; and   an assist handle operatively attached to the frame, the assist handle comprising a grip portion adapted to assist the operator with ingress to, or egress from, the seat.   
     
     
         30 . The mower of  claim 29 , wherein the second axis is normal to the first axis. 
     
     
         31 . The mower of  claim 29 , wherein the assist handle is operatively attached to the frame such that the grip portion is located at a position that is lateral to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         32 . The mower of  claim 29 , further comprising a step secured to the frame. 
     
     
         33 . The mower of  claim 32 , wherein the step is secured to the frame at a location spaced away from the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         34 . The mower of  claim 32 , wherein the assist handle is attached to the step. 
     
     
         35 . The mower of  claim 29 , wherein the grip portion is movable between: a deployed position, wherein the grip portion is located at a deployed elevation; and a stowed position, wherein the grip portion is located at a stowed elevation lower than the deployed elevation. 
     
     
         36 . The mower of  claim 29 , wherein the assist handle has a first tube operatively attached to the frame, and a second tube telescopingly received within the first tube, the second tube comprising the grip portion, the grip portion movable between: a deployed position, wherein the grip portion is located at a deployed elevation forward of the control levers; and a stowed position, wherein the grip portion is located at a stowed elevation lower than the deployed elevation. 
     
     
         37 . The mower of  claim 29 , wherein the grip portion is spaced away from the longitudinal axis of the mower. 
     
     
         38 . The mower of  claim 29 , wherein the assist handle forms part of an assembly that also comprises a step.