U.S. patent application number 10/664392 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-18 for mounting arrangement for vehicle power source.
Invention is credited to Jaeger, Eduard A..
Application Number | 20040050603 10/664392 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31994459 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040050603 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jaeger, Eduard A. |
March 18, 2004 |
Mounting arrangement for vehicle power source
Abstract
A member for mounting a portable power tool to a vehicle, the
mounting member comprising a bracket mounted to the vehicle, a
collar member integral with the bracket adapted to engage a portion
of said tool and position it at an angle to the longitudinal axis
of the vehicle, and a member for removably holding the power tool
in position on the bracket. When mounted, the power tool engages a
rotatable shaft, the shaft in turn being coupled to the driven
wheel of the vehicle through a gearing system. The rotational speed
of the shaft, and thus the speed of the vehicle, is controlled by
the vehicle driver using a remotely mounted hand control. The
vehicle has a free wheel assembly, enabling the vehicle to move
even when power is not applied to the power tool.
Inventors: |
Jaeger, Eduard A.; (El
Segundo, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Irving Keschner
Suite 1150
21515 Hawthorne Boulevard
Torrance
CA
90503
US
|
Family ID: |
31994459 |
Appl. No.: |
10/664392 |
Filed: |
September 16, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10664392 |
Sep 16, 2003 |
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09511252 |
Feb 23, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
180/181 ;
280/87.041 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 2203/06 20130101;
B62K 3/002 20130101; B62M 6/90 20130101; B62M 6/45 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
180/181 ;
280/087.041 |
International
Class: |
A63C 017/12 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for mounting a portable power tool to a vehicle having
a driven wheel, said vehicle having a frame member extending in a
first direction, said vehicle being used to transport a person from
a first location to a second location comprising: a battery pack
attached to said portable power tool, said power tool having a
shaft member extending from one end thereof and a controllable
on/off mode of operation; said battery pack being the only source
for powering said portable power tool; means for controlling said
power tool on/off mode of operation; a transmission system for
enabling said vehicle to move in a first direction when power is
applied thereto; means for mounting said power tool to said
vehicle; first means for coupling said power tool shaft to a free
wheel assembly mounted to said vehicle; and second means for
coupling said free wheel assembly to said transmission system
whereby said driven wheel can continue to rotate when said control
means causes said power tool to be in the off mode of
operation.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a mounting bracket
secured to said vehicle and a collar member coupled to mounting
bracket, said collar member adapted to receive said power tool and
position said power tool at a predetermined angle relative to said
first direction.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 further including a holding device
mounted to said mounting plate and adapted to releasably secure
said power tool to said mounting plate.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said power tool has a shaft
receiving member at one end thereof, said rotatable shaft extending
into said shaft receiving member as said power tool is positioned
on said mounting bracket within said collar member.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuing application of application
Ser. No. 09/511,252 filed Feb. 23, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The present invention provides a mounting arrangement for a
cordless, rechargeable battery driven, hand held power tool, the
tool powering a vehicle, such as a scooter.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Various types of electric driven vehicles have been
disclosed in the prior art. The most visible of these devices is
the battery powered automobile which is currently being tested and
could be offered for commercial sale in the near future.
[0006] Various types of scooters and bicycles have also been
powered by electric batteries. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,452
to Patmont discloses an electric powered scooter wherein the rear
wheel is electrically powered; U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,569 to Sugioka
et al discloses an electric motor vehicle with a smaller sized
battery and means for cooling the battery; U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,535
to Dennis discloses a bicycle having a battery power pack, an
electric motor, and a drive wheel; U.S. Pat. No. 5,594,411 to Ono
discloses an electromotive scooter having a power source and a
warning device which warns the rider and passerby when the scooter
is ready to run; U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,970 to Cho discloses a power
source which supplies high voltage to the electric motor driving a
scooter to provide high driving performance; U.S. Pat. No.
5,388,659 to Pepe which discloses a foldable motorized scooter
having a unique drive transfer device; U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,288 to
Ono discloses a lightweight electronic scooter wherein the
batteries are positioned to provide a low scooter center of
gravity; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,624 to Nesterick et al which
discloses a power drive scooter having an on-board battery powered
motor for driving one or more wheels, the scooter being designed to
be easily assembled and disassembled.
[0007] All of the devices described hereinabove require an electric
drive motor to power the vehicle. The drive motor, depending on
size, is relatively expensive and requires a specific drive
mechanism to link the motor output shaft to the vehicle drive
wheel. The cost of servicing the drive motor and associated
mechanism, when added to the initial costs of the vehicle, makes
the cost of ownership relatively expensive. Further, the typical
power output of the batteries which drive the vehicle is usually
low, making electric drive vehicles less competitive with internal
combustion driven vehicles as far as torque/power capabilities are
concerned. In application Ser. No. 09/393,070, filed Sep. 7, 1999,
a power source for use with electric vehicles which is less
expensive and more reliable than those currently available is
disclosed and claimed. In particular, a cordless, rechargeable
battery-driven hand held power tool is used as the power source for
vehicles. Although the concept of using such a power tool for
driving a vehicle is believed to be unique, the mounting
arrangement for the power source disclosed in the application is
not aesthetically or commercially appealing since it extends
essentially perpendicular to the axis of the vehicle. Thus, what is
desired is to improve upon the power source/mounting arrangement
disclosed in the '070 application.
[0008] Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,156,315 to Hawgood, cited by the
examiner during the prosecution of the '252 application, discloses
a dollie device for manuvering trailers and the like for parking a
trailer. The dollie uses an electrically powered hand drill for
providing motive power to the dollie. As shown in the drawings,
Hawgood contemplates the use of a drill powered by a standard A.C.
voltage source and does not contemplate the use of a hand held
drill powered by a detachable power pack as disclosed in the '070
application.
[0009] The use of a hand held drill powered by a detachable battery
pack although providing advantages noted in the '070 application,
presents additional problems if used to drive a vehicle that were
not addressed in the application. In particular, a user of the
vehicle, in order to drive the vehicle, must continually have power
applied to the drill or the drill shaft will stop rotating, causing
the vehicle, in turn, to stop suddenly. If not prepared, the user
could be thrown from the vehicle. Further, momentum will cause the
vehicle to continue to move, which in turn may damage the drill
motor gears as the vehicle movement is transmitted back to the
motor via the vehicle transmission.
[0010] What is also desired is to provide a vehicle with a motive
force provided by a hand held drill powered by a detachable battery
pack, the vehicle having a free wheel assembly to enable the
vehicle to move when power is not applied to the drill tool.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0011] The present invention provides a member for mounting a
portable power tool to a vehicle, the mounting member comprising a
bracket mounted to the vehicle, a collar member integral with the
bracket adapted to engage a portion of the tool and position it at
an angle to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and a member for
removably holding the tool in place on the bracket. When mounted,
the power tool chuck engages a rotatable shaft, the shaft in turn
being coupled to a gearing system. The rotational speed of the
shaft, and thus the speed of the vehicle, is controlled by the
vehicle user via hand controls that pull the finger trigger on the
power tool. A mechanism is provided which enables the user to push
the vehicle without engaging the power tool, thus enhancing tool
battery life.
[0012] The mounting arrangement of the present invention provides a
system that adapts the novel concept of using hand held, battery
driven power tool to drive a vehicle into a compact and
aesthetically arrangement with enhanced commercial appeal. The
power tool can quickly be released, enabling the user to use the
power tool independently of the vehicle and the vehicle
independently of the power tool. A free wheel assembly for
pushing/coasting the vehicle in the forward direction without
engaging the power tool is provided, thus increasing power tool
battery life.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0013] For better understanding of the present invention as well as
other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to
the following description which is to be read in conjunction with
the accompanying drawing therein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a scooter with a
mounted power source in accordance with the teachings of the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the scooter of FIG. 1 with
the foot platform/cover removed to show the transmission and chain
drive;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a detail view along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a view of the mounting device with the vehicle
power source removed;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a view along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line 6-6 of FIG. 4
and illustrates the inline power take off from the power tool to
the 90E angle gear and then to the drive sprocket; and
[0020] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the scooter shown in FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 1, a vehicle, such as a scooter, 10 is
shown with a portable, battery operated power tool 12 mounted to
scooter 10 via mounting member 14. Power tool 12 includes a battery
pack 13 and trigger 15.
[0022] Scooter 10 is, other than the power tool 12 and mounting
member 14, conventional and includes front wheel 16, frame member
18, rear wheel 20, vertical extension 22 and handle 24. As shown in
FIG. 3, handle 24 has braking lever 26 and a throttle control lever
28 mounted thereto. It is noted that the disclosed mounting member
14 can be used in vehicles other than scooter 10.
[0023] As will be explained in more detail hereinafter, power tool
12 is mounted to scooter 10 such that it is positioned at an angle
to the longitudinal axis of frame member 18 as illustrated. The
chuck portion 30 of power tool 12, when mounted, engages a
rotatable shaft 32 which in turn is coupled to a gearing system 34.
The gearing system 34, shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 6,
comprises gears 36 and 38, gear 36 being coupled to shaft 32, drive
shaft 40 and gear 38. The rotational movement of shaft 32 is
coupled to gear 36, gear 38 transferring the power of tool 12 into
a rotational movement in a direction approximately 90B from the
rotational direction of gear 36. Gear 38, mounted to shaft 40,
drives shaft 40 which in turn drives sprocket 37 which drives belt,
or chain, 42. Chain 42, in turn, is coupled to a sprocket
arrangement directly coupled to rear drive wheel 20 and couples the
power from power tool 12 thereto. Sprocket 37 is mounted on hub 63
and engages in one direction only by pawls 43. This free wheel
assembly 31 is one-directional which allows coasting or drag free
coasting in the forward direction without forcing power tool 12 to
move with it, thus increasing the power tool battery life. This
enables the movement of the vehicle 10 to be power driven or
manually pushed and then to coast. The use of a vehicle free-wheel
system, although available with certain vehicle, such as bicycles,
has not been used previously in battery powered vehicles of the
type disclosed in the pending application noted hereinabove and the
mounting arrangement which is the subject of the present
invention.
[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates member 14 without power tool 12 mounted
thereto. Mounting member 14 comprises bracket, or frame, member 50,
strap 52 being secured to bracket member 50, mounting collar 54 and
mounting bolts 56, bolts 56 mounting bracket member 50 to vehicle
10. When the power tool 12 is mounted to vehicle 10, the trigger 15
thereof is positioned in contact with power tool trigger control
member 64. The rotational speed, and thus the torque output, of the
power tool 12 is controlled by lever 28 on handle 24. In
particular, lever 28 controls the position of a lever 64 mounted to
bracket member 50 via cable 58 (FIG. 5). A user, by adjusting the
pressure on member 64 via lever 28, controls the force on power
tool trigger 15 which in turn controls the power tool rotational
speed/torque coupled to shaft 32, the overall speed of vehicle 10
thus being controlled.
[0025] FIG. 5 shows in more detail the mounting member 14 and, in
particular, releasable locking strap 52 which holds power tool 12
in position on bracket member 50, pivoting fulcrum 61 mounted to
bracket member 50 which allows lever 64 to transfer movement
through the mounting member 14 to the power tool variable
speed/torque control 15 and mounting collar, or centering ring, 54
which centers power tool 12 when positioned therein, providing a
snug fit for holding power tool 12 such that chuck 30 can receive
shaft 32
[0026] FIG. 6 is a view of the in-line power transfer from power
tool 12 to the 90E angle gears 36 and 38 to the sprocket 37. Shaft
32 is supported by a first bearing 33 and passes through gear 36 to
a second stabilizing shaft bearing 39. Gear 36 is cinched to shaft
32 by pinch bolt 41. Drive gear 38 drives shaft 40. Bearing
assemblies 76 and 78, coupled to base plate 72, support shaft 40 as
illustrated. A sprocket freewheel assembly 31, comprising hub 63,
pawls 43 and sprocket 37 drives chain 42.
[0027] The free-wheel system is located within sprocket assembly
31. When shaft 40 rotates in the forward, or clockwise, direction,
hub 63 engages pawls 43 with sprocket 37. When the rotational speed
of sprocket 37 exceeds that of shaft 40, pawl 43 disengages
allowing the sprocket 37 to rotate independently of the hub 63 when
the power to tool 12 is on or off, allowing vehicle 10 to coast as
set forth hereinabove.
[0028] The conventional scooter 10 is modified to incorporate the
mounting arrangement of the present invention as follows:
[0029] The bracket member 50 is secured to the rear wheel assembly
bracket 59 of scooter 10 using fastener members, or bolts, 56
(although bracket member 50 and bracket 59 are shown as separate
components, a single, unitary mounting member could be used
instead). The gearing system 34 is then secured to frame member 18.
The front portion of a battery driven power tool 12, such as the
Bosch Model No. 24 Volt Series, distributed by Robert Bosch
Corporation, Broadview, Ill., is then positioned within centering
ring 54 such that chuck 30 engages shaft 32 as shown in FIG. 1.
Chuck 30 is then tightened such that shaft 32 is operatively
engaged thereby. It should be noted that gears 36 and 38 are
interchangeable and that the gear ratios can be selected to provide
the desired vehicle torque output. Further, the actual dimensions
of the bracket member 50 may vary depending upon the power tool
model utilized. It also should be recognized that other portable,
battery driven, hand held power tools can be utilized in the
present invention, such as a conventional circular saw (this type
of power tool would not require a 90 degree power transfer gearing
mechanism since the tool itself provides that feature).
[0030] FIG. 7 is a plan view of vehicle 10 illustrating the foot
platform for the operator 19, which also encompasses a cover for
the gearing system 34, chain 42 and rear wheel 20.
[0031] While the invention has been described with reference to its
preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true
spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications
may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the
teachings of the invention without departing from its essential
teachings.
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