Charging station mounted on a powered driveable machine
OwnerSteffon Hoppel, Todd Pughinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An outdoor power unit, such as a mower or snow thrower, having a supplemental battery charging station mounted thereon is provided. The outdoor power unit utilizes a flywheel/alternator arrangement to output a selected voltage. The voltage is directed to the supplement battery charging station. The supplemental batteries are thereby charged at the charging station as the outdoor power unit is driven forward or in another direction. The outdoor power unit also includes a rack (which may be in the form of a hook) to carry a battery powered supplemental lawn maintenance tool, such as a weed trimmer, hedger, edger, or leaf blower, amongst others.
Claims20
A powered drivable machine comprising:
- an engine or motor supported by a frame;
- a main battery coupled to the engine or motor;
- a supplemental battery base supported by the frame and defining at least one slot sized to receive a portion of a rechargeable supplemental battery that powers a supplemental tool when removed from the supplemental battery base and connected with the supplemental tool;
- and
- a terminal disposed within the at least one slot that draws electrical power from one of the (i) engine or motor and (ii) the main battery to recharge the rechargeable supplemental battery when the portion of the rechargeable supplemental battery is connected with the terminal.
A battery powered drivable machine comprising:
- a forward end and a rear end defining a longitudinal direction therebetween, and a first side and a second side defining a transverse direction therebetween, and a upper end and a lower end defining a vertical direction therebetween;
- an electric motor supported by a frame;
- a main battery coupled to the electric motor;
- ground engaging drive wheels coupled to the frame and configured to support the frame from below;
- drive controls that are open to the environment in operative communication with the ground engaging drive wheels to move the battery powered driveable machine in different directions;
- a supplemental battery base supported by the frame and defining at least one slot sized to receive a portion of a rechargeable supplemental battery that powers a supplemental tool when removed from the supplemental battery base and connected with the supplemental tool;
- a terminal disposed within the at least one slot that draws electrical power from one of the (i) the electric motor and (ii) the main battery to recharge the rechargeable supplemental battery when the portion of the rechargeable supplemental battery is connected with the terminal;
- and
- a support member sized to carry the supplemental tool that is powered by the rechargeable supplemental battery, wherein the supplemental tool may be selectively and repeatedly connected and disconnected to the rack.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.