US 5,907,970 AGranted

Take-off power package system

OwnerBradley J. Havlovick, Terrance A. Toomeyinventors

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Abstract

A take-off power package system (TOPPS) designed to allow a number of tool packages to be quickly and positively connected to a prime mover package. The prime mover package comprises an internal combustion engine (ICE) which is mounted to a lightweight, tubular steel or aluminum frame. A flexible, quick-connect coupling is mounted directly to the engine crankshaft for mating with a coupling on the drive shaft of a selected driven tool package. Two clamps, and a plate and pin alignment system are provided on the drive shaft side of the frame for positively securing the selected tool package to the prime mover package. An auxiliary fuel tank may also be mounted to the prime mover package to extend the operating time of the engine. The tool packages house a number of shaft driven implements, including hydraulic pumps, electric generators, air compressors, etc. As with the prime mover package, the tool packages also include a lightweight, tubular steel or aluminum frame for mounting the particular implement. A flexible, quick-connect coupling is mounted on the input shaft of these packages for quick connection to the mating coupling on the engine crankshaft. Two latches and a plate and bore alignment system are provided on the input shaft side of the frame of the tool package for connection to the clamps and plate and pin alignment system of the prime mover package.

A take-off power package system comprising:

a) a prime mover package including:
a prime mover;
a frame for supporting said prime mover;
a clamping means having a first mounting plate attached to said frame for supporting said prime mover;
a handle;
a pivot and a latch engaging bar;
a driving shaft;
and a plate and pin alignment means including a first plate mounted to a shaft end of said frame for supporting said prime mover, and two pins mounted on an external surface of said first plate;
b) a tool package including:
a shaft driven tool to be driven by said prime mover;
a frame for supporting said tool;
a latching means including a second mounting plate attached to said frame for supporting said tool and at least one latch hook;
a driven shaft;
and a plate and bore alignment means including a second plate mounted to a shaft end of said frame for supporting said tool, and two bores extending through said second plate;
and
c) a flexible quick-connect coupling having a first half mounted to said driving shaft, a second half mounted to said driven shaft and an elastomeric element operably mounted between said first half and said second half;
and wherein
d) a latch engaging said at least one latch hook to securely attach said frame for supporting said prime mover, to said frame for supporting said tool, when said handle is moved to an over center clamping position;
e) said pins extend into said bores to restrict relative rotational movement between said prime mover package and said tool package when said latch engages said at least one latch hook;
and
f) said frame for supporting said prime mover and said frame for supporting said tool both comprise a first end including two first vertical tubes and two first horizontal tubes, a second end including two second vertical tubes and two second horizontal tubes, a first side including at least one third horizontal tube, a second side including at least one fourth horizontal tube, a top including at least one fifth horizontal tube and a bottom including at least one sixth horizontal tube, all of said tubes being constructed of lightweight aluminum.

18 more elements

Abstract

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