Power supply device for a power-driven wheelbarrow

• US 20060070780A1
• Filed: 09/24/2004
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Macauto Industrial Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Macauto Industrial Company Limited
• Inventors: Lin, Paul
• Application Number:
  US10/948,930
• Publication Number:
  US 20060070780A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/68.500
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/04 Arrangement of batteries

Abstract

A power supply device for a power-driven wheelbarrow includes a housing, a battery unit and an electrical connector unit. The housing includes a housing body adapted for mounting on the wheelbarrow and formed with an open end. The battery unit is inserted removably into the housing body via the open end, and is provided with a set of first battery contacts. The electrical connector unit is mounted to the housing body, and includes a set of second battery contacts for mating with the first battery contacts, and an output connector adapted for connecting electrically with the wheelbarrow such that electric power of the battery unit is supplied to the wheelbarrow via the electrical connector unit.

Claims

1. A power supply device for a power-driven wheelbarrow, comprising:

a housing including a housing body adapted for mounting on the wheelbarrow and formed with an open end;

a battery unit inserted removably into said housing body via said open end, and provided with a set of first battery contacts; and

an electrical connector unit mounted to said housing body and including a set of second battery contacts for mating with said first battery contacts, and an output connector adapted for connecting electrically with the wheelbarrow such that electric power of said battery unit is supplied to the wheelbarrow via said electrical connector unit.

2. The power supply device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a stop member mounted on said housing body and operable so as to arrest undesired outward movement of said battery unit in said housing body.

3. The power supply device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said stop member includes:

a pivot rod section having a first end coupled threadedly to said housing body, and a second end opposite to said first end; and

a stop section extending in a transverse direction from said second end of said pivot rod section;

said pivot rod section being rotatable relative to said housing body so as to dispose said stop section in one of a blocking position, where said stop section blocks removal of said battery unit from said housing body, and an unblocking position, where said stop section permits insertion and removal of said battery unit from said housing body.

4. The power supply device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said stop member further includes a limit rib formed on said pivot rod section between said first and second ends, said limit rib frictionally engaging said housing body to arrest further rotation of said pivot rod section so as to retain releasably said stop section at the blocking position when said pivot rod section is rotated to dispose said stop section at the blocking position.

5. The power supply device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said housing body is provided with a nut to couple threadedly with said first end of said pivot rod section.

6. The power supply device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said battery unit further includes a rechargeable storage battery connected electrically to said first battery contacts;

said electrical connector unit further including an input connector for receiving a charging signal, and a control circuit mounted in said housing body and connected electrically to said input and output connectors and said second battery contacts, said control circuit managing charging operation of said storage battery via said first and second battery contacts upon receipt of the charging signal.

7. The power supply device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said battery unit includes a battery case that is inserted removably into said housing body, a handle provided on said battery case to facilitate insertion and removal of said battery case from said housing body, and a storage battery disposed in said battery case, said second battery contacts being provided on said battery case and being connected electrically to said storage battery.

8. The power supply device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said storage battery is rechargeable.

9. The power supply device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing further includes a set of hooks formed on said housing body and adapted for hooking onto the wheelbarrow.