ELECTRIC SNOW-THROWER

• US 20110094129A1
• Filed: 10/27/2010
• Published: 04/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kariann Kalista, Ryan F. Rowe
• Original Assignee: Kariann Kalista, Ryan F. Rowe
• Inventors: Rowe, Ryan F., Kalista, Kariann
• Application Number:
  US12/912,795
• Publication Number:
  US 20110094129A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 37/246
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 5/045 Means per se for conveying or discharging the dislodged material, e.g. rotary impellers, discharge chutes dislodging apparatus provided therewith E01H5/07, E01H5/08, E01H5/104, E01H5/12

Abstract

An electric snow-thrower is disclosed having a frame, an axle supported by and extending from the frame, a snow-engaging implement supported by the frame, and an electric motor. In some forms the electric snow thrower includes a transversely oriented electric motor configured to selectively drive the axle and the snow-engaging implement, a support bracket engaging the electric motor and a battery container, and a battery container having a control panel.

Claims

1. A snow-thrower, comprising:

a frame;

an axle supported by the frame and extending from the frame;

a snow-engaging implement supported by the frame; and

an electric motor supported by the frame and having a drive shaft;

wherein the electric motor is oriented such that the drive shaft is transverse to the axle; and

wherein the electric motor is configured to selectively drive the axle and the snow-engaging implement.

2. The snow-thrower of claim 1, further comprising a battery supported by the frame and positioned at least partially above the electric motor.

3. The snow-thrower of claim 1, further comprising:

an axle plane defined by a substantially vertical plane passing through the axle;

a first battery positioned substantially on an aft side of the axle plane; and

a second battery positioned substantially on a fore side of the axle plane.

4. The snow-thrower of claim 1, further comprising:

an axle plane defined by a substantially vertical plane passing through the axle;

wherein the electric motor is mounted substantially on a fore side of the axle plane.

5. The snow-thrower of claim 1, further comprising:

a support bracket mounted to the frame and having a vertical portion;

a battery container mounted to the support bracket;

wherein the electric motor is mounted to the vertical portion of the support bracket; and

wherein the battery container at least partially surrounds the electric motor.

6. The snow-thrower of claim 1, wherein the drive shaft of the electric motor is oriented substantially perpendicular relative to the axle.

7. The snow-thrower of claim 1, wherein the snow-engaging implement is at least one of an auger, a paddle, and a brush.

8. A snow-thrower, comprising:

a frame;

an axle supported by the frame and extending from the frame;

a snow-engaging implement supported by the frame;

a support bracket mounted to the frame and having a substantially vertical portion and a substantially horizontal portion;

an electric motor mounted to the substantially vertical portion of the support bracket; and

a battery container housing at least one battery and mounted to the substantially horizontal portion of the support bracket.

9. The snow-thrower of claim 8, wherein the support bracket is mounted vertically above the axle.

10. The snow-thrower of claim 8, further comprising:

an axle plane defined by a substantially vertical plane passing through the axle;

a first battery housed within the battery container and positioned substantially on an aft side of the axle plane; and

a second battery housed within the battery container and positioned substantially on a fore side of the axle plane.

11. The snow-thrower of claim 10, wherein the electric motor is mounted substantially on the fore side of the axle plane.

12. The snow-thrower of claim 10, wherein the support bracket is integral with the frame.

13. A snow-thrower, comprising:

a frame;

an axle supported by the frame and extending from the frame;

a snow-engaging implement supported by the frame;

an electric motor supported by the frame; and

a battery container supported by the frame;

wherein the battery container includes a control panel.

14. The snow-thrower of claim 13, wherein the control panel is oriented transverse to a vertical plane.

15. The snow-thrower of claim 13, wherein the control panel includes at least one of a key switch, an hour meter, a battery-life indicator, and a power switch.

16. The snow-thrower of claim 13, further comprising:

a first battery housed in the battery container;

a second battery housed in the battery container; and

a wire harness electrically engaging the first battery and the second battery;

wherein the wire harness is housed within the battery container.

17. The snow-thrower of claim 13, further comprising a controller mounted to the battery container.

18. The snow-thrower of claim 13, further comprising:

a control member mounted to the frame and extending upward and aftward from the frame, and defining a substantially horizontal aft line; and

an implement housing mounted to the frame and extending forward from the frame, and defining a substantially horizontal fore line;

wherein the battery container is mounted substantially at or below a sight plane extending through the substantially horizontal aft line and the substantially horizontal fore line.

19. The snow-thrower of claim 13, wherein:

the electric motor includes a drive shaft;

the electric motor is oriented such that the drive shaft is transverse to the axle; and

the electric motor is configured to selectively drive the axle and the snow-engaging implement.

20. The snow-thrower of claim 13, further comprising:

a battery housed in the battery container;

a control member mounted to the frame; and

a charge port mounted to the control member and operatively engaged with the battery.