Removable battery tray system for an electrically powered bunker rake

• US 5,983,612 A
• Filed: 11/04/1997
• Issued: 11/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Textron IPMP L.P
• Original Assignee: Textron Inc
• Inventors: Esser, Timothy A., Bauswell, Eric D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Knight, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US08/964,289
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 56/11.9, 56/10.2 R, 56/10.8, 56/16.7, 56/16.9, 56/12.1, 56/12.7, 56/255, 56/295, 56/DIG. 17, 56/DIG. 20, 30/276, 280/DIG. 5, 180/65.1, 180/68.5, 187/222
• US Class Current: 56/11.9
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 69/02 electric

Abstract

A removable battery tray for an electric bunker rake. The battery tray fits on the frame of the bunker rake during operation, and can be easily removed by a hoist or other method so that the bunker rake can continue to operate with another charged set of batteries. The battery tray also has a central power connector that is used for charging and is the only electrical disconnect required when changing the battery tray.

Claims

1. An electric bunker rake comprising:

a frame;

a plurality of wheels connected to the frame wherein at least one of the plurity of wheels is a drive wheel;

an electric drive motor operably connected to the drive wheel, the electric drive motor powered by a battery set;

a pin projecting from the frame;

a removable battery tray having a bracket with an opening therethrough for recieving the pin when the battery tray is placed on the frame, thereby securing the battery tray to the frame.

2. The electric bunk rake of claim 1 wherein the pin includes a transverse opening and further comprising a second pin configured to be placed through the opening to secure the first pin in position with respect to the bracket.

3. The electric bunk rake of claim 2 wherein the second pin has a front end and a back end, the front end and the back end extend on either side of the first pin and wherein the second pin includes a strip of flexible material having a first end and a second end, the first end of the flexible material attaches to the front end of the pin and the second end of the flexible material attaches to the back end of the pin.

4. The electric bunk rake of claim 1 wherein the battery set includes one or more batteries.

5. The electric bunk rake of claim 1 wherein the battery tray further includes:

a front portion and a rear portion; and

a longitudinal support member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the longitudinal support member connected to the front portion of the removable battery tray, and the second end of the longitudinal support member being connected to the rear portion of the removable battery tray.

6. The electric bunk rake of claim 1 wherein the battery tray further includes:

a front portion having a first opening to aid in removal of the battery tray; and

a rear portion having a second opening to aid in removal of the battery tray.

7. The electric bunk rake of claim 1 further including a plurality of pins and a plurality of brackets each with opening therethrough for receiving a corresponding pin when the battery tray is placed on the frame, thereby securing the battery tray to the frame.