Battery carrier lock for electric power assisted vehicle

• US 6,095,270 A
• Filed: 07/28/1997
• Issued: 08/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha (Yamaha Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha (Yamaha Corporation)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Satoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): MAR, MICHAEL Y
• Application Number:
  US08/905,791
• Time in Patent Office: 1,100 Days
• Field of Search: 180/68.5, 180/65.1, 180/220, 70/233, 70/236, 224/412, 224/419
• US Class Current: 180/68.5
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 5/00 Appliances preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of cycles; Locks integral with cycles fittings for preventing or indicating use or theft of vehicles in general B60R; general features of locks E05B
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/55 power-driven at crank shafts parts
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/90 Batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5872 For cycles

Abstract

A battery carrier, battery box and locking assembly for an electric power assisted vehicle, such as a bicicle. The battery box comprises a base portion having a cup shape and which is adapted to detachably receive the battery carrier. The battery carrier and the guide portion have interengaging parts for locating and assisting in the insertion and removal of the battery carrier from the base portion of the barrery box. A lock is provided in the battery box for detachably locking the battery carrier in the battery box. The lock is designed so that the key which operates it can only be removed when the lock is in the locked position. The lock keeper is spring biased and cam operate so that it will become automaticlly latched with the battery carrier when the battery carrier is put in place in the battery box.

Claims

1. A detachable battery lock assembly for an electrically powered vehicle comprising a battery box having an opening configured to receive a complimentary configured elongated battery carrier and fixed to the vehicle in an accessible position, said battery carrier having a locking portion formed thereon, said battery box including a selectively engageable lock that cooperates with said battery carrier locking portion to lock said battery carrier in said battery box and a key operated release for said lock, said lock having a locking element supported by said lock for movement between a locked position adapted to engage said battery carrier locking portion and a released position relative to said lock and biased to said locked position for retaining said battery carrier in said battery box when a battery carrier is received in said battery box, said lock being moveable between a locked position relative to said battery case, wherein said locking element will engage and lock said battery carrier locking portion when inserted into said battery box, and a released position wherein said battery carrier can be removed from said battery box regardless of the condition of said locking element, said key operated release being moveable between a locking position wherein said lock is maintained in its locked position and a released position wherein said lock moves to a released position, said key operated release including means for preventing the key from being removed from said key operated release until said key operated release is in its locking position, said battery carrier capable of being reinserted into said battery box to the locked position when the lock is in the locked position with a key removed therefrom.

2. A detachable battery lock assembly for an electrically powered vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the locking element comprises a spring biased keeper engageable with a recess in the battery carrier for retaining the battery carrier in the battery box when said lock is in its locked position.

3. A detachable battery lock assembly for an electrically powered vehicle as set forth in claim 2 wherein the spring biased keeper has a camming surface that is adapted to be engaged by the battery carrier when said battery carrier is placed in position for camming the keeper toward a released position and for engagement of the keeper in the battery carrier recess when the battery carrier is fully inserted into the battery box.

4. The detachable battery lock assembly for an electrically powered vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein the vehicle comprises a bicycle having a seat post adapted to receive a bicycle seat, and a rear fender disposed to the rear of said seat post, the battery box being positioned between said seat post and said rear fender.

5. A detachable battery lock assembly for an electrically powered vehicle as set forth in claim 4 wherein the lock is carried by a base portion of the battery box.