Method and apparatus for lawn care

• US 9,511,659 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2010
• Issued: 12/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steven Young
• Original Assignee: Steven Young
• Inventors: Young, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): EBNER, KATY MEYER
• Application Number:
  US12/694,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20100187029A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,505 Days
• Field of Search: 180 651- 658, 180/14.2, 180 11- 13
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 69/025 Electric hybrid systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/46 Series type
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/223 Ridable lawn mowers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

A method for caring for a lawn and an apparatus for providing lawn care are provided. The method includes steps of powering an electrically powered lawn care device by a electric power source, wherein the electric power source is provided as part of an electrically powered transportation vehicle, and treating the lawn by using the electrically powered lawn care device. The apparatus includes: (a) a hybrid vehicle having an electric motor for driving the hybrid vehicle, and an electric power source for powering the electric motor; (b) a trailer constructed to attach to the hybrid vehicle so that the trailer can be pulled by the hybrid vehicle; and (c) electrically powered lawn care equipment constructed to fit within the trailer, and wherein the electric power source is constructed to power the electrically powered lawn care equipment.

Claims

1. A method for caring for multiple lawns, the method comprising:

(a) powering an electrically powered lawn mower using a first battery charged by an electric power source, wherein the electric power source is provided as part of a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle comprises an electric drive motor, a drive battery that powers the electric drive motor, and an internal combustion engine that charges the drive battery, and the hybrid vehicle is separate from the electrically powered lawn mower;

(b) treating a first lawn by cutting grass using the electrically powered lawn mower;

(c) treating the first lawn by cutting grass using an electrically powered grass trimmer powered by a second battery charged by the electric power source provided as part of the hybrid vehicle;

(d) treating the first lawn by blowing air over the lawn using an electronically powered leaf blower powered by a third battery charged by the electric power source provided as part of the hybrid vehicle;

(e) driving the hybrid vehicle from the first lawn to a second lawn;

(f) charging at least the first battery from energy obtained from the internal combustion engine during the step of driving; and

(g) treating the second lawn using the electrically powered lawn mower powered by the first battery charged by the electric power source provided as part of the hybrid vehicle.

2. A method for caring for multiple lawns according to claim 1, further comprising edging the first lawn with an electrically powered lawn edger using a battery charged by the electric power source provided as part of the hybrid vehicle.

3. A method for caring for multiple lawns according to claim 1, further comprising aerating the first lawn with an electrically powered lawn aerator using a battery charged by the electric power source provided as part of the hybrid vehicle.

4. A method for caring for multiple lawns according to claim 1, further comprising treating the first lawn with an electrically powered lawn care device that runs off of 120V AC current.

5. A method for caring for multiple lawns according to claim 1, further comprising treating the first lawn with an electrically powered lawn care device that runs off of a current having a voltage greater than 130V.

6. A method for caring for multiple lawns according to claim 1, wherein the hybrid vehicle comprises an automobile and a trailer, wherein the lawn care devices are transported in the trailer.

7. A method for caring for a multiple lawns according to claim 1, wherein the hybrid vehicle comprises a generator that charges the drive battery by converting kinetic energy to potential energy.

8. A method for caring for multiple lawns according to claim 1, further comprising charging at least one of the second and third batteries during the step of driving.