Battery recharge interconnection system with safety cut-out
First Claim
1. A battery recharge interconnection system for an electric vehicle powered by a rechargeable battery, comprising:
- a cut-out switch operatively connected to the vehicle wiring for rendering the vehicle inoperable when the cut-out switch is engaged and for permitting operation of the vehicle when the cut-out switch is disengaged,a charger receptacle operatively connected to the rechargeable battery of the vehicle for mating with an external recharger to recharge the battery, anda movable receptacle cover on the vehicle for selectively obstructing the charger receptacle, the cover being operatively connected to the cut-out switch and being movable between a first position in which the cover blocks the charger receptacle to prevent an external charger from mating with the charger receptacle and in which the cut-out switch is disengaged to permit operation of the vehicle, and a second position in which the cover unblocks the charger receptacle to permit an external charger to be mated with the charger receptacle and in which the cut-out switch is engaged to prevent operation of the vehicle, whereby the vehicle is inoperable during recharging of the battery.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A battery recharge interconnection system is provided for use on an electric toy vehicle or other load device powered by a rechargeable battery. The interconnection system includes a charger receptacle, operatively connected to a rechargeable battery, covered by a rotatable disc. An opening in the disc permits a plug from an external charger to be inserted through the opening and into the charger receptacle whenever the disc is rotated to a predetermined position in which the opening overlies the receptacle. The rotatable disc is also mechanically coupled to an actuator which engages and operates a cut-out switch or other device. During normal operation of the battery-operated device, the disc is rotated to a first position in which the charger receptacle is obstructed by the disc and the cut-out switch is disengaged. To recharge the device, the disc is rotated to a second position in which the opening in the disc overlies the receptacle, permitting a recharger plug to be inserted in the receptacle When the disc is in the second position, the cut-out switch is engaged, preventing operation of the device. A current protection fuse in the charging circuit is also disclosed.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A battery recharge interconnection system for an electric vehicle powered by a rechargeable battery, comprising:
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a cut-out switch operatively connected to the vehicle wiring for rendering the vehicle inoperable when the cut-out switch is engaged and for permitting operation of the vehicle when the cut-out switch is disengaged, a charger receptacle operatively connected to the rechargeable battery of the vehicle for mating with an external recharger to recharge the battery, and a movable receptacle cover on the vehicle for selectively obstructing the charger receptacle, the cover being operatively connected to the cut-out switch and being movable between a first position in which the cover blocks the charger receptacle to prevent an external charger from mating with the charger receptacle and in which the cut-out switch is disengaged to permit operation of the vehicle, and a second position in which the cover unblocks the charger receptacle to permit an external charger to be mated with the charger receptacle and in which the cut-out switch is engaged to prevent operation of the vehicle, whereby the vehicle is inoperable during recharging of the battery. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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2. A battery recharge interconnection system for an electric vehicle powered by a rechargeable battery, comprising:
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a cut-out switch operatively connected to the vehicle wiring for rendering the vehicle inoperable when the cut-out switch is engaged and for permitting operation of the vehicle when the cut-out switch is disengaged, a female charger receptacle operatively connected to the rechargeable battery of the vehicle for mating with a charger plug from an external charger which is insertable into the charger receptacle along an insertion axis to recharge the battery, and a cover for the charger receptacle operatively connected to the cut-out switch, the cover being mounted for movement between first and second positions in a direction transverse to the insertion axis of the charger receptacle, wherein when the cover is in the first position the cut-out switch is disengaged and the cover prevents an external charger from mating with the charger receptacle, and when the cover is in the second position the cut-out switch is engaged and the cover is moved to a nonblocking position relative to the charger receptacle permitting an external charger to be mated with the charger receptacle, whereby the vehicle is inoperable during recharging of the battery. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5)
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7. A battery recharge interconnection system for use in the electrical circuitry of a load device powered by a rechargeable battery, the interconnection system comprising:
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a cut-out switch operatively connected to the electrical circuitry for interrupting the power to the load device from the rechargeable battery when the cut-out switch is engaged and for permitting power from the battery to energize the load device when the cut-out switch is disengaged, a charger receptacle for mating with an external recharger, the charger receptacle being operatively connected to the electrical circuitry to supply recharging current to the battery, and a movable receptacle cover adjacent the charger receptacle for selectively blocking the charger receptacle, the cover being operatively connected to the cut-out switch and mounted for movement relative to the charger receptacle between a first position, in which the cover blocks the charger receptacle and prevents an external charger from mating with the charger receptacle to recharge the battery and also disengages the cut-out switch, and a second position in which the cover unblocks the charger receptacle permitting an external charger to be mated with the charger receptacle and the cut-out switch is engaged, whereby the load device is inoperable during recharging of the battery. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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8. A battery recharge interconnection system for use in the electrical circuitry of a load device powered by a rechargeable battery, the interconnection system comprising:
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a cut-out switch operatively connected to the electrical circuitry for interrupting the power to the load device from the rechargeable battery when the cut-out switch is engaged and for permitting power from the battery to energize the load device when the cut-out switch is disengaged, a female charger receptacle having an opening into which a charger plug from an external charger is inserted along an insertion axis when the receptacle is mated with an external recharger to recharge the battery, the charger receptacle being operatively connected to the electrical circuitry to supply recharging current to the battery, and an obstruction for selectively blocking the charger receptacle operatively connected to the cut-out switch and mounted for movement relative to the charger receptacle in a direction transverse to the insertion axis of the charger receptacle between a first position, in which the obstruction prevents an external charger from mating with the charger receptacle to recharge the battery and also disengages the cut-out switch, and a second position in which the obstruction is removed from the charger receptacle permitting an external charger to be mated with the charger receptacle and the cut-out switch is engaged, whereby the load device is inoperable during recharging of the battery. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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13. A receptacle and actuator assembly for permitting electrical interconnections to be selectively made when the actuator portion of the assembly is moved to a predetermined position, comprising:
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an electrical receptacle having an opening into which a plug is insertable to complete one or more electrical interconnections, a cover for the receptacle rotatably mounted adjacent the receptacle, the cover being rotatable between a first position in which the cover blocks the opening of the receptacle to prevent insertion a plug into the receptacle and a second position in which the cover is rotated out of its blocking position, thereby permitting insertion of a plug into the receptacle, and an actuator operatively coupled to the cover for operating a device separate from the electrical receptacle, the actuator being movable between first and second states in response to rotational movement of the cover between its respective first and second positions, whereby a plug is insertable in the receptacle only when the actuator is moved to its second state. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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14. A receptacle and actuator assembly for permitting electrical interconnections to be selectively made when the actuator portion of the assembly is moved to a predetermined position, comprising:
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an electrical receptacle having an opening into which a plug is insertable to complete one or more electrical interconnections, the receptacle opening having an insertion axis along which the plug is insertable, a rotatable obstruction mounted adjacent the receptacle including a rotatable disc mounted for rotation about a pivot axis which is generally parallel with the insertion axis of the receptacle, the disc including an aperture therethrough through which a plug is extendable for insertion into the receptacle, the aperture being movable into and out of alignment with the receptacle, and the disc being rotatable about its pivot axis between a first position in which the aperture is out of alignment with the receptacle, whereby when the disc is in its first position the disc covers and blocks the receptacle opening and prevents insertion of a plug into the receptacle, and a second position in which the disc is rotated such that the aperture is in alignment with the receptacle, thereby permitting insertion of a plug into the receptacle through the aperture, and an actuator operatively coupled to the disc for operating a device separate from the electrical receptacle, the actuator being movable between first and second states in response to rotational movement of the disc between its respective first and second positions, whereby a plug is insertable in the receptacle only when the actuator is moved to its second state. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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- 19. Iaddend..Iadd. The system of claim 22, wherein the cover is mounted adjacent the charger receptacle. .Iaddend..Iadd.24. The system of claim 23, wherein the cover is mounted adjacent the charger receptacle and includes an opening, and wherein the external recharger is insertable through the opening for mating with the charger receptacle. .Iaddend..Iadd.25. The system of claim 24, wherein the opening is an aperture which extends through the cover. .Iaddend..Iadd.26. The system of claim 22, wherein the cover is supported on a pivot for movement about a pivot axis which is generally parallel to the insertion axis.
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20. Iaddend..Iadd.27. A children'"'"'s riding vehicle which is electrically rechargeable comprising:
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a body; plural wheels rotatably mounted on the body; a motor source on the vehicle operatively connected to at least one of the wheels for rotatably driving the same; at least one rechargeable battery with associated wiring, mounted on the vehicle and operatively connected to the motor source for supplying electrical power thereto; a cut-out switch operatively connected to the wiring for rendering the vehicle inoperable when the cut-out switch is engaged, and for permitting operation of the vehicle when the cut-out switch is disengaged; a charger receptacle operatively connected to the rechargeable battery for mating with an external recharger to recharge the battery; and a movable receptacle cover on the vehicle operatively connected to the cut-out switch and movable to a first position in which the cut-off switch is dis-engaged to permit the operation of the vehicle, and a second position in which the cut-off switch is engaged to prevent operation of the vehicle, whereby the vehicle is inoperable during recharging of the battery. .Iaddend..Iadd.28. The vehicle of claim 27, wherein the cover is supported on a pivot adjacent the charger receptacle for movement about a
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21. pivot axis between the first and second positions. .Iaddend..Iadd.29. The vehicle of claim 28, wherein the external charger is insertable into the charger receptacle along an insertion axis which is generally parallel to the pivot axis. .Iaddend..Iadd.30. The vehicle of claim 29, wherein the cover includes an opening and the external charger is insertable through the opening for mating with the charger receptacle. .Iaddend..Iadd.31. The vehicle of claim 30, wherein the opening is an aperture which extends through the cover. .Iaddend.
Specification