UTILITY VEHICLE

• US 20120259493A1
• Filed: 04/05/2012
• Published: 10/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Asw, LLC
• Original Assignee: American SportWorks, LLC
• Inventors: Jenkins, Philip Joseph Jr., Turner, Joshua Robert, Roberts, Bradley Michael, Kemp, Johnathan Melven, Arnone, Shawn Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 9,073,535 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0444 Arrangement on a trailer
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/20 the prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines, e.g. HEVs
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 8/00 Arrangement or mounting of propulsion units not provided for in one of the preceding main groups
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2300/40 Carts, e.g. trolleys
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/005 Combinations with at least three axles and comprising two or more articulated parts articulated buses B62D47/025
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 59/04 driven from propulsion unit on trailer
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/902 Prime movers comprising electrical and internal combustion motors

Abstract

A utility vehicle is provided that includes first and second pairs of wheels, a controller, and a potentiometer. The first pair of wheels is propelled by an internal combustion engine. The second pair of wheels is propelled by a battery-operated motor. The motor drives a transaxle that drives the second pair of wheels. The controller controls operation of the motor. The potentiometer is configured to be manually activated to propel the utility vehicle, and is coupled to the controller to send a signal to the controller to rotate the motor. The potentiometer is also configured to activate fuel flow into the internal combustion engine.

Claims

1. A utility vehicle comprising:

a first pair of wheels propelled by an internal combustion engine;

a second pair of wheels propelled by a battery-operated motor;

wherein the motor drives a transaxle that drives the second pair of wheels;

a controller that controls operation of the motor;

a potentiometer that is configured to be manually activated to propel the utility vehicle;

wherein the potentiometer is coupled to the controller and configured to send a signal to the controller to rotate the motor; and

wherein the potentiometer is also configured to activate fuel flow into the internal combustion engine.

2. The utility vehicle of claim 1, wherein at least one of the wheels of the first or second pair of wheels is coupled to a generator such that when the at least one wheel rotates it rotates the generator which is coupled to a battery that operates the motor, and wherein the generator is configured to recharge the battery as the at least one wheel rotates.