Removable battery tray system for an electrically powered mower

• US 5,934,053 A
• Filed: 11/01/1996
• Issued: 08/10/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Textron IPMP L.P
• Original Assignee: Textron Inc
• Inventors: Esser, Timothy A., Fillman, Alan R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Knight, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): GRAFEL, GARY F
• Application Number:
  US08/740,774
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 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 34/44 with two or more cutters
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/58 electric
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 69/02 electric

Abstract

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

Claims

1. An electric mower comprising:

a frame;

at least one cutting unit secured to the frame;

a plurality of wheels connected to the frame wherein at least one of the plurality 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 removable battery tray configured to be positioned on the frame and to hold the battery set;

a front portion and a rear portion;

a support beam having a first end and a second end, the first end of the support beam being connected to the front portion of the removable battery tray, and the second end of the support beam being connected to the rear portion of the removable battery tray;

a plurality of bars positioned in perpendicular arrangement with respect to the support beam, the plurality of bars to provide support for the removable battery tray; and

dividers secured to the bars to separate one battery from another in the removable battery tray.

2. The electric mower of claim 1 wherein the removable battery tray further comprises at least one bracket for securing the plurality of batteries in the removable battery tray.

3. The electric mower of claim 1 wherein the removable battery tray further comprises:

a first handle located on the front portion; and

a second handle located on the rear portion, whereby the first handle and the second handle aid in removal of the removable battery tray.

4. The electric mower of claim 1 wherein the front portion further comprises a first opening, and the rear portion further comprises a second opening, the first and second openings to aid in removal of the removable battery tray.

5. The electric mower of claim 1 further comprising an electrical power connector configured to be electrically connected to the battery set.

6. An electric mower comprising;

a frame;

a plurality of cutting units secured to the frame;

a plurality of wheels connected to the frame wherein at least one of the plurality 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 removable battery tray configured to be positioned on the frame and to hold the battery set;

a front portion and a rear portion;

a support beam having a first end and a second end, the first end of the support beam being connected to the front portion of the removable battery tray, and the second end of the support beam being connected to the rear portion of the removable battery tray;

a plurality of bars positioned in perpendicular arrangement with respect to the support beam, the plurality of bars to provide support for the removable battery tray;

positions for the plurality of batteries in the battery set;

at least one bracket for securing the plurality of batteries in the battery set; and

dividers secured to the bars to separate one battery from another in the removable battery tray.

7. The electric mower of claim 6 further comprising a lock system to secure the removable battery tray to the frame, wherein the lock system includes a frame portion mounted to the frame and a tray portion mounted to the removable battery tray, and the frame portion engages the tray portion allowing the lock system to secure the removable battery tray to the frame.

8. The electric mower of claim 6 wherein the removable battery tray is attached to the frame with a hook clamp and a screw.

9. An electric mower comprising:

a frame;

at least one cutting unit secured to the frame;

a plurality of wheels connected to the frame wherein at least one of the plurality 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 removable battery tray configured to be positioned on the frame and to hold the battery set; and

the electric mower having a spring lock system to secure the removable battery tray to the frame comprising;

a first pin affixed to the frame; and

a bracket attached to the removable battery tray, the bracket having an opening for receiving the first pin when the removable battery tray is loaded on the frame.

10. The electric mower of claim 9 wherein the first 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 through the bracket.

11. The electric mower of claim 10 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 second pin and the second end of the flexible material attaches to the back end of the second pin.

12. A removable battery tray for use in an electrically powered mower comprising:

a front member and a rear member;

a support beam having a first end and a second end, the first end attached to a central location of the front member, and the second end attached to a central location of the rear member;

a plurality of battery positions configured in perpendicular arrangement on either side of the support beam, each battery position including a bar located perpendicularly to the support beam and positioned to provide a support upon which the battery rests in the battery position.

13. The removable battery tray of claim 12 further comprising a divider positioned perpendicularly to the support beam and attached to the support beam to provide further bracing for the removable battery tray.

14. The removable battery tray of claim 12 further comprising a means for removing the removable battery tray from a mower frame.

15. The removable battery tray of claim 12 further comprising a means for positioning the removable battery tray on a mower frame.

16. The removable battery tray of claim 12 further comprising a plug positioned for electrical connection with a battery located in the battery positions.

17. The removable battery tray of claim 16 wherein the plug is electrically connected to a power source to provide power to the battery.

18. An electric mower comprising:

a frame;

at least one cutting unit secured to the frame;

a plurality of wheels connected to the frame wherein at least one of the plurality 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; and

a removable battery tray configured to be positioned on the frame and to hold the battery set, the battery tray having;

a front portion and a rear portion;

a support beam having a first end and a second end, the first end of the support beam being connected to the front portion of the removable battery tray, and the second end of the support beam being connected to the rear portion of the removable battery tray; and

a plurality of bars positioned in perpendicular arrangement with respect to the support beam and defining a plurality of battery positions, the bars each providing a support upon which a battery rests in the respective battery position.