Portable power driven system with battery anti-theft apparatus

A portable power driven system has a battery started engine and a receptacle for receiving a battery pack. An arm is disposed on the portable power driven system and is movable between a locked position where it blocks the battery pack from being removed from the receptacle and an unlocked position where it does not block the battery pack from being removed from the receptacle.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to portable power driven systems having engines having a battery powered starter. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a theft prevention apparatus for a removable, portable universal battery pack used to start an internal combustion (IC) engine of a portable power driven system.

BACKGROUND

Portable power driven systems of the type described herein have an engine that drives an output device. Often the engines are battery started. That is, a lead acid battery is used to power a starter motor that starts the engine. For example, one such type of portable power driven system is a portable generator having an internal combustion engine that drives an alternator. In the latest portable generator technology, the alternator is replaced with a smaller and lighter permanent magnet generator (PMG) and an electronic power converter. In normal operation, the IC engine directly drives the PMG which then produces electrical power. This variable frequency (engine speed dependent), variable voltage power is then converted electronically to a constant voltage, constant frequency output, for example a 120 VAC, 60 Hz output. Typically, a PMG includes a single set of windings that are used to produce the electrical power output of the portable generator.

In one example, as disclosed in commonly owned patent application U.S. Ser. No. 11/526,825 filed Sep. 25, 2006 for Starter System For Portable Internal Combustion Engine Electric Generators Using A Portable Universal Battery Pack, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein, a portable generator is provided that utilizes a removable/portable universal battery pack adapted for use with various other DC powered tools to start the engine of the portable power driven system, thereby eliminating the need for the fixed lead-acid battery and making the generator lighter in weight and more manageable to maneuver.

It would be desirable to protect the universal battery pack from theft when installed in the generator.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect, a portable power driven system has a battery started engine and a receptacle for receiving a battery pack. An arm is disposed on the portable power driven system and is movable between a locked position where it blocks the battery pack from being removed from the receptacle and an unlocked position where it does not block the battery pack from being removed from the receptacle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application or uses.

With initial reference toFIG. 1, a portable power driven system having a locking apparatus10for preventing removal of a battery pack from a receptacle when in a locked position is initially described with reference to an exemplary power driven system in the form of a portable generator system12. The portable generator system12can have an electric generator device16(indicated with reference numeral16but otherwise hidden from view inFIG. 1) for generating AC power. Electric generator device16is coupled to an output shaft of an internal combustion engine18and is driven by internal combustion engine18. Portable generator system12is sufficiently light that it can be manually moved from one place to another. Portable generator system12can include a frame20that supports the internal combustion engine18and electric generator device16. The frame20may illustratively have wheels24and handles26to facilitate manually moving portable generator system12. The electric generator device16can generate AC power as described above. The AC power may illustratively be 120 VAC (or 110 or 115 VAC) and may also illustratively be 240 VAC (or 220 or 230 VAC). It may be 60 Hz, or may be 50 Hz.

Portable generator system12can further include a control panel30. The control panel30can include AC outlets32. The AC outlets32illustratively include ground fault interrupter outlets34and twist-lock outlets36. Control panel30can also include on/off/start switch40, circuit breakers42, and an idle speed control switch44. Control panel30can further include a battery receptacle48(FIG. 3) electrically coupled to an electrically powered starting device for starting internal combustion engine18, such as the starting devices described above.

Battery receptacle48may illustratively be a “foot” of a cordless power tool that receives a battery pack, such as a battery pack50(FIG. 11). As used herein, a “foot” of a cordless power tool is that portion of the power tool, typically part of the power tool's housing, that is configured to receive a battery pack. For example, battery pack50may be a battery pack for the DEWALT series of 18 volt cordless power tools and battery receptacle48would then illustratively be materially the same as the foot of these power tools, such as the DEWALT DW959K-2 drill. It should be understood, however, that battery receptacle48could be the foot of any cordless power tool that uses a removable battery pack.

Battery receptacle48is configured to receive a battery pack from a cordless power tool, such as battery pack50. In this regard, battery receptacle48may be configured to receive a tower type of battery pack, such as battery pack50. Battery receptacle48may alternatively be configured to receive a rail type of battery pack, such as the battery pack identified with reference numeral 16 in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,653,815, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. As such, battery receptacle48has a configuration similar to that on the foot of tool 10 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,653,815. That is, battery receptacle48includes a pair of grooves that receives guide rails of the rail type battery pack. It also includes a connector configured to mate with the terminal block of the rail type battery pack.

In use, a battery pack, such as battery pack50, from a cordless power tool can be placed in battery receptacle48and provide electrical power to start internal combustion engine18. Internal combustion engine18may have a pull start that can be used to start internal combustion engine18as well as the electrical starter circuit described above. The pull start could then be used to start internal combustion engine18when the battery pack50is discharged. Additional details of the configuration and operation of the portable generator system12may be found in the above referenced commonly owned, co-pending U.S. Ser. No. 11/526,825.

Turning now toFIGS. 2-4, the locking apparatus10will be described in greater detail. The locking apparatus10can include an arm54, a sleeve56, a shaft58, and a biasing member60(FIG. 4). The arm54can be generally U-shaped and have knuckles62,64at opposite first and second ends66,68. The arm54may illustratively have a generally tubular cross-sectional profile. The knuckles62,64may define a first and second coaxial passages70and72. A first locking member76may be formed on the first end66of the arm54. In one example, the first locking member76may be in the form of an eyelet78defining a passage80(FIG. 5). The second end68of the arm54may define a catch84adapted to secure an end85of the biasing member60, as will be described.

The sleeve56may illustratively have a tubular body having a first end86and a second end88. The first end86may include a notch90for securably accepting an opposite end92of the biasing member60. According to one example, the sleeve56may be securably attached to the portable generator system12. In the example shown, the sleeve56may be welded or otherwise secured to the frame20of portable generator system12.

The shaft58may illustratively have a longitudinal cylindrical body96. In one example, the longitudinal cylindrical body96may include a head98, and first, second and third stepped portions100,102and104, respectively. The biasing member60may be a coil spring having the first end92and the second end85and defining an opening108. Alternately, the biasing member60may be other types of biasing devices, such as resilient members, tensions springs, or the like. In an assembled position, the shaft58is adapted to pass through the second passage72of the arm54, the opening108of the biasing member60, the sleeve56, and the first passage70of the arm54. In this way, the first stepped portion100is received in the second passage72of the arm54, the second stepped portion102is received in the sleeve56and the biasing member60, and the third stepped portion104is received in the first passage70of the arm54.

With specific reference toFIGS. 2,3,6, and7, the locking apparatus10can define a pivot axis110through the sleeve56. As can be appreciated, the arm54can be adapted to pivot from the locked position (FIGS. 2,5and6), in a direction counter-clockwise about the pivot axis110to the unlocked position (FIGS. 3 and 7). Because the sleeve56is fixedly attached to the frame20, the sleeve56serves as a guide for controlling pivotal movement of the arm54about the pivot axis110. In the particular example shown, the pivot axis110may be generally transverse to ground.

Turning now toFIG. 5, the locking apparatus10is shown in the locked position with an exemplary lock112passed through the first locking member76of the arm54and a second locking member116fixedly disposed on the frame20. The second locking member116may be welded to the frame20and have a second eyelet120. In the locked position, the respective eyelets78,120of the first and second locking members76and116align to form a continuous passage122for accepting a hook shaft124of the lock112. As can be appreciated, with the hook shaft124of the lock112passed through the continuous passage122, the first locking member76is precluded from rotating thus preventing arm54from rotating. As a result, the arm54prevents battery pack50from being removed from receptacle48and discourages theft of the battery pack50.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the first end92of the biasing member60can slidably nest within the notch90of the sleeve56. The second end85of the biasing member60can cooperate with the catch84formed on the second end68of the arm54. In this way, the biasing member60urges the arm54toward the locked position (or clockwise as viewed inFIG. 5). In another example, a key-lock154and deadbolt158combination may be provided instead of or in addition to the lock112. In this way, an integrated or self-contained locking arrangement may be provided.

Turning now toFIG. 8, a portable generator system212having a locking apparatus210according to additional features is shown. The locking apparatus210can include an arm254, a sleeve256, and a shaft258. While not specifically shown, the locking apparatus210may additionally include a biasing member, such as the biasing member discussed above. The arm254may illustratively be generally U-shaped and have knuckles262and264at opposite first and second ends. The arm254may have a generally tubular cross-sectional profile. A first locking member276may be formed on the first end of the arm254. In one example, the first locking member276may be in the form of a first eyelet defining a first passage. A second locking member277may be fixedly coupled to the portable generator system212and define a second eyelet having a second passage.

The sleeve256may illustratively have a tubular body having a first end and a second end. According to one example, the sleeve256may be securably attached to the portable generator system212. In the example shown, the sleeve256may be welded or otherwise secured to a housing280of the portable generator system212. The locking apparatus210according to the example shown inFIG. 8is adapted to rotate about an axis290generally parallel to ground.

FIG. 9shows a portable power driven device that is a portable air compressor system312having a locking apparatus310. The portable air compressor system312can include a frame320that supports an internal combustion engine318, an air compressor (hidden from view inFIG. 9) and an air tank319having an inlet coupled to an outlet of the air compressor. The air compressor is driven by an output shaft of internal combustion engine318. A battery receptacle (such as battery receptacle48shown inFIG. 3) may be electrically coupled to an electrically powered starting device for starting the internal combustion engine318. Locking apparatus310is substantially identical to locking apparatus10discussed above, so is not described in any further detail.

FIG. 10shows a portable power driven device that is a power washer412having a locking apparatus410. The power washer412can include a frame420that supports an internal combustion engine418and drives an output device such as a pump having an outlet coupled to a movable spray wand419. The locking apparatus410may illustratively be securably coupled to a bracket421secured on the frame420. A battery receptacle (such as battery receptacle48shown inFIG. 3) may be electrically coupled to an electrically powered starting device for starting the internal combustion engine418. Locking apparatus410is substantially identical to locking apparatus10discussed above, so is not described in any further detail.

FIG. 11shows a power driven device having a locking apparatus510. The locking apparatus510can include a rotating reinforced cover or guard554. The locking apparatus510operates substantially similar to the locking apparatus10described above. The locking apparatus510can substantially surround an exposed portion of the battery50to provide added protection to the battery50such as from exposure to bad weather or damage on the jobsite.

It is appreciated that the locking apparatus10can be adapted for use with other types of power driven devices having a battery started engine where a portable battery pack is utilized, or any other device that utilizes a portable battery pack where preventing theft of the portable battery pack is of concern.