Patent Publication Number: US-2016222938-A1

Title: External starting system for vehicles

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application claims the priority filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/111,338 filed Feb. 3, 2015 titled “Starting System” of Gary Booth, hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all that is disclosed. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Some vehicles, such as the “sprint car,” require that the vehicle be push-started. As such, when the owner or mechanic wants to work on the engine while it is running, as is oftentimes the case, the vehicle first has to be push started and then driven to a work area. For example, if someone wants to work on the engine of a spring car in his or her garage, the vehicle has to be pushed (typically out into the street) and started, and then driven or pushed back into the garage and left running. If the engine is shut off (or turns off) and needs to be re-started, then this same sequence of push-starting the vehicle has to be repeated. Similar scenarios exist for the pit crew at the track. This is time-consuming and can be frustrating for the mechanic. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example starting system. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a left-side portion of the example starting system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is another partial exploded perspective view of a right-side portion of the example starting system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an example control station for the example starting system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A starting system is described herein as it may be implemented as an external starting system for vehicles. The starting system enables starting a vehicle (e.g., a sprint car, “midget” car, super-modified car) that has no onboard starter without having to push-start the vehicle. The starting system may be used with any of a variety of different types of vehicles without any modification to the vehicle itself. Indeed, the system is not limited to any particular end-use, and for example can be implemented to start any vehicle or motor without an on-board starter (or where the on-board starter has been disabled or is otherwise not operating). 
     The starting system may also be implemented for testing and maintenance of the vehicle. For example, the starting system may include rollers to enable the vehicle wheels to rotate without the vehicle having to be moved. 
     In an example, the starting system is portable or mobile. That is, the starting system may be lifted on one side and rolled from one location to another. In addition, the starting system may be readily unassembled and loaded for transport (e.g., into the back of a pickup truck). 
     Before continuing, it is noted that as used herein, the terms “includes” and “including” mean, but is not limited to, “includes” or “including” and “includes at least” or “including at least.” The term “based on” means “based on” and “based at least in part on.” 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example starting system  10 . An example starting system  10  has a first stand frame  12 . The stand frame  12  includes a drive roller  16  and a second roller  18 . The drive roller  16  is spaced apart from the second roller  18  on the stand frame  12  to engage with a vehicle wheel. When a vehicle wheel is positioned on the stand frame  12  so that the vehicle wheel rests between drive roller  16  and the second roller  18 . 
     The starting system  10  may also include a second stand frame  20 . The second stand frame  20  includes a slave roller  22 . A drive shaft  24  connects the drive roller  16  (on the first stand frame  12 ) to the slave roller  22  on the second stand frame  20 . A second roller  26  on the second stand frame  20  is spaced apart from the second roller  18  on the stand frame  12  to engage with a vehicle wheel. When a vehicle wheel is positioned on the stand frame  12  so that the vehicle wheel rests between drive roller  16  and the second roller  18 . 
     In an example, a first chain  28  (and sprocket) (under chain guard  29 —chain  28  is visible in  FIG. 2 ) connects the drive roller  16  and the second roller  18  on the first stand frame  12 . A second chain  30  (and sprocket) (under chain guard  31 —chain  30  is visible in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) connects the slave roller  22  and the second roller  26  on the second stand frame  20 . 
     Also in an example, the drive roller  16  and the second roller  18  on the first stand frame  12 , and the slave roller  22  and the second roller  26  on the second stand frame  20 , are adjustable. For example, the roller mounts  32   a - d  supporting rollers  16  and  18 , and roller mounts  34   a - d  supporting rollers  22  and  26 , may be mounted to any of a plurality of openings (generally referred to as openings  36 ) in rail supports  38   a - b  and rail supports  40   a - b.  As such, the first stand frame  12  and second stand frame  20  can be adjusted to accommodate different size tires. In other examples (not shown), other adjustments may also be provided (e.g., to accommodate different heights and/or widths of the starting system  10 ). 
     In an example, the starting system  10  also includes an electric motor  42 . The electric motor  42  may be powered by any suitable electrical power source (e.g., AC and/or DC). For example, the electric motor  42  may be powered by an on-board or remote battery, or connected via a power cord to an AC power source (not shown). The electric motor  42  may be actuated by an electric starter. In an example, The electric starter implements a variable Frequency Drive (VFD) to convert power from an outside source (e.g., at 220 volts AC) to an operating voltage (e.g., 480 volts AC). It is noted that operating at 480 volts AC enables the motor to provide more power and torque. 
     The electric starter  44  may be provided remotely from the stand frames  12  and  20 . For example, the electric starter  44  may be housed with other control electronics on a stand  46 . The electric motor  42  may be controlled via wired and/or wireless connection. 
     During operation, the electric motor  42  may be actuated by the electric starter  44 . The electric motor  42  is connected to the drive roller  16  on the first stand frame  12  to rotate the drive roller  16  and rotate a wheel of the vehicle (not shown) positioned on the drive roller  16 . This rotation starts an engine of the vehicle while the vehicle remains in a substantially stationary position. 
     Rotating the drive roller  16  causes the vehicle wheel to rotate. For example, the drive motor  42  may engage the drive roller  16 . Rotating the drive roller  16  in turn rotates the second roller  18  on the first stand frame  12  via the chain  28 . In addition, rotating the drive roller  16  rotates the slave roller  22  on the second stand frame  20  via drive shaft  24 . The slave roller  22  in turn rotates the second roller  26  on the second stand frame  20 . Rotating the vehicle wheel(s) in turn starts the vehicle engine. 
     Other examples of operation are also contemplated. For example, not all of the rollers need to be operated to rotate by the drive motor. In this example, one or more of the other rollers may be free-spinning. That is, the other rollers are provided to support the vehicle wheel, and rotate via rotation of the vehicle wheel (which is driven by the drive roller). In another example, separate motors may be provided for each drive stand. Still other examples will be well understood by those having ordinary skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings herein. 
     Before continuing, it should be noted that the examples described above are provided for purposes of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the starter system shown in the drawings is illustrative of an example starting system, but is in no way limiting to any particular configuration. Other components and/or device configurations may be utilized. In addition, the starting system is not limited to any particular dimensions/size/proportions, and components of the starting system may be manufactured of any suitable material, such as but not limited to, stainless steel or powder-coated metal fabrication. 
     In an example, the starting system  10  includes left-side portion separable from a separate right-side portion.  FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a left-side portion of the example starting system  10  shown in  FIG. 1 , including the first stand frame  12 . In an example, the left-side portion includes a drive subsystem with a 12 volt, 2,000 AMP electric starting motor  42  (although other starting motors may be provided). The drive motor  42  may be mounted on platform  50 , mounted to rail support  38   b.  The drive subsystem may also include a gear assembly  56  configured between the starting motor  42  and the drive roller  16 . 
     The drive roller  16  (and second roller  18 ) may be hollow shaft cylinders with end-caps, although solid shaft cylinders may also be provided. The drive roller  16  mounts to the rail supports  38   a - b  via roller shaft  54   a.  The roller shaft  54   a  extends through the cylinders and attach at roller mounts  32   a - b  via bearing assemblies (not shown) between the cylinder  54   a  and the roller mounts  32   a - b.  The second roller  18  mounts similarly to the rail supports  38   a - b.    
     The first stand frame  12  may also include a non-slip drive-up ramp surface or deck plate  60 . In an example, the non-slip deck plate may be diamond plated, including non-slip adhesive tape for tire tractions, and/or other non-slip surface may be provided. Handles  63   a - b  may also be provided. In the example show, handles  63   a - b  are cut in the deck plate  60 . Other suitable handles may be provided to enable the first stand frame  12  to be lifted and/or tilted and moved (e.g., on casters  58   a - b ). Tie-downs may also be provided, e.g., to attach and hold the vehicle to the first stand frame  12 . 
       FIG. 3  is another partial exploded perspective view of a right-side portion of the example starting system  10  shown in  FIG. 1 , including second stand frame  20 . The right-side portion of the starting system  10  may include a slave roller  22  driven by the drive motor  42  via drive roller  16  and drive shaft  24 . In another example, the drive shaft  24  may be disconnected to operate the slave roller  22  as an idler roller. 
     The slave roller  22  (and second roller  26 ) may be hollow shaft cylinders with end-caps, although solid shaft cylinders may also be provided. The slave roller  22  mounts to the rail supports  38   c - d  via roller shafts  54   c.  The roller shafts  54   c  extend through the cylinders and attach at roller mounts  34   a - b  via bearing assemblies (not shown) between the cylinder  54   c  and the roller mounts  34   a - b.  The second roller  26  mounts similarly to the rail supports  40   a - b.    
     The first stand frame  12  may also include a non-slip drive-up ramp surface or deck plate  60 . In an example, the non-slip deck plate may be diamond plated, including non-sap adhesive tape for tire tractions, and/or other non-slip surface may be provided. Handles  63   c - d  may also be provided. In the example show, handles  63   c - d  are cut in the deck plate  60 . Other suitable handles may be provided to enable the first stand frame  12  to be lifted and/or tilted and moved (e.g., on casters  58   c - d ). Tie-downs may also be provided, e.g., to attach and hold the vehicle to the first stand frame  12 . 
     In the example above, the vehicle may be positioned with the left rear wheel on the left-side (starter) assembly and the right rear wheel on the right-side (idler) assembly. Once positioned, the starter may be activated to rotate the left rear wheel and thus start the engine of the vehicle without the vehicle moving. The right rear wheel may also rotate on the rollers. Again, it is noted that various configurations of the starting system may be operated to spin one, both or all wheels with the gear box engaged to spin the engine until started. 
     It is noted that the right-side and left-side components of the starting system described above may be interconnected via support member  64  to form a single assembly (see  FIG. 1 ). In another example, the right-side and left-side portions may be used independently. In addition, the drive subsystem may be provided on either or both side portions. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an example control station for the example starting system. In an example, the control station  70  includes an electrical box  71  including one or more automotive batteries, a master disconnect switch  72 , an LED light  74  (e.g., green light to indicate power “ON”), and one remote starter switch  76  (a wired remote is shown for illustration, however the remote may also be wireless). It is noted, however, that the starter and/or other control electronics can be provided integral with (e.g., mounted on) one or more of the stand frames  12  and  20 . 
     It is noted that the examples shown and described are provided for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Still other examples are also contemplated.