Electric Motor Drive Patents (Class 37/246)
  • Patent number: 12037758
    Abstract: A snow thrower includes a first drive shaft enabled to rotate about a first axis; an auger having auger blades mounted to the first drive shaft, a second drive shaft enabled to rotate about a second axis, an impeller having an impeller base mounted to the second drive shaft and impeller blades where the second axis and the first axis are perpendicular to each other, a walking wheel assembly, a first motor configured to drive the walking wheel assembly to rotate, a second motor configured to drive the auger to rotate about the first axis and drive the impeller to rotate about the second axis, a first reduction assembly including first-type gears for realizing power transmission between the second motor and the second drive shaft, and a second reduction assembly including second-type gears for realizing power transmission between the second drive shaft and the first drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Nanjing Chervon Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshinari Yamaoka, Fangjie Nie, Huixing Fu
  • Patent number: 11993902
    Abstract: A breather device (140) for a gear case (82) defining a gear chamber (83) therein, comprising a breather chamber (146) defined in a part of the gear case; a breathing hole (152) formed in a wall part defining an upper part of the breather chamber so as to communicate the breather chamber with outside; a communication hole (148, 150) formed in a wall part separating a lower part of the breather chamber from the gear chamber so as to communicate the breather chamber with the gear chamber; and a separating wall (154) extending partly across the breather chamber so as to define a circuitous passage between the breathing hole and the communication hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Matsumoto, Yoshitaka Ota, Atsushi Moroi
  • Patent number: 11901794
    Abstract: A horizontal shaft electric powerhead includes an electric motor, a battery, a housing, and a base plate. The electric motor includes a horizontal output shaft configured to rotate about a horizontal axis of rotation and has a power rating of 2,500 or fewer watts. The battery includes a plurality of lithium-ion battery cells and is coupled to the electric motor. The housing has a standard cross-sectional footprint so that the electric powerhead has substantially the same volume as a comparable small internal combustion engine. The base plate is configured to be fastened to a mounting surface and includes a plurality of openings arranged in a standard horizontal shaft engine support pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventor: David Schulenberg
  • Patent number: 11679892
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to parallel hybrid drive assemblies for lightweight unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Specifically, the disclosure is directed to hybrid drive assemblies and control systems for UAVs, utilizing continuous belt tension modulation to couple and decouple an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. In some embodiments, this is achieved through the use of a tensioner module that is configured to couple and decouple the electric motor and the internal combustion engine by continuously and selectably modulating belt tension on drive elements of each of the electric motor and the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Lowental Hybrid
    Inventor: Itay Lowental
  • Patent number: 11296576
    Abstract: An electric powerhead includes a housing including a mounting plate including a shaft opening and a plurality of first openings arranged in a standard horizontal shaft engine mounting pattern. The housing also includes a base including a plurality of second openings arranged in a standard horizontal shaft engine support pattern. The electric powerhead further includes an electric motor positioned within the housing, where the electric motor includes an output shaft that extends through the shaft opening of the mounting plate and where the output shaft is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventor: David Schulenberg
  • Patent number: 9085861
    Abstract: A snow removal machine, in which an engine drives an auger and a blower, includes a mode switching operation section for selecting and switching to any one of a plurality of control modes differing from each other in engine output control characteristic; and a control section for controlling the engine by executing any one of the plurality of control modes in accordance with an operation signal output from the mode switching operation section. The control section makes a determination as to whether an operating state of the engine in the currently-executed control mode is in a recommended operating range preset on the basis of at least a rotating speed and degree of throttle opening of the engine, and instructs a display section to display a result of the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nobuo Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20150007462
    Abstract: A cordless electric snow thrower is disclosed having a separate and distinct battery housing containing a battery being positioned on a handle of the cordless snow thrower. The cordless snow thrower may include an electronic controller that allows a user to rotate a chute of the cordless snow thrower to alter a direction in which snow is thrown. The cordless snow thrower may also include a light that provides sufficient light to allow the user to use the cordless snow thrower at night to clear snow. The placement of the battery housing provides balance to the cordless snow thrower and allows power to be provided to all of the electronic devices and components of the cordless snow thrower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Joseph Cohen
  • Publication number: 20140259804
    Abstract: Provided is a lawn maintenance vehicle including a frame having a first axle and a second axle mounted to the frame. A first drive wheel and a second drive wheel are mounted to the first and second axle. An energy storage device and an electric motor having a motor shaft are mounted to the frame. The electric motor is in electrical communication with the energy storage device and the energy storage device provides electrical power to the electric motor. The lawn maintenance vehicle further includes a traction drive. The traction drive is operably connected to the motor shaft, and the traction drive is operably connected to the first and second axles. The lawn maintenance vehicle includes an implement mounted to the frame. The lawn maintenance vehicle can also include an internal combustion engine operably connected to the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: MTD Products Inc
    Inventors: Jimmy N. Eavenson, SR., Axel Schaedler
  • Patent number: 8466636
    Abstract: An excavator drive system wherein one of a pair of propulsion motors shares one of a pair of inverter power sources with another of a pair of motors dedicated to crowd and hoist motions. A pair of non-volatile bi-state switches, triggered under control of a controller, allow sharing of inverters between hoist and propel 1 motors. Another pair of switches allows inverter sharing between propel 2 and crowd motors. Each pair of switches enables change over and power transfer from one of the paired motors to the other motor. The bi-state switches enable quicker transfer of power between motors than transfer switches employing external motor-powered mechanical transfer linkages. Bi-state transfer switches also maintain transfer coupling status in the event of power failure to the switch actuators, allowing an excavator operator to continue the drive function in operation prior to the switch power failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Joy Mazumdar
  • Patent number: 8402679
    Abstract: A self propelled snow remover machine with a computer control panel a camera, a funnel design snow brush. The computer control panel controls the snow remover machine through a downloaded application with cloud technology and is access through many different electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: Gregory Sylvester Campbell
  • Publication number: 20120291317
    Abstract: A self propelled snow remover machine with a computer control panel a camera, a funnel design snow brush. The computer control panel controls the snow remover machine through a downloaded application with cloud technology and is access through many different electronic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: Gregory Sylvester Campbell
  • Publication number: 20110094129
    Abstract: An electric snow-thrower is disclosed having a frame, an axle supported by and extending from the frame, a snow-engaging implement supported by the frame, and an electric motor. In some forms the electric snow thrower includes a transversely oriented electric motor configured to selectively drive the axle and the snow-engaging implement, a support bracket engaging the electric motor and a battery container, and a battery container having a control panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Ryan F. Rowe, Kariann Kalista
  • Patent number: 7836614
    Abstract: A rechargeable snow removal device for displacing snow from a variety of locations may include a portable frame with a plurality of wheels. Further, the device may include a primary snow intake section connected to a front end of the frame, a power-actuated vacuum mechanism, and an exhaust nozzle for discharging snow away from the frame. Also, the device may include first and second power sources, preferably a power cord and rechargeable battery respectively. A mechanism for directing and interrupting power from the first and second power sources to the vacuum mechanism may also be included, such that the device may continuously receive power from at least one source. A power distribution interface may be controlled by a user interface and may operate a plurality of switches to direct power from the sources accordingly. Additionally, an auxiliary snow intake section may be included for collecting snow in limited space areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventor: Mary Ann Parker
  • Publication number: 20100095558
    Abstract: A self propelled snow removal machine that comprises a carriage assembly an engine for driving electrical motors for supplying motive power, a battery for recharging the electric motor a switch for turning the engine on and off. Ground engaging supporting wheels, a computer receiver control panel mounted on the carriage assembly to receive signals from the remote control. The remote control to send the signal to the receiver control panel mounted on the carriage assembly and direct the self propelled snow remover machine in any direction. The transversely mounted power nylon brush powered by the electrical motor. A cover on top of the power nylon brush to protect from the snow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventor: Gregory Sylvester Campbell
  • Publication number: 20090249658
    Abstract: A snow removal device includes a power source or is connectable to a power source for powering a drive motor that is connected to a snow removal mechanism. The overall size and construction is designed to be lightweight and portable. In this way, considering the smaller size of the snow removal mechanism and its maneuverability, it is suitable to assist in removing snow from around the tires of a vehicle that is stuck in the snow, as one example of a suitable use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventor: Richard D. Embry
  • Publication number: 20090078485
    Abstract: An electrically driven single-axle vehicle with a platform for a driver, driven about a common wheel axis to improve its handling and its range of uses. The vehicle includes at least one attachment, the attachment being connected to the single-axle vehicle pivotably about at least one first attachment axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: EVONIK DEGUSSA GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas GUTSCH, Michael Schulze, Holger Bramsiepe
  • Publication number: 20080289311
    Abstract: A multi-purpose maintenance machine having interchangeable units to perform different maintenance functions such as: lawn mowing; lawn aerating; dethatching; lawn seeding and/or fertilizing; salt spreading; and snow blowing/throwing. The machine has a frame on four wheels and an exchangeable maintenance component has arms which are slidably received in slots. Different maintenance components perform different maintenance functions. A drive shaft is inserted in an axial bore of the component to engage the component and a sun gear so that rotates the component. The sun gear is rotated by an electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Terry Greene, Jiemin Wu
  • Publication number: 20080289226
    Abstract: A electric motor is disclosed in which torque ripple is reduced. The electric motor includes a single motor shaft. Rotors are disposed so as to be mutually offset in phase, and the rotors are secured to the motor shaft. Stators are arranged so as to individually correspond to the rotors, and the stators are disposed so as to be matched in phase. The phases of torque ripple generated in each motor unit, which is comprised of a combination of a single rotor and a single stator, are offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Yamagishi, Yoshihisa Hirose, Tsutomu Mizoroke
  • Patent number: 7343994
    Abstract: A working machine has a machine body, a working unit attached to the machine body, an internal combustion engine for driving the working unit, a traveling unit mounted on the machine body 11 for displacing the working unit over a ground surface to perform a work operation on the ground surface, and an electric motor for driving the traveling unit. A battery supplies electric power to the electric motor in a battery mode of the working machine to thereby drive the electric motor. A battery mode switch switches between an ON position in which the working machine is in the battery mode and an OFF position in which the working machine is not in the battery mode. A power generator is driven by the internal combustion engine to supply electric power to the battery and to the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Wakitani, Norikazu Shimizu, Yoshihiko Yamagishi, Kenji Kuroiwa
  • Patent number: 7257909
    Abstract: A convertible yard tool is disclosed having an implement connected for rotation within a housing, wherein the implement and housing are operated relative to a ground surface in either a snow throwing orientation or a sweeping orientation. When operated in the snow throwing orientation and with the implement being a snow throwing impeller, the yard tool can be used to remove snow from a surface. When operated in the sweeping orientation and with the implement being a broom, the yard tool can be used to move debris from a surface to be cleaned. An adjustable handle may be provided to facilitate movement of the yard tool across various surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Chadwick A. Shaffer, John O. Hurst
  • Patent number: 7108089
    Abstract: A walk-behind self-propelled working machine includes an engine disposed with a crankshaft extending vertically in a downward direction and a cylinder disposed horizontally, and a generator having a drive shaft disposed vertically downward. The drive shaft of the generator and the crankshaft of the engine have respective axes that are disposed on a line perpendicular to an axis of the cylinder, as viewed in plan. The crankshaft and the drive shaft are connected together via a power transmitting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jitsumi Hanafusa, Kenji Kuroiwa
  • Patent number: 7100312
    Abstract: A working machine has a machine body, an engine mounted on the machine body, an electric motor mounted on the machine body, a working part driven by the engine during a working state of the working part for performing a working operation, and a transporting part driven by the electric motor for transporting the working machine during the working operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Wakitani, Norikazu Shimizu, Toshiaki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 7051461
    Abstract: A walk-behind working machine has a traveling unit, a working unit, an engine, and an illumination section disposed forwardly of the engine for projecting light. A cover member collectively covers the engine and the illumination section. The cover member has a light transmitting section for transmitting therethrough light projected by the illumination section. The light transmitting section or a portion of the cover member near the light transmitting section has at least one through-hole through which heat generated by at least one of the engine and the illuminating section is radiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoki Itou, Hiromi Yuzuriha, Ai Amano, Seishu Sakai, Masatoshi Nagaoka, Takahiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6977473
    Abstract: In a travel control method for an electric vehicle, an accelerator angle is obtained from a position of an accelerator lever. An accelerator percentage is determined in accordance with the accelerator angle. The ON times of first and second brake buttons are read. Brake percentages of first and second brakes are determined in accordance with the ON times of the respective first and second brake buttons. A control value for a first electric motor is determined by correcting the accelerator percentage with a corrected brake percentage of the first brake obtained by applying an influence of the brake percentage of the second brake to the brake percentage of the first brake. A speed of the first electric motor is controlled using the control value of the first electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Wakitani, Norikazu Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6756750
    Abstract: An electric vehicle driven by a pair of left and right electric motors is provided. The vehicle includes a controller for controlling the start of the vehicle. The controller performs such control as avoiding brake drag caused by the operation of the electric motors before the elimination of the braking of a pair of left and right parking electromagnetic brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsutomu Wakitani, Yoshinori Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 6705028
    Abstract: A self-propelled snowplow vehicle includes a vehicle frame equipped with an auger at a front end portion thereof and pivotally connected to a propelling frame equipped with driving wheels, and a frame lift mechanism for lifting the front end portion of the vehicle frame up and down relative to the propelling frame. The frame lift mechanism comprises an electro-hydraulic cylinder actuator having a piston rod and an electric motor rotatably driven to produce a fluid pressure for reciprocating the piston rod in response to operation of a manual operating switch. The snowplow vehicle also includes a control unit arranged to forcibly stop the electric motor when a predetermined time has elapsed after the operation switch is activated, the predetermined time being equal to an operating time of the cylinder actuator which is required to extend or contract the piston rod over a maximum stroke defined between a fully extended position and a fully contracted position of the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jitsumi Hanafusa, Kenji Kuroiwa, Tsutomu Wakitani, Tsutomu Inui, Takahiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6550161
    Abstract: A walk behind self-propelled crawler has a travel ready lever mounted to one of the left and right handlebars and adapted to be gripped by a human operator to place the electric motors in an operative condition, and a clutch control pushbutton switch disposed on the control board at a position close to the other handlebar, the clutch control pushbutton switch being adapted to be manually operated to actuate the electromagnetic clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jitsumi Hanafusa, Kenji Kuroiwa
  • Patent number: 6513267
    Abstract: A snow removing machine equipped with a snow removing plate is disclosed. The snow removing plate is mounted to a front portion of a vehicle body which forms part of the snow removing machine. An operating handle having grip portions is mounted to a rear portion of the vehicle body and obliquely extends upward. A battery, an electric motor and a power transmission mechanism are located below a linear line intersecting between an upper end of the snow removing plate and the grip portion. This causes the battery, the electric motor and the power transmission mechanism to be located below a view line of an operator when he looks at the snow removing plate, avoiding the view line from being disturbed to allow the operator to look at the upper end of the snow removing plate in his working attitude for thereby providing ease of operation of the snow removing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isao Yoshida, Masakatsu Kono
  • Patent number: 6453583
    Abstract: A walk behind self-propelled crawler snowplow includes a snowplow mechanism disposed on a front portion of a vehicle body, an engine disposed on a longitudinal central portion of the vehicle body for driving the snowplow mechanism, a left crawler belt and a right crawler belt disposed on a left side and a right side, respectively, of the vehicle body, and left and right electric motors disposed on a rear portion of the vehicle body for driving the left and right crawler belts, respectively. With this arrangement, the crawler snowplow has a good weight balance such that the load or weight of the vehicle body is born evenly by the crawler belts. Since the snowplow mechanism and the crawler belts are driven separately by different power sources, the crawler snowplow can exhibit a good traveling performance regardless of the load exerted on the snowplow mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jitsumi Hanafusa, Kenji Kuroiwa
  • Publication number: 20020062583
    Abstract: An electric vehicle has left and right speed control levers provided alongside left and right grips provided at the ends of left and right control handles. The electric vehicle also has left and right electric motors for driving left and right driven wheels and left and right brakes for braking the left and right driven wheels. The left brake and the speed of the left electric motor are controlled with the left speed control lever, the right brake and the speed of the right electric motor are controlled with the right speed control lever, and a driver can execute changes of direction and pivot turns and spot turns while holding the vehicle in a good attitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Tsutomu Wakitani, Keiichiro Bungo, Kenji Kuroiwa, Tsutomu Inui, Hiroo Kanke, Jitsumi Hanafusa, Takahiro Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20010022042
    Abstract: A snow thrower comprised of a snow chute and chute deflector includes a joystick controller that may be adjusted between first, second, third and fourth positions. Adjustment of the joystick into one of the four positions causes rotation of the chute in clockwise and counterclockwise direction or causes the deflector to pivot upward or downward respectively. Both, the chute and the deflector are actuated by electric motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventors: Mark Kluck, Robert Hilchey
  • Publication number: 20010009079
    Abstract: A walking-type snow removal machine comprises a snow removing member provided at a front part of a body frame for pushing snow forward, and crawler belts provided on right and left sides of the body frame. The body frame carries thereon an electric motor and a battery. The electric motor drives right and left drive wheels to drive the crawler belts. The electric motor generates little noise as compared with an engine, and contributes to downsizing of the snow removal machine. The battery supplies electrical power to the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Masakatsu Kono, Isao Yoshida, Hiroshi Sueshige, Norikazu Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6212799
    Abstract: A single-stage snowblower (20) is designed as an accessory for attachment to an electric tractor, and takes power from the batteries on the tractor. The rotary drum (24) of the snowblower, which carries the spiral blade (25), is driven by two electric motors (36L, 36R). The motors lie inside the hollow interior of the drum (24), and drive the drum directly, without chains or gears. The drum (24) has no bearings other than the motor bearings provided inside the motor housing. The ends of the motors are fixed to the snowblower housing. Walk behind versions of the snowblower are also disclosed. In a different version an anti-personnel-mine clearing flail-drum (74) is pushed ahead of an electric tractor (72) by forward-extending struts. The flail-drum is rotated by motors located inside the drum. Other appliances can make up a train of appliances, ahead of the tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Electric Tractor Corporation
    Inventors: Newton Roy Gingerich, Anthony Asquith
  • Patent number: 6170179
    Abstract: A snow thrower (10) includes a rotatable wheel (12) for collecting the snow and a chute (14) for throwing the snow away from the snow thrower (10). The snow thrower (10) includes a motor (22) and a battery (24) connected thereto for providing power to the motor (22), which in turn drives a drive belt (28) to rotate the rotatable wheel (12). The battery (24) may be removed and replaced by sliding same out of the thrower housing (16), and includes spring biased contacts between the housing (16) and battery terminals to cause electrical connection therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventors: Karen A. Paytas, Jason J. Halleck
  • Patent number: 6035561
    Abstract: A snow thrower (10) includes a rotatable wheel (12) for collecting the snow and a chute (14) for throwing the snow away from the snow thrower (10). The snow thrower (10) includes a motor (22) and a battery (24) connected thereto for providing power to the motor (22), which in turn drives a drive belt (28) to rotate the rotatable wheel (12). The battery (24) may be removed and replaced by sliding same out of the thrower housing (16), and includes spring biased contacts between the housing (16) and battery terminals to cause electrical connection therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventors: Karen A. Paytas, Jason J. Halleck
  • Patent number: 5603173
    Abstract: A portable, hand-held snow thrower comprising a power unit and an attachment removably securable to the power unit. The attachment includes an impeller having a first pulley and a flexible drive shaft. A first end of the drive shaft is connected to the power unit, and a second end of the drive shaft is drivably connected to a second pulley lying substantially in a plane with the first pulley. A lower portion of the drive shaft is curved and extends through an impeller housing. The second pulley is operably connected to the first pulley to provide a gear ratio therebetween resulting in a desired rotational speed of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Ryobi Outdoor Products Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Brazell
  • Patent number: 5522162
    Abstract: A portable rotary snow blower shovel which is lightweight and maneuverable is disclosed. The device uses the drive mechanism from a rotary string trimmer. In place of the string and string guard, the snow blower utilizes an impeller and a substantially cylindrical enclosure. The enclosure includes a cutout opening in a lower portion of the periphery to allow snow to enter. Adjacent the opening is a flat plate which is secured to the inside of the enclosure at an angle in order to direct snow upward toward the impeller. The impeller, which is oriented substantially parallel to the surface being cleared, is circular in shape and has radially projecting blades attached to the upper and lower surfaces thereof. Once the snow is directed upward by the angled flat plate, the blades of the impeller, which are rotating at a high speed, force the snow out an exit conduit adjacent the top of the cylindrical enclosure by centrifugal force. The exit conduit directs the snow upward and away from the path being cleared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Inventor: Peter Allison
  • Patent number: 5269082
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hand held, readily portable power sweeping tool. The tool includes an elongate boom having a power generation means disposed at one end thereof and a power sweeping means disposed at the other end. Power transmission means extends between the power generation means and the power sweeping means for transmitting power generated by the power generation means to the sweeping means. The sweeping means comprises a pair of drums mounted for rotation by the power transmission means, the drums including a plurality of pliant fins extending radially outwardly therefrom. In one embodiment of the invention, the sweeping means includes a support formed by mating two substantially identical drum members to each other end-to-end to form a support for a sweeper belt having a plurality of outwardly directed pliant fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Powrebroom, Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd P. Sund, Paul G. Sund, Ronald E. Bergman
  • Patent number: 5161318
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hand held, readily portable power sweeping tool. The tool includes an elongate boom having a power generation means disposed at one end thereof and a power sweeping means disposed at the other end. Power transmission means extends between the power generation means and the power sweeping means for transmitting power generated by the power generation means to the sweeping means. The sweeping means comprises a pair of drums mounted for rotation by the power transmission means, the drums including a plurality of pliant fins extending radially outwardly therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Inventors: Ronald E. Bergman, Paul G. Sund