Electrically powered vehicle

Claim 2

An electrically powered vehicle including first and second spaced-apart road wheels, handle means for steering said vehicle and being operably connected with one of said wheels, first and second electric motors drivingly connected with one of said road wheels, a source of electric power, a housing secureD to said handle means, switch means mounted in said housing for connecting said source with said first and second motors in series circuit relation, for connecting said source with said first motor only, and for connecting said source with said first and second motors in parallel circuit relation whereby the power delivered to the vehicle can be controlled; said housing having connector means including means for disconnecting all electrical connection between said switch means and said source and said motors at substantially the same time.

Claim 3

An electrically powered vehicle including first and second spaced-apart road wheels, handle means to be grasped by the hand of an operator for steering said vehicle and being operably connected to one of said wheels, first and second electric motors drivingly connected with one of said road wheels, a source of electric power, a switch housing mounted on said handle means; switch means in said housing for connecting said source with said first and second motors in series circuit relation, for connecting said source with said first motor only, and for connecting said source with said first and second motors in parallel circuit relation whereby the power delivered to the vehicle can be controlled; and actuator means pivotally mounted in said housing for actuating said switch means and including means extending through said housing and operable to be pivoted by the vehicle operator while the hand of the said operator remains in contact with said handle means.

Claim 4

An electrically powered vehicle including first and second spaced-apart road wheels, handle means to be grasped by the hand of an operator for steering said vehicle and being operably connected to one of said wheels, first and second electric motors drivingly connected with one of said road wheels, a source of electric power, a switch housing mounted on said handle means; switch means in said housing for connecting said source with said first and second motors in series circuit relation, for connecting said source with said first motor only, and for connecting said source with said first and second motors in parallel circuit relation whereby the power delivered to the vehicle can be controlled; and actuator means pivotally mounted in said housing for actuating said switch means and including means extending through said housing and operable to be pivoted by the vehicle operator while the hand of the said operator remains in contact with said handle means.

Claim 5

An electrically powered vehicle including first and second spaced-apart road wheels, first and second electric motors drivingly connected with one of said road wheels, a source of electric power, switch means for connecting said source with said first and second motors in series circuit relation, for connecting said source with said first motor only, and for connecting said source with said first and second motors in parallel circuit relation whereby the power delivered to the vehicle can be controlled; said switch means including first, second and third switching devices and movable actuator means including a first portion for actuating said switching devices and a second portion extending through said housing for engagement by the vehicle operator; said first switching device comprises means for connecting said source with said first motor, said second switching device comprises means for selectively connecting said first motor with either said second motor or said source, and said third switching device comprises means for connecting said first motor with said second motor.

Claim 6

An electrically powered vehicle including first and second spaced-apart road wheels, first and second electric motors drivingly connected with one of said road wheels, a source of electric power, switch means for connecting said source with said first and second motors in series circuit relation, for connecting said source with said first motor only, and for connecting said source with said first and second motors in parallel circuit relation whereby the power delivered to the vehicle can be controlled; said switch means including first, second and third switching devices and movable actuator means including a first portion for actuating said switching devices and a second portion extending through said housing for engagement by the vehicle operator; said first switching device comprises means for connecting said source with said first motor, said second switching device comprises means for selectively connecting said first motor with either said second motor or said source, and said third switching device comprises means for connecting said first motor with said second motor.

Claim 7

An electrically powered vehicle including first and second spaced-apart road wheels, first and second electric motors drivingly connected with one of said road wheels, a source of electric power, switch means for connecting said source with said first and second motors in series circuit relation, for connecting said source with said first motor only, and for connecting said source with said first and second motors in parallel circuit relation whereby the power delivered to the vehicle can be controlled; said switch means including first, second, and third switching devices; said first motor including a first armature winding having first and second terminals, said second motor includes a second armature winding having first and second terminals, said first switching device includes means for connecting said source with the first terminal of said first armature winding, said second switching device includes means for selectively connecting the second terminal of said first armature winding with either the first terminal of said second armature winding or said source, said third switching device including means for selectively connecting said first terminal of said first armature winding with said second terminal of said second armature winding.

Claim 8

An electrically powered vehicle including first and second spaced-apart road wheels, first and second electric motors drivingly connected with one of said road wheels, a source of electric power, switch means for connecting said source with said first and second motors in series circuit relation, for connecting said source with said first motor only, and for connecting said source with said first and second motors in parallel circuit relation whereby the power delivered to the vehicle can be controlled; said switch means including first, second, and third switching devices; said first motor including a first armature winding having first and second terminals, said second motor includes a second armature winding having first and second terminals, said first switching device includes means for connecting said source with the first terminal of said first armature winding, said second switching device includes means for selectively connecting the second terminal of said first armature winding with either the first terminal of said second armature winding or said source, said third switching device including means for selectively connecting said first terminal of said first armature winding with said second terminal of said second armature winding.

Claim 9

An electrically powered vehicle as set forth in claim 4, wherein said switching means further includes reversing switch means for providing current flow froM said source with one of said motors to provide a flow of current in a direction opposite to that flowing when said first and second motors are connected in series circuit relation.

Claim 10

An electrically powered vehicle as set forth in claim 5, wherein said reversing switch means includes a fourth switching device including means for selectively connecting said source with said first switching device or with the second terminal of said first armature winding so that only said first motor operates in a reverse direction.

Claim 11

An electrically powered vehicle as set forth in claim 6, wherein said switch means further includes actuator means pivotally mounted in said housing for actuating said first, second and third switching devices when rotated in a first direction, and for actuating said reverse switching devices when rotated in the opposite direction.

Claim 12

An electrically powered vehicle including first and second spaced apart road wheels, first and second electric motors drivingly connected with one of said road wheels, handle means for steering said vehicle and being operably connected with one of said road wheels, a source of electric power, a switch housing secured to said handle means, switch means in said housing for connecting said source with said first and second motors in series circuit relation, for connecting said source with said first motor only, and for connecting said source with said first and second motors in parallel circuit relation whereby the power delivered to the vehicle can be controlled; and movable actuator means including a first portion for actuating said switching means and a second portion extending through said housing for engagement by the vehicle operator.

Claim 13

An electrically powered vehicle including first and second spaced apart road wheels, first and second electric motors drivingly connected with one of said road wheels, handle means for steering said vehicle and being operably connected with one of said road wheels, a source of electric power, a switch housing secured to said handle means, switch means in said housing for connecting said source with said first and second motors in series circuit relation, for connecting said source with said first motor only, and for connecting said source with said first and second motors in parallel circuit relation whereby the power delivered to the vehicle can be controlled; and movable actuator means including a first portion for actuating said switching means and a second portion extending through said housing for engagement by the vehicle operator.

Claim 14

An electrically powered vehicle including first and second spaced-apart road wheels, a first electric motor drivingly connected with one of said road wheels, a second electric motor; clutch means for selectively coupling said second motor to said one road wheel; a source of electric power, switch means for connecting said source with said first and second motors in series circuit relation, for connecting said source with said first motor only, and for connecting said source with said first and second motors in parallel circuit relation whereby the power delivered to the vehicle can be controlled.

Claim 15

An electrically powered vehicle including first and second spaced-apart road wheels, a first electric motor drivingly connected with one of said road wheels, a second electric motor; clutch means for selectively coupling said second motor to said one road wheel; a source of electric power, switch means for connecting said source with said first and second motors in series circuit relation, for connecting said source with said first motor only, and for connecting said source with said first and second motors in parallel circuit relation whereby the power delivered to the vehicle can be controlled.

Claim 16

The vehicle as set forth in claim 9, wherein said first and second motors include first and second output shafts operably connected to said clutch means; said clutch means permitting said first motor, when energized alone, to drive said one road wheel without turning the second output shaft of said second motor but permitting said second output shaft to be coupled to said road wheel when both motors are energized.

Claim 17

An electrically powered vehicle including first and second spaced-apart road wheels, first and second electric motors drivingly connected with one of said road wheels, a source of electric power, switch means for connecting said source with said first and second motors in series circuit relation, for connecting said source with said first motor only, and for connecting said source with said first and second motors in parallel circuit relation whereby the power delivered to the vehicle can be controlled; said switch means including first, second and third switching devices, said first switching device comprises means for connecting said source with said first motor, said second switching device comprising means for selectively connecting said first motor with either said second motor or said source, and said third switching device comprises means for connecting said first motor with said second motor; and actuator means pivotally mounted in said housing for actuating said first, second and third switching devices when pivoted in a first direction, and movable force responsive means associated with each of said switching devices for actuating said switching devices in response to movement of said actuator means.

Claim 18

An electrically powered vehicle including first and second spaced-apart road wheels, first and second electric motors drivingly connected with one of said road wheels, a source of electric power, switch means for connecting said source with said first and second motors in series circuit relation, for connecting said source with said first motor only, and for connecting said source with said first and second motors in parallel circuit relation whereby the power delivered to the vehicle can be controlled; said switch means including first, second and third switching devices, said first switching device comprises means for connecting said source with said first motor, said second switching device comprising means for selectively connecting said first motor with either said second motor or said source, and said third switching device comprises means for connecting said first motor with said second motor; and actuator means pivotally mounted in said housing for actuating said first, second and third switching devices when pivoted in a first direction, and movable force responsive means associated with each of said switching devices for actuating said switching devices in response to movement of said actuator means.

Claim 19

An electrically powered vehicle as set fOrth in claim 11, wherein said actuator means must contact said first switch device prior to contacting said second switch device so that said first switch cannot be deactivated until said second switch is deactivated.

Claim 20

An electrically powered vehicle as set forth in claim 12, wherein said actuator must contact said second switch device prior to contacting said third switch device so that said second switch device cannot be deactivated until said third switch is deactivated.

Claim 21

An electrically powered vehicle as set forth in claim 11, wherein each of said vertically movable portions of each switch device comprises a reedlike member having a portion mounted under said actuator means and extending diagonally upward in front of said actuator so that when said actuator is pivoted against said reedlike member, said reedlike member is forced downwardly. 15. An electrically powered vehicle as set forth in claim 14, wherein a biasing means is mounted between said housing and said actuator to bias said actuator against movement in either direction about its pivot.

Claim 22

An electrically powered vehicle including first and second spaced-apart wheels, first and second electric motors drivingly connected with one of operably wheels, handle means connected to one of said wheels by a steering drivingly for steering said vehicle, an electrical power source mounted on said vehicle, a housing mounted on said handle means; switch means mounted in said housing for connecting said source to said first and second motors, said switch means including at least one switch device and a vertically movable force responsive portion for actuating said switch device to open and close the circuit between said source and said motors, and actuator means pivotally mounted in said housing for engaging said vertically movable portion when said actuator means is pivoted.

Claim 23

An electrically powered vehicle including first and second spaced-apart wheels, first and second electric motors drivingly connected with one of operably wheels, handle means connected to one of said wheels by a steering drivingly for steering said vehicle, an electrical power source mounted on said vehicle, a housing mounted on said handle means; switch means mounted in said housing for connecting said source to said first and second motors, said switch means including at least one switch device and a vertically movable force responsive portion for actuating said switch device to open and close the circuit between said source and said motors, and actuator means pivotally mounted in said housing for engaging said vertically movable portion when said actuator means is pivoted.

Claim 24

An electrically powered vehicle as set forth in claim 16, wherein said switch device includes a reed means mounted under said actuator and extending angularly upwardly so as to be contacted and moved downwardly when said actuator is rotated.

Claim 25

An electrically powered vehicle as set forth in claim 17, wherein a first plurality of said switch devices are mounted on one side of the pivot point of said actuator means, and said actuator means is mounted for sequentially engaging said reed means to actuate said switch devices when said actuator means is rotated in a first direction so that each switch device cannot be deactivated until the later actuated switches are deactivated by rotation of said actuator means in the opposite direction.

Claim 26

An electrically powered vehicle as set forth in claim 18, wherein a second plurality of said switch devices are mounted on the opposite side of said pivot point, said actuator means being mounted for engaging the reed means of said second plurality of switch devices when said actuator means is rotated in said opposite direction.

Claim 27

An electrically powered vehicle as set forth in claim 18 wherein said actuator means comprises a laterally extending bar including first and second portions extending through said housing so as to be engageable by the operator, biasing means being provided between said housing in said actuator means to bias said actuator means against movement about said pivot.

Claim 28

An electrically powered vehicle as set forth in claIm 20, wherein all electrical connections between said switch means and said source and motor pass to a single connector mounted on said housing to enable quick disconnection of all circuits.

Claim 29

An electrically powered vehicle as set forth in claim 16, where said switch means further includes a cover for said housing, said cover including support means for rigidly connecting said switch device with said cover.

Claim 30

An electrically powered vehicle as set forth in claim 22, wherein said actuator means is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin depending from said cover.

Claim 31

An electrically powered vehicle including first and second spaced-apart wheels, electric motor means drivingly connected with one of said wheels, handle means connected to one of said wheels by a steering column for steering said vehicle, an electrical power source mounted on said vehicle, forwarding switch means mounted on said handle means for connecting said source to said motor means such that current flows to said motor means in a first direction; reversing switch means mounted on said handle means for connecting said source to said motor means such that current flows to said motor means in an opposite direction; and movable force responsive portions for actuating said forwarding and reversing switching means to open and close the circuit between said source and said motor means, and manually movable actuator means for engaging the movable force responsive portion of said first switching means to actuate said first switching means when said actuator means is moved in a first direction and for engaging the vertically movable portion of said second switching means to actuate said second switching means when said actuator is moved in the opposite direction.

Claim 32

An electrically powered vehicle including first and second spaced-apart wheels, electric motor means drivingly connected with one of said wheels, handle means connected to one of said wheels by a steering column for steering said vehicle, an electrical power source mounted on said vehicle, forwarding switch means mounted on said handle means for connecting said source to said motor means such that current flows to said motor means in a first direction; reversing switch means mounted on said handle means for connecting said source to said motor means such that current flows to said motor means in an opposite direction; and movable force responsive portions for actuating said forwarding and reversing switching means to open and close the circuit between said source and said motor means, and manually movable actuator means for engaging the movable force responsive portion of said first switching means to actuate said first switching means when said actuator means is moved in a first direction and for engaging the vertically movable portion of said second switching means to actuate said second switching means when said actuator is moved in the opposite direction.

Claim 33

An electrically powered vehicle including first and second spaced-apart road wheels, electric motor means drivingly connected with one of said wheels, handle means connected to one of said wheels by a steering column for steering said vehicle, an electrical power source mounted on said vehicle, a switch housing supported by said steering column at said handle means, manually operable switch means mounted on said switch housing for selectively connecting said source to said motor means; and connector means in said switch housing including means for disconnecting all electrical connection between said switch means and said source and said motor means at substantially the same time.

Claim 34

An electrically powered vehicle including first and second spaced-apart road wheels, electric motor means drivingly connected with one of said wheels, handle means connected to one of said wheels by a steering column for steering said vehicle, an electrical power source mounted on said vehicle, a switch housing supported by said steering column at said handle means, manually operable switch means mounted on said switch housing for selectively connecting said source to said motor means; and connector means in said switch housing including means for disconnecting all electrical connection between said switch means and said source and said motor means at substantially the same time.

Claim 35

An electrically powered vehicle including first and second spaced-apart road wheels, first and second electric motors drivingly connected with one of said wheels, steering means connected to one of said wheels by a steering column for steering said vehicle, an electrical power source mounted on said vehicle, switch means mounted on said steering means for connecting said source to said first and second motors, said switch means including at least one switch device and a movable force responsive portion for actuating said switch device to open and close the circuit between said source and said motors; and movable actuator means for engaging said force responsive movable portion to actuate said switch device.

Claim 36

An electrically powered vehicle including first and second spaced-apart road wheels, first and second electric motors drivingly connected with one of said wheels, steering means connected to one of said wheels by a steering column for steering said vehicle, an electrical power source mounted on said vehicle, switch means mounted on said steering means for connecting said source to said first and second motors, said switch means including at least one switch device and a movable force responsive portion for actuating said switch device to open and close the circuit between said source and said motors; and movable actuator means for engaging said force responsive movable portion to actuate said switch device.