Self-propelled electric vehicle and battery mount

Claim 1

A battery-powered self-propelled vehicle comprising, in combination, a frame having a hitch and a pair of oppositely disposed spaced support rods of an electrically conductive material carried by the frame and arranged in an electrically insulated relation thereto, each rod having a portion forming a power terminal on the vehicle; a pair of wheels mounted on the frame, each said wheel having an inturned extension to provide a sheave member; motive power means for the wheels including a battery having an outer carrier member, said carrier member having a pair of opposing brackets of an electrically conductive material and handles of an electrical insulating material on each end of the battery interconnecting said brackets, each said bracket being electrically preconnected to one of the electrodes of the battery, said brackets being removably seated on said support rods, said brackets and support rods having contact surfaces in an electrically connected relation with one another to electrically connect oNe electrode of said battery with one of said power terminals, a reversible electric motor for each wheel, each motor being mounted on a pivotal base held in an upright position by said support rods which extend through said base, said motors being electrically associated with said power terminals, an individual power transmission train coupled between each motor and its associated wheel, said train including an endless member trained over said one sheave member and coupled to an associated one of said motors, and spring means mounted adjacent the forward end portions of said support rods for forcing the base for said motors away from said wheels to maintain maintain tension in said endless members during rotation of the wheels by said motors; and control means electrically connected between said motors and said power terminals for regulating the movement of said vehicle.