Powered utility cart and compliant drive wheel therefor

• Main Authors: Harden, Alex, Lee, Elmer
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 07.07.2020
• Subjects: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS INVEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OFTRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GASEXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS, IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS, PERAMBULATORS; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SLEDGES; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL

A lift-enabled motorized wheel assembly and material handling cart. A drive wheel is supported on an axel between a fixed leg and a floating leg. The axel passes through the fixed leg without interference, but is captured in the floating leg by a self-aligning bearing. The axle is driven by a drive motor that is bolted to the fixed leg through a right-angle gearbox. A vertical suspension unit provides compliance for drive wheel traction. A lifter sub-assembly alternately raises and lowers the drive wheel into and out of contact with the ground. The lift-enabled motorized wheel assembly is attached to the bottom of a cart frame, along with a plurality of caster wheels. The cart includes a tow-bar that is moveable between raised and lowered positions. When the tow-bar is lowered condition for towing, the drive wheel automatically lifts out of contact with the ground.