Mounting arrangement for vehicle power source

Abstract

A member for mounting a portable power tool to a vehicle, the mounting member comprising a bracket mounted to the vehicle, a collar member integral with the bracket adapted to engage a portion of said tool and position it at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and a member for removably holding the power tool in position on the bracket. When mounted, the power tool engages a rotatable shaft, the shaft in turn being coupled to the driven wheel of the vehicle through a gearing system. The rotational speed of the shaft, and thus the speed of the vehicle, is controlled by the vehicle driver using a remotely mounted hand control. The vehicle has a free wheel assembly, enabling the vehicle to move even when power is not applied to the power tool.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Apparatus for mounting a portable power tool to a vehicle having a driven wheel, said vehicle having a frame member extending in a first direction, said vehicle being used to transport a person from a first location to a second location comprising: 
 a battery pack attached to said portable power tool, said power tool having a shaft member extending from one end thereof and a controllable on/off mode of operation; said battery pack being the only source for powering said portable power tool;    means for controlling said power tool on/off mode of operation;    a transmission system for enabling said vehicle to move in a first direction when power is applied thereto;    means for mounting said power tool to said vehicle;    first means for coupling said power tool shaft to a free wheel assembly mounted to said vehicle; and    second means for coupling said free wheel assembly to said transmission system whereby said driven wheel can continue to rotate when said control means causes said power tool to be in the off mode of operation.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a mounting bracket secured to said vehicle and a collar member coupled to mounting bracket, said collar member adapted to receive said power tool and position said power tool at a predetermined angle relative to said first direction.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further including a holding device mounted to said mounting plate and adapted to releasably secure said power tool to said mounting plate.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said power tool has a shaft receiving member at one end thereof, said rotatable shaft extending into said shaft receiving member as said power tool is positioned on said mounting bracket within said collar member.