Electric drive mower with trailed auxiliary power source

Abstract

Provided is an all-electric riding greens mower. The mower includes a frame which is supported for movement upon a plurality of ground engaging wheels and upon which are supported a modularly interchangeable power source and a plurality of reel lawn mowers. An electric motor provides driving torque to enable movement of the mower between and over golf course greens or other surfaces to be mowed, electric motors provide driving torque for each of the reel lawn mowers. The interchangeable power source provides electrical energy for driving the electric motors, including the primary mover and the electrical motors for the reel type lawn mowers. The modularly interchangeable power sources may comprise a bank of batteries, a motor/generator set, a fuel cell, or a combination of these. The power source may be easily exchanged in the field for another, freshly charged power source. Exchange occurs using either a fixed change stand or a mobile change stand. The change stands are configured to facilitate exchange by reducing friction caused by the generally weighty power source. The power source is delivered to the fixed stand on towable trailers.

1 . A trailer for supplying electrical energy to a self-propelled riding vehicle, comprising: 
 a power source;    a frame for supporting said power source;    a pair of ground engaging wheels for supporting said frame; and    a tongue extending from said frame and having a hitch for connecting to said vehicle;    wherein said power source may be connected to said self-propelled riding vehicle in order to supply electrical energy to said self-propelled riding vehicle.    
   
   
       2 . The trailer of  claim 1  further comprising a third wheel positioned beneath from said tongue, said third wheel being vertically adjustable with respect to said frame in order to raise and lower said tongue such that when said trailer is supported by said hitch, raising said third wheel disengages said third wheel from the ground and when said trailer is unsupported at said hitch, said third wheel is generally lowered to the ground to support said trailer.  
   
   
       3 . The trailer of  claim 2  wherein said third wheel includes a lock to prevent rotation of said wheel when said lock is locked and to enable rotation of said wheel when said lock is unlocked.  
   
   
       4 . The trailer of  claim 1  further comprising a stabilizer mounted on said frame and vertically adjustable with respect to said frame such that when said stabilizer is lowered, said stabilizer contacts the ground to support said frame in response to a rearward tilt of said trailer, and said stabilizer remains normally raised otherwise.  
   
   
       5 . The trailer of  claim 1  further comprising an electrical interlock integral to said hitch such that proper engagement of said hitch to said self-propelled riding vehicle is required to enable operation of said self-propelled riding vehicle.  
   
   
       6 . The trailer of  claim 1  further comprising a trailer interconnect cable extending upwardly and interconnecting with a towing vehicle cable extending downwardly so that a connection between said trailer and said towing vehicle cables occurs substantially vertically in order to limit flex between said interconnected cables.  
   
   
       7 . The trailer of  claim 1  wherein said power source is interchangeable so that said power source may be removed and a second power source may replace said power source.  
   
   
       8 . The trailer of  claim 7  further comprising a support on said trailer to support said power source, said power source being interchangeable with said second power source while one of said power sources rests on said support.  
   
   
       9 . The trailer of  claim 7  wherein said power source has a plurality of output terminals which vary in accordance with a number of voltage outputs required by said self-propelled riding vehicle, and an electrical cable terminating at a connector to connect said power source to said self-propelled riding vehicle, where said cable includes a plurality of conductors in accordance with a number of voltages required by said self-propelled riding vehicle.  
   
   
       10 . The trailer of  claim 7  further comprising an electrical cable including an interconnect conductor for testing for proper connection between a cable connector of said trailer and a connector of said self-propelled riding vehicle, and said self-propelled riding vehicle includes an interlock to inhibit operation of said self-propelled riding vehicle if said cable and said connectors are not properly connected.  
   
   
       11 . The trailer of  claim 7  further comprising a tow bar extending from said trailer for interconnecting to a second hitch of a second trailer to effect a multiple trailer towing arrangement.  
   
   
       12 . The trailer of  claim 1  further comprising a first support to support said power source, a second power source, and a second support disposed beneath said first support to support said second power source.  
   
   
       13 . The trailer of  claim 12  wherein said electrical cable includes an interconnect conductor for testing for proper connection to said connector.