Modular counterweight

Abstract

A counterweight for a vehicle includes a housing configured to be coupled to the vehicle. The housing defines an internal cavity configured to selectively receive one or more weights. The housing is configured to be selectively repositionable relative to the vehicle.

1 . A counterweight for a vehicle, the counterweight comprising:
 a housing configured to be coupled to the vehicle;   wherein the housing defines an internal cavity configured to selectively receive one or more weights; and   wherein the housing is configured to be selectively repositionable relative to the vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The counterweight of  claim 1 , wherein the housing defines a first mount and a second mount. 
     
     
         3 . The counterweight of  claim 2 , further comprising a retaining member extending between the first mount and the second mount, wherein the retaining member is positioned to hold the one or more weights within the internal cavity of the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The counterweight of  claim 1 , wherein the housing defines at a first interface configured to engage with a second interface on the vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The counterweight of  claim 4 , further comprising a pin configured to engage with the first interface of the housing and the second interface on the vehicle to pivotally couple the housing to the vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . The counterweight of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator positioned to facilitate selectively repositioning the housing relative to the vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The counterweight of  claim 6 , wherein the actuator includes an extension mechanism configured to facilitate extending and retracting the housing between a retracted position and an extended position. 
     
     
         8 . The counterweight of  claim 6 , wherein the actuator includes a pivot mechanism configured to facilitate pivoting the housing between a first position and a second position. 
     
     
         9 . The counterweight of  claim 1 , further comprising a bracket, wherein the bracket is configured to facilitate coupling the housing to the vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The counterweight of  claim 9 , wherein the housing is pivotally coupled to the bracket. 
     
     
         11 . The counterweight of  claim 9 , wherein the housing is fixed relative to the bracket. 
     
     
         12 . A counterweight for a vehicle, the counterweight comprising:
 a weight defining a first interface configured to engage a second interface on the vehicle; and   a pin configured to engage with the first interface of the weight and the second interface on the vehicle to pivotally couple the weight to the vehicle.   
     
     
         13 . The counterweight of  claim 12 , further comprising a bracket, wherein the bracket defines the second interface, and wherein the bracket is configured to couple to the vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . The counterweight of  claim 12 , further comprising an actuator positioned to facilitate selectively pivoting the weight relative to the vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . The counterweight of  claim 12 , wherein the weight defines an internal cavity configured to selectively receive one or more plates. 
     
     
         16 . The counterweight of  claim 12 , wherein the weight is configured to (i) obstruct opening a hood of the vehicle when arranged in a first position and (ii) facilitate opening the hood when arranged in a second position. 
     
     
         17 . A counterweight for a vehicle, the counterweight comprising:
 a weight configured to couple to the vehicle; and   an actuator configured to facilitate selectively repositioning the weight relative to the vehicle between a first position and a second position.   
     
     
         18 . The counterweight of  claim 17 , wherein the weight defines an internal cavity configured to selectively receive one or more plates. 
     
     
         19 . The counterweight of  claim 17 , wherein the weight includes a plurality of plates. 
     
     
         20 . The counterweight of  claim 17 , wherein the first position is a base position and the second position is at least one of a rotated position or an extended position.