Powered sled

Abstract

A pallet sled includes a base and a pair of tines extending from the base. A load wheel supports outer ends of each of the tines. A wheel supports the base. At least one motor is configured to drive the base wheel or at least one of the load wheels for driving the pallet sled. The motor may be a hub motor inside the base wheel or the load wheel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pallet sled comprising:
 a base;   a first tine and a second tine extending outward from the base;   a first load wheel below an outer end of the first tine, the first load wheel mounted to a first arm pivotably mounted to the first tine, a first push rod in the first tine configured to pivot the first arm to move the first load wheel toward and away from the first tine, a first hub motor within the first load wheel for driving the pallet sled; and   a second load wheel below an outer end of the second tine, the second load wheel mounted to a second arm pivotably mounted to the second tine, a second push rod in the second tine configured to pivot the second arm to move the second load wheel toward and away from the second tine, a second hub motor within the second load wheel for driving the pallet sled.   
     
     
         2 . The pallet sled of  claim 1  wherein the first hub motor includes an axle received in a slot in the arm. 
     
     
         3 . The pallet sled of  claim 1  further including a removable battery pack received in the base, the battery pack configured to selectively operate the first hub motor. 
     
     
         4 . The pallet sled of  claim 3  further including first handlebar and a second handlebar extending vertically upward from the base and fixed relative to the base, wherein the removable battery pack is received in the base between the first handlebar and the second handlebar. 
     
     
         5 . The pallet sled of  claim 1  wherein the first hub includes a drive mechanism that permits the first load wheel to spin freely when disengaged from power. 
     
     
         6 . The pallet sled of  claim 5  further including first handlebar and a second handlebar extending vertically upward from the base and fixed relative to the base. 
     
     
         7 . The pallet sled of  claim 1  wherein the outer end of the first tine includes a tapered portion and wherein the first load wheel is partially received in the tapered portion when the first wheel is in a full retracted position. 
     
     
         8 . The pallet sled of  claim 7  further including a free spinning lead wheel mounted below the tapered portion of the first tine. 
     
     
         9 . The pallet sled of  claim 7  wherein the first push rod does not extend under the tapered portion. 
     
     
         10 . The pallet sled of  claim 9  further including first handlebar and a second handlebar extending vertically upward from the base and fixed relative to the base. 
     
     
         11 . The pallet sled of  claim 1  wherein the first push rod does not extend under the outer end of the first tine. 
     
     
         12 . The pallet sled of  claim 1  further including a conduit mounted against the first arm and a wire inside the conduit for providing power to the first hub motor. 
     
     
         13 . The pallet sled of  claim 12  wherein the first hub motor includes an axle received in a slot in the first arm and wherein the conduit is mounted against the slot in the first arm. 
     
     
         14 . The pallet sled of  claim 13  wherein the wire extends through the slot in the first arm to connect to the first hub motor. 
     
     
         15 . The pallet sled of  claim 14  further including first handlebar and a second handlebar extending vertically upward from the base and fixed relative to the base. 
     
     
         16 . The pallet sled of  claim 15  further including a removable battery pack received in the base between the first handlebar and the second handlebar, the battery pack configured to selectively operate the first hub motor. 
     
     
         17 . A pallet sled comprising:
 a base;   a pair of casters supporting the base;   a first handlebar and a second handlebar extending vertically upward from the base and fixed relative to the base;   a pair of tines extending from the base;   a load wheel below outer ends of each of the tines, wherein each load wheel is mounted to an arm pivotably mounted to the respective tine, the pallet sled further including a rod in each tine, wherein an outermost end of each rod is coupled to one of the arms to move the respective load wheel toward and away from the respective tine;   a hub motor within each of the load wheels, the hub motors configured to drive the load wheels to assist in moving the pallet sled; and   a removable battery pack received in the base between the first handlebar and the second handlebar, the battery pack configured to selectively operate the hub motors.   
     
     
         18 . The pallet sled of  claim 17  further including a conduit mounted against each arm and wire inside each conduit for providing power to the respective hub motor. 
     
     
         19 . The pallet sled of  claim 18  wherein the hub motors each include an axle received in a slot in the respective arm, and wherein each conduit is mounted against the slot in the respective arm. 
     
     
         20 . The pallet sled of  claim 19  wherein each wire extends through the slot in the respective arm to connect to the respective hub motor. 
     
     
         21 . A pallet sled comprising:
 a base;   a plurality of casters supporting the base;   a first handlebar and a second handlebar extending vertically upward from the base;   a pair of tines extending from the base, each tine including a tapered outer end;   a load wheel below the outer ends of each of the tines, wherein each load wheel is mounted to an arm pivotably mounted to the respective tine, the pallet sled further including a rod in each tine having an outermost end coupled to the arm to move the respective load wheel toward and away from the respective tine;   a hub motor within one of the load wheels to assist in moving the pallet sled;   a conduit secured against the arm of the one of the load wheels, the conduit containing a wire supplying power to the hub motor;   a removable battery pack received in the base between the first handlebar and the second handlebar, the battery pack configured to selectively operate the hub motor; and   a first grip on the first handlebar, the first grip including a throttle control projecting toward the second handlebar, the throttle control configured to control speed or direction of the hub motor.