초록 ▼

A powered wheel assembly for use in connection with a wheelbarrow includes in one embodiment a frame that includes support members, a wheel assembly that includes a wheel, an axle, and axle housing, and a pin for connecting the axle and axle housing, and a drive assembly that includes a primary gear

A powered wheel assembly for use in connection with a wheelbarrow includes in one embodiment a frame that includes support members, a wheel assembly that includes a wheel, an axle, and axle housing, and a pin for connecting the axle and axle housing, and a drive assembly that includes a primary gear drive and a final chain drive. Upon retrofit to an existing wheelbarrow, the powered wheel assembly permits an operator to selectively operate the wheelbarrow in a powered and non-powered mode of transport.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A powered wheel assembly for retrofit to a wheelbarrow, said powered wheel assembly comprising: a frame assembly that is attachable to an underside portion of a wheelbarrow having a pan and handles; a wheel assembly secured to said frame assembly, said wheel assembly comprising at least one

1. A powered wheel assembly for retrofit to a wheelbarrow, said powered wheel assembly comprising: a frame assembly that is attachable to an underside portion of a wheelbarrow having a pan and handles; a wheel assembly secured to said frame assembly, said wheel assembly comprising at least one wheel an axle around which said wheel rotates, and an axle housing for supporting said axle; and a drive assembly secured to said frame assembly, said drive assembly in operative communication with said wheel assembly; wherein said axle having a channel that extends transversely through the rotational axis of said axle; wherein said axle housing having a channel that extends transversely trough the rotational axis of said axles said axle housing channel capable of alignment with respect to said axle channel; wherein said wheel assembly is configured to permit an operator to selectively move the wheelbarrow in a powered and non-powered mode of transport. 2. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein said frame assembly comprises: a frame arranged to support said wheel assembly and said drive assembly; connectors for detachably securing said frame to the underside portion of the wheel barrow; and at least one support member secured to said frame, said at least one support member arranged to maintain the wheel barrow in a stationary position. 3. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein said wheel assembly further comprises: a front wheel drive device secured to said axle housing, said front wheel drive device capable of engaging a flexible linkage; and a mounting mechanism for securing said axle housing to said frame assembly such that said housing is capable of coaxial rotation with respect to said axle; wherein said axle and said axle housing are capable of integrated coaxial rotation in the powered mode of transport; wherein said axle is capable of rotation independent of said axle housing in the non-powered mode of transport. 4. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 3, wherein said mounting mechanism comprises: a pair of collar brackets arranged to support said axle housing, said pair of brackets each having openings that are substantially aligned with the rotational axis of said axle and said axle housing. 5. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 3, wherein: said integrated coaxial rotation is provided by a pin inserted into said axle channel and said axle housing channel, said pin operatively connecting said axle and said axle housing in the powered made. 6. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein said drive assembly comprises: an engine having a drive shaft and a drive gear, said drive gear secured to said drive shaft; and a transmission positioned intermediate said engine and said wheel assembly, said transmission arranged to operatively connect said engine and said wheel assembly. 7. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 6, wherein said transmission comprises: a primary gear drive; a final drive having a flexible linkage that operatively engages said primary gear drive and said wheel assembly, said final drive capable of translating power from said engine to said wheel assembly; and a clutch for engaging said primary gear drive. 8. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 7, wherein said primary gear drive comprises: a first intermediate shaft adjacent said drive shaft; a first input gear and a first output gear secured to opposing ends of said first intermediate shaft, said first input gear engaged with said drive gear of said engine; a second intermediate shall adjacent said first intermediate shaft; a second input gear and a second output gear secured to opposing ends of said second intermediate shaft, said second input gear engaged with said first output gear; a third intermediate shall adjacent said second intermediate shaft; and a third input gear and an output drive device secured to opposing ends of said third intermediate shaft, said third input gear engaged with said second output gear; wherein said flexible linkage engages said output drive device and said wheel assembly. 9. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 8, wherein said output drive device is a sprocket and said flexible linkage is a chain.10. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 8, wherein said output drive device is a pulley and said flexible linkage is a belt.11. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 1, further comprising; a throttle mechanism in communication with said drive assembly said throttle mechanism capable of translating operator input to said drive assembly in the powered mode of transport to thereby advance the wheelbarrow, said throttle mechanism detachably fitted to one of the bandies of the wheelbarrow. 12. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 11, wherein said throttle mechanism comprises: an actuator for selectively powering said drive assembly; a cable positioned intermediate said actuator and said drive assembly, said cable in communication with said actuator and said drive assembly; and a mounting mechanism for detachably fitting said actuator to one of the handles of the wheel barrow. 13. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 12, wherein said actuator includes a lever.14. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 12, wherein said actuator includes a twist grip.15. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 12, wherein said actuator includes a push button mechanism.16. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 12, wherein said actuator mounting mechanism includes bracket.17. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 12, wherein said actuator mounting mechanism includes a clamp.18. A powered wheel assembly for retrofit to a wheelbarrow, said powered wheel assembly comprising: a frame assembly that is attachable to an underside portion of a wheelbarrow having a pan and handles; a wheel; an axle around which said wheel rotates, said axle having a channel that extends transversely through die rotational axis of said axle; an axle housing for supporting said axle said axle housing mounted to said frame assembly such that said axle housing is capable of coaxial rotation with respect to said axle, said axle housing having a channel that extends transversely through the rotational axis of said axle, said axle housing channel capable of alignment with said axle channel; a front wheel drive sprocket secured to said axle housing, said front wheel drive sprocket capable of engaging a chain; and a drive assembly secured to said frame assembly, said drive assembly in operative communication with said front wheel drive sprocket; wherein said axle and said axle housing are capable of integrated coaxial rotation in a powered mode of transport; wherein said axle is capable of rotation independent of said axle housing in a non-powered mode of transport. 19. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 18, further comprising: a pair of collar brackets for mounting said axle housing on said frame assembly, said pair of brackets each having openings that are substantially aligned with the rotational axis of said axle and said axle housing. 20. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 18, further comprising: a lever for selectively powering said drive assembly, said lever capable of translating operator input to said drive assembly in the powered mode of transport to thereby advance the wheelbarrow, said lever detachably fitted to one of the handles of the wheelbarrow; a cable positioned intermediate said lever and said drive assembly, said cable in operative communication with said lever and said drive assembly; and a mounting bracket for detachably fitting said actuator to one of the bandies of the wheel barrow. 21. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 20, further comprising a plurality of cable clamps that secure said cable to one of the bandies to the wheelbarr ow.22. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 18, further comprising a pin inserted into said axle channel and said axle housing channel, said pin operatively connecting said axle and said axle housing in the powered mode of transport.23. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 22, wherein said pin is detachably secured in said axle channel and said axle housing channel by a safety wire in the powered mode of transport.24. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 22, wherein said pin is detachably secured to said frame assembly by a safety wire in the non-powered mode of transport.25. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 18, wherein said frame assembly comprises: a frame arranged to support said wheel assembly and said drive assembly; connectors for detachably securing said frame to the handles and pan of the wheel barrow; and a pair of legs secured to said frame, said pair of legs arranged to maintain the wheel barrow in a stationary position. 26. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 25, wherein said pair of legs is substantially U-shaped.27. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 25, wherein said pair of legs is substantially V-shaped.28. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 18, wherein said drive assembly comprises: an engine having a drive shaft and a drive gear, said drive gear secured to said drive shaft; and a transmission positioned intermediate said engine and said wheel assembly, said transmission arranged to operatively connect said engine and said wheel assembly. 29. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 28 wherein said transmission comprises: a primary gear drive; a final chain drive having a chain that operatively engages said primary gear drive and said front wheel drive sprocket, said chain capable of translating power from said engine to said wheel assembly; and a clutch for engaging said primary gear drive. 30. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 29, wherein said primary gear comprises: a first intermediate shaft adjacent said drive shaft; a first input gear and a first output gear secured to opposing ends of said first intermediate shaft, said first input gear engaged with said drive gear of said engine; a second intermediate shaft adjacent said first intermediate shaft; a second input gear and a second output gear secured to opposing ends of said second intermediate shaft, said second input gear engaged with said first output gear; a third intermediate shaft adjacent said second intermediate shaft; and a third input gear and an output sprocket secured to opposing ends of said third intermediate shaft, said third input gear engaged with said second output gear; wherein said chain engages said output sprocket and front wheel chive sprocket to thereby link said engine to said axle housing. 31. A motorized wheelbarrow for transporting articles, said motorized wheelbarrow comprising: a wheelbarrow having a pan and a pair handles; a frame assembly secured to an underside portion of said wheelbarrow; a wheel assembly secured to said frame assembly; and a drive assembly secured to said frame assembly, said drive assembly in operative communication with said wheel assembly, said drive assembly comprising an engine having a drive shaft and a drive gear, said drive gear secured to said drive shaft; anda transmission positioned intermediate said engine and said wheel assembly, said transmission arranged to operatively connect said engine and said wheel assembly, said transmission comprising a primary gear drive and a final drive,said primary gear drive havinga first intermediate shaft adjacent said drive shaft;a first input gear and a first output gear secured to opposing ends of said first intermediate shaft said first input gear engaged with said drive gear of said engine;a second intermediate shaft adjacent said first intermediate shaft;a second gear and a second output gear secured to opposing ends of said secon d intermediate shaft, said second input gear engaged with said first output gear;a third intermediate shaft adjacent said second intermediate shaft; anda third input gear and an output drive device secured to opposing ends of said third intermediate shaft, said third input gear engaged with said second output gear; said final drive having a flexible linkage that operatively said primary gear drive and said wheel assembly, said final drive capable of translating power from said engine to said wheel assembly; wherein said flexible linkage engages said output device and said, wheel assembly; wherein said wheel assembly is configured to permit an operator to selectively move said wheelbarrow in a powered and non-powered mode of transport. 32. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 31, wherein said frame assembly comprises: a frame arranged to support said wheel assembly and said drive assembly; connectors for detachably securing said frame to said wheelbarrow; and at least one support member secured to said frame, said at least one support member ranged to maintain said wheel barrow in a stationary position. 33. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 31, wherein said wheel assembly comprises: at least one wheel; an axle which said wheel rotates, said axle having a channel that extends transversely through the rotational axis of said axle; an axle housing for supporting said axle, said axle housing having a channel that extends transversely through the rotational axis of said axle, said axle housing channel capable of alignment with respect to said axle channel; a front wheel drive device secured to said axle housing, said front wheel drive device capable of engaging a flexible linkage; and a mounting mechanism for securing said axle housing to said frame assembly such that said axle housing is capable of coaxial rotation with respect to said axle; wherein said axle and said axle housing are capable of integrated coaxial rotation in the powered mode of transport; wherein said axle is capable of rotation independent of said axle housing in the non-powered mode of transport. 34. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 33, wherein said mounting mechanism comprises a pair of collar brackets arranged to support said axle housing, said pair of brackets each having openings that are substantially aligned with the rotational axis of said axle and said axle housing.35. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 34, wherein said integrated coaxial rotation is provided by a pin inserted into said axle channel and said axle housing channel, said pin operatively connecting said axle and said axle housing in the powered mode.36. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 31, wherein said transmission further comprises a clutch for engaging said primary gear drive. 37. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 31, wherein said output drive device is a sprocket and said flexible linkage is a chain.38. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 31, wherein said output drive device is a pulley and said flexible linkage is a belt.39. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 31, further comprising: a throttle mechanism in communication with said drive assembly, said throttle mechanism capable of translating operator input to said drive assembly in the powered mode of transport to thereby advance said wheelbarrow, said throttle mechanism detachably fitted to one of said handles of said wheelbarrow. 40. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 39, wherein said throttle mechanism comprises: an actuator for selectively powering said drive assembly; a cable positioned intermediate said actuator and said drive assembly, said cable in communication with said actuator and said drive assembly and a mounting mechanism for detachably fitting said actuator to one of the bandies of the wheel barrow. 41. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 40, wherein said actuator includes a lever.42. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 40, wherein said actuator includes a twist grip.43. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 40, wherein said actuator includes a push button mechanism.44. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 40, wherein said actuator mounting mechanism includes a bracket.45. A powered wheel assembly according to claim 40, wherein said actuator mounting mechanism includes a clamp.