PTO/SB/05 (05-05)
`Approved for use through 07/31/2006. 0MB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paoerwork Reduction Act of 1995 no oersons are renuired to resoond to a collection of information unless it disnlavs a valid 0MB control 6'unber.
`5::CO"'I�
`(/)LO �
`Christopher F. Lucas
`:::jO I
`CHILDREN'S RIDE-ON VEHICLES HAVl�,i;t �
`IMPROVED SHIFTER ASSEMBLIES � ......_,
`N' �.........
`
`UTILITY
`PATENT APPLICATION
`TRANSMITTAL
`
`Attorney Docket No.
`
`MPW 3L2
`
`(.!)
`
`E
`
`First Inventor
`
`Title
`
`(Only for new nonprovisional applications under 37 CFR 1.53(b))
`
`Express Mail Label No.
`
`EV493219494US
`
`co 0 "'d" C\I "'d" 0
`
`� \..
`
`
`
`ADDRESS TO:
`
`Commissioner for Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria VA 22313-1450
`ACCOMPANYING APPLICATION PARTS
`9. 0 Assignment Papers (cover sheet & document(s))
`Name of Assignee
`
`APPLICATION ELEMENTS
`1. IXJ Fee Transmittal Form (e.g., PTO/SB/17)
`20 Applicant claims small entity status.
`See 37 CFR 1.27.
`3 [BJ
`I
`Specification
`Both the claims and abstract must start on a new page
`10
`Drawing(s) (35 U.S.C. 113)
`4 [&]
`2
`[Total Sheets
`5. Oath or Declaration
`a. � Newly executed (original or copy)
`A copy from a prior application (37 CFR 1.63(d))
`b.
`Qor continuation/divisional with Box 18 completed)
`i.
`DELETION OF INVENTOR(S}
`Signed statement attached deleting inventor(s)
`name in the pnor application, see 37 CFR
`1.63(d)(2) and 1.33(b).
`6.0 Application Data Sheet. See 37 CFR 1.76
`7.0 CD-ROM or CD·R in duplicate, large table or
`caputer Program (Appendix)
`Landscape Table on CD
`Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Submission
`(if applicable, items a. - c. are required)
`a.
`Comp[] Readable Form (CRF)
`i.
`Computer Readable Form (CRF)
`ii. 0 Transfer Request (37 CFR 1.821(e))
`SpecE:jtion Sequence Listing on:
`CD-ROM or CD-R (2 copies); or
`i.
`ii. 0 Paper
`c. 0 Statements verifying identity of above copies
`18. If a CONTINUING APPLICATION, check appropriate box, and supply the requisite information below and in the first sentence of the
`specification following the title, or in an Application Data Sheet under 37 CFR 1. 76:
`0 Continuation
`0 Divisional
`0 Continuation-in-part (CIP)
`of prior application No.:
`
`See MPEP chapter 600 concerning utility patent application contents.
`
`(Submit an original and a duplicate for fee processing)
`
`49
`(For information on the preferred arrangement. see MPEP 608.01(a))
`[Total Sheets
`
`[Total Pages
`
`I
`
`l
`
`8.
`
`.
`
`b.
`
`10. 0 37 CFR 3.73(b) Statement [&]Power of
`Attorney
`{when there is an assignee)
`(with copy of assignment attached)
`11.
`0 English Translation Document (if applicable)
`[&J lnfoEjtion Disclosure Statement (PTO/SB/OB or PT0-1449)
`12.
`Copies of foreign patent documents,
`publications, & other information
`13 0 Preliminary Amendment
`14 [E] Return Receipt Postcard (MPEP 503)
`15. O Certified Copy of Priority Document(s)
`16 O Nonpublication Request under 35 U.S.C 122(b)(2)(B)(i).
`Applicant must attach form PTO/SB/35 or equivalent.
`17. 0 Other:
`
`(Should be specifically itemized)
`
`(if foreign priority is claimed)
`
`Prior application information: Examiner
`
`Art Unit:
`
`19. CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
`
`I
`
`23581
`
`OR D Correspondence address below
`
`I
`
`[8J The address associated with Customer Number:
`David S. D'Ascenzo
`Name
`Kolisch Hartwell, P.C.
`Address 520 S.W. Yamhill Street, Suite 200
`Portland
`I State Oreaon
`City
`Zip Code
`Countiy United States
`Email Address
`(503) 224-6655
`I - �one
`I Date April 24, 2006
`Signature
`Name
`David S. D'Ascenzo
`Registration No. 139 952
`IPrint/Tvoe)
`lAttomev/AaenO
`This oollec:tlon of information is required by 37 CFR 1.53(b). The information Is required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public which is to file (and by the
`USPTO to process) an application. Confidentiality is governed by 35 U.S.C. 122 and 37 CFR 1.11 and 1.14. This collection is estimated to take 12 minutes to
`oomplete, including gathering, preparing, and submitting the oompleted application form to the USPTO. Time will vary depending upon the individual case. Any
`comments on the amount of tlme you require to complete this form and/or suggestions for reducing this burden, should be sent to the Chief Information Officer,
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria. VA 22313-1450. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED
`FORMS TO TH IS ADDRESS. SEND TO: CommlHloner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313•1450.
`ff you need assistance In completing Ule form, call 1-BOO-PT0-9199 and select option 2.
`
`It'
`
`'�
`
`-
`
`-:,
`
`'
`
`97204
`
`1 of 176
`
`

`

`PTOISB/17 (12-04)
`Approved for use through 07131/2006. 0MB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`I lnt!Ar thA PAnANlnr1c RA<f11r.tlnn Ar.Inf 1 QA!; nn ""'""'"" Rl'A n,nulmti In ,..,.nnn,t In A MIIAr.tinn nf infnrmRllnn 11n1,.,,,, ii tlillnlR"-" A vAlirt OMR t:nntrnl n11mtv.r
`""
`Effective on 12/08/2004.
`
`,
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`Complete If Known
`
`Fees oursuant to the Consolidated Aooro,,riations Act. 2005 (H.R. 4818). Annllcatlon Number
`FEE TRANSMITTAL Filing Date
`April24,2006
`First Named Inventor Christopher F. Lucas
`For FY 2005
`Examiner Name
`D Applicant claims small entity status. See 37 CFR 1.27
`Art Unit
`I ($) 1900.00
`"-TOTAL AMOUNT OF PAYMENT
`Attorney Docket No. MPW3L2
`METHOD OF PAYMENT (check all that aoolv)
`!ZI Check D Credit Card D Money Order D None D Other (please identify):
`! X ! Deposit Account Deposit Account Number: 11 • 1540
`OeposltAccountName: Kolisch Hartwell, P.C.
`For the above-identified deposit account, the Director is hereby authorized to: (check all that apply)
`D Charge fee(s) Indicated below
`D Charge fee(s) indicated below, except for the filing fee
`181 Charge any additional fee(s) or underpayments of fee(s)
`181 Credit any overpayments
`under 37 CFR 1.16 and 1.17
`WARNING: Information on this form may become publlc. Credit card Information should not be Included on this form. Provide credit card
`Information and authorization on PT0-2038.
`FEE CALCULATION
`1. BASIC FILING, SEARCH, AND EXAMINATION FEES
`FILING FEES
`EXAMINATION FEES
`SEARCH FEES
`Small Entlilf
`Small Entlilf
`Small Entlilf
`&!Bll!i1!l9D Tlfli!! fll.W fll.W .E!I.W
`E11J.ll fll.m flljl)
`Utility
`JOO
`Design
`Plant
`Reissue
`Provisional
`2. EXCESS CLAIM FEES
`Fe1 D1scrlRtign
`Each claim over
`and more than in the original patent
`or, for Reissues, each claim over
`20
`20
`Each independent claim over
`or, for Reissues, each independent claim more than in the original patent
`3
`Multiple dependent claims
`Total Claims
`Extra Claims
`Fee {S)
`EeePald{I}
`-20orHP::
`50.00 =
`38
`18
`�QQ,QQ
`HP = highest number of total claims paid for, if greater than 20
`1Dd!E!1 Glalm1
`Ell P1id (ll
`l:!!1:1 ,111m1
`2
`-3orHP =
`0
`0.00
`B
`=
`HP :: highest number of Independent claims paid for, if greater than 3
`3. APPLICATION SIZE FEE
`If the specification and drawings exceed
`sheets of paper, the application size fee due is
`100
`$250 ($125
`for each additional
`sheets or fraction thereof. See
`U.S.C. 4I(a)(l)(G) and
`CFR 1.16(s).
`50
`Total §heats
`35
`Extra Shuts
`37
`Number of each additional 50 or fraction thereof
`f!!Jll
`-100=
`(round up to a whole number) X
`4. OTHER FEE(S)
`Non-English Specification,
`Other:
`
`50
`200
`360
`Multlgla De1!f!n5lant Gl1tm1
`Fu P11s1 ,1,
`.E!IJ!l
`
`,.j
`
`F1u e1id til
`1000.00
`
`Small Entlilf
`f!!.W
`
`25
`100
`180
`
`for small entity)
`
`Fee Paid {I)
`
`=
`
`Faes Paid (ll
`
`500
`JOO
`
`300
`
`500
`
`0
`
`250
`
`50
`
`150
`
`250
`
`0
`
`200
`
`130
`160
`
`600
`
`0
`
`65
`
`80
`
`300
`
`0
`
`300
`
`200
`
`200
`
`300
`
`200
`
`150
`
`100
`
`100
`
`150
`
`100
`
`X
`
`X
`
`/50 =
`
`fee (no small entity discount)
`
`$130
`
`,.,, .. ulTTl'ID nv
`
`/
`l
`
`�-
`
`--
`
`Registration No. 39 952
`,
`rAttomev/Anentl
`
`Signature{'
`Telephone (503) 224-6655
`- a:11¢�
`.
`L,"'
`Name (Print/Type)
`Date April 24, 2006
`David S. D'Ascenzo
`Thia collection of infonnation is required by 37 CFR 1.136. The information is required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public which is to file (and by the
`USPTO to process) an application. Confidentiality is governed by 35 U.S.C. 122 and 37 CFR 1.14. This collection is estimated to take 30 minutes to complete,
`including gathering, preparing, and submitting the completed application form to the USPTO. Time will vary depending upon the individual case. Any comments
`on the amount of time you require to complete this form and/or suggestions for reducing this burden, should be sent to the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Patent
`and Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS
`ADDRESS. SEND TO: Commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandrla, VA 22313-1450.
`If you need assistence In completing the form, ca/11-800-PT0-9199 and select option 2.
`
`2 of 176
`
`

`

`PTO/SB/05 (05-05)
`Approved for use through 07/31/2006. 0MB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paoerwork Reduction Act of 1995 no oersons are renuired to resoond to a collection of information unless it disnlavs a valid 0MB control 6'unber.
`5::CO"'I�
`(/)LO �
`Christopher F. Lucas
`:::jO I
`CHILDREN'S RIDE-ON VEHICLES HAVl�,i;t �
`IMPROVED SHIFTER ASSEMBLIES � ......_,
`N' �.........
`
`UTILITY
`PATENT APPLICATION
`TRANSMITTAL
`
`Attorney Docket No.
`
`MPW 3L2
`
`(.!)
`
`E
`
`First Inventor
`
`Title
`
`(Only for new nonprovisional applications under 37 CFR 1.53(b))
`
`Express Mail Label No.
`
`EV493219494US
`
`co 0 "'d" C\I "'d" 0
`
`� \..
`
`
`
`ADDRESS TO:
`
`Commissioner for Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria VA 22313-1450
`ACCOMPANYING APPLICATION PARTS
`9. 0 Assignment Papers (cover sheet & document(s))
`Name of Assignee
`
`APPLICATION ELEMENTS
`1. IXJ Fee Transmittal Form (e.g., PTO/SB/17)
`20 Applicant claims small entity status.
`See 37 CFR 1.27.
`3 [BJ
`I
`Specification
`Both the claims and abstract must start on a new page
`10
`Drawing(s) (35 U.S.C. 113)
`4 [&]
`2
`[Total Sheets
`5. Oath or Declaration
`a. � Newly executed (original or copy)
`A copy from a prior application (37 CFR 1.63(d))
`b.
`Qor continuation/divisional with Box 18 completed)
`i.
`DELETION OF INVENTOR(S}
`Signed statement attached deleting inventor(s)
`name in the pnor application, see 37 CFR
`1.63(d)(2) and 1.33(b).
`6.0 Application Data Sheet. See 37 CFR 1.76
`7.0 CD-ROM or CD·R in duplicate, large table or
`caputer Program (Appendix)
`Landscape Table on CD
`Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Submission
`(if applicable, items a. - c. are required)
`a.
`Comp[] Readable Form (CRF)
`i.
`Computer Readable Form (CRF)
`ii. 0 Transfer Request (37 CFR 1.821(e))
`SpecE:jtion Sequence Listing on:
`CD-ROM or CD-R (2 copies); or
`i.
`ii. 0 Paper
`c. 0 Statements verifying identity of above copies
`18. If a CONTINUING APPLICATION, check appropriate box, and supply the requisite information below and in the first sentence of the
`specification following the title, or in an Application Data Sheet under 37 CFR 1. 76:
`0 Continuation
`0 Divisional
`0 Continuation-in-part (CIP)
`of prior application No.:
`
`See MPEP chapter 600 concerning utility patent application contents.
`
`(Submit an original and a duplicate for fee processing)
`
`49
`(For information on the preferred arrangement. see MPEP 608.01(a))
`[Total Sheets
`
`[Total Pages
`
`I
`
`l
`
`8.
`
`.
`
`b.
`
`10. 0 37 CFR 3.73(b) Statement [&]Power of
`Attorney
`{when there is an assignee)
`(with copy of assignment attached)
`11.
`0 English Translation Document (if applicable)
`[&J lnfoEjtion Disclosure Statement (PTO/SB/OB or PT0-1449)
`12.
`Copies of foreign patent documents,
`publications, & other information
`13 0 Preliminary Amendment
`14 [E] Return Receipt Postcard (MPEP 503)
`15. O Certified Copy of Priority Document(s)
`16 O Nonpublication Request under 35 U.S.C 122(b)(2)(B)(i).
`Applicant must attach form PTO/SB/35 or equivalent.
`17. 0 Other:
`
`(Should be specifically itemized)
`
`(if foreign priority is claimed)
`
`Prior application information: Examiner
`
`Art Unit:
`
`19. CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
`
`I
`
`23581
`
`OR D Correspondence address below
`
`I
`
`[8J The address associated with Customer Number:
`David S. D'Ascenzo
`Name
`Kolisch Hartwell, P.C.
`Address 520 S.W. Yamhill Street, Suite 200
`Portland
`I State Oreaon
`City
`Zip Code
`Countiy United States
`Email Address
`(503) 224-6655
`I - �one
`I Date April 24, 2006
`Signature
`Name
`David S. D'Ascenzo
`Registration No. 139 952
`IPrint/Tvoe)
`lAttomev/AaenO
`This oollec:tlon of information is required by 37 CFR 1.53(b). The information Is required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public which is to file (and by the
`USPTO to process) an application. Confidentiality is governed by 35 U.S.C. 122 and 37 CFR 1.11 and 1.14. This collection is estimated to take 12 minutes to
`oomplete, including gathering, preparing, and submitting the oompleted application form to the USPTO. Time will vary depending upon the individual case. Any
`comments on the amount of tlme you require to complete this form and/or suggestions for reducing this burden, should be sent to the Chief Information Officer,
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria. VA 22313-1450. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED
`FORMS TO TH IS ADDRESS. SEND TO: CommlHloner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313•1450.
`ff you need assistance In completing Ule form, call 1-BOO-PT0-9199 and select option 2.
`
`It'
`
`'�
`
`-
`
`-:,
`
`'
`
`97204
`
`3 of 176
`
`

`

`PTOISB/17 (12-04)
`Approved for use through 07131/2006. 0MB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`I lnt!Ar thA PAnANlnr1c RA<f11r.tlnn Ar.Inf 1 QA!; nn ""'""'"" Rl'A n,nulmti In ,..,.nnn,t In A MIIAr.tinn nf infnrmRllnn 11n1,.,,,, ii tlillnlR"-" A vAlirt OMR t:nntrnl n11mtv.r
`""
`Effective on 12/08/2004.
`
`,
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`Complete If Known
`
`Fees oursuant to the Consolidated Aooro,,riations Act. 2005 (H.R. 4818). Annllcatlon Number
`FEE TRANSMITTAL Filing Date
`April24,2006
`First Named Inventor Christopher F. Lucas
`For FY 2005
`Examiner Name
`D Applicant claims small entity status. See 37 CFR 1.27
`Art Unit
`I ($) 1900.00
`"-TOTAL AMOUNT OF PAYMENT
`Attorney Docket No. MPW3L2
`METHOD OF PAYMENT (check all that aoolv)
`!ZI Check D Credit Card D Money Order D None D Other (please identify):
`! X ! Deposit Account Deposit Account Number: 11 • 1540
`OeposltAccountName: Kolisch Hartwell, P.C.
`For the above-identified deposit account, the Director is hereby authorized to: (check all that apply)
`D Charge fee(s) Indicated below
`D Charge fee(s) indicated below, except for the filing fee
`181 Charge any additional fee(s) or underpayments of fee(s)
`181 Credit any overpayments
`under 37 CFR 1.16 and 1.17
`WARNING: Information on this form may become publlc. Credit card Information should not be Included on this form. Provide credit card
`Information and authorization on PT0-2038.
`FEE CALCULATION
`1. BASIC FILING, SEARCH, AND EXAMINATION FEES
`FILING FEES
`EXAMINATION FEES
`SEARCH FEES
`Small Entlilf
`Small Entlilf
`Small Entlilf
`&!Bll!i1!l9D Tlfli!! fll.W fll.W .E!I.W
`E11J.ll fll.m flljl)
`Utility
`JOO
`Design
`Plant
`Reissue
`Provisional
`2. EXCESS CLAIM FEES
`Fe1 D1scrlRtign
`Each claim over
`and more than in the original patent
`or, for Reissues, each claim over
`20
`20
`Each independent claim over
`or, for Reissues, each independent claim more than in the original patent
`3
`Multiple dependent claims
`Total Claims
`Extra Claims
`Fee {S)
`EeePald{I}
`-20orHP::
`50.00 =
`38
`18
`�QQ,QQ
`HP = highest number of total claims paid for, if greater than 20
`1Dd!E!1 Glalm1
`Ell P1id (ll
`l:!!1:1 ,111m1
`2
`-3orHP =
`0
`0.00
`B
`=
`HP :: highest number of Independent claims paid for, if greater than 3
`3. APPLICATION SIZE FEE
`If the specification and drawings exceed
`sheets of paper, the application size fee due is
`100
`$250 ($125
`for each additional
`sheets or fraction thereof. See
`U.S.C. 4I(a)(l)(G) and
`CFR 1.16(s).
`50
`Total §heats
`35
`Extra Shuts
`37
`Number of each additional 50 or fraction thereof
`f!!Jll
`-100=
`(round up to a whole number) X
`4. OTHER FEE(S)
`Non-English Specification,
`Other:
`
`50
`200
`360
`Multlgla De1!f!n5lant Gl1tm1
`Fu P11s1 ,1,
`.E!IJ!l
`
`,.j
`
`F1u e1id til
`1000.00
`
`Small Entlilf
`f!!.W
`
`25
`100
`180
`
`for small entity)
`
`Fee Paid {I)
`
`=
`
`Faes Paid (ll
`
`500
`JOO
`
`300
`
`500
`
`0
`
`250
`
`50
`
`150
`
`250
`
`0
`
`200
`
`130
`160
`
`600
`
`0
`
`65
`
`80
`
`300
`
`0
`
`300
`
`200
`
`200
`
`300
`
`200
`
`150
`
`100
`
`100
`
`150
`
`100
`
`X
`
`X
`
`/50 =
`
`fee (no small entity discount)
`
`$130
`
`,.,, .. ulTTl'ID nv
`
`/
`l
`
`�-
`
`--
`
`Registration No. 39 952
`,
`rAttomev/Anentl
`
`Signature{'
`Telephone (503) 224-6655
`- a:11¢�
`.
`L,"'
`Name (Print/Type)
`Date April 24, 2006
`David S. D'Ascenzo
`Thia collection of infonnation is required by 37 CFR 1.136. The information is required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public which is to file (and by the
`USPTO to process) an application. Confidentiality is governed by 35 U.S.C. 122 and 37 CFR 1.14. This collection is estimated to take 30 minutes to complete,
`including gathering, preparing, and submitting the completed application form to the USPTO. Time will vary depending upon the individual case. Any comments
`on the amount of time you require to complete this form and/or suggestions for reducing this burden, should be sent to the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Patent
`and Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS
`ADDRESS. SEND TO: Commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandrla, VA 22313-1450.
`If you need assistence In completing the form, ca/11-800-PT0-9199 and select option 2.
`
`4 of 176
`
`

`

`,,
`
`5
`
`
`
`CHILDREN'S RIDE-ON VEHICLES HAVING
`
`IMPROVED SHIFTER ASSEMBLIES
`
`
`
`Technical Field
`
`
`
`The present disclosure relates generally to children's ride-on vehicles, and more
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`particularly to battery-powered children's ride-on vehicles and drive assemblies for use
`
`
`
`with such vehicles.
`
`
`
`Background of the Disclosure
`
`
`
`Children's ride-on vehicles are reduced-scaled vehicles that are designed for use
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`10 by children. For example, children's ride-on vehicles include a seat adapted to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`accommodate one or more children and steering and drive assemblies that are adapted to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`be operated by a child sitting on the seat. One type of drive assembly that is often used in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`children's ride-on vehicles includes a battery-powered motor assembly that is adapted to
`
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`drive the rotation of one or more of the vehicle's wheels.
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`Typically, the vehicle will
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`15 include an actuator, such as a foot pedal, push button or o�er user input device, which
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`Some drive
`enables a child to select when power is delivered to the motor assembly.
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`assemblies further include other user input devices, which are operated by a child sitting
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`Brief Description of the Drawings
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`Fig. 1 is an isometric view of an illustrative example of a children's ride-on
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`Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the children's ride-on vehicle of Fig. 1.
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`Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a suitable drive assembly for a children's ride-on
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`vehicle, such as the vehicle of Fig. 1.
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`of the battery assembly with portions Fig. 4 is an isometric view of an illustrative
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`vehicle's wiring harness and a charger shown in fragmentary.
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`Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a suitable velocity control assembly for a
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`10 children's ride-on vehicle, such as the vehicle of Fig. 1.
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`Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing illustrative shift positions and shift paths
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`along which a child may move a shifter handle that is associated with an actuator
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`assembly of a velocity control assembly of Fig. 5.
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`Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing illustrative shift positions and shift paths
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`with an actuator 15 along which a child may move a shifter handle that is associated
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`assembly of a velocity control assembly of Fig. 5.
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`Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing illustrative shift positions and shift paths
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`along which a child may move a shifter handle that is associated with an actuator
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`assembly of a velocity control assembly of Fig. 5.
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`Fig. 9 is a top plan view of an illustrative velocity control assembly according to
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`velocity control assembly Fig. 10 is an exploded isometric view of an illustrative
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`according to the present disclosure.
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`Fig. 11 is an isometric view of the velocity control assembly from Fig. 10, with the
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`shifter handle in a first position and portions of the velocity control assembly shown in
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`5 phantom.
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`Fig. 12 is an isometric view of the velocity control assembly from Fig. 10, with the
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`shifter handle in a second position and portions of the velocity control assembly shown in
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`phantom.
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`Fig. 13 is an isometric view of the velocity control assembly from Fig. 10, with the
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`10 shifter handle in a third position and portions of the velocity control assembly shown in
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`phantom.
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`Fig. 14 is an isometric view of the velocity control assembly from Fig. 10, with the
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`shifter
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`handle in a fourth position and portions of the velocity control assembly shown in
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`phantom.
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`Fig. 15 is an isometric view of the bottom of the velocity control assembly from
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`Fig. 10.
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`Fig. 16 is an exploded isometric view of another illustrative velocity control
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`assembly according to the present disclosure.
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`Fig. 17 is an isometric view of the velocity control assembly from Fig. 16, with the
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`20 shifter handle in a first position and portions of the velocity control assembly shown in
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`phantom.
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`Fig. 18 is an isometric view of the velocity control assembly from Fig. 16, with the
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`shifter handle in a second position and portions of the velocity control assembly shown in
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`phantom.
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`Fig. 19 is an isometric view of the velocity control assembly from Fig. 16, with the
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`5 shifter handle in a third position and portions of the velocity control assembly shown in
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`phantom.
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`from Fig. 16, with the control assembly Fig. 20 is an isometric view of the velocity
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`shifter handle in a fourth position and portions of the velocity control assembly shown in
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`phantom.
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`Fig. 21 is a top plan view of the velocity control assembly from Fig. 16, showing
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`the high speed lockout mechanism engaged and portions of the velocity control assembly
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`shown in phantom.
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`Fig. 22 is a top plan view of the velocity control assembly from Fig. 16, showing
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`the high speed lockout mechanism partially disengaged and portions of the velocity
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`15 control assembly shown in phantom.
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`Fig. 23 is a top plan view of the velocity control assembly from Fig. 16, showing
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`the high speed lockout mechanism disengaged and portions of the velocity control
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`assembly shown in phantom.
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`Detailed Description and Best Mode of the Disclosure
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`An illustrative example of a children's ride-on vehicle is shown in Fig. 1 and
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`generally
`indicated
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`at 10. Ride-on vehicle 10 includes a support frame, or body, 12 that
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`provides a riding space, or passenger compartment, 14 with a seat assembly 16 that is
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`5 sized and configured to accommodate at least one child, including a child driver. Seat
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`assembly 16 may be integral with or otherwise mounted on body 12 and may have any
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`suitable configuration, including configurations in which the position of seat assembly 16
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`is adjustable within the passenger compartment, and configurations in which seat
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`Typically,
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`assembly 16 includes two or more seats or two or more seating regions.
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`1 O vehicle 10 will be sized for use by a child driver or by a child driver and a child
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`passenger. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, seat assembly 16 includes a pair
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`of seats, or seating regions, 18 and 20, with seat 18 sized and positioned to receive a child
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`driver and seat 20 sized and positioned to receive a child passenger.
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`Body 12 typically is formed from molded plastic and may be integrally formed or
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`15 formed from a plurality of parts that are secured together by screws, bolts, clips or other
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`or alternatively, be at least partially formed
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`suitable fasteners. Body 12 may additionally,
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`from other suitable material(s), such as metal, wood, or composite materials. Body 12
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`frame on which a may include an underlying
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`chassis is mounted. In such an
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`embodiment, the frame is often formed of metal and/or molded plastic, with the chassis
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`20 typically formed of molded plastic.
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`As shown, body 12 is shaped to generally resemble a reduced-scale Jeep® vehicle.
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`JEEP is a registered trademark of the Diamler Chrysler Corporation, and the JEEP mark
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`9 of 176
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`and designs are used by permission. Children, s ride-on vehicles according to the present
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`Examples of
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`disclosure may be shaped to generally resemble any type of vehicle.
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`suitable vehicles are reduced-scale, or child-sized, vehicles that are shaped to resemble
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`corresponding full-sized, or adult-sized, vehicles, such as cars, trucks, construction
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`5 vehicles, emergency vehicles, off-road vehicles, motorcycles, space vehicles, aircraft,
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`watercraft and the like. However, it is also within the scope of the present disclosure that
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`vehicle 10 may be shaped to resemble fantasy vehicles that do not have a corresponding
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`adult-sized counterpart.
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`Although vehicle 10 is depicted in the form of a reduced-scale
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`Jeep® vehicle, it will be appreciated that the components and/or features of vehicle 10
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`1 o may be configured for use on any type of children's ride-on vehicle having one or more
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`powered components.
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`Body 12 also includes a plurality of wheels 22 that are rotatably coupled to
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`body 12, as indicated in Figs. 1-2. The plurality of wheels 22 includes a steerable wheel
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`assembly 24 that contains at least one steerable wheel that is adapted to be steered by the
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`15 vehicle's steering assembly 26, typically at least partially in response to user-imparted
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`steering inputs thereto.
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`The plurality of wheels further includes a driven wheel
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`assembly 28 that contains at least one driven wheel that is adapted to be rotationally
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`wheel" herein, the term "driven driven by the vehicle's drive assembly 30. As used
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`refers to a wheel that is rotated directly in response to a rotational input from the
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`20 vehicle's drive assembly, which is either directly conveyed to the wheel by the output of
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`the motor assembly or conveyed through a linkage, such as a gearbox, belt, chain, gear
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`assembly, axle, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, vehicle 1 O includes four
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`wheels 22, with front wheels 32 and 34 forming steerable wheel assembly 24, and rear
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`wheels 36 and 38 forming driven wheel assembly 28. The number of wheels on the
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`vehicle may vary from two wheels to four, six or more wheels, although children's ride­
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`on vehicles typically include at least three wheels for stability. Similarly, each wheel
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`5 assembly must contain at least one wheel, and a particular wheel may form all or a
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`For
`portion of both the steerable wheel assembly and the driven wheel assembly.
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`example, it is within the scope of the disclosure that either or both of front wheels 32
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`and 34 or rear wheels 36 and 38 are driven and steerable. Similarly, one front wheel and
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`one rear wheel may be driven and/or steerable, or the vehicle may include one or more
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`1 o driven or steerable wheels underneath its body that are generally hidden by the body of
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`the vehicle.
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`A portion of the vehicle's steering assembly 26 is shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and
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`includes
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`a steering column 40 (indicated in Fig. 2) and a steering mechanism 42. The
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`steering assembly enables a child sitting on seat 18 to steer the vehicle's steerable wheel
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`15 assembly 24 via user-applied steering inputs to steering mechanism 42, which is
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`positioned on vehicle 10 for operation by a child sitting on seat 18. In the illustrated
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`embodiment, steering mechanism 42 takes the form of a steering wheel 44. Other
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`suitable structures, such as handlebars and steering levers may be used and are within the
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`scope of the present disclosure.
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`Steering column 40 includes any suitable mechanical
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`20 linkage
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`that conveys a child's steering inputs from the steering mechanism to the
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`vehicle's steerable wheel assembly, thereby steering the vehicle.
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`Fig. 3 schematically illustrates an example of a suitable drive assembly 30 for a
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`a motor 30 may include children's ride-on vehicle, such as vehicle 10. Drive assembly
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`assembly 46 adapted to selectively drive the rotation of the driven wheel assembly 28, a
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`battery assembly 60 adapted to selectively energize the motor assembly, and one or more
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`5 user input devices 102 adapted to receive user input signals that may (1) selectively
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`of drive configu rations configu re the drive assembly within a plurality
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`selectively direct, or cause, the drive assembly to operate in a selected drive
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`configu ration.
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`The motor assembly 46 includes at least one electric motor 48 that is adapted to
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`1 o drive the rotation of at least one of the plurality of wheels. The motor assembly includes
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`an output 50 that provides a rotational input to the driven wheel assembly. Typically, the
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`output 50 from each of the one or more motors includes a rotating shaft and/or a rotation
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`and/or gear, more than one shaft, pinion, pinion or output gear. Output 50 may include
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`such as when motor assembly 46 includes more than one motor and/or when driven
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`15 wheel assembly 28 includes more than one driven wheel. Motor assembly 46 may also
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`on 10, such as depending be configu red to power other moveable components on vehicle
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`the form of the vehicle.
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`For example, the motor assembly may be coupled to raise and
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`lower the blade of a ride-on that resembles a bulldozer, the bucket of a ride-on that
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`resembles a skid-steer or other loader, the bed of a ride-on that resembles a dump truck,
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`20 etc.
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`An
`Power for the motor assembly is provided by any suitable power source.
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`illustrative example of a suitable power source is a battery assembly 60. Battery
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`assembly 60 includes at least one battery 62 that is adapted to provide power to the motor
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`assembly.
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`Any suitable type and number of batteries may be used in battery
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`assembly 60. Although not required, the batteries are typically rechargeable batteries.
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`For example, one or more six-, twelve-, eighteen-, or twenty-four-volt batteries have
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`60 is shown in Fig. 4. of a battery assembly example 5 proven effective. An illustrative
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`power from the battery Also shown in Fig. 4 is a connector assembly 64 to transmit
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`to 46 is operably connected assembly to the motor assembly 46. Thus, motor assembly
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`battery assembly 60 by any suitable electrical connectors, such as cables, wires, or
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`battery positive and negative terminals or leads, and the like. In the exemplary
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`a plug 66 that assembly includes in Fig. 4, the connector 10 assembly 60 shown generally
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`The battery
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`fits into a socket 68 that is electrically connected to the battery assembly.
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`assembly 60 may optionally include a charging jack 70 that is configured to receive a
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