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`US 20050056474Al
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0056474 Al
`Mar. 17, 2005
`Damon
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) BATTERY RETAINER ASSEMBLY FOR
`CHILDREN'S RIDE-ON VEHICLES
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Daniel J. Damon, South Wales, NY
`(US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`KOLISCH HARTWELL, P.C.
`520 S.W. YAMHILL STREET
`SUITE 200
`PORTLAND, OR 97204 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/808,048
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 23, 2004
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/660,904,
`filed on Sep. 11, 2003.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.7 ............................. B60R 16/04; B60K 1/00
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. .......................................... 180/68.5; 180/65.1
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Battery retainer assemblies and children's ride-on vehicles
`including the same. The retainer assembly includes a retain(cid:173)
`ing member coupled to the vehicle's battery compartment.
`The retaining member is selectively moved between an open
`position, in which the retaining member permits the battery
`assembly to be inserted into or removed from the compart(cid:173)
`ment, and a closed position, in which the retaining member
`obstructs removal of the battery assembly. In some embodi(cid:173)
`ments, the retaining member is adapted to displace the
`battery assembly as the retaining member is moved to the
`open position. In some embodiments, the retaining member
`is adapted to automatically move to the closed position upon
`insertion of the battery assembly into the compartment
`and/or engagement with the retaining member. In some
`embodiments, the retaining member is retained in the open
`position until selectively released therefrom by a user. Upon
`release, the retaining member may automatically move to
`the closed position.
`
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`

`Patent Application Publication Mar. 17, 2005 Sheet 1 of 10
`
`US 2005/0056474 Al
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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 17, 2005 Sheet 2 of 10
`
`US 2005/0056474 Al
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`Fig. 3
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Mar. 17, 2005 Sheet 3 of 10
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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 17, 2005 Sheet 6 of 10
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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 17, 2005 Sheet 7 of 10
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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 17, 2005 Sheet 8 of 10
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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 17, 2005 Sheet 9 of 10
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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 17, 2005 Sheet 10 of 10
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`

`US 2005/0056474 Al
`
`Mar. 17, 2005
`
`1
`
`BATTERY RETAINER ASSEMBLY FOR
`CHILDREN'S RIDE-ON VEHICLES
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of and
`claims priority to copending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`10/660,904, which was filed on Sep. 11, 2003, is entitled
`"Battery Retainer Assembly For Children's Ride-On
`Vehicles," and the complete disclosure of which is incorpo(cid:173)
`rated herein by reference for all purposes.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to chil(cid:173)
`dren's ride-on vehicles, and more particularly to battery(cid:173)
`powered children's ride-on vehicles and battery retainers for
`use with such vehicles.
`
`BACKGROUND
`[0003] Children's ride-on vehicles are
`reduced-scale
`vehicles that are designed and sized for use 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 drive the rotation of one
`or more of the vehicle's wheels. Typically, the vehicle will
`include an actuator, such as a foot pedal, push button or other
`user input device, which enables a child to select when
`power is delivered to the motor assembly. Some drive
`assemblies further include other user input devices, such as
`a speed selector and a direction selector, which are operated
`by a child sitting on the vehicle's seat to select the speed and
`direction at which the vehicle travels. The batteries for these
`vehicles are usually carried within a battery compartment on
`the vehicle. Typically, the battery compartment is accessible
`so that the battery may be removed, such as for replacement
`or charging.
`[0004]
`If a battery overturns or becomes displaced within
`the compartment, the battery and/or the vehicle may be
`damaged. Thus, it is desirable that the battery is securely
`held within the compartment. For example, the vehicle
`typically includes electrical wiring that connects the battery
`to one or more battery-powered components on the vehicle.
`An overturned or sliding/moving around battery may dam(cid:173)
`age or displace the wiring, causing an electrical short or
`other unwanted event. Further, a battery which is not secured
`within the battery compartment may unintentionally be at
`least partially, or completely, removed from the compart(cid:173)
`ment, such as if the vehicle is tipped over, strikes an object,
`etc.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[0005] The present disclosure is directed to battery-pow(cid:173)
`ered children's ride-on vehicles having battery retainer
`assemblies, and to retainer assemblies for use in children's
`ride-on vehicles. The vehicles include a body with a plural(cid:173)
`ity of wheels, and further include at least one battery(cid:173)
`powered component, such as a drive assembly with at least
`one motor adapted to drive the rotation of at least one of the
`plurality of wheels. The vehicles also include a battery
`
`assembly that is adapted to provide power to the at least one
`battery-powered component and a battery compartment that
`is sized to accommodate the battery assembly and receive
`the battery assembly through an opening in the battery
`compartment.
`[0006] The battery retainer assembly includes a retaining
`member that is coupled relative to the battery compartment
`and adapted to be selectively moved between a first, or open,
`position, in which the retaining member is positioned to
`permit the battery assembly to be inserted into or removed
`from the battery assembly through the aperture, and a
`second, or closed, position, in which the retaining member
`obstructs the removal of the battery assembly from the
`battery compartment through the opening. In some embodi(cid:173)
`ments, the retaining member is adapted to move or otherwise
`displace the battery assembly generally toward the aperture
`as the retaining member is moved from the closed position
`to the open position. In some embodiments, the retaining
`member extends at least partially across a proximal surface
`of the battery when the retaining member is in the closed
`position. In some embodiments, the retaining member is
`adapted to automatically move to the closed position upon
`insertion of the battery assembly into the battery compart(cid:173)
`ment and/or engagement of the retaining member by the
`battery assembly. In some embodiments, the retaining mem(cid:173)
`ber (and an inserted battery assembly) are retained in the
`open position until selectively released therefrom by a user.
`Upon release, the retaining member may automatically
`move to the closed position.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0007] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a children's ride-on
`vehicle.
`[0008] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the children's ride-on
`vehicle of FIG. 1, with the vehicle illustrating an example
`of a suitable placement for a battery assembly and battery
`compartment.
`[0009] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a suitable drive
`assembly for the children's ride-on vehicle of FIG. 1.
`[0010] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an illustrative
`battery assembly with illustrative examples of portions of
`the vehicle's wiring harness and charger shown in fragmen(cid:173)
`tary.
`
`[0011] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the
`vehicle of FIG. 2 including a battery retainer assembly
`according to the present disclosure.
`[0012] FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view of an exem(cid:173)
`plary battery retainer assembly and a coupling assembly.
`[0013] FIG. 7 is a side view of the battery retainer
`assembly inside the battery compartment of FIG. 1, with the
`battery retainer assembly in an open position to receive the
`battery assembly.
`[0014] FIG. 8 is a side view of the battery retainer
`assembly shown in FIG. 6, with the battery retainer assem(cid:173)
`bly in a closed position in which it is adapted to retain the
`battery assembly within the battery compartment.
`[0015] FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating the position of the
`battery assembly when the battery retainer assembly is in the
`closed and the open positions.
`
`

`

`US 2005/0056474 Al
`
`Mar. 17, 2005
`
`2
`
`[0016] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating another battery
`retainer assembly according to the present disclosure.
`[0017] FIG. 11 is a fragmentary front elevation view of an
`illustrative handle assembly for the battery retainer assem(cid:173)
`bly.
`[0018] FIG. 12 is a fragmentary front elevation view of
`another illustrative handle assembly for the battery retainer
`assembly.
`[0019] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of another example of
`a children's ride-on vehicle.
`[0020] FIG. 14 is a fragmentary top plan view of the
`vehicle of FIG. 13 including another battery retainer assem(cid:173)
`bly according to the present disclosure.
`[0021] FIG.15 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional side view
`of an exemplary battery compartment for the vehicle of FIG.
`13 and including a coupling assembly.
`
`[0022] FIG. 16 is an isometric view of another exemplary
`battery retainer assembly adapted for use with the coupling
`assembly of FIG. 15.
`
`[0023] FIG. 17 is a fragmentary cross-sectional side view
`illustrating the position of the battery assembly when the
`battery retainer assembly is in the closed position.
`
`[0024] FIG. 18 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional side view
`illustrating the position of the battery assembly when the
`battery retainer assembly is in an intermediate position.
`
`[0025] FIG. 19 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional side view
`of the intermediate position of FIG. 18.
`
`[0026] FIG. 20 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional side view
`illustrating the position of the battery assembly when the
`battery retainer assembly is retained in the open position.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE
`OF THE DISCLOSURE
`
`[0027] An illustrative example of a children's ride-on
`vehicle is shown in FIG. 1 and indicated generally at 10.
`Ride-on vehicle 10 includes a support frame, or body, 12 that
`provides a riding space, or passenger compartment, 14 with
`a seat assembly 16 that is sized and configured to accom(cid:173)
`modate at least one child, including a child driver. Seat
`assembly 16 may be integral with or otherwise mounted on
`body 12 and may have any suitable configuration, including
`configurations in which the position of the seat assembly is
`adjustable within the passenger compartment, and configu(cid:173)
`rations in which the seat assembly includes two or more
`seats or two or more seating regions. Typically, vehicle 10
`will be sized for use either by a child driver or by a child
`driver and a child passenger. For example, in the illustrated
`embodiment, seat assembly 16 includes a pair of seats, or
`seating regions, 18 and 20, with seat 18 sized and positioned
`to receive a child driver and seat 20 sized and positioned to
`receive a child passenger.
`
`[0028] Body 12 typically is formed from molded plastic
`and may be integrally formed or formed from a plurality of
`parts that are secured together by screws, bolts, clips or other
`suitable fasteners. Body 12 may additionally, or alterna(cid:173)
`tively, be at least partially formed from other suitable
`material(s), such as metal, wood, or composite materials.
`Body 12 may include an underlying frame on which a
`
`chassis is mounted. In such an embodiment, the frame is
`often formed of metal and/or molded plastic, with the
`chassis typically formed of molded plastic.
`[0029] As shown, body 12 is shaped to generally resemble
`a reduced-scale Jeep® vehicle. JEEP is a registered trade(cid:173)
`mark of the Diamler Chrysler Corporation, and the JEEP
`mark and designs are used by permission. Children's ride-on
`vehicles according to the present disclosure may be shaped
`to generally resemble any type of vehicle. Examples of
`suitable vehicles are reduced-scale, or child-sized, vehicles
`that are shaped to resemble corresponding full-sized, or
`adult-sized, vehicles, such as cars, trucks, construction
`vehicles, emergency vehicles, off-road vehicles, motor(cid:173)
`cycles, space vehicles, aircraft, watercraft and the like.
`However, it is also within the scope of the present disclosure
`that vehicle 10 may be shaped to resemble fantasy vehicles
`that do not have a corresponding adult-sized counterpart.
`Although vehicle 10 is depicted in the form of a reduced(cid:173)
`scale Jeep® vehicle, it will be appreciated that the compo(cid:173)
`nents and/or features of vehicle 10 may be configured for use
`on any type of children's ride-on vehicle having one or more
`battery-powered components.
`
`[0030] Body 12 also includes a plurality of wheels 22 that
`are rotatably coupled to body 12, as indicated in FIGS. 1-2.
`The plurality of wheels includes a steerable wheel assembly
`24 that contains at least one steerable wheel that is adapted
`to be steered by the vehicle's steering assembly 26, typically
`at least partially in response to user-imparted steering inputs
`thereto. The plurality of wheels further includes a driven
`wheel assembly 28 that contains at least one driven wheel
`that is adapted to be rotationally driven by the vehicle's
`drive assembly 30. As used herein, the term "driven wheel"
`refers to a wheel that is rotated directly in response to a
`rotational input from the vehicle's drive assembly, which is
`either directly conveyed to the wheel by the output of the
`motor assembly or conveyed through a linkage, such as a
`gearbox, belt, chain, gear assembly, axle, or the like. In the
`illustrated embodiment, vehicle 10 includes four wheels 22,
`with front wheels 32 and 34 forming steerable wheel assem(cid:173)
`bly 24, and rear wheels 36 and 38 forming driven wheel
`assembly 28. The number of wheels on the vehicle may vary
`from two wheels to four, six or more wheels, although
`children's ride-on vehicles typically include at least three
`wheels for stability. Similarly, each wheel assembly must
`contain at least one wheel, and a particular wheel may form
`all or a portion of both the steerable wheel assembly and the
`driven wheel assembly. For example, it is within the scope
`of the disclosure that either or both of front wheels 32 and
`34 or rear wheels 36 and 38 are driven and steerable.
`Similarly, one front wheel and one rear wheel may be driven
`and/or steerable, or the vehicle may include one or more
`driven or steerable wheels underneath its body that are
`generally hidden by the body of the vehicle.
`
`[0031] A portion of the vehicle's steering assembly 26 is
`shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and includes a steering column 40
`and a steering mechanism 42. The steering assembly enables
`a child sitting on seat 18 to steer the vehicle's steerable
`wheel assembly 24 via user-applied steering inputs to steer(cid:173)
`ing mechanism 42, which is positioned on vehicle 10 for
`operation by a child sitting on seat 18. In the illustrated
`embodiment, steering mechanism 42 takes the form of a
`steering wheel 44. Other suitable structures, such as handle(cid:173)
`bars and steering levers may be used and are within the
`
`

`

`US 2005/0056474 Al
`
`Mar. 17, 2005
`
`3
`
`scope of the present disclosure. Steering column 40 includes
`any suitable mechanical linkage that conveys a child's
`steering inputs from the steering mechanism to the vehicle's
`steerable wheel assembly, thereby steering the vehicle.
`[0032]
`In FIG. 3, an example of a suitable drive assembly
`30 for a children's ride-on vehicle, such as vehicle 10, is
`schematically illustrated. Drive assembly 30 is adapted to
`drive the rotation of driven wheel assembly 28. The drive
`assembly includes a motor assembly 46, which includes at
`least one battery-powered motor 48 that is adapted to drive
`the rotation of at least one of the plurality of wheels. The
`motor assembly includes an output 50 that provides a
`rotational input to the driven wheel assembly. Typically, the
`output 50 from each of the one or more motors includes a
`rotating shaft and/or a rotation pinion or output gear. Output
`50 may include more than one shaft, pinion, and/or gear,
`such as when motor assembly 46 includes more than one
`motor and/or when driven wheel assembly 28 includes more
`than one driven wheel. Motor assembly 46 may also be
`configured to power other moveable components on vehicle
`10, such as depending on the form of the vehicle. For
`example, the motor assembly may be coupled to raise and
`lower the blade of a ride-on that resembles a bulldozer, the
`bucket of a ride-on that resembles a skid-steer or other
`loader, the bed of a ride-on that resembles a dump truck, etc.
`
`[0033] Power for the motor assembly is provided by
`battery assembly 60. Battery assembly 60 includes at least
`one battery, or cell, 62 that is adapted to provide power to the
`motor assembly. Any suitable type and number of batteries
`may be used in battery assembly 60. Although not required,
`the batteries are
`typically rechargeable batteries. For
`example, one or more six-, twelve-, eighteen-, or twenty(cid:173)
`four-volt batteries have proven effective. An illustrative
`example of a battery assembly 60 is shown in FIG. 4. Also
`shown in FIG. 4 is a connector assembly 64 to transmit
`power from the battery assembly to the motor assembly.
`Thus, the motor assembly is operably connected to the
`battery assembly by any suitable electrical connectors, such
`as cables, wires, or positive and negative terminals or leads,
`and the like. In the exemplary battery assembly shown
`generally in FIG. 4, the connector assembly includes a plug
`66 that fits into a socket 68 that is electrically connected to
`the battery assembly. The battery assembly 60 may option(cid:173)
`ally include a charging jack 70 that is configured to receive
`a charging probe 72. The plug and probe connect to cables
`74 that transmit electrical power from the battery assembly
`to the motor assembly. Vehicle 10 may include any other
`suitable structure for conducting electrical power from the
`battery assembly to the motor assembly, with the battery
`assembly of FIG. 4 merely providing an illustrative
`example.
`
`[0034] The battery assembly typically has a plurality of
`external surfaces, such as sides 78, a top surface 82, and a
`bottom surface 84. When properly inserted into the battery
`compartment of vehicle 10, one of the surfaces will typically
`generally face the aperture and one of the surfaces will
`typically face away from the aperture. As used herein, the
`term "surface" is intended to broadly refer to a region of the
`battery assembly or the battery compartment, without
`requiring that the region have smooth or flat configuration.
`Accordingly, the surfaces referred to herein may optionally
`be referred to as regions of the corresponding structure, such
`as a top region, a bottom region, etc. Some battery assem-
`
`blies and/or battery compartments are sized or otherwise
`shaped so that the battery assembly may only be inserted
`into the battery compartment in a certain orientation, or
`limited number of orientations. Other battery assemblies
`and/or battery compartments will permit the battery assem(cid:173)
`bly to be inserted in any suitable orientation, with no
`particular surface of the battery assembly being required to
`generally face toward or away from the aperture.
`
`[0035] As used herein, the term "proximal surface" will be
`used to refer to the surface of the battery assembly that
`generally faces and/or is closest to the aperture when the
`battery assembly is properly installed in the battery com(cid:173)
`partment, and the term "distal surface" will be used to
`describe the surface of the battery assembly that generally
`faces away from the aperture and/or is farthest from the
`aperture when the battery assembly is properly inserted into
`the battery compartment. The distal surface typically abuts
`or otherwise rests against a contact surface ( or other distal
`region of the battery compartment that is generally opposed
`to the aperture) and/or the subsequently described base
`portion of the battery retainer assembly after the battery
`assembly has been properly inserted into the battery com(cid:173)
`partment. In at least top-load battery compartments, the
`distal region of the battery compartment forms at least a
`portion of a support surface that is adapted to engage the
`distal surface of the battery assembly to at least partially
`support the battery assembly when the battery assembly is
`properly inserted into the battery compartment. In side-load
`battery compartments, the compartment typically includes a
`support surface that supports a portion other than the distal
`surface of the battery assembly.
`
`[0036]
`In the context of a battery compartment in which
`the battery assembly is inserted and removed from the
`compartment through an aperture in the top of the compart(cid:173)
`ment, top surface 82 will typically be the proximal surface
`76 of the battery assembly and bottom surface 84 will
`typically be the distal surface 80 of the battery assembly,
`although this configuration is not required. Instead, the terms
`"proximal surface" and "distal surface" are independent of
`the configuration of battery assembly 60 and are used merely
`to clarify relative positioning of the battery assembly and
`surrounding portions of vehicle 10.
`
`[0037]
`In FIG. 3, drive assembly 30 is shown further
`including an optional motor output linkage 100 that
`mechanically interconnects the motor assembly with the
`driven wheel assembly. Motor output linkage 100 is any
`suitable mechanism that transmits the rotational input from
`the motor assembly's output(s) to the driven wheel assem(cid:173)
`bly. Examples of suitable linkages 100 include an interme(cid:173)
`diate linkage between the output and the driven wheel
`assembly, such as a gearbox containing one or more gears,
`a belt or chain drive, a worm gear, one or more individual
`gears, and the like. The motor output linkage may be adapted
`to transmit the rotational input from the motor assembly to
`the driven wheel assembly at the same relative rate of
`rotation, or it may mechanically augment the rotational input
`to convey a greater or lesser rate of rotation relative to the
`rate of rotation of the output of the motor assembly. It is also
`within the scope of the disclosure that drive assembly 30
`may be formed without motor output linkage 100, in which
`case the output(s) 50 of the motor assembly directly transmit
`the rotational input to the driven wheel assembly.
`
`

`

`US 2005/0056474 Al
`
`Mar. 17, 2005
`
`4
`
`[0038] Drive assembly 30 also includes one or more user
`input devices 102 that are adapted to convey inputs from a
`child sitting on seat 18 to the drive assembly. User input
`devices 102 also may be referred to as user control devices.
`These devices convey a user's inputs, such as via the
`vehicle's wiring harness 86, and affect the actuation of the
`motor assembly, such as by causing the actuation (or ener(cid:173)
`gization) of the motor assembly, selecting between a range
`of electronic configurations, selecting the direction of rota(cid:173)
`tion of the motor assembly's output, selecting the relative
`degree of a maximum rate of rotation to which the motor
`assembly is actuated, etc. Examples of suitable devices 102
`include a drive actuator 104, through which a user input
`directing the battery assembly to energize the motor assem(cid:173)
`bly is received. Examples of suitable drive actuators 104
`include an on/off switch, a foot pedal, a throttle lever, and a
`rotational handgrip on a steering mechanism that includes a
`handlebar. In FIG. 2, an example of a drive actuator 104 is
`shown in the form of a foot pedal 106 positioned for
`actuation by a child sitting on seat 18. When drive actuator
`104 takes a form other than a foot pedal, it may be located
`in any suitable location within or near passenger compart(cid:173)
`ment 14 so that a child sitting on seat 18 may reach the
`actuator while positioned to operate the vehicle. For
`example, an on/off switch or throttle may be located on the
`body or on the steering mechanism, such as illustrated at 108
`in FIG. 2.
`
`[0039] Other examples of user input devices 102 include
`a speed switch 110, which enables a user to select the
`relative rate of rotation of the motor assembly's output 50,
`and a direction switch 112, which enables a user to select the
`relative direction (i.e., clockwise or counterclockwise) of
`rotation of output 50 and thereby configure the vehicle to
`drive in forward and reverse directions. Switches 110 and
`112 may be located in any suitable location on body 12 or
`steering assembly 26 for actuation by a child sitting on seat
`18. An example of a suitable speed switch 110 is a switch
`that selectively configures a pair of batteries between series
`and parallel configurations to define relative "high" and
`"low" speed configurations. Speed switch 110 may addi(cid:173)
`tionally or alternatively selectively configure a pair of
`motors between series and parallel configurations.
`
`[0040] Drive assembly 30 may (but is not required to)
`further include a controller 114, which is adapted to control
`electronically the transmission of the rotational input from
`the motor assembly to the driven wheel assembly. More
`specifically, controller 114 includes a microprocessor or
`suitable control circuit that is adapted to control the actua(cid:173)
`tion, or energization, of the motor assembly by the battery
`assembly to regulate electronically the rotational input trans(cid:173)
`mitted by the motor assembly to the driven wheel assembly.
`Controller 114 may regulate at least one of the timing and
`the ramp, or rate, of application of the transmission of the
`rotational input after actuation of a corresponding user input
`device by a child sitting on seat 18. In other words, the
`controller delays in at least time and/or rate of transmission
`the rotational input to the driven wheel assembly responsive
`at least in part to a user input selecting the desired, or
`selected, rotational input. An illustrative example of a suit(cid:173)
`able controller is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser.
`No. 10/081,934, the complete disclosure of which is hereby
`incorporated by reference for all purposes.
`
`[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, body 12 also includes a
`battery compartment 120 that is adapted to receive battery
`assembly 60. The battery compartment may take any of a
`variety of different shapes, sizes, and configurations depend(cid:173)
`ing on such factors as the form of vehicle 10, the portion of
`the vehicle's body within which the compartment is formed,
`and the size and shape of battery assembly 60. As discussed
`in more detail herein, the battery assembly is supported in
`the compartment and constrained against unintentional
`removal from the battery compartment. Typically, battery
`compartment 120 includes at least one aperture 122, such as
`illustrated generally in FIG. 2 and in more detail in FIGS.
`7-10, that defines an opening through which the battery
`assembly is inserted into and removed from the battery
`compartment. The battery compartment is therefore sized to
`receive the battery assembly through the aperture.
`
`[0042] The battery compartment may be disposed at any
`suitably sized and positioned location of the vehicle, includ(cid:173)
`ing, but not limited to, beneath the body, within the body, or
`under the seat assembly. These other illustrative locations
`for compartment 120 are shown by dashed lines in FIG. 2.
`In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and subse(cid:173)
`quently described FIG. 5, the vehicle includes a cover 130
`that extends across aperture 122, thereby restricting access
`to the battery compartment. The cover may protect the
`battery assembly from exposure, such as to rain or dust.
`Cover 130 may be permanently coupled to the vehicle's
`body, such as by a hinged hood 132. Alternatively, cover 130
`may be removably coupled to the vehicle's body by any
`suitable releasable fastener(s).
`
`[0043]
`It is also within the scope of the disclosure that the
`battery assembly may have a variety of orientations within
`the battery compartment (such as with a side or even a
`bottom surface of the battery assembly being closest to, or
`proximal, the aperture) and/or the battery compartment may
`be accessed through a side or even a bottom aperture. The
`surface of the battery assembly that is first passed through
`the aperture during removal of the battery assembly and/or
`the surface that is selectively engaged by the retaining
`portion may be referred to as the proximal surface 76 of the
`battery assembly, as previously discussed. Similarly, the
`surface of the battery assembly that is last passed through the
`aperture during removal of the battery assembly from the
`battery compartment may be referred to as the distal surface
`80 of the battery assembly. For purposes of illustration and
`clarity of discussion, the proximal and distal surfaces of the
`battery assembly when the battery assembly is retained in
`the battery compartment are referred to as the top and
`bottom surfaces of the battery assembly throughout the
`exemplary Figures and corresponding description. As dis(cid:173)
`cussed above, this correlation is not required.
`
`In FIG. 5, a portion of the illustrative vehicle and
`[0044]
`battery compartment from FIG. 2 is shown, with the vehicle
`further including a battery retainer assembly 148 that is
`adapted to selectively retain the