Fairchild International Inc.

Michael S Odell

A battery changing system in combination with a battery holder is provided. The battery changing system comprises a mobile frame, and a battery lift assembly including a pair of lifting arms forming an opening for receiving the battery holder. Mounting structure movably connects battery lift assembly to the mobile frame. Actuating structure moves the battery lift assembly between an initial position and an operative position wherein the battery holder is raised to a selected elevation above the ground. Elongated releasably lockable safety retaining structure is attached to the battery lift assembly. The battery holder is constructed and arranged to be received in the opening and includes first engaging structure. Each of the lifting arms includes an upwardly facing engaging surface. The upwardly facing engaging surfaces are positioned and configured such that upward movement of the battery lift assembly towards the operative position thereof causes the upwardly facing engaging surfaces of each lifting arm to engage the first engaging structure. The releasably lockable safety retaining structure is constructed and arranged to be releasably locked with the battery holder so as to extend forwardly from the battery lift assembly to the battery holder when the battery lift assembly is in the operative position thereof to thereby safely secure the battery holder to the battery lift assembly so that the battery holder is prevented from moving forwardly in the event that the mobile frame is violently jarred while moving forwardly down a sloped surface such that the battery holder is moved upwardly with respect to the lifting arms and the first engaging structure is moved out of engagement with the upwardly facing engaging surfaces.

Battery changing system

A battery changing system in combination with a battery holder is provided. The battery changing system includes a mobile frame, a battery lift assembly including a pair of lifting arms forming an opening for receiving the battery holder. Mounting structure pivotally connects battery lift assembly to an end portion of the frame. Actuating structure extends between the battery lift assembly and the end portion of the frame to pivot the battery lift assembly between an initial position engaging the battery holder positioned on the ground and an operative position wherein the battery holder is raised to a selected elevation above the ground. The battery holder includes hanger structure fixed to opposing sidewalls thereof. Each hanger structure includes a rearwardly extending wall defining a rearward edge and a downwardly facing fulcrum surface disposed forwardly of the rearwardly extending wall. Each of the lifting arms includes a forwardly facing surface disposed rearwardly of a forward end thereof and an upwardly facing surface disposed forwardly of the forwardly facing surface, such that in the initial position of the battery lift assembly, the forwardly facing surfaces engage with respective rearward edges of the rearwardly extending walls to initially interrelate the lifting arms with the battery holder. Upward pivotal movement of the battery lift assembly towards the operative position thereof causes the upwardly facing surface of each lifting arm to engage the downwardly facing fulcrum surface of the associated hanger structure permitting the battery holder to be stably moved with the mobile frame.

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Bluefield, WV, United States of America

Michael S Odell