US 12,330,723 B2
Self-powered towable vehicle
Jason Mast, Crossville, TN (US)
Filed by Jason Mast, Crossville, TN (US)
Filed on Apr. 11, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/717,790.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/172,851, filed on Apr. 9, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0324527 A1, Oct. 13, 2022
Int. Cl. B62D 59/04 (2006.01); B60K 1/00 (2006.01); B60K 1/04 (2019.01); B60L 15/20 (2006.01); B60L 15/38 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 59/04 (2013.01) [B60K 1/04 (2013.01); B60L 15/20 (2013.01); B60L 15/38 (2013.01); B60K 2001/001 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
19. A system, comprising:
a primary vehicle for towing, the primary vehicle having a power source and an onboard computer; and
a self-powered towable vehicle attached to the towing vehicle, the self-powered towable vehicle including a frame apparatus having an attachment apparatus configured for attachment to a primary vehicle for towing, a wheel member rotatably attached to the frame apparatus, an electric motor coupled to and configured to selectively drive the wheel member, an internal energy storage unit in electrical communication with the electric motor; and an energy interconnection and distribution unit in electrical communication with the electric motor and configured to control the electric motor and selectively drive the wheel member, the energy interconnection and distribution unit further being in electrical communication with the power source and onboard computer of the primary vehicle, wherein the wheel member is selectively movable between an unpowered mode and a powered mode, and in the unpowered mode the wheel member is free rotating, and in the powered mode the wheel member is driven, and wherein the energy interconnection and distribution unit is also configured to coordinate movement between the primary vehicle and the self-powered towable vehicle while the primary vehicle is moving, whereby the self-powered towable vehicle is configured to move at a same speed as the primary vehicle when the wheel member of the self-powered towable vehicle is in the powered mode.