US20120013300A1

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Publication number: US20120013300A1
Application number: US13/066,887
Authority: US
Inventors: Ronald Prosser; Stephen M. Burchett
Original assignee: Prosser Group LLC
Current assignee: Engie Storage Services NA LLC
Priority date: 2010-07-13
Filing date: 2011-04-27
Publication date: 2012-01-19
Also published as: US8829851B2; US20120013298A1

Abstract

An overhead mobile charger system for reaching and charging electric vehicles parked in a pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces. The system includes a rail, a pair of trolleys, a single EV battery charger, and apparatus for electrically connecting the EV battery charger to a power source without impinging upon movement of the pair of trolleys along the rail. The rail mounts overhead of, and traverses, the pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces. The pair of trolleys are movably mounted along the rail and reach the electric vehicles parked in the pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces. The single EV battery charger is mounted to, and moves with, the pair of trolleys to charge the electric vehicles parked in the pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces.

Description

1. CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The instant non-provisional patent application claims priority from provisional patent application No. 61/399,490, filed on Jul. 13, 2010, for a CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SYSTEMS, and incorporated herein by reference thereto.

2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

The embodiments of the present invention relate to an electric vehicle charging system, and more particularly, the embodiments of the present invention relate to an overhead mobile charger system for reaching and charging electric vehicles parked in a pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces.

B. Description of the Prior Art

The electric vehicle (“EV”) charging industry is coming of age. Currently, EV chargers can only service one parking spot at a time.

Referring now toFIG. 1, which is a diagrammatic perspective view of a typical prior art EV charging station design, the typical prior art EV charging station design a is for parking garage application, has an overhead charging unit b, and is produced by Control Module Industries.¹The typical prior art EV charging station design a is typical of today's commercially available overhead systems, is mounted to a ceiling c, and has a retractable cable d.¹Control Module Industries, 89 Phoenix Ave, Enfield, Conn. 06082, (860) 745-2433, (800) 722-6654.

As EV market penetration increases so will the number of parking garage customers driving EVs. Garages having valet parking will have to be continuously moving EVs in order to service them from a single charger. In order to successfully charge multiple EVs with a single charger, a parking garage attendant will need to orchestrate the process. This person will be responsible for moving the first EV to be charged into the EVSE parking spot, connecting the EV charger to the EV, and activating the charger. Once charging is complete, the attendant will disconnect the EV charger from the EV, move the first EV to a different parking spot, move the second EV to be charged into the EVSE parking spot, and begin the process again.

There is only one alternative to this scenario currently available. Purchasing and installing additional EV chargers will allow the attendant to move an EV into one of several locations, thus minimizing operational complexity and time. Therefore, the bottleneck for an attendant to shuffle multiple EVs through a single charger could be significantly reduced and operational efficiencies gained. The cost of additional chargers and accompanying infrastructure costs, however, may not be economically feasible. Many of these chargers are likely to be level 3 chargers that are capable of charging an EV in a few minutes vs. an hour or more. Most level 3 chargers require a 60 amp 440 volt service or greater. Having multiple level 3 chargers will place significant stress on the facility electrical service. In addition to the cost of multiple chargers ($40-50 k each), the costs of running multiple conduits and wiring runs from the electrical panel box to chargers can add significant cost to installations. Furthermore, if the service to the panel and/or the panel box require(s) greater electrical capacity, the cost increases dramatically. Thus, there exists a need to have mobile charging stations that enable an operator to move efficiently from EV to EV so as to enable the charging infrastructure to be optimally used hence reducing the number of EV chargers and infrastructure required to support the EV throughput.

Numerous innovations for electric charging devices have been provided in the prior art, which will be described below in chronological order to show advancement in the art, and which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, nevertheless, they differ from the embodiments of the present invention in that they do not teach an overhead mobile charger system for reaching and charging electric vehicles parked in a pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces.

(1) U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,099 to Bruni et al.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,099—issued to Bruni et al. on Jun. 21, 1994 in U.S. class 320 and subclass 108—teaches a curb-side battery charging system that provides a mechanism for transferring electrical power to an electric vehicle to recharge its battery. The battery charging system includes a housing that is disposed on a wall, or is slidably attached to a track mounted to a ceiling, for example. A retractable charging device is coupled to a power supply, and mates with a receptacle device disposed in the vehicle. A variety of charging devices can be employed in the battery charging system. Electronic circuitry controls power supplied to the vehicle from the power supply of the charging system. In addition, an interface circuit allows a user to enter a code to use the system, and which provides an identification for billing purposes, or a credit card type key that activates the system and performs the same functions. A fan is provided for cooling purposes that causes an air flow through the system. The battery charging system allows an electric vehicle to be charged without any type of conventional electrical plug. The battery charging system provides a mechanism for coupling power from a power source to an electric vehicle to recharge its battery.

(2) U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,200 to Nor et al.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,200—issued to Nor et al. on Aug. 20, 1996 in U.S. class 320 and subclass 109—teaches a method and apparatus for charging the battery of an electric vehicle. When the electric vehicle is connected to a charging station, it is interrogated to determine the nature of the charge controller that is onboard the vehicle. Logic decisions invoking the particular mode for charging the vehicle are made depending on the nature and type of charge controller that is onboard the vehicle. Thus, delivery of charging energy to the battery in the vehicle may be entirely under the control of a charge controller onboard the vehicle, or if the control module in the vehicle is less sophisticated, then delivery of charging energy will be under the control of a charging module within the charging station. Parameters of initial charging current and voltage are therefore set either by the onboard battery charging controller or the charge controller in the charging station. Alternatively, these parameters may be set manually or by insertion of a card into a data interface to establish initial charging conditions. Under controlled conditions, a plurality of vehicles may be charged at a single establishment having a plurality of charging stations, either sequentially or simultaneously, depending on the criteria to be established. The charging station may be privately owned so as to charge a fleet of vehicles, or there may be a plurality of charging stations at a publicly accessible service station.

(3) U.S. Pat. No. 5,780,991 to Brake et al.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,780,991—issued to Brake et al. on Jul. 14, 1998 in U.S. class 320 and subclass 112—teaches a charging apparatus with multiple charge stations. The apparatus includes a single power supply that operates under the control of a microprocessor to charge a plurality of battery packs disposed in respective charging stations. Associated with each charging station is a wiring harness assembly that includes an EEPROM memory chip having one or more stored charging algorithms for the type or types of battery packs to be charged at that charging station. The microprocessor reads the charging algorithm from a charging station's memory chip when a battery pack is inserted in the charging station. The microprocessor utilizes a feedback control loop including a resistor network to regulate the charging current and charging voltage supplied to each battery pack being charged. If a plurality of Li-Ion battery packs are disposed in respective charging stations, each pack is sequentially charged so that the voltage across the pack is raised to the rated output voltage of the pack. Then, all of the Li-Ion battery packs are charged in parallel until each is fully charged. The parallel charging reduces total charging time.

(4) U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,215 to Henze et al.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,215—issued to Henze et al. on Sep. 8, 1998 in U.S. class 191 and subclass 2—teaches a method and apparatus for charging batteries of a plurality of vehicles, which includes a power source converter connectable to a power source to receive electrical power, and for converting the electrical power to a selected voltage potential that is distributed on a distribution bus. A plurality of vehicle connecting stations are connected to the distribution bus. Each vehicle connecting station includes a station power converter for receiving electrical power from the power source converter for charging the battery, and a station controller to control electrical power flow to the vehicle battery.

(5) U.S. Pat. No. 5,847,537 to Parmley, Sr.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,847,537—issued to Parmley, Sr. on Dec. 8, 1998 in U.S. class 320 and subclass 109—teaches a charging station system of electric vehicles, which includes a building containing charging equipment, and may provide other auxiliary services. The system includes a T-bar extending from the building to provide charging stalls or locations spaced along the T-bar. The building is modular, and incorporates a standard ISO type configuration.

(6) U.S. Pat. No. 6,081,205 to Williams.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,081,205—issued to Williams on Jun. 27, 2000 in U.S. class 340 and subclass 932.2—teaches an electric vehicle recharging parking meter that includes a parking meter, a processor, a display interconnected to the processor for giving visual information to a user, and an input device interconnected to the processor. The input device enables the user to select the parking time and/or the recharging time for the electric vehicle. The processor is responsive to the user selection of recharge time, parking time, and recharge power requirements entered on the input device. A payment receptor for receiving payment for the parking and recharge time selected by the user is interconnected to the processor for indicating receipt of payment for parking time and recharge electricity. The processor enables a switch to close so that power is supplied to the vehicle from a power source. A connector is attached to a post or stand on which the meter is mounted, whereby the electric vehicle is interconnected to the power source. A power controller, operable in response to signals from the processor, is interconnected between the power source and the connector.

(7) U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,450 to Schwendinger.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,450—issued to Schwendinger on Jan. 15, 2002 in U.S. class 242 and subclass 388.9—teaches a cable manager having a support member and a bracket that mounts the support member to a ceiling joist of a golf cart shed. A first pulley wheel attaches to the top end of the support member, and a second pulley wheel attaches to a pulley mounting bracket. A coil spring entrained about the first pulley wheel has one end attached to the pulley mounting bracket and the other end attached to the bottom end of the support member. The second pulley wheel is suspended at a lower elevation than the first pulley wheel, and moves down against the force of the spring when the power cable entrained over it is pulled down to connect to a golf cart for recharging. While recharging occurs, the lower pulley is fixed to the support member by attaching its bracket to an S-hook that attaches the spring to the vertical support member. When the power cable is released, the pulley moves up, but its upward travel is limited by a cable bracket that captures the power cable and holds it in position for easy retrieval for the next use. The cable manager is suspended from the ceiling, above the tops of the golf carts, leaving the area floor free of obstructions for the golf cart.

(8) United States Patent Application Publication Number 2008/0218121 to Gale et

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2008/0218121—published to Gale et al. on Sep. 11, 2008 in U.S. class 320 and subclass 109—teaches a method for charging an electric storage battery in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle through a power supply circuit, which includes coupling the charger to the circuit, determining whether another appliance in the circuit other than the charger is drawing current, determining a maximum charge rate at which the battery can be charged using the charger, charging the battery at the maximum charge rate if no other appliance in the circuit is drawing current, and charging the battery at less than the maximum charge rate if another appliance in the circuit is drawing current.

It is apparent that numerous innovations for electric charging devices have been provided in the prior art, which are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, nevertheless, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described, namely, an overhead mobile charger system for reaching and charging electric vehicles parked in a pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces.

3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, an object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide an overhead mobile charger system for reaching and charging electric vehicles parked in a pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

Briefly stated, another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide an overhead mobile charger system for reaching and charging electric vehicles parked in a pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces. The system includes a rail, a pair of trolleys, a single EV battery charger, and apparatus for electrically connecting the single EV battery charger to a power source without impinging upon movement of the pair of trolleys along the rail. The rail mounts overhead of, and traverses, the pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces. The pair of trolleys are movably mounted along the rail and reach the electric vehicles parked in the pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces. The single EV battery charger is mounted to, and moves with, the pair of trolleys to charge the electric vehicles parked in the pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces.

The novel features considered characteristic of the embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The embodiments of the present invention themselves, however, both as to their construction and to their method of operation together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying figures of the drawing.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWING

The figures of the drawing are briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a typical prior art EV charging station design;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the overhead mobile charger system of the embodiments of the present invention reaching and charging electric vehicles parked in a pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged diagrammatic side elevational view taken generally in the direction of ARROW3 inFIG. 2 of the overhead mobile charger system of the embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view taken generally in the direction of ARROW4 inFIG. 2 of the overhead mobile charger system of the embodiments of the present invention utilizing a collector shoe;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view taken generally in the direction of ARROW5 inFIG. 2 of the overhead mobile charger system of the embodiments of the present invention utilizing a festoon; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified byARROW6 inFIG. 3 of an EV charger handle.

5. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGA. Prior art.

a typical prior art EV charging station design for parking garage application
b overhead charging unit
c ceiling
d retractable cable

B. General.

10 overhead mobile charger system of embodiments of present invention for reaching and chargingelectric vehicles12 parked in pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces14
12 electric vehicles
14 pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces14
C. Overall configuration of overheadmobile charger system10.
16 rail for mounting overhead of, and for traversing, pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces14.
18 pair of trolleys for reachingelectric vehicles12 parked in pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces14
20 single EV battery charger for chargingelectric vehicles12 parked in pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces14
22 apparatus for electrically connecting singleEV battery charger20 topower source24 without impinging upon movement of pair oftrolleys18 alongrail16
24 power source
D. Specific configuration ofrail16.
26 ceiling mounts for mountingrail16 toceiling28, overhead pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces14
28 ceiling
30 trolley stops
32 web ofrail16
34 pair of flanges ofrail16
E. Specific configuration of each trolley of the pair oftrolleys18.
36 generally U-shaped body of each trolley of pair oftrolleys18
38 two sets of wheels of each trolley of pair oftrolleys18
40 axles of two sets ofwheels38 of each trolley of pair oftrolleys18
42 bearings of two sets ofwheels38 of each trolley of pair oftrolleys18
44 mounting plate of pair oftrolleys18
45 electric motor of one of pair oftrolleys18 for electrically connecting topower source24 so as to cause two sets ofwheels38 of one trolley of pair oftrolleys18 to rotate and thereby allow pair oftrolleys18 to traverserail16 in either direction so as to be able to reachelectric vehicles12 parked in pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces14
F. Specific configuration of singleEV battery charger20.
46 housing of singleEV battery charger20
48 retractable charger cable of singleEV battery charger20
50 EV charger handle of singleEV battery charger20 for releasably and electrically connecting toelectric vehicles12 parked in pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces14
G. Specific configuration of collector shoe embodiment ofapparatus22.
52 plurality of conductors ofapparatus22 for electrically connecting topower source24 so as to allow plurality ofconductors52 ofapparatus22 to be electrically hot and carry power frompower source24
54 insulated suspenders ofapparatus22
56 plurality of collector shoes ofapparatus22
58 power cable ofapparatus22
H. Specific configuration of festoon embodiment ofapparatus22.
60 unistrut ofapparatus22
62 rigid suspenders ofapparatus22
64 plurality of rolling reels ofapparatus22
66 power cable ofapparatus22
68 one end ofpower cable66 ofapparatus22
70 other end ofpower cable66 ofapparatus22 for electrically connecting topower source24
I. Specific configuration of EV charger handle50 of singleEV battery charger20.
72 hand-fitting enclosure of EV charger handle50 of singleEV battery charger20
74 free distal end of hand-fitting enclosure72 of EV charger handle50 of singleEV battery charger20 for releasably engaging inelectric vehicles12 parked in pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces14
76 proximal end of hand-fitting enclosure72 of EV charger handle50 of singleEV battery charger20
78 pair of pushbuttons of EV charger handle50 of singleEV battery charger20

6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSA. General.

Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly toFIG. 2, which is a diagrammatic top plan view of the overhead mobile charger system of the embodiments of the present invention reaching and charging electric vehicles parked in a pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces, the overhead mobile charger system of the embodiments of the present invention is shown generally at10 for reaching and chargingelectric vehicles12 parked in a pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces14.

B. Overall Configuration of the OverheadMobile Charger System10.

The overall configuration of the overheadmobile charger system10 can best be seen inFIGS. 3-5, which are, respectively, an enlarged diagrammatic side elevational view taken generally in the direction of ARROW3 inFIG. 2 of the overhead mobile charger system of the embodiments of the present invention, an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view taken generally in the direction of ARROW4 inFIG. 2 of the overhead mobile charger system of the embodiments of the present invention utilizing a collector shoe, and an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view taken generally in the direction of ARROW5 inFIG. 2 of the overhead mobile charger system of the embodiments of the present invention utilizing a festoon, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The overheadmobile charger system10 comprises arail16, a pair oftrolleys18, a singleEV battery charger20, andapparatus22 for electrically connecting the singleEV battery charger20 to apower source24 without impinging upon movement of the pair oftrolleys18 along therail16.

Therail16 is for mounting overhead of, and for traversing, the pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces14 (FIG. 1). The pair oftrolleys18 are movably mounted along therail16 for reaching theelectric vehicles12 parked in the pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces14 (FIG. 1). The singleEV battery charger20 is mounted to, and moves with, the pair oftrolleys18 for charging theelectric vehicles12 parked in the pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces14 (FIG. 1).

C. Specific Configuration of theRail16.

Ceiling mounts26 are for mounting therail16 to aceiling28, overhead the pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces14 (FIG. 1).

Trolley stops30 are mounted to therail16 and are for limiting traversing of the pair oftrolleys18 on therail16 to the pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces14 (FIG. 1).

Therail16 is, preferably, an I-beam, and as such, further has aweb32 and a pair offlanges34.

D. Specific Configuration of EachTrolley18.

Eachtrolley18 comprises a generallyU-shaped body36. The generallyU-shaped body36 of eachtrolley18 depends from around alowermost flange34 of therail16.

Eachtrolley18 further comprises two sets ofwheels38. The two sets ofwheels38 of eachtrolley18 are rotatably mounted to the generallyU-shaped body36 of an associatedtrolley18 by axles40 and bearings42, and ride on thelowermost flange34 of therail16 so as to allow the pair oftrolleys18 to ride along therail16.

The pair oftrolleys18 comprise a mountingplate44. The mountingplate44 of the pair oftrolleys18 fixedly attaches the generallyU-shaped body36 of eachtrolley18 to each other in a spaced relationship and in identical orientation to each other so as to allow the pair oftrolleys18 to operate as a single unit.

Onetrolley18 has anelectric motor45. Theelectric motor45 of the onetrolley18 is for electrically connecting to thepower source24 so as to cause the two sets ofwheels38 of the onetrolley18 to rotate and thereby allow the pair oftrolleys18 to traverse therail16 in either direction so as to be able to reach theelectric vehicles12 parked in the pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces14.

It is to be understood, however, that theelectric motor45 of the onetrolley18 can be eliminated and the pair oftrolleys18 can be pulled along therail16 manually.

E. Specific Configuration of the SingleEV Battery Charger20.

The singleEV battery charger20 comprises ahousing46. Thehousing46 of the singleEV battery charger20 is dependingly attached to the mountingplate44 of, so as to move with, the pair oftrolleys18.

The singleEV battery charger20 further comprises aretractable charger cable48. Theretractable charger cable48 of the singleEV battery charger20 selectively extends from, and retracts into, thehousing46 of the singleEV battery charger20, terminates in a EV charger handle50 (FIG. 3), and can be used to manually pull the pair oftrolleys18 along therail16 when theelectric motor45 of the onetrolley18 is eliminated.

The EV charger handle50 of the singleEV battery charger20 is for electrically connecting to theelectric vehicles12 parked in the pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces14.

F. Specific Configuration of a Collector Shoe Embodiment of theApparatus22.

The specific configuration of a collector shoe embodiment of theapparatus22 can best be seen inFIG. 4, which is again an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view taken generally in the direction of ARROW4 inFIG. 2 of the overhead mobile charger system of the embodiments of the present invention utilizing a collector shoe, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

Theapparatus22 comprises a plurality ofconductors52. The plurality ofconductors52 of theapparatus22 are rigid, uninsulated and thereby exposed, are parallel to each other, extend horizontally at one side of theweb32 of therail16 byinsulated suspenders54, and are for electrically connecting to thepower source24 so as to allow the plurality ofconductors52 of theapparatus22 to be electrically hot and carry power from thepower source24.

Theapparatus22 further comprises a plurality of collector shoes56. The plurality ofcollector shoes56 of theapparatus22 are electrically connected to the singleEV battery charger20 by apower cable58, and slide freely along the plurality ofconductors52 of theapparatus22 making electrical contact, therewith as they move therealong so as to allow the singleEV battery charger20 to slide along therail16, via the pair oftrolleys18, and remain electrically supported without impinging upon movement of the pair oftrolleys18 along therail16.

G. Specific Configuration of a Festoon Embodiment of theApparatus22.

The specific configuration of a festoon embodiment of theapparatus22 can best be seen inFIG. 5, which is again an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view taken generally in the direction of ARROW5 inFIG. 2 of the overhead mobile charger system of the embodiments of the present invention utilizing a festoon, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

Theapparatus22 comprises aunistrut60. Theunistrut60 of theapparatus22 extends horizontally at one side of theweb32 of therail16, outboard of thelowermost flange34 of therail16, byrigid suspenders62.

Theapparatus22 further comprises a plurality of rollingreels64. The plurality of rollingreels64 of theapparatus22 are rollingly mounted, and move along, theunistrut60 of theapparatus22, at one side of the singleEV battery charger20.

Theapparatus22 further comprises apower cable66. Thepower cable66 of theapparatus22 is electrically connected at one end68 thereof to the singleEV battery charger20, reeves drapingly through the plurality of rollingreels64 of theapparatus22 so as to form slack, and is for electrically connecting at theother end70 thereof to thepower source24 so as to allow the singleEV battery charger20 to slide along therail16, via the pair oftrolleys18, and remain electrically supported without impinging upon movement of the pair oftrolleys18 along therail16.

Thepower cable66 of theapparatus22 is insulated and flat so as to reeve more easily through the plurality of rollingreels64 of theapparatus22.

H. Specific Configuration of the EV Charger Handle50 of the SingleEV Battery Charger20.

The specific configuration of the EV charger handle50 of the singleEV battery charger20 can best be seen inFIG. 6, which is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified byARROW6 inFIG. 3 of an EV charger handle, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The EV charger handle50 of the singleEV battery charger20 comprises a hand-fitting enclosure72. The hand-fitting enclosure72 of the EV charger handle50 of the singleEV battery charger20 is rigid, ergonomic, and has a freedistal end74 for releasably engaging in theelectric vehicles12 parked in the pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces14 and aproximal end76 electrically communicating with theretractable charger cable48 of the singleEV battery charger20.

The EV charger handle50 of the singleEV battery charger20 further comprises a pair ofpushbuttons78. The pair ofpushbuttons78 of the EV charger handle50 of the singleEV battery charger20 are accessible via the hand-fitting enclosure72 of the EV charger handle50 of the singleEV battery charger20, and are in electrical communication with theelectric motor45 of the onetrolley18, via theretractable charger cable48 of the singleEV battery charger20, and when onepushbutton78 of the EV charger handle50 of the singleEV battery charger20 is pressed, the pair oftrolleys18 traverse therail16 in one direction, and when theother pushbutton78 of the EV charger handle50 of the singleEV battery charger20 is pressed, the pair oftrolleys18 traverse therail16 in an opposite direction to, to thereby conveniently control movement of the singleEV battery charger20.

I. Impressions.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described as embodied in an overhead mobile charger system for reaching and charging electric vehicles parked in a pair of adjacent rows of side-by-side parking spaces, nevertheless, they are not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions, and changes in the forms and details of the embodiments of the present invention illustrated and their operation, can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the embodiments of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the embodiments of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt them for various applications without omitting features that from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of the embodiments of the present invention.