Chassis assembly for an electrical powered vehicle

1. A chassis assembly for an electrical vehicle comprising:

a main chassis, the main chassis having a front end and a rear end;

at least one main chassis wheel rotationally coupled to the main chassis about a main chassis rotational axis;

a secondary chassis pivotally coupled to the main chassis, the secondary chassis configured and arranged to hold batteries that supply energy to an electric motor coupled to the main chassis;

at least one secondary chassis wheel rotationally coupled to the secondary chassis about a secondary chassis rotational axis;

the pivot connection between the main chassis and the secondary chassis having a pivot axis that is generally parallel with the main chassis rotational axis and the secondary chassis rotational axis;

a connection base coupled to the rear end of the main chassis, the connection base further including an upper portion with opposed extending rods;

at least one elongated connection member configured and arranged to pivotally couple the connection base of the main chassis to the secondary chassis; and

the at least one elongated connection member further including a pair of elongated connection members, each elongated connection member having a first end and a second end, the first end of each elongated connection member including an aperture, an associated extending rod of the upper portion of the connection base being received in an associated aperture in the first end of an associated elongated member.

2. The chassis assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:

at least one power generating system in rotational communication with at least one of the at least one main wheel chassis wheel and the at least one secondary wheel chassis wheel, the power generating system configured and arranged to selectively provide energy to charge the batteries and to run the electric motor.

3. The chassis assembly of claim 2 , further comprising:

a first pulley in rotational communication with the at least one of the at least one main chassis wheel and the at least one secondary chassis wheel;

a second pulley in rotational communication with the power generating system, the size of the first and second pulleys selected to achieve a desired pulley ratio; and

an endless loop member engaged with the first pulley and the second pulley to transfer rotation of the first pulley to the second pulley.

4. The chassis assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:

the second end of each elongated connection member further being pivotally coupled to the secondary chassis.

5. The chassis assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:

at least one dampening arm extending from the connection base configured and arranged to prevent the second chassis from hopping on a surface the secondary chassis is traveling across.

6. The chassis assembly of claim 5 , further comprising:

the at least one dampening arm including an engaging end with a receiving slot; and

an axle coupled to the secondary chassis, a portion of the axle received in the receiving slot in the engaging end of the at least one dampening arm.

7. The chassis assembly of claim 1 , wherein the secondary chassis is configured and arranged to be housed in a body that houses the main chassis.

8. A vehicle comprising:

a main chassis;

at least one main chassis wheel rotationally coupled to the main chassis;

an electric motor configured and arranged to rotate the at least one main chassis wheel, the electric motor coupled to the main chassis;

a secondary chassis coupled to the main chassis via at least one pivot connection having a pivot axis;

at least one secondary chassis wheel rotationally coupled to the secondary chassis, the secondary chassis having a rotational axis that is generally parallel with the pivot axis;

at least one battery coupled to the secondary chassis, the at least one battery coupled to provide energy to operate the electric motor; and

at least one power generating system configured and arranged to provide energy to charge the battery and to drive the electric motor; and

at least one dampening arm extending from the main chassis, the at least one dampening arm configured and arranged to selectively engage a portion of the secondary chassis to prevent hopping, wherein the at least one dampening arm includes an engaging end with a receiving slot, the portion of the secondary chassis received in the receiving slot of the dampening arm.

9. The vehicle of claim 8 , further comprising:

at least one sensor; and

a controller configured to selectively couple energy to charge the battery and drive the electric motor based at least in part on an output of the at least one sensor.

10. The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the power generating system is coupled to the secondary chassis and is configured and arranged to receive rotational movement as a result of the rotation of the at least one secondary chassis wheel.

11. The vehicle of claim 10 , further comprising:

a bracket coupled to the secondary chassis, the at least one power generating system coupled to the bracket;

a first pulley coupled to the power generating system;

a second pulley coupled to rotate in response to the rotation of the at least one secondary chassis wheel, the size of the first and second pulley selected to achieve a desired pulley ratio; and

an endless looped member engaged with the first pulley and the second pulley to convey rotation of the at least one secondary chassis wheel to the power generating system.

12. The vehicle of claim 8 , further comprising;

at least one connection member having a first end and a second end, the first end pivotally coupled to the main chassis, the second end pivotally coupled to the secondary chassis.

13. The vehicle of claim 8 , further comprising:

a body coupled to the main chassis, the body further configured to cover at least in part the secondary chassis.

14. A vehicle comprising:

a main chassis having a front end and a rear end;

at least two main chassis wheels rotationally coupled to the main chassis;

an electric motor coupled to the main chassis to provide at least in part power to rotate at least one of the at least two main chassis wheels;

a secondary chassis pivotally coupled proximate the rear end of the main chassis via at least first and second spaced pivot points;

at least one battery coupled to the secondary chassis, the at least one battery coupled to provide energy to operate the electric motor;

at least one secondary chassis wheel rotationally coupled to the secondary chassis; and

a power generating system coupled to the secondary chassis, the power generating system further coupled to generate energy via the rotation of the at least one secondary chassis wheel;

a controller coupled to direct the energy generated by the power generation system selectively to charge the at least one battery and to selectively power the electric motor; and

at least one dampening arm extending from the main chassis, the at least one dampening arm configured and arranged to selectively engage a portion of the secondary chassis to prevent hoping wherein the at least one dampening arm includes an engaging end with a receiving slot, the portion of the secondary chassis received in the receiving slot of the dampening arm.

15. The vehicle of claim 14 , further comprising:

a first connection member having a first end pivotally coupled proximate the rear end of the main chassis to form the first pivot point, the first connection member having a second end pivotally coupled to the secondary chassis; and

a second connection member spaced from the first connection member, the second connection member having a first end pivotally coupled proximate the rear end of the main chassis to form the second pivot point, the second connection member having a second end pivotally coupled to the secondary chassis.

16. The vehicle of claim 14 , further comprising:

a body coupled to the main chassis, the body configured and arranged to house at least a portion of the secondary chassis.