Battery-powered backpack blower

Abstract

The battery-powered backpack blower includes a back support assembly including a back plate configured to permit a user to mount the blower to the user's back, and a volute assembly including a first volute portion and a second volute portion. The backpack blower further includes a housing assembly including a battery assembly and a motor assembly therein, the housing assembly is provided intermediate to the back assembly and the volute assembly.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A battery powered backpack blower, comprising:
 a backplate;   a volute assembly for providing an air flow pathway through the backpack blower;   a fan member to generate air flow through the volute assembly;   a motor assembly secured to the volute assembly and operatively connected to the fan member, the motor being powered by at least one battery;   a tube assembly connected to the volute assembly for exhausting the air flow;   a control assembly to be grasped by a user, the control assembly located on the tube assembly, the control assembly having a trigger for varying the speed of the fan member;   a switch on the control assembly for setting a first fan speed so that the trigger may be released and the fan speed is maintained.   
     
     
         20 . The battery powered backpack blower of  claim 19 , wherein when the switch is actuated, the trigger may be depressed further to increase the fan speed above the first fan speed, and when the trigger is released, the fan speed returns to the first fan speed. 
     
     
         21 . The battery powered backpack blower of  claim 20 , wherein the switch must be deactivated to lower the fan speed below the first fan speed. 
     
     
         22 . The battery powered backpack blower of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one battery comprises two batteries, and the motor is powered by only one of the batteries at a time. 
     
     
         23 . The battery powered backpack blower of  claim 22 , wherein the control assembly includes a battery control switch to selectively switch between the two batteries powering the motor. 
     
     
         24 . A method of operating a battery powered backpack blower, comprising the steps of:
 providing a blower having a backplate, a volute assembly for providing an air flow pathway through the backpack blower, a fan member to generate air flow through the volute assembly, a motor assembly secured to the volute assembly and operatively connected to the fan member, the motor being powered by at least one battery, a tube assembly connected to the volute assembly for exhausting the air flow, and a control assembly, the control assembly located on the tube assembly, the control assembly having a trigger for varying the speed of the fan member, and a switch on the control assembly for setting a first fan speed;   depressing the trigger to actuate the motor assembly and initiate an air flow through the blower;   actuating the switch and setting the first fan speed; and   releasing the trigger, wherein the fan member continues to operate at the first fan speed.   
     
     
         25 . The method of operating a battery powered backpack blower of  claim 24 , further comprising the step of depressing the trigger while the switch is actuated, wherein the fan speed is increased beyond the first fan speed. 
     
     
         26 . The method of operating a battery powered backpack blower of  claim 25 , further comprising the steps of turning of the switch; and
 releasing the trigger, wherein the speed of the fan member drops below the first fan speed.   
     
     
         27 . The method of operating a battery powered backpack blower of  claim 24 , wherein the at least one battery is a first battery and a second battery, and the motor is powered by only one battery at a time, and further including a battery control switch;
 actuating the battery control switch to select one of the first battery or second battery to power the motor.