U.S. patent application number 09/935864 was filed with the patent office on 2003-02-27 for charging system for easily recharging batteries for toys.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Step2 Company. Invention is credited to Hauptner, Andrew J., Nagy, James R..
Application Number | 20030040255 09/935864 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25467800 |
Filed Date | 2003-02-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030040255 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hauptner, Andrew J. ; et
al. |
February 27, 2003 |
Charging system for easily recharging batteries for toys
Abstract
An on-board battery recharger is provided for use on a
toy-riding vehicle that automatically connects and disconnects the
recharger to the battery of the vehicle. A power cord is also
provided to connect power from a power source to the on-board
recharger via a receptacle. When charging power is supplied to the
toy vehicle, an electric switching means connects the battery to
the recharger and disconnects the battery from drive motors that
propel the toy vehicle. Likewise, when the charging power is
removed from connection with the toy vehicle, the electric
switching means disconnects the battery from the recharger and
reconnects the battery to the drive motors for continued operation
of the toy.
Inventors: |
Hauptner, Andrew J.; (Monroe
Falls, OH) ; Nagy, James R.; (Cuyahoga Falls,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Roger D. Emerson
One Cascade Plaza, Fourteenth Floor
Akron
OH
44308
US
|
Assignee: |
The Step2 Company
Streetsboro
OH
|
Family ID: |
25467800 |
Appl. No.: |
09/935864 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/484 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 7/0029 20130101;
A63H 29/22 20130101; H02J 7/00304 20200101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/484 |
International
Class: |
A63H 029/22 |
Claims
I/We claim:
1. An electrically operated toy, comprising: a toy frame member; an
electrically powered output device operatively attached to the
frame member; electrical power storing means for use in selectively
providing electrical power to actuate the electrically powered
output device, the electrical power storing means being operatively
attached to the toy frame member; an electrical recharger operable
to receive electrical power from an associated power source and to
deliver recharging power to the electrical power storing means,
wherein the electrical recharger is operatively mounted on board
the toy; and, electric switching means selectively operable to
electrically communicate the electrical power storing means with
one of either of the electrically powered output device and the
electrical recharger.
2. The electrically operated toy of claim 1, wherein the electrical
recharger is not communicated to the electrically powered output
device.
3. The electrically operated toy of claim 1, wherein the electric
switching means automatically engages to communicate the electrical
recharger to the electrical power storing means when the electrical
power storing means receives electrical charging power from the
associated power source.
4. The electrically operated toy of claim 3, wherein the electric
switching means disconnects the electrical recharger from
communication with the electrical power storing means when the
electrical recharger does not receive electrical charging
power.
5. The electrically operated toy of claim 1, further comprising: at
least a first ground engaging wheel, wherein the at least a first
ground engaging wheel is operatively connected to the electrically
powered output device.
6. The electrically operated toy of claim 5, further comprising: a
seat member operatively attached to the toy frame for use in
supporting an associated child operator.
7. The electrically operated toy of claim 1, wherein the
electrically powered output device is an electromotive
actuator.
8. The electrically operated toy of claim 7, wherein the
electromotive actuator is an electric motor.
9. The electrically operated toy of claim 1, wherein the electrical
power storing means is a rechargeable battery.
10. The electrically operated toy of claim 1, wherein the
electrical power storing means is substantially a 12 DC Volt
rechargeable battery.
11. The electrically operated toy of claim 1, further comprising: a
uni-directional electrical device operatively communicated between
the electrical power storing means and the electrical recharger for
use in allowing charging power to flow in a single direction.
12. The electrically operated toy of claim 11, wherein the
uni-directional electrical device comprises a diode.
13. The electrically operated toy of claim 1, wherein the electric
switch is a power sensing circuit operably connected to sense the
electrical power communicated from the associated power source to
the electrical recharger, and, wherein the power sensing circuit
automatically electrically disconnects the electrical power storing
means from the electrically powered output device and connects the
electrical power storing means to the electrical recharger when the
power sensing circuit senses the electrical power.
14. The electrically operated toy of claim 13, wherein the power
sensing circuit includes a relay.
15. A battery operated riding toy vehicle, comprising: a toy frame;
at least a first ground-engaging wheel rotatably attached with
respect to the toy frame; a seat portion operatively attached to
the toy frame; an electric motor operably connected to the at least
a first ground engaging wheel, the electric motor being operatively
attached to the toy frame; a rechargeable battery selectively
operatively communicated to the electric motor, the battery being
operatively attached to the toy frame; and, a battery charger
operatively communicated to selectively deliver charging power to
the rechargeable battery, the battery charger operable to receive
electric charging power from an associated power source, the
battery charger being operatively mounted to the toy frame, wherein
the battery charger is not operably communicated to the electric
motor; an electric switch selectively operable to electrically
communicate the electrical power storing means with one of either
of the electrical actuator and the electrical recharger, wherein
the electric switch automatically engages to electrically
communicate the battery charger to the rechargeable battery when
the battery charger receives electrical charging power from the
associated power source.
16. The battery operated riding toy vehicle of claim 15, further
comprising: an accelerator member operatively communicated between
the rechargeable battery and the electric motor for use in
selectively communicating electrical power from the rechargeable
battery to the electric motor.
17. A method of recharging the battery of a battery operated
child's toy, the steps comprising: providing a child's toy
including: a toy frame member; an electrically powered output
device operatively attached to the frame member; a battery for use
in selectively providing electrical power to actuate the
electrically powered output device, the battery being operatively
attached to the toy frame member; an electrical recharger operable
to receive electrical power from an associated power source and to
deliver recharging power to the battery, wherein the electrical
recharger is operatively mounted on board the toy; an electrical
switch automatically selectively operable to electrically
communicate the battery with one of either of the electrically
powered output device and the electrical recharger; and, a power
cord for use in communicating electrical power from the associated
power source to the electrical recharger; connecting the power cord
to supply electrical power to the electrical recharger;
automatically electrically communicating the electrical charger to
the battery; and, automatically recharging the battery.
18. A method of recharging the battery of claim 17, wherein before
the step of automatically electrically communicating the electrical
charger to the battery, further comprising the step of:
automatically disconnecting the battery from the electrically
powered output device.
Description
I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] A. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to the art of children's toys
and more specifically to battery operated toys, especially as
related to a battery charging system for a toy vehicle.
[0003] B. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Electrically operated toys typically use rechargeable
batteries for providing power to operate the toy. This is
especially true for a toy requiring larger amounts of electrical
power where the cost of the battery dramatically increases, such as
is used in a child's riding vehicle or car where the child sits in
the toy and drives it around for enjoyment. In such a case it is
desirable to have a battery recharging system to recharge the
battery after the electrical energy contained therein has been
depleted. In many electrically operated toys, after the battery has
been depleted, a supervising adult is required to disconnect and
remove the battery from the toy and electrically connect the
battery to a battery recharger for a predetermined amount of time.
Afterward the battery must be reinstalled and reconnected before
the toy can be used again. This process must then be repeated for
every use of the toy vehicle when the power stored in the battery
has been depleted.
[0005] Some inventors have attempted to obviate the difficulties of
the cumbrous process by incorporating a recharging receptacle onto
the toy vehicle that may be used to electrically communicate to the
rechargeable battery. The intent is to electrically connect
conductors from the recharger to the receptacle of the toy vehicle
and then turn on the recharger. However, since the rechargeable
battery has not been directly removed or disconnected from the
actuator or motor of the toy vehicle, an additional step is
required whereby the rechargeable battery is switched out of
electrical connection with the motor of the toy vehicle so that the
toy may not be operated during the recharging process.
[0006] One such invention is revealed in the U.S. Pat. No.
5,229,703 to Harris, which discloses a battery recharge
interconnection system provided for use on a toy vehicle. The
interconnection system includes a charger receptacle, operatively
connected to a rechargeable battery, covered by a rotatable disk.
As further disclosed, an opening in the disk permits a plug from an
external charger to be inserted through the opening and into the
charger receptacle whenever the disk is rotated to a predetermined
position in which the opening overlies the receptacle. During
normal operation of the battery-operated device, the disk is
rotated to a first position in which the charger receptacle is
obstructed by the disk and the cut-out switch is disengaged. To
recharge the device, the disk is rotated to a second position in
which the opening in the disk overlies the receptacle, permitting
your recharger plug to be inserted in the receptacle.
[0007] One aspect of the aforementioned device is that the device
requires a separate battery recharging unit that must be stored
when not in use and that must be brought out to recharge the
battery of the toy when depleted. Additionally, the specially
designed receptacle must be adjusted into the proper position
before the recharging unit can be connected to the battery circuit.
What is needed is a more convenient and fool-proof method of
communicating recharging power from a power source to the battery
of the toy vehicle.
[0008] Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear
from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment
of the invention with reference being made to the accompanying
drawings.
II. Summary of the Invention
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
battery-operated toy having an onboard battery-recharging unit.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
battery-operated toy that automatically switches the battery into
and out of the engagement with the battery-recharging unit.
[0011] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a battery-operated toy that automatically switches the battery into
and out of engagement with the actuation unit of the toy.
[0012] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a battery-operated riding toy vehicle having an onboard
battery-recharging unit.
[0013] It is still yet another object of the present invention to
incorporate a relay into the recharging circuit to switch the
battery into and out of engagement with the battery-recharging
unit.
[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to
incorporate a diode in the recharging circuit to ensure that
recharging power flows in one direction from the recharger to the
battery.
[0015] In the present invention, there is provided a riding toy
vehicle, having a toy frame onto which may be mounted ground
engaging wheels for providing mobility of the toy vehicle. An
electric motor is also included that is operatively connected to
the ground engaging wheels for use in providing a motive force to
drive the wheels. A DC battery of appropriate voltage is
operatively connected to the motor for use in supplying electrical
power to the motor. The vehicle also includes a battery-recharging
unit or battery recharger that is received by the toy frame of the
riding vehicle. The battery recharger may be selectively removeably
fastened to the toy frame. However, when attached the battery
recharger is rigidly attached with respect to the toy frame. In
other words, the riding toy vehicle includes an on-board battery
charger. A relay is also included in the electrical circuitry
whereby the relay may selectively be adjusted between first and
second operating positions. The first relay position operatively
communicates the battery to the motor of the vehicle, while
disconnecting the battery from electrical communication with the
battery recharger. Likewise, the second relay position operatively
communicates the battery to the on-board battery recharger, while
disconnecting the battery from electrical communication with the
motor of the vehicle. A diode is operatively disposed within the
electrical circuitry communicating the battery with the battery
recharge to provide power flow in a single direction from the
battery recharger to the battery. As is well known in the art, a
relay includes a solenoid or coil that when excited by electrical
energy electromagnetically engages the relay between the first and
second relay positions as mentioned above. In the preferred
embodiment, the solenoid is operatively connected to the battery
recharger so that when recharging power, supplied from an
associated power source, is present at the battery recharger, the
solenoid is thereby electrically excited and changes from the first
relay position to the second relay position. In other words, the
circuitry of the battery recharger automatically switches the
battery into and out of engagement with the motor of the toy
vehicle when recharging power is received at the onboard battery
recharger.
III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The invention may take physical form in certain parts and
arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be
described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery-operated child's
toy.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the rechargeable
battery, the onboard battery recharger and the motor of the
battery-operated child's toy.
IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for
purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention
only and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 shows a
battery operated child's toy, and more specifically a riding toy
vehicle, shown generally at 1. It is expressly noted that while the
preferred embodiment is drawn toward a riding toy vehicle, the
features and advantages of the present invention may be realized by
any battery-operated child's toy, including those types of toys not
intended for rolling movement. Such toys may include toys playing
audible sounds or toys dispersing a substance. One toy contemplated
concerns a rotationally molded, double-walled toy having certain
electrical components on board, such as a battery operated fan. Any
such related toy may be chosen with sound engineering judgment that
utilizes electrical power from a battery and that can recharged
from an on-board recharger. Additionally, "toy vehicle" may be
construed to include water-based floating toys having rotary
paddles or flying toys having moving parts.
[0020] FIG. 1 depicts the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, which is drawn to a battery-operated child's riding toy
car or vehicle 1. The toy vehicle 1 includes a toy frame 4. By toy
frame it is meant, an appropriately sized and constructed frame
capable to receive and support a plurality of toy components, as
will be discussed subsequently, so as to allow safe operation of
the toy by a child. The toy frame 4 may have rotatably attached
thereto ground-engaging wheels 6 for use in providing mobility to
the toy vehicle 1. The toy vehicle 1 may also include a separate
body portion 8 that is fixedly secured to the toy frame 4. However,
the body portion 8 may be integrally fashioned with toy frame 4 to
form a single component. A seat 10 may be fashioned and fixedly
received by the toy frame 4 into the interior 11 of the toy vehicle
1 for use in supporting a child operator, not depicted in the
FIGURES. Steering wheel 12 is also shown and includes an
operatively connected steering assembly, not shown, whereby the toy
vehicle 1 may be steered to move freely during operation as is
appropriate for the child operator. The toy vehicle 1 also includes
an electrically powered output device 14. In the preferred
embodiment the electrically powered output device 14 is a motive
device 15 such as an electric motor 16 that is intended to propel
the toy vehicle 1. The motive device 15 may be operatively
connected to the ground engaging wheels 6 in a manner well known in
the art. In this way, the motive device 15 or motor 16 communicates
electrical power to drive the ground engaging wheels 6. In other
words, the electrically powered output device 14 may be an
electromotive actuator 17 or any actuator providing motive force to
drive a toy vehicle 1 wherein engagement of the electromotive
actuator 17 requires electrical energy to power the device. It is
contemplated in an alternate embodiment that the motive device may
be substituted for a non-motive device or another motive device not
operable to provide rolling mobility for the toy vehicle. Examples
of these types of devices may include information storage devices
or devices producing an audible output. Additionally, examples of
motive devices may include actuators that provide movement of the
appendages of a doll or toy animal. However, any electrically
powered device may be chosen with sound engineering judgment. An
electrical power storing means 18 is shown in FIG. 1 operatively
attached to the toy frame 4. In the preferred embodiment, the
electrical power storing means 18 is a rechargeable battery 20.
However, any means of storing and delivering electrical power to
the toy vehicle 1 may be chosen with sound engineering judgment and
may include capacitive or inductive power storage elements. The
electrical power storing means 18 may be operatively communicated
to the electromotive actuator 17 or motor 16 through a wire harness
22, depicted in FIG. 2. A discussion of the wire harness 22 will be
provided in greater detail in subsequent paragraphs. The toy
vehicle 1 may additionally include an accelerator member 24 that
provides for selective operation of the toy vehicle 1. The
accelerator member 24 may be communicated through the wire harness
22 to control the power being transferred from the electrical power
storing means 18 to the electromotive actuator 17. In other words,
the electrical power transferred from the battery 20 to the motor
16 that causes motion of the toy vehicle 1 may be engaged by the
child operator to make the toy vehicle 1 go faster or slower as is
appropriate for a child's riding toy vehicle. FIG. 1 also depicts
an electrical recharger 26 that is mounted on board the toy vehicle
1 which will be discussed in greater detail presently.
[0021] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the toy vehicle 1 of the
present invention includes an on-board electrical recharger 26. By
"on-board" it is meant that the electrical recharger 26 is securely
mounted to the toy frame 4 so that during operation of the toy
vehicle 1, the electrical recharger travels with the toy vehicle 1
and does not hinder or prevent operation of the toy vehicle 1 with
regard to the direction of movement. The electrical recharger 26
may be modular in construction in that the electrical recharger 26
may be selectively removable for replacement or repair as
necessary. The electrical recharger 26 may be electrically
communicated to the wire harness 22 via terminal connectors or
through a terminal block 34. The electrical recharger unit 26 may
be physically secured to the toy frame 4 or body portion 8 by
removable fasteners that fixedly hold the electrical recharger 26
in place but that may be unfastened as may be warranted for repair
or replacement. The toy vehicle 1 may also include a detachable
power supply cord 30 for use communicating electrical supply power
from a power source 36 to the electrical recharger 26. The power
cord 30 may include any connector end 39, shown in FIG. 1, as is
appropriate for connecting the power cord 30 to the power supply to
the electrical recharger 26. In the preferred embodiment, the toy
vehicle 1 may have recharging power supplied by a substantially 110
or 220 AC Volt supply, such as is supplied by a standard wall
outlet 35. However, any type of supply power may be utilized
including DC-type power.
[0022] With reference now to FIG. 2, a discussion of the electrical
operation of the electrical power storing means 18, the
electromotive actuator 17 and the electrical recharger 26 will now
be presented. The electrical recharger 26 may utilize a step-down
transformer in conjunction with a rectifying circuit to condition
the power as needed to charge the electrical power storing means
18. Alternately, the electrical recharger 26 may use DC-to-DC
converters to condition the supply power as is appropriate for the
electrical power storing means 18. However, any means of
conditioning the supply power may be chosen with sound engineering
judgment as is appropriate for supplying recharging power to the
electrical power storing means 18. The electrical power storing
means 18 may be a 12 DC Volt rechargeable battery of any type
chosen with sound engineering judgment, including gel-type battery
cells. Both the electrical power storing means 18 and the
electrical recharger 26 may be connected to the wire harness 22 via
electrical conductors 38 and by terminal blocks or connectors 34.
It is noted that as it is well known in the art to use electrical
conductors to electrically communicate electrical devices, no
further explanation of electrical conductors and the uses thereof
will be offered at this point. Likewise, the electromotive actuator
17 is communicated to the wire harness 22 and selectively receives
power from the electrical power storing means 18 for providing
motive force to drive the toy vehicle 1. There is shown generally
at 40 an electrical switching means that automatically connects the
electrical recharger 26 and the electrical power storing means 18
when the recharging process has been initiated and disconnects the
same when the recharging process has been terminated. By
automatically, it is meant without additional user intervention. In
other words, when the power cord 30 is connected to the toy vehicle
1 via receptacle 37, the electrical switching means 40 senses that
the recharging process has been initiated and automatically
electrically connects the electrical power storing means 18 with
the electrical recharger 26, as will be discussed in greater detail
in the following paragraph. In the preferred embodiment, the
electric switching means 40 is operatively connected so as to
engage when supply power is received by the power supply. In this
manner, when supply power is received by the electrical recharger
26, the electric switching means 40 senses the supply power and
engages from a Normally Closed state to an Open state.
[0023] With continued reference to FIG. 2, operation of the
electric switching means 40 will now be discussed. In the preferred
embodiment, the electric switching means 40 is a relay 41. As is
well known in the art, the relay 41 may include a solenoid or coil,
not shown, that electromagnetically engages when an appropriate
level of power is received by the coil. The engagement of the coil
may connect one set of relay contacts and simultaneously disconnect
another set of relay contacts that may be used to electrically
connect and disconnect electrical devices, such as a battery and an
electrical recharger. In that relays are well known in the art, no
further discussion of the operation thereof will be presented. It
is noted at this point, that any means of electrically sensing
electrical power from a power supply and respectively any means of
electrically connecting and disconnecting electrical devices may be
chosen with sound engineering judgment. This may include transistor
switches or any bi-polar device so configured to function in the
manner described above. In the de-energized state that electric
switching means 40 is Normally Closed. By Normally Closed it is
meant that the electric switching means 40 includes electrical
contacts 44 that operatively communicates electrical power from the
electrical power storing means 18 to the electromotive actuator 17
in the de-energized state. When the electric switch is energized,
which happens automatically when supply power is received by the
electrical recharger 26, the normally closed contacts 44 open and
an alternate set of Normally Open contacts 45 close. In this
manner, the electric switching means 40 may include multiple sets
of both Normally Closed and Normally Open contacts 44, 45 that open
and close respectively. Therefore, when the electric switching
means 40is engaged the electrical power storing means 18 is
disconnected from the electromotive actuator 17 and connected to
the electrical recharger 26 and when the electric switching means
40 is disengaged or de-energized the electrical power storing means
18 is disconnected from the electrical recharger 26 and reconnected
to the electromotive actuator 17 automatically.
[0024] With continued reference to FIG. 2, a uni-directional
electrical device 48 is shown operatively connected between the
electric recharger 26 and the Normally Open contacts 45. The
uni-directional electrical device 48 operates to allow electrical
power to flow only in one direction, which in the preferred
embodiment is from the electrical recharger 26 to the electrical
power storing means 18. In the preferred embodiment, the
uni-directional electrical device is a diode 49. However, any means
of allowing supply power to flow in a single direction from the
electrical recharger 26 to the electrical power storing means 18
may be chosen with sound engineering judgment.
[0025] With reference again to FIG. 2, a bimetallic switch 52 is
shown electrically connecting power from the electrical power
storing means 18 to the electromotive actuator 17. The bi-metallic
switch 52 includes two dissimilar materials that when heated, for
example as a result of electrical current flow, expand and contract
at different rates. When subjected to a threshold level of current
flow, the bimetallic switch 52 heats up so as to electrically
disconnect at the junction of the dissimilar materials thereby
preventing current from flowing through the device. In this manner,
the bi-metallic switch 52 disconnects the electromotive actuator 17
from the electrical power storing means 18 when a certain level of
current flow has been reached within the circuit. It is noted that
any means of detecting excessive current flow and disconnecting
electrical connection therefrom may be chosen with sound
engineering judgment.
[0026] With reference to all of the FIG. 2, charging operation of
the vehicle will now be presented. With the battery operationally
charged, the child operator may sit in the toy vehicle 1 and
depress the accelerator member 24 wherein electrical power is
operatively communicated from the electrical power storing means 18
to the electromotive actuator 17 thus propelling the vehicle in
first direction. At any point but especially when the battery has
substantially been depleted of power, a supply cord 30 may be
inserted at one end into a standard wall outlet 35 and at the
distal end into the receptacle 37 of the toy vehicle 1 resulting in
charging power being received by the electrical recharger 26. As
charging power is received at the electrical recharger 26, electric
switching means 40 senses the charging power and automatically
engages switching the electrical power storing means 1 8 out of
electrical connection with the electromotive actuator 17 and into
electrical connection with the electrical recharger 26. Therein,
charging power flows in a single direction from the electrical
recharger 26 to the electrical power storing means 18 so as to
provide supply power to recharge the electrical power storing means
18. When the electrical power storing means 18 has been
sufficiently recharged, or at any time prior, the power cord 30 may
be removed from the receptacle 37 wherein the electric switching
means 40 automatically senses the power disconnection and
electrically disconnects the electrical power storing means 18 from
electrical connection with the electrical recharger 26 and
electrically connects the electrical power storing means 18 to the
electromotive actuator 17, thus allowing operation of the toy
vehicle 1 once again. In the event that a threshold level of
current is drawn through the bimetallic switch 52, the bimetallic
switch 52 will electrically disconnect preventing current from
flowing to the electromotive actuator 17 until such a time when an
appropriate amount of heat has been dissipated from the bimetallic
switch 52 thereby allowing the bimetallic switch 52 to close once
again and allowing power to the communicated from the electrical
power storing means 18 to the electromotive actuator 17.
[0027] While specific embodiments of the invention have been
described and illustrated, it is to be understood that these
embodiments are provided by way of example only and that the
invention is not to be construed as being limited thereto but only
by proper scope of the following claims.
* * * * *