U.S. patent application number 10/037781 was filed with the patent office on 2003-04-24 for toy vehicle.
Invention is credited to Hoeting, Michael G., Mullaney, Sean T..
Application Number | 20030077979 10/037781 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21896295 |
Filed Date | 2003-04-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030077979 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hoeting, Michael G. ; et
al. |
April 24, 2003 |
TOY VEHICLE
Abstract
A toy vehicle includes a chassis having front and rear portions
with a wheel supporting the front portion of the chassis. The toy
vehicle further includes spaced-apart swing arms connected to the
rear portion of the chassis. Rear wheels are rotatably mounted to
each end of the swing arms. The swing arms are independently
movable with respect to the chassis between first and second
positions. Two separate propulsion drives are operatively
associated with the chassis and are drivingly coupled to respective
rear wheels. Each propulsion drive is adapted to independently
drive the respective rear wheels in either a first direction or a
second opposite direction.
Inventors: |
Hoeting, Michael G.;
(Cincinnati, OH) ; Mullaney, Sean T.; (Cincinnati,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
P. Andrew Blatt, Ph.D.
Wood, Herron & Evans, L.L.P.
2700 Carew Tower
441 Vine Street
Cincinnati
OH
45202-2917
US
|
Family ID: |
21896295 |
Appl. No.: |
10/037781 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/431 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 17/262 20130101;
A63H 17/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/431 |
International
Class: |
A63H 017/00 |
Claims
1. A toy vehicle comprising: a chassis having front and rear
portions; at least one wheel supporting said front portion of said
chassis; first and second spaced-apart swing arms having first and
second ends, said first end being connected to said rear portion of
said chassis, each of said second ends having a rear wheel
rotatably mounted thereto, each of said swing arms being
independently movable with respect to said chassis between first
and second positions, whereby said rear wheels move closer to said
front portion when said swing arms are moved from said first
position to said second position; and first and second propulsion
drives operatively associated with said chassis and drivingly
coupled to respective rear wheels, each propulsion drive adapted to
independently drive a respective rear wheel in either a first
direction or a second opposite direction.
2. The toy vehicle of claim 1, further comprising an anti-tipping
structure affixed to at least one of said swing arms to prevent the
toy vehicle from tipping backwards when both swing arms are in said
second position.
3. The toy vehicle of claim 1, further comprising an anti-tipping
structure affixed to said rear portion of said chassis to prevent
the toy vehicle from tipping backwards when both swing arms are in
said second position.
4. The toy vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a remote control
receiver adapted to receive remotely generated control signals,
said receiver operatively connected to each of said propulsion
drives whereby said receiver may independently control each of said
propulsion drives.
5. The toy vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a bias member
extending between one of said swing arms and said chassis.
6. The toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein the toy vehicle operates on
a support surface in an upright position and further comprises a
self-righting member extending from said chassis, said
self-righting member being configured to enable at least one of
said rear wheels to contact the support surface when the toy
vehicle is in a non-upright position.
7. The toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein said chassis has a
longitudinal axis, said swing arms being substantially parallel to
said longitudinal axis when in said first position and
substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis when in said
second position.
8. The toy vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a wheeled
steering mechanism supporting said front portion of said
chassis.
9. The toy vehicle of claim 8, wherein said wheeled steering
mechanism comprises: an elongated member having a slot extending
therethrough, said elongated member being pivotally connected to
said front portion of said chassis; an axle extending through said
slot, said axle having wheels disposed on opposite end of said
axle, said axle being slidably movable within said slot.
10. A toy vehicle comprising: a chassis having front and rear
portions; a wheeled steering mechanism supporting said front
portion of said chassis; first and second spaced-apart swing arms
having first and second ends, said first end being connected to
said rear portion of said chassis, each of said second ends having
a rear wheel rotatably mounted thereto, each of said swing arms
being independently movable with respect to said chassis; and first
and second propulsion drives operatively associated with said
chassis and drivingly coupled to respective rear wheels, each
propulsion drive adapted to independently drive a respective rear
wheel in either a first direction or a second opposite
direction.
11. The toy vehicle of claim 10, wherein said wheeled steering
mechanism comprises: an elongated member having a slot extending
therethrough, said elongated member being pivotally connected to
the front portion of said chassis; an axle extending through said
slot, said axle having wheels disposed on opposite end of said
axle, said axle being slidably movable within said slot.
12. The toy vehicle of claim 10, further comprising a remote
control receiver adapted to receive remotely generated control
signals, said receiver operatively connected to each of said
propulsion drives whereby said receiver may independently control
each of said propulsion drives.
13. The toy vehicle of claim 10, wherein the toy vehicle operates
on a support surface in an upright position and further comprising
a self-righting member extending from said chassis, said
self-righting member being configured to enable at least one of
said rear wheels to contact the support surface when the toy
vehicle is in a non-upright position.
14. A toy vehicle comprising: a chassis having front and rear
portions; a wheeled steering mechanism supporting said front
portion of said chassis, said wheeled steering mechanism
comprising: an elongated member having a slot extending
therethrough, said elongated member being pivotally connected to
the front portion of said chassis; and an axle extending through
said slot, said axle having wheels disposed on opposite end of said
axle, said axle being slidably movable within said slot; first and
second rear wheels rotatably mounted to said rear portion of said
chassis; and first and second propulsion drives operatively
associated with said chassis and drivingly coupled to respective
rear wheels, each propulsion drive adapted to independently drive a
respective rear wheel in either a first direction or a second
opposite direction.
15. The toy vehicle of claim 14, wherein said axle slides to a
rearward position in said slot when both of said rear wheels are
operated in a first direction so as to provide a castering effect
for said steering mechanism, said axle slides to a forward position
in said slot when both of said rear wheels are operated in a first
direction so as to provide a castering effect for said steering
mechanism.
16. A remotely controlled toy vehicle comprising: a chassis having
front and rear portions; a wheeled steering mechanism supporting
said front portion of said chassis, said wheeled steering mechanism
comprising: an elongated member having a slot extending
therethrough, said elongated member being pivotally connected to
the front portion of said chassis; and an axle extending through
said slot, said axle having wheels disposed on opposite end of said
axle, said axle being slidably movable within said slot; first and
second spaced-apart swing arms having first and second ends, said
first end being connected to said rear portion of said chassis,
each of said second ends having a rear wheel rotatably mounted
thereto, each of said swing arms being independently movable with
respect to said chassis between first and second positions, whereby
said rear wheels move closer to said front portion when said swing
arms are moved from said first position to said second position;
first and second propulsion drives operatively associated with said
chassis and drivingly coupled to respective rear wheels, each
propulsion drive adapted to independently drive a respective rear
wheel in either a first direction or a second opposite direction;
and a remote control receiver adapted to receive remotely generated
control signals, said receiver operatively connected to each of
said propulsion drives whereby said receiver may independently
control each of said propulsion drives.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a remote control toy
vehicle, and more particularly, a remote control toy vehicle with
independently controlled drive wheels.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Many remotely controlled toy vehicles attempt to duplicate
well known vehicles, such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, racing
vehicles, tanks, aircraft, space vehicles, and construction
vehicles. With these so-called "real life" vehicles, the goal is to
imitate the functional characteristics, such as the movement, of
the actual life-sized vehicle, but on a reduced scale vehicle.
While these types of vehicles can entertain the user by imitating a
real life vehicle, the range of motion of most "real life" vehicles
is somewhat limited and the movement of these vehicles follow a
known behavior. Thus, the user may also desire a toy vehicle which
does not behave like a known real life vehicle. That is, the user
may be entertained by a vehicle that has a wide range of motion and
moves in unusual and unexpected ways.
[0003] Thus, it is believed that a toy vehicle that has a wide
range of motion and could move in unusual and unexpected ways would
be desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The toy vehicle of the present invention has a wide range of
motion and can move in unusual and unexpected ways. To that end and
in accordance with the principles of the invention, the toy vehicle
includes a chassis having front and rear portions with at least one
wheel supporting the front portion of the chassis. The toy vehicle
further includes spaced-apart swing arms connected to the rear
portion of the chassis. Rear wheels are rotatably mounted to each
end of the swing arms. The swing arms are independently movable
with respect to the chassis between first and second positions. As
a given swing arm moves between the first position to the second
position, the rear wheel is moved forward with respect to the
chassis. Two separate propulsion drives are operatively associated
with the chassis and are drivingly coupled to the respective rear
wheels. Each propulsion drive is adapted to independently drive, or
spin, a respective rear wheel in either a first direction or a
second opposite direction. A rear wheel spinning in the first
direction tends to move the toy vehicle forward whereas a rear
wheel spinning in the second direction tends to move the toy
vehicle rearward. In one aspect of the invention, the toy vehicle
may be remotely controlled by an operator with a radio transmitter
transmitting appropriate radio frequency signals. Thus, to be
remotely controlled, the toy vehicle would include a receiver
adapted to receive the remotely generated radio frequency signals.
The receiver would be operatively connected to each drive motor
independently such that each drive motor could be operated
independently of the other. Accordingly, an operator could, for
example, drive one rear wheel in the first or forward direction
while simultaneously driving the other rear wheel in the second or
rearward direction.
[0005] In one aspect of the invention, the toy vehicle further
includes an anti-tipping structure or wheelie bar affixed to at
least one of the swing arms to prevent the toy vehicle from tipping
backwards when both swing arms are in the second position. In the
alternative, the wheelie bar could be affixed to the rear portion
of the chassis to prevent the toy vehicle from tipping
backwards.
[0006] In another aspect of the invention, the toy vehicle includes
a self-righting member that extends from the chassis. The
self-righting member is configured to enable at least one of the
rear wheels to contact the support surface when the toy vehicle has
flipped over to a non-upright position.
[0007] In another embodiment of the invention, the toy vehicle
includes a wheeled steering mechanism supporting the front portion
of the chassis. The wheeled steering mechanism includes an
elongated member having a slot extending therethrough. The
elongated member is pivotally connected to the front portion of the
chassis. An axle extends through and is slidably movable within the
slot. The axle has a wheel disposed at each of its opposite ends.
As the toy vehicle moves in a forward direction, the axle slides
rearwardly in the slot of the elongated member such that it is
disposed rearwardly of the pivot connection of the elongated
member. As such, the wheeled steering mechanism provides a
castering effect when the toy vehicle is moving in a forward
direction. The same castering effect is achieved when the toy
vehicle moves rearward causing the axle to slide to a position
forward of the pivot connection of the elongated member.
[0008] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following Detailed Description and the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy vehicle in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of the toy motorcycle shown in FIG.
1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a top plan view, partially cut-away, of the toy
vehicle shown in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is another side view of the toy motorcycle shown in
FIG. 1 being supported by the rear wheels and the wheelie bars.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the toy vehicle shown in
FIG. 1 with the left swing arm pivoted downwardly relative to the
chassis.
[0014] FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the front
steering mechanism of the toy vehicle of FIG. 1 as viewed from the
top.
[0015] FIG. 7 is an enlarged elevation view in partial cross
section of the front steering mechanism of the toy vehicle of FIG.
1.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
the steering mechanism of the toy vehicle shown in FIG. 1 with a
single castering front wheel.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the electrical controls for
the toy vehicle of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a toy vehicle 10 constructed
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated. The toy vehicle 10 includes a chassis 12 having front
and rear portions 14, 16 supported respectively by front wheels 18,
20 and by rear wheels 22, 24. Pivotally connected to the rear
portion 16 of chassis 12 are spaced apart swing arms 26, 28 to
which rear wheels 22, 24 are rotatably mounted. Swing arms 26, 28
pivot about a stationary axle 30 which extends transversely across
substantially the entire width of the chassis 12. As will be
discussed in greater detail below, swing arms 26, 28 are free to
pivot independently of one another between, for example, a first
position as shown in FIG. 2 and a second position as shown in FIG.
4. With swing arms 26, 28 in the second position, rear wheels 22,
24 are closer to front portion 14 of chassis 12 compared to rear
wheels 22, 24 when the swing arms 26, 28 are in the first position.
Bias members, such as shock absorbers, 38, 40 extend between the
front portion 14 of chassis 12 and links 42, 44 which are pivotally
connected about axle 30. Links 42, 44 can pivot about axle 30
independently of swing arms 24, 26. However, swing arms 24, 26
including stop members 46 (FIG. 4) proximate to where the swing
arms 24, 26 pivot about axle 30 that engage links 42, 44 to
maintain swing arms 24, 26 in their first position. Stop members 46
disengage links 42, 44 as swing arms 24, 26 pivot from the first
position toward the second position.
[0019] With specific reference to FIG. 3, the toy vehicle 10
includes two independent propulsion drives 56, 58 that include
drive motors 60, 62. Each drive motor 60, 62 has drive gears 64, 66
which drivingly engaged a respective plurality of intermeshing
gears 68, 70. Couplers 72, 74 couple intermeshing gears 68, 70 to a
second plurality of intermeshing gears 76, 78 (FIG. 4) which drive
rear wheels 22, 24. Although intermeshing gears 68, 70, 76, 78
ultimately connect drive motors 60, 62 to rear wheels 22, 24, other
suitable mechanisms, such as belts or chains, may also be used to
connect drive motors 60, 62 to the rear wheels 22, 24. A power
supply such as a battery 80 (FIG. 9) is located beneath protective
cover 86 in the rear portion 16 of chassis 12 powers drive motors
60, 62 via electrical wires 88, 90. Advantageously, battery 80 is
removable from chassis 12 so that it may be recharged.
[0020] Drive motors 60, 62 operate independently of one another.
That is, drive motor 60 drives or rotates rear wheel 22 regardless
of whether drive motor 62 drives rear wheel 24. Moreover, each
drive motor 60, 62 can operate in either a forward direction or a
rearward direction. In other words, drive motor 60 can either spin
or rotate rear wheel 22 in a direction tending to move the toy
vehicle 10 in a forward direction or in a direction tending to move
the toy vehicle 10 in an opposite rearward direction. Because drive
motors 60, 62 can be driven independently of each other, drive
motor 60 may be driven in the forward direction while
simultaneously drive motor 62 may be driven in the opposite reverse
direction.
[0021] Anti-tipping structures or wheelie bars 96, 98 are affixed
to respective upper portions of swing arms 26, 28 to prevent the
toy vehicle 10 from tipping too far backwards when both swing arms
26, 28 are pivoted to the second position as shown in FIG. 4.
Moreover, rollers 100, 102 are located at the distal ends of the
wheelie bars 96, 98 so that the toy vehicle 10 can move in a
forward direction supported by and rolling on both rollers 100, 102
and rear wheels 22, 24. It will be appreciated that wheelie bars
96, 98 or modified versions thereof could also be attached to the
rear portion 16 of chassis 12 instead of to swing arms 26, 28 to
prevent the toy vehicle 10 from tipping backwards with swing arms
26, 28 in the second position.
[0022] With reference to FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, the toy vehicle 10
includes a steering mechanism 110 that includes an elongated member
112 having a slot 114 extending therethrough. The steering
mechanism further includes an axle 116 that extends through the
slot 114. Front wheels 18, 20 are rotatably mounted on opposite
ends of axle 116. Axle 116 is free to move within slot 114. That
is, axle 116 is free to translate both forwards and backwards along
slot 114 as well as pivot in slot 114 as illustrated in FIG. 6, for
example. Stop members 118 may be affixed to opposite sides of the
axle 116 between the opposite ends of the slot 114 and the front
wheels 18, 20. Although axle 116 is free to move within slot 114,
stop members 118 limit the lateral movement of the axle 116
relative to the slot 114.
[0023] Elongated member 112 is pivotally mounted to the front
portion 14 of chassis 12 at pivot member 120 which extends from
elongated member 112. More specifically, elongated member 112
pivots about axis 122 which is tilted forward relative to a line
perpendicular to support surface 124 upon which the toy vehicle 10
travels as best illustrated in FIG. 7. Axle 116 move forwards and
backwards in slot 114 along a plane which is substantially
perpendicular to axis 122. As the toy vehicle 10 moves forward, the
axle 116 slides to the rear portion of the slot 114 and is
positioned rearward of axis 122. As such, the steering mechanism
110 casters about axis 122 such that the toy vehicle 10 tends to
move in a straight line even if the front wheels 18, 20 encounter a
disturbance which would otherwise upset the straight line track of
the toy vehicle 10. When the toy vehicle 10 moves rearward, the
axle 116 slides to the front portion of the slot 114 and is
positioned forward of axis 122. Accordingly, like the castering
effect achieved when the toy vehicle 10 moves forward, steering
mechanism 110 casters about axis 122 as the toy vehicle 10 moves
rearward.
[0024] The pivotal movement of elongated member 112 about pivot
member 120 is restricted by sidewall portions 126, 128 which form
part of front portion 14 of chassis 12. As illustrated in FIG. 6,
axle 116 can pivot slightly further than elongated member 112
because axle 116 can pivot within slot 114.
[0025] In operation, an operator remotely controls the toy vehicle
10 with a remote control transmitter 134 (FIG. 9) which selectively
transmits control signals. Advantageously, the remote control
transmitter 134 transmits control signals over two independent
channel so that the drive motors 60, 62 may be controlled
independently of one another. The toy vehicle 10 includes an
electronic circuit board 136 position directly over protective
cover 86 that includes a remote control receiver 138 and a
controller 140. The receiver 138 is operative connected to the
battery 80 and controller 140. The controller 140 is operative
connected to battery 80 and drive motors 60, 62. The toy vehicle
further includes an antenna 142 which receives the control signals
from the remote control transmitter 134 and relays those signals to
the remote control receiver 138.
[0026] The remote control receiver 138 receives control signals
from the remote control transmitter 134 as the operator directs the
toy vehicle 10 to move is a particular direction. With a two
channel remote transmitter 134, the operator can independently
control the operation of each drive motor 60, 62 independently of
the other. In other words, the operator can remotely operate both
drive motors 60, 62 in a forward direction, in a rearward
direction, or alternatively, one drive motor in a forward direction
and the other drive motor in a rearward direction or not at all.
Thus, the direction the toy vehicle 10 travels depends on which
direction the drive motors 60, 62 are operated. If, for example,
both drive motors 60, 62 are operated a forward direction, the toy
vehicle 10 will move forward in a straight line.
[0027] The toy vehicle, however, will turn sharply should only one
drive motor be operated and even more sharply should one drive
motor be operated in a forward direction and the other drive motor
be operated in a rearward direction. When one drive motor 60, 62 is
operated alone in the forward direction, the associated swing arm
26, 28 pivots from the first position illustrated in FIG. 2 to the
second position illustrated in FIG. 5. By way of example and as
illustrated in FIG. 5, drive motor 60 is operating to spin rear
wheel 22 in a forward direction as shown by arrow 144 such that
swing arm 26 is pivoted from the first position to the second
position. As swing arm 26 pivots to and remains in the second
position, the steering mechanism 110 pivots clockwise as viewed
looking down on the toy vehicle 10 until the steering mechanism 110
engages sidewall portion 126. In this configuration, the toy
vehicle 10 spins in clockwise circle as indicated by arrows 128,
with the circle having a first radius. Should drive motor 62 be
operated to spin rear wheel 24 in the rearward direction as shown
by arrow 146 with drive motor 60 operating in the forward
direction, toy vehicle 10 will spin in a clockwise circle having a
second radius smaller than the first radius.
[0028] Should both drive motors 60, 62 be operated in the rearward
direction, the toy vehicle 10 will move rearwardly in a
substantially straight line. If the operator were to command that
both drive motors 60, 62 be switched instantly from the rearward
direction to a forward direction, both swing arms 26, 28 would
pivot from the first position to the second position as shown in
FIG. 4. With both swing arms 26, 28 in the second position, rollers
100, 102 located at the respective ends of wheelie bars 96, 98
contact support surface 124. As such, the toy vehicle 10 will move
forward while being supported by rear wheels 22, 24 and rollers
100, 102. In this configuration, should drive motor 62 then be shut
off, swing arm 28 will return to its first position and the toy
vehicle 10 will begin to spin clockwise as shown in FIG. 5.
[0029] The toy vehicle 10 described above is a four-wheeled
vehicle. The toy vehicle 10, however, may operate as a
three-wheeled vehicle. One such embodiment of a three-wheeled
version of toy vehicle 10 is shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment,
steering mechanism 110 and front wheels 18, 20 are replaced by a
single castering wheel 150 connected to front portion 14 of chassis
12 by support member 152. The steering characteristics of this
embodiment are similar to those of the embodiment described above.
That is, when swing arm 26 moves from the first position to the
second position, castering wheel 150 will pivot such that the toy
vehicle 10 will spin in a clockwise direction. When swing arm 26
returns to its first position, castering wheel 150 will pivot such
that the toy vehicle 10 will continue along a straight path.
[0030] During normal operation, the toy vehicle 10 operates in an
upright position as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5. In this
context, upright position means that, while toy vehicle 10 is
operating, at least the two rear wheels 22, 24 remain in contact
with the support surface 124 whether the toy vehicle is traveling
straight, spinning, or up on rear wheels 22, 24 and rollers 100,
102. While operating, the toy vehicle 10 may encounter some
obstacle, such as a wall, a door, or a chair leg, causing the toy
vehicle 10 to flip over to a non-upright position, such that both
rear wheels 22, 24 no longer contact support surface 40. To
accommodate for those instances when the toy vehicle 10 flips over
to a non-upright position, toy vehicle 10 includes a self-righting
member or roll bar 160. Roll bar 160 is configured such that when
toy vehicle 10 is in any non-upright position, the toy vehicle 10
will rest upon the roll bar 160 with at least one rear wheel 22, 24
contacting support surface 124. With one rear wheel 22, 24 in
contact with the support surface 124, the operator can activate
that particular rear wheel 22, 24 to start the toy vehicle 10
spinning. The spinning, non-upright toy vehicle 10 should flip back
to the upright position after of couple of spins, allowing the toy
vehicle 10 to operate normally without requiring the operator to
physically touch the toy vehicle.
[0031] While the present invention has been illustrated by a
description of various preferred embodiments and while these
embodiments have been described in considerable detail in order to
describe the best mode of practicing the invention, it is not the
intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the
scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages
and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will
readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention itself
should only be defined by the appended claims, wherein we
claim:
* * * * *