U.S. patent application number 10/604852 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-24 for radio controlled aquatic propulsion device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Schwartz, David N.. Invention is credited to Schwartz, David N..
Application Number | 20050042970 10/604852 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34193444 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050042970 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schwartz, David N. |
February 24, 2005 |
Radio Controlled Aquatic Propulsion Device
Abstract
A radio controlled propulsion device for use with multiple
buoyant objects. The device contains a radio receiver circuit, a
motor drive circuit, and motors for steering and propulsion. The
device also contains a battery pack to provide power to the
circuits and motors. The circuits are responsive to signals from a
transmitter controlled by the operator of the propulsion device.
With the propulsion device inserted into a cavity formed in the
body of the buoyant object, the output signals from the drive
circuit are provided, to control the motion of the buoyant
object.
Inventors: |
Schwartz, David N.;
(Pawcatuck, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David N. Schwartz
47 Field Street
Pawcatuck
CT
06379
US
|
Assignee: |
Schwartz, David N.
47 Field Street
Pawcatuck
CT
|
Family ID: |
34193444 |
Appl. No.: |
10/604852 |
Filed: |
August 21, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/154 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 23/04 20130101;
A63H 23/14 20130101; A63H 30/04 20130101; A63H 23/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/154 |
International
Class: |
A63H 030/00; A63H
023/04 |
Claims
What I claim as my invention is:
1. A removable remotely controlled propulsion device comprising: an
enclosed body; a receiver circuit disposed within said enclosed
body being responsive to commands from a remote transmitter and
providing electrical signals in response to said commands; a
receiver antenna housed within said enclosed body is coupled to
said receiver to allow said receiver to receive said commands; a
control circuit, housed within said enclosed body, said control
circuit being electrically coupled to said receiver for generating
electrical control signals; a propulsive device coupled to said
enclosed body being electrically coupled to said control circuit,
said propulsive device being responsive to said electrical control
signals; a battery pack housed in said enclosed body to provide
power to said receiver circuit, said control circuit and said
propulsive device; and a switch housed in the outer portion of said
enclosed body, and accessible from the outside of said enclosed
body to electrically connect or disconnect said battery pack from
said receiver circuit, said control circuit and said propulsive
device.
2. The propulsion device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
propulsive device includes: a sealed housing; a motor contained
within said sealed housing, the axle of said motor protruding
through said sealed housing; and a propeller coupled to the
protruding portion of said axle of said motor.
3. The propulsion device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said device
includes two said propulsive devices, coupled to said enclosed body
being electrically coupled to said control circuit, said propulsive
devices being responsive to said electrical control signals, said
propulsive devices cooperating to provide directed locomotion for
said propulsion device in response to commands transmitted from
said transmitter.
4. The propulsion device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said device
includes a rudder coupled to the rear end of said enclosed body and
responsive to said electrical control signals, said propulsive
device and said rudder cooperating to provide directed locomotion
for said propulsion device in response to commands transmitted from
said transmitter.
5. The propulsion device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said device
includes a servomechanism coupled to said propulsive device to
provide rotation to said propulsive device and responsive to said
electrical control signals, said propulsive device and said
servomechanism cooperating to provide directed locomotion for said
propulsion device in response to commands transmitted from said
transmitter.
6. The propulsion device as claimed in claim 1 which provides means
to couple external components to said propulsion device comprising:
an attachment connection located on the bottom of said enclosed
body; an external weight, attachable to said attachment connection,
to provide increased stability to said propulsion device; and an
external skeg, attachable to said attachment connection, to provide
increased tracking control to said propulsion device.
7. The propulsion device as claimed in claim 1, which provides
means to recharge said batteries comprising: an electrical
connection attached to the outer surface of said enclosed body and
electrically connected to said battery pack; an external charger
with a secondary electrical connection; and means to electrically
couple said electrical connection to said secondary electrical
connection.
8. The propulsion device as claimed in claim 2 wherein a protective
cover is coupled to said housing of said propulsive device to
protect said propeller.
9. A remotely controlled buoyant object comprising: A buoyant body
having an open cavity formed therein where the cavity opening is in
the lower surface of said buoyant body; a removable propulsion
device coupled said cavity, wherein said propulsion device includes
an enclosed body; a receiver circuit disposed within said
propulsion device being responsive to commands from a remote
transmitter and providing electrical signals in response to said
commands; a receiver antenna housed within said propulsion device
is coupled to said receiver to allow said receiver to receive said
commands; a control circuit, housed within said propulsion device,
said control circuit being electrically coupled to said receiver
for generating electrical control signals; a propulsive device
coupled to said propulsion device being electrically coupled to
said control circuit, said propulsive device being responsive to
said electrical control signals; a battery pack housed in said
propulsion device to provide power to said receiver circuit, said
control circuit and said propulsive device; and a switch housed in
the outer portion of said propulsion device, and accessible from
the outside of said propulsion device to electrically connect or
disconnect said battery pack from said receiver circuit, said
control circuit and said propulsive device.
10. The buoyant object as claimed in claim 9 wherein said
propulsive device of said propulsion device includes: a sealed
housing; a motor contained within said sealed housing, the axle of
said motor protruding through said sealed housing; and a propeller
coupled to the protruding portion of said axle of said motor.
11. The buoyant object as claimed in claim 10 wherein said
propulsion device includes two said propulsive devices, coupled to
said enclosed body being electrically coupled to said control
circuit, said propulsive devices being responsive to said
electrical control signals, said propulsive devices cooperating to
provide directed locomotion for said propulsion device in response
to commands transmitted from said transmitter.
12. The buoyant object as claimed in claim 10 wherein said
propulsion device includes a rudder coupled to the rear end of said
enclosed body and responsive to said electrical control signals,
said propulsive device and said rudder cooperating to provide
directed locomotion for said propulsion device in response to
commands transmitted from said transmitter.
13. The buoyant object as claimed in claim 10 wherein said
propulsion device includes a servomechanism coupled to said
propulsive device to provide rotation to said propulsive device and
responsive to said electrical control signals, said propulsive
device and said servomechanism cooperating to provide directed
locomotion for said propulsion device in response to commands
transmitted from said transmitter.
14. The buoyant object as claimed in claim 9, which provides means
to recharge said batteries housed within said propulsion device
comprising: an electrical connection attached to the outer surface
of said enclosed body and electrically connected to said battery
pack; an external charger with a secondary electrical connection;
and means to electrically couple said electrical connection to said
secondary electrical connection.
15. The buoyant object as claimed in claim 10 in wherein a
protective cover is coupled to said housing of said propulsive
device to protect said propeller.
16. The buoyant object as claimed in claim 9 which provides means
to couple external components to said propulsion device comprising:
an attachment connection located on the bottom of said enclosed
body; an external weight, attachable to said attachment connection,
to provide increased stability to said buoyant object; and an
external skeg, attachable to said attachment connection, to provide
increased tracking control to said buoyant object.
17. The buoyant object as claimed in claim 9, wherein said buoyant
object includes an external antenna comprising: an electrically
conductive contact coupled to said enclosed body and electrically
connected to said receiver antenna; a secondary electrically
conductive contact coupled to said buoyant object within said
cavity; and a length of antenna wire contained within said buoyant
body and electrically connected to said secondary contact, and
electrically connected to said receiver antenna.
18. The buoyant object as claimed in claim 9, wherein said cavity
is formed by means of a separate cavity insert permanently attached
into said buoyant body, wherein said cavity opening of said cavity
insert is in the lower surface of said cavity insert and said
buoyant body.
19. The buoyant object as claimed in claim 18, wherein an internal
ring is coupled on the inside surface of said buoyant body to said
cavity insert, to provide improved attachment of said cavity insert
into said buoyant body.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to aquatic
propulsion devices and, more particularly, to a self-contained,
removable, radio controlled aquatic propulsion device, which may be
used with a variety of floating toys, waterfowl decoys, aquatic
novelty items and small boats.
[0002] A number of prior art devices exist, which include means to
propel various objects through the water. A wide variety of radio
controlled aquatic toys have been developed over the years. Many
pertain specifically to single purpose toys with permanent
electronics and drive systems. Such toys, while occasionally novel
in design, can be expensive and the design specific nature, can
lead to boredom with the toy. In addition, if the superstructure of
the toy is damaged because of neglect, abuse or poor construction,
the entire toy may be rendered unusable. As such, the toy industry
has suffered from limited interest in this type of toy.
[0003] Several designs have been developed that separate the drive
mechanism from the buoyant body of aquatic toys. U.S. Pat. No.
3,418,751, issued Dec. 31, 1968 to T. Mabuchi shows a toy motor
drive unit that can be mounted to the bottom of various aquatic
toys. The device, however, is limited by the fact that it only
propels the aquatic toy in one direction. While the direction is
adjustable by a rudder, it is not controllable by the operator once
deployed. U.S. Pat. No. 3,824,735, issued July 23, 1974 to H.
Brandstatter, shows a toy boat with a separate compartment for a
battery and motor. Again, this does not provide for remote,
full-motion control of the aquatic toy. U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,049,
issued Mar. 22, 1988 to J. Beny, K. Meggs, M. Filoseta and E.
Feris, discloses a removable toy motor module that can be used with
a variety of aquatic toys, however it specifically relates to
geared motors and is again related only to single direction
propulsion. U.S. Pat. No. 4,406,085, issued Sep. 27, 1983 to T.
Rhodes, shows a modular device for multiple toy vehicles. This
concept discloses a removable radio receiver and motor control
system, but does not accommodate the separation of the entire drive
system from the body of the toy.
[0004] A wide variety of internally propelled waterfowl decoys have
been developed over the years. Some of these devices are designed
to simply propel the decoy in a straight or predetermined circular
pattern. Others are specifically intended to replicate repetitive
oscillating swimming or rotating wing motions which are switched on
and off by a remote transmitter. Additionally, others, which are
more in keeping with the present invention, are remotely propelled
and steered through the water. The majority of these devices have
been designed solely as radio controlled decoys, which are limited
in their specificity, and are expensive and difficult to
manufacture. U.S. Pat. No. 3,689,927, issued Sept. 5, 1972 to R.
Boston shows a decoy that has been designed to incorporate the
drive and steering components permanently into the body of a decoy.
This typically entails a removable section of the top of the decoy
to access the enclosed electronics. As a result, this allows for
possible environmental damage of the electronics and a difficult,
labor intensive conversion of a standard decoy. U.S. Pat. No.
5,377,439 issued Jan. 3, 1995 to R. Roos, and R. Roos Jr., shows an
alternative device that also incorporates internal components
specifically designed to provide a radio-controlled decoy. U.S.
Pat. No. 6,601,333 B2, issued Aug. 5, 2003 to G. Cicoff and M.
Cicoff provides a game decoy with a removable operation system that
includes propulsion and steering control. This, however, pertains
solely to game decoys, includes additional devices intended to
retrieve a downed bird, and does not provide a simple means to
convert an existing game decoy into a radio controlled game decoy.
In addition it does not provide for a self-contained unit that is
specifically designed as a propulsion and steering device.
[0005] Other removable marine propulsion units exist which are
intended to provide propulsion and steering to boats. U.S. Pat. No.
5,131,875 issued Jul. 21, 1992 to W. Lee shows a dual motor
propulsion and steering system mounted to a boat. U.S. Pat. No.
6,132,267, issued Oct. 17, 2000, to J. Campbell shows a similar
system that additionally employs a yoke to connect the drive motors
over the top surface of a boat. U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,461 issued Feb.
11, 1997, to S. Mills shows a propulsion apparatus that is intended
to mount to a float tube for fishing. U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,978
issued Dec. 14, 1999, to C. Donahue shows a propulsion device that
can be mounted to a floatation board. These inventions, while being
removable aquatic propulsion devices, do not employ the use of
remote radio electronics in their designs. U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,900
issued Sep. 30, 1986, to J. Young shows a remote controlled driving
system for a boat. This device, while removable and radio
controllable, relates specifically to externally mounted trolling
motors, commonly used for fishing, and does not include all of the
components to provide a self-contained radio controlled aquatic
propulsion device.
[0006] According to the previously described inventions, it is an
object of the present invention to provide a new and improved
aquatic propulsion device.
[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
self-contained radio controlled aquatic propulsion device.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to simplify
the components of radio controlled aquatic toys, aquatic novelty
items, waterfowl decoys and small boats.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
inexpensive set of radio controlled aquatic toys, aquatic novelty
items, waterfowl decoys and small boats.
[0010] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a removable, self-contained radio control propulsion device, which
may be used interchangeably with many aquatic toys, aquatic novelty
items, waterfowl decoys and small boats.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0011] According to the objects previously described, the general
purpose of the invention will subsequently be disclosed in greater
detail, according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] The advantages of the present invention are attained by a
removable, self-contained radio control led aquatic propulsion
device, which can be used with a variety of buoyant objects. The
components of the device include a watertight, hollow body, which
contains a radio receiver circuit, an antenna, a motor control
circuit, dual drive motors and batteries to provide power to the
circuits and drive motors. The drive motors are contained in a
watertight housing, or housings, and are permanently attached to
the bottom of the device. A propeller is attached to the axle of
each motor to provide thrust. The device also includes a switch to
electrically disconnect the batteries from the circuitry and drive
motors when the device is not in use. The device may include a
charging jack to provide power to recharge the batteries. The
device may include a watertight plug to seal the charging jack. The
device may include dual electrically conductive tabs on the
exterior surface of the body, which are internally connected to the
batteries. The device may include a charging cradle to provide
power to recharge the batteries through the tabs when inserted into
said charging cradle. A skeg may be attached to the bottom of the
device to aid in controlling the motion of the device. A weight may
be attached to the bottom of the device to aid in stabilizing the
device.
[0013] The receiver generates signals to operate the motor drive
circuit in response to command signals transmitted from a radio
transmitter. The motor drive circuit controls the power to the
drive motors.
[0014] A set of buoyant objects is also provided, each of which
employs the device to provide radio control of the object. This may
include toy boats and ships, waterfowl decoys, aquatic novelty
items, and small boats. The bodies of the buoyant objects include a
cavity designed to fit the device. The device is removably attached
in the cavity by mechanical means, which may include, but is not
restricted to tabs, clips, snaps, straps, rotating tab locks, or
suction cups.
[0015] The device may include an electrically conductive contact on
the exterior surface of the body, which is internally connected to
the antenna. The cavity of the buoyant objects described above may
include an electrically conductive contact which is designed to
engage the contact connected to the antenna of the device when said
device is inserted into said cavity. The contact on the cavity may
be connected to a length of antenna wire housed in the body of the
buoyant object. The connection of the two contacts and the extra
antenna increases the overall length of the antenna in order to
provide extended radio range of the device.
[0016] While the before mentioned buoyant objects may be
manufactured with a cavity molded into the body of said buoyant
object, a separate cavity insert is also provided. The insert may
be permanently installed into the body of an existing buoyant
object by means of, but not restricted to mechanical fasteners,
adhesives, sealants or any combination of these. Where said
existing buoyant objects are constructed with thin wall structures,
uneven or warped surfaces, or are constructed out of materials that
resist the effectiveness of adhesives or sealants, an internal ring
or other structure may be employed to receive mechanical fasteners,
compress the insert onto the bottom of said buoyant object,
compress the adhesive or sealant between the insert and buoyant,
object or any combination of these to fixedly attach the inert into
the body of the buoyant object.
[0017] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will
become apparent by reference to the detailed description of the
invention, taken in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the radio controlled aquatic
propulsion device as constructed in accordance with the preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a transmitter, which may be
used to transmit control signals to the aquatic propulsion device
of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the aquatic
propulsion device as constructed in accordance with the preferred
embodiment of the present invention, showing the various components
of the device.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the functional
components of the propulsion device for the purpose of illustrating
the relationships of said components.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a side view of the propulsion device as
constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the propulsion device as
constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a rear view of the propulsion device as
constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the present invention
showing the process of inserting the device into a typical toy ship
with a cavity molded into the body of the toy ship.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the process of
inserting the device into a separate cavity insert, and an internal
ring to attach the insert into a buoyant object that is not
previously designed with an internal cavity to fit the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 10 is a section view of a toy ship showing the process
of inserting the preferred embodiment of the device into a
molded-in cavity.
[0028] FIG. 11 is a side view of a toy ship showing the propulsion
device installed.
[0029] FIG. 12 is a rear view of a toy ship showing the propulsion
device installed.
[0030] FIG. 13 is a section view of a game decoy showing the
propulsion device installed, showing the use of a separate cavity
insert, and an internal ring to attach the insert into the
decoy.
[0031] FIG. 14 is a side view of a game decoy showing the
propulsion device installed.
[0032] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the bottom of a game
decoy with the propulsion device installed into the separate cavity
insert.
[0033] FIG. 16 is a side view of the propulsion device showing a
weight installed in the bottom of the device.
[0034] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an aquatic novelty item
with the propulsion device and the weight installed.
[0035] FIG. 18 is a side view of the propulsion device with a skeg
installed in the bottom of the device.
[0036] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the propulsion device
showing the external charging contacts and the external antenna
contact.
[0037] FIG. 20 is a side view of the cavity insert showing the
antenna contact and the auxiliary antenna.
[0038] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the charging cradle.
[0039] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the propulsion device
installed in the charging cradle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] For the purpose of clarity, as is well known to those
skilled the art, the terms "watertight" and "sealed" shall imply
that any bodies, enclosures, joints, connections or the such, are
properly designed to resist water infiltration, by means of
standard practices including, but not restricted to the use of
sealants, adhesives, face seals, gaskets, o-rings, caps, plugs or
any combination of these, or by any means necessary to provide
reasonable resistance to the passage of water or other fluids. The
term "permanently attached" or related terms, shall imply that any
components that are connected in this manner are intended to be
irremovable by a person using the device in its intended manner.
This may be accomplished by means of various adhesives, or
mechanical fasteners including but not restricted to screws,
rivets, machine screws, welds, any combination of adhesives and
mechanical fasteners, or any other means necessary to provide a
permanent connection. Connections considered removable or
disconnectable by a person using the device in its intended manner,
may be created by, but are not restricted to tabs, clips, snaps,
straps, rotating tab locks, suction cups or any combination of
these, or any means necessary to provide a connection of this
type.
[0041] It is the intent of the inventor of the present invention to
provide in detail the preferred embodiment of the present invention
and various attachments and attributes; however, various changes
may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the
invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention, and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to
be understood that all matters are to be interpreted as
illustrative and descriptive and not in a limiting sense.
[0042] Referring now to the preferred embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 1 shows a radio controlled aquatic propulsion device 1
constructed in accordance with the present invention. The device
includes a hollow main body, which consists of a top portion 2 and
a bottom portion 20. Two drive motors 3 are contained in separate
watertight housings 4 which are permanently attached to the bottom
of the device. The main body consisting of the top portion 2 and
the bottom portion 20 and the drive motor housing 4 may be formed
of a moldable, high-impact plastic material. The drive motors 3 may
alternatively be both housed in a single sealed motor housing (not
shown), designed to contain both drive motors 3, and permanently
attached the bottom portion 20 of the main body of the propulsion
device 1. As is well known to those skilled in the art, the dual
motor configuration described above permits the control of both the
speed and the direction of the propulsion device. Speed and
directional control may also be accomplished by means of a single
drive motor and rudder combination, or by a single rotationally
controllable drive motor; however, these alternative constructions
require the use of an internal rudder control servomechanism or an
internal drive motor servomechanism which adds to the complexity of
the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In addition
these rotating additions to the main body of the propulsion device
complicate or invalidate the object to provide a sealed main body
of the propulsion device of the present invention. In addition,
these components which would most probably be centrally located on
the widthwise axis of the bottom of the main body of the propulsion
device, may complicate the use of any additional attachments such
as weights or a skeg that may be attached in this location.
Therefore while these alternative constructions are possible, they
are not the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and
therefore, will not be described in further detail in the detailed
description or included in the figures of the preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 3 shows the internal components of the propulsion
device 1 of the present invention enclosed by the main body, which
include a circuit board 8 with a radio receiver circuit 10 and a
motor control circuit 11. A receiver antenna 9 is connected to the
receiver circuit 10. The body also contains batteries or a battery
pack 12, a battery-disconnect switch 13 and a charge jack 14, which
may be sealed by a plug 5 as shown in FIG. 1. The drive motor
housings 4 are permanently attached to the bottom portion of the
main body 20. A propeller 15 is attached to the axle of each drive
motor 3. A protective cover 16 may be attached to the motor housing
4 to prevent personal injury of the operator by the propellers 15
and may also prevent damage to the propellers 15, and prevent
debris from becoming entangled in the propellers 15. The operation
of the propulsion device will be described later in the detailed
description of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0044] FIG. 8 shows a toy ship 26 that contains a molded-in cavity
22 designed to receive the preferred embodiment of the propulsion
device 1. The toy ship 26 may be formed of a moldable, high-impact
plastic material. FIG. 10 illustrates the process of inserting and
attaching the preferred embodiment of the propulsion device 1 in
the body of a toy ship 26. The body of the propulsion device 1
includes a front protruding tab 17 that is inserted into a front
tab receptacle 36 provided in the cavity 22 of the body of the toy
ship 26. The rear end of the propulsion device 1 is subsequently
rotated into the cavity of the toy ship 26. A protruding tab 18,
provided on the rear end of the propulsion device 1, is retained by
a retaining clip 25, which has been permanently attached or molded
into the cavity 22. Once the propulsion device 1 has been properly
inserted into the cavity 22, the majority of the propulsion device
is safely concealed within the body of the toy ship. FIG. 11 shows
a side view of the toy ship 26 with the propulsion device 1
inserted using the previously described process. Only the bottom
portion of the propulsion device 20 and drive motor housings 4 with
propellers and protective covers attached, if employed, and a small
watertight switch 13 are visible as shown in the side view of the
toy ship 26, and the rear view of the toy ship 26 as shown in FIG.
12. When the toy ship 26 is placed in the water, only the upper
body of the toy ship 26 is visible with no external antennas, other
attachments, or access covers to distract from its overall
appearance. It should be stated that the toy ship 26 described
above is only a representation of any aquatic or buoyant object
that contains a molded-in cavity designed to receive the preferred
embodiment of the propulsion device 1 of the present invention.
[0045] The propulsion device may also be employed in various
buoyant objects that are not easily manufactured with a molded-in
cavity designed to receive the propulsion device. As is well known
to those skilled in the art, inexpensive game decoys, for instance,
are typically manufactured by means of rotationally molding a
thermoplastic material. Such decoys are typically manufactured with
thin-walled bodies in order to conserve material for lower cost to
the consumer, and to provide lightweight decoys, which are commonly
carried into the field by hunters or game researchers. As is well
known to those skilled in the art, the process of manufacturing so
called "roto-molded" structures provides only a hollow watertight
shell, which has limited, or no means to provide internal
attachment provisions, which could be employed to permanently
install the mechanical devices and electronics used to provide a
radio controlled decoy. The process of altering a plastic decoy
manufactured using the "roto-molded" process would typically employ
cutting an access hole in the top of the decoy to install the
appropriate mechanical devices and electronics. In addition, the
"roto-molding" process typically employs the use of materials such
as polyethylene thermoplastic, which is relatively inexpensive and
highly impact resistant; however, as is well known to those skilled
in the art, this family of thermoplastics is extremely resistant to
chemical bonding. Therefore, the process of altering a plastic
decoy constructed using this material would be difficult and labor
intensive. As such, the process of converting a typical plastic
decoy into a radio controlled decoy has traditionally been cost
prohibitive, and does not provide the end result intended by the
present invention. As was provided in the detailed description of
the toy ship 26, a molded-in cavity may be provided in the body of
a game decoy to receive the propulsion device, however it is well
known to those skilled in the art, that "roto-molding" does not
typically provide dimensionally consistent plastic bodies that
would be properly suited to employ the preferred embodiment of the
present invention. More dimensionally consistent decoy bodies could
be manufactured to provide a molded in recess designed to receive
the radio controlled propulsion device 1 of the present invention,
using a process such as injection-molding thermoplastic, however
the tooling for such a design would again be highly cost
prohibitive, considering that the highly specific design of a radio
controlled game decoy may have limited marketability. In addition,
for each type of game decoy produced, an entirely new set of
tooling would have to be built. This would greatly add to the cost
of providing a broad range of radio controlled game decoys.
Accordingly the present invention provides a much more cost
effective and thereby commercially viable means for providing a
broad range of radio controlled game decoys, using existing game
decoys or by utilizing or slightly altering the pre-existing
practices of inexpensively manufacturing extremely life-like game
decoys. The decoy example also applies to any buoyant object,
hollow or otherwise, constructed using any manufacturing process
that does not provide a molded-in recess designed to receive the
propulsion device 1 of the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 9 shows simple means to insert the propulsion device 1
into a game decoy, or other existing aquatic objects not
manufactured with a molded-in cavity designed to receive the
propulsion device 1 as previously described in the toy ship 26, or
other objects with a molded-in cavity designed to receive the
aquatic propulsion device 1 of the present invention. A separate
cavity insert 24 is provided to receive the propulsion device 1.
The cavity insert 24 may be used as an alternative means to provide
the appropriate cavity structure to receive the propulsion device
1. The cavity insert 24 is permanently mounted into the bottom of a
plastic decoy 27 as illustrated in FIGS. 13-15. A perimeter flange
39 may be provided around the lower portion of the cavity insert 24
to provide for a sealant or adhesive to be applied between the
decoy and the cavity insert 24. The flange 39 also provides a
location through which mechanical fasteners may be used to aid in
the permanent attachment of the cavity insert 24 into the body of
the decoy 27. FIG. 9 also shows an internal ring 23 that may be
utilized in this process. Many game decoys and other buoyant
objects that may utilize a cavity insert, such as the one
previously described, are constructed with walls that are too thin
to properly hold mechanical fasteners. These objects, including but
not restricted to a game decoy 27, may be constructed using
materials that are either too brittle or too soft to properly
employ the use of mechanical fasteners. Accordingly, in order to
permanently attach the cavity insert 24 with many different buoyant
objects and decoys, an internal ring 23 may be provided to better
employ the use of mechanical fasteners. The internal ring 23 may
have a pattern of holes designed to receive screws, rivets or the
such, that are fastened from the flange 39 of the cavity insert 24,
through the bottom surface of the decoy 27 or other buoyant object,
and into the internal ring 23 by which they can be permanently
fastened. The internal ring 23 may also be constructed with other
attachments such as screw nuts, or molded-in inserts to aid in
permanently attaching the internal ring 23 through the body of the
decoy 27 or other buoyant objects to the cavity insert 24. FIG. 13
shows the cavity insert 24 permanently attached into the bottom of
the decoy 27 with the propulsion device 1 installed in the cavity
insert 24 with the front protruding tab 17 inserted into a front
tab receptacle 36 provided in the cavity 22 of the cavity insert
24. In the same manner described with the toy ship 26, the rear end
of the propulsion device 1 is subsequently rotated into the cavity
22 provided by the cavity insert 24. The protruding tab 18 provided
on the rear end of the propulsion device 1 is retained by a
retaining clip 25, which has been permanently attached to or molded
into the cavity insert 24. After the propulsion device 1 has been
properly inserted into the cavity 22 of the cavity insert 24, which
has been permanently attached to the bottom of the decoy 27, the
majority of the propulsion device 1 is safely concealed within the
body of the decoy 27. FIG. 14 shows a side view of the decoy 27
with the propulsion device inserted using the previously described
process. Only the bottom portion of the propulsion device 20 and
drive motor housings 4 with propellers 15 and protective covers 16
attached, and a small watertight switch 13 are visible which
creates a somewhat lifelike appearance of an actual game bird
having feet dangling in the water. When the decoy 27 is placed in
the water, only the upper body of the decoy 27 is visible, with no
external antennas, other attachments, or access covers to distract
from the overall appearance of a life-like game decoy, which to
those skilled in the art is a primary concern of game decoys. The
cavity 22 and propulsion device 1 may also be constructed in such a
manner that only the drive motors housings 4 propellers 15 and
protective covers 16, if employed, are visible after the propulsion
device has been properly inserted into the decoy 27. This could be
attained by altering the shape of the main body of the propulsion
device 1, and accordingly altering the shape of the cavity designed
to receive said propulsion device 1. This modification also applies
to buoyant objects with a molded-in cavity 22 previously described
in the example of the toy ship 26.
[0047] Referring now to the propulsion device and the various
components previously detailed in FIG. 3, the operation of the
preferred embodiment of the propulsion device 1 will now be
disclosed. In order to provide radio control to the propulsion
device 1, a transmitter 6 shown in FIG. 2, controlled by the
operator, generates control signals, which are transmitted by means
of a transmitting antenna 7. The transmitter may provide dual
toggle controls 37 such as those shown in FIG. 2. In the preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the left toggle controls the
left drive motor and the right toggle controls the right drive
motor. Forward-to-back motion of both toggles is preferred to an
alternative right-to-left motion in the left toggle, which is
commonly employed in existing radio controlled boats and cars to
control the turning motion of the vehicle. Full motion control is
attained by varying the positions of the toggles 37 with respect to
each other, thereby affecting the thrust of the drive motors that
will be described presently. As shown in FIG. 4, a receiver circuit
10 located within the main body of the propulsion device receives
the signals transmitted by a transmitter, by means of a receiving
antenna 9, and conditions the received signals in conjunction with
the motor control circuit 11 for control of the drive motors 3. The
motor control circuit 11 may be of a proportional type, allowing
for adjustable motor speed and direction, or it may simply be
designed to provide only motor direction control, with motor-on
forward, motor-on reverse, and motor off control. The proportional
variety is recommended for the preferred embodiment, because it
provides better control of the propulsion device; however this type
is more complicated and expensive to manufacture. Thus, the
specific type of motor control used, is to be determined by the
appropriate need for the propulsion device 1. While radio signals
are the preferred means of communication between the transmitter 6
and receiver circuit 10, it should also be suggested, to those
skilled in the art, that other remote transmission components may
be used including, but not limited to, infrared devices, and sonic
or ultrasonic devices.
[0048] In continuation with the description of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the drive motors each have a
propeller 15 attached to the axle of the drive motor 3, which
provides the appropriate thrust to propel the propulsion device 1
through the water. The device has a battery 12 or a combination of
batteries to provide power to said circuits and drive motors 3. The
propulsion device 1 also has a battery disconnect switch 13, which
prevents battery consumption when the device is not is use. As
shown in FIG. 15, the switch 13, in the preferred embodiment of the
invention, is sealed, and located on the bottom portion of the
device 20 so that it can be accessed without removing the
propulsion device 1 from the buoyant object in which it has been
inserted as previously described. As shown in FIG. 3, the batteries
12 in the preferred embodiment of the invention are also located in
the bottom portion 20 of the main body of the propulsion device 1,
in order to provide a lower center of gravity, to maximize
stability when a buoyant object employs the propulsion device 1 in
the previously described manner. It is suggested by the inventor
that the preferred embodiment of the present invention employ the
use of rechargeable batteries that are permanently mounted in the
main body of the propulsion device 1, in order to minimize the
possibility of the water infiltration into the body of the
propulsion device 1, that could be caused by the use of removable
battery access covers or hatches. A charge jack 14 is provided in
the body of the propulsion device 1 to allow recharging of said
permanently mounted batteries 12. A sealing plug or cap 5 may be
provided to seal the penetration created in the main body of the
propulsion device by the charge jack 14. Any variations to this
suggestion are completely within the scope of the present
invention. Therefore, the implementation of removable rechargeable
batteries, or removable disposable batteries, in the construction
of the present invention, is also possible. The receiver antenna 9,
in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is located as
high as possible in the top portion 2 of the main body of the
propulsion device 1 in order to maximize operating range, and may
be enclosed in a separate antenna compartment 19 as shown in FIG.
1, that is molded-in, or permanently attached to the body of the
propulsion device 1.
[0049] The combined elements provided in the radio controlled
aquatic propulsion device 1, inserted and attached into the buoyant
objects previously described, provides a wide variety of radio
controlled objects including but not restricted to radio controlled
toy boats or ships, radio controlled game decoys, radio controlled
aquatic novelty items, and on a somewhat larger scale, radio
controlled propulsion means for small boats that are designed to
employ the propulsion device 1 in the manner provided by the
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0050] A weight 28 shown in FIG. 16 may be externally attached to
the bottom of the propulsion device 20 by means of a tab 21, or by
other means, to additionally lower the center of gravity, when the
propulsion device 1, is used in taller buoyant objects 29, such as
the one shown in FIG. 17. Such taller buoyant objects 29 may be
prone to tipping over in the water without the use of such
additional weights, which would result in the complete loss of
control of the propulsion device. In the same manner, an external
skeg 30 as shown in FIG. 18, may be attached to the bottom 20 the
propulsion device 1 to provide better tracking of the propulsion
device 1, and various attached buoyant objects during use.
[0051] Other variations to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention may provide improved performance or ease of use of the
propulsion device 1. FIG. 19 shows an external electrically
conductive antenna contact 31 that may be permanently attached to
the upper portion 2 of the propulsion device. The contact may be
molded or mounted into the surface of the propulsion device 1, and
is attached to the internal antenna 9 shown in FIG. 3. A second
electrically conductive antenna contact 32, may be molded or
mounted into the surface of the molded-in cavity 22, provided in
the description of the toy ship 26, or in the cavity 22 of the
cavity insert 24. An additional receiver antenna section 33 is
connected to the contact 32 provided in the cavity 22. When the
propulsion device 1 is inserted into the cavity 22, in the manner
previously described, the contacts are conductively connected,
providing a longer overall length to the receiver antenna 9. The
increased length of the receiver antenna may provide increased
operating range of the propulsion device 1. The additional receiver
antenna 33 may be permanently enclosed in the body of a buoyant
object such as the toy ship 26, or the decoy 27 . The additional
receiver antenna 33 is most effective in increasing the range of
the propulsion device 1 if the end of said additional receiver
antenna 33, is located in the highest portion of the buoyant
object; for instance, in the head section of the body of the decoy
27.
[0052] The propulsion device 1 may also provide external charging
contacts 30, which allow the internal batteries 12 of the
propulsion device 1 to be recharged without the use of a charging
jack 14, or in addition to said charging jack 14. FIG. 19 shows the
external electrically conductive charging contacts 30 that may be
permanently attached to the upper portion of the propulsion device
2. The contacts 30 may be molded or mounted into the surface of the
propulsion device. One contact is connected to the positive
terminal of the batteries 12, and the other contact is connected to
the negative or ground terminal of the batteries 12. A charging
cradle 34, such as the one shown in FIG. 21, may be used to
recharge the internal batteries 12, by providing a second set of
contacts 35 in the cradle, that supply the appropriate voltage to
the internal batteries 12 by means of an external AC to DC
transformer common with other household electronics. Means may also
be provided by the charging cradle to recharge the internal
batteries of the propulsion device 1 using other fully charged
batteries such as a car battery, which may be used to recharge the
propulsion device 1 in the field, or in any location where standard
household current is inaccessible. FIG. 22 shows the charging
cradle 34 with the propulsion device 1 inserted, in the manner
provided by the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0053] While the following invention has been disclosed, and a
particular embodiment has been described in detail, it is not
intended that the invention be limited solely to this embodiment.
Many modifications will occur to those skilled in the art, which
are fully within the spirit and scope of the invention.
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