U.S. patent application number 11/987967 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-11 for radio-controlled toy skateboard.
Invention is credited to Leonard R. Clark, JR., H. Peter Greene, JR..
Application Number | 20090149112 11/987967 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40722147 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090149112 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Clark, JR.; Leonard R. ; et
al. |
June 11, 2009 |
Radio-controlled toy skateboard
Abstract
A radio-controlled toy skateboard comprises a deck and front and
rear trucks. The individual wheels of the rear truck can be
controlled separately responsive to radio signals from a remote
transmitter for rotation in either direction, while the front
wheels rotate freely. Also responsive to radio control signals, the
rear truck is controllably pivoted with respect to the deck about a
kingpin axis that is inclined rearwardly, while the front truck
pivots freely about a forwardly inclined kingpin axis. When the
rear truck is thus pivoted, the deck tilts about its longitudinal
centerline, causing the front truck to pivot correspondingly,
steering the skateboard. A pair of modeled shoes are mounted for
free pivoting about pivot axes. As the board tilts toward one side
or the other, the shoes pivot from a toes-in to a toes-out
position, mimicing the foot movements of a live "skater". The
forward shoe is mounted on a trolley sliding freely on an inclined
ramp. When the board rests on a horizontal surface, the trolley
slides forward, so that the forward shoe moves toward the forward
end of the board; if the front end of the board is tilted upwardly,
as in a "wheelie" manuever, the forward shoe slides rearwardly, as
would that of a skater doing such a trick.
Inventors: |
Clark, JR.; Leonard R.;
(Oreland, PA) ; Greene, JR.; H. Peter; (Boyertown,
PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael de Angeli;MICHAEL M. DE ANGELI, P.C.
ATTORNEY AT LAW, 60 INTREPID LANE
JAMESTOWN
RI
02835
US
|
Family ID: |
40722147 |
Appl. No.: |
11/987967 |
Filed: |
December 6, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/437 ;
180/181; 446/460; 446/468 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 17/1436 20130101;
A63H 30/04 20130101; A63H 17/00 20130101; A63C 17/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/437 ;
180/181; 446/460; 446/468 |
International
Class: |
A63H 17/385 20060101
A63H017/385 |
Claims
1. A radio-controlled toy skateboard, comprising: a generally
planar deck, having a forward end and a rearward end, and defining
a longitudinal centerline, front and rear truck assemblies, each
comprising a pair of wheels mounted on an axle, the front truck
assembly comprising a pair of wheels each mounted for free rotation
on a forward transverse axle, said forward transverse axle being
supported for free pivoting about a forward kingpin axis aligned
with said centerline and inclined forwardly with respect to the
vertical, the rear truck assembly comprising a pair of wheels with
first and second separately controllable drive motor assemblies
such that each of said rear wheels can be independently driven in
either direction of rotation about a rearward transverse axle, said
rearward transverse axle being supported for controllable pivoting
about a rearward kingpin axis aligned with said centerline and
inclined rearwardly with respect to the vertical, a
remotely-controlled receiver and power supply assembly responsive
to control signals from a remote transmitter and operable to
provide power to said first and second separately controllable
drive motor assemblies for independently driving said rear wheels
in either direction with respect to said rearward axle, and to a
further motor operable to pivot said rear truck assembly in either
direction with respect to said rearward kingpin axis, whereby said
skateboard can be steered in either direction by pivoting said rear
truck assembly with respect to said rearward kingpin axis, such
that said deck is tilted about said longitudinal axis, by
differential driving of the wheels of said rear truck, or by
combinations thereof.
2. The toy skateboard of claim 1, further comprising a pair of
model shoes mounted on said deck such that said shoes pivot with
respect to the longitudinal axis of said deck as said deck is
inclined with respect to said axis responsive to pivoting of said
rear truck about its kingpin axis.
3. The toy skateboard of claim 2, wherein said shoes are modeled to
define forward toe portions, after heel portions, and intervening
shapes so as to resemble wearable shoes, and are mounted to said
deck by support assemblies that define nominal orientations, such
that said shoes have a nominal rest position wherein the toe
portions are aligned toward a first lateral side of said deck, said
mounting assemblies permitting pivoting of said shoes about axes
substantially perpendicular to the plane of said deck, and said
shoes being weighted so that they pivot between approximately
defined positions under the influence of gravity alone as the deck
is tilted or inclined with respect to the horizontal responsive to
control signals from said transmitter.
4. The toy skateboard of claim 3, wherein said shoes are balanced
in the fore and aft direction about a central pivot point, and are
weighted side to side about said pivot point such that they pivot
so that their toe portions turn away from one another as the deck
is tilted to the side toward which the toe portions of the shoes
are nominally aligned, and pivot in the opposite direction as the
deck is tilted to the opposite side.
5. The toy skateboard of claim 4, wherein said shoes comprise
molded plastic members that are nominally balanced in the fore and
aft and side to side directions, and are provided with weights
inserted in their insteps, opposite the respective pivot points, so
as to pivot in the desired manner responsive to tilting of said
deck.
6. The toy skateboard of claim 4, wherein the central pivot point
as to which the forward shoe is pivoted is mounted on a trolley
sliding freely on a ramp that is inclined such that the trolley and
shoe move toward the forward end of said deck when said skateboard
rests on a horizontal surface, and move rearwardly when the
skateboard is operated so as to lift the forward end upwardly.
7. The toy skateboard of claim 6, wherein said trolley comprises a
car riding on freely-rotating spaced rollers fitting into tracks
comprised by said ramp.
8. The toy skateboard of claim 7, wherein said ramp is mounted
under said deck, and said pivot point is defined by a mast
extending upwardly through a slot in said deck.
9. The toy skateboard of claim 1, wherein the wheels of said rear
truck have a high-friction surface and the wheels of said front
truck have a low-friction surface.
10. The toy skateboard of claim 1, wherein a rear skid plate is
mounted to the underside of the rear portion of said deck, said
skid plate comprising a surface located with respect to the wheels
of the rear truck such that said surface and said wheels can
simultaneously contact a planar support surface, and wherein the
disposition of mass of the components of the skateboard is such
that the skateboard can be stably balanced on the wheels of the
rear truck and said skid plate.
11. The toy skateboard of claim 10, wherein said skid plate defines
a radiused surface.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a radio-controlled toy skateboard
which is capable of being controlled by radio signals to perform
various complex manuevers. A pair of model shoes are mounted for
movement with respect to the deck of the skateboard so as to mimic
the manner in which a "live" skateboarder (or "skater") moves his
or her feet in performing similar manuevers. An amusing and
entertaining simulation is thus provided.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The most pertinent art known to the present inventors is
disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,523 to Baker et al, naming one of
the present inventors as co-inventor. Baker et al also pertains to
a radio-controlled toy skateboard. There are numerous significant
differences between the toy skateboards shown in Baker et al and
that disclosed herein, as well as some similarities. These
similarities and differences are discussed in detail below after a
description of the present invention.
[0003] The skateboards of Baker et al and that of the present
invention can both perform various manuevers responsive to commands
sent by a remote transmitter. Among other differences, the realism
and much of the "play value" of Baker et al rely upon an animated
figure that responds to these commands in a manner intended to
mimic the motions of a "skater", again, that is, a live
skateboarder riding a full-sized skateboard. By comparison, the toy
skateboard of the present invention comprises a pair of shoes on
the deck of the skateboard that move, under the influence of
gravity, momentum, and inertia, and without elaborate and costly
mechanisms, in a manner mimicing the way in which a skater's feet
move in performance of similar manuevers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The toy skateboard of the invention comprises a deck and
front and rear trucks. The individual wheels of the rear truck can
be controlled separately for rotation in either direction, while
the front wheels rotate freely. Responsive to radio signals from a
remote transmitter, the rear truck is controllably pivoted with
respect to the deck about a kingpin axis that is inclined
rearwardly, while the front truck pivots freely about a forwardly
inclined kingpin axis. When the rear truck is thus pivoted, the
deck tilts about its longitudinal centerline, causing the front
truck to pivot correspondingly, steering the skateboard. The
skateboard can be driven forward or rearward by control signals
operating the rear wheels, and can be steered by differential
control thereof, by controllably pivoting the truck about the
kingpin axis, or both. Various tricks and manuevers can be
performed.
[0005] A pair of modeled shoes are mounted to the top of the deck,
with their toes pointing to one side of the skateboard, resembling
the typical foot position of a skater. The shoes are balanced fore
and aft (that is, with respect to the toe and heel portions of the
shoes) and ride on masts on which the shoes pivot freely. In the
side to side plane, the shoes are weighted so as to be slightly
biased toward their insteps. As the board tilts toward one side or
the other, the shoes pivot about their respective pivot axes, e.g.,
from a toe-in to a toe-out position, mimicing the foot movements of
a skater.
[0006] The forward shoe is mounted on a trolley sliding freely with
respect to an inclined ramp mounted under the deck, with a mast
defining the pivot axis of the forward shoe extending upwardly
through a slot in the deck. When the board rests on a horizontal
surface, the trolley slides forward, so that the forward shoe moves
toward the forward end of the board; if the front end of the board
is tilted upwardly, as in a "wheelie" manuever, the forward shoe
slides rearwardly, as would that of a live skater doing such a
trick.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The invention will be better understood if reference is made
to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 shows a side elevational view, partly in
cross-section, of the toy skateboard of the invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 shows a view along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, comprising in
part an enlarged view of part of FIG. 1, and partially a
cross-sectional view through the forward shoe;
[0010] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view orthogonal to that of
FIG. 2;
[0011] FIGS. 4 and 5 are plan views illustrating the motion of the
shoes in response to lateral tilting of the skateboard, and show
the orientation of the wheels of the front and rear trucks that
cause the tilting to occur; and
[0012] FIG. 6 shows the skateboard of the the invention in a
"wheelie" position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the toy skateboard of the invention (or
simply "board") comprises a deck 10 and front and rear truck
assemblies 12 and 14 respectively. The front truck assembly 12
comprises a pair of wheels 16 mounted on an axle 18, in turn
supported such that the axle and wheels pivot freely about a
forward kingpin centerline 20. Correspondingly, the rear truck
assembly 14 comprises a pair of wheels 22 mounted on an axle 24, in
turn supported such that the axle and wheels pivot about a rear
kingpin centerline 26. As shown, the forward kingpin centerline 20
is inclined forwardly, while the rear kingpin centerline is
inclined rearwardly; both are also aligned with the longitudinal
centerline of the deck 10. Accordingly, if the deck 10 is tilted to
one side, that is, about its longitudinal centerline, the wheels of
the forward and rear trucks on that side will approach one another,
while the wheels on the other side will be spaced further apart,
causing the skateboard to be steered to the side to which it is
tilted. The same is true, of course, of "real" skateboards,
intended to be ridden by live "skaters", who steer the skateboard
by tilting the deck to one side or the other as desired.
[0014] The wheels 16 of the front truck assembly 12 are journaled
for free rotation about axle 18, and the front axle 18 is free to
pivot about forward kingpin centerline 20, between stops (not
shown) preventing the truck from turning too far. By comparison,
the wheels 22 of the rear truck assembly 14 are individually
driven, as to both direction and speed, by separate motors 28
responsive to a conventional radio receiver 30, powered by
batteries 31, and responsive to control signals from a conventional
radio transmitter indicated schematically at 33. A servo motor 32
is also provided, also responsive to radio control signals in a
generally conventional and well-understood fashion, to controllably
pivot rear axle 24 about rear kingpin centerline 26. (Those of
skill in the art will be aware of numerous commercially available
components capable of being employed as described, and accordingly
further details are not provided here. A generally similar kingpin
pivoting mechanism responsive to radio control signals is employed
in the toy skateboard shown in the Baker et al patent.) By thus
pivoting rear axle 24 about rear kingpin centerline 26,:the deck 10
will tilt, as above, and this in turn will cause the freely-pivoted
forward truck assembly to pivot correspondingly; if moving, the
skateboard will turn in the corresponding direction. FIGS. 4 and 5,
discussed in detail below, show this steering feature clearly.
[0015] Steering of the skateboard according to the invention may
also be accomplished by differentially driving the rear wheels with
respect to one another; for example, if one rear wheel is driven in
the forward direction while the other is driven in the reverse
direction, the skateboard will turn sharply. The capability of
differential driving of the rear wheels has other advantages, as
detailed further below.
[0016] Also shown in FIG. 1 are forward and rearward shoes 40 and
42 respectively. Both shoes are molded components intended to
resemble the sneakers which a live skater might wear; furthermore,
according to an important aspect of the invention, shoes 40 and 42
move with respect to deck 10 in a manner realistically mimicing the
motions of a skater's feet as the skateboard performs various
manuevers responsive to control signals received from remote
transmitter 33.
[0017] More specifically, as discussed in detail below, the shoes
40 and 42 pivot about axes 60, 62 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) generally
perpendicular to deck 10 as the deck is tilted responsive to
pivoting of rear truck assembly about kingpin axis 26, as might a
live skater's feet, and the forward shoe moves longitudinally along
deck 10 as deck 10 is pitched upwardly and downwardly, again as
might a live skater's. Still more significantly, as detailed below,
the motion of shoes 40 and 42 is accomplished passively, that is,
without complicated servomechanisms, being responsive to the
influence of gravity, momentum, and inertia alone, so that complex
and expensive mechanisms are not required in order to achieve very
entertaining effects.
[0018] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the manner in which the shoes 40
and 42 pivot as the deck 10 is tilted about its longitudinal axis
responsive to pivoting of the rear truck. The shoes 40 and 42 are
sculpted generally to resemble a pair of skater's shoes; in the
embodiment shown, where the toes of the shoes are nominally aligned
to the left side of the deck (toward the top of FIGS. 4 and 5), the
rear shoe 40 is the left and the forward shoe 40 the right. Shoes
40 and 42 rest on masts 50 and 52, respectively, and pivot freely
with respect to pivot points 60 and 62, respectively. FIGS. 2 and 3
(discussed in detail below) show details of one possible design for
a suitable pivot assembly. Shoes 40 and 42 are balanced in the fore
and aft (that is, toe to heel) direction, but are ballasted toward
their insteps by weights 64. Weights 64 are located on the shoes
opposite the pivot points 60 and 62. Accordingly, when the rear
truck 14 is pivoted as shown in FIG. 4 (with the front truck
following passively, as shown), deck 10 is tilted so that its left
side is lowered, and weights 64 cause the shoes 40, 42 to take the
"toes-out" position shown. If the rear wheels are driven, the
skateboard turns to the left, as indicated by arrow 66.
Correspondingly, when the rear truck is operated in the opposite
direction, as shown in FIG. 5, the deck tilts toward the right, the
shoes 40, 42 pivot to the "toes-in" position illustrated, and, if
driven, the skateboard turns right as indicated by arrow 68. This
movement of the shoes corresponds to typical motion of a skater's
feet and provides a very entertaining animation.
[0019] As mentioned above, the forward shoe 40 is mounted so as to
move forward when the deck is level, as shown in FIG. 1, and
rearward when the front of the deck is raised, as shown in FIG. 6.
As shown by FIG. 2, a view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1
(partially a side view, and partially in cross-section), and by
FIG. 3, a cross-section taken transverse to the long axis of the
skateboard, the mast 50 on which the forward shoe 40 is pivoted
extends through a slot 10a in deck 10, and is fixed to a trolley
78, comprising a car 70. Car 70 comprises two pairs of rollers 72
freely journaled on two axles 73; rollers 72 are received within
opposed U-shaped sections 74 of track 76 fixed to the underside of
deck 10, so that trolley 78, with mast 50 and shoe 40, moves freely
back and forth along track 76. Track 76 is mounted at an angle,
typically ten degrees, with respect to deck 10, with the forward
end of the track lower than the rearward end, as illustrated.
[0020] Mast 50 is mounted to car 70 at a corresponding angle, 100
degrees in the preferred embodiment, so as to be perpendicular to
deck 10.
[0021] Thus, when the deck 10 is level, as in FIG. 1, trolley 78
rolls forward under the influence of gravity, carrying shoe 40 to
the forward end of the deck 10; when the forward end of the deck is
lifted (see FIG. 6), trolley 78 rolls rearwardly, so that shoe 40
is moved toward the after end of the deck. The motion of the shoe
40 is also responsive to inertia and momentum. For example, if the
shoe 40 is disposed to the front of the deck 10 and the board is
accelerated sharply forward, the assembly of shoe 40 and trolley 78
will effectively slide rearwardly responsive to its inertia; if the
board is then stopped sharply, the shoe assembly will slide
forwardly under the influence of its momentum. This action of the
forward shoe 40 corresponds to the motion of a skater's forward
foot in doing comparable tricks and again provides a very
entertaining animation. Again, it will be appreciated that the
motion of the shoes takes place passively, responsive to gravity,
momentum, and inertia, and without, e.g., complicated motor-driven
mechanisms.
[0022] Shoes 40 and 42 are mounted-on their respective masts 50 and
52 by similar mechanisms. As illustrated by FIGS. 2 and 3, shoe 40
is molded to comprise a transverse interior bulkhead 40a. A bearing
block 84 is fixed to bulkhead 40a by screws 86. A transverse groove
84a is formed in the underside of bearing block 84. A transverse
pin 88 extending through a bore in mast 50 fits within groove 84a,
and supports shoe 40; the width of groove 84a cooperates with pin
88 to limit the angular motion of shoe 40. A washer 85 may be
disposed between pin 88 and groove 84a.
[0023] The shoe is retained on the mast 50 by a cotter pin 90
extending though a bore in mast 50; again, a washer 92 may be
provided. As noted above, the shoe 40 is balanced in the fore and
aft direction (left to right in FIG. 3), while weight 64, disposed
opposite mast 50, causes shoe 40 to pivot freely about mast 50,
between limits established by the fit of pin 88 within groove 84a,
as the deck is tilted to one side or the other.
[0024] The forward end of the deck 10 can be lifted into the
"wheelie" position shown in FIG. 6 responsive to radio signals from
transmitter 33. More particularly, if the operator provides an
abrupt command to drive rear wheels 22 in the forward direction,
the torque provided by motors 28 is adequate to lift the forward
end of the deck as shown. In order to facilitate this, and so that
the board balances stably in the "wheelie" position of FIG. 6, the
distribution of the masses of the various components is arranged
such that the center of mass of the board is just forward of the
rear axle 24 when the deck is horizontal, and is just behind axle
24 in the wheelie position of FIG. 6. In the wheelie position, the
board rests stably on the rear wheels 22 and on a skid plate 80. (A
forward protective skid fin 82 may also be provided.) The skid
plate 80 is radiused to provide an approximately part-spherical
surface, so that when in the wheelie position on a suitable
surface, the board can be caused to "teeter", that is, pivot from
side to side, rolling on skid plate 80, by operation of the
steering servo pivoting the rear axle, providing a further
entertaining simulation. By applying torque in the reverse
direction to both rear wheels 22 the board will drop back down to
the horizontal position of FIG. 1.
[0025] It will happen from time to time that the board will tip
over, so that one longitudinal edge of the deck lies on the ground.
Where the traction provided is sufficient, the board can be
self-righted, i.e., responsive to a radio signal, by operating the
rear truck steering control so that it is fully pivoted and
applying torque to the rear wheel in contact with the ground. In
order to facilitate this and other manuevers, the rear wheels 22
are made of a high-friction material; the front wheels 16 should be
made of a lower-friction material, so as to slide freely. (The same
is true of the wheels of the Baker et al toy skateboard.)
[0026] It will thus be appreciated that the toy skateboard of the
invention is capable of performing a number of very entertaining
manuevers, and that the shoes move as in response in a manner
suggestive of a "ghost rider". The fact that the shoes do so under
the influence of gravity, inertia, and momentum alone, without the
necessity of mechanisms and control apparatus, allows the toy to be
manufactured at a reasonable cost and to remain reliable in
service.
[0027] The toy skateboard of the present invention has several
novel and unobvious distinctions with respect to the toy shown in
the Baker et al patent. In Baker et al, a complete skater is
modeled, requiring a complex mechanism to perform various
manuevers; for example, in Baker et al, if the board is tipped
over, it can be righted by the action of the skater. Further, in
Baker, the rear wheels are driven together; steering is
accomplished solely by pivoting of the rear truck about its kingpin
axis. As noted, in the present invention, steering can be
accomplished in this way, but also by driving the rear wheels at
different speeds and directions.
[0028] Given the above disclosure of the invention, one of ordinary
skill in the art would be capable of practice of the invention.
[0029] While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been
disclosed in detail, those of skill in the art will be aware of
further modifications and improvements that might be made without
departure from its essential spirit and scope. Therefore, the above
disclosure is to be considered exemplary of the invention and not
as a limitation thereon.
* * * * *