GB2187650A

GB2187650A - Remote controller for toy vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2187650A
Application number: GB08702448A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Melvin Kennedy; Dietmar Nagel; Avi Arad
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-02-07
Filing date: 1987-02-04
Publication date: 1987-09-16
Also published as: KR870007713A; GB8702448D0

Abstract

A hand-held remote controller for a toy vehicle includes means to detect the orientation in space of the controller and to provide a corresponding steering signal for the vehicle such that a user may turn and steer the vehicle in response to turning movement of the hand-held controller. Communications means, such as radio communications or a tether, transmit control signals from the controller to the vehicle. The controller may resemble a steering wheel, handle bars, or ship or aircraft controls. As shown, the orientation-detecting means comprises a pendulum arm 36, which tends to remain vertical when the rest of the controller turns and which operates a steering signal switch 34. A spring 50 urges the pendulum switch to its central neutral position. Turn signal lights are operated when the spring touches contacts 56, 56. The controller includes a forward/reverse switch 74 and a horn. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Toy vehicle with improved remote controller The present invention relates to a hand-held control unit and a toy vehicle. The control unit is particularly adapted for controlling the steering and/or the forward/reverse movement ofthe toy vehicle. It may function either with a radio-controlled vehicle or a remote-controlled (tethered) vehicle.

Radio-controlled or remote-controlled vehicles are common and each have achieved a measure of significant commercial success. Radio-controlled vehicles are those in which the steering functions and the forward or reverse drive functions are controlled by radio from a hand-held unit.

Remote-controlled units are those in which a hand-held control unit is connected to the vehicle by aflexibletether. In each instance, the user manipulates a joy stick or other control means to vary the steering of the vehicle and cause the vehicle to move forward, rearward or remain stationary.

The present invention relates to an improvement in both radio-controlled and remote-controlled devices, and particularly an improvement in the configuration and construction ofthe hand-held control unit. Specifically, the improved controller is formed in the shape of a vehicle steering wheel and functions to control the steering of the toy vehicle as afunction of its position and orientation in space.

With the controller held in the manner in which one would hold an automobile steering wheel, the toy vehicle turns to the right in response to the control unit being turned to the right; in response to turning the controller to the left, the vehicle turns to the left; the vehicle is steered in a straight ahead direction when the steering wheel controller is held in its middle orientation. The device utilizes orientation detection means, such as a gravity-activated switch to detect the orientation of the controller and to thereby control the steering ofthevehicle.

In accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a radio-controlled or remote-controlled vehicle assembly which comprises a vehicle and a separate controllerforthevehicle. The vehicle is provided with traction means to drive it on a surface such as a floor, motor means to drive the traction means and steering means to control the direction of movement ofthe vehicle. The controller is in a form appropriate to the toy vehicle and it is shaped to be held bythe user as one would hold the steering device ofthe particular type of vehicle, such as an automobile steering wheel for an automobile. A gravity-activated switch means is provided which produces appropriate left, right and straight ahead signals in response to a rotation of the controllerto the left, to the right orto a straight ahead position.

Those signals are delivered to the vehicle and control the steering means in the vehicle. Switch means are also provided in the controller to cause the vehicles moveforwardly or rearwardly orto remain stationary. The controller is in communication with the vehicle either by radio orthrough atether.

The above brief description, as well at further features and particulars of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 'is a perspective view of a steering wheel-shaped controller illustrated in the handsof the user with portions in phantom indicating the controller being turned to the left; Figure2 is a perspective view of a toy vehicle under the control of the control unit of Figure 1 with the vehicle moving in a first direction and, in phantom, showing the vehicle turning responsive to aturning movement of the controller;; Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view ofthe controller of Figure 1 with portions removed to show inner details and with portions shown in phantom to illustrate its operation; Figure 4 is a rear sectional view of the controller of Figure 1 with portions removed to illustrate internal construction; Figure 5 is a partial rear sectional view ofthe controller illustrating a portion ofthe gravity-actuated switch assembly; and Figure 6is an exploded view of one form of presently preferred switch means including a gravity-actuated switch for steering control and a manuaily controlled switch for controlling forward/rearward movement.

As shown in Figure 1,there is provided a controller 10 for a self-propelled toy vehicle which is formed generaliy in the shape of an automotive steering wheel. Although the controller 10may be formed in any shape relating to the wide variety of steering devices used in fu I l-sized vehicles, the presently preferred embodiment is that which is similar to most conventional automobile steering wheels.

Specifically, controller 10 has a ring which is gripped by the user's hands and a series of spokes or attachments 14 extending radially in from the ring 12 connected to a body or housing 16. The face ofthe housing 16 comprises a secondary function panel 18 which may include directional signal lights 1 8a and a horn pad 1 8b to activate an electric or a mechanical horn. The housing 16 contains steering control means which will be described below. The housing 16 also carries forward/rearward movement control means which are operated by the rocker levers 20 which contain the symbols "FWD", "REV" on their upward and downward portions, respectively.The rockers 20 are positioned to be operated by the user'sthumbs.An off/on power switch 22 is mounted on the face ofthe housing 16 which controls the overall energization of the controller 10.

The functional operation of controller loins graphically illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. With the power switch 22 in the on position, and with the user pressing the forward portion of one of the rockers 20, the vehicle 24 is caused to move forwardly. A counterclockwise or leftward rotation ofthe controller10fromthefull lineconfigurationtothe dotted lineconfiguration ofFigurel,seethe directional arrow 26, causes the vehicle 24to exhibit a corresponding leftward steering movement. This is shown in Figure 2 by the movement of the vehicle 24 from its full line position to the dotted line position, as illustrated by the directional arrow 28.

The vehicle 24 as illustrated in Figure 2 may be a conventional self-propelled vehicle having a conventional wheel arrangement, driving means and steering means. There are a variety of conventional structures for such vehicles and the present invention is independent of the particular means and construction of vehicle 24. The vehicle 24 may either be a radio-controlled vehicle, in which casethe upwardly extending element designated 30 would be an antenna for receipt of a radio signal from the controller 10. Alternatively, the vehicle could be a remote-controlled unit, in which case element 30 would be part of a tetherwire connecting the vehicle 24 with the controller 10 for delivery of control signals and powerto control the movement ofthe vehicle 24.

Reference will now be made to Figures 6 and 7 for a more detailed disclosure of the switch means which are used to control the movement of the vehicle 24. Those skilled in the artwill recognize that the functions of the controller 10 will be essentially thesamefora remote-controlled system and a radio-controlled system, with the difference residing in standard forms of communication means between the controller and the vehicle, and, possibly, the particulartypes of switches to be used in a remote-controlled system as opposed to a radio-controlled system.

Agravity-controlled switch mechanism is used in the controller 10 to detectthe orientation in space of the controller and to thereby govern whether pendulum 36 and the housing 16, moving the switch 34, which is utilized as a gravity-actuated means to control the status of the steering ofthe vehicle 24.

When the housing, represented by the panel 40 in Figure 6, is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction (i.e., when the child wishes to "steer" to the left), the pendulum 36will swing relatively to the right around pivot 38. A bifurcated arm 42 extends upwardly and outwardlyfrom the pendulum 36 to engage with the steering switch 34. the two arm portions 42a and 42b of the bifurcated arm 42 engage a pin 44 on switch block 46 of the switch 34 which has the effect of moving the switch blockto the right (in Figure 6).

That movement of switch block 46 is effective to close the switch 34 producing a first polarityto provide a left turn signal to the vehicle 24. When the controller 10 and, therefore, the housing 16 and plate 40 are tilted in a clockwise direction, as when the user wishes to "steer" to the right, the pendulum 36 will make a complementary movement to the right, moving the switch block46 to the leftto movethe double pole, double throw steering switch 34 into its leftturn or reverse polarity position. That causes the steering means in the vehicle 24to turn to the right.

When the controller 10 is rotated by the user backto its neutral orstraightahead position, the pendulum 36 swings backto the central position as shown in Figure 6, moving the steering switch 34 into its neutral position where there is neither a left or right turn signal given to the vehicle 24 and the steering mechanism of the vehicle therefore assumes its straight ahead position.

It has been found useful to provide a bias centering force to urge the gravity-control switch into its neutral or central position and help maintain it in that position. A mounting pin 48 is provided on the housing 16 about which is positioned a double-arm spring 50 that extends downwardly on either side of a position pin 52.Acontactpin 54 on the pendulum 36 extends between the arms of the double-arm spring 50. Two spring contacts 56,58 are mounted on the housing 16 on either side of the double-arm spring 50 to limit the sideward movement of that spring. Thus, swinging movement of the penculum 36 aboutthe pivot 38 is opposed by the bias ofthe double-arm spring 50. That bias is overcome ifthe tilting of the controller is sufficient.Conversely, when the controller is moved toward its neutral, straight ahead position, the double-arm spring 50 tends to move the pendulum 36 back into its neutral, vertical or straight ahead position. The contacts 56, 58 can be utilized as switch contacts for left and right turn lights 18a,ifdesired.Thoseturn lightsmayalso be operated directly from the steering switch 34, if desired.

In the present embodiment of controller 10, the switch means for effecting forward or rearward movement of the vehicle 24constitutes a manually operated, drive switch. If desired, the forward/reverse switch function can also be controlled by a gravity-controlled switch assembly, such as the gravity controlled switch assembly 32.

Forward/backward drive switch assembly 60 is generally illustrated in the lower portion of Figure 6, and is schematically shown in Figure 7 (for a remote-controlled system). It is activated by the user by means of the rocker levers 20 which are mounted on shaft 62 which is appropriately pivoted in the housing 16. In Figure 6, this pivotal mounting is schematically shown bythe housing bracket 64 and the busing 66 on the shaft 62. It can be seen that when a rocker20 is pressed atis upper end which carries the designation "FWD", the shaft is rotated in a counterclockwise direction; conversely, when the lower portion of the rocker 20 is pressed, at the point where the rocker is marked "REV", the shaft 62 is rotated in a clockwise direction.Actuating arm 68 is rigidly secured to the shaft 62, and that arm has a bifurcated end with individual elements 68a, 68b.

The elements 68a, 68b engage a pin 70 on a switch block 72 which is the movable portion of a double pole, double throw drive switch 74. In the case of a tethered system, the drive switch 74 may typically be any conventional type of double pole, double throw switch wired for reversing polarity, and it has three positions as shown schematically in Figure 7. Its central position is neutral, in which no power is provided; its position in one direction produces a first polarity and its opposite position produces the opposite polarity. The two opposing polarities effectively cause the drive mechanism of the vehicle 24to move either forwardly or rearwardly. In a radio-controlled system, other switch arrangements may be employed to cause the radio broadcasterto transmit the desired signals to the radio receiver in the vehicle 24. As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the external elements of the forward/backward drive switch assembly 60 are symmetricaily mounted on the controller 10. A pair of rockers 20 are mounted, one on either side of the central housing 16, such that the user may control the drive function of the vehicle 24with eitherof his orherthumbs.

The details of construction of the ring 12, spokes 14and housing 16 of the controller 10, in the presently preferred embodiment, can be seen in Figures 3,4 and 5. The entire device may be formed by conventional means of a plastic material and shaped as shown to both provide the appearance of a steering wheel for the vehicle to be controlled, as well as to provide appropriate space for the housing of the operative parts. Obviously, the controller could be formed in other shapes to conform to specific other types of items, such as handle bars for motorcycles, typical boat or ship steering devices for a water craft, appropriate controls for airplanes, helicopters orwhateverform of control unit is appropriate to the particulartoy vehicle to be controlled.

Figure 3 shows a rectangular portion ofthe housing 16 in which is mounted a board or panel on which are mounted the power switch 22, the steering switch 34, the drive switch 74 and appropriate further elements of the standard electronic and electrical elements used to alternatively employthe controller 10 for either radio-controlled or remote-controlled operation. Such elements are well developed in this art, and those skilled in the artwill selectthe particular units which are appropriate to the type of productto be made. In Figure3,thephantom lines show the position ofthe controller 10 when moved to effect a left turn ofthe vehicle 24.It should be appreciated that in that position, the pendulum 36 will occupy exactly the same position in space as illustrated, that is, it will remain vertical whereas the other elements of the controller 10 will have been moved in a counterclockwise direction.

The rear sectional view of Figure 4 illustrates in greater detail the mounting ofthe rockers 20 and the shaft 32, as well as the placement of the turn signal lights 18a. Figure 5 shows the details ofthe mounting of the pendulum 36, the biasing spring 50 and its contacts and further illustrates a circuit board 76 whch may be used forthe signal lights 18a in conjunction with the contacts 56,58. Alternatively, the directional lights 1 8a may be operated through a steering switch 34. The circuit board 76 may also carry the electronics for an electrically-operated horn, ifthatarrangement is desired. A battery housing 78 is shown in Figure 5 and a battery 80 is positioned in that housing.If the controller is used with a tether in a remote-controlled device, additional batteries normally would be carried in the housing to powerthevehicle.

The schematic view of Figure 7 shows a basic circuit for a tethered, remote-controlled system. A radio-controlled system, of course, would have a more complicated circuit, but such circuits are standard in the industry and need not be detailed here. In such systems, the switches 34,74 would be of whatever type are required to trigger the broadcast unit to send the desired signals to the vehicle receiver. In Figure 7, there is shown a pair of double pole, double throw polarity reversing switches, specifically, switch 34forthe steering function ofthe controller which is operated by the gravity-controlled switch assembly 32, and the drive control switch 74 which is manually operated by the rockers 20 in the forward/rearward drive switch assembly 60.Each ofthosefunctions is powered through a conventional battery through the on/off switch 22. The output from each ofthe switches 34, 74 is shown in the schematic of Figure 7 as terminating in a block which represents one end of a tether. The use of the invention in both a radio-controlled system and a remote-controlled system employs conventional means to deliverythe control signals to the vehicle 24.

The above disclosure describes only one presently preferred embodimentofthe invention.The invention may be incorporated in a wide variety of combination devices in which a controller is used to control the movement of a vehicle at a point remote from the controller. Designers will develop many other designs to incorporate the invention.

Accordingly,thefollowing claims should be contrued broadly, in a manner consistentwith the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A direction controller and a self-propelled toy vehicle operable at a remote location from said controller, the controller comprising a body, signal generating means connected to said body which produces direction signals responsive to the orientation in space of said body, and communication means operable between the said direction controller and said vehicle, said vehicle including steering means, said steering means steering said vehicle in response to signals communicated through said communication means.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said communication means is a radio transmitter and said toy vehicle includes a radio receiver.

3. Adevice in accordance with claim 1 wherein said communication means comprises a tether.

4. Adeviceinaccordancewithclaim 1,2and3 wherein said signal generating means is gravity activated.

5. A device in accordance with claim 4wherein said gravity activated signal generating means includes an electrical switch.

6. A device in accordance with claim 1, 2,3,4orS wherein said signal generating means includes an electrical switch.

7. A device in accordance with claim Swherein said gravity activated switch includes a gravity mass movable relative to other elements in said switch means responsive to said movementto change the status of said switch.

8. A device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said movable gravity mass is a pendulum.

9. A hand-held controllerfor use with a self-propelled toy vehicle comprising a body, orientation detection means in said body for detecting the orientation of said body in space and generating signals in response to said detection or orientation, and communication means for delivering said signals to said toy vehicle to control an operation thereof.

10. A controller in accordance with claim 9 wherein said communication means is a radio transmitter.

11. A controller in accordance with claim 9 wherein said communication means is a tether.

12. Acontroller in accordance with claim 9, 10 or 11 wherein said orientation detection means is gravity activated.

13. A controller in accordance with claim 12 wherein said gravity activated detection means includes an electrical switch.

14. A controller in accordance with any one of claims 9 to 13 wherein said orientation detection means includes an electrical switch.

15. A controller in accordance with claim 13 wherein said gravity activated detection switch includes a gravity mass movable relative to other elements in said switch and includes means responsivetosaid movementtochangethestatusof said switch.

16. Acontrollerin accordancewithclaim 15 wherein said movable gravity mass is a pendulum.

17. A direction controller and a self-propelled toy vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

18. Ahand-held controllerfor use with a self-propelled toy vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.