CA2091218A1 - Motorized ball toy with improved torque - Google Patents
Motorized ball toy with improved torqueInfo
- Publication number
- CA2091218A1 CA2091218A1 CA 2091218 CA2091218A CA2091218A1 CA 2091218 A1 CA2091218 A1 CA 2091218A1 CA 2091218 CA2091218 CA 2091218 CA 2091218 A CA2091218 A CA 2091218A CA 2091218 A1 CA2091218 A1 CA 2091218A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- shaft
- wall
- ball
- drive frame
- central shaft
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure The invention provides a motorized ball toy with improved torque, traction and operating stability. The ball toy moves in response to internal motive power provided by a battery and motor mounted within the ball. The ball has two hemispheres which are joined together along their respective peripheral edges. A central shaft extends diametrically across the ball and is secured at each end by a shaft mount on the interior of each of the hemispheres. One of the shaft mounts releasably engages the central shaft and the other shaft mount nonrotatably engages the central shaft. A motor drive frame within the ball is supported on the central shaft. The drive frame is rotatable about the central shaft 360°. A motor on the drive frame imparts relative rotation between the drive frame and the central shaft which, in turn, drives the ball. An inert mass in the form of a zinc weight is attached to the drive frame at a predetermined distance from the central shaft to increase the torque imparted by the motor. The zinc weight is preferably curved and mounted at the extremity of the drive frame closest to the exterior wall of the ball, thereby maximizing the moment of inertia of the drive frame.
Description
-', --'` 2 ~ 3 MOTORIZED BALL TOY WITX IMPROVE:D TORQU15 Backaround and Summary o~ the Invention The invention relates generally to amusement devices and more particularly to a motorized ball toy capable of traveling over generally planar surfaces by means of internally-produced motive power.
Motorized ball toys with internal power supplies and ! lo motors have been configured in different ways to accomplish the , goal of imparting rolling motion to a ball from within. In U.S.
, Patent No. 2,949,696 a ball with a hollow interior is fitted with i an axial shaft extending diametrically across the interior of the ball. The output shaft of a small electric motor engages a gear on the axial shaft imparting relative rotation therebetween.
;
Batteries for powering the motor are mounted eccentrically on the axial shaft. The batteries weigh more than the motor and tend to ,.
overbalance it, which allows the motor to rotate the axial shaft and the ball itself while the motor remains generally stationary (i.e., nonrotating) relative to the shaft. A similar battery-: driven ball is shown in ~.S. Patent No. 2,939,246. In that patent, the motor and axial shaft power a toy ball which incorporates a gravity actuated on-off switch. A similar drive mechanism is also used in U.S. Patent No. 4,726,800, wherein the ball toy is actuated by a small radio receiver and includes a servo-motor which can change the center of gravity of the ball to steer it. Finally, in U.S. Patent No. 3,722,134, a ball with a hollow interior is propelled over flat surfaces by a small wheeled vehicle which is freely movable (i.e., loose) within the interior of the ball. The small wheeled vehicle is battery powered and rolls ~round on the inside of the ball, changing itæ
~- center of gravity and imparting motion to the ball.
In the firæt three prior art motorized ball toys . 1 ., i., ................................... . .~ .
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~ ~ . f.l ~2 '~
i;~ discussed above, an eccentrically-mounted weight is provided .
!'`' within the ball for the motor to impart torque to the axial shaft. Eccentric mounting of the battery or batteries allows !:: gravity to impart a necessary counter-rotative force on the drive ., motor of the ball, to which the batteries are operatively 3 connected, in order ~or the motor to exert torque on the shaft ~1:
and turn the ball. Because the batteries in a drive mechanism of a motorized toy ball are generally the heaviest part of the mechanism, they greatly affect the weight distribution of the 10 drive mechanism about the axial shaft. In Patent Nos. 2,949,696, ~l 2,939,246 and 4,726,800, the battery or batteries are mounted .j, offset from the axial shaft and provide eccentric weight , distribution which makes the drive mechanism work. In Patent No.
3,722,134 the internal self-propelled vehicle within the ball ~;~ takes place of the driven shaft and the need for eccentric weight distribution is eliminated.
A problem presented by prior art motorized ball toys ,, l which use the internal battery or batteries to provide an eccentric weight distribution is that the battery or batteries tend to be relatively large compared to the rest of the drive mechanism, or to the ball itself. Consequently, they cannot be ¦ mounted near the interior wall of the ball because of its ~- curvature, which means the weight of the batteries cannot be positioned very far from the axial shaft. If the weight distribution of the drive mechanism around the axial shaft is insufficiently eccentric, the ball's movement will be slow, erratic and sluggish because the drive mechanism may counter-.
rotate around the shaft. Alternatively, the weight distribution might be such that the ball will merely spin in place because it is caused to rotate too ~ast. Both of these operating characteristics have been present with prior art shaft-driven ~- 2 ,, .
.J ,, .
~ ~ 9 ~ g motorized ball toys.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a motorized ball toy in which the drive mechanism imparts increased torque to the axia' drive shaft. It would also be advantageous to provide a motorized ball toy with enhanced eccentricity in the weight distribution of the drive mechanism so the ball will operate smoothly and with improved traction. It would also be advantageous to have a motorized ball toy which is easily opened for bat~ery installation or replacement.
Accordingly, a motorized ball toy which moves in response to internal power is provided, comprising an outer wall formed of a plurality of wall sections joined together. The wall sections selectively interlock with one another to form an assembled outer wall which is generally spherical. A central shaft extends along a first axis across the interior of the outer ~, wall. The shaft is fixed to the outer wall such that rotation of the shaft about the first axis produces a simultaneous rotation of the outer wall about the first axis. A drive frame is supported on the central shaft and is rotatable about the first axis within the interior of the outer wall. A motor is suppoxted on the drive frame and is operatively connected to the central shaft for imparting relative rotation about the first axis between the shaft and the drive frame. An inert mass is attached to the drive frame at a predetermined distance from the first axis whereby the torque imparted to the central shaft by the i motor is increased.
In its preferred form, the motorized ball toy employs an inert mass in the form of a zinc weight which is attached to the drive frame at a point which generally maximizes the distance between the central shaft and the zinc weight. The zinc weight preferably has first and second surfaces on opposite sides } _1~
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: 2 ~
thereof and is joined to the drive frame along the first surface.
Z The second surface is curved and has a circular cross section which is generally concentric with the spherical surface of the outer wall. Such a curved surface allows the zinc weight to be positioned at a maximum distance from the central shaft, immediately adjacent the interior surface of the outer wall.
Other features of the preferred embodiment of the present invention include an outer wall made up of two hemispherical sections which join together by means of mating threads on the peripheral edge of each hemisphere. The central Z shaft of the ball is supported at opposite ends by internal shaft '~ mounts. One of the shaft mounts releasably engages the shaft and , 1, the other shaft mount nonrotatably engages the chaft. Rotation '~ of the shaft relative to the motorized drive frame is transferred to the outer wall of the ball via the nonrotatable shaft mount.
` Brief Description of th~e Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a motorized ball toy in ~'Z accordance with the present invention with the outer wall schematically shown as transparent to permit the interior parts to be viewed.
Fig. 2 is a partially exploded view of the motorized , ball toy of Figs. 1 and 2.
'A Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the motorized ball $ toy of Fig~ 1 taken along lines 2-2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of a motorized ball toy as in Fig. 2, taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3 and illustrating ¦ ~ movement of the zinc weight during counter-rotation of the drive , frame about the central shaft.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment , 30 Referring to Fig. 1, the motorized ball toy of the , preferred embodiment is indicated generally at 10. The outer i ~ .
Motorized ball toys with internal power supplies and ! lo motors have been configured in different ways to accomplish the , goal of imparting rolling motion to a ball from within. In U.S.
, Patent No. 2,949,696 a ball with a hollow interior is fitted with i an axial shaft extending diametrically across the interior of the ball. The output shaft of a small electric motor engages a gear on the axial shaft imparting relative rotation therebetween.
;
Batteries for powering the motor are mounted eccentrically on the axial shaft. The batteries weigh more than the motor and tend to ,.
overbalance it, which allows the motor to rotate the axial shaft and the ball itself while the motor remains generally stationary (i.e., nonrotating) relative to the shaft. A similar battery-: driven ball is shown in ~.S. Patent No. 2,939,246. In that patent, the motor and axial shaft power a toy ball which incorporates a gravity actuated on-off switch. A similar drive mechanism is also used in U.S. Patent No. 4,726,800, wherein the ball toy is actuated by a small radio receiver and includes a servo-motor which can change the center of gravity of the ball to steer it. Finally, in U.S. Patent No. 3,722,134, a ball with a hollow interior is propelled over flat surfaces by a small wheeled vehicle which is freely movable (i.e., loose) within the interior of the ball. The small wheeled vehicle is battery powered and rolls ~round on the inside of the ball, changing itæ
~- center of gravity and imparting motion to the ball.
In the firæt three prior art motorized ball toys . 1 ., i., ................................... . .~ .
~ ~-~
~ ~ . f.l ~2 '~
i;~ discussed above, an eccentrically-mounted weight is provided .
!'`' within the ball for the motor to impart torque to the axial shaft. Eccentric mounting of the battery or batteries allows !:: gravity to impart a necessary counter-rotative force on the drive ., motor of the ball, to which the batteries are operatively 3 connected, in order ~or the motor to exert torque on the shaft ~1:
and turn the ball. Because the batteries in a drive mechanism of a motorized toy ball are generally the heaviest part of the mechanism, they greatly affect the weight distribution of the 10 drive mechanism about the axial shaft. In Patent Nos. 2,949,696, ~l 2,939,246 and 4,726,800, the battery or batteries are mounted .j, offset from the axial shaft and provide eccentric weight , distribution which makes the drive mechanism work. In Patent No.
3,722,134 the internal self-propelled vehicle within the ball ~;~ takes place of the driven shaft and the need for eccentric weight distribution is eliminated.
A problem presented by prior art motorized ball toys ,, l which use the internal battery or batteries to provide an eccentric weight distribution is that the battery or batteries tend to be relatively large compared to the rest of the drive mechanism, or to the ball itself. Consequently, they cannot be ¦ mounted near the interior wall of the ball because of its ~- curvature, which means the weight of the batteries cannot be positioned very far from the axial shaft. If the weight distribution of the drive mechanism around the axial shaft is insufficiently eccentric, the ball's movement will be slow, erratic and sluggish because the drive mechanism may counter-.
rotate around the shaft. Alternatively, the weight distribution might be such that the ball will merely spin in place because it is caused to rotate too ~ast. Both of these operating characteristics have been present with prior art shaft-driven ~- 2 ,, .
.J ,, .
~ ~ 9 ~ g motorized ball toys.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a motorized ball toy in which the drive mechanism imparts increased torque to the axia' drive shaft. It would also be advantageous to provide a motorized ball toy with enhanced eccentricity in the weight distribution of the drive mechanism so the ball will operate smoothly and with improved traction. It would also be advantageous to have a motorized ball toy which is easily opened for bat~ery installation or replacement.
Accordingly, a motorized ball toy which moves in response to internal power is provided, comprising an outer wall formed of a plurality of wall sections joined together. The wall sections selectively interlock with one another to form an assembled outer wall which is generally spherical. A central shaft extends along a first axis across the interior of the outer ~, wall. The shaft is fixed to the outer wall such that rotation of the shaft about the first axis produces a simultaneous rotation of the outer wall about the first axis. A drive frame is supported on the central shaft and is rotatable about the first axis within the interior of the outer wall. A motor is suppoxted on the drive frame and is operatively connected to the central shaft for imparting relative rotation about the first axis between the shaft and the drive frame. An inert mass is attached to the drive frame at a predetermined distance from the first axis whereby the torque imparted to the central shaft by the i motor is increased.
In its preferred form, the motorized ball toy employs an inert mass in the form of a zinc weight which is attached to the drive frame at a point which generally maximizes the distance between the central shaft and the zinc weight. The zinc weight preferably has first and second surfaces on opposite sides } _1~
' .
: 2 ~
thereof and is joined to the drive frame along the first surface.
Z The second surface is curved and has a circular cross section which is generally concentric with the spherical surface of the outer wall. Such a curved surface allows the zinc weight to be positioned at a maximum distance from the central shaft, immediately adjacent the interior surface of the outer wall.
Other features of the preferred embodiment of the present invention include an outer wall made up of two hemispherical sections which join together by means of mating threads on the peripheral edge of each hemisphere. The central Z shaft of the ball is supported at opposite ends by internal shaft '~ mounts. One of the shaft mounts releasably engages the shaft and , 1, the other shaft mount nonrotatably engages the chaft. Rotation '~ of the shaft relative to the motorized drive frame is transferred to the outer wall of the ball via the nonrotatable shaft mount.
` Brief Description of th~e Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a motorized ball toy in ~'Z accordance with the present invention with the outer wall schematically shown as transparent to permit the interior parts to be viewed.
Fig. 2 is a partially exploded view of the motorized , ball toy of Figs. 1 and 2.
'A Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the motorized ball $ toy of Fig~ 1 taken along lines 2-2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of a motorized ball toy as in Fig. 2, taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3 and illustrating ¦ ~ movement of the zinc weight during counter-rotation of the drive , frame about the central shaft.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment , 30 Referring to Fig. 1, the motorized ball toy of the , preferred embodiment is indicated generally at 10. The outer i ~ .
- 2 0 9 ~
'I -wall 12 of ball 10 is made up of a plurality of wall sections ~oined together. The wall sections are preferably formed of molded plastic or another suitable moldable material. Although the outer wall sections of ball 10 are depicted as transparent in Fig. 1, they may be opaque. Two hemispherical sections 14, 16 are illustrated. Hemispheres 14, 16 interlock with one another along their respective peripheral edges 18, 20 (see Fig. 3), also referred to as mating edges, by respective internal and external mating threads 22, 24. When the two wall sections 14, 16 are selectively assembled, the outer wall has the shape of a ball.
Also included in the depicted embodiment between hemispheres 14, 16 is an 0-ring 45 which is positioned in an 0-ring seat 43 in hemisphere 16. Alternatively, and perhaps even preferably, the 0-ring can be positioned in a circumferentially extending groove (not shown) in either of the hemispheres ad~acent to the threaded portions, but offset by about 0.030 inch. In any event, the configuration and positioning of 0-ring 45 i8 such that it extends outwardly at least to the outer surface of wall sections 14, 16, to provide a circumferentially extending portion having increased friction to reduce the likelihood that the ball will merely stay in place and spin upon actuation of motive power.
Within the open interior 30 of ball 10, which is encompassed by or within the wall sections 14 and 16, is the drive mechanism for imparting rotational motion to the ball.
Referring to Figs. 1-3, a diametrical central shaft 32 extends along a first axis 35 across the interior 30 of ball 10. First axis 35 is preferably a spherical diameter which extends across the center of ball 10. First and second shaft mounts 33, 34, respectively, extend inwardly from the respective interior surfaces 38, 40 of hemispheres 14 and 16. The shaft mounts are -~` 2~21~
normally in the form of radially-extending sleeves integrally formed of the same plastic material from which hemispheres 14, 16 are fabricated. They typically include strengthening fins 36, as illustrated.
5haft 32 is preferably a steel pin which has a smooth outside surface at its first end 42 and a nonsmooth outside I surface at its second end 44, as is seen most clearly in Fig. 2.
The first end of the shaft is smooth in order to be releasably :
~ engaged by first shaft mount 33, which has a correspondingly ! j lo smooth surface on the inside 46 of the sleeve. This releasable engagement normally results in the first drive shaft mount 33 ~', nonrotatably engaging shaft 32 due to the friction fit. Of , course, once the two hemispheres are threaded into each other, there will be no relative rotation between the shaft and either ~ I hemisphere. Second end 44 of shaft 32 is preferably knurled or ¦ splined to be nonrotatably and normally nonreleasably engaged by second shaft mount 34, which has an interior surface 48 designed to nonslidingly engage the second end 44 of shaft 32. End 44 of shaft 32 could also be keyed or otherwise fixed to shaft mount 34 in order to prevent mutual rotation therebetween. The purpose of the nonrotatable engagement between shaft 32 and shaft mounts 33, 34 is to positively transfer any rotation of shaft 32 to '~ hemisphere 16 and ball 10. The sliding connection between end 42 of the shaft and mount 33 is to permit the two halves 14, 16 of ball 10 to be separated from one another for assembly and ~ disassembly of the ball. An enlarged flared or conical element 7 49 is, in the depicted embodiment, slipped over a cap 47 positioned over the first end 42 of shaft 32 when assembling the ball to facilitate assembly of the two hemispheres 14 and 16, as will be described below.
The drive frame 50 of the ball carries the motor which . 2 .
supplies its motive power. Drive frame 50 is centrally disposed on shaft 32 and iæ supported on the shaft within the interior 30 ~ of ball 10. The drive frame includes a motor support or housing .~
7. 52, which is shown in two parts 52a and 52b in Fig. 2, for supporting motor 54 on frame 50. Also supported on and partially enclosed by housing 52 are several drive gears which form the `::
:, operative connection between the drive shaft 56 of motor 54 and central shaft 32. Such gears include a worm gear 58 keyed to drive shaft 56, a dual-sprocket reduction gear 60 which meshes with worm gear 58 and with a drive sprocket 62 keyed to central ~; shaft 32 on another knurled or splined segment 63 and adjacent ~, spacers 51 and 53.
Housing 52 supports a battery case 66, in Fig. 2 shown as 66a and 66k, in which a conventional dry-cell battery 68 is housed. Battery 68 provides power to motor 54 through wire connections (not shown~. At one end of battery case 66 is a closure/on-off switch mechanism 70 for retaining battery 68 in case 66 and for turning on and off motor 54. A pair of fins 73, 75 extend from housing part 52b to alternatively be engaged by slat 69 in mechanism 70, depending upon the position of the ~;
switch mechanism.
Mechanism 70 also includes an aperture 77 designed to ~'l receive a control wire (not shown) which extends from motor 54, `~ through aperture 77, and through a hole in the left side SFig. 4) ¦ of mechanism 70, and then to the battery 68. Aperture 77 thus acts to avoid entanglement of and possible damage to this wire.
Also included in mechanism 70 is a protrusion 65 which engages, at one end of travel of switch mechanism 70, a battery case 66 0 (see Fig. 3) to prevent over-travel.
Drive frame 50, includinq battery case 66 and all the ~3 ~!
."~ , r~ 1 7 ~3 i .
other parts attached to the drive frame, is sized to revolve around shaft 32 within the interior 30 of ball 10. In other words, if the ball is held in a manner which prevents its rotation, drive frame 50 will revolve around first axis 35 whenever motor 54 is energized. Conversely, if the drive frame is held in one orientation with the motor energized, it rotates ball 10 about first axi~ 35.
At the lower end of drive frame housing 52, at approximately the maximum distance from shaft 32 within ball 10, 0 i8 a zinc weight 76 which is attached to the housing. Zinc weight 76 serves as an inert mass attached to the drive frame to increase the moment of inertia of the drive frame and thus increase the torque which motor 54 is able to impart to shaft 32 and ball 10. The term "inert mass" is used herein to distinguish the zinc weight from a battery or batteries, which are active components that serve another function in prior art motorized ball toys, in addition to functioning as weights on some toys.
Zinc weight 76 preferably has a first surface 78 which faces and is joined or mated to the bottom side 74 of the drive frame housing. First surface 78 also includes several upwardly-¦ extending lips 79 which extend around part of the sidewalls of housing 52, adjacent bottom wall 74. Weight 76 also has a second j surface 80 opposite the first surface, and second surface 80 is preferably curved as is shown most clearly in Fig. 4. The curved second surface 80 has a circular cross section which is generally concentric with the spherical surface of the outer wall of the ~ ball. The curvature of second surface 80 maximizes the amount of ;~ mass which can be placed at the greatest distance from the first axis 35 of central shaft 32. As such, it maximizes the ~ 30 eccentricity of the weight distribution of drive frame 50 ! relative to shaft 32.
~ .
~ 2 ~ ,, 1 g The mass of zinc weight 76 and the distance it is positioned from the axis of the central shaft can be selected to determine the speed, traction and responsiveness of the motorized ball. Generally, a motorized ball 2 1/2-inches to 5-inches in diameter is designed to operate at speeds (over a flat planar surface~ of from 0.3-feet-per-second to 8-feet-per-second, with a apeed of from 1 to 4 feet per second preferred. In such a ball, a zinc weight 76 with a weight in the range of about 10 to 60 gram6 i8 suitable, with 36.5 grams being preferred. The weight should preferably be attached to the drive frame at a predetermined distance from the axis 35 of central shaft 32, that distance being slightly less than the internal or interior radius 84 of ball 10. In other words, the outside curved surface 80 of weight 76 should approach but not touch the inside surface 38, 40 of ball 10 as drive frame 50 orbits around central shaft 32.
Operation of the motorized ball toy of the present invention requires the user to unscrew the two halves 14, 16 of the ball to access on-off switch 70. When separating left hemisphere 14 (as viewed in Fig. 3) from right hemisphere 16, the removable end 42 of shaft 32 with its cap 47 is slid out from the receiving sleeve or opening 46 of shaft mount 33. Once the two halves of ball 10 are separated, the shaft 32 and drive frame 50, and all parts connected thereto, are supported only from right hemisphere 16 on shaft mount 36. When switch 70 has been turned on its pivot 71 to the "on" position to engage fin 75, drive frame 50 will begin to orbit around central shaft 32 in the direction of arrow 85 in Fig. 4. This "on" position is the ~! position illustrated in Fig. 4; the "off" position is not l illustrated but would be in a different rotational position with -~ 30 respect to pivot 71, and would result in engagement of fin 73 by slot 69. The user then reassembles the two halves of the ball by ~, ", - " .
2 0 ~
sliding the ~lidable end 42 of pin 32 and its cap 47 past flared or conical element 49 and into engagement with shaft mount 33.
This engages the mating threads 22, 24 on the ball hemispheres and by relatively rotating these two halves the toy is fully assembled.
Drive frame 50 will continue to orbit until the ball is placed on a horizontal planar surface, at which time gravity will tend to stabilize the drive frame with zinc weight 76 oriented toward the bottom. As motor 54 turns the motor drive shaft 56, torque is applied to shaft 32 via gears 58, 60 and 62, causing i central shaft 32 to rotate about first axis 35 in a direction !j opposite to arrow 85. The rotation of the shaft is transferred to right hemisphere 14 via shaft mount 34 and with some assistance from shaft mount 33, which causes ball 10 to rotate with the shaft and drives the ball along the horizontal planar surface. ~-~
When the ball strikes an object, a wall, or another obstruction, the turning of the motor carries drive frame 50 .
, around shaft 32 in counter-rotational direction 85 (see Fig. 4), carrying zinc weight 76 up and over the top of the shaft. Once the center of gravity of the drive frame has passed over the top of shaft 32, ball 10 will tend to roll backwards from the obstruction, change direction slightly and the process will continue until a new unobstructed forward direction has been determined for the ball.
In the preferred embodiment, most of the parts of motorized ball toy 10 can conveniently be made of molded plastic.
Only shaft 32, zinc weight 76 and the electrical system of the ball need be made of metal. The motorized ball toy can be inexpensively manufactured and provides amusement to children, adults and pets. Because zinc weight 76 shifts the center of .~
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., ! 2~
9~
gravity of the drive frame toward the outer periphery of the ball to the extent that it is possible to do so, the motorized ball toy of the present invention exhibits substantially more reliable and steady motion than prior art motorized balls. In addition, there are no loose parts which could collide with the interior of the ball should it be dropped. The toy is easily assembled and di~assembled and the double-end mounting of the central shaft en~ures ruggedness and durability.
Alternative embodiments are possible within the scope ~ 10 of the present invention. For example, the number of outer wall s sections which can be separated and joined together to form ball 10 can be modified within the scope of the invention. Three or s more outer wall ~ections could be provided assuming that when all s cections are interlocked with one another they form an assembled outer wall which has the shape of a ball. The orientation and configuration of the motor, reduction gears and other internal parts of the drive frame can be modified within the scope of the present invention. For example, the drive shaft of the motor, which in the preferred embodiment is perpendicular to the central shaft of ball 10, could be reoriented to be parallel with the central shaft. These and other changes will occur to those skilled in the art.
, 11 .,
'I -wall 12 of ball 10 is made up of a plurality of wall sections ~oined together. The wall sections are preferably formed of molded plastic or another suitable moldable material. Although the outer wall sections of ball 10 are depicted as transparent in Fig. 1, they may be opaque. Two hemispherical sections 14, 16 are illustrated. Hemispheres 14, 16 interlock with one another along their respective peripheral edges 18, 20 (see Fig. 3), also referred to as mating edges, by respective internal and external mating threads 22, 24. When the two wall sections 14, 16 are selectively assembled, the outer wall has the shape of a ball.
Also included in the depicted embodiment between hemispheres 14, 16 is an 0-ring 45 which is positioned in an 0-ring seat 43 in hemisphere 16. Alternatively, and perhaps even preferably, the 0-ring can be positioned in a circumferentially extending groove (not shown) in either of the hemispheres ad~acent to the threaded portions, but offset by about 0.030 inch. In any event, the configuration and positioning of 0-ring 45 i8 such that it extends outwardly at least to the outer surface of wall sections 14, 16, to provide a circumferentially extending portion having increased friction to reduce the likelihood that the ball will merely stay in place and spin upon actuation of motive power.
Within the open interior 30 of ball 10, which is encompassed by or within the wall sections 14 and 16, is the drive mechanism for imparting rotational motion to the ball.
Referring to Figs. 1-3, a diametrical central shaft 32 extends along a first axis 35 across the interior 30 of ball 10. First axis 35 is preferably a spherical diameter which extends across the center of ball 10. First and second shaft mounts 33, 34, respectively, extend inwardly from the respective interior surfaces 38, 40 of hemispheres 14 and 16. The shaft mounts are -~` 2~21~
normally in the form of radially-extending sleeves integrally formed of the same plastic material from which hemispheres 14, 16 are fabricated. They typically include strengthening fins 36, as illustrated.
5haft 32 is preferably a steel pin which has a smooth outside surface at its first end 42 and a nonsmooth outside I surface at its second end 44, as is seen most clearly in Fig. 2.
The first end of the shaft is smooth in order to be releasably :
~ engaged by first shaft mount 33, which has a correspondingly ! j lo smooth surface on the inside 46 of the sleeve. This releasable engagement normally results in the first drive shaft mount 33 ~', nonrotatably engaging shaft 32 due to the friction fit. Of , course, once the two hemispheres are threaded into each other, there will be no relative rotation between the shaft and either ~ I hemisphere. Second end 44 of shaft 32 is preferably knurled or ¦ splined to be nonrotatably and normally nonreleasably engaged by second shaft mount 34, which has an interior surface 48 designed to nonslidingly engage the second end 44 of shaft 32. End 44 of shaft 32 could also be keyed or otherwise fixed to shaft mount 34 in order to prevent mutual rotation therebetween. The purpose of the nonrotatable engagement between shaft 32 and shaft mounts 33, 34 is to positively transfer any rotation of shaft 32 to '~ hemisphere 16 and ball 10. The sliding connection between end 42 of the shaft and mount 33 is to permit the two halves 14, 16 of ball 10 to be separated from one another for assembly and ~ disassembly of the ball. An enlarged flared or conical element 7 49 is, in the depicted embodiment, slipped over a cap 47 positioned over the first end 42 of shaft 32 when assembling the ball to facilitate assembly of the two hemispheres 14 and 16, as will be described below.
The drive frame 50 of the ball carries the motor which . 2 .
supplies its motive power. Drive frame 50 is centrally disposed on shaft 32 and iæ supported on the shaft within the interior 30 ~ of ball 10. The drive frame includes a motor support or housing .~
7. 52, which is shown in two parts 52a and 52b in Fig. 2, for supporting motor 54 on frame 50. Also supported on and partially enclosed by housing 52 are several drive gears which form the `::
:, operative connection between the drive shaft 56 of motor 54 and central shaft 32. Such gears include a worm gear 58 keyed to drive shaft 56, a dual-sprocket reduction gear 60 which meshes with worm gear 58 and with a drive sprocket 62 keyed to central ~; shaft 32 on another knurled or splined segment 63 and adjacent ~, spacers 51 and 53.
Housing 52 supports a battery case 66, in Fig. 2 shown as 66a and 66k, in which a conventional dry-cell battery 68 is housed. Battery 68 provides power to motor 54 through wire connections (not shown~. At one end of battery case 66 is a closure/on-off switch mechanism 70 for retaining battery 68 in case 66 and for turning on and off motor 54. A pair of fins 73, 75 extend from housing part 52b to alternatively be engaged by slat 69 in mechanism 70, depending upon the position of the ~;
switch mechanism.
Mechanism 70 also includes an aperture 77 designed to ~'l receive a control wire (not shown) which extends from motor 54, `~ through aperture 77, and through a hole in the left side SFig. 4) ¦ of mechanism 70, and then to the battery 68. Aperture 77 thus acts to avoid entanglement of and possible damage to this wire.
Also included in mechanism 70 is a protrusion 65 which engages, at one end of travel of switch mechanism 70, a battery case 66 0 (see Fig. 3) to prevent over-travel.
Drive frame 50, includinq battery case 66 and all the ~3 ~!
."~ , r~ 1 7 ~3 i .
other parts attached to the drive frame, is sized to revolve around shaft 32 within the interior 30 of ball 10. In other words, if the ball is held in a manner which prevents its rotation, drive frame 50 will revolve around first axis 35 whenever motor 54 is energized. Conversely, if the drive frame is held in one orientation with the motor energized, it rotates ball 10 about first axi~ 35.
At the lower end of drive frame housing 52, at approximately the maximum distance from shaft 32 within ball 10, 0 i8 a zinc weight 76 which is attached to the housing. Zinc weight 76 serves as an inert mass attached to the drive frame to increase the moment of inertia of the drive frame and thus increase the torque which motor 54 is able to impart to shaft 32 and ball 10. The term "inert mass" is used herein to distinguish the zinc weight from a battery or batteries, which are active components that serve another function in prior art motorized ball toys, in addition to functioning as weights on some toys.
Zinc weight 76 preferably has a first surface 78 which faces and is joined or mated to the bottom side 74 of the drive frame housing. First surface 78 also includes several upwardly-¦ extending lips 79 which extend around part of the sidewalls of housing 52, adjacent bottom wall 74. Weight 76 also has a second j surface 80 opposite the first surface, and second surface 80 is preferably curved as is shown most clearly in Fig. 4. The curved second surface 80 has a circular cross section which is generally concentric with the spherical surface of the outer wall of the ~ ball. The curvature of second surface 80 maximizes the amount of ;~ mass which can be placed at the greatest distance from the first axis 35 of central shaft 32. As such, it maximizes the ~ 30 eccentricity of the weight distribution of drive frame 50 ! relative to shaft 32.
~ .
~ 2 ~ ,, 1 g The mass of zinc weight 76 and the distance it is positioned from the axis of the central shaft can be selected to determine the speed, traction and responsiveness of the motorized ball. Generally, a motorized ball 2 1/2-inches to 5-inches in diameter is designed to operate at speeds (over a flat planar surface~ of from 0.3-feet-per-second to 8-feet-per-second, with a apeed of from 1 to 4 feet per second preferred. In such a ball, a zinc weight 76 with a weight in the range of about 10 to 60 gram6 i8 suitable, with 36.5 grams being preferred. The weight should preferably be attached to the drive frame at a predetermined distance from the axis 35 of central shaft 32, that distance being slightly less than the internal or interior radius 84 of ball 10. In other words, the outside curved surface 80 of weight 76 should approach but not touch the inside surface 38, 40 of ball 10 as drive frame 50 orbits around central shaft 32.
Operation of the motorized ball toy of the present invention requires the user to unscrew the two halves 14, 16 of the ball to access on-off switch 70. When separating left hemisphere 14 (as viewed in Fig. 3) from right hemisphere 16, the removable end 42 of shaft 32 with its cap 47 is slid out from the receiving sleeve or opening 46 of shaft mount 33. Once the two halves of ball 10 are separated, the shaft 32 and drive frame 50, and all parts connected thereto, are supported only from right hemisphere 16 on shaft mount 36. When switch 70 has been turned on its pivot 71 to the "on" position to engage fin 75, drive frame 50 will begin to orbit around central shaft 32 in the direction of arrow 85 in Fig. 4. This "on" position is the ~! position illustrated in Fig. 4; the "off" position is not l illustrated but would be in a different rotational position with -~ 30 respect to pivot 71, and would result in engagement of fin 73 by slot 69. The user then reassembles the two halves of the ball by ~, ", - " .
2 0 ~
sliding the ~lidable end 42 of pin 32 and its cap 47 past flared or conical element 49 and into engagement with shaft mount 33.
This engages the mating threads 22, 24 on the ball hemispheres and by relatively rotating these two halves the toy is fully assembled.
Drive frame 50 will continue to orbit until the ball is placed on a horizontal planar surface, at which time gravity will tend to stabilize the drive frame with zinc weight 76 oriented toward the bottom. As motor 54 turns the motor drive shaft 56, torque is applied to shaft 32 via gears 58, 60 and 62, causing i central shaft 32 to rotate about first axis 35 in a direction !j opposite to arrow 85. The rotation of the shaft is transferred to right hemisphere 14 via shaft mount 34 and with some assistance from shaft mount 33, which causes ball 10 to rotate with the shaft and drives the ball along the horizontal planar surface. ~-~
When the ball strikes an object, a wall, or another obstruction, the turning of the motor carries drive frame 50 .
, around shaft 32 in counter-rotational direction 85 (see Fig. 4), carrying zinc weight 76 up and over the top of the shaft. Once the center of gravity of the drive frame has passed over the top of shaft 32, ball 10 will tend to roll backwards from the obstruction, change direction slightly and the process will continue until a new unobstructed forward direction has been determined for the ball.
In the preferred embodiment, most of the parts of motorized ball toy 10 can conveniently be made of molded plastic.
Only shaft 32, zinc weight 76 and the electrical system of the ball need be made of metal. The motorized ball toy can be inexpensively manufactured and provides amusement to children, adults and pets. Because zinc weight 76 shifts the center of .~
~ .
., ! 2~
9~
gravity of the drive frame toward the outer periphery of the ball to the extent that it is possible to do so, the motorized ball toy of the present invention exhibits substantially more reliable and steady motion than prior art motorized balls. In addition, there are no loose parts which could collide with the interior of the ball should it be dropped. The toy is easily assembled and di~assembled and the double-end mounting of the central shaft en~ures ruggedness and durability.
Alternative embodiments are possible within the scope ~ 10 of the present invention. For example, the number of outer wall s sections which can be separated and joined together to form ball 10 can be modified within the scope of the invention. Three or s more outer wall ~ections could be provided assuming that when all s cections are interlocked with one another they form an assembled outer wall which has the shape of a ball. The orientation and configuration of the motor, reduction gears and other internal parts of the drive frame can be modified within the scope of the present invention. For example, the drive shaft of the motor, which in the preferred embodiment is perpendicular to the central shaft of ball 10, could be reoriented to be parallel with the central shaft. These and other changes will occur to those skilled in the art.
, 11 .,
Claims (16)
1. A motorized ball toy which moves in response to internal motive power, comprising: an outer wall formed of a plurality of wall sections joined together, said wall sections selectively interlocking with one another to form an assembled outer wall which is generally spherical; a central shaft which extends along a first axis across the interior of said outer wall and which is fixed to said outer wall such that rotation of said shaft about said first axis produces simultaneous rotation of said outer wall about said first axis; a drive frame within said outer wall, supported on said central shaft and rotatable about said first axis within the interior of said outer wall; a motor mounted to said drive frame and an operative connection between said motor and said central shaft for imparting relative rotation about said first axis between said shaft and said drive frame;
and an inert mass attached to said drive frame at a predetermined distance from said first axis within said outer wall, thereby increasing the torque imparted to said central shaft by said motor.
and an inert mass attached to said drive frame at a predetermined distance from said first axis within said outer wall, thereby increasing the torque imparted to said central shaft by said motor.
2. The motorized ball toy of claim 1 wherein said mass is a zinc weight attached to a portion of said drive frame which is farthest from said first axis.
3. The motorized ball toy of claim 2 wherein said zinc weight has first and second surfaces which are on opposite sides thereof, said zinc weight being joined to said drive frame along said first surface and said second surface being generally concentric with the surface of said outer wall.
4. The motorized ball toy of claim 1 wherein two said wall sections are included, each being generally hemispherical.
5. The motorized ball toy of claim 4 wherein said hemispherical wall sections each have mating threaded peripheral edges, whereby said wall sections can be joined together adjacent their respective mating peripheral edges.
6. The motorized ball toy of claim 1 wherein said central shaft extends along a spherical diameter of said outer wall and is attached to the interior thereof at each end of said shaft.
7. The motorized ball toy of claim 6 wherein said outer wall includes first and second shaft mounts on the interior thereof at opposite ends of a diameter of said outer wall, said central shaft being supported on the interior of said outer wall by said shaft mounts, and in which said first shaft mount releasably engages said shaft and said second shaft mount nonrotatably engages said shaft, whereby the ball toy is rotated about said first axis by said shaft and said second shaft mount.
8. The motorized ball toy of claim 7 wherein said first shaft mount includes an enlarged portion which receives said central shaft when said shaft is being mounted to said first shaft mount.
9. The motorized ball toy of claim 8 wherein said enlarged portion is flared and of a generally conical configuration.
10. The motorized ball toy of claim 1 wherein said outer wall includes a circumferentially extending, outwardly exposed, increased friction portion.
11. The motorized ball toy of claim 10 wherein said increased friction portion includes an O-ring extending circumferentially around the ball toy.
12. The motorized ball toy of claim 11 wherein said O-ring is disposed between interlocking wall sections.
13. The motorized ball toy of claim 11 wherein the O-ring is disposed in a circumferential grove defined in said outer wall.
14. A motorized ball toy which moves in response to internal motive power, comprising: a pair of hemispherical outer wall sections which selectively interlock with one another to form an assembled outer wall which has the shape of a ball; a pair of shaft mounts positioned on the interior surface of each said outer wall sections; a central shaft releasably engaging a first of said shaft mounts and nonrotatably engaging a second of said shaft mounts; a drive frame within said outer wall supported on said central shaft and rotatable about the axis of said central shaft; a motor on said drive frame operatively connected to said central shaft for imparting relative motion about said first axis between said shaft and said drive frame; and an inert mass attached to said drive frame at a predetermined distance from said first axis within said outer wall, whereby the torque imparted to said central shaft by said motor is increased by the presence of said mass.
15. The motorized ball toy of claim 14, further comprising an O-ring positioned between said wall sections and extending outwardly at least to the outer surface of the outer wall sections in order to increase the surface friction characteristics of the toy.
16. The motorized ball toy of claim 14 wherein said first shaft mount includes an enlarged portion for receiving said shaft.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US13693A | 1993-01-04 | 1993-01-04 | |
| US08/000,136 | 1993-01-04 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2091218A1 true CA2091218A1 (en) | 1994-07-05 |
Family
ID=21690085
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2091218 Abandoned CA2091218A1 (en) | 1993-01-04 | 1993-03-08 | Motorized ball toy with improved torque |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2091218A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6227933B1 (en) | 1999-06-15 | 2001-05-08 | Universite De Sherbrooke | Robot ball |
-
1993
- 1993-03-08 CA CA 2091218 patent/CA2091218A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6227933B1 (en) | 1999-06-15 | 2001-05-08 | Universite De Sherbrooke | Robot ball |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |