ES1062051U - Improved remotely controlled toy vehicles with light(s) - Google Patents

Abstract

A toy vehicle (10) including at least an on-board power supply (38), a plurality of wheels (42, 44) supporting the vehicle for itinerant movement, at least one motor (46) operably coupled to at least one of the wheels to provide at least part of an itinerant movement, at least one light (36) and a controller circuit (100) configured to selectively supply power from the power supply to the motor(s) in response to commands from a transmitter (112) remote from the toy vehicle and to selectively supply power to the at least one light in response to a signal (82) indicating the vehicle is performing a particular maneuver, for example, either a special stunt or a transformation or both.

Description

Enhanced remote control toy vehicles with light (lights).

Background of the invention

The present invention generally relates to toy vehicles, and more particularly, to toy vehicles by remote control configured to transform and / or perform unusual pirouettes.

Remote control toy vehicles are well known. A subset of these vehicles is configured to faithfully reproduce known vehicles or otherwise conventional to allow users to pretend they are Driving real vehicles. Another subset of such vehicles is more imaginative and is designed to have a unusual ability to function, normally being able to perform maneuvers that could not be or would not be performed by or With real vehicles. Some of such vehicles are equipped of lights to improve the entertainment value of such toys. Buyers are attracted to, and manufacturers try to provide, toy vehicles by control remote that have new features and / or capabilities, no provided above in such vehicles, to provide a improved recreational value in such vehicles.

Brief summary of the invention

Toy vehicle by remote control, which includes at least one source of. power on board, at least one plurality of wheels that support the vehicle for a movement itinerant, at least one motor coupled with the ability to operation at least one of the wheels to provide the less part of the itinerant movement of the vehicle, a circuit controller configured to selectively supply power from the power supply to at least one motor, in response at the orders of a transmitter distant from the vehicle, to move the toy vehicle, and at least one light source, characterized because the controller circuit is configured to supply energy selectively to illuminate the at least one light in response to a signal indicating that the vehicle is performing A concrete maneuver.

Brief description of the various views of the drawings

The previous summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with The attached drawings. In order to illustrate the invention, in the Drawings show an embodiment that is currently preferred. Without However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to specific provisions and instruments shown.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first longitudinal end of a toy vehicle that incorporates the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second longitudinal end of the toy vehicle of the figure 1, which shows a rotating mount of a side chassis part to a central chassis part;

Figure 2A is a detailed view showing a torsion spring that pushes the side chassis part against the central chassis part;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the toy vehicle of figure 1 in a specific configuration performing pirouettes;

Figure 4 is a block diagram of the electrical components of the toy vehicle of the figures 1-3; Y

Figure 5 is a graph showing a cycle example of variable lighting for light sources toy vehicle of figures 1-3.

Detailed description of the invention

In the following description, certain terminology for convenience only, and is not limiting. The words "right", "left", "superior", "lower" and others designate addresses in the drawings at Reference is made. The words "internal", "external", "interior" and "exterior" refer, respectively, to directions to and away from the geometric center of the vehicle of toy or designated parts thereof. The terminology includes the words mentioned above specifically, derived from the themselves and words of similar meaning.

With reference now to the figures, it is shown a preferred embodiment of a toy vehicle, indicated generally in 10, according to the present invention. He vehicle 10 has a first longitudinal end 12 in the foreground of Figure 1, a second longitudinal end 14 opposite, a first lateral side 16 and a second lateral side 18, opposite. He vehicle 10 also has a first side 20 greater plane and a second  side 22 greater plane, opposite. The vehicle 10 has a chassis articulated, generally indicated in 26, which includes a part 30 of central chassis with a first cover 31, and some first and second parts 40 and 70 of side chassis, respectively. The first part 40 of side chassis is rotatably coupled to the central chassis part 30 on the first side 16 side of the vehicle 10. The second part 70 of the side chassis is an image specular of the first part 40 of side chassis and is coupled swivel to the central chassis part 30 on the second side 18 side of the vehicle 10. A plurality of, in particular two, Road wheels 42 and 44 are rotatably supported from the First part 40 of side chassis. Another plurality of wheels 42, 44 identical is rotatably supported from the Second part 70 of side chassis. The first and second parts 40, 70 side chassis are coupled with the chassis part center to rotate with respect to the central chassis part 30 in a common plane, which is generally parallel to the plane of the figure 3.

Since the first and second parts 40 and 70 of chassis are mirror images, will only be described with additional detail the first part 40 of the chassis. The first part 40 of side chassis includes a reversible electric motor 46 enclosed inside a first cover 50 in the first part 40 of the chassis. Motor 46 is coupled with drive capability to at least one, and preferably each, of the wheels 42, 44 of road supported from the side chassis part to make turn the wheels driven in the same direction through a train of gears (not seen in any of the figures) inside of part 40 of chassis. The gear train is substantially identical to that shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,598,098, incorporated herein by reference, with a central driven gear driven directly by the pinion motor, a pair of straight gears driven by the gear central drive and a pair of wheel gears driven by the straight gears, each wheel gear including a drive axle ribbed not rotatably housed in one of the wheels 42, 44.

The first longitudinal end 12 of the first side chassis part 40 is coupled to the first end 12 longitudinal of the central chassis part 30 through a connection 54 (better observed in figure 3). Connection 54 has a proximal end rotatably coupled to the chassis part 30 center to rotate on an axis of transverse rotation to the planes older than the vehicle The distant end of connection 54 also it is provided with a transverse guide element in the form of a pin or 56 pin equivalent, outstanding, which is housed in, and is slides along, a slot 52 that extends longitudinally on an inner side side of the first part 40 Side chassis

Figure 2 represents the swivel mount direct from the first part 40 of side chassis to part 30 of central chassis at the second longitudinal end 14 of the vehicle. The assembly of the second side part 70 is a mirror image. A turning element 62 (for example, a pin) is transverse to the flat, larger than vehicle 10 and extends through about flanges 30a, 30b superimposed of the central chassis part 30 and overlays 40a, 40b superimposed on the first part 40 of side chassis As indicated in detail in Figure 2A, a helical torsion spring 64 is placed around the turning element 62. A first tongue (not shown) of the spring 64 is locked with a flange of the first chassis part 40 side. A second opposite tongue (not shown) is locked similar way with a flange element of the chassis part 30 central. The helical torsion spring 64 is located for push the first part 40 of the side chassis inwards towards the central chassis part 30 and the inward position shown in Figure 1. However, the thrust of the spring 64 can be overcome during operation of vehicle 10 to cause one or the two side chassis parts 40, 70 rotate outward from the central chassis part 30, as illustrated in figure 3.

Preferably, a power source 38, preferably a rechargeable battery pack, is located in the second end 14 longitudinal end of the vehicle 10, in the end of the central chassis part 30, to bring the center of gravity of the vehicle 10 to the second longitudinal end 14 of the vehicle to help vehicle 10 perform certain types of pirouettes, particularly the pirouette shown in figure 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery power source 38 is accessible through a battery box door 39 mounted swivel in chassis 30.

With reference to figures 1 and 3, each part 40, 70 side chassis is provided with a cover 60 transparent, at the first longitudinal end of part 40, 70 of chassis, on a light source, preferably a diode 36 High intensity light emitter (LED) (see figure 1). Too preferably, each connection 54 is formed from a material transparent polymeric, and also includes a high 36 LED intensity, as seen in figure 3, at its end next, in which it is rotatably coupled by connection 54 to part 30 of central chassis.

Control of the itinerant movement of the vehicle 10 is conventional. The vehicle includes 100 control circuits, indicated in block diagram form in figure 4, located preferably in the central chassis part 30, which include a wireless receiver 102, preferably by radio frequency (RF), a preprogrammed microprocessor or microcontroller 104, coupled with operating capacity to receiver 102 and to first and second circuits 106, 106 'motor control propulsion / steering, preferably identical, that drive, each one, one other than the motors 46, 46 'preferably identical. The operation of the engines 46, 46 'is controlled by the microprocessor 104 in response to control signals received by the receiver 102 of a remote control unit 112 that generates and transmits wireless control signals. The vehicle 10 is propelled by controlling each motor 46, 46 'to rotate the various road wheels 42, 44 in the same direction, at the same speed, and is driven by controlling the motors to drive the wheels on either side 16,18 sides of any of the side chassis parts 40, 70, or in different directions, or to different speeds or both. When spinning in the senses opposite wheels 42, 44 on opposite sides 16,18, the vehicle 10 can be rotated on site. The centrifugal force causes the longitudinal end to extend free of each side 40, 70 of side chassis at the first end 12 longitudinal vehicle 10. The extension of parts 40, 70 side chassis causes additional displacement of the center of gravity of the vehicle 10 towards the second longitudinal end 14, so that, if vehicle 10 continues to be rotated in the site, it will lift its first longitudinal end 12 and rotate vertically on its second longitudinal end 14, as see in figure 3. As can be seen in figure 3, the vehicle 10 tends to rest on the corners and side walls of its road wheels 44 at the second end 14 of the vehicle 10 during such maneuvers.

Although the light sources 36 can be connected conventionally to battery power source 38 to be constantly on when a switch 110 of off / on set to the on position, closing the circuit through cell 38, according to the invention, sources 36 of light are preferably coupled individually in a circuit using a switch (for example, a transistor does not represented separately) controlled by microprocessor 104. In this way, you can individually and selectively control the lighting of each light source 36 with the microprocessor 104. Furthermore, according to the invention, the control circuits 100 can configured to operate light sources 36 in more than one mode of operation. 100 control circuits, and more preferably microprocessor 104, are configured to operate the light sources 36 in at least two modes of different operation.

This can be done in a series of ways. The invention is characterized by being the circuits 100 of control configured to selectively supply power for illuminate at least one light 36 in response to a signal indicating that the vehicle 10 is performing a concrete maneuver. Such as explained above, the vehicle 10 performs a spin concrete in which he stands on his second end 14 and gives turns on site with its side chassis parts 40, 70 rotated away from the central chassis part 30. Preferably, the vehicle 10 is provided with a momentary closing switch 80 (figure 4) placed to change state when at least one of side chassis parts 40, 70 turn away from part 30 of central chassis, what happens when vehicle 10 is performing Some kind of turning maneuver. Therefore, the signal is generated by a switch (80) adapted to detect a position of at least  one of the side chassis parts 50, 70 in relation to the part   30 central chassis.

Preferably, microprocessor 104 is configured to operate LED 36 in two different modes depending on the state of switch 80, as communicated to the microprocessor 104 a signal generated by the switch 80 and sent to microprocessor 104 along a line 82. Unless the side chassis part 40 or 70 is rotated away from the central chassis part 30, switch 80 is in a first state, and microprocessor 104 responds to that state in a first mode of operation of LEDs 36, for example, illuminating continuously some (for example, the torque mounted on the chassis side) or all LEDs. When switch 80 is in another state, which indicates that at least one of the parts 40, 70 of side chassis, coupled with operating capacity, is rotated away from the central chassis part 30, the microprocessor 104 works in another way, for example, by making signals with some (for example, the connection torque or chassis torque side) or all LEDs 36.

Figure 5 graphically represents a sequence suggested actuation of light sources 36 which includes make signals with all LEDs 36 in a variable way throughout weather. To do this, the energy for at least one light 36 is modulates as a function of time to vary an intensity level of lighting provided by the at least one light. Figure 5 It is a graph of LED lighting intensity over time Preferably, the variation in operation, that is, the LED lighting intensity, changes in period blocks of consecutive times indicated by T1, T2, etc. Although illustrated as if they were the same, it is not mechanical that they are. In the first block, T1 (for example, approximately five seconds), LED 36 they are varied twice from zero to fifty percent of the maximum intensity and back to zero at a uniform rate throughout of the period (that is, as represented throughout five seconds) or, if desired, along one part substantial (for example, approximately four seconds) of period. If switch 80 continues in the second state after At the end of the first period T1, the microprocessor 104 enters the second period T2 of time and in the second lighting mode, during which the LEDs 36 are varied four times from zero to seventy-five percent of maximum intensity and back to a constant rhythm throughout the period T2. Yes switch 80 remains in the second state after period T2 (that is, more than ten seconds), you enter the third period T3 and the third mode in which the intensity is varied eight times from zero to a maximum at a uniform rate. If you enter the fourth period T4 of consecutive time, LED 36 constantly illuminate at full intensity during the entire period. If you enter the fifth period T5, the LEDs turn off for the duration of the period. Therefore, T4 and T5 together constitute a cycle of on off. If you enter a sixth period, T6, LED 36 they are operated intermittently, with a period off complete between pairs of consecutive lighting peaks at one hundred per cent, as represented, or between lighting peaks individual (not shown separately) to create an effect strobe As you continue to enter periods of time Consecutive, other lighting modes can be created. Alternatively, previous practiced modes may be repeated or the last mode can be repeated indefinitely. Other modes Possible include reducing intensity levels to a level non-zero and illuminate the light sources in series or in several Pairs or randomly. Microprocessor 104 could use a stored query table to control the different modes of illumination.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that they could make changes to the embodiments described above without depart from the broad inventive concept of them. For example, instead of responding to a detected state of the vehicle, the microprocessor can be programmed to respond to different tidy operations, for example, illuminate in a first mode when ordered to advance, otherwise when ordered go back, in another way to turn, in another way when stop and in another way when they turn around the site. If he vehicle is capable of transforming as described in, by example, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,762,533, 5,474,486 and 5,332,469, or is capable of performing unusual pirouettes, as describes in, for example, U.S. patents No. 5,429,543, 5,667,420, 5,882,241 or 6,024,627, lighting mode may change in response to orders to perform the transformation or perform the pirouette. Therefore, it is understood that this invention does not it is limited to the concrete realizations made known, but that It is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the attached claims.

Claims (5)

1. Remote control toy vehicle (10), which includes at least one power supply (38) on board, at least a plurality of wheels (42, 44) that support the vehicle for a traveling movement, at least one engine (46) coupled with operating capacity to at least one of the wheels to provide at least part of the traveling movement of the vehicle, a controller circuit (100) configured to selectively supply power from the power source to at least one motor, in response at the command of a transmitter (112) distant from the vehicle, to move the toy vehicle, and at least one light source (36), characterized in that the controller circuit is configured to selectively supply power to illuminate the at least one light in response to a signal (82) indicating that the vehicle is performing a specific maneuver. 2. Toy vehicle by remote control according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light is a diode light emitter 3. Toy vehicle by remote control according to claim 1, wherein the energy for the at least one light it is modulated as a function of time to vary a level of lighting intensity provided by the at least one light. 4. Toy vehicle by remote control according claim 1, further comprising an articulated chassis (26) of three parts having a first longitudinal end (12) and a second longitudinal end (14) opposite and that includes a part (30) of central chassis that has first and second sides (16, 18) opposite sides, a first part (40) of side chassis, rotatably coupled to the central chassis part in the first side side of the central chassis part, and a second part (70) side chassis, rotatably coupled to the part of central chassis on a second side side of the chassis part central, in which the first and second side chassis parts are coupled to rotate with respect to the chassis part central in a common plane, and in which the signal is generated by a switch (80) adapted to detect a position of at least one of the side chassis parts with respect to the part of central chassis 5. Toy vehicle by remote control according claim 4, further comprising: a pair of connections (54), each connection being rotatably coupled to the central chassis part and to a distinct from the first and second side chassis parts in the first longitudinal end of the vehicle to allow the first longitudinal end of each side chassis part rotate away from and to the central chassis part, and a separate light source (36) in each Connection.