GB1396619A - Impact-damage-resistant propeller-driven toy - Google Patents

Abstract

1396619 Toy aeroplanes &c MATTEL Inc 17 Jan 1973 [7 Aug 1972] 2384/73 Heading A6S [Also in Division F2] A powered, propeller driven toy, shown as an aeroplane, has an impact resistant, energy absorbing device associated with the propeller, viz. in the drive to the propellor or in the connection between the propeller mounting and the toy body, to protect the toy if it strikes an obstruction. In one form, a driving gear 149, Fig. 3, is connected to a frusto-conical torque transmitting resilient coupling 159 of rubber or neoprene in turn friction fitted to the end of a propeller shaft 35. A removable, shock-absorbing propeller shaft housing 181 surrounds and journals the propeller shaft, a portion 191 of the housing acting somewhat in the manner of a Belleville spring to allow relative rearward movement of the propeller shaft if the propeller strikes an obstruction, Fig. 5 (not shown). At the same time the resilient coupling 159 tends to collapse, and allows the propeller shaft to move axially towards the gear 149. Projections 163 on the coupling 159 extend through holes in the gear 149 to hold the parts together. An electric motor 83, Fig. 1, controlled by an on-off switch 111, has its drive pinion 143 meshing the gear 149. In the "off" position of the switch 111, a jack plug can be inserted through a hole 121 to recharge batteries 93 powering the motor. The shock absorbing propeller shaft housing 181, Fig. 2, has radial tabs 205 latched by twisting under tabs 201 in a transverse wall plate 31 inserted behind lugs 43 in a frame of the aeroplane fuselage 15, and retained by a catch 55. The motor 83, &c lies behind the wall plate 31. In the form shown, the front 187 of the propeller shaft housing 181 is tubular, and fins 189 are formed at its end around the propeller shaft journal. In a modification, Figs. 6, 7 (not shown), the front of the propeller shaft housing is tapered, and is formed with axial ribs (213). In a further modification, a coupling 373, Figs. 8, 10, connecting the propeller shaft 319 to its drive shaft 333, consists of a tube 385 with axial slots 383 receiving the T-shaped end 387 of the propeller shaft to allow its inward movement. A resilient, energy absorbing propeller shaft support 345 has broad, flat sides, Fig. 8, which are bowed, Fig. 10, if the propeller is pushed back on impact. In yet another modification, a similar coupling contains a spring 381, Fig. 11, abutting the T- shaped propeller shaft end 387, and universal movement is allowed by a ball 333A on the shaft end 333 having radial pins 333B engaging axial slots in the coupling sleeve. A resilient energy absorbing noze cone 403, which supports the propeller shaft, collapses on impact, Fig. 12 (not shown).