GB1592097A

GB1592097A - Remotely controlled toy vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB1592097A
Application number: GB4411177A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1976-10-27
Filing date: 1977-10-24
Publication date: 1981-07-01
Also published as: DE2746984A1; AU3001277A; GB1592098A; AU512652B2; JPS5355257A; ES463616A1; GB1592099A

Description

(54) REMOTELY CONTROLLED TOY VEHICLE (71) I, TOBIN WOLF of 285 Aycrigg Avenue, Passaic, New Jersey 07055, United States of America; a citizen of the United States of America, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- While prior art toy vehicles have been capable of sound actuated remote control and have been capable of providing start, stop and turning functions, they have been difficult to manufacture and economically unfeasible for the present day toy market.

The industry has, for a long time, sought a cost effective toy vehicle capable of remote control and capable of turning functions as well as forward and reverse functions.

According to the present invention there is provided a remotely controlled toy vehicle having plural ground-contacting support elements which comprises in combination, (a) means defining an electrically conductive pattern, (b) electrical contact means contacting said pattern, (c) means responsive to a signal in a predetermined frequency band for rotating said means defining an electrically conductive pattern, and (d) control means responsive to rotation of said means defining an electrically conductive pattern and coupled to said contact means for controlling the direction of travel of said toy vehicle.

The present invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a top view of an example of a remotely controlled toy vehicle which shows by way of illustration a drive and steering arrangement which does not form part of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 3; FIGURE 3 is a bottom view of the remotely controlled toy vehicle of Fig. 1; FIGURE 4 is an electronic circuit for controlling the motors 3 and 11 of FIGURES 1-3; FIGURE 5 is a second embodiment of the electronic circuit; FIGURE 6 is a device capable of providing a sound frequency from a remote location capable of commencing operation of the turning electronic circuit of FIGURES 4 and 5;; FIGURE 7 is a switch structure with associated contact elements for a remotely controlled toy vehicle in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 8A is an embodiment of an electronic circuit for providing forward and reverse operation to a sound conrolled toy vehicle utilizing the structure of FIGURE 7; FIGURE 8B is a further embodiment of the electric circuit to be used in combination with the circuitiof FIGURE 8A to provide turning as well as independent forward and reverse operation, and FIGURE 9 is an embodiment of the switch structure shown in FIGURE 7 for use in the circuitiof FIGURE 8A to provide sequential right, left, forward and reverse operation without addition of the circuit of FIGURE 8B.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 3, which do not form part of the present invention, there is shown a vehicle having a chassis 1 having a battery 2 in the center portion thereof. At the rear of the vehicle is the vehicle axial drive mechanism which comprises the drive motor 3 having a pulley 4 mounted on the shaft of the motor 3 and driving pulley 5 by means of a belt 6. The pulley 5 drives the worm gear 7 (Fig. 1) which is meshed with the output gear 8 (Fig. 3) to provide rotation to the wheels 10 via the rear wheel shaft 9. The output gear 8 is keyed to the rear wheel shaft 9 to provide such rotation. Worm gear 7, output gear 8 and pulleys 4 and 5 can be eleiminated and replaced by a direct friction drive between the motor shaft and the rear wheel 10.

The forward end of the vehicle of Figures 1 to 3 includes the steering mechanism which includes the steering motor 11 which is also operated from the battery 2 and which has a pinion gear 12 positioned on the shaft of the motor 11, the pinion gear driving a spur gear 13 which in turn drives a worm gear 14. The worm gear 14 drives the output gear 15 which has a central shaft 16 integral therewith and rotatably journaled in the chassis 1 (not shown). The shaft 16 has affixed to one side thereof the crank 17 as shown in Figure 2, the crank also being clearly shown in Figure 3. A crank pin 18 is secured to the crank 17 and engages the slot 30 in a link 19 best shown in Figure 3. The opposite ends of the link 19 are pivotally affixed to the steering arms 20 and 21 by pins 22 and 23.

The steering arms 20 and 21 are pivotally mounted on the chassis 1 by the pins 24 and 25 and the front wheels 26 and 27 are rotatably mounted to the shafts 28 and 29 which are affixed to the steering arms.

It can thus be seen that a 360" rotation of the crank pin in the slot 30 will steer the vehicle through the sequence of axial, right, axial and left and then again axial, the axial direction being forward or reverse along the axis of the vehicle.

The motor and gearing mechanism for changing the direction of the wheels 26 and 27 is controlled by means of the cam 31 which is affixed to the gear 15 and acts upon the switch blades 32, 33 and 34 (Figs. 1 and 4) which are insulated from each other by the insulators 35 and 36, said assembly constituting a three bladed switch affixed to the chassis 1 as shown in Figures 1 and 4. The cam 31 is shown in a rest position and the blades 32 and 33 are in contact, completing the circuit to the drive motor 3 as shown in Figures 1 and 4 so that the vehicle is proceeding in either a straight, full left or full right direction.

A signal transmitted from a remote location of a frequency that can be picked up by the microphone of Figure 4 will, for reasons to be explained hereinbelow, cause current to flow to and rotate the shaft of the steering motor 11 and thereby rotate the cam 31 by rotation of gears 12, 13, 14 and 15, thereby causing the blades 32 and 33 to separate due to the leftward movement of the blade 33 as shown in Figure 4 and will also cause blades 33 and 34 to contact each other. Thus, the drive motor 3 is stopped while the contacting blades 33 and 34 keep the steering motor 11 running while simultaneously short circuiting the anode and cathode of the SCR Q2. When cam 31 has rotated 90 , the blade 33 falls into a subsequent notch in the cam 31 and blades 33 and 34 are separated as the blades 32 and 33 make contact.Now the steering motor 11 has stopped and, as drive motor 3 resumes operation, the circuit is ready fo the next remote command signal.

In this manner, a vehicle proceeding on a straight course will respond to a signal of proper frequency by stopping and turning its front wheels to a new direction, then resuming movement in that new direction until another sharp audible sound will cause the vehicle to stop, steer to a straight ahead direction and resume movement in that direction.

If desired, the drive motor 3 can continue to run while the steering motor 11 operates.

Thus, the toy will be driven continuously while it steers. This is accomplished by the embodiment of the circuit as shown in Figure 5. In the Figure 5 embodiment, blade 32 has been removed and the wire from drive motor 3 is connected directly to the negative battery terminal and will run continuously when the main switch 37 is closed.

As stated previously, a proper frequency signal may be generated in the audible sonic range by clapping hands or a single hand held device as shown in Figure 6 may be used.

In the device of Figure 6 a sound is generated by pulling back on the flat spring 38 and releasing it to strike the diaphragm 39. The cup or cone 40 will serve to direct the sound toward the vehicle. Of course, the device of Figure 6 is designed to provide an audible signal in the frequency range to which the microphone of Figure 4 is responsive so that the circuit will operate properly. It should be understood that other devices can be used which produce sonic signals, supersonic or non-audible sound waves, such as appropriate well known dog calling whistles or radio frequencies, the only additional requirement being that the microphone or other appropriate receiving device be capable of receiving and operating with the remote transmitted sound frequency signal.

Referring now to Figure 4 and its operation, power is applied by closing switch 37. The switch actuated by cam 31 is normally positioned as shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5, therefore drive motor 3 is running. This causes the vehicle to move in an axial direction, assuming that the wheels are initially positioned for forward movement. A signal of appropriate frequency and intensity is now provided. This is picked up by the microphone as shown in Figure 4, the microphone preferably being a crystal microphone (as stated above, other receiving devices can be used, which converts a sonic signal to an electrical signal) which is amplified by transistor Q1 and applied to the gate of the SCR or silicon controlled rectifier Q2. This turns on the SCR and causes current to pass through and operate the steering motor 11 from the battery 2. This also causes discharge of the previously charged capacitor C3. The motor 11 drives the steering mechanism and rotates cam 31 as described hereinabove to cause blades 33 and 34 to contact each other.

This causes a short circuit to be provided between the anode and cathode of the SCR, thereby rendering it non-conductive while continuing to apply battery voltage to motor 11 via blades 33 and 34 until cam 31 allows blades 33 and 34 to separate by having blade 33 fall into the next notch therein, thereby rotating wheels 26 and 27. Motor 11 now comes to a stop and remains stopped until the SCR is triggered by the next sound frequency signal. Capacitor C3 is in a discharged state before blades 33 and 34 are separated and recharges to the full battery voltage as motor 11 coasts to a stop. By virtue of this discharged state and the subsequent charging, capacitor C3 acts to suppress the arc that would be created by the separation of blades 33 and 34. Thus, capacitor C3 eliminates induced voltage transients in the circuit and prevents spurious triggering of the SCR.Capacitor C3 also acts as a filter across the SCR to limit the rate of voltage application to the SCR, said rate, if excessive, causing self-triggering of the SCR.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8A, a switch structure and electronic circuit for a toy vehicle according to the present invention is shown, in which a two motor system can be used to cause a reversal of direction.

A printed circuit disc 41 is provided having etched thereon the three conductive patterns noted as 42, 43 and 44. It should be understood that though a printed circuit is shown, any other type of device such as conductive metal stampings affixed to a non-conductive disc, etc., can be used so long as they provide the same function. As described above, a sound frequency command will actuate motor 52 and rotate disc 41 through the reduction gears composed of worm gear 53 and output gear 54. The disc 41 is secured to the output gear 54 which may be rotatably journalled anywhere on the vehicle chassis, since it is not coupled to the steering mechanism. Blades 45 and 46 lie in the turning path of the conductive pattern 42. It is apparent that in each 1800 of the rotation of disc 41, the SCR will be short circuited by the pattern 42 and then reset.The blades 47, 48 and 49 and 50 lie in the turning path of the conductive patterns 43 and 44 with each 1800 rotation of disc 41. Such 1800 rotation will alternately connect and reverse the connection of drive motor 31 to the positive and negative terminals of the battery. Thus, with each sound frequency command, the vehicle can be reversed in direction.

It is apparent that a toy may combine the systems for reversal shown in Figure 8A with a system for steering as shown in Figure 5. This embodiment is shown in the combination of Figures 8A and 8B. In Figure 8B the cam 31 of Figure 5 is replaced by a printed circuit disc 311, which is affixed to the output gear 15 and has etched thereon the conductive pattern shown. The blades 331 and 341 lie in the turning path of the con 7 ductive pattern 311 and hence will function in the same manner as cam 31 with blades 33 and 34 in Figure 5. Since the electronic circuits of Figures 8A and 8B are sensitive to different sonic frequencies, a child may both steer and reverse the vehicle at will by generating the appropriate frequency.This can be accomplished by use of two signals or sonic generators that generate different frequencies and two circuits, each sensitve to different frequencies by virtue of frequency filters 51 and 511 shown in Figures 8A and 8B.

It should be understood that in Figure 7, the connecting conductors 57 and 58 of the patterns 43 and 44 are shown dotted.

This is to indicate that they may be on the underside of disc 41 with connection through aperture in the disc to prevent the momentary short circuiting of the batteries as the contacts 47, 48 pass over these connectors.

Sequential steering as well as reversal may be accomplished by replacing the printed circuit disc 41 in Figure 8A with the printed circuit disc 59 shown in Figure 9. Disc 59 is affixed to the output gear 15 and is therefore coupled to the steering mechanism in the same manner as cam 31 in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

It is apparent that printed circuit disc 59 is a modification of printed circuit disc 41 in combination with printed circuit disc 311 The conductive patterns 61 and 62 perform the same electrical reversing functions as conductive patterns 43 and 44 or disc 41, but conductive pattern 61, which determines the forward movement of the vehicle has been extended to cover a sector of approximately 240". Conductive pattern 60 is the same as conductive pattern 311 in Figure 8B and serves the same function. Therefore, with each sound frequency signal, the disc 61 will rotate 90" and move the vehicle through a sequence of axial forward, left forward, axial reverse, right forward, and then axial forward again.

The afore described reversing systems have some disadvantages. In the embodiment of Figure 9 it is apparent that when the vehicle is turning to the right, the operator must cycle the steering mechanism through forward and left before the vehicle can be reversed.

In the combination embodiment using two different frequencies, the vehicle can be reversed at will, but this requires nearly doubling the control system, and the cost is objectionable.

In our copending patent application No.

26647/78, (Serial No. 1592098) divided out of the present application, there is described and claimed a toy vehicle having plural ground-contacting wheels which comprises, in combination, (a) a chassis, (b) a steering motor mounted on said chassis, (c) driving means controlled by said motor, (d) positioning means driven by said driving means for steering one or more of said wheels, and (e) motor control means responsive to a predetermined movement of said positioning means for controlling operation of said motor.

In our copending patent application No.

26648/78 (Serial No. 1592099), divided out of the present application, there is described and claimed a toy vehicle having wheel means which comprises, in combination, (a) a chassis, (b) a motor, responsive to a source of power, mounted on said chassis for rotating said wheel means in a first direction, (c) impact responsive switch means, mounted on said chassis and responsive to impact thereon for switching from a first condition to a second condition for reversing said direction of rotation of said wheel means and, (d) means responsive to a predetermined radiant energy signal for switching said switch means to said first condition for driving said wheel means in said first direction.

WHAT I CLAIM IS 1. A remotely controlled toy vehicle having plural ground-contacting support elements which comprises in combination, (a) means defining an electrically conductive pattern, (b) electrical contact means contacting said pattern, (c) means responsive to a signal in a selected frequency band for rotating said means defining an electrically conductive pattern, and (d) control means responsive to rotation of said means defining an electrically conductive pattern and coupled to said contact means for controlling the direction of travel of said toy vehicle.

2. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support elements are wheels.

3. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means defining an electrically conductive pattern includes a plurality of electrically conductive patterns thereon along concentric circles, each of said contact means contacting one of said patterns.

4. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 2 wherein said control means includes motor means controlled by rotation of said means defining an electrically conductive pattern for controlling the position of at least one of said wheels.

5. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 3 wherein said control means includes motor means controlled by rotation of said means defining an electrically conductive pattern for controlling the position of at least some of said wheels.

6. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 2 wherein said control means includes motor means controlled by rotation of said means defining an electrically conductive pattern for controlling the direction of rotation of at least some of said wheels.

7. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 3 wherein said control means includes motor means controlled by rotation of said means defining an electrically conductive pattern for controlling the direction of rotation of at least some of said wheels.

8. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means defining an electrically conductive pattern comprises two independently rotatable means defining an electrically conductive pattern, and wherein said motor control means further includes additional motor means controlled by rotation of the other of said means defining an electrically conductive pattern for controlling the direction of rotation of the others of said wheels.

9. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 5 wherein said means defining an electrically conductive pattern comprises two independently rotatable means defining an electrically conductive pattern, and wherein said motor control means further includes additional motor means controlled by rotation of the other of said means defining an electrically conductive pattern for controlling the direction of rotation of the others of said wheels.

10. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 2 wherein said control means includes motor means controlled by rotation of said means defining an electrically conductive pattern for controlling the position of at least some of said wheels and for controlling the direction of rotation of the other of said wheels.

11. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 3 wherein said control means includes motor means controlled by rotation of said means defining an electrically conductive pattern for controlling the position of at least one of said wheels and for controlling the direction of rotation of the other of said wheels.

12. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 10 wherein said means defining an electrically conductive pattern is a single disc and said motor means comprises a pair of motors, each selectively controlled by rotation of said disc, one of said motors controlling the position of at least one of said wheels and the other motor controlling the direction of rotation of the other of said wheels.

13. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means defining means an electrically conductive pattern is a single disc and said motor means comprises a pair of motors, each selectively controlled by rotation of said disc, one of said motors control

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

(c) driving means controlled by said motor, (d) positioning means driven by said driving means for steering one or more of said wheels, and (e) motor control means responsive to a predetermined movement of said positioning means for controlling operation of said motor.

In our copending patent application No.

26648/78 (Serial No. 1592099), divided out of the present application, there is described and claimed a toy vehicle having wheel means which comprises, in combination, (a) a chassis, (b) a motor, responsive to a source of power, mounted on said chassis for rotating said wheel means in a first direction, (c) impact responsive switch means, mounted on said chassis and responsive to impact thereon for switching from a first condition to a second condition for reversing said direction of rotation of said wheel means and, (d) means responsive to a predetermined radiant energy signal for switching said switch means to said first condition for driving said wheel means in said first direction.

WHAT I CLAIM IS 1. A remotely controlled toy vehicle having plural ground-contacting support elements which comprises in combination, (a) means defining an electrically conductive pattern, (b) electrical contact means contacting said pattern, (c) means responsive to a signal in a selected frequency band for rotating said means defining an electrically conductive pattern, and (d) control means responsive to rotation of said means defining an electrically conductive pattern and coupled to said contact means for controlling the direction of travel of said toy vehicle.
2. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support elements are wheels.
3. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means defining an electrically conductive pattern includes a plurality of electrically conductive patterns thereon along concentric circles, each of said contact means contacting one of said patterns.
4. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 2 wherein said control means includes motor means controlled by rotation of said means defining an electrically conductive pattern for controlling the position of at least one of said wheels.
5. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 3 wherein said control means includes motor means controlled by rotation of said means defining an electrically conductive pattern for controlling the position of at least some of said wheels.
6. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 2 wherein said control means includes motor means controlled by rotation of said means defining an electrically conductive pattern for controlling the direction of rotation of at least some of said wheels.
7. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 3 wherein said control means includes motor means controlled by rotation of said means defining an electrically conductive pattern for controlling the direction of rotation of at least some of said wheels.
8. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means defining an electrically conductive pattern comprises two independently rotatable means defining an electrically conductive pattern, and wherein said motor control means further includes additional motor means controlled by rotation of the other of said means defining an electrically conductive pattern for controlling the direction of rotation of the others of said wheels.
9. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 5 wherein said means defining an electrically conductive pattern comprises two independently rotatable means defining an electrically conductive pattern, and wherein said motor control means further includes additional motor means controlled by rotation of the other of said means defining an electrically conductive pattern for controlling the direction of rotation of the others of said wheels.
10. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 2 wherein said control means includes motor means controlled by rotation of said means defining an electrically conductive pattern for controlling the position of at least some of said wheels and for controlling the direction of rotation of the other of said wheels.
11. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 3 wherein said control means includes motor means controlled by rotation of said means defining an electrically conductive pattern for controlling the position of at least one of said wheels and for controlling the direction of rotation of the other of said wheels.
12. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 10 wherein said means defining an electrically conductive pattern is a single disc and said motor means comprises a pair of motors, each selectively controlled by rotation of said disc, one of said motors controlling the position of at least one of said wheels and the other motor controlling the direction of rotation of the other of said wheels.
13. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means defining means an electrically conductive pattern is a single disc and said motor means comprises a pair of motors, each selectively controlled by rotation of said disc, one of said motors control

ling the position of at least one of said wheels and the other motor controlling the direction of rotation of the other of said wheels.
14. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 1 further including a chassis supporting said means responsive to a signal in a selected frequency band, said means responsive including a motor, driving means driven by said motor driving said means defining an electrically conductive pattern.
15. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 14, wherein said support means are wheels.
16. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 15, further including means, controlled by said means defining an electrically conductive pattern, for controlling operation of said motor.
17. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 15, further including signal responsive means for initiating operation of said motor.
18. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 16, further including signal responsive means for initiating operation of said motor.
19. A toy vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control means includes an SCR having an anode and a cathode and a capacitor across said anode and cathode and wherein said contact means is connected across said anode and cathode.
20. A remotely controlled toy vehicle as claimed in claim 1, having a chassis, and wherein said support elements comprise front wheels rotatably mounted on said chassis, and rear wheels rotatably mounted on said chassis, propulsion means being coupled to said rear wheels for driving said rear wheels, said front wheels including a pair of wheels and a wheel shaft for each wheel, each said wheel being rotatably mounted on a said wheel shaft, positioning means secured to said pair of wheels including a steering motor, gear means driven by said steering motor, an output gear driven by said gear means, said output gear having a control shaft rotatably journalled in said chassis, a crank affixed to said shaft and rotatable therewith, a crank pin secured to said crank and offset from said shaft, a link including a slot and a pair of link arms extending outwardly from opposite sides of said slot, said crank pin engaging said slot, a pair of steering arms pivotally affixed to said arms and pivotally mounted on said chassis, each said wheel shaft secured to each said steering arm, said means defining an electrically conductive pattern comprising a disc mounted on and rotatable with said output gear, a pattern of electrically conductive regions and electrically non-conductive regions on said disc, plural electric contacts contacting predetermined different portions of said pattern for providing power to said steering motor and means mounted on said chassis responsive to said contacts and a remote control signal for energizing said steering motor.
21. A remotely controlled toy vehicle as set forth in claim 20 wherein said means responsive to a remote control signal includes an electronic circuit responsive to electrical signals from said contact means for further controlling energization of said steering motor.
22. A remotely controlled toy vehicle as set forth in claim 20 wherein said remote control signal is in the sound frequency range.
23. A remotely controlled toy vehicle as set forth in claim 21 wherein said remote control signal is in the sound frequency range.
24. A remotely controlled toy vehicle as set forth in claim 20 wherein predetermined ones of said contacts are coupled to said propulsion means, said conductive regions associated with said predetermined ones of said contacts causing current through said contacts to reverse in direction responsive to predetermined rotary positions of said disc to cause reversal of direction of said propulsion means.
25. A remotely controlled toy vehicle as set forth in claim 21 wherein predetermined ones of said contacts are coupled to said propulsion means, said conductive regions associated with said predetermined ones of said contacts causing current through said contacts to reverse in direction responsive to predetermined rotary positions of said disc to cause reversal of direction of said propulsion means.
26. A remotely controlled toy vehicle as set forth in claim 22 wherein predetermined ones of said contacts are coupled to said propulsion means, said conductive regions associated with said predetermined ones of said contacts causing current through said contacts to reverse in direction responsive to predetermined rotary positions of said disc to cause reversal of direction of said propulsion means.
27. A remotely controlled toy vehicle as set forth in claim 23 wherein predetermined ones of said contacts are coupled to said propulsion means, said conductive regions associated with said predetermined ones of said contacts causing current through said contacts to reverse in direction responsive to predetermined rotary positions of said disc to cause reversal of direction of said propulsion means.
28. A remotely controlled toy vehicle having plural ground-contacting support elements, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.