GB2194458A

GB2194458A - Toy vehicle steering apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2194458A
Application number: GB08621201A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tai-Cheng Yang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-09-02
Filing date: 1986-09-02
Publication date: 1988-03-09
Also published as: GB8621201D0

Abstract

Programmable steering apparatus of an electrically-powered toy vehicle 6, which comprises: an electric motor 1 arranged to drive a toy vehicle 6 in respective forward and reverse directions; an actuable steering control device 4 arranged to locate a steering mechanism 5 in respective right and left steering positions; and a programmable wheel 3 which is driven by the electric motor 1 and which has at least one actuating element 32 mounted thereon and arranged to actuate the steering control device 4, to locate the steering mechanism 5 in a respective steering position in dependence upon the driving of the programmable wheel 3 by the motor 1. The actuating element(s) is (are) detachably-mounted on the wheel periphery and adapted to project at a selected one of three angular orientations with respect to the wheel to produce the desired vehicle path. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Programmable steering apparatus for electrically-powered toy vehicle This invention is directed to programmable steering apparatus for an electrically-powered toy vehicle and, in particular, to such an apparatus which utilises power derived from the normal or regular electric power source of an electrically-powered toy vehicle, to control the left- and right-hand turns of the steerable wheel(s) thereof, thereby changing the vehicle's direction of travel, to cause it to move along a variety of geometric paths which are selected by appropriate programming of the apparatus by a user.

It is to be understood that, throughout this specification, the term "electrically-powered toy vehicle" is used to embrace not only electrically-powered, wheeled toy vehicles but also electrically-powered toy boats, aeroplanes and other forms of toy vehicle. In the case of toy boats, the inventive apparatus is used to con trol the rudder thereof and, in the case of a toy aeroplane, the tailplane rudder thereof.

Currently, conventional electrically-powered toy vehicles often have an electric power sources which, when turned on, cause the vehicles to be steered in straight lines or fixed-pattern, arcuate paths, without any facility for controlled changes of travel direction, thus making the operation of the vehicles dull and monotonous. This renders such vehicles unacceptable to most children after a while and, moreover, prevents the children from developing their own ideas for making the toy vehicles travel according to their wishes.

Therefore, it is regrettable that these known toy vehicles are lacking in variable and controlled movement which would otherwise invigorate childrens' ingenuity and creativity.

The main object of the present invention is to overcome, or at least substantially reduce, the disadvantages and defects associated with the conventional toy vehicles discussed above and to provide programmable steering apparatus for controlling the directional movement of an electrically-powered toy vehicle, to make it travel in directions selected by a user thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide such apparatus incorporated into a toy vehicle, which will enable a user to control and vary the travel direction of the vehicle in a predetermined manner, thus stimulating ingenuity and creativity, particularly when the user is a child.

Thus, the invention is directed to programmable steering apparatus for an electricallypowered toy vehicle, comprising: (a) an electric motor arranged to drive a toy vehicle in forward and/or reverse directions; (b) an actuable steering control device arranged to locate a steering mechanism of the vehicle in respective left and right steering positions; and (c) a programmable device which is drivable by the electric motor and which has at least one actuating element mounted thereon and arranged to actuate the steering control device, to locate the steering mechanism in a respective steering position in dependence upon the driving of the programmable device by the electric motor.

The programmable device may comprise a wheel, preferably a worm wheel driven by the motor via a worm and, optionally, a gear set, which is rotatable by the motor and which is mechanically programmable by means of a plurality of actuating elements which are detachably secured or securable to the wheel, preferably to the periphery thereof, for rotation therewith at spaced positions therearound, such that the steering control device is actuable sequentially by said elements upon rotation of the wheel, to locate the steering mechanism in respective left and right steering positions in a programmed sequence.

Each actuating element may be detachably secured to the wheel in one of two orientations with respect thereto, such that the element actuates the steering control device to locate the steering mechanism in either its left or right steering position, depending upon such orientation. Also, each actuating element can be detachably secured to the wheel in another orientation, such that it does not actuate the steering control device upon rotation of the wheel, the nonactuating orientation of the element preferably being intermediate the two actuating orientations.

Further, the steering mechanism may be biassed to a straight steering position, such that said mechanism is maintained in that straight position when the steering control device is not actuated by the element(s).

In a preferred embodiment of the inventive apparatus, the steering control device comprises a linkage which is connected or connectable to the steering mechanism and is electro-magnetically actuable by the or each actuating element from a central rest position into one of two opposed steering positions during driving of the programmable device by the motor, to locate the steering mechanism in a corresponding left or right steering position, with the or each actuating element being able to operate one of a pair of switches for electro-magnetically actuating the linkage into the corresponding position, In this preferred embodiment, the steering linkage is preferably actuable by means of a pair of electromagnets on respective opposed sides of a fixed permanent magnet, such that the or each actuating element sequentially operates a respective one(s) of the pair of switches, to cause the electromagnets to be energised at one polarity, thereby actuating the steering linkage into the respective steering position and, hence, the steering mechanism into the corresponding left or right steering position, as a consequence of the magnetic force generated between the electromagnets and the permanent magnet causing the electromagnets to move in the corresponding direction with respect to the permanent magnet.

Alternatively, the steering linkage is actuable by a reversible electric motor whose direction of rotation is determined by the switch of the pair which is actuated by the or each element in turn. Such direction of rotation determines the position to which the steering mechanism is located.

The invention also embraces an electricallypowered toy vehicle, such as, a wheeled vehicle, aeroplane, or boat, incorporating steering apparatus defined above.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, two embodiments in accordance therewith will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of programmable steering apparatus mounted on the chassis of an electrically-powered, four-wheeled toy vehicle; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a programmable device included in the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a component of the device shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view of a steering control device and associated steering mechanism used in a first embodiment of apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 3; and Fig. 5 is a partial perspective view of another steering control device and associated steering mechanism used in a second embodiment of apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

Referring firstly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, a programmable steering apparatus is mounted upon the chassis of an electrically-powered, four-wheeled, toy vehicle 6, the apparatus comprising generally an electric motor 1, a programmable device in the form of a worm wheel 3, mounted rotatably on the chassis, and a steering control device 4. The electric motor 1 is drivable by a battery (not shown), associated with the chassis of the toy vehicle 6, and, in turn, drives a rear axle 21 via a gear set 2 and, as a result, the rear wheels of the vehicle. In this case, the motor 1 is driven by the battery to move the vehicle in a forward -direction.

Mounted fixedly on, and centrally of, the rear axle 21 is a worm gear 23 which meshes with the worm wheel 3, to rotate the latter, in the direction of the arrow, when the motor 1 is driven by the battery.

The steering control device 4 is connected by a suitable linkage, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow, to a steering mechanism indicated generally at 5 and comprising a transverse steering shaft 52 connected pivotally at its ends to respective ones of a pair of steerable front wheels 22. This steering shaft is movable generally transversely of the chassis of the vehicle 6 by the control device 4, as will also be described in more detail hereinbelow, such that the steering mechanism 5, and hence the front wheels 22, can be located in a left or right steering position.

Two opposed pairs of stops 63,66 and 64,65 are provided, to prevent excessive movement of the shaft 52 and a spring 7, extending between a part of the linkage connecting the control device 4 to the steering mechanism 5, biasses the latter into a straight steering position, such that, when the mechanism 5 is not located in either its left or right steering position, the front wheels 22 are maintained in a central, rest position for straight, forward movement of the vehicle 6.

Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings show the programmable device in more detail. Around the periphery of the worm wheel 3 is a rim 31 to which is detachably secured an actuating element 32. In this embodiment, two such elements 32 are provided, although more may be used, if desired. Each actuating element 32 comprises a generally U-shaped portion which is detachably secured to the rim 31 of corresponding shape and which has three equally spaced holes on one edge thereof, the angle subtended by the two outer holes at the centre of the U-shaped portion being approximately 45".

The other component of the element 32 is a straight portion which projects generally radially outwardly of the U-shaped portion and the worm wheel 3, when the element is secured to the latter. A generally U-shaped member 33 is of substantially the same shape and dimensions as those of the U-shaped portion of the element 32, except that it has no radially-projecting portion and has a projection 34 on an edge thereof for engaging in any one of the three holes in the confronting edge of the U-shaped portion of the element 32.

The member 33 is also detachably securable to the rim 31 of the worm wheel 3, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in abutting relationship with its associated actuating element 32 and with its projection engaging in a selected one of the three holes in the element 32. Thus the projecting portion of the element 32 can be oriented at any one of three angles with respect to the worm wheel 3, when the element is secured to the rim 31 thereof.

One embodiment of programmable steering apparatus also includes a first form of steering control device, as shown in Fig. 4, connected by a linkage 51 to a steering mechanism. The control device comprises a pair of electromagnets 49,50 on opposed sides of a fixed permanent magnet 48 and spaced therefrom, the eiectro-magnets being energisable by an electric circuit 41 which comprises a four, 1.5V battery cell 47 and apair of switches.

The windings of the two electromagnets 49,50 are connected in series and to a central 3.0V tapping of the battery cell 47, whilst opposed sides of the cell are connected to respective switch terminals 421,431.

Each switch has a contact 42,43 which is connected in series with the winding of the electromagnet 50, such that the polarity of both electro-magnets, when energised, is dependent upon which switch is operated, that is to say, which contact 42 or 43 is made to engage its corresponding terminal 421 or 431.

The positioning of the worm wheel with respect to the steering control device is such that, when the straight, radially-projecting portion of the actuating element 32 is oriented at an angle of 45" to the general plane of the wheel 3, it can engage the contact 42 and press it against the terminal 421, on each rotation of the wheel, to operate the upper switch of the circuit 41, thus actuating the steering control device by energising both electromagnets 49,50 to S/N polarity.The magnetic forces thus generated, namely, the attractive magnetic force of the electromagnet 49 towards the permanent magnet 48 and the repulsive magnetic force of the electromagnet 50 away from the magnet 48, moves the linkage 51 to the left in Fig. 4, thereby causing the steering mechanism and, hence, the front wheels 22 to turn to the right and to be located in a right steering position.

Conversely, when the straight portion of the element 32 is oriented at an angle of 22 to the plane of the worm wheel 3, it can engage the other switch contact 43 and press that against the other switch terminal 431, on each revolution of the wheel, to operate the lower switch, thereby actuating the steering control device by energising both electromagnets 49,50 to N/S polarity. The magnetic forces thus generated, namely, the repulsive force of the electromagnet 49 away from, and the attractive force of the electromagnet 50 towards, the permanent magnet 48, moves the linkage 51 to the right in Fig. 4, thereby causing the steering mechanism and, hence, the front wheels 22 to turn to the left and to be located in a left steering position.

When the orientation of the straight portion of each element 32 is at an angle of 0 to the worm wheel 3, namely, when that portion iies generally in co-planar relationship with the wheel 3, it does not engage and press either of the contacts 42,43 against the respective terminal 421,431, on each revolution of the wheel 3, whereby the front wheels 22 are maintained in a straight steering position.

Also, when that straight portion disengages the corresponding switch contact 42,43, upon rotation of the worm wheel 3, the biassing spring 7 causes the steering mechanism to be returned to the central, rest position, such that the wheels 22 are set for straight running.

As mentioned above, the pair of stops 63,64 on opposed sides of the centre of the steering shaft 52 are arranged to engage respective fixed stops 66,65, thereby limiting the left and right turning angle of the steering mechanism and, hence, of the front wheels 22.

In the manner described above in relation to one actuating element 32, a plurality thereof can be secured at predetermined spacings around the wheel rim 31 and at different orientations with respect thereto, to programme the apparatus in such a way that the vehicle 6 can undergo a predetermined pattern of steering movements in a programmed sequence.

Fig. 5 illustrates a second form of steering control device which is included in another embodiment of the inventive steering apparatus. Here, the electromagnets 49,50, permanent magnet 48 and linkage 51 of the embodiment of Fig. 4 are replaced, respectively, by a reversible motor 60 and a linkage comprising a gear wheel 62 drivable by the motor 60 and meshing with another gear wheel 61 which is connected to the steering mechanism. The other components, namely, the transverse shaft 52, the biassing spring 7 and the two pairs of stops 63,66 and 64,65 are common to both embodiments shown in Figs.

4 and 5, as are the pair of switches and associated contacts 41,42 and terminals 421,431 and the 6.OV battery cell 47 and their respective connections in the circuit 41.

Thus, when the worm wheel 3 is rotated in the direction of the arrow by the electric motor 1, as shown in Fig. 1, and an actuating element 32 is oriented with respect to the wheel 2 to operate the upper switch in the circuit 41, the correspondingly-oriented straight portion of that element 32 presses the contact 42 against the terminal 421, thus operating the upper switch, to cause the motor to rotate in a clockwise direction. Such rotation causes the geared linkage 62,61 to move the shaft 52 to the right, that is, to the left in Fig. 5, thus locating the steering mechanism and, hence, the wheels 22 in a left steering position, the stops 63,66 limiting the extent of such a left lock.

Conversely, if another actuating element 32 is oriented with respect to the worm wheel 3, to operate the lower circuit switch, the correspondinglyoriented straight portion of that element 32 presses the contact 43 against the terminal 431, thus operating the lower switch, to cause the motor 60 to rotate in an anticlockwise direction. Such rotation causes the linkage 62,61 to move the shaft 52 to the left, that is, to the right in Fig. 5, thus locating the steering mechanism and, hence, the wheels 22 in a right steering position, the stops 64,65 limiting the extent of such a iock.

Upon dis-engagement of each element 32 from the switch contact 42,43, the spring 7 biasses the shaft 52 back to its central steering position, such that the wheels 22 are returned to the straight steering position.

Thus, it can be seen that the apparatus of this embodiment can be programmed in the same way as that of the first embodiment described above in relation to Fig. 4.

Accordingly, it is to be appreciated that the invention provides a steering apparatus which can be re-programmed time after time to cause the toy vehicle in which the apparatus is incorporated to perform numerous different steering patterns in a given sequence.

Claims

1. Programmable steering apparatus for an electrically-powered toy vehicle, comprising: (a) an electric motor arranged to drive a toy vehicle in respective forward and reverse directions; (b) an actuable steering control device arranged to locate a steering mechanism of the vehicle in respective right and left steering po positions; and (b) a programmable device which is drivable by the electric motor and which has at least one actuating element mounted thereon and arranged to actuate the steering control device, to locate the steering mechanism in a respective steering position in dependence upon the driving of the programmable device by the electric motor.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the programmable device comprises a wheel which is rotatable by the electric motor and which is mechanically programmable by means of a plurality of actuating elements which are detachably securable to the wheel for rotation therewith at spaced positions therearound, such that the steering control device is actuable sequentially by said elements upon rotation of the wheel, to locate the steering mechanism in respective left or right steering positions in a programmed sequence.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each actuating element is detachably securable to the wheel in one of two or more orientations with respect thereto, such that, upon rotation of the:wheel by the motor, the element actuates the steering control device, to locate the steering mechanism in either its left or right steering position.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each actuating element is detachably securable to the wheel in another orientation with respect thereto, such that, upon rotation of the wheel, the element does not actuate the steering control device.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said non-actuating orientation of each element is intermediate two orientations in one of which the element is otherwise arranged to actuate the steering control device to locate the steering mechanism in a respective one of its left and right steering positions.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the steering mechanism is biassed to a straight steering position, such that said mechanism is maintained in that straight steering position, when the steering control device is not actuated by the or one of the actuating elements during driving of the programmable device by the motor.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the programmable device or rotatable wheel, as the case may be, is a worm wheel rotatable by a worm gear drivable by the electric motor.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the programmable device is drivable by the electric motor via a gear set.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the steering control device comprises a linkage which is connected to the steering mechanism and is electro-magnetically actuable by the or each actuating element from a central rest position into one of two opposed steering positions during driving of the programmable device by the motor, to locate the steering mechanism in a corresponding left or right steering position.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the or each actuating element is arranged to operate one of a pair of switches for electromagnetically actuating the steering linkage into a corresponding steering position.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the steering linkage is actuable by means of a pair of electromagnets located on opposed sides of a permanent magnet, such that, upon driving of the programmable device by the electric motor, the or each actuating element sequentially operates a respective one of the pair of switches, to cause the electromagnets to be energised in one polarity, thereby actuating the steering linkage into the respective steering position and, hence, the steering mechanism into the corresponding left or right steering position, as a consequence of the magnetic force generated between the electromagnets and the permanent magnet causing the electromagnets to move in the corresponding direction with respect to the permanent magnet.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the steering linkage is actuable by means of a reversible electric motor, such that, upon driving of the programmable device by the first-mentioned electric motor, the or each actuating element sequentially operates a respective one of the pair of switches, to cause the reversible motor to rotate in one direction, thereby actuating the steering linkage into the respective steering position and, hence, the steering mechanism into the corresponding left or right steering position.

13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the steering control device or steering mechanism has respective stops to prevent excessive travel of the steering mechanism past its left or right steering position.

14. Programmable steering apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with refer ence to the accompanying drawings.

15. A wheeled toy vehicle including programmable steering apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle comprises a chassis upon which the first-mentioned and reversible electric motors are fixedly mounted and the programmable device is rotatably mounted, the first-mentioned motor being arranged to drive at least one wheel of the vehicle and the steering mechanism being arranged to move at least one steerable wheel into respective left and right steering positions.

16. A toy boat or ship including programmable steering apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first mentioned electric motor is arranged to drive a propeller of the boat or ship and the steering mechanism is arranged to move a rudder thereof into respective port and starboard steering positions.

17. A toy aeroplane including programmable steering apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first-mentioned electric motor is arranged to drive a propeller of the aeroplane and the steering mechanism is arranged to move a tailplane rudder thereof into respective left and right steering positions.

18. A wheeled toy vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.