US20020111110A1 - Animated toy doll and scooter assembly - Google Patents
Animated toy doll and scooter assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20020111110A1 US20020111110A1 US09/780,794 US78079401A US2002111110A1 US 20020111110 A1 US20020111110 A1 US 20020111110A1 US 78079401 A US78079401 A US 78079401A US 2002111110 A1 US2002111110 A1 US 2002111110A1
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- Prior art keywords
- foot
- scooter
- assembly
- doll
- vehicle
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- 230000000087 stabilizing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 210000002310 elbow joint Anatomy 0.000 claims description 4
- 210000003857 wrist joint Anatomy 0.000 claims description 4
- 210000002683 foot Anatomy 0.000 description 49
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 16
- 238000009987 spinning Methods 0.000 description 6
- 210000002414 leg Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 210000003371 toe Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 210000004247 hand Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 210000000323 shoulder joint Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 210000000544 articulatio talocruralis Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000001624 hip Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 210000004394 hip joint Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000000629 knee joint Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008520 organization Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H17/00—Toy vehicles, e.g. with self-drive; ; Cranes, winches or the like; Accessories therefor
- A63H17/16—Toy vehicles, e.g. with self-drive; ; Cranes, winches or the like; Accessories therefor in the form of a bicycle, with or without riders thereon
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H11/00—Self-movable toy figures
- A63H11/10—Figure toys with single- or multiple-axle undercarriages, by which the figures perform a realistic running motion when the toy is moving over the floor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H17/00—Toy vehicles, e.g. with self-drive; ; Cranes, winches or the like; Accessories therefor
- A63H17/22—Scooters with driver figure propelled by their wheels or by movement of the figure
Definitions
- the invention relates generally to toys, and more particularly to an animated toy doll and scooter assembly.
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,574,969 to Cleveland and Wilson discloses a toy doll and scooter assembly wherein a doll is attached to a scooter and uses a walking motion to push the scooter along.
- Clevland lacks realistic animation of the doll.
- the scooter tilts from side to side, as in a walking motion, rather than remaining substantially vertical as do real scooters.
- Cleveland is only able to travel forward and cannot be turned like a real scooter.
- a general object of the present invention is to provide a more realistically animated toy doll and scooter assembly.
- a toy doll is articulated and removably attached to a toy scooter so that the doll's arms appear to steer the scooter and the doll's foot appears to propel the scooter.
- the animated toy doll and scooter assembly is controlled by a radio remote control unit itself shaped like a scooter and having a toy foot attached to it.
- the remote control unit provides a highly intuitive method for controlling the animated toy doll and scooter assembly. By sliding the attached foot forwards or backwards, the animated toy doll and scooter assembly is commanded to travel forwards or backwards. By turning the attached left or right the animated toy doll and scooter assembly is commanded to turn left or right.
- an animated toy doll and scooter assembly which includes a toy scooter having front and rear large size main wheels and several smaller stabilizing wheels.
- the scooter has a pivotal front wheel for turning, and handlebars linked to the front wheel.
- a doll is mounted on the scooter with its arms secured to the handlebars.
- the scooter has a motor mounted thereon for actuating at least one of the wheels for forward movement.
- the doll has a leg and foot assembly linked to the motor for movement up and down, or tilting, and front to rear to simulate scooter actuation motion.
- a second motor may be provided, or a coupler from the first motor may be provided, to turn the front wheel of the scooter.
- FIG. 1 is a top-perspective view of the animated toy doll and scooter assembly and remote control unit illustrating the principles of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a bottom-perspective view of the scooter of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 3 is a top view of the scooter of FIG. 1 with the top section removed to show the inside.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the toy doll of FIG. 1 showing the bending joints.
- FIG. 5 is a semi-diagrammatic fragmentary partial side elevational view of the scooter showing the foot-pedaling mechanism.
- FIG. 6 is a semi-diagrammatic partial side elevational view of the scooter showing the steering mechanism.
- FIGS. 7 - 10 are semi-diagrammatic side elevational views showing the operating principal of the foot-pedaling mechanism.
- FIG. 1 shows an animated toy doll and scooter assembly 12 including a toy doll 14 positioned on a toy scooter 16 .
- Arms 18 are secured to scooter handlebars 20 .
- a foot 22 supports the doll on a floorboard 26 of the scooter.
- Another foot 24 is positioned on a foot movement actuating member 28 .
- Also shown are front 36 and rear 38 large size main wheels. The rear wheel 38 can be used to propel the scooter 16 while the front wheel 36 is used to steer the scooter 16 .
- a steering assembly 48 is made up of the handlebars 20 , a steering column housing 44 , a steering actuating assembly 46 and the front wheel 36 .
- the animated toy doll and scooter assembly is controlled by a radio remote control unit 30 .
- the radio remote control unit 30 contains a radio transmitter as known in the art.
- the remote control unit 30 is shaped as a smaller version of the toy scooter 16 .
- the remote control unit can transmit radio signals through an antenna extending along the remote control unit 30 handlebars 34 .
- the remote control unit 30 can be two-thirds or less of the size of the toy scooter 16 so that it can be easily held by a child.
- Mounted on a sliding switch is a toy shoe 32 . By sliding the toy shoe forward and backward along a remote control floorboard 33 , a user can make the toy scooter 16 move forwards and backwards.
- a user can similarly make the scooter handlebars 20 turn clockwise or counterclockwise, and turn a front wheel 36 , causing the forward moving scooter to turn right or left.
- Radio remote control units are known in the art, however, the remote control unit 30 of the present invention provides special advantages when included with the animated toy doll and scooter assembly of the present invention.
- the design of the remote control unit 30 makes its use in controlling the toy scooter 16 highly intuitive, allowing younger children to quickly comprehend how to use the remote control unit 30 to control the toy scooter 16 .
- FIG. 2 shows the toy scooter 16 from a bottom perspective.
- Three small stabilizing wheels 40 are shown.
- the stabilizing wheels 40 can have diameters less than two-thirds the diameter of the main wheels 36 , 38 .
- the stabilizing wheels are mounted on opposite sides of the scooter.
- the doll tends to move the center of gravity of the animated toy doll and scooter assembly 12 away from the center of the floorboard 26 and towards the foot movement actuating member 28 . It is therefore particularly important to have at least one stabilizing wheel positioned on the same side of the scooter as the foot movement actuating member 28 .
- a battery compartment cover 42 for allowing insertion and removal of batteries. In one embodiment 6 AA batteries, providing approximately 9 V, can be used to power the animated toy doll and scooter assembly.
- FIG. 3 shows a top view of the scooter with the top section and the steering assembly 48 removed from casing walls 49 to show the inner operating mechanisms.
- the scooter 16 is propelled by a drive motor 44 powered by the batteries or other power source.
- the motor 44 turns the rear wheel through a stepdown gear train 50 .
- the gear train 50 transfers the relatively fast spinning of the motor to a relatively slow, but more powerful, spinning of the wheel 38 .
- Included in the gear train 50 is a clutch 52 for preventing the burning out of the motor 44 when the wheel 38 experiences an excess amount of resistance to spinning.
- the speed of the motor is controlled by sliding the toy foot 32 of the remote control 30 forward and backward. As the toy foot 32 is slid further forward, the motor 44 spins faster in the forward driving direction. As the toy foot 32 is slid further backward, the motor 44 spins faster in the reverse driving direction.
- the motor 44 stops spinning when the toy foot 32 is positioned and an intermediate position approximately between the furthest forward and furthest back sliding positions
- a foot-pedal actuation mechanism 54 Driven by the same motor 44 is a foot-pedal actuation mechanism 54 .
- the foot-pedal actuation mechanism 54 gives the foot 24 and leg segments 58 , 60 of the doll 14 (see FIG. 4) a pedaling motion whereby the foot is tilted and moved from front to rear, simulating a driving engagement of the foot with the ground.
- the motor 44 actuates the pedaling mechanism 54 through a step-down gear train 56 .
- the gear trains 50 , 56 share some of the same gears.
- the foot 24 pedaling motion corresponds to the speed of the scooter 16 .
- the scooter 16 goes faster, the foot 24 pedals faster, and as the scooter 16 goes slower, the foot 24 pedals slower.
- separate motors can be used to propel the scooter 16 and move the foot movement actuating member 28 .
- the foot-pedal actuation mechanism 54 is described with reference to FIGS. 3, 5 and 7 - 10 .
- the foot-pedal actuation mechanism 54 includes a pedal drive cam 62 rotated by a shaft 64 which is rotated by the gear train 56 .
- a peg 66 extends outwardly from the cam 62 to engage a linear cam follower 68 .
- the follower 68 has a vertical slot 84 along which the peg 68 rides up and down.
- On the face of the follower 68 opposite the slot 84 is a horizontal slot 86 into which a shelf 88 extends from the casing wall 49 .
- the horizontal slot 86 and shelf 88 limit the follower to substantially horizontal motion.
- a foot-tilting follower 72 Pivotally connected to the follower 68 at a pivot point 70 is a foot-tilting follower 72 .
- foot tilting shaft 74 Rigidly connected to the follower 72 is foot tilting shaft 74 having a foot movement actuating member 28 and a foot securing pin 76 attached at the opposite end.
- the pin 76 is used to help removably secure the foot 24 to the foot movement actuating member 28 .
- Extending from the follower 72 is a peg 78 which rides inside a groove 80 within a caming groove piece 82 .
- the operation of the foot-pedal actuation mechanism 54 is now described with particular reference to FIGS. 7 - 10 .
- the pedal drive cam 62 rotates about a fixed axis causing the peg 66 to ride up and down in the vertical slot 84 formed in the linear cam follower 68 .
- the follower 68 is constrained to substantially horizontal motion by the shelf 88 around which the horizontal slot 86 slides.
- the rotation of the cam 62 leads to substantially linear horizontal motion of the follower 68 .
- the foot-tilting follower 72 moves forward and back and pivots relative to the follower 68 about the pivot point 70 .
- the peg 78 is driven around the groove 80 of the stationary camming groove piece 82 .
- the foot 24 attached to the foot tilting shaft 74 , is thus tilted up and down and moved from front to rear, simulating a driving engagement of the foot with the ground.
- the cam spins in the clockwise direction illustrated by arrows 90 , driving the peg 78 around the groove 80 in the clockwise direction illustrated by arrows 92 .
- the directions are also reversed.
- FIG. 7 illustrates the foot-pedal actuation mechanism 54 with the foot 24 driven to its forward-most position by the cam 62 .
- the foot is tilted downwards to a toe-down position by the peg 78 reaching the bottom-forward position in of groove 80 .
- This position simulates the foot 24 at the forward position with the toes down and ready to push back against the ground to drive the toy scooter 16 .
- FIG. 8 illustrates the foot-pedal actuation mechanism 54 with the foot 24 driven to an intermediate position by the cam 62 with the peg 78 reaching the bottom-rear position of the groove 80 . This position simulates the foot 24 final position at which the toes have finished pushing back against the ground yet are still pointing down.
- FIG. 9 illustrates the foot-pedal actuation mechanism 54 with the foot 24 driven to its rear-most position by the cam 62 . At the same time, the foot is returned to a raised, toe-up horizontal position by the peg 78 reaching the top-rear position in of groove 80 . This position simulates the foot 24 lifted up from engagement with the ground and ready to move forward.
- FIG. 10 illustrates the foot-pedal actuation mechanism 54 with the foot 24 driven to an intermediate position by the cam 62 and with the peg 78 reaching the top-front position of the groove 80 . This position simulates the foot 24 returned to a forward position just before lowering the toes again in preparation for pushing back against the ground.
- FIG. 5 diagrammatically shows a side view of the foot-pedal actuation mechanism 54 relative to the scooter 16 .
- the forward and back motion of the foot tilting shaft is illustrated within a slot 94 .
- Also illustrated is the motion of the peg 78 around the camming groove piece 82 .
- An optional spring 108 is shown attaching the follower 68 to a rearward fixed position. The spring is stretched as the foot 24 moves forward so that the foot will move faster during the backward motion than the forward motion giving the doll 14 an appearance of strongly pushing back against ground.
- the doll 14 is articulated with ankle joints 96 , knee joints 98 and hip joints 100 so that the foot 24 can be tilted down and lifted up and so that the entire leg can move forward and backward with the foot movement actuating member 28 .
- a steering motor 102 turns a drive train 104 comprising step down gears.
- the drive train 104 transfers spinning motion to a pinion 106 which then causes a rack 110 to turn a steering column 112 .
- the steering column 112 then causes the front wheel 36 and handlebars 20 to turn together.
- the step down gears 104 transfer the relatively fast spinning motion of the motor 102 to a relatively slow motion of the pinion 106 .
- the steering column 112 can be biased with a centering spring.
- the front wheel 36 can be steered through a 74 degree range.
- the doll 14 is articulated with wrist joints 114 , elbow joints 116 , shoulder joints 118 and a waist joint 120 .
- the foot 24 is removably secured to the floorboard 26 using two pegs 124 , 126 disposed to fit within two holes formed in the bottom of the foot 22 .
- the peg 76 is fit within a hole formed in the bottom of the foot 24 .
- Hands 28 are then removably secured to the handlebars 20 as illustrate in FIG. 1.
- the shoulder joints 118 are used to raise the hands to the proper level.
- the wrist joints 114 are especially designed to generally pivot within a plane approximately formed between the elbows and the handlebars.
- the elbow joints 16 also pivot within the same plane as the wrist joints 114 .
- an electronics area 128 within an electronics area 128 are conventional radio receiving circuits for receiving commands from the remote control 30 . Also within the electronics area 128 are circuits for controlling the motors 44 , 102 . The 6 AA batteries are located at the bottom of the electronics area 128 .
- the scooter is less than two feet long, and in particular approximately one foot long measured from the furthest forward part of the wheel 36 to the furthest rearward part of the wheel 38 .
- the floorboard 26 can have a length of approximately 7.5 inches and a width of approximately 3.5 inches.
- the scooter can have a height of approximately 9 inches from the bottom of the wheels 36 , 38 to the top of the handlebars 20 .
- the height from the bottom of the wheels 36 , 38 to the top of the floorboard can be approximately 1.5 inches.
- the wheels 36 , 38 can have diameters of approximately 2.25 inches.
- the stabilizing wheels 40 can have diameters of approximately 0.5 inches.
- the total length can be approximately 7.5 inches, and the height from the bottom of the wheels to the handlebars can be approximately 5 inches.
- the width can be approximately 2.75 inches.
- the present invention is not limited to scooters.
- the invention can take the form of other types of vehicles as well, such as skateboards or motorcycles, by way of examples, but not of limitation.
- it can take the form of vehicles having one, three, four or other numbers of wheels.
- slides can be used as the main or stabilizing structures.
- different types of dolls can be used to ride the vehicle.
- the invention is not limited to use with a particular type of controller. Any kind of controller can be used or else the animated toy doll and scooter assembly can have a memory and processor onboard, for example, to lead the animated toy doll and scooter assembly on a particular predetermined or random course. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments described in detail hereinbefore.
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Abstract
Description
- The invention relates generally to toys, and more particularly to an animated toy doll and scooter assembly.
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,574,969 to Cleveland and Wilson discloses a toy doll and scooter assembly wherein a doll is attached to a scooter and uses a walking motion to push the scooter along. However, Clevland lacks realistic animation of the doll. The scooter tilts from side to side, as in a walking motion, rather than remaining substantially vertical as do real scooters. Additionally, Cleveland is only able to travel forward and cannot be turned like a real scooter.
- A general object of the present invention is to provide a more realistically animated toy doll and scooter assembly.
- In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention, a toy doll is articulated and removably attached to a toy scooter so that the doll's arms appear to steer the scooter and the doll's foot appears to propel the scooter. Additionally, the animated toy doll and scooter assembly is controlled by a radio remote control unit itself shaped like a scooter and having a toy foot attached to it. The remote control unit provides a highly intuitive method for controlling the animated toy doll and scooter assembly. By sliding the attached foot forwards or backwards, the animated toy doll and scooter assembly is commanded to travel forwards or backwards. By turning the attached left or right the animated toy doll and scooter assembly is commanded to turn left or right.
- More specifically, an animated toy doll and scooter assembly is provided which includes a toy scooter having front and rear large size main wheels and several smaller stabilizing wheels. The scooter has a pivotal front wheel for turning, and handlebars linked to the front wheel. A doll is mounted on the scooter with its arms secured to the handlebars. The scooter has a motor mounted thereon for actuating at least one of the wheels for forward movement. The doll has a leg and foot assembly linked to the motor for movement up and down, or tilting, and front to rear to simulate scooter actuation motion. In addition, a second motor may be provided, or a coupler from the first motor may be provided, to turn the front wheel of the scooter.
- These objects as well as other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- Detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- FIG. 1 is a top-perspective view of the animated toy doll and scooter assembly and remote control unit illustrating the principles of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a bottom-perspective view of the scooter of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 3 is a top view of the scooter of FIG. 1 with the top section removed to show the inside.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the toy doll of FIG. 1 showing the bending joints.
- FIG. 5 is a semi-diagrammatic fragmentary partial side elevational view of the scooter showing the foot-pedaling mechanism.
- FIG. 6 is a semi-diagrammatic partial side elevational view of the scooter showing the steering mechanism.
- FIGS.7-10 are semi-diagrammatic side elevational views showing the operating principal of the foot-pedaling mechanism.
- Disclosed herein is a detailed description of the best presently known modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. The overall organization of the present detailed description is for the purpose of convenience only and is not intended to limit the present invention.
- FIG. 1 shows an animated toy doll and
scooter assembly 12 including atoy doll 14 positioned on atoy scooter 16.Arms 18 are secured toscooter handlebars 20. Afoot 22 supports the doll on afloorboard 26 of the scooter. Anotherfoot 24 is positioned on a footmovement actuating member 28. Also shown arefront 36 and rear 38 large size main wheels. Therear wheel 38 can be used to propel thescooter 16 while thefront wheel 36 is used to steer thescooter 16. Asteering assembly 48 is made up of thehandlebars 20, asteering column housing 44, asteering actuating assembly 46 and thefront wheel 36. - In one embodiment the animated toy doll and scooter assembly is controlled by a radio
remote control unit 30. The radioremote control unit 30 contains a radio transmitter as known in the art. Theremote control unit 30 is shaped as a smaller version of thetoy scooter 16. The remote control unit can transmit radio signals through an antenna extending along theremote control unit 30handlebars 34. Theremote control unit 30 can be two-thirds or less of the size of thetoy scooter 16 so that it can be easily held by a child. Mounted on a sliding switch is atoy shoe 32. By sliding the toy shoe forward and backward along a remote control floorboard 33, a user can make thetoy scooter 16 move forwards and backwards. Positioning the toy shoe to an intermediate position stops the scooter and moving the toy shoe further to the front or rear increases the forward or reverse speed of the toy scooter. By turning thefoot 32 clockwise or counterclockwise, a user can similarly make thescooter handlebars 20 turn clockwise or counterclockwise, and turn afront wheel 36, causing the forward moving scooter to turn right or left. Radio remote control units are known in the art, however, theremote control unit 30 of the present invention provides special advantages when included with the animated toy doll and scooter assembly of the present invention. The design of theremote control unit 30 makes its use in controlling thetoy scooter 16 highly intuitive, allowing younger children to quickly comprehend how to use theremote control unit 30 to control thetoy scooter 16. - FIG. 2 shows the
toy scooter 16 from a bottom perspective. Three small stabilizingwheels 40 are shown. The stabilizingwheels 40 can have diameters less than two-thirds the diameter of themain wheels scooter assembly 12 away from the center of thefloorboard 26 and towards the footmovement actuating member 28. It is therefore particularly important to have at least one stabilizing wheel positioned on the same side of the scooter as the footmovement actuating member 28. Also shown is abattery compartment cover 42 for allowing insertion and removal of batteries. In one embodiment 6 AA batteries, providing approximately 9 V, can be used to power the animated toy doll and scooter assembly. - FIG. 3 shows a top view of the scooter with the top section and the
steering assembly 48 removed fromcasing walls 49 to show the inner operating mechanisms. Thescooter 16 is propelled by adrive motor 44 powered by the batteries or other power source. Themotor 44 turns the rear wheel through a stepdown gear train 50. The gear train 50 transfers the relatively fast spinning of the motor to a relatively slow, but more powerful, spinning of thewheel 38. Included in the gear train 50 is aclutch 52 for preventing the burning out of themotor 44 when thewheel 38 experiences an excess amount of resistance to spinning. The speed of the motor is controlled by sliding thetoy foot 32 of theremote control 30 forward and backward. As thetoy foot 32 is slid further forward, themotor 44 spins faster in the forward driving direction. As thetoy foot 32 is slid further backward, themotor 44 spins faster in the reverse driving direction. Themotor 44 stops spinning when thetoy foot 32 is positioned and an intermediate position approximately between the furthest forward and furthest back sliding positions. - Driven by the
same motor 44 is a foot-pedal actuation mechanism 54. The foot-pedal actuation mechanism 54 gives thefoot 24 and leg segments 58, 60 of the doll 14 (see FIG. 4) a pedaling motion whereby the foot is tilted and moved from front to rear, simulating a driving engagement of the foot with the ground. Themotor 44 actuates thepedaling mechanism 54 through a step-downgear train 56. The gear trains 50, 56 share some of the same gears. Thus, thefoot 24 pedaling motion corresponds to the speed of thescooter 16. As thescooter 16 goes faster, thefoot 24 pedals faster, and as thescooter 16 goes slower, thefoot 24 pedals slower. Alternatively, separate motors can be used to propel thescooter 16 and move the footmovement actuating member 28. - The foot-
pedal actuation mechanism 54 is described with reference to FIGS. 3, 5 and 7-10. The foot-pedal actuation mechanism 54 includes apedal drive cam 62 rotated by ashaft 64 which is rotated by thegear train 56. Apeg 66 extends outwardly from thecam 62 to engage alinear cam follower 68. Thefollower 68 has avertical slot 84 along which thepeg 68 rides up and down. On the face of thefollower 68 opposite theslot 84 is ahorizontal slot 86 into which a shelf 88 extends from thecasing wall 49. Thehorizontal slot 86 and shelf 88 limit the follower to substantially horizontal motion. Pivotally connected to thefollower 68 at apivot point 70 is a foot-tiltingfollower 72. Rigidly connected to thefollower 72 is foot tilting shaft 74 having a footmovement actuating member 28 and afoot securing pin 76 attached at the opposite end. Thepin 76 is used to help removably secure thefoot 24 to the footmovement actuating member 28. Extending from thefollower 72 is apeg 78 which rides inside agroove 80 within acaming groove piece 82. - The operation of the foot-
pedal actuation mechanism 54 is now described with particular reference to FIGS. 7-10. Thepedal drive cam 62 rotates about a fixed axis causing thepeg 66 to ride up and down in thevertical slot 84 formed in thelinear cam follower 68. Thefollower 68 is constrained to substantially horizontal motion by the shelf 88 around which thehorizontal slot 86 slides. Thus the rotation of thecam 62 leads to substantially linear horizontal motion of thefollower 68. As thefollower 68 moves horizontally, the foot-tiltingfollower 72 moves forward and back and pivots relative to thefollower 68 about thepivot point 70. Thepeg 78 is driven around thegroove 80 of the stationarycamming groove piece 82. Thefoot 24, attached to the foot tilting shaft 74, is thus tilted up and down and moved from front to rear, simulating a driving engagement of the foot with the ground. During forward motion the cam spins in the clockwise direction illustrated byarrows 90, driving thepeg 78 around thegroove 80 in the clockwise direction illustrated byarrows 92. During reverse motion the directions are also reversed. - FIG. 7 illustrates the foot-
pedal actuation mechanism 54 with thefoot 24 driven to its forward-most position by thecam 62. At the same time, the foot is tilted downwards to a toe-down position by thepeg 78 reaching the bottom-forward position in ofgroove 80. This position simulates thefoot 24 at the forward position with the toes down and ready to push back against the ground to drive thetoy scooter 16. - FIG. 8 illustrates the foot-
pedal actuation mechanism 54 with thefoot 24 driven to an intermediate position by thecam 62 with thepeg 78 reaching the bottom-rear position of thegroove 80. This position simulates thefoot 24 final position at which the toes have finished pushing back against the ground yet are still pointing down. - FIG. 9 illustrates the foot-
pedal actuation mechanism 54 with thefoot 24 driven to its rear-most position by thecam 62. At the same time, the foot is returned to a raised, toe-up horizontal position by thepeg 78 reaching the top-rear position in ofgroove 80. This position simulates thefoot 24 lifted up from engagement with the ground and ready to move forward. - FIG. 10 illustrates the foot-
pedal actuation mechanism 54 with thefoot 24 driven to an intermediate position by thecam 62 and with thepeg 78 reaching the top-front position of thegroove 80. This position simulates thefoot 24 returned to a forward position just before lowering the toes again in preparation for pushing back against the ground. - FIG. 5 diagrammatically shows a side view of the foot-
pedal actuation mechanism 54 relative to thescooter 16. The forward and back motion of the foot tilting shaft is illustrated within aslot 94. Also illustrated is the motion of thepeg 78 around thecamming groove piece 82. Anoptional spring 108 is shown attaching thefollower 68 to a rearward fixed position. The spring is stretched as thefoot 24 moves forward so that the foot will move faster during the backward motion than the forward motion giving thedoll 14 an appearance of strongly pushing back against ground. - When the
scooter 16 travels in the backward direction all directions illustrated FIGS. 3, 5 and 7-10 and described in the corresponding descriptions are reversed. - As illustrated in FIG. 4, the
doll 14 is articulated withankle joints 96, knee joints 98 andhip joints 100 so that thefoot 24 can be tilted down and lifted up and so that the entire leg can move forward and backward with the footmovement actuating member 28. - The operation of the steering mechanism is now described with particular reference to FIG. 6. A
steering motor 102 turns adrive train 104 comprising step down gears. Thedrive train 104 transfers spinning motion to apinion 106 which then causes arack 110 to turn asteering column 112. Thesteering column 112 then causes thefront wheel 36 andhandlebars 20 to turn together. The step down gears 104 transfer the relatively fast spinning motion of themotor 102 to a relatively slow motion of thepinion 106. Thesteering column 112 can be biased with a centering spring. In one embodiment, thefront wheel 36 can be steered through a 74 degree range. - As shown in FIG. 4, the
doll 14 is articulated withwrist joints 114, elbow joints 116,shoulder joints 118 and awaist joint 120. When thedoll 14 is placed on thescooter 16, thefoot 24 is removably secured to the floorboard 26 using twopegs foot 22. Also, thepeg 76 is fit within a hole formed in the bottom of thefoot 24.Hands 28 are then removably secured to thehandlebars 20 as illustrate in FIG. 1. Theshoulder joints 118 are used to raise the hands to the proper level. The wrist joints 114 are especially designed to generally pivot within a plane approximately formed between the elbows and the handlebars. The elbow joints 16 also pivot within the same plane as the wrist joints 114. Thus, as thehandlebars 20 turn the jointedarms 18 appear to be steering thescooter 16 in a life-like manner. - Returning to FIG. 3, within an
electronics area 128 are conventional radio receiving circuits for receiving commands from theremote control 30. Also within theelectronics area 128 are circuits for controlling themotors electronics area 128. - In one embodiment, the scooter is less than two feet long, and in particular approximately one foot long measured from the furthest forward part of the
wheel 36 to the furthest rearward part of thewheel 38. The floorboard 26 can have a length of approximately 7.5 inches and a width of approximately 3.5 inches. The scooter can have a height of approximately 9 inches from the bottom of thewheels wheels wheels wheels 40 can have diameters of approximately 0.5 inches. - As for the
remote control unit 30, the total length can be approximately 7.5 inches, and the height from the bottom of the wheels to the handlebars can be approximately 5 inches. The width can be approximately 2.75 inches. - The present invention is not limited to scooters. The invention can take the form of other types of vehicles as well, such as skateboards or motorcycles, by way of examples, but not of limitation. For example, it can take the form of vehicles having one, three, four or other numbers of wheels. Also, instead of using wheels, slides can be used as the main or stabilizing structures. Furthermore, different types of dolls can be used to ride the vehicle. Also, the invention is not limited to use with a particular type of controller. Any kind of controller can be used or else the animated toy doll and scooter assembly can have a memory and processor onboard, for example, to lead the animated toy doll and scooter assembly on a particular predetermined or random course. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments described in detail hereinbefore.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/780,794 US6431940B1 (en) | 2001-02-09 | 2001-02-09 | Animated toy doll and scooter assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/780,794 US6431940B1 (en) | 2001-02-09 | 2001-02-09 | Animated toy doll and scooter assembly |
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US6431940B1 US6431940B1 (en) | 2002-08-13 |
US20020111110A1 true US20020111110A1 (en) | 2002-08-15 |
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US09/780,794 Expired - Lifetime US6431940B1 (en) | 2001-02-09 | 2001-02-09 | Animated toy doll and scooter assembly |
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Cited By (2)
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US20050060066A1 (en) * | 2003-09-16 | 2005-03-17 | Oerlikon Contraves Ag | Device and method for remote operation of a vehicle from a mother vehicle |
US20100248587A1 (en) * | 2009-03-24 | 2010-09-30 | Rudy Guzman | Footwear and toy vehicle entertainment device |
Families Citing this family (18)
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CA2451056C (en) * | 2001-07-06 | 2006-11-28 | Orjan Soviknes | Flexible figure |
US7338342B2 (en) * | 2003-12-23 | 2008-03-04 | Michael Lee Bellon | Omnidirectional toy manipulator |
US6939196B2 (en) * | 2003-12-23 | 2005-09-06 | Michael Lee Bellon | Omnidirectional toy manipulator |
US7255625B2 (en) * | 2003-12-23 | 2007-08-14 | Michael Lee Bellon | Omnidirectional toy manipulator |
JP2005185547A (en) * | 2003-12-25 | 2005-07-14 | Takara Co Ltd | Toy actuator |
JP3102994U (en) * | 2004-01-26 | 2004-07-22 | 株式会社トミー | Two-wheeled toy |
US7985117B2 (en) * | 2007-10-03 | 2011-07-26 | Mattel, Inc. | Toy vehicle for supporting a doll on a vehicle |
US7942719B2 (en) * | 2007-10-03 | 2011-05-17 | Mattel, Inc. | Miniature toy for supporting doll on a bicycle |
BRPI0818435A2 (en) | 2007-10-03 | 2016-10-18 | Mattel Inc | toy for supporting a doll over a host vehicle, and toy for use in combination with a bicycle |
US9555851B2 (en) * | 2010-01-11 | 2017-01-31 | Michael Bellon | Scooter with rotatable platform |
US9114327B2 (en) | 2010-10-08 | 2015-08-25 | Mattel, Inc. | Toy playset |
US8894463B2 (en) * | 2011-08-29 | 2014-11-25 | Mattel, Inc. | Toy figure assembly with toy figure and surfboard |
US9162153B1 (en) | 2014-04-23 | 2015-10-20 | Innovation First, Inc. | Toy vehicle with an adjustable DC-DC switch |
US20150306514A1 (en) | 2014-04-23 | 2015-10-29 | Innovation First, Inc. | Toy Skateboard |
US11103800B1 (en) * | 2017-02-17 | 2021-08-31 | Hasbro, Inc. | Toy robot with programmable and movable appendages |
US10765960B2 (en) | 2018-10-01 | 2020-09-08 | Jonathan Bright | Doll body motion accessory for recreational vehicles |
US11890553B2 (en) | 2018-10-01 | 2024-02-06 | Jonathan Bright | Doll body motion accessory for recreational vehicles |
WO2024020275A1 (en) * | 2022-07-18 | 2024-01-25 | Bright Jonathan | Doll body motion accessory for recreational vehicles |
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US1351147A (en) * | 1920-03-27 | 1920-08-31 | Zsarnay Bela | Automatic vehicle toy |
US1461313A (en) | 1921-07-14 | 1923-07-10 | Hebrard Henri | Gyroscopic toy |
US1610568A (en) * | 1923-09-28 | 1926-12-14 | Marx Louis | Figure wheeled toy |
US1890755A (en) | 1932-04-22 | 1932-12-13 | Howard F Shepherd | Scooter |
US2251006A (en) * | 1941-03-10 | 1941-07-29 | Edward S Savage | Wheeled figure toy |
US2566141A (en) | 1947-09-12 | 1951-08-28 | Ruth Kaplan | Mechanical ski toy |
DE836156C (en) * | 1950-01-30 | 1952-04-10 | Hans Mangold | Drive-operated toy vehicle |
US3574969A (en) | 1969-03-10 | 1971-04-13 | Mattel Inc | A walking doll and wheeled scooter combination |
US3664670A (en) * | 1971-01-28 | 1972-05-23 | Marvin Glass & Associates | Doll launcher game |
US4846752A (en) | 1988-03-18 | 1989-07-11 | Combs Williams M | Remote controlled roller skating toy |
US5094646A (en) * | 1990-07-27 | 1992-03-10 | Milton Bradley Company | Controller for remote toy vehicle |
US6315630B1 (en) * | 2000-02-04 | 2001-11-13 | Mattel, Inc. | Remotely controlled skateboard having motion-responsive doll riding thereon |
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Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050060066A1 (en) * | 2003-09-16 | 2005-03-17 | Oerlikon Contraves Ag | Device and method for remote operation of a vehicle from a mother vehicle |
US20100248587A1 (en) * | 2009-03-24 | 2010-09-30 | Rudy Guzman | Footwear and toy vehicle entertainment device |
US7980917B2 (en) * | 2009-03-24 | 2011-07-19 | Bbc International Llc | Footwear and toy vehicle entertainment device |
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