US2244528A - Remotely controlled self-propelled toy - Google Patents

Description

June 3, WM. F p, SCHUR 2,244,528

REMOTELY CONTROLLED SELF-PROPELLED TOY Filed Sept. 4, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 3, 1941. v .F P, SCHUH 2,244,523

REMOTELY CONTROLLED SELF-PROPELLED TOY Filed s'ept. 4, 1940 2 sheets-sheet 2 Y V Y Patented June 3, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE y 2,244,521; aEMo'rELy coN'rnoLn SELF-PROPELLED Claims.

This invention relates to remotely controlled self-propelled toys and its principal object is to provide a toy that is amusing, entertaining and interesting to children.

Another object is to provide an electric motor propelled vehicle with remote control means whereby its direction of travel can be controlled from a remote place.

Another object is to provide a remotely controlled self-propelled toy, of simple and comparatively inexpensive construction..

Another object is to provide a toy having electric motor operated propelling means and a remote control therefor, having an extension cord and plug which may `be plugged into a wall socket so as to place the toy in service.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the course of .this specification and with said objects and advantages in view, this invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter fully described and claimed.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a remotely controlled self propelled toy, embodying one form of the invention, with certain electric conductors partly broken away.

Fig. 2 is a plan of the self propelled element thereof with certain' electric conductors shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the body of the self-propelled element seen in Figs. 1 and 2, with the motors and other internal parts shown in side elevation.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a. portable switch unit, looking from below, with the cover of the casing thereof removed and part of the wiring yomitted for the sake of clearness.

Fig. 5 is a. vertical cross section taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 4, but showing the switch unit in upright position.

Fig. 6 is a detail side elevation of certain members of the switch seen in Fig. 5, and

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view ofY the electric circuits employed for controlling the operation of the toy. l

Referring to said drawings, which are merely illustrative of one embodiment of the invention, the reference character Ill designates a selfpropelled vehicle here shown in the form of a' miniature tank, comprising a hollow body II, driving wheels I2, I3 and idler wheels I4, one driving wheel and a set of idler wheels being disposed on each side of the body, and having a traction belt or endless track I5 trained therearound. Desirably a miniature turret I6 rises from the body, from which protrudes the muzzle of a miniature cannon Il or other ordnance. Obviously the self propelled vehicle may take various forms as desired, simulating various kinds of vehicles. The body II is preferably composed of light gauge sheet metal, providing a top, bottom, sides and ends.

The idler wheels are journaled on iixed shafts I8, Isa, which project beyond the sides of the body, but the driving wheels I2, I3 are rigidly mounted on shafts I9, 20, each mounted in and driven Iby a reversing electric motor 2I or 22, which is mounted on a frame comprising two bars 23 within the body II and bolted or otherwise secured to a cross bar 23a, which is fastened to two bars 23h, carried by the shafts I8a. The shafts I8 are secured to the side walls of the motors. There is one motor and its driving wheel at each end of the frame, with the driving wheels thereof disposed on the twosides of the body, whereby when both motors are rotating the driving wheels inone direction, the vehicle is driven forwards, and when the direction of rotation of the driving wheels is reversed, the vehicle is driven backwards. The direction of rotation of either motor and its driving wheel may be reversed, whereby the toy is caused to turn around, and by stopping the operation of one motor, the toy may be caused to travel along a curved line. 'Desirably each motor embodies speed reducing means for its drive shaft.

For controlling the direction of rotation of each motor from a remote place a portable electric switch unit 24 has been provided, which is connected to the motors of the vehicle by ilexible electric conductors designated generally by 25, of suitable length as will be presently described.

The electric switch unit is desirably mounted in a casing or other container 26 (see Figs. 4 and 5) having a lid 2l removably secured on an open side thereof. Secured at one end of-the easing yis a main electric switch 28 interposed in one line 29 of an extension cord 30 of suitable length, having a plug 3| on its free end, which may be plugged into an ordinary wall socket (not shown) for putting the toy into service.

Secured Within the casing 2B at its other end are two electric switches, 32, 33, each for controlling the circuits to a motor 2I or 22. For convenience in illustrating the invention the electric switches 32, 33 are shown as of .the double throw, double pole type of switch, having shifting or sliding contacts 34a, 34h, 35a, 3517, se-

cured in slides, 34. 35. formed of non-conducting material and each having a button 34o or 35e which protrudes through a wall in the casing whereby it may be readily manipulated.

Each switch 32 or 33 (see Fig. 7) has six fixed poles or contacts, 36, 31, 38, 38, 40, 4|, arranged in pairs and mounted in a base 42a which is formed of non-conducting material. In one position of the sliding contacts 34, 35 of each` The contacts 38, 4| of each switch 32 or 33 are connected by a conductor 42, and contacts 3l, 40 thereof are connected by a conductor 43, thereby providing a cross over from contact 38 to 4|, and a cross over from 3l to 48 in each switch. Connectlng the contacts 38, 3l of each switch with the motor, 2| or 22, it controls, are conductors 4t, 45, and 44a, 45a, the conductors 44, 45 running to the brushes of motor 2|, and the conductors 44a, 45a, running to the brushes of motor 22.

From the contact 38 of each switch 32 or 33 a conductor i5 or 46a runs to the iield of motor 2| or 22, and from the field of motor 2| a conductor 41 runs back to the Wire 29a of the extension cord 38. From the eld of motor 22 a conductor 4`|c runs to conductor 4l. The other wire 29 of the extension cord runs through the switch 22 to conductor Alla, which runs to contact 38 of switch 32. A conductor 2lb runs from conductor 41a. to contact 38 of switch 33.

The two motors 2|, 22 are illustrated as reversed and set end to end in order to conserve space in the body, and as a consequence forward rotation of motor 2| drives its driving wheel i2 in the direction of the arrow thereon in Fig. 1, thereby propelling the vehicle in its forward direction. Inasmuch as forward rotation of motor 22 drives its driving wheel i3 in the reverse.

direction to that of driving wheel |2, switch 331s connected with motor 22 in such manner that the direction of rotation of motor 22 is reversed to rotate its driving wheel I3 in the same direction as the driving wheel l2 so as to drive the vehicle forward, when both switches are set to drive the vehicle forward. For the purposes of illustration, switch 32 is set to drive the vehicle forward, and switch 33 is set to drive the vehicle backwards.

In accordance wlththis arrangement of motors, the conductor 45 runs from contact 21 of switch 32 to the upper brush of motor 2| and from the lower brush conductor 44 runs contact 36, whereas for motor 22 conductor 44a runs from contact 31 of switch 33 to the lower brush of motor 22 and conductor 45a runs from the vupper brush thereof to contact 38.

For giving added attraction to the toy, it is preferred to provide an electric vibrating sounding device 48 in the toy for imparting staccato like sound, simulating the fire of rapid-re arms.

The sounding device 48 may be of any of the welll known commercial types operating on alternating current, or it may be in the nature of an electric buzzer if desired, having an armature that strikes against a stationary part. `The core of sound device 48 is connected by conductor 50, through a push button 5| secured in the switch casing, to

conductor 41a and by conductor 52 to the return conductor 41.

In the operation of the toy, the extension cord plug is plugged into an electric socket, and the switch 28 is closed. With the buttons 34c, 35e set in the position shown in full line in Fig. 1, the vehicle is driven'iorwards, and with the buttons set in the dotted line position, the vehicle is driven backwards. With one button in full line position and the other in dotted line position the vehicle will travel in a circle, and with one of the buttons in a neutral position, the vehicle will travel along a long curved line.

The circuits for controlling the direction of travel of the vehicle may be readily traced in Fig. 7 as follows: for motor 2| when propelling the vehicle forward, the circuit runs from the main line 28, through switch 28 and conductor lila to contact 38 of switch 32, thence through shifting contact 34a to contact 31, and through conductor 45 to the upper brush of motor 2|, then back from the lower brush thereof to contact 36; through shifting contact 34o to contact 38; through conductor 48 to the field of motor 2|, and through conductor 41 back to the other line 29a. of the extension cord.

For motor 22, with the contacts 35a, `2517 oi' switch 33 set in the same position as contacts 34a, 32h of switch 32, the circuit is traced from conductor Ma, through conductor 41h to contact 39 of switch 33, and thence through the brushes and field of motor 22 as has been described in connection with motor 2|, except that the conductor from contact 3l runs to the lower brush of motor 22 so that its direction of rotation is reversed as has been explained.

For propelling the vehicle backwards, both switches 32, 23 are set as shown for switch 33 in Fig. '7, thereby reversing the direction of the ilow of current through the brushes. For motor 22 the circuit is traced from conductor Mb to contact 39 as before explained, thence through shifting contact 35a. to contact til; through conductor 42 to conductor 25a, to the upper brush of motor 22, and from the lower brush thereof to conductor 43 and to contact 4d, thence through shifting contact 35h to contact 38, through conductor 48a to the field of motor 22 and back through conductor 41a to the return conductor di.

With the contacts of switch 32 set as shown in switch 35 the circuit for motor 2| is traced from conductor dla to contact 39, then through shifting contact 38a to contact 3|, through conductor 4t2 to contact 38 and through conductor 44 to the lower brush of motor 2|, and back from the upper brush, through conductor 45 and conductor 43 to contact 40, then through shifting contact 34b to contact 38, through conductor 4B to the field of motor 2| and back through conductor 4l to line 29a of the extension cord. The direction of rotation of motor 2| is then reversed, thereby driving its drive wheel backwards, whereas the vdirection of rotation of motor 22 is forward, but because of its reversed position it drives its driving wheel backwards.

It will be understood that by shifting one button 34o or 35o forwards and one backwards, the shifting contacts will occupy the position shown in Fig. 7 or in the opposite positions, and one motor will drive its drive wheel forwards and the other will drive its drive wheel backwards, thereby causing the vehicle to travel in a circle. If one shifting contact is set in a neutral position, then only one motor will run, and thereby propel the vehicle in a long curve.

The circuit for the sounding device Il is traced front-the conductor Y41a through button Blfconl doctor so, the con of the sounding device and through conductor 52 back to the return conductor 41. i

By pressing the button i the circuit is closed through the coil of the sounding device, and the' armaturethereof is vibrated, causing a staccato like sound.

I claim'as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent: l

1. A remotely controlled" self-propelled toy comprising a vehicle, propelling means therefor, including two reversing electricmotors mounted in the vehicle, two driving wheels, one` only located on each sideof the vehicle. and each driven independently ofthe other bya motor.` idler wheels on both sides of the vehicle, and

traction belts, one ,trained around each ,driving wheel and its associated idler wheels, a-remotely located portable switch casing, two dou-ble throw reversing switches mounted in said casing. two

sets of iiexihle conductors, each connecting contacts of one switch with a motor `whereby both motors are run forwards or backwards or either motor is run in a direction reversely with respect to the other in accordance with the setting of the switches, and an extension cord connected to contacts of both switches.

' wheels, a remotely located portable switch unit comprising two double throw, double pole electric reversing switches, and electric conductors for each motor, connecting poles of each switch with the brushes and field of the associated motor, whereby both motors may be forwards or backwards, or may run'in reverse directions with respect to each other, in accordance with the position of the movable contacts of the switch', a main line connected to a pole of each switch `and a return line from the field of each motor.

3. A remotely controlled selffpropelled toy comprising a body. two reversing electric motors therein, one at each end, a frame supporting said motors, shafts mounted in said frame.

coaxial alignment with one of the last mentioned idler wheels. drive shafts for said driving wheels, each driven independently of the other by a motor, and traction belts, 'one trained around each driving wheel and its associated idler wheels, aremotely located portable switch unit comprising two double throw, double pole electric reversing switches. and electric conductors for each motor, connecting poles of each switch with the brushes and field of the associated motor, whereby both motors may be run forwards or backwards, or in reverse directions with respect to each other, in accordance 'with the position of the movable contacts of the switch, a main line connected to a P01e of each switch and-a return line from the field of each motor.

4. A remotely controlled self-propelled toy A comprising a vehicle, two reversible electric site one of the driving wheels, shafts therefor,

other idler wheels and shafts therefor for supporting the vehicle, two endless belts, each trained around a driving wheel and the idler wheels that are disposed on the same side of the vehicle as the driving wheel, two portable double throw double polereversing switches, one

for each motor, wiring connections between each idler .wheels on both ends of said shafts and supporting the body and motors, other idler wheels. one located on one side of the body at one enel thereof and one located on the other `side of the body at the other end thereof.` shafts secured to the bodies oi' the motor and carrying said last mentioned idler wheels, two4 drivingv wheels. each dlsposedon a sideof the body in switch and its associated motor, whereby either motor may run in a direction reversely of the other, in accordance with the setting of the switches, a main line running to each switch and-a returnline running from each motor. and

an extension cord connected to the terminals of said main and return lines.

5. A remotely Acontrolled self-propelled toy comprising a vehicle, propelling means therefor, including two reversing electric motors mounted in the vehicle, two drive shafts, one driven by each motor. one extending to one side of the ve hicle and one extending to the other side thereof, two driving wheels. one mounted on each drive shaft, one'at one side of the vehicle and one at the other sidethereof, idler wheels aligned with said driving wheels, two traction belts trained over the driving wheels and idler wheels aligned therewith, separate electrical conductors for both motors, and two remotely located reversing switches. one for the electrical conductors of each motor, for separately controlling the direction of rotation of the motors, whereby both driving wheels may run forwards or backwards or the driving wheels may run in reverse directions with respect to each other in accordance with the setting of the switches, and the vehicle f

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