US2639545A - Remotely controlled toy car - Google Patents

Description

y 1953 F. J. PAsTqklus 2,639,545

REMOTELY CONTROLLED TOY CAR Filed July 3, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l Fig. 1

33 I )77fi777777fi7fi ///1 43 I I 44- 1 2,46 E .50 47 INVEN TOR. FRITZ J. PASTOR/US Q AM ATTORNEY May 26, 1953 F. J. PASTORIUS 2,539,545

' REMOTELY CONTROLLED TOY CAR Filed July 3, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. Fr?! 72' J. P4 STOR/MS' A 7' TORNEY May 26, 1953 F. J. PASTORIUS 2,639,545

REMOTELY CONTROLLED TOY CAR Filed July 3, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 j ff 87 2/ 59 L INVENTOR. FRITZ J. PASTOR/U5 A TTORNE' Y Patented May 26, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

The invention, in general, relates to educational and amusement devices, and more particularly relates to a maneuverable member movable over a fiat surface at the will and under the control of an operator.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a table toy affording not only amusement to children and adults but also a means for educating operators of the toy with respect to vehicle traffic regulations.

Another important object of my invention is to provide an improved table toy and operating mechanism therefor which enables operators of the toy to meet problems of vehicle movement with respect to the particular vehicle under control as well as in relationship to other vehicles, structures and situations normally occurring under existing traffic conditions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved table toy of the indicated nature which is additionally characterized by its simplicity of construction, low cost of maintenance, and ease of operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved table toy of the aforementioned character which is especially useful therapeutically for rehabilitation of both adults and children mentally as Well as physically as it affords an easily manipulated device requiring gradual and increasing use of the hands and legs, enables the user to call upon mental faculties in increasing degree, and enhances vision as well as coordination of vision, with mental and physical reactions.

A still further object of my present invention is to provide an improved table toy of the indi cated nature which lends itself to the ready creation of a multiplicity of different traffic situations as might obtain in vehicular traffic, by simple changes or delineations upon the top of the toy, and also to diversified situations of marine vehicle trafiic and situations by varying the type of the movable member that is maneuverable about the top of the toy.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an improved toy which can be used, operated and even repaired with facility by the unskilled nearly as Well as by the skilled.

Other objects of the invention, together with some of the advantageous features thereof, will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that I am not to be limited to the precise embodiment shown, nor to the precise arrangement of the various parts thereof, as my invention, as defined in the appended claims, can be embodied in a plurality and variety of forms.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, front sectional elevational view of a preferred embodiment of some of the elements and assembly of the toy.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side sectional elevational view of the elements and assembly illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of the steering control and portions of the actuating mechanism of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the elements illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 5 is a broken side elevational view, partially in section and partially schematic, of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a broken top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with a portion of the to broken away to illustrate the pivotally mounted arms to which the magnet supporting carriage is connected.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a hoist member and actuating element therefor, which is employed in the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical circuit and contained parts employed in the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Inits preferred form, the improved table toy of my invention preferably comprises a support having a top planar transparent surface, a mov able member disposed on said top surface; said member including surface-engaging elements and a magnet responsive free roller supported adjacent to said transparent surface, a shelf disposed below and in spaced relationship to said top, together with a carriage swingably supported beneath said top; said carriage including surface-engaging Wheels riding on the under surface of said top as well as on the upper surface of said shelf, a magnet on said carriage, an electrical circuit, and means energized by said electrical circuit for simultaneously moving said carriage and member at variable speeds and variably swinging said carriage to effect variable maneuverability of said movable member at variable accelerations about said top surface of said support by magnetic attraction between said magnet {and said magnet responsive roller of said mem- As particularly illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 6 of the accompanying drawings, I provide a support which may be a table, or the like, having an upper frame I I suitably formed with an inner flange 2 for removably receiving a transparent or translucent top it of non-magnetic material. The top I3 preferably is fabricated of thin section plastic material, such as urea or a phenol condensate, and its upper surface is smooth and planar. The upper surface of top I3 is adapted to receive a movable member I I which, in the. present embodiment of my invention, consists of a miniature automobile including rear surfaceengaging elements It and a rotatably mounted element ll, such as a roller. The roller consists of a bar of soft iron constituting a keeper to be attracted by the element supported on a carriage hereinafter described. The aforementioned support of my improved table toy includes a bottom I5, as well as an intermediate shelf I8 in proximity to but in spaced relationship to the top I 3 defining av housing for actuating mechanism by means of which the vehicle M can be variably maneuvered about the top surface E3 of the support.

In accordance with the present invention, a

pivot pin H is iournalled in bearings in the top I3. as well as the shelf I8 of the support at its approximate center, and the pin 2! is vertically disposed as shown in Fig. of the annexed drawings. low the shelf I8, and carries a pinion 22 which is in meshing engagement with a pinion secured to one end of a drive shaft 24 which is iournalled in brackets. 26 and 21.; the. brackets being secured to and depending from the shelf I8 to seat on the bottom I5 of the support. As shown in Fig. 5, the shaft 24 is in universal connectionwith a rod 28 extending through the steering column 29 of the steering mechanism for the. device, generally designated by the reference numoral 3G, and a suitable hand-wheel 31 is secured. to the rod 29 to constitute, in effect, asteering wheel for controlling the direction of turning of the member Ill as it is moved about on the top I3 of the support.

As illustrated particularly in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the steering column 29 pierces and is supported by a panel 33 secured to and projected from the upper frame It of the support, see Fig. 5. Means are provided on the steering column within easy access to the operator to effect reversal of direction of a motor shaft, hereinafter described, and thereby condition the steering mechanism of the toy for forward as well as reverse movement of the movable member It at the will of the operator. These means include a lever 34 which extends through steering post 29 and which engages a collar 35 surrounding the rod 28. The collar 35 is notched at 31 for receiving the inner end of a link 38 to the outer end of which a crank so is attached; the crank 39 being connected to linkage lI which is secured to a double-throw switch hereinafter described. By manually shifting lever ('34, the collar 36 can be turned in one direction as well as in the opposite direction and, by means of the link 38, crank 39 and linkage 4| the position of the double-throw switch can be shifted so that the direction of current and, hence the direction of movement of the motor and motor shaft described below can be changed rapidly and at the will of the operator of the toy.

In addition, I provide on the steering post 29 within easy access of the operator, means for soundin a horn signal whenever desired. To

The pin 2! is extended through and bethis end, I secure a push-button 42 on the outer end of a shaft 53 which is slidably mounted within the rod 28 and which carries a pin 44 on its inner end. Upon depression of push button 42, the pin 44 on the inner end of shaft 43 engages and depresses a metal lever 46 of electrically conductive material which is pivoted on the steering column, as at 41, see Fig. 3, and normally held in a raised position by means of a spring 48 confined between the outer extremity of lever 46 and a bracket issecured to the steering post 29. Depression of lever 45 causes the same to engage an electrical contact to retained on a bracket 5I on the steering post; the contact 50 being included in the electrical circuit employed in the toy so that a horn in such circuit is sounded upon the full depression of push button 42.

In accordance with my invention, I provide a magnet supporting carriage 52 in the steering mechanism for the toy and the carriage is mounted between the top I3 and intermediate shelf I8 01" the support. The carriage 52 serves to support a reversing motor 53, the shaft 54 of which is disposed vertically and is formed with a Worm :16 on its lower extremity for meshing engagement with a pinion 5'! secured to the horizontally disposed axle 58 on which surface-engaging wheels 59 of the carriage 52 are mounted; the wheels 59 riding on the upper surface of the shelf I 3. Thus, with the motor 53 in operation and rotating in a given direction, the motor shaft 54 is driven in the same direction to rotate the surface-engaging wheels 59 about a horizontal axis to move the conveyer 52 in a forward direction. When this double-throw switch of the electrical circuit is moved to contacts to reverse the direction of rotation of motor 53 the surfaceengaging wheels 59 are driven in a reverse direction of rotation. Thus, the carriage 52 can be moved, at the will of the operator, forwardly or rearwardly by changing the position of the double-throw switch of the electrical circuit.

In addition to carriage, 52, the steering mechanism includes means for turning the carriage 52 and the surface-engaging wheels 59 which support the carriage about a vertical axis, and also tov swing the carriage 52 as an entirety about and in relation to the central pivot pin 2 I. These means comprise a system of driving connections which may consist of pulleys and belts but in the present embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings consists of sprocket gears and chains. To this end, I provide a single sprocket gear SI on central pivot pin 2| about which is trained a chain 62 which also is trained about a sprocket gear 63 secured to an intermediate or idler shaft 64; the shaft 64, being conveniently journalled in bearings 66 and El secured to the inner extremity of a carrier rod 68. Rotation of pivot pin 2| in a given direction of rotation by the actuation of drive shaft I 24 upon turning of steering wheel 3| will rotate idler shaft 64 in the same direction of rotation. Shaft 64 also carries a second sprocket gear about which is trained a second chain I0 which also is trained about a sprocket gear 15 secured to the vertically disposed shaft 69 of the carriage 52 and which is iournalled in suitable bearings on said carriage.

Thus, the rotation of pivot pin 2| is transmitted through intermediate or idler shaft 64 to the vertically disposed shaft 69 of carriage 52; the chains s2 and Ill, together with the sprockets around which they are trained, constituting a toggle connection between pivot pin 2| and shaft 69 of the carriage 52. A direct connection is provided between idler shaft 64 and carriage shaft 69 by means of a projecting bracket 12 extending from carriage 52 and having a collar at its extremity through which idler shaft 64 extends. With this toggle connection between pivot pin 2! and shaft 69 of carriage 52' as well as the direct connection between idler shaft 64 and carriage shaft 69, the carriage 52 may be swung not only about the central pivot pin 2| but also about the idler shaft 64 thereby affording variable maneuvering of the carriage 52 on the shelf l8 by virtue of such steering mechanism.

The rotation of carriage shaft or pin 69 through the turning of the steering mechanism, particularly the steering wheel 3!, which transmits rotation through the drive shaft 24, pin 2 I, idler shaft 64 and chains 62 and Ill, effects the turning of the surfaceengaging wheels 59 of carriage 52 in any direction desired, thus enabling the operator of the toy to manipulate the I carriage in any direction of turning. This turning of the surface-engaging wheels 59 of' carriage 52 can be effected whether the carriage 52 is being moved in a forward direction or in a rearwardly direction by the rotation of the motor shaft 54.

In order to maintain a substantially constant distance between the magnet element of carriage 52 and the magnet-responsive roller l! of the movable member I4, I provide notv only a pair of cambered surface-engaging wheels 13 on the upper portion of the carriage 52 but also a yielding mount for such wheels. of the annexed drawings, the cambered surfaceengaging wheels 13 are conveniently journalled in bearings secured to brackets 15 and "H which are yieldably mounted by means of springs 18 on a bracket 19 secured to the carriage 52. Conveniently, the bracket i9 is formed to a U-shape, and this bracket supports between its legs a permanent magnet 8| in close proximity to the under surface 14 of the top l3 for effectively attracting the soft iron roller I! on the front of the movable member M. Because of the yieldable mounting of the cambered surface-engaging wheels 13, the carriage 52 will support the magnet BI constantly in substantially the same relationship to the roller I! under all conditions of movement of the carriage 52.

In accordance with the present invention, I provide a special electrical circuit not only for driving the reverse motor 53 toeffect forward and reverse movement of carriage 52 but also, in conjunction with mechanical means, to vary the speed of movement of the carriage. As diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 8 of the annexed drawings, the electrical circuit includes a main switch 85 which conveniently is mounted on panel 33 in easy reach of the operator. This circuit receives its supply of electrical energy from the conventional 110 volt alternating current circuit, not shown, available in most dwellings and office buildings, and contains a transformer B! for stepping the voltage down to a magnitude sufficient to operate motor 53 and other units of the circuit. As shown, a doublethrow switch 88 is included in the circuit for enabling reversal of current flow therethrough for operating the reversing motor 53 in either direction of rotation to effect forward and reversed movement of carriage 52; the switch 88 being connected to and being thrown from one set of contacts to the other set by means of linkage As shown in Fig. 1

4| which, in turn, is connected to the crank 39 whenever the hand lever 34 is moved from its one extreme position to the other extreme position. An indicator lamp 89 is connected across the output of transformer 81 and is mounted conveniently on panel 33 to inform the operator visually that the circuit is closed or open as the case may be. I11 the schematic wiring of Fig. 8, the push-button 42 is shown as a switch to close the circuit to a horn 5| which is placed across the output of the transformer 81; such push-button switch of course returning to open position under the influence of the spring 48 which controls the lever 46. A second and separate indicator lamp 92 is included in the electrical circuit and conveniently mounted in carriage 52 in close proximity to the permanent magnet 8| as well as to the top surface l3 in order that the operator can locate the position of the magnet 8| through the transparent top l3, whenever desired, such as in case the carriage 52 is driven at such a high speed as to break the magnetic attraction between magnet 8| and its keeper constituting the soft-iron roller I! at the front or back, as desired of the movable member M. Thus, by virtue of lamp 92, the position of the magnet 8| is readily determined and the movable member l4 can be picked up and placed in overlying relationship to the magnet 8|.

In order that the carriage 52, and in turn the movable member l4, may be moved at variable speeds and thus increase interest in the toy to those operating the same, I provide an accelerator pedal |E5| which includes a base I02 pivotally connected to the pedal and adapted to seat upon a flat surface, such as the floor, die rectly beneath the steering wheel 3|. The accelerator pedal Illl is connected by suitable means such as a rod or a cord I53, see Fig. 5 of the drawings, to the arm I55 of a variable resistor IE1, all located conveniently or installed on the panel 33 of the support. By lowering and raising the pedal HJI by means of the foot the resistance of the electrical circuit is varied and, in turn, the magnitude of the current flowing to the reversing motor 53 is varied in direct ratio. Thus, the speed of rotation of motor shaft 54 is similarly varied with the result that the lower wheels 59 of carriage 52 are driven at variable speeds. In order to avoid entanglement of electrical conductors, I provide a series of four collector rings, 32, 83, 84 and 85 conveniently mounted upon the carriage 52 which have brushing engagement with contact brushes resiliently mounted in close proximity thereto. The necessary electrical conductors leading from the brushes wiping on the collector rings of carriage 52 are encased in a suitable cable HI which is conveniently secured to the carrier rod 68 and these conductors terminate in four brush contacts H2, H3, H and H5 which are mounted by means of the rod 53 for wiping engagement with concentric collector rings H2, H3, H4 and H5 formed in a base ME supported by the shelf l3. As indicated in Figs. 5 and 8 of the annexed drawings, one side of the alternating current circuit is conveniently grounded upon the bearings of the pivot pin 29 and carriage shaft ts.

In addition to the main switch 85 for the electrical circuit I have shown in Fig. 8 of the annexed drawings a second switch Ill to designate the conventional floor plug whereby the electrical circuit of the toy may be plugged into the normal outlet, not shown, in the baseboard or wall of a room.

The top I 3 of the support of the preferred embodiment of my invention can be delineated, as indicated above, with roadways and driveways, all not shown. In addition, miniature dwellings, see Fig. 6 of the drawing, can be removably disposed on the top IS in alignment with a delineated driveway; the dwelling I I8 including an overhead garage door I I9 which is pivotally supported and actuated by means of a cord I2I extending through the top I3 and across the: same to pierce the panel 33 for convenient grasping by the operator and actuating. Thus, by reason of the cord I2I the operator can raise or lower the garage door H9 whenever the movable member I4 has been moved up the driveway and is ready to enter the garage of the dwelling ,I I8. Further actuation of the accelerator pedal IDI and the operation of the steering wheel 3| will enable the operator to move the movable member I4 within the garage of the dwelling and the door can thereafter be closed. Subsequently, the garage door can be opened and the movable member I4 moved out of the garage and back on to the top surface of the support. Moreover, I have provided means whereby the movable member Hi can be raised above the top surface I3 of the support and again lowered to the top surface These means include a hoist element I26 consisting of linkage I21 and I28 pivotally secured to the top surface and actuated by means of a cord I28 stretched between extensions I29 of the linkage; the cord I28 being disposed in the path of the carriage 52 and actuated thereby I when the carriage has been moved to the location of the cord I28 which is stretched across a, given area of the support below the top surface I3.

From the foregoing description of my improved table toy, it is apparent that a child or an adult can talre his position at the steering wheel 3| with one foot overlying the accelerator pedal IBI and start the mechanism by throwing the main switch 8b of the electrical current to on position. Of course, the operator of the toy assures himself before turning the steering wheel 3| or depressing the accelerator pedal IUI that the miniature automobile or movable member I4 is in a position where its magnet-responsive ele ment directly overlies the magnet M of carriage 52, the operator locating the carriage: by means of indicator lamp 92, which is energized by throwing the switch 86 to the on position, observable through the transparent top I3 of the support. Thereafter, the accelerator pedal IOI can be depressed which immediately effects the starting of motor 53, it being understood that when the accelerator pedal IilI is in its fully raised position the variable resistor IIJ'I cuts off substantially all the current flow to the motor and as the pedal IIll is depressed the magnitude of the current on the electrical circuit containing the motor 53 is gradually or rapidly increased, as desired, to drive the motor at slow and increased speeds. During this action, the operator observes the position of the miniature automobile I4 and by his skill in handling the steering wheel 3| and controlling the pedal IIlI the operator can control the position, the movement and the spread of movement of the car I4 in all direc tions on and about the top surface of I3 of the support.

Turning of steering wheel M in clockwise and counterclockwise directions regulates the tumlog in different directions of the surface-engag ing wheels 59 of carriage 52 about a. vertical axis, through the media of toggle connections, and sprocket and chain drives between the central pivot pin 2I and the vertical shaft 69 of carriage 52. Simultaneously with the turning of steering' wheel 3|, or independently of such turning, as desired, the accelerator pedal IOI can be depressed to varying extents to control or regulate the speed of carriage 52 and, in turn, the movement of the miniature automobile I4 which moves in unison with the carriage. At intervals, the operator can sound the horn 9| by pressing upon the push-button 42. When desired or necessary, depending upon the existing position of the car I4 on the surface I3, the operator can rasp lever 34 and shift the double-throw switch 88 so that reverse movement can be effected. in the motor 53, its shaft 54 and in turn the carriage 52 and attracted car I4.

While not fully delineated, but as indicated by the dwelling I IS with its pivoted garage door I II, various additional dwellings or miniature stores can be removably disposed on surface I 3 to divide the surface into various streets, driveways and the like, to add interest to the use of the toy. Moreover, as illustrated in Fig. I of the drawings, the operator can so control the movement and position of the miniature car I4 as to bring it to an elevated position with respect to the surface 13 upon the hoist I26 and at rest thereon. Subsequently, the operator can effect the withdrawal of the carriage 52 to return the cord I28 to. its initial position thereby lowering the hoist. By use of the pedal I DI, the car I4 can be moved off the hoist and maneuvered as desired. Other variations of maneuvering the member I4 about the top surface I3 of the support readily can be carried out within the imagination of the operator.

It is to be understood that the appended claims are to be accorded a range of equivalents commensurate in scope with the advance made over the prior art.

I claim:

1. A table toy comprising a planar surface, a, movable member freely movable on and about said surface, a magnetresponsive element on said member, surface-engaging elements supporting said movable member, a carriage movably supported below said surface, a magnet on said carriage in close proximity to said surface and of sufficient magnitude to attract said element and means for moving said carriage and said movable element in unison at variable speeds and variable directions; said means comprising an electrical circuit, a reversing motor included in said circuit and actuated upon energization thereof, a shaft on said motor, a worm on said shaft. surface-engaging wheels on said carriage supported on an axle, a pinion on said axle meshing with the worm on said shaft, means for causing said shaft to rotate in one or the other of two directions of rotation whereby said last named surface-engaging wheels and said carriage are caused to move forwardly and reaiwvardly, and means for turning said last named surface-enga ing wheels about a vertical axis to steer said carriage as well as said movable member.

2, A table toy comprising a planar surface, a movable member freely movable on and about said surface, means for simultaneously moving said member at variable accelerations and in variable directions on and about said surface, said means comprising electro-mechanical mechanism and including a magnet-responsive element on said member, a carriage movably supported underneath said surface, a magnet on said carriage in close proximity to said surface and of sufiicient magnitude to attract said element, an electrical circuit, means for varying the magnitude of current flowing through said circuit, a reversing motor in said circuit and operable at variable speeds as well as in opposite directions, drive connections between said motor and said carriage, and means for turning said carriage about a vertical axis during movement thereof at all speeds and driving in forward as Well as rearwardly directions of movement.

3. A table toy as defined in claim 2, and means for moving said member to an elevated position with respect to said surface.

4. A table toy as defined in claim 2, and means for moving said member into a closed space of said surface out of vision.

10 5. A table toy as defined in claim 2, and an indicator included in said electrical circuit and mounted on said carriage adjacent to said magnet in close proximity to the under side of said surface for rapidly locating the position of said carriage and magnet.

FRITZ J. PASTORIUS.

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