US3744181A

US3744181A - Toy front loader with caterpillar drive

Info

Publication number: US3744181A
Application number: US00280871A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Gagnon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-08-15
Filing date: 1972-08-15
Publication date: 1973-07-10
Anticipated expiration: 1990-07-10

Abstract

The invention has to do with a front loader which includes caterpillar treads and remote control means for operating either tread, individually in a forward or reverse direction. Such individual operation of the treads turns the vehicle to the right or left depending on the identity of the tread operated and the direction in which it is operated. The treads may also be operated in unison, either forward or backward whenever desired, or they may be simultaneously operated in opposite directions. A scoop at the front of the vehicle may be raised and lowered by remote control without substantial tilting of the scoop. Tilting of the scoop is effected by remote control through trains which are composed exclusively of articulated, rigid members.

Description

United States Patent 1 Gagnon 11 3,744,181 [451 July 10,1973

[ TOY FRONT LOADER WITH CATERPILLAR DRIVE [76] Inventor: Robert A. Gagnon, Star Route 2,

Box 944, Trail, Oreg. 97541 [22] Filed: Aug. 15, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 280,871

[52] U.S. Cl 46/244 A [51] Int. Cl A63h 33/26 [58] Field of Search 46/244 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,691,681 9/1972 Gagnon 46/244 A 2,244,528 6/1941 Schur 46/244 A Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-Robert F. Cutting Attorney-Clarence M. Crews [57] ABSTRACT The invention has to do with a front loader which includes caterpillar treads and remote control means for operating either tread, individually in a forward or reverse direction. Such individual operation of the treads turns the vehicle to the right or left depending on the identity of the tread operated and the direction in which it is operated. The treads may also be operated in unison, either forward or backward whenever desired, or they may be simultaneously operated in opposite directions. A scoop at the front of the vehicle may be raised and lowered by remote control without substantial tilting of the scoop-Tilting of the scoop is effected by remote control through trains which are composed exclusively of articulated, rigid members.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures TOY FRONT LOADER WITH CATERPILLAR DRIVE This invention relates to a remotely controlled earth moving toy in the form of a caterpillar driven front loader. The present toy is in the nature of an improvement upon the toy front end loader disclosed and claimed in my co-pending application Ser. No. 189,145, filed Oct. 14, 1971, for Remotely Operated Earth Moving Toy, now U. S. Pat. No. 3,691,681.

Features of novelty of the present invention include the following:

There is a single rigid body having caterpillar treads at its opposite sides, either of which may be driven forward or backward independently of the other for steering purposes. The treads may also be oppositely driven simultaneously for turning the toy in place. The treads may also be driven forward or backward in unison for causing the toy to travel in a straight course.

The use of strings or cables for rocking the scoop is avoided. Rigid members for rocking the scoop are so arranged, and are so coordinated with scoop raising and lowering means, that the scoop does not materially change its attitude when moving between its lowest and highest positions. e

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawing forming part of this specification,

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of the right side of a complete, practical and advantageous, illustrative toy which embodies features of the invention, the scoop being shown in a raised position;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the toy of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view generally similar to FIG. I, but with the scoop shown in itslowest position;

rigid

tread bearing frames

14R and 14L affixed to its right and left sides. These frames, the treads carried by them, the tread driving motors and the drive trains from the motors to the treads, at the right and left sides are duplicates of one another. Accordingly, only the right-hand members referred to will be described in detail and corresponding reference characters will be applied to the left-hand members with the literal postscript L substituted for the literal postscripts R of the described parts. It is to be clearly understood that the right-hand and left-hand treads may be operated independently of one another for controlling the direction in which the vehicle points. They may also be operated forward or backward in unison for driving the vehicle forward or backward in a straight line. Still further, they may be simultaneously operated in opposite directions for turning the vehicle without substantially changing the location of it.

The

motors

16R and 16L are located side by side near the rear end of the body. The motor 16R, through a pinion 18R and a crown gear 20R, drives a sleeve 22R, which sleeve is revolubly mounted on a fixed transverse shaft 24. A gear 26R fast on the sleeve 22R drives a relatively large gear 28R fast on a sleeve 30R, which sleeve is revolubly mounted on a fixed transverse shaft 32. A small gear 34R, also fast on the sleeve 30R,

through a gear 36R, drives a sprocket 38R, the sprocket being revolubly mounted on a transverse shaft 40. The sprocket 38R includes teeth 42R which engage and drive links 44R of right-hand tread 46R. A similar idler sprocket is provided at the forward end of frame 14R. Between the sprockets, the tread runs on guide pulleys 48R, and between dirt guards 49R.

The gearing from the motor 16R is, of course, simply illustrative of suitable speed reducing drive. Any -compact drive train capable of producing a suitable tread speed could be substituted.

A scoop carrier 50 includes parallel arms 52 through which it is mounted on the body 12 for rocking about an axis 54-54 which is indicated by broken lines in FIG. 4, and by broken lead lines in FIGS. 1 and 3.

A motor 56 is provided for rocking the carrier 50 through an irreversible drive, that is to say, a drive such that the motor 56 can rock the carrier 50, but the carrier cannot turn the motor. An output shaft 58, through a gear 60 fast thereon, drives a gear combination 62, 64 fast on a shaft 66. The gear 64, in turn, drives a

gear combination

68, 70, fast on shaft 72, and the gear drives a gear 74, fast on a shaft 76. Again the speed reducing gear train is essentially a routine matter.

The shaft 76 is connected through a coil spring 78 (which spring serves both as a drive transmitting member and a universal joint) to a threaded shaft 80. The shaft 80 is thus free to rock relative to the shaft 76. The form of universal joint employed may, of course, be varied.

The threaded shaft 80 is screwed through a bail 82, which bail is pivotally connected at its lower ends to the respective arms 52 of the scoop carrier 50. The bail 82 comprises side arms and a nut 83 which is pivotally connected to the side arms. The nut 83 is also pivotally connected to the forward end of an anchor link 84, the link being pivotally connected at its rear end to a raised portion of the body 12. The anchor link 84 serves to support shaft 80 whenthe latter bears the weight of a load.

Driving of the motor 56 in one direction raises the bail 82, and hence the scoop carrier, to an elevated carrying and/or dumping position, while driving of the motor 56 in the opposite direction lowers the bail 82, and hence the scoop carrier, to or toward a scooping or loading position.

A scoop 86 is tiltably mounted on a transverse shaft 88 which is carried by the arms 52 of the carrier 50 at the forward ends of the arms. Tilting of the scoop between a generally level carrying position and a scooping position or a dumping position is effected through a motor 90. The motor 90, through suitable reducing gearing similar to that already described in connection with

motors

16R and 16L, drives a transverse shaft 92 upon which a crank 94 is made fast. The crank 94 is connected through a link 96 to drive a lever 98.

It is a significant point that the lever 98 is mounted for pivotal movement about the same axis 54 about which the carrier 50 is rockable.

The scoop operating connections are such that the.

scoop is caused to maintain a substantially uniform attitude as it is moved up and down by the carrier. This feature is of particular importance when the scoop is loaded and is in a level condition. To this end a connecting link 100, equal in effective length to the distance between the carrier axis 54 and the scoop mounting axis 88, is connected to the lever 98 at a point 104,

and to an ear 106 of the scoop at a point 108, such that the distance from 54 to 104 is substantially equal to the distance from 88 to 108. In other words, the points marked 54, 104, 108 and 88 form the vertices of a quadrilateral which is substantially a parallelogram. If 54-104 is constantly parallel to 88-108, it is evident that the attitude of the lever 98 controls the attitude of the scoop. A fixed attitude of the lever 98 will therefore maintain a fixed attitude of the scoop, as the scoop is raised or lowered by the carrier.

If, therefore, the lever 98 has been operated to a position which levels the scoop 86, the scoop will remain level throughout movements of the scoop carrier between its highest and lowest positions. It is not essential that this relationship be as rigidly maintained as just stated, but it should, at least, be approximated sufficiently to prevent substantial, unintended spilling of material from the scoop.

When the crank 94 and the link 100 are in overlapping alignment the lever 98 is in its rearmost position, with the scoop tilted upward as far as possible in a nearly level attitude. There is nothing to prevent the operation of the crank 94 through and beyond this aligned relationship in either direction. When this occuts the direction of rocking of the scoop is reversed.

There is never any possibility of dumping the contents of the scoop onto the body of the vehicle. The operation of the motor 90 is never blocked and when the crank passes through either position of alignment with the link 100 the direction of tilting of the scoop is reversed.

All operations of the front loader toy are remotely controlled from a light and compact, portable power and control unit 110 shown in plan in FIG. 4 and in the partially included electrical diagram of FIG. 5.

The

motors

56, 16R, 16L and 90 are all direct current motors. In each instance the energization of the field is provided by a permanent magnet so that reversal can be effected simply by reversing the direction of current flow through the armature. All motors are normally disconnected and idle.

The circuitry of all four motors is identical. In FIG. 5, therefore, the circuitry ofmotor 56 only is shown and will be briefly described with the understanding that this description is essentially applicable to each of the four motors.

Current is supplied by a battery 112 or the equivalent, such as a rechargeable power unit, through positive and

negative leads

114 and 116, all of which form part of the compact, portable power and control unit 110. Branch conductors 114a, 1 14b, 116a and ll6b provide switch terminals which may be selectively engaged by rocking of a normally inactive switch lever 56a. The ends of the switch lever are conductive but these ends are insulated one from the other.

Clockwise rocking of switch 56s connects 114a with 116a through the armature of the motor 56 for driving the motor in one direction, while counterclockwise rocking of switch 56s connects 1 14b with 1l6b through the armature of the motor 56 for driving the motor 56 in the opposite direction.

The actuating means for the several switch levers may take the form of levers or buttons. As shown, button 118 drives the left tread forward and button 120 drives the left tread backward. Button 122 drives the right tread forward and button 124 drives the right tread backward.

Rocking of the lever 126 in one direction raises the carrier 50 and rocking of the lever 126 in the opposite direction lowers the carrier.

'Rocking of the lever 128 in one direction tilts the scoop downward while rocking of the lever 128 in the opposite direction tilts the scoop upward. If, however, the crank 94 and the link 96 are operated through an alignedcondition these effects are reversed.

All of the wires which run from the power and control unit to the vehicle are insulated from one another and combined into a single flat cable.

I have described what I believe to be the best embodiment of my invention. What I desire to cover by letters patent is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A remotely controlled, electrically operated toy vehicle adapted for scooping up, transporting, and dumping material, comprising, in combination,

a. a rigid body;

b. caterpillar treads at opposite sides of the body;

c. a scoop constructed and arranged for tilting between a carrying attitude and a scooping or dumping attitude;

(1. a scoop carrier rockably mounted on the body for raising and lowering the scoop;

e. separate, reversible operating motors for l. the right hand tread,

2. the left hand tread, 3. the scoop carrier, and 4. the scoop; and

f. a remote control and power unit including swtiches selectively operable to drive any selected motor in either of two opposite directions. 7

2. A remotely controlled, electrically operated toy vehcile as set forth in claim 1 in which the scoop carrier includes parallel arms which are pivotally mounted upon a common axis at opposite sides of the body, and the carrier drive includes a first motor driven shaft, a threaded second shaft, driving meansconnecting the first shaft to the second shaft with freedom for limited universal movement of the second shaft relative to the first shaft, a yoke through which the second shaft is screwed, said yoke being pivotally connected at its ends to said parallel arms, and a fore-and-aft extending anchor link pivotally connected at one point to said yoke and at a rearwardly spaced point to a rear portion of the body.

3. A' remotely controlled, electrically operated, toy vehicle as set forth in claim 1 in which the scoop carrier is mounted for rocking movement on the body about a first transverse axis, the scoop is mounted for rocking movement on the carrier about a second transverse axis parallel to, and at a fixed distance from, the first axis, and the drive train from the scoop operating motor to the scoop includes a motor operated lever mounted on the body for pivotal movement about the first axis, a link which is pivotally connected to the lever about a third axis which is movable but is located at a fixed distance from the first axis, said link being pivotally connected to the scoop on a fourth axis, the construction and arrangement being such that the four axes referred to are parallel to one another and form substantially the vertices of a parallelogram, so that a fixed attitude of the lever determines the attitude of the scoop throughout raising and lowering of the carrier.

4. A remotely controlled, electrically operated toy vehicle as set forth in claim 1 in which the remotely operated control unit comprises a source of electrical power and the requisite switches, and in which required electrical conductors which run from the control unit to the motors on the vehicle are all combined, in insulated relation to one another, into a single, flat cable.

5. A remotely controlled, electrically operated toy vehicle as set forth in claim 1 in which the remote control unit includes selectively operable means for driving each tread not only individually in a forward or backward direction but also for drivingthe treads in barmony either forward or backward, or for driving the treads simultaneously in opposed directions.

6. A toy front loader which includes a. a scoop;

b. a carrier on which the scoop is tiltably mounted;

two opposite directions at the will of the operator.

Claims

1. A remotely controlled, electrically operated toy vehicle adapted for scooping up, transporting, and dumping material, comprising, in combination, a. a rigid body; b. caterpillar treads at opposite sides of the body; c. a scoop constructed and arranged for tilting between a carrying attitude and a scooping or dumping attitude; d. a scoop carrier rockably mounted on the body for raising and lowering the scoop; e. separate, reversible operating motors for 1. the right hand tread, 2. the left hand tread, 3. the scoop carrier, and 4. the scoop; and f. a remote control and power unit including swtiches selectively operable to drive any selected motor in either of two opposite directions.

2. A remotely controlled, electrically operated toy vehcile as set forth in claim 1 in which the scoop carrier includes parallel arms which are pivotally mounted upon a common axis at opposite sides of the body, and the carrier drive includes a first motor driven shaft, a threaded second shaft, driving means connecting the first shaft to the second shaft with freedom for limited universal movement of the second shaft relative to the first shaft, a yoke through which the second shaft is screwed, said yoke being pivotally connected at its ends to said parallel arms, and a fore-and-aft extending anchor link pivotally connected at one point to said yoke and at a rearwardly spaced point to a rear portion of the body.

2. the left hand tread,

3. the scoop carrier, and

3. A remotely controlled, electrically operated, toy vehicle as set forth in claim 1 in which the scoop carrier is mounted for rocking movement on the body about a first transverse axis, the scoop is mounted for rocking movement on the carrier about a second transverse axis parallel to, and at a fixed distance from, the first axis, and the drive train from the scoop operating motor to the scoop includes a motor operated lever mounted on the body for pivotal movement about the first axis, a link which is pivotally connected to the lever about a third axis which is movable but is located at a fixed distance from the first axis, said link being pivotally connected to the scoop on a fourth axis, the construction and arrangement being such that the four axes referred to are parallel to one another and form substantially the vertices of a parallelogram, so that a fixed attitude of the lever determines the attitude of the scoop throughout raising and lowering of the carrier.

4. the scoop; and f. a remote control and power unit including swtiches selectively operable to drive any selected motor in either of two opposite directions.

5. A remotely controlled, electrically operated toy vehicle as set forth in claim 1 in which the remote control unit includes selectively operable means for driving each tread not only individually in a forward or backward direction but also for drivingthe treads in harmony either forward or backward, or for driving the treads simultaneously in opposed directions.

6. A toy front loader which includes a. a scoop; b. a carrier on which the scoop is tiltably mounted; c. a body on which the carrier is rockably mounted for raising and lowering the scoop; d. a reversible motor mounted on the body for raising and lowering the carrier and thereby raising and lower-ing the scoop between scooping and carrying positions; e. a reversible motor mounted on the body for tilting the scoop between carrying and dumping positions; f. an operating train composed of rigid articu-lated members connecting the latter motOr to the scoop; and g. a portable, remote control and power unit for selectively operating either of said motors in either of two opposite directions at the will of the operator.