The present invention relates to model vehicles in general, for example to models on a reduced scale, of any type, such as land vehicles, water-borne vehicles, aircraft or submersibles .

More particularly the invention relates to apparatus for controlling a model vehicle, including actuator means fixed removably to the model and controlled by remote signals, in which the actuator means can cooperate with direction-control members for the model as a result of these signals in order to provide remote control for the movement of the model .

Model vehicles of the type specified above are generally remote-controlled by means of radio signals and thus include receiver apparatus installed in the model and the necessary supply unit . The receiver apparatus generates control pulses as a result of the signals received in order to drive servocontrols fixed to the model . These servocontrols are connected by transmission members to direction-control members for the model, for example movable surfaces in the case of aircraft or submersibles, or steering devices in the case of land or water-borne vehicles.

If the model has a power unit, this is also controlled by remote signals so that it is possible to regulate the performance of the power unit .

In the more usual case, each servocontrol is located close to a direction-control member on which it acts so that the model requires transmission members of limited length so as to contain the overall weight of the model.

The receiver apparatus and the supply unit are then anchored to the model in positions such as to achieve desired centring of the model. However, such a combination and distribution of elements in the model does not make the maintenance of the individual elements very easy, these often being located in zones to which access is difficult, and it is impossible to use the same control apparatus in different models since this is fixed to the body of the respective model and is made specifically for that model, which involves great expense when several models are made.

Often, in order to make the model aesthetically more like the real vehicle, a static puppet resembling a human is inserted in the driving or piloting position.

Removable unitary control units are also known which comprise, for example a receiver assembly and servocontrols connectable to transmission members

associated with the direction-control members for the model. Such control units, for example sold by US Air Core, also include a power unit and the related tank and require an additional support structure constituted by a base slidable on guides provided within the model as well as substantial modifications to the body of the model to enable the base and its associated elements to be inserted therein.

Again in this case, however, the various components of the control unit are distributed substantially within the model and require a further final assembly stage for balancing the entire system by means of additional ballast. Moreover, the fact that the control unit is connected to the power unit does not enable total interchangeability of the entire unit through all models since not all models are compatible with a single power unit, which limits the versatility of the system somewhat. A model provided with such a unit, because of the substantial weight distribution along its body, would also have high moments of inertia entirely unlike those of the real vehicle, if related to the scale of the model, which also results in characteristics of movement and manoeuvrability which are not comparable to those of the real vehicle.

The main object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for controlling a model vehicle which enables

the model to be made as similar ^' as possible to the vehicle and avoids the use of any additional structure not present in the real vehicle so as to enable it to be reproduced effectively with absolute fidelity.

This object is achieved by virtue of the fact that the actuator means are associated with each other in an integrated piloting unit which simulates the movements effected by a human pilot during piloting of the vehicle.

By virtue of this characteristic, the apparatus according to the invention simulates the actions of a real pilot in a totally realistic way during the control of the vehicle, contributing to achieving a high fidelity of reproduction of the model with which the apparatus is associated.

The apparatus according to the invention is also very compact so that its total weight may be concentrated in a restricted zone, for example close to the centre of gravity of the model, avoiding, in the more general case, additional operations of balancing with the aid of added ballast, and is adaptable in a simple and quick manner to models formed on a similar scale to each other, all with advantages as regards the versatility of the unit and enabling a considerable saving to be achieved in that the same piloting unit can be used to control an indefinite number of models. The internal structure of the model

does not need to be modified -artificially by the arrangement of additional structures which are not present in the real vehicle and thus it is also possible to obtain optimum centring of the model by virtue of the extreme compactness of the control apparatus. Moreover, the characteristics of movement and manoeuvrability of the model are maintained substantially like those of the real vehicle, despite the ratio in scale.

Preferably the piloting unit is shaped so as to reproduce the appearance of a human being substantially on the scale of the model and is able to actuate directly steering means connected to at least one of the direction- ccntrol m≡πbersv-Jπid reproduce the steering means of the vehicle.

By virtue of .this preferred characteristic, the control apparatus reproduces an actual pilot almost perfectly and controls the model in a totally realistic manner in that the piloting members of the model may be reproduced in an entirely similar manner to those of the vehicle, with the further advantage of reproduction fidelity.

The invention also has as its subject a model vehicle, particularly on a reduced scale, including a zone corresponding to a piloting position in the vehicle and direction-control members for controlling the movement of the model, in which the direction-control members are

associated with transmission members adapted to be controlled by actuator means connected to receiver means for receiving remote signals, Jrer^- these actuator means can be actuated by these signals, characterised in that the model has steering πears located in the said zcre arά adapted to control the direction-control members of the model through the saidtransmission members, the steering means being formed in a manner substantially corresponding to the steering means of the vehicle.

A model according to the invention is thus a perfect, scale reproduction of a real vehicle and is particularly intended totally to satisfy the requirements of model makers for precision in reproduction. This, in combination with the control apparatus defined above, enables the best possible results as regards reproduction fidelity to be achieved.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the detailed description which follows, given with reference with the appended drawings, provided purely by way of non- limitative example, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the entirety of a model vehicle provided with control apparatus according to the invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the control apparatus,

Figure 3 is a perspective view similar to Figure 2 showing the internal members of the control apparatus and details of steering devices of the model, and

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the control apparatus according to the invention.

With reference to the drawings, a model of an aircraft on a reduced scale is generally indicated 2, although naturally, the principal of the present invention may equally well be applied to any type of model vehicle, for example to land vehicles, water borne vehicles, amphibious vehicles or submersibles, formed on any scale of reproduction.

The aircraft 2 comprises a fuselage 3 in which there are a cockpit or piloting position 4, corresponding to that of the real vehicle, adjacent which is an access area 4a for access to the cockpit 4, which, in the present embodiment, is an opening in the fuselage 3 through which access is gained to the cockpit 4 in a manner similar to that of the real vehicle. Naturally, in models in which the cockpit is closed, this aperture is protected by a cover as on the corresponding real vehicle, for example a removable canopy 5 or hatch or door.

Within the cabin 4 are steering means for the aircraft generally indicated 6. For example, in the case of the present embodiment, the cockpit 4 has a joystick 8 and a

rudder bar 10 with a pair of pedals 10a.

The joystick 8, in known manner, can pivot about a pair of mutually perpendicular axes, a longitudinal axis of the model and a transverse horizontal axis, and is connected through transmission members 12, for example cables or rods, to elevators 14 and by means of other transmission members 16 to the ailerons 18.

The rudder bar 10 also in known manner, is connected by control cables or rods 20 to a rudder 22.

By actuations of the operation of the joystick 8 and of the rudder bar 10 it is possible to move the direction- control surfaces 14,18,22 of the aircraft so as to control its movement.

The aircraft 2 may also be provided, as in the present case, with a power unit 24 and thus the cockpit 4 includes related control members, for example a throttle lever 26 connected by a rod 26a to a carburettor or equivalent device associated with the power unit 24 and not illustrated in the drawings.

A seat 28 is installed in the cockpit 4 and a piloting unit generally indicated 30 is removably fixed thereto by any known means, for example of rapid engagement or of screw/nut type.

The piloting unit 30 is shaped so as to reproduce the apparatus of a human figure, substantially on the scale of the model, and is made in such a manner that it can operate the joystick 8, the rudder bar 10 and the throttle 26 by simulating human movements so as to emulate a real pilot perfectly.

The unit 30 includes a torso 32 having a general longitudinal axis A supporting a head 34 at its upper end and having an associated pair of upper limbs or arms 36 and 38 and a pair of lower limbs or legs 40 and 42.

The torso 32 includes a main support frame 44 to which are attached a plurality of servocontrols, for example each constituted by a respective electric motor, a related reduction unit and a control unit . The frame 44 may be made as a unitary element, for example of composite plastics material or may be constituted by several interconnected parts.

According to the present embodiment, the frame 44 includes a first servocontrol 46 mounted on an auxiliary frame 48 so as to be pivotable about an axis B parallel to the axis A of the torso 32 so as to control a first arm 36. A transmission shaft 50 extends from the servocontrol 46 perpendicular to the axis B and one end 52a of a form-shaped elongate element 52 is keyed thereto while a second elongate element 56 of generally curved or

angled shape is articulated at 54 to the forked element. The element 56 includes a free end 56a of the arm 36 at its end opposite the articulation 54 in the assembled configuration.

The free end 56a is rigidly connected to and supports the outer ring of a ball joint 58 whose inner ring is adapted to be fitted on to the free end of the joystick 8. A locking nut 58a (Figure 3) may be used to clamp the ball joint 58 to the joystick 8 and engages a threaded end of the joystick 8 or alternatively a rapid engagement device of known type may be used.

The auxiliary frame 48 is connected for rotation at its lower end (with reference to the drawings) to the shaft 60 of a second servocontrol 62 which extends in a direction parallel to the axis A. The upper part of the auxiliary frame 48 has a seat 63 in which a dowel 64 fixed to the frame 44 is freely rotatable and together with the shaft 60, defines the pivot axis B of the auxiliary frame 48.

As a result of the actuation of the servocontrols 46, 62, the ball joint 58 can be moved into a plurality of positions defined approximately in a plane transverse the axis A of the torso 32 so that, by means of the joint 58, it is possible to make the joystick 8 take up all the positions which enable it to control the model ' s

direction-control surfaces constituted by the elevators 14 and the ailerons 18.

Naturally, when the joystick 8 is associated with a control wheel (not illustrated) the arm 36 will be suitably modified, by modifications which are not substantial and are within the capability of an expert in the art, so that it can control the joystick 8 through the wheel. Again, if the model reproduces a vehicle such as a land vehicle or a water-borne vehicle having a steering wheel or a helm, the arm 36 will be formed with articulations such as to enable it to control the steering wheel or helm and the servocontrols associated therewith will be arranged in a configuration suitable for this purpose.

A second arm 38 includes at least one pair of elongate members 66 and 68 defining a first elementary arm and articulated together at 70 and located so as to be movable substantially in a plane parallel to the general axis A. One end 66a of the member 66 is connected for rotation with a shaft 72 of a third servocontrol 74 supported by the frame 44.

The member 68 has a free actuating end 76, for example having a hole so as to enable it to be connected to a level control member, for example the throttle lever 26, having an operating pin of the same shape as the hole. At

least one further servocontrol 74a, similar to the servocontrol 74, may be provided alongside the servocontrol 74 for controlling the movement of another pair of elongate members 67, 69 similar to the members 66, 68, such that the arm 38 comprises a plurality of elementary arms each of which has a respective actuator end 76, 76a, the various actuator ends each operating as a finger of the arm 38.

Thus each of the elementary arms may be intended to operate a respective control member, such as push buttons for example for starting the motor, for switching the landing lights or for operating control levers for the flaps or spoilers or for the undercarriage .

Further, "che piloting unit can actuate control devices of different type, for instance for dropping external loads or for opening or closing hatches and loading bays, for varying the blade sweep of a propeller or for modifying the position of nozzles and for operating tracking systems and armaments.

The parts of the main frame 44 and auxiliary frame 48, the elongate elements 52, 56 of the arm 36, the joint 58 and the elongate members 66, 67, 68, 69 of the arm 38 which are articulated together are preferably assembled in respective bearings so as to have the least possible friction and play so that the respective movements occur with great precision.

The lower part of the frame 44 contains for example a pair of servocontrols 78, 80 each of which has a respective transmission shaft 78a, 80a extending perpendicular to the axis A and on which there is keyed a first end of a crank member 82 whose second end is articulated to a respective movable rod 84,86.

The rods 84, 86 extend within the legs 40, 42 so as to be symmetrical about the axis A, having respective actuator ends 84a, 86a adapted to be connected each to one of the pedals 10a of the rudder bar 10. The servocontrols 78, 80 may thus be actuated to drive the ends 84a, 86a of the legs 84 and 86 simultaneously to effect movements either in the same or in opposite directions, for example when it is wished to actuate the brakes connected to the undercarriage of the model or to operate the single rudder 22.

Alternatively, the servocontrols 78 and 80 could be replaced by a single servocontrol having a single shaft or a pair of transmission shafts. In this case, a single rod or the two rods 84,86 could control the sole, simultaneous and opposite movement of the pedals 10a.

The frame 44 also includes spaces for housing receiver apparatus 88 for receiving remote-control signals for controlling the operation of the various servocontrols and a space for a supply battery 90 for the servocontrols

and for the receiver apparatus 88. Alternatively, or in combination, the batteries 90 may be arranged along the rods 84 and 86.

The unit 30 may also be provided with an external electrical connecting cable 92 connected to the receiver apparatus 88 for sending pulses to any other control devices for accessories of the model, for example fixed within the fuselage 3.

In a variant of the invention the head 34 of the unit 30 may also be moved by means of one or more servocontrols associated therewith. For example the head 34 may be made to move about the axis A and above another axis perpendicular thereto as a result of movements driven by the unit 30, and the head 34 may be provided with movable parts such as eyes.

The seat 28 may include its own ejection device of known type which can be controlled through the control unit 30 and a parachute (not illustrated) so that should there be any risk of a breakdown or accident, the unit 30 may be saved independently of the fate of the model .

The piloting unit 30 may also be associated with a static flights simulator including steering means similar to those present in the model and connected to a processor

so that the user of the unit 30 may train himself in the operations of controlling the unit 30 by means of a radio-control unit with the possibility of checking the effect of the operations carried out without risk of damage to the model .