BYLES WILLIAM
VON WINCKELMANN EMIL
| US4654659A | 1987-03-31 | |||
| US6198247B1 | 2001-03-06 | |||
| US5290185A | 1994-03-01 | |||
| US4717364A | 1988-01-05 |
| 1. | A remote controlled toy robot comprising: a body chassis; an upper arm member having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end of said upper arm member rotably attached to said body chassis; and a lower arm member having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end of said lower arm member rotably attached to said lower end of said upper arm member whereby manipulation of said upper arm member and said lower arm member results in a plurality of distinct positions simulating human motion. |
| 2. | A remote controlled toy robot in claim 1 wherein said plurality of distinct positions comprises a retracted ready position, an attack position and a swinging forward position. |
| 3. | A remote controlled toy robot claim 1 wherein manipulation of said upper arm member and said lower arm member is accomplished by remote control. |
| 4. | A remote controlled toy robot claim 2 wherein manipulation of said upper arm member and said lower arm member is accomplished by remote control. |
| 5. | A remote controlled toy robot claim 1 further comprising a drive means. |
| 6. | A remote controlled toy robot claim 5 further comprising a steering means connected to said drive means. |
| 7. | A remote controlled toy robot comprising: a body chassis supported by a plurality of wheels; a combined rear steering and drive mechanism mounted to said body chassis; a right arm assembly moveably mounted to said body chassis, where said right arm assembly animates; a left arm assembly moveably mounted to said body chassis, where said left arm mutually animates; a sensor mounted to said body chassis whereby contact with said sensor triggers random sound effects and disablement of one or more of a plurality of functions; and a remote control receiver electrically connected to a control circuit, said remote control receiver associated with a controller, whereby signals received by said remote control receiver from said controller activates said control circuit resulting in rendering said remote controlled toy robot in one of a plurality of positions. |
| 8. | A remote controlled toy robot according to claim 7, wherein said plurality of positions comprise: said left arm assembly raises and lowers about a shoulder axis, said left arm assembly having a manually adjustable elbow axis position, whereby said right arm assembly animates in a manner that emulates a chopping or sword/swing action whereby at the starting position the right arm is bent at an elbow axis and in a downward position, said right arm assembly raises to an upward apex while still bent at elbow, then by a release mechanism, right forearm lunges forward on said elbow axis as said right arm assembly animates back to an original bent and downward position. |
| 9. | The remote controlled toy robot according to claim 7 wherein said control circuit comprises a microprocessor having voice synthesis capabilities. |
| 10. | The remote controlled toy robot according to claim 7 additionally comprising a sound generating device adapted to generate a set of predetermined phrases and sound effects in response to said depression of said push button switches. |
| 11. | The remote controlled toy robot according to claim 7 wherein said sensor is associated with front surface of said main body chassis is depressed three times, an event is triggered that temporarily disables one or more of a plurality of functions including: Right arm movement; Left arm movement; and Wheel driven mobility. |
| 12. | The remote controlled toy robot according to claim 9 wherein said control circuit is operatively coupled to said push button switch, said control circuit being adapted to disable one of a plurality of functions. |
| 13. | The remote controlled toy robot according to claim 11 wherein after one of said plurality of functions is disabled, said control circuit reenables said plurality of functions. |
| 14. | The remote controlled toy robot according to claim 11 wherein a remote control receiver, responding to signals sent from a remote controller, causes any of the following remotely controllable events: Forward and Reverse Drive (rear drive wheels); Left and Right steering (rear steering unit); Right arm motion; and Left arm motion. |
| 15. | A remote controlled toy robot comprising: a right arm punch and sword swinging mechanism, said right ann punch and sword swinging mechanism comprising; a left arm blocking mechanism; a body chassis driven by a combined drive and steering mechanism; a push button switch target area; a combination of remotely controllable animated events and a push button switch target area, said push button switch target area when operated by a user allows for a game of skill and strategy between two or more remote controlled toy robots of same or similar design in which said two or more remote controlled toy robots maneuver on a surface and utilizing remotely operated animated arms in an attempt to impact said push button switch target area of an opponents remote controlled toy robot of same or similar design. |
| 16. | A remote controlled toy robot in claim 15 further comprising: a pair of animated arms, a plurality of wheels supporting a chassis, a combined steering and drive assembly, a push button switch target area, an assortment of sound events triggered by a plurality of push button switches positioned in such a way as to be triggered by animated events which allows for a game of skill and strategy whereby a user controlling said remote controlled toy robot can maneuver around and with an animated right arm sword swinging mechanism, impact the target area of an opponent's remote controlled toy robot of same or similar design, said user also being able to defend an attack aimed at said push button switch target area of said remote controlled toy robot using the animated left arm blocking mechanism. |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Toy and doll figures have always been immensely popular. This popularity has caused practitioners of the art to create a wide variety of toy figures that often mimic various human actions. The advent of low cost sound generating chips in recent years has also prompted the development of toys or dolls which perform actions that trigger phrases or other sound events. Dolls and toy figures have been created which are realistic while others have been created which are fanciful or exaggerated in appearance.
As dolls and toy figures continue to evolve, the mechanism used to power toy figure activity has progressed from simple manual manipulation to remotely controlled motor-powered mechanisms. As a result of this evolution, dolls and toy figures have become more complex. However, doll and toy figures currently available have a number of deficiencies.
For example, U. S. Patent No. 5,290,185 issued to Murakami sets forth a boxing remote control toy robot having arm appendages capable of boxing movements. The robot includes a plurality of driver devices each having an electric motor.
The limitation of the Murakami reference, however, is that no method of blocking and/or dodging an attack is disclosed. Nor does the Murakami reference provide for arm retraction movement returning the arm to a retracted ready position.
U. S. Patent No. 3,955,311 issued to Lyons, et al. sets forth a mechanism for moving an upper appendage of a toy figure having a torso supporting at least one pivotal arm. A movement mechanism mounted within the torso operatively couples the push button to the movable arm to facilitate a sword/type movement. However, the Lyons reference again fails to provide a blocking feature ; nor does the Lyons reference provide for a retracted arm ready position.
U. S. Patent No. 5,046,987 issued to Djordjevic discloses a pair of toy boxer arms for a doll having incorporating a pivotal attachment. A pair of rotational drive mechanisms articulate the figure's arms in a punching type action. However, the Djordjevic reference does not provide for remote operation.
U. S. Patent No. 4,738,649 issued to Dellibovi, et al. sets forth a figure toy with punching arm mechanism having a spring-powered rotatable arm which is capable of simulating a striking action. The arm utilizes a spring motor with a ratchet and clutch arrangement which permits full winding while protecting the mechanism against damage due to excessive rotation of the punching arm in either direction. The Dellibovi, et al. reference, however does not provide arm movement about the elbow axis thereby reducing the effect of realism that would be accomplished with an added pivoting elbow.
While the foregoing described prior art devices have improved the art and in some instances enjoyed commercial success, there remains nonetheless a continuing need in the art for evermore improved, entertaining, realistic cost effective dolls and toy figures which provide movement activity for interactive game play.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a remote controlled toys that overcome the deficiencies on the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention addresses and resolves the deficiencies in the prior art. It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved doll or toy figure. It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide an improved remotely controllable doll or toy figure having at least three unique, realistic arm motions which when coupled with a wheel driven mobility makes possible a game of skill and strategy between two or more operators.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a maneuverable remote controlled toy robot which can make realistic blocking, chopping, and sword swinging movement. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is fitted with a push button switch that when triggered, disables its remote controlled toy robot in one of a number of manners and for the express purpose of facilitating a game of skill and strategy.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention incorporates a body chassis, two front wheels, a rear drive and steering assembly, a plurality of push button switches associated with a control circuit, a sound generating device, a total of four wheels supporting all components, a push button switch associated with front of main body chassis that when triggered causes any of a number of said remote controlled toy robots functions to be disabled, and two remotely controlled animated arms supported by said main body chassis which are driven by an arm motion assembly that causes the right arm to move in three phases.
In the first phase, the arm begins in a ready, retracted position. In the second phase, the right arm raises about the shoulder axis placing the arm in the attack position. A release mechanism causes the forearm to swing forward about the elbow axis. Finally, in the third phase, the arm is retracted about the elbow and shoulder axes returning the figure to its ready position. The left arm raises and lowers to block an object from making contact with the "target area".
In an effort to improve on the activity aspects of such dolls and toy figures, the present invention has been made with remotely controlled animated features that offer multi directional mobility on a surface, two animated arm motions plus a target area which makes possible a game of skill and strategy between one or more remote controlled toy robots of same or similar design.
The present invention may be better understood by referring to the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed description of a particular preferred embodiment, described below, is intended to be a particular example, and not a limitation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the preceding general description and the following detailed description, explain the principles of the invention.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the following drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which: FIGURE 1 is an exploded view drawing of toy robot.
FIGURE 2 is a front view of toy robot.
FIGURE 3 is a side view of toy robot.
FIGURE 4 is a top view of toy robot.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form or clarity and in order not to obscure the details of the invention.
Figure 1 is an the exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating remote controlled toy robot with animated features. A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a right and left front wheel (1, la) that are mounted to spin freely on a common axis. The rear wheels (2,2a) are mounted on the drive wheels axle (13) and driven by crown gear (12) which is driven by the drive gear (11) mounted to drive axle (10). The drive axle (10) is mounted to and driven by the drive gear (9) which is driven by a worm gear (8) mounted to worm gear axle (7) mounted to reduction gear (6) and driven by drive motor (3) which responds to signals received by remote control receiver (44).
Additionally, responding to signals received by remote control receiver (44), the steering motor (4) drives the reduction gear (6) which is mounted to worm gear axle (7) mounted to worm gear (8) which drives steering gear assembly (14) which is pivot mounted to and supported by the drive wheels axle (13).
The arm motion motor (5), responding to signals received by remote control receiver (44), drives the reduction gear (6) mounted to worm gear axle (7) mounted to worm gear (8) which rotates drive gear for arm motion (15) fixed to a crank axle (18) driving at least two operations: First, cranks (17) are mounted in a fixed position to left and right side of the crank axle (18) as well as to the left and right upper arms (20,22). Push rods (19) are pivot mounted to the four cranks (17), which translate single direction rotary motion into a dual direction action for the left and right upper arms (20,22). Secondly, the drive gear for arm motion (15) rotates gear for arm motion (16) driving actuator (24) which grabs and releases the claw arm (25) pivot mounted to right forearm (23). When claw arm (25) is released, the return spring (26) brings claw arm (25) back into contact with actuator (24) causing right forearm (23) to move from a bent position to an outstretched position then back to a bent position once more which, acting in conjunction with the movement of upper arm (22), animates the whole of the arm in a manner that emulates a person punching and/or swinging his or her arm outward and away from his or her body.
The right fist (46) is pivot mounted to the right forearm (23), which when rotating on a pivot mount, depresses the right forearm push button switch (37), which, facilitated by electronic control circuit (45), triggers any of a number of sound effects via a speaker (47).
The right forearm (23), when raised to an upward position, and just before or during release of claw arm (25), causes right upper arm push button switch (36) to depress which, facilitated by electronic control circuit (45), triggers any of a number of sound effects. The electronic control circuit (45) in the preferred embodiment is a model SPC81A microcontroller by Sunplus of Hsinchu, Taiwan. The left forearm (48) can remain in either a fixed and bent position or it can be manually adjusted into a desired position on the elbow axis.
Responding to the 3rd contact in a series of three depressions of the push button switch (29), the electronic control circuit (45) causes any or all of the following functions to be temporarily disabled: drive motor (3), steering motor (4), arm motion motor (5) and/or power to the unit.
A motor calling box (42) and a sound battery box (43) provide the power source for the present invention. Left and right upper arm housings (33) are constructed in such a way as to fit, over the upper arms (20,22). The left forearm housing (34,35) and the right forearm housing (38,39) are mounted to left and right forearm (48,23) respectively, such that unobstructed animation can occur. A steering assembly housing (32) is also constructed in such a way so that when assembled it does not obstruct the movement.
Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4 illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention from a front, side and top view respectively. The elements function in a manner described previously.
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