Abstract: A turbine assembly with directional control for use in a toy watercraft, including: a turbine housing defining an impeller cavity and including a forward opening and a rearward opening; a directional control valve positioned in the impeller cavity and having a valve opening in a sidewall thereof, the directional control valve being operable to rotate to a first position which closes the forward opening in the turbine housing and aligns the valve opening with the rearward opening in the turbine housing, and a second position which closes the rearward opening in the turbine housing an aligns the valve opening with the forward opening in the turbine housing; and a motor driven impeller positioned in the directional control valve.

Abstract: A helical gear is disclosed that is formed by an injection molding process in which the mold cavity is formed of mirror finished hardened stainless steel. The helical gear is disclosed in a gear box that entirely encase the gears, and may be integral with the housing of the toy. Furthermore, an “L” axle for gears is disclosed that provides a straight shaft portion that extends through the axle bearing aligned with the centerline of the gear and a bent portion that is seated in a slot recess in the wall of the gear box.

Abstract: An end assembly for a miniature motor. The end assembly including a brush base, a pair of brush arms supporting brushes, and a cover plate supporting a rotor bearing. The end assembly fits into an open end of a cylindrical motor housing.

Abstract: A remote controller for a toy vehicle includes a toggle switch on a hand controller for selectively enabling one of two sets of vehicle functions, and a reduced signal set integrated circuit for transmitting control signals to the vehicles. A group of function keys on the hand controller activates a function from each function set. The combined settings of the toggle switch and function key cause a unique combination of toggle switch signal and function key signal to be transmitted to the vehicle. The vehicle decodes the toggle switch and function key signal to determine which control function is to be performed. In addition, the vehicle may have a center steering controller which automatically sets a center steering course for the vehicle when no turn signal is being received.

Abstract: A wireless power control system for a motorized toy vehicle which includes a lever mechanism that physically moves a battery into and out of contact with the vehicle motor, thereby enabling selective operation of the toy without the need for electrical wiring. A spring mechanism is used at one end of the battery compartment to contact one terminal of the battery and to the bias the battery into contact with the motor housing, thereby providing electrical contact between one end of the battery and the motor. A rod element is used to contact the spring element and the other terminal of the motor to complete the electrical connection between the battery and the motor. The lever mechanism is selectively used to turn on and off the toy vehicle without the need for electrical wiring or an electrical switch.

Abstract: A toy vehicle is provided that is adapted for motor driven, battery powered operation, and in which the wheels can be disengaged from their gear train to permit free-wheeling use. The gear train for transmitting rotation from the motor drive shaft to the axle includes a worm gear mounted to the axle. The worm gear can be axially shifted along the axle with a manually manipulatable switch to engage and disengage the axle from the gear train. The switch preferably also controls transmission of electric power to the motor. In a presently preferred embodiment, electrical powers transmitted from the battery compartment to the motor solely by suitably disposed contact plates and, thus, is a “‘no wire’ design”.

Abstract: A helical gear is disclosed that is formed by an injection molding process in which the mold cavity is formed of mirror finished hardened stainless steel. The helical gear is disclosed in a gear box that entirely encase the gears, and may be integral with the housing of the toy. Furthermore, an “L” axle for gears is disclosed that provides a straight shaft portion that extends through the axle bearing aligned with the centerline of the gear and a bent portion that is seated in a slot recess in the wall of the gear box.

Abstract: A remote controller for a toy vehicle includes a toggle switch on a hand controller for selectively enabling one of two sets of vehicle functions, and a reduced signal set integrated circuit for transmitting control signals to the vehicles. A group of function keys on the hand controller activates a function from each function set. The combined settings of the toggle switch and function key cause a unique combination of toggle switch signal and function key signal to be transmitted to the vehicle. The vehicle decodes the toggle switch and function key signal to determine which control function is to be performed. In addition, the vehicle may have a center steering controller which automatically sets a center steering course for the vehicle when no turn signal is being received.

Abstract: A toy vehicle is provided that is adapted for motor driven, battery powered operation, and in which the wheels can be disengaged from their gear train to permit free-wheeling use. The gear train for transmitting rotation from the motor drive shaft to the axle includes a worm gear mounted to the axle. The worm gear can be axially shifted along the axle with a manually manipulatable switch to engage and disengage the axle from the gear train. The switch preferably also controls transmission of electric power to the motor. In a presently preferred embodiment, electrical powers transmitted from the battery compartment to the motor solely by suitably disposed contact plates and, thus, is a “‘no wire’ design”.

Abstract: A battery clip is disclosed that is formed from injected molded plastic and include metal contact inserts to provide electrical connections for batteries. The clip has an open-topped plastic container with receptacles for a plurality of batteries. The sidewalls of the containers have boss within gaps in the wall, and the boss fit into matching grooves in the underbelly of the toy or product to which the battery clip is mounted. The sidewalls have support ribs that provide rigidity to the clip, strengthen the cantilevered ends of the latches, and form guide rails for the batteries. In addition, the battery clip has recesses to receive stamped metal electrical connectors and that align the connectors with the terminal ends of batteries.

Abstract: A steering mechanism and associated gearbox is disclosed for a toy car or other small motorized vehicle. The steering mechanism comprises a steering arm, collar, return spring and an alignment adjustor. These components are externally mounted on a gear box and motor that allow remote control of the steering mechanism, and the wheels controlled by the steering mechanism.