Abstract: A portal gear and a method to implement a portal gear for a model vehicle are provided. The portal gear may include a drive shaft attached to an input gear and an axle attached to an output gear. The portal gear may further include a housing to vertically contain the input gear and the output gear. Wherein the drive shaft transfers a rotational torque from an upper location to a lower location via a gear reduction resulting from the input gear rotating the output gear.

Abstract: A body mount system and method for a model vehicle that includes a vertically adjustable body post and a body slide that can be attached to the body post in a fixed configuration and a movable configuration. The body mount system further includes a first and second body post cap removably attached to either end of the body slide in a fixed configuration and movable configuration. The first and second body post caps include respective first and second body supports rotatively attached to the first and second body post caps. Wherein the movable body slide configuration permits adjustment of the body slide in a first horizontal direction relative to the body post and wherein the movable first and second body post cap configurations permit adjustments to the first and second body post caps in a second horizontal direction relative to the body slide.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a protective enclosure comprising a base comprising a first continuous mating surface and at least one conveyance aperture, a cover comprising a second continuous mating surface, wherein the second continuous mating surface is configured to form a seal with the first continuous mating surface, and a clamp, wherein at least a portion of the clamp is coupleable to the base, wherein a mouth of the clamp is configured to be offset from the aperture when the clamp is coupled to the base, wherein the clamp comprises a first sealing layer, and wherein the clamp is configured to seal the aperture against contaminants. The protective enclosure may be configured for use in a remotely controllable model vehicle to protect a control module.

Abstract: A radio controlled model rotorcraft implemented with features improving flight performance using increasing structural stability and increasing rotorcraft visibility and orientation awareness through the use of multifunctioning, configurable, and aesthetically pleasing components.

Abstract: An electrical power tap connector for a model vehicle is provided including a first power tap housing. The first power tap housing may contain a power tap terminal configured to electrically couple with a connector terminal of an electrical connector. The power tap connector may also include a second power tap housing releasably securable to the first power tap housing and a releasable locking mechanism configured to physically secure the power tap connector to the electrical connector. Wherein the power tap terminal may be configured to electrically couple with the connector terminal via a non-mating end of the electrical connector.

Abstract: A treaded traction device for model vehicles is provided. The treaded traction device includes a biasing assembly and a tensioning assembly. The biasing assembly includes a first bias support fixed relative to a vehicle hub and a second bias support fixed relative to a traction hub. The biasing assembly also includes a coil and a dampener attached to the first and second bias supports. The treaded traction device is biased to result in one end being lower than another end. The tensioning assembly includes an idler wheel and a first and second tension support. The tension supports may be rotated to move the idler wheel, releasing tension on a surrounding tread. When the tension is released, the surrounding tread may be removed or replaced.

Abstract: A method of determining a state of a model vehicle using an electric motor is provided. During a sample period, the method may include measuring raw variables, including determining a first and a second voltage relative to a battery ground. Further, the method may include extracting state variables from the first and second voltages. The measuring of the raw variables may be repeated until the end of the sample period. The method may also include determining a tentative state from the state variables. Still further, the method may include setting a model vehicle state equal to a tentative state if the tentative state is equal to a previous tentative state. Still further including actuating a model vehicle component based upon the model vehicle state and setting the previous tentative state equal to the tentative state. Additionally, the method may include repeating the process for another sample period.

Abstract: An auxiliary Battery Eliminator Circuit (BEC) and method are provided. The auxiliary BEC may include a receiver plug-in port with a low voltage power and ground connection and a receiver communication connection and an electronic speed control plug-in port comprising a low voltage power and ground connection and an electronic speed control communication connection. In addition the auxiliary BEC may include a battery pre-wire connection for electrically coupling to a high voltage positive terminal of a high voltage battery. Wherein the auxiliary BEC passes through communication signals between a receiver and the electronic speed control via the receiver communication connection and the electronic speed control communication connection. Wherein the auxiliary BEC provides converted high voltage power from the high voltage battery for the receiver and herein the auxiliary BEC powers on and off corresponding to input from the low voltage power and ground connection of the electronic speed control.

Abstract: An enhanced hybrid battery elimination circuit, power control system, and method for R/C vehicles is provided. The system may include a power input from a vehicle battery and a converted power output to vehicle electronics. The system may also include an enhanced hybrid battery elimination circuit (BEC) electrically coupled to the power input and providing the converted power output and including a linear regulator and a switching regulator connected in parallel to the linear regulator between the power input and the converted power output. The enhanced hybrid BEC further includes a linear electrical decoupler provided between the linear regulator and the converted power output and a switching electrical decoupler provided between the switching regulator and the converted power output. Wherein the switching regulator and the linear regulator are either electrically coupled or decoupled from the output power and/or the input power based upon a monitored voltage level.