Toy car motor attachment

Abstract

A motor attachment member for securing a motor within an RC toy car. The motor attachment member may include a body, at least one pivoting member, a fastening member, and a flexible member. The at least one pivoting member may be coupled to the body and pivotably couplable to the RC toy car via a substantially cylindrical interface. The fastening member may be coupled to the body and releasably couplable to a chassis of the RC toy car. The flexible member may be coupled to the body and be biasable against a power terminal.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/260,475, entitled “TOY CAR KIT,” filed on Sep. 30, 2002, having common inventors herewith, and commonly assigned herewith. This application is also related to U.S. Pat. No. D485,587, commonly assigned herewith and hereby incorporated herein in its entirety. This application is also related to each of the following U.S. patent applications, each commonly assigned herewith and each hereby incorporated herein in their entirety:

• • Ser. No. 10/260,775, entitled “ASSEMBLY FOR RETAINING A TOY,” filed on Sep. 30, 2002;
  • Ser. No. 10/260,767, entitled “WHEEL ASSEMBLY FOR A TOY,” filed on Sep. 30, 2002;
  • Ser. No. 10/260,801, entitled “TRANSMITTER FOR RADIO-CONTROLLED TOY,” filed on Sep. 30, 2002; and
  • Ser. No. 10/720,561, entitled “TOY CAR KIT,” filed on Nov. 24, 2003.

BACKGROUND

Toy designers face ever-increasing challenges as they strive to garner and maintain the interest of consumers. One such challenge has been the miniaturization of remotely or radio controlled cars and other remotely or radio controlled toys (hereafter collectively referred to as RC cars). For example, RC cars having a wheelbase of less than a few inches are now available.

However, maintaining reliability and robustness has proven to be difficult as the size of such RC cars continues to be decreased. For example, the battery for such RC cars can be less than a half an inch in diameter, and the motor can be less than half the size of the battery. However, as with larger RC cars, consumers desire the motor, battery, and other components to be interchangeable, such as to permit performance upgrades of various components. Thus, one exemplary obstacle faced by designers of miniaturized RC cars is securely and robustly attaching the motor to the chassis or other portion of the RC car while avoiding complex procedures required for replacing the motor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 is a top view of at least a portion of one embodiment of a toy car motor attachment member according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the toy car motor attachment member shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of at least a portion of another embodiment of a toy car motor attachment member according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of at least a portion of one embodiment of a toy car kit according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of at least a portion of one embodiment of a toy car kit package according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of at least a portion of another embodiment of a toy car kit according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an end view of at least a portion of an embodiment of a motor according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the motor shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side view of another embodiment of a motor attachment member according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of at least a portion of an embodiment of a toy car according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the toy car shown in FIG. 9 after assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 collectively, illustrated are top and front views, respectively, of at least a portion of a motor attachment member 100 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The motor attachment member 100, as well as other motor attachment members disclosed herein and otherwise within the scope of the present disclosure, may also be referred to as a motor clip. The motor attachment member 100 may include one or more of a body 110, pivoting members 120, a fastening member 130, and a flexible arcuate member 140.

The flexible arcuate member 140, the body 110, and/or other components of the motor attachment member 100 may be electrically conductive. For example, the motor attachment member 100 may be formed by punching, die-cutting, or otherwise working sheet metal to define a shape that is similar to, substantially similar to, or otherwise at least partially resembling that shown in FIG. 1, and subsequently press-forming or otherwise bending the flexible arcuate member 140, the fastening member 130, and the pivoting members 120 out-of-plane relative to the body 110. The sheet metal may comprise aluminum, steel, beryllium copper, and/or other electrically conductive materials, and may have a thickness ranging between about 0.15 mm and about 1.0 mm, although other thicknesses are within the scope of the present disclosure.

Other manufacturing processes and materials may additionally or alternatively be employed to form the motor attachment member 100 within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the motor attachment member 100 may be formed by molding or otherwise forming plastic and/or other non-conductive materials into the general shape shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and subsequently plating or otherwise coating at least a portion of the motor attachment member 100 with a thin, electrically conductive layer. The flexible arcuate member 140 may be integral to the body 110, or these may be initially formed as discrete components which are subsequently couple together, such as by bonding, welding, mechanical fasteners, and/or other means. Components other than the flexible arcuate member 140 that extend from the body 110 may be formed by similar methods, although it is not required that they be formed by the same method(s) employed to formed the flexible arcuate member 140.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the motor attachment member 100 may also or alternatively be coated with an electrically insulating material, such as TEFLON, silicone, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), rubber, and/or other electrically insulating materials. In one embodiment, one or more thin members 150 comprising such electrically insulating materials and/or others may also be employed, possibly by adhering or otherwise coupling the insulating members 150 to the body 110 between the pivoting members 120 and/or to another portion of the motor attachment member 100. The body 110 may also include one or more apertures 160 into which such insulating members 150 or bosses extending therefrom may be received, such that a pliable or resilient nature of the insulating members 150 may constrain the insulating members 150 in a desired location relative to the body 110. The electrically insulating members 150 may also have a thickness ranging between about 5% and about 100% of the thickness of the body 110. In one embodiment, the electrically insulating members 150 comprise spray-on or otherwise formed insulation, such as baked enamel, resin coating, lacquer or insulation varnish, possibly having a thickness ranging between about 0.01 mm and about 0.2 mm. The electrically insulating members 150 may also be thermally non-conductive or otherwise have a very low thermal conductivity, such that heat transfer between the motor attachment member 100 and adjacent components may be reduced or substantially eliminated.

The pivoting members 120 may each be or include a substantially hook-shaped member configured to interface with a substantially cylindrical portion of a toy car, such as a rod, boss, or dowel portion having a substantially circular cross-section. For example, the interior profile of each pivoting member 120 shown in FIG. 2 has a substantially circular portion 125 that may have a diameter about equal to or slightly smaller or greater than a diameter of such a substantially cylindrical portion of a toy car. However, in some embodiments, the pivoting members 120 may not include a substantially circular or cylindrical portion, although they may still be configured to interface with a substantially cylindrical portion of a toy car. In other embodiments, the pivoting members 120 may each be or comprise a substantially circular or cylindrical portion configured to interface with a portion of the toy car that is not substantially circular or cylindrical. Thus, the pivoting members 120 may be said to be configured to interface with a portion of the toy car via a substantially cylindrical interface, wherein either or both of the pivoting members 120 and the corresponding portion of the toy car may comprise the substantially cylindrical portion of such an interface. The portion of the substantially cylindrical interface between the pivoting members 120 and the toy car that is not substantially cylindrical or circular may comprise a groove and/or pair of notches configured to receive the substantially cylindrical portion of the substantially cylindrical interface, although other embodiments are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

The pivoting members 120 may permit the motor attachment member 100 to rotate or pivot around the substantially cylindrical portion of the substantially cylindrical interface. Thus, in one embodiment, assembling the motor attachment member 100 to a toy car may comprise interfacing the pivoting members 120 and the toy car via the substantially cylindrical interface such that the fastening member 130 is separated from the toy car, and subsequently rotating or pivoting the motor attachment member 100 such that the fastening member 130 moves closer to the toy car.

The motor attachment member 100 may also comprise fewer or greater pivoting members 120 than the two pivoting members 120 shown in FIG. 2. For example, in one embodiment the motor attachment member 100 may comprise only one pivoting member 120, while in other embodiments the motor attachment member 100 may comprise three or more pivoting members 120. In embodiments in which more than one pivoting member 120 is employed, each of the pivoting members 120 may not be identical. For example, one or more of the pivoting members 120 may be a mirror image or substantially more different than a remaining one or more pivoting members 120.

In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening member 130 is an extension of the body 110 having a portion 135 that is substantially planar, wherein the portion 135 is also substantially parallel and non-planer relative to the body 110. However, other shapes and orientations of the fastening member 130 are within the scope of the present disclosure, including those in which the portion 135 and/or remainder of the fastening member 130 is not substantially planar, is not substantially parallel relative to the body 110, and/or is substantially planar relative to the body 110.

The fastening member 130 may also have a width about equal to one-third or one-quarter of the width of the body 110. However, in other embodiments, the width of the fastening member 130 relative to the width of the body 110 may be substantially less than or greater than in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The motor attachment member 100 may also comprise more than one fastening member 130.

The fastening member 130 is also releasably couplable to a portion of a toy car. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the fastening member 130 includes an aperture 137 configured to receive a threaded or other type of fastener which may be threaded into or otherwise fastened to the corresponding toy car portion. Other means may also or alternatively be employed to couple the fastening member 130 to the corresponding portion of a toy car, including one or more clamps, cotter pins, hook and loop fasteners, detent fasteners (e.g., pip pins), tab/slot configurations, and others.

The arcuate flexible member 140 may extend away from the body 110 substantially further than the pivoting members 120. For example, the arcuate flexible member 140 may extend away from the body 110 twice as far as the pivoting members 120. The flexible member 140 is configured to be biased from its neutral, un-biased position shown in FIG. 2 by pressure exerted at or proximate the free end 145 thereof, such that the stress/strain thereby established in the flexible member 140 may encourage the arcuate flexible member 140 to return to its un-biased position. For example, by engaging the pivoting member 120 and/or the fastening member 130 with corresponding portions of a toy car, a portion of the toy car may press against the arcuate flexible member 140, thereby rotating and/or bending the arcuate flexible member 140 away from its un-biased position and towards the body 110. In one embodiment, the interface between the free end 145 of the arcuate flexible member 140 and a corresponding portion of the toy car may exert a first torque about the pivoting axis of the substantially cylindrical interface between the pivoting members 120 and a corresponding portion of a toy car, wherein the first torque has a substantially opposite direction relative to a second torque exerted by a coupling force of a fastener coupling the fastening member 130 and a corresponding portion of the toy car.

The arcuate flexible member 140 may also have a width about equal to one-third or one-quarter of the width of the body 110. However, in other embodiments, the width of the arcuate flexible member 140 relative to the width of the body 110 may be substantially less than or greater than in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The motor attachment member 100 may also comprise more than one arcuate flexible member 140.

The arcuate flexible member 140 may also be electrically conductive, as described above. In one embodiment, however, only a radially outward surface (e.g., facing away from the pivoting member 120) of the arcuate flexible member 140, or portion thereof, may be electrically conductive, such as by coating such portion with an electrically conductive material. Such electrically conductive coating materials may comprise copper, aluminum, solder, and/or other materials. Other portions of the surfaces of the arcuate flexible member 140 may also be electrically conductive including, in one embodiment, substantially all of the surface area of the arcuate flexible member 140, include a radially inward surface.

Referring to FIG. 3, illustrated is a perspective view of the motor attachment member 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the motor attachment member 100 is electrically connected to a motor 210 by an electrically conductive member 220. The motor 210 may include a substantially cylindrical or otherwise shaped casing 215 housing a DC rotor assembly, an AC rotor assembly, or other type of electricity-powered rotary motion device. The motor 210 also includes a first terminal 217 and a second terminal 218 each on a common end 219 of the motor 210. In one embodiment, the first and second terminals 217, 218 are each electrically isolated from the motor casing 215. In another embodiment, one of the first and second terminals 217, 218 may be in electrical contact with the motor casing 215. However, in such an embodiment, the motor casing 215 may not be employed as part of the conductive path extending between the motor 210 and a power supply.

The first terminal 217 may extend axially from the motor end 219, possibly facilitating contact with a power terminal appropriately situated within a toy car, a chassis thereof, or a recess of such a chassis. The second terminal 218 may extend radially from the motor end 219, possibly through an aperture, recess, or other opening in the casing 215.

The electrically conductive member 220 maybe or comprise a flexible conductor, such as a small diameter conductive wire, and may be insulated to prevent inadvertent electrical contact with proximate components. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the electrically conductive member 220 is soldered at one end to the second motor terminal 218 and at the other end to the motor attachment member 100 proximate the junction between the flexible arcuate member 140 and the body 110. However, the electrically conductive member 220 may be soldered to another portion of the motor attachment member 100. Moreover, electrical coupling means other than solder may be employed to connect the conductive member 220 within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, one or both ends of the electrically conductive member 220 may be welded, adhered, clipped, clamped, or otherwise electrically connected to the motor terminal 218 and/or the motor attachment member 100. The electrically conductive member 220 may also comprise more than one conductive member, one or more of which may not be flexible. Thus, only a portion of the conductive member 220 may be flexible. The flexible nature of the conductive member 220 may also be achieved by employing two or more substantially rigid members with one or more pivoting or rotating joints.

Referring to FIG. 4, illustrated is an exploded perspective view of at least a portion of one embodiment of a toy car kit 160 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The kit 160 may be configured to provide various unassembled components of a toy car 70. The unassembled components of the toy car 70 may be substantially as described in the related U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/260,475, entitled “TOY CAR KIT,” filed on Sep. 30, 2002, commonly assigned herewith, and/or the related U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/260,767, entitled “WHEEL ASSEMBLY FOR A TOY,” filed on Sep. 30, 2002, commonly assigned herewith, and/or the related U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/720,561, entitled “TOY CAR KIT,” filed on Nov. 24, 2003, commonly assigned herewith, each of which are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety. Thus, the unassembled components of the toy car 70 that may be included in the kit 160 may only be briefly described herein.

The kit 160 may include a body 12, a chassis 14, one or more wheels 20 and 62, one or more removable hubcaps 24, one or more tires 26, a transmitter 72, and/or a tool 94. The kit 160 may also or alternatively include one or more other components, including a rear axle gear 162, an axle 163, a transfer gear 164, a motor clip and screw assembly 166, a motor with drive gear 168, and/or a wrist strap 170. The motor with drive gear 168 (hereafter collectively referred to as the motor 168) may provide power to the toy car 70. In one embodiment, the motor 168 may be substantially similar to the motor 210 described above with reference to FIG. 3. Similarly, the motor clip and screw assembly 166 may be substantially similar to the motor attachment member 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and/or 3. For example, the motor clip portion of the assembly 166 may be substantially similar to the motor attachment member 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the screw portion 178 of the assembly 166 maybe a fastener employed to couple an engaging portion (e.g., engaging portion 130 in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the motor clip portion 167 to a corresponding portion of the chassis 14. The motor clip and screw assembly 166 and the motor 168 may also be electrically connected by an electrical connector 220, such as by the conductive member 220 shown in FIG. 3.

In one embodiment, the toy car 70 may be assembled by first assembling front wheel assemblies 18, such as by attaching a hubcap 24 and/or a tire 26 to each of the wheels 62. The motor 168 may then be inserted into a motor compartment 172 of the chassis 14. Upon insertion of the motor 168, the motor retaining clip and screw assembly 166 may be fitted over the motor by engaging a pair of hooks 174 with a rod 176 secured to the chassis 14, and further threading a screw 178 of the assembly 166 to a corresponding threaded bore 180 in the chassis 14, as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, possibly with the assistance of the tool 94. For example, the hooks 174 may be substantially similar to the pivoting members 120, and the rod 176 may be the substantially cylindrical interface, described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3.

The chassis 14 may include recesses 172, 173 separated by at least one recess wall 175, although additional components may also interpose the recesses 172, 173. The motor clip 167 may be sized or otherwise configured to substantially cover the recess 172. The recess wall 175 may include an aperture 177 extending therethrough. The recess 172 may house a power terminal 195 such that a motor terminal extending axially from the motor 168 may directly or indirectly contact the power terminal when the motor 168 is secured in the recess 172. An additional power terminal 197 may be substantially housed within the recess 173, although the power terminal 197 may also extend through the aperture 177 into the recess 172.

In assembling the motor 168 to the chassis 14, the motor 168 may be positioned in the recess 172, and the assembly 166 may be engaged with the a portion of the chasses 14 via a substantially cylindrical interface as described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3, such as through engagement of the hooks 174 with the rod 176. Consequently, a flexible arcuate member 169 of the assembly 166 may extend into the recess 173, possibly extending through the recess 173 and the aperture 177 and into the recess 172. In one embodiment, such positioning of the flexible arcuate member 169 may include positioning the flexible arcuate member 169 between the power terminal 197 extending through the aperture 177 and the motor 168 within the recess 172, such that the flexible arcuate member 169 may interpose the power terminal 197 and the motor 168 within the recess 172, including after the screw 178 is affixed to the chassis 14. However, the motor 168 may remain electrically isolated from the flexible arcuate member 169 and the power terminal 197 by an electrically insulating member 199. In one embodiment, the electrically insulating member 199 may be a sleeve or coating partially or substantially covering a cylindrical surface of the motor 168, and may comprise electrically insulating materials such as those described above with reference to the insulating members 150 shown in FIG. 2. The flexible arcuate member 169 may also be substantially similar to the flexible arcuate member 140 described above in relation to FIGS. 1-3.

The transfer gear 164 may then be inserted onto a portion of the rod 176 extending from the chassis 14 via a bore 182 disposed through the gear 164. Upon attachment of the transfer gear 164, the axle 163 may be snap-fitted into a corresponding groove 184 of the chassis 14, thereby also assembling the axle gear 162 on the chassis 14. Thus, the drive gear of the motor 168 may engage the transfer gear 164, which may thereby engage the axle gear 162. Rear wheel assemblies 410 may be assembled by attaching a hubcap 24 and/or a tire 26 to each of the wheels 20. It will be understood that the above steps of assembly are for example only and the assembly of the toy car 70 may comprise a different order and/or number of assembly steps.

The kit 160 may further include additional bodies 12 for providing a user with the option of interchanging body styles with the chassis 14. Furthermore, the body 12 and the hubcaps 24, among other components, may resemble actual body and hubcap styles to associate the car toy 70 with actual cars.

Referring to FIG. 5, illustrated is a perspective view of at least a portion of one embodiment of a toy car kit package 500 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The package 500 may comprise several or all the above components of the kit 160 described above with reference to FIG. 4, and possibly other components. The components of the kit 160 may be enclosed within a housing 510 for maintaining the components of the kit 160 in an enclosed space. The housing 510 may comprise injection-molded or otherwise formed plastic. Moreover, the housing 510 or portions thereof may be substantially clear or see-through, such that the components housed therein may be visually examined without requiring their removal from the housing 510, and/or without opening the housing 510.

Referring to FIG. 6, illustrated is a perspective view of at least a portion of an RC toy car and controller kit 600 according to aspects of the present disclosure. At least portions of the kit 600 may be substantially similar to corresponding components in the related U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/260,475, entitled “TOY CAR KIT,” filed on Sep. 30, 2002, commonly assigned herewith, and/or the related U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/260,767, entitled “WHEEL ASSEMBLY FOR A TOY,” filed on Sep. 30, 2002, commonly assigned herewith, and/or the related U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/720,561, entitled “TOY CAR KIT,” filed on Nov. 24, 2003, commonly assigned herewith, each of which are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety.

The RC toy car 70 may require the use of a wireless controller or transmitter (hereafter collectively referred to as a transmitter) 72 to transmit radio or other wireless signals (hereafter collectively referred to as wireless signals) for operation of the toy car 70, possibly in a conventional manner. The toy car 70 is adapted to receive wireless signals for operation thereof. The transmitter 72 may comprise an antenna 73 to send wireless signals to a corresponding antenna 74 disposed on the car 70. The antenna 74 may be operatively connected to a wireless receiver (not depicted) to receive the wireless signals from the transmitter 72. In some embodiments, the antenna 74 may comprise a telescoping arrangement.

The transmitter 72 may include a housing 76 having a front 78, a side 80, and a top 82. The front 78 of the housing 76 may include a control panel, such as a pair of controls 84, which may be actuated by a user to control movement of the car 70 via a control circuit (not shown) within the transmitter 72. The controls 84 may be housed within raised portions 85 of the housing 76. The front 78 of the housing 76 may also include a switch 86 for activating the control circuit and a charging circuit located within the transmitter 72. A transparent indicator casing 90 maybe disposed above the switch 86 for housing a three-way indicator, such as an LED. A release button 91 may be disposed on the front 78 of the housing 76 and proximate to the controls 84 for providing a means for releasing the car 70 from the transmitter 72.

A recess 92 may be formed in the side 80 of the housing 76 for releasably retaining a screwdriver or other tool 94 associated with the car 70, such as the tool 94 described above with reference to FIG. 4. The tool 94 may be releasably retained via a pressure fit. The tool 94 may be releasably retained within the housing 76 in a variety of ways. Furthermore, the recess 92 may be formed in a variety of locations within the housing 76.

The top 82 of the housing 76 may include a charging pad 96 for charging a battery (not shown) housed within the toy car 70. A pair of slots 98 may be formed through the charging pad 96 for allowing a plug 100 associated with the charging circuit to pass there-through for engaging a corresponding jack (not shown) associated with the car 70. An additional slot 102 may be formed through the charging pad 96 for allowing a spring 103 to pass there-through for supporting the car 70 on the charging pad. An additional slot 104 may be formed through the charging pad 96 for allowing a catch 106 operatively connected to the release button 91 to pass there through. The catch 106 may be adapted to engage a corresponding groove (not shown) formed on the underside of the car 70 to releasably retain the car on the transmitter 72. The catch 106 may also aid in aligning the car 70 on the charging pad 96 during placement of the car on the charging pad for charging.

A flange 108 and a lip 110 may be disposed on and extend away from the charging pad 96 to provide a further means for aligning the car 70 on the charging pad during placement of the car on the charging pad for charging. A cover 112 may be operatively connected to the housing 76 for enclosing the charging pad 96 and the antenna 73, such as during non-use. A stepped flange 118 which may extend from the charging pad 96 may be adapted to engage a lip 119 of the cover 112 to secure the cover in a closed position.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 collectively, illustrated are end and side views, respectively, of at least a portion of a motor 700 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The motor 700 may be substantially similar to the motors 168 and/or 210 described above with the following possible exceptions. In the illustrated embodiment, an end 705 of the motor 700 includes two electrodes 710 and 720. The electrode 710 is substantially located in and/or on a central portion of the end 705, possibly extending axially from the end 705 in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis 702 of the motor 700. The electrode 710 may have a raised, partially spherical shape. However, the electrode 710 may have other shapes within the scope of the present disclosure.

The electrode 720 is radially offset relative to the electrode 710. For example, the electrode 720 may be proximate an outer edge 704 of the motor 700, such that at least a portion of the electrode 720 may extend beyond the edge 704. In one embodiment, the electrode 720 is or comprises a bracket, such as the L-shaped bracket shown in FIG. 8. As such, a first portion 722 of the bracket may be substantially parallel and connected to the motor end 705, and a second portion 724 of the bracket may be substantially perpendicular to the motor end 705. The electrode 720 may be positioned such that a centerline 726 of the electrode 720 may extend through the longitudinal axis 702 of the motor. Alternatively, the centerline 726 of the electrode 720 may be angularly offset from such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 7.

The electrodes 710 and 720 may substantially comprise electrically conductive materials, such as aluminum, steel, copper, and/or other metals. In other embodiments, at least a portion of one or both of the electrodes 710 and 720 may be plated or otherwise coated with electrically conductive material, such as aluminum, copper, nickel, gold, and/or other materials.

As shown in FIG. 8, motor 700 may comprise a motor casing 706 which contains the motor parts as previously disclosed in reference to FIG. 3. The motor casing 706 may be electrically conductive. However, the motor casing 706 may also be sheathed or coated with an electrically insulating material, such as the electrically insulating member 199 described above. The motor 700 may also comprise an end cap 708 to which the electrodes 710 and 720 may be coupled, and through which the electrodes 710 and 720 or conductive members coupled thereto may pass for interconnection with the motor parts housed in the motor casing 706. The end cap 708 may substantially comprise an electrically insulating material, such as plastic, such that the electrodes 710 and 720 are electrically isolated from one another. The end cap 708 may be secured to the casing 706 by tabs 709 integral to or otherwise coupled to the casing 706 and which may be received by recesses 707 in the end cap 708.

The end cap 708 may have a substantially square shape, although the corners of the end cap 708 may be rounded or chamfered. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the corners of the end cap 708 are rounded. The size of the radii or chamfers of the corners of the end cap 708 may be about zero or substantially zero, such as when the corners are merely “knocked off” to prevent sharp edges. However, the size of the radii or chamfers of the corners of the end cap 708 may also range up to about the radius of the motor casing 106 (such that the end cap 708 perimeter may be substantially circular). The edges of the end cap 708 may also be rounded or chamfered as necessary for the end cap 708 to be received in a slot, recess, groove, and/or other opening in the chassis 14. Such receiving portion of the chassis 14 may also have a rounded or chamfered profile that is similar or substantially similar to the perimeter of the end cap 708. Moreover, although illustrated as being substantially symmetric, each of the radii or chamfers of the corners of the end cap 708 may not be substantially similar.

Referring to FIG. 9, illustrated is a side view of another embodiment of a motor clip 900 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The motor clip 900 may be substantially similar to the motor clip 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, in contrast to the flexible arcuate member 140 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the motor clip 900 includes a flexible connecting member 910. A substantial portion of the member 910 may have a linear profile, as shown in FIG. 9, but may have a more arcuate shape in other embodiments. The member 910 is configured to provide an electrical connection between the body 110 of the motor clip 900 and a connector housed in a motor compartment of a toy car chassis, as described below. The member 910 may also comprise a curled or barbed end 915, such as may be configured to be received by, be biased against, fit into, or otherwise cooperate with an inner corner or profile of the connector housed in the motor compartment. Otherwise, the member 910 may be substantially similar in composition and manufacture to the member 140 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring to FIG. 10, illustrated is an exploded perspective view of at least a portion of an embodiment of a toy car 920 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The toy car 920 may be assembled from components of a kit, such as the kit 160 described above. The toy car 920 may also be substantially similar to the toy car 70 described above. The toy car 920 is one environment in which the motor 700 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and/or the motor clip 900 shown in FIG. 9 may be employed. For example, the toy car 920 may include the motor clip 900, wherein the motor clip 900 is detachably couplable to a chassis 925 by a threaded fastener 945 and/or other connection means. The chassis 925 may include a motor compartment 911, into which the motor 700 and a connector 950 may be received, and a battery compartment 912 for housing a battery 913.

The member 910 of the motor clip 900 may be biased against the connector 950 when assembled, as shown in FIG. 10. The connector 950 may be or comprise a substantially L-shaped bracket having a first portion 960 extending substantially perpendicular from a second portion 970. At least a portion of the connector 950, such as the portion 960, may comprise or be coated with conductive material. A conductive wire 980 may electrically connect the battery 913 and the connector 950 and may be insulated in order to prevent electric conductivity with other components.

The connector 950 may also include a biasable member 990 which may aid in securing the connector 950 in position within the motor compartment 911, such as when any gap between the motor 700 and the bottom surface of the motor compartment 911 is greater than the thickness of the connector 950. The biasable member 990 may be formed by splitting an end of the portion 970 and vertically separating the two resulting ends 975. The connector 950 may then be treated through heat treatment methods or otherwise for stiffening the material in order to maintain the shape shown in FIG. 10 when not mechanically biased, such as between the motor 700 and the chassis 925. The biasable member 990 may thus be flexible or resilient in a spring-like manner to provide mechanical resistance against the motor 700 when assembled while allowing the motor 700 to fit properly within the motor component 911 of the chassis 925 and under the motor clip 900 when the motor clip 900 is fastened to the chassis 925. The biasable member 990 may also aid in biasing the motor 700 against the motor clip 900 when installed, thereby ensuring sufficient ohmic contact between the motor clip 900 and the terminal 720 of the motor 700.

Referring to FIG. 11, illustrated is a sectional view of the toy car 920 shown in FIG. 10 after the toy car 920 has been at least partially assembled. That is, the motor 700 has been positioned in the motor compartment 911, and the motor clip 900 has been installed by positioning a rod 995 coupled to the chassis 925 within the curvature of the pivoting member 120 and subsequently securing the fastening member 140 to the chassis 925. Consequently, the body 110 of the motor clip 900 may contact the terminal 720 of the motor, thereby electrically connecting the electrode 720 of the motor 700 to the battery 913. That is, a conductive path may thus be established between the battery 913 and the motor electrode 720, the path comprising the wire 980, a portion of the connector 950, the member 910 of the motor clip 900, and the body 110 of the motor clip 900. Consequently, the connector 950 may be a power terminal, as it is connected to the battery 913.

Thus, the present disclosure provides a toy car motor attachment member for securing a motor within a toy car. In one embodiment, the motor attachment member includes a body, at least one pivoting member, a fastening member, and a flexible arcuate member. The at least one pivoting member may be coupled to the body and pivotably couplable to the toy car via a substantially cylindrical interface. The fastening member may be coupled to the body and releasably couplable to a chassis of the toy car. The flexible arcuate member may be coupled to the body and extend at least partially around an axis of rotation of the pivoting member.

An RC toy car is also introduced in the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the toy car includes a chassis, a motor, an electrically conductive motor attachment member, and at least one flexible conductor. The chassis may have first and second recesses separated by at least one recess wall, wherein the first and second recesses may house first and second power terminals, respectively. The at least one recess wall may have an aperture passing therethrough. The motor may have a casing and first and second motor terminals electrically isolated from the casing, wherein the first motor terminal may at least indirectly contact the first power terminal. The electrically conductive motor attachment member may constrain the motor in the first recess, and may include a flexible arcuate member contacting the second power terminal in the second recess and extending through the aperture and into the first recess. The at least one flexible conductor may connect the second motor terminal and the motor attachment member.

The present disclosure also provides an RC controlled toy car kit including, in one embodiment, a chassis, a motor, and an electrically conductive motor attachment member. The chassis may have first and second recesses separated by at least one recess wall and housing first and second power terminals, respectively, wherein the at least one recess wall may have an aperture passing therethrough. The motor may have a casing and first and second motor terminals electrically isolated from the casing, wherein the first motor terminal is configured to at least indirectly contact the first power terminal when disposed in the first recess. The electrically conductive motor attachment member may be configured to constrain the motor in the first recess when the motor attachment member is coupled to the chassis, and may include a flexible member configured to contact the second power terminal in the second recess when the motor attachment member is coupled to the chassis.

An RC toy car and controller kit package is also introduced in the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the remotely controlled toy car and controller kit package includes a package housing and a plurality of unassembled components of a remotely controlled toy car disposed in the package housing. The unassembled components may include a chassis having first and second recesses separated by at least one recess wall and housing first and second power terminals, respectively, wherein the at least one recess wall may have an aperture passing therethrough. The unassembled components may also include a motor having a casing and first and second motor terminals electrically isolated from the casing, wherein the first motor terminal maybe configured to at least indirectly contact the first power terminal when disposed in the first recess. The unassembled components may also include an electrically conductive motor attachment member configured to constrain the motor in the first recess when the motor attachment member is coupled to the chassis. The electrically conductive motor attachment member may also include a flexible member configured to contact the second power terminal in the second recess when the motor attachment member is coupled to the chassis. The unassembled components may also include a controller associated with the toy car and disposed in the package housing.

The present disclosure also provides a method of assembling an RC toy car including, in one embodiment, positioning a motor of the toy car in a first recess of a chassis of the toy car such that a first motor terminal of the motor at least indirectly contacts a first power terminal housed within the first recess, the motor further including a second motor terminal and a casing electrically isolated from the first and second motor terminals. Such a method also includes coupling an electrically conductive motor attachment member to the chassis such that the motor is constrained in the first recess and a flexible arcuate member of the motor attachment member contacts a second power terminal housed within a second recess of the chassis.

It is understood that the above spatial references, such as “radial,” “axial,” “lateral,” “inward,” and “outward,” are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the specific orientation or location of the structures described above.

The foregoing has outlined features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A motor attachment member for securing a motor within an RC toy car, comprising:

a body;

at least one pivoting member coupled to the body and pivotably couplable to the RC toy car via a substantially cylindrical interface;

a fastening member coupled to the body and releasably couplable to a chassis of the toy car; and

a flexible member coupled to the body and having a curved end distal from the body.

2. The motor attachment member of claim 1 wherein the at least one pivoting member includes the substantially cylindrical interface.

3. The motor attachment member of claim 1 wherein the RC toy car includes the substantially cylindrical interface.

4. The motor attachment member of claim 1 wherein the at least one pivoting member includes two pivoting members extending from opposing sides of the body.

5. The motor attachment member of claim 1 wherein the at least one pivoting member includes a substantially hook-shaped member configured to engage a substantially cylindrical portion of the toy car.

6. The motor attachment member of claim 1 wherein the fastening member includes an extension from the body having an aperture extending therethrough, the aperture configured to receive a mechanical fastener.

7. The motor attachment member of claim 6 wherein the body and the extension are individually substantially planar, and are substantially parallel and substantially non-planar relative to each other.

8. The motor attachment member of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the flexible member is electrically conductive.

9. An RC toy car, comprising:

a chassis having first and second recesses separated by at least one recess wall and housing first and second power terminals, respectively, the at least one recess wall having an aperture passing therethrough;

a motor having a casing and first and second motor terminals electrically isolated from the casing, the first motor terminal at least indirectly contacting the first power terminal; and

a motor attachment member including a flexible member contacting the second power terminal in the second recess, the motor attachment member constraining the motor in the first recess and thereby contacting the second motor terminal.

10. The RC toy car of claim 9 wherein the motor attachment member is coupled at least indirectly to the chassis.

11. The RC toy car of claim 9 wherein the motor attachment member is pivotably coupled to the chassis.

12. The RC toy car of claim 9 wherein the motor attachment member includes a pivoting member having a substantially cylindrical interface pivotably coupled to a substantially cylindrical portion of the toy car.

13. The RC toy car of claim 9 wherein the motor attachment member includes a fastening member releasably coupled to the chassis.

14. The RC toy car of claim 13 further comprising a threaded fastener coupling the fastening member to a threaded portion of the chassis.

15. The RC toy car of claim 9 wherein the motor attachment member substantially covers the first recess.

16. The RC toy car of claim 9 wherein the second power terminal extends from the second recess into the first recess through the aperture and includes a biasable member urging the motor against the motor attachment member.

17. The RC toy car of claim 9 further comprising an electrically insulating member interposing the motor attachment member and the motor.

18. The RC toy car of claim 17 wherein the electrically insulating member includes a sleeve substantially surrounding a substantially cylindrical surface of the motor.

19. The RC toy car of claim 17 wherein the electrically insulating member includes a layer substantially coating a substantially planar surface of the motor attachment member.

20. An RC toy car kit, comprising:

a chassis having first and second recesses separated by at least one recess wall and housing first and second power terminals, respectively, the at least one recess wall having an aperture passing therethrough;

a motor having a casing and first and second motor terminals electrically isolated from the casing, the first motor terminal configured to at least indirectly contact the first power terminal when disposed in the first recess; and

a motor attachment member configured to constrain the motor in the first recess when the motor attachment member is coupled to the chassis, the motor attachment member including a flexible member configured to contact the second power terminal in the second recess.

21. The RC toy care kit of claim 20 further comprising a toy car body configured to couple to the chassis.

22. The RC toy car kit of claim 20 further comprising a wheel assembly operatively couplable to the motor.

23. The RC toy car kit of claim 22 further comprising at least one hubcap removably couplable to the wheel assembly.

24. The RC toy car kit of claim 22 further comprising at least one tire removably couplable to the wheel assembly.

25. An RC toy car and controller kit package, comprising:

a package housing;

a plurality of unassembled components of a remotely controlled toy car disposed in the package housing including: a chassis having first and second recesses separated by at least one recess wall and housing first and second power terminals, respectively, the at least one recess wall having an aperture passing therethrough; a motor having a casing and first and second motor terminals electrically isolated from the casing, the first motor terminal configured to at least indirectly contact the first power terminal when disposed in the first recess; and a motor attachment member configured to constrain the motor in the first recess when the motor attachment member is coupled to the chassis, the motor attachment member including a flexible member configured to contact the second power terminal in the second recess when the motor attachment member is coupled to the chassis; and a controller associated with the RC toy car and disposed in the package housing.

26. The package of claim 25 wherein the plurality of unassembled components further includes a toy car body configured to couple to the chassis.

27. The package of claim 25 wherein the plurality of unassembled components further includes a wheel assembly operatively couplable to the motor.

28. The package of claim 27 wherein the plurality of unassembled components further includes at least one hubcap removably couplable to the wheel assembly.

29. The package of claim 27 wherein the plurality of unassembled components further includes at least one tire removably couplable to the wheel assembly.

30. A method of assembling an RC toy car, comprising:

positioning a motor of the RC toy car in a first recess of a chassis of the RC toy car such that a first motor terminal of the motor at least indirectly contacts a first power terminal housed within the first recess, the motor further including a second motor terminal and a casing electrically isolated from the first and second motor terminals; and

coupling a motor attachment member to the chassis such that the motor is constrained in the first recess and a flexible member of the motor attachment member contacts a second power terminal housed within a second recess of the chassis.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the motor casing is substantially cylindrical.

32. The method of claim 30 wherein the first and second recesses are separated by at least one recess wall having an aperture passing therethrough.

33. The method of claim 30 wherein an electrically insulating member interposes the motor attachment member and the motor.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein the electrically insulating member includes a sleeve substantially surrounding a substantially cylindrical surface of the motor casing.

35. The method of claim 33 wherein the electrically insulating member includes a layer substantially coating a substantially planar surface of the motor attachment member.

36. The method of claim 30 wherein coupling the motor attachment member to the chassis includes pivotably coupling a pivoting member of the motor attachment member to the chassis via a substantially cylindrical interface.

37. The method of claim 30 wherein coupling the motor attachment member to the chasing includes releasably coupling a fastening member of the motor attachment member to the chassis.

38. The method of claim 30 wherein coupling the motor attachment member to the chasing includes coupling a fastening member of the motor attachment member to the chassis via a threaded fastener extending through an aperture in the fastening member and into the chassis.