Remotely Controlled Patents (Class 446/454)
  • Patent number: 6565410
    Abstract: A radio-controlled toy train for allowing a user to easily control forward and reverse movement of a toy train upon a track. The radio-controlled toy train includes a plurality of toy train cars including a prime mover having a train engine-shaped body mounted upon wheels; and includes a track being adapted to rest upon a surface and upon which the plurality of toy train cars move; and further includes a radio transmitter assembly including a handheld housing having walls, and also including a radio transmitter being disposed in the handheld housing; and further includes a radio receiver assembly being disposed in and upon the prime mover for receiving signals from the radio transmitter; and includes a drive assembly being disposed in the prime mover for propelling the prime mover upon the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: Edward R. Allen
  • Publication number: 20030082991
    Abstract: An ultrasonic remote aeroplane for playing air-battle game comprising a wing, a cockpit, a propeller, a tail pole, a fin, a rudder, a main remote circuit for receiving the propeller rotation controlling signal and rudder motion controlling signal carried high frequency carrier transmitted form a remote transmitter, and a driving system thereof, wherein said remote aeroplane is characterized in that: further comprises an air-battle box including at least an ultrasonic transmitting tube, an ultrasonic receiving sensor, an attachment structure for fixing to the aeroplane, and a control circuit corresponding to them; said remote transmitter further transmits a high frequency carrier carrying a signal F3 for instructing said ultrasonic transmitting tube to transmit ultrasonic wave; and said main remote circuit further comprises a circuit for receiving the high frequency carrier carrying the signal F3 and separating out the signal F3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Yu Tian, Wenyan Jiang
  • Patent number: 6551169
    Abstract: A radio controlled toy vehicle has a central chassis, a front end mounting a pair of front wheels which is rotatably coupled to the front of the chassis and a pair of rear wheels rotatingly mounted to the chassis. A single reversible electric motor is provided in the chassis to selectively rotate the front end with the front wheels about a generally longitudinal axis through a partial rotation for steering or through as many complete rotations as desired for stunts. The electric motor is also drivingly coupled to the rear wheels to provide propulsion power to the vehicle. A power take-off from the motor includes a one-way clutch which rotates the front end when the motor is propelling the vehicle in a reverse direction. A stop is provided to limit the free rotation of the front end. The stop releasably engages a collar around a shaft rotating the front end and is overcome by providing sufficient torque to the shaft or the front end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan A. Jaffe
  • Publication number: 20030037630
    Abstract: A remote control toy car control system is constructed to include a dual-gearshift transmission mechanism coupled to the engine of the remote control toy car for transmission output power of the engine between a high torque position and a low torque position, a forward backward transmission control mechanism coupled to the output end of the dual-gearshift transmission mechanism for controlling forward/backward movement of the toy car, and a differential assembly coupled to the forward backward transmission control mechanism for enabling the rear wheels of the toy car to turn at different speeds when going round corners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventor: Ke-Way Lu
  • Patent number: 6520824
    Abstract: A balloon toy vehicle is disclosed which has full direction control, altitude control and a motorized release feature that permits an object to be lifted and dropped remotely. Fixed tandem reversible thruster motors are positioned approximately perpendicular to the gondola body of the vehicle and work in tandem to provide forward, reverse, left turn and right turn movements. A third thruster motor is positioned along the length of the gondola body facing downward to provide lift. In a preferred embodiment, the lift thruster motor, is positioned slightly angularly from a vertical longitudinal plane passing through the gondola body and is attached to the gondola body by a bracket. This motor arrangement gives the vehicle both lift and anti-spin stability. An adjustment feature is provided to set the gondola body in a horizontal plane. This accommodates any variations in the fixed balloon connection. The vehicle is preferably operated by wireless remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Toytronix
    Inventor: Rom Caroselli
  • Patent number: 6520823
    Abstract: A remote electro-aeroplane is mainly characterized in that the turn rudder surface is jointed to the tail stabilizer by a plastic film on their upper faces with a separation of the elastic foaming material from the plastic film on their lower faces at their joint, wherein two flexible cables or nylon wires are connected to the left and the right racks arranged on the left and the right turn rudder surfaces with their one end respectively and to the servo means within the remote receiving device with their another end, and the restoration mechanisms are provided beneath the left and the right turn rudder surfaces respectively. Based on this structure, the aeroplane has the advantages of easy control with smooth fly in case of making a turn, and is particularly suitable for the primary player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Shanghai Helang Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu Tian, Wenyan Jiang
  • Publication number: 20030013378
    Abstract: Each of first vehicles has an individual address dependent upon an insertion of a selective one of different keys into a socket in the vehicle. Each of these vehicles is movable in any desired direction on a first structure formed by intercoupling beams of identical construction and blocks of identical construction. The first structure may be intercoupled with a second structure formed from the beams and the blocks. The second structure defines a track on which a monorail addressable in the same manner as the first vehicles is movable in first and second opposite directions. The monorail has rollers for driving it on the track and positioning rollers contiguous to the side surfaces of the track for retaining the monorail on the track during its movement. Each of a plurality of manually operated pads generates signals for addressing any unaddressed vehicle and for operating the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel J. Aldred, William H. Barton, Peter C. DeAngelis, Paul Eichen
  • Publication number: 20030013377
    Abstract: Each of first vehicles has an individual address dependent upon an insertion of a selective one of different keys into a socket in the vehicle. Each vehicle is movable in any desired direction on a first support structure formed by intercoupling male detents on first beams and female detents on other beams and on blocks. The first support structure may be, but does not have to be, intercoupled with a second support structure. The second structure may define a track on which an additional vehicle (e.g., a monorail) is movable in first and second opposite directions. Each of a plurality of manually operated pads generates signals for addressing any unaddressed vehicle and for providing movements of, and the performance of functions in, the vehicle when addressed . Each pad communicates the pad-generated signals to a connected central station. The central station communicates these signals by wireless to the vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel J. Aldred, William H. Barton, Peter C. DeAngelis, Paul Eichen
  • Publication number: 20030013525
    Abstract: Each of first vehicles has an individual address dependent upon an insertion of a selective one of different keys into a socket in the vehicle. Each of the first vehicles is movable in any desired direction on a first support structure formed by intercoupling male detents on first beams and female detents on other beams, all of them having the same construction, and by intercoupling the male detents on the beams to female detents on blocks, all having an identical construction. The first support structure may be, but does not have to be, intercoupled with a second support structure formed by intercoupling beams and blocks of the same type as the b3eams and blocks in the first structure. The second structure defines a track on which an additional vehicle (e.g., monorail) addressable in the same manner as the first vehicles is movable in first and second opposite directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel J. Aldred, William H. Barton, Peter C. DeAngelis, Paui Eichen
  • Patent number: 6503120
    Abstract: A basketball retrieval device for allowing the user to retrieve the basketball without the using having to run after the ball. The basketball retrieval device includes an attractor unit being adapted to be worn about a user's wrist; and also includes a retrievable system being adapted to be disposed in the basketball and being attractable to the retriever unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventor: Keith Lumpkins
  • Patent number: 6502657
    Abstract: The transformable vehicle comprises a central chassis assembly having first and second distal ends with an axis passing therebetween, a first wheel assembly mounted to the first distal end, and a second wheel assembly mounted to second distal end. A multifunction transformable vehicle comprising at least two configurational states: a stowed state and a transformed state. In the stowed state, the transformable vehicle comprises a compact structure suitable for storage, transport or deployment. During transition from the stowed state to the transformed state, the first and second wheel assemblies move longitudinally outward along the axis to reveal the central chassis assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter A. Kerrebrock, Robert Larsen
  • Publication number: 20020196174
    Abstract: A remote controller has a body and a seat. A holding portion is between the body and the seat for being held by a hand of a user. The body is installed with a trigger and a rotary wheel for being held and operated by two hands of the user. The trigger is installed at an intersection of the body and the holding portion. The rotary wheel is installed on the body facing toward a lateral surface of the user. An angle is formed between an axial line of the rotary wheel and a moving direction of the trigger, wherein the angle is larger than 90 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventor: Aling Lai
  • Publication number: 20020187725
    Abstract: The present invention provides a play extension system enhancing a fun of a toy system by use of network. The play extension system is used by combination with the toy system in which a user can change the setting of parameters affecting motion control of a driving machine, for extending a playing method with the toy system. In the system, the setting information corresponding to the setting state of the parameters is received from a predetermined user terminal through a network, and estimation on the obtained setting information is created by referring to a database which stores the setting information and the information for estimating the setting state correspondingly. The created estimation is transmitted to a predetermined destination through the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Applicant: Konami Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Yamaguchi, Kazuyuki Saeki
  • Publication number: 20020187726
    Abstract: The toy system includes: a pair of motors; an operating device having a throttle lever for velocity direction and steering for course direction; a driving control device for controlling driving velocities of the respective motors so that the driving velocity of the pair of motors is increased/decreased in association with an operation amount of the throttle lever, and when the steering is operated from a neutral position, a difference occurs between the driving velocities of the pair of motors at a velocity ratio in association with the operation amount of the steering; a setting device for accepting a setting operation of a predetermined parameter by a user. The driving control device changes a correspondence relationship between the operation amount of the steering and the velocity ratio in an interlocking manner with the change of the setting value of the parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Applicant: Konami Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6491566
    Abstract: Toy robots are provided that act in concert with each other. A player issues high level team commands to a processor. The processor interprets the team command to derive individual low level commands for the toy robots. A transmitter transmits the low level commands to the toy robots, which then act in concert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Peters, Aaron B. Weast
  • Publication number: 20020173219
    Abstract: An interactive toy system that enables an adult and child to remotely communicate with each other through the medium of a toy such as a stuffed animal. The toy, activated by the adult, appears to talk to the child.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: Neall Kilstrom
  • Patent number: 6475059
    Abstract: A radio controlled toy vehicle having a single driving wheel. First and second chassis bodies are located on opposite sides of the driving wheel, and the driving wheel and chassis bodies rotatably attached to a primary axle. Support wheels are rotatably attached to the chassis bodies at a location distal to the point of attachment of the chassis bodies to the primary axle. First and second reversible electric motors are drivingly connected to the driving wheel by drive train means. A radio control receiver is attached to one of the chassis bodies, and is adapted to independently actuate the electric motors in a forward or reverse direction in response to control signals sent by a radio control transmitter. When both of the electric motors are operating in the forward or reverse direction, the driving wheel propels the vehicle in that direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventor: Jason C. Lee
  • Publication number: 20020160688
    Abstract: A universal chassis which may be assembled with modular componentry allowing for a play pattern with the user in which modification of the overall construction of the vehicle is encouraged. The modularity is purposely built in to allow users to modify their Battlebot chassis. In operating the configured vehicle, two motors, i.e., left and right, are provided with pulsed controlled operation to facilitate two-speed performance. The ability to transmit/receive IR signals modulated on one or more of multiple carriers facilitates the play pattern with simultaneous operation of multiple vehicles. An impact sensor or the like provides for detecting impacts, and processor control may be used for counting impacts in order to modify the functionality accorded to the user with the universal chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey G. Rehkemper, Peter A. Greenley, Ryan H. Kratz, Nicholas J. Grisolia, Michael M. Kass, Edward Daniel Polanek, Benjamin R. Durbin
  • Publication number: 20020142701
    Abstract: A haptic feedback remote control device provides control signals to a toy device, such as a car, boat, plane, etc., to control the toy's operation. The remote control device includes a housing and at least one control for manual manipulation by the user, where control signals representing the manipulation are sent to the toy, preferably transmitted wirelessly. An actuator outputs forces on the housing and/or on a control in response to actuator signals. A controller provides the actuator signals based on the manual manipulation of the control by the user, or based on status signals from the toy indicating the toy's actions or interactions, or based on both. In one embodiment, the actuator moves an inertial mass to provide inertial sensations on the housing. The information received from the toy device can include information from a contact sensor or inertial sensor on the toy device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventor: Louis B. Rosenberg
  • Patent number: 6458008
    Abstract: A remote control device that utilizes a variable velocity gyroscope for stabilization as well as directional control. The gyroscope is mounted within a device shell and aligned vertically. When the device is stationary or traveling in a straight line, the rotational velocity of the gyroscope is constant. The direction of the moving device can be controlled by accelerating or decelerating the gyroscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Jamie Hyneman
  • Publication number: 20020137427
    Abstract: Toy robots are provided that act in concert with each other. A player issues high level team commands to a processor. The processor interprets the team command to derive individual low level commands for the toy robots. A transmitter transmits the low level commands to the toy robots, which then act in concert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Peters, Aaron B. Weast
  • Patent number: 6450856
    Abstract: Each of first vehicles has an individual address dependent upon an insertion of a selective one of different keys into a socket in the vehicle. Each vehicle is movable in any desired direction on a first support structure formed by intercoupling male detents on first beams and female detents on other beams, all of an identical construction, and by intercoupling the male detents to female detents on blocks, all of an identical construction. The first support structure may be, but does not have to be, intercoupled with a second support structure formed by intercoupling beams and blocks of the same types as the beams and blocks in the first structure. The second structure defines a track on which an additional vehicle (e.g., a monorail) addressable as discussed above is movable in first and second opposite directions. The additional vehicle has rollers for driving the vehicle on the track and has guides (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Rokenbok Toy Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Aldred, William H. Barton, Jr., Peter C. DeAngelis, Paul Eichen
  • Patent number: 6439956
    Abstract: A transmitter together with appropriate software are configured in the shape and form of a remote control unit for use with a handheld game player device. The transmitter may use a conventional radio frequency link to transmit commands to a radio controlled device such as a toy car. The remote control unit, consisting of the transmitter and a game cartridge, is inserted into the game device so that the game player device provides control input and display functionalities to and for the remote control unit. The game player may support synthesis, simulation and testing of a route to be traversed by the radio controlled device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Interact Accessories, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Tze Man Ho
  • Patent number: 6431940
    Abstract: A toy doll is articulated and removably attached to a toy scooter so that the doll's arms appear to steer the scooter and the doll's foot appears to tilt downward to push back against the ground and propel the scooter. Additionally, the animated toy doll and scooter assembly is controlled by a radio remote control unit itself shaped like a scooter and having a toy foot attached to it. The toy foot is slid forward or back to control the forward and reverse motion of the scooter and is turned to steer the scooter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: ABC International Traders, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Buford, Ben Ton
  • Publication number: 20020106965
    Abstract: The system includes a digital camera or similar CCD or CMOS device which transmits image data to a computing device. Changes such as motion, light or color are detected in various sectors or regions of the image. These changes are evaluated by software which generates output to an audio speaker and/or to an infra-red, radio frequency, or similar transmitter. The transmitter forms a link to a microprocessor based platform which includes remote microprocessor software. Additionally, the platform include mechanical connections upon which a robot can be built and into which the digital camera can be incorporated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Mike Dooley, Soren Lund, Guy Nicholas, Allan Young
  • Publication number: 20020106966
    Abstract: The remote-controlled air, land or water borne toy vehicle comprises: a body; a printed circuit board mounted in or to the body; a receiver connected to the printed circuit board for receiving commands; hardware on the printed circuit board including control circuitry for manipulating the toy vehicle in response to commands received by the receiver; and a motor drive mechanism mounted on or to the toy vehicle for moving or propelling the toy vehicle in response to control signals from the control circuitry. Preferably at least one of several infrared emitting simulated weapons are mounted on the toy vehicle and are selected from the group including a machine gun, a cannon and a missile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Oscar Jimenez, Fancisco Jose Barreras, Roberto Echarri, Guillermo Echarri
  • Publication number: 20020106967
    Abstract: A communication scheme is employed for transmitting control signals from a remote control to a toy vehicle. The remote control includes control switches, an encoder and a transmitter and the toy vehicle includes a receiver, a decoder and actuators for controlling the operation of the toy vehicle in accordance with received control signals. The encoder generates a continuous stream of control signal packets with each of the packets including a predetermined number of biphase encoded bits. Each biphase encoded bit is of the same predetermined width with a 50% duty cycle, including two transmit elements. For one binary state, both of the transmit elements are the same and for the other binary state both of the transmit elements are opposite. Each packet includes a first predetermined number of flag bits, a second predetermined number of data bits and at least one checksum bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen NIcholas Weiss, Charles Stewart McCall, Wallace White
  • Patent number: 6428383
    Abstract: A remotely controllable model vehicle includes one or more audio output or playback devices onboard. The model vehicle may have a cassette player, CD player, and/or AM/FM radio contained therein, for selectively providing audio output according to the desire of the operator of the model. Conventional speed and directional control systems are also provided. The operator of the model selects the audio system to be used and installs the appropriate media (tape, CD, etc.) or tunes the radio as desired, and operates the vehicle to provide a mobile audio program according to the travel of the model. Additional functions (lights, horn, clock or timer, etc.) may also be included. The present model vehicle is particularly valuable for advertising and entertainment wherever crowds may gather, such as remote live radio broadcast shows, store openings, parties, dances, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventors: Stanley W. Allmon, Jerry D. Swiney
  • Publication number: 20020098772
    Abstract: A backward shifting and accelerating synchronous control system installed in a remote-controlled gasoline engine toy car and controlled by a remote controller to move the toy car backwards and to accelerate the speed. The system includes an accelerator control unit held in position by a torsional spring and turned to control the oil flow rate of the backward steering accelerating oil valve of the engine of the toy car, a swivel arm, the swivel arm having a first end coupled to the forward/backward steering control mechanism of the gasoline engine toy car by a first link and a second end coupled to the accelerator control unit by a second link, and a server controlled by a remote controller to turn the swivel arm, to further shift the forward/backward steering control mechanism to the backward steering mode and drive the accelerator control unit to open the backward steering accelerating oil valve of the engine of the toy car.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Ke-Way Lu
  • Publication number: 20020090879
    Abstract: A toy including stand up flexible pouch or other flexible type pouch affixed to a rollable mechanical base and method of making the toy. When assembled, the toy may be manually or remotely controlled to roll or move about in a predetermined direction or fashion. The flexible pouch is shaped and printed to resemble a desired character while still maintaining its ability to contain a product. The base apparatus includes rolling members, e.g., wheels, to allow the base to be rolled or otherwise moved across a surface. The pouch and base are joined together, for example, by heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, adhesives, etc. The rollable base may include a battery or other power source and/or electronics allowing for remote controllability of the assembled toy. The flexible pouch may contain a separate food or other product and a fitment, snap closure or other type of reclosure as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Applicant: FRES-CO SYSTEM USA, INC.
    Inventor: David E. Galomb
  • Publication number: 20020090883
    Abstract: A forward/backward steering control mechanism installed in a toy car and coupled to a power drive and controlled by a remote controller to move the toy car forwards/backwards. The forward/backward steering control mechanism uses a remote controller-controlled server to move a movable gear on the transmission shaft of the toy car between a first transmission gear wheel, which is coupled to the power drive of the toy car, and a second transmission gear wheel, which is coupled to the first transmission gear wheel through two meshed idle gears, so as to control the direction of rotation of the transmission shaft, and to further control forward/backward movement of the toy car.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventor: Ke-Way Lu
  • Publication number: 20020086611
    Abstract: A radio controlled toy vehicle having a frame comprised of a first frame portion and a transmission assembly portion. The transmission assembly portion having two wheels connected to an axle to support the transmission assembly and an electric motor and gear system for moving the toy vehicle in a forward or reverse direction. The toy vehicle has a gear box with an electric motor a first and second rotatable cam. A rod connected to the transmission assembly and rotatably mounted on a pin and engaging a rod from on of the first rotatable cam to act as a cam follower moving the rod in an up and down direction when the first rotatable cam rotates thereby extending the transmission assembly. A second rod connected to a third wheel and engaging a rod located on the second rotatable cam distal to the wheel and acting as a cam follower wherein the rod moves in an up and down direction when the second rotatable cam rotates, thereby extending the wheel attached at the distal end of the rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Rudy Nava
  • Patent number: 6413143
    Abstract: A dual-gearshift position transmission mechanism for remote control toy car includes an output shaft, a first transmission gear and a second transmission gear mounted on the output shaft, a two-way axle bearing supporting the output shaft in the first transmission gear, an one-way axle bearing supporting the output shaft in the second transmission gear, a clutch fixedly fastened to the output shaft, an idle gear wheel meshed between the first transmission gear and the second transmission gear, a driven gear coupled to the first transmission gear, a drive gear meshed with the driven gear, and an engine controlled to rotate the drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventor: Ke-Way Lu
  • Patent number: 6402630
    Abstract: A bowling ball having an internal weight whose position is adjustable by a remote controller for altering the path of the ball after it is released by the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Nelson Tyler
  • Publication number: 20020065021
    Abstract: Mounting bracket structure of remotely controllable toy rally car, including a mounting bracket, intersecting linkages, rebounding shock-absorbers and front and rear support racks on which wheels are mounted. The mounting bracket includes at least two lateral supports racks. Each intersecting linkage includes two intersecting links. The intersecting linkages and the rebounding shock-absorbers are connected between the mounting bracket and the front and rear support racks to support the mounting bracket. The top ends of the intersecting linkages are connected to the mounting bracket between the lateral support racks. The bottom ends of the intersecting linkages are respectively connected to the front and rear support racks. The rebounding shock-absorbers are bridged between outer ends of the lateral support racks and the bottom ends of the intersecting linkages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Applicant: KINGSTAR/NEO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Li-Chieh Wang
  • Patent number: 6394878
    Abstract: Mounting bracket structure of remotely controllable toy rally car, including a mounting bracket, intersecting linkages, rebounding shock-absorbers and front and rear support racks on which wheels are mounted. The mounting bracket includes at least two lateral supports racks. Each intersecting linkage includes two intersecting links. The intersecting linkages and the rebounding shock-absorbers are connected between the mounting bracket and the front and rear support racks to support the mounting bracket. The top ends of the intersecting linkages are connected to the mounting bracket between the lateral support racks. The bottom ends of the intersecting linkages are respectively connected to the front and rear support racks. The rebounding shock-absorbers are bridged between outer ends of the lateral support racks and the bottom ends of the intersecting linkages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Kingstar/Neo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Li-Chieh Wang
  • Publication number: 20020061710
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Applicant: New Bright Industial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yau Wah Wong
  • Patent number: 6371829
    Abstract: A toy comprising a remote control device and a remote controlled model vehicle for changing a form thereof while moving, according to a control by the remote control device. The toy comprises a remote control device (100) and a remote controlled model vehicle (200) capable of turning at least rightward and leftward according to a control signal from the remote control device, wherein the remote control device comprises: a tilt detecting unit (SW5 and SW6) for detecting rightward and leftward tilt directions thereof; and the remote controlled model vehicle comprises: a lower body part (202b); an upper body part (202a) capable of tilting rightward and leftward to the lower body part; a tilting unit (211) for tilting the upper body part in the same direction as a tilt direction of the remote control device, detected by the tilt detecting unit; and a steering unit (203) for turning in the same direction as the tilt direction of the remote control device in synchronization with a tilt of the upper body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Tomy Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Kato, Tomohiro Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20010045978
    Abstract: A portable personal wireless interactive video device including a miniature camera, a portable wireless transmitter connected to the camera, a portable wireless receiver for receiving video signals from the transmitter, and a portable video display device connected to the receiver for presenting an image to a viewer corresponding to a view from the perspective of the camera. The viewer may select an image for display on the video display device corresponding to a view from his/her own camera, from a camera worn by another person, or from one of several cameras positioned in selected locations. In one embodiment, the camera may be located within a remotely controlled model vehicle, thereby providing the viewer with a view from the perspective of inside the vehicle for viewing while remotely controlling the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventors: Daniel L. McConnell, Thomas G. Smith, Thomas Golden, Thomas D. Laing
  • Patent number: 6322415
    Abstract: The present invention is a guidance apparatus for movable toy vehicles that includes a track, or roadway, on which the toy vehicles move. The truck has an intersection. The intersection has a magnetic guidance mechanism for steering the toy vehicles in alternate directions through the intersection. An intersection magnetic sensing mechanism, i.e., electromagnets at the intersection and magnets in the vehicles, stops the vehicles prior to entering the intersection. Additionally, the vehicles stopped at the intersection can be actuated by a timing mechanism after passage of a predetermined time period. Furthermore, the vehicles stopped at the intersection can be actuated only after a mechanism for sensing vehicle presence in the intersection senses no vehicles in the intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventors: Peter Cyrus, Peter M. Maksymuk, IV, Leo M. Fernekes, Stefan Rublowsky, Eduard Kogan, Scott J. Kolb, Eric S. Moore, Dmitriy Yavid, Christopher S. Cosentino
  • Publication number: 20010027078
    Abstract: A radio controlled toy vehicle having a single driving wheel. First and second chassis bodies are located on opposite sides of the driving wheel, and the driving wheel and chassis bodies rotatably attached to a primary axle. Support wheels are rotatably attached to the chassis bodies at a location distal to the point of attachment of the chassis bodies to the primary axle. First and second reversible electric motors are drivingly connected to the driving wheel by drive train means. A radio control receiver is attached to one of the chassis bodies, and is adapted to independently actuate the electric motors in a forward or reverse direction in response to control signals sent by a radio control transmitter. When both of the electric motors are operating in the forward or reverse direction, the driving wheel propels the vehicle in that direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventor: Jason C. Lee
  • Patent number: 6287167
    Abstract: The invention relates to a speed controller able to change a pulse frequency and a pulse width of a pulse signal to control a driving motor. This device is able to change the pulse frequency during the run of the toy car which adjusts the torque of the driving motor in response to the revolution number of the driving motor. The speed controller adjusts the pulse frequency to be large when the pulse width is small, while the pulse frequency is small when the pulse width is large.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Kondo kagaku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirotoshi Kondo
  • Patent number: 6280280
    Abstract: A remotely controllable toy surface vehicle has the capability of deploying wings on command and to attain flight in the absence of any air interactive propulsion mechanism. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the fixed wings are first pitched to keep the vehicle on the ground or water until a takeoff velocity is reached; after which the pitch of the wings is remotely adjusted for takeoff and flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventors: Robert K. Vicino, Steven D. Stackable, Larry Love
  • Patent number: 6247994
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling toy vehicles has a plurality of pads coupled to a central station. Switches in the pads may be closed to select toy vehicles and the operation of motors for moving the vehicles forwardly, rearwardly, to the left and to the right and moving upwardly and downwardly a receptacle or bin for holding transportable elements (e.g. marbles). The pads may be set in a mode to allow sharing of a vehicle by more than one pad. The pads are connected by wires to the central station, and may be interrogated selectively, sequentially or simultaneously by the central station. The central station forms packets of signals representative of the switch closures of the interrogated pads, and transmits the packets over a modulated carrier frequency to receivers in the vehicles. Each of the packets includes a binary signal addressing the vehicle selected by the pad whose switch closures are represented by the packet of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Rokenbok Toy Company
    Inventors: Peter C. DeAngelis, Frederick M. Lundquist
  • Patent number: 6241574
    Abstract: A device for influencing the handling characteristics of remote-controlled model cars or model ships, comprising a first input terminal for a first control signal which represents a first command variable which can be specified by a person who controls the vehicle, a sensor means which outputs a second control signal which represents a disturbance variable correlated with the rotational velocity or the lateral acceleration of the model vehicle, and a processing means which is connected with the first input terminal for receiving the first control signal and which has a second input terminal for receiving the second control signal, and which generates a first output signal which represents a first manipulated variable being a function of the first command variable and of the disturbance variable, with the first manipulated variable generated by the processing means being the command variable which as a function of the disturbance variable is limited or modified to a predeterminable degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: Ralf Helbing
  • Patent number: 6234866
    Abstract: The present invention is addressed to a toy wheeled vehicle having a high degree of flexibility and versatility. The vehicle is provided with a forward wheeled axle, a rearward wheeled axle, and a resilient coupling in the form of a coil spring connecting the forward wheeled axle to the rearward wheeled axle. The coupling permits multiple degrees of freedom between the forward wheeled axle and the rearward wheeled axle. The wheels are driven by motors which may be remotely controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventors: Eliyahu Ben-Yakar, Omri Rothshild, Roni Raviv
  • Patent number: 6113459
    Abstract: A steering assembly for vehicles, particularly toy vehicles including a remote control assembly having a steering mechanism mounted thereon in the form of a steering wheel or yoke being manually rotatable wherein movement of the steering wheel causes a proportionate movement in a steering effectuator mounted on the vehicle thus replicating or closely representing the steering operation or "feel" of a conventional vehicle. A plurality of cam lobes are mounted on and move with the steering mechanism and serve to activate a cam following switch which is connected to electronic control circuitry which is designed to effectively control the steering effectuator of the vehicle by generating a fixed number of pulses of a predetermined duration so as to accomplish a discrete change in steering position with each generated pulse in order to closely represent the steering operation of a conventional vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Mikio Nammoto
  • Patent number: 6106361
    Abstract: A generally conventional radio controlled toy vehicle is provided with a mother vehicle. The vehicle can be driven inside the vehicle via a ramp. Once inside, tractive drive to road wheels of the vehicle is used to drive road wheels of the vehicle. In this way, the mother vehicle can be controlled to move backwards and forwards, and be steered, by otherwise normal radio signal supplied to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Creata International Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael John Petris
  • Patent number: 6102770
    Abstract: The present invention is a guidance apparatus for movable toy vehicles that includes a track, or roadway, on which the toy vehicles move. The track has an intersection. The intersection has a guidance mechanism for steering the toy vehicles in alternate directions through the intersection. A sensing mechanism, i.e., infrared emitters at the intersection and phototransistors in the vehicles, stops the vehicles prior to entering the intersection. The vehicles stopped at the intersection are then actuated after the mechanism for guiding the toy vehicles through the intersection has been actuated. Additionally, the vehicles stopped at the intersection can be actuated by a timing mechanism after passage of a predetermined time period. Furthermore, the vehicles stopped at the intersection can be actuated only after a mechanism for sensing vehicle presence in the intersection senses no vehicles in the intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Parvia Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Cyrus, Rich Franko, Peter M. Maksymuk IV, Leo M. Fernekes, Stefan Rublowsky, Eduard Kogan, Scott J. Kolb, Eric S. Moore, Dmitriy Yavid, Christopher S. Cosentino
  • Patent number: 6097112
    Abstract: This invention provides an electronic switch for model cars to prevent incapability of the remote operation of the model cars.Keeping the manual switch 10 for a given period at ON state, a receiver 4 and a battery 5 are connected, and after a provisional OFF state of a manual switch 10, it is reset in ON state for a given period, to disconnect an electrical connection between the receiver 4 and the battery 5. For this sake, even if the manual switch 10 is abruptly changed over to OFF state upon abut to an obstacle during a run of the model car, the electrical connection between the receiver 4 and the battery 5 is not disconnected, as far as a given period continuation of the OFF state of the manual switch. With a use of the switching circuit 13, ON/OFF change over is provided without using a mechanical contact, which provides no anxiety of the disconnect of contact caused by the vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Kondo kagaku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirotoshi Kondo