Including Intrinsic Motive Power Means For Propulsion Patents (Class 446/457)
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Patent number: 12065207Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of climbing robots, and more specifically, to a high-mobility wheeled climbing robot, including a base, magnetic wheel modules, a tail wheel module, internal corner transition assistance mechanisms, and auxiliary moving wheels. When the tail wheel module is unfolded, the robot can be stably supported when creeping on a flat surface and crossing a structure such as an external corner or an edge of a thin plate and so on, and during storage, the tail wheel module is completely placed in the base without contacting with an environment; the internal corner transition assistance mechanisms allow the robot to cross an internal corner structure; and the auxiliary moving wheels can be used as a support wheel system for robot motion together with the tail wheel module, such that the robot can move on flat surfaces with any angles without rolling of the base.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2024Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: GUANGDONG UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Haifei Zhu, Yongjian Bu, Yongzhong Bu
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Patent number: 12005369Abstract: Described is a remote control (RC) vehicle having a convertible wheel (e.g., front wheel) with a plurality of blades. The blades are controlled with a controller to cause the blades to transition between retracted and expanded states to create a buzz saw-looking wheel for multi-terrain applications.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2021Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: JAKKS PACIFIC INC.Inventors: Robert J. Marino, Scott Hart Derman, Erich William Weidetz, Min Jin Kim, Zack Bieber
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Patent number: 11638882Abstract: A wall-climbing vehicle having a bottom cover configured along a bottom portion. The bottom cover is disposed along the bottom portion such that a gap between the vertical wall and the bottom portion of the wall-climbing vehicle is formed. An air intake area is configured along a middle portion of the bottom cover to enable symmetrical weight balance. The air intake area is configured to accommodate a circular air intake arrangement that includes a circular configuration to create a large opening along the air intake area to increase an air suction volume along the air intake area. The wall-climbing vehicle includes a plurality of sealing cloths strips configured along sides the bottom portion to form a closed area in the wall-climbing vehicle to be continuously evacuated to form a negative pressure. Moreover, a plurality of bumps and a plurality of dots may be provided for balancing effect.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2020Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Inventor: Lixiong Wang
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Patent number: 11628896Abstract: The invention relates to a composite motion robot based on springtail movement mechanism, which includes a body, a jumping mechanism, a balance wheel and a control module. The body includes a right pallet, a U-shaped frame, a curved slide, a casing, a fixing plate, a left pallet and a pin block; the control module is installed on the body. Based on springtail jumping motion mechanism and by setting the jumping mechanism and the balance wheel, the invention enables the robot to have capability of movement, such as jumping over obstacles, balance wheeled translation, flipping posture reset, and self-balance resetting which is otherwise difficult to be achieved by traditional balancing carts, etc.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: YANSHAN UNIVERSITYInventors: Ziming Chen, Xuechan Chen, Kun Zhao, Chen Zhao, Wenjiang Yan, Nan Li, An Yin, Yu Guo, Jingke Song
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Patent number: 10456698Abstract: A toy vehicle with a selectively engageable gear assembly is disclosed. The gear assembly may be selectively placed in a drive position in which a first set of wheels and a second set of wheels are connected to the motor through a first gear train and a second gear train, respectively. The gear assembly may be selectively placed in a freewheel position in which the first set and second set of wheels are disconnected from the motor. The gear assembly is switched from the drive position to the freewheel position using a lever that pivots to move a gear in the first gear train to disconnect the gear and break the first gear train when a gear is moved in the second gear train to disconnect the gear and break the second gear train. Through the lever, the first and second gear trains are positioned in concert.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Goldlok Holdings (Guangdong) Co. Ltd.Inventors: Wei Chen, Chi Wai Chiu
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Patent number: 10259397Abstract: A vehicle includes a battery, a charging unit, and a cable groove. The charging unit has a charging cable and a charging gun provided at one end of the charging cable and is configured to supply power to the battery from an external power supply. The cable groove is provided in a vehicle body and capable of accommodating the charging cable. When the charging cable is accommodated in the cable groove, the charging gun is disposed on an outer side of a transmission path, through which a shock load is transmitted to the battery during a collision with an external object.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventor: Yukio Onuki
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Patent number: 10239218Abstract: A robot with an animated segment including a generally cylindrical structural frame. The frame includes a plurality of spaced apart plastic ribs that each have a curved or arcuate body that is arranged to be convex relative to a central axis of the structural frame. A first end of each rib is pivotally coupled with a lower ring, and a second end of each rib is pivotally coupled with an upper ring. A flexible outer covering is positioned over the structural frame and is attached to one or more of the ribs. This provides a robotic segment that is animated with an organic feel and natural movement by providing an actuator in the robot segment that is operated by a controller to move one or both of the rings such as linearly along a central axis of the structural frame (e.g., toward and away from the other ring).Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2018Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Philip John Jackson, Leslie Margaret Evans
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Patent number: 10086516Abstract: In a method for interactive marking by a mobile robot on a vertical surface, a mobile robot that includes a sensor and an actuated marker is displaced across a vertical surface. Features on, in or behind the vertical surface are detected with the sensor. Displacement of the mobile robot and actuation of the actuated marker is controlled in response to the detection of these features.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2016Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Zivthan A. Dubrovsky, Raphael G. Cherney, Michael Mogenson, Justin Werfel, Kathleen O'Donnell, Radhika Nagpal, Nils Napp, Hani M. Sallum, Julian U. da Silva Gillig
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Patent number: 9975055Abstract: This double-sided toy car is capable of vertical turning within a sealed track. The double-sided toy car includes a car body, a front wheel, and a rear wheel. The rear wheel includes a pair of upper driving wheels and a pair of lower driving wheels. A maximum distance between an upper end and a lower end of the front wheel is less than or equal to a maximum distance between the upper and lower driving wheels after the rear wheel is maximally elastically contracted. The maximum distance is less than or equal to a height of the sealed track, therefore ensuring that the double-sided car can smoothly pass through a vertical turning segment. However, the maximum distance between the upper and lower driving wheels before the rear wheel is elastically contracted is greater than the height of the sealed track.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2015Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignees: ALPHA GROUP CO., LTD., GUANGDONG AULDEY ANIMATION & TOY CO., LTD., GUANGZHOU ALPHA CULTURE COMMUNICATIONS CO., LTD.Inventor: Dongqing Cai
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Patent number: 8961262Abstract: An elongated flexible open coil spring with spaced apart coils adapted to engage a guide pin on a slot car is placed in the slot of a model slot car track. Cars are positioned with their depending pins engaging the open coil spring to be carried around the track by a powered car held by and moving the open coil spring along the slot.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2014Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Inventor: George S. Hudimac, Jr.
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Publication number: 20150031269Abstract: A direct drive slot car having a chassis, and a motor having a motor shaft connecting directly to a set of wheels. The motor shaft is operatively engaged with the motor without a gear train or a separate rear axle. The motor shaft rotates the set of wheels in response to the motor being energized.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2013Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventor: Jerry Kulich
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Publication number: 20140220857Abstract: A swing-type removable toy includes a casing and a motor disposed in the casing. An output end of the motor is connected with a gear unit. The gear unit is further connected with a wheel unit. The wheel unit includes a driven gear, a wheel axle and two wheels. The driven wheel meshes with the gear unit. The wheel axle is inserted through the driven gear. The two wheels are coupled to two ends of the wheel axle. The two wheels are eccentric relative to the wheel axle. When the wheel axle is turned, the toy is staggered to move by the two eccentric wheels. Compared to a traditional toy that is erect to move, the present invention can attract more consumers.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2013Publication date: August 7, 2014Inventor: TA-WEI HSU
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Patent number: 8708770Abstract: An elongated flexible sliding member with spaced apart coils, slots, or holes to engage a guide pin on a slot car is placed in the slot of a model slot car track. Cars positioned where the flexible sliding member engage the coils, slots, holes or detents in the sliding member to be carried around the track by a powered car held by the flexible sliding member.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2009Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Inventor: George S. Hudimac, Jr.
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Publication number: 20140024285Abstract: A toy carrying mechanism to carry a toy includes a carrying body, a movable deck, a support post and a holding member. The carrying body includes a housing, a lift member located on the housing and a wheel set exposed out of the bottom of the housing. The movable deck is located on the carrying body to carry the toy and coupled with the lift member. The movable deck and carrying body form an included angle between them. The support post is mounted onto the movable deck. The holding member is coupled with the support post and the toy. The movable deck is driven by the lift member to allow the included angle to be changed. The toy is held on the movable deck and swayable in a tilted movement. Thus the toy can be moved when holding on the movable deck to increase fun for children during playing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2012Publication date: January 23, 2014Inventor: Jung Kuo HSU
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Publication number: 20130122779Abstract: Toy vehicles are configured such that at least one performance characteristic may be determined based upon information obtained from a data card and/or from encoded information from other sources, such as key-pads, smart phones, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2012Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: TOYZUKI LLCInventor: Toyzuki LLC
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Publication number: 20130084775Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, an eccentric load adapted to be rotated by the rotational motor, and a plurality of legs each having a leg base and a leg tip at a distal end relative to the leg base. The legs are coupled to the housing at the leg base and include at least one driving leg constructed from a flexible material and configured to cause the apparatus to move in a direction generally defined by an offset between the leg base and the leg tip as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric load.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2011Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: Innovation First, Inc.Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Raul Olivera, Gregory E. Needel
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Publication number: 20130084774Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, an eccentric load adapted to be rotated by the rotational motor, and a plurality of legs each having a leg base and a leg tip at a distal end relative to the leg base. The legs are coupled to the housing at the leg base and include at least one driving leg constructed from a flexible material and configured to cause the apparatus to move in a direction generally defined by an offset between the leg base and the leg tip as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric load.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2011Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: INNOVATION FIRST, INC.Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Raul Olivera
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Patent number: 8388405Abstract: A toy launcher and dual powered toy vehicle apparatus where the toy launcher includes a base part to be held stationary during operation and a slidable part mounted to the base part, the slidable part being movable between first and second positions. Captured between the base and slidable parts is a spring. The expanding spring causes the toy vehicle to be propelled away from the launcher. At the same time, the rapid movement of the rack energizes the flywheel motor so that after the spring discharges the toy vehicle and a flywheel of the flywheel motor engages a supporting surface, the toy vehicle is moving in response to both the spring and the flywheel motor, two different power sources. The single action of pulling the rack appears to the user to cause compression and release of the spring, and the flywheel motor to be energized, essentially simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.Inventors: Nash Desent, John Boyce
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Patent number: 8337274Abstract: A toy car and a remote control regulate the speed of the car. A source of supplemental power selectively energizes the drive motor thereby to selectively permit the vehicle to move faster than the normal speed. A sensor measures the voltage to the vehicle motor. After stepping up the voltage to the drive motor, and detecting a drive motor current increase in excess of the capability of vehicle, the source of supplemental power is disabled. When a normal low voltage state is detected, the source of supplemental power in the vehicle is enabled whereby the motor supply voltage is permitted to increase above a normal low voltage state permitting more power to be provided to motor.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2011Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Silverlit LimitedInventor: Kwok Leung Wong
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Patent number: 8282440Abstract: A system and method are provided for low power electronic speed control for a model vehicle. A remote controlled model vehicle system may comprise a motor, a transmitter, a receiver, and an electronic speed control device. The electronic speed control device comprises a user interface and is at least configured to control a magnitude of average power applied to the motor in response to a user input. The electronic speed control device can operate under at least two profiles, wherein a desired profile is selected by the user. In one embodiment, under a first profile the electronic speed control device applies 100% magnitude of average power to the motor in response to maximum forward throttle, and under a second profile the electronic speed control device applies a percentage magnitude of average power lower than 100% and greater than 0% to the motor in response to maximum forward throttle.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2006Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Traxxas LPInventors: Michael S. Jenkins, Kent Poteet, Brent W. Byers
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Patent number: 8162715Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a chassis, a front road wheel supported for rotation from the chassis and a rear road wheel supported for rotation from the chassis. A reversible motor is supported from the chassis and is operatively coupled with one of the front and rear road wheels so as to rotate at least one of the front and rear road wheels to propel the toy vehicle in a forward direction. A wheelie mechanism is operatively connected to the motor and has a first end pivotally attached to the central axis of one of the front and rear road wheels.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventor: Mark S. Mayer
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Publication number: 20120028538Abstract: A handheld electrical charger for a toy vehicle provides a manual handle on the housing for generating kinetic energy. A dynamo within the housing and in mechanical communication with the handle generates electrical energy from the kinetic energy. A power takeoff transfers a portion of the kinetic energy or the electrical energy to a power inlet for a toy, and the toy is separable from the charger. The toy includes an electrical storage device to be charged by electrical output from the inlet. The toy is operable as a toy under its own recharged electrical power when the power take off and power inlet is disconnected. There can be a power storage for DC power in the housing and/or in the toy. A dock is provided for selectively creating an electrical coupling of the toy vehicle to transfer the electrical power and decoupling to allow the vehicle to operate independently of the charger.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2010Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: SILVERLIT LIMITEDInventor: Kwok Leung Wong
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Patent number: 8066544Abstract: A toy apparatus may include a frame and a shell that may extend over and around the frame so that the apparatus takes on the appearance of an animal or thing. The frame may support a power source, a motor, drive and support wheel(s), a controller, one or more sensors and/or switches, and an audio emitting device(s). The sensor(s) and/or switches may include one or more of a photo sensor; a pressure, touch or contact sensor; an audio sensor; or any combination of these or similar sensors or switches that are positioned on the “front” and “top” of the frame. The apparatus may also be positioned in and interact with one or more separate or interconnected environments. These environments may include one or more platforms or enclosures, ramp(s), “exercise” wheel(s) and other light or sound emitting devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2010Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Hedeen International, LLCInventor: Clemens V. Hedeen, Jr.
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Patent number: 7927170Abstract: A portable device comprises a motor for providing vibration, a power source for powering the motor, a switching device for controlling the direction of the motor, propelling means for engaging a surface and for propelling the device when the motor is vibrating, the propelling means extending downwardly at an angle to the vertical, and an input device connected to the switching device, the switching device arranged to switch the direction of the motor when the input device receives a predetermined signal. Advantageously, the propelling means comprise a set of bristles. By using angled bristles, this increases friction in the backwards direction and so causes the device to move forwards when vibrating. The bristles dig into surface when vibration tries to move the object backwards, and the bristles slide over surface when vibration tries to move object forwards.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2006Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: JKID LimitedInventors: Matthew James Bickerton, Michael Lee Simpson
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Publication number: 20110014849Abstract: The present invention provides a toy car wheel with an adjustable center of gravity. The middle of the toy car wheel defines a through hole. At least one spoke is distributed between the rim of the toy car wheel and the through hole. At least one channel is defined in each spoke. At least one spherical body is disposed in each channel. When a toy car decelerates, a momentum of the toy car decreases, the at least one spherical body descends in a corresponding channel, and the center of gravity of the toy car wheel descends.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2009Publication date: January 20, 2011Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY(ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: KIM-YEUNG SIP, KUI-JUN WANG
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Publication number: 20100291830Abstract: Electronic, motorized, battery-operated toy vehicles featuring interchangeable gears, wheels, and/or tires which may permit performance tuning without tools are disclosed. Features may include a translucent and/or transparent lower chassis, a programmable power switch, a try-me function, and/or internal lighting to illuminate gears and/or headlights. Some exemplary embodiments may include 1:20 scale plastic cars, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Inventor: Gregory Doherty
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Patent number: 7815486Abstract: The present invention relates to a spring-powered toy vehicle with a front body portion, a separable rear body portion, rotating wheels and a spring propulsion system. When the rear body portion is pulled away from the front body portion and released, the spring will pull the rear body portion back into the front body portion, thereby causing the vehicle to move forward. Parallel vehicle guides prevent the rear movable body portion from pulling away in a non-axial direction, thus guiding the propelled toy vehicle in a straight line. Other aspects provide interchangeable and replaceable springs, and body portions. Additionally, vehicle choices include autos, trucks, motorcycles, planes, and construction equipment. A launcher is included that provides a stable platform for launching the vehicles and additionally imparts, through a peg and notch assembly and a spring-loaded plunger, additional kinetic energy for propulsion.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2007Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: JAKKS Pacific, Inc.Inventors: Michael Bernstein, Gabriel Carlson
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Publication number: 20100261406Abstract: The present invention is directed to an interactive intelligent toy comprising an intelligent element configured to resemble a person, animal, vehicle or other character and an auxiliary component configured to engage with and direct action of the toy. The intelligent element is adapted to perform certain actions upon contact with its environment and in response to the auxiliary component. The motive component also engages with a coupling component and supplies the drive mechanism and power source for moving both the motive component and the coupling component.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Ashley B. Hornsby, Joseph McGowan, Michael Reynolds
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Patent number: 7803031Abstract: The vehicle (10) includes a frame (12) having at least three non-circular wheels (20, 22, 24) secured to a frame (12), wherein the wheels are mechanically secured to each other so that whenever one non-circular wheel moves, the other wheels (20, 22, 24) move. An offset arm (76) powered by a motor (78) rotates a weight (84) around a geometric center adjacent the wheels to sequentially tip them so that their sequential tipping moves the vehicle (10). The non-circular wheels (20, 22, 24) are sequentially aligned with respect to each other so that whenever one wheel is tipped from a collapse alignment (32) into a contact alignment (34), sequentially the next non-circular wheel (20, 22, 24) is moved into a collapse alignment (32). Any driving force may be used to sequentially tip the non-circular wheels (20, 22, 24, 26), instead of the rotating weight (84).Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2006Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Inventors: Jason M. Winckler, Steven J. Winckler
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Patent number: 7662017Abstract: A toy vehicle comprises a lift mechanism which allows the toy vehicle to be lifted from a support surface in a lifting motion and roll end over end over end. The lift mechanism includes a lift arm pivotally mounted to a housing of the toy vehicle. A lift arm actuating motor is coupled to a lift arm drive screw that is in threaded engagement with a lift arm drive nut. A strut is coupled between the drive nut and the lift arm. In operation, the lift arm actuating motor drives the lift arm drive screw and causes the lift arm drive nut to drive the strut and move the lift arm into an extended position, causing the lift arm to engage a support surface to lift the toy vehicle. In the extended position, the toy vehicle is sufficiently rounded to permit the vehicle to roll end over end over end.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2006Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Joseph T. Moll, Justin Discoe, Vladimir Leonov, Nathan Bloch, John M. Clements, Gregory Garneau
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Patent number: 7610131Abstract: A rolling angle control device 21 is disposed to provide the rolling angle control device for a remote-controlled two-wheeled vehicle so as to facilitate the control of the vehicle by an operator and stabilize the posture of the remote-controlled two-wheeled vehicle in a wide speed range.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2003Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Inventor: Satoru Kojima
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Patent number: 7568538Abstract: Battery charging assemblies for children's ride-on vehicles, and children's ride-on vehicles that include the same. The charging assemblies may include a power adapter that is adapted to be electrically connected to a power source, a charger cord, and a charging connector that is adapted to electrically interconnect with the rechargeable battery of the ride-on vehicle. The battery charging assemblies further include at least one protective element to prevent or significantly reduce backflow current from the battery into the battery charging assembly. The protective element may be located in the charging probe or at any point along the charger cord of the battery charging assembly. The protective element may include any suitable current-limiting or current-interrupting device. Examples of such current limiting devices include, without limitation, a fuse, a circuit breaker, an anti-backflow diode, and a resettable fuse such as a positive temperature coefficient resistor (PTC resistor).Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2006Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Steven Robert Drosendahl, Stephen J. Michalak, Jeffrey W. Reynolds
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Publication number: 20090156088Abstract: A reality generating device wherein a traveling toy with a chassis and a body includes: an operation sound generating unit for generating operation sounds of the traveling toy during operation; a vibration generating unit attached to the body for causing the body to vibrate; and a travel driving unit provided on the body for causing the traveling toy to travel. If desired, operation sounds and vibrations are simultaneously generated for enhanced reality of the traveling toy.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2005Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: NIKKO CO., LTD.Inventor: Kenji Mukaida
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Patent number: 7288017Abstract: A two-wheeled toy vehicle by radio control having a supporting member of a front wheel mounted on a vehicle body so as to control freely in steering angle and a rider-like doll mounted on an upper portion of the vehicle body, the doll response to the radio controlled steering operation, effecting parallel displacement vertically to traveling direction and horizontally to the vehicle body, the steering operation being effected by slanting the supporting member of the front wheel in accordance with displacement of the toy's gravity center caused by the parallel displacement of the doll. The supporting member of the front wheel includes a front fork joint provided with a connecting portion combined to the vehicle body and a long cylindrical member provided with an oval like opening portion at its upper part with opposite ends being jointed with a specific angle to the connecting portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Nikko Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kenji Mukaida
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Patent number: 7172488Abstract: A toy vehicle comprises a lift mechanism which allows the toy vehicle to be lifted from a support surface in a lifting motion and roll end over end over end. The lift mechanism includes a lift arm pivotally mounted to a housing of the toy vehicle. A lift arm actuating motor is coupled to a lift arm drive screw that is in threaded engagement with a lift arm drive nut. A strut is coupled between the drive nut and the lift arm. In operation, the lift arm actuating motor drives the lift arm drive screw and causes the lift arm drive nut to drive the strut and move the lift arm into an extended position, causing the lift arm to engage a support surface to lift the toy vehicle. In the extended position, the toy vehicle is sufficiently rounded to permit the vehicle to roll end over end over end.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Joseph T. Moll, Justin Discoe, Vladimir Leonov, Nathan Bloch, John M. Clements, Gregory Garneau
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Patent number: 7150671Abstract: The invention relates to a toy vehicle, particularly for track-guided car racing circuits, that comprises a drive motor (10), which has a drive shaft (12), and comprises a driven axle (14), which is provided with wheels. A transmission (16) is mounted between the drive shaft (12) and the driven axle (14), and the transmission (16) is provided in the form of a manual transmission (16) that is shifted by the direction of rotation of the drive motor (10).Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2001Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignee: Stadlbauer Spie-Und Freizeitartikel GmbHInventor: Hubertus Maleika
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Patent number: 7137862Abstract: A system and method for controlling multiple model vehicles while using only a single remote control transmitter. A remote control signal transmitter is provided for transmitting control signals. The transmitted control signals are received by a single master model vehicle. The master model vehicle contains a remote control signal receiver and various motors that enable the master model vehicle to move along a first pathway in response to the control signals that are received. At least one slave model vehicle is provided that is coupled to the master model vehicle. The slave model vehicle(s) contain no motors but are rather propelled by the master model vehicle. Each slave model vehicle does not travel along the same pathway as the master model vehicle, but rather travels in formation in pathways that are adjacent to the pathway of the master model vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2003Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Inventor: L. Taylor Arnold
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Patent number: 6971941Abstract: An attachment structure for motor and a racing vehicle toy, wherein a motor can easily be inserted and removed therefrom, including a motor holding plate pivoting relative to a toy chassis between an open position for opening the motor containing part and a close position for closing the motor containing part. The motor holding plate includes a member to elastically engage the chassis, when the motor holding plate is in the closed position, thereby holding the motor in the motor containing part.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Tomy Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshinobu Kaneko, Yousuke Yoneda, Yoshio Suimon
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Patent number: 6964572Abstract: A developmental toy for small children includes a contacting member is rotated by an electric motor and a controller that, in response to input from a sensor, signals the electric motor to move the toy from a starting position for an initial period of time in an initial direction and signals the motor to wait a resting period of time. If no further input is received from a child that is detected by the sensor within the resting period of time, the controller signals the motor to move the toy back in an opposite sense, toward the starting location.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2003Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: The First Years Inc.Inventor: Joseph A. Cesa
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Patent number: 6959231Abstract: A robot system includes a plurality of segments 3, joints 4 for linking the segments together, drive units 5 for actuating the joints, and a controller 8 for controlling the drive units. Further, the robot system has bladders 2 filled with a fluid being of lower specific gravity than the outside environment. A center of buoyancy differs from a center of gravity, and the robot system has a specific gravity of greater than 1 relative the outside environment.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2003Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Katsuhiro Maeda
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Patent number: 6945843Abstract: A toy lowrider model vehicle which simulates the lifting and lowering movement of a full-size lowrider vehicle. The toy vehicle, preferably wireless or remote controlled having an onboard control signal receiver and battery power, has a chassis which supports spaced front and rear suspension assemblies each including a transverse axle supporting a wheel thereon for rotation and chassis support. Each suspension assembly is preferably independently movable, carrying an axle and wheel thereon for controlled up and down movement to selectively raise and lower each corner of the chassis separately or in any desired combination together. Lifting motors supported on the chassis each include an output shaft connected to one corresponding suspension assembly whereby the corresponding axle and wheel thereon are carried to move up or down to effect the corresponding corner of the chassis to raise or lower in lowrider fashion.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2004Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Inventor: Stephen J. Motosko
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Patent number: 6881122Abstract: A toy vehicle comprises a lift mechanism which allows the toy vehicle to be lifted from a supporting surface in a lifting motion. The lift mechanism includes a rotary member which engages a lifting lever hingedly attached to a chassis of the toy vehicle. In operation, the rotary member is abruptly moved by a biasing member into engagement with the lifting lever. The rotary member moves the lifting lever into an extended position, causing the lifting lever to engage the supporting surface, to lift the toy. The toy vehicle includes features to help permit operation of the lift mechanism only when the toy vehicle is in a proper operational condition.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Nathan Bloch, Vikas Kumar Parkhie Sinha, Justin Discoe, Kenlip Ong, Gregory Nungester, Bruce Gavins
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Patent number: 6827627Abstract: The invention relates to a toy vehicle having steerable wheels, to a steering mechanism for such a vehicle, and to a steering module incorporated in the steering mechanism. The steering module includes a coil having a first end and a second end with a central axis extending between the first and second ends thereof, a bar disposed adjacent the first end of the coil and mounted along a substantially linear axis generally perpendicular to the central axis of the coil. The coil and the bar are mounted to be moveable relative to each other. The bar includes first and second magnets mounted on the bar along the substantially linear axis. The first and second magnets each include a north pole and a south pole, with the north pole of the first magnet facing the first end of the coil and the south pole of the second magnet facing the first end of the coil. The steering mechanism is compact in size with few parts.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2001Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Inventor: Sek Wan Tsang
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Patent number: 6821181Abstract: An amusement device with sparking means comprises a central housing which encapsulates a power means. An axle support is located at a bottom portion of the housing, functioning to allow an axle to extend horizontally therethrough. A plurality of wheels are rigidly affixed to the axle and located at extreme ends of the axle. The axle is of a generally bent configuration, functioning to allow the amusement device to move across a surface in a wave-like pattern. A rudder member acting as front support means comes in contact with a flat surface upon which the amusement device is placed, and is rigidly affixed to a wind-up handle. The wind-up handle is rigidly connected to the power means located within the housing, functioning to allow a user to crank the handle to engage the power. A generally elliptical friction disc member is located at a position above the housing and positioned horizontally thereto. The friction disc member comprises a rotating arm, which is parallel to the friction disc.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2003Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Inventor: Francisco Bicalho Domingues
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Patent number: 6805609Abstract: A toy car comprises a base, a plurality of wheels arranged to support the base for rolling movement over a surface, a spring-powered drive train carried by the base and operatively coupled to at least one of the wheels and having at least one rotatable drive gear, a post shiftably mounted to the base and moveable between a first position and a second position and including a camming surface, and a pawl carried by the base and including a camming surface. The camming surface of the post and the camming surface of the pawl are arranged to shift the pawl into engagement with the teeth of the drive gear in response to movement of the post to the first position, and the pawl is arranged to shift away from the drive gear in response to movement of the post to the second position.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2003Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.Inventors: William M. Paukert, Douglas A. Schultheis
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Patent number: 6793552Abstract: A radio controlled toy is provided with a robotic rider that catches waves via an electric motor and propeller, then rides waves like a real surfer, and rights itself after a wipeout comprising a novel way to rotate the robotic rider's upper torso and to disburse the motor room heat allowing for long run times.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Inventor: Steven J. Derrah
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Patent number: 6783423Abstract: An attachment structure for motor and a racing vehicle toy, wherein a motor can easily be inserted and removed therefrom, are provided. The attachment structure includes a motor holding plate capable of turning on a predetermined rotational shaft line attached to a chassis or base body. The motor holding plate includes an engaging portion capable of elastically engaging with an engage portion provided on the chassis when the motor holding plate is at the close position. The motor holding plate is capable of taking up an open position for opening the motor containing part and a close position for closing the motor containing part the turning. The motor holding plate holds the motor in the motor containing part in the close position.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: TOMY Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshinobu Kaneko, Yousuke Yoneda, Yoshio Suimon
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Patent number: 6773321Abstract: A remote control convertible toy vehicle assembly having detachable accessories has an axle connected to a toy vehicle chassis. A generator is detachably electrically connectable to a conventional battery. The generator is drivingly coupled to the axle and is for recharging the battery when the axle is rotating. A motor is detachably electrically connectable to the conventional battery and is drivingly coupled to the axle.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2003Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Inventor: Raul Urquiaga
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Patent number: 6771034Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle having an electronic speed controller adapted to regulate at least one of the timing and rate of application of a selected rotational input. The vehicle includes a body with a seat, a steering mechanism positioned for operation by a child to steer at least one of the vehicle's wheels, and a drive assembly with an actuator positioned for actuation by a child sitting on the seat to cause the driven rotation of at least one of the vehicle's wheels by a battery-powered motor assembly. In some embodiments, the drive assembly includes one or more user input devices that enable a child sitting on the seat to select at least one of the relative speed and direction of the vehicle. The drive assembly also includes an electronic speed controller that controls electronically the transmission of a selected rotational input to the vehicle's driven wheel assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2002Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Peter Reile, Brian L. Bienz
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Patent number: 6752684Abstract: A radio controlled toy vehicle that has the ability to transform from a compact (narrow wheel track) configuration to an expanded (wide wheel track) configuration. The toy vehicle includes at least one driving wheel. Left and right main transformation arms are attached to left and right chassis bodies. A transformation drive is adapted to cause the main transformation arms to move towards or away from each other when the transformation drive is actuated, thereby causing the left and right chassis bodies to move towards or away from each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2003Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Inventor: Jason C. Lee