Radio Controlled Aquatic Propulsion Device

Abstract

A radio controlled propulsion device for use with multiple buoyant objects. The device contains a radio receiver circuit, a motor drive circuit, and motors for steering and propulsion. The device also contains a battery pack to provide power to the circuits and motors. The circuits are responsive to signals from a transmitter controlled by the operator of the propulsion device. With the propulsion device inserted into a cavity formed in the body of the buoyant object, the output signals from the drive circuit are provided, to control the motion of the buoyant object.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to aquatic propulsion devices and, more particularly, to a self-contained, removable, radio controlled aquatic propulsion device, which may be used with a variety of floating toys, waterfowl decoys, aquatic novelty items and small boats. [0002] A number of prior art devices exist, which include means to propel various objects through the water. A wide variety of radio controlled aquatic toys have been developed over the years. Many pertain specifically to single purpose toys with permanent electronics and drive systems. Such toys, while occasionally novel in design, can be expensive and the design specific nature, can lead to boredom with the toy. In addition, if the superstructure of the toy is damaged because of neglect, abuse or poor construction, the entire toy may be rendered unusable. As such, the toy industry has suffered from limited interest in this type of toy. [0003] Several designs have been developed...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] The advantages of the present invention are attained by a removable, self-contained radio control led aquatic propulsion device, which can be used with a variety of buoyant objects. The components of the device include a watertight, hollow body, which contains a radio receiver circuit, an antenna, a motor control circuit, dual drive motors and batteries to provide power to the circuits and drive motors. The drive motors are contained in a watertight housing, or housings, and are permanently attached to the bottom of the device. A propeller is attached to the axle of each motor to provide thrust. The device also includes a switch to electrically disconnect the batteries from the circuitry and drive motors when the device is not in use. The device may include a charging jack to provide power to recharge the batteries. The device may include a watertight plug to seal the charging jack. The device may include dual electrically conductive tabs on the exterior surface of the body, which are internally connected to the batteries. The device may include a charging cradle to provide power to recharge the batteries through the tabs when inserted into said charging cradle. A skeg may be attached to the bottom of the device to aid in controlling the motion of the device. A weight may be attached to the bottom of the device to aid in stabilizing the device.

[0015] The device may include an electrically conductive contact on the exterior surface of the body, which is internally connected to the antenna. The cavity of the buoyant objects described above may include an electrically conductive contact which is designed to engage the contact connected to the antenna of the device when said device is inserted into said cavity. The contact on the cavity may be connected to a length of antenna wire housed in the body of the buoyant object. The connection of the two contacts and the extra antenna increases the overall length of the antenna in order to provide extended radio range of the device.

Problems solved by technology

Such toys, while occasionally novel in design, can be expensive and the design specific nature, can lead to boredom with the toy.

In addition, if the superstructure of the toy is damaged because of neglect, abuse or poor construction, the entire toy may be rendered unusable.

As such, the toy industry has suffered from limited interest in this type of toy.

The device, however, is limited by the fact that it only propels the aquatic toy in one direction.

While the direction is adjustable by a rudder, it is not controllable by the operator once deployed.

Again, this does not provide for remote, full-motion control of the aquatic toy.

This concept discloses a removable radio receiver and motor control system, but does not accommodate the separation of the entire drive system from the body of the toy.

The majority of these devices have been designed solely as radio controlled decoys, which are limited in their specificity, and are expensive and difficult to manufacture.

As a result, this allows for possible environmental damage of the electronics and a difficult, labor intensive conversion of a standard decoy.

This, however, pertains solely to game decoys, includes additional devices intended to retrieve a downed bird, and does not provide a simple means to convert an existing game decoy into a radio controlled game decoy.

In addition it does not provide for a self-contained unit that is specifically designed as a propulsion and steering device.

These inventions, while being removable aquatic propulsion devices, do not employ the use of remote radio electronics in their designs.

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