Novel self-propelled toy

Abstract

A self-propelled toy includes a "drive and control" module and a housing in the shape of a dinosaur, animal or human gliding athlete. An axle with wheels is attached to a drive and control module in the housing. The pull-back mechanism includes a motor drive / driven gear drivingly connected to the axle drive / driven gear, where the pull-back mechanism generates and stores mechanical potential energy when the toy body is pulled back and the wheels contact the ground. When the toy body is released, the kinetic energy drives the toy in a direction opposite to the pull-back direction. A controller is connected to the pull-back mechanism and electrically connected to at least one light emitting diode (LED) in the toy body. When the toy is released to allow the toy to move forward, power is supplied to the LEDs to generate light signals, and optionally, the sound transducer generates sound.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to wheeled, self-propelled toys, and more particularly, to a new type of self-propelled toy configured with a pull-back mechanism and elements that force the toy to "scream" or "flash eyes" or both when the self-propelled toy is in a "wound up" state and released (i.e., a released state). Summary of the invention

[0002] The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of known self-propelled toys with pull-back mechanisms.

[0003] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a self-propelled toy. The toy includes: a toy body; a "drive and control" module, which includes a housing; a connector for connecting the drive and control module to the toy body and disconnecting the drive and control module from the toy body; an axle having wheels and axle drive / driven gears on opposite ends, the axle being attached to the drive and control module housing; a pull-back mechanism, which is arranged in or on the drive and control module housing, the pull-back mechanism including a motor drive / driven gear 62, the motor drive / driven gear 62 being drivingly connected to the axle drive / driven gear, wherein when the toy is pulled back When the toy body and wheels touch the ground, the pull-back mechanism generates and stores mechanical potential energy, and when the toy body is released, the mechanical potential energy is converted into kinetic energy to drive the toy in a direction opposite to the pull-back direction; and a controller, which is arranged on or in the drive and control module housing, the controller is connected to the pull-back mechanism and electrically connected to at least one light emitting diode (LED) in the toy body, the controller includes a microcontroller or other logic element and a rechargeable energy source, and the rechargeable energy source is used to power the microcontroller or other logic element and the at least one LED.

[0004] The controller includes at least one sensing element for sensing when the pull-back mechanism has generated and stored mechanical energy, defining a "primed" logical state, and when the toy is released to allow the toy to move forward, defining a "go" state. If in the primed state and the go state, power is supplied to at least one LED to generate a light signal. Preferably, the toy body is any one of a mammal, a reptile, a fish, a dinosaur, other animals / insects, or a human sports athlete, all of which have eyes, wherein at least one LED is in the eye. The toy may also include a sound transducer electrically connected to the controller, which emits a sound signal when in the primed state and the go state. The toy body may embody a mammal, a reptile, a fish, a dinosaur, other animals / insects, or a human sports athlete, all of which have a mouth, wherein the sound transducer is arranged in the mouth. The sound transducer emits a sound signal when in the primed state and the go state.

[0005] Mammals, reptiles, fish, dinosaurs, other animals / insects, and sports players all utilize a pull-back mechanism for movement. Although mammals, reptiles, fish, dinosaurs, and other animals / insects generally move in a forward direction, and sports players move in a forward direction, it is preferred to move in a sliding forward direction. For example, in the case where the sports player is a soccer player, the player slides with his / her knees bent in a forward direction and arms extended outward in a celebratory posture. Other sports characters, such as baseball / softball players, may slide with their feet forward toward a base or home plate.

[0006] Additionally, track and field runners may be depicted standing upright and running forward. Additionally, skiers may be depicted sliding down a ski slope on a sled. Other moving sports figures may include: basketball players, football players, hockey players, tennis players, or pickleball players. Alternatively, the sliding or moving characters may be depicted on a small portion of the playing field, with a pull-back mechanism located below the small portion of the playing field, which will be propelled forward with the sports players positioned above the playing field. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1A child is depicted holding a phantom 2-wheeled Triceratops, and a full line Triceratops is near the child in a solid line and rolling away from the child; Figure 2 is to leave Figure 1 Magnified view of Triceratops, inside elevation; Figure 3 is a perspective view from the underside of a Triceratops with the mechanism disassembled downward away from the mount; Figure 4 The wheel mechanism is shown removed from the housing; Figure 5 is a side elevation of the wheel mechanism, which attempts to illustrate the gear arrangement; Fig. 6A is a side view of the toy, highlighting the connections from the controller to drive the LED eyes; Figure 6B is a side view of the toy, highlighting the connections from the controller to drive the sound transducer in the mouth; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a celebrating soccer player skating with knees forward and arms extended outward; and Figure 8 is a perspective view of a celebrating soccer player, shown in partial section, illustrating the internal mechanical and electrical components for the pullback mechanism, as well as the sound and light generating components.

[0008] Reference Number Component Identifier Self-propelled toy 10 Toy body 20 Eyes 22 Mouth 24 Sound emitting element 26 Mechanical connector 30 Body connection portion 32 Main body side connecting pin 31 Dricon connection part 34 Opening for connecting pin 35 Drive and control module 40 Housing 42 Shell ground contact point 44 Axle 46 Wheel 48 Axle driven / driving gear 50 Pull back mechanism 60 Motor drive / driven gear 62 Spring / tensioning mechanism 64 Controller 70 Line(s) 72 Line 73 Sound transducer 74 Self-propelled toy sliding sports player 110 Toy body 120 Sports Athletes' Eyes122 Sports Athlete's Mouth124 Sound emitting element in mouth 126 Drive and control module 140 Axle 146 Drive wheel 148 Pull back mechanism 160 Pull back motor 62 Stablizer wind 163, 163a Pull-back mechanism controller 170 Line 172 from a light emitting element in the eye Line from the sound emitting transducer in the mouth 173 Sound emission transducer in mouth 174 Slider's knee 180, 180a Extended arms 182, 182a of a skater DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] The following is a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention depicted in the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodiments are presented in detail to clearly convey the present invention and are designed to teach those of ordinary skill in the art how to make and use these exemplary embodiments. However, the amount of detail provided is not intended to limit the intended variations of the embodiments of the disclosed invention. On the contrary, the inventors intend to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of the disclosed invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0010] The present invention provides a self-propelled toy 10, which includes a toy body 20, which is attached to a "drive and control" module 40. The mechanical connector 30 is arranged with a body connection portion 32 and a drive connection portion 34, the body connection portion 32 is attached to the toy body 20 (for example, under the toy body to minimize its visibility), and the drive connection portion 34 is connected to the drive and control module 40 (for example, on the top of the drive and control module). As shown in the drawings, the connecting pin 31 on the body connection portion 32 of the mechanical connector 30 is received in the opening 35 for the connecting pin.

[0011] The toy body 20 can be any toy body, but is preferably a three-dimensional (3D) mammal, reptile, fish (i.e., shark) or dinosaur shaped body, and most preferably, the toy body includes eyes 22 and / or a mouth 24, wherein the eyes 22 are in the form of light emitting diodes and the mouth 24 is at least partially open and has a sound emitting element 26 (such as a transducer) positioned therein, wherein when the self-propelled toy is pulled back or reeled and released, the eyes and the sound emitting element are activated to emit sound and light (in a pattern), respectively.

[0012] The drive and control module 40 embodies a housing 42. On the bottom side of the housing (opposite to the top side with the drive connection portion 34), a single axle 46 is arranged, having a wheel 48 on opposite ends and an axle drive / driven gear 50. During intended use, the wheel contacts the ground, wherein the housing 42 also includes a ground contact point 44, which is relatively arranged toward the front, given that the axle and wheel are relatively arranged toward the rear of the housing. Thus, the wheel and ground contact point provide a 3-point balanced ground contact, so that the toy can sit or move stably, and with minimal friction between the ground contact point and the ground.

[0013] The pull-back mechanism 60 (which preferably includes a spring-loaded motor mechanism) is also arranged in or on the housing 42 of the drive and control module 40 and includes a motor drive / driven gear 62, which is drivingly connected to the wheel axle drive / driven gear 50. When the toy body (which is connected to the housing or the drive and control module) is pulled back to generate and store mechanical potential energy, the wheel axle drive / driven gear 50 drives the motor drive / driven gear 62 (operates as a driven gear), and the motor drive / driven gear 62 receives mechanical energy against the spring to generate stored potential energy. When the toy body has potential energy and is released, the motor drive / driven gear 62 drives the wheel axle drive / driven gear 50, and thus drives the wheel axle and the wheel. The pull-back mechanism 60 can be implemented in any manner known to the skilled person, such as by relying on a spring or other tensioning mechanism 64 as shown in the figure.

[0014] Fig. 6AThe controller 70 held within the housing 42 is highlighted and electrically connected to the eye 22 via wire(s) to provide sufficient electrical potential to illuminate the LEDs embodying the eye 22. The controller includes a microcontroller or other logic element (not shown), and an energy source for powering the microcontroller or other logic element and the eye. As known to those skilled in the art, the energy source may be an electromechanical cell or a microgenerator including micromagnets and a rotor that rotates with an axle to generate an electrical current that accumulates and is stored as electrical potential in an energy storage device (also not shown).

[0015] Figure 6B A controller 70 is highlighted, held within the housing 42, and electrically connected to the eye 22 via wire(s) 72 to provide sufficient electrical potential to illuminate the LEDs embodying the eye 22, and to a sound transducer 74 in the mouth 24 via wire 73 to generate sound (in addition to illuminating the eye) according to the logic of the controller 70. As explained, the controller includes a microcontroller or other logic element (not shown), and an energy source for powering the microcontroller or other logic element, the eye 22, and the sound transducer. As known to those skilled in the art, the energy source may be an electromechanical battery or a micro-generator, which includes micro-magnets and a rotor that rotates with an axle to generate an electric current that accumulates and is stored as an electrical potential in an energy storage device (also not shown).

[0016] The controller 70 includes at least one sensing element for sensing that the pull-back mechanism 60 has generated and stored mechanical energy, defining a "ready" logic state. The microcontroller or logic element may be implemented, for example, by a variable "energy_store=1" to logically define the ready state (e.g., once energy storage begins, a logic high state is entered). The sensor or additional sensor senses when the toy is released to move forward, the toy being driven by the stored mechanical energy used as kinetic energy. The microcontroller or logic element may be implemented, for example, by a variable "release_to_go=1" to logically define the release to go state (e.g., once energy is used to drive the axle and move the toy forward, a logic high state is entered).

[0017] When "energy_store" = 1 and "release_to_go" = 1, the AND logic (energy_store AND release_to_go = 1) enables the electrical connection between the microcontroller and the logic element to drive the LED (eye 22) or the sound transducer 74, or both, for a limited time, intermittently, or until it is detected that all the potential energy has been used. The present invention provides a self-propelled toy 10, which includes a toy body 20, which is attached to a "drive and control" module 40. The mechanical connector 30 is arranged with a body connection portion 32 and a drive connection portion 34, the body connection portion 32 is attached to the toy body 20 (for example, under the toy body to minimize its visibility), and the drive connection portion 34 is connected to the drive and control module 40 (for example, on the top of the drive and control module). As shown in the figure, the connecting pin 31 on the body connection portion 32 of the mechanical connector 30 is received in the opening 35 for the connecting pin.

[0018] exist Figure 7 and 8 In an alternative embodiment, the gliding sports player 110 has a body 120, which can be any toy body, but is preferably a three-dimensional (3D) depiction of a sports player in a gliding or running position, and most preferably, the toy body 120 includes eyes 122 and / or a mouth 124, the eyes 122 are in the form of light-emitting diodes, the mouth 124 is at least partially open, and has a sound emitting element 126 (such as a transducer) positioned therein, wherein when the self-propelled toy is pulled back or reeled and released, the eyes and sound emitting elements are activated to emit sound and light (according to the mode), respectively.

[0019] The drive and control module 140 embodies a housing. On the bottom side of the housing (opposite to the top side with the drive control connection portion 34, similar to Figure 1-6B 146 with wheels 148 and axle drive / driven gears on opposite ends. During intended use, the wheels 148 contact the ground, wherein the housing further includes a ground contact point that is relatively disposed toward the front, given that the axle 146 and wheels 148 are relatively disposed toward the rear of the housing. Thus, the wheels 148 and the ground contact point provide a 3-point balanced ground contact so that the toy can be stably sat or moved with minimal friction between the ground contact point and the ground.

[0020] Pull back mechanism 160 (in Figure 7 and 8140) preferably includes a spring-loaded motor mechanism, also arranged in or on the housing of the drive and control module 140, and includes a motor drive / driven gear 162, which is drivingly connected to the axle drive / driven gear 150. When the toy body connected to the housing or the drive and control module is pulled back to generate and store mechanical potential energy, the axle drive / driven gear 150 drives the motor drive / driven gear 162 (operating as a driven gear), and the motor drive / driven gear 162 receives mechanical energy against the spring to generate stored potential energy. When the toy body has potential energy and is released, the motor drive / driven gear 162 drives the axle drive / driven gear 150, and thus drives the axle and the wheel. The pull-back mechanism 160 can be implemented in any manner known to the skilled person, as shown in the figure, such as by relying on a spring or other tensioning mechanism.

[0021] Figure 8 The controller 170 held within the housing 140 is highlighted and electrically connected to the eye 122 of the athlete 110 via wire(s) 172 to provide sufficient electrical potential to illuminate the LEDs embodying the eye. The controller includes a microcontroller or other logic element (not shown), and an energy source for powering the microcontroller or other logic element and the eye. As known to those skilled in the art, the energy source may be an electromechanical battery or a micro-generator including micro-magnets and a rotor that rotates with the axle to generate an electric current that accumulates and is stored as an electrical potential in an energy storage device (also not shown).

[0022] Figure 8 Also highlighted is the controller 170 held within the housing 140, which is electrically connected to the eye 122 of the athlete 110 via wire(s) 172 to provide sufficient electrical potential to illuminate the LEDs embodying the eye 22, and to the sound transducer 174 in the mouth 124 via wire 173 to generate sound (in addition to illuminating the eye) according to the logic of the controller 170. As explained, the controller includes a microcontroller or other logic element (not shown), and an energy source for powering the microcontroller or other logic element, the eye 122, and the sound transducer 174. As known to those skilled in the art, the energy source may be an electromechanical battery or a micro-generator, which includes micro-magnets and a rotor that rotates with an axle to generate an electric current that accumulates and is stored as an electrical potential in an energy storage device (also not shown).

[0023] The controller 170 includes at least one sensing element for sensing that the pull-back mechanism 160 has generated and stored mechanical energy, defining a "ready" logic state. The microcontroller or logic element may be implemented, for example, by a variable "energy_stored" = 1 to logically define the ready state (e.g., once energy storage begins, a logic high state is entered). The sensor or additional sensor senses when the toy is released to move forward, the toy being driven by the stored mechanical energy used as kinetic energy. The microcontroller or logic element may be implemented, for example, by a variable "release_to_advance" = 1 to logically define the release to advance state (e.g., once energy is used to drive the axle and move the toy forward, a logic high state is entered).

[0024] When "energy_stored" = 1 and "release_to_advance" = 1, the AND logic (energy_stored and release_to_advance = 1) enables the electrical connection between the microcontroller and the logic element to drive the LED (eye 122) or the sound transducer 174, or both, for a limited time, intermittently, or until it is detected that all potential energy has been used.

[0025] Although the foregoing invention has been described in terms of certain specific embodiments, other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art based on the disclosure herein. Furthermore, the described embodiments have been presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel processes and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms without departing from their spirit.

Claims

1. A self-propelled toy, comprising: Toy body; A "drive and control" module, which includes a housing; a connector for connecting the drive and control module to the toy body and disconnecting the drive and control module from the toy body; an axle attached to the drive and control module housing, the axle having wheels on opposite ends and axle drive / driven gears; a pull-back mechanism disposed in or on the drive and control module housing, the pull-back mechanism comprising a motor drive / driven gear 62 drivingly connected to the wheel axle drive / driven gear, wherein when the toy body is pulled back and the wheel contacts the ground, the pull-back mechanism generates and stores mechanical potential energy, and when the toy body is released, the mechanical potential energy is converted into kinetic energy to drive the toy in a direction opposite to the pull-back direction; and a controller disposed on or in the drive and control module housing, the controller being connected to the pull-back mechanism and electrically connected to at least one light emitting diode (LED) in the toy body, the controller comprising a microcontroller or other logic element, and a rechargeable energy source for powering the microcontroller or other logic element and the at least one LED; wherein the controller includes at least one sensing element for sensing when the pull-back mechanism has generated and stored mechanical energy, defining a "ready" logical state, and when the toy is released to allow the toy to move forward, defining an "advance" state; and Wherein, if in the ready state and the advancing state, power is supplied to the at least one LED to generate a light signal.

2. The toy according to claim 1, wherein: The toy body is any one of a mammal, a reptile, a fish, a dinosaur, and a slithering or running human sports athlete, all having a plurality of eyes, wherein the at least one LED is located in each eye of the plurality of eyes of each of the toy bodies.

3. The toy according to claim 2, further comprising a sound transducer electrically connected to the controller, the sound transducer emitting a sound signal when in the ready state and the advancing state.

4. The toy according to claim 3, wherein: The toy bodies are any of mammals, reptiles, fish, dinosaurs, and slithering or running human sports athletes, all having a mouth in each of the toy bodies, and wherein a sound transducer is disposed in each mouth of each of the toy bodies.

5. The toy according to claim 4, wherein: The sound transducer emits a sound signal when in the ready state and the advancing state.

6. The toy according to claim 2, wherein: The toy body includes the gliding or running human sports player selected from the group consisting of a gliding football / baseball / softball player, a runner, a skier, a basketball player, a rugby player, a hockey player, a tennis player and / or a pickleball player.

7. The toy according to claim 4, wherein: The toy body includes the gliding or running human sports player selected from the group consisting of a gliding football / baseball / softball player, a runner, a skier, a basketball player, a rugby player, a hockey player, a tennis player and / or a pickleball player.

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