CA1171436A - Remote controlled sports game - Google Patents
Remote controlled sports gameInfo
- Publication number
- CA1171436A CA1171436A CA000440414A CA440414A CA1171436A CA 1171436 A CA1171436 A CA 1171436A CA 000440414 A CA000440414 A CA 000440414A CA 440414 A CA440414 A CA 440414A CA 1171436 A CA1171436 A CA 1171436A
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- axle
- figures
- motor
- toy
- drive wheels
- Prior art date
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Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A remote controlled sports game having first and second figures oper-able on a playing surface with each of the figures having receivers tuned to different frequencies for operation by radio transmitters with the control of movement of the figures against a game object such as a ball being effected re-motely. A drive system is provided for driving two wheels simultaneously with reversal of direction of the motor operating a cam slide member through a spring clutch to lift one drive wheel for providing a tight turning radius.
A remote controlled sports game having first and second figures oper-able on a playing surface with each of the figures having receivers tuned to different frequencies for operation by radio transmitters with the control of movement of the figures against a game object such as a ball being effected re-motely. A drive system is provided for driving two wheels simultaneously with reversal of direction of the motor operating a cam slide member through a spring clutch to lift one drive wheel for providing a tight turning radius.
Description
7 ~
BACKGR~ND OF THE INVENTION
The background of the invention will be discussed in two parts:
Field of the Invention This invention relates to remote controlled games and more particularly to a radio controlled sports game utilizing at least twv inclepenclently controlled wheel driven sports figures.
Description of the Prior Art Remotely controlled toy vehicles have become very popular and with the decreasing cost of electronics, low cost versions have been ~eveloped. One such remote control system for a -toy vehicle is shc~n and described in United States Patent No. 4,112,615 issued to Zenichi Ishimoto c~n September 12, 1978. In accord-ance with the system of this patent, a carrier signal of a specific frequency is used to transmit to a receiving unit in the vehicle, the receiving unit normally generating a noise signal which is attenuated by the transmitted signal, the attenuated difference actuating a relay to reverse the polarity to a battery driven motor to permlt operation of the vehicle in both the forward and reverse directions.
Another such radio controlled toy autc ~ bile is shown and described in United States Patent No. 3,862,514 to Minoru Ueda on January 28, 1975. As part of the drive mechanism, the front steering axle carries an idler wheel and a fixed mDtor driven wheel so constructed that when the signal from the transmi-tter is no longer received the vehicle bcdy continues moving due to inertia but the drive wheel is stopped to thereby pivot the front steering axle so that the -toy vehicle turns.
Another mechanism employed for changing the direction of a wheeled toy is shcwn and described in United States Patent No. 4,034,504 issued to Shyohei Sudo on July 12, 1977. In the device sho~n in this patent, an electro~agnet is employed Eor axially moving a rod into engagement Wi~l a reoessed portion formed on the inner surface of the wheel to thereby stop the so-engaged wheel and cause t~u~ling movement.
Sporting games having articulated figures operable for simulating events are shown and described in United States Patents Nos. 2,884,253 issued to J. Rivero-Ferro on April 28, 1959 and 3,379,441 issued to F. G. Feather, et al on April 23, 1968. In the first of these two patents, a simulated socoe r game is illustrated in which a figure is mounted on a playing surface with a leg thereof pivotable relative thereto in response to actuating of an electromagnet to enable the foot to kick a ball. In -the other of the æ two patents, a football game is simulated with players mounted on mobile carriers which are wheel driven by any suitable means with the object being to direct the carriers with the figures carried therean into each other. In the embodiments il~Mstrated, the source of power is a spring motor or a battery operated motor. The player figures have articulated members so that upon impact the torso portion of one of the figures is moved toward the other figure due to inertia or mKmentum.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved remotely controlled sports game.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and im-proved remotely controlled sports game employing at least t~o independently con-trolled wheel driven sporting figures config~red for engaging a game object.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved turning mechanism for wheel driven objects.
SUMMARY OF THE INUENTICN
The foregoing and other objects of the invention are accomplished by providing first and second independently remotely controllable wheel driven sports figures configured for engaging a game object such as a ball or a puck for directing the game object toward a goal device. Each figure is provided with a radio signal receiver, a motor, a relay and a pair of drive wheels, each of which is secured to a common axle and suitably coupled for rotation by the motor. A
cam slide member is freely mounted on the axle with a coil spring encircling the axle and interposed ~etween the adjacent surface of the cam slide and the adjac-ent surface of the drive gear coupled to the axle. me lowermost surface of the cam slide is configured so that with the motor operating in the forward direction the cam surface is inoperative, and in the reverse direction of drive of the motor the spring clutch pivots the cam slide so that a surfaoe -thereof contacts the surface on which the figures operate to thereby lift the adjacent drive wheel from the ground to permit movement of the figure about the point of contact in a tight turning radius to simulate evasive movement of the sports figure.
In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided in a drive mechanism for a motor controlled toy, the combination comprising: motor means within said toy; a pair of drive wheels coupled to a common axle and con-figured for contacting a surface for moving said toy; means interconnecting said motor means and said common axle for driving said drive wheels in a first direc-tion of travel with a first direction of rotation of said motor means; means pivotably coupled to said axle in proximate relation to one of said drive wheels and configured for being pivoted in a first direction during the first direction of travel of said drive wheels; and means for pivoting said means pivotably coupled to said axle in a second direction in resp~nse to rotation of said drive wheels in a reverse direction, said pivotable means being configured for contact-ing the surface and for lifting the proximate drive wheel from the surface for enabling pivoting of the drive wheel assembly about the point of contact for ~f~ecting steering.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the specification when taken in conjunct.ion with the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements in the several views.
BRLEF I~ESCRIPTI(~N OF I~E DR~INGS
. .
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the remote controlled sports game according to the invention illustra-ting two sports figures, a game object such as a ball and a goal post;
FIGU~E 2 is a perspective view of a radio controlled transmitter for use with the sports game of Figure l;
FIGURE 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the hand portioIIs of the figures of Figure 1 grasping a game device such as a hockey stick for use with the puck;
FIGURE 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of one of the sports figures of Figure 1 diagramatically illustrating the ccmponent layout therein;
FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the main functional components of the drive mechanism utilized in the sports game of Figure 1;
FIGURE 6 is a front elevational view of the drive mechanism of Figure 5;
FIGU~ES 7a and 7b are diagramatic illustrations in side v.iew of the cam slide operation of the drive mechanism of Figures 5 and 6;
FIGURE 8 is a schematic diagram of the transmitter electronics within the transmitter housing of Figure 2; and FIGURE 9 is a schematic diagram of a receiver within one of the sports figures of Figure 1.
~ESCRIPTICN OF I~E PK~RRED EMBODIMENT
Referring ncw to the drawings and particularly to FIGUFES 1 and 2, ~here is shcwn two sports figures, generally designated 10 and 12, each of which 3~
is provided with a radio signal receiving antenna 14 and 16 respectively, for re-ceiving signals frc~ltwo different radio transmitters, such as the transmitter 18 illustrated in FIGURE 2. The sports figures 10 and 12 are configured for coact-ing with a game object such as a ball 20, with the ultimate purpose of the game/
in the case of a football-type sports figu~, being to manipulate the ball 20 be-tween the goal posts 22. The sports figures 10 and 12 are each configured gener-ally identically and may vary on the exterior appearance by changes in color or numbers to designate opposing sides. In any event, the sports figure 10 incl~des a generally cylindrical body 24 having pivotally affixed to opposing sides there-of adjacent the "shoulcler" portions arm members 26 and 28, terminating in handportions 30 and 32 respectively, the interiors of which æe configured to re-ceive game devioe s such as hockey sticks or the like to be described hereinafter.
~emovably m~unted on the cylindrical body 24 is a head member 34 configured to sin~late a football player with a hel~et and nose guard~ me head portion 34 may be integrally formed with a cover member 36 which closes the upper end of the cylindrical body 24, -this cover 36 along with the head me~ber 34 being remc)vable for access to the interior of the cylindrical body 24 for battery installation.
me cylindrical body 24 (referring also to Figure 4) terminates in a dc~nwardly clepending skirt portion 38 which, is in close proximity to the ground or playing surface and spaced therefram by a small portion of -the tread of a drive wheel 40.
As can be seen in FIGURE 4, the interior 42 of the cylindrical kody 24 is configured for receiving cc ~ onents and the drive mechanism therein, the com-ponents generally including a printed circuit electronic asse~bly generally de-signated 44 which may be mounted therein in any convenient manner. me upper por-tion of the interior 42 is essentially a battery compartment for receiving suit-able batteries 46 for powering the electranic assembly 44 to ultimately drive a drive motor 48 of the clrlve mechanism yenerally designated ~0 in the l~wer por-tion of the interior 42. Details oE the mechanism will be described hereinafter.Referring again to FIGU~ES 1 and 3, the arms 26 and 28 of the figure 10 (and also the arms of the sports figure 12) are spaced apart and pivotable. The cylindrical boly 24 is configured to provide a broad diameter of low center of gravity for stability when utilizing a single pair of drive wheels 40. The game object of football 20 is dimensioned for impacting with the cylindrical body 24,preferably between the hand portions 30 and 32 of the arms 26 and 28 so that re-mote controlled operation of the sports figures 10 and 12 provide a means of ultimately controlling the directic~n of movement of the ball 20 tcward the goalposts 22. To enhance the skill and ar~usement of the participants in the game, as will hereinafter be described, each of the sports fig~res 10 and 12 is wheel driven and independently remotely ccntrollable by suitable trans~itters 18 with the forward direction of travel being generally in a straight line with a reverse direction of travel being provided for q~uckly turm ng each of the figures 10 and 12 for directional c~ntrol. m e turning mechanism which is part of the drive mechanism, in the reverse direction of the motor 48 lifts one of the drive wheels 40 to provide a tight turning radius in the reverse direction. This constructionwill be described in detail hereinafter.
Referring briefly to FIGURE 3, eaich of the sports figures 10 and 12 can be suitably configured to simulate a hoc~ey player which requires a game device such as a hockey stick 54. For enabling the hands 30 and 32 to retain the hockeystick 54, the hand 30 is provided with an indentation or re oe ss 56 configured by suitc~bly forming the hand 30, the recess 56 being configured for receiving the end 58 of thie hockey stick 54 for retenticsn therein. In proximate lcscation tothe other hand 32, the hockey stick 54 is provided with an upwardly extending generally inverted Lrshaped handle men~ser 60 which INay be inserted into an cspen-3~
ing 62 suitably formed in the hand 32. With the ar~s 26 and 28 being pivotable, the axms may be pivoted until the lowex edge of the hockey stick 54 is in proxi-mity to the suxEace on which the sports figures 10 and 12 are driven. Ihe simu-lated hockey stick 54 is also provided with an axcuate or curved edge for engag-ing a second game object or puck 64 for enabling the sim~latiQn of a hockey con-test. With such a sports game, the simulated goal post 22 will be replaced by a simulated hockey net (not shown).
Referring now to FIGU Æ S 4 thxough 7, the details pertaining to the drive mechanism 50 will now be descriked. As can be seen in FIGU~E 4, the drive mechanism 50 is positioned within the interior 42 of the cylindrical body 24 so that the axle 66 is above the plane of the lower edge of the depending skirt 38 of the body 24 with the depending drive wheel 40 extending below this plane a slight distance. In the forwaxd or reverse direction of travel, the depending skirt 38 will have the leading or trailing edge thereof in sliding relation with the Æ fa oe on which the sports fig~re 10 is driven. With the use of two drive wheels 40 and 41 ~see Figure 5) both fixed to the same axle 66, forward or re-verse direction of travel of the sports figure 10 will result in a slight amoun-t of rocking of the body 24 as the direction changes, this rocking effect providing a oe rtain amount of action to the game to simulate rapid movements of actual sports figures.
In FIGURE 5, the drive mechanism generally designated 50 is illustrabed in partially disassembled relation with one drive wheel 40 removed from the axle 66. Secured to the axle 66 is a drive ge æ 68 which ooacts with a suitable gear train 70 to be driven from the pinion 72 of the electrical m3tor 48. A coil spring 74 encircles the axle 66 with one fa oe of the coil spring 74 having the end thereof secured to or at least in engagement with the adjac~nt face of the drive gear 68. m e opposite end of the coil spring 74 abuts against a cam slide 1 ~ t'~
member generally designated 76, the cam slide member be.~lg provided with an aper~
ture 78 in the main body cam portion -thereof, the aperture 78 being slightly greater than the diameter of the axle 66 for loosely fitting thereon. me cam slide mlmber is provided with an upwardly e~tending arm portion 82 which coacts with one of two stop members fixedly positioned relative to the interior 42 of the cylindrical body 24. As shown in FIGURE 4, the arm portion 82 fits between the stop members 84 and 86 which limit the amount of pivoting of the cam slide member 76.
Referring now to FIGURE 6, the dri~e mechanism 50 is shown in its assembled condition. As assembled, the drive wheel 40 is provided with a boss portion 84 which has a generally planar surfaoe in abutting relation with the cam portion 80 of the cam slide 76, the opposite surface of cam portion 80 urging against the adjaoent edge of the coil spring 74 to place the coil spring 74 in a slightly co~,pressive state. The other edge of coil spring 74 is in abutting re-lation with the adjaoent faoe of the drive gear 68 which is affixed to the axle 66 for concurrent rotation therewith. Both drive wheels 40 and 41 are secured to opposite ends of the axle 66 for concurrent rotation therewith.
Referring also to FIGURES 7a and 7b, the operation of the cam slide memker 76 will be descri~ed. These figures are diagramatic representations eliminating other components not necessary to an understanding of ~he operation and, with reference to FIGURE 6, the diagram would ke as viewed frcm left to right. Figure 7a depicts the forward directian of travel in which the wheel 41 is rotating in the direction as indicated by the arrow adjacent thereto and the toy figure is moving in the direction of the arrow there~lder. In this direction of travel, the adjaoent face of the coil spring 74 is urging the cam slide member 76 for pivoting in the direction indicated by the arrow adjacPnt the axle 66 (co~nterclockwise) with the ar~ portion 82 pivoting until limited by the fixed position oE the stop 86. In this position of the cam slide member 76, the con-figuration of the edge of the cam portion 80 is such that the downward dimension :Erom the center of the axle 66 is less than the radius of the wheel 41. ~us, the cam portion 80 is out of engagement with the surface on which the wheel 41 is traveling to permit both drive wheels 40 and 41 to engage the surface.
Referring to FIGURE 7b, in the reverse direction of travel the wheel 41 will be rotating in the clockwise direction as indicated by the ærcw adjacent thereto, thus pivoting the cam slide nember 76 .in the clockwise direction until the arm portion 82 thereof coacts with the limiting means or stop 84. At this position of pivoting of the cr^~m slide member 82, the dimension of the cam portion 80 from the center of the axle 66 downw ædly to the contacted surface is greater than the radius of the wheel 40, thus lifting the adjacent wheel from the surface by the difference in dimension. The dimension is approximately one-eighth of an inch of lift of the drive wheel 40 so then in the reverse direc~ion of travel of the motor 48, the sports figure 10 is pivoting about the point of contact of the lcwer edge of the cam portion 80 with the surfaoe. To facilitate the limited pivotal movement of the cam slide member 76, the coil spring 74 is preferab.Ly plaoe d on the axle 66 with the helix thereof in the direction conducive to slid-ing over the adjaoent surfaoe of the cam slide 76 in the forward direction while frictionally engaging this surfaoe in the reverse direction of travel. rrhe drive mechanism 50 as constructed is compact and efficient and utilizes a minimum nu~ber of co~ponents to provide effective steering of a remotely controlled toy.
In actual practioe, the reverse direction of operatlon of the motor 48 and the slide member 82 is to provide rapid efficient steering rather than prolong reverse directions of travel.
Referring n~w to FIGUROES 8 and 9 the electronic portion of the game will be described. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the transmitter of FIGURE 2 which is provided with a suitable source of power such as a battery 90 operable thro~lgh a switch 92 to energize a transistor 94 for transmitting a signal through -the antenna 96. me transmit-ter of FIGU~E 8 is conventional and essentially in-cludes a transistor 94 coupled for oscillation at a frequency determined by a crystal oscillator 98 with suitable biasing for transistor 94 being provided by resistors 99-102 and capacitors 104 and 105 A tuned circuit is provided in cir-cuit relation between the collector and emitter of transistor 94 by means of a transformer 106 having its prima~y in parallel with a capacitor 108 and its secondary coupled in series relation through an inductor 110 to the antenna 96.
In the actual game, it is to be understood that two transmitters will be provided with each transmitter being tuned to a different operating frequency for provid-ing radio signals to the receivers of the sports figures 10 and 12, each of which is tuned for receiving one of the two selected frequencies. Thus, the sports figures 10 and 12 will be independently controllable by two participants. Opera-tion of each of the transmitters will be by virtue of depression of the switch 92 which applies the power required to the transmitter 94 to provide th~ oscilla-tions for the transmission of the predetermined frequency radio signal from the antenna 96.
Referring now to FIGURE 10, there is shown a schematic diagrc~m of the receiver employed in the game according to the invention. The receiver's circui-try basically includes a receiver section 120 (shown in dotted lines) and a con-trol section 122 (shown in dotted lines) with the coil 124 of a relay connected in circuit relation with the output transistor 126 of the control section 122.
me relay 128 is sho~n in dotted lines and includes the coil 124 along with two poles 130 and 132 movable sim~ltaneously from a first normal position to an energ-ized position. Actuation of the relay 128 results in the reversing of -the polarity of the power source to the mo~or shown diagrc~matically with referenoe numeral 48.
The relay 128 is essentially a double p~le double throw relay shcwn in the diagram in its normally inoperative position with the pole 132 ccnlpleting a circuit from the positive terminal of a first power source or battery 134 over contact 136 to a first inductor 138 to a first lead 140 of the motor 48. The terminal 140 is ooupled to a second terminal 142 of -the motor 48 by a series capacitor 144.
In this condition of the relay 128, the other pole 130 is in circuit relation with a pair of terminals 146 and 148 engaged by a movable contact 150 configured ~or completing the circuit to the negative termlnal of the battery 134. m e pole 130 is shown in electrical relation with the contact 154 of the relay 128 which is connected in series relation through a second coil or inductor 156 to a third terminal 158 of the battery 48. A second capacitor 162 is coupled between the terminal 158 and a fourth terminal 160 of the motor 48.
A second power source or battery 164 provides the pcwer for the trans-istors of the receiver section 120 and control section 122 with the on/off switch 166 being a double pole double throw switch which simultaneously places both batteries 134 and 164 in circuit relation with the components of the receiver.
With the switch 166 in the "on" position, the movable slide contact 168 will bridge the gap betw~en terminals 170 and 172 while sim~ltaneously slide contact 150 bridges the gap between terminals 148 and 149, thus placing both batteries 164 and 134 in circuit relation with the balance oE the circuitry. By way of example, the battery 134 may be 4.5 volts with a higher current rating ~nile the battery 164 may be 9 volts for energizing transistors. With the switch 166 "o~"
a positive voltage is applied from battery 164 over lead 176 for providing an initial bias to transistors 178, 179, 180 and 126. Each of these transistors is an NPN transistor with transistor 178 being initially biased at a quiescent level.
Transistors 179, 180 and 126 essPntially comprise a power amplifier sec-~.1'~11 '~L3~i tion operable in response to receipt of an incGming s.ignal of the proper fre-queney at antenna 14 (for controll.ing one of the sports figures 10).
The reeeiver seetion 120 is conventional and includes a transistor 178 suitably biased as an RF stage of a radio receiver for responding to the appro-priate incoming frequency at the antenna 14 determined by the tuned circuit in the colleetor path of transistor 178, th~ t~lned cireuit ineluding the inductance of transformer 184 and the value of capacitor 186. The selection of the resis-tors, eapaeitors and inductors of the receiver seetion 120 are determined by the frequ~ncy of the ine~ming radio signal at antenna 14 to wh.ieh the receiver sec-tion 120 responds. Upon receipt of the radio signal of the proper frequency, theoutput of the reeeiver seetion 120 is transmitted over lead 1.86 to a voltage divider ineluding resistors 188 and 190 conneeted .in series cireuit relation be-t~een the positive source of bias from battery 164 and ground 192. A radio fre-quency bypass capacitor 194 is provided in series cireuit relation with the volt-age divider to provide response only to radio signals within the range of capacitor 194 the end of w.hich is eoupled to the base of a first transistor 179, the emitter of which is coupled to ground 192. Resistors 196 and 198 along with capacitor 200 provide the appropriate biasing for the transistor 179. The output of transistor 179 is provided from the eolleetor through a bypass eapaeitor 202 to the base of the seeond transistor 180 whieh is eonnected in common emitter con-figuration with biasing being provided by resistors 204 and 206 along with capacitor 208. The circuit configuration of transistors 179 and 180 provide tw~
stages of amplification of the inccming signal received on lead 186 from the re-oe iver section 120.
The output of transistor 180 is provided through a eapaeitor 210 to the base of the power transistor 126 with a second eapaeitor 212 being connected be-tween the eollector and emitter of transistor 180 and a cla~ping diode 214 being connected between the base and emitter of transistor :l26. The coil 124 of the relay 128 is connec-ted in series circuit relation between the colleetor of trans-istor 126 and the positive source of voltage appearing on lead 176 frcm the battery 164 with the switch 166 in the "on" position. A capacitor 218 connected between the collector of transistor 126 and ground 192 protects against current surges in the coil 124 while permitting the discharge to ground with the coil 124 de-energized.
In operation, the battery 164 provides power for the transistors as well as seleetive pcwer to the coil 124 in series circuit relation with the col-lector-emitter path of transistor 126 when condueting. ~he battery source 134 is essentially for motor operation. With the switch 166 in the "on" position, and with no incoming radio signal, the current passing from battery 134 passes through the pole 132 through the stationary contaet 136 through the inductor 138 to be applied to term mal 140 of the motor 48 with capacitor 144 proteeting the motor 48 against current surges while providing a discharge path for the inductor 138. me terminal 158 of motor 48 passes through the induetor 156 through the stationary contaet 154 of relay 128 through pole 130 to the negative side of battery 134 to thereby immediately provide a forward direction of travel of one of the toy figures 10 or 12. For a given sports figure, with the depression of the switch 92 of the transmitter 18 (see Figures 2 and 8) the antenna 96 of the transmitter 18 will provide a radio frequency signal for the time duration of the depression of switch 92. mis signal will be recei~ed by the antenna 14 causing the transistor 178 with its appropriate components to oseillate to provide a radio frequency signal over lead 186 to the base of transistor 179 which then passes this radio signal, amplified, to the base of transistor 180 whieh further amplifies this radio signal and applies it to the base of transistor 126, this amplified signal being smoothed by capadtors 212 and 218 along with diode 214 to `
3~;
provid~ an approximately steady state current through relay coil 124 to thereby actuate poles 132 and 130 of relay 128 to the dotted line positions. In the dotted line positions, without a de-tailed explanation, the positive side of battery 134 is then applied to termlnal 158 of motor 48 with -the terrninal 140 essentially being coupled to ground, thereby reversing the polarity of the motor 48 causing a reverse direction of travel of the appropriate toy sports figure 10 or 12 which reverse direction of travel causes the cam slide 76 to actuate to lift one of the drive wheels from the ground as previously discus æ d in conjunc-tion with FIGURES 5 through 7. m is reverse direc-tion of travel is required only for a time duration necessary to orient the sports figure 10 or 12 in the direc-tion desired by the operator with the drain on battery 164 thus being minimized since the coil 124 of relay 128 will only be active and drawing current when the button 92 of the transmitter 18 is depressed for providing this reverse m~vement.
With remotely controlled sports game as shown and described, each player is provided with a transmitter 18 which two transmitters operate on differ-ent frequencies with the sports figures 10 and 12 having receivers therein each responsive to one of the two freq~lencies. m e figures 10 and 12 can then be placed on an appropriate surfaoe with the scoring device or goal post 22 at a pre-determined location and the game object or ball 20 on the surface. For example, each of the toy figures 10 and 12 may be placed on one end of a table with the goal post 22 adjacent the other end wi-th the ball 20 at a point intermediate.
Upon starting, each player would then appropriately control his respective sports figure 10 or 12 after turning on the switch 166 of the fi~ure. Upon turning on the switch 166, the sports figure 10 or 12 will immediately ccmmence traveling in the forward direction and with adept m~nipulatian of the switch 92 of the trans-mitter 18, steering may be readily ef~ected to control the m~vement of the sports figure 10 or 12 toward the game object or ball 20. With the ball 20 shaped like a football, an additional di~ensio~l is pro~ided due to the normally erratlc move-ment of a football 20 rolling on a surface due to the oblong shape. ~he remotely controlled ~igures 10 and 12 may be directed toward each other for impact or to-ward the ball 20. Due to the extending arms 26 and 28, upon contact of one sports figure with another, a quick reversal of the motor could result in one player being able to spin the other by contact of one arm with the arm of the other figure thus requiring more skill for operation. In accordance wi-th the general rules of football, a score may be effected when the ball 20 passes through the uprights of the goal post 22.
Correspondingly, if the hockey stick 54 and puck 64 are utilized with a simulated net~ a oe rtain amount of predictability enters the game due to the uniform configuration of the puck 64 which simply slides over the surface. Hcw-ever, with the steering capability of the sports figures 10 and 12, rapid move-ments of the puck 64 may be effected by reversing the direction of one of the toy figures 10 and 12 with the puck 64 in appropriate position relative to the hockey stick 54 to thereby provide a sharp impact of the hockey stick 54 with the puck 64. While there has ~een shown and described a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that various other adaptations and modifications may be m~de within th~ spirit and scope of the invention. The sports figures 10 and 12 may be con figured as soc oe r players with the game object or ball 20 keing configured as a soc oe r ball with a simulated net eing the game objective.
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BACKGR~ND OF THE INVENTION
The background of the invention will be discussed in two parts:
Field of the Invention This invention relates to remote controlled games and more particularly to a radio controlled sports game utilizing at least twv inclepenclently controlled wheel driven sports figures.
Description of the Prior Art Remotely controlled toy vehicles have become very popular and with the decreasing cost of electronics, low cost versions have been ~eveloped. One such remote control system for a -toy vehicle is shc~n and described in United States Patent No. 4,112,615 issued to Zenichi Ishimoto c~n September 12, 1978. In accord-ance with the system of this patent, a carrier signal of a specific frequency is used to transmit to a receiving unit in the vehicle, the receiving unit normally generating a noise signal which is attenuated by the transmitted signal, the attenuated difference actuating a relay to reverse the polarity to a battery driven motor to permlt operation of the vehicle in both the forward and reverse directions.
Another such radio controlled toy autc ~ bile is shown and described in United States Patent No. 3,862,514 to Minoru Ueda on January 28, 1975. As part of the drive mechanism, the front steering axle carries an idler wheel and a fixed mDtor driven wheel so constructed that when the signal from the transmi-tter is no longer received the vehicle bcdy continues moving due to inertia but the drive wheel is stopped to thereby pivot the front steering axle so that the -toy vehicle turns.
Another mechanism employed for changing the direction of a wheeled toy is shcwn and described in United States Patent No. 4,034,504 issued to Shyohei Sudo on July 12, 1977. In the device sho~n in this patent, an electro~agnet is employed Eor axially moving a rod into engagement Wi~l a reoessed portion formed on the inner surface of the wheel to thereby stop the so-engaged wheel and cause t~u~ling movement.
Sporting games having articulated figures operable for simulating events are shown and described in United States Patents Nos. 2,884,253 issued to J. Rivero-Ferro on April 28, 1959 and 3,379,441 issued to F. G. Feather, et al on April 23, 1968. In the first of these two patents, a simulated socoe r game is illustrated in which a figure is mounted on a playing surface with a leg thereof pivotable relative thereto in response to actuating of an electromagnet to enable the foot to kick a ball. In -the other of the æ two patents, a football game is simulated with players mounted on mobile carriers which are wheel driven by any suitable means with the object being to direct the carriers with the figures carried therean into each other. In the embodiments il~Mstrated, the source of power is a spring motor or a battery operated motor. The player figures have articulated members so that upon impact the torso portion of one of the figures is moved toward the other figure due to inertia or mKmentum.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved remotely controlled sports game.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and im-proved remotely controlled sports game employing at least t~o independently con-trolled wheel driven sporting figures config~red for engaging a game object.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved turning mechanism for wheel driven objects.
SUMMARY OF THE INUENTICN
The foregoing and other objects of the invention are accomplished by providing first and second independently remotely controllable wheel driven sports figures configured for engaging a game object such as a ball or a puck for directing the game object toward a goal device. Each figure is provided with a radio signal receiver, a motor, a relay and a pair of drive wheels, each of which is secured to a common axle and suitably coupled for rotation by the motor. A
cam slide member is freely mounted on the axle with a coil spring encircling the axle and interposed ~etween the adjacent surface of the cam slide and the adjac-ent surface of the drive gear coupled to the axle. me lowermost surface of the cam slide is configured so that with the motor operating in the forward direction the cam surface is inoperative, and in the reverse direction of drive of the motor the spring clutch pivots the cam slide so that a surfaoe -thereof contacts the surface on which the figures operate to thereby lift the adjacent drive wheel from the ground to permit movement of the figure about the point of contact in a tight turning radius to simulate evasive movement of the sports figure.
In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided in a drive mechanism for a motor controlled toy, the combination comprising: motor means within said toy; a pair of drive wheels coupled to a common axle and con-figured for contacting a surface for moving said toy; means interconnecting said motor means and said common axle for driving said drive wheels in a first direc-tion of travel with a first direction of rotation of said motor means; means pivotably coupled to said axle in proximate relation to one of said drive wheels and configured for being pivoted in a first direction during the first direction of travel of said drive wheels; and means for pivoting said means pivotably coupled to said axle in a second direction in resp~nse to rotation of said drive wheels in a reverse direction, said pivotable means being configured for contact-ing the surface and for lifting the proximate drive wheel from the surface for enabling pivoting of the drive wheel assembly about the point of contact for ~f~ecting steering.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the specification when taken in conjunct.ion with the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements in the several views.
BRLEF I~ESCRIPTI(~N OF I~E DR~INGS
. .
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the remote controlled sports game according to the invention illustra-ting two sports figures, a game object such as a ball and a goal post;
FIGU~E 2 is a perspective view of a radio controlled transmitter for use with the sports game of Figure l;
FIGURE 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the hand portioIIs of the figures of Figure 1 grasping a game device such as a hockey stick for use with the puck;
FIGURE 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of one of the sports figures of Figure 1 diagramatically illustrating the ccmponent layout therein;
FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the main functional components of the drive mechanism utilized in the sports game of Figure 1;
FIGURE 6 is a front elevational view of the drive mechanism of Figure 5;
FIGU~ES 7a and 7b are diagramatic illustrations in side v.iew of the cam slide operation of the drive mechanism of Figures 5 and 6;
FIGURE 8 is a schematic diagram of the transmitter electronics within the transmitter housing of Figure 2; and FIGURE 9 is a schematic diagram of a receiver within one of the sports figures of Figure 1.
~ESCRIPTICN OF I~E PK~RRED EMBODIMENT
Referring ncw to the drawings and particularly to FIGUFES 1 and 2, ~here is shcwn two sports figures, generally designated 10 and 12, each of which 3~
is provided with a radio signal receiving antenna 14 and 16 respectively, for re-ceiving signals frc~ltwo different radio transmitters, such as the transmitter 18 illustrated in FIGURE 2. The sports figures 10 and 12 are configured for coact-ing with a game object such as a ball 20, with the ultimate purpose of the game/
in the case of a football-type sports figu~, being to manipulate the ball 20 be-tween the goal posts 22. The sports figures 10 and 12 are each configured gener-ally identically and may vary on the exterior appearance by changes in color or numbers to designate opposing sides. In any event, the sports figure 10 incl~des a generally cylindrical body 24 having pivotally affixed to opposing sides there-of adjacent the "shoulcler" portions arm members 26 and 28, terminating in handportions 30 and 32 respectively, the interiors of which æe configured to re-ceive game devioe s such as hockey sticks or the like to be described hereinafter.
~emovably m~unted on the cylindrical body 24 is a head member 34 configured to sin~late a football player with a hel~et and nose guard~ me head portion 34 may be integrally formed with a cover member 36 which closes the upper end of the cylindrical body 24, -this cover 36 along with the head me~ber 34 being remc)vable for access to the interior of the cylindrical body 24 for battery installation.
me cylindrical body 24 (referring also to Figure 4) terminates in a dc~nwardly clepending skirt portion 38 which, is in close proximity to the ground or playing surface and spaced therefram by a small portion of -the tread of a drive wheel 40.
As can be seen in FIGURE 4, the interior 42 of the cylindrical kody 24 is configured for receiving cc ~ onents and the drive mechanism therein, the com-ponents generally including a printed circuit electronic asse~bly generally de-signated 44 which may be mounted therein in any convenient manner. me upper por-tion of the interior 42 is essentially a battery compartment for receiving suit-able batteries 46 for powering the electranic assembly 44 to ultimately drive a drive motor 48 of the clrlve mechanism yenerally designated ~0 in the l~wer por-tion of the interior 42. Details oE the mechanism will be described hereinafter.Referring again to FIGU~ES 1 and 3, the arms 26 and 28 of the figure 10 (and also the arms of the sports figure 12) are spaced apart and pivotable. The cylindrical boly 24 is configured to provide a broad diameter of low center of gravity for stability when utilizing a single pair of drive wheels 40. The game object of football 20 is dimensioned for impacting with the cylindrical body 24,preferably between the hand portions 30 and 32 of the arms 26 and 28 so that re-mote controlled operation of the sports figures 10 and 12 provide a means of ultimately controlling the directic~n of movement of the ball 20 tcward the goalposts 22. To enhance the skill and ar~usement of the participants in the game, as will hereinafter be described, each of the sports fig~res 10 and 12 is wheel driven and independently remotely ccntrollable by suitable trans~itters 18 with the forward direction of travel being generally in a straight line with a reverse direction of travel being provided for q~uckly turm ng each of the figures 10 and 12 for directional c~ntrol. m e turning mechanism which is part of the drive mechanism, in the reverse direction of the motor 48 lifts one of the drive wheels 40 to provide a tight turning radius in the reverse direction. This constructionwill be described in detail hereinafter.
Referring briefly to FIGURE 3, eaich of the sports figures 10 and 12 can be suitably configured to simulate a hoc~ey player which requires a game device such as a hockey stick 54. For enabling the hands 30 and 32 to retain the hockeystick 54, the hand 30 is provided with an indentation or re oe ss 56 configured by suitc~bly forming the hand 30, the recess 56 being configured for receiving the end 58 of thie hockey stick 54 for retenticsn therein. In proximate lcscation tothe other hand 32, the hockey stick 54 is provided with an upwardly extending generally inverted Lrshaped handle men~ser 60 which INay be inserted into an cspen-3~
ing 62 suitably formed in the hand 32. With the ar~s 26 and 28 being pivotable, the axms may be pivoted until the lowex edge of the hockey stick 54 is in proxi-mity to the suxEace on which the sports figures 10 and 12 are driven. Ihe simu-lated hockey stick 54 is also provided with an axcuate or curved edge for engag-ing a second game object or puck 64 for enabling the sim~latiQn of a hockey con-test. With such a sports game, the simulated goal post 22 will be replaced by a simulated hockey net (not shown).
Referring now to FIGU Æ S 4 thxough 7, the details pertaining to the drive mechanism 50 will now be descriked. As can be seen in FIGU~E 4, the drive mechanism 50 is positioned within the interior 42 of the cylindrical body 24 so that the axle 66 is above the plane of the lower edge of the depending skirt 38 of the body 24 with the depending drive wheel 40 extending below this plane a slight distance. In the forwaxd or reverse direction of travel, the depending skirt 38 will have the leading or trailing edge thereof in sliding relation with the Æ fa oe on which the sports fig~re 10 is driven. With the use of two drive wheels 40 and 41 ~see Figure 5) both fixed to the same axle 66, forward or re-verse direction of travel of the sports figure 10 will result in a slight amoun-t of rocking of the body 24 as the direction changes, this rocking effect providing a oe rtain amount of action to the game to simulate rapid movements of actual sports figures.
In FIGURE 5, the drive mechanism generally designated 50 is illustrabed in partially disassembled relation with one drive wheel 40 removed from the axle 66. Secured to the axle 66 is a drive ge æ 68 which ooacts with a suitable gear train 70 to be driven from the pinion 72 of the electrical m3tor 48. A coil spring 74 encircles the axle 66 with one fa oe of the coil spring 74 having the end thereof secured to or at least in engagement with the adjac~nt face of the drive gear 68. m e opposite end of the coil spring 74 abuts against a cam slide 1 ~ t'~
member generally designated 76, the cam slide member be.~lg provided with an aper~
ture 78 in the main body cam portion -thereof, the aperture 78 being slightly greater than the diameter of the axle 66 for loosely fitting thereon. me cam slide mlmber is provided with an upwardly e~tending arm portion 82 which coacts with one of two stop members fixedly positioned relative to the interior 42 of the cylindrical body 24. As shown in FIGURE 4, the arm portion 82 fits between the stop members 84 and 86 which limit the amount of pivoting of the cam slide member 76.
Referring now to FIGURE 6, the dri~e mechanism 50 is shown in its assembled condition. As assembled, the drive wheel 40 is provided with a boss portion 84 which has a generally planar surfaoe in abutting relation with the cam portion 80 of the cam slide 76, the opposite surface of cam portion 80 urging against the adjaoent edge of the coil spring 74 to place the coil spring 74 in a slightly co~,pressive state. The other edge of coil spring 74 is in abutting re-lation with the adjaoent faoe of the drive gear 68 which is affixed to the axle 66 for concurrent rotation therewith. Both drive wheels 40 and 41 are secured to opposite ends of the axle 66 for concurrent rotation therewith.
Referring also to FIGURES 7a and 7b, the operation of the cam slide memker 76 will be descri~ed. These figures are diagramatic representations eliminating other components not necessary to an understanding of ~he operation and, with reference to FIGURE 6, the diagram would ke as viewed frcm left to right. Figure 7a depicts the forward directian of travel in which the wheel 41 is rotating in the direction as indicated by the arrow adjacent thereto and the toy figure is moving in the direction of the arrow there~lder. In this direction of travel, the adjaoent face of the coil spring 74 is urging the cam slide member 76 for pivoting in the direction indicated by the arrow adjacPnt the axle 66 (co~nterclockwise) with the ar~ portion 82 pivoting until limited by the fixed position oE the stop 86. In this position of the cam slide member 76, the con-figuration of the edge of the cam portion 80 is such that the downward dimension :Erom the center of the axle 66 is less than the radius of the wheel 41. ~us, the cam portion 80 is out of engagement with the surface on which the wheel 41 is traveling to permit both drive wheels 40 and 41 to engage the surface.
Referring to FIGURE 7b, in the reverse direction of travel the wheel 41 will be rotating in the clockwise direction as indicated by the ærcw adjacent thereto, thus pivoting the cam slide nember 76 .in the clockwise direction until the arm portion 82 thereof coacts with the limiting means or stop 84. At this position of pivoting of the cr^~m slide member 82, the dimension of the cam portion 80 from the center of the axle 66 downw ædly to the contacted surface is greater than the radius of the wheel 40, thus lifting the adjacent wheel from the surface by the difference in dimension. The dimension is approximately one-eighth of an inch of lift of the drive wheel 40 so then in the reverse direc~ion of travel of the motor 48, the sports figure 10 is pivoting about the point of contact of the lcwer edge of the cam portion 80 with the surfaoe. To facilitate the limited pivotal movement of the cam slide member 76, the coil spring 74 is preferab.Ly plaoe d on the axle 66 with the helix thereof in the direction conducive to slid-ing over the adjaoent surfaoe of the cam slide 76 in the forward direction while frictionally engaging this surfaoe in the reverse direction of travel. rrhe drive mechanism 50 as constructed is compact and efficient and utilizes a minimum nu~ber of co~ponents to provide effective steering of a remotely controlled toy.
In actual practioe, the reverse direction of operatlon of the motor 48 and the slide member 82 is to provide rapid efficient steering rather than prolong reverse directions of travel.
Referring n~w to FIGUROES 8 and 9 the electronic portion of the game will be described. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the transmitter of FIGURE 2 which is provided with a suitable source of power such as a battery 90 operable thro~lgh a switch 92 to energize a transistor 94 for transmitting a signal through -the antenna 96. me transmit-ter of FIGU~E 8 is conventional and essentially in-cludes a transistor 94 coupled for oscillation at a frequency determined by a crystal oscillator 98 with suitable biasing for transistor 94 being provided by resistors 99-102 and capacitors 104 and 105 A tuned circuit is provided in cir-cuit relation between the collector and emitter of transistor 94 by means of a transformer 106 having its prima~y in parallel with a capacitor 108 and its secondary coupled in series relation through an inductor 110 to the antenna 96.
In the actual game, it is to be understood that two transmitters will be provided with each transmitter being tuned to a different operating frequency for provid-ing radio signals to the receivers of the sports figures 10 and 12, each of which is tuned for receiving one of the two selected frequencies. Thus, the sports figures 10 and 12 will be independently controllable by two participants. Opera-tion of each of the transmitters will be by virtue of depression of the switch 92 which applies the power required to the transmitter 94 to provide th~ oscilla-tions for the transmission of the predetermined frequency radio signal from the antenna 96.
Referring now to FIGURE 10, there is shown a schematic diagrc~m of the receiver employed in the game according to the invention. The receiver's circui-try basically includes a receiver section 120 (shown in dotted lines) and a con-trol section 122 (shown in dotted lines) with the coil 124 of a relay connected in circuit relation with the output transistor 126 of the control section 122.
me relay 128 is sho~n in dotted lines and includes the coil 124 along with two poles 130 and 132 movable sim~ltaneously from a first normal position to an energ-ized position. Actuation of the relay 128 results in the reversing of -the polarity of the power source to the mo~or shown diagrc~matically with referenoe numeral 48.
The relay 128 is essentially a double p~le double throw relay shcwn in the diagram in its normally inoperative position with the pole 132 ccnlpleting a circuit from the positive terminal of a first power source or battery 134 over contact 136 to a first inductor 138 to a first lead 140 of the motor 48. The terminal 140 is ooupled to a second terminal 142 of -the motor 48 by a series capacitor 144.
In this condition of the relay 128, the other pole 130 is in circuit relation with a pair of terminals 146 and 148 engaged by a movable contact 150 configured ~or completing the circuit to the negative termlnal of the battery 134. m e pole 130 is shown in electrical relation with the contact 154 of the relay 128 which is connected in series relation through a second coil or inductor 156 to a third terminal 158 of the battery 48. A second capacitor 162 is coupled between the terminal 158 and a fourth terminal 160 of the motor 48.
A second power source or battery 164 provides the pcwer for the trans-istors of the receiver section 120 and control section 122 with the on/off switch 166 being a double pole double throw switch which simultaneously places both batteries 134 and 164 in circuit relation with the components of the receiver.
With the switch 166 in the "on" position, the movable slide contact 168 will bridge the gap betw~en terminals 170 and 172 while sim~ltaneously slide contact 150 bridges the gap between terminals 148 and 149, thus placing both batteries 164 and 134 in circuit relation with the balance oE the circuitry. By way of example, the battery 134 may be 4.5 volts with a higher current rating ~nile the battery 164 may be 9 volts for energizing transistors. With the switch 166 "o~"
a positive voltage is applied from battery 164 over lead 176 for providing an initial bias to transistors 178, 179, 180 and 126. Each of these transistors is an NPN transistor with transistor 178 being initially biased at a quiescent level.
Transistors 179, 180 and 126 essPntially comprise a power amplifier sec-~.1'~11 '~L3~i tion operable in response to receipt of an incGming s.ignal of the proper fre-queney at antenna 14 (for controll.ing one of the sports figures 10).
The reeeiver seetion 120 is conventional and includes a transistor 178 suitably biased as an RF stage of a radio receiver for responding to the appro-priate incoming frequency at the antenna 14 determined by the tuned circuit in the colleetor path of transistor 178, th~ t~lned cireuit ineluding the inductance of transformer 184 and the value of capacitor 186. The selection of the resis-tors, eapaeitors and inductors of the receiver seetion 120 are determined by the frequ~ncy of the ine~ming radio signal at antenna 14 to wh.ieh the receiver sec-tion 120 responds. Upon receipt of the radio signal of the proper frequency, theoutput of the reeeiver seetion 120 is transmitted over lead 1.86 to a voltage divider ineluding resistors 188 and 190 conneeted .in series cireuit relation be-t~een the positive source of bias from battery 164 and ground 192. A radio fre-quency bypass capacitor 194 is provided in series cireuit relation with the volt-age divider to provide response only to radio signals within the range of capacitor 194 the end of w.hich is eoupled to the base of a first transistor 179, the emitter of which is coupled to ground 192. Resistors 196 and 198 along with capacitor 200 provide the appropriate biasing for the transistor 179. The output of transistor 179 is provided from the eolleetor through a bypass eapaeitor 202 to the base of the seeond transistor 180 whieh is eonnected in common emitter con-figuration with biasing being provided by resistors 204 and 206 along with capacitor 208. The circuit configuration of transistors 179 and 180 provide tw~
stages of amplification of the inccming signal received on lead 186 from the re-oe iver section 120.
The output of transistor 180 is provided through a eapaeitor 210 to the base of the power transistor 126 with a second eapaeitor 212 being connected be-tween the eollector and emitter of transistor 180 and a cla~ping diode 214 being connected between the base and emitter of transistor :l26. The coil 124 of the relay 128 is connec-ted in series circuit relation between the colleetor of trans-istor 126 and the positive source of voltage appearing on lead 176 frcm the battery 164 with the switch 166 in the "on" position. A capacitor 218 connected between the collector of transistor 126 and ground 192 protects against current surges in the coil 124 while permitting the discharge to ground with the coil 124 de-energized.
In operation, the battery 164 provides power for the transistors as well as seleetive pcwer to the coil 124 in series circuit relation with the col-lector-emitter path of transistor 126 when condueting. ~he battery source 134 is essentially for motor operation. With the switch 166 in the "on" position, and with no incoming radio signal, the current passing from battery 134 passes through the pole 132 through the stationary contaet 136 through the inductor 138 to be applied to term mal 140 of the motor 48 with capacitor 144 proteeting the motor 48 against current surges while providing a discharge path for the inductor 138. me terminal 158 of motor 48 passes through the induetor 156 through the stationary contaet 154 of relay 128 through pole 130 to the negative side of battery 134 to thereby immediately provide a forward direction of travel of one of the toy figures 10 or 12. For a given sports figure, with the depression of the switch 92 of the transmitter 18 (see Figures 2 and 8) the antenna 96 of the transmitter 18 will provide a radio frequency signal for the time duration of the depression of switch 92. mis signal will be recei~ed by the antenna 14 causing the transistor 178 with its appropriate components to oseillate to provide a radio frequency signal over lead 186 to the base of transistor 179 which then passes this radio signal, amplified, to the base of transistor 180 whieh further amplifies this radio signal and applies it to the base of transistor 126, this amplified signal being smoothed by capadtors 212 and 218 along with diode 214 to `
3~;
provid~ an approximately steady state current through relay coil 124 to thereby actuate poles 132 and 130 of relay 128 to the dotted line positions. In the dotted line positions, without a de-tailed explanation, the positive side of battery 134 is then applied to termlnal 158 of motor 48 with -the terrninal 140 essentially being coupled to ground, thereby reversing the polarity of the motor 48 causing a reverse direction of travel of the appropriate toy sports figure 10 or 12 which reverse direction of travel causes the cam slide 76 to actuate to lift one of the drive wheels from the ground as previously discus æ d in conjunc-tion with FIGURES 5 through 7. m is reverse direc-tion of travel is required only for a time duration necessary to orient the sports figure 10 or 12 in the direc-tion desired by the operator with the drain on battery 164 thus being minimized since the coil 124 of relay 128 will only be active and drawing current when the button 92 of the transmitter 18 is depressed for providing this reverse m~vement.
With remotely controlled sports game as shown and described, each player is provided with a transmitter 18 which two transmitters operate on differ-ent frequencies with the sports figures 10 and 12 having receivers therein each responsive to one of the two freq~lencies. m e figures 10 and 12 can then be placed on an appropriate surfaoe with the scoring device or goal post 22 at a pre-determined location and the game object or ball 20 on the surface. For example, each of the toy figures 10 and 12 may be placed on one end of a table with the goal post 22 adjacent the other end wi-th the ball 20 at a point intermediate.
Upon starting, each player would then appropriately control his respective sports figure 10 or 12 after turning on the switch 166 of the fi~ure. Upon turning on the switch 166, the sports figure 10 or 12 will immediately ccmmence traveling in the forward direction and with adept m~nipulatian of the switch 92 of the trans-mitter 18, steering may be readily ef~ected to control the m~vement of the sports figure 10 or 12 toward the game object or ball 20. With the ball 20 shaped like a football, an additional di~ensio~l is pro~ided due to the normally erratlc move-ment of a football 20 rolling on a surface due to the oblong shape. ~he remotely controlled ~igures 10 and 12 may be directed toward each other for impact or to-ward the ball 20. Due to the extending arms 26 and 28, upon contact of one sports figure with another, a quick reversal of the motor could result in one player being able to spin the other by contact of one arm with the arm of the other figure thus requiring more skill for operation. In accordance wi-th the general rules of football, a score may be effected when the ball 20 passes through the uprights of the goal post 22.
Correspondingly, if the hockey stick 54 and puck 64 are utilized with a simulated net~ a oe rtain amount of predictability enters the game due to the uniform configuration of the puck 64 which simply slides over the surface. Hcw-ever, with the steering capability of the sports figures 10 and 12, rapid move-ments of the puck 64 may be effected by reversing the direction of one of the toy figures 10 and 12 with the puck 64 in appropriate position relative to the hockey stick 54 to thereby provide a sharp impact of the hockey stick 54 with the puck 64. While there has ~een shown and described a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that various other adaptations and modifications may be m~de within th~ spirit and scope of the invention. The sports figures 10 and 12 may be con figured as soc oe r players with the game object or ball 20 keing configured as a soc oe r ball with a simulated net eing the game objective.
`:
:`
Claims (5)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. In a drive mechanism for a motor controlled toy, the combination com-prising:
motor means within said toy;
a pair of drive wheels coupled to a common axle and configured for con-tacting a surface for moving said toy;
means interconnecting said motor means and said common axle for driving said drive wheels in a first direction of travel with a first direction of rotation of said motor means;
means pivotably coupled to said axle in proximate relation to one of said drive wheels and configured for being pivoted in a first direction during the first direction of travel of said drive wheels; and means for pivoting said means pivotably coupled to said axle in a second direction in response to rotation of said drive wheels in a reverse direction, said pivotable means being configured for con-tacting the surface and for lifting the proximate drive wheel from the surface for enabling pivoting of the drive wheel assembly about the point of contact for effecting steering.
motor means within said toy;
a pair of drive wheels coupled to a common axle and configured for con-tacting a surface for moving said toy;
means interconnecting said motor means and said common axle for driving said drive wheels in a first direction of travel with a first direction of rotation of said motor means;
means pivotably coupled to said axle in proximate relation to one of said drive wheels and configured for being pivoted in a first direction during the first direction of travel of said drive wheels; and means for pivoting said means pivotably coupled to said axle in a second direction in response to rotation of said drive wheels in a reverse direction, said pivotable means being configured for con-tacting the surface and for lifting the proximate drive wheel from the surface for enabling pivoting of the drive wheel assembly about the point of contact for effecting steering.
2. The combination according to Claim 1 wherein said means pivotably mounted to said axle is a member having a cam surface with a first portion normally out of engagement with the surface and a second portion for contacting the surface in response to pivoting thereof in the second direction.
3. The combination according to Claim 2 wherein said pivotable member in-cludes an arm portion and stop means with said toy for limiting the angle of pivoting of said member.
4. The combination according to Claim 3 wherein said means interconnecting said motor means and said axle include a gear member affixed to said axle and said means for enabling pivoting of said pivotable member includes spring clutch means on said axle between said gear member and said pivotable member.
5. The combination according to Claim 4 wherein said spring clutch means includes a coil spring encircling said axle intermediate said gear member and said pivotable member and engaging the adjacent surfaces thereof.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000440414A CA1171436A (en) | 1980-10-09 | 1983-11-03 | Remote controlled sports game |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US06/195,717 | 1980-10-09 | ||
| US06/195,717 US4346893A (en) | 1980-10-09 | 1980-10-09 | Remote controlled sports game |
| CA000382743A CA1178627A (en) | 1980-10-09 | 1981-07-29 | Remote controlled sports game |
| CA000440414A CA1171436A (en) | 1980-10-09 | 1983-11-03 | Remote controlled sports game |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000382743A Division CA1178627A (en) | 1980-10-09 | 1981-07-29 | Remote controlled sports game |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1171436A true CA1171436A (en) | 1984-07-24 |
Family
ID=27167100
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000440414A Expired CA1171436A (en) | 1980-10-09 | 1983-11-03 | Remote controlled sports game |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1171436A (en) |
-
1983
- 1983-11-03 CA CA000440414A patent/CA1171436A/en not_active Expired
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