GB2297275A - Self propelled ball - Google Patents

Description

PLAYTHING This invention relates to a planting more particularle not excluslxelx the invention relates to a directionally controllable ball.

Embodiments of the invention will be illustrated by xxax of example bx reference to the accompanying figures of which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first part of the outer casing of the plavthing of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the drive assembly of the plaxthing of Fig.

1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a second part of the outer casing of the plavthins of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cutaway of a preferred embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a top half of the inner ball of the embodiment of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the inner ball of Fig. 5 with the outer skin removed on the top portion.

Fig. 7 is a side view of the inner ball of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a top plan of the lower half of the inner ball of the embodiment of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 IS a side elevation of the inner ball of Fig. 5 with the outer skin removed on the lower portion.

The embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the figures is spherical.

This is preferred but not essential. The outer casing could if desired be of other shapes especially rugby football or American football shaped. The casing should be impact resistant and for this reason will commonly comprise plastics material or rubber.

It may be desirable to provide a multipart structure to the outer casing for example with an inner layer of high impact strength plastics materiai such as polvcarbonate and a resilient outer layer of for example, rubber.

As will be apparent from the discussion hereinafter it is desirable. but by no means essentlal, that the plashing can be opened and resealed. For this reason the plavthing I illustrated in the Figures is shown with a first casing component 2 and a second casing component 3 The first casing component 2 is provided with a male screw thread 4 which mates with a female screw thread 5 of the second casing component 3. It may be desirable to provide an O-ring or other resilient member (not shown)in the fastening arrangement to ensure a water-tight seal.

Fastening other than screw threads will suggest themselves to the skilled.

The inside of the sealed casing is preferablv spherical . Two sockets 6 are received in the inside waii of the second casing component 3. The sockets oppose one another. Preferably thev are set on a circumference of the sphere defined bv the inside of the casing. If this is done it may be necessarv either to offset the internal sphere relative to the outside or to make the second casing component 3 somewhat larger than the first casing component 2.

A drive assemblv 10 is also provided. As illustrated the drive assemblv comprises legs 11 received in bearings 12 which are fitted in sockets 6. A motor housing 13 is provided. As illustrated motor housing 13 depends from angled extensions of legs 11. This is not essential. It is desirable however for reasons to be explained hereinafter for the centre of gravity of the drive assembly to be as far below the axis of legs 11 as convenientk possible.

Motor housing 13 is provided with at least one drive member 14. In the illustrated embodiment two dnve wheels are provided. Balls or other drive members could be employed. In general no more than four drive members are provided on cost and space grounds. The or each drive member is positioned so as to engage the sphere defined be the inside of the casing. Preferably the drive member is resilientlv biased, for example by a spring to engage the sphere. If the bias has sufficient travel to cause the drive member to engage the sphere at all points in its motion about the axis defined bv legs when the drive assemblv is mounted in the casing then the inner surface need not be spherical. It may be desirable to rubberise either or both the drive member or the inside surface of the casing.

A motor l not shown) is provided to drive the drive member. While one motor can provide a drive to all drive members it is much preferred that each drive member has a motor associated with it. In general the motor will be an electric motor powered by a battery i5. Control means are provided for controlling the motor. In preferred embodiments of the invention the control means comprises a signal receiver. a decoder and a motor drive. Those skilled in the art will have no difficulty in producing the control means. A convenient starting point would be radio control apparatus for controlling model vehicles.

The invention is not however to be construed as limited to radio control. Other remote control methods such as sound, optical microwave or wire links can be used. Preferably a wireless linkage is employed.

A signal transmitter is provided. This transmit signals to the receiver which passes them to the decoder and motor drive which activate the motor or motors as required.

In use the plaything may be thrown and rolled likk an ordinary ball.

Additionally however by actuating the motor the drive assembly 'climbs' up the sphere. A force with a horizontal component is generated.

When this force overcomes the static resistance of the article to rollinr it will roll fonvard. While the motor is activated the article will continue to move.

By controlling which drive wheel Is activated the article can be steered.

A further embodiment is disclosed in figures 4 to 9. This embodiment is provided with an outer casing as hereinbefore described. Received in the outer casing is an inner ball 100. Inner ball 100 has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the spherical cavity of the casing in which it received. At least one first drive member 101 extends from the inner ball 100. At least one second drive member 102 is provided about 900 around the sphere from the first drive member and perpendicular with it. In the illustrated embodiment one first drive member 101 is provided. Almost diametricallv opposed to the first drive member is a free wheel 103. Where only one first drive member 101 is provided a free wheel will generally be provided. Similarly where there is only one second drive member 102 a free wheel will generally be provided diamenicallv opposite it. In the illustrated embodiment two second drive members are provided.

This inner ball is areneralls weighted so that the centre of gravity lies substantiallv below the plane of the second drive members or the second drive member and associated roller. This means that the first drive member causes the device to move back or forth and the second drive member to cause the device to rotate. It is not essential that the first and second drixe members be perpendicular. If they are not each drive member will produce a component of motion and rotation. To obtain the desired movement of the device under these circumstances it will generally be necessan to provide means to translate the transmitted signal into signals to each drive member.

The drive for the pair of drive members is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9.

Motor 110 is powered by batteries 111. Electronics 112 and servo 113 activate the motor 110 in accordance with received signals. The motor drive shaft carries a gear wheel 114 Gear wheel 114 mates with a pair of idler wheels 115. Idler wheels 115 drive e the drive members either via a pinion wheel (not shown ) or bv engaging the resilient surface ofthe drive member. A single motor can in this way transmit power to a pluralirx of drive members.

Fig. 9 shows another drive arrangement which can be advantageous in the confined space of the inner ball. In this arrangement motor 116 powered bv batteries 111 in response to instructions from electronics 119 2 and servo 113 carries a worm wheel 117. Worm wheel 117 engages a drive gear camed on the drive member. As can be seen from the figure the worm wheel can be carried on a flexible drive shaft 11 8 or one with a universal joinr. Under these circumstances it may be necessary either to bias the worm wheel 17 against the drive shaft or to cam; the remote end in a fixed bearing In this arrangement the drive gear may be a crown wheel. It is not essential if the motor has a flexible drive shaft for the gear wheel carned on the drive shaft to be a worm wheel.

It may be desirable to provide a bias to bias the drive members against the inside of the inner sphere. The drive members could be sprung or made of resilient material as could free wheel 103 so as to achieve this.

Those skilled in the art will have no difficult in devising modifications.

Claims (8)

Claims

1. A self propelled ball comprising an outer casing defining a cavity, a drive member received in the cavity and engaging the cavity walls, activating means to activate the drive member so as to cause the ball to roll and control means to control the drive member.

2. A ball as claimed in claim 1 having a generally spherical outer form.

3. A ball as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the cavity is spherical.

4. A ball as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the drive member depends is carried by legs rotatably carried in the cavity.

5. A ball as claimed in any one of the preceding claims provided with a plurality of drive members capable of driving the ball in different directions.

6. A ball as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the drive member is resiliently biased toward the cavity surface.

7. A ball as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the control means comprises a remote transmitter and a receiver carried in the ball.

8. A self-propelled ball substantially as described herein.