GB2346092A

GB2346092A - Tri-powered method of powering radio controlled toys

Info

Publication number: GB2346092A
Application number: GB9901564A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wing Kai Lai
Original assignee: KA WAH MANUFACTORY Ltd
Current assignee: KA WAH MANUFACTORY Ltd
Priority date: 1999-01-26
Filing date: 1999-01-26
Publication date: 2000-08-02
Also published as: GB9901564D0

Abstract

A radio controlled toy with a ventilated rectangular housing on the internal or external surface of chassis 1 has a connector socket 3 and is capable of accepting a detachable battery box 6 for AA batteries, a 9.6 volt battery pack 7 and a 7.2 volt battery pack 8, all with a connector plug 9. This allows the user to use any of the three different power sources.

Description

TRI-POWERED METHOD OF POWERING RADIO CONTROLLED TOYS This invention relates to a novel method of powering radio controlled toys, especially radio controlled cars.

Radio controlled toys have traditionally relied on only one power source for operation. The most popular power source is the use of individual AA sized batteries, whether non-rechargeable or rechargeable. The advantage of AA batteries as the power source is that they are relatively cheap and can be used immediately. The disadvantage of AA sized batteries however is that they run down quickly.

The alternative power source is the use of a rechargeable battery pack.

Rechargeable battery packs come in a variety of different voltages such as 4.8 volt, 6 volt, 7.2 volts or 9.6 volts and a variety of different sizes. The type of battery pack used in the toy depends on the design adopted by the manufacturer. The advantage of a rechargeable battery pack is that the user enjoys greater power and the charge lasts for a longer period of time compared to AA sized batteries. It is also more economical when compared with using non-rechargeable AA sized batteries. The disadvantage of a battery pack however is that the pack must be charged for between 30 minutes to 14 hours, depending on the type of charger, before it is ready for use. This can be a big drawback for a consumer wishing to use the toy immediately. The use of a battery pack also requires the user to invest in a charger as well as the battery pack. The purchase of a charger and battery pack can represent a significant financial investment for the purchaser and can be a disincentive to new consumers.

To date manufacturers had to make a choice of what power source to incorporate in their toy in order to prepare the necessary moulding.

Generally where the toy is aimed at the budget priced market manufacturers usually use AA sized batteries as the power source as purchasers are unlikely to invest in a charger and battery pack. However where the toys are aimed at the high end market manufacturers tend to use rechargeable battery packs as the power source.

The power source is typically housed in the chassis of the toy. Where AA sized batteries are used, the battery housing is usually built into the chassis. As the battery housing is built permanently into the chassis, it cannot be removed or altered in any way and the power from the batteries is fed directly to the receiver/driving motor.

The moulding for the battery housing is complex as terminal connectors for the batteries must be fitted into the battery housing in the chassis to ensure a proper connection. The cost of incorporating a battery housing in the chassis is higher as more parts and assembly are required.

Where a rechargeable battery pack is to be used as the power source, the chassis merely has a recess in the chassis where the battery pack can be fitted. The moulding in this case is very straightforward as the chassis merely has to have a recess with a suitable opening for the battery pack connector lead. The size of the recess to house the battery pack depends on the type of battery pack to be used. Where a 7.2 volt battery pack is to be used the recess must be approximately 5 cm wide by 14.5 cm long ; and where a 9.6 volt battery pack is to be used, the recess must be approximately 6.5 cm wide by 10.5 cm long.

By virtue of the fact that these different power sources have different shapes and sizes a manufacturer must decide what power source is to be used and then design the chassis accordingly. Alternatively the manufacturer must prepare 3 different types of moulds for the chassis to accommodate the different power sources and market 3 separate models. To date it has not been possible to manufacture a radio controlled toy which facilitates the use of either AA sized batteries or a 9.6 volt or a 7.2 volt rechargeable battery pack.

The present invention relates to a radio controlled toy which can be equipped to use any one of the three conventional power sources in the same toy, with a single design of chassis.

The advantage of the present invention is that it saves the manufacturer considerable tooling costs as it avoids the need to prepare three different moulds for three different types of chassis. The further advantage of the present invention is that it presents users with a choice of power sources.

Users can therefore use the toy immediately after purchase by using AA sized batteries, as such users can thus avoid having to make an immediate purchase of a charger and battery pack at the outset, while retaining the option to do so at some future date.

According to the invention there is provided a chassis for a radio controlled toy which is provided with a rectangular housing 14.3 cm in length and 6.1 cm in width. This housing is sufficiently large enough to accept a separate, detachable battery box, within which 8 AA batteries can be housed. The housing can thus also accommodate any size of rechargeable battery pack. The housing may be disposed laterally across the body of the chassis or it may be disposed along the length of the chassis.

The housing can be either interna or external. Where the housing is internal it is disposed within the chassis such that the bottom surface of the chassis is flat, however where the housing is external it is disposed on the bottom surface of the chassis. With the housing disposed internal the battery box or rechargeable battery packs may be inserted into the housing either through an access panel at the side of the toy, or by removing the structure covering the chassis.

The housing is provided with a connector socket which may be a male or a female socket and which is capable of accepting a connector plug from the battery box or from any battery pack. The connector socket is in turn connected to the receiver/driving motor.

The housing may further be disposed with a ventilation grill to prevent heat build up. Where the housing is external, the housing is further provided with a detachable cover which can be secured to the chassis by suitable means to enable the power source to be secured into the chassis. Where a 9.6 volt battery pack is to be used as the power source by the user, the excess space in the housing may be taken up by insertion of a suitable lightweight padding material to prevent movement of the battery pack within the housing, while the toy is in use.

In order that the invention can be fully understood the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a drawing of a plan view of the chassis for a radio controlled vehicle showing the external housing juxtaposed with a detachable battery box and a 9.6 volt battery pack and 7.2 volt battery pack.

Figure 2 is a drawing of a side view of the chassis for a radio controlled vehicle showing a profile of the housing which is external.

Figure 3 is a drawing of a side view of the chassis for a radio controlled vehicle showing a profile of the housing which is internal.

Figure 1. provides a plan view of the chassis (1) showing an external housing (2), which is disposed laterally across the body of the vehicle. The housing is provided with a connector socket (3) and ventilation grilles cut into it (4) together with locking means (5) to secure the housing cover to the chassis. The chassis is juxtaposed with the battery box (6) and a 9.6 volt battery pack (7) and a 7.2 volt battery pack (8) all disposed with a connector plug (9) and the housing cover (10).

Figure 2 provides a side view of the chassis showing the external housing (2) which is housed on the external surface of the chassis.

Figure 3 provides a side view of the chassis showing the interna housing (11) housed within the chassis.

In operation either the battery box (6) or the 9.6 volt (7) or 7.2 volt (8) battery pack is inserted into the housing (2) in the chassis (1) and the connector plug (9) is attached to the connector socket (3) disposed within the housing. The housing cover (10) is then attached to the chassis and locked into place by means of the locking means (5). The radio controlled toy is then ready for operation.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A radio controlled toy which is capable of operating using any one of three alternative power sources namely AA batteries, or a 9.6 volt battery pack or a 7.2 volt battery pack.
2. A radio controlled toy as claimed in claim 1 which is provided with a chassis, which is provided with a rectangular housing disposed laterally across the body of the chassis on the external surface, which is disposed with a male or female connector socket, wherein the housing is capable of accepting a detachable battery box, or a 9.6 volt battery pack or a 7.2 battery pack.
3. A radio controlled toy as claimed in claim 1 which is provided with a chassis, which is provided with a rectangular housing disposed along the length of the chassis on its external surface, which is disposed with a male or female connector socket, wherein the housing is capable of accepting a detachable battery box, or a 9.6 volt battery pack or a 7.2 battery pack.
4. A radio controlled toy as claimed in claim 1 which is provided with a chassis which is provided with a rectangular housing disposed laterally across the body of the chassis on the interna surface, which may be accessed through a panel on the side of the chassis, or by removal of the structure covering the chassis and which is disposed with a male or female connector socket wherein the housing is capable of accepting a detachable battery box, or a 9.6 volt battery pack or a 7.2 battery pack.
5. A radio controlled toy as claimed in claim 1 which is provided with a chassis which is provided with a rectangular housing disposed along the length of the chassis on the internal surface, which may be accessed through a panel on the side of the chassis or by removal of the structure covering the chassis and which is disposed with a male or female connector socket wherein the housing is capable of accepting a detachable battery box, or a 9.
6 volt battery pack or a
7. A radio controlled toy as claimed in claim 1,2 and 3 wherein the chassis is provided with a detachable cover which can be reversibly secured to the chassis by suitable locking means.

7.2 battery pack.

6. A radio controlled toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chassis is provided with a ventilation grille cut into the housing.