US20170173479A1

US20170173479A1 - Modular chassis adapter for rc vehicles

Info

Publication number: US20170173479A1
Application number: US15/389,396
Authority: US
Inventors: George Timmons
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-12-22
Filing date: 2016-12-22
Publication date: 2017-06-22

Abstract

Implementations of a modular chassis adapter are provided. In some implementations, a toy remote control vehicle having a plurality of modular chassis adapters according to the present disclosure are provided. In some implementations, the remote control vehicle comprising a set of front wheels, a set of back wheels and a toy car chassis having a front end, a back end, a right side, and a left side wherein the front wheels and back wheels are operatively connected to the toy car chassis. In some implementations, a first modular chassis adapter according to the present disclosure is attached to the front end of the toy car chassis such that the first modular chassis adapter is positioned in front of the front wheels of the remote control vehicle and wherein the first modular chassis adapter is sized such that if an object obstructs the toy remote control vehicle while in motion, the wheels of the toy remote control vehicle do not touch the object. A second modular chassis adapter is similarly positioned and sized on the back end of the toy car chassis.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/270,817, which was filed on Dec. 22, 2015, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to implementations of a modular chassis adapter for rc cars.

BACKGROUND

The turning circle or “radius” of existing radio controlled (RC) cars or vehicles can be relatively large. Furthermore, when RC vehicles collide with other objects, damage can be caused to the RC cars or to the objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1C illustrates an implementation of a top, bottom, and side view, respectively, of a modular chassis adapter according to the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate, a top and bottom view, respectively, of a toy car chassis having a front and back modular chassis adapter mounted thereon.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of an implementation of the toy car chassis 200 having a left and right side modular chassis adapter mounted thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of a modular chassis adapter is provided. In some implementations, a toy remote control vehicle having a plurality of modular chassis adapters according to the present disclosure are provided. In some implementations, the remote control vehicle comprising a set of front wheels, a set of back wheels and a toy car chassis having a front end, a back end, a right side, and a left side wherein the front wheels and back wheels are operatively connected to the toy car chassis. In some implementations, a first modular chassis adapter according to the present disclosure is attached to the front end of the toy car chassis such that the first modular chassis adapter is positioned in front of the front wheels of the remote control vehicle and wherein the first modular chassis adapter is sized such that if an object obstructs the toy remote control vehicle while in motion, the wheels of the toy remote control vehicle do not touch the object. A second modular chassis adapter is similarly positioned and sized on the back end of the toy car chassis. In some implementations, the toy car chassis may be a chassis for any toy remote control vehicle including cars, off-road vehicles, trucks, buggies with over-sized tires, or any other remote control vehicle.
FIGS. 1A-1C illustrates an implementation of a top, bottom, and side view, respectively, of a modular chassis adapter 100 according to the present disclosure. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate, a top and bottom view, respectively, of a toy car chassis 200 having a front and back modular chassis adapter 100 mounted thereon. In some implementations, the front and back modular chassis adapter may have the same design. In some implementations, the front and back modular chassis adapter may have different designs.
In some implementations, the modular chassis adapter 100 comprises a generally flat piece of material 110 having a top surface 110 a, a bottom surface 110 b, a front/distal edge 110 c, a back/proximal edge 110 d, a right edge 110 e, and a left edge 110 f. In some implementations, the modular chassis adapter 100 includes a plurality of apertures 120 extending through the modular chassis adapter 100 from the top surface 110 a to the bottom surface 110 b for mounting the modular chassis adapter 100 onto a toy car chassis (e.g., with screws or other attachment mechanisms). In this way, the modular chassis adapters 100 may be detached from the toy car chassis. The modular chassis adapter 100 may be removably attached to the car chassis in any other suitable manner.
In some implementations, the back edge 110 d is straight. In some implementations, back edge 110 d is mounted to a toy car chassis. In some implementations, the modular chassis adapter 100 is mounted to the top of a toy car chassis. In some implementations, the modular chassis adapter 100 is mounted to the bottom of a toy car chassis. As shown in FIG. 2A and 2B, in some implementations, the back edge 110 d is mounted to the front end and/or back end of a toy car chassis such that the modular chassis adapter 100 is positioned in front of the front wheels of a R/C vehicle or behind the back wheels of a R/C vehicle.
In some implementations, the modular chassis adapter 100 further comprises at least two wheels or discs 130 (hereinafter referred to as wheels), attached to the bottom surface 110 b of the modular chassis adapter 100. In some implementations, the wheels 130 are discs or circular shaped objects having an opening therethrough for mounting onto the bottom surface 110 b of the modular chassis adapter 100. In some implementations, the wheels rotate about an axis wherein the axis is perpendicular to the bottom surface 110 b of the modular chassis adapter.
In some implementations, the wheels 130 may be a low-profile/thin disk, or washer. In some implementations, the wheels 130 may have the thickness of or about the thickness of a penny. In some implementations, the wheels 130 may have a thickness of or about the thickness of a penny. In some implementations, the wheels 130 may have a thickness less than the thickness of a penny. In some implementations, the wheels 130 may have a thickness greater than the thickness of a penny. In some implementations, the wheels 130 may have a thickness of or about 0.0598 inches (or 1.52 mm). In some implementations, the wheels 130 may have a thickness less than 0.0598 inches (or 1.52 mm). In some implementations, the wheels 130 may have a thickness greater than 0.0598 inches (or 1.52 mm).
In some implementations, the outer surface of the wheels comprise a rubber or other soft material. In some implementations, the outer surface of the wheels may be any suitable material.
In some implementations, a first wheel is positioned such that a portion of the first wheel extends beyond the front 110 c and right side edge 110 e. In some implementations, a second wheel is positioned such that a portion of the second wheel extends from the front 110 c and left side edge 110 e.
In some implementations, the modular chassis adapter 100 including the wheels are sized such that if an object (e.g., guardrail of a racetrack, furniture, etc) obstructs the R/C while in motion, the wheels of the R/C vehicle do not touch the object. Instead, the modular chassis adapter 100 makes contact with the object. In this way, the size of the turning circle may be reduced. Furthermore, the modular chassis adapter 100 may absorb energy when the toy car collides with an object, which can help reduce any damage that may be caused.
FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of an implementation of the toy car chassis 200 of FIG. 2B having a left 300 a and a right 300 b side modular chassis adapter mounted thereon. In some implementations, the left 300 a and right 300 b side modular chassis adapter may have the same design. In some implementations, the left 300 a and right 300 b side modular chassis adapter may have different designs.
In some implementations, each side modular chassis adapter comprises a generally flat piece of material 310 having a top surface (not shown), a bottom surface 310 b, a distal edge 310 c, a proximal edge 310 d, a front edge 310 e, and a back edge 310 f. In some implementations, the side modular chassis adapter includes a plurality of apertures 320 extending through a portion of the side modular chassis adapter for mounting the side modular chassis adapter onto a toy car chassis (e.g., with screws or other attachment mechanisms). In this way, the side modular chassis adapters may be detached from the toy car chassis. The side modular chassis adapters may be removably attached to the toy car chassis in any other suitable manner. In some implementations, the toy car chassis may include one or both side modular chassis adapters.
In some implementations, the proximal edge 310 d is straight. In some implementations, proximal edge 310 d is mounted to a toy car chassis.
In some implementations, the side modular chassis adapter further comprises one or more wheels 330, attached to the bottom surface 310 b of the side modular chassis adapter. In some implementations, the wheels are sized and/or positioned such that a portion of the wheels 430 extend from the distal edge 310 c. In some implementations, a wheel is placed adjacent to the front edge 310 e and back edge 310 f.
Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “implementation” or words of similar import means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in an embodiment” or a phrase of similar import in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. For example, the disclosure attached hereto, includes other modifications and implementations of the present disclosure.
The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail.

Claims

1. A modular chassis adapter comprising:

a flat piece of material having a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the front surface, a front edge extending width-wise from the top surface to the bottom surface and length-wise from the right edge to the left edge, a back edge opposite the front edge and extending width-wise from the top surface to the bottom surface and length-wise from the right edge to the left edge, a right edge extending width-wise from the top surface to the bottom surface and length-wise from the front edge to the back edge, and a left edge opposite the right edge and extending width-wise from the top surface to the bottom surface and length-wise from the front edge to the back edge; and

at least two wheels attached to the material wherein the wheels are configured to rotate about an axis that is perpendicular to the bottom surface and wherein the wheels are positioned such that a portion of the wheels extend beyond at least one edge of the modular chassis adapter.

2. The modular chassis adapter of claim 1 wherein the back edge is straight.

3. The modular chassis adapter of claim 1 wherein the wheels are positioned below the bottom surface.

4. The modular chassis adapter of claim 1 wherein the wheels have a thickness of no more than 0.0598 inches.

5. The modular chassis adapter of claim 1 wherein a first wheel is positioned such that a portion of the first wheel extends beyond the front edge and the right edge and a second wheel is positioned such that a portion of the second wheel extends from the front edge and the left edge.

6. The modular chassis adapter of claim 1 wherein the flat piece of material and wheels are sized such that if an object obstructs a toy remote control vehicle while in motion, the wheels of the remote control vehicle do not touch the object but instead the modular chassis adapter makes contact with the object when the modular chassis adapter is attached to the toy remote control chassis.

7. A toy remote control vehicle having a plurality of modular chassis adapters according to claim 1, the remote control vehicle comprising:

a set of front wheels;

a set of back wheels;

a toy car chassis having a front end, a back end, a right side, and a left side wherein the front wheels and back wheels are operatively connected to the toy car chassis;

a first modular chassis adapter according to claim 1 attached to the front end of the toy car chassis such that the first modular chassis adapter is positioned in front of the front wheels of the remote control vehicle and wherein the first modular chassis adapter is sized such that if an object obstructs the toy remote control vehicle while in motion, the wheels of the toy remote control vehicle do not touch the object; and

a second modular chassis adapter according to claim 1 attached to a back end of the toy car chassis such that the modular chassis adapter is positioned behind the back wheels of the toy remote control vehicle and wherein the second modular chassis adapter is sized such that if an object obstructs the toy remote control vehicle while in motion, the wheels of the toy remote control vehicle do not touch the object.

8. The remote control vehicle of claim 7 further comprising a third modular chassis adapter according to claim 1 attached to the right side of the toy car chassis and a fourth modular chassis adapter according to claim 1 attached to a left side of the toy car chassis.

9. The remote control vehicle of claim 7 wherein the wheels of the first and second modular chassis adapter have a thickness of no more than 0.0598 inches.

10. The remote control vehicle of claim 8 wherein the wheels of the first, second, third, and fourth modular chassis adapter have a thickness of no more than 0.0598 inches.