US3392485A - Toy remote control device - Google Patents

Description

July 16, 1968 SELH ASANO TOY REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE Filed Sept. 17, T1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG July 16, 1968 SEIJI ASANO TOY REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 17, 1965 Unite S te Pat 3,392,485 v f TOY REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE Seiji Asano, 180, 7-chome'Terajima-cho, Sumida-kn, Tokyo, Japan Filed Sept. 17, 1965, Ser. No. 488,099 2 Claims. (Cl. 46-244) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE V I This invention relates generally to toys and more particularly to a portable toy remote control device.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an easily constructed remote control device for operating a toy and applying command signals thereto.

A feature of the remote control device according to the invention is the provision of a simple elongated case for receiving a powerpack therein or power source. The case has disposed thereon elements for applying command signals to the toy, mechanically and electrically. The mechanically applied signals, for example turning commands, are applied by alternatively advancing and retracting an operating wire or cable operated from the powerpack case and connected to the toy. Electrical comm'ands are applied by remote control circuit means, for example, stop and go command signals.

Other features and advantages of the remote control device for toys in accordance with the present invention will be better understood as described in the following specification and appended claims, in conjunction with the following drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a complete remote control device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1; with a cover and certain elements removed therefrom to illustrate control components and the circuitry of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary exploded view illustrating control circuitry of the invention and mechanical command signal control means of the device illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view used on the underside of a part of the control elements illustrated in FIG. 1.

As illustrated in the drawing, the portable remote control device comprises a powerpack case 1 provided with a first frame 2 and a second guide frame 3 in which are disposed reciprocably operated mechanical control-means for actuating a remote control wire 4 movable longitudinally in opposite directions for applying, for example, turning signals to a toy remotely controlled by the device illustrated. The control wire 4 is sheathed in a helically wound wire sheath 5 which is flexible. The wire, and sheath, for mechanical remote control, as hereinafter described, extend away from the case, and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the case, so that the case can be held quite easily with the control means and cable extending generally longitudinally therefrom.

In order to actuate the control cable or wire 4, means comprising an element 6 is provided reciprocably movable in the guide frame 3 and having an opening 7 along one 3,392,485 Patented July 16, 1968 edge of which is provided @a gear rack 8 engaged with a gear 10 connected through a connection 9 to a control wheel 11 which is angularly orrotatably driven manually and thereby actuates the element 6 reciprocably for moving the wire -4 longitudinally back and forth in opposite directions. The two firames 2, 3, are covered by a removable cover having two cover portions 12, 13 which are constructed integral, for example of a transparent plastic.

Within the first frame 2 @are provided posts 2' against which a guide piece 15, through which the control wire 4 and. flexible sheath 5 extend, bears and is held in internally of the frame 2 in a fixed position relative to the firame and the case 1. A spring 6' as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 biases the element 6 in a direction away from the guide piece 15, therefore biasing the control cable 4 in one of its two operative directions of reciprocable longitudinal travel. Within the guide frame 2 are :also provided remote control circuit means comprising control leads or conductors 16 covered by a common, plastic tubular sheath cover 17 covering both conductors 1'6 :and the remote command wire means 4 and its wire sheath 5. The control circuit leads 16 are connected to two spring contacts 16a, 16b biased upwardly to engage a fixed contact spaced from another fixed contact 16d mounted on an insulator resting on the posts 2. The fixed contact are electrically connected through posts 16e, 16f to a clip contact 16g disposed internally of the case 1. Within the case two cells 16h, 16i are electrically connected to the clip contact as illustrated in FIG. 3. The cells are removably inserted in the case 1 which has two halves joined by hinge means 19 and closed by a snap lock 20.

The control leads 16 are electrically connected to the power source cells or batteries by deflecting downwardly either flexible spring contact with a respective operator to apply, for example, a stop or go electrical command to the toy, not shown, to which the leads 16 are connected. The flexible contacts are operated by respective pushbuttons 24a, 24b which extend upwardly through the cover portion 12 and can be depressed. The pushbuttons rest on the flexible contacts and are guided for axial travel by openings in the cover through which they extend upwardly and outwardly thereof. An additional pair of contacts can be provided for another set of control leads, not shown, if desired in which case an additional set of flexible contacts would be provided in the manner of those described.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the control wire 4 is sufiiciently rigid so that it can be moved longitudinally so that actuation thereof will operate an operator, for example a turn command operator, on the toy, not shown, so that instructions or commands can be applied through the wire which is connected to the toy. Moreover, the wire is sufliciently flexible to allow coiling. The wire 5, leads 16, and sheath 4 in the tube 17 all extend generally axially of the case 1 permitting easy handling and holding the control device.

The various parts such as the gear rack, the gear and control wheel; the guides and case can all be made of a suitable material such as plastic which permits a simple inexpensive construction. Furthermore, mounting the controls externally of the case allows easy manufacturing of the device .and allows separate assembly of the controls and subsequent mounting of the controls on the case.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that many modifications and changes may be made within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A portable toy remote control device comprising, a control wire movable longitudinally connectable to a toy for mechanically applying command signals to the toy represented by longitudinal movement of said wire in opposite directions, control circuitry comprising control circuit means, 'means mounting said circuit means comprising an elongated case for removably mounting a power source therein, control means comprising a gear rack mounted on said case externally thereof connected to said control wire for advancing and retracting said wire longitudinally in opposite directions, guide means on said case externally thereof for guiding reciprocable travel of said gear rack, a spring constantly biasing said gear rack in one direction, gear means for moving said .gear rack longitudinally of said elongated case reciprocably, said control circuit means comprising connections to said source of power, conductors connected to said circuit means extending away from said casing for connection to said toy for applying electrical control signals thereto,

- 4 a and switch means connected in said control circuit means for selectively electrically connecting said conductors to said source of power for application of one or two control signals to said toy along said conductors. 1

2. A portable toy remote control device according to claim 1, in which said gear means includes a gear engaged with said gear rack and an angularly rotatably operating wheel connected to said gear for moving said gear rack.

, References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1953 Jack-son 46-2 14 8/1965 Carver et a1 46-244

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