SELF-PROPELLED CONTINUOUSLY MOVING TOY

• US 3,722,134 A
• Filed: 10/12/1971
• Issued: 03/27/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles E. Merrill, Joseph H. Gifford
• Original Assignee: Charles E. Merrill, Joseph H. Gifford
• Inventors: Merrill, Charles E., Gifford, Joseph H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Louis G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Weinhold, D. L.
• Application Number:
  US05/188,322
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• Field of Search: 46/243,245,99,100,206
• US Class Current: 446/462
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/005 Motorised rolling toys

Abstract

A self-propelled toy that moves about a planar surface, changing direction whenever an obstacle too large to drive over is contacted. The toy is comprised of a rigid, hollow shell having a driving means, within which the driving means provides the necessary torque on the shell for forward and turning motion.

Claims

1. A toy for uninterrupted movement about a surface which changes direction whenever an obstacle too large to pass over is contacted comprising:

a hollow enclosed curved envelope having an inner and outer surface; and

an envelope driving means frictionally engaged to and pivotally moveable relative to the engaged inside envelope surface, having at least a first, second and a third supporting means on said inner surface, said first supporting means including torque means pivotally moveable to and rotatably engageable with said inner surface for propelling and providing a rotational moment on said driving means, whereby the envelope is rollable about a planar surface and will change direction and continue rolling whenever an obstacle is contacted by said envelope.

2. A motorized toy as in claim 1, wherein:

said driving means including a frame, said first, second and third supporting means coupled to said frame.

3. A motorized toy as in claim 2 including:

rotational energy means, said first supporting means including a first wheel and a first axle fixedly coupled to said wheel and rotatably coupled to said frame and said energy means.

4. A motorized toy as in claim 3, wherein:

said second supporting means includes a second wheel and a second axle, said second axle coupled to said second wheel and frame.

5. A motorized toy as in claim 4, wherein:

said third supporting means including a supporting member coupled to said frame at one end along the longitudinal axis of said frame, said first and second wheels coupled at the opposite end of said frame.

6. A motorized toy as in claim 5, wherein:

the center of gravity of said driving means is between the frame and the envelope contact areas of the first, second and third supporting means.

7. A motorized toy as in claim 6, wherein:

said envelope is separable into a first portion and a second portion.

8. A motorized toy as in claim 7, wherein:

said envelope is spherical; and

said driving means includes an electric motor , a circuit means, a battery coupled to said motor by said circuit means, and said motor, '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'On-Off'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' switch means.

9. A motor as in claim 7, wherein:

said energy source is a spring-wound actuated motor.