Ultracompact miniature toy vehicle with four-wheel drive and unusual climbing capability

• US 4,492,058 A
• Filed: 09/13/1982
• Issued: 01/08/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/1980
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Adolph E. Goldfarb
• Original Assignee: Adolph E. Goldfarb
• Inventors: Goldfarb, Adolph E., Everitt, Delmar K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Mickey
• Application Number:
  US06/417,554
• Time in Patent Office: 848 Days
• Field of Search: 46/251, 46/252, 46/253, 46/254, 46/256, 46/261, 46/262
• US Class Current: 446/462
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/12 with cranes, winches or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 29/22 Electric drives power supply through track A63H18/12

Abstract

A toy vehicle only slightly longer than a "penlight" battery, and with chassis less than twice the width of such a battery, is able (traction permitting) to climb any grade on which it will not tip over backward--grades up to about 40°--and to negotiate a vertical step taller than its tire radius. The AA-battery-powered four-wheel-drive vehicle has a small electric motor with a double-ended shaft, and a symmetrical gearing system consisting of, at each end of the motor, a pinion fixed on the shaft, a spur gear driven by the pinion and driving a worm, and a worm gear keyed to a corresponding axle. The motor, pinions, spur gears and worms, and the upper portions of the worm gears, are aligned along one side wall inside the vehicle chassis, with the battery alongside them occupying the rest of the chassis. Traction and climbing characteristics are enhanced by twice-overscale tires, preferably of open foam, with highly pronounced treads. A light distributor in the vehicle simulates two headlights, using light from a single light bulb.

Claims

1. A miniature electrically self-powered wheeled toy vehicle for use with electrical battery means comprising an elongated dry-cell battery, and capable of climbing over operating surfaces that are rough and that include obstacles as well as climbing up operating surfaces that include steep inclines, said vehicle having major weight components positioned to provide a generally symmetrical, compact, balanced, and relatively low arrangement, while also providing adequate ground clearance in the area between the front and rear wheels, said vehicle comprising:

a frame having a right edge and a left edge;

front wheel means and rear wheel means mounted to the frame for rolling rotation about respective mutually parallel but spaced-apart front and rear axes, the distance between the front and rear axes being generally about two inches;

an electric motor mounted adjacent to one of said edges of the frame, and having a driveshaft which is perpendicular to the two axes and extends both fore and aft from the motor;

means mounted to the frame to releasably support such an elongated dry-cell battery alongside the motor and adjacent the other of said edges of the frame in a position with its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the driveshaft, the length of such battery extending substantially the full distance between said front and rear axes;

the motor and such battery side-by-side substantially occupying the full width between said right and left edges of the frame;

said motor being positioned between said axes and being substantially shorter than the distance between said axes to provide a pair of transmission spaces, one fore and one aft of the motor;

means for electrically connecting such battery, when supported in the supporting means, to the motor, so that such battery powers the motor; and

a pair of transmission means, each at least partially disposed in one of said transmission spaces and each comprising a speed reduction mechanism connecting one end of the driveshaft to one of the wheel means to transmit rotation from the driveshaft to such wheel means with reduced speed and with increased power;

at least a major portion of such battery, said motor and said transmission means being at approximately the same height as said front and rear wheel means; and

said frame, said motor, such battery and said transmission means not protruding any appreciable distance below the level of said front and rear axes in the area between said front and rear wheel means.

2. The toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein, transverse to the driveshaft, said motor is generally rectangular, having shorter dimension and a longer dimension, said motor being positioned with said shorter dimension extending between said battery means and the frame side.

3. The toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein said motor is generally equally distant between said front and rear axes.

4. The toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein each of said transmission means comprises a worm driven by the motor and a worm gear driving a wheel means.

5. A miniature electrically self-powered wheeled toy vehicle for use with electrical battery means comprising an elongated dry-cell battery, and capable of climbing over operating surfaces that are rough and that include obstacles as well as climbing up operating surfaces that include steep inclines, said vehicle having major weight components positioned to provide a generally balanced and relatively low arrangement, while also providing adequate ground clearance in the area between the front and rear wheels, said vehicle comprising:

a frame simulating a vehicle chassis and adapted to support a toy vehicle body, said frame having a right edge and a left edge;

front wheel means and rear wheel means mounted to the frame for rolling rotation about respective mutually parallel but spaced-apart front and rear axes, the distance between the front and rear axes being generally about two inches;

an electric motor mounted adjacent to one of said edges of the frame, and having a driveshaft which is perpendicular to the two axes and extends both fore and aft from the motor;

means mounted to the frame to releasably support such an elongated dry-cell battery side-by-side with the motor and adjacent the other of said edges of the frame in a position with its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the driveshaft, the length of such battery extending substantially the full distance between said front and rear axes;

such battery and at least the lower portion of the motor being at approximately the same height as said front and rear wheel means;

said motor being positioned between said axes and being substantially shorter than the distance between said axes to provide a pair of transmission spaces, one fore and one aft of the motor;

said frame, said motor and such battery not protruding any appreciable distance below the level of said front and rear axes in the area between said front and rear wheel means, and said frame and such battery not extending any appreciable distance above said wheel means;

means for electrically connecting such battery, when supported in the supporting means, to the motor, so that such battery powers the motor; and

a pair of transmission means each at least partially disposed in one of said transmission spaces and each comprising a reduction gear train connecting one end of the drive shaft to one of the wheel means to transmit rotation from the drive shaft to such wheel means with reduced speed and with increased power.