Radio-controlled robot operator for battery-powered toys

• US 4,799,915 A
• Filed: 12/04/1987
• Issued: 01/24/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lehmann, Roger W., Michael I. Satten
• Original Assignee: Lehmann, Roger W., Michael I. Satten
• Inventors: Satten, Michael I., Lehmann, Roger W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Mickey
• Application Number:
  US07/128,628
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: 446/275, 446/279, 446/280, 446/286, 446/456, 446/484, 446/427, 446/424, 446/2829, 446/354, 446/353, 446/352, 446/288, 446/268, 446/355, 446/269, 446/270, 446/292, 446/46 0
• US Class Current: 446/279
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/25 Other wheeled vehicles with moving figures toy figures moving together with toy vehicles, led or propelled by the user, A63H7/04; self-movable toy figures driven by wheeled undercarriages A63H11/10
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission

Abstract

A radio-controlled, battery-powered robot operator for interchangeable operation of battery-powered toys. The robot operator performs the operations performed by actual operators of actual vehicles and other machines, e.g., the operation of a gear shift lever and a steering mechanism.

The robot operator is transferable from one battery-powered vehicle to another, and from operating a battery-powered vehicle to operating a battery-powered machine such as a battery-powered hoist mounted on a battery-powered vehicle.

Claims

1. In combination, a battery-powered, radio-controlled robot and a battery-powered action toy having multiple action control means controlled by said robot, comprising:

a. a robot having movable arms, including hands, and battery-powered motor drive means for individually actuating said arms,

b. a power and control pack electrically connected to said motor drive means, and having means for removably attaching said power and control pack on said robot,

c. said power and control rack comprising battery-powered, radio-controlled control means for controlling said motor drive means of the robot and thereby individually actuating said arms,

d. said hands having engaging means for individually engaging the multiple action control means of said action toy,

e. whereby said radio-controlled control means is adapted to control the multiple action control means of the action toy by individually actuating the arms of the robot.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the action toy is a vehicle having two individually operable action control means, one a drive control means, and the other a steering control means,

a. the hand of one of the robot'"'"'s arms being the engaging means for engaging the drive control means,

b. whereby said radio-controlled control means is adapted to control said drive control means,

c. the hand of the other of the robot'"'"'s arms being the engaging means for engaging the steering control means,

d. whereby said radio-controlled control means is adapted to control said steering control means.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein:

a. each individual arm drive means comprises a motor-driven gear train driving a shaft,

b. each motor-driven gear train being individually powered and controlled by the radio-controlled control means,

c. each shaft extending transversely of the robot at one of its shoulders and in alignment with the other shaft,

d. each arm of the robot being mounted on one of said shafts for angular movement therewith when it is driven by its motor-driven gear train.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein:

a. each arm comprises an upper arm member and a lower arm member and a pivotal connection between said upper and lower arm members at the elbow,

b. the pivotal axis of said pivotal connection being parallel to the axis of the shaft on which the arm is mounted.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein:

the power and control pack comprises a backpack.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein:

a. the backpack is provided with additional mounting means for mounting said backpack on the action toy having action control means,

b. said additional mounting means being detachable for removing the backpack from said action toy,

c. whereby said backpack may be replaced on said action toy or mounted on another action toy having action control means.