Counter balanced lift assembly for low-rider model vehicles

• US 5,722,872 A
• Filed: 05/16/1996
• Issued: 03/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Larnell Simmons, Simmons, Donald
• Original Assignee: Larnell Simmons, Simmons, Donald
• Inventors: Simmons, Larnell, Simmons, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MUIR, DAVID N
• Application Number:
  US08/649,840
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 446/454, 446/456, 446/465, 446/466, 446/462, 446/460, 446/470, 446/471, 446/431, 280/43.23, 280/43.19, 280/43.17, 180/24.02
• US Class Current: 446/456
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/004 Stunt-cars, e.g. lifting front wheels, roll-over or invertible cars
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/262 Chassis; Wheel mountings; Wheels; Axles; Suspensions; Fitting body portions to chassis
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission

Abstract

A radio controlled scale model of a low rider vehicle including a chassis and first and second axels supported on the chassis, a lift assembly includes the chassis being provided with guide structure for maintaining the transverse orientation of the front axle while allowing movement of the axle relative to the chassis within a plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the chassis. The lifting action is accomplished by a solenoid whose push rod presses on a pivotable "L" shaped lever arm which in turn presses on the front axle causing the chassis and attached vehicle body to rise when activated and fall when released simulating a low rider "hop". The power supply located in the trunk portion of the vehicle acts as a counter balance so that the front wheels lift easily. The rear wheels are independently driven by separate motors so that when both motors are activated the vehicle the vehicle moves in a straight direction and when either motor is activated independently the vehicle turns to the left or right. Continuous activation of either motor results in a spinning action of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A low-rider model vehicle, comprising:

a chassis having a longitudinal axis, a front end, and a rear end;

front and rear axles respectively supported on said chassis adjacent said front end and said rear end thereof, each of said axles extending in a transverse direction relative to said central longitudinal axis;

a pair of wheels attached to each of said axles and adapted to support said vehicle on a ground;

guide means for maintaining said transverse direction of said front axle and allowing movement of said front axle relative to said chassis along a plane normal to said central longitudinal axis, said guide means comprising a pair of laterally opposed vertical side walls connected to said chassis, each of said side walls being provided with a vertical slot, said front axle extending through said slots, said slots allowing rotation and vertical movement of said front axle relative to said chassis along said plane;

lifting means for moving said chassis relative to said front axle between a lowered position and a raised position, said lifting means comprising an electric solenoid having a horizontal push rod extending from one end thereof toward said front end of said chassis, said push rod being mounted along said longitudinal axis;

a power supply connected to said electric solenoid for activating said electric solenoid; and

a L-shaped lever arm having an elbow pivotally attached to said chassis adjacent said push rod, said L-shaped lever arm having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion, said horizontal portion being attached to said front axle, said vertical portion engaging said push rod, when said solenoid is activated by said power supply, said push rod is extended to rotate said L-shaped lever arm, said horizontal portion of said L-shaped lever arm rotating downwardly, so that said front axle is lowered relative to said chassis, and said front end of said chassis is adapted to be raised relative to said ground.

2. The low-rider model vehicle of claim 1, wherein said power supply is positioned in a rearmost portion of said chassis, so as to serve as a counterweight and facilitating raising said front end of said chassis.

3. The low-rider model vehicle of claim 1, further including a motor and a reduction drive mechanism for powering each of said wheels attached to said rear axle.

4. The low-rider model vehicle of claim 3, wherein said motor and said reduction drive mechanism can be selectively activated for rotating said pair of wheels on said rear axle in a similar or an opposite direction for forward or turning motion, respectively.

5. The low-rider model vehicle of claim 1, further including transmitter means for remotely operating said vehicle.

6. The low-rider model vehicle of claim 1, further including a receiver circuit cooperating with said transmitter means.