Remote controlled movable ball amusement device

• US 5,871,386 A
• Filed: 07/25/1997
• Issued: 02/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William T. Wilkinson
• Original Assignee: William T. Wilkinson
• Inventors: Wilkinson, William T., Bart, Philip D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FOSSUM, LAURA J
• Application Number:
  US08/900,950
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 446/443, 446/454, 446/456, 446/457, 446/458, 446/460, 446/462, 446/465
• US Class Current: 446/460
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 15/06 Self-righting toys
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 23/00 Toy boats; Floating toys; Other aquatic toy devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/005 Motorised rolling toys

Abstract

A remote control movable ball amusement device includes a plurality of shell parts so as to result in a non-spherical ball. Preferably each shell part is driven independently of the other. An antenna is provided which extends externally of the shell parts to increase the range of operability of the device.

Claims

1. A movable ball-type amusement device comprising a plurality of shell parts mounted together to generally form a ball, connecting structure securing said shell parts together for independent movement of said shell parts with respect to each other, a separate drive mechanism connected to said shell parts for causing said shell parts to move independently of each other upon actuation of said drive mechanisms, each of said shell parts being of arcuate shape having an outer surface which is curved in more than one plane, and said arcuate outer surfaces of said shell parts in combination with each other forming a generally closed arcuate structure which allows sidewards rolling of said device selectively on a single one of said shell parts.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said ball is non-spherical.

3. The device of claim 1 including an antenna operatively connected to said drive mechanisms and extending externally out of said non-spherical ball in a vertical direction for receiving a signal from a remote control unit.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein each of said shell parts terminates in a circumferential edge, said circumferential edges disposed toward and spaced apart from each other to create a spacing between said edges, and said antenna extending through said spacing.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein a weight mechanism is mounted in said ball to locate the center of gravity of said device in the lower half of said ball and at said spacing.

6. The device of claim 5 including an on/off switch mounted in said spacing for said drive mechanisms for selectively turning said drive mechanisms on and off.

7. The device of claim 4 wherein each of said drive mechanisms includes a reversible motor having a shaft extending outwardly therefrom, said shafts being coaxially aligned with each other to form a horizontal axis, said motors being mounted to a common housing, and said motors causing said shell parts to rotate about said horizontal axis.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein each of said shafts is mounted to a respective one of said shell parts at diametrically aligned locations.

9. The device of claim 4 wherein traction bands are mounted at said edges, and said traction bands comprising a generally flat contact surface.

10. The device of claim 3 including a common remote control unit having separate controls for each of said drive mechanisms with said antenna functioning as a common receiver for radio waves from said control unit to actuate each of said drive mechanisms.

11. The device of claim 3 wherein said antenna functions as a support having an object mounted to said antenna.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said object is a flag.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein said object is part of a caricature.

14. The device of claim 11 wherein said object is a rotatable swivel wheel mounted to the outer end of said antenna.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein each of said shell parts is hemispherical.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein said device is buoyant, and paddles secured to and extending outwardly from said shell parts.

17. The device of claim 1 wherein said drive mechanism includes a spring manually windable about a shaft secured to said shell part.

18. The device of claim 1 including a plurality of holes extending completely through each of said shell parts to provide an open path for a signal sent by a remote control unit to a receiving in the interior of said ball.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein said receiver includes an antenna mounted totally internally of said ball.

20. The device of claim 1 wherein said ball is spherical.

21. The device of claim 1 in combination with a second one of said devices tethered to said device.

22. The device of claim 1 wherein each of said drive mechanisms includes its own motor.

23. The device of claim 22 wherein each of said motors is a reversible motor.

24. The device of claim 1 wherein said shell parts terminate in circumferential edges connected together by a joint which permits said shell parts to rotate independently of each other.

25. A movable rolling amusement device comprising a plurality of shell parts mounted together to form a generally closed structure, a separate drive mechanism disposed within each of said shell parts, a rotatable shaft driven by each of said drive mechanisms, each of said shafts being connected to a respective one of said shell parts for causing said shell parts to move independently of each other upon actuation of said drive mechanisms, each drive mechanism being controlled by signals from a remote control unit, a wheely bar located in said device midway between said shell parts and extending outwardly of and beyond the outer surface of said shell parts, said wheely bar being connected to said drive mechanisms and being rotatable between a vertical position and a downwardly inclined trailing position, said wheely bar comprising means to prevent said drive mechanisms from spinning inside said shell parts, said wheely bar further comprising an antenna for receiving the signals for said drive mechanisms, and said antenna being the outermost portion of said device to assure reception of the signals with minimal interference to maximize the range of effectiveness of the signals from the remote control unit.

26. The device of claim 25 wherein said combined structure is a non-spherical ball.

27. The device of claim 25 wherein each of said shell parts terminates in a circumferential edge, said circumferential edges disposed toward and spaced apart from each other to create a spacing between said edges, and said antenna extending through said spacing.

28. The device of claim 27 wherein a weight mechanism is mounted in said structure to locate the center of gravity of said device in the lower half of said structure and at said spacing.

29. The device of claim 28 including an on/off switch mounted in said spacing for said drive mechanisms for selectively turning said drive mechanisms on and off.

30. The device of claim 27 wherein each of said drive mechanisms includes a reversible motor having said shaft extending outwardly therefrom, said shafts being coaxially aligned with each other to form a horizontal axis, said motors being mounted to a common housing, and said motors causing said shell parts to reversibly rotate about said horizontal axis.

31. The device of claim 30 wherein each of said shafts is mounted to a respective one of said shell parts at diametrically aligned locations.

32. The device of claim 27 wherein traction bands are mounted at said edges, and said traction bands comprising a generally flat contact surface.

33. The device of claim 27 wherein each of said shell parts is hemispherical.

34. The device of claim 25 wherein said antenna functions to receive radio signals and as a support having an object mounted to said antenna.

35. The device of claim 34 wherein said object is a flag.

36. The device of claim 34 wherein said object is part of a caricature.

37. The device of claim 34 wherein said object is a rotatable swivel wheel mounted to the outer end of said antenna.

38. The device of claim 25 wherein said device is buoyant, and paddles secured to and extending outwardly from said shell parts.

39. The device of claim 25 in combination with a second one of said devices tethered to said device.

40. The device of claim 25 wherein each of said drive mechanisms has its own motor.