Remote controlled simulated tire amusement device

• US 6,066,026 A
• Filed: 11/25/1998
• Issued: 05/23/2000
• 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:
  US09/200,213
• Time in Patent Office: 545 Days
• Field of Search: 446/90, 446/431, 446/448, 446/454, 446/456, 446/457, 446/460, 446/462, 180/6.48, 180/6.5, 180/6.2
• 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 remote controlled amusement device comprising a pair of shell parts mounted juxtaposed each other with a slight gap therebetween, each of said shell parts having an outer peripheral surface contacting wall of circular cross section, said surface contacting walls being coaxial with each other, each of said shell parts having a side wall extending generally perpendicular from its said surface contacting wall, said side wall of each of said surface contacting walls being remote from said side wall of the other of said surface contacting walls, said surface contacting walls and said side walls forming a split housing which is split at said gap, connecting structure securing said shell parts together for independent movement of said shell parts with respect to each other, a separate drive mechanism for each of said shell parts in said housing for causing said shell parts to move independently of each other upon actuation of said drive mechanisms, each of said outer peripheral walls and its connected said side wall being jointly rotated by its said drive mechanism whereby said entire split housing is rotatable, said shell parts in combination with each other giving the appearance of a simulated free standing vehicle tire without creating the appearance of said tire simply being a component of a simulated vehicle, and reception means in said device for receiving signals from a remote control unit for independently rotating said shell parts.

2. The device of claim 1 in combination with a remote control unit for sending radio waves to said device, and a sound chip in one of said device and said remote control unit for providing audio during the operation of said device.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said sound chip is located in said remote control unit.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein each of said surface contacting walls is tapered and is connected to its side wall by a rounded corner.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein each of said shell parts includes a cylindrical segment at said gap.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said gap is from 1/8 to 1 inch wide.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said reception means comprises an outwardly extending wheely bar antenna at said gap.