Transmitter for radio-controlled toy
First Claim
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1. A transmitter for a radio-controlled toy, comprising:
- a housing having a front, a side and a top;
a control circuit located within the housing;
a charging circuit located within the housing;
a switch extending from the front of the housing and user-operable to activate the control circuit and the charging circuit;
a plug associated with the charging circuit and configured to engage a corresponding jack associated with the radio-controlled toy;
an antenna extending from the top of the housing and operably coupled to the control circuit;
a pair of controls housed within raised portions of the front of the housing and user-operable to control movement of the radio-controlled toy via the control circuit;
a three-way LED indicator located on the front of the housing and configured to indicate an operational mode of the transmitter;
a charging pad located on the top of the housing and configured to charge a battery housed within the radio-controlled toy,a spring configured to support the radio-controlled toy on the charging pad;
a catch operatively connected to the release button and configured to engage a corresponding groove formed on the underside of the radio-controlled toy to releasably retain the radio-controlled toy on the charging pad;
a release button extending from the front of the housing and user-operable to release the radio-controlled toy from the catch;
wherein the charging pad includes;
first and second slots through which the plug passes for engaging the corresponding jack associated with the radio-controlled toy;
a third slot through which the spring passes; and
a fourth slot through which the catch passes; and
a release assembly configured to releasably retain the radio-controlled toy on the charging pad, the release assembly comprising;
the release button, which is disposed through a bore formed in the front of the housing, the release button including a rod extending from the exterior of the housing through the bore and into an annular recess defined by a sleeve structure located within the housing;
a rim extending around at least a portion of the rod in a coaxial relationship;
a coil spring coaxially positioned about a portion of the rod adjacent to the rim and into the annular recess, wherein the spring biases the rod against an inside surface of the housing via a stop associated with the rod; and
a flange having a beveled surface engaging an actuator associated with the button, the actuator comprising a stepped portion having a coiled spring positioned coaxially there about, wherein the spring abuts a fixed surface and biases the actuator against the flange;
wherein the actuator is coupled to the catch via a coupling device that is configured to impart opposing motion, in a lateral direction, between the actuator and the catch upon depression of the release button;
wherein the catch comprises an elongated surface at its distal end for engaging and retaining the radio-controlled toy on the transmitter; and
wherein the catch extends from the housing in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the release button.
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Abstract
A mobile toy is described. The mobile toy includes a wheel assembly having a hubcap for removably engaging a wheel of the wheel assembly. The mobile toy may also include a transmitter having a charging pad for charging of a radio-controlled embodiment of the toy. The transmitter comprises an indicator showing certain states of the toy as well as a storage compartment for housing items associated with the toy. Additional embodiments include an assembly for retaining the toy on the charging pad during charging of the toy. A kit for storing the components of the radio-controlled embodiment of the toy is also described.
91 Citations
5 Claims
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1. A transmitter for a radio-controlled toy, comprising:
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a housing having a front, a side and a top; a control circuit located within the housing; a charging circuit located within the housing; a switch extending from the front of the housing and user-operable to activate the control circuit and the charging circuit; a plug associated with the charging circuit and configured to engage a corresponding jack associated with the radio-controlled toy; an antenna extending from the top of the housing and operably coupled to the control circuit; a pair of controls housed within raised portions of the front of the housing and user-operable to control movement of the radio-controlled toy via the control circuit; a three-way LED indicator located on the front of the housing and configured to indicate an operational mode of the transmitter; a charging pad located on the top of the housing and configured to charge a battery housed within the radio-controlled toy, a spring configured to support the radio-controlled toy on the charging pad; a catch operatively connected to the release button and configured to engage a corresponding groove formed on the underside of the radio-controlled toy to releasably retain the radio-controlled toy on the charging pad; a release button extending from the front of the housing and user-operable to release the radio-controlled toy from the catch; wherein the charging pad includes; first and second slots through which the plug passes for engaging the corresponding jack associated with the radio-controlled toy; a third slot through which the spring passes; and a fourth slot through which the catch passes; and a release assembly configured to releasably retain the radio-controlled toy on the charging pad, the release assembly comprising; the release button, which is disposed through a bore formed in the front of the housing, the release button including a rod extending from the exterior of the housing through the bore and into an annular recess defined by a sleeve structure located within the housing; a rim extending around at least a portion of the rod in a coaxial relationship; a coil spring coaxially positioned about a portion of the rod adjacent to the rim and into the annular recess, wherein the spring biases the rod against an inside surface of the housing via a stop associated with the rod; and a flange having a beveled surface engaging an actuator associated with the button, the actuator comprising a stepped portion having a coiled spring positioned coaxially there about, wherein the spring abuts a fixed surface and biases the actuator against the flange; wherein the actuator is coupled to the catch via a coupling device that is configured to impart opposing motion, in a lateral direction, between the actuator and the catch upon depression of the release button; wherein the catch comprises an elongated surface at its distal end for engaging and retaining the radio-controlled toy on the transmitter; and wherein the catch extends from the housing in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the release button. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification