Dual-wheeled remotely controlled vehicle

• US 7,458,876 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2006
• Issued: 12/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jakks Pacific, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Jakks Pacific, Inc.
• Inventors: Laurienzo, Dominic, Vetuskey, Brendon
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim; Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cegielnik; Urszula M
• Application Number:
  US11/341,407
• Publication Number:
  US 20060128268A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,041 Days
• Field of Search: 446/431, 446/288, 446/89, 446/465, 446/466, 446468-471, 446/289, 180/218, 180/22, 180/7.1
• US Class Current: 446/465
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/00 Toy vehicles, e.g. with self-drive; convertible into other toys A63H33/003; Cranes, winches or the like; Accessories therefor traffic games with figures moved by players A63F9/14
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission

Abstract

A dual-wheel remotely controlled (RC) skateboard with two independently-controlled detachably attachable wheels is described. The RC skateboard comprises a body member having a right wheel and left wheel rotationally mounted proximate the body member. Each of the right and left wheels are drivably coupled with their own motors, such that each of the right and left wheels are independently controlled. Additionally, a quick release apparatus is included to provide for quick release of the wheels. Through use of the quick release apparatus, the wheels are interchangeable wheels and may be easily replaced with other interchangeable wheels. Furthermore, a skateboard deck is attached with the body member such that when the wheels are engaged, the skateboard deck is forced against a supporting surface, thereby preventing the body member from continuously spinning in place. Additionally, the detachably attachable wheels are formed to be used with devices other than a remotely controlled skateboard.

Claims

1. A remotely controlled vehicle comprising:

a body member having a left portion, a right portion, a top portion, a bottom portion, a front portion, and a rear portion;

a first motor attached with the body member for coupling with and driving right wheel;

a second motor attached with the body member for coupling with and driving a left wheel;

a receiver attached with the body member for receiving control signals from a remotely controlled transmitter, the receiver being independently connected with both the first and second motors such that a control signal from the remotely controlled transmitter provides for independent control of each of the first and second motors and their respective right and left wheels;

an elongated member connected with the top portion that extends beyond both the front portion and the rear portion, and where the elongated member further extends beyond the peripheral portions of the wheels, such that when the wheels are attached and engaged, the elongated member is forced toward a supporting surface, thereby preventing the body member from continuously spinning in place, whereby through use of a remotely controlled transmitter, a user can independently control each of the first and second motors, such that if the wheels are attached, uni-engagement of the left or right wheels alone causes the remotely controlled vehicle to turn, and bi-engagement of both the right and left wheels in opposite directions also causes the remotely controlled vehicle to turn, while bi-engagement in the same direction causes the remotely controlled vehicle to propel itself forward or reverse, thereby allowing a user to maneuver the remotely controlled vehicle in forward, reverse, left, and right directions;

wherein the elongated member is formed as a skateboard deck such that the remotely controlled vehicle is a dual-wheeled, remotely controlled skateboard;

a detachably attachable right wheel for drivably coupling with the first motor and rotationally mounted proximate the right portion of the body member for supporting the body member on a supporting surface, the right wheel having dimensions and a peripheral portion such that the peripheral portion of the right wheel extends beyond the bottom portion of the body member;

a detachably attachable left wheel drivably for coupling with the second motor and rotationally mounted proximate the left portion of the body member for supporting the body member on the supporting surface, the left wheel having dimensions and a peripheral portion such that the peripheral portion of the left wheel extends beyond the bottom portion of the body member;

a front wheel and a rear wheel rotatably attached with the front and rear portions respectively, such that when the detachably attachable wheels are attached and engaged, the elongated member is forced toward the supporting surface so that both the detachably attachable wheels and one of the front wheel and rear wheel engage with the supporting surface, depending upon directional engagement of the detachably attachable wheels;

wherein each detachably attachable wheel further comprises a receiving element, the receiving element including a notch and driving edge formed therein;

a quick release apparatus attached with the body member for attaching the detachably attachable wheels, such that the detachably attachable wheels are detachably attachable with the body member through the use of the quick release apparatus, where actuation of the quick release apparatus releases at least one wheel, allowing for placement of another interchangeable wheel,

wherein the quick release apparatus further comprises;

a slide switch attached with the body member;

a drum having tabs attached with the body member;

a withdrawing member attached with the body member and operably connected with the slide switch, the withdrawing member having a catch for engaging with a driving edge of the receiving element, whereby a detachably attachable wheel may be attached with the quick release apparatus by sliding the receiving element into the drum such that the tab slides within the notch, the catch thereafter engaged with the driving edge, and when detaching the detachably attachable wheel, the slide switch is used to withdraw the withdrawing member such that the catch is withdrawn from the driving edge, thereby allowing the tab to be slid out of the notch which results in the removal of the detachably attachable wheel.

2. A remotely controlled vehicle as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a remotely controlled transmitter configured to transmit control signals to the receiver, the remotely controlled transmitter having a first controller and a second controller, where the first controller is configured to control the first motor and its corresponding right wheel, and where the second controller is configured to control the second motor and its corresponding left wheel.

3. A remotely controlled vehicle as set forth in claim 2, wherein each motor is drivably coupled with a detachably attachable wheel through a driving element attached with each motor and a receiving element attached with each detachably attachable wheel, where the driving element is configured to engage with and impart a rotary motion to the receiving element.

4. A remotely controlled vehicle comprising:

a body member having a left portion, a right portion, a top portion, a bottom portion, a front portion, and a rear portion;

a first motor attached with the body member for coupling with and driving right wheel;

a second motor attached with the body member for coupling with and driving a left wheel;

a receiver attached with the body member for receiving control signals from a remotely controlled transmitter, the receiver being independently connected with both the first and second motors such that a control signal from the remotely controlled transmitter provides for independent control of each of the first and second motors and their respective right and left wheels;

an elongated member connected with the top portion that extends beyond both the front portion and the rear portion, and where the elongated member further extends beyond the peripheral portions of the wheels, such that when the wheels are attached and engaged, the elongated member is forced toward a supporting surface, thereby preventing the body member from continuously spinning in place, whereby through use of a remotely controlled transmitter, a user can independently control each of the first and second motors, such that if the wheels are attached, uni-engagement of the left or right wheels alone causes the remotely controlled vehicle to turn, and bi-engagement of both the right and left wheels in opposite directions also causes the remotely controlled vehicle to turn, while bi-engagement in the same direction causes the remotely controlled vehicle to propel itself forward or reverse, thereby allowing a user to maneuver the remotely controlled vehicle in forward, reverse, left, and right directions;

a detachably attachable right wheel for drivably coupling with the first motor and rotationally mounted proximate the right portion of the body member for supporting the body member on a supporting surface, the right wheel having dimensions and a peripheral portion such that the peripheral portion of the right wheel extends beyond the bottom portion of the body member;

a detachably attachable left wheel drivably for coupling with the second motor and rotationally mounted proximate the left portion of the body member for supporting the body member on the supporting surface, the left wheel having dimensions and a peripheral portion such that the peripheral portion of the left wheel extends beyond the bottom portion of the body member;

wherein each detachably attachable wheel further comprises a receiving element, the receiving element including a notch and driving edge formed therein; and

a quick release apparatus comprising;

a slide switch attached with the body member;

a drum having tabs attached with the body member;

a withdrawing member attached with the body member and operably connected with the slide switch, the withdrawing member having a catch for engaging with a driving edge of the receiving element, whereby a detachably attachable wheel may be attached with the quick release apparatus by sliding the receiving element into the drum such that the tab slides within the notch, the catch thereafter engaged with the driving edge, and when detaching the detachably attachable wheel, the slide switch is used to withdraw the withdrawing member such that the catch is withdrawn from the driving edge, thereby allowing the tab to be slid out of the notch which results in the removal of the detachably attachable wheel.