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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
First Claim
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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.

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