Propulsion system for a vehicle or a toy vehicle

• US 9,789,415 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2016
• Issued: 10/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: B-Technology Spolka Z o.o.
• Original Assignee: B-Technology Spolka Z o.o.
• Inventors: Mielniczek, Witold
• Primary Examiner(s): Fernstrom, Kurt
• Application Number:
  US15/169,979
• Publication Number:
  US 20160332086A1
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• Field of Search: 446 36, 446 37, 446 57, 446 58, 446431, 446434, 446457, 446465, 244 2, 244 13, 244 1711, 244 1717, 244 1719, 244 1723, 244 50
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/26 Details; Accessories drive mechanisms A63H29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/262 Chassis; Wheel mountings; Wheels; Axles; Suspensions; Fitting body portions to chassis
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/12 Helicopters A63H27/04 takes precedence; Flying tops
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/003 Convertible toys, e.g. robots convertible into rockets or vehicles convertible into planes
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 19/00 Wheels not otherwise provided for or having characteristics specified in one of the subgroups of this group
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 3/001 Lightweight wheels, e.g. for strollers or toys
• CPC Class Codes: B60F 5/00 Other convertible vehicles, i.e. vehicles capable of travelling in or on different media vehicles having alternatively-usable runners and wheels B62B13/18; cycles convertible into other types of land vehicles B62K13/00; aircraft B64; flying-boats or seaplanes B64C
• CPC Class Codes: B60F 5/02 convertible into aircraft

Abstract

A propulsion system for a vehicle or toy vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises rotary drive means for driving the vehicle along ground, the rotary drive means operating in a plane and having a peripheral ground-engagement part. The system further comprises a rotor comprising one or more rotor blades rotatable about a rotor axis for producing thrust, wherein the rotary drive means and the rotor are positioned relative to each other so that during rotation of the rotor, the rotor blades pass through the plane of the rotary drive means, inside the peripheral ground-engagement part. In this way, the rotor blades are protected by the peripheral ground-engagement part.

Claims

1. A propulsion system for a vehicle or toy vehicle comprising:

a rotary drive means mounted in a fixed location with respect to the vehicle body the rotary drive means operating in a first plane and having a peripheral ground-engagement part,

further comprising a rotor comprising one or more rotor blades rotatable about a rotor axis for producing thrust wherein said rotor blades rotate in a second plane at all times,

wherein the rotary drive means and the rotor are positioned relative to each other so that during rotation of the rotor, the second plane defined by the rotor blades the first plane defined by the rotary drive means at a right angle.

2. The propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein the rotary drive means comprises a caterpillar-type drive and the peripheral ground-engagement part comprises an endless belt mounted on at least two wheels, wherein each wheel has a rim, and wherein each wheel rotates about a wheel axis.

3. The propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein the rotor axis lies in the plane of the rotary drive means.

4. The propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein the rotor axis and the wheel axis are perpendicular to each other.

5. The propulsion system according to claim 2, wherein the rotor axis and the wheel axis intersect each other.

6. The propulsion system according to claim 2, wherein a center point of the one or more rotors and a center point of the wheels coincide with each other.

7. The propulsion system according to claim 2, wherein the rims includes support means for attaching the wheels to a vehicle chassis.

8. The propulsion system according to claim 7, wherein the one or more rotors are mounted on the support means.

9. The propulsion system according to claim 7, wherein the support means comprises first and second brackets connected to suspension struts.

10. The propulsion system according to claim 1, further comprising one or more motors for driving the rotor and the rotary drive means.

11. A vehicle or a toy vehicle comprising:

a chassis; and

a propulsion system wherein the propulsion system comprises;

a rotary drive means attached in a fixed location to the chassis, for driving the vehicle along ground, the rotary drive means operating in a first plane and having a peripheral ground-engagement part, further comprising a rotor comprising one or more rotor blades rotatable about a rotor axis for producing thrust defining a second plane,

wherein the rotary drive means and the rotor are positioned relative to each other so that during rotation of the rotor, the second plane defined by the rotor blades intersects the first plane defined by the rotary drive means at a right angle.

12. The vehicle or toy vehicle according to claim 11, including four propulsion systems connected to the chassis.