PROPULSION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE OR A TOY VEHICLE

• US 20150093956A1
• Filed: 06/07/2013
• Published: 04/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: B-Technology Spolka Z o.o.
• Original Assignee: Witold Mielniczek
• Inventors: Mielniczek, Witold
• Granted Patent: US 9,364,766 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 446/37
• 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 for driving the vehicle along ground, the rotary drive means operating in a 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 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.

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.

3. The propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein the rotary drive means comprises a hubless wheel mounted on a rim for rotation about a wheel axis.

4. The propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein the rotor axis intersects the plane of the rotary drive means.

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

6. The propulsion system according to claim 3, wherein the rotor axis and the wheel axis are perpendicular to each other.

7. The propulsion system according to claim 3, wherein the rotor axis and the wheel axis intersect each other.

8. The propulsion system according to claim 3, wherein the centre of the rotor and the centre of the wheel coincide with each other.

9. The propulsion system according to claim 3, wherein the rim includes support means for attaching the wheel to a vehicle chassis.

10. The propulsion system according to claim 9, wherein the rotor is mounted on the support means.

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

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

15. The Propulsion system according to claim 6, wherein the rotor axis and the wheel axis intersect each other.

16. The Propulsion system according to claim 6, wherein the centre of the rotor and the centre of the wheel coincide with each other.

17. The Propulsion system according to claim 6, wherein the rim includes support means for attaching the wheel to a vehicle chassis.

18. The Propulsion system according to claim 7, wherein the rim includes support means for attaching the wheel to a vehicle chassis.19. The Propulsion system according to claim 8, wherein the rim includes support means for attaching the wheel to a vehicle chassis.

19. The Propulsion system according to claim 10, wherein the support means comprises first and second brackets connected to suspension struts.

13. A vehicle or a toy vehicle comprising:

a chassis; and

a propulsion system wherein the propulsion system comprises a rotary drive means for driving the vehicle along ground, the rotary drive means operating in a 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 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.

14. The vehicle or a toy vehicle according to claim 13, including four propulsion systems connected to the chassis.