US3095937A - Telecontrol toy vehicle - Google Patents

Description

y 1963 J. VULLIET-DURAND 3,095,937

TELECONTROL TOY VEHICLE Filed Sept. 22, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR. (440 05; V01 L /rflaw/v0 y 1963 J. VULLlET-DURAND 3, 7

TELECONTROL TOY VEHICLE Filed Sept. 22, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. (M04 05; wu/frflaw/V0 July 2, 1963 J. VULLIET-DURAND TELECONTROL TOY VEHICLE Filed Sept. 22, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent 3,095,937 TELECONTROL TOY VEHICLE Jacques Vulliet-Durand, 91 Promenade des Anglais, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France Filed Sept. 22, 1958, Ser. No. 762,606 Claims priority, application France Oct. 2, 1957 12 Claims. (Cl. 180-2) The present invention has for its object a toy Vehicle, such as a motor car, boat, etc., telecontrolled by Hertzian waves and waves of a type such that it resorts to a single wavelength of a constant frequency and that the different movements of the toy article or the like apparatus controlled from a distance are produced by short pips constituted by pulses or interruptions in a continuous transmission, which pips are obtained through operation of a single circuit-breaker.

A general feature of the invention consists in the combination of the following parts in the article subjected to a remote control, to wit: a wireless receiver tuned to a single constant frequency, a receiving relay subjected to the action of said receiver, an electromagnet, the energization of which is controlled by said relay and the armature of which shifts by one step at each of its movements thus controlled from a distance, a multiple switch having at least two operative positions, alternating with neutral intermediate inoperative positions, said operative positions controlling the circuits producing the different operations to be executed by the controlled apparatus. This arrangement allows obtaining various successive operations of the controlled apparatus through the production of mere pips at the transmission station.

A second general feature of the invention is constituted by the combination of the preceding parts with a bipolar reversing switch having no inoperative position, said reversing switch con-trolling circuits different from the preceding circuits and actuated by means of the same electromagnet as the above-mentioned multiple switch. The reversing switch and the first-mentioned multiple switch may be associated with each other so as to form a single switching mechanism.

Such a mechanism allows obtain-ing various simultaneous operations of the controlled apparatus as set [forth above through the production of mere pips at the transmitting station which provides waves of an unvarying constant frequency.

Lastly, it is possible to provide in any of the circuits controlled by said single switching mechanism, the closing of which is controlled by the movement of the apparatus subjected to a remote control through said circuit, with a view to modifying or cutting out the normal result of said remote control.

Hereinafter is described the application of the invention to the remote control of a toy vehicle, for which it is desired to obtain forward movement, backing and turning to the right and to the left to the desired extent or stoppage, together with corresponding signals.

Further features will appear [from the reading of the following description given by way of a mere exemplification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where- FIGS. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 being its wiring diagram, FIG. la shows in perspectives. ratchet switch for use in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 2 to 4 show diagrammatically the manner of executing the mechanical control means for certain contact-makers.

FIG. 5 is the wiring diagram or" the second'em'bodiment and FIGS. 6 to 9 illustrate diagrammatically mechanical embodiments of a number of control means in this second embodiment.

Turning now to FIG. 1, 1 designates the receiving aerial and 2 the complete wireless receiving set fitted on the vehicle with its battery 2a, said set being obviously tuned to the constant wavelength of the transmitting station.

Such a toy vehicle includes a propelling motor Mp controlling the driving wheels DW as shown in FIG. 3 and a steering motor Mb controlling the steering wheels SW, both motors being adapted to reverse their direction of movement through reversal of the direction of the current feeding them. This toy vehicle has the following features in its assembly: the bipolar reversing switch 7 provided with an intermediate inoperative position intermediate contacts g-d and g--d' is inserted in the circuit 11-14 feeding the steering motor Mb in a manner such that for each movement of the armature of the electromagnet 9 energized by the receiving relay 3 controlled from a distance, said reversing switch 7 progresses from one position to the next, resulting in an enengization of circuit .11-14 for steering in a given direction followed by its deenergization so as to stop the steering operation, after which the current is reversed to provide for steering in the opposite direction, and finally the current is switched off and on repeatedly. If the reversing switch 7 is adapted to assume a reciprocating movement, three positions are sufficient, to wit: two extreme operative positions for energizations in opposite directions and an intermediate inoperative position. If the reversing switch 7 is adapted to assume a rotary movement, there should be tfOlll positions or a multiple of four positions.

3 designates the winding of the receiving relay R which, when it is energized, attracts its armature 4 to shift same from the contact-piece 5 onto the contactpiece 6. A switch I forming part of the general sixpole switch I is connected across the terminal 2 and 2" of the low voltage circuit L of the wireless set, and allows opening said circuit simultaneously with the other main circuits to motors Mb and Mp and relay 37 through switches I and I respectively of the wiring diagram.

A bipolar switch 7 is adapted to reverse the direction of current feeding the motor Mb providing for the steering of the toy vehicle and said bipolar switch is adapted to assume selectively three positions under the action of the armature S of the electromagnet 9 urging a ratchet wheel '70 to rotate stepwise to make the contact blades 10 and 10' enter three successive positions in a predetermined unvarying sequence, for instance, as follows: intermediate position illustrated in FIG. 1 for which all the cooperating circuits are inoperative, left-hand position for which the contact piece 10 engages the contact piece g and the contact-piece 10" engages the contactpiece g, after which the switch returns into its inoperative position and, finally, enters its right-hand position for which 19 and 10" engage respectively the contact-pieces d and d and, finally, the intermediate position is again obtained, the cycle of operations being then repeated.

The contact-pieces d and g are both connected with the winding 11 of a relay R which will be disclosed hereinafter, and therethrough with a terminal 12 of the steering motor Mb, while the two other contact-pieces g and d are connected with the other terminal 1 3 of said motor through an adjustable resistance 14 and a normally closed switch A controlled mechanically by the steering of the steering wheels as described hereinafter. On the other hand, the steering motor Mb is shunted by two signalling lamps 16 and 16' associated with a rectifier 1-7 in a manner such that when Mb is energized, only one of said signalling lamps is illuminated, to wit: that corresponding to the direction of steering, since the rectifier 17 allows current to pass only through such a lamp. 7

The operation of the arrangement is as follows: the

general sixpole switch I is closed and the Wireless set is now ready to operate since the switch I is closed.

During the interruption in the transmission, the winding 3 of the receiving relay R remains deenergized and its armature 4 remains in contact with the contact-piece 5, so that the battery 1?, charges the condenser C through the circuit P 5, 4, C, P When the transmitting station resumes its transmission, the winding 3 is energized so that the above mentioned circuit is broken between 4 and 5 and another circuit is closed between 4- a-nd 6 through the condenser C, the Winding of the bipolar reversing switch '7 and back to said contact-pieces 4 and 6. The switch 7 is thus caused to pass from the position occupied by its contact pieces 10 and lid to the next position, for instance from its intermediate inoperative position for which the. steering motor Mb is at a standstill to the position for which the switches constituted by the contact-pieces 10-g and 1(i'g' are closed. Since the motor Mb is adapted to be fed by the battery B, the circuit obtained is now as follows:

Pole b of the battery B, the closed switch 1 forming part of the six-pole general energizing switch I, the connecting point 18 and the terminal 19 of the bipolar reversing switch 7, the contact-pieces 10g', the winding 11, the motor Mb which is thus fed in the direction 12-413, the closed switch A, or else the shunt passing through 29, 21 and 22 so as to feed the resistance 14, the contact-pieces 10g, the other terminal 23 of the bipolar switch 7, the point 24- and the pole b of the battery B.

If the switch 7 is brought, through successive interruptions and resumed operation of the transmitting apparatus, first into its inoperative position and then into its other operative position for which the contact-pieces 10 and It) engage the corresponding contact-pieces d and d, the closed circuit is defined as follows:

Pole [2 of battery 13, the closed switch 1 points 18 and 19, contact-pieces 10'--d', resistance 14, closed switch A or its associated shunt, motor Mb ,fed in the direction 1'3-12, winding 11, contact-pieces 1tld, points 23 and 24 and second terminal of the battery B.

It is apparent that by providing merely two breaks and restorations in succession of the transmitted waves, the direction of rotation of the motor Mb is reversed through the intermediary of ratchet 7b which is shown in FIG. 1a. The contacts 10a are disposed in spaced relationship in the outer ends of an insulated hollow cylinder C and are connected to a collector ring (not shown) located on the interior of cylinder C. Contacts ltib are disposed toward the center of cylinder C and also are connected to a collector ring in like manner as contacts 10a. The collector rings for contacts 10a and 16b are engaged by brushes 10c and 10d which are connected to points .19 and 23- of FIG. 1. Stationary brushes d, d, g and g correspond to the same contact pieces in FIG. 1 and brushes g and d are connected to point 13 of motor Mb and brushes d and g are connected to point 12 of motor Mb. Cylinder C has teeth t on one end which are engaged by pawl 8' on armature 8 which is spring biased into an inoperative position by means of spring s. Armature 8 is actuated by electromagnet 9 to rotate cylinder C in the direction of the arrow so that brushes g and d engage contacts 10a in successive order while brushes :1 and g engage contacts 10b in successive order with the brushes engaging cylinder C intermediately which corresponds to the zero or intermediate position. A conventional ratchet switch to periodically reverse the direction of a motor in accordance with an external pulsing means can be found in US. Patent No. 2,119,337. An equivalent cam operated switch is disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,551,395 in order to periodically reverse the direction of a motor under the influence of some external source. Consequently, the steering of the steering means will also be reversed.

The part played by the small shunt constituted by .4 point 2t}, resistance 21 and point 22 wherein the resistance 21 is advantageously constituted by a lamp is as follows: the switch A is designed and controlled mechanically by the steering means, so that it is closed when the vehicle progresses along a straight line and remains closed as long as the steering angle is small, said switch A being opened only for a sufficient increase of the steering angle in either direction beyond a predetermined limit value, which energizes the lamp 2 1. This may be executed readily by means of two yielding blades 2fio22c1, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 2a and 2b. Said figures show two terminals 20 and 22 of the switch A between which a rotatable insulation member 25 may be connected to a rod 25b and stirrup part 25a rigid with the steering pivot 28d or 28g (FIG. 2b) for the steering wheels. When the wheels are substantially parallel with the vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the member 25 occupies the position illustrated in FIG. 211 so that the blades engage each other through their free ends under the action of their elasticity as shown in solid lines for the closed position of A in FIG. 1. If the steering angle of the wheels is sufficiently large, the member 25 assumes the position illustrated in FIG. 2, so as to maintain apart the blades Zita and 22a in spite of their elasticity to urge each other together. This breaks the contact between said blades, which corresponds to the open position of the switch A illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 1. The movement of the steering wheels to a maximum steering angle of the vehicle is made apparent for the operator through the ignition of the shunted lamp 21 inserted in the circuit feeding the motor Mb, the speed of which is consequently slowed down by the resistance of the lamp. This arrangement furthers the remote control of the movement of the toy vehicle.

On the other hand, when the steering is completed, the motor Mb which remains energized should not be stopped by the stopping of the steering means, since this would make its temperature increase. There is therefore inserted a friction drive between the motor and the steering means. FIG. 3 sho-wsby way of example how such a friction drive can be executed. In said figure, 26 designates a grooved pulley keyed to the shaft 71 of the motor Mb. Circular or arcuate sectors, 27d and 27g, are fitted on each stub axle 73 of the steeringwheels and, consequently, pivots with the latter round the steering axes, 28d and 28g, corresponding thereto and forming the geometrical axes of the sectors. Integral with stub axles 73 are arms 74 which have pivoted thereto a cross arm so as to provide a conventional steering arrangement such as disclosed in US. Patent No. 1,010,362. A belt 29 stretched by weak springs 30 passes over the pulley 26 and over the circular sectors to the ends of which, 31a and 31g, said belt is anchored. According to the direction of rota tion of the pulley 7.6, either of said sectors provides a pivoting of the wheels in the corresponding direction; when the steering is brought to completion, the motor continues rotating and the belt slides over the pulley, its sliding being furthered by its elasticity.

For forward movement, the motor Mp is connected with the battery B through a direct circuit passing through the terminal b of B, switch I the connecting point 32, the switch 33 which is normally closed and opens only when the steering angle is at a maximum, the terminal 34 of the motor Mp, its terminal 35, the normally closed switch 36 controlled by the electric relay 37 and, finally, the other terminal b of the battery B. Simultaneously, the current from this circuit energizes the shunt starting at 32 and passing through the lamps 62 and the connecting point 63, so thatthe lamps 62 forming the headlights of the vehicle are also ignited.

The electric relay 37 closes the switch as by its armature 72 and holds it closed as long as the transmission of the transmitted waves is operative and it opens it with a certain delay as soon as said transmission has ceased. To this end, the relay winding 41 is connected, through one end, with a terminal 42 of the battery P while its other end is connected with the armature 4 of the above-mentioned receiving relay R During the interruption of the transmission of the transmitted waves, said armature 4 restores its contact with the contactpiece "5, so that the winding 41 is connected with the other terminal 43 of the battery P through the contactpieces 4 and 5 and the switch I which is closed and forms part of the general six-pole switch I. The switch 36 is therefore open whenever the interruption in the transmission is sufiiciently long. As soon as the transmission is resumed, the circuit is open between the contact-pieces 4 and 5, so that the energized circuit for the winding 41 is broken and the switch 36 is returned to its normal closed position.

The switch 44 which opens and closes the bridge between the terminals 39 and 45 is controlled mechanically by the steering means so as to remain normally open and to close only under the action of the member a..- sociated with the steering means whenever the steering angle is sufliciently large in either direction. FIG. 3 shows how this arrangement may be executed in practice. When either of the arcuate sectors 27d or 27g moving in unison with the wheels in turn reaches the end of its angular allowed stroke, its end abuts against one of the yielding blades 39a and 45a corresponding to the terminals 39 and 45 of the switch 44 of FIG. 1, said blades being normally apart for the normal open position of the switch 44, said abutment urging the inner blade against the outer blade and closing thereby the switch 44. As soon as the arrangement moves away from this extreme steering position, the blades 39a and 45a return elastically into their normal position and break again the circuit passing through them. Of course, the two pairs of blades corresponding to the two sectors 27d and 27g are inserted in parallel, so as to close the circuit in which they are inserted, whatever may be the sector 27d or 27g which is actually operative, i.e. whatever may be the direction of steering. The distance of the axes between 28d, 28g and blades 39a is substantially the same as the taxes between 28d, 28g and arcuate sectors 27d, 27g.

This mechanical closing of the switch 44 through the steering means when set in their outermost position leads to the fol-lowing results:

On the one hand, the following circuit is closed between the terminals b and D of the battery B through the point 48, the winding 49 of relay 76, the closed switch 44 and the point 39, so that the winding 49 is energized and, consequently, the switch 51 is closed by the latter;

On the other hand, a further circuit is closed between the terminals b and b of the battery B through the point 64, the winding 46 of the relay 47, the terminal 45, the closed switch 44 and the point 39, which leads to the energization of the winding 46 and consequently, to the opening of the switch 33-.

Thus, the switches 33 and 51 which are normally closed and open respectively are shifted into their open and closed positions through the steering to a maximum of the wheels in either direction.

In spite of this opening of the switch 33, it is possible to continue the forward progression of the vehicle with its wheels set with their maxium steering angle, provided the transmission is continued so as to hold the switch 36 in its closed position. To this end, there is provided a short-circuiting of the switch 33 through the following circuit: terminal 64 of the switch 33, lead 65, closed contact-maker 66 of the relay R which is closed since the steering motor continues revolving under the control of the wave transmission, whereby the winding 11 of the relay R remains energized, armature 67 of the relay R lead 63 and connecting point 52; said short-circuit maintains thus the current alive in the propelling motor Mp in the same direction as precedingly as obtained for forward movement.

When it is desired to obtain rearward movement, while the steering angle is at maximum, it is suflicient to cut out the tnansmission of the transmitted waves without resuming it. This interruption has for its object a return of the bipolar switch 7 to its intermediate position leaves the steering wheels in the position corresponding to a maximum steering angle and breaks the circuit feeding the propelling motor Mp and, simultaneously, deenergizes the relay winding 11 so as to open the switch 66 in the relay R and to break the circuit feeding directly the propelling motor Mp, since the switch at 33 which was still open is no longer short-circuited and the switch at 36 is also open due to the transmission of the transmitted waves being interrupted. The switches at 44 and 51 being closed, the following circuit is established through the motor Mp: terminal b of B, closed switch 1 connecting point 32, lamps 62, connecting point 63, terminal 35 of the motor Mp, terminal 34 thereof, connecting point 52, lamps 54, closed switch 51, point 40 and second terminal b of the battery B.

The current is thus reversed in the motor so as to pro v-ide for rearward motion of the vehicle, while the signalling and slowing down lamps 54 are ignited and the headlights 62 remain ignited in series with the preceding lamps.

If it is desired to continue rearward motion along a circular path with the steering wheels occupying their maximum steering angle, it is sufficient to leave the circuitry in the condition as mentioned above. If, on the contrary, it is desired to continue rearward movement while reducing the steening angle in order to increase the radius of the turn or to return to rectilinear progression or again to obtain a turn onthe opposite side, it is necessary to take into account the fact that, as soon as the steering is no longer at a maximum, the switch 33 closes while the switches 44 and, consequently, 51, open, which would break the circuit of the propelling motor Mp and stop the progression of the vehicle. To prevent this, there is provided a switch 44 inserted between the points 39" and 45', said switch being mechanically controlled through the rotation of a wheel, a driving wheel, preferably in a manner such that as soon as said wheel has revolved rearwardly by a predetermined angle, say one quarter of a revolution, said switch 44 closes and replaces consequently the switch 44 in the above described circuit feeding the motor Mp in the direction of the rearward movement. FIG. 4 shows how this auxiliary switch 44 and its mechanical control may be obtained. The

rotary axle 56 of said driving wheel is engaged with slight friction by a surrounding sleeve 57 constituted, for instance, by a coil spring fitted over the axle and the ends of which form projections as shown at 58 and 59. Said sleeve is therefore driven together with the axle 56 and its wheel, but if the projection 58 meets a stationary stop 60, said sleeve stops rotating and slides over the axle which continues rotating.

The other projection 59 cooperates with one of two elastic blades 3?" and 45' corresponding .to the terminals 39' and 45' of the wiring diagram in FIG. 1, which blades are normally spaced apart, so as to form an open switch. During forward progression, the sleeve revolves in the direction of the arrow f and is stopped through impact of the projection 58 against the stationary stop 60, while the projection 59 is held at a small distance, say one quarter of a revolution, from the cooperating blade, say the blade 39, so that the two blades form normally an open switch. Rearward movement of the vehicle will reverse the direction of rotation of the sleeve, which moves in a direction opposed to f and this moves after one quarter of a revolution the projection 59 into a position for which it urges the blades against each other and closes the corresponding circuit. Another stationary stop 61 prevents the sleeve from rotating by more than the amount required for ensuring the desired contact between the blades, since such an excess movement would urge the blades beyond the desired position and would damage same.

e2 designates the two signalling lamps forming the headlights of the toy vehicle and inserted shuntwise in the circuit of the motor Mp between the points 32 and 63; these lamps are ignited as long as the motor Mp is energized, either for rearward movement or for forward movement, while the lamps 54 are ignited only for rearward movement of the vehicle.

Thus, the overall operation of the foregoing embodiment is as follows:

Upon actuation of winding 3 by a signal received by receiving set 2, armature 4 is moved from contact 5 onto contact 6 and electromagnet 9 is energized through capacitor C to actuate armature 8. Ratchet wheel 76 is thereby caused to rotate causing movable contacts 1%, 10' connected thereto to either engage stationary contacts d, d and g, g to drive steering motor Mb in one direction or the other so as to drive the steering system in FIG. 3. If the movable contacts 10, '10 are moved to an intermediate position such as shown in FIG. '1, no energization of motor Mb is effected.

While winding 3 is energized, winding 41 of relay 37 is de-energized so that propelling motor Mp is energized to drive the vehicle in a forward or reverse direction depending upon the condition of switches 33, 44 and 51.

If the vehicle is progressing forwardly in a straight line, the switches are in their positions as shown in FIG. 1. However, if the vehicle has been caused to turn by steering motor Mb being actuated through switch 7 with movable contacts 10, dil in contact with either stationary contacts d, d or g, g, then the steering system of FIG. 3 is actuated so that arcuate sectors 27d or 27g actuate switch 44 thereby energizing winding 49 to close switch 51 which causes switch 33 to open due to winding 46 being de-energized.

Then if winding 11 of relay R is energized and switch 36 of relay 37 is closed due to winding 3 of relay R being energized, the vehicle will be propelled forwardly. However, if winding 3 of relay R is d e-energized thereby causing relay R to be de-energized and relay 37 energized, the direction of the vehicle will be reversed because switch 67 and 36 will be open causing the current in motor Mp to be reversed.

FIGS. 5 to 9 relate to a second, simpler improved embodiment resorting to a single battery for the feeding of both the propelling and the steering motor.

In this second embodiment, the circuit feeding the propelling motor includes rear-ward movement and forward movement, two circuits in parallel relationship of which one is normally open and closes through the steering of the steering wheels to a maximum, while the other is normally open and closes under the action of a member frictionally driven by the driving wheels as soon as the wheels begin revolving in either direction; thus, the starting of the vehicle which is assumed to be stationary requires, at least in certain cases, for the steering wheels to be shifted in either direction into their position of maximum steering; as soon as said shifting has been obtained and the motor and the driving wheels have begun turning, the second circuit is closed by a contact-making member which is controlled frictionally by the driving Wheels and since the contact-maker remains closed as long as the driving wheels revolve in the same direction, it is possible to reduce the steering angle of the steering wheels so as to open the first circuit whereby the vehicle may turn as desired towards the right and towards the left without any interruption in the feeding of the propelling motor, since the contact maker in the second circuit closes.

On the other hand, forward and rearward progressions are obtained in accordance with the second embodiment through a double reversing switch having two posi- 8 tions and which is controlled by an electromagnet similarly to the three-position switch mention-ed hereinabove, said double reversing switch closing, when said electromagnet is inoperative, the circuit for forward progression, while the double reversing switch establishes the circuit for rearward progression, whenever the electromagnet is energized. Consequently, the vehicle being stopped upon rearward progression, it is suthcient, when it is desired to continue said rearward progression, to hold the knob controlling the transmission of the transmitted waves in its preceding location; if, on the contrary, it is desired to start the vehicle, in the opposite direction, it is first necessary to set the steering wheels in a position corresponding to maximum steering, as already disclosed.

In FIG. 5, 102 designates the wireless receiving set with its aerial W1, while B designates the single battery feeding the propelling motor Mp and the steering motor Mb for the steering wheels; i designates a bipolar switch which allows breaking the circuit of the propelling motor and that of the battery feeding the wireless set. R designates the sensitive receiving relay, the winding 103 of which, when energized by the incoming waves, closes the switch at Mid-W5 to energize electromagnet C.

The steering is controlled by the three-position switch A under control of electromagnet C operating stepwise in the same manner and for the same purpose as bipolar reversing switch 7 of FIG. =1. ment consists of a simpler structure, since the terminals 1% and iii? of the steering motor Mb are connected with the movable contact-pieces N8 and 109 of the threeposition switch A, while the terminals b and b of the battery B are connected, when the bipolar switch I is closed, respectively with the central contact-pieces 110d and llitlg of the three-position switch, on the one hand, and with the extreme contact-pieces 111g and 111d, on the other hand.

Assuming the movable contact pieces 198 and 10? occupy their intermediate positions illustrated in FIG. 5, the circuits are broken and the motor Mb is inoperative. A first pip brings the movable blades 1% and Iii-9 into contact with the contact-pieces lied and 111d respectively, for instance, so that the current is fed to the motor Mb through the following circuit: terminal b of the battery B, closed circuit I, points 112'113, contactpieces 1.10d-10 8, terminal .106 of the motor Mb, terminal 107 of the latter, contact-pieces 1tl9111d, points 114115--116 and second terminal b of the battery. The motor Mb will thus turn, so as to steer the wheel, say towards the right-hand side.

A further pip Wlll' ICillIl'l the movable blades into their intermediate position and the motor will stop and leave the wheels in the steering position obtained.

The next pip will bring the contact-pieces 1G8 and 109 into contact with the left-hand contact-pieces 111g and 110g so as to feed the motor through the circuit passing through the terminal b the closed switch I, the points 112 and 113, the contact pieces 110 -169, the terminal 107 of the motor, the terminal 106, the contactpieces 1ti8111g, the points 115-116 and the second terminal b of the battery. The motor Mb will consequently revolve in a direction opposed to that precedingly obtained and will provide for steering in the opposite direction. The cycle of operations is then repeated in the same manner.

The propelling of the toy vehicle is obtained as follows: the reversal of the current in the propelling motor Mp is controlled by a double reversing switch E adapted to enter two positions and which is controlled by an electromagnet C in a manner similar to the precedingly described three-position switch A. The double switch E is urged by a spring S into its normal position corresponding to forward progression of the vehicle and it is urged into its other position corresponding to rearward progression when the electromagnet is energized. The movable blades 117 and 118 of said reversing switch E are However, the arrange-.

9 connected with the terminals 119 and 120 of the motor Mp. The stationary contact-pieces 121a and 12'17 cooperating with the movable blade 1'18 and corresponding, for instance, respectively to forward and rearward progression, are connected directly, respectively to the terminal b and to the terminal h of the battery B, while the contact-piece 122a: cooperating with the blade 117 is connected with the terminal b and the associated contact-piece 122r is connected with 11 through the agency respectively of the circuit-makers Ib and Im which are inserted in parallel. Said circuit-makers 1b and Im are controlled mechanically, in the case of Ib by the steering of the steering wheels which close, when entering their maximum steering angle, elementary switches 123:, 123 of 1b, so as to be ready to energize the switch 117122a or r. On the other hand, in the case of the second circuitmaker Im, the starting of the driving wheels closes, according to their direction of rotation, the switch at 124a or at 1241' and keeps same closed as long as the rotation continues in the same direction, so as to allow energization of the corresponding contact-pieces 122a or 1221'.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate, by of example, in plan view, side view, end view, and partly sectional view, a preferred embodiment of the first circuit-maker Ib, while FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the second circuit-maker Im.

In FIGS. 6 to 8, a pulley 1.35 operatively connected with the steering motor Mb actuates, through -a cable 176, 176' the members 137137 carrying revolubly the steerting wheels SW and pivoting therewith round the vertical pivots 133-. Said members 137 are provided each with an arm 137', which arms are interconnected by a crossmernber 139 to which arms 137 are pivotally secured; the cross-member 139 carries a plate 14% (FIGS. 7 and 8) cooperating with yielding blades corresponding to the switches 123, 1123' of FIG. 5 when the pulley 135 has rotated, for instance in the direction of the arrow 1 (FIG. 6) until the steering towards the left-hand side has been brought to an end, the plate 140 is shifted towards the righthand side (arrow f) so as to close the switch 123 (FIGS. 5 and 7). The diiving wheels for FIG. 6 are similarly disposed as those in FIG. 3 and are not shown in FIG. 6 in order to conserve space. I

in FIG. 9, 141 illustrates the rotary axle of one of th driving wheels, a wire 142 f-rict-ionally wound around the axle 141 terminates with a projecting section 14-2 over which is fitted a small block 143 of any description such as a piece of cork which is adapted to abut, according to the direction of rotation of the wheel, against the inner blade forming part of the corresponding switch 124a or 124r.

The steering wheels being assumed to be steered only to a partial extent, so that lb remains open, the circuit feeding the propelling motor to provide for forward progression will be, for instance: terminal b of the battery, points 1 12 and 125, the contact pieces Illa-418, terminals 119 and 129 of the propelling motor Mp, contact-pieces 117 and 122a point 127, closed switch 124a, point 128 and second terminal [2 of the battery. It the switch E is reversed, the circuit is as follows: terminal 12 point 126, contact- piece 124a point 129, contactpieces 122r-117, terminals 120 and 119 of the motor Mp, contact-pieces 113 and 121i, points 13% and 128 and second terminal b so that the rotation of the motor is reversed.

There are also provided lamps 130g and 130d showing the operator the direction in which the steering wheels are shifted. To this end, the movable blade 132 of a reversing switch H operates through a friction system depending on the direction of rotation of the steering motor Mb, so as to close the circuit over the lamp \13fig through 131g or over the lamp 13nd through 131d, according as to whether the motor Mb shifts or has shifted the steering wheel towards the right or towards the left.

Said reversing switch H is constituted, for instance, by

. V 10 a collar 174 engaging frictional-1y the pulley 135 (FIG. 6) and including a radial projection 174 forming a movable contact-piece in the lamp circuit, so as to close selectively the latter at 131g or at 131d and thus to illuminate :the corresponding lamp g or 130d.

With such an arrangement, when the steering motor ceases operating, the vehicle continues moving with the steering angle obtained and the corresponding direction signalling lamps remain ignited, whereas in the first above-described embodiment the lamp was extinguished, since it was fed by the same circuit as the steering motor.

A lamp P, a white lamp for instance, is inserted shuntwise across the terminals of the propelling motor Mp and it is ignited whenever the latter is energized, either for forward movement or for rearward movement.

Another lamp K which is colored, for instance, is located to the rear of the vehicle and is fed by the switch 124r energizing the contact-pieces 121r and 122r of the reversing switch E corresponding to rearward progression; said lamp K shows thus, even if the vehicle is at a standstill, that the circuits are prepared for rearward progression. The lamp K is not inserted in the actual circuit providing rearward progression, so that it may be omitted or in a damaged condition without breaking said circuit. By way of example, it may be assumed that the operation is as follows: the vehicle being at a standstill after rearward progression, the steering wheels being in any position whatever differing from complete shifting into their maximum steering angle, while the switch A is in its inoperative position, the only closed switches are those at 117-12241, at 118-121a and at 1241, so that no current can be fed into the propelling motor. To start the vehicle, it is necessary to first produce a pip which energizes the steering motor and allows it to rotate, until the steering wheels are brought into their maximum steering angle in either direction; at this moment, the reversing switch 1b closes the switches 123 or 123" so that the [following circuit is closed over Mp to provide for forward progression: terminal b switch 121a118, terminal 119, motor Mp, terminal 120, switch 117-122a, switch 123 and terminal b As soon as the driving wheels begin rotating, the reversing switch, which is controlled strictionally by said wheels, closes the contact at 124a and opens that at 124;, so that the normal circuit for forward operation is now obtained as already disclosed through b 121a-118, terminal 119, motor Mp, terminal 120, 117-122a, 124a and [7 The steering movement may now be obtained through pips which act, it is true, on the switch E but are so short that the stoppage or the transient reversal of the propelling motor has no action on the propelling of the motor, by reason of the inertia of the latter. If it is desired to provide for rearward progression, it is necessary to produce an impulse or an interruption in the transmission of a sufficiently long duration.

What I claim is:

l. A driving system for a toy vehicle including steerable wheels under the control of electromagnetic waves transmitted over a constant wave length comprising a wireless receiver for receiving the electromagnetic waves, a receiving relay controlled by said wireless receiver, a first circuit means including an electromagnetic coil controlled by said receiving relay, a second circuit including a reversing switch and steering motor for controlling the angular setting of said steerable wheels, means under control of said electromagnetic coil for moving said reversing switch from one position to another position to drive said steering motor in opposite directions, a third circuit including a switch and propelling motor for propelling the vehicle in forward and reverse directions, and means operatively connected to said receiving relay and controlled thereby to maintain said switch in said third circuit closed in the absence of transmitted electromagnetic waves.

2. A driving system according to claim 1 in which further switch means are included in said third circuit which are operated by said steerable wheels in their extreme steering positions to change the direction of energization of said third circuit to change the direction of rotation of said propelling motor.

3. A driving system according to claim 1 in which a friction drive is operatively connected between said steering motor and said steerable wheels to drive said steerable wheels from one angular setting to another under the control of said reversing switch, and signalling lamps included in said third circuit operable by said friction drive to indicate the direction of movement of said vehicle.

4. A driving system according to claim 1 in which said third circuit further includes two parallel shunt circuits for forward and rearward movement, a switch element in each shunt circuit, means connected to said steerable wheels to close the switch element in one of said shunt circuits upon said steerable wheels moving to an extreme angular position to change the direction of movement of said vehicle by changing the direction of rotation of said propelling motor, and further means operatively connected to said latter means to close the switch element in the other of said shunt circuits upon said steerable wheels moving to an extreme angular position to indicate the direction of movement of said vehicle.

5. A driving system according to claim 1 in which said second circuit further includes a switch element and resistance means in parallel therewith, said switch element being controlled by the angular displacement of said steerable wheels to control the speed of said steering motor.

6. A toy vehicle remotely controlled by electromagnetic Waves comprising in combination a receiver tuned to a single constant frequency, means controlled by said receiver and heing actuated by changes in the condition of said means through receipt of said electromagnetic waves, switch means having at least two active positions under control of said means for energizing circuit means for controlling the change of direction and forward and rearward directions of said vehicle, and actuating means actuated by the change of direction of said vehicle to change the forward and rearward directions of said vehicle.

7. A toy vehicle according to claim 6 in which said switch means includes at least one reversing switch.

8. A toy vehicle according to claim 6 in which said vehicle has steering wheels, the direction of which is controlled by a motor, and said switch means with its two active positions providing reversing current to said motor 7 12 for operating a friction means for movement of said steering wheels to the right and left.

9. A toy vehicle according to claim 8 in which said vehicle has a driving motor, and the right and left movement of the steering wheels actuates when reaching the end of its course said actuating means which consists of a further switch means for controlling the reversal of current to said driving motor.

10. A driving system for a toy vehicle including steerable wheels under the control of electromagnetic waves transmitted over a constant wave length comprising a wireless receiver for receiving the electromagnetic waves, a receiving relay controlled by said wireless receiver, a first circuit means including an electromagnetic coil controlled by said receiving relay, a second circuit including a reversing switch and steering motor for controlling the angular setting of said steerable wheels, said electromagnetic coil controlling said reversing switch from one position to another position to drive said steering motor in opposite directions, a third circuit including a further reversing switch and propelling motor for propelling the vehicle in forward and reverse directions, said electromagnetic coil controlling said further reversing switch to drive said propelling motor in opposite directions, switch means interconnected in said third circuit, and means under control of said steerable wheels in an extreme angular setting to actuate said switch means to cause said vehicle to move in a forward and reverse direction in conjunction with actuation of said electromagnetic coil.

11. A driving system according to claim 10 in which a friction drive is operatively connected between said steering motor and said steerable wheels to drive said steerable wheels from one angular setting to another, and signal lamps included in said third circuit operable by said friction drive to indicate the direction of steering of said vehicle.

12. A driving system according to claim 10 in which a single source of power energizes said electromagnetic coil, said steering motor and said propelling motor.

References titted in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,587,083 Neuzerling June 1, 1926 2,522,893 'Purington Sept. 19, 1950 2,742,735 Sommerhoff Apr. 24, 1956 2,773,222, Chauvin Dec. 4, 1956 2,807,757 Callinan Sept. 24, 1957 2,832,426 Seargeant Apr. 29, 1958 2,838,876 Smith June 17, 1958

Claims (1)

1. A DRIVING SYSTEM FOR A TOY VEHICLE INCLUDING STEERABLE WHEELS UNDER THE CONTROL OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES TRANSMITTED OVER A CONSTANT WAVE LENGTH COMPRISING A WIRELESS RECEIVER FOR RECEIVING THE ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES, A RECEIVING RELAY CONTROLLED BY SAID WIRELESS RECEIVER, A FIRST CIRCUIT MEANS INCLUDING AN ELECTROMAGNETIC COIL CONTROLLED BY SAID RECEIVING RELAY, A SECOND CIRCUIT INCLUDING A REVERSING SWITCH AND STEERING MOTOR FOR CONTROLLING THE ANGULAR SETTING OF SAID STEERABLE WHEELS, MEANS UNDER CONTROL OF SAID ELECTROMAGNETIC COIL FOR MOVING SAID REVERSING SWITCH FROM ONE POSITION TO ANOTHER POSITION TO DRIVE SAID STEERING MOTOR IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS, A THIRD CIRCUIT INCLUDING A SWITCH AND PROPELLING MOTOR FOR PROPELLING THE VEHICLE IN FORWARD AND REVERSE DIRECTIONS, AND MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID RECEIVING RELAY AND CONTROLLED THEREBY TO MAINTAIN SAID SWITCH IN SAID THIRD CIRCUIT CLOSED IN THE ABSENCE OF TRANSMITTED ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES.

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