Patent ID: 6225615
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: B62D,G05D

Abstract:
A motor driven surface translating amusement device, comprising:a base having front and rear base parts;a rear wheel unit including a pair of coaxial rear wheels mounted rotatably on said rear base part about a horizontal axis;a transmission mechanism mounted on said front base part, said transmission mechanism including a bi-directional motor operable so as to provide forward and reverse drive power outputs, and a vertical drive shaft driven rotatably by said motor;a control unit including a light sensor mounted on said base for detecting changes in light intensity thereat, said control unit being connected electrically to and controlling said motor to provide an appropriate one of the forward and reverse drive power outputs in accordance with the light intensity detected by said light sensor;a clutch mechanism sleeved rotatably on said drive shaft, said clutch mechanism being in frictional engagement with said drive shaft for co-rotation therewith;a rotation restricting unit provided on said base and said clutch mechanism for restricting angular rotation of said clutch mechanism relative to said base; anda front wheel unit disposed on said front base part and cooperating with said rear wheel unit so as to be adapted to support said base on a surface, said front wheel unit including a front wheel axle mounted rotatably on said clutch mechanism transverse to said drive shaft, said front wheel unit being coupled to and being driven rotatably by said drive shaft for movement of said base on the surface, said front wheel unit rotating with said clutch mechanism relative to said base about said drive shaft between a first position, where said front wheel axle is generally parallel to the horizontal axis of said rear wheel unit such that said front and rear wheel units enable linear translation movement of said base on the surface, and a second position, where said front wheel axle forms an angle with the horizontal axis of said rear wheel unit such that said front and rear wheel units enable turning movement of said base on the surface.