Abstract:
A remote controlled toy vehicle with a rechargable battery operates with rechargeable system. A station has an outlet on or in adjacency with a surface on which the remotely controllable toy is movable, and electrical outlet contacts. The remote controlled toy has inlet contacts for electrically engaging the outlet contacts when steered to the station. When the toy is steered under remote control to the station and the outlet contacts and inlet contacts electrically engage, a rechargeable current is passible from the electrical outlet contacts to the electrical inlet contacts. The station is part of a bypass track and the toy vehicle is normally directed to travel on the track and bypass the station.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a rechargeable system for toys. In particular it relates to a recharging system for toy vehicles. 
     Different systems are known for recharging toys. Invariably, this requires that the toy be placed in a recharger or that the rechargeable battery be removed from the toy and that the rechargeable battery be separately recharged and then replaced in the toy. 
     In known systems, some remote control cars are equipped with a rechargeable battery are recharged by putting the vehicle onto a charging base by hand. This causes a delay in the continuation of play in the overall toy system before play can again commence. 
     These different systems have disadvantages but the present invention is directed to overcoming these disadvantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A toy vehicle with a rechargeable battery operates with a rechargeable system. In particular the invention is concerned with the ability to direct a car under remote control operation to a recharged unit, and thereby permit a rechargeable battery in the car to be recharged. 
     A station for the recharger unit has an outlet on or in adjacency with a surface on which a toy is movable, and electrical outlet contacts. A toy has inlet contacts for electrically engaging the outlet contacts when steered to the station. When the toy is steered under remote control to the station and the outlet contacts and inlet contacts electrically engage, a rechargeable current is passible from the electrical outlet contacts 
     to the electrical inlet contacts. The station is part of a bypass track and the toy vehicle is normally under remote control directed to travel on the track and bypass the station. 
     The rechargeable system for a movable toy comprises the station for location on a toy operating surface, for instance a floor, pavement, carpet, table or the like with the contacts. There is a suitable ramp or inlet for the toy to the station. The toy has suitable inlet contacts for electrically engaging the outlet contacts when steered to the station. 
     Steering the toy by a remote control device to engage the electrical outlet contacts is effected through wheels. The toy also has means for receiving at least one of an RF, programmable, voice, or IF controllable signal from a remote controller operable by a user of the toy. The remote controller can have a suitable transmitter for transmitting the signals. 
     The arrangement is such that when the toy is steered by remote control to the station and the outlet contacts and inlet contacts electrically engage, a rechargeable current is passible from the electrical outlet contacts to the electrical inlet contacts, thereby enabling recharging of the rechargeable battery. 
     The toy is preferably a 4-wheeled vehicle. 
     Preferably there are spaced inlet contacts longitudinally directed along at least a part of the length of a toy vehicle. The inlet contacts are located below a base for the toy vehicle. The outlet contacts are located on or along the longitudinal rail, the outlet contacts being directed longitudinally. The rail is for receiving a vehicle steered to the station with the rail being located longitudinally and substantially centrally between transverse wheels of the vehicle. 
     In a further preferred form of the invention there are biasing means relatively between the electrical outlet contacts and the electrical inlet contacts on the toy. As such the contacts are urged relatively towards each other thereby to facilitate effective contact with each other when in adjacency to each other. 
     Also in a preferred form of the invention there is a stop for stopping the toy movement when the toy is in a recharge mode and including means for deactivating the stop and permitting the toy to move from the station. 
     The station is preferably located as part of a track, and is located on a bypass to a normal track route. The toy vehicle is normally directed to travel on the track and bypass the station. Steering of the vehicle to the bypass permits the vehicle to be received at the station. 
     The toy vehicle preferably includes at least one gearbox for operating at least one motive means on the toy. The motive means includes a wheel for driving the vehicle into and from the station. 
     There can be means to permit multiple vehicles, preferably serially, to enter the station. When a second vehicle enters the station for recharging a first vehicle is urged to exit the station. 
     The invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy vehicle in a rechargeable station, the vehicle being shown in a position about to enter the area for recharging. 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the vehicle in the recharge station with the electric contacts making contact with the contacts in the recharge station. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a track showing the recharge station in one place and the vehicle about to enter the recharge station and two other vehicles diagrammatically shown on the track. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention allows the user to drive the car onto the charging station for power charging. There can be 2 or more cars in a set that allow the player to drive one car onto the charging station for power charging and to continue to play with the other car during the recharge period of the first car. 
     A rechargeable system for a movable toy vehicle comprises a station having electrical outlet contacts, and means for providing recharging power through the outlets. A toy vehicle has inlet contacts for electrically engaging the outlet contacts when steered to the station and thereby receive the recharging power. The toy vehicle is steerable under remote control through a transmitter receiver system to engage the electrical outlet contacts. A rechargeable battery with the remote controlled toy vehicle powers motive means to move the toy. 
     The invention employs a remotely controllable car, selectively in infrared control, radio frequency control, programmable control or voice recognition control, equipped with a rechargeable battery that can be recharged by a charging station or track. A rechargeable track station contains electronic circuit and a battery or connection with an electrical mains source to generate power. 
     A vehicle  10  is powered by a rechargeable battery  12 . There are four wheels,  14 ,  16 ,  18  and  20 , respectively. The wheels  14  and  16  are powered respectively by a motive means which includes a motor and gear box configuration,  20  and  22 , respectively. A rechargeable battery supplies the appropriate power for those motive means which turn the wheels  14  and  16  as may be required. 
     Mounted below the base or chassis  24  for the vehicle are two respective contact plates,  26  and  28 , which extend longitudinally under the vehicle from a position towards the front and a position towards the back. Each of these electrical inlet contacts  26  and  28  is respectively spring mounted in a housing  30  and  32  which is mounted underneath the chassis base  24 . As such, the spring inlet contacts  26  and  28  are biased towards a central position running longitudinally through the vehicle. 
     The vehicle also includes a housing  34  for receiving control signals from an infrared radio frequency or programmable voice control unit  36  which is shown figuratively in FIG.  3  and signals  38  with the receiver  34  on the vehicle. These systems are disclosed in further detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,883 and pending application Ser. No. 10/279,534 entitled Toy with Programmable Remote Control filed Oct. 23, 2002 by the present Applicant). The contents of this patent and the application are incorporated by reference herein. 
     Remote control  36  has the ability to steer the vehicle  10  as required and cause different programmable actions such as variations in speed and direction as necessary. As such, the vehicle can go forwardly or reverse as the case may be. 
     The vehicle  10  is shown in FIGS. 1,  2  and  3  as shown in close relationship or on a rechargeable station. The rechargeable station  40  is a longitudinally extended rail  42  and to either side of the rail to longitudinal electrical outlet contacts  44  and  46 , respectively. These electrical contacts  44  and  46  can also be physically mounted in their respective housings  48  and  50  so as to be biased outwardly from the central rail  42 . In this manner, when a vehicle  10  is in location on the rail the respective outlet contacts  44  and  46  are biased outwardly and the vehicle contacts  28  and  30  are biased inwardly. This would insure a good positive contact between these elements to ensure that good electrical continuity is achieved. 
     Also, to facilitate the steering of the vehicle  10  into a position on the rail there is provided a slotted rail  32  which is longitudinally directed in the main rail  42  and this engages a longitudinal slot  54  in the base of the vehicle. This facilitates correct and positive alignment of the vehicle so that the contacts are in a good relationship. 
     When there is a positive touching connection between the respective contact plates, provided from a recharged circuit figuratively shown as  56  in the recharge station  40  can be applied through conductors  58 , the power for the rechargeable circuit being obtained from main supply  60  through the conductor  62 . 
     The recharge station also has a physical switch bar  64  on a side adjacent to the station. Operation of that bar manually by a user can cause the vehicle  10  to be removed manually from the station or expelled from the station, as the case may be. 
     The invention can be operable in a defined track  66  and more than one vehicle  10  can be provided. The track  66  is shown in FIG. 3 with additional vehicle  68  and  70  in the track. The track is formed between guard rails  72  and an internal guard rail  74 . One half of the track  76  has a by pass which is a divert to and from the station as indicated through zones  78  and  80 . Between the zones  78  and  80  there is a located the rechargeable station  40 . 
     There are many alternative configurations. There can be a situation with a rechargeable station located on the ground and the system can operate without a defined track  76 . 
     The invention is directed to a system which includes a rechargeable station which receives vehicles movable on a surface. In some situations the vehicles may be other than a 4 wheel car. For instance, a 2-wheel or 3-wheel vehicle may be usable with or without a the track. In other situations different kinds of vehicles other than a car may be used. 
     Although ideally wheels would be appropriate to move the vehicle on the surface, there can be situations where the mode of means are not wheels but other devices, for instance traction devices, to cause the vehicle or toy to move on the surface. 
     The one or two or more cars in the set have an electronic circuit which act as a device to detect the power generated by a rechargeable track or base station through different methods like: metal contacts, magnetic field or light activated. 
     The one or two or more cars in the set operate on the same radio frequency channel and with a circuit to detect power charging status. Once a car # 1  has been driven onto the charging station, it is locked and does not accept any control frequency. Only a car # 2  car can then be driven on the road. When car # 2  needs to have a charge of its battery, the player drives it onto the charging station and bumps car # 1  out of the charging station. Then car # 2  car is locked and the player can drive the car # 1 . 
     During charging, the remote system of the car can still be enabled and a user may drive the car away and stop charging at desired. 
     The invention is also directed to a vehicle having the recharge capabilities and the recharge terminals located in a manner for use as indicated with the recharge station. A track may or may not be used with the system. 
     The interaction of the recharge station with the vehicle in a manner so as not to require physical or manual lifting of the vehicle and placing that in the recharge station, but rather the ability of the vehicle to be driven or steered to that station as part of or as an aside to its normal operating condition is a significant advantage of the present invention. In addition there is the ability to continue play with one or more other cars during recharge of car at the recharge station. 
     Many other forms of the invention exist, each different from others in matters of detail only. The invention is to be determined by the scope of the following claims.