Toy with an electrical generator

The invention is directed to a toy comprised of a vehicle that is capable of generating electrical energy and a body that can be physically and electrically connected to and disconnected from the vehicle. In one embodiment, the body comprises a light and a capacitor that stores electrical energy produced by the generator when the body is connected to the vehicle and the vehicle is used to produced electrical energy. After separation of the body from the vehicle, the capacitor provides electrical energy to the light that allows a child to separately use the body as a torch or flashlight. In another embodiment, the vehicle includes a speaker and the body includes a memory device that stores a signal that can be played over the speaker when the body is connected to the vehicle. In yet a further embodiment, a toy vehicle is provided in which an electrical generator uses the kinetic energy produced by the reciprocating motion of at least one wheel of the vehicle about an axis that is spaced from the wheel to produce electrical energy that can be used to drive an electrical device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a toy and, more specifically, to a toy that includes an electrical generator for producing electrical energy that can be used to drive an electrical device associated with the toy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Presently, toys are known that incorporate an electrical generator to produce electrical current that is, in turn, applied to a light or other device that is part of the toy. An example of such a toy is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,223.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a toy comprised of a vehicle that is capable of providing electrical energy and a body that includes an electrical device that can use the electrical energy that the vehicle is capable of providing. In one embodiment, the body can be physically and electrically connected to and disconnect from the vehicle. When the body is connected to the vehicle, electrical energy can be provided from the vehicle to an electrical device associated with the body. Since the body can be connected to and disconnected from the vehicle, it is possible to swap one body for another body. Further, the bodies can each incorporate a different electrical device. For instance, one body can employ a light and another body can employ speaker. In one embodiment, a number of bodies can be employed with each body representing a different “adventure guide” and including a memory device that holds a different “adventure story or theme” that can be played on a speaker associated with the toy.

In one embodiment, the body comprises a light and a capacitor. When the body is connected to the vehicle and receiving sufficient electrical energy from the vehicle, the light is activated and the capacitor is charged. When the body is subsequently disconnected from the vehicle, the stored charge on the capacitor is provided to the light. The light will remain active for as long as the capacitor is able to provide sufficient current. As such, the body serves as a temporary torch or flashlight.

In another embodiment, the electrical energy that is provided by the vehicle is produced by an electrical generator, thereby avoiding the use of batteries. The electrical generator converts kinetic energy that is produced when at least one of the wheels associated with the vehicle is moved into electrical energy. The electrical energy, in turn, being provided to an electrical device associated with a body and/or to other electrical devices associated with the toy. In one embodiment, a linkage is employed to transmit kinetic energy resulting from reciprocating rotational movement of a wheel of the vehicle about an axis that is spaced or separated from the wheel. This is in contrast to kinetic energy that is produced by rotation of a wheel about the rotational axis of the wheel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A-1Dillustrate an embodiment of a toy vehicle, hereinafter vehicle10, that is capable of providing electrical energy to a body that can be physically and electrically attached to and detached from the toy vehicle.FIGS. 1C,2A, and2B illustrate an embodiment of such a body. The vehicle10is comprised of a frame12, a set of four wheels14A-14D, four axles16A-16D that are respectively used to attach the wheels14A-14D to the frame12, a vehicle exterior18that is attached to the frame12, a vehicle interior20that is attached to the frame12, and a handle22that can be attached to and detached from the frame12as needed. The vehicle exterior18is comprised of a lower section24, an upper section26, and a detachable luggage rack28. The vehicle interior20is situated between the lower section24and upper section26of the exterior18.

With reference toFIGS. 1C and 1D, the vehicle10is further comprised of an electrical generator30, a linkage32for transmitting kinetic energy generated by rotation of the wheels14B,14D to the electrical generator30, and other electrical/electronic components associated with the use of the electrical energy produced by the generator. The electrical generator30, a substantial portion of the linkage32, and most of the other electrical/electronic components are substantially hidden from the view of a child playing with the toy by the frame12, vehicle exterior18, and vehicle interior20. The electrical generator30is a three-phase generator that utilizes a flywheel. The linkage32is comprised of the axles16B,16D, an axle gear34that engages the axles16B,16D, and two transmission gears36A,36B that convey rotational energy produced by the axle gear34to the generator30. In operation, when a child or other individual causes the wheels14B,14D to rotate (typically by pushing the vehicle10along a floor), kinetic energy produced by the rotation of the wheels is transmitted by the axles16B,16D to the axle gear34, causing the axle gear34to rotate. The rotational energy of the rotating axle gear34is, in turn, conveyed to the generator30by the operation of the transmission gears36A,36B. In response, the generator30produces three-phase electrical current.

Having described the use of the generator30to produce electrical energy, the application of that electrical energy is now described. Generally, electrical energy produced by the electrical generator30is used within the vehicle10and can be used with a body that can by physically and electrically attached to and detached from the vehicle10. With continuing reference toFIGS. 1C and 1D, among the electrical/electronic components that are associated with the use of the electrical energy produced by the electrical generator30and associated with the vehicle10are a speaker38, a mode selection switch40, a first portion of a connector42, and a CPU selection switch44. The mode selection switch40and other electrical/electronic components associated with the vehicle10are situated of a printed circuit board46.

With reference toFIGS. 2A and 2B, electrical energy produced by the generator30can also be applied to a body50that can by physically and electrically attached to and detached from the vehicle10, as illustrated inFIG. 1C. When the body50is attached to the vehicle10, the body appears to be located in a front seat of the interior20. The body50is comprised of a housing52for holding electrical/electronic components and a skin54that covers the housing52so as to make the body50appear as “character” or doll. In the illustrated embodiment, the body50is an “adventure guide.” It should be appreciated that any number of different skins can be employed to create different dolls that each have different characteristics. Alternatively, a body without a “skin” is also feasible. The housing52, in the illustrated embodiment, is a two-piece plastic housing having a first portion54A and a second portion54B. The housing52substantially encloses and supports a second portion of a connector56that is capable of engaging the first portion of a connector42associated with the vehicle10so that electrical energy can be conveyed between the body50and the vehicle10. The second portion of the connector56is also capable of being disengaged from the first portion of the connector42. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second portions42,56of the connector form a USB connector. It should, however, be appreciated that other types of connectors are possible depending upon the type of electrical energy and/or signals that are to be conveyed between the vehicle10and the body50. The bottom portion of the housing52fits inside a well defined by a support structure58that holds the first portion42of the USB connector to support the body50in an upright position. In essence, the body50can be plugged into and unplugged from the vehicle10. Other structures for allowing the body50to be plugged and unplugged from the vehicle are feasible. The housing52also encloses a printed circuit board60that supports other electrical/electronic circuitry, a capacitor62, and an LED64that is connected to the capacitor60by wires (not shown). Additionally, the housing supports a lens structure66that protects the LED64and passes the light produced b the LED64.

With reference toFIG. 3, the electrical/electronic components associated with the vehicle10and with the body50are further described. The electrical/electronic components associated with the body50are located within box70and include the capacitor62and the LED64. Also associated with the body50are a diode72and a body microcontroller74. The components associated with the vehicle10are located outside of the box70and include the electrical generator30, speaker38, mode selection switch40, and CPU selection switch44. Also associated with the vehicle10are a rectifier80, over-voltage cutoff circuit82, 2.7V low dropout regulator84, a 5.0V low dropout regulator86, a capacitor88, a 3.3 V step up90, and a vehicle microcontroller92.

With continuing reference toFIG. 3, the circuitry operates so that electrical energy produced by the generator30is applied to one of the body microcontroller74and the vehicle microcontroller92depending on the state of the CPU select switch44. Generally, the state of the CPU select switch44depends on whether the body50is physically and electrically connected to the vehicle10. To elaborate, if the body50is so connected, a portion of the body50contacts the switch44such that the switch44will direct any electrical energy reaching the switch44to be applied to the body microcontroller74and not the vehicle microcontroller92. If the body50is not actuating the switch44, the switch44operates such that any electrical energy reaching the switch is applied to the vehicle microcontroller92. The body50may not be actuate the switch44if the body50has not been completely “plugged in” to the vehicle10. Alternatively, a body can be employed that does not embody a microcontroller and that employs a skin that is purposely shaped so as not to actuate the switch44in the course of being plugged-in. While such a “dummy” body (i.e., a body without a processor) may employ the LED64and related circuitry, it can also employ only an LED or other lighting device. Further, such a “dummy” body can also employ one or more other non-processor, electrical/electronic components instead of the LED and related circuitry or no electrical/electronic circuitry at all.

Regardless of whether the switch44is directing electrical energy reaching the switch to the body microcontroller74or the vehicle microcontroller92, the state of the mode selection switch40determines the manner in which the selected microcontroller performs. To elaborate, the mode selection switch40can be placed in one of three possible states by the user. In the first state, the selected microcontroller is disabled, which in the described embodiment will result in no programs being played that would cause a signal to be applied to the speaker38. Placing the switch40is in the second state or third state will cause one of two programs present in the selected microcontroller's memory to be selected and, assuming the selected microcontroller is receiving sufficient electrical energy, played. In the illustrated embodiment, the playing of a program causes a signal to be applied to the speaker38to produce a sound. For instance, one program may contain data such that when the program is played, a signal is applied to the speaker38that produces a sound reminiscent of an engine revving. Alternatively, the playing of a program may cause a signal to be applied to the speaker38such that a “story line” for playing with the toy is conveyed to a child. For example, the story line may be that of an Amazon adventure. It should be appreciated that a mode selection switch that only has two selectable states or more than three selectable states is feasible. Further, it should also be appreciated that regardless of the state of the switch40, the selected microcontroller may or may not have a program that corresponds to the particular state of the switch40.

Generally, the capacitor88is used to store electrical energy when the generator30is producing electrical energy and then provide this stored energy to the selected microcontroller when the generator30is not producing any electrical energy. As such, the capacitor88allows the selected microcontroller to continue to function for a limited amount of time after a child has ceased whatever activity was causing the wheels14B,14D to turn and the electrical generator30to produce electrical energy. The length of time that the capacitor88can provide sufficient electrical energy for the selected microcontroller to operate depends on the size of the capacitor. In the illustrated embodiment, a large capacitor is utilized that is capable of providing sufficient electrical energy to the selected microcontroller for more than a minute. The step up circuit90processes the 2.7V signal received from the capacitor88to produce a 3.3V signal, which is sufficient for powering either of the two microcontrollers.

To protect the capacitor88, two measures are taken. The regulator84prevents the voltage applied to the capacitor88from exceeding 2.7 volts. Further, it is possible, although considered remote, that the generator30can produce a voltage that can exceed the capabilities of the regulator84. To address this possibility, the over-voltage cut off circuit82operates to prevent any of the electrical energy being produced by the generator30from reaching the capacitor88and other circuitry when the voltage associated with the electrical energy being produced by the generator30exceeds the capabilities of the regulator84. The rectifier80serves to rectify the three phase alternating current produced by the generator30.

The voltage regulator86regulates the voltage applied to the capacitor62, LED64, diode72circuit associated with the body50when the body is operatively attached to the vehicle10. The over-voltage cut off circuit82also protects the regulator86in the situation in which the generator30is generating electrical energy with a voltage that would exceed the capabilities of the regulator50and potentially damage one or more of the capacitor62, LED64, and diode72associated with the body.

Generally, the capacitor62is used to store electrical energy when the generator30is producing electrical energy and the body50is operatively connected to the vehicle10. After the body50is electrically disconnected from the vehicle10, the energy stored in the capacitor62is provided to the LED64. As such, the body50can act as a torch or flashlight after the body50is disconnected from the vehicle for however long the capacitor62is able to provide sufficient current to the LED64. The diode72serves to prevent charge stored on the capacitor62from flowing back to the regulator86when the body50is electrically connected to the vehicle10. The capacitor62also provides stored electrical energy to the LED64when the body is still connected to the vehicle but the generator30is not producing electrical energy.

FIGS. 4A and 4Billustrate a second embodiment of a toy vehicle, hereinafter vehicle100, that is capable of providing electrical energy to a body that can be physically and electrically attached to and detached from the toy vehicle. In contrast to vehicle10, the kinetic energy that is converted into electrical energy is generated through the reciprocating rotational motion of a wheel about an axis of rotation that is separated from the axis of rotation of the wheel.

The vehicle10is comprised of a frame112, two front wheels114A-114B, two rear wheels115A,115B, two axles116A,116B that are respectively used to attach the wheels114A,114B to the frame112, a vehicle exterior118that is attached to the frame112, and a vehicle interior120that is attached to the frame112. The vehicle exterior118is comprised of a lower section124and an upper section126. The vehicle interior120is situated between the lower section124and upper section126of the exterior118.

The rear wheels115A,114B are respectively connected to swing arms128A,128B, with each wheel capable of rotating about the wheel's rotational axis. With reference toFIGS. 4C-4F, the swing arms128A,128B are each attached to a shaft132. The shaft132is connected to frame112but capable of rotation about axis of rotation132. Also attached to the shaft132are a shaft gear134and an armature136with a free end138. A spring140extends between the free end138of the armature136and an anchor point142. In operation, a child pushes down on the rear of the vehicle exterior118to cause the rear wheels115A,115B to rotate about the axis of rotation132. Further, this action causes the shaft132and the armature136to rotate about the axis of rotation132. The rotation of the armature136, in turn, causes the spring140to become elongated. Once the child ceases applying a downward force to the rear of the vehicle exterior118, the energy stored in the spring causes the shaft132, armature136, swing arms128A,128B, and rear wheels115A,115B all to rotate about the axis of rotation132in the opposite direction such that the vehicle returns to the posture shown inFIG. 4A. This rotation of the rear wheels115A,115B about the axis of rotation132in one direction and then the other direction can be repeated to produce a reciprocating type of motion. This reciprocating action can be used to generate electrical energy.

The reciprocating movement of the rear wheels115A,115B about the axis of rotation132produces kinetic energy that is applied to an electrical generator140and converted by the generator140into electrical energy. To elaborate, rotation of the rear wheels115A,115B about the axis of rotation132causes the shaft130to also rotate about the axis of rotation132. Kinetic energy associated with the rotation of the shaft130is conveyed to the generator140by a series of gears. The series of gears includes the shaft gear134, a first spur gear144with a first toothed section146and a second toothed section148, and a second spur gear150with a third toothed section152and a fourth toothed section154. The teeth of the shaft gear134engage the first toothed section146of the first spur gear144, the second toothed section of the first spur gear144engages the third toothed section152of the second spur gear150. The fourth toothed section154of the second spur gear engages a gear156that is, in turn, attached to a ratchet mechanism158. The ratchet mechanism158operates such that, when the gear156rotates in one direction, a pawl160engages a rack162that is attached to the freewheel of the generator140and causes the freewheel to rotate. When the gear156rotates in the opposite direction, the pawl160does not engage the rack162and, as such, no kinetic energy is transferred to the generator140. The rotation of the shaft130is limited to a particular angular extent by stops161A,161B, which each engage one side of the shaft gear134to prevent further rotation of the shaft130. In the illustrated embodiment, the angular extent is less than 45°. It should be appreciated that other mechanism for transferring the kinetic energy produced by a rotating shaft, such as shaft130, to an electrical generator, such as generator140, can be accomplished by a number of different mechanical transmission mechanisms.

The generator140in the illustrated embodiment is a single phase generator that supplies electrical energy to an electrical connector170that is housed in a support structure172that, like support structure58, forms a well accommodates the bottom portion of the housing52of the body50. The electrical energy produced by the generator140is applied to the body50without any intervening voltage regulator. Further, since the vehicle100does not employ a speaker, it can be used with a body that does not embody a microcontroller or have a memory with a program.

It should be appreciated that the structure disclosed herein for converting the kinetic energy associated with the reciprocating rotation of a shaft within a limited angular range can be adapted to other types of toys. For instance, the structure can be adapted to a swing set in which the kinetic energy associated with the reciprocating motion of the swing seat within a limited angular range is used to generate electrical energy that can be used to power one or more electrical devices associated with a swing set.

While the invention has been particularly shown and describe with reference to various embodiments hereof, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in the form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while integrated circuits, such as microcontrollers have been employed in at least one embodiment, it will be readily understood that discrete components and combinations of discrete components and integrated circuit can also be used.