Apparatus and method for the removal of unit members from a transmitter mechanism for RC models

An apparatus and method for coupling a plurality of detachable components from a transmitter unit used to control radio controlled (RC) models. Specifically, a steering unit and a grip unit may be coupled and decoupled from the main upper body unit comprising the transmitter. When coupling the steering unit to the upper body, guide projections on the steering unit are inserted into a corresponding number of groove guides defined within the upper body unit. A shutter stopper locks the guide grooves and prevents the guide projections from moving. The grip unit is similarly coupled to the upper body unit by means of a locking claw which maintains the grip unit in a fixed position until a release button is actuated by a user. The transmitter unit comprises the ability of providing for a number of different operational configurations, thus accommodating the needs and preferences of each user.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to Japanese Application, serial no. 2011-20063, filed on Feb. 1, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference and to which priority is claimed pursuant to 35 USC 119.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Technology

The disclosure relates to the field of RC (radio control) transmitters to send signals for controlling various RC models such as model cars or other vehicles comprising a plurality of reattachable components such as a transmitter unit, a steering unit, and a grip unit.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In conventional radio control transmitter models, a user holds the entire body grip unit in their palm. Typically the upper body portion of the unit is disposed above the grip unit, and a steering type transmitter is attached to a steering wheel within a steering unit disposed in the upper body portion of the unit. Other steering type transmitters may be attached such as a stick or joystick instead of a steering wheel to convert the physical actuation of the user to commands sent to the radio-controlled model. The entire transmitter unit as a whole is generally rectangular-shaped.

Controlling the speed of the radio controlled model is typically performed by using a trigger switch coupled to the steering transmitter or a stick lever coupled to the stick transmitter. The stick transmitter and steering transmitter may be equipped with an extension unit or other various extensions known in the art, such as a battery unit which is disposed within the handle or main housing of the transmitter unit.

Transmitters with analog stick and steering wheel control schemes each typically comprise several components which form an integrated assembly and are difficult to separate or divide from the other components of the transmitter unit which include the grip, upper body, steering unit, trigger, analog stick, extension unit, and portions of the battery unit. The integrated nature of the components of the transmitter unit makes the free exchange or adaptability of each component extremely difficult. The RC transmitter unit is usually manufactured with either an analog stick or steering wheel control scheme, thus rendering the transmitter into something that is not easily changeable or alterable by the user. Therefore, if the user of the transmitter even desired to replace or exchange a component of the transmitter unit for another component, the current prior art cannot meet such a request.

For example, users who wish to use the steering wheel and steering transmitter control scheme or users who wish to use an analog stick control scheme were forced to use whatever control scheme was available since the basic forms of control are so different and typically not interchangeable.

Additionally because 95% of users of RC models prefer the steering wheel control scheme versus 5% of that for analog stick control, it does not provide much financial incentive for manufacturers to sell an assortment of both types of RC transmitter units to dealers in order to meet the needs of a diverse customer base. Furthermore, production costs increase dramatically for manufacturing both types of RC transmitters, thus further adding to the difficulty of providing both types of control schemes to the market place.

What is needed is an RC transmitter that comprises the traditional transmitter components such as a steering unit, grip unit, and upper body while still maintaining the ability for each component of the transmitter to be detached separately with one-touch and combined freely according to the personal preference of a user, allowing for easy replacement for each individual component. The transmitter should be customizable so that the user may decide what is best for their individual needs while maintaining manufacturing costs at a minimum for the manufacturer.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention includes a customizable transmitter for controlling a radio-controlled (RC) vehicle or toy which includes an upper body unit, having a front and bottom surface. A detachable steering unit is removably connected to the front surface of the upper body unit and a detachable grip unit is removably connected to the bottom surface of the upper body unit.

The upper body unit also includes an electrical female receiver defined in the front surface that is capable of being connected to a detachable steering unit which includes a corresponding an electrical male connector.

In another embodiment, the upper body unit includes a plurality of guide grooves defined into the front surface and the detachable steering unit includes a corresponding plurality of guide projections, the guide grooves being accommodated by the corresponding plurality of guide projections disposed on the detachable steering unit. The upper body unit further includes a rotatable shutter disposed within the guide grooves. The shutter locks the guide projections of the detachable steering unit into the guide grooves of the upper body unit. A lever connected to the shutter has the means for rotating the shutter within the guide grooves of the upper body unit.

In yet another embodiment, the upper body unit of the transmitter includes an electrical female socket defined on the bottom surface. The detachable grip unit includes an electrical male plug which is inserted into the electrical female socket.

In yet another embodiment, the upper body unit of the transmitter includes a guide plate disposed on the bottom surface. The detachable grip unit has a top surface with a guide groove which is arranged and configured for accommodating the guide plate disposed on the bottom surface of the upper body unit.

In still a further embodiment, the upper body unit of the transmitter includes a retractable locking claw. The detachable grip unit additionally includes a locking hole which the locking claw may be inserted into the locking hole. Here, the upper body unit also includes means for maintaining the lever in a stationary position until actuated by a user. Furthermore, the upper body unit includes a means for maintaining the locking claw in a stationary position until actuated by a user. The detachable grip unit may further also include a grip release button, a release mechanism on the upper body unit arranged and configured to be actuated by the grip release button, and a rotatable locking lever rotatable over the grip release button to selectively shield the release button from unintentional actuation.

The invention also includes a method for customizing a transmitter used for controlling a radio-controlled (RC) vehicle or toy including providing an upper body unit of the transmitter and detaching or coupling at least one steering or control component from or to the upper body unit of the transmitter.

The method further provides coupling at least one steering or control component to the upper body unit comprises coupling a detachable steering unit to the upper body unit by first inserting a plurality of guide projections disposed on the steering unit into a corresponding plurality of guide grooves defined within the upper body unit. Next, an electrical male connector disposed on the steering unit is connected to an electrical female receiver disposed on the upper body unit. Finally, the steering unit is locked to the upper body unit.

In one embodiment, the method step of at least one steering or control component from the upper body unit includes unlocking the steering unit from the upper body unit. An electrical male connector disposed on the steering unit is then disconnected from an electrical female receiver disposed on the upper body unit. The plurality of guide projections disposed on the steering unit are then removed from a corresponding plurality of guide grooves defined in the upper body unit.

In yet another embodiment, the method further includes coupling a detachable grip unit to the upper body unit by sliding a groove defined on the grip unit over a guide plate disposed on a bottom surface of the upper body unit. An electrical male plug disposed on the grip unit is then connected to an electrical female socket disposed on the upper body unit. Finally, the grip unit is locked to the upper body unit.

In still a further embodiment, the method further includes removing a locking claw disposed in the upper body unit from a locking hole defined in a top surface of a grip unit. An electrical male plug disposed on the grip unit is then disconnected from an electrical female socket disposed on the upper body unit and a groove defined within the top surface of the grip unit is slid from around a guide plate disposed in the upper body unit.

In another embodiment, the method step of locking the steering unit to the upper body includes actuating a lever which is arranged and configured to rotate a shutter disposed within the upper body unit, rotating the shutter which is rotatably fixed to the upper unit through a plurality of gaps defined by the plurality of guide projections defined in the steering unit, and then blocking the plurality of gaps defined by the plurality of guide projections defined in the steering unit with the shutter to prevent the removal of the guide projections defined in the steering unit from the plurality of guide grooves defined in the upper body unit.

In still a further embodiment, the method step of unlocking the steering unit from the upper body unit includes rotating a shutter to an orientation where a plurality of openings in the shutter are aligned with a corresponding plurality of gaps defined between the plurality of guide projections defined in the steering unit allowing removal of the guide projections from the corresponding plurality of guide grooves defined in the upper body unit. A release button is actuated before rotating the shutter.

In another embodiment, the method step of locking the grip unit to the upper body unit includes orientating a locking hole defined in the grip unit beneath a locking claw disposed on the upper body unit. The locking claw is then inserted into the locking hole and a constant downward force is maintained on the locking claw to maintain its position within the locking hole.

Finally, in an alternative embodiment, the method further includes rotating a locking lever and exposing a grip release button, actuating the grip release button, and then retracting the locking claw into the upper body unit.

The disclosure and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are presented as illustrated examples of the embodiments defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the embodiments as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A transmitter for controlled radio controlled (RC) models or toys is seen inFIG. 1and is represented in general with reference numeral1. The transmitter1comprises an upper body unit3with a liquid crystal display6and an antenna7coupled to it. A steering unit2which is removeably coupled to the upper body unit3is installed into the upper body unit3in the direction indicated by the broken lines. A grip unit4comprising a trigger5is also removeably coupled into the lower portion of the upper body unit3.

The rear of the steering unit2seen best inFIGS. 2A and 2Bcomprises a protruding male connector10. The front of the upper body unit3comprises a corresponding female receiver11disposed within its front face. The male connector10also comprises a side pin with a compressible spring on the back of the steering unit2. The male connector10and female receiver11are capable of coupling together and delivering electrical signals to one another, thereby completing an electrical junction as is known in the art between the upper body unit3and the steering unit2.

From the figures it is seen that the steering unit2is a wheel steering unit, providing for a steering wheel control scheme for the RC model. It is to be expressly understood however that this is meant to be for illustrative purposes only. Different steering units comprising differing control schemes such as analog sticks or joysticks may be used without departing from the original spirit and scope of the invention.

In order to ensure a proper electrical connection between the upper body unit3and steering unit2, the rear side of the steering unit2comprises a plurality of guide projections12as seen inFIGS. 2A and 2Bthat extend from the back surface of the steering unit2. As seen inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the steering unit2comprises three guide projections12symmetrically disposed about the male connector10, however this configuration is meant to be for illustrative purposes only. It is to be explicitly understood that other configurations comprising different numbers of guide projections not shown here may also be well within the spirit and scope of the current invention. Each of the guide projections12comprises a notch13or gap that is defined between it and the back surface of the steering unit2as best seen inFIG. 2B.

Returning toFIG. 1, the front surface of the upper body unit3comprises a plurality of defined guide grooves14that are sized and shaped to accommodate the guide projections12from the steering unit2by inserting the guide projections12in the distal direction seen inFIG. 1and then smoothly sliding them into the corresponding guide grooves14. The steering unit2is slid distally into the upper body unit3until the male connector10contacts and is inserted into the female receiver11.

In order to prevent unwanted removal of the steering unit2from the upper body unit3, the steering unit2is coupled to the upper body unit3by means of a “shutter”15coupling seen inFIGS. 3A-3C. After the guide projections12are inserted into the guide grooves14, the shutter15acts as a rotatable plate-shaped gear that prevents the removal of the steering unit2by being rotated through each notch13defined in each of the guide projections12until the entire notch13is blocked by the shutter15as seen inFIG. 3A, thus locking the steering unit2to the upper body unit3. The upper body unit3also comprises a lever switch16which is coupled to the shutter15. When the lever16is vertically actuated as seen inFIG. 3B, the shutter15is rotated in the clockwise direction which changes the state of shutter15from a locked position to a semi-open position. As the lever16is actuated further as seen inFIG. 3C, the shutter15continues to rotate clockwise until it has fully rotated through the notches13of the steering unit2and is clear of the of the guide grooves14of the upper body unit3. The steering unit2may then be removed from the upper body unit3by pulling the steering unit2in the proximal direction and sliding the guide projections12from guide grooves14defined in the front face of the upper body unit3.

In one embodiment, a release button17disposed on the front face of the upper body unit3as seen inFIGS. 3A-3Ckeeps the lever16in a fixed position and so that the lever is not inadvertently moved. To perform the vertical actuation of the lever switch16as described above, the release button17is first depressed to safely remove the steering unit2or to keep the present configuration. If the release button17is not pressed, then the lever16is blocked from moving, preventing the steering unit2from decoupling from the upper body unit3carelessly.

In another embodiment, the grip unit4may be selectively coupled to the upper body unit3of the transmitter1as seen inFIGS. 4-6B.

The front end of the grip unit4comprises a male plug30(best seen inFIG. 5) which forms a mounting surface to couple to a female socket31defined in the upper body unit3seen inFIG. 4. The male plug30comprises a side pin with a compressible spring on the back of the grip unit24. The male plug30and female socket31are capable of coupling together and delivering electrical signals to one another, thereby completing an electrical junction as is known in the art between the upper body unit3and the grip unit4.

In order to ensure a proper electrical connection between the upper body unit3and grip unit4, the grip unit4comprises a guide groove20defined in its upper surface as seen inFIG. 5. The guide groove20is defined substantially along the entirety of the upper surface of the grip unit4and comprises an opening on its distal end which corresponds with the direction of insertion into the upper body unit3.

Disposed on a bottom surface of the upper body unit3is a guide plate21that is sized and shaped to fit within the groove20of the guide unit4. In order for the grip unit4to be coupled to the upper body unit3, the groove20on the guide unit4is matched up with the plate21disposed on the upper body unit3. The plate21is then mated with the groove20which allows the guide unit4to be slid smoothly in the distal direction against the upper body unit3until the male plug30and female socket31may be coupled together by means well known in the art.

In one embodiment, the underside of the upper body unit3comprises a retractable locking claw25seen inFIG. 4which is biased downward with a constant elastic force. The locking claw25is substantially dovetailed in shape and comprises means for engaging a locking hole24defined in the grip unit4as seen inFIG. 5to prevent unwanted or accidental removal of the grip unit4. As the male plug30of the grip unit4is inserted into the female socket31of the upper body unit3, the locking claw25is pushed upward into the upper body unit3and out of the way of the incoming grip unit4. The grip unit4continually keeps the locking claw25out the way until the locking hole24is orientated beneath it, allowing the locking claw25to act as a detent mechanism and push back downward and into the locking hole24. The distal tip of the locking claw25is configured to fit and remain within the locking hole24with the assistance of the constant downward elastic force provided by a spring or other known means within the upper body unit3.

In order to avoid an accidental removal, the upper body unit3additionally comprises a grip release button23and a locking lever22as seen inFIGS. 6A and 6B.

Turning toFIG. 6A, the position of locking lever22is seen in the locked position.FIG. 6Bshows the locking lever22in the open position. When the locking lever22is in the locked position, removal of the grip unit4is impossible as the locking lever22covers and prevents the actuation of the grip release button23. When the locking lever22is rotated out into the open position as seen inFIG. 6B, the grip release button23is exposed and can be operated by sliding it in the upward direction. As the grip release button23is slid upward, the locking claw25is pulled upwards out of the locking hole24and made flush with the guide plate21. With the locking claw25out of the way, grip unit4may be electrically decoupled and removed from the upper body unit3. After the grip unit4is cleared away, the grip release button23is slid back to its original position forcing the locking claw25into to its original state. While release button23is seen substantially as a lever inFIG. 6B, it is to be expressly understood that other means of actuation such as a push button, trigger, or other similar means now known or later devised may also be used without departing from the original spirit and scope of the invention.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following embodiments and its various embodiments.