Abstract:
A motorized mechanical doll for positioning within miniaturized vehicles capable of actuating body portions separate from any mechanical workings of the vehicle. The doll has a plurality of gears for engaging one another for turning a rotating head from side to side. There is a rotation means comprising a set of three magnets having the same polarity. The magnets are mounted to one of the gears and to a rotatable shaft for repelling one another and rotating the rotatable shaft which in turn communicates with the head portion. An alternate embodiment further includes a pivoting hand portion wherein a first end of a lever attaches to the pivoting hand and at a second end attaches to one of the gears slightly off-set from a center portion of the gear. Rotation of the gear causes the lever to move actuating the pivoting hand up and down.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to dolls for use with models. More particularly, it relates to a doll for positioning within the driver seat of a remotely control motorized miniature vehicle. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     The operation of remotely controlled motorized miniature vehicles is an expanding hobby well known in the prior art. Types of remotely controlled vehicles include airplanes, cars, trucks, and boats. Hobbyist involved in the building, displaying, and operation of these vehicles attempt to replicate the vehicle to a life like model on the miniaturized scale. Tradeshows are held throughout the world for people interested in this hobby who display and market their creations. 
     The remote control operation of these vehicles is mostly performed by radio frequency devices employing a transmitter and receiver. The receiver is discretely mounted on the vehicle while the operator holds the transmitter and controls the vehicle. In an attempt to replicate these vehicles to a life like miniature model, hobbyists have begun positioning dolls within the driver seat of the vehicle to represent a miniature operator of the vehicle. At first, stationary dolls were positioned having life like human features. But, these type of dolls merely sit in the driver seat. Of course, when anyone is operating a vehicle, there is going to be movement in the body, arms, and head. Accordingly, hobbyists have attempted to provide means for moving body parts of their dolls while seated in the miniature vehicle. 
     The known moveable dolls have used other moving parts of the vehicle to communicate with the doll so that body parts can be moved as the vehicle moves. When the vehicle is not moving, the hobbyist is required to handle the vehicle and initiate a lever to move any of the body parts. Most of the known prior art dolls inserted with miniature vehicles merely turn their head slightly. This of course has not led to a life like replication of a miniature operator. 
     There exists a need for an improved doll for positioning within the driver seat of miniature vehicles which resembles a life like operator of the vehicle. The improved doll should be able to operate separately from the working mechanism of the remotely controlled vehicle permitting movement of the doll&#39;s body parts when the vehicle is not moving. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     I have invented an improved doll for positioning within the driver seat of miniature vehicles. My doll permits movement of the doll&#39;s extremities separate from any movement or control of the miniature vehicle. More specifically to my preferred embodiment, my doll permits side to side life like movement of the head and up and down life like movement of the hand. 
     My doll has a frame for supporting a generally vertical rotatable shaft. A doll shoulder portion mounts on top of the frame and supports a rotatable doll head. Any rotation in the generally vertical shaft rotates the head respectively through a series of gears. 
     A horizontal shaft supports a second gear wheel having a first magnet mounted along an inner planar surface of the second gear wheel. Mounted in a spaced relation along the generally vertical shaft are a second and third magnet. The three magnets have the same polarity so that as the first magnet approaches either the second or third magnet, it repels the second or third magnet mounted to the generally vertical rotatable shaft effectively moving the generally vertical shaft which communicates with the rotatable doll head portion. A motor controlling a first gear wheel engaging the second gear wheel applies rotation to the second gear wheel. A third gear wheel mounted on top of the generally vertical rotatable shaft engages a fourth gear wheel communicating with the doll head portion. The third and fourth gear wheels act as a gear down means to slow down the rotation of the doll head portion providing a more life like head motion. 
     Alternate attachment of the present invention includes a pivoting hand portion mounted to an end portion of an outwardly extending arm. A pivot pin mounts the hand to the arm and a lever attached at opposed ends to the pivoting hand and the second gear permits up and down movement of the hand as the second gear rotates. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention depicting the invention positioned within a miniaturized vehicle illustrated by the broken lines; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the alternate embodiment along lines 5--5 of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a left side elevational view of the alternate embodiment; and 
     FIG. 7 is a right side elevational view of the alternate embodiment including a pivoting hand portion. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a mechanical doll 10 for positioning in miniaturized vehicles is shown. Doll 10 has a frame 12 having opposed top and bottom walls 14 and 16 respectively and opposed left and right side walls 18 and 20 respectively. A central aperture 22 is formed in top wall 14 in axial alignment with a central axis 24 of doll 10. An off-set aperture 26 is additionally formed in top wall 14 slightly off-set from central aperture 22. In the preferred embodiment off-set aperture 26 is off-set to the left of central aperture 22 and frame 12 is generally rectangular in shape. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a generally vertical rotatable shaft 28 having a top and bottom portion 30 and 32 respectively is supported by frame 12 whereby shaft top portion 30 extends through off-set aperture 26 and shaft bottom portion 32 extends through an opening 34 formed in frame bottom wall 16. A first locking nut 36 secures shaft bottom portion 32 to frame 12 through opening 34 while still permitting generally vertical rotatable shaft 28 to rotate. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a shoulder portion 38 is supported by frame top wall 14. A rotatable head portion 40 is positioned upon shoulder portion 38 at an apex 42 of shoulder portion 38 so that head portion 40 is in axial alignment with central axis 24 of doll 10. Rotatable head portion 40 rotates from side to side generally in ninety degree turns from a center viewing position (illustrated in FIG. 1) responsive to the rotation of generally vertical rotatable shaft 28. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, an electric motor 44 is mounted to a top surface 48 of frame bottom wall 16 and electrically coupled to a battery source 46. Motor 44 has an outwardly extending rotatable shaft 50 supporting a first gear wheel 52 through a center portion 54 of first gear wheel 52. A horizontal rotatable shaft 56 supports a second gear wheel 58 through a center portion 60 of second gear wheel 58 such that first and second gear wheels 52 and 58 are permitted to engage each other. Opposed left and right ends 62 and 64 respectively of horizontal rotatable shaft 56 extend through opposed openings 66 in frame left and right side walls 18 and 20 and are secured permitting horizontal rotatable shaft 56 to rotate. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, a first magnet 68 is mounted along a left side 70 of second gear wheel 58. A second and third magnet 72 and 74 respectively are mounted along generally vertical rotatable shaft 28 in an off-set and spaced relation. First, second and third magnets, 68, 72, and 74 all have the same polarity. As first magnet 68 passes by second magnet 72, generally at a one o&#39;clock position relative to second gear wheel left side 70, first magnet 68 repels second magnet 72 rotating generally vertical rotatable shaft 28 in a first direction. As first magnet 68 passes by third magnet 74, generally at a four o&#39;clock position relative to second gear wheel left side 70, first magnet 68 repels third magnet 74 rotating generally vertical rotatable shaft 28 in a second and opposed direction. In the preferred embodiment, second gear wheel 58 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction due to clockwise rotation of first gear wheel 52. The counter-clockwise rotation of second gear wheel 58 causes generally vertical rotatable shaft 28 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction when first magnet 68 repels second magnet 72. The counter-clockwise rotation of second gear wheel 58 causes generally vertical rotatable shaft 28 to rotate in a clockwise rotation when first magnet 68 repels third magnet 74. The off-set and spaced positioning of second and third magnet 72 and 74 along generally vertical rotatable shaft 28 permits third magnet 74 to be ideally positioned for first magnet 68 to repel third magnet 74 after first magnet 68 has repelled second magnet 72 and for second magnet 72 to be ideally positioned for first magnet 68 to repel second magnet 72 after first magnet 68 has repelled third magnet 74. It is understood that the direction of rotation of first gear wheel 52 and the resulting relative direction of rotation of second gear wheel 58 and generally vertical rotatable shaft 28 are set forth to illustrate the rotating forces at work in doll 10 and the preferred direction of rotation at the time of invention. It is further understood that the relative direction of rotation can be reversed to accomplish the same results in the same manner. 
     Further to the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a head supporting rotatable shaft 76 having a top and bottom portion 78 and 80 respectively is supported at frame top wall 14 wherein bottom portion 80 extends through central aperture 22 and is secured underneath frame top wall 14 by a second lucking nut 92 (FIG. 1). Top portion 78 of head supporting rotatable shaft 76 extends through an apex opening 82 formed in shoulder portion 38 permitting head portion 40 to be supported thereon. Head supporting rotatable shaft 76 is in axial alignment with central axis 24 of doll 10 and parallel to generally vertical rotatable shaft 28. 
     Further to FIGS. 1 and 2, a gear down means is provided to slow down the rotation of head portion 40 due to the speed of motor 44. A third gear wheel 84 is mounted on top portion 30 of generally vertical rotatable shaft 28 such that a center 86 (see FIG. 1) of third gear wheel 84 is in axial alignment with generally vertical rotatable shaft 28. A fourth gear wheel 88 is mounted through a center portion 90 (see FIG. 1) of fourth gear wheel 88 along head supporting rotatable shaft 76 intermediate top and bottom portions 78 and 80 of head supporting rotatable shaft 76 such that fourth gear wheel center portion 90 (see FIG. 1) is in axial alignment with central axis 24 of doll 10. Proximal positioning of third and fourth gear wheels 84 and 88 permits engagement therebetween. 
     Any rotation of generally vertical rotatable shaft 28 causes the same directional rotation of third gear wheel 84 which engages fourth gear wheel 88 thereby rotating head supporting rotatable shaft 76 which rotates head portion 40 directly. Therefore, counter-clockwise rotation of generally vertical rotatable shaft 28 rotates third gear wheel 84 counter-clockwise rotating fourth gear wheel 88 clockwise directly rotating head supporting rotatable shaft 76 and head portion 40 clockwise. And accordingly, clockwise rotation of generally vertical rotatable shaft 28 rotates third gear wheel 84 clockwise rotating fourth gear wheel 88 counter-clockwise directly rotating head supporting rotatable shaft 76 and head portion 40 counter-clockwise. The rotation of head portion 40 rotates generally ninety degrees in each direction off the center viewing position of doll 10 (represented in FIG. 1). Head portion 40 does not exceed a natural head rotation which is found in a live individual due to the relative positioning of second and third magnets 72 and 74 along generally vertical rotatable shaft 28 which cease being repelled by first magnet 68 after first magnet 68 has passed thereby respectively. 
     It is understood that the gear down means in the preferred embodiment is used to slow down the movement of head portion 40. Gear down means can be positioned above or below frame top wall 14. An alternate embodiment can be provided without the gear down means wherein off-set aperture 26 is not used and top portion 30 of generally vertical rotatable shaft 28 extends through central aperture 22 and supports head portion 40 thereon. Accordingly, any rotation of generally vertical rotatable shaft 28 would directly rotate head portion 40. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment of the present invention is provided as doll 10a having a shoulder portion 38a supported by a top wall 14a of a frame 12a. A generally vertical rotatable shaft 28a has a top and bottom portion 30a and 32a respectively, wherein top portion 30a extends through a central aperture 22a in top wall 14a and through an apex opening 82a of shoulder portion 38a supporting a rotatable head portion 40a. Bottom portion 32a of generally vertical rotatable shaft 28a extends through an opening 34a formed in a bottom wall 16a of frame 12a, and rotatable secured by a first locking nut 36a. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, an electric motor 44a coupled to a battery source 46a (FIG. 4) and mounted to a top surface 48a of frame bottom wall 16a has an outwardly extending rotatable shaft 50a supporting a first gear wheel 52a through a center portion 54a of first gear wheel 52a. A horizontal rotatable shaft 56a supports a second gear wheel 58a through a center portion 60a of second gear wheel 58a such that first and second gear wheel 52a and 58a can engage each other. Horizontal rotatable shaft 56a has opposed left and right ends 62a and 64a respectively extending through opposed openings 66a in opposed left and right side walls 18a and 20a of frame 12a and secured permitting horizontal rotatable shaft 56a to rotate. A spacer 94 is positioned juxtaposed a right side surface 96 of second gear wheel 58a and a spring 97 surrounds a right portion 98 of horizontal rotatable shaft 56a intermediate spacer 94 and frame right side wall 20a for retaining second gear wheel 58a in a fixed position along horizontal rotatable shaft 56a. 
     Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an abrasive strip 100 is mounted on a left side surface 70a of second gear wheel 58a. A first and second circular rubber washer 102 and 104 are positioned along generally vertical rotatable shaft 28a such that abrasive strip 100 can make contact therewith for causing generally vertical rotatable shaft 28a to rotate. As second gear wheel 58a rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, abrasive strip 100 passes first rubber washer 102 generally at a one o&#39;clock position relative to left side surface 70a of second gear wheel 58a, making contact therewith and forcing generally vertical rotatable shaft 28a in a counter-clockwise direction rotating head portion 40a in a counter-clockwise direction. As second gear wheel 58a continues to rotate in the counter-clockwise direction, abrasive strip 100 passes second rubber washer 104 generally at a four o&#39;clock position relative to left side surface 70a of second gear wheel 58a, making contact therewith and forcing generally vertical rotatable shaft 28a in a clockwise direction rotating head portion 40a in a clockwise direction. 
     Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a stop mechanism 106 is mounted on bottom portion 32a of generally vertical rotatable shaft 28a. Stop mechanism 106 has an upwardly projecting member 108 which strikes a rear surface 110 of frame bottom wall 16a as generally vertical rotatable shaft 28a rotates prohibiting head portion 40a from rotating any further than ninety degrees off a center viewing position (illustrated in FIG. 3). A lead shot 112 is mounted on an end portion 114 of stop mechanism 106 directly below upwardly projecting member 108 for pulling stop mechanism 106 back to a resting state by forces of gravity, re-positioning head portion 40a in its center viewing position. Lead shot 112 is permitted to pull stop mechanism 106 back to a resting state directly after abrasive strip 100 ceases contact with first or second rubber washer 102 and 104. 
     Referring to FIG. 7, a moveable hand mechanism 116 is shown as an alternate attachment to either doll 10 or 10a. In FIG. 7, moveable hand mechanism 116 is shown attached to alternate doll 10a, although it can be attached to preferred doll 10 in the same manner. Moveable hand mechanism 116 has an outwardly extending arm portion 118 mounted at a first end 120 of arm portion 118 along a side 122 of shoulder portion 38a. A pivoting hand portion 124 is mounted at a wrist portion 126 to a second end 128 of arm portion 118 by a pivot pin 130 and has a proximal end 132 relative to shoulder portion side 122 . A lever 134 has a first end 136 attached to hand proximal end 132 and a second end 138 attached to second gear wheel 58a slightly off-set from second gear wheel center portion 60a such that rotation of second gear actuates pivoting hand portion 124 up and down. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, doll 10a is positioned within a cockpit 140 of a miniaturized airplane, the preferred vehicle in which to positioned either doll 10 or doll 10a. Preferred doll 10 and alternate doll 10a can be positioned in other miniaturized vehicles used by hobbyists such as boats, cars, and the like. 
     Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above to achieve the same results in the same manner.