Patent GB-837822-A (GB)
Title: Remote-controlled toys
IPC: A63H17/00
Filed: 1957-02-14
Abstract: 837,822. Selective signalling. ERNST, C. M. Feb. 14, 1957 [Feb. 22, 1956: Jan. 25, 1957], No. 5129/57. Class 40 (1). [Also in Group XV] An apparatus for controlling a plurality of operations, particularly of toys, from a remote point, is characterized by a mechanical control mechanism adapted when given a short electric control impulse to initiate each operation of a first group of operations and, independently thereof, when given a long electric control impulse to initiate each operation of a second group of operations, the operations in each group occurring only in a predetermined order and each operation of each group requiring a separate control impulse. As described in relation to a toy, a driving-motor is controlled by short impulses and steering by long ones. As shown in a toy caterpillar tractor, an electric motor 2, Fig. 5, drives the tracks through gears 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 13, 14, 15 and 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 18, 19, 20 and sprockets 17 and 22 and the tractor is steered by disconnecting the drive from one or other track by slide members 23 and 24 which can displace the gears 14, 19 axially to break one or other gear chain. A control switch 27 allows the motor to be driven either forward or in reverse or to be stopped. The control mechanism comprises a control motor 37 which rotates a control-shaft 40, Fig. 1, and an auxiliary control-shaft 26 through gearing 38, 39, 45, 46, the shaft 40 carrying a control-lever 41. A short pulse rotates the lever no further than a spring 67 and at the end of the pulse the lever is returned to its initial position by a spring 44, a clutch member 56, Fig. 2, on the shaft 26 operating the switch 27 during the return movement to effect the drive control. On running the motor 37 its stator, which carries a pin 62, pivots clockwise, the pin pivoting a lever 60 to bring a lug 63 into the path of the control lever 41. At a long pulse, the lever 41 is therefore arrested by the lug 63 and reverse movement of the lever is prevented by the spring 65. At the end of the pulse, the lever 60 with its lug 63 is pivoted clear of the lever 41 by a spring 61, the lever 41 completes a revolution and is returned to its initial position by the spring 44. During this rotation, an eccentric pin 48 on the gear 46 pivots on arm 50 about 51 to move the slide members and change the steering. In a further embodiment, a control motor 78, Fig. 7, is mounted on a lever 79 pivoted at 40 and, on starting, the motor travels a short way round the periphery of gear 39, Fig. 6, a pin 77 on the lever 79 pivoting an arm 81 counterclockwise so that a bent portion 90 lies in the path of a control lever 83. On receiving a long pulse the control lever is arrested by the portion 90, a spring clutch 82, between the lever and the gear 39 then allowing the gear to continue turning. At the end of the pulse, the arm 81 is pivoted by a spring 92 away from the control lever which then completes its rotation to effect the steering. In this embodiment, a steering lever 87 is coupled to the gear 46 by a wire 86 pivoted to the pin 48 and slidably mounted in tabs 94 on the control lever. The controls of the motor and steering apparatus may be exchanged and other or additional operations may be carried out, e.g. a dredge scoop may be operated at the same time. Further, an additional motor may be provided which is operated in a cycle alternately with the driving motor to carry out another function. The apparatus may be used for wireless-controlled toys.