Remote controlled device with self aligning magnetically biased accessory
AssigneeHasbro, Inc.
InventorsSheila Driscoll Standing, Christopher Whipple, Jr., Steven Unruh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a self-aligning magnetic stationary accessory for use atop a spherical RC controlled self-propelled device. A novel device is employed includes a toy robot having first and second pairs of magnets aligned respectively with opposite polarities disposed in the stationary accessory. The spherical body with its stationary accessory allow the user to simply and precisely navigate the spherical body in a particular orientation for optimal RC controlled manipulation of the robot by a user.
Claims20
A floating action coupling method for a support member within a spherical body without a spring therefor, the method comprising:
- providing the spherical body with an interior surface that encloses a drive mechanism and the support member;
- disposing a first magnetically interactive element within an accessory, the support member holding a second magnetically interactive element;
- configuring the accessory for being on the outside of the spherical body with attractive forces between the first and the second magnetically interactive elements maintaining the accessory on the spherical body relative to the support member;
- providing the drive mechanism with a motor in communication with a plurality of wheels which ride along the interior surface of the body;
- and
- adjusting the support member position relative to the interior surface of the spherical body with the support member coupled to the drive mechanism such that the attractive forces between the first and the second magnetically interactive elements cause the support member to float.
A floating action coupling method for a support member within a spherical body without a spring therefor, the method comprising:
- providing the spherical body with an interior surface that encloses a drive mechanism and the support member;
- disposing a first magnetically interactive element within an accessory and disposing a second magnetically interactive element within the support member;
- configuring the accessory on the outside of the spherical body using attractive forces between the first and second magnetically interactive elements to maintain the accessory on the spherical body relative to the support member;
- providing the drive mechanism with a motor in communication with a plurality of wheels which ride along the interior surface of the body;
- and
- coupling the support member to the drive mechanism such that the attractive forces between the first and second magnetically interactive elements cause the support member to float and to permit the position of the support member relative to the interior surface to be adjusted.
A self-propelled device with a spherical body having an interior surface that encloses a drive mechanism and a support member within the spherical body, comprising:
- a plurality of wheels at the drive mechanism;
- a motor in communication with the plurality of wheels to cause the drive mechanism to ride along the interior surface of the body;
- an accessory configured to be positioned on the outside of the spherical body;
- a first magnetically interactive element disposed within the accessory;
- a second magnetically interactive element disposed within the support member to maintain the accessory on the spherical body relative to the support member;
- and
- a coupling to position the support member in relation to the drive mechanism without a spring such that the attractive forces between the first and second magnetically interactive elements cause the support member to float and to permit the position of the support member relative to the interior surface to be adjusted.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.