US 2014/0273728 A1Published application

Motorized and non-motorized interactive character

AssigneeRehco, LLC

InventorsSteven Rehkemper, Peter Greenley, Jackson Wilson

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Abstract

An illustrative interactive character is provided having a two section body with a first section and a second section rotatably attached at a pivot mechanism. The character may have the capability to move between a variety of positions. Four appendages may be rotatably attached to the two section body with one or more wheels in communication with a lower portion of the appendages. The character may be non-motorized or motorized. A power source may be in communication with a pivot motor, a drive motor and an integrated circuit. At least one sensor may be in communication with the integrated circuit to activate preprogrammed content and software instructions stored therein. A gear train may be configured to transfer power from the drive motor to one of the at least one wheels. The pivot motor may rotate the pivot mechanism to direct character movements and animations.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A motorized interactive character comprising:

a two section body including a first section and a second section rotatably attached at a pivot mechanism about a pivot axis;
four appendages each having an upper portion rotatably attached to the two section body and a lower portion with a wheelbase rotatably attached thereto;
each wheelbase including four wheels rotatably attached thereto, at least one of the wheels further defined as a drive wheel;
a power source in communication with a pivot motor, a drive motor and an integrated circuit;
at least one sensor in communication with the integrated circuit;
the pivot motor configured to rotate the pivot mechanism;
a gear train positioned within one of the appendages and configured to transfer power from the drive motor to the drive wheel;
a standing position defined by the appendages being at or near perpendicular relative to a surface;
a lowered position defined by the appendages rotated outward such that an underside of the character is closer to the surface than in the standing position;
and
the integrated circuit having one or more sets of software instructions including a set of transition software instructions;
wherein the at least one sensor sends a signal to the integrated circuit when triggered to initiate the set of transition software instructions configured to:
(i) activate the drive motor at a transition speed in a first direction such that the appendages rotate outward directing the character to lower from the standing position to the lowered position;
and
(ii) activate the drive motor at the transition speed in a second direction such that the appendages rotate inward directing the character to raise from the lowered position to the standing position.

12 more elements

A motorized interactive character comprising:

a two section body including a first section and a second section rotatably attached at a pivot mechanism;
four appendages each having an upper portion rotatably attached to the two section body and a lower portion with at least one wheel rotatably attached thereto;
a power source in communication with a pivot motor, a drive motor and an integrated circuit;
at least one sensor in communication with the integrated circuit;
the pivot motor configured to rotate the pivot mechanism;
and
a gear train configured to transfer power from the drive motor to one of the at least one wheels;
wherein upon triggering of the at least one sensor, the integrated circuit is configured to activate the pivot motor and drive motor in accordance with a first set of software instructions to animate the character.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.