US 4,743,214 AGranted

Steering control for toy electric vehicles

OwnerYang Tai-Chenginventor

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Abstract

A device for controlling the steering and direction of movement of an electrically operated toy vehicle wherein the toy vehicle has a rear axle driven by a gear train from an electric motor and a worm gear on the rear axle engaging a helical gear. The front wheels are connected by a tie rod and are adjustable together from a normal straight line position to an angular position to cause the vehicle to run in a curved path. An adjusting arm on the helical gear presets the angular position of the helical gear in which a reversal of direction will occur and a plurality of such angular positions may be provided. The direct current source or battery for motor power for the unit includes a pair of electromagnets in circuit with the source of electrical current, which is direct current, and with contact members. Energization of one of the electromagnets will, through a link, connection to the tie rod, cause the front wheels to turn in one direction. Energization of the other electromagnet will turn the front wheels in another direction. A spring connected to the link and tie rod for normalizing the position of the tie rod causes the front wheels to be directed straight ahead. The electromagnets, the direct current power source, such as a battery, and contact members are placed in series with each other.

A steering control for a toy electric vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a body, a first pair of steerable wheels which are attached to the body to rotate and move the body and which also are steerable together;

a second wheel, a rotation axle for the second wheel;
an electric motor drivingly connected with the second wheel for rotating the second wheel for moving the vehicle;
a disk carrying a helical gear thereon, the disk being rotatable through driving the helical gear;
a worm on the rotation axle of the second wheel in driving connection with the helical gear for driving the helical gear for rotating the disk as the second wheel rotates;
electrically controllable means connected with the first wheels for selectively steering the first wheels in a first direction and in an opposite second direction as the electrically controllable means is operable between a first condition and a second condition;
a first switch connected with the electrically controllable means for being closed to operate the electrically controllable means to the first condition for steering the first wheels in the first direction;
a second switch connected with the electrically controllable means for operating the electrically controllable means to the second condition for steering the first wheels in the second direction;
at least one direction adjustment rod disposed on the disk and being mounted to rotate along with the disk, the direction adjustment rod being pivotable, relative to the disk, to at least first, second, and third positions;
in its first position, the direction adjustment rod being oriented for engaging the first switch when the direction adjustment rod is rotated past that switch by the disk, in its second position, the direction adjustment rod being oriented to engage the second switch, whereby the direction adjustment rod is effective for activating the electrically controllable means to steer the first wheels in the respective one of the first and second directions dependent upon which one of the first and second switches is operated by the direction adjustment rod.

6 more elements

Abstract

Claims11