US 4,897,070 AGranted

Two-wheeled motorized toy

OwnerRonald D. Wagstaffinventor

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Abstract

A two-wheeled toy includes a central housing supported on a rotatable shaft between the wheels. The diameter of the wheels is larger than the housing, with a figure mounted on the housing extending above the wheels. The housing includes a miniature electric motor, gearing, batteries and a switch to activate the motor and drive the wheels. The batteries are mounted in the bottom of the housing to provide a weight and low center of gravity to maintain the housing and figure in an upright position during movement. The figure limits counter-rotation of the housing about the shaft when the wheels start to turn and move forward. The shaft extends outwardly from the wheels and provides a stop which prevents the wheels from falling sideways. The wheels may also be driven independently by separate motors and shafts and may be remotely controlled to permit turning and movement in different directions while the housing remains upright.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A self-propelled toy comprising:

a pair of like wheels spaced apart along a common axis and having a given diameter;
axial shaft means connected to said wheels for rotation therewith and having ends extending outwardly therefrom along said axis;
a central housing freely supported on said shaft means between said wheels and extending a larger distance below said shaft means than above said shaft means, the height of said housing being smaller than the diameter of said wheels;
miniature electric motor means supported in said housing below said shaft means and including drive gear means;
means for coupling said drive gear means to said shaft means for driving said shaft means and wheels;
electrical energy supply means mounted at the bottom of said housing and coupled to said motor means;
and
electrical control means mounted on said housing and connected to said energy supply means and to said motor means to actuate said motor means;
said energy supply means having a weight and position providing a low center of gravity for maintaining said housing in an upright position.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.