Suction wall climbing toy with articulated body segments
OwnerJohn Sinisiinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A suction toy assembly and its method of operation. The suction toy assembly has a chassis. The chassis has a front end, a rear end, side surfaces and a base plate. A fan opening is formed through the base plate. A motorized fan is mounted to draw air through the fan opening from the surrounding area. This creates a low pressure condition under the base. A drive wheel is used to propel the assembly. A linkage element is coupled to the drive wheel. At least one extraneous element is provided that protrudes outwardly away from the chassis as a cantilever. The extraneous elements are articulated by movements of the linkage element when the drive wheel rotates, or the chassis moves. Appendages may be mounted on a flexible member to allow for the illusion of climbing.
Claims16
A suction toy assembly, comprising:
- a chassis having a front end, a rear end, side surfaces and a base plate, wherein a fan opening is formed in said base plate;
- a curtain extending from said base plate and defining a periphery of an area;
- a motorized fan mounted proximate said fan opening to draw air from all directions into said fan opening from said area, therein creating a low pressure condition within said area;
- a first drive wheel rotated by a first drive motor, wherein a pin extends outwardly from said first drive wheel in an eccentric position;
- a guide that extends outwardly from one of said side surfaces of said chassis;
- a linkage element having a first end coupled to said pin on said first drive wheel, wherein said linkage element extends through said guide and is moved through a predetermined range of motion by said pin when said first drive wheel rotates;
- and
- at least one extraneous element that protrudes outwardly away from said chassis that is articulated by said linkage element when said first drive wheel rotates and said linkage element moves through said predetermined range of motion.
A toy hand assembly with articulating fingers that moves along a flat surface, said assembly comprising;
- a body having an exterior shaped as a human hand;
- a fan supported within said body for creating a low pressure area under said body;
- a first drive wheel for propelling said body along the flat surface, wherein said first drive wheel is powered by a drive motor;
- a plurality of fingers extending outwardly away from said body;
- and
- an articulation mechanism powered by said drive motor that causes movements in said plurality of fingers as said drive motor turns said first drive wheel.
A method of articulating an appendage on a wall crawling suction toy, comprising the steps of:
- providing a body;
- providing a fan within said body for creating a low pressure area between said body an a vertical surface sufficient to prevent said body from falling away from said vertical surface;
- providing a drive wheel having a pin extending outwardly from said first drive wheel in an eccentric position;
- providing a drive motor within said body that turns said drive wheel, therein propelling said body along said vertical surface;
- attaching a linkage element to said pin on said drive wheel, wherein said linkage element is moved by said drive wheel through a predetermined range of motion;
- attaching said appendage to said body with a pivot joint;
- moving said appendage with said linkage element, therein causing said appendage to rotate about said pivot joint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.