GB2115709A - Toy in form of sphere with internal drive means - Google Patents

Abstract

A toy comprises a hollow spherical housing (10), a frame (12) having a respective wheel (14, 16) at each end engaging the inner surface of the housing at diametrically opposed points, a motor (18) carried by the frame for causing rotation of one of the wheels (14), and switch means carried by the frame (12) for controlling operation of the motor (18), the centre of gravity of the frame and components carried thereby being offset from the line joining the centres of the two wheels and to one side of the mid point along the length of the frame and wheels. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to toys Field of Invention This invention relates to toys or playthings and is concerned particularly with a toy or plaything in the form of a powered sphere capable of self propulsion.

The Invention According to the present invention there is provided a toy comprising a hollow spherical housing, a frame having a respective wheel at each end engaging the inner surface of the housing at diametrically opposed points, a motor carried by the frame for causing rotation of one of the wheels, and switch means carried by the frame for controlling operation of the motor, the centre of gravity of the frame and components carried thereby being offset from the line joining the centres of the two wheels and to one side of the mid point along the length of the frame and wheels.

In use, the motor is activated to cause rotation of said one of the wheels producing rolling movement of the driven wheel over the inner surface of the housing. This produces a shift in the position of the centre of gravity of the housing, as determined by the position of the centre of gravity of the frame, causing rolling movement of the housing. On a flat surface the direction of movement will depend on the direction of rotation of the driven wheel. During such movement the mid point along the length of the frame and wheels stays stationary at the centre of the spherical housing.

The behaviour of the housing when located on an inclined surface will depend on whether the driven wheel is located so as to trail or lead the centre of gravity.

In the former, trailing case, known as the "downhill" mode, the housing will tend to travel in a downwards direction, taking the line of least resistance. In this case when the housing is prevented from further progress by an obstacle, rotation of the driven wheel causes the framework to continue to move within the housing to a point at which its centre of gravity is above the horizontal diametric line, resulting in rotation of the framework to a stable position, i.e. the framework turns upside down under the pendulum action of its offset centre of gravity to a position in which it is now pointing whence it came and is therefore driven back downwards.

If the surface slopes away to one side of its normal path the pendulum action causes a rotation about the diametric axis, pointing the driven wheel down the slope.

Where the driven wheel leads the centre of gravity, in what is known as the "uphill mode" the housing will tend to travel in an upwards direction.

In this mode the toy will climb up an inclined surface, provided the slope is not too steep. The centre of gravity of the frame is always in the lower region of the housing, so the toy is stable. If the slope increases the centre of gravity is moved forward and upward to maintain the climb. If any sloping away to one side of the normal path occurs the pendulum action again ensures the driven wheel is oriented uphill. If a toy reaches the top of a slope, which then begins to slope away the toy will initially begin to travel down the slope but the action of gravity and the forward momentum will overhaul the mechanism and the pendulum action will cause the housing to start climbing upwards again.

In order to change from "uphill" to "downhill" mode it is simply necessary to reverse the direction of the motor, causing a reversal of the direction of rotation of the driven wheel. The motor is thus preferably reversible with appropriate switch means.

The housing is conveniently of plastics material and is preferably transparent to reveal the inner workings: this will reduce the likelihood of the toy being mistaken for a conventional ball and being accidentally damaged by being kicked or thrown.

A convenient size of sphere is about 12 cm in diameter.

The framework and components carried thereby are preferably brightly coloured, possibly multi-coloured, to be attractive in appearance and may conveniently be of plastics material.

The frame and wheels are preferably under a slight compression to ensure maintenance of a firm grip between the wheels and sphere wall.

The drive wheel preferably has a rubber tyre to facilitate grip.

The other wheel can simply be an idler wheel which conveniently also has a rubber tyre.

The centre of gravity of the frame and associated components is preferably as close to the driven wheel as possible: this arrangement enhances the pendulum effect.

The motor is preferably battery driven, with the battery or batteries carried by the frame.

For simplicity of construction there is a friction drive between the motor and driven wheel, eliminating the need for gears.

The switch means control operation of the motor, switching it on and off and also causing reversal of the motor in preferred cases. The switch means may comprise a pressure switch in the surface of the housing. Alternatively a reed switch may be used. Preferably, however, the switch means is responsive to a remote control emitting suitable control signals.

One embodiment of a toy in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing.

In the Drawing Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a toy embodying the invention; and Figure 2 is a further schematic view, to a reduced scale, of the toy of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Drawing The illustrated toy comprises a spherical housing 10 approximately 12 cm in diameter, made of two interconnected hemispheres, of transparent plastics material.

A frame 12 is located within the housing, the frame carrying a driven wheel 14 at one end thereof and an idler wheel 1 6 at the other end.

The frame is located in the housing so that the wheels engage the inner surface of the housing at diametrically opposed points. The wheels have rubber tyres. The frame 1 2 is under slight compression for the reason explained above. The wheels are capable of swivelling with respect to the frame about the diametric axis of the housing, permitting a change in direction of travel of the wheels.

The frame 12 also carries an electric motor 18, powered by batteries 20, providing a friction drive for driven wheel 14.

The frame 12 also carries switch means (not shown) for receiving signals from a remote control for starting, stopping and reversing the motor 18.

The components are so arranged that the wheels are in line with the centre of gravity of the frame and associated components.

In use the toy functions as described above and can be used in many different ways. For instance a user can attempt to demonstrate his skill by negotiating an obstacle course involving up and down slopes, requiring reversal of the motor.

Alternatively two or more toys can be raced against each other over a set track.

Claims (17)

1. A toy comprising a hollow spherical housing, a frame having a respective wheel at each end engaging the inner surface of the housing at diametrically opposed points, a motor carried by the frame for causing rotation of at least one of the wheels, and switch means carried by the frame for controlling operation of the motor, the centre of gravity of the frame and components carried thereby being offset from the line joining the centres of the two wheels and to one side of the mid point along the length of the frame and wheels.

2. A toy according to Claim 1, wherein the motor is reversible with appropriate switch means.

3. A toy according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing is of plastics material.

4. A toy according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the housing transparent.

5. A toy according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the housing is about 1 2 cm in diameter.

6. A toy according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the framework and components carried thereby are of plastics material.

7. A toy according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the frame and wheels are under a slight compression to ensure maintenance of a firm grip between the wheels and sphere wall.

8. A toy according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the drive wheel has a rubber tyre.

9. A toy according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the other wheel is an idler wheel.

10. A toy according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the other wheel has a rubber tyre.

11. A toy according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the centre of gravity of the frame and associated components is as close to the driven wheel as possible.

12. A toy according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the motor is battery driven, with the battery or batteries carried by the frame.

13. A toy according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein there is a friction drive between the motor and driven wheel.

14. A toy according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the switch means comprises a pressure switch in the surface of the housing.

1 5. A toy according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein the switch means comprises a reed switch.

16. A toy according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein the switch means is responsive to a remote control device adapted to emit suitable control signals.

17. A toy substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.