Remote controlled device with self aligning magnetically biased accessory

Abstract

Disclosed is a self-aligning magnetic stationary accessory for use atop a spherical RC controlled self-propelled device. A novel device is employed includes a toy robot having first and second pairs of magnets aligned respectively with opposite polarities disposed in the stationary accessory. The spherical body with its stationary accessory allow the user to simply and precisely navigate the spherical body in a particular orientation for optimal RC controlled manipulation of the robot by a user.

Claims

1. A floating action coupling method for a support member within a spherical body without a spring therefor, the method comprising: providing the spherical body with an interior surface that encloses a drive mechanism and the support member; disposing a first magnetically interactive element within an accessory, the support member holding a second magnetically interactive element; configuring the accessory for being on the outside of the spherical body with attractive forces between the first and the second magnetically interactive elements maintaining the accessory on the spherical body relative to the support member; providing the drive mechanism with a motor in communication with a plurality of wheels which ride along the interior surface of the body; and adjusting the support member position relative to the interior surface of the spherical body with the support member coupled to the drive mechanism such that the attractive forces between the first and the second magnetically interactive elements cause the support member to float.

2. The floating action coupling method of claim 1, wherein the support member within the spherical body adjusts in the interior surface of the spherical body as the support member moves within the spherical body with the drive mechanism moving along the interior surface of the body.

3. The floating action coupling method of claim 2, providing at least one post on the drive mechanism coupling with the support member within the spherical body with the at least one post on the drive mechanism coupling to adjust in the interior surface of the spherical body as the support member moves within the spherical body with the drive mechanism moving along the interior surface of the body.

4. The floating action coupling method of claim 3, wherein the at least one post on the drive mechanism coupling with the support member comprises a pivot post and a fixed post for pivoting the support member relative to the drive mechanism.

5. The floating action coupling method of claim 4, defining an eccentric opening at the support member wherein the pivot post is configured to allow the support member to float.

6. The floating action coupling method of claim 1, wherein the first magnetically interactive element of the accessory aligns with attractive forces of the second magnetically interactive element.

7. A floating action coupling method for a support member within a spherical body without a spring therefor, the method comprising: providing the spherical body with an interior surface that encloses a drive mechanism and the support member; disposing a first magnetically interactive element within an accessory and disposing a second magnetically interactive element within the support member; configuring the accessory on the outside of the spherical body using attractive forces between the first and second magnetically interactive elements to maintain the accessory on the spherical body relative to the support member; providing the drive mechanism with a motor in communication with a plurality of wheels which ride along the interior surface of the body; and coupling the support member to the drive mechanism such that the attractive forces between the first and second magnetically interactive elements cause the support member to float and to permit the position of the support member relative to the interior surface to be adjusted.

8. The floating action coupling method of claim 7, wherein the support member adjusts relative to the interior surface of the spherical body as the drive mechanism moves along the interior surface of the spherical body.

9. The floating action coupling method of claim 8, providing at least one post on the drive mechanism coupling with the support member within the spherical body with the at least one post on the drive mechanism coupling to adjust in the interior surface of the spherical body as the support member moves within the spherical body with the drive mechanism moving along the interior surface of the body.

10. The floating action coupling method of claim 9, wherein the at least one post on the drive mechanism coupling with the support member comprises a pivot post and a fixed post for pivoting the support member relative to the drive mechanism.

11. The floating action coupling method of claim 10, defining an eccentric opening at the support member wherein the pivot post is configured to allow the support member to float.

12. The floating action coupling method of claim 7, wherein the first magnetically interactive element of the accessory aligns with attractive forces of the second magnetically interactive element of the support member within the spherical body and orients the accessory on the spherical body to indicate the orientation of the drive mechanism.

13. A self-propelled device with a spherical body having an interior surface that encloses a drive mechanism and a support member within the spherical body, comprising: a plurality of wheels at the drive mechanism; a motor in communication with the plurality of wheels to cause the drive mechanism to ride along the interior surface of the body; an accessory configured to be positioned on the outside of the spherical body; a first magnetically interactive element disposed within the accessory; a second magnetically interactive element disposed within the support member to maintain the accessory on the spherical body relative to the support member; and a coupling to position the support member in relation to the drive mechanism without a spring such that the attractive forces between the first and second magnetically interactive elements cause the support member to float and to permit the position of the support member relative to the interior surface to be adjusted.

14. The self-propelled device of claim 13, wherein the first magnetically interactive element comprises a first pair of magnets with the first pair magnets oriented in the accessory with a North (N) to South (S) polarity orientation opposite each other, and wherein the second magnetically interactive element comprises a second pair of magnets with the second pair magnets oriented in the support member with a North (N) to South (S) polarity orientation opposite each other.

15. The self-propelled device of claim 13, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a controller in communication with the motor for rotating the plurality of wheels independently to steer the self-propelled device.

16. The self-propelled device of claim 13, wherein the first magnetically interactive element of the accessory aligns with attractive forces of the second magnetically interactive element of the support member within the spherical body and orients the accessory on the spherical body to indicate the orientation of the drive mechanism.

17. The self-propelled device of claim 13, wherein the first magnetically interactive element of the accessory aligns with attractive forces of the second magnetically interactive element of the support member within the spherical body and maintains the accessory stationary in relation to the spherical body.

18. The self-propelled device of claim 13, wherein the coupling comprises a post on the drive mechanism.

19. The self-propelled device of claim 18, comprising an eccentric opening defined at the support member for adjusting the support member and to allow the support member to pivot relative to the post on the drive mechanism.

20. The self-propelled device of claim 13, wherein the coupling comprises at least one post on the drive mechanism coupling with the support member to adjust the support member and to allow the support member to float.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an RC controlled self-propelled device or spherical toy robot of the present invention;

(2) FIGS. 2A and 2B are views of the internal drive mechanism of the self-propelled device and an arcuate support structure;

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates a stationary accessory for use atop the spherical RC controlled device;

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an end of the arcuate support structure illustrating the surface at an end of the support structure;

(5) FIG. 5 is a side section view of the spherical body showing the arcuate support member within the self-propelled device or spherical toy robot;

(6) FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate the arcuate support member in various views coupled to the drive mechanism through a fixed post; and

(7) FIGS. 9 and 10 are sectional views of the spherical body illustrating the arcuate support member coupled to the drive mechanism through a fixed post for use with the stationary accessory for use atop the spherical RC controlled device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(8) The following description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the described embodiments set forth in the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Any and all such modifications, equivalents, and alternatives are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

(9) A self-aligning stationary accessory for use atop a spherical RC controlled self-propelled device or robot 10, as shown in FIG. 1, is generally seen to include a spherical body 12 and a stationary accessory 14 maintained in a specific orientation atop the spherical body. An RC controller 16 is used to manipulate the self-propelled device or robot driving the device back and forth along a surface. The stationary accessory maintains a particular orientation on the spherical body during use which optimizes the RC controlled manipulation of the device by a user. Accordingly the self-aligning magnetic stationary accessory for use atop a spherical RC controlled self-propelled device facilitated the toy robot spherical body with the stationary accessory allowing the user to simply and precisely navigate the spherical body

(10) FIGS. 2A and 2B show the internal drive mechanism of the self-propelled device and an arcuate support structure. The stationary accessory 14 is generally dome shaped, as seen in FIG. 3, with an internal surface and an external surface and including a curved portion of the external surface 14a which is held stationary on the spherical body 12 during use. An eye or indicator 18 is disposed on the stationary accessory 14 for receiving input from the RC controller in order to navigate the device or robot.

(11) The body of the device or robot 10 is generally spherical, as seen in FIG. 1, and quite a bit larger than the stationary accessory 14, as it contains a motor and drive mechanism as discussed in more detail below. The spherical body 12 is generally hollow and includes an internal surface upon which the drive mechanism travels. As seen in FIG. 1, the spherical body, stationary accessory and RC controller are all generally manufactured from a hard durable plastic material which is simple and inexpensive to use and can be molded into any desirable shape and include fun and interesting colors and patterns.

(12) A drive mechanism 20, as seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B, is disposed within the spherical body and includes a motor in communication with two or more wheels in the present described embodiment which ride along the interior surface of the body to propel the device or robot back and forth along a surface. The two wheel 22 of the drive mechanism 20 each with an axel that rotates independently for driving movement of the device or robot. The drive mechanism employs tank steering technology such that if a user drives both wheels forward, the device travels forward and if both wheels are driven backward, then the device travels backward, and the speed ramp up and down somewhat such that the motors change speed as well. Additionally, if one wheel is driven forward and the other wheel is driven backward, the device will spin in place.

(13) An arcuate support member 24 is further disposed within the spherical body 12, opposite the location of the drive mechanism 20. A support post 26 is secured to the drive mechanism 20 providing a support element on which to couple the arcuate support structure at a hole or eccentric opening 34 therein where the arcuate support structure is pivotally attached. A first pair of magnets 28 disposed within the stationary accessory create attractive forces with a second pair of magnets 30 disposed within the arcuate support structure, as seen in FIG. 9.

(14) The arcuate support member 24 as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, includes an arcuate surface which rides along the interior surface 13 of the spherical body and includes a raised molded plastic surface 24a to facilitate the smooth contact between the arcuate surface and the interior surface 13 of the spherical body 12. The arcuate support member 24 may alternately be provided as a yoke, or with extending arms for positioning magnets 30. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an end of the arcuate support structure illustrating a plastic surface at an end of the support structure. FIG. 5 provides a side section view of the spherical body showing the arcuate support member within the self-propelled device or spherical toy robot. As also seen in FIG. 5, Lateral support arms 25 are in communication with the drive mechanism for supporting the drive mechanism within the interior of the spherical body such that as the spherical body is driven in multiple directions, the drive mechanism is held steady within the spherical body.

(15) As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 the arcuate support member 24 pivots on the fixed post 26 at pivot post 32 in various views coupled to the drive mechanism through the fixed post 26. The rocking or somewhat floating action of the arcuate support member 24 allows for the support member to adjust to variations in the interior surface 13 of the spherical body 12 (see FIGS. 4 and 9-10) as the support member rides along the spherical body. Each of the second pair of magnets has a polarity orientation opposite the other North (N) to South (S), as shown in the Figures. The second pair of magnets attract the opposite polarities of the first pair of magnets within the stationary accessory creating attractive forces that maintain the stationary assembly to the spherical body in an aligned self-oriented position indicating the specific orientation of the internal drive mechanism. The arcuate support member 24, as seen in FIG. 8, has a little space to pivot for some play in the contact between the support member 24 and the interior surface 13 of the spherical body 12.

(16) With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 sectional views are provided to show the spherical body with the arcuate support member coupled to the drive mechanism for use with the stationary accessory atop the spherical device. The floating action of the arcuate support member 24 allows for its adjustment at 36 in the interior surface as discussed through magnetic attractive forces. The first pair of magnets 28 disposed within the stationary accessory each have a polarity orientation opposite the other magnet of the pair, as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. Likewise, each magnet of the second pair of magnets 30 has a polarity orientation opposite the other the magnetic. Additionally, the second pair of magnets attract the opposite polarities of the first pair of magnets creating attractive forces that maintain the stationary assembly to the spherical body in an aligned self-oriented position indicating the specific orientation of the internal drive mechanism during use for optimal RC controller operations of the device or robot.

(17) From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been provided features for an improved spherical robot apparatus, devices and methods with a disclosure for the method of the making the apparatus. While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. The matters set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings are offered by way of illustrations only and not as limitations. The actual scope of the invention is to be defined by the subsequent claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.