MXPA06005309A - Hovercraft - Google Patents

Abstract

A hovercraft (10) capable of operation on either a solid surface or a liquid surface. The hovercraft includes a hull (12) on which is mounted at least one thrust-lift fan assembly (50) for providing and for propelling the hovercraft in a forward or reverse direction or propelling the hovercraft and providing an air cushion under the hovercraft. The hovercraft also includes a steering fan assembly (80) mounted transversely to the thrust-lift fan assembly to allow the hovercraft to be steered in either lateral direction. The hovercraft is controlled by operation of the fans in the appropriate direction, and may be in the form of a wireless remote control toy.

Description

AERODESL1ZADOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a hovercraft vehicle, and particularly to a hovercraft vehicle having a novel steering mechanism. The hovercraft can be life-sized and made of such materials to transport people and objects, or it can be of miniaturized dimension and capable of being controlled remotely and useful as a toy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A hovercraft comprises a hull having a forward end and a rearward end, first and second side sides and upper and lower sides, and a central longitudinal axis between the first and second side sides; a cavity disposed within the hull and having an opening in the lower side, the cavity being surrounded by the hull in a first side portion, a second side portion, a forward end portion and a rear end portion; a lower circumferential side portion extending downwardly from the first and second side portions, the forward end portion and the rearward end portion, the lower circumferential side portion surrounding the opening of the cavity; a push-lift fan assembly that includes a push-lift fan duct having an inlet and at least one of a rear outlet located to generate a propulsive force to propel the hovercraft in a forward and an outward direction bottom in fluid communication with the cavity and a support surface under the case to raise the helmet from the surface; and a push-up fan motor driven in a thrust with a push-up fan, the push-up fan being supported for rotation within the push-up fan duct; a steering fan assembly including a steering fan motor driven in a drive manner with a steering fan supported for rotation in the assembly so as to blow air along an axis generally perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis selectively either in one of a first direction to generate a first lateral force tending to direct the hovercraft towards the first lateral side and a second direction to generate a second lateral force tending to direct the hovercraft towards the second lateral side. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a wireless remote control toy hovercraft game comprising the hovercraft as previously established in hand size and a wireless hand held remote control assembly, the wireless remote control assembly includes a wireless transmitter coupled with a power source; the hovercraft further comprises a receiver configured to receive signals transmitted from the transmitter, a power source and a set of circuits being adapted to power selectively from the power source to cause the push-up fan motor to turn on and shutting down and selectively supplying power to the steering fan assembly so that the hovercraft turns to a select side of the first and second sidewalls in response to signals from the transmitter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For purposes of illustrating the invention, embodiments that are currently preferred are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentation shown. In the drawings: Figure 1 is an upper front isometric view of the forward end / bow of an embodiment of a hovercraft in accordance with the present invention with a push-up fan duct fin in the closed position.

Figure 2 is an upper front isometric view of the hovercraft embodiment of Figure 1 in which the push-up fan duct fin is in an open position. Figure 3 is an upper rear isometric view of the rear end of the hovercraft embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a bottom rear isometric view of the hovercraft embodiment of Figure 1 showing the lift fan duct fin; by thrust in a closed position. Figure 5 is a bottom rear view of the hovercraft embodiment of Figure 1 showing the fan lift duct fin in an open position. Figure 6 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view and partial rear elevation of an embodiment of a spring-mounted wheel assembly useful in the hovercraft of the present invention. Figure 7 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view and partial side elevation of the spring-mounted wheel assembly of Figure 6; Figure 8 is an upper side isometric view of a second embodiment of a hovercraft, preferably for use as a toy, in accordance with the present invention. Figure 9 is a rear isometric view of the hovercraft of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a rear, bottom, somatic view of the hovercraft embodiment of Figure 8 in which a push-up fan duct fin is in a closed position. Figure 11 is a rear, bottom isometric view of the hovercraft embodiment of Figure 8 showing the push-up fan duct fin is in an open position. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the modality of the hovercraft embodiment of Figure 8 with a decorative housing removed, together with a wireless remote control transmitter and a charging base of a power source. Figure 13 is a block diagram representation of electrical and electromechanical components of the second embodiment of the hovercraft of Figure 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the following description certain terminology is used only for convenience and is not limiting. The words "right (a)", "left (a)", "forward", "back (a)", "back", "top" and "bottom" designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made . The terminology includes the words mentioned specifically above, derived from them, and words of similar meaning. In addition, the article "a" or "a" or the reference to a singular component includes the plural of more than one of the components, unless it is specifically and explicitly restricted to the singular or to a single component, and unless otherwise way is clarified from the context that contains the term. The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like numbers include similar elements from beginning to end in various views. Figures 1 to 5 illustrate an embodiment of a hovercraft 10 in accordance with the invention. The hovercraft 10 can be a fully functional, life-sized hovercraft capable of supporting and transporting people and objects, or it can be a miniaturized hovercraft capable of being used as a toy, which can be controlled remotely using a wireless transmitter and receiver. The primary differences between a life-sized hovercraft and a miniaturized toy hovercraft are the size, strength and nature of the materials used to make them, the size and energy of the components to drive them, and other differences will be apparent to those experts in the field. technique of life-sized hovercraft and toy hovercrafts, in view of the present disclosure. For convenience purposes, many of the descriptions of the hovercraft of the present invention will be with reference to a toy hovercraft, taking into account the differences between a life-sized hovercraft and a toy hovercraft. Referring primarily to Figures 1-5, the first embodiment of the hovercraft 10 comprises a hull 12, a push-up fan assembly 50 and a steering fan assembly 80 as its major components. As used herein, the term "hull" includes the full support structure of the hovercraft, which includes the underside, sides and inner support structure of the hovercraft. The helmet 12 is preferably made of a material that provides sufficient buoyancy to allow the hovercraft to float on a support liquid, such as water. The hull material may be of closed cellular or open cellular foam polymeric material, such as polypropylene foam or expanded polypropylene foam, for example, which may be enclosed within glass fiber or within any other synthetic polymeric material. The hull can also be made of wood or other material that floats naturally, or it can be made from hollow components of any material, which include metallic material, polymeric material, composite material or laminated materials, and can be in the form of pontoons or one or more tubes, to provide the desired buoyancy. As shown in the embodiment of Figures 1-5, the preferred hull, but does not necessarily include a float member, preferably in the form of a circumferential tube 14 made of inflatable material, such as natural or synthetic rubber, neoprene, or preferably a synthetic polymer material such as polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene or other suitable polymers, which are impenetrable to the air and which have a smooth outer surface and which are generally toroidal in shape. Such a smooth surface is desirable to help maintain an air cushion suitable for supporting the hovercraft on a surface, and preferably a solid surface. Composite or laminate materials can be used to provide these features, if desired. The circumferential tube 14 can be made of various sections in case any of them becomes perforated, with an inflation valve 16 in each section forming the circumferential tube 14. By making the inflatable float member, it will reduce the volume of the hovercraft to navigation purposes. Alternatively, a shank of the shank could be provided as an edge to preserve air pressure under the vehicle 10. It will be appreciated that all components of the hovercraft 10 are supported by and / or from the hull 12, either directly or indirectly . The hovercraft 10 includes a forward or prow end 20, a rear end 22, a first sidewall, such as a starboard side 24, a second sidewall, such as a port side 26, a top side 28, and a bottom side 30. In normal operation, before activating the push-up fan assembly 50, the hovercraft 10 is oriented with the bottom side 30 facing down, resting on a support surface, which may be a solid surface or a liquid, typically water. The hovercraft 10 includes a central longitudinal axis 32, which is best seen in Figures 1 and 2, along which the push-up fan assembly is centrally mounted on a support structure 18 which may be in the form of a platform or any other suitable supporting structure that is part of or is unitarily formed with the hull 12. A transverse axis 33 that is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis defines an axis of rotation along which the steering fan assembly 80 it is mounted on the support structure 18. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the hull 12 includes a cavity 34 open on the lower side 30, which can be formed unitarily with the support structure 18, by recessing a portion of the support structure or by forming the support structure with the cavity, as appropriate, with well-known molding or other manufacturing technique. The cavity is defined by a lower face portion 19 of the case, which includes the support structure 18, by a first side portion 36, illustrated to be on the starboard side, a second side portion 38, illustrated to be on the side port, a forward portion 40 and a rear portion 42. The cavity has an upper wall 35 and an opening in the lower side 30 of the hovercraft 10, by which the air in the cavity communicates with the lower side 30 and can forming an air cushion to support the hovercraft 10 on a surface when the push-up assembly is activated. The lower edges of the opening defining the cavity are preferably coextensive with the lower face portion 19 of the helmet, which may be the lower face of the support structure 18, especially when the support structure 18 is unitarily formed with the helmet 12. A circumferential lower side portion or rim 43 surrounds the cavity 34 and can be laterally spaced, as well as back and forth from the inner wall edges of an additional recessed cavity 34. While the mode of the hovercraft 10 shown in the Figures 4 and 5 show a circumferential bottom side portion or rim 43, the bottom surface of the circumferential tube float member 14 can be replaced as the circumferential bottom side portion. The lower circumferential side portion in the shape of the flange 43 or the lower surface of the circumferential tube float member 14 provides the bottom of the hovercraft and is the hovercraft portion which contacts the solid or liquid support surface supporting the hovercraft in operation. As such, it is preferably smooth and capable of increasing an air cushion to support the hovercraft 10. Referring to Figures 4 to 7, preferably an assembly of guide wheels 44 is supported near the rear end 22 of the hovercraft 10, preferably aligned with the central longitudinal axis 32, and preferably within the lower face rear portion of the helmet 42. One embodiment of a suitable guide wheel assembly 44 is illustrated in more detail in Figures 6 and 7. The wheel assembly guide 44 includes a guide wheel 45 mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis as represented by an axis 46 and generally perpendicular to the central axis 32. The shaft 46 is supported by an internal support structure 47 that includes a spring 48, preferably a spring of compression turns, inside a guide wheel assembly housing 49. The housing is recessed within and to the hull 12, preferably, as mentioned above, within the lower rear portion of the hull 42. The guide wheel assembly 44 is mounted in such a way that the guide wheel 45 extends below the side lower 30 of the hovercraft. The spring 48 biases the guide wheel 45 substantially vertically to a lower position within the guide wheel assembly housing 49 so that the guide wheel 45 contacts a solid surface on which the hovercraft 10 can travel. to help control the ride of the hovercraft 10 causing it to generally follow forward in a straight line when the hovercraft is operated on a smooth solid surface in the absence of steering forces that are applied to it as described below. Alternatively, a harrow can be replaced for the wheel or it can be not provided. Referring primarily to Figures 1 to 3, and secondarily to Figures 4 and 5, the hovercraft 10 includes a push-up fan assembly 50. If desired or necessary to generate appropriate thrust and lift forces, more than a push-up fan assembly 50 can be included in the hovercraft, mounted adjacent to the other and generally aligned with the central longitudinal axis 32. The components of the push-up fan assembly 50 cause the hovercraft to be propelled in a forward direction (or in the reverse direction if operated in reverse) and (if desired) to rise from a support surface and especially a solid support surface. The push-up fan assembly 50 preferably includes a push-up fan housing 52 mounted on at least one of the hull 12 and the support structure 18. The housing 52 can be made of any suitable material, such as metal, a synthetic polymeric material, composite or laminated materials, etc. A preferred material is a polymeric material of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. Within the push-up fan housing 52 is a push-up fan 54 driven by a push-up fan motor 56 which is supported by push-lift fan motor brackets 58 within the fan housing of the fan. lift by push 52 and otherwise with respect to hull 12 and to support structure 18. The push-up fan motor 56 can be any suitable motor capable of driving the push-up fan 54 or more of a connected fan to the motor by means of suitable driving elements, such as gears, chains, belts, etc., or by a direct connection of the fan 54 to the motor drive shaft. Suitable engines for a full-size hovercraft would include, for example, without limitation, a gasoline internal combustion engine, or a gas turbine, etc. -For a toy hovercraft, the engine can be a miniature internal combustion engine or, preferably, an electric motor. The push-up fan fan housing 52 forms therein a push-up fan duct 60 through which the air travels from a thrust lift fan duct inlet 62 and exits through a lower outlet of the fan. push-up fan duct 66, assuming that such an outlet is open as shown in Figures 2 and 5, and / or through a rear outlet of push-up fan duct 70. The push-up fan 54 is supported in conduit 60, in this embodiment on an engine driving shaft 56. A push-up fan duct inlet grille 64 covers the thrust lift fan duct inlet 62 to prevent foreign objects from entering inside. of the push-up fan duct 60. Preferably, a push-up fan duct outlet fin 68 is mounted to move the fan. pivotal motion between an open position and a closed position, in a first embodiment as shown in Figures 1-5 around a hinge 69 located at a rear portion of the support structure 18. Figures 1, 3 and 4 show the lower exit flap of push-up fan duct 68 in a closed position, while Figures 2 and 5 show the lower exit flap of push-up fan duct 68 in an open position, wherein the flap 68 it opens inside the push-up fan fan duct 60. Any other orientation of the lower exit fan-lift duct 68 is possible, while in its closed position, the air is routed towards the rear exit of push-up fan duct 70, and in its open position, air is routed both towards the lower outlet of push-up fan duct 66 , as well as towards the rear outlet of push-up fan duct 70. The lower exit duct of push-up fan duct 68 preferably has sealing edges that glue the edges of the lower outlet of lift fan duct via conduit 66 when in the closed position. The sealing edges may be in the form of beveled contact edges and / or may include separate sealing elements, such as rubber, neoprene or other natural or synthetic packing material. The lower exit flap of push lift fan 68 can act as a baffle to divert air to the appropriate outlet (s). Alternatively or additionally, a separate baffle can be used to divert air to the appropriate outlet (s). When a baffle with a lower exit fan flap 68 is used, it is preferred that the lower exit flap 68 is hingedly arranged adjacent a forward end of the baffle. In a life-sized hovercraft, the lower exit fin of push-up fan duct 68 can be moved from an open position to a closed position, and vice versa, by any mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic component, not shown, and can hold in the open or closed position by any fastener or retention mechanism, also not shown. Such components will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the present disclosure, and accordingly, it is believed that additional details related thereto are not necessary. For a toy hovercraft, the lower exit fan-lift duct fin 68 can be moved from an open position to a manually closed position and not need to have even a retainer or retainer as the friction around the hinge 69 and / or friction between the edges of the fin 68 and the lower outlet of the push-up fan duct 66 or the housing 52 would be sufficient to hold the flap 68 in its desired open or closed position. This could be moved by a remote control such as with electromagnets or spring loading of the fin and an electromagnetic actuator in the opposite direction. As best seen in Figures 4 and 5, the lower exit of push-up fan duct 66 is in fluid communication with the cavity 34 when the flap 68 is in the open position. This allows a component of the air traveling through the lower opening of the push-up fan duct 66 to be directed by means of the opening of the cavity 34 below the hovercraft 10 to provide a lifting force such that the hovercraft 10 it can be supported on an air damper in a well-known manner. The air cushion support is more important for the hovercraft 10 of the present invention when the hovercraft is traveling on a solid, smooth surface, than when the hovercraft is traveling in a liquid. Another component of the air traveling through the push-up fan duct 60 leaves the duct via the rear outlet of the push-up fan duct 70, preferably, the front fixed vanes 71. If desired, instead of having vanes 71 which help direct the generally straight air flow in planes parallel to the central longitudinal axis 32, a rear outlet grid can be replaced by such vanes 71. Alternatively, the rear outlet of push-up fan duct does not need to have any vanes 71 or any grid. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the push-up fan assembly 50, the housing 52, the fan 54, the motor 56 and the duct 60 are angled downward with respect to a horizontal plane at such an angle that most of the air is directed through the rear outlet of push-up fan duct 70, to provide a forward force to propel the hovercraft 10 in a forward direction (unless the fan direction is reversed, in which case the hovercraft will be propelled in a backward direction). Alternatively, but less desirably, the air can be directed through the lower outlet and under the rear portion 42 of the hull or through a rear outlet in fluid communication with the cavity 34. The hovercraft 10 also includes an assembly of steering fan 80 mounted on at least one of the hull 12 and the supporting structure 18. The steering fan assembly 80 contains components to direct the hovercraft in a direction different from a direction corresponding to the central longitudinal axis 32. The assembly of steering fan 80 is mounted on a hovercraft along the transverse axis 33 at least generally perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 32. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the steering fan assembly 80 is preferably mounted forwardly. of the push-up fan assembly 50. The steering fan assembly 80 preferably includes a steering fan housing 82, a steering fan 84 driven directly or indirectly by any suitable articulated mechanism as described above with respect to the push-up fan 54, by a steering fan motor 86. The fan housing 82 can be made independently of the same type of materials described above with respect to the push-up fan housing 52. The steering fan motor is mounted by steering fan motor brackets 87 inside the fan housing of steering 82, in the support structure 18 and / or in the helmet 12. Side grilles 88 on opposite sides of the steering fan housing 82 prevent foreign bodies from entering the steering fan housing. The steering fan motor can be of any suitable type. For a toy hovercraft it is preferred that the engine be capable of driving the steering fan in opposite directions, as desired. Driving the steering fan in opposite directions can be achieved more simply by reversing the direction of the motor. Alternatively, it can be accomplished by commutating gears or other suitable drive connections. When the hovercraft 10 is a toy, the steering fan motor 86 is preferably a reversible electric motor. Where either or both of the push-up fan motor 56 and the direction fan motor 86 are electric, a suitable power source 95 (not shown, except schematically in Figure 13), such as an electrical generator, or More preferably, a rechargeable or replaceable battery or rechargeable capacitive energy or batteries are mounted or retained in a suitable location on the hovercraft 10. Suitable electrical connectors, such as wires, would also be used in this case. Assembly and electrical connections will be well known to those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure, and therefore, it is believed that an additional explanation related thereto is not necessary. The operation of the steering fan 84 in a first direction of rotation, that is, clockwise for example, generates a first lateral force that tends to direct the hovercraft towards a lateral side, and in a second direction of rotation, that is, in a counter-clockwise direction. example, it generates a second lateral force that tends to steer the hovercraft towards the handsome lateral side. The reversible steering fan motor is one of the easiest configurations to implement as all control is through current supplied to the steering fan motor. However, the invention is intended to cover other ways of blowing air in any direction along an axis such as the axis 33 generally perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 32 of the vehicle 10. For example, the engine and steering fan can be elaborated to rotate in only one direction and the fan housing mounted to rotate 180 degrees about a vertical axis. In addition, the motor and steering fan can be fixed and rotated in a single direction and the outlet of the fan duct can be bifurcated with a flap or valve (s) or the like which can control the blown air in a controlled manner. any direction along an axis such as the axle 33. Especially, when the hovercraft 10 is traveling on a smooth solid surface, the lower thrust lift exit flap 68 is open, such that the push-lift fan 54 generates enough force to create an air cushion and lift the hovercraft over the surface, while also generating enough propulsive force to propel the hovercraft in a forward (or reverse) direction. The steering fan 84 is operated as desired to direct the hovercraft to the right or left (starboard or port side). The air cushion does not have to be very long to support the hovercraft. The guide wheel 45 preferably extends below the bottom surface so as to retain the travel line of the hovercraft in a generally straight path, different from when the steering fan is activated to steer the hovercraft. For operation in water, since the hull 12, with or without the circumferential tube float member 14, is floating, it is usually not necessary to create a lifting force. Therefore, the lower exit flap of push-up duct 68 can be closed in such a way that all the air traveling through the push-up fan duct 60 is directed back through the rear exit of push-up fan duct 70, unless the rotation of the push-up fan 54 is reversed. If the push-up fan 54 propels the hover 10 in a forward or backward direction, while the hovercraft is Over water, there will be a greater efficiency to depend on the buoyancy rather than an air cushion to support the hovercraft.

Figures 8 to 13 refer to a wireless remote control toy hovercraft 10 'in accordance with the present invention. The toy hovercraft 10 'operates in the same general manner and has the same general components as those of the toy form of the first mode the hovercraft 10, except as otherwise stated below. Since many of the components of the toy hovercraft 10 'are the same as or equivalent to the components described above with respect to the first embodiment of the hovercraft 10, prime reference numbers will be used to refer to the same components or equivalents and such components they will not be described in detail, except to explain any difference. The toy hovercraft 10 'also includes decorative housing elements 11 and 13 which cover a push-up fan assembly 50' and a steering fan assembly 80 ', respectively. The decorative housings 11 and 13 are shown to have been removed from the hover 10 'in Figure 12. The decorative housing 11 which covers the push-up fan assembly 50' includes a dummy mock fan housing 15, 17 to simulate accommodation for two fans, even if only one push-up fan 54 'is used, as best shown in Figure 11. If desired, however, multiple push-lift fans 54, driven either by a single motor or by multiple motors.

The hydrofoil 10 'includes a forward or forward end 20', a rear end 22 ', a first side side, such as a starboard side 24', a second side side, such as a port side 26 ', a side upper 28 ', and a lower side 30'. A push-up fan assembly 50 ', better observed in Figures 10 and 11, is below the decorative housing 11, while a steering fan assembly 80', better observed in Figure 12, is below the decorative housing 13. The push-up fan assembly 50 'and the steering fan assembly 80' are driven on a supporting structure 18 'which is preferably formed and unitary with the helmet 12'. It is preferred that the hull 12 'be made of a floating material, such as a molded foam material such as polypropylene foam or expanded polypropylene foam, for example. With reference to Figures 10 and 11, the lower face portion 19 'of the hull 12' has preferentially and unitarily formed therein, such as by molding, a cavity 34 'having a cavity top wall 35', and defined by a first side portion of the lower face of the hull (starboard) 36 ', a second side portion of the lower face of the hull (port) 38', a forward portion of the underside of the hull 40 'and a rear portion of the face bottom of the helmet 42 '. A circumferential lower side portion in the shape of a circumferential flange 43 'depends on and circumscribes the cavity 34'. The second embodiment of the hovercraft 10 'does not show a circumferential tube float member, which could be used, if desired, but is not necessary. In the hover 10 ', the push-up fan assembly 50' includes a push-up fan housing 52 'extending within the cavity 34' as best seen in Figures 10 and 11. The assembly of push-up fan 50 'includes the push-up fan 54' driven by a push-up fan motor (not shown), which is preferably a reversible electric motor for the toy hovercraft 10 '. The push-up fan assembly 50 'includes a push-up fan duct 60' formed by the push-up fan housing 52 '. A push-up fan duct inlet 62 'is protected by a push-up fan duct inlet screen 64' better observed in Figures 8 and 12. The push-up fan duct 60 'is in fluid communication with the cavity 34 'through a lower outlet of push-up fan duct 66', which can be opened as shown in Figure 11 when a lower exit flap of push-up fan duct 68 'is opened, or can be closed, as shown in Figure 10 when the exit flap bottom of push-up fan duct 68 'is in a closed position. The lower exit flap of push-up fan duct 68 'pivots between an open position and a closed position on a hinge 69'. The outlet flap 68 'can be retained in an open position or a closed position by any fastener or retention mechanism, not shown, or by friction forces. In the second mode of the hovercraft 10 ', the lower outlet flap of the push-up fan duct 68' opens outwardly into the cavity 34 ', instead of inwardly of the push-lift fan duct 60. 'as does the lower exit flap of push-up fan duct 68 of the first mode 10. Notwithstanding the above, the functional operation of the push-up fan assembly is the same in both modes. When the lower exit flap of the push-up fan duct 68 'is in the open position as shown in FIG.

Figure 11, a component of the air passing through the conduit 60 'enters the cavity 34' and forms a damping of support air supporting the lower side 30 'of the hovercraft 10'. Another component of the air traveling through conduit 60 'exits through a rear outlet of push-up fan duct 70' (best observed in Figure 12) to propel the hovercraft 10 'in a forward direction, or in a reverse direction, if the rotation of the push-up fan 54 is reversed. On a solid, smooth surface, an assembly of guide wheels 44 'operates in the same manner as the guide wheel assembly 44 of the first mode of the hovercraft 10.

The second embodiment of the toy hovercraft 10 'is directed by a steering fan assembly 80' better observed in Figure 12. The steering fan assembly 80 'includes all the components of the steering fan assembly 80 of the first embodiment , with the steering fan housing 82 'and one of the two side grids 88' visible in Figure 12. Preferably, the steering fan motor for the toy hovercraft 10 'is a reversible electric motor for driving the blower fan. direction in opposite directions as desired. Preferably, the wireless remote control toy hovercraft 10 'is energized by an energy source 95 (not shown, except schematically in Figure 13) such as a rechargeable battery or batteries or capacitive power supply, although a battery may be provided. or batteries which are replaceable, instead of rechargeable, if desired. An external charger 90 is illustrated in Figure 12 as being connected by a power cable 92 to a charging receptacle 94 formed in the housing for the hovercraft 10 '. The charging unit also includes an on-off switch 93. An on-off switch 96 is also provided in the housing of the hovercraft 10 '. The charging receptacle 94 and the on-off switch 96 can be relocated to be accessible to or through the decorative housing 11, if desired.

A receiving unit with a set of appropriate electronic circuits well known to those skilled in the remote control product art is also included in the housing of the hovercraft 10 '. An antenna 98 receives signals from a transmitter 100 which also includes a transmit antenna 102 and a suitable electronic circuit and set which will be well known to those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure. The wireless transmitter 100 includes a first control button 104 and a second control button 106. The first control button 104 has a neutral "off" position. When the control button 104 is depressed in a first activated or "on" position, this causes the push-up fan motor to rotate in a first direction, propelling the hovercraft 10 'in a forward direction. When the button 104 is activated in a second activated or "on" position, the direction of the push-up fan motor is operated in a reverse direction, causing the hovercraft 10 'to move in a reverse direction. The second control button 106 also has a neutral "off" position. When the second control button 106 is activated in a first activated or "on" position, the steering fan motor is rotated in a first direction, causing the hovercraft to move towards a first sidewall and, in a second activated position. or "on", causes the steering fan motor to rotate in a second direction to generate a second lateral force tending to direct the hovercraft to the second sidewall. The control of the wireless remote control toy hovercraft 10 'is conventional. Figure 13 shows a block diagram schematically representing several of the electrical and electro-mechanical components used to control the hovercraft 10 '. An optional but preferred external charging unit 90 is connected via power cable 92 to a receptacle 94 for charging an energy source., such as rechargeable batteries. If replaceable batteries are used instead of rechargeable batteries, the external charger 90, the power cable 92 and the charging receptacle 94 will not be necessary. The on-off switch 96 in the "on" position supplies power to the control circuitry 110. The control circuitry 110 includes a wireless signal receiving circuit 112 for receiving a wireless signal, such as a signal from radiofrequency, sent by the transmitter 100 through the transmit antenna 102 and received by the receiving antenna 98 to activate the receiver circuit 12. A set of driver circuits 114 directs appropriate signals to the lift fan motor control circuit by thrust 116 which controls the thrust fan motor 56 '. The controller circuitry 114 also directs the appropriate signals to an address fan motor control circuit 118 which controls the operation of the address fan motor 86 '. A power supply circuit 120 controls power to the control circuitry 110 and is connected to the on-off switch 96. From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention comprises a hovercraft capable of operating on either a solid or liquid surface and is additionally capable of being directed without requiring movable steering rudders, air blades or blinds. The hovercraft is easy to control for movement in all directions and, in a miniaturized mode, it is especially well suited to be used as a toy comprising less than 15 cm in length. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described, but is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (16)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A hovercraft (10), characterized in that it comprises: a helmet (12) having a forward end (20) and a rear end (22), first and second lateral sides (24, 26) and upper and lower sides (28) , 30), and a central longitudinal axis (32) between the first and the second lateral sides; a cavity (34) disposed within the hull and having an opening in the lower side, the cavity being surrounded by the hull in a first side portion (36), a second side portion (38), a forward end portion ( 40) and a rear end portion (42); a lower circumferential side portion (43) extending downward from the first and second side portions, the forward end portion and the rear end portion, the lower circumferential side portion surrounding the opening of the cavity; a push-up fan assembly (50) including a push-up fan duct (60) having an inlet (62) and at least one of a rear outlet (70) located to generate a propulsive force for propelling the hovercraft in a forward direction and a lower outlet (66) in fluid communication with the cavity and a support surface under the case to raise the hull from the surface, and a push-up fan motor (56). ) engaged in a driving manner with a push-up fan (54), the push-up fan being supported for rotation within the push-up fan duct; a steering fan assembly (80) including a steering fan motor (86) driven in a drive manner with a steering fan (84) supported for rotation in the assembly so as to blow air along an axis (33) generally perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis selectively either in one of a first direction to generate a first lateral force tending to direct the hovercraft towards the first lateral side and a second direction to generate a second lateral force tending to steer the hovercraft towards the second lateral side.

2. The hovercraft according to claim 1, further characterized in that the lower circumferential portion of the hull comprises a circumferential tube (14).

3. The hovercraft according to claim 2, further characterized in that the tube is generally toroidal and inflatable.

4. The hovercraft according to claim 1, further characterized in that it further comprises a guide wheel (45) supported for rotation about an axis (46) perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis extending below the adjacent lower side portion to the rear end.

5. - The hovercraft according to claim 1, further characterized in that the push-up fan duct further includes both of the rear outlet (70) and the lower outlet (66).

6. The hovercraft according to claim 5, further characterized in that it further comprises a baffle (68) located to deflect a portion of air flowing through the lift fan duct by pushing out the lower outlet and the other portion of the air flowing through the lift fan duct by pushing out the rear outlet.

7. The hovercraft according to claim 5, further characterized in that the lower outlet further comprises a lower outlet flap (68) movable between an open position and a closed position; whereby the operation of the push-up fan with the lower outlet flap in the open position causes the air to be "expelled through the lower outlet to generate a lifting force on the hovercraft sufficient to lift the hovercraft from a solid support surface and also causes the air to be expelled through the rear exit to generate a propulsive force on the hovercraft to propel the hovercraft in a forward direction; and whereby the operation of the push-up fan with the lower outlet flap in the closed position prevents the air from being expelled through the lower outlet and causes the air to be expelled through the rear outlet to generate a greater forward propulsion force on the hovercraft than that generated with the lower flap in the open condition.

8. The hovercraft according to claim 7, further characterized in that it further comprises a hinge (69) that engages the lower exit flap at the rear end of the hull.

9. The toy hovercraft according to claim 7, further characterized in that the lower exit flap is connected by a hinge at a location adjacent a lower rear portion of the lower outlet of the push-up fan duct.

10. The toy hovercraft according to claim 9, further characterized in that the lower exit flap has sealing edges and is rotatable from a closed position where the sealing edges adhere the edges of the lift fan air duct by thrust that surrounds the lower outlet to an open position where the lower outlet flap is rotated into a position within the air duct of the elevation fan such that air flows in both the lower outlet and the rear exit .

11. The hovercraft according to claim 1, further characterized in that the steering fan is forward of the lift fan by thrust.

12. - The hovercraft according to claim 1, further characterized in that it further comprises a support structure (18) unitarily formed with the hull and supporting the push-up fan assembly.

13. The hovercraft according to claim 1, further characterized in that the hull provides sufficient buoyancy to allow the hovercraft to float on a liquid support surface.

14. The hovercraft according to claim 4, further characterized in that the guide wheel is substantially and vertically deflected with spring in a lower position.

15. The hovercraft according to claim 1, further characterized in that the steering fan is supported for selective reversible rotation about the axis generally perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis in one of a first direction and a second direction whereby the operation of the The steering fan in the first direction of rotation generates the first lateral force which tends to direct the hovercraft towards the first lateral side and in the second direction of rotation generates the second lateral force tending to direct the hovercraft towards the second lateral side. 16.- A wireless remote control toy hovercraft game, characterized in that it comprises the hovercraft as claimed in claim 1 of the hand size and a wireless remote control assembly held by hand, the remote control assembly wireless comprises a wireless transmitter coupled with a power source; the hovercraft further comprises a receiver configured to receive signals transmitted from the transmitter, a power source and circuitry adapted to power selectively from the power source to cause the push-up fan motor to turn on and off and to selectively power the steering fan assembly to rotate the hovercraft to a selected one of the first sidewall and the second sidewall in response to signals from the transmitter.