US20120258645A1

US20120258645A1 - Shooting device for RC helicopter

Info

Publication number: US20120258645A1
Application number: US13/066,333
Authority: US
Inventors: Randy Cheng
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-04-11
Filing date: 2011-04-11
Publication date: 2012-10-11

Abstract

A remote actuation device for a toy helicopter remotely controlled by a remote controller includes a motorized unit and an actuation unit. The motorized unit is powered by a power source of the toy helicopter. The actuation unit, which is arranged to couple with the toy helicopter, is operatively linked to the motorized unit for generating multiple actions, wherein the motorized unit is controlled by the remote controller for enabling the remote controller operating the actuating unit to select the multiple actions. Therefore, the operator of the toy helicopter is able to control the remote controller to select the action of the actuation unit to be operated.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a remote control toy, and more particular to a remote actuation device, such as a shooting device, for a remote control (RC) helicopter which can remotely actuate multiple actions by one motorized unit.
2. Description of Related Arts
A remote control toy, such as a toy helicopter, generally comprises a vehicle to body being remotely controlled by a controller. For example, the toy helicopter normally comprises a driven rotor being remotely activated by the controller for driving a rotor shaft to move in a rotational manner, and a propeller blade arrangement coaxially coupling with the rotor shaft for being driven to generate a rotational movement, in such a manner that the propeller blade generates an opposite trust force to upwardly lift up the toy helicopter. The propeller blade arrangement may also be arranged to be controlled by the controller and driven to adjust the steering direction of the toy helicopter. Therefore, the toy helicopter is able to take off and land in a vertical manner via the propeller blade to increase the mobility and flexibility of the toy helicopter. In other words, the toy helicopter has become extremely popular and practical especially when the place for performing the fly of toy helicopter is limited.
The toy helicopter is not only popular in entertainment, but also in sports. In order to provide the common consumers the fun of controlling toy helicopter and experiencing steering the helicopter, many remotely controlling helicopter toys for being remotely controlled via the remote controller have been greatly manufactured. Accordingly, the remote controller can only control the speed of toy helicopter and the steering direction thereof.
An enhanced toy helicopter further comprises a shooting device coupled thereat, wherein the shooting device generally comprises a solenoid activated by the remote controller and a loading unit being actuated the solenoid, in such a manner that when a toy missile is held by the locker, the operator of the toy helicopter is able to remotely activate the solenoid for releasing the loading unit so as to shoot the toy missile. In other words, operator of the toy helicopter remotely controls not only the movement of the toy helicopter but also the actuation of the shooting device.
However, the solenoid-loaded shooting device of the toy helicopter has several drawbacks. The solenoid is not a reliable device. It is known that solenoid is made of a number of circular wire loops to generate a magnetic force when an electric current is passed through the wire loops. Since the toy helicopter requires a relatively intense training or learning process, an inexperienced operator may have a hard time to controllably steer the toy helicopter toward the desired directions. Therefore, the toy helicopter may be lost its control in the air to accidentally drop the toy helicopter at the wet area. The solenoid may come in contact with water such that the solenoid may accumulate rusting particles from the water, which may remain on the solenoid. It is one of the common problems to cause a failure of operation of the shooting device.
The configuration of the solenoid-loaded shooting device is complicated, wherein once the solenoid is broken, the entire shooting device must be replaced. Due to the complicated structure of the solenoid-loaded shooting device, a skilled technician is required to replace the solenoid-loaded shooting device, which may further increase the maintenance cost of the toy helicopter.
The solenoid can control one loading unit to provide one single action. In other only one toy missile can be loaded at the loading unit. Therefore, after shooting the toy missile, the operator must land the toy helicopter and re-load the missile back to the loading unit in order to provide a second shot. Accordingly, two solenoids and two loading units are required for loading two missiles. Therefore, the overall weight of the toy helicopter will be substantially increased by the number of solenoids.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The invention is advantageous in that it provides a remote actuation device, such as a shooting device, for a remote control (RC) toy helicopter which can remotely actuate multiple actions by one motorized unit.
Another advantage of the invention is to provide a remote actuation device for a RC toy helicopter, wherein two or more toy missiles are loaded at one remote actuation device and are controllably actuated through the motorized unit.
Another advantage of the invention is to provide a remote actuation device for a RC toy helicopter, which is reliable and can be easily installed and maintained comparing with the conventional solenoid-loaded device.
Another advantage of the invention is to provide a remote actuation device for a RC toy helicopter, which does not require to alter the original structure of the RC toy helicopter to incorporate with the remote actuation device so as to minimize the manufacturing cost of the toy helicopter with the remote actuation device.
Another advantage of the invention is to provide a remote actuation device for a RC toy helicopter, wherein the motorized unit is an electric motor to minimize the damage of the electric motor by any external force and to enhance the performance and reliability of the remote actuation device.
Another advantage of the invention is to provide a remote actuation device for a RC toy helicopter, which provides an economic and efficient solution for incorporating with the existing toy helicopter in a simple and economically way.
Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, and may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appended claims.
According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained by a remote actuation device for a toy helicopter remotely controlled by a remote controller, comprising a motorized unit and an actuation unit.
The motorized unit is powered by a power source of the toy helicopter.
The actuation unit, which is arranged to couple with the toy helicopter, is operatively linked to the motorized unit for generating multiple actions, wherein the motorized unit is controlled by the remote controller for enabling the remote controller operating the actuating unit to select the multiple actions.
Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a RC helicopter according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the toy helicopter incorporating with the remote actuation device.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the remote actuation device of the RC helicopter according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the toy missiles being loaded at the missile loaders respectively.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the remote actuation device of the RC helicopter according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating one of the toy missiles being released from the missile loader.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a RC helicopter according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the RC helicopter comprises a toy helicopter 10 remotely controlled by a remote controller 20.
The toy helicopter 10 generally comprises a power source 11, a propeller blade 12 powered by the power source 11 to create a rotational motion for providing an upward lifting force to lift up the toy helicopter 10 so as to keep the toy helicopter in the air.
The remote controller 20 is wirelessly connected to the toy helicopter 10 to selectively adjust the rotational speed of the propeller blade 12 and to steer the toy helicopter 10 so as to control the flying height and speed of the toy helicopter 10.
The RC helicopter further comprises a remote actuation device coupled with the toy helicopter 10 and remotely controlled by the remote controller 20. Preferably, the toy helicopter 10 has a receiving cavity 101 provided at the bottom side thereof to receive the remote actuation device.
The remote actuation device comprises a motorized unit 30 being powered by the power source 11 of the toy helicopter 10 and an actuation unit 40 operatively linked to the motorized unit 30 for generating multiple actions, wherein the motorized unit 30 is controlled by the remote controller 20 for enabling the remote controller 20 operating the actuating unit 40 to select the multiple actions.
According to the preferred embodiment, the motorized unit 30 comprises an electric motor 31, preferably a DC electric motor, being powered by the power source 11 and an output shaft 32 being driven by the electric motor for generating a reversibly rotational power to operate the actuating unit 40 so as to select the multiple actions.
The electric motor 31 controllably generates a forward rotational power to drive the output shaft 32 at one direction and a reverse rotational power to drive the output shaft 32 at an opposite direction. Accordingly, the direction of the rotation power generated by the electric motor 31 is controlled by the remote controller 20. In other words, when a forward current is applied to the electric motor 31, the electric motor 31 will controllably generate the forward rotational power to drive the output shaft 32 at one direction. When a reverse current is applied to the electric motor 31, the electric motor 31 will controllably generate the reverse rotational power to drive the output shaft 32 at the opposite direction.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the actuation unit 40 is embodied to have a shooting device coupled at the bottom side of the toy helicopter 10 to generate multiple shooting actions. Preferably, the actuation unit 40 is received at the receiving cavity 101 of the toy helicopter 10. In particular, the shooting device comprises a housing 41 received the motorized unit 30 thereat, two or more spaced apart missile loaders 42 releasably loading two or more toy missiles 43 respectively, and an actuation arm 44 driven to move by the motorized unit 30 to controllably release the toy missiles 43 at the missile loaders 42. Preferably, the two toy missiles 43 are embodied as a right toy missile and a left toy missile.
The actuation unit 40 further comprises a supporting platform 45 coupled at the bottom side of the toy helicopter 10 to support the housing 41 on the supporting platform 45, wherein the housing 41 has a tubular structure to receive the motorized unit 30. Therefore, the electrical connection between the motorized unit 30 and the power source 11 of the toy helicopter 10 will be secured when the supporting platform 45 is coupled thereat.
The missile loaders 42 are also supported at two sides of the supporting platform 45 to retain the missile loaders 42 in position. Each of the missile loaders 42 comprises a spring-loaded tubular missile housing 421 to receive the respective toy missile thereat, wherein when the toy missile 43 is loaded at the missile housing 421, a compression spring therein is pressed to be compressed to store the compression force. Each of the missile loaders 42 further comprises a locking arm 422 which locks the toy missile 43 at the missile housing 421 and is arranged in such a manner that when the actuation arm 44 is moved to actuate the locking arm 422, the toy missile 43 is unlocked and is shot from the missile housing 421 via the compression force of the compression spring.
As shown in FIG. 2, each of the missile housing 421 has a side opening slot, wherein the respective locking arm 422 is pivotally coupled at the missile housing 421 through the side opening slot thereof. Each of the locking arms 422 has a front end portion, a rear end portion pivotally engaged with the missile housing 421, and a locking tip formed between the front and rear end portions of the locking arm 422.
The toy missile 43 has a tail portion 431 adapted to slidably receive at the missile housing 421 and to compress the compression spring therein and a locking portion 432 being locked by the locking tip of the locking arm 422. Accordingly, when the front end portion of the locking arm 422 is pushed sidewardly and outwardly, the locking arm 422 is pivotally moved to disengage the locking tip of the locking arm 422 with the locking portion 432 of the toy missile 43. Therefore, the compression spring will restore its original form to slidably push the toy missile 43 out of the missile housing 421 so as to shoot the toy missile 43 out of the toy helicopter 10.
According to the preferred embodiment, each of the toy missiles 43 has a circular missile body defining the front end portion and the tail portion 431 respectively and two side engaging wings opposedly and outwardly extended from the circumferential side of the missile body, wherein the locking portion is formed at each of the side engaging wings to releasably engage with the locking tip of the locking arm 422. Accordingly, the missile housing 421 has an elongated guiding slot for slidably engaging with the toy missile 43 that the cross section of the guiding slot is configured corresponding to the cross section of the toy missile 43.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the actuation arm 44 is transversely moved at the supporting platform 45, wherein the actuation arm 44 has two actuating ends engaging with the front end portions of the locking arms 422 of the missile loaders 42 respectively in such a manner that when the actuation arm 42 is transversely moved at a first direction, one of the locking arms 422 is actuated to unlock the respective toy missile 43, and when the actuation arm 42 is transversely moved at an opposed second direction, another locking arms 422 is actuated to unlock the respective toy missile 43.
The actuation unit 43 further comprises a transmission gear unit 46 coupled between the output shaft 32 and the actuation arm 44 to transmit said reversibly rotation power of the output shaft 32 to a transverse movement of the actuation arm 44. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the transmission gear unit 46 comprises a first gear 461 coaxially coupled with the output shaft 32 and a second gear 462 coupled at a mid-portion of the actuation arm 44, wherein the first gear 461 is geared with the second gear 462 such that when the output shaft 32 is rotated, the actuation arm 44 is driven to slide transversely on the supporting platform 45 via the rotational movements of the first and second gears 461, 462. It is worth mentioning that the size of the first gear 461 is smaller than the size of the second gear 462 to enhance the transverse traveling distance of the actuation arm 44.
In other words, when the output shaft 32 is rotated at one direction, the actuation arm 44 is transversely moved at the first direction to actuate one of the locking arms 422 so as to unlock the respective toy missile 43, as shown in FIG. 3. When the output shaft 32 is rotated at an opposite direction, the actuation arm 44 is transversely moved at the second direction to actuate another locking arm 422 so as to unlock the respective toy missile 43.
According to the preferred embodiment, the remote controller 20 comprises a controlling unit 21 to selectively adjust the rotational speed of the propeller blade 12 and to steer the toy helicopter 10 so as to control the flying height and speed of the toy helicopter 10. The remote controller 20 further comprises at least an actuation button 22 to remotely control the activation of the motorized unit 30.
Accordingly, a control circuit 102 is supported in the toy helicopter 10 to remotely connect with the remote controller 20. The actuation button 22 is actuated to remotely control the operation of the remote actuation device through the activation of the control circuit 102. Preferably, two actuation buttons 22, i.e. left and right actuation buttons, are provided to control the shooting actions of the toy missiles 43 respectively. In other words, when the left actuation button 22 is actuated, such as depression of the button, the remote controller 20 will send an actuation signal to the control circuit 102 of the toy helicopter 10 to activate the electric motor 31 for generating the forward rotational power. Therefore, the output shaft 32 is rotated at the corresponding direction to transversely move the actuation arm 44 at the first direction so as to actuate the left locking arms 422 for shooting the left toy missile 43. Likewise, when the right actuation button 22 is actuated, the remote controller 20 will send an actuation signal to the control circuit 102 of the toy helicopter 10 to activate the electric motor 31 for generating the reverse rotational power. Therefore, the output shaft 32 is rotated at the opposite direction to transversely move the actuation arm 44 at the second direction so as to actuate the right locking arms 422 for shooting the right toy missile 43. In other words, the operator of the RC helicopter is able to select the actions, i.e. the shooting actions, via the remote controller 20.
It is appreciated that only one actuation button 22 is provided at the remote controller 20, wherein the control circuit 102 is set to configure that when the actuation button 22 is actuated, the electric motor 31 is firstly activated for generating the forward rotational power to drive the output shaft 32 to rotate at the corresponding direction, such that the actuation arm 44 will be firstly transversely moved at the first direction to actuate the left locking arms 422 for shooting the left toy missile 43. When the actuation button 22 is actuated again, the electric motor 31 is then activated for generating the reverse rotational power to drive the output shaft 32 to rotate at the opposite direction, such that the actuation arm 44 will be transversely moved at the second direction to actuate the right locking arms 422 for shooting the right toy missile 43. In other words, the operator of the RC helicopter is able to select the actions by the sequent actuations of the actuation button 22.
In addition, the control circuit 102 is set to configure that when the actuation button 22 is actuated, the electric motor 31 is activated for generating the forward rotational power and the reverse rotational power in a sequent manner to drive the output shaft 32 to rotate at the sequent first and second directions. Therefore, the actuation arm 44 will be transversely moved at the first and second directions to actuate the left and right locking arms 422 for shooting the left and right toy missiles 43 in a sequent manner. In other words, the actuation button 22 is actuated to generate two actions in a sequent manner.
It is appreciated that the toy helicopter 10 of the preferred embodiment is illustrated as the best mode for incorporating with the remote actuation device. The remote actuation device of the present invention can be incorporated with other RC flying device such as RC planes. Since the toy helicopter 10 can be stably steered in the air, the operator is able to easily operate the remote actuation device to shoot the toy missile 43 at the target. In addition, the toy missiles 43 can be embodied as the bombs, wherein the bombs are releasably loaded at the loaders, i.e. the missile loaders 42 for toy missiles 43, and are released by the actuation of the actuation arm 44 for selectively dropping the bombs from the RC flying device.
One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.
It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A remote actuation device for a toy helicopter remotely controlled by a remote controller, comprising:

a motorized unit arranged for being powered by a power source of said toy helicopter; and

an actuation unit, which is arranged for coupled with said toy helicopter, operatively linked to said motorized unit for generating multiple actions, wherein said motorized unit is controlled by said remote controller for enabling said remote controller operating said actuating unit to select said multiple actions.

2. The remote actuation device, as recited in claim 1, wherein said actuation unit comprises a shooting device coupled at a bottom side of said toy helicopter to generate multiple shooting actions.

3. The remote actuation device, as recited in claim 2, wherein said shooting device comprises a housing received said motorized unit thereat, two or more spaced apart missile loaders releasably loading two or more toy missiles respectively, and an actuation arm driven to move by said motorized unit to controllably release said toy missiles at said missile loaders.

4. The remote actuation device, as recited in claim 3, wherein each of said missile loaders comprises a spring-loaded tubular missile housing to receive said respective toy missile thereat and a locking arm which locks said toy missile at said missile housing and is arranged in such a manner that when said actuation arm is moved to actuate said locking arm, said toy missile is unlocked and is shot from said missile housing.

5. The remote actuation device, as recited in claim 4, wherein said actuation arm has two actuating ends engaging with said locking arms of said missile loaders respectively in such a manner that when said actuation arm is transversely moved at a first direction, one of said locking arms is actuated to unlock said respective toy missile, and when said actuation arm is transversely moved at an opposed second direction, another said locking arms is actuated to unlock said respective toy missile.

6. The remote actuation device, as recited in claim 1, wherein said motorized unit comprises an electric motor being powered by said power source and an output shaft being driven by said electric motor for generating a reversibly rotational power to operate said actuating unit so as to select said multiple actions.

7. The remote actuation device, as recited in claim 5, wherein said motorized unit comprises an electric motor being powered by said power source and an output shaft being driven by said electric motor for generating a reversibly rotational power to operate said actuating unit so as to select said multiple actions.

8. The remote actuation device, as recited in claim 7, wherein when said output shaft is rotated at one direction, said actuation arm is transversely moved at said first direction to actuate one of said locking arms so as to unlock said respective toy missile, and when said output shaft is rotated at an opposite direction, said actuation arm is transversely moved at said second direction to actuate another said locking arm so as to unlock said respective toy missile.

9. The remote actuation device, as recited in claim 7, wherein said actuation unit further comprises a transmission gear unit coupled between said output shaft and said actuation arm to transmit said reversibly rotation power of said output shaft to a transverse movement of said actuation arm.

10. The remote actuation device, as recited in claim 8, wherein said actuation unit further comprises a transmission gear unit coupled between said output shaft and said actuation arm to transmit said reversibly rotation power of said output shaft to a transverse movement of said actuation arm.

11. A RC helicopter, comprising:

a toy helicopter comprising a power source;

a remote controller remotely controlling said toy helicopter; and

a remote actuation device, which is coupled with said toy helicopter, comprising:

a motorized unit being powered by said power source of said toy helicopter; and

an actuation unit operatively linked to said motorized unit for generating multiple actions, wherein said motorized unit is controlled by said remote controller for enabling said remote controller operating said actuating unit to select said multiple actions.

12. The RC helicopter, as recited in claim 11, wherein said actuation unit comprises a shooting device coupled at a bottom side of said toy helicopter to generate multiple shooting actions.

13. The RC helicopter, as recited in claim 12, wherein said shooting device comprises a housing received said motorized unit thereat, two or more spaced apart missile loaders releasably loading two or more toy missiles respectively, and an actuation arm driven to move by said motorized unit to controllably release said toy missiles at said missile loaders.

14. The RC helicopter, as recited in claim 13, wherein each of said missile loaders comprises a spring-loaded tubular missile housing to receive said respective toy missile thereat and a locking arm which locks said toy missile at said missile housing and is arranged in such a manner that when said actuation arm is moved to actuate said locking arm, said toy missile is unlocked and is shot from said missile housing.

15. The RC helicopter, as recited in claim 14, wherein said actuation arm has two actuating ends engaging with said locking arms of said missile loaders respectively in such a manner that when said actuation arm is transversely moved at a first direction, one of said locking arms is actuated to unlock said respective toy missile, and when said actuation arm is transversely moved at an opposed second direction, another said locking arms is actuated to unlock said respective toy missile.

16. The RC helicopter, as recited in claim 11, wherein said motorized unit comprises an electric motor being powered by said power source and an output shaft being driven by said electric motor for generating a reversibly rotational power to operate said actuating unit so as to select said multiple actions.

17. The RC helicopter, as recited in claim 15, wherein said motorized unit comprises an electric motor being powered by said power source and an output shaft being driven by said electric motor for generating a reversibly rotational power to operate said actuating unit so as to select said multiple actions.

18. The RC helicopter, as recited in claim 17, wherein when said output shaft is rotated at one direction, said actuation arm is transversely moved at said first direction to actuate one of said locking arms so as to unlock said respective toy missile, and when said output shaft is rotated at an opposite direction, said actuation arm is transversely moved at said second direction to actuate another said locking arms so as to unlock said respective toy missile.

19. The RC helicopter, as recited in claim 17, wherein said actuation unit further comprises a transmission gear unit coupled between said output shaft and said actuation arm to transmit said reversibly rotation power of said output shaft to a transverse movement of said actuation arm.

20. The RC helicopter, as recited in claim 18, wherein said actuation unit further comprises a transmission gear unit coupled between said output shaft and said actuation arm to transmit said reversibly rotation power of said output shaft to a transverse movement of said actuation arm.