System for automatically tracking a moving toy vehicle

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of toys; more specifically, the present invention is directed to a tracking system that is adapted to track the motion of and fire toy projectiles at a remotely controlled toy vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Remotely controlled toys are popular among children and can take a wide variety of forms. Toys that can be remotely moved about a play area are well known in the prior art and include toy cars, trucks, tanks, trains and helicopters, among other types of toy vehicles.

Moreover, toys are often equipped to fire a projectile in order to simulate warfare and increase the enjoyment of playing with the toy. Toys equipped in such a manner typically require the user to actively position and fire the projectile in the direction of an intended target.

However, there has been a distinct lack of a toy projectile launcher that is adapted to automatically track a remotely controlled vehicle and, once the location of the target vehicle is positively established, fire a projectile at the vehicle with the goal of disabling it.

Accordingly, there is a need for a toy that can track and fire a projectile at a moving target.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system for automatically tracking the motion of and firing a toy projectile at a moving target.

One aspect of the present invention provides a toy motion tracking kit, the kit including a movable toy which emits a signal pulse, and a movable tracking system separate from the movable toy. The movable tracking system includes at least one pair of signal receivers, each of which includes a first directional receiver and a second directional receiver. Each pair of signal receivers defines a first direction pointing from the second directional receiver to the first directional receiver and a second direction pointing from the first directional receiver to the second directional receiver. The movable tracking system also includes a microprocessor programmed to direct the motion of the movable tracking system. For each pair of signal receivers, the signal pulse is adapted to activate the first directional receiver for a first length of time and to activate the second directional receiver for a second length of time, and the microprocessor is adapted to record the first length of time and the second length of time. When the first length of time is greater than the second length of time by an amount greater than a predetermined amount, the microprocessor is programmed to direct the movable tracking system to move in the first direction. When the first length of time is less than the second length of time by an amount greater than the predetermined amount, the microprocessor is programmed to direct the movable tracking system to move in the second direction. When the first length of time is about equal to the second length of time, the microprocessor is programmed to direct the movable tracking system to be motionless in the first direction and in the second direction.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a movable tracking system for tracking the motion of a movable toy as described herein.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a movable toy adapted to emit a signal pulse as described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail and will be better understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a graphical representation of an infrared signal being received by infrared receivers in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present tracking system;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of an analog infrared emitter circuit in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present tracking system;

FIG. 3 is an assembled front perspective view of one embodiment of the present tracking system;

FIG. 4A is a partially disassembled front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4B is a partially disassembled rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rotation mechanism and a pivot mechanism in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6A is a front perspective view of a piston system in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6B is a rear perspective view of the piston system of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a partially disassembled front view of the piston system of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6D is a partially disassembled perspective view of the piston system of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a valve seat in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8A is a front, partially disassembled perspective view of a projectile system in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8B is a front perspective view of the projectile system of FIG. 8A including a pawl yoke;

FIG. 8C is a rear, partially disassembled perspective view of the projectile system of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8D is a rear perspective view of the projectile system of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a support plate in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10A is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a projectile system in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10B is a rear perspective view of the projectile system of FIG. 10A; and

FIG. 10C is a partial enlarged view of the projectile system of FIG. 10A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a tracking system that is adapted to track an infrared signal emitted by a toy vehicle, thereby tracking the motion of and locating the toy vehicle. In at least one embodiment, the tracking system is adapted to fire a projectile at the toy vehicle, once the toy vehicle has been tracked and located.

The toy vehicle can take a wide variety of forms including but not limited to a helicopter, airplane, jeep, car, tank and truck among other forms that will be readily appreciated. The toy vehicle is provided with an infrared emitter for emitting an infrared signal. In at least one embodiment the infrared signal is emitted at a modulation frequency of 38 kHz. The infrared signal includes a digital infrared pulse followed by a period of analog decay. The analog decay feature of the infrared signal emitted can result in more accurate and precise tracking of the signal by the tracking system. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that when the signal includes the added analog decay, the angle at which the signal impinges the various infrared receivers can be more accurately taken into account. Accordingly, including this analog decay function in the infrared signal emitted by the toy vehicle can result in better tracking performance by the tracking system.

In at least one embodiment, the present tracking system can take the form of a toy turret including a lower base that supports an upper projectile launch mechanism. The turret is provided with a rotation mechanism adapted to rotate the launch mechanism about a vertical axis relative to the base, which remains stationary and supports the launch mechanism on a flat surface. Further, a pivot mechanism is provided to pivot the launch mechanism about a horizontal axis orthogonal to the vertical axis. The pivot mechanism and the rotation mechanism are controlled by way of motors that are actuated in response to the change in location of the infrared emitter. In this way, the turret is configured such that it can be automatically rotated about the vertical axis and pivoted about the horizontal axis so as to track the source of the infrared signal (i.e.: the toy vehicle).

The present tracking system includes a signal processing system for receiving and processing the infrared signal emitted by the toy vehicle. In at least one embodiment, the signal processing system includes a plurality of infrared receivers that are adapted to receive the infrared signal emitted by the toy vehicle. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of infrared receivers includes one or more pairs of infrared receivers, each pair including a first directional receiver and a second directional receiver. Each pair of receivers defines a first direction pointing from the second directional receiver to the first directional receiver and a second direction pointing from the first directional receiver to the second directional receiver. Furthermore, each receiver defines a line of sight normal to the receiver, such that the first receiver in each pair defines a first line of sight and the second receiver in the pair defines a second line of sight. In at least one embodiment, for each pair of receivers, the dihedral angle between the first line of sight and the second line of sight is about 0 degrees, such that the first line of sight and the second line of sight define a plane of alignment. In at least one embodiment, the first and second infrared receivers in each pair are oriented such that the first line of sight is oriented at an angle of from about 60 to about 120 degrees to the second line of sight within the plane of alignment. In at least one embodiment, the first and second infrared receivers in each pair are oriented such that the first line of sight is oriented at an angle of about 90 degrees to the second line of sight within the plane of alignment.

In at least one embodiment, the signal processing system includes four infrared receivers: a first pair of infrared receivers oriented in a first plane of alignment and a second pair of infrared receivers oriented in a second plane of alignment orthogonal to the first plane of alignment. However, it will be apparent to the skilled person that the number and placement of infrared receivers can be varied, as long as the sensors have an unobstructed line of sight towards the toy vehicle, such that an infrared signal from the toy vehicle being tracked can be received and processed as described herein.

In at least one embodiment, the signal processing system is adapted to actuate the rotation mechanism and the pivot mechanism in response to the intensity of the infrared signal received from the toy vehicle's emitter by each of the plurality of infrared receivers. The skilled person will appreciate that the intensity of the infrared signal is related to the angle of incidence of the infrared signal on the infrared receiver and the distance between the infrared receiver and the infrared emitter. Specifically, the closer to zero the angle of incidence is of the signal on the receiver, and the closer the receiver is to the emitter, the higher is the intensity of the infrared signal received by the receiver. Therefore, the intensity of the infrared signal received can be used to measure the position of the emitter relative to each receiver, and so to track the motion of the toy vehicle, as explained in further detail below.

In at least one embodiment, the intensity of the signal received by each infrared receiver can be determined by measuring the length of time the receiver is actively receiving the signal. As the initial pulse of the received infrared signal ends and the signal begins to decay, the intensity of the signal gradually decreases to a threshold level where the receiver is no longer active. The more intense the signal, the longer the period of decay required to reach the threshold level at which the receiver is no longer active. Thus, a more intense received infrared signal will activate the receiver for a longer time.

In at least one embodiment, the signal processing system includes a plurality of timers, each adapted to receive a digital signal from an infrared receiver while the receiver is actively receiving the infrared signal from the toy vehicle. The timer count is determined by the length of the digital signal sent from the receiver, which in turn corresponds to the intensity of the received infrared signal. Thus, a more intense received infrared signal will activate the receiver for a longer time, generating a longer digital signal from the infrared receiver to the timer and thus a higher timer count.

Timers are well known in the art and will be readily selected by a skilled person. For example, a microprocessor may be adapted for use as a timer, among other selections that will be readily apparent to the skilled person. In at least one embodiment, an example of suitable software code used to program a microprocessor to function as a timer is provided below:

while((((PINA & _BV(0)) == 0) || ((PINA & _BV(1)) == 0)) &&

(TCNT1 < 1000)) //wait maximum ~8ms

{

if((PINA & _BV(0)) == 0)

{right_var++;}

if((PINA & _BV(1)) == 0)

{left_var++;}

}

where BV is bit value; and TCNT is a register in the microprocessor used as a timer.

This software code instructs the microprocessor to record the times that a first infrared receiver, connected to pinAO, and a second infrared receiver, connected to pinA1, are active, and to output corresponding timer counts. The skilled person will understand that the timer count will depend not only on the length of time the receiver is active but also on the clock frequency of the microprocessor, and that the higher the clock frequency, the greater the resolution of the output timer count will be. In this embodiment, the infrared receivers are ‘active low’ as will be understood by the skilled person. The software code can be readily adapted by the skilled artisan to apply to more than two infrared receivers.

In at least one embodiment, the microprocessor compares the intensity of the infrared signal received by each of a pair of infrared receivers by comparing the timer counts generated from each receiver as described above. When the difference between the timer count of the first receiver and the timer count of the second receiver is higher than a predetermined threshold, a microprocessor is programmed to move the tracking system in a direction toward the infrared receiver which has received the stronger infrared signal, thereby generating the higher timer count. As mentioned above, each pair of receivers defines a first direction pointing from the second directional receiver to the first directional receiver and a second direction pointing from the first directional receiver to the second directional receiver. Therefore, if the first directional receiver has received the stronger infrared signal so as to generate the higher timer count, the microprocessor will direct the tracking system to move in the first direction. Likewise, if the second directional receiver generates the higher timer count, the microprocessor will direct the tracking system to move in the second direction. For example, if the plane of alignment of the pair of infrared receivers is oriented in a horizontal plane, such that the tracking mechanism is directed to move within the horizontal plane, the signal will be sent so as to control the rotation mechanism to rotate the launch mechanism about its vertical axis. Furthermore, if the plane of alignment of the pair of infrared receivers is oriented in a vertical plane, such that the tracking mechanism is directed to move within the vertical plane, the signal will be sent so as to control the pivot mechanism to pivot the launch mechanism about its horizontal axis. When the tracking system has more than one pair of infrared receivers, it will be clear to the skilled person that signals may be sent to both rotation and pivot mechanisms so as to move the tracking system in both horizontal and vertical directions simultaneously and to quickly follow the motion of the toy vehicle emitting the infrared signal.

As will be understood by the skilled person, when the difference between the signal intensities received by the two infrared receivers in each pair of receivers falls below the predetermined threshold, the emitter on the toy vehicle will be approximately centred between the receivers. At this point the tracking system has located, or “locked” on, the toy vehicle and, in at least one embodiment, the tracking system can be directed by the microprocessor to stop its motion and to fire a projectile at the toy vehicle, as described below. It will be apparent that other responses to such a “signal lock” are possible, including but not limited to recording information about the toy vehicle's location, or sending a signal, including but not limited to an infrared signal or a radio signal, back to the toy vehicle.

In at least one embodiment, a rough gauge of the distance between the tracking device and the target can also be determined by taking the average measurement of the time counts generated by each of the infrared receivers. As will be understood by the skilled person, the larger the average time count, the closer the infrared emitter is to the infrared receivers. In this embodiment, the launch mechanism of the tracking system can be programmed to compensate for the distance of the toy vehicle by aiming the projectile at a point above the location of the emitter to account for the drop of the projectile over a longer distance, as will be understood by the skilled person.

It is also contemplated that the tracking system may include predictive targeting means, wherein the projectile is aimed at a point slightly ahead of where the toy vehicle is located. In this embodiment, software is provided that determines the vector in which the infrared emitter is travelling (i.e.: left, right, up or down) and moves the tracking system in that direction before firing the projectile. Appropriate software commands to achieve this goal will be readily prepared by the skilled person.

In at least one embodiment, the launch mechanism is adapted to fire at least one projectile. Projectiles can take a wide variety of forms including cylinders, missile or torpedo-shapes, bullet-shapes and spheres among other shapes of projectile. In at least one embodiment the projectile is made of a soft material such as foam rubber, however other materials such as plastic are also contemplated. The projectile may be launched by way of a spring or a piston system using compressed air, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Alternatively, in at least one embodiment, the tracking system can send an infrared signal or a radio signal to the toy vehicle. According to at least one such embodiment, the toy vehicle is adapted to recognize the infrared signal as a hit and to respond appropriately, such as, for example, by stopping its motion. In at least one such embodiment, the toy vehicle can be equipped with an infrared or radio frequency detector which detects the signal sent by the tracking system, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

It is envisioned that the toy vehicle can also be adapted to fire projectiles at the tracking system, so as to increase the interest in play. In at least one embodiment a piezoelectric hit detector is included on the tracking system. In standard applications, a piezoelectric speaker membrane is deformed when a voltage is applied to a piezoelectric crystal, creating a compression wave that in turn generates sound. However, the inverse is also true: deforming the speaker membrane (by way of an applied physical force) generates a voltage in the piezoelectric crystal. Therefore, a piezoelectric speaker can be mounted on the tracking system such that when the tracking system is struck by a projectile, the resulting vibrations deform the piezoelectric speaker membrane and cause the piezoelectric speaker to generate a voltage. This voltage is monitored by a microprocessor provided in the tracking system. Once this voltage passes a predetermined voltage threshold, a hit on the tracking system is registered. As will be apparent to the skilled person, the tracking system can be programmed to respond to detecting one or more hits by shutting down or by firing a projectile back at the toy vehicle, for example.

All components listed herein may be manufactured from any suitable material and by any suitable process, provided that the resulting components are durable and functional when incorporated in the present invention as will be understood by the skilled person. In at least one embodiment, components of the present invention are injection molded from a durable plastic, although other materials and processes are readily contemplated.

With reference to FIG. 1, in at least one embodiment the present toy vehicle emits an infrared signal 10 that comprises a pulse of length t₁followed by a period of decay of length t₂. For example, in at least one embodiment, t₁can be 3 ms and t₂can be 3 ms. The decay of the signal is provided by way of an analog circuit, such as analog circuit 20 illustrated in FIG. 2. In operation, when a pulse 21 of length t₁is introduced into analog circuit 20, capacitor 23 is charged. As capacitor 23 discharges, transistor 25 regulates the voltage of the circuit such that a hybrid wave 27 is created, containing the digital pulse of length t₁and the subsequent gradual decay of length t₂, arising from the discharge of capacitor 23. This hybrid signal is then emitted from infrared light emitting diode 29 on a 38 kHz carrier wave.

The conversion of the intensity of the signal received from the infrared emitter of the toy vehicle into a digital signal which can be sent to a timer is illustrated in FIG. 1. Signal 10 is received by first receiver 32 at a higher intensity than the intensity at which second receiver 34 receives the signal, as signal 10 is directly within the range of first receiver 32 yet only peripherally in the range of second receiver 34. Therefore, first receiver 32 receives the analog decay portion of the signal for a longer time than does second receiver 34. Consequently, as explained in detail above, the length of time that first receiver 32 is active (t₃) is longer than the time that second receiver 34 is active (t₄). First receiver 32 therefore sends a longer digital signal of length t₃to a microprocessor (not shown), while second receiver 34 sends a shorter digital signal of length t₄to the microprocessor. In at least one embodiment, infrared receivers 32, 34 are oriented orthogonally to each other, as seen in FIG. 1, such that the line of sight 31 normal to receiver 32 is oriented at about 90 degrees to the line of sight 33 normal to receiver 34. In this way, the intensity of the infrared signal received by the first receiver is better distinguished from the intensity of the infrared signal received by the second receiver, to provide better precision of tracking. However, other orientations are also contemplated.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B, at least one embodiment of a tracking system 30 in the form of a turret is illustrated. Tracking system 30 has four infrared receivers 32, 34, 36, 38, a base 35 and a launch mechanism 40. In at least one embodiment, launch mechanism 40 includes a piston system 100 and a projectile system 200 having a plurality of projectiles 45. Movement of launch mechanism 40 relative to base 35 can occur by means of rotation mechanism 50 and pivot mechanism 60, so as to track the motion of the toy vehicle.

Launch mechanism 40 has a lower pedestal 42 that can be rotated about its vertical axis relative to base 35 by means of rotation mechanism 50, as can be seen in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5. Rotation mechanism 50 consists of a motor 51 driving a spur gear 52 that rotatably communicates with a reduction gear train 53. Reduction gear train 53 is rotatably connected to an internal spur gear 59 that is fixedly mounted within base 35. In at least one embodiment reduction gear train 53 has a first large diameter spur gear 54 coaxially fixed to a first small diameter spur gear (not shown) that in turn rotatably communicates with a second large diameter spur gear 56. Spur gear 56 is coaxially fixed with a second small diameter spur gear 57 that in turn rotatably communicates with a third large diameter spur gear 58 which then rotatably communicates with internal spur gear 59. In this way and as will be understood by the skilled person, when motor 51 is actuated, spur gear 52 is rotated which in turn rotates reduction gear train 53. As internal spur gear 59 is fixed within base 35, lower pedestal 42, which is fixedly attached to launch mechanism 40, will rotate relative to base 35, causing launch mechanism 40 to rotate about its vertical axis.

Lower pedestal 42 of launch mechanism 40 can also be pivoted about pivot point 47 relative to base 35 by means of pivot mechanism 60, as seen in FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B and 5. Pivot mechanism 60 includes a motor 61 having a spur gear 62 that rotatably communicates with a reduction gear train 63. Reduction gear train 63 is rotatably connected to a fixed spur gear 70 that is operatively connected to launch mechanism 40.

In at least one embodiment, reduction gear train 63 has a first large diameter spur gear 64 coaxially fixed to a first small diameter spur gear 65 that in turn rotatably communicates with a second large diameter spur gear 66. Spur gear 66 is coaxially fixed with a second small diameter spur gear 67 that in turn rotatably communicates with a third large diameter spur gear 68 coaxially fixed with a third small diameter spur gear 69 that in turn rotatably communicates with fixed spur gear 70. In this way and as will be understood by the skilled person, when motor 61 is actuated, spur gear 62 is rotated which in turn rotates reduction gear train 63 so as to rotate fixed spur gear 70. Fixed spur gear 70 is operatively connected to launch mechanism 40, by any of a variety of means well known to the skilled person, so that rotation of fixed spur gear 70 actuates pivotal movement of launch mechanism 40 about pivot point 47, best seen in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 5, in at least one embodiment motors 51 and 61 are electrically powered by a series of batteries 49; however it is contemplated that motors 51 and 61 could also be powered by other means, such as AC power. Motors 51 and 61 are controlled by the microprocessor of tracking system 30, so as to actuate rotation system 50 and pivot system 60 in response to infrared signal 10, as described above.

In at least one embodiment, projectiles can be launched from the present tracking system by means of compressed air delivered by a piston system. With reference to FIGS. 6A to 6D, one embodiment of a piston system 100 is illustrated. Piston system 100 has a motor 102 driving a spur gear 104. In at least one embodiment, motor 102 is electrically powered by batteries 49. Spur gear 104 is rotatably connected to a reduction gear train 110. In at least one embodiment, the reduction gear train 110 has a first large diameter spur gear 111 coaxially connected to a first small diameter spur gear 112 which in turn rotatably engages a second large diameter spur gear 113 coaxially fixed to a second small diameter spur gear 114 (best seen in FIG. 6B) which in turn rotatably engages a third large diameter spur gear 115 which is coaxially fixed to a third small diameter spur gear 116. As seen in FIGS. 6A and 6C, the individual gear elements of reduction gear train 110 are rotatably mounted on fixed axles 138 that protrude from cylinder 130.

With reference to FIGS. 6C and 6D, in at least one embodiment, cylinder 130 has a first outlet orifice 134, a second outlet orifice 136, a piston 120 and a valve seat 150. A longitudinal slot 144 is provided that is adapted to receive a protruding guide 119 that protrudes from piston 120. Piston 120 and valve seat 150 each translate vertically within the internal cylindrical space of cylinder 130.

Valve seat 150 is adapted to move between a first position wherein first outlet orifice 134 is blocked and a second position wherein second outlet orifice 136 is blocked (as shown in FIG. 6C). With reference to FIG. 7, at least one embodiment of a valve seat assembly is illustrated wherein valve seat 150 has a plurality of flow channels 152 that allow second outlet orifice 136 to fluidly communicate with the internal cylindrical space of cylinder 130 when valve seat 150 is in a first position (i.e. blocking first outlet orifice 134). In this way, air compressed within cylinder 130 as described below can be directed to either first outlet orifice 134 or second outlet orifice 136 depending on the position of valve seat 150.

As seen in FIGS. 6A to 7, in at least one embodiment valve seat assembly has an angled push rod 154. Push rod 154 is operatively connected to a yoke 160. Yoke 160 is a vertically projecting element having a horizontal channel 162 that is adapted to receive a pin 164. Pin 164 is fixed to a spur gear 166 at a position outwardly and radially removed from the rotational centre of spur gear 166. Spur gear 166 is in rotational communication with third small diameter spur gear 116 and is coaxially aligned with, but not fixed to, second small diameter spur gear 114 and second large diameter spur gear 113, as seen in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

In this way and as will be understood by the skilled person, when spur gear 166 is rotated, pin 164 is similarly translated in a circular pattern and yoke 160 is translated in a vertical direction. As yoke 160 is connected to push rod 154, the vertical translation of yoke 160 causes a corresponding vertical translation of push rod 154, so as to translate valve seat 150 between its first position and its second position as described above. In this way, compressed air can be alternately diverted between first outlet orifice 134 and second outlet orifice 136 depending on the rotational speed of spur gear 166.

Turning back to FIGS. 6A to 6D, air can be compressed within cylinder 130 as follows. Piston 120 is biased towards the bottom end of cylinder 130 by a coil spring 132. Piston 120 has a protruding guide 119 that is adapted to translate vertically within slot 144 of cylinder 130 as discussed above.

As shown in FIGS. 6B and 6D, third large diameter spur gear 115 is coaxially fixed to an eccentric cam 118. Cam 118 is adapted to engage guide 119. As will be understood by the skilled person, when third large diameter spur gear 115 rotated, cam 118 is also rotated, which engages guide 119, causing guide 119 (and piston 120) to be translated upwards, against the biasing force of spring 132.

As will be understood by the skilled person, as cam 118 is rotated, guide 119 will eventually be translated to the top of slot 144. At the same time, piston 120 will be translated upwards to a point where spring 132 is fully compressed. Eventually, as cam 118 is rotated slightly further to a point were the extreme point 133 of cam 118 passes past guide 119, guide 119 will no longer contact cam 118 and spring 132 will be released to drive piston 120 downwards in cylinder 130. This downward movement of cylinder 130 will drive the air contained in the internal chamber of cylinder 130 out of either first outlet orifice 134 or second outlet orifice 136 depending on the position of valve seat 150 as described in detail above.

With reference to FIGS. 8A to 8D, at least one embodiment of a projectile system 200 is illustrated. Projectile system 200 includes at least one projectile magazine 300, 400, a support plate 210, a pawl yoke 220 and a large diameter spur gear 202. Large diameter spur gear 202 is in rotatable communication with third small diameter spur gear 116 (as seen in FIG. 4A) and is coaxially aligned with, but not fixed to, spur gear 166.

Support plate 210 provides a surface to mount the elements of projectile system 200 and fix them within the structure of the tracking system 30. Support plate 210 has a first orifice 211 and a second orifice 212 as seen in FIG. 9. First orifice 211 and second orifice 212 are respectively connected in fluid communication with first outlet orifice 134 and second outlet orifice 136. Flexible tubing (not shown) can be used to connect first orifice 211 and second orifice 212 with first outlet orifice 134 and second outlet orifice 136, among other selections that will be readily apparent to the skilled person. In this way compressed air can be directed from cylinder 130, through the action of piston 120, to first orifice 211 and second orifice 212.

With reference to FIG. 8C, projectile magazine 300 has a central axle 302, a ratchet mechanism 304, an orifice ridge 306, a radially protruding flange 308 and at least one hollow projectile nozzle 310. Projectile magazine 400 is constructed similarly and has a central axle 402, a ratchet mechanism 404, an orifice ridge 406, a radially protruding flange 408 and at least one hollow projectile nozzle 410, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. In at least one embodiment, the individual parts of projectile magazine 300, 400 can be integrally formed. In practice, projectile magazines 300, 400 will generally have projectiles 45 mounted on one or more of the provided projectile nozzles 310, 410, as seen in FIG. 4A. Central axle 302 rotatably mates with a corresponding hole 216 provided in plate 210 and the corresponding central axle 402 of projectile magazine 400 rotatably mates with corresponding hole 218 provided in plate 210, as shown in FIG. 9. Projectile nozzles 310, 410 each have an axially extending central duct 312, 412 (shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B). Orifice ridge 306 has at least one orifice 320, each of which fluidly communicates with the central duct 312 of a projectile nozzle 310. In this way, a fluid such as compressed air injected into orifice 320 will be transmitted through central duct 312 and out projectile nozzle 310. As can be seen in FIG. 8D, first orifice 211 of support plate 210 can align with the at least one orifice 320, such that compressed air can be directed by way of first orifice 211 through orifice 320 and central duct 312 of projectile nozzle 310. Similarly, second orifice 212 of support plate 210 can align with a corresponding orifice 420 in projectile magazine 400, which is in fluid communication with central duct 412 in projectile nozzle 410. It will be appreciated that as valve seat 150 is moved so as to direct compressed air alternately through first outlet orifice 134 and second outlet orifice 136, the compressed air will be alternately directed through either first orifice 211 and central duct 312, or through second orifice 212 and central duct 412, respectively.

Spur gear 202 is coaxially fixed to a pawl crank 204 as can be seen in FIGS. 8A and 8D. Pawl crank 204 has an outwardly and radially extending arm 206 having a pin 208. Pawl crank 204 projects through a hole 214 provided in support plate 210 as seen in FIGS. 8A and 9.

As seen in FIGS. 8B and 8C, a pawl yoke 220 having a slot 222 aligns with plate 210. Pin 208 is adapted to engage slot 222 such that as pawl crank 204 is rotated by spur gear 202, pawl yoke 220 is alternately translated back and forth along the longitudinal axis of support plate 210, in the direction of arrows A and B (FIG. 8C).

As seen in FIG. 8C, pawl yoke 220 has a first pawl 224 and a second pawl 225 that are pivotably connected to pawl yoke 220. First pawl 224 is adapted to engage ratchet mechanism 304 in projectile magazine 300 and second pawl 225 is adapted to engage a corresponding ratchet mechanism 404 in projectile magazine 400. As will be understood by the skilled person, when pawl yoke 220 is translated to a first position (in the direction of arrow A as seen in FIG. 8C), first pawl 224 engages tooth 305 and pushes ratchet mechanism 304 so as to rotate projectile magazine 300 by a predetermined amount. Alternatively, when pawl yoke 220 is translated to a second position (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 8C), first pawl 224 moves back so as to engage the next tooth 305 of ratchet mechanism 304. As the projectile magazine 300 is rotated by first pawl 224, each orifice 320 of projectile magazine 300 aligns in turn with first orifice 211 provided in support plate 210, as seen in FIG. 8D. It will be appreciated that second pawl 225 is adapted to engage a corresponding ratchet mechanism 404 in projectile magazine 400, and operates in a similar fashion.

An alternative embodiment of projectile mechanism 200 is illustrated in FIGS. 10A to 10C. In at least this embodiment, projectile mechanism 200 includes support plate 502 and projectile magazines 510, 520, bearing projectile nozzles 512, 522 with central ducts 514, 524, which are in fluid communication with orifices 516, 526 (best seen in FIG. 10B). As projectile magazines 510, 520 are rotated, as described in further detail below, each orifice 516, 526 is in turn brought into alignment with orifices 504, 506 in support plate 502. Orifices 504 and 506 are in turn in fluid communication with first outlet orifice 134 and second outlet orifice 136 respectively of piston system 100. Flexible tubing (not shown), among other selections that will be readily apparent to the skilled person, can be used to connect orifices 504 and 506 with first outlet orifice 134 and second outlet orifice 136, such that compressed air can be directed from cylinder 130, through the action of piston 120, to orifices 504 and 506 as described above.

Each projectile magazine 510, 520 also bears a plurality of notches 518, 528, that are adapted to engage tip 531 of pawl arm 530. As best seen in FIG. 10C, pawl arm 530 has shoulder 532 biased to slidingly engage elliptical ridge 533 by the action of spring 534. Pawl arm 530 also includes slot 535 adapted to slidingly receive pin 536, which is coaxially fixed to spur gear 202. As pin 536 rotates, pawl arm 530 is rotated and shoulder 532 travels along elliptical ridge 533, such that pawl arm 530 is translated radially as slot 535 slides along pin 536. When pawl arm 530 approaches approximate alignment with the major axis of the ellipse defined by elliptical ridge 533, tip 531 is extended due to the bias of spring 534, such that tip 531 engages notch 518. As pawl arm 530 is further rotated, projectile magazine 510 is rotated by an amount sufficient to advance an orifice 516 into alignment with orifice 504. As pin 534 rotates further such that pawl arm 530 is moved out of approximate alignment with the major axis of the ellipse defined by elliptical ridge 533, shoulder 532 slides along elliptical ridge 533, translating pawl arm radially against the bias of spring 534 and disengaging tip 531 from notch 518. Further rotation eventually brings tip 531 into engagement with notch 528, such that orifices 526 of projectile magazine 520 can be advanced into alignment with orifice 506 in a similar fashion.

In operation, projectiles 45 may be fired as follows. Motor 102 of piston system 100 is actuated by the microprocessor when the target vehicle has been tracked and located, and a projectile should be fired. Spur gear 104 is rotated, in turn actuating reduction gear train 110 so as to rotate third large diameter spur gear 115 and third small diameter spur gear 116. Rotation of third large diameter spur gear 115 in turn causes rotation of cam 118, such that piston 120 is translated vertically against the biasing force of spring 132. When cam 118 reaches the end of its rotational travel, piston 120 is released, driving air from cylinder 130 through one of the provided outlet orifices 134 and 136.

In addition, rotation of third small diameter spur gear 116 causes rotation of spur gear 166, in turn causing the oscillation of yoke 160, push rod 154 and valve seat 150, as described above. In response, valve seat 150 oscillates between a first position (wherein first outlet orifice 134 is blocked) and a second position (wherein second outlet orifice 136 is blocked). In this way, compressed air may be directed from cylinder 130 to either outlet orifice 134 or 136.

Furthermore, as third small diameter spur gear 116 is rotated, spur gear 202 is in turn rotated, thereby causing projectile magazine 300, for example, to rotate by a predetermined amount, as discussed above. At the same time, a corresponding orifice 320 is brought into fluid communication with a first orifice 211 provided in support plate 210. In this way, orifice 320 (and by extension, projectile nozzle 310) is brought in fluid communication with cylinder 130 such that compressed air can be directed from outlet orifice 134 or 136 of cylinder 130 to orifice 211 and ejected out projectile nozzle 310. As will be understood by the skilled person, this ejected compressed air will be sufficient to forcibly dislodge a lightweight projectile 45 that is mounted on projectile nozzle 310 and fire the projectile 45 at the target toy vehicle. Launch of a projectile 45 from projectile magazine 400, 510 or 520 can take place in an analogous manner.

It will be clear to the skilled person that when two projectile magazines are present (for example, projectile magazines 300 and 400 or projectile magazines 510 and 520), projectiles will be launched alternately and sequentially from each projectile magazine. Launch of projectiles can continue until the microprocessor directs the tracking system to cease operation. This can happen, for example, when the target toy vehicle is hit by a projectile, such that the infrared signal emitted by the toy vehicle is no longer received by the infrared receivers of the tracking system, or when the projectile magazines are exhausted of projectiles.

The skilled person will select gear ratios for the aforementioned reduction gear trains such that the timing of the internal mechanisms and systems of the turret are coordinated. For example, reduction gear train 110, cam 118, spur gear 166, spur gear 202 will be selected such that compressed air is directed to the first projectile magazine when the central duct of a projectile nozzle is aligned so as to receive the compressed air, and compressed air will be directed to the second projectile magazine when the second projectile magazine is similarly aligned.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention are meant to be illustrative of preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications, which would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. The only limitations to the scope of the present invention are set out in the following appended claims.

System for automatically tracking a moving toy vehicle

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