Amusement devices: toys – Rolling or tumbling – Including intrinsic motive power means for propulsion
Reexamination Certificate
2001-12-20
2002-08-06
Ackun, Jacob K. (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices: toys
Rolling or tumbling
Including intrinsic motive power means for propulsion
C446S454000, C446S071000, C446S081000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06428383
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to remotely controlled models, toys, and the like, and more specifically to a radio controlled model automobile having various audio output systems on board. The operator of the model manually selects the type of audio system to be used (i. e., tape cassette or CD insertion, or AM/FM radio tuning), with a conventional radio control system providing speed and directional control of the model, as well as audio output volume and other functions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Radio controlled model cars, boats, and aircraft are increasingly popular hobbies with many people, due to the level of skill required in their construction and operation, the competition offered in some areas, and various other reasons. Many car, boat, and aircraft models come completely assembled and ready for use, for hobbyists who do not wish to spend time building such models.
Many such radio controlled models have become highly specialized, with various features providing further novelty, entertainment, and advertising value. One environment in which radio controlled model cars would be especially valuable, is the live radio broadcast entertainment industry. Live broadcasts from various sites remotely located from the studio, feature a DJ to provide music who also entertains the live audience in various ways. The use of a radio controlled vehicle, particularly one which incorporates an audio output system to play music selected by the DJ, would prove to be an especially valuable tool for attracting a live audience to the show. Such a vehicle would also find a niche at parties, dances, and other related social activities, particularly those in which an automotive theme might be an appropriate accent for the gathering.
Accordingly, a need will be seen for a remotely controlled model vehicle which includes an audio output system, for use at parties, remote radio broadcast shows, store openings, and other environments where such a vehicle, with its audio output, will attract and entertain a crowd. The present radio controlled vehicle is in the form of a model automobile, providing greater versatility for operation in most environments where its use is desired. The present model incorporates various audio output systems for play during its operation, as well as other features.
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,626 issued on Jun. 18, 1991 to Jack Robbins et al., titled “Sound Producing Remote Control Toy Vehicle,” describes a model automobile having various functions controlled by a hard wired controller, rather than using radio control as in the case of the preferred embodiment of the present remotely controlled model vehicle. Even if the Robbins et al. model had the range provided by radio control, all of the sound emanates from a single speaker within the hand held control unit of the system, rather than from the model vehicle itself. This greatly limits the value of the Robbins et al. model only to entertainment of one, or at most a very few, people, rather than providing entertainment for a larger group of people, as can the present model vehicle invention. In addition, while Robbins et al. provide a horn and other vehicle sounds for their model, these sounds are not realistically deployed, as they do not emanate from the vehicle itself. The Robbins et al. model also has no provision whatsoever for any form of live or recorded audio playback, as provided by the present remotely controlled model vehicle. The sounds which may be reproduced by the hand held unit of the Robbins et al. system, are severely limited to only a relatively few sounds simulating the mechanical sounds of a full scale automobile, and cannot be changed at will. In contrast, the present remotely controlled model vehicle incorporates audio output systems (radio, tape, CD) enabling the operator to change the recording or radio reception as desired.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,981 issued on Sep. 10, 1991 to Kenneth A. Roddy, titled “Toy Vehicle With Remotely Driven Speaker And Plural Bodies,” describes a cable controlled model vehicle in which the audio output is provided from the model vehicle itself. The operator of the toy controls the speed and direction of the model by means of a controller hard wired to the vehicle, rather than using radio control, as in the preferred embodiment of the present remotely controlled model vehicle invention. The Roddy system enables the operator to input any type of audio desired to the speakers in the vehicle, but the audio system is contained within the hand held controller device of the system, rather than within the vehicle, as in the present invention. This results in the audio signal, as well as control signals, being transmitted by means of the hard wire connection between the controller and the model. The necessity of transmitting all of the audio signal to the vehicle from the hand held controller, results in a hard wire link between the two being the only practicable connection. The broadcast of the audio program from the hand held controller to the model vehicle, would be impracticable due to the power limitations imposed by the FCC for such audio broadcasts, as well as the considerably greater bandwidth required for such an audio broadcast over and above the relatively narrow bandwidth required merely for model vehicle control purposes. The present invention overcomes this hard wiring limitation while still providing audio output from the model, by placing all audio output and playback components in the model itself, rather than in the hand held controller.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,031 issued on Feb. 14, 1995 to Henry D. Sharpe III et al., titled “Toy Assembly,” describes a vehicle model having audio output means, but the audio output is severely limited to only a relatively few different sounds. Moreover, no remote control of vehicle motion or the audio system is provided by Sharpe III et al. Rather, the sounds of their model are controlled by switches located directly upon the vehicle, with those switches having cooperating configurations for actuation by various accessories (e.g., model fireman, fire hose, dog, etc., in the case of a model fire truck). No operator selectible audio programming is provided, nor is any means of remotely controlling the vehicle or any other functions of the vehicle provided by Sharpe III et al., which audio selection and remote vehicle control are features of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,512,001 issued on Apr. 30, 1996 to Michael Kent et al., titled “Toy Vehicle,” describes a model capable of producing a limited number of predetermined vehicle mechanical sounds and simulated exhaust smoke. No remote control of the vehicle is provided, as Kent et al. do not provide any motive power for their toy. All control input must be accomplished by controls mounted directly on the model itself. Moreover, no means for audio playback of operator selected programs (either live or prerecorded) is provided by Kent et al. for their model vehicle, whereas the operator of the present model vehicle may select a prerecorded audio program (tape or CD) or live radio broadcast for playback from the model.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,375 issued on May 27, 1997 to Nina J. Mattikow, titled “Combined Functional Toy And Cassette Holder,” describes a device for holding a single audio cassette or the like, with the holder device having a vehicle (school bus, locomotive, etc.) configuration in some embodiments. No means of playing the cassette or sound recording stored in the holder, is provided; the device functions only as a holder for an audio recording, with an external configuration for use as a vehicle or other toy. Also, no remote control means is disclosed by Mattikow, as no motive power or other functions are provided for the cassette holder toy device.
U.S. Pat. No. D-366,296 issued on Jan. 16, 1996 to Joseph R. Novak, titled “Remote Control Model Car,” il
Allmon Stanley W.
Swiney Jerry D.
Ackun Jacob K.
Litman Richard C.
Miller Bena B.
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