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Patent US3733744A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3733744A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power module for driving vehicle-propelling element,including stationary axle means mounting said element
Assignee: Mattel Inc
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Filing: 1972-02-09
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1992-02-09
Abstract
Abstract A completely self-contained power module for supplying rotational power to drive wheels, tractor tracks, airplane propellers, and the like, of miniature toy vehicles, the module including in a single housing a rechargeable battery, an electric motor with a drive shaft, switch means for electrically connecting the battery to the motor, a non-rotating axle integrally a part of the module''s housing and disposed at a fixed relationship to the motor''s drive shaft for rotatably carrying the driven wheels, etc., and a means for providing recharging current to the battery, preferably including means for disconnecting the motor from the battery circuit during charging.
Inventors
- 👤 J Hiltpold
- 👤 G Soulakis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:14
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H17/00; A63H17/22; A63H29/00; A63H29/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A power module for self-powered miniature toy vehicles, comprising: a module housing including integral stationary axle means extending from said housing for mounting at least one driven element thereon, and means for removable attachment of said housing to a toy vehicle adapted to receive said housing; a battery disposed in said housing; an electric motor disposed in said housing, said electric motor having a rotatable drive shaft extending externally of said housing; switch means associated with said housing electrically connected to said battery and to said electric motor for controlling the activation of said electric motor; drive means including at least one driven element for propelling a toy vehicle, said driven element being rotatably mounted on said stationary axle means; and coupling means for operatively coupling said drive shaft and said driven element for driving the latter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A power module for self-powered miniature toy vehicles, comprising: a module housing including integral stationary axle means extending from said housing for mounting at least one driven element thereon, and means for removable attachment of said housing to a toy vehicle adapted to receive said housing; a battery disposed in said housing; an electric motor disposed in said housing, said electric motor having a rotatable drive shaft extending externally of said housing; switch means associated with said housing electrically connected to said battery and to said electric motor for controlling the activation of said electric motor; drive means including at least one driven element for propelling a toy vehicle, said driven element being rotatably mounted on said stationary axle means; and coupling means for operatively coupling said drive shaft and said driven element for driving the latter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A power module according to claim 1, wherein said coupling means includes an integral part of said driven element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A power module according to claim 2, wherein said coupling means includes a pinion gear fixedly mounted on said drive shaft, and said integral part of said drive element is a gear portion complementary to said pinion gear.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A power module according to claim 1, wherein said switch means includes a manually operated lever extending externally of said housing and having an ''''ON'''' and ''''OFF'''' position, said switch means activating said electric motor only when said lever is in said ''''ON'''' position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A power module according to claim 4, wherein said battery is a rechargeable battery, and wherein said switch means also includes charging means for allowing said battery to be charged.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A power module according to claim 5, wherein said charging means includes a charging plug receptacle and means for moving said lever to said ''''OFF'''' position upon insertion of a charging plug.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A power module according to claim 1, wherein said stationary axle means includes a pair of axially aligned axles extending from opposite sides of said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
A power module according to claim 7, wherein said drive means includes two driven elements, said elements being drive wheels having axial bores to receive said axles, said bores including slightly reduced diameter narrow retainer portions, and wherein said axles include circular recesses therein adapted to accept said retainer portions of said drive wheels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
A power module according to claim 8, wherein said drive shaft extends beyond said opposite sides of said housing parallel to said axles, and wherein said coupling means includes a pinion gear fixedly mounted at each end of said drive shaft, said coupling means also including a complementary gear portion integrally a part of and coaxially positioned about said bores of said drive wheels.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |