Abstract A self propelled amusement device including a body member shaped in any form which appeals to a child, a pair of drive wheels and at least one steering wheel for supporting the body member. The drive wheels are driven by means of a battery operated motor, and the steering wheel is controlled by a solenoid. Proximity detectors or other sensing devices are placed at both ends of the body member and at both sides. The proximity detectors may be sensitive to changes in capacity in their vicinity, and in such a case the presence of a hand of the child near one of the proximity devices causes a voltage to appear at the output thereof. Appropriate electronic circuitry is provided for controlling the operation of the drive motor and the steering solenoid in response to changes in electrical capacity occurring near any of the proximity detectors, so that the body member can be caused to travel forwards or backwards or to turn any desired direction by merely placing a hand or other body having electrical capacity near selected ones of the proximity detectors.
An amusement device comprising a body member, controllable drive means, a pair of rotatable wheels operatively connected to said drive means, said rotatable wheels being attached to said body member and being positioned for moving said body member along a surface in a horizontal direction and in a generally linear path, controllable steering means including a wheel that is pivotable about a vertical axis attached to said body member and positioned for varying the direction of said body member as it moves along said surface, first means responsive to a change in a condition proximate to and spaced from said body member for producing electrical signals fed to said drive means to cause said drive means to operate selectively so as to cause said body member to move forwards and back, and second means responsive to a change in a condition proximate to and spaced from said body member for producing electrical signals fed to said steering means to vary the direction of said body member, said first and second means comprising proximity detectors respectively positioned at the front, rear and both sides of said body member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
An amusement device comprising a body member, controllable drive means, a pair of rotatable wheels operatively connected to said drive means, said rotatable wheels being attached to said body member and being positioned for moving said body member along a surface in a horizontal direction and in a generally linear path, controllable steering means including a wheel that is pivotable about a vertical axis attached to said body member and positioned for varying the direction of said body member as it moves along said surface, first means responsive to a change in a condition proximate to and spaced from said body member for producing electrical signals fed to said drive means to cause said drive means to operate selectively so as to cause said body member to move forwards and back, and second means responsive to a change in a condition proximate to and spaced from said body member for producing electrical signals fed to said steering means to vary the direction of said body member, said first and second means comprising proximity detectors respectively positioned at the front, rear and both sides of said body member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
An amusement device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second means further include first and second differential amplifiers which are respectively connected to said front and rear proximity detectors and to said side proximity detectors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
An amusement device as claimed in claim 2 wherein an automatic gain control is connected to said differential amplifiers to maintain the gain thereof at a substantially uniform level over a predetermined change In said proximate condition.