Patent US4007646A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4007646A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Model vehicle control system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-05-01
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Granted: 1977-02-15
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Expires: 1995-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A control system for controlling a model vehicle on a long flexible rod which allows considerable freedom of motion of the vehicle. A hand held control unit has controls operated by both hands and by the thumbs, providing three double or two-way channels of control through cables extending along the rod. The rod is built in sections which plug together, the sections having graduated flexibility to provide the proper combination of support and freedom of movement. At the model, the cables are carried through a pivotal connection which ensures minimum change in cable length during maneuvers of the vehicle, and a spring incorporated in the connection maintains cable tension. The system is adaptable to a variety of surface travelling motorized vehicles and the rod arrangement allows competitive operation of several vehicles in close proximity.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward N. De Jonge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 13:15
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H30/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20396; Y10T74/20402; Y10T74/2042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A model vehicle control system, comprising: an elongated flexible rod having a butt end and a tip end, said rod being substantially rigid at the butt end and increasing in flexibility toward the tip end; a control unit secured on said butt end and having hand operated control means mounted therein; a connector on said tip end with means for universal pivotal attachment to a vehicle to be controlled; flexible cables coupled to said control means and extending along said rod to said connector; guide means spaced along the rod for supporting said cables; and terminal guidance means on said connector for guiding said cables into the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A model vehicle control system, comprising: an elongated flexible rod having a butt end and a tip end, said rod being substantially rigid at the butt end and increasing in flexibility toward the tip end; a control unit secured on said butt end and having hand operated control means mounted therein; a connector on said tip end with means for universal pivotal attachment to a vehicle to be controlled; flexible cables coupled to said control means and extending along said rod to said connector; guide means spaced along the rod for supporting said cables; and terminal guidance means on said connector for guiding said cables into the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A model vehicle control system according to claim 1, wherein said control means includes a pair of hand grips pivotally mounted in side by side relation; a pair of said flexible cables being connected to each of said hand grips on opposite sides of the respective pivotal axis thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A model vehicle control system according to claim 2, and including a thumb wheel pivotally mounted between said hand grips, and a further pair of said flexible cables connected to said thumb wheel on opposite sides of the pivotal axis thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A model vehicle control system according to claim 3, wherein said thumb wheel has indexing means thereon for selective indexing to multiple positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A model vehicle control system according to claim 1, wherein said tip end has decreased flexibility and is axially slidably coupled to said connector; and biasing means between said tip end and said connector for maintaining tension on said cables.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
96 words
A model vehicle control system according to claim 1, wherein said connector includes a bracket having a pivotal mounting for attachment to the vehicle, a cable guiding roller rotatably mounted in said bracket, a fork pivotally attached to said bracket on an axis perpendicular to the pivotal axis of the bracket and adjacent the path of the cables around the roller; a sleeve extending from said fork, said tip end being axially slidably held in said sleeve, and a spring in said sleeve between the tip end and the fork for maintaining tension on said cables.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-02-15 | 1980-08-16 | 1981-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-15 | 1984-08-16 | 1985-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-15 | 1988-08-16 | 1989-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |