US005644114A
`°
`5,644,114
`[11] Patent Number:
`115
`United States Patent
`Neaves
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Jul. 1, 1997
`
`
`[54] PLURAL SWITCH ARRANGEMENT 5,237;302—S/LG93 Harris: sssscssccessscsscsssessessssunnssseceee 337/4
`
`INCLUDING SHIFTER CAM FOR
`5,315,221
`S/1994 COTCY sesssssssssserseeeseccesersereserrere 318/434
`CHILDREN’S RIDE-ON VEHICLES
`Primary Examiner—J. R. Scott
`:
`;
`Attomey, Agent, or Firm—Kolisch, Hartwell, Dickinson,
`Inventor: Patrice M. Neaves, Ft. Wayne, Ind.
`McCormack & Heuser
`[75]
`[73] Assignee: Mattel, Inc., El Segundo, Calif.
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`
`No.: 497,821
`Bil bpp Ne
`ae
`[22] Filed:
`Jul. 3, 1995
`[ST] Mitt CLS cecscnnenne HOIH 3/00: HOLH 21/80
`[52] U.S. Ch. wees. 200/6 R; 200/6 B; 200/18
`[58] Field of Search .......cscecccnscnine 200/1 R, 5 R,
`200/6 R, 6 B, 17 R, 18, 61.85, 61.88, 339
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`[56]
`
`3,057,493
`4/1972
`pages ign
`4088852
`5/1978
`4,132,128
`1/1979
`4,639,646
`1/1987
`4,736,648
`4/1988
`5,173,591
`
`A shifter design for a child’s ride-on vehicle is described.
`The shifter allows for selection of various speeds and
`directions while precluding the selection of undesirable
`speeds and directions. Preferably the shifter includes a
`housing mounted on the body of the vehicle, a speed and
`direction switch mounted on the housing and an actuator on
`the housing for selectively contacting the switches. The
`switches are conventional rocker switches pivotable about a
`central axis to two settings. In the preferred embodiment,the
`actuator is pivotally mounted to the housing and a depending
`selection member with longitudinally-spaced annular struc-
`ture pivots about an axis generally perpendicular to the pivot
`axes of the switches to contact the switches.
`In other
`embodiments, the actuator is slidably mounted to the hous-
`ing. The rocker switches are provided with concave contact
`surfaces to ensure the desired speed and direction are
`selected.
`
`12/1992 11 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
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` I | &
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`1
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`Mattel Ex. 2001
`Mattel Ex. 2001
`Dynacraft v. Mattel
`Dynacraft v. Mattel
`IPR2018-00040
`IPR2018-00040
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 1, 1997
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`Sheet 1 of 3
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`US. Patent
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`Jul. 1, 1997
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 1, 1997
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`5,644,114
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`1
`PLURAL SWITCH ARRANGEMENT
`INCLUDING SHIFTER CAM FOR
`CHILDREN’S RIDE-ON VEHICLES
`
`BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to children’s ride-
`on vehicles. More specifically, the invention concerns a
`simplified shifter design which allows a child to select
`between varying speeds and directions such as high speed
`forward and low speed forward and reverse. The invention
`mechanically precludes the selection of undesirable speeds
`and directions, such as high speed reverse.
`In the last few years, ride-on vehicles having motors,
`intended for use by children have become popular toys.
`These toys come in many shapes and sizes depending on the
`age and size of a particular child. Typically, the ride-on
`vehicles will have a battery source connected to an electric
`motor which drives one or more of the vehicle’s wheels
`according to the speed and direction selected by the child.
`To operate the vehicle, a child will sit on or within the
`vehicle, and by pressing a pedal or moving a switch on a
`controlpanel, the vehicle’s motor is energized bythe battery
`source and the vehicle is driven by the child in much the
`same way an adult operates an automobile.
`Most vehicles have more than one speed and several have
`more than onedirection. In vehicles having more than one
`speed, there is usually a fast and a slow speed. In vehicles
`having more than one direction, the second direction is
`usually reverse.
`It is well known that a high speed reverse mode is
`undesirable becausea child cannot see where they are going.
`Conventional attempts have been made to eliminate this
`setting or reduce the chances of inadvertently selecting it.
`One such attemptis U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,591 to Perego which
`discloses a gear shift connected to tworotatable elements.
`The rotatable elements have a spring therebetween and are
`designedto selectively contact a speed anddirection switch,
`which in turn select connections between an electric motor
`and a set of batteries to achieve multiple running modes.
`Perego precludes a high speed/reverse mode by allowing
`reverse to be selected only when the speed switch is in the
`low position and the force of a spring acting between the
`rotatable elements is overcome by a rider movingtheshift.
`Thus, to enable only a low speed/reverse mode, Perego
`employs: two different types of switches (one having two
`fixed positions and one having only one fixed position), two
`rotatable elements, and a spring acting therebetween.
`While it is desirable to preclude the high speed reverse
`mode, it is also desirable to reduce the number of elements
`and moving parts necessary to do so andto provide a design
`which is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to assemble.
`The design must be durable enough to withstand the often
`times destructive way that a child uses the vehicle.It is also
`desirable to provide a ride-on toy in which the high/forward
`setting can be disabled until the child learns how to correctly
`and safely operate the vehicle at slower speeds.
`With the above problems in mind, a general object of this
`invention is to provide a child’s ride-on vehicle which has a
`shifter design connected between a power source and a
`motor source which enablesa child to select between desired
`speeds and directions and precludes the selection of undes-
`ired speeds and directions.
`It is another object of this invention to provide a housing
`and shifter design which may be used in a child’s ride-on
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`vehicle to enable a child to select between a high/forward,
`a low/forward and a low/reverse mode of operation while
`precluding the selection of a high/reverse mode.
`Another object of the invention is to provide a shifter
`design which is inexpensive to manufacture and durable
`enough to withstand the use to which it may be put by a
`child.
`The invention achieves these and other objects in the form
`of a simplified shifter which reduces the number of compo-
`nents necessary, utilizes the sametype of switch for both the
`direction and speed control, and provides for a switch
`contact surface which complements the structure of a gear
`actuator or selector to ensure that the desired mode is
`selected.
`The shifter design in the preferred embodiment of the
`invention features a housing or casing on which two rocker
`switches are housed: a high/low switch and a forward/
`reverse switch. The switches are connected between a bat-
`tery source and plural motors and are adjacent one another.
`An actuator or shifter is pivotally mounted to the housing
`and moved in a plane parallel to the pivot axes of the
`switches. The actuator has a depending selection member
`with longitudinally-spaced annular structure for selectively
`contacting the switches upon movementof the shifter by the
`rider. The high/forward setting corresponds to a parallel
`connection between the plural motors and the low/forward
`and low/reverse settings correspond to a series connection
`between the plural motors. The switches are positioned to
`preclude a high/reversesetting. Hence, a child riding on the
`toy in which the shifter is configured, may select between
`only three distinct modes of operation: high/forward, low/
`forward and low/reverse. Further, a removable stop element
`is provided and may be used by an adult to preventthe child
`from selecting the high/forward mode, until the child learns
`to control the vehicle at lower speeds.
`In an alternative embodimentof the invention, the shifter
`features an actuator slidably mounted to the housing adja-
`cent the speed and direction switches. The actuator slides in
`a path generally parallel to the pivot axes of the speed and
`direction switches and includes an elongate selection
`member, transverse the slide path of the actuator, for selec-
`tively contacting the switches.
`These and additional objects and advantages of the
`present invention will be more readily understood after a
`consideration of the drawingsandthe detailed description of
`the preferred and alternative embodiments.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a side-plan view of the shifter according to the
`preferred embodiment, with a portion of the housing
`removed to show detail.
`FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, are top-sectional views of the
`shifter, taken generally along line 2—2 in FIG. 1 showing
`three different positions to which the shifter may be set.
`FIG. 3 is a side-plan view of an alternative embodiment
`of the present invention.
`FIG.4 is an isometric view of another alternative embodi-
`ment of the shifter with a portion broken away to show
`detail.
`
`FIG.5 is a top-sectional view ofthe alternative embodi-
`ment similar to the view in FIG. 2A, taken generally along
`line 5—5 in FIG. 3.
`FIG.6 is a schematic diagram oftheelectrical system of
`the present invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`FIG. 1 showsa housing and shifter assembly unit accord-
`ing to the preferred embodiment generally at 10 where it
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`5,644,114
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`3
`may be seen to include a housing preferably of molded
`plastic, half of which is shown at 12, with two double-pole,
`double-throw rocker switches 14, 16 located thereon. The
`mated portion of housing 12 (not shown)is joined by screws
`received in peripherally disposed screw apertures 12a.
`Switches 14, 16 are mounted on housing 12 by snapping
`them into openings in the housing (not shown) and are
`movable about pivot axes 19a, 19b respectively to two
`separate settings.
`Switch 14 is a speed switch and is movable about pivot
`axis 19a between a high (H) and a low (L)setting. Switch
`16 is mounted adjacent switch 14 and is a direction switch
`which is movable about pivot axis 19b between a forward
`(F) and areverse(R)setting. Switches 14, 16 control settings
`in an electrical circuit which is shown in FIG. 6 and is
`designed to be employed in a child’s riding vehicle having
`a battery source and a motor source. Although pivot axes
`19a, 19b are preferably parallel as shown, the switches could
`be relocated on housing 12 so that the axes would be
`angularly offset from one another or even collinear without
`departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
`A gear actuator shown generally at 18,
`is preferably
`formed from moldedplastic and suitably mounted on hous-
`ing 12 and the mated portion thereof, so as to be pivotable
`in relation thereto, adjacent switches 14, 16. Actuator 18
`includes a handle 20 with a neck which extends downwardly
`therefrom and is joined to a hub 22. In the preferred
`embodiment, housing 12 and its mated portion include wells
`formed during the molding process, and actuator 18 includes
`two detents on either side thereof, one of which is shown at
`20a, which are insertable into a corresponding well for
`enabling the actuator to be pivoted between operational
`settings described in more detail below. Actuator 18 includes
`a generally downwardly-extending elongate selection mem-
`ber 24 adjacent hub 22, which includes plural, spaced
`annular structure, one of which is designated at 26. Actuator
`18 is pivotable about an axis X which is defined by detent
`20a and extends into the plane of FIG. 1. As shown, axis X
`is generally perpendicular to axes 19a and 19d. Put another
`way, actuator 18 is movable in a plane (arrows 100, 102
`lying in that plane) which is generally parallel to pivot axes
`19a and 19b. Selection mémber 24, and more specifically
`the longitudinally-spaced annular structure thereon slide
`along concave contact surfaces 14a, 16a (FIG. 2A) of
`switches 14, 16 when actuator 18 is moved or pivoted in the
`direction of arrows 100 and 102 in FIG.1, thus ensuring that
`the desired electrical connection and hence running mode is
`selected.
`FIG. 1 shows actuator 18 pivoted between three separate
`positions A, B, and C. Position A is a first contact position
`and correspondsto a low/forward setting, position B repre-
`sented by the dashed lines, is a second contact position and
`corresponds to a high/forward setting, and position C rep-
`resented by the dashed-double-dot lines is a third contact
`position and correspondsto a low/reverse setting. As a child
`moves handle 20, and hence selection member 24 in the
`direction of arrows 100 and 102 in FIG. 1, gear actuator 18
`pivots bringing selection member 24, and more specifically
`annular structure 26 into sliding contact with concave con-
`tact surfaces 14a, 16a of switches 14, 16 respectively. By
`doing so, the switches may be set
`to achieve the three
`running settings described above. A high/reverse setting is
`mechanically precluded because it is impossible to place
`selection member 24 in a position to select both a high speed
`and a reverse direction. Moreover, a stop element 12c is
`insertable into aperture 12 to prevent a child from moving
`actuator 18 to the high/forward setting until safe vehicle
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`operation is learned at slower speeds. Such stop element
`could be a screw ora pin, but in the preferred embodiment
`is a two-pronged stop element. Further, aperture 125 is
`preferably chamfered for engaging the element’s prongs and
`blocking the selection member from being moved to the
`high/forward setting.It will be appreciated that element 12c
`is connected to the half of housing 12 whichis not shown so
`that the element will not become misplaced, and that the
`element is shown in FIG. 1 disconnected from the mated
`portion of housing 12 for illustrative purposes only.
`Shown collectively in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, are top
`views of switch settings A, B, and C discussed above. That
`is, FIG. 2A is a top view of the low/forward setting, while
`FIGS. 2B and 2C are top views of the high/forward and
`low/reverse settings respectively. Selection member 24 is
`shown with spaced annular structure 26, in approximately
`the position a bottom portion of the member occupies when
`those settings are selected.
`In order to ensure that the desired mode is selected, flush
`sliding contact is established between selection member 24
`and switches 14, 16 by providing both switches with con-
`cave contact surfaces 14a, 16a respectively, and member 24
`with annular structure 26 which slides fittingly along the
`concave surfaces as shown.
`FIG.3 showsan alternative embodiment in which hous-
`ing 12 is suitably adapted to slidingly receive an actuator
`118. As shown, actuator 118 includes a handle 120, a slide
`plate 124 connected to handle 120, and a selection member
`126. Actuator 118 is suitably mounted adjacent switches 14,
`16 on housing 12 and slidable in the directions indicated by
`the arrows, which directions are generally parallel to a plane
`defined by pivot axes 19a, 19b. Selection member 126 is
`preferably elongate and situated on the underside of slide
`plate 124 as viewed in FIG.3. It will be appreciated that
`member 126 is also situated on actuator 118 transverse the
`slide path (indicated by the arrows) of the actuator. Rocker
`switches14, 16 are the same as described above and member
`126 has a rounded bottom portion (FIG. 5) for sliding along
`the concave contact surfaces to ensure that the appropriate
`speed and direction is selected when a child moves handle
`120.
`FIG. 4 shows another alternative embodimentin which an
`actuator 218 includes an elongate handle 220 attached to a
`slide plate 224, An elongate selection member 226, similar
`to member 126, is joined to the bottom ofslide plate 224 and
`extends transversely of the slide path indicated by the
`double-headed arrow directly above handle 220. FIG.5 is
`similar to FIG. 2A and shows the spatial relation between
`selection members 126, 226 and switches 14, 16.
`Like actuator 18 which is pivotable between plural con-
`tact positions, actuators 118, 218 are slidable between a
`plurality of contact positions includinga first contact posi-
`tion corresponding to low/forward, a second contact position
`corresponding to high/forward, and a third contact position
`corresponding to low/reverse.
`FIG. 6 shows a simplified schematic diagram of the
`electrical system of the assembly at 40. It will be understood
`that system 40 may be employedin each of the embodiments
`described above. System 40 includes a motor source in the
`form of motors 42, 44 connected to speed switch 14 which
`is in turn connected to direction switch 16. Direction switch
`16 is connected to a battery source 48, such as a 12- or
`18-volt battery source and the system is enabled by an on/off
`switch 46 which may be a single-pole, double-throw switch.
`Aresister 47 is provided for dynamically braking the vehicle
`whenthe on/off switch is turnedto the “off” position. On/off
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`5,644,114
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`an actuator positioned adjacent the speed and direction
`switches, movable in a plane generally parallel to the
`pivot axes of the speed and direction switches, for
`selectively contacting the switches to cause the speed
`switch to pivot betweenits low and high settings when
`the direction switch is in its forward setting and to
`cause the direction switch to pivot between its forward
`and reverse settings whenthe speed switch is in its low
`setting, each switch remaining in either ofits settings
`until acted upon by the actuator to cause the switch to
`pivot to its other setting, where it remains until the
`actuator again acts uponit to cause the switch to pivot
`back to its first setting.
`2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuator is
`pivotable about an axis generally perpendicular to the pivot
`axes of the speed and direction switches.
`3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuator is
`slidable in a direction generallyparallel to a plane defined by
`the pivot axes of the speed and direction switches.
`4. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the actuator is
`pivotable between a plurality of positions to a first contact
`position corresponding to low forward, a second contact
`position corresponding to high low/forward, and a third
`contactposition corresponding to low/reverse, the speed and
`direction switches remaining in a selected contact position
`until the actuator engages at least one of the switches to
`causeit to pivot to another of the contact positions.
`5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the speed and
`direction switches are rocker switches.
`6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the speed and
`direction switches have concave contact surfaces and
`wherein the actuator includes an elongate depending mem-
`ber having longitudinal-spaced annular structure thereon for
`contacting the concave contact surfaces of the switches.
`7. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the actuator is
`slidable between a plurality of contact positions to a first
`contact position corresponding to low forward, a second
`contact position corresponding to a high/forward, anda third
`contact position correspondingto low/reverse, the speed and
`direction switches remaining in a selected contact position
`until the actuator engages at least one of the switches to
`causeit to pivot to another of the contact positions.
`8. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the actuator includes
`an elongate selection member having longitudinally-spaced
`annular structure thereon for contacting the switches extend-
`ing transversely of the actuator’s direction of movement.
`9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the switches are
`rocker switches having concave contact surfaces.
`10. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the pivot axes of the
`speed switch andthe direction switch are spaced-apart from
`each other and generally parallel.
`11. The assemblyofclaim 3, wherein thepivotaxes of the
`speed switch and the direction switch are spaced-apart from
`each other and generally parallel.
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`switch 46 may be tied to a foot peddle on the floor or a
`switch actuated by the child’s finger. When switch 46 is
`moved to the “on” position, the circuit is completed and
`current is allowed to flow through direction switch 16 and
`speed switch 14 to power motors 40, 42.
`In FIG.6, the speed and direction switches have been set
`to the low/forward mode. The low/reverse setting is
`achieved by setting direction switch 16 to its reverse setting
`(R) which reverses the polarity of the battery source and
`hence the direction of the motors. Similarly, high/forward is
`achieved bysetting speed switch 14 to its alternate setting
`(H) which switches motors 40, 42 in parallel for high speed
`operation. While it is possible to manually set the switches
`to a high speed reverse mode when the shifter is
`disassembled, it is mechanically impossible to do so when
`the shifter is in place in a ride-on toy becauseof the physical
`positioning of switches 14, 16 in relation to selection mem-
`bers 24, 126, 226 described above.
`In operation,
`the shifter assembly is designed to be
`mounted on the body of a child’s ride-on vehicle. The
`vehicle may have one or more batteries or power source and
`one or more motors connected to the vehicle’s wheels. The
`assembly employs two rocker switches mounted on the
`housing and connected between the motor or motors and the
`power source. An actuator allows a child sitting on or within
`the vehicle to select between desired speeds and directions.
`Preferably the housing and actuator are made from
`molded plastic which is both inexpensive and durable to
`withstandthe uses to which itmay be subjected. The housing
`is provided with a preferably chamfered aperture so that a
`parent may insert a stop elementto establish a high-speed
`lockout and prevent a child from moving the actuator to
`select the high/forward mode until safe operation of the
`vehicle is learned at slower speeds. The assembly’s housing
`is mounted directly on the vehicle’s body where it may be
`easily manipulated by a child rider. By movingthe actuator
`throughout the various settings discussed aboye, the child
`may cause the vehicle to be operated at different speeds and
`directions.
`
`invention has been shown and
`While the present
`described with reference to the foregoing preferred
`embodiments, it is to be understood by those skilled in the
`art that other changes in form and detail may be made
`therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
`invention as defined in the appended claims,
`It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:
`1. In a riding vehicle having a battery source, a motor
`source, a vehicle body and wheelsrotatably connected to the
`vehicle’s body, a shifter assembly mountedto the vehicle’s
`body and connected between the battery source and the
`motor source for selecting speed and direction comprising:
`a speed switch movableabouta pivot axis between a high
`and a low setting;
`a direction switch adjacent the speed switch, movable
`about a pivot axis between a forward and a reverse
`setting; and
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