United States Patent 15
`Perego
`
`LAUTACTAA
`
`US005173591A
`{11] Patent Number:
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,173,591
`Dec. 22, 1992
`
`[54] ELECTRIC GEARSHIFT FOR CHILDREN’S
`CARS
`
`4,639,646
`4,736,648
`
`hiss 318/139
`.
`1/1987 Harris et al.
`sre 318/109
`4/1988 Perego......
`
`Primary Examiner—J. R. Scott
`Inventor: Gianluca Perego, Arcore, Italy
`[75]
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—McGlew and Tuttle
`[73] Assignee:
`Peg Perego Pines S.p.A., Milan, Italy
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`[21] Appl. No.: 696,350
`An electric gearshift device (10) for an electric car for
`(22] Filed:
`May6, 1991
`children has a lever (12) which can be operated manu-
`ally to give different electrical connections between an
`[30]
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`electric motor and sets of batteries, so as to achieve
`Jun. 29, 1990 [IT]
`Ttally’
`.ssssssssccssessssessesesees 21423/90[U]
`different running conditions. In particular, the device
`SSEY) Weak O42 sscscscssssccssnsescsecns HO1H 9/00; HO2P 1/08
`(10) comprises a first two-speed electric selector switch
`[52] US. Ch. cecssccccscsssessssvessesseeee 200/61.88; 200/1 V;
`(16) and a second electric reversing switch (15). The
`lever (12) is movable fromafirst to a second position to
`318/139; 318/280
`[58] Field of Search .....csssos:s 200/1 V, 61.85-61.91;
`control the movementofthe first switch (16), in the
`318/109, 139, 280
`second position acting on the first switch (16) with
`elastically yieldable thrust surfaces (24) to enable the
`lever (12) to pass said second control position and reach
`a third position in which it actuates the second switch
`(15).
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,360,718 11/1982 Schobingeretal. ............. 200/61.88
`4,401,866
`8/1983 Kaminski etal. .......
`vee 200/61.88
`
`4,429,196
`1/1984 Beig et al. cece 200/61.88 X
`
`. 19 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`1
`
`Mattel Ex. 2004
`Mattel Ex. 2004
`Dynacraft v. Mattel
`Dynacraft v. Mattel
`IPR2018-00040
`IPR2018-00040
`
`

`

`5,173,591
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`Sheet 1 of 3
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 22, 1992
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec, 22, 1992
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`5,173,591
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`Sheet 2 of 3
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`3
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`Sheet 3 of 3
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`5,173,591
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`Fig.4
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 22, 1992
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`4
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`

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`1
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`55173,591
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`ELECTRIC GEARSHIFT FOR CHILDREN'S CARS
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION.
`
`This invention refers to a gearshift suitable for elec-
`tric cars for children.
`
`BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION
`
`In the manufacture of such carsit is advantageous to
`provide an electric gearshift device by whichit is possi-
`ble to obtain two forward “speeds” and one reverse.
`SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`0
`
`The general scope of this invention is to provide a
`gearshift which has the aforesaid features andis simple
`and economical to manufacture.
`This scope is achieved, accordingto the invention, by
`providing an electric gearshift device 10 for an electric
`car for children, of the type which can be operated
`manually to provide different electrical connections
`between an electric motor and sets of batteries. These
`different electrical connections correspond to different
`running conditions, and are implemented bya first two-
`speed electric selector switch 16, a second electric re-
`versing switch 15 and a lever 12 which is movable from
`a first to a second position to control the movement of
`the first switch 16. In the second position the lever 12
`acts on the first switch 16 with elastically yieldable
`thrust surfaces 24 to enable the lever 12 to pass the
`second position in which it controls the first switch 16
`and reach a third position in which it actuates the sec-
`ond switch 15.
`The innovatory principles of this invention and its
`advantages with respect to the known technique will be
`moreclearly evident from the following description of
`a possible exemplificative and non-restrictive embodi-
`ment applying such principles.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`2
`box 11 by means of a pivot or shaft 19 on which is
`rotatingly disposed a second oryield portion 18.
`Disposed between the two portions 17 and 18 is a
`thrust spring 20. The portion 18 has a corner 21 at the
`end opposite that of the pivot or shaft which strikes
`against a protrusion 22 on the portion 17.
`As can also be clearly seen in FIG. 2, the lowerpart
`of the portion 17 comprises slating surfaces 23 and the
`portion 18 comprises slanting surfaces 24 for respec-
`tively operating switches 15 and 16 of the rocker type
`normally operated by hand. In particular, the switch 16
`is of the type with two fixed positions, while the switch
`15 is of the pushbutton or momentary type,that is to
`say, with only one fixed position (the one shown in
`FIG. 2).
`The upperpart of the element 17 has a curved sliding
`surface 25 which frictionally slides on the edge ofthe
`aperture 30 and through which the lever 12 passes
`through the casing 11. When used, the lever can be
`shifted to and from the extreme positions shown in
`FIGS. 4 and 5.
`The forward orfirst position (or turned in a clock-
`wise direction as shown in FIG. 4) is stably balanced
`thanks to the engagement of the surface 25 with the
`edge of the casing 11. During the movementto reach
`the forwardorfirst position the element 18 is pushed by
`contact with element 17so that the slanting surface 24
`operate the switch16 to shift it to its other position. The
`surfaces 23 on the contrary do not comeinto contact or
`interfere with the switch 15 during the movementto the
`forward orfirst positions as shown in FIG. 4.
`Whenshifting from the forwardorfirst position, in
`the opposite direction to the second orcentral position
`of lever 12 as shownin FIG. 2, the slanting surface 24
`return the switch 16 to its original or second position
`(FIG. 2). For this purpose the force of the spring 20
`must be grater than the force necessary to switch the
`switch.
`Whenthe leveris shifted towards the reverse or third
`position (or in an anticlockwise direction as shown in
`FIG,5) the spring 20 compresses dueto the impossibil-
`ity of the element 18 to rotate further since it strikes
`against the switch 16. Therefore, switch 16 remains in
`its original or second position during movementoflever
`12 in the third position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The
`lowersurfaces 23 ofthe lent 17 simultaneously press the
`switch 15 as shownin FIG.5. This third position is not
`stably balanced. When the lever 12 is released,
`the
`thrust of the spring 20 returns the device to the central
`or second position shownin FIG. 2 and the switch 15
`snaps backto its only stably balanced position.
`FIG. 6 shows a possible exemplificative electrical
`connection of the gearshift of this invention. The
`switches 15 and 16 used in the example are of the type
`with two switching contacts, and are connected, as
`shown,to interconnect twoelectric batteries 26 and 27
`to an electric motor 28 to drive the car. Thecircuit also
`With reference to the Figures, a gearshift, made ac-
`comprises a device 29 for controlling the speed of. rota-
`cording to the invention and generally indicated by
`tion of the motor. This device 29 can be of any known
`reference 10, comprises a box-shaped casing 11, secured
`type, for exampleelectronic, as is well known by the
`to the electric car. From the top of the casing 11, pro-
`technician, and can be controlled, for example, by a
`trudes a control lever 12, covered, if necessary, with a
`pedal disposedin a position similar to that of the accel-
`flexible sheath 13 (for example, made of rubber).
`Thelever 12 is connected from below to an actuating
`erator pedal of a normal car.
`element 14 which controls electric switches 15 and 16.
`As can be seen in the wiring diagram (where the
`As can be moreclearly seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the actu-
`switchesare in the positions corresponding to FIG.2),
`ating element 14 comprisesafirst or fixed portion 17,
`the two batteries (for example 6V) are connected, by
`integral with the lever 12 and pivotedto the walls of the
`means of the switch 16, in parallel with each other. In
`
`In the drawings:
`FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective partial phan-
`tom view of an electric gearshift made according to this
`invention;
`FIG. 2 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the
`gearshift of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 showsa cross-sectional view of the gearshift
`of FIG. 2;
`FIG. 4 showsa side view of the gearshift of FIG. 2
`shifted to a different gear;
`FIG. 5 shows a side view of the gearshift of FIG. 2
`shifted to reverse;
`FIG. 6 shows an example of a basic wiring diagram
`for use of the gearshift described herein.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
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`3. An electrical gearshift device as claimed in claim 2,
`this way, when the gearshift lever is in the central posi-
`wherein: the first switch operated by thefirst portion
`tion, the motor is supplied with a voltage equal to that
`has a switching position with a spring-operated return
`of a single battery but has at its disposal higher input
`current. Consequently, the central position can be con-
`which is operated whenthe leveris shifted to the third
`position.
`sidered as the low speed gear, for example,for starting.
`4. An electrical gearshift device as claimed in claim 2,
`Whenthelever is in the forward position, the switch
`16 connects the two batteries in series, so that the drive
`wherein the pivot support of the first portion and the
`pivot support of the second portion coincide with a
`motoris supplied with a voltage twice that of the previ-
`single pivot.
`ous case, even though with a low available current.
`5. An electrical gearshift device as claimed in claim 2,
`Consequently, the forward position of the lever 12 can
`wherein: the reciprocalinterfering means has a corner
`be considered as the high speed gear.
`on the second portion whichstrikes against a protrusion
`the
`When the lever is in the backward position,
`on the first portion when the lever is shifted between
`switch 16 connects the batteries in parallel while the
`switch 15 inverts the connections of the motor so as to
`the second andfirst position.
`6. An electrical gearshift device as claimed in claim 2,
`obtain the low speed reverse function.
`wherein: the elastic means has a thrust spring disposed
`The aforementioned scopes are thus achieved by
`between the first and second portions.
`providing an electric gearshift with a “first gear”, “‘sec-
`7. An electrical gearshift device as claimed in claim 2,
`ond gear” and “reverse gear", which is inexpensive and
`wherein: the first portion has a sliding surface which
`simple to manufacture, since it can advantageously
`frictionally slides on the edge of an apertureofa casing
`make use of normal hand-operated switches available
`on the marketat low cost.
`through which the lever passes through the casing to
`constitute a removable engagement on reachingthefirst
`The foregoing description of an embodiment apply-
`position.
`ing the innovatory principles of this invention is obvi-
`8. An electrical gearshift device as claimed in claim 1,
`ously given merely by way of examplein ordertoillus-
`wherein: the first switch is connected between a motor
`trate such innovatory principles and should not there-
`and sets of batteries to invert a connection when oper-
`fore be understood asa limitation to the sphere of the
`ated by shifting the lever to the third position, in order
`invention claimed herein.
`to obtain a reverse gear.
`For example, the gear lever and the casing containing
`9. An electrical gearshift device as claimed in claim 1,
`the device can be shaped differently also in order to
`wherein: the second switch is connected between a
`adapt to particular aesthetical and assembling require-
`motor and two sets of batteries to connect the twosets
`ments in various models of electric motorcars.
`of batteries in parallel when the leveris in the second
`I claim:
`position and to connectthe two setsofbatteries in series
`1. An electric gearshift device for an electric car for
`whenthe leveris shifted to thefirst position, in order to
`children, of the type which can be operated manually to
`obtain two speeds.
`provide different electrical connections between an
`10. An electric gearshift comprising:
`electric motor and sets of batteries, corresponding to
`casing;
`different running condition, the gearshift device com-
`a lever having pivot means for pivotably connecting
`prising: a first
`two-speed electric selector switch, a
`said lever to said casing, said pivot means pivoting
`40
`second electric reversing switch and a lever movable
`said lever betweenafirst, second and third posi-
`from a first to a second position to control movement of
`tion;
`the firsts switch between a first switch first switching
`a first switch mounted on said casing;
`position corresponding to the lever first position and a
`a second switch mounted onsaid casing;
`first switch second switching position corresponding to
`actuating means for actuating said first and second
`the lever second position, the lever in the lever second
`switches in responseto said first, second and third
`position acting on the first switch with an elastically
`positionsof said lever, said actuating means hold-
`yieldable thrust surfaces to enable the lever to pass the
`ing said first and second switchin a first connection
`lever second position in which it controls the first
`position whensaid leverisin said first position, said
`switch and reacha leverthird position in which it actu-
`actuating means holdingsaid first switch in a sec-
`ates the second switch.
`ond connection position and keeping said second
`2. An electrical gearshift device as claimed in claim 1,
`switch in said first connection position when said
`wherein: the lever acts on the two switches by means of
`lever is in said second position, and said actuating
`an actuating element havingafirst portion and a second
`meansholdingsaid first switch in said second con-
`portion, the first portion having first portion surfacesis
`nection position and holding said second switchin
`set on a pivot and rigidly connected, to rotate on the
`a second connection position whensaidleveris in
`pivot, to one endofthe leverso as to operate the second
`said third position.
`switch with said first portion surfaces, on reaching said
`11. An electric gearshift in accordance with claim 10,
`wherein:
`third position; the second portionis set on a pivot, rotat-
`ably disposed with respect to thefirst portion, the sec-
`said actuating means has first and second control
`ond portion having thrust surface, and reciprocal inter-
`surfaces, said first control surface movingsaid first
`' ference means, disposed between said first and second
`switch and said second control surface moving said
`portion, for rotation of the first and second portion
`second switch, said first control surface having
`integral with the movement of the lever between the
`elastic means for yielding against said first switch
`second andfirst position, and said second portion hav-
`whensaid lever is pivoted in said third position.
`ing elastic means for elastic interconnection between
`12. An electric gearshift in accordance with claim 11,
`wherein:
`said first and second portion during the movementinte-
`gral with the lever of the first portion only, on rotation
`said second control surface is on a fixed portion and
`of the lever between the second andthird position.
`said fixed portionis rigidly connected to said lever;
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`said first control surfaceis on a yield portion andsaid
`yield portion is connected tosaid fixed portion by
`said elastic means.
`13. An electric gearshift in accordance with claim 12,
`wherein:
`said elastic means has rotation means for rotatably
`connecting said yield portion to said fixed portion,
`said elastic means having biased meansfor biasing
`said yield portion against said fixed portion in a
`biased direction of rotation, and said yield portion
`yielding to said first switch in a direction substan-
`tially opposite to said biased direction when said
`lever is pivoted in said third position.
`14. An electric gearshift in accordance with claim 13,
`wherein:
`said second control surface only contacts said second
`switch whensaid lever moves between said second
`and third positions.
`15. An electric gearshift in accordance with claim 13,
`wherein:
`said second switch is a momentary switch and has
`return means to bias said second switch into said
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`first connection position, said return means and
`said elastic meansbiasing said lever from said third
`position toward said second position.
`16. An electric gearshift in accordance with claim 13,
`wherein:
`said second control surface only applies force to
`move said second switch from said first connection
`position to said second connection position.
`17. An electric gearshift in accordance with claim 10,
`wherein:
`said pivot meansonlypivotssaid lever about a gener-
`ally single axis.
`18. An electric gearshift in accordance with claim 10,
`wherein:
`said first and second switches are rocker-type
`switches.
`19. An electric gearshift device in accordance with
`claim 18, wherein:
`said rocker-type switches wereoriginally designed to
`be operated by hand.
`*
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