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`US007487850B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Lucas et al.
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,487,850 B2
`Feb.10,2009
`
`(54) CHILDREN'S RIDE-ON VEHICLES HAVING
`IMPROVED SHIFTER ASSEMBLIES
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Christopher F. Lucas, Cheektowaga,
`NY (US); John Rhein, Hamburg, NY
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Mattel, Inc., El Segundo, CA (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 363 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/410,568
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Apr. 24, 2006
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2007/0246271 Al
`
`Oct. 25, 2007
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`GOSG 9/00
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. .................................... 180/65.1; 74/471 R
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................ 180/65.1,
`180/65.6, 65.8, 167, 169, 908; 74/469, 471 R,
`74/473.1, 473.21, 473.28, 471 XY; 200/61.88,
`200/61.85
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,030,459 A
`4/1962 Elliott et al.
`3,639,705 A
`2/1972 Rayner
`3,674,046 A
`7/1972 Miceli
`4,052,578 A
`10/1977 Hoke
`8/1981 Lay
`4,284,157 A
`4,378,855 A
`4/1983 Haub et al.
`8/1983 Kaminski et al.
`4,401,866 A
`4,519,266 A * 5/1985 Reinecke ............... 74/471 XY
`4,531,027 A
`7/1985 Vogt et al.
`4,553,947 A
`11/1985 Weiland et al.
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`12/1985 Kassai
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`1/1986 Cunard
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`
`4,643,695 A
`4,716,980 A
`4,736,648 A
`4,823,632 A
`5,173,591 A
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`
`2/1987 Kennedy et al.
`1/1988 Butler
`4/1988 Perego
`4/1989 Harrod et al.
`12/1992 Perego
`12/1992 Farooque et al.
`
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`International Search Report, Sep. 10, 2008, 2 pages, U.S. Patent and
`Trademark Office.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner-Christopher P Ellis
`Assistant Examiner-Vaughn T Coolman
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Kalisch Hartwell, P.C.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Children's ride-on vehicles having improved shifter assem(cid:173)
`blies. The vehicles include a drive assembly comprising a
`velocity control assembly that selectively configures the drive
`assembly within a plurality of drive configurations and which
`includes a switch assembly adapted to be selectively config(cid:173)
`ured between a plurality of velocity settings. Each velocity
`setting configures the drive assembly to a predetermined drive
`configuration. The velocity control assembly may include an
`actuator assembly that receives user inputs via a shifter
`handle moveable between a plurality of shift positions along
`a plurality of shift paths. Each shift position configures the
`switch assembly to a particular velocity setting. At least two
`of the shift paths have non-linear relative orientations. In
`some embodiments, the actuator assembly includes a biasing
`mechanism, which urges the shifter handle towards a selected
`shift position, and/or a restraining mechanism, which selec(cid:173)
`tively prevents the shifter handle from being moved to a
`selected shift position.
`
`38 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`r110
`
`f114
`
`130
`
`132
`
`

`

`US 7,487,850 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,197,344 A
`5,388,477 A
`5,571,999 A *
`5,644,114 A
`5,742,014 A
`5,934,694 A
`6,082,213 A *
`6,422,330 Bl
`6,470,982 B2
`6,718,842 Bl *
`6,719,076 Bl
`6,756,750 B2
`
`3/ 1993 Maier et al.
`2/1995 Frei et al.
`11/1996 Harris ........................ 200/565
`7/1997 Neaves
`4/ 1998 Schwartz et al.
`8/ 1999 Schugt et al.
`7/2000 Skogward ................ 74/473.18
`7 /2002 Harris
`10/2002 Sitarski et al.
`4/2004 Bofias ..................... 74/473.33
`4/2004 Tabata et al.
`6/2004 Wakitani et al.
`
`8/2004 Reile et al.
`6,771,034 B2
`6,789,444 B2 * 9/2004 Fujiwara et al. .......... 74/473.23
`6,921,870 B2
`7/2005 Lan et al.
`7,213,483 B2 * 5/2007 Inoguchi et al. .......... 74/473.23
`9/2002 Norman et al.
`2002/0121395 Al
`2004/0069557 Al
`4/2004 Lan et al.
`2004/0154854 Al
`8/2004 Stephens
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Written Opinion, Sep. 10, 2008, 5 pages, U.S. Patent and Trademark
`Office.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.10,2009
`
`Sheet 1 of 10
`
`US 7,487,850 B2
`
`Fig. 1
`
`r10
`
`22_)
`
`10
`.J
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.10,2009
`
`Sheet 2 of 10
`
`US 7,487,850 B2
`
`Fig. 3
`
`104
`
`190
`
`102
`
`USER
`INPUT
`DEVICE(S)
`
`62
`
`r30
`
`60
`48
`.,...................._--.--,
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`MOTOR
`BATTERY
`ASSEMBLY i------+---"------tASSEMBLY ,.
`
`86
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`
`I
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.10,2009
`
`Sheet 3 of 10
`
`US 7,487,850 B2
`
`Fig. 5
`------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------· I
`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.10,2009
`
`Sheet 4 of 10
`
`US 7,487,850 B2
`
`Fig. 10
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.10,2009
`
`Sheet 5 of 10
`
`US 7,487,850 B2
`
`f104
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.10,2009
`
`Sheet 6 of 10
`
`US 7,487,850 B2
`
`Fig. 13
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.10,2009
`
`Sheet 8 of 10
`
`Pig. 16
`
`US 7,487,850 B2
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`Sheet 9 of 10
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`-US '7 ,48'7 ,850 B2
`
`Feb.l0,2009
`
`U.S. \latent
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.10,2009
`
`Sheet 10 of 10
`
`US 7,487,850 B2
`
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`

`

`US 7,487,850 B2
`
`1
`CHILDREN'S RIDE-ON VEHICLES HAVING
`IMPROVED SHIFTER ASSEMBLIES
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present disclosure relates generally to children's ride(cid:173)
`on vehicles, and more particularly to battery-powered chil(cid:173)
`dren's ride-on vehicles and drive assemblies for use with such
`vehicles.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
`
`Children's ride-on vehicles are reduced-scaled vehicles
`that are designed for use by children. For example, children's
`ride-on vehicles include a seat adapted to accommodate one
`or more children and steering and drive assemblies that are
`adapted to be operated by a child sitting on the seat. One type
`of drive assembly that is often used in children's ride-on
`vehicles includes a battery-powered motor assembly that is
`adapted to drive the rotation of one or more of the vehicle's 20
`wheels. Typically, the vehicle will include an actuator, such as
`a foot pedal, push button or other user input device, which
`enables a child to select when power is delivered to the motor
`assembly. Some drive assemblies further include other user
`input devices, which are operated by a child sitting on the 25
`vehicle's seat to select the speed and/or direction at which the
`vehicle travels.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`2
`FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the velocity control assem(cid:173)
`bly from FIG. 10, with the shifter handle in a third position
`and portions of the velocity control assembly shown in phan(cid:173)
`tom.
`FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the velocity control assem(cid:173)
`bly from FIG. 10, with the shifter handle in a fourth position
`and portions of the velocity control assembly shown in phan(cid:173)
`tom.
`FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the bottom of the velocity
`10 control assembly from FIG. 10.
`FIG. 16 is an exploded isometric view of another illustra(cid:173)
`tive velocity control assembly according to the present dis(cid:173)
`closure.
`FIG. 17 is an isometric view of the velocity control assem-
`15 bly from FIG. 16, with the shifter handle in a first position and
`portions of the velocity control assembly shown in phantom.
`FIG. 18 is an isometric view of the velocity control assem(cid:173)
`bly from FIG. 16, with the shifter handle in a second position
`and portions of the velocity control assembly shown in phan(cid:173)
`tom.
`FIG. 19 is an isometric view of the velocity control assem(cid:173)
`bly from FIG. 16, with the shifter handle in a third position
`and portions of the velocity control assembly shown in phan(cid:173)
`tom.
`FIG. 20 is an isometric view of the velocity control assem(cid:173)
`bly from FIG. 16, with the shifter handle in a fourth position
`and portions of the velocity control assembly shown in phan(cid:173)
`tom.
`FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the velocity control assembly
`30 from FIG. 16, showing the high speed lockout mechanism
`engaged and portions of the velocity control assembly shown
`in phantom.
`FIG. 22 is a top plan view of the velocity control assembly
`from FIG. 16, showing the high speed lockout mechanism
`35 partially disengaged and portions of the velocity control
`assembly shown in phantom.
`FIG. 23 is a top plan view of the velocity control assembly
`from FIG. 16, showing the high speed lockout mechanism
`disengaged and portions of the velocity control assembly
`40 shown in phantom.
`
`FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an illustrative example of a
`children's ride-on vehicle.
`FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the children's ride-on vehicle of
`FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a suitable drive assembly
`for a children's ride-on vehicle, such as the vehicle of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an illustrative battery assem(cid:173)
`bly with portions of the vehicle's wiring harness and a charger
`shown in fragmentary.
`FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a suitable velocity control
`assembly for a children's ride-on vehicle, such as the vehicle
`of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing illustrative shift
`positions and shift paths along which a child may move a 45
`shifter handle that is associated with an actuator assembly of
`a velocity control assembly of FIG. 5.
`FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing illustrative shift
`positions and shift paths along which a child may move a
`shifter handle that is associated with an actuator assembly of
`a velocity control assembly of FIG. 5.
`FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing illustrative shift
`positions and shift paths along which a child may move a
`shifter handle that is associated with an actuator assembly of
`a velocity control assembly of FIG. 5.
`FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an illustrative velocity control
`assembly according to the present disclosure.
`FIG. 10 is an exploded isometric view of an illustrative
`velocity control assembly according to the present disclosure. 60
`FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the velocity control assem(cid:173)
`bly from FIG. 10, with the shifter handle in a first position and
`portions of the velocity control assembly shown in phantom.
`FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the velocity control assem(cid:173)
`bly from FIG. 10, with the shifter handle in a second position 65
`and portions of the velocity control assembly shown in phan-
`tom.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE
`OF THE DISCLOSURE
`
`An illustrative example of a children's ride-on vehicle is
`shown in FIG. 1 and indicated generally at 10. Ride-on
`vehicle 10 includes a support frame, or body, 12 that provides
`a riding space, or passenger compartment, 14 with a seat
`assembly 16 that is sized and configured to accommodate at
`50 least one child, including a child driver. Seat assembly 16 may
`be integral with or otherwise mounted on body 12 and may
`have any suitable configuration, including configurations in
`which the position of seat assembly 16 is adjustable within the
`passenger compartment, and configurations in which seat
`55 assembly 16 includes two or more seats or two or more
`seating regions. Typically, vehicle 10 will be sized for use by
`a child driver or by a child driver and a child passenger. For
`example, in the illustrated embodiment, seat assembly 16
`includes a pair of seats, or seating regions, 18 and 20, with
`seat 18 sized and positioned to receive a child driver and seat
`20 sized and positioned to receive a child passenger.
`Body 12 typically is formed from molded plastic and may
`be integrally formed or formed from a plurality of parts that
`are secured together by screws, bolts, clips or other suitable
`fasteners. Body 12 may additionally, or alternatively, be at
`least partially formed from other suitable material(s ), such as
`metal, wood, or composite materials. Body 12 may include an
`
`

`

`US 7,487,850 B2
`
`15
`
`20
`
`3
`underlying frame on which a chassis is mounted. In such an
`embodiment, the frame is often formed of metal and/or
`molded plastic, with the chassis typically formed of molded
`plastic.
`As shown, body 12 is shaped to generally resemble a
`reduced-scale Jeep® vehicle. JEEP is a registered trademark
`of the Diamler Chrysler Corporation, and the JEEP mark and
`designs are used by permission. Children's ride-on vehicles
`according to the present disclosure may be shaped to gener(cid:173)
`ally resemble any type of vehicle. Examples of suitable
`vehicles are reduced-scale, or child-sized, vehicles that are
`shaped to resemble corresponding full-sized, or adult-sized,
`vehicles, such as cars, trucks, construction vehicles, emer(cid:173)
`gency vehicles, off-road vehicles, motorcycles, space
`vehicles, aircraft, watercraft and the like. However, it is also
`within the scope of the present disclosure that vehicle 10 may
`be shaped to resemble fantasy vehicles that do not have a
`corresponding adult-sized counterpart. Although vehicle 10
`is depicted in the form of a reduced-scale Jeep® vehicle, it
`will be appreciated that the components and/or features of
`vehicle 10 may be configured for use on any type of children's
`ride-on vehicle having one or more powered components.
`Body 12 also includes a plurality of wheels 22 that are
`rotatably coupled to body 12, as indicated in FIGS. 1-2. The 25
`plurality of wheels 22 includes a steerable wheel assembly 24
`that contains at least one steerable wheel that is adapted to be
`steered by the vehicle's steering assembly 26, typically at
`least partially in response to user-imparted steering inputs
`thereto. The plurality of wheels further includes a driven 30
`wheel assembly 28 that contains at least one driven wheel that
`is adapted to be rotationally driven by the vehicle's drive
`assembly 30. As used herein, the term "driven wheel" refers
`to a wheel that is rotated directly in response to a rotational
`input from the vehicle's drive assembly, which is either 35
`directly conveyed to the wheel by the output of the motor
`assembly or conveyed through a linkage, such as a gearbox,
`belt, chain, gear assembly, axle, or the like. In the illustrated
`embodiment, vehicle 10 includes four wheels 22, with front
`wheels 32 and 34 forming steerable wheel assembly 24, and 40
`rear wheels 36 and38 forming driven wheel assembly 28. The
`number of wheels on the vehicle may vary from two wheels to
`four, six or more wheels, although children's ride-on vehicles
`typically include at least three wheels for stability. Similarly,
`each wheel assembly must contain at least one wheel, and a 45
`particular wheel may form all or a portion of both the steer(cid:173)
`able wheel assembly and the driven wheel assembly. For
`example, it is within the scope of the disclosure that either or
`both of front wheels 32 and 34 or rear wheels 36 and 38 are
`driven and steerable. Similarly, one front wheel and one rear
`wheel may be driven and/or steerable, or the vehicle may
`include one or more driven or steerable wheels underneath its
`body that are generally hidden by the body of the vehicle.
`A portion of the vehicle's steering assembly 26 is shown in
`FIGS. 1 and 2, and includes a steering column 40 (indicated in
`FIG. 2) and a steering mechanism 42. The steering assembly
`enables a child sitting on seat 18 to steer the vehicle's steer(cid:173)
`able wheel assembly 24 via user-applied steering inputs to
`steering mechanism 42, which is positioned on vehicle 10 for
`operation by a child sitting on seat 18. In the illustrated 60
`embodiment, steering mechanism 42 takes the form of a
`steering wheel 44. Other suitable structures, such as handle(cid:173)
`bars and steering levers may be used and are within the scope
`of the present disclosure. Steering column 40 includes any
`suitable mechanical linkage that conveys a child's steering 65
`inputs from the steering mechanism to the vehicle's steerable
`wheel assembly, thereby steering the vehicle.
`
`4
`FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an example of a suitable
`drive assembly 30 for a children's ride-on vehicle, such as
`vehicle 10. Drive assembly 30 may include a motor assembly
`46 adapted to selectively drive the rotation of the driven wheel
`5 assembly 28, a battery assembly 60 adapted to selectively
`energize the motor assembly, and one or more user input
`devices 102 adapted to receive user input signals that may (1)
`selectively configure the drive assembly within a plurality of
`drive configurations and/or (2) selectively direct, or cause, the
`10 drive assembly to operate in a selected drive configuration.
`The motor assembly 46 includes at least one electric motor
`48 that is adapted to drive the rotation of at least one of the
`plurality of wheels. The motor assembly includes an output
`50 that provides a rotational input to the driven wheel assem(cid:173)
`bly. Typically, the output 50 from each of the one or more
`motors includes a rotating shaft and/or a rotation pinion or
`output gear. Output 50 may include more than one shaft,
`pinion, and/or gear, such as when motor assembly 46 includes
`more than one motor and/or when driven wheel assembly 28
`includes more than one driven wheel. Motor assembly 46 may
`also be configured to power other moveable components on
`vehicle 10, such as depending on the form of the vehicle. For
`example, the motor assembly may be coupled to raise and
`lower the blade of a ride-on that resembles a bulldozer, the
`bucket of a ride-on that resembles a skid-steer or other loader,
`the bed of a ride-on that resembles a dump truck, etc.
`Power for the motor assembly is provided by any suitable
`power source. An illustrative example of a suitable power
`source is a battery assembly 60. Battery assembly 60 includes
`at least one battery 62 that is adapted to provide power to the
`motor assembly. Any suitable type and number of batteries
`may be used in battery assembly 60. Although not required,
`the batteries are typically rechargeable batteries. For
`example, one or more six-, twelve-, eighteen-, ortwenty-four(cid:173)
`volt batteries have proven effective. An illustrative example
`of a battery assembly 60 is shown in FIG. 4. Also shown in
`FIG. 4 is a connector assembly 64 to transmit power from the
`battery assembly to the motor assembly 46. Thus, motor
`assembly 46 is operably connected to battery assembly 60 by
`any suitable electrical connectors, such as cables, wires, or
`positive and negative terminals or leads, and the like. In the
`exemplary battery assembly 60 shown generally in FIG. 4, the
`connector assembly includes a plug 66 that fits into a socket
`68 that is electrically connected to the battery assembly. The
`battery assembly 60 may optionally include a charging jack
`70 that is configured to receive a charging probe 72. The plug
`and probe connect to wires, or electrical cables, 74 that trans(cid:173)
`mit electrical power from the battery assembly to the motor
`50 assembly. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that
`vehicle 10 may include any other suitable structure for con(cid:173)
`ducting electrical power from battery assembly 60 to motor
`assembly 46, with the battery assembly of FIG. 4 merely
`providing an illustrative example. For example, it is within
`55 the scope of the present disclosure that battery assembly 60
`may include an electrical connector, such as a plug or socket,
`that extends from the housing of the battery assembly and is
`electrically connected thereto by lengths of wires.
`As shown in FIG. 2, body 12 also may include a battery
`compartment 76 that is adapted to receive battery assembly
`60. Battery compartment 76 may take any of a variety of
`different shapes, sizes, and configurations depending on such
`factors as the form of vehicle 10, the portion of the vehicle's
`body within which the compartment is formed, the size and
`shape of battery assembly 60, etc. FIG. 2 provides graphical
`illustrations of several suitable, non-exclusive positions for
`battery compartment 76.
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`US 7,487,850 B2
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`5
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`20
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`5
`In FIG. 3, drive assembly 30 is shown further including an
`optional motor output linkage 100 that mechanically inter(cid:173)
`connects the motor assembly with the driven wheel assembly.
`Motor output linkage 100 is any suitable mechanism that
`transmits the rotational input from the motor assembly's out(cid:173)
`put(s) to the driven wheel assembly. Examples of suitable
`linkages 100 include an intermediate linkage between the
`output and the driven wheel assembly, such as a gearbox
`containing one or more gears, a belt or chain drive, a worm
`gear, one or more individual gears, and the like. The motor
`output linkage may be adapted to transmit the rotational input
`from the motor assembly to the driven wheel assembly at the
`same relative rate of rotation, or it may mechanically augment
`the rotational input to convey a greater or lesser rate of rota(cid:173)
`tion relative to the rate of rotation of the output of the motor 15
`assembly. It is also within the scope of the disclosure that
`drive assembly 30 may be formed without motor output link(cid:173)
`age 100, in which case the output( s) 50 of the motor assembly
`directly transmit the rotational input to the driven wheel
`assembly.
`The one or more user input devices 102, or control devices,
`are adapted to convey inputs from a child sitting on seat 18 to
`the drive assembly. Generally, user input devices 102 convey
`the user inputs to battery assembly 60, motor assembly 46
`and/or controller 196 (described below) via the vehicle's 25
`wiring harness 86. User input devices 102 may thereby be
`used (1) to selectively configure the drive assembly within a
`plurality of drive configurations and/or (2) to selectively
`direct, or cause, the drive assembly to operate in a selected
`drive configuration.
`An illustrative example of a suitable user input device 102
`includes a velocity control assembly 104, which receives user
`input(s) that selectively configure the drive assembly to be in
`one of the plurality of drive configurations. Each drive con(cid:173)
`figuration defines a relative rate of rotation, and/or direction 35
`of rotation, of the motor assembly 46. As shown in FIG. 2, the
`velocity control assembly 104 may be positioned anywhere
`adjacent to seat 18 so as to enable a child sitting in seat 18 to
`provide user input(s) to velocity control assembly 104.
`FIG. 5 schematically shows an illustrative example of a 40
`velocity control assembly 104. Velocity control assembly 104
`may (but is not required to) include a housing assembly 105.
`Housing assembly 105 includes one or more components
`associated with the ride-on vehicle's body 12 that are adapted
`to secure, house and/or maintain the other components of the 45
`velocity control assembly. Housing assembly 105 may be
`integral with the vehicle's body 12, may be a separate unit that
`is removably securable to the vehicle's body 12, and/or may
`include both integral and separately formed components.
`Housing assembly 105 may be positioned to enable a user 50
`sitting in seat 18 to provide user input(s) that are received by
`velocity control assembly 104.
`As shown in FIG. 5, velocity control assembly 104 com(cid:173)
`prises a switch assembly 106, which includes any assembly
`having at least one switch that is adapted to be selectively 55
`configured between a plurality of velocity settings. Each
`velocity setting may in tum configure the drive assembly to be
`in a predetermined drive configuration, some or all of which
`may be non-neutral drive configurations. The overall configu(cid:173)
`ration of the various switch( es) included in the switch assem- 60
`bly determines the switch assembly's velocity setting. The
`velocity setting in tum configures the drive assembly to be in
`a predetermined drive configuration, as briefly described
`above.
`As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, switch assembly
`106 may include a speed switch 108 and/or a direction switch
`110. Speed switch 108 enables a user to select the relative rate
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`6
`of rotation of the motor assembly's output 50 (shown in FIG.
`3) by selectively configuring the drive assembly between
`various low speed and high speed drive configurations. An
`illustrative example of a suitable speed switch 108 is a switch
`that selectively configures a pair of batteries between series
`and parallel configurations to define relative "low" speed and
`"high" speed drive configurations. As another example, speed
`switch 108 may additionally or alternatively selectively con(cid:173)
`figure a pair of motors between series and parallel configu-
`lO rations. Direction switch 110 enables a user to select the
`direction (i.e., clockwise or counterclockwise) of rotation of
`output 50 by configuring the drive assembly to be in either a
`forward or a reverse drive configuration. As a further illustra-
`tive example, when the drive assembly includes, or is in
`communication with, a microprocessor or other suitable con(cid:173)
`troller, the controller may respond to inputs from the switches
`of the switch assembly to control activation of the motor
`assembly by the battery assembly to achieve the selected
`drive configuration.
`Switch assembly 106 may have various structural configu(cid:173)
`rations. Each of the switch assembly's switches may include
`a rocker switch, a pushbutton switch, a contact switch, or any
`other type of suitable switch. Switch assembly 106 may be
`located in any suitable location on body 12 or steering assem(cid:173)
`bly 26 for actuation by a child sitting on seat 18. For example,
`switch assembly 106 may directly receive user inputs from
`the child. Alternatively or additionally, switch assembly 106
`may be indirectly configured by an actuator assembly 112
`30 that directly receives user inputs from a child sitting on seat
`18, as described below. Switch assembly 106 may convey the
`user inputs to a controller, such as subsequently described
`controller 196, which, responsive to inputs from the switches,
`configures the drive assembly to be in a selected drive con-
`figuration.
`Velocity control assembly 104 may (but is not required to)
`include an actuator assembly 112 in addition to switch assem(cid:173)
`bly 106. Actuator assembly 112 includes any assembly that is
`adapted to receive user inputs from the child sitting on seat 18,
`whereby actuator assembly 112 engages switch assembly
`106, and configures switch assembly 106 to be in a corre-
`sponding velocity setting. Actuator assembly 112 may
`include a shifter handle 114 adapted to be selectively moved
`by the child between a plurality of positions along a plurality
`of shift paths. Shifter handle 114 may be similar to the shifter
`handle from a full-sized motorized vehicle, and may be mov-
`able between a first position and a second position along a first
`shift path, and a second and a third position along a second
`shift path, etc., as described in more detail below. Actuator
`assembly 112 may be adapted to configure switch assembly
`106 to be in a particular, or predetermined, velocity setting for
`each shift position of shifter handle 114. Further, the velocity
`setting corresponding to one shift position may be the same
`as, or different than, the velocity setting corresponding to
`another shift position.
`The actuator assembly 112 may include an actuator 115
`operatively coupled to shifter handle 114, and adapted to
`selectively engage the switch assembly. As shifter handle 114
`is moved between shift positions, actuator 115 may be moved
`by shifter handle 114 in a manner that causes actuator 115 to
`engage at least a portion of switch assembly 106, thereby
`reconfiguring the switch assembly to be in the predetermined
`velocity setting. In some actuator assemblies 112, actuator
`115 may be coupled to shifter handle 114 in a manner such
`65 that some, but not all, movement of shifter handle 114 causes
`movement of actuator 115. Thus, movement of shifter handle
`114 between certain shift positions, or along certain shift
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`US 7,487,850 B2
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`paths may not cause any movement of actuator 115, and
`therefore may not reconfigure switch assembly 106 to be in a
`different velocity setting.
`The actuator assembly 112 may have various structural
`configurations, such that shifter handle 114 may be moved 5
`along a wide variety of shift paths. FIGS. 6-8 each provide
`illustrative, non-exclusive examples of different possible
`configurations, where the circles generally indicate examples
`of shift positions, and the lines generally indicate examples of
`shift paths. Actuator assemblies adapted to utilize the illus- 10
`trative, non-exclusive examples of shift paths and positions
`may be oriented in any suitable orientation relative to the
`ride-on's body and/or seat 18, including configurations that
`are mirror-images or inversions of the illustrative configura(cid:173)
`tions shown in FIGS. 6-8. Some shift positions and shift paths 15
`are shown in phantom lines to indicate that the actuator
`assembly may have any number of shift positions and shift
`paths. Also as illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, the shift positions and
`shift paths may be arranged in virtually any conceivable man(cid:173)
`ner, such as to resemble, or simulate, the shifter mechanisms 20
`of a manual or automatic transmission for a full-scale motor(cid:173)
`ized vehicle. Some shift paths may be co-linear with other
`shift paths, while some shift paths may be at divergent angles
`from other shift paths. Multiple adjoining shift paths that are
`not co-linear with each other may be described as "aggra- 25
`vated" or "divergent" shift paths, which hinder a child's abil-
`ity to rapidly move shifter handle 114 between the endmost
`shift positions along the aggravated shift path. Although the
`shift paths shown in FIGS. 6-8 are substantially linear, the
`present disclosure also encompasses non-linear shift paths.
`FIG. 9 shows a top-down view of an illustrative, non(cid:173)
`exclusive example of an actuator assembly 112 that may be
`used with velocity control assemblies according to the
`present disclosure. The actuator assembly 112 shown in FIG.
`9 includes four shift positions 116, 118, 120 and 122, each of 35
`which corresponds to a particular drive configuration. As
`described above, actuator assembly 112 is adapted to config(cid:173)
`ure the switch assembly (not shown) to be in a particular
`velocity setting for each shift position. Moving shifter handle
`114 between the four shift positions 116, 118, 120 and 122 40
`may thus cause actuator assembly 112 to selectively engage
`the switch assembly's switches (not shown) in a marmer that
`configures switch assembly 106 to be in up to four different
`velocity settings, such as one for each shift position. Also as
`described above, e