GB784805A - A miniature vehicle system and miniature vehicles for use therein - Google Patents

Abstract

784,805. Magnetically steered toy vehicles. FAVRE, R. July 29, 1955 [July 29, 1954; Jan. 14, 1955], No. 22077/55. Class 132(3) A toy vehicle is steered by the interaction of a magnetic track or tracks with a magnet carried by the vehicle. In Figs. 2, 3, 4 a magnet A is attached to a bracket E carrying rollers g<SP>1</SP>, g<SP>2</SP>, the magnet and bracket both being pivoted on a shaft O. A disc D, engageable by one or other of the rollers g<SP>1</SP>, g<SP>2</SP>, controls the steering by means of a pinion I and a rack J, and is normally retained in its central position by a torsion wire F; the rollers are rotated in the direction shown by shafts T1, T2 driven by the vehicle driving means M. When the vehicle deviates from the line of the tracks P1, P2, the magnet is caused to rotate in a direction depending whether the vehicle is moving to the right or to the left, and the appropriate roller g<SP>1</SP> or g<SP>2</SP> engages and rotates the disc D thus causing the steering to be corrected. In a construction for use with a single magnetic track, Figs. 6, 7, a bar magnet C is supported in a box-like part H and has pole pieces M<SP>1</SP>, M<SP>2</SP> secured by L-shaped pole members D<SP>1</SP>, D<SP>2</SP> and a non-magnetic member E. A non-magnetic axle B is attached to the part H which is pivoted at P<SP>1</SP>, the shaft 0 enabling the magnet asssembly to pivot from the normal position shown. When the magnet is inclined from the horizontal, one or other of the members D<SP>1</SP> D<SP>2</SP> engages. a wheel on the axle B which is thus rotated on its vertical pivot and the steering corrected; a spring R normally causes the vehicle to steer straight ahead. A track fork-member Fig. 12, has an electromagnet F" for controlling the direction of a vehicle on to one or other of the forks of the track P. The steering mechanism may be controlled by means of an electromagnetic device whose excitation current is controlled by the steering magnet. The rear face of the vehicle may be provided with a magnet for interaction with the magnetic track thus preventing skidding of the vehicle. To improve the interaction of the magnetic track and the steering magnet, the edges of the track may be notched.