Robotic mobile amusement system

Abstract

A game playing robot which comprises first and second wheels, a frame mounted on the wheels, a drive for each of the wheels with a controller for receiving a signal from a user to thereby control the speed and the direction of the wheels, a projectile receiving area, and a projectile ejector to shoot the projectile in a desired direction.

1 . A game playing robot comprising: 
 at least first and second wheels;    a frame mounted on said wheels;    propulsion means for driving said first and second wheels;    a controller having receiver means for receiving a signal for controlling said propulsion means;    a projectile receiving area designed to receive and retain a projectile; and    means for ejecting said projectile from said projectile receiving area.    
   
   
       2 . The game playing robot of  claim 1  wherein said propulsion means comprises first and second electric motors for driving said first and second wheels respectively.  
   
   
       3 . The game playing robot of  claim 2  further including a resilient bumper about said frame.  
   
   
       4 . The game playing robot of  claim 2  wherein said projectile receiving area has a generally U-shaped configuration to receive a generally circularly shaped projectile.  
   
   
       5 . The game playing robot of  claim 4  further including a barrier across said projectile receiving area, said barrier being at a height to permit a projectile to enter said projectile receiving area while preventing other robots from entering said projectile receiving area.  
   
   
       6 . The game playing robot of  claim 2  further including a pair of rotatable bumper wheels situated at a front portion of said frame, said front portion of said frame having said projectile receiving area.  
   
   
       7 . The game playing robot of  claim 6  wherein said resilient material comprises a nylon covered foam material.  
   
   
       8 . The game playing robot of  claim 1  further including a gyroscope associated with said controller.  
   
   
       9 . The game playing robot of  claim 2  further including means for retaining a projectile in said projectile receiving area.  
   
   
       10 . The game playing robot of  claim 9  wherein said projectile retaining means comprises magnetic means.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for conducting a hockey competition among robots, the apparatus comprising: 
 a playing surface, side walls substantially enclosing said playing surface;    first and second goals;    at least first and second robots, each of said robots having at least first and second wheels;    a frame mounted on said wheels;    propulsion means for driving said first and second wheels;    a controller having receiver means for receiving a signal and to control said propulsion means;    a projectile receiving area designed to receive and retain a projectile; and    means for ejecting said projectile from said projectile receiving area.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said playing surface is mounted on a transportable vehicle.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said apparatus includes at least four robots.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said goals comprise an opening in said side walls.