Propulsion apparatus and method of use

Abstract

Propulsion apparatus comprises a rotating drive member having an axis of rotation, and a reversible motor coupled to the rotating drive member to rotate the drive member in first and second directions is described. A mounting arrangement is configured to pivotally mount the rotating drive member onto a toy about a mount axis, and at least one pivot stop mechanism is provided. Operation of the reversible motor rotates the drive member in the first direction causing the drive member to pivot about the mount axis to a first position defined by a pivot stop mechanism and provide a propulsion force in a first propulsion direction. Operation of the reversible motor to rotate the drive member in the second direction causes the drive member to pivot about the mount axis to a second position defined by a pivot stop mechanism and provide a propulsion force in a second propulsion direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A propulsion apparatus for a toy, the propulsion apparatus comprising:
 a rotating drive member having an axis of rotation;   a reversible motor coupled to the rotating drive member to rotate the drive member in first and second directions;   a mounting arrangement configured to pivotally mount the rotating drive member onto a toy about a mount axis; and   at least one pivot stop mechanism;   wherein the apparatus is configured such that operation of the reversible motor to rotate the drive member in the first direction causes the drive member to pivot about the mount axis to a first position defined by the at least one pivot stop mechanism and provide a propulsion force in a first propulsion direction;   and wherein operation of the reversible motor to rotate the drive member in the second direction causes the drive member to pivot about the mount axis to a second position defined by the at least one pivot stop mechanism and provide a propulsion force in a second propulsion direction.   
     
     
         2 . The propulsion apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotating drive member is a propeller. 
     
     
         3 . The propulsion apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the propeller is permanent twist propeller. 
     
     
         4 . The propulsion apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the reversible motor and rotating drive member form a drive assembly, and the drive assembly is configured to be pivotally mounted on the toy. 
     
     
         5 . The propulsion apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the mount axis is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         6 . The propulsion apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the axis of rotation is substantially horizontal. 
     
     
         7 . The propulsion apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the mount axis is substantially vertical. 
     
     
         8 . The propulsion apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pivot stop mechanism comprises a pivoting component coupled to the rotating drive member and one or more stop members in a fixed position relative to the toy. 
     
     
         9 . The propulsion apparatus according to  claim 1 , configured to enable the rotating drive member to pivot through approximately 180 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . A toy comprising the propulsion apparatus according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . The toy according to  claim 10 , wherein the toy is a remote-control toy and comprises a receiver for wirelessly reception of a control signal. 
     
     
         12 . The toy according to  claim 10 , wherein the toy is selected from the group consisting of: an aeroplane, a blimp-type aircraft, a waterborne toy, or a wheeled toy. 
     
     
         13 . The toy according to  claim 10 , wherein the first and second propulsion directions are both in the same predominant direction. 
     
     
         14 . The toy according to  claim 10 , wherein the first and second propulsion directions are non-parallel. 
     
     
         15 . The toy according to  claim 10 , wherein one or both of the first and second propulsion directions imparts turn radius to the toy. 
     
     
         16 . The toy according to  claim 15 , wherein the turn radius is dependent on the operating power of the reversible motor. 
     
     
         17 . The toy according to  claim 10 , comprising a secondary movement mechanism configured to be actuated by pivoting of the drive member. 
     
     
         18 . The toy according to  claim 17 , wherein the secondary movement mechanism affects the propulsion direction. 
     
     
         19 . The toy according to  claim 17 , wherein the secondary movement mechanism actuates a secondary directional control element of the toy. 
     
     
         20 . The toy according to  claim 19 , wherein the secondary directional control element is a rudder or a tail. 
     
     
         21 . The toy according to  claim 17 , wherein the secondary movement mechanism provides animation to the toy. 
     
     
         22 . A system comprising a remote control toy according to  claim 10  and a remote control module, wherein the remote control module provides an interface for user control of the remote control toy. 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 22 , configured to enable a user to manually select the periods during which the drive member is driven to rotate in the first and second directions. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 22 , configured to enable a user to select a predominant direction of motion of the toy, and wherein the periods during which the drive member is driven to rotate in the first and second directions are selected automatically by the control system. 
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 22 , configured to enable a user to manually select the operating power of the reversible motor. 
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 22 , configured to enable a user to select a predominant direction of motion of the toy, and wherein the operating power of the reversible motor is selected automatically by the control system. 
     
     
         27 . A method of controlling the motion of a toy, the method comprising:
 providing a propulsion apparatus pivotally mounted on a toy, the propulsion apparatus comprising a rotating drive member having an axis of rotation and a reversible motor coupled to the rotating drive member to rotate the drive member in first and second directions;   operating the reversible motor in a first position to rotate the rotating drive member in the first direction to provide a propulsion force in a first propulsion direction;   operating the reversible motor to rotate the rotating drive member in the second direction to cause the rotating drive member to pivot with respect to the toy to a second position, and provide a propulsion force in a second propulsion direction.   
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , comprising operating the reversible motor to rotate the rotating drive member in the first direction to cause the rotating drive member to pivot with respect to the toy to the first position and provide a propulsion force in a first propulsion direction. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 27 , comprising alternately operating the reversible motor to rotate the rotating drive member in the first direction and second directions to cause the rotating drive member to pivot with respect to the toy between the first and second positions and alternately provide a propulsion force in the first and second propulsion directions. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the first and second propulsion directions are non-parallel. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 27 , comprising imparting a serpentine or meandering motion to a toy. 
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 27 , comprising imparting a turn radius to the toy in one or both of the first and second positions. 
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 32 , comprising varying the turn radius by varying operating power of the reversible motor. 
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 27 , comprising operating a secondary movement mechanism configured to be actuated by pivoting of the drive member. 
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein the secondary movement mechanism affects the propulsion direction. 
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 34 , comprising actuating a secondary directional control element of the toy via the secondary movement mechanism. 
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein the secondary directional control element is a rudder or a tail. 
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 34 , comprising providing animation to the toy via the secondary movement mechanism.