Apparatus and method for gyroscopic steering

Abstract

A method and apparatus for gyroscopic steering of a vehicle comprising a flywheel tiltable on its axis of rotation where tilting of the axis causes rotation of the vehicle. When applied to a car, the gyroscopic assembly further includes a steering system with wheels mounted on a tilted pivotable axis wherein rotation of the chassis of the car in one direction causes the wheels on that side of the car to move together and the wheels on the opposite side of the car to move apart, thereby causing the car to turn. The apparatus of the present invention further provides commutative delivery of power to the motor spinning the flywheel, thus allowing the flywheel to be rotated 360° without interference from wires.

1 . A toy vehicle with a chassis and a driving means for the chassis, the toy vehicle having an improved steering system comprising: 
 a) a motor located within the chassis;    b) a gyro assembly located within the chassis, the gyro assembly including: 
 i) a housing;  
 ii) a housing axis fixed to the chassis and aligned perpendicular to a drive direction of said vehicle;  
 iii) a gyro located within the housing;  
 iv) a gyro motor located within the housing and drivingly coupled to the gyro, and  
 v) a gyro axis rigidly connected to the housing perpendicular to the housing axis  
   c) a plurality of gears connecting the motor to the gyro assembly; and    d) turning means controlled by the movement of the gyro axis.    
   
   
       2 . The toy vehicle claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mass of the gyro assembly is greater than the mass of the remainder of the vehicle.  
   
   
       3 . The toy vehicle claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the driving means is a drive motor.  
   
   
       4 . The toy vehicle claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gyro assembly is commutated, thereby allowing the housing to rotate 360 degrees around the housing axis.  
   
   
       5 . The toy vehicle claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the toy is a wheeled toy which includes a front axle and a rear axle connected to a front and rear ends respectively, and at least one front wheel attached to the front axle and at least one back wheel attached to the rear axle.  
   
   
       6 . The toy vehicle claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the turning means of the wheeled toy includes a front and rear pivot axle attached perpendicularly to the front and rear axle respectively, said front and rear pivot axles being rotatably mounted at an angle to said chassis.  
   
   
       7 . The toy vehicle claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the toy is a boat.  
   
   
       8 . The toy vehicle claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the turning means is a rudder.  
   
   
       9 . The toy vehicle claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the motor and the driving means are controlled by a hand-held remote.  
   
   
       10 . The toy vehicle claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the hand-held remote controls the motor and driving means by a radio signal;  
   
   
       11 . A gyro assembly for a toy, the assembly comprising: 
 a) a housing having a fixed housing axis;    b) a gyro located within the housing;    c) a gyro motor located within the housing and drivingly coupled to the gyro;    d) a gyro axis rigidly connected to the housing perpendicular to the housing axis; and    e) a gyro gear for tilting said housing about said housing axis.    
   
   
       12 . The gyro assembly claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the housing may rotate 360 degrees around the housing axis.  
   
   
       13 . The gyro assembly claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said housing further includes pins on said housing axis.  
   
   
       14 . The gyro assembly claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said pins are conductive.  
   
   
       15 . The gyro assembly claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said gyro motor is electrically connected to said pins and power is commutated to said pins from a power source.  
   
   
       16 . A method of steering a vehicle, said vehicle having a gyro assembly with a housing, a housing axis fixed within the vehicle and aligned perpendicular to a drive direction of the vehicle, a gyro located within the housing, said gyro being rotated by a gyro motor, and having an axis connected to the housing perpendicular to the housing axis, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) rotating the housing along said housing axis in a first direction when a right turn is desired;    b) rotating the housing along said housing axis in a second direction when a left turn is desired;    c) leaving the housing axis stationary when it is desired that the vehicle proceed in a straight direction, wherein rotation of the housing axis causes the vehicle to precess in a desired direction.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said housing axis is rotated through a motor.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said motor is controlled by a wireless means.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein power to said gyro motor is commutated, thereby allowing said housing to rotate 360 degrees around said housing axis.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the vehicle is a wheeled vehicle having a front and rear axle connected to a front and rear end of said vehicle.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the wheeled toy includes a front and rear pivot axle attached perpendicularly to the front and rear axle respectively, said front and rear pivot axles being rotatably mounted at an angle to said chassis said rotating steps causing said vehicle to precess along said front and rear pivot axles.