Powered Hub Device for Use with Motorized Toy

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a powered hub device for use with a motorized toy, such as an interactive intelligent toy. The powered hub includes a drive bar positioned to frictionally engage with a moving component of a motorized toy, such as a spinning tire. The drive bar, driven by the moving component, in tune powers a drive mechanism to cause movement of various elements on the powered hub device. In a preferred embodiment, the powered hub includes a coupler that allows accessory event hubs to be connected to the powered hub so that motion is transferred to the accessory event hub. Various exemplary embodiments are disclosed.

1 . A powered hub device for use with a motorized toy, comprising:
 a body configured to receive a motorized toy;   a rotatable drive bar extending across a portion of said body, said drive bar positioned to engage with a moving portion of said motorized toy;   a linkage mechanism coupled to said drive bar and operable to transmit rotation of said drive bar; and   a movable event coupled to said linkage mechanism such that rotation of said drive bar is transmitted through said linkage mechanism to move said movable event.   
     
     
         2 . The powered hub of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an output coupler in communication with said linkage mechanism and operable to transfer rotation from said hub.   
     
     
         3 . The powered hub of  claim 2 , wherein said output coupler comprises a spline connection. 
     
     
         4 . The powered hub of  claim 1 , wherein said drive bar comprises at least one drive pad configured to frictionally engage with a wheel of said motorized toy. 
     
     
         5 . The powered hub of  claim 1 , wherein said linkage mechanism comprises at least one gear. 
     
     
         6 . The powered hub of  claim 1 , wherein said linkage mechanism comprises at least one driveshaft. 
     
     
         7 . The powered hub of  claim 1 , wherein said movable event provides horizontal motion, vertical motion, rotational motion, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The powered hub of  claim 1 , wherein said movable event comprises circuitry operable to produce light, sound, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The powered hub of  claim 8 , wherein said circuitry is powered independently of said linkage mechanism. 
     
     
         10 . A powered hub device for use with a motorized toy, comprising:
 a body configured to receive a motorized toy;   a rotatable drive bar extending across a portion of said body, said drive bar positioned to engage with a moving portion of said motorized toy;   a linkage mechanism coupled to said drive bar and operable to transmit rotation of said drive bar; and   an output coupler in communication with said linkage mechanism and operable to transfer rotation from said hub.   
     
     
         11 . The powered hub of  claim 10 , wherein said output coupler comprises a spline connection. 
     
     
         12 . The powered hub of  claim 10 , wherein said drive bar comprises at least one drive pad configured to frictionally engage with a wheel of said motorized toy. 
     
     
         13 . The powered hub of  claim 10 , wherein said linkage mechanism comprises at least one gear and at least one drive shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The powered hub of  claim 10 , wherein said body comprises a slot configured to direct said motorized toy. 
     
     
         15 . The powered hub of  claim 10 , wherein said body comprises a strap configured to secure said motorized toy. 
     
     
         16 . A powered hub device for use with a motorized toy, comprising:
 an input coupler configured to receive rotational motion;   a linkage mechanism coupled to said input coupler operable to transmit rotation of said drive bar;   an output coupler in communication with said linkage mechanism and operable to transfer rotation from said hub; and   a movable event coupled to said linkage mechanism.   
     
     
         17 . The powered hub of  claim 16 , wherein said input coupler and said output coupler each comprise a spline connection. 
     
     
         18 . The powered hub of  claim 16 , wherein said linkage mechanism comprises gears, driveshafts, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The powered hub of  claim 16 , wherein said movable event provides horizontal motion, vertical motion, rotational motion, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The powered hub of  claim 16  wherein said movable event comprises circuitry operable to produce light, sound, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The powered hub of  claim 21 , wherein said circuitry is powered independently of said linkage mechanism. 
     
     
         22 . A powered hub device for use with a motorized toy, comprising:
 a first body configured to receive a motorized toy;   a rotatable drive bar extending across a portion of said first body, said drive bar positioned to engage with a moving portion of said motorized toy;   a first linkage mechanism coupled to said drive bar and operable to transmit rotation of said drive bar;   a first output coupler in communication with said linkage mechanism and operable to transfer rotation from said hub;   a second body comprising an input coupler configured to mate with and receive rotational motion from said first output coupler;   a second linkage mechanism coupled to said input coupler operable to transmit rotation of said drive bar;   a second output coupler in communication with said second linkage mechanism and operable to transfer rotation from said hub; and   a movable event coupled to said second linkage mechanism.   
     
     
         23 . The powered hub of  claim 22 , wherein said first output coupler and said input coupler comprise mating spline connectors. 
     
     
         24 . The powered hub of  claim 22 , wherein said drive bar comprises at least one drive pad configured to frictionally engage with a wheel of said motorized toy. 
     
     
         25 . The powered hub of  claim 22 , wherein said first and second linkage mechanisms comprise gears, driveshafts, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The powered hub of  claim 22 , wherein said first body comprises a slot configured to direct said motorized toy. 
     
     
         27 . The powered hub of  claim 22 , wherein said first body comprises a strap configured to secure said motorized toy. 
     
     
         28 . The powered hub of  claim 22 , wherein said movable event provides horizontal motion, vertical motion, rotational motion, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The powered hub of  claim 22  wherein said movable event comprises circuitry operable to produce light, sound, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         30 . The powered hub of  claim 29 , wherein said circuitry is powered independently of said linkage mechanism.