Rotorcraft with integrated light pipe support members

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9938009-B2
Application number	US-201514746664-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 22, 2015
Priority date	Aug 15, 2013
Publication date	Apr 10, 2018
Grant date	Apr 10, 2018

Abstract

A radio controlled model rotorcraft implemented with features improving ease of flight and flight performance by increasing structural stability, increasing rotorcraft visibility and orientation awareness through the use of multifunctioning, configurable, and aesthetically pleasing components, while also increasing resistance to damage from crashes through use of impact and vibration absorbing components.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A radio controlled model rotorcraft, comprising:
a plurality of rotor assemblies;
a plurality of arms;
one or more light sources; and
a plurality of support members, each configured to couple to an arm along at least a portion of the length of the arm, providing structural support to the arm;
wherein at least a portion of the support member, extending along substantially the entire length of the support member, is composed of an at least semi-transparent material; and
wherein at least a portion of the semi-transparent material is exposed to at least one of the one or more light sources, transferring the light received substantially throughout the portion of the support member composed of an at least semi-transparent material, illuminating the support member.

2. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 1 , wherein the support members are configured to resist deflection and flexing of the arms.

3. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 1 , wherein the support members are configured to resist twisting of the arms.

4. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 1 , wherein the support members further comprise one or more coupling members integrally formed into the support members for coupling system components to the support members without the use of additional fastening devices.

5. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 4 , wherein the arms further comprise a bar member, and wherein at least one of the coupling members of the support members comprises a hook member, with the hook member configured to fit over and grip the bar member to removably couple the support member to the arm.

6. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 5 , wherein while the hook member is coupled to the bar, the arm is secured against displacement along a direction substantially coincident with the lengthwise direction of the arm.

7. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 4 , wherein the arms further comprise a slot extending along at least a portion of the length of the arm, and wherein at least one of the coupling members of the support members comprises one or more ridges configured to be received by the slot.

8. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 7 , wherein while at least a portion of the ridge is received within the slot, the arm is secured against twisting about its length.

9. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 4 , wherein the support members further comprise:
a first side configured to be substantially planar and oriented to face in a direction away from the lengthwise direction of the support member; and
a second side disposed across from the first side;
wherein at least one of the coupling members of the support members comprises one or more pairs of snap tabs disposed along at least a portion of the first and second sides.

10. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 9 , wherein the arms further comprises:
a curved surface extending along substantially the entire length of the arm;
a first set of lips, disposed along at least a portion of the length of the curved surface; and
a second set of lips, disposed along at least a portion of the length of the curved surface;
wherein the first set and second set of lips are configured to receive the pairs of snap tabs of the support members, holding the support members in place as the snap tabs engage the first and second sets of lips.

11. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 1 :
wherein the support members are configured to removably couple to the arms;
wherein the portion of the support members composed of an at least semi-transparent material is configured to emit illuminated light having a color;
wherein the light sources are configured to emit substantially white light; and
wherein the color of illuminated light emitted from the rotorcraft is configurable through replacement of one or more support members with support members having a desired color.

12. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 11 , wherein each support member comprises a single piece of an at least semi-transparent material.

13. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 11 , wherein each support member is exposed to light from a single light source.

14. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 1 , wherein the number of light sources corresponds to at least the number of support members, with each support member configured to receive light emitted from a single light source.

15. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the illuminated portion of the support members is visible from both above and below the rotorcraft.

16. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 15 , wherein the support members are disposed along the underside of the rotorcraft during level flight.

17. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 16 , wherein the arms are implemented with a cutout portion, forming an opening through the arm, and wherein at least a portion of the illuminated portion of the support member is disposed within the opening through the arm.

18. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 1 , wherein the support members are configured to receive one or more components, securing the received components to the rotorcraft.

19. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 18 :
wherein the rotor assemblies comprise a motor having a length and a cross sectional shape, the motor further comprising a motor shaft extending outward from the motor in a direction substantially parallel to the lengthwise direction of the motor; and
wherein the support member is configured to receive the motor, providing landing support and impact resistance to the motor.

20. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 19 , further comprising:
a foot member composed of a resiliently deformable material;
wherein the support members further comprise a cup member, the cup member comprising:
a surface having a perimeter substantially coincident with the cross sectional shape of the motor;
an open end; and
one or more walls extending away from the surface, in a direction oriented away from the plane of the surface and towards the open end;

wherein the cup member is configured to receive, and at least partially enclose, the motor; and
wherein the cup member is configured to receive and hold in place the foot member, with the foot member in contact with the motor, providing landing support and impact resistance to the motor.

21. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 20 , wherein the arms further comprise:
a motor channel for receiving and at least partially enclosing a motor, the motor channel comprising:
a rim with an opening and a perimeter shape substantially coincident with the cross sectional shape of the motor; and
one or more channel sides extending away from the perimeter of the rim, in a direction oriented away from to the plane of the rim;

wherein the motor shaft passes through the opening of the rim;
wherein the rim perimeter is substantially coincident with the perimeter of the surface of the cup member;
wherein the motor channel and cup member are configured to align when the arm and support member are coupled, forming a motor cradle for at least partially enclosing the motor; and
wherein the cradle formed is configured to prevents shifting of the motor within the housing formed, with the rim pressing the motor against the foot member.

22. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of c

Assignees

• Traxxas Lp

Inventors

• Christensen Casey Christen Jens
• Allmendinger Otto Karl
• Hohnholt Richard Douglas
• Poteet Kent
• Schmitz Scott Rollin Michael
• Blackwell Thomas

Classifications

• B64C27/32

  Rotors · CPC title

• B64C2201/027

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic

• A63H27/12 Primary

  Helicopters (A63H27/04 takes precedence); Flying tops · CPC title

• B64C2201/108

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic

• A63H17/28

  Electric lighting systems · CPC title