Body mounting system for model vehicles

Abstract

A body mounting system for model vehicles that can be adapted and applied to many different types of model vehicles and model bodies. Additionally, the system provides a mounting system using a snap-fit connection to allow rapid mounting and dismounting of body shell components.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/525,585, filed Nov. 26, 2003. The entirety of the application is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a system for mounting body components to model vehicles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to structures for mounting body components to model vehicle frames such as radio-controlled model airplanes, helicopters, cars, and boats.

Model vehicles are used in leisure and hobby activities. Body mounting systems are used to mount body structures and components to vehicles for aerodynamic or aesthetic purposes.

SUMMARY

According to the present disclosure, a system for mounting body components to model vehicles includes a model vehicle frame, a body component, and a body mounting apparatus. Body mounting apparatus is used to couple the body component to the vehicle frame so that the body component covers a portion of the vehicle frame.

Illustratively, the body mounting apparatus includes a mounting member coupled to the vehicle frame, a connector post coupled to the mounting member, and a body support flange. The body support flange is adapted to be coupled to the body component and to mate with a portion of the connector post to enable pivotable movement of the body support flange relative to the connector post.

In an illustrated embodiment, one end of the connector post is formed to include a hole receiving a free end of the mounting member therein to anchor the connector post in a fixed position relative to the vehicle frame. An opposite second end of the connector post includes a ball that is located in a socket formed in the body support flange to establish a “snap-fit” universal joint allowing motion of the body support flange relative to the anchored connector post. Such motion enables a user to move the body support flange relative to the anchored connect post to engage an inner wall of the body component. An adhesive is used to retain the body support flange in mating engagement with the inner wall of the body component.

Additional features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description refers particularly to the accompanying figures which are drawn to scale in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a body mounting system having connector posts and body support flanges in accordance with the current disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the body mounting system of FIG. 1 showing a threaded mounting member extending through an aperture formed in a vehicle frame, a left-side body-mount fixture including a connector post and a body support flange, and a right-side body-mount fixture including a connector post and a body support flange and showing a ball-shaped end of the connector post in the right-side body-mount fixture located in a socket formed in the companion body support flange that has been tilted at a pivot angle of about 20 degrees with respect to a horizontal axis extending through the companion connector post;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of representative model helicopter having a body mounting system supporting a model helicopter body, the helicopter body being illustrated in a transparent fashion to show the interior components and structure of the model helicopter;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of representative model helicopter having a body mounting system supporting a model helicopter body the helicopter body being illustrated in a transparent fashion with all radio system components, mechanical gearing, main rotor assembly, and tail rotor assembly removed for clarity;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of representative model helicopter having a body mounting system supporting a model helicopter body, the helicopter body being illustrated in a transparent fashion and dismounted from the connector posts with all radio system components, mechanical gearing, main rotor assembly, and tail rotor assembly removed for clarity;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a body mounting system connector post being scored by a representative hobby knife to illustrate a method of adjusting the length of the connector post universally to accommodate bodies of different sizes and configurations;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a body mounting system connector post being snapped into two pieces after being scored by a representative hobby knife to illustrate a method of adjusting the length of the connector post universally to accommodate bodies of different sizes and configurations;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a connector post including means for mounting attachments to the connector post, and alternate means of mounting the connector post to a body structure of a model vehicle; and

FIG. 9 is an exploded component view of a universal body mounting kit in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to the present disclosure, a body mounting system 10 for model vehicles includes components that can be coupled to a vehicle frame 16 and a vehicle body 30 and located in a chamber provided inside vehicle body 30. Body mounting system 10 is configured to allow rapid mounting and dismounting of body shell components 30 to vehicle frame 16 as shown, for example in FIG. 1.

Body mounting system 10 includes a mounting member 24, a left-side body-mount fixture 11a, and a right-side body-mount fixture 11b. In the illustrated embodiment, each body-mount fixture 11a and 11b includes a connector post 12 and a body support flange 14 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 2. Illustratively, mounting member 24 is a threaded stud. It is within the scope of the present disclosure to provide a monolithic component including a vehicle frame and a mounting member coupled to the vehicle frame and arranged to extend away from the vehicle frame to mate with a connector post 12. Connector post 12 is a “standoff” because it helps to support a body component of a model vehicle at a distance from vehicle frame 16, as shown in FIG. 3. It is within the scope of this disclosure to provide a body mounting system including a body-mount fixture on one side of vehicle frame 16.

Connector post 12 includes a mounting member-receiving first end 18 and a ball-shaped second end 20. Connector post 12 is generally hollow with a connector post through-hole 22 passing from first end 18 through a center of connector post 12 to second end 20. Through-hole 22 is arranged to receive threaded mounting member or stud 24 which extends through vehicle frame 16 and couples to an interior surface of through-hole 22 to form a threaded surface thereon. A blind hole (not shown) could also be used. Connector post 12 is generally square or polygonal in cross-section to facilitate the gripping of connector post 12 by hand tools such as pliers or wrenches so that connector post 12 can be coupled to threaded stud 24 easily. Illustratively, connector post 12 can be mounted in pairs on opposite sides of vehicle frame 16 to form a multi-connector post mounting system.

Body support flange 14 includes a ball-receiving socket 26 formed to include an annular lip 27 and “petal-shaped” mounting plates 28. Mounting plates 28 are able to deflect relative to one another to mate with a non-flat or otherwise irregular surface of body component 30 of a model vehicle as shown, for example, in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. Illustratively, an adhesive layer such as a CA (cyanoacrylate) glue or a self-adhesive foam tape 32, as shown in FIG. 9, is affixed to a mounting surface 34 of mounting plates 28. Mounting plates 28 are further arranged to be flexible enough to conform to curved or contoured surfaces such as the surfaces found on an inside surface of body component 30.

Illustratively, connector post 12 and body support flange 14 are constructed of a molded plastic material such as, for example, nylon, acetal, polyurethane, or polycarbonate. In other embodiments contemplated by this disclosure, connector post 12 is made of injection-molded nylon or acetal plastic for stiffness. Body support flange 14 is made of injection-molded polycarbonate plastic because polycarbonate plastic is physically strong and compatible with the adhesives used in coupling socket flange 14 to body component 30. In yet another embodiment, connector post 12 is made of injection-molded flexible polyurethane plastic so that connector post 12 can flex when high loads are applied to body component 30, for example, during a crash of a model helicopter 36, as shown in FIG. 3. In yet another embodiment, body support flange 14 is made of a molded flexible elastomeric plastic material such as polyurethane or thermoplastic rubber (TPR). Thermoplastic elastomers having a hardness of about Shore 50 D to 80 D (as measured on a Shore durometer, for example) have a desirable mix of material and mechanical properties for body support flange 14.

Connector post 12 is arranged to be coupled to threaded stud 24 for perpendicular alignment of connector post 12 relative to vehicle frame 16. Threaded stud 24 passes through an aperture 38 in vehicle frame 16 and extends into through-hole 22 in connector post 12 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, connector post 12 of left-side body-mount fixture 1 a is coupled to one end of threaded stud 24 and connector post 12 of right-side body-mount fixture 11b is coupled to an opposite end of threaded stud 24. The two connector posts 12 are moved toward one another to contact oppositely facing surfaces on vehicle frame 16 and “trap” vehicle frame 16 between the two anchored connector posts 12.

Ball-receiving socket 26 is pressed over ball-shaped second end 20 of connector post 12 whereupon annular lip 27 of ball-receiving socket 26 expands elastically and radially outwardly from a center of ball-receiving socket 26 to receive ball-shaped second end 20 into ball-receiving socket 26, and then contracts radially inwardly toward the center of ball-receiving socket 26 to surround ball-shaped second end 20 to form a “snap-fit” connection, thereby coupling body support flange 14 to connector post 12. Body support flange 14 is arranged to pivot about axis 19 on ball-shaped second end 20 of connector post 12, and is further arranged to tilt through a pivot angle 40 of about plus or minus 30 degrees relative to a back-plane 42 before annular lip 27 contacts a side of connector post 12.

Illustratively, the present disclosure is shown for use on a model helicopter 36 as shown, for example, in FIG. 5. It will be understood that while the figures illustrate model helicopter 36 and mounting of a canopy 37 to model helicopter 36, the present disclosure can be used on many different types of model vehicles such as radio-controlled model planes, cars, and boats, and with many types of body components such as canopies, fairings, and windows.

Model helicopter 36 includes a main rotor 44 and a tail rotor 46 driven by a power source 48 as shown, for example, in FIG. 3. Main rotor 44 is arranged for rotation relative to helicopter 36 about a vertical axis 50 by a main rotor shaft 52. Tail rotor 46 is arranged for rotation relative to helicopter 36 about a horizontal axis 54 at an aft end of a tail boom 56. Main rotor shaft 52 and tail boom 56 are coupled to and supported by frame section 16. Body shell component 30 forms a front end of helicopter 36.

In addition to body component 30, vehicle frame 16 supports, for example, vehicle systems 39, as shown in FIG. 3. Illustratively, helicopter 36 is drawn to scale and has a length 60 of about 32 inches (813 mm). Main rotor 44 has a rotor diameter 62 of about 30 inches (762 mm) and tail rotor 46 has a tail rotor diameter 64 of about 8 inches (203 mm). On Model helicopter 36, body component 30 is formed of vacuum or blow molded polycarbonate plastic, for example, and is about 0.020 to 0.032 inches ({fraction (1/50)}″ to {fraction (1/32)}″) average thickness to reduce weight and promote flexibility.

Illustratively, when mounted on helicopter 36, body component 30 is an aircraft canopy arranged to cover a portion of vehicle frame 16. In some embodiments, body component 30 is configured in a variety of other shapes. In the illustrated embodiments, body component 30 is shown as a typical model helicopter canopy. Body component 30 can also be arranged as a scaled-down, man-carrying helicopter. In such arrangements, body component 30 is a “scale canopy,” and is configured to present the appearance of a full-sized helicopter.

Connector posts 12 are anchored to vehicle frame 16 to support body component 30 as shown, for example, in FIG. 4. Associated body support flanges 14 are coupled to a frame-facing inner surface of body component 30 and snap-fitted onto the ball-shaped second ends 20 of connector posts 12.

To locate body component 30 in a fixed position relative to vehicle frame 16, body component 30 is moved in a direction 66 over a front end 17 of vehicle frame 16 until each body support flange 14 is in position adjacent to its associated connector post 12 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 4 and 5. A force is applied in a direction 68 to an exterior-facing outer surface of body component 30 adjacent to each body support flange 14 to cause each body support flange 14 to snap-fit onto an associated ball-shaped second end 20 of connector post 12 to anchor body component 30 to vehicle frame 16.

Body component 30 is removed from vehicle frame 16 in a similar fashion. A force is applied in the opposite of direction 68 to the inside surface of body component 30 near each body support flange 14 to cause each annular lip 27 of ball-receiving socket 26 to expand radially outwardly from the center of ball-receiving socket 26 to release ball-shaped second end 20, and allow body component 30 to move away from vehicle frame 16, as suggested in FIG. 4. This method of mounting and dismounting body component 30 allows a user to access vehicle frame 16 for such purposes as replacement or charging of a motor battery (not shown) or filling of a fuel tank (not shown).

Body support flange 14 is able to snap-fit onto connector post 12 at pivot angle 40 of about plus or minus 30 degrees, as suggested in FIG. 2. Thus, body support flange 14 can be coupled to an inside surface of body component 30 and arranged such that an angle of plus or minus 30 degrees relative to frame 16 is maintained. Each body support flange 14 is formed to include the petal-shaped mounting plates 28, as suggested in FIG. 1. Mounting plates 28 are conformable to a non-flat or otherwise irregular inner surface of body component 30.

Connector post 12 is designed to be adaptable to different vehicle frames and body components. Each connector post 12 further includes a set of trimming marks 13 and is generally constructed of a plastic material at a length longer than required for any particular model. Trimming marks 13 are molded on the surface of connector post 12. To adjust the length of connector post 12, a sharp instrument (e.g. hobby knife 15) is used to cut away an excess portion of connector post 12 at one of the trimming marks 13, as illustrated in FIGS. 6-7.

In some embodiments, connector post 12 further includes cross holes 70, mounting bolts 72, and spacers 74. Cross holes 70 are configured for mounting other components of a model vehicle such as, for example, guards and wiring harnesses. It will be appreciated that connector post 12 can be arranged to have cross holes 70 located along its entire length and configured to receive mounting bolts 72 as shown, for example, in FIG. 8.

In one embodiment contemplated by this disclosure, connector post 12 is mounted to vehicle frame 16 using cross holes 70. Spacers 74 are arranged to separate post 12 from vehicle frame 16 so as to position or offset connector post 12 to any desired location relative to vehicle frame 16.

Body mounting system 10 further includes connector posts 12 with a like number of mounting bolts 72 or threaded studs (not shown), washers 76, and body support flanges 14, as shown in FIG. 9. Body support flanges 14 may be coupled to a body shell component 30 by use of an adhesive consisting of, but not limited to, for example, a liquid adhesive such as CA (cyanoacrylate or “super glue,”) or self-adhesive foam tape 32, to adhere each body support flange 14 to a body component 30. In some embodiments, self-adhesive foam tape 32 is comprised of a layer of closed-cell polyethylene or other foam plastic about ⅛ inch (3 mm) thick and coated on both inner and outer surfaces with strong adhesives which are compatible with the material of body support flange 14 and body component 30.

Illustratively, body mounting system 10 includes four connector posts 12 and four body support flanges 14 although kits containing other numbers of connector posts 12 and body support flanges 14 are anticipated as shown, for example, in FIG. 9. Each body mounting system 10 is configured to mount at least one body component 30 to a vehicle frame 16. Body mounting system 10 alternatively may be used in the field to mount a body component 30 or repair a broken body mount system component, if necessary.

In some embodiments it may desirable to use a hard, stiff connector post 12 to rigidly mount a body component 30 wherein connector post 12 is almost certain to break in the event of a crash. Thus, connector post 12 is considered to be disposable.

The illustrative embodiment has multiple posts, adjustable post lengths, adjustable post orientations, adjustable socket angles, flexible body support flanges, and is compatible with many adhesive systems. Thus, it can adapt to most body components and vehicle frame styles, and mount most body components to most frame structures.

It may be desirable to configure connector post 12 to release from body support flange 14 during a crash of a model vehicle such as helicopter 36 so as to reduce damage to connector post 12 and body component 30. When force is applied to body component 30 as when, for example, helicopter 36 crashes, connector post 12 is configured to deform or otherwise bend away from the force until the angle between connector post 12 and body support flange 14 exceeds the maximum socket pivot angle 40 so that body support flange 14 uncouples from connector post 12 without breaking. Since body shell component 30 is often thin and flexible, flexing of body component 30 near connector post 12 effectively increases pivot angle 40 and encourages body flange 14 to disengage from ball-shaped second end of connector post 12.

Unlike simple toys which have few operational requirements, radio-controlled model vehicles are configured to operate realistically. Cars are designed to drive. Airplanes and helicopters are designed to fly. Such operational models have design challenges not found in toys. Thus, it may desirable on many types of models to remove all or part of body component 30 at various times to access components such as radio system components and batteries mounted to vehicle frame 16.

Illustratively, connector post 12 is flexible to resist damage in the event of a crash of the model vehicle which applies unusual forces to body component 30. Multiple connector posts 12 are provided to support large body components such as the canopy of a model helicopter. In some embodiments, connector post 12 further includes means such as cross-holes and brackets for mounting other model components such as guards.

With respect to body mounting system 10, mounting member 24, connector post 12, and body support flange 14 cooperate to provide means for removably coupling body component 30 to vehicle frame 16. Mounting member 24, connector post 12, and body support flange 14 also cooperate to provide means for body support flange 14 allowing pivotable movement of body support flange 14 about axis 19 relative to connector post 12.

Claims

1. A model vehicle comprising

a vehicle frame,

a mounting member coupled to the vehicle frame and arranged to extend away from the vehicle frame,

a body component arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to the vehicle frame, and

a body-mount fixture including a connector post and a body support flange mounted on the connector post for movement relative to the connector post, the body support flange being arranged to mate with an inner wall of the body component arranged to face toward the vehicle frame, the connector post being coupled to the mounting member to anchor the connector post in an anchored position relative to the vehicle frame and retain the body component in a predetermined position relative to the vehicle frame.

2. The model vehicle of claim 1, wherein the connector post is made of a flexible material and configured to provide means for bending away from an external force applied to the body component and relative to the vehicle frame so that the body support flange un-mates from the inner wall of the body component.

3. The model vehicle of claim 2, wherein a first end of the connector post is formed to include a hole and the connector post extends into said hole.

4. The model vehicle of claim 3, wherein a second end of the connector post includes a ball that is received in a socket formed in the body support flange to establish a universal joint between the connector post and the body support flange.

5. The model vehicle of claim 3, wherein a first end of the connector post is coupled to the mounting member, an opposite second end of the connector post is coupled to the body support flange and a middle portion of the connector post is formed to include the hole and is arranged to extend between the first and second ends and formed to include a series of spaced-apart trimming marks to provide means for receiving a knife blade to facilitate shortening of the connector post to create a new first end thereof formed to include an opening into the hole and receiving the mounting member therein.

6. The model vehicle of claim 2, further comprising adhesive means for retaining the body support flange in mating relation to the inner wall of the body component so that the body support flange separates from the body component without breaking the body component during bending movement of the connector post relative to the vehicle frame.

7. The model vehicle of claim 2, wherein the body support flange includes a post receiver coupled to the connector post and a plurality of flexible petal-shaped mounting plates arranged to extend radially outwardly from the post receiver to mate with a surface on the inner wall of the body component.

8. The model vehicle of claim 2, wherein the body support flange is made of a thermoplastic elastomer having a hardness of about shore 50 D to 80 D as measured on a shore durometer to form flexible petal-shaped mounting plates.

9. The model vehicle of claim 1, wherein a first end of the connector post is formed to include a hole and the connector post extends into said hole.

10. The model vehicle of claim 9, wherein a second end of the connector post includes a ball that is received in a socket formed in the body support flange to establish a universal joint between the connector post and the body support flange.

11. The model vehicle of claim 9, wherein the vehicle frame is formed to include an aperture, the mounting member is a threaded stud, and the connector post includes internal threads located in the hole and configured to mate with external threads formed on the threaded stud.

12. The model vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle frame is formed to include an aperture, the mounting member is arranged to extend through the aperture to form a first stud on one side of the vehicle frame and a second stud on an opposite side of the vehicle frame, and the connector post is coupled to the first stud to locate the body-mount fixture on the one side of the vehicle frame, and further comprising an auxiliary body-mount fixture lying on the opposite side of the vehicle frame and including an auxiliary connector post coupled to the second and an auxiliary body support flange mounted on the auxiliary connector post for movement relative to the auxiliary connector post and arranged to mate with another body component located on the opposite side of the vehicle frame to retain the another body component in a predetermined position relative to the vehicle frame.

13. An apparatus for mounting a body to a model vehicle, the apparatus comprising

a model vehicle including a vehicle frame,

a body component configured to cover a portion of the model vehicle frame and formed to include an inner wall facing toward the vehicle frame, and

a body mounting system comprising a connector post and a body support flange, wherein the connector post has a first end retained in a fixed position relative to the vehicle frame and a second end located adjacent to the body component, the body support flange is mounted on the second end of the connector post for movement relative to the connector pot to orient the body support flange in a predetermined position relative to the inner wall of the body component, and the body support flange is coupled to the inner wall to support the body component in a predetermined position relative to the vehicle frame.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the connector post has a connector post reference axis and the body support flange has a flange reference plane forming a pivot angle therebetween and wherein the connector post and the body support flange are pivotably connected to pivot about a pivot axis transverse to the connector post reference axis to support the body component at a predetermined pivot angle relative to the vehicle frame.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the connector post and body support flange cooperate to cause the pivot angle to vary between about positive 30 degrees and negative 30 degrees during movement of the body support flange relative to the connector post.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the connector post and body support flange cooperate to establish a universal joint allowing the body support flange to pivot in any direction.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second end of the connector post terminates in a spherical ball, and the spherical ball and spherical socket cooperate to form a universal joint between the connector post and the body support flange.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the body support flange is fixedly coupled to the body component and the body component can be separated from the structural frame by uncoupling the body support flange from the connector post.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein a socket portion of the body support flange expands elastically to accommodate entry of the connector post therein and contracts after entry of the connector post therein, thereby establishing a snap-fit connection between the connector post and the body support flange.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the body component comprises a thin shell having a first inside surface on one side of the thin shell facing toward the vehicle frame and a second outside surface adjacent to the first surface across a thickness of the thin shell on the opposite side of the thin shell and facing away from the vehicle frame, and the body support flange is secured to the first inside surface.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the body support flange is secured to the thin shell as by an adhesive layer so that the second outside surface is continuous and undisturbed by application of the body support flange to the first inside surface.

22. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the body support flange is made of a flexible plastics material which is conformable to the surface contours of the body component.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the plastics material is one of nylon, acetal, polyurethane, and polycarbonate and has a hardness of 50 D to 80 D durometer.

24. A universal body mounting kit having component parts capable of being assembled in the field to mount body components of a model vehicle to a structural frame of the model vehicle, the kit comprising the combination of

a set of body-mount fixtures, each body-mount fixture including a connector post and a body support flange mounted for movement on the connector post and arranged to contact an inner wall of a certain body component included in the model vehicle,

a post retainer provided for each body-mount fixture and associated with the structural frame of the model vehicle and coupled to a companion one of the connector posts to retain the companion one of the connector posts in a fixed position relative to the structural frame, and

attachment means for coupling each body support flange to a companion inner wall of the certain body component included in the model vehicle.

25. The mounting kit of claim 24, wherein the attachment means includes an adhesive system providing means for securing the socket flange to the interior surface of a body component without disturbing the visible exterior surface of the body component.

26. The mounting kit of claim 24, wherein at least one post and at least one body support flange mates in a snap-fit connection allowing assembly and disassembly of the post and body support flange

27. The mounting kit of claim 24, wherein at least one post and at least one body support flange cooperate to form a universal joint pivotable about a pivot axis.

28. An apparatus for mounting a body to a model vehicle, the apparatus comprising

a model vehicle including a vehicle frame,

a body component configured to cover a portion of the model vehicle frame, and

a body mounting system for connecting the body component to the vehicle frame during normal operation of the model vehicle, the body mounting system comprising a first part connected to the vehicle frame and a second part connected to the body component and receptive to the first part, and wherein one of the first part and second part are semi-flexible so the first and second parts can be joined together in a snap-fit connection to hold the body component in spaced-apart relation to the vehicle frame.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the second part is fixedly secured to the interior surface of a body shell of the model vehicle.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the model vehicle has length, width, and height dimensions and the length dimension is the longest of said three dimensions and wherein the model vehicle has a longitudinal body axis extending along the length of the model vehicle from a first terminal end of the model vehicle to a second terminal end of the model vehicle, and wherein the thin shell has a thickness that is about 0.0005 ({fraction (5/10,000)}) to 0.001 ({fraction (1/100)}) times the length of the model vehicle.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the body shell is made of a semi-flexible plastic material including one of polycarbonate, polyester, and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene).

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the thin shell is formed in a manufacturing process including one of vacuum forming and blow forming.

33. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the first and second parts form a universal joint capable of pivoting through a pivot angle of about plus or minus 30 degrees.

34. An apparatus for mounting a body to a model vehicle, the apparatus comprising

a model vehicle including a vehicle frame formed to include a threaded mounting member,

a body component configured to cover a portion of the model vehicle frame, and

a body mounting system including a connector post removably coupled to the mounting member, a mounting flange coupled to the body component, and a socket coupled to the mounting flange on one side and to the connector post on another side for pivotable movement of the socket relative to the connector post.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the mounting flange includes radially outwardly extending mounting petals arranged to deflect relative to one another to mate with an irregular surface of the body component.

36. An apparatus for mounting a body to a model vehicle, the apparatus comprising

a model vehicle including a vehicle frame including a threaded mounting member extending through an aperture formed in the vehicle frame, a left-side body-mount fixture including a connector post and a body support flange, and a right-side body-mount fixture including a connector post and a body support flange,

means for removably coupling the body to each of the left-side and right-side body-mount fixture, and

joint means for coupling each body support flange to a companion one of the connector posts so that each body support flange is able to pivot about an axis formed by a companion mounting member and connector post.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the joint means includes a ball-shaped end portion formed on the connector post and a socket portion formed on the body support flange to expand elastically to accommodate entry of the ball-shaped end portion therein and contract after entry of the ball-shaped end portion therein to establish a snap-fit connection between the ball-shaped end portion and the body support flange.

38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the joint means includes a ball-shaped end portion formed on the connector post and a socket portion formed on the body support flange and the ball-shaped end portion and body support flange cooperate to establish a universal joint therebetween.