Abstract: The present invention is a pull-back, windup type spring drive unit with two output shafts capable of transmitting driving force to the front-wheels and rear-wheels. This unit is provided with: a frame; front-wheel and rear wheel output shafts; a drive gear; a spring; a windup gear mechanism; first and second running gear mechanisms connectable to the front-wheel and rear-wheel shafts; and a constant speed mechanism. When one of the output shafts is rotated for winding, switching gear of the windup gear mechanism moves to a mesh position and the rotation of the output shaft for winding is transmitted to the drive gear to wind up the spring. When the drive gear is rotated for running, switching gears of the respective running gear mechanism move to the respective mesh positions to transmit the rotation of the drive gear to each of the output shafts.

Abstract: A device for winding a rubber band motor has a very light weight so that it may be carried by a model airplane, almost without any weight penalty. A pulley with a recoil spring has a string wound thereon so that the release of a pulled string rewinds it onto the pulley. A clutch mechanism engages the pulley and rubber band when the string is pulled and disengages when the string rewinds. This way, the string may be pulled repeatedly in order to store more energy in the rubber band.

Abstract: A spiral spring toy having a pulling string, a string windup spiral spring, first and second turning bodies, a driving spiral spring, a spiral-shaped guide groove and a floating means. The first turning body is connected with the driving spiral spring so that the driving spiral string biases the first turning body in a first rotational direction and rotation of the first turning body in a second rotational direction charges the driving spiral spring. The second turning body is connected with the pulling string and the string windup spiral spring so that the string windup spiral spring biases the second turning body in the first rotational direction. When the pulling string is pulled, the second turning body rotates in the second rotational direction and charges the string windup spiral spring. The spiral-shaped guide groove has an end portion and is provided on either the first or the second turning body.

Abstract: A winder assembly comprises a spindle provided with a threaded portion, a winder removably engageable with the threaded portion of the spindle and a holder for holding the winder in position when the threaded portion of the spindle and the winder are disengaged from each other, the winder being provided with a perforated guide having a diameter of perforation substantially equally to the diameter of the threaded portion of the spindle. Such an assembly may be suitably used for a music box containing an automatic instrument or the like because it can be easily fitted to a music box and used to operate the music box by simply rotating the winder. Moreover, the winder is provided with a hollow section having a diameter or perforation substantially equal to the diameter of the bolt section of the spindle, the winder can be hardly tilted to damage the stopper, or holder, and separated from the spindle to become an unintended hazard to little children.

Abstract: A power spring drive apparatus having a power spring on a power spring wind up shaft, an output shaft, and a gear train for winding the power spring and for transferring the rotational force of a wound power spring to the output shaft. The apparatus is in a housing case formed of first and second synthetic resin cases connected together by pins and receiving holes. The housing case has a power spring housing section with a window between the section and externally of the housing. One end of the power spring has a neck shape and extends through the window and is fastened to the housing.

Abstract: The present invention is concerns with a spring drive used as a driving power source for a moving toy. The spring drive has a windup pinion of which at least the top of one end is formed at its rotation axis as a small diameter end having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the body thereof, and a supporting member having a supporting surface for supporting the windup pinion at the small diameter end. The windup pinion is freely rotatively supported at its small diameter end on the supporting surface of the supporting member, the friction force acting against the rotation of the pinion, is decreased.

Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a body-and-chassis assembly comprising a main portion and a movable body component which is movable relative to the main portion. The toy vehicle further includes a manually operable operating mechanism in the body-and-chassis assembly for moving the movable body component between first and second positions thereof with a relatively slow steady dampened movement which simulates the movement of a body component of a full-sized vehicle.

Abstract: This invention provides a moveable toy with a trigger control mechanism which has: a main body for defining the toy; a frame disposed within the main body; at least one acting means being able to reserve energy for generating an acting force and having a member for triggering the acting force; and a trigger control means installed in the frame and adapted to reserve energy for generating a rotating force by which the member of the above-mentioned acting means can be actuated and the acting force of the acting means can be triggered and released.

Abstract: This invention relates to a spiral spring power source for a toy, which can select a method of winding a power spiral spring 7 by a pulling string type winding cord 25 and a method of winding the power spiral spring 7 by a winding key 43 by removing a mechanism relative to the winding yarn 25, can alter the pulling direction of the winding cord 25 at 360.degree. in case of the method with the winding cord 25, can drive the output shaft through a gear set when uncoiling the energized power spiral spring 7, but can produce outputs not at one position but at a plurality of positions to be connected to a plurality of gears selected from the gear set.

Abstract: A spiral-spring type driving unit is disclosed, including a gear train formed essentially of a gear housing, three rotary shafts and six gears; and a spiral spring serves as a prime mover of a toy vehicle. The spiral spring of the driving unit is wound up so as to store a sufficient energy therein when the toy vehicle is moved backward by a relatively short distance by an external force. The toy vehicle can move forward by a relatively long distance under the influence of a resilient force of the thus tightened spiral spring when the spiral spring is unwound. The winding-up operation of the spiral spring is conducted by the means of a ring-like external gear serving as an idle gear in the gear train of the driving unit.

Abstract: A braking device is provided to reduce the speed at which a shiftable spring motor runs down. The braking device includes a pallet which is mounted so that it can oscillate, the pallet having a pair or arms which cooperate with the teeth of an escape wheel 13 which rotates as the spring runs down. The pallet is connected to a pendulum weight. The depth of engagement of the arms of the pallet in the teeth of the escape wheel as well as the amplitude of oscillation of the pallet and/or the pendulum weight connected therewith allow the braking action to be changed and hence the speed at which the motor runs down in one of a plurality of selectable shift positions.

Abstract: A spring driven two-wheel toy vehicle in which the weights of the spring drive unit and the transmission gears are distributed such that the toy is laterally well-balanced. In order to simplify assembly, a frame is provided with integrally formed shafts to which various transmission gears are affixed and is integrally provided with steering shaft support bearings. Two transmission gear mechanisms are engaged with the spring drive unit. One on each side for independently transmitting a torque from the drive wheel to the drive unit by one, and transmitting a torque from the drive unit to the drive wheel by the other.

Abstract: The two-speed drive mechanism for toys of the present invention comprises, in order to utilize the spiral spring releasing force as the source of driving power, a mechanism element interconnecting through a gear mechanism a spiral spring shaft fixed with one end of the spiral spring and an output shaft for taking out the power; a mechanism element for deciding to change or not to change the rotational speed by acting or not acting on the output shaft of the aforementioned mechanism element; and an interconnecting gear group for interconnecting the spiral spring shaft and the aforementioned elements so that the working time of the latter mechanism element may be effected later by certain rotations than the point of time the spiral spring begins to rotate (when releasing).

Abstract: A spring drive mechanism has a spiral spring positioned in a spring encasement as a power source. Its ends are connected, on the one hand, to a spring encasement gear and, on the other hand, to a spring shaft gear. For the purpose of winding up the spring, the spring encasement gear is in mesh with a first drive pinion and the spring shaft gear is in mesh with a second drive pinion. These drive pinions has a stress-free connection to a wind down/wind up shaft across a unidirectional torque transmitters which each permits rotation in one direction; the directions being opposite. A reverse pinion has one pinion sprocket is mesh with the spring shaft gear. The other pinion sprocket is in mesh with the drive pinion in the wind up position. In this position, the spring drive mechanism is blocked in such a way that the tensioned driving spring cannot release.

Abstract: A drive mechanism using a spiral spring as a driving force for driving toy motorcars and other running toys comprises a frame having a mounting hole for easily assembling a spiral spring within the frame permitting all the components required for constructing the mechanism, except for a spiral spring, to be preassembled completely and the spiral spring may later be conveniently inserted from outside the frame, the spiral spring in the first embodiment having at its fore end an engaging part while in the second embodiment no such end engaging part is required, permitting a very easy assembling of the spiral spring.

Abstract: A motion delay mechanism is disclosed which can be mounted within the torso of an animated figure toy having articulated arms. A spring is used to rotate the arms and a governor is incorporated into the mechanism for the purpose of delaying movement of the arms.The governor features a worm gear which is used in conjunction with other gears to slow down rotation of the arms. A ratchet is used for selectively loading the spring and engaging the gears. The arms of the figure toy may be used to slowly move the hands of the toy through hair attached to the toy's head or to tilt the head backward.

Abstract: A drive wheel has a power spring within a drum housing formed on one side of the casing. The drive wheel includes a sun gear and a fixed pinion rotatably mounted about a shaft of the sun gear, the power spring being coupled between the sun gear and the fixed position of the drum housing. The fixed gear is fixedly connected to the vehicle body and the sun gear is rotatably mounted centrally of the casing. Spring winding and release gear trains are mounted in cooperative association with the sun gear and fixed pinion and provided with respective shift gears movable generally in the radial direction or perpendicular direction to the rotation of the shaft. An idle gear always meshing with the shift gear of the spring winding gear train is provided.

Abstract: A rubber band powered motor for a model airplane is provided having dual parallel drive shafts from which perpendicularly extend through the wing portions of the plane rubber band motor units, which comprise tape rollers, non-elastic tapes, guide rollers and rubber bands. The drive shafts extend through and are fixed to the tape rollers, upon which is wound the non-elastic tapes. The rubber bands are guided around the guide rollers and are connected to the tapes at one end and to the airframe at the other. Gear means are wound to rotate the shafts to wind the tapes so as to stretch the rubber bands. In operation, the bands relax and pull the tapes to turn the shafts and, via an intermediate gear drive train, the propeller. The tapes and gears absorb the sudden burst of rubber band energy and provide for an extended and stable flight.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spring drive for use in a moving toy which comprises a windup pinion 5, a spring windup shaft 7 having a gear 6 meshing with the pinion 5, a large gear 8 provided around the spring windup shaft 7, a drive pinion 9 always meshing with the large gear 8, and a spur gear 20 integrally formed with the drive pinion 9, wherein a stepped portion 10 having a larger diameter than that of the gear 6 is formed between the gear 6 of the spring windup shaft and the large gear 8, and one end of the windup pinion 5 is supported by the stepped portion 10 and the spur gear 20 integrally formed with the drive pinion 9, thereby omitting an intermediate partition frame.

Abstract: A unique drive mechanism for a toy vehicle is disclosed which can be selectively enabled to cause the toy to come to an abrupt halt after a powered run, and which can cause the toy to realistically imitate a "spin out" of a full scale vehicle. The drive train includes a first gear directly rotated by a coiled spring, a second gear coupled in driving engagement with the vehicle's wheels, and a third gear shiftable between an engaged position coupling the first and second gears, and a cleared position wherein the second gear can rotate independently of the first gear. The third gear can be locked in its engaged position by a pivotal, gravity biased locking mechanism. The selective, locked engagement of the first, second and third gears causes the vehicle to come to an abrupt halt after the coil spring has fully unwound at the completion of a powered run.

Abstract: A two-speed action spring drive which automatically changes the gears from very slow to fast moving state is disclosed. In this device the gear meshing with a driving gear group and the gear meshing with a reducing gear group are linked together by a detachable means which can idle these gears when an excessive force acts thereon.

Abstract: An improved spring-wound prime mover provides a housing cavity that can automatically fix one end of a spring upon insertion. The gear train includes individual gears that automatically provide a first gear ratio for storing energy and a second gear ratio for releasing energy. The prime mover is assembled with a friction fitting arrangement to simplify manufacturing.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for toy running vehicles comprises a frame member having a circular recess for receiving a coil spring therein, a gear, a pinion, and a gear mechanism for connecting the gear and the pinion within the recess with a drive shaft having wheels mounted thereon, a cover for the frame, another frame snap-engaged with the first mentioned frame and a spring in the recess. The inner end of the spring is inserted through a guide slot formed in the first frame and wound within the recess, the inner peripheral wall face of which has a plurality of small recesses for receiving the outer end of the wound spring.

Abstract: An improved spring wound prime mover capable of use with toys is provided. A plastic resin housing member comprises a pair of housing shells having complementary locking pawls and keeper members to permit a snap together assembly. The housing member further supports a spring member that can be selectively connected to a gear train assembly having a first and second gear ratio. The first gear ratio includes gears with a higher degree of mechanical strength than those engaged in the second gear ratio whereby a durable gear transmission is provided that can run smooth for driving the vehicle.

Abstract: A music box operating stopping mechanism in which a pull string for winding a coil string can be stopped with a very small force so as to prevent the skin of a finger from being caught by the string as passes through a hole in the case of the music box. A locking member is provided which can pass in and out of the region of rotation of an air braking type speed governor plate which is driven by the coil spring. The locking member is urged out of the region of rotation of the governor plate with an elastic force which is much smaller than the elastic force of the coil string. The string is engaged with the locking member so that when the string is pulled outwardly during playing of music, the locking member is moved into the region of rotation of the governor plate against the elastic force of the string.

Abstract: A toy boat powered by a rubber-band as a source of driving power for a propeller, the rubber band being wound to energize it by a helical type spiral rod adapted to be reciprocated longitudinally within the hull of the boat respectively in opposite directions to wind the rubber band by means of a gear train actuated by the spiral rod when moved in one longitudinal direction and clutch structures being included to permit sequential retraction of the spiral rod while the rubber band is prevented from unwinding during such retraction without the use of a locking member or the like.

Abstract: Spring motor for toy vehicles mainly comprising a spring constituted by a twisting rubber skein driving a driving-shaft connected to the propeller by a gear transmission and carrying a maneuvering endpiece receiving a winding crank which crosses the circle swept by the propeller. A free wheel may be included in the gear transmission.

Abstract: A multi-stage energy storage device having a multi-stage construction of energy storage units adapted to uniformly distribute energies stored to each stage, and its embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A toy activating mechanism including first and second relatively movable portions, a rotor mounted on the first portion and rotated relative thereto by a wound rubber band with parts of the rubber band rubbed along a surface on the first portion to slow rotation of the rotor relative thereto. The rotor has a row of projections that engage a protrusion on the second part to cause the relative motion as the rotor turns.

Abstract: An energy supply device for supplying a predetermined amount of energy by means of rotating rollers driven by an electric motor to a power toy driven by elastic materials is disclosed.

Abstract: A toy vehicle having a spring drive mechanism coupled through first and second unidirectional slip clutch members to the drive wheels thereof, the slip clutches including gear members for winding the spring through a first gear ratio while pushing the vehicle in the reverse direction on a surface, and for propelling the vehicle through a second gear ratio upon release of the vehicle, each of the actions utilizing only one of the slip clutch members.

Abstract: A toy timing device including an escapement-like mechanism regulating the movement of a movable portion toward a position on a housing toward which it is biased by the alternate slipping and sticking of parts of a rubber band extending over ribs on the movable portion as the rubber band parts move along a continuous surface on the housing.

Abstract: An improved spring motor in combination with a toy vehicle which can be easily manufactured and which can be wound up by moving the car forwardly and rearwardly in reciprocating movement without changing the physical configuration of the motor. The motor includes a first motor member about which a coil spring is engaged and a second motor member coaxial therewith and motion transmitting means interconnecting the two members such that the first motor member is rotated in response to rotation of the second member in the same direction but at a slightly slower speed. Power take-off means connect the motor to an item to be driven such as the rear wheels of a car. The motor is rewound through the power take-off means during which ratchet means allow the rotational motion transmitting means to be ineffective and during which a rewind ratchet holds the first motor means stationary to achieve high speed spring windup.

Abstract: A spring drive mechanism which is particularly suitable for mobile toys, for example, such as small toy autos. In a spring drive mechanism of the above-mentioned type, in that the axle of the reversing pinion is a portion of a spring wire which is retained in spring drive mechanism plates, whereby a spring portion which is located on the side of the elongate aperture is constructed as an abutment for displacing the axle of the reversing pinion to thereby form the drive connection. The inner hook-shaped constructed end of the drive spring engages behind a projection on the spring core shaft. When the spring is unloaded, this construction allows for the spring core shaft to further rotate, since the now stationary or more slowly rotating inner end of the spring will not hinder the further rotational movement of the spring core shaft.

Abstract: In a spring or electric motor, or other power means for toys, games or the like, a liquid governor which has gear members disposed for rotation within a closed interior cavity of a housing for the governor. A driven shaft extends from the motor means through the housing into the cavity and is operatively connected to a driven gear disposed within the cavity. An idler gear is disposed in meshed engagement with the driven gear for rotation thereby, and a high viscosity liquid substantially fills the cavity providing resistance to the driving of the gears and thereby a slowing control for the motor.

Abstract: A spring prime mover unit comprising a spring prime mover, a transmission gear and a plurality of connectors. Among the connectors, there are rotatable connectors and non-rotary connectors. The rotatable connectors are the ends of some shafts of the transmission gear and the non-rotary connectors are the attachments of a covering frame. The spring prime mover unit may be exchangeably equipped with auxiliary toy parts or toys which have not prime movers and form various movable toys to one prime mover unit. Therefore, children themselves can assemble various interesting movable toys and enjoy various motion of the toys.