Wheeled Vehicle Patents (Class 446/465)
  • Patent number: 8109805
    Abstract: A wheel device for a toy vehicle, in which one of a pair of wheels rolling on a pair of metal rails attracts with a magnet to reduce resistance caused by magnetic force and suppress load on a motor. The wheel device 1 includes a first axle 2, and a first wheel 10 and a second wheel 20 provided on opposite sides of the first axle 2. The first wheel 10 includes a first wheel main body 11 rolling on one of the rails 261 and a first flange 12 guided by the one rail. The second wheel 20 includes a second wheel main body 21 rolling on the other of the rails 261 and a second flange 22 guided by the other rail. The second wheel main body 21 is formed of a magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Eishindo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirotsugu Hirai
  • Publication number: 20120009846
    Abstract: A gearbox for a toy vehicle is provided that is adapted to transmit rotational power from a motor to a first drivetrain system adapted to drive a wheel and a second drivetrain system adapted to actuate an accessory feature. A swing mechanism is provided to alternatively translate rotational motion from the motor to the first drivetrain or the second drivetrain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventor: Andrew Kevin Miller
  • Patent number: 8092272
    Abstract: A moveable electronic toy includes a base, a base cover, two wheels and two wheel covers. The base cover is fixedly mounted on the base. The two wheels are rotatably connected to the base and exposed from the base cover. The two wheel covers is detachably coupled to the base cover and is configured for covering the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Yan Yang
  • Patent number: 8087503
    Abstract: A driving mechanism for driving a wheel of a toy car includes a motor, a first clutch, a second clutch, a guide shaft, a spring, and a limiting element. The first clutch driven by the motor has an engaging end surface defining a center hole thereon. The second clutch capable of latching with the wheel for driving the wheel has an engaging surface engaging with the engaging end surface. The second clutch defines a stepped hole substantially perpendicular to the engaging surface thereof, the stepped hole includes a first portion and a second portion. The guide shaft is disposed running through the stepped hole and has an end thereof fixed in the center hole. The spring sleeves the guide shaft and is compressed between the limiting element secured on the guide shaft and a stepped surface in the stepped hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin-Shi Lai
  • Patent number: 8057277
    Abstract: The present invention provides a toy car wheel with an adjustable center of gravity. The middle of the toy car wheel defines a through hole. At least one spoke is distributed between the rim of the toy car wheel and the through hole. At least one channel is defined in each spoke. At least one spherical body is disposed in each channel. When a toy car decelerates, a momentum of the toy car decreases, the at least one spherical body descends in a corresponding channel, and the center of gravity of the toy car wheel descends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kim-Yeung Sip, Kui-Jun Wang
  • Patent number: 8043138
    Abstract: Toy apparatus is provided including a playbase (22) and at least a first toy member (16) movable relative to said playbase between at least first (36) and second (90) positions via movement means. The movement means are arranged so as to separate the at least first toy member a spaced distance apart from a surface of the playbase in moving said toy member between the at least first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Origin Products Limited
    Inventor: Mark Buckley
  • Publication number: 20110256797
    Abstract: A rolling fluid-filled toy novelty having a transparent shell so that the fluid within the toy is visible. The toy novelty has a molded shell. A base is provided that is affixed to the molded shell. Together, the molded shell and base define a watertight internal chamber that is visible through the material of the molded shell. The internal chamber is filled with a liquid. Flotsam objects are disposed within the internal chamber that swirl within the liquid when the liquid is disturbed. A plurality of wheels are provided. The wheels enable the toy novelty to roll freely on a smooth surface. As the toy novelty is pushed, rolls and contacts other objects, the liquid within the toy vehicle becomes disturbed. The flotsam objects therefore swirl within the liquid, making the toy vehicle visually interesting to observe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Mark J. Chernick, Webb T. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8038160
    Abstract: A children's ride-on toy includes at least two casters. The ride-on toy has a first caster mount connected to the body, wherein the first caster mount comprises a first caster receptacle, and a second caster mount connected to the body, wherein the second caster mount comprises a second caster receptacle. In at least one embodiment, the first caster has an engagement shaft that is uniquely adapted to engage the first caster receptacle, and the second caster has an engagement shaft that is uniquely adapted to engage the second caster receptacle. In at least another embodiment, a first bushing rotatably engages the first caster and is uniquely adapted to engage the first caster receptacle, and a second bushing rotatably engages the second caster and is uniquely adapted to engage the second caster receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Radio Flyer Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Seckel, Charles Hartlaub
  • Patent number: 8029331
    Abstract: A moveable electronic toy includes two wheels, two motors configured for driving the two wheels, a deviation detecting module, an adjusting module and a driving module. The deviation detecting module is configured for detecting angular velocities of the two wheels to determine an angular velocity difference between the two wheels. The adjusting module is configured for generating an adjusting signal indicative of the angular velocity of which wheel to be adjusted and an adjustment value of the angular velocity according to the angular velocity difference. The driving module is configured for receiving the adjusting signal and driving a corresponding motor using a pulse-width modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kim-Yeung Sip
  • Patent number: 8025551
    Abstract: A toy vehicle has first, second and third wheels for movement over a surface. Each of the first, second and third wheels has a respective first, second and third axis of rotation that lies between the remaining two other axes of rotation such that the three axes of rotation are mutually adjoining. Each of the three axes of rotation crosses over the other two axes of rotation such that an angle is formed between each adjoining crossing pair of the axes of rotation where each angle is other than a multiple of 90 degrees. Each wheel is individually powered so that the toy vehicle can translate in any horizontal direction regardless of its facing direction. Two of the wheels can be realigned so their axes of rotation are collinear for conventional movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Torres, Christopher J. Hardouin, Mark S. Mayer, Tin Hung Ngai, Chun Wing Wong
  • Patent number: 8011737
    Abstract: A wheel for a toy vehicle includes a rim, a tire, and a ballast. The rim includes an outer circumferential surface. The tire is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the rim. The tire and the rim cooperatively define a ring-shaped receiving channel therebetween. The ballast is received in the ring-shaped receiving channel, and slidably connected to the outer circumferential surface of the rim. The weight of the ballast is greater than the frictional force between the ballast and the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kui-Jun Wang, Feng-Xiang Tang
  • Patent number: 8007341
    Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a shaft and a pair of wheels rotatably connected to opposite ends of the shaft. Each wheel includes an inner cover, an outer cover connected to the inner cover, and a steering member sandwiched between the inner cover and the outer cover. The steering member includes a motor, a rotating plate, at least two elastic elements equidistant from each other around the inner cover, and at least two pawls rotatably connected to the outer cover. The motor is fixed on the inner cover and includes a rotating shaft. The rotating plate is fixed to the rotating shaft and is driven by the motor to rotate. Each elastic element connects the rotating plate to each pawl. Each pawl extends out of the inner cover by rotation of the rotating plate, thereby changing the radius of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiao-Guang Su
  • Publication number: 20110207381
    Abstract: An apparatus formed or molded from hard plastics, aluminum, or Teflon type child safe materials as a child's toy is provided. The apparatus is modeled after a human sized wheel chair accompanied by a young adult human doll like figure. The apparatus is operated manually or electronically. The apparatus being a toy wheel-chair is comprised of a main frame foundation having two small rear rollers, two small front rollers, two larger roller in parallel; a chair-like sitting block placed above the main frame foundation, the sitting block comprising a cushioned backing plate, a cushioned sitting plate, two hand grips, and two cushion arm-rest; for remote control toy wheel chair, a battery housing box is placed under the cushioned sitting plate portion of the sitting block. The on/off switch is housed as an extension of one of the arm-rest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Katrina Greenhill, Patrice Montrell Greenhill
  • Patent number: 7988519
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product for an interactive toy vehicle that provides new structures and combinations of features for enhancing education and amusement, particularly for an improved small-scale vehicle toy that produces feedback (e.g., sounds or lights and a motorized output event) directly related to the amount of a child's input. The apparatus, method, and computer program product for a toy vehicle includes: a chassis; a motive element, coupled to the chassis, for moving the chassis; an impulse detector for generating an impulse signal responsive to one or more impulses applied to the chassis; and a controller, coupled to the chassis and responsive to the impulse signal, for: counting a number N of impulse signals received during a setup period; determining an operational mode responsive to the number N; setting a duty mode for the motive element responsive to the operational mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Go Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Eckerman, Phillip H. Neal
  • Publication number: 20110177754
    Abstract: An automobile toy, including, a front wheel chassis for supporting a front wheel axle, and a rear wheel chassis for supporting a rear wheel axle, the rear wheel chassis including, two arms extending forward, an end portion of each of the two arms being coupled to the front wheel chassis with the two arms separated from each other in a vehicle width direction of the automobile toy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: TOMY COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji NAKAYAMA, Tomohito Nagai
  • Patent number: 7976356
    Abstract: A boom assembly for a bucket of a toy vehicle comprises at least one bucket bearer, which is articulated to a frame of the toy vehicle by a first swivel joint, and at least one telescopic support with two telescopic elements, which can be displaced in telescopic manner with respect to one another. One of the telescopic elements is articulated to the bucket bearer by a second swivel joint, the other telescopic element is articulated to the frame by a third swivel joint. Furthermore, at least one latch mechanism is provided, the latch mechanism having a latch body which is provided on one of the telescopic elements, and a counter body which is provided on the bucket bearer. The bodies of the latch mechanism are positioned with respect to one another such that when the bucket bearers are moved from a lowered basic position into a raised position, the latch body comes to rest against the counter body before the raised position is reached, the telescopic support being bent with the production of a bending tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Bruder Spielwaren GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Paul Heinz Bruder
  • Publication number: 20110159778
    Abstract: A system for preventing overinflation of an inner tube is disclosed. In some embodiments, the system may include a wheel; and a tube-bursting region of the wheel, wherein the tube-bursting region is configured to facilitate bursting of an associated inner tube when the associated inner tube is pressurized above a predetermined maximum pressure. A tire system also is disclosed. In some embodiments, the system may include a wheel; and a tube-bursting region of the wheel, wherein the tube-bursting region is configured to facilitate bursting of an associated inner tube when the associated inner tube is pressurized above a predetermined maximum pressure. A children's ride-on vehicle also is disclosed. In some embodiments, the vehicle may include a wheel; and a tube-bursting region of the wheel, wherein the tube-bursting region is configured to facilitate bursting of an associated inner tube when the associated inner tube is pressurized above a predetermined maximum pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Asbach, William R. Howell
  • Publication number: 20110104982
    Abstract: A toy race car includes four wheels and a compartment for a marble in a central region of the car. With a marble installed in the car, all four wheels and the marble may roll at the same time as the car is moved. The car may be rolled on a surface or raced on a track. In some embodiments, the car may include lights that may flash as the car is moved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen Andrew Koehl
  • Patent number: 7931519
    Abstract: A device and a mechanism is provided for incorporation of traditional skateboard maneuvers on a miniature level. The device may be a toy fingerboard skateboard that may be utilized to perform common skateboard tricks. The device may have a spring click mechanism that is incorporated into the toy skateboard design whereby the spring may be placed at the tail kick section of the skateboard. The device may allow for pressure to be placed on the spring click portion of the board thereby increasing the traction to the front of the board which in turn allows the skateboard to lift from the surface in which it is placed. The increased traction and pressure on the fingerboard allows for the performance of different skateboarding tricks that are typically not successful with the fingerboard skateboard because of traction and size limitations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Inventor: Jeremy Fox
  • Patent number: 7927173
    Abstract: A toy vehicle and launching system. The male section of a strap connector is attached to the toy vehicle. The male section has elongated arms that extend from the back of the toy vehicle. Separately, the female section of a strap connector is provided. The female section has a connector body with a front opening and side openings. The elongated arms from the male section are insertable into the connector body through the front opening. The elongated arms pass into the connector body until they reach an engaged position. At the engaged position, the elongated arms engage the side openings and retain the elongated arms within the connector body. The elongated arms store spring energy. When released from the engaged position, the energy stored in the elongated arms acts to accelerate the toy vehicle out and away from the connector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: Steve Walterscheid
  • Publication number: 20110065351
    Abstract: A remote controlled transformable toy vehicle that is remotely transformable from a standing position to a flying position, where the toy performs like a helicopter and also to a driving position, where the toy performs like a wheeled vehicle. Transformations are carried out on-the-fly by remote control and the toy vehicle has the ability to maintain proper center of gravity for stable flight, takeoff and landing. Also provided is a remotely controlled toy vehicle that is driven by a rotating blade system so as to both drive over the ground and hover or fly in the air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: Spin Master Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeff CORSIGLIA, Charles SINK, Mark LADISLAO
  • Publication number: 20110021112
    Abstract: In accordance with one implementation of the present principles, the toy model tires are designed to be divided into sections. Each divided tire section independently pivots on its own fixed fulcrum point. In response to terrain conditions, the tires can transform by the pivoting of the tire sections outward, thus increasing the outer diameter and causing the tire to take on a claw like form to assist in overcoming rough terrain or obstacles on a running surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: MASAKI SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20110014850
    Abstract: An improved gravity racing car which includes an interior cavity for the arrangement of removable weights/ballast, removable tires, and body savers/sliders which is particularly suited for use in gravity racing down a track with lane dividers and turns, twists and/or banking section of race track. The participant may alter the number and configuration of weights/ballast within the car body, alter the type of tires used for a particular race, and alter the number and position of body savers/sliders on the car, thereby adjusting the performance characteristics of the car during a race event on various track layouts and configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: David Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7862400
    Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a plurality of wheels and an electric motor operably coupled to rotate at least one of the wheels. At least the one wheel and preferably each rotated wheel includes a hub and a tire mounted on the hub. The tire has an interior sufficiently hollow to make the wheel buoyant in water and the wheel is sufficiently sealed to prevent water penetration of the interior of the tire with the wheel immersed in water. The tire has a central portion surrounding the hub and a plurality of hollow lobes spaced from one another about the central portion. Each lobe has a pair of opposing outer sides at least one outer side being at least partially inwardly cupped to improve thrust caused by rotation of the wheel in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Discoe, Joseph T. Moll, Kevin Pasko, Paulo Kang, Steven Verbera
  • Patent number: 7841922
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a toy comprised of a vehicle that is capable of generating electrical energy and a body that can be physically and electrically connected to and disconnected from the vehicle. In one embodiment, the body comprises a light and a capacitor that stores electrical energy produced by the generator when the body is connected to the vehicle and the vehicle is used to produced electrical energy. After separation of the body from the vehicle, the capacitor provides electrical energy to the light that allows a child to separately use the body as a torch or flashlight. In another embodiment, the vehicle includes a speaker and the body includes a memory device that stores a signal that can be played over the speaker when the body is connected to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventors: Justin Miles Discoe, David Scott Bowen, Christopher Jon Clemmer
  • Publication number: 20100297909
    Abstract: An electronic toy includes a main body and a moving device disposed under the main body for moving the electronic toy. The moving device includes a fixing board, a first wheel, a second wheel, and a motor. The first wheel and the second wheel are magnetic. The first wheel is rotatably fixed to the fixing board for supporting and moving the electronic toy. The second wheel is rotatably fixed to the fixing board and facing the first wheel. The second wheel is operable to apply a magnetic torque to the first wheel when rotating relative to the first wheel, so as to rotate the first wheel. The motor is connected to the second wheel for rotating the second wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiao-Guang SU
  • Patent number: 7837532
    Abstract: A chassis is provided for a track-guided toy vehicle which is supported on a front axle and a rear axle and has a guide wedge that is movable about a first vertical pivot axle and cooperates with a groove in the raceway. The rear axle is driven by an electric motor, with the rear axle and the electric motor together forming an assembly. Steering capability of the vehicle, is optimized by arranging the assembly to be movable about a second vertical pivot axle. The assembly is operatively connected via a control unit to the chassis-mounted guide wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Uwe Reuter
  • Patent number: 7833081
    Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a body supported by a plurality of wheels. The body also includes a roof and rear window supporting a plurality of user inputs. Within the toy vehicle body, a microprocessor controlled drive and steering mechanism is operative. The operation of the microprocessor is set by the user inputs. The body further supports a movable bumper mouth and movable eyes and eyebrows behind the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Hippely, Mike Andrews, Chris Down, Mark Mayer, Mark Trageser
  • Patent number: 7815486
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spring-powered toy vehicle with a front body portion, a separable rear body portion, rotating wheels and a spring propulsion system. When the rear body portion is pulled away from the front body portion and released, the spring will pull the rear body portion back into the front body portion, thereby causing the vehicle to move forward. Parallel vehicle guides prevent the rear movable body portion from pulling away in a non-axial direction, thus guiding the propelled toy vehicle in a straight line. Other aspects provide interchangeable and replaceable springs, and body portions. Additionally, vehicle choices include autos, trucks, motorcycles, planes, and construction equipment. A launcher is included that provides a stable platform for launching the vehicles and additionally imparts, through a peg and notch assembly and a spring-loaded plunger, additional kinetic energy for propulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Bernstein, Gabriel Carlson
  • Publication number: 20100261407
    Abstract: A two-wheel toy car includes a car body, a chassis for supporting the car body, a wheel assembly, and two balancing assemblies fixed to the chassis. The chassis includes an inner surface facing the car body and symmetrically defines two through holes. The wheel assembly includes two wheels symmetrically positioned on the chassis and two driving members corresponding to the wheels, respectively. The balancing assemblies correspond to the through holes, respectively. Each balancing assembly includes a guiding member fixed to the inner surface corresponding to the through hole, a contacting member extending from the through hole, and at least one elastic member positioned between the guiding member and the contacting member. The contacting member faces the guiding member and is slidably connected to the guiding member. One end of the elastic member abuts against the guiding member, and the other end of the elastic member abuts against the contacting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: BAO-SHUAI LIU
  • Patent number: 7803031
    Abstract: The vehicle (10) includes a frame (12) having at least three non-circular wheels (20, 22, 24) secured to a frame (12), wherein the wheels are mechanically secured to each other so that whenever one non-circular wheel moves, the other wheels (20, 22, 24) move. An offset arm (76) powered by a motor (78) rotates a weight (84) around a geometric center adjacent the wheels to sequentially tip them so that their sequential tipping moves the vehicle (10). The non-circular wheels (20, 22, 24) are sequentially aligned with respect to each other so that whenever one wheel is tipped from a collapse alignment (32) into a contact alignment (34), sequentially the next non-circular wheel (20, 22, 24) is moved into a collapse alignment (32). Any driving force may be used to sequentially tip the non-circular wheels (20, 22, 24, 26), instead of the rotating weight (84).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Inventors: Jason M. Winckler, Steven J. Winckler
  • Patent number: 7798886
    Abstract: A remote controlled unmanned vehicle and combination cooler which comprises a miniature automobile-like shaped body. A first compartment is in a front portion of the body to carry various items therein not requiring refrigeration. A second compartment is in a rear portion of the body to carry various articles therein requiring refrigeration. A mechanism is for propelling the body over sand and irregular terrain. Another mechanism is for controlling the propelling mechanism by a person located externally away from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Inventor: Tasia R. Williamson
  • Patent number: 7794300
    Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a central housing having first and second oppositely disposed sides. A first wheel is rotatably mounted on the first side of the housing, and a second wheel is rotatably mounted on the second side of the housing. Each of the first and second wheels has a central hub and a plurality of individual vanes rotatably attached to the hub. Each hub has a center disposed along a first axis of rotation. Each vane is rotatable about a second vane axis extending transversely with respect to the first axis. An end of each vane distal to the hub forms a circumferential surface portion of one of the first and second wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph T. Moll, Vladimir Leonov, William Willett, Kenlip Ong
  • Toy
    Patent number: 7794303
    Abstract: A navigation apparatus for use with a toy having a movable steering mechanism includes an indicating mechanism for indicating to a user to move the steering mechanism in a first direction. A first sensor is then capable of detecting a movement of the steering mechanism and of outputting first information indicative of the detected direction of motion of the steering mechanism. An alert mechanism is then used for alerting the user on the basis of the first information when (i) the direction of motion of the steering mechanism does not correspond to the indicated direction of motion, and/or (ii) the direction of motion of the steering mechanism corresponds to the indicated direction of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Cassidy Brothers PLC
    Inventor: Paul M. Cassidy
  • Patent number: 7762867
    Abstract: A lever activated toy vehicle includes a body, a chassis and a lever. The chassis accommodates the body and has a front wheel and a rear wheel. A motor is disposed within the chassis and is drivingly coupled to at least one of the wheels. The lever is movably supported on the toy vehicle so as to be accessible by a user for movement between a first position and a second position. The toy vehicle further includes a moveable part and an actuator mechanism. The moveable part has at least a portion on the exterior of the body and a portion on the interior of the body. The actuator mechanism is operably coupled with the motor and the moveable part and is configured to move the moveable part from the concealed position to the revealed position after the lever is moved from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Felix Agostini, Mary Ellen Gertrude Fosbenner, Robert Jude Henry, Gregory John Sisolak, William Francis Michael Dougherty
  • Publication number: 20100184352
    Abstract: Toy apparatus is provided including a playbase (22) and at least a first toy member (16) movable relative to said playbase between at least first (36) and second (90) positions via movement means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventor: Mark Buckley
  • Patent number: 7758399
    Abstract: A vehicle toy combination includes a wireless controlled toy vehicle having a mobile platform configured to move over a surface. A central controller on the platform is configured to control at least one aspect of the toy vehicle. A hand-held manually actuable wireless controller is configured to remotely control user selected movement of the toy vehicle. An optical receiver is attached to the platform to look downward on the surface and is coupled to the central controller. The receiver is configured to read a predetermined reflective pattern located on the surface over which the toy vehicle moves. Multiple vehicles can be controlled simultaneously with multiple wireless, manually operated controllers operating at the same frequency by initially synchronizing the controllers to transmit in non-overlapping windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Nicholas Weiss, LaVonne Erick Strand, Joseph T. Moll, Vikas Kumar Parkhie Sinha, Justin Discoe, David Vincent Helmlinger, Gregory Nungester, Frank William Winkler, Charles Stewart McCall, Jesse Dorogusker
  • Publication number: 20100178844
    Abstract: A wheel includes a main body, a tire, a movable fixing pin, an electromagnet, and an elastic member. The tire is sleeved on the main body and defines a fixing hole. The tire is operable to rotate around the main body. The fixing pin is operable to be inserted into the fixing hole to fix the tire to the main body. The electromagnet is operable to attract the fixing pin to separate the fixing pin from the tire when the electromagnet is powered on. The elastic member is disposed between the electromagnet and the fixing ping, and pushes the fixing pin into the fixing hole when the electromagnet is powered off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: XIAO-GUANG SU
  • Publication number: 20100173563
    Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a shaft and a pair of wheels rotatably connected to opposite ends of the shaft. Each wheel includes an inner cover, an outer cover connected to the inner cover, and a steering member sandwiched between the inner cover and the outer cover. The steering member includes a motor, a rotating plate, at least two elastic elements equidistant from each other around the inner cover, and at least two pawls rotatably connected to the outer cover. The motor is fixed on the inner cover and includes a rotating shaft. The rotating plate is fixed to the rotating shaft and is driven by the motor to rotate. Each elastic element connects the rotating plate to each pawl. Each pawl extends out of the inner cover by rotation of the rotating plate, thereby changing the radius of the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: XIAO-GUANG SU
  • Patent number: 7749046
    Abstract: A toy vehicle may include a drive unit; a plurality of wheels; mechanical linkage coupling the drive unit to one or more of the wheels to permit energy stored in the drive unit to be discharged to drive the one or more driven wheels and propel the vehicle; and a user operable selector mechanism configured to permit a user of the toy to select, from a plurality of different speeds, a desired speed at which the vehicle is propelled when energy from the drive unit is discharged through the one or more driven wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Filoseta Miva, Jamie Cheung
  • Publication number: 20100124868
    Abstract: A moveable electronic toy includes two wheels, two motors configured for driving the two wheels, a deviation detecting module, an adjusting module and a driving module. The deviation detecting module is configured for detecting angular velocities of the two wheels to determine an angular velocity difference between the two wheels. The adjusting module is configured for generating an adjusting signal indicative of the angular velocity of which wheel to be adjusted and an adjustment value of the angular velocity according to the angular velocity difference. The driving module is configured for receiving the adjusting signal and driving a corresponding motor using a pulse-width modulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY(ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO.,LTD.
    Inventor: KIM-YEUNG SIP
  • Publication number: 20100099331
    Abstract: An electronic device with a plurality of wheels is provided. The electronic device comprises a wheel driver, sensing menas, a rotation information obtaining module, and a controlling module. The wheel driver is used for rotating the plurality of wheels. The sensing means is used for detecting rotations of the plurality of wheels. The rotation information obtaining module is used for obtaining rotation information of the plurality of wheels according to signals from the sensing means. The controlling module is used for controlling the wheel driver to rotate the plurality of wheels according to the rotation information of the plurality of wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SONG-LING YANG
  • Patent number: 7694705
    Abstract: Both a “grip” run and a drift run of a remote control car are achieved by fitting rings to an outer peripheral surface of a tire or tires. In a drift tire, at least one annular groove is formed on an outer surface of an annular body of a tire main body in a circumferential direction, at least one ring made of a different material and/or shape from that of the annular body is fitted to the annular groove, and the ring is level with or protrudes from the outer surface of the annular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Yokomo Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoaki Yokobori
  • Publication number: 20100081358
    Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a chassis, at least one light guide plate, at least one sensor unit and a driving unit. The at least one light guide plate includes a first portion and a second portion and is embedded into the chassis by the first portion. The at least one sensor unit is attached on the second portion of the at least one light guide plate and includes an emitter for emitting light, and a detector for receiving the reflected light and sending a signal according to a propagation delay of a light emitted from the emitter and received by the detector. The driving unit is configured for controlling the motion of the toy vehicle according to the signal outputted from the at least one sensor unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: WEN-YAN YANG
  • Publication number: 20100075573
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a toy or toy playset that includes a housing with a movable door and a movable platform. In one embodiment, the door is placed proximate to an opening in the housing and can be moved between a lowered position and a raised position. In one embodiment, the platform is movably mounted to the housing and is movable about an axis. The door and the platform are configured to be moved at the same time. In one implementation, the platform can be moved as the door moves from its lowered position to its raised position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Dubois
  • Publication number: 20100062680
    Abstract: A touch sensitive toy comprising a car body; a sensor having a surface sensitive to the touch of a person, wherein the sensor is attached to the card body such that the surface sensitive to the touch of a person is outwardly facing; a circuit electrically coupled to the sensor, wherein the circuit is programmed to react based on a measurement taken by the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Brandon Giraldez, Jack Li
  • Publication number: 20100062681
    Abstract: A moveable electronic toy includes a base, a base cover, two wheels and two wheel covers. The base cover is fixedly mounted on the base. The two wheels are rotatably connected to the base and exposed from the base cover. The two wheel covers is detachably coupled to the base cover and is configured for covering the wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: WEN-YAN YANG
  • Publication number: 20100009597
    Abstract: A wheel device for a toy vehicle, in which one of a pair of wheels rolling on a pair of metal rails attracts with a magnet to reduce resistance caused by magnetic force and suppress load on a motor. The wheel device 1 includes a first axle 2, and a first wheel 10 and a second wheel 20 provided on opposite sides of the first axle 2. The first wheel 10 includes a first wheel main body 11 rolling on one of the rails 261 and a first flange 12 guided by the one rail. The second wheel 20 includes a second wheel main body 21 rolling on the other of the rails 261 and a second flange 22 guided by the other rail. The second wheel main body 21 is formed of a magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Eishindo
    Inventor: Hirotsugu Hirai
  • Publication number: 20090321168
    Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicles having a drive assembly that is selectively configured between a plurality of drive configurations, such as responsive to user inputs via user input devices, and a ground detection system that is adapted to detect when at least one of a plurality of wheels loses contact with the ground surface. The ground detection system may be adapted to restrict the plurality of drive configurations responsive thereto. This restriction may be automatic responsive to loss of contact of the at least one of the plurality of wheels with the ground surface, and it may be made regardless, or independent, of user inputs that otherwise would select and/or enable one of the restricted drive configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Howell, John Rhein, Gerald P. Sitarski, Richard A. Zirnheld, Jeffrey W. Reynolds
  • Patent number: RE41284
    Abstract: In a toy garbage transportation truck comprising a cargo space (3) for the garbage that is to be disposed of, having an opening (4) on its rear to which an emptying casing (5) for garbage cans that are to be emptied is adjoined that has a rear discharge opening (7), provision is made that the floor (9) below the discharge opening is curved approximately in the shape of a segment of a circle, the floor (9) transitions into a slanted feeding surface (10) that extends to below a feeding opening (6), the conveyor shovel (12) is disposed above the floor (9), the conveyor shovel (12) can be swiveled along the floor (9) above the same, lifted parallel to the slanted feeding surface (16) to at least the lower edge of the feeding opening (6) and subsequently swiveled back and lowered to reach the end of the floor (9) on the opening side and repeat the conveyor movement again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Bruder Spielwaren GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Paul Heinz Bruder