Abstract: A toy vehicle propelled by a bi-directional, miniature d-c motor, coupled by a clutch through a gear train to a wheel axle. A manually-operated shift stick mechanism is operatively linked both to the clutch and to a polarity-reversing switch interposed between the motor and a battery. The arrangement is such that when the stick is in neutral, the battery is disconnected and the clutch is disengaged, whereby the vehicle is then free rolling. When the stick is put in its forward position, the clutch is engaged to couple the motor to the gear train and the switch is operated to apply voltage to the motor in a polarity causing the vehicle to travel in the forward direction. When the stick is put in its reverse position, the clutch is again engaged and the switch is operated to apply voltage to the motor in the reverse polarity, causing the vehicle to travel in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A toy work vehicle propelled by a bi-directional d-c motor in a forward or reverse direction depending on the polarity of battery voltage applied thereto, the vehicle including a power take-off device driven by the same motor to raise or lower a load. A gear shift mechanism operatively coupled either to the wheel axles or to the power take-off device, is controlled by a shift stick which in neutral operatively couples the motor only to the power take-off device. The shift stick is movable to a lateral position having a forward and a reverse mode in which the motor is operatively coupled to the wheel axles.

Abstract: A toy vehicle having a set of wheels driven through a gear train and a gear shift by a direct-current motor. The motor and a single light bulb shunted thereacross are connectable by way of a switch to a battery power supply. The bulb is placed within the optical inlet of a plastic light guide contoured to define light outlets in the form of a pair of simulated front headlights and a bank of simulated dashboard and gear shift light indicators, whereby the illumination of these outlets is derived from the single bulb. In the automatic mode, with the switch closed, the motor is energized to drive the vehicle, the bulb being concurrently energized to provide a constant level of illumination for all lights. In the manual mode, with the switch open, the player propels the vehicle by hand, causing the turning wheels through the gear train to rotate the motor. The motor then functions as a dynamo to energize the bulb whose light intensity varies to reflect the force applied to the vehicle by the player.

Abstract: A miniature toy vehicle capable of performing rear wheelies, spinouts and other playful stunts, the vehicle including a chassis having rotatable front and rear wheel axles mounted thereon, a hollow body being supported on the chassis to simulate the appearance of an automobile. A flywheel motor is supported for rotation on the chassis within the body on a flywheel axle normal to the rear wheel axle. The flywheel axle is operatively coupled to the rear wheel axle whereby when the rear wheel axle is rotated, it causes the flywheel motor to spin and to store energy for propelling the vehicle in the forward direction. The relationship of the flywheel motor to the structure of the vehicle is such as to cause the vehicle to behave as a gyro exhibiting precessional motion which in combination with the concurrent forward motion makes it possible for the vehicle to perform stunts.The flywheel has a layer of abrasive material on its upper face.

Abstract: A wrist-borne launcher for a toy vehicle having a road-engaging flywheel mounted on an axle, one end of which extends through the bearing of a false wheel and terminates in a male coupler coaxial with a ring on the outer hub thereof. When not in use, the vehicle is held on a platform having a battery compartment, the platform being provided at its underside with a wrist-engaging cuff. Wires from the battery compartment pass through an arm cantilevered from the platform to reach over the hand of the player. The wires are connected to an electric motor housed in a power box supported at the free end of the arm, a depressible switch being connected in series with the motor. The shaft of the motor terminates in a female coupler coaxially disposed within a cylindrical socket formed in the side of the box corresponding to the underside of the platform, a switch actuator being interposed between the female coupler and the rim of the socket.

Abstract: A toy vehicle having a spring-operated clockworks motor which is charged by a pumping action, the vehicle having a chassis on whose front and rear ends are supported front and rear wheel axles, and a body resting on the chassis. The front of the body is hinged to the front end of the chassis, a stop being provided whereby the back of the body is liftable with respect to the rear end of the chassis within fixed limits. The clockworks motor, which includes a spiral spring, is mounted on the chassis and is operatively coupled to the rear wheel axle, the motor having a spring-biased crank arm which engages the underside of the body and acts to normally raise the back thereof to its upper limit. The crank arm is operatively coupled to the spiral spring whereby by repeatedly depressing the back of the pivoted body while holding the vehicle to prevent rotation of the rear wheels, the crank is reciprocated to produce a rotary motion to wind the spring and thereby charge the motor.

Abstract: A toy automobile which simulates both the appearance and performance of a modern hard top convertible. The convertible is provided with a unitary top piece which normally covers the cockpit of the car and is formed by top and side walls both joined to a rear panel. The rear panel is linked by a pair of flexible racks to a mechanism operatively coupled to the front wheel axle and adapted to swing open the top piece to expose the cockpit. In operation, when the convertible body is grasped by the player and the front is pressed down and pushed forward on a running surface, the top piece is caused to swing open, the vehicle when released by the player then continuing to travel in the forward direction. And when this same action is carried out by the player in the reverse direction, the top piece is caused to resume its normal closed position.

Abstract: A toy vehicle-projecting gun assembly in which the vehicle is normally latched on an inclined ramp with its rear wheels raised and free to turn, the ramp extending from the front end of the power chamber of the gun. Joined to the rear end of the chamber is a gun stock provided at its underside with a power trigger operated by the trigger finger of the player and on its topside with a firing button operated by the player's thumb. When the trigger is actuated, it acts through a gear train disposed in the power chamber to turn a drive gear mounted on the rear wheel axle, the drive gear being coupled to an energy-storing flywheel functioning as the vehicle motor. After the motor is revved up by repeated trigger actions, the player presses the firing button which operates an unlatching mechanism to release the vehicle which then shoots down the ramp.

Abstract: A toy vehicle whose body is a replica of a high performance vehicle such as a "Corvette," the body resting on a standardized sub-assembly composed of a rectangular chassis carrying front and rear wheel sets, the chassis fitting into the underside of the body regardless of its design. The chassis is provided adjacent either end with slotted side bearings which accommodate the axles of the front and rear wheel sets. These axles are locked into place by a flexible latching strip having a constricted neck dividing the strip into a short head section terminating in a raised step from which projects an upwardly inclined prow and a long tail section terminating in a raised step.

Abstract: An improved drive mechanism for a toy vehicle in which a pair of traction wheels are driven by a helical spring disposed coaxially about the wheel axle. The spring is connected at one end to the axle on which the traction wheels are mounted and at the other end to a housing for the axle and the spring which is rotatably mounted with respect to the vehicle body. The spring propels the vehicle after initial forward movement by the user substantially back to the point of release in an orientation opposite to that during initial forward movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: A toy vehicle which when propelled by a player from a starting point along a flat surface in the forward direction, acts to store energy, the vehicle at the end of its forward run being caused by the stored energy to reverse its orientation as it runs back toward the starting point. The vehicle includes a chassis having a front cowl section projecting therefrom below which is a front wheel carriage coupled to the cowl by a pivot pin, whereby the carriage orientation is reversible relative to the cowl. The carriage has a spring motor therein operatively coupled to the front wheel axle which when rotated during the forward run of the vehicle acts to wind the motor. The rear wheel axle is supported in bearings below the rear section of the chassis, one of which is slotted to permit angular displacement of the axle.

Abstract: A miniature racing vehicle and wrist-borne launching platform assembly in which the platform includes a retractable ramp extending from the front end thereof. Affixed to the platform is an open-fronted transparent cover to define a hangar for the spring-powered vehicle, the hangar having a side slot to admit the stem of a wind-up knob projecting laterally from the vehicle whereby the knob is outside of the hangar and accessible to the player. The sides of the vehicle are frictionally engaged by holding elements on the corresponding sides of the hangar. A push-button actuator mounted on the rear of the hangar has a pusher which abuts the rear of the vehicle, whereby when the button is pressed, it acts to advance and free the wound-up vehicle from the holding elements to cause the charged vehicle to take off.

Abstract: A coin register toy bank adapted to accept and totalize coins of different size. Each coin is deposited in the receiver of a rotary drum mounted above a coin box, the drum being operatively coupled by an intermediate clutch plate to a register wheel having a circular series of teeth on the side thereof facing the drum. The drum is manually turned by a pull-down lever from its normal coin-receiving angular position to an extreme position at which the receiver is aligned with the entry of the cash box into which the coin drops. As the drum turns, the register wheel is caused by the clutch plate which engages the teeth thereof to advance incrementally to an extent depending on the size of the received coin, thereby indicating the deposit. To prevent the advancing wheel from overshooting and misindicating the deposit, an interlock mechanism is provided which is triggered when the drum assumes its extreme position and then acts to detent one of the wheel teeth to prevent any further wheel advance.