Egg-shaped toy cars and methods of making the same

Abstract

Egg-shaped toy cars are disclosed. Methods of making egg-shaped toy cars are also disclosed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to egg-shaped toy cars. The present invention further relates to methods of making egg-shaped toy cars.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There exists a need in the art for new toys having structural features that provide functionality, an aesthetically pleasing design, and joy to kids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to egg-shaped toy cars and methods of making egg-shaped toy cars. In one exemplary embodiment, the egg-shaped toy car comprises an egg-shaped car chassis; one or more wheels; and at least one axle joining the one or more wheels to the egg-shaped car chassis. The egg-shaped car chassis may comprise one or more features similar to features found on a full-size automobile including, but not limited to, headlights, fenders, windows, doors, a hood compartment, a trunk compartment, a sunroof, etc.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the egg-shaped toy car comprises an egg-shaped car chassis having an enclosed space surrounded by an outer periphery of the egg-shaped car chassis; one or more wheels; at least one axle joining the one or more wheels to the egg-shaped car chassis; and an animal figurine positioned within the enclosed space of the egg-shaped car chassis. In one exemplary embodiment, the animal figurine comprises a figurine of an animal that hatches from an egg. For example, the animal figurine may comprise a snake, a lizard, a frog, a dinosaur, a bird, a duckbill platypus, an alligator, a crocodile, a fish, a crab, or a turtle.

In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, the egg-shaped toy car comprises an egg-shaped car chassis having at least one hatch on an outer surface of the egg-shaped car chassis so as to provide access to an interior space within the egg-shaped car chassis; four wheels; two axles joining the four wheels to the egg-shaped car chassis; and an animal figurine positioned within the egg-shaped car chassis. In one embodiment, the animal figurine comprises a snake, a lizard, a frog, a dinosaur, a dragon, a bird, a duckbill platypus, an alligator, a crocodile, a fish, a crab, a lobster, a turtle, or a combination thereof. The egg-shaped car chassis may further comprise at least one transparent portion extending along an outer surface of the egg-shaped car chassis to provide a view of the animal figurine positioned within the egg-shaped car chassis.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention is further described with reference to the appended figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary egg-shaped toy car of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the exemplary egg-shaped toy car shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of another exemplary egg-shaped toy car of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the exemplary egg-shaped toy car shown in FIG. 3 in an open configuration;

FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of the exemplary egg-shaped toy car shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6A depicts a side view of another exemplary egg-shaped toy car of the present invention;

FIG. 6B depicts a top view of the exemplary egg-shaped toy car shown in FIG. 6A; and

FIG. 6C depicts a side view of the exemplary egg-shaped toy car shown in FIG. 6A in an open configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to egg-shaped toy cars. The present invention is further directed to methods of making egg-shaped toy cars.

An exemplary egg-shaped toy car of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10 comprises an egg-shaped car body or chassis 11, wheels 12, and wheel axles 13. In this exemplary embodiment, egg-shaped car body or chassis 11 comprises a number of optional body components typically found on a full-size automobile. For example, egg-shaped car body or chassis 11 comprises doors 14, a hood 15, a trunk 16, a windshield 17, a steering wheel 18, headlights 19, front fender 20, door windows 21, rear window 22, rear bumper 23, and sunroof 25. As discussed below, one or more of the optional body components may be movable relative to a stationary portion of egg-shaped car body or chassis 11 (e.g., side panel 29).

FIG. 2 provides a side view of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10 as viewed along line A shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10 may comprise many optional body features typically found on a full-size automobile. In this exemplary embodiment, wheels 12 comprise a rim portion 25 and a tire portion 26.

As shown by exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2, the egg-shaped toy cars of the present invention may comprise a number of components. A more detailed description of some of the individual components is provided below.

I. Egg-Shaped Toy Car Components

The egg-shaped toy cars of the present invention may comprise one or more of the following components.

A. Egg-Shaped Car Body or Chassis

The egg-shaped toy cars of the present invention comprise an egg-shaped car body or chassis, such as exemplary egg-shaped car body or chassis 11 of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10. As used herein, the term “egg-shaped” is used to describe a car body or chassis that substantially resembles the shape of an egg. Desirably, the car body has an egg-shaped configuration such that any dissection of the car body along a line perpendicular to a length of the car body results in a substantially circular cross-sectional area, while any dissection of the car body along a line parallel to a length of the car body results in a substantially oval cross-sectional area (i.e., a cross-sectional area similar to a cross-sectional area obtained by dissecting an actual chicken egg).

As discussed above, the egg-shaped car body or chassis may comprise one or more features typically found on a full-size automobile. For example, the egg-shaped car body may comprise one or more features including, but not limited to, headlights, fenders, windows, doors, a hood compartment, a trunk compartment, a sunroof, a steering wheel, seats, other car interior components, exhaust systems, fenders, spoilers, etc. One or more of the above-mentioned car features may be movable (i.e., the part can be moved relative to another portion of the car body) and/or removable parts (i.e., the part can be separated from the car body).

In one exemplary embodiment, the egg-shaped car chassis comprises at least one transparent portion extending along an outer surface of the egg-shaped car chassis, wherein one or more transparent portions provide a view of at least a portion of an interior of the egg-shaped car chassis. The one or more transparent portions may represent a car window, a windshield, a car door, a car hatch, or any other portion of the egg-shaped car body or chassis. For example, in exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10, any of the above-mentioned components could be transparent. Typically, in exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10, one or more of the following components are transparent: windshield 17, headlights 19, door windows 21, rear window 22, and sunroof 25.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the egg-shaped car chassis comprises at least one door (e.g., doors 14 of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10), wherein one or more doors provide access to at least a portion of an interior of the egg-shaped car chassis. The door may provide access to the car interior (i.e., the driver seat), the car trunk, the engine compartment, or any combination. In some embodiments, at least one door comprises a transparent door portion (e.g., door windows 21 of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10) extending along an outer surface of the egg-shaped car chassis, wherein the transparent door portion provides a view of at least a portion of an interior of the egg-shaped car chassis.

The egg-shaped car body or chassis may be formed from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, plastics (i.e., thermosettable and/or thermoplastic materials), metals, ceramics, fabrics, rubbers, cellulosic materials, and glass. Typically, the egg-shaped car body or chassis is formed from a thermoformable polymeric material or a metal. In one exemplary embodiment, non-transparent portions of the egg-shaped car body or chassis are formed from a metal, such as steel, aluminum, brass, or stainless steel, while transparent portions of the egg-shaped car body or chassis are formed from any polymer that provides a transparent part. Suitable polymers may include, but are not limited to, polyvinyl chloride, polyesters, polyolefins, polyamines, polycarbonates, polymethyl methacrylates, methacrylate polymers, polyethersulfones, etc. In a further exemplary embodiment, the entire egg-shaped car body or chassis is formed from one or more plastics to provide an egg-shaped car body or chassis having one or more optional transparent portions as described above, wherein the non-transparent portions and the transparent portions are both formed from one or more of the above-mentioned polymeric materials.

The egg-shaped car body or chassis may have any desired dimensions. Although there is no limitation on the size of the egg-shaped car body, the egg-shaped car body typically has an overall length of less than 6 feet (ft.) and an overall diameter of less than about 4 ft. In one exemplary embodiment, the egg-shaped car body has an overall length of less than 12 inches (in.) and an overall diameter of less than about 8 in. In a further exemplary embodiment, the egg-shaped car body has an overall length ranging from about 2 in. to about 6 in., and an overall diameter ranging from about 1 in. to about 3 in.

B. Wheels

The egg-shaped toy cars further comprise one or more wheels, such as exemplary wheels 12 of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10. In one exemplary embodiment, the egg-shaped toy car comprises three or more wheels. In a further exemplary embodiment, the egg-shaped toy car comprises four wheels. When two or more wheels are present, the wheels may have a similar or different size. For example, the wheel(s) on the front end of the toy car may have a smaller size relative to wheel(s) on the rear end of the toy car.

Each wheel may comprise a rim portion (e.g., exemplary rim portion 25 of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10) and a tire portion (e.g., exemplary tire portion 26 of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10) similar to wheels on a full-size car. When the wheel has this configuration, the rim portion is typically formed from a metal or plastic material such as those described above, while the tire portion is typically formed from a rubber material. Alternatively, each wheel may comprise a single material, such as a metal or rubber material.

Like the egg-shaped car body or chassis described above, the one or more wheels may have any desired dimensions. Typically, each wheel has an overall diameter of less than about 12 in., and an overall width (or thickness) of less than about 2 in. In one exemplary embodiment, each wheel has an overall diameter of less than 6 in. and an overall width (or thickness) of less than about 0.5 in. In a further exemplary embodiment, each wheel has an overall diameter ranging from about 0.1 in. to about 2 in., and an overall width (or thickness) ranging from about 0.1 in. to about 0.4 in.

C. Axles

The egg-shaped toy cars further comprise one or more wheel axles for joining the above-described wheels to the above-described egg-shaped car body or chassis, such as exemplary axles 13 of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10. Each wheel axle may independently extend through a given wheel or attach to one side of a given wheel. In some embodiments, one wheel axle may be attached to or extend through a single wheel. In other embodiments, one wheel axle may be attached to or extend through more than one wheel (e.g., one axle attached to two wheels on opposite sides of the egg-shaped car body).

Each axle may extend through a portion of the egg-shaped car body or be positioned below the egg-shaped car body. In one exemplary embodiment, the axles extend through a portion of the egg-shaped car body. In a further exemplary embodiment, the axles are positioned below the egg-shaped car body. In yet a further exemplary embodiment, at least one axle extends through a portion of the egg-shaped car body (e.g., a front end of the car body), while at least one other axle is positioned below the egg-shaped car body (e.g., a rear end of the car body).

Each axle is typically formed from a metal or plastic material such as those described above.

D. Frame

The egg-shaped toy cars may further comprise an optional frame suitable for joining the above-described axles to the above-described egg-shaped car body or chassis. An exemplary frame 43 is shown in exemplary egg-shaped toy car 30 of FIGS. 3-5. FIG. 5 provides a bottom view of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 30 along line B shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 5, exemplary frame 43 may be used to join axles 33, which are connected to wheels 32, to egg-shaped car body 31. Exemplary frame 43 may be attached to egg-shaped car body 31 using any known attachment device including, but not limited to, adhesives, screws, etc. In exemplary egg-shaped toy car 30, exemplary frame 43 is attached to egg-shaped car body 31 using screws 44.

Like the above-described wheel axles, a portion of the frame may extend through a portion of the egg-shaped car body (not shown) and/or be positioned below the egg-shaped car body (see FIG. 5). In one exemplary embodiment, a portion of the frame extends through a portion of the egg-shaped car body. In a further exemplary embodiment, the frame is positioned below the egg-shaped car body. In yet a further exemplary embodiment, a portion of the frame extends through a portion of the egg-shaped car body (e.g., a front end of the car body), while another portion of the frame is positioned below the egg-shaped car body (e.g., a rear end of the car body).

The frame is typically formed from a metal or plastic material such as those described above.

E. Animal Figurine

The egg-shaped toy cars may further comprise at least one animal figurine. The animal figurine may be positioned within an interior space of the car or in the proximity of the car. The animal figurine may be positioned in the driver seat of the car, or may be positioned in some other location within the car. When multiple animal figurines are present, at least one animal figurine can be positioned in the driver seat and at least one other animal figurine can be positioned in a location other than the driver seat. An example of an egg-shaped toy car and an animal figurine is depicted in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, exemplary egg-shaped toy car 30 comprises an egg-shaped car body 31 having front end 27 and rear end 28, wheels 32, and wheel axles 33. In this exemplary embodiment, egg-shaped car body 31 comprises a transparent upper half 37 and a non-transparent lower half 39 separated from one another by seam 36. Transparent upper half 37 enables one to view an interior of egg-shaped car body 31, which includes animal figurine 35 and steering wheel 38. In this example, animal figurine 35 is shown as the driver of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 30, wherein animal figurine 35 is holding on to steering wheel 38. In this exemplary embodiment, exemplary egg-shaped car body 31 also comprises exhaust 41 and spoiler 42.

In one desired embodiment, the animal figurine is a figurine of an animal that hatches from an egg. In this embodiment, the animal may comprise, but is not limited to, a snake, a lizard, a frog, a dinosaur, a dragon, a bird, a duckbill platypus, an alligator, a crocodile, a fish, a crab, a lobster, a turtle, any other animal that hatches from an egg, or a combination of one or more of the above-mentioned animals.

In one exemplary embodiment, the animal figurine is separable or removable from the egg-shaped toy car. For example, the animal may be removed from an enclosed space of the egg-shaped car chassis via any opening in the chassis including, but not limited to, a door, a sunroof, a hatch, a window, a convertible top, or a seam in the egg-shaped car chassis. Such a seam may be present, for example, to separate the egg-shaped car chassis into two or more chassis components. The two or more chassis components may be separable from one another or joined to one another at one or more locations along outer peripheries of the two or more chassis components, such as a hinge component that joins two chassis components. An example of such an embodiment is shown in FIGS. 3-4.

As shown in FIG. 3, exemplary seam 36 separates transparent upper half 37 from non-transparent lower half 39. Exemplary hinge 40 is provided along a junction between transparent upper half 37 and non-transparent lower half 39 on rear end 28 of egg-shaped toy car 30. As shown in FIG. 4, transparent upper half 37 may be separated from non-transparent lower half 39 by moving transparent upper half 37 away from seam 36, providing access to animal figurine 35. As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, animal figurine 35 is removable from exemplary egg-shaped toy car 30.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the animal figurine is permanently attached to the egg-shaped toy car. An example of such an embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6A-6C. As shown in FIG. 6A, exemplary egg-shaped toy car 60 comprises an egg-shaped car body 61 having front end 27 and rear end 28, wheels 62, and wheel axles 63 (shown as dashed lines in FIG. 6B). In this exemplary embodiment, egg-shaped car body 61 further comprises hatch doors 64, hinges 65 attaching hatch doors 64 to egg-shaped car body 61, and wheel fenders 66. As discussed above, one or more components of egg-shaped car body 61 may be transparent to provide a view of interior space within exemplary egg-shaped toy car 60. For example, hatch doors 64 may be transparent.

As shown in FIGS. 6B-6C, hatch doors 64 may be opened to provide access to an interior portion 69 of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 60, which includes animal figurine 67 and steering wheel 68. In this example, animal figurine 67 is shown as the driver of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 60, wherein animal figurine 67 is holding on to steering wheel 68. Further, in this embodiment, animal figurine 67 is permanently attached to or an integral component of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 60. For example, animal figurine 67 may be die cast as an integral component of egg-shaped car body 61.

As shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, wheel axles 63 (shown as dashed lines in FIG. 6B) extend through egg-shaped car body 61. As discussed above, in other embodiments, wheel axles may be attached to egg-shaped car body 61 via a frame (such as in exemplary egg-shaped toy car 30 shown in FIG. 3-5). Further, although egg-shaped car body 61 of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 60 comprises two hatch doors 64, it should be understood that a single hatch door may be used in place of double hatch doors 64.

It should be understood that exemplary egg-shaped toy cars 10, 30, and 60 are just several examples of egg-shaped toy cars of the present invention, and that many other configurations are encompassed by the present invention. As discussed above, access to an interior compartment of an egg-shaped toy car of the present invention may be obtained through a door, a window, a sunroof, a hatch, a truck, or a hood. Further, other egg-shaped car body configurations that comprise multiple parts, other than that shown in exemplary egg-shaped toy cars 10, 30, and 60, are encompassed by the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6A-6C, the animal figurine may comprise one or more features that enable the animal figurine to be temporarily or permanently attached to a component of the toy car. For example, the animal figurine may comprise hands, feet or a tail that can be formed so as to temporarily attach to a steering wheel (as shown in FIG. 3) and/or a driver's seat of the toy car. In other embodiments, as discussed above, the animal figurine may be permanently attach to an interior space of the toy car (as shown in FIG. 6C).

The animal figurine may have any desired dimensions. Typically, each animal figurine has an overall size that permits the animal figurine to be positioned within an interior space of the toy car. In one exemplary embodiment, each animal figurine has an overall height or length of less than about 3 ft. In a further exemplary embodiment, the animal figurine has an overall height or length of less than 12 in. In yet a further exemplary embodiment, each animal figurine has an overall height or length ranging from about 0.5 in. to about 2 in.

F. Electronics

The egg-shaped toy car may be motorized using an alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power source. When motorized, the egg-shaped toy car further comprises a motor and a power source for the motor (e.g., a battery) (not shown).

In one exemplary embodiment, the egg-shaped toy car is motorized. In other exemplary embodiments, the egg-shaped toy car is not motorized.

II. Methods of Making Egg-Shaped Toy Cars

The present invention is further directed to methods of making the above-described egg-shaped toy cars. Each of the above-described components may be made and assembled using known manufacturing processes. For example, many of the above-described components can be formed using a shaping process when the component is formed from a polymeric or metal material. Examples of shaping processes include, but are not limited to, an injection molding process, a die-cast molding process, and any extrusion process. The components may be shaped in a molding or extrusion process so as to snap together without the use of adhesives or mechanical devices (e.g., screws). Alternatively, adhesives and/or mechanical devices (e.g., screws, hinges, etc.) may be used to fasten components to one another.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the method of making an egg-shaped toy car comprises (i) forming an egg-shaped car body having one or more optional openings therein using an injection molding step; (ii) optionally, forming one or more car body components that attach to the egg-shaped car body formed in step (i) (i.e., one or more doors, windows, etc.); (iii) attaching the one or more car body components formed in step (ii) to the egg-shaped car body formed in step (i); (iv) forming one or more wheel axles; (v) forming one or more wheels; (vi) attaching the one or more wheels formed in step (v) to the one or more wheel axles formed in step (vi); and (vii) attaching the one or more wheel/wheel axle combinations formed in step (vi) to the egg-shaped car body formed in step (i). The method may further comprise one or more additional steps to form other optional toy car components, such as a steering wheel, car seats, a spoiler, etc.

In a further embodiment, the method of making an egg-shaped toy car comprises one or more of the above-described steps, wherein step (i) comprises forming multiple components that can be attached to one another to form an egg-shaped car body (e.g., exemplary egg-shaped car body 31), wherein at least one of the multiple components is a transparent component. In yet a further embodiment, the method of making an egg-shaped toy car comprises one or more of the above-described steps, and further comprises a step (viii) wherein an animal figurine if formed so as to fit within the egg-shaped car body formed in step (i).

In yet a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the method of making an egg-shaped toy car comprises (i) forming an egg-shaped car body having one or more optional openings therein using an injection molding step or die-cast molding step, wherein an animal figurine is molded as a permanently attached component of the egg-shaped car body; (ii) forming one or more car body components that attach to the egg-shaped car body formed in step (i) (i.e., one or more hatch doors); (iii) attaching the one or more car body components formed in step (ii) to the egg-shaped car body formed in step (i) via hinges or some other mechanical component; (iv) forming one or more wheel axles; (v) forming one or more wheels; (vi) attaching the one or more wheels formed in step (v) to the one or more wheel axles formed in step (vi); and (vii) attaching the one or more wheel/wheel axle combinations formed in step (vi) to the egg-shaped car body formed in step (i).

While the specification has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. An egg-shaped toy car comprising:

an egg-shaped car chassis;

one or more wheels; and

at least one axle joining the one or more wheels to the egg-shaped car chassis.

2. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 1, wherein the egg-shaped toy car further comprises an animal figurine.

3. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 2, wherein the animal figurine comprises a figurine of an animal that hatches from an egg.

4. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 3, wherein the animal that hatches from an egg comprises a snake, a lizard, a frog, a dinosaur, a dragon, a bird, a duckbill platypus, an alligator, a crocodile, a fish, a crab, a lobster, or a turtle.

5. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 2, wherein the animal figurine is positioned within the egg-shaped car chassis.

6. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 1, wherein the at least one axle extends through a portion of the egg-shaped car chassis.

7. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 1, wherein the at least one axle is attached to a frame that extends below the egg-shaped car chassis.

8. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 1, wherein the egg-shaped toy car comprises three or more wheels.

9. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 1, wherein the egg-shaped toy car comprises four wheels.

10. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 1, wherein the egg-shaped car chassis comprises a metal or plastic material; the one or more wheels comprise a rubber material; and the at least one axle comprises a metal or plastic material.

11. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 1, wherein the egg-shaped car chassis comprises at least one transparent portion extending along an outer surface of the egg-shaped car chassis, wherein one or more transparent portions provide a view of at least a portion of an interior of the egg-shaped car chassis.

12. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 11, wherein the egg-shaped toy car further comprises an animal figurine.

13. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 1, wherein the egg-shaped car chassis comprises at least one door, wherein one or more doors provide access to at least a portion of an interior of the egg-shaped car chassis.

14. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 13, wherein at least one door comprises a transparent door portion extending along an outer surface of the egg-shaped car chassis, wherein the transparent door portion provides a view of at least a portion of an interior of the egg-shaped car chassis.

15. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 1, wherein the egg-shaped car is motorized.

16. An egg-shaped toy car comprising:

an egg-shaped car chassis having an enclosed space surrounded by an outer periphery of the egg-shaped car chassis;

one or more wheels;

at least one axle joining the one or more wheels to the egg-shaped car chassis; and

an animal figurine positioned within the enclosed space of the egg-shaped car chassis.

17. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 16, wherein the animal figurine comprises a snake, a lizard, a frog, a dinosaur, a dragon, a bird, a duckbill platypus, an alligator, a crocodile, a fish, a crab, a lobster, or a turtle.

18. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 16, wherein the animal figurine is removable from the enclosed space of the egg-shaped car chassis via an opening, a door, a sunroof, a hatch, a window, a convertible top, or a seam in the egg-shaped car chassis.

19. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 16, wherein the animal figurine is permanently attached to the egg-shaped car chassis, and the egg-shaped car chassis further comprises at least one hatch door that provides access to the enclosed space.

20. An egg-shaped toy car comprising:

an egg-shaped car chassis having at least one hatch on an outer surface of the egg-shaped car chassis so as to provide access to an interior space within the egg-shaped car chassis;

four wheels;

two axles joining the four wheels to the egg-shaped car chassis; and

an animal figurine positioned within the egg-shaped car chassis.