TOY VEHICLE
A toy vehicle including a chassis having opposing right and left sides, opposing front and rear ends and a top side extending between the lateral sides and the ends. Front and rear road wheels are operatively mounted to the chassis to support the chassis for movement. The toy vehicle further includes a vehicle body, at least one biasing member positioned between the top side of the chassis and the vehicle body so as to bias the vehicle body away from the chassis and at least one connection movably securing the vehicle body with the chassis. Each of the at least one biasing member and the at least one connection are sufficiently flexible to permit transverse movements of the vehicle body in different horizontal directions on the chassis while the at least one connection limits separation of the vehicle body from the chassis.
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The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/914,580, filed Apr. 27, 2007 and entitled “Bobble Toy Vehicle”, the entire subject matter of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to toy vehicles and, more particularly, to a toy vehicle having a vehicle body and/or chassis that exhibits realistic or lifelike motion when the toy vehicle is driven and a toy vehicle having a center of gravity that enables the toy vehicle to be driven at a generally inclined position or to perform “wheelies”.
Remote controlled toys vehicles (i.e., cars, sport utility vehicles and “monster” trucks) are generally known. Consumers today, especially those that play with dynamic toys such as remote controlled “monster” trucks, desire realistic effects. One realistic effect consumers desire is the realistic and/or generally unpredictable “bobbling” action of these toy vehicles. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to create a remotely controlled “monster” truck, or any other remotely controlled vehicle, that is capable of performing such motion for a variety of reasons.
Therefore, it would be desirable to create a toy vehicle with new, unique and improved design and capabilities. Specifically, it would be desirable to create a toy vehicle having a vehicle body supported by at least one spring to allow for “bobbling” action as the vehicle moves and stops. Further, it would be desirable to create a toy vehicle having a front axle that is loosely captured on the vehicle's housing or chassis to allow the axle to twist and move a predetermined amount axially (right and left) and radially (up and down/front and back) as the vehicle moves. The combination of these two structures would provided a realistic or lifelike motion to the vehicle. Further, it would be desirable to create a toy vehicle with a center of gravity low and towards the rear to enable the vehicle be driven at a generally inclined position or to perform “wheelies” and wheelie spins.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONBriefly stated, the present invention is direct to a toy vehicle that includes a chassis having opposing right and left sides, opposing front and rear ends and a top side extending between the lateral sides and the end. A front road wheel and a rear road wheel are operatively mounted to the chassis to at least partially support the chassis for movement. The toy vehicle further includes a vehicle body, at least one biasing member positioned between the top side of the chassis and the vehicle body so as to bias the vehicle body away from the chassis and at least one connection movably securing the vehicle body with the chassis while limiting separation of the vehicle body away from the chassis. Each of the at least one biasing member and the at least one connection are sufficiently flexible to permit transverse movements of the vehicle body in horizontal directions on the chassis while the at least one connection limits separation of the vehicle body from the chassis.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings two embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:
Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right”, “left”, “upper” and “lower” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.
Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in
The rear road wheels 6 are shaped and sized such that a tire 18 may be wrapped around the circumferential outer edge of each. The tires 18 are preferably made of a soft polymer such as a soft polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or an elastomer selected from the family of styrenic thermoplastic elastomers polymers sold under the trademark KRAYTON POLYMERS so as to increase traction and improve control of the toy vehicle 100. It is also preferred that the tires 18 are essentially identical in dimension and construction and oversized to provide additional stability for the toy vehicle 100. The tires 18 may be solid polymer or a polymer shell filled with a foam or hollow and sealed, preferably with a valve for inflating and adjusting the pressure level of the tires 18. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that other sizes and materials could be substituted, such as, but not limited to, silicone, polyurethane foam, latex, and rubber. Moreover, the tires could be open to atmosphere or sealed. In the preferred embodiment, each of the tires 18 has knobs for gripping and traction, particularly off pavement terrain including but not limited to sand, dirt and grass. The front road wheels 21 preferably have a circumferential outer surface made of a more slippery material, such as polypropylene, to permit the front end of the toy vehicle 100 to be moved laterally more easily. The front road wheels 21 may be provided without tires, as depicted, or with tires.
Preferably, the operation of the toy vehicle 100 is generally similar to other remote controlled toy vehicles found in the prior art. The toy vehicle 100 is provided with one or more, preferably reversible, electric motors 38 for at least propulsion of the toy vehicle 100 across a supporting surface 90 (
Referring to
The toy vehicle 100 of the present invention provides a movement of a vehicle body 28 of the toy vehicle 100 to mimic the movement and motion of that of a full scale “Monster” vehicle. As will be described in detailed below, the toy vehicle 100 moves in a “bobble-head” doll type of motion when driven in order to simulate the movement of the coach portion of a full scale “Monster” vehicle, for example, having a shock-absorbing system that causes the coach of the vehicle to move/undulate in various directions or at various angles as the chassis of the vehicle is driven over rough or undulating terrain.
It is understood by those skilled in the art that the overall appearance of the toy vehicle 100 can vary from the design shown herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example,
As shown,
Referring to
To provide the toy vehicle 100 with more body movement, the toy vehicle 100 of the present invention has two separate “systems” or structural arrangements to provide the desired motion. The first system is one that creates/provides greater movement to the vehicle body 28 of toy vehicle 100 on the chassis 5 and includes at least one but preferably a plurality of biasing members 30 positioned between the top side 5e of the chassis 5 and the vehicle body 28 so as to bias the vehicle body 28 away from the chassis 5. The first system further includes at least one and preferably a plurality of spaced-apart connections 25, which movably secure the vehicle body 28 to the chassis 5 while limiting separation of the vehicle body 28 away from the chassis 5, preferably against the bias of the biasing members 30. In this embodiment, the connections 25 preferably include flexible members 27, such as a resiliently flexible plastic stakes or posts 27. The flexible members 27 are preferably movably secured at least with the top side 5e of the chassis 5 through openings 80 and preferably the vehicle body 28 through openings 29 to permit at least downward vertical movements as well as transverse movements in different horizontal directions of the vehicle body 28 on the chassis 5. Preferably, each biasing member 30 is associated with a separate connection 25. In this embodiment, each biasing member 30 is preferably a coil spring and the flexible member 27 of each connection 25 extends through the spring 30 to capture the spring 30.
By “against the bias”, it is meant that connection 25 is sufficiently short with respect to an associated biasing member 30 such that any slack in the biasing member 30 is fully taken up and, preferably, the biasing member 30 is put into slight compression so that the vehicle body 28 is always being biased away from the chassis 5 back to a nominal or rest position, as shown in
Preferably, the toy vehicle 100 of the present invention includes two identical rear connections 25a that are preferably located proximate the rear end 5d of the chassis 5 and the rear wheels 6. Rear flexible members 27a extend generally vertically from the top side 5e of the chassis 5. A lower portion of each member 27a is preferably movably engaged, within an opening 80a (in
Further, a front connection 25b preferably extends vertically from the top side 5e of the chassis 5 proximate a mid-section of the toy vehicle 100 and through an appropriate opening 29b in vehicle body 28. A lower portion of the front connection 25b is preferably moveably engaged, within an opening 80b (
As is understood by those skilled in the art, the openings 29 in the vehicle body 28 and the openings 80 in the chassis 5 allow the flexible members 27 of the connections 25 to move vertically downwardly with respect to the chassis 5 and the body 28 from a normally raised position (in
When the toy vehicle 100 of the present invention is properly assembled and driven, the vehicle body 28 undulates up and down and moves transversely generally similar to the movement of a “bobble” doll head in a generally unpredictable motion. Each of the biasing members 30 and the connections 25 is sufficiently flexible to permit transverse movements of the vehicle body 28 in different horizontal directions on the chassis 5 while the connections 25 limit separation of the vehicle body 28 from the chassis 5. Preferably, the connections 25 resiliently limit transverse movement of the springs 30 and body 28 on the chassis 5. This generally horizontal motion, as well as vertical motion, of the vehicle body 28 with respect to the chassis 5 mimics the real life motion of a “Monster” truck having a shock absorbing system, as seen at entertainment or sporting venues.
It is understood by those skilled in the art that the structure of the toy vehicle 100 that creates an undulating or bobble effect of the vehicle body 28 is not limited to the specific structure described above. For example, it is within the spirit and scope of the invention that the number or size of connections and/or biasing members can be increased or decreased to provide a different motion to the vehicle body 28. Further, it is within the spirit and scope of the invention that the location of the connections and/or biasing members can be rearranged to provide a different motion or bobble effect to the vehicle body 28.
Referring to
The second “system” is one that creates/provides greater movement to the front end of the toy vehicle 100 and includes the front axle 20 being partially enclosed and loosely captured in a front axle housing 22 within the trough 3a at the front of the lower housing 3. The interior diameter of the front axle housing 22 is slightly larger than the exterior diameter of the front axle 20. Thus, the front axle 20 is twistable and slidable axially (i.e. in either the left or right direction) and radially (i.e. up/down/front/rear directions) with respect to the front axle housing 22.
The front axle housing 22 preferably includes two spaced apart stops 22a, in the form of flanges or protrusions, that circumferentially protrude from the front axle housing 22 at equally spaced locations on the front axle housing 22 from the center of the housing 22. The stops 22a allow the front axle housing 22, and thus the front axle 20 located within the front axle housing 22, to move a predetermined distance in opposite axial directions (i.e. transverse left and right). Those skilled in the art understand that the toy vehicle 100 is not limited to the inclusion of the stops 22a.
The front axle housing 22 itself is loosely positioned within the trough 3a. Further, a receptor 22b protrudes from the front axle housing 22 generally at a midsection of the front axle housing 22. The receptor 22b is generally circular in shape and receives and secures a first end of a biasing member 33, such as a torsion coil spring. For example, the bore of receptor 22b can be threaded for the first end of coil spring 33 to be screwed into the receptor 22b. The second end of the torsion spring 33 is preferably firmly connected to the chassis 5, for example to a support post 3d protruding from the top of the lower housing 3. The second end of the torsion spring 33 may be captured between a pair of upwardly extending flanges 3c of the support post and a screw 3e having a flared head spanning the flanges 3c.
In a nominal, at rest, level orientation of the toy vehicle 100, the front axle housing 22 is biased to the bottom of the trough 3a by the torsion spring 33. From that position, the combination of the stops 22a and the torsion spring 33 provide a controlled range of translational (i.e. axial and radial three-dimensional) motion as well as rotational (i.e. twisting) motion about axes extending radially from the front axle housing 22, for the front axle housing 22, front axle 20 and, therefore, the front wheels 21 of the toy vehicle 100, as depicted in
It is understood that the front of the toy vehicle 100 of the present invention can be modified to create different motion without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the toy vehicle 100 may have a plurality of torsion springs 30 or the location of the torsion spring 30 can be positioned differently to provide a different motion to the front end of the toy vehicle 100. Also, the present invention is not limited to a torsion spring. One or more resilient and/or elastic members might be used. It is understood by those skilled in the art that any structure capable of movement that provides a restoring force to the front axle 20 and/or a front axle housing 22, if provided, can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As noted above, the stops 22a on the front axle housing 22 can be located at different positions to provide more or less movement of the front of the toy vehicle 100 in a left and right direction. Further, the toy vehicle 100 is not limited to the inclusion of the “loosely captured” front axle 20 and front axle housing 20. For example, the front axle 20 may be fixed to the front axle housing 22 or stub axles provided at the outer ends of the housing 22 to reduce movement of the toy vehicle 100, if desired.
In reference to
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiment described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. For example, the toy vehicle 100 can be constructed of, for example, plastic or any other suitable material such as metal or composite materials. Also, the dimensions of the toy vehicle 100 shown can be varied, for example making components of the toy vehicle smaller or larger relative to other components. It should be appreciated that some of the figures are more schematic than others.
While the motors 38a, 38b are conventionally powered by an on-board power source, such as batteries 35, the vehicle might use a capacitive storage device (not depicted). Furthermore, it is preferred that the toy vehicle 100 to be conventionally remotely controlled have an antenna (not shown) or other wireless signal sensor or receptor. The antenna may be extended upwardly through any of the biasing members 30 or simply located on the top side 5e of the chassis 5 between the chassis 5 and the vehicle body 28. This location of the antenna could add to the aesthetics of the toy vehicle 100 removing the antenna from the user line of sight and may also protect the antenna or provide for optimum operation. Alternatively, the antenna may be extended through the vehicle body 28.
While remote control of the toy vehicle 100 is preferred, it will be appreciated that the toy vehicle can be factory preprogrammed to perform a predetermined movement or series of movements or can be configured to be selectively programmed by a user to create such predetermined movement(s). Alternatively, or in addition, the toy vehicle 100 can be equipped with environment sensors, e.g., contact activated switches, proximity detectors, etc., 107a, 107b (in phantom in
It is understood, therefore, that changes could be made to the preferred embodiments of the toy vehicle described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof it is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A toy vehicle comprising:
- a chassis having opposing right and left lateral sides, opposing front and rear ends and a top side extending between the lateral sides and the ends;
- a front road wheel and a rear road wheel operatively mounted to said chassis to at least partially support said chassis for movement;
- a vehicle body;
- at least one biasing member positioned between the top side of the chassis and the vehicle body so as to bias the vehicle body away from the chassis; and
- at least one connection movably securing said vehicle body with the chassis while limiting separation of the vehicle body away from the chassis;
- each of the at least one biasing member and the at least one connection being sufficiently flexible to permit transverse movements of the vehicle body in horizontal directions on the chassis while the at least one connection limits separation of the vehicle body from the chassis.
2. The toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein the at least one biasing member is a coil spring.
3. The toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein the at least one connection includes a flexible member sufficiently resilient to be self supporting.
4. The toy vehicle of claim 3 wherein the flexible member is movably secured to at least the chassis so as to permit the transverse movements of the vehicle body on the chassis.
5. The toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein the at least one connection includes a flexible member insufficiently resilient to be self supporting.
6. The toy vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a motor on said chassis drivingly connected with at least one of the front and rear wheels to propel the toy vehicle, and wherein the at least one biasing member and connection are sufficiently flexible to further permit transverse movements of the vehicle body on the chassis in horizontal directions with propulsion of the toy vehicle by the motor.
7. The toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein:
- the at least one biasing member is one of a plurality of biasing members positioned between the top side of the chassis and the inner side of the body so as to bias the vehicle body away from the chassis; and
- the at least one connection is one of a plurality of connections movably securing the vehicle body with the chassis against the bias of the plurality of biasing members to permit transverse movements of the vehicle body on the chassis while limiting separation of the vehicle body from the chassis.
8. The toy vehicle of claim 7 wherein at least one of the plurality of biasing members is a coil spring.
9. The toy vehicle of claim 7 wherein each of the plurality of biasing members is a coil spring.
10. The toy vehicle of claim 7 wherein at least one of the plurality of connections includes a flexible member sufficiently resilient to be self supporting.
11. The toy vehicle of claim 10 wherein the flexible member is movably secured to at least the chassis so as to permit the transverse movements of the vehicle body on the chassis.
12. The toy vehicle of claim 7 wherein each of the plurality of connections includes a flexible member sufficiently resilient to be self supporting and movably secured with the chassis and the vehicle body so as to permit transverse movements of the vehicle body on the chassis.
13. The toy vehicle of claim 7 wherein at least one of the plurality of connections includes a flexible member insufficiently resilient to be self supporting.
14. The toy vehicle of claim 7 wherein each of the plurality of connectors includes a flexible member insufficiently resilient to be self supporting.
15. The toy vehicle of claim 7 further comprising a motor on said chassis drivingly connected with at least one of the front and rear wheels to propel the toy vehicle, and wherein the plurality of biasing members and the plurality of connections are all sufficiently flexible to further permit transverse movements of the vehicle horizontal directions with propulsion of the vehicle by the motor.
16. The toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein the at least one biasing member and the at least one connection are located more proximal the front end the chassis and further comprising:
- a second biasing member positioned between the top side of the chassis and the inner side of the body more proximal the rear end of the chassis so as to bias the vehicle body away from the rear end of the chassis; and
- a second connection more proximal the rear end of the chassis movably securing the vehicle body to the chassis against the bias of the second biasing member.
17. The toy vehicle of claim 1 further comprising:
- a trough formed in said chassis proximate said front end;
- a front axle supporting the front road wheel;
- a front axle housing at least partially surrounding said front axle and movably positioned with said trough; and
- a torsion spring member movably connecting the front axle housing with the chassis.
18. The toy vehicle of claim 17 wherein said front axle housing is movable in axial and radial directions with respect to the chassis when the toy vehicle is driven.
19. The toy vehicle of claim 18 wherein said front axle housing further comprising two spaced-apart stops protruding from said front axle housing, wherein said stops allow said front axle housing to move a predetermined distance in opposing axial directions.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 25, 2008
Publication Date: Oct 30, 2008
Applicant: MATTEL, INC. (El Segundo, CA)
Inventor: Mark Kevin Jones (Whittier, CA)
Application Number: 12/109,837
International Classification: A63H 17/26 (20060101);