INTERCHANGEABLE VEHICLE SYSTEM

Abstract

A toy vehicle includes first, second, and third subassemblies. The second and third subassemblies are each configured to be selectively coupled to the first subassembly. A plurality of wheels are configured to be coupled to the first subassembly.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/761,379, filed Feb. 6, 2013, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Many types of toys are sold commercially ranging from building blocks to video games. Among this great number of toy types are toy vehicles, such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Conventionally, toy vehicles take the form of single construct that does not enable a child to use his or her creativity. For example, while a toy vehicle may be an accurate scale model of an actual vehicle that includes moving parts such as doors, steering wheel, and wheels, a child does not have the ability to customize the vehicle. Consequently, these conventional toy vehicles do not encourage a child to be creative and customize the vehicle, which limits its entertainment value and can reduce the amount of time a child actually plays with the vehicle.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a toy vehicle includes first, second, and third subassemblies. The first subassembly including a release, and the second and third subassemblies are each configured to be coupled selectively to the first subassembly. A plurality of wheels are configured to be coupled to the first subassembly, and the release is configured to disengage the second and third subassemblies from the first subassembly.

In some embodiments, a toy vehicle includes a first subassembly having a body and an insert coupled to the body. The body is formed from a first material, and the insert is formed from a second material that is different from the first material. Second and third subassemblies are each configured to be coupled selectively to the first subassembly, and a plurality of wheels are configured to be coupled to the first subassembly. The release is configured to disengage the second and third subassemblies from the first subassembly.

A toy vehicle includes a frame subassembly having a body and an insert coupled to the body. The body is formed from a first material, and the insert is formed from a second material that is different from the first material. A cab subassembly of a first type is configured to be coupled to the frame subassembly, and a bed subassembly of a first type is configured to be coupled to the frame subassembly. A plurality of wheels are configured to be coupled to the frame subassembly. The release is configured to disengage the cab subassembly of the first type and the bed subassembly of the first type from the frame subassembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one example of a toy vehicle in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is an elevated perspective view of another example of a toy vehicle in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is an elevated perspective view from above of a frame subassembly in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the frame subassembly taken along line 3A-3A in FIG. 3 with the axles having been removed for ease of reference.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the frame subassembly shown in FIG. 3A with a portion of the insert having been removed.

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the frame subassembly shown in FIG. 3B with another portion of the insert having been removed such that the handle portion of the insert is shown.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view from below of a frame subassembly in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view from below of a bed subassembly in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an elevated perspective view from above of a roof subassembly in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is an elevated perspective view from above of a cab subassembly in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view from below of a cab subassembly in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is an elevated perspective view of another example of a toy vehicle in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is an elevated perspective view from above of a frame subassembly in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view of the frame subassembly taken along line 10A-10A in FIG. 10 with the axles having been removed for ease of reference.

FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the frame subassembly shown in FIG. 10A with a portion of the insert having been removed.

FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional view of the frame subassembly shown in FIG. 10B with another portion of the insert having been removed such that the handle portion of the insert is shown.

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view from below of a frame subassembly in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is an elevated perspective view from above of a bed subassembly in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view from below of a bed subassembly in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is an elevated perspective view from above of a roof subassembly in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 15 is an elevated perspective view from above of a cab subassembly in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view from below of a cab subassembly in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood that the following detailed description of embodiments are exemplary in nature and are not intended to constitute limitations upon the present invention. It is also to be understood that variations of the exemplary embodiments contemplated by one of ordinary skill in the art shall concurrently fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.

The disclosed toy vehicle system and components advantageously enable a user to reconfigure a vehicle and combine parts of a vehicle of a first type, such as a cab subassembly of a fire truck, with parts of a vehicle of a second type, such as a bed subassembly from an ambulance. The ability to create and customize the toy vehicles provides a learning experience for the user, inspires creativity, and extends the length of time with which such toy vehicles are played.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first example of a toy vehicle 100 in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, toy vehicle 100 is fabricated predominantly from wood or a material resembling wood such as, without limitation, bamboo. In this exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 100 in its current state comprises a commercial flatbed truck. But, as will be discussed hereafter, this vehicle 100 may be reconfigured to include different subassemblies to create a dump truck. Although the vehicles are described below as being formed from multiple materials, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the vehicles can be formed using a single material.

In exemplary form, the vehicle 100 includes a plurality of subassemblies. Specifically, the vehicle 100 includes a frame subassembly 110 comprising a wood body 112 having been at least partially hollowed to receive a plastic insert 114. The plastic insert 114 may be adhered to the wood body 112 using any number of approaches including, without limitation, adhesive, compression fitting, nails, and screws. The plastic insert 114 includes at least one connector 116 that may be one or more cavities adapted to receive one or more specifically configured projections or may be one or more specifically configured projections to be received within one or more specifically shaped depressions. More specifically, the connector 116 is configured to allow one of a plurality of bed subassemblies 118 to engage the insert 114 and be coupled to the insert until the child wants to exchange one bed subassembly for another. In this exemplary embodiment, the connector 116 comprises two different sized rectangular cavities. In order to ensure the bed subassembly 118 is properly aligned with respect to the frame subassembly 110, the bed subassembly 118 includes two projections 120 that can only be received within the connector 116 in a single configuration while being engaged in a snap-fit with the frame subassembly. In this exemplary embodiment, the bed subassembly 118 comprises a flat bed of a commercial truck.

The frame subassembly 110 also includes at least two axles 122, 124 mounted thereto. In this exemplary embodiment, the vehicle includes two axles. Nevertheless, a vehicle could include any number of axles. Each axle 122, 124 has a block U-shape with a pair of spindles 128 extending from both ends. The block U-shape of each axle 122, 124 is configured to receive a portion of the frame subassembly 110, in this case the wood body 112, in order to mount the axles to the frame subassembly. Each axle 122, 124 is fabricated from plastic and may be adhered to the wood body 112 using any number of approaches including, without limitation, adhesive, compression fitting, nails, and screws. Each spindle 128 includes a pair of semi-circle detents 130 that cooperate to provide a round camming surface against which a corresponding wheel 134, 136 rotates. The space between the detents 130 allows the detents to be compressed toward one another to allow the wheels 134, 136 to be dismounted from the spindles 128. In some embodiments, each wheel 134, 136 includes a designer wheel pattern or tread 146 and a circumferential groove 142 adapted to receive a removable tire tread 146. In this exemplary embodiment, the front wheels 134 include a width sized to allow a single front tire tread 146, while the rear wheels 136 are wider and sized to allow dual tire treads 146. As will be discussed in more detail hereafter, the tire treads 146 are adapted to be removable from the wheels 134, 136 and may take on any number of colors. By way of example, it is envisioned that an original vehicle 100 will include tire treads 146 that are all the same color and this same color matches the transparent plastic parts of the vehicle.

In this exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 100 includes a roof subassembly 150 comprising a transparent red plastic top representing the portion of the vehicle visible through a windshield, side windows, and rear window.

In addition to the roof subassembly, the vehicle 100 includes a cab subassembly 180. This cab subassembly 180 includes a wood body 182 having been at least partially hollowed to receive one or more ornamental components. For example, these ornamental components can include, but are not limited to, side fenders 184, a grill 186, and exhaust stacks 188. In some embodiments, front fenders can include a combination of materials, such as wood and plastic, wood and metal, or metal and plastic, to list only a few possibilities. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the wood body 182 is at least partially hollowed to receive a plastic insert (not shown). The plastic insert may be adhered to the wood body using any number of approaches including, without limitation, adhesive, compression fitting, nails, and screws. As described in greater detail below, the plastic insert includes at least one connector (not shown) that may be one or more cavities adapted to receive one or more specifically configured projections or may be one or more specifically configured projections to be received within one or more specifically shaped depressions. More specifically, the connector is configured to allow one of a plurality of cab subassemblies 180 to engage the insert and be coupled to the insert until the child wants to exchange one cab subassembly for another. In some embodiments, the connector comprises a single rectangular cavity adapted to receive a rectangular projection (not shown in FIG. 1) of the frame subassembly 110. In order to ensure the cab subassembly is properly aligned with respect to the frame subassembly, the connector is configured to engage and stay coupled to the projection of the frame assembly in a single orientation. In this exemplary embodiment, the cab subassembly 182 comprises a regular cab of a commercial truck.

Referring to FIGS. 2-8, a second exemplary embodiment of the instant disclosure comprises a children's toy vehicle 200 predominantly fabricated from wood or a material resembling wood such as, without limitation, bamboo. In this exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 200 in its current state comprises a commercial dump truck. But, as will be discussed hereafter, this vehicle 200 may be reconfigured to include different subassemblies to create a flatbed truck. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that that other types of vehicles having a plurality of subassemblies can be fabricated in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, the vehicle can be a specific type of truck (e.g., flatbed truck, dump truck, cement truck, or fire truck, oil tanker, car transporter, Formula 1 race trailer, dual box cargo hauler, cargo hauler, logger, tandem axle cargo hauler, tow truck, stake body truck, box truck, fuel truck, or flatbed car hauler, to list a few possibilities), or the vehicle could be a car, plane, motorcycle, helicopter, or boat, to provide only a few examples. Further, these vehicles can be configured to be coupled to other components such as, for example, a trailer using one of a variety of connection mechanisms, e.g., clipping, clamping, magnets, friction fit, VELCRO®, or other suitable mechanism.

In exemplary form, the vehicle 200 includes a plurality of subassemblies. Specifically, the vehicle 200 includes a frame subassembly 210 comprising a wood body 212 having been at least partially hollowed to receive a plastic insert 214. In this exemplary embodiment, the frame subassembly 210 has been lengthened as compared to the frame subassembly 110 of the first exemplary vehicle 100 to accommodate dual rear axles. The plastic insert 214 may be adhered to the wood body 212 using any number of approaches including, without limitation, adhesive, compression fitting, nails, and screws. The plastic insert 214 includes at least one connector 216 that may be one or more cavities adapted to receive one or more specifically configured projections or may be one or more specifically configured projections to be received within one or more specifically shaped depressions. More specifically, the connector 216 is configured to allow one of a plurality of bed subassemblies 218 to engage the insert 214 and be coupled to the insert until the child wants to exchange one bed subassembly for another. In this exemplary embodiment, the connector 216 comprises two different sized rectangular cavities 216A, 216B. In order to ensure the bed subassembly 218 is properly aligned with respect to the frame subassembly 210, the bed subassembly 218 includes two projections 220A, 220B (FIG. 5) that can only be received within the connector 216 in a single configuration while begin engaged in a snap-fit with the frame subassembly. Specifically, the second projection 220B includes a recessed flange 260 (FIG. 5) that is adapted to engage a repositionable catch 262 located on the interior of the second cavity 216B as best seen in FIG. 3 and described in greater detail below with respect to FIGS. 3A-3C.

In some embodiments, the repositionable catches 262 and 296 are spring loaded in a default position to provide that the repositionable catches 262, 296 engage respective flanges 260, 294 to maintain connections between the bed subassembly 218 and the frame subassembly 210 and between the cab subassembly 280 and the frame subassembly 210. At the rear of the frame subassembly 210 is a handle 266 (FIGS. 3A-4) that is repositionable away from the front of the frame subassembly and operative to pull the repositionable catches 262, 296 out of engagement of flanges 260, 294 in order to allow for the respective removal of the bed subassembly 218 from the frame subassembly 210 and the cab subassembly 280 and the frame subassembly 210. In this exemplary embodiment, the bed subassembly 218 comprises a dump bed 270 of a commercial truck that includes a swinging tailgate 272 as shown in FIG. 5.

One example of a connection mechanism is now described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 3A-3C. Referring first to FIG. 3A, body 212 is shown being coupled to insert 214. Connector 216, including openings 216A and 216B are visible as is repositionable catch 262. In some embodiments, opening 216A is configured to receive another repositionable catch 263 for further securing bed subassembly 218 to frame subassembly 210. Releasable catch 296 is shown extending from a front surface of projection 298, which is illustrated as having the external look of an engine. A spring 265 is disposed within a cavity 267 defined by base portion 215 of insert 214, which is coupled to body 212, and a handle portion 267 of insert 214 that is configured to move relative to base portion 215 of insert 214. In some embodiments, spring 265 is a compression spring configured to urge handle portion 267 of insert 214 in a frontward direction relative to base portion 215 of insert 214. A user can pull handle portion 267 of insert 214 in a rearward direction by manipulating handle 266 to disengage one or more subassemblies (e.g., cab subassembly 280 and bed subassembly 218 from frame subassembly 210.

As best seen in FIGS. 3B and 3C, catches 262, 263, and 296 each include a respective angled face 262A, 263A, 296A. These angled faces 262A, 263A, 296A facilitate the insertion and engagement of the bed and cab subassemblies 218, 280 to frame subassembly 210. For example, when the bed 218 is inserted to connector 216, i.e., into cavities 216A, 216B, the projections 220A, 220B contact angled faces 262A, 263A causing handle portion 267 of insert 214 to move in a rearward direction with respect to base portion 215 of insert 214. When angled faces 262A, 263A are aligned with the recessed flanges 260 (note that a recessed flange is now shown as being defined by projection 220A, but is provided in some embodiments), the handle portion 267 is urged in a forward direction by spring 265 such that repositionable catches 262, 263 are received within flanges 260. Repositionable catch 296 and its angled face 296A operates in a similar fashion to the repositionable catches 262, 263 and their respective angled faces 262A, 263A described above. Other connection mechanisms can be used other to connect the subassemblies other than those described above. For example, in some embodiments the subassemblies are coupled together using magnets, a friction fit, snaps, bayonet connections, and/or VELCRO® between the subassemblies. In such embodiments, other release mechanisms can be implemented to disengage the subassemblies from one another. For example, a lever, screw, or other release mechanism can be implemented to disengage the subassemblies from one another.

Turning now to FIG. 4, the frame subassembly 210 also includes one front and two rear axles 122, 124 mounted thereto. Nevertheless, a vehicle could include any number of axles as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Each axle 122, 124 includes a block U-shape with a pair of spindles 128 extending from both ends. The block U-shape of each axle 122, 124 is configured to receive a portion of the frame subassembly 210, in this case the wood body 212, in order to mount the axles to the frame subassembly. Each axle 122, 124 is fabricated from plastic and may be adhered to the wood body 212 using any number of approaches including, without limitation, adhesive, compression fitting, nails, and screws. Each spindle 128 includes a pair of semi-circle detents 130 that cooperate to provide a round camming surface against which a corresponding wheel 134, 136 rotates. The space between the detents 130 allows the detents to be compressed toward one another to allow the wheels 134, 136 to be dismounted from the spindles 128. In exemplary form, each wheel 134, 136 comprises a designer wheel pattern and an outer circumferential groove adapted to receive a removable tire tread 146 (FIG. 2). In this exemplary embodiment, the front wheels 134 include a width sized to allow a single front tire tread 146, while the rear wheels 136 are wider and sized to allow dual tire treads 146 or a single tire tread having a dual width. As will be discussed in more detail hereafter, the tire treads 146 are adapted to be removable from the wheels 134, 136 and may take on any number of colors. By way of example, it is envisioned that the original vehicle 200 will include tire treads 146 that are all the same color and this same color matches the transparent plastic parts of the vehicle.

In this exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 100 includes a roof subassembly 150 shown in FIG. 6 comprising a transparent red plastic top representing the portion of the vehicle visible through a windshield 152, side windows 154, rear window, and roof 156. The roof subassembly is removably coupled to a cab subassembly 280 as shown in FIG. 2.

As best seen in FIG. 7, the cab subassembly 280 includes a wood body 282 having been at least partially hollowed to receive one or more trim pieces. In this exemplary embodiment, the trim pieces include side fenders 284, a grill 286, and side gas tanks 288. As shown in FIG. 8, the wood body is at least partially hollowed to receive a plastic insert 290. The plastic insert 290 may be adhered to the wood body 282 using any number of approaches including, without limitation, adhesive, compression fitting, nails, and screws. The plastic insert 290 includes at least one connector 292 that may be one or more cavities adapted to receive one or more specifically configured projections or may be one or more specifically configured projections to be received within one or more specifically shaped depressions.

Still referring to FIG. 8, in this exemplary embodiment, the connector 292 comprises a rectangular cavity that is configured to receive a projection 298 associated with the frame subassembly 210 (FIGS. 3-3C) to allow one of a plurality of cab subassemblies 280 to be coupled to the frame subassembly until the child wants to exchange one cab subassembly for another as described above. In order to ensure the cab subassembly 280 is properly aligned with respect to the frame subassembly 210, in some embodiments, the projection 298 can only be received by the connector 292 and coupled to the cab subassembly in a single orientation. Specifically and referring again to FIG. 8, the connector 292 includes a recessed flange 294 that is adapted to engage a repositionable catch 296 associated with the projection 298 as best seen in FIGS. 3-3C. As noted above, the repositionable catch 296 is spring loaded in a default position to provide that the repositionable catch engages the flange 294 and maintains a connection between the cab subassembly 280 and the frame subassembly 210. The handle 266 at the rear of the frame subassembly 210 may be repositioned away from the front of the frame subassembly and operative to pull the repositionable catch 296 out of the line of travel of the flange 294 (FIG. 8) in order to allow for removal of the cab subassembly 280 from the frame subassembly 210. In this exemplary embodiment, the cab subassembly 280 comprises a dump truck cab.

The axles 122, 124 and wheels 134, 136 described with respect to FIGS. 2-8 have been described as being the same as the axles 122, 124 and wheels 134, 136 described with respect to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the size and shape of the tire treads 146 are the same, but in this exemplary embodiment the tire treads 146 are blue to match the color of the blue parts (e.g., the roof subassembly 150 and the plastic trim pieces) of the vehicle 200 that may be transparent.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-16, a third exemplary embodiment of a children's toy vehicle 300 in the form of a fire truck is described. In some embodiments, vehicle 300 is predominantly fabricated from wood or a material resembling wood such as, without limitation, bamboo. Although FIGS. 9-16 are described with reference to a fire struck, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that vehicle 300 may be reconfigured to include different subassemblies to create a different truck.

In exemplary form, the vehicle 300 includes a plurality of subassemblies. For example, vehicle 300 includes a frame subassembly 310 illustrated in FIG. 10 comprising a wood body 312 having been at least partially hollowed to receive a plastic insert 314. In this exemplary embodiment, the frame subassembly 310 is the same size as the first exemplary frame subassembly 110 and shorter than the second frame subassembly 210. The plastic insert 314 may be adhered to the wood body 312 using any number of approaches including, without limitation, adhesive, compression fitting, nails, and screws. The plastic insert 314 includes at least one connector 316 that may be one or more cavities adapted to receive one or more specifically configured projections or may be one or more specifically configured projections to be received within one or more specifically shaped depressions. More specifically, the connector 316 is configured to allow one of a plurality of bed subassemblies 318 to engage the insert 314 and be coupled to the insert until the child wants to exchange one bed subassembly for another. In this exemplary embodiment, the connector 316 comprises two differently sized rectangular cavities 316A, 316B. Although cavities 316A, 316B are described as being rectangular, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that cavities 316A, 316B can take the form of other geometric shapes such as, for example, square, circular, triangular, pentagonal, and hexagonal, to list only a few possibilities. Further, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that cavities 316A, 316B can be differently shaped from one another.

The connection mechanism is now described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 10A-10C. Referring first to FIG. 10A, body 312 is shown being coupled to insert 314. Connector 316, including openings 316A and 316B are visible as is repositionable catch 362. Releasable catch 396 is shown extending from a front surface of projection 398. A spring (not shown) can be disposed within a cavity defined by base portion 315 of insert 314, which is coupled to body 312, and a handle portion 367 of insert 314 that is configured to move relative to base portion 315 of insert 314. In some embodiments, the spring is a compression spring configured to urge handle portion 367 of insert 314 in a frontward direction relative to base portion 315 of insert 314 in a similar manner as described above with respect to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-8. A user can pull handle portion 367 of insert 314 in a rearward direction by manipulating handle 366 to disengage one or more subassemblies (e.g., cab subassembly 380 and bed subassembly 318 from frame subassembly 310.

As best seen in FIGS. 10B and 10C, catches 396 and 396 each include a respective angled face 362A and 396A. These angled faces 362A, 396A facilitate the insertion and engagement of the bed and cab subassemblies 318, 380 to frame subassembly 310. For example, when the bed 318 is inserted to connector 316, i.e., into cavities 316A, 316B, the projection 320B contacts angled face 362A causing handle portion 367 of insert 314 to move in a rearward direction with respect to base portion 315 of insert 314. When angled face 362A is aligned with the recessed flange 360, the handle portion 367 is urged in a forward direction by the spring such that repositionable catch 362 is received within flange 360. Repositionable catch 396 and its angled face 396A operates in a similar fashion to the repositionable catch 362 and angled face 362A described above.

In order to ensure the bed subassembly 318 is properly aligned with respect to the frame subassembly 310, the bed subassembly 318 includes two projections 320A, 320B (best seen in FIG. 318) that can only be received within the rectangular cavities 316A, 316B of frame subassembly in a single configuration while begin engaged in a snap-fit with the frame subassembly. For example, the second projection 320B includes a recessed flange (not shown) that is adapted to engage a repositionable catch 362 (FIG. 10) located on the interior of the second cavity 316B. More specifically and still referring to FIG. 10, the repositionable catch 362 is spring loaded in a default position to provide that the repositionable catch engages the flange and maintains a connection between the bed subassembly 318 and the frame subassembly 310. As best seen in FIG. 11, at the rear of the frame subassembly 310 is a handle 366 that is repositionable away from the front of the frame subassembly and operative to pull the repositionable catch 362 out of the line of travel of the flange in order to allow for removal of the bed subassembly 318 from the frame subassembly 310. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12, the bed subassembly 318 comprises a fire engine bed 370 of a fire truck that includes side ladders 372 and a rear step platform 374.

Referring again to FIG. 11, the frame subassembly 310 also includes one front and one rear axles 122, 124 mounted thereto. Nevertheless, a vehicle could include any number of axles. Each axle 122, 124 includes a block U-shape with a pair of spindles 128 extending from both ends. The block U-shape of each axle 122, 124 is configured to receive a portion of the frame subassembly 210, in this case the wood body 212, in order to mount the axles to the frame subassembly. Each axle 122, 124 is fabricated from plastic and may be adhered to the wood body 312 using any number of approaches including, without limitation, adhesive, compression fitting, nails, and screws. Each spindle 128 includes a pair of semi-circle detents 130 that cooperate to provide a round camming surface against which a corresponding wheel 134, 136 rotates. The space between the detents 130 allows the detents to be compressed toward one another to allow the wheels 134, 136 to be dismounted from the spindles 128. In exemplary form, each wheel 134, 136 comprises a designer wheel pattern and an outer circumferential groove adapted to receive a removable tire tread 146. In this exemplary embodiment, the front wheels 134 include a width sized to allow a single front tire tread 146 (FIG. 9), while the rear wheels 136 are wider and sized to allow dual tire treads 146 or a single tire tread having a dual width. As will be discussed in more detail hereafter, the tire treads 146 are adapted to be removable from the wheels 134, 136 and may take on any number of colors. By way of example, it is envisioned that the original vehicle 300 will include tire treads 146 that are all the same color and this same color matches the transparent plastic parts of the vehicle.

As best seen in FIG. 14, roof subassembly 350 of vehicle 300 comprising a transparent red plastic top representing the portion of the vehicle visible through a windshield 352, side windows 354, rear window (not shown), roof 356, and light bar 358. The roof subassembly 350 is removably coupled to a cab subassembly 380.

Turning now to FIG. 15, the cab subassembly 380 includes a wood body 382 having been at least partially hollowed to receive one or more trim pieces. In this exemplary embodiment, the trim pieces include side fenders 384, a grill 386, and a cab extension 388. As best seen in FIG. 16, the wood body 382 is at least partially hollowed to receive a plastic insert 390. The plastic insert 390 may be adhered to the wood body 382 using any number of approaches including, without limitation, adhesive, compression fitting, nails, and screws. The plastic insert 390 includes at least one connector 392 that may be one or more cavities adapted to receive one or more specifically configured projections or may be one or more specifically configured projections to be received within one or more specifically shaped depressions.

In this exemplary embodiment, the connector 392 comprises a rectangular cavity that is configured to receive a projection 398 associated with the frame subassembly 310 (FIG. 10) to allow one of a plurality of cab subassemblies 180, 280, 380 to be coupled to the frame subassembly until a child wants to exchange one cab subassembly for another. In order to ensure the cab subassembly 380 is properly aligned with respect to the frame subassembly 310, the projection 398 (FIG. 10) only can be received by the connector 392 (FIG. 16) and coupled to the cab subassembly in a single orientation. More particularly and referring to FIG. 16, connector 392 includes a recessed flange 394 that is adapted to engage a repositionable catch 396 associated with the projection 398 as best seen in FIG. 10. In some embodiments, the repositionable catch 396 illustrated in FIG. 10 is spring loaded in a default position to provide that the repositionable catch engages the flange 394 shown in FIG. 16 and maintains a connection between the cab subassembly 380 and the frame subassembly 310. The handle 366 at the rear of the frame subassembly 310 and best seen in FIG. 11 may be repositioned away from the front of the frame subassembly and operative to pull the repositionable catch 396 out of the line of travel of the flange 394 in order to allow for removal of the cab subassembly 380 from the frame subassembly 310. In this exemplary embodiment, the cab subassembly 380 comprises a fire truck cab.

Axles 122, 124 and wheels 134, 136 described with respect to FIGS. 9-16 are the same as the axles 122, 124 and wheels 134, 136 described above with respect to FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the size and shape of the tire treads 146 may be the same or different, but in this exemplary embodiment the tire treads 146 are red to match the color of the red parts (e.g., the roof subassembly 350 and the plastic trim pieces) of the vehicle 300 that may be transparent.

It will be understood from the foregoing description the cab subassemblies 180, 280, 380 are interchangeable with one another and may be mounted to any one of the frame subassemblies 110, 210, 310. In addition, the roof subassemblies 150, 350 are interchangeable with one another and may be mounted to any one of the cab subassemblies 180, 280, 380. Moreover, the bed subassemblies 118, 218, 318 are generally interchangeable with one another and mountable to any frame subassembly 110, 210, 310 so long as axles do not interfere with engagement between the bed subassembly and the frame subassembly.

In some embodiments, a toy vehicle includes a plurality of subassemblies including a first subassembly, a second subassembly, and a third subassembly. The second and third subassemblies are each configured to be selectively coupled to the first subassembly, and a plurality of wheels are configured to be coupled to the first subassembly. The release is configured to disengage the second and third subassemblies from the first subassembly.

In some embodiments, the first subassembly includes a release configured to disengage the second and third subassemblies from the first subassembly.

In some embodiments, the first subassembly is a frame subassembly, the second subassembly is a cab subassembly, the third subassembly is a bed subassembly, and each of the plurality of wheels is configured to be selectively coupled to the frame subassembly.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of wheels is coupled to a spindle of the frame subassembly that includes at least one detent formed at an end thereof.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of wheels defines a circumferential groove that is sized and configured to receive a tread therein.

In some embodiments, the first subassembly includes a body formed from a first material and an insert coupled to the body. The insert is formed from a second material that is different from the first material.

In some embodiments, the insert defines a cavity that is sized and configured to receive a protrusion extending from the third subassembly.

In some embodiments, the insert includes a first repositionable catch disposed within the cavity that is configured to be moved in response to the release being repositioned.

In some embodiments, the insert includes a projection disposed at a distance from the cavity. The projection includes a second repositionable catch disposed along a length of the projection and is configured to be moved in response to the release being repositioned.

In some embodiments, the projection is sized and configured to be received within a cavity defined by the second subassembly.

In some embodiments, a toy vehicle includes a first subassembly having a body and an insert coupled to the body. The body is formed from a first material, and the insert is formed from a second material that is different from the first material. A second subassembly and a third subassembly are each configured to be coupled selectively to the first subassembly, and a plurality of wheels configured to be coupled to the first subassembly. The release is configured to disengage the second and third subassemblies from the first subassembly.

In some embodiments, the insert defines a cavity that is sized and configured to receive a protrusion extending from the third subassembly.

In some embodiments, the insert includes a first repositionable catch disposed within the cavity that is configured to be moved in response to the release being repositioned.

In some embodiments, the insert includes a projection disposed at a distance from the cavity. The projection includes a second repositionable catch disposed along a length of the projection that is configured to be moved in response to the release being repositioned.

In some embodiments, a toy vehicle includes a frame subassembly, a cab subassembly of a first type, and a bed subassembly of a first type. The frame subassembly includes a body and an insert coupled to the body. The body is formed from a first material, and the insert is formed from a second material that is different from the first material. The cab subassembly of the first type is configured to be coupled to the frame subassembly, and the bed subassembly of the first type is configured to be coupled to the frame subassembly. A plurality of wheels are configured to be coupled to the frame subassembly. The release is configured to disengage the cab subassembly of the first type and the bed subassembly of the first type from the frame subassembly.

In some embodiments, the frame subassembly is configured to be coupled to a cab assembly of a second type and a bed subassembly of a second type.

In some embodiments, the frame subassembly is configured to be coupled simultaneously to a cab assembly of a second type and to a bed assembly of a third type that is different from the second type.

In some embodiments, the insert defines a cavity that is sized and configured to receive a protrusion extending from the bed subassembly.

In some embodiments, the insert includes a first repositionable catch disposed within the cavity that is configured to be moved in response to the release being repositioned.

In some embodiments, the insert includes a projection disposed at a distance from the cavity. The projection is sized and configured to be received within a recess defined by the cab subassembly and includes a second repositionable catch disposed along a length of the projection. The second repositionable catch is configured to be moved in response to the release being repositioned.

Each of the foregoing exemplary embodiments may be fabricated from numerous materials including, without limitation, plastics, wood, wood substitutes, metals, ceramics, and composites. While the foregoing embodiments have been described as having certain components that are plastic or fabricated from other materials, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the arts that each of the foregoing embodiments may be crafted from any number of materials and the same part may be fabricated in multiple variations using different materials.

Although the disclosed systems and methods have been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, they are not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the systems and methods, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the systems and methods.

Claims

1. A toy vehicle, comprising:

a first subassembly;

second and third subassemblies each configured to be coupled selectively to the first subassembly; and

a plurality of wheels configured to be coupled to the first subassembly.

2. The toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first subassembly includes a release configured to disengage the second and third subassemblies from the first subassembly.

3. The toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first subassembly is a frame subassembly, the second subassembly is a cab subassembly, the third subassembly is a bed subassembly, and each of the plurality of wheels is configured to be selectively coupled to the frame subassembly.

4. The toy vehicle of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of wheels is coupled to a spindle of the frame subassembly that includes at least one detent formed at an end thereof.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of wheels defines a circumferential groove that is sized and configured to receive a tread therein.

6. The toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first subassembly includes

a body formed from a first material; and

an insert coupled to the body, the insert formed from a second material that is different from the first material.

7. The toy vehicle of claim 6, wherein the insert defines a cavity that is sized and configured to receive a protrusion extending from the third subassembly.

8. The toy vehicle of claim 7, wherein the insert includes a first repositionable catch disposed within the cavity that is configured to be moved in response to the release being repositioned.

9. The toy vehicle of claim 8, wherein the insert includes a projection disposed at a distance from the cavity, the projection including a second repositionable catch disposed along a length of the projection and is configured to be moved in response to the release being repositioned.

10. The toy vehicle of claim 9, wherein the projection is sized and configured to be received within a cavity defined by the second subassembly.

11. A toy vehicle, comprising:

a first subassembly including a release;

second and third subassemblies each configured to be coupled selectively to the first subassembly; and

a plurality of wheels configured to be coupled to the first subassembly,

wherein the release is configured to disengage the second and third subassemblies from the first subassembly.

12. The toy vehicle of claim 11, wherein the insert defines a cavity that is sized and configured to receive a protrusion extending from the third subassembly.

13. The toy vehicle of claim 12, wherein the insert includes a first repositionable catch disposed within the cavity that is configured to be moved in response to the release being repositioned.

14. The toy vehicle of claim 13, wherein the insert includes a projection disposed at a distance from the cavity, the projection including a second repositionable catch disposed along a length of the projection and is configured to be moved in response to the release being repositioned.

15. A toy vehicle, comprising:

a frame subassembly including a body formed from a first material, and an insert coupled to the body, the insert formed from a second material that is different from the first material;

a cab subassembly of a first type configured to be coupled to the frame subassembly;

a bed subassembly of a first type configured to be coupled to the frame subassembly; and

a plurality of wheels configured to be coupled to the frame subassembly,

wherein the release is configured to disengage the cab subassembly of the first type and the bed subassembly of the first type from the frame subassembly.

16. The toy vehicle of claim 15, wherein the frame subassembly is configured to be coupled to a cab assembly of a second type and a bed subassembly of a second type.

17. The toy vehicle of claim 15, wherein the frame subassembly is configured to be coupled simultaneously to a cab assembly of a second type and to a bed assembly of a third type that is different from the second type.

18. The toy vehicle of claim 15, wherein the insert defines a cavity that is sized and configured to receive a protrusion extending from the bed subassembly.

19. The toy vehicle of claim 18, wherein the insert includes a first repositionable catch disposed within the cavity that is configured to be moved in response to the release being repositioned.

20. The toy vehicle of claim 19, wherein the insert includes a projection disposed at a distance from the cavity, the projection sized and configured to be received within a recess defined by the cab subassembly and including a second repositionable catch disposed along a length of the projection, the second repositionable catch configured to be moved in response to the release being repositioned.