WOBBLE TOY

Abstract

A motorized toy capable of linear movement along a horizontal support surface. The toy includes a body, power supply, first and second wheels/gears coupled to the motor each of which is provided with a shaft. Each shaft has an extension angled away from its ends such that when activated, the wheels, being in contact with the horizontal support surface act to move the toy linearly while selective extensions contact the horizontal support surface causing the toy to wobble from side to side thus emulating the action of a lizard running.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to a motorized toy which, because of its unique structural features, emulates the side-to-side wobble action imitating a running lizard. The toy is captivating not only for children but pets which find the action of the present toy intriguing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are almost a limitless number of motorized toys designed to captivate both children and animals. Like the present invention, such toys are often times configured to replicate the look of a familiar bug or animal and move either linearly or haphazardly to meet the design goals of the toy's fabricators.

One such animal that most observers find intriguing is a lizard. Reptiles, such as lizards, can scurry across a support surface with a front leg on one side of its body being coordinated with a rear leg on the other side of its body causing the reptile to move in a waddle-like fashion. Such motion is challenging to replicate although if it can be replicated, the toy would be captivating.

It is thus an object to the present invention to provide a motorized toy which is self-propelled, structurally uncomplicated, and yet capable of replicating the waddle-like action of a lizard or similar reptile.

This and further objects will be more readily apparent when considering the following disclosure and appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A motorized toy capable of linear movement along a horizontal support surface, the motorized toy comprising a body, the body housing a motor, a power supply for the motor, a first wheel including a gear coupled to the motor, a first shaft fixed to the first wheel, the first shaft having first and second ends extending substantially equal distances from the body, the first end of the first shaft having a first extension and the second end of the first shaft having a second extension each angled to the first shaft such that when a first of the extensions extends toward the horizontal support, the second of the extensions is angled away there from, a second wheel including a second gear coupled to the first gear, a second shaft fixed to the second wheel, the second shaft having first and second ends extending substantially equal distances from the body, the first end of the second shaft having a third extension and the second end of the second shaft having a fourth extension each angled to the second shaft such that when the third extension extends toward the horizontal support, the fourth extension is angled away there from, the first and third extensions emanating from a first side of the body and the second and fourth extensions emanating from a second side of the body such that when in operation, the motorized toy travels over the horizontal support resulting from rotation of the first and second wheels in contact there with, the first and fourth extensions extending toward and contacting the horizontal support simultaneously and the second and third extensions extending toward and contacting the horizontal support simultaneously.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the motorized toy of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing, in phantom, certain internal components of the motorized toy of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the motorized toy of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration description only and are not intended as definitions of the limits of the invention. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are recited with particularity in the claims.

There has been broadly outlined more important features of the invention in the summary above and in order that the detailed description which follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form additional subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based readily may be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important therefore, that claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Certain terminology and the derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience and reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, words such as “upward,” “downward,” “left,” and “right” refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similar words such as “inward” and “outward” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. Reference in the singular tense include the plural and vice versa, unless otherwise noted.

Turning first to FIG. 1, motorized toy 10 is shown having body 13. Body 13 can take many different shapes and configurations to emulate a bug or animal although, as a preferred embodiment, the shape is generally that of a reptile, such as a lizard, having head 11 and tail 12 and having a plush outer cover 14 over rigid halves 27 and 28 (FIG. 3).

Body 13 includes a power supply such as batteries 62 for powering motor 61 and, a first wheel 52 including gear 54 coupled to motor 61.

First shaft 22 is fixed to wheel 52 which, in a first embodiment, can be substantially linear as depicted in FIG. 3. When motorized toy 10 is configured, first shaft 22 is characterized as having first and second ends 22a and 22b extending equal distances from body 13, first end 22a of first shaft 22 having first extension 36 and second end 22b of first shaft 22 having second extension 38 each angled to first shaft 22 such that when first extension 36 extends toward horizontal support surface 7, second extension 38 is angled away there from.

Second wheel 51 including second gear 53 is coupled to first gear 54. A second shaft 21 is fixed to second wheel 51, the second shaft 21 having first and second ends 21a and 21b extending substantially equal distances from body 13. First end 21a of second shaft 21 is provided with a third extension 35 and second end 21b of second shaft 21 is provided with fourth extension 37, each angled to second shaft 21 such that when third extension 35 extends towards horizontal support 7, fourth extension 37 is angled away there from.

It is noted that first extension 36 and third extension 35 emanate from first side 71 of motorized toy 10 while second extension 38 and fourth extension 37 emanate from second side 72 of body 13 such that when in operation, motorized toy 10 is caused to travel over horizontal support 7 as a result of the rotation of first and second wheels 52 and 51 coupled together by idler gear 55, first and second wheels 52 and 51 remaining in contact with horizontal support 7 throughout the operation of motorized toy 10. Furthermore, it is noted that, in operation, first extension 36 and fourth extension 37 extend toward and contact horizontal support 7 simultaneously while second extension 38 third extension 35 extend toward and contact said horizontal support 7 simultaneously.

It is further noted that because of the relative narrow “footprint” created by wheels 52 and 51, when energized, motorized toy 10 tends to wobble, said wobbling action being encouraged further by the spinning action of first and second shafts 22 and 21 and the extensions appended thereto. As the motorized toy moves linearly, its wobble action is maintained while first, second, third and fourth extensions selectively contact horizontal support 7 as they selectively extend below wheels 51 and 52 causing motorized toy 10 to selectively tilt from one side to another, these extensions also preventing motorized toy 10 from tipping over. The action created by the synergistic interaction of the parts of motorized toy 10 is captivating as the toy's linear and wobble movement replicates that of a reptile, such as a lizard, which both children and animals find captivating.

The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and provides the best mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensions, relationships, or operations as described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed as suitable without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features or the like. Therefore, the above description and illustration should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A motorized toy capable of linear movement along a horizontal support surface, said motorized toy comprising a body, said body housing a motor, a power supply for said motor, a first wheel including a gear coupled to said matte, a first shaft fixed to said first wheel said first shaft having first and second ends extending substantially equal distances from said body, said first end of said first shaft having a first extension and said second end of said first shaft having a second extension each angled to said first shaft such that when a first of said extensions extends toward the horizontal support, the second of said extensions is angled away there from, a second wheel including a second gear coupled to said first gear, a second shaft fixed to said second wheel, said second shaft having first and second ends extending substantially equal distances from said body, said first end of said second shaft having a third extension and said second end of said second shaft having a fourth extension each angled to said second shaft such that when said third extension extends toward the horizontal support, the fourth extension is angled away there from, said first and third extensions emanating from a first side of said body and said second and fourth extensions emanating from a second side of said body such that when in operation, said motorized toy travels over said horizontal support resulting from rotation of said first and second wheels in contact there with, said first and fourth extensions extending toward and contacting the horizontal support simultaneously and said second and third extensions extending toward and contacting the horizontal support simultaneously.

2. The motorized toy of claim 1 further comprising an idler gear positioned between said first gear and said second gear such that when activated, said motor causes said first gear to rotate which further causes said idler gear to rotate and said second gear to rotate.

3. The motorized toy of claim 1 wherein said motor is energized by a battery pack housed within said body.

4. The motorized toy of claim 1 wherein said body is in the shape of an animal having head and tail sections, said first and second shafts emulating legs of said animal and said first, second, third and fourth extensions emulating feet of said animal.

5. The motorized toy of claim 1 wherein said first, second, third and fourth extensions are selectively in contact with said horizontal support when said toy is activated by said motor driving said first and second wheels.

6. The motorized toy of claim 5 whereas when said first, second, third and fourth extensions selectively contact said horizontal support, said first, second, third and fourth extensions extend below said wheels causing said motorized toy to selectively tilt from one side to another.