Plural Wheels Patents (Class 446/451)
  • Patent number: 11957993
    Abstract: A toy vehicle suspension operable to lift and lower the vehicle chassis of the toy vehicle. In particular embodiments, the vehicle suspension transmits sufficient forces to the wheels of the toy vehicle to enable the wheels to hop off the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Namero, LLC
    Inventors: Alaric R. Egli, Matthew R. Jackson, Darin Oreman, Jeroen de Vries
  • Patent number: 11577174
    Abstract: A toy vehicle control mechanism for performing stunts includes a rod coupled to a connection piece that permits a user to selectively manipulate a toy vehicle. The rod includes a rod-tip and a shaft, and the connection piece is formed as a loop or arch shaped structure that is secured to a toy vehicle as an interface for the rod-tip. The rod-tip has an interior opening and an exterior notch with a solid section separating the notch from the opening. The rod-tip and connection piece are configured so that the connection piece can travel around within the opening and be manipulated by selectively engaging the rod-tip's notch with various portions of the connection piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Inventor: Allan Henry Storm
  • Patent number: 11040261
    Abstract: A system for practicing roping of a steer may include a towing apparatus configured to tow a steer roping practice apparatus across a ground surface, a central anchor device configured to define a fixed anchor point with respect to the ground surface, an elongated guide member attachable at a first end to the central anchor device and attachable at a second end to the towing apparatus to guide the towing apparatus along a circular path about the central anchor device, and a turning device configured to engage the elongated guide member between the central anchor device and the towing apparatus in a manner causing the towing apparatus to make a turn on the ground surface from the circular path. The system may also include a mechanical steer roping practice apparatus movable across the ground surface and removably hitched to the towing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Inventor: Alan R. Copenhaver
  • Patent number: 10709995
    Abstract: A steerable toy car apparatus for providing an engaging toy for children includes a body having a front cutout channel, a back cutout channel, a front crossmember, and a back crossmember. A front left wheel and a front right wheel have a front steering bracket and are coupled to the front crossmember. A back left wheel and a back right when have a back steering bracket and are coupled to the back crossmember. A front wheel pod and a back wheel pod are coupled to the front steering bracket and the back steering bracket, respectively. Connection cables are coupled to the body and the front wheel pod and the back wheel pod. The body pivots to turn each of the front left wheel, the front right wheel, the back left wheel, and the back right wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Inventor: Geoffrey Smith
  • Patent number: 7533071
    Abstract: A special purpose processor (SPP) can use a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or similar programmable device to model a large number of neural elements. The FPGAs can have multiple cores doing presynaptic, postsynaptic, and plasticity calculations in parallel. Each core can implement multiple neural elements of the neural model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Neurosciences Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Snook, Donald B. Hutson, Jeffrey L. Krichmar
  • Patent number: 7442109
    Abstract: An articulated, steerable, toy vehicle includes a first wheeled vehicle portion and a second wheeled vehicle portion pivotally coupled thereto. A steering lever has a free first end and an opposing second end pivotally coupled to the second wheeled vehicle portion and operably coupled to the first wheeled vehicle portion through the second wheeled vehicle portion. Rotation of the steering lever relative to the second wheeled vehicle portion pivots the first wheeled vehicle portion relative to the second wheeled vehicle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Ellen Fosbenner, Jean Marie Newton, Robert A. Butkiewicz, Jeffrey Osnato, Francis E. Ponton, Jeremy S. Robotham
  • Patent number: 7431630
    Abstract: A toy having a motion detector that detects motion of the toy and generates a signal indicative of the motion. There is a visual display that is capable of selectively producing a visual output and an audio system capable of producing an audible output corresponding to, and descriptive of, the visual output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Dubois, James Meade, Kenneth Parker, Marjorie D. Yoder-Parr
  • Patent number: 7244163
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a toy car kit comprised of a block or frame, wheels, a motor and electric circuitry to operate the toy vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Max Benassi
  • Patent number: 7241197
    Abstract: A wheeled vehicle for small children with a steering wheel on a long steering column that extends upward and backward to about waist level of a child walking behind the vehicle. The child propels and steers the vehicle by pushing on the steering wheel and turning the steering wheel. The steering column extends below the vehicle to operate a front steering frame on which are mounted the front wheels. The steering frame is centrally pivotally mounted to the vehicle chassis at the front end of the vehicle. Inexpensive steering transmission and linkage is provided by a flexible cable, cord, or chain wrapped around the lower end of the steering column below the vehicle and spanning to the left and right sides of the steering frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Inventor: Nenzito C. De Oliveira
  • Patent number: 6524161
    Abstract: A luminous toy capable of emitting light at any time anywhere without having to worry about a power shortage and failing to turn off a switch and capable of preventing environmental pollution. The luminous toy includes a toy body provided with a piezoelectric element which induces a voltage when it is strained, a rectifying circuit for rectifying the voltage generated from the piezoelectric element, a capacitor for smoothing the voltage rectified by the rectifying circuit and a luminous element connected in parallel to the capacitor. The luminous toy also includes a strain generating mechanism for generating strain for straining the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignees: Shine Co., Ltd., Sega Toys, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukihiro Asami
  • Patent number: 6446981
    Abstract: A cart including a body, at least two wheels, and a frame. The body has an upper surface and a lower surface. The at least two wheels are operably coupled to the body. The frame includes a generally planar and substantially rigid upper member and at least one leg support member. The leg support member is coupled to the upper member and is releasably coupled to the body. The frame is positionable in a first configuration, wherein the upper member is substantially disposed over the upper surface of the body thereby forming a cover, and a second configuration, in which the frame is decoupled from the body and placed on a generally horizontal surface thereby forming a table. The frame includes means for releasably coupling the at least one leg support member to the body without the use of tools. A table includes a generally planar and substantially rigid first member, and leg support members. The first member substantially extends between and connects the leg support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: The Little Tikes Company
    Inventors: Gerald C. Wise, Cristina N. Gerwitz, Mark S. Coats
  • Patent number: 6364736
    Abstract: A toy vehicle is provided that is adapted for motor driven, battery powered operation, and in which the wheels can be disengaged from their gear train to permit free-wheeling use. The gear train for transmitting rotation from the motor drive shaft to the axle includes a worm gear mounted to the axle. The worm gear can be axially shifted along the axle with a manually manipulatable switch to engage and disengage the axle from the gear train. The switch preferably also controls transmission of electric power to the motor. In a presently preferred embodiment, electrical powers transmitted from the battery compartment to the motor solely by suitably disposed contact plates and, thus, is a “‘no wire’ design”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: New Bright Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keung Lee
  • Patent number: 6272946
    Abstract: A steering device for moving and directing a miniature vehicle provided with at least one leading wheel, the steering device has a control member arranged outside the miniature vehicle to be remote-manipulated by the user, a transmission for transmitting inside the miniature vehicle any movement produced on the control member, and a support component for deflecting each leading wheel controlled by the transmission. The steering device has converting members for gearing down any primary movement actuating the transmission into a secondary movement for deflecting each leading wheel. The steering device is applicable to toys, in particular miniature vehicles remote-controlled by a control member with dimensions and positioning corresponding to the child's morphology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Philippe Roux
  • Patent number: 6024623
    Abstract: A bubble making toy includes a bubble making device having an impeller and a bubble wheel including a plurality of apertures. The bubble wheel rotates within a bubble making fluid reservoir for forming a film of bubble making fluid over the apertures. The impeller is arranged to rotate within an impeller housing and delivers a flow of air through the apertures for forming a substantially continuous stream of bubbles. Each of the impeller and the bubble wheel are driven from a drive axle to which at least one wheel is secured, and preferably, each are driven at a respective rotational velocity that is a respective multiple of the rotational velocity of the at least one wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: OddzOn, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Menow, Jeffery G. Rehkemper, Lewis Ray Dyson
  • Patent number: 5921844
    Abstract: A lightweight slender, elongated toy caddy, comprising a central shaft, having a substantially axially extending removable handle located at its upper end; replaceable ground-contact means at the shaft lower end comprise a wheel, or dual wheels or a ski. A moveable seat is located intermediately upon the shaft. The wheels or ski require no tools in order to effect a change-over. The removable toy handle facilitates shortening of the shaft, to better suit the toy to the size of the user. The seat of the toy includes a seat belt for use in securing a toy, such as a stuffed animal or a doll and to serve as a teaching tool, to teach the need to buckle-up, as in a car seat. The toy is a uni-sex item, suitable for a wide age range of girls and boys. A handle loop or loops facilitates easy storage, and encourages tidyness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: Michael F. Hollick
  • Patent number: 5897038
    Abstract: A utility wagon or toy version thereof for containing a source of dispensable liquid and having a pump mounted in the wagon for pressurizing the source of liquid by actuating a reciprocally movable handle, and a wand connected to the source of liquid for selectively dispensing the liquid under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Jeff D. Myers
  • Patent number: 5441289
    Abstract: A walker/vehicle for a child includes a U-shape chassis member which is movably supported on a plurality of wheels and a frame member including spaced, transversely extending, seat and handle bar portions and a pair of side connector portions extending therebetween. The frame member is adapted to be alternatively assembled with the chassis in a vertically extending first position in which the handle bar portion thereof provides a walker handle bar or a horizontally extending second position in which the seat portion thereof provides a vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee Spielberger
  • Patent number: 5383808
    Abstract: A convertible toy truck/wagon includes a chassis and wheel assembly, a truck bed and a handle member pivotally mounted on the chassis and wheel assembly. The chassis and wheel assembly includes a main chassis member, a truck cab on the chassis member and a plurality of wheels for movably supporting the chassis and wheel assembly on a supporting surface. The truck bed is pivotable on the chassis member between a first substantially horizontal position and a second upwardly pivoted position, and the handle member is pivotable between an inoperative first position in which it extends rearwardly from the cab along the chassis member and an operative second position in which it extends forwardly and upwardly from the truck cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Playskool, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. DuBois
  • Patent number: 5362272
    Abstract: An activity toy and walker device for prompting and promoting interactive play, motor skill development and intellectual development of a child. A frame having a first portion and a second portion is deployable between a substantially collapsed orientation and a substantially upright orientation. Both of the first and second portions include a top end region and a bottom end region. When the frame is in its substantially collapsed orientation, the top end region of the second portion will be positioned proximate to the bottom end region of the first portion. When the frame is in its substantially upright orientation, the top end region of both of the first and second portions will be positioned proximate to each other. The device further includes an activity toy releasably attached to either the first or second portion of the frame for enabling use of same with the walker, or, alternatively separate and apart from the walker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Vtech Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Chi K. W. Chow, Frederick L. T. Tsang
  • Patent number: 5288262
    Abstract: A push wheel toy is disclosed where a handle is attached to pair of wheels on an axle. The axle is contorted so that the wheels are not necessarily parallel nor will the toy move in a straight line unless carefully controlled. The handle is loosely attached so that any point along the axle may be used to propel the toy. The toy may not only be used as a simple push toy, but may also be useful in therapy for those suffering motor control disability, and as a game between several individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Inventor: E. Lakin Phillips
  • Patent number: 5288258
    Abstract: A wheeled toy utilizes a pair of wheels mounted on an axle and moveable by an attached broom handle. A wire support straddles the two wheels, fitting over the outer ends of the axle, and a string assembly attached to the wire support facilitates a turning of the wheels relative to the handle. A fan spindle is rotatably attached to a plastic ball centered between the wheels, and a length of cord may be utilized to spin a plurality of radially mounted balls on the spindle. Alternatively, fan blades of various configurations can be used to rotate the spindle. The fan assembly includes colored rubber balls which orbit around the spindle, and one of the embodiments of the invention includes removable air scoops attachable to one or more balls so as to effectively operate as fan blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Inventor: Owen R. Soso
  • Patent number: 4765636
    Abstract: A steerable pushcart (10) has a body (12). Wheels (14) are rotatably mounted on the body (12) and are positioned to support the body (12) on a surface (55). The wheels (14) have a fixed orientation with respect to the body (12). A handle (18) has a first end (40) with a steering wheel (38) for applying rotating force to the handle (18). The handle (18) has a second end (46) at an angle to the first end (40). The second end (46) of the handle (18) is rotatably attached to the body (12). The handle (18) has a lever arm (56) extending from the second end (46). The pushcart (10) has opposing springs (59, 60) connected between the lever arm (56) and the body (12). In operation, rotation of the handle (18) causes the body (12) to angle from its usual straight ahead position with respect to the handle (18), without a scissoring action with respect to the handle (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Inventor: William W. Speer
  • Patent number: 4741718
    Abstract: Toy wheeled vehicle has a steering mechanism with steering column extending through the body of the vehicle upwardly and rearwardly and terminating in a steering wheel operable by a child standing above it. Couplers are provided for releasably securing different selected bodies to the vehicle frame. Each body has an opening in the top thereof to pass the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Inventor: Dirk J. Moolman
  • Patent number: 4610637
    Abstract: A toy vehicle has a body having left and right side walls and an arcuate wall extending from front to rear located inbetween the left and right side walls. The body is supported by wheels, a portion of each of the wheels extending upwardly through an opening formed wherein the side walls join the arcuate wall. A cylindrical element is positioned on the vehicle over the arcuate wall between the left and the right side walls so as to rest on the portions of the wheels which extend upwardly through the openings in the arcuate wall. As the vehicle is rolled on a surface, rotation of the wheels of the vehicle is transferred to the cylindrical element to rotate the same on the body of the vehicle. The cylindrical element has a plurality of openings shaped so as to receive a like plurality of blocks. The blocks can be placed within the cylindrical element by inserting them through the appropriate openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: Tomy Kogyo Co. Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Ferguson
  • Patent number: 4595380
    Abstract: A steerable wheeled toy in which each of a set of rear wheels is independently rotatable about a fixed axis in a toy body to provide effective differential movement in which each of a set of front wheels is caster mounted, the front wheels being connected together through a tie rod for co-ordinated follower action and in which a steering column is centrally connected adjacent the rear wheels and has a portion adjacent the body which is flexible but transmits torque to accurately simulate the driving and steering movements of a full size vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Inventor: Ronald G. Magers
  • Patent number: 4573936
    Abstract: A toy wherein remote objects are moved in response to the rotation of a steering wheel. A first embodiment has a pulley keyed to the shaft of the steering wheel, a second pulley journaled in the base of the toy and a belt therebetween. A drive arm arranged to snap into a slot on the side of a toy vehicle is affixed to the second pulley whereby its rotation will cause the drive arm and the vehicle to rotate. The drive arm includes a hinged center portion to permit vertical movement of its end in addition to the horizontal movement.In a second embodiment a ninety degree sector is secured at one apex to the steering wheel shaft, the sector being restrained to rotate only about ninety degrees before being returned to its original position. A rigid link has one end attached to a further apex of the sector and the other to a ratchet arm secured to a center post in the base of the toy. Also secured to the center post for rotation thereon is a ratchet wheel to which the drive arm is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Inventor: Tobin Wolf
  • Patent number: 4573941
    Abstract: A four-wheeled toy vehicle provided with a driver's cab and a steering post therebehind which extends above the body of the vehicle and makes it possible for a player to steer the vehicle from its exterior. Each front wheel has a short axle which extends transversely through a bearing that is pivotally supported on a vertical axis at right angles to the axle whereby the wheel is steerable. The steering post passes through the chassis and terminates in a crank at right angles to the post at the underside of the vehicle. The crank is pivotally connected to the leg of a T-shaped lever having arms extending outwardly from opposite sides of the leg, the lever fulcrum being at the junction of the leg and the arms whereby rotation of the crank in one direction by the steering post causes the arms to swing in the opposite direction. Each arm is pivotally connected to the bearing of a respective front wheel to effect steering thereof as the arms swing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: Buddy L Corp.
    Inventors: John Holden, Sam Colombrito, Arthur H. Jeffreys
  • Patent number: 4508517
    Abstract: A toy vehicle device includes a pair of interconnected wheeled vehicle housings. The two housings are connected by a member for conjoint movement in parallel to one another and for swinging movement of one vehicle about the other. One of the vehicles includes a propulsion mechanism for propelling both vehicles over a supporting surface. One of the vehicles also includes a mechanism for causing one vehicle to swing about the other vehicle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the mechanism for swinging one vehicle about the other includes a rotatable bar mounted on a first vehicle to periodically contact the supporting surface and pivot the first vehicle with respect thereto so that the first vehicle makes a sharp U-turn. Thus, the second vehicle, connected to the first vehicle by the member, swings in a wider arc about the first vehicle when the first vehicle undergoes a sharp U-turn. This action simulates in an entertaining manner a chase sequence between two vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventor: Ralph J. Kulesza