Abstract: A method for playing a value-variable game of chance includes providing a random number generator including one or more walls forming a grid, the grid including an entrance zone and a finishing zone, and the grid being configured to support a transit of a puck from the entrance zone to the finishing zone; providing the finishing zone as including two or more finishing positions, each of the finishing positions configured to receive the puck, and each of the finishing positions being assigned a different finishing position value; providing the grid as including one or more deflectors; introducing a puck into the grid at the entrance zone and subjecting the puck to a force to drive the puck to the finishing zone, and allowing the puck to be deflected off any of the deflectors that it impacts during the puck's transit.

Abstract: A windup toy vehicle is provided. In some embodiments, the vehicle may include a body and a wheel assembly that is connected to the body and that defines an axis about which the wheel assembly spins. The vehicle also may include a spring extending at least generally along the axis and having a first end and a second end that are respectively fixed and pivotable with respect to the wheel assembly. An arm may be coupled to the spring at the second end such that the arm and the second end pivot as a unit. The vehicle further may include a stop supported by the body and configured to block the arm from spinning with respect to the body.

Abstract: A remote controlled circuit breaker for battery powered riding toys and method of using is disclosed. The circuit breaker is capable of being installed into standard electrical systems of battery powered riding toys via complementary connectors. If the child encounters danger while riding, the handler of the remote control can push the “Stop” button to switch the circuit breaker, thus preventing electric current flow through the toy. Once danger is averted, the handler of the remote control can push the “Go” button, which switches the circuit breaker to allow current flow from the battery to the motor, and thus allowing movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: A gearbox for a toy vehicle is provided that is adapted to transmit rotational power from a motor to a first drivetrain system adapted to drive a wheel and a second drivetrain system adapted to actuate an accessory feature. A swing mechanism is provided to alternatively translate rotational motion from the motor to the first drivetrain or the second drivetrain.

Abstract: A powered scale model vehicle having a transmission with a forward gear and a reverse gear. The transmission is shiftable between the forward gear and the reverse gear. The vehicle has a radio control receiver, a sensor and a microcontroller. The receiver is adapted to output a throttle signal and a shift signal to the microcontroller. The sensor is adapted to obtain a vehicle speed measurement. The microcontroller is electrically coupled to the receiver and the sensor. The microcontroller may be adapted to control a timing and execution of a forward/reverse shift on the transmission based on at least the vehicle speed measurement, the throttle signal, and the shift signal, for example.

Abstract: A miniature gasoline engine is installed at the rear section of the model car. A first transmission gear is connected to and driven by the axle of the miniature gasoline engine, which in turn engages a parallel, second transmission gear, which is mounted at an end of a first transmission axle. A first bevel gear is provided at the other end of the first transmission axle, which engages a perpendicular, second bevel gear. The second bevel gear is connected to a center differential located in the center of the model car which in turn drives a second transmission axle (i.e., the main transmission axle). The second transmission axle runs through the center differential and axially through the model car, and directly drives the two front wheels and the two rear wheels, respectively.

Abstract: A dual-gearshift position transmission mechanism for remote control toy car includes an output shaft, a first transmission gear and a second transmission gear mounted on the output shaft, a two-way axle bearing supporting the output shaft in the first transmission gear, an one-way axle bearing supporting the output shaft in the second transmission gear, a clutch fixedly fastened to the output shaft, an idle gear wheel meshed between the first transmission gear and the second transmission gear, a driven gear coupled to the first transmission gear, a drive gear meshed with the driven gear, and an engine controlled to rotate the drive gear.

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”.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a spring motor, in combination with a toy vehicle, that easily can be manufactured and wound up by moving the vehicle in reciprocating forward and backward movements. The motor is operable in rewind and run modes, and includes first and second spring gears; a spring having a first end yieldably engaged to the first spring gear and a second end connected to the second spring gear; a rear wheel axle having first and second drive pinions thereon, wherein the first drive pinion is meshed with the first spring gear; a rewind gear which is meshed with the second drive pinion of the rear wheel axle; a fixed gear that is meshed with the rewind gear; and a floating gear which is meshed with the fixed gear, wherein during the rewind mode the floating gear is meshed with the second spring gear, but during the run mode is disengaged from the second spring gear. A retaining lock is used to maintain the meshing of the second spring gear with the floating gear to prevent unwinding of the spring.

Abstract: An entertainment apparatus includes a chassis, support wheels rotatably secured to the chassis, a back-wind spring powered motor mounted to the chassis and drivably connected to at least one of the support wheels, so that the motor is wound by rolling the chassis backward on the support wheels, and a locking mechanism including a structure for releasibly locking the motor against unwinding and a structure for releasing the motor to deliver torque to and thereby rotate the at least one support wheel and accelerate the apparatus across a support surface.

Abstract: A key action, movable toy of the present invention moves in response to a turning action of a switch key. The toy generates a starting sound and an engine sound. A key switch mechanism which has three positions, off, on and starting, energizes a power unit, which moves the toy, to an on-state. The energizing occurs in response to a switch key moving from the off position to the starting position and to the on position. The power unit will stay on when in the on position, and a sound generation mechanism will switch from the starting sound to an engine sound when the switch key moves to the on position. The toy will move in response to a lever which controls whether the toy will move or stay stationary.

Abstract: A travelling toy vehicle is provided having an external body in the shape of a dump truck or other vehicle. An internal gear box, or frame, drives two wheels on an axle. The frame contains a vibrating mechanism and rocks left and right by the motion of a spur gear disposed between two cylindrical force receiving pieces attached to the external body of the travelling toy vehicle. A power transmission route change mechanism couples driver power from a motor to the vibrating mechanism for a predetermined period of time to simulate ideling of the vehicle. Thereafter, the drive power is coupled to the travelling mechanism to provide forward movement of the travelling toy vehicle. Electrical power to the motor is switched on and off by pressing down against the rear portion of the travelling toy vehicle. An operation restricting lever mounted at the rear of the vehicle prevents the switching on of electrical power when the toy is being stored and allows manual use of the toy without propulsion by the motor.

Abstract: Process and apparatus providing the automatic locking of the wings of a wing-operated flying toy, wherein a locking device associated with the operating mechanism is applied, under the effect of elastic pressure, against a notch or slot of the circular disk of the draw crank of the operating mechanism, so that when an elastic band attains its normal power under the effect of torsional moment, the locking device is unable to engage or hold its position in the notch or slot; whereas when the power has almost attained its lowest value at the moment when the elastic band is almost completely untwisted, the locking device is able to engage and maintain itself in the slit causing the wing operating mechanism to lock and prevent movement of the wings.

Abstract: A music box subassembly and a vehicle structure which incorporates the music box subassembly in such a way that the vehicle structure is useful both as a toy vehicle and also as a collectible music box. The vehicle structure offers selectable operating options. In one operating option, the music plays as the vehicle rolls, and in the other operating option, the vehicle "freewheels", without playing music which makes it attractive as a toy vehicle. Moreover, the vehicle structure is designed to incorporate a music box which is capable of producing rich, resonant sound of high quality, and to drive the music box with a precision designed to take advantage of the sound producing qualities of the music box. Also, the vehicle structure is designed to produce rich, resonant sound of high tonal quality music in a relatively compact package, which is attractive in both the toy and collectible art.

Abstract: A toy vehicle in which a flywheel motor assembly is operatively coupled to one set of wheels such that when the motor is revved up and the vehicle is released, it then advances on the ground in the forward direction. A settable distance counter assembly is operatively coupled to the other set of wheels to count the number of feet or other increment of distance travelled by the vehicle. Also included is a braking mechanism provided with a normally-retracted brake shoe whose position is off center with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a normally-retracted brake clutch adapted to engage a braking wheel in the flywheel motor assembly. The braking mechanism is responsive to the distance counter such that when a pre-set distance is travelled by the vehicle, the brake shoe is projected below the chassis to engage the ground and the brake clutch is then caused to engage the braking wheel to arrest the motor.

Abstract: A toy vehicle having a chassis and a plurality of wheels mounted on the chassis includes a wind up motor which is connected to at least one of the wheels. At least one detent is located in association with the wheel which is connected to the wind up motor. A member is mounted on the vehicle which is capable of engaging with the detent whenever the wheels of the vehicle no longer contact a support surface. Contact of the member in the detent prevents unwinding of the motor. Thus, whenever the wheels of the vehicle are not supported on the contact surface such as when the vehicle is overturned or the like the motor is prevented from unwinding.

Abstract: A toy vehicle with a two-part, telescoping, chassis is driven by a battery powered motor. The child manipulates a control lever to energize the motor and produce engine revving sounds and then engage the rear wheels to start the vehicle doing a wheelie. One part of the chassis carries the front axle and wheels along with the motor and batteries plus an elongated resonating tube with a bellows and striking rib at one end adjacent the motor and an angular, open, sound producing end. Beaters driven by the motor strike the rib to produce the engine revving sound. Rear wheels mounted on an axle carried by the other part of the chassis are drivingly engaged with the motor when the two parts are telescoped together. The shift control lever is mounted for pivotal movement into an initial electrical circuit completing contact to energize the motor and later mechanical shifting to telescope the rear axle carrying part towards the motor to engage the motor and rear axle.

Abstract: A toy vehicle has a gear box containing a clock spring which is wound by pushing the vehicle backward. A two part toggle-linkage system connects the gear box to the frame. When the clock spring is wound, the resulting spring bias urges the toggle-linkage system to one over center position which locks the gear box in order to preserve the energy stored in the wound spring. When the toggle-linkage system is pressed near its center, it moves over center to another position, which unlocks the gear box and releases the energy stored in the wound spring in order to propel the vehicle. When the vehicle is next moved backward, the toggle-linkage returns to the locked position which once again locks the gear box.

Abstract: A toy vehicle (10) is provided having a configuration to simulate any desired vehicle. The toy vehicle includes a base (12) with a unitary spring-powered motor assembly (16) having a rear drive wheel assembly (18, 20), pivotably mounted within the base. The axle of the rear drive wheel assembly includes a detent (32) which coacts with an integral arm (36) formed in the base to lock the unitary spring-powered motor and drive wheel assembly in the wound position. Upon tapping of a finger against the top of the housing, the housing rotates downwardly to release the motor and allow the vehicle to accelerate forwardly.

Abstract: A combination toy vehicle (10), a jump (14) for the vehicle, a tower (12) holding a swinging hoop (24) having a flame design adjacent the end of the jump, and a landing ramp (16) for the vehicle. The toy vehicle includes a shift lever (110, 110A) to hold the vehicle stationary when a motor in the vehicle is wound, and which upon release, allows the vehicle to move forward over the jump, through the swinging hoop, if in motion, and land on the landing ramp thereby simulating the vehicle leaping through a flaming stunt hoop.

Abstract: A toy vehicle has a gear box containing a clock spring which is wound by pushing the vehicle backward. A two part toggle-linkage system connects the gear box to the frame. When the clock spring is wound, the resulting spring bias urges the toggle-linkage system to one over center position which locks the gear box in order to preserve the energy stored in the wound spring. When the toggle-linkage system is pressed near its center, it moves over center to another position, which unlocks the gear box and releases the energy stored in the wound spring in order to propel the vehicle. When the vehicle is next moved backward, the toggle-linkage returns to the locked position which once again locks the gear box.